Love them :)

Radcliffe Camera in Radcliffe Square, the Bodleian Library.

Seriously, one of my favorite places in the whole world :')

It's a good day in my fictional life:

Thursday = LBD and I think it's going to be an important one today! :)

And then theres this adaptation I've been following for 3+ years... and i only have to wait 16 more hours :D


"People wonder why the novel is the most popular form of literature... It is merely that the novel is more true..." - G. K. Chesterton

One of the fascinating parts of Lord of the Rings is the insight into different characters temptations - especially when tempted by the ring.  Much is made of Gandalf's and Galadriel's and even Aragorn's temptations... but today I came across Sam's--and it blew my mind!

A little background... it's the chapter entitled "The Tower of Cirith Ungol" where Sam is going to rescue Frodo, but he has the ring and wears it to get past some of the orcs.  And thus begins the temptation of Samwise:

Already the Ring tempted him, gnawing at his will and reason.  Wild fantasies arose in his mind; and he saw Samwise the Strong, Hero of the Age, striding with a flaming sword across the darkened land, and armies flocking to his call as he marched to overthrow Barad-dur.  And then all the clouds rolled away, and the white sun shone, and at the his command the vale of Gorgoroth became a garden of flowers and trees and brought forth fruit.  He had only to put on the Ring and claim it for his own, and all this could be. 

In that hour of trial it was the love of his master that helped most to hold him firm; but also deep down in him lived still unconquered his plain hobbit-sense: he knew in the core of his hear that he was not large enough to bear such a burden... The one small garden of a free gardener was all his need and due, not a garden swollen to a realm; his own hands to use, not the hands of others to command.

So precious!  But also convicting - am I content with my "one small garden"?

Oh, Tolkien, you never cease to amaze!

[T-26 hours till some more Tolkien amaze takes place :]

"Sherlock!  There's something in here.  There's something in here with me!!"

;)

The results from picture day are back... and despite the wind and the rain, it turned out ok.

But funny story, as soon as I walked into the room, the photographer started calling me Zooey.

And so when he asked for my "Zooey-I'm-trying-to-be-serious-but-can't-help-but-smile" look, this is what he got. 

So there it is... my failed serious face :)

This film has been on my mind lately...

And I have a growing realization of the profundity of this clip.

(And I adore Peter O'Toole :)

Don't normally do these questionnaire things... but it was about books!


1. One book that changed your life?
Jane Eyre

2. One book you have read more than once?
Pride & Prejudice (x5)

3. One book you would want on a desert island?
If not the Bible, I've always said the original French unabridged Les Miserables so I could teach myself French and read it for real all at the same time. 

4. One book that made you laugh?
Alice in Wonderland

5. One book that made you cry?
History of Love

6. One book you wish hadn't been written?
The Scarlet Letter, Twilight, or Pride & Prejudice & Zombies

7. One book you are currently reading?
Return of the King

8. One book you have been meaning to read?
Just one?? Great Expectations. The Fault in Our Stars. Sense of an Ending.

Do you know what's torture? Going to the dentist.

No! Not for the reasons you're thinking. Torture is your dentist bringing up Chesterton, Tolkien, Lewis, Eugene Peterson, a couple novels, the beauty & wonder God created around us - and not being able to say anything because his hand is in your mouth!!

:/ :)

Just 1 month!!!

Till this girl and I are reunited :D

[via Socially Awkard Darcy]

It's back to work today after a full, four-day weekend.  I'm tired, but refreshed in unspeakable ways.


Hopefully they'll be a post later with pictures and details.  But I hope your new week is filled with grace... especially since it is the most wonderful time of the year ;)

[I can in no way take credit for this]

but...

For any fellow LBD fans out there:

(Fitz)William Darcy - fake texting since 1813

"It's super important..."

:)

Ok, remember the conversation I posted about literary pet names?

I was talking with our Tax Manager today (he's so funny... I could do a whole post just on the random stuff he's told me!), but anyway, I was talking with him when he mentioned that his big German Shepherd mix is named "Pilot."  Ahh!  He goes, "My wife got that from Wuthering Heights or something--"

"Jane Eyre!" I interjected... apparently too excited for manners :P

But anyway, he showed me pictures while mumbling about how his wife makes him watch all those "coming-of-age, period, romances" (haha!) I was smiling all the way back to my cube.

"Do not spoil the wonder with haste..." - Legolas to Gimli, The Return of the King

Well, I've definitely taken his advice when it comes to finishing this series. Back into the last book I go :)

Found this poem through the dance video a friend posted... to cute not to share



Superman... The Man of steel, Big Blue, The last son of Krypton
He is faster than a speeding bullet
Stronger than a locomotive
He has Lasers for eyes
X ray vision
and can fly without even flapping his arms
But his most notable power... was Lois Lane
The love of an amazing woman is a phone booth
That can turn a man from a spineless news reporter into a symbol of justice
Into the reason why its safe to walk outside while the sun is sleeping
I'll be honest, I don't have a cape... or a costume
I wasn't born on Krypton and its been a really long time since I've been in a fight
But I will fight gravity for you
When you're upset and don't feel like talking I will use my x-ray vision to look inside of you and find out what's wrong
If you need me to I'll use my superhuman strength and put your entire world on my shoulders
If you let me I will do my best to be superman for you....
Because you deserve it.




*Thinking of you, Miss "Lois Lane"




[PS - Superman is my favorite superhero... and I'm stoked for Man of Steel!]

Today: first bun + bangs combo (Sarah & Melissa - that's 3 weeks!! You should Be very proud :)

Also... My new favorite remedy - we've become best friends the last few days :/ :)

So, after several very full and rather insane weeks... this weekend is my time to fill up on family!

I had the rare joy of spending the night at my older sister's last night.

I just have to brag for a minute because my sister...

is one of the most inspiring, beautiful, and wisest women I know

has 3 under 3 (yes, all in diapers)

loves her husband like crazy

is ridiculously organized (I mean, what the heck?)

leads their church's youth group

regularly makes her own bread, dish soap, face wash, furniture, etc...

She's pretty much Proverbs 31 meets the Pinterest dream mom!!

I love her so much :)

[Melissa, Ross, Ida, & Jack - Dad is away at a business trip, so they needed me to play Auntie for the weekend :]

So yes, last night after work I headed over, played with these silly kiddos and hung out with Melissa.  We chatted over a scrumptious dinner (did I mention she's a dangerously good cook?) and watched a bbc period drama with dessert.  Sister time is the best!

This morning was a fantasy Saturday come true!

The kiddos came in climbed into bed with Melissa and I before we all went down stairs to make pancakes.

Oh! And there were flurries of snow and we may have listened to Christmas music :)

After lunch, the two oldest came back with me for a "sleepover at grammy's house!"

This Saturday was the right antidote to my recently hectic lifestyle.  So grateful for the Baker family :)

So earlier this week, it was the Quetzel - today, I'm not even sure what it is.  But Bob appears to be enjoying his world travelling...and sharing his finds with us :)

[This was attached to a message with nothing other than the subject line: "Have a great weekend!"]

:)

I may just have to give in and see my first Bond movie ;)

I'm typing up notes from the event I told you about last week (you remember all of those sticky notes on the board - yes, they all have to be entered and sorted in excel).  Anyway, it's fine, but not the most thrilling part of my job. 
I just got interrupted by an email notification from Bob, who is in Costa Rica for the week.  I thought it was some urgent request for a bank transfer or for news on a client or something business related.  No, I opened it up and am greeted by this:



["Quetzals in the wild!"]



Thank God for a break from the mundane, for Quetzals, and for wonder!

Three months on the job today :)

Still. so. grateful!!

Today was somewhat momentous :)

Here's a round-up:

First Red Cup of the year!

Reverse Roles: Dad came down to my office and I took him out to lunch. Great daddy-daughter time!

Got to cheer my sister and her amazing volleyball team - they left it all on the court tonight. So proud!!

I voted! Remember to exercise your right to vote.

and... I'm officially going to the Opera!!!

I bought tickets for my mom and I while we're in Vancouver:

Mozart's a good place to begin, right? Anyway, I'm just thrilled! My very first opera :)

happy weekends, everyone :)

Success!

Today I hosted my first ever corporate event: our annual Leadership Summit.

Venue, catering, supplies--I was responsible for pulling all of it together... and anyone who known me a while, knows that I am not the event planner of the family ;)

But I did it! It actually happened without any major setbacks or glaring mistakes.  The venue was great, there was more than enough food and everyone said how great the day was.

[Putting my (new) iPhone to use ;]

Pictures going clockwise, starting with the top right:

Bob + others organizing our SWOT analysis [Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats]

Breakfast from Specialty's - yum!

The SWOT analysis all done - too me that just looks so cool!

aaand... during lunch I found 5 minutes to indulge in pure happiness*

But after freaking out all week, it felt so good that it actually came together and happened! Ah, yay God! 

And now, I get to start planning my trip to BC with mom this weekend =)

---------------

*If I haven't told you about the Lizzie Bennet Diaries, I'm sorry. Anyway, it is a modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice in a vlog format... and it is amazing. They've released two "episodes" a week. for the last 6 months. and are half way done. (with today's being a very... significant episode =)

Yep. Every Monday and Thursday is a glimpse into literature and the art of adaptation (one of my favorite things). It is all very well done--professional actors, writers, everything. And the way they able to adapt the details--it just proves how universal Austen's writing is.  Seriously, I have a friend getting his DPhil in English at Oxford right now and even he's obsessed with this series.

Side notes: It takes the first few episodes for them to figure out the tone and everything, but it gets so good. Oh, and skip #6 - while I adore their portrayal of Lydia, she is way over the top here =/

But check them out - you will have a reason to look forward to Mondays!

And let me know what you think!

Like a lot of people, I've been thinking and praying for the East Coast and the troubles they're facing. 

But some have expressed, and I agree, that it's rather remarkable when life gets so completely entirely interrupted.  When we're stranded.  Inside.  In physical proximity to only a few people.

I've felt that way with our more extreme snow/ice storms in the Northwest the past few years.  Obviously the Eastern Seaboard is facing that right now.  And though not facing a hurricane (thank God!), Seattle has been deluged with enough rain to make someone want to stay in.

Moments like those are special.

And I think they can lead to incredible creativity.

I know of a few pieces of art started under such circumstances.  This is an example of just one of them.

I've returned lately to one of my favorite bands, Future of Forestry (and Eric's previous Something Like Silas).  This "trailer" inspires me in a lot of ways.  I love the unconventional studio.  I love seeing the personal moments behind what's coming through my speakers. (I could go on a whole tangent about how music has become so impersonal during the last hundred-fifty years of its evolutio... but I'll save that for a different post :) 

I sublimely admire the notion of being stuck, with only the tools to create and time to spend.

To those "stranded" or just drawn toward home by our October weather, what will you create?

It's officially a Monday :P In other news, I want to know who decided to plan employee picture day in October :/

Love this family!

You know you're in Portlandia when...

Me: um, excuse me, do you know where the closest starbucks is?
Hipster: No, but you should try real coffee

Today is my grandparents 59th Anniversary!

[Taken last year at their joint birthday parties]

I am so amazed by them.

Both grew up during the depression. They met on a blind date. He was a soldier; she was a nurse. They lived in Yesler Terrace with my young uncle and dad while she helped put him through UW to become a weatherman. 

[The entire Surface family at my cousin's wedding this summer--Madelyn and Jack in utero]

Four kids, eleven grandkids, and four great-grand children later--they still amaze me.

[With Bapa this summer]

Today we found out that we're going to be saying goodbye to "Bapa" very soon.

Too soon.

I knew this day was coming and am so grateful that this year has afforded me extra time with them down in Portland. 

But that doesn't make it any easier. 

I know many people--many of you--who have gone through the same thing very recently. And its taught me to take advantage of every "I love you" and every moment spent together. 

But part of me still can't believe it.

I had always assumed that he'd be at my wedding. That my kids would sit on his knee and hear about life "back in 1938..."

Still, there is much to be grateful for. And through my tears I am overwhelmed with gratefulness to both my grandparents and to the Lord.

I've been reflecting on this hymn quite a bit lately, and in light of today, I'll end with a portion of it:

Be still, my soul: when dearest friends depart,

And all is darkened in the vale of tears,

Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,

Who comes to soothe thy sorrow and thy fears.

Be still, my soul: thy Jesus can repay

From His own fullness all He takes away.

Be still, my soul: the hour is hastening on

When we shall be forever with the Lord.

When disappointment, grief and fear are gone,

Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored.

Be still, my soul: when change and tears are past

All safe and blessèd we shall meet at last.

Merry Christmas!

"Beautiful she is, sir! Lovely! Sometimes like a great tree in flower, sometimes like a white daffadowndilly, small and slender like. Hard as di'monds, soft as moonlight. Warm as sunlight, cold as frost in the stars. Proud and far-off as a snow-mountain, and as merry as any lass I ever saw with daisies in her hair in springtime..."

- Samwise, describing Galadriel to Faramir

The Two Towers

Been thinking of this place lately.

Someday, I will see it in its fall colours.

Can I just say... I love being referred to "the English major" at work. 

The other day, the head of the Tax department called me just to ask where an apostrophe went.  haha!  Kind of feels like I have a magic power... so much for English being a "useless degree" =P

On my mind on the way into work:

Happy Friday!

My poor mother... she saw a book on my shelf and made the mistake of asking, "So what is Heart of Darkness about?"

And she just got an earful about Colonialism, the carving up of Africa, the Belgian Congo, framed narratives, dream genre, parallels with the Aeneid, Conrad's tri-lingual capacities, the viscous cycle of Colonialism, critiques on race, etc... all packed into a 70 page novella.

Aaaaaghh! =)

Finally!!



[via]



sweater weather :)

This is the best.

On my way to meet Jack Baker :')

The Fifth of October



[Quote: Norm Willis  |  Design: Kelsey Greeson]



A Saturday Night in Paris

In the midst of all the running around and little things that need to be taken care of, I'm so grateful for those few moments that sometimes occur at work when Bob and I stumble onto talking about arts and culture--because that's when I discover more and more of our similarities.

I didn't think today would afford one of those moments, and I'm not sure how it happened.  But in the middle of talking about one issue or another we suddenly found ourselves praising Mumford, commenting on the quiet brilliance of Gotye (no matter how overplayed), and agreeing that (while thoroughly enjoyable) Lewis is a bit too literal for us.  We prefer the layered ambiguity of TS Eliot or Bob Dylan.  He's got me beat having read Lord of the Rings 8 times (I'm working on it =) and he had front row tickets to a U2 concert in Hawaii a few years back.  "Adele absolutely deserved every accolade she received"--I agreed.  Both holding our breath for CBS's debut of Elementary tonight.  And he promised he was getting back to Sherlock this weekend--only "Hounds" and the "Fall" left.  "You've seen them a few times each probably..."  A few, Bob.  A few.

It was 8 minutes at the most... but the conversation made my day!

Journeys through Middle Earth {Pt. 1}

So excited to begin what I hope will be a revelatory series--both to write and to read.  Here's my intro, originally written 9.11.12.

*   *   *

So this morning I finished a biography on Tolkien (hopefully just my first), and I am amazed.

I've been meaning to mention this for a while, but there seemed so much to say... so I think this may turn into a series of sorts.

But let me back up and explain a little...

Earlier this summer, I decided re-reading The Hobbit in light of the [HIGHLY ANTICIPATED!!!] trilogy that starts this Christmas (only 93 days =).  I had read it as a child, gosh, probably around age 9 or 10?  So I remembered very little - pretty much 13 dwarves, Bilbo Baggins, Gollum, riddles, ring, dragon.  It proved a very rich re-reading experience because I felt surprised by everything after he found the ring.  There is SO much more I want to say about the hobbit... but like I said, another post =)

My friends and I have decided that I have obsessive disorder--not obsessive "compulsive" disorder--just obsessive.  As my sister reminded me this weekend, I'm an "all on/all off" kind of gal... and if I'm "all off" its usually due to decided detestation or total ignorance.  And so after finishing The Hobbit (actually reading the last chapters aloud to my brother on our last road-trip... *sniff), I said, "Well, that was lovely.  But no need to throw myself (again) into Tolkien fever."  I read the trilogy at about 11 (before seeing the films) and had attempted re-reading since then, only to fade out in Book III of the Two Towers. I was pretty set, I have other things to read (and to do) and 1,500 pages of Middle-Earth just might distract from that, so The Hobbit was enough.  Ha. Ha.

So, imagine my surprise when The Fellowship of the Ring showed up in my bag the next day on my bus ride!  Now, I'm nearly done with Fellowship (more posts to come), warming up to the idea of attempting The Silmarillion, reading (multiple?) biographies on Tolkien, dreaming of how wonderful it would be to know Elvish, borrowing my brother-in-law's atlas of Middle-Earth, listening to the soundtracks non-stop, and really wishing he has a single, great-grandson around somewhere.  And crying.  Lots of Tolkien = lots of crying.  Between his personal life, the heroicism of hobbits, and my own "journey"--there has been several tears shed on the bus.

Ok... I've decided this will have to be the introductory post.  Thoughts have been bubbling inside me too long and I hope to share many of them here.  But for now, I just needed to explain the plight and the joy of being a nerd.

Well, my innagural "Technology Sabbath" was successful.  It felt good.  And I didn't miss any earth-shattering news.  It's just kind of eye-opening how much we use cell phones, the web, etc... and to think that none of those things were common when I was born. Hm.


But we're back to Monday (after a whirlwind weekend for me) and I thought I'd share a few Bob-isms I've been saving up for a while.  Some of these are funny but all of them make me grateful he's my boss.

"A lot of problems are products of success."

In the middle of a conversation about the company -
Bob:  Samara, have you seen Finding Nemo?
Me:  Yes...??
Bob:  I'm Dori.

"Ethics trumps money. Always."


Bob:  We need to come up with a password for you and I to use.
Me:  Ok.
Bob:  It could be anything, really. It could be your friend! [Referring to Mr. C =]
Me:  Ummm... Haha - no.

Today, 75 years ago, a slim children's book was unleashed on the world... and it changed everything!

[That may sound dramatic (from me? shocking!), but it really is true. More to come on that later]

Happy anniverssary to The Hobbit!

"In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit." How marvelous!

I recently re-read The Hobbit [and am now in the midst of the Trilogy] and was blown away all over again. Stay tuned or be warned: I will shortly begin posting a series I've started on revelations from re-reading Tolkien =)

Technology Sabbath - a girl who unplugs on Sundays

This would be hard... but I feel ready for it.
I remember reading Little House on the Praire and thinking how boring it must have been to sit around and do nothing on Sundays. Now, with a full-time job + a full-time social life, nothing sounds more relaxing. And while turning off the phone and computer wouldn't bring my entire life to a halt, it would give me silence and space to gather my thoughts, journal, read, and really listen. This ideas been growing on me all day and it may just happen. Stay tuned ;)

I hope you all had a lovely weekend!

[You can tell life is full when it's thursday and you're finally writing about the weekend =P ]

I was absolutely spoiled this weekend!

I got to attend 2 concerts and be with some of my favorite people =)

Friday night, I took my younger brother, Jerry, on a date.......... to see our favorite band:

Future of Forestry

This was my fourth FOF concert (first and second experience)--and each one has been so worth it.

Obviously I'm a huge fan of their art... but more than just a fan.

They are a group of extremely talented people who have a lot of fun creating together. And that is worth the price of admission.

This year was especially moving... beyond what I can articulate.

But one of the fun parts was that my brother and I were front and center. Eric (the lead singer) kept looking over at us. In between songs, he made a comment about how unusual it was to have people singing along who knew every word.

After the concert I stood in a group, waiting to talk to Eric. But I noticed that Jerry was behind me talking to another member of the band so I turned around to chat with them.

As I did, Eric leapt out of this crowd of people, looked at us and said "Don't leave! Wait just a minute and I'll be done." I laughed, assuring him we weren't going anywhere.

So we chatted with a cool band member who had also just graduated college and then waited a bit longer for Eric. We got to spend several minutes with him, sharing some of the personal significance to his songs, thanking him for his music. But it felt mutually encouraging. He was so grateful to us... just an amazing connection, really.

The next night was also a stellar music experience: my church recorded their first live album.

Our worship leader (also named Eric) has such an incredible as a singer/songwriter. Combine that with some very talented musicians, Katie + Rose (amazing!), an energized crowd, invite the presence of God and you can expect an incredible evening!

So there's a snapshot of my fabulous, musical weekend. Hope yours was equally inspiring!

5

I have waited... and now

.

So, the weekend was fabulous. And I just had to share a bit.

Started off Friday night celebrating the lovely Cami Morrill =)

For her birthday, we went to a lovely little French place called Le Pichet.

For the record... being able to sit and relish french cuisine for three hours (which is as it was meant to be eaten), to fellowship over good food with fun friends, that is refreshing. And I'm so grateful I got to spend that time with Cami & Co.

[The group, with the gorgeous birthday girl on the far left =]

Saturday was equally stellar!

What to do on one of the last summery days of the year? Satisfy one of your summer wishes!

After trying to find the perfect day schedule and weather-wise... on saturday I took Sarah paddle-boarding!

It's been a goal of mine for about a year and half... and it was so worth it!!

She and I went to a fabulous little place on South Lake Union. From there, we paddled ourselves across the lake to Gasworks. Weaving in and out of the paths of sail-boats, being serenaded by jazz music from the house-boats (I like to believe Tom Hanks lives in one ;), and marveling at all the fascinating names of boats--favorites being Starward and Daedalus--we glided atop the water and enjoyed Seattle Sun. 

I can't recommend the experience highly enough. I found stress seemed to melt out there on the water. And there were many priceless moments I won't soon forget. 

So loved getting this opportunity and now I'm just bummed I'll have to wait till next spring to do it again... but I'm already dreaming of the day when I can buy my own board and paddle =)

Hope you had a fabulous weekend and that the week has started well for you!

Bonsoir, mon amis.

Today I'm celebrating 1 month at my new job =)

It has been an incredible month!  I feel I am in that strange phase where I still feel very new, but at the same time, surely I've been here so much longer than a month.  But all of one month has flown by... and I am still so blessed.  This sounds cliche, but in all seriousness, not a day goes by when I don't say to myself, "I love my job."  [For fellow chick-flick cinephiles - not in the Emily Blunt Devil Wears Prada way, but the Kristen Bell When in Rome way =]

It's true though... More than enjoying that I have a full-time job [aka paycheck] or even happy to be with the company I work for [don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for both of those things]--I love my specific job.  My business cards [what the heck?!] arrived yesterday and all I could do was smile.

God is so faithful.  And He is mind-blowingly good.  And I am so, so grateful!!

So... sometimes, you have to just give up control completely.

After hopping on an alternate route to work (also known as taking the wrong bus), I found myself on a nearly broken down 244 =/  Being a schemer, my wheels were nearly spinning off as I tried to figure "this bus goes to the freeway, I could catch this bus, but it might be too late. I could get off and run to catch that route......."

As He does, God interrupted my thought process with a loving, "Chill out!"  Right.  The fact is, there's nothing I can do to make this bus work, and really nothing more I can do to get to work on time.  If I'm late, I'm late.  I work a little longer--no big.  Why did I get so wound up again??  Control is an illusion.  Let go... and breathe!

So rather than continue to freak out, I pulled out my book and delved back into the Mines of Moria and rejected the rising 244-tension.  Within minutes, we were at the freeway flier stop and I was transfering busses.  But, it left me just enough time to look to my right and catch a glimpse of Rainier. 

And we still arrived in Bellevue 10 minutes earlier than my regular bus. 

No control and no problems. 

"My rest is a weapon against the opression

of man's obsession to control things..."

- Josh Garrels, The Resistance

Wishing you all a peaceful and control-free day =)

Lately been enjoying...

Ben Galbraith:

Ok... secret. Since seeing the look work on Martin Freeman, I've warmed up to the idea that some guys can pull of a shirt buttoned to the top collar (especially with a sweater over it). Mr. Galbraith here solidified that for me. I'm a fan.

Ok... you can just say it.  I am a nerd.

I'm applying for graduate school funding, studying for my GRE's... and now looking at free college courses online.

Nerd.



[Seriously though, I'm freaking out about these courses. They are all from top Uni's (Oxford, Yale, Berkley, etc.) and you can take them at your own pace. I think I may just continue my education this year after all =]

You remember those amazing lit-inspired posters?  Well, I recently found some of the artist's back-story to making them, and it made me love them even more, so without further adieu... his words [and a few of mine] -

You are what you underline [LOVE that!]

The best thing about paperbacks (apart from the smell, of course) is that when a little jewel of a sentence grabs you, you can underline it. If you’ve only ever read a book on a screen (hey, it’s not far off), then let me explain: Underlining something in your book is the original “interactive” media. Think of it as a hyperlink that redirects to your own thoughts [so true!], and like a hyperlink, it can leave the rest of the story behind and open up a new window of ideas, insights, musings. 

That’s the spirit of this series of illustrations. I took little snippets of text and ideas from some of my favorite authors (with some notable exceptions that I’m saving), and let the words be a springboard for an illustration. The illustrations incorporate and interact with the text and hopefully add up to something that engages the mind as much as the eye. 

The plan is to complete around 50 illustrations in a year. I’ve posted some of them below.  There are 23 completed [now 24, see below ;], which you can see in my Etsy shop, Obvious State. 

I’d love to hear what you think. 

- Evan

[How cool is that?]

 Well, I'm hooked... can't wait to see the next one he creates =)

Ok... couldn't resist sharing this:

This would be terrifying... if it wasn't so incredible!

I know, I know - he's way too pop-ish and he's a *guy* ...but all that aside - WOW!

Can't wait for December =)

Tonight I was getting something out from my under bed storage when I came across the autumnal half of my scarf collection and a bunch of pull-over sweaters.

They make me smile.

Just a little bit longer, buddies. =)