How To Read My Starbucks Cup
Thank God it’s Friday! I love Starbucks drinks, especially their Mocha Frappuccinos, but I always get a special drink of my own creation on Fridays.
The picture is my Starbucks cup, along with that cryptic, Starbucknese shorthand the counter people always use. Can you guess what my drink is?
I’ll tell the answer after I get at least five unique guesses in comments. 
Rodney
—————————–
Posted from my iPhone
Starbucks Adventure
Hi,
Last week a co-worker approached me in the break room, and proceeded to introduce herself, as well as tell me lots of her life story, while I waited at the change machine to slowly give me change for $5 bucks. I ran into her again this morning by chance at a Starbucks. Here’s the story.
I created these cartoons using WeeMee Avatar Creator & Photogene iPhone applications
—————————–——
Posted from my iPhone
The Eagle Has Landed!
Poor Man’s Starbucks Substitute
Greetings Earthlings!
I’m back in the USA working for my previous employer. But my first week back was quite scary! I was ill with a very high fever of 103.2f (39.57c for my non-American friends). Also I was developing weird blisters all over my lower right leg, which I learned was due to infection. I’m staying with a friend’s family currently but even they had no idea just how sick I was or they would have insisted on a hospital stay. I had to take several cold water showers (during the USA’s winter!) to keep my fever under 104 (can have stroke or seizures at 104!). So ironic; i survived 3 years in 3rd world countries, just to return to the USA and become nearly critically ill. Anyway I’m 80% well now 
Work is going very well. This is my second week back on this office. Everyone remembers me and I them. My official title is “Software and System Support Administrator”. Meaning I am doing a ton of project management integrating advance tech throughout the government. I’ve 3 key projects but I want more. I’m thinking to as my boss for 2 more projects.
My first paycheck is on Friday: hurray! This means I cam afford Starbucks at times. I’m currently drinking office brewed coffee, and it’s not that good. See my cute cow mug filled with overly-creamed coffee above? Oh well…
It’s 2010 so as it is a new year I will clear my spam settings. I think I’ve no more enemies.
We had a mini snow storm! It been so long since I’ve seen snow! But one thing: I’m freezing even dressed in sweaters and thick pants! I’m still a Spring/Autumn person I guess.
OK enough for now. Congratulations to Christine for getting married!!!! I’m so sorry I missed the wedding! :-S
Cheers!
—————————
Posted via my iPhone
More Way Cool Japanese Toys…
Hihi, everyone! I’m in my hotel room enjoying the wifi (man, this city wide wifi is so damn addictive!). As promised, here are 3 more weird cool Japanese Toys I’ve come across while looking for cheap small souvenir items to bring back to friends in Jakarta. Take it back. Now I am at Starbucks at Vivo City, because I lost track of time to meet Yensi. hahaha.
You cannot talk about weird cool Japanese Toys without talking about Takara’s very popular Rocobo Interactive Robotic Pets. These things are VERY fun actually! I am considering ordering one! These electronic pets have screens for faces that show a variety of emotions, depending on what is happening around it and to it. After a while, they become annoying, even more annoying than the legendary (for being sickening) Tamagotchi toys. If you yell at it, it will throw a tantrum, and yell back at you! *bitting nails in fear*
Want to see it in action? Take a look at this cute 15 second YouTube video from Takara:
Next on my list of way weird cool Japanese Toys is Japanese Look-A-Like Dolls, the perfect gift for the narcissist! For a few thousand Yen (around US$210) you can get a doppelganger made, immortalizing you for all eternity. It seems cool at first, but it’s also a little on the creepy side.
“I Shall Call Him ‘Mini Me’… “
I have to assume clothing is included with the dolls, since the clothing seems to fit so perfectly. Actually, this is not too bad a gift, if you have the cash. But I’m looking for cheap small items for friends, oh well…
Last, but certainly not least for today is Shimajiro, the toilet training tiger! He is extremely popular in Japan, and teaches all the little boys and girls how to pee and poop. He encourages and rewards you with sweet words when you use toilet paper, and when you “finish” your “business.” There is a hularious YouTube video for this character as well.
Ok, enough for today, Bye Bye!
Way Cool Japanese Toys…
Hello from Sunny Overcast-Skies Singapore! I’m out of Jakarta for a while for holiday before beginning a new job (yes, I left the other job!). I’m currently sitting at the Starbucks at The Cathay, gorging myself on the free wifi.
God, I love Singapore’s technical infrastructure and Internet access: no wonder they are the #3 most-wired city in the world–behind Seoul, Korea, and of course Tokyo, Japan. I had a few job options, one being to work here in Singapore, but I felt working with an NGO in Indonesia was better for my ultimate goal (humanitarian/cultural photography). But now I am beginning to think my friends were right about going to Singapore: the tech is too damn hard to resist! Oh well…
I was debating what items to bring back as tiny gifts for friends in Jakarta, when I came across some very weird cool Japanese toys, and thought to share them with you guys. I love Japanese Culture and Items! It is a reason I avoid going to Tokyo (I know my weaknesses certain Japanese things; I would never want to leave, so I better avoid going there for now! hahaha). Anyway, I will write about 2 or 3 weird cool Japanese toys every day, for the next few days, so take a look at the toys and have fun! Click on the pics below takes you to the web sites you can buy them.
Hex Bug is so cool! I used to build these years ago (robot-building used to be a big hobby of mine). There are many “robo-bug” kits on the market, so robot enthusiasts can build their own, but Strapya (makers of Hex Bugs) took robo-bugs to a new level. They are very simple actually: they use various sensors (audio, light-sensing and touch sensors) to detect obstacles and changes in their immediate environment, and then simply respond in a way similar to an insect. If you make a loud noise, the audio sensor triggers a “you scared me: run!” response. Turn a strong light on it, and they run as if detected by a human or another predator. Think of robotic cockroaches, and you get the idea of the Hex Bug. But this company took them to a new level, with nicer designs and color choices! But one thing I did with my robo-bugs, that Strapya has not done yet, is create fake robot flowers, where the bugs could recharge themselves! Wakakakakakaka! Still, they get an A+ from me!
Tuttuki Bako Finger Game Box has to be one of the must unusual games I’ve come across. I’ve seen nothing like this in the USA, Indonesia or Singapore. It comes in various colors: red, yellow, and black. How does it work? You simply stick your finger in, and wiggle it around hahahaha. Anything you do with your finger, happens to the person on the screen. You can scratch the person’s nose, poke them in the eye, and even harass the game’s stick-man figures. :-S
OK, I had to put this one in, as it so damn weird cool and funny, and I AM a proud American citizen! Rinkya Toys are making The President Barak Obama Action Figure, with Kung Fu Grip! *LMAO* This is actually way cool stuff. You can place him in various poses, where he is giving a speech, to styling and profiling, or holding katana swords. He also comes with an American flag and various detachable hands, so he can hold many items of your own, or point or whatever you want him to do. You can even have him fight Darth Vader with Light Sabers! *Still LMAO*
*Disclaimer* CIA, please do not kill me. I am actually a fan of our President Barak Obama, and I voted for him! I am just showing these toys of him some Japanese company made. I admire President Obama, and LOVE my country: still, this is funny stuff (you guys are probably laughing too, right?). So, please do not kill me. 8-S
Ready to Kick Ass for America!
Taking On The Evil Empire for America! Hell Yeah!
OKOKOK that is enough! Check tomorrow for more toys LOLOL.
What Makes Crazy People Crazy???
The Setting: Starbucks Sarinah, which is 95% empty
I’m writing this blog post in my head. Why in my head, instead of on my laptop? Because my crazy-ass stalker is sitting next to me. Why is she sitting next to me? I’ve no idea, except to bug me.
“Are you alright? How do you feel? Did you get my calls or SMS? You did not reply…”
*~ Well of course I did not reply! You’re a stalker! OMG! ~*
I think stalkers have stalker-periods. Just as women have monthly periods, stalkers have monthly or bi-monthly periods, where they come to their victims, bleed all over them, and give their victims cramps!
My stalker is especially tenacious, using every excuse in the book to make contact. First, it was contact out of ‘concern’ for my health. Second, it was contact about religious advice, with a side-dish of dieting wisdom, and reprimand-for-telling-people-cafes-are-fun desert. Third, she now wanted to meet because Dumbledore, the laptop I sold her a year ago, has a non-functional trackpad after she installed a mouse. Forth, and lastly, she wanted to meet because she wanted me to join her in Tangerang for a photo project (like I’m going to stay in a hotel with her? “F” that!). But, no matter what she says or does, I only become more adament to stay the hell away from her. I’m the world’s most stubborn man.
*~ I AM the world’s most stubborn man! I even have a plaque stating it! ~*
Off-tangent Item:
There seems to be some celebrity here! There are three photographers here shooting photos of some woman and her gentleman friend. I’m assuming the woman is the celeb, as I am sure I’ve seen her “somewhere” before, I just can’t place where. I’m sure on TV though. I can say she seems genuinely a kind soul, and is very accommodating to the photographers.
Back to Reality… Oh ya, Luxifer is sitting next to me…
Yesterday, she sent food items to my house, even though she knows knows knows I do not want anything from her! I gave them to the house-boy, because I simply cannot accept anything from her. I felt that was better than just throwing it into the trash (It’s bad to waste food).
Part of me is fully aware she “cares” in her own demented, warped way, but it does not justify terrorizing people. She’s like bi-polar! One min she spewing out talk of how I am a evil man, because I do not listen to God (why? because all she says is directly from God, and so if I do not listen to her then I am, by the transverse property of mathematics, not listening to God). Then she “switches” and talks of “why do I avoid her?” as if she has NO CLUE why, as if I just woke up and decided to not talk to her for no reason! Then she “switches” again with anger and speaking in “tongues” (Christians in America, especially Baptists know what I mean) and telling me she is a prophet, and her name is no longer Luxi <Lastname>. But, now her name is Maria-name-name-name-name-Luxi <Lastname>. *~ That scared the shit out of me! ~*
OMG, now she trying to put her arm around me? *~ GET THE FUCK OFF ME! ~*
No, I did not “say” that, but my Grrrrr seemed to convey the meaning. Now we know what is next….. the “I’m sorry” My God. Now comes “The Tangerang office needs the sex worker photos, this is business Kak Rod…” I told her “Send me their address; I will mail the CD.”
BTW, I am told “Kak” means “Sister” not “Brother” Is this true? Then why the fuck does she keep calling me Kak Rod? My skin crawls everytime I hear her call me that. I want to get up and go, but the free wifi is just too damn adhesive.
She wants to use more of that horrid “Anointing Oil” to bless me. I respectfully decline. I should say, all of my replies (the very very few I do give) are very tactful, 5-word-or-less “no thanks” or “sorry, I’m not interested.” replies. I don’t want to feed the beast!
She rubs the oil in the palm of her hand, and is about to leave. She’s making several phone calls to whoever. She wants to shake hands as if “no hard feelings.” She really does think she is the smartest person on the Planet Earth, and all others are just idiots: She wants to contaminate me with an Anointing Oil handshake?
Actually there is so so so so so much to tell, but this is enough. My mind is getting full with this text, esp while reading of how O.J. is finally going to jail.
*~ What a combo: OJ and Luxifer, hahaha ~*
A question to the universe: How to get rid of stalkers? Some friends say “move!” others say “change your number!” Both of these ideas are quite disturbing actually. Some may say only do those if the stalker is violent. Well, my stalker IS violent.
*~ One day, maybe (but most likely not) I will tell you of her physical attack at my house, and prior to that, her throwing a full bottle of Jungle Juice at me, then pushing her elderly mom when the mom and sis were screaming “KikI, Stop It!”! ~*
In the past, I would reply her SMS and emails, in some hope of explaining to her that just because someone is not doing what “she” wants, does not mean they are acting childish. Oh, if you are not willing to talk to her, you are childish. Well, I say if a person is disrespectful to you, you then have the right to choose to not associate with that person. But, my attempts are quite insane, in a way. Why? Because I’ve tried explaining “over and over and over” how I feel and think, and only getting the same result, while hoping to get a new result.
That is the very definition of insanity: doing things in same way, while expecting a different outcome. So, I am taking a new approach to get that new result: I do not reply any communication. I do not reply any emails. Items she brings to my house are given to the houseboys to do with as they want. The ONLY thing I give is the photos, which I did shoot for the city of Tangerang, thus I respectfully give that CD of photos. The entire time she was here (maybe 20min now? I lost count) I’ve said only couple sentences to her. No matter how many time she put her scaly arm around me, or try to touch my arm, I simply move away slightly to show it is not welcome, and I just turn the music up higher.
Ah, she’s going to church. Wonderful. Amen, and God Bless! Go to Heaven! (pretty please?!?)
The Starbucks girls just brought me a free Oatmeal Raisin cookie. I guess she saw I needed it. As they were staring and watching this entire infiltration into my personal space *~ LOL ~*
Take care
I’m Terminally Ill *~ Cryyy ~*…
No No No. I’m not dying, literally. I’m stuck here in Terminal 1 of Changi Airport, just like Tom Hanks in “The Terminal!” These last few days have been a test of patience, agility, self-control, and anger management!
Ok, let me get this off my chest: I hate my company’s travel agent! I hate hate hate her! I hate how she never has copies of paperwork. I hate how she says she I must call airline (she’s the f-ing travel agent, that is HER !@#$ job), and I HATE HOW SHE FLIRTS (I’m not kidding. I had to threaten her with telling my HR what she is doing)! She’s as deadly as Agent Orange! And just like Agent Orange, she’s making me sick on every level of existance!
*~ To Agent Orange: I not care that your Korean husband is not f-ing you! I not want to hear it again, and I not care your hair used to be longer than in your Yahoo picture! I just want my flight, Damn It!~*
The Story:
Ok, you all know I’m in Singapore getting my work Visa (yes, still trying). Normally, it takes 2 business days to get it processed (unless your company is nice enough to hire an agent, then u get it in hours, but my co is not that nice). I went there early Thursday morning, stood in queue almost 3 hours, then turned my application and passport in. I was told it will be ready on Monday, between 3 and 5 PM.
*~ You’re thinking “Wait! If it’s Thursday, it should be ready by Friday’s 3-5 PM! ~*
Well, Wednesday was an Indonesian holiday, so they lost a day’s work. so they are backed up! The end result is 3 business days!
The problem is my return flight was for 10 AM on Monday. I notified my HR department, who told me they will handle it. Friday comes, and they want me to fax my e-ticket paper (single sheet) to Agent Orange. All of this conversation takes place in SMS (which costs a lot when roaming internationally!:
- HR: “Rod, uh can you fax to me your e-ticket paper? The travel agent needs info from it”
- Rod: “I’m not near the hotel. The agent should have everything I have. That’s their job!”
- HR: “She says she not has it. She needs your copy. Sorry, Rod”
- Rod: “Why does she not have it!? This happened last trip, too! I will have to go back to hotel and fax it”
This was friday. I give the information to HR. HR tells me all wil be taken care of, and she will contact me with the new flight information. Friday passes. Saturday, Sunday, now it is Monday and still no information! I spend more $ sending SMS back and forth with HR:
12 PM: I’m sitting in Starbucks, working in PowerPoint, preparing my presentation I’m giving the senior directors and managers…
- Rod: “Hi, <name>. Can you give me an update about my flight back?”
- HR: “Uh, yes. The agent says she can’t change the flight right now. She suggests you do it yourself.”
- Rod: “If I do it myself, why do we need an agent? And what happen Friday and Sat when she was supposed to be doing it????”
*~ Yes, I’m pissed off to the highest of pisstivity! ~*
- HR: “Yeah, I know. But she said you can do it. And you will need to pay for the new ticket…”
- Rod: *sizzle* “The current ticket is good until 30-August! Why can’t she change the flight! If she contacted them on Friday, as she said, it would have been easy! And why should I be the one to pay? If an new ticket must be purchased, it should be the company pay for it, through that horrid travel agent if you want! I strongly feel it is not my place to pay for a ticket that is already purchased, and still good for another 26 days!!!”
- Rod: “Even if I were to agree to pay it myself, I can’t because I have to have my passport, which is being processed still! If another ticket is needed, why can’t she do it? You really need to get a new travel agent. She can’t do anything beyond booking flights? We can do that online ourselves!
- HR: “Ok, let me check…”
5:30 PM: 5.5hrs Stilllll at Starbucks waiting… PowerPoint Presentation is done, and I’m working my way through my 3rd Venti Ice Mocha Frappuccino… I SMS HR…
- Rod: “Hello? has there been any progress at all?????????????”
- HR: “Hi, Rod, sorry. You can take the 10:55 PM flight, in business class, but you will have to pay US$50, which we will reimburse you for, of course. Please don’t be mad, Rod…”
- Rod: “Ok, thanks…” I leave Starbucks and go to the hotel to get my suitcase, which is in storage (I had to check-out by 12 noon) and head directly to the airport from the hotel.
6:40 PM: At Garuda’s customer service Desk…
- Rod: “Hi, I am Rodney. I was told by my agent to come here, and pay a fee for changing flights”
- Garuda Lady: “Hello, Rodney…. Hmmm, I see no change by any agent. We see you missed your 10 AM flight only.”
- Rod: “My agent called and arranged my ticket change, but there would be a fee as it was a missed flight”
- GL: “No, we have not and any contact with any agent, since the ticket was originally purchased over a week ago”
*~ What! The Agent Lied! ~*
- Rod: “I was told to pay US$50, and take the 10:55 Flight in Business Class…”
- GL: “We have one seat available in Business Class. That will be S$224 please…”
*~ WTF! S$224 is a LOT MORE than US$50! ~*
- Rod: “Ok……”
6:50PM: Walking from Garuda counter, to the executive lounge, to wait for 3.5 hours for my boarding time. I might as well enjoy the free food and drinks, damn it! But, I had to let HR know what happened. More SMS:
- Rod: “Hi, <name>. The agent never contacted Garuda, even last week after having me fax that doc she should have already had. And, it is S$224, not US$50…..take care.”
- HR: “Sorry, Rod…
“
Now it is 7:53. I’m full of “savory rice with chicken and mushrooms” and pineapple juice. I’m writing this blog to vent, while chatting with Yensi, who is about to log out to go home…
Oh, in case you not noticed, I’ve added my Twitter Feed to my blog. I tend to update Twitter with current stuff a few times a day. Anyway, time to start hitting the apple juice!
Cheers…
The Cafe Connoisseur & Am I being “Punk-d?”…
I’m here sweating in Singapore! It’s been a messed up day, up until a few minutes ago (now that I am at my favorite Starbucks in Singapore).
Empathy at the Embassy:
I went to the Embassy of The Republic of Indonesia, to process my work visa. I was one of the first people there, yet it took forever to have my number called for service! There are 4 windows, but only 2 workers, with one of them constantly away filing paper work. Now, the two workers are working hard, I can tell, but why are there 2 empty windows, yet there are now well over 100 persons waiting? * ~Kyaaa ~*
The window hours for Visa application submissions are from 9AM to 12 noon…. After hours, my number is called at 12:07PM! But, they still take the application. All others (who came after me) have to return on Friday (OMG!, after they waited 2hrs already!).
The lady said they were back-logged, due to their 30-July holiday, and thus it will take 3 working days, instead of 2 to get the passport back. I had an early Monday flight at 10AM, but the passport wont be ready until 3PM-ish. Kyaaaaa I will call Garuda and change my flight.
The lady saw my sad face and said “Ok, you can get it as early as 9 on Monday. I will process it myself on Friday evening to be sure it ready” Wow, nice lady! Still, I’ll have to change my flight though…
The Cafe Connoisseur:
After hours at the embassy, I wanted to find a cafe with access to free wi-fi. Wireless@SG is fast and free, but not areas of Singapore has strong signal strength for it. Ex: at my hotel (Oxford hotel on Queen street) my laptop can ’see’ the wireless service, but it’s so weak the connection cant be made. This is ok, as it gives me an excuse to try a new cafe!
I was trying a new cafe (new for me) at Ngee Ann City called Coffee Club, within that huge Japanese bookstore. I’ve known of this chain of cafes, but yet to try any. Now was as good time as any!
I have to say it is the most laptop-unfriendly place I’ve seen! They have even taped the electric sockets, so people cant plug in their notebooks! Wow wow wow! This is really too bad, as Coffee Club has some of the best food I’ve had in a long time.
Their Roast Beef sandwich is the best RB sandwich I’ve ever had to date: refrigerator-cold, hand-carved beef, topped with hot, caramelized onions on a Parmesan Oregano Roll, with romaine lettuce and creamy mayo. Truly a sandwich of paradoxes! Cold vs Hot, and crunchy vs creamy!
Even by my spoiled, USA standards, that sandwich was one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever eaten ANYWHERE. I wanted to lick the plate of its juices! I would have, if not for the girl sitting next to me hahahaha. I followed that sandwich with the Muddy Mud Pie, which is almost 5 inches wide, 6 inches long (wedge-shaped) and tall as my glass of Iced Tea! 100% pure ice cream, choc crust shavings and drowned in rich milk chocolate! I did not even finish it.
Speaking of the title “The Cafe Connoisseur” you can expect a new website titled just that! (I’ve already registered the URL, but yet to create the actual website). More news about this site will be posted in the near future!
Am I being Punk-d?
Today I feel like a test tube baby, and I’m under everyone’s microscope for study. I feel like Jim Carrey in that movie, The Truman Show, where his entire life is fake, and it’s just a sitcom/drama for the world to see.
I’ve seen the same woman 7 times today. I have seen another guy 4 times yesterday, and 3 times today. They are not together, and I’ve not seen them always at the same time, at the moment, they are! If I was more paranoid, I’d swear they were like spies and I’m being followed!
Maybe I’m being punk-d, and they just trying to get into my head? Worse is how they stare at me. When I see them, they are just looking dead at me. They are not even together, but in the same places at same times as me; it’s like one is in one corner, the other is just a few tables away…staring. Even when they pick up their drink, they not blinking, just staring.
*~ Shudderrrrrr ~*
It’s not normal! Even once I saw one of them in a taxi at the stoplight next to mine, looking me dead in the eyes! Or, maybe they are thinking the same as me? Maybe the guy is thinking “I saw that woman, and fat guy before!” or the woman is thinking “I saw those two guys before, maybe they following me!” I’m waiting for Ashton to jump out and say “Dude, You’ve been Punk-d!”
Baby Boy Blue:
Now, there is a little boy, dressed head to toe in blue, making his way around the tables of people with laptops.
*~ Pls pls pls, God, don’t let anyone have porn sites open! ~*
He’s standing next to me now,leaning over so much I can barely see the screen as I type this very sentence!
One guy with an IBM Thinkpad asked the kids “Where’s your daddy? Go away from us, kid!” The kid gave him the finger! OMG!
Ok, take care!
Beyond Exposures, Sama Sama Life, & Starbucks Cares
Going Beyond Exposures:
After months of procrastination, I’ve finally gotten back to my Information Technology roots, and completed my Professional Photography website: Beyond Exposures
The site is fully functional, complete with working galleries and donation collection capabilities.
Please take a look and tell me (tactfully) what you think of the site. I feel it is a great v1.0 (version 1). The next release version will have even more features and enhancements, including an Online store, archive, and digital light table for photo collections individuals can create for themselves.
Life is Sama Sama:
My daily life is still the same. I’m holding out for a job that is photography related. But, I may be teaching English online! I’ve found some opportunities that are quite interesting, and lucrative as well. Anyway, we’ll see how things go. I’ve met some interesting people lately, as well as built my personal/professional network quite a bit. I’m trying to arrange some meeting with some key individuals for photography work.
Starbucks Cares:
I had the most unusual phone call this week. I thought it was a potential client calling, but it was one of the ladies who work at Starbucks!
*~ In case you forgot, Starbucks is my second home ~*
- Lady: “Rodney! How are you? Have you been ill? We thought maybe you went back to America!”
- Rodney: “Uh, hi! May I know who this is?”
- Lady: “This is Amanda! I work at Starbucks! Remember me?”
- Rodney: *~thinking: how on earth did she get my number?~* “Hiii, Amanda! I’m not sick, and I’m still in Jakarta. I’m just poor at the moment, as I’m still job hunting. hehehe”
- Amanda: “Hey, we always give you free Mocha Frappuccinos and cookies anyway! But I’m glad you are well. Take care, and come in soon!”
- Rodney: “Thanks! Take care!”
Ever since I fixed Amanda’s iPod, all of the ladies at Starbucks treat me to unlimited mocha frappuccinos and oatmeal raisin cookies! They often join me to just chit chat if I am there alone, and they seem to just like to talk. In all honesty, they are very sweet people. But, I’m still baffled how Amanda got my mobile phone’s number!
Anyway, take a look at the pro website. Let me know what u think.
Cheers!
Demo Gods and Runaway Freight Trains…
Ok, I’m typing fast: don’t cringe at my typos, bad grammar or composition (you should be used to these by now hahaha). I am dead tired, and I am fighting a cold (so far it’s a 50/50 battle).
These last few days have been VERY BUSY. Reviewing photos, reworking photos, resizing photos, new sharpening routines for optimal results for various visual media. I also bought anew low-tech tech toy: a Mini DVI to VGA cable that allows my hyper-sexy MacBook to use a 2nd visual graphics device like a 2nd monitor.
I’ve been VERY BUSY because my photographic career has been gathering more and more momentum. If my photographic career has energy, that energy is changing from potential to kinetic energy!
Even more, my photographic work is turning into a perpetual energy machine; fueling itself with the energy needed to continue. My Photographic work and efforts have taken on the exponentially increasing momentum of a runaway freight train! I feel like an engineer trying to keep my train on the tracks, despite the twists and turns.
*~ And So Far I Am Successfully Keeping My Train On Track! ~*
Today I gave a presentation to the Indonesian Government. Running a slide show to display photographs using an InFocus projector, I turned into what Bill Gates (of Microsoft, of course!) calls “The Demo God:” a person who knows his product, and the needs of his client so well, failure is impossible.
For days, I narrowed thousands of photos down to a very select body of work, specific to their project needs. The presentation went *~ extremely ~* well. The directors seemed highly impressed, and (even better) seemed to like every photo presented to them for their use. Not only are they going to purchase far more photos than I had thought, they asked for additional photos for a separate project as well!
*~ AND THEY ACCEPTED MY PRICE! Hmmm, maybe I should have asked for more? ~*
Now now, do not bother to ask my price. I tailored the price based on a number of factors: rarity of the photos (as no other photographer has them, that I am aware of) the time and effort to obtain the photographs (going to Kalimantan, to remote areas of the island, including to Dayak tribes), the fact the photos are being used for books, brochures, government reports and web, etc., etc. Anyway, I can say this: I should more than double my salary for Jan 2008 (based on my teacher’s salary), even more depending on how many other photos they want from the next set (see below).
The director also inquired about a possible exhibition… (more to come about this later…)
Anyway, I’m alive and well. I need to thank my friend, KiKi, for helping me narrow down the selection to a razor sharp group. We spent days editing and reworking the photos.
*~ Hmmm, maybe I should pay her an assistant’s fee? NO WAY! Silly me! (j/k) ~*
Time to get back to work. I must finish another batch of photos (showing samples of housing in poor areas). I tried to finish this batch today at StarBucks, but some files were on the backup drive, so I was forced to wait to be home. fun fun fun
*~ YES I do backups of EVERY digital asset! ~*
Bahasa Indonesia Lesson for Today: none. too busy to learn more *~ cry ~*
Take care, and wish me further luck. So far 2008 is starting off good.
*~ Rodney ~*