Duelling Diva's

It's the simple things in life that sometimes are the most rewarding. And the most flustrating. I can't tell you how many times I have tried to change images I get from working on projects. JEPG's and pixel sizes should be simple right? Most of the modeling sites all ask you to submit your images as a JEPG. And the size ranges from 100 pixels up to and depending on your membership, 500 pixels. Today I got to see the pictures from a shoot I did for two of my clients. Both are international opera stars. Wendy Reynolds and Birgit Fioravante. They asked me to help them with publicity shots for their new tour, Duelling Diva's. What a blast. Words can not even describe the craziness and the fun. The final image I chose for their poster screams the title of the tour! I wanted to use this image on some of the modeling sites since it's so different from what you'd expect to see. Imagine how happy I was to stumble across a program to resize and change the format of the image. Yea, right. The best I could get the size to was 18.9 pixels. That was easy. Trying to increase the pixels drove me up the wall. At one point I realized I had gotten the pixels to 140. But then I couldn't change the image from mix to JEPG. For now the image stands at 18.9 pixels. And so I'll wait as I always do. Wait until some kind soul I've asked will resize the image for me! Hope you all enjoy the shot as much as we do! R-

Just another day.

This past Saturday my friend Virginia Alexander and I had gotten a chance to work together. We have not done so for quite some time which is a shame since it actually is more like play for us when we are together. I received a call a few weeks ago from a bride asking me about makeup for her wedding. When I asked her who was doing the hair, she said the salon at the Biltmore. That's where she and the wedding party were staying. After meeting with the hotel a couple of times the bride called me and asked if I was able to now do the hair and makeup for her and her party? Not a problem I said but I'll need to have someone come with me. The bridle party consisted of seven. Including the bride's Mother. The Biltmore is a wonderful old five star hotel in Coral Gables Florida. I have been there many times for work and play. Now they say you should make the most of your wedding day. Memories to last a life time. And that is just what this bride will have. Most know that the day of a wedding is almost always a bit crazy. Imagine adding to that craziness by having the fire alarm go off. There we were, nine of us in the suite now having to grab what we could and file out of the hotel. No one panicked. No one had thoughts of oh my gosh, the wedding. In fact we all acted like it was just part of the day! As I looked back into the bedroom, I noticed the woman who had been steaming the dresses. She was quietly coming towards me pushing the steamer. Then it hit me. I went into the bedroom to see that she had been steaming the clothes under the smoke detector! We had set off the alarm. I yelled out it's us. It's us. I grabbed a chair and climbed up to knock the smoke alarm from the wall. Laughing we started back into the room. Now the room over looks the front of the hotel. Yep, you guessed it. Hanging over the balcony yelling down to let everyone know what had happened. Which was a bit hard since the room is on the 14th floor. At the same time rushing the room was management. Virginia and I just sat back trying to figure out how we were going to get this day back on track? As we said our good-byes to everyone as they finally left for pictures, Virginia and I sat on the balcony as she lit a cigarette. You know she said, No one is going to believe us! "Yes they will. Lets face it, this is a typical day for us". We gathered our gear and as we walked past the concierge I asked, could someone straighten up the bridal suite? He smiled and said, "no problem. We got it covered" The look on his face said just another day at the Biltmore.

They say what doesn't kill us makes us stronger.

Wasn't it amazing how automation was going to make our lives easier? Sadly I remember when the banks told us how much money we were going to save by using ATM machines. Or phoning into a computer instead of a person to pay our bills, move our funds. If we don't have to send you your canceled checks, why, it's cheaper! And now pay pal is the hot new thing. What does that cost? And why do I have to pay to have a pal? What might be even sadder is that when you get a customer service rep you find out that they just started. They are telling you what you want to hear instead of the truth, of course they don't know the correct answer because they just started, but everyone before them was incorrect and they have the right answer. Which you don't want to hear. But only after they put you on hold hoping you'll give up and go away while thinking silly Americans. My favorite just might be, FAQ's. Trust me when I say my question is never answered on the FAQ page. I'm the one with the profound thoughtful questions. You know like when Pam only dreamed that Bobby died on Dallas. How come then on Knots Landing they all mourned he loss? Now to be fair these things have also worked in reverse. Which makes our lives easier. Funny how We tend to take them for granted. As a very wise client of mine once said, "your allowed an off day. Just not the day I come in". So in a few hours I get to call Fifth Third Auto, again. I get to hear how they were justified in taking two payments instead of one. Now out of the blue I owe late fees. The same amount as my payment. Which I make to a person at an extra $12.75 a month so I will not have these problems. I guess automation is cheaper then a person after all. I'll check the FAQ's to see where my extra money goes a month and get back to you.

No rabbit was harmed in writing this

Some days it's like taking candy from a baby. Those are the days you have so much stuff you want to write about you can almost hear the topics saying pick me, pick me. Of course there's that other side when you wished you knew where that scrape paper was you jotted an idea on while driving in traffic. Then there are the posts I feel I should re visit with updates. Well, as luck would have it, this post is just that. An update. On luck. As I checked my emails I counted four from friends that wanted to bless me, protect me, wish me luck or just a cry out please is there anyone left out there that will say they still except mail from me without having to do something with it? Enough already. If I had all the luck that will be bestodedded on me, I'd be on a yacht someplace sailing around the Greek Islands! So here's the deal. Your lucky if you say you are. Pass it along as your final email on that subject. Now send the rest of the good lucks, blessings, and wishes to all the people that send you spam asking for money. Just think how blessed they'll feel knowing now they can stop mooching off others because you cared enough to bring a positive change into their lives? R-

You expect me to tell him that?

Automation. We love it. But it comes with a price. In my case $503.47. That's the amount of money missing from my checking account. I decided reluctantly to have my car payment taken from my checking account for the last three months of 05. I was sick and tired of hearing about how I should set up an account with bill pay. What, you all on commission or something? After explaining over and over again why I did not want to, I said OK, let me see. So come Jan 06 knowing I had to make the car payment I called into the bank. Which costs me $12.75 extra I might add to assure my payment is posted on time. (That's another story) imagine my surprise to find the bank took two payments instead of one. "Oh, we are so sorry" I was told. "Don't know how that happened? Of course we will put the money back right a way". (Do you hear laughing)? That was Jan 25,06. Guess what? Still waiting. As I sat in a branch office of this bank three weeks later talking with the one person with a face to go along with his name, it was nice to see steam coming from his ears instead of mine. You see he has been working with me to get the money put back into my account. The look on his face was as they say priceless when he said into the phone, "you expect me to tell the customer that, OK, fine". With that he hung up the phone, turned to me and repeated "your money is in a black hole". After a few seconds of silence the entire bank including myself busted out laughing. Nothing that I'm told from this bank surprises me. They don't care. They pretty much said so. Oh but they want to know when I will be sending in the Feb payment. Maybe because I'm in a customer service business that I expect it. Maybe because even when I took my first job at McDonald's at a $1.60 a hour I gave it my all. Or even when my Dad said to me "if you chose to be a ditch digger be the best one you can". Customer service. Repeat after me. Thinking the bank should go into the black hole after my $503.47!!! Thank you Fifth Third Bank. You never cease to amaze me. R-

The Box

My parents called today to tell me they bought a new TV. But they don't know how to program it. Didn't the salesman show you how I asked? No, they said read the book, it's in the box. Excuse me? You just spend X dollars and you have to read the booklet? How could you not have ask? Well we didn't said my Mom. And Jerry, the guy who took you in his truck to get the set, when he carried it into the house, did you ask him? Oh he said the directions are in the box. We tried, but we can't get it to work. We'll just wait for you. As I let out a cy I started to wonder when we as a society made the box a scapegoat? When did the box start to take the heat or even hold any real answers at all? Foolish me. Why not collect A pay check for doing part of my job, and let the box answer the questions? Guessing it's the Same box that holds the answers to did you check the FAQ before you ask a real person? Yet to a child A box can be a toy. For my friend's dog, A safe place for her and her five new puppies. Take my client Jackie. A few years ago she had become a foster parent to a remarkable girl wise beyond her 6 years. When She asked Amelia what she wanted for dinner that first night she said mac and cheese. Jackie thought great! How easy is this. Now just so you know, my Mom makes the best macaroni and cheese. Jackie's is a real close second. If you had a choice of a last meal, this would be it. Grab your chest, tell your maker get ready here I come. Clogged arteries, cholesterol central. This by far is the big one. About two hours later Jackie removed her 3 cheese, butter, milk, spices, with bread crumb and more cheese topping from the oven. Sitting down Jackie waited as Amelia started to eat. Two bites later she put down her fork, turned up her nose and started shaking her head no. Jackie asked, don't you like it? It's not the box Jackie Bell. Kids like the box. Who knew the time and money one could save when feeding a 6 year old? I was delighted to get the call to come for dinner. I brought mac and cheese in a box for Amelia and a container for left over's. Now if I could only get Amelia to program my parents TV. I'd send her a case of mac and cheese! R-

Mirror mirror on the wall

They say what you dislike in others is merely a reflection of what you dislike about yourself. If that is true then I'll need to move to a very quiet place and hope they have lot's of delivery services. I was asked to write a column for a new web site going up for the modeling industry. I was extremely flattered and also at a loss as to what to say. Now just so you all know, I am never at a loss for words! While writing for a large group of readers about hair is going to be a wonderful experience, what do you say to them on the first read? "Hi, my name is Rick and I'm going to write about hair?" So I did what I always do, procrastinate. OK, figured the words and style would come to me when I needed them. And they did. Pulling a rabbit out of a hat as I always seem to do, I wrote about something that I was doing that day and turned it into how it could help others. Now, the owner of the site said he loved my style of writing from what he had read on this blog and I should pen the column that same way. With that I let the readers know how I was lead to make assumptions along with putting my foot into my mouth. Figured humor was the way to go. Happy with the finished story I was a bit surprised to see the owner of the site rewrite the article. As I read the new story I thought fiction. Total fiction. I can now understand how writer's in Hollywood must feel. So I took a good look and wondered if I was this person he had written about? After sending him an email explaining my thoughts he reread my original article and explained he was quick to the draw. Kinda like I was with regard to what inspired my article in the first place. What I see in the web site owner is that he is very hard working. Very much a perfectionist and wants only the best of the best. Which brings a smile to my face when I think about it. Now I have never met him but I think we are going to get along just fine! R-

Is that a snow suit? She was wearing a bikini when we started

I have to laugh. I go to the Walgreen's and use their picture making machine. I have it down to a fast few seconds. I have started using mini books for the agencies and photographer's. It costs more then a comp card which most use to show their work but it looks more impressive. And I can change the images whenever I want. I would go after midnight and before sun up. Had the store to myself. I could be in and out within seconds. They knew me by name! Then the store shut off the machines at 11 PM. Now I have to wait behind every amateur photographer with a CD and a finger. Today,after much procrastinating I waited just under 15 min ( timed it) so a guy could pick images of his kid in a snow suit. Loaded in my CD then waited, and waited then BAM. Frozen. Twice. OK, at least I saved the second CD from the same shoot until the end. Thankfully I managed to choose and edit images. Until the computer spit out the CD and shut down! At least I got the CD back. A thank you for coming and spending $56.00 would have been nice. That shoot left me cold anyway. Not in the same way as that kid in the snow suit but non the less. Now I find out I can make prints 24/7 again or stay home and email my order! I'm just afraid I'd get the prints from that kid in the snow suit! Which when I think about it, would be funny. R-

Here's to ghosts, trains and 06

They say there's a reason for everything. Like getting stuck at the train when your already late. Or sitting in a traffic jam for what seems like miles and endless minutes wasted only to find your now driving faster then the speed limit. Trying to go to familiar web pages that now you must sign into to gain access. Again. I try and look past these things. The ones that drive me crazy. Like finally getting the contractor to show up. In my case my web guy to finish work on my web site. We are so happy when things get back on track we forget if there is some lesson we needed to learn? I have found that some things are easiest explained by the ghost in my house. No, it isn't "the not me ghost". I have no kids. Just some energy that was here long before I moved in. Looking for some answers just like me! So to my readers and my ghost/s Happy 06 and expect the unexpected. Again. R-

Some toys are just not meant to play with at any age

Finally. I have been linked. My web site http://www-ricks-hairandmakeup.info has been linked to my blog! Big deal you say? Well, yes it is! Thank you very much. Maybe for the new year one of the things I will learn is how to better understand a computer and it's workings? See, this linking took almost a year to do. Wait a minute, what am I thinking? Boy if you all could see the look on my face! Me and computer technology. Better keep my artistic talents to hair, makeup, and fashion. I just remembered what I did to a toy I had called Mr Machine. Ouch. Poor thing. Maybe it's the spirit of that toy that visits my computer every once and a while? Is that smoke coming from my lab top? R-

And a whatever to you too!

OK, am I crazy or did I miss something? When did we start worrying about merry holidays or happy Christmas? If this is the new social issue plaguing us as a nation, we have bigger troubles then I thought. In case anyone cares, some of us have lost a good month of our lives. Some, have lost their lives completely and are desperate to rebuild a future. If deciding between a merry or a happy is the biggest problem you face, then you've missed the true meaning of Christmas altogether. Now that is ironic don't you think? R- http://www.ricks-hairandmakeup.info

Twinkle twinkle little wrinkle

Yesterday I joined my friend Virginia Alexander, and her friend Sharon for a
luncheon hosted by Botox cosmetics. Now that in it's self is kind of funny. Sorry, my quirky side is showing. I have to say they had a very nice seminar for the beauty professions that attended. The Four Seasons Hotel in Miami was the location and lunch was great. The desert, even better! I sat and listened to a panel of doctors who are more then qualified with a testimonial from patients and thought, "I wonder if they have a room that they inject each other in?" Imaging a Botox party of sorts. Looking at these people I was sure they injected this stuff into their veins. Hailing this as an anti wrinkle drug discovered from a side affect to what it's real purpose was for. Correcting excessive blinking and individuals who were cross eyed. Their purpose was to inform us that there's a right and wrong way to use the product. To get us to spread the word. If we can't get rid of stress then we can get rid of the signs that it exists. Happy Happy Happy. Think they're a bit late cause if you looked around the room at the expressionless faces you knew. I'm not saying I didn't learn something, I did. Always go with an open mind and leave with a goody bag! One free treatment, a t-shirt which is going to the dog I sat for. His nick name is Botox and that's what the shirt says. In rhinestones. A great fitting ball cape and the most wonderful pen. Can't help thinking that their commerical is targeted for the shollow. I mean, I had a good hair day? I found a great pair of shoes on sale? Yet there I was. And I thought I was living in delusion. R- http://www.ricks-hairandmakeup.info

Back away from the computer and put down the drill.

Don't you just love to spend hours on the computer, tweak your writings, answer the questions over and over until you've hammered the keys into the ground and poof. Gone. That's what happened to my first post! Times two. So I typed out this new one. I wish computer people remembered that some of us aren't good with power tools and computers! Good thing because I see a drill with this computer's name on it! R-

"You can have the car in any color you want, as long as it's black"

Isn't that what Henry Ford said about his new car's? Don't you love when someone says to you, "oh you do what you think is best, or I don't know, your the expert." Only to argue at the end because they don't like it so your told you didn't listen. You did what you wanted, not what I wanted. Your made to feel selfish. In fact no matter how many times over the years I've encountered this situation and thought I saw it coming before I started, I was wrong. Wrong from the other person's perspective. Wrong cause I still get sucked in. I should protect myself by having it writing, get a tape recorder. Something! If you asked for my opinion and you don't like it fine. But if you pay for my opinion, tell me to do what I think is right only to give me shit for it afterwards because it isn't to "your" liking then yes it is my fault. Mine because this is never going to change. I can spot the problem within the first minute of conversation so I should walk away. You are thinking then why not give them what they wanted. Doesn't always work because sometimes it still isn't right. I say this because I do get paid for my opinion when it comes to making decisions on hair, makeup, and fashion choices. Now this is regarding modeling. When it comes to my private clientele that's different. There we both have a say. Now I hate to be the one to tell you this but, No, the customer is not always right. And I can say this because I get paid for my opinion! R-

Biggest sale ever

Again. And again. It's Friday, the day after Thanks Giving and people everywhere are foaming at the mouth to spend money (they probably don't have) wait in long lines before the sun comes up, kicking, screaming, fighting for a parking place, all to get what, those gifts on sale? The ones that get returned on the day after Xmas? The one day only get up early pre-sale? What is that? You can't tell me it isn't all going to be on sale again. For an even better price. Because it will be. (the day after Xmas) And what about the poor sales people that have to put up with it all? I sat at the dinner table yesterday between dinner and desert and listened to the conversation about today's plans. Who had what, when to get there, oh can you get this for me while your there and I'll buy your... And my Mom bless her. She tried her best to enlist my help and go shopping with her. Tried all kinds of ways. Years Of shopping as a sport have taught me that the Friday after Thanks Giving and the day after Xmas are better spent having a root canal. Have fun Mom, call me when you and poor Dad get back. Oh and while your there can you pick me up... R-