Camera Phone Snapshots

I have three cameras to document this trip.  I have my camera on my phone, my Canon s90 point and shoot and my Canon 5D Mark ii.  Where ever I go, I like to take photographs with all of them. There is an app that you can get for your iphone that takes photographs that look like the old square ones you find when you dig through old family treasures. To get this look, you can download the hipstamatic application for your iphone phone.  I like to gather a collection of these since they are easy to take and it's fun to switch out the film, lenses and flash right on your phone.

I've been taking them from the start of this journey and I look forward to taking more to share with you.  Here are a few that I've taken that I especially like.  I didn't do anything with the photograph, I just pointed in the direction of something that looked interesting to me and clicked the button.

It's just a reminder that it isn't necessary the tools you have that will give you a photograph you enjoy.  Sometimes we forget to take the time to document what we do, but once you have it on "film" you will be able to cherish it forever.  This summer (and beyond), I encourage you to dust off that camera you have and take some snapshots of your life, where you go and what you do.  Sometimes, I think those are the most interesting shots.  Simple things like eating breakfast, cooking with your family, watching your kids play, items you see on your commute.  I know I can be critical on myself with the photographs I take.  When I take the time to look back on them, I tend to enjoy the simple ones the most.  The ones that take me back to the time when the photograph was taken.  Don't wait for the newest camera, the one you have that's sitting in a drawer will work just fine.  Last year on my journey, I took all of my photographs with a point and click you can buy at any big electronics store for about $100 bucks.  There are even cheaper versions out there as well.  Have fun!  I have to admit that taking photographs has made this journey a little bit more fun, even though Max is a bit sick of it.

Clothes The Deal and Dress For Success

The journey of living with less continues.  Yesterday I cleaned out my business suit and business wear attire on my handy little clothes rack and gave them to the organization, "Clothes the Deal" yesterday.

The mission at Clothes The Deal is to "assist men, women, and at-risk youth, empowering them to gain and sustain employment, and achieve economic self-sufficiency through employment success."  They also offer workshops to "educate and enhance the participant's self-esteem and professional image for employment. The workshop focuses on five main areas of developing a professional image" self-esteem/confidence, business etiquette, wardrobe, accessories, and hair/make-up."

It was a good feeling knowing that by giving my work clothes to this organization, they could help an individual become successful in their own life.

It was a trip through memory lane looking through all of my business suits and clothes, remembering the times I wore them and all of the meetings I went to and how I couldn't wait to come home, rip the "uniform" off and put jeans on. They are beautiful pieces of clothing but for me, I was/am happier in casual wear.  We all have to play a roll at some point in our lives.  One quote that has always stuck out with me is that, "you never have to apologize for looking sharp."

I worked hard in those clothes.  As I read the workshop areas, I think I could have used some lessons in the hair and make-up department.  I remember one year when I had my yearly performance review from my boss (who is a woman).  I received excellent marks in my performance but she wrote me up by saying that I needed a manicure and one day my hair wasn't completely dry in an office meeting (no clients attended), and that my linen shirt needed ironing.  Ok ladies... tell me how not to wrinkle a linen shirt when you commute an hour each way to work and sit in the car.  I don't think it's possible.  Ok, maybe I can use a manicure and a blow dryer!  Geez, such work (as I bite my nails).

It's time to clean out your closets and give what you think you will wear one day...but deep down you know you won't...to a good cause.  Make your life a little more clutter free and help someone change their life for the better, at the same time.  Here are two organizations that I would recommend:

Clothes The Deal
(locations in the Southern California Area)

Dress For Success
(Nationwide)