Monday, June 28

Up&Down

Today has been so on and off, up and down, and overall exhausting.

I've been working on my website since 10am. I went back to a template and, again, started over. I got nearly completely finished on the aesthetics and photo placement, and somehow the menu bar vanished on me. Crushed and so upset, I had to leave it alone while I sulked on the couch watching Kardashians. 

With the encouragement of Hannah, I went back and rebuilt the tab from scratch. It's not perfect, but it's close to what I had. I just need it to better connect the pages, and I need to delete some of the obnoxious background photos that came with the template, and it'll be ready to, if nothing else, launch very soon and not be a blank link like it is now.

I gave up on that around 4:30 to rest my eyes and do other work needing my attention, and made a very important phone call. I'm going to leave it at I AM RIDICULOUSLY EXCITED but I don't want to share it in too much detail until there's some serious, solid details. Made 3 more phone calls from there and walked the pupperwoofer after the rain subsided. 

Then thought about the future, and can't snap out of this mood now. 
Could be hormones, but I can't shake feeling down now.
And my site's not done, so I need to get back to that tonight and I just don't want to.
I'm gonna sit here and mope, don't mind me.

Sunday, June 27

Poor eyes, I'm sorry for the abuse

After fighting with a Wix template for the better part of 4 hours and getting nowhere close to adding information or pictures, I decided to say screw it and just do it all myself from the ground up.

I'm now at a point where I'm not so sure that was a wonderful idea. 

It looks like me, but the problem with that is it's not entirely professional looking, and instead is a little more cluttered than I'd like. I tried using other sites that I visually respect as starting points, but the limits on what I can actually add are... well let's just say it's a free site and you get what you pay for.

However, I am not giving up hope just yet! 
Tomorrow is a new day, after a solid night's sleep and peeling my eyes off the screen for now. 
Tomorrow is a day free of visits, dinner dates, gallery openings, or cooking (I have an ungodly amount of leftovers and chips&salsa, so I think I'm covered.)
Tomorrow, we finish the website.

In other briefer news, dinner date turned into a mid-afternoon lunch date with Miss Locatelli & we had a wonderful time catching up and drinking wine and eating to our hearts content. She had gift cards and I had an appetite. We were the only ones left in our half of the restaurant after the lunch rush left and the dinner rush hadn't started. Definitely needed the catch up and she is planning to join Jill and I on Thursday for tattoos! 
Here's to hoping Dave's day didn't fill up after Jill & I and he can squeeze her in after she gets out of work.

Tomorrow tomorrow tomorrow...  
What will you do with your Monday?

Memo to self: never again

Memo to self: never again lipgloss before driving all windows & hair down. Messy

[ ]

Manlius, I don't even know what to do with you.
Overcast all morning, just ducky for shooting so Martin wouldn't have to squint the whole time.
Then at 1, the heavens opened up. But only over me, apparently, because when I called Anita to reschedule, she said it was beautiful and sunny in Syracuse. 

Not wanting to risk rain in my camera, nor having the shoot dissolve into some mud puddle fiasco, we rescheduled for 2 weeks, and lo and behold, at orginal shoot time - Manlius is sunny and beautiful out and you wouldn't even know it downpoured. 

I suppose the silver lining is that I can now devote a larger chunk of my day to the website, which I'm trying not to have any more panic attacks about. I unassigned the template I selected when I upgraded because I already don't like it. I've optimized about 10 pictures to start with, and I'm going to absolutely settle on a design tonight after dinner with Miss Locatelli. I've missed her so much, we definitely need some wine and chat time, it's been a long time coming.

The rest of the week is looking productive, including but not limited to:
email photos to Jordan
cds in the mail tomorrow (need to type & print a release form tonight)
finish website, entirely or at least with working "OMG COMING SOON!" banners over the unfinished spots
Pupdog to the kennel on Weds
Install also on Weds
Tattoo appointment Thursday
Hair cut & color Friday early afternoon
Show Friday

Yikes! Life happened real quick again. So much for a "relaxing, stay at home and work" retreat huh?
Oh well, I've needed lovely visits and to surround myself with the people that remind me I'm not either 
a) in over my head or 
b) wasting my time.

Saturday, June 26

Anxiety

I get hyper overwhelmed every time I open the Wix page.
Enough to sort of stall out and need to close the window before I really start anything.
In other news, Toby won't eat his medi-dinner this evening. We are not on cuddling terms tonight.

Beefcakes, I've missed you guys so so much

SO much to update on, but frankly, I don't wanna get deep into details. So instead, JUST PICTURES!! (yeah, ok, like I can possibly not ramble in between them..)

First night, I made quiche!!! I don't recall if I've ever even had quiche, but the recipe was easy enough, and I was hungry. It was delish, such a successful first try (took 40 mins longer than the recipe said, but I suppose that happens...)

Tough gig, everyone sleeps just as much as I stare at my computer - at least they don't need constant entertainment, that's a serious bonus. Been brushing out TinTin, he's shedding undercoat in huge clumps. Lyra has taken a likin to me, and Toby cuddled last night on the bed. 

Then, hmm, Jill came for a visit, and made me lunch: stirfry (& Pocky & NanNan & I made edemame - yummmm)
[yes, that says "Starfish, Star+Fish."]


Nige had a show last night in Caz, so Hanners came out to meet us. Clinked wine glasses with now ex-professors, got Kim's number for emergencies (who knew she lived right down the street from Warren??) & discussed how we're all doing. Turns out Hanners and I are kicking ass in the post-grad thing. It's only been 5 weeks?? It literally feels like a year since graduation. Nige's f*bombs made me feel like an adult ha how ridiculous.  It really feels good to be artist-peers, no longer under some hierarchical student-teacher situation. I love that about Caz; you become friends and family, not just a mentor you had once upon a time.

After the show, we went to the Saucy Swan fiiiinally - a goal we had hoped to attain before graduation. Manning was severely missed. Food was tasty (a bit pricey for our broke asses) but they do sell shirts, so we'll be going back for those as soon as one of us hits it big. Chased some ducks after dinner, chitchatted up a schwan, and called it a night. Those girls have big girl jobs and had to get home in time for them.

I had senior portraits to wrap up, and a headache brewing. Read for a while (ps, Water for Elephants is wonderful so far) and passed out as soon as I got Toby his blood pressure dosage and the other furries fed.

BUT - Senior portraits are all done! She's so gosh darn pretty.

Talked to Anita last night about shooting some photos of Martin tomorrow, looking forward to a little unexpected income and hopefully a beautiful day (currently: raining. boo.)

Whew, and tonight - dinner and mini shopping with Miss Laur. I have missed her like mad.
The rest of the night is devoted to sorting photos for the website.
Weekend bar-time will resume, some day.
I am so exciting.

Oh ps, earlier this week, these became mine.

In. Love.

Wednesday, June 23

Nestled

Settled in, Warren & Co are off to JFK then Nice, France! So jealous, I can't even tell you, I miss France (Paris) more than words on a regular basis, but I am thrilled for this quiet time alone. I won't be alone the entire stay as I have various icecream/bar/Saucy Swan dates all sort of strewn throughout my stay, but for most of the days themselves, I'll be parked right here, at the dining room table, cell phone & external hard drive beside me, clunking my way through Wix.

Quick list of what I need accomplished by next Tuesday:
(ok, by Friday): Wrap up the senior portraits (nearly there, I've just been procrastinating due to scratch disk space)
Finish the entire website so people actually have somewhere to visit after I give out cards next Friday
Clean off my desktop
Clean out all of my academic folders & backup everything to the hard drive
Work on some Vista brochures I was thinking about (to leave in various places like The Cube)
Speaking of The Cube, I need to email Ethan some photos & learn how to create a linkable button to take people to my website from The Cube's blog.. anyone know how to make these or know an easy site to show me??
Email a few pictures to Jordan from Pride Polooza
Upload some Polooza pictures to my flickr
Follow up with 2 senior portrait offers, 2 weddings, and 1 potential family shoot with Anita this weekend
Uuuuh that's it? For now? I think? That list may grow, but it's just for a few days of sit down and focus. Which I've needed.
I've driven 800 miles in a week and a half. I am pumped to be sitting stably (ha! What a ridiculous looking word).
Everyone enjoying the first few days of summer??

Tuesday, June 22

So Productive!!

And expensive. I spent too much money I don't actually have in order to support my business. Here's to hoping things start picking up. The steady work is nice, but I'd prefer it to be set in stone steady. I suppose that's the risk I take by being independent. 

I purchased my domain name, and upgraded Wix. That way I had a website name secured to make new business cards & post cards in time for next week's show. I'll be working on the website for the next week, solid. You'll know as soon as it's officially launched!

Took Vista for all the free stuff it was worth, and still dropped about $60 including photo uploads, tax, and shipping. Post its (free), return address labels (free), a new stamp (free), post cards for the Merlins show (paid for personal photo uploads), and new business cards (again, paid for the photos) with the new email and website.

Oh yeah that too! Today I have created an official "work" email now: 
ShannaMcKayPhotography@gmail.com!!! 
(hire me, bitchez.)
Real creative stuff, huh?

I also ordered books to sell at the show, picked up a battery grip and second battery for the Canon*baby, returned cans & bottles for Zumba & tattoo funding (they go hand in hand), vacuumed my car, and signed up for Women's "Family Planning Medicaid." It's a snazzy way of saying I get an annual doctor's appointment and my birth control for free (or super cheap). I was sort of thrilled about finding an option since I lost health insurance after graduation. 

I also sent out 2 emails regarding wedding bookings, and got a referral for more senior portraits. I love that people are interested, I'm just dying to nail down solid dates so I can plan further than 2 weeks in advance as far as bills!!
Life is happening, I'm keeping up, & it's sort of amazing.
Sorry I've sucked with photos lately -- I hope I'll shoot more at Warren's.
Hope everyone else had such a productive Tuesday!

Sunday, June 20

Just FYI

I am wearing men's pajama shorts and a Caz tshirt (surprisingly not one from orientation). There is a bandanna on my head because doing my hair was way too much work today. I have yet to do shit today other than have a terrible Dunkin Donuts breakfast with Mom, ransack Old Navy (where I got said pants), and help Dad burn brie for dinner. 

I love Sundays.
Dad loved his bbq steak brander and Mario Andretti autograph & picture of Jill. Gift success.
Now it's time to watch The Hangover like the ridiculously odd and adorable family we are.
Hope everyone else's Dad Day was as uneventful and relaxing.

Saturday, June 19

Always Something More

The past few days have been such a blast. I won't do it justice with this post, just keep that in mind.

Left early Wednesday to go to Warren's house and get the tour of the house & animals & cover all of the bases on what I need to do while I'm there. Tintin is such a sweetheart of a dog and the cats have so much character. I'm sure I'll be snapping pictures away when I'm not glued to my computer. On the agenda for the first week: website, email Ethan for The Cube's new blog, new business cards, postcards for the Merlins show, and any other freebies Vista wants to throw my way, and see Miss Laur Seagull because I miss her so so much. Prior to Warrens I need to wrap up the senior photos and mail them by Tuesday (that's what Sundays are for).

After a delightful lunch with Warren & his wife, I made my way to Liquor City & Things Remembered to pick up the rest of Jill's birthday gift: an engraved flask and a bottle of Patron (of course). Got to Rome after getting mildly lost just after 5 and had lobstah with her fam. Frankly, I'm blanking on the rest of the night because of the food coma. But there was cake. I distinctly remember turning it down (just not a cake person... and I was stuffed.)
(Fancy Face)

(Cake disaster. Worst I've ever seen in real life.)
Thursday was running errands, meeting a race car driver (secret til Dad Day), grocery shopping, hitting up Red Box for the first time, and watching Shutter Island. I was a little miffed by the ending, but I get like that. The movie itself wasn't horrible. We also had a mini adventure for Bootleggers:

This is the booze Jill used to get underage (here in Bing, it was Mikes Hard & Schmirnoff in 6 packs, different strokes ha). It was a search, and you had to ask for them as they were in a cooler behind the counter. Grape and apple were the flavors of choice, but apparently they come in watermelon and strawberry (?) as well. Sickly sweet. Not so tasty warm. 

This place is like Dad Heaven. All of his favorites.

We took a few of these to Syracuse with us to pregame in the parkinglot in between RAIN & Trexx with Gracie and Mike, and they brought Kracken 98proof rum. Ridiculous left overs from their roadtrip to Kate's. Gracie has all of the pictures of the night, so perhaps there will be another update with some when she gets around to loading them.

Trexx was tons of fun, per usual. Gave Jill a good F You for her birthday on stage. So good to catch back up with Mike & Gracie & Hollyanne. Really sad the rest of the Beef clan couldn't join; life happens. I've definitely needed a good dance night outside of Zumba. I forgot how much Trexx contributed to my weekly workout regimen. After was a trip to Denny's for "alll I want is hashbrowns. ... and cranberry juice. Just want cranberry juice and hashbrowns. ... and a biscuit. Not on a biscuit. With a biscuit. No gravy. Cranberry juice, hashbrowns... and a biscuit." So drunk & so cute. (I DD'd, don't give me that look.) Everyone is so happy these days. I am happy for everyone else's happiness, and they for mine. It's all I ever want.

Yesterday I headed back to Binghamton after an odd turn of events. From here I attended the Owego Strawberry Fest with Joy & Erica. mmm shortcake. 

There was a wine tasting tent with cheese so of course I had to pick up some cheddar curds. Joy & Erica are seriously like connected souls, they are so much alike and I can't believe I never introduced them sooner. It was a beautiful night, perfectly cooling down for a street walk. 

Unfortunately, the combo of driving all day, malnourished & dehydrated (I forgot to eat or grab a water bottle before hitting the road... oops. I tried to fix it with wine and shortcake...) led me to a migraine by the end of the night and I called it quits to my bed around 10. Today I'm feeling worlds better, and it's off to Nirchis for a pizza lunch date with Caz's Finest Townies, then meeting my mom at the mall to get my sunglass lens replaced (super scratched. yay warrenty!), then around 4 I plan on making my way to Greene to see some other Caz kiddies at the Boeltz residence for Beer Olympics. 
Should be just a wonderful sunny afternoon all over again. 
I couldn't ask for much more. Just one thing, but not too much.

Tuesday, June 15

Teaser!

Alex's shots are editing up beautifully. I just wanted to give everyone a little taste of this gorgeous senior I got to work with. 

In other news,  I am a bad thrifter. I want to be better, but I am bad. However, I found something I couldn't pass up today:
(Holy out of control man shoulders, btw...)

Ridiculous? Absolutely. For $5? Worth the fun. I can't wait to mess with it with tights and belts and stuff & just be a little out of my comfort zone. I also picked up a dress for my gallery opening, but that's a secret until the show!

Time for Zumba, them back to do more edits later tonight after Philly Cheese Steak with the family (which I'm nervous about because I've never had it before... and it always looks icky, so I shy away... but Dad picked me up some sushi just in case, so one way or another dinner probably won't suck).

Monday, June 14

Business & Not So Much


In other news, I got a new phone cover today. Swank.

It's 4pm and I'm drinking. So that's all I have to say about today.

Sunday, June 13

Quickie

Senior shoot with Alex went splendidly (unfortunately her cousins were less thrilled about having their pictures taken...) -- but Alex is such a natural beauty, the shots practically took themselves. I can't wait to show you all a few. Definitely going to be a headliner in my Sr. Photos gallery in the near-future website.

So good to sit and catch up with Hanners over a cheese roll. I seriously miss being a floor away from this girl. The distance of roomie*loves and photogirls is really starting to get to me. 

Killing time in the A&D now (wow, didn't think this would happen so soon, if ever, again!) and then Kaleb & Amanda's for dinner @ 430. 

TruBlood tonight! I watch very little tv, but this is high on my list of "HBO did it again with signature moody lighting, interesting characters, and a plot I can hang on to without too much effort" sort of guilty pleasure. 

All in all, a day I can't complain about, and a relaxing night ahead, although I'm sort of dreading driving home. 
I hate driving. 
Ok, rather, I hate everyone else when I'm driving.

Thursday, June 10

Officially Official.

So who owns their own business? 
That's right.
This kid.

Officially Shanna McKay Photography is a registered business name in Broome County.
This occassion was obviously immediately followed by a trip to Fingerlakes Tattoos to see Dave and make an appointment for the start to my left-arm sleeve. He's just as excited as I am, which is another reason I'm going back to Dave over anyone at Shaman's; I have a sincere appreciation for artists who get jazzed for other artists, as I am one of them (officially!!).
Jill and I will be getting ink on July 1st, the day in between the install and the actual show during First Friday. I couldn't be more thrilled to be going with her for her first, and I am awaiting [patiently kinda] for the pin up rendition of a pirate by Locatelli for when I go with Hannah later in the summer/fall. 

The rest of the afternoon involved Cyber Cafe & chocolate milk & general hanging around til Jill headed back to Rome. Tonight is looking like Merlins with Kevypoo to celebrate (and he has a new shirt, so he's just showing off <3 ) 

All in all, a wonderful day indeed.

Side note update: After the shoot this Sunday in Caz, I'm having dinner with Caz's favorite townies Kaleb & Amanda before going home, and before going to Jill's for bday celebrations next Weds, I'm visiting Warren to get the low down on the pet sitch & homeland layout. 
Yay visits! I love day trips.

Tuesday, June 8

Side Note

I'm sticking with Shanna McKay.
I might create a "business" name to work under in the future if I ever really expand past myself being the only employee, but for now, I'm going to DBA under my own name. Officially.
Still going to be constantly thinking about a business name, but as an artist I want my artist name to remain Shanna McKay. 

This decision came today when I needed to tell Merlins what I wanted the program for First Friday to say... It just seems natural. 

In other news, I looked like a pathetic (and ignorant) little girl at lunch today. I just wanted to eat lunch (at 2, ok so it was later than everyone else and no one could eat with me) and the waiter just kept speaking Spanish to me and I just looked like a damn fool. He kept giving me sympathetic puppy eyes after I told him I was not expecting anyone else and would be eating alone. He was nice I suppose even though I couldn't understand him. I just smile and nod a lot. In theory, what I lack in Spanish I make up for in boobs, so it was probably win win. 

And I must say, Los Tapiatos has the best Mexican - not too spicy, real quick, and cheaper than Taco Bell for a sincerely filling meal. I highly suggest it if you're in the Vestal area you check them out.

Locatelli is making cake art! Hannah is renting studio space!! I have a program announcement for July!!! I am truly blessed to have such talented friends in my life that constantly remind me it is perfectly fine to just want to be an artist forever.

I might Zumba tonight - obviously it's been a great day.
Hope you're all having an exceptional Tuesday as well

Monday, June 7

Quickie

Just to share, my current (and unextensive) Summer Reading List:
The Underachiever's Manifesto
Slaughterhouse Five
Water for Elephants

If there is a book I should sincerely look into, you should probably suggest it since I am usually out of the loop when good books surface, the major books I enjoy reading were once high school reading sort of classics (that for whatever reason CVHS didn't think it was important for me to read at the time...), and I don't just pick up books to read - I really only read things suggested to me so that I can feel assured at the time that I'm not wasting my time reading something that'll get me no where. 
(I also have a habit of judging books by their covers and skipping them if the title or cover isn't interesting... so it's best if others suggest something for me to sink my teeth into. I am a very bad off-the-cuff reader.)

Sunday, June 6

The Last Few

I can't even begin to tell you how amazing the last few days have been. I don't even want to try. It'll never compare when put into words. I'll make it easy on all of us:

Thursday involved Syracuse, MAC Lady Gaga pink lipstick, Armory Square, The MOST, SoundGarden, Sakanaya (finally), a parking garage roof, free beer from friendly strangers, and Jill. Finished with hanging with Gaymes at Merlins for a little while before calling it a night.

Friday was a slow day with an on and off headache, Lost Dog, First Friday ArtWalk, and my cousins Joy and Elizabeth. I ended up with a killer migraine and was in bed by 930.

Saturday I trained for an upcoming weekend gig with my cousin Curtis, got some nasty farmers "tan" sunburn, and finally defeated my near 24-hour migraine right as the rain broke, the power went out for less than 5 minutes, and family showed up for the grad bbq. Got to see nearly all of my dad's side of the family and the best of friends. Nearly 10 bottles of wine and over 50 beers later, family dispersed and we got icecream. Had a really good heart to heart with Hanners. Went to sleep before 4am but not by much. 

Today, I'm not doing shit. 
Tomorrow, I might go to Target to make myself feel productive. If I'm feeling particularly feisty, I might even do laundry. 
(PS, my clean clothes turnaround is so fast at home, I feel like I only wear the same 7 tshirts and 4 pairs of jeans because I just wash them and typically put them right back on. Oh the joys of free laundry.) 
(PPS - did you know "feisty" was spelled that way? Crazy, all that 'i-before-e' bullshit of my childhood. I am learning so much more post-college.)

Hope you all have had a spectacular weekend and may you continue to enjoy a lazy Sunday like me.

Wednesday, June 2

Odd Turn of Events

I cannot totally fathom how my summer is panning out job-wise. 

I spent the first 2 weeks after graduation fiercely hunting down job opportunities (mainly local, part time, retail, corporate, [read:boring but income-generating], etc). 
I have since spent my days scheduling a multitude of random photo shoots and such-opportunities. In the meantime, I have had the good luck of having several other odd jobs sort of more or less fall into my lap. 

I should interrupt myself here just to say: yes, I know I have a charmed life. Yes, I am forever thanking my lucky stars.

Next weekend is senior photos, an ever-growing day of shooting several "kids" with Miss SassyPants herself,  Hanners. Following that, I have picked up a 2 week "artist vacation" from a dear dear friend in the form of house sitting at (what I can only imagine) is a home that must be considered an Intellectual Pirate Ship, simply brimming with treasure via books and art. That time will be dedicated to putting my entire website together, as I never seem to have the patience or time alone to actually focus and get finished at home. During that stay will be my Merlin's First Friday show right smack in the middle. Then the Suicide Girl shoot, mixed in with about 4 other completely separate senior photo shoots around the CNY area. 

Today I found out that I landed a silly moneymaker sort of job - after July, I start shooting every weekend, both days (but only a few hours at a time), for $500. It's boring children's sports photography (yet surprisingly not for my father a la' my internship last summer), but for that kind of pay and only 2 days a week... who needs a retail customer service job??  And it requires no editing, just driving and shooting, so I can do the part I really enjoy and as long as I do it right the first time. I have one of my first training days this Saturday.

I can't bring myself to really seriously look for a "real" job right now... I just can't. Not when I am actually doing what I've always wanted to do. I never thought I would have the opportunity to do photowork and odd jobs on the side as real income-makers right away! Insane. But I'll certainly take it. After the end of the summer / fall job until the sports season ends (late fall), I hope to have enough saved up to do that major move out step. 
Yikes. How'd that happen??

Huzzah to not having to sell my soul for one more summer!
How's everyone else doing in the job situations?

Tuesday, June 1

In other news...

I applied to 2 more jobs today. One is temporary and might become more, and one is 2-3 days a week & involves traveling to Syracuse (but would be a wicked cool job nonetheless.)

Cross some fingers for me! I could reallllly use some steady income.

Lacking in Photos

Sorry I haven't posted any photos in a real long time. Haven't taken any (how sad) -- however, I'll make it up to you all if you help me with one thing:

I need a business name. 

I have always worked under Shanna McKay Photography, and that's all well fine and good, but I have had 22 years of people massacring my name - do I really want them to forever do it with my business as well?

That being said, we have options. 
- McKay Photos
- Charmed Photography
- Joli Photos
- I am not creative enough for this shit.

Please please please - business name ideas? I'd love to hear them. 
And ASAP. 
I was going to go register my DBA and all that today, but now I'm having serious second thoughts as to what to register it under.