So I went to Autopac the other day (that would be the DMV for some of you US folks) to renew my car insurance and license.
I just LOVE doing that this time of year... grumble grumble
So I'm writing my cheque and the girl says to me "OH! it's picture day!!'
Seriously? great.

I just threw myself together this morning to get the hell out of the house and I'm not exactly looking my best but what ever.
Now what I would like to know is this:
WHY do they WANT you to look like a terrorist in your license and passport photos??!!! I mean seriously... take your glasses off (never mind that you look cross eyed because you don't know where to look and you can't focus on anything) Don't smile, make sure your bangs aren't touching your eyebrows... ahem I have bangs for a REASON.... no facial expression - not even an eyebrow raise.
So, yeah, once again I am stuck for another 2 years looking like Helga the Viking massage therapist with a bad attitude. Just give me some sort of torture device and a helmet with horns on it to put with my photo and I'll be all set to go.
All that Selfy Sunday crap I talked about earlier? About how I'm feeling more comfortable in front of the camera, how I'm starting to feel that maybe I'm not so bad looking in photos?? yeah..... all of those weeks of progress wiped out with ONE single click of the camera and a constant reminder that you have to carry around on your person for two years, so that if you ever start to feel good about yourself again you can just pull that puppy out and take a look at it and hate yourself all over again!!
WOO Freakin HOO!!!

I mean - without my smile, my glasses and my sassy attitude.... I don't look like me. You may as well hand cuff me and throw me in the squad car because according to that photo I'm not only a fraud but a hardened criminal of the worst kind.
groan I hate official photos.... with a passion. Now pass the Osyrat Kornbröd and after I eat I can get on with your massage torture session.......Welcome to Helga's House of Pain.
So, in other news, I had a really great experience over at Google+! I was invited by Lotus Carrol and Thomas Hawk to be in one of their web broadcasts, to sit on the panel for an interview with Ron Garan - a NASA astronaut who is also a photographer! It was awesome! I was SO nervous before hand but it all worked out ok and it was really exciting. I got to ask him a few questions and he was really down to earth..... for a space man

So, On this Christmas Eve I would like to wish all my wonderful friends here the very best Christmas! May your homes and hearts be filled with the peace and joy of the season, and may you have a wonderful New Year! THank you all so much for your support and your friendship over the years! I appreciate it more than you know!

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::Useful Links::
A List of Links for tutorials/info that I've found to be useful!
Basics of Pen Tool [link]
Making Photoshop Brushes [link]
Adding Borders in PS [link]
Depth of Field [link]
PS Borders [link]
The Pen Tool [link]
Watermarks [link]
Making Textures [link]
Layer Masks and Colour Gradients [link]
GavTrain Photo Training [link]
Manual HDR [link]
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::Special Works for Me!::
Crazy fun filled story again!
Feeling better now,coughing fits are easing up thanks to anti-biotics and rest