Spent two weeks with London in Texas. We drove to Houston for a few days for shoots and then spent the rest of the time in Austin. The last time I was in Austin, London had just moved there, so she had a lot of new, neat places to take me to!
Mamiya Shots On the way home from Houston, London and I stopped at an artist scrapyard (a gathering/party spot for Burners in Austin) and she snapped some photos of me with her Mamiya film camera. This was her first time using the camera she had recently picked up and was super excited to have in her possession, even though she was clueless on how to operate it. Fortunately, while in Houston we stayed with a photographer that sat down with London at his kitchen table until wee hours of the night, and showed her all the bits n' pieces, ins n' outs, everything she needed to know about that camera. He even gave her a butt load of film. It was old film and didn't develop very clearly, but it was great to get her started. Even though I was tired from the drive home and lookin' a little haggled, I was happy to be her first modeling subject. Plus, I had a great time checking out all the crazy art in the yard and climbing all over that art bus!
Barton Springs Nestled in the middle of the city inside of Zilker Park is a popular swimming pooled created from natural springs. It is surrounded by big beautiful trees, has a huge grassy lawn area to lay out on, and fresh cool water with a natural rocky bottom. We had a great day laying out in the sun and swimming around. London brought goggles and spent most of her time underwater chasing fish. Afterward, we walked through the park and ended up at a dog park along a river. Suddenly I was surrounded by a ton of happy dogs running around off their leashes, playing with each other, jumping around, swimming and fetching balls out of the water. It was so much fun and came to no surprise that London has been wanting to get a dog lately!
Keep Austin Weird After swimming in Barton Springs and playing with dogs near the river, we continued our walk from the park to a bridge over the river and ended up in the middle of the Keep Austin Weird Festival which is an event dedicated to all the people, places and things that make Austin unique. There are funky bands, fun vendors and a 5K run where all the participants dress up in costumes like during Halloween and run through the city. There's always something fun and crazy going on in Austin!
Movies, Comedy & Bingo In Tucson we don't have theaters that serve food and drinks while you watch a movie...so I was thrilled to find out that theaters exist that do this! The Alamo Drafthouse in Austin, TX has a full bar and food menu with servers to bring you anything from the menu you want before or during your movie . The check is simply brought to you 30min before the end of the film. How neat is that! I guess if you have these kind of theaters in your area, it's not big news...but for me, a big movie, food and beer lover...this was pure excitement! We saw Toy Story 3, which turned out to be a bigger surprise than the theater. One of the best movies I've seen, it made me laugh, made me cray, put me on the edge of my seat and left me feeling magical. I love that movie and I recommend you seeing it. I am a huge Pixar fan, but even if you don't like animation or haven't seen the first two movies, still see this. You'll enjoy it! It's so good, after I got home from Texas I went and saw it again :) Other nights of entertainment in Austin included a night at a comedy improv theater and another at a bingo hall. Both of which were, BYOB so we could pick up some cheap beer and bring it with us! This is actually common for places in Austin and another reason it is such a great city :)
It was great to see comedians get up on stage and perform skits on the fly. There were several that performed as groups and created jokes by bouncing off each other and the audience. I sure laughed a lot that night! I also laughed a lot the night of bingo. I had never been to a bingo hall before and was really excited to see what it was all about. I wanted to see a bunch of die hard old ladies going nuts with a bunch of bingo cards spread out in front of them. And they were there! And it wasn't just old ladies, people of all ages were there, all intense about their bingo. They even had numerous daubers in all colors (the ink you blot the numbers with) and even special bags to hold all of them. It was a lot of fun to people watch and once the numbers started being shouted out, I got a little intense too, daubing away, hoping to fill that line and get my chance to call bingo. I was surely entertained for the night, but I never got to call bingo, didn't even get close.
Life Drawing Class One day London picked up some paper, pastels and charcoal and dragged me along to a life drawing class she typical poses for. It was really neat to get lost for a few hours smudging charcoal all over the paper, attempting to recreate a portrait of the model laid out beautifully before me. Growing up and all through high school and college I was very artistic and was always drawing or painting. However, in the past few years, especially since I've started traveling and modeling, i haven't created much artwork. So, it was a lot of fun to take this class. My favorite part was seeing all the different types of portraits created when we were all looking at the same subject.
Workout One of the best things that happened in Austin was that London got me hooked on going to the gym again. She is a member of Planet Fitness, a great gym that has tons of room and machines, but isn't a big open meat market like Bally Total Fitness. Best part is that it's only $10/month and you can always bring a friend with you. Unfortunately, they don't have any of these gyms in AZ! But when I got home I joined the YMCA . No, no...not the musical group the Village People...the fitness and community center. It's a great place too. I spend more than $10/month, but it is a nonprofit organization that provides a lot for the surrounding community and youth activities. They also have lots of pilates and yoga classes that I can attend anytime. Hopefully I can keep up the enthusiasm I had in Austin and keep working out on a daily basis!
London and Matthew fly into Tucson, we hop in the car, and head to the California desert for a 3 day music festival in the town of Joshua Tree, CA located just outside of Joshua Tree National Park. We camped, we danced, we clapped, we sang, we met exciting people, heard amazing music and saw beautiful artwork. The whole festival was wonderful!It had really good energy, from the musicians, to the people, the vendors, the art work, the environment...good vibes all around :) There will be another one in the fall that I hope to attend. Los Angeles
After the music festival London, Matthew and I drove out to Los Angeles. Unfortunately Matt had to fly back home to Syracuse, NY the next day, but London and I spent the next week in the city doing a bunch of photo shoots. The fist part of the week we stayed with a friend, another model, Samantha Grace. We were all excited we could walk to a Vietnamese restaurant from her place, "PhoSho". Jes, Matt and I really love us some Pho and were real excited about the name of this place. The Pho was bland and quite disappointing, but watching Matt & Jes try to flavor up their Pho with spice was very entertaining. They had so much hot sauce that tears were streaming down their face and they sniffling like crazy to avoid runny noses. High class dinner entertainment right there. It was hilarious! (In case you are wondering what Pho is...it is a delicious yummy rice noodle soup made of pure happiness. You should find a Vietnamese place near you and try some right now!)
The rest of the week was also full of pure entertainment! We got invited to a play "Absinthe Opium & Magic: 1920s Shanghai" put on by the theater group, the Grand Guignolers.Through the play we were taken on a luxury cruise to the most decadent city in the 1920s with Chinese geishas, brawling gangsters, opium dens, blood and magic. Most of the people in the audience were all dressed up in cocktail dresses and suits from the 20's. It was a lot of fun! I also had some of the most fun & interesting shoots with London this trip...
We shot on the Queen Mary, a very old ship docked in Long Beach harbor that has been converted to a floating hotel. The photographer had an English accent and looked like a scruffy pirate. He was a lot of fun! He put us in vintage dresses and lingerie and shot us in one of the biggest suites on the ship. Everything was very old with lots of wood paneling and brass fixtures. The suite had two bedrooms, two bathrooms and lots of portholes I enjoyed hanging my head out of. Very high class back in the day. I felt like Rose from Titanic! But there was also this creepy ghost like feel, like I was actually on the Titanic or on the set of the next Shining movie. It was a super neat place, I could feel all the history surrounding me. While we were shooting London would look over at me every once in awhile, bend her finger a few times while saying "Redrum! Redrum!"
Working with Cinema Photography is always a pleasure. The photographer and wife team are fun to shoot the day away with. Super nice people and they always have a bunch of ideas to shoot they get real excited about. The studio is also part of the great experience. It is one of the nicest I've worked in and I would recommend it for anyone needing a shoot location in Long Beach. Smash Studio rents real cheap, starting at $20/hr, and you can also rent lights, backdrops and props, which they have plenty of to choose from. It is also always clean and well organized, which unfortunately, seems to be a rarity in this industry. The best part is the full bathroom and giant movie-star-like dressing room!
One of my favorite days was working all day with Wet n' Messy shooting pictures and video clips for messy fetish. London and I got dressed up, did our hair and makeup and then got all messy destroying all the beauty work just done. Then we would shower, blow dry the hair and start the process all over again...and again...and again. The 10hr day consisted of 6+ messy photo/video sets! There was also a nice lunch break and some fun hang out time too. It was a really great time! I'm real happy to say that at work, I got in a pie fit, had cake batter poured over my head, took a mud bath, got shot in the face with a whip cream splat gun and got to paint London's and my body with colorful paint. What else can I say...this job is crazy, but so much fun and I love it!
The top shoot of the week however, goes to Muki's Kitchen. The most interesting shoot and probably the most odd fetish I've experienced. It is a fantasy of cannibalism. Not real cannibalism...you don't actually eat women, it's just a fantasy. Hmmm...fantasizing about eating people....not sure how I feel about that, but what the heck , I said, let's shoot and see what it's all about. The main thing that pulled me into this shoot was a blog London had previously written called Beware of Butt Carrot. A fan posted a comment on her blog about wanting to see her with a carrot in her butt. Another blog reader thought this was hilarious and wrote a whole fictitious scenario about how could anyone want to see anything else but a carrot in London's butt. She made a blog entry out of it and a few months later, Muki's Kitchen was contacting her about shooting when she came to LA. I went on the trip with her to LA, so I got to be a part of this crazy shoot as well! I was dressed up like a pilgrim while I captured London, undressed her, laid her on a platter with her hands and legs tied, basted her with honey and garnished her with peppers at her side, an apple in her mouth, and oh yes...a carrot in her butt! (it wasn't actually in there though, we cut it and gently set it in her cheeks to make it look like it was up there). I then slid the London platter into a giant sized oven and let her cook! I must say it was the most ridiculous thing I had ever seen. I purely enjoyed being on my side of that shoot =)
A more common and familiar fetish to me is bondage.London and I got to shoot with Donsir for some shibari bondage and suspension. I really love shibari. The rope feels nice and becomes a part of me as it is wrapped around my body and tugged in tight. It feels as if the rope is a giant hug, holding me, filling me with a feeling of being safe and secure, protected.It's like a second skin. Being suspended in the beautiful rope adds more exhilaration and relaxation to the experience. It's really neat to experience both of those feelings at the same time. While suspended I feel as if in a body hammock, suspended in the air in my own open cocoon. I feel graceful up there and feel beautiful stretching out, posing for the camera. released, it feels as if I shed the second skin. As the rope comes off, my skin takes a fresh breath of air and tingles a bit in a refreshing way. Its an awesome feeling. Donsir is a great rigger and photographer. In addition to taking wonderful photographs, he took great care of us; great suspension work, made sure our limbs and body were always in good condition and that we felt good and were well hydrated. Trust and safety are very important when using rope and suspension ;)
I've been away from the blog for too long. I have so much to catch up on. The begining of the year was really stressful for me, but I'm doing much better now and things are looking up for the rest of the year. Right now I am busy preparing for the BurningMan festival in northern Nevada (YAY! I can't express how excited I am) but I will hopefully post some blogs before I leave for the big party in the desert.
For now... enjoy this ridiculously fun youtube commercial I'm in for Boob'l Babes
I had told this photographer that I didn't have big enough boobs to represent a Boob'l Babe, it seemed more like a job for London, but he loved working with me anyway. And I loved working with him. This was a fun shoot and this video cracks me up :)
Matt and London sing loudly to Langhorn Slim to pump us up on the way there...
We find an awesome, small hippie festival w/ good friends, which = a very happy Tracy
Our tent went up easy and was cozy fun :)
Had fun mornings putting on makeup w/ Matt while taking swigs of whiskey and chap mexican beer with London
There was an amazing Sound Tent playing soothing sounds with synthesized bells and symbols from all parts of the world...
...hula hoops, men in skirts, fun people, musicians, artists, activities, healthy food, sprinklers, Sierra Nevada summer brew :) Bands to remember: Delhi2Dublin Evaro ...uh, I know there's a lot more...
Must try to attend Joshua Tree Roots festival in October!
Picked up London and Matthew from the Tucson airport and brought them back to my little studio. It was so good to see them! Haven't seen London since October and Matthew since the Burn in August. We immediately hit the thrifty shopper for fun stuff for the Toast. Just like at Burningman...you gotta have crazy fun outfits to wear! I had a lot of fun wheeling Matt around in the shopping cart while he put on fun scarfs andhats while talking about all the pretty fabric. The local people in the store were definitely confused at what was going on, and London distanced herself from us a bit...went off to look at shoes, while Matt and I went around the store all crazy like, dressing him up in all kinds of pretty shiny girly things...it was a good time :)
Although, I really really wanted to go to the Toast too, I ended up staying home while my buddies rented a car and took off for the regional burn in Northern Arizona. I was sad to see them go and jealous to hear about their adventures when they got back. But it was all for the best because I needed to stay back and take care of some things. I am really happy they went though, and I'll be looking forward to attending next year! London wrote a great blog about their Toast adventures and posted some fun pictures. You can read all about it here!
One reason I didn't go along to the Toast was to save some money and make-up a shoot I had missed the weekend before because I had to have surgery. I was also still recovering from this and needed more down time at home before taking off for 2 weeks of shooting in Los Angeles.
A week before London & Matt arrived I had surgery to remove some ugly cancer cells off my cervix. Yeah, nasty girl stuff...my poor vagina is not so happy. I have stomach cramps, am always bleeding & have to wear big poofy pads that I hate (feel like I'm wearing diapers, ick!) and can't take baths or have sex for 4-6 weeks. It's a big bummer and not something most people want to hear about...but I got it taken care of and hopefully I can remain cancer free. My first checkup with the doc after surgery was good, but I won't know if I'm all cleared of the cervical cancer threat until my next checkup in 2 months. But I'm feeling good about it. It's not gonna get me down ;)
So...back to fun things to talk about...
Since London & Matt are now vegetarians, we had to find a restaurant in town that catered to the veggies. Although London found a vegetarian buffet, my boyfriend Josh suggested a small little family owned Ethiopian restaurant called Zemams. He has been talking about taking me there for a long time, so I was happy to check it out. I don't think London was too excited about it, but once we starting eating, I know Matthew was sure enjoying it! I really liked it too! They serve you dollops of different kinds of food on a injera bread. You then eat the food with the bread using just your hands. It was so yummy, fun and inexpensive.
Here's an example of some menu items:
Shiro: A unique traditional dish of pureed chickpees blended with berbere and other spices Doro Wat: Traditional chicken dish slowly cooked in a rich, spicy berbere sauce served with hard-boiled eggs Yemisir Wat: Mild vegetarian lentil stew Gomen Alicha: Carrots, cabbage and potatoes in a mild sauce Yemisir Kay Wat: Sauteed onions and red lentils in a spicy berbere sauce
If you are in Tucson or ever in the area, I suggest stopping by! The place is set in a small home type atmosphere and is decorated with Ethiopian art pieces and artifacts which help make it a unique experience. Bring lots of friends, try all the different kinds of food, and have a great time! That's Zemam's
Photo Credits: London & Matthew @ BurningMan 2008, taken by me London, Matthew and Me @ BurningMan 2008, taken by me Zemam's Ethiopian Cuisine, taken from the web Zemam's Food on Injera bread, taken from the web
London will be headed out to AZ in a few weeks! We haven't seen each other since October, so I'm really looking forward to spending some time with her! I think I'm starting to feel a lil' London withdrawal ;) It's going to be good to see her!
The first weekend she's here we'll be heading to the AZ Regional Burn called Toast which is located near Sanders, AZ (NE of Show Low, near the New Mexico border). It's a small festival, similar to Burningman. I'm not sure what to expect other than camping with good people and having good times, but that sounds just about awesome! I'm sure it will get me pumped up for the Burn this year and it's always great to meet others who love Burningman! Camping with friends is always a good time :) After the Toast, London and I will be shooting around Tucson and Phoenix as much as possible before heading out to California.
On our way out to Los Angeles, we'll be hitting up the Joshua Tree Music Festival. Last year, London and I attended the Coachella Music Fest before working in L.A. That was a lot of fun and I can't wait to attend another music fest together. I'm hoping we'll make some friends at the Toast that will also be attending Joshua Tree. There's going to be lots of music, art, fun hippie people and pretty nature. Hopefully the weather stays cool and beautiful like it has been the past few weeks. I can't wait for May! It's going to be an exciting month =)
"Go out in the world and Work like money doesn't matter, Sing as if no one is listening, Love as if you have never been hurt, and Dance as if no one is watching!"
Mamiya Shots
Fortunately, while in Houston we stayed with a photographer that sat down with London at his kitchen table until wee hours of the night, and showed her all the bits n' pieces, ins n' outs, everything she needed to know about that camera. He even gave her a butt load of film. It was old film and didn't develop very clearly, but it was great to get her started. Even though I was tired from the drive home and lookin' a little haggled, I was happy to be her first modeling subject. Plus, I had a great time checking out all the crazy art in the yard and climbing all over that art bus!
Nestled in the middle of the city inside of Zilker Park is a popular swimming pooled created from natural springs. It is surrounded by big beautiful trees, has a huge grassy lawn area to lay out on, and fresh cool water with a natural rocky bottom. 
We had a great day laying out in the sun and swimming around. London brought goggles and spent most of her time underwater chasing fish. Afterward, we walked through the park and ended up at a dog park along a river. Suddenly I was surrounded by a ton of happy dogs running around off their leashes, playing with each other, jumping around, swimming and fetching balls out of the water. It was so much fun and came to no surprise that London has been wanting to get a dog lately!
ur walk from the park to a bridge over the river and ended up in the middle of the Keep Austin Weird Festival which is an event dedicated to all the people, places and things that make Austin unique. There are funky bands, fun vendors and a 5K run where all the participants dress up in costumes like during Halloween and run through the city. There's always something fun and crazy going on in Austin!
The Alamo Drafthouse in Austin, TX has a full bar and food menu with servers to bring you anything from the menu you want before or during your movie . The check is simply brought to you 30min before the end of the film. How neat is that! I guess if you have these kind of theaters in your area, it's not big news...but for me, a big movie, food and beer lover...this was pure excitement! We saw Toy Story 3, which turned out to be a bigger surprise than the theater. One of the best movies I've seen, it made me laugh, made me cray, put me on the edge of my
seat and left me feeling magical. I love that movie and I recommend you seeing it. I am a huge Pixar fan, but even if you don't like animation or haven't seen the first two movies, still see this. You'll enjoy it! It's so good, after I got home from Texas I went and saw it again :)
I sure laughed a lot that night! I also laughed a lot the night of bingo. I had never been to a bingo hall before and was really excited to see what it was all about. I wanted to see a bunch of die hard old ladies going nuts with a bunch of bingo cards spread out in front of them. And they were there! And it wasn't just old ladies, people of all ages were there, all intense about their bingo. They even had numerous daubers in all colors (the ink you blot the numbers with) and even special bags to hold all of them. It was a lot of fun to people watch and once the numbers started being shouted out, I got a little intense too, daubing away, hoping to fill that line and get my chance to call bingo. I was surely entertained for the night, but I never got to call bingo, didn't even get close. 
ll over the paper, attempting to recreate a portrait of the model laid out beautifully before me. Growing up and all through high school and college I was very artistic and was always drawing or painting. However, in the past few years, especially since I've started traveling and modeling, i haven't created much artwork. So, it was a lot of fun to take this class. My favorite part was seeing all the different types of portraits created when we were all looking at the same subject. 
Best part is that it's only $10/month and you can always bring a friend with you. Unfortunately, they don't have any of these gyms in AZ! But when I got home I joined the YMCA . No, no...not the musical group the Village People...the fitness and community center. It's a great place too. I spend more than $10/month, but it is a nonprofit organization that provides a lot for the surrounding community and youth activities. They also have lots of pilates and yoga classes that I can attend anytime. Hopefully I can keep up the enthusiasm I had in Austin and keep working out on a daily basis!
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