fotonomous: July 2009

Friday, July 31, 2009

CALI POOLSIDE

I found out today that Cali makes a very willing and very still model when American cheese slices are involved.

Cali, 4 months old.
Photo by © Lydia Marcus 2009
Photographed July 31, 2009 in Encino, CA

Wednesday, July 29, 2009

A LOVELY SUMMER DAY AT THE GETTY WITH FRIENDS

I spent the afternoon yesterday at the Getty Center with Tiffany, an old college friend I only get to see every few years since she moved to the East Coast. Me, Tiffany, her foster son James, and her Mom all enjoyed the food, the views, the architecture, the gardens, and the art (especially the sexy Paul Outerbridge photography exhibit). The Getty supplies free umbrellas while you roam around - perfect for sun shade any time of year and even rain protection for the few drops we get annually. I have to say that walking around with the umbrella definitely made me feel cooler. And it brought out my hidden diva side I tend to forget about too. :-) Something about walking around with a parasol that just makes you walk a bit more regal and put a little bit more swoosh in your step.

Photo credit: © Lydia Marcus 2009 / www.lydiamarcus.com
Photographed July 28, 2009 in Los Angeles, CA

Monday, July 27, 2009

CALI AFTER HER BATH

Who can resist the cuteness of a wet, scruffy puppy!!!

Cali video by Lydia Marcus
Shot with an iPhone.

Tuesday, July 21, 2009

CALI DAY 2

Cali & Me - our official first portrait. My Dad is a horrible photographer but someone he managed this one!

Cali and I spent our first full day together keeping on a puppy schedule so she has consistency in her young doggie life. Cali is crate trained but since I don't have a crate for her yet (it was ordered from dog.com today), she slept on in a doggie bed on the floor next to my bed and didn't go to the bathroom until I let her out at 7am. Good Dog!!!

Here's a run down of the day:

Breakfast at 7am. A walk with my Dad after the meal.

Pee breaks every 2 hours.

Playing with her soft squeaky toys, chasing tennis balls and playing fetch, wrestling around, cuddling, and napping in between the pee breaks.

Lunch at noon. Another walk with Dad.

More play and nap time.

Dinner at 6pm.

Her first dog park visit around 6:30. Voracious play with ALL the dogs. She never looked back at me once - she was off and running and playing rough for about an hour. No shyness, no fear, she was like a bat outta hell at the dog park. If she's like this at only 25 pounds, I have no idea what terror she'll be full grown! Those big dogs better watch out!!! I attribute her outward behavior at the dog park to early socialization with other dogs at her wonderful foster home.

Here's video of her at play.

Cali with a guy at the dog park. If only she stayed this fun size forever!

Since the dog park, she's been pretty pooped out, but I don't know who's more tired - the puppy or this new doggie mommy!

Photos by © Lydia Marcus 2009
Photographed July 21, 2009 in Encino, CA

Monday, July 20, 2009

MEET CALI MY LAB RESCUE PUPPY!

My new puppy Cali - named for my home state. She's a four month old black lab (probably a mix), adopted from Southern California Labrador Retriever Rescue (SCLRR / www.sclrr.org) on 7-20-09. She was found a month ago roaming a parking lot. Her owners couldn't be found and she was taken in by SCLRR where she was fostered until I adopted her.

Some stats:
Approx Weight: 25 pounds. Vet figures she'll be double that when she's fully grown.
She's spayed, has all her vaccinations, and is microchipped.
Sits and lies down on command.
Crate trained and working on being totally housebroken.

My new doggie adventure begins...

Cali Al Fresco

Cali's First Snooze

Photos by © Lydia Marcus 2009
Photographed July 20, 2009 in Encino, CA

Monday, July 13, 2009

FRANKENSTEIN DODGE

Spotted this Dodge conversion parked in front of the defunct Wiener Factory in Sherman Oaks. It had a note taped inside one of the windows that said it was for sale for $6,995 and that it had $20,000 in customization. Is it a van, a truck, a semi, a camper? What the hell is it?

Adding to the customization, it has two doors on the passenger side and one door on the driver's side.

Frankenstein Dodge
Photo © Lydia Marcus 2009
Photographed July 12, 2009 in Sherman Oaks, CA

Saturday, July 11, 2009

GREETINGS FROM MALIBU, CA

Photo credit: © Lydia Marcus 2009 / www.lydiamarcus.com
Sent From My iPhone

Friday, July 10, 2009

GET YOUR QUEER FILM ON!

Outfest_Orpheum, originally uploaded by fotonomous.

Opening Night of Outfest
Photo by © Lydia Marcus 2009
Photographed July 9, 2009 in Los Angeles, CA

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

BACKYARD BASH

Saturday I had my 2nd Annual 4th of July BBQ and Pool Party. Preparing for the party and having friends and family over kept me busy so I didn't have as much time to focus on missing Lucy. I bbq'd traditional burgers and hot dogs, and everyone snacked on fresh fruit, cheese, guacamole, homemade potato salad (thanks Ros!) and we had tons of desserts like homemade brownies, chocolate chip cookies, and lemon bars (thanks Jeff!), and Canter's cookies (yummy - thanks Paul and Zelde). The weather was perfect for hanging out all day in the pool and jacuzzi.

Here are some photos from the day. Most of these came from my trusty Sony Cyber-shot U DSC-U60, a long in the tooth (circa 2003) but still awesome 2 megapixel waterproof camera.

S & Me

Jon, Jeff, and Me

S' sister Sonya

Patti and Me

Tina & Val

"Libbit Ladies" - Donna, Liz, and Michelle

My Dad, Michelle, Val, Tina, Adam, & Donna

Tara, Tina, Val, & Patti

Jeff - baker extraordinaire. His lemon bars should be illegal!

Amy & S before and after Jeff cannon-balled them!!! :-) Pure hilarity in action!!!

My Dad taking a break from the sun

S & Sonya's Dad (and my adopted Dad) George regaling a jacuzzi full of girls with a funny ad from the 99 cents store that had a top 10 Best and Worst Father's Day gifts ad. The Best and Worst turned out to be the 99 cent condoms. We all had a good laugh, but George's storytelling and presentation made it truly funny.