| 25 years ago |
[Jul. 31st, 2008|09:09 am] |
August 13th, 1983 I married Paula. In two weeks, that will be 25 years ago. In celebration, she would like to renew our wedding vows. (I don't know what's wrong with the old ones. They have worked pretty well so far. (j/k)). She would like to do it at KCRF, where we have spent much time together, and have many friends. We are still working out the details, but it is going to be a lot of fun, and very special. |
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| I'm not dead |
[Feb. 28th, 2008|01:18 pm] |
It has been a long time since I have made a post. I usually use myspace.com, but I don't keep that updated very well either. I have a facebook account, and it looks like a lot of my friends are migrating there, but it is confusing to me.
In December, we almost lost the house to foreclosure. We filed bankruptcy. Paula and I both have new jobs, so we are struggling our way back to financial security.
Nick got his drivers license.
Tonight, we have free passes to see "The Other Boleyn girl". |
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| jobs and cars |
[Jun. 23rd, 2007|07:11 am] |
| [ | mood |
| |  chipper | ] |
I don't really have a job. I have managed to land some independent contractor jobs. The first one was installing signature capture devices in Macy's stores around the KC area. That was over in 2 weeks. I had one job where we went into Sprint and at 12 midnight we pulled the plug on several Cisco routers, and swapped them out for some upgraded ones. That was fun, but only lasted one day. I am currently working with a company that has a contract to install new PCs in the Blue Valley School District. This may run for a couple of months, so it is almost like having a steady job. I am also getting paid to go watch the KC Wizards home games. I am a commentator for the games. I sit in the stands with my cellphone, and announce major events (goals, yellow cards, penalty kicks) to someone who can barely understand english. I am told that my information is used to update live stats on a website somewhere. It sounds a little weird, but I have done it twice, and have gotten paid for both games. I get paid through PayPal a total of £55.00 GBP which converts to a little over $100 USD per game. The company is still looking for more commentators for the KC Wizards home games, so if you have a basic knowledge of soccer and would like to get paid to watch the Wizards play, I can give you the contact information.
Paula's car died. Engine needs replaced. Can't afford it. My Mom offered to help. She paid for a major portion of a new car, and let us finance the rest through her. We now own a 2002 PT Cruiser. WOOT! She also gave me money to fix the brakes on my car. Wow! My mom is wonderful. |
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| Dr's appointment |
[May. 29th, 2007|11:19 pm] |
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The nodules on my thyroid are benign. Follow up with Dr tomorrow. She's concerned about my sugar level and the possibility that I am on my way to becoming diabetic. |
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| T-Mobile Career Fair |
[Dec. 7th, 2006|03:28 am] |
I got a job at t-mobile's customer service call center in Lenexa. So far, it's been a great place to work.
You can find out more about it at T-Mobile's open house on Saturday, December 16th from 10:00am-2:00pm at the Lenexa Customer Care Center, 9601 Renner Blvd., Lenexa, KS 66219. Please tell them that Mike Strange referred you, and if you get hired, and work for them for 90 days, I will get a $500 bonus.
If you cannot attend the open house, you can apply the same way I did. Log on to www.t-mobile.com/jobs
Don't forget to tell them you were referred by Mike Strange |
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| I got the job. |
[Nov. 20th, 2006|09:05 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | happy | ] |
Got a phone call today from t-mobile. They offered me a position in their lenexa call center doing customer service. It will be nice to have a regular paycheck again. |
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| KC Renfest Pictures |
[Oct. 17th, 2006|10:56 pm] |
I now have all my pictures posted from the Kansas City Renaissance Festival. You can see them here: Gallery Link
There are over 3000 pictures this year. I had a great time. Thank you for looking. |
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| Paula's birthday |
[Sep. 29th, 2006|03:15 pm] |
Paula's birthday is Sat. Oct 30th. She will be at the KC Renfest, so if you see here there, wish her a Happy Birthday please. She is not performing this year, but she has played Bess the Bard and done the Pirates for Dummies shows with Cornelius the Jester for the last 3 years.
She is not on LJ, but you can send birthday wishes to her at http://www.myspace.com/pstrange. |
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| Renfest |
[Sep. 26th, 2006|07:41 am] |
| [ | mood |
| |  stressed | ] |
This as been a good year so far. I love being with all my friends, and making new ones. Last weekend a girl walked up to me and asked "Are you Mike... Mike Strange? I was one of your bridesmaids!!!" Well, that was amazing that she recognized me after 23 years. We spent the afternoon together getting caught up and watching her daughter ride the swan and the dragon.
OMG! Were there enough cameras at fair last weekend??? It seemed like EVERYONE was taking pictures. I set up a nice shot with a couple of costumed patrons, and I know that at least two other people took the same shot over my shoulder. Going to almost any show I will find at least 3 other photographers covering it from various angles. I feel redundant.
My camera is having seizures. It still takes pictures, but the controls lock up intermittently. The problem is causing my batteries to drain quickly, and by the middle of Sunday afternoon, I had used up all my batteries. I'll have to take my charger out with me next time, but if there is anything specific that you want me to take pictures of, let me know about it so I can try to shoot it early in the day. I need to send my camera in for service, but it's hard to pick a 3 week period that I don't need it.
Money - Need it. Don't have it. |
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| Pictures: KCRF 2006 |
[Sep. 4th, 2006|05:55 am] |
| [ | mood |
| |  tired | ] |
The photo gallery for the 2006 Renaissance festival is now online. Click Here to view the pictures, and check back often, as I will be updating the gallery after each weekend of faire.
Please purchase pictures to show your support. I am NOT paid the the Renaissance Festival. I am at the festival every weekend to support my family and friends. I have not raised my prices since I began shooting for friends over 5 years ago. Comments are also appreciated.
We have 6 more weeks to go. If you want a specific picture of anything from the fair, please request it, and I will do my best to make it available to you.
Enjoy the faire. KCRENFEST.COM
Comments appreciated. |
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| High School Soccer |
[Aug. 31st, 2006|08:31 am] |
| [ | mood |
| | pleased | ] |
Nick started High School this year. I'm very proud of him for making the JV Soccer team.
 |
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| KC Renaissance Festival Pictures |
[Aug. 19th, 2006|10:57 pm] |
The first time I went to the Kansas City Renaissance Festival has to have been over 25 years ago. I began taking pictures for performers at the festival several years ago. Usually, it was people wanting good pictures of their costumes that they had invested a great deal of time and money in. I sold them pictures for $1 per shot. It helped, a little, to offset my expense of film and printing. The more pictures I took, the more film I had to buy, and the higher my developing cost became. The festival has paid me to use a couple of my pictures in advertising, but they pay a ridiculously low amount. The Festival "hires" me to take pictures of the Mr Romance competition, and pays me with a pass and whatever food coupon books the E.D. can spare that day. I have two children who perform at the fair, and they help me use the coupons. Having children at the fair means that I get to drive them to apprentice meetings, promos, academy, trail by fire, mini-fair, media party, and all the other preliminaries to the Renaissance Festival. I take pictures at these events, and they are added as content to the performers website. When the festival begins, I will put the pictures on a website where pictures can be ordered directly from the internet, and the prints mailed directly to whoever wishes to order them. I still only charge $1 for a 4x6 print, even though my rates are much higher when taking pictures at other events. Rennies are my family and friends.
I learned some things at Media Party:
#1 People on LJ were looking for me.
#2 I don't take pictures of everybody.
First, I have never been a great blogger. My posts are sporadic, and usually inspired by some trauma. I don't know why anyone would want to read about my boring life. But I have friends on LJ, and they would like to know what I am up to occasionally. As bad as I am about blogging, I am on LJ, Xanga, and MySpace. I joined Xanga to monitor what my daughter is putting online. I have found that there are several rennies on Xanga, even though they seem to be the younger crowd. I joined MySpace to communicate with some of my models, and I have found some more models and some interesting opportunities for me on MySpace. I will try to keep in touch on LJ.
Second, a good friend, and a long time renny asked me why I don't take pictures of him. Was I mad at him? Don't I like him? Well, I had to shamefully admit that I didn't take pictures of him because I knew him too long. Stay with me here. I take THOUSANDS of pictures at the Renaissance Festival, but I still can't cover EVERYTHING. Over the years, I have seen everything, and I have pictures of it at one time or another. I take pictures of things that appear new and different to me, or I take pictures that have been requested. This year, with a new queen, I expect you will see me taking a lot of pictures of the royal court. But, if you want me to take you picture... Let me know. I will be happy to. If you just want to see it on my website, that's fine. If you can, buy a copy or two to help me pay for the website that supports them.
Don't let the season go by and wish that I had taken your picture. Ask me, and I will be happy to.
Well, I still have to upload the pictures from Media Party. I hope that this year is a great year for everybody. See you at the fair! |
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| GOD SAVE THE QUEEN! |
[Jul. 23rd, 2006|12:47 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | pleased | ] |
Pictures from the Kansas City Renaissance Festivals Queen's coronation and Feast are now online.
Click the picture above to get to the picture galleries. |
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| My word |
[Jul. 23rd, 2006|12:42 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| |  silly | ] |
borrowed from ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) hdsqrl
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| Bicycle |
[Jul. 11th, 2006|01:25 am] |
| [ | mood |
| | happy | ] |
My bike was delivered today. Yeah!
I bought it on eBay.
This is my 4th Takara, although it has been several years since I have ridden. I live in a new neighborhood, and there are bike trails within riding distance. Sooo... away I go.
My previous bike was stolen. I am hoping that with the better neighborhood, and the protection of a garage, this bike will last a long time.
Now I need to find a bike for Paula, so we can ride together. |
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| Plumbing |
[Jun. 25th, 2006|09:03 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | frustrated | ] |
The plumbing is still getting the better of me. The shower leaked. I tried to fix it. The water pressure messed up. I tried to fix it. The toilet quit flushing... I'm still trying to fix it. I can't get the thing in the place to keep the water from leaking out of the toilet. All my towels are wet. |
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| eBay is the way |
[Jun. 15th, 2006|06:33 pm] |
| [ | mood |
| | elated | ] |
Many people are selling cameras like mine on eBay. Canon has revised the model twice since mine came out, so they are selling for about 1/3 of what they originally cost. Using my best "Winning Ebay Tactics", I entered my bid 30 seconds before the auction closed. Someone is going to be very disappointed, because I beat his bid by 10 seconds.
I WON THE AUCTION.
Within days, I should have a working replacement for my camera, and I will be back in business.
I will shoot ANYTHING.
Portraits,
Weddings,
Senior Pictures,
Children,
Pets,
Model portfolios,
Actor headshots,
Glamour/Boudoir,
Events,
Sports.
Call me to set something up. 816-616-4657. |
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| Beyond Economical Repair |
[Jun. 3rd, 2006|11:04 am] |
| [ | mood |
| |  crushed | ] |
That's Canon's diagnosis of my camera.
I have to buy a new camera.
I'm not finacially stable. (Bordering on not mentally stable) |
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