Yep...shooting a wedding today. It's been two years since I last shot one. Feeling a bit rusty...nervous. And to top it off, it's snowing.

Yeah, I know I don't blog much, and it seems like the only time I DO blog is when I have something bad happen, but I have to get this off my chest.

I had my job taken away from me about 2-3 months ago. I got placed back into a retail setting as a studio photographer. Not the best situation, but I did it to keep my benefits and have at least a small amount of money until I can find a better job, (which hasn't panned out for me at this point).

Two weeks before Easter we had live bunnies in the studio. We had a bunny sitting schedule a redo for today. I took the call for it a few days ago. The father of the kids in the bunny shoot called and told me" I don't like the pictures. They're too dark". I mentioned I could possibly lighten them. He said "no, I don't like them anways, just want new pictures". Okay. So I booked it, and went over our policies and how they work. You come in for a reshoot, you don't get to keep the old pictures. It's a trade off.

I happened to talk to the original photogrpher today. She said, "why are they redoing it? They ordered over $120 worth of pictures from it." The father never mentioned this to me. Generally, once you place an order, you no longer have the option to redo the sitting. BUT, they WERE apparently good enough to order from, because the MOTHER loved them. Generally, if someone places an order from a sitting, theat's the end of it. If it's good enough to order from, they can't redo the sitting. So now we have a small situation. The family comes in later, around 5PM, and it's the mother and the 3 children who are in the pictures. She shows me the originals. OMG! They just got printed dark. Otherwise the pictures are fine. In fact, they're really good! I told her I could lighten them. PROBLEM FIXED! No redo needed. She's very happy, because she loves the pictures. I apologize to her for having to dress up and bring in her kids in, but she says nothing of it and happily thanks me. So I go off to the lab to redo them, and she leaves with her kids.

Oh, but it gets worse.

Not two minutes later, the FATHER bursts into the store with his family in tow, and starts YELLING at me for sending away his wife and kids without redoing the sitting. (But I fixed it? Your wife was happy with my resolution!) Well, basically, in so many words, he says " I took 15 minutes off early from work, and dressed up the kids up for a reshoot, so come hell or high water, I'm gettting new pictures regardless of the situation!!!"

Aaaaaand it gets worse.

He starts yelling at me. And talking over me, not letting me try to ask any questions or explain the situation. And my manager is right there, with our District Studio Sales Manager too! And the manager does NOTHING. She's more concerned about talking with one of our regular customers who she's doing a "special project" for than helping me. This guy is still yelling, and basically calling me a liar right to my face, about the conversation we had on the phone a few days ago. He's completely making up stuff now. I told him our sitting policies over the phone. He deny's it, and says that I offered him the moon and more for free. TOTAL BULLSHIT. And he's getting angrier as I try to talk to him (which I haven't been able to at this point). And I'm pissed to the point I start stuttering horribly and can't get a word in edgewise because of it.

I haven't stuttered since I was a child. It took me many years of self control, discipline, and confidence to get rid of my stutter. And thanks to this asshole, it all came back. I have never been so pissed off at someone in my life.

So I go to my manager AND my district manager who are standing in the back of the store near the studio rooms, attempt to explain what was going on through my stutter, and they tell me they are going to take care of it.

I go to the camera room to clean it up while they talk to the family, thinking my time with this whole situation is done for the night.

Oh no, it still gets worse.

My manager comes into the room to tell me I'm going to reshoot the sitting. SAY WHAT? After trying to figure out why she went from supposedly defending me to kissing their ass, I tell her "fine, but the father IS NOT to come into the room while I'm shooting....I can't deal being around that fucking asshole". She says "fine, we'll keep him occupied while you shoot". Okay, well, I think I can deal with that.

And yes, it gets even worse.

So the mother and kids come in, and lo and behold, here comes the father. The manager totally flaked out on me, and did nothing to keep him from coming in. So now I have to shoot this sitting with the asshole father breathing right down my neck criticizing me as I try desperately to do my job. I barely make it through the session without completely falling apart. I've never been so shaken up by someone before.

And to top it off? The rest of the night they are in the store basically continues this way, as the manager caves to this asshole, offering "sorrys" and makes me look bad in front of them instead of having my back and supporting me the way she should have.

I have no idea how to move forward with this. I could complain to her boss about her behavior as a manager, but she's an ass kisser, and the upper management thinks the world of her can do no wrong in their eyes. When I first started, I thought she was okay, but the other employees complained about her. A LOT. I see why now. She's a complete flake looking out for her own interests and ignoring her employees. She uses the "do as I say, not as I do" method of management. I've barely seen her lift a finger to do actual work in the store. I don't understand how she got to be a store manager. It boggles me.

God do I need a different job. This job is killing my spirit. I've been trying to figure out what I want/can do for a living, and nothing comes to mind. Nothing. Photography is starting to lose my interest, and that's sad. I used to live for it. Now, I barely have any motivation for it, especially after a day like today behind the camera. Just not sure what to do. Nothing grabs my interests anymore. All I know is, I get to go back tomorrow and do it all over again.

Current Mood: pissed off

What I'm really making is, well...stuff! I set up an Etsy site to seel all the doodads and nicknacks I've been creating in my "free" time (aka unemployed).

Go have a looksee!

My Curio Shop

I don't have much on their yet, but I'm working on it, so check back often...

(cross posted from several places)

So, all of you may or may not be aware that Karlie (Nyteshayde) lost her job last week. It's been a bad few days because of this, but we were managing, and riding on the hope that she'll be able to get right back into another job. No real luck so far, but it's only been a week, and we figured we'd be able to "get by" until things pick up. Today, however, that all changed.

I lost my job today. In the worst possible timing that could happen, my company (Proex Photo/Ritz Camera) decided to do some " corporate realignment" and dissolved my position as they felt it was no longer necessary. I'm still in shock over this, as I was just recently told a few months ago that I was "a critical asset to the continued success of the company." I'm not really sure how to even respond to the news at this point. The decision makes no sense, as there will be no one to do my job now, except for my boss, who doesn't have time for that anyway. Regardless, there's nothing I can do to change their minds, so all I can do now is try to move forward and hope that both of us find something, anything, that we might be able to stay on our feet and not lose everything we have spent the last eleven years of our lives working so hard to build. These next few weeks will truly be a test as to whether we sink or swim. I'm trying to remain optimistic, but to be honest, I've never been this scared in my life.

Anyone who knows of any job openings, or who knows-someone-who-knows-someone, please let me and/or Karlie know. It was hard enough thinking about having to find one job, but now that we are both needing to find employment, the stakes have been raised. I'm going to start working on my resume today, as I haven't updated it for the past 13 years (which is how long I was employed with Proex/Ritz).

Current Mood: numb

1. Leave me a casual comment of no particular significance, like a lyric to your current favorite song, your favorite kind of sandwich, or maybe your favorite game. Any remark, meaningless or not. Or, you know -- indicate you want the 5 questions. In fact any coment you leave to this will get questions. Even if that comment is "No."

2. I will respond by asking you five personal questions so I can get to know you better. Or piss you off. Or see how creative you can be. If I'm lucky all 3 in 1 go.

3. Update your LJ with the answers to the questions.

4. Include this explanation and offer to ask someone else questions in your own post.

5. When others respond with a comment, you will ask them five questions.

6. It spawns. Again.




My questions as quizzed by daireen


1. When did you first decide "OMG cameras R teh BOMB?" I was a young lad, at the tender age of 15, when an older, well schooled woman in the ways of.... OOOOH wait....Yeah, I was about 13-14, and my dad had a wicked cool camera from germany that he got while in the Air Force. I said, "Hey, let ME take the pictures from now on..."


2. How did you meet Karlie? I met her in high school during my junior year. We were both in band (I played trumpet, she played the flute; and no, it was NOT at band camp...), and we both took part in OM (Odyssey of the Mind). I asked her to prom, and it was all downhill from there. ;)


3. How did you meet J? Beginning of college, around Oct-Nov of my freshman year. I was in the basement of my dorm with Cory, who was the basement computer-lab-lacky. We weren't doing anything in particular that day, when all of a sudden this wild long -haired miscreant came barreling down the stairs saying, and I quote, "OMG I WAS JUST AT SAM'S CLUB AND THEY HAD THESE LASER POINTERS FOR $20 OMG SO COOL EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE ONE OMG!"

Without even knowing who he was, I turned and said "OMG I FREAKIN LUV LASERS I WANT ONE LET'S GO OMG!", and off we went in his beat up little red car, to go buy our first laser point together *sniff*....good times, good times.

4. Do you want in on the Girl Genius Mondo Cosplay Extravaganza we're planning on for Convergence this year? :D Yes please!

5. Have you ever had short hair? On purpose? Yes, my hair was actually short up until I was about 16. I grew it out pretty long; chopped it off and got a buzz cut. Hated it. grew it back out until I could sit on it. My mom made me cut it before I went to college, otherwise she was going to with hold my college funds. Grew it out again, this time with a goatee. Seems the older I get, the more hair I end up with...

One more thing ganked from daireen

Follow these directions...

1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Random
The first article title on the page is the name of your band.

2. http://www.quotationspage.com/random.php3
The last four words of the very last quote is the title of your album.

3. http://www.flickr.com/explore/interesting/7days/
The third picture, no matter what it is, will be your album cover.

4. Use your graphics program of choice to throw them together, and post the result as a comment in this post. Also, pass it along in your own journal because it's more amusing that way.

Ganked from daireen


Well shoot, I originally came out as a True Neutral Human Druid/Sorcerer (3rd/3rd Level), but the browser closed and I had to retake the quiz. This result isn't too shabby either...


I Am A: Chaotic Good Human Ranger/Sorcerer (2nd/2nd Level)


Ability Scores:

Strength-14

Dexterity-16

Constitution-17

Intelligence-15

Wisdom-17

Charisma-15


Alignment:
Chaotic Good A chaotic good character acts as his conscience directs him with little regard for what others expect of him. He makes his own way, but he's kind and benevolent. He believes in goodness and right but has little use for laws and regulations. He hates it when people try to intimidate others and tell them what to do. He follows his own moral compass, which, although good, may not agree with that of society. Chaotic good is the best alignment you can be because it combines a good heart with a free spirit. However, chaotic good can be a dangerous alignment because it disrupts the order of society and punishes those who do well for themselves.


Race:
Humans are the most adaptable of the common races. Short generations and a penchant for migration and conquest have made them physically diverse as well. Humans are often unorthodox in their dress, sporting unusual hairstyles, fanciful clothes, tattoos, and the like.




Primary Class:
Rangers are skilled stalkers and hunters who make their home in the woods. Their martial skill is nearly the equal of the fighter, but they lack the latter's dedication to the craft of fighting. Instead, the ranger focuses his skills and training on a specific enemy a type of creature he bears a vengeful grudge against and hunts above all others. Rangers often accept the role of protector, aiding those who live in or travel through the woods. His skills allow him to move quietly and stick to the shadows, especially in natural settings, and he also has special knowledge of certain types of creatures. Finally, an experienced ranger has such a tie to nature that he can actually draw on natural power to cast divine spells, much as a druid does, and like a druid he is often accompanied by animal companions. A ranger's Wisdom score should be high, as this determines the maximum spell level that he can cast.


Secondary Class:
Sorcerers are arcane spellcasters who manipulate magic energy with imagination and talent rather than studious discipline. They have no books, no mentors, no theories just raw power that they direct at will. Sorcerers know fewer spells than wizards do and acquire them more slowly, but they can cast individual spells more often and have no need to prepare their incantations ahead of time. Also unlike wizards, sorcerers cannot specialize in a school of magic. Since sorcerers gain their powers without undergoing the years of rigorous study that wizards go through, they have more time to learn fighting skills and are proficient with simple weapons. Charisma is very important for sorcerers; the higher their value in this ability, the higher the spell level they can cast.


Find out What Kind of Dungeons and Dragons Character Would You Be?, courtesy of Easydamus</a></b> (e-mail)

So, today I was out on the road, doing my usual job of checking up on some of my studios and doing software updates. My last stop of the day was at Burnsville Mall. I parked, went inside, did my thing, and left. Pretty easy day (so far). As I was walking out to my car, I noticed three men chatting a few rows down from where I was parked. It was a bit of a hike to my car, and in the time it took me to cross the parking lot, two of the men walked on and stopped at a car that had just pulled into the lot. I figured maybe they were lost and asking for directions the way they left the first guy and moved on. As I got near my car and about to get in, they ran up to me and shouted "Excuse me, sir! Sir! A moment of your time!"

It was too late. I could see what was heading my way. Two young, identically dressed men in white shirts and horrible matching neckties. It was a couple of Jehovah's Witnesses.....no, wait! I could see nametags as they got closer....they were....Latter-Day Saints Missionaries (Mormons)??? These two guys were pretty young too...probably their first "mission" out in the real world, from the looks of it.

Apparently the Jehovah's Witnesses have a monopoly on going door to door, so the Mormons fanned out and have taken to scouting mall parking lots and hitting people up in their cars. WTF?

*cut to scene in my head*

*rolls down window at drive through*

*static* Welcome to McMormon's...have you tried the word of Christ today?" Accept our faith and we'll supersize it for free...*static*

*burns rubber out of parking lot*


Seriously, these guys cornered me in my car. One stood behind me so I couldn't get in and back out, while the other stood next to me in an attempt to converse with me. I was outnumbered. I had to think quick on how to get away from them. I was freezing my ass off standing out there...

So naturally, the perfect idea pops in my head. I surprised them (and myself) and did something completely unexpected...I congratulated them on doing such a wonderful job. He barely spat out "have you heard the latest word on Christ..." when I launched into a tirade of hand gestures and arm swinging to go with my over the top yelling as spittle flew out the sides of my mouth;

"You guys are amazing! How do you do it? I'm in complete awe of your might! I could never do a job where 99% of all people turn their back on you, spit in your face, scream obscenities, offer death threats, etc., etc..." " Now get out there and show that world! More power to the both of you! AMEN! HALLELUJAH! PEACE MY BROTHERS! YEAH! WOOO! YEAH! WOOOOOOOOO!"

At this point I was waving my arms and jumping up and down (mostly to keep myself warm). I could see I was drawing a crowd from the people leaving the mall at this point...it must have been like watching a train wreck.

I went on like this for about a minute. Both of them stood back in complete disbelief, like deer in the headlights, and didn't say another word to me. They just looked at each other, slowly backed up, turned around, and very quickly made their way across the parking lot...it's amazing how a little reverse psychology can make your day.

Wow. Fest is over. Kinda ended with a whimper rather than a bang for me. Started the season wet, and ended the season wet. More thoughts on this after I work on pictures and while I contemplate all the other stuff.

Current Mood: aggravated

FUCK ME RUNNING SIDEWAYS WITH A JACKHAMMER IN THE RAIN....

Now that I have your attention, I'd just like to personally say how fucking tired I am of always getting the shaft on things. ALWAYS.

Today I went to edit my website...my BUSINESS website. Only to find it wasn't there. FUCK. And neither was the hosting company. DOUBLE FUCK. So I do some searching, and come to find out that the host disappeared from the face of the earth 2 weeks ago, with no trace. FOR FUCKS SAKE! Oh, and to top it off? I had my account set up to auto pay the yearly fees so I wouldn't lose my website or URL. It paid them the first week of September....FUCKING FUCKERS TOOK MY MONEY AND RAN! DAMN THEM TO FUCKING HELL YOU FUCKING BEEYOTCHES!!!!!!!!

I am so totally and utterly fucking screwed. No wonder I haven't had any new requests for doing weddings. People don't know I exist anymore. And this is prime time for getting requests too. Why doesn't somone just drive a pitchfork into my skull and put me out of my misery. Please...fuck.

Current Mood: pissed off

(as tagged by harem_pants

1. List seven habits/quirks/facts about yourself.
2. Tag seven people to do the same.
3. Do not tag the person who tagged you or say that you tag whoever wants to do it.



1. Biggest fear #1 - speaking in public. Like, pass-out-cold fear. Never finished college courses because of this.
2. Biggest fear #2 - holding babies. Again, pass-out-cold fear. At least 4 traumatic experiences from when I was younger are behind this.
3. I had pretty bad OCD for several things when I was a kid. I learned to control it, but when I get nervous or stressed out, it rears it's ugly head.
4. I don't eat candy. Maybe a small piece of chocolate on a rare occasion, but that's it.
5. I want to get more tattoo work done.
6. I will eat bacon and ham, but pork is disgusting (and I am aware that both bacon and ham are in fact pork, but they taste different so shut up) - ditto to harem_pants answer!
7. I'm an anime geek. I'd also totally do cosplay if there were events around here. :-P


I tag capt_bacardi, daireen, divapixie25, llythefaerye, silverstah, anjilak, ethel

This weekend, MNRF played host to Renaissancefestival.com's 2nd annual gathering, RenDezvous. We had three days of group activities and general wandering about planned for the event.

We started off the event Friday Night at capt_bacardi and harem_pants house, and had a nice little gathering of about 20 people show up that night for some boozing and sitting around the fire pit to help celebrate Lady Lily's 20th birthday.

Saturday was the main event day. An hour before cannon, we had a huge potluck breakfast in the parking lot to start off the day. We had some excellent food, and got to meet some of our newer members and get reaquainted with others. The next stop was the Mead Booth at 10:00, followed by a viewing of Vilification Tennis. Afterward, we did our first run in the parade, carrying the two banners we had made for the event. A group photo was taken, and then around 20 members converged to end the day at fest on a high note by going to the "King's Smoker". After cannon, a larger number of us went over to Louisville Lanes, just down the road from the festival grounds. We eneded the night on a "good note" after a few drinks and many karaoke songs.

Sunday we returned to fest for a more casual day of wandering and show viewing, followed again with more Vilification Tennis, another group photo, and walking the parade. Sunday we decided to do the Queen's Tea rather than the smoker. Delicious food and good entertainment. Sunday night was the RenDezvous' "Masked Ball", held at the Chaska American Legion. Good music, food, and company was had by all, (all while wearing silly masks).

By Monday, we were all pretty worn out, so it was a more casual "free for all" day, with more Vil Tennis, parade, and a second smoker to attend. A few of us ended the night at the Lion's Tap, and we said our final goodbyes there.

Overall, we roughly had around 80 members come to festival this weekend, and actually gained a few new members in the process. The "most dedicated member award" goes to Donna, aka FestMum, who traveled all the way from the British West Indies to join us for the celebration. I'd also like to thank groomporter for letting us store our banners and acting as a watering hole to help keep the group hydrated throughout the weekend.

To sum up, this was one of the best festival weekends I've ever had. Having these large group gatherings is great, not to mention important. They help solidify and reinforce the friendships that we've all created through the little "cyber-shire" that we call our home away from fest. Our forum is unique in that way, I think, and I can only hope it will continue to grow and improve over time as it has been to this point.

Cheers to everyone that made this possible!

Hey look! I still know how to blog...

I finally had my first chance to wander the fest grounds on Aug. 26th, as the first weekend wasn't happening as torrential rainfall and expensive electronics don't mix well. I'm off to a slow start as far as shooting goes this year as such. This is the first batch of photos to come from this season....many more on the way.

MNRF 2007 Photos

Enjoy!

So, another "slice" of my colorful life.....


Lily came over for a visit tonight, and we decided to have a bonfire in the back yard. The wood was still a bit damp, and wasn't burning well. I decided I needed a bit more dry wood to keep it going, so I grabbed a giant piece of wood to cut up. The only thing I had handy was my throwing axe, so I started hacking away.

Well, the combination of my luck, karma and odds decided to once again be against me. On one of the down swings, the axe glanced off of the wood and hit my wrist on my left hand, which was no where near the wood. It was at my side. The axe decided to take a radical trajectory and I'm probably lucky that I didn't gut myself in the process. BUT, it did hit me.

At first, I thought it bounced off my wrist watch, until I saw a small, thin line of blood. Didn't hurt at all. I went inside to check it, got to the bathroom, and thought it looked like a papercut. Until I took my watch off. Blood immediately started pumping out. WOW. Never seen that before. So, as my fascination of my own lifeblood leaving my body wore off, I decided that I should probably clean it up and stop the bleeding. As soon as the water hit the wound, I could see how serious it was. It was large, and it was deep. Over an inch long, and probably an 1/8 inch deep. DAMMIT. That most likely means stitches. And a tetanus shot. FUCK. Guess i get to go to the docotor instead of work tomorrow. Not my idea of an ideal day off.

Well, you'd think I'd be more prepared since things like this happen ALL THE TIME to me, but no, I had no butterfly bandages. So, since I had been drinking mead, Lily had to drive me to the local pharmacy. I found the butterfly bandages and tape, and then had to wait behind a crazy lady in line (WHOLE other story).

Well, when I got home, I got myself patched up, and as I was doing so, I noticed something. Basically, fate is working against me. How do I know? Look at the pictures of my injury and the bandaid box. If this isn't a sign, I don't know what is.....*help*

Yep, I don't post much....just lurk and comment. Not like anyone reads my blogs...right? Right?

Prove me wrong.

Or don't.

I want a cookie now...



I guess I should at LEAST say I didn't lose my job today. Not yet, anyways....

I'm a photographer. I take pictures. But in order to do that, I need camera equipment. It's taken many, many years to save up and get to the level of equipment I currently have. Piece by piece. One piece of equipment has eluded me though. The god lens.

What's a god lens, you say? It's the lens photographers have wet dreams about. Well, those that use Canon cameras, anyway. The Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 IS lens. Nikon users have their own version, but it'sall the same. It's more than readily available for anyone who wants it, though. The only problem is, it costs roughly two grand. Yes, two THOUSAND dollars. That's twice what my camera body cost. I could get a decent used car, or take a nice European vacation for that kind of cash. Which is why when most people are faced with that kind of disposable income to blow, they go the other route. This is what seperates the dertermined professional photographers from the amateur hobbiests.

So, after YEARS of pining, wanting, dreaming, begging, lusting, etc., for the perfect camera lens, I finally got it today.

WooHOO!

Imagine a 12yr. old with a BB gun. Imagine what a 12yr. old does with said BB gun. Now, imagine that someone takes away that BB gun and hands him a Howitzer canon.

That 12yr old is me. I have an itchy trigger finger. And it's open season on all of you....

BWAHAHAHAAAHAHAHAAA!

Current Mood: ecstatic

So, feeling the need to throw a bone out there so people still know I'm alive.

Lots of long days, very tired, and feeling pretty lethargic and apathetic since fest ended. Which means it's time to get off my lazy butt and do something. And that something is BOWLING. Yep, we're starting our own little R/F.com league, so now I have no excuse to sit on my butt all winter like so many previous winters. Can't stand the thought of how sedentary my life has been. I need to move around more, do stuff. See things. I guess this is the start.

Anyone up for a few frames?