ritual in action...

spent the afternoon at ashley's baby shower...saw how everyone around her acted and just hung back and watched...i needed to see her in a way i wasn't used to...to look at her from the outside objectively and not like family...i took notes after and took lots of pictures during...

lunch with ashley

ashley stopped by to talk to me on her lunch break on saturday. we talked about her pregnancy, her boyfiend and his lack of job, her job, and her lack of personal space at home. she is having a hard time picturing squeezing the new baby into her room at her dad's place, so she is talking about getting a place of her own. she both wants and needs a little privacy. her other younger brother is moving back home in april, and with the already crowded conditions she is worried about how they will all avoid bumping into each other constantly. her lack of a place is her issue. her baby is due in about 35 days...excitement mounts at the prospect of going into labor for the second time. her mother passed out at the birth of her other son due to stress last year...so we were joking about that as well...as she pulled out ofmy driveway in her turquoise pontiac sunfire i couldn't help but worry about her and her future...

a night out with Jessy

i went to see jessy and we toured her room. we talked about her things...and then jessy and i went out to eat and then shopping. we talked casually about boys and relationships...her first kiss...and her first real kiss. she talked about her last boyfriend...and sex...and talked about her family...and how she moved out for two days last weekend to be with her real father after a fight. we talked...laughed...and shared stories about high school dating and friends, it was an extremely productive evening.

and away we go...

a lot of interaction has been going on...i have been interviewing friends and family of both girls and getting a lot of insight into their lives. i have been using their myspace pages and email to keep conversations going when we can't get together...ashley has even started a blog to talk about how she spends her days since she can't use myspace at work. jessy has been opening up...i had a great weekend with them both. i think i may try to focus on image...not just body image but their image of themselves...the cool girl, the gangster chick, the hot chick, the nerd, the emo...who knows how hey see each other? I think i can find out if i look deep enough...

small progress

the girls are utilizing their myspace pages...surveys...and hanging out to let me see who they are...i am fortunate to be able to catch a glimpse into their world...

my answers to gina's questions...

60 Things About Me*
1. What is in the back seat of your car right now? my grandson's booster seat, a pair of gloves, and an ice scraper
2. When was the last time you threw up? can't remember
3. What's your favorite curse word? damn it
4. Name 3 people who made you smile today? greg, eddie, angelo
5. What were you doing at 8 am this morning? drinking my third cup of coffee
6. What were you doing 30 minutes ago? taking a shower
7. What will you be doing 3 hours from now? homework (research)
8. Have you ever been to a strip club? yes....
9. What is the last thing you said aloud? i sang "you are my sunshine" to one of my cats
10. What is the best ice cream flavor? chunky monkey!!!!!
11. What was the last thing you had to drink? coffee
12. What are you wearing right now? jeans and a sweatshirt my son left here
13. What was the last thing you ate? chocolate chip cookie
14. Have you bought any new clothing items this week? no
15. When was the last time you ran? lat month in hawaii on the beach
16. What's the last sporting event you watched? probably a wrestling match
18. Who is the last person you emailed? my greg
19. Ever go camping? oh yeah!!!!!
20. Do you have a tan? Yes a small one left-over from hawaii!
24. Do you drink your soda from a straw? if it is in a paper cup
25. What did your last IM say? don't im
26.. Are you someone's best friend? yes.
27. What are you doing tomorrow? school
28. Where is your mom right now? her body cemetary down the road...her spirit with me always
29. Look to your left, what do you see? ainting on the wall
30. What color is your watch? i have 3...1 pin, 1 black, 1 silver
31. What do you think of when you think of Australia ? sydney opera house
32. Would you consider plastic surgery? Oh, yes, and i have had plastic surgery..
33. What is your birthstone? peridot
34. Do you go in at a fast food place or just hit the drive thru? Drive through
35.How many kids do you want? i have 4
36. Do you have a dog? no--4 cats
37. Last person you talked to on the phone? My daughter
38. Have you met anyone famous? yes many famous people
39. Any plans today? no
40. How many states have you lived in? Two - NJ and PA
41. Ever go to college? Yes
42. Where are you right now? living room
43. Biggest annoyance in your life right now? my brother
44. Last song listened to? lol...barbie girl
46. Are you allergic to anything? yes, percocet and , wait for it.... cats!
47. Favorite pair of shoes you wear all the time? hikers
48. Are you jealous of anyone? no
50. Is anyone jealous of you? yes---
51. What time is it? 10 am
52. Do any of your friends have children? Yes
53. Do you eat healthy? I try
54. What do you usually do during the day? school
55. Do you hate anyone right now? no
56. Do you use the word 'hello' daily? Yes, I do
58. How old will you be turning on your next birthday? 21 with a ton of experience!
59. Have you ever been to Six Flags? Yes
60. How did you get one of your scars? fell out of a tree at Sally STar's house onto a piece of glass

*So, it's not really 60 things, but I can't figure out where the missing questions went. Oh well!

introducing the stars of our show...

ashley is 18, a mom of a 10 month old son, and pregnant with another son due in april. she works full-time, lives with her dad and stepmom and her little stepbrother in a small 3 bedroom apartment. her boyfriend stays with her most nights in the room she shares with her son. she has given me permission to use her picture and first name in any way i would like...


jessica is 16 today, lives with her mom and stepdad in a 3 bedroom home. they raise yellow labs and go on vacations a couple times a year. she is a 10th grader at the local public school and loves photography...and boys...her and her mom are allowing me to use her first name and picture any way i would like...