Sometimes in daily life we come across things that are disturbing. It may be a big deal for some and not for others. I like to think of myself as someone who rarely gripes about trivial things as I try to enjoy everyday to the fullest. But when something does bother me I obviously have to share it.

The other day I went to the complex’s gym to get in my daily workout on the Elliptical. As I approached the window to see my machine waiting for me, I noticed a lady doing bench presses and on top of her was none other than her dog! The dog looked at me and started barking and getting agitated by my presence.

Now this dog wasn’t an assistance dog. It was merely there for company. I thought to myself this isn’t Petco or Petsmart where pets are welcomed, it is a place to workout and become physically fit.

For some reason- a dog in the gym really bothered me, it kinda pushes the limits to where pets should be allowed. I may have been bugged too because this particular gym is usually not invaded by anybody but me.

I then proceeded to the other gym where it was completely empty and dog free. As I began my workout, I considered my options. 1. Kindly ask the lady to put her dog outside, or 2. Pay for a gym membership and not have to deal with people bringing their pets.

The last option was one I was heavily considering. But then I thought of the negatives to that and I started to become a little phobic. I enjoy working out at my normal location because it is usually empty and it is free. The idea of going to a commerical gym and having to smell the sweat of other people kinda grosses me out. So there you have it. I solved my own problem.

This is Daisy, my parents’ pug. Here is a before and after shot of her prior to her working out at the doggy gym. Can you tell a difference?

Just kidding. Daisy does not workout. I was messing around with photoshop and figured out how to make her a little bit more plump looking.

I would like to wish everybody a Happy Thanksgiving. I can’t wait for 1pm to roll around. Many of the people I am thankful to have in my life will be at my parent’s home celebrating. Good drinks, good food, good people, and good fun. It can’t get any better than that!

Coming up…

Yesterday I had the honor of capturing Taylor! She is the cutest little girl ever with such beautiful blue eyes. Renee and Bobby are her proud parents. They are such a loving family and I am so greatful that they allowed me to capture their wedding last year and included me in taking their family pictures this year.

Here is a teaser picture, stay tuned for more…

Kooza, Kooza, I don’t know why, but I like the way it sounds so I had to type it a few times. One of the things I wanted to do for my birthday was to see the Cirque du Soliel show happening out in Santa Monica. Whenever the Cirque people are in California or I am out in Vegas I make sure to see one of the shows. I recommend all of them, or all the ones I’ve seen. Zumanity, Corteo, Love, Mystere, and most recently Kooza.

The creativity of the story line, the vivid colors, the costumes, the lighting, the performances, my senses are just so mesmerized by it all. Back in high school I was in math class with a guy that said he was accepted into Barnum and Bailey’s Clown College. At the time I didn’t believe there was such a thing. But when I saw the previews and the ads for Kooza, there he was, one of the main clowns. What a cool experience that must be.

Anywho, before the show started, we walked around and I found this cool mask, I love how super tan I look and the way it hides my face. Of course I needed to get a picture. I think the next party we need to have should be a masquerade ball…not a bad way to ring in 2010????

Happy Friday the 13th

Today is the day, I am at the beginning of a new decade in my life, I am officially 30. To be more precise, I have been alive for 10,958 days, or 946,771,200 seconds, in minutes it’s 15,779,520, better yet 262,992 hours, it can also be translated to 1,565 weeks. No, I didn’t figure this out on my calculator, but if you wanna figure out yours look here.

Since November 2008 when I turned 29, I kinda became engrossed with my last year of being in my 20′s. I actually started a countdown, where I’d tell people I’m turing 30 in 365 days. It then turned into 200 days, to 99 days, to 30 days, to 1 day, to 0 days. Obviously, I wasn’t taking the news to well, lol. Sadly, in the past year I have picked out a couple grey strands of hair from my dark brown locks. Okay I’ll admit it, they were actually silver. In any event, I decided to not become obsessed or freaked out (just hysterical). I’m kidding.

As we can now laugh at my behavior, here I am, happy, healthy, and 30 years old. Today is gonna be a rockin day.

Here is me at my birthday party from way back when. If only I still had my crown.

Bach, Beethoven, Debussy, the list goes on and on. At the tender age of 7, I thought I was stuck playing the piano for life. I was beside myself sitting on that hard brown wooden piano bench with my little white timer staring at me flashing that I had 45 minutes left to look at those eighty-eight wanna-be ivory keys. The noise that my ten tiny fingers were able to express was ethereal.

Neighbors complimented on my playing as they originally thought a tape was playing the music. This went on for 11 years. I couldn’t do anything or go anywhere with friends until my daily practice time was complete. As nearly 12 years has passed since I sat and played, I can honestly say how much I miss it. As a child I hated it, but I loved it. Recently, a friend acquired a piano. Luckily, it wasn’t too foreign to me. I sat and played. Although it was choppy at the beginning, I was still able to read sheet music.

To be honest, I don’t even recall being given permission by my parents to quit. I just know I was 18, in high school, on the honor roll, had a part time job, and played sports. I guess there was too much going on to include another activity in my hectic schedule.

Surprisingly, I couldn’t find any pictures of me playing my piano, but I did find this one of me goofing around on a mini keyboard.

I found some school pictures of me from back in the day. Some I look chipper to be getting my picture taken, others not so much. Looking back I can’t believe how I dressed or how I chose to do my hair, but for the most part it was cool then.

The second picture on the top row with me in the ruffely dress was taken before I chose to drop out of pre-school. I attended for a few days but I knew how to work the system. I cried and cried until the teacher called my mom to come pick me up. Because the repetitious phone calls happened so often, my parents chose to no longer have me on the schools attendance and I never had to go to pre-school again. Score! For another year, I was able to stay home, play with my younger sister and watch cartoons all day.

I remember taking school pictures every year but these were the only ones I was able to find. Top left – not sure my age (in the red), pre-school, kindergarten, 2nd grade, Bottom left – 3rd grade, 5th grade, 8th grade, and 10th grade basketball.

Today is November 1st. It begins a small countdown to my birthday. My 30th birthday to be exact. Should I be excited or should I be depressed? It marks the end of my twenties and the beginning of my thirties, omg, my thirties! I still wanna see myself as that young girl playing tetherball at recess. You know, the good ol’ days where there were no responsiblites, no bills to pay, and that carefree life where my biggest worry was to get a good grade on my spelling test.

Really, where did all that time go and why did it have to go so fast? When I turned 13, I was all chill because I was finally a teenager. At 16, I thought I was the bomb because I was finally able to drive. I knew I was an adult at 18, but that didn’t matter so much to me. Then, when I turned 21, I thought it was the coolest thing because I was legally able to gamble and buy alcohol. After 21 though, I don’t really think there are any other birthdays to really look forward to. Well maybe my 100th birthday but I can’t even think that far along .

Well here is me a few days after I was born. Check out that full head of hair.

Once upon a time 11 years ago I went to the Orange County Pound and was immediatly drawn to this tiny blue eyed kitten.  I was intrigued by the shear fact that he liked to hold hands (actually hold finger).  No joke, he grabbed my pointer finger, held onto it with his nails curling under my finger and not into my skin, and didn’t let go.  We bonded immediatly.  

I was third on the waiting list for this kitten and was afraid I wouldn’t get him only because others found him as appealing as I had.  When that Friday came around for adoption day, I waited as my 12pm window for him rolled around.  To my luck, the other two interested candidates weren’t so interested after all, and I became the proud owner of a 4 month old Siamese cat. 

To make a long story as short as possible, I generally don’t record my cat doing anything because he’s usually lazy and sleeping.  But in light to his newly discovered facial expression – I couldn’t help but resist.  I’m not sure if Gato’s look is one of happiness or anger.  I can only assume it is anger because he hates car rides, but I like to pretend it’s a happy face because what’s going on in his life to make him so mad?

When we are planning out our life, we obviously make decisions.  There is the everyday decision of something simple like- what should I eat for breakfast and should I rent a movie or read a book instead?  Then there are the decisions that require a little more thought such as-should I really buy those $300 pair of jeans that look great on me?  The decisions we make then become a little bit more difficult when we start looking at things in the long run or in the future, like should I really move out of state and accept that great job offer or can I really afford that house on the ridge? 

Whatever it happens to be, we make choices to better our life.  When I decided to start searching for a new car, I had some tough choices to make as well.  I had to come up with what kind of car I wanted, new or used, how much was I willing to shell out, color, etc.  After some strenuos shopping in the summer heat, I found my car.  I traded in my Cayenne and got a mini van.  Just kidding.

However, I did get a Honda Accord and I love it!  The mens at Hardin Honda in Anaheim were great, and they totally worked with what I wanted.  Thank you to my dear friend Wiley who knows how to wheel and deal, at car dealerships, Nordstroms, and even 7-11 (lol).

Who: A couple who has an interesting story or has overcome great odds and deserves free photography for their wedding.
What: free wedding photography! Yes, that’s right. The winner will receive 7 hours of wedding coverage by me, a DVD with all images, and an album. There are absolutely no hidden fees or strings attached.
Where: Anywhere in the U.S.
When: Anytime within the next 365 days
Why: Because it’s better to give than receive  
How: Please submit your story (or a friends story) as to why you deserve free wedding photography, date and location of your wedding,  along with a recent picture of you and your fiance to rgb@reneebroughton.com.  I will submit the winner on my blog August 07, 2009.