Okay, this is probably a dumb idea, but why not.
Win a Free T-Shirt!
If you’ve noticed the changed design you can see the top banner looks pretty bare. I’d like to put some sort of cool logo to the left of the “Trying to Follow” title.
Please email your logo design, preferrably as a .psd, to ariahfine at gmail dot com
The best design will get a free t-shirt from http://iamnotashamed.net
Some might want to do this for political reasons, others for environmental reasons, others just to save their pennies, or maybe just to get outside more.
Regardless, No Gas Day is your chance to join with others and make the world a better place by simply not using gas (or as little as possible).
Make sure your bike tires are pumped up.
After reading a number of story books to our friends three year old, I realize it would be sweet to write children’s books. Specifically children’s books that teach about important global issues.
It would be great to write about the impact that using too much water or driving in a car too much has on our environment. What about a series addressing sweatshops and the importance of buying clothes that weren’t made by other little children?
Our children our currently being raised to become happy little consumers. Why not turn them into happy little activist?
Anyone know how to illustrate?
Test look in progress
I found this theme at Maxpower and really wanted to try it out. I know my banner up top looks even more boring then before (who knew that was possible), but I think I’m going to enjoy the colorful way I can mix up my posts.
Here’s all the possiblities.
cool?
I’m a very inquisitive person. The internet has greatly helped my curiousity cause nearly anything I have a question about I can quickly look up the answer to it. Some things are not so easy to find answers too. Ethical questions, culture questions, questions that I’m not going to trust some joe on the internet to answer. It’s people I know (like those reading this blog) that I’m interested in hearing answers from.
With that I’m going to allow for a Question series to begin. Nothing serious just wanted you to know what I was doing. And I’d appreciate answers from those who are willing to give them.
You thought getting a song for 99 cents on itunes was a bargain? Well, did you know you can get that same song for 11 cents at AllofMP3.com?
The short explanation is this is an actual music distribution company in Russia who distribute music and charge by the file size, not per song. They say they are within the rules and regulations of their agreements, others say it is wrong and unlawful.
So what do you think?
For more info here’s a VERY pro explanation.
Here is an FAQ site.
Here is an article fairly con about it.
So I had this idea for a little while, and tonight I decided to just try and make it happen.
I spend a lot of time writing about and thinking and talking about things that I care about and I believe are important. Sometimes I feel like I’m making a difference, other times I feel like I’m talking to a wall. I feel compelled to encourage others regardless of the outcome, but it’s nice to know your making a difference.
So I just threw together this site called, “I Encouraged…” Basically it’s just a blog I sort of hacked to my specifications. And I’ve just posted things I’ve spent time or effort encouraging people to do. You can look at the list and If I’ve encouraged you to do something, either through something I said or wrote, or just by example, then by all means please post a comment so that you can send your encouragement my way. If I can figure out how to make it look a little nicer I might open it to others to be able to post the things they’ve encouraged people to do.
For now, enjoy “I Encouraged…”
Chapter 2, The Role of Language and Story, of A Framework for Understanding Poverty talks about the language that we use and the distinctions between classes as it relates to language. They talk about 5 types of language (Frozen, Formal, Consultative, Casual, Intimate) of which I’d like to discuss two.
Formal is the language we commonly use in school and work settings. Specific word choice is important, as well as complete sentences. I remember being so annoyed in school when teacher’s asked us to write in complete sentences which really just meant rewording the question to include the answer. At the same time it was very helpful to me learning and practicing the formal register.
Casual register is used between friends and is based on a small vocabulary (400-800 words). Complete sentences are unimportant and non-verbals are very important. Most people use casual register on a daily basis. Whether it be in their home or amongst friends most people from any class can use and understand casual register. Unlike formal register, casual register often differs from group to group.
How does this relate to poverty? The ability to use formal register is a hidden rule of middle class. Those in poverty often do not understand the importance of using formal register. Think about the implications this has for job interviews. The difference between these types of speech and ones ability to switch between them has huge implications for your ability to move freely and successfully through different parts of society.
When I decided I wanted to implement some form of organizational system I thought it was going to be easy. I’d just read a book, follow the step by step instructions and ‘viola!’ suddenly my life was organized and happy. Well, that has not been the case.
I got this cool workflow diagram off of David Allen’s website (it was free, let me know if you want me to just email you a copy). Basically the diagram explains the whole book, but in a whole lot less time. The system is all there right in front of you. The problem is how you choose to set it up for your unique situation. None of the organizing things I’ve looked at seem uniquely tweaked to my job and my duties.
It’s so easy to continue just doing things in what ever old way you do them. Trying something new is a challenge. Usually, I like the way that I have things set-up, but it always gets to the point that I realize I could probably use a better system then I currently have.
Any advice for the disgruntled organizer?
For 300,000 children around the world, war is not a game.