Why I enjoy Writing?
May 15, 2007
During interviews and general conversations with the public,one of the most difficult questions for me to answer(timely and thoroughly) is,”Why do you enjoy writing”?
So due to the challenge manifested in such a question,I pondered on creating an answer. Many reasons came to mind,but after digesting much”time for thought”,I managed to condense my response to three items. I enjoy writing for three reasons: self-expression,personal sensitivity and thirst for adventure.
“Self-expression” is our Creator’s gift to all-everyone has something to say. The difference comes with how a person expresses him or herself. Having an outlet to relieve ones inner turmoil or joy is necessary;and when the results is a wholesome creation of some type,it should be shared with others.Complexity arises when trying to express how others feel because a person’s self-expression(being a writer) is a prerequisite to understanding another’s expression(being an editor). There’s an interwovenness of personal feelings,dogma and personality associated with a person’s self-expression. Much of what writers’ convey is the result of the chemistry of feelings,experience or both.Most of the time the writers’ feelings prevail.Deep down in all of us there are voices whose vocal chords are pencils waiting to be sharpened and used. Self-expression is the breath of opinion,the dissipation of disposition and the only river worth drowning in. “Honesty” rules the castle of “self-expression”.
Craft Fairs, Bazaars & Flea Markets?Oh, My!
May 14, 2007
Many names are associated with events such as these. Craft Fairs, Bazaars, Flea Markets and Swap Meets are a few names you can find. Whatever the name?they all mean the same thing. They allow you to meet new and interesting people (hopefully customers), spend quality time with your family and more of course most importantly make some extra cash. But, before you debut your first table at one of these events, getting yourself prepared is the first step. The following is a guideline you can follow to help make sure you’re ready.
1. First of course you’ll want to find events that are held in your area. This is about the easiest task of all. You’re sure to find them everywhere. Check you local newspaper, browse bulletin boards, and watch for fliers.
2. Next, attend a few local events yourself. Take a look around and view things from a customer’s point of view. Which tables caught your eye first and why? What sort of products/merchandise is being carried? Most importantly, what’s isn’t there? Try to visualize how you’d like your table to look.
10 Tips for More Meaningful Holidays
May 13, 2007
No matter how many lists you make, cards you send, gifts you buy, or packages you wrap, there will be things you intended to do this holiday season that won’t get done. If you do manage to get everything done, but you’re too tired to enjoy the season, everyone suffers.
Consider these tips to minimize your stress and maximize the meaning this holiday season:
1. Tamper with tradition. Dragging yourself through “we’ve always done it” rituals when they’ve lost their meaning, and you’ve lost your energy, does not contribute to holiday joy.
2. Begin the season by making a list - but don’t stop there. Pick out the most important item, the second, and on down the list. Remember, a creative mind always has more ideas than the body can accomplish!
3. Use your calendar - not just for appointments with other people, but with yourself as well. If you plan to send cards, estimate how much time it will take to write and address them, and block out that time on your calendar.
4. Ask your family what’s important. Prepared foods instead of home-cooked means more time for sharing new sports equipment and relaxing with friends.
Everybody is Fixing Their House or Apartment Up These Days. Use That Digital Camera to Capture
May 12, 2007
That’s right, you go through all the trouble of making your house or apartment nicer by hauling yourself off to the local fix it yourself store or hiring some professionals to come in and do it for you, so why not capture an accurate record of it for posterity. At almost no cost I might add.
Grab your digital camera and start snapping images of your place before the project begins. Hey I even documented my wife buried in catalogs, magazines, plans and books on the couch as she researched our kitchen remodel. She did not like the shot but in the end I think she will look back on it and laugh. After the bills have been paid I might add.
Yes we are in the middle of a major kitchen remodel. Imagine taking your old semi-functional kitchen, stripping it down to the studs, knocking out a wall or two and then starting over. That is what we are immersed in these days. I decided a few weeks ago that I was going to be nothing but positive about the process no matter how painful it gets. So to that end I decided to start taking pictures everyday of the progress. Well almost everyday as there are days when no progress is made. It helps me keep my sense of humor and it has also given me a better perspective on the project that has allowed me to give my wife input on direction that might otherwise not been received too well if you know what I mean.
Jar Lid and Jar Candle Decoration
May 11, 2007
Supplies Needed:
Most items can be found around the house or in a craft store.
Jar Candle with lid ? with removable plastic bottom
Craft Glue
Paint
Scissors
Decorating Candle Jars and Lids is a fun and easy project for all ages. You can use many different craft items to embellish your jar and lid. If you are really creative, you could even make a snow globe out of the lid. But we are going to go over a few inexpensive ideas to turn your Jar into an attractive looking and still functional decoration.
Most jar lids come with a plastic under cap, which can be taken off by a screw driver. In this space you can add many different things, from dried flowers to an elaborate scene.
One of my favorite things to do is to add fake flowers and greens to my lid, typically using the same color flower as my jar wax. Everything can be placed at the top of the lid and adding green leaves to keep it secure.
Making Time to Write this Holiday Season
May 10, 2007
As the countdown to Christmas day continues, most everyone is naturally all wrapped up in preparing for the big day (and the eve of the big day and the day after the big day?).
Whether it’s shopping, baking, or hosting holiday gatherings, you are probably engaged in time-consuming activities related to the season.Although your dedication to these tasks is completely reasonable and most likely pre-planned, your ability to meet these demands and still have to write may not be as realistic.
In order to maintain your sanity through the holidays, you should not allow your writing time to totally disappear. You may find yourself feeling somewhat stressed out, as you try to tackle the gift buying and deal with the family get-togethers.
I honestly believe that if you make time to write during this hectic season, you may alleviate some of the inevitable anxiety associated with the holidays. Writing can be as relaxing to writers as watching television is to couch potatoes.
You should not overlook the value of a little me time (or break/rest time for you alone). Schedule some me time or free time into your busy day, and then actually TAKE IT!
I Hate The Wait (Weight)
May 10, 2007
I get up in the morning
And want to stay in bed
Oh, so nice and warm
Like fresh from the oven bread.
My day is oh so busy
I wish that I could stay
In the quiet of my house
If only I could play.
Relax and play like Children do
No matter where they are
Never worried about being late
Or looking ahead too far
My body won’t sit quietly
I need to get there now
No time to chat, I now must go
All I can say is Chow
I hate to wait
For time to pass
Time to eat
To get some gas
Tick Tock of the clock
I look into the sky
The numbers move so slowly
I wish that they would fly
The weight won’t move at all today
And the wait is way too long
I am doing the best I can
To help move time along.
I can not control the numbers
On the clock or on the scale
Scrapbooking Teen Memories
May 9, 2007
By the time your teen is in high school, you probably aren’t taking as many pictures of them as you used to. I have to keep reminding myself that I only have a couple of years left and no time to waste trying to capture fleeing teenage memories.
You might be thinking that I’m really organized to be already working on scrapbooking my daughter’s high school memories. To be honest, I have a shoe box full of pictures of my daughter waiting for me to get to someday.
But if I wait until “someday” to continue taking pictures because I already have so many pictures I haven’t done anything with, then my daughter’s teenage years will come and go while I try to catch up.
I don’t want to chronicle every detail of my daughter’s life (nor would she want me to!), but I was trying to think of some memories that she might want to laugh about and maybe even treasure someday. So how do you do that without ending up with pages and pages of memories?
Scary Halloween Crafts
May 8, 2007
Looking for some great Halloween crafts for your Halloween party, haunted house, or just for trick-or-treaters?
A fun craft is something that can keep you occupied for hours on end especially if you enjoy it. Here are some ideas that will hopefully set you on your way in preparation for your next Halloween…
Halloween Crafts Part 1:
If you live in a house that has a wood-burning fireplace, then chances are that you have access to tree stumps or large blocks of wood. These are great for making stands for your Jack O’Lanterns. You could use a chisel to slightly hollow out the middle of the stump so that the lantern can sit stably or simply use some Blu-Tack or Velcro.
Get some small or mini pumpkins and hollow them out to use as candle holders. If open flames are out of the question, you can put glow sticks instead of candles for a different effect. You can carve, draw or paint faces on the pumpkins too. Instead of pumpkins, you could use apples as well. Ensure that you choose apples that sit well and flat or cut off the bottom to make a flat surface. Remove the stem and cut around it deep enough for the candle. It is best to use taper candles for a better fit.
Using Film Speed Effectively (Black & White Film Thoughts)
May 7, 2007
It’s hard to find sometimes but it’s making a resurgence, black and white film. If you’ve never used this film now is the time to try it out. Here are some tips to using b&w film and what you can expect from the results.
1. Forget color. This is the hardest thing to do and the number one reason that you will not get good results with b&w film.
2. Look for contrast. Once you can ignore color look for contrast. You will want your image to have a bit more contrast than you would normally want in a color image.
3. Consider shooting situations that are more formal. Black and white film gives such a wonderful timelessness to an image and it’s perfect for formal situations.
4. Keep your photos simple. Black and white film simplifies so don’t fight it. Keep the images simple by keeping close to your subject or place your subject against a simple back drop.
5. Babies and pets look great on b&w film. Place the pet or baby on a white background and you’ll be stunned at the beautiful results.
