Last day of 2018

Well this evening I'm at home and just finished watching a movie on Netflix, HellRaiser - Judgement. Not bad at all. A lot better than I expected. I went out earlier today with my mom to run some errands. I had told myself earlier this year that I was going to ring in the new year somewhere, but I'm just at home, again, as previous years. The time is about 8:45pm and I'm not sure even where I would go. Do I want to go through the trouble of unbraiding my three strand twist braids in my hair that felt like forever and a day to wash the previous evening?

Wrap up 2018

Christmas break/relief is coming this Thursday. I surely can’t wait. To be able to just chill out and just relax (hopefully). I aced my Photoshop 1 class. It definitely was a challenge and I had a great teacher. I didn’t realized Photoshop has so many layers and we honestly barely skimmed the surface. But I’m not nearly as afraid of it as when I first started the class. I’m excited to see what I can do to enhance my photos. This upcoming semester I originally was going to take a break but then a Fine Arts rep talked to our class was informing us about other classes that would be beneficial for us to take. My friend Sarah who is a fellow photographer had told me earlier this semester she was signed up for a Computer Art Studio class and wouldn’t you know…..that is one of the classes the Fine Arts rep talked about. So I thought why not and also enrolled in the same class as Sarah. So I can’t wait to see her for next semester!!

Fuck you FedEx #FuckYouFedEx

As a business owner who depends on the various shipping companies to deliver my products. I normally don't have issues with service. Yet unfortunately since last week I have been going through "lost package hell" with FedEx. I reordered some supplies on November 3rd through Ebay from a vendor I had done business with previously. My package was suppose to be delivered on November 7th. Now I also want to make it known that all my packages that I have delivered whether they are personal or business are sent to my P.O. Box. I prefer this because if a package is dropped off at a residence anyone can just come by and pick it up. When delivered to a Post Office I feel confident that my packages are safe and looked after until I am able to pick them up.

Anthropologie: Do better. Be better

Wall art from within the Anthropologie location in the Saint Louis Galleria

Was at the @stlouisgalleria with my mom this evening. We decided to stop through @anthropologie to check out the place. They have some of my fave candles and I just love the ambiance of the store.
While walking around we felt as though we were being watched when went into the clearance area by two salespeople. I thought I was the only one noticing it, I mean how many times you gonna straighten up the same set of shirts. Neither one asked if we needed help.
Yet when we left my mom asked if I noticed. I told her I did. So to the lady in the orange shirt with the short hair, who followed us throughout the store and all the way up to the door, you weren't fooling anyone. The only thing you lost is repeat customers.So #anthropologie you might want to take a page out of #starbucks playbook. My mom said if she had considered PURCHASING anything this evening she would have put it right down.
Congratulations, you played yourselves.
#anthropologie @anthro_st.Louis

This is from an Instagram post I did yesterday evening after leaving Anthropologie with my mother. After we left my mom started reminiscing about a previous incident that happened back at Dillard's when Northwest Plaza used to be around. She told me how when my sister was in a stroller and I was little she remembered being followed by the security officers to the point she went up to one of them and went completely off. She then demanded to know where the management offices were located and then proceeded to let them have it as well.

It's been a minute

How I feel my life is going right now

So a lot has happened since my last post. My photography 2 class just wrapped up this week and oh my hair is purple. This class was by far one of my most challenging but I definitely feel as though I did learn much while taking it. I also just paid off my car loan a few weeks ago but now it's in the shop with over possibly over a grand in repairs. I feel like I can't win for losing at times. Yet I'm trying to remember to be thankful to have resources to be able to handle the issues.

About that thing with the Obama's portraits...listen

Portrait by Kehinde Boykin

So ever since the unveiling of former President Barack and former First Lady Michelle's portrait there have been some mixed opinions. Some people like them while others are thinking what in the entire hell...

For me I will say that I instantly fell in love with President Barack because I was familiar with the artist's previous work. Yet on the other hand I wasn't loving Michelle's immediately but once I saw the artist's (Amy Sherald) previous work, I could see that this style was nothing new. Furthermore when I found out that Barack and Michelle had picked the artists themselves I knew that the surprise was going to be on us and not them.

Stain Colored Thoughts Photography: Photography 2 class

Well last week has shaped up to be quite something. I completed my first assignment from my Photography 2 class (FINALLY) which were making pictures from pinhole cameras that we had to make. I used 2 cigar boxes and did two different shutter type systems. At first I didn't think I would ever get an exposure. Yet eventually with much persistence and cussing I have been able to produce 7 negatives and 7 prints. My assignments for project 1 are complete. (insert praise dance)

Get out and enjoy yourself

Well this past Wednesday I had my first meetup for my latest class this semester. I'm taking Photography 2 at neighborhood community college and can already tell this class will be a challenge. I have more creative freedom to take pictures and that is a first for me in regards to not have a clear concise rules for what I can shoot. It's in my hands to the point I have to explain WHY I shot something a certain way. So I'm a tad bit nervous about that. We also found out that we will be making Pinhole cameras so I went to Total Wine & More and went into their cigar section and found an empty box that I thought would serve my purpose. I was only charged $1.64 (that's with tax) for my box. I had to let some of my classmates know, who were also with me last semester for Photography 1. So I am looking forward to constructing my very own Pinhole camera.

Baby it's cold outside

This weekend has been cold. Nothing new. Yet only in Saint Louis you can appreciate a 30 degrees drop within a few hours. I must say I definitely did enjoy our 3 day weekend. Even with it being cold as heck. Friday evening I went to Gulf Shore and enjoyed a nice dinner. With me trying to learn how to eat more conscientiously it's been a bit of a battle to learn that I don't have to eat everything on my plate and can ask for a box to put the rest to go. The rest of the evening I just chilled at home.

Step by Step

So these past few days I have had a victory. Something I have been putting off for the longest finally came to fruition yesterday. I finally launched my website for my photography business, Stain Colored Thoughts Photography & Design. It was scary as hell getting it together and customizing it. It's not super fancy and in all honesty I don't need it to be at this point at time. I just want to get myself out there. More so out of my comfort zone and let people know that I am available. I'm interesting in a lot of various genres of photography but I figured it's best to just offer what I'm comfortable with while working on the other styles.

Woman in the Mirror

Well the first week of 2018 is officially on the books. Have I made resolutions for the new year? Nope. In the past I haven't had much success with them and decided I'm just not going to put pressure on myself like that. Yet I do plan on making changes to myself. I realize that there are things that I need to change. My health, finances, and professional goals are just a few. I'm trying to learn how to slow down and think things through. Last week I decided to really focus on self improvement and awareness.