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On Tour or events in the area:
October 30th
The Huntsville Zombie Walk. Gather at the Clinton Street Garage at 2pm.
Whether you’re a freshly killed body or a risen corpse, shamble down in your finest funerary attire. It doesn’t take a lot of braaaaaaaiinnsss.. to support this a charity event. Just bring a bag or cans of pet food to donate to local animal shelters.
November 5th
Rasputina plays at Crossroads Music Hall, Huntsville. Doors at 8pm; tickets $13.50
Where’s JJ?
Folks, I’m still alive and out here, but I keep discovering that less and less of my time (and money) is really mine. Let’s see, where to start...
Huntsville Home –
We’ve been steadily plowing through the various repairs and modifications to the house we moved into in July. For example, we’re still working on finishing the guest bedroom. There, the painting is 99% done, carpet is out and we’re doing the last repairs on squeaky floors. Likewise, we pulled the carpet out of the basement studio. As it came out we discovered they installed it over the original linoleum tiles which also have had to come out. Many were loose, stained, cracked or damaged. In about a week or less, I’ll arrange to have commercial grade carpet put down there. I’ll also be installing the first set of track lights in there this weekend. The place has been keeping me very busy.
The “other” Huntsville house (Tammy’s) –
A few weeks ago, we agreed to have vinyl siding and such installed. The job is done and looks pretty good. The hope is the renovated outside, will allow us to get the house on the market and sold in a few months. If anything, I may make it a more attractive rental. Either way, we need the income.
Lancaster house –
I swear about this place a lot. Remember that we had to evict the previous tenant this time last year? Guess what, we’re about to file the papers to do that to the current one too. She hasn’t paid rent for September or October. This one had been good, but when her mom was killed in a traffic incident (hit & run) Labor Day weekend, she completely fell apart. She believes that she’s going to get an insurance settlement soon, but hasn’t figured out that the insurance and legal issues will take months. Months I don’t have to wait. Needless to say, this has once again stretched my finances to the breaking point. I’m only paying essentials and even stretching out payments. It’s damn’d frustrating, but until the housing and job market gets better, I don’t think the place will sell.
Personal stuff in brief –
We’re probably having a friend move in with us “officially” this weekend. Amy was originally one of Brenna’s friends from high school. Over the last year, Tammy & I forged a friendship that endured after Brenna left for college. In June, I took her on as a photography assistant / student and she’s accompanied me on a number of shoots recently. Given that her family lives way out in the back country and that they’re in worse shape financially than we are; we decided jointly to offer her a place with us. This wasn’t all my decision; it was a family discussion and decision. After previous experiences with housemates and long term guests, I wouldn’t have made the offer except that she’s impressed me. She’s motivated to better herself, willing to help us around the house and she gets along with all of us. If anything, the extra set of hands around the house is a very welcome benefit.
Photography –
I’m making some fundamental changes. Yes I’m still shooting. That being said, I’ve done a shoot of some manner or form over the last couple weekends. I’m also getting product delivered to models and catalogs. The difference is the method. First, I’m sending most images out via www.DropBox.com which is an FTP site. It means I don’t have to pay shipping for CD-Rs or wonder if they’ve gotten to the intended recipient (I’ve had my problems with packages going into oblivion over the last few years). Second, with certain exceptions, the modeling images are going out unedited for review and so the subject can select images they like or want. Too many times over the years, selecting images to work with has been too difficult. Either I don’t think they meet my standards or I think they ALL look incredible. Normally I want the added input and feedback. Since only the model and I have access to the images (thru DropBox), I can be assured of privacy and copyright security as well. Third, my motivation has been returning to be able to work on artistic shots. Given that, I’ll start posting nature, abandoned site and other art shots again to my blogs in a few weeks.
Halloween –
The house is mostly decorated. The graveyard is built and figures are out and set up. Lighting and the fog machine will be tested tonight and tomorrow. I’ve got some minor adjustments and additions but I think we’re in good shape for the weekend. The nice thing is the neighbors are also decorating or at least supportive. I’ve gotten more than a few positive comments. Costuming for myself and Chris is now the challenge. I’ll work that issue today. Tomorrow is Tia & Chris’s party and Sunday is the Zombie Walk downtown.
An odd note,
I tend to take hints and messages from the powers that be thru the music I hear and the things that reach out to grab my attention. Over the past few days, I've increasingly noticed more and more references to California and to some extent to Angie. Since she appologzed and I'm not complaining about the past, I'm wondering what it all means.
October 30th
The Huntsville Zombie Walk. Gather at the Clinton Street Garage at 2pm.
Whether you’re a freshly killed body or a risen corpse, shamble down in your finest funerary attire. It doesn’t take a lot of braaaaaaaiinnsss.. to support this a charity event. Just bring a bag or cans of pet food to donate to local animal shelters.
November 5th
Rasputina plays at Crossroads Music Hall, Huntsville. Doors at 8pm; tickets $13.50
Where’s JJ?
Folks, I’m still alive and out here, but I keep discovering that less and less of my time (and money) is really mine. Let’s see, where to start...
Huntsville Home –
We’ve been steadily plowing through the various repairs and modifications to the house we moved into in July. For example, we’re still working on finishing the guest bedroom. There, the painting is 99% done, carpet is out and we’re doing the last repairs on squeaky floors. Likewise, we pulled the carpet out of the basement studio. As it came out we discovered they installed it over the original linoleum tiles which also have had to come out. Many were loose, stained, cracked or damaged. In about a week or less, I’ll arrange to have commercial grade carpet put down there. I’ll also be installing the first set of track lights in there this weekend. The place has been keeping me very busy.
The “other” Huntsville house (Tammy’s) –
A few weeks ago, we agreed to have vinyl siding and such installed. The job is done and looks pretty good. The hope is the renovated outside, will allow us to get the house on the market and sold in a few months. If anything, I may make it a more attractive rental. Either way, we need the income.
Lancaster house –
I swear about this place a lot. Remember that we had to evict the previous tenant this time last year? Guess what, we’re about to file the papers to do that to the current one too. She hasn’t paid rent for September or October. This one had been good, but when her mom was killed in a traffic incident (hit & run) Labor Day weekend, she completely fell apart. She believes that she’s going to get an insurance settlement soon, but hasn’t figured out that the insurance and legal issues will take months. Months I don’t have to wait. Needless to say, this has once again stretched my finances to the breaking point. I’m only paying essentials and even stretching out payments. It’s damn’d frustrating, but until the housing and job market gets better, I don’t think the place will sell.
Personal stuff in brief –
We’re probably having a friend move in with us “officially” this weekend. Amy was originally one of Brenna’s friends from high school. Over the last year, Tammy & I forged a friendship that endured after Brenna left for college. In June, I took her on as a photography assistant / student and she’s accompanied me on a number of shoots recently. Given that her family lives way out in the back country and that they’re in worse shape financially than we are; we decided jointly to offer her a place with us. This wasn’t all my decision; it was a family discussion and decision. After previous experiences with housemates and long term guests, I wouldn’t have made the offer except that she’s impressed me. She’s motivated to better herself, willing to help us around the house and she gets along with all of us. If anything, the extra set of hands around the house is a very welcome benefit.
Photography –
I’m making some fundamental changes. Yes I’m still shooting. That being said, I’ve done a shoot of some manner or form over the last couple weekends. I’m also getting product delivered to models and catalogs. The difference is the method. First, I’m sending most images out via www.DropBox.com which is an FTP site. It means I don’t have to pay shipping for CD-Rs or wonder if they’ve gotten to the intended recipient (I’ve had my problems with packages going into oblivion over the last few years). Second, with certain exceptions, the modeling images are going out unedited for review and so the subject can select images they like or want. Too many times over the years, selecting images to work with has been too difficult. Either I don’t think they meet my standards or I think they ALL look incredible. Normally I want the added input and feedback. Since only the model and I have access to the images (thru DropBox), I can be assured of privacy and copyright security as well. Third, my motivation has been returning to be able to work on artistic shots. Given that, I’ll start posting nature, abandoned site and other art shots again to my blogs in a few weeks.
Halloween –
The house is mostly decorated. The graveyard is built and figures are out and set up. Lighting and the fog machine will be tested tonight and tomorrow. I’ve got some minor adjustments and additions but I think we’re in good shape for the weekend. The nice thing is the neighbors are also decorating or at least supportive. I’ve gotten more than a few positive comments. Costuming for myself and Chris is now the challenge. I’ll work that issue today. Tomorrow is Tia & Chris’s party and Sunday is the Zombie Walk downtown.
An odd note,
I tend to take hints and messages from the powers that be thru the music I hear and the things that reach out to grab my attention. Over the past few days, I've increasingly noticed more and more references to California and to some extent to Angie. Since she appologzed and I'm not complaining about the past, I'm wondering what it all means.
