​Still buried, friends, so in lieu of a proper post, I thought I'd share with you a list of beautiful things I've come across recently...

​Seriously, it's the end of January already? This month has flown by.  I have been positively embroiled in all sorts of very awesome plans for the site, and some writing projects, as well.  I cannot wait to share them all with you, in good time. For now, though, instead of my usual posts, I thought should at least give you a heads-up as to what's to come...

​... are sort of perfect for finding awesome on the web.  Here's some of the lovely photographic inspiration I've found over the last very rainy 48 hours (grab a cup of tea or coffee and settle in, this is some good stuff).

​So. Have you heard the latest about Eastman Kodak? Yesterday, I came across this CNN article about Kodak's recent bankruptcy.  It's a great, though somewhat depressing read about Kodak in particular, and the evolution of personal photography in general, but it was the following passage that caught my eye...

​So I have this Dark Side. Marcus and my friend Maile call this side of me "Klaus" -- the one they say is the "anti-Chookooloonks."  They take this side of me in good humour (I think), despite the fact that this is the part of me that is irritable with the entire world.  It's the one who gets angry with the television anytime a politician crosses the screen, or a negative bit of media crosses my path, or someone cuts me off on the road.  Klaus is curmudgeonly.  Klaus is misanthropic. 

​Isn't it beautiful? This 16"x20" print you see above is a result of a truly awesome collaboration with rockstar artist Kal Barteski.  It all started when one of my favourite online photographers, Rachel James, suggested that I create a poster for Chookooloonks.  I thought it was a stellar idea, and since I've been using the phrase "wildly convinced you're uncommonly beautiful" as my tagline on Twitter since 2010 (and will also be doing so on my soon-to-be-revealed new site design), the timing was perfect. A few quick phone calls with Kal, and she whipped up the amazing design above.  I was able to see the first run of the prints while I was in Salt Lake City last week, and it is seriously beyond any expectations I had.  They are just stunning, and I'm so grateful.  Best news?  The limited run is available for preorder, and based on the reaction we received at the Alt Summit, they will go fast.  Click here to preorder one for yourself!

​Before I left for Salt Lake, I managed to persuade my new film-processing-guy, George, to process my third roll of film. As always, I thought I'd share my learning curve with the Hassie with you.  Honestly:  this is my favourite roll I've shot so far, mostly because I finally figured out how to focus this thing.  For example, when I saw how sharp the wilted tulip petals were above, I almost wept with relief.  Finally.

​This is my third trip to Salt Lake City, and based on this tiny bit of experience, I've come to my official conclusion about this town:  this is a peaceful place.  There is something so quiet about Salt Lake City -- I don't know if it's the snow or the altitude or what it is, but every time I'm here, it's like a huge exhalation.  This trip is no exception. I do love being here.

​Today I leave for Salt Lake City to attend the Altitude Design Summit. This is the first conference I'm attending in a long while where I'm not speaking at all -- I get to just soak up all of the goodness in the audience.  I'm so looking forward to it.