Like Home {continued}

 Here are some more photographs that I wrote a bit about in my last entry...

Stefani, I'm so close to touching the light this time!

all images above © Ava Alamshah

Today I submitted some of these images to two beautiful online magazines. Very anxious and hopeful. It feels nice to be a bit productive again. Last night I went to yoga for the first time after having missed classes for a few weeks. Yoga really clears my head and challenges me. Such a wonderful life motivator. My friend, Marie, has been going A LOT, and she's been kicking ass (also, she has been cutting my hair for years and she is amazing). Another lovely thing to look forward to is T H I S ! I'm very much looking forward to My Bloody Valentine, as I'm sure many people are. I bought my tickets this afternoon, and I feel like I needed this. May has been such a difficult month, but I am very lucky, and I know that if I remain positive, life will get better. What is it that Jeff Goldblum says in Jurassic Park? "Life Finds a Way". I know he meant that for dinosaurs, but I'm going to use that as my personal mantra. Thanks, Jeff!  

  I have a sexy memory of listening to Loveless in it's entirety, while making out in the backseat of this guy's car, parked on Reservoir, on the steepest part of that hill (San Francisco style). Not cheesy at all, totally hot (I was in my 20s and they were EPIC times...EPIC HEAVY times).

I have an even fonder memory of listening to earlier stuff with Jeaux, while cruising around the valley. These are times I will always cherish, and now I get to see them perform. Bittersweet. 

your friend,

ava

Like Home

All images above ©Ava Alamshah

To all my friends, I just wanted to take the time to apologize for my hiatus from the land of blogging. Since my birthday, I've gone through a lot of personal ups and downs. There are some wonderful prospects in the works, and these are all positive things. Finding a new place to live, more friend portraits, and an ambitious project about childhood memories and longing. Looking forward to all these beautiful things. 

The photographs above are from my small series titled, "Like Home". All shot while house sitting at Alex and Britt's former home in Highland Park. I brought along my old 35mm point and shoot that I used a lot while attending CalArts.  It was nice to shoot film again. I absolutely love the fuzzy, dreamy quality. I could never get that with my dslr. This roll has some candid/casual shots while hanging out with Stefani one afternoon. I'll have them up here very soon! Promise.

I use to live in a tiny apartment, very close to my friends. We were neighbors! I had some of the best times of my life, and some of the worst times, but I learned a lot. Housesitting so close to my old place brought back so many memories, and I thought about how life can change in such a short amount of time. It's unreal. Looking forward to what the future may bring. 

your friend,

ava

Adventures in House Sitting

  

  While house sitting, my friend Ema came over and we had a photo adventure.  I took some serious black and white, medium format images that I have yet to develop.  These polaroids, with magical colored frames, are from Impossible Project.  It was wonderful being able to photograph again.  I feel a bit rusty, but looking forward to practicing and creating more images next week.  Jeaux and I will be in one of my most favorite destinations, the bay area!   I finally caved in and bought a digital slr just for the occasion.  It's time to get serious!

E M A

 Alex and Britt's home gave me so much inspiration.  Lots of great, classic architecture and an abundance of plant life.  There was an abandoned home up Montecito that looked like something out of Grey Gardens or Great Expectations.  I expected Little Edie, or Miss Havisham to jump out at any moment.    

M A K E   A R T

& Have Fun Doing It

your friend,

ava 

Part Time Punk

  So, I've been house sitting for my girls, Alex and Britt.  While they are hanging around in Seattle and Portland, I am here in the sunshine capital, manning their home and getting to spend some quality time with Teddy and Potato (their adorable cats).

  While looking for things to do, I came upon this book and decided to borrow it (thanks ladies!)  It is called Please Kill Me: The Uncensored Oral History of Punk.  I was sold with that title alone.  Since high school, I've always had a little bit of lingering rebellion inside of me, but I was way too timid to fully commit to anything my parents wouldn't approve of. I had Goth friends and really wanted to be Goth.  I loved The Cure, and had wannabe Doc Martens, but that is as far as it went.  I didn't really think I would look good wearing black lipstick, witchcraft was never my forte, and hanging out in graveyards seemed too scary.  I never did drugs, never had the desire to, but knew some people who did.  The hardest thing I ever did in high school was take a few drags from my friend's clove cigarette.  How PUNK.

  In college, I got really obsessed with The Clash, and I only knew a few Ramones songs.  I've always loved the Talking Heads because my mom had Little Creatures on cassette tape, and would play this over and over.  If I were to label that band, it would be more "art rock" than "punk", I guess.  A teacher of mine, Michael Perkins, use to bring vinyl records to class, and that is when I first heard Funhouse.  You can literally feel the raw energy that Iggy projected onto that album.  It still gives me chills every time I play it.  And the saxophone, people!  That sax! 

  Right now, I am exploring the Velvet Underground chapters.  Unbelievable stuff!

  "IGGY POP:  The first time I heard the Velvet Underground and Nico record was at a party on the University of Michigan campus. I just hated the sound. You know, "HOW COULD ANYBODY MAKE A RECORD THAT SOUNDS LIKE SUCH A PIECE OF SHIT? THIS IS DISGUSTING! ALL THESE PEOPLE MAKE ME FUCKING SICK! FUCKING DISGUSTING HIPPIE VERMIN! FUCKING BEATNIKS, I WANT TO KILL THEM ALL!  THIS JUST SOUNDS LIKE TRASH!"

  Then about six months later it hit me. "Oh my god! WOW! This is just a fucking great record!" That record became very key for me, not just for what it said, and for how great it was, but also because I heard other people who could make good music-without being any good at music. It gave me hope."

I G G Y    P O P
I love him because he is fucking nuts

your friend,

ava


  

Waiting for the Fall

  This LA summer hasn't been that bad.  I mean, it's been really, ridiculously hot, but that is good for beach days (I need one of those), and maybe evening picnics (in the shade), and the summer is great for sipping on cold beverages while hanging out on your porch (if you have a porch), or sitting on your front steps, or the grass, or in your air conditioned vehicle....

  I love the summer and need to take more advantage of it while I house sit this week for my friend's Alex and Britt.  I'll be documenting my stay and cannot wait to see what I come up with.  Highland Park and Montecito Heights are rich with history, and I love to explore that area.  I'll be snapping photos during that exploration and taking in the scenery.  More on that very soon!

  While we bask in the sunlight, here is something to look forward to in the Fall/Winter.  I am dying over these J.Crew for Fall ensembles.  So chic and classic with a colorful twist. 

W A N T

I absolutely love this bright coral dress and that drop waist.  This one is on my wish list!  All you need is some pink lipstick and heels! So elegant. 

I love how outfits are put together for this company.  They come up with great combinations that I would never even think of.  That skirt and sweater together is just gorgeous, with those red shoes and everything.....SO RAD!  A stand out for the next New Years Eve bash!

Cable knit and sequence? Sign me up! 

This whole outfit is a winner.  Something Bianca Jagger would have worn at Studio 54.  She puts my 30th birthday party to shame, btw.

xx

your friend,

ava

G O   T O   T H E   B E A C H   ! ! !