Ugh.

I feel bad, actually, for not writing, because there are so many things going on that I'd like to write about. However, Mercury in Retrograde has totally pushed me in to craptastic month of crap. So, here's a quick update on my life.

• My classes are going well, so far. I feel much less stressed about time and organization this semester, so far, due to a few changes Ive made in my attitude. It also helps that David is busy and that he is unable to lure me away from school work. I'm excited for the classes I'm taking, and trying to make the best of it.
  
• I miss my husband. He is so busy, and I love that he's doing this, especially because I've seen him light up in ways that I have not seen for a long time, but ugh! I miss the little things. However, I'm trying to concentrate on what I'm doing and supporting him so that once this is finished, we can move on to the next step.
  
• I have been cooking, but I haven't been posting mainly because my Macbook died last week and computer time in this house has been a stressed issue. Thankfully, I managed to jerry rig it to handle simple things, like Internet browsing. It's likely an issue with the hard drive, so it will be sent in to Apple for servicing soon. Until then, all of my photo work must be done on the big computer, and like I said...time is not on my side. (That's David's!)
• Oh, did I tell you my Macbook died? And that's not the only thing. I also managed, in an idiotic, but not surprising move to participate in a fall that killed my backup camera, the lens it was wearing, and my flash (also on board). That group right there is a giant portion of my equipment, so the situation is pretty tragic. I just spent a nice chunk of money on equipment rentals for the wedding I'm shooting tomorrow, and luckily, Sara sent me her camera to use as a backup (she's AMAZING) I've got to make the decision on whether or not fixing my backup camera will be worth it. I'm very conflicted on what to do at this point.
  
• Our household is kind of sad this first week without Suzanne. As if it needs to be said, but it's the tough thing about pet ownership. I usually nurse the wounds by bringing home a new little one, but we'll be making a different addition to our family next Summer that will likely bring our rat ownership to an end. So, no new rat babies from here on out. At least for now!
  
• I have a couple of weddings and other shoots to share over at my photography blog, and I promise that within the next week or so, I will share them. I hope that you're visiting that site as well.
  
• My band, Oddball Parker, will be releasing an EP the first week of November. I am very excited to share this work with you guys when it's ready.
  
• New stuff for this fall: I will be offering family photo sessions and custom-design photo Christmas cards in one big package. More details on this very soon. Aside from photography, I'll also have a giant bunch of new jewelry items (including glass pendants) for Christmas shopping.
  
• New stuff for next Summer: I will be booking weddings in Wisconsin/Minnesota, as well as family portraits, and senior portraits. I will elaborate on this more soon, but I'm super excited to begin planning.

Hope there's people out there still reading.

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Family Photos

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I Can Has Fake Chikins?

Good day: Friends arrive. Friends immediately take me to great vegetarian restaurant. Friends are now sleeping in the living room because they're exhausted from flying.



Also, got my first big girl job proof today:


In other news, David passed the CSET and CBEST, the tests required for him to be accepted to the teaching program at SFSU. These tests are a huge deal - he worked really hard to get the job done and is now well on his way to becoming the next California Teacher of the Year. I'm really proud of him.

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Vacations and Thoughts on May

One week left of classes.
I want to go on vacation, to Cairo, Egypt. Why? Don't know. It sticks out in my head ever since seeing the movie "The Mummy" - the 1932 version - I'd like to wander around the desert in a sundress for days without the phone, the Internet, or television.

I spent an hour or so on Google Earth looking up remote islands. I'd like to go to one and sit in a lawn chair on the beach for days, eating fruit.

I haven't been on a real vacation since I started my new job in December 2006. I've done some traveling, but continued working through trips.

I'm thinking of going back to WI for my sister's 8th grade promotion ceremony, in which she'll be singing a solo in the choir. My little heart is beaming.

Office season finale this Thursday...major things are going to happen...

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I'm Published

I really enjoy my job, and one of the most fulfilling things about it is that a few of my clients have done press for the company. Even though I can't talk about who I work for or what I do, in my own little mind (and with co-worker friends, I suppose) I can see those appearances and feel proud of what I've accomplished.

Today when I arrived at work, I was greeted by my boss with a book I was expecting. It is that of a very notable client of mine, and it is her first. She told me she'd be sending it, and that she'd autograph it for me, but I didn't expect what I found - she included and thanked me in the acknowledgments. My first name only, of course, but, my name, nonetheless.

It feels really good. When so much of what I do is hard to quantify, being a part of this very tangible success of hers is great. So there, I'm published in a book!

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I'll get there

Spring semester is over in three weeks, and I've got enough projects to last me until fall even if I don't take a summer class.

Honestly, the only thing that makes working full-time plus with full-time college is the lack of personal time. If I required no personal time, or hobby time, I would totally rock the hectic out of that. I can't do it though. Maybe if I was someone who had no extra curricular activities I would be happier. Sometimes I get to the point where there's so much to do that I can't do any of it.

I had a moment this weekend when I realized that I missed the life I had before I moved here. In a masochistic way. I don't miss not knowing if I could pay my $200 rent every month, but I do miss the complete lack of responsibility and creative freedom. I miss band practice in the basement.

Isis Eye Music Magazine is my priority. Now if I could only learn how to curb my necessary sleeping hours to 3.

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Work FTW

So, fast is over. Us emotional eaters do just fine on fasts when we have super wonderful husbands and cozy apartments with sweet rats to love us. You are super happy, feeling the best ever when you reach work, and your boss tells you the four worst words you could possibly hear in my line of work.

%&ck. I was feeling so good. This fast was a breeze compared to last time, and hopefully, that means I'll be able to do it again with the same luck. It isn't that I couldn't have found some way to keep going, I could have...but knowing that the next week or so is going to be one big stress after another, the whole no-food-in-stomach wasn't doing it for me. Not to mention the wonderful caffeine withdrawl headaches.

Anyway, 2.5 days wasn't a failure. I feel better than I did before, anyway. I think the key this time was consuming just water - last time, as advised for first-timers, I did a juice fast. I think the juice kept tricking my tummy in to thinking there was more coming.

A co-worker has finally started putting down some guitar to tracks I gave him months ago, so my outburst over lack of musicians over the weekend has calmed some. I'm not sure if it would work to truly play music, play gigs with this guy - he's fantastic and all, but I worry about that connection to work - but at least getting somewhere in this phase is really great.

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