Unplugging
This song (and video) are both so fun. Shame on you if you don’t tap your feet or clap along while listening.
Over the past two weeks I’ve been without cable since the cable box broke. Initially, I tried to get the issue resolved during my lunch hour but if you’ve ever visited a Comcast office, you know that an hour there is as good as not going at all because the line was already out the door. Sure, I could set up an appointment to have them come to me, but even then the hours aren’t that reasonable. So, needless to say it’s on my “to do list.”
Although I don’t consider myself a huge TV junkie, knowing the cable is out has forced me to do other things when I get home. And since restarting The Artist’s Way, I remembered Week 4’s assignment to forgo reading. It initially sounds absurd, but once you do it, you actually miss it. No books, blog reading, and certainly no Twitter or Facebook time. It’s all about less reading (mental clutter and time wasting) and more doing, creating, and being.
Interestingly, I came across an Etsy blog post earlier this week regarding a “holiday” called Present Day in which the first Sunday of the month you give up your computer and phone:
Present Day helps you connect to where you are and who you’re with. It reveals what cell phones and computers bring to your life and what they take away. It helps the earth and it feels good.
If interested, you can join their Present Day Facebook Group. I agree that those individuals most appalled by this idea are the ones who need it most. Trust me I was (and in some ways still am) one of them. So if you’ve ever thought or said out loud, “I don’t know how I ever survived without my (iPhone/Blackberry/laptop),” this challenge is for you. Even though I’m only in the beginning of week 2 of the Artist’s Way, I’m already finding myself needing to unplug from the technology around me.
Here’s to first Sundays and enjoying experiences not requiring a 3G or WiFi connection.
February Flickr Meet Up in Miami Beach
Since making an effort to take more pictures, my browsing activity on Flickr has increased tremendously. But this time instead of just lurking people’s photostreams I was also interested in finding a group of local individuals that would be up for shooting and just having fun. Fortunately, Michelle (alias Invisible Cirkus) was completely on board and decided to throw a Flickr Meet Up this coming weekend. Needless to say, I’m definitely excited to meet a few more local photo enthusiasts like myself and to shoot with some of my underutilized cameras.
Yeah Holga, you know I’m talking to you.
Theo Ellsworth Illustrations
I love how interconnected the art world is sometimes. While listening to Ramona Falls yesterday I thought the style of drawings on the album cover in my iTunes player looked familiar. And shortly afterward I realized it was the work of Theo Ellsworth, an incredibly talented illustrator who was at JournalFest last fall! Although I didn’t take his class, I bought one of his illustrated cards because it was completely different from what the rest of the vendors were selling (pictured above).
Upon browsing his blog up I immediately fell in love with a pair of ghost goggles he made. Too cool. Currently Theo is working on new material for an upcoming book, so be sure to follow his blog for all the sneak peeks.
Happy Birthday Mom
This photo was taken during a family picnic. In searching for photos of my mom I realized I don’t have any recent portraits of her. Not sure why it never occurred to me to take more photos while I was living at home. So, I’m making it a goal of mine to do so in the near future.
When I think about my mother, I think of someone who is completely selfless. She played both roles of a mother and father to my brother and I, and for that I am forever grateful. Looking back on our relationship growing up, I feel fortunate to say that we actually got along really well, even though some of my friends could barely stand to be in the same room with theirs.
Aside from her unselfish nature, she is also probably one of the most creative and talented individuals I know. Whenever I go back home to visit she is always working on a new project or trying to hurry up one to start another. As a kid/teenager my friends would always make comments and give compliments on her quilts, holiday decorations, and other crafty creations. Afterall, she is the one who made my Jem costume as a kid. And whether she is living in a house or a 2 bedroom condo, my mom puts her spin on everything she touches and inhabits.
To the one who brought me life, loves unconditionally, and put up with my sassiness; I love you.
Happy Birthday Mom.
Frame By Frame Eye Candy
I can always appreciate a good music video. My current favorites:
Ramona Falls – I Say Fever (Directed by Stefan Nadelman)
Over the Rhine – Desperate for Love. (Various art teams)
Polaroid Illustrations by Danny Brito
A few weeks ago one of my local Flickr contacts, Danny Brito, posted a neat illustration project he was starting out. The gist: Danny recreates a photo of your choosing and frames it to mimic the look of a Polaroid print. As you can see above, he did a wonderful job with the photo I gave him for inspiration, and it was only $30! If you’re interested in having your own Polaroid illustration, you can order one through his blog. And if you’re a local in the South Floridia area, be sure to check out his solo show at PinkGhost in April.
Not shy, just an introvert
Introverted people are commonly thought to be shy, but introverts’ low motivation to socialize is not the same as the inhibited behavior, tension, and awkwardness that characterize shyness. Introverts who are not shy can behave extrovertively when they choose; whereas shy people, both introverts and extroverts, can’t turn their tension and awkwardness off and on. – Psychology Today February ‘10 issue.
Thanks to Psychology Today for clarifying this misconception about my own disposition.
P.S. I’m also restarting The Artist’s Way for the 4th time. Crossing my fingers this will be the time I actually complete it.
Hello lover
Pleased to welcome my newest toy to the family. Canon AE-1 Program circa 1984.
Resolving to cook more
Throughout the years I’ve learned to appreciate things that are handmade or DIY and cooking is certainly something I feel that falls within those categories. Yet, the lack of home-cooked meals I make has been sort of an enigma. Of course it’s also a little more challenging when you’re also working towards losing weight (17.8 lbs lost so far and counting). And although I’m not one for New Year’s resolutions, I really wanted to make an effort to cook more in 2010. It’s not that I can’t cook. In fact as a teen, my mother would compliment my cooking whenever I would prepare dinner for our family (so my mom could have a break every now and then).
I’m not sure if the cooler temperatures have sparked my urge to want to cook, but tonight I actually couldn’t wait to get home and dive into the kitchen. Although, I confess I’m still not a huge fan of cleaning up afterward.
Who knows, maybe my resolution will be easier to keep than I initially thought.
Playlist for the New Year 2010
Welcome 2010.
Photo by Laura M Bailey
I’ve been meaning to write an obligatory New Year’s post that was originally going to be on the things I plan to accomplish or change over the next 12 months. Instead I figured making a playlist would be more fun. Compared to my last playlist this one includes more upbeat and pop-like songs, which I think mimics a lot of people’s emotions as the New Year begins. It seems a lot of people (myself included) associate this time of year with feelings of leaving things in the past, starting anew, and welcoming change with a sense of excitement.
Download 2010 New Year Playlist:
The New Year – Death Cab for Cutie
Clarity – John Mayer
Shh – Frou Frou
Free Me – Joss Stone
I Feel It All – Feist
Drive – Incubus
Such Great Heights – The Postal Service
Miracle – Paramore
Dance Dance Dance – Lykke Li
Bleed Together – Lovedrug
More Adventurous – Rilo Kiley
Enjoy.