Making Progress

Walls are coming down in the studio and the electrician will be in this week. We moved my desk over last night. The new studio lights are here and the tracking for the backgrounds. Still need to get a webpage but I'm going to wait until after I have gone to Lewiston to meet with the Herff Jones folks and get their opinion on the webquix sites. I need something seamless for ordering and very easy to use for me and the customer!
We have made 1 of 3 college visits and the IPA fall conference is over. It is normally a very busy season for me and this year it will be even more so with Callie looking at colleges and trying to get this studio going. I am walking less, reading less, knitting less and not playing the piano at all. With the holidays around the corner, followed by mock trial season, followed by Callie's graduation, followed by summer and getting her off to college; I know that things won't let up for a year.

I'm Close!

Today I called and asked the contractor (for the space above the Record Democrat) when he could start and I called the leaser and said I would take the space. Wonder when I'll actually be in? I have an account now with ImageQuix to upload pictures for viewing by customers. Also had a tutuorial on the features of the site. I need a website but I need it cheap! I'm educating myself on that a little at a time. I don't think it needs to be elaborate. I want customers to call me with their orders so I can find out what they want for photoshopping and I definitely don't want to photo shop every image I upload! I was to go to Lewiston tomorrow to learn how to do that but the person who was to teach me is called away for a family death. That is going to be bumped to mid-October but I have plenty to do in the meantime.

I wish I had pictures to post but the suite of rooms are so small that I can't get good ones. The contracter will convert 3 rooms to 1 and that will be a large 18x19 foot room. It has 2 north windows and I'll really like that. Also will have a nice dressing room and an office. Very nice large closet for storing and another smaller one just off the studio for prop storage. All in all I am excited about this.

Can't Sleep

Twelve twenty four a.m. and I can't sleep. Looked at another space for lease today and I think I found where the studio will be. Space above the Record Democrat looks good and is affordable. A bit disappointing after the excitement over the loft but this is much more practical and I think I can get excited about it as I get it in shape. It needs a wall torn out, new carpet, and paint. Two large north windows will light the studio and that is good. I wish the ceilings were higher but they will be adequate at 8 feet 5 inches and the room will be just shy of 12 x 20 at 15 x 19+. It actually will be larger in square feet but it's length I want.

Lots of small rooms, kitchen, bathroom and several closets will come with it. I will be at the end of the hall that accesses several suites. The only other person up there will be Shawn Behrendsen and I will enjoy working near her. No pictures for this post. Maybe later after its pretty!

The Studio That Isn't to Be

I have not dreamed of having a photography studio. I have not dreamed of what one would be. I have decided though, to move my studio out of the house and I have found space that defines the dream studio. The problem is that it is a money pit for utilities. The apartment associated with it is vintage 1950's. All this place needs is updated electrical work, $100 worth of paint, and cleaning. Oh ... and a sheet rock wall across the back half to reduce it in size and MAYBE make it affordable to heat and cool. It is awesome.

I am writing this sitting in a hotel room in Des Moines wishing I was home instead of here by myself. I have a legislative breakfast to go to in the morning and then I am on my way back north. Last year after this event, I only made it as far as Ames. I missed the worst ground blizzarrd Rolfe had had in 23 years while I was sitting in Ames. I don't want that to happen again.

Today I had lunch at la mie bakery on 42nd street after some stocking up at the world market. Then I came to my hotel and checked in, took a walk in the skywalks, and spent a few hours at my computer working on mock trial. I had a pretty good mushroom and banana pepper pizza in the hotel bar before coming back and getting into my flannels and fleece and knitting. I plan to watch public tv at 8:00 and then try to go to sleep so I can wake up early.

The best part is that I'm picking Doris up at Stacy's so I have a travelling companion for my trip home tomorrow. I will get to see the house before we head out for Rolfe.

I think I will get back to my knitting now and we'll see if this blog ends up being anything. I used to journal and I feel bad that I don't do that anymore. This is pretty public and not quite journaling but maybe it is the new journal!