Daddy gave me a name....then he walked away

So my dad's birthday is coming up...like tomorrow (Apr 31) I donno where he's at. He had a better relationship with his brothers and their kids. But now he doesn't even call them. I guess he really doesn't want to be found.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=i8uamNDLEA0

Every time I here this song it make me think about him...except the part when I was 10 years old, I am not white and had never lived in a black neighborhood

Missed Connections on Craiglist

Every Thursday on Houstonist.com, they go to craiglist.com and find the missed connections page. A web page where people want to me up anonymously. Then Houstonist will post a response.

Did you order pizza Friday night? - m4w (Spring)

This is your delivery man... I was having a real shitty shift that night until I delivered your pizza. You asked me how I was doing (no one ever does that!) and I was so taken aback by your wonderful smile and gorgeous brown eyes that I had much trouble stuttering out my reply. I know this is a long shot but what have I got to lose?

the last 2 digits of your address are 06, you live on a very short street...

Here's a thought. Deliver a pizza to her house every day until she gets the idea or calls the police.

my best friend - m4w

in love with one of my best friends.
She recently ended things with her cheating boyfriend.
how do i tell her my feelings without ruining our friendship?
Does she see me that way, or sees me like her brother?
i always told her she deserves better, can i make her truely happy?
the worst part...does she still have feelings for her ex, or has the anger killed the flame?
do i tell her?
do i tell her?
do i tell her?
do i risk it?

In a word: HELL NO. Don't take our word for it. Read on.

re: my best friend - m4w

bro, keep things as they are. dont do it unless you're willing to never see or talk to her again should things go south. i say this because i recently dated and split with mine. we ended on a good note but things are very difficult now for the both of us.

No means no, and friend means friend. You're probably still thinking "Oh, she's my best friend. Things won't go south (tee hee); she's way too mature for that." Are you kidding? Have you seen Fatal Attraction? A bunny will end up in your pot. Not a stuffed bunny, but a real, flesh and blood bunny. Don't have one? She'll buy one. That's what happens when you date friends.

hot Hillary delegate - m4w - 27

You were the smoking hot girl in the Hillary gear at our convention tonight. I was the handsome, well-dressed Obama delegate who kept checking you out. You left in a hurry when the convention went south, and we never got a chance to resolve our tension. Come teach me the error of my ways.

The Clinton rep must have been truly beautiful as there is no way you could consider her hot if she was dressed in Hilary gear. This clearly a very delegate situation.




HLB from CBS I want to spend more time with you. - 21 (Under your window)

I'll bring the mustard and wine. You can cook. I don't mind pepper and chocolate together.

You can tell me about your car being dirty, and we can talk about what to do about the cat being out of control. I just want to be with you.

BTW That SM chick is hot.

Pepper + chocolate + mustard + wine = hurl. Out of control cat? Sounds like someone is on the verge of becoming the crazy cat lady and has some taste issues.

The 10 Commadments of Photography

Say you’re out for a photographic stroll, taking pictures of that cool old power plant on the edge of town. Suddenly seventy security guards swarm you and demand you hand over your camera.

“What is this,” you ask yourself, “a Michael Moore movie?”

You’re sure you haven’t done anything wrong, but you don’t know whose side the law is on. Fret no more- we’ve got a list of things you can and can’t do, and it’s a lot more permissive than you might think.

Now grab your camera back from that Rent-A-Cop and let’s hit the books.

The Ten Legal Commandments of Photography*

*Charlton Heston not included

p.s. Thanks to everybody who entered our “Monday Stinks!” contest! Congratulations to Notorious D.A.V., Warren Photography, evaded, mommaozzy 84, biancaprime, berdandy, spade, AnasBananas, trenity00, andreskrey, determinedforce01, ladibug, killbyte, Nellofcourse and Mia!

Before we get started here, we have to point out that even though we’re smart and awesome and devastatingly attractive, we’re not lawyers. None of this should be construed as legal advice. If you have a legal issue, get in touch with a lawyer. Much of this information was gleaned from attorney Bert P. Krages‘ website, so we’ll go ahead and recommend him.

The Ten Legal Commandments of Photography

I. Anyone in a public place can take pictures of anything they want. Public places include parks, sidewalks, malls, etc. Malls? Yeah. Even though it’s technically private property, being open to the public makes it public space.

II. If you are on public property, you can take pictures of private property. If a building, for example, is visible from the sidewalk, it’s fair game.

III. If you are on private property and are asked not to take pictures, you are obligated to honor that request. This includes posted signs.

IV. Sensitive government buildings (military bases, nuclear facilities) can prohibit photography if it is deemed a threat to national security.

V. People can be photographed if they are in public (without their consent) unless they have secluded themselves and can expect a reasonable degree of privacy. Kids swimming in a fountain? Okay. Somebody entering their PIN at the ATM? Not okay.

VI. The following can almost always be photographed from public places, despite popular opinion:

• accident & fire scenes, criminal activities
• bridges & other infrastructure, transportation facilities (i.e. airports)
• industrial facilities, Superfund sites
• public utilities, residential & commercial buildings
• children, celebrities, law enforcement officers
• UFOs, the Loch Ness Monster, Chuck Norris

VII. Although “security” is often given as the reason somebody doesn’t want you to take photos, it’s rarely valid. Taking a photo of a publicly visible subject does not constitute terrorism, nor does it infringe on a company’s trade secrets.

VIII. If you are challenged, you do not have to explain why you are taking pictures, nor to you have to disclose your identity (except in some cases when questioned by a law enforcement officer.)

IX. Private parties have very limited rights to detain you against your will, and can be subject to legal action if they harass you.

X. If someone tries to confiscate your camera and/or film, you don’t have to give it to them. If they take it by force or threaten you, they can be liable for things like theft and coercion. Even law enforcement officers need a court order.

What To Do If You’re Confronted

• Be respectful and polite. Use good judgement and don’t escalate the situation.
• If the person becomes combative or difficult, think about calling the police.
• Threats, detention, and taking your camera are all grounds for legal or civil actions on your part. Be sure to get the person’s name, employer, and what legal grounds they claim for their actions.
• If you don’t want to involve the authorities, go above the person’s head to their supervisor or their company’s public relations department.
• Call your local TV and radio stations and see if they want to do a story about your civil liberties.
• Put the story on the web yourself if need be.

• We’ve condensed these facts a great deal. We recommend downloading The Photographer’s Right and keeping a couple of copies in your camera bag if you’re shooting somewhere you might expect trouble.
• Andrew Kantor has written a good article and a PDF summary of your rights, including some of the ins-and-outs of publishing your pictures.
• The Legal Handbook for Photographers is a great resource covering all aspects of photography and the law.
• Live outside the United States? Try these links for photographer’s rights in Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.

Why have a photo blog????

In this article Natalie Norton discusses how creating a personal photography weblog can help you hone your skills as a photographer.

The general idea of a blog gives me the giggles. If I think about it in a certain way, it seems borderline narcissistic. “I’m Soooo wonderful that I MUST self publish so the world can be a part of the glory that is me.” Kinda forces you to crack a smile and nod in agreement, eh? I recently saw a man wearing a shirt that said, “I’m SO blogging this.” I was watching television not long ago and after a big “to do” the main character said something to the effect of, “If I had a blog, this would be a big day for me.” I remember the first time (in the relatively recent past) someone suggested I check out their blog. I had absolutely NO concept of what on Earth they could be taking about. For all I knew it was a medical condition and I may want to keep my distance. So what is this blog mania that has swept the world, and what does it mean to you as a photographer?

10 Reasons to Set Up a Photoblog

Here are 10 reasons you may want to consider getting a photo blog of your own, particularly if you really are serious about becoming a notable photographer and/or making the jump to the status of professional.

1. It’ll Turn Up the Heat:

My blog has been a phenomenal motivational tool for me. I truly believe that ultimately, technical jargon aside, the best thing you can do to achieve steady improvement as a photographer is get out and shoot, shoot, and shoot some more. A blog will light the fire under you to get out and do just that. It does this by causing you to feel accountable in two arenas. First off, in order to keep readers, you feel accountable to post new images regularly, thus ensuring that you’re out there shooting. Second, you feel pressure to post your very best, thus you feel pressure to stay on top of your craft. For me, even lack of traffic in the early days of my blog didn’t let me off the hook. In the beginning I still felt that sense of accountability even though I’m almost certain that at that point there were only 4 people checking my blog on a regular basis, two of whom were my parents.

2. Track Your Progress:

Blogs are a fantastic way to track your progress. If you were to take a second to search through the archives of my personal blog, my growth as a photographer would be beyond merely evident. It’s so fun for me to look back and see how far I’ve come, particularly when I’m feeling discouraged by the prospect of how far I still have to go!

3. Feedback:

Photo blogs are excellent places to receive feedback. If you’re serious about becoming a better photographer, you may find it helpful to ask others what they think of your work. I know this is scary, but it can be invaluable. Post a picture and ask your readers to comment with their thoughts. NOTE: don’t be discouraged if not every comment is complimentary- positive comments may boost confidence, but sometimes it’s the negative ones that really lead us to great achievement.

4. Marketing:

Blogs are a great way to get your name out there. People will find you who NEVER would have otherwise. If you have a plan to make the push at some point to the status of professional, or if you’re a pro already, there’s no greater (or cheaper) way to get your name out there than a photo blog.

5. Publicity:

Publicity is more than marketing, more than just getting your name out there. Anyone can do that by simply paying for an advertisement in a magazine or newspaper. Publicity is actually EARNING people’s attention because of the quality of the work you’re pumping out. As you continue shooting and posting your work on your blog, you’ll soon find that people are recommending that their friends and family go visit your blog. Then they tell their friends. Then they tell THEIR friends. And so on and so forth. This is what you’re gong for. You’ll be amazed as this process truly spreads like wildfire. Along with this, remember that it’s one thing when you see an ad in a paper for a photographer, it’s another thing when someone tells you, “Oh my gosh! You’ve got to check out so and so’s photography blog. It’s fantastic!” Which publicity seems more credible? Clearly the second because it’s unsolicited. It’s genuine.

6. Relationship:

Blogs are a great way to create a more personal relationship with potential clients. They not only have an opportunity to see your work on a regular basis, but they also get to know you through the text you include. Then when they’re looking to hire a photographer, you’ll be first on their list, because though you don’t know much, if anything, about them, they on the other hand feel like you’re an old friend.

7. Announcements:

I commonly get people asking me how I built my portfolio so quickly. Well, here you go: I announced promotions (and hosted give aways) on my blog. When I noticed that I needed to do more head shots to plump up that aspect of my portfolio, for example, I did a post on my blog offering one lucky winner a free head shot sitting. Then I offered discounted sittings to 3 other readers ($30 for a half hour down from $100). I quickly had filled the discounted slots and booked a handful of other clients at full price. It was astonishing. It all happened within the space of a couple of HOURS. Lets say you’re not really prepared enough to be charging but are desperate for experience. In the VERY beginning, when I had JUST bought my first DSLR, I spread the word that I was looking to gain experience and would be happy to photograph families for their Christmas cards for free. I was RIDICULOUSLY BUSY for about a month before Christmas that year. It was a fantastic way to get some experience under my belt in a relatively short amount of time. I know it seems crazy to give away so much time for free, but I’ll tell you what, I was so passionate, so desperate to learn about photography, I probably would have paid THEM to LET me take their pictures. Actually getting out and SHOOTING is FAR more effective in my opinion than any class you could take. EVER.

8. Networking:

Blogs are a great way to build a network with other photographers, up and coming and pro alike. You can link back and forth, offer feedback, publicize each other’s events and promotions. The possibilities are endless. For more information on the importance of this tip, check out my recent DPS article on Networking.

9. Testimonials:

I’m currently in the process of designing my new blog and website. There will obviously be a section of testimonials. Thankfully, because of all the wonderful comments on my blog, all the testimonials will be completely unsolicited. It’s so wonderful to read through the comments people have made about my work, clearly because it boosts my confidence but it’s proving useful in another way too- AWESOME, GENUINE, UNSOLICITED TESTIMONIALS!

10. It’s Plain ol’ Fun:

Blogging is just so darn fun. It’s that simple. It’s just fun to go out and shoot, come out of it with something you’re proud of and immediately have an audience to showcase it for. It’s wonderfully wonderful in every way.

Little did I know 1 year ago when I first began my life as a blogger that it would literally change they way I saw my world, push me to greater heights as a photographer and literally put my career in hyper-drive.

THE BOTTOM LINE?

Blogs are powerful. It’s quite remarkable the reach of a well thought out blog. If you’d like to encourage yourself to keep on shooting, keep on improving and perhaps to get your name out there in the photography industry, I definitely suggest you create a photo blog. Be sure to check back in the next week for the follow up to this post entitled, Building Your Blog: 10 things to consider when building your own rockin’ photo blog.

Happy Blogging!

When your eyes are the size of the moon

I can't explain it, but she gives me a feeling. The only thing I can compare it to is this video. It says it all.




Panic! At the Disco Lyrics
Nine In The Afternoon Lyrics

Worried mother

So..Andrew is out partying....yeah, Andrew. Of all people. Some co-worker b-day. I'm stuck here with papers and shit for work...that's another story. It's going on midnight and he's been out since 6pm. Somewhere 45 north and 1960. An area where he's never been to...in fact the furthest place he has driving it to school and the mall. Damm it, he needs to come home so I can sleep.

ahh he is here.

Survey

Thank for taking the time to complete this survey. This is for my introduction to research class, everything is confidential. Please fill it out truthfully and completely.

First right click and copy the questions

Then click on the comments link.

Then hit the "ctrl" and "V" button at the same time.

Now fill in your answers.

Before you post your answers, be sure that you choose your identity as "anonymous".



Thanks again,

Jon



Questionnaire


Please answer as truthfully as to your recollection. All answers are anonymous and confidential. Only UHD students please.



1) Are you male or female?

2) How many credit hours are you taking this semester?

3) How many years have you attended college? Whole or half numbers only.

4) What is your current GPA to your knowledge?

5) Are you currently employed? Yes or No.

6) If yes to number 5, approximately how many hours do you work per week?



Thank you!

An Observation

Relationships have expiry dates folks. That's all there is to it, no ifs ands or buts. You either know each other till ye croak, or you fall away from each other. Such is the inevitable up of life that eventually begins to see the ground.

However, there will ALWAYS be those people, who desperately try to remedy this, like an old california lady with botox injected into every inch of her wrinkled ass, NOTHING can stop the nature of things. By that I mean life cycles. These are not fads, you can't try to run away from them, try to fix, there's very little that is actually forever. So why don't some people get this? Why are they CONSTANTLY driven to keep up old ties? Hmmm? I understand why in some cases, old friends you haven't seen in ages you want to catch up with, family members, I can see why you'd want to know them till you die. But in the name of CHRIST IN HEAVEN ABOVE, when a boyfriend girlfriend relationship is over, let it be OVER. Do not fucking linger there because you will inevitably drive each other insane. Furthermore than you managed to while dating.

"Oh I don't want you out of my life, oh we've known each other for so long, blah blah blah blah."
Yeah, that's right folks, when you're significant other starts busting out this line, you're up shit creek if you're too nice to tell em to fuck right off. Cause honestly, you'll hang out for months after the break up, she/he'll ask about the friends for months to come, you'll fuck once in a while and then the day will come when THE OTHER comes in. This being that person, or your replacement. But they'll still fucking insist on chilling here and there, and showing up at your friends parties with this other person. Despite the fact that you said when you broke up that if parties where going to be going on neither of you would be bringing any one new. Which really meant, I'm gonna chill with my friends and bring new people, cause they're not your friends you clingy fuck. But what's good for the goose is good for the gander. So they start bring that person right along.

Then the day will come when you're bro makes friends with this ex's new person and he brings both of them over to your house cause they're all buddy buddy and you'll come home wrecked, realize who's in your basement and that fantastic buzz is GONE, gone forever, as well as your sanity, and the need to be nice to this clingy life sucking dumbass who hasn't the faintest concept of what's going on with other people. I don't pity the stoopid, sure it's unfortunate they're so stoopid, however in everyone's life there's that point of realization, at least once. Till then, I've nothing but contempt for them....cause...well.....I'm not THAT forgiving a person.

memoirs of the myspace stalker

I was looking at my live journal post today and I came across Nikole's Valentine's Application. I posted on my space and she filled it out. Thats how we first met. Out of every one I've dated, she left a mark on me. I really miss her. I dismembered myself from her when she told me she was going to rehab. Yeah I can deal with the whole weed thing, but she had more problems than I could handle. She even told me she'll take me down if I didn't leave, and it was for my own good. She move to New York and thats how it ended. Now she's following her demons to Austin. I write to her every now and then, words of inspirations after I've read her suicide journals. . I still can't believe "SHE" was my stalker not vice versa. Funny. I really saw something in her. Sad. She was beautiful, and I was willing to fall in the pits with her.

Valentines Application

http://cap1-5.livejournal.com/61815.html

Im just here in the C-building waiting for Kara and Clauds. I sent Mary (myspace) stalker a Valentines Application and these are her answers :

Please provide positive answers.

Name: Nikole Marie (how orginal, right?)

Age: Really young, but old for my age

Height: 5 friggon 1

Single or Taken: Taken? WTF? NO ONE'S takin' ME ANYWHERE! So I suppose I'm single.

Would You Date Me ..why? Mmmm, Well, I'm not sure! I don't exactly know you, but you seem sweet enough...annnndddd you look younger than you are which is a + (for you, if nothing else).

Do you kiss On First Date: Every single thing depends on the person and wether I think it's going to work or not, but no. Most likely, I wouldn't...Just because I;n old fashioned.

Have we met: No, but we totally should.

How did you spend last valentines day: probably pissed off at everyone....

how do you want and why do you want to spend it with me? Beeeecause you asked so sweetly

Do you think I am attractive: very adorable.

Are you willing to be my valentine: yes, i said, damnit!

Send this to my inbox and then repost it for yourself maybe i will reply to you also. Pshhh...MAYBE????? YOU BETTER!!!

MISSING?

She's my ride home

We talked
Together sharpening the knife
Like killing partners for a life
Hey we can hide the bodies on the ride home

Now here we are
We're licking skin to wipe us clean
Strike a match, pour gasoline
Ditch the scene and watch this city burn
Asleep, my life will be a pillow steering wheel turn

I'll be reaching for the stars with you (honey)
Who cares if no one else believes
So I, set fire to everyone around
But I told you
I told you
We'd do it

So ha ha ha ha
ha ha ha ha
Yeah we won

We Drive
To leave the past and clear the mind
to watch the sunset set its time
I swear you'll find
I'm your ride home

Now close your eyes
its' getting dark and the highways clear
No sign of life from front to rear
Its just you my dear
On the ride home
We're going home

I'll be reaching for the stars with you (honey)
Who cares if no one else believes
So I, set fire to everyone around
But I told you
I told you
We'd do it

So ha ha ha ha
ha ha ha ha
Yeah we won

We talked
Together sharpening a knife
Like killing partner for a life
Hey we can hide the bodies on the ride home
Cause we're going home

I'll be reaching for the stars with you (honey)
Who cares if no one else believes
So I, set fire to everyone around
But I told you
I told you
We'd do it

So ha ha ha ha (we won)
ha ha ha ha (oh yeah we won)
ha ha ha ha (we won)
ha ha ha ha
Yeah we won
Yeah we won