zoom or not to zoom?

I have slowly been sliding down the slope of going for a zoom lens.. I have been trying to decide what lens would be the next best lens to purchase.. mainly in hopes of deciding on one that will further/start my photography business… I have been able to borrow a 75-300 EF zoom lens (from my boss).. and though I have used it maybe twice now.. I am quickly falling on love with the opportunities it provides.. I think I could really see it expanding my photography.. I have been able to snap some pics of the dogs from a distance without having to run all over the yard following them to get close enough to create interesting shots (wow that was a long run on sentence).. and it’s awesome.  Not to mention getting close to birds.. or at least making it seem like I am..

(not bad for hand held and out at full 300mm, without IS.. )

Any guesses as to what this is? Easy way to find the answer, as Luna..

So… the battle in my head/heart continues.. to go with a 50mm prime lens.. or a zoom of sorts.. another thing I love about the zoom is the bokeh, REALLY want to be able to incorporate that into my shots.

In other news, I think I have decided on a way to post here more often and continue to grow my photography stuff… I want to find a book to work through.. and post about the lessons I’m learning in the book. Sort of like in Julie & Julia where she worked her way through the cook book and posted on her blog about it.   I want to find a book to work through in such a fashion, and post on here as I do so.  It would both give me something tangible and easy (well finding a subject would be anyway) to post about and at the same time force me to continue to learn new things.  Any suggestions for books. I got some new books on portraits and light at the library the other day (that’s how you know the photography business is full of people trying to make it a career, when my little town library is making a point to carry new photography books, or at least get in “new” books) but haven’t had a chance to check them out, so suggestions are welcome.  It could also be a photoshop sort of book, about post processing, I know I need to learn more about that.

Ok, time for bed.. seems I will never feel rested waking up at 4:30 AM.