Member Spotlight for 5/7/06: Clixpix

[russian blue]

Originally Posted by clixpix

3. What hobbies do you have?

Oh man, I have so many. I do quite a bit of photography, but since I get paid for it, I guess it's not a hobby.

If you don't mind sharing, I'd be interested to hear more about your photography. What type of photography are you being paid for? Did you market yourself or did the job come to you? What camera are you currently using?

 

[clixpix]

(

What was the last thing you ate?

I'm eating a bowl of All Bran with skim milk right now.

Favorite type of cake?

Carrot cake with cream cheese frosting...yum!

What song, when you hear it, makes you stop everything, turn it up and dance and sing along?

If I'm alone, I sing along to everything! For some reason, though, Prince's 1999 always catches my attention. Much to their dismay, I will even sing along if others are present!

If you had to live somewhere other than Chicago, where would it be?

If money were no object, and I could easily fly to visit family and friends, then I'd have to say Hawaii. It's so peaceful there.

Where did you go on the last vacation you took?

Does going to Wisconsin last weekend for my niece's first communion count?

Before that, I went to New Jersey to visit a friend, and we went to NYC.

What is the oldest thing in your refridgerator? How old is it?

Mostly it's clean, but there's probably some cheese in there that's about a month old...maybe I should check that?

Favorite TV show?

Lost. That show is sooo good!

Closest tourist Attraction to you?

Wrigley Field

What is JinJin's favorite toy?

She's got two, the Track Ball, and her Kitty Glow Ball...she goes nuts over those things!

Best gift you ever received?

I remember when I was, I think, in second grade, and I got a "Velvet" doll...she was one of those dolls that you press the button on their stomach, and you can pull her hair out until it's long...anyone remember those? I wanted on so bad, and I remember being very excited.

Worst gift you ever received?

I remember one Christmas, years ago, and my mother had bought me an outfit that I would never have worn in a million years...I just hated it! I didn't say anything, but she asked me the next day whether I liked them. I did confess to her that it wasn't "my style", so we went to the store and exchanged them. Oh, they were awful!

favorite flower?

I think Peonys are beautiful. I also love really unique tulips.


what is your favorite piece of jewelry?

I have a silver tennis-style bracelet that has blue topaz and peridot stones. I've worn it a million times.


What color is your bedspread?

It's a light greenish-yellow spread. Sound gross, but it's actually pretty!

what color shirt do you have on right now?

I still have my PJ's on...so purple!

socks?

Bare feet!

Favorite candy?

Reese's peanut butter cups

What is your best personality trait?

A good sense of humor...I can find humor in lots of things

Your worst?

I have a low frustration level.

Do you play a musical instrument?

I played guitar a bit in high school, but I completely sucked at it. I have no musical talent. None.

Are you a morning person or a night owl?

Definitely a night owl!

Do you normally cook, get take-out, or go out to eat?

I normally cook, but I love going out to dinner!

Paper or Plastic?

Plastic, but I'm a freak about recycling!

What is one thing you spoil yourself with?

I love Bath & Body works soaps and lotions!

Do you have violent tendencies?

Not so far.

What would you do if you saw a unicorn?

Take a picture of it!

Are you easily offended?

If it's a personal thing, then yes.

What do you usually drink with dinner?

Diet Coke, or Diet Dr. Pepper.

Are you ears pierced? Anything else pierced?

Yes, my ears are pierced, and the cartilage on one ear. Nothing else is pierced.

Do you usually drive:

a. under the speed limit(by how much)
b. the speed limit(why?)
c. over the speed limit(by how much)

Option C. Usually five to ten miles over.

Favorite fruit?

Raspberries

Favorite vegetable?

Carrots

If you won the lottery, what would you do first?

Go see a lawyer!

I have my plan on who I'd split the money with, and we'd need to suss that out.

If you are driving down the road, and pass some cows, do you moo?

No, but I'll probably do it from now on!

Do you sing in the car?

Always, always, always!

How often do you visit TCS?

At least once a day, often twice a day.

What's one thing you have always wanted to do, but never have?

I've been to the British Isles, but I've never visited the rest of Europe. I'd love to!

 

[clixpix]

Originally Posted by Russian Blue

If you don't mind sharing, I'd be interested to hear more about your photography. What type of photography are you being paid for? Did you market yourself or did the job come to you? What camera are you currently using?

I always did photography for fun. One day, a girl I work with offered to pay me to take pictures of her daughter. We just went to the park & by the lake, and took pictures. She loved them! Then others started asking for the same. Over time I started to acquire equipment...light kits, back drops, darkroom equipment. I mostly do portraits, mostly of children, or women when they're pregnant (quite a fad now). I still mostly work with film, and I use my Canon EOS. I generally charge a "sitting fee", then a set price per roll of film I use (includes the price of the film, developing, and set of proofs, plus a bit more). After that, I have a price list for various sizes of pictures that they can order. I keep the negatives, and have them filed.

Right now, for me it's mostly word of mouth. I don't have a separate space, and I don't want to advertise for strangers because I don't think it's safe to have them in my home.

Kass, you definitely need to get into the business. You have an incredible eye, and a monster talent, you really do. I know you do digital, so you'd have to look into how to best print pictures, whether in your home or somewhere else. Figure out what your time is worth, and charge for it. Figure out how much each print costs you (in all sizes), and come up with a price list.

Start a portfolio...people really need to see the kind of work you do. There is a lot of money to be made in portraits, so maybe take some shots of a friend's child, and put them in there. Pet photography is huge right now too. If you don't mind traveling, you could advertise, and list your cell phone as a contact. You could meet them at their home, at a park or playground, or I've gone to botanical gardens and conservatories to shoot photos...it's a naturally beautiful setting for photos, and you don't have to invest in a lot of equipment.

I've tried photographing weddings, but I hate them, but maybe that's something you'd be interested in. People will spend a lot of money on wedding photos (and rightfully so). I just never had the time to do them, and I find them too stressful, but that's me.

Start showing off your printed photos! The more you show them to people, the more people will remember you when a friend or family member mentions that they need pictures taken.

Good luck! I hope you take the plunge! You can PM anytime if you have questions.

 

[russian blue]

Originally Posted by clixpix

Kass, you definitely need to get into the business. ......Start a portfolio...people really need to see the kind of work you do. ......... You can PM anytime if you have questions.

Thanks so much for the reply and encouragement Kelly. I hope to put an initial portfolio together and getting out there. I'll be sure to contact you soon.

 

[clixpix]

Originally Posted by Russian Blue

Thanks so much for the reply and encouragement Kelly. I hope to put an initial portfolio together and getting out there. I'll be sure to contact you soon.

Great! I can't wait to hear about the progress you make on what is sure to be a thriving photography business!

I'm here for whatever help you might need.

 

[deb25]

Ok, Ryan wanted me to ask you if you have ever broken a bone.

 

[clixpix]

Originally Posted by Deb25

Ok, Ryan wanted me to ask you if you have ever broken a bone.

That's just like Ryan, isn't it?

Well, I'm fresh out of verified broken bones, but I was at a wedding once, and a stiletto-wearing bridesmaid stomped on my foot just below the pinkie toe.

It hurt for over a year, and I still carry a bit of a scar. I'm pretty sure it was broken...does that count? Do you think that will satisfy Ryan?

 

[AbbysMom]

Do you take your vitamins every morning?

Are you a plant person?

A bunch of us are coming to dinner. What are we eating? drinking? is the house clean?

Would you rather sleep in the same bed with someone with poison ivy or sleep in the bottom bunk of creaking bunk beds with a 400-pound man in the top bunk?

What is harder to get out of: bed or shower/bath?

Which is worse: A guy next to you on a plane that won't stop snoring, or a baby on the plane that won't stop crying?

Which is worse: A) a bad picture on your passport or B) a bad picture on your yearbook?

Do you feel naked for the rest of the day if you forget to put your watch on in the morning?

Do you cut your sandwiches or just eat them whole?

Do you break things when you are angry?

Do ants invade your house every summer?

If you see a spider near you, but lose track of where it goes, do you start to feel itchy?

Would you rather have your own private jet or your own private yacht?

Do you prefer answering or asking questions?

Favorite Beauty product?

Favorite cleaning product?

favorite thing hanging on your wall right now? and please post a pic

How many blankets do you have on your bed right now?

Favorite room in your house/apartment?

Favorite magazine?

What was the worst thing about being in the spotlight this week?

The best?

Have you decided who our next member spotlight will be?

What color towels do have in your bathroom - are they all matched ?

Are you a member of any club, organization?

Any charities that you support?

Do you recycle?

What's at the end of the rainbow?

 

[clixpix]

Do you take your vitamins every morning?

Nope, not since I stopped taking Flintstone chewables!

Are you a plant person?

I used to be, but I got sick of them, so I sold them at a yard sale.

A bunch of us are coming to dinner. What are we eating? drinking? is the house clean?

Yay!!! When are you coming? I make a killer lasagne, garlic bread, and I'll whip up some decadent dessert, so we could pig out on that. We could drink lots of wine at dinner, and then move on to margaritas later! As far as house cleanliness, it's usually pretty clean. Right now I'm in the middle of a huge spring cleaning...getting rid of a lot of clutter, cleaning closets, etc...but I could get it all together by the time you all get here!

Would you rather sleep in the same bed with someone with poison ivy or sleep in the bottom bunk of creaking bunk beds with a 400-pound man in the top bunk?

Umm...I think in the interest of personal safety, I'd pick the poison ivy...I could survive that!

What is harder to get out of: bed or shower/bath?

Bed. Hands down.

Which is worse: A guy next to you on a plane that won't stop snoring, or a baby on the plane that won't stop crying?

Oy. Nightmare either way! I would think the baby would be worse...that sound carries!

Which is worse: A) a bad picture on your passport or B) a bad picture on your yearbook?

The yearbook's worse. You only have a passport for 10 years, yearbooks are forever!

Do you feel naked for the rest of the day if you forget to put your watch on in the morning?

OMG, yes! I can't stand that, and I've been known to buy a cheapie watch just to get by!

Do you cut your sandwiches or just eat them whole?

I really don't have a preference...I guess I eat them whole.

Do you break things when you are angry?

Never.

Do ants invade your house every summer?

No. Here we get those those nasty little millipedes...I'd prefer ants!

If you see a spider near you, but lose track of where it goes, do you start to feel itchy?

Hah! Yes I do!

Would you rather have your own private jet or your own private yacht?

Jet. You can go anywhere with a jet, but you're limited with a yacht.

Do you prefer answering or asking questions?

Answering I guess...I certainly never could have come up with the types of questions you think up. They're hysterical!

Favorite Beauty product?

Oil of Olay regenerist face scrub...it's awesome!

Favorite cleaning product?

The Works for cleaning bathrooms

favorite thing hanging on your wall right now? and please post a pic

I have a couple of things, my grandparents wedding portraits that I hand-colored, and a picture I took years ago, which is my favorite. I'm going to try to post the pictures later. My digital camera is acting like an idiot right now.

How many blankets do you have on your bed right now?

Well, it's :censor::censor::censor::censor::censor::censor::censor:' freezing here right now, so I have two.

Favorite room in your house/apartment?

The room I spend the most time is the one I'm in right now. It's a spare bedroom/computer room. The prettiest room is the living room.

Favorite magazine?

Truthfully, I don't read magazines much anymore. People I guess.

What was the worst thing about being in the spotlight this week?

Well, thank God for the few of you asking questions...not that many people have.

The best?

Well, who doesn't like a little attention?

Seriously, though, I love reading the questions, they truly have made me laugh!

Have you decided who our next member spotlight will be?

Yep...it's going to be a good one!

What color towels do have in your bathroom - are they all matched ?

I have yellow towels in there right now. Yep, they're matched.

Are you a member of any club, organization?

No. With my schedule, it's difficult to attend meetings, etc.

Any charities that you support?

I volunteer with PAWS shelter here in Chicago...fostering and taking pics for their website. I've given to the Red Cross & OxFam during different disasters.

Do you recycle?

Obsessively.

What's at the end of the rainbow?

???

 

[deb25]

Originally Posted by clixpix

Do you think that will satisfy Ryan?

I am sincerely hoping so. He is quite difficult.

 

[cheeseface]

Gahhhhhh! I still have to catch up with this thread and terrorize you before the weekend is out Kelly!

Until then,

1. Do you have dimples anywhere else but your right cheek?

 

[cheeseface]

Oh yeah, one more thing. Have you ever broken any bones? (I can't believe no one has asked that yet.

)

 

[clixpix]

Originally Posted by Hydroaxe

Gahhhhhh! I still have to catch up with this thread and terrorize you before the weekend is out Kelly!

Until then,

Time is perilously close to running out!

1. Do you have dimples anywhere else but your right cheek?

Hah! No wonder you scored 200% on the "how evil are you" test! If you're referring to dimples I was born with...no. If you are referring to dimples that one develops over time....perhaps.

 

[clixpix]

Originally Posted by Hydroaxe

Oh yeah, one more thing. Have you ever broken any bones? (I can't believe no one has asked that yet.

)

Yeah, that is weird.

Seriously, though, I am out of documented and undocumented broken bone stories. Let's see if I can come up with an injury story that will sate your macabre fascination with pain...

...well, how about this: I was probably about 4 years old. We had this big, heavy rocking chair which was really an upholstered chair with a rocking chair bottom. Two of my sisters were in it, and I wanted to get in it too. When I walked up to it, it rocked over my big toe, which split right down the middle. It involved lots of blood and blinding pain...will that do?

 

[clixpix]

Originally Posted by AbbysMom

favorite thing hanging on your wall right now? and please post a pic

Okay, I finally got my camera working. This is a copy I made of my grandparents' wedding portraits that I hand colored. Sadly I used the wrong kind of tape to mount these, so they're deteriorating on the edges. I need to redo them someday.



This is one of my favorite photos that I've taken.

 

[cheeseface]

Alright, I get to catch up with this thread now.

1. How does Jin Jin wake you up in the morning?

2. If Jin Jin could answer in English, what 3 questions would you ask her?

3. So, you like fries with cheese. Do you like fries with cheese and gravy? Does that hot dog stand serve the fries with just straight cheese?

4. Have you ever had to do the half naked hobble to get another roll of toilet paper? What's the farthest you had to hobble?

5. You out for a night on the town. Do you prefer, beer, wine, hard liquor, or sweet drinks?

6. You're out on a date. What will you have for those "two drinks and I'm done"?

7. How much don't you weigh?

8. Where wouldn't you like to go in China?

9. What's not your favorite salad dressing.

10. Do you have any pictures of you dancing on the bar from your wild days?

11. Okay, do you want some?

12. Have any bones ever broken you?

13. Did you ever quit dating someone because of a small quirk or two that you just couldn't stand? What and Why?

14. What should I have asked for question 12?

15. Did the bowl of All Bran work?

16. Do you pour in more than the suggested serving just to make sure?

17. Do you prefer any particular shade of purple?

18. Are you wearing a watch right now?

19. Can you impart any dating wisdom to me or any of us? What is it?

 

[clixpix]

Alright, I get to catch up with this thread now.

I was this close to escaping your evil clutches this week!

1. How does Jin Jin wake you up in the morning?

Y'all are going to be jealous, but that girl is lazy! I don't see the whites of her eyes until somewhere between noon and 2pm! I keep "feral hours" myself, so we're both up until the wee hours. I think she's pretty tired by then.

2. If Jin Jin could answer in English, what 3 questions would you ask her?

"What did you go through when you were living on the street?"

"Are you ever going to sit on my lap?"

"Are you happy?"

3. So, you like fries with cheese. Do you like fries with cheese and gravy? Does that hot dog stand serve the fries with just straight cheese?

Why would I screw up a perfectly good order of cheese fries with gravy? I think they'd serve the fries however you want. Heck, they'd probably serve you a bowl of cheese, hold the fries, if that's what your heart desires.

4. Have you ever had to do the half naked hobble to get another roll of toilet paper? What's the farthest you had to hobble?

On occasion, but I usually try to plan ahead better than that.

Fortunately I had the foresight to put the extra paper in the closet that is only a couple of feet from the bathroom.

5. You out for a night on the town. Do you prefer, beer, wine, hard liquor, or sweet drinks?

I used to be a beer drinker, but I'm more of a wine drinker these days.

6. You're out on a date. What will you have for those "two drinks and I'm done"?

What? I don't think I understand the question. I'm not being a smart aleck, I just really don't understand what you're asking.

7. How much don't you weigh?

I don't weigh 353, or 98, or 187, or 211, or 165...Oh, I could go on and on...

8. Where wouldn't you like to go in China?

McDonalds

9. What's not your favorite salad dressing.

Ranch dressing is not my favorite.

10. Do you have any pictures of you dancing on the bar from your wild days?

Fortunately, no!

11. Okay, do you want some?

Why??? Who have you been talking to?

12. Have any bones ever broken you?

Well, there's a nice little double entendre!

I'd have to say no.

13. Did you ever quit dating someone because of a small quirk or two that you just couldn't stand? What and Why?

Yes, there was one guy that I had to break up with. I'd have to say, though, that his quirks were not small. He ate like a pig...I mean it was really bad! He knew I can't stand bare feet on me, and he insisted on putting his on me, and his bathroom "aim" was off...way off! In retrospect, how the heck did I put up with him at all???

14. What should I have asked for question 12?

"Have you ever broken any bones?"

15. Did the bowl of All Bran work?

Surprisingly, I wasn't eating it for medicinal purposes, I actually do like it. If I had to hazard a guess, I would say that it probably did work...an extra added benefit!

16. Do you pour in more than the suggested serving just to make sure?

Have you no shame?

I believe I am well within the parameters of the suggested serving!

17. Do you prefer any particular shade of purple?

Deep purple is the best. It's the color of my living room!

18. Are you wearing a watch right now?

But of course!

19. Can you impart any dating wisdom to me or any of us? What is it?

Well, considering I'm still single, I don't know if I'm the best person to advise anyone else!

It sounds cliche, but I read, "Men are From Mars, Women are From Venus" and I have to say it was pretty insightful. I doubt you need dating advice Ryan...you just have to want to be dating!

Thanks for the questions Ryan!

 

[fwan]

Kelly!!
I bet you were wondering why i havent posted yet!
I have been extremely busy, but i will give you a little task before you pass on to the next person.

Please finish off this off in fwanese.

Dew wawz a wittle kitten nawmed FLOWA, he wan thwough the whilly hills seawching and seawching for something... Its Wed, outwagious, and luvable!
wawt wawz dis Kelly??

Pweaze mawke tew sentences out of dis

 

[clixpix]

Kelly!!
I bet you were wondering why i havent posted yet!
I have been extremely busy, but i will give you a little task before you pass on to the next person.

Please finish off this off in fwanese.

Dew wawz a wittle kitten nawmed FLOWA, he wan thwough the whilly hills seawching and seawching for something... Its Wed, outwagious, and luvable!
wawt wawz dis Kelly??

Pweaze mawke tew sentences out of dis

Hi Fwan!

I'm so glad you asked about Flower, she's had quite the adventure! Here's how it ends...in fwanese:

Flowa's seawch came to an end...thew he was...hew wuv, Spot...in the beautifew wed house he bewt foah hew. Heaw they could find peace, shawing a wuv that othews don't undewstand!


Their story always brings a tear to my eye!

 

[AbbysMom]

Now that your spotlight is nearing an end, what should we have asked that we didn't? Anything you want to share with 2,000 of your closest friends?