I'll be out of the office Oct. 6-9. If you need immediate assistance, please send an email to nfib@hammock.com and someone will be happy to take care of you while I'm out.

Two years ago (this month actually), I joined Flickr as a quick and easy way to store photos and share them with family and friends via links in an email. Then somewhere along the way, my little photography hobby turned into a passion, and I started taking pictures every single day and interacting with other folks on Flickr who had caught the same photography bug. We comment on each others' photos and we encourage creativity. Last Sunday, 10 of us met up in real life. We proudly represented Texas, Pennsylvania, Indiana, New Jersey and New York.

It was like meeting up with old friends. We ate lunch and took pictures in the park. We laughed and jumped and snapped pictures of the silliness. We walked around admiring architecture, snacked on cupcakes and spent the whole day photographing the city and each other. And seven hours later -- though it felt like mere moments -- we all went our separate ways.

Sometimes I feel silly when I'm hunched over a hunk of fudge, focusing in tightly and trying to make sure the light is just right before finally taking the picture. But it's always fun to meet like-minded people who think this crazy passion is perfectly normal.

Photo of the 10 of us by Cynthia That-Cacopardo

And I have the sticker to prove it.

Early voting is wonderful and easy. I walked in, had my ID checked to make sure I am who I claim to be, and I voted. And there will be no possibility of dangling chads for me. The electronic voting machines here in Texas are very easy to navigate and use, and nothing happens until you push the big, bright red "cast ballot" button, so voters can go back and change their minds if necessary.

But I learned something about myself yesterday: I can spend weeks learning about the issues, gathering information about candidates and comparing endorsements. But when I step into that booth, my gut and my heart take over. It's like my brain isn't allowed to think about it. My fingers just take over and my votes are made.

If you still have time to early vote in your state, I urge you to do so. If you plan to vote on Tuesday, pack a good book.