Golden Buddha’s toes inlaid with Mother of Pearl.
Bangkok’s famous Golden Buddha is the Phra Sukhothai Traimit, housed at Wat Traimit in Chinatown, a massive 5.5-ton, solid gold statue revealed by accident in 1955 when its stucco covering chipped off during moving, making it a significant religious relic and tourist attraction, valued at hundreds of millions of dollars.
Name: Phra Phuttha Maha Suwanna Patimakon, commonly known as the Golden Buddha or Phra Sukhothai Traimit.
Location: Wat Traimit (Temple of the Golden Buddha) near Chinatown (Yaowarat Road).
Material: 83% pure gold, weighing 5.5 tonnes (12,125 lbs).
History: Covered in plaster for centuries to hide it from invaders, its true gold nature was discovered in 1955 when it fell from a crane.
Significance: Thailand’s most prized holy relic, considered a masterpiece of Sukhothai art (13th-14th century).
In October 2024, I had the pleasure of photographing @thekitchenista ’s culinary trip through Thailand. Life has been lifing, HARD, and I never got around to posting my own photos. It is high time I rectified this, and started honoring my work.
May 22, 2025. Short on money, I tweeted that after 10 years of hoping and waiting, @inglewoodsir was finally performing in the same city as me, but I couldn’t afford to go. @thecosby and @keyofdavid88 quickly came to my rescue to help me buy a ticket, but before I could click through Ticketmaster’s evil fees screen, SIR, himself, sent me a direct message and asked for my name, so it could be added to the guest list. I was (still am) shocked, and immediately burst into tears of gratitude.
What followed was an amazing night of #SoloDateChronicles filled with food, drink, self-love, and incredible images of a soul-soothing concert I won’t soon forget. The sound and lighting at @thefillmorenola didn’t disappoint. Thank you, Universe. And as always, my Village is incredible.
It is easy to dwell on things you haven't done or feel like you aren't "enough" because of arbitrary milestones you haven't achieved, while forgetting about all the wonderful experiences and lessons you have already had.
Last February, I was in Los Angeles photographing @bryanmichaelcox annual Grammy Brunch, and I caught @glamstar443 of @showoffstaging reapplying her lipstick after the event. She initially balked at the idea of me crouching behind a trash bin to avoid seeing my reflection in the mirror as I photographed her, but we both ended up laughing hysterically as I turned a beautifully mirrored ladies room into my own personal studio as our girlfriends cheered us on. I can't thank them all enough for continually embracing my ridiculous ideas and my whole self.
The lesson here is yes, we should always want to do/see/be more, and also, take time to reminisce fondly and remember what and who we have been blessed with in this life. This is not me giving advice to the world, but a salient reminder for myself. Nani loves you.
🖤💕🖤 This Friday!!!!! We open at 6:00 pm. Come check it out. We have the lovely @fernandahmeier at the helm. #downtowngallery #frenchmenstreet #503frenchmenstreet #neworleans #art #frenchquarter #louisiana #🚫shitgifts #coolassshit @frenchmenstreet
The last full moon of 2024 is known as the Full Cold Moon, which shone for three full days, December 13, 14, and 15, 2024. according to the Old Farmer's Almanac, the name was chosen because of how cold it usually is during December's full moon.
The moon also has several other nicknames, including the Long Night Moon, a name with Mohican origins. The name is because December's full moon happens on one of the longest nights of the year.
Other names for December's moon include the Drift Clearing Moon, the Frost Exploding Trees Moon, the Moon of the Popping Trees, Hoar Frost Moon, Snow Moon and Winter Maker Moon, according to the almanac.
In some spiritual traditions, the Cold Moon is a time of introspection and renewal. It is a moment to reflect on the past, release what no longer serves, and prepare for new beginnings in the coming year. The idea is akin to a symbolic death and rebirth cycle.
Spiritually, the cold moon signifies a new beginning and reminds us that life is in stages, seasons, and timings. The Cold Moon is about slowing down, opening up, and releasing what’s no longer working for us so we can fill our lives with more warmth and connection.
Message received. New life, new blessings, and new chapters soon come.
