never fully-clothed or intentionally misinforming

Five. Five weddings. I'm already, to some degree, involved with five weddings this year. I'm a guest at two, the Maid of Honor for one, and a photographer for another two. And, hopefully this won't jinx it, but a close friend of mine put in a good word for me with a sixth couple that is getting married on the beach this year and is in need of a photographer. If this isn't the year for wedded bliss, I don't know what is. Let's hope none ends in divorce and let's keep our fingers crossed I get the sixth couple to commit to me as their photographer. I love photographing weddings.

I'm not Catholic, but I do love me some personal challenges. Here's a list of things I'm cutting myself off from for the next forty days and forty nights . . . or at least trying to cut myself off from. 1. Myspace. 2. Chocolate. (yikes!) 3. Texting!! 4. Fast food (sit down, given a menu, have a waiter restaurants don't count. neither does Subway) 5. Staying up past midnight. Are you giving anything up for Lent?

For the first time ever, I submitted a web design for approval from my bosses. That was Friday. The lesser significant of the two men immediately responded with "it looks great. Nice upgrade." The more significant of the two didn't even look at the design until yesterday. All weekend I was nervous -- wondering if he'd like it. If he even cared. Then, as I walked passed his office on the way back to my desk yesterday afternoon, he beckoned me, looked me dead in the eyes and said, "excellent work. When can we see this up and running?" If I told you I didn't jump just the slightest bit off the ground, I'd be lying. Once it's on the world wide web, I'll post a link for those interested in looking at it. Special thanks to everyone who helped me along the way: Patrick -- whenever I needed help on any of my assignments, you were just a phone call away and always knew how to fix things. Ryan -- you've been a guiding light through this learning pr...

Eight people I miss. Miss –verb (used with object) 1. to notice the absence or loss of 2. to regret the absence or loss of 3. loss; want; felt absence 1. Aunt Terry - She moved to Citra when I was in high school and when I was finally old enough to appreciate her particular demeanor, she was far more tame than I recalled her being. She still had it, but -- maybe because of my age -- it seemed more reigned in than I recall. She passed away in August of 2002, just after Susan's birthday, and several months before my graduation. She didn't miss Jeff's or Susan's graduations and for mine, not even death could keep her away -- she was still with me that day in the form of the rain that fell. To this day, I wonder if she knew she had cancer before she moved up here. If I could cross the barrier between this world and the afterlife, she's the first person I'd want to talk to again. 2. Grandma Scott (Eloise) - Who wouldn't miss their grandma after she p...

don't rush it, kid." I sat here with a blank slate of a blog post window for 20 minutes reflecting on my childhood. There are events in my life that I do wish I could change, but none so poignant as my overall childhood wish to 'just grow up already.' Today, at 24-years-old, I can still smell the scent of my elementary gifted teacher's aftershave. I can feel the texture of the rubber mats underneath our kindergarten playground. I don't feel like 24 years have gone by. But then, oh then, I could only dream of driving a car, getting a paycheck for designing dream houses for the rich, and traveling the world. What I would give to have back the days of the kindergarten playground and my Fisher Price town sets. What would you say? And as a side note:

My dad joined the I.B.E.W. (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Labor Union) when he was 19-years-old. He started at the beginning. Working his way up through the rankings, he earned several certifications in various trades within the Union. He has been able to travel to far and fascinating parts of the world and has met and worked with the most eclectic collection of people. In my childhood there were people, famous and legendary people, I thought obtained experiences that I could never fathom knowing. But as I grew older, I learned my own father had more, and better, stories to tell than I could ever get from following the lives of the famous. I grew up with the ideals of brotherhood and unions instilled in me. These ideals are in my blood. There are certain things I've been raised to understand. And I am grateful for those things; they make me a more humble and grateful person. My co-worker, on the other hand, has been working for the I.B.E.W. for perhaps 7 years, b...

This past weekend. Holy cow, this past weekend. My life was perfect this past weekend. Saturday I took some things over to my house. I set up my television, DVD player and VCR. I unpacked all my books onto their shelves, put sheets on my bed because I really can’t stand a naked mattress (something I picked up from my better half), and brought over my bottle and camera collections. Then shortly after I arrived, Jon-Michael showed up. As we hugged in the doorway, I felt something stuffed in the back of his shirt. I laughed and said something along the lines of “it appears you have a growth back here.” He pulled out a Frisbee – a gift he knew I would absolutely love. I showed him how I’d arranged my room, we stood around for awhile talking about the house, and then we rode over to Wendy’s to grab so much. We brought it back and ate a meal on the floor in my future house – a house I will soon be eating all my meals in (can you tell I’m excited?). After we ate, we watched Cool Run...

As I've mentioned a million gazillion times on here, I joined Sparkpeople.com in January. Since joining, I've lost about four pounds simply by consciously deciding whether I'm hungry or not. When I quit going out to eat with my co-workers every day, I half expected the pounds to fall off. But they didn't, and that's fair. When I joined SP and started tracking what I eat, I realized it was never really what I ate, but more the portions that packed the pounds on. I think part of America's issue with obesity is that we dine together as a social outing versus throwing a frisbee in the local park or going to the beach, or even a museum. When I started eating predominantly for purpose rather than pleasure, I realized not only was I beginning to feel more satisfied with my meals, they were more savory, and they resulted in an uplifted energy level when looked at in comparison to my old ways. It's amazing how a simple change like listening to your body and knowing t...

It's time to list things. 1. I called and ordered my Maid of Honor dress today. I've already tried it on, I just didn't have the money for it at the time. It's beautiful really. And it's something that I'll be able to wear more than once, luckily. When I go pick it up, I'm taking my shoes with me, wearing make-up, and having my hair pulled up nicely. That way I can get the full effect. I'm planning on having lost weight by then -- if I have, from what I understand, DB (David's Bridal) will swap the dress size free of charge. Sweet deal. Another thing, the bride's maids are all going to be trying on dresses that day. It'll be the first time I get to meet all of them. 2. I'm losing weight. I joined an online weight-loss/wellness community where I track my meals and my fitness. I can get exercise strategies and suggestions on everything from working out, to eating, to make up and skin care. It's fantastic. I've even gotten coupons fo...

Shortly after a palliative care nurse suggested Preparation H as a treatment for my weeping induced under-eye bags, my mother, who was dying of cancer, opened her eyes and left me with these parting words of wisdom to sustain me after she died: "Whatever you do, Petunia, do NOT put ass cream on your face." ... makes me wonder what mine will be. Will I say something so profound?