A couple weekends ago I did some engagement shots for my friend Bbora and her fiancé Minh. I met Bbora donkey’s years ago, while I was still in high school. I went to an all male Catholic school which her brother was attending, and while visiting his house, met Bbora.

I remember her first words to me… after learning my name is Alex, she said something along the lines of ‘Did you know you’re named after a bloodthirsty gay warlord?’ She was so young and precious then. I was obviously charmed, since we’ve been good friends, and at one point roommates, since.

A couple weeks ago, Cherise and I hit the waters of Newport Harbour. The vessel was Destiny, and the occasion was Albert and Junko’s wedding.

I’ve known Albert since 2001 or so, and he and Junko had been together long before that. I started playing violin that year, and enquired with the music department at UCI as to where I could find a teacher. They gave me Albert’s phone number, and it quickly became apparent that he was a bit of a screwball. Naturally, we hit it off pretty well.

On Tuesday, I met with Eric, Mary, and Matthew. This was something of a first for me, as I’d only met Eric before via Xanga, and I believe Eric and Matthew had never met face to face either. As we’re all avid photographers, we decided we couldn’t pass up the chance to meet when Eric came down to Southern CA for a few days.

Let me just caution to everyone- sandstone is slippery. It looks and feels solid. It isn’t. That is all.