Don't be a hard rock, when you really are a gem

First things first:

I would like to recommend the use of iTunes Genius, which I used for the first time today, on this entry's title song

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and enjoyed the results immensely. Sometimes all you need is a little mix of Lauryn Hill, Usher, Missy Elliot, India.Arie, Prince, Erykah, and Aretha Franklin.



In other news, I've had a rough couple of weeks having to do with a youthful indiscretion (I figure youth remains an excuse until 25? that's my reckoning anyway) that I am not quite ready to share with the entire web community, but things are turning out alright. Unfortunately, that pretty much closes the door on that subject. But to those of you who know what I'm talking about, thanks for the support. It's the hard times in life that remind you how important friends and family are.

And, speaking of friends and family, I have a few new pics, taken with my latest photographic equipment:

My new Canon AE-1! Ok, so it's actually old, and it really works less painlessly than my automatic Nikon, but hey, the Nikon died, and I'm recently inspired by the older, less digital modes of photographic art. Also, not pictured is the awesome Native American-inspired camera strap, the awesome camera bag, and the extra lenses that came with the camera! My first ebay purchase, and I must say, I'm proud. Now, if only I had a darkroom...

Anyway. Here are a few samples. 

Remnants of a fire

Walking buddy

The walk to Hickory Hill

Cat nap

Oh, sweet thangs...

Daddy's chicks

Hannah's beautiful Beatles-inspired seranade

A Yankee in the Deep South

Playing with the baby chicks

This must be right before we realized we were locked in

At which point, I just started playing...
And then we screamed for Molly.

Sweet.

Hannah and Mom jam out to hippie tunes

The infamous El Mariachi birthday "dessert-on-face and sombrero" routine

Like sister, like brother

Oh, Kate...

These last few images are a little weird, because, well, I started taking pictures with the Nikon that died, then it died, then I put the partially used film in my Canon, and, well, there were sort of strange overlaps at the end. Most were too strange to actually use. But these weren't too bad.

Kate and Charlie

Birfday girl, and the loot

Highlights of this reel = Cole's brief visit, my adorable pets, my even more adorable cousin Hannah (sorry Molly, I only got one picture of you, and it wasn't very well composed), some adorable baby chicks (more specifically, proof of mine and Hannah's lock-in at the chicken coop), and my lovely (and lovable) coworkers.

And my mantra of the month:

Even when life ain't great, 

Life is good.

Also known as, "Get over it."