The Other One With No Name

Well, I have felt somewhat blue on this Thursday.  Not for any reason that really merits the act of being blue or complainy, but just "because," I suppose.  I think it is mostly because of the dreary weather and the lack of anything super exciting to report on.  But a lack of excitement can be considered a good thing too--not having anything specifically bad to report on is, afterall, a blessing in my book.  :)

This post may wander back and forth between different subjects, because that just seems to be the path my mind has wandered on here as of late.

Something that has been grating on my nerves lately is the selfishness of people.  I think that two of the worst traits a person can exhibit are deceptiveness and selfishness.  Selfishness can be seen at every corner of life; sometimes I think maybe it is because I live in/near a big city and am surrounded my more people wherever I am.  More population, as ratios tell us, would mean a higher number of selfish folks.  But it doesn't necessarily mean a higher concentration of selfish in the population just because I live near/in a big city.  What brought me to selfishness, you might wonder.

Everyday I drive on the interstate and everyday someone cuts me off.  Everyday, when merging onto the interstate, the other merging traffic coming from the adjacent exit to mine cut me off.  Why? HellifIknow.  There is a yield sign.  For them to yield to me, and then another sign for us (when merged) to yield to the traffic on the road we're entering.  And I'm not a timid driver, as I have mastered acceleration and deceleration and most importantly, the use of a blinker.  So why are the people who cut me off more important than I am?  Are +they going somewhere more important?  Is their time worth more than mine is?   Apparently someone thinks so.  Every single someone who cuts a person off on their commute to/from work/home/wherever.

Blinkers.  The Least Favorite Tool of a Selfish.  Hey, Selfish!  You, over there in your SUV!  Notify those in front of, behind, and next to you what your vehicular intentions are for the LOVE OF PETE!  If your intention is to get into an accident or severely piss off fellow drivers, never use your blinker. 

On my way to work I listen to the radio.  On my way home I listen to the radio.  No, I don't have a point to make which relates Selfish and the radio.  Just thought I'd share.

I work at a great college campus that serves tens of thousands of students per academic year.  Our campus caters to students white, black, yellow, purple, and polka dotted.  We cater to students pursuing Nursing degrees and we cater to students who aren't seeking a degree at all.  We cater to the still-in-high-schoolers, the working parents, the recent graduates, and those continuing their education later on in life.  We also cater to those who are handicapped and those who aren't.

So why in the world do people take advantage of handicapped services when they do not need them? 

Answer: Selfish!

I've drafted this letter which I will never have the nerve to stick on the doors around campus.  I will never vocalize my frustration (beyond this blog) and I will never confront anyone guilty of this.  On second thought, maybe I will say something to someone one day.  But more than likely I won't because I'm non-confrontational.

Dear Selfish,
If you are not handicapped, please do not use the handicapped automatic door so that it swings open justforyou at the touch of a button.  Please do not use these many doors around campus even if you are carrying something in your hands, like a cup of coffee or a purse (gasp! so difficult to manage!).  Please do not use this door, because people who really need these doors may one day find that it is broken (due to excessive and unnecessary use).  Please do not use this door unless you need it, because you are (in my opinion) already taking advantage of precious gifts you have been given--the ability to open the door for yourself,  the ability to walk through the threshold of the door on your own, and the strength to walk to your destination.  This door is an amenity for you, but for some is a necessity.  Never, never take advantage of that, because one day you might be someone who needs that door.
Very truly yours,
Rachel

Just a few other things on my mind here, let me see...ah yes.  The true highlight of my week.  Even more of a highlight than being cut off multiple times on the interstate!  Yes. 

I received in the mail my newest baby lens, and I shall call him Optimus. 

Optimus is an Ultrasonic wide angle prime* portrait lens and he came all the way from Los Angeles to live in my photography equipment bag.  My other prime lens, my baby Primey, is not a wide angle portrait lens, but I still love and cherish her with all my heart.  She is just not quite as fancy as Optimus is, with his 85 milimeters and an fstop of 1.8!  I'm not sure why I'm not really into "zoom" lenses (though I have 2 of them which are considered basic, kit version lenses) but I really like moving back and forth and going all over the place to get the right focal length and whatnot that a prime lens requires.

Here is a picture of my Beagle Pride and Joy.

Another highlight is this...I am shooting my first engagement portraits session one month from Saturday and I cannot tell you how thoroughly excited I am to work with Sara and Jimmy.  They are getting hitched in October and I am going to be a guestandphotographer at what I am sure will be an absolutely beautiful ceremony and reception.  They're going with a verrry glamorous theme and I can't wait to see how it all turns out.

I think this post has been long and rambly enough...so...adieu!

* Prime lenses are lenses that do not zoom.  :)  Your legs and feet do the zooming.