Ok You Can Stay

'Pick Up The Phone'
-Dragonette

I have been very fortunate to know some swanky and swell people in my life.  If we were to go by my Facebook friend count I would have over 400 friends but then again I don't go by that, let's be honest that is not a perfect gauge on friendship.  (I think several are business contacts and networked friends that will come in handy in the future.)

While on my run today I had the chance to do more thinking even though Madonna kept singing to me about 'Burning Up.'  I thought about those that I associate with now and those that I have in the past.  I created a mental rolodex of all those that have been major impacts and true friendship in my life.  I am going to introduce you readers to them.

(NOTE):  I don't consider this to be a complete image rolodex as I do not have photo's of all of you so if you are not pictured don't be sad you are still good I just need to get a picture of you to post here :-)

Bill, Fred, Me, Kenley:  No matter what your life has for you in difference, that doesn't make the friends, it's the person(s). 

Nicole the perfect roller derby enthusiast

Karyn  

Molly there from year back no matter where we live 

Erin, Alex, Me, and Katie.  Reno isn't a trip without this gang! 

Aunt Dawn, supper supportive and hysterical! 

And MOST IMPORTANT!!!  My family!  Alycia, Me, Lucas, Mom, and not pictured would be David. Y'all worry to much about me but I love it.

'Photojournalist'

-Small Black

-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

Gypsy Blood

'I Feel It All'
-Feist

So far my trip to Reno has been a blast and the next, also last, two days are full of fun and adventures. Today I made it to my old college singles ward and let's not forget going to Tahoe yesterday. Dawn and Kyle's wedding reception was Friday, very nice set up they had, would have been an amazing photo shoot and I can't wait to see what their photographer does with it. However let us not forget that tonight I also did the photo shoot for the Cappini Family. It was alot of fun, can't wait to post the photo's.

A few moments ago my aunt asked me if I had 'gypsy blood' like my mom has. I had to think about this and try and figure out what she was talking about. She was referring to the way my family has moved all over the place growing up. I would have to say that yes there is gypsy blood in me and I love it. Now what does this mean for me and my current life? SImple. St. George to me is my families home and not mine. (Now Amy, Nicole and the rest from St. George that may read this please don't get too mad.) I do love the area and I have met some of the best people there. I love my group of peeps. However I know and have fully come to terms that I must move away from it. Maybe it is merely the fact that I need to move away from home again and not just down the street or across town, or possibly it has alot to do with my current career as a photographer. No true answer is available at this time. Coming back to Reno has and still is a currently a blast and I am thinking about seeing if I can stay an extra day, (probably wont though.) Let me be honestly sound, I would love to live here again, Reno is home for me and I love every part of it, but this economy is not making life here any easier than anywhere else. I have another trip planned at the end of October to L.A. to photograph the Day of the Dead Festival (which I have talked about in previous posts) all of these current trips are being used as a catalyst to move on to bigger and better life ventures. Heck I do eventually imagine that I will get married and have a family but I don't think it will happen where I am stationed in life.

I must travel where the Lord takes me...

Whelp I am gonna go teach my aunt how to do 'light photography' so I should probably get going for now.

-Gawdun

Oh Reno Summers How I Miss Them

'Off I Go'

-Greg Laswell

So I wont be going back to Reno anytime soon, but I was looking through some photo CD's I have and found all these pics from the 'pre' mission stage in my life.  How rockin awesome summers where up in Reno.  Don't worry I'm not stuck in the past just thought you'd all like to see some past Gawdun.  Heck look at the gorgeous Lake Tahoe!  I can't wait to go back there later this summer.  (it's true Katie we are gonna rock that place up right!)  Enjoy the trip down memory lame, heck you don't even have to ride in a DeLorian to get there.  I wont lie this mad me miss Reno life alot.  But don't fret everyone I'll be posting some wild adventures from the forth coming summer.  I have 1 road trip, another to Reno, another to North Cali to visit Molly and to kick it off the 2 week trip to Georgia in 2 weeks!

Enjoy

'Where the Road Meets the Sun'

-Katie Herzig & Matthew Perryman Jones

If you blinked you would miss the wild's at Tahoe.  I'm pretty sure she was in her late 40's

Tahoe by sunset

I need to rock that hair again!

Introducing my Lake Tahoe, what a marvel of nature.  I'd propose if she was real.  I ain't lie'n.

I'm pretty sure the serial TP and pranks don't go on like they did when I was there, I bet they miss the Twinkie Group

Ann, as always telling me to not take the picture, but I did anyways.  I'm sure the friends hate my love of photography ;-)

Peg Leg Pete the neighbor 3 leg cat of Katie

That's my Molly

We embraced what the military call, 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell'  Best hotel feature I HAVE EVER SEEN!

Why yes that is Fefe Dobson

Because of this I no longer eat cherry pie, grape maybe but not cherry

Rogue River, Or June 2006

Rogue River, Or June 2006

I got tired of the 2 rafts discussing who would pull Katie into the river so I just stood up and leaped onto their boat and pulled her in, good times huh Katie.