Amy Nieto Photography + Design

I also came upon an alpaca farm, which I will TOTALLY be visiting once the weather warms up. Alpacas = WIN.

So to be fair, and again to avoid turning this into an emo post, I've only been in "dating age" for the past 105 months, out of which 20 have seen me engaged in two official relationships, respectively. Which by the way, were ended by the respective boyfriends. Outside these two official fantastically failed relationships, I "dated" this one guy from Hilton Head for about three weeks, and had a fling with the love of my life for a month prior to moving to Vegas in '07. And... that's it. Out of all my high school friends, I'm pretty much still the only single one, as my best friend got engaged (yay!) just a few months ago. We must not forget I moved to Portland, OR, which apparently is the last place to go to for dating. It seems EVERYBODY in this town is hitched, engaged or lovingly in love (and honestly that's a good thing - I love seeing love).

Amy Nieto, The Token Single Girl. I like the sound of that.

But worry not, despite all these numbers and figures and statistics, I am not in misery. At this moment in life, quite the opposite. The past years saw a few tearful nights, but that loneliness has turned into an actual introspective, anthropological, sociological study of WHY am I single. (I make a strenuous effort to avoid asking WHAT went wrong in the previous relationships for I am afraid of what I might discover about myself.)

So why. Do I value my free time that much that my body language blocks, quite possibly subconsciously, any interest from potential males? After all, I DO work part-time AND am trying to build a business PLUS I have to cook, clean, fold, shop by myself. Bah, I don't have time for men, I find myself proclaiming over and over again when asked why "such a lovely girl like myself" is not married. Do I really not have time for men? Really, Amy?

Is it because my mother was/is so fiercely independent from men, after our father abandoned us, that that was ALL I knew? Is it because I don't know any better? I don't know what it's like to NEED men? I needed men for a while, when I could just not open spaghetti sauce jars on my own. Now I can, thus losing all need for men (still undecided about having children, so...). Is that what it is?

Speaking about my father abandoning us, is it because that abrupt absence cratered such a strong impact in my relationship with men that it has cultivated a fear of abandonment? Fear of engagement? Fear of...failure? After all, my only two official boyfriends dumped ME. Despite what friends may say to the contrary, I often believe the bulk of the fault laid on me. So... do I fear failure so much that I opt to remain distant and simply friendly to men?

As I previously mentioned, my BFF got engaged last year. I have photographed two of my friends' weddings. I WORK in the wedding industry, for Chrissake. Do I see this type of commitment as a sign of weakness? That's not true, I've never been the archetypal 90s feminist who believes marriage is slavery. No. That's not it.. it's something else. Fear of SETTLING DOWN. That's it. From the ages of 0-18 I lived in 9 houses, 7 dorms/houses between the ages of 18-26; five cities; two colleges; two different majors. Seeing a pattern here? Am I afraid of "settling down"? Am I afraid of engaging in a commitment that might end up being long-term? Aside from the love of my family, I don't have a big grasp on things that are long-term (oh except for TV shows - watched X-files from beginning to END - yes, even the bad seasons).

Needless to say, I have never been the kind of girl who is DESPERATE to find a boyfriend, because somehow she is not complete without one. Never been, nor will I ever be, no matter how desperate things may seem. THAT is a sign of weakness.

Don't get me wrong, I am REALLY in no rush to don a white dress and walk down the aisle {honestly, I am TOTALLY considering choosing yellow as my color}. And don't get me wrong, I am super happy for all my friends who are so in love, and for all the clients I photograph whose love radiates so strongly. Don't get me wrong, I heart my occasional romantic comedy (preferably starring Hugh Grant, yes).

I just sometimes really ponder why the heck am I always the friggin Single Girl?!?! And when I DO find my one and only, can he look something like this? Or this? Pretty please with Dharma cherries on top??

See, any mention of The Hotness of the LOST Male Characters kills any emo-ness this post might have turned into.

I guess I'm just different the way I am. *shrugs*

The previous Sunday I played around with 35mm film, something I hadn't done in close to three years. My sweet friend Linnea and I had lunch (yum chocolate croissants) at Petit Provence on Division (thought the Alberta location is my fave) before going on a search for balloons. No such luck on our helium friends, so we just headed to Laurelhurst Park to test out cheapy Fuji film with the little rays of sunshine left on that WONDERFUL (yet cold) Sunday afternoon. I couldn't have asked for a better model and surroundings. Thanks girl!

Linnea!

I don't know about you, but I think I'm gonna save a little every week just so I can have fun Sunday adventures with my girlfriends! How do you spend your favorite day of the week? And will you join me?

Also, I've been wanting to do this for a while. As part of my bed/workroom's {re}decoration process, I'd like to put up other people's artwork up on my walls. What better way than to start a no-fuss Photo Swap of sorts, exchanging beautiful imagery? Perhaps just good quality 4x6s prints, so as not to spend a fortune?

Anybody willing to participate? I'd love to have your images up on my wall :)

Through her blog, I found this super adorable Pingu stop-animation short. Does anyone remember these? I don't, but oh my how adorable!!!!!!!!

Ahhh filmmaking, how I bloody miss you!!

I invite you all to watch this short, it's only 34 minutes long, and apparently this link has the entire thing.

{Photo by the super talented revivify} Pink balloons in fields of gold are the bestest.

Photo by my paper crane}

What are some of YOUR favorite things?

I reckon Sunshine has done a formidable job, and will further recommend it for any future house-sitting job postings in the Summer.

Ahhhhhh.

Here are the rules:

1. Link to your original tagger(s) and list these rules in your post.
2. Share seven facts about yourself in the post.
3. Tag seven people at the end of your post by leaving their names and the links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they've been tagged.
************

01) I smile when the morning is a Sunny one. Often I will say "Good morning, morning".
02) I am in love with Jimmy Stewart.
03) Back in 1993, I tried to write an episode for Star Trek: The Next Generation with original characters. That didn't quite work out. lol
04) For a relatively quiet person, I laugh REALLY LOUD.
05) I may find myself sleeping in a ultra-extra-large-King bed but I will only take a teensy weensy corner of it.
06) "I dig music"
07) I LOVES THE INTERNETS.

08) Also, as an extra, I just found out you can pause a video on Youtube by pressing the space bar. Oh my. Look at me!

lolz

Okay so I tag....Sarah, as always, because I know she can find 7 delectable tidbits about her gorgeous self. Hilary - though I dare you to list your 7's in PHOTO form. Debbie. Colleen. Stitchchick... That's it, I'm tired, I need to go to bed y'alls.

I have found it in the form of 94.7 FM Alternative Portland. Everything from their knowledgeable DJs, programming, even their choice of commercials, is perfect. Upon entering the Portland Metro Area for the first time in August, my friend Jeffrey and I decided to stop Ten and tune on the radio, searching for that famed great Pacific Northwest music. 94.7 tuned in first and it is still first when I get on the car 5 months after the fact.

And of course, this being the Pacific Northwest, a city three hours South of Seattle, a lot of Pearl Jam is played. When the greatest song from one of the greatest bands of all time recorded for one of the greatest albums of all time during one of the greatest era of modern music comes on, though... a sense of heightened grandness permeates through me. I love listening to Black on the radio, sometimes I believe radio was invented for it.

Maybe that's stretching it too far. But man, it's an awesome feeling.

Our next step? Paint paint!! Which I was sorta against because of big plans of a place of my own and a small office. But really that won't happen till at least much LATER this year, so I might as well enjoy the little darling of a place I have now. These are a few of the colors that will pop into my room:

Last night I finally pulled out all my magazine scraps and began creating my idea notebook. Maybe I'll post a few of the pages in here.

Yes, the Sun has come out today (will go for a walk once this entry is finished):

Mmmmm paint chips mmmmm

Awww little cutie!

Darn you PMS, darn you overcast Portland day.

On mid-January.

That's how I rolls.

For reasons that can only be explained by an alignment of the planets, my good friend Josie and I had this past weekend off. After a switching of plans, I drove up to Seattle to visit her, where we proceeded to rock it awesomely. More images will come shortly (y'all know how slow I am at editing). FUN TIMES!!

This totally awesome girl here, Ann, took awesome Polaroids. Did I say she's awesome?

1. What did you do in 2007 that you'd never done before? I moved AND visited Portland, OR. In that order.

2. Did you keep your new year's resolutions, and will you make more for next year? Um... I don't even remember if I made any resolutions. I guess that answers your question. :P I did gain weight, though.

3. Did anyone close to you give birth? Hmmm not quite, actually. Clients did, though.

4. Did anyone close to you die? noooooo

5. What countries did you visit? CANADA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008? An apartment of my own! (and again, yes, a boyfriend, but that never happens, so I won't include it)

7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory, and why? Tuesday, August 5th!!!!!!!!! yay PDX!! NYC with Agmar early May!! Laura's wedding June 7th!! EXCLAMATION POINTS!!!

8. What was your biggest achievement of the year? For the first time in my life, moved to a city where no safety nets existed. I was COMPLETELY on my own. And it is AWESOME.

9. What was your biggest failure? Hmm... I didn't finish Laura's wedding album on time lol Still working on it!!

10. Did you suffer illness or injury? SURPRISINGLY enough I didn't get the stomach flu!!

11. What was the best thing you bought? MY SUPER FANTABULOUS VINTAGE COAT OF ... AWESOMENESS AND FANTABULOUSITY!! That and my 50mm f/1.8 lens.

{photo by e.soule}

12. Whose behavior merited celebration? My friends who have traveled far and worked hard for their dreams.

13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed? Stupid little loud teenagers on the bus. UGH. And a certain ex of a family member...

14. Where did most of your money go? Half-cross country move. Vintage little things.

15. What did you get really, really, really excited about? FRIGGIN PORTLAND! 50mm lens! My goodbye party night of debauchery and drunkenness in Vegas! CANADA!!! THE SOVEREIGNS!

16. What song will always remind you of 2008? Listening to Arcade Fire's Neon Bible now brings me back to Vegas, driving West on Blue Diamond, just before heading north on Rainbow, on my way to work. Odd little flashbacks.

17. Compared to this time last year, are you: (a) happier or sadder? (b) thinner or fatter? (c) richer or poorer? Ridiculously happier. Like. For reals. I am fatter, yay!!!! A bit richer. Still not enough, though lol.

18. What do you wish you'd done more of? I wish I had explored a bit more of Portland while the weather was favorable, but there were important matters I needed to take care of.

19. What do you wish you'd done less of? Worry about my talent.

20. How did you spend Christmas? Worked in the morning, then I RESTED AND READ AND SLEPT all day long with the company of Moose and Chuck from the Moose and Chuck Variety Hour. It was a great Xmas, despite my confinement.

21. Did you fall in love in 2008? With my new life! With John Cusack circa 1988.

{Interesting article on why John Cusack is still hot. Not that we need to reason his hotness...}

22. What was your favorite TV program? Still, Lost. I believe I got into Heroes this year, but some of the characters have begun to annoy me (I'm looking at you Claire Bennet. DEATHLY looking at you).

mmmm yes, please.

23. Do you hate anyone now that you didn't hate this time last year? Dude, hating is HARD.

24. What was the best book you read? Read a lot of nerdy Star Wars novels. Inferno was the best of them.

25. What was your greatest musical discovery? AIRBORNE TOXIC EVENT. Hands down. Also, She & Him. Zooey Deschanel is just SO DARLING! This was the year that I truly fell in love with 80's alterna-pop bands, such as Depeche Mode, Tears for Fears, New Order, despite having known of their existence since I was a wee girl. Enjoy the Silence is a masterpiece. Ahhhh.

26. What did you want and get? I got Portland. I got my awesome coat. I got clients!!!!!! Awesome clients!!

27. What did you want and not get? Well, I couldn't get my mommy to visit me, but there's always next Summer (yay berry picking!)

28. What was your favorite film of this year? Once. The curious power of music.

29. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you? Oh my goodness. lol That was quite the adventure. I thank you David for taking us to such, ah, well, classic establishment. I turned 26.

That guy on the left, I miss him a LOT.

30. What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? Honestly, I can't think of anything more satisfying than finally living my dream life (well.. my dream life includes a certain city called Paris...). So, I cannot complain and I know form now on, my path is laid and everything will happen in its own time.

31. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2007? FANTABULOUS! lol Seriously, I upped the ante this year. But 2009 will be the Year of CRAZY PANTS!!!!

32. What kept you sane? Who says I kept sane? :P

33. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most? Still my Justin. Honey, please get rid of that restraining order. I miss you.

34. What political issue stirred you the most? Well, I was all about my homeboy Ron Paul back during the primaries in Vegas. Then I moved to Portland and rooting for anything other than Obama seemed a little suicidal (no offense).

35. Who did you miss? I miss Agmar. I miss my brother. I miss the huge TV in his living room. I miss ALLL my Siena peeps. I miss Janicia. I miss my mom. I miss Sawyer. And jack. And Kate. And-- OH MY GOD, WILL YOU MAKE LOST HURRY UP!??!?! THIS IS WITHDRAWAL, MAN!!

36. Who was the best new person you met? Oh my goodness. I think this was the year I met some of the most amazing people in the world. Though I met them later in '07, it wasn't until '08 that I befriended my Siena peeps. Their friendship made Vegas a tolerable place. During those last months I met my dear Hilary Helton, whose friendship and guidance I value dearly and am looking forward to our future photo ventures :). Here in Portland I have met my sweet sweet Alyson (and her man DLB), Kjell and Kim, Linnea, Lesley, my roommates, The Ladies of Fernhill, the Wests. A great number of photo clients who welcomed me into their homes, their lives. MIss Josefina from PR, now resident of Washington, USA! Also, this year marked the EARTH SHATTERING ENCOUNTER OF EARTH SHATTERING PROPORTIONS: The meeting of siblings Brad and Sarah Sovereign in BC. That night was MONUMENTAL. And we are pretty darn sure you all felt the rocking of our awesomeness.

37. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008. For reals, why the heck did you doubt your talent for so many years? Ridiculous.

38. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year. Feist's Mushaboom:
Helping the kids out of their coats
But wait the babies haven't been born oh
Unpacking the bags and setting up
And planting lilacs and buttercups oh