Curiouser and Curiouser

The new additions are a wonderful resource for keeping me happy and sane.

Day 1 Observations:
They're adjusting very well, and have gone from sleepy and slow to spastic and nosy. They're interested in everything. Personalities seem to be just as I thought: the orange baby is much more outgoing and inquisitive, and the white baby is on the reserved, mellow end of things. A good image was what I was greeted with upon arriving home. The orange one was busily exploring some neat-looking rocks on the far side of the tank while his brother was curled up over the heat pad with only his head sticking out of the chips.

I did have my first panic attack this morning, though. I went in to check on them after their first night, and found Orange pretty easily. White was nowhere. I searched the entire tank, then realized that the waterfall was slightly off-kilter. White had managed to get into the reservoir and lodged himself in the filter section, and I realized that he may have been there long enough to drown. I immediately took him out, dried him off, and held him under the heat lamp. He spat out a little water and was fine, looking at me like I was nuts.

That was all it took. No more waterfall until they're adults and smart/big enough to not do stupid crap like that.

They've had the tank to themselves today, which was good. I was in RI with family for King Richard's Faire, and met up with usernamenumber when there. He'd never been, I hadn't been in years. It was a good time, though, and we got to see this year's litter of tiger cubs. So dumb, but so cute.

And I'm exhausted. Thank goodness I'm working relatively short shifts for the next two days - I need time to process, sleep, and process more.

And cuddle snakes. There's always time for that.

So, my Friday plan brought me to Jamaica Plain, where I planned to work with two brand-spankin'-new models. I had played matchmaker, as both had said that they really wanted to shoot something tandem, and both had heard that I was an excellent photographer for new models to learn from (sweet!). So they sent me messages asking to keep them posted if I had any ideas for shoots, and the gears in my head (though maybe not the ones outside my head xD) started to turn. Thus, I headed up there for a day of shooting and then dinner, which I shall post about later.

The beach itself turned out to be ridiculously windy (though that made for a few good shots), but luckily, the inside of the boardwalk was warm and bright and decorated like something out of Bioshock.
Best. Backdrop. Ever.

Though I wish I'd gotten a good shot of Ruby's tattoo - she's a huge Jim Morrison fan, and has Doors lyrics on the back of one shoulder.

For now, my top five of Ruby, Ashley, and together, so... fifteen total.

( Pictures under cut! )

Which are your favorites? I need one from each group.

Also, I think that my photography is legitimately getting better. Not just my pictures, but my demeanor. Both of the models independently sent me messages thanking me for being awesomely chill, giving a lot of direction, and showing them why I did things as I went along. "No one else does that," to quote Ashley. "It was awesome."

That's even better than seeing the shots for the first time. I'm about to send them copies - I can't wait to hear their reactions. =)

I love new models.

So, Racheal (yes, that's how it's spelled) headed up today and we went off to bond at Salvation Army's Half Off Day, where we chatted and laughed over horrendous clothes and picked up a color scheme (vaguely) while I rattled off ideas. I think, all in all, she spent $6 on clothes (tank top, vest, skirt) and I spend $5 at the dollar store getting wrapping paper, tinsel, and balloons. Total cost for shoot: $11

Back here, I grabbed a rather poorly-lit corner, set up remote bulbs, and created a little toybox/playroom by turning cheap birthday wrapping paper into decorative walls. Tinsel went everywhere, as did mirrors and balloons, and R grabbed accessories and makeup from her car. When all was said and done, it was a terrific shoot.

( Pink and green mint toybox! )

Also, I totally eased her snake-phobia. She said that she was petrified of snakes, but after Bowie let her pet him, she kept wanting to play with him.

And she gave me some of the best compliments I've ever received. When her friend backed out of the shoot today because of another photographer being a prick (apparently, her friend picks some skeezy, untalented creeps for them to shoot with), she took a look at some of the proofs and immediately said "Oh, man. She's going to be so jealous. I can't wait to show her."

She also said that she was so much more comfortable, had more fun, and had more favorite pictures in my shoot alone than any of the others she's ever done combined (and she's done quite a few). She wants to work with me again as often and as quickly as possible, saying that she's going to bring said friend along to see what "photographers should really be like" and that I was the standard she was going to hold everyone else to now.
"Seriously. You made me look better than I thought I could ever imagine I could look."

*glow*

Off to edit part 2.

Also, I need to pick a top three. I tried to edit them to have a few distinct feels - which do you guys like?

Went goth clubbing last night with big old group of people. Huge group. Saw a few people I wasn't expecting to (like Vogel and zapf! Yay!), tried on tons of accessories (hats, goggles, ribbons), and danced a ton. Got hit on a bunch. Also, totally looked like snow white.

I met some new people, like rigel's SO, numath, and Joel's girlfriend from BC. I also enjoyed x mortis, and am definitely thinking of heading out again next time.

Otherwise, between that and work, I am dead tonight. Ded. So I'm staying in to play games, feed Bowie, and decompress. I got to sleep on elenuial's lap earlier while he played Xbox, which is one of my favorite bonding pasttimes.

Sleep good.

-H

Here's the detailed breakdown of games, as promised.

( Careful to avoid spoilers, though there might be a few for Pirates. Feel free to skip that one if necessary )

I ended up bonded to my Pirates character, Culotta, more than I expected. She might turn out to be one of my writer's block subjects - the things I write about when I can't think of what else to write about - and throw those bits into my "random crap" folder. Unless gower and jingsaw would want to see the results, they'll never see the light of day. =) Those, and the future pictures of me in my Culotta gear. One of the photographers I work with expressed an interest in doing a small shoot of me in full costume, so that sounds like a fun time. If that happens, would anyone like to see them?

I can't wait for Intercon I - elenuial and I are already planning to pitch a game. And for those of you who love the ridiculous, keep a weather eye on the game list.

That should be it for the wrap up. In short, I love you all.

-Haz

So, I got hit by The Great Hatsby today, introducing me to henry_ze_4th.

The way it works? It randomly takes an AIM handle from an LJ user, covers it with a Hatsby AIM handle, and messages you both with the phrase:

(1:28:33 PM) hatticusqfinch: i say, old bean, have you seen my hat?

I responded with:

(1:28:41 PM) hazamawhatsit: no sir, I have not!
(1:28:54 PM) hazamawhatsit: Have you checked the mantle?
(1:29:00 PM) hazamawhatsit: (who is this?)

which confused the heck out of him. After a few exchanges, I figured it out and explained, so we segued into conversation.

The bot seems harmless. The design looks like it was only meant to make two strangers talk, and I have to admit that in a bizarre and random way, it succeeded.

The internet is a weird place.

-Haz