Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Pepere

This is a photo of my French Great-grandfather, Pepere. This is a picture of him taken during World War II. I believe it was taken soon after he was captured by the Germans and put in a prisoner of war camp in Hemer, Germany (Stalag 6A). He was always a happy soul but in this picture he looks rather grim (for good reason).This POW camp was a forced labor camp and the conditions were deplorable. Pepere lied to the Germans when they asked him his line of work. He was a mechanic by trade but told them he was a gardener because he did not want to be put to work aiding their war effort. I believe he was kept in the POW camp for 3 or 4 years. He was very lucky to get out alive, as 24,000 POWs died there. When the war ended in 1945, my Grandma Ginette who was only 16 at the time, left home with a friend with the intention of searching for her father and bringing him home. She was very close to him and was determined to find him. The 2 girls dressed up in French army uniforms (or something they thought looked close to that), boarded a train, and set off for Germany. Of course they had no money and no papers and they were soon sent back home. Pepere eventually made it home and I'm sure they had a warm reunion.

-Photo and story from my Aunt Carole

Monday, September 28, 2009

Chelsea's Extraordinary Ordinary

"I took this pic in Santa Barbara last year. It has remained in my mind and my heart as a reminder to be peaceful and loving with all walks of life."

Friday, September 25, 2009

Tuolumne




I just spent the last four days in Tuolumne on a gear testing trip for work. We passed the time climbing routes, hiking, swimming, and bouldering. I am lucky enough to be able to take these team trips 2-3 times a year and they are always amazing. However, this trip topped them all. We had great food (prepared by Billy at Dragonfly in Tahoe)http://dragonflycuisine.com/. We also had great friends and plenty of good laughs. The best part of the trip for me was being able to climb and boulder with two very strong women, Heidi Wirtz and Lisa Rands. I have known them both for a few years now, but our time together is always limited. Having four days to hang with them was pretty awesome and awe-inspiring. They both crush and they are both totally down to earth women who I am grateful to know.
After the trip I got to spend a little extra QT with Heidi. We bouldered in the morning at the knobs, drove back to Oak-Town, and bouldered in the evening at the local gym, GWPC. By the end of the night I felt like my arms were gonna fall off! We finished the day with a big sushi dinner. It was the perfect way to end a really great trip. Heidi extended the offer for me to come join her in Boulder to get out and do some more climbing. I can't wait! Thanks Heidi!


Friday, September 18, 2009

Ben Harper Relentless 7


As a gift from someone very special in my life, I got to attend a Ben Harper Relentless 7 show at the Fox last night. I wasn't too familiar with the Relentless 7 album 'White Lies for Dark Times' but I had heard it enough to know the show would be great. Ben and his crew proved that truly skilled musicians only need a few basic amps and a whole lot of soul to put on an amazing performance. Not only was the show good, but the encore made my night. Ben played the first encore solo, performing a lot of old songs. The audience was silent and his voice carried through the theatre. I have seen Ben perform live before, but I am always stunned by his talent. He has such an awe inspiring presence and a voice that conveys immense emotion. He brought me to tears with the song 'Walk Away'. It was such an inspiring show. I am so thankful to have been there.

-Here are a few bad cell phone pics (forgive me-I forgot the camera)!

Thursday, September 17, 2009

On repeat on my ipod




The album 'Rockferry' has been on repeat on my ipod all week. This album has been out a while, but I just got into it. Ann Duffy has a voice that takes you back to another era, she is sultry and soulful and the entire album is like listening to a story. She sits right along with the likes of Amy Winehouse and Adele. My personal favorite is the song "Hanging On Too Long", but every song is relate-able and moving.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Yeah Yeah Yeahs!
















Last Thursday the ladies and I rocked out at an amazing show by the Yeah Yeah Yeahs at Oakland's Fox Theatre. Karen O, as usual, was bad-ass as hell! Every outfit she rocked was amazing, totally crazy and full of color. And on top of the amazing outfits, she also knocked out every song with a booming voice that was just as strong screaming and deep-throating the mic as it was soothing and sweet when she belted out a ballad. The show was super inspiring and I'm glad I got to be there with such amazing girls! Thanks Erika and Audrey, it was fun!

Tuesday, September 8, 2009

I got my new Holga on Saturday. I took it out for a lazy day at the beach this weekend with some friends and then to a pool/hot tub jaunt at the Claremont in the Berkeley hills. Hopefully some of the pics will turn out and I will share them with you here.

Leighsa's Extraordinary Ordinary

"Lola with her new “collection” of soft, furry toys. My cousin sent a slew home with me. Since I knew Lola needed to view the collection, I couldn’t exactly pull out one at a time for her to decide. She had now made it clear they all need to be at her disposal."

Saturday, September 5, 2009

All I want is that hope back

Maybe there's a time in every one's life that they realize they are not where they expected to be. Maybe there's a time when you look in the mirror and realize a lot of those childhood dreams are a far cry from where you actually ended up. Right now is that time for me. Right now I am alone. Right now everything I thought I had all figured out is upside down. It hurts to be in this place. All I can do is think about how life seemed limitless when I was a kid. All I want is that hope back.



This week I got to hit up the Burton showroom to do some private sample sale shopping thanks to my boy C-leb. I got some flossy gear for snow-sporting this winter that I can't wait to rock. And on top of the steezy threads I got to hang with Alice Cooper, the unbelievably adorable french bulldog!


Friday, September 4, 2009

Naoma's Extraordinary Ordinary

"I like it because its a photo of the space shuttle taking off, which is cool and all, but with the colors all switched up and whatever else they did to this photo, the everyday looks (almost) more interesting than wherever the shuttle is headed."

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Photo Fabulous


I'd like to share with you all a very talented photographer and good friend, Dave Sotelo. Dave has just launched his very own site and I am so thrilled for him!http://www.sotelophoto.com/index2.php#/fgallery/2/

He has got a great eye and I have been very lucky to share in some of the adventures he has captured in his photography.
Congrats Dave! I look forward to more adventures and photo shoots in the near future!

Tuesday, September 1, 2009

The Key to My Heart


I love this image (taken from a display at Anthropologie).
I have traveled all over the world for work and stayed in so many amazing hotels... I wish they still gave you a key when you checked in instead of a card. This would be such a cool way to document all the places I've seen...
 

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