Luke and Leslie: Married!

Things have been relatively quiet around this blog. Because...well, I don't know. I guess because I don't have a whole lot to write about? It's winter, so I'm not doing very much aside from actively trying to stay warm and eating many starchy cheese-filled food items. And...my laptop broke, so I can no longer update at home. And my boyfriend's soon-to-be ex wife is kind of cyber-stalkery. Also, none of you are exactly commenting these days and we're all locked down and shit, so I think there's exactly 4 of you reading this right now. HELLO.

All of those things contribute to the perfect storm of me not posting.

But, in an effort to distract myself from the snowicane* we are apparently not getting, I thought I would finally (FINALLY) post the photos from Luke and Leslie's wedding.

I'm not going to lie to you. I was terrified about this wedding. Of all of the weddings in Wedding Palooza '09, I worried about this one the most. Because while, I adore him and while he can sometimes be a bit hammy, Luke isn't always thrilled by a camera. He can be very shy, especially when it comes to things like "smiling." And posing him or asking him to smile just make it worse. And add on all the romantic mushy stuff? Well Luke turns into a turtle practically, all hiding in his little shell. I knew how important this day was to both of them and I was desperate to do well. Adding on to the pressure was the fact that Luke and Leslie had a completely private ceremony, all by themselves, with the exception of me and if they were kind enough to let me see them get married, I had better not fuck it up so help me god, I'd never forgive myself.

So that's basically what was going through my head the entire time I was prepping for this wedding.

But I need not have worried.

Because the day? Was awesome. And Luke? Was so joyful about getting married to Leslie that he didn't have time to be self-conscious about the camera and the two of them were just so freaking sweet the entire time, I kept Awwwwww-ing behind my camera and tearing up.

Luke and Leslie asked me to come over to photograph their "getting ready" for the big day. When I walked in, Luke was watching episodes of "Married with Children," which I thought was hilarious. They started off with a doughnut breakfast for their last un-married morning:



Luke and Leslie both incorporated mementos of their grandparents into their wedding outfits.



Chucks and rings!





Leslie rocked a corset.



LOOK AT THE STYLISH MOFO THAT IS LUKE:



Then it was time to go get married.









Yeah, I totally cried behind my lens. I'M A SAP, SO SUE ME.





I adore this picture of Luke smiling so wide as Leslie slips the ring on his finger. Look how happy! Real Luke smile! With TEETH!



You guys, awwwwwww.



Love them!




Onto the reception!





Their cake was a haunted house!















The Stevenson men, showing their love for the Phightin' Phills! (Who at that time, were well on their way to the World Series.)





Instead of smashing cake into each others' faces, Luke and Leslie smashed it into the best man's and maid of honor's faces. Surprise!







The rain couldn't stop us from getting our dance on.



All of us Cabrini Kids, together. Aww.

Congrats, Luke and Leslie! Thanks for letting me photograph your big day!

*Cecily Tynan literally called it that.

Happy Valentines, A Day Late

Happy Valentine's Day, you guys. Being minus a computer at home means you get this a day late, but trust that I was thinking of you all. Because as you can read from years previous, it's not about being with some body per se, but it's about appreciating the love you have in your lives, in whatever forms it comes: Friends and family.

As for me, I had contented myself on not seeing the Scotsman, since he had his daughter this weekend. But Saturday morning I got a phone call asking me if I'd like to attend a Scottish and Irish Mid-Winter festival with them on Sunday, and hell yes was my answer. And the Scotsman, making all my dreams come true, WORE A KILT. When I saw him walk in the door of the convention center, I literally froze and was breathless for a moment. KILT. GUH.

"You're wearing a kilt," I said, stating the obvious.

"Happy Valentine's Day," he said.

Of course, since his daughter was there and, you know, we were in public and all, I couldn't really take advantage of the situation properly. Still...s'nice. We had a lovely day together, enjoying the music and dancing. There was a ceili session and the Scotsman and his daughter both Irish danced* with me, which was across the board AWESOME. And also possibly the way to my heart.

Evidence of the kilt (and believe me, I was kicking myself for not bringing my actual camera):



What can I say? Kilts give me a lady-boner.

So my Valentine's day was cozy, perfect, filled with kilt-wearing men, dancing, happiness and some roses. I hope yours was equally as satisfactory.

*He was pretty good at the ceili dancing, actually. He also Scottish Highland danced a bit for me. ALSO AWESOME. Swoons, people. Swoons.

SnOMG

As I am sure you all well know, there's a major snow storm happening right now. It's the biggest storm we've had since 1996.

The entire world feels like it's stopped. Or more accurately, frozen. My office is closed, which is seriously saying something, since we never close. Everything is covered in thick blankets of wet snow. Branches are heavy and sagging with lengths of white. Everything is silent as fat flakes swirl in the wind. Most streets haven't even been plowed, everyone is inside.

I ventured out to try to dig out my car some, which I soon realized was pointless as the street I'm parked on hasn't even been plowed. I gave up and decided to go on a snowventure and walk to Kelly's house. The walk was like hiking through the arctic – the wind is brash and after half a block I could barely see. But it was beautiful, lovely, white, freezing. I trudged on and surprised Kelly. She rewarded me with fresh brownies and half of an episode of the Jersey Shore. (...I don't know. It was like watching a car wreck.)

During the Blizzard of '96 my Mom-Mom had just passed. All of my family members had come to town for the funeral when the storm hit. 13 people and 1 dog all got trapped in my parents' tiny row home (with 1, count it, ONE bathroom) for something crazy like 4 days.

This blizzard couldn't be more different. I'm alone in my apartment with the cats. Kate and Gary are stuck at Deb's and I nearly got trapped at my uncle's last night (poor guy is nursing a broken fibula, which he fractured falling on ice from the last snow storm), but made it home just in time before the serious snow came. I have plenty of food and lots of booze (although, no one to drink it with), cats to snuggle with and movies galore.

Snow is still falling thick and heavy. It's expected to continue throughout the evening. It makes me wonder if everything will still be closed up tomorrow, too.

Happy snowpocolypse to you and yours!

Congratualtions JJ!

WOOOOO!

I am so excited about this. I can't wait to help out with it.

Oh Look...

And we're back to this bullshit again. So much for me being optimistic about all parties involved behaving in a civil manner.


And while I'm up and all private-like: Fuck off, lady. Let me remind you that you left him. Stop being all pissy when he continues his life without you, because, if you recall, YOU DIDN'T WANT HIM ANYMORE. Get over it, woman.

How Philly Moves

Exciting events are afoot (pun totally intended) for my photographer friend J.J. Tiziou! His project, How Philly Moves, is about to make an exciting announcement.

I know some of the details, but I am sworn to secrecy. I can tell you the following:

1. It's a fantastic blend of community, diversity, and art.
   
2. It will pretty up some very blah places.
   
3. It will perfectly capture the reckless joy and beauty of dance.
   
4. J.J. is awesome.
   
5. I hope to help him in this project.

So if you're available tomorrow, visit the City Hall in Mayor's Reception Room for a dance party and an announcement. Personally, I will be cursing my 9-5. And chair dancing.