I feel like a dunce.

Last night I got impatient.

NCIS's season 7 premiere was last night at 7, and NCIS: Los Angeles was to follow directly after. We don't have cable so I had planned on watching them both online. For some reason I thought I'd see if anyone had uploaded them by 9:30 last night (which really was stupid because they still would have been playing on the west coast). I found one of those yahoo question/answer things about where to watch it. So, I clicked and it took me to a blogspot. There was a video embedded on the page but it wasn't loading. So, I refreshed then it came up. When I pressed play it said I needed to download an extension thing, and recently I've kept getting these pop up things saying I needed to update flash, so I figured it had something to do with that. I clicked it and the screen went black then to a blue screen that said Windows was shut down so the computer wouldn't be harmed.

Oops.

Miles had set up the computer to have a last good configuration we could resort to if the computer messed up, but apparently I messed it up too bad to even do that. I had to totally restart everything on the computer and put it back to how it is when you get it out of the box.

Crap.

Sure, it's technically okay now, but anything saved to the computer is lost. I didn't really have all that much saved except for a few Illustrator files that I really should have backed up for some reason never did. But, I guess Miles had a bunch of video files saved to the computer that were backed up. Those are gone.

AND

Now we have to reinstall Photoshop, InDesign and Illustrator. Which means I will have to go back through all of the Photoshop actions I have on two CDs and find the ones I actually use. That wouldn't be such a big deal, but their names are so obscure, like "photoshop_coloring__action by night_fate 11049" or "princessdarkness set 57" and I use a bunch of the ones that are just numbered. That will not be a good time.

Anyway, I just feel like a huge dumb-o. We didn't have any virus protection in the first place, which I'm sure didn't help the situation at all. I think maybe this time around we should get something to keep stupid trojans away from my precious, precious, Adobe Suite.

In other news, once I got the computer back to a functioning state last night I watched the season premiere of NCIS and NCIS:LA. I have to say that the season finale of NCIS last season was better than the season premiere. And, there was a fight scene in NCIS:LA that made it seem like I was watching a Kung Fu movie, as I would here the punch then see it (watching fast paced things online doesn't always work out for the best).

In other, good, news:
-This Saturday I think I am going to take more pictures of Lauren (but as of now it's supposed to be rainy, so I don't know how that will go).
-October 3rd I am taking some senior pictures. (I sent the girl a message on Facebook today and she responded with a bunch of numbers...so I don't know if she meant to or if it was accidental, and she was using her phone. Let's say I hope it was accidental and that she'll actually send me a real message later because if not I'll feel super dumb sending her another message later.)
-October 10th I'm taking Jay's senior pictures. (That will be a good time. Jay won't be shy or timid or anything of the sort and he's full of ideas.)
-My friend Kristi has found me another person to take pictures of! Her name is Jessie and I don't know her, but I told Kristi to tell her to add me on Facebook. She had told me about her a few weeks ago, but today she had text me and said that Jessie's parents were cool with me taking her pictures. So, we'll see how that goes!
-I think I may be talking Preston into letting me take his senior pictures. (Preston is a strange kid. He makes videos with his friends of them like jumping off cars into bushes, off roofs into bushes, into the river from a bridge with a box on...etc. Anyway, I think he'd be fun to take pictures of because they could be totally different from any other pictures.)
-Amanda, the girl that cuts my hair, called me on Monday and left me a message about taking her family's pictures. She didn't tell me how many people and I was working at the time. I called her back yesterday but I guess she doesn't work on Tuesdays, so I left her a message. She said it'd be sometime in November.

For now I should take a shower. I have to work from 2-6 today. (boo)
When I get home I'm going to try to install those programs...wish me luck as I'm not good at technical computer problems...I fix things by rebooting the computer, just like an old man would.

I don't close at all this week...I only work one shift that is over 4 hours...AND...I have Saturday off.

This is wonderful.

I've been in the process of editing pictures from South Dakota. They're looking alright. I haven't had time to just sit down and edit a bunch to finish them, but I assume that I will sometime this week.
I also feel like making things this week. Tomorrow I am going to take a trip to Hobby Lobby to buy more scrapbook paper. This next Sunday is a baby shower to Megan (I don't really know her, but she married Seth who is the son of my parents' friends.) I'm not going, but I think my mom might be. I am going to send a gift with her. I've decided that I am going to decorate a box with blue paper and put the baby's name, Harper, on the top. Inside the box will be a few small, probably plain white, onesies and maybe something else. I think it'll be cute.

I've also been trying to think of some things I could make for people for Christmas. I'm not really sure what to do so far, but I'm excited to get started on whatever it will be.

In other news, I am going to buy a new lens...again! This time it will be a wide angle lens, so I'm stoked. That should be fun.
And this Saturday I'm going to take some pictures. It will be either up at my great grandparents' old farm or at Mt. Mora cemetery. I'm really hoping for the farm because I can go to the cemetery at any time. I guess we'll see. It all depends on my mom and grandma. I hope they're still up for it.

I've been editing pictures for most of the day. I'm getting bored with it...but luckily I'm on pictures 900 out of 1050ish. I don't actually have 150 left to edit, so that's good. I'll be happy when I'm done.

I've also been playing some Donkey Kong. Miles and I were playing a game together but against each other. Of course he won, but I'm still trying to beat the game. I'm not a natural video game player, so it's tricky, but I'm definitely improving.

Tonight Miles and I are going to Fairway, Kansas to visit with Ian and Sarah. They're moving next week (I think it's next week) to Colorado. I've made her a box, and I don't think I've taken pictures of it yet, so I should make sure to do that before I wrap it up. Hers contains Swedish Fish since they're her favorite candy.

Also, I've been listening to these people...



...and I like them.

I'm insanely tired.

Miles and I got back from South Dakota around 8:30 tonight. When we got back I played a little Donkey Kong while Miles finished listening to the Mizzou game. Then, I decided that it'd be a good idea to eat some dinner. I made this lasagna hamburger helper stuff that was actually pretty tasty. Miles fell asleep on the couch right after I started making it. He's still sleeping and I need to put the food in the fridge.

I've also been working on Katie's senior pictures. They're coming along, but there are so many of them and I haven't really had much time to work on them. I have a couple days off this week, so I'm thinking I can use that time to hopefully (fingers crossed) finish them up.

South Dakota proved to be a pretty good time. We got stuck in the rain on the way up there. Then we got the to hotel around 4 or 5. We swam for a little bit then ordered some Ruby Tuesday and it was pretty good as far as food goes. It had swiss cheese on it, which I can't say that I'm a fan of, so that made it a little less awesome. Miles fell asleep around 9, so I just watched some Project Runway/CSI: Miami (I know that NCIS can be hokey, but CSI: Miami is ridiculous), Tonight Show with Conan O'Brien which was funny, and a little bit of The Late Show with Jimmy Fallon. Poor Jimmy Fallon...he's totally unfunny, but he tries so hard. I felt bad for him because he'd leave a few seconds after jokes so people could laugh but no one was ever laughing. I ended up trying to go to sleep around midnight, but the bed wasn't comfortable, so I couldn't really sleep. Miles woke up around 5 and he woke me up around 7. We went to get some breakfast (free, continental, breakfast...what does continental mean, anyway?) We hung around the room until 11 when we had to check out. Then we headed to Falls Park to hang out, eat lunch, and take pictures. First it was slightly chilly and gloomy, then it got really warm and really sunny. Miles and I both ended up getting burned.
After we left the park we headed to the "Japanese Garden" park thing. Really it was just a walkway that had some stone paths, bamboo doors, and a couple of little stone areas to sit in. It was a disappointment. After we left Sioux Falls, we headed right out of town to the Heartland Corn Maze. It was an alright time. Basically this big corn field had the shape of a butterfly, caterpillar, and cocoon cut out and you have to find the answers to questions on a paper they give you at the beginning. That would have been more fun if it wasn't so muddy and if I wasn't carrying my camera bag around.
Then we headed home.

I love coming home after trips. I think it's my favorite part.

Basically, I'm really super tired right now. I think I am going to finish getting ready for bed, pack up that hamburger helper and go to sleep.
Eventually I'll upload some Sioux Falls pictures, but probably not until I get Katie's pictures all edited.

Goodnight.

Not much to say.

I would really rather not work tonight. It won't be too bad because I close with Dosia and Manda, but still. I don't think anyone that can cover my breaks will be working. Well, Manda can, but she'll be manager and I hate having the manager cover my break.

Anyway, tomorrow Miles and I are leaving for South Dakota. We'll leave around 10 and hopefully get there around 3. We're supposed to be able to check into our hotel at 3, so that'll work out nicely. Then I think we're just going to hang around, eat out and maybe swim some. On Saturday we're going to go to this festival thingy that looks like Trails West to me, but it's free (which is why I no longer like Trails West). We're also going on a picnic at Falls Park, but I'm thinking this festival thing might take place there also. Either way I'm going to be taking pictures.

I'm trying to work on Katie's pictures some before work. I'm just really not excited to work on them. I don't know why, I'm usually stoked to edit pictures. Maybe it's because I know it's going to take ages, and I don't want to do it. I don't know.

Either way I should just stop typing and edit some more so I can get up to 300 before I have to get ready for work.

Oh, ho, ho.

I took Katie's senior pictures yesterday. That was an alright time. We said we'd meet at Farris' truck stop at 1. I got off work at 12 and had planned on bringing everything with me so I could just stop by my parents' house to change, eat, and start some laundry before rushing out there. But, of course, I forgot the clothes to change into. So, I rushed home, rushed around to make a sandwich and change, rushed to get gas, rushed to my parents' house, rushed back out to the car and rushed out to Farris'. I ended up getting there around 12:50. So, I thought at most I had about 10 minutes before heading out to take pictures. It got to be 1:05 and Katie was no where to be found. I texted her and asked if she was on her way she responded with a 'yes'. So I sat and waited longer. About 10 minutes later I texted her again to see if she was close and she didn't respond. So, I start thinking that maybe something happened to her, because as far and I knew she was driving when she texted me back and now she wasn't responded and hadn't shown up yet. So, I call her. She says she can now see Farris'. Katie had previously told me she only lived 5 minutes from Farris'. Basically, she showed up at 1:30 which was a little upsetting, but ultimately not a huge deal.

We went to her mom's friend's house. They had a pond and a long gravel drive way. Her mom brought their horse over to take pictures with. His name was Jack and he was pretty. We took those photos, then headed to Krug Park with a Kmart pit stop. My external flash kept saying "bat" which I assume means the battery is going to die...because really, what else could it mean that makes any kind of sense? So, I bought some batteries before heading out there. While at Kmart Katie moved her stuff over from her car to the Camry so we both didn't have to drive. When we got to Krug we took a few pictures on some stairs then went to the theater. I was carrying around some of her clothes and my camera bag so I wasn't very coordinated. After leaving Krug we went downtown. Katie was changing into this black and white gingham shirt (that was super cute) and couldn't find her black tank top that she had brought to wear underneath it. So, she says, "I think you lost my black tank top. I brought it for this shirt." So, I look around the clothes in the back and couldn't find it. Then I felt bad, I mean, you're not supposed to lose people's clothes when taking their picture. So, I offered to buy her a new one. She says no and that it isn't a big deal, but kind of in a "you lost my shirt" way. She found a white tank top to wear underneath the black and white one and all was well.

After all of the pictures were taken we headed back to Kmart so I could drop her off. While moving things back to her car she says, "Look! I had an extra one in my car!" She found the black tank top that she accused me of dropping...but didn't say that I didn't actually lose the shirt. What?! Not fair! I didn't lose her shirt, she just didn't move it over!

In other news, I was driving behind a motorcycle yesterday on the way to watch Miles and boys play volleyball. It's license plate said AR 6HH. Just remember that the numbers used on license plates are more round...okay, it looked like it said ARGHH, and it made me laugh.

Now I should stop wasting time and start editing these pictures before I have to work tonight.

tootles.

That is Katie's cousin. I met them at Krug Park yesterday at 2 to take her pictures. Katie had told me that she was in some way mentally handicapped. I had no idea what to expect! It was an alright time. She doesn't talk, but she'll do a couple of signs. She'll also try to run away if you won't catch her. I really don't think she liked to have her picture taken. I'm sure it was strange to have this huge lens pointing at you, especially when you don't know the person holding it.

I'm excited for tomorrow. I'm working until 12 (I was supposed to work til 1, but I gave one of my hours to Lauren, so I'm excited to have time to eat lunch before taking pictures). At 1 I'm meeting Katie at Ferris Truck Stop. We're going to go to her house and take pictures. She lives in the country and she said it's pretty out there. She also has a horse that she wants pictures with, so I'm excited about that! Then we're going to go downtown and to Krug Park. I usually don't like going to Krug for pictures, but I really want to use the theater there. I want to stand on the stage and put Katie in the seats. Pretty...(in my mind it's pretty, at least)! I've also decided that I want her to wear her prom dress downtown. It's bright blue and I think it'd be lovely against brick.

For now I think I'm going to work on a box I'm decorating for Sarah, Ian's wife, and listen to some echoes studies. It'll be a good day.

I'm really quite tired...as I should be, it's 3:56am.

Soon I'll be going to sleep and then I'll be content. Tomorrow/today will be busy, so really I should have gone to sleep a few hours ago.

12:00 - Lunch at my grandparents' with some family and the girl that they'll be watching for a while
2:00 - Photo taking at Krug (ugh! Krug!)
6:00 - Wedding reception

For the above photo: I downloaded some new textures the other day and I'm trying them out. I think I enjoy the one I put with that photo. It's subtle and I must say, I enjoy the burned edges.
And there's another! Yay, photos!

Okay, this is getting ridiculous. Goodnight.

Look Alive

So, here's the thing: I really like this song.

It's called "Look Alive" and it's by Incubus. (I enjoy Incubus.)
"The hardest thing is rendering a moment moving too fast to endure"
That's my favorite line.

The thing about Incubus/Brandon Boyd is that I just like the way things are worded. Brandon has written two books: "White Fluffy Clouds" and "From the Murks of a Sultry Abyss." In them he has random writings, poems, lyrics, drawings, photos, etc. I like the layout and look of the books a lot. I like to read the writings, but I generally strongly disagree with what he's saying, or I completely just don't understand it. Let's face it, I'm not a metaphor understanding girl. I just don't get it.

Words are not my thing.

But, I read and enjoy simply because of the structure and flow.

I don't want to work tomorrow...it just might be the longest 6 hours of my life! Yay!

Also, Saturday might be a pleasantly busy day. We're having lunch at my grandma's at noon. Then at 2 I'm going to Krug Park to take some pictures of Katie's cousin. Then at 6 Miles and I will be going to a wedding reception at Stony Creek.
Sunday I'm not working, of course.
Monday I'm working 7:45-1 then meeting Katie and her house. We're going to take her senior pictures! That should be fun. Miles has a volleyball game at 5:30, and I assume I'll be able to attend as Katie has to work at 6 that evening.

I'm excited to take pictures!

Oh! And I talked to my momma today about my grandparents' farm. She said the barn isn't standing but the house is and is in bad shape. I guess my grandma has wanted to make a trip up there and my mom wants to also. So, hopefully we can make that happen.

The End

I really wish Kmart didn't want to hang out so much.

I don't like working so much. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if I didn't have a constant urge to take/edit photos. I don't know, but either way, I don't like it. Currently, I am working on a project of sorts there, though, so that makes it a little less painful. I'm thinking of telling Wanda I can't work Saturdays.
Here's my thinking:
Jay and Jalisa can't work days, as they're still in high school. Maggie doesn't like closing. Lauren doesn't like opening. Basically, I figure there are enough people to cover the weekends up there (I never work on Sundays...it's the Lord's day!). I don't think they need me for 5 days of the week and a weekend also! And, (the main reason I'd like this) I'd always have a day that I would be free to take someone's pictures. It's so hard to plan a day to do pictures when I don't know if I'll be free.

I think I'll do it.

I feel like all I have to talk about is work. Like today I had to go in 2 hours early.
Umm...anyway...let's see...is there anything else?

I often wish I could just write things. Not anything important, necessarily. I think I would like to be a good writer...but I don't want to write much. Kind of how I always wanted to be good at drawing but I never wanted to practice, and I don't even really like drawing all that much. Photography is the only thing I ever felt the need to keep doing and try to progress at. I guess that makes sense, but I don't know.

I'm getting my hair cut at noon today (tomorrow, Tuesday). I look forward to not having split ends for about a month. That'll be cool. But, once I cut it I'll be sad that I won't have long hair any longer...until it grows back. I really hate the actual hair cutting process. It's so awkward. I mean, I really don't have anything to talk about when I'm sitting there. But there's always the, "So, do you still work at Kmart?" question. Then the, "How's married life?"...to which I always give the same answer ("It's good...it doesn't really feel any different, which is strange since a lot changed.") And don't forget the, "Have you found another job yet?"..."Oh, have you been looking for one?" No, I'm going to be at Kmart until the rapture (oh, I hope not!).

I really am itching for a chance to go out and take pictures. I don't really know what I want to take pictures of. I just want to go. I want to take my camera, my lenses, my monopod thingy, my flash and GO. But, I don't get many chances to do that. I will one of these days...maybe...hopefully.

I want to sleep soon. I think I'll play some Scramble, listen to a few more Incubus songs, then get ready and go to bed. It'll be lovely! G'night!