This is what I've been doing:

Photojournalism

So..a few weeks ago while Drew and I were out taking photos around his hometown, we decided on a very awesome idea. We are going to create a photojournalism website. Amateur photojournalism of course..but still the same idea. We have a small list of ideas that we want to use already. A lot of it is going to include ethnographic/participant observation techniques, but in all honestly I have really been interested in ethnographic research for a long time. We have decided to get a couple of our ideas completed before actually launching the site so that there will actually be some content to look at. And then we will go from there.

Our possible first topic will be snake handling. There is a church in Jolo, WV that still includes snake handling in their church services. Although I am not a religious person, I find this practice extremely interesting and have always wanted to see this first hand (even though I am terrified of snakes). I have emailed a member of the church to make sure they still have the services and to see if they are okay with photos being taken and possible interviews. This church has been included in documentaries and many news stories, so I am sure this should be fine.

I am really excited about this project and I am sure once we start it and get the hang of it, the ideas will be easier to come by for more stories. This will also give us both the opportunity to become better at photography since I bought a nice, digital SLR a few months ago. It will also give us a chance to build up our collections.

&*(#%&@(#)@*

Stress can do a lot to someone. Not only have I been experiencing health problems to begin with, but the stress of moving, worrying about/helping other people close to me that are either in the hospital or have been hurt, work, money, etc etc..have really taken a toll on me. I'm missing work, I'm agitated, irritated, annoying easily, and just having been the same.

I've gone through this many times before, so it's definitely nothing new, but it's just hard to deal with especially when you do not have the time, money, or resources directly available to deal with it. So right now I guess I just have to do my best to ride things out and wait for everything to calm down.

Luckily, the family members that have been in the hospital are both doing better. Drew, who hurt his back, is doing a little better..that's going to take time. Money isn't a huge issue right now because of payday, but my health and work are still on my mind at all times. I've been having headaches for a little over a year straight. I'm talking every day from the minute I wake up to when I go to bed. I have tried giving up caffeine, fast food, soda, and other substances that may cause headaches. I have tried exercising, therapy to deal with my stress and anxiety and cutting down my hours at work. I have seen about 8 or 9 doctors, including 4 trips to the ER. I have been treated for sinus infections, allergies, and migraines. Nothing has worked. So on Sunday I have an MRI and MRA scheduled. The doctors want to rule out anuerysms, and also get a better look at my sinuses since my headaches are all frontal.

As far as work goes..I have called off 3 times due to my health. I am still an intermittent employee and this will have a great effect on whether or not a am offered a permanent position. So this has me worried. I am not sure if I should start looking for another job or not. I like my job. It has its ups and downs, but it pays well and I get the hours I need. I don't know..it's just all frustrating. And to add to it all I will have to add school to the equation.

Hopefully something gets better soon.

We used to be friends..a long time ago.

Drew and I began watching a tv show on Netflix called Veronica Mars. I remember seeing ads for it in magazines back in high school but never knew anything about it...well now I know. It's pretty darn amazing and it has ruled our lives for the past couple of weeks. Because of our schedules we are only on season 2..but at the end of it. There are unfortunately only three seasons altogether. If you have Netflix, I suggest you begin watching this series. It may seem like a silly show, but it's fucking amazing.
No lie.

Hookers

So I just looked at the photos of the Oslo SusCon taken by Rolf Bucholz:
One
Two

Simply amazing. Makes me super excited about Dallas next year!

And here we begin..

So I decided to start a blog. Here's to hoping I can keep it going...

As of recently I have moved into a new place with my amazing boyfriend, Drew. We are still working on getting things unpacked. The downstairs is probably 95% complete, we finished the bathroom, so we just have the bedrooms left. We have three rooms so we will have our bedroom, a spare/computer/storage room, and then a room for piercing(suspension) stuff.

I am actually looking forward to school to start. By that time we will have settled in and such and I will be needing something to do during the day and days that I don't have to work. Speaking of work I have been thinking of looking for another job. I have been at CDC for about 6 months and I still do not have a permanent position. I decided to give them until about September or so..and if I am still temporary then I will look for another agency to work at.

So another reason I wanted to start a blog is so that I am not bombarding my Facebook with all my ranting and raving and opinions and such. For example:

The House passed a bill that would provide $59 billion for a military emergency fund, $33 billion of that going to a troop surge in Afghanistan and even a portion of that goes to a Haiti relief fund. Now don't get me wrong, it is good that we are helping countries in need. But it seems that our government is forgetting that WE are in need as well.

• It has been a struggle for Obama to keep unemployment benefits going, and even still a lot of people will not see those benefits until next month or even September (keep in mind some people have not been receiving their benefits since early June).
• Social security has taken a huge cut. Those on social security did NOT receive their cost of living raise like they have been every year prior. Other aspects of SS are still getting hit.
• Schools are being shut down left and right, and in addition schools that are still open can't keep teachers employed or give them a proper salary.
• Everyone middle-class and below are struggling more and more every day just to make it by. More people are becoming homeless, jobless, and hopeless.

It's just getting completely ridiculous, and there seems to be no end in sight.

But, on a good note, I came across a site called Kick Ass Torrents today. I think I've stumbled upon it before a long time ago when I was first trying to figure out the whole torrent thing, but anyways I signed up and right now I am in the process of downloading the third season of American Dad. *such a good show!*

Well, that is all I feel like typing for my first entry. Until next time<3