Congrats KLC!

My very talented friend Korri Leigh Crowley was named Boston.com's Photographer of the Week on Monday. It's a well-deserved honor! Korri is creative, professional and her passion for her photography is evident to anyone who meets her. Be sure to check out her website and her self portraits featured online. Congratulations Korri!

KLC hard at work, Oct. 2009.

A little inspiration...

My latest story for YPNation is now online and it's a profile of an inspiring young professional. Shannon Varney was laid off from his financial management job at the beginning of the economic downturn and sank into a depression. But he was moved into action and created his own non-profit organization; a career move he never thought he'd make.

Check out the rest of Shannon's story at YPNation!

DMB at the Grammys

What is it about awards shows that renders me virtually powerless to change the channel? I almost always end up watching the entire broadcast, even though I never anticipate on watching the whole thing. Oh well.

I did watch the entire Grammy Show last night and there were some great performances. I thought the Dave Matthews Band was awesome, but I'm definitely biased since they've been my favorite band since I was 14 or 15. Lady Gaga's duet with Elton was also impressive, as was Pink's amazing acrobatic routine.

But I'm obviously going to post a video of DMB here on my blog since I love them. I wish they didn't walk away empty-handed last night. There's always hope for the next album!

My New Obsession

It's no secret that I have been watching more TV than usual lately. While I'm not proud of my TV-watching habits, much of my time in front of the tube for the last few weeks has been focused on one show: Alias.

I never watched the show when it was actually on the air (2001-2006), but through the magic of the free DVD rentals at the public library I have zipped through Season 1 and I'm now on Season 2.

Jennifer Garner is a butt-kicking double agent on a mission to take down the bad guys. Along the way, she travels the world, wears ridiculous undercover get-ups and falls for her hottie CIA colleague (Michael Vartan).

I've always been a fan of Jennifer Garner and now I like her even more. The show is fast-paced, action-filled, a little campy and very enjoyable. And I've already made sure that my library network has all five seasons on DVD. (They do-- yay for free library rentals!)

Alias image from Amazon.com

About to get WILD

My friend Tom told me last night that Dave Eggers is one of the screenplay writers for the upcoming Where The Wild Things Are movie. Yay!

Being a big (but clearly out-of-the-loop) Eggers fan, I was psyched! I've seen the stills and previews for the movie and it looks awesome. And now that I know Eggers and Spike Jonze are at the helm, I'm sure the movie will live up to the high expectations of fans.

I think this will be a movie for grown-up kids like myself and judging by the trailer, we won't be disappointed. Click here for the trailer-- I was having difficulty embedding the full screen into this blog post.

Home Stretchhh

I officially only have two more days left in my master's program. Granted, they will be a very busy two days but then I will have a master's in journalism and (hopefully) a long career as a journalist ahead of me!

In the midst of all the final project craziness, I have been remembering to keep a perspective on things and I haven't been as stressed out as I thought I would be. I've taking a bunch of photos for my photojournalism final and I'll be sure to post that slideshow on here once I'm done with it. In the meantime, some recent photos of wanderings around Boston are below-- I was out looking for inspiration and the subject of my final project!

Speaking of inspiration, we had an awesome guest speaker in photo-j tonight: Lou Jones. He has literally traveled around the world again and again on various photo assignments and his photos are beautiful. He was a very funny, engaging speaker and so talented. His Web portfolio is worth looking at.

It was inspiring to see his photos, but also to see someone who seems so satisfied in his career. It gives me hope that there is creative, fulfilling work out there...enough hope that I walked an extra couple blocks before hopping on the T tonight because I was in a good mood.

Get ready to feel lazy

I created this slideshow for my class this week. It stars a 94-year-old shop owner in my neighborhood. She is a real hot ticket and works by herself every day. She has no intention of retiring either!

And you thought you worked hard!

Wannabe Shutterbug

I've been taking a photojournalism class for the past few weeks and it's definitely led me to think about storytelling in a new way. I took a photography class in high school and have dabbled in it since then.

But I'm now looking at photos in a new way and loving the challenge of telling a whole story or capturing a moment in just a few photos. I'm also going to start creating audio slideshows, so hopefully I'll have some cool things to share here soon.

In the meantime, check out the pros at these great blogs at The Globe and The NY Times.

A New Career?

Judging by the work below, I think I should become a pet photographer. I mean, this should be used in a dog food ad or pet calendar!

Ok, maybe I shouldn't really take that much credit. The picture is great mostly because of handsome Mr. Jimmy. My awesome Nikon and an adorable model sure make for some easy shooting. If only I could really be a pet photographer...

New Members Wanted

A few months ago, there was a bone marrow registry drive at school. I went with two friends and within a few minutes, we had filled out paperwork, swabbed our cheeks with Q-tips and become part of the National Marrow Donor Program. I may never have known about it if it wasn't for one friend's personal connection to the cause.

I just got my official membership card in the mail this week confirming that I was part of the registry. I may not ever be a match for someone, but it's a powerful thing to know that I could help someone who really needs it someday.

There is always a need for more potential bone marrow donors. Click here for info on joining the registry.

Logo from bethematch.org

Pixar has done it again

Just got back from seeing UP and it was amazing. Not that I had any doubts, but it was wonderful.

In my opinion (and I think my movie-mates Korri and Tom would agree with me), there isn't a studio out there that can touch Pixar's creativity or their incredible animation. Like all Pixar films, UP featured characters and places that looked real and had a brilliant array of colors.

This is definitely a movie for all ages. Plenty of jokes that adults can appreciate, just like the humor in other Pixar films. Bring your tissues though-- serious heartstring tugging!

I don't want to give too much away, but Dug the dog is the best character and has the funniest line in the movie.

Check out the trailer and then check out the movie!

They've still got it...

I was lucky enough to see Dave Matthews Band at Fenway last night and the boys did not disappoint.

It's been at least five years since I've seen them in concert and not that I had any doubt about how the show would be, but they were just as entertaining as the first time I saw them when I was 16.

They played about six songs from their new album, Big Whiskey and the GrooGrux King and of course old favorites like Two Step, Stay, Crush, #41.

Basically it was an amazing night-- the weather was perfect, DMB rocked and Fenway was a really fun venue. My crappy BlackBerry pic does not do it justice!

Funny Kiwis

There really isn't a succinct way to describe Flight of the Conchords. They're a stand-up act/music group from New Zealand. They also have a bizarre and hilarious show on HBO (with the same name) about two guys in a band from New Zealand who come to New York City to try and make it.

Every episode has foolish plot lines and a ridiculous song or two. Kristin and Mike introduced us to these guys and we loved them right away.

Here is a song from season one: "Bret, You Got It Going On." Jemaine is trying to cheer up Bret with a song he wrote.

Free Coldplay Download

As a thank you to fans, Coldplay has made a live album available for free download on their Web site.

After just one listen, I definitely welcome this thank you. (Although I am a very biased Coldplay fan...)

Photo from Coldplay.com

Is there anything cuter than a new puppy?

Meet Jacoby! He's not my puppy, but I wish he was.

After spending some quality time with him on Saturday, I know why golden retriever puppies are always used in commercials. He really is super-cute and has a great little personality.

Enjoy these pics of Mr. Jacoby and his big brother, Jimmy.

A Cause Worth Your Spare Change

I'm aware of all the problems in the newspaper industry right now, especially here in Massachusetts, but I have to mention an alternative paper worth supporting.

Before moving to Boston, I wasn't even aware that a "street paper" movement existed, but lo and behold, it does and The Spare Change News is Boston's street paper. The Spare Change News is bi-weekly and sold on the streets in Boston by vendors who are homeless or were recently homeless.

The vendors buy the paper from the which produces the paper for $0.25 per copy and then sell the paper for $1, keeping the profits they make. Vendors must meet certain rules and requirements before they can sell papers -- like staying sober -- which I think adds a lot of legitimacy to the project.

Inside the paper, the News runs articles from street papers across the country and features work from writers who used to be homeless. It's an interesting perspective and also a great cause to support. Check it out if you come across a vendor.

It's Guac Weather!

Ok, so I'll admit that it doesn't have to be warm and sunny for me to enjoy guacamole, but it's definitely on my list of quintessential summer foods.

Whenever I make guac, I use avocado, chopped tomato, chopped onion, cilantro and lime juice. I'm sure everyone puts an individual twist on the recipe, but I've found this simple combination is delicious.

I made some yesterday and added it to this tasty taco salad of lettuce, seasoned ground turkey, cheese and Trader Joe's fresh salsa. I only wish guacamole didn't go brown so quickly!

Just for fun

A little Dolly portrait -- too funny/weird not to post.

Sharing Musical Love

This morning, one of the first things I saw when I turned on the TV was Matt Nathanson's "Come On Get Higher" video. A few hours later, I heard it as soon as I turned on the radio.

Probably just a coincidence or Top 40 overplay, but it made me stop and think about my love for Matt Nathanson, a Mass native. I've seen him in concert at least six times and he is awesome live. In my opinion, one of the best live performers around.

His latest album, Some Mad Hope, has been his most commercially successful and he definitely deserves it.

I highly recommend anything by the man! Check him out and support a talented, quality musician.

flickr photo - Although I do have a picture of me and Matt after I met him my freshman year, but that was long before I owned a digital camera...

You should buy/rent this today!

Slumdog Millionaire is out on DVD today and I think everyone needs to see this movie!

It was so amazing and unlike any movie I've seen recently. I know there was a lot of hype surrounding it -- especially after the Oscars -- but it was well-deserved.

Go see it! (Or buy it.)

Photo from flickr.