How's Untitled for a Title?

Tonight I was a Real photographer. A designer who works for one of my clients asked me to shoot a charity "gala" about a month ago. Sure, why not I thought. I won't be paid, but hey, I could use it as a tax write-off. I arrived at the event with a very casual attitude. No big deal.

Until I realized this wasn't just any ole charity event.

Upon arrival, I picked up a program to see the Governor's name on the cover as a chairperson and his name inside the program, as well as the Lt. Governor and the Mayor of Atlanta as part of the presentation. Turns out, this was no small potatoes event. 500 people or so at the Atlanta History Center to honor a local charity that has been around for well over 100 years. The former first lady of the city was there, apparently a big contributor, as were many other "important" people in attendance. Now, the status of the people matter little to me as I believe people are people regardless of their social and/or political rank, but I think it demonstrates the magnitude of the event.

I actually shot this 5-hour event by myself, and I don't mind saying that I did one hell of a job. My name was even in the program as a contributor. Cool.

The event itself was fantastic. I even got a little tear-y at moments (there were some genuine heartfelt moments). But at the end of the night, I couldn't help but laugh and shake my head about how I ended up there with no clue as to what I was in store for.

My-oh-my how life is interesting. Despite feeling completely bored by it (life) sometimes, it somehow manages to keep surprising me.

Ding Dong My Roommate's Gone!

Living with people is hard. I've lived with people. I've lived alone. I've lived with people again. Then I've lived alone again. Throw in one more round for the people in the cheap seats in the back. God it's good to live alone again.

My roommate just moved out of state three weeks ago. Dear, dear friend. Pretty good roommate. Really never any problems. But I don't even miss her, and she's not only gone, she is far gone. I know I will eventuallly miss my friend, but I was suffocating. Right now I can't help but relish the fact that I can breathe again. Of course, our place was a glorified dorm room as I liked to call it. Tiny.

The night before she moved out, I got a hotel room because I just couldn't take it any more. Just Her in my Space. Her money problems being my financial burden. Her issues becoming, in a way, my issues. Our energy morphing into each other's energy simply due to proximity. I felt like her mother in a way, and I am not codependent. Ha, maybe that was the problem (that I am not codependent). I couldn't take feeling like I was merged with somebody that I didn't want to merge with.

I like to inspire people. I like to show friends a good time. I like to be supportive. I like to listen and proffer thoughts, wisdom, comfort. But that's my choice, and when I can't choose my choice because it becomes Expected or Needed, then I start to feel oppressed.

I can only live my life. I can't live someone else's for them.

~ the lady love