a HUNDRED bucks per minute!

What would you do for a hundred bucks/minute for work?  

I'll tell you what I did:  I got hired by MTV to play the part of a Paparazzi-style photographer for a new 'gotcha'-type reality TV show pilot called MTV: Spoofed.  

So I show up at noon at the designated meeting place (a park in central west Vegas) with all of my camera gear ready to rock n roll. The call sheet said '12:00 show, 2:45 paparazzi go'.  I'm thinking I'll be done by 3:00 with a hundred bucks in my pocket and all the happier.

11 hours later and two payscale increases later we paparazzi spring into action and work (shooting low res, low size .jpg images with the flash popping to give a realistic paparazzi effect) into the rear sliding-glass door and startle the poor sucker who was gettin' Punk'd.

I worked for exactly 2.5 minutes.  Rounding that up to 3 minutes means I got paid a hundred bucks/minute!  Never mind the 11 hour wait.  JESUS!!!  Is TV always like this???  I was assured it was not.  However, this being my first TV experience, it did leave me somewhat skeptical.

I did get to network and talk shop with a couple of other local photographers (for hours) and got some very valuable information about the photography opportunities here in Vegas.  I also ate very well all day.  That is one good thing about working in television, I suppose - they make sure you're fed.  

~ Aeon

Reno with Family

Over the holidays we headed up to Reno area to visit Aeon's Family and extended family. I have to admit I was a little nervous at first meeting everyone and wondering what they would think of me. They welcomed me with open arms and hearts.

Our visit was full of laughter and good ole' family time. Aeon even said to me afterwards that this year was one of the best years. There were very few material gifts given this year, but everyone ... including all the little ones had a wonderful time just being together and doing what families do. We played games, watched the babies play, cooked, ate, drank, started the kitchen on fire (don't worry it was put out quickly) and told stories.

I have to thank Aeon's family & Aeon my love, for such a wonderful holiday. Looking forward to many... many more.

This was taken on one of our little walks ...

Moving DAY

Arizona Hot Springs

L:R  Mikey V, Murbina, Lanita & Jana

So I decided to take Jana to one of the local hot springs near Vegas, Arizona Hot Springs, this past weekend.  And we thought it would be fun if we invited friends along with us.  Our roommate, Mikey V, and one of the girls that Jana works with and her friend joined us.  

We had a really great time!  Most of the morning was spent sleeping in but noontime found us at the trail-head working our way down the was to the springs.  Once we got there we did what everyone else did.  We soaked!  We soaked to the bone.  

It's a beautiful little hike and I would recommend it to anyone who is a hot-spring-a-phile like J and I are.  Pics up on my Flickr site.

  Not sure what we're doing next weekend.  Maybe I'll have a job by then!!!  Not going to worry about it... that's for sure.  

TTYL,  Aeon

YOU KNOW YOU'RE IN VEGAS WHEN

So I'll start this post with a nice, little, pretty picture I took in Tahoe over the Holiday. So you can stare at that while you read this post. Now I'm here, in VEGAS, getting settled in and adjusting the best I can.

It's dry, windy and, well its the desert! The most exciting thing so far is the realization that at the end of the day I can't wait to go home! This is a totally new feeling for me: I can't wait to get home and see Aeon. I miss him through the day. Its very cute & mushy, I know.

Now I have a little, humble office in the "ARTS DISTRICT" of Vegas. I like my office because it is in a building with other artists and I'm around friendly people who are all working for their dream. I sit in my office working away, most times with my door open. People walk by, stop in and say HELLO and chit chat for a bit then continue on with their days. I enjoy this aspect of my open door policy.

The other day, I was sitting here, as usual, with the door open and a gentleman stopped in. He was an older, slightly balding, gentleman.  He was heavier set and had a friendly demeanor. He mentioned he was looking for a photographer. I was like 'cool.. come on in and have a seat.' He sat on my little black stool and started to tell me what he needed photos for. He was looking to do some "tasteful" erotic nudes. My eyes widened, and I noticed I was blinking a lot. I was calm and nice and as professional as possible. I was happy that he felt comfortable enough to share with me all the info as to why he wanted these photos and what he wanted his poses to be. I uhh huhhhed and smiled, and let him know that I may not be the best photographer for him, that I specialized in fashion and commercial imagery. However I may be able to recommend someone who can help him out.

After our conversation, I sat back and took a deep breath.
The realization hit me.. you know you're in VEGAS when.....

Here's to an interesting start to this new town. ~ Jana

NEW CITY, NEW YEAR!!!

Happy New Year!!!

Jana and I brought in the New Year with a kiss on top of a rooftop in downtown Las Vegas, Nevada! FIREWORKS!!!  We celebrated with some people who live and work where we set up her office - several other creatives (photographers, musicians, etc) from the Arts Factory.  

We also brought our roommate, Mikey V, because he was thinking about staying home.  He seemed to have a good time, too, so I guess it's a good thing that he came with us!  

There were all sorts of interesting conversations going on around us.  I caught snippets of arguments about the current Israel/Palestine conflict, new and emerging music, places to see around the Las Vegas Valley and I even joined in on a few, myself.  (if you know me, you know that I had to!)

No resolutions this year.  Not for either of us.  I guess we're both just darn happy that we're finally together!  I, for one, am really looking forward to all that this year will bring: the trials, the joys, the laughter, the travels, the anguish and the rewards.  

HNY!, everyone - Aeon