Sanity..

What makes me crazy keeps me sane....

It's been a weird couple of weeks. My Saturday AM kind of sums it up. I woke up, got the boys ready (in our guest bdrm shower b/c our master bathroom is out of commission due to OLD HOUSE plumbing issues), I then decided breakfast wasn't happening b/c our kitchen sink/dish washer isn't working either (separate but equally frustrating issue). As I stared at all of the dishes piled high and my inability to muster up energy Starbucks came to mind (naturally, yes?). So I threw the kids in the car, ran through Starbucks (tall dark roast with cream and ONE Splenda), and drove quickly to good ol' Sara's house to drop my younglins while I ran off to a photo shoot. Once I got them inside I went back to the car to discover that Ewan had knocked over my tall coffee and the entire thing had spilled ever so neatly in to my center console, 12 ozs of dark roast splendor, saturating the stereo components. I quickly opened my hatch and grabbed a blanket in an attempt to clean up but I realized I was late so I hurriedly pulled out. Once I turned on to May Ave my hatch flew open, littering the street with all of my newborn blankets! I pulled over, collected my props, shut the hatch and drove quickly to my shoot. Once I got there I grabbed my camera, keys...and my phone....where was my phone (my FOURTH I phone)... Luckily as I was scrambling around, I saw it resting ever so peacefully on the hood of my car (props to my I Phone CASE that kept it there)... at least the phone was spared, my sanity on the other hand had been left somewhere on May Ave. I apologize to those people I inadvertently involve in my 'frazzle'..upon another recent parallel 'Beth' mind lapse a special person said to me (instead of yelling at me), 'Ok, it's time to let Beth be Beth'. For those words I will kiss you! BUT, for ONE day I could really benefit from a functioning left brain...seriously.

On a positive note, I've been busier than I ever have been, been shooting more than ever...and on a night like tonight when the kids are asleep, the hubby is working, I have my music, a good glass of wine, and my art. I love these nights, my music, wine, and hours of proofing, I get lost in it.... And I can say that I'm proud of a lot of recent work - thanks for being amazing clients! There is so much happening these days so I'll just list a few..

New Employee/assistant/savior: COURTNEY HAMILTON - she has a functioning left brain AND is hip and cool - imagine that?? She'll be scheduling your appts. etc, answering your questions etc. etc., keeping the biz afloat... my good friend Catherine will still be helping out but on more a 'behind the scenes' level.
TRIPS AWAY: I'll be in out of state on vacation Oct 02-05, working out of state (east coast) Oct. 24-26, and then again (west coast) Nov. 6-11.
BOOKINGS: I'm pretty much booked for 2008 ~ we are starting a wait-list now. If you don't care about having stuff for Dec. 25th then it MAY be possible to squeeze you in.
Things coming up: I am hosting a photography workshop in APRIL here in Oklahoma City along with 3 other amazing photographers (website to be launched mid-October) THREE days - one day dedicated to NEWBORN shooting, lessons on creative shooting and a day dedicated to post-processing.
My blog is also getting a face-lift soon --- but it probably won't be ready for another week or two (b/c of craziness..)!
I've taken pictures for NINE billboards in town for my favorite little kids boutique in town, Funky Monkey, so look out for those!!

Energy

My friends know that whenever I SHOULD have my camera I don't. First day of school...nope, good concerts, ummmmmm, no.....school assembly even after being reminded to bring the darn thing...not so much. Thank goodness for my I phone - little sucker can take a good picture (and Apple should be happy about the 'props' i'm giving them b/c i DEFINITELY have a love/hate relationship with my phone. I sware the sucker has major PMS, some days it just decides to be a brat and not cooperate with anything i want it to do. I threaten that I'm going to toss my I phone in Lake Hefner on my next run and live happily ever after with a Blackberry but I just can't bring myself to it)! Anyway, I've been on a positive energy MISSION. It started about a month ago at the DMB show, carried on to Eureka Springs Arkansas and last stop being Denver, Colorado for the Democratic National Convention. I can learn a lot from Dave Mathtews, seriously the guy plays the same stuff over and over and over and as his jugular pops out of his neck and his violinist thrashes his dreads across the stage I marvle at the energy they produce. Each song feels like the first time they've played it live. They amaze me time and time again, as do Dave crowds...everyone is a friend at a Dave show! Then there was Eureka Springs, one little funky artist town. It's the kind of place that everyone has an interesting story as to what lead them there and how they found this amazing community of artists fueling energy for their work. Some are really talented and others, not so talented but they all seem to be in the right place. As a homeless man played his tune outside our hotel, claiming to be 'the best violinst in the country' my Wesley watched him intently and whispered, 'Mom, I really like his music.' Maybe not the best music in the country but I think all of us enjoyed his music.

So the icing on the cake was Denver - a good friend of mine allowed me the opportunity to be part of history. To see and be part of such an amazing election is truly priceless (as was seeing all the big dogs, The Clintons, John Kerry, Gore, Biden, BARACK, not to mention the amazing 'ONE' show Kanye West put on...that Wed. will remain one of my favorite days ever ;). So witnessing all of this power was incredible but bigger than that was watching all the people there to witness it. Nothing more energizing than being surrounded by amazingly educated, diverse, and politicaly and socially active citizens (that all know how to also have a really good time ;). My friend Cory and I used to call these types, "SJWs" (Social Justice Warriors), people that live by the motto, 'the sole meaning of life is to serve humanity'. Lots to learn from this type of energy. SO, after returning from these 'adventures' as my Ewan put it, you'd think I'd have lots of images to share...but sadly, I don't. I AM hoping that all of this energy passed between state lines will continue to motivate creativity and friendships with all of you... Here are a few of my faves from the past few weeks....