Dresses, Bellydancing, and a Hand Turkey

Meh. I'm so tired.

1. I got to see (online at least) what Andrea's bridal gown and my bridesmaid dress will be. The wedding is unofficially in March.
2. I photographed bellydancers today and had a blast. It makes me want to take classes. The girls looked so powerful and confident with their movements. Plus it looks like a ton of fun.
   
3. The first thing Samm said to me when she walked in the dorm was, "I made a hand turkey!" Who says you're too old to do crafts.
   

FIVE Good Things!

Today was a really good day! There's way more than 3 Good Things!

1. I had a great "ghetto light" shoot at the Air Evac Lifeteam base. Check it out.
2. I got a lovely and encouraging email from Brian Masck about changing my major. It made me smile.
   
3. The Bosnia to Bowling Green gallery is officially open!
4. I did two photo shoots, did some shopping, went to an Deaf community event, played around with studio lights, and got a ton of homework done. Today was one of those rare busy but not anxious days. I could use more of those.
5. Rainy day + guard nostalgia = spinning my umbrella like a dork and not caring who saw.
   

Gallery, Change, and a New Job

Getting back into the swing of college life after a weekend away.

1. I got the majority of the next gallery show ready for exhibition tomorrow night. Gotta do some tweaking tomorrow.
2. I put in my change of major form and registered for classes.
   
3. Jim Bye asked me to fill in as studio manager for the rest of the semester which means an extra 5 hours a week of work and doubling what I make now as gallery manager. Plus, I get a studio key!
   

Comforts of Home

I love coming home.

1. I had the most glorious sleep last night cocooned in my bed. It was much enjoyed after several long days and sleepless nights at Grand Nationals.
2. I got to eat REAL food today: hamburger steak, eggs, and hot tea. Can't get that in dorms.
3. I had a lovely long, hot shower.
   

Grand Nationals Weekend

I spent the last few days in Indianapolis for the Bands of America Grand Nationals Championships. I worked as a chaperone for my old marching band. It was quite an experience. I never got to compete at Grand Nationals when I was in band, so it was wonderful to get a chance to go. I saw some of the top bands in the nation and wow, were they tight. It was a good experience for the kids to see these monster bands too to serve as an example for what they could become. North Hardin's band has taken steps in the past few years to reclaim their former glory, and placing 2nd in Class 2A at semifinals this weekend is a major statement for the program. We're coming back as a champion band!

I also experimented with video this weekend. I've been asked to produce the band banquet video this year, and I hope to include a lot of what I shot at Grand Nationals. Since Mountain Workshops I've been thinking more about what video can do as a creative medium. I'm also learning to look at a situation and decide whether it would be best represented in a still image or in motion. I'm still working out how to eliminate camera shake. I can't afford a stedicam, and a tripod isn't always practical. Also, I think I'm for sure going to save up for a camera that shoots good stills and video (Canon 5D MArk II if I can). Here's a few images from the trip:





I think it's obvious I have an affinity for the colorguard. :) My hope is that the video goes over well at the banquet and I can try again to get parents and students to pay me to photograph the band. Last year I posted over 1500 photos of the band for parents to buy prints, but I only got a handful of orders. If things go over well at the banquet, I might try again next year.

Also, I was supposed to host the Objectivist Roundup on Thursday, but was unable to due to limited internet access. Thankfully, Rational Jenn filled in and hosted the Better Late Than Never Edition on her blog. Thanks again for the help Jenn. :)

Music, Calm, and Awards

Today started out worrisome, but turned out well after some successes.

1. I had a great shoot for my musician assignment in lighting. I photographed a banjo player whom I met in a coffee shop a few months earlier. She opened up about her training as a classical singer, being sensitive about her work, being an older student on campus, and even sang two of her songs. I was reminded of the benefits of photography in introducing me to interesting people and listening to their stories. I think people open up to me differently as a journalist than they would if I were just another stranger.
2. Writing out my options for my career gave me a deep sense of calm.
   
3. College Photographer of the Year results are cranking out and several WKU grads have snagged awards.
   

Goodbye Photojournalism

It's taken several months of discontent, introspection, and exploring other areas of life to reach the decision to quit the photojournalism major. I haven't loved the work that comes with being a photojournalist since high school. I have enjoyed meeting interesting people, pushing myself to create better images, and the opportunities photo gave me to explore different slices of life. But I don't enjoy the constant feature hunting, following people around, getting assignments, or the amount of time it consumes. The good doesn't outweigh the stress for me. I don't love the work, and that's reason enough for me to leave.

This is not to suggest that I've given up photography all together or that I'm severing all ties with the department. Photography is still a great value to me and I intend to keep up friendships with the PJ kids. I want to continue to dabble in studio work and learn more about video.

Finally deciding to quit the program is a huge weight off my shoulders. It's difficult to walk away from something I had been committed for several years to do. My biggest challenge now is figuring out what I want to change my major/career to now. I have it narrowed down to two options:

• Option 1: Commercial Photographer. Told ya I wasn't dropping photo completely. :) I really enjoy shooting portraits, events, and working with businesses/individuals to create visuals to market themselves better. This would include some weddings and senior portraits, but I want to branch out past those to change up my clientele. I'd like to even do some freelance journalism work. I'm considering marketing or entrepreneurship major for this career. I think these are far more applicable to my goals than PJ since it focuses on the business side of the job. I can handle the creative side on my own through practice. The biggest downside to these majors is lots of math and accounting classes. And I really hate math.
• Option 2: Deaf Child and Family Mentor. Eh, I'm still working on an official name for this one. I absolutely love sign language and have enjoyed working with kids at deaf camp. My experiences with deaf children have taught me that many deaf children are born to hearing parents that are either unwilling or unable to give their child access to the resources he or she needs to thrive. The biggest of these is language. Many profoundly deaf children get no exposure to language - ASL or English - during the first few years of their life when their minds are most apt to pick it up. The result is preschoolers who are unable to communicate and whose lives will be a constant struggle to master language and achieve good communication. I saw this in person and it was heartbreaking. The career I see is to help these children and families by providing exposure to sign language, advice on schooling and auditory aids, and perhaps even homeschooling depending on the child's circumstances. For this path I would do my undergrad in Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education, hopefully with a minor in ASL if WKU brings it back, and a masters in Deaf Education from Gallaudet, a deaf university in DC.
  

Writing my options out like this really helps to clarify my goals. Though I change my mind day to day, I feel myself leaning more towards working with deaf children and running a small photo business on the side for extra money. I feel calmer now. Less like my life is a chaotic mess. I tend to over-worry.

Studio, School, and Screening

Today was good.

1. I had an awesome, awesome, awesome studio shoot for a yearbook assignment. I had a blast creating an idea, and then seeing it become a reality. I really enjoy working in the studio. I'm keeping that in mind as I decide my career path.
2. I've been devouring articles by Lisa VanDamme about her teaching philosophy and the successes of the VanDamme Academy in Aliso Viejo, California. I'd really like to take a trip out there to observe the classes. I really get inspired by the rational, hierarchical approach to education that VanDamme takes. I'm also keeping this in mind as I consider career and life options.
3. In honor of November 5, I'm heading out soon t a friend's house to watch V for Vendetta, one of my favorite movies!
   

Lighting, Lab, and Literature

3 Good Things today:

1. I've got a theme idea for my final portfolio in lighting class. I hope to turn it into a long term project.
   
2. Turns out my bio lab grade isn't going to go down the drain after missing last week due to Mountain Workshop. The TA was more than glad to excuse the absence, let me make up the quiz, and even turn in some missing homework to boot. My GPA isn't screwed!
3. I got caught up on several episodes of Rationally Selfish Radio by Dr. Diana Hsieh. I always love listening to her clear and insightful analysis of Objectivist philosophy and practice. I'm particularly liking the Exploring Atlas Shrugged series. I'm gaining a much better understanding of the characters and their moral mistakes which drive the plot of the novel.
   

Ah, Video

I'm starting to be opened up to the possibilities of video lately. I found this gem by chance:

Hecq Vs Exillion - Spheres Of Fury from Tim.Chris.Film on Vimeo.