I have some new art and photography uploaded at RedBubble.com in case you're interested.  I have purchased laminated wall prints and a calendar, and they are top notch.  Prints from RedBubble are quality with exact colors, clarity and all are as good as the artist's intended.  I've been impressed, as well as the other RedBubble members.

Enter bragging rights here:  I have been featured as a "Featured 3D artist" at Bryce & Beyond, a RedBubble group for 3D artists.  My work "Rebirth" has been featured in a number of groups which came as a nice surprise.  RedBubble also thought it was worthy enough to feature on the home page for a day.  :)

So when you get a chance, come over and take a look, and visit the other artists at RedBubble too.  You'll be glad you did.  RedBubble's goal is to showcase and help sell the quality works of art and photography for its members.

Been clearing out my hard drive again.  I don't know what to do with all my early work.  I never look at it and when I looked closer, a lot of it was made for Flickr (a couple of years ago) and at a size that is not conducive to print.  First, I reorganized all my images in folders labeled by category.  IE: people; portraits; landscapes; skies; animals, etc. and WIP (work in process).  They were originally categorized by date (the way the camera uploaded to the computer).  Then I went through some 7000+ pictures and art and deleted EVERYTHING that looked like crap and anything that I felt I would have no need for.   I've already noticed how much easier it is to find an image by categories than by date!  Holy shit.  Just wish I had something to tag my images with, without installing another piece of software.

After everything was nice and neat, I said, "Now what?"  So I've been archiving my older work as contact sheets that I can create with FastStone's Image Viewer.  I can also archive them to .pdf format but not sure of the quality once the images are extracted from the .pdf.  So I decided since most of the images that I'm archiving this way are older works, a contact sheet might be best and I can always create a photo book with them that would look like a proof book.  In this situation, since most of these images are no larger than 1024 x 768, I probably won't be printing them and IF I were to use them as part of a portfolio, these contact sheet styles should be good enough to get my style and imaginative creations across to the viewer.

It's a lot of work cleaning off a hard drive.  I have a 250 gig hard drive and 1/2 of it is full.  The ironic part of it, is that a good part of that 1/2 is Microsoft patches and updates.  You need a hard drive just for that bullshit.  Really ticks me off.  I'm beginning to lean towards a Linux OS.  Been asking questions of some folks that are using Linux and husband and Alex use it.  For me, I would need another background program that is free, that will read some of my graphics software.  Other than that, I could run a dual boot system (upon boot up, computer asks if you want to boot up to Microsoft OS or Linux) or not.  I think I would like to see how the Linux will work before deciding.

So I guess you could say that I'm scaling back on the garbage and getting myself ready for the professional.  But had to start with the hard drive before it gets hairier.  LOL  Would really like a new computer but unless I win the lottery, or win a contest, it's hard to justify as an option on our current budget.

Tomorrow is PhaseOne day.  Need to sign up for the seminar even though a $20+k camera is DEFINITELY outside the budget.

And I know I've been lazy about writing on my blog.  There have been many times when I thought about it and then sit down to the computer and find myself answering emails; writing few in return; creating art and spending more time with my camera and learning techniques.

I was laid off in mid-July and knew it was coming for awhile.  Had worked with the company back in 2000 and as they say, 'some things never change' and this proved truthful once again.  In the process of considering a career change and avidly researching the idea, I received an email from a CPA firm.  The description was exactly what I've been thinking for a few years, I'd much rather do.  Having been a sole proprietor of a bookkeeping business in my past, and not having found the perfect niche here in Michigan, I had considered doing it once again.  Ultimately, I preferred the idea of working for a CPA firm on a seasonal basis with some time off or the flexibility for it during the summer months.

Low and behold, the email for an interview.  I know it was not a place that I applied, so it is still unbeknown to me where they obtained my resume.  Most likely an online job search agent.

Started working with them in October and learning new things all the time.  I must admit however, that as the days close in on year end, I've been spoiled with the part time status and now must shift gears for full time for 3 to 4 months. 

The boys are growing taller and smarter.  Acing classes all the way to honor roll.  The oldest is taking college level courses in preparation for his future.  Good kids.

The hub is still working and doesn't foresee economic strife at his location .... yet.  The technology industry is still moving ahead so far.

Aside from the normal every day living routine, there hasn't been much in the way of travel, reunions and such.  Been a very low key year.  I voted and my vote didn't win but I was pretty much undecided all the way anyhow.  So I'll bear with the choice of the majority and see how it goes. 

In the meantime, stay warm, stay safe, be cautious but have fun.  Merry Christmas and many blessings in the New Year!

Kathy