Eye Got You!

'Die'

-Carissa's Weird

Earlier this year I went in for my two year eye check renewal. They say that you should have your eyes checked every year but only every two years should you get a new prescription. So maybe I did this back in March and I am finally to the point where I found my new frames. You are probably shocked it took this long or maybe even wondering why it took this long. Well something that you should already know about me by now is it takes me a long time to make very important decisions. When it comes to buying jeans I have a hard time, I can't just go into any store and buy any pair. They have to feel and look right (I know girly) but seriously I have to be stuck with them so let me take my time. The same is for eye wear, although this is more crucial. I will be stuck with this one pair of frames for two whole years! It's so important I find the right look. Back when I got the current "rectangle frames" they still hadn't become a national trend look. Well now that everyone and their dog has rectangle glasses I got to drop this look like a bad drug habit. (However there are no good drug habits.)

I have been infatuated with the look of the 50's in eye wear and here in St. George there is not one place that has the look I have wanted. Back in April around 2am one day I was looking through a magazine and an article about a company, Warby Parker, caught my attention. They believe that you can have boutique designs with the 3/4 the cost. I was skeptical so I ignored the article. A month later I was up in Salt Lake and still hadn't found the frames that spoke to me, oh yeah frames speak to me too. Well I picked back up the article and read it, went to the web site and FOUND the FRAMES!!!! They are a super rad company! 4 college guys wanted eyes to be cheaper and cool still. Being an online company they do a thing called "home try on." They send you 5 pairs for free and a return shipping label so you can try them out. You mail them back and then order the ones you want. Well I finally did it last week and Monday my 5 try ons came in the mail!

This brings me to the post. I am going to show all 5 styles and I want your opinions. I already think I know the two and the one I really dig but want to hear your thoughts. There is one pair I just selected as you have to select 5 try ons, so if you notice the one just by pass it.

Let's begin, (PS I realize these all look like something out of the 50's and 60's but therein lies my current obsession photographically and style wise.)

Currently I look like this: (below)

Here is option A: Huxley (below)

Option B: Miles (below)

Option C: Japhy (below)

Option D: Fillmore (below)

Option E: Roosevelt (below)

So now you tell me what pair you like. I plan on still keeping a spare rectangle pair around (current ones will be-lensed, but it's time to change the trend. And you know how I like to mix it up.) Please make comments!

'Take Care'

-Beach House

-Gawdun

Suze Orman Beat This!

I love having the power of Google Reader, without it I would be lost and always click click clicking on the web. A friend of mine had a post today on her blog which featured one of my favorite Youtubers, Glozell. Once the video she posted was over I did the fan favorite and clicked another video to watch. Now for those of you who know not of this talented woman named, Glozell, just get up on her YouTube and watch.

With my love for the Gaga I present to you a video worth watching...

I can't breath this video is cracking me up!!!

-Gawdun

Admission is Free with Purchase

'Dance Anthem of the 80's'

-Regina Spektor

This has been a week of serious thought! Several times I wanted to take the advice of a certain Gaga and "just dance." Heck I still might tonight :)

I'll start with the worst part, that was today.

My ward was officially dissolved :( It was our last Sunday. Dang Bishop Hurst even got me to have "eye leakage" problems. Former members were there amongst all us current un-married members. Wonderful talks but the end of an era. September makes 2 years since I returned home from my mission and I moved to St. George. A town where I have struggled and learned more about myself on a personal and friend level. If it wasn't for that ward I might have left this town in 2009 instead of later this year. I remember the first time they had me speak, which today talking to the Bishop on the side he too remembers. He said I had that funky color in my hair and my energy told him "activities" would be the place for me (this was January 2009). I finally went to my first FHE in March which is were I met the most amazing group of friends. June I was called into the activities committee as a co-chair where I have been until today when the ward was dissolved. I appreciate the places I have been taken in this position. I could go on much longer on this ward but I won't. I have a separate post that once I mellow out will be written on the whole singles change here in St. George.

I can say that in the meeting where we learned our new ward assignments I did not see one person from my now dissolved ward stand up. I am back in the place of learning about new people and making new friends. And let's be honest that is not a problem with me but I would like to just keep what I have. My cell phone book is already to full and it can't hold that many more numbers. :)

Saturday was a full day ranging from a meeting at the restaurant after only having 4 hours of sleep from a crazy first day back at work. Then fixed my brothers broken bike tires. (I hate fixing trick bikes!) We set up our wards final formal dinner, which was also my last event to hold with my committee. I thought I would be happy about it but I am now saddened that I will not do such things unless I am asked again. I freakn love party planning and throwing them!

Friday was hell at work towards the end but I made out like a bandit in tips. I love my regular customers but to the man who left .27 cents just know that I remember faces very well and will make your life interesting if you return, tell that girl who was with you the same thing, I know where she works and can make that hell too. :) (yup that is the waiter speaking.)

Thursday was my return home from a week of Reno

Monday-Wednesday became known to me as the time of changes inside. I learned more about who and what I really am.

Over all this past week I have done a lot of inner searching at to what I wanted. I booked a return flight to Reno, Nevada for October 19th-30th. I will begin my hunt for work and housing now but when I get there I will hopefully solidify the stepping stones. Reno I took advantage of growing up and am ever grateful for it's welcoming arms to allow me back despite my old hates of it. Funny what growing up does to a person.

I made some new friends this week that will hopefully become a great support in the coming months and hopefully year as I make transitions. The friends I currently have I am so grateful for all you have done AND will do. Thanks for supporting me, even if you live 380, 1,000+, or 2 miles away.

And I can't forget my family, who even though they may not read this blog, I still appreciate them more than ever.

(This picture is almost 2 years old and we all look more zingy than in this photo)

This will always be THAT week.

'Everywhere I Go'

-Lissie

-Gawdun

Oh You Sure Can Suck!

'Next Best Thing'

-Nikki & Rich

Funny how this song is jamming out of my iPod while I sit here and write this blog post.

So as many of you have read via Facebook and twitter I have had an amazing time while I was in Reno. (Currently I am sitting in the Vegas airport.) What began as a workation soon turned into a decision making choice. I have been struggling with myself in many forms and where I wanted to take my photography business. It's really hard anywhere I know to run a business and I know that no matter where I take the photography there will always be the "business stealer, price-under-cutter, and saturation of photographers." In Utah, for those that don't know we have many a persons that do photographer even it is a hobby that they make money at. Especially due to the amount of weddings we have taking place in this state. There seems to be no originality. However in defense of my fellow photographers, (don't get me wrong I am not bashing anyone who wants to venture into this life) I think personal creativity takes a back seat like Rosa Parks once did. Clients see what their friends had done in their photos and want the SAME DARN THING. You might not even be the same photographer. I understand that a client has say in the process but when you hire someone you truly hire them and their talent they have. Then with your ideas and the ideas and talent of the photographer you collaborate.

So just like Rosa Parks I tend to say "NO SIR I WON'T SIT ON THE BACK OF THE BUS!" This is my talent and life why sell myself short? There are people who love my work and style. However I have decided to move ARG IMAG flagship elsewhere that I can truly express my true self. Also to break into the kind of photography I want to do (print ads for magazines like VOGUE, etc) then I need to be in a city that has easy access to that life style.

You may say why not go to L.A. or New York? While I want to get there eventually I need to start somewhere larger than St. George. I have learned tons in St. George as a photographer and person but need to move up, and there have been many influences one of which is Kevin and Katie Hulett of K Hulett Photography.

A few months back I gave myself to the end of the 2010 year to find a new town AND state to reside in. Reno just sucked me back. Black Hole City is the reference I give to it. Driving down the street the other day not even desiring to move back there it happened. That feeling of being pulled. I told a friend last night about it and they said they know exactly the feeling I am feeling. I went there to work with two clients and then relax. I came back with a plan.

I will be heading back to Reno in October instead of L.A. (Day of the Dead festival will have to wait till next year, plus I went last year.) During the week, possibly two, I will be connecting with current and former contacts in regards to employment and business starting in the great city of Reno. I am truly finally feeling like I have a plan since coming home from the mission. I truly know this is right, and all will work out. The move will happen at the end of the year like planned.

I know my mom and little brother enjoy me living at home but it's time for this 26 year old to peace out like bad breath. The brushing has begun!

PS: To my faithful repeat clients don't you fear, I still will travel to bring a fresh look to your family every year or when you need it. I love you all and appreciate the business and new clients you bring!

'Sweet Disposition'

-The Temper Trap

-Gawdun

Emotional Cars

*I am taking a break from posting videos from the mission as I am out of town and in Reno, NV for photography work and vacation. All will resume when I return home.

'Take Everything'

-Greg Laswell

I got into Reno Thursday and had a joyous experience even before I was here 2 hours...

In my current hometown of St. George, which is part of the state of Utah, I have come to terms that there reside some of the rudest and incompetent drivers. Very few seem to understand the rules of stoplights. I've always wondered who changed the rule on "red lights" to, GO, instead of STOP. A big one I wonder about is freeway etiquette... The one rue that burns my jeans is the rule of "merging." When a person enters the freeway the cars in the far right lane are supposed to be courteous and move over allowing you onto the freeway. NO, in Utah more than anywhere else people DON'T practice this rule of kindness! They will see you coming on the entrance ramp and speed up just so they don't have to move over. This usually causes the two of you to be traveling parallel ensuing frustration and a forced merger.

That is probably the biggest frustration I have.

So there I am in Reno traveling on the freeway and I had to merge. I prepared myself for the "merge battle." Then the most glorious thing happened, all two cars in the right lane moved to the left allowing me TO MERGE!!!!!!!! I wanted to write them all thank you notes for being freeway kind! And everyday since then I have more wonderful experiences on the roads here in Reno than I do in UT.

Take a listen drivers, nobody likes a bad driver who thinks their poop don't smell. Be kind and don't cause deaths!

-Gawdun

Do You Have Any Rhinos?

In my the swanky little town of Blackshear, GA resides many dirt roads that twist and turn to hidden trailer parks and sub divisions. I personally thought the best time to tract (door to door knocking) was more exciting after a nice long rainfall. You seemed to find more treasures that way. Case in point this video....

Yeah this was all found right after a nice down pour. What a gem!

-Gawdun

Finally Transferred

While on your mission you move around a lot. If' I remember right a transfer is 6 weeks long and once that 6 weeks is up you either stay or move to a new town. If you don't get along with your mission companion at the time it is always great to have a transfer for one of you. While I was in the town of Tifton, GA (one of my most favorite places in the U.S.) I managed to stay there for 6 months. And I loved every bit of it.

Every time around transfers once you find out your leaving you begin your goodbyes and wrapping up teaching in the area. Sister Hebbard in Tifton, GA had a little saying she would say to all transferring missionaries, she just "knew" every time I would get transferred so when the day came I had to record it... (She is also know as the "crazy cat lady down the way")

Hope you enjoyed, more videos to come!

-Gawdun

Back That Thing Up

As promised (Wow I'm actually keeping a blog promise for once) here is video #1 in a series of short clips I took from the mission.

Now I more than likely will have to give a small description for easy understanding, here is the first:

When serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints you do what is called a back up when you are driving. A back up means that the passenger of the car literally stands behind the car and safely guides the driver to back up. Allegedly the church medical department has been rumored to say that back ups have a huge reduction in car accidents when backing a car up. Sister Lewarts (name has been changed) was a hoot of a sister and made the "extreme backup" trendy. Funny thing is she is backing a member up who is driving a bunch of missionaries off from Savannah to transfer to new areas. Watch and love (I will understand if you don't still get it and will be happy to demonstrate one in real life...

-Gawun

"Boxes, Don't Crowd Me!"

I have given myself till the end of this year to have made my complete decision on my place of residency, and what will happen with the photography business I am trying to run. (Don't worry I'm not stopping the photo industry, so all my clients that read this blog can now take a deep breath as I will still continue to update your family photo's for you)

With this grand decision to relocate finally it has come to my attention that I need to once again go through all my boxes in the closet and under my bed to throw out stuff I WILL NOT NEED. Doing so I have condensed my mission boxes into one like it should have been when I first got home. While going through that box I was reminded of many great times. Some of which I recorded onto video. So for the next few posts I will share with you some of my beloved mission short videos some of which included people who have become great friends and family since then!

Sunday August 1st I will reveal the first video that involves one of my favorite "sleep screaming" sister missionaries. (Don't worry names will be changed to protect the insane.

-Gawdun