I have a very old iBook. It's the G4 and it was brand new in 2004. That almost makes it ancient in computer world. I'm reminded sometimes when I have trouble downloading stuff from websites. For the most part, it is golden.
The other night I dropped it. I went into panic mode. The last time I dropped it the prongs that plug in and charge the battery broke off into it. A $150 repair. I was scared as all get out. However, I was lucky. Not a scratch. Of the 5 times I've dropped it I only had to do one repair. Apples must be made of steel. I will never own any other brand. That is the sort of loyalty apple creates. It is one of the reasons Apple is not hurting despite the fact that the economy is down. My favorite thing is that when apple realized that the prongs would break in the charger, they created a cord that is magnetic to charge. They are on the edge of innovation. I can't wait until I eventually get a new one.
As a side note, my friends and I are doing a little competition. It's called the Biggest Loser Remix. I am way excited for it. You can get some more details here. The Biggest Loser Remix
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Persona
I would love to be one of those bloggers who actually took time to write on a daily basis. For several reasons, one I think this blog helps me to process some of what is going on in my life as well as keeps focused when it comes to creativity. Once upon a time I was schedule with assignments to do art projects. I need art to live. It keeps me sane. I forget this though when not forced so in this was, the blog is my accountability. Two, I just wish I had the time to do all the things I wanted to accomplish in life. Blogging is one that I really enjoy, much to my surprise. Though I'm not even sure if people are reading me. Oh, such a Julie and Julia moment. I do need to read that book.
I've come up with several topics to talk about but I hate when these posts go all over. So, I'm going to stick to one for today.
I had a stupid pop up window yet again when I woke up this morning and decided to drag myself on the internet. It was one of those pesky ones saying download the new firefox. I'd ignored most of the week and decided I might as well let itself update now instead of continuing to postpone it. So, 3 minutes later it's updated and for possibly the first time ever I read what updates are available.
Apparently you can use what Firefox likes to call persona's. That is a sort of personalized border that goes around the window. They have thousands of options and some are rather fun. Yes I wasted a whole half hour of my life digging through most of the trash and testing them out. I decided on one called Green Grunge. i rather like it. I also like the fact that I can change it when I want to. This apparently is free. Free is good. I really enjoy the fact that the internet is now adapting to how users are. It is one of those things that I think makes it so popular as a medium. You can't take a book and change the cover to another one because you get tired of that particular image. You can when you don't like your myspace background (although I knixed my myspace because I hated those stupid backgrounds). However, if you decide to get your own persona and I suggest it, here is how I sorted through them all.....
1. Make sure your tool bar is still readable. I know I am not the only user with tabs. Some of the personas change the type color but they do so in a way that makes it unreadable. This is bad design, don't subscribe.
2. After testing a few, realize what colors you like. I realized darker looked better. So stick with that so you don't spend hours on them all.
3. Try to choose one not everyone has. I decided I wanted one that only 500 or less users had. This is new so that's easy. Just don't go with the flow and choose one of the most popular. if you are going to do this try and be unique.
Also, for some reason they have way toooooo many Megan Fox persona's. I do not get that. Enjoy!
I've come up with several topics to talk about but I hate when these posts go all over. So, I'm going to stick to one for today.
I had a stupid pop up window yet again when I woke up this morning and decided to drag myself on the internet. It was one of those pesky ones saying download the new firefox. I'd ignored most of the week and decided I might as well let itself update now instead of continuing to postpone it. So, 3 minutes later it's updated and for possibly the first time ever I read what updates are available.
Apparently you can use what Firefox likes to call persona's. That is a sort of personalized border that goes around the window. They have thousands of options and some are rather fun. Yes I wasted a whole half hour of my life digging through most of the trash and testing them out. I decided on one called Green Grunge. i rather like it. I also like the fact that I can change it when I want to. This apparently is free. Free is good. I really enjoy the fact that the internet is now adapting to how users are. It is one of those things that I think makes it so popular as a medium. You can't take a book and change the cover to another one because you get tired of that particular image. You can when you don't like your myspace background (although I knixed my myspace because I hated those stupid backgrounds). However, if you decide to get your own persona and I suggest it, here is how I sorted through them all.....
1. Make sure your tool bar is still readable. I know I am not the only user with tabs. Some of the personas change the type color but they do so in a way that makes it unreadable. This is bad design, don't subscribe.
2. After testing a few, realize what colors you like. I realized darker looked better. So stick with that so you don't spend hours on them all.
3. Try to choose one not everyone has. I decided I wanted one that only 500 or less users had. This is new so that's easy. Just don't go with the flow and choose one of the most popular. if you are going to do this try and be unique.
Also, for some reason they have way toooooo many Megan Fox persona's. I do not get that. Enjoy!
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Strike!!!!!!!!
Sometimes the best way to really get your creative juices flowing is to challenge yourself with something new. Whether that comes in the form of a new medium (I’ve been dying to try glass blowing) or by switching up the regular process. I share this because I want to tell the following story.
My Dad’s side of the family owns a bowling alley in Live Oak. Live Oak is this really small town and the bowling alley there is the only one in a 60-mile radius. I worked there over the summer and loved it. The people were ultra friendly and particularly talkative with the new girl. Besides that, I loved getting to know our regulars. This is the sort of the thing that can never happen in the suburbs. We just mass-produce everything. I can think of three bowling alleys that really aren’t far from my house, maybe ten minutes each. I can drive to multiple Publix, Walgreens, etc. Not in Live Oak, you never have two of the same chain. Normally it is one chain store and a Mom n’ Pop store of the same kind to choose from. I loved it for that month but realized the pace of a bigger city is needed.
In my boredom my Aunt did give me an interesting idea. Take the bowling pins that are beat up and paint them. She gave me three of them. Well, they have rolled around in my trunk for some time. For Christmas my bible study decided to do a white elephant exchange. I was at a loss as to what to bring. I was not supposed to spend more than $5 but free was more desirable. I left it until last minute as per usual and I only had fifteen minutes before the exchange. It dawned on me, I still have a bowling pin. So, I wrapped it. Lo and behold it was on of two gifts to actually be stolen! I told the final winner I would paint it. He gave me no direction, but three months later I finally did something with it. You will see the results bellow.
This is the sort of things that makes me love art. That you can take some ordinary object and make it extraordinary with the swipe of a brush. I’m thinking of buying some more pins and painting them. I may even sell them. Although first I must obtain a few more pins.
My Dad’s side of the family owns a bowling alley in Live Oak. Live Oak is this really small town and the bowling alley there is the only one in a 60-mile radius. I worked there over the summer and loved it. The people were ultra friendly and particularly talkative with the new girl. Besides that, I loved getting to know our regulars. This is the sort of the thing that can never happen in the suburbs. We just mass-produce everything. I can think of three bowling alleys that really aren’t far from my house, maybe ten minutes each. I can drive to multiple Publix, Walgreens, etc. Not in Live Oak, you never have two of the same chain. Normally it is one chain store and a Mom n’ Pop store of the same kind to choose from. I loved it for that month but realized the pace of a bigger city is needed.
In my boredom my Aunt did give me an interesting idea. Take the bowling pins that are beat up and paint them. She gave me three of them. Well, they have rolled around in my trunk for some time. For Christmas my bible study decided to do a white elephant exchange. I was at a loss as to what to bring. I was not supposed to spend more than $5 but free was more desirable. I left it until last minute as per usual and I only had fifteen minutes before the exchange. It dawned on me, I still have a bowling pin. So, I wrapped it. Lo and behold it was on of two gifts to actually be stolen! I told the final winner I would paint it. He gave me no direction, but three months later I finally did something with it. You will see the results bellow.
This is the sort of things that makes me love art. That you can take some ordinary object and make it extraordinary with the swipe of a brush. I’m thinking of buying some more pins and painting them. I may even sell them. Although first I must obtain a few more pins.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Disappear....I think not.....
Last month I probably posted less than any other month. That's probably because instead of thinking about creating, I actually was creating. I'm going to share mostly images this blog. What a change?
The girls and I have found this great little place where we can choose some pottery to glaze. It's so fun. Here is what I have been making.
The girls and I have found this great little place where we can choose some pottery to glaze. It's so fun. Here is what I have been making.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
30 things under 30......
*************spoilers from Julie and Julia*********
I had to put spoilers at the top because I talk about some of the plot. There is nothing I hate more than knowing the end of a movie or book before I get the chance to experience it myself. Even the minutest detail. It is that pet peeve which brought this pointless little paragraph. To continue.
Upon graduating college I was feeling rather unaccomplished. I have so many things I want to do in life. It's odd. I was watching Julie & Julia the other night and this was maybe the fourth time I had seen it. Mind you I have rented it each and every time I have watched it, it would be much more economical to just buy it. I digress.
Julie says she feels so lost and lately I have felt much the same. I am at this point in my life where I have no real direction. I'm kind of floating in the water and trying to decide which way to swim. There is this part where Julie is completely crushed because she realizes despite her efforts she has gotten her hopes up for a book contract. I had been thinking about this simple plot twist for several days now. Why? We all have a grandiose dream. That perfect dream we are pretty much positive will never ever happen. Whether that dream is being an author, famous artist, singer, inventor or professional athlete. There are some who go after those dreams and fail and others who go after them and succeed. I've just always assumed I would be the failure. This attitude has kept me from really giving it my best shot.
Believe me, I used to be the classic overachiever. I was salutatorian in high school. I busted my butt studying all the time. I excelled. Yet, I was never the best. When I was younger I wanted to be the next Lisa Leslie. She is one of the best WNBA players if you didn't know but I let asthma get in the way of playing basketball. I let that dream go. Then I wanted to be a great artist. However, I soon discovered this was not the most natural thing. I gave that up. Then I just wanted to be the best in school to get into a good college. I accomplished that. However, the stress left me having the worse episodes because I have Crohn's. College I just wanted a degree and a social life. The thing I had missed in high school because of the grades I strived for. I accomplished that. Now I'm at a Crossroads.
It was with this contemplation I'd remembered a list I made upon graduation of UCF. A list of 30 things to do before I turn 30. I have some catching up to do. I thought however in the moment I'd share.
1. Skydiving
2. White water rafting
3. Bungy jumping
4. Live in another country
5. Visit several coutries
6. Have defined abs
7. Own a big dog
8. Run a marathon
9. Start a new magazine
10. Live in a State other than Florida
11. Learn to surf
12. Own/ride a motorcycle
13. More tattoo's
14. Get belly button pierced
15. Write a book
16. Read all books on the list "100 books by college"
17. Find a job I really enjoy
18. Bowl an average of 150/160
19. Take a seminary class
20. Become closer to God
21. Go on a missions trip
22. Teach someone to really know Christ
23. Help change the world in a tiny way
24. Learn to box
25. Actually hurt my brother once when I punch him
26. Teach a spinning class
27. Motivate/help others with Crohn's
28. Make a pie completely from scratch
29. Horse back riding
30. Swim with dolphins
So of those I've accomplished...12-I've riden on the back of one. Still want to own a motorcycle some day. 14. Loved it even though it closed up after surgery. 20. I think I'm on the way with that...that will always be a work in process. 29. Did this summer with my family in Live Oak. Four down....26 to go. And that puts me on track. I'm also training for that marathon. I'll update this list in another year and let you know how I'm doing.
P.S. I've actually been quite creative this past month and that has been part of the reason I have not been updating. Sorry readers if anyone actually reads this little blog. There will be more coming soon.
I had to put spoilers at the top because I talk about some of the plot. There is nothing I hate more than knowing the end of a movie or book before I get the chance to experience it myself. Even the minutest detail. It is that pet peeve which brought this pointless little paragraph. To continue.
Upon graduating college I was feeling rather unaccomplished. I have so many things I want to do in life. It's odd. I was watching Julie & Julia the other night and this was maybe the fourth time I had seen it. Mind you I have rented it each and every time I have watched it, it would be much more economical to just buy it. I digress.
Julie says she feels so lost and lately I have felt much the same. I am at this point in my life where I have no real direction. I'm kind of floating in the water and trying to decide which way to swim. There is this part where Julie is completely crushed because she realizes despite her efforts she has gotten her hopes up for a book contract. I had been thinking about this simple plot twist for several days now. Why? We all have a grandiose dream. That perfect dream we are pretty much positive will never ever happen. Whether that dream is being an author, famous artist, singer, inventor or professional athlete. There are some who go after those dreams and fail and others who go after them and succeed. I've just always assumed I would be the failure. This attitude has kept me from really giving it my best shot.
Believe me, I used to be the classic overachiever. I was salutatorian in high school. I busted my butt studying all the time. I excelled. Yet, I was never the best. When I was younger I wanted to be the next Lisa Leslie. She is one of the best WNBA players if you didn't know but I let asthma get in the way of playing basketball. I let that dream go. Then I wanted to be a great artist. However, I soon discovered this was not the most natural thing. I gave that up. Then I just wanted to be the best in school to get into a good college. I accomplished that. However, the stress left me having the worse episodes because I have Crohn's. College I just wanted a degree and a social life. The thing I had missed in high school because of the grades I strived for. I accomplished that. Now I'm at a Crossroads.
It was with this contemplation I'd remembered a list I made upon graduation of UCF. A list of 30 things to do before I turn 30. I have some catching up to do. I thought however in the moment I'd share.
1. Skydiving
2. White water rafting
3. Bungy jumping
4. Live in another country
5. Visit several coutries
6. Have defined abs
7. Own a big dog
8. Run a marathon
9. Start a new magazine
10. Live in a State other than Florida
11. Learn to surf
12. Own/ride a motorcycle
13. More tattoo's
14. Get belly button pierced
15. Write a book
16. Read all books on the list "100 books by college"
17. Find a job I really enjoy
18. Bowl an average of 150/160
19. Take a seminary class
20. Become closer to God
21. Go on a missions trip
22. Teach someone to really know Christ
23. Help change the world in a tiny way
24. Learn to box
25. Actually hurt my brother once when I punch him
26. Teach a spinning class
27. Motivate/help others with Crohn's
28. Make a pie completely from scratch
29. Horse back riding
30. Swim with dolphins
So of those I've accomplished...12-I've riden on the back of one. Still want to own a motorcycle some day. 14. Loved it even though it closed up after surgery. 20. I think I'm on the way with that...that will always be a work in process. 29. Did this summer with my family in Live Oak. Four down....26 to go. And that puts me on track. I'm also training for that marathon. I'll update this list in another year and let you know how I'm doing.
P.S. I've actually been quite creative this past month and that has been part of the reason I have not been updating. Sorry readers if anyone actually reads this little blog. There will be more coming soon.
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