Lots of Questions

In the Dr's office today three guys came in together. One guy was called to the back. He came back out after five or so minutes and yelled to his friends from across the room "Guys! I'm all clear!" There was lots of cheering and high fives between the three. Judging by the looks on the faces of the rest of us in the waiting room, I think we were all trying to determine what he was clear of...Std? Clear to travel? What was it?! I think if you are going to be that vocal in a quiet waiting room...I think you should share the good news with all of us!

The Mouth

Today I went to the bank to pick up some quarters. It always seems a little too quiet in banks. A woman got into line and started talking to the girl behind me about her tennis shoes for a minute. Then it got quiet again as the next person stepped up to the next open teller. Then the next man in line walked up to another teller, he asked for $1,000 in singles. We all looked at each other.

The man behind the two ladies asked "$1,000 in ones?" The ladies looked at each other and shrugged. One of the ladies said "My that's a lot of ones!" Then my mouth opened and I heard myself say, "Sounds like we're going to a strip club!" Everyone in line giggled. Then we all went back to the quiet.

That's when I really started hoping I didn't say it too loud...cause if I can't be classy, at least I be quiet enough so the whole bank doesn't think this guy is going to a strip club! I didn't want to shame the guy, I mean maybe he was just getting money for his store...nah he was totally going to a strip club! That makes me giggle more!

Production Damper

While I was busy being lazy today, I was accidentally uber productive. I cleared up banking stuff, ordered a card reader for accepting credit cards, washed dishes, cleaned up the bathroom, pulled addresses for mailers, emailed, edited, edited more, sent out photos to a new stager and even pulled the couch and chair out and vacuumed the shit out of the house. I was on such a roll I thought I might get my whole to do list finished...and that never happens!

I even went out and harvested some yummy stuff for dinner. (Um, I was craving this roasted beet and goat cheese salad I made last night...it was so good, it's all I could think about today!) Maybe that's what was super powering me!

Dinner was made, and I was sitting down with my yummy salad to do a little more work...when the this happened...

Looks pretty right? It's no fancy design...that there is a fully f'd up, cracked laptop screen! Production pretty much shut down right there.  I'm in such a bummer mood now. Two good things though...Mario hooked up a cable to the tv, so I can use it as my computer screen...and...thank god I have business insurance! Oh third good thing...did a complete back up on all my files. Luckily, I back up my business stuff pretty often...this just topped it off and made me back up my personal crap.

Luckily my insurance people are at the end of the block here. I'll drop in with a sad face and show them my laptop. This just bums me out. I had just upgraded my hard drive and some other stuff Mario did to it. I had planned on using this guy for a while. We had a good thing going. This was just senseless destruction...boo!

A Little Rant

With the flood of red and pink equality images on facebook today, I can't help but think about how proud I can feel about our society at times and alternatively how disappointed I can feel. I have a very hard time understanding how a group of people do not have the same rights as others. I know people who have been together far longer than Mario and I, have been dedicated to each other and have been a family for longer than most couples I know...yet do not have the ability to marry if they would like, and more importantly do not receive the same legal security as many people who are married for just a few minutes. For most people, it's simply not wanting to see a same sex couple get married because they don't think that it's morally right, however, I wonder if they realize how far beyond that it goes. 

The right to marry is merely the tip of the iceberg  It's all those little things that heterosexual couples don't even think about because it's been available to us for so long...I think those very important things are lost on many people. It goes beyond the beautiful weddings to be had, to the partners who aren't allowed in to hospital rooms because they are not married or "family", to the partner who isn't allowed health coverage because they aren't married (yay to companies that allow health coverage to all partners), to the mother or father who don't hold the same rights to their children because they aren't biological or weren't able to legally adopt. Even the inability to for same sex couples who aren't able to file their taxes jointly can mean a loss of money. The list is long with the many legal aspects of life that are affected by the ability and inability to get married. As one of my wonderful uncle's said "It's not about our beliefs, it's basic civil rights...get the hell over it."

I think a lot of people can simplify their decision to deny these rights as a moral belief. Quite often I go back to a conversation I had with a good friend last year. The conversation was an eye opener in so so many ways. Essentially it ended with her telling me that since she had found Jesus in the last few years her decisions were based on what the bible said. Despite her friendship with people in same sex relationships and while she might have agreed that they should have equal rights, the bible states differently. She would go with what the bible says. She said "It's about when I get up to heaven!" I was gutted. It was the selfishness that I heard that was so disappointing. It wasn't that she didn't think same sex couples should have equal rights, it was about getting into heaven. I'm still disgusted by this. I think people need to stop looking at how it effects themselves as much as it effects children and families. As I walked away I couldn't help but picture her getting up to heaven and being told "My teachings were about compassion, love and helping those around you...wow did you miss the fucking point!" 

When I'm Good, I'm Really Good

Good news first...my new website is up! It's not complete, but it's up. It will be a work in progress for a while, but at least I have bigger better photos up to represent me. So, go take a look and tell me what you think.  www.mediacarrot.com

Now let me tell you how I've been beating the crap out of myself. Mentally, I'm great. Physically, I'm a mess. It started at the end of January when Mario got me sick. Nothing major. Just a cold that kept me in bed for a week. The only pain in the ass was the cough that would not go away for weeks!

Cut to two weeks ago. Mario and I were picking up some drinks to take to the drive in. We were all meeting up back at our house in an hour. We speed shopped, jumped back in the car, shut the door, and then felt a screaming pain in my right foot! I wised up, opened the door and removed my foot from the car door! It was one of those moments when Mario knew to keep quiet until he heard me breathe again. I had slammed my pinky toe and the toe next to it in the door. Luckily my shoe helped diffuse the pressure. It hurt like hell for a few days but I was ok.

Then last week, I walked into the bedroom to get on the tread mill. As I walked past to get my shoes, I kicked the treadmill with my other foot. I heard a little snap and froze in pain...waited for the pain to subside a bit. Ooh baby, this one hurt far worse than slamming my foot in the car door! Luckily it was just bit of bruising and discomfort while sleeping and walking for a few days.  At least my other foot was feeling better.

Then Mario was nice enough to give me another cold last week. I think I made it worse by working through it instead of taking it a bit easy. I was just about to take a hose to my nose to clear out my sinuses and lungs, when I finally got a hold of some good medicine. I also decided to take it easy and get lots of sleep Saturday and Sunday.  Thankfully I started to feel better and have finally gotten control over my new even more annoying cough.

Today I finally saw a real improvement in my cold, but have been sporting a two day migraine. Then to add insult to injury...or injury to insult. I cracked my left pinky finger on the dinner table. What the hell is going on with me?! I tried ignoring it hoping it would feel better. It was a bit swollen and then I realized it was bruising up. yay! So, we stopped and got one of those finger sling things. Annoying, but at least it's immobilized. I don't think it's broken and I don't think they can do much for a pinky anyway, so I'm just going to be good and take enough ibruprophen to take care of my migraine and pain.

I'm such a mess...but at least my pretty new website it up!

Laundry Day

I have been shooting a pretty good amount in the last week, so I was happy to be able to work at home today. I had a list of chores that need to be done. A shoot to edit, dishes, laundry, bathroom, website, taxes, shopping...a good full list.

First thing I did when I got up today was to get the laundry ready and separated. I had everything set out on the bed. I got my quarters ready. I got my soap and dryer sheets out. I got the dog on a leash (because for some reason she feels she deserves to walk over to the laundry room with me any time it's laundry day). I got us all out the door and strolled to the laundry room, only to find that it was in use. It's a rare occurrence. Most of the time I feel like I have the laundry room to myself. So, Tula and I carried the laundry back to the apartment. I set the bags on the couch and told Mario that Nathaniel was doing laundry, so I'd check back later.

Later ended up never happening. I got side tracked by everything else on the list and I really don't like to walk out to the laundry room in the dark. The laundry remained on the couch ready for me to wash it tomorrow. However, Mario was heading to the bedroom to go to bed and I knew that the laundry was still separated out on the bed. So, I yelled to Mario to just put the piles into either laundry bags or back into the dirty laundry basket and I'd just get it tomorrow and to ignore the smallest pile on the right because I needed to hang it up. I was just about to get up and help put it away, when Mario yelled that he had it.

I continued to work on my taxes. I heard Mario moving around and straightening things out. Then I heard him put something away in the linen closet and in the bathroom, but then he went back in the bedroom and got into bed. I couldn't figure out exactly what he was doing, but thought maybe he was just straightening up other things.

I got up decided to say good night to him. When I walked in though I saw that there were a few piles of folded clothes on the bed.

Me..."Babe, did you fold all the clothes on the bed?"
Mario looking very proud..."Yup"
Me..."Thanks...so you folded all the dirty clothes and put it away?"
Mario now looking sheepish "yup"
Me..."aww...Thanks honey"
Mario..."well, it didn't smell bad"
Me..."Wow, really?"
Mario..."I did notice that my blue shirt still had some stains on it and needed to be rewashed...or I guess it just needed to be washed"
We both started cracking up.
Me..."so you folded and put away your dirty underwear?"
Mario..."yup"
Me..."and you folded and put away my dirty underwear?"
Mario..."yup"
Me..."Thank you honey...I don't even fold my own underwear. Oh man are we going to have to do the smell test?"
Mario..."We could just wash everything."
Me..."So we should just wash all of the clothes we own? I don't think we have enough quarters. Did I hear you put dirty towels in the linen closet?"
Mario..."yup and I hung up the dirty towels back up in the bathroom."
Me..."aww, honey...at least your pretty."

I feel bad that he did all that work! He folded and put all the clothes away in record time! Poor guy was just being nice. I'm still laughing about it. Now I get to unfold the rest of the clothes on the bed that he didn't know where to put.

Blogging ADD

Is it February already! I can't believe it's been a couple of  weeks since my last blog. I've had funny stuff happening and everything!

1. The good part is at least I have a good excuse...busy business! Always good. I've been working on my website and it's almost ready to be posted. I'm very happy with it. I just have to name all my images. I'm getting there. I've just had to put it aside for a little because I was sick two weeks ago and now business has been picking up. At least I am almost there though!

2. This has been one of those weeks that I am just happy. No reason really. Work is great. We are over our colds. I have Mario home for a few weeks on break from work before they start the new season of the show...I'm always happy to get extra time with him. Rain is expect in a couple of days. What more could I ask for! All together it just makes for a good week!

3. Mom came for a visit a few weeks ago and we had a blast. We ate crab every night she was here. We apparently needed to compare the quality of the crab at two restaurants and crab at home. I wasn't going to fight her on it. We ate crab and drank champagne, got pedicures, shopped, and hit a museum. It was a full weekend and it was awesome!

4. I'm back in archery! I started taking my friend's daughter with me and another friend. She is just that type of 10yr old that would love it..and I was totally right...she LOOOVES it! I'm happy to have someone to go to class with and she has her request for a "play date with Laura" fulfilled. Although she did inform me today that this doesn't count as a play date because it's archery.

5. Yesterday morning I walked into the bathroom while Mario was showering. I was surprised that he had finished and was standing outside the tub with his towel draped on his shoulders and one leg up on the side of the tub looking very much like Captain Morgan. So, I put my leg up on the tub like captain Morgan and asked why he was standing like Captain Morgan  He said he wasn't captain Morgan, he was George Washington crossing the Delaware. I cracked up. The man is weird  Then he corrected himself and told me he was actually George Washing-done. How long did he stand there coming up with this?

6. We have been living with a needy needy object in our life. Mario's car. It was cute at first. A PT Cruiser. We found out very fast that this was not a reliable car at all! Luckily Mario had gotten the repair insurance on it (something I would have veto'd had I known) and it has saved our butt and our bank account many many times. Then in the twice in the last year, Mario crunched the the back rear lights on his car. We have been planning our exit from this car for the last two years. Adding in the repairs on the rear of the car and it not being dependable, we were just not loving the car at all. Then one day a few weeks ago, Mario got a letter from his loan company letting him know about trading his car in. I told him to just go take a look. I didn't think anything would come of it really. Why would they take a trade in with a crunched up rear end? Well they did! I was happier to put that $1000 down on a dependable car rather than fixing the PT. We are now in a much nicer and more reliable car with far better gas mileage  We love it! It must have been a good decision because three days later the car lot called and told us to come back in and redo the paper work. With the trade in, Mario's credit score jumped and he was now eligible for a lower interest rate. Our payments are now $25 bucks less a month. The decision to trade in the PT was obviously a great decision!

New Rule

A new rule was made in our house today. If you go into the kitchen you have to wash five dishes. Partially it's because neither of us want to wash dishes today. Partially it might serve to keep us out of the kitchen when we are feeling snacky. I initially said it as a joke and to weasel out of having to wash all of today's dishes...but then we both realized it wasn't a bad rule. Now we just have to remember to keep to it. 

So far first to break was Mario. I might luck out though because it sounds like he's going to wash more than five...plus the man can't wash dishes without washing the stove. I have no idea why but I will never ever complain about it. It's a hic in his OCD. I love OCD!

Days I Shouldn't be in Public

Do you ever have those days that start off so good and then take a downward spiral? Last Thursday was one of those wonderful days! It started off really well. We had been shooting a few days that week, but this was the easiest of the days. There was really only one shoot and it was at an easy house in a nice neighborhood...mucho better than our questionable Watts neighborhoods from the day before. The shoot itself was really nice and mellow in a nice house, and had all the time in the world. There weren't any shoots after it, so I took the opportunity to show my friend/assistant how to photograph interiors. I'm excited about it really. She picked up on it and did really well! I didn't have to fight with the already established style of another photographer. With a little more practice, I think she'll do really well!

Between the shoot and teaching her a few photography skills, I was in a great great mood. It was a beautiful day and with our work finished, our next destination was sushi lunch! Of course, we headed to our favorite sushi restaurant. We drove through the beautiful hills. There were lots of puffy clouds and blue skies. When I say the day was beautiful, I mean it!

We were just turning on to the street where our sushi is, when we came to a stop. There were just two cars ahead of us, but we weren't going anywhere. As I looked ahead, I could see the problem. Someone had been hit by a car. Judging by the reactions of everyone there, it didn't look major. However, the poor lady was still under the rear end of the car. We assume that the driver missed the parking garage entrance and backed up into her...I really hope so because, otherwise that would mean he drove all the way over her.

The police and EMTs weren't there yet and now a**holes were flying around the corner almost hitting us sitting there. So my awesome friend Colleen hopped out of the car with her red purse and started directing traffic! That allowed all of us to back up and get out of the way of the police and fire department. We decided I'd head around the block to the other garage entrance and we'd meet at the restaurant in a few minutes. Easy peasy right?

I cruised around the block and headed for the other garage entrance. I recognized a few of the cars from behind me at the other end of the street. I was trying to figure out what was going on though. It seemed all three drivers in the cars ahead of me were idiots. The first car pulled up to the arm and was confused as to what to do next. So the attendant, had to stop checking out the exiting cars to come over and hit the button for the entering car to go. Then the next car pulled all the way forward...so far forward that they missed the button for the ticket booth also. Except they decided that they should back up...which was not going to happen because the next car had pulled right up on their ass.

As I sat there trying to figure out what the hell they were doing, I could still see the accident. I was hoping that the lady was alright. It seemed pretty low key. Hopefully the poor guy had just bumped her and knocked her over and there wasn't any breaks or anything more serious. I felt for the guy. He sat next to her the whole time I was watching.

Finally, the car in front of me pulled up the arm...and way past the button for the ticket booth also...you've got to be kidding me! Did she not see what was happening with the other three cars?! She tried backing up with no success and then finally got out of her car and walked back to get the ticket. She pulled forward and finally it was my turn. I pulled through and was just about to head down the ramp when I heard yelling.

I stopped and turned around to see the garage attendant yelling and running at my car. Then it hit me. I was one of those idiots! The lady in front of me had gotten her ticket and when the arm went up, I followed her right through! I didn't push the button for a ticket, I just cruised through like an idiot! The attendant was yelling at me and asking me what was wrong with me. He said the arm had almost hit my car and now I was stuck in the garage because I couldn't get a ticket now. It seemed a little dramatic, but yeah I was an idiot. I usually don't embarrass that easily, but I felt like such an ass! I'm not sure how I had gone from watching them and judging their inability to figure out how to get the ticket...to completely blowing through and not even taking a ticket!

All I could think was that I had been looking at the accident and just blanked out. So dumb. I explained to the attendant that I was a dumb ass and he warmed up fast. He told me to park and come back up for a ticket. Apparently after he got his public humiliation out, he realized it wasn't deliberate. Turns out I wouldn't be forever stuck in the garage, he signed over a new ticket and I headed over for sushi.

However, Colleen wasn't there. I message her and she was STILL directing traffic with one of the cops! She showed up a few minutes later and much sushi was consumed. Sushi did make up for my idiocy...at least it tasted wonderful and I was back to happy.

A Blog, a Website, and a Weirdo

I know it was weird that the first blog I posted of the year was a Christmas blog. However, I haven't finished my website yet...because of my lack of knowledge of  building websites...minor details really. For that reason, I've decided that it's not 2013 yet. Yup. Full denial over here. I want to really get into my clean slate January, but I can't cause I'm still dealing with my website crap from December. That damn website is now holding my business back and my personal life.

However, there is a plan in place and I will have my site up this weekend some time.  Lets blame it on work, family drama, and just random shit. The random shit is my fault really. I decided to look back over my hard drive for more images and ended up adding an additional 100+ images as portfolio options. I can't make life easy for myself...cause that would be too easy.

Anyway, next week 2013 will commence and part of 2013 commencing means more blogging. I've been missing it and I have some venting that needs to take place and many more stories about Mario that need to be told. Like the why I keep waking up and taking these photos...

Different nights, same weirdo, who doesn't know how to wear headphones. When I showed him the top photo he was excited that he'd finally found a way to sleep without his glasses falling off...why he feels the need to fall asleep with his glasses on, is a whole different story.

Anyway, happy new year!