Tag: Mama Kat’s Writing workshop

A Capture of Me

On By AngeliaIn Angelia's Photography, Life is what you make it., Mama Kat's Writing Workshop26 Comments

Mama’s Losin’ It
4.) Share a photo that was taken of you, that you think really captures who you are.

This week we were asked to share a photo that really captures who we are. And what could be a better capture than a photo taken by a photographer? A photo taken just last week on an impromptu photo walk in Fort Worth.

As a person, I feel like I am constantly changing. Usually, my life changes are shaped by my current obsession. This current obsession is photography. I would live, breathe, and eat photography if I could.

Unfortunately, I can’t. Not right now. I have a “main” job that keeps me very, very busy with very little time to have fun. But I try. Oh how I try to keep the sparks and dreams alive of being the best photographer I can be.

I love these captures because, I am doing what I love to do.

Exploring through the lens….

Shooting….

And laughing.

Of course, I am many other things; Mom, Step-Mom, wife, and friend. I love all the things I am, but truly, being a photographer is a reward far beyond what I ever imagined.

Creeping Creepers

On By AngeliaIn Mama Kat's Writing Workshop, Mon Dieu! and all that stuff.22 Comments

Giving me the jeepers!

The time I was almost scared to death.

Let me set the scene.

The players…my gorgeous daughter.

And my sweet girl Salem.

Also, my husband was in on this “plan”.

See how in this photo, the chair has it’s back to the windows. Those windows are the back door. Straight in front the chair is the front door. So, if say…I was SITTING in that chair. I could not see the backdoor, but I could see the front door. And really? I don’t have to worry. The dogs go ballistic when someone comes to the door. Anyone! Even me.

So, imagine me in the chair pictured above. I am watching TV and minding my own biz. The dogs are lounging (remember I have three). Then, they set off to the front door, but not barking. I thought maybe Jason and Sydney got home, they had dropped the little kids at their mom’s. Is it possible they knew it was them and didn’t bark? A miracle!

Turns out they were just doing recon. They just kinda stood around, and didn’t seem to “sense” any presence. My biggest dog, Salem, turns around from the front door to the back door and immediately her hair STANDS ON END. And she starts barking like I have never heard her bark in my life. It’s like paws down, back up, and every muscle tense in fight mode. Her bark is at full roar.

In my mind, I thought… OH MY GOSH, she is barking like someone is at the back door.

That’s when I turn around and I SEE FACES at the backdoor.

I, nearly, lost it.

It was just Sydney.

And Jason.

Laughing at me while I clutched my chest about to keel over.

And that is the time I was MOST startled in my life.

Someday…..I’m going to get them back for that.

Mama’s Losin’ It
2.) Describe a time you felt startled.

Facebook Teenage Angst

On By AngeliaIn In the lives of children, Mama Kat's Writing Workshop22 Comments

Back in my teen years there was no Facebook. No immediate social interaction with boys across the country, or globe. At the most you could be pen pals, remember those?


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But if you didn’t like them anymore, or moved on to the next pen pal romance…..no big deal. Just stop writing. This was the 80’s.

Today…..


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Facebook completely changed things. You have immediate connections. Friends in common. Pictures to peruse and many, many other crush worthy items from her bio, to music, to interests. She likes silly bandz, she likes COOKING, she likes Hot Topic, and the mall. We are just alike….I Facebook HEART her. The boy creeps hard on her page, and her online hangouts. They can be from the same town, school, or even from across the country; like New Jersey.

From the Facebook platform communication can progress to text messaging, chat, and skype.

Then, when a teenage girl decides she doesn’t like a crushing boy. How does she lose this creep? It’s very similar to my day. Just stop texting skyping chatting talking facebooking. Simple.

Not so simple for him. He is still crushing on his Facebook teen idol.

Her. My daughter.

But she has moved on and is not looking back.

Teenage angst ensues.


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And you would think that is the end. Crush over. He moves on.

But, noooooo!

See, Facebook gives you the option of listing your PARENTS on your Facebook page and if there is one thing a teenage crushing boy knows is his stalked’s page forwards and backwards (because he creeps it).

The boy emails the mom. In this case, ME.

And what could he possibly say?

He says, “Sydney is in a bad place and is cutting herself.”

What?!?!?

Oh, and please don’t tell her he sent me a Facebook message. He is just trying to get her in trouble save her.

I’ll admit, I had a bit of angst myself. Did I know my child? Was she EMO? Was I missing something? Was I completely freakin’ BLIND?

Um. No.

This girl cries from a scratch that doesn’t break the skin. She points, and points to a tiny mark. I squint to see it but can’t. Mooommmm, it hurts. What hurts? I can’t see a thing!

Cutting? I don’t think so.

But I did learn something. Teenage crushes snuffed on Facebook cause great ANGST.

Poor guy.

It was pretty sneaky to facebook message the parent listed on her page. But, I didn’t fall for it. And he is soooo busted. Please, move on to your next victim crush. Sydney is just fine.

I don’t just Facebook with her. I live with her.

I know I sound old, but my how times have changed….

See what others are saying about angst on Mama Kat’s Losin it writer’s workshop.
Prompt 2) Angsty

Controversy or Confidence? My take on TSA.

On By AngeliaIn Don't ever leave the house, Life is what you make it., Why yes I do GLOW43 Comments

I’ve been a travel agent since January 1990. As I approach the dawn of my twenty-second year, I must say, things have changed……from smoking on airplanes to meeting friends at the gate…..and everything else in between.

Those days are gone.

We can wish, want, and cry for the good ol’ days, but it won’t bring them back to life. Not even a spark of it.

You know what? I wouldn’t want them to.

Why?

I’ll give you one reason – September 11th.

And that should be the end of my post. But nooooo. With every new unveiling of more security measures comes what? CONTROVERSY.

It started with the shoes, the liquids, and date of birth implementations.

Now, the latest being Advanced Imaging Technology at the airport. Travelers believe this is invasive of their privacy (parts) and harmful due to the incredible imaging the machine provides.


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The alternative? Being patted down.

The uproar? Being patted down. The alternative? The imaging machine. The uproar? The subject’s privacy (of body parts being viewed). The alternative? BEING TOUCHED pat searched (professional and non-invasive). The uproar? The damaging radiation machine (alleged). The alternative? Same gender pat search!

Do you see the dilemma?

For me, I don’t even have to think about this one. Yes, I would go through the machine. No, I don’t think it’s harmful (no more than holding an iPhone to your head while standing in front of a microwave). What I do have a problem with is boundaries. I have a personal space radar and would prefer not to be touched patted (if say, I had a choice) (by going through an imaging machine). And thank GOODNESS there is a choice now.

My travel career includes a time when passengers were not just afraid, but downright terrified of flying. I would get calls (more than one) after 9/11 of being in the gate area and seeing a man wearing a turban awaiting the same flight. They would insist on being moved to another airplane. A bit much? Of course, it was a major overreaction, but that is what fear does to people.

How do you combat fear? More security measures. More safety. More assurance; enforcement of I.D. checks, baggage scanning, birth dates, boarding passes, x-ray of shoes, laptops, people, and anything else they can think of to make it safer (backscatter machines).

I had my purse checked more than once for a bomb. Was I carrying a bomb? Or bomb materials? No. Did I look like a bomber? I don’t think so. Was I offended? No! Why would I be? I don’t think on 9/11 any one person stood out. No one seemed threatening or suspicious that I know of. But then again, I probably couldn’t pick a terrorist out of a line-up that was trying not to look like a terrorist. I hear a lot of noise about seniors, or handicapped travelers being put through extreme security measures when they are harmless individuals. Listen…threats do not come packaged as threats. Just like drug smugglers don’t carry hash over the border in a ziplock bag (do they?). They are smuggled and hidden, and honestly? If it were my job, I wouldn’t want to be the THAT guy. The one to put 200 passengers in danger. I don’t think you can be too careful and I don’t understand why more people don’t get that.

Can you hand-pick a threat out of crowd? How do you choose? How do you exclude?

Controversy or confidence?

Let’s not be part of the problem. Let’s be part of the solution. Confidence to fly without fear.

Stick to the guidelines that a team of aviation security has designed to define safer travels, or don’t fly. It’s that simple.

I’m not just talking the talk on TSA. I’m walking the walk (x-raying the walk?). I’ll be flying to Chicago this weekend……I’ll probably be going through an imaging machine at DFW airport.

Smile for the camera…


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Haha.

Edit

Please know, this is just my stance as a corporate travel agent, and a very laid back person.

I can be as skeptical and fearful as the next person. Maybe, I do trust more than I should. I believe flying is safer today. I believe there is more evil plans by terrorist than ever. I believe EVERYONE is entitled to their views and I absolutely respect that.

P.S. I found a great CBS news article on the radiation of the ATI machine. You can read it on the link below.
TSA Airport Scanners: Radiation Truth & Lies

This post part of Mama’s Losin’ It writer’s workshop. I choose prompt 3.) CONTROVERSY! Are the new security measures performed by the TSA really that bad? Take a stance!