ROAD TRIP DISCOVERIES { MELISSA GLYNN PHOTOGRAPHY : TEXAS PHOTOGRAPHER }

During this road trip from Austin to Rochester, NY, I had every intention of taking amazing photos along the way. And, just like every other time... I failed miserably. I didn't take a single photo! Wait... I take that back. I took a few, but not with my amazing Nikon D700s... No, no... with my Palm Pre phone. Sad. I know. Most people would kill to have access to the gear that I do and the type of road trip I went on... but I'm not most people I guess. Landscape photography has never been my thing... so, based on this trip, I guess I'm not going to make it my thing any time soon.

One thing I did accomplish on this trip was a lot of thinking... I mean, a LOT! When you're in a car by yourself for a total of 31 hours, you have plenty of time to process things and spend some good ol' quality me-time getting to know yourself again in so many ways. I have put together a list of things I have discovered and/or rediscovered about myself on this journey of mine...


NEW DISCOVERIES

1. I LOVE bridges! I have a crazy fear of heights, but I can't help but get a little giddy every time I approach one of those giant steel bridges. The grandness of the whole thing. The fact that it is strong and safe (hopefully) after so many years of existence. The awesomeness of the rivers underneath. It's so crazy-awesome to watch boats and currents and shoreline activity. I am fascinated with it all. I even found myself being compelled to look over the smallest of bridges as I drove along country highways and interstates. So many small rivers, creeks, old winding country roads, train tracks, and other fantastic finds. I wanted to explore them all!

2. Dr. Laura on XM/Sirius Radio is my new favorite! Listening to her show has got to be one of the most entertaining, educational, and inspiring experiences I've ever had in a car. The two hours she was riding with me flew by! I have to say, I was deeply saddened when I heard her say "Now go do the right thing" for the last time. Luckily, I have access to her every week day from 4p-6p Eastern Time on XM 155 or Sirius 102. That's right... I know exactly which station. Now, go listen if you have the opportunity!

3. Car yoga is a mandatory thing if you are going to be driving more than five hours at a time. There are several different stretches and twists you can do while driving. I might publish a Car Yoga manual one of these days. I think it could be very helpful...

4. Another great XM/Sirius discovery... the 90s radio station. All fantastic hits from my prime time listening era. Just about every song that came on required a "Oh wow! Great song!!" from me. I think XM/Sirius is worth the money just for this station on its own.

5. As I crept closer and closer to the north east, I noticed these rectangular boxes hanging from trees next to the interstate. The first one I saw, I didn't think a thing about it... but then I kept seeing more and more. What are these things? What is their purpose? I need to know the answer to this. If you know... please, do tell.

6. Florence + The Machine. Go listen to "Addicted to Love" and "Drumming Song". I'll go ahead and say you're welcome now.


RE-DISCOVERIES

1. My love for Ray LaMontagne has only gotten stronger after this trip. I literally listened to EVERY cd of his straight through on my last trip from Indiana to New York. I didn't get tired of him for one second. With that being said, if anyone out there knows Mr. LaMontagne, go ahead and send him my way. Free photos for life to whoever delivers.

2. I still hate Mc Donald's. I feel like I get amnesia every time I eat there because I still go back even though I know it's terrible and tastes like cardboard. Maybe they put something in their food to cause amnesia... But I guess I'm glad they do because that was usually my only option for food on those lonely interstates. Well, either that or those rubbery hot dogs at gas stations that have been rotating on the hot dog carousel for who knows how long. So, thank you for your amnesia food, Mc Donald's.

3. Driving in the rain is not my favorite. I drove from Oklahoma City to Nashville which is a 10 hour drive... I believe I spent about 8 of those hours driving in rain. One hour of this drive was basically like driving through a non-stop Niagra Falls. Not fun. Hydroplaning, limited visibility, 18 wheelers driving fast and spraying my car so I couldn't see at all. Needless to say, when I got to Nashville, I needed a BIG drink.

4. I still love Austin. As I drove away from that city, I felt a slight sadness. I know great things lie ahead of me, but I can't help but be sad to leave this fabulous city behind... whether it's for a few months or for good. Time will tell.

RANDOMNESS :: A little treat... { MELISSA GLYNN PHOTOGRAPHY : TEXAS PHOTOGRAPHER }

Here's a great photo booth session from Justin & Lauren's wedding of me and my assistant for the evening, Holly. These photo booths are too much fun!!

Thanks to Booth66 for making it so much fun!!

RANDOMNESS :: THESE ARE A FEW OF MY FAVORITE THINGS... { MELISSA GLYNN PHOTOGRAPHY : TEXAS PHOTOGRAPHER }

I was sitting at home today and realized that I had several of my favorite things sitting close to me... and thought I should share them with the world. First, I was looking at my library and thought that I would share a few of my favorite books with you all. These are books that had huge impacts in my life, made me laugh, made me cry, and moved me to action. I highly recommend you pick one or all of them up if you're looking for a great book.

Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier
The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris
Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert



Next, it's my favorite time of the year... well, one of four of my favorite times. The new Martha Stewart Weddings is on news stands and it's a beauty! I LIVE for these magazines. I actually have a collection of them that dates back to 2005. Yep, it's true. So, go pick up your copy today!!



One of the simplest pleasures in life that I often overlook are flowers. They can bring cheer to anyone and everyone...even if they're not yours. I recently went on a date (that's right... a date) where we had a picnic at Townlake. When I got there, he had an arm full of lillies and daisies waiting for me (MAJOR bonus points). The best part though was making the walk back to my car with the flowers in tow. I watched as almost every single woman who came across my path smiled a sincere smile of appreciation and maybe a little bit of envy. So, men... if you're reading this... make a note, ALL women like flowers. ALL. Even those of us who say we don't really care for them... we still enjoy their company. So, go get your lady some flowers today!!

I made a mini-arrangement 'cause it was too cute!

RANDOMNESS :: JEREMY COLLINS ART

I recently discovered Jeremy Collins though a friend of mine. This guy's art is absolutely beautiful! There's not much I could say about it to truly do it justice... So, just look for yourself.









To see even more, check him out on Facebook.

RANDOMNESS :: YOGA... MY NEW BEST FRIEND { MELISSA GLYNN PHOTOGRAPHY : TEXAS PHOTOGRAPHER }

So, I don't know if you guys are already 10 steps ahead of me, but I am just now finding out about this whole Yoga thing. I have been going for the past week and have fallen SO in love with it... it just might be an obsession now. If you've never done it... DO IT! Don't be afraid. That's what kept me from it for the longest time... but now, I have braved the first class and found something that makes me feel so much lighter, stronger, and just overall more awesome!

Black Swan is a studio off of 5th street downtown that is absolutely fabulous!! The instructors are great and the classes are a great workout. Each session is donation only, but they recommend you donate between $10-$15 per class. Bargain! So, check out their studio...

www.blackswanyoga.com

If you need a yoga buddy, feel free to let me know! I'm there at least three times a week.

Namaste.

And, since I love adding photos to blogs as often as possible... here's a treat for you.  Apparently, my nephew, Jackson, is WAY ahead of me. He's a genius at the downward facing dog!!