well, my holidays took me by surprise with a skip around the planet, Dubai, Singapore, Auckland, Los Angeles, Arizona, New Mexico, Malibu, Dubai, Nairobi. had a very nice break seeing family and friends, my old hood in DTLA and it was just nice to be back in the ole US of A. an overnight in Dubai thanks to Air Emirates was fantastic, and Dubai (or "do-buy" as a friend calls it) continues to impress as Las Vegas on growth hormones. everything is big! especially the airport. didn't get to go up the MI-4 tower, but maybe next time. and some skiing! but after 16 hours non-stop from LA to dubai, a nice hotel room was marvelous! really welcome! even with a 12 hour time change!
BACK TO HOME
i confess i was nervous to go home out of fear i wouldn't really want to return to africa. but i am very relieved and happy to report that i was very glad to get back to kenya and my home here. all the negatives were gone and the positives were fresh. i love my crib and am very glad to be back. no regrets whatsoever. this is where i am for now and i am pleased with the decision more than ever. not much for me back home. still opportunities and a fun lifestyle over here. and being back in lamu also feels more homey. africa is a beautiful place with beautiful people. you just can't let the system get you down. including the traffic. hey, it is what it is and you gotta go with the flow. bend don't break. and the 405 isn't all that much better!
PROJECTS PROJECTS PROJECTS
so i'm presently in lamu with my ace camera assistant and nephew Theo. his nickname from the Cold Play feature shoot in 2007 was Thor, but now his new Muslim nickname is Sharif. poor kid. but he's rolling with it and having fun here. we both love production and are embracing this sea turtle doco we're working on. doing interviews, traveling the coast, etc. he also will help me on the cooking show we're producing back in nairobi. we reshoot the pilot feb 15. looking for that to be picked up as well. and THAT is really a fun project thanks to our chef & talent, marcus mitchell. so, that's the latest. chasing turtles and interviews and cooking ostrich on camera. all fun as the adventure continues this year. i feel more settled here now. more relaxed. and more in the moment. not pressing as much. not stressing as much. work will come my way. and creating my own projects is always fun. i have great people around me. i am blessed and grateful. 2013 can only be amazing! i hope for you as well!
now for some pics!
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| auckland airport. my last Happy Meal in NZ. trying to catch up on my fast food craving. oy, i supersized myself along the way! think i gained 20 pounds on comfort food~terrible! |
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| landing in LA never gets old. so vast yet so familiar. will always be home home i suppose. |
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| the iconic control tower after a 12 hour flight from NZ. a welcome sight. |
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| sunset in Sahuarita south of Tuscon AZ. |
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| nothing says christmas like the ole yuletide cactus. power strip adds a festive touch. |
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| buddy the dog. |
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| Boxing Day road trip to las cruces new mexico to see my sis driving down from denver to dallas. |
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| classic Interstate americana. it cost like $10 to see the thing. we passed. but we did get a DQ chocolate dip cone! |
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| what signage! |
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| southern arizona sunset. loved the brisk weather! |
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| christmas day self portrait. |
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| seeing freshly fallen snow was fab! |
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| St. Francis of the rock garden... |
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| Tucson int'l airport...jan 2. |
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| Geoffrey's Malibu with the owner. we had some bubbly. unreal day! |
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| Africa visitor slash possessed photographer & friend El Essay at Gilbert's on Pico. |
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| my old hood DTLA with christmas lights! |
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| dinner party with my old friends in my old loft! DownTown LA! |
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| my old loft view...christmas below on 4th and main! |
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| another friend gathering for an "in transit" bbq! |
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| the winding cue at LAX |
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| Air Emirates. the best. |
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| luxury hotel room in transit in dubai. 17th floor. |
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| room with a view. |
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| more dubai. |
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| mega lobby in dubai |
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| the airport is immense. |
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| more airport. duty free for miles! |
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| long terminal with an arab flair! |
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| heading to nairobi |
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| my mates in so cal! |
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| theo and sling producer lo-j at Kenya Studio rentals! |
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| tech day for our cooking show pilot. |
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| jenny chancey, looking like a producer, gives a thumbs up! |
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| Lo-J and Thor on set... |
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| our talent, marcus mitchell, with some kino flos. |
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| we need bigger overhead diffusion, otherwise, a successful tech day. |
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| our new secret pub...the Purdy Arms in karen. |
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| the legendary Marula Manor...home of the shenanigans of the Greta Sacci film White Mischief. |
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| Wilson airport....off to lamu. |
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| soft puffy clouds... |
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| in search of turtles...at the LamCot offices |
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| old lamu town...color and texture. yum. |
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| pancakes and passion fruit syrup. tart but good. |
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| shela jetty with a water taxi for lamu town |
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| Thor on the taxi to town. |
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| one of our favorite hangs...cafe lamu |
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| ibid. |
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| muslim server at cafe lamu poses for a pic. |
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| best hat ever. |
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| daniel our masai warrior/server |
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| main mosque in lamu town. |
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| terminal 2 at LAX...air NZ. and some favorite landmarks. |
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| home again to LA. nice flight. nice airline. had to come home, auckland being so close to LA and all. |
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| super-size store at auckland airport. ugh! |
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| mini-super wet burrito at Gibert's. yum. i so craved mexican food. |
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| africa chef, marcus mitchell, with our new outdoor set. |
