Today was a good day, I was able to finish a challenging portrait; a graphite, colored pencil and charcoal portrait of a kitty cat. Challenging because I've never drawn a cat before, and I mixed the pencils, it's hard to mix colored pencils with graphite because the colored pencils are waxy, and it's hard to put one over the other without a problem.
Wouldn't you think the life of a pencil artist would be a dream job? A piece of paper, a pencil and an eraser. Yeah, that's it in a nutshell, however, the pencils always seem to need to be sharpened. At least I like them sharp. A rounded pencil can give me a nice smooth roll over the paper, when I need to fill in a lot of negative space.
But usually, I like em sharp. And last night, I wanted to finish this piece after everyone went to bed. Then, WHAM...the electric pencil sharpener got jammed, and every pencil I tried to sharpen just came out blunt.
I turned it over, took out the 3 screws holding the thing together, and jiggled and jostled the sharpener against the counter a few times. Hubby shut the bedroom door rather sharply about that time, and I thought, "How am I gonna finish this if I don't have a sharpened pencil?
I took the sharpener into the bathroom and shut the door and tried it again. No luck....Tried it again, and I think I've got it. I put it all together again, and stuck a pencil in.The sharpener vibrated so loudly that the windows shook, you'd think the space shuttle was landing, only it wasn't.
Aw, man.....I had to give up and I went to bed rather perturbed, I'd just have to fix the sharpener in the morning, which I did, and it worked like a charm. Who would have figured that the jinx of the pencil sharpener would wear off over night?
Today I went and picked up my portrait of Annabelle at the King Center. Those of you who have been following my blogs know that I entered my first juried show in November, and they picked the "Earrink", the portrait of Annabelle.
I was ecstatic that it was chosen, and the day of the awards was a little more than interesting for me, it was anxiety provoking. On one hand I thought it would be wonderful to win the $1000 award, and I imagined myself standing up in front of a whole bunch of people, saying 'Thank you, thank you".
Then right after that thought came the thought that said, 'Naw, you ain't gonna win, it's a picture of a little girl, with an earring as big as her head.' So, back and forth and back and forth came the thoughts. From one extreme to the other. A winner and a loser.
I had to really work with my internal dialog and tell myself it didn't matter. It didn't matter if I won or if I didn't win. Winning didn't make me a winner, I make me a winner. If I didn't win I wasn't a loser, I was an artist in a juried show, and I didn't get the award. I also make me a loser, if I'm aware of it.
The awards were kinda peculiar, insofar as the judge was concerned. I mean he had credentials that were equivalent to an American Express Gold Card. He had been to all THE art schools, and had won every award there is...but, the little guy was OLD.
At first I thought that would work to my advantage, as my graphite portrait had all the elements of a traditional piece. No modern or contemporary abstract portrait. Just a plain old pencil drawing, with a little color for a pop.
But when he was asked up to the podium, he took a good long time getting there, and he was just 3 tables away. I didn't think much about it, as older folks need to watch where they are going, so they don't fall down.
He was introduced, and then the man in charge was ready to carry on with the program, only the judge didn't get it. He was ready to announce the winner. The man in charge had to ask the judge 3 times to go sit down, finally telling him he was crowding the stage. The judge understood that, and went and sat down.
Then came the time to announce the 1st place winner, the winner of $1000. The judge was asked back up front, and he announced the winner.
No sooner had the winner said her 'thanks' when the judge announced to the runner up, an award winner by the Art show board, and to the rest of us, that he didn't pick her piece for 1st place, because in his estimation, it had a flaw in it!
I was flabbergasted! It seemed rude and out of place to critique a work after the award was awarded....so, I was glad I did my self awareness preparation before the show because, had I been the runner up, I would have been picking myself up off the floor, or have wanted to elbow the old guy in the Adams apple, for his inappropriate comments.
What a whirlwind...juried art show, juried art gallery acceptance. Cocoa Beach Art Festival...did I mention I went to that? I'm a gonna tell you, there are some talented people in that show. My head got so full of beautiful art, I felt a little dizzy from time to time.
I went to the show with my friend Jim. Jimmie comes to Florida every year from upstate New York. We met years ago when I was doing the horse workshops, and Jimmie and I have stayed in touch ever since.
While we were walking the show, I saw the artist who I had signed up for his upcoming workshop, and I told Jim. "Oh, look, there's ....., let's go say "Hi". We walked into the booth or tent or hut, whatever you call those things that every artist has to have, to even get into the Art Festival.
So, I'm chit chatting for a minute or two, and the chit chat is hard because I'm not being chit chatted back to...and then it occurs to me to introduce my friend Jim. And there is no response. No grunt, no hey, no nod. Nothing. I mean nothing.
Well, talk about a pregnant pause. Or more like, "I gotta get the H out of here, before I say something I'll regret"....I mean, it's not like I haven't met that artist before. In fact, he owed me a little kindness, I handed out over 400 of his postcards, advertising one of his recent shows... and he can't even say "Hey" to my friend.
Man, by the time I got home I was fuming! I just couldn't think of one good reason why someone would be so rude. I had to process the whole thing with my daughter, because, if I accepted this rude behavior, and still went to his workshop, I mean, what could I expect? and the workshop wasn't cheap either. Who does this guy think he is?
It reminded me of a horse trainer I worked with years ago. This guy co-wrote a book, was on TV, flew around the country giving seminars. Had all the girls swooning over him, myself included. But, the guy was a #1 Ass. Not second rate, or even third rate, a bona fide, first rate Ass.
So, I like to think I'm learning my lessons as life hands them to me, and I withdrew from the artist workshop...and I've got to tell you...it felt good and bad. I had sooooo wanted to go to that workshop, and I had told all my friends that I was going.
But to think that I would go and be treated badly, or not, he had treated my friend rudely, I would have been doubly mad. People tell you who they are by the way they behave. Why should I expect someone to behave differently just for me? That has been a problem for me in the past. I hope I have finally figured it out.
Well, that's just the beginning of catching you up on an artist's life. Reminds me of a "Bugs life", only I don't have the antennae! I've got some more stuff to talk about, only it's gettin late, and I've got a portrait to finish. Stay tuned for more...
Monday, December 6, 2010
Friday, December 3, 2010
All about the Art
Art Art Bo Bart Banana Fana Fo Fart Me My Mo Mart, Art. Remember that little ditty? (It's as funny to write as it is to say). I cannot believe it's been a month since my last post. What happened? It's all Art's fault.
I entered a juried art show, first time ever, (I've got more to say about that later) and I was accepted as a member of an art gallery, the Art Gallery of Viera. Seems like not such a big deal, but it is, to me. One day I'm just sittin' around and writing on my blog and going to art salon meetings every two weeks, and the next thing I know I'm so busy I'm runnin' around with my hair on fire. (Feels like it anyway)
Oh, and I forgot to mention the little game I downloaded, Zuma. I don't know why I got that game, it's not like I don't have anything else to do but sit here and shoot at these little balls. Red, green, blue, purple...and when I get to the higher levels, which isn't that often, white balls start rolling around. It seems like shooting at these things helps me organize, in the back of my mind, all the other stuff. Does this happen to anybody else?
I have my drawings that I'm working on. Three commissions, and one Christmas present. I love drawing, don't get me wrong, it's just that I can only sit and draw for so long and then I have to get up and do something else. I love looking at all the nuances of a nose or lips or eyes, the shapes that make up a face or hair. It's all good stuff. After awhile though my hands just get tired, especially if I'm covering alot of space with the darker shades. I draw on the back porch, or if it's really chilly, I'll sit in the kitchen at the counter because I don't have an official studio.
Then I get the big idea I need to make stuff for Christmas, some for the gallery and some for family and friends. I've got out my felt, and made a couple of ornaments. (One has already sold at the gallery, I'll be able to take that trip to Rio now!) And I got out my sculpey and tried making some ornaments,but they aren't that good. Sometimes I think I've lost the knack for sculpture, I don't know for sure, but I'll keep trying.
Seems like I do this every Christmas, I get all these ideas and try and hurry to make everything in time. Now that I go to the Gallery and work my 4 shifts a month, it seems like I don't have enough time. But I do have enough time, I just need to slow down and tell myself it's enough. I mean who's in control here anyway? I've had this niggling thought that I need, I mean HAVE TO make stuff.
Through the years I've always had some project to work on. Last year I started a tapestry, a cute little puppy. I won't be making another one of those, it about killed me to finish it. I wonder what it is about taking on a new project, what is it really about. Is it just my nature to challenge myself with something new? What happens when the new thing isn't all it's cracked up to be? Do projects help me deal with life in some way? All questions I've been asking myself, ever since I became an official artist.
Well, I just realized that blogging helps me figure stuff out way better than playing Zuma. It's like talking out loud, sometimes just hearing the thoughts can clarify a situation, or crystallize an issue. I have been keeping my issues pretty close to the heart lately, guess it's time to take em out and dust them off, what do ya think?
So, I'll be back soon, to tell you more about the Art.
I entered a juried art show, first time ever, (I've got more to say about that later) and I was accepted as a member of an art gallery, the Art Gallery of Viera. Seems like not such a big deal, but it is, to me. One day I'm just sittin' around and writing on my blog and going to art salon meetings every two weeks, and the next thing I know I'm so busy I'm runnin' around with my hair on fire. (Feels like it anyway)
Oh, and I forgot to mention the little game I downloaded, Zuma. I don't know why I got that game, it's not like I don't have anything else to do but sit here and shoot at these little balls. Red, green, blue, purple...and when I get to the higher levels, which isn't that often, white balls start rolling around. It seems like shooting at these things helps me organize, in the back of my mind, all the other stuff. Does this happen to anybody else?
I have my drawings that I'm working on. Three commissions, and one Christmas present. I love drawing, don't get me wrong, it's just that I can only sit and draw for so long and then I have to get up and do something else. I love looking at all the nuances of a nose or lips or eyes, the shapes that make up a face or hair. It's all good stuff. After awhile though my hands just get tired, especially if I'm covering alot of space with the darker shades. I draw on the back porch, or if it's really chilly, I'll sit in the kitchen at the counter because I don't have an official studio.
Then I get the big idea I need to make stuff for Christmas, some for the gallery and some for family and friends. I've got out my felt, and made a couple of ornaments. (One has already sold at the gallery, I'll be able to take that trip to Rio now!) And I got out my sculpey and tried making some ornaments,but they aren't that good. Sometimes I think I've lost the knack for sculpture, I don't know for sure, but I'll keep trying.
Seems like I do this every Christmas, I get all these ideas and try and hurry to make everything in time. Now that I go to the Gallery and work my 4 shifts a month, it seems like I don't have enough time. But I do have enough time, I just need to slow down and tell myself it's enough. I mean who's in control here anyway? I've had this niggling thought that I need, I mean HAVE TO make stuff.
Through the years I've always had some project to work on. Last year I started a tapestry, a cute little puppy. I won't be making another one of those, it about killed me to finish it. I wonder what it is about taking on a new project, what is it really about. Is it just my nature to challenge myself with something new? What happens when the new thing isn't all it's cracked up to be? Do projects help me deal with life in some way? All questions I've been asking myself, ever since I became an official artist.
Well, I just realized that blogging helps me figure stuff out way better than playing Zuma. It's like talking out loud, sometimes just hearing the thoughts can clarify a situation, or crystallize an issue. I have been keeping my issues pretty close to the heart lately, guess it's time to take em out and dust them off, what do ya think?
So, I'll be back soon, to tell you more about the Art.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Conditions for Success
I haven't posted a blog in awhile, I think maybe a week. How can it be that I had so much time on my hands? That I could sit here at my computer, my blogger dashboard, for days at a time and write to my hearts content and then one day real life sets in; there is laundry to do, grocery shopping, getting the kitchen cleaned up, along with changing the sheets and cleaning the toilets. Did I mention weeding the front walkway?
I've heard it said that 'time flies when you're having fun' but actually time flies regardless of what you're doing. That's how I feel since I've started blogging. I'll bet most of you don't even know why I started blogging. It was because of my Art Salon group.
Back in June I went to a meeting in Melbourne, at the Brevard Art Museum. I had heard that artists that wanted to market their work should come to this Art Salon meeting. There was a very large assemblage, I'd say about 100 folks and people sat in small groups, and introduced themselves and briefly described their art.
Being the control freak that I am, I volunteered to facilitate a group, and there were initially 9 people in mine. We met about every two weeks and our agenda was outlined in Alyson B. Stanfield's www.artbizconnection.com and also Alyson's book I'd rather be in the studio, the Artist's No-excuse guide to self-promotion was used as a resource.
These meetings were very enlightening, for me in particular, because up to that point I had been doing artsy things, and wondering why I could never make any money at it. I've done watercolor painting, acrylic painting, beading, felting, stained glass, polymer clay sculpting and drawing. Oh, and my last artsy thing was to buy rings at discount and paint them with enamels, otherwise known as fingernail polish. I actually sold one at an art gallery, Art on 5th, in Indialantic. They are now in the SLOW Gallery, in Downtown Melbourne. I've told alot of my friends that it's a good thing we don't have to live on what I make, because we'd be living under the bridge for sure.
Doing the homework for the Art Salon got me to looking around the Internet at other artists. That's when I came upon a website with all these graphite artists. Graphite is an artsy name for pencils, and seeing some really nice art out there inspired me to get out my pencils and try my hand at it again.
I actually learned how to draw back in 1989, with a local artist, Louise Cherwak, who is now deceased. Louise used the book, Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, by Betty Edwards, for her class and she also drew these huge pieces, like 5 or 6 feet tall. This style is known as photo realism, or hyper realism in her case.
I really enjoyed drawing and felt I was quite good at it, so I picked up my pencils and a photo of my granddaughter, Annabelle, and got to work. The finished piece turned out well, by my standards anyway. I showed my Art Salon group and they all liked it too. My other artist group, a social group, which I've been a part of for about 5 years also liked my work, and my friend, Alice, told me I should enter it in a contest, because she thought it was a winner.
To make this long blog shorter, I entered "Earrink" in a juried show, All That Art, held at the King Center last Monday. I also entered 2 other pieces of art as well. When I went to retrieve my art, I found that "Earrink" had been accepted, and will hang in the Harris Room from Nov. 16th to Dec. 6th. An awards ceremony will be held on Nov. 23rd. First place award is $1000, 2nd is $300, and 3rd is $200
So I'm amazed, and excited to see what will happen next. Could my little drawing actually win? I really hope so. But even if it doesn't I'm still happy with what I've drawn. I'm happy with myself that I took the chance to stick my neck out, to take a risk and enter a contest. I'm pleased that I went to all the Art Salon meetings and made new friends there too.
For now I feel like I've met most of the conditions for success, as I've heard it said that "the only place where success comes before work is in a dictionary". P.S. I'm also accepting commissions now, in case any of my readers would like to have a photo of a loved one made into a work of art, just give me a call.
I've heard it said that 'time flies when you're having fun' but actually time flies regardless of what you're doing. That's how I feel since I've started blogging. I'll bet most of you don't even know why I started blogging. It was because of my Art Salon group.
Back in June I went to a meeting in Melbourne, at the Brevard Art Museum. I had heard that artists that wanted to market their work should come to this Art Salon meeting. There was a very large assemblage, I'd say about 100 folks and people sat in small groups, and introduced themselves and briefly described their art.
Being the control freak that I am, I volunteered to facilitate a group, and there were initially 9 people in mine. We met about every two weeks and our agenda was outlined in Alyson B. Stanfield's www.artbizconnection.com and also Alyson's book I'd rather be in the studio, the Artist's No-excuse guide to self-promotion was used as a resource.
These meetings were very enlightening, for me in particular, because up to that point I had been doing artsy things, and wondering why I could never make any money at it. I've done watercolor painting, acrylic painting, beading, felting, stained glass, polymer clay sculpting and drawing. Oh, and my last artsy thing was to buy rings at discount and paint them with enamels, otherwise known as fingernail polish. I actually sold one at an art gallery, Art on 5th, in Indialantic. They are now in the SLOW Gallery, in Downtown Melbourne. I've told alot of my friends that it's a good thing we don't have to live on what I make, because we'd be living under the bridge for sure.
Doing the homework for the Art Salon got me to looking around the Internet at other artists. That's when I came upon a website with all these graphite artists. Graphite is an artsy name for pencils, and seeing some really nice art out there inspired me to get out my pencils and try my hand at it again.
I actually learned how to draw back in 1989, with a local artist, Louise Cherwak, who is now deceased. Louise used the book, Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain, by Betty Edwards, for her class and she also drew these huge pieces, like 5 or 6 feet tall. This style is known as photo realism, or hyper realism in her case.
I really enjoyed drawing and felt I was quite good at it, so I picked up my pencils and a photo of my granddaughter, Annabelle, and got to work. The finished piece turned out well, by my standards anyway. I showed my Art Salon group and they all liked it too. My other artist group, a social group, which I've been a part of for about 5 years also liked my work, and my friend, Alice, told me I should enter it in a contest, because she thought it was a winner.
To make this long blog shorter, I entered "Earrink" in a juried show, All That Art, held at the King Center last Monday. I also entered 2 other pieces of art as well. When I went to retrieve my art, I found that "Earrink" had been accepted, and will hang in the Harris Room from Nov. 16th to Dec. 6th. An awards ceremony will be held on Nov. 23rd. First place award is $1000, 2nd is $300, and 3rd is $200
So I'm amazed, and excited to see what will happen next. Could my little drawing actually win? I really hope so. But even if it doesn't I'm still happy with what I've drawn. I'm happy with myself that I took the chance to stick my neck out, to take a risk and enter a contest. I'm pleased that I went to all the Art Salon meetings and made new friends there too.
For now I feel like I've met most of the conditions for success, as I've heard it said that "the only place where success comes before work is in a dictionary". P.S. I'm also accepting commissions now, in case any of my readers would like to have a photo of a loved one made into a work of art, just give me a call.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Dreaming of the past
What a journey I've been on this week, a trip all the way back to 1701. As hard as I try to stay off the computer, I am compelled to read my email daily. The thing is, I sometimes get caught up in the unsolicited emails, like the one from www.Ancestry.com They offered me a two week 'free' browse around, I could look up all my peeps in that amount of time, right?
Nope. I am still looking for people on my mother's side, as I think I have exhausted my father's side, for now anyway!
When I sit on my bed, and spread out all these names and dates and places I am just blown away by how many people I am related to. It's mind boggling! I might be related to half my readers, if I only knew who Hoosier mommy and daddy!
My dad told me tonight that he heard Obama was related to Rush Limbaugh! Of course that isn't true, is it?!
A story posted in the website, "How Thomas and Mary Deaton Arrived in the Colonies" was my 'piece de resistance'. It's a short story of how my 7th great grandfather, along with 22 other persons, immigrated from England in 1701. (That is 309 years ago, for those of you who don't do the math.)
It isn't known why Thomas decided to leave England for America, but maybe he came for the land that was being granted here. Thomas's voyage was paid by an investor, one who was allotted 1081 acres by the Crown in Essex County. Thomas entered the New World when he was about 22 years old.
This story will definitely help me with good dreams tonight. I can dream about the adventurous spirit my 7th great grandfather must have had, to pack up, leave his wife, Mary, and sail to America. It isn't clear when she was able to join him, but she did eventually, and their 11 children are proof.
I can imaginate about James 'the pioneer' Deaton or Captain William 'the Tory' Deaton, tromping about the wilds of Virginia, in search of lions, and tigers and bears, Oh my! Seriously though, I lived in Virginia for a few years when I was first married to my current hubby, and I loved, loved, loved going to Williamsburg. I could imagine myself living there, and eating at the Kings Arms Tavern was most delightful. I only wished my kids would have loved the peanut soup as much as I did.
Little did I know that when I lived in Virginia, I was walking on hallowed ground, reliving some kind of DNA. That's muscle memory and then some! Just talking and writing about Williamsburg and the Deatons, and that peanut soup, I can't wait to go to sleep now and dream of the past!
Nope. I am still looking for people on my mother's side, as I think I have exhausted my father's side, for now anyway!
When I sit on my bed, and spread out all these names and dates and places I am just blown away by how many people I am related to. It's mind boggling! I might be related to half my readers, if I only knew who Hoosier mommy and daddy!
My dad told me tonight that he heard Obama was related to Rush Limbaugh! Of course that isn't true, is it?!
A story posted in the website, "How Thomas and Mary Deaton Arrived in the Colonies" was my 'piece de resistance'. It's a short story of how my 7th great grandfather, along with 22 other persons, immigrated from England in 1701. (That is 309 years ago, for those of you who don't do the math.)
It isn't known why Thomas decided to leave England for America, but maybe he came for the land that was being granted here. Thomas's voyage was paid by an investor, one who was allotted 1081 acres by the Crown in Essex County. Thomas entered the New World when he was about 22 years old.
This story will definitely help me with good dreams tonight. I can dream about the adventurous spirit my 7th great grandfather must have had, to pack up, leave his wife, Mary, and sail to America. It isn't clear when she was able to join him, but she did eventually, and their 11 children are proof.
I can imaginate about James 'the pioneer' Deaton or Captain William 'the Tory' Deaton, tromping about the wilds of Virginia, in search of lions, and tigers and bears, Oh my! Seriously though, I lived in Virginia for a few years when I was first married to my current hubby, and I loved, loved, loved going to Williamsburg. I could imagine myself living there, and eating at the Kings Arms Tavern was most delightful. I only wished my kids would have loved the peanut soup as much as I did.
Little did I know that when I lived in Virginia, I was walking on hallowed ground, reliving some kind of DNA. That's muscle memory and then some! Just talking and writing about Williamsburg and the Deatons, and that peanut soup, I can't wait to go to sleep now and dream of the past!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Bridge over troubled water
I haven't had time to blog in awhile. You'd think that staying home and cleaning house would keep me out of trouble, a broom in one hand and a mop in the other. But, oh no! I can get in trouble just taking a little break, sitting here at my computer.
I was sent an email yesterday, a political one at that. It really made me upset and I forwarded it to almost everyone on my mailing list. It wasn't too long after I posted it that this email 'conflict' started.
The first reply stated 'baloney' that the info in the email was false, 'look it up on snopes' was the suggestion and she immediately followed it up with another email, saying she was 'sorry for being so blunt because she gets urban myths from relatives and one friend who is eaten up with right-wing politics, and she thinks he thinks he can brainwash her if he sends enough inflammatory rhetoric, so she has lost her patience with the false forwards'. I really didn't feel like this reply was aggressive or disrespectful, it was honest and assertive.
So, I did go to snopes, www.snopes.com/politics/medical/28thamendment.asp and I was glad I did. I found out most of the original email I had sent was false. I immediately sent out an apology for forwarding a mostly false email. (I am going back to snopes and check out the origins of their documentation, just to make sure snopes is on the level, jeesh.)
I thought that would take care of things. But, oh no! The second reply came on the heels of the 'sorry for being so blunt'. This second reply, came from my friend who just happens to be eaten up with right-wing politics. (I love him, he and his wife are friends for over 20 years, so I've just deleted most of the emails anyway, which he doesn't usually send, but his wife does.) Anyway, he says his piece, implying snopes isn't good enough, original documentation is...but the part that gets me upset is his thinking he was respectful in his reply. Just because he didn't use the F-word? or is sarcasm considered okey dokey in the un-politically correct spouting of ones opinion. I didn't like the tone whatever you want to call it, and feel embarrassed that he used it with my friend, and replied to everyone.
Hey, I'm upset often about things going on in my country. Things are a mess as far as I'm concerned, and it's hard to discern what is really true, what is propaganda and what is rhetoric. Sometimes I really don't give a damn, we're a country full of angry people, and only God knows how it's all going to turn out. Where is the National Anger Management when ya need it? Even the religious are often found trying to shove it down everyones throat. Don't get me wrong, I'm a born-again Christian, it's the shoving it, shouting it, and demanding that other folks should just do what they say. Grrrrrrr
Now, it would be nice if that were the last email, but oh no! there is one more that comes in defense of the bluntness reply. Yep, and this last one, hopefully it's the last, was right on the money, as far as him 'trying to save everyone by forcing your interpretation of the nations problems on fellow citizens'. But it was the last line, the PS, that sent me over the edge. By quoting John Wayne, my friend called my other friend stupid. Yeppers, 'life is hard, it's harder if you're stupid. This is intended to be blunt'.
All this verbal sparring, calling one out by name, I know better than you attitude, name calling, it's reminiscent of elementary school, sent directly to my inbox...and God only knows what Aunt Audrey is going to say about it. I'm glad it's stopped, and I WILL NOT be forwarding any more emails, I promise!
That's my bridge over troubled waters.
I was sent an email yesterday, a political one at that. It really made me upset and I forwarded it to almost everyone on my mailing list. It wasn't too long after I posted it that this email 'conflict' started.
The first reply stated 'baloney' that the info in the email was false, 'look it up on snopes' was the suggestion and she immediately followed it up with another email, saying she was 'sorry for being so blunt because she gets urban myths from relatives and one friend who is eaten up with right-wing politics, and she thinks he thinks he can brainwash her if he sends enough inflammatory rhetoric, so she has lost her patience with the false forwards'. I really didn't feel like this reply was aggressive or disrespectful, it was honest and assertive.
So, I did go to snopes, www.snopes.com/politics/medical/28thamendment.asp and I was glad I did. I found out most of the original email I had sent was false. I immediately sent out an apology for forwarding a mostly false email. (I am going back to snopes and check out the origins of their documentation, just to make sure snopes is on the level, jeesh.)
I thought that would take care of things. But, oh no! The second reply came on the heels of the 'sorry for being so blunt'. This second reply, came from my friend who just happens to be eaten up with right-wing politics. (I love him, he and his wife are friends for over 20 years, so I've just deleted most of the emails anyway, which he doesn't usually send, but his wife does.) Anyway, he says his piece, implying snopes isn't good enough, original documentation is...but the part that gets me upset is his thinking he was respectful in his reply. Just because he didn't use the F-word? or is sarcasm considered okey dokey in the un-politically correct spouting of ones opinion. I didn't like the tone whatever you want to call it, and feel embarrassed that he used it with my friend, and replied to everyone.
Hey, I'm upset often about things going on in my country. Things are a mess as far as I'm concerned, and it's hard to discern what is really true, what is propaganda and what is rhetoric. Sometimes I really don't give a damn, we're a country full of angry people, and only God knows how it's all going to turn out. Where is the National Anger Management when ya need it? Even the religious are often found trying to shove it down everyones throat. Don't get me wrong, I'm a born-again Christian, it's the shoving it, shouting it, and demanding that other folks should just do what they say. Grrrrrrr
Now, it would be nice if that were the last email, but oh no! there is one more that comes in defense of the bluntness reply. Yep, and this last one, hopefully it's the last, was right on the money, as far as him 'trying to save everyone by forcing your interpretation of the nations problems on fellow citizens'. But it was the last line, the PS, that sent me over the edge. By quoting John Wayne, my friend called my other friend stupid. Yeppers, 'life is hard, it's harder if you're stupid. This is intended to be blunt'.
All this verbal sparring, calling one out by name, I know better than you attitude, name calling, it's reminiscent of elementary school, sent directly to my inbox...and God only knows what Aunt Audrey is going to say about it. I'm glad it's stopped, and I WILL NOT be forwarding any more emails, I promise!
That's my bridge over troubled waters.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Virtual awareness
Last Tuesday I was taking a virtual tour of the Internet, and then it happened, I got a virus. Not me, but my computer.
It started with reading an article about 'virtual validation' a geosocial networking application on iPhone called Foursquare. It was interesting to find out that people can become virtual mayors if they tag a place where they have been or have dined and they earn badges. Collect enough badges and you can become a virtual mayor. In my day, Foursquare was a game played with a ball.
This Geosocial networking is social networking in which geographic services and capabilities such as geocoding & geotagging are used to enable additional social dynamics. source:Wikipedia
Wow, I got really excited about this and sought out more virtual information. I learned about virtual schools, kids don't have to attend a 'real' school, they receive their grades through this alternative education system.
I even found out about a virtual hallucination machine, in which folks can see what it might feel like having a hallucination.
What started out as a virtual field trip, ended up with a malicious virus on my computer. A screen popped up with Security Tool as the name, and for $79.99, I could protect my computer from all kinds of stuff.
But, I already have McAfee, so when I clicked to decline, it wouldn't let me out. I was thinking, 'this is extortion' and continued doing all sorts of things to get rid of this blue screen. I couldn't go anywhere or do anything with my computer. Pushing ctrl+alt+delete didn't work, and I couldn't even shut down! I virtually had to unplug from the wall.
To make a long story short, with the help of virus removal medication, I got under the hood of my computer and was able to finally delete this maliciousness from my system. And I'm very proud of doing it all by myself! I would like to get ahold of the thug who designed and propagated this prank!
Some might say 'That's what you get from gallivanting around' but I say 'Naw, I'm just more aware now, virtually!'
It started with reading an article about 'virtual validation' a geosocial networking application on iPhone called Foursquare. It was interesting to find out that people can become virtual mayors if they tag a place where they have been or have dined and they earn badges. Collect enough badges and you can become a virtual mayor. In my day, Foursquare was a game played with a ball.
This Geosocial networking is social networking in which geographic services and capabilities such as geocoding & geotagging are used to enable additional social dynamics. source:Wikipedia
Wow, I got really excited about this and sought out more virtual information. I learned about virtual schools, kids don't have to attend a 'real' school, they receive their grades through this alternative education system.
I even found out about a virtual hallucination machine, in which folks can see what it might feel like having a hallucination.
What started out as a virtual field trip, ended up with a malicious virus on my computer. A screen popped up with Security Tool as the name, and for $79.99, I could protect my computer from all kinds of stuff.
But, I already have McAfee, so when I clicked to decline, it wouldn't let me out. I was thinking, 'this is extortion' and continued doing all sorts of things to get rid of this blue screen. I couldn't go anywhere or do anything with my computer. Pushing ctrl+alt+delete didn't work, and I couldn't even shut down! I virtually had to unplug from the wall.
To make a long story short, with the help of virus removal medication, I got under the hood of my computer and was able to finally delete this maliciousness from my system. And I'm very proud of doing it all by myself! I would like to get ahold of the thug who designed and propagated this prank!
Some might say 'That's what you get from gallivanting around' but I say 'Naw, I'm just more aware now, virtually!'
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Something new everyday
I wake up every morning, have a cup of coffee and sit down at my computer. I don't get the newspaper anymore, for reasons I won't get into today, so, I have to keep up with current events in some way and that's where the Internet comes in.
I prefer the Internet over television, except for the Weather. The Weather Channel gives me a tiny dose of drama, especially during hurricane season and that's how I like my drama, these days, in small little doses.
When did the Weather channel get started anyway? Does anybody know? One day there was a channel devoted just to the weather, and you didn't have to wait for the 6 o'clock news to hear a hurricane was coming. Remembering stuff like this makes me feel old sometimes! I mean when I was growing up we only had cartoons on TV on Saturday mornings. Nowadays, there are so many cartoon channels it isn't even funny.
Anyhow, after reading the news I'll go to Facebook and see if anything cool is happening there. Today, I watched a couple of music videos that people had posted. I really liked this one song called: In the city by a group called Chromatics, and the video for another song, Hands in the dark, was interesting and had vignettes of people and their drama.
Another music video was called: Got your back by T.I. Feat.Keri Hilson. This songs lyrics said something about gotta keep my swag up. I know I worry about my swag saggin, but I wasn't sure what else swag meant, so I pulled out my Brand new Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary. I had to get a new dictionary because my old one was so old, it didn't even have 'Internet' listed in it. That's pretty old, wouldn't you say?
See if you can tell which one of the following is a definition of swag.
1. Something as a decoration that is hanging in a curve between two points, a festoon. Rehang those curtains so the swag don't sag so much.
2. A suspended cluster of evergreen branches. A Christmas swag smells so good.
3. Goods acquired by unlawful means. The hag hid her swag in her cauldron.
4. A depression in the earth. Look out for that swag, you might take a trip next fall.
5. A pack of personal belongings. Her swag was so immense she really needed a suitcase.
6. To sway, lurch, sag or droop. This right here is my pretty boy swag.
Did you guess which one? Do you give up?! They are all definitions of swag! That's what I learned today. How about you? Anything new?
I prefer the Internet over television, except for the Weather. The Weather Channel gives me a tiny dose of drama, especially during hurricane season and that's how I like my drama, these days, in small little doses.
When did the Weather channel get started anyway? Does anybody know? One day there was a channel devoted just to the weather, and you didn't have to wait for the 6 o'clock news to hear a hurricane was coming. Remembering stuff like this makes me feel old sometimes! I mean when I was growing up we only had cartoons on TV on Saturday mornings. Nowadays, there are so many cartoon channels it isn't even funny.
Anyhow, after reading the news I'll go to Facebook and see if anything cool is happening there. Today, I watched a couple of music videos that people had posted. I really liked this one song called: In the city by a group called Chromatics, and the video for another song, Hands in the dark, was interesting and had vignettes of people and their drama.
Another music video was called: Got your back by T.I. Feat.Keri Hilson. This songs lyrics said something about gotta keep my swag up. I know I worry about my swag saggin, but I wasn't sure what else swag meant, so I pulled out my Brand new Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary. I had to get a new dictionary because my old one was so old, it didn't even have 'Internet' listed in it. That's pretty old, wouldn't you say?
See if you can tell which one of the following is a definition of swag.
1. Something as a decoration that is hanging in a curve between two points, a festoon. Rehang those curtains so the swag don't sag so much.
2. A suspended cluster of evergreen branches. A Christmas swag smells so good.
3. Goods acquired by unlawful means. The hag hid her swag in her cauldron.
4. A depression in the earth. Look out for that swag, you might take a trip next fall.
5. A pack of personal belongings. Her swag was so immense she really needed a suitcase.
6. To sway, lurch, sag or droop. This right here is my pretty boy swag.
Did you guess which one? Do you give up?! They are all definitions of swag! That's what I learned today. How about you? Anything new?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)