Disclaimer: This is LONG. I know, I wrote all this crap out. I don't actually expect people to read it all, one way or the other, I don't care. You may want to scroll away now if you value your eyes. So, anyhow, it's me Rachel, the trigger finger behind that blinding light at Ray's over there by the stage on the weekends. I like taking pictures. Some of you who've known me all my life may be familiar with that. I originally got on myspace as contact for bands I photograph, but lately I've found a lot of long lost friends on here, so I was hooked pretty quick. I try not to spend too much time on myspace, but I wind up checkin it almost daily. When I have time I like to read and write poetry. I'm mainly a bartender, but due to my six year old kid, I've been a stay-at-home mommy, however, I plan on going back to bartend, or work of some sort, regularly soon. As long as I've been working in bars you'd think I'd enjoy a drink every now and again, but I've actually been completely sober for 10 years and running. Not a drop of alcohol, or any of the other mind altering substances I used to favor. At times I'm mistaken for someone who's on something, but that's just my natural charm [craziness] surfacing. In general, I like to hug people. If you're afraid, you might want to cringe and run away when you see me. Here's a pre-emptive apology. Sorry. Yeah, that was heartfelt. I come from a strict, stifling background, and now I just wanna do things that don't involve any form of suppression. Not that I don't exercise self discipline, more that I don't believe in squashing creative, positive forms of expression. I like talkin shit, kickin ass and takin names. I like having a good time almost all the time, excluding my depressed moments, which I also enjoy. I also like to kiss people, in a platonic and affectionate way. I'm goofy and loopy. I like addressing people as honey, darlin, and sweetie-not as a come on-just cause I like to. (and cause I might have forgotten your name... I have a terrible memory) Don't take offense, it's just how I am - I'm a love pusher... watch out I say the L word at random intervals, like the drunk bud light 'I love you man' guy. I don't care if I sound too girly, mushy, or idiotic to you. I like being me. So, onto a little more narcissistic 'about me' info, well, I like play fighting, but I'll break up a real fight in a heartbeat. I like to not get my ass beat in the mosh when I'm tryina take pictures, but, inevitably, it happens anyway. I'd like to thank the thoughtful and gallant men of the golden lion mosh pit who help pick me up and who go out of their way to protect me from getting hurt. Good lookin out guys, you got my back all the time, you know I'm so fond of y'all, and I appreciate your services VERY much. Also, I really dig people who get behind the mic, that stands to reason, since I like hearing music/lyrics/poetry, so naturally, listening to people vocalizing makes me happy and sometimes creative. Actually, I like any type of stage performance. It takes a lot of guts to get up and perform something you created to those sometimey, unappreciative, unreceptive kinda audiences. I like screaming, balls to the wall live stage music, and I also like poetry/rap/r&b/spoken word. Oh, and also I enjoy writing my own very witty and amusing rap songs. Okay, so maybe the only person I amuse with them is myself, but I'm okay with that. Surprise, surprise. I had two pit bulls that I loved, but I now have a few reptiles and other creatures. It can be high maintenance, but when you have a six year old boy who digs that stuff, and when you see his face light up with love as he delicately cares for his lizards and turtles it's pretty delicious. I like how it's a sideways way of him learning responsibility. He's the reason I changed my view on pets, before him I had no desire to take care of animals. In fact, I was never even going to bring a child into this world, but now that I have, though it was unplanned for, it's been amazing. Naturally, my whole world is changed for the best. I might still adopt though, as planned, one day. I used to love the smell of dirt in the air after rainfall. I no longer have a sense of smell, I lost it in a car wreck 10 years ago. People never remember that I can't smell and always ask me to smell things. Sometimes I fake it for strangers in stores. (oh, yeah, that shampoo really does smell good) With personal friends I just have to give 'em a crazy look, like do you know who you're talkin to? It's me, remember? Then they remember. I have an unbelievably perfect husband. Everyone tells me how lucky I am. I know it already. I am obsessive about a ton of things. I'm pretty germphobic and freak out on people for touching my food, but yet, I can touch their food. Hey, I KNOW my hands are clean, if they weren't, I wouldn't touch your food. I like Micheal Moore. I dig big Jackie O glasses, always have. They're so old hollywood glam. I love pretty makeup. I won't deny dressing up like a boy occasionally, or that I like to sing Elvis songs at the lowest register possible as if I were the king himself. I'm attempting to be a healthnut, but despite that, I can never get enough chocolate in my gut. I have terrible skin, and sometimes wonder if that's a factor, but I'll never accept the myth, even if they proved it scientifically true. Perfect combination:chocolate and nuts. Touch my chocolate and die, or at least expect a fork in a phalange. Have you ever read up on the health benefits of dark chocolate? I am faithfully devoted to my husband, a musical genius and hardworking provider, for the last ten years, yes, thank you, it's been great, but I also am head over heels in awe and in love with several of my amazing friends, and some people I don't actually know including jim morrison, nicholas cage, andy wood, llcoolj, joaquin phoenix, layne staley, and the list goes on for awhile. Maybe I'll finish it out later, but I don't really feel like putting all the people I have obsessive desire in my heart for all over the page right now. It's pretty cool that my husband understands me and freely lets me be me without being a freak about the dumb shit. I hate rumor bullshit, and I hate drama, but somehow, I always wind up in some shit. I talk too much. I know, you're surprised, aren'tcha? I like to sneak away from my sweetheart/monster of a son, to go listen to music and take pics at RGL even though it's always a fight cause he never wants me to leave him behind. Maybe if I got paid big bucks from Dustin, (like Kenz, Ky, John, Ricky, and Chad) I might show up on time for the shows, hah, yeah I said big bucks... I know, that's pretty funny.... I like people who are intelligent and creative, and not always drunk. I like to laugh and be with people who aren't on huge ego trips. I like to try and help people, but my advice isn't always the greatest. I love it when I have intense dreams. Sometimes I feel like I live a double life. I have these alternate realities in my head. (I'm not crazy [institutionalized] you're the one that's crazy) I used to like to escape into distant realms in books, but haven't had much time to read lately, although The Celestine Prophecy is a book that really floats my boat. I play too much on the computer. No, I do not look up porn, or have cyber sex with strange, anonymous, horny typists. That strikes me as a huge waste of time. That said, to each his own, I just don't choose to get down that way. I don't like it when people say things to deliberately hurt people's feelings or belittle someone who is different than they are. It's a horrible way to be, and no contribution to anyone. That kinda shit makes me go nuts. I'm a vegetarian, and I make no apologies, nor do I expect any of you beastly carnivorous meat eaters -hah- to tell me why I should eat what you like, but I don't give a shit if you eat it. Just don't wave a bloody steak in my face, you know who you are, you bastard. Lately I've been noticing how sometimes people take advantage of good natured, helpful sorts, and when it happens more than once or twice, it's pretty telling of what kind of integrity you possess and the character you're made of. Don't think you're getting away with anything, people around you aren't blind and as time goes on they take stock of what you do to people on a regular basis. By the way, the scourge (of me flippin out) will be upon you if I catch you littering. Don't litter! You're an idiot if you do. I am steadfast in my devotion to my friends and family, and I try to live my life making small contributions along the way to them and to those around me, rather than focusing on my own selfish agenda, even though it goes against my self-serving nature, like it does for everyone. It's easy for me to lay around the house and do nothing, but I try to fight off my own indulgences by getting up and doing something for someone every once in awhile. I value the people around me. I recognize good qualities. Of course, I notice painfully obvious negative qualities also, particularly my own. I know I talk inappropriately in front of my child at times, and I always feel like a moron for doing it, but cursing as colorful punctuation is one of my favorite vices. I like speaking freely and candidly, so censoring myself is difficult at times, however, I currently try to opt for other words when in the company of children. Sometimes temper gets the best of me though. On occasion, I avoid issues rather than hassling with dealing with things, may not be a perfect system, but I make it work for me, however imperfectly, I guess. People have told me that I'm overbearing. Shocking, I know. Who'da thunk it? Yeah, so, I like to take my own pictures, shit, I'm the only one who knows how to get the angle that doesn't show off my double chin :-)Vanity/Insecurity Hah. I wish I was a little bit thinner, but then, when I was skinny I didn't have much for boobs, now that I've had a baby and put on weight, I like the extra cleavage... catch 22, I know, also a bit stupid of me to favor a less fit version of myself. I feel stronger, safer, and more invincible when I'm thick than when I'm thin. But that's all facetious bullshit. I like to think I'm not too judgmental, but, contradictory to my self-righteous crap ideals, when I'm bartending I sometimes find myself disgusted with people in general, and I wanna go home and crawl in bed to hide from the whole rotten world. I like to conserve and recycle. I'm ridiculous about turning off unnecessary lights, just like my mom is. My house is messy a lot of the time. I try to keep up with it, but my son is very busy. I think racism, sexism, and terrorism are markers of ignorance and miseducation. I get aggravated and riled up easily and will want to debate issues with you, so don't get me started. I've been raped on more than one occasion. I think a man who is so self serving and sick will not easily attain any peace or happiness in life. I've watched people not believe me because they didn't want to think that someone they knew was capable of that. I'm a democrat, I guess, but I don't like the negative connotations that surround political ties. I am open minded and liberal, but I really don't like the stereotypical generalized 'weak' connotations associated with being so. I don't like the judicial system, the uninsured masses, the war, or our president, but I like America, I like freedom, and I realize that not everything is going to be perfect and currently, at least, we're stuck with what we've got, and have to make the best of it until things change. I completely support gay marriage and cannot stand homophobia and discrimination. I am against the war. Although I'd never want to personally abort a baby, I understand certain extenuating circumstances, and I am 100% pro-choice. If I had become pregnant as a result of rape, I may not have chosen to carry the baby. I do not agree with abortion as on overused form of birth control. It's stupidity to have unprotected sex if you don't want to deal with the consequences. Also, I believe there are natural cures to many common diseases that the insurance/medicine industry along with the government prevent the general public from gaining access to. I wish I could afford to go back to school. I wish I qualified for grants. I wish I had more skills than I have. I keep trying to work on that. I wish I could figure out a plausible way that I could make money working on my computer, staying at home with my son. I've looked into some things, but they are either pyramid schemes, and/or they involve you trying to talk up everyone you see on the street to get them to buy something from you. That type of dogged salesmanship gives me the creeps. There are a lot of scams made to look like great opportunities out there, and I like it when news programs do investigative reporting to expose cons. I like to work hard/play hard, I like to earn money honestly, and I try not to take too many of the good things in life for granted. I recycle with delight. Always. I revel in the beauty of nature and all that surrounds. Always. I suppose I could ramble on like this for quite some time, but this is a pretty good summation of me and the things I believe in/think about. Now that you've gone blind at your screen please refrain from driving or swimming for the next hour. Haha, like anyone's gonna read this mess of random thoughts. But if you did, thanks, that's nice of you! And yes, I realize most of this has been off the topic of photography. So.
In the flesh
In a flash
To the rescue
I will dash
In your face
In your space
Don't be scared
Just embrace
Take it in
Give me skin
Lightbulb spins
Always end
Don't believe
But you'll see
The magic behind
The photography is me
I'm a pathological flasher
Digital manipulating master
A fearlessly focusing disaster
You're screwed if it's you I'm after
Blinded with luminescence I scatter
A jack move for your image I'll plaster
Wherever the hell I want you bastard- hah
Stashed extra batteries for battering irises in
Fuck it-start shit and I'll wear your eyelashes thin
Fight it -I'll crash your periphery again- you'll be trippin
Subterfuge-all smashed in-I getcha when you're least expectin
Got a memory card cache of some of the finest captures ever been
I go hard-battle to win-enough of the chatter-I know this shit doesn't matter
Fuck a groupie-call me -the atom smasher- whiplasher -pic slasher- eyeball basher
You wanna scream and be seen, call a professional flasher that'll take ya there faster
Yahyah-you'll see what I mean-when I step to the scene-tha mad picture taking machine
Photography queen-all up in your screen-no worry-I hurry-I make a few blurry-warning
Things may get alil skery in a furious flash flurry-but don't even trip-I ain't tryina get flirty
I jus wanna contribute my imagery-so shutup-smile purty-while I take one-two-or thirty
Tha Image-ologist
A Volatile Artistress
Equalitist ~ Knowledge-ist
Solid Bitch So No Hollow Trysts
No Jezebel Kisses Or Trollop Wishes
Ex-Mixologist Turned To A Kid Assist Missus
Bet Yer Asses I Flick Tha Fastest Click Tha Quickest
Go Tha Distance Quit Yer Resistance U Kno I Take Ker Of Bizniz
~Choice Fatal makes badass mosh pit metal~
~Public Vacuum blasts you punklitical edge fast tunes~
~The Dirt Poor Crazies never cease to amaze me~
~Outlandish boyz in Strigoi make ya feel their noize~
~Eclectic Approach-the hip-hop-in-est skill in the trill~
~The Zan band is hella kickass man~
~A little Meralgia Nostalgia for ya~
~Kleptocracy smashes the eardrums of masses~
~Dru and Pea, these two make the most beautiful music~
~Mackenzie and Matt how ya luv that~
~Chad and Kylene so cute it's obscene~
~Takeover bad ass hardcore soldiers~
~The darlin-est Heather in the world~my round the way girl~
~Jon King SpiCole always tonguin Heartagold Coat's throat~
~Sexy ass Dustin keeps all those ladies a-lustin~
~The Man With The Plan-Recyclebilly Booking~
~Severus synonymous with genius-ness~
~Fall From Grace rawks off my face~
~Weapons Of Mass Persuasion keeps rays a raging~
~Better Off Naked gives it so good I can't take it~
~Ladybird Unition definitely a must-listen~
~Savage Sun's skills leave me stunned forreal~
~Uncle Dirt Nap/Blue Is Cold hold one of the coolest Johns you'll ever know~
~Clinka Clinty keeps his beats fresh and his breath minty~
~Dusty, Dusty, click here, she's a must see~
~The PA Bitches and ScottieK always seem to make my day~
~Troy of hip-hop's Four Elements-been wonderin where the hell he went~
~Mr Banks leaves skanks yellin thanks, a connoisseur of the dank~
~I'll be taking Go Like Hell to the no tell motel~
~I'm completely defenseless freshly charmed by Beat Senseless~
~Plaster the master's of takin ya there faster~
~Patiently waiting for Vacant to play things~
~Bob Wayne and the Outlaw Carnies the most charming, disarming, lawless men in the land~
~Manfall enthralls all crowds great or small~
~800 Octane'll drain your brain of all restrain~
~Roger Dodger, the crash pad lodger, calls himself old codger, sproingy fresh like frogger ~
~Craig Woodall-the one, the only, the incredible, edible, cregg~
~BombThreat-after this mindfuck you'll need a cigarette~
~Punk Pioneers of Zeke ya gotta check their technique~
~The Dead People-stage show like a bullet in your head people~
~Honorable mention to my ICM boiz in The Section~
~Headwound reigns unleashing metal monsoons in your brain~
~Drown Mary the crowned kings of macabre and scary~
~Hatefist makes heavyweight hits for the pit~
~Angel the conscious one, thoughtful, intellectual, he can't be outdone~
~JaidaLyric writes the most beautiful poetry, so sweet you get addicted to hearin it~
~Marti Martina MimiDe dearest lyricist mas fina, best believe~
~Julie V, such a sweetie, me n her's gon' hang out at chuck e cheeseys~
~Handsy Brandi, puddin and pie, kisses bois and make's em cry~
~Don't be scared, these two make the perfect pair, I know you agree, and no, their faces won't freeze~
~Jamie wayme, beautemous, sexy, crazy (in nuttin but a good way baybie)~
~Pooptrony Johnny has been known to have magic sugar for the nani~
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