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Friday, November 28, 2008

I Wish We Were in a Depression

My predictions for today were right.

I went to Starbucks with some friends. I don't know if I contributed to the "Starbucks Goes (RED)" gig, because most of the menu and signs were in Chinese. The Toffee Nut Latte was good, though. I'll admit I missed the Pumpkin Spice, and I became keenly aware of the fact that this would be a Christmas without Egg Nog by the look on Jimmy's face when I asked him if he's heard of such a drink. But before all that, the first thing I noticed when I walked into Starbucks was Christmas Music.
That's when it hit me: The Holiday Season Has Begun.

My thoughts have been tuned to the "Black Friday" festivities all day long. I'm quite glad I escaped it this time round, considering my position at ground zero last year. If anyone participated in Buy Nothing Day, I applaud you. (I know of a few who did)

Though, if you'd heard of "Buy Nothing Day" and still chose to venture out to the malls and markets in search of a frugal deal, I understand. You are not unlike the rest of the country.

Earlier, I read a story on Yahoo! News that quotes shoppers saying that money's tight this year because of the failing economy. It would list how they were sticking to a budget, or focusing primarily on their kids.

Then it would say something like:
She bought a Dynax LCD 32-inch TV for $400, slashed from $500, along with an iPod and several DVDs.
I couldn't help but imagine the 28-inch TV in her family room.

Not long after I read that article, I read a different one.

This isn't a Depression. It's just Depressing.

Thursday, November 27, 2008

I knew it was bound to happen...

I've seen this game of "Tag" floating around the blogosphere, and I knew it was only a matter of time before it happened my way. I was tagged by a fellow southern California blogger Don, and feel obliged to comply.

Here's the skinny:
The game requires the one tagged to share six personal quirks, and then to tag three others to continue the game.

Personal Quirks, eh? I'm horrible at thinking of Personal Quirks... not that I don't have them. I have plenty. Ask my girlfriend Brittany, or any one of my family members, and they'll give you a list a mile long. I'm sure of it. For some reason, though, I have trouble coming up with them on my own. It's like those "What do you want to be when you grow up," or "What do you do for fun" questions. It's not that I don't have answers, or I'm not a fun person, I just have trouble verbalizing them.

Could that be a quirk? I hate those questions... that's quirky, right?! . . . yeah, I didn't think so either. Can't blame a guy for trying. Alright, I'll give it a go:

1. I recently switched my teeth-brushing hand (it worked, btw). No big deal, right? The quirky thing is that I switched it from my right hand to my left hand. I'm left handed, but do many things like use a fork, throw a ball, and brush my teeth with my right hand.

2. I've been told, by more than one or two people, that I use chop sticks better than native Taiwanese chopstick users. I use them with my Left hand only.

3. Due to one too many hits to the head, my jaw can pop on will. I've learned to pop it at different pitches. I can pop "Mary had a Little Lamb" about as well as I can sing it intune.

4. In my short years on this planet, I've spent entirely too much time working in retail. This has left me with a disease. I can't pass a stack of clothes in a store and leave it unstraightened. I also fix hangers and adjust mannequins.

5. I hate surprises. Especially surprise parties, unless of course I find out about it before the surprise happens. But if anyone successfully pulls off a surprise party on me -- though I'm appreciative -- my initial response is an overwhelming feeling of frustration as I instantly realize the amount of preparation and scheming that went on behind my back.

6. Though I don't have the chance to as often nowadays, I enjoy being barefoot. In highschool, I spent as much time as I could in my Rainbow Sandals, and a couple years ago I went most of the summer without shoes- including a roadtrip across the country. I'm sure this was the cause of my back pain that summer. I'm also sure my mother is cringing.

Okay, I'll admit it, that was easier than I thought it'd be once I got going.
Now to continue the game: Gabe, Jenny, Jordan ... You're It!

Oh yeah, and Quitsies, Double Stamp It, Touch Blue/Make it True.

A Big Mac, a Journal, and a Pocket-Sized Apple Pie: Notes on Ending Well or A Taiwanese Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone.

There was no Turkey-day for me, this year. Thanksgiving isn't exactly a Taiwanese holiday... though I had fun this past week recounting the history of our Nation's holiday -- and wondering if I look something akin to a Pilgrim to these Native Taiwanese.

In place of my Turkey (and gravy, and stuffing and...) dinner, I did the most American thing I could think of, and went to McDonald's.

It was the only Apple Pie I could so-loo (walk) to.

After ordering my Big Mac meal - and Apple Pie - I found a quiet booth on the second floor of Mickey D's. I was hoping to journal throughout my meal, but first, I practiced another American staple before I took my first bite; I prayed.

It wasn't very extensive, and I'll admit, I'm not exactly in the habit of praying before my meals, but it lead to a time of thoughtful writing. I'll likely end up posting what I wrote, but not now.

I don't want to say much now - though I'll likely wind up with a mouthful, as usual. I'll try to bite my tonuge before the post gets too long. Today should be a time of inward reflection, not lectures, rambles or rants.

I do want to say this: the holiday season has begun. There is a reason that Thanksgiving is the doorpost to this season. Thanksgiving should be a time where we re-orientate our lives. To remind ourselves who we are, what we value, and what we have -- before we are overwhelmed by "the Holiday Season."
Like the cleansing process of an Islamic man before evening prayer, Thanksgiving sets aside the monotonous filth of our day-to-day, and readies us for the rituals of the season.

Being away from said rituals, I think I'm beginning to value them more. I certainly miss them. I didn't know I would. The gingerbread houses, and the tinsel'd Trees. The silly things that set this time of year apart. But being away from them is also helping me process why we should go about any of this at all. What value there is outside the frivolous Balls of Holly we'll become so acquainted with.

The sun is setting on the evening of this year, and we have the distinct privilege, if not responsibility, to end it well. What does "ending well" look like to you? What is it in life that you value above all? What do you want dubbed as the central focus of your 2008?

These are the questions I mulled over while I consumed my Big Mac and pocket-sized Apple Pie. And I hope that you will take them into consideration tonight as you enjoy your turkey (and stuffing and cranberry sauce and yams and pumpkin pie and waldorf salad and...) Go about this Holiday Season with purpose. Don't let it flash by quicker than a light on a tree. Finish this year well.

Finally, whatever is True, whatever is Noble, whatever is Just, whatever is Pure, whatever is Love... Meditate on these things.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Haircuts as a Multi-Cultural Experience

For most people, it's a ritual that has to happen every month or so.

But for me, if it involves uncertainty, I try to avoid it like the plague. I really hate going to new stylists when it comes to my hair (Katie McDonald, I miss you!). I feel there's this road seperating me from the barber shop/salon. Like a busy street, where one wrong step means disaster. For some reason, I have these visions of botched haircuts, or bald spots (which I'm sure is inevitable, but I'm fully for putting it off as long as possible) everytime I think of finding a new stylist. It's happened before. I had a heck of a time getting a decent trim in Florida, back in the day. Apparently, Ft. Myers Mall had never heard of a Faux Hawk. Oh how edgy-California I was.

Taking my hair-cut-hesitations in mind, throwing the prospect of a language barrier just makes the process all the more terrifying.

But I've survived. And I think my fear is settling all together.
I'm nearing the 3 month mark here in Taiwan, and this morning, I had my second Taiwanese Haircut. Since I live in a community of convenience, my new Salon was picked for me. Right across the street, a stone's throw away, there's a large multi-chair salon that I think is named "Beauty." I don't know why it's so big - I've never seen more than three seats filled at a time. Room for growth, I suspect.

Greeted by two young boys at the counter, I was welcomed in, and told to sit at one of the open chairs. I saw the lady who cut my hair last time I was in. She's the owner, I think. And she doesn't speak English. Since "Ahma" (the grandmother I live with) paid for my last haircut, against my will, I wanted to be sure I was getting the same price. "San Bai, yea? er.. ma," which translates, "Three Hundred, yeah. er.. '?'"

A cut and shampoo for just under $10 US is not too bad of a price, if I do say so. (Mind you, ten bucks is ten bucks. Tax is always included in Taiwan, and tipping is never necessary or expected.)

It seemed that the owner would be the one handling my head today, so I was a little surpised when her daughter, I'd guess around 16, smocked and toweled me. At this point, I was still reassuring myself everything would be okay. Luckily, the smocking was the extent of her involvement in my grooming process.
Instead, the lady who was sitting in the corner, doing her makeup, took the helm. I had never seen her before. She was dressed entirely in purple. Skirt, shirt, jacket and shoes, completed with a purple cap which caused the look of the entire outfit to scream British Tea Party, in a way only the British can and would scream tea.

At this point, I was reacquainted with one of the two boys from the front desk. The owner spoke her first and only English words to me from across the room, "My son." She smiled brightly. Based on her reaction, and my prior experience with 13 year olds in Taiwan, I took it to mean he spoke English. And he did. Very well, even. We had a plesant chat about his going to school, my teaching; his speaking English, and my poor Chinese; his proximity in age with my brother back home; my having a girlfriend, him being without; the fact that he thinks I'm very handsome, the fact that I think the same of him. You know, the usual stuff.

Though I owe him much more than making the time pass quickly. It was his translation (and my hand motions) that guided Miss Plum through the waves of my hair. I don't think I could have done it without Tim.

All in all, I'm pretty pleased with the way it turned out. I'm much less picky when it comes to my hair, then say a year or two ago. But for apperances sake, "Beauty" Salon trips are still necessary. Thanks to translators like Tim, and shearstrisses like the Lady in Purple, going across the street just got a little easier.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

For Once, I'm an Artist

For my fellow Bloggers, check out this site. They analyze your blog and spit out something like a personality profile. Pretty fun. Here's mine... is it Accurate?

ISFP - The Artists

The gentle and compassionate type. They are especially attuned their inner values and what other people need. They are not friends of many words and tend to take the worries of the world on their shoulders. They tend to follow the path of least resistance and have to look out not to be taken advantage of.

They often prefer working quietly, behind the scene as a part of a team. They tend to value their friends and family above what they do for a living.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Excuse me, sir? Your nerd is showing.

I'm really excited for this. It's sad, but it's true. If you know me well, you know it's true. And I'm sure you're thinking to yourself that, yeah, it's sad too. Oh well, that doesn't change the fact that this was pretty much one of the best movies ever filmed. Heath Ledger was brilliant. You and I both know that. So stop trying to find reasons to argue with me.

Thanks to my recent pre-Taiwan purchase of Batman and Philosophy: The Dark Knight of the Soul, along with the nice people over at, who recently did a whole PODcast on the depth of the Dark Knight, I've been able to merge my love for my childhood superhero and my semi-closeted status as an amature philosophy buff.

I really don't think there's another superhero that deals with the complexities that Bruce Wayne/Batman faces. There's the age-old debate that Superman is better. And I'm sure one of you Superfreaks are going to point out how Superman had Christ-like qualities in the newest movie, but here's my response. First off, the latest Superman movie kind of sucked. It was a bore. You think that if there was a guy who had super-human strength and calling, you'd make him a little more interesting. And secondly, I'm pretty sure that's just bad theology.

So don't go there. You still lose.

If any of you are as big a geek as I am when it comes to the Batman, check out the BoF website. Their already starting to track rumors of a followup Nolan/Bale flick. (I'm sure you've probably heard the murmurs about Philip Seymour Hoffman as the Penguin, or Johnny Depp as the Riddler... don't worry, they're just rumors)

Batman doesn't seem to have quite the fanfair here as it does back home. There's an occasional shirt (from the 90s or before), and doodads like this one (image: right). But nothing lining the streets or aisles at the department stores.

That's okay. I guess that's why I'm an educator.

Stop to Smell the Flowers

Stop to Smell the Flowers

This weekend, I went to the "Flower Festival" in the DaKen mountainside with my friends Jimmy, Mia, and Brio. It was nice to get out in the sunshine and (relatively) fresh air. I got sunburnt. Luck of the Irish. It wasn't too bad, though. Thankfully, I avoided all Lobster-like qualities.

The Flower Festival is basically a dozen or so Fields of Flowers (see above, and below...), some vendors, and a dirt parking lot.

The vendors feature a number of traditional Taiwanese food and trinkets. I tried Sugar Cane Juice. It's green.

There were also several Ice-Cream-Mans equipped with an ice chest on the back of their Scooter. Here, they're known as Baboos, for the sound their squeeze-horn makes when they ride through the neighborhood or sit and wait on the side of the road as busybodies pass by.

The trip was good for an hour or two, which is more than enough time to see everything at a snail's pace. Nonetheless, it was a worthwhile chance outside the city.

Friday, November 14, 2008

Mixed Meat, Idolly Speaking

Yesterday, I ate a Pig's Gall Bladder.

It was meaty, with some fat. A little chewy.

I was told it had been dedicated to Buddha in a Temple Festival a day or so prior.
I thought about Paul when he talked about eating meat sacrificed to idols. I didn't remember all the ins and outs of what he had to say, so I just ate it anyways. I didn't want to be rude.
I asked them if it was going to give me magical powers or something. They said, no, it's just special. That made me feel better about eating it.

It wasn't bad, but I don't think I'm going to make Gall Bladder a dietary habit.

Later that night, I had chicken rump, and chicken stomach. It was from the nice lady at the mixed meat stand.

I made up for it, though. Finished my night with a big American Chili's burger, topped off with a White Chocolate Molten Cake... and some Carmel Popcorn while I watched the new 007 flick.

Worth it.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

That's a Lotta Buddha

So, believe it or not, but there are Buddhist Temples all over Taiwan.

These temples range from small rooms, to huge centuries-old establishments.

I've been to a couple in the city, and a couple in LuKang - including one that was dedicated to the Emperor's Warriors, and one that has been standing for over 500 years! The intricacies in the architecture are breath taking.

There's a new temple being built. In fact, it wasn't quite 100% up-and-running when I happened in for a look. It's certainly an Ancient-meets-Modern-chic Temple. The outside is fairly indistinguishable, unlike the unmistakable appearance of its Ancestors.
But upon stepping inside, you're greeted by an elderly man in a lotus position towering over you, looking down from 30-40 feet above.

"Where do you get that," I wondered.

My question was answered on my way to Ikea last week (you really got to love Ikea), I passed what I could only describe as a Buddha-Surplus store. There were three, 30 foot Statues lined in a row, then a couple 15 footers. And around that? Smaller statues decorated the empty lot with all the tents, tables and fanfare to boot. It looked like a whole-sale warehouse that you could find off the 5-freeway along your way to La Mirada.

Though Taoism and even Christianity are prevelent over here on the Island, Buddhism seems to be the dominate practice.

I don't know much about this religion. I hope to know more.
Understanding someone's world view, especially their religion, will only help you understand them as a person more. Beyond that, I've found that understanding other people helps you to grow in a deeper knowledge of yourself and your worldview. It changes, shifts, and reaffirms the grounds you stand on.

From what I can tell, the Buddhist Culture puts a heavy emphasis on Ancestors and Ghosts. And when there's Ghosts, there's fear. In fact, there's a whole week called Ghost Week where the Taiwanese go to great lengths to keep themselves safe from angry spirits.

Fear is a powerful motivator. It changes peoples minds, shifts peoples perspectives and reaffirms their hesitations.
Effective, it may be. But I'm not conviced Fear is the wisest of persuasions.
Looking at this new culture has taught me to begin to evaluate my own.

What are the areas in my life that I operate out of Fear?
How can I change them to be more Affirming and Life-Giving?
How can I let Fear give way to Love?

That's my rant for this Blog. I'll leave you with a snap shots from the up-and-coming Temple.

Saturday, November 8, 2008

What David Letterman and Jay Leno did NOT say about America

The Following Post is Edited from its Original Form. Guess I should Learn to Check my Sources Better. The following quote is NOT from David Letterman, or Jay Leno for that matter. Which makes sense to me. Though I do believe both of these night time TV personalities have some depth, the article contains some phrasing and ideas I'm fairly certain neither would choose to say. My apologies to the nice people at the Late Night Show [Tom] that had to take time out of their day to do my Homework for me.

Shame on me.

I'm quite glad the election is done, and have no desire to focus any more current energy on politics, but after a bit of deliberation, I decided this was worth posting.

When I first read the transcript, it reminded me of a conversation I had with a student one of the first weeks I arrived in Taiwan. Though his accent was heavy, he had a surprisingly extensive vocabulary, and was quite well versed -- from what I could tell -- in Politics (foreign and domestic), current events, literature..

Jeff-the-student, Alex-his-teacher, and I (the floater, that popped in on the classroom conversation and refused to leave) were discussing the state of America and it's current fiscal fiasco. Alex was pointing out that so much of America's media and education pointed inward, rather than looking outward. It's focus was the US of A. The news was even narrower than that, focusing on California. And even narrower than that, focusing on Los Angeles.
I was reluctant to tell him that the depth of the conversation we had just finished on current events... I probably couldn't have with most University Students his age.
Alex agreed.
Jeff was hurt. Offended even. He couldn't understand. "Why? But you are my heroes. America is a place where you can be anything you want to!"

It was hard to hear that from him.

...the world loves the U.S., yet has a great disdain for its citizens...
(Cited from below)

Maybe it's not a coincidence that such a seismic event as our election happens in the same month we as Americans stop and remind ourselves where we come from, what we have, and what we're thankful for...

"As most of you know I am not a President Bush fan, nor have I ever been, but this is not about Bush, it is about us, as Americans, and it seems to hit the mark. The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some Poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right? The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President. In essence 2/3 of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change. So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, 'What are we so unhappy a bout?''
A.. Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week?
B.. Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter?
C.. Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?
D.. Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?
E.. Maybe it is the ability to drive our cars and trucks from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state?
F.. Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter?
G.. I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough either.
H. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.
I.. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home.
J.. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames, thus saving you, your family, and your belongings.
K.. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss .
L.. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90% of teenagers own cell phones and computers.
M.. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world?

Maybe that is what has 67% of you folks unhappy.

Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S. , yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.

I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks? The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me?

Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad? Think about it......are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the 'Media' told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day.

Make no mistake about it.

The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, ''other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable'' discharge after a few days in the brig.

So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans?

Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells, and when criticized, try to defend their actions by 'justifying' them in one way or another Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like OJ Simpson to write a book about how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way......Insane!

Turn off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as country. There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative. With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?"

-Anonymous, who likes to pretend he runs a Late Night talk show.

(Hat Tip: John Wilson, for posting the note; Facebook, for it's Mini-Feed, Andrew Sullivan for showing me how to Hat Tip in a blog [though he'd be horrified at rookie quoting error I made]; Tom, for pointing out my error; and Alex, for letting me share in that conversation with Jeff.)

Friday, November 7, 2008

Photo of the Day

Taken before a Taichung City Orchestra Performance at a local Elementary School

Saturday, November 1, 2008

Thai Work

I visited the most lavish Thai Restaurant tonight.
The decor was phenomenal. The food was fantastic.

If any of you Westerners venture this way, I'm pretty sure it's one place you'll have to visit.

Mixed Meat Politics

So on the home stretch of my nightly stroll around the block, I was stopped by 5 kind faces, two of them my neighbors. They offered me a plate of fruit. I knew from experience that they don't take refusal well, so I had a seat.
The neighbors run a mixed meat stand out of the store front of their home. I've been bought and offered a couple plates, and it has to be some of the strangest varieties of "meat" I've ever seen in one place. Thankfully, I think they realize that Americans do not enjoy charred Chicken Head or Feet. Though I know now what the heart tastes like, and I'm pretty sure I ate an authentic chicken nugget...
I regress.
After the fruit, my neighbor -- a kind hearted old lady who gives away more meat than she actually sells -- got up to get me a skewer full of meat that could compete against any cafeteria mystery food. Again, I accepted the UFD (Unidentifiable Foreign Delicacy). It was surprisingly tasty.
Her kind-eyed husband and the other gentleman seated offered me cigarettes. This time, I denied. The gentleman spoke, through broken but stable English, that he was from Hong Kong, where everyone smoked, but knew that in America it was not popular.

The conversation shifted back into Chinese.
I had another grape.

He looked at me and I thought I heard "residential location," but then he said "Obama and McCain?" He asked if I thought it mattered that Obama was "a negro." I told him that I thought it would be healthy for America to see a bi-racial man in Office. The conversation had already shifted back into Chinese, and I don't think they heard me.

Nevertheless, it left me thinking...
First, I thought "Does Hong Kong have a President?" but that was overtaken by another thought:
Tuesday's a big deal.
From 10 hour line at strip malls in Atlanta, to the quiet benchside of a Taiwanese Mixed Meat Stand... the world is waiting to see what will come.


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My Five Favourite Web Design Books of 2012

Below are five of my favourite design, development and business related books that I am very happy to recommend:

1. Design Is A Job

Design Is A JobMike Monteiro’s book Design Is A Job was my favourite book of 2012 for many reasons. It’s so good I would argue it has something to teach any business owner, not just in the creative field.

I read this book on iBooks and took advantage of the highlighting feature to let me know which parts I thought were interesting and worth going over again. By the end of the book the text was almost entirely yellow due to the excessive highlighting I’d been doing – it really is crammed full of wonderful advice. The tips it gives on working with clients and how to present your work to them was particularly useful to me.

The book is only about 150 pages long and it won’t take you long to read but every sentence has been carefully considered and straight to the point. If you run any kind of business and deal with clients I really do recommend you pick up a copy, you are sure to learn something from it. Actually, buy two copies and give one to someone you know – they’ll thank you later.

Below are three quotes from Mike’s book to give you an idea of the kind of thing you can expect from the book:

“Selling your work directly to clients is extremely important. Not only should you be able to explain why you made the decisions you did, but you’ll get first-hand feedback on where the work needs to go next.”

“Clients are the lifeblood of a healthy business. They are the oxygen in your bloodstream that keeps everything going. No matter how good you are at what you do, without someone willing to pay you for that service you will have to close your doors. Lack of clients is the number one reason design studios fail. The number two reason? Who cares.”

“So how much should you charge? You charge as much as you can. If you can stand in front of a client completely confident and explain why you are worth the amount you quoted, you should charge it. The problem with designers isn’t that they don’t know how much to charge; it’s that they’re afraid to charge it!”

Link: Design Is A Job from A Book Apart

2. The Icon Handbook

The Icon Handbook by Jon HicksThe Icon Handbook by the mega talented designer Jon Hicks was actually released in December 2011 but I’m squeezing it in to this 2012 list because it is well worth your attention.

Jon is a very well known icon, mascot and web designer who has worked with many leading brands online including Mailchimp, Opera and Mozilla. As you’d expect from Jon Hicks, The Icon Handbook is as beautifully designed and presented. The quality of the print from publishers Five Simple Steps also deserves a special mention. The book feels like a quality coffee table book and is presented in a square format.

As well as advising on the best practices for designing icons Jon also provides an interesting history of iconography at the beginning of the book. You can dip in and out of the book to learn more about the craft of icon design. This really is a book that looks and feels like it was lovingly created.

Link: The Icon Handbook from Five Simple Steps

3. The Shape Of Design

The Shape of DesignFrank Chimero’s The Shape of Design really is a work of art. Rather than being a traditional guide on how to design, Frank’s book details the more subtle and hidden methods behind the world of design.

Beautifully illustrated throughout, the book will leave you with a warm glow when you’ve finished reading it. There are so many lovely little touches both in terms of the design of the book and in the thought provoking content it contains. A breath of fresh air for designers.

Link: The Shape of Design by Frank Chimero

4. Client Centric Web Design

Client Centric Web Design by Paul BoagPaul Boag’s Client Centric Web Design is an eBook written to accompany series 3 of the new Boagworld Podcast. It promises happier clients, better websites and improved job satisfaction and if you follow the book’s advice it should certainly deliver on these claims and make any designer’s life easier when it comes to working with clients.

The book encourages designers to embrace clients and their feedback and not to shy away from the advice and guidance they can contribute to the project. At the same time Paul advises on how we can appear more positive and professional when dealing with clients leading to much better collaboration and results.

As with all of Paul’s eBooks this one is full of screenshots, diagrams and real world examples to expand and explain the advice clearly.

Link: Client Centric Web Design by Paul Boag

5. Scalable and Modular Architecture for CSS

Scalable and Modular Architecture for CSSJonathan Snook’s Scalable and Modular Architecture for CSS (or SMACSS for short) presents a new way for designers and developers to write and manage their CSS. The ideas put forward in the book will help you streamline your CSS process for both simple and complex websites.

The layout ideas are logical while being easy to integrate in to your workflow. Unlike a rigid framework you don’t need to worry about completely change how you build websites, you can pick and choose the parts that are relevant to you and your workflow. Since reading SMACSS earlier this year I have changed how I write and organise my CSS code which has resulted in a much more logical structure with very little effort.

Link: Scalable and Modular Architecture for CSS by Jonathan Snook

If you’ve got a favourite web design, development or business related book that you’ve read in 2012 please leave a comment below with your recommendations!

An honourable mention must also go to The Mobile Book by Smashing Magazine which was released in December 2012. I’m only half way through reading this but I’ve already learned so much about planning and building websites for mobile browsers. This area has always be something I’ve wanted to learn more about especially with more and more of my web design clients becoming keen to embrace responsive and adaptive designs.

Let’s hope 2013 provides just as many quality design books. I’m already looking forward to Joel Hughes’ book that is in the early stages of planning and due to be released next year.

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  1. Phil, Happy New Year and thanks for sharing these with us. I look forwrad to getting my hands on them and getting stuck in! One of my all time favourite books is “DONT MAKE ME THINK” a great ook on website usability that I would reccomend to all web designers

  2. Always looking for books worth buying and usually sit in the book shop for a couple of hours reading books to see if they are worth buying. Will give some of these a shot, like the sound of ‘Client Centric Web Design’ and ‘design is a job’ but my love of CSS will most likely mean i get hold of ‘Scalable and Modular Architecture for CSS’ first.

    One book / series of books i like is ‘The Web Designer’s Idea book’ volume two was published in 2010 though the eBook in 2012, Volume 3 is ready for April this year! You can let a client take a look a to get a feel for what they like and they are also good inspiration for those creative blackouts.

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Guest post: "How to Do Everything Wrong, and Somehow Still Get Published," by Terry Jackman

Apparently I won a Cadbury’s essay competition in primary school. I don’t remember but I do recall an exciting day the teacher shared out chocolate. With hindsight I have to wonder if that was my prize. Maybe that was my first intimation that one shouldn’t expect to get fat, or rich, from writing. J

Secondary school produced my first ‘published’ work, in an end of year magazine. I was about sixteen. Unfortunately it didn’t actually have my name on it; it was a piece I’d dashed off for a friend when she’d begged for help. If you haven’t guessed, the entries weren’t voluntary. She did offer to own up, but I told her I wasn’t bothered. The truth was I didn’t want my name in print; by that time I was abnormally shy, something I still struggle with despite numerous public appearances.

I got a job as a teacher. I wrote exam papers. Once I wrote a playscript for a music teacher who fancied being another Andrew Lloyd Weber. I recall a scene where the young hero climbed the church tower to talk to the weathercock, a chance to write choral music without words to represent  the wind as the boy climbed higher. But the musician vanished to another school with it. I have no idea if he ever completed the libretto. It would be nice to know, but it was fun anyway.

Maybe by now you’re seeing a pattern? I liked writing, the challenge, the excitement, a lot more than I did people knowing about it? In fact, I kind of preferred them not knowing. I went through my teens frankly too self-conscious to live; the kind of ‘shyness’ that means taking a deep breath before walking into a room with actual people in it. I did manage to partly handle the problem during my college years. That’s when I studied Drama- and did rather well at it. Because I discovered I could perform pretty well in public - if I let ‘Terry’ replace‘Teresa’. It wasn’t the real me, it was this much braver alternate persona. (No wonder I like fantasy.)

But neither Terry nor Teresa was brave enough for a long time, they let ‘life’ get in the way. Till one day I thought, ‘All right. Why not. But how? How do I know I can write anything worth reading?’ And that’s how I enrolled in a writing course. Hey, it was long distance, and it promised if I completed the course and hadn’t earned back my fees they would refund them! Couldn’t lose.
Lesson one: plan three articles for three magazines. Bother, I’d wanted fiction. Never mind, it would still be good for me. I planned them. Lesson two: write them. Done. Lesson three: send them off.

Long story short, they all sold and one turned into a series. I’d earned my fees in three lessons. And editors asked for more. A great compliment, how could I refuse. For ten years my spare time – I often worked six day weeks in my ‘day job’ - had a waiting list of articles. I’d become a ‘writer’. I was fairly sure I was a good one, at least in fifteen hundred word bites. I finally had my name on my work. I got paid. The problem I wasn’t trying the fiction I’d intended.

And of course I had no idea how to sell my writing. I’d never had to.

So picture the shock when I finally switched tracks into fiction. I was supposed to submit stuff? You’ve guessed it; the old me came rushing back; the me who had trouble facing people. I sold a couple short stories, but I didn’t send out anything once it failed a couple of times; obviously that meant it wasn’t good enough.

In fact I did exactly the same thing with Ashamet, Desert-Born. Getting the world the story is set in just right took a while but eventually I took a breath and sent it out; twice. First time: a senior editor held it for a year, then said no. The second: they said it was “too difficult to market”. I knew it didn’t fit an established niche, but stupidly I’d thought that might be a good thing. Obviously not. I was disappointed, but prepared to shelve it when, amazingly, Dragonwell Publishing heard about it from another writer and asked me if I’d “like to send them something”! When I recovered from the shock Ashamet was sold, in ten short days.

Truth really can be stranger than fiction. But trust me, it’s not the way you should intend to get published. Even if it makes such a great story in itself.

TitleAshamet, Desert-Born
Genre: Fantasy/adventure/romance/paranormal
Author: Terry Jackman
Find out more on Amazon
A desert world. A warrior nation that worships its emperor as a god. But for Ashamet, its prince, a future filled with danger…
Ashamet is confident his swordsmanship, and his arranged marriage, will be enough to maintain the empire’s peace. But when a divine symbol magically appears on his arm, closely followed by an attempt on his life, he no longer knows who to trust. Worse, the strange attraction he feels toward a foreign slave could be another trap. As events unravel, too fast,Ashamet must find out if this innocent young male is a tool for his enemies–or the magic key to his survival.
“Ashamet, Desert-Born” is a debut adventure fantasy with an exotic Arabian-style setting and elements of same-sex romance.
author pic 1
author pic 1
Terry Jackman was christened Teresa, and is married with kids. She’s not pretending to be a guy just for the book. It’s just that nobody, but nobody, calls her anything but Terry, so Terry is actually the most honest name to put on the cover.
To go with her two names she inhabits two worlds. In one she’s a mild-mannered lady who tutors children and lives in a pretty English village, called Lymm. [It’s not far from the Manchester United football ground. You can take a peek at it If you look carefully at the picture of the old stone cross in the village centre you might see the ancient stocks below, where villagers would have thrown rotten eggs etc at local miscreants – but we don’t do that now, honest.]
In the other, she’s written articles and study guides, is secretly on the committee of the British Science Fiction Association, coordinates all their online writers’ groups, writes a regular page for Focus magazine and reads submissions for Albedo One magazine in Ireland. Oh, and has been known to do convention panels and some freelance editing.
When Ashamet goes public the two worlds will finally collide. She suspects there’ll be some raised eyebrows so she’s stocking up on fortifying tea and biscuits – and lots of chocolate!
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30 December 2011

i count myself lucky to have had coffee with this incredibly talented friend.
you made my day.

25 December 2011

all things

time with those we love.
the brightest, merriest gift of all.

21 November 2011

01 November 2011

dinner with friends.

25 September 2011

angels landing

the best prize of all for sleeping on the ground.
twenty one switchbacks, 1500 foot elevation gain
"only an angel can land on it."
or me after a steady strenuous climb.

22 September 2011

late night

dinner on the patio. hello autumn.

17 September 2011

12 September 2011

23 August 2011

fresh black currant scones and tea to celebrate.
i'm so glad you were born.

25 June 2011

damn you look good.
photos delivered here in 3 minutes.

one stop, on one magical day.
a heart on my latte, how did she know?

24 June 2011

the beetnik - ciabatta roll with roasted beets, ricotta, mint, lemon and arugula
the gallego - sardine, fennel and hot pepper slaw on a toasted ciabatta roll
spring soup - peas, mushroom, asparagus, spinach, garlic
salmon carpaccio and sea scallop
pickled beet stems and the most refreshing pear cider

23 June 2011

silver falls

the trail of ten falls - 8 miles
+ south falls (177 feet)
+ middle north falls (106 feet)
+ north falls (136 feet)

i couldn't imagine that one would be more magical or spectacular
than next or the next or the next.

22 June 2011

soter vineyards

mineral springs ranch - willamette valley.
fully sustainable.

a private pairing of wine and hand churned strawberry ice cream.
an explanation point on the whole day.

a must everyday but a very special treat in the pearl district.
i love.


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Friday, December 2, 2016

Siargao, Philippines : Island Hopping

Siargao is located in Philippines & i found out about the place through my sister. She's been there several times to surf. I decided to go to give it a try. Also she mentioned everything in Siargao is pretty affordable & it truly is. I spent a total of about SGD500 on this trip. This includes flight, transportation, activities, food etc. I was in Siargao for 5D4N.

Flight: sgd200
Airbnb: SGD100
Everything else: SGD300

I would def come back to visit again. I love how chill the place is.

I booked my stay through Airbnb. I think if i ever stay in Viento Del Mar i would choose a better room. Cause the basic room i had was a shared toilet with other rooms. The toilet was horrible as the flush was so weak & the nozzle for the shower head was weak & half of the water wasnt coming out.
The staff there were really friendly & helpful. But comfort wise i honestly didn't really enjoy it that much. There was another resort called "Chill out" & Bravo which looked rly good & comfortable. I would most likely stay there the next time i visit again. Well, at least Viento Del Mar the beach was right outside the resort.

Viento Del Mar

Purok 5, Tourism Road, General Luna, Siargao, 8419, Philippines

There are several cafes along the road. Although i do need to add that of the 5D4N that we were in Siargao, our food took more than an hour to arrive at every place we dined at. My sister said cause it's a very chill place so everything is done so slowly lol. But their food is yummy tho.

We did island hoping & usually at every resort you can book through them & they will arrange one for you. But how it goes is that they need to gather more people in order for the island hopping trip to happen. If it's only like let's say just me & Zubz, it would have cost us way more.

We walked over to Bravo Resort which was right beside ours & saw tt they had a board up about island hopping(3 islands) & it cost 1200pesos/person. My sister paid abt 1400pesos for her island hopping. I've read online that others have paid ard tt price too.
There are other locals who'd tell you that they can charge you 1000pesos for the island hopping which makes it so enticing since it's cheap. But what they don't tell you is that food & entry to one particular island is not included. So when you add everything up it's gna cost you more.

My package cost 1200pesos with everything included. Lunch buffet, free flow drinks on the boat + alcohol, snorkelling gear, boat transportation to all 3 islands & rental of a hut where we ate our food.

My Siargao Guide
Whats App: +639217972791*Sign up at Bravo ResortIG: mysiargaoguide

 Naked Island

 Daku Island

 Guyam Island

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Monday, November 18, 2013

Reading Facebook statuses is like Witnessing Rigormortis

self righteousness, self righteous. doing this so nothing's gained. slaving away to achieve nothing at all ©. sleeping snoring, wide awake. this that, matter of fact. Spiritual elevation! Destination ex-constipation. Federation Relaxation! shake hands, shake hands. Bands a make her danz.

Everything, self serving. everything serving me. contra, contra affinity.


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Thoughts From Scolaw

Monday, February 27, 2006

On The Road

Buying a car is a laborous endeavour, not for the weak of heart. From searching every publication in existence to searching the internet for that one special vehicle became so time consuming, that a person forgets there is life outside the realm of auto shopping.

My wife was looking for a small sports car, one in which major gas mileage played a huge role. It also had to have a convertible top, because Spring is right around the corner. We learned, through trial and error, that this was next to impossible to find one of these little gems in our own state. For some reason or another, convertibles are popular up North, in Florida and in California. Why not in Georgia? We have scalding hot Summers, warm Springs and Autumns, so where are the convertibles?

Our search ended with finding a car in Ohio. To bring conclusion to this seemingly never-ending search, we set out for Ohio Friday morning at 4:00am.
The trip took us through Tennessee, Kentucky, and finally Ohio. I learned after the fact that Senator Bill Frist-R-TN was speaking in Lexington, KY, which we passed through. Had I known this beforehand, we would have made a detour off the highway and put my two-cents worth into interrupting his speech. I don't care for this man, as he and his friends on the other side of the aisle have been an over-reaching, power hungry bunch of hoobly goobs, bent on sending our Nation into further despair.

Sorry, I got a little off track. It's just too easy to poke shots at people who I deem better-than-thou Holy Rollers. We picked up the car, and decided to take an alternate route back home. We couldn't stand the thought of looking at miles and miles of never ending farmland we saw while traveling through Ohio. Talk about a boring ride, this is indeed how it is.

We are used to seeing mountains, trees, malls and people. Not dead corn stalks and silos. The trip back took us through West Virginia, Virginia, Eastern Tennessee and finally home. It took a considerable amount of time to make it back this way, but the sights were so much more enjoyable.

One thing I could not understand were the toll roads in W. VA. We stayed on the same road, yet every ten miles or so we had to pay another toll. We already pay extremely high amounts of money for gasoline, which the taxes collected from the sale should be more than enough for upkeep of these roads. I am willing to bet it took a couple of million dollars to build the toll plazas, so I guess we are paying for the buildings and the workers who maintain each booth. In my opinion, this is highway robbery.

Anywho, we made it back safe and sound around 3:00am. a total trip of 1,300 miles in 23 hours. Don't get me wrong, I love to take road trips. But we over did it this time. Either one of us could have fallen asleep at the wheel and turned a happy event into a disaster. The amount of coffee and energy drinks we consumed sorta made this impossible to do though. Caffeine is a wonderful "drug". Its magical powers make the mind more aware of things, and in this case, helped us survive an otherwise great trip to parts of this Nation I had never seen, a great experience.

Thursday, February 23, 2006

Where I Stand

Being my first posting on Blogspot, I thought you should get to know me. Understanding how a person thinks, getting to know their particular quirks, what sets them off, or what makes them happy is very important to obtaining the readers attention. You might be bored already, and thinking "this is just another beginner in a jungle of many bloggers", and to a degree, you are right. I have never claimed to be a professional anything.

Just like you, I have thoughts about where we are headed to in this world. Wars, hatred, the political scene, random acts of kindness: they all add to the very scope of nature in which we live. We choose for ourselves how we want to be perceived in this world. Some choose to do good, some choose bad. That is okay.

One thing that was a trait of mine while growing up, was to hide my feelings about everything. No one knew how fast the wheels in my head were spinning. For me to make a sound decision was unheard of, and as a result, alot of mistakes were made. As I have gotten much older, I look back on those days and wonder to myself if only I had done things differently, where would I be right now. Whould I have went to college? Would I have a job paying much more than what I presently receive? Would I still have met my wife and have the two wonderful kids I helped in creating? Who knows.

I do know this though:
1) I have a profound discontent for our President.
2) I still love my wife after 18 years of marriage.
3) I love my teenage children.
4) Nascar is my passion and my favorite sport.
5) I am disabled and receiving no compensation for my injury.
6) I have a lot to live for, even through the difficult times.
7) I gain knowledge through reading, and writing my thoughts relieves stress.
8) I say what is on my mind.
9) I am honest with everyone.
10) I will let you know when I disagree with you.

Lessons learned, Life lived. This is what has taught me the most. For that I am forever greatful. There will be more to come in the future, and I look forward to getting to know each of you through your writings. For now, take care.


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Saturday, January 15, 2011

Saturday January 15, 2011

Stuffed zucchini with polenta
Today's Food Diary
Breakfast: Missed
Lunch: Stuffed zucchini with polenta
Dinner: Potato bread with butter and cheese
Baking/sweets: Potato bread, quick oat sweets, experiement with polenta and banana cookie

The zucchini was stuffed with chopped pickled herring and onions. The combination worked well together, the polenta helping to mellow down the strong herring and onion taste. The zucchini had a little bit of crunch which was nice.

I created a simple recipe for potato bread that requires no yeast and relatively little kneading. The bread turns out relatively light, quite moist, with a texture somewhere between that of cake and regular bread. The bread has lower gluten content because of potatoes.

Today's Favourite Blog
Its always nice to hear of new interesting desserts from exotic places. Russian Season presents a recipe for a Slovakian treat called Parižske Rožky (Paris Hilton Horns). The treat (Paris Hilton Horns) has silky buttercream and crispy meringue coated with chocolate glaze. Cream, meringue and chocolate combinations are not new, however different combinations and styles can be concocted. Parižske Rožky is new to my eyes.

Today's Favourite Photo

  1. That all sounds delicious! That is a very interesting stuffed zucchini; I love how you added in the polenta to balance out the flavor.

    That dessert looks amazing! I wish I had a plate of it to try out. Yum! enjoy the rest of your weekend!

  2. Julie: thanks for visiting. Yes that dessert looks amazing. Have a great weekend too

  3. Thank you So much for the mention!! And your potato bread sounds amazing. Looking at the picture, I just can't believe it's made without yeast. How did your experiment with polenta/banana cookie go?

  4. Alina: you are welcome. The experiment with polenta/banana cookie went OK, I felt it was not a very good combination. I made just one cookie and happily ate it:)

  5. heeey you should have eaten three cookies :)) well i saw those lemon-whatever polenta cookies on your waiting list, good luck with them - I find the combination of polenta, lemon zest and dried fruit simply terrifying!

  6. Alina: haha:) Thanks for the motivation! Terrifying? Really?


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Dear Santa...

To make things easy for you, I present my wish list. I do, however, reserve the right to add items until December 10th. That will still leave you time to adjust any gifts you have selected for me before making final purchases. I listed gift cards and wish lists on other websites first for your convenience. You, of course, do not have to get me any gifts since I am most likely on the Naughty side of your list.

Thank you for your time,
Meagan :)

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March 18, 2003

CLARE SHORT, the UK Labour

CLARE SHORT, the UK Labour MP who threatened to resign if war was waged without the support of the UN, will now stay. According to Sky News, she's expected to vote for her government's pro-war resolution.

Maybe this witness statement changed her mind. It was supplied to the organisation Indict (chaired by Labour MP Ann Clwyd) and describes life in peaceful Iraq, where the west has no right to intervene:

"There was a machine designed for shredding plastic. Men were dropped into it and we were again made to watch. Sometimes they went in head first and died quickly. Sometimes they went in feet first and died screaming. It was horrible. I saw 30 people die like this. Their remains would be placed in plastic bags and we were told they would be used as fish food . . . on one occasion, I saw Qusay [President Saddam Hussein's youngest son] personally supervise these murders."

Those peace protesters must feel so proud.

Posted by Tim Blair at March 18, 2003 09:19 PM


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Sestri Levante, ItalyCarl de Keyzer—Magnum
Sestri Levante, Italy
Carl de Keyzer—Magnum
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European Coastlines, 'Moments Before The Flood'

May 08, 2012

In trying to understand the tension Carl de Keyzer seeks to present in his images of European coastlines, look to the World War II bunkers, tank traps and crumbling walls still present by the shore for starting points.

Lannoo Publishers

The decaying fortifications, much like the human response to rising ocean tides as examined by de Keyzer in his new book, Moments Before The Flood, are telling. They anticipate a massive threat, but cannot hope to prevent it: rising sea levels that would submerge entire countries in Europe present an overwhelming challenge to which most solutions are futile.

"Once it happens, not one system is going to stop it," de Keyzer says of the potential results of global warming, which inspired him to begin the project as the media covered climate change with greater frequency. "How high can you build the walls, how much money can you spend on it?"

Although de Keyzer admits that the immediacy of the threat is debatable, the photographer's compulsion to document what has amounted to more than 80,000 miles of European coastline stems from several motives: to observe life on the coast before it is swept away, examine what is being done to preserve it and underscore the tension that arises from an impending threat that overwhelms even the most ambitious attempts to stop it. Each individual picture displays a different mood and aspect of life by the sea—some desolate, some bucolic, but all foreboding when viewed together.

The project is remarkably thorough; de Keyzer describes working for several years with two assistants who would recommend seaside locations he should photograph, "pinning" thousands of different locations to Google Earth in each country, which the photographer would narrow down and enter into his GPS each time he arrived at a new location. He has been working on the project since 2007 and, to date, the project has taken him to more than 20 countries.

The book includes 200 images with nursery rhymes collected from children across Europe printed alongside the pictures to underscore the traditional notion of the shore as an enjoyable place, and thus one less prepared for the substantial danger of rising tides. De Keyzer's approach to the project was inspired by the maritime paintings of the 18th century, which showed intense beauty paired with violent subject matter. Though the shipwrecks and sea battles are graphic and expressive, it is the context in which they are displayed that de Keyzer highlights for its dramatic tension. Often, the fearsome scenes hung in a placid living room, above a mantelpiece, or in a quiet museum gallery.

"It's being neutralized. It becomes a commodity," de Keyzer warns, speaking of the relationship between the decontextualized art and our reaction to the threat of rising tides. "That could mean that you no longer have to worry about it, because it's there and it's not real anymore."

Moments Before The Flood is published by Lannoo, in conjunction with a waterfront exhibition in Ostend, Belgium, on view from May 17 – August 26.

All products and services featured are based solely on editorial selection. TIME may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website.


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DIY - Funk the Junk

We don’t have to be art connoisseurs or spend a bomb to decorate our homes. All we need is an eye for aesthetics and even the oddest of things like a rock or an old bottle can be prettified innovatively. From driftwood photo frames to disposable plastic spoons lamp, the internet is filled with DIYs galore. Just take a cue from them and let your creative juices flow J

                I found these wooded petal like things fallen from a tree around December 2012 when I was waiting at a bus stop. I collected a few thinking I can arrange them in the shape of a flower and paint them or just fill up a cute basket with these to display somewhere. I never got the time to do any of that and they lied in a plastic bag forgotten till I found them again while I was cleaning up my wardrobe. That’s when it struck me that their shape is similar to that of a boat and thought of creating a small one with a mast. The cloth for the mast came from a cotton cloth which my Mom had used to pack a pickle jar when I came back from Vizag last. She keeps old cotton sarees, towels, curtain linings etc for such things and now I too have a small collection from the umpteen homemade pickle and ghee bottles I have carried back to Bangalore from home. They are soft and worn out and remind me of home. So whenever I see this little boat I am reminded of this and it gives me a warm fuzzy feeling J (too seeped in nostalgia na…*sigh*). Anyway getting back on track (I digress a lot), the stick is from a broom, break it with your hand keeping a little part of the roughage in the end so that you can stick it with feviquick to the wooden petal. You can make a variety of them with double masts, little flags on the masts, masts with stitching detailing etc.
                I saw this rock on the road side and my mind immediately went to an image I had seen in one of the décor blogs here. I painted the little fishies with acrylic paint and tada, cute paperweight is ready in a matter of few minutes. And psst…the plate is called a “donne”. A nearby temple serves prasadam in it and I brought it home :P (after devouring the prasadam of course).

               This Vat 69 bottle is courtesy Puneeth’s chuddy buddy gang. The moment I saw that matte finish bottle, I immediately thought of colorful chalks  J. I wasted no time and called dibs on the bottle as well as the case it came in (the case now holds my first aid kit, do I see someone cringing?? haha, at least I did not use it to keep bangles according to my original plan). The pinwheel is from the Avarekalu mela. Planning to put a money plant in the bottle. Or maybe convert it into a lamp, there are so many options J. So pick up that junk you were about to throw away and junk it up I say :D

  1. WOW Great DIYs and ideas. I loved the boat and the way you painted the stone. :)

  2. The boat DIY is so cute. Great idea :)

    1. Hey thank you :). Thank you for stopping by :)

  3. Interesting DIY ideas. The boat is really cute :)


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Archives For Friends

Hey everyone. One of my great friends has finally started blogging. You can check it out at  I love his post about Amplify 2010:

…There were so many kids and volunteers crying together and loving on and hugging each other…it was truly an amazing experience!  I feel so blessed to have been a part of this event and thank God for allowing me to experience it with my small group!

Wednesday night is Lost Night at the Lemons’ household. I love it. Lost is already a kickbutt show, but watching it with my hilarious friends is even better. Can’t tell you how many times we have to stop and rewind because we’re laughing our heads off and missed something!

Anyways if you don’t know what I’m talking about when I say business time, then you need to watch this!

Another one of my favorite things is how many of my friends are on twitter. @alilem, @jayarelinkous, @erinnlinkous, @tyralemons, @annab1, @george_les, @theabelincoln, @brittlynn, @jdubharris, and @dbralley


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What’s Your Passion?

Here’s a question every leader should ask, “What am I passionate about in life? How much can I focus on my passion? What do I really like to do?”

When I was going through engineering school, I have to be honest, the thing that I was most passionate about was spending time with my wife, Amy, and only son (at that time), Cam. I didn’t get to do that very much, so that passion became dull. I worked hard, but I lost track of that passion.

What's your passion?My mentor, Orrin Woodward, is the co-author of the bestselling book, Launching a Leadership Revolution. He and fellow author, Chris Brady, teach in their book that to truly have success in life and be happy, follow three simple steps.

Step One: Define what it is you want out of life.

Step Two: Learn from someone who has what you want.

Step Three: Go out and Do what that person did.

That sounds so simple, but very few people do it. I did the “Define, Learn, Do” process backwards. I did what I had to do to pay the bills – I went out and got a job. There is nothing wrong with that, it is certainly respectable to have a job. Then, I went to work and learned from a bunch of people who had the same kind of lifestyle that I had or even worse. The things I learned defined my lifestyle. If I had done it the other way, I would’ve asked myself, “Tim, what are you passionate about?”

We often ask children, “What are you going to be?” or “What are you going to do?”

Well, what about you? What do you want to be? What do you want to do? What’s your passion? What’s driving you? Where do you see yourself going?

My son, Nash, is nine years old and he wants to be an NFL football player. I totally support him in that. I am not going to tell him, “Hey Nash, you know, only so many people make it into the NFL and you are homeschooled, so you are really going to have a little bit of a tougher time. You’ve got to have skills and you’ve got to have certain kind of talent. I don’t want to see you get your feelings hurt.”

That’s a line of garbage that we would never tell our children. So why would we ever tell ourselves that? I think the answer is that we aren’t passionate. We have lost our passion about whatever it is that’s important to us. Everyone ought to get a grip on something they are passionate about. Maybe you want to go do missionary work. Maybe you want to be a builder. Maybe you want to be an engineer. Maybe you want to start your own business. Maybe you want to be a plant manager and make a difference.

Figure out what it is that you are passionate about and follow that three step process. Define, Learn, Do.

God Bless, Tim Marks

6 thoughts on “What’s Your Passion?”

  1. Great article Tim. It’s always beneficial to be reminded to seek out what we truly want out of our life and what our priorities are, not just our obligations. Thanks.

    BoB – 212 Fighting Knights

  2. Tim so spot on, I know that is one of most important lesson to understand. No matter what I did, it was the wrong way, do, learn, define. Results always end up the same. Now when I talk about LIFE, we express how important this lesson is. Thanks

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How to Make Your Own Toothpaste

How to Make Your Own Toothpaste
How to make an all natural toothpaste that whitens teeth and helps to reduce sensitivity.

Remineralize the teeth and leaves your with fresh breath!

Items Needed:
1 tbsp. Coconut Oil
1/2 tbsp. Bentonite Clay
1 tsp. Sea Salt
10 drops Peppermint Essential Oil
5 Drops Clove Essential Oil
1/4 cup Water

The bentonite clay polishes the teeth, the coconut oil is great for maintaining proper oral hygiene.

The essential oils leave your mouth feeling fresh and breath smelling good.

In a small sauce pan above the stove top heat up the water and add the coconut oil.

Once fully melted, remove from heat and add the bentonite clay and stir.

Add salt and essential oils and blend together.

Transfer mixture to a small jar and keep sealed when not in use.

Method #2.

There is also an easier way to make your own toothpaste and is just as effective as keeping your mouth clean and fresh.

What You Need:
2 tbsp. Coconut Oil
2 tbsp. Baking Soda
10 Drops Peppermint & Clove Essential Oils

Melt coconut oil if needed, and add baking soda and mix in essential oils

Blend together and transfer mixture to a small sealable container until you are ready to use it!

Image Credit: Joana Lopes / ShutterStock

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Friday, September 28, 2007

Souljahz Returns as The Washington Projects

Los Angeles, CA (September 6, 2007) – Celebrating a jaw-dropping spread of radio singles, press acclaim and
prominent appearances throughout the early 2000s as breakout group Souljahz, brother and sister duo, Je’kob
and Rachael Washington have rebounded from record label red tape and reemerged as The Washington Projects. The twosome is poised to unveil their debut album, Commanders of the Resistance, October 9th through independent record company, Black & White Label.

As Souljahz, Je’kob, Rachael and their brother Josh had unprecedented success with their Word/Warner Bros
debut, The Fault Is History. Their first radio single, “All Around The World,” shot straight to the top of the charts,
while “True Love Waits” was simultaneously the most added on the CHR and AC formats. In addition, the project garnered two GMA Dove Awards, with five total nominations, and the group received extensive features on CNN Headline News, E!, Billboard, The WB, a slot on Sessions@AOL beside Christina Aguilera, 50 Cent, Shania Twain, Faith Hill and Red Hot Chili Peppers, as well as a cross-country tour in support of the album, performing alongside
the lauded and diverse talents of No Doubt, Nelly, Counting Crows, Ja Rule, Ashanti, Garbage, Kirk Franklin, TobyMac, Boyz II Men, Erykah Badu, Mary Mary and Sixpence None the Richer to name a few.

“We can’t complain about the name change, or even about the unfortunate events that took place with our previous label. We had a great two years being blessed enough to see the world and spread God’s Message of Hope, Love, Peace & Happiness while touring a great record,” explains Rachael. “Music is our gift and though we had to make some hard decisions in leaving (Souljahz) behind, The Washington Projects represent the same mission. Our hearts are in reaching the lost with a message of hope, and no matter what the name, it is what my
brother and I were born to do.”

Commanders of the Resistance is an enthralling soundtrack of hope covering just as many relevant themes as it does sonic spectrums. A quick combing of the track list indicates everything from the club thumping “Crazy” to the neo soul shuffle of “Deliverance” and the rap/R&B attack of “Take It To the Streets.” The project also possesses endless trenches of lyrical depth, such as the relationship-based “Zephyr Wings,” the empowering “Diamonds” and the love song from Je’kob to his wife, “I Will Stay With You.”

Je’kob tells a little more about the album: “This record is incredibly real. It is our hearts over the last four years, poured out in the form of music. We speak of love, hope, happiness and the trials and tribulations we’ve experienced in our lives, not only as a group, but individually as well. Each song on this record has a distinct meaning with our lives. The youth of the world, and even the music industry – Christians and non – need honesty. The world needs to know that being a Christian in the music industry doesn’t mean that every song has to be aworship song, or that we are perfect because we believe in God.”

“We are telling true-life stories from the perspective of Christians,” continues Je’kob. “Music is a powerful tool that has drastic influence on today’s young people…even the artists themselves have influence, whether they believe it or not. We strive to reach kids where they are, to relate to them, be available to them and to speak in their language. Our goal is to use any influence we may have to impact lives.”

In addition to debuting Commanders of the Resistance, The Washington Projects will also be hitting the road this fall and spring. First up is a slot as one of the featured artists on the Dare2Share “Survive” Training Conferences, alongside Hawk Nelson, Sanctus Real, Stellar Kart, Lincoln Brewster and speakers Greg Steir, Derwin “Dewey” Gray and Zane Black. The 3-day Conference tour will be hitting nine cities across the country between November and April. The duo is currently booking additional dates.

“We are so excited to get back out on the road again,” says Rachael. “Even though we have been out doing spot dates here and there, we haven’t had a record to support. We’ve only done five or six shows performing the new material live, and I have to say it is by far the most fun I’ve ever had on stage! I can’t wait to get back on stage, travel the world, and use this gift to the fullest. This tour will be a great launch to get us back on the scene and in the ears and eyes of the youth.”

While the group is securing national distribution, the album will be available on the Washington Projects website as well as iTunes. For more information about The Washington Projects and Commanders of the Resistance, please visit: and

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Sunday, 25 November 2012

Cyber Espionage Against India And Its Challenges, Solutions And Defences

The Cyber Security Policy of India must be urgently formulated that must incorporate provisions regarding Cyber Warfare, Cyber Terrorism, Critical Infrastructure Protection, Cyber Espionage, etc. In the ultimate analysis, enhancing Cyber Security of India is the ultimate solution.

See Cyber Security Issues In India for more.


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Opiniones | Opinions | Editoriales | Editorials

eBook: Disk is Dead

Picture of System Administrator
eBook: Disk is Dead
by System Administrator - Wednesday, 4 November 2015, 8:39 PM
Group Colaboradores y Partners

eBook: Disk is Dead

by Violin Memory

There has been a long-felt performance gap between storage and the memory and processor resources in a modern data center. While progress around silicon based resources has been made in leaps and bounds, storage technology has changed little in almost 60 years.

The harsh reality many organizations are afraid to face? The hard disk is part of the tech living dead, and has been for far too long. But while the emotional, technical, financial, and strategic impacts of clinging to disk based storage are scary, change can be scarier.

This eBook will guide you through the seven stages of grieving for hard disks, and provide some useful tips for moving storage infrastructure to flash.

Please read the attached whitepaper.

126 words


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Wednesday, April 25, 2007

The Return of THS.

The Cubs stopped sawing at the umbilical cord that had kept them attached to Mark Prior long enough to realize that they were fraying instead his rotator cuff, labrum, and ..."shoulder capsule." This comes as no surprise to anyone that saw the 80-87 mph fastball he brought to spring training. It does, however, mean that I have won a gentleman's wager with the A-Train, who was convinced that Prior's inability to pitch after being overloaded by Baker in 2003 had more to do with a "low tolerance for pain" and "being a girl," and while the A-Train was not the only sports blogger who felt that it was a matter of genitalia, it must be noted that however married public opinion might be to the belief that women are less tolerant of pain, there is no empirical evidence to support this, and plenty to the contrary.

Anyway, it's April and the Cubs are off to an 8-13 start. Soriano has been an essentially ineffective addition to this team, and while he's sure to heat up...with the weather...I guess -- is anyone else tired of hearing this--he's not going to just start driving in anyone other than himself when he does, because the Cubs, like an unbelievable majority of disillusioned baseball fans, feel that he belongs at the top of the order, batting after Cesar Izturis and pitchers not named Carlos Zambrano (who should bat before Izturis).

On top of that, and this is important, if you take out last year, his AVG and OBP are essentially identical to his career averages. He'll slug more, but he's only on pace to play 140 games and score 70 runs--a lot less than you'd like out of your leadoff hitter, even if you give him twenty extra runs for the homers he might have over every other leadoff hitter. Not very reassuring.

At least, in wake of Soriano's hamstring injury last week, the Cubs had the good sense to call up Real Center Fielder, Felix Pie. He had absolutely torn up AAA so far at .444/.543/.583, with nine walks and only five Ks in 39 AB. However, the Cubs outfield is already crowded, with Floyd, Murtron, Jones, and now Pie fighting for two positions and only Soriano guaranteed to play every day. Trading Jones would make the most sense, as he has a small enough contract that even a small market team could afford him, but veteran outfielders like Floyd and Jones tend to go more toward the trading deadline and at this pace the Cubs won't need to worry about competing this year.

We'll try to get back into the swing of things this week, as I'll be taking a non-baseball-related trip to Philadelphia that will give me the time to provide a few updates and dust off a few of the things we've been working on, including pieces on Carlos Marmol, Jerome Williams, Matt Murton, the Weak Sisters, and my first trip to Wrigley Field this year (Wednesday vs. Milwaukee), as well as A-Train and I arguing about Soriano's effectiveness leading off.

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Sunday, December 27, 2009

We had a very very very good christmas this year. We are so blessed as a family and we have been so grateful we were in a position this year to help so many around us who needed it so badly. No greater feeling really than helping those you see in need all around you. Whether it be food, or gifts or money it is so neat to see their faces light up. Mya got some great gifts from Santa! So did Marlee but she wasn't getting the idea of gifts at all! Todd also spoiled me rotten this year and got me a beautiful jewerely box and a viedo camera. He is so sweet! Todd got xbox 360and guitar hero, in which I am already regretting getting him. He has lived on it since x mas....LIVES on it, he won't get off it! Where did my poor husband! WARNING: If you don't like green, gooey snot get off my blog now (last pic in this segament). I really debated posting this picture because well it is gross. But I was so impressed with my picture timeing skills I just had to put it up! It's like catching lighting in the sky the exact moment you push the button, except well this is not pretty flashy lighting this is green snot but still you get the idea here! I figured most mom's can handle this pic we have all wiped snotty noses, and green gooey things 100 times! Enjoy!

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Sisters Hanging out!

The girls hanging out with mom on Christmas day Eve! WOW Mya's hair looks a little homely, I don't bother doing it when we stay home because she just rips it out at nap time!

Mya making Marlee be one of her dolls. Poor Marlee

Mya showing some love and Marlee thinking "What did I do to derserve this torture, I can't wait until I am big enough to make her pay back for all this stuff and smothering she puts me through!"

Marlee: Ok really the elbow in the face, now your just going to far. MOM get me off of this thing!"
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House Making out of Candy...Yummy

Dad looks so serious while putting the frosting on!

Mya eating candy off the houe like a doggie! Don't ask her lastest phase!

Up close....UGH look at all that sugar!

Mya licking her fingers after a nice finger dipping in the frosting!
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Ginger Bread Houses

Mya had a blast making this, I really didn't think she would get that into it but she loved it. Mainly because candy was involved and my word did she ever so down the candy. I thought for sure she would be puking but her stomach held it!

What ours looked like!

What it is supposed to look like! Just a "LITTLE" off!
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Saturday, December 19, 2009

Front Runner Train

Every single time we pass the train station Mya balls to ride the train. I always told her we would do it sometime and that time came today. She had a blast, she did not want to get off, she could have spent all day on the train. She thought it was so cool! She wanted to hold her own ticket and not have any help going up the stairs to the second floor! It was a great time and I am glad we went. Marlee enjoyed herself as well so much so she zonked out! It was all fun until the last picture on this segment....the one with just the picutre of the bench arm. We got off the train and walked over to the sitting area and I was hold Marlee with about 4 blankets wrapped around her, so as you can imagine my vision of what I could and could not see was limited. So I went to sit down on the lovely benches they have for you there and sat down hard let me remind you right on the arm rest. It split me, right down the middle, no butt cheek to cushion the hard steel arm rest that collided with my pubic bone. There is no `other way to describe it other than to be detailed. I threw Marlee at Todd and just collapsed on the bench in pain. I am glad no one else was their to witness the very embarressing moment I just had. Like any good husband TOdd laughed his butt off for the next ten minutes. He would not stop laughing, he kept asking me "hunny how did you not see the armrest, did you mean to sit on it?" Yes that is exactly what I was going for have the arm rest split me down the middle, and obviously I didnt see it I have Marlee and 5 blankets in my face! It really really really hurt. I am still walking as if I have been on a horse for weeks. It is very very bruised!

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12 days of Christmas

Todds grandparents sent all the grandkids this very cute 12 days of christmas package. Each day you do something, or read a story or like on the 5th day Santa Claus called the girls. This is daddy and Todd reading a story with the candle that goes with it. Mya coule hardly focus on the story the candle was fasinating to her! We love doing these thanks grandma and grandpa!

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Thanksgiving was good this year we went to my little sisters lac house and had a great time. My b-day was the next day and so Lac and Chel made me a b-day cake a volleyball, it was so cute! Thanks sista's your the best! Oh I also dropped my phone in Lac's couch. You think no big deal just lift couch up and get the phone, yea, that is not how easy it was. Her couch was enclosed so it took a couple of us titling the couch and cassie tiny little hand and arm to reach clear down in couch. Who knew it would be such a pain! Note to self: Don't drop phone or anything you value in Lac couch way to hard to retreive!

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Daddy playdates with Mya

Todd loves being the only boy in the house can't you tell! Mya goes all out when making "daddy pretty". She insists he holds her babies while she gets him all dolled up. AH AH all you out there reading this pray Todd gets his boy, don't know if he has it in him to do this the rest of his life!

She's gettting so big!
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text:
четвъртък, 16 август 2012 г.

Title: Supermarkets Shift Focus to Perimeters
Description: The outer aisles are getting a makeover as more grocers rethink how to merchandise their bakery, deli, produce, meat and seafood areas.
Page Content:

EAGAN, Minn. ? The center aisles have long been where supermarkets showcased their sales, but now the perimeters are getting their due, the New York Times reports. ?You can pretty much be in Anywhere, U.S.A., in center store, but the perimeter is the fashion side of the grocery business,? said Sharon A. Lessard, chief designer at Supervalu, which operates Albertsons, Cub Foods, Jewel-Osco and Shaw?s. ?The perimeter is where we can best distinguish ourselves from everyone else.?

With eating habits shifting to fresh, shopping patterns have followed suit, eschewing the shelf-stable products hogging the store?s center. Those changes have triggered a drop in sales for many of the big center-store manufacturers, including Heinz, Kellogg and Kraft.

Supermarkets are starting to change the way they merchandise the perimeter, rethinking its bakery, deli, produce, meat and seafood areas. For example, some Cub Foods have enlarged the outer aisles to about 40% of the store, up from 20% to 25% in some Supervalu locations, said Lessard.

?There?s been some stagnation in center-of-the-store sales,? said Jeffrey M. Ettinger, chief executive of Hormel Foods. ?Frankly, I think those of us who sell products there have been a little slow to innovate, and in the meantime, sales around the store perimeter have been strong.?

With younger consumers and Baby Boomers seeking more healthy and fresh foods, these manufacturers and retailers both see the perimeter as becoming more important. ?There are other trends going on that are driving the changes you?re seeing,? said Ian Friendly, executive vice president of U.S. retail at General Mills. ?It used to be that people got their food pretty exclusively at traditional grocery stores, but there has been a pretty important migration to club stores, supercenters, drugstores, convenience stores and dollar stores, where sales have been growing much faster.?

Content Subject: Marketing/Merchandising
Formatted Article Date: August 15, 2012

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How are Your New Year's Resolutions Coming?
My good blogging friend Terry is talking about the cycle of New Year's resolutions.

After going over in her mind whether or not resolutions are useful, she says this:

However, after some deliberation I have concluded that resolutions serve a valuable purpose. New years, new months, new weeks, even new days present us with the opportunity to do better today than we did yesterday. To acknowledge that who and what we are at the end of the year, for better or worse, is in many ways a referendum on the daily choices we have made as the year began. It is an acknowledgment that we have a choice, a role in the fruit our lives produce, even if we cannot control all of the circumstances that come our way. Sometimes we need to feel the guilt of our laziness and bad choices.

I would agree. But I don't think that having the same resolutions twice or three times or ten times in a row should necessarily lead to guilt. (that's not what Terry ends up saying, either, but I want to use her as a jump off point!).

Let me explain.

I've made extremely detailed plans for my business, but for my personal life and spiritual life I'm not getting that detailed. I know what I want to do. Read the Word before my day really starts. Pray. Exercise. Have fun with my kids. Drink more water.

Easy as pie, right? We know it, but we don't always do it. But at least we're trying!

I think the problem is that we blame ourselves if we have the same resolutions every year, because we feel like failures.

But remember that passage in Philippians 3, that we are straining forward to what lies ahead? That means that we never really arrive; we always need to keep straining forward. We'll only arrive in heaven, not on earth.

So each year we SHOULD have the same resolutions; the resolutions that lead to a better life in Jesus, which encompasses our spiritual life, our physical life, and our relational life.

You're not a failure if you have to resolve the same things over and over again. You're only a failure if you give up trying!

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At 11:31 AM , Blogger Terry @ Breathing Grace said…

Thanks for the link, Sheila.

And actually, my resolutions are going pretty well so far.

Intentional living is hard work, but I believe it's worth it.

At 1:02 PM , Blogger Melissa said…

I totally agree. I always make new year's resolutions. I think some people think that you've failed if you weren't 100% perfect with it. But i think if you make a huge improvement, it's a success. Last year i resolved to have no more coca-cola & i succeeded. Some people would say i failed, b/c i had about 6 cokes throughout the year! But before that i was drinking about 6 PER DAY - so i'd say i succeeded!

At 1:19 PM , Blogger Courtney said…

I think every new year is a growing point. No one is ever going to be perfect. That's a common misconception with people and resolutions. As Melissa has said, resolving to not drink anymore Coke doesn't have to mean EVER if you are drinking 9 or 10 a day. If you can cut 98% out and drink 6 a year when you were drinking more than 6 every single day: that's a success. And the next year you can strive for more. We can always get better.

At 2:16 PM , Blogger sarahe said…

great post, and a good reminder that we haven't "failed" if we still have to work on the same things. so far my resolutions are going well and i'm feeling energized about it all! i've decided to do a weekly accountability check-in on my blog as a reminder to stay on track.

At 6:12 PM , Blogger Tessa said…

I love "resolutions" because they give me a chance to reflect on the last year and what I want to accomlish in the next year.
My 2009 resolution was to cook dinner, eliminate CHAOS, and tone my body.
I cook dinner a few nights a week (more than I used to), i'm getting better and keeping my houseowrk under control, and i didn't tone but I did lose all my pregnancy weight. I could see it as failure but I choose to look at all that I DID accomplish, instead of what I didn't.
2010: spend more time with friends, eat more fruits/veggies, eliminate clutter in my house.
I'm very excited to have something to work towards. Now I just need to print them up on a big sheet of paper and hang it somewhere as a reminder to myself what I want to do.

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Name: Sheila

Home: Belleville, Ontario, Canada

About Me: I'm a Christian author of a bunch of books, and a frequent speaker to women's groups and marriage conferences. Best of all, I love homeschooling my daughters, Rebecca and Katie. And I love to knit. Preferably simultaneously.

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