Project 52 - Week 24
Title: Welcome to the jungle!
Time: Thursday, June 6 at 12:00 pm approx.
My first week at my new job was pretty epic. A lot to take in, of course, but also a lot of fun. I even got to cover our first tropical storm of the season - Andrea.
This photo was taken while I was out on Andrea duty on Siesta Key Beach. As you can see, it was pretty crazy out there and despite the flooding on the beach and the roads, plenty of people made their way out there to see the scene. Luckily the cameras were safely covered in huge water gear so the only thing soaking wet was me.
I got to have my photos on the cover a few times my first week, work in the big studio here at the office, learn a lot of new and cool things and am starting to feel like I know what I am doing around here when it comes to work flow and what is expected. It feels good. Really good. I mean, look at me! I’m being beaten by the wind and rain and I’m still smiling!
live. laugh. love.
-rso-
Project 52 - Week 23
Title: BFFAEAE
Time: Saturday, June 1 at 11:09 p.m.
Last weekend one of my best friends (for ever and ever and ever) came over for a quick visit with me before my vacation time was over. It was a great way to end my vacation time and have some quality time with one of my favorite people.
Malio and I met in the Fall of 2006 and have been friends ever since. We basically lived together all four years of college, two of which we lived in our fabulously ghetto apartment. We’ve been together through the good, the bad, the ugly and the wacky. We even worked for the same company when we graduated college (too bad we were four hours apart).
This visit we ate, drank, beached, shopped and got our groove on. This was during the getting our groove on night, probably Mal’s favorite part of the trip.
I apologize for the less than stellar quality, but time was of the essence and I realized I need a photo for Week 23 and trying to photograph yourself with an iPhone in a bar is a tricky situation, especially when you need the icky flash. But I kind of like the shot anyway because it takes me back to all the crazy photos we used to take in college. Oh, OU… how we miss you so.
live. laugh. love.
-rso-
Project 52 - Week 22
Title: Now and Then
Time: Saturday, May 25 at 8:35 p.m.
When I went to visit my family and friends in Maryland last week I found that the guest bedroom was basically decorated for me. Palm tree lamps, a photo of myself with my brother as little ones, a photo of my grandparents and this photo my mom took of me as a baby with our dog, Lily.
Yes, that is a naked little me in the black and white photo. The photo is one my mother took way back in the day. It’s always been one of my favorites because it’s in my old bedroom in Delray, it is of me with our beloved dog Lily and plus the light is really beautiful coming in the window.
I laughed when I saw the photo on the dresser. I mean, most people have photos of their family members around their home, but there are plenty of more updated photos of me over the years that my aunt has in her possession, however, I always seem to find that the ones of myself and my brother as babies always seem to win out. Then again, who wants to look at photos of awkward, toothless tikes and dorky teenagers? I suppose that’s why the black and white shots my mom took of us as little babes win out. I’m kind of glad for two reason: 1. I love the old pictures better anyway and 2. I really don’t want to see my 8th grade self up anywhere if I can help it.
live. laugh. love.
-rso-
Project 52 - Week 21
Title: Beach Babe
Time: Saturday, May 18 at 4:30 p.m. approx.
As I’ve said many times before, I seem to always be a much happier person whenever I am at the beach. This past weekend as part of my time off before I begin my new job, I drove over to Delray Beach and took in rays and sea salt on the Gulf Stream Beach across from my old middle school. It may not be Siesta, but in my mind it is just as wonderful and beautiful. Especially this past weekend. The waves weren’t too big, but still plenty of fun to play in, and there were big sand bars and the water was crystal clear.
This first day at the beach I enjoyed some time with one my favorite people, Shani. Shani and her husband Bryan, who I also adore, let me stay with them for a few days and Shani made delicious rum drinks while Bryan made mouth-watering food. It’s literally like staying at the best hotel on the planet when I go to their little seaside cottage.
This day was just so beautiful and the water was perfect and I could feel myself smiling the whole time. I won’t be getting back there for another year or so probably, so I took in as much as I could to tie me over until I get my next dose of Delray. Actually, I ended up running around and taking so much in I wore myself out on my own vacation that was supposed to help me UNwind. No matter. It was all 120% worth it.
live. laugh. love.
-rso-
Project 52 - Week 20
Title: Hair Restoration
Time: Saturday, May 11 at 4:59 p.m.
FINALLY! I finally had the chance to go get my hair cut and colored. It hadn’t been since Christmas that my hair and bangs had been messed with and it was driving up a wall. When my friend offered up a half off coupon to a local salon I figured I had to finally make the appointment. With everything changing in my life right now (for the better I hope) I felt like it was the perfect time to go and be pampered.
The local salon, Cutting Loose, was adorable and everyone was so friendly! I enjoyed two cups of coffee and plenty of TLC to my head and hair. Of course finding out when I got to the counter that my mother had called ahead and paid for it made me smile even bigger. Even though I chided her about it she told me she wanted to do something as part of my next chapter. Now if only I could get rid of my acne and fix a few other flaws… hmmmm.
I’ll be heading off to my two mini vacations and my new job with not only a good head on my shoulders but a happy and healthy head of hair to go with it!
live. laugh. love.
-rso-
Project 52 - Week 19
Title: Camera Courage
Time: Thursday, May 2 at 11:56 a.m.
Thursday was a pretty big day for me and I made sure I was prepared to take it on by wearing my new camera charm on my Pandora necklace and my sequin top that my aunt bought me that makes me feel like a rock star. I love my top, but the necklace was my badge of courage as I made it known that I am moving on in life and things are changing for me. Hopefully for the better.
I felt good and I felt like I had some extra power vibes being sent to me from my mom through my charm. A majority of people were happy for me and I felt even more excited about the next turn on the path of life that I am in the process of taking. I like to believe that everything happens for a reason. I also believe in wearing things that make you feel invincible and connect you back to those who love you. I think the top and the necklace were the right fashion choices for my big Thursday. As Kate Hudson says as Penny Lane in my favorite movie, “Almost Famous”, “It’s all happening.”
live. laugh. love.
-rso-
Project 52 - Week 18
Title: Sandy feet
Time: Saturday, April 27 at 4:07 p.m.
Many people will complain about getting sandy or coming back from the beach with sand all over their stuff. I’m not one of those people. I love when sand sticks to my toes and follows me home. It’s like bringing a bit of the beach home with me. Many of my shoes are constantly sandy because the Siesta Key sand is so hard to get off that I can find specks of sand on my feet after a day where I haven’t even been to the beach, but my shoes still have grains of sand attached.
Yesterday was a perfect beach day. Sun, big puffy clouds, a light breeze, refreshing yet warm enough water and a close to shore sandbar. I don’t often get to lounge at the beach as much as I’d like, but those few hours were a huge help to my mind, body and soul.
So the next time you have sand on you and you try to brush it off right away, think about letting it linger for a bit. It makes you smile to look down and see that you spent a part of your day taking in the beauty of nature and it was kind enough to come home with you.
live. laugh. love.
-rso-
Project 52 - Week 17
Title: Mermaid hair
Time: Saturday, April 20 at 4:34 p.m.
Recently my hair has been driving me insane. It needs to be trimmed and salon treated. Badly. I just haven’t had the time to schedule an appointment because I never really know when I am going to actually be free to go to get my hair done. I feel like the response “I can’t. I’m going to the salon,” isn’t exactly a compelling reason to miss work. Then again, I don’t want to set an appointment and cancel on my hairdresser.
But I do love my hair. I have been growing it out for awhile and have had my bangs back for a few years now so I actually do like my ‘do. I can wear it down, wear it up, to the side, in a braid, a bun, a pony tail. The Florida humidity may mess with my bangs and frizz it all out, but that comes with living in Florida.
About a year ago I took my Little to the beach and we went swimming in the Gulf. I was floating and letting my hair splay out in the water when my Little came up to me and said, “you have mermaid hair”. Mermaid hair? What an awesome compliment! I realized that my hair probably did look pretty odd in the water in comparison to her own hair with the tight braids and tons of rubber bands and hair accessories. I remember in elementary school being fascinated by all of the cool designs and accessories that many of my classmates had in their hair. I had a scrunchy and they had twists and braids and all sorts of colorful barretts. Did they wish they had my scrunchies?
Today I saw my Little for a really awesome outing where she got to go on her very first plane ride. While we were waiting in the lobby she asked to play with my hair. Considering it was up in a ponytail and a mess anyway I told her to have at it. She didn’t really do anything, just sort of ran her hands through it and acted like she had some big plan for my hair. Suddenly the memory from the beach came back about my mermaid hair. I smiled and let her continue to tangle up my hair for a bit until it was time to go. I got back my pony tail holder and swooped it up real quick and we were on our way. I don’t know if she ever would have known what to actually do to my hair. It might have actually been frustrating since my hair isn’t corse enough to do the braids she is used to doing. Maybe she was just bored and wanted to play with my hair because I’m her Big and she’s a 9-year-old girl. Who knows. But it made me smile and think more positively about my hair, even in its greasy and unkept mess that it was in today. The mess you are looking at now. It may be a bit messy, but in my Little’s eyes and in my own it is mermaid hair.
live. laugh. love.
-rso-
Project 52 - Week 16
Title: Rays and reading
Time: Saturday, April 13 at 2:33 p.m.
Two of my favorite things include soaking in the sun and reading a good book. I don’t usually get to do these things simultaneously because I rarely have time to soak up the sun and when I do I am usually without my book or Kindle. However, I had a few free hours on Saturday and the sun was out so I hit the pool deck and enjoyed a little R&R&R (rest, relaxation and reading).
As you may notice I did have to buy new shades due to the sudden breaking of my white polka dot ones. These ones are pretty sharp though and I feel pretty badass in them and it’s always nice to feel a little badass.
For what I’m reading these days it seems to be a lot of historical fiction, mainly WWII and from the stand point of mostly women or young children. I don’t like war or reading historical fiction where play by plays of invasions are involved, but reading about war brides, nurses, Jewish families or young Jewish children does fascinate me. I usually read a little before bed each night. I need to stop buying cheap e-books and start borrowing from the e-library but I haven’t gotten that all figured out yet.
Being out in the sun and reading about another time and place and other people’s lives has a calming effect on me and I was grateful for this hour by the pool. I’ll be even happier when the pool is warm enough to get in and swim. It’s still far too chilly for my taste.
live. laugh. love.
-rso-
Project 52 - Week 15
Title: Her Eyes Were Watching Galas
Time: Saturday, April 6 at 7:58 p.m.
Covering the “Black Tie” scene in Sarasota is pretty intense. Some of these folks are at events every. single. night. I kid you not. Luncheons, galas, parties, dinners, auctions, fests, fundraisers - you name it.
During “season”, our term for when all the snowbirds invade our precious oasis for 6-7 months, is when black tie events really get out of control. There can be three big events all on one night and people have to chose where they will go. I’m sure if you are one of those people who gets invited to these shindigs it involves a lot of politicking and strategizing to decide where you will go on a night with so many events. I know couples who will split for the night and one will go to one event while the other attends another.
Being on the scene of these events and not really being a part of them but just working them is a weird experience in itself. I mean what 20-something girl spends her Friday and Saturday nights photographing people in gowns that cost more than her monthly rent all while wearing some sort of dress/skirt/former bridesmaid dress? People usually like having their photos taken and someone is usually running around making sure all the “right” people have their photos taken (chairs of the events, important donors, big wigs in the community). This season I’ve pretty much met all the big wigs of Sarasota and by this point can usually write their names down without having to ask for spelling (and some of these names aren’t easy ones).
Last night was a fun event at Selby Gardens (a gorgeous place by the way) and I even got to feed camels. Yes, camels were hired to be at this event. People were dressed to the theme ‘Midnight at the Oasis’, so it was little more fun to photograph since people weren’t just in suits and ties and ball gowns.
But like the servers handing out drinks, setting the tables and passing out little taste treats - I too was working. Snap snap snap. Making sure I got all the right people. People are getting to know me a little by now, but it’s not like I am someone they want to hang with or chat up or buy a drink. I’m working. I have no time to talk even if I wanted to because I need to get my shots and run back to my apartment and get these photos up ASAP so people can see them in the morning and possibly buy them from the website.
My eyes, my camera and my notepad are my tools and hopefully those who I photograph like the photos. I don’t usually know. No one says anything. Too many other events happen and I take photos of some of these folks weekly, sometimes multiples times in one week! Half the time they don’t even remember if I took their photo or not. But these eyes are watching and waiting to take those photos. See you all at the next event.
live. laugh. love.
-rso-
