Day 403: At the Convention

I added a new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Aladdin Books

Ah, my home away from home. Here's where I spent the largest chunk of time during the convention. That's my buddy, John, doing his "all business" thing. Surrounded by his wares. Makin' deals on the cell phone.

Not a lot of customers in this photo ... there was one just to the right looking at the books, but I cropped him out. But there were plenty of times when the booth was full o' folks, looking for interesting and unusual DVDs (the best sellers of the weekend), movie posters, books about film, photographs, and digging through the other memorabilia.

By far, the most fun was when the other dealers would stop by and pay their respects. John's been in business for quite some time and is well respected by his peers. It was fun to meet the other dealers ... and explain over and over, "I'm an old high school friend. Came down from Idaho to help John out and spend some time with him."

By the end of the Hollywood Collector's Show, the show owner, Ray Courts, even stopped by, gave me a kiss on the cheek and quipped, "I didn't know John had any friends!"

When I wasn't helping out in the booth, I got to wander around the convention. The main hall had the stars. The headliner was Patricia Neal. When she was present, a long line of fans would form waiting for her signature. Among others present were Linda Blair (teeny), Lou Ferrigno (smaller than you'd think), Morgan Fairchild (another small trim creature), Johnny Whitaker (huge), Rip Taylor (walked to the bathroom a lot), Ken Berry (kind, old and crumbly) and my personal favorite, Barry Williams. I even ended up getting a hug from the former Greg Brady!

Really was fun to see the stars-that-were and be around the Hollywood scene. It was quite a change of pace from my homemaker's life in Idaho!

Day 402: California Flora

I added a new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Mass O' Flowers

A little over two hours later, I landed at the Burbank, CA airport. It was actually cooler in Burbank at 9:45am than it was in Post Falls, ID at 3am! (We've been having one heck of a hot spell).

My friend John met me at the airport and we headed off to the Airport Marriott where this beautiful mass of red, orange and purple flowers greeted us.

I grew up in southern California and the gorgeous flowers and the palm trees were just a normal part of my youth. But having been away for such a long time, when I see these now, I go absolutely ga-ga.

Since I'd arrived so early, our rooms were not ready. So we just went on in to the convention center for the Hollywood Collector's Show. John and I finished setting up his vendor spot where he sells movie memorabilia and other collectibles under the name Aladdin Books.

I got to be John's assistant for the weekend. This mostly required me to be security guard while John was running around doing his thing, and chatting up his customers. Plus, we had a lot of time to talk and catch up as old friends are like to do.

Day 401: Hop Through Seattle

I added a new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Seattle Space Needle

The first leg of my trip was from Spokane to Seattle, Washington. Short half hour layover. Changed planes. Short delay. And then back into the air.

As the plane made its way south from the airport, this is the view out my window. The harbor with cruise ships. The many buildings. And the Space Needle.

So, OK. The quality of the image is not that great. But wow, what a view!

Day 400: My Trip Begins

I added a new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Sunrise Over Eastern Washington

I'm still about a week behind in posting my photos, but I thought with the start of Day 400 [!] that I'd post some of the images from my recent trip to Burbank, CA.

My day began early! I had to get up at 2:30am to leave for the airport at 3am ... get there by 3:45am to get through security. My flight left at 5am.

So though I got up in the dark, this is the view out my window as the plane took off. A beautiful sunrise over eastern Washington and northern Idaho.

Day 399: Purple and Yellow

I added a new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Hothouse Flowers

I saw these as I walked through the Wal-Mart nursery. Liked the way they lined up in a row, reaching for the light.

Day 398: The Bee Thing

I added a new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Fertilizer

Amazing how this fat little dude looks suspended in air with barely a flutter of his wing.

Oh, for the chance to float above flowers that way!

Day 397: He Loves Me, He Loves Me Not ...

I added a new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Welcome Home Gift

He Loves Me!

After finding the sign on the garage door, I walked in the house to a dozen red roses on the table.

Ahhhhhhhhhh!

Day 396: She's Baaaaaack!

I added a new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Back From Vacation

I had an awesome long weekend, off to visit a friend and help him sell his wares at a convention. We had not seen each other for eight years and thoroughly enjoyed each other's company, wit, humor, and stories.

I got home yesterday. My sweet husband picked me up at the airport. When we got home, this sign greeted me on the garage door.

I feel so very loved. Life is good!

I'm about a week behind in my Creative Journey photos again, so may post more than one per day for a while as I catch up.

Day 395: Feel Like Cheering?

I added a new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Mini Pompoms

When I saw these little flowers in a neighbor's yard, I thought they were just so sweet.

They're all of about one inch in diameter and a perfect little pompom shape.


I'm sure that when the fairies in the garden start their annual relay races, the little girl f airieswill pluck these flowers and start cheering their favorite flying athlete!

Day 394: Happy Birthday, Jodie!

I added a new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Jodie's 14th Birthday

When Jodie was in New York recently, she and her classmates got to go to the Broadway show Wicked. She's been singing its praises -- and its songs -- ever since!

Today my youngest turns 14. We're celebrating her birthday with her boyfriend, her sister Julie, and a lasagna. Can you get any better than that?

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JODIE!

Day 393: Wow Quote

I added a new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Treasure Chest

Today's photo was inspired by the following quotation. On this Creative Journey of mine, I find myself digging into my past, rummaging around, blowing the dust off old memories. I shine some up and put them on display. Others, I find it best to make peace with and toss.

"In the cellars of the night,

when the mind starts moving around old trunks of bad times,

the pain of this and the shame of that,

the memory of a small boldness is a hand to hold."

-- John Leonard

Day 392: Meow!

I added a new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Roaring Tiger

This beauty lifted it's head, shook its mane and bellowed its bright colors against the drab fence. He caught my attention and begged for a picture.

Day 391: Crushed!

I added a new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Irony

Check it out! Found this on my doorstep yesterday.

Looks like bad karma to me!

Book Review: Bet Me

Here's a fun and sexy summer read!

Or ... listen, in my case.

I just finished the audio version of Bet Me by Jennifer Cruise. It's enough to make a summer evening warm right up!

Day 390: Foliage

I added a new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Leaf Platter

This tree intrigues (or is that in-tree-gs) me. I don't know what kind it is, but I pass it on my 1-mile walking route. I've taken a photo of it before:
Day 115 - Shadow Flower

The leaves are enormous and open flat to catch the sunlight. I just love their texture and shape. On this photo, I messed with the saturation levels as well as the light and contrast.

It reminds me of Disney's The Jungle Book animated movie, when Mowgli goes to sleep wrapped in the enormous leaves of a jungle bush.

Day 389: Hot July Evening

I added a new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Reaching for a Breeze

We had a scorcher of a day today in north Idaho. The temps were in the mid 90s, and very little breeze stirring the air. I took a walk after dinner, just trying to feel some air circulation.

When I saw this flower straining upwards, it looked like it was trying to catch a breeze, too.

Kindred spirits.

Zebra

Yesterday I finished stitching this zebra for a black and white charity quilt. I think I'm just about caught up with the stitching that has deadlines. You can find out the details of this chart in Cameo's Corner.

Sunflower Bookmark

I finished stitching this bookmark for charity. You can read more about it in Cameo's Corner.

Latest in Cameo's Corner

Look familiar? I finally posted the information about this project in the Stitcher's Studio in Cameo's Corner 2007.

Day 388: Fruit on the Way

I added a new photograph to Creative Journey in my Photography section, Come the Berries

Summer is in full swing and the fruits of the season are on the way.

What I love about this photo is the way you can see the little bug legs sticking out from under the petals of the flower.