I was working on the computer last night and the dog was lying near me when he started to let out a fart. It sounded like a creaking door and it just kept going and going, quietly and slowly. I looked over at him and he lifted himself up, sort-of looking back at his own butt. The pressure of lifting his own body made the fart rip the rest of the way out, and then he stood up and walked off, kind of offended by himself.
I was amused.
By my farting dog.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Sunday, August 3, 2008
Post Photo Staff Picnic
Today was a nice day. The weather was good, there was a relatively cool breeze, and it was the photo department's last hurrah picnic at John Prince Park in Lake Worth. I am so grateful my coworkers organized this. It was so fun.
When I first got there it was a bit strange. I mean, we are there because soon a good handful of us won't be there anymore. There was about six of us sitting around a shaded picnic table when I said something like, "This is really fun with a slight, unacknowledged funereal feel."
TC spoke up, "I'm so glad you said that. I'm so glad I'm not the only one who feels that way!" and then he added, "I was thinking that everybody comes to the weddings and funerals...and everyone's here."
And there really were with exception to a few. Generally, with a staff of 20-some people, it's tough to get us all in one place.
It was hard to not talk about work and ask others what they will be doing next. I admit that I am a bit squeamish with that question too, like when people ask me at the family Christmas party if I'm seeing anyone and the answer is almost only no (may Boston change that for me, can I get an amen).
There was also an interesting thing in that no one seemed to really want to leave. We weren't having life-altering conversations or playing the best games of badminton ever and thus just couldn't bring ourselves to leave, but still, the party got up and going around one and I left with the last group at 6:20. That's a long time to be hanging out in the Florida heat, even if there is a nice breeze.
Perhaps no one had anywhere else to be, but I rather think that we just wanted to hang with each other.
It's amazing how difficult it is to get a decent picture of a group of photographers. It's like asking a pack of hyper monkeys to sit still!
When I first got there it was a bit strange. I mean, we are there because soon a good handful of us won't be there anymore. There was about six of us sitting around a shaded picnic table when I said something like, "This is really fun with a slight, unacknowledged funereal feel."
TC spoke up, "I'm so glad you said that. I'm so glad I'm not the only one who feels that way!" and then he added, "I was thinking that everybody comes to the weddings and funerals...and everyone's here."
And there really were with exception to a few. Generally, with a staff of 20-some people, it's tough to get us all in one place.
It was hard to not talk about work and ask others what they will be doing next. I admit that I am a bit squeamish with that question too, like when people ask me at the family Christmas party if I'm seeing anyone and the answer is almost only no (may Boston change that for me, can I get an amen).
There was also an interesting thing in that no one seemed to really want to leave. We weren't having life-altering conversations or playing the best games of badminton ever and thus just couldn't bring ourselves to leave, but still, the party got up and going around one and I left with the last group at 6:20. That's a long time to be hanging out in the Florida heat, even if there is a nice breeze.
Perhaps no one had anywhere else to be, but I rather think that we just wanted to hang with each other.
It's amazing how difficult it is to get a decent picture of a group of photographers. It's like asking a pack of hyper monkeys to sit still!Saturday Fun
I went snorkeling on Saturday with some friends. We had a great time exploring Phil Foster Park, thanks to the suggestion of TC, who is a diver.
I made a silly video which will not really be very understandable here, I think. In the segment where I'm talking, I'm basically saying that we should have been doing this (snorkeling regularly) all along, and now my plan is to go as many times as possible before I go. I have been snorkeling quite a few times but never so close to home. I do wish I'd known about it sooner!
I made a silly video which will not really be very understandable here, I think. In the segment where I'm talking, I'm basically saying that we should have been doing this (snorkeling regularly) all along, and now my plan is to go as many times as possible before I go. I have been snorkeling quite a few times but never so close to home. I do wish I'd known about it sooner!
Friday, August 1, 2008
Just Keep Compartmentalizing, That's All I'm Thinkin'
There was something about flipping the calendar today; it's August. The 12th of the month is my last day at my paper. I have seven more work days left. At 5:01 on Tuesday August 12, I will no longer be an employee of the Palm Beach Post.
I'd be lying if I said I don't feel panic coming on. Not to mention strong fear of the impending goodbyes.
It's so strange photographing people in this frame of mind. I can't tell them to contact me if they don't manage to get a copy of the paper their story will be in because I will not be contactable by the time their story runs.
Hanging out with a few of the guys after work today, BI started talking about how sad it was that his friends were leaving and the family was being broken up. I found that interesting because no one had used those words and I think people think them. That we are a family. A large dysfunctional one, but a family just the same. He was pissed off about the latest email from "the man" also, which said that no gear of any kind will be sold. We must hand back everything.
I'm really upset about this too and I was relieved to hear how absurd BI thought it was. I wondered if maybe I was being selfish, but really, the company is just doing nothing to help us out, and it will be no better when lay offs continue later in the summer.
We know you're losing your job and it would be helpful for you to get a good deal on some quality laptops, cameras, etc., but we just don't feel like throwing you a bone (even though there will be no employees to even use the damn stuff). Don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way out! Buh-bye now!
I am stressed, as many are, about my finances. We talked about camera gear and what to do about it; buy a slightly lower end one then a better one later? Buy an OK camera but get really good glass (lenses) for it? Spend a crap-load on good stuff and get two jobs to pay for them? It's just a mess.
I wonder to myself if I should even buy myself gear. Maybe my next job, even though I have no fucking clue what it will be, won't even involve shooting at all. It's such a fleeting thought, the idea of not having any camera gear. I love what I do and I can't fathom not having a good camera near me when I need one. Or when I don't need one.
I'm good at it. I need to keep being good at it.
I'd be lying if I said I don't feel panic coming on. Not to mention strong fear of the impending goodbyes.
It's so strange photographing people in this frame of mind. I can't tell them to contact me if they don't manage to get a copy of the paper their story will be in because I will not be contactable by the time their story runs.
Hanging out with a few of the guys after work today, BI started talking about how sad it was that his friends were leaving and the family was being broken up. I found that interesting because no one had used those words and I think people think them. That we are a family. A large dysfunctional one, but a family just the same. He was pissed off about the latest email from "the man" also, which said that no gear of any kind will be sold. We must hand back everything.
I'm really upset about this too and I was relieved to hear how absurd BI thought it was. I wondered if maybe I was being selfish, but really, the company is just doing nothing to help us out, and it will be no better when lay offs continue later in the summer.
We know you're losing your job and it would be helpful for you to get a good deal on some quality laptops, cameras, etc., but we just don't feel like throwing you a bone (even though there will be no employees to even use the damn stuff). Don't let the door hit you in the ass on your way out! Buh-bye now!
I am stressed, as many are, about my finances. We talked about camera gear and what to do about it; buy a slightly lower end one then a better one later? Buy an OK camera but get really good glass (lenses) for it? Spend a crap-load on good stuff and get two jobs to pay for them? It's just a mess.
I wonder to myself if I should even buy myself gear. Maybe my next job, even though I have no fucking clue what it will be, won't even involve shooting at all. It's such a fleeting thought, the idea of not having any camera gear. I love what I do and I can't fathom not having a good camera near me when I need one. Or when I don't need one.
I'm good at it. I need to keep being good at it.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Common Ground
Give it up for Scott Strazzante - this baby kicks ass. (thanks for sending it, Debby!)
COMMON GROUND
COMMON GROUND
Monday, July 28, 2008
Stuff 'n' Things
Today I went to my endocrinologist. Oddly, my HbA1c was improved over last time. I suspected it would not be given my recently ended diet of cuticles (my own) and Dove ice cream bars. I didn't tell her about that.
On my way home, I stopped at Greenwise to try and find some reasonably priced almond butter. Egads! No luck. But I did notice a sign above one of the isles which read, "Health Foods, Diabetic Foods" etc. That phrase always makes me chuckle. OK, maybe not always, but this time it did. "Diabetic Foods", like the food itself, is diabetic."My pickle ate too much carbohydrate! Quick give the pickle some insulin!"
In other news, it would appear my apartment wants me to move out, ASAP. Things are suddenly breaking. The other night, I had to pull a MacGyver to fix the toilet with some wire and this morning I opened the fridge and the lightbulb blew with a little POP!
On my way home, I stopped at Greenwise to try and find some reasonably priced almond butter. Egads! No luck. But I did notice a sign above one of the isles which read, "Health Foods, Diabetic Foods" etc. That phrase always makes me chuckle. OK, maybe not always, but this time it did. "Diabetic Foods", like the food itself, is diabetic."My pickle ate too much carbohydrate! Quick give the pickle some insulin!"
In other news, it would appear my apartment wants me to move out, ASAP. Things are suddenly breaking. The other night, I had to pull a MacGyver to fix the toilet with some wire and this morning I opened the fridge and the lightbulb blew with a little POP!
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