domo arigato

Two months down, ten to go for my 365. This is a throwback for all you 80s luv-ers. Remember the use of Styx's "Mr. Roboto" in this great ad? Or how about when Tony Hale spoofs his VW ad on Arrested Development here.
I hope February was good to you!

no business like snow business

It's hard for us to believe she's turning 11 this year, because when you see her in the snow, she is a pup going full throttle. As soon as we opened the door this morning and she spotted all the snow, she leapt off the top of the deck (stairs are for wussies), and raced around the yard. Her joy is so contagious. I hope you've having a fun weekend and enjoying what little snow we get around here. 

i'm gonna cut loose....footloose

a metaphor for life

Last Friday I found out one of my dearest friends is pregnant. I couldn't be more excited for her. I am as happy as if I found out I was pregnant; I think I'm even going through sympathy nausea with her. You want to see your friends achieve their dreams, and when they do, it's a beautiful thing. But sadly later that evening, while visiting other close friends, I found out my friend's father is battling cancer. It hit me: How could I go from feeling the utmost elation for one friend to complete heartbreak for another friend in the span of 3 short hours? Seeing this staircase today just reminded me of how life can throw us one way or another.

first signs of spring

this moment was brought to you by jello pudding....

These aren't technically great shots, but they make me laugh. They are taken within 10 seconds of one another, showcasing how quickly kids' expressions change. If my one-year-old niece could speak, this is what I think she'd be saying in these moments.......

top photo (raging): "Oh.....come on!! What does someone have to do to get a freaking napkin around here!?!"

bottom photo: "I'm sorry, what? Did you say something? What? There's something on my face? What?" 

the huntress

cue jaws music.......

one down, four to go....

I would always travel by train and walk through hail to get to these smiling faces. A fun night out with friends is always the best cure for the Mondays. 

paris, je t'aime

Today the sun was shining and the air was crisp, with promises of spring buds sprouting through the soil.
There's just a natural romance to the day. When the air has the slightest hint of Spring, my mind starts swimming with images of Paris. My current fantasy is to take French classes, learn French cooking and save up for a vacation in Paris for my 40th, which strikes next year (like a lead pipe). I would love to rent an apartment with my love and our little one and live like the locals, going to the markets, cafes, riding bicyclettes around les rues. I'd love to take the train out to the French countryside and visit picturesque villages happily snapping photos at every turn. The baguettes, the cheese, the coffee, the wine. That's not really a sentence, but trust me, it is a complete thought. There's definitely a romantic je ne sais quoi to French living that has me mesmerized.
I hope your weekend was tres manifique!

I love the brilliant street shots of everyday Parisian fashion captured here by The Satorialist.

Check out this wonderful commercial by EF Education that will make you swoon for Paris:

EF - Live The Language - Paris from Albin Holmqvist on Vimeo.

down by the water

i walk the line

why i love where i live

It was one of those extraordinarily sunny, crisp winter days. The kind where you walk briskly with that fresh rosy glow in your cheeks. This is the beautiful site I got to see while grabbing lunch today. As cheesy as it sounds, U2's song 'Beautiful Day' kept going through my mind as I stared at the fresh snow on the mountains. We're off to visit great friends tonight for some vino and laughs.  I hope you have a fantastic Friday! 

Disconnected

lonely lamp in a fast paced world

the ghosts come out at night

Inside you the time moves and she don't fade. The ghost in you, she don't fade. (Psychedelic Furs)

my heart was aflame

and finally the last of the cheesy heart photos....

Love actually

Love. I'll bet if you ask all your friends what their definition of love is, they'd each say something slightly different. But one thing we can all agree upon is that it begins with a feeling. Something about this person makes them stand out from the others you've met. Something about them makes you want to share what precious time you have with them, to learn more, to share more, to laugh more. Some love stories are sweeping epics, spanning years with volumes of memories. Some love stories are fleeting, but no less full of love. Last year several people I know ended up getting divorced. Their love stories all started the same - full of bliss, hope and mutual adoration. They all had happy photos on their mantles at one point. Somewhere along the road, either they changed or their paths diverted away from one another. What makes me sad is hearing their stories of how they "stayed in it for the kids" or "stayed in it too long because they didn't want to be alone." You only have one shot at this life - make sure you're in a relationship because you truly want to be in it. Don't look back on your life and think, well, I stayed unhappy for 10 years to keep my children's lives stable. What does that teach them? Remember on airplanes they always say that in the event of an emergency, you have to put on your oxygen mask before helping others. You are no good to anyone unless you look after yourself first. Who wants miserable parents? I'm not an expert on love, and frankly I don't know anyone who is, but there are a few simple truths about love that I have learned over the years. Of those I know, the ones with the happiest relationships are people who share deeply compatible friendships. You have to have stuff in common that you enjoy, or else what fun are you having together? Lust fades, so you better have something solid to back it up. Don't get me wrong, there's still lots of great sex to be had, but that got-to-have-you-right-this-second-on-this-uncomfortable-tabletop only lasts so long - or else we'd never get anything done! Another simple truth about love -the more you put into it, the more you will get out of it. But that's a golden rule for most things in life. There are just a few questions you have to ask yourself - do they make your heart happy? Do you enjoy your time with them more than your time away from them? Are they the first person you would call if: you had amazing news to share, or if you won two tickets to a romantic destination, or if you were upset? And most importantly, are they worthy of your heart? Are you proud of who they are as a person?

There have been so many wonderful love stories captured on film. A few of my all time favourites are: Out of Africa, When Harry Met Sally, The Notebook, Walk the Line....but the little piece of film footage that I think best sums up love is this four minute montage from Up. Please click here and enjoy! xo 

catching my breath

Happy Valentine's Day weekend! I hope you and someone special are making time (and love) together.
Here are some of my favourite swoon-worthy songs that I'll be spinning this weekend: Wild Horses (Rolling Stones), I'm on Fire (Bruce Springsteen), Fix You (Coldplay), Landslide (Fleetwood Mac), With or Without You (U2) , Honey and the Moon (Joseph Arthur), Bobcaygeon (Tragically Hip). Quelqu'un m'a dit(Carla Bruni), I will give you everything (The Skydiggers). Have you tried Grooveshark? Simply look up any song you can think of, double click on it and start forming your playlist. It's doesn't download any songs or take up any space on your computer. You can listen to whatever songs you like for free. Grooveshark is a great way to test drive some tunes before committing (gasp, commitment!) to buying them on itunes. Too bad this generation won't know what it's like to receive that special cheesy mixed tape from a new crush, letting you know exactly how they feel by the songs chosen just for you.
xo

addicted to love

Might as well face it, you're addicted to love.

because I am.....

Shangri La, viewed through a sculpture

crescent beach

phallictastic sculpture, Vancouver

love cupcakes

janet's 40th

I have known Janet literally since I was a baby. She lived down the road where I grew up. She held me in her arms when she was two years old. Today she turns 40. She is one of these remarkable people who just exudes kindness and is so welcoming to everyone. You want to introduce her to every friend you have because you're so proud to know her. Her husband Art packed a day full of birthday surprises for her. She started out the day having a facial and then met up with us for an afternoon kayak around False Creek. We departed from Granville island and paddled around English Bay to Stanley Park and back. Vancouver is such an amazing city to live. Seeing the city's skyline from the water's vantage point is truly beautiful. The weather was remarkably mild for February - we were able to paddle around in light sweatshirts. After kayaking, the ladies headed off to a local nail salon for manicures or pedicures. I do not frequent salons and it shows. The lady helping me pulled out a mini electric sander to start working on my feet. She laughed a lot. I gave her an extra tip for her efforts, which I'm sure, were groundbreaking. Next up was a delicious dinner at the Italian Kitchen. Delizioso! There's nothing better than round table dining when you've got a group of good friends. We met up with the rest of the party crew at the condo Art rented downtown for some cake, mingling and dancing. There were definitely tears when he surprised Janet with a beautiful ring containing five gems. The ring was made up of their birthstones, the birthstones of their sons Josh and Cody, and the birthstone of their son Kieran who passed away shortly after birth.  Yep, I still tear up just thinking about it. Art really did make the day so special for Janet from start to finish. She kept telling me throughout the day how she felt so loved. She is. 

you can leave your hat on

These are quick shots because we are heading out for a jam packed day that will go into the wee hours of the night. I just do self portraits to practice doing portrait photography with the quickest available person I can get. Believe me, I'd much rather have my friends close by so I can photograph them instead. I should have a lot more variety of photos tomorrow thanks to the busy agenda laid out today for my friend's 40th. Have a wonderful Saturday - I hope yours is packed with fun!

puttin on the Ritz

Sometimes with project365 I'm not thrilled with what I post. Some days are busy and photo taking slips down in the ranks of importance. This is one of those ho-hum-quick-snap-a -365-photo-kind-of-shots.  This photo is from the view of the Ritz in Vancouver, where we're busy getting party headquarters set up for friend's 40th shindig tomorrow night. Vancouver's skyline looks endless here.
I cannot wait to celebrate! My friend has no idea all of the little surprises awaiting her tomorrow.
Happy Friday everyone!

love month

I just want your extra time and your..........kiss!

Mowgli

This is my parents' dog Mowgli. They are leaving for a trip tomorrow and think he's beginning to sense it........