Filed under thoughts emerging from my head …

Jan 03 2012
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thoughts emerging from my head

new year, new post

gotta at least start off blogging, right?

i’ve decided to start another 365. this is gonna be a big year, so it would be nice to document, i need something to make me be more creative on a daily basis and it’s nice to have a body of work to look back over and see stylistic changes as well. as with anything, practice makes you quicker and better.

starbucks offered a special deal for one of their 12 days of merry–purchase a tumbler for $20 and receive free coffee for the month of january. in need of a new tumbler, i considered myself for a candidate for this promotion. i liked the construction of the tumbler and since i don’t have any more morning classes to be late for, i opted to shell out the funds. three days in and i’ve received my free coffee each day. it’s great–and a great idea for starbucks because they probably don’t lose that much money on brewed coffee (not to mention i bet a lot of people purchased the tumbler and won’t actually use it much). i’m sure starbucks knows what they’re doing–i probably think about it more than most and i’ll probably get super used to going each day before work, so i’ll want to continue even after my coffee isn’t free anymore.

this is not really like me, but i’ll go ahead and blog about something i recently bought. when i was home, i used my sister’s brush a lot and decided that since mine was melted and old, it was probably time for me to upgrade my own. i purchased this purple wigo ceramic. tried it out this morning and i’m excited to say that i’m quite happy with the purchase.

 
 

the amanda jill moved out yesterday. i will miss her always cheer, coffee and crafty projects.
rachel started her job today and is moving rooms upstairs. lots going on around the house!
looking forward to a couple of weeks of just work, crafty projects and cooking before my last semester starts. if it’s possible to feel old and young at the same time, i do.

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Nov 04 2011
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thoughts emerging from my head

trash the moleskines! flee america!

i’ve been amazed by the recent uproar over art/design contests hosted for the american jobs act by art works and for moleskinerie by moleskine. i think people are being dumb. that’s right, i think these contests are great. here’s why:

  • they promote creativity
  • there’s no entry fee
  • the winner gets a prize/paid for his work
  • if you don’t win, you retain the rights to your image and can use it elsewhere down the road (participating in one of these contests is no different than creating an illustration because you felt like it without getting paid–and hey–you might even win. if not this time, maybe next.)
  • sure, they could have chosen one designer to provide one design and paid them the amount of the prize, but sometimes it’s nice for the little guy to have the chance at a break through (and sometimes he produces better work)

here’s what i can’t comprehend:

  • if you don’t want to “waste your time and not get paid,” DON’T ENTER. it’s a free country–no one’s telling you that you must work for free.
  • tamu aias is having a poster design contest–the winner gets his poster published. how is this any different? OMG THE LOSERS WILL HAVE DONE WHAT THEY LOVE FOR FREE!
  • people will pay a hefty sum per submission to enter some art/design/photo contests–yet they’re saying this is worse?
  • why don’t i hear people whining about contests like shirt.woot and threadless?
  • how the opportunity to become a part of something will make brand loyalists throw the product they once loved and cherished in the trash. seriously? grow up.
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Aug 15 2011
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thoughts emerging from my head

on white walls

it’s amazing how much a little paint can change the color of a room… i’m not even talking dramatically colored paint–just different shades of pale neutral.

take for example this apartment in sweden:

image: www.gandana.com

and this one in texas:

image: www.olx.com

i realize they’re quite different places, so it’s rather difficult to compare, but my opinion: the white is so much cleaner and crisper… plus all the large windows, but that’s beside the point. i don’t understand why EVERYONE–at least in this town–thinks that they must paint apartment interiors the same (imo awful) shade of [dirty] beigy-tan. what’s wrong with white? or even a cool grey-ish white instead of something that looks like you rubbed dirt all over the walls?

i begged my landlord and painted my walls a pale aqua last year. it changes my mood so much to be able to wake up in a color that is peaceful, clean and inspiring. my sister’s new room is ice periwinkle–it too is so refreshing and uplifting.

it seems as though with all the competition (and desires/claims) to be different, someone would choose a slightly different neutral to put on the walls… and that it may yield better results than painting the outside of the buildings yellow and green and blue, but that’s just my opinion.

Jun 08 2011
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thoughts emerging from my head

skipping ahead and returning to other things

confession: i have a new addiction. it is called pinterest. digital inspiration boards, visual bookmarks, call it what you will, but it’s brilliant. i have so so so many bookmarks for photographers and designers and things of the sort, but most of the time, i remember oh yeah, i want that guy who did photos with the yellow eyeshadow and flowers, not “oh yes, rankin.” photos > r > rankin. let’s be real. this site helps eliminate that, keep things neat and tidy, presents fantastic thumbnails or larger views with easy targeting back to the original link and has an accompanying app. the app still needs a lot of work, but it’s there with potential during times of boredom or need.

also, i love minus the bear. great work jams.

Apr 26 2011
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thoughts emerging from my head

summer goals

1) create more
2) blog more
3) carry my camera more

edit:
4) complete a video project
5) cook and cook healthy
6) get up when my alarm goes off
7) work out almost every day

Jan 31 2011
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thoughts emerging from my head

a challenge for time management

With school projects for JCP and Chevrolet getting into full swing, this semester is definitely going to be a challenge in time management and scheduling… probably more scheduling because they’re all fun projects that I can pull all-nighters to crank out, but also I am part of teams that have to meet (and preferably not at 4a).

Looking forward to a week of photography next week:
Monday – TAMU Dance Program spring photoshoot
Tuesday – MS Marketing students professional headshots
Thursday – Barbara Bush Literacy Corps/ Reading Discovery
Friday – Red Dress Fashion Show @ the George Bush Presidential Library and Museum

Good thing I got another card and additional battery for Christmas. Olli is going to get quite a workout.

Jan 08 2011
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thoughts emerging from my head

winter “break” reading

nothing like having a stack of books assigned on the last day of class to be read by the beginning of spring classes… so much for winter break. actually, it wasn’t that bad. change the way you see thingsi chose to read change the way you see things by kathryn cramer and hank wasiak first, because it was the most visually interesting book (and had the least amount of words). i found myself critiquing the graphic design (and use of too many fonts) so much that i had to reread the page several times. i love being a designer, but sometimes i think it complicates my life. the book fell short of my visual expectations. i found all the talk about being a asset-based thinker was rather cheesy, though it makes a good point.

next, after complaining (some for fun), i tackled a complant free world by will bowen, a minister in kansas city, mo. it’s about pretty much what you would think it would be about–how not complaining can change your life. one sunday, he suggested his congregations wear a purple bracelet and switch wrists each times they complained. starting with many switches a day at the beginning, countless have been successful in going 21 days without complaining–something much easier to achieve if everyone you surround yourself with has the same goal. the movement has grown worldwide and they’ve distributed 6,371,260 bracelets–crazy!

the exceptional presenterfinally, i churned through the exceptional presenter by timothy koegel. it basically just gave tips for how to prepare for presentations, things to avoid while presenting, and suggestions for how to be a more engaging speaker. there were lots of diagrams which was nice.







secret in the old lacei was able to finish all these books by christmas day so i could read what i wanted to read the rest of the break. started nancy drew #59, the secret in the old lace. however, things picked up when bjarratt came to town and i was unable to finish said reading selection before break was over. we had a grand time, but yet another “just for fun” book sits on my shelf half read.

Dec 21 2010
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art/installations, thoughts emerging from my head

leaf-y friends

growing up is strange. evolution of relationships is just as strange. i’ll never not be my mother’s daughter, but at the same time, i am no longer a child. unable to decide on how personal to get, i leave my words as broad thoughts to ponder.

made a fun little art project today. the colors of the leaves grabbed me and they were soft and just begging to be drawn on. i remembered gavin braman’s project tagging leaves with monsters and decided i, too, must make my own leaf-y friends (owls, of course!)

then i took photos and now i’m sitting her blogging about it, making me feel like a real crafty blogger. ha. it would be nice if i did this kind of thing more than once a year…

Dec 03 2010
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designs, thoughts emerging from my head

catsup

oh hey. it looks like i haven’t posted since may. summer was crazy and i’ve just never been much in the habit of blogging (except when i was living in europe). i’ve already decided that will be one of my goals in the new year. speaking of–i can’t believe 2010 is almost over.

i’ve been working a little on redoing my website, but i just can’t seem to come up with a solution i’m happy with. thinking of coding my own wordpress theme. i think wordpress’s awesomeness is right up there with google and dropbox; i just wish i had more time to learn more things.

i’ve been browsing some creative business card designs for some inspiration at work. i could do a compilation of my favorites, but there are zillions out there. instead, i’ll leave you with the one below. what is it about bearded men that just translates to paper so well for branding?
jared schorr business card

ok, two. this one was just too great to pass up. creative AND free bobby pins!
ys

May 17 2010
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thoughts emerging from my head

one.

so i’m a little late writing this, but last weekend really taught me to be thankful for having one… one house to take care of, one dog to care for, one job to give my time to, one home to live, one God to love. having more than one makes me spread myself thin and i feel like i can’t give my full best to anything. often society gets hung up being greedy and wanting more. my goal is to be content with one.

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