So I’ve heard this phrase my entire life, “the dog days of summer.” I never really understood the phrase. Somehow this year, it makes sense. Everything around me really has slowed down. People are on vacation, there are fewer emails. Even the president is on vacation.
It reminds me of being a student. The calm time before school starts in September. Enjoy the quiet time, because September is near. 
I’ve been experimenting with Photoshop again. I like playing with the pictures I take, so much can be altered from the original. So much can stay the same. I’m having fun with colors.
This one is part of a series:
fire self portrait of evoljen
I am doing the work for two reasons
1. to track progress: I am taking these photos as part of a documentation of a new skin care regimen I have undergone. I wanted to see if it really made my skin look healthier and seeing is believing. It’s anthropological.
2. to engage in an artistic endeavor: inspired by two favorite artists, Chuck Close, who said ‘the process will set you free’ and documentarian Morgan Spurlock who shows us 30 days can change us.
Getting to know the canvas of something familiar may be the most challenging. It’s hard to look inside these days when there is so much external noise.
Maybe this feature has been around for awhile, but I just found it and thought it was cool.
Make your own googlelogo. I made my domain name.
It’s kinda kewl.
The zoo is such an amazing venue in the summer. The acoustics are really beautiful, but in Minnesota there are some drawbacks…..
Jen and Shan on the way to concert
I saw Aimee Mann last night with my good friend Shan. She was supposed to go with Lori, but she couldn’t get here from out of town.
Shan called Lori during the show,
Shan calling Lori
Aimee is someone I admire. I don’t have many of her albums but I trust my friends taste and I’ve heard most of the music. She was really fun to see last night.
Aimee Mann in concert at the zoo
She was so appreciative of the fans and really modest. She mentioned that she was going to play some songs from a movie called Magnolia. She said she had a few songs on the soundtrack. Like I said, modest.
She was also a really good sport. She and her band were being attacked by bugs, so much so that her drummer had a moth fly in his mouth.
Now that’s dedication. They even did 2 encores.
Thanks Aimee and your band. 
Aimee Mann closing it down
