Blogging through a lens

goals....

 

Goals! Just mentioning the word stresses me out.  But what the heck, even slacker photogs should aspire to self improvement.

Goals for 2009!  Ok, two problems already exist in that title.  One, writing 2009 goals reminds me it's too late to accomplish my 2008 goals and two, writing the word "goals" puts too much pressure on me.  I need a way to ease into it.  I think I'll go with "Things to work at in 2009".  Yeah, that's better.  I need to start with easier tasks and build up to harder things.

Instead of for example "finish remodeling studio", I could start with something simple like "take more fishing trips".  That's a lot easier to accomplish than hanging dry wall and would be a confidence builder for bigger things.  Surely Elayne would understand that to finish the remodeling I need to go on a fishing trip.  Something about that doesn't sound right though.  How can I verbalize it without her thinking I've lost my mind?

Now I have my first goal for 2009!  Repeat out loud three times a day,  "I need to take a fishing trip to get the remodeling done" and make it sound convincing.

Goal #2.  "Update blog at least once a week."  Ok, one glance at my past posts will illustrate the magnitude of this folly.  But just writing that down brings me a warm feeling of accomplishment.  And I feel better having now posted that goal on the Internet for all to see.  Now if I drown on my fishing trip they will say about me,  "He had worthy goals.  He even wanted to keep his blog current."  Of course those who really know me will say,  "That's what caused him to jump in the water.  He was putting too much pressure on himself."

Goal #3.  Eating healthier.  For now on, when Elayne asks me if I would like a salad for dinner I will know longer be annoyed at the question.   I will say "yes" enough times that I no longer get that  Invasion of the Body Snatchers look, no longer that "who is this man" expression.

Goal #4.  Exersise, exersizre, exersizze... how can I be expected to accomplish physical toning when I can't even bring myself to spell the stinking word correctly?  In reality, these days I probably spend more time thinking about starting an exercise routine than conjugal relations with my wife which I guess means I have arrived at an age when I realize how much more important the former is than the latter.  However, I could combine the two, although I'd better check with Elayne on this plan.  Hey, I'm just trying to be an efficient goal oriented middle aged photographer!

Goal #5.  Read more books.  You know, those rectangled dust collecting objects on the night stand?  Yeah I know, it's one of those things I spend too much time thinking about and not enough time doing.  Actually, when you think about it, reading books is a clever diversion to real work which is probably why I keep buying them.

My first 4 books for 2009 will be as follows;

1. Setting goals without stressing.

2. Keeping your blog current without being relevant.

3. Eating better and liking it.

4. Happy exercising. (my favorite)

Well that wasn't as bad as I thought it would be.  If only actions came as easy as words I would be a healthy eating, well read exercising fool with a Cheshire smile on my face.  Now where's that fly rod?

I got caught in a time warp

 Yeah I know, it's been like forever since I updated our blog. Blame it on the seniors. They keep coming and coming. I'm not complaining mind you, I just miss doing all the fun family sessions from all those great families out there. Well enough is enough. We cannot let those seniors continue to push their families aside. It's time the moms, dads, sisters and brothers take a stand for family unity. And with that in mind, we are ready to launch our annual "Fall Family Special". Elayne is starting to send out the email notices as we speak and if you're not on our email list, just give us a call and book your session. I'll post more details in the next couple of days but for now I'll just post a few of my favs from the last few months. The girls all have their own favs but since I'm the official blogmeister you'll only see mine. That is, until the girls find out I've updated our blog again.

                 

Tool Time!

I know I have been talking about remodeling the west wing of the studio for ever and I'm sure not too few of you thought it was just the ramblings of an old guy who repeats himself all the time. Well, check this out smarty pants.

Now don't you feel silly for doubting me? 

And the cute little outfits the girls are wearing,? they are now our official company uniforms however Elayne has informed me that she will not be a part of my madness and muttered something about being a dork when she walked away.

Easter madness!

Ok, so this year I promised baby ducks along with the bunnies so quack, quack, quack, we've got ducks!  Easter is early this year so check your calender because this week Friday and Saturday (14th, 15th) we will transform the studio into kiddie haven complete with ducklings, rabbits, a cool background setting and a photographer with something on the bottom of his shoe. Don't hesitate because it's almost here!!  So call the studio for details.  618 585 9821       Quack Quack!

2008 Prom Fashion Show!

These seniors had too much fun!

Fashion Show ends in Style!

After planning this fund raiser for over a year I got up  Monday morning in a panic looking for my last minute "to do" list when Elayne reminded me that my "to do" had come and gone on Sunday.  Habits are hard to break.   I then remembered that, yes indeed, I was there the day before.   I did see over a hundred people show up.  There was lots of lights, music and fancy gowns and the one thing I  remember most was being hugged by all those beautiful young ladies who had the time of their lives puttin on the Ritz!  Wow!  That made it all worth while for sure!

So our 2008 Guys & Dolls Prom Fashion Show is now a thing of the past and they tell me it's already time to start planning next years fund raiser for MADD.   Sheesh... I'm taking some time off to not even think about planning, making calls, meeting deadlines, sending out press releases, etc. and going back to my usual slacker mode that feels o' so good right now.  So thanks to everyone who participated in making this event a success.   I really appreciate all the help we received from so many people.   I could have never pulled this off with out it.   And a special thanks to all of our senior models, who not only did a fabulous job modeling, but created an energy and excitement that filled the room  and reminded me of just how much fun  a high school senior year can be!  Thanks to all of you!

Here are a few pics (I'll add more later) taken by my good friends and fellow photogs, Jeff and Nick Wheeler of Once Upon A Lifetime Photography from Mt. Vernon, IL. Thanks guys!    

Don't Taze Me Bro!

You never know what form the deep seating words locked in the recesses of our complex little electrically excitable neurons that transmit information will come up with when push comes to shove as it occasionally does. Well I found out recently when I had just such an encounter that I will sometimes surprise myself and those around me.

While visiting the county court house in Carlinville to deal with some property tax issues I nonchalantly emptied the contents of my pockets into the little basket held by the officer on duty before I entered the security x-ray scanner. To my surprised chagrins a pocket knife which I use for opening boxes at the studio fell from my fingers into the basket. I looked down at the knife and then up at the officer who was staring intently into my eyes and all I could think of saying was “Don’t taze me bro!” The officer though clearly not amused at my request simply told me to pick it up on my way out.

Out of all the things I could have said  why were the words spoken by that college protester months ago as he was halled off to the pokey  the only words that came to mind in that uncomfortable situation. Who knows?

I left the court house that morning wondering what words of wisdom might fall from my lips if I were to encounter a real life threatening situation.   “Bond, James Bond”, “I’m going to make him and offer he can’t refuse” “Go ahead make my day” “May the force be with you” “Are you talking to me?” “Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn” What ever they might be let’s just hope for her sake that Elayne is not with me if it happens.

Clearly if I’m caught off guard I can’t be trusted to say the right thing at just the right moment. So if you ever startle me in the studio and I look up and say something like “ I’ll get you, my pretty and your little dog too’’ don’t be surprised or worry too much because it won’t effect my photography. Just ask the girls, it’s just the way things are around here.

And just a reminder that our 2008 Guys and Dolls Fashion show/fundraiser is this Sunday at 2:00 at Edwardsville HS.  We got some  free press from the Edwardsville Intelligencer with a nice write up so we hope it helps to bring some folks out for a very worry cause. I'm not sure how long they will leave the link up on their website but here it is if you haven't seen it.

http://www.goedwardsville.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=19318219&BRD=2291&PAG=461&dept_id=473648&rfi=6

I'm looking forward to seeing many of you our friends there to help us support MADD.

They take nice pictures but they can't spell

Well actually one of us can. That would be Elayne however she was too busy to check the final draft of my little logo upload to the bag company for our up coming fund raiser for MADD.  No, I didn't misspell MADD, that would be stupid now wouldn't it?  No, I apparently can't spell "photography".  Hey, it's a big word!  Besides, it was just 500 bags.  You haven't forgotten next Sunday the 24th is our big fashion show/fundraiser hullabaloo have you???   (check the link in the right column for details)  Well shame on you if you have.  It's still 7 days away though so mark off the 24th at 2:00pm and pack up the family and friends to come out and support a very worthy cause.  And when your little child holding our bag in his hand looks up at you and asks, "Mommy, is that how you spell photography?''  Just tell him "No honey,  now watch the fashion show and look at the pretty pictures."  Oh, and how did I spell it?  Photogradphy!  Of course I was just moving a little too fast that day and everyone knows it's spelled "phottography or photographie, or is it fotography? I gotta go and get a diktionary.

You've Got Smail

Lately our spam filter is doing a smashing job of filtering out many of our customers emails while at the same time insisting my libido is in serious need of repair.   One would think that three children are enough evidence to the contrary, but apparently not.  And as luck would have it, it seems I have a distant benefactor in Nigeria!  So the way things are shaping up :) I am going to be one filthy rich slug able to garner at least ten more children to our fold.   Elayne is of a different opinion of course.  And she has just asked me to let everyone know that if you haven't received a return email from us, feel free to pick up that antiquated device  that is hiding somewhere next to the remote control and give us a call.  And don't forget to let it ring several times because I'm usually busy reading email.

Why does fund raiser have the word "fun" in it??

I'm sure it  must have been some kind of joke propagated by a  twisted word smith with a distorted sense of humor.  For those of you who have planned a fund raiser before, I bow in humble submission.   For those of you who are thinking of organizing a fund raiser, I pity your spouse and close friends.   This is hard!  But I have to say it is extremely gratifying at the same time.  Although I have to remind myself of that fact every morning as I look over my "to do" list with my daily dose of espresso motivation.  But our 1st annual "Guys and Dolls Prom Fashion Show 2008" is almost here and I can't wait!  We've dotted all our i's, crossed our t's and have managed to get a lot of help from a very generous group of people who I will forever be grateful to.  Thanks to Susan Foster of Bridal Couture, the girls at Robert Clark Salon and of course ,"Mothers Against Drunk Driving", for helping me pull this off.  So with just a few short weeks left I've got to get back to my "list" and make sure I haven't forgot something important like......well, you get the point.  As you know, this is for a very worthy cause and I hope to see everone there.  Oh, and bring a friend or two!!