BabyBlues86 In reply to Firnadi [2009-11-30 19:50:19 +0000 UTC]

You're welcome! I look forward to seeing your new pieces.

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BabyBlues86 In reply to srdrummerboy [2009-11-20 17:18:57 +0000 UTC]

It absolutely would be the SF Bay Area. I live in South San Jose, and do most of my work from our in-home studio. Is this where you hail from as well?

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srdrummerboy In reply to BabyBlues86 [2009-11-20 18:28:44 +0000 UTC]

I'm actually a little north of you! I hail from Santa Rosa!
I think you're the closest deviant I know of to where I live!

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BabyBlues86 In reply to srdrummerboy [2009-11-20 18:50:21 +0000 UTC]

That's fantastic! I've never really shot anywhere north of Sunnyvale, although I took a few vacation shots on the Mendocino coast a couple of months back. I would love to do some SF location shoots sometime, but the traffic up there makes me want to shoot myself...
As soon as I find some great "secret" Bay Area locations I'll be sure to share them with you.

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srdrummerboy In reply to BabyBlues86 [2009-11-20 18:56:15 +0000 UTC]

I totally know what you mean with the traffic. Caltrans is in the process of widening 3 stretches of 101 in between Petaluma and Windsor, with Santa Rosa smack dab in the middle of such road construction. And with this RAIN, it makes it even worse, psh.

The beaches of Sonoma County are great to shoot at if it's not windy. Namely Goat Rock Beach, School House Beach, and Salmon Creek Beach are great locations!
It would be awesome to have DevMeat, I'm sure you'd make a great model!

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BabyBlues86 In reply to srdrummerboy [2009-11-21 00:45:50 +0000 UTC]

Thanks for the suggestions! Mental notes have been taken.

As a new Deviant-in-training, what is a DevMeat? I'm assuming its a "meeting of deviants", but I'd love to learn the details.

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srdrummerboy In reply to BabyBlues86 [2009-11-21 02:02:00 +0000 UTC]

You are quite correct about the definition of DevMeet. I should learn to spell that right, psh. Moreover, I have not had the chance of meeting other deviants face-to-face, although.....

Rest assured, though I have been a deviant for several years, there still things that I am unfamiliar with concerning deviantART.

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BabyBlues86 In reply to srdrummerboy [2009-11-21 16:58:37 +0000 UTC]

Aha, no worries! And that would be fabulous. I have not done any modeling myself, but I would love to give it a try if only to better understand what I'm asking my own models to do. lol. There's a successful photographer out of SF who used to be a prominent model. Now she photographs weddings, and is renowned for making the brides feel natural, beautiful, and the poses are always fantastic. I want to have that feeling of "natural instruction" as well.
Suffice it to say that, if there ever is a DevMeet close by, I'm all in. ^_^

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srdrummerboy In reply to BabyBlues86 [2009-11-21 19:30:39 +0000 UTC]

I wish I could say that I do my portrait photography solely under my direction, but that is not fully the case. The majority of people I shoot are either friends or students at Sonoma State University. Along with that, I shoot in a studio belonging to my artist mentor, Jake, who is a good friend of mine. he is where I get most of my ideas and inspiration from!

Do you go to school and work, or just one of those? (Did that question make sense? )

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BabyBlues86 In reply to srdrummerboy [2009-11-26 00:33:31 +0000 UTC]

Sorry for the delay in replies! I blame the holidays and all that jazz.

I'm planning to take a class or two in the spring, but I haven't in school since fall of '07. Two years yet to go.

Sonoma State? My sister goes there! She's featured in several of my photos- a real looker. I've been to the campus a couple of times and she promises to give me the full tour when I visit her in Febuary. I'm slightly jealous (but mostly happy for you) about having a mentor. I have incredibly inspiring and encouraging friends and family, but none of them are photographers. I'm figuring it out fairly well on my own, but its definitely slower this way.

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srdrummerboy In reply to BabyBlues86 [2009-11-26 02:34:53 +0000 UTC]

So I'm guessing since Your sister is going to Sonoma State that she is living somewhere in the Rohnert Park area? (Kind of a stupid question on my part.) Not meaning to be too forward or anything, but, what are the chances that she'd want to do a casual shoot?

I, myself, did two years at a local trade school graduating in '08 with an AA degree in Information Technology. Alas, my search for a job in such field came up dry, now I am happily employed at Staaaaaaahhhhbucks. (Starbucks )

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BabyBlues86 In reply to srdrummerboy [2009-11-28 06:17:24 +0000 UTC]

She lives on campus at SSU in the freshman dorms. It's still one of those \"I-can't-believe-she's-all-grown-up!\" situations. I'd perfer to meet you before refering her to you as a model (protective sis, what can I say), but I'll certainly pass your question along. Maybe in February we could all meet up and schedule a shoot? I'm going to be making a trip up there myself.

I am a Staaaaaaaaahhhbucks alum myself! Three years as an opener, baby. I chose to stay at the barista level, and I adored every shift working there. I left in July of this year to pursue photography, and because "it was time." I'd love to go back someday if photography allows, or if the funds are needed. Every time I walk into my old store it feels like a second home.

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srdrummerboy In reply to BabyBlues86 [2009-11-28 15:02:36 +0000 UTC]

It's crazy how quickly time passes by isn't it?
I totally understand the protective sister thing. I have a sister and, though she older than me, I tend to be a protective brother and all. Considering she is my sister. Just let me know!

I've only been with company for about six months now. I was a long time customer at the store closest to my house, so I was already really good friends with the people who work there, so it was a fairly easy transition when I was hired on. Although it's sad because about half of the people I started out work with have either been transferred or have left the business.

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BabyBlues86 In reply to srdrummerboy [2009-11-28 19:54:30 +0000 UTC]

It's a great company, as you've certainly been there long enough to know. Take full advantage of your perks card- I still have my gym membership at about half what I would be paying without working for da 'bucks. ^_^

Our turnover was pretty high as well. By the time I left we were on what I called "generation 4." The entire staff list had changed about four times, which made me feel old. Lol. I actually met my husband working there. I was his barista, he was my customer, and we both developed an adorable silent crush on each other. It was my manager who noticed, and eventually the beans were spilled and my coworkers told him to ask me out. The rest is history.

It's a great place to network for photography, by the way. Come in on a day off with your portfolio on your laptop, and you'll have both customers and coworkers interested in your services. And, since you're off the clock, you can give them your business information.

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srdrummerboy In reply to BabyBlues86 [2009-11-28 22:57:52 +0000 UTC]

I know the perks are great! I've been meaning to sign up for a membership at 24 hour fitness I just haven't had the chance to yet. And the health benefits ... SERIOUSLY! I just got signed up for those as well, and am only paying $33ish dollars per check. That's down about 75% compared to what I was paying before I signed up with da 'bucks. (I like how that sounds! ).

Our store is still fairly new, about 3 years old, but we're down to, I think, two of the original openers still working at the store. Being a "younger" store we still have the older espresso machines, but I always here rave reviews about the newer ones. They look pretty awesome! I want to know what it would be like to steam on those units.

That's awesome that you met you husband there! I've heard other stories about similar situations. Also stories about partners who start out working together and later getting engaged and married.
I'm kind of in a similar situation. (Not getting married any time soon, though ) As strange as it may sound, when ever I'm not working at my store, I hang out a lot at another 'Bucks location a few miles away because, of ... well... someone who works here, er ... there. (I'm there/here now ) The only problem is that she is a Shift Supervisor, and from what I hear upper management frowns on baristas/shifts dating. Although I think it's more-so shifts/baristas at the same store rather thank at different stores.

Sorry, I'm so wordy. It's not often I find someone on dA who lives near and also works(worked) at the same place I do.

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BabyBlues86 In reply to srdrummerboy [2009-11-29 02:59:18 +0000 UTC]

I definitely miss my health benefits! Aetna is really screwing me over now that I'm not with Starbucks anymore, and using them through my hubby's company plan.

The new machines are great. They look awesome, and are absolutely idiot-proof. They steam automatically, hold almost an entire bullet of espresso, and don't break down nearly as often. My favorite part is that the steam wands are teflon, so milk never adheres to them. (Simple pleasures, what can I say.)

And I'm so tickled to hear your lady works close by! I remember wanting to build a "family tree" of Starbucks relationships to show just how ridiculously close-knit the company is. I probably know a barista who has dated someone who is the brother of someone at your store. (Hypothetically of course, but such a thing wouldn't surprise me.) I know of several couples who have bent the barista/shift sup dating law, both from separate stores and from within one store. The latter I don't advise, but I've never seen anyone have a problem with inter-store relationships spanning any title. (I worked with a barista who dated the manager at the store just down the street, and they were just fine.)

I'm wordy too. I try to keep it under control, but all reservations fly out the window when I find someone equally wordy. No need to apologize.

By the way, when February comes closer I would love to meet up, whether for a shoot or just to swap stories. Would you be interested? (Like you said, it's rare to find someone on dA who lives close by.) I'll driving to/from the Rhonert Park area.

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srdrummerboy In reply to BabyBlues86 [2009-11-29 04:30:23 +0000 UTC]

Yes, not only do I hear that they work great but they look like the Ferrari of espresso machines. With they're nice bowl shaped hoppers and all. Psh.

Well I wouldn't really say she's my lady. You see the thing I forgot to mention in the previous note was that she doesn't exactly know... well, know that I'm interested in her; but then again I am kind of a shy guy, but that's no excuse. (Side note: She's the one who wrote on the cup that is used for my devID ^__^) Then again, I don't even know if she has a boyfriend or not, but please, I don't want to bore you with all of this.

Rhonert Park is not that long of a drive for me at all so that will work well. Just keep me posted!

Did you have a good Thanksgiving? Any black Friday shopping outings?

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BabyBlues86 In reply to srdrummerboy [2009-11-29 08:11:29 +0000 UTC]

My black Friday shopping outing consisted of work at 4:00am, picking clothes off the floor for nine hours, suffering in a crowded store because the AC was broken, and not being able to leave once for coffee because management is afraid of their employees shoplifting. I work at Guess in the mall.

Gaaah.

But Thanksgiving itself was great, thanks. ^_^ Really laid back. I cooked, played video games, Photoshopped, and lounged the entire day. The only tradition we have during thanksgiving (yet) is sneaking liquor into the food. My mom-in-law is an all-too-serious teetotaller, so the rest of the family enjoys the passive-aggressive act of spiking the chutney, sweet potatoes, and desserts.

And...um...not boring at all! I'm a girl, and we love to hear about anything regarding love and coffee shops. Are you at least able to have conversations with her here and there? Typical Starbucks banter counts here, too. Maybe you'll get lucky sometime soon and cover a shift at her store. I'm a firm believer in the power of small talk, especially when combined with a lot of prayer. Lol.

Any upcoming photo shoot opportunities for you? Family portrait season is upon us.

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srdrummerboy In reply to BabyBlues86 [2009-11-29 17:50:29 +0000 UTC]

That sucks that AC was broken. I got off kind of easy because I didn't have to be to work till 3:30 in the afternoon, so, with the intention of not going out shop I went out to the Marketplace shopping center (Best Buy, Target, Sports Authority, Costco, Marshals, etc) and did some people watching. Boy was it CRAZY! (And yes that is the Marketplace as the, well, you know ...)

I had (got) to work on Thanksgiving. This being my first holiday season at da 'Bucks I wasn't exactly sure what to expect. I was non-stop busy-ness. There was practically no end to the line until 10 minutes before we closed. Which left us little to no time to do the pre-closing and closing task. Gaaah, indeed!!

We share small talk usually when ever I go to her store. Including, as you put it, typical Starbucks banter. As far as covering a shift at her store, I'm not quite sure yet. I'm still building up my confidence about baring in a morning rush at my store, especially with the holidays among us. The prayer idea is good one indeed!

I have this up-and-coming Thursday and Friday off so I might being doing a photo shoot with my best friend ([link] [link] [link] ) before we play tennis on Thursday. I'm thinking that should be pretty fun.

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BabyBlues86 In reply to srdrummerboy [2009-11-29 23:22:23 +0000 UTC]

Just to people watch?! That's fantastic! I love fitting random passers-by with taglines and titles. I can get pretty mean, but some people just ask for it by leaving the house looking/acting like they do.

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srdrummerboy In reply to BabyBlues86 [2009-11-30 03:22:35 +0000 UTC]

Well, not just people watch. I journal quite a bit, so I take my stuff with me find a seat with a good view, and write and watch. I find that journal writing has a calming affect on me. It's hard to explain ...

How mean of you!

Just kidding.

It's funny and kind of annoying at the same time when I write and people watch at da 'Bucks and see customers who act like total jerks to the employees. It really irks me. I'm sure you've had you share of those kind of customers after having been an opener.
I mostly work closing shifts and I can't tell you how many times people rattle the door more than once trying to convince us to let them in. HA!

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BabyBlues86 In reply to Betuwefotograaf [2009-11-18 09:09:09 +0000 UTC]

Thank you! I'm still getting everything set up. (Too cheap to fork over any of my hard-earned $$ just yet for the multi uploader. )

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