thorn me.

saguaro cactus - scottsdale, az

there is something about cactus that is so alluring to me.  i have an irrational desire to touch them despite the thorns.  in that effect, they're a lot like men.

strangeness of strangers.

when i pass a stranger, i always consider whether or not we would be friends if properly introduced.  and if a boy is particularly sturdy and good looking, i wonder whether or not fate is telling me to bump into him "on accident."  the woes of wanting to know everyone.

ten-four.

a bear of a chair - the campanga brothers - moss soho nyc

why do men and women become police officers?  i passed four patrol cars while running today, and each time i glanced over to see what the drivers' faces looked like.  one hundred percent of the time i was greeted with a straight-faced, sun-glassed stare.  no smile.  no nod.  no wave.  i started to wonder where their minds stood--whether or not they expect the worst out of everyone they roll by.  or if they remind themselves that people generally tend to be well intentioned.  i considered what kind of people choose to cross the line of jurisdiction.  a bad boy converted.  a woman who wants to even the playing field.  maybe someone who actually thinks that they can lend an impartial hand.  needless to say, i kept running and thinking and never really came to any conclusion other than that i can't imagine a uniformed man's reality.  

perma youth.

cabbage from the euser farm

went for a bike ride to sands beach today and decided that i need to create a potion to preserve my youth.  not that i'm young necessarily.  but this time of my life deserves a second go-around.

plenty of peace to pass around.

kid robot - haight ashbury - san francisco

the peace sign has made a serious revival people.  though we've all exhausted the two-finger pose, the circular sign remains quite prominent in all arenas of life.  i've passed several cars having peace sign stickers.  they're on tee-shirts at saks and satchels at urban outfitters.  at this very moment my middle finger dons a gold peace sign ring.  i guess the more the merrier.  and really, when i flip off the chick who cuts me off in the fast lane, i suppose the ring lessens the sting.  so i encourage you all to invest in everything la paz.  if not, promote it with a smile :) 

if only i could actually fly.

i downloaded free bird by lynard skynard this afternoon while scrolling through a list of the top 100 rock songs of the 70s.  i'm not entirely sure that its author is an authority on the subject, but who is really?  let's just say i have quite a few new jams on my itunes.  

since then, the classic has been on repeat--separated, on occasion, by chris brown's get down.  every time the former plays, i'm reminded of the scene in forrest gump where jenny is clearly desperate, balancing on her hotel room's balcony ledge in heels.  that moment in the film makes me incredibly anxious, but the song does quite the opposite.  

imagine the view from up there.

so thankful.

in this moment, i am thankful for everything.

for my incredible sister.

for the fiesta weekend that reminded me that i can still hang.

for isla vista's remaining charm.

for board games and long walks.

and most of all, for the rush of happiness not induced by alcoholic beverages (though i do enjoy that kind as well).

part of me wishes that i could be this carefree forever, but i think all of the nostalgia i'm feeling at the moment is here to remind me that i can make an isla vista wherever i go.  though i'm not sure many places can top the view from this room.  

and it's rocky and rosie's (my dogs) fifth birthday!

(rosie)

(rocky)