Working from Home

Working From Home from Daniel Miller on Vimeo.

Work = coffee cups, computers, books, paper, printing photos, cd's and a cute something to steal your chair.

The last portrait of December

That time I ruined Christmas

After a lovely Christmas Eve dinner with friends I played Santa and set the stage for the baby to see in the morning. Cookies and milk were left with carrots for the reindeer. We all went to sleep, sugar plums dancing in our heads.

Early the next morning Penn came bounding onto the bed as expected. Daniel got up with him first and we decided to do coffee and breakfast before the Great Unwrapping.

The last slice of blueberry french toast was done, I set it on the plate and went for a Tums. I suddenly didn't feel so good. I thought about lying on the bed, but not wanting to delay the present opening any longer, decided to just sit down for a second right where I was standing in between the refrigerator and the kitchen island.

And that's about all I remember for a bit. Apparently Daniel spoke to me but I "wasn't there." Then there was this weird part where 15% of me was here, just enough to know that I couldn't see or move or blink or talk and I didn't really know where I was. I felt rather numb and stiff, like my body was stretched tight, nailed to the floor and my innards filled with warm concrete.

My vision came back and I was conveniently looking out of the skylight at birds going by. Daniel was on the phone with 911. My arm was in the air and he put it down. I moved my hand on my own to touch my pants because I felt like I was naked. An ambulance was coming. Daniel told me he loved me a lot. And I remember telling him to keep touching me because the more he touched my face the more my body was coming back to the world.


Then I was strapped to a gurney and in an ambulance and headed to Presbyterian. More poking and prodding and hooked up with the things you see in the photo above to something that resembled jumper cables that poked through the front of my hospital gown making me look ever so bionic.

I was still nauseous and dizzy and they gave Phenergan which pretty much did me in for the next 24 hours. I turned down dose number two. There was a CAT scan. There were x-rays of this and that and waiting. The doctor said they were going to admit me to the hospital.

HAVE I MENTIONED THAT I HAVEN'T EATEN SINCE THAT AMAZING CHRISTMAS EVE DINNER THE NIGHT BEFORE? I was so hungry I cried ---no, I sobbed into the wires hanging out of my hospital gown with the ugly cry face and everything. I was that hungry. Daniel scored a snack mix from a vending machine.

The neurologist hammered on my joints and made me do some exercises and seemed to think I checked out more than the other doctor. I saw the team through the door. The team that wanted to put me away for the next 24 hours and do ECG things. But I turned them down and checked myself out.

We don't know what happened, only that this is the first fainting or seizure-like episode I have ever had. It might have been the scariest feeling I've ever had. But I feel fine now that the drug they gave me wore off. We came away with the word Syncope.

Daniel is fantastically amazing and I cannot possibly say that enough. He's taken care of everything from start to finish with attention and love and patience. He remains quite heroic in his efforts to heal me and keep me seated and still and safe. He says others have sent their love and offers to help and I thank and appreciate all of you so much.

I feel seriously crappy about ruining our Christmas. I mean, there are 364 other days in the year that would be more acceptable to take over with a health scare. I had to go and do it on CHRISTMAS MORNING, THE MOST SACRED OF ALL DAYS TODDLER.

No worries now. I'm feeling much better now and am going to take it easy for the next couple of days.

Daniel blogged about it here.

Consider this your Christmas Card

The holidays are finally here
and the Byers-Smith-Miller's
have had a great year!

We've rented a house
and kept it empty enough.
We're not the type
who like too much stuff.

But we've squeezed in a ton
of invisible gear.
Like love and gratitude
and happy and cheer.

There are six, counting pets,
to make up the pack.
And it's being a family
for which we have a real knack.

Daniel works downtown
and makes the web flutter.
Carissa is still freelance
and pushing the shutter.

Penn is five years old
and currently wearing a pout
because he made a mess
and mom put him in time out.

Those are the typical tasks
we do every day.
We really wish we had
more time to just play.

08 is almost over.
We welcome all that's new
and try not to forget
where we've been is where we grew.

Hugs and kisses, friends and family!
We love and hold you dear.
We hope that your holiday
is perfect and sincere.

Christmas is coming

Christmas is coming. We have our first real tree!

This year we're going to do something special for Christmas Eve. A dinner menu that, so far, consists of Four Cheese Lasagna and pan seared asparagus and maybe pumpkin pie for desert. Then we're going to open the "Family Gift" which involves hooking something really fun up to the television and maybe bowling in the living room.

We would like to you to join us! We know that most will be out of town or with family, but if you're one of the few that would enjoy a typical night of comradeship at the Byers-Smith-Miller abode, we welcome you.

Just let me know.

I express myself in Metaphor

Me: Do you agree to jump up one time on the count of 3 in return for the most amazing experience a human being could ever hope to have?

Him: (eagerly) Yes.
Me: Okay, sign here.

Signs in front of judge. President of the United States, Gandhi and Mother Theresa sign as witness. Document is notarized.

Me: Ready? 1, 2, 3.....

He pulls live smurfs out of his pocket and tosses them at my head. Then cheeze wiz comes out of his butt and he is propelled away. As he rockets across the sky in a gooey orange streak of glory he yells,

"But I don't think that's really fair or legally binding!"

Thirty

I've never done anything really nice for my birthday. And just this once, for the big three-oh, I wanted it to be special. Don't get me wrong, last year was special. But this year I was convinced that my birthday was important to no one. I was convinced it would be mediocre and just another day.

I have never been more wrong. My thirtieth birthday may be the best day I will ever have. Daniel Miller is full of surprises and I promise to never doubt him again.

First, my dad showed up unexpectedly (to me) on my doorstep. Instead of welcoming him in I demanded to know why he didn't call! He ignored my questions and told me I better pack a bag for two days because the car would be here to pick me up in an hour.


The car took me to the Cohabitat party where Daniel was the entertainment.


Then to the Magnolia Hotel which oozes all things that feel good.


And I got my second bouquet of flowers this week.

He had reservations at the Dallas Fish Market and let me assure you that YOU HAVE NOT EATEN UNTIL YOU HAVE EATEN AT THE DALLAS FISH MARKET. I didn't take the camera, because that's rather obnoxious, but kind of wish I had now. I had a plate of Alaskan King Crab, sauteed spinach and garlic orozo. Pretty much my three favorite foods all prepared to absolute perfection and all on one plate with a glass of reallyreallyreallygood red.

Then a cheese plate and a cognac for Daniel. Cheese so good we sat back, closed our eyes and enjoyed the symphony of our heads exploding. Cheese so good we will never be able to explain to you how good but will never stop trying.

We ordered a cheesecake to take back to the hotel.

It was the best (and most expensive) meal I have ever had in my entire life. Nothing has tasted good since.

And did Daniel stop there? OH NO HE DID NOT. After a blissful night in the huge comfy bed and sleeping in I woke up and gathered brekky from downstairs to take to the room and some Advil to kill the cognac's morning headache AND THEN TWO MASSEUSES CAME TO OUR ROOM AND MASSAGED US FOR AN HOUR. After which we happily fell right back to sleep.


Then we went to the Polyphonic Spree Chirstmas Extravaganza show with my dad and Penn. We had decided against the show when tickets first went on sale because it was too expensive. But Daniel treated all four of us for my birthday!


There were animals and music and goodie bags and Penn had a panic attack over the potential for balloons to fall on his head. Penn might have been too tired and cranky but I still enjoyed spending time with him and my dad on the weekend.

More food then back to the hotel.


The next evening we bought our first real Christmas tree and that evening Daniel sang happy birthday to me at White Rock Coffee and Mary served me cheesecake with a lighter to blow out.

But there is nothing to wish for. Thirty is good. Even better, this was the most extravagant birthday I have ever had. Far more than I would have ever expected to deserve, even if I had expected anything at all. I can't believe I am so lucky to be living this life with such an amazing partner and family. Not just amazing, but perfect. To every other woman before me who broke his heart, WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?!

So thank you to Daniel for making me a thirty year old princess for a weekend and lavishing me in celebratory experiences. Thank you to my dad who drove a long way and had flats on both ends of his trip and worked really hard being such a good dad and papa. And thank you to everyone else who helped.

I am forever grateful.

Surprise

The email I just sent:

Dear everyone,

I was listening to my nine new voice mails when my father showed up on my doorstep and I've just been informed that I have less than an hour now to pack a bag and be ready for "the car" to pick me up.

You see, it's my 30th birthday this weekend. And apparently Daniel Miller can add secret-keeper to his very long list of bests. I don't have the slightest clue what's going on, but whatever deadline I told you, we're going to have to push that back a day.

Apologies. The past two weeks have been overflowing with news and work and things to contend with and I'm lagging on return calls and emails.

Just let me get back from wherever I'm going and we'll have a grand time of getting all of your photos to you!

Kindest Regards,
Carissa Byers

Penn

Penn, originally uploaded by carissabyers.

Dance

Shooting Texas Ballet Theater, originally uploaded by carissabyers.

Tonight I shot the Texas Ballet Theater for Advocate Magazine. With Penn in tow, par usual.

The loveliest part, aside from the beautiful dancing, was when the instructor went on for a minute about what a well behaved boy I had. He won more points with her when he drew a really good photo of a dancer. I put it in my pocket but somehow it didn't make it home with me.

So disappointed. I'm starting to have him draw a photo of whatever I'm shooting when we're at work. It's turning into a nice collection. I'd love to see his drawn version paired with my actual photos someday.

Music

Daniel practicing, originally uploaded by carissabyers.

...for my own entertainment

Art Conspiracy Four

Art Conspiracy Four threw down in an old warehouse last night. For those of you not in the loop, artists gather together and make a piece on an 18x18 board in only 24 hours. The next day the art is auctioned off starting at $20 and the money goes to charity. Local bands take the stage, you'll find something to drink somewhere and probably a couple of other fun things to keep you occupied.

Last night $28,000 was raised for a good cause. Amazing!

I remember Art Con I (flashback 1, and 2)when the rules were made up as you went and, although a huge crowd, I knew most of the people there.

Now Art Conspiracy has outgrown my social network britches, so to speak!

My piece (pictured above) sold for $265. I wanted to shake the hand of the winning bidder, but couldn't get to the front of the crowd in time. Thank you, whoever you are! Daniel's piece sold for $100.

the biggest crowd we've had yet #artcon4, originally uploaded by Jason Eric Roberts.

Jason Roberts, one of the Art Con masterminds, blogs about it here.

Annual Portrait Special

I'm racking up on cute photos of adorable children as the Annual Portrait Special continues. There are still slots open on the 8th!

Art Conspiracy 2008 Preliminary Pieces

I had a couple of ideas in my head for my Art Conspiracy piece this year. Here are some outtakes from "Communication."

Mark your calendars, 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, December 6th at 3011 Gulden Lane, Dallas, Texas 75212.

Light Test Kid

Penn Holiday, originally uploaded by carissabyers.

"Can you come over here with the santa hat?"

"Are you going to do a light test?"

Happy Birthday Penn

No mother has to tell you how much they adore their children. But, we can't help it. I love him. Adore him. He is the sweetest most perfect little man I could have ever given life to. And now he's five.

With the few children we know being out of town for the holidays we were left predicting a slim toddler crowd. So I thought that an "entertainer" of some sorts would be neat, even if performing for only the birthday boy and his family. That slim toddler crowd ended up being zero. Luckily, the "entertainer" brought his five year old!

He was rather fabulous and despite only being paid for his hour, he stayed three and will be attending our next brunch. With balloons, he says.

I made vegetarian burritos and put out some veggies, fruit and chips. Penn and I stayed up late the night before making cupcakes.

The family he cares about most were there along with a few of our friends. He got more for his birthday than he got for Christmas last year. He got presents mailed from Daniel's family all the way from Pennsylvania and Florida. My silly string present was a messy success.

So Happy Birthday, Penn. You are beautiful and amazing and I don't know what I'd do without you. I love you more than anything.

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