What I've Learned Lately

I'm working in Photoshop more these days. Finishing up a 4-week course w/Jessica Sprague. It has been a huge help. I like working w/flourishes, grunge frames and the brushes, oh, the brushes. And the actions too.

I'm doing more w/Dreamweaver too; it's a software program for web design. Would love to link to that page, but it is top secret. Actually, it's just a sample page and quite basic.

Oh, and I am working on some video tutorials. I'm already started. I am using Adobe's Premiere Pro. Do you see a theme here - I have the Adobe Master Collection CS3. It's pricey, but it has all of the bells and whistles. Another thing I've learned (actually I've known, but haven't taken advantage of) is the abundance of software at reduced rates that I have access to.

I've learned that if someone says that there is a sale at a store, if you don't get there pronto, the item that was on sale will be all gone; it will be an item that is discontinued and you will have totally missed out.

I've learned that taking my Pilates classes is doable. I'm taking them at least weekly; I think I'll get there just once this week due to a last minute scheduling of a dental cleaning. Ugh! But the following week it will be two Pilates classes per week. Plus I am adding a spinning class. It is getting time to 'flaunt it'; I should be ready.

I've learned, better yet, realized, that I have more things than I need. I surely don't need four pair of new shoes, yet I have them. Guess what? There will be four pair leaving the house at some point this week - never to return (and don't rule out the fact that I might 'return' a pair that was just purchased). Though the shoes I bought were cheapies - purchased at Target and Payless. So not much damage to the finances.

There have been more lessons learned, but you get the picture.

Five Things I Like

I was browsing the web and I came across Ali Edwards' blog (actually I have it bookmarked and I check it out every few weeks). Who is Edwards? Well, check out her blog and you will get a general idea. She definitely gets 'cool' points though.

One of the older posts was about documenting the Five Things That You Like. So I thought I'd address the topic myself:

popcorn

sunshine

hip hop music / The Roots

being outdoors

reading

And not particularly in that order. So simple, huh? It doesn't take much to be happy.

What I Don't Do

I came to the realization only last week that I am a little different than the average Joe.

I went to spend some time w/friends on the west coast. Only to discover that I am a big dose of "oh, I don't do/eat/drink that!"

Here's how it looks (and I'm sure that its looks somewhat quirky from your view):

• I don't drink alcohol or liquor or wine
• I don't consume caffeine (well, small doses; I have a negative reaction)
  
• I don't like cats (and frankly, they do not like me)
• I don't eat beef or pork
• I don't eat after 7 p.m. (unless I know that I will be up late)
  

That is a bit of a WOW-ser even as I look at it. I did not start all of this at the same time, but I can see how it looks a bit prohibitive to the average person.

There is a different reason why I abide by each of my little guidelines, but no need for all those details. The thing that gets most folks is "well, what will you eat?" Don't worry about me and food; give me a menu and I will discover something to line my belly! Usually veggies will do the trick; there is nothing like a heaping plate of salad greens, eh? :-)

And "what will you drink?" Water, w/lemon; juice; a smoothie ... just to name a few.

Oh, and you can always count on me to be the DD; the designated driver - so drink up!

testing

Lovin the Sunshine

I'm currently living in Pittsburgh. The weather is okay; really, it's just fine. We get all four seasons. But some days I just don't see the sunshine enough.

Well, I was on Spring Break and at the last minute (4 days in advance), I decided to travel to Los Angeles. How cool was that? Nothing but blue skies and sunshine. Total bliss.

However, it was nice to return to The 'Burgh and get a nice dose of sunshine and warm temps too. So much so, that I blew what was supposed to be a rather productive day. I worked out briefly, ran some errands, went rollerblading, then took a nice brisk walk, then did some reading outside and I also got some crafting done. Maybe that's why the sun does not come around more often for me...

Oh, and I did knock off one of my New Year's resolutions: to travel to a city that I have never been to before - no not L.A., but I went to a resort in Palm Desert which is about 90 minutes from L.A. Gorgeous. The picture was taken in Palm Desert. Love that.

Parking Lots as Speedways

Here is my pet peeve and I promise that I will not dwell on this or any other negativities.

But lately I've noticed that parking lots have become part-time speedways. It's crazy. I find myself playing the role of a video game target - dodging and dashing trying to avoid an automobile.

What is the deal and the sort of impatience that accompanies this tendency for drivers to aim their ten tons of steel at pedestrians?

I just want a little more patience, so that I can relish the sale items that I just purchased instead of looking and being startled into either halting my steps or puttin some pep in my step.

Playing with Photoshop

I teach a multimedia course and we've been using Photoshop for some assignments. I like the program though it can be intimidating.

I've discovered 'actions'. Which has made my life in Photoshop so much easier. Actions are recorded steps of things you want to do to an image - like make the image black and white from color.

So check out the action that I applied to this photo (and noticed how I added my watermark; I need to do that more often).

Also, I want to do some digital scrapbooking and I signed up for an online course with Jessica Sprague. The course is called "Up and Running". Good stuff. I've learned a ton so far.

...Too Many Words at Once

I love to read. I read a lot. I've reduced the number of mags that come directly to my house, but I still get one trade magazine, TV Week, one journal, Popular Culture and I have a daily delivery of USA Today. Those are just the hard copies; I read a wealth of info on the web too.

But what I don't do is multiple books at one time. I like to focus on the content. So guess what I am doing? Reading more than one book at a time. I am reading James Frye's "A Million Little Pieces". I know that I am late on this one. And it's a bit strange reading it after Oprah glossed him over on her show. Still it's an easy read that does not require much focus.

Also on my immediate list is Dr. Wayne Dyer's "Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life". I saw him on Ellen a few weeks ago and it piqued my interest. It's a good one, however, I determined that it would be best is I read a section and then try to 'practice' what I've read. For example, the second section focused on 'just be'. So I am working on being non-judgmental and just letting things be...

I have "The Secret" on my bedside. I've read this one already, but I'm back to it and I've flipped through it in the past week or so. I also actually began my visual journal. I could do a much better job on the journal especially since I make cards and various paper crafts, but oh well. I'm doing one and that is a good step.

My reading group is reading "Upstate: A Novel" by Kalisha Buchanon - this is for our annual retreat. I have yet to start reading this one, but I am anxious to get to it. It is written solely using letters.

Finally, I am about to pick up "Finding Your Own North Star..." by Martha Beck. My colleague recommended it and I have been on the hunt for it ever since. No one has it actually in store, but I can order it. Whatever, I guess I will have to place the order in the next day or so. The book is supposed to help guide me in finding my passion in life.

So enough of the blogging thing, I've got some reading to do ...