A walk through August 11, 2007

Well, it has been six busy months since our wedding, and I have finally found the time to post some of the fantastic shots taken by Karen Lewis of Kim Chapman Photography. It may have taken a while to get the proofs, but it was well worth it.

The following pictures mark our day from start to finish! Enjoy!

Getting Ready

Headed to the beach...

We did it!

Friends and Family

Making a difference in a sea stars life...

Dancing!

What wedding would be complete without race car driving?

Chris's 2007 Picks

20. A Weekend in the City – Bloc Party

I'm a sucker for jangly guitars and I just can't get over his voice.

Highlights: "Hunting for Witches," "Waiting for the 7.18," "I Still Remember"

19. Andorra – Caribou

Everything adds up for Dan Snaith on this release (horrible, I know, but I got nothing - other than I really like this album).

Highlights: "Melody Day," "After Hours," "Desiree"

18. Our Ill Wills – The Shout Out Louds

Sweden does it again.

Highlights: "You Are Dreaming," "Impossible," "Hard Rain"

17. Superman of the Rings – Dan Deacon

Who would have guessed that Darren Keen was onto something?

Highlights: "Woody Woodpecker," "Wham City," "Trippy Green Skull"

16. Graduation – Kanye West

By far Kanye's finest release to date. I'm glad that he finally overcame the urge to interject his album with skits. The good songs are great and the okay songs aren't bad, but the album just isn't as consistent as I think it could be. I love that Kanye is pushing the boundaries of what music can be and who it is supposed to appeal to.

Highlights: "Champion," "Stronger," "Homecoming"

15. Random Spirit Lover – Sunset Rubdown

This is an album that if the bad tracks were mediocre the album would easily be in the top five because the good tracks are absolutely ridiculous. Unfortunately the tracks are completely hit or miss. The vinyl release hurt this album's chance of sneaking into the top ten by putting songs that flow so well into each other, on different sides.

Highlights: "The Mending of the Gown," "The Courtesan Has Sung," "The Taming of the Hands that Came Back to Life"

14. Icky Thump – The White Stripes

Jack is back! and in a huge way. For all the haters that say that The Stripes are a one trick pony, did you actually like Get Behind Me Satan? The White Stripes have always been and will always be about Jack shredding the blues and Meg trying to keep up, deal with it.

Highlights: "Icky Thump," "Conquest," "Rag and Bone"

13. Liars – Liars

Just try to put these guys in a box - you can't. Apart from 2004's They Were Wrong, So We Drowned which musically matched the album cover that looked like vomit, I've enjoyed everything that this band has put out. You never know what you are going to get, but you always know it's Liars.

Highlights: "Plaster Casts of Everything," "Houseclouds," "Clear Island"

12. In Rainbows – Radiohead

Can you believe the audacity of Radiohead, inarguably the biggest band in the world, self releasing a proper album AND letting their fans pick the price of the release (I paid nothing, but I've pre-ordered the vinyl release). Completely ballsy. But what else would you expect, this is the band that gave us Ok Computer. Oh, and obviously this release is great.

Highlights: "Bodysnatchers," "Weird Fishes/Arpeggi," "Jigsaw Falling into Place"

11. Friend and Foe – Menomena

The complexity of the packaging of Friend and Foe would certainly overshadow most other albums' audio offerings, but instead it mirrors the brilliance of the songs that make up this release.

Highlights: "Muscle ‘n Flo," "Rotten Hell," "My My"

10. Myth Takes - !!!

In my opinion, Myth Takes is a much more consistent album than Louden Up Now. I dare you not to dance.

Highlights: "Must Be the Moon," "Heart of Hearts," "Yadnus"

9. Hissing Fauna, are You the Destroyer? - Of Montreal

Initially this album was a runaway #1, but as I heard more and more albums, it wasn't even going to be in my top 20. I'm glad that I gave another shot, because the consistent absurdity and genius of this album deserves recognition. Apart from Patrick Wolf's "Magic Position," there may not be any songs that are more fun than the tracks on this release.

Highlights: "Bunny Ain’t No Kind of Rider," "The Past is a Grotesque Animal," "She’s a Rejecter"

8. Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga – Spoon

Spoon is often described as a "grower" and this album certainly was a grower for me. Upon first hearing this album I knew there were some gems, as per usual for a Spoon album, but eventually I couldn't find a dead track.

Highlights: "Don’t Make Me a Target," "You Got Yr. Cherry Bomb," "The Underdog"

7. The Stage Names – Okkervil River

Austin just won't quit.

Highlights: "Our Life is Not a Movie or Maybe," "You Can’t Hold the Hand of a Rock and Roll Man," "John Allyn Smith Sails"

6. Let’s Stay Friends – Les Savy Fav

This album has the "raw power" that rock 'n' roll is supposed to have and Tim Harrington is certainly as ridiculous as Iggy.

Highlights: "Pots and Pans," "Rage in the Plague Age," "Kiss Kiss is Getting Old"

5. Sound of Silver – LCD Soundsystem

Forget Daft Punk, I want LCD Soundsystem playing at my house. On the S/T debut, I didn't have the patience necessary to embrace the "brilliance" of James Murphy, but on Sound of Silver, Murphy has reeled in the jam-bandy-ness and made a near perfect album.

Highlights: "Someone Great," "All My Friends," "New York I Love You, But You’re Bringing Me Down"

4. Voxtrot – Voxtrot

This is an album that I loved from first listen and with each subsequent listen (and there were lots of those). It's nothing fancy, just good solid indie pop.

Highlights: "Kid Gloves," "Steven," "Every Day"

3. Kala – M.I.A.

I was certain that Kala was destined the same fate as Some Loud Thunder. A sophomore album from an eccentric artist that in no way could match surprising genius of their debut release, but instead M.I.A dropped an album even better than Arular. The energy on this album is unmatched and use of the Pixies and the Clash puts it over the top. I love being pleasantly surprised.

Highlights: "Jimmy," "XR2," "Paper Planes"

2. Boxer – The National

Most reviewers have called this band and their albums "growers," but I was hooked from my first listen. This album has made me forget about how big of a disappointment Our Love to Admire was; who needs Interpol when there is The National?

Highlights: "Fake Empire," "Slow Show," "Apartment Story"

1. Mirrored – Battles

I have to admit that upon my first few listens of this album, as a whole, I was a little underwhelmed. I really enjoyed the A and D sides, but the middle was lacking - for me - or at least I initially thought. Once I really heard all four sides I was, and continue to be, blown away by the sound coming from these four guys from NYC.

Highlights: "Atlas," "Tonto," "Tij"

Welcome to our home...

After living in Maine for close to a year, Chris and I have finally started to turn our house into a home. We are getting more and more settled as the weeks go by and thought it was time to share some photos with those of you who have not had the opportunity to visit ever, since the wedding or in the last week. That is how quickly things have been changing!

Welcome to our home! Please take off your coat and stay a while. Our entry way has recently been enhanced by some nicer shoe racks, a basket for our hats and gloves, and some coat hooks for when guests (read you!) visit.











Our entry way quickly turns into the living room. For those of you who have not been here in a while, please take note of the new storage boxes for vinyl. They have tidied things up a bit and can fit 100 records in each box. Not bad! We got new curtains from one of our favorite thrift stores - not only do they match, but they were inexpensive and insulated! We've also added a curtain to the entertainment area.

At the end of the couch, we also have a newly purchased end table. Found in the corner of a trailer in town we were able to spruce this guy up with some brown paint and a good cleaning. Now we have someplace to store the million magazines that we get each month! Now you'll know where to look when you want to read the most recent edition of National Geographic Adventure or Runner's World.



The next stop is the dining room. The shelving unit on the back wall is perhaps our newest addition. It is stocked with all of the fun things that we haven't been able to put out in our house such as some of our more unique wedding gifts like the service set from Sarah, the depression glass from Aunt Sharon and Uncle Bob and the Japanese tea set from Dave and Eri. We also added some of our own purchases such as the Dakin Dream Pets that we have been looking at for the past couple of months.


















Leaving the dining room, or rather, turning away from the dining room, you enter the kitchen. This summer we were able to purchase this beautiful wine fridge with gift cards that we were given to Target as wedding gifts. We recently added shelving to our "pantry" so that we can be a little more organized. We also made the beautiful curtains that you see. They are insulated and are sure to keep us warm this winter!

As you turn away from the kitchen, you have a lovely view of our new desk. It was salvaged from the Teen Center's basement and given a good sanding, a fresh coat of paint, and some new pulls. We love it and it fits just perfectly in the little niche that had been created for computer work. You can also see one of the first pieces of art that we picked out together, the sailboat print above the desk.

Around the corner from the desk is our non-working fireplace/ storage space for our bags. This is also where we store a plethora of books and display some more art work. Namely National Toboggan Championship posters (the races are held locally) and some sweet cards that Chris picked out at an art co-op in New Orleans.





















As long as I am talking about art at this time, I will take a brief pause from the tour to point out one of our newest pieces that Chris created. It is a collage that he pieced together of NYC and is hanging above the windows in our kitchen/dining room. It's really quite cool and took a lot of work on his part between sizing the photos and then piecing them back together again.

Keep an eye out as we enter the bedroom as there is another one of Chris' creations hanging on the wall there. This time a beautiful magnolia in black and white. This photo was taken while he was doing disaster relief in Florida. It's amazing the beauty that can exist in the midst of destruction.

So, here we are in the bedroom. And there's that collage that I was talking about. Also, take note of that purple dresser in the corner. This is another piece of furniture that we salvaged. This time from a place down the road that advertises "Six Buildings of Used Furniture!" (This is also where we found that end table...) It is definitely used furniture. Chris spent quite a bit of time last winter putting the drawers back together. After a lot of sanding and painting and adding new pulls, we finally created a working piece of storage.



I guess the only other place we are missing is the bathroom. I promise we have one. It's tiny with a shower, sink and toilet. There isn't anything really exciting in there, except perhaps more artwork. These prints were purchased right here in Maine, before we moved here. On one wall we have a sketch of an oceanside barn. On the other, an old man holding a crow. They are beautiful black and whites and match the gray wall perfectly...don't you think?



Last but not least, we have a wonderful place for you to stay when you come visit! Just down the hall from the main portion of our house is this delightful bedroom! It comes complete with a collection of games that we will gladly play with you and some world maps for you to plan your next adventure!

















Hope you enjoyed the tour. It's amazing how such a small place can take so long to explore! Remember, you're always welcome in Maine...we'd love to take you on our next adventure (if you wait until spring, the adventures will be much more exciting than they are now)!

The unending quest...

Chris and I have been married for nearly 4 months now, so I would love to share some of the photos from our special day. They are truly amazing, however, we still do not have them.

(Photography by Karen Lewis)

Our quest to capture all of the fun that was had on August 11 has turned into one large lion hunt that is unsuccessful. You can see the photos online, we just don't have them in our hands. Not that I would want a lion in my hands (although I have held a baby tiger before), but you get the idea. We've paid for the experience, we just need some follow through.

About a month ago we finally pushed enough and our photos appeared online. This was an exciting step, almost like getting our itinerary for what was to come. We could see that there was something to be had. We just needed the ticket to get there. We were told that we would have something in our hands in just three weeks! How exciting!

Fast forward one month. We're psyched about our proof book and CD magically showing up in the mail. As a part of our package deal we have secured digital rights to the photographs from that day in August. The lion is lurking in the woods behind our house. It is just within reach, you can almost see the glowing cat eyes as the sun sets at 3:30. We can almost reach out and grab hold of what we have been waiting for. However, we also have the knowledge in the back of our minds that we are a week past when our special delivery should have landed on our doorstep.

I call the photographer. She says, "I'm so glad you called. Well...a funny thing happened. OK, so maybe it's not funny. So, what happened is, we have your proof book. However, the names on it are Jessica and Steven."

Funny, real funny. I reply, "So when will we have our photos? We were told we'd have them 3 weeks after they went online. It's been a month now. Our wedding was in August."

Photographer: "We've ordered a new proof book. It should be there within a week. I'll call the owner of the company to double check."

Me: "We were really hoping to have these by the holidays. We wanted to be able to show them to people. We want the pictures in our hands. We want the CD. It's been nearly four months of waiting now."

Photographer: "I'll call you back later today."

An hour later I get a phone call back. I am told, "It's probably going to be a week. A week and a half at most. I'm really sorry about this. Thank you so much for being so patient."

Me: "So what does this do to our coffee table book? Online it says four to six weeks for proofs. No more than three months for your coffee table book."

Photographer: "I'll call the owner back and check up on that."

An hour later again I get a phone call. I am unable to answer though as I am getting my frustration out by kicking and punching and free grappling downstairs in the martial arts studio at where my office is located. I come back from class with the following message from the owner of the photography company.

"I'm so sorry that things are taking so long. We started out having problems because the photographer uses a Mac and I use a PC. We had trouble getting the photos switched over. Then I made a mistake and ordered your book with the wrong names on it. I am so sorry. I know that this has taken a really long time and I am going to take the time frame off of my website. In regards to your coffee table book, I am working in chronological order. I am currently on June's events. What I can do is throw in a parent album at no charge. This is a smaller version of your coffee table book. I know it's not perfect, but that's what I can offer. Again, thanks for your patience."

My question is, how does switching from a Mac to a PC make that much of a difference? I work on a Mac and my boss on a PC and one of our other coordinators at work uses another processing system altogether. We do not have have problems swapping .jpgs at work. Chris and I also operate on a Mac and PC at home, no problems there! I guess we just don't do it right!

This is becoming quite the hunt. We know that the photos exist. We have seen a mere glimpse of them. They just keep finding their way out of our reach. We'll keep hunting though. They aren't going to lead us astray for much longer. We'll have them, hopefully by Christmas. Maybe we'll even have our coffee table book before our anniversary (at which time another wedding season will be in place and so more delays will ensue...). I'll be sure to keep you updated.

In the meantime, you can see photos online. I will give credit where it is due, Karen Lewis of Kim Chapman Photography did an amazing job. She really captured the day, which is why we want the photos in our hands so badly!

For a quick preview, I do have this collage to post. After talking with Ashley yesterday about the whole situation, she did what any loving sister would do. She went online and stole a couple of photos and created this for Chris and I.

Please enjoy this glimpse into our day until I can post more!

two-six-two

We just completed another marathon. My second and Tarah's third. The event was on beautiful Mount Desert Island, home to Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park. The course was amazing and grueling. Yet again, our training fell off quite a bit, read: none at all, but we both survived and we'll be back at it again next year, hopefully in a bit better shape.

The festivities kicked off last evening with a delicious all you could eat pasta and salad dinner, an impromptu auction to raise funds for the Island's new ASPCA, and guest speaker, 1984 Olympic Marathon Champion, Joan Benoit Samuelson.

Before the wedding and honeymoon and job craziness, we were both doing a pretty great job of training for our big scenic run, but alas, our lives caught up with our training pace and put a pretty big damper on our preparation. I thought that I might even be able to qualify for Bean Town's Patriot Day run, but after last year's fiasco of attempting to qualify without training I decided to go out a little more conservatively. I didn't quite get my goal of a sub 4 hour race, but I think that I'll be able to do my job at the Teen Center tomorrow, which is pretty important. Tarah came in just a bit over 6 hours and fortunate enough to be one of the last people to receive a massage at the finish line, though.

All in all, it was a pretty good day. The hills were a little more brutal than I had anticipated, but the sights were even better than I imagined. We knocked off another state and we met some pretty great people.

Now it's time for a giant pizza and some couch time.