SoCal vs. Outlaws

"First times" are always interesting.
First time taking the subway in New York. First time meeting Amado's parents.
First time going to OZ (this is old school) and then seeing your cousins there.
And now I can add first time going to a roller derby match.

Our friend Ben invited us to watch the team he coaches, SoCal Renegades play
against Outlaws Renegade last night. Everything I know about roller derby,
I learned from watching the movie Whip It (side note: I love Ellen Page!).
I knew there'd be some fighting, pulling and more fighting. But the minute they asked us to sign
a waiver because there was a good chance the players would come crashing towards the audience,
I knew we were going to have a good time.

Fun fact: What do Roller Girls and Drag Queens have in common?
Awesome names! My fave, Leprechunt.

No joke, these ladies mean business. Amado and I were oooh'ing and aaaaah'ing the whole time 

watching them play. Pushing and shoving were the mildest thing they did to each other. 

I was hoping people would sit in front of us as buffer just in case the players came flying towards us. Luckily none of that happened. Well, it happened to the other people watching the match 

but not to us.

Leprechunt and Durty Harriet

If you haven't seen a roller derby match in person, I definitely suggest going.
Thanks again Ben! We had a great time.

The Huntington Library

I've been bugging Amado for a "museum day" for weeks now.

We finally had a weekend with no plans and went to San Marino and to check out
The Huntington Library.

It was hotter than we expected, but it was still a fun trip.

The Desert Garden made it feel hotter than it really was. You'd think I'd be used to it since I used to live 

in Vegas but Southern California weather has a way of spoiling you, specially in the beach cities.

Kinda fell in love with this field and the gazebo at the very end of it.

I have this thing about wide open spaces. Oh and negative space.

Sorry folks for the mugshot but I'm trying to get more comfortable being photographed.

The only way to learn how to pose others is if I go through it myself.

Credit for this one goes to Amado.

He's the only one who gets to use my camera without me freaking out (in the outside at least).

After what felt like miles of walking around the gardens under the blazing sun, we hurried in

to check out the galleries and exhibits. 

The only impressionist I spotted in the room. The artist painted the same subject, 

women out in the garden so he can concentrate on the colors and light.

I feel the same way about photography.

My favorite gallery in the grounds. A room with nothing but huge portraits.

Tragic Muse

Of course Amado was drawn to this portrait. The subject was wearing a flowy dress resembling
 a kimono.

My favorite section of the museum. Yes, its a hallway but I love that its all white. And the light!

Santa Barbara - Mother's Day

Mother's Day

Arroyo Burro Beach Park

Santa Barbara, CA