Thank You

I have so much to be thankful for.

As I type this from my iPhone, I am thankful that I am in a warm place and have all the things I need.

In addition to my basic needs, I wanted to take a moment to list some things I am thankful for. This is just a list from the top of my head right now and I know I am failing to list so many things. This is what I'm thankful for today.

I am thankful for:

- My Mother and family for understanding my traveling lifestyle and is supportive no matter what.

- My friends who reach out to me and make an effort even though I am out of sight.

- the amazing community I have met through photography.

- my partner in crime, Max. He keeps me smiling even during times when everything seems to fall apart.

- my ability to roam the country and do what I want on a moments notice.

- to all of the amazing women who have opened up and allowed me to photograph them for my series this year. Thank you Cat, Traci, Jamie, Cal, Carrie, Jo, Iowana, Shanta, Ariana, Carrie, Teri, Kari, Tyler, Kiki, Sam, Kathy, Brandy, Angie, Dian, Dani, Dani, Lara, Morgan, Natasha, Robin, Vicky, Laura, Susan, Sahar, Trish, Carolyn, Val, Cat, Kristin, K.J., Rebecca, Mimi, Karen and Jiela, thus far. You are all an inspiration to me.

- to the photographers, jurors, publishers and all the people who have wanted to feature my art in their publication, show, blog, in in their home.

- the airstream, camper, van, tent and travel community. Love your support and following your adventures on Facebook and Instagram.

- for art. Without you, life would be dull and meaningless.

- my sobriety. Life is so much more beautiful when I feel it all.

- to all of the strangers I've met on the road by chance. Thank you for allowing me to take your photograph.

- to the stranger I am going to meet today who invited me over for a Thanksgiving meal with her family.

- to the people who take the time to write me about their life or how a post or photograph of mine made them feel.

- Instagram. For the people I follow and who follow me. We're a strange bunch and I like it!

- to the amazing photographers who inspire me.

- for life lessons and experiences. The good, the bad, the hurt, the pleasure...feeling everything. An engagement with living.

- for the forgiveness of the people I forgot to mention on this blog.

- to you, reading this. Thank you. Thank you to all who have donated, offered your home or have pointed me in another direction, whether you know it or not.

Additionally:

-Aline Smithson for the continued support of my work and for the friendship.
-Heidi Lender - for being a virtual shoulder to cry on. It's nice to know another soul that wanders as I do.
- Christa Blackwood - for opening up your home to max and I, without even knowing us.
- Dan LeHouillier - for being my best friend for over 20 years. You always keep me laughing, even through texts when I'm away.
- Amy Carlton and Eugeine Frerichs for the opportunity
- Kristiana Spaulding - for the friendship and inspiration
- Rose Red - for always being there, no matter what
- Katy Chung - thank you for your friendship your generosity, and for always taking me in.
- Cat Carrel - for your friendship, through a lot of ups and downs.
- Rebecca Rebman - For calling me out, visiting me on the road, and pushing me in the right direction.
- Cal Phoenix - for being there and being open for all of my crazy ideas
- Traci & Jamie - thank you for your friendship, the laughs, being open to my shoots and for sticking with me through my crazies.
- Stu Schmal - for being you and for putting up with me all of these years.
- Brandy Trigueros - for your laugh and always putting a smile on my face
- Carrie Vandenberg - for reaching out
- Tanya Dubnicoff - for being the straw 4 1/2 years ago
- Ronnie White - for your words, art, hope and picking out max
- Beth Faherty - for your words of wisdom and a virtual ear when I need it most.
- max - if you could read, you would know how much I love you and how much complete strangers love you too.
- mom - I love you. Thank you for putting up with me for 42 years.

Happy Thanksgiving to you reading this! I am sure I forgot someone or something so my apologies in advance.

Here are some images from the last month that I am thankful for:

Xoxo
Love, Alison and Max

2013 Disney World Trip Report: Day 2, Part 2

EPCOT

After resting, we headed to Epcot. Our first stop was Test Track to use our FP+. This was the first time we've done the new Test Track (which was changed from its old GM test track theme in late Fall 2012). It was still a 20-30 minute wait with FP+.

My first complaint is that when they have you stand on the numbers outside of the car design room, they want two to three people to stand on a single number. This really confuses people, and everyone seemed to want to stand on different numbers. The CM then had to explain over and over that two/three people needed to stand on the SAME number. Which is impossible because the dots are small and they are close together. They really should put three number 5s on the ground or whatever so that everyone gets their own individual "dot" to stand on.

Rachel and I designed a car together, and my mom and dad did a car together. Rachel and I just clicked stuff, but my dad was trying really hard to make a good car.

 Here's ours:



I think we should've gotten some extra design points because the kids behind us thought it was awesome.



Yeah, we didn't really try for anything except a cool-looking car. Here is Dad's:



I didn't photograph his stats, but he won power for our group.

Something important to note is that you put the car on only one person's band, even though multiple people work together to customize it. If you want to race the car you designed, make sure you have the person who scanned their band to design the car scan your screen before getting in the ride vehicle. Otherwise, you'll be racing a generic car. Mom and Rachel both raced generic cars, and I found it funny that the generic cars won in efficiency against all of the customized ones. So if you want to win a category, I would suggest trying for efficiency because it seems to be the afterthought for most people (perhaps just because it's the last category you get to when designing the car).

I'm not crazy about the new Test Track design. What they lost when they redesigned it was humor and the "cute factor." The ride video to Test Track was one of my favorites ("Surprise tests?" "Yeah, surprise tests."). I feel like there wasn't a real story to the ride. My mom said that this new Test Track reminded her of the Epcot of the 80s when they were all about efficiency, design, and predicting the future.

What we did love are these picture stations with the cars after the ride. You could scan your Magic Band, and it would take three pictures of you with the car and email them to you. We had a little bit of fun...







After Test Track, we tasted some Coca Cola products from around the world because my mother likes to feel like she's getting something for free from Disney (I complained that the floors are already sticky....). We then used our FP+ for Soarin' - this is the first time EVER that I've been on the ride and people didn't start clapping as we began descending after the ride. Rachel and I both looked at eachother - "No clapping???" And then a few people started clapping once we landed. It was weird. Maybe Soarin's magic is beginning to fade. I still dig it, though.

I like to poke a little fun at my dad (don't worry - he pokes just as much fun back!)....



He stops us outside the Imagination Pavilion. "Girls - LOOK! The water is going the wrong way!!!" "Dad - you've been to Epcot HOW MANY TIMES? And you JUST NOTICED that the water is going the opposite way????"

Food and Wine Festival



We circled the lagoon counter-clockwise, starting with Greece. Mom, Dad, and I got the chicken gyro, and Rachel tried the "taste of Greece."





We got Dragonberry Coladas at the Refreshment Port (last year, they were at the Caribbean stand, but the Caribbean wasn't represented this year).



Made our way to France. Unfortunately, they didn't have any of the pink, sparkling Grey Goose vodka drink they sold for $15 last year. I was disappointed



Rachel and I met Sleeping Beauty.



Instead opted for the Eiffel Sour Cosmo Slush from France.





Dad got beer from Japan. Don't ask me what kind.



We wanted our photo taken at the American Pavilion because Rachel and I were both wearing our American flag shorts. Dad tried...







And then Mom goes, "Ohhhhh.... this is cute because you both have on patriotic shorts!"



You go, Dad! Drink your Japanese beer in America, you hipster, you!

Mom learned that The Manhattan Transfer was performing and wanted to watch. Dad got American beer for the show, but I wanted wine. I just didn't feel right spending $7 on a glass of Sutter Home Pinot Grigio which I buy from the grocery store at $12 a bottle, so I went to Italy for prosecco.



Dad was disappointed that The Manhattan Transfer didn't perform any of their own songs. My mom thought they were trying to set the mood for Food & Wine, and that's why.





Rachel and I went ahead. We stopped at Poland of all places, and we tried the Zapiekanki (toasted mushroom) which Rachel loved.

We then realized we should go ahead and claim a fireworks spot. I had brought my tripod with me and wanted to take photos. We found a spot on the Future World side which we've actually stood near before.





A few of my favorite Illuminations shots -

Magic Kingdom

And the party wasn't over, yet. Epcot was closing, but we decided to take the monorail over to Magic Kingdom to get in some New Fantasyland attractions tonight.

We caught the end of the parade, so we just joined in!





We followed the parade to the castle, then made a bee-line for Dumbo!







After Dumbo, we went on Voyage of the Little Mermaid and then ate a cinnamon roll from Gaston's Tavern. What a night!