Happy Valentine's Day if you want it to be, I guess. Hey a Squirrel!

Okay, so there are a lot of opinions about Valentine's Day out there, from the "Plan my life around it" types, to the "Remind everyone why you think it is evil" types. Some people say, "I don't need a holiday to tell my spouse I love them" and other say "If you don't get me a present, I'll divorce you".  

Here in Howktown we believe in not taking everything so seriously. Here's the thing, I like chocolate. I like chocolate enough to MAKE UP holidays to buy it, give it, and more importantly... eat it. It is a super food after all. Why would I turned down the culturally sanctioned holiday dedicated to chocolate?

Second, I know that we all like to think that we don't need reminders to do things, but if that were true we wouldn't have alarm clocks and calendars. That's awesome if you remember every single day to point out everything you love about your spouse in a meaningful way. Me, I get distracted by ... HEY SQUIRREL!

What was I saying? Anyway. I don't think you need to plan beyond your means, or even doing anything 'noteworthy' beyond maybe an extra tight hug.  I certainly don't need you to go to Jared's unless that is the only thing you want to get.  Did I mention I like Chocolate? Dark Chocolate. The Superfood?

Oh, lest you think I don't understand the singlers v-day plight? Considering my age, and the number of people that I've dated, I had three V-days with a boyfriend worth noting.  The first, I got two speeding tickets in 15 minutes. The guy cancelled plans at the last minute. We'd been dating for months.  All the other times I was single or freshly dumped. I didn't give up on love, though. I still was getting valentine's day cards from my parents and if I was at home, a chocolate bar at the breakfast table from my dad.

The other notable VDay was 5 years later after the speeding tickets and was very sweet. It was the first 'real' valentine's day I'd ever had. It changed my outlook on the whole day. That it didn't have to be about money and presents (or even chocolate). 

The third was again, 5 years later, and this year.  D convinced me to try playing his online adventure game, which I agreed to finally because it was something that we could do together as a team.  We went to Korthos island, killed some zombies, rescued some villiages, and he bought me a really cool sword that cost way more than any diamond ring. 

So folks, I love ya. Don't fret V-day, cause here in Howktown, it's just an excuse to get hugs and chocolate, and we don't really need that around here, but we're not going to pass it up either. 

Valentine's Day Advice

In our effort to educate, we here in Howktown like to share life experiences in hopes of helping others make choices that they won't regret.

The other day the Queeen of Howktown decided to get a much deserved massage for herself. She had spent many hours that week massaging other people and now it was her turn.

So she went to the gal down the road with whom she had an appointment and said "Give me all you got!"

An hour later she was massaged and squeezed and poked and she was relaxed and little sore. She wanted nothing more than to go home and enjoy this just massaged feeling, snuggled up with her true love.

As she arrived home and looked lovingly upon her darling man, he said "WHAT happened to your hair?"

You see, She looked like this:

Not very sexy.

"Just close your eyes, sweetie, I just got a massage" she said as she snuggled up to him. 

"Oh my God! What kind of oil did she use!  You smell like "STINKOR"!"

"STINKOR?" she asked. 

"Yes, from HeMan, the guy that smells like a skunk. You smell just like the action figure!"

So, Ladies. This Valentine's Day, if you decide to get a massage before the big night.... don't. Wait until after. You don't know what crazy comic book villian you will look or smell like afterwards.

I miss that satisfing "CA-chink"

It's true. There is photographic evidence of the very scientific blindfolded taste test. Evidence that will be shared once I remove them from my phone. Yeah... my phone.

Oh, hey! Did I tell you, I was a photo major in college? Yeah. Spent years studying photography, and now my main source of photography is my phone.

My first camera was a Fisher Price/Kodak 110 camera when I was 6 years old. I've had a camera ever since. My God, I thought I was THE SHIT when I purchased myself a 35mm point and shoot. I wouldn't have to have those crappy tiny 110 cartridges any more. You actually had to load and rewind your film correctly. You had to have SKILLZ to do 35mm... Then I purchased my first SLR and oh boy, I was big time. It was a Pentax, and I loved it. My best photographs were taken with it. I loved it... but I didn't feel it was cool enough for a serious photographer.

I was young and easily influenced. I was convinced that if I didn't keep up with technology, I would be lost with the novices. I was a budding PRO-SUMER.

In my 20's something happened. I saved a chunk of money and purchased a high end SLR with auto focus lenses and a snooty brand name... and then I freaked out. I became scared! Scared that I didn't make the right purchase, that it would soon be outdated and I wouldn't be able to upgrade, that someone would steal it, that it would break, that I wouldn't be able to afford to use it! That I would look like nerd with such a fancy camera and someone would think I was some kind of tourist(despite the purple hair and local train tickets).

So I didn't use it as much as I should have and it sits on my bookshelf, out of date and too expensive to use. My decade working in photo labs, darkrooms, and portrait studios ruined me on average film and development. No. I would not take it to Walmart, or use generic 200iso film. The only person who thought I looked like a nerd, was myself... and maybe my sister. It isn't broken, stolen, or cheesy.. but it is pretty dusty.

Luckily, I was able to stave off the atrophy of my photographic skillz with a P/S digital camera. YAY! Something else to play with! They were small, inconspicuous, harder to break, and easier to replace than my heavy SLR. I was happy with with that, until it slipped out of my pocket while watching a Fire Hockey Game in Mexico.

That was over a year ago. I've been using my phone ever since. What has been holding me back? Mostly indecision (and partially cause I'm lazy).

I'm balancing my previous career experience, Wants vs Needs, reality vs fantasy, and missing the super cool darkroom dance that I'll likely never participate in again.

So, all this to say, I need a new digital camera. Any suggestions out there for a picky photographer type with a lower budget? OKAY GO!