“Destiny is not a matter of chance,
it is a matter of choice;
it is not a thing to be waited for,
it is a thing to be achieved.”
- Winston Churchill
i want to inspire you.™
over a year ago i blogged about the do lectures and the past couple days i’ve been watching some of them. and the alastair humphreys lecture stood out the most.
i don’t think i’ve mentioned my birthday yet this year. it’s coming up on the 7tb of august and i will be turining 29! woohoo. and i am raising funds for unicef to celebrate!
check out my facebook causes page for more info and to donate!

via weheartit.com
my parents are from memphis. this weekend i am going to a family reunion. a short trip to memphis. while looking for hotels room a reviewer of a hotel made the comment that memphis is a dump and that we should sell it to china. that really made me laugh. memphis isn’t a dump, it’s just doesn’t have many new and shiny areas. whenever i go to memphis i think about the “walking in memphis” song by marc cohn. i should have a good time, though.
on hulu.com today i caught up with the series covert affairs on usa network. i was a huge fan of alias and so when i saw the previews for the show i figured i would give the show a try. the show is goodness. in the pilot there is a scene where annie walker (main character played by piper perabo) is doing cia skydiving training and the song “dog days are over” by florence & the machine is the soundtrack to the moment. and it’s perfect. amazing song.
EDIT: this song is also on the eat pray love movie trailer.
An Answered Prayer
I asked for strength,
And God gave me difficulties to make me strong;
I asked for wisdom,
And God gave me problems to learn to solve;
I asked for prosperity,
And God gave me brain and brawn to work;
I asked for courage,
And God gave me dangers to overcome;
I asked for love,
And God gave me people to help;
I asked for favours,
And God gave me opportunities.
I received nothing I wanted – I received everything I needed.
My prayer has been answered!
- Unknown
at starbucks i paid $1.85 for bottled water, and didn’t feel completely ripped off. only a little ripped off. ethos water is about raising awareness and raising funds for the world water crises. their goal is to raise $10 million. so drink up and change the world.
for more on the world water crises check out blood: water mission. i attended a charity event featuring them last year and really a remarkable organization.
as a creative person this particular quote hits home for me. a lot of times when i am at a photo shoot i feel like i would do the job for free because i enjoy it so much, but then i realize that what i am actually selling is my art not labor. and as an artist never devalue your vision, it’s unique and therefore valuable.

{via weheartit.com}
a friend sent this to me this morning. i’ve always been afraid of the comfort zone, terrible things happen there. if you’re coasting through life, remember that you’re not going up but down.
MY COMFORT ZONE
By Author Unknown
I used to have a comfort zone where I knew I wouldn’t fail.
The same four walls and busywork were really more like jail.
I longed so much to do the things I’d never done before,
But stayed inside my comfort zone and paced the same old floor.
I said it didn’t matter that I wasn’t doing much.
I said I didn’t care for things like commission checks and such.
I claimed to be so busy with the things inside the zone,
But deep inside I longed for something special of my own.
I couldn’t let my life go by just watching others win.
I held my breath; I stepped outside and let the change begin.
I took a step and with new strength I’d never felt before,
I kissed my comfort zone goodbye and closed and locked the door.
If you’re in a comfort zone, afraid to venture out,
Remember that all winners were at one time filled with doubt.
A step or two and words of praise can make your dreams come true.
Reach for your future with a smile; success is there for you!
i’ve always dreamed that i would one day go work in a country where help is truly needed, and so i am always in awe of people who actually go and do just that. nate henn is truly an inspiration to live your life outside of yourself. the photographer jeremy cowart shared this on twitter, and it’s quite amazing.
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A large number of turkies [sic] went to San Francisco yesterday by
the two o'clock boats. If their object in going down was to participate in
the Thanksgiving festivities of that city, they would arrive "the day after
the affair," and of course be sadly disappointed thereby.
-- Sacramento Daily Union, November 29, 1861





