Home

by aaron on June 4th, 2010

So Sebastian has started singing. (Notice how I haven’t updated my blog in six months, and I’m acting like that’s not the case? Classy, huh?) That’s a lie. He has always been a singer. But now that he’s learned a lot of words, his singing sounds very different. It’s very soft and sweet, with the makings of a real melody. And his songs scatter in sounds from real words, but not necessarily whole words. He especially likes to sing in the back seat of the car while we’re driving. I imagine that’s kind of like his version of singing in the shower. Last night after I picked him up from my mom, who s staying at our empty condo until she and my stepdad can rebuild their flooded house, we were driving through River Plantation, looking at some of the piles of trash that still haven’t been picked up yet after the flood. He was singing so sweetly and peacefully in the backseat, reminding me how lucky I am that I get to be his dad. It made me reflect on what a ride all of this has been (The flood, fatherhood, marriage, life in general) and it made me tear up, thinking that amidst all of this devastation, I’ve seen more humanity and giving out of people, my community, my friends and neighbors, my family, than I ever have in my life. I see more than ever that Home isn’t a building, it’s a feeling. It’s friends and family. It’s whatever and wherever you define it to be.

Help Portrait on CNN

by aaron on December 14th, 2009

Help-Portrait

by tinymusic on December 11th, 2009

This is what Michelle and I will be doing tomorrow. Our friend Jeremy started this movement and it has now spread to include more than 6500 photographers with events in 58 countries around the world. And we will be serving with our friend Kevin in Robertson County, taking photos. Feeling very excited, nervous, humbled, blessed. In less than 24 hours, people all around the world will be getting their photo taken for the very first time.

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The Rescuer

by aaron on August 27th, 2009

I was walking the dogs this afternoon, and as I was looking up at the telephone poles along Post Road, a memory hit me. Sometime around the age of ten or so I had figured out what i wanted to be, not when I grew up, but pretty much right then. I wanted to rescue people. I wanted to wear my camouflage pants, my calculator watch, my green beret, and probably my canteen, and I wanted to rescue people. From what, I’m not sure, but bad guys would probably be involved. My transportation mode of choice? I figured, not yet being able to drive, that I could get by with a long rope, lassoing it around the tops of trees, buildings, and telephone poles, swinging my way through the countryside like Spider-Man, ready to help whoever needed it.

Didn’t happen.

Happy Anniversary!

by aaron on August 12th, 2009

Eight years ago today I married my best friend. So much has changed since then, but I am so blessed to still be able to spend every day with Michelle. And of course having Sebo around reminds us of how amazingly lucky we are.

Here is a video of Sebo’s first ride on a carousel (with some brief cameos from our cousins Rachael and Emily): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1bREdZi3HvY

Lotta things

by aaron on August 7th, 2009

Family was in town last weekend from Ohio and we had a blast. Petted stingrays, which was crazy. Family in town this weekend from Missouri. Tomato art festival. Parties. Getting paintings ready to ship to a new gallery in California. Friend coming into town next weekend. 8 year anniversary on Wednesday. Sebo can climb the stairs and open the door in his room now.

Lotta things.

Hardee’s

by aaron on July 22nd, 2009

You know how there are those business locations that just can never seem to, well, stay in business? We have one of those in Bellevue. Actually we have a TON of those in Bellevue, but there’s this one place next to the McDonald’s that’s just never been able to maintain a decent tenant. For years Michelle and I have been saying it would be a GREAT place for a Baja Fresh. Well, they’ve flattened the lot and they are starting to build a Hardee’s. Now, while I’m a little happy about this, since the nearest Hardee’s (Carl’s Jr for all you West Coast people) is about 20-30 minutes away, I would have to say that Hardee’s is pretty much the mathematical opposite of Baja Fresh.

Oh well. There’s also an empty place on Hwy 70 where I think would make a great location for Bongo Java West. But I’m not holding my breath.

People

by aaron on July 12th, 2009

Check it out. Our friend, Jeremy “Photographer of the Stars” Cowart has a spread in the current issue of People magazine, covering his recent tour with Britney Spears. On newsstands now.

Two days old (one year later)

by aaron on June 12th, 2009

Sebastian, Two Days Old from Aaron Grayum on Vimeo.

Christopher joel

by tinymusic on June 11th, 2009

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Chris is a friend of mine and his first album came out in May and I forgot to say anything about it! It’s the first album that uses my photography on the cover. I designed it, so the drawings are also mine :) It’s really an amazing album. Click on the cover art, name your own price, and get the thing!