Shuttersmack :: Leslie Plesser tag:www.shuttersmack.com,2009-02-09://1 2012-05-18T02:32:54Z Movable Type 4.23-en happy boy tag:www.shuttersmack.com,2012://1.1244 2012-05-18T02:20:42Z 2012-05-18T02:32:54Z Leslie ]]> Rough day today. Dinner consisted of 2 slices of pastrami and a pickle. I tried to distract myself with some playing with Merlin in the yard, and it helped a little. Thank god it's almost the weekend. lunch break tag:www.shuttersmack.com,2012://1.1243 2012-05-17T03:16:41Z 2012-05-17T03:22:06Z Leslie ]]>
They all had harnesses on and were strapped to the basket, but dude, how does that help if the basket breaks loose?!? I am so afraid of heights. There is just no way I would have been able to do that (without passing out, vomiting, crying or all of the above). I was very happy to be shooting this from the ground, thankyouverymuch.
]]> summertime blues tag:www.shuttersmack.com,2012://1.1242 2012-05-16T01:15:17Z 2012-05-16T01:19:11Z Leslie ]]> Lovely, right? After work tonight we took a bike ride around Lake Harriet, which was full of sailboats. I love it that I can get home from work after 6 pm this time of year and still have *hours* of daylight left. It makes me feel like I can get so much more done! Also, if you look carefully you can spot a teeny, tiny airplane in the sky. inspiration tag:www.shuttersmack.com,2012://1.1241 2012-05-15T03:21:37Z 2012-05-15T03:39:08Z Leslie ]]>
And in case you guys were wondering, one of my all time favorite photographers is Richard Avedon. While he took a ton of wonderful, beautiful portraits of famous people, I am always inspired by his portraits from the Southwest in the early 1980s. You can see a sampling of those images here. The light and the honesty in those images just takes my breath away.
]]> gorgeous tag:www.shuttersmack.com,2012://1.1240 2012-05-14T01:55:02Z 2012-05-14T02:11:31Z Leslie ]]>
I shot this photo tonight of a new succulent I bought yesterday at the nursery. Yeah, I might have a slight addiction to these crazy, beautiful plants. But really, who can blame me?
]]> girls got rhythm tag:www.shuttersmack.com,2012://1.1239 2012-05-12T06:31:21Z 2012-05-13T06:40:22Z Leslie ]]>
The photo above is not of her, however. I shot this show for the paper, so they get all the Spector photos. These were the feet of one of the  members of the 5.6.7.8s -- an all-female trio from Japan who came over and got all dolled up before performing. My favorite song of theirs was the cover of "Great Balls of Fire."

Quite a night, eh? And the day before that was even better. Summer is tiptoeing into Minnesota, and today it was 65 and sunny and I went for two walks, a bike ride and even catnapped in the sun for a bit. Man, I'm happy for the warmth.

I'll post a link to the Spector photos as soon as the paper gets them online...
]]> wits tag:www.shuttersmack.com,2012://1.1238 2012-05-12T04:47:29Z 2012-05-12T05:00:32Z Leslie ]]>
I cannot give this show justice in a simple blog post, but I can say that you should listen to it over here -- I believe it will go up online Monday. It will also be streaming on The Current on Sunday at 9 pm CST. Seriously people, if you are a fan of NPR and shows like 'Wait, Wait,' please check this out. 

This shot is of the two artists laughing -- because that's what we all did all night. But my favorite part of the night was probably the "sing-along." This is where, I presume, the artist chooses a song, and the entire audience (this show is held in the Fitzgerald Theater -- the same spot that hosts Prairie Home Companion) stands and sings along. And the song she chose? Dynamite. You might not recognize it from the title, but please click on that link to hear it. And then picture Aimee Mann singing it. It was SO AMAZINGLY HILARIOUS (even more hilarious than that horrible video I just linked to).
]]> springtime tag:www.shuttersmack.com,2012://1.1237 2012-05-11T01:47:22Z 2012-05-11T01:55:14Z Leslie ]]> The weather was so gorgeous tonight! I went to happy hour on a patio after work (man, did I need that), except that sadly the service was horrendous. So then I left and picked up some delicious thai takeout before coming home and examining the progress of the "garden." Or rather, the flowers and plants that are somehow sprouting among the weeds. Whatever, I'm just glad it's getting warm again. prince. literally. tag:www.shuttersmack.com,2012://1.1236 2012-05-10T02:43:20Z 2012-05-10T02:59:27Z Leslie ]]> How adorable is this guy? I mean, Merlin should be worried, cuz I fell in love with this boy today. His name is Prince and he was one of the absolutely sweetest dogs I have ever met. And how handsome! I've never seen a Doberman that was this beautiful. And look at those ears! Adorable! secret agent man tag:www.shuttersmack.com,2012://1.1235 2012-05-09T00:33:31Z 2012-05-09T00:41:09Z Leslie ]]>
Well... there was more of my super-secret work stuff that I can't reveal here on the personal blog (but I'll alert you when I can). And my meetings all ran short and I thought I was going to have to work until 8 pm, but I got off at 6 instead. And I will say this, I've done a lot of fashion shoots in the last few years, and I can firmly say that men are so much more fun (get your mind outta the gutter -- not like that). I like the styling more and it's all just so much more simple. And man, do I love men's clothes. The jackets especially... I think my dream job would be at Esquire (my favorite magazine ever, btw).
]]> oh dang! tag:www.shuttersmack.com,2012://1.1234 2012-05-08T02:17:37Z 2012-05-08T02:26:38Z Leslie ]]>
Also today, I finished my grading for the class! So my first semester teaching is like 99.9 percent done (insert huge sigh of relief here). And just like that, I'm back to two part-time jobs instead of three... just in time for summer.
]]> unbelievably mine tag:www.shuttersmack.com,2012://1.1233 2012-05-06T23:26:06Z 2012-05-06T23:30:23Z Leslie ]]> How handsome is HE? Today I needed to run back to the Rivets and Roses studio to drop some stuff off, and Jamie wanted to join me to see what the space was like. When we were leaving, I made him stop and pose for some photos because he is just so goddamn good looking. I swear, I don't know what on earth I did to deserve this guy -- but man did I luck out. Also, how much do we love that t-shirt he's sporting? That was his Valentine's day gift from me. cinco de mayo tag:www.shuttersmack.com,2012://1.1232 2012-05-06T01:41:09Z 2012-05-06T01:44:23Z Leslie ]]> This morning I had a 9 am meeting over at the Rivets and Roses studio with a potential wedding client, so I got there early to get everything set up (including coffee and good music). I thought I'd just snap a photo of the space so you guys could check it out. I love those two wooden chairs and the wall of square photos so much. northeast tag:www.shuttersmack.com,2012://1.1231 2012-05-05T03:13:50Z 2012-05-05T03:39:29Z Leslie ]]>
This shot was taken outside the Rivets & Roses studio as I was on my way back to my car. I love seeing the varied graffiti on train cars. I know some people see it as vandalism or something, but I always appreciate the typography and color that goes into it. I really do see it as an art form.

The other point of note today is that Adam Yauch passed away. Yauch, or as I knew him growing up, MCA, was one of the three Beastie Boys. The Beasties were one of my very favorite bands (still in the top 10, for sure) -- and one of the first cassette tapes that I had to hide from my parents (in the 6th grade). As they matured, so did I, and I followed them for years and years. They were the soundtrack to "makeout rooms" in Jr. High as well as dance parties in college. I even went as one of the Beasties for Halloween one year...

I saw them live a few times, but always at a very large arena show, and never at the First Ave of whatever city I was in. These albums were my "gateway drug" into hip hop, and I fully credit them for my current appreciation of Doomtree, Astronautalis and the likes. Many musicians have died in my lifetime, but only 2 celebrity deaths have actually brought tears to my eyes, and both have been recent (Yauch and Steve Jobs). I encourage everyone to look up their favorite Beastie track (Sabotage? Paul Revere? Fight for Your Right to Party? Intergallactic?) and really appreciate the talent that left us today.
]]> free ice cream! tag:www.shuttersmack.com,2012://1.1230 2012-05-04T02:52:30Z 2012-05-04T03:04:25Z Leslie ]]>
I am shocked to tell you that some people will refuse free ice cream. And give you dirty looks at the same time! What is up with THAT? Communists, I tell you.
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