Cops and Court Dates

What a hectic two days. Good freaking god. =_=; If I never see another legal proceeding, it will be too soon. Let me explain why.

My boyfriend Steve has been renting a room to a tenant, who we'll call Bob for the sake of my ass not being brought up on libel and slander charges. Bob is not a nice person, and has already been to county jail four times now, at least.

Last night was the court date for the eviction process, and this guy went in there trying to claim the house had always been unlivable, and that he was brought in to try and fix it up and stuff. That he wasn't supposed to pay rent, but to mow the lawn and do the dishes. Which is bullshit, first and foremost, and even if that was why he was brought in, he didn't do that stuff anyways. The guy just drank his life away. Then he's trying to claim he has $60,000 worth of a lawsuit in fines for the tenants bill of rights that was broken, which is also complete shit. I'll explain in a moment. The whole thing was started by unpaid rent, but the judge ruled that since there was no actual paper trail or contract to prove it, that it didn't make a convincing case. He did say however that it didn't seem like a good situation, and then asked Steve if he was more worried about claiming the money or reclaiming his home. Steve told him he didn't care about the money, he just wanted his home back. So the judge asked Bob if he would be willing to just leave and avoid the legal proceedings, and he said no. The judge asked him why, and he started in with the lawsuit shit again. The judge stopped him in the middle of it, told him that played no part in this case, and asked him again if he'd take the offer. Bob said no. The judge said then, "Maybe I'm getting old here, but I fail to see the logic in your decision. You're claiming this house is uninhabitable, and yet you're fighting to stay." You know what Bob's response was? "Yes sir."

The court hearing took far longer than it should have though, because Bob kept trying to adjourn so he could seek legal council on the lawsuit thing, and to show the judge photos he had taken, and all this other shit. None of it flew, and the judge denied him the chance to seek legal council because he didn't feel it was necessary. So he signed the papers to send them to the sheriff's office to issue the warrant, and began explaining it all to Bob. The sheriff's office would get the papers, and would serve them to Bob. He would have 72 hours after being served to vacate the premises or he would be removed by force. And that the whole process would take 7-10 days, including the 72 hours. Bob, upon realizing that he really was screwed, started claiming it's all rather sudden, and he has no where to go, could he get at least 30 days. He was denied, and the judge told him to call social services, and that they could put him up for a few extra days while he found a place. He then asked Bob if he really couldn't go anywhere, and Bob replied thus:

"Well, I had $660, and I was gonna put it as a down payment on an apartment that would be $480 a month, but then Steve said he really needed the money and that if I gave it to him I could stay. So I did."

The judge's response?

"Wait, you made the choice to give the money to Stephen when you could have gotten out of a place you say is unlivable? Why would you stay?"

So in the end, the judge did issue the warrant and sent it off. Bob was pissed, and gave both of us the worst look upon leaving. The best part is, we asked Steve's lawyer if Bob could sue for the tenants rights, and because there is no contract he definitely can't. He has no grounds. And that was it.

We went home, were worried, but tried not to be.

So today... it just all exploded. And if Bob had even the slightest chance of suing Steve, it's gone now.

Steve had some job interviews and stuff this morning, so he was out of the house by 8:30am. Bob shoved him on the stairs during their only interaction this morning, but Steve let it go and went about his business.

After the interviews, he came over to my place so that he could do his school work, and so we could decide on what to do today. Plus he really didn't want to be around Bob, and just wanted to let him pack. However, we did decide we wanted to get Steve's two cats out of the house and take them to his parents', just in case. Both of us had this sick feeling in the bottom of our stomachs.

We arrived at Steve's house around 5:30pm, and upon walking in the door I noticed two things immediately. First, I smelled paint. Second, the cats that always came running to greet us were no where to be found. So alarms were already going off in my mind. Three steps into the house I saw the damage.

Graffitied onto Steve's living and dining room walls with black spray paint and black crayons were the following messages:
"$60,000 in civil rights."
"Enjoy the power I paid for"
"I paid for the paint"
"Cocky box, don't cross me" This one was aimed at me. Box is a derogatory slang for the vagina for any who don't know.
"This house is cursed."
And then just plain drawings of skulls and scribbles.

He smeared cat shit into the carpets in both rooms as well, and ironically the power does not work in either room. The dining room has been out for a while, but not the living room.

Our next move was to go upstairs. By now my mind is back on the cats, and it's telling me they're dead. So I began checking rooms. In the first room I went in (there are five), the mattress was slashed, and the piled up garbage that was left by the other tenant who left after getting the 3 day notice was strewn everywhere. But no cats. There was no damage in Steve's room, that we noticed, and then came the room with the stairs to the attic. The cats were in there, safe and sound but starved and confused. However, there was also another slashed mattress in this room, and a hole in the wall. Shit was flung everywhere in here too, and a knife was jabbed into the stairs to the attic.

Since we've now already found damage in two of the rooms, we check the final ones. One seemed fine upon looking, but in the room Bob was renting... it's almost indescribable.

Graffitied onto the walls with the same black spraypaint is "Puff the Magic Dragon", and there are two butcher knives holding a note to the door, one of which wasn't just in the door, it was sticking out the other side. We did see that before entering. It smelled like drugs and urine, and considering this asshole urinated all over his ex's clothing, we figure he did the same to the carpet in the room. The note was very liberal in its use of derogatory terms against Steve, and then on the door in crayon was another note that included Bob's cell phone number.

We called my parents to bring me my camera, I took photos of everything, and we called the cops. More specifically the sheriff's office.

So they sent out someone to look at the place, and he took down the information he needed. He was in his car when a taxi showed up, and don't you know it's Bob. Ironically the assholes he has across the street watching Steve's house for him showed back up at the exact same time. The deputy got out of his car, looked at us to confirm it was Bob, and then went over to Bob and asked "Are you Bob?" And the idiot said yes. The deputy then asked him "What's with the damage to the property?"

Do you know what Bob said? Oh god I still laugh at this exchange.

Bob tells him, and I shit you not, "What damage?"

So the deputy says "There's no damage to the property?", with that sarcastic kind of tone. Bob replies with a no, and the deputy made me smile when he said "Do I look retarded to you?"

He lead Bob into the house, and started grilling him as to why he did it. How could he possibly think it was okay. And he took none of the lawsuit shit Bob was trying to spew, and so Bob told him he owned the paint that was on the walls because he bought it and painted it on. So he just added some more. The deputy told him to his face that was a stupid move.

Bob then asked if he could just go upstairs and get the last of his stuff and leave. The deputy denied him, sat his ass outside on the hood of the car and told him "Don't you move from this spot, or I'll put a warrant out for your arrest." and proceeded to tell the cab driver, who was a friend of Bob's, "And if you take him anywhere, I'll have you arrested too."

Another cop was called, this one a sergeant, to take photos, and because the current deputy is a K9 patrol unit, so he couldn't take Bob in. By now though Bob is in handcuffs. So he finagles his cell phone out of his pocket to call his whore, because he already told us he doesn't want a girl for anything other than sex, and goes "Yeah, I'm getting arrested. Apparently trying to reclaim my paint is a criminal offense." Then they made kissy noises at each other, since he couldn't get it to his ear and had to use speaker phone we were all privy to this conversation, and the deputy is in his car chuckling at Bob. You could tell by how his body moved. It's like, seriously? You were reclaiming your property? Wow.

The other thing was this backpack Bob had that he was going to have sent to her. As soon as the deputy heard, he took possession of it to check for illegal substances and such. No idea what they found, but we heard Bob say there was a pocket knife in it.

So we were required to go down to the station to make the written complaint. No big. When we got there Bob saw us, and we got another dirty, dirty look. But we made the complaint, and asked for an order of protection. Unfortunately, because no physical threats were made, it's unlikely that we'll get one. However, the deputy is going to push for it because of the knives stuck into the door and such.

We figured that was it though. Bob was going to be brought up on felony charges since the damage would probably be over $1,000, and he's definitely going to prison. For right now though, he's being held in county jail until his official court date.

Upon returning to his house tonight, Steve went to play a bit of video games to calm his nerves, and I got a text that said "The bastard cut the cords to my TVs." I called him right up, and from what he told me, I'll see the damage tomorrow, Bob cut half the wires on both his TVs so that they won't work. Something so small it's easy to miss. So we have to scour the house tomorrow, and Steve called the sheriff's right back. So we get to see that fine deputy again tomorrow.

What a mess.

I spoke with my friend Brendan on the phone about it all as well. Apparently everyone at the market, which is where he works and where Bob and Steve frequented for food and stuff, saw Bob today, totally stoned out of his brain, or drunk, or both. But he's an angry drunk, and today he was being really friendly. They then saw him board a bus to Saratoga with his bicycle, and this was after 4:30pm. So we literally just missed him.

I'll know more of what's going to happen tomorrow, and what else has been damaged. We're taking the cats to Steve's parents' house anyways, simply because now there's a shitton of work to be done and whatnot, and we don't know what the smell is in Bob's room.

I also don't know if we'll have to appear in court, but the TVs were worth $1,100, meaning it's definitely a felony, and Bob could be looking at more than two years.

The past 48 hours have been absolute chaos, and I don't think we've seen the last of it just yet. Thankfully, it's almost over.

A New Project: Black and White Flowers

I have started a new project, and so far it's going really well. My goal is to get 25 really good b+w flower photos that I can combine into a book with inspirational-type quotes. I am having a great time with this, and I can't wait to actually complete the entire project. The quotes are going to be just as difficult at getting enough good photos though, probably, so I still have a ways to go.

If you want to see what I have so far, I urge you to visit here: http://www.photo-phantasy.com/bwflowers

Here are a few of my favourites though, just to give you an idea. And yes, this book will be available to any who are interested. :)


Nestled Inside by =Saknika on deviantART


Leafy Form by =Saknika on deviantART


The Solitary Flower by =Saknika on deviantART


A Short Life Span B+W by =Saknika on deviantART


Cradle of Life B+W by =Saknika on deviantART


Ruffled B+W by =Saknika on deviantART

I Quit

It's official, I have quit Stewart's. I just couldn't stand it anymore, and here's why. Although, I told my manager that it was because I couldn't match pace and felt it wasn't the place for me when I turned in my two weeks.

1. I felt that one of my coworkers is getting special treatment because she's a friend of the manager.
2. The hours were shit. One week I'd have 20, and the next I'd be lucky to get 8.
3. I had to sweep the LEAVES up out of the parkinglot. So said the DISTRICT Manager.
4. People went too fast in transactions, and as such major cash losses were recorded with my name too, since we have to share registers.
5. Incentive is unfair and causes nasty rivalries in the workplace.
6. It's too hard to keep track of gas.
7. The cooler and freezer do not feel safe to me.
8. Really rotten customers.
9. Lack of proper breaks.

That's all I can come up with right now, but basically it was driving me insane. I know that no job is perfect, but for a month straight I woke up for work depressed, and came home angry. Every day, without fail.

So I put in my two weeks, and am back working for my mom now doing data entry. It's a bill collection office, so most people don't like us... but oh well. It's pretty much a full time job, and now I'll be able to pay my bills by myself and still have money left over to actually do things with my life.

This summer has been so boring because I haven't had the money to do ANYTHING. Like... I literally had enough to go to Subway with Steve once a week. That's it. And my parents had to cover half of my student loan, because I was lucky to make $300 a month.

So I have left one job for another. My feet are very pleased with this decision.

Tiny Dog Pawty

So I photographed a Tiny Dog Pawty on July 26th, and it was a lot of fun. Everyone there was very kind, and the dogs were tons of fun to be around! They seemed very curious about myself and Steve, too, since they just all kind of congregated around us as soon as we arrived. It was super cute.

Some must have felt I was invading their territory though, since they kicked dirt at me. Haha, silly pooches.

There was this one poor poodle too. It just wanted to play, but since it was twice the size of all the other dogs, they all just kind of ran away from it. Except for this one really beautiful white dog. I wanted to take that one home with me. >_>

The best part was that this was a paid assignment. Not only did I get paid for coming out to do candids, but I did some posed work that has gained some interest. Definitely a double win for me!

Here are some of the photos:


Hi, Please Pet Me by =Saknika on deviantART


I'm Coming by =Saknika on deviantART


Happily Lazy by =Saknika on deviantART


Get My Good Side by =Saknika on deviantART


It's All About Us by =Saknika on deviantART

Meeting of Chance or Fate?

I met a young boy, who couldn't have been more than six years old, today while I was out doing some flower photography. After the terrible week I had at work, and the bad night last night with my stomach, this child had a vast effect on me, and really made me stop and be thankful for what I had, and not angry at what was going wrong.

The reason why this is, is because I was doing flower photography in a graveyard today. Graveyards always have the best flowers, don't they? But anyways, aside from the photos...

So I was taking photos, and I heard his voice calling out "Hi there, what's your name?" This is pretty strange, since I'm in a graveyard, and it was stranger to look over and see a six year old calling that out to me. So I told him my name and asked his. It was Collin, and he proceeded to tell me the following:

"Hi Samantha! I'm here praying at my Mom's grave, are you here praying too? (I told him I was not) Oh, well I come every day to pray at her grave, my grandparents bring me because I never knew my father. And my great-great-great grandfathers are in here too. One died in WWI and the other died in WWII. (I asked him if he was proud of them for dying honorably.) Yeah I am. And one day, I saw an American flag on the ground, so I picked it up and washed it at home and put it at my Mom's grave. (I didn't have the heart to tell him you're supposed to burn the flag, he was trying to right the wrong in his own way. I then asked if he liked to leave flowers at his Mom's grave too.) Yeah, I do. I pick them, well actually I'm killing them, but I pick them myself for her grave. Once I pulled out a flower's roots too, so I dug a hole and put them in it. (I asked if they were still alive.) Yes, they are! (He looked so proud. By now we were wandering towards the exit since I had to get back to my friends. I asked if he was at the playground with people.) Yeah, I am with my grandparents. I really like looking at the big gravestones in here though, they're cool. Are you leaving Samantha? (I told him yes, I had to get going.) Bye Samantha! (I said goodbye, and he waved, and ran off to go meet back up with his people at the graveyard.)"

Honestly... what are the chances? It broke my heart, but at the same time it made me so thankful that I do have a complete family, and good friends. The fact that he prays every day at his mother's grave though, and did that with the American flag... This is the kind of youth America needs. A respectful youth, and a youth that's proud of their country.

Collin is a special little boy. I really just wanted to give him a hug. I hope the rest of his life is a happy one. So far, it seems like it, but I think he's lonely.

Thank you Collin for teaching me a lesson I had forgotten.

I hate my job

I seriously cannot put enough emphasis on how much I HATE my job. Seriously, I will NEVER work in food service again, because this shit is ridiculous. Stewart's, you are the WORST work experience I've ever had.

To start off, I have injured my right shoulder from scooping ice cream. It aches every night now when I get home from work if I've scooped a lot of ice cream or moved a lot of really heavy items.

My feet, legs, knees, hips, and back all KILL from standing all day, because those special pads are only at the registers, and they don't work very well anyways.

It's DEADLY HOT even with AC, because all we have are these heavy-fabric shirts, and we HAVE to wear long pants, but not jeans! So good luck finding anything decent for the summer.

You have to do EVERYTHING in the store. You ring customers, stock shelves, stock the cooler, stock freezers, sweep and mop, clean the bathroom, make coffee, make food, scoop ice cream, and various other tasks. And you know what the pay rate is? Not nearly enough. I do all this for $8.50/hr.

So the job was shit from the start, but I put up with it because it's money in an even shittier economy.

WELL.

Yesterday I went in, and my manager bitched me out for leaving my coworker alone for an hour on Wednesday with only a stocker. Lemme tell ya, I was scheduled until 4, and it is NOT my fault that no one was scheduled to relieve me until 5. My coworker did not ask me to stay, nor was it busy, and instead she told my other coworker to man dip for the hour. So to me, who was leaving, everything seemed to be a-okay.

No, obviously not. My other coworker said it was crazy when she got there, and my manager flipped out on me for leaving when I was scheduled to. So I told her flat out that I didn't know the other kid wasn't register trained, because hell, far as I knew he was. And I was generally just like "What did you want me to do? No one asked me to stay and it wasn't crazy when I left." To which I got "It doesn't matter, your coworker wouldn't have left you alone with nothing but a stocker. I messed up the schedule, but you shouldn't have left."

I had no idea and I told her as much, and she basically didn't care. Far as I could tell I was being blamed for her mistake, because I didn't take responsibility for it.

Of course, the week before we all got yelled at for not selling enough and loosing a lot of cash.

So now I must make sure to ask every customer who buys only one pack of cigarettes "You know, if you buy a second pack you save 50 cents." I am disgusted with myself for having to do it or lose my job. Seriously, we have to promote bad health choices now? I'm okay with asking if they want a danish with their coffee, or a milkshake to go, but pushing more cancer sticks on someone? It's just not right.

And you should see the amount of lottery tickets people buy! They need to call the gambler hotline, seriously, it's that bad. We have so many people who everyday come in and buy $50 worth of tickets to gamble on. It's disgusting.

So today while I was there, the morning wasn't bad. But the afternoon... good god. I'm trying to leave, and things are just insane. There is a cash check going on, so we're down one register, and a huge line of people. I can do NOTHING to help, because everyone just wants to check out, so I feel useless to start. Then as soon as I am able to ring in the last five minutes of my shift, I asked my coworker if she could take over for me so I could pull my report for the night. And I got a snotty "No I cannot. I'm in the middle of redoing the cash check because it came out wrong. You have to stay until it's done anyways, and you should care about the outcome since this effects you as well."

She's been there a month. She's just everyone's favourite because she used to be a manager at a pizzaria, and so she's being taught everything right off. So she acts like a bigger person than she probably should. Needless to say though, I didn't appreciate the attitude I got. But I said nothing back, because I wasn't going to cause shit in front of the customers. I really wanted to tell her that it didn't really matter what the outcome was though, since there would be nothing I could do about it anyways. The cash drawers are shared, so you can't tell who lost the money.

My one other coworker rang shakes I made up for people under her number as well at the beginning of the week. And this is a big deal because this week our shake numbers are what matter most towards us getting a bonus at the beginning of next month or so. So I was pissed, but once again, there was nothing I could do about it.

Overall, I am just really sick of the bullshit at this job. I know there is bullshit at every job, but this is above and beyond. So I'm going to go to temp agencies after my engagement shoot tomorrow (the bday girl opted not to have me attend her party) or something, because I need something different.

Usually in the summer, I'm fine without my anti-depressant pills. But Stewart's is driving me head first into a really bad depression again. I shouldn't have to take medication because of a job, and it's starting to look that way.

FML

The Good and The Bad

Today has been both a good and a bad day. I woke up to excellent news. Not only did I secure a job photographing a doggy-get-together event, but the same people emailed me back and are wondering if I'd be available to photograph their daughter's sweet sixteen party. Um... yes? Not a difficult question to answer. It'll be a bit of a trip though, since it is in Grafton at the state park, but hey, for the right price I am willing to work with you. I will have to find an assistant though. Shouldn't be too hard, since it's on a Saturday.

I also received a message from my cousin, since he is engaged, and he would like engagement photos. Well, to be more accurate his fiance contacted me, but close enough. So I will be doing those as well, which should be nice.

Later today I went with Steve to meet his grandparents, since they did want to meet me, and so he could help them out a bit. They are wonderful people, and his grandmother is an excellent cook. We were treated to lunch upon arriving, and I think the most awkward part of the entire day was saying grace. I have nothing against it, it's just not something my family has ever practiced at every meal. I'm only accustomed to it on holidays. So it did throw me a bit, but I don't think anyone noticed nor minded.

I helped Steve out with what needed to be done, and his grandmother ran a few errands. Actually, she asked if I wanted to accompany her instead of working, but I declined since I figured Steve could use a helping hand. And he did, since he can't bend down well to use a dust pan. xD

After that the four of us sat and watched the birds and chatted on an enclosed porch. Their house is really cute, reminded me a lot of my late grandmother's house, on my mother's side.

I'm pretty sure I left a good impression too, because I got hugs when I left. :)

It wasn't until after we got home that things started going downhill.

I didn't get much sleep last night, unfortunately, and then I had a long day today. So that started the whole mess. The next big thing was the Def Leppard, Poison, and Cheap Trick concert tonight--I really wanted to go, but because I work tomorrow from 6am-noon, I couldn't. The fact that my mother and brother still aren't back yet from it (my sister left early since she didn't care for Def Leppard so much) is evidence that I made the more responsible decision.

However, I LOVE Poison. They were my first real concert, and I really wanted to go again. I'm also a good fan of the other two bands, too. I've wanted to go to this concert since I found out about it four months ago. But we never made any commitments, so I couldn't get the time off; and even if I had asked for it, it would have been denied since we're all supposed to work every holiday. I was honestly hoping that they didn't go, since Mom bought the tickets today, because I am very envious. I can admit to that. The fact that they did go though depresses me, because I know I'm missing out on something really awesome due to work.

The other concert I wanted to see was REO Speedwagon. But guess when they're coming to SPAC. The correct answer is tomorrow, and I already have plans. Seriously, what band performs on a holiday? It sucks all around. And the Billy Joel and Elton John concert sold out on me. :< I really wanted to see Billy Joel in concert too, have since I first started listening to him when I was in elementary school.

So my summer concert schedule is pretty much bust this year, which blows. And I blame my job at Stewart's, because they demand so much and pay so little.

I'm also upset because I have a six hour shift tomorrow. I know I volunteered for it, but I was kind of hoping she'd cut me a break anyways. But that's not the case, because I'm working the morning and therefore we don't get the holiday rush the afternoon will get. Yeah. Right. Most people will be leaving for the lake bright and early, meaning between 8 and 10am, I bet we'll be swamped.

Definitely not looking forward to it.

And because I was already starting to get depressed over these two things, I didn't want to let go of Steve. I'm a little clingy when I'm depressed, but mostly because I just want company I can trust. Steve does have to go home at night though to take care of his kitties, at least if we don't plan ahead, and so he did have to leave. And that was pretty much the icing on the cake for really dropping my mood tonight.

So it's been a lot of ups and downs today. I'm hoping tomorrow goes smoothly enough, since I work, then I have a picnic to attend, and then I'm doing fireworks. I'm really looking forward to the fireworks though. <3

A Forum for Photographers

It's complete! I have finally completed my pet project! What is it you ask? Well, if you read the title, you've probably already figured it out, but I'll tell you anyways!

Over the past week I've been working with a couple of friends on a forum specifically for photographers to share their work, get feedback, and discuss the industry. I know, there are places like DA to do such things, but it's still not a really localized community. We're still spread out, and making connections is still tough. That, and keeping up with specific topics on the DA forums aren't easy.

So that's why I decided to build a forum just for photography. If you're wondering why I was so specific, it's because I had one geared towards all art, and it bombed miserably. So just photography folks, and nothing more. I'm thinking about expanding it to photomanipulations and digital darkroom type stuff eventually, but we shall see how it goes for now.

Still with me and interested in taking a peek? Well, then head on over to this [link] and see what I'm so excited about! And if you're a photographer, I hope to see you there. :3

I have my Fireworks Schedule!

It's that time of the year again! I LOVE fireworks, like, a crazy insane amount. And as such, I attend as many displays as I can possibly fit in to my summer. This year, the only hindrance will probably be all the rain we've been getting, but I've found four I could attend so I should make at least one!

July third, this coming Friday, Lanzi's on the Lake is having their display. However, there is a 50% chance of rain and storms so I'll have to play it by ear. That, and I might still be in Glens Falls with Steve, because his grandparents would like to meet me, and they have some things they need help with from Steve. However, it is a possibility.

This Saturday, right on the fourth, I will be very busy. First, I will be working from 6am until noon, and everyone should come visit me and get a waffle cone to celebrate! They're on sale, and we have the best ice cream. After work, I will be coming home to change, and then I am heading to Steve's parents' house for a picnic. Once the sun starts getting low, Steve and I are then heading out to go to Congress Park, where there will be a FANTASTIC display of fireworks. If any of you remember the shots I got last year, it was at this display. You just have to hand it to Saratoga. Saturday's forecast, at least right now, is calling for isolated thunderstorms, but only at a 30% chance. So it should be excellent weather for the weekend.

Since it will definitely be excellent weather on Sunday, the fifth, I will probably be able to make the display at the Sport Island Pub. I've been to that one as well, and it's always well done. Better than Lanzi's, and the two places are owned by the same person. xD

The last stop will be the I Go Inn on the eleventh. That's too far in the future to determine how the weather will be, but I'm crossing my fingers for it to be a wonderful day. These will be the only fireworks I haven't seen before, which is very exciting!

So it looks like this:
July 3rd: Lanzi's on the Lake at Dusk, meaning about 9pm I would think.
July 4th: Congress Park at Dark, meaning about 9:30pm usually.
July 5th: Sport Island Pub at Dusk.
July 11th: I Go Inn at Dusk.

The cool thing about Lanzi's, the Pub, and the Inn; is that you can actually watch the fireworks on the Sacandaga Lake from your boat. That's how we always did it when we could afford a marina slip, and it was so much fun.

And hey, if you plan on attending any of these and want to tag along, and I actually know you, drop me a line. We can meet up or something.

It's sure to be a blast!

I am so Inconsistent

Wow, am I inconsistent. I used to update this blog 50x a day it seemed, and now I'm lucky if I update once a month. *headwall* What happened to my drive!?

Oh wait, I know what happened.

I started working again, and have been sicker than hell.

So the pink eye cleared up relatively fast, which was good, and I was able to continue working with no issues. In fact, I was finally starting to adjust to and kind of enjoy my job at Stewart's. Miranda and I ended up blowing everyone away at the milkshake sale, and I've been earning incentive for being good at upselling and a good worker.

Sadly, the dojo did have to close near the end of May. Steve just wasn't able to pay the rent when we lost another five students to the economy, and he still had himself to think of because he was unemployed still, despite every effort made to change this fact. So the dojo is gone, but private lessons are going to continue out of his home. It just has to be cleaned, and a couple of unruly tenants need to either do some serious shaping up (haha... this isn't the first time they've been asked to do as much) or leave.

On my end, I finally got a 26 hour week at Stewart's, and I worked 28 hours that week because they needed me. What was terrible was that I was so sick I pretty much lost my entire voice. Everyone said I sounded A) Like Rachel Ray, B) Like a Man, or C) Like a Dead Horse. I coughed like crazy, sometimes uncontrollably, and I barely slept at night because of it. I have no idea how I managed 28 hours, but I did.

I finally started to recover from that illness, when I caught another. I worked with it for about a week and a half, and then I finally had to go see the doctor. Why? Well, because my glands were so swollen they were touching each other and you couldn't see the back of my throat too well--but on what you could see were ginormous white spots. I called out of work last Monday because of it, and the doctor prescribed me penicillin and forbid me from working Tuesday as well. She gave me a doctor's note and I was on my way. So last week I got only eight hours, which really sucks because it means I'll have about enough for a little gas and a little food money. Thank goodness I already have this month's car payment. But it's not helping me for next month with student loans and my next car payment. However, I told myself not to worry, because this week was coming and it'd make up for it.

Wrong.

I was given ten hours this week, six of which I'm working on Independence Day. And upon looking closer at the schedule, I am the only one with under 20 hours this week aside from the one person going on vacation. Even the new hires have at least 21 hours.

What?

I don't get it either, but it feels like I'm being punished for calling out. My manager despises call outs, and in fact anyone you talk to that knows Stewart's will tell you that the whole company is a bitch about being sick and calling out. I would not be shocked if someone got fired for being sick too much.

Mom said to wait and see what the do next week, so I'm not saying anything just yet. We'll see if my hours are shit again next week, and if they are then I might have to start asking why. Possibly raising a stink as well.

In the mean time I'm looking for either a second job, or a definite full time position. I'd honestly prefer the full time job though, and just walk away from Stewart's at this point. I love my coworkers, and the work isn't difficult, it's just not the kind of place where I feel I'm a good fit. I can do it, and I do it as well as I can, but when it gets super busy I feel I'm more a burden than asset which can't be good. It's probably because I'm also trying not to pick up some of the bad habits other employees have. >_>;

But anyways, enough about my crappy job.

On the flip side of things, for those who aren't aware of it yet, I did start dating Steve. This caused quite an upset with my one ex who decided I had lied yet again, and that it was shit I didn't tell her but she instead found out through a mutual friend. She actually IMed me to find out what was running through my head, and when I tried to explain to her civilly, she just exploded and swore at me a lot in anger. All I could do was laugh, really, at how immature she sounded. I think what I laughed the hardest at, was that she said if I had told her from the start she wouldn't have been angry. Which is a load of crap because she would have bitched then too. There was no way to win, honestly.

But yes, I have been in a relationship with Steve for a little over two months now, but it feels like a lot longer. Every moment I spend with him is enjoyed, and every minute apart I can't wait for the next moment I see him again. I know it sounds clingy, but honestly it's not because we both feel the same way, but understand that we do need our time apart, and that we both have to work and such. So it's actually a healthy relationship, which I am incredibly thankful for.

On the photography side, I got some of my work hung in the Hair Art Salon and Spa in Saratoga, and it's for sale. I'm not sure if any sold, but I have to go pick them up sometime this week. I suppose I will know then. We also had this place called Jax Kitchen open that is a delivery place and restaurant, and they're looking for art so I'll be in contact with them as well. He's already interested, so that's a plus. I was supposed to contact him either Sunday or yesterday, but things just got way too hectic and I wasn't able to.

I'm also planning on doing a pinup shoot sometime soon, which will be fun. I'm just waiting for when my little studio in the basement can be created so that I have the space. Just have to help get the upstairs finished so that we can move my brother's furniture back into his room.

Once that studio is created, I'll also have the ability to really work the senior portraits and stuff. So I will be advertising like crazy, and I hope it works out well. I know I have at least one person that's very interested in having me do her's. Score!

Speaking of seniors, my sister graduated this past Saturday, and we had her party. It was pretty fun. Congrats class of 2009!

I think that's pretty much if to playing catch-up. So here is my latest photography, enjoy!


Hello Kitty Cat by =Saknika on deviantART


Dreaming of Fish... Maybe... by =Saknika on deviantART


A Little Unbalanced by =Saknika on deviantART


Perky and Pink by =Saknika on deviantART


Feeling a Little Blue by =Saknika on deviantART


Entering for Souls by =Saknika on deviantART


Bridge of Sanzu by =Saknika on deviantART


Prom09 CLassic Togetherness by =Saknika on deviantART


Elegant Couple: Prom 09 by =Saknika on deviantART


The First Infrared by =Saknika on deviantART


Surreal Blue River by =Saknika on deviantART


Cryptic Stones by =Saknika on deviantART


Painted Infrared Lake by =Saknika on deviantART


Lake Sunset 2009 by =Saknika on deviantART


Elegant Walkway from the Past by =Saknika on deviantART


Delicately Pink by =Saknika on deviantART


Optimistically Orange by =Saknika on deviantART


The Heart of the Plant by =Saknika on deviantART


As Time Passes By by =Saknika on deviantART


Hidden Falls by =Saknika on deviantART


Rushing Falls by =Saknika on deviantART