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Top 10 Photographs of 2016

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Combing through all of my photos from this past year has been a trip. I’ve been to so many incredible places, have met and spent time with equally incredible people- and have been fortunate enough to occasionally just be in right moment at the right time to catch a perfect shot. Narrowing down hundreds of photos to just ten, and then ranking them proved to be quite a challenge- but this is one of two year-end traditions here on ‘Legally Redhead’. The other, my “In a Nutshell” post that will summarize 2016 in it’s excruciatingly long entirety- will be up tomorrow! I wanted to do this the right way, after all!

All but two of these photos were taken by me (and the two in question have me in them and were taken by other people)– and most are from my travels around New England and across the country this past year. It’s been a lot of fun re-visiting those moments and memories as I organized these pictures for this post- and I hope everyone enjoys them as much as I do!

Without further delay, here are my ten favorite photographs from 2016.

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#10: Coney Island (July 5th)

In the early, sunny morning hours following the 4th- my best friend Sean and I hopped a train bound to New York City for a day out together. The original plan had been to try and get a crazy elaborate milkshake at Black Tap Craft Burgers & Beer and maybe hang around Central Park for a while- but we ended up riding the subway all the way to Coney Island, instead. I had never been- and Sean hadn’t been since he was a kid.

On the agenda was riding the famous and historic Cyclone roller coaster and strolling the boardwalk for a couple of hours. The weather was perfect, it wasn’t too crowded- and I snapped this quick photo of the Cyclone before we headed back to the subway so we could catch a quick dinner near Grand Central Station before our train departed for home. This is a nice memento from such a beautiful day.

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#9: Negan(ette) & Eugene (July 30th)

Some of the most fun I had in 2016 was cosplaying as Negan from ‘The Walking Dead’, and when you combine that aforementioned fun with the hilarity that Josh McDermitt (who plays Eugene on the show) brings each and every time he’s in town- you’ve got the making for a pretty epic photo- even if the roles are reversed and he’s the one holding Lucille! This phone selfie, taken by Josh, was taken at the ‘Walker Stalker’ convention this past Summer when it rolled through Boston for a long weekend. It was my first time wearing my Negan costume- and it was a big hit.

There were a lot of photos from that weekend- but this is by far my favorite. It never fails to make me grin. I had so much fun and I can’t wait to go back next year if it returns to Boston!

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#8: Last Night in The Chelsea Apartment (July 23rd)

I swear, not all of my favorite photos are from July of this past year- but a lot was going on then- including saying goodbye to the beautiful apartment in Chelsea following some unforeseen circumstances with the landlord selling the place and booting all the tenants out per the buyer/developer’s request. After a “moving out” party, which involved my friends and I eating way too much pizza and drinking way too much alcohol- I snapped this photo at sunset from the balcony that overlooked the Mystic River, the Tobin Bridge, and the Boston skyline. It had been unbelievably hot out that night- and a thunderstorm was blowing in from the West- making the sky explode with pinks, purples and oranges.

It was a bittersweet scene, really- and I couldn’t think of a better send-off to a place my friends and I hung out hats for years and years.

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#7: “Didn’t they film The Shining here?” (April 23rd)

Back in the beginning of Spring, Sean and I decided to take a weekend road trip up to the White Mountains in New Hampshire and spend a couple of days at the (allegedly haunted) Mount Washington Hotel- which eerily resembled The Overlook Hotel from “The Shining”. The history of the hotel is fascinating, and the entire place was stunning inside and out- complete with a former speakeasy-turned-fully-functioning-bar, restaurants, a cafe, movie theater, arcade, indoor swimming pool, spacious conference areas, etc.- and Sean and I opted to stay up all hours to explore as much as we could in-between zip-lining over and repelling down huge trees in the still-snowy mountains.

This photo was taken on our last day at the resort, from across the road that leads up to the hotel. I thought it was such a beautiful scene with the mountains looming behind it. I’d love to go back in 2017!

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#6: Overlooking The Atlantic (January 1st)

I spent last New Year’s Eve and this past New Year’s Day on the island of Nantucket- drinking champagne, dancing the night away, and then trekking through the quiet cobblestone streets and taking in the views of the big, beautiful houses and the ocean until it was time to catch a ferry back to my car in Hyannis. Sean captured this photo of me by one of the lighthouses on the island and I think it sums up the “aimless wanderer and avid traveler” part of my personality perfectly- beanie on my head and backpack stuffed with my belongings.

Even though it was January, we were on the waterfront, and it was cloudy out- the weather wasn’t too chilly or windy that day- and it felt nice being outdoors. I miss Nantucket, and since it’s technically the off-season for tourists, I think I’ll head back for a visit soon!

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#5: Stop & Enjoy The Foliage (October 11th)

After a stressful Summer and a long return flight home from San Diego a few days earlier, it felt nice to take a day to stroll through the pretty, picturesque New England Autumn scenery- which always brings me so much calm and comfort. I stopped to take this photo on a cloudless, brisk afternoon hike through Sudbury, Massachusetts before heading to a friend’s apartment for dinner plans we had made. While most of the trees were only just starting to turn various shades of oranges, reds and yellows- this one was already in full-blown Fall mode- and I thought it looked gorgeous against the blue sky.

When I eventually leave New England- it’s days like that one that I will miss the most.

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#4: San Diego After Dark (October 5th)

On my last night of my Fall vacation in San Diego, during one of my usual “but I don’t want to leave!” bouts of sadness at the prospect of having to return to chilly Massachusetts the following morning- I went for a late night stroll around downtown and The Gaslamp Quarter and came across these illuminated palm trees not far from the convention center (where San Diego Comic-Con is held.) There wasn’t another single soul around apart from me, so I basked in the light and their leaves and snapped this photo with my cell phone to look back on whenever I got homesick for the West Coast.

It was a lovely night and an unexpected find to wrap up my trip.

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#3: The Most Bizarre Snowstorm Imaginable (February 5th)

Growing up in New England, I’m no stranger to unusual and unpredictable weather. Blizzards? Heat waves? Tornadoes? Hurricanes? I’ve seen just about everything- but the freakish snowstorm that blew through the area in early February and covered EVERYTHING with a heavy blanket of snow that stuck to the trees like glue was something new to me. I captured this photo in my mother’s driveway, where literally INCHES of snow clung to every single part of every single branch instead of simply falling to the ground- making her neighborhood look like a weird, cartoon version of a Winter wonderland.

High winds blew all of that snow off the branches that very same night- but it was really neat looking as the sun began to set and this is one of my favorite photos I took of it as I was losing daylight. It really was something to behold.

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#2: “I see London…” (September 30th)

What can I say about my Vegas trip at the end of September, apart from that it was incredible? Seeing one of my favorite bands perform one of my favorite albums at the venue it was named after was just surreal- and sharing the experience with people I simply adore and cherish and who have become lifelong friends and family made it all the better. I couldn’t resist taking a photo of the Sam’s Town sign with the marquee advertising The Killers weekend performances there. I completely had a fangirl moment the very first time that I saw it (I had never been before!) and needed to commemorate the occasion.

Side Note: Don’t ever drink too much whiskey in Sam’s Town. Yikes. I’m still feeling that one.

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#1: “The Echoes They Left Behind…” (October 18th)

Leave it to me to have something completely morbid and maybe a little depressing at the top of the list- but I’m still not over this discovery of discarded grave markers Sean and I found thrown away in the woods on the outskirts of what was formerly the Danvers State Hospital/Asylum. Each marker represents a person with a past, a life, a family somewhere- and their death- and to see these things just heaved into the woods like trash was a sobering moment for me. I’ve been photographing abandoned buildings and places for years- and sometimes you see some pretty messed up stuff- but this admittedly got to me and made me a bit emotional.

I took this photo not only because I couldn’t believe what I had seen- but as a reminder that those who lived and died within Danvers’ walls shouldn’t be forgotten.

And there they are- my top ten photographs from the year. Looking back, I really did travel to some gorgeous and exciting places- a tradition I hope to continue well into 2017 where I plan to take even more pictures and make it even harder on myself to narrow them down come the New Year’s Eve before 2018 starts- but I shouldn’t get ahead of myself.

Here’s to documenting the finer moments of 2016 and keeping the memories they’ve left in my heart and mind forever!

xx

The Echoes They Left Behind….

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My fascination and appreciation for abandoned buildings is well documented by now. Apart from the photos I take of food or my dog- abandoned buildings comprise most of my photography- and the Holy Grail of abandoned places (up until it was converted into condominiums a few years ago, anyway) was Danvers State Hospital in Danvers, Massachusetts- birthplace of the pre-frontal lobotomy and the source of some of the most chilling tales of questionable- if not just plain unethical- medical experimentation on patients, overcrowded and deteriorating conditions, and pretty gruesome deaths over the years leading up to the hospital’s closure and eventual abandonment in the early 1990s.

While most of the hospital was demolished to make room for modernized studio apartments and spacious high end condos- the main administration building remains standing (and is now the lobby/leasing office, I believe)– a testament to the Kirkbride-style architecture frequently seen in mental institutions in the late 19th century- and sadly a dying breed of building now that more and more places are being razed or renovated.

Last week, while out for brunch with Sean- we were heading North on the highway when the former Danvers State Hospital came into view in the distance- not as ominous as it used to be when it was a gigantic and sprawling series of boarded up decaying buildings- but still pretty impressive on the horizon. Sean admitted to never having seen the place up close, so we took a quick detour so he could catch a glimpse of the administration building and take in the breathtaking view from the top of the hill.

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While there, we opted to take a stroll on one of the many trails throughout the property. It was on one trail in particular that we stumbled on the sign pictured above. Turns out, the bodies of the deceased patients at Danvers were never moved- simply given some updated headstones, a memorial plaque with a bench- and left alone so the elements could reclaim the clearing after what looked like weeks (if not months) of not being tended to adequately.

The mood in the cemetery was already somber and unsettling- Sean and I both admitted to each other that we felt like we shouldn’t be there- but things went from simply uneasy to downright creepy when we stumbled across a stack of numbered patient grave markers piled and thrown in the edge of the forest. I’d never seen anything so eerie in my life. There were just so many- and each one represented a person who had lived and died in God only knew what kind of conditions on the very spot that people were now living and raising families.

It was so surreal.

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And for you ‘Session 9‘ fans (a 2001 horror movie filmed on location at Danvers when it was still an abandoned hospital)– unmarked grave #444 does exist in the farthest corner of the cemetery- all by itself. Sean and I took some time to clean it off of leaves and weeds before we left- but we were both pretty floored it was there and hidden away from the rest of the cemetery.

As creepy as the place was- I do still feel compelled to go back with some flowers or something to pay proper respects. The cemetery is pretty unkempt- with high grass and broken fences- which makes it all the more depressing given how luxurious the nearby condominiums are by comparison.

And I have no doubt in my mind it’s haunted. None at all.

xx

Day Off Date!

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It’s not very often that my BFF4Eva Sean and I get the same days off during our presently hectic schedules, so when we do- we try to make the most of them- especially now that Spring is in the air and spending a significant amount of time outdoors doesn’t feel like a punishment anymore. Case in point? This past weekend where we had a lovely Sunday afternoon driving through small towns en route to Medfield State Hospital (including a pit stop for coffee at Jasper Hill Cafe & Bistro in Holliston.) Sean, in all his travels across the globe, has actually never been- so I thought it would be a nice surprise for him to see it in all it’s spectacular and spooky glory.

Needless to say, he wasn’t disappointed.

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Every time I return to Medfield, I always seem to find something new. In this case- spotting a three-legged chair just randomly propped up outside one of the buildings along the perimeter and a fenced in and dilapidated bench-swing near what I assume was a recreational area caught my attention- previously unseen during my last handful of visits. The place is always a mystery- and seeing Sean experience it for the first time was truly a lot of fun. We stopped every ten feet so he could marvel at the buildings or take photos. I didn’t mind, of course- since I was snapping many of my own along the way!

I do have to say that the recent rule changes to the grounds have me a little concerned, however. While foot traffic has always been allowed and encouraged (permitted those visiting don’t enter the buildings- since the floors and roofs have been left untouched and unattended to the mercy of the elements for YEARS and the amount of asbestos still lingering in the wards poses a serious health hazard)– apparently vehicles are allowed on the property now, as well. While Sean and I were walking around- we had to move out of the way for more than one car as clumsy drivers struggled to maneuver themselves over the long-untended roadways- avoiding potholes and other visitors.

Apart from the obvious threat this poses to pedestrians- I’m worried about the property itself, too. Medfield State Hospital is already in delicate condition as it decays. It seems adding vehicles to the mix is just a recipe for disaster and some extensive property damage when someone isn’t paying attention to where they’re going.

Oh well.

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Continuing with the rather morbid/macabre theme of this installment of ‘Day Off Date’- I spent Tuesday morning and most of the afternoon running some errands before Sean and I (in another rare instance of having the same day off!) took a stroll around the apartment on one of the many beautiful walking paths along the Mystic River. I cannot stress how lovely the weather has been lately- especially when compared to last year when we were still attempting to shovel ourselves out from underneath mounds of snow around this time. I don’t want to jinx it when I say that it feels like Mother Nature is finally showing New England just a little mercy.

I digress. While passing through Medford en route back to the apartment- I spotted this little memorial for ‘The Black Dahlia’, Elizabeth Short. For those not familiar with the famous unsolved murder, you can catch up HERE (a strong stomach is highly advised.) Elizabeth grew up in the area prior to being murdered and buried in California, and this little stone monument- hidden between an apartment building and a very busy rotary where her home once stood- was an unusual find. Not pictured were the long since dead flowers someone had left by the stone, which I thought was a nice gesture- especially for something that so many people pass by everyday and may not notice. It’s kind of sweet that people remember these sorts of things- no matter how much time has passed.

I swear, next week I’ll try to do something a little more upbeat and less grizzly/dreary during my next days off.

xx

April 2015: In a Nutshell.

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BethelApril20151“I’m going to camp out on the land. I’m gonna’ try and get my soul free.”

You’ll have to excuse my whimsical demeanor in this post. I’m still coming back down to Earth and re-adjusting to city life after a beautiful and sunny few days in quiet and quaint Bethel, New York. This past weekend- spent re-visiting the 1969 Woodstock Festival, hiking through a portion of the Catskills, photographing just a few of the breathtaking abandoned buildings throughout different counties, and enjoying some of the local cuisine- was the perfect way to round out what was overall a pretty good month. Some of my photos can be viewed in the album below!

I’d love to go back this Summer with more appropriate hiking and photography gear, since some of the long since emptied houses and businesses were a little tricky to get to due to their altitudes along the hillsides and the fact that they have been overtaken by the elements growing around them. I had packed ankle-length flowing skirts and boots with little to no tread on them this last time around- so I kept getting snagged on things every few steps! Lesson learned.

April was a busy month at work, which kept me on my toes- and between Boston juries returning GUILTY verdicts on both Boston Marathon bomber Dzhokhar Tsarnaev and former Patriots’ star turned murderer, Aaron Hernandez- it was an excellent month for the justice system in general, too.

This past month also kicked off the 2015 convention circuit for me. I had a blast at the New England Super MegaFest a couple of weeks ago, and I’m excited for the upcoming events in my area where I can get my geek on and wear some of the costumes I’ve been working on in my free time.

Not only that- but “Avengers: Age of Ultron” finally opens tomorrow! If that’s not the perfect way to start the comic-con season, then I don’t know what is.

So what’s in store for May? Definitely a little more traveling if I can manage it, some in-depth posts I’ve been drafting about fun things to do around my city, healthy recipes (that don’t taste like chalk- I promise!) and another “Inspired By” look that pays homage to the greatness that is the movie “Almost Famous.” I’m also doing some re-decorating in the coming weeks, so be on the lookout for a peek at the newest developments unfolding in my bedroom and bathroom. I love to paint, so it’s going to be fun (I’ve been watching a lot of HGTV lately and getting a TON of ideas. Someone stop me. Please.)

‘Til next time!

xx

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Top 10 Photographs of 2014.

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Last year around this time, in the midst of drafting my summary of 2013, I had compiled a list of my ten favorite photographs that I had taken/were taken of me throughout the year. I’ve recently completed my “In a Nutshell” post for 2014- due to be published on New Year’s Eve, and thought that I would put together another post ’til then of my ten favorite photographs from this year!

It was hard to narrow it down to just ten photos, because I saw so many great places, did so many fun things, and met so many wonderful people this past year- so I was frequently re-arranging my list- adding and omitting things- but I think I finally have it sorted. Here’s my “Top 10” pictures that span the course of 2014!

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# 10: Fireworks in Cape Cod (July 5th)

The best thing about the Fourth of July landing on a Friday this year was that any and all celebrations of the holiday were extended well into the weekend. Such was the case when my girlfriends and I headed to Cape Cod on Saturday, July 5th, to spend a day at the beach and watch some delayed fireworks displays. The shot above, taken as the sun was setting over nearby Hyannis, captured a group of teenagers setting off some smaller firecrackers near where my friends and I were lounging. It was a beautiful, memorable night.

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# 9: Brighton Sharbino smothering me at Boston’s “Walker Stalker Convention” (June 14th)

While I met a lot of really fun actors and actresses at Boston’s very first “Walking Dead” centric-convention (Jon Bernthal and Steven Yeun being two of my favorites,) I had the most fun posing with Brighton Sharbino- the beautiful young lady who portrayed the unhinged Lizzie Samuels in Season 4. Brighton was a sweetheart, and was more than happy to oblige me when I asked her if she could smother me for the photo the way her character attempted to do to baby Judith in one of the most unnerving scenes of the show to date.

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# 8: Abandoned House, Rhode Island (May 24th)

On a beautiful, sunny Spring day, after cleaning out and washing my car- I found myself traveling along the back roads heading towards Rhode Island to spend an afternoon in Newport. On the way, I passed this abandoned house- nearly being taken over by the elements and plants growing around it- and had to stop to snap a few photos of it, the partially collapsed garage next to it, and the abandoned VW Bus tucked away under a tree across the street. This was my favorite picture out of the bunch that I took that day.

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# 7; The William H. Mason House. Thompson, CT. (March 16th)

This was another find while driving aimlessly one Sunday afternoon after grabbing a coffee and running some errands. I found myself in Connecticut, and spotted this beautiful (and unfortunately decaying) home off the side of the road. Some research into the area turned up information- specifically that this beautiful structure was once known as The William H. Mason House, and is currently scheduled for demolition due in part to the current owner (a wealthy New York-based interior designer,) failing at any attempt to preserve it. It’s a shame, really- because the building is gorgeous and could be turned into a number of things.

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# 6: “Is my grin cheesy enough?” Old Orchard Beach (June 22nd)

While I visit Hampton Beach a lot throughout the year (it’s one of the easiest beaches to get to, after all-) June 2014 saw me returning to one of my favorite locations, Old Orchard Beach in Maine, for the first time since my teens. In the photo above, taken by my best friend Sean, I attempted to re-create an identical picture of me that was taken in the exact same spot when I was 16. Although my hair is much redder and my fashion sense is considerably better than it was at the time of the first photo- my big, cheesy grin is pretty much the same.

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# 5: My favorite Starbucks date (October 2nd)

In the Fall of 2014, my niece began kindergarten and my brother started a new job. Because of scheduling conflicts- he recruited me to bring my niece to school a couple days every week. Since then, we’ve mastered making pancakes or french toast sticks in the a.m. while still getting her to her classroom on time. Sometimes, on the days we’re running a little behind and don’t have time to cook in my kitchen- we stop at Starbucks. I snapped this picture of her, mid-sip of her hot chocolate (because I’m not giving caffeine to a six year old,) while we were walking to her school.

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# 4: Sleeping Red Panda, Roger Williams Park Zoo (May 18th)

As someone who has to bribe my dog with treats to get him to hold still for photos, it was a pleasant surprise to be able to snap a couple of pictures of some Red Pandas during a Springtime visit to the zoo/conservation society in Rhode Island. Granted, they were sleeping soundly at the time, so it wasn’t a challenge getting good shots- but this one, taken from a distance- is my favorite. His/Her little face is just so precious!

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# 3: The Lizzie Borden Sofa, Fall River (February 15th)

I traveled, on a whim, to quite a few places in 2014. One of my earlier outings in the year, a short drive to Fall River, brought me to the Lizzie Borden Bed & Breakfast one snowy afternoon where I, and maybe 5-6 other people, were given a tour of the legendary crime scene. I took this picture of the couch where, in 1892, Lizzie’s father Andrew was found murdered (the picture of the scene is easily available on Google- if any curious minds have the stomach to see it for themselves.) The tour was fun and informative, and the home is beautiful, if not a little bit creepy- and this will always be my favorite photo from the day.

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# 2: Oliver’s Sunday Best (April 20th)

As a joke to surprise my mom this year, I dressed up my miniature schnauzer, Oliver, in a button up dress shirt, vest, and bow tie that I had picked up in the children’s department of a clothing store for Easter dinner at her house. I only kept the outfit on him long enough to take the photo above while he sat on her couch, but all of my relatives that were present at the time thought it was the cutest thing ever. Since then, I’ve turned this picture into a greeting card for friends and family alike. My little guy looks like such a dapper gentleman!

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# 1: Ashley Dixon, San Diego Comic-Con (July 27th)

I hope a photo of myself ranking at #1 doesn’t come across as conceited or egotistical- I just really had the time of my life dressed as Daryl Dixon from “The Walking Dead” while at the biggest comic convention in the world over the Summer. This picture, snapped on the last day of SDCC by a stranger who had asked me to pose with his children a few minutes earlier outside the convention center- was taken just a half hour or so before the event and weekend came to a close. I was tired, hungry, and my feet hurt more than a little- but it was worth it and I really hope I can do it again someday.

And there they are- my top 10 photos from 2014! It’s been a blast going through all of my photos and albums from this year. So many good memories and great pictures from throughout the months.

Here’s hoping there’s even more of them next year!

Return to Medfield State Hospital.

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In January of last year, on what I can only describe as one of the coldest days I think I’ve ever experienced, I made the crazy decision to go and photograph some of the beautiful buildings left behind at the former Medfield State Hospital. Since then, I’ve been up to visit a few times- but with Halloween just a few short days away, I stopped by this past weekend as the sun was setting to snap some more photos while the weather was still nice and the changing leaves- many of which have fallen from the trees- gave the scenery a little more color.

During my last photo session there, I had been the only one on the grounds- but this time there were quite a few people wandering about. Some were walking their dogs, others showing their small children around- and still others were taking pictures like I was- which made the afternoon and evening a little less eerie since I wasn’t all by myself in the ruins of what used to be a rather depressing place.

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What I liked best about this trip to the area, however, was that without the snow blanketing the grounds- I was able to see a lot more than I’d previously found during my last trek there to take photos- including old signs, discarded shelving, an overgrown recreational area, etc. It was pretty neat. I took nearly 100 photos, the ones I’m sharing here just being some of the best in the bunch- in my opinion- but this one:

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– That’s my favorite shot.

xox

A Day in the Green Mountain State…

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The final weeks of September through mid-October tend to be the most beautiful here in New England, with the leaves changing brilliant colors before they tumble off the branches and onto the ground. It’s a transition that can be easily overlooked in all it’s breathtaking glory when you- say- work in the city, for example. Not content with missing a moment of foliage and having this past Sunday freed up of any specific plans or errands that needed to be taken care of- I hopped in my car, selected the “Scenic Route” options on my GPS- and made a four hour journey along the winding back-roads heading North to Vermont. My destination? A covered bridge tucked away near Rutland that I had hoped to photograph- but I found myself stopping (on more than one occasion) to check out various farmer’s markets, stunning views of the mountains, and lots of abandoned places along the way.

While there’s still plenty of greenery to be found- I did catch a glimpse of bright red and orange leaves showing themselves along mountainsides, in fields, and on farms. The drive was so relaxing that when I lost cell service and couldn’t locate the covered bridge for the life of me (and my GPS was rendered useless when trying to do so-) I didn’t even mind. Instead, I stopped for a late lunch/early dinner at Mr. Darcy’s Bar and Grill in Ludlow, Vermont (I loved their name- and their soup!) as well as a country store on my way home where I picked up some chocolate fudge as a surprise for my mother and some of my personal favorite- maple cotton candy- for myself.

I’m planning another trip to Vermont- more than likely this coming weekend- since there were plenty of places I had wanted to stop this past Sunday but couldn’t because of time limitations. I’m looking forward to pumpkin and apple picking, snapping a few more photos, and of course grabbing some more maple cotton candy.

xx

A Sample of Summer…

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It’s been chilly and rainy outside for most of today, so to keep myself occupied (as well as warm and dry,) I’ve been going through some of my photos from this past Memorial Day weekend. The photos above were taken off of a sleepy, winding road in Rhode Island on Saturday. The house, which had caught my eye early last year when I drove by it after photographing another abandoned location- has been left to be claimed by the elements and the plants growing around and into it. The small barn/garage next to it, which had been standing the last time I’d seen it- has since buckled and somewhat caved in- presumably under the weight of all that snow we had this past Winter.

What I hadn’t noticed my last time in the area, however- was the old, abandoned bus-like vehicle tucked away in the woods across from the house- hidden behind some tall grass and trees. That was a pleasant surprise.

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On Memorial Day, I layered my most patriotic (and adorable) crop-top and headed up to Hampton Beach to kick off the 2014 Summer season with an afternoon by the sea. The actual boardwalk was a mob scene, with bumper to bumper traffic and pedestrians everywhere- so I headed North along the coast and found a nice little spot a few miles away where I could park my car, climb over the rocks, and have a peaceful and spectacular view of the water.

I know it feels like Spring only just got here not that long ago, but I’m already excited for Summer. I’m a total beach bunny at heart- and this past weekend was enough of a tease for me to want to go back and just dive right into the ocean instead of sitting on the rocks above it!

A Haunting in Connecticut…

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It’s no surprise that I find beauty in abandoned, decaying buildings. They’re what I typically photograph the most. When I stumble upon the most beautiful of forgotten structures, however- my appreciation is matched only by my sorrow that such a fine piece of architecture has been left to rot from the elements.

Such was the case yesterday while I was going for an aimless Sunday drive after running some errands. I somehow ended up in Thompson, Connecticut- where I found the above-pictured house near what I believe was the center of town. The empty and dilapidated building, which a little bit of research has taught me was formerly The Mason House (built in 1845,) is apparently up for demolition due to long-term neglect, which is a shame- considering how much potential it could have with the proper amount of attention and renovations.

I admired (see: fell in love with) The Mason House from the road, just beyond it’s broken and peeling white front gate- and would love to go back to take more photos when the last of the snow has melted. It’s a stunning building. It’s another one of those “I would love to turn this into an old fashioned and cozy inn/bed & breakfast” type of places.

Top 10 Photographs of 2013.

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In between visiting with family and friends during the holidays, working, and preparing for New Years- I’ve been drafting my “2013: In a Nutshell” post in my free time. For those who may not know, at the end of every month, I like to summarize said month, talk about any major events/turning points that took place, post any pictures that may not have initially made the cut when I blogged, write about the days to come, etc. My 2013 summary is a lot like that- but for the entire year, of course- including an assortment of news, pop culture, random tidbits and nonsense, etc.

I digress, to prepare- I’ve re-visited some of the photographs I snapped during 2013 (and there were a lot!) and wanted to create a post highlighting my Top 10 of the year and the stories behind them.

So without further ado,

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# 10: Dropkick Murphys, TD Garden (March 15th)

I took a shot of the heavily illuminated stage- and an enthusiastic fan- during the band’s annual series of Saint Patrick’s Day shows in March. The timing of this shot couldn’t have been any better, thanks in part to the guy in front of me who threw his arms up as I was snapping away while the band prepared to launch into a cover of AC/DC’s “TNT.”

This wasn’t my first Dropkick Murphys show of 2013, and it also wouldn’t be my last. I’d go on to see them perform a couple more times over the next few months- one concert in particular being especially poignant as it was a benefit for “The One Fund” to help those directly affected in the Boston Marathon Bombing.

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# 9: Ocean Beach, San Diego (September 27th)

This may not be the most complex photograph I’ve ever taken (I took it sitting down in the sand, after all,) but it’s one of my favorites from the year because it was taken during one of the most relaxing afternoons during one of my most relaxing vacations in recent memory. I was sitting in a small sliver of shade underneath the pier at Ocean Beach waiting for my friend Duncan to arrive while I listened to music and watched the surfers paddle out as the waves crashed in.

I could have stayed like that for hours. It was truly a little piece of paradise.

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# 8: Red Velvet Cupcakes with Salted Caramel Frosting (January 22nd)

If there was ever a photograph I wanted to eat, the above shot of surprise cupcakes, a combination of two of my favorite flavors, that my family concocted and made for my birthday would be it. This picture apparently received a lot of attention on Pinterest among foodies and dessert-enthusiasts, which is pretty cool- but I especially liked it because it was a (delicious) reminder of how wonderful my relatives are and the effort they put into giving me a fun (and again, delicious,) surprise.

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# 7: Photobombing Norman Reedus in NYC (June 29th)

I can’t take credit for this photo, since I simply posed and a woman at Wizard World NYC caught the moment with her camera- but it’s still one of the best pictures I have from the event, and the year- although definitely not the most flattering. Norman Reedus, of “The Walking Dead” and “Boondock Saints” fame, is also a notorious photobomber. Having seen countless photos of fans simply standing beside him and looking timid or giddy, I decided to liven things up.

I gave Norman a heads up when we got ready to pose in front of the hilariously awkward K-Mart style backdrop, and he was an incredibly good sport and enthusiastic participant to the shenanigans. He’s a genuinely cool guy.

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# 6: Mick Jagger, TD Garden (June 14th)

Winning Rolling Stones tickets was a dream come true that I’m still pinching myself about since I can’t believe it actually happened. To be able to see the man, the myth, the legend- Mick Jagger- sashay, dance, and kick his way around the stage- performing all the songs I grew up with and love so, so much- was beyond surreal. I took this shot in between cheering myself hoarse and singing along at the top of my lungs- and it’s an incredible memento to have in my collection of concert pictures from throughout the years.

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# 5: Autumn Shade, Winsor Dam (October 5th)

During one of my countless weekend drives, I had stopped in Western Massachusetts to take in the fresh air and beautiful fall foliage. It was during a long walk over the Winsor Dam in Ware/Belchertown when I saw the sun shining through this tree, in the midst of the transition from Summer to Fall- hanging over and shedding it’s leaves onto an unoccupied picnic table. I grabbed my camera, and the result is something I am really quite pleased with.

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# 4: Great Gatsby Lawn Party at the Crane Estate (July 21st)

This is another photo I didn’t take myself (Sean helped!) but I loved it, even if it’s considered a “selfie.” We had considered taking this picture in black & white or sepia, to give it a more authentic “old time” feel, but in the end I’m glad we decided to keep the photo in it’s full color. The bright red of my hair and lipstick pales in comparison to the Crane Estate, surrounded by other attendees and the greenest grass I’d ever seen, looming in the background.

It was a beautiful party, and I’m glad I have this photo to remember it by.

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# 3: Cliff Walk, Newport (December 22nd)

This is one of the most recent photographs I’ve taken (from a day trip this past Sunday,) but it’s one of the most beautiful, in my opinion. The ocean has always been a place of refuge for me. It can be calming or exciting, perfect to sit and watch in any mood or mind set. On this particular day, it was wild- with waves crashing against the rocks while I strolled Cliff Walk. I took this photo of the water breaking against and inside a small cave within the cliff while some of the Newport Mansions are peeking through the fog in the background.

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# 2: The Day After, Boston (April 20th)

At a glance, this photo isn’t anything extraordinary- there’s probably hundreds out there just like this- but to me- the date it was taken and the frame of mind myself and many others were in is what makes this photo so important to me. Shot hours after Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, one of the two Boston Marathon Bombers, was taken into custody- I snapped this photo by the reflecting pool while heading out to brunch with a friend. The sun was shining, there wasn’t a cloud in the sky, and everyone I saw or spoke to that day seemed to be in good spirits.

The city of Boston has never looked more beautiful to me than it did that day, and in this photograph.

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# 1: Medfield State Hospital (January 26th)

And finally, my favorite photograph. Something I captured that I am still, and will remain, very fond of. Taken on one of the coldest days of the year at the abandoned Medfield State Hospital, I was rounding one of the wards when I spotted this dilapidated bench with a tree growing through it. Although I am very pleased with every shot I took that day- this one is my favorite. I know there’s a metaphor in it somewhere, like “life continues through destruction and decay,” or something poetic like that- but I just thought this picture was neat. The snow, the boarded up building in the background, the fence. Every part of it.

I hope to go back someday in warmer weather and see the tree in bloom- still growing through the bench.

And there they are, my top 10 photographs from 2013. It was a hard decision to make, limiting all of my pictures I took down to just ten- but I think it’s a good compilation. All of the photos posted have fun or meaningfulness to them.

I hope to be even more of a shutterbug in 2014 (and who knows- maybe double my list to a “top 20” this time next year?)