I entered the Pic of the Day contest. If you are on there, (and I think a lot of you are), would you mind sparing me a vote for one of the pumpkin head shots?

Link to vote is here: [link]

Today, I am getting married.

Thats such a simple sentence, yet its such a monumental change for me.. its amazing.

I never was one to think that marriage was part of my life goals. I didnt see most work, I dont think its really in line with fundamental human nature, etc. Still, here I am, sitting at my favorite coffee house, sweating bullets in happy anticipation of the event at hand.

I am so unbelievably lucky, that I honestly believe it was planned. The wonderful woman I am to wed today is amazing, beautiful, intelligent, and totally brilliant in so many ways. Still, we faced so many challenges, with 5000 miles separating us for over a year. Now, however, it just seems like a shadowy memory of a past trial.

Its hard to really make it clear, when I discuss her and what we are doing. Many people ask 'why'. I suppose its best to say, that I have been haunted by this love, long before I had ever met her. Even longer than perhaps she has been here on this earth to tell the truth. How else to put it? That I knew her face, her mannerisms before we met.. that my heart ached for her presence before I could ever put a name to her?

Yet, here is it, we found eachother and made it work. We are together and I cannot ever imagine ever being apart. I am so very very lucky.. I have been given a chance at the type of love that people write about in books and fairy tales. Its amazing.

I am very thankful to have her in my life and so look forward to the times ahead.

I love you, Hattie.

I need to update journals more often, if nothing else but to excuse my lack of correspondance with my friends and family.

To say I have been busy as of late would be a understatement. We have a set ammount of time in the day, but sometimes I wonder if the hourglass inst filled with water instead of sand.

Siam and I have been planning our wedding.. less than 3 weeks now? Wow. We are doing something informal, small, easy.. but even that.. so many details. Not a good situation for procrastinators. Its been fun though, working invitations... trips to the art store to lament over paper choices, ring hunting, coordination. So many people are so happy for us, and its quite amazing. Lots of work to do.

The cats are crazy.. did I mention that?

Allergies have been brutal, almost as much as the job market. That situation needs to change and soon. Cant honeymoon in a cardboard box, now can we?

At least I have been using my free time to create and shoot like a madman. I cant believe how many photographs I have yet to edit, so many good sets. Still learning each shoot, trying new things... always grateful to my friends and supporters who leverage me into being able to create this wonderful imagery. The surface hasnt even been scratched yet.

Pretty lizards, breeders, drowned hookers, aquatic pin up... heh.. I need to get back to editing.

So things are settling in with myself and Siam. She is very busy with shooting and I am building up steam with a few planned shoots myself. In addition to my son being here, we felt that having just one attention deficit hyper active male in the home (not including myself) wasn't enough and adopted a kitty which Miss Pixie brought to our attention...

Now mind you, being asthmatic I never wanted to have a cat.. but I was convinced and now we have a beautiful grey 2 year old by the name of Mr. Stripes. He is certainly a interesting breed, with just a light tinge of pink to him, his eyes glow orange nearly constantly, which may indicate some sort of demonic possession, which through careful observation could be a possible explanation to his actions: Sprinting across the hard wood living room, careening into walls due to said hard wood, affectionately sinking his teeth into the ankles of my son and Siam to get them to ' play ' (Sado-cat!) etc. Hes actually quite fun to have around outside of being a VERY vocal cat.

But.. the best came today.. I was treating myself to a tasty garlic infused olive and Mr. Stripes became quite interested. As I ate, his vocals became more urgent, insistent if you will. "What cat would possible want a olive?' I thought to myself. It certainly didn't fall into the range of cat like behavior I, in my limited experience with felines, would come to expect. Still, on a whim, I sliced up half of a queen sized, garlic and all, into thin little slices.

The change... was immediate. He took to his bowl with a ferocity and concentration I had not ever witnessed in our feline friend, or any other. He was beyond fascinated, he was attending these delectable morsels with a almost religious fervor. Still, I could tell something unusual was at hand. It could be his tossing the slices into the air, or his attempting to force his entire body into his little cat bowl at once. Once the slices were consumed, he proceeded to alternate between jumping in place, rolling on the ground and occasionally chasing his tail.

After some internet research, it seems that olives have in their oil a similar phermonic compound to catnip which stimulates a part of the brain we evolved specimens have outgrown. Its rare that a cat responds to it at all but it isn't entirely unheard of and can generate a more intense response than simple catnip. Olives don't have anything a cat needs, but they are not harmful according to my research (and yes, these were organically grown and preserved).

Ive done pretty well establishing myself. I have my own routine, the way I like things. A bit spartan, sometimes a little cluttered, but I have spent a great deal of time making my own space my own. My studio in my living room, my room, etc.

But there has been a change as of late. A creeping, insidious change has occoured. There is.. pink creeping in. There is color being added to my bedroom and... sweet fragrant smells of perfume.

There seems to be another presence growing at home. Bouncy, emotional.. kinda pretty even. It must be stopped.. my very existence as I know it is being threatened. Tea is being made!

(Yeah, Siam is here. Tell her hello!)