Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Tuesday, October 11, 2011
Bright White Paper
When someone creates a brilliant concept or design and you think to yourself, "It's just too simple to be good. Let's add some more to fill it up/make it fun/make it pop" just stop it. Take that little thought and a small mental hatchet and chop that thought up until it is no more. When you are listening to a pitch about a short informational video, that is so clear and consistant, and you notice yourself waving your hands in semi circles and explaining how the graphics can zoom in, for the love of the Karate Kid, just stop it. When you see a designed piece of equipment and find yourself commenting on how unimpressed you are because it doesn't seem that complicated, oh you better shut it up.
Let's start with a little analogy and think about a time when you were asked to close your eyes and clear your head as a means of relaxation. What did you think of? I typically think of all white, free of any objects, walls, or even space itself. Relaxing isn't it? So we can all agree white space is beautiful. If you don't, I'll give you back your Lisa Frank notebook (go wild).
Let's now think about a very stressful time most of us have encountered, a city rush hour. You can be in your car, walking to work, or if you live downtown, attempting to sleep, but there always seems to be a constant loud rubble of noise. Something leaking out of the sewer is just choking you as you pass by and you're attempting to read your 3 text messages you received and you missed the traffic light. Not relaxing! Something about the constant stimulation really begins to eat away at you, your temper, and/or your ability to pay attention to one simple task.
Now let's pretend these two situations are pieces of paper. One is a nice white sheet of paper; no creases or stains, bright white paper. The other paper is mud covered, drawn on with the disgusting black licorice smelling marker, and the whole surface is crinkled. If you were going to buy one of these pieces of paper, which one would you choose? Unless you are some hipster (damn the man), you would choose the bright white paper. It's relaxing, understood, clean, simple, and you are able to project yourself on to its endless possibilities. The other thing to understand, is a lot of work went into making that piece of paper that glowing shade of white, the right weight, and the right size. Just because it appears simple, does not mean the process of making it is.
So the next time you're thinking about get your money's worth by filling up every square inch with text and bursts, think about that beautiful white piece of paper. If you want to continue to yell a message over the noise of the city, remember how the constant stimulation makes that little voice, that tells you to do bad things, in your head grow louder. Or if you are mad that you're paying an arm and a leg for something that looks so simple, just remember that a lot of time went in to making it look so clean, because it sure as heck didn't start off that way.
Let's start with a little analogy and think about a time when you were asked to close your eyes and clear your head as a means of relaxation. What did you think of? I typically think of all white, free of any objects, walls, or even space itself. Relaxing isn't it? So we can all agree white space is beautiful. If you don't, I'll give you back your Lisa Frank notebook (go wild).
Let's now think about a very stressful time most of us have encountered, a city rush hour. You can be in your car, walking to work, or if you live downtown, attempting to sleep, but there always seems to be a constant loud rubble of noise. Something leaking out of the sewer is just choking you as you pass by and you're attempting to read your 3 text messages you received and you missed the traffic light. Not relaxing! Something about the constant stimulation really begins to eat away at you, your temper, and/or your ability to pay attention to one simple task.
Now let's pretend these two situations are pieces of paper. One is a nice white sheet of paper; no creases or stains, bright white paper. The other paper is mud covered, drawn on with the disgusting black licorice smelling marker, and the whole surface is crinkled. If you were going to buy one of these pieces of paper, which one would you choose? Unless you are some hipster (damn the man), you would choose the bright white paper. It's relaxing, understood, clean, simple, and you are able to project yourself on to its endless possibilities. The other thing to understand, is a lot of work went into making that piece of paper that glowing shade of white, the right weight, and the right size. Just because it appears simple, does not mean the process of making it is.
So the next time you're thinking about get your money's worth by filling up every square inch with text and bursts, think about that beautiful white piece of paper. If you want to continue to yell a message over the noise of the city, remember how the constant stimulation makes that little voice, that tells you to do bad things, in your head grow louder. Or if you are mad that you're paying an arm and a leg for something that looks so simple, just remember that a lot of time went in to making it look so clean, because it sure as heck didn't start off that way.
Marathon Update
I'm five weeks into training for the Disney Marathon and I thought I would give an update on how it's going. Elyse and I are officially registered to run! Now on to planning travel and accommodations for cheep! Anyone have a condo in Orlando?
The actual running is getting much harder. I'm not sure if it's because the distances are getting longer or because I'm breaking in new shoes. I'm hoping it's the shoes, because that will be a short lived battle. I've also been encouraging friends to run/bike along with me, especially on the longer runs. It really helps with the mental battle. I got a new, fancy and nerdy water belt to come along as a fellow traveler on the longer runs. This is both a positive and negative add to the run. I'm obviously keeping hydrated and can carry a phone if I think I'm about to die or some ID incase someone finds me that way. Although, I am carrying a heavy water bottle around that likes to bounce up and down. Again, it's just a part of the mental battle.
Recovery is getting shorter and easier to deal with. It is a very positive and noticeable step. I'm still feeling pretty good about the training, but not quite as optimistic as I was in the beginning. Running long distances is hard stuff. I'm focused on training at a good pace but also keeping my body healthy. The last thing I would want is paying for this non-refundable race and getting myself injured. So keep honking if you see me. I won't hear you because my headphones will be in and you will look like an idiot, but somehow, someway, I can feel your love.
The actual running is getting much harder. I'm not sure if it's because the distances are getting longer or because I'm breaking in new shoes. I'm hoping it's the shoes, because that will be a short lived battle. I've also been encouraging friends to run/bike along with me, especially on the longer runs. It really helps with the mental battle. I got a new, fancy and nerdy water belt to come along as a fellow traveler on the longer runs. This is both a positive and negative add to the run. I'm obviously keeping hydrated and can carry a phone if I think I'm about to die or some ID incase someone finds me that way. Although, I am carrying a heavy water bottle around that likes to bounce up and down. Again, it's just a part of the mental battle.
Recovery is getting shorter and easier to deal with. It is a very positive and noticeable step. I'm still feeling pretty good about the training, but not quite as optimistic as I was in the beginning. Running long distances is hard stuff. I'm focused on training at a good pace but also keeping my body healthy. The last thing I would want is paying for this non-refundable race and getting myself injured. So keep honking if you see me. I won't hear you because my headphones will be in and you will look like an idiot, but somehow, someway, I can feel your love.
Friday, October 7, 2011
Personal Assistant Needed
I'm your regular super busy chick. Putting my brain to work, I though I'd get a leg up from every other busy chick and hire myself a personal assistant. The following is a list of job skills required in order to keep me organized, smooth, and my armpits dry (I tend to perspire excessively when I'm stress).
Loves details - and all those other little annoying things like fine print, hidden fees, and cobwebs. I'm a big picture kinda gal; details always seem a bit fuzzy. I need appointments made, comments liked via facebook, laundry cleaned, and I need to blog and pinterest regularly.
Understands extremely difficult concepts and theories but isn't more than one analogy away from "it's like this cheeseburger..." - I love learning all about Mr. Brainiac's study on string theory. It gives me all those arrogant facts I like to throw in my friends faces and then stick out my tongue while gesturing "Suck it"! But I just don't have the time or the attention to wade through equations and science books, and I can't be seen at the library (it really hurts the rep). I need to be given the instructions to a homemade cryogenics box in a tweet.
Comeback generator - While throwing facts in my friends' faces, things sometimes escalate, name calling ensues, and feelings might get hurt. Those feeling better not be mine, but with comebacks like "Your mom!", "Your face!", or sometimes "Your mom's face!" you can tell I don't win many of those battles. I need someone that can spit comebacks like Busta spits rhymes.
Must be able to see the future - I'm not playing games, I can't keep messing around with predictions, dove chocolate wrappers, or crossed fingers. I need someone that can see the future for, duh, every obvious advantage knowing the future brings. Plus I really want to know when the hoverboard and flying car will actually be possible. It looks like the expected future of 2015 coming a little slower than thought.
Name to face rememberer - Like that scene in The Devil Wears Prada where Andy must memorize the names of designers and recite them for Miranda in Paris. Yea, just like that.
Insomniac - I work weird hours. There is no telling when I will feel inspired and because being so organized you might "like" having a schedule and sleeping 8 hours a night. That just won't do. Sorry!
Photographer - Most of the time many of my good looks are wasted because I don't have an on staff photographer. My facebook profile picture has been looking pretty stale. Not to mention, how will anyone know I'm so busy if it goes undocumented. You're missing thrilling images like, "This one's of me scratching my sweaty armpit with plates of food surrounding me as I type this blog entry" I also want the pictures to have those cool hipster filters, just because.
Pronoun Translater - When I say words like "thing", "it", "that guy with the brown hair" you know exactly what I'm talking about. I see it in my head, I just don't have enough time to find the correct nouns verbally. Side note, because of this, I've thrown out my boyfriends application.
If you are ready to apply, please just leave a comment and I'll get in touch with you for 3-4 extensive interviews and a background check. I can't pay you in money, but I can always pay in love and a great reference on your resume.
Loves details - and all those other little annoying things like fine print, hidden fees, and cobwebs. I'm a big picture kinda gal; details always seem a bit fuzzy. I need appointments made, comments liked via facebook, laundry cleaned, and I need to blog and pinterest regularly.
Understands extremely difficult concepts and theories but isn't more than one analogy away from "it's like this cheeseburger..." - I love learning all about Mr. Brainiac's study on string theory. It gives me all those arrogant facts I like to throw in my friends faces and then stick out my tongue while gesturing "Suck it"! But I just don't have the time or the attention to wade through equations and science books, and I can't be seen at the library (it really hurts the rep). I need to be given the instructions to a homemade cryogenics box in a tweet.
Comeback generator - While throwing facts in my friends' faces, things sometimes escalate, name calling ensues, and feelings might get hurt. Those feeling better not be mine, but with comebacks like "Your mom!", "Your face!", or sometimes "Your mom's face!" you can tell I don't win many of those battles. I need someone that can spit comebacks like Busta spits rhymes.
Must be able to see the future - I'm not playing games, I can't keep messing around with predictions, dove chocolate wrappers, or crossed fingers. I need someone that can see the future for, duh, every obvious advantage knowing the future brings. Plus I really want to know when the hoverboard and flying car will actually be possible. It looks like the expected future of 2015 coming a little slower than thought.
Name to face rememberer - Like that scene in The Devil Wears Prada where Andy must memorize the names of designers and recite them for Miranda in Paris. Yea, just like that.
Insomniac - I work weird hours. There is no telling when I will feel inspired and because being so organized you might "like" having a schedule and sleeping 8 hours a night. That just won't do. Sorry!
Photographer - Most of the time many of my good looks are wasted because I don't have an on staff photographer. My facebook profile picture has been looking pretty stale. Not to mention, how will anyone know I'm so busy if it goes undocumented. You're missing thrilling images like, "This one's of me scratching my sweaty armpit with plates of food surrounding me as I type this blog entry" I also want the pictures to have those cool hipster filters, just because.
Pronoun Translater - When I say words like "thing", "it", "that guy with the brown hair" you know exactly what I'm talking about. I see it in my head, I just don't have enough time to find the correct nouns verbally. Side note, because of this, I've thrown out my boyfriends application.
If you are ready to apply, please just leave a comment and I'll get in touch with you for 3-4 extensive interviews and a background check. I can't pay you in money, but I can always pay in love and a great reference on your resume.
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