Dear Office Space

On June 26, 2012June 26, 2012 By AngeliaIn Don't ever leave the house, Home Invasion, Wee Wee Wee all the way home!, WINNING!16 Comments

I worked with you for many years.

Through traffic jams.

Down loooong underground hallways (between you and me…..I would always imagine running in terror down this hallway from something large and fierce, barely making it out the glass doors to the garage). And this is why you shouldn’t let your thirteen-year old read Stephen King books. And can I add? They pipe creepy elevator music down this tunnel making it seem like some kind of secret science project straight of Lost.

Up elevators to the fourth floor.

Riding the elevators would take forrrrrrever! Mostly on Mondays, and coming back from lunch late.

In my work suite, I would hide in my cubbie all day.

Popping up like a hamster to talk to fellow co-workers, or see who came in the door.

Being right next to the child support office, we had a lot of stragglers (not that the door didn’t say WHO we were), and rumor is……the waiting room at that government office had walls padded with Kevlar. Really!

My fourth floor window overlooked the Naval base. The high-sped jets, and the incoming storms were a sight to see.

I enjoyed the MOST amazing sunsets.

Oh, my dear, dear office space….I will MISS you.

But.

NOTHING compares to the glorious office space of HOME.

It happened. I have joined thousands of workers, and employers that have implemented cost-saving measures (no rent, no gas, no commute) to office from home. After working in West Fort Worth, and commuting 30+ miles for over thirteen years, I am now working that same job in the comfort of my front room. I must say…..it’s different. I feel like I am playing hookey, but working harder than ever. I am sure I will get more used to it. I noticed last night, I did not have to sit in Ranger Game traffic to get home. My friends, that saved me over an hour of frustration. Oh yes, I think I will get used to this…..wouldn’t you?

See ya office space…it’s been great knowing you.

Now, I’m off to take my first shower in five days, and maybe I’ll change into a new pair of jammies….HA. I’m, of course, KIDDING.

Photos by iPhone 4S

Will I or Won’t I? (Just Write)

On June 12, 2012June 12, 2012 By AngeliaIn Beautiful Life13 Comments

Have you ever been told something that seemed impossible to believe?

So, you sock it away and don’t think on it….because that can’t be true….can it?

But then, you are told it again, and ASSURED this is going to happen. And the worst thing happens to your heart….you get your hopes up. Way up.

Then, they get to come CRASHING down when the thing you got your hopes up for doesn’t happen……um…..yet…..?

See, I was told a few months ago that everyone at the office was moving home. Yes, work in your jammies from home.

But.

It didn’t happen.

I SWORE I wouldn’t get my hopes up again. Most especially, I would not think of all the wonderful benefits that working from home would produce in my life.

No more driving thirty minutes each way (or more), running late, waiting at lights, and other mad rages of the road. In other words, getting to work ALREADY stressed.

No I wouldn’t miss that commute.

I wouldn’t miss leaving my Zumba bag at home whilst running late to work, and having to spend my entire lunch hour to run home and get it (or other forgotten thing – like Zumba shoes).

But I am NOT getting my hopes up about this.

NOT.

Not when I heard the moving company giving quotes to the regional manager yesterday. Not when I overheard all the paperwork was in order now that the new leasers had signed. Not when the auditor from headquarters showed up to do final inventory of all the office items. Not when the regional VP stands at my cubicle and says, “Well, it’s happening. Maybe a little later than we thought, but we are getting there.”

Nope.

Not gonna do it.

Not until my rear is in a chair at home on my work computer…..I will not believe that I will be working from home soon…..Will I?

Participating in JUST WRITE. I know it’s not a specific moment, or thing happening around me, but these are the thoughts dominant in my head right now (and I had to get them OUT). All around me this week things are being moved and listed. It’s all I can do NOT to get my hopes up…..which is kinda dumb. Duh. Our office is closing…..isn’t it?

And because I can’t leave you without a photo……I have a Facebook photography group called, Chics Who Click. Every Monday I post a photo challenge. This week is PETS. It is such a blast seeing all the wonderful photos. I took a few of a pet at Clark Gardens. BEAUTIFUL DOG with beautiful eyes. Here is one of them.

Isn’t she gorgeous?

Happy Tuesday!

Here’s Your Sign

On June 13, 2011 By AngeliaIn Angelia's Photography, Angels among Us, Beautiful Life18 Comments

I’m still here.

I’m still blogging.

I’m still desperately trying to follow my dream that shifts through the clutches of my hands.

Because of time.

Because of lack of know-how.

Because when it all comes down to it, I get insecure about my work.

Perfection is my enemy.

The dream of a photography business taking off. The dream of a photography business flowing smooth and operating productively – part-time mind you – while I still have time to spend with family and work 42hrs a week at my ‘other job (sha!).

And I wonder…….am I pouring all this time, and energy into the right thing? Do I really have what it takes? What does it take, exactly? Talent, drive, and fearlessness?

I imagined my photography classes I started this January would boost my self-confidence. I imagined my talent would take off. I thought the instruction would confirm my path. In fact, my heart jumped out of my chest and raced ahead of me on this, shouting, “Yeah! Yeah! Yeah!”.

Is that my problem? My heart?

Because, really?

It seems like I am just more aware of how little I know about this business. More aware of how much farther I have to go. More, more, and more aware of how much I still ~~have~~ need to learn.

And I still love it – the process, the learning, the people. I do.

I am just a little overwhelmed.

At this point, I am committed to classes through the end of August. My last class is geared towards product photography. Yet, another aspect to swirl my fingers into and see what comes out.

A lot of friends tell me that people are my thing. I’m good with them; families, children, couples, and babies. Some days, I am not so sure. If one of my last sessions was any indication……well, maybe it’s a sign?

Meet my latest newborn (14 days old) and my second newborn portrait session and my first CS5 processing (that’s Photoshop).

She is precious, isn’t it?

There is such a delicate sweetness to newborns and their families. The wonder of a tiny miracle and how they meld into their circle of love.

I did my best to capture the pureness, but when the talent is done? Well, the talent is done.

Here’s your sign.

Is that my take a final bow sign? Like, hey lady, take a hike and go point that thing at someone your own size. Or is it a message to her mom? I’m the third. I’m the last and we go by my schedule. HA! What a stinker. This picture really cracked me up.

So there are days when processing is hard, when time is my enemy, and when I think I am not cut out for this. That’s when I think I should lock myself inside a product tent, taking photos of wine glasses, and bottles (empty?).

And there are other days when I wouldn’t miss these moments for the world.

What is in store for me down this road? I don’t know. I guess I have to keep going to find out.

Beach Breath

On April 20, 2010April 21, 2010 By AngeliaIn Love and Light42 Comments

Yeah, I got it. That’s what good clean beach air will do (two weeks in a row). Yeah!

This week you can find me training in Milwaukee, Wisconsin near Port Washington. Located about one mile from Lake Michigan. How sweet is that?

It is much colder than Texas, not that you could tell any of the natives that – wearing shorts and no jackets – but for me…. brrrrrrr. Especially at the lake. I now understand why they sit in their cars instead of on the actual beach. Ha.

But hey, the view from the car is just as nice. My iPhone pictures do not do the blue justice. It’s incredible!

The trip started out meeting my dear friend in person Mr. Lance of Jungle of Life blog. His entire family is adorable, sweet, and kind with just enough silly to keep lunch very interesting (Jakob) haha. The warm and inviting hospitality, and delicious meal (yeah Wisconsin bratwurst) inside their incredibly gorgeous home nestled in a cul-de-sac surrounded with trees, countryside, and good-sized yard. Nice! I traveled the back roads (totally my bad Lance) to get there. Turns out the back roads took me past picturesque farms. So pretty!

Driving from west Milwaukee back to Northwest Milwaukee and seeing the sights along the way (Miller Park stadium, Milwaukee zoo, and Olympic training site), I felt I really got to know the town. I haven’t met a single person that has been impolite. I love the beauty here. I love that spring is just starting and I get to see all the trees in bloom again.

My training has been great! I am really trying to focus and use the things I don’t know. There is a LOT that is very remedial for me but focusing on the new stuff is keeping me fresh. I am a believer in over training. It doesn’t hurt a company in any way. In the last two years, some new formats and procedures have been implemented (for the better). I am LOVING the new technology. Just blows me away. This company is so hi-tech and cutting edge, all for the sake of their clients, it makes me giddy.

My partner in crime, aka the other trainee, is from California. We have so many similarities it’s not even funny. We both have Nikon D3000 cameras, significant others named Jason, black labs, baseball fans, and about the same age. I am pretty sure I forgot half-dozen other coincidences. I love it!

Tomorrow I will meet another online friend, this one from many years ago (4). She and I were challenge buddies on ediets and have kept in touch. I can’t wait to see her in person after all this time. I really do wish I had brought my camera to capture the lake and all the meet ups!

I thought I would have more time in my hotel room to catch up on reading and writing, but not really, seems like the time is just flying by. I don’t get it. Where does it go? It couldn’t possibly be the TV (with cable) in my room front and center. Naaahh…. But I did catch the news for the first time in ~~weeks~~ ~~months~~ many, many months.

Sydney and Jason are surviving, or thriving, if you consider the movie date, Wal-Mart sushi feast, and then Jason getting a meal cooked for him by an almost sixteen year old tonight. Hey Sydney….neat-O-burrito!

I’m gonna wrap this non-post up. My blogster friends….I hope you are well. Please know I am thinking of you all. I appreciate your support during this transition time of travel.