Toodle-loo Summer

Can it be? Summer is seriously coming to a close? NO!!! Was it not just a week ago that we were all having fun in Galveston for Kaitlyn's bachelorette party? Nope, that was the first weekend in May. Good golly, summer moved way. too. fast.

I know what y'all are thinking "oh, really, yet ANOTHER person griping about the speed of the season" ... Yes, this is another one of those gripes. Get off me. It went fast. For everyone involved.

This summer was pretty fantastic, though. Way too much happened for me to post, but I do want to highlight two of summer's "high points".

First - the Battle of the Cattle Shows. Good gracious these were INCREDIBLE!!!! I feel so insanely blessed to have been apart of the first three. Like seriously. Awesome events, AWESOME exhibitors... loved loved loved being able to capture all the fun! If you haven't already, go check out the Belton, Kerrville and Fredericksburg shows on my website here.

Second - the first ever Blinn College Livestock Judging camp. I am so proud of Brice and Joe. They seriously did an amazing job putting together this event. Being able to see almost 100 PARTICIPANTS learning, having fun, creating memories and representing #blinnwin was the absolute shining highlight of my summer. Thank you to everyone who helped make our first camp such a success!!

Now, that brings me to my actual post topic. I know, I'm wordy. Get off me. I was planning on doing an "Uncle Ben" post, but I think I need to do a little more research before I prefect that puppy.

I decided to give a back-to-school pep-post.... just a few words of encouragement and such for those of y'all headed back to school.

First off - for students high school age and younger ::

Okay, so here's what y'all NEED to do the first day of school - go up to your teacher(s) and introduce yourself. Next, tell them what hobbies you have (showing). Now, tell them the importance our industry plays in daily life (die, chipotle, die). Lastly, let them know that you will be missing quite a bit of school because of this absolutely amazing industry. Ensure them that what you are doing is 100% bettering you as a person, as it's both educational and allowing you to make the connections you will surely need in order to succeed later in life. Let them know you will make up any missed work... and actually keep up with that promise.

Maybe bake them some cookies or brownies... Cause who doesn't love pastries?!

If you are a high school junior/senior ::

Start looking into colleges. Explore your options. Don't hold back on ANY dream or thought or desire as far as where you see yourself going. Also, VISIT every college you have in mind. Don't be afraid to go out of state. Hustle. Get yourself out there. Introduce yourself to as many professors, students, leaders as possible. Behave. You are about to be in complete control of your future... wouldn't you like to start on the right foot?

Incoming College Freshmen ::

The actions you take from here on out will effect the rest of your professional life. Think I'm exaggerating? Oh, I'm not. Believe me on this one. So, with that said, BEHAVE. I know, I know... it's college! It's about making friends and making memories. But, remembering those fun times is far more important than actually having them. Again, trust me on this. Be smart. You have so many people that love and care about you and who are cheering you on. Don't let them down. You don't change in college... you find out who you are and become it more. You will meet people who will change your life forever. Let them. But never let them change who you are. You will be faced with some of the hardest decisions of your life. Face them head on. Don't allow yourself to slack. The effects are far greater than you now know. Go to class. HUSTLE. You are being watched. Future employers can be made years before they actually sign your paycheck. Dream. Then chase that dream. Get involved. Meet people. Try new things. Fall in love. Fall out of love. Laugh. Create/meet your future wedding party. Be happy. Love life. These will be the best days of your life. Cherish them.

And most important of all - be proud. Welcome to college... welcome to the rest of your life.

Things I don't understand

Or - in more current terminology - "I can't"

- Selfies
- People who don't smile at least 100 times a day ... you're alive. Smile
- Construction that happens outside of the midnight to 3 am time window
- Plus sized skinny jeans
- People who don't hate snakes ... That nasty thing WILL KILL YOU
- Worms
- Kids who eat their snot ... if you are that hunger, nibble on a piece of paper.
- People who don't like Lil Wayne
- Bacon ... easily the nastiest meat product that isn't chicken
- Girls who don't watch the Real Housewives ... is your life really that dramatic that you can't handle mindless, pointless humor / ridiculousness?
- People who don't sing in their car.
- PETA ... take that damn shirt off if you're gonna hate on the livestock industry, you pathetic oxymoronic piece of shit. (pardon my language)
- People who would prefer flying over driving ... insane
- Mosquitos
- People on no carb diets ... stop hating life and eat some pasta
- Kids on a leash ... I mean, we can train hogs to walk around without a halter, right?
- Oklahoma



Yeah, I think that sums it up.

Is it June already?!?

I love summer. But that fact that it's already summer of 2014 is crazy to me. This year is flying by. Oh well, I think that's a good thing. 

So obvi it's been a while since I've posted. I don't really have an excuse.... well... except for the fact that I've been busy. Like stupid busy. The month of April was crazy. Good, though. Being busy with portrait sessions isn't something I ever plan for, but it was a great way to spend all of April and most of May. Speaking of which, May was pretty awesome too. Filled with lots of fun, weddings, and other shenanigans. Which brings us to June. For the sake of time and laziness on my end, I'll just quickly bullet the updates in my life (since March)

· My best friend got hitched (it was awesome. Love you Kaitlyn VERETTE!!! Happy one month anniversary!!)

· We all lost an incredible friend/cattleman/inspiration

· Read a boat load of books (see below)

· Discovered Netflix (GAHHHH!) (see below)

· Made a huge lifestyle change of doing my own nails (scary)

· Team #BlinnWin 2013-2014 has left Brenham, America :(

· My babies all graduated from High School.... Emily June, Anna, Haley, Atalie, Jonathan, Maddy, Mason, Dylan, Team Hope&Faith, Jeb, Caleb, Logan, Ashley, Kourtney, Quinton, McKenna, and so many more... I love y'all and will miss you SO MUCH next year :(

· Chopped of all my hair ... No, I am not trying to look like Miley Cyrus. No, I'm not going through a quarter-life-crisis. I'm lazy, it's easy. I like it, and yes the coach likes it. If you don't like it, I'm sorry, but it's not on your head, so get over it. Stop asking me if I'm okay. Stop touching it. Stop singing Miley Cyrus songs when I enter a room (T-SHACK!....(though admittedly, it is really funny)). Get over it.  

· Judged a show with the coach (well... sort of)

· Spoke during state 4-H roundup 

· Pictured the state simmy/simbrah show with my showchamps fam

· Potentially have a pregnant dog (super unclear/super impossible.... but our little market lamb is looking more and more like a dang overfed southdown lately :( sooooo hopefully it was the neighbors Chihuahua that did the deed)

· The Spurs won (GO SPURS GO!). No, I'm not a huge basketball fan - but I do love the Spurs. And if you look back to last year's posts around this time, you will see I am not a bandwagoner. I secretly love watching Tony Parker play. It's freaking hilarious. I literally cheer "Go little man!" When he has the ball. And Kiwi (Yes, I call Kawhi Leonard Kiwi) is amazing - both athletically and professionally - like I want to be his friend. And, I mean, who didn't cry watching Tim Duncan with his kids? If you didn't you might be heartless. Or male. And Manu.....well, he is the easiest person for me to pick out when I'm watching the games without my glasses on. Bald white men are hard to come by in the NBA. And Lebron is a frogging baby. 

· That's essentially it. 

Since I'm such an opinionated little cuss, I figured I would go over some of the books I've read since March and some of the TV shows I've crazily become addicted to... Because if I utilized this post to vent... well.... I'm sure my lovely stalkers- I mean readers would have a few choice words to say about me. (Get over it already)

Books (yes, they still make these)

· If I Stay · Pretty incredible/horribly tragic/terrible ending/I really liked it. Back in April, I saw the previews for the movie based on this book and thought it looked really interesting. Naturally, I felt I had to read the book before even thinking about seeing the movie, I dove into this love story. It isn't typical. It is straight up SAD. If you are looking for a quick, witty, emotional read then definitely check it out. I will say, after reading this there is no way I want to see the movie. If you've read it, then you understand.

· The Stark Trilogy · Okay, I really did not like 50 shades. So sue me. But this trilogy..... well.... it's uuhhh.... it's nice. I recommend it. el oh el.

· Psychos · This is the second book written by "Babe Walker". As most of my readers know, I LOVED White Girl Problems. I will say, it is funny... and good... but it's not as good as WGP. I'm still planning on rereading it. But... it wasn't as EL OH EL funny as WGP. Still screen-shotted a boat load of pages, however. 

· Are you there vodka, it's me Chelsea ·  READ IT! Like now! and while you are at it download....

· My Horizontal Life · You'll thank me later. The Chapter 'Shut up already' is absolutely hilarious. I read a lot of the chapters out loud to the coach while we were driving somewhere. He enjoyed them. You will too.

· The Fault In Our Stars · Let me be the first to say, I DID NOT want to like this book. After seeing the  previews for the movie, I was so upset. Tris and Caleb can not be in love. That's incest. And I may be from Lancaster County, but I do not support kissing cousins/siblings/the family pet. But, I caved and read the book. And I have to admit -- IT WAS AMAZING! It's a really short, quick read... I read it from cover to cover in 6 hours (it was a slow day). But, holy gracious, it is amazing. I didn't cry like Pinterest tells you you will. Okay, maybe I did a little. But instead of being really sad at the end, I smiled. The book is so wonderfully written. I know it sounds corny, but it is the most beautiful book I've ever read. I recommend it to everyone - young, old, Christian, Wiccan, in-love, pissed-at-life, everyone! I'm still working up the courage to see the movie. I know I will cry. And again, I really do not want to see Tris and Caleb kissing. It will just ruin everything. 

Currently reading....

· Is everyone hanging out without me? · I made the mistake of starting this after reading the Chelsea Handler books. Don't do that. Mindy isn't nearly as funny as Chelsea. At least I don't think so.

· City of Heavenly Fire - Mortal Instruments Series · So far, it is much like the 5 books before it... not bad enough to scrap it completely but not good enough that you can't put it down. I don't mind it... I'm making myself finish it because I feel obligated to complete the series. But it kind of sucks. Just saying. The writer should have stopped with the first one. I'm not really into supernatural stuff, though... Unless it's Harry Potter. I flipping love Harry Potter.

T.V. Series (God Bless netflix and my ADD)

· Orange is the new black ·  Thank you, Rebecca Hamilton, for recommending this show. HOLY COW IT'S AWESOME. Except for the whole lesbian thing. Contrary to my haircut, I'm not into girl on girl anything. But again, past that, both season 1 and 2 are freaking incredible. It makes prison look fun.... something tells me I'm going to regret putting that on the internet.... :/

· Pretty Little Liars · I know, I'm super late jumping on the PLL bandwagon. But I don't care. I have to have something playing when I edit pictures. It's just a thing. My previous boss/amazing friend/about to be the most gorgeous mommy ever, Blaine Fisher, can attest to that. It just helps your productivity. So when I started editing to Netflix, it suggested I watch PLL. I was skeptical. But now, I'm addicted. And the coach hates it. End of story. Oh - one last thing.... Ezra Fitz is freaking gorgeous. That is all.

· Ladies of London ·  LOVE. Better than RHOanything. Caroline Stanbury is the definition of perfection.

· RHOC · Shannon, you're crazy. Everyone needs to stop picking on Heather. She is amazing. Right up there with C_Stanbury. 

· FIFA World Cup ·  If the coach makes me watch one more game, I will cry. Unless David Beckham is still playing.... Is he still playing? Cuz, I'll watch the shizz out of that game. 

And on that note, the coach is calling for me to meet him at the school so we can go look at our potential new home (way more important than blogging (yay for being a grown-up! (insert eye roll))). 

PS- the coach and I are judging a show together on his birthday. Isn't that kind of awesome? #nerdstatus 

PPS- HAPPY BIRTHDAY MYKA BLISSARD!!!! Love you, girl!!!!

Until next time my faithful non-stalkers.

Kisses

-J

(because I am THAT obsessed)

• March •

I see a trend forming. I am really quite terrible at keeping up with this thing. I will work on this issue... maybe.

Since my last post, a lot has happened. San Antonio ended. Houston started... and finished. It was rad. Loved every second of it.... well not EVERY second... but almost every day ;). 

Team #blinnwin sophomores finished up their spring season, thus their juco career. I am extremely proud of them. In 2014, the team was either champion or reserve at every contest. Awesome job, y'all! 

I figured after Houston was over, I would have a life. hahaha, yeah no. Senior sessions, weddings, bridals, and engagements sessions are stacking up quite nicely. It looks like April will have a high frame rate for sure :) That makes me a happy photog...

Now, let's get to more important topics... Like a movie review. If you follow me on twitter, or facebook, or anything really, then you know that I LOVE the Divergent book series. Like LOVE. I mean, I have a "be brave" tattoo for crying out loud. So, with that said, I have been very excited for the release of the Divergent movie. But, since it happened around the same time as the steer show at Houston, I had to wait until after we were done with the show to see it. Since leaving the grounds Sunday night, I've seen the movie three times. Judge me. But, with that many views, you know my review is going to be pretty spot on. So here we go.

Divergent :: Overall rating 3.0 gigs out of 4

First and foremost, I completely understand that most every book-turned-movie films are not going to be 100% exact. With that said, this movie strays from the book... a lot. The first time I watched the movie, I hated it. I think this is because I knew what should have been happening next, and was anticipating it. However, with my second watch, I let those expectations go and actually just plain enjoyed the movie. Most of the parts that did stray from the book were done so well... total improvements, really. Yes, there were parts that I wish would have gone differently, but there were also some parts that went above and beyond what I envisioned while reading. Prime example would be the warrior games. I LOVED this part of the movie. Amazing. Loved the changes - and LOVED that the zip-line was added here. On that note - the zip-line scene was hands down my favorite. If you have read all three books, you should know why this scene made me cry a little. Absolutely amazing. 

I thought the general vision or artistry or whatever of the film was super BA. The graphics for the city and the different factions - especially the dauntless compound - all were super on point. Oh, and the music selection for the film... SPOT ON!

The movie was casted awesomely. However, I wish more of the characters in the book were present in the movie. But, I do understand that for time purposes, some had to be left out. I also wish the directors would have paid more attention to detail in some scenes... Like right after Tris gets her tattoo and is working late hours in the training room, you see her checking the board.... without a tattoo. Or there was the occasion when someone would have bruised knuckles one minute, then have clean hands the next, then have bruised knuckles again a second later. Or the fact that her tattoo was half coming off after her first sim during stage 2. I'm a freak for noticing things like this, but they all kind of jumped out at me the first time I watched it. 

Now, with both my positives and negatives stated, here is my final word - I LOVED the movie (changes included) up until Tris and Tobias get caught during the attack simulation. After that, I think the movie goes to heck. Why would you change how Tris's mom finds her? Or how Tris's mom dies, for that matter? (I realize she technically dies the same way... but come on...) Or how the attack simulation is being controlled? OR THE FACT THAT TRIS SAYS I LOVE YOU BEFORE TOBIAS. All big no-no's for me. 

However, I DID drag my butt to the theater three times already to watch Divergent, so obviously I really liked it. The reason it gets a 3.0 for me is due to some of the lower-budget looking scenes (I can see the blur around their heads... bad green screen editing), and for the last 15 minutes of the movie. Past that, I really loved it. 

If you haven't read the book, you'll like the movie. If you have read the book... I think you'll still like it a whole bunch.

I mean, it's a crap-ton better than all those stupid Twilight movies. 

I mean, Theo James.... need I say more?

Allow me to explain

So clearly everyone and their neighbor thought I was referring to them specifically in my last post. I wasn't. Here are the exceptions to my vent (as in, that post was not about you) ::

*Mothers/parents/siblings/ag teachers/county agents taking pictures of their kids. My mom took pictures of us. I will take pictures of my children. Y'all are not who I mean. AT ALL.
*People the show has contacted/contracted/paid to take media shots for the show's website/press release purposes ONLY. 100% of these type people introduce themselves to us, are wonderful to work with, and know what their job is as well as ours. They hand their images into the show each day, and never worry about them again. Nor do they take the time to promote them. They work for the show, not for themselves.
*iPhone photographers.
*Most breed reps. Example of awesome breed reps - the crew at the limmy association. A-mazing. That's not to say they are the only breed that is wonderful to work with... just using them as an example.
*Breeders. If you bred the calf, you have every right to take a picture of the calf from ringside.
*Publications, as long as they are not hindering the potential income of the official photographer - i.e. not selling images, or handing out images that are identical to what the official photographer is shooting.
*Around the grounds photographers. I'm talking like picturing fitters, grounds shots, people pictures, cool scenic type stuff. This does not include promotional shots of a single animal at.... oh let's say, Denver. I can think of an individual you can ask as to why that's a big no-no.
*If there isn't an official photographer, do whatcha want.

**Oh- and if you really want a picture of your exhibitor in the ring, just ask us... if we are able, we ALWAYS fill those requests.

Now, here is why I - like 100% of the livestock photographers who have ever been an "official show photographer" - am upset. I love this job. It is my everything. And, ultimately, these people are hindering my job and thus my life. It is my passion, and it is also my income. So yes, I'm upset... Because these type of photographers are -essentially- purposely taking money away from the official photographer. Stock shows seek out what photography company they would like to use. Sometimes, they even pay them to be there. They trust that we will give the exhibitors the most professional product.

On that note- Try to do those pictures at some shows, and you will be banned from the grounds. And that is NOT in our control. At all. The show is the one that watches for those type people and is the one that wants them out.

So, think what you want of me. But I can almost bet, those of you who were unhappy with my post have never been an official photographer. Now, I know my vent will not stop this issue. We have been dealing with this kind of unprofessionalism since the invention of the scissor pose (thanks, Walt;) ). But, if you read my blog...well... maybe you'll think twice about trying to be the unofficially ring shot photographer at a show or event that has not hired you or asked you to cover it.



Thank you to everyone who called, texted, messaged, voiced words of love and positivity about my last post. Y'all are the ones who know me and the person I really am.

Vent Session Saturday

Currently, I'm sitting in a hotel overlooking the Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas. Tomorrow we start day 10 of SALE. It's been an incredible show thus far. Lots of excitement for my show babies, and also lots of disappointment for them. If y'all follow me on social media, than you know how much I love my show family and how much they mean to me....

But anyway... with the thought process of love, also comes the thought process of what you do not love. And thus, another vent session must commence.

If you are not the official show photographer, I don't give a DAMN what media credentials you have, get the eff out of my ring and away from my backdrop. I'm so sick of seeing people post their ringshots, with a tacky logo, or some GOD AWFUL effect on the image. Or a yards shot that is FREAKING TERRIBLE. And get the HELL AWAY FROM THE BACKDROP! What is wrong with you?!?!? You aren't the one that set-up the animal. I AM. You taking that image gives the indication that you did the work on getting that animal looking the way it does. AND YOU DIDN'T. And that's a copyright violation. And makes people think you are more talented than you are. Which is wrong. Cuz I know what kind of set-ups y'all are capable of. And - to put it nicely - they don't look like ours. Now why y'all gonna go and lie to a bunch of innocent exhibitors?

Done pretending. If I whipped my camera out at a show that I was not the official photog for, y'all would have a come apart. So, you pull that low budget camera out around me again, and just be prepared for me to lose all respect for you.

You want to take pictures, EARN THE RIGHT TO BE THE OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER. You know how many exhibitors laugh at the work y'all type of "professionals" are doing? Like a freaking lot. And, no, I am not just saying that.

I love watching "photographers" pop up and then dwindle out within three years.

Just saying.



****This DOES NOT include show mommas trying to get cool pictures of JUST their children. Or breeders who want to take pics of the cattle they bred, raised and sold, like Pearl. Cause Pearl is awesome. And she respects ShowChampions. ****

Branding myself

I'm not exactly a girly girl. Like at all. If you see me at a stock show and I'm wearing make-up... well, consider yourself lucky. Cause it hardly ever happens. And "bling"? Ha! Yeah, that word is not on my radar. I have my staple jewelry pieces that I wear daily - that being my wedding and engagement ring, my aggie ring, my grammy's ring, and my diamond earrings the coach got me as a wedding gift. Oh, and I guess my helix stud too. Can't really take that out yet. 

Anyway! That all being said, I don't typically wear a lot of jewelry or change my pieces up all that much. However, I have become addicted to Courtney Kerr and her blog What Courtney Wore - thus becoming OBSESSED with BaubleBar. When she featured her hashtag/@ necklace on her blog (around Christmas), I was immediately in love with the idea. And since it was during the "giving" season, I decided to treat myself to this beauty >>>

I am seriously BEYOND obsessed with this necklace. And yes, I look like death eating a cracker in this picture. Go ahead and judge me. But I'm just that frogging excited for my "brand". 

Yes. I am 100% aware that there should be an apostrophe in between the 's' and the 'w'. But for those of you who know how hashtags work, you know that's not an option. Yes, it drives me bat-poop-cray-cray. But I'm having to deal with it. So I suggest y'all do the same. 

Okay, I just wanted to brag about my new purchase and give a HUGE shout-out to the crew at Bauble Bar for making some seriously amazing pieces of jewelry. They might actually turn me into a girly girl. 

Ha! That's a laugh.