28 June 2011
Favorite Animal - Sketch #2
There simply aren't enough Giraffes in my life. They live so far from my own residence that I only have wee stuffed versions of them about the house. *sigh*
26 June 2011
Sketching
I have been working on my sketch challenge. I have finished 3 to the degree that I am ready to share them. Today I will share the first; it is my self portrait. The face may not be mine, but various symbols in and around my hair are me. Let me explain a bit.
In my hair, at the bottom right, I have done my best to mimic the drawings of my daughter. She is, quite honestly, one of my favorite artists. Her characters have such style and whimsy.
Up from my daughter's drawings are expressions in Arabic. These expressions are not only common phrases in Arabic, but they are also mottoes I live by and through which I navigate the world.
The animals (frog, owl, giraffe, and bee) are my totem animals.
On the opposite side (left), you will see the stars and moon. I am a night person and stargazer. I look to the heavens constantly.
The tree is one of my favorite subjects in my art - drawing, photography, etc. I feel most comfortable in the mountains amongst skyscraping trees.
I am holding a book, of course while wearing the jade necklace that my beloved gave me when he first professed his love, and my throat chakra is glowing because I love to express myself through language and by singing.
In my hair, at the bottom right, I have done my best to mimic the drawings of my daughter. She is, quite honestly, one of my favorite artists. Her characters have such style and whimsy.
Up from my daughter's drawings are expressions in Arabic. These expressions are not only common phrases in Arabic, but they are also mottoes I live by and through which I navigate the world.
The animals (frog, owl, giraffe, and bee) are my totem animals.
On the opposite side (left), you will see the stars and moon. I am a night person and stargazer. I look to the heavens constantly.
The tree is one of my favorite subjects in my art - drawing, photography, etc. I feel most comfortable in the mountains amongst skyscraping trees.
I am holding a book, of course while wearing the jade necklace that my beloved gave me when he first professed his love, and my throat chakra is glowing because I love to express myself through language and by singing.
06 May 2011
Another 30 Day Challenge
neonsugar.tumblr.comRemember a couple of months ago when I was doing the "30 Letters in 30 Days?" Well, I did finish it (in more like 60 days), but I removed it from my blog after the first 8, as I thought it was getting more personal than I cared for this blog to be. I have decided, instead, to include this challenge in my blog. Just so y'all know, I likely will not post daily, but more like a couple times a week. Yes, art is personal and one can bear their soul to the world within their work, but there is always a bit of anonymity as well. Well, here goes, stay tuned......
12 April 2011
The Green House
I have been making jewelry and clothing for a great long while. Actually, I have been crafting since longer than I can remember. It is a family tradition, one might say. My mother is gifted in working with her hands, whether it be sewing, knitting, or anything else. I, not so talented, but willing to put in the work. Though I have always been a maker/doer, I have never had more than a virtual corner in which to display my wares.... Until now.
New to the fine city of Austin, Green House is a boutique that carries the works of local artists and crafters. They are situated in the heart of what is Austin, and they embody the unique feel that makes this city great. (The address is 701 E. 53rd.). It has so very exciting to me as I have put my wares here and in less than a month I have had to restock! They haven't even had their Grand Opening yet!! 
In the short time that they have been open, I have learned about how to better marked myself on, as well as offline. I have been ramping up my Etsy shop, listing new items regularly and getting involved with teams. I will do a separate blog post on the marketing end later....
Another plus to putting my items in this boutique is that I can test new products and get actual results and reactions from real live people! I have been doing this, as it is inspiring to have a real audience, as opposed to virtual. My Etsy shop has not allowed me this. Now I can test items and place them in my Etsy if they are in demand. Very cool.The actual opening party will take place on May 7th from 10am to 10 pm and will be an event *not* to be missed. There will be live music, cocktails, a local artist's work in the gallery, and tons of fabulous locally handcrafted goodies!! I hope that you all can come and hang out with me!!
21 February 2011
Andriod Apps - *My* Top Ten List
I have only recently become part of the "Android World." Though I desired an android phone since the G1 first came out, on an unemployed student's budget, I recognized the greater need for frugality. Now, however, I am a graduate, am gainfully employed, and actually have reason for owning an android powered phone.
In the few short months I have owned my smart phone, (2 months actually), I have collected some amazingly useful and geekishly cool apps. Also, since I still cling to my frugal self, they are all free apps. My top ten findings I shall share here, in alphabetical order:
1) Any Memo: How many hours in your life do you suppose you spend waiting? We wait in grocery lines, lobbies, on the phone, etc. Why not use that otherwise "wasted" time to learn something new, or review something that you learned long ago? Any Memo is a flash card app that contains flash cards on everything from Languages to Geography to Math. I use mine to study Arabic. I have found it makes waiting *so* much easier. In fact, more than once, as my wait ended, I found myself thinking, "Damn! So soon?"
2) Endomondo: This is my personal trainer app. It keeps track of your workouts. It connects to GPS and can track a course you run, walk, or whatever. Then it will save it for you. You can work on beating your record, or you can sync with a friend for a bit of friendly competition. In addition, there is a handy playlist feature that pulls media of your choosing for play during your workout. With such a tool, who needs a gym?
3) GList: This is my shopping list app. Whenever I run out of an item (i.e. foodstuffs, hand soap, etc.), I add it to the appropriate list and it is there when I go to the store, provided I don't forget my phone. As I walk the aisles and acquire the items on my list, I can check them off. At the checkout, I press "checkout," and those items are removed from the list. What I especially like about this app is that is saves all previous items added into a list so that I don't have to retype them each time. For items I use often, like almond milk, this is very convenient, just "check" it and it is back on the grocery list.
4) Google Sky Maps: This app has brought the amazing coolness! I have always been a star gazer. I even entertained the idea of being an astronomer...once... before I realized the amount of math involved. With this app, though, I am able to wax brilliant and educated as I name every star visible in the sky! I just hold up my phone, start the app, and the sky map tells me the name and mirrors the location of all I see... It is a beautiful universe!
5) Laputa: This is my kindle, except I don't have to carry multiple devices, just my phone. Laputa is an Ebook reader that is connected to many free download sites. I am currently reading the Dresden File books, turning each virtual page with delight.
6) Posterous: As an obsessive microblogger, intent on chronicling my life, I have a myspace, twitter, facebook account, tumblr, etc. I want to update them consistently, but not separately as that would take a ridiculous amount of time and is most inconvenient. Posterous allows me to update multiple sites in one go. Yeah! for saving time and keeping my peeps up-to-date!
7) Shazam: Have you ever been in a coffee shop and heard your new fave song, but don't know the artist or title? This brilliant app will allow you to hold up your phone, capture a snippet of the music, and it will respon with Artist, Song, Album Title, and other relevant information. Brilliant!
8) ShopSavvy: As I have mentioned, I have frugal tendencies. Hell, frugal is my chosen lifestyle! This being so, when I find something that I desire, I scan the barcode. In one scan, all my comparison shopping is done for me. I can choose the cheapest local or web price, then, fully informed, I can acquire the item. Or, if I deem it too expensive, I can add it to the appropriate wish list. I will also set a price alert, so that if the item falls to a specified price or below, I will be alerted so that I can make my purchase.
9) Springpad: This is my catch all notepad. Whenever I have a thought, idea, hear a quote, etc. I put it here. I collect these and organize them in their proper places later. This frees me from my previous mountain of paper notes.
10) Toodledo: This one just might be my absolute *favorite* app. This is my virtual To Do list. I have always written To Dos on paper, sometimes multiple lists in a day. The paper notes are cumbersome and easily misplaced, but the feeling of checking off a completed task. Toodledo allows me to organize and keep tidy all of my tasks. I can also add due dates and reminders. The whole system is quite fabulous, and yet another paper saver! Apps help people Go Green, haha!
So, these are my top ten, but I am always on the hunt for cool apps. So, if you share any that I can add to my arsenal, anything that assists me in my mission to take over the world, you will be remembered in the regime change.
In the few short months I have owned my smart phone, (2 months actually), I have collected some amazingly useful and geekishly cool apps. Also, since I still cling to my frugal self, they are all free apps. My top ten findings I shall share here, in alphabetical order:
1) Any Memo: How many hours in your life do you suppose you spend waiting? We wait in grocery lines, lobbies, on the phone, etc. Why not use that otherwise "wasted" time to learn something new, or review something that you learned long ago? Any Memo is a flash card app that contains flash cards on everything from Languages to Geography to Math. I use mine to study Arabic. I have found it makes waiting *so* much easier. In fact, more than once, as my wait ended, I found myself thinking, "Damn! So soon?"
2) Endomondo: This is my personal trainer app. It keeps track of your workouts. It connects to GPS and can track a course you run, walk, or whatever. Then it will save it for you. You can work on beating your record, or you can sync with a friend for a bit of friendly competition. In addition, there is a handy playlist feature that pulls media of your choosing for play during your workout. With such a tool, who needs a gym?
3) GList: This is my shopping list app. Whenever I run out of an item (i.e. foodstuffs, hand soap, etc.), I add it to the appropriate list and it is there when I go to the store, provided I don't forget my phone. As I walk the aisles and acquire the items on my list, I can check them off. At the checkout, I press "checkout," and those items are removed from the list. What I especially like about this app is that is saves all previous items added into a list so that I don't have to retype them each time. For items I use often, like almond milk, this is very convenient, just "check" it and it is back on the grocery list.
4) Google Sky Maps: This app has brought the amazing coolness! I have always been a star gazer. I even entertained the idea of being an astronomer...once... before I realized the amount of math involved. With this app, though, I am able to wax brilliant and educated as I name every star visible in the sky! I just hold up my phone, start the app, and the sky map tells me the name and mirrors the location of all I see... It is a beautiful universe!
5) Laputa: This is my kindle, except I don't have to carry multiple devices, just my phone. Laputa is an Ebook reader that is connected to many free download sites. I am currently reading the Dresden File books, turning each virtual page with delight.
6) Posterous: As an obsessive microblogger, intent on chronicling my life, I have a myspace, twitter, facebook account, tumblr, etc. I want to update them consistently, but not separately as that would take a ridiculous amount of time and is most inconvenient. Posterous allows me to update multiple sites in one go. Yeah! for saving time and keeping my peeps up-to-date!
7) Shazam: Have you ever been in a coffee shop and heard your new fave song, but don't know the artist or title? This brilliant app will allow you to hold up your phone, capture a snippet of the music, and it will respon with Artist, Song, Album Title, and other relevant information. Brilliant!
8) ShopSavvy: As I have mentioned, I have frugal tendencies. Hell, frugal is my chosen lifestyle! This being so, when I find something that I desire, I scan the barcode. In one scan, all my comparison shopping is done for me. I can choose the cheapest local or web price, then, fully informed, I can acquire the item. Or, if I deem it too expensive, I can add it to the appropriate wish list. I will also set a price alert, so that if the item falls to a specified price or below, I will be alerted so that I can make my purchase.
9) Springpad: This is my catch all notepad. Whenever I have a thought, idea, hear a quote, etc. I put it here. I collect these and organize them in their proper places later. This frees me from my previous mountain of paper notes.
10) Toodledo: This one just might be my absolute *favorite* app. This is my virtual To Do list. I have always written To Dos on paper, sometimes multiple lists in a day. The paper notes are cumbersome and easily misplaced, but the feeling of checking off a completed task. Toodledo allows me to organize and keep tidy all of my tasks. I can also add due dates and reminders. The whole system is quite fabulous, and yet another paper saver! Apps help people Go Green, haha!
So, these are my top ten, but I am always on the hunt for cool apps. So, if you share any that I can add to my arsenal, anything that assists me in my mission to take over the world, you will be remembered in the regime change.
03 February 2011
Lesson Plans
I have just finished my first week as a tutor in our local school district. From this one week I learned much.
Before I began work, I was told about the reputations of the two schools I would be working at. One school is known to be academically superior to the other. In addition, the one that lacks academically is said to be populated with ill mannered students and a great deal of violence. Though I only have one week worth of experience in these two schools, I can honestly say that the assessment of the two is far from correct.
In the more prestigious high school I have met some really fabulous kids. However, just as many are rude and disrespectful. In one of my classes, I encountered an entire group of students who would not stay on task, and who used their very expensive smart phones to text throughout the period. I learned from this class that I needed to be much more stern with the class as a whole, which only made some of them angry, rather than garnering more respect and participation...
In the "other" school, I had an amazing time. I met really smart, engaged, and enthusiastic students. They all participated and seemed to enjoy the tutorials. I did not have any troubles with any of the students, and I was disappointed when the day ended much too soon.
So, what was different between the two schools? I have analyzed this thoroughly, and feel that I understand what makes them different. In the first school, all the teachers that facilitate the tutoring sessions do so differently. However, they all bear similarities in how they differ from the program in the second school:
Before I began work, I was told about the reputations of the two schools I would be working at. One school is known to be academically superior to the other. In addition, the one that lacks academically is said to be populated with ill mannered students and a great deal of violence. Though I only have one week worth of experience in these two schools, I can honestly say that the assessment of the two is far from correct.
In the more prestigious high school I have met some really fabulous kids. However, just as many are rude and disrespectful. In one of my classes, I encountered an entire group of students who would not stay on task, and who used their very expensive smart phones to text throughout the period. I learned from this class that I needed to be much more stern with the class as a whole, which only made some of them angry, rather than garnering more respect and participation...
In the "other" school, I had an amazing time. I met really smart, engaged, and enthusiastic students. They all participated and seemed to enjoy the tutorials. I did not have any troubles with any of the students, and I was disappointed when the day ended much too soon.
So, what was different between the two schools? I have analyzed this thoroughly, and feel that I understand what makes them different. In the first school, all the teachers that facilitate the tutoring sessions do so differently. However, they all bear similarities in how they differ from the program in the second school:
- At the first school, the teachers seem indifferent to the students, yet at the second the teacher greets everyone by name and checks in with them as they walk into the classroom. This can be as simple as asking how they are that day to inquiring about a test in a specific class.
- In the first school, the students break up into the same groups every time. However, in the second school, the teacher splits up the students based upon the similarities in their questions.
- At school #1, the teachers have them go directly into the tutorial, while at school #2 the teacher introduces a "fun" question to let everyone chat about themselves for a few minutes.
26 January 2011
Oh! What a "Tangled" web.....
Way to go, Disney! Thank you for taking a (mostly) harmless fairy tale and infusing it with wickedly insidious stereotypes. Sure, we are all aware that this sort of thing has been taking place in Disney movies since their beginning, but times surely have changed, right?
Wrong! I took my daughter to see Tangled today. This was to be our special "Mommy and Me" activity. However, not five minutes into it I was questioning my choice of movies. The main antagonist in the movie is the only non-Caucasian in the whole film. She appears to be of gypsy stock with black, kinky curls. While our protagonist is a lovely young Miss with long, flowing, straight golden hair. To add insult to injury, the antagonist's name is Mother "Goth"el.
Yes, yes, I know that in the end, the Princess does have short brunette locks with an anachronistically "hip" hairstyle. However, let us not forget that at her most exceptional moment, when she was full of magick, she was sporting golden locks...
So, Disney, I must again Thank You for doing your worst and attempting to convince my ethnically diverse children, mothered by an old school goth, that all things dark must certainly be evil, and further ingraining the idea that all things good, pure, and magickal are blond....
I won't even get into the wretched anti-crone stereotypes that are represented here....
Wrong! I took my daughter to see Tangled today. This was to be our special "Mommy and Me" activity. However, not five minutes into it I was questioning my choice of movies. The main antagonist in the movie is the only non-Caucasian in the whole film. She appears to be of gypsy stock with black, kinky curls. While our protagonist is a lovely young Miss with long, flowing, straight golden hair. To add insult to injury, the antagonist's name is Mother "Goth"el.
Yes, yes, I know that in the end, the Princess does have short brunette locks with an anachronistically "hip" hairstyle. However, let us not forget that at her most exceptional moment, when she was full of magick, she was sporting golden locks...
So, Disney, I must again Thank You for doing your worst and attempting to convince my ethnically diverse children, mothered by an old school goth, that all things dark must certainly be evil, and further ingraining the idea that all things good, pure, and magickal are blond....
I won't even get into the wretched anti-crone stereotypes that are represented here....
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