Tuesday, June 7, 2011

jb

Ordinarily I wouldn't post a blurry photo, but I don't want you to miss meeting jb from Mainz Daily Photo.

Being part of the San Gabriel Valley blogging community has brought me myriad blessings. Being part of the City Daily Photo community expands those blessings around the globe. I've made virtual friendships with bloggers worldwide. Meeting them in person is the grandest blessing of all.

jb recently spent two weeks in France where he and Mrs. jb met Nathalie from Avignon in Photos. He had a couple of busy days back in Germany, then he flew to Los Angeles. A 10-hour lay-over gave him time for a drive to Pasadena. I am not amazed that he and Mrs. jb have visited the Huntington Library and Gardens and the Norton Simon Museum, or that they have a friend who works at the local J. Crew.

We had coffee at Intelligentsia (his suggestion--he knows Pasadena pretty well). Then we walked a bit in Old Town and I took the photo for yesterday's post. (jb claims to have assisted and indeed, he gave moral support.) When we parted I headed home to work. jb was off to get a meal then back to LAX and a flight to New Zealand. In a later email he said last Thursday "will be forever missing" from his autobiography.

I'd trade a day of my autobiography for world travel. But I'm getting wistful.

I feel bad about giving you a blurry photo of this smart, funny, interesting, international man. (At his blog you will find examples of his wry sense of humor.) But I believe he shines through my bad photography and you can see who he is in spite of me.

jb and I have a deal. I'm posting my photo of him today and he's posting his photo of me. He took his picture with an iPhone. I took mine with a Canon 20D. I haven't seen his photo on the computer screen yet, but I believe it'll prove good photography is more about the photographer than the camera.

Here's an Old Town photo of a superfluous detail. Not blurry. Just to redeem myself.

24 comments:

jb said...

Yo! Luvu2. (Or something similar..)

dive said...

You get to meet some wonderful people through your DPP club, Petrea. Reading both your own and jb's posts about your meeting was great fun.

And thank you for the superfluous detail. I love that stuff.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, but they're totally stealing a campaign slogan I once worked on, I gotta stop living in the past!

Petrea Burchard said...

Likewise, jb. Your post is charming. I think there's another writer among us.

Dive, you're next. And that is an actual threat.

MG, City Daily Photo has a slogan?

Virginia said...

Well I am one of the very lucky ones. I've met JB and you dear Petrea in person! Your photo of him is terrific despite the blur. I'm so glad you two were able to meet and spend some time in your beautiful Pasadena together.

BTW, Judy and I chatted last night. We are starting our plans for my next visit. Can we have coffee here?? :)
V

Petrea Burchard said...

Sure. Come when the summer heat is over so we can do lots of outdoor walking.

Now that I say that, everyone else is having summer heat and it's still cool and nice is here. Might as well come now!

Bellis said...

I think you've taken a really good photo of jb, and I really love his photo of you (and what he's written). Thanks for leading me to his interesting daily photo blog on Mainz. I was wondering how he had such excellent command of English until I read he's a expat New Zealander. Hope I get to meet him (and Ms jb) as well one day. I can't believe Intelligentsia's reputation has spread all the way to Germany.

Genie -- Paris and Beyond said...

Awwwww, he does have such a sweet face and I already know about his wit and sense of humor. I am so glad that you were able to meet. I am envious as I missed JB by a day in Paris last summer. Now, I am off to see his website and a photo of you.

Bises,
Genie

Steven said...

jb looks like a very distinguished, down-to-earth chap. New Zealanders have the greatest accent. I could listen to all day.

Pasadena Adjacent said...

How fun was that? Did JB rent a car just to visit you? He's very handsome. If it were me, I'd be feeling pretty special about now.

I've been to Karlsrhue, Mannheim and Kolhn, but not Mainz. I'll have to visit through the miracle of pixels

Petrea Burchard said...

He's a lovely guy. My assumption is that Mrs. JB is equally as special and I hope to meet her next time. You can see a photo of her if you click the link to Nathalie's blog.

PA, I think he had an errand to stop at J. Crew as well.

Anonymous said...

One can tell he's a handsome gent, even when we're speeding by.

Ms M said...

Sounds like a wonderful meeting! I enjoyed the posts by both you and jb.

Petrea Burchard said...

Hee hee, Hiker.

I hope everyone read his post; he's very witty.

Desiree said...

How fun is that!

Nathalie H.D. said...

Great story, and it's wonderful to hear it from both sides, each in your own style.

Now I can't help but point out the string of female fans that jb leaves in his wake everywhere he goes. Oh that smile! Petrea, Virginia and myself are testimony to that.

Having said that, he also got on famously well with Paul of Auckland,NZ (see http://auckland-west.co.nz/?s=jb) and many others around the world so let's face it, he's building a fan club of international proportions.

I loved the portrait he made of you Petrea. I'm sorry that I have no immediate plans to visit California because I'd love to get to meet you too.

Petrea Burchard said...

John and I are always planning/hoping for a trip to France, Nathalie, so we may get to you sooner.

I would have left a note on Paul's post but the comments are closed. It looks like they all had a good time!

jb said...

We are?!

Petrea Burchard said...

Other John. My husband, John. For blogging purposes, you are jb.

Susan Campisi said...

Oh, I love that photo. It looks all warm and sparkly. How fun that you guys got to meet. I love jb's words about you too and the photo. Clearly it's a mutual admiration society - and how can it not be? You're both fabulous.

paul said...

Very nice post, Petrea, and I like the photo (blurred like after a few glasses of fine wine?). Will meet up with jb again on Saturday afternoon.

jb said...

Other John. My husband, John. For blogging purposes, you are jb.

June 8, 2011 11:54 AM

Line. Sinker. Hook. Rearrange as required

Jilly said...

I've never had the pleasure of meeting JB but I do like your photo. Not everyone has to be pin sharp and his charm and intelligence shines through as does yours on his blog.

Petrea Burchard said...

Jilly, with that from you, the master portraitist, I'll stop kicking myself for this one.