this just happened.

See that sexy beast in the picture above? Do you see it?!  The camera, people, not the girl who hasn’t bathed or brushed her hair yet today. 

That, my friends, is what I was talking about when I said I was going to make shit happen this year (or part of it, anyway).  For you camera enthusiasts, it’s a Canon 5D Mark II (with a 50mm 1.4 lens), and I’ll go ahead and admit right away that it’s a little like handing over a super high-tech toy to a perplexed two year old.  BUT IT’S AWESOME.

All weekend I was researching my purchase before I finally bit the bullet, and yesterday Matthew (who loaned me half the purchase price) made up a contract complete with terms and penalties and everything if I don’t make monthly payments on my loan and start up my business like I’ve been running my mouth about for months.  And I fully expect that he’ll take me to court if I don’t hold up my end up the deal.  (Law school makes you hard.)  It’s OK, though… I need that extra push.

So I’m planning to pour my soul into manuals and tutorials over the next weeks and months, and the thought actually sort of excites me since I’m learning something that I’m really passionate about.  I’m trying not to get discouraged by the fact that I’m still in that gap between good taste and actual skill—because I know I’ll get there.  It doesn’t happen overnight.

Here’s a few pictures from around my house (all were taken within the first 24 hours of buying this camera, so I certainly don’t claim to know what the heck I’m doing yet).  Have a great Tuesday!