Je suis Mélissa

Je partage comment je vois. Sharing what I see. Photographe amateur. My life catalagued here by framing what matters. More at melissa-anderson.com

[andersonmelissajean]

I’ve been attracted to this photo lately.  I think it’s because of the symbolism (also because this was my favorite outfit and you looks so handsome in it).  You are walking away.  Makes me think about how you are walking out of this life.  I hope you prove me wrong and wake up and recover.

I took this picture on the last trip we took together.  We went to Carrizo Plains.  We took my car on the backcountry roads to enjoy the ride.  It was a really good time.  I didn't make a good decision and turned down a BAD road.  I got my car stuck in an old dried up creek.  (yes I had that much confidence in my freaking dodge intreped).  We had to literally dig out my car with our hands and whatever I had in my trunk.  Yes, we were frustrated at first and MILES away from anyone or even a paved road, but we got it out and I remember the joy and high from that.  

[andersonmelissajean]

I remember the first time seeing you.  I was on an upper balcony and you were in the space below.   You made it upstairs, and we started talking.  I remember my first feelings of you that you were a genuine gentle person.  

[andersonmelissajean]

I worked downtown, and we would meet up after work several times and just bike around.  We went almost everywhere including the LA river one time. 

[andersonmelissajean]

This was our place in DTLA.  An old warehouse that was rented as units.  We had great big windows which I placed many plants in front of so we had a nice garden on the inside.  Someone in the building put a trampoline on the roof which made the place that much more epic. 

[andersonmelissajean]

I was the one that played soccer. We went to a soccer event that had a goal making challenge, and you won first place!  Not surprising because you were athletic and quick.  It was surprising because there were like 10 other ppl and they all played, but you hadn’t played in 10 fucking years and won first place. 

[andersonmelissajean]

Hidden Springs.  Epic hike.  This was the first hike we went on.  You said it was a test to see if I was cool enough or not.  I passed. (loved the blue hair)

[andersonmelissajean]

One roadtrip we had to sleep in my car because we couldn’t make it to the camping spot in time.  These are the pictures from the morning.  I remember laughing at how silly the situation was.

[andersonmelissajean]

The most epic hike we went on.  We TOTALLY underestimated how physically draining it would be.  It was like a straight vertical hike for a solid mile.  At the end, we both agreed that it was totally worth it.  We did have to stop every 200 ft on the way up though. I always made you bring bear protection because I was so scared of getting attacked by one.

[andersonmelissajean]

Everything will be okay.  The sticker on the back of your truck. 

[andersonmelissajean]

The memory that I remember best from Joshua Tree was us just climbing through the rocks.  We made jokes that we were being lizards out in the desert.  We took a couple photos of us being lizards soaking up the sun. #lizarding

[andersonmelissajean]

This was our favorite camping spot in Kings Canyon.  We would pitch our tent at the top left flat rock next to the waterfall in this picture.  We found this place on accident because we were adventurous to go off the beaten trail to find this.  I remember you feeling very proud of yourself.  We went back one other time.  The second pictures is from the same trip and TOTALLY speaks to your personality.  Goofball but very practical in the heat. 

[andersonmelissajean]

When we went out to Santa Fe for Thanksgiving to see my family, we stopped by a couple of caves in Arizona on the way back.  This was our favorite because it was remote and noone else was there.  It was a bit of a challenge to find it but was amazing once we were inside.  I remember the happiness and joy once we got out because we felt really accomplished on finding this gem.  We had a good time afterward cruising down the country road talking about it while the sun was setting. 

[andersonmelissajean]

We went on many road trips.  I loved listening to the podcasts about conspiracy theories which you would find.  Also I loved this cat and we would mimic it often. 

[andersonmelissajean]

We both were athletic and competitive and bowling was a nice neutral ground.  I would always win the first round and you would always win the second.  We definitely never threw a game to please the other person. 

[andersonmelissajean]

You were a very good shooter, and we loved going to shoot skeet.  I definitely gave you a running for your money, but you always won. 

[andersonmelissajean]

you made me very happy and laugh very hard. 

[andersonmelissajean]

We were traveling and this was taken at an airport while waiting for our plane.  You wanted to wear masks to freak out other people.  We would pretend to cough and be sick.  Such a creative deviant!