So, about the camera...

... I haven't picked it up to take a photo in quite a while.  I mean, I did photograph the local theatre's production of Cabaret, and did the head shots for the front of house... and I also did some photos of a lovely friend for a pageant.  But for myself?  Haven't really had the time to just create.  Or document.  Or... anything.

See?  Cabaret:








And glamour shots!




My insomnia is in overdrive and my personal life is a little emotional at the moment.  My marriage is awesome, and Bear is my rock; he's the one I go to whenever I need support or a shoulder to lean on or just an ear to listen.  However, there are some tensions between myself and people in my life that just seem impossible to resolve right now, and it gets me down.  And worst of all, as the situation draws out longer, I can feel resentment begin to grow.  That's never good.  I don't want to resent anyone, no matter how much I disagree with their point of view or how they may handle situations.  All I know is that I am lucky to have Bear by my side.  He helps calm the storm that rises up in me.  And trust me, I can have quite the mouth when the mood strikes!

Professionally, though, things are going pretty well.  I was promoted to PR person for the art centre, and now write all the press releases and run the centre's Facebook.  I am on the ball at the library and finished my end of 2011 periodicals clean out.  I am also working on an art photography project that I want to try and snag a 2013 exhibit with.

Additionally, I received an invitation to speak at a local middle school about my career.  It was a little vague to me exactly what they want me to speak about, since I work two jobs and run my little business (which has been practically inactive for a few months now).  I am assuming they want me to discuss my own business.  But they want me to discuss the training required, salary range, and to present an argument that my field is a good career choice for some of the students in the room.

Well, first of all, I am only in my third year of trying to make this photography business work.  It hasn't really left the ground.  I took some courses on photography in college, but insofar as commercial portraiture, I am almost entirely self-taught (not counting the one year I worked at a commercial studio chain).  I have no salary; I am only paid if I am hired.  Of that money, a majority of it goes back to taxes, into supplies, or is put into other basic upkeep (web hosting, promotion, business cards, etc).  At the end of the year, I typically have lost a few thousand dollars.  Do you think any of the kids would want to go down the path of small business ownership now?

So I am trying to organize the kind of presentation I would even give to see if it would work.  If I can't figure out a way to present myself in a satisfactory manner, I may decline.  I don't want a bunch of kids going home feeling defeated or losing respect for small business owners.  Anyone have any advice?!?!

xo

The Races!

On Friday we attended a "derby with an art centre flair" for my one-day-a-week art gallery job.  It was a blast!  I was a bit confused at first, since the event was held at the Local Events Hall... how were horses involved in that?!?!  I mean, usually the place is a Bingo hall or high school reunion center, so factoring in horses was impossible to imagine.  I thought maybe it would be like The Triplets of Belleville, but it was simpler than that!




First, the local group of carousel horse artisans brought some of their works which were painted by members of the Art Centre to lend to the ambiance.  One of the carousel creatures was this boar/pig thing with pretty incredible tusks!  I got a kick out of him!  I once had the privilege of being at their "studio", which is really the "dining room" of this one house... FULL of chisels and huge blocks of wood with horse heads and front legs springing from them.  It was amazing.  Maybe I can go back sometime and snap some pictures of that?!?  Their work is truly impressive and makes me want to strike it rich and hire them to make me a whole working carousel for my personal enjoyment.  And as a massive photoshoot prop.  Think what that would add to family and kid portraits!!!




Anyway, we soon learned that the premise of the "race" was that a "jockey" picked out a  stick horse and wore a sign with the appropriate gate number for the steed they were riding and stood on the corresponding numbered box on the floor.  The floor was taped into a giant grid, eight squares across (one for each gate) and five squares deep (five squares to the finish line).  A guy using a Bingo ball roller randomly pulled the numbers for the horses and whoever was called moved forward a space.  This continued until the winning horse advanced all five spaces.





The event ran three hours and included a buffet dinner that was actually pretty delicious.  The veggies were the best!  There was a cash bar and included coffee, tea, and water for underagers and non-drinkers.  One member is also a candy maker and made hundreds of chocolate horseshoes for every guest to take home!




I bought Bear a horse he named "Lucky Strikes"... who wasn't so lucky, it turns out... even after I slated him in the third race in the third gate (three is my lucky number)!  Those who were luckier than we received a $50 purse every time their horse won, and anyone who bet on a winning horse was put into the big drawing for a $500 grand prize.  The woman who won the big drawing wound up having a choice between the money and a donated painting worth $1200... and took the money and ran.  So the painting will be the drawing prize for our holiday gala.





The whole experience was new and a ton of fun for us!  Do you have a job or belong to an organization that does some sort of creative benefit annually?  I'd love to hear what kinds of functions other groups may have!




Happy Tuesday!

xo

Photobomb Friday: Waves and Saves

So, Patchie and I went to the State Park I work at on Fridays for some photogeekery and chill time, while our menfolk hung out playing video games at  Bear's and my apartment (is that how you say that?  Grammar-wise?  Hmmm).  It was excellent: 80 degrees, breeze off the water, sunny but not TOO sunny, calm.  We even dipped our feet into the cold water... first splashes of spring and summer!  I plan on making more frequent trips come summer and later spring... we plan on visiting again next Wednesday, too!  For more of the story of my busy day yesterday, go here!

(Patchie, please don't hate me for posting all the silly face pictures... I just love them in a series!!!)  Then we went to PetCo.  Seriously, if you are looking for a test subject for photography... go to a local pet store and shoot without a flash.  It helps you learn a lot about metering and shutter speeds and aperture (and patience... those critters can be skittish and the fish can swing really, really fast)!

Also- little known fact: fish and birds weird me out.  I am not sure why.  BUT, I love owls and ravens and crows, seahorses and leafy sea dragons.  Not sure what that's all about...  I also want a chameleon one day.  So adorable.  I diiieee!

And these are my thrifty finds from this week!  I found snazzy shoes for Bear... and they fit perfectly!

Finally, here are this week's 365 Grateful photos!

Yup, I am grateful for Tic-Tac, the amazing cat that thinks he's a puppy!  Another grateful: I got the job I applied for!  I am a librarian again!  Hooray!  I am so very excited!

I also just realized, Bear and I are getting married in EXACTLY a year from today!  Oh my goodness, I have to get cracking on this planning nonsense!

Have a lovely weekend and a "Hoppy" Easter!  Ciao!

Life as it is Today

...is really freaking slow.  Oh, well.

I spent this morning re-writing my resume (thanks to our old PC, the original file was corrupted and completely useless) and sending out for another part-time job opportunity.  I have a job on Fridays now, which pays pretty well for what it is, so I am excited.  Not to mention, the job is at a state park which is gorgeous!  And an art gallery!  I will be SURROUNDED by inspiration all day (and I was told I can bring my camera and take photos whenever I want a break from paperwork)!

This other job I applied for today is at the local college library where I worked as a student aid.  This time, the position is PT, the pay is higher, and I generally just miss working in a library.  I think it was my favorite job ever, even more than running my own business (I have anxiety attacks, so living my dream can mean freaking out a lot, too).  There is something so peaceful about libraries.  They house my favorite things- books- and are a haven of silence.  I appreciate silence quite a bit.

And as I am recapping, I will touch on my earlier rant about Awards Season... I actually managed to win a WATCH award!  What?!?!?!  I was floored.  It was the first time I was nominated that I didn't write the "just in case" acceptance speech, so of course that would be when I finally get called to the podium.  By the by, those podiums aren't as tall as I thought they were, which is good, because I am short.  I discovered that my childhood speech impediment returns when I am really nervous.  I also discovered that standing on a stage in front of a ton of people who volunteer in community theatre is totally different than standing on a stage in front of a ton of people coming to see you as a character in a show.  Maybe it was because it was me being me (unscripted!)?  Anyway, it was a complete honor and humbling experience.  I was up against some truly talented people, and I am so stunned to have been there in the first place as a nominee.  Woah.

OK, well, I am going to gather up all Bear's and my old clothes and get them to Goodwill... and maybe pick up some new-to-me goodies!

Sorry for the lack of photos... perhaps I will photograph and share any thrifty finds later!