revjim.net

Despite the fact that I worked from home yesterday, started at 6am, and only took a 30 minute lunch, I ended up working straight through until 5pm. There was just too much work to do. So, I didn't get any of the "Photoblog":http://djamesphoto.com/arranginglight/ changes done, nor did I get a chance to work on the "Website":http://djamesphoto.com/. Thanks for taking a look at it, though, and offering your opinion. It's nice to have feedback on stuff like this. Hopefully, I'll have some time tonight and tomorrow to get it in shape.

Jess and I spent the majority of yesterday evening framing photographs for "the Exhibit this weekend":http://revjim.net/2006/09/05/exposure-dallas-presents-ambiance/. The matboard cutter we have (generously donated by Mike and Rachel) is 20″ wide (and therefore can fit things smaller than 20″ inside of it). Of course, the matboard I use comes in 40″ sheets so, the first cut we made in each matboard was made with a steady hand and a razor blade. Ugh. Additionally, I did my math wrong and was off by one inch on the border width calculations so we had to make those over again. In the end we wasted half a sheet of backing board due to a poor cut with the razor blade and 3/4 of a sheet of matboard due to my bad math. They look awesome though. Really, really awesome.

The best camera for you is the one you'll actually carry!

– Unknown

A lot of my frustration lately has to do with me having too much to do and not enough time to do it in. This means I'm doing many things quickly or while actively doing something else. This leads to me not being my usual cautious and observant self and, in the end, mistakes being made. Case in point:

The instructions that I got for the exhibit expressed 14×20″ frames. So that you know I'm not crazy, I'll quote the original email:

Each photographer will show three(3) framed prints. Each photo should measure 11×14 to be matted and framed to 14×20.

– Email from Exposure Dallas organizer

So, since it said 14×20″ frames, I ordered 14×20″ frames. That was a mistake. With 11″ of image and only 14″ of frame, that only leaves 1.5″ on each side of border. That doesn't look very nice. Further more, 14×20″ is NOT a standard frame size. This wouldn't normally be an issue, but, because I was in a hurry, I forgot to mash the check box to order glass with my frames. So, yesterday I went to Michaels to pick up 14×20″ glass and then it hit me, I'm never going to be able to find that odd size at Michaels. Of course, I was right. So, I had to buy all new 16×20″ frames and glass at Michaels. That's $86. Plus the $33 I spent on the wrong sized frames. Ugh.

*him*: Today is officially my last day, and of course, they piled shit up for me to do…

*me*: of course. then again, you're a short timer. Just delay by a few more hours and then… well… the work is no longer yours.

– a conversation with Mike regarding his new job

Jess and I ordered tickets to see Barenaked Ladies and Mike Doughty play together in Austin, TX in November.

Yes. You read that right. I'm going, with my wife, to see Barenaked Ladies and Mike Doughty, together! If I could bring a few friends and a couple of naked girls (those groups need not be exclusive of one another) and I don't think I could possibly invent a better time.

Also, of her own accord, Jess has decided to go to "Myschievia":http://revjim.net/2006/09/14/attending-myschievia/ this year. Now that's awesome! I was excited and looking forward to it ever since I considered going, but I was still a bit sad that I wouldn't be able to share such potentially profound experiences with the one person I love and care the most about. I'm glad that she's decided to be a part of it and I'm even more glad that I didn't try to talk her into it.

Most of you who know her realize that she's a bit of a recluse when it comes to meeting new people and especially in social situations where there is no standard of behavior or activity. That's part of her charm and part of what makes the open honesty we have with one another so meaningful. So I'm sure you recognize how big of a step this is for her. I'm very proud of her for realizing that this is potentially one of those situations where, if she just lets go a little, trusts herself, me, and her surroundings, she can really have a lot of fun and some amazing experiences.

I'll be leaving work a bit early today and heading straight home to edit more pictures and work on the website. Any of you that would offer enouragement toward the completion of those tasks are welcome to join me.

Jess should be home by 7:15pm and then we'll be heading to Keller to work on my sisters wedding inivitations, spend some time with my parents, and hang out with friends.