HBO’s newest show, Bored to Death, is entertaining, funny and has a brilliant intro. The intro has not only a great concept, but excellent execution as well.

First, let me explain what the show is about. Jonathan, a pothead writer who drinks too much white wine, just went through a bad break-up with his girlfriend (she broke up with him for smoking and drinking too much). While down in the dumps, he places an ad on Craig’s List as a non-licensed private detective. See, Jonathan reads a lot of detective books and he wants to be a hero, like the ones from his private detective novels.

The intro features a detective novel, which is opened to a page of regular text. The text moves and morphs into illustrations. When the illustrations (made of text) walk or move, words are left behind. I watched the intro frame by frame in order to capture the photos below, and in doing this, learned the deeper meaning embedded. The words that are left behind when the people move are descriptive words about that character.

For example, words to describe the main character Jonathan are: pothead, alcoholic, dreamer, pathetic, bored, books, merlot, etc. See the still shots below.

Tune in to HBO on Sunday nights at 9:30 (check your local listings).

I took 536 photographs in 3 days up north (not counting the day I photographed a wedding with Jesse. Nor the 36 exposure roll of film). So, as you can imagine, it was difficult to narrow in on 16 to share. Enjoy!

The Gate sculpture reflecting in binoculars at the Thompson Hill Visitors Center

Plaque with missing information on Duluth's lake walk. Lighthouse in the distance. Autumn colors (where you least expect it!) and great texture.

Grasshopper in the garden at Glensheen Mansion

The sugar maples were starting to show their colors! Oberg Mountain near Lutsen, MN

I took lots of photos of fungus on this trip. I love the soft texture along with dew-like secretions. Oberg Mountain

I enjoyed seeing the autumn transformation in progress! Lots of green and lots of red. Oberg Mountain

Another mushroom. Like the vertical lines. Oberg Mountain

Pattern! Repetition!! Plus bright green. Oberg Mountain

Lichens on tree, fall color. Oberg Mountain

Basalt, lichens, fall colors. Tofte, MN

Loving the color of this possibly dying pine tree. Carlton Peak

Common Tansy flowers with Beaver River in background

Taconite Beach in Silver Bay, MN

Submerged leaf in Split Rock River

Coral-like fungus growing on log. Split Rock River Trail

Lake Superior near the French River at sunset

This photograph was taken last Thursday. I was walking into the Minnesota History Center for a lecture, turned around, and saw this. Amazing. I love rainbows!

This past weekend, I spent some time on the North Shore. On the way up north, I stopped in Duluth to eat lunch, walk the lake and tour the amazing Glensheen Mansion—estate of the Congdon’s. I absolutely love seeing historic places like this. The home is really well preserved, with original wall coverings, light fixtures, rugs, furniture and art. The home was decorated in the styles of Art Nouveau and Craftsman. It was fun to imagine what it must have been like to live in this grand home 100 years ago.

Glensheen Mansion—Photo courtesy of Jesse Valley Photography

One of the things that I found most interesting about the home was the symbolism the family used in decorating. The entrance features hand-carved wood, with scrolls and columns, symbolic of scholars—and the Congdons certainly were. The lions on the light fixture represent wealth and power. And the pineapples placed throughout the home represent hospitality. Pineapples are found on an entryway light and on the bedposts of the guest suites. The master bedroom featured a simple motif of pomegranates—representing marriage and fertility.

Carriage House of the Glensheen Mansion—Photo courtesy of Jesse Valley Photography

After seeing the symbolism in the 100 year old mansion, I got to thinking about symbolism today. We definitely don’t use symbolism in the same way now as it was used back then. If I put pineapple designs in the entryway of my home, no one would know that it meant we are hospitable. But back then, 100 years ago, these symbols translated to everyone.

Our current library of symbols seems much less romantic and poetic than lions, scrolls and fruit. Today, people’s lives are marked with the symbols of brands like Lexus (if we are lucky).

Logos are the status symbols of today. What does the brand of your car/jeans/shoes say about you?

Last night I attended a lecture by the editor and designer of Communication Arts Magazine, Patrick Coyne. He gave a general overview of the history of the magazine and showed some of the work featured over the years.

Two things I took away from the lecture:

1. As professional designers, we need to maintain our craft. Everything from conceptual thinking to producing perfect color on the press, plus everything in between, should be carefully considered.
2. One of the last things Patrick said was the strongest in his entire lecture. He said, “Thank God we haven’t figured out how to automate creativity.”

Summer is nearing its end—but it isn’t over. Fall is to come—soon—but not yet. The one constant in our lives is change. We’ve all experienced change in life that happens too quickly—overnight or in the blink of an eye. So it’s nice when life gives us in-between moments—transitions which cue the change that is to come.

Many people are in denial that fall is coming, even though I can point to the signs. The days are getting shorter. Leaves on trees aren’t as deep and dark of a green anymore, the leaves are changing to a lighter, brighter green preparing for the change to yellow and amber. Trees and plants are halting the production of chlorophyll due to cooler temperatures and less hours of sunlight, meaning the ever present red, yellow and blue pigments are shining through. And though the signs of fall are starting to show, summer just won’t quit! Flowers are in bloom, with wild and vibrant colors. The grass is green and as long as the sun is shining, kids are still running around in shorts and tees.

Which is why I am loving the photo I took on Friday. It shows amazing contrasts, bright blooms and umber colored, crunchy leaves. I love the juxtaposition of these elements!

I was in college at Winona State University. I went to the student union to meet a friend for breakfast. I walked into the union and I could feel something was off. It was quiet. All the TVs were showing a skyscraper with a plane crashing into it. My first thought was it was a promotion for a new film. That’s when I found out what happened.

I can remember calling my mom, because she worked in downtown Minneapolis, wanting to make sure she was safe. Physically, I felt safe in Winona, MN—small town USA—yet I was frightened. I couldn’t believe something this awful could happen. My thoughts were a whirlwind.

So today I write with a tribute to the fire fighters, police officers, to those who helped out and didn’t flee, to those who lost their lives. I will never forget you.

Please leave a note in the comments: Where were you eight years ago today? Share your thoughts from then and now.

Jesse and I have a few Minnesota State Fair rituals.

1. View the Art Show
2. Go to the birthing barn
3. Eat fried pickles & drink beer-garita
4. Eat Vescio’s italian dipper (toasted garlic bread w/ pepperoni, cheese and red sauce dipper)
5. Take photo in old school photo booth in the arcade.

We’ve gone to the past seven State Fairs together. We’ve had our photo taken in the photo booth all seven years. This is the first year that the photo didn’t turn out on the first try. The combination of a bad concept (let me rephrase, good concept, wrong medium) with blinking eyes equals bad state fair photo. So we had re-takes for the first time ever (with much better results the second time).

For the first time ever, we rode the sky ride—the one that is open air, like a chair lift. Loved it. Will have to add that to our state fair tradition list. Here are some state fair photos (and two bonus shots from this week).

Bonus shot #1: St Paul. This is what I call "light graffiti." The sun is reflecting off the windows of the adjacent building, reflecting these lovely, squiggly designs.

Bonus shot #2: Back-lit plants.

And finally, our successful photo booth re-takes. Zoolander blue steel. That's hot.

Some people have a busy time of year. Others float on free time. Me—well—I’m in a constant flurry of busy. Why? I think it is just a part of who I am. And though I try to jam pack everything into my life, there is a point of overflow—the point at which nothing else will fit. I reached that point today.

It started as a simple business question from my husband while we ate dinner. That’s when I realized I was at capacity. My heart rate quickened. I lashed out and blamed him for adding stress to my life (when he all he did was ask a perfectly harmless question). My brain—and to-do list—were at capacity but I didn’t realize until I tried to pour just one more thing on top.

Generally, I make “to do” lists to manage the revolving door of never ending things to do. But at times having a “to do” list can be too overwhelming.

How do you cope with stress? How do you manage your to-do list? Share your thoughts in the comments!