A few weeks later..

I'm into my second week of working at Black's. Goodness there's lots to learn. Everyday I'm learning more and more! I forgot how tiring it was to make your brain work! So far so good though, the ladies I work with are fab and Ms. W is super sweet. Not much else to really say about it at this point.. Other than I now understand why places like Black's charge more for their prints... 10x better than Wally-World!!!! I was absolutely floored seeing the difference. I had printed off the same photo (Both from my thumb drive, and on a Kiosk) at each place, and was horrified by what I got from Wally-Mart!!! Needless to say, I'm sticking with Black's printing from now on foresure! (as much as I adore you folks at the Lab! I promise I'll still visit! =D ) So make a note to yourself, DON'T BE CHEAP AND GO TO WALMART, HAVE NICE PICS AND SPEND A FEW CENTS MORE AND GET FANTASTIC PHOTOS!
Another thing new and exciting in my little life is that I'm chopping off my mop Thursday morning! Eeek! My hair is awful and I just downright feel ugly most days. So I've decided I'm doing something different, and hopefully cutting off enough to donate my hair to Locks of Love, or something similar. I really hope I have enough hair to help out! I am trying to have this whole new outlook on life of starting fresh, and trying to look at things in a more positive light, and I think cutting off the hair is the first step! Oh maybe the second step! My first step was buying a pair of POINTY high heels! Not quite sure where I'll wear them to though, but I thought a girl has got to have a pair of pointy heels. It's so weird, I love shoes, but yet I never buy any nice ones? Make sense? No.
On a different note, I think I'm going to have to re-plan my life for the next two years. I thought I had 'er just about figured out. But quitting Lifetouch COMPLETELY changed how things were going to work. I really really really really wanted to take a Photography-type course. The one I was looking at runs for 20 weeks, during the days. So now with this new job, it's not going to work... I hope I can find a similar course, so that I can create myself a career. Because right now, as bad as it sounds, I feel stuck. Hence, the new push to make changes in my little life. Ahhhh I'm getting flustered just thinking about what to do with myself.
One last thing. Completely random. So "I" (my parents, whom I owe money to now) bought a D60 in April. That being said, April was 5 months ago already... Obviously. I really wish I would have done some more research on what I wanted in a camera... Well i suppose at the time the D60 was what I wanted in a camera (looking for an entry-level DSLR). NOW though, I really want for sure a "prime" lens. (The 50mm f1.4 to be exact).. Prime basically meaning no zoom.. BUT this gosh darn D60 isn't compatible with the lenses I'm wanting. I was so upset when I found this out, because I've been literally dreaming of fall coloured bokeh in the background of my future portraits I hope to take. But no, my dreams were smushed. Now I'm really wishing I would have either a) purchased at least a D80 OR b) gone with one of the Rebels or 40D.. something of the sort. To top it off my camera with the same lens can now be purchased for $599 as opposed to $799 when I got mine. (Realistically I suppose it's not the end of the world. A good back up camera in the future). It's still just so darn frustrating!
Anyway, I shall stop ranting, because I think I'm just having a bad evening! Sweet dreams to all and for myself.

Hold IT!

I'll fast forward through the last few days:
-Worked 1 week back at Lifetouch
-Had a job interview with W at Black's (went very will if I may say so)
-Quit Lifetouch Monday
-Panicked Monday evening, and Some of Tuesday about money and so on..
-Had a 2nd interview with... eeek I cannot remember his name... over the phone from Black's (also went well!)
-Got a phone call from W Thursday.
-I got the job at Black's! (Assistant Store Manager!)

I start at Black's on September 3rd, so that gives me a little over a week to get rid of these nerves! I'm so excited and scared at the same time! I'm sure everything will go well, but you know what it's like starting a new job!
I will also have to quit my lovely job at the PhotoCentre because of being competitors and so on.. So I kind of feel bad about that! Plus I love the folks I work with!! Oh well, you gotta do what you gotta do though hey?

I also picked up a bunch of photos of my Grandma's from my parent's house. (whose been gone now for over 10 years already) and I've been scanning like a mad woman! It was fun at first, but now I'm almost ready to call 'er quits! BUT I'm not going to! I only have a smidgen bit more to go through.. then onto CD's (mostly done) and another set of CD's for my folks, then onto my under-used external HD JUST in case!

Just thought I'd share my exciting news! OH and one more thing. I'm a quarter of the way through my list of things that make me happy.. Boy not much makes me happy apparently lol.

Ciao!

Yippee a new Gadget!

So I'm back working full time with Lifetouch and still part time with Walmart. Throughout the summer I kept dreading going back to work. Mainly for the pure laziness of not wanting to "work". Since Monday though, I've been horribly reminded of why I didn't want to go back in the first place. I wont get into it here, but I'm not sure that job is for me. Although, I do think the money aspect of the job IS for me! One big perk, is the group we've got this year is pretty cool. C and I seem to click really well. She's just one of those people that is SO easy to get along with and we seem to be on the same page about a lot of things. The other girls are fab, just quiet! And anyone who knows me, knows I'm loud! lol
Since Monday now, I've been a heck of a lot less stressed out (mainly about money) BUT now the whole "time management" thing is kicking in and I'm not sure I'm going to be able to rock both these jobs. To make matters more complex is I've got an interview on Saturday (I'm definitely crossing my fingers for this job). I just don't wanna jump the gun in case I don't get this job. At the same time I'm so sick of some things with LT (mostly small things that over the past year have built up) and I've realized I am NOT happy working at LT, for those small minute issues. I would feel terrible though if I just ditched all these girls at the beginning of fall. I'm not the type of person who just drops everything (job wise) and f***s everyone else over. I suppose, I've got to do this for myself.
On a side note, I've finally found a great way to make contact sheets. Still VERYYYYY time consuming (I've only done about 10-15 disks out of over 100!) So far though, it's so much easier to find an image!
In regards to the title, I got this funky little thumb drive finally and so far I'm liking it! A lovely little 4GB Kingston DataTraveller. Hopefully it makes printing and sharing a lot easier! Speaking of the thumb drive though, I went to future shop, ONLY because I had a 10$ gift card that I've been meaning to use, and the damn cashier couldn't get it to ring in.. ( not his fault, per-se, but still irks me!) SO I had to pay full price for it =( lol oh well
Jumping to The List, so far things are going good, I still am not 100% pleased with The List, so there still may be changes, but overall I'm slowly getting things done, or started. Marvelous. Time for bed!

Uh Oh

I don't think I like my List. Not at all. There may be some changes coming shortly.

On a side note: This house was torn down. Truly unfortunate, there was so much more to explore in that house.

Hair. To cut or not to cut

I desperately need my hair cut. Split ends, horrible grown out "doo", roots, dry and brittle... the works. So I need some of it gone. I've never been so indecisive about getting my hair cut before. One moment I want long hair still and just trim it up a bit. But the next moment I want it short, definitely above the shoulders, and donate the big chunk of cut hair to locks of love or something similar. This is THE only 'medium length' hair cut I've decided like.. But I don't know.. I just don't know! Comments or tips would be very much appreciated!!!

Here it is:

My list of 101 goals to complete in 1001 days!

In no specific order*

Self:
1. Blog once a week for 6 months (0/24)
2. Get a new cell
3. Pay for the person behind me at Tim Horton's (or similar "pay-it-forward" act)
4. Do 25 random acts of kindness (0/25)
5. Get up before 9 a.m. on my days off for 30 days (0/30)
6. Get a tattoo
7. Write a thank-you note to someone for great service
8. Take a dance class
9. Make 50 new Facebook friends (0/50)
10. Become an organ donor
11. Write a list of 101 Facts of JCleveland (note flaws\strengths\weaknesses, etc)
12. Buy 15 items from independent artists and\or business people (0/15)
13. Get professional photos done of Chris and I

Vanity & Health:
14. Drink only water for two straight weeks (0/14)
15. Keep a food diary for 90 days (0/90)
16. Get a hair cut I love
17. Buy a bra that fits properly
18. Buy lingerie and wear it (even if it's just me, alone)
19. Buy and wear a pair of heels
20. No pop for 30 straight days (0/30)
21. Change wardrobe
22. Glasses (anyone who knows me, knows what I want)
23. Exercise more often (general, but I haven't prepared a reasonable goal... yet)
24. Practice Yoga
25. Give up deep fry for 30 days (0/30)

Friends/Family/Love:
26. Send a just because gift to a loved one
27. Have a girls' night, monthly (0/36)
28. Send out birthday cards
29. Host a party
30. Write "to be read" letters to specific individuals
31. Phone folks once a week (0/36)
32. Hand write and snail mail 10 letters (0/10)
33. Invite Lee & Kendra for supper

Humble Abode:
34. Try 20 new recipes (0/20)
35. Put away laundry right after it's finished 20 times (0/20)
36. Put away dishes right after they're finished 20 times (0/20)
37. Properly organize and de-clutter closets, drawers and cupboards
38. Detail clean both cars (0/20)
39. Buy a new duvet
40. Implement a more effective recycling system at home
41. Have dimmer switches installed in 3 rooms in the condo (0/3)

Travel\Exploration:
42. Explore Saskatchewan for new places
43. Picnic (basket and all)
44. Go on a road-trip
45. Explore Highway 13
46. Get a Passport
47. Find a secret hideaway
48. Drive across Canada/US
49. Visit NYC again
50. Get outside every day (0/1001)
51. Go on our hot air balloon ride
52. Go on more walks, just because
53. Compile a list of small, common places I can go when I need inspiration (and visit them!)

Money:
54. Pay back Mommy-O and Daddy-O ($0/$1000)
55. Create a budget and stick to it for six months (0/6)
56. Open a proper savings account
57. Deposit money monthly into savings
58. Save 1$ or more for each day of this project
59. Don't get behind on bills

For Fun:
60. Revamp an old reading chair for our study
61. Record home videos
62. Finish a scrap book
63. Learn to crochet
64. Read a book in the park
65. Karaoke in public
66. Learn to make jewelry (clay image transfer pendants, etc...)
67. Read 12 books a year (0/36) (not including school/photo books)
68. Go fishing
69. Sew 5 projects (0/5)

For Fun (Extended):
70. Be prepared for Christmas, BEFORE Christmas
71. Bake goodies for social gatherings
72. See 10 classic movies (0/10)
73. Have plans on Halloween, including a costume
74. Have a board game and fancy virgin drink night
75. Go to the theatre (live or movie) 20 times (0/20)
76. Have a date night with Chris (0/20)
77. Have an "olden day" photo taken at the WDM
78. Create our own Christmas tradition
79. Sell something I've created

Everything Photography Related:
80. Take under water photos
81. Learn to use PhotoShop effectively
82. Stick to an 'official' business name
83. Read 10 books to enhance my knowledge of photography (0/10)
84. Properly organize, display and archives photographs
85. Digitize all my negatives & random homeless photographs
86. Digitize all folks' negatives & random homeless photographs
87. Attend a photography workshop/seminar
88. Reach 10,000 views on Flickr
89. Finish my 365 project
90. Display a photo (or more) publicly (gallery, exhibition, bridal show... etc)
91. Shoot two or more sessions monthly (0/72)
92. Take a photography and\or a business course
93. Make a photo book of my 365 project
94. Buy a lens (not a specific one)
95. Create a proper photo web-site
96. Don't hesitate to stop and photograph something (ie: house on the side of the highway..)

Random:
96. Make daily lists and stick to them
97. Go to the lake more often
98. Sit in a coffee shop\restaurant and read something educational
99. List 101 things that make me genuinely happy (0/101)
100. Reflect daily on my goals
101. Complete and create a new list of goals.

So there it is. My goals for the next 2.75 years. Because these are my goals, they are able to change and be adjusted accordingly, obviously depending on life circumstances. I realize that a lot of my goals aren't necessairly specific, so here's how those will work: once *I* feel as though I've completed it, I'm 'allowed' to mark it off. Another rule I've made for myself is that I can go back and revisit my goals and add to them or re-do them according to my new standards.
Starting August 1st, 2008 until April 29th, 2011 this is it. Good luck to everyone setting such goals, also good luck to me!

Business cards for real!

I haven't been posting on this blog a whole lot recently.. I've decided to turn this more into a 'personal' blog, as opposed to 'non-personal' lol. So a new blog I've created is http://inlovewiththeworld.wordpress.com This is where I decided I will be posting different sessions, news, and so forth.
So several weeks ago, I had made a post, kind of making fun of having a business card for myself. BUT there's been quite a number of times in the past few weeks where someone has asked me for a business card~! SOooo Ta-da! Guess what I have finally created! Bingo! A business card. Nothing uber fancy at this point, as my resources are limited. But here's what I've settled on!



This first is the 'general' card, basically one I give to everyone.. The second I created to focus on a younger crowd I guess you would say. I've also made a couple flyers that I'll be putting up shortly, offering FREE portrait sessions until the end of August. (The first 10 folks who sign up get a free hi-res CD) Basically the goal is to add to my portfolio and gain more experience working with a variety of people!

That being said, if you are interested in a session, gimme a shout! Thanks for tuning in folks! Adios for today.

Ally & Devan

Weirdly enough I met Ally while doing her cap and gown photos through the school this spring. We added one another to Facebook, then a few weeks later she asked if I would take some pictures of her in her gown along with her boyfriend on the day of her graduation, and of course I agreed!
We didn't get a chance to stop at all the proposed places I had hoped, but we managed go get down by the river and also at her farm. I definitely commend those two for sticking it out in the heat Thursday afternoon! Of course Ally looked fabulous and Devan looked mighty handsome sweating his buttocks off in his suit! Honest to goodness those two are so into each other, at some moments I forgot I was taking HER grad photos, NOT 'couple' - type photos!
Anyway here's a little snippet of what we captured that fine day!

1st attempt

This past Saturday I attended a wedding of one of my dearest friends future mother-in-law as thee 'photographer'(to make it simple).. Luckily they weren't looking for any spectacular photographs, just some memories of their special day.. So a hair less stressful than it could have been.. even though I had been sick to my stomach days before worrying I was going to completely mess something up!!
I've only once attempted to take decent photographs at a wedding (and that would have been my dear friends' mother's wedding, last summer). So needless to say I'm not a seasoned wedding photographer just yet! I just really wanted to share a few of my favorites from the day. Fortunately (for me) it was overcast all day... unfortunately it started raining just as we were wrapping up the last of the photos (I would have liked to continue, I was finally getting a little more settled and into photographer mode!) Oh well. I have just finished doing some minor touch ups and canning the closed eye\half talking photos, and haven't yet shown the bride or groom. So here's a 'sneek peek'!

no longer completely jobless

So I've finally gotten off of my high horse, and gotten a part-time job. I have such great aspirations for my life I got a job at Walmart Photo Lab! lol Well it's not so bad (I haven't even started yet, so who knows lol) for those of you who know me well, know I LOVE Walmart! Plus I've wanted to work at a Photo Lab\Store of some sort.. And places like Don's and Phase II are intimidating!
So I figure I'll start at the bottom of the todem pole! Hopefully I get some discounts on prints! It was only a part-time position available and I'm kinda glad for that. Get some money coming in, but this way if I do want another PT job I can get one, or If I do start taking more and more pictures I'll have time for that too. I'm pretty pumped though! Seriously who's this excited to work at Walmart Photo Lab? Besides me of course? Saaawweeet!

What's in a name??

So this topic all started of with me sitting here pondering to myself at two a.m. about my name. Jamie Cleveland. That's it that's all. That's my name. Jamie Cleveland. I find the more I frequent forums (for instance) I usually go by J Cleveland. A little mysterious, a little more simple, maybe more professional? and basically looks nicer when I sign my name lol. So after I pondered this for a few moments, I got to thinking about this 'career' in photography. A lot of photographers go with their name as a business name (i.e. Jamie Cleveland Photography \ J.Cleveland Photography), OR photographers go with the more cheeseball approach (i.e. LifeTouch, Precious Moments Photography, In Focus Photography, something of the sort). I find lately I refer to my photography as InlovewiththeWorld Photography. That's right. Usually one long word Photography. A big debate in the photographer world while naming yourself\your business is potential customers googling you; and losing business if they can't find your website online 'cause your name is too difficult to remember. So is InlovewiththeWorld something too difficult to remember? (with or without spaces lol). Does it even make sense? To me the name means a lot to me, I guess you could say. Anyway I'm kind of looking for some opinions on that one. I like it.. But YOU as a "potential" customer. What does that name say too you? In Love with the World Photography\InlovewiththeWorld Photography. Comments and Critiques muchly appreciated.

Jobless or just a solo career path?

So that time of year has come. The season's over, the work is complete. That's right folks, I'm jobless!
It feels wonderful, exhilarating, marvelous, and stressful! I'm definitely still working on finding another job,
whether for just the summer or permanently, only the right job will tell! I've got to say working for Lifetouch
has opened my eyes to how much I love 'people' photography, whether it be a posed-studio or photojournalistic
approach, people really get my gears going! There's just something so satisfying about "capturing" a moment of
somebody's essence. Wow that sounded cheeseballish! But I suppose until that moment actually hits
you, you have no idea what a penetrating thrill it is. Honest to goodness it nearly gives me chills every time.
So back to being jobless. I've been applying like crazy to jobs, jobs I'm over qualified for, under qualified for,
crummy jobs, amazing jobs, every job that I can pretty much find! Since I've had so much time on my hands
the last two days I've been thinking more and more about getting out there and focusing more on taking
MY own photos, not *property of Lifetouch\Lifetouch's poses\Lighting\Rules* photos. MY OWN. I make the rules,
I decide what I like and don't like and I have a say! I can actually be a photographer not a poorly paid person
who clicks the shutter release (that apparently I "don't use properly" according to Lifetouch).
I shouldn't be so negative! Oh well, I just feel free at last! Well perhaps only until fall, when I may go back.

Needless to say if you or someone you know is looking for the following:
-Couples\Engagement photos
-Portrait parties
-Individual portraits
-Graduation\Senior portraits (dress and so forth or just casuals)
-Familes (big or small!)

Get in touch with me! Because I'm a newbie at doing this solo I'm basically charging next to nothing for my time, and minimal charges for prints! Also you get to choose a location, if you are interested give me a call 290.5511 or feel free to contact me via email (j.cleveland@hotmail.com), facebook (search Jamie Cleveland), heck even knock on my door! If you're looking for something a little different than mentioned above, call me! I'll see what I can do!

Lens

Recently I had posted an ad on Kijiji; for a lens for my Pentax K-1000. The lovely camera I had gotten for Christmas many moons ago but didn't have a lens that I (quite frankly) knew how to use. So upon placing my ad on Kijiji I had received a message from a lovely young chap stating he had a 50mm lens (what I was looking for) for sale for only $30. Quite exciting indeed. So tonight I had gotten in contact with him and made the deal official. I google maped his home address and went for a drive. I drove around the block about 4 times until I finally figured out which house was this guys' (nice neighborhood btw). Picked up this dainty lens and sped home. So once I got home I spent about half an hour just taking photos of myself. The lens is nothing fancy but simple enough for everyday use. Boy am I pumped to use my camera.

a portrait.

So as some of you know I frequently sit on photography forums, posting photos, critiquing others, having comments posted regarding my photographs... Needless to say I had posted a photograph of Victoria that we had taken in the studio; I had done some MINOR editing. And a day after posting it I got comments like the colour and so forth was washed out. It's so frustrating to me, cause it looked fine on my computer (then again it is a Mac AND it's a lap top)... So either a) I have to re-edit the majority of my printed photographs b)I have to figure out a way to calibrate my computer, but have no idea how or the dreaded c) I'm a horrible photographer. It was just petty comments, that were really easy to fix, but it just kinda stabbed me hard for some reason. Normally comments like that don't bug me, I hear it, and fix it and away I go.. I guess the problem is, is that it made me second guess myself. and I hate that! Oh well I guess it's not really a biggie, but it did make me re-evaluate my ''talent'' which I may or may not have. A lot of people apparently don't like my style per-say. Anyway practice makes (almost) perfect right?

how do i look??

So I'm doing one of those 365 day projects.. Photo projects that is. Basically for you folks who live under a rock all it means is that I'm taking a photograph of myself everyday for one year. I started on my 20th birthday. So by the end of the project I'll have a years worth of photographs of myself. Thinking that it'd be easy, I started on my birthday no problem... and only 13 days after my start date, I've already missed THREE!!! arrrggghhhh. So aside from the fact that I only have 10 days worth of pictures so far- today I put on Chris' reading glasses. I thought they looked pretty snazzy in 'em. I've always told Vicky that I wanted to get glasses just for looks, but now I *really* want glasses just for looks. They make me feel smart and important. Just like my un printed business cards =).
All of the sudden I have this new found excitement for life; adulthood; bills; health; work, everything in general I suppose. Well maybe excitement is too grand of a word, but a new positive attitude towards work and so forth. (boy was that random or what?) I think it's the glasses. looks like I'm getting glasses! Small things amuse small minds right lol

Business Cards?

Lets just start of by saying, business cards make a person feel important.. So to feel important I decided to go online and 'create' a business card.... Well several cards. It's truly a shame I don't have a business to go along with the card. I just felt like sharing a few that I came up with. As you'll notice, it's the same layout but with different fonts. Comments and critiques are muchly appreciated.

Bills Bills Bills

So my blog today was going to be in regards to bills.
This evening I came home (with a new shelving unit as well)...
decided to open that lovely little metal mail box, and aha! There in that little cove of junk mail was my very first Sasktel bill! At first I was excited... Woohoo my very first bill... Then perplexed, "wait," I thought, "I already pay bills..." Well technically I give Chris money and HE pays bills. Needless to say it was my first mailed bill that I have to take care of. So my lovely internet and Max promotion cost me in total $59.12 this month. Now I haven't actually paid it quite yet, 'Cause I'm not sure how.. I suppose go to the bank? I was kinda wanting to get into the whole 'ebill' thing to make things 'simple' they say, but simple?! I don't think so. On the back of the bill it seems easy to set up. Going onto my Scotiabank account online is another story. Sheesh. I guess I've just been lucky so far that other people physically pay the bill, I just have to cough up the dough.
Anyway I just wanted to share my first experience with a snail-mail bill addressed to only me.

Almost done.

So moving day begins tomorrow. I'm getting anxious. The last week or so I've just wanted to get there and get moved.
I feel like we're forgetting something? Got all the legal stuff signed (I think...), got insurance, got ahold of SaskPower, changed my SGI address... I have no idea what I'm forgetting. There's a few things I've gotta change my address for still but I'm not too worried about that. It's just so overwhelming looking around here.. here check it out:















Anyway I've gotta have a shower and do some (FREE) laundry. Adios

Man I love not working.

This moving and such is STRESSFUL. It's not like nothing's organized; 'cause it relatively is I suppose. We have so much crap still... really random stuff. Lots of clothes, Addresses to change still, homes to clean... Money I guess is a big stress. I've got a whopping $14 in my account and $5 of Timmie's money thanks to my lovely friend. Thank God I get paid Friday. I was supposed to be getting 'expense' cheques, but for some reason I haven't gotten them yet. Shucks.
So aside from moving...
The dread of Sundays. Well more or less dreading Mondays. Some days I love going to work... I guess that's a lie, there was one day that I had mentally decided I was going to make it a good day, and it was~! I just don't seem to have energy to be in that 'mind-set' all the time. i think my dread of work begins with the dread of the lack of sleep I know I'm going to get for the week. I guess an easy answer is to go to bed earlier, which isn't a bad thought at all. BUT I get even more depressed if I go to bed earlier 'cause the mornings seem to come even faster when I'm sleeping. Then i feel like I'm always at work and never spending time not working. I would really like to be one of those people who live for waking up at 5-6 am everyday and beginning my day. Truly though, is there anyone like that? Hmm I'm not sure.
You know when you're parents say the older you get the faster time flies, God it's true! I go to work and that's all I seem to do and I don't feel like I have time for anything else. Ever. OR I do have time but I'm so bloody exhausted. So either the lack of time or exhaustion I feel like I'm a horrible friend. Which in turn I guess that's exactly what it means, I can't suck up being tired to spend time with my friends. Not that I have a million friends. So it should be quite easy. Hopefully after Chris and I move and get settled I'll be able to organize my time a little better. First what I believe I need to do is try to change my mindset. Eat, sleep, and act healthier. Which I hope will help give me more energy and be more positive in general. I'm always a grump which I dislike about myself. Going on: be happier, healthier, a better friend, more educated, yada-yada-yada.
I just got completely sidetracked with the 'In Memory of" during the oscars. Is it just me or did they kinda cut Heath's portion short? Anyway that's a side note.
Well now I'm here thinking about Brokeback Mountain and getting vaccinated (a commercial...). I'll post another day. Ciao.

First.

Well here it goes; my first blog.
..... *blank* that is what my brain is thinking right now.
hmm. I guess this I'm not in a 'blogging' mood quite yet.
I'll be back. Look at this while I'm gone: