I will not drink on Wednesday nights. I will not drink on Wednesday nights.

I WILL NOT DRINK ON WEDNESDAY NIGHTS!

I got the email yesterday. I am shooting ACL! Hooray! I'll get my actual band assignments in about an hour (hoping for Them Crooked Vultures at Stubbs tomorrow). I was actually thinking about taking a breather this weekend, but I think I will rock some photo pits and make some money instead. I need to save for family Christmas presents and Brandon's birthday and our one-year anniversary. I can't believe it's been almost a year already!

In other exciting photography news, I managed to get my students a photo pass to Fun Fun Fun Fest. They will have to be escorted to the pit by me, but I think it's really awesome for them to see how it all works and have the opportunity to actually get in the pit. I didn't get that until college. I think it was a Sonic Youth concert at Stubbs, but I can't quite remember. Anyway, the good people at the Austinist are helping me set it all up, and I think they might run a photo gallery online of the students' work. Hooray for getting work published! I can't wait to tell them tomorrow. I hope it all works out and they will all be able to attend. Unfortunately, they aren't getting free tickets out of it ... just the photo pass.

Keeping with the theme of this post... My camera is acting up. Fortunately, it's still under warranty but only until October 9. Which means as soon as ACL is over, it's off to the shop. It could take up to a month to get it back. This upsets me. I have a backup, but it's having problems, too. If anyone's found any money that grows on trees, please let me know.

Also... funny side story. Tuesday in class I was giving a lesson on vantage point and perspective. I was showing a picture of giraffes that was actually taken from above. To compare this angle to other angles, I ran a google image search for "giraffes." My computer was projecting on the wall, in giant form. The first few photos I click on? Giraffes ... mating. The whole class had a good laugh about that one.

Now if I could just get this week's issue out so I could forget about work I would be one happy camper. Work will get awholenother post soon. It's gonna need a novel.

I think it's happened.

It was inevitable.

I'm not young anymore.

I need 8-10 hours of sleep a night or I will fall asleep at my desk.

One night's sleep of less than 8 hours sets me back a week.

So.Tired.

i love love love love LOVE this band. the coathangers.

i saw them saturday night. they are awesome.







I was there shooting for my next Chron blog: What's In Your Purse, Girl?
It's amazing how many ladies were totally willing to open up there purses to the camera. I will post the link when it is up.

Meanwhile, I can't get their songs out of my head!

GARDEN UPDATE!!!!!!!




tomato plant


After the sun went down I switched the cucumber and jalepeno plant. The pepper just seemed totally baked from the sun, and the cucumber seems to love it and gets the most shade out of the whole garden. I transported the tomato plant to a bigger pot, breaking many leaves along the way. I hope it survives. Please send my plants positive thoughts.

I had a couple of photo shoots this weekend. It was fun. I recently replaced a filter on one of my lenses. I normally get the cheap UV filters cause they're really just to protect the lenses. Somehow I let the sales guy talk me into the $90 filter. I felt bad about it all week, but holy crapola it's awesome. It heightens the color and contrast ever so slightly but the time it's saving me in photoshop is killer.

I'll upload photos from Girls Rock Camp soon.

I had a really amazing birthday. My parents spent the weekend here and my mom and I put in a garden.  I am now growing tomatos, cucumbers, eggplant, basil, thyme, jalapenos, rosemary, and cilantro. Yum.



We also bought curtains for my bedroom (finally!) Brandon doesn't understand, but when things match and are aesthetically how I want them to be, it makes me happy.
He was thrilled with the makeshift curtains because they kept the sun out.
VS
I am ecstatic with my faux-suede red curtains because they keep the sun out AND match my cute new chair!! :)

I had to work on my birthday and even that was fun! My boss got me a carrot cake, and Brandon had flowers sent to my work. They are beautiful. Then, all night, he kept handing me scratch-offs. I didn't win, but I still have two left to scratch. *crosses fingers*
He also got me a full-body, 1-hour massage.

bettierage met us out for bingo and then headed home for her much-needed R&R. I sent a last-minute text to people to meet at Club deVille, and roughly 20 people ended up dropping in. The bartender gave me free drinks all night cause I've been going there since she was but a wee little cocktail waitress. I heart her.

I also heart all my friends who sent texts/facebooks wishing me a happy bday. It was just a really good day. I also got an email from kimisgreat  who was celebrating for me in Africa. We're talking international celebrations, people!

While my parents were in town, they got to meet Brandon. They like him. I haven't had a chance to get the full scoop, but my mom texted me that they liked him and thought he was funny but quiet. Brandon said he likes them and they are "funny and cute." Pretty good for a first meeting. I don't know if I was more worried about them not liking him or him not liking them. It's out of the way now, and I am grateful for that. His mom is really happy now cause she knows this means she gets to meet me soon. Hahaha... the nerves will start all over again!

So, yeah. Life is GOOD. I'm trying to be NO DRAMA. It's working out. Work today was the most hectic it's been in nearly a year, and I didn't feel the need to zone-out on my headphones or snap at anybody or bang my head against a wall. That's a good feeling. I also proposed a new job description/activity to my boss and he thinks it's a great idea. More on that later, hopefully. He's talking to people. Wheels in motion... *crosses fingers*

It might sound cheesy, but I really feel like I'm growing as a person lately. I'm handling all kinds of aspects of life at a stress-free pace. It's tiny, wonderful moments of clarity. The kind you can't go back on. It's growth security. It's an amazing thing.

So yeah, I guess I'm trying to say I'm happy. I don't know if it's forever, but it's at least brought my sink point lower, if that makes sense. As in, things getting bad will never be worse than where I've been the past couple of years. Not that I've been depressed or sad. It's hard to explain and I'm rambling. I'm just happy and at peace and really enjoying things right now. Oh, and my house is clean. that is very, very good. It makes me happy, too.

:D

It's my birthday on Tuesday. I have no ideas. My parents are coming into town. They asked me what I wanted. For the first time, I really have no idea. I think I've reached the age where if I need something, I get it. And if I REALLY want something, I save for it. I don't know what to ask for. Spa day? House stuff? Maybe stuff for a garden? My mom is bringing me tomato plants. I am excited.

This is my last Thursday and Friday off work. Then it's full time!! Today was my last class at the Griffin School before summer. I want to continue teaching there next school year. I'm excited. I have a lot of returning students.

I have a softball game tonight if anyone wants to come. Krieg complex, field 7. 8pm.  I've been hitting much better lately. Hopefully that will continue.

I have a lot to do before my parents come in. I need to finish laundry and cleaning. I spent $300 at the grocery store the other night. I hadn't been in about a month, and I found the Amy's frozen dinner sections and went to town. I also got the fixin's to make fake chicken salad wraps. Health eating here I come! If I can just make the wraps and sandwiches all at once and keep them in the fridge, I will be more inclined to eat better if it's something I can just grab. I've been steaming a lot of cauliflower and broccoli too.  I made dinner the other night and Brandon ate all of it and had seconds! That never happens. He has the stomach of a little kid. He said it was the best meal ever :)

He's meeting the parents this weekend. Eep!

YAY THURSDAY! I had a good day. I taught class (only two left), picked up a prescription, got my hair cut (super cute), went to the bank, went to the gym (to cancel, boo), went to the vet for medication for the kitties, and protested my tax appraisal in person. WHEW! I am tired. Every Thursday I wake up screaming at the world and vowing to come home and nap forever. Those were my intentions today, but I'm glad I didn't.

I think Brandon is freaking out about my birthday. And I think I've been a little mean. I want to travel; he can't afford it. But I've been inviting other people and trying to make plans anyway. I don't really care anymore. I just want to be happy. I know it's probably frustrating to him and he probably feels lame. I don't want that to happen. And I can't take the week off work anyway cause it's my first week full time and my quitting coworker's first week gone.

I told my mom I was in love with Brandon today. She tried not to freak out. But I could tell her mind was going "grandbabies! grandbabies!" I told her about how I got really upset this weekend cause I thought I wasn't going to get full time and might have to look for another job. When I'm really upset, I cry in my closet. so that's what I did. She asked how Brandon reacted and I told her that he came in the closet with me and hugged me, and then made me get out of the closet. That seemed to make her happy, and again I could hear "grandbabies! grandbabies!" Yeah, I know there's a step missing in there, but she thinks she's running out of time. I think it's funny. I don't even plan for the future like that. I don't even know about marriage and kids and it's just so funny how different things are between generations.

I am in full nap mode now. This weekend will be full of summer beverages and getting stuff done. And BBQ and pool time. This time, I will try not to burn my forehead. It is peeling now and I look rather freakish. It might be a step up from the raccoon sunburn I was sporting all week, but I'm not sure.

I GOT FULL TIME!!!!!!!!!

In two weeks, I will be salary and have benefits!

I've been waiting for this for FIVE years!!!!!

celebration time!

This is my absolute favorite time of the week. When I get done on Thursday mornings, I am typically off until Monday. This Thursday couldn't come fast enough. I didn't get done editing photos until 3:30am Tuesday night, and last night was a late press night. I got home at 1:30am and tried to watch Lost, but was falling asleep. That's ok, cause now i have all afternoon to do ABSOLUTELY NOTHING.

I really hate bugs right now. The kittehs have fleas. I have treated them and last night I treated the house, room by room. Today I killed a huge ant pile. And Prozac found me a giant wolf spider to kill. It FLEW at me. Then Prozac squeaked. Then I killed the spider and kissed Prozac. Poor guy. he is SO annoyingly whiny lately. I think he thinks he was born to be an outside cat. He wants to wander the world and show off his fluffiness. But the world is not like that. Especially for ridiculously cute, dumb kittehs. And fluffly kittehs with Texas heat. Poor little hairball.

This morning I took my photography students to the Town Lake trail to take pictures. We found this HUGE beetle. Seriously freaky. I have pictures, but I haven't uploaded them yet. Then I hung the students photos for the art show which is TOMORROW at 5:30. Please come.

I have stuff to do, but it is going to have to wait. My couch has kidnapped me. I have all my show's season finales to watch. Did I mention I love Thursday afternoons? Ohhhh, and napping. I will have to nap. Fun.

If you haven't seen my NINJA photos/blog yet, it's here. I'm waiting to hear back from my editor about putting in a photo application for Bonnaroo. Cross your fingers for me.

This weekend is laidback poker at my boss's house on Friday, and who knows the rest of the time. Oh, and Nathan is playing Sunday. And I need to work on my next "Down on the Street" photo project. I just hate going downtown on the weekends now. I'll go any Monday-Thursday, but my nerves run short on the weekends. I wish Austin wasn't quite such a college town.

Oh, and tonight is possible Murdocks at La Zona Rosa and bettierage  hangout time. I super duper miss her.

This weekend was wonderful! The evenings were filled with coworkers' birthday parties. Warm summer nights with cold punch and conversation really does a lot to revive the soul. It's starting to get realllllllly hot and that bums me out, but right now the thought of fireflies and breezy summer dresses has put a smile on my face.

Yesterday Brandon and I went to IKEA and I got the three remaining pieces of furniture I feel I really needed: chest of drawers, bookcase, and medicine cabinet for the master bath. As much as I love my huge bathroom with garden tub, there's not much storage.

I am going to start a garden! I'm really excited. I had sprouted some herbs but the pot fell over and everything died. Then, last week, I noticed that some of them had taken root in the ground when the pot fell. So now I have one jalapeno plant, a few cilantros, and some chives. My strawberries aren't showing any sign of wanting to live, but I think I'll get some tomato plants and eggplants and squash! Oh, I'm excited. My back yard is so ridiculously small that filling it in with a garden makes perfect sense! And makes me excited about my ridiculously small back yard. My daisies are doing really well. They are bright red and grow at least 3 new blooms a week!

Yay yay yay yay yay for summer. And yay for lunch tomorrow with imzadi22!

I just woke up on the couch. I passed out as soon as I got home around 7. It's one of those naps you wake up from feeling like you still need more sleep, but know it's impossible to fall back asleep.

NIN is a week from today. It doesn't look like the interview is happening, but I got the photo waiver to sign today!! I'm super excited to be shooting them again. I wonder how different it will be from shooting them at Voodoo. I'm hoping for at least one more song. At least there won't be dozens of other photogs to deal with.

This is the last month of class. My students are doing well, and I am excited for the art show. It's May 15 and you should all come if you can.

Vegas was super fun and I didn't end up as far down as I thought. Most of that is cause I won 550 on the Village People penny slot machine at the last second. I made a gambling buddy who was also in town for the bowling thing. She's from Canada and we made plans to gamble together at the tournament next year in Reno.

I need to do some heavy spring cleaning. I'm trying to be super organized and keep the house in pristine condition. Of course, none of that is happening because I've been so ridiculously tired lately. I hope to catch up soon. I don't like having allergies, which I've apparently developed. They appear to only affect my ears and energy levels.

Oh, and my boyfriend is awesome :)

I think I am getting sick. What's the name of the stuff you're supposed to take at the first sign of getting sick? Is it EmergenC? Crap. Like I really can not get sick right now. Nooooooooooooooooo. Too many assignments. Nine Inch Nails photo pass. No. Ok, I'm calming down.

But seriously, what's that stuff called?

good things....

new camera: tomorrow

closing date on the house: dec. 19

new business opportunity: will spill the beans very soon

new assignments: voodoo (nin photo pass, round two!!!) & music feature (eek!!!)

new picture published: pick up the chron tomorrow for a portrait of mine of paula nelson (willie's daughter)

day one:


day two:


day three: the roof is on, but i didn't have my camera that time.

i've been really busy lately. today is the first day i didn't have to set an alarm, but i'm still sleepy. working from home today. hoping to get stuff accomplished so i'm not as stressed next week. I CAN DO IT!

I just ran into the corner of my dresser drawer and gave myself a 6-inch gash in my knee. It really hurts. I can't put too much weight on it and it's already bruising and bleeding profusely. And twitching. Awesome. What a great time to not have medical insurance.

I have been stuck inside allllllll day today sick. I'm going stir crazy. Lots of water, tea, and tylenol cold medicine.

I can't stand it. Sitting still was driving me insane, so I just cleaned my kitchen and bathroom. I know I should have taken it easy, cause now I feel the worse I've felt in 5 or 6 hours.

Back to lying on the couch for me. :(

bummer

i really tried to stay, but i left work early cause i started feeling crappy.

oh, and, um, my boss has put in her notice. she says i should figure out what i want to ask for and she will give her recommendations to the big bosses before she leaves.

can i say benefits???????????

BENEFITSSSSSSSS

please?

so, yeah. i probably won't get full time, but i will get more hours. finally. i feel too sick and groggy to fully comprehend right now. it's a dreamlike state, but not in the good way.

I called in sick to work today. My throat has been bothering me lately. And I'm super tired all the time, even with naps and uninterrupted sleep. I woke up this morning with a sore throat, headache, and sweating. I went back to sleep for a little bit, took some vitamin c, and i feel better now. Still really groggy, but my throat doesn't hurt as much.

So the poll results were 3 for yes, 3 for no. Haha, that doesn't help me. bettierage phoned in her vote, which was the third no.

I'm hungry, and I have no food here. I desperately need to go to the grocery store.

I went bowling last night, but felt a little woozy and not-all-the-way-there. I think it was the beginning of the sickness. I really can't miss work tomorrow. Hmph!

Then I hung out with Bridgette downtown for a little bit and caught some shows. That girl is a winding staircase. Or rather hanging out with her is like trying to maneuver a winding staircase after 10 shots of whiskey. I think I want to make an art project out of her. And the guys she goes after. Like the left page can be a photo of her, and the right page can be a photo of whatever dude she is eyeing at the time. Which changes. Last night there were three. One of the guy's friends was actually a graphic designer and got my info so we can network. He says he has big clients and is over his head sometimes. While we were talking about Adobe programs, Bridgette and the dude No. 2 were talking about how he's pretty sure every girl wants to sleep with him. Way to pick em, Bridge.

I'm searching for inspiration to do some really incredible creative project. I feel like the truly good ones come somewhat effortlessly. Cause when passion is driving you, it hardly seems like work. I think just getting to the starting point is all the hard work. I'm in the middle zone right now. I'm not being completely non-productive, but I'm only doing things other people give me.

I am about to take like the best nap ever.

Summer lagging is in full effect.

I had a meeting this morning with the principal at the school I teach at. I saw a couple of my students, and it was fun. One of them was super excited to see me and wanted to show me the most recent photos he took.

I had an eventful weekend with lots of debauchery. It was fun.

Almost time to be a bit more responsible. I can't tell if I'm looking forward to it or not.

Also... I'm trying to make a decision. I'm going to let it be completely random cause either decision I come to doesn't really make a difference. So just for fun......... yes or no?