After meeting my new man, and subsequently realizing I’d never been to his hometown/state, I finally ventured out to Washington just in time for his annual family camping trip. En route, I flew over Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Baker and Mt. Rainier at 30,000 feet and even caught a glimpse of Seattle. We made out way straight to the woods, a much needed respite from the mundanity that has been my schedule lately, in an area near Lake Kachess. For 4 days I was without internet connection or cell service, and boy do I miss it.

Here are some snapshots.

At first I thought this was Mt. Rainier, but as I look closer at the top, it looks like it has erupted at some point, making me believe it’s actually Mt. St. Helens… could be wrong, but it’s beautiful nonetheless. [I stand corrected...this is Mt. Hood. And has never erupted ]

Another shot from the sky. This, I believe, is actually Mt. Rainier. See how the top is still intact?

After a hike to the top, looking out at Lake Kachess. Simply beautiful.

A shot of seattle from the plane. I didn’t get to spend time in Seattle, as I was camping all weekend, but next trip I’ll definitely venture into the city.

A shot of the mountainscape adjacent to Lake Kachess. The last day we were here, I spent some time reflecting during sunset.

At dusk, and before mine and Jordan’s return down the hill, through the forest, in the dark.

When we returned, it was time to sit by the fire with Jordan’s family and mentally prepare for a return to the city. One I was definitely not ready for.

As you can see, Washington state is beautiful. I look forward to spending more time out there, and seeing everything it has to offer. I’d love to visit Puget Sound, Seattle, wine country, and hike some of Mt. Ranier. If you’ve been to Washington, feel free to comment with some recommendations!

Both captive and captivating, she waits. Her eyes reaching out from behind the steel, longing for what once was.

While the masses saunter past her, the sound of her infant calf grows faint and like the human idiomatic expressions of her kind, her memory serves her well.

Perhaps too well, for it would be easier to forget than to long for what shall never be again.

Photography by Jordan Larrigan

Well Ok, for someone who has pages upon pages of miscellaneous apps, the creator should be honored that it has remained my favorite application for the iPhone. Infact, it has a place on my iPhone dock for easy access.

Here are some of the more recent photos I’ve taken with the iPhone Polaroid app, ShakeItPhoto.

From my previous travels and venturing around Austin, I was reminded somewhat of a unique blend of Bourbon Street and a country-style Downtown San Diego. The Downtown Austin area is flourishing with new and unusual architecture (most notably the armadillo-inspired City Hall Building- even has a tail!), blocks of bars with live, local bands and rows of tourist-ridden shops selling the infamous “Keep Austin Weird” shirts.

Visiting Austin Texas for the Austin City Limits festival was a great experience. Yea, so it rained pretty gruesomely all day Saturday, but luckily that was the day I decided to skip and explore around Austin, check out the Austin capitol building, and eat some delicious southern food. I even saw a Michael Moore film, Capitalism: A Love Story at the Alamo Drafthouse a dinner movie theater with full service. Can you believe the movie was only $9.00 and the food wasn’t even overpriced!

Friday and Sunday I slept in until 11 am and dilly-dallied until I was ready to make my way to the festival. Once I got there, I realized it was NOTHING like I expected. It was easy-going, few restrictions and a LOT of people. In comparison to Coachella, ACL wasn’t nearly as restrictive. People had blankets, chairs, blow-up and life size Gumby dolls, Flagpoles with distinctive flags adorning them and quite a bit of muddy debauchery. I was excited to see Pearl Jam, Kings of Leon, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, Bassnectar and tons of other cool bands.

Here are a few pictures.

I’ve downloaded everything from Lemonade Stand (practicing my business-running skills) to iFart (yes, I’m a child at heart). One app that I’ve really enjoyed having is ShakeIt Photo.

ShakeIt Photo iPhone app is a unique and fun app that allows you to take photos that look JUST like old school Polaroid film. The photos look like a polaroid and you even shake the phone to speed up the developing speed- just like you would an polaroid photo you’re too impatient to wait for.

Here are some photos I took the first day I got the ShakeIt Application.

I’d love to get your feedback and suggestions! Leave me a comment

A few weeks ago I made a trip up to Los Alamos, CA to visit Full of Life Flatbread, the home of some of the most amazing food I’ve ever had. I struggled with this post (hence it being weeks overdue) because there simply weren’t words for how impressed I was. Putting all fabrication and exaggeration aside, I was truly stunned when I set foot at Flatbread to find out that the production room doubles as a restaurant Friday-Sunday and that all of their ingredients are from local farmers within 40 miles of the restaurant. Not to mention that they ship their pizzas nationwide!

Touring the dessert fridge

When I arrived, Clark Staub, a former Angeleno in the music industry (formerly the VP of Marketing for Capitol Records) and now owner of Flatbread Full of Life restaurant, directed our attention to the fresh fava beans and pink lemons that had just arrived. I was even lucky enough to taste their homemade pink lemon whipped cream and witness the making of the Easter-inspired chocolate eggs filled with fresh berries and creme.

For dinner, we headed back to Flatbread and dined on some of the most delicious Pepperoni and Poblano Pepper pizza, Clam stew, Duck salad followed by a variety of other fresh flatbread wood fired pizzas. The one that I was most intrigued by was a pizza topped with cooked stinging nettles. Yes, nettles.  Apparently, when cooked, they’re incapable of stinging and actually quite tasty. By the time dessert came, I knew I was in for a treat. Remember that pink lemons we saw earlier? They were made into a delicious lemon tarte, topped with sweet and savory pink lemon whipped cream. I could have eaten it for days!

Clark Staub, Chef/Owner

Flatbread owner, Clark Staub explained to us a bit about the production of Flatbread pizzas. With only one hearth and limited bakers, Full of Life Flatbread produces over 200 pizzas per hour, each day of the week. Being as Los Alamos is a small town, locals from the vocational training center not far away, are employed to help build Flatbread frozen pizza boxes and knead dough.  Many of the individuals hired for this process are in need of job opportunities for those with mental or physical disabilities.

Locals from and around Los Alamos, gladly serve some of the most delectable and original dishes. Many employees I spoke with seemed to share Clark’s view of great food service and production.

“Full of Life is my own quest for simplicity and my own demand for quality food. Food made with and inspired by friends. Food that has a sense of place. Food made by real people without pretense or fashion. Food shared with our neighbors. Food that we ourselves eat. Food that is real and good and is part of the world that surrounds us.” – Clark Staub

I had the pleasure of meeting a great group of Flatbread employees after closing shop that night.  Pictured to the left is owner and chef, Clark Staub sharing an uplifting moment with his employees…then he sends them home with a pizza!

Mexico was a blast, it was time for a bit of relaxation and adventure.  I spent a night camping on the beach, a few in a rooftop Palapa and numerous days off-roading through endless cacti infested deserts.

On the Pacific side of the continent’s Southernmost point we spotted Leaping Manta Ray.  These Manta Ray are unlike anything I’ve ever seen. They leap out of the water and slap back down

www.youtube.com/watch?v=t2QTOz8kDZg

I also made my way back to visit Cuco y Pilar’s at Rancho Pilar where I witnessed a lot of growth in the area.  A family of Canadians has begun constructing a huge house at the top of the hill overlooking the beach where I camp.  It’s sad to see the land develop, it was kind of nice having a remote camping spot with friendly neighbors.

On our way up the Eastern Coast of Baja California Sur, I stopped to explore a huge cave we saw at the bottom of a dry river bed.  Filled with cows and lined with cacti, the cave was an amazing sight.

The New Year has begun and I feel refreshed.

Happy New Year.

I had the opportunity yesterday to see the premier of a soon-to-be Broadway musical performed in an 80-person capacity, solar-powered, Venice Beach theater.

Adapted from the 2000 film also titled The Flunky, directed by Vincent Van Patten, The Flunky: A New Musical portrays the life of rockstar named Tyler Mann and his “flunky” ( a diehard fan dedicated to the service of said rockstar) along the path of betrayal and moral tension. Like any good musical, The Flunky: A New Musical left me humming out the door. Those who know me, though might argue I do that anyways.

The musical starred Jimmy Van Patten, Actor and son of long time T.v. star Dick Van Patten, teen icon Deborah Gibson and triple-threat comedian, P.J Griffith. Van Patten, often recognized for his role on The Odd Couple and more recently in Saw IV, shook the stage with talent. Van Patten’s character, Tyler Mann, sings and dances his way through a Hollywood comeback, all the while making and breaking co-dependent relationships with frauds and fans.

Deborah Gibson, playing the role of Sandra, brings to the show immense talent and passion. With over 16 million albums sold and world recognition as the youngest female singer/ songwriter/ producer of a #1 Hit Single on the Billboard Hot 100 List, there is no doubt it will become one of Broadway’s finest comedy musicals. Gibson was the show’s lyricist.

P.J Griffith, as the role of Flunky, Jackie, so convincingly played the role of a diehard fan that you might not have expected him to have his own fan club. Griffith has appeared in roles on shows like House MD, Without A Trace and worked on popular TV series such as: Mad TV, Penomenon, Comedy Central Presents…, and Days of Our Lives.

The Flunky: A New Musical bares all in their “truth-be-told” portrayal of Hollywood phonies. With songs like “Hey Man,” “Too Rich, Too Thin” and “Rock Star’s Life,” The Flunky employs the ideas and criticisms of things we’ve all seen in grocery store tabloids.

Reviewer Rating: 5 Stars!

Until Broadway… Ciao!