in these moments.

to practice zen means to realize one's existence
moment after moment,
rather than letting life unravel in regret of the past,
and daydreaming of the future..

to "rest in the present"
is a state of magical simplicity,
although attainment of this state is not as simple as it sounds.

- peter matthiessen, from 'nine-headed dragon river'

t(amino)eddy on the town.

tamino, of cincinnati opera's the magic flute, has been traveling around town this week on his way to premeire at music hall.

what a joy it has been for me to travel with my very grand friend teddy and take photos for our facebook campaign.

it really put a new spin on this classic tale for me. take a look at our facebook page to watch t(amino)eddy make his trip.

i hope to see you at music hall for our last performance of the season.

the face behind the puppets.

(photos by Phil Groshong)
She has curly red hair and porcelain skin like a doll's. But you won't notice this petite, energetic woman on stage- you will be too busy watching her furry co-stars. Meet Karie Gipson, The Magic Flute's very own puppet instructor. Karie is one of Cincinnati Opera's supernumeraries (a "super" is a nonspeaking, nonsinging role in opera). But even though you won't hear her voice, Karie has a very important job- she gives life to the puppets.

"We call him Woody," she says as she describes her favorite puppet in the show. "He's the small pink and white bird. I like him because I can give him a lot of expression and personality." Woody is one of two hand puppets in the show. The Magic Flute also stars several rod bird puppets that flap their wings via a stick attached to their bodies, two six foot flamingos, and one enormous dragon with light-up eyes operated by eight puppeteers...

read more here!

fashion woes.

this shoe has nearly killed me countless times. literally. ive fallen down stairs, ive tripped over myself, ive torked my knee and my arms.

but i love them. and i wear them. every girl appreciates a good pair of heels. no matter how much they misbehave.

besides.. im sure i bring a smile to someones face as they spot me hit the floor in these six inch death traps :]

wonders of a pen.

i hope one day my pen will be;
as great as those that inspire me.

a memory.

i once had a very great love. it was very long ago. sometimes it makes me smile. sometimes it makes me sad. but all in all, it makes a memory grand.

an inherited sweet tooth.

last year i went to visit my sister, claire in san fransisco.

now all my siblings and i share a great love for dark chocolate (thank you father). So the picture you see here at ghiradelli square was the happiest of my summer.

now midseason of the opera.. this picture seemed yet again appropriate.

chocolate is a girls best friend afterall.

art and architecture.

Over the Rhine was given its name when Central Parkway in downtown Cincinnati was a canal. On that other side of the river (as the german -very loosely and annie style - translates to) there is some of the most wonderful art in the city. both the art of the buildings themselves, the art of the people walking the street, the art that goes on within the walls (ie- Cincinnati Opera and the Cincinnati Symphony that are housed here in Music Hall), and the art that lines the sidewalks. Cincinnati is beautiful. And I am so lucky to call this place my summer home away from home, away from home again.

I dare you to take a look around and see the art and architecture that can make your eyes wide. its everywhere. we sometimes are just too busy to notice.

dream a little dream of you.

I have four best friends: four best friends whom I would travel the world to see, give my life to save, or stay up late to laugh, talk, or cry with.

I have four best friends. They've been there for me when times are hard; Have been there to celebrate happiness; Have made my life one of the happiest in the world.

& for my four best friends I have one dream. I dream for them to be truly happy, to keep the sparkle that lives in their eyes, to keep the smile that lights up the sky.

I was born into a family with four best friends. How very lucky am I.

Colleen, Katie, (Annie), Claire, Jack

a flower for you.

there was a flower outside my door.

i picked it for you.

i hope it makes you smile.

happy thursday.

and, as a sidenote, happy birthday to the loveliest twins in town. my brother and sister.

the great intricacies.

i heard this weekend at my cousin's wedding that great trees are only as strong as their root system. that sequoias can only survive together- because their roots intertwine to make an intricate web of strength.

and so, i think, it is with people as well. two are always better than one. and many are often better than few. and so it also is with the intricacies of life. every event happens for a reason. so that we can understand.

and so it also is with fate. if everything happens for a reason, then every person you smile to in the hallway or surrender your parking spot to at the mall-you indeed have an effect on their life. and you become part of the great webbed intricacies of their life.

congratulations molly and jamie. im so happy for you.