Hairsticks

As requested, here are some pictures of the hairsticks I've made. I've just listed them for sale on Ebay and Etsy, but not on LollyBeads.com yet. Partially because I've just spent 3 or 4 hours on this computer and I'd like a break now, but mostly because I don't like the quality of the pictures. Hence my previous post.

Anyway, here are some pictures of hairsticks:

And check out my new "studio in a box":
I'm very excited about this, because one of my main challenges with taking pics for my stores is the lighting. And the backgrounds. I've used this "studio" for one day, and I'm already thrilled with the results. Except that I need a new camera. Then, there'll be no stopping me! [evillaugh]

I need a new camera.

I'm hoping that some of you wise, lovely folks can recommend something for me.

• I am strictly an amatuer, so I can't use anything fancy. I just need to be able to aim and fire.
• I mostly use my camera for casual sharing of pics here on teh interwebs, and also for pics of my products for my store and ebay. So sharp close-ups are a must.
• I would like the camera to be not huge.
  
• I am also concerned about ease of access. I currently have an older Sony camera, which uses the Memory Stick. So when I'm done shooting, I just pop the stick out of the camera and pop it into the Memory Stick Reader, which is hooked up to my PC. I also have a Sony photo printer which lets you pop the Memory Stick right into it to print pics. I am very spoiled by this set-up and although I'm relatively sure that NO new cameras still utilize this Memory Stick, I would still like a very quick and easy way to access my pics.
  
• I would prefer to spend as little money as possible, but I also want a camera that will take great pics and last a long time.
  

Does anyone know of a good camera along these lines?

EDIT:

Ok, I'm looking through some Canons. I've found that they do use a memory card and I can get a reader to hook up to my PC, so that's a plus in my book. But now my head is already spinning from all the choices. I've chosen a few based on size and prettiness and price. But I'm not sure about the specs. How many megapixels do I need? What about Optical zoom and Digital zoom?
Please pick one for me!

These are "slim"
One
Two
Three
These are "advanced"
Four
Five
Six

Did I mention the muscle relaxers?

I'm taking them every night for the whole shoulder/neck fiasco. I don't mind. I'm sure they're helping. Only problem is they're making me pretty stupid. Especially since I keep forgetting to take them earlier in the evening, and I end up taking them at like 10 pm, so when I come in to work in the morning I'm really stupid. Really. Today I seem to be feeling extra foggy. And I'm sure I sound like an idiot, because I spent like an hour telling all my cubemates how stupid I am and laughing. So now I'm just trying sit here quietly. And maybe try to do some actual work. I think I can trust the lolcats to sum it up for me:

Happy Halloween!

King Richard's Faire

Last Saturday The Boy and I went. I'd been a few times back in the day when I was married. I think we may have even brought the The Boy once, back when he was The Baby. (And The Boy went once with his dad, maybe 4 or 5 years ago.)

Anyway, we went, and had a grand time. I don't have any pictures, because my camera decided it didn't want to work that day. We went on several rides, which I never would have thought to go on if Jake hadn't been with me and wanted to go, and had a lot of fun on them. Jake marveled at how they made rides without electricity or technology. I thought that was pretty observant of him. We watched two jousting tournaments, which were obviously staged, but still great fun. I had a field day looking at Things To Put In My Hair. I bought a flowered garland, and embarrassed the boy by wearing it all day. I also bought some hair sticks. There were sooooooo many displayed and they were all so beautiful, it took me forever to pick which ones I wanted. I loved them so much that I spent much of this past week trolling the internet, looking for supplies to make my own to sell on Lollybeads.

I also saw these really beautiful hair wraps, similar to
I didn't buy them, because there's only so much I can spend on my hair in one day, but I found the merchant's web site, and I can get them any time I please!

I also got Jake a way-too-expensive-for-what-it-is wooden, painted sword, because a boy can never have too many swords, and, well, his mom had already spent so much money on herself that there was really no way to tell him 'no'.

I wore my "Joss Whedon Is My Master Now" shirt, and I got so many compliments on it! Apparently the Renaissance Faire is where all 'my peeps' congregate.

Cool beans.

Office update # ???

I heard back from the HR lady, she referred me to the local HR chick. I'm not even sure why I didn't go to her in the first place...

Anyway, I emailed her Friday morning, and she replied that we should get together to talk that day. Cool beans. So we met in her office, I gave her the doctor's note, and she asked some questions about what I was experiencing (physically) and when, and if I've been to the doctor and if I've had to miss work, etc. And she asked what I'd experienced in attempting to get this keyboard drawer. I definately got a sense that the second I told my supervisor that my injury seemed to be related to the typing, that he (or maybe his boss?) was supposed to report the whole mess to HR. And, as we all know, they didn't. I'm kinda thinkin' someone is going to be in some sort of trouble for this oversight.

So HR chick said she'd get the ball rolling as quickly as possible to get my keyboard drawer, and I would be able to have some input as to what one to get. And she also opened a claim with their Workman's Comp insurance company. We will need to wait to see if the claim is approved or not (by the insurance co) but if it is, the medical bills will be paid by them. I wonder if I can get reimbursed for all my co-pays and medication. That would be cool.

But really, all I really want is my gorramn drawer! Which I should be getting very soon.

Yay.

Update #4

Saw the doctor again this morning. Got two shots. He noticed my right hand is swollen. I hadn't noticed.

The next step is the nerve conduction test on Nov. 5.

And here's the email that I just shot off:


Hi [Head of Human Resources],
Since early September, I have been being treated for shoulder and neck problems, and hand numbness. These problems are stemming from poor posture at my workstation. My job entails typing all day, and as I am short, I find that the keyboard is too high for me and forces me to reach at a bad angle to do my job. More than a month ago, I requested through my supervisor, a keyboard tray that would install under my desk to hold my keyboard and mouse in a lower position, which will allow me to do my work in the correct posture. My supervisor has taken my repeated requests to his superiors, but for some reason I am being met with resistance. The only explanation I have received so far is that if they get me one, they have to get everyone one. This makes no sense to me, because the majority of the employees here are taller than me, and I'm sure the majority can type comfortably with their keyboards where they presently are. (Furthermore, if other employees are in need of the same tray, then shouldn't they get them?)

I have been more than patient. Each week I ask my supervisor if there is any news, and each time he has no answers for me. Every day that I continue to work in this posture is hindering my recovery, as well as continuing to cause further injury. My productivity has suffered, and I have missed work for numerous doctors’ appointments. I have also had to pay more than $200.00 so far on doctor’s visits and medications. I feel that my request is very reasonable and should have been quite a minor issue, but over the past month, has become a major one for me.

I am shocked at the lack of concern that this company has shown toward me. In fact, as I type this, I can hear much activity in the conference room next to my cubicle, as tomorrow's Halloween party is being prepared for. I wonder how much time and money is being put into this frivolous event, while I am being refused a simple $30.00 piece of equipment that will greatly improve my health.

Two days ago I did receive an ergonomic keyboard, as part of a "test" to see if these will benefit the employees overall. It does put my wrists in a better position, but as I still need to reach up to type, it does not alleviate my problems.

I would like for you to please review this situation as soon as possible. I need a keyboard tray to be installed as soon as possible. I have received a letter from my doctor stressing my need for this tray, and can provide it to you.

My doctor has also advised me to get an Ergonomic Evaluation. If you can advise me on how to go about that, I would appreciate it.

Sincerely,
[pissed off mouse]