365: Week 46

Day 317 

November 12: Working on a logo for the fledgling photography business. Tentative name: Five Olives Photography. There's a cheesy reason behind the name. If you're curious, let me know.

Days 318 & 319

November 13 and 14: The new Holiday Oreos: chocolate, creme and peppermint. What's not to love? Also, winter weeds. We had serious snow for the first time Saturday. A good day to stay home and eat Holiday Oreos. I had to show these pictures side by side, because I can't figure out what's going on with Blogger. GRRRRRRR!

Day 320

November 15: Emma June got a haircut this week. Her 1st Grade class voted her the girl with the longest, prettiest hair. Naturally, she had to do something about that.

Day 321

November 16: Emma and Dad rockin' "Eye of the Tiger!"

Day 322

November 17: When you have hours and hours of time on your hands, you find things to do -- like getting out the ladder and cleaning that window way up there, that hasn't been cleaned in a year or so.

Day 323

November 18: This is where I spend a good chunk of my days now. You know, except for when I'm washing the windows.

Photostory Friday: Q & A with Emma June

Hosted by Cecily and She's a moron and can't remember...

There's really no need for elaborate introductions.

This is Emma June.

The world revolves around her.

Recently, Emma had a conversation with her mother -- a series of questions and answers.

(Bear in mind, these are immediate and off the cuff answers -- Emma didn't have to stop and think about them...)

Mom: If you were a color what would you be?

Emma: Pink. NO! WAIT! Hot pink!

Mom: If you were a food, what would you be?

Emma: Spaghetti and meatballs.

Mom: If you were a candy, what would you be?

Emma: A red raspberry sucker.

Mom: If you were an animal, what would you be?

Emma: A pony.

Mom: If you were a flower, what would you be?

Emma: A dandelion.

Mom: If you were a drink, what would you be?

Emma: Cream Soda.

Mom: If you were a Disney character, who would you be?

Emma: Minnie Mouse (this one surprised me).

Mom: If you were a movie, what would you be?

Emma: Rapunzel.

Mom: If you were a car, what would you be?

Emma: A monster truck.

Do you have ready answers to all of these questions? How about your kids?

We'll end with my favorite Emma quote of the week:

I wish I never had to wear matching socks.

365: Week 45

Day 310

November 5: Photo Finish.

I shot about 30 times to get this shot. Two of these cars (the bottom two) are ours, and the red car with the little Lego guy , belongs to one of my son's good friends. The middle car is my son Matthew's, and the ultimate winner of the 2009 Pinewood Derby!

Day 311

November 6: Your tax dollars at work.

Why say something in three words if you can say it in five? Better yet, say it both ways.

Day 312

November 7: Someone threw away a perfectly good Emma.

Day 313

November 8: Over our front door. Hopefully, these are the last words my children see each day, as they walk out the door.

Day 314

November 9: It's been close to thirteen years since Sharon and I have had pictures of just the two of us.

Aren't I a lucky man?

(I shot this remotely, so it still counts!)

Day 315

November 10: I just love this shot -- it seems so surreal. The ball is actually casting a shadow against the sky.

Day 316

November 11: To those who serve. To those who stand firm. To those who fight. To those who come back and to those on the green fields of foreign shores, who lie beneath white crosses.

Thank you.

And Happy Veteran's Day.

Heeding the call

For years, my family and friends have been encouraging me to pursue my photography hobby professionally. It hasn't been that I have been resistant, it's just that I really haven't had time. Well, the world changes -- quickly -- and I find myself with no where to go but up. It seems like a great opportunity to chase a dream. Now before you think I've abandoned all reservation to the wind, I don't see this (especially in the short run) as a full time gig, but as a way to bring in some extra money, doing something that actually lies within my skill set -- unlike most other jobs that some unsuspecting employer might offer.

This is one of those "I'll never know if I don't try" moments.

Which brings me to you, my friends.

I know several of you have walked this path ahead of me, and I'm looking for information. I want to hear about your successes and your problems. I want advice and warning. I want to know what you have learned. I want to hear your ideas. What do you charge? How do you market yourself? How do you find clients? What do you offer? etc. etc....

What follows is a small collection of portraits I have taken over the last several years, including a portrait I shot yesterday of my wife and I. Normally I wouldn't subject you to such a thing, but my beautiful bride was so stunning, that I had to share.

At the very bottom is a slideshow that I put together for my brother-in-law's unofficially official engagement (I'm considering offering that as a service as well). If you've got ten minutes or so, and aren't bored to tears yet, have a look. They're just so CUTE!

(HOWEVER, it has just come to my attention that even though the video embeded properly,now that it is published on the blog, it is sitting cock-eyed -- so you're only seeing the left side. If you click in the center of the video screen twice (not the play button) it will take you right to Youtube and you can see the whole thing. Assuming anyone is still reading at this point!)

Sigh.

Photostory Friday: Time to spend

Hosted by Cecily and Emily

Losing your job: Frightening

Trying to make ends meet: Difficult

Wondering day after day when someone will call you back with an offer: Maddening

Trying to determine if you have what it takes: Heartburn inducing

Wondering what to do when you're not applying for employment -- housework or yard work: A toss-up

Facing the future: Uncertain, but cautiously optimistic

Having the time now to spend a few hours with your only son, to build a Pinewood Derby car, and to see the smile on his face when he wins it all: Priceless

365: Week 44

Day 303

October 29: Someone has been playing a little too much Guitar Hero. It's beginning to infect other areas of his life...

Day 304

October 30: This is how I carved my pumpkin this year.

I know what it is.

Do you?

Day 305

October 31: It's the glasses that really complete the look. Apparently immortality doesn't have a vision plan.

Day 306

November 1: "Cookies"

Okay, they're actually coasters. Since the birth of my children -- who are the oldest -- all the grandchildren who come to play at my in-laws' home are immediately drawn to this little stack of coasters. They are, hands down, the best toy at Grandma's house. And every kid --independently -- has decided that they are cookies.

Day 307

November 2: Sugar House Moving and Storage in my rear view mirror: One of the best sights I've ever seen.

These are the people who laid me off this week -- after ten years of coming to work every day, not calling in sick, not asking for raises, and doing whatever was asked of me. If I said I wasn't a little bitter, I would be lying...they've taken my means of supporting my family away. But the truth is, I bear them no ill will, I'm not praying for their downfall.

The job I did was a soul sucking, mind numbing job, and I was glad to leave it behind. I don't know what the future holds just yet, but I do believe this may be better for all of us, in the long run.

Day 308

November 3: It's Pinewood Derby time kids! Naturally we get started two days before.

Day 309

November 4: 5:15 pm.

I'm not sure I'm quite ready for standard time yet. (Fortunately, the 70 degree weather helps to take the edge off.)