Nikki Murray

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waiting for the bus

Stormy Morning

Posted on 15 Apr ’11 by Nikki Murray

Every morning, I stand outside with Em and wait for the bus with her. These were taken one morning when it was particularly serene, just before a storm. It seems as though it hasn’t stopped raining since.

waiting for the bus
looming storm
skies ready to let down the rain
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A gorgeous day

Posted on 27 Aug ’10 by Nikki Murray

We recently caught a break from the dreadful heat wave here in Cincinnati. Yesterday, it only got up to about 78° which meant open windows and actually being comfortable in a pair of jeans outside. The air conditioner didn’t turn on almost all day. It was a good day.

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the jungle room - totally not what I was expecting

The visit to Graceland

Posted on 28 Jun ’10 by Nikki Murray

I don’t know what I was expecting, but Graceland didn’t really fit it. The house was beautiful on the outside and very gaudy 70s on the outside. The tourist ticket booth and shops are totally run down. They charge a small fortune to get in, so I’m not really sure where that money’s going but it certainly isn’t going into maintaining anything outside of Elvis’ actual property grounds. It definitely wasn’t a religious experience, just an experience.

the entry sign to Graceland looks a lot like the sign for a funeral home
the view Elvis would have seen walking out his front door
getting the front shot of the house (mine was full of ugly tourists, so I dumped it)
the formal living room, with music room attached
the formal dining room (still looks pretty normal, right?)
the kitchen, complete with mustard appliances and... carpet?
the jungle room - totally not what I was expecting
Elvis enjoyed the mirrors (maybe he was claustrophobic?)
do not touch the clowns behind the bar
but you may press #32 to find out about Elvis' creepy monkey
every wall was completely covered with mirrors, paneling, or textiles
another view of the furry jungle room
Elvis had a lot of gold records
Priscilla's mercedes
his momma's pink Cadillac
stopping in one of the many tacky eateries at Graceland for ice cream
I had my first banana split ever and discovered I hate chocolate and bananas
Terry likes it
we left with a little swag and a lot of tacky visuals

Everyone should make this pilgrimage at least once in their lifetime. Though I’m not a huge Elvis fan, I live less than a day’s drive and there’s really no excuse for me not to go. Tacky as it was, I’m glad I made the visit.

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    My name is Nikki Murray and I’m a mother of two who has been buried neck-deep in code since 1998. I presently work as a user experience and interface designer for a health IT company during the daylight hours. When I’m not freelancing during my off hours, I am prowling around with a camera or recklessly maneuvering needles.

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