tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85115851815296706342011-07-08T12:59:59.362-05:00I'm the editor for my school paper, and in this blog, I'll be posting my columns and blogging about whatever I find interesting at the time.Frances Matteckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14772739691972107155noreply@blogger.comBlogger371100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511585181529670634.post-4860302505383435172009-09-03T01:47:00.002-05:002009-09-03T01:52:16.068-05:00

Well, I've finished the first two classes of the digital photography program at UTA. I'm feeling pretty good about it. I'm also a little disappointed that I won't be able to take the next one until January due to work.I bought my first external flash, an SB-600, which I'm super excited about! I learned a little bit about it in my most recent class and have been playing around with it on my own to

Frances Matteckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14772739691972107155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511585181529670634.post-89712935731419952682009-07-17T18:49:00.002-05:002009-07-17T18:53:19.537-05:00

Wow, I suck at updating lately. Probably because I've been super busy!The new job is great - even when the kiddos I'm photographing are cranky. =) I'm getting a lot of great hands-on experience with taking, packaging and selling portraits. I can't wait to have my own studio...The classes at UTA are going well too. I've been to two, but I missed my third one. In order to get my certificate, I

Frances Matteckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14772739691972107155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511585181529670634.post-47255436124185623722009-06-15T14:44:00.003-05:002009-07-17T18:47:40.405-05:00

I GOT THE JOB!!!

Frances Matteckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14772739691972107155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511585181529670634.post-56635920307401974632009-06-12T03:50:00.003-05:002009-07-17T18:48:10.440-05:00

I had my interview with the photo studio yesterday at 4 p.m.The manager seemed really nice and in addition to the regular interview schtick, we talked about photography in general. She seems to have the same mindset I do about it - she's just a few years ahead of me (I'll get there though!).Hopefully, I'll know in a couple days whether they want to offer me the position, but I should know by

Frances Matteckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14772739691972107155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511585181529670634.post-1145143698039774342009-06-08T03:18:00.001-05:002009-06-08T03:18:28.798-05:00

NYC CosmopolitanOriginally uploaded by drummergirl76108This was one of my favorite photos of everything I took on the NYC trip.Jada and I went on the Sex and the City tour on our last day, and one of the stops is at a bar from the show where everyone buys Cosmopolitans.We got our Cosmos and were sipping on them and I just loved the way it looked in the orangey light coming from behind the bar. I

Frances Matteckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14772739691972107155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511585181529670634.post-82257013443773090782009-06-07T21:38:00.002-05:002009-07-17T18:48:46.818-05:00

I e-mailed the photo studio back yesterday. Haven't heard anything today, but since it's Sunday I'm cool with that. Hopefully, I'll know an interview time tomorrow!

Frances Matteckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14772739691972107155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511585181529670634.post-89078157871593416752009-06-06T22:43:00.000-05:002009-06-06T22:44:06.251-05:00

I completely slept through my class today!!

Frances Matteckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14772739691972107155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511585181529670634.post-82354513372313758642009-06-05T23:48:00.005-05:002009-07-17T18:49:16.915-05:00

No updates for the last week because I was in New York City having the best time!I took lots of pictures, and if I ever get a chance to sit down and look at them I'll upload some of them to flickr and post the link here.I mentioned last week that I was going to be a lighting assistant at a wedding for photographer Brandon Trull of Perry Aslyn. I got there and was not a lighting assistant. Instead

Frances Matteckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14772739691972107155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511585181529670634.post-3778841679968426052009-05-28T03:25:00.003-05:002009-05-28T04:05:06.834-05:00

Exciting stuff happening in the world of photography.I have experience with film photography: film cameras, developing the film, developing the prints, etc. However, my digital photography skills are not up to par. I used a digital when I took photos for the newspaper and I used it a little bit after I took my film class, but usually it stayed on auto.Well, Tuesday night I went to my first class

Frances Matteckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14772739691972107155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511585181529670634.post-53491503354675753152009-05-25T19:49:00.002-05:002009-05-25T19:56:08.307-05:00

It's Monday, which means it's time for a Bench Monday photo!Last week was my first attempt at a Bench Monday and it was thrown together last minute. I wasn't really happy with it (except that I got both of the puppies in it!). See the image here.So all week I thought about what I wanted to do today and decided that I would pull the librarian bit. I dressed up in a pencil skirt and some funky

Frances Matteckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14772739691972107155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511585181529670634.post-35408362493138295802009-05-23T20:17:00.009-05:002009-05-24T02:11:22.677-05:00

This blog is going to change its course a bit. I will still occasionally be blogging about my political views, but I'm more interested in turning this into a record of my journey into the world of digital photography.I will be taking continuing education courses in photography at UTA starting June 30. I am also taking digital photography classes at Wolf Camera starting this Tuesday.Just bought my

Frances Matteckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14772739691972107155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511585181529670634.post-56890496003491052942009-05-06T14:37:00.001-05:002009-05-06T14:38:36.406-05:00

The state Legislature is attempting to regulate how Texans live their private lives. It is looking at smoking, sex and drinking. More restrictions are being proposed for the first two and less for the third.

Frances Matteckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14772739691972107155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511585181529670634.post-43679644698207064082009-05-02T20:00:00.001-05:002009-05-02T20:02:55.189-05:00

The TCC Board of Trustees just voted yes to a ban on smoking on all campuses.If the college wants to ban smoking, fine. It has the right to dictate policies on its own campuses. However, the way the policy passed was nefarious.A five-day online poll was set up for students, faculty and staff to vote whether they supported the proposed smoking ban. There were no notices posted about the proposal

Frances Matteckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14772739691972107155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511585181529670634.post-33135893654343835702009-05-02T19:59:00.001-05:002009-05-02T20:00:47.148-05:00

Don’t judge a book by its cover is an adage more people need to take to heart.Everyday people judge and dismiss other people they don’t think are worthy of their time or attention.Sometimes we do it because some people aren’t as good-looking as others. Other times we judge people by what they wear. Even beautiful people are judged because of how they look.Perhaps if we stopped presuming to know

Frances Matteckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14772739691972107155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511585181529670634.post-16777997918544101702009-04-24T14:33:00.030-05:002009-04-24T14:52:30.121-05:00

Ok, so it's taken me a week and a half to get them up, but here are the photos from the Tax Day Tea Party at LaGrave Field in Fort Worth, TX.

Frances Matteckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14772739691972107155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511585181529670634.post-6266328397696921672009-04-24T14:11:00.000-05:002009-04-24T14:12:09.944-05:00

Go to college, get a degree and get a job. All of these actions are required to be successful in life. Or are they? The traditional student path is not the only way to be successful. Jane Austen, Woody Allen,

Frances Matteckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14772739691972107155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511585181529670634.post-25988460450712903432009-04-11T20:59:00.001-05:002009-04-11T21:01:10.112-05:00

A shield law, legislation to protect journalists from giving up their confidential sources and material, is making its way through the Texas State Legislature.Texas is one of 14 states that do not have a shield law.This legislation is critical to protecting journalists’ reputations for integrity and the confidentiality of their sources.State district attorneys argue that shield laws harm their

Frances Matteckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14772739691972107155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511585181529670634.post-21192547021332069602009-04-11T20:56:00.002-05:002009-04-11T21:01:31.363-05:00

The great debate between the teaching of evolution and creationism in public schools was back before the State Board of Education last month.On March 27, the board voted on proposed standards that would affect the science curriculum for the next decade.The curriculum included two sections proposed by Chairman Don McLeroy, a self-proclaimed creationist, which recommended that students in high

Frances Matteckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14772739691972107155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511585181529670634.post-27487275228981465242009-04-02T19:23:00.003-05:002009-04-02T19:26:59.451-05:00

The White House Council on Women and Girls, brought to life in March by an executive order, is unnecessary.Linda D. Hallman is the executive director of the American Association of University Women, a group whose mission is to advance equity for women and girls through advocacy, education and research. The council was a high-priority recommendation from the AAUW to Obama.Hallman commended the

Frances Matteckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14772739691972107155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511585181529670634.post-62441339892097478542009-03-18T19:30:00.002-05:002009-03-18T19:33:04.725-05:00

I won't have a new post until next week as I am enjoying my spring break this week!

Frances Matteckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14772739691972107155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511585181529670634.post-73283853719382608812009-03-11T20:19:00.003-05:002009-03-11T20:39:45.177-05:00

“No taxation without representation.”This well-known phrase epitomizes why English colonists broke away from England and created a new sovereign nation in the American Revolution.Today, officials elected to office speak for citizens. However, as evidenced through a recent grassroots movement, a portion of Americans do not believe their interests receive representation.Reminiscent of colonial

Frances Matteckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14772739691972107155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511585181529670634.post-82623815199841240412009-03-09T00:32:00.005-05:002009-03-09T01:00:50.114-05:00

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner has only recently begun filling in key positions in his department. Key positions that should have already been filled.Is Obama being arrogant (because he chose him, Geithner must be able to handle the load by himself) or overconfident in Geithner's capabilities that he has allowed him to work solo in the attempt to fix the U.S. economy since January?At a

Frances Matteckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14772739691972107155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511585181529670634.post-87330419892709127332009-03-07T15:28:00.002-06:002009-03-07T15:31:00.965-06:00

So far, six tea parties are planned in Texas for the April 15 "Tax Day Tea Party," including one in Austin!! Unless someone organizes one for Fort Worth, I'm planning on going to the one in Dallas. No location yet, but it will take place 6-9 p.m. I'll have my camera with me and have lots of photos to post!

Frances Matteckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14772739691972107155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511585181529670634.post-30749868612773993622009-03-04T02:50:00.001-06:002009-03-04T02:52:38.530-06:00

Honor killing is a disgusting social practice that has received media attention recently with the murder of a mother of four, Aasiya Z. Hassan, Feb. 12 in New York.She only sought a divorce from her husband, Muzzammil Hassan. To defend what he saw as a stain on his honor, he beheaded her.Honor killing is predominant in the Muslim, Hindu and Sikh cultures. Thousands of women fall victim to this

Frances Matteckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14772739691972107155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511585181529670634.post-39760151795050500262009-03-04T02:49:00.001-06:002009-03-04T02:50:52.396-06:00

Six Flags Over Texas proposed last year to bring alcohol to its Arlington location — a bad idea.If Six Flags geared toward adults only, selling alcohol would be great, but it’s a family-oriented park. Most of its rides have a height requirement, for Pete ’s sake.Six Flags proposes to serve alcohol in six monitored areas: All American Café, Casa de la Banderas, Dry Hole Charlie’s, Gator McGee’s

Frances Matteckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14772739691972107155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511585181529670634.post-69367274168772932382009-03-03T05:40:00.004-06:002009-03-03T05:46:50.902-06:00

I finally got to see the rant that incited the Tea Party Movement and wanted to share. I wonder if one day Rick Santelli's name will be synonymous with Jefferson and Franklin for starting the 2nd Revolution? =)

Frances Matteckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14772739691972107155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511585181529670634.post-82938493220567345552009-02-27T21:05:00.005-06:002009-02-27T21:09:46.254-06:00

I could not be more proud of my neighbors than I am today. Hundreds of people gathered in Fort Worth and Dallas to protest the stimulus today joining thousands of people across the country in a unified grass roots movement.We will not quietly pay for the mistakes of others.The Tea Party Movement lives!!

Frances Matteckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14772739691972107155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511585181529670634.post-46757255195347841482009-02-27T01:25:00.003-06:002009-02-27T01:32:57.486-06:00

Thanks to Liberty Bell for posting these sign slogans! Break out the poster board and markers, people!

Frances Matteckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14772739691972107155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511585181529670634.post-28823076576768082692009-02-27T01:19:00.002-06:002009-02-27T01:22:23.107-06:00

Recently, Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) let Americans know what he really thought about the stimulus plan and how he believes his constituents want him to vote.“Let me say this to all of the chattering class that so much focuses on those little, tiny, yes, porky amendments — the American people really don ’t care,” he said.Be careful of the arrogant words you throw around, Schumer, because you

Frances Matteckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14772739691972107155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511585181529670634.post-30285293993598502292009-02-25T02:26:00.005-06:002009-02-25T02:34:00.971-06:00

Locals in the Metroplex can release their pent up frustrations about the pork-filled stimulus this Friday 3 p.m.-7 p.m. at The Cowtown Bar & Grill.I'm working during that time, so, unless some miracle of God get's me out of the office early, I won't be able to make it.Here's the details:3 p.m.-7 p.m.7108 Camp Bowie Blvd.Fort Worth, TXThere will be food, music and hopefully coverage by the local

Frances Matteckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14772739691972107155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511585181529670634.post-588738876610773342009-02-25T01:29:00.012-06:002009-02-25T02:14:07.796-06:00

It has been bandied about by ABC that Obama has done more in 30 days than any other president."So far, 60 percent of Americans approve of the president's handling of the economy, according to an ABC News/Washington Post poll."Really? Sixty percent of which Americans? Sixty percent of Americans living in Chicago? How about 60 percent of Americans on happy pills? Sixty percent of Democrats would be

Frances Matteckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14772739691972107155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511585181529670634.post-47040127044521760952009-02-25T01:10:00.002-06:002009-02-25T01:53:17.743-06:00

The Other McCain: How to Get a Million Hits on Your Blog in Less Than a Year

Frances Matteckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14772739691972107155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511585181529670634.post-90354997295545094472009-02-24T23:58:00.003-06:002009-02-25T01:53:49.109-06:00

The Fray’s self-titled sophomore album does not disappoint fans of its double-platinum debut album How to Save a Life.The same emotion-filled lyrics and piano-driven music draws listeners in with the first song.In “You Found Me,” vocalist Isaac Slade questions faith. In several interviews, he alluded to the song ’s inspiration.“I kept getting these phone calls from home — tragedy after tragedy.

Frances Matteckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14772739691972107155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511585181529670634.post-50657855119131764672009-02-23T08:05:00.002-06:002009-02-25T01:57:16.183-06:00

Students don’t realize that everyone can view the content of their social networking Web sites like MySpace and Facebook.A recent study by the Pew Research Center concluded that two-thirds of Americans age 18-29 use these sitesDigital dirt, unfavorable information about people on the Internet, can hamper employment prospects and even harm their standing at the jobs they already have.Employment

Frances Matteckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14772739691972107155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511585181529670634.post-67699790679975165392009-02-23T08:02:00.002-06:002009-02-25T01:59:00.974-06:00

Everyone is entitled to live without fear of terrorist attacks.Unfortunately, we don’t live in a world where that is possible.Despite this, some things make me feel safer. Our troops overseas, countries striving to achieve democracy and my dad are just a few that help me sleep at night.President Barack Obama’s intent to close Guantanamo Bay in his first 100 days in office is not something that

Frances Matteckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14772739691972107155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511585181529670634.post-2028403054749923082009-02-23T07:31:00.001-06:002009-02-25T01:59:42.381-06:00

President Obama has promised to create or preserve 3 million jobs through the stimulus plan, a.k.a. “the tab my children and grandchildren will pick up.”The economy is in bad shape, but how does a provision granting $246 million in special tax breaks for the film industry help?Thankfully, the Senate passed an amendment to strike the provision. However, the vote was only 52-45. If it had gone a

Frances Matteckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14772739691972107155noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8511585181529670634.post-8641523911519258402009-02-23T07:29:00.001-06:002009-02-25T02:01:14.566-06:00

Robert Reich, economic adviser to President Obama, has made some disturbing comments regarding his vision of how jobs created by the stimulus package should be distributed.In January, he appeared before the House Democratic Caucus Steering and Policy Committee, where he said jobs created by the stimulus should not “simply go to high-skilled people who are already professionals or to white, male

Frances Matteckhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14772739691972107155noreply@blogger.com0