52 photos in 52 weeks: Week 28

 

 

 

The weeks are going by crazy fast. Even when I have days off they just go by in a blur and I feel like I'm constantly busy. Not a complaint, just a feeling. I love just about everything I'm doing, and when I don't love it completely (my non photography job) I am making money to pay for the things I do other times and you know, that pesky habit called bills.

All in all, life is feeling pretty good. Had some meals with friends, caught up, worked on projects, met awesome new people at Creative Connection... etc etc. I'm hopeful and excited and motivated and that's really the best things to be when you want bigger and better things to come along.

As you can see I'm having some fun with my new 50mm lens. I'm still getting use to it and the differences it has from the lens my camera came with. So stoked on this lens. Next goal lens: wide angle. Now for some more monies! :)

How was your week?

xoxo

Renegade - Come With Me!

Who wants to go to this with me? I'm going to have a bit of a late night the night before but I really, really want to go. I think it would be better with a buddy though and not alone. 

Let me know!

xoxo

Little Reminders

via

Do it.

xoxo

YAY!!!

Big ol' news guys! I decided once and for all to connect this lovely blog to the URL I bought almost a year ago. I've changed the layout a bit and still have plenty more tweaks until it looks as lovely as I want it to but I'm really excited about my progress and I just wanted to share. 

So what that means... I am no longer Click Click Corey. I liked the playfulness of the name but it just wasn't me. I gave myself the username a long time ago of But We Will Stay and I can't shake it, so it's in and CCC is now on the outs. 

I don't know what this means for those of you finding me in readers? Did it already screw everything up? I don't even know! I have blogger redirecting and such, but still. 

I'm crossing fingers and toes that those who have been reading can find me again!

...

Tomorrow I will be doing my 52 photos in 52 weeks... I didn't forget nor am I putting it off, I just feel this announcement needed to come first!

Anywho, thanks for reading and commenting and being radical and if you can still read this direct yourself to www.butwewillstay.com instead!

xoxo

Creative Connection San Diego at The Pearl Hotel

 

I'm going to start by loosely quoting Easy A here and pretend to go around the group of people I just met and say " Awesome, awesome, awesome, awesome... now let's change lives today."

Creative Connection was a great experience. I showed up and immediately people were friendly, everyone was talking to each other about their individual creativities. I didn't know exactly what to say about myself, but I remembered a think Danielle Laporte says in The Fire Starter Sessions about being enthusiastic and positive about whatever you are and are doing so I went with that. Basically my creativity right now is learning what my creativity is. 

I had my camera so people assumed it was photography which is actually true. I talked about this blog and the plans I have for it and where I've been and where I'm going. I talked a lot... 

I met awesome people and am so stoked. I drove home excited to blog and to look at my pictures and to keep trying new things. I was also excited to get back to The Fire Starter Sessions. I need to find (or start) one of those groups around here.

Anywho, the event was great, and The Pearl Hotel... fantastic. It reminded me of The Jupiter Hotel in Portland mixed with The Ace Hotel in Palm Springs. There was a pool and a succulent wall and Tiffany blue towels and an outdoor shower and plastic globes in the water...

There was a drink called the Marie Antoinette which I had hopes of liking because there was champagne in it but alas it was too sweet for me so I reverted back to my tried and true, trusty dusty Diet Coke. 

Back to going on about The Pearl... There was a white backdrop/screen type thing attached to the balcony that you could see from any of the courtyard seats which I guess they play movies on sometimes. I should have asked to see one of the rooms, I wonder how they are decorated. 

The lounge where we were moved to after a couple of hours of chatting was covered in shag carpet and there were games galore... I saw a rock 'em sock 'em as well as an etch a sketch and Apples to Apples... I could imagine myself sitting there with a friend playing a game or two and just having a relaxing time. 

If I ever need a staycation and can't go to Palm Springs (such a short drive really) then The Pearl would be a great choice. The servers, the bartender and everybody else was so nice and friendly and helpful. Good stuff.

Now I'm sitting at home invigorated and excited for all of the things I'm going to learn and I'm so stoked I went tonight. 

A big thank you to Jessica and Marissa for organizing and putting this thing together. So wonderful!

To everyone I met and somehow directed back here... you are lovely and fantastic and I'm so pumped to have met and had a chance to talk to you all. Please, please leave your information, blog links, twitter, pinterest, instagram etc links. I found myself with only two cards and I talked to way more lovely ladies than that. Still have to get a hang of the networking/sharing information thing!

With that all said, I think it's time to get back to work on a project or two.

xoxo 

Currently...

currently... learning how to write on the tablet

loving life.

It's the truth. I keep thinking it and then trying to find reasons it shouldn't be true but it is. Yes, I try to find reasons for why I shouldn't be happy. It's not complete self destruction, it's more finding out if I'm just telling myself I'm content so I don't have to push harder. Turns out I'm doing a-okay and on the up and up. Feels good.

watching: I'm going to start watching Modern Family. I can't believe I've missed out on this show. What was I thinking?! (I was probably thinking I didn't need to start watching another show, but I'm sure I have some things to crochet...)

reading: Re-reading The Fire Starter Sessions. Love, love, love it. 

Also just finished Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella. Definitely my favorite of her books. 

Finishing up Writing Down the Bones and starting to get into Youth In Revolt. 

loving: 

life

my new Bamboo Wacom tablet. 

my new 50mm lens for my lovely Lady Rebel

the work I'm doing and the things I'm learning about this blog

my new nightstand

my new full length mirror

the few choice pieces of clothing I added to my wardrobe (from H&M, no big spending there)

my enthusiasm for all of my projects

hoping for:

a continuation of this motivation and enthusiasm

rain... there, I said it. I miss the rain. Not as much as there was in Portland, but still I miss it.

working towards:

changing the blog over... it's coming soon. new url, pretty much the same look for the blog with some tweaks and such. 

loving these links

- two beautiful pictures that make me want to travel

- a little DIY to try...

- a beautiful post about summer

- per usual: a great Coffee Cup Chat by Becka

- tips for working with designers

- What are you bored of?

- Going to take this workshop... learn more about CSS, pretty please

and finally...

excited about

-going to this tonight!

xoxo

Half Way Through - Third Quarter Goals

It's already July. JULY. Six months in! Where has it gone. Days can take an eternity, heck, 6 hour work shifts can take an eternity, but then months, they just fly right by. 

I didn't do very well last quarter with my goals. I didn't pay for someone behind me in a drive thru, I didn't always exercise, and I definitely didn't put on my cleaning gloves once a week. For shame.

Despite all the didn'ts, there were a lot of dids.

I did leave a job that left me feeling unsatisfied, and shortly after I found a new job to take it's place. All while keeping the second job in tact.

I did go out and hang out with friends which felt so good after being a hermit for so long.

I did flirt and meet new guys, I did get sad about ones I had crushes on. I was taken on a date which bombed fantastically but it's a good story and I regret none of it. 

I saw my friends from Boston that I wish were closer or were able to come through more frequently, as it is I see them maybe 4 times a year (if I'm lucky) and great times are always had.

I drank more adult beverages than ever before but I don't think I ever ended up hungover. 

I may have spent a bit but I also kept my promise to myself of not using my credit card. As of July 7th it has been 4 months since I've slid that card or entered those numbers for a purchase! I've also made sure to pay at least a little over the minimum each month. 

These things may not seem like a big deal, especially since I'm living for free at the moment, but considering I've lived for free before and haven't managed to keep these habits up, I'm pretty proud. 

I've walked in to Barnes and Noble countless times, picked up books and placed them back on the shelf before walking out. The old me would have justified any and every book purchase but this year and this me is different. It feels good.

While I haven't been on top of the number of times a week I work out I have improved some of the skills I have wanted to improve. I've learned new tricks, increased my muscles to a visible level (not just to me but to my friends and family) and I've started feeling stronger.

Overall, despite not being able to check off most of the bullet points I made at the beginning of the quarter, I'm pretty happy with all that happened.

With all that said, there are still going to be goals made for third quarter... and here they are:

- Start cooking. I mean it Corey, you better start cooking and preparing your own food. Get away from those fast food habits.

- Save, save, save money, don't use the credit card and continue paying off debts.

- Write, write, write. Work through The Fire Starter Sessions again, this time blogging while going through them. Write daily even if only a line or two. Write. That's the rule for July, August and September... Write.

- Continue the exercise habit. It feels so good to be stronger, slimmer, better... It feels great to master a new trick. Healthy is better than lazy. I don't care if it's only 10 minutes of reverse crunches and some push ups... do it.

- Take pictures. Anytime, all the time... who cares who's looking. Take pictures. 

aaaaaaannnd

- go to the mother loving dentist please... your teeth are begging you. 

Oh Third Quarter... let's do this.

xoxo