The Moon, the Ever-present Moon

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 29, 2012

 The Full Moon.  This was the first thing I saw when I stepped out my door that morning.  The moon was so bog and so bright.  The night sky the perfect shade of blue.  The clouds drifting slowly across the sky to the give a sort of eerie-werewolf feel.  The palm trees keeping the scene serene.  Again, I found myself stopped in one spot staring at the sky.  It's so mystical, mysterious, and beautiful.  I really could sit and stare for hours, reveling in all of its beauty.

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 28, 2012

 My new printer.  After nine years, my old printer died.  And, I'm not gonna lie, I actually got kind of sad.  You don't realize how much emotional attachment you may get to an item until there's an instance, for example, that it dies and you have to throw it away.  That printer was my first printer when I went away to school.  It went from Western to Wayne State with me, then off to NYC and eventually, LA.  It has gone through all of my good times and bad times.  Throwing it away was kind of like closing a whole chapter of my life and starting a new one.  Dramatic? maybe.  Truthful? yes.  I'm sure you can relate on some level with something you own/have owned.  But anyway, my new printer is pretty high tech.  It's an all-in-one hp touchscreen hp photosmart - scanner, printer, copier.  It's wireless.  You can also e-mail a document to the printer and prints off - I guess kind of like a new-age fax.  Crazy.

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 27, 2012

 I was driving to the grocery store, and this was my view - which was way prettier in real life.  (Don't worry, I was stopped in the turn lane)  With the weekend brings a Full Moon, and here it is starting to form.  The colors of the sky were absolutely beautiful as the backdrop to the moon.  I love looking up at the sky. 

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 26, 2012

 This was the first "Fall-feeling" kind of day.  It was kind of chilly, overcast, pretty gloomy.  However, it made my heart smile because it was the first day I could get a true Pumpkin Spice Latte and enjoy it with all of the Fall relaxing emotions that come with it.  Needless to say, it was perfection.

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 25, 2012

 My first attempt at making my mom's amazing (and famous) spaghetti sauce.  I attempted to make veggie meatballs with soy chorizo, but those all basically broke..and then changed the flavor of the sauce.  So, probably won't do that again, however, I'm glad I tried it.  Altogether, it was a delicious meal, though, and I'm excited to try making it again. It can only get better with time, right?  And next time, I want to try wheat balls. yum... :)

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 24, 2012

 

 Julie gave me this bench and the pillows when she re-did her living room.  The cushions are reversible to be a flat surface/coffee table, and there is room for storage.  So cool, right?  I like the way it looks in the living room and it gives the place more seating. yay.

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 23, 2012

 You would think as time went on it would get easier to find audition songs.  Yes, but also no.  Each audition is role specific(obviously), to which you should find a song that not only shows your range, but also one that relates to the character that you are auditioning for.  For example, if I was auditioning for a twenty something charismatic guy, I wouldn't use one of the ballads from Les Mis (which, by the way - sidenote - I am stoked to see in December.  Just saying.).  Anyway, I found the songs that will work. :)

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 22, 2012

 

 On the days that I seem to be more stressed than others because of the way customers are acting, things breaking, etc., my partners always find ways to make me laugh and put me in a better mood.  It includes laughing, singing, tickling (yes, tickling), and even being dramatic (what?!).  Here lies Jonathan.  He muttered "I'm dying" and then melted to the floor...and stayed there for a good amount of customers while people walked over him to get coffees, etc.  I was laughing so hard because it didn't seem to phase anyone, which was the funniest part.  They just stepped over him as if it was no big deal.  Love it.

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 21, 2012

 My friends and I don't drink to get drunk, get wasted, or be stupid.  We have a drink with each other because we enjoy the company, but also because we really enjoy the flavor of different beers and wines, and then talking about the tastes.  (Yes, we're cool.)  Therefore, we try to get new ones every now and again and share our thoughts.  It's actually pretty cool and a lot of fun; which is why I love wine tasting/beer tasting.  Anyway, last year, Matt and I got this Newcastle Werewolf Red Ale and fell in love with it.  Obviously, from the name and the look of it, it is a seasonal ale - out for Halloween-ish time.  So, naturally when I saw this, I got really excited.  Turns out, he did the same thing, the same day at the grocery store and bought some so we could have it that night. haha.  Great minds think alike?

It's cool.

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 20, 2012

 I know many people say this, but I truly mean it: I am one of the luckiest guys alive because I have the most amazing friends in the world...and I'm not exaggerating.  I am so thankful for each and every one of them because they each bring something unique and beautiful to my life; hopefully I do the same.  Julie took me out to dinner tonight for my birthday and we went to this tapas restaurant called Piccas.  Absolutely delicious food, as well as a wide variety of options.  The picture above is of us being goofballs and eating the leftover chocolate from our churros with our fingers.  Fantastic evening with one of my best friends. 

 WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 19, 2012

 

 Again, not the most artistic picture.  True, it's just a fan.  However, the story behind this fan and the fact that it is currently in my apartment makes it picture worthy.  So, during this heat wave we've been having, I have been attempting to find a fan.  No store has them in stock.  Basically, they're not in season, so when the stores ran out, they didn't order more.  Stupid, right?  It's California; fans should always be in season.  None-the-less, I spent one of my days off cruising around LA looking for a fan.  You name it, I went there - Target, KMart, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Home Depot, even Costco.  Nothing.  So, I went home, hopped on the computer, and ordered it online.  And, finally, here it is.  So thankful I won't be sweating when trying to fall asleep tonight. :)

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 18, 2012

 I had time to make myself dinner, and I wanted something different.  I ran into the ravioli in the freezer section and couldn't even remember the last time I had ravioli in spaghetti sauce.  So, I decided to get it.  I made broccoli and garlic bread, and poured myself a glass of wine.  Altogether, a very enjoyable evening with delicious, homemade food.  There's something so compelling about cooking.  I love it.

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 17, 2012

 A magical day at Disneyland.  Now that I am a Disneyland annual pass holder (Thank you mom and dad for that amazing birthday gift), I can now go basically whenever I am free to get my fill of magic in my life.  I went with Alesha, Drew, and Mattie.  I couldn't choose just one picture because so many were amazing, so I made a little collage.  It was such a wonderful day of laughing and smiling.  I cannot wait for many more future memories to be made this year.  (Pictures from top left working clockwise: Space Mountain, Sleeping Beauty's Castle, Hollywood Tower of Terror, Splash Mountain)

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 16, 2012

This may seem like an odd, weird, or non-artistic picture to add, however, this fence was the first time I really thought it was Autumn.  I saw this old picket fence after walking my friend Alesha home after game night.  It made me smile.  There was a little bite to the air - not cold, not warm.  The crescent moon shone above.  Skirting the bottom of the fence was an array of dead leaves.  It was as if I was experiencing the Fall I am used to, even if for a brief moment.

Smiles.

 SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 15, 2012

 

 I still don't get sick of the palm trees.  I just happened to look up to soak up the sun and I noticed this.  So beautiful/cool.  Beauty everywhere.

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 14, 2012

 Playing outside with Oscar.  He is so funny and makes me laugh so much.  He's such a happy puppy, which obviously, in turn, makes me happy.  I definitely enjoy our time together.

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 13, 2012

 

I thought this door/vine wall was pretty cool.  I love checking out all of the different houses and architecture around the city.  I saw this particular door while taking Oscar for a walk.  Every house, I feel, is unique and has character, maybe representative of the people that live there?  At any rate, I love looking at all of it.

The dogs and the beers

 WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 12, 2012

Ms. Lo Bear and I at our sushi date.  We try to go on sushi dates once a week to catch up, talk about life, hash out ideas, contemplate the logistics of how to cook edamame, or to simply eat and have a beer.  Let's be real, though, with the two of us, you know we never stop talking.  One of my favorite times of every week is our sushi date; it's so nice to have something planned and set that's not work to look forward to. :)

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 11, 2012

 

 Oscar and I are the best of friends.  I was trying to take a picture of me and he kept licking my face.  I love this dog so much; he is such a goofball and constantly makes me laugh and keeps me smiling.

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 10, 2012

 

 Some nights you just need to throw caution to the wind and go out for a spontaneous night on the town with some amazing people.  This was a much needed night of laughter, stories, and more laughter.  Such a great evening with great people. It's nights like this that make me realize how blessed I am.

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 9, 2012

 

What better way to spend your day off than laying by the pool soaking up the sun with an ice cold beer and your best friend?  Pretty perfect day if you ask me.  This is literally probably the only thirty seconds in a four hour period in which we did not talk. haha.  Love me some Salandra.

Laughter and Love

 SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 8, 2012

 Dinner with Crystal is always a fun experience.  The two of us are such dorks together and laugh so much we cry...or snort.  haha.  She's another one of those friends that I am blessed to have in my life.  In this picture, we were at Cafe Gratitude on Larchmont (a great little vegan/vegetarian restaurant) and this is the truffle we were splitting...we were craving just a leeeeeeettle bit of chocolate for dessert.

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 7, 2012

 I love game night and it doesn't happen often enough.  Kyle has been staying over while he's searching for a new apartment, so we decided to play Disney Monopoly, which I have not played since the last time I posted a picture of it last year (remember that pic with Matt and Lo? Still one of my favorite pictures of them).  Anyway, clearly, I won. :)

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 6, 2012

 

 Crystal got me vegan cupcakes for my birthday.  DE-LIC-IOUS.  This is the last one; I saved it for mine and Lo's wine night.  Thursdays, the two of us generally have a best friend day - we begin the day by opening together at the store, then grabbing sushi and a pitcher, maybe taking a nap or running errands, and then sometimes ending with wine.  Always such a wonderful day and honestly one of the days of the week we both look forward to the most.  It's so important to make time for those special people in your life.

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 5, 2012

This is one of the reasons that I love going into my Starbucks to grab a drink.  I not only leave with an exceptionally made drink, but I also get a beautiful love note that always makes me smile (even though I don't usually notice it until I'm halfway done with the drink).  I write notes to different customers on their cups, as well, and sometimes a simple "have a great day" on the side of the cup can truly make someone's day...and I forget that - until it happens to me. :)  Share the love.

A Picture A Day: Round 2

 TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 4, 2012

 I'm currently watching my friend Kyle's dog, Alfie.  He's adorable, and we became great friends the second we met; he follows me everywhere (Alfie, not Kyle haha).  This is us snuggling on the couch watching a movie.  It's so comforting to have a dog in your life.  I cannot wait until the day that I can have one.  Once I have the time and the money, though...  In the meantime, I'll just watch my friends' dogs.  (Sidenote: I got Oscar again for a week soon! yay!)

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 3, 2012

 

  

 I steered my first sailboat today.  I headed out onto the Pacific Ocean on Casey and Brynn's sailboat.  So amazing to be on such a powerful and vast body of water.  The wind.  The water.  The sea lions.  The (one) dolphin.  The chips and guacamole.  The drinks.  The company.  Beautiful day with beautiful company.

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 2, 2012

  

 To continue with the relaxing birthday festivities, Lo and I headed down to the beach to breathe in the salty and fresh air of the ocean, as well as bask in the rays of the sun.  Such a beautiful, relaxing, and fun day.

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 1, 2012

 I couldn't have asked for a better way to start off my twenty seventh birthday.  So much love was sent my way from such dear friends and family near and far.  I felt truly touched.  Luckily, I was able to spend the entire day with one of my best friends doing what we do best - adventuring.  We drove up to the Santa Ynez Valley to do some wine tasting, tried some more in Downtown Los Ovilos, and ate the most scrumptious and delectable ravioli and gnocci I have ever tasted at Los Ovilos Wine Merchant Cafe.  A cruise down the 101/PCH on our way home left us with breathtaking views of the sunset over the hills, as well as the calm of the ocean.  Perfect day.

Twenty Seven

I am now Twenty Seven.  For anyone else, it is just a number.  In terms of age, it is just a number.  For me, it is a special number.  For whatever reason, Twenty Seven is my favorite number; it always has been.  I'm not quite sure why, but I guess that's what the brilliance of it is.  None-the-less, because I have now come to the age of my number, I know that it will be the beginning of an amazing, breathtaking, and growing year.  The two numbers (2 and 7) also add up to 9, which is thought to be a powerful or sacred number in many religions and beliefs.  Interesting, right?

Because I have been spending a lot of my thoughts on making sure I am really taking in all of my time of every day, breathing in every moment, really experiencing life; I decided to do my picture a day again.  I find it fascinating when I go back to the last time I did it.  So much happened in one year, and even now when I look back, so much is different in my life since I ended that one year of pictures.  So, to capture the moments of this upcoming year, I decided to begin this process again beginning on my birthday yesterday.

Thank you for being a part of my life.  Thank you for being you.  I hope you enjoy sharing the next year of life with me.

xoxo

Frank