I am going to BlogHer. Are you? Whether you are attending the conference or not, there is a sweet party being planned for anyone who is in San Francisco and wants to meet everyone else. Megan at Velveteen Mind wrote a sweet post to help abolish any “I’m not worthy!” feelings. Come!
Photo This, Photo That
Date: Friday May 30, 2008Posted in: Emily, Family, Graham, Nathan, Photography
Those of you who do not care about photography, do not fear! This is not turning into a website that is only about photography. That is I created my photography site for.
On that note, you guys are awesome (per usual). I got some great feedback via comments as well as email. It is a work in process, as I said, and I even managed to do a bit of tweaking yesterday. I added words! You think that I, of all people, would have thought of that.
I had planned to do even more tweaking last night but ended up working on accounting stuff until 9PM. I opted to watch the season finale of LOST instead, and am now more confused than I ever was (WTH?).
Onwards!
Photo This
Do you guys remember Foto Friday? When I would try and share what I was learning? And we had lots of fun? Then I did a big emotional post about letting it go? I did not say it was over, but just that it would not necessarily be every week. And then it has only happened once since then.
Here is the lowdown on Foto Friday:
- I have stuff that I want to share! Like why you might need to use a flash on a sunny day. It sounds crazy, but it’s true! I am not promising anything until I am done my work contract at the end of June, but I just might surprise you.
- In the meantime, my friend Susan inspired me to get organized. She got a DSLR, which inspired me to do what I had been meaning to do for a while. Wading through the Foto Friday archives seemed too cumbersome to me (and probably you), so I created a separate page and put all of the Foto Friday posts in lists! With headings! And descriptions! Organization makes me giddy. Look up, look waaaayyy up. Or click HERE.
Photo That
As most of you know, I am going to the BlogHer conference in July (Woo!). If you are somehow involved with the conference, your conference pass is free. This is awesome, because there are still airfare, hotel (The Westin) and food/cocktail costs to dish out.
A group of friends and I put together a proposal about a panel that we could do. We all love public speaking, and thought this would be a great way to not just get a free pass, but to put our blogging skills to use to help others.
We did not get chosen, and I completely understand why. If I had to pick between someone like myself and someone like Dooce? She would win. Hands down.
I am still planning to go to the conference regardless. I fired off an email to see if there was any other way I could volunteer. A week or so later, one of the founders of BlogHer offered me this:
I get to be the Official Staff Photographer for BlogHer.
Wow.
That is all I have for today. I have been working such long hours this week that my kids have had a reprieve from the Mommarazzi in me. Here are a few more from Bubblepalooza.
The weather has been amazing, and it is supposed to continue through the weekend. I plan on spending as much time as possible OUTSIDE.
Have a good one, everyone!
As you all know, I have been branching beyond accounting (Yawn) to some side photography gigs (Whee!).
So far, I have not done a whole lot to promote myself. The first few weddings that I booked for this coming summer were from readers of my site emailing me and asking me if I would shoot their weddings. Woo! The local photo guy has been teaching me tricks, having me assist him, and sending clients my way. It’s been a slow and steady start.
One of the reasons I have not been promoting myself much was that I did not have much to actually promote myself with. I could give people the link to this site, but then they would have to wade through tales of bubbles and constipated babies to see some of my photos. I post a lot of my photos on Flickr and have made public those that would be portfolio-worthy. That is the link I have been sending to prospective clients and it has been better than nothing at least.
I know that any decent photographer nowadays needs an online portfolio. I registered my domain name and started thinking of what to do with it. There are a number of hosting companies that offer photography portfolio sites, but they (Shockingly!) are not free. Honey (the ever-wise and always-frugal one) suggested that maybe I spend money on photography accessories until the point where my gigs gave me the cushion of cash with which to pay for a professional web design/professional hosting. He’s a smart one, that Matthew.
So, I gave up the dream of a professional site. And then! A web-designer friend offered to do my site for free! A very sweet and generous offer. I figured out what galleries I wanted, and what photos to include. The weeks went by and my friend was getting more and more bogged down with people who were willing to pay him in more than accolades. I released him from his gracious offer last week and set about the task of making my domain into a portfolio.
He had suggested a theme he thought would work well. I agreed. I uploaded it, changed it from black to white, and started creating the site I had envisioned. I was wading through CSS and winning. Go me! My work weekend was in a beautiful location…
…but my days were spent teaching, and my evenings spent marking. When my brain was tired of accounting, I played with the site for an hour or so each night. On Saturday, I thought I had finally beat it into submission. It looked like I wanted! The galleries had thumbnails! Then I clicked on a thumbnail to see the enlarged version.
HUGE ERROR MESSAGE.
Something along the lines of “lkfjaklsfjaksjfaf…SYNTAX…lklakdlkalgka“. ACK!
I cried out for Twittered for help. Miss Grace (aka witchypoo) leapt to my aid. She did a bunch of tweaking on my back end. Well not my back end. My site’s back end. She did some “hybridizing” and mentioned something about “ajax”. I had NO IDEA that cleaning supplies were required. THIS IS WHY I AM NOT A WEB DESIGNER.
It took her more time than I could ever afford to pay, so I am paying her in the hugest shout-out EVER. If you need some web design done, and have cold hard cash, GO SEE HER.
I sent little snippets of time last night and tonight doing some tweaking. I have some current client photos and such that need to get on there, and a few other minor adjustments, but I’m pretty excited about what I did with it. Like when you click on that front page photo? It takes you to the gallery! And when you click on one of the Gallery photos? It takes you to that category! And then you can click on a photo to make it bigger. If you click on it again? It’s HUGE.
(If you are a web designer, you are probably having fits of giggles. This, to you, is like bookkeeping to me; I can do it in my sleep. But maybe I get an “A” for effort?)
So, um, check it out. And then come back here and tell me what you think.
http://www.angelladykstra.com/
Criticism (if constructive) is welcomed. I really want to know what you guys think.
*Crosses fingers (and toes) that you like it*
Even Superman Gets Tired
Date: Tuesday May 27, 2008Posted in: Emily, Family, Graham, Honey, Nathan, Workin' It
Before I left for my work weekend, I assured the boys that I loved them and that I would miss them very much. I would have assured Emily the same, but she is at that nice oblivious stage.
I also told them that I would bring them a new toy as a treat upon my return. We do not buy the kids many toys outside of their birthdays and Christmas (THEY HAVE ENOUGH CRAP ALREADY), but I like to treat them every once in awhile. And bribe them. With words along the lines of, “Yes, I will bring you a treat if you are good for Daddy while I am gone.”
I talked to them on the phone throughout the weekend. The conversation at lunch on Saturday was classic.
Nathan: “Hi Mommy! Are you having fun at work?”
Me: “Hi sweetie! Yes, I am having fun. Are you having fun with Daddy?”
Nathan: “Yep! So…are you getting us a present?”
Me: “Have you been good for Daddy?”
Nathan: “…” (Silence.)
Graham (In the background): “SAY YES!”
Hee!
Yes, they were good. My kids generally are. Good, that is. The have thrown the occasional attitude (Which is NORMAL), but we are all over them like a dirty shirt. Bad attitudes are not allowed at our house.
Friends and strangers all tell us that they are pretty fantastic kids. I tend to agree.
I wandered the aisles at StupidStore to find the perfect gift. I rounded a corner and found them. Battery-powered bubble guns. Not bubble GUM (not sure how that would work), bubble guns. Perfect.
I pulled into the driveway on Sunday and three little people came running to greet me. “Mommy! You’re back!” and “We were SO GOOD” was what I was greeted with. I cracked out the presents.
I think they were a hit.
They shoot bubbles SUPER FAST.
If I tried to blow bubbles that fast, I would pass out.
Emily. Looking down the barrel like the good shooter she is.
When I took this I was all, “Sweet shot!”
And then I was all, “DON’T LET THE BUBBLES HIT THE LENS!”
I kind of like this one. A lot.
Bubbles are FUN!
And a little saucy.
The kids liked to shoot the bubble guns…and to be shot at. Up close.
And from a distance.
Whee!
Bubbles!
There she goes laughing again…Little Miss Giggles.
Before we knew it the bubbles ran out.
Being the uber-intelligent woman I am (Ha!) I had not thought to buy more bubbles. I used it as a lesson to teach my kids about dealing with disappointment. Then I bribed them with took them out for ice cream.
I was away for almost 72 hours this weekend, leaving Honey as a single parent to three kids under the age of six. I go away a few times a year for work, and will go away for BlogHer in July. Woo!
He has left me alone with the kids ONCE. For one night. He is by far the better parent. Hands down.
After all of the busy-ness of the weekend, Honey was tired. He started dinner while I played with/shot photos of the kids. Then he laid down on the bench seat for a little siesta.
He deserved it.
My plans to have a weekend of full evenings to myself was (somewhat) thwarted. A project came back that needed further editing. Not a problem at all; just one of the benefits of being self-employed. 9-5 is a misnomer.
On Friday night I started to weed through the photos that I had taken before I left. I only edited the three photos I used in my last post, but the bulk of the remaining photos made me think of the “Little Miss” series. In particular, Little Miss Giggles.
Do you guys remember the Little Miss and Mr. Men books? If not? Then you are not as old as I am. Sigh.
While I was editing photos for this “Little Miss” post, I read a post by my friend Secret Agent Josephine…and Baby Bug was wearing a Little Miss Trouble shirt! It was a sign that I was onto something! And also had me wondering- where can I get Emily a Little Miss shirt?
Anyone?
On to the post!
We are a family that laughs a lot. And by a lot I mean A LOT. Honey may be a little shy, but THE DUDE IS FUNNY. As are the short people in our house. I really do need to post some of our conversations. I’ll get on that.
Miss Emily may have a stubborn streak (Hello, MINI ME), but she is generally a happy little girl. Not only is she happy, but she has the best belly laugh EVER.
I need to catch it on video again but it sounds quite similar to what it did a year ago. But not so baby-esque. She is almost 20 months old, you know. She is mature.
She will find something funny and the laughter CANNOT BE CONTAINED.
Her laughing has nothing to do with me. Nope. Or even her beloved Daddy. She laughs at this guy.
And also? This guy.
The pull out all the stops to make her laugh. They have a knack for it.
Laughter really is the best medicine for a Momma who misses her babies. I return home today. Huzzah!
These photos make me think that I need to laugh even more than I do already. While wearing a Little Miss t-shirt, if they even exist in my size.
I am not sure if you guys caught a comment on my last post by a troll regular reader.
Do you know how many times you have said so many of the lines you wrote in this post? We know Honeys industry isn’t doing well and you bring home the bacon and you have letters after your name and you like to eat blah blah blag.
I know, I know. DON’T FEED THE TROLLS.
I am only posting about it because I find it quite…hilarious.
Last year? A lame comment of this nature might make me upset and hurt my feelings and maybe even make me cry. I’m sensitive like that.
However.
I have had my fair share of trolls in the past year. Some say I do not talk about my faith enough (Um. Take that up with God. He and I are GOOD. But maybe you are having issues with the Big Guy?)
Some are pansies who hide behind the “anonymous” moniker and have thrown swear words, hurtful words, and other nonsense at me. They have had their IP blocked. I do not need their crap polluting my site.
And then there is this particular troll reader. Her comment yesterday actually made me laugh out loud, for a number of reasons. Let us make a list, shall we?
1. Yes, my site may be boring. But, um, last time I checked it was MY SITE. Created BY me, FOR me. You came here of your own volition. If you do not like what I have to say? MOVE ALONG. I did not ask you to come here.
2. She actually left a completely ignorant comment on a post I wrote to Emily last summer. Nothing like a child-free person commenting on someone’s parenting jokes. BECAUSE THAT MAKES SO MUCH SENSE. I replied to her comment and also emailed her to tell her that if I was so offensive? She should just not come back. Makes sense, right? MOVE ALONG. NOTHING TO SEE HERE.
3. She keeps coming, and has left the occasional, random, nonsensical comment. I think she has personal issues. But that’s just between you and me.
4. My thoughts after yesterday’s comment?
- I have already informed you that you do not need to come here.
- You keep coming back.
- Even though you think my site is boring.
- And you take the time to not only read, but to then leave a comment about how boring I am.
- Which makes me believe that your life is far more boring than mine could ever be.
Trolls People, let this be a lesson. If you do not like my site? STEP OFF. Seriously. And also? Get over yourself. And maybe? GET A LIFE.
I have one of those. That “life” of which I speak. I am married to the most amazing man that God could have given me.
Together? We lead a wonderfully boring life with our three beautiful children.
If you disagree? I really do not care. It’s not about you.
It is about me. And them. And also? The Big Guy.
Maybe I should just block your IP. To save you from yourself.
Because I’m thoughtful like that.
As most of you know, I am in the midst of a two-month work contract. While sixteen students (Not eighteen! Two bailed!) is far more manageable than the thirty-five I did last year, it still means that I am working between thirty and forty hours per week. While this is far better than the sixty or more hours per week I was working last year, it still means I am BUSY. I honestly don’t know how working Moms do it all year long. Hats (Skirts?) off to you ladies.
In addition to the accounting stuff, I have had a few photo gigs pop up. Honey is fully supportive (per usual), and watches all three kidlets while I go off gallivanting with my camera. This is paying work, which is an added bonus.
His industry (lumber) is not doing so well. At all. We are blessed in the fact that I went and got myself some initials back in the day and can bring in a more than decent salary when I need to. We have to pay the bills and buy food somehow. I still have not figured out how to make money grow on trees, but I’m working on it. I’ll keep you posted.
While I am fully appreciative of the fact I can make the coinage (because I like to eat), can I tell you a little secret?
I like being a Mom. As in, “just” being a Mom. I like taking the kids to swim class, to school, to see friends. I like to cook dinner, to play on the lawn, to tickle them and chase them around with shouts of, “I’m going to GET YOU!”
I could do without the bum wiping (theirs) but every job has its cons, I guess.
So, I have been taking small chunks of time during the daylight hours to get groceries, run errands and GO OUTSIDE AND PLAY. It has been wonderful. It has been wonderful for Matthew as well. He gets a reprieve from Daddy Daycare and gets to do manly things like planting our garden (Machinery involved!) and rebuilding an ATV. Grrrrr!
The down side is that there is still work to be done, deadlines to be made. This week has had the added bonus of finishing off another side project that had a deadline of yesterday, and preparing for a course that I am teaching this weekend. This means that I have been at my computer working away from after supper until I stumble upstairs to bed at some crazy late hour.
The time after the kids go to sleep is usually MY time. I edit photos, write posts, maybe surf a little. I promised myself that I would be a better Facebook friend, so I have been trying to get on there more than the once a month that I used to. Then there is that crazy thing called Google Reader.
I have not edited more than a handful of photos, and my posts have consisted of a couple in the side blog and a bunch of Twitters. 140 characters seems to all that I can fit into my life this week. As for Facebook, I have managed to update my status for our anniversary, and for the newspaper article I was in today. I have not a clue as to what anyone else’s “status” is.
Dear Facebook friends: It’s not you, it’s me. Honestly.
There is simply not much Internet time available when you’re running to get stuff done in the Real World.
This has been a little frustrating. Not that I need the Internet or anything, but I like it. I have posts in my head that are bouncing around with nowhere to go. I think one of them is kind of funny, but I do not have the time to give it justice. It is also killing me that I have not had time to take my daily quota of photos and then play with them in Lightroom. I am feeling creatively constipated.
Things will be better starting tomorrow night. I will be out of town teaching for three days. My days will be busy with the teaching, yes, and some prep work in the evening, yes, but apart from that? IT’S ME TIME, BABY.
I don’t have to cook (Eating out paid for!), I don’t have to clean (Hotel room paid for!) and the only bum I will be wiping will be mine (Yes!) The rest of the time will be ALL ABOUT ME. I plan on doing a little reading, and a little photo (take and edit)-ing.
Maybe even a little posting.
I will probably cry the whole time I am driving to my destination (It happens every time. “What if I die?!? What if THEY die?!?” It’s awesome.), but once I am there I will fall into the routine of work and non-work. There will be no running to and fro. Only peace, quiet, refreshment.
I will return a better Wife, Mommy and Friend because of it.
