I'm Just Gonna Do What I Want to DO

I was just speaking to my friend Jonathan on the phone, sort of complaining about life. You know the basics, paying off student loans and credit cards, and also why I cannot seem to choose between film and photography as a career path. The problem is that when I work on movies, I have no time for my photography. I feel as if I need to hire a marketing assistant to help prep mailers and make telephone calls for me so that I can really get my photo life flowing. Jonathan feels that this is something that I can and should be able to do on my own. I agree with him, although again, being on set for 12 hours day or the next few days is not going to make this very workable. So then he says that "I can do whatever the FREAK I want to do, and if someone disagrees, then screw em" Language was perhaps a bit more colorful. I guess I should work for me instead of trying to do for me around the mans time. Its hard though, and alot of work it can become overwhelming, sometimes its just easier to write someone else a check. He's right, the crazy thing is, I know this already. I suppose its just easier said than done. So again I am going to give myself a refocus and just say to myself: IF SOMEONE DOESN'T LIKE WHAT I AM DOING THEN I NEED TO UNCURL MY MIDDLE FINGER AND JUST KEEP IT MOVING

So I went to Starbucks

So I went to Starbucks today and ordered a Venti, skinny single shot, hazelnut latte. The Skinny latte is something I had been ordering for a while, but recently Starbucks called them “skinny” meaning skim milk and sugar free flavored syrup. Anyway, Starbucks seasonal cookies are to die for. They are by far the best-frosted sugar cookies that I have ever had.
So when I ask the cashier to add a sugar cookie to my bill, do you know that he HAD to get smart, and say to me “Mam, that would defeat the purpose of the skinny latte?” Smart Ass, I mean come on are we in a movie? Who says that for real to someone that they don’t know. I responded, um sir……….um excuse me brother, I was just speechless.

The thing is, he is right. My nutrition game is jacked up, but I don’t need some stranger to tell me that, but maybe I did. It is a known fact to me that my nutrition can be better. I don’t eat much, and I don’t eat often enough, but it’s hard. I am hustling right now and I rather be on top of my game then to stop and eat something. That’s jacked up I know and I am trying to make a conscious effort to eat better, and more often.
Its not an easy task though. I am not going to feel bad for eating my Starbucks frosted cookie either. That chump, really the nerve of some people.

There's Something About Miriam

I love reality t.v.!! I Love New York, The Hills, Project Runway, what can I say its a guilty pleasure of mine, but today I have seen it all. Fox Reality had a show called "Theres Something about Miriam", its a show in the style of "The Bachelor" where men compete for the heart of a women, PLUS a Mediterranean cruise and some money. I was checking it out while I was prepping for a television show. Fast forward to the finale when Miriam must choose, since this was my first time seeing the show it really didnt matter who won, but she picked some guy Tom.
So, then what was it about Miriam? Miriam was a freaking dude!!!! All this time she has been going around with these men kissing on them, and they were falling for her. NOT COOL. She could be hurt over that, come on here is this Jerry Springer. Tom, the winner was chill and said he would still go on the cruise, but then changed his mind cause he was lied to. You cannot do this to people, who does that? Who makes this up as a television show, and actually give it the greenlight. I'm sure they had security on board in case someone wanted to POP OFF, but you know in America that would not have gone down.

Reality Television I am super disappointed. See Check this out, No Doubt though Miriam is a hottie!

Shout it to the Mountain Tops "I'm Saved"

I saved this boy last night. Some random kid who gave me his number online. I said that I was threw talking to online kids but I was bored, and he was somewhat cute, so I texted him. He told me he would call me later, I don't know how but our conversation turned into how he wants to get into the word more, I asked him if he was saved and he said no. I said "duh" but its so simple to be, all you have to do is just say this sentence and actually believe it. I didn't have my bible with me, so I got out of bed and ran downstairs to my car grabbed my bible and turned to Romans 10:9-10. That was it and he was saved. See it doesn't take much.

Gangsta ( a mobile thought from my blackberry)

This was a random thought I had in my blackberry from this past Wednesday when I managed to get to the gym early:

Can I just tell yall I gangasta I feel right now, I woke up at 430 with a big toothache, but I still pressed forward to get to the gym. I'm here early waiting for it to open at 538. I am so proud that I woke up and just kept it moving. That's right Stephanie, your a hustler alright, this is what I have to do if I am going to rock it out. I gotta push forward. This was not easy, but hey!!! Right now I am super duper happy, and proud of myself.

Chicago Artist Coalition: I'm the Artist to Watch

The Chicago Artist Coalition, is this wonderful artist organization that I have been a member of for maybe like 1 or 2 years now. CAC is very much about educating artists about different professional practices, as well as educating the general public about the importance of visual arts to society. To sum it up the CAC is really dope for artists. I've really learned from them, how to step up and just put myself out there in this art world
I received an email from Olga, the executive director of CAC, about being nominated for the Chicago Artist to Watch program. Whoa!!! This is purely God. I mean, I dont really consider myself to be such an artist that would be chosen for such a honor. I mean, I am not really the type of deep photographer with super deep focuses on huge ideals, but maybe its exciting that people see my work for more than just a hot chick standing on a corner or something. I feel that my work is pretty literal and it comes from me and my surroundings. I must say that I am pretty excited about this, until I learned that I have to give a lecture about my work. OH MY GOSH!, please someone shoot me now. I haven't given a speech since my basic public speaking class during my sophomore year in college. Perhaps this is the type of discipline I need for the year. All of this work with the CAC has really made me focus on my photography especially the ,
documentary projects that I want to begin. Sometimes I just need a little push, and CAC has given me that.

Today I Took This Blog Quiz

I was surfing MySpace today when I came to this one chicks who had this personality type quiz posted on here page. It reminded me of when I was a girl and Seventeen Magainzine put out this quiz book, and in this book I was going to define who I was buy choosing one of three reactions to a scrneario. Of course then I took it for gospel,and thought it would be fun to check this quiz out and see what became of it.I took this blog quiz today, and thought it was cute. I think that this is somewhat true, just thought it was fun, and I would share it
You Are An ENFP

The Inspirer

You love being around people, and you are deeply committed to your friends.
You are also unconventional, irreverent, and unimpressed by authority and rules.
Incredibly perceptive, you can usually sense if someone has hidden motives.
You use lots of colorful language and expressions. You're quite the storyteller!

In love, you are quite the charmer. And you are definitely willing to risk your heart.
You often don't follow through with your flirting or professed feelings. And you do break a lot of hearts.

At work, you are driven but not a workaholic. You just always seem to enjoy what you do.
You would make an excellent entrepreneur, politician, or journalist.

How you see yourself: compassionate, unselfish, and understanding

When other people don't get you, they see you as: gushy, emotional, and unfocused

Breaking Down 2008

So perhaps I lied about the other quick blurb about 2008, but I suppose it sort of is a big deal. Besides I’m chilling in the house right now. So I have more time to really reflect on this whole New Year deal.
2008 is on its way here. Originally my plan was to go to church with a friend and stop by my cousin’s house after midnight, but the weather has me chilling in my father’s office typing about the New Year. Hmmmmmm what will happen in 08? I really think the whole New Year deal is a bit overrated. People get all glamed up and go out pay lots of money, to party it up with a bunch of people you don’t know. I am too laidback, and I the chill at someone’s house kind of chick, but tonight I am chilling in the crib, watching Americas Next Top Model Marathons. Its all good, I love it. I really am enjoying just sitting here and being chill.
So, new years resolutions……… even though I am not going to make any official ones for this year I do have my regular things that I always work on and I have decided to break it down.
You would think this is something that I keep personal, but I figure if I put it up here, others that read it can help me keep on it. After all it does take a village to raise a child. (Not that I am a child, but it’s a good quote in reference to teamwork)

Relationships with Others: I must say that I am a pretty cool chick; I am honest, sincere, considerate, and funny. HOWEVER, there is always room for improvement.
I will be nicer to people. Even though I am classified I think as already nice. I can always be nicer, and maybe a bit more aggressive. I am also no longer going to care about what others are doing. If they want my help, that’s great but I am not going out of my way to make sure others get stuff done unless they act that way to me. Not being rude, just 2008 we don’t have time for foolishness.

Networking/Socialite: I am going to go out more. Even if it’s just something chill. I gotta put myself out there more, and this year I will also mail out Christmas Cards. Walk up to people, really perfect the style of schmoozing. Damn, well I said it. Learn the art of Schmoozing.

Friends: I love my friends. I have the best friends in the whole entire world!! I hope that we can enhance our relationships even more. My out of state friends, I can keep in better contact, so I will try. I can make new friends too, but my hommies are the baddest kids in the land!!

Health/Fitness: I have done pretty well with this, in October I started lifting weights and this year I plan to continue to do this, and add cardio. Eat better and just be overall healthier. This is not easy for someone that is such a picky eater such as myself. It’s a challenge that I really want to take on. It would be nice to find a yoga or pilate’s class. Even tai chi would work. I just want to do something where I can relax and just focus on my me, myself and I.

Photography/Visual Art: I am going to continue to work on this, AS I ALWAYS FREAKING DO. Step it up a bit and shoot more, promote more. SHOOT MORE, PROMOTE MORE! I really want to push my photography to the limit. The sky is the limit and I am excited to really rock it out.
I guess this goes with socializing and networking, but I am going to make it out to more art shows and lectures.

God/Church/Spirituality: Duh! Without God, I am nothing. He is the reason I am where I am. He is the reason that I am so free; He is the reason that I am who I am, and why I have so many opportunities ahead of me.

Style: I am really not that bad, but like my relationships, and everything else in my life there is always room for improvement. I think that I just my embrace my femininity a little bit more, and wear more dresses. They are fun. I like them and since I am working out it seems like the easiest piece of clothes to rock. Whatevs, so here goes for me.

Film: the jury is still out on. I know that eventually I am going to have to figure out if I want to do photography or film. I have no idea how to make a balance with this; hopefully 2008 will give me come clarity in this whole situation.

Opposite Sex: Fellas, if they want to ride out with me, I think that is fabulous. My main goal is my photography but hey. I am always down with a nice distraction. The 41/2 year boy and me are no longer so, perhaps it would be nice to be COMPLETELY SINGLE for a bit and just do me.

In Summary I suppose 2008 is just about Stephanie being Stephanie, they way I have always been. I do feel an upgrade coming along. It’s a subtle feeling in my stomach but I know it’s going to be a good year.

2007 was awesome. I met new people, I worked on a lot of movies, and I just had a good time. I hope that in 2008 I also do a better job documenting it via my blogs, and other outlets. Oooooooohhhhhh weeeeeeeee EXCITING!!!!!
Stephanie Graham, Studio Blog. All rights reserved. © Maira Gall.