So, I'm working now. Yeeeah. Life's good, still without that drastic change that I'm told to expect upon entering the workforce (the real workforce that is, full-time employment with no life to yourself afterwards...) and yet, possibly due to my only part-time status, no seas have changed for me.

I'm still doing nothing with my free time, except taking and editing photos, that is.  Today, a lovely siamese named Quentin had the itch to explore the outdoors. I came along, of course.

He was a bit shy at the beginning to have his picture taken.

Then out of the blue, starts posing like a little kitty model.

Cats have it too easy.

He didn't like this pose (consisting of me stuffing him into a boot backwards).

We found a magnificent kitty contraption.

And, I like this one a lot.

I'm finding out how much I really like pet photography.

Oooh boy, can it be that I'm already excited for the leaves to change? The cold nights, pumpkin muffins, fluffy blankets, breezy soccer games...bring it on! For once in a looong time, I'm actually in Northern Maine for autumn. I'm home, and I'm beginning to think about how fun taking pictures then will be. With those awesome colors. And comfy clothes so I don't get poison ivy rash and a million bug bites and sunburned thighs from laying on my stomach just to get a shot. Laying down in jeans, rolling around, leaves flying...yes. It is the best season EVER. Don't ya think?

My family sat down and watched The Bucket List tonight.

It's got me wondering a bit of things, most associated with exactly what I would do with my life if it were "scheduled" to end in such a short time as it was for the characters in the movie. It's such a deep and somewhat saddening thing to think about, but I guess for me, I've got a long road ahead of me to accomplish these things. Here's my "bucket list".

• Go skydiving (go figure!)
• Write a song...I've never finished an entire song before.
• Pet an orca whale. I've loved these my whole life, wanted to do this since I was a kid.
• Travel to Alaska. Another thing I've wanted to do forever.
• Go somewhere with photography. Not sure where yet, just somewhere.
• Hike the Appalachian Trail. The whole thing.
• Paint a masterpiece

Also, I've found a sad but touching xanga entry along these lines: http://www.xanga.com/jerjonji/665078634/item.html. It's called "A Dog's Bucket List", and I discovered it from a fellow xanga user's recommendation.

While I'm on the subject of linking, heck--why not. If you appreciate music and songwriters, check this guy out...you'll be glad you did. http://youtube.com/watch?v=eczNekGhDxM

Ok. Some pictures now.

Behind my house, there is my favorite trail in the woods...

Micah & his lovely sun conure, Beeker. A candid shot.

Gave Micah the camera for a while.

Those quiet afternoon naps truly are the best. This one interrupted by shutter clicks; I've awakened kitty.

Love those clever eyes, he knew exactly what I was doing. ;)

There's just something about those summer fields and sunsets.

A walk or two can find a lot of things photogenic.

A broken weedwhacker = frumpy lawn. My dad doesn't like frumpy lawns.

The incoming storm, right before the rain. I remember that week of daily thunderstorms.

Besides the drabness of constant rain, I don't mind a thunderstorm or two. I tend to fall into the "Thunderstorms are Freakin' Awesome" group quite a bit actually. But right now, imagine this: laying back, sipping that ice cold lemonade with all the condensation on the glass, wind in your tossed up hair, doing absolutely nothing.

Now that's one thing I love more than thunderstorms.

So, yes...indeed. I think my xanga writing is surely slowing down for good now, as my lifestyle doesn't really support a creative mood for writing the day's thoughts and occurrences now as much as before (why is this?). I do have a few more pictures to share, though. I brought the camera back and I'm now looking into a Rebel XSi, mainly for it's upgraded image quality, battery life and live view LCD that also jumped up in size. A bit more expensive, but for the girl that's gonna have this camera for a long time, it's definitely worth it.

Father's day was fun; my niece did some wonderful fishing with Papa on the riverbank that afternoon.

I gathered a rainbow of rocks, for I didn't have a fishing pole.

And, then the dandelions. I love dandelions.

A bit stressed about the whole road of life branching in a million directions in front of me at this point. No longer a neat little straight stretch that I wished would end. Which seems so much nicer now, looking back on it. So, just focusing on making progress on the things that I can make my mind up on. Like getting my hygiene license and possibly looking into courses I can take up home. Yay, at least I've got that much figured out.

I've now got to go indulge myself in the new gameshow "Wipeout", and laugh at people's failed attempts to not make complete fools of themselves on tv. Gets ya everytime.