It's been a week since I started my FB abstinence and so far, so good! This week has been pretty busy anyway, and I haven't started on my goal to engage in more professional networking sites yet, but I did not check FB except on Monday which is my designated FB day.
Goal for this week: Use said spare time to sign up for LinkedIn and update my account on Mendeley and Epernicus.
13 September 2009
09 September 2009
C dak. jrbk.py.e yr Ekrpat!!!
Many months back a friend of mine told me about this ergonomic keyboard set-up called Dvorak. It sounded fine but why bother? My typing was easy and I had no real complaints. Until recently.
In the last few months I noticed my (non-dominant) hand complaining about all the work she was doing, and I started paying a little more attention to the inherent imbalance in the qwerty set-up. Not being one to back down from a challenge, I decided to take my friend up on his ringing endorsement of the Dvorak layout.
Now, you may or may not remember the significant frustrations that were involved when you first learned how to type. Try UN-learning all those patterns, and you wind up with spaghetti-head! My brain (and fingers) are in a jumble when I sit down to type now. If I am not at my computer, I have to revert to the qwerty set-up, which shouldn't be that hard since it is pretty well engrained in my muscle memory, but my mind likes to be difficult and mix up the two layouts at inopportune moments. The first few days are definitely the hardest, too. I went from typing 70+ wpm to maybe 25 (and that's being generous!).
Perseverance is key though, and having been at this new mind training project for just over a week, I'm really starting to enjoy this challenge! I'll let you know in a month if I am still of that opinion!
(If you decide to try Dvorak, let me know! I would love to know how it goes!)
In the last few months I noticed my (non-dominant) hand complaining about all the work she was doing, and I started paying a little more attention to the inherent imbalance in the qwerty set-up. Not being one to back down from a challenge, I decided to take my friend up on his ringing endorsement of the Dvorak layout.
Now, you may or may not remember the significant frustrations that were involved when you first learned how to type. Try UN-learning all those patterns, and you wind up with spaghetti-head! My brain (and fingers) are in a jumble when I sit down to type now. If I am not at my computer, I have to revert to the qwerty set-up, which shouldn't be that hard since it is pretty well engrained in my muscle memory, but my mind likes to be difficult and mix up the two layouts at inopportune moments. The first few days are definitely the hardest, too. I went from typing 70+ wpm to maybe 25 (and that's being generous!).
Perseverance is key though, and having been at this new mind training project for just over a week, I'm really starting to enjoy this challenge! I'll let you know in a month if I am still of that opinion!
(If you decide to try Dvorak, let me know! I would love to know how it goes!)
03 September 2009
Calling it quits
Don't worry. This is nothing too drastic. Well, it might seem drastic to some, but hear me out.
Facebook is my friend. At its inception, I held out, trying to ignore the hype and the social frenzy that ensued. That lasted almost a year, and then I caved. Facebook has its place, and its purpose, I will grant you that. There are people from my torrid (or not so torrid) past who have gotten in contact through FB. Kindergarten friends, people I knew from when I lived in Germany in 1990(!), and even cousins and second cousins who I am now "friends" with.
Facebook is also my enemy. There lies a sneaky side to this social construct that allows you to pry, even to snoop, and enjoy an almost voyeuristic glance into other peoples' doings that is almost as bad as gossip websites. As much as I would like to deny that I enjoy being privy to my extended friends' activities, thoughts, and passions, there is something relatively addictive to "being in the know".
For that reason, and for other reasons, such as finding time for constructive networking on more professional sites and even just writing more regularly in my blog, I am giving up Facebook. Not permanently, not even absolutely, but I hereby make a public vow to only visit Facebook once a week for browsing purposes.
So if you don't see as much updating from me on FB, and it takes you awhile to get a reply from me, know that it's not personal. It's just a little techno-purging in order to achieve a more harmonious balance in my life. :-)
Facebook is my friend. At its inception, I held out, trying to ignore the hype and the social frenzy that ensued. That lasted almost a year, and then I caved. Facebook has its place, and its purpose, I will grant you that. There are people from my torrid (or not so torrid) past who have gotten in contact through FB. Kindergarten friends, people I knew from when I lived in Germany in 1990(!), and even cousins and second cousins who I am now "friends" with.
Facebook is also my enemy. There lies a sneaky side to this social construct that allows you to pry, even to snoop, and enjoy an almost voyeuristic glance into other peoples' doings that is almost as bad as gossip websites. As much as I would like to deny that I enjoy being privy to my extended friends' activities, thoughts, and passions, there is something relatively addictive to "being in the know".
For that reason, and for other reasons, such as finding time for constructive networking on more professional sites and even just writing more regularly in my blog, I am giving up Facebook. Not permanently, not even absolutely, but I hereby make a public vow to only visit Facebook once a week for browsing purposes.
So if you don't see as much updating from me on FB, and it takes you awhile to get a reply from me, know that it's not personal. It's just a little techno-purging in order to achieve a more harmonious balance in my life. :-)
07 August 2009
Space Clearing
One of the nice things about having closed on the condo almost two full months before our leases were up is that it allowed us to move over slowly. Maybe too slowly. A few boxes here, the kitchen stuff there, and a few boxes every weekend afterward. Until there came one week before keys had to be handed over, and then the Stuff started piling up. At first the primary goal was to just get everything out of the old places, regardless of where it was going in the new one. When you walked in the door, the only thing you could see was boxes, boxes, and more boxes.
Honestly, it's still kind of like that. There are things waiting to be sold on Craigslist, chairs that need a table to sit at, and a whole bunch of other assorted tools, painting supplies, and just random bits and pieces strewn about the entire house. Almost entire. Two days ago, I declared war on a certain section of the cluttered mayhem. From stacks of boxes and scrap pieces of wood and leftover kitchen drawers, I eliminated, combined, threw out, and got rid of most of it, and moved the rest to a different pile of boxes. Finally, after about 30 minutes of organizing work the small space (which otherwise might attempt to be called a nook) between the kitchen cabinets and the water heater closet finally turned into a bicycle storage area!
The results are noticeable too, since previously, my bike had been blocking the laundry closet door in the bedroom, and Jay's was mildly obstructing our walking path between the living room and the rest of the place. It really helps me feel slightly more in control of the slowly diminishing "stuff" chaos that envelops the main living areas at present to have this little space put in order. It also helps that our herb box also graces the window above the bikes now. Nothing like some parsley and rosemary to brighten up the day!
Honestly, it's still kind of like that. There are things waiting to be sold on Craigslist, chairs that need a table to sit at, and a whole bunch of other assorted tools, painting supplies, and just random bits and pieces strewn about the entire house. Almost entire. Two days ago, I declared war on a certain section of the cluttered mayhem. From stacks of boxes and scrap pieces of wood and leftover kitchen drawers, I eliminated, combined, threw out, and got rid of most of it, and moved the rest to a different pile of boxes. Finally, after about 30 minutes of organizing work the small space (which otherwise might attempt to be called a nook) between the kitchen cabinets and the water heater closet finally turned into a bicycle storage area!
The results are noticeable too, since previously, my bike had been blocking the laundry closet door in the bedroom, and Jay's was mildly obstructing our walking path between the living room and the rest of the place. It really helps me feel slightly more in control of the slowly diminishing "stuff" chaos that envelops the main living areas at present to have this little space put in order. It also helps that our herb box also graces the window above the bikes now. Nothing like some parsley and rosemary to brighten up the day!
29 July 2009
Mancub
People ask if it was an accident. I have to tell them, officially, no it wasn't. Completely in the plan. Go figure. Having a younger brother is not a new concept. Almost all my friends have siblings, be it older, younger or twinned. I am one of the minority that has a sibling that is more than 10 years younger than me though. To be exact, my brother is officially 11 years, 10 months and 3 days younger than I am. We grew up in different generations, with different parents - my mother never would have bought store-bought spaghetti sauce, but this woman who is raising him has Prego on hand all the time now! I started college when he was just turning 6 and starting kindergarten, which made for some interesting moments at the grocery store and on campus, when people assumed that I was probably his mother and my mom was his grandmother. Having been so far apart in age, our relationship is part brother/sister, but also part mother-type relationship. As he grows older (and taller), though, he is starting to join the ranks of my younger peers.
Tonight my brother flies by himself to Atlanta for a 6 day visit. This newer, taller, more grown-up version of my little brother is going to be a joy to have here, both to spend some quality time together, but also to learn who this new person is. There is so much about someone that you can't put into words over the phone, so much missed detail about his teenage life, his interests, aspirations. We're going to get pizza tonight when he gets in, something pretty chill and comforting all at once, and hopefully I can start to learn more about the baby that my sister and I used to bounce on air mattresses, that cuddled in my arms while I read, and that worshiped ceiling fans before he could talk. Welcome to Atlanta, my (not so) little brother!
Tonight my brother flies by himself to Atlanta for a 6 day visit. This newer, taller, more grown-up version of my little brother is going to be a joy to have here, both to spend some quality time together, but also to learn who this new person is. There is so much about someone that you can't put into words over the phone, so much missed detail about his teenage life, his interests, aspirations. We're going to get pizza tonight when he gets in, something pretty chill and comforting all at once, and hopefully I can start to learn more about the baby that my sister and I used to bounce on air mattresses, that cuddled in my arms while I read, and that worshiped ceiling fans before he could talk. Welcome to Atlanta, my (not so) little brother!
23 July 2009
Accidental Art
Back in the dark ages, before digital cameras were ubiquitous and cheap, there was the 35mm camera. With real film and manual film winding. My parents gave me their trusty old Nikon that had served them from 1981 till the day I left for London in 2002. I appreciated having a camera with. There are too many fond memories that I would not otherwise have still at my fingertips, to rifle through when nostalgia hits, and to reminisce on the personal growth that started while I was abroad.
There were definitely moments where I was slightly ungrateful for having this old dinosaur of a camera to lug around though. While we were on a walking architectural tour of Paris with one of my classes, my ancient piece of ... technology started jamming up. This was not the time or the place for it to give me trouble either. Paris in itself is beautifully detailed, filled with picturesque buildings on almost every corner. We had just come up to the famous Metro entrance by the Louvre which was covered in color-saturated glass balls in an arching structure, so I snapped a picture for my album. Somehow the camera felt a little sticky during the exposure, but I thought nothing of it until a few hundred meters later when we came upon another scenic building. I tried pressing the button, and it only took half-way. I tried winding the film, and it finally let me wind it, but everything seemed to be acting up on the camera, so I stopped using it for awhile. I took out that roll of film, and added it to the ever-increasing pile of film canisters for developing when I got home. It wasn't until a few months later, when all the pictures came back from my trip that I realized just how lucky I was to have had this camera. Below is the picture that made all my little worries worth it.
There were definitely moments where I was slightly ungrateful for having this old dinosaur of a camera to lug around though. While we were on a walking architectural tour of Paris with one of my classes, my ancient piece of ... technology started jamming up. This was not the time or the place for it to give me trouble either. Paris in itself is beautifully detailed, filled with picturesque buildings on almost every corner. We had just come up to the famous Metro entrance by the Louvre which was covered in color-saturated glass balls in an arching structure, so I snapped a picture for my album. Somehow the camera felt a little sticky during the exposure, but I thought nothing of it until a few hundred meters later when we came upon another scenic building. I tried pressing the button, and it only took half-way. I tried winding the film, and it finally let me wind it, but everything seemed to be acting up on the camera, so I stopped using it for awhile. I took out that roll of film, and added it to the ever-increasing pile of film canisters for developing when I got home. It wasn't until a few months later, when all the pictures came back from my trip that I realized just how lucky I was to have had this camera. Below is the picture that made all my little worries worth it.
22 July 2009
Oh, Giorgio!
Atlanta has been blessed with an amazing store whose mere name causes women everywhere to swoon and drool. Until I moved here, I did not even know they existed! Now, however, Filene's Basement is a staple on my shopping sprees which have recently been few and far between.
The last time I made it to Filene's, they were having a designer's sale. I should remember the official name of their annual event - I want to say it was called the Vault sale. :-) The actual title of the sale is mostly beside the point, though. I was in a shopping mood, and had maybe 3 hours before my roommate and I were hosting a bachelorette party at our place, so what better way to kill a few hours than head to Filene's?
Little did I know the temptation that lay ahead: Gucci, Armani, and Dior graced the aisles next to the usual Calvin Klein and Philosophy stands. Their swan song called my name in the sweetest voice, I couldn't resist! Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to be even thinking about buying a designer piece, however off-the-rack it might be. The decently-sized fitting room provided the perfect place to slip into the black Valentino number that had found its way into my pile of clothes. Trying to zip it up was another matter. I managed, but just barely. This was the perfect "10 pounds lighter" goal dress. A gorgeous "little black dress". Almost exactly what I would want in a LBD. But...for $200+ I didn't think a "goal dress" was what I had in mind. Regardless of it being Valentino. I know. But girls, there's a good reason behind this decision.
Enter the supple, saturated deep pink satin cocktail dress by Giorgio Armani. I slipped it on and it said "Take me home!". Two understated ruffles flow down the front of the dress, one on either side of the tasteful v-neck. Each seam hugged my curves and accentuated the positives. (And for a good bit less than $200, it also fit my budget better) Triumphantly, I made my way to the cashier's desk with my first designer dress. I even bargained them down another 10% because of a slight rip at the top of the back zipper! So now I have Armani in my closet, just waiting for the right moment to make its sexy debut! Now for the right shoes...jimmy choo, anyone?
The last time I made it to Filene's, they were having a designer's sale. I should remember the official name of their annual event - I want to say it was called the Vault sale. :-) The actual title of the sale is mostly beside the point, though. I was in a shopping mood, and had maybe 3 hours before my roommate and I were hosting a bachelorette party at our place, so what better way to kill a few hours than head to Filene's?
Little did I know the temptation that lay ahead: Gucci, Armani, and Dior graced the aisles next to the usual Calvin Klein and Philosophy stands. Their swan song called my name in the sweetest voice, I couldn't resist! Never in my wildest dreams did I expect to be even thinking about buying a designer piece, however off-the-rack it might be. The decently-sized fitting room provided the perfect place to slip into the black Valentino number that had found its way into my pile of clothes. Trying to zip it up was another matter. I managed, but just barely. This was the perfect "10 pounds lighter" goal dress. A gorgeous "little black dress". Almost exactly what I would want in a LBD. But...for $200+ I didn't think a "goal dress" was what I had in mind. Regardless of it being Valentino. I know. But girls, there's a good reason behind this decision.
Enter the supple, saturated deep pink satin cocktail dress by Giorgio Armani. I slipped it on and it said "Take me home!". Two understated ruffles flow down the front of the dress, one on either side of the tasteful v-neck. Each seam hugged my curves and accentuated the positives. (And for a good bit less than $200, it also fit my budget better) Triumphantly, I made my way to the cashier's desk with my first designer dress. I even bargained them down another 10% because of a slight rip at the top of the back zipper! So now I have Armani in my closet, just waiting for the right moment to make its sexy debut! Now for the right shoes...jimmy choo, anyone?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
