Holy Falling Temperatures Batman!

That's it! The truth of the matter!

I went out this morning for my run and almost got blown over upon stepping out on the porch. Then to top it off, I almost froze to death in the first few minutes...Seriously we went from mornings starting out in the 60's this past week to this morning being 36 degrees with 16 mph winds making it feel more like 26 degrees! What the heck?

This reinforces my belief that I belong in a very warm climate with the ocean near!

I really miss Wilmington, North Carolina!

That is all for now...I need to thaw out my toes and fingers and go to work. Happy Happy Joy Joy!

Have a super day!

The boys started spring break yesterday. I stayed home from work, editing pics for a client.

Later a girl I taught at church stopped by and we had a nice little chat. In the afternoon I walked up to the Thai Pavilion for lunch with my friend, Sharon.

It was a wonderful afternoon. As I was walking home I came across a tree in full bloom and the smell was just intoxicating. I couldn't help but to stop, take a picture and pet the dogs that came to the fence for some attention.

Last night we went up to one of the local bars to see the band Shooter play with Bob and a couple of girls from work.  I was approached by someone who said they think my pictures are "really F*%#ing good" and asked if I would do pics for him when his grandson is born in June. I was thankful I had kept my business cards in my bag, so I handed him one and said I would be happy to do so.

After about 3 hours of sleep I am awake with expresso in hand (that machine has come in HANDY), waiting on my friend Cheryl to show up for coffee, which I also have made. She is bringing over the food. :)

I plan on having a productive but easy paced weekend!

Sex Offenders...

The other day I found out that my husband's father, a known sex offender, who happens to be on the Sex offender registry for life because he is considered a sexual predator, was in Shabbona, Illinois. He and his wife were on the motorcycle driving around enjoying their retirement.

Mind you, we have NOTHING to do with them and if he should ever get within 1000 feet of my family he will be arrested...however, he is not supposed to be in state parks, which is exactly what he loves to do when he is out on his motorcycle (drive through state parks). However, because he has served his sentence and just has to be on the list for the rest of his life, he is not closely monitored. For this reason he thinks he is able to do what he wants.

I am so disgusted. I did call the state park, and sent an email with a link to his picture on the website for sex offenders to the state park law enforcement email.

The entire thing just leaves me spinning...we sentence and watch people who have committed crimes to property more closely than we do the damn criminals who hurt people!

For anyone in the Northern Illinois area : Here ya go...beware!


http://www.isp.state.il.us/sor/offenderdetails.cfm?SORID=E07C3540&CFID=69548729&CFTOKEN=13365269&jsessionid=ec30bc6025b46526a3e11e3c94965e4e57e5

Run #2 for the week this morning. It went okay other than the humidity this morning during the run was 100% so even though the 61.5 degree temps aren't bad it's definitely heavy air for running in. That aside, the run is complete, did some intervals... my dog seemed very annoyed with me. She gets nicer and more cooperative the more we run. That aside, run #2 is in the books.

Tonight, going to see the band Shooter at a local bar. They are the guys I did a photo shoot for a few weeks ago. Going to try setting up a meeting with the drummer, Greg, he is an amazing drummer but is also very good with marketing and helps many bands get booked at bars, so I'm going to attempt to get him to agree to handing out my business cards to the local bands. Tomorrow I am going to Genoa for an exhibit by a photographer out there. He does street photography and I'm very excited to see his work.

Sitting here listening to Indian Vibes music, which is totally getting me back to my place of zen and happiness, while waiting on my expresso to finish brewing on the stove.

We went and visited Ron's mom (Ron is Bob's best friend) last night. I showed her all the pics from the trip including the ones of her son in his boxers. It was great to see her and she is so wonderful - I just love her.

Zombie Run

My friend Traci has decided to make us (her friends and family members) run the Zombie Run in St. Louis on August 18. By make us I mean, she has already signed us up and then collected the money from us for this run...ensuring our cooperation in this.

Here's the skinny on this run: apparently there are 3 levels of entry. 1. to be a regular live person running from the zombies. 2. to be a zombie who chases (thus also completing the run) and 3. a zombie straggler (responsible for ambushing runners at different places on the run).

The 1st level costs some ridiculous price like $75.00 per person, the zombie parts are less expensive plus you get zombified by professional make up artists. We have chosen to be zombie's.

Now for the other stuff, in order to participate in a 5K run a person must be in okay shape. I feel completely inadequate in this department right now...so, training has begun.

Yesterday I attempted zumba...well, that is not something for the uncoordinated. I looked like I was having a seizure. However, as my friend who is a physical therapist pointed out, even having a seizure burns calories...so I'll count it as a workout.

Today; the run...I took my loyal big headed dog Izzy (see picture). She looks pretty scary and would probably mess someone up pretty good if they tried to mess with me. Considering I run at about 5 a.m. I feel much safer with her at my side. The temperature this morning: 65 degrees with winds from the SE at 8 mph. Not a bad morning for a run...perhaps a little humid (according to the weather channel we are at 74% humidity).
Tomorrow is some kind of exercise; just not sure what...perhaps one of The Firm workouts and then on Friday another run.

Training for the zombie run has commenced!

More North Carolina Pics...

This was an amazing few days. It puts in perspective how we stress about such minimal things that make no difference in the grand scheme and that this gorgeous, powerful ocean would sweep away without concern. I want to thank my sister Missy for showing us the town, for driving us all over, for my amazing hair cut and color and just in general for being her! She has grown in to such an amazing woman! I always told her to never settle and she listened...she has reached out and taken what she wants and is living a life that I think is incredible. She is so beautiful, talented and fun! Thank you for a wonderful visit! I plan to see you again much sooner than later! 

Also a big thanks to Ron for putting us up at his casa on the beach. For giving us lots of laughter and showing us the very cool beach glass. 

We love you both so very much! Words cannot do justice to how we feel about the two of you or about the ocean that you live so close to! 

Here are some of my favorite pictures. 

2nd Chi town trip for the year.

Saturday I was asked to join my friend Traci for a day in Chicago. She is a bellydance instructor but had signed up for a class on Hubbard street. So I,of course, jumped all over that opportunity.

We drove in on Rt. 64 (great way to go) then ate breakfast at a little cafe called The Breakfast Club...following her class we drove through downtown, saw the green river (we attempted to avoid all the St. Patty's Day madness other than one quick trip through downtown after the parade had finished).

We then went and visited Rosehill, St. Boniface and Graceland cemeteries...if you have an opportunity they are all 3 worth checking out. Got some great shots at the cemeteries. I admit to having an odd fascination with the statues that are in the cemeteries. We even had a creeptacular experience while in one.

Later we went to Devon Ave and ate dinner at The Viceroy of India (this place is amazing).

After, we hopped back in the car and drove to The Abbey Pub...there was a band playing Irish music, & kids dancing everywhere. It was a great evening.

Chicago is an amazing city. There is a great deal of beauty there and yet a great deal of ugliness. I find myself disturbed by the drug addicts on the sides of the streets, and the guy who drives by them in his very expensive car. It saddens me that we often have such a disregard for the human beings surrounding us because we deem them less than ourselves based on their lot in life. Yet, all of them are someones son or daughter, someones brother or sister, someones mother or father. We fail to remember that when we look at them with disgust. Some people are meek and are easily broken...our society fails them at every turn. I'll even give that some are just assholes, but a great many of these lost souls have simply been broken by the circumstances in their lives.

Off my box...have a wonderful week. Enjoy these lovely days we should continue to have this week. I know that I will be taking long evening walks with my love, and eating lots of salads because it's so darn warm out. Have a great day all!

Carolina Beach

Just returned from an amazing trip to North Carolina to see my sister and Ron. I miss them so much and I have to say that I am again mentally aching for the beach. I love the sound of the ocean, I love waking up and walking the beach. I know I can't afford to live beach front in that area but to even have the option to say "oh, I am going to go to the beach today before work" would be an amazing gift.
Bob and I have looked at the colleges there for him and we are looking at possibly heading out there some time between June and August (this is contingent on many things so we may have to push it back...but I hope not). I'm tired of being land locked and quite frankly when I am able to sit on the beach I am centered and I feel like I can handle whatever is thrown my way...much more so than while land locked.

PattyPixx Photography/Shooter

So...this is the name I've chosen for a side business I have started  fallen in to. I was at a birthday party (held in a bar) last Friday night. A band was playing at this bar. My husband and I arrived a bit early and while sitting there having a drink the band was setting up, we happened to have gone to high school with the drummer of the band, and began talking to him. We also know the backup singer, who is a friend of my sister in law, as well as the lead singer, who used to be my neighbor when I was in high school (I really don't think he remembers me). They asked me to use their little snap & shoot camera to take a couple pictures of them and I happened to say something about wishing I had brought my camera...this led to a conversation about what kind of camera I have, do I do photography etc...it ended up with a commitment on my part to come the following night to the place they were playing to do a photo shoot and get some shots together for the promo packs they want to send out.

Saturday night...scared out of my mind that my camera would malfunction etc...I went to their gig...I shot photos and I had a blast...I felt so comfortable and in my element. I mean: I love music, almost any genre and I love photography...to go to shows, get to watch not only the show itself but all the stuff that goes on with the band setting up etc. is such a neat experience.

I played with the pictures a little bit, and then worked on the promo pack cover with them and by Tuesday night had completed the project, been paid and ate dinner with the lead singer.

It was a thrilling experience and I am currently waiting on business cards to arrive, have another photo shoot with another local band set up, as well as Senior pictures, pictures for a lady from a hospice company who wants pics of her daughter.

I also have a meeting set up for the Sunday following my return (leaving tomorrow morning for a visit with my baby sister in North Carolina and then will return Tuesday night) with a person who promotes local bands and helps them get scheduled for shows. He has agreed to work with me and throw my name to the bands he works with as well as the venues where he gets them booked for shows to assist me in getting a foot in the door. :)

If you happen to be in the Dekalb area (or want to travel) the band, Shooter will be playing at the Hometown Bar on Friday March 23 at 9:30 p.m. Come out and see them, come out and visit with me...

If you are on facebook feel free to stop by my photography page and Like it :)
www.facebook.com/pattypixx

 Time to catch some ZZZ's before heading off to my vacation destination...my husband, my camera, and I. Be safe...hope to see some people at the show.