Ever go to a party looking so adorable you almost can’t stand it, only to arrive and find out that all in attendence have actually out-awesomed you?
That’s what happened to me at Armida Lowe’s home recording party this summer.Let me set the scene…A small two-story rental in a semi-dodgy neighborhood south of Greenbelt Road. The only room with people in it is a tiny room upstairs, where around 25 (by my estimation) sweaty, drunk college (and non-student) kids are sitting, waiting, in temperatures that I am positive exceeded 100 degrees, in anticipation for the music to start.
The act is Armida. She wales; strums; beats; monologues. She totally blows your mind for being 21 (at midnight that night, actually). Armeda invited guests via myspace to join her in her house, which she shares with one of my most favorite Marylanders EVER, Andrew (Bucket) Ortuzar (featured on VestisAcademia.blogspot.com last year, and found at myspace.com/themalegaze), by posting an amazingly inventive and absolutely irresistable video. Check it out here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qz4ikI49Upg
Here are some snaps I got of those fabulous party-goers. How could one group of people make the impossible heat of the summer look like such an opportunity for showing off your who-gives-a-shit side, and make it look so appealing? 
Thanks to everyone who let me take their pictures!