Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Joy in the Mundane

My body was made to walk and not sit as much as it does. I am not sure if it was reading Andre Agassi's autobiography or if I was just ready, but I walked to work yesterday. Andre's book is fantastic, probably even if you aren't into tennis. His dad made him hit one million balls per year. Surely I can walk 2.9 miles to work. I've biked it before, but I wanted 45 minutes of being outside instead of 15.

Hello blue Caddy fins. Our family had a car like this when I was a teenager. The Batmobile, we called it. I'm sad to say I was embarrassed to be seen in it, even though my grandmother told me it was cool, all the kids in California love old cars (I lived in Louisiana at the time).

Why yes, it's me and I have two heads.

I've driven by this creek a thousand times and never knew it was there. Those are Eucalyptus trees. They were brought over from Australia during the Gold Rush and used as windrows on agricultural land.

I like a good peace symbol.

Abalone shells.
5 more minutes and I'm at work. I feel invigorated all day.

On my way home. Jay asks if I want a ride. No thank you, I said, even though it starts drizzling.
I think my brother has gotten a fretboard repaired here.

I wonder if this mannequin comes alive at night.

The interior of this Skylark was creamy tuck and roll leather. You can hear the sound the engine makes, can't you?

Bullet train on the way to San Francisco. I always like seeing the people in the windows reading.

Everyone in California knows the El Camino Real because it's a 600 mile highway running from San Diego to San Francisco. It was created to connect all of California's missions and pueblos. There are the weirdest collection of stores on the ElCo. In two blocks alone I can think of stores to buy saddles, guns, lamps, manicures, pizza, ice cream and bridal gowns. The American dream?

My dream home is a Spanish/Mediterranean style, like this one. Close to the beach of course.

Lights greeting me on the corner of my street. I feel content and think of that great line, "I am the master of my fate. I am the captain of my soul."

Happy New Year! I want 2010 to be amazing for all of us. I know I'm going to sound mushy, but we just have to keep our hearts open. Lots of love, JW

30 comments:

Clare said...

Hi friend! Some thoughts on this beautiful post

1. I think that Andre Agassi's Father was an ass. No wonder Andre hated tennis

2. I would like to float rubber ducks along that creek with Ray and you

3. The manniquin DOES come alive at night. She makes a mean grilled cheese sandwich.

4. I never knew that the El Camino was that long or why it was created. Thanks

5. I like that style of home very much.

6. Not to be too mushy, I love that you are my friend and I get to see you in one day

Glenn said...

That was beautiful. Thank you for sharing your walk with us.

MUSEUM OF STICKERS said...

AWESOME!

AND ONE OF THE GREAT PARTS ABOUT WALKING MORE IS GETTING A CLOSER LOOK AT COOL OLD CARS!

AND YES ABOUT KEEPING OUR HEARTS OPEN...IVE MISSED MORE THAN A FEW OPPORTUNITIES TO DO THAT THIS PAST YEAR AND NOW LOOKING BACK, CLOSED HEARTS ARE 4 SURE THE TOUGHER WAY TO GO.


ALSO: YOURE SO LUCKY TO HAVE A COMMENTER NAMED GLENN!!

Rebecca Olive said...

Bless!

Thanks Jamie!

David J. Hirsh said...

What a fricken' top rate, hella fine post to end the year. I am so glad to have come across your blog this year and shared some thoughts along the way. I hope you have a happy, healthy, artsy, surfy new year. Oh yeah and between the Caddy and Buick? I go with the Skylark all the way.

Best,

David

corduroy said...

i love this post.

xox corduroy

lawless said...

Radness, to slow down and actually take in life around you. Amazing what it does for one's mood and outlook.

Michael Singman-Aste said...

What a great post! It made me happy. I'm a big walker and one of the best things about Alameda is that you can walk everywhere!

Shona~ LALA dex press said...

Not as cool as your grandmother's car, but my first car was a '63 Ford Falcon (unfortunately it was not a convertible). I befriended a German exchange student in H.S. who loved riding in my "cool American car."

Happy New Year + thank you for the Christmas card, what a nice surprise in my mailbox!

hytyde said...

Fabulous photos - I'd be proud to ride in a Caddy like that.

Your taste in houses is spot on, happy new year Jamie!

hytyde said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
twin said...

Great post! Happy New Year Miss Pineapple!

Watson said...

The blue fin Caddy with your shadow is groovy. Looks like classic street photography from the 60s.

Clare now wants to go float rubber ducks with you. That makes for a very cool post.

6ftnperfect said...

bitchin Skylark photo, and I like the train shot very much as well. Happy New Year!!

Georges ABOLIN said...

bonne année happy new year 2010 !!!

Jessica Nichols said...

Whoa! That was a cussin' awesome post!

Anonymous said...

Yes, almost same.

Candi said...

This is my favorite post! I love it, and the pics. Happy New Year to you, my friend! Can you believe I've never been on the Camino real? Shame on me!

Oh and my goal of '10 is to finally swim so I can surf. :)

Shari said...

I love seeing life through your eyes. I think we all need to hang out with YOU more in 2010 and become better people. :0)

xoxo!

Eef said...

great pics! I like the one with the peace symbol and the Skylark best i think!
Good thing you're walking to work! I sit on the train mostly :(

Eef
monsterboards.org

ashley said...

more like joy in the everyday awesome. i love this post. you are such a good person, i love reading your blog! heres to a great new year of enjoyment in the outdoors!

Mariss said...

Thanks for taking us on that walk with you :) Maybe I'll wake up early and walk to work mañana. (It's too cold and windy for my bike this week).

That's the second time I've heard the lines from that poem. Love them!

Joseph Conway said...

I, too, like a good peace symbol (and signs that once said Beastie Boys song names).

sulu-design said...

Awesome, Jamie, awesome. I've only walked to work once (it takes me well over and hour and I just can't do it that often) but it was really great to see things at a walking pace instead of flying by in a car. Your shots are wonderful and they remind me how much I want to stroll, camera in hand.
I'm catching up on sorely missed posts today... happy new year to you and Jay!

Gina said...

Hi! Just found your blog on blogher, and I really like it, so I'm gonna follow it. :) Love your photography style. I was just thinking today how my body isn't made to SIT all day long! great idea for a post. It's amazing all the things we miss by driving by.

BuenoBueno said...

i finally got the poster framed! yay!!!
http://muchomuchobuenobueno.blogspot.com/2010/01/hallelujah-its-sunday.html
i love it! ill be ordering another one soon!
B

Toddy said...

Every now and again I come back to this post and browse the photos. They always make me feel easy. A great series with great commentary.

Unknown said...

Hey greetings from Brinetopia. Haven't visited your world for a while. But it's always nice to dwell in for a little bit. Beautiful.

Bill said...

Sweet, I love your art

I Wonder Wye said...

loved the photos along your walk -- muscle cars are cool, love trains and all you chose to reveal....thanks....it was sad to read that AA was so miserable when we all thought he had the world on fire...just goes to show.....ps -- the little gray fox has been up every night this week! I guess in winter food is hard to forage....