Hiding in daydreams

Long overdue, but here's the previously promised summary of Iceland 2012 (for a more thorough examination, check out Ryan's multi-post write-up; also, some supplemental material can be found here):

Kris joined us from LA to venture into the icy north. We're waiting to check in to our hotel in Reykjavik here.

I don't remember the details of the story, but the gist of it is: tourists mistaken this clear, shiny river near þingvellir for a wishing well, but it ain't, so quit. Incidentally, þingvellir is where Icelandic forefathers founded the world's first Parliament; also where the North American and European tectonic plates meet (or met, and are now engaging in the world's slowest break-up - like 19mm/year slow, which is just a hair slower than the rate your fingernails grow. See, you can learn stuff while on vacation).

Something's happening.

Ryan and Kris share a laugh at Seljalandsfoss, one of the many pastoral charms of the Icelandic countryside.

A wool factory near the town of Vik. Quaint, warm, and a little itchy.

The black sand beach at Reynisfkara.

We were on a whole-day bus tour with the couple in this picture. It's not reflected in this particular photograph, but the woman [in red] walked with a cane, so at every stop (where the tour guide gave us roughly 20 minutes or so to "enjoy ourselves") the man [in black] would carry her, wedding-day style, anywhere from 20 to 100+ meters (in the rain, I might add) to whatever sight it was we were meant to be taking in. I don't know what you'd call that, but I hope to find out one day.

I can't really top that story with anything, except FUCKING GEESE! I don't know why I get so excited. I just do.

Kris finds the much ballyhooed Kaffismiðja coffeeshop, and proceeds to journal. We sat at the kids table but, bonus - lots of art to distract the eye.

Later, we take a cross-country (literally) drive to see the Skaftafell glacial tongue. Pretty scenic drive, I guess.

Oh, hey. What's up, Glacier.

Ryan doesn't quite beat the self-timer on his camera.

Good trip. Us waiting for the shuttle to the airport. Ever sticklers for thematic consistency, Ryan takes a snooze while Kris journals.

Back in the City.

[Iceland // New York, February 20th-26th 2012]

Gathering stories

So, Iceland.

There will probably (hopefully?) be a more definitive/descriptive post about our travels to the mostly frozen north in the coming days, but here's a quick photo dump so I can at least say I tried. I should note that it wasn't until after I'd gotten my prints back from the photolab that I identified and diagnosed a light leak in my camera. Some shots came out okay, others are a little... well. You'll see.

Tell her that I miss our little talks

Williamsburg Bridge, November 2011

And you can tell them all that it's over

Once more.

I made a bridge between us then I slowly burned it

Robert Reynolds Gallery
yesterday night, Downtown LA Art Walk

Still deal with the same shit, that's great.

Also, perhaps worth noting:

You can't take the sky from me

Where the boat leaves from

GOOD FISHIN':
Every now and again, work exposes me to a lifestyle that I'd otherwise not have the opportunity to experience. Which explains how I recently found myself as the second hand on a commercial fishing boat. It ain't Deadliest Catch (thankfully) and it ain't Forrest Gump (regrettably), but I still had a silly grin plastered to my face as I ran around on deck trying to scoop quickly fleeing fish into our catch baskets (flopping around vigorously, it turns out, can be an effective exit strategy).

The Grundéns don't just help you look the part; there's a reason everybody uses 'em.

The Cap'n bringing in the nets.

Don't let them fool you. Those fish still got fight left in 'em.

We were out for fluke, but the catch is always a mixed bag. Rays, mostly. "Lobster bait," I'm told.

Always a good day when it can start like this.

Well I caught the beat

This past summer's concerts (excuse the general blurriness; one of these days, I'll take to carrying a real camera to shows):

Wednesday, May 4th 2011: The Naked and Famous, Freelance Whales, and Foals at Terminal 5

We cut out on the Foals set early, heading downtown to Pianos to catch a midnight (redux) set of The Naked and Famous. Totally worth it.

Monday, June 13th 2011: Company of Thieves at The Bowery Ballroom

These guys bring it everytime.

Thursday, August 11th 2011: Foster the People and Cut Copy at Prospect Park Bandshell

What a summer it's been.