Apprehention and the Princess

Princesses give me anxiety. They kind of always have. I'm not talking about the Disney kind, of which I have issues with that I won't delve into now. I'm talking about those girls who really are normal in every way except that they are treated like princesses by Daddy. And of course this gives them the excuse to act like a princess all the time. You know the ones. Even worse are the ones that are getting married. They're the reason the term Bridezilla was coined.

Imagine my apprehension when, way back in 2010, a friend of mine asked if I would consider photographing her brother's wedding. The week after Christmas. Don't get me wrong. I know there are plenty of brides out there that are perfectly sweet, gracious and kind. But you know how it is when a stereotype gets stuck in your mind.

My natural instinct to avoid Bridezilla coupled with my inexperience and of course the fact that it was so close to Christmas promptly brought the word "no" to my lips. Assured by the implied promise of lowered expectations due to the need to cut costs, and the fact that the family was easy going, I agreed to think about it.

It took me a while before I agreed. When I told Otter about the proposition his first words were "Oh man. That's a disaster waiting to happen." Yeah, exactly the supper supportive vote of confidence I was looking for. I think he imagined some Bridezilla that would tear me apart at my first for-pay gig. So, really, not all that different from my first impression. Once I agreed to do it he was incredibly supportive and even helped me overcome my jitters.

Fast forward a few months and the pictures are taken, processed, and the CD is on it's way to the Bride. As promised she was sweet and easy going. Certainly not anywhere near the princess of my nightmares. It was a great learning experience for me and I'm grateful for the opportunity. There are definitely things I will do different should I shoot another wedding, but over all I'd say not too shabby for my first gig.

And - just maybe - I'm on my way to overcoming my princess complex.  After all, just because someone looks like a princess doesn't mean they'll act like one. What a relief.

At Long Last

They say "Home is Where the Heart is". I've considered Virginia my home for years, but part of my heart is still in Arizona where I grew up. It's been two years since I've been back to visit, but the dry spell is about to come to an end. Yippee!

It's kind of funny because at this point in my life I've lived away from Arizona quite a bit longer than I ever lived there - 9 years, to be exact. That's how long I lived there. And while I was there I wanted nothing more than to move away. Yet even while I was gone I craved to go home to Arizona. To this day when asked where I'm from it's Arizona I claim.

One might wonder why we're making the trek out there now. We being the girls and I. After all, it's not the holidays and school is in session. I've kind of boycotted traveling for Christmas. And summers in Arizona don't agree with me. Yes, it's a dry heat which isn't as oppressive as the 90 degrees with 80% humidity we see here, but 115 degrees and more is just miserable. I'm just saying.

Back to my point - this is the last year before Sweet Cheeks is in school. Next year when she goes to Kindergarten life will never be the same. So I'm taking full advantage. Even if she will miss 2 weeks of preschool.

Truth be told, that is only half the reason. The real reason for going when we're going is RAGNAR: 12 people racing 200 miles in 24-ish hours. The reason we're staying two weeks is because we found a really (I mean R-E-A-L-L-Y) good deal on tickets that just happened to go up significantly if I chose different dates. It's meant to be.

So, Ragnar: My sister Rebecca works for an oral surgeon who is sponsoring a team for the race. Never ones to be left out of a fun race, Lester and I campaigned for a spot on the team. Really they were short a few people, so we were accepted as two warm bodies to complete the required 12 team members.

The oh-so fun part - other than the endorphin kick from the pain of running the equivalent of 3 10Ks and not sleeping in 24 hours - is the three of us will be together in a van that two of our other sisters will be driving. Five of the 7 of us together! In one van! It's going to be so much fun! I kind of feel bad for the other runners in our van.

And this trip gets even better. The last time the seven sisters were together was the last time I was in Arizona. It's looking very hopeful that we'll be together again while I'm in town. Everyone has crazy schedules, so we may have only one day with everyone in Arizona at the same time. But if all goes as planned we'll be together. And that's all that matters.

In mind of keeping things real - it's not all going to be fun and games. It will be for me, but not so much for Otterpop. He will be left at home - alone and abandoned to fend for himself while forced to bankroll our expedition. Well, maybe it will be fun for him too. Alone time is rare, so this just might be good for him. Except...

The really unfortunate part is that he's traveling for work the first two weeks of February, and we're traveling the last two. Anyone for a month without really seeing their spouse and family? Poor Otter. Luckily he'll be in the care of his sister and grandma who will make sure he doesn't go hungry. Sweet Cheeks said "Daddy's going to be spending a lot of time at our cousins house when we're gone." She knows him well. He is and will be sorely missed.

p.s. I cut bangs. Really short bangs. Think something along the lines of this:

Maybe a little shorter. Otter thinks I look like my mom, and one of my friends said I look like a little girl. I'll let you decide for yourself, but I like it. I don't have a good picture right now, but I'll post later.

Toodles.