Out of Character

Yesterday I went hiking with two other friends.  We were in the Lake George area where there are a lot of outlet stores.  On the way to the hike I spied a clothing store that I particularly like, so I asked the others if they would mind stopping there after the hike.  No problem!

Practically everything in the store was on sale--big time, woot, woot! I found a few things I wanted and when I was getting ready to pay for my items, I noticed a jewely rack.  I saw these earrings and decided to get them.  They are totally out of character for me.  I don't usually wear such flashy jewelry, but there's just something about them that I love.

It's kind of scary stepping out of the box like that, but kind of invigorating too. 

When I was in Hawaii this past winter, I worked for a photo company (that shall remain nameless on the internet by their request/command).  Each day we would go into a school and photograph the kids for yearbook pics/IDs/spring memories.  At the end of each photography season (in this case, the spring season), we employees are encouraged to submit a sampling of our work to the Portrait Excellence Competition. 

We choose a school where we think we did a good job, then the computer generates a random collection of 25 images for submission.  That's so tenuous.  In any given 25 images, someone isn't smiling the best, someone's hair wasn't groomed properly, someone's hand position isn't "just right", someone's shoelace isn't tied...you get the point.

The 25 images are then submitted to the national judges.  Awards are then made. 

The only reason I made a submission is because my supervisors kind of told me I had to.  I don't usually feel too good about my work, and I certainly don't think my work is good enough to enter into a national competition.

When I got home today, there was a pkg for me from one of my supervisors.  The first thing I noticed was a bundle of checks that I didn't even know I was supposed to get but were issued to me after I returned to NY.  Hip, hip, hooray--I want to buy a new tripod and they will certainly help.

The second thing I noticed was a photo that was taken of us workers at one of the last proms we photographed. I forgot to get it before I returned to NY.  Another hip, hip, hooray--a great memory.

And the third thing I noticed was my Portrait Excellence Award!!!!  Oh.    My.    Gosh!!  At first I thought it was a joke, but then I realized it was real.  I am so PSYCHED!!!  It's amazing what even a small amount of affirmation can do for your perception of your work. 

I just want to say, Thank You, Thank You, Thank You.  I'm still pinching myself!