I'm a Photoshop Maven!

Yes, I'm a procrastinator. I admit it.

I have finally finished editing Jennifer and Mike's wedding pictures. I admit that I'm not especially happy with the ceremony shots. They turned out really yellow. That, and I had to bump the ISO up to 400 because we couldn't use flash and I needed to be able to get a fast enough shutter. Due to the high ISO, the pics look noisey. The rest of the shots look good. Though I'm dissapointed that I didn't get a really good shot of Mike and Jennifer's grandmother dancing. The DJ had this dance near the end of the reception and I had put my camera away by this time and was just taking snapshots with my little point and shoot. I got one, but it's fairly grainy. :-P For the past couple of weeks, I've been taking time after work and been photoshopping. I figured, Jennifer and Mike would actually like their pictures. Hey, I'm faster than some people (not going to say any names *cough*carolyn*cough). Finally finished yesterday. I had some fun and worked on some creative shots. I think they turned out really good. I also got around to cloning out the golf cart and golfer coming out of Jennifer's head in this picture. So, to prove that, yes, I have been hard at work, here's some pictures! :)

This Bites!

So, yesterday I woke up god-awful early (1), packed the parrotlets (1) in the car, and drove off to my mother's to collect her and her lovebirds to take to the bird show to sell (3). My mother, of course, was not ready. And she only had two cages together. TWO. She has flocks of these fuckers flying around, and only two cages to go to the show. I was growling. So, we pack up one car and off we go to Livonia. We sold one bird. One lousy little bird. That's it. Gail, our bird lady friend who we share a table with (been sharing with for years), sold one bird also. Blargh. So, I am glad, after all, that we did not take more cages. That would have required two cars and more stuff to carry back and forth. This was our first time working at this show. (4) It was smaller than the one we normally do. And not nearly as busy. It bit. Big time. And not no tiny little parrotlet bite. Oh no. Angry Amazon parrot ripping your finger off kind of bite. And I'm not even done complaining! A couple years ago I compiled an album of pictures of our birds to show at the show. Pictures of babies, of the parents, even some nice studio-esque shots. It went over really well. We were the only ones to do this. This show I saw THREE vendors with similar books. Last year I made photo buttons for my mom, Rob, and I to wear. Not to sell, just to wear. They each had a different lovebird on it. I thought it was a cute and innovative way for us to identify ourselves amongst the gaggle of bird vendors. Well, there was a vendor there (one who also had a birdy brag photo book) who was selling photo buttons! Big, fat copycats.


So, folks, here's the deal: I will be at the Motor City Bird Breeders show on Oct 29 in Warren. You will do your Jedi mind tricks and send people over to my table to buy lots and lots of lovebirds. Everyone will be happy. People will have sweet little baby lovebird pets. I will have money. My mother will not have all the lovebirds on Earth. And you will not have to hear about another bird show on my blog. It's a good deal.



(1) God-awful early in my book is the same time Rob wakes up every day to go to work.

(2) I am not making this word up. This is a real bird. A parrotlet is the smallest parrot in the world. They're from South America. I have a pair of the Pacific Parrotlets (blue mutation) that had babies. The weaned babies went with me to the show to be sold. For more information on Parrotlets (proof that I'm not making this up): www.internationalparrotletsociety.org.

(3) Ok, those of you who've known me awile, know that I have birds (d'uh) and that my mother breeds lovebirds and currently has all the lovebirds on Earth flying around her house. We've been breeding birds for years. But never on the scale she has currently. She's finally figured out that she needs to cut back. Way back. She's decided to sell off all her peachface pairs and babies. We sell the babies through ads (internet, pet supply stores) and through various Michigan bird shows. These bird shows are two fold: a) yes, birds actually get shown, like at dog shows. Yes, ribbons are given out. No, I have never shown a bird. b) Vendors. Lots and lots of vendors. People selling cages, toys, feed, and of course, birds. Of all sizes from finches to macaws. If you've never been to one, it's an experience. Oh, and you get the birds at breeder prices, at least HALF of what the pet store charges. It's an interesting society.

(4) Different club than hosts the show we usually do. A lot of the same vendors, though.

Ye Olde PMS

Seeing that neither Tammy, Carrie, nor Rob have commented, as of yet, on our visit to the Michigan Renaissance Festival this past Sunday. So, I will take it upon myself to regale to you our oh-so-exciting travels to Medieval Holly, Michigan.

First, let me explain that I was the PMS Queen on Sunday. (1) I woke up grumpy (putting it mildly) and didn't want to go anywhere, let alone walk around in the dust watching SCA idiots dressed to the hilt. (2) Rob said we could just stay home then. This made me crankier because we had agreed to meet up with Carrie, Tammy, Tom, and their friends Paul and Michelle. So we get dressed and go. I will note here, that we did not dress up. It was 80 degrees. There was no way I was going to sweat like a pig just to show off my new outfit (which is very cool, by the way. But, it's velvet, and I would have melted). So, we meet up with the group around noon. Watch Whipboy. Whipboy is funny and I highly reccomend seeing him next year at the fest. After that Tammy, Tom, Paul and Michelle headed over to the Washing Well Wenches. Carrie and I were buying essential oils. Then we took Carrie over to where the Wenches' show is, and we took off to walk around. We'd seen the show many-a-time and didn't want to see it again. Our plan was to catch back up with them after the show, but it never really happened. So, if from this point on, you want to know what they did, you'll have bug Tammy or Carrie to post. In the meantime, Rob and I wandered around. Rob ordered me a lovely winter wool coat from Half Moon. It should keep me nice and toasty warm this winter! :) However, you can be sure that I will whine like a little girl about how cold it is all winter. I really need to move somewhere warm. Rob picked up a nice cedar walking stick for himself. We also started my middle-eastern belly dancer costume. This way I'll have a nice outfit to wear in the warm weather. And after all that, we are broke.

So, folks, that's it. That is the oh-so-exciting tale of our visit to the Ren Fest.

In other news, I have a bird show Saturday. Goody (insert sarcastic tone of voice here). Think bird-selling for me! Or, better yet, come buy one! :-)


(1) Rob described me as being "evil" that day. So, yes, I was that bad.


(2) I feel that it is necessary for me to point out here that my husband was once a member of the SCA. And that we are both a couple of those "idiots" dressed up. In fact, Tammy and Tom dressed up. They looked great. Warm (their outfits are leather), but great. No, I don't have pictures. You know I'm not feeling like myself when I don't take any pictures!

News from the Ferret Frontier

Today, being of such comfortable weather, Rob and I decided to take Penelope and Morgan out for a walk (the babies haven't had all of their shots, so they couldn't go out yet). First task: put wriggling ferret in harness. Second, make sure that harness is secure and that said ferret has not puffed himself up while you were adjusting the harness. Third, catch the ferret that escaped your grasp and attach the leash to the harness. Now, we are ready to go explore the great outdoors. Penelope (green harness) "ottered" around (she flattened herself in the grass, put her front paws to her side, and using only her back legs propelled herself through the grass). Morgan (red harness) was just his usual spaz self. He romped around, dug in the grass and tried to eat rocks (yes, he is quite the dumb little spaz. And we love him all the more for it). Penny actually seemed to tire of her exploration and digging in the grass (grass is fun!) and she tried to crawl up Rob. We knew that was our signal that it's time to go in.

In other exciting ferrety news: the babies finally have names! The little silver boy is Pixel. The sable is Token. Pixel was my choice (oh, and such a surprise of a name coming from a camera nerd). Token was actually suggested by one of Rob's co-workers. She said he was the token dark ferret. So horrible. So true. The name stuck. So, the ferrets formally known as Sleepy and Hissy are now officially named.

And, last but not least in the weasel world: Rob's and mine tattoos are done. No, we haven't been inked yet. But the designs are done. If we weren't going to be walking around in the dirt and muck at Ren Fest tomorrow, we'd have gotten them today. Probably not next weekend, since Rob works and I'm working a bird show (come buy lovebirds from me! you need a lovebird from Naarah!), but most assuradely by the weekend after that!

Nite All. See you at Ren Fest!

Eat This

Food Chemicals That Kill

EAT OUT AT YOUR OWN RISK
Worst Fast Food Choices

That being said, I'm going to go have a cup of ice cream....

Google This!

Go to google.com

type "failure" for your search

click on "I'm Feeling Lucky"

Enjoy!

Holy Gouge Your Wallet Batman, Part II

So Rob and I ran a few errands today, among which was getting a needed (and slightly overdue) oil change. I went to the Firestone over at Arborland (I had a coupon!) and they took my cell number so that they could call me when they finished the oil change. Well, Rob and I were browsing over at Borders when they call me to tell me that I also need: tire rotation and alignment, my over 105K mile coolant flush, and my over 105K mile timing belt replacement. Total cost: nearly $500. And how nice of them to let me know that I can finance it for 90 days interest free. I told them: No Thanks. Just the oil change. When I paid, they gave me a printout of their reccomendations. Included in the reccomendation for the belt replacement was something regarding cruise control, a $24 fee. I don't have cruise control. Fuckers. Yes, I'm sure I need my tires rotated and the ailingment done. Yes, it's wise to have the timing belt replaced with as many miles as I have on the car. But as much as they want to charge me and to think I'm stupid enough to just say "go ahead." Too many stupid people in Ann Arbor with too much money.

Other than that, Rob and I had a decent day. We registered my business name. Had gelato. Emptied my trunk of recyclables. And I took a nap. Yay naps.

Cleavage Matters (and other observations)

So, on our way into the Greenday concert, the Palace had signs everywhere stating the many items not allowed in, amongst which are recording devices. Security was checking everyone and had lovely piles of confiscated goods, such as pop bottles and lighters, and were sending people back to their cars with their cameras. The security guard who was checking people in the line I was standing in was an older guy, probably 50s. When I got to the front of the line, I opened my purse so he could see that I was clearly not smuggling anything in. On top of all the crap that I keep in my purse were my binoculars kept in a nice Nikon case, which looks very much like a camera case. He barely even glanced at the bag and waved me through. He made Rob turn his pockets inside out. Just goes to prove that low cut, fitted shirts and lots of glitter strategically placed really make a difference. ;-)

Rob and I were glad to see that we were not the oldest people at the concert. There were older people there: mainly parents with their 10 year old kids. First off, Greenday likes the word Fuck about as much as I do. It's not the concert I would be taking my 10 year old! Second, it became evidant to me and Rob that some parents must not be listening to the music before they agree to escort their children to the concert. Before the song Holiday, Billie Joe announced that it was a big "Fuck You to George W. Bush." Cheering ensued. And seconds later we see a father dragging his child up the steps and out. Coincidence? Could be. But somehow, we doubt it.

For any of you have listened to Greenday, you know that they are a punk rock band. I've been listening to them since high school. Songs from their latest album, however, have been played on the Top 40 stations. American Idiot is a kick ass album and I'm glad to see it get so much playtime. The problem with this, however, is that you get crowds of girls who look like they should be at the Hillary Duff concert instead. Most disturbing. When I was in high school it was the freaks who listened to punk music, not the pom pom squad. I doubt they even understood the political statement of the album (and it's blatently obvious!). At one point when Billie Joe was introducing his band members, he introduced himself as "George W. Bush." People cheered. You boo mother fucker. Boo. This was AFTER he gave W. the big "Fuck You" with Holiday. It's sad when the angsty music of your youth has become the place to be seen and buy your t-shirt so you can wear it the next day in school.

That being said, Rob and I had awesome time. Which is what really matters, right? Whether your a pop-princess-punk-wannabe or the thirty-somethings (which is nothing to complain about since we figured Greenday to be in their early thirties).

Your Late Night Update

The Greenday Concert Fucking Rocked!

A lesson learned in life...

When I was 19 and away at Kalamazoo College, my friend Heather and I had a ritual almost every Saturday night. We'd deck ourselves in our wildest delights: tiny tees with tight sateen pants and combat boots. We'd don black eye liner and plenty of glitter. And then we'd go off dancing at the bar. That seems almost a lifetime ago. I no longer fit into those tiny tees and have stashed the temporary hair color away. I've since emerged into the adult world and have adjusted my look to match. My hair is still colored, but it's a natural red instead of a violent purple. My make-up has subtled and my nails are now painted pink instead of black. It's all a part of growing up, I guess. I have blended myself with societal norms. Until tonight. Tonight I've put on the fitted black t-shirt and school girl skirt, complete with Doc Martens. My hair has pink streaks and my eyes are deeply lined in black. And I'm going to party like it's 1997! Rob and I are off to the Greenday concert. Tomorrow I will wash the dye out of my hair and return to work, like all the normal people do. And no one will be none the wiser. Except when you notice that my nails will still be painted blue. :)

How to make a cranky Naarah

Ok, fine, a crankier than normal Naarah:

1) Wake me up at 7:00 a.m. by breaking up the sidewalk directly underneath my bedroom window.

2) Drive 50 MPH in the LEFT lane (the lane I drive in).

3) Be the most insipid person on earth and come into my store and have me explain to you that you had 50 pictures on your media card and wanted 5 sets of the pictures. That's 250 pictures at 25 cents apiece equaling $62.50. That's what you paid. That's what you got. It's not 500 pictures. Only the 250 you requested. Stop arguing with me.

4) Be the biggest asshole on earth and come to my store as I'm locking the door to close and want to know everything there is to know about digital cameras. Look, your vapid expression tells me that you're not going to understand it anyway, so buy this Kodak and be on your way.

5) Be one of three semi drivers all lined up in a row across the highway all going 72 MPH. First, one of you fuckers is in the left lane, and that's my lane, so get out; you're driving a semi, you have no business being there. Two, you're driving a semi -- the fact that you're going over 70 MPH freaks the shit out of me. Move over to the right lane, where you belong, and go 55 MPH like you're supposed to.

6) George W. Bush. Keep your mouth shut monkey boy. It makes for a more peaceful earth. Seriously, is it 2008 yet?

Yup. I think that covers today's rant.

Labor Free!

Alas, Labor Day has arrived. Yesterday, to be exact. And how wonderful it was, not to labor! In fact, I had a wonderfully (if not extremely unusual) labor-free weekend. Did I do anything practical with it, like say clean the apartment, or organize my closet so that my summer stuff is now hiding at the back? Nope. Nothing like that. And it was good. Rob and I went to the Toledo Zoo on Saturday (see pictures). We had a good time. We saw lots of cool critters, real live dragons (yes, they do exist!), and I didn't even sunburn! Sunday was a lazy day... we ran a few errands, picked up some cds on sale at Circuit City, nothing much. Monday we went and saw Brother's Grimm and Transporter 2 with my parents. Oh the joy of going to the movies with my mother. Why on earth would Rob and I subject ourselves to voluntarily spending time with my mother, especially when it involves something time-sensitive (as in if you're not to the movie on time, you're going to miss it and Kathleen Finegold has yet to be on time for anything). Well, Rob and I had passes and my parents had passes and my dad doesn't ever leave the house. It was in effort to spend a nice day and get my father out of the house so he can enjoy himself, for a little while at least. Well, they were late (big surprise). My dad was mad (even bigger surprise). But, in the end, we all enjoyed the movies. Which was the important part, right? Brother's Grimm was fun! Heath Ledger, who I'm not normally a fan of, is adorable with short hair and glasses. Gots to love the nerd boys! We enjoyed seeing the way the fairy tales were weaved into the story. Not a classic, but worthy of being added to swashbuckling eye candy dvd shelf! (1)Transporter 2 was all action, little plot. Who needs plot, though? The whole point of the movie is to watch Frank (actor Jason Statham) kick lots of ass. Job well accomplished. After the movies, Rob and I buzzed across the street Kohl's and bought these funky lounging, rocking chairs. No way to descibe them. You'll just have to see them (or sit in them) in person. They unusually comfortable! Now we must make room for them... hmmmmm.... So, the labor must begin after all.

(1) I should note here that the "swashbuckling eye candy dvd shelf" is brought to you courtesy Mel. Titles that are included in such collection include: Pirates of the Carribean, The Mummy, National Treasure (not for Nick Cage, but for his adorable sidekick), Indiana Jones... ok, well you get the idea.

An African penguin enjoying a nice swim.
(c)NKSF

A forlorn-looking sloth bear.
(c)NKSF

Adorable little finches (the one on the far left has a small twig in it's beak and is doing a mating dance the female immediately on his right. Heeeeeey, baby! Lookatme! I've got a twig! Let's us go build a nest!)
(c)NKSF

A "bad" dragon at the special dragon exhibit.
(c)NKSF

And now for a real life dragon!
(c)NKSF

The weedy sea dragon was by far my favorite part of the dragon exhibit!
(c)NKSF

Baby alligator keeping an eye on me
(c)NKSF

Rob and I watched the otters play and swim for a long time! The water weasels are adorable!
(c)NKSF

One of Sigfried and Roy's white lions.
(c)NKSF

I can smell you.....
(c)NKSF

Because everyone needs to see what a polar bear's ass looks like close up.
(c)NKSF

Hurricane Katrina's Voiceless Victims

We all hear about the human element in the wake of this latest natural disaster, but we musn't forget our animal companions.

Katrina survivors upset over pets left behind
Rescuers say they can't let animals accompany their owners

You wouldn't want to leave your furry or feathered best friend behind. I can't even fathom if I had to.

Click HERE for information on how you can help.

Word This!

Like Tammy, I too have turned on Word Verification for my comments. I went to Rob's blog (yes, he has updated!) and he had five spams! I get enough spam in my e-mail, thank you very much! :P So, from now on only real people leaving real comments are allowed to comment on my blog!

So, here's a pic of the newest additions to the Sampson household. Alas, they are still nameless. Suggestions?
(c)NKSF

Holy gouge your wallet, Batman!

I am soooooo glad, that I filled up my gas tank the other day for $2.67/gallon. Now I've seen it for as much as $3.29/gallon for the regular stuff. Yeesh.

That being said, Rob and I drove to Marengo, Ohio yesterday. Where in god's green earth is Marengo, Ohio? Nowhere. (Or approximately, an hour north of Columbus). Why did we trek all this way, get lost -- thank you very much yahoo! maps -- and travel about 350 miles roundtrip for? A ferret. Yup. We're crazy. But you knew that already, and love that about us. :) You see, two ferrets are actually less work than one. I know this seems insane, but it's true. With one, you are the giant ferret, and have to play all the ferrety games. And being 300 times their size, it's very difficult to chase them through the tunnels and behind the couch! So, with two, they play their ferrety chase, tunnel, and wrestling games with each other. This allows you a brief window of time to actually accomplish something, say cleaning the litter boxes. Three, really isn't any more work. Just more poop. So, when Morgan came into our life, it gave her someone to play with in addition to me and Rob. But now, Penny, tired of Morgan's high-strung antics (he's so the hyper teenager now -- look at me! bounce! look at me! bounce! look at me! crash!), climbs up to the top of the cage, where she can get to and he can't because she's skinny lithe, and he's, well, like a big, dumb jock, and hides from him and goes to sleep in the carrier (the same carrier which she tries desperately to escape from when it's time to visit Mr. Vet). [yes, I know that was a run-on sentence, and I don't care. So, :P ]. So, we call the breeder (who, by the way, is the same breeder Penelope came from), and go down to Ohio on our day off. All the little baby ferrets are soooo cute! We even got to witness babies born that day! Probably only hours old! Seeing all the adorable kits waiting to go to homes, oh, it was a hard decision. So hard, in fact, that the little ferrets took a bite out of our checking account and we took two home! After all, if three aren't anymore work than two, what's the big deal with four?!? We got two little boys: a dark crowned sable and a silver mitt blaze. They're so tiny! I'll get pictures up soon -- promise. Then you can help us come up with names for them!

In other wallet-shrinking news: I purchased my own domain name! I will soon have my own website up. Sweet, huh? Wanna know what it is? Nope. Gotta wait. At least until I put something up on it!

I shall leave you on that note of high anticipation!