I had a friend recently comment that I should turn my craft blog into a graphic design blog, or an entrepreneur blog since I'm doing more working than crafting. Ha. That's true, but all the good graphic design blog names are taken. And besides, this is craft anarchy, where there are no rules. That basically means I can blog about whatever I want to. That's my way of saying I'm about to rant about work. Again.
I recently was paid a visit from the president of the Chamber of Commerce (ooh - pause for dramatic effect) who sat down with me in a Closed Door Meeting. He asked if I would be his president-elect for his term as president. Which means I'd be the next president. Bewildered blink. I asked if he was sure. He gave me a thoughtful reply of why he chose me. After our lengthy discussion of what it would mean - my commitments and duties - he left asking me to give him an answer by Monday. Not exactly the way I wanted to end my Friday, with a bunch of heavy thinking for the weekend. After discussing it with my husband and business partner, my employees, my friends and family, I'm still not sure what my answer will be. I'm flattered, to be sure - but ego is not the right reason to do anything. On the other hand, the benefits both to my personal growth and to my business is huge. It sort of scares me, and that's one big reason i'm considering it. Being a mom and taking over a business are just two examples of things that terrified me and turned out to be the best things in my life. I have been considering all my current obligations - work, family and the other organizations I have become a part of that all depend on me. Do I have the time to commit to this? I have the potential to be the BNI president next year. I'm the president elect for Rotary which means I will be the president in a year. I can spend the next two years preparing myself for the time expenditure after my experiences being president of smaller things. Maybe these are great stepping stones and learning experiences preparing me for Chamber Presidency. I feel greatly underqualified - especially considering the depth and breadth of the knowledge and experience of the past presidents for over 75 years. But my peers have picked me for these tasks because they believe in me. Maybe they see something in me that I don't.
I recently had a close friend comment that what drew her to me was my charm and charisma. I have a very hard time describing myself with those two words. She was flattered and amazed that I reciprocated her feelings and we've been amazingly close friends ever since. Even despite the fact we live in different provinces we're very close. Perhaps it's time I stopped believing what I've told myself for years. Time to stop believing the lies fed to me by an abusive first spouse. Stop believing the stupid playground bullies and poisonous people I was too eager to listen to for far too long, and start listening to myself. To start telling myself that I am capable and worthy and special.
That's a hard pill for me to swallow, but it's clear that I need to start believing in myself the way others do. I owe myself that much. Respecting myself will be a learning curve. I don't know when the last time I felt worthy was. And a lot of work will have to go in to this. Taking care of my body through eating well, exercising, getting enough sleep and spending time with the people who nourish my soul. Christmas is a perfect time to start this when goodwill towards men and the peace and joy of the season is at its height.
I was sure that owning my own business would change me and help me grow as a person, but I didn't realize how dramatically it would happen. I'm honored to be chosen to represent my business community. I'm honored to take on this responsibility for the only community I've ever known. The more I think of it, the more I realize this is a path I'm meant to take.
I hope I do a good job, I hope I don't let anyone down, I hope to learn many new things, I hope to cherish the experience and gain many new friends. I hope to continue to grow. I hope.
Isn't hope wonderful?
Monday, November 22, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
Gingerbread Disaster...
It's been a pathetic craft year for me this 2010. I didn't carve any jack o lanterns, all my cards have been store bought, and I have gone to the craft store ONLY three times, and ALL of my purchases are sitting in their original bags and in their original packaging. Le Sigh! I have about four new halloween stamp sets untouched even.
Therefore, I was excited this year at the prospect of making a gingerbread house for the LINX Gingerbread Gala! They have locals make gingerbread houses and auction them off for charity. I did it last year, and my house went for $100! I was so looking forward to out-doing my efforts from last year. This time, I consulted an engineer, home made all the gingerbread... And ran out of time and bribed my husband and daughter to make it while I was working. Work, work, work...
I was hoping to come home and help put the final touches on the super impressive chalet. I was on the phone saying I was coming home, when the first cave in happened. My daughter threatened to sue the construction company, as there were some gingerbread men fataly wounded in the accident. My idea when I got home was to turn it into some sort of famous (or famous looking) ruins the following day. Yeah, that went over like a lead balloon. What it DID end up looking like was a tent city put up by hordes of homeless gingerbread men. Sorta like what Edmonton looked like in 2006 and there was a gigantic tent city errected by the working homeless. Too late to do anything else, and unfortunately too late to back out (as it was only an hour to the start of the event). I whipped up a tent card on the computer, and voila!
Therefore, I was excited this year at the prospect of making a gingerbread house for the LINX Gingerbread Gala! They have locals make gingerbread houses and auction them off for charity. I did it last year, and my house went for $100! I was so looking forward to out-doing my efforts from last year. This time, I consulted an engineer, home made all the gingerbread... And ran out of time and bribed my husband and daughter to make it while I was working. Work, work, work...
I was hoping to come home and help put the final touches on the super impressive chalet. I was on the phone saying I was coming home, when the first cave in happened. My daughter threatened to sue the construction company, as there were some gingerbread men fataly wounded in the accident. My idea when I got home was to turn it into some sort of famous (or famous looking) ruins the following day. Yeah, that went over like a lead balloon. What it DID end up looking like was a tent city put up by hordes of homeless gingerbread men. Sorta like what Edmonton looked like in 2006 and there was a gigantic tent city errected by the working homeless. Too late to do anything else, and unfortunately too late to back out (as it was only an hour to the start of the event). I whipped up a tent card on the computer, and voila!
The Fabulous Tent City of the North Pole
As work piles up at the North Pole for the upcoming Christmas season, Santa runs out of room in his workshop & tent cities pop up for relief workers (dwarves, fairies & trolls) who've come from all over the world to help with the large demand this Christmas...
It almost looked like I intended to make it look that pathetic. Please note the gingerbread man holding a cane - he escaped the initial disaster with only life altering and debilitating injuries...
The president of the Chamber of Commerce said my gingerbread village looked nicer than his most recent trip to a third world country, and if I wanted to make it really pathetic looking, I need to add gingerbread men pooping outside, and well, to be honest just lots of outdoor poop.
I'll keep those suggestions in mind for next year.
Oh, and what did my gingerbread village fetch in donations? $10. My thanks to Cindy for purchasing it and taking it home, allowing me to avoid the shame of carting that monstrosity back with me.
On the upside, the Gala was so much fun, the food was amazing, the company even better and I got to see the most glorious giant velvet elvis painting I've ever seen. Good times.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Lest We Forget
As a child growing up, the importance of Remembrance Day was one thing that was emphasized to me. It was important in the schools I went to, important in our family, and the importance was never lost on me. But to a child who has never seen war, or who has never had soldiers in her family, I often wondered what I was supposed to be remembering. Learning the history, honoring those who fought and paying homage to the ultimate sacrifice was what I did, but what was I to remember?
I heard on the radio today that more teenagers and young adults are treating this day of respect a lot differently than the youth of my generation because the youth today actually have a concept of wars. Friends and families have gone off to fight and some haven't returned, which puts the day into a different light than it did in the 80's and 90's.
Remembrance Day has been put into a new light for me now too. I now have a concept of what it feels like to be part of a nation sending soldiers off to fight. I have a concept of what terrorism looks like, and how easily freedoms can get taken away. And through my much larger network of friends and colleagues, I now have friends who have fought and who still fight for those freedoms. And it's a much more meaningful Remembrance Day when these friends can tell me their stories. A much more meaningful day when you lay a wreath in memory of someone, more meaningful when you can recall fond memories of your friends who are now off in a foreign land for your country. I've always observed this day solemnly, but now it has a significance that only age and time can provide. And I am thankful for that.
Today, I started my day with the ceremony in my hometown. Saw the colourguard marching, my nephew in his uniform, people I knew marching down the aisle. Laid a wreath at the end of the ceremony and observed the moment of silence at the cenotaph. Afterwards, I headed to my local Tim Horton's and had coffee with some friends, two of which had been soldiers in the British Army and one, a peacekeeper. Laughing and joking with these people has made me put this day into a perspective I never had before. From now on, when I think of remembrance day, I will think of these faces and be more grateful than ever before that I am free. I will remember.
Thank you.
I heard on the radio today that more teenagers and young adults are treating this day of respect a lot differently than the youth of my generation because the youth today actually have a concept of wars. Friends and families have gone off to fight and some haven't returned, which puts the day into a different light than it did in the 80's and 90's.Remembrance Day has been put into a new light for me now too. I now have a concept of what it feels like to be part of a nation sending soldiers off to fight. I have a concept of what terrorism looks like, and how easily freedoms can get taken away. And through my much larger network of friends and colleagues, I now have friends who have fought and who still fight for those freedoms. And it's a much more meaningful Remembrance Day when these friends can tell me their stories. A much more meaningful day when you lay a wreath in memory of someone, more meaningful when you can recall fond memories of your friends who are now off in a foreign land for your country. I've always observed this day solemnly, but now it has a significance that only age and time can provide. And I am thankful for that.
Today, I started my day with the ceremony in my hometown. Saw the colourguard marching, my nephew in his uniform, people I knew marching down the aisle. Laid a wreath at the end of the ceremony and observed the moment of silence at the cenotaph. Afterwards, I headed to my local Tim Horton's and had coffee with some friends, two of which had been soldiers in the British Army and one, a peacekeeper. Laughing and joking with these people has made me put this day into a perspective I never had before. From now on, when I think of remembrance day, I will think of these faces and be more grateful than ever before that I am free. I will remember.
Thank you.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Fate and Destiny? Confessions of a Cynic...
I think I grew up as the worlds most cynical child. Having my siblings subject me to torturous routines of playing games that were terrible, and most would require me being gullible enough to believe them (time and time again) that THIS time they would play nice. Riiight. Things like the game called "Kidnap" that would have them locking me in the shed. Nice game. They'd also play a game that would entail me drinking "potions" made of water and dirt and dandelions to make me invisible. And then, they would convince that that since my clothes were not invisible, i would need to take them off to walk around the neibourhood. Don't even GET me started on the game called Haunted House. That one drove our babysitters to tears.
Yep, I got cynical REAL fast.
Therefore, it was no surprise to me that I became the kind of young adult who did not believe in "One True Love", or "Soul Mates" and I would smile and be slightly jealous of those who did. That type of faith to me was amazing, but untouchable by me. On Valentine's Day, the one who would become my first ex-husband (and only ex husband thus far) claimed I was his soul mate and his one true love. I smiled and rolled my eyes. My second husband was not to fall to those illusions. Ever practical, pragmatic and with the mind of a scientist, he claimed there was no such thing. Ah! Blissful music to my cynical ears! You choose your best match with the options presented to you. If I never came into his life, he'd be just fine. No proclamations of me "completing him" or "changing his life". And this has suited me wonderfully. Who needs that when you're happy with who you're with? No - fate and destiny just wasn't a concept that fit me.
I have been singly career minded since high school. After thoughts of becoming a teacher, then a biologist, then a photojournalist, then a writer, I settled into thinking about becoming a graphic designer. It was a field I fell in love with, and every step I took brought me closer to that goal. Taking classes in high school towards that end, a year off of school to raise the funds for post-secondary, a graf com diploma, and an entry level position designing ads for a newspaper. After getting as far as I could there, I became the graphic designer for a small print shop. I love it. I hated it. I went from part time designer to full time designer, to manager to operations manager before my boss and the owner told me he was selling the shop. I took the plunge and decided to try to buy it. It wasn't without it's challenges. It wasn't "easy", but things seemed to fall into place whenever they needed to, and eight months later, I was signing legal documents proclaiming me as owner.
And now two years later, when the shop is doing well and is moderately successful (after a rather soul crushing economic downturn) I've used the phrase more than once that owning the shop "was meant to be".
What? Those words from a hardened cynic? But it's true. I feel that I am finally, after 32 years of life am in the exact place I needed to be. The place I was (ick) meant to be, and destiny had been preparing me for. How odd to have that concept fall into my lap after so long of not believing.
I am still a cynic. But I do believe that there are things in this world I was meant for. Owning this shop is one of them. Being Kat's mom is another. If I had lived my life the way I was trying to, I wouldn't have had a child at 20. I probably would have decided to skip the whole parenting thing, and it was never a goal of mine to be a business owner. Are you kidding? No way would I ever have planned for those things. But they are two of the things that make me happier than any other thing in the world. And I cannot deny that fate and destiny had a hand in those things.
So, do I now believe in a one true love, or a soul mate now that my eyes have opened up to the concept? Let's just say that I will remain cynically hopeful.
Yep, I got cynical REAL fast.
Therefore, it was no surprise to me that I became the kind of young adult who did not believe in "One True Love", or "Soul Mates" and I would smile and be slightly jealous of those who did. That type of faith to me was amazing, but untouchable by me. On Valentine's Day, the one who would become my first ex-husband (and only ex husband thus far) claimed I was his soul mate and his one true love. I smiled and rolled my eyes. My second husband was not to fall to those illusions. Ever practical, pragmatic and with the mind of a scientist, he claimed there was no such thing. Ah! Blissful music to my cynical ears! You choose your best match with the options presented to you. If I never came into his life, he'd be just fine. No proclamations of me "completing him" or "changing his life". And this has suited me wonderfully. Who needs that when you're happy with who you're with? No - fate and destiny just wasn't a concept that fit me.
I have been singly career minded since high school. After thoughts of becoming a teacher, then a biologist, then a photojournalist, then a writer, I settled into thinking about becoming a graphic designer. It was a field I fell in love with, and every step I took brought me closer to that goal. Taking classes in high school towards that end, a year off of school to raise the funds for post-secondary, a graf com diploma, and an entry level position designing ads for a newspaper. After getting as far as I could there, I became the graphic designer for a small print shop. I love it. I hated it. I went from part time designer to full time designer, to manager to operations manager before my boss and the owner told me he was selling the shop. I took the plunge and decided to try to buy it. It wasn't without it's challenges. It wasn't "easy", but things seemed to fall into place whenever they needed to, and eight months later, I was signing legal documents proclaiming me as owner.
And now two years later, when the shop is doing well and is moderately successful (after a rather soul crushing economic downturn) I've used the phrase more than once that owning the shop "was meant to be".
What? Those words from a hardened cynic? But it's true. I feel that I am finally, after 32 years of life am in the exact place I needed to be. The place I was (ick) meant to be, and destiny had been preparing me for. How odd to have that concept fall into my lap after so long of not believing.
I am still a cynic. But I do believe that there are things in this world I was meant for. Owning this shop is one of them. Being Kat's mom is another. If I had lived my life the way I was trying to, I wouldn't have had a child at 20. I probably would have decided to skip the whole parenting thing, and it was never a goal of mine to be a business owner. Are you kidding? No way would I ever have planned for those things. But they are two of the things that make me happier than any other thing in the world. And I cannot deny that fate and destiny had a hand in those things.
So, do I now believe in a one true love, or a soul mate now that my eyes have opened up to the concept? Let's just say that I will remain cynically hopeful.
Sunday, October 31, 2010
The Spider and the Fly
It is a Halloween tradition that after the trick or treaters are gone, and before the scary movies start up, that in a hushed tone, in a darkened room I read my favorite spooky poem...
The Spider and the Fly by Mary Howitt
Will you walk into my parlour?" said the Spider to the Fly,
'Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy;
The way into my parlour is up a winding stair,
And I've a many curious things to show when you are there."
Oh no, no," said the little Fly, "to ask me is in vain,
For who goes up your winding stair can ne'er come down again."
"I'm sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high;
Will you rest upon my little bed?" said the Spider to the Fly.
"There are pretty curtains drawn around; the sheets are fine and thin,
And if you like to rest awhile, I'll snugly tuck you in!"
Oh no, no," said the little Fly, "for I've often heard it said,
They never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed!"
Said the cunning Spider to the Fly, " Dear friend what can I do,
To prove the warm affection I 've always felt for you?
I have within my pantry, good store of all that's nice;
I'm sure you're very welcome -- will you please to take a slice?"
"Oh no, no," said the little Fly, "kind Sir, that cannot be,
I've heard what's in your pantry, and I do not wish to see!"
"Sweet creature!" said the Spider, "you're witty and you're wise,
How handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes!
I've a little looking-glass upon my parlour shelf,
If you'll step in one moment, dear, you shall behold yourself."
"I thank you, gentle sir," she said, "for what you 're pleased to say,
And bidding you good morning now, I'll call another day."
The Spider turned him round about, and went into his den,
For well he knew the silly Fly would soon come back again:
So he wove a subtle web, in a little corner sly,
And set his table ready, to dine upon the Fly.
Then he came out to his door again, and merrily did sing,
"Come hither, hither, pretty Fly, with the pearl and silver wing;
Your robes are green and purple -- there's a crest upon your head;
Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead!"
Alas, alas! how very soon this silly little Fly,
Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by;
With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew,
Thinking only of her brilliant eyes, and green and purple hue --
Thinking only of her crested head -- poor foolish thing! At last,
Up jumped the cunning Spider, and fiercely held her fast.
He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal den,
Within his little parlour -- but she ne'er came out again!
And now dear little children, who may this story read,
To idle, silly flattering words, I pray you ne'er give heed:
Unto an evil counsellor, close heart and ear and eye,
And take a lesson from this tale, of the Spider and the Fly.
Happy Halloween!
So, the results from my halloween costume crafting are in! Enjoy the pictures, and have a spooktacular halloween! Bwahahaha...My sister (darth maul) won the prize for the best female costume, and my good friend (emperor palpatine) did the makeup. Congrats!
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Halloween Costumes...Update!
I was just about giving up on being Dr. Horrible for Halloween. Sigh. Awesome costume idea wrecked by lack of time and funds. BUT my spirits raised ever so slightly when I found a Howie style medical lab coat at Incredible Comfortable Uniforms in Edmonton. So, it's not exactly the same, but close enough for me under time and budget constraints. BUT without the white gloves and welding goggles, I couldn't possibly be the infamous doctor. Just a weirdo in a lab coat. I was about to give up and go to the Halloween store and pick a random, boring costume up when I found myself near a Princess Auto. Welding gloves? Goggles? Check and check! Yay! And both for under $10! I LOVE that store! So now, I just have to spray paint a pair of rubber boots white, get my messy blonde wig, and I'm set! I tried on the whole costume today, and it's a passable Dr. Horrible. Yay! I also found Kathleen her black gloves and black t-shirt for her Captain Hammer costume, so it looks like we're set for Halloween! Yay! I'll get pictures up on the blog soon, but I'm so excited!
Now all I need to do is get Michelle her Penny wig and find some thrift store funky clothes, and the trio will be complete!
If anyone is stuck for what to go for - I do need henchmen:
Moist - regular clothes, just coat yourself with Petroleum Jelly and you can be my evil moisture buddy!
Bad Horse Henchmen - dress up as a cowboy, complete with requisite cowboy mustache and voila! You're a Bad Horse Man!
The Purple Pimp - the costume is just how it sounds
The Pink Pummeller - Pink mask, pink boxing gloves and a black T-shirt with two pink Ps on it facing on it facing the opposite direction.
Captain Hammer Groupies - Easy-peasy costume. Wear anything plus a monochromatic t-shirt. I can supply the hammer faces for the t-shirt! (bonus points if you have a dry cleaning slip or a slip of someone's hair!)
You can also be: Fury Leika, Professor Normal, Dead Bowie, Fake Thomas Jefferson, Tie Die, or Snake Bite (it's the evil posse)
Stay tuned for pictures! Happy Halloween!!
Now all I need to do is get Michelle her Penny wig and find some thrift store funky clothes, and the trio will be complete!
If anyone is stuck for what to go for - I do need henchmen:
Moist - regular clothes, just coat yourself with Petroleum Jelly and you can be my evil moisture buddy!
Bad Horse Henchmen - dress up as a cowboy, complete with requisite cowboy mustache and voila! You're a Bad Horse Man!
The Purple Pimp - the costume is just how it sounds
The Pink Pummeller - Pink mask, pink boxing gloves and a black T-shirt with two pink Ps on it facing on it facing the opposite direction.
Captain Hammer Groupies - Easy-peasy costume. Wear anything plus a monochromatic t-shirt. I can supply the hammer faces for the t-shirt! (bonus points if you have a dry cleaning slip or a slip of someone's hair!)
You can also be: Fury Leika, Professor Normal, Dead Bowie, Fake Thomas Jefferson, Tie Die, or Snake Bite (it's the evil posse)
Stay tuned for pictures! Happy Halloween!!
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Answers Part Deux!
Okay, here's the answers to the last half of questions in So You Wanna Be a Graphic Designer! I hope you learned a lot from the last post, and will learn even more, since these are less known (but still should be common information for anyone who's posing as a graphic designer!)
7. Name three page layout programs.
Like the last two questions about programs, there's a huge variety of programs out there. I will list the most common and industry standard programs.
- Adobe InDesign. Adobe merged this with PageMaker, which was very popular for a long time, but with the emergence of the popularity of more versatile page layout programs, was changed into InDesign.
- QuarkXPress. Industry standard and my favorite.
- CorelDraw. I beta tested this, and it's come a long way. Can be used for vector illustration, page layout, multiple page documents, and what we use at my shop mostly because it's most cost efficient, talks well to other programs and works best with our Computer to Plate machine.
- Publisher. Okay, I'll receive a lot of flack for this one, but honestly, it's so widely used by the business universe that we have no choice but to print from it. I'll leave the rest of my critiquing about this horrible program at the door.
8. What is DPI? LPI? And the difference between the two?
- DPI stands for Dots Per Inch and is probably the most familiar and most misused measure of resolution. It specifically refers to the printed dots (from a printer, imagesetter or press) that are used to make up an image. The larger the dots, the lower the resolution of the printed image. The smaller the dots, the higher the resolution of the image. DPI is calculated using the number of dots across a linear inch. A screen that has 100 DPI is a much lower resolution than one that has 600.
- LPI stands for Lines Per Inch and is also used to measure the resolution of printed halftones by calculating the dots in an inch. The lower the LPI, the lower the quality of the printed image. The higher the LPI, well, you get the idea. Standard presses will print at approximately 120 LPI. That's the standard we use at the shop (we make adjustments depending on the length of the run, the type of paper, and the actual image that is to be printed.) Newspapers usually run at 85 lpi and magazines are around 133 to 140. The higher the LPI, the less noticable the dots are.
LPI and DPI are a physical measurement of the number of dots on a printed page. When doing graphics on the computer (like Photoshop) dpi is often confused with resolution which is different. Computer graphics have a resolution based on pixels, not dots per inch.
9. What is dot gain?
Dot gain refers to what happens to an image once it's printed on paper. Since paper is absorbant, and when ink is printed on the paper, the paper sucking up the ink leads to the dot growing slightly in size. Think about what happens when you drip a drop of water on your counter top, and then when you drip water onto a paper towel. What happens to the dot of water? The water on the counter will be a bead of one size, the paper towel drip will have been absorbed into the paper towel, and appear larger. Newsprint being low quality and very absorbant paper has a high dot gain. It's one of the reasons a newspaper will be printed at a relatively low lpi. The amount of dot gain must be taken into consideration by the designer, so that the final printed design won't appear too dark or blobby. The newspaper that I worked at previously had a dot gain of a whopping 30%. That meant that screens that were printed at 70% darkened up to a full solid by the time they were printed. Compensation for this was to over-lighten your designs, never design using a heavy screen, and use as few halftones as possible. Print shops have a relatively low dot gain. At our shop, it's about 15%. We find we have to lighten half tones quite a bit to avoid losing resolution, and changing the dpi or lpi aids in that depending on the project. The paper we use is a much higher quality as well, so less ink is absorbed into it, resulting in a lower dot gain. Graphic designers should always get familiar with their printer, and print only at places they are familiar with so they can compensate for dot gain while designing their product, and the most savvy designers will request printing at a specific dpi best suited to their project.
10. What is a bleed? What must you do to ensure your design bleeds properly?
Bleed is the term us printing folk use to indicate when color runs to the very edge of the page. Printers and presses can't print bleeds, because grippers (the fingers that pull the piece of paper through the machine) need to hold on to the very edges of the paper, and printing to the extreme edge isn't possible. In order to get a full coverage look, we must print on a larger sheet size and then cut the paper down to the finished size. Proper bleed allowance (depending on the shop) is a minimum of 1/8" of bleed past the trim area of the design. Bleeds look really nice but are also more expensive because larger paper must be used in the printing, and more time required in cutting the job to it's final size. Bleeds may also require special care, like metal plates, slower running time and more ink, which all add to the cost of the job. I can't count the number of times I've had designers in with their finished artwork that has no bleed allowance. It's very frustrating, especially since when you explain their design doesn't bleed, they all look confused.
What you must have in order to ensure your design bleeds properly is a minimum of 1/8" to 1/4" of "bleed allowance" where the design extends over the finished areas of the design. The file must be saved to the larger size (not the final size of the job, but the size including the bleed allowance) and crop marks must be properly placed so that the production team knows where you want the job to be cut to.
11. What is a gutter?
The inside margins or blank space between two facing pages is the gutter. The gutter space is that extra space allowance used to accommodate the binding in books and magazines. The amount of gutter needed varies depending on the binding method. In saddled-stitched publications the amount of gutter, as well as the outside margins are adjusted to allow for creep. Not to be confused with an alley - which is the space between the columns of text on one page. And it should not be confused with margins, which are the blank space between the edge of the finished document and where the text and graphics on the begin. Bleeds can ignore the margin, but in addition to a 1/8" to 1/4" bleed allowance, most printed designs should leave a 1/8" to 1/4" margin before the design begins. That's a whole lotta unused space! And most designers ignore those rules completely. Which leads to text being cut off, or an unbalanced, uncentered look to the finished product. Which designers will blame on the printers, leaving us shaking our heads.
12. What is production ready (or camera ready) artwork? What must it have to qualify as such?
Production ready (or camera ready) artwork refers to a file that has been completely and properly set up, ready to be put on the press, or printed digitally. All colors have been made properly. Cmyk designs should have no spot colors. A spot color design should have no extra colors or be in CMYK (all which means, color separations are done properly). Resolution should be correct for the method of printing, bleed allowances and margins should be set up properly AND crop marks be applied. I would say that less than 10% of all "production ready" files I receive are actually production ready. And that falls to the responsibility of the graphic designer.
So you should all be more informed of the responsibilities of a graphic designer. You have a lot of work to do! And please stop blaming the printers when your design doesn't go according to your plan - it's in your hands. If you submit a 1" x 2" 72 resolution design with no bleed allowances or margins to be printed at 3.5" x 2" for a business card, you will get a grainy, incorrectly cut, non bleeding card, possibly with the text cut off.
Did you pass the test? I hope so, now get designing!!
7. Name three page layout programs.
Like the last two questions about programs, there's a huge variety of programs out there. I will list the most common and industry standard programs.
- Adobe InDesign. Adobe merged this with PageMaker, which was very popular for a long time, but with the emergence of the popularity of more versatile page layout programs, was changed into InDesign.
- QuarkXPress. Industry standard and my favorite.
- CorelDraw. I beta tested this, and it's come a long way. Can be used for vector illustration, page layout, multiple page documents, and what we use at my shop mostly because it's most cost efficient, talks well to other programs and works best with our Computer to Plate machine.
- Publisher. Okay, I'll receive a lot of flack for this one, but honestly, it's so widely used by the business universe that we have no choice but to print from it. I'll leave the rest of my critiquing about this horrible program at the door.
8. What is DPI? LPI? And the difference between the two?- DPI stands for Dots Per Inch and is probably the most familiar and most misused measure of resolution. It specifically refers to the printed dots (from a printer, imagesetter or press) that are used to make up an image. The larger the dots, the lower the resolution of the printed image. The smaller the dots, the higher the resolution of the image. DPI is calculated using the number of dots across a linear inch. A screen that has 100 DPI is a much lower resolution than one that has 600.
- LPI stands for Lines Per Inch and is also used to measure the resolution of printed halftones by calculating the dots in an inch. The lower the LPI, the lower the quality of the printed image. The higher the LPI, well, you get the idea. Standard presses will print at approximately 120 LPI. That's the standard we use at the shop (we make adjustments depending on the length of the run, the type of paper, and the actual image that is to be printed.) Newspapers usually run at 85 lpi and magazines are around 133 to 140. The higher the LPI, the less noticable the dots are.
LPI and DPI are a physical measurement of the number of dots on a printed page. When doing graphics on the computer (like Photoshop) dpi is often confused with resolution which is different. Computer graphics have a resolution based on pixels, not dots per inch.
9. What is dot gain?
Dot gain refers to what happens to an image once it's printed on paper. Since paper is absorbant, and when ink is printed on the paper, the paper sucking up the ink leads to the dot growing slightly in size. Think about what happens when you drip a drop of water on your counter top, and then when you drip water onto a paper towel. What happens to the dot of water? The water on the counter will be a bead of one size, the paper towel drip will have been absorbed into the paper towel, and appear larger. Newsprint being low quality and very absorbant paper has a high dot gain. It's one of the reasons a newspaper will be printed at a relatively low lpi. The amount of dot gain must be taken into consideration by the designer, so that the final printed design won't appear too dark or blobby. The newspaper that I worked at previously had a dot gain of a whopping 30%. That meant that screens that were printed at 70% darkened up to a full solid by the time they were printed. Compensation for this was to over-lighten your designs, never design using a heavy screen, and use as few halftones as possible. Print shops have a relatively low dot gain. At our shop, it's about 15%. We find we have to lighten half tones quite a bit to avoid losing resolution, and changing the dpi or lpi aids in that depending on the project. The paper we use is a much higher quality as well, so less ink is absorbed into it, resulting in a lower dot gain. Graphic designers should always get familiar with their printer, and print only at places they are familiar with so they can compensate for dot gain while designing their product, and the most savvy designers will request printing at a specific dpi best suited to their project.
10. What is a bleed? What must you do to ensure your design bleeds properly?
Bleed is the term us printing folk use to indicate when color runs to the very edge of the page. Printers and presses can't print bleeds, because grippers (the fingers that pull the piece of paper through the machine) need to hold on to the very edges of the paper, and printing to the extreme edge isn't possible. In order to get a full coverage look, we must print on a larger sheet size and then cut the paper down to the finished size. Proper bleed allowance (depending on the shop) is a minimum of 1/8" of bleed past the trim area of the design. Bleeds look really nice but are also more expensive because larger paper must be used in the printing, and more time required in cutting the job to it's final size. Bleeds may also require special care, like metal plates, slower running time and more ink, which all add to the cost of the job. I can't count the number of times I've had designers in with their finished artwork that has no bleed allowance. It's very frustrating, especially since when you explain their design doesn't bleed, they all look confused.
What you must have in order to ensure your design bleeds properly is a minimum of 1/8" to 1/4" of "bleed allowance" where the design extends over the finished areas of the design. The file must be saved to the larger size (not the final size of the job, but the size including the bleed allowance) and crop marks must be properly placed so that the production team knows where you want the job to be cut to.
11. What is a gutter?
The inside margins or blank space between two facing pages is the gutter. The gutter space is that extra space allowance used to accommodate the binding in books and magazines. The amount of gutter needed varies depending on the binding method. In saddled-stitched publications the amount of gutter, as well as the outside margins are adjusted to allow for creep. Not to be confused with an alley - which is the space between the columns of text on one page. And it should not be confused with margins, which are the blank space between the edge of the finished document and where the text and graphics on the begin. Bleeds can ignore the margin, but in addition to a 1/8" to 1/4" bleed allowance, most printed designs should leave a 1/8" to 1/4" margin before the design begins. That's a whole lotta unused space! And most designers ignore those rules completely. Which leads to text being cut off, or an unbalanced, uncentered look to the finished product. Which designers will blame on the printers, leaving us shaking our heads.
12. What is production ready (or camera ready) artwork? What must it have to qualify as such?
Production ready (or camera ready) artwork refers to a file that has been completely and properly set up, ready to be put on the press, or printed digitally. All colors have been made properly. Cmyk designs should have no spot colors. A spot color design should have no extra colors or be in CMYK (all which means, color separations are done properly). Resolution should be correct for the method of printing, bleed allowances and margins should be set up properly AND crop marks be applied. I would say that less than 10% of all "production ready" files I receive are actually production ready. And that falls to the responsibility of the graphic designer.
So you should all be more informed of the responsibilities of a graphic designer. You have a lot of work to do! And please stop blaming the printers when your design doesn't go according to your plan - it's in your hands. If you submit a 1" x 2" 72 resolution design with no bleed allowances or margins to be printed at 3.5" x 2" for a business card, you will get a grainy, incorrectly cut, non bleeding card, possibly with the text cut off.
Did you pass the test? I hope so, now get designing!!
Answers!
So I'm sure you all had time to write down your own answers to the quiz from last post. Here are the answers. How many did you get right? Some of the designers that come into my shop got zero correct, so if you answered even one question right - congratulations! You can call yourself a graphic designer! (well, not really, but that's what the kids are doing these days...)
1. What is the difference between a vector file and a raster file?
- Vector files use geometry such as points, lines, curves, and shapes or polygons, which are all based on mathematical equations, to represent images in computer graphics. Since they are mathematical formulas, all vector files have infinite resolution and their sizes can be blown up or shrunken indefinitely. Vector artwork can also be referred to as "line work".
- Raster files (or bitmaps) are images that are on a grid. (Like graph paper) each box has a color applied to it, which makes up the picture. Resolution is dependant on how many boxes make up the picture. The higher the resolution, the smaller the boxes. Raster files have a limit to how much they can be enlarged - the larger you make the picture, the more you can see the boxes. The higher resolution the image, the larger the file size.
Vector files can be converted to raster files very easily, but raster files cannot be saved into vector. A multitude of "trace" programs are being developed and used these days. While there is a place for them in the industry, they should not be viewed as a substitute for designing. Like any software, knowing how to work the program to get the best results takes skill and learning, not only how to use the software, but what types of files you can use these on, and what type of result you should get.
2. What is RGB color? CMYK Color? Process Color and Pantone (PMS) Color? What is spot color?
- RGB is the color scale used for light emitting devices (like computer monitors and televisions) Red, Green and Blue are the "primary" colors used to create all the colors you see on your screen (even white, black and yellow). We do not print colors in RGB (that would be quite the challenge, trying to print black and yellow on the press using only red, green and blue!)
- CMYK Color is the closest to the primary color wheel you learned about in elementary school. The letters stand for Cyan (blue), Magenta (pinkish), Yellow and blacK. Using these four colors, we can print a vast rainbow of colors. It's definitely not infinite, but it's the most common process for photographic reproductions. Newspapers and magazines use CMYK or Process color most commonly. Laying down varying shades of Yellow, then Cyan, Magenta and finally Black in a fine dotted pattern make up a full color picture. The dotted pattern is sometimes called a "moire" (more-ay) effect. If you pick up a newspaper or magazine and examine the photos very carefully, you can see the dots of individual color that make up the picture. The smaller the dots, the better quality a picture you are going to get. Newspapers typically use a larger dot pattern because of the lower quality of paper they print on, and to compensate for dot gain (more on that one later!)
- Pantone Colors (PMS for Pantone Matching System) is the most widely used color system in the world. Named for the corporation that invented it - Pantone Inc. in Carlstadt, New Jersey, Pantone is a standardized color reproduction system. By coming up with formulas for mixing each of the colors represented in the system, all printers everywhere can come up with the same result for that color, regardless of what press prints it, or who mixed the ink. Pantone is more comprehensive than CMYK color, because instead of using four colors during the printing stage to get the desired color, you mix the color ahead of time and put that on the press, so it's only one color. Pantone also allows you to get colors CMYK doesn't allow, due to the mixing of white or white based inks
(you can't have white in CMYK), or metallic and fluorescent inks. Using a "chip chart", or a pantone number, a customer would specify the color they want, the press operator mixes it, and prints that color exactly. Pantone has also put out "chip charts" on different types of paper, as what kind of paper an ink is printed on will greatly affect its look.
- Spot color refers to the use of one specific color in press production. You may have CMYK color PLUS a pantone color (if the client wants a pms color for their logo, or have a metallic ink in the finished product). CMYK plus a pantone color is a FIVE color design. If you want to use just one or two pms colors only, that is a one or two spot color design. Saying "spot color" just lets the production people know it's something other than black or CMYK.
3. Name three programs for designing vector art.
There are really too many to list, so I'll put the ones most traditionally used in the print world. And the lines are being blurred more and more. Programs that were once print only and web only are now dual purpose. Raster programs and vector programs are being intertwined, so you can use one program for all. The catch is in the capability of the operator (or designer).
- Adobe Illustrator
- CorelDraw
- FreeHand MX
- SerifDraw Plus
(Adobe InDesign gets an honorable mention, as well as QuarkXPress)
4. Name two programs for designing rastor art.
See above for explanation... Too many to list - listing most common, intertwined programs, etc.
- Adobe Photoshop
- PhotoPaint
- GIMP
- PhotoBrush
5. What is a pdf?
A pdf is a Portable Document Format, and is an open format for easy document exchange. It was created by Adobe in 1993. I remember working in the industry when pdf became the standard. What exciting times! It didn't matter what program created the file, or what type of computer, anyone could open the file, look at it, print it, use it! In 2008, it was officially released as an open standard - officially changing the face of sharing files as we know it.
6. What is Adobe?
Adobe Systems Incorporated is a software company based out of San Jose, California. It is a COMPANY, and NOT a software! The company has created industry standard software such as Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign and Adobe Acrobat. So, saying you've created a file in Adobe is like saying you're browsing the internet using a computer. Interestingly enough, Adobe got their name from the term adobe - which is a brick that is used for building that is made up of natural material like sand, clay, dung, straw and then dried in the sun. So the software company used the name of a building material for the name of their company that gives us computer building material.
So how did you do so far? Get any correct? Learn anything? I will be posting the next half of the answers this week, so you still have time to do the test if you missed any...
Happy designing!
1. What is the difference between a vector file and a raster file?
- Vector files use geometry such as points, lines, curves, and shapes or polygons, which are all based on mathematical equations, to represent images in computer graphics. Since they are mathematical formulas, all vector files have infinite resolution and their sizes can be blown up or shrunken indefinitely. Vector artwork can also be referred to as "line work".- Raster files (or bitmaps) are images that are on a grid. (Like graph paper) each box has a color applied to it, which makes up the picture. Resolution is dependant on how many boxes make up the picture. The higher the resolution, the smaller the boxes. Raster files have a limit to how much they can be enlarged - the larger you make the picture, the more you can see the boxes. The higher resolution the image, the larger the file size.
Vector files can be converted to raster files very easily, but raster files cannot be saved into vector. A multitude of "trace" programs are being developed and used these days. While there is a place for them in the industry, they should not be viewed as a substitute for designing. Like any software, knowing how to work the program to get the best results takes skill and learning, not only how to use the software, but what types of files you can use these on, and what type of result you should get.
2. What is RGB color? CMYK Color? Process Color and Pantone (PMS) Color? What is spot color?
- RGB is the color scale used for light emitting devices (like computer monitors and televisions) Red, Green and Blue are the "primary" colors used to create all the colors you see on your screen (even white, black and yellow). We do not print colors in RGB (that would be quite the challenge, trying to print black and yellow on the press using only red, green and blue!)
- CMYK Color is the closest to the primary color wheel you learned about in elementary school. The letters stand for Cyan (blue), Magenta (pinkish), Yellow and blacK. Using these four colors, we can print a vast rainbow of colors. It's definitely not infinite, but it's the most common process for photographic reproductions. Newspapers and magazines use CMYK or Process color most commonly. Laying down varying shades of Yellow, then Cyan, Magenta and finally Black in a fine dotted pattern make up a full color picture. The dotted pattern is sometimes called a "moire" (more-ay) effect. If you pick up a newspaper or magazine and examine the photos very carefully, you can see the dots of individual color that make up the picture. The smaller the dots, the better quality a picture you are going to get. Newspapers typically use a larger dot pattern because of the lower quality of paper they print on, and to compensate for dot gain (more on that one later!)
- Pantone Colors (PMS for Pantone Matching System) is the most widely used color system in the world. Named for the corporation that invented it - Pantone Inc. in Carlstadt, New Jersey, Pantone is a standardized color reproduction system. By coming up with formulas for mixing each of the colors represented in the system, all printers everywhere can come up with the same result for that color, regardless of what press prints it, or who mixed the ink. Pantone is more comprehensive than CMYK color, because instead of using four colors during the printing stage to get the desired color, you mix the color ahead of time and put that on the press, so it's only one color. Pantone also allows you to get colors CMYK doesn't allow, due to the mixing of white or white based inks
(you can't have white in CMYK), or metallic and fluorescent inks. Using a "chip chart", or a pantone number, a customer would specify the color they want, the press operator mixes it, and prints that color exactly. Pantone has also put out "chip charts" on different types of paper, as what kind of paper an ink is printed on will greatly affect its look.- Spot color refers to the use of one specific color in press production. You may have CMYK color PLUS a pantone color (if the client wants a pms color for their logo, or have a metallic ink in the finished product). CMYK plus a pantone color is a FIVE color design. If you want to use just one or two pms colors only, that is a one or two spot color design. Saying "spot color" just lets the production people know it's something other than black or CMYK.
3. Name three programs for designing vector art.
There are really too many to list, so I'll put the ones most traditionally used in the print world. And the lines are being blurred more and more. Programs that were once print only and web only are now dual purpose. Raster programs and vector programs are being intertwined, so you can use one program for all. The catch is in the capability of the operator (or designer).
- Adobe Illustrator
- CorelDraw
- FreeHand MX
- SerifDraw Plus
(Adobe InDesign gets an honorable mention, as well as QuarkXPress)
4. Name two programs for designing rastor art.
See above for explanation... Too many to list - listing most common, intertwined programs, etc.
- Adobe Photoshop
- PhotoPaint
- GIMP
- PhotoBrush
5. What is a pdf?
A pdf is a Portable Document Format, and is an open format for easy document exchange. It was created by Adobe in 1993. I remember working in the industry when pdf became the standard. What exciting times! It didn't matter what program created the file, or what type of computer, anyone could open the file, look at it, print it, use it! In 2008, it was officially released as an open standard - officially changing the face of sharing files as we know it.
6. What is Adobe?
Adobe Systems Incorporated is a software company based out of San Jose, California. It is a COMPANY, and NOT a software! The company has created industry standard software such as Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign and Adobe Acrobat. So, saying you've created a file in Adobe is like saying you're browsing the internet using a computer. Interestingly enough, Adobe got their name from the term adobe - which is a brick that is used for building that is made up of natural material like sand, clay, dung, straw and then dried in the sun. So the software company used the name of a building material for the name of their company that gives us computer building material.
So how did you do so far? Get any correct? Learn anything? I will be posting the next half of the answers this week, so you still have time to do the test if you missed any...
Happy designing!
Saturday, October 16, 2010
So you wanna be a graphic designer?
When I went to school to be a graphic designer, I already had a very good base of knowledge to work from. Three years of Vis Comm in high school, knew how to burn plates, take apart a press and clean it, knew some design programs already and had some knowledge of layout on screen and off. A lot of what I learned in college was building on the foundation of what I already knew. I was probably farther ahead than some of the students who came into the program with less than me. But I think it's fair to say that when we left, my graduating class and I had mostly the same knowledge of graphic design after graduating. Maybe our design abilities differed, but we had the same facts going through our cranium.
I just cannot say the same for designers coming out of schools today.
And maybe it's not their fault. Or the school's fault. As a member of the graphic designer's guild of Canada, we talk about coming up with different certifications for different classes of designers. PGD for a Print Graphic Designer, a WGC for a Web Graphic Designer, MGD for Master Graphic Designer and so on. That way, there will be a professional accredation to specify what we can do, and a governing body making sure we adhere to those rules. Then, if you're looking for a web designer, it's easy to weed out the print designers who just wouldn't be the best fit. And so on.
Problem is, most schools aren't differentiating between the two, and the waters are getting muddy. I've had to explain relatively rudimentary graphic design concepts to professionals working in the field today who call themselves graphic designers. These people shouldn't - at the very least - be working unsupervised in the print industry. Which leads to the question - who is hiring these people? Do they have a design background? Are they choosing candidates with the best skill, or prettiest portfolio? Do the candidates themselves know they're not applying in the correct industries? It's probably a bit of all of the above. The people hiring for the position aren't in a position to be print experts themselves, and are trusting that the people applying for the job know, when that's not the case. Frustrating goes around in a circle, and the end result - the printer (often me) is left cleaning up the mess.
So, I've come up with a handy dandy list of questions an interviewer hiring a graphic designer should ask them. You don't even need to know the answers - just if they don't know, or can't answer one of these questions, you're better off continuing the search.
1. What is the difference between a vector file and a rastor file? Give specific examples.
2. What is RGB color? CMYK Color? Process Color and Pantone (PMS) Color? What is spot color? (And you thought there was only primary colors that made up the color wheel! tsk tsk!)
3. Name three programs for designing vector art.
4. Name two programs for designing rastor art.
5. What is a pdf?
6. What is Adobe? (I swear, if I ask one more graphic designer what file their design is in, and they answer with "Adobe", I'm gonna hit my head with a piece of adobe!)
7. Name three page layout programs.
8. What is DPI? LPI? And the difference between the two?
9. What is dot gain?
10. What is a bleed? What must you do to ensure your design bleeds properly? (if they say cut deeper, RUN!)
11. What is a gutter?
12. What is production ready (or camera ready) artwork? What must it have to qualify as such?
I'll have the answer to these questions in a later post. And I know, I don't have all the questions - these are just the ones that I have to answer on a regular basis. Frustrating, I know. So, all you graphic designers - grab your pencil and take the test! Fun for the whole family!
I just cannot say the same for designers coming out of schools today.
And maybe it's not their fault. Or the school's fault. As a member of the graphic designer's guild of Canada, we talk about coming up with different certifications for different classes of designers. PGD for a Print Graphic Designer, a WGC for a Web Graphic Designer, MGD for Master Graphic Designer and so on. That way, there will be a professional accredation to specify what we can do, and a governing body making sure we adhere to those rules. Then, if you're looking for a web designer, it's easy to weed out the print designers who just wouldn't be the best fit. And so on.
Problem is, most schools aren't differentiating between the two, and the waters are getting muddy. I've had to explain relatively rudimentary graphic design concepts to professionals working in the field today who call themselves graphic designers. These people shouldn't - at the very least - be working unsupervised in the print industry. Which leads to the question - who is hiring these people? Do they have a design background? Are they choosing candidates with the best skill, or prettiest portfolio? Do the candidates themselves know they're not applying in the correct industries? It's probably a bit of all of the above. The people hiring for the position aren't in a position to be print experts themselves, and are trusting that the people applying for the job know, when that's not the case. Frustrating goes around in a circle, and the end result - the printer (often me) is left cleaning up the mess.
So, I've come up with a handy dandy list of questions an interviewer hiring a graphic designer should ask them. You don't even need to know the answers - just if they don't know, or can't answer one of these questions, you're better off continuing the search.
1. What is the difference between a vector file and a rastor file? Give specific examples.
2. What is RGB color? CMYK Color? Process Color and Pantone (PMS) Color? What is spot color? (And you thought there was only primary colors that made up the color wheel! tsk tsk!)
3. Name three programs for designing vector art.
4. Name two programs for designing rastor art.
5. What is a pdf?
6. What is Adobe? (I swear, if I ask one more graphic designer what file their design is in, and they answer with "Adobe", I'm gonna hit my head with a piece of adobe!)
7. Name three page layout programs.
8. What is DPI? LPI? And the difference between the two?
9. What is dot gain?
10. What is a bleed? What must you do to ensure your design bleeds properly? (if they say cut deeper, RUN!)
11. What is a gutter?
12. What is production ready (or camera ready) artwork? What must it have to qualify as such?
I'll have the answer to these questions in a later post. And I know, I don't have all the questions - these are just the ones that I have to answer on a regular basis. Frustrating, I know. So, all you graphic designers - grab your pencil and take the test! Fun for the whole family!
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Craft projects on the horizon...
Wow! Halloween is coming up and the geese are getting fat, please put a penny in the old man's hat!
Wait. Different holiday. Oh well.
I've finally got a few projects to blog about! Yay! Last year, I read a post on FaceBook about The Spirit Of Giving. The idea behind this is you tag your friends in the post, and the first five to respond will get a home made gift from you! Yay! Awesome, right? Miscellaneous crafts flying around in real life, getting the chance to make weird and wonderful things for people living far away.
Well, that was in November, and if you look at the calendar, it's October. I have a month to finish my projects. I was at Michels today picking up the rest of the craft supplies (on sale for only 60 cents each! W00t!) And soon I will be posting my pictures from the projects. In the interest of keeping my gifts secret until my friends get them, that's all the information you get. But, be assured, I'm crafting right now! YAY!
I still want to get the button maker so I can make pieces of flair MY style. Awesome quotes from movies and things people say to me. Invisible pink unicorn buttons, Flying Spagetti Monster buttons... That'll be a couple hundred dollars, but maybe I can find a sugar daddy who will buy me one... (hint hint to all you rich men out there looking for a lady to spoil!)
Also, Halloween is coming up! I'm usually crafting way in advance to make my costume as authentic and awesome as possible. Last year, I went shopping for HOURS for my Old Gregg costume (from The Mighty Boosh) and all my costumes are home made and awesome.
This year, I'm running out of time! I know I can't simply buy my costume (there are a few online boutiques selling this costume for over $100, but this costume just isn't available in regular stores) and I don't have the time to get out my sewing
machine and make it from scratch the way I want. Arg! So I'm probably going to do a watered-down version of the halloween costume. Sigh. I need more time for Halloween. I also need to run to a dollar store to pick up stuff to decorate the office. Too much awesome-ness, too little time.
I need: a Howie style hospital gown, white rubber boots, white elbow length protective gloves, steam punk goggles and a short, blonde, messy wig.
I also have to make Kat's costume still. At least that's easier. Black T-Shirt, round hammer logo, black gloves and work boots.
So stay tuned for craft awesomeness and Halloween costume pictures! Yay!
Wait. Different holiday. Oh well.
I've finally got a few projects to blog about! Yay! Last year, I read a post on FaceBook about The Spirit Of Giving. The idea behind this is you tag your friends in the post, and the first five to respond will get a home made gift from you! Yay! Awesome, right? Miscellaneous crafts flying around in real life, getting the chance to make weird and wonderful things for people living far away.
Well, that was in November, and if you look at the calendar, it's October. I have a month to finish my projects. I was at Michels today picking up the rest of the craft supplies (on sale for only 60 cents each! W00t!) And soon I will be posting my pictures from the projects. In the interest of keeping my gifts secret until my friends get them, that's all the information you get. But, be assured, I'm crafting right now! YAY!
I still want to get the button maker so I can make pieces of flair MY style. Awesome quotes from movies and things people say to me. Invisible pink unicorn buttons, Flying Spagetti Monster buttons... That'll be a couple hundred dollars, but maybe I can find a sugar daddy who will buy me one... (hint hint to all you rich men out there looking for a lady to spoil!)
Also, Halloween is coming up! I'm usually crafting way in advance to make my costume as authentic and awesome as possible. Last year, I went shopping for HOURS for my Old Gregg costume (from The Mighty Boosh) and all my costumes are home made and awesome.
This year, I'm running out of time! I know I can't simply buy my costume (there are a few online boutiques selling this costume for over $100, but this costume just isn't available in regular stores) and I don't have the time to get out my sewing
machine and make it from scratch the way I want. Arg! So I'm probably going to do a watered-down version of the halloween costume. Sigh. I need more time for Halloween. I also need to run to a dollar store to pick up stuff to decorate the office. Too much awesome-ness, too little time.
I need: a Howie style hospital gown, white rubber boots, white elbow length protective gloves, steam punk goggles and a short, blonde, messy wig.I also have to make Kat's costume still. At least that's easier. Black T-Shirt, round hammer logo, black gloves and work boots.
So stay tuned for craft awesomeness and Halloween costume pictures! Yay!
Saturday, October 9, 2010
What are YOU Thankful for?
With the recent awesomeness going on with the shop and my professional career, it's easy to feel thankful this Thanksgiving. But I remember when I didn't feel so blessed, and it took a lot of thinking to come up with what I was thankful for. I was thankful for things like alcohol to dull the pain. Thankful that at least I wasn't a slave in a third world country, thankful that I wasn't living in the dark ages. If those are the only things you can think of to be thankful for, I feel for you. I was there once.
Being thankful is an art. When my daughter's father died earlier this year, our grief counselor had us write a gratitude journal. We both had to come up with five things everyday we were grateful for. It's such a worthwhile exercise to make a point every day to see the good in even a shitty situation. Some of them were a bit on the sad side, some funny, and some really showed me the endurance my daughter's spirit. Here is our list of things she was grateful for in the worst period of her life.
Things I am thankful for by Kat
1. I am thankful for teachers who let you cry in class.
2. I am thankful for friends who don't try to cheer you up, but just hold you and let you be sad.
3. I am thankful for sleeping. I didn't know being so sad was so tiring.
4. I am thankful for music. It can let you forget anything.
5. I am thankful for Twilight. Jacob is so cute.
6. I am thankful for breathing. Maybe tomorrow I won't be so sad. I want to keep breathing to find out.
7. I am thankful for cookies. They are awesome.
8. I am thankful I won't have lice again.
9. I am thankful for being able to say goodbye.
10. I am thankful for my mom.
What are YOU thankful for?
Being thankful is an art. When my daughter's father died earlier this year, our grief counselor had us write a gratitude journal. We both had to come up with five things everyday we were grateful for. It's such a worthwhile exercise to make a point every day to see the good in even a shitty situation. Some of them were a bit on the sad side, some funny, and some really showed me the endurance my daughter's spirit. Here is our list of things she was grateful for in the worst period of her life.
Things I am thankful for by Kat
1. I am thankful for teachers who let you cry in class.
2. I am thankful for friends who don't try to cheer you up, but just hold you and let you be sad.
3. I am thankful for sleeping. I didn't know being so sad was so tiring.
4. I am thankful for music. It can let you forget anything.
5. I am thankful for Twilight. Jacob is so cute.
6. I am thankful for breathing. Maybe tomorrow I won't be so sad. I want to keep breathing to find out.
7. I am thankful for cookies. They are awesome.
8. I am thankful I won't have lice again.
9. I am thankful for being able to say goodbye.
10. I am thankful for my mom.
What are YOU thankful for?
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
I'm not bragging, but ...
I'm not one to brag. I don't think I have an ego bigger than my fist, let alone one to swell my head. True, I've leapt fully into the sales, marketing and PR positions at work, but that's because I'm the owner. I have pride of ownership, of building something important to me, and that comes through in the way I present myself and my business. But I've also tried to be the kind of person to always give credit where it's due. If anything is successful - a function, a business, one job with our shop - it is because it has had the tireless energy of someone, or many someones behind it. I've been in a wonderful position to work only with the very best. To hire only those whom I really respect, and find joy in working with (even with working with me is less than a joy sometimes! lol)
I've been incredibly busy lately. The shop has also been really busy lately. The two are probably factors in each other. I've been blessed enough to be able to pursue the business relations, positions and projects that mean a lot to me. And it's showing in everything our shop produces. I'm feeling really good about things, and things are looking up.
I'm not one to brag, but in bragging these accomplishments (and excuses for not blogging or crafting) I'm really bragging about the fabulous people who surround me and make me a better person. I was once told that savvy people surround themselves with people who are better and smarter than themselves, so that you are constantly being encouraged, challenged, and have the expertise of these people at hand. I've strived to do that, so thank you to everyone who has to put up with me regularly. You were chosen to be in my life because you're amazing. I hope you all know that.
They say if you want something done, give it to a busy person. I used to think of that as a kid and scoff - right! These are the last people who should be doing more. But the more I do, the more I realize I can do more, and want to. All you need is organization, passion and a touch of insanity. So these are the things that have been taking up my time.
Our shop has just celebrated it's second year anniversary of being owned by me! Yay me! It's taken a lot of borrowed money, too many hours to count, a lot of (real) blood, sweat and tears - more than I care to admit. It's taken a lot of people believing in me, encouraging me, working for me for free, working for me for real, and we seem to have outlasted this "recession". Thank heaven! And thanks to everyone who had a part in it. Especially our customers.
We're on the cusp of celebrating our TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY of being open! Wow! And I've been with the shop for most of those years. And that has taken more patience than anyone will ever know. I'm glad I hung in there.
The shop has just won the Consumer's Choice Award for Business Excellence in Printing! Yay! For the second year in a row! Double yay! Chosen by our business peers and print customers, this says a lot about our quality, dedication to customer service, and our staff. Thank you.
I was just elected to the Chamber Board of Directors! I'm so thankful to be giving back to the community I grew up in, and to the business community who supported and encouraged me. I'm honored.
My daughter just won the Citizenship Award at her middle school. And Honors. I'm raising one heckuva decent kid. Thanks to the universe for her, and for everyone allowing me to balance work and time with her. It's paying off.
We have continually for the past three months hit new sales records for those months, and are on track to continue to do the same. Consistent marketing, hard work of me doing sales, our staff doing an awesome job, and the industry getting back into gear. They are all pieces to the puzzle of success. Maybe one day we'll stand back and look at the picture and toast it with a glass of wine.
Since becoming a business owner, I have:
- Joined a BNI group - networking at its most regimented. They have taught me how to critically listen, tell people about my business effectively, and introduced me to a wealth of experts I would not have gotten to know any other way.
- Joined a Rotary club. It's my selfish need to be a part of a service group. To give back completely selflessly in an effort to balance my pursuit of success. I love this group of people. They have taught me about service above self, instilled integrity and values that did not have a label in my head before. They're like minded people I enjoy spending time with. And we're on a mission to help the world.
- Joined two Chamber of Commerce's. Leduc and Devon. Any successful person needs to know what's going on in their community. The chambers allow me to do that, be involved in my communities, and learn things I never knew I wanted to learn about until I learned them. The chambers also represent me in the business community. Which I didn't know was valuable until they helped me before I realized I needed them to help.
- I was also nominated and elected to serve for two years on the Leduc Chamber Board of Directors. It's an honor to be elected - by my peers and fellow business owners to speak for them, work for them and serve the board that helps us all.
- Joined the Downtown Progress Association. A group of owners with businesses in the heart of Leduc. We talk economics, marketing, beautification, enrichment of the downtown core. Our aim is to increase business in "historic downtown" by encouraging consumers to "shop Leduc". Our group is now being used as a model for similar groups world wide.
- Joined the Leduc-Nisku Economic Development Association. It's like the DPA, but for this entire region. Bringing in business from all over the world like China & Germany, discussing trends in oil and gas, and initiatives to help grow the region into a diverse place to do business, it helps me keep a finger on the pulse of Alberta, which is invaluable to know. We network with a vast array of business owners, and discuss topics that affect us all.
- In September, I was made an official Ambassador, and part of their team. I was given this honor for my work in encouraging economic growth in our community.
- Been a proud mom of an active eleven year old. Balancing work and being a swim parent, swim practices, homework help, swim meets, cuddle time, and helping raise her into the fine woman she is becoming. Like my parents did with me.
I've also been able to watch an inordinate amount of time watching television and finished Super Mario Bros. for the Wii. Twice. If you want something done, give it to a busy person? I think I have some time in there for something. Just let me get my beauty sleep first.
I've been incredibly busy lately. The shop has also been really busy lately. The two are probably factors in each other. I've been blessed enough to be able to pursue the business relations, positions and projects that mean a lot to me. And it's showing in everything our shop produces. I'm feeling really good about things, and things are looking up.
I'm not one to brag, but in bragging these accomplishments (and excuses for not blogging or crafting) I'm really bragging about the fabulous people who surround me and make me a better person. I was once told that savvy people surround themselves with people who are better and smarter than themselves, so that you are constantly being encouraged, challenged, and have the expertise of these people at hand. I've strived to do that, so thank you to everyone who has to put up with me regularly. You were chosen to be in my life because you're amazing. I hope you all know that.
They say if you want something done, give it to a busy person. I used to think of that as a kid and scoff - right! These are the last people who should be doing more. But the more I do, the more I realize I can do more, and want to. All you need is organization, passion and a touch of insanity. So these are the things that have been taking up my time.
Our shop has just celebrated it's second year anniversary of being owned by me! Yay me! It's taken a lot of borrowed money, too many hours to count, a lot of (real) blood, sweat and tears - more than I care to admit. It's taken a lot of people believing in me, encouraging me, working for me for free, working for me for real, and we seem to have outlasted this "recession". Thank heaven! And thanks to everyone who had a part in it. Especially our customers.
We're on the cusp of celebrating our TEN YEAR ANNIVERSARY of being open! Wow! And I've been with the shop for most of those years. And that has taken more patience than anyone will ever know. I'm glad I hung in there.
The shop has just won the Consumer's Choice Award for Business Excellence in Printing! Yay! For the second year in a row! Double yay! Chosen by our business peers and print customers, this says a lot about our quality, dedication to customer service, and our staff. Thank you.
I was just elected to the Chamber Board of Directors! I'm so thankful to be giving back to the community I grew up in, and to the business community who supported and encouraged me. I'm honored.
My daughter just won the Citizenship Award at her middle school. And Honors. I'm raising one heckuva decent kid. Thanks to the universe for her, and for everyone allowing me to balance work and time with her. It's paying off.
We have continually for the past three months hit new sales records for those months, and are on track to continue to do the same. Consistent marketing, hard work of me doing sales, our staff doing an awesome job, and the industry getting back into gear. They are all pieces to the puzzle of success. Maybe one day we'll stand back and look at the picture and toast it with a glass of wine.
Since becoming a business owner, I have:
- Joined a BNI group - networking at its most regimented. They have taught me how to critically listen, tell people about my business effectively, and introduced me to a wealth of experts I would not have gotten to know any other way.
- Joined a Rotary club. It's my selfish need to be a part of a service group. To give back completely selflessly in an effort to balance my pursuit of success. I love this group of people. They have taught me about service above self, instilled integrity and values that did not have a label in my head before. They're like minded people I enjoy spending time with. And we're on a mission to help the world.
- Joined two Chamber of Commerce's. Leduc and Devon. Any successful person needs to know what's going on in their community. The chambers allow me to do that, be involved in my communities, and learn things I never knew I wanted to learn about until I learned them. The chambers also represent me in the business community. Which I didn't know was valuable until they helped me before I realized I needed them to help.
- I was also nominated and elected to serve for two years on the Leduc Chamber Board of Directors. It's an honor to be elected - by my peers and fellow business owners to speak for them, work for them and serve the board that helps us all.
- Joined the Downtown Progress Association. A group of owners with businesses in the heart of Leduc. We talk economics, marketing, beautification, enrichment of the downtown core. Our aim is to increase business in "historic downtown" by encouraging consumers to "shop Leduc". Our group is now being used as a model for similar groups world wide.
- Joined the Leduc-Nisku Economic Development Association. It's like the DPA, but for this entire region. Bringing in business from all over the world like China & Germany, discussing trends in oil and gas, and initiatives to help grow the region into a diverse place to do business, it helps me keep a finger on the pulse of Alberta, which is invaluable to know. We network with a vast array of business owners, and discuss topics that affect us all.
- In September, I was made an official Ambassador, and part of their team. I was given this honor for my work in encouraging economic growth in our community.
- Been a proud mom of an active eleven year old. Balancing work and being a swim parent, swim practices, homework help, swim meets, cuddle time, and helping raise her into the fine woman she is becoming. Like my parents did with me.
I've also been able to watch an inordinate amount of time watching television and finished Super Mario Bros. for the Wii. Twice. If you want something done, give it to a busy person? I think I have some time in there for something. Just let me get my beauty sleep first.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
And you thought we wouldn't notice...
Coming from a family of artists, and having my own creative ideas and designs (physical, visual and musical) out in the world myself, I've always been very interested in copyright, plagerism, intellectual property issues. And being the owner of my own print shop brings home the issues in a very real way.
As a designer who has actually had ideas and designs stolen myself, I'm very interested to be a part of a community who works against intellectual property theft. People sometimes just want to be acknowledged that they were ripped off, some want legal action. It's very frustrating. This website is a small drop in the ocean, but it makes me proud to be a part of a creative community who values artistic integrity, intellectual property, original ideas...
Please visit http://youthoughtwewouldntnotice.com/ it's a look at all the issues that designers, artists and the like face today. The internet has a lot to do with it, made creative collaboration ... and theft much easier. How do we combat this problem? I wish I knew.
Enjoy the read!
As a designer who has actually had ideas and designs stolen myself, I'm very interested to be a part of a community who works against intellectual property theft. People sometimes just want to be acknowledged that they were ripped off, some want legal action. It's very frustrating. This website is a small drop in the ocean, but it makes me proud to be a part of a creative community who values artistic integrity, intellectual property, original ideas...
Please visit http://youthoughtwewouldntnotice.com/ it's a look at all the issues that designers, artists and the like face today. The internet has a lot to do with it, made creative collaboration ... and theft much easier. How do we combat this problem? I wish I knew.
Enjoy the read!
Monday, September 6, 2010
Welcome to adulthood...
When I was a kid, adulthood was marked by specific milestones. The obvious was turning 18, getting a full time job, completing your education, buying a car, moving out and getting your own place. Possibly getting married and having kids. These obvious marks of growing up. Just like how you stopped being a baby by learning to walk and getting out of diapers.
But as I grew into teenagehood, I took note of more subtle markers of becoming an adult. A real grown up. It meant you had your shit together, and were actually responsible and productive member of society. A warped view of how I saw responsibility through my teenaged eyes by my the example through my parents and other grown ups. Or adults who weren't necessarily there yet.
In my head, you became endoctrinated into being a Real Grown Up when you got a savings account. It meant you were planning for the future, you were thinking ahead, setting goals (which is HUGE in my world) and you were moving forward. At the time, I had no concept of what type of savings account, just having one was awesome.
Getting a loan. That meant that not just you and your mommy and daddy thought you were responsible, it meant business people thought you were responsible too. Wow. What a concept. They'd give you money, and know you'd pay it back, and not fret at night about whether you were using it to buy video games or booze. Nosiree, if you had the trust of a bank, you were well on your way to becoming a grown up.
Paying your taxes. I knew that when I was 18, I'd have to take my packette sent to me by the government, take my T4 and "get my taxes done". At the time, that meant my mother (who I had seen doing my brother's taxes) would work for about fifteen minutes filling out the required boxes, and then she'd send it in the mail, and w00t! Taxes done. That's not what I'm talking about. Becoming an adult was when your taxes got so difficult, you'd reconsider doing them yourself. It's when you had numerous slips, boxes of receipts that you'd pour over, stress about, calculate and then re-calculate and possibly argue with your spouse over. Get into a heated argument over and mutter swear words under your breath. Yep, that was a pivitol moment when you became an adult in my head.
Having your own health care. Not only was 21 the age when you could gamble in Vegas, it was also the time that I was to be kicked off my parents' health care plan. That meant that I not only had to have just a job, but I had to have one that supplied me benefits. That meant I had to have education to get a decent job that would give me benefits. That meant being totally responsible, and making my own dentist appointments. Truly adult behavior.
Not only did you get kicked off of mom and dad's health care plan when you got to be 21, they also kicked you off their vehicle insurance plan. That meant if you wanted to drive, you had to be able to afford a car. And then afford gas. And THEN afford to pay some business guy money to allow you to drive a car! Gone are the days of borrowing mommy and daddy's ride for your Saturday night and then bringing it home with no gas. Nope. Insurance meant you were becoming a grown up.
Watching the news. Growing up in my house usually meant dinner was ready by 5:00 or 5:30, which meant after dinner was M*A*S*H, and then the news. Reading the paper in the morning, watching the news at night meant you cared about society and world events. It meant you knew politics and had an opinion about the world. I believed in this so much that on Wednesdays when I had to wait half an hour after my piano lesson to wait for my sister's piano lesson to be done, when my piano teacher asked me what I wanted to watch, I told her I wanted to watch the news. In my cable-less house, I had three channels, and here I was being offered a virtual cornucopia of television pleasure, and I chose news. I would hear her exclaim to her parents and sister that I could watch anything and I chose to watch the news. That seemed to impress her, and made me feel important. Yes, watching the news made you an adult.
Not sleeping in. I always hated sleeping in as a teenager. No, I LOVED sleeping in, but it represented wasted time and meant that I was lazy. My parents would get up at 6:00 am every morning before work, and on the weekends by 8:00 am. They'd drink their coffee, read the paper and had a productive morning before I stumbled out of bed by noon. I always used to declare that when I was no longer a teenager and required more sleep than an adult, I'd wake up early and get lots of shit done too.
Taking care of your parents. It meant you lived long enough to have your parents become old enough to need taking care of. Growing up, we lived - sometimes part time, but towards the end, full time with my dad's dad. It meant that you had your shit together enough to be able to handle this responsibility as well. I loved living with my grandfather. It meant rolled up kleenex balls, watching him make tea, orange marmalade on the table, watching him roll hand-rolled cigarettes and cuddling with him while he smoked his pipe. I saw this as one of the most loving gestures a kid can make to his parent. It also meant sharing a different generation and view point with your children. Showed them compassion and love by example. Yep, living with your parents was a big role in becoming an adult.
Having a will. That meant that you had stuff, like an estate. It also meant you had people. A spouse, children, dependant adults that needed taking care of in case of your untimely demise. It meant you cared for these people enough to care what happens to them when you die. That's big time grown up shit.
Getting a financial advisor. My parents had a financial advisor, and I never really knew exactly why. I guess I never really asked, or maybe I did and the answer was so boring I didn't remember or understand. To me, it just meant your finances were so complicated that you needed a professional to help you manage them. Their financial advisor was a nice enough but odd man with a bad toupee (the only man I know who wore them) who smoked pipes and cigars and drank scotch. My parents were usually very pleasant to see him, but often we would hear arguments and my parents would get very tense during these home-meetings. But, to require these services, must mean that you're very grown up.
These were just a few markers I saw - beyond the obvious of what it meant being a real grown up and not just being a legal adult. These were what you did after that, and it sort of stuck with me as I've grown up and passed out of my 20's. I have reached a lot of the markers myself. I pay taxes, have my own insurance and health care. I have a rather large loan that I'm grateful the bank still has faith I will pay back. I got my first will when my ex husband died without one. I get my news from the internet, but I still sleep in. And thank god my parents and in laws are all well enough to live on their own. But until recently, my finances have been "whatever". I haven't planned anything, with any real plan. I had an RRSP (cashed in when we bought the business. I still get statements showing my balance of $0.00) I have an RESP for my daughter. I have a savings account (with $3.77 in it) but I finally decided that my finances are complicated enough to hire someone to help me sort out the mess. Wednesday, I pass through one of the most pivotal markers of adulthood. It took much prodding to get my husband to agree, and in the end I just made the appointment and told him about it afterwards. I get to sit with our new financial advisor (who is a charming gentleman who does not have a toupee or smoke cigars) and see what kind of mess we've made, and how far away adulthood will seem. Maybe after this, I'll stop sleeping in...
But as I grew into teenagehood, I took note of more subtle markers of becoming an adult. A real grown up. It meant you had your shit together, and were actually responsible and productive member of society. A warped view of how I saw responsibility through my teenaged eyes by my the example through my parents and other grown ups. Or adults who weren't necessarily there yet.
In my head, you became endoctrinated into being a Real Grown Up when you got a savings account. It meant you were planning for the future, you were thinking ahead, setting goals (which is HUGE in my world) and you were moving forward. At the time, I had no concept of what type of savings account, just having one was awesome.
Getting a loan. That meant that not just you and your mommy and daddy thought you were responsible, it meant business people thought you were responsible too. Wow. What a concept. They'd give you money, and know you'd pay it back, and not fret at night about whether you were using it to buy video games or booze. Nosiree, if you had the trust of a bank, you were well on your way to becoming a grown up.
Paying your taxes. I knew that when I was 18, I'd have to take my packette sent to me by the government, take my T4 and "get my taxes done". At the time, that meant my mother (who I had seen doing my brother's taxes) would work for about fifteen minutes filling out the required boxes, and then she'd send it in the mail, and w00t! Taxes done. That's not what I'm talking about. Becoming an adult was when your taxes got so difficult, you'd reconsider doing them yourself. It's when you had numerous slips, boxes of receipts that you'd pour over, stress about, calculate and then re-calculate and possibly argue with your spouse over. Get into a heated argument over and mutter swear words under your breath. Yep, that was a pivitol moment when you became an adult in my head.
Having your own health care. Not only was 21 the age when you could gamble in Vegas, it was also the time that I was to be kicked off my parents' health care plan. That meant that I not only had to have just a job, but I had to have one that supplied me benefits. That meant I had to have education to get a decent job that would give me benefits. That meant being totally responsible, and making my own dentist appointments. Truly adult behavior.
Not only did you get kicked off of mom and dad's health care plan when you got to be 21, they also kicked you off their vehicle insurance plan. That meant if you wanted to drive, you had to be able to afford a car. And then afford gas. And THEN afford to pay some business guy money to allow you to drive a car! Gone are the days of borrowing mommy and daddy's ride for your Saturday night and then bringing it home with no gas. Nope. Insurance meant you were becoming a grown up.
Watching the news. Growing up in my house usually meant dinner was ready by 5:00 or 5:30, which meant after dinner was M*A*S*H, and then the news. Reading the paper in the morning, watching the news at night meant you cared about society and world events. It meant you knew politics and had an opinion about the world. I believed in this so much that on Wednesdays when I had to wait half an hour after my piano lesson to wait for my sister's piano lesson to be done, when my piano teacher asked me what I wanted to watch, I told her I wanted to watch the news. In my cable-less house, I had three channels, and here I was being offered a virtual cornucopia of television pleasure, and I chose news. I would hear her exclaim to her parents and sister that I could watch anything and I chose to watch the news. That seemed to impress her, and made me feel important. Yes, watching the news made you an adult.
Not sleeping in. I always hated sleeping in as a teenager. No, I LOVED sleeping in, but it represented wasted time and meant that I was lazy. My parents would get up at 6:00 am every morning before work, and on the weekends by 8:00 am. They'd drink their coffee, read the paper and had a productive morning before I stumbled out of bed by noon. I always used to declare that when I was no longer a teenager and required more sleep than an adult, I'd wake up early and get lots of shit done too.
Taking care of your parents. It meant you lived long enough to have your parents become old enough to need taking care of. Growing up, we lived - sometimes part time, but towards the end, full time with my dad's dad. It meant that you had your shit together enough to be able to handle this responsibility as well. I loved living with my grandfather. It meant rolled up kleenex balls, watching him make tea, orange marmalade on the table, watching him roll hand-rolled cigarettes and cuddling with him while he smoked his pipe. I saw this as one of the most loving gestures a kid can make to his parent. It also meant sharing a different generation and view point with your children. Showed them compassion and love by example. Yep, living with your parents was a big role in becoming an adult.
Having a will. That meant that you had stuff, like an estate. It also meant you had people. A spouse, children, dependant adults that needed taking care of in case of your untimely demise. It meant you cared for these people enough to care what happens to them when you die. That's big time grown up shit.
Getting a financial advisor. My parents had a financial advisor, and I never really knew exactly why. I guess I never really asked, or maybe I did and the answer was so boring I didn't remember or understand. To me, it just meant your finances were so complicated that you needed a professional to help you manage them. Their financial advisor was a nice enough but odd man with a bad toupee (the only man I know who wore them) who smoked pipes and cigars and drank scotch. My parents were usually very pleasant to see him, but often we would hear arguments and my parents would get very tense during these home-meetings. But, to require these services, must mean that you're very grown up.
These were just a few markers I saw - beyond the obvious of what it meant being a real grown up and not just being a legal adult. These were what you did after that, and it sort of stuck with me as I've grown up and passed out of my 20's. I have reached a lot of the markers myself. I pay taxes, have my own insurance and health care. I have a rather large loan that I'm grateful the bank still has faith I will pay back. I got my first will when my ex husband died without one. I get my news from the internet, but I still sleep in. And thank god my parents and in laws are all well enough to live on their own. But until recently, my finances have been "whatever". I haven't planned anything, with any real plan. I had an RRSP (cashed in when we bought the business. I still get statements showing my balance of $0.00) I have an RESP for my daughter. I have a savings account (with $3.77 in it) but I finally decided that my finances are complicated enough to hire someone to help me sort out the mess. Wednesday, I pass through one of the most pivotal markers of adulthood. It took much prodding to get my husband to agree, and in the end I just made the appointment and told him about it afterwards. I get to sit with our new financial advisor (who is a charming gentleman who does not have a toupee or smoke cigars) and see what kind of mess we've made, and how far away adulthood will seem. Maybe after this, I'll stop sleeping in...
Monday, August 30, 2010
Subliminally Yours...
When I was a kid, my mom had a book in the house called Subliminal Seduction. A book about subliminal advertising that had glossy photos in the middle of the book showing how an ice cube in a whiskey advertisement spelled out the word "SEX", how the camel's hump on the pack of Camel cigarettes looks like a breast. It was a mentally titillating book.
Whether or not it works, whether or not it's intentionally placed there by corporate giants looking to brainwash the masses, or just bored artists and graphic designers is for the experts to discuss doesn't matter to me. Hidden images exist, and I love finding them. It's like the grown up version of "spot the 10 hidden images" on the back of Highlights magazines when I was a child. Google "subliminal" to get yourself started. Then you'll be searching every ad for hidden meanings, messages and images. Just like me. (Can you spot the hidden image in the above image? Look really closely, and if you need a hint, the picture at the bottom of the post.)
Friday, August 27, 2010
Distinguished Beards
Recently, I heard about friend's teenage son being told by a stranger to shave his facial hair. When his mother told the woman to mind her own business, the stranger shot back "I'm only trying to help the boy be all that he can be!" What is this? The army?? Since when did facial hair make someone be LESS than great?
And so what if the beard doesn't suit the face? Teenagers have little to no decision making power in their life - let them have choice over their hair! Color it purple, grow it long, shave it off... It's HAIR, it'll grow back, or can be cut. Chill.
The history behind beards and religious affiliations behind beards are fascinating, but I'm not here to philosophize. The history behind beards is long and storied (playoff beards being one of the most common reasons men today grow them) There are so many beards to choose from: fu man chu, Van Dyke, goatee, soul patch, full beard, neck beards... I don't care, they're all awesome. And after I went searching for a list of the most awesome beards in history, I couldn't find the list on the whole of the internet. So started my quest. I want awesome beards, and I want them now. So I've been busy compiling a list of awesome men in history ... who have beards. Add to the list! Rate them! I need your comments!! (By the way, I know there's awesome mustachio'd men in history too, but this is just for the beards...)
Sigmund Freud
Abraham Lincoln
Confucious
Ernest Hemmingway
Vincent Van Gogh
John Lennon
Jerry Garcia
Charles Darwin
Brigham Young
Cat Stevens
Chuck Norris
Kimbo Slice
Blackbeard the Pirate!
ZZ Top
Salman Rushdie
Grizzly Adams
Leonardo Davinci
Ned Kelly
Brian Blessed
Robert E Lee
Moses
Al Borland
Bob Ross
Bam Bam Bigelow
Thomas Swann
Kenny Rogers
Michael Gross
Johann Strauss II
Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani
Col. Sanders
Sebastian Cabot
Jesus Christ
Santa Claus!
This list is far from complete. Add your two cents! Your pictures! Your own beards! I have a desire to complete the internets best bearded list!
And so what if the beard doesn't suit the face? Teenagers have little to no decision making power in their life - let them have choice over their hair! Color it purple, grow it long, shave it off... It's HAIR, it'll grow back, or can be cut. Chill.
The history behind beards and religious affiliations behind beards are fascinating, but I'm not here to philosophize. The history behind beards is long and storied (playoff beards being one of the most common reasons men today grow them) There are so many beards to choose from: fu man chu, Van Dyke, goatee, soul patch, full beard, neck beards... I don't care, they're all awesome. And after I went searching for a list of the most awesome beards in history, I couldn't find the list on the whole of the internet. So started my quest. I want awesome beards, and I want them now. So I've been busy compiling a list of awesome men in history ... who have beards. Add to the list! Rate them! I need your comments!! (By the way, I know there's awesome mustachio'd men in history too, but this is just for the beards...)
Sigmund Freud
Abraham Lincoln
Confucious
Ernest Hemmingway
Vincent Van Gogh
John Lennon
Jerry Garcia
Charles Darwin
Brigham Young
Cat Stevens
Chuck Norris
Kimbo Slice
Blackbeard the Pirate!
ZZ Top
Salman Rushdie
Grizzly Adams
Leonardo Davinci
Ned Kelly
Brian Blessed
Robert E Lee
Moses
Al Borland
Bob Ross
Bam Bam Bigelow
Thomas Swann
Kenny Rogers
Michael Gross
Johann Strauss II
Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani
Col. Sanders
Sebastian Cabot
Jesus Christ
Santa Claus!
This list is far from complete. Add your two cents! Your pictures! Your own beards! I have a desire to complete the internets best bearded list!
Friday, August 6, 2010
Logo Design Update
No, I haven't forgotten my logo project. I've been diligently working on it betwixt real work and relaxing and wasting time on the internet. I've been about to post part deux to my time waster series, but I've been too busy wasting time.
BUT just to keep you all updated on the logo design, here is contact sheet #2. Enjoy - and please send your own suggestions or thoughts (keeping in mind, this is being designed by committee). I hope you enjoy the progression...
BUT just to keep you all updated on the logo design, here is contact sheet #2. Enjoy - and please send your own suggestions or thoughts (keeping in mind, this is being designed by committee). I hope you enjoy the progression...
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Internet Time Wasters
I'm seriously a master of procrastination. I'm busy as heck at work, and I get home and find a million things to distract myself from the things I really need to do at home. Like housework, the laundry, washing dishes and sleeping. I have a bunch of websites I go to on a regular basis that are wonderful, informative, fun and awesome. And then there are some that are total timewasters that keep me from accomplishing anything. Including sleep.
Here are some of my favorite timewasters (in no particular order). I am not responsible for your lost productivity. Don't say I didn't warn you.
Sushi Cat. My daughter found this site about two years ago, and I've since listened to the bizarre japanese music, and her truly weird descriptions of the game. And then I finally tried it. Damnit, the game is ridiculously addictive, and makes me crave sushi. God damn you, sushi cat!!
http://armorgames.com/play/5379/sushi-cat
The Sleep Talkin' Man. I blame my sister from S'toon for introducing me to this site. It's a man. Who talks in his sleep. And his wife records him. And then puts it on the web. It's truly bizarre and hilarious. And you can get t-shirts with your favorite sayings on them. "Doo... Doo... Do you want to eat me? Hmm? Gobble me up? Chew on my hindquarters? Do you? WELL COCK OFF YOU SON OF A BITCH, YOU'RE NOT TASTING MY MEAT! Fucking eat something else. I'm as tough as leather. Grrr. (sigh)" Yep. It's bizarre on an awesome new level.
http://www.sleeptalkinman.blogspot.com/
Not Always Right. Horror stories from the customer service industry. If you've ever worked any sort of customer service job, you'll love this site so much you'll cry.
http://notalwaysright.com/
Letters from an Asshole. They're letters. From an asshole. Or more like an asshole baits stupid people from Craigslist and Kijiji. They're so funny, my sides hurt from laughing. Stadiums are for PUSSIES!
http://www.dontevenreply.com/
Awkward Family Photos. Just like the ones in your photo album. Only not your family, so you can laugh. And be thankful your mother doesn't know how to work that scanner she got from Best Buys.
http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/
There's more, but I gotta go, sushi cat is calling to me...
Here are some of my favorite timewasters (in no particular order). I am not responsible for your lost productivity. Don't say I didn't warn you.
Sushi Cat. My daughter found this site about two years ago, and I've since listened to the bizarre japanese music, and her truly weird descriptions of the game. And then I finally tried it. Damnit, the game is ridiculously addictive, and makes me crave sushi. God damn you, sushi cat!!
http://armorgames.com/play/5379/sushi-cat
The Sleep Talkin' Man. I blame my sister from S'toon for introducing me to this site. It's a man. Who talks in his sleep. And his wife records him. And then puts it on the web. It's truly bizarre and hilarious. And you can get t-shirts with your favorite sayings on them. "Doo... Doo... Do you want to eat me? Hmm? Gobble me up? Chew on my hindquarters? Do you? WELL COCK OFF YOU SON OF A BITCH, YOU'RE NOT TASTING MY MEAT! Fucking eat something else. I'm as tough as leather. Grrr. (sigh)" Yep. It's bizarre on an awesome new level.
http://www.sleeptalkinman.blogspot.com/
Not Always Right. Horror stories from the customer service industry. If you've ever worked any sort of customer service job, you'll love this site so much you'll cry.
http://notalwaysright.com/
Letters from an Asshole. They're letters. From an asshole. Or more like an asshole baits stupid people from Craigslist and Kijiji. They're so funny, my sides hurt from laughing. Stadiums are for PUSSIES!
http://www.dontevenreply.com/
Awkward Family Photos. Just like the ones in your photo album. Only not your family, so you can laugh. And be thankful your mother doesn't know how to work that scanner she got from Best Buys.
http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/
There's more, but I gotta go, sushi cat is calling to me...
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
The Amazing Adventures of Koala Man
Sleeping in a tree. Probably pissed. What an embarrassment to superhero-kind.
Makes you kinda sad, don't it?
Thanks to The Sleep Talkin Man for my inspiration: www.sleeptalkinman.blogspot.com
Monday, July 26, 2010
I love it when a plan comes together
One of the design projects I eluded to at the last post was designing a book cover for an ebook written by friend Krista D. Ball. She posted on Facebook "who wanted" to design it, and I think I nearly tripped over myself to respond!
After a quick back and forth about size, color, theme, style, I suggested I be able to read the story before beginning on the cover. (I thought it was a bit cheap of me to ask, but she also thought it was a great idea!) I read the book, and my mind went into overdrive sketching out ideas. I had about a dozen sketches on paper before I started refining them. I always do my personal favorite first, and then branch out from there, ending with a contact sheet of fonts and logos. That was the case here. It took me about two hours from concept to finished design I was happy enough with to present. I am used to several back and forths, using the concepts I've come up with, adding, removing elements, redesigning elements, scaling, rescaling and scrapping the whole thing for something entirely different, but in the end, only ONE edit was required - the author's name in a different font. Are you kidding me? That's it?! I was tickled, and before the end of the day (heck, almost before NOON) I had the entire artwork package off to her, and my artwork was up on the website with her book.
Talk about a project coming together!I am very lucky to be able to take on design projects I'm passionate about on the basis of what I want to do, but in this case, it came together much easier than usual. Like it was meant to be. I love it when projects seem to be constructed by divine intervention. Because others sometimes seem like they came from hell...
Please see my first few drafts of the book cover. Inspired at the author's suggestion to draw style themes from retro horror movie posters, I came up with these designs. I love them all (they're like my children) but the first one (my favorite) was chosen. Awwww! Thanks Krista! And please please please check out the link to the ebook here: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/19781 and buy the book! It's a great story - an ending I didn't even expect!
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Holy Projects, Batman!
Summer's here, and mother nature has gone on holidays! That's what it feels like. It's been hot. It's been sunny. It's been raining nearly every single day! Now the mix of sun and showers have the farmers excited. I don't think I've seen canola grow that high in ... well, ever that I can remember! I also hear reports of crops being washed away, including friends' flower and vegetable gardens. That's a shame, but it also gives me a small shiver of delight for being lazy and not putting in a garden this year. Ha ha ha, such a rotten shame!
True - I'm not crafting like I would want to, and my photo projects aren't happening. However, I am working on a few things. A few things that has gotten me pretty excited.
One day at work while discussing that it is the 50th anniversary of Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird, we listed all the favorite classic books we read as kids and adolescents. Notably absent from the list: The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger. This had to be fixed! My graphic designer found a copy, bought it and brought it in. I'm currently halfway through the book, and really enjoying it. Made me a bit sad, however when my sister brought up the point that she's eager to re-read it to see if what she got out of it as a teen, and what she gets out of it as an adult will have changed. I'll never get that chance. Sigh. But, for Summer Project #1, it's a huge success!
I also am helping a fellow Fish & Game member redesign the club logo. It's a rather interesting story that begins with my mom actually designing the first (and current) club logo. I'm quite proud to be carrying on the legacy and updating the logo. See the contact sheet below for our first round of sketches. We want to show that the club is about nature, recycling, conservancy, respect for nature, education etc and not just fish and wildlife (and the hunting and fishing of). I hope we're on the right track. Please let me know your feedback!
And lastly, I'm working on my favorite project of the summer! I'm going to keep this one shrouded in a little bit of mystery, but it's also a design project. I suppose I'm finding the fun of design again after 13 years of newspaper ads and clip art logos. It was nice to have a break (by being a business owner) but I'm glad to get my arse back in the saddle and do some design projects. Luckily, as the owner I'm able to cherry pick!
The project I'm working on is fun. A bit of campy, retro fun! I already have a half a dozen designs done, and even though they're "not there" yet, just the freedom to be able to design something completely and totally my own way is refreshing. It's being done as a favor / fun project for a friend. Man, I need more friends who have more design needs! LOL I'll post those designs when I have them up.
My thrill of the design came rushing back to me while our shop was designing a hero card for a local race car driver. (Who happens to live in my small town. Who happens to be a teen. Who happens to be a friend of my daughter's. Who happens to be a Make a Wish Child) And they had an event at the Make a Wish Foundation fundraiser, and she was going to be signing autographs and needed hero cards. After our designer did some proofs, I nearly BURST with anticipation of being able to "try some of my own designs" for the one simple reason that I was inspired. And with that project, I'm finding the joy in design the way I found joy in music and crafting. And yes, Mario Bros.
Whatever you do, may you do it joyously!
True - I'm not crafting like I would want to, and my photo projects aren't happening. However, I am working on a few things. A few things that has gotten me pretty excited.
One day at work while discussing that it is the 50th anniversary of Harper Lee's To Kill A Mockingbird, we listed all the favorite classic books we read as kids and adolescents. Notably absent from the list: The Catcher in the Rye by JD Salinger. This had to be fixed! My graphic designer found a copy, bought it and brought it in. I'm currently halfway through the book, and really enjoying it. Made me a bit sad, however when my sister brought up the point that she's eager to re-read it to see if what she got out of it as a teen, and what she gets out of it as an adult will have changed. I'll never get that chance. Sigh. But, for Summer Project #1, it's a huge success!
I also am helping a fellow Fish & Game member redesign the club logo. It's a rather interesting story that begins with my mom actually designing the first (and current) club logo. I'm quite proud to be carrying on the legacy and updating the logo. See the contact sheet below for our first round of sketches. We want to show that the club is about nature, recycling, conservancy, respect for nature, education etc and not just fish and wildlife (and the hunting and fishing of). I hope we're on the right track. Please let me know your feedback!And lastly, I'm working on my favorite project of the summer! I'm going to keep this one shrouded in a little bit of mystery, but it's also a design project. I suppose I'm finding the fun of design again after 13 years of newspaper ads and clip art logos. It was nice to have a break (by being a business owner) but I'm glad to get my arse back in the saddle and do some design projects. Luckily, as the owner I'm able to cherry pick!
The project I'm working on is fun. A bit of campy, retro fun! I already have a half a dozen designs done, and even though they're "not there" yet, just the freedom to be able to design something completely and totally my own way is refreshing. It's being done as a favor / fun project for a friend. Man, I need more friends who have more design needs! LOL I'll post those designs when I have them up.
My thrill of the design came rushing back to me while our shop was designing a hero card for a local race car driver. (Who happens to live in my small town. Who happens to be a teen. Who happens to be a friend of my daughter's. Who happens to be a Make a Wish Child) And they had an event at the Make a Wish Foundation fundraiser, and she was going to be signing autographs and needed hero cards. After our designer did some proofs, I nearly BURST with anticipation of being able to "try some of my own designs" for the one simple reason that I was inspired. And with that project, I'm finding the joy in design the way I found joy in music and crafting. And yes, Mario Bros.
Whatever you do, may you do it joyously!
Monday, July 5, 2010
Projects Undone.
After my leisurely four days off (it was marvelous, thanks) I started to feel a swelling of things left undone after my time off. I certainly crammed as much fun and rest as I possibly could, and managed to get all my housework done too. What more could I ask for?
Apparently a lot.
While taking my daughter on her shopping excursion this weekend, we stumbled into a bookstore. We spent more time in the bookstore than the clothing store, which made my nerdy heart happy. I'm glad I'm raising a beautiful AND smart kid. And in there, my book wish list grew! I have the list of books that I REALLY want to read, books I'd love to have the time to read, and all other books fall into the category. I'm never so lucky to always be reading the top of my wish list, but the good thing about it is that it never shrinks in size. There's always so many excellent books out there. And just setting foot into the bookstore, and my list did grow some more.
And I'm more and more interested in my daughter's interest in books and clothing and music as she gets older, and her book choice is much more interesting too! She was eying some Christopher Pike volumes that are being re-released. I remember reading those in Junior High! She started reading Buffy the Vampire Slayer novelizations, and was also very interested in VC Andrews. Oooh, a literary bug after my own heart! Makes me glad to know that I won't be the only one reading and re-reading some of my old favorites on the bookshelf downstairs. Ahhh!
But the little outing showed me that I still have too many things to do, and projects to tackle, and the genuine bliss of my time off has now paved the way for me to get some things done. And so, in true obsessive compulsive fashion, I've compiled a list of projects I would like to finish (or at least start) this summer:
- Read 'Catcher in the Rye'. Did you know that 'To Kill a Mockingbird' is now 50 years old? I will be reading this as a tribute to Lee Harper, but one good read deserves another. I've never read 'Catcher', and this is the summer to do it.
- Zombie Cross Stitch! OMG! I saw this in the bookstore this weekend. Super zombilicious! The creator of the kit also does a craft blog. I'm intending to try the kit out for size, and then make my own patterns.
- Get pictures framed. This is just a preliminary to the main event of getting my photo albums in order. Once I get my favorite prints framed, the rest will go easy right ... right?? It's a long overdue project!
- Finish Super Mario Bros. for the Wii. It's more of an obsession than anything else. Sad.
- Start work on the patio. I'm thinking of taking out all the grass to the one side of my walkway, putting in rock and wood chips, moving the firepit to this area, and having a cool rock patio. It'll happen. It just has to.
- Fix the bunny holes and other renovation issues. Nuff said.
- Read my wish list of books:
Chuck Palaniuk (part of my obsessive personality is to overdo things. Since I love Chuck, I must read all his books. It's obsessive, but I really love his writing.) I've yet to read: Survivor, Pygmy, Tell All. Must complete the collection...!
That's it for the summer. Part of me is sad that I didn't start any of these on my time off, but I think my mind is really glad I took the mental vacation. I needed it. Now the rest of the summer can be about work and serious relaxation activities! Once I get going on my zombie cross stitch, I'll definitely post pictures. Oooh, how exciting!
Apparently a lot.
While taking my daughter on her shopping excursion this weekend, we stumbled into a bookstore. We spent more time in the bookstore than the clothing store, which made my nerdy heart happy. I'm glad I'm raising a beautiful AND smart kid. And in there, my book wish list grew! I have the list of books that I REALLY want to read, books I'd love to have the time to read, and all other books fall into the category. I'm never so lucky to always be reading the top of my wish list, but the good thing about it is that it never shrinks in size. There's always so many excellent books out there. And just setting foot into the bookstore, and my list did grow some more.
And I'm more and more interested in my daughter's interest in books and clothing and music as she gets older, and her book choice is much more interesting too! She was eying some Christopher Pike volumes that are being re-released. I remember reading those in Junior High! She started reading Buffy the Vampire Slayer novelizations, and was also very interested in VC Andrews. Oooh, a literary bug after my own heart! Makes me glad to know that I won't be the only one reading and re-reading some of my old favorites on the bookshelf downstairs. Ahhh!
But the little outing showed me that I still have too many things to do, and projects to tackle, and the genuine bliss of my time off has now paved the way for me to get some things done. And so, in true obsessive compulsive fashion, I've compiled a list of projects I would like to finish (or at least start) this summer:
- Read 'Catcher in the Rye'. Did you know that 'To Kill a Mockingbird' is now 50 years old? I will be reading this as a tribute to Lee Harper, but one good read deserves another. I've never read 'Catcher', and this is the summer to do it.
- Zombie Cross Stitch! OMG! I saw this in the bookstore this weekend. Super zombilicious! The creator of the kit also does a craft blog. I'm intending to try the kit out for size, and then make my own patterns.
- Get pictures framed. This is just a preliminary to the main event of getting my photo albums in order. Once I get my favorite prints framed, the rest will go easy right ... right?? It's a long overdue project!
- Finish Super Mario Bros. for the Wii. It's more of an obsession than anything else. Sad.
- Start work on the patio. I'm thinking of taking out all the grass to the one side of my walkway, putting in rock and wood chips, moving the firepit to this area, and having a cool rock patio. It'll happen. It just has to.
- Fix the bunny holes and other renovation issues. Nuff said.
- Read my wish list of books:
Chuck Palaniuk (part of my obsessive personality is to overdo things. Since I love Chuck, I must read all his books. It's obsessive, but I really love his writing.) I've yet to read: Survivor, Pygmy, Tell All. Must complete the collection...!
That's it for the summer. Part of me is sad that I didn't start any of these on my time off, but I think my mind is really glad I took the mental vacation. I needed it. Now the rest of the summer can be about work and serious relaxation activities! Once I get going on my zombie cross stitch, I'll definitely post pictures. Oooh, how exciting!
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Dog Days of Summer?
Well, it didn't take long for summer to catch up with my familia. One day into her summer vacation, my darling daughter "forgets" to put on her sunscreen and ended up with a first degree sunburn. On her face, arms, chest and back. Blisters everywhere! My hubby and I were in the middle of a formal dinner with foreign delegates (ooh, very Bond-like, no?) when we got the call, and hubby goes racing out to take her to the hospital, leaving me to enjoy the five hour concert alone. Such a shame he missed it.
In addition to my daughter having to stay out of the sun and chlorinated water until she healed, our summer vacation plans were slightly derailed. We had a camping trip planned for the only sumer vacation we were to have (making Canada Day into an extended long weekend) Kind of sad that we call four days off in a row a "vacation". But regardless, our camping and boating had to be cancelled. Also, her swim meet. And we couldn't get out to enjoy the Canada Day festivities either. Disappointment all around.
But we're determined to make the best of a bad situation. Forced to stay inside during such gorgeous weather, we've been busy with our relaxation. And as I told my hubby - "I feel like cleaning the house from top to bottom right now, so I can enjoy these four days inside in spotless solitude...but I'm not going to". Yep, I'm not worried about having the house in order, just that we enjoy our time together as a family. We've managed to keep ahead of the dishes, so we can prepare each meal in relative order, and the table is remaining tidy to eat meals and play board games. We've played Yahtzee, Monopoly, Scrabble, Chattabox (don't ask), Killer Bunnies and the Quest for the Magic Carrot (again, don't ask - the most fun thing about that game is saying the name. Oy.) and lots of video games. Lots of family-time. I've made pancakes even! How domestic! Except for the not cleaning part. I'm letting four laundry baskets of laundry sit in the living room and mock me.
My daughter and I went to the LATE night showing of Eclipse. We had to go to the late show, so we could keep out of the sun. What better way to go see a vampire movie? And it was not as bad as I was bracing for. And, we get to see Bella kiss Jacob in such a way that poor, kiss starved wives everywhere could coo silently to themselves, and feel a slight adrenaline rush. Oooh! The excitement! And we have plans to do a girls day out shopping. After her slumber party guests leave, and before her special friend from Millwoods arrives to celebrate her birthday, since he won't see her on the actual day. Yep, we've crammed as much fun in there as possible!
I've even had lots of me-alone time. I've read a couple books, played way too many computer games, written a bit, but no crafting, sadly. Closest thing to crafting I've done is silk screen wedding napkins two weeks ago. And since my ever-loving hubby has refused to come to bed, I've had the entire bed to myself the entire time! Wheee! Not that I don't love sleeping beside him. He's not a bed hog, OR a cover hog, and really nice to cuddle to, but he claims he just can't get to sleep until he's so exhausted he can't move. Which means he falls asleep on the couch, and no love or money can move him. Seriously, if you wake him to try to get him to go to bed, he shouts expletives at you. Not pretty. I do without the verbal abuse and enjoy the bed to myself. When I actually go to bed, that is. I've seen the sun come up, AND go down, and slept very little on my mini va-cay. I think it's the lack of stress. Or the lack of work. I really appreciate our employees coming in on the weird Friday to allow us to have this needed time off. Last time I had any more than two days off in a row was LAST Canada Day, and the time before was a year before. One of these days, I'm going to take a REAL vacation. With or without my hubby. Even if it is a home-vacation. This was really fun. And relaxing. And no unpacking too. Yep, this was so needed.
Now I just have to figure out what to get my darling daughter (who has everything) for her birthday. And then find the time to buy it and wrap it. But I think I'll worry about that tomorrow. It's almost five in the morning - time for me to get a few hours of sleep.
YAWN
I love vacations!
In addition to my daughter having to stay out of the sun and chlorinated water until she healed, our summer vacation plans were slightly derailed. We had a camping trip planned for the only sumer vacation we were to have (making Canada Day into an extended long weekend) Kind of sad that we call four days off in a row a "vacation". But regardless, our camping and boating had to be cancelled. Also, her swim meet. And we couldn't get out to enjoy the Canada Day festivities either. Disappointment all around.
But we're determined to make the best of a bad situation. Forced to stay inside during such gorgeous weather, we've been busy with our relaxation. And as I told my hubby - "I feel like cleaning the house from top to bottom right now, so I can enjoy these four days inside in spotless solitude...but I'm not going to". Yep, I'm not worried about having the house in order, just that we enjoy our time together as a family. We've managed to keep ahead of the dishes, so we can prepare each meal in relative order, and the table is remaining tidy to eat meals and play board games. We've played Yahtzee, Monopoly, Scrabble, Chattabox (don't ask), Killer Bunnies and the Quest for the Magic Carrot (again, don't ask - the most fun thing about that game is saying the name. Oy.) and lots of video games. Lots of family-time. I've made pancakes even! How domestic! Except for the not cleaning part. I'm letting four laundry baskets of laundry sit in the living room and mock me.
My daughter and I went to the LATE night showing of Eclipse. We had to go to the late show, so we could keep out of the sun. What better way to go see a vampire movie? And it was not as bad as I was bracing for. And, we get to see Bella kiss Jacob in such a way that poor, kiss starved wives everywhere could coo silently to themselves, and feel a slight adrenaline rush. Oooh! The excitement! And we have plans to do a girls day out shopping. After her slumber party guests leave, and before her special friend from Millwoods arrives to celebrate her birthday, since he won't see her on the actual day. Yep, we've crammed as much fun in there as possible!
I've even had lots of me-alone time. I've read a couple books, played way too many computer games, written a bit, but no crafting, sadly. Closest thing to crafting I've done is silk screen wedding napkins two weeks ago. And since my ever-loving hubby has refused to come to bed, I've had the entire bed to myself the entire time! Wheee! Not that I don't love sleeping beside him. He's not a bed hog, OR a cover hog, and really nice to cuddle to, but he claims he just can't get to sleep until he's so exhausted he can't move. Which means he falls asleep on the couch, and no love or money can move him. Seriously, if you wake him to try to get him to go to bed, he shouts expletives at you. Not pretty. I do without the verbal abuse and enjoy the bed to myself. When I actually go to bed, that is. I've seen the sun come up, AND go down, and slept very little on my mini va-cay. I think it's the lack of stress. Or the lack of work. I really appreciate our employees coming in on the weird Friday to allow us to have this needed time off. Last time I had any more than two days off in a row was LAST Canada Day, and the time before was a year before. One of these days, I'm going to take a REAL vacation. With or without my hubby. Even if it is a home-vacation. This was really fun. And relaxing. And no unpacking too. Yep, this was so needed.
Now I just have to figure out what to get my darling daughter (who has everything) for her birthday. And then find the time to buy it and wrap it. But I think I'll worry about that tomorrow. It's almost five in the morning - time for me to get a few hours of sleep.
YAWN
I love vacations!
Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Jesus is Coming... Look Busy!
So, I'm taking a summer OFF of crafting. If it happens, it happens. If not, I won't be disappointed. Hope you craft blogfans aren't too sad. I'll still post inane ramblings, but I'm going to be very busy this summer. Working out in the pool, working my business, volunteering, going to swim meets (one nearly every weekend!) And that's in addition to yard work, house work, work work, and having an active tween and hubby. And if that's not enough, I'm going to give some much needed attention to my Wii and some books I've been dying to read. Ahhh, summer!
I won't have any problems "looking" busy when the second coming happens. Maybe it won't be busy doing what the Lord wants me to be doing, but at least I'll be doing it honestly.
Why am I worried about the second coming this summer? According to a poll from the Pew Research Center For The People and The Press/Smithsonian Magazine 40 per cent of Americans believe Jesus will return before 2050. The percentage of Americans who are Christian ranges in the 75 to 84% mark, which means that's a whole helluva lotta Christians that are believing He's (going to be) Baaaack! Which means that's good enough for me. If you believe Stephen Colbert, if enough people say it's true - it IS true, then that's a lot of truthiness happening. I'm glad to be busy when the almighty comes down and brings his everlasting awesomeness to us heathens.
The poll shows us interesting insights, worries and hopes of the average American. I dunno what that means for us Canucks, but it's still interesting to think about. Here's some other American opinions the poll revealed:
I won't have any problems "looking" busy when the second coming happens. Maybe it won't be busy doing what the Lord wants me to be doing, but at least I'll be doing it honestly.
Why am I worried about the second coming this summer? According to a poll from the Pew Research Center For The People and The Press/Smithsonian Magazine 40 per cent of Americans believe Jesus will return before 2050. The percentage of Americans who are Christian ranges in the 75 to 84% mark, which means that's a whole helluva lotta Christians that are believing He's (going to be) Baaaack! Which means that's good enough for me. If you believe Stephen Colbert, if enough people say it's true - it IS true, then that's a lot of truthiness happening. I'm glad to be busy when the almighty comes down and brings his everlasting awesomeness to us heathens.
The poll shows us interesting insights, worries and hopes of the average American. I dunno what that means for us Canucks, but it's still interesting to think about. Here's some other American opinions the poll revealed:
• 71 per cent believe cancer will be cured by 2050.
• 81 per cent believe computers will be able to converse like humans.
• 68 per cent of those under 30 predict a world war by 2050.
• 53 per cent say ordinary people will travel in space
• 42 per cent say it is likely that scientists will be able to tell what people are thinking by scanning their brains.
• 89 per cent believe a woman will be elected US president by 2050.
• 86 per cent say it is at least probable that most Americans will have to work into their 70s before retiring.
• 41 per cent say Jesus Christ will return within the next 40 years.
• 63 per cent anticipate the demise of paper money
• 61 per cent say almost no one will send letters by 2050.
• 31 per cent expect the planet will be struck by an asteroid.
It looks like the next 40 years will be very busy! So I know I'll be busy when Jesus comes, as long as earth isn't hit by an asteroid first.Monday, June 21, 2010
Reasonable People...
This weekend my next door neighbor redeemed himself. He came over to explain that our shed has no eavestrough and as a result of this rainwater runs off our shed roof onto his flower beds destroying them. He realizes this is HIS problem, but has a solution. He will help us move the shed a few feet off the property line towards our house. We share the labor - everyone's happy.
So, why is this news? Well, if you remember a few posts back, I had problems with neighbors doing less than neighborly things that caused us property damage. Why now the sudden change in behavior? Guilty conscience? Actually thinking? OR maybe he read my rant online. Probably not, but this coincidence is too juicy not to bloviate about. But maybe he did see it, and the error of his ways. (Unlikely).
I'm the type of person who wears her heart on her sleeve. Online and in real life. I may not be as out-spoken, for fear of insulting people without being present to explain. I may be more outspoken for times I feel too timid to actually speak up, but I live by a general rule: I never say or put anything online that my parents, grandparents and children would be upset by. Or anything that I would personally be embarrassed by if they saw it. I think it's a good rule to live by. Enter the virtual world where people feel bullet-proof, and say and do things that they wouldn't dare IRL. Bullying, stalking, cheating, scamming are some of the things that regular joes are doing under cloak and dagger of the internet. They are acting under presumed anonymity. A very false pretense. What happens if or when your anonymity falls away to reveal to the world your secrets?
I recently had an encounter that drove home that point to me embarrassingly enough. An acquaintence from real life started to read up on my blog, my facebook and various other weird profiles I had online. Nothing in them is shocking, surprising (or to me - even interesting) but this person from real life found my online self and began acting different around me. Excuses to see me started cropping up. Making sweeping generalizations about me (despite actually knowing the real me) and choosing to see what they wanted to see based on random information I allow strangers to access. This lead to a VERY awkward conversation, and several more lighthearted conversations after the fact. I'm glad we can look back on this and laugh.
Maybe this person thought they were seeing a more private side of my life, they thought I was admitting things online to the anonymous world, and they were in on my secret. But what about being online is provocative, sexy and seemingly anonymous? What is it that makes people feel bullet proof, and able to open up to strangers? I understand finding a common bond through internet groups and websites that can eventually hold a friendship together. But to cyber stalk a person looking for extra tidbits of information about them seems backwards, and it's happening more and more these days. (Ever "facebook" stalked? Ever googled your name? Someone else's name?)
In the end, if this person had forgone the entire "online stalking" thing and came up to me and said "hey, I think you're cool, let's do coffee" that would've been much more receptive than "hey, I saw your pictures of your last halloween party, and that you're a member of the 'I Love Tim and Eric Fan Club' and I wanted to know if you'd like to dress up like Tim and Eric with me while eating candy in the dark'.
That's just plain weird, right? In a world of online connectivity, it was nice to see a real person actually reach out and touch another real person when they weren't in front of a computer. I'm glad they reached out and touched me. I have a friend I never knew I had, and someone else who loves Tim and Eric too. I'm just old fashioned, but some things are better kept on-line, and off line. Cyber stalking is one of them. And if you ever want to real life stalk me, please don't judge me while I'm dressed up like Eric Wareheim and am eating bonbons in the dark. And don't post about it online. Some things just shouldn't make it to the 'net.
***Some interesting footnotes:
Yes, I love Tim and Eric of "The Tim and Eric Awesome Show Great Job". If you haven't seen it - please do.
I DO love dressing up. For halloween, or I pretend it's halloween. Last year I was The Old Gregg from a British TV show called The Mighty Boosh. Check that out too.
For a safer way to view dirty secrets, check out www.postsecrets.com or post your own!
So, why is this news? Well, if you remember a few posts back, I had problems with neighbors doing less than neighborly things that caused us property damage. Why now the sudden change in behavior? Guilty conscience? Actually thinking? OR maybe he read my rant online. Probably not, but this coincidence is too juicy not to bloviate about. But maybe he did see it, and the error of his ways. (Unlikely).
I'm the type of person who wears her heart on her sleeve. Online and in real life. I may not be as out-spoken, for fear of insulting people without being present to explain. I may be more outspoken for times I feel too timid to actually speak up, but I live by a general rule: I never say or put anything online that my parents, grandparents and children would be upset by. Or anything that I would personally be embarrassed by if they saw it. I think it's a good rule to live by. Enter the virtual world where people feel bullet-proof, and say and do things that they wouldn't dare IRL. Bullying, stalking, cheating, scamming are some of the things that regular joes are doing under cloak and dagger of the internet. They are acting under presumed anonymity. A very false pretense. What happens if or when your anonymity falls away to reveal to the world your secrets?
I recently had an encounter that drove home that point to me embarrassingly enough. An acquaintence from real life started to read up on my blog, my facebook and various other weird profiles I had online. Nothing in them is shocking, surprising (or to me - even interesting) but this person from real life found my online self and began acting different around me. Excuses to see me started cropping up. Making sweeping generalizations about me (despite actually knowing the real me) and choosing to see what they wanted to see based on random information I allow strangers to access. This lead to a VERY awkward conversation, and several more lighthearted conversations after the fact. I'm glad we can look back on this and laugh.
Maybe this person thought they were seeing a more private side of my life, they thought I was admitting things online to the anonymous world, and they were in on my secret. But what about being online is provocative, sexy and seemingly anonymous? What is it that makes people feel bullet proof, and able to open up to strangers? I understand finding a common bond through internet groups and websites that can eventually hold a friendship together. But to cyber stalk a person looking for extra tidbits of information about them seems backwards, and it's happening more and more these days. (Ever "facebook" stalked? Ever googled your name? Someone else's name?)
In the end, if this person had forgone the entire "online stalking" thing and came up to me and said "hey, I think you're cool, let's do coffee" that would've been much more receptive than "hey, I saw your pictures of your last halloween party, and that you're a member of the 'I Love Tim and Eric Fan Club' and I wanted to know if you'd like to dress up like Tim and Eric with me while eating candy in the dark'.
That's just plain weird, right? In a world of online connectivity, it was nice to see a real person actually reach out and touch another real person when they weren't in front of a computer. I'm glad they reached out and touched me. I have a friend I never knew I had, and someone else who loves Tim and Eric too. I'm just old fashioned, but some things are better kept on-line, and off line. Cyber stalking is one of them. And if you ever want to real life stalk me, please don't judge me while I'm dressed up like Eric Wareheim and am eating bonbons in the dark. And don't post about it online. Some things just shouldn't make it to the 'net.
***Some interesting footnotes:
Yes, I love Tim and Eric of "The Tim and Eric Awesome Show Great Job". If you haven't seen it - please do.
I DO love dressing up. For halloween, or I pretend it's halloween. Last year I was The Old Gregg from a British TV show called The Mighty Boosh. Check that out too.
For a safer way to view dirty secrets, check out www.postsecrets.com or post your own!
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