So, Nick told me the other day that the goal of blogging is to be a factory, not a warehouse. To constantly churn out new thoughts, not store them up and dole out.
I thought about the analogy...I thought, "What's wrong with the warehouse? Stuff comes in, sits a bit, then goes out." Then I realized, it is not changed by the warehouse - I would be taking in info and then just regurgitating it unanalyzed and unaffected.
The factory...stuff comes in, it is assembled, and then shipped out. Better, but my problem with it is that factories are usually specialized so the same stuff always comes in and the same stuff always goes out.
I decided I want to be a design or marketing firm. People come to me with their stuff, I analyze it, and give it back to them in a new way that they can use. Sometimes they like it, sometimes they don't, sometimes you get lots of repeat business, sometimes not. I like that analogy for my blogging. Many different things enter my life, I think about them and blog them out, and sometimes those blogs are helpful (sometimes not) to others.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Digital Photo-Realist Art
Well, I took a class at JCCC to learn a little more about Adobe Illustrator. The instructor showed us the work of several "Illustrator" artists to show us what is possible. One is Yukio Miyamoto and another is Bert Monroy . I've included just one example....this stuff is amazing! That is not a photograph, it is a constructed piece of art.
I learned a lot in the class, I think. Not enought to do what these artists have done, but maybe enough to do simple logos and artwork. I'll try my hand at it when I have some free time and maybe show you the results. Here's my first go at a balloon for the Ronald McDonald House Auction.
Turn the other cheek
So, I think I tend to get more emotional over rude things online than I do in person. if someone insults me to my face, most times it doesn't phase me - I really couldn't care less. But there have been several instances of people writing things online that jab at me or a friend that really got me riled up.
A while back my friend Brian had a roommate with a girlfriend who lived in CO who had never met Brian. She wrote some very derogatory remarks about Brian on her blog...and that upset me. And recently, a self-proclaimed pedant chided me for a typo I wrote in a comment to a friend....and that upset me, too. Both times I wanted to write back with some biting remarks - give the person a dose of her own medicine. I did write back the first time, I did not the second.
I think I need to learn to let these things go as easily as I do in real life. Maybe it is because I feel more articulate with the written word and have more time to stew on it than in real life. But I realized that if I sting back at the person who stings me, I am no better. I don't feel so guilty for stinging back for my friend, I wanted to stick up for him. But I'm trying to discipline myself to turn the other cheek - there is a time to speak and a time to be silent, and I am trying to discern the difference.
A while back my friend Brian had a roommate with a girlfriend who lived in CO who had never met Brian. She wrote some very derogatory remarks about Brian on her blog...and that upset me. And recently, a self-proclaimed pedant chided me for a typo I wrote in a comment to a friend....and that upset me, too. Both times I wanted to write back with some biting remarks - give the person a dose of her own medicine. I did write back the first time, I did not the second.
I think I need to learn to let these things go as easily as I do in real life. Maybe it is because I feel more articulate with the written word and have more time to stew on it than in real life. But I realized that if I sting back at the person who stings me, I am no better. I don't feel so guilty for stinging back for my friend, I wanted to stick up for him. But I'm trying to discipline myself to turn the other cheek - there is a time to speak and a time to be silent, and I am trying to discern the difference.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
You watch what?
So, I mentioned in my last blog that I was watching a Christian TV Show in the morning. To be specific, it is "Life Today" and has a couple different hosts and they interview people and have short Bible studies and such. It is not something I would normally watch because I feel most such programs are preachy and closed-minded. And honestly, I'm still not sure if I like the regular hosts - a couple - a small quiet woman and a talkative large southern man.
But, I find I get tired of watching the news while eating my breakfast. Just the same old news, weather, shootings and crap. And I flipped to this channel one day because it was better than the kids' programming on KCPT and the informercials on the non-news channels. It actually interests me, not that I neccisarily aggree with everything they say, but it always makes me think about subjects I like to think about.
One woman did a study on the power of the spoken word. How much more powerful a spoken word is than just a thought word or even written word. One day they interviewed the author of "Bad Girls in the Bible," Liz Higgs. She was an extrodinarily charizmatic woman and very interesting to listen too. I never thought to read the book before because it sounded so trendy cliche...but, she was so engaging and ensightful.
Sometimes, in this culture, it is hard for me to admit that I am a Christian and participate in "Christian activities." Christians have a bad name as being shallow, narrow-minded, and hypocrits. But I don't want to be ashamed, because I am not like that. And so I admit, I watch a Christian tv show in the mornings, and enjoy it (so far =).
But, I find I get tired of watching the news while eating my breakfast. Just the same old news, weather, shootings and crap. And I flipped to this channel one day because it was better than the kids' programming on KCPT and the informercials on the non-news channels. It actually interests me, not that I neccisarily aggree with everything they say, but it always makes me think about subjects I like to think about.
One woman did a study on the power of the spoken word. How much more powerful a spoken word is than just a thought word or even written word. One day they interviewed the author of "Bad Girls in the Bible," Liz Higgs. She was an extrodinarily charizmatic woman and very interesting to listen too. I never thought to read the book before because it sounded so trendy cliche...but, she was so engaging and ensightful.
Sometimes, in this culture, it is hard for me to admit that I am a Christian and participate in "Christian activities." Christians have a bad name as being shallow, narrow-minded, and hypocrits. But I don't want to be ashamed, because I am not like that. And so I admit, I watch a Christian tv show in the mornings, and enjoy it (so far =).
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Cultural Warrior?
So I saw Bill O'Reily being interviewed this morning on a Christian TV Show and he talked about his book and the "cultural war" being fought in the United States. There are "traditional warriors" and "secular-progressives" battling out for control of the country and the basis of our law. He basically says the "s-p"s are trying to shift the basis of our laws from the judeo-christian roots they currently have to completely secular ones and that, in turn, will ruin the nation.
I'm a little unsure what I think of this point. I am a strong Christian and believe myself to be a moral individual. And I tend to lean towards conservative Replubican ideas. But I believe the role of the government is to facilitate communal living - not impose morals on others or to micro-manage our lives. I think drugs should not be illegal, I think abortion is a woman's choice, I think the state should not give Marriage Licenses but Civil Unions to all couples (gay or straight) and churches should decide on marriages. I believe it is the Church's duty to take care of the old and poor, not the government. Personally, I would never do drugs, have an abortion, or live a gay lifestyle - and I would council any friends against these things, but in the end - it is their decision and something that they are only accountable to God for, not the government.
I took a little poll on O'Reily's website to see if I was a warrior or "s-p"....I lean towards being a warrior. But I don't know if I feel the government needs to have a Christian base or if we Christians just need to step up and do our jobs like we are commissioned by God to do in the Bible. Love our neighbors, do good to those who hate us, take care of the poor, the elderly, the prisoners. Will that example and leadership (if we were all to do it) not be enough to keep our country great without the law stating it to be? People need guideance - look at our current housing loan situation - did the banks really think it good business to give out crazy loans and that the innevitable horrible outcomes didn't concern them?
I just don't know. I guess I feel educated and enlightened and like I know what is right to do and others should know that too. But, I realize people don't just "know" that - they need to be taught. I'm just not sure what the best method to do so is. Ideally, it would be the church teaching, but if they don't step up - maybe I need to support the government doing it. Maybe I need to focus my energy more on encouraging my church to teach and reach out and make a difference.
I'm a little unsure what I think of this point. I am a strong Christian and believe myself to be a moral individual. And I tend to lean towards conservative Replubican ideas. But I believe the role of the government is to facilitate communal living - not impose morals on others or to micro-manage our lives. I think drugs should not be illegal, I think abortion is a woman's choice, I think the state should not give Marriage Licenses but Civil Unions to all couples (gay or straight) and churches should decide on marriages. I believe it is the Church's duty to take care of the old and poor, not the government. Personally, I would never do drugs, have an abortion, or live a gay lifestyle - and I would council any friends against these things, but in the end - it is their decision and something that they are only accountable to God for, not the government.
I took a little poll on O'Reily's website to see if I was a warrior or "s-p"....I lean towards being a warrior. But I don't know if I feel the government needs to have a Christian base or if we Christians just need to step up and do our jobs like we are commissioned by God to do in the Bible. Love our neighbors, do good to those who hate us, take care of the poor, the elderly, the prisoners. Will that example and leadership (if we were all to do it) not be enough to keep our country great without the law stating it to be? People need guideance - look at our current housing loan situation - did the banks really think it good business to give out crazy loans and that the innevitable horrible outcomes didn't concern them?
I just don't know. I guess I feel educated and enlightened and like I know what is right to do and others should know that too. But, I realize people don't just "know" that - they need to be taught. I'm just not sure what the best method to do so is. Ideally, it would be the church teaching, but if they don't step up - maybe I need to support the government doing it. Maybe I need to focus my energy more on encouraging my church to teach and reach out and make a difference.
Monday, February 18, 2008
Starting the Blog
My first post for my friend, Nick. He has inspired me to blog - I don't know if I consider it a social obligation as he put it, but I always like doing things for posterity.
So, my husband and I are three weeks out from putting on a show that we produced, designed, and will present. It is scary being responsible for a professional show that people pay to come see - you are expected to be professional and good and entertaining. There are so many aspects to keep a handle on - people working for you, design elements, organization and movement of props, etc.
And it is fulfulling a dream of my husband's. I think that is what's hardest...bringing a dream to life that you want to keep its magic. Dreams are great in your mind and you want them to be great in life, too. So, we are giving it all of our effort. The journey has been filled with many challenges, I hope the product will be filled with joy.
So, my husband and I are three weeks out from putting on a show that we produced, designed, and will present. It is scary being responsible for a professional show that people pay to come see - you are expected to be professional and good and entertaining. There are so many aspects to keep a handle on - people working for you, design elements, organization and movement of props, etc.
And it is fulfulling a dream of my husband's. I think that is what's hardest...bringing a dream to life that you want to keep its magic. Dreams are great in your mind and you want them to be great in life, too. So, we are giving it all of our effort. The journey has been filled with many challenges, I hope the product will be filled with joy.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)