LA Photo Diary/Week Recap

Leaving for LA selfie.

LA.

Got my thigh piece finished a couple weeks ago. Thanks Andrew Thaxter!

Instax shots while hanging out with Courtney.

Lacey and I in Venice.

Grapevine clouds.

Proofs from my shoot with Courtney. Stay tuned for these.

Lacey's dog, Char.

The Chain Gang of 1974

I spent a few days in LA last week, and I must say, it was probably the best trip down there ever. I got to spend a lot of time with one of my closest friends, Lacey. I went down Wednesday, during which we hung out at Venice beach and went out to dinner with another friend. Thursday, I spent part of the day with my girl Courtney, whom I ended up shooting with in Echo Park. Stay tuned for those photos soon. Went at ate at Two Boots Pizza, browsed Origami Vinyl, explored a bookstore, and talked about boys (how typical). It was a really fun afternoon. Afterward, I headed down to the Slidebar in Fullerton to see The Chain Gang of 1974 for the first time in nearly six years. Kam has come a long way since I last saw him play, and I must say, I was impressed. They just released their new album, Daydream Forever, about a month ago now, so if you haven't already, give it a listen and pick it up. Btw, thanks, Kam, for the records!

Friday I ran errands with Lacey the majority of the day, and helped her pack up her apartment for her move to Glendale. It actually rained a good majority of the day, which was sort of a pain in the ass running errands, but I always enjoy the rain nonetheless. Friday night we decided to head to The Echo to see Chain Gang play (again, for me). I thought they'd be something Lacey was into, and I sure am glad I was right.

I'm afraid I may have fallen in love with Los Angeles, and if any of you really know me, know how incredibly weird that is coming for me. I guess this trip gave me a new perspective on the city. I met so many rad people this time around, and it was nothing but good vibes the whole time. So, thanks to everyone I spent time with this time around. Until next time.

P.S. - Here is The Chain Gang of 1974's song of their new record that also appears on the Grand Theft Auto V soundtrack.

xo

Maddie

InstaUpdate

Little Cat's face in this is ridiculous.

First selfie with my new iPhone 5s. lol

Hrvrd!

Little Cat sitting upright in my lap... What a weirdo.

Finally got my leopard shark leg piece colored in! Thanks to J Esparza

Finally got some rain, and then fog the next morning.

Sunset.

Megan and I!

I have so busy lately. Started a new job (which so far I am loving). It just tends to create a problem with trying to take outfit photos, especially what with daylight savings and it getting dark so early now (I've always despised this). So, I figured I'd throw together a little Instagram update with some shots from the past week.

The highlights? First, I got my leg piece finished, and I am so so happy with how it came out. It's at that terribly itchy stage in the healing process now. Pretty sure that's the worst part ever. Then on Saturday, my best friend, Megan, and I went up to Walnut Creek to see our friends in Hrvrd and Night Verses play a show. Such great bands and fun guys. I'd seriously recommend checking them out. How are all you guys doing?

Here's Hrvrd's latest music video, to make it easy on ya all.

P.S. - Karmaloop is running a contest for a chance to model for them. I would be forever grateful if you guys would vote for me HERE!

Love you all!

xo

Maddie

InstUpdate

Gorgeous Fresno sunset.

Ready to take off for LA.

My sleeping situation while staying at my friend Lacey's for the night. Sleeping bag from third grade, no joke.

Spent way too much money here.

Went to see my friends in Wolves play at Cobalt Cafe.

Retaliating because Mike likes to take bad photos of me.

Stealing hats//Sean is metal even in his sleep.//Phinehas' new EP dropped today!

Truffles is glad to have her mama back home.

Spent the weekend down in SoCal to visit a couple of people close to me. Spent Saturday night and half of Sunday in LA with my lovely friend Lacey. Spent way too much money and ate too much food. Then Sunday night headed out to Canoga Park to see some friends at their show. After that, headed out to La Mirada to spend time with Sean. Which, by the way, his band, Phinehas' new EP, The Bridge Between, dropped today! Pick it up on iTunes here. Such genuine guys and genuine music. They're also heading out to record their next full length next month. 

This weekend did not work out anywhere near how I wanted it to. It was honestly more stressful than anything. Panic attacks a good majority of Sunday, and just a lot of us were pretty stressed out about things. But regardless, I'm glad I got to spend some time with the people I did. It's a whole lot better than nothing, and for that, I am grateful.

There has been so much going on the past couple months. I feel like some things are falling apart, other I am completely clueless on, and I think a lot of us have forgotten what we stand for and why we're even here to begin with. I've noticed some huge changes within myself the past month or so. I've gotten a whole lot closer to God. I'm starting to grow up and mature a lot. I realized how prideful I am, and gave that up. I know what I want, what I need to be. I need to learn to be at peace with my current situation, and trust that things will work out the way they are supposed to in God's timing. I need to slow down my though process. I overthink and overanalyze, and I forget that I can't read minds. I always assume things, when really, I forget I have no idea what other people are thinking and feeling. I stress myself out more than need be. It's almost an obsessive thought process. I need to work on this. Worrying and stressing myself out isn't going to do me or anyone else any good. Perhaps I've done all I can for right now, and need to accept that. Maybe it's not my turn to make the next move. Maybe I need to wait things out, and let them happen on their own. All of this is very hard for me to do. I don't like not being able to be in control. Uncertainty scares me. But I can't really do anything about that, except trust that God knows what's He's doing. Things will work out one way or another. He's watching over me and taking care of me. I need to remember this more than ever, and quit breaking myself down like I have been. It's a problem. 

Prayers and positive thoughts are more than welcome.

xo

Maddie

Kuppajoe & The Fresno Music Scene

As you all know, I've been working at a local venue for about four years now. A few weeks ago, an art student living in San Francisco, Amanda Ramirez, interviewed some of us Fresno locals, asking us about the state of the Fresno music scene and what could be done to improve it. I was one of the one to get interviewed. Above are some screenshots from the video interview, and you can check out the actual video here. 

Check it out and let me know what you think! Help make a difference in your own local music community. Music is one of the few things that can bring people together, and there is nothing greater than being in a room surrounded by live music. 

xo

Maddie

P.S. I finally made a Facebook page, be sure to click like here.