I will find my niche.

Ghetto is a word I rarely use. But in this instance it is necessary for the next sentence I am about to write.
I work in ghetto-ass Pomona.
Let me preface this sentence with a back story.
About two weeks ago my friend Kat called me to tell me about a photography job. "Hey my friends just opened up a photo-studio, and they are looking for a person to teach everyone photoshop". At these words I almost blew my load, but I held back and nonchalantly responded with "I'll think about it". I didn't want to sound too needy, even though I was being requested by them, more or less I wanted to be courted so I could set my own salary.
After a couple days I got a call from a friend and she told me that they were still waiting for someone to hire as the photo editor. After little persuading she got me to accept. I was more than excited but I knew it was a long shot. This is a new business and not many people are spending right now. So I thought I should just give it a chance and see how long it lasts.
My friend came to pick me up and drive me to the studio. On the drive there thoughts of fashion shoots, portraits, and nature scenes flashed inside my head. I didn't even know where she was taking me. Though once we got there my heart instantly sunk. We were in Pomona a.k.a. crack-city. The first thing I saw before walking through the door was some black chick selling weed. I was not shocked per se, nevertheless I hadn't been around drug dealers before. So pardon me if I was a little weirded out.
The whole day was spent teaching everyone how to use the machines that were printing out the ugliest pictures on earth. After I fixed that, off we went into the studio. I must admit it was fun having people actually pay attention to what I had to say because it mattered. But I still had this sinking feeling in my stomach that this isn't where I was supposed to be. I still have that feeling.
But, the pay is reasonably good and I can't just turn down a well paying job just because its in the middle of murderville.
Now i've settled down and actually got used to the dealers and ambulances blaring every two minutes. Just today some guy rolled a marijuana cig right in front of the store. Very unabashed and frank he lit up and puffed away. I've become desensitized to many things nowadays. I don't shock as easily. Which I don't know if its a good thing however I appreciate because it makes me a stronger person.
I don't know if this job will become a permanent thing, still I wan't to keep my options open and start 'whoring myself out" so to speak, to people in the industry. Perchance in the future some big-wig in the photo-industry will cross my path and give me a shot at a real career. You never know.

-Leaf