WaYa

I have to say - I have been told I am the biggest non-pot smoking hippy ever. I appreciate nature. That's all . . . . . . . . . .I like to spend time without electricity. I enjoy the simple tranquility of getting back to the basics. Imagine moments with fire for subdued light and warmth accompanied by an acoustic guitar for intrinsic entertainment. Or simply embrace the silence . . . . . . . . . .I love running trails especially during the wet season because the scents of the plants and trees after a rain are exhilarating . . . . . . . . . . .I used to work at the Oakland Zoo. Loved it! I miss the goats the most. They made me smile. They have such unique personalities . . . . . . . . . .I photographed for the Hayward Animal Shelter and published the animals pictures in the Pioneer Newspaper at Cal State Hayward (at the time) for 2 years. I figured if I cannot save them all myself, I'd make good use of my position as the photo editor and help promote getting them homes. I am passionate about adopting your pets. In my eyes, for every animal born to breeding there is an animal put down at a shelter because the option was there to get an animal that was bred. To see where I am coming from, spend some time at a shelter. I don't see how it cannot touch everyone's hearts . . . . . . . . . .I love me some MMA. It is the ONLY sport I will watch by myself. Ha ha! I go from compassion toward animals to aggression toward humans . . . . . . . . . .I love to hang out with people who do not mind random pictures being taken of them. I am intrigued by people's actions. It may be as simple as a person sitting at a camp fire drinking a beer laughing with some buddies, or as daring as a person diving with sharks in a cage. I love to capture real moments - actions, expressions, emotions, body language, etc. Although I am known to pose in mine as if I am doing things I am not really doing at the time (I swear I do it strictly for laughs and to make the image more interesting. I am not really as wild as I seem to be . . . hee hee . . . Melissa and Tiffany - shut your pie holes!) . . . . . . . . . .I love when you look at a picture and ask questions - even if your question is, "What the f#@*?!" Seeing a picture and pondering its meaning shows that you are curious and inquisitive - your mind is working. Creativity is allowed in your thoughts. Relating it to yourself in anyway is important to me as a photographer and a teacher. Every picture has a different meaning depending on who you are, how you have lived your life, and what your values are. That is partly why I love photography . . . . . . . . . . .I am aware that every picture I have ever taken is a document of my mind at that time. It is a record of what I saw - it meant some thing to me in that moment. They are cherished - good and bad - they shaped me into who I am today. I look back, smile and say, "I have lived a great life" and I am proud of that - especially of the picture when I was 5 years old running around butt ass naked at a waterfall in Hawaii. Be freeeeeeeeeeeeeeee . . . . . . . . . .I laugh a lot. A lot of things are funny to me and I am just plain happy. I love life. There are many wonderful inspirations in this world. I am thankful that I take the time to notice them . . . . . . . . . .I say, "Hella" and "Hecka" waaaaaay too much . . . . . . . . . .I have an inner dork I refuse to suppress. Look out ... She makes herself known ... Often . . . . . . . . . .I am affectionately referred to as the "drunkest" person in the room. The only problem with that statement is that I never drink. Ever. Inhibitions??? What are those?! . . . . . . . . . .I like a good challenge to push me beyond my comfort zone in all aspects of my life . . . . . . . . . .North America is such an amazing continent. There are many places I'd love to go explore with my dogs, a pair of running shoes, and my camera. I want to jump in my truck and go. It would be nice to have some one come along - but my patience is wearing thin. I want to get stuff done! I have hopes to take pictures all over the world - preferably remote areas. But I'll take anything - I can find beauty and inspiration anywhere. Therefore my destinations are hard to narrow down. I'll let fate guide me to my destiny. I never know what will be set on my plate . . . . . . . . . .