Uncommon Julia

Clearly, All My Fault

So I wonder aloud why people don't click through any more, and then I disappear for days on end.  Hm... perhaps it's not such a mystery after all!

A few of these silent days have been so because I was seriously, deeply overwhelmed by the financial outlook of this family.  Then, the past two were spent feeling cautiously optimistic, but too freakin' jinxy to risk posting about it.  Today actually resulted in some good news in the form of a client who's decided to pull the trigger on a sizable project, and some promising job leads and new listings for Todd.

We also had our meeting with Consumer Credit Counseling Services.  And tomorrow we're meeting with the pastor from our new church to have a helpful pow-wow.

But I'm still not really ready to talk about it all and tie a big bow around it.  So instead, I'm offering a few pictures from Easter.  I even managed to create a "watermark" action of my own in Photoshop tonight so I can share more of these, more easily. 

Bubbles.

Double-Fistin' the Sippies.

My Green-Eyes-A-Smilin'.

My Sugar Cookie

From my best friend's annual Easter Party yesterday. Careful - it comes with a sugar rush.

FIRE!

Did I get your attention?!

My thoughts are still congealing, so today will be a photo post.  Sorry for the big, ugly watermark, but I'm contemplating selling prints online (opinions, please) and would like to curtail freebie clippings.

I took these of a campfire we had last weekend.

And then I played with the saturation and hue for some fun.

Photographing fire is a fun, though smoky, endeavor.  I actually used my "sports" preset for a super-fast shutter speed.  The rest is about timing - waiting for the wind to blow the smoke out of the way of the flame and getting the camera to focus on the flame.  Sure, I smelled woodsy and had bloodshot eyes for the rest of the day, but I think it was worth it.

Introducing, The Eyebrow

TypePad just fixed my categories, so I went back through and assigned all of my most recent posts. To my dismay and alarm, the great vast majority of them included "Whine with that Cheese" as a category. So I've given myself the obligatory bitch-slap and told myself to snap out of it. Today's post will not be whiny. Nosiree.

Now, I think it's only fitting that after five long years of blogging you, my dear readers, should be introduced to someone very near and dear to me: My eyebrow. Oh wait, my eyebrow begs your pardon and asks to be referred to by his full name, The Eyebrow.

Very few of you know me in person, but if you did, it would only take ten minutes (sometime far less) before The Eyebrow would make his appearance. It is a phenomena quite beyond my control, inherited, and - it would appear - a dominant trait. My father, my uncle, my cousin, and both of my daughters have inherited The Eyebrow, though, truth be told I do know pretend to know what theirs prefer to be called.

The Eyebrow figures largely in my expressions and without it, people would be left wondering who I was or what, exactly, I was trying to say. Botox has no place in my future. Unless my future involves witness protection. In which case, eliminating The Eyebrow may be all it takes to disguise me.

Yesterday I took some self portraits for the Web site of my newest business venture. If find self portraits awkward, but fun. I took a few of The Eyebrow just to see what he looked like, because I usually try my best to keep him out of photo ops.

Without further ado, it is my honor and privledge to introduce you to:


the eyebrow with text, originally uploaded by uncommonjulia.

Do you think they'll like me?

I've got my first photo shoot involving adolescent boys today.  They've got a younger sister, too, so that should help take some of the focus and awkwardness away.  But still... they're boys!  Anyone got tips for making teenage boys smiles.  Wait - scratch that.  Don't got there.

But seriously, any advice or tips are welcome.

_____

Gar!  They had to cancel because two of the three kids are sick.

T-Minus Six

grin, originally uploaded by uncommonjulia.

The big move begins on Friday.  Thus far, Caroline remains unphased.  She's my new mentor.

Hannah and I seem to be on the same page.  Namely, "let's get this done!"  Except that implies that I'm actually taking steps toward making that happen, which really, not so much.

The problem is that we're downsizing to the point that the only things we're taking with us are things we need and actively use.  And as such, they can't be put away in boxes until almost the last minute.

At least that's my story.

(More adorable pictures of Caroline on flickr.  If you're a "friend", there are even more.  Also, big shout out to Pioneer Woman for her awesome tutorials, including the most recent on burning and dodging.)

Just a Little Something to Brighten Your Day

I got one of the best "out-take" photos ever during my newborn session with Emily's new baby.  This was completely unposed and unintentional - as most of the best things in life are.  I can't wait to exploit the heck out of it in every form possible.

Enjoy!

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Inspiration

Thank you so much for your great suggestions and links for my photography endeavors.  I think I stumbled on the perfect name yesterday, but I'm letting it sink in for a bit before I commit.  Okay, who am I kidding?  I haven't had time for bathroom breaks recently, let alone contacting my peeps for design.

Work is hoppin' right now, on both the writing and pictures side.  I have to admit, I kind of wish these babies were spaced out a bit more.  I feel a bit rushed.  Not by their moms, but just by circumstance.  I sort of maniacally plow through them the first chance I get and then look up to discover it's nearly midnight.  But then again, I guess that's a sign that I love what I'm doing.

The bummer of it is that I can't share with you all the name I chose.  This effin' anonymity thing is a bitch.

Particular mad props to Amber at Little Moon Photography for unknowingly passing along the towel-as-newborn-prop trick.  It just so happened that my girls' bathroom towels matched the decor of today's baby shoot.

Live long and prosper... I swear I'll get back to posting more soon.  For those of you who miss our regularly scheduled programing about girl parts, I will offer up the following:

1. All the signs and symptoms of ovulation (read: acne, bitchiness, headaches, bloating), with none of the red.  Self-diagnosis: more adhesions.
2. As per above, I'll apparently need to get another HSG done, and then I'm assuming more surgery.  But surgery involves hormone therapy.  Which doesn't mix with nursing.  So... ixnay on the urgerysay until Caroline's weaned.  I guess.  I mean, that's all I can figure.  Anyone wanna play doctor with me?

A Pause for Self-Agrandizement

Please keep commenting on the diaper question.  I'm taking it all in and pondering.  Perhaps I'll even make a decision at some point.

In the meantime, I posted pictures from my second photo shoot.  It was a great day for pictures - it had rained that morning, so everything was bright and shiny.  I felt guilty, though, for taking about a hundred pictures of a peacock showing off before the family arrived.  I ended up running out of pictures just as their kiddo decided kissing and hugging mom's belly was a grand idea.  I did some furious searching and deleting to free up some space, but still missed some truly precious ones.

Oh well.  Learning all the time.  Next shoot is Wednesday.

It's Intended to be Less Annoying

Because I don't have enough diversions from paying work, I thought I'd start a photo blog.  I have the feeling that my picture-taking could take on new proportions, and as such, really distract from the fact that this is still a writing blog.  I figure a photo blog will allow me to sequester the pictures in one, neat, orderly location.

Or give me something else to lose track of.  Whichever.

There's only one post up, but you're welcome to come take a look.  I've added a link in the left sidebar, too.

Now... onto the paid gigs.