New Gig and Goodbye Boy...

 
Lomo Film::  Burger Bar :: Toronto

I started a new job on Monday.  Same company, different department.  I'm not excited about it to be honest & yet with the copious amounts of resumes I've sent out in this past couple of weeks has been painful, I keep hearing nothing.  But yet, I keep sending and hoping.
Now don't get me wrong, I am VERY thankful for the job I do have. (Especially in this economy as I know it's been very hard on everyone.)

I am scared of the job. I think that's part of the problem.  It's WAY out of my comfort zone.  But that's supposed to be a good thing in this big scary world. No?

In other news, BCBound is well....BC Bound.  Finally.  Sadly.  The entire ordeal makes me unsure of how to feel.  I'm obviously very happy for him.  He needed a big change and something to keep him financially secure.  This move will accomplish both for him.  As for me, I hope we stay in touch and manage to get back to a place that's not as busy, strained or fraught with uncertainty as to whether we can function as good friends...even if it is via text message and   We had been in a really great space for a while, flirty, fun and connecting...but something happened.  I can't even really pinpoint where we fell apart or what did it...or even if it did!  But the progression of a relationship/friendship definitely slowed down.  I have some thoughts, but nothing that makes much sense.

I'm conflicted because I really liked him...and things seemed very positive.  I've chased my fair share of men...and I know the best approach is to just let him go emotionally.  I'm trying, but it's hard.

But fear not!  Enter 'CuteDad' on the scene.  Now, CuteDad  has been around for a while.  He's divorced and has kids (well, duh).  I really like CuteDad.  He's fun and sweet and always very lovely.  We have always hinted around hanging out, but never made actual plans.  We are bordering on that now and it's kind of exciting. 

Even if nothing continues with CuteDad, it's nice to have male company sometimes.  I need that.  I had so hoped that BCBound would be that for me, but I think it maybe became too scary/serious for him.

I don't know.
I can't guess anymore...but the one thing is, I will definitely miss him.

Facebook Contest!!

Ooooohhhh...it's contest time!

I have something kind of fun for you to win too and all you need to do is "Like" my Facebook page and then post on MelanieHillock.com letting me know! Pretty easy, right? I know! Easy peasy.

Up for grabs is a custom distressed 8"x10" canvas with your choice of picture from my photography collection at Flickr. (www.flickr.com/photos/melaniemh)

This distressed canvas also makes a fabulous gift, so if you are sharing news of this contest on your facebook page, you may want to hint to your friends & family which photograph you like too!

How to Enter

1. "Like" Melanie Hillock Photography over on Facebook: www.facebook.com/MelanieHillockPhotography

2. Leave a comment on my photography website blog post telling me you've "liked me" :)

3. You can gain additional entries if you 1. Tweet about my contest on Twitter (Must include hashtag #MelanieMH), 2. Share my Facebook contest post on your Facebook page(1 entry) or 3. Booked me to photograph you (3 entries!) Please put links to tweets and Facebook shares here. Thanks!


Terms & Conditions

1. Contest closes on Saturday, March 31st, 2012. - 11:59pm EST

2.Winner will be selected via Random.Org from posts on this contest entry and notified via email on April 1st. (Will also be posted on Facebook and at www.MelanieHillock.com  - winner has 1 week to contact me via email if they have not provided contact information in their comments)

3.Participants must use their personal Facebook page to "Like" Melanie Hillock Photography

4.Contest is open to all participants worldwide.

How Not to Cancel Plans

I had plans the other night which were cancelled.
These things happen. I am totally fine with that.  Life happens, things come up and plans change. I adjust. 
What I do take issue with is the way that cancellations can sometimes go.
(This applies to friends and dates, not necessarily parties when the host is usually busy with a billion other things, unless of course you are the date of the host or whatnot!)

1.  If I have to call you to verify we have plans::  I immediately have a bad feeling in my stomach if I need to call you/text you to verify the plans for our meeting.  I like knowing where and when to meet you in advance of the day of said plans. If you verify we do have plans for that day (on that day), don't cancel them an hour later. Simply cancel then and there, with a heartfelt apology.  I have likely spent time and money in advance to see you and turned down other social functions.

2.  If you fail to apologize::  If you fail to utter an "I'm sorry" to me for cancelling plans, I have a hard time judging if you actually are sorry.  It's hurtful.  It means that whatever you are going through trumps the fact that we made plans and now I get to spend quality time with my cat (who will certainly not appreciate my new hairdo, shaved legs or Givenchy lipstick).  Just tell me how sorry you are. Simple.

3.  If you do not contact me on the phone - but text me instead::  Texting is not a suitable form of communicating for cancelling plans.  You should call to cancel.  That allows me to hear
a) how sick you are
b) how sorry you are (there's that apology)
c) the ability to reschedule in person rather than email or via text

The phone is a far more personal approach that simply typing up a quick "hey, can't make it tonight". A cancellation over the phone is more sincere and giving us both an opportunity to hear tone, vocal inflections and hopefully sincerity.

When did we lose our ability to connect with people in a civilized manner?

One of the best dates I ever had happened after a cancellation.  While he was unable to make our original date, he called to apologise, rescheduled another time (therefore definitely letting me know he wanted to see me) and when we met up, he apologised again for cancelling and definitely made up for it. I was even informed by a friend of his we ran into (while he was using the restroom) that he had felt really bad for not making our last date. Bonus points by telling your friend you felt bad.

My recent cancellation would have been fine too...had he followed the above basic social niceties.  In  all fairness he was sick and he did try to reschedule (although I knew he was going to be busy and rushing to fit me in - so I suggested another time, but he was busy). 

We have yet to reschedule. I have been trying to determine if I am into him because I 'think' I am...but this recent cancellation has me on the edge.

Rick's Rant: Online Spying

Love Rick Mercer and he hit the nail on the head with this one.  Really, how comfortable are you sharing all of your private activities on your harddrive with the government?

Most people have nothing to hide, but wanting to keep that private is your own business...not that of the government.

A Little Tuesday Love For...

• Shameless (US version) TV program.  Not for the faint of heart, but the cast is amazing!
• Birthday Cake flavoured Oreos..ohh yeah (will talk more about these later)
• Making my way through all my many, many lotions without purchasing anything so far...yay!
• Seriously contemplating a bird tattoo like this...
• Rockstar Energy Drinks
• Managing my wardrobe all fall and winter with minimal clothes
• A seriously mild winter...in which I never got to purchase snowshoes, but am happy with the temperatures!
• Return of  The Walking Dead
• Getting back to paleo eating (minus the energy drinks and Oreos..of course!) 

Family Day & Fluevogs

Family day...a holiday that was created while I still lived abroad and I always seem to forget when it is until it's right around the corner.  Although today will mainly be spent cleaning and reorganizing, I did manage to hang out on Saturday with my 1st cousin once removed: Kari  (Visiting from Calgary).  So technically I did celebrate family day! :)

After a wander and lunch at St. Lawrence Market, we headed over to Chinatown and Kensington market...where we shared a slice of chocolate mint cake & a latte for me and mochaccino for Kari at Wanda's Pie in the Sky.  I love that place, but it's always packed and I can never seem to get a great photo!

Otherwise, bought some fun stuff at Blue Banana and meandered through all the shops before heading home. Love.

The second part of this post ties into one of my goals for 2012!  Learning to walk in my Fluevog 'Berlin Mitte' stilettos that arrived from the Vancouver store for me last week.  Whoop!  Completely hot stuff and bought on sale. 

I will definitely be talking about learning how to walk in stilettos as I go along because although I have many pairs of high heels, these are by far the highest and thinnest heel.

Hope you all have a happy family day...

Personal Finance & Filing Taxes

Oh yes dear reader...it's that time again.Tax time! *insert groan here*
I'm filing my taxes this weekend and revisiting some personal finance goals and exploring more options to increase my money making potential.
This is how I currently bring in income...

1.Full time job
2.Part time job
3.Photography shoots
4.Random jobs
5.Ebay/Etsy sales
6.Surveys

My fulltime job I started in December (I should be finding out next week if it's permanent) and my part time job is a one day a week and the photoshoots are starting to pick up (yay!).  The rest all come in in dribs and drabs.  One of my goals this year was to do a lot more 'active' working and a lot less 'passive' things like general surfing/watching tv/lack of turning dreams into realities.

At the moment, my fulltime job provides me with a little bit of downtime (shhhhh..don't tell anyone!) in which I have been writing and possibly parlaying those miniscule amounts of time into extra income.

I also plan on looking into stock photo opportunities..which will not only bring in (hopefully) some additional funds (or pockets as I like to refer to them) but will also get my name out there more.  That said, I also need to get out shooting more...

The photoshoots are coming, but I need to do more advertising for sure and get my work out there if I want to keep pursuing it as a legitimate way of bringing in money and doing what I love.

I tackled my taxes this afternoon (It's not that they are hard, but I find it so bloody confusing!  Note to Self:  Date an accountant before next years taxes are due (and make him fall wildly in love with me of course.))  I'm getting a refund and for that I am very thankful. 

I need it to help fund an adventure this year...