Design, Yoga and Living a Creative Life

Are emotional vampires getting the best of you?

2011-12-28T13:10:00.001-05:00

Lucy Clark was interviewed by ABC 7 in Washington D.C.
An interesting news spot on how people in your life, both past and present can effect your outlook, self worth and friendship. If you can call this one sided type of friend in terms of a relationship. They are not always easy to spot.

Steve Jobs: How to live before you die | Video on TED.com

2011-10-06T08:53:00.000-04:00

Steve Jobs: How to live before you die | Video on TED.com

Did you know he was a college drop out. Very inspiring! He says it all. We will all miss you, but I am personally thankful for your inspiration on how to have your eyes open to possibilities. The dots will connect.

Ur Primitive Four Bears - T-shirt design needs voting for Threadless.com submission

2011-09-07T20:00:00.002-04:00

This is a new design created by Affehaus for Threadless.com t-shirts. Once it gets a high number of votes, then it can become a product for sale on their website. We hope you like it and vote for it as soon as you see this post. If you have any questions about this design or the submission process.

Record Keeping - When to throw out receipts, bills, statements

2011-09-04T10:27:00.001-04:00

Record Keeping from Suze Orman

Financial Clutter, What To Keep And What To Get Rid Of

Keep till warranty expires or can no longer return or exchange

▪ Sales Receipts (Unless needed for tax purposes and then keep for 3 years)

What to keep for 1 month

▪ ATM Printouts (When you balance your checkbook each month throw out the ATM receipts)

What to keep for 1 year

▪ Paycheck Stubs (You can get rid of once you have compared to your W2 & annual social security statement)

▪ Utility Bills (You can throw out after one year, unless you're using these as a deduction like a home office --then you need to keep them for 3 years after you've filed that tax return)

▪ Cancelled Checks (Unless needed for tax purposes and then you need to keep for 3 years)

▪ Credit Card Receipts (Unless needed for tax purposes and then you need to keep for 3 years)

▪ Bank Statements (Unless needed for tax purposes and then you need to keep for 3 years)

▪ Quarterly Investment Statements (Hold on to until you get your annual statement)

What to keep for 3 years

▪ Income Tax Returns (Please keep in mind that you can be audited by the IRS for no reason up to three years after you filed a tax return. If you omit 25% of your gross income that goes up to 6 years and if you don't file a tax return at all, there is no statute of limitations.)

▪ Medical Bills and Cancelled Insurance Policies

▪ Records of Selling a House (Documentation for Capital Gains Tax)

▪ Records of Selling a Stock (Documentation for Capital Gains Tax)

▪ Receipts, Cancelled Checks and other Documents that Support Income or a Deduction on your Tax Return (Keep 3 years from the date the return was filed or 2 years from the date the tax was paid -- which ever is later)

▪ Annual Investment Statement (Hold onto 3 years after you sell your investment.)

What to keep for 7 years

▪ Records of Satisfied Loans

What to hold while active

    ▪    Contracts
    ▪    Insurance Documents
    ▪    Stock Certificates
    ▪    Property Records
    ▪    Stock Records
    ▪    Records of Pensions and Retirement Plans
    ▪    Property Tax Records Disputed Bills (Keep the bill until the dispute is resolved)

▪ Home Improvement Records (Hold for at least 3 years after the due date for the tax return that includes the income or loss on the asset when it's sold)

Keep Forever

▪ Marriage Licenses

    •    Divorce Papers
    ▪    Birth Certificates
    ▪    Wills
    ▪    Adoption Papers
    ▪    Death Certificates
    ▪    Records of Paid Mortgages

* These documents should be kept in a very safe place, like a safety deposit box.

Baltimore Tech Businesses are Thriving

2011-09-01T08:17:00.001-04:00

: Towson Global Business Incubator, Maryland Bay Bridge Sunrise

I enjoyed the show and tell variation of recent Baltimore Tech Breakfast meeting, August 31, 2011. To give you and idea about our MeetUp group I've posted my recent comments about the new format and venue. Everyone who is involved in any aspect of technology is welcome to attend. I am seeking to offer graphic design assistance and share visual communication expertise at the meetings and perhaps work with other techs on new projects collaboratively.

The pace of this last meeting of the summer felt just about right for timing, even though we ran long. I think there may be show and tell projects where the content might be able to be presented in shorter time, but it depends upon the subject. I would suggest to perhaps break out the meeting with one longer presentation and three smaller ones. I liked the questions and comments and thought the positive energy of the group was inspiring. In some cases, I would like to devote more time to providing feed back or suggestions, but only if it is requested, otherwise it might feel awkward to critique. I suggest, if each presenter could ask what they'd like to hear from the group then, we could always send comments and suggestions in our own time to help keep to the schedule. I also am interested in the scaling topic which is moved to the next meeting. I would welcome a more technical discussion after each meeting, for those who would like to broaden their knowledge and exchange tips.

Clay Hickson at the Towson Global Incubator was very welcoming to our group and offered a very good space for us to host the meetings. His mindset and connections in the Maryland business environment are helpful towards anyone looking to grow their company or idea, as well as broaden their client base. The location is easy to get to and parking is plentiful. I'd like to see more tech breakfast events here at TGBI. They affiliated with Towson State University and are sponsored by Baltimore County Maryland.

The Baltimore TechBreakfast is a very inviting group of aspiring programmers, entrepreneurs and marketers. The open forum works very well and is free to make changes to be the best. It is fascinating to experience a diverse range of individuals representing businesses where technology is evolving to bring innovative ideas to market. I am glad to be among the group who provides a forum to discuss and receive feedback on emerging real world projects. Thanks for sharing the inspiring positive energy.
You are invited to attend the next months Baltimore TechBreakfast MeetUp by visiting the link at the top of this post. Contact me with any questions and I welcome your comments to this post.

New parts for 1972 Beetle VW

2011-05-05T17:25:00.001-04:00

fender for 1972 Beetle VW, a photo by flying_7ucy on Flickr.

1972 VW Beetle parts for sale. All new and selling at 75% off list price. Please make an offer and pick up the fender located in Towson, MD. I will ship smaller items. Please see my Ebay selling status to review my rating. Pre-purchase with PayPal and you can have them in a few days time. Thanks for looking.

Do you have a car, truck or parts to sell? Are you local to Baltimore, MD. I will take a 35% to 50% commission and sell them for you on Ebay or Craigslist. Depending on the prices they sell for and how many photos I need to take. If you provide the photos and descriptions, it will be in the lower percentage.

Thanks for looking.

Car art on wheels

2011-01-26T10:11:00.000-05:00

I'm considering this car for my next ride. I love the nostalgia and the memories it evokes from my childhood. While, it's not a station wagon, it has a similar dash layout to my parents car where we took trips all across the country. I want to continue to be inspired with what I own and drive. I've loved many cars over the years. I've owned a Datsun, Ford Mustang (two different times), Pontiac TransAm, Toyota 4Runner, BMW 7 series, M5, three M3's, several 3 series, Audi S4, Toyota Land Cruiser and lastly, but most fondly, my 1977 Mini Clubman. I have enjoyed the craftsmanship of each, many were performance cars and I do love the power of those. I've had quite a bit of track time, autoX and fast track driving experiences. Now I'm in the process of narrowing down what I might consider for my next car. Will it be a modern Mini Countryman. All wheel drive, nimble and sporty or something back to my love of old cars and the emotions they invoke.

Here's what I've found out about this car which is 'art on wheels'.

From the early years of Chrysler Corporation's history, the Imperial nameplate was used to designate the finest car of the line. Beginning with the 1955 model year, Imperial became a separate marque unto itself, with a unique model lineup for each year. Thus, the Imperial nameplate was treated as a separate make from the regular Chrysler lineup from 1955 until 1975. Unfortunately, the Imperial ceased production in 1975.

The Imperials of that twenty year span are recognized among collectors as some of the finest American automobiles ever produced. They represent an ideal of style, luxury, comfort, and excess which has not been duplicated since that time.

Imperial's styling, on the other hand, was subjected to constant experimentation. Each model year brought a new look.

"The LeBaron nameplate was introduced in the Imperial line for 1957. It was used to denote the highest model of Imperial. The midrange model was the Imperial Crown, while the 'entry' model was the Imperial Custom. The LeBaron model was used in the Imperial line from 1957 to 1975, when Imperial ceased to be."

This luxurious Canadian special order 1964 Imperial LeBaron Coupe represented the finest Chrysler had to offer in terms of style, luxury and comfort. The powertrain is an Overhead Valve 90 Degree V-8 engine producing 340 horsepower at 4600 rpm. The transmission is a torque flight fully automatic Pushbutton controlled. The exterior is a gorgeous Black, the interior is a white vinyl. Options include Pwr.Steering, Pwr.Brakes, Pwr. windows, Pwr. seats, Pwr.locks and factory A/C. Art on wheels!

Why not get something just like this instead of a Honda, Subaru, VW or even a BMW? I don't even care if the AC doesn't work. I guess I better head out and test drive it so I can begin to find my art inspiration everytime I drive. Send me your suggestions for other cars to consider. I welcome the discussion.

The best camping and travel truck - for sale, my Toyota Landcruiser 1989 FJ62

2011-01-04T07:32:00.001-05:00

1989 Toyota 4x4 Land Cruiser FJ62 - For sale by hiking, climbing and camping owner.
I'd love to tell you more of the adventures I've had in this truck, but then I think you'd rather imagine your own. Suffice it to say that this is an ad for selling my truck. I thing blogging is the best way to get the word out there. Let me know your thoughts.

1989 Toyota Landcruiser FJ62 4x4 For Sale, Westminster, MD

Asking $7,000 (you will have to come and see the truck before I negotiate on the price.) Do not ask in email what the final price is. I'm asking 7,000 and will accept offers in person.

202,688 original miles
4x4 Sport Utility
6 Cylinder 4.0 Liter
4 speed Automatic Transmission (shifts great)
Power Steering
Power Windows
Power Locks (not working at the moment, it's probably a fuse)
Tilt Wheel
Upgraded Stereo FM/AM CD and MP3 player
Roof Rack
Tow Package Installed (hitch optional)
Chrome Bumpers
Seats 5 comfortably

Highlights:
I am the third owner of the vehicle. It is reliable, starts and drives fine every time I get in the truck.
The Land Cruiser runs great with no problem. No visible oil leaks.
Rear bed gray carpet in excellent condition.
Installed a CD, AM/FM, MP3 player from a Scion with original Landcruiser speakers.
Original chrome wheels in good condition, no curb rash, no chips, no damage! They do show a little staining from normal rain and weather exposure.

Notes:
• This has been an extra vehicle for errands and such. NOT a daily driver. I have never taken the Land Cruiser off-roading.
• Oil synthetic blend changed every 4k miles.
• Interior is all original with No tears, but a small stain shows on the passenger seat (it looks like it can be cleaned, but I haven't been able to tackle that yet).
• The dashboard is in pretty good condition with one crack in the middle.
• all components and gauges are present, working and all original.
• The paint is decent and shines well for original. I can't tell, but there may've been some repaint in a isolated spot or two before we owned it.
• No major body damage or accidents. One small dent in the rear hatch. No noticeable rust, but I can see where there may be a spot appearing on the front fender. v
• It has been garage kept for a majority of it's life, so it's in great shape for a 20 year old Land Cruiser.

OPTIONS:
A set of off road tires and mounted on chrome rims that were never used. If you want them please add $500.00
Take a look at the pictures to see for yourself at the bottom right.

The Land Cruiser is sold as-is with no warranty. I ask for a $500 non-refundable deposit. If it is a personal check then I'll need to wait for it to clear my bank before the truck can be picked up.
I prefer not to ship the Land Cruiser, although you are free to arrange your own shipping and I can coordinate the delivery on this end.
Local pick up preferred. May deliver to you with a small extra fee for my time and fuel.

If you have any specific questions which is not listed above, please feel free to email me and I will update this ad with those questions answered.

Contact me to set up an appointment to see the truck. 7 days a week, 9am to 5pm. EST.

Located in Towson, Maryland, 1/2 mile off the 695 beltway.

REEL ROCK 2010 DVD TRAILER

2010-12-02T09:35:00.000-05:00

Be the inspiration in the next rock climbing (fill in the blank) video. Lucy's next post to YouTube will be from the next rock climbing adventure. Check out this video from the pro's. If you want to sponsor my rock climbing travels, please email me and request more information how you can be a part of the movie.

Clarity and peace in the darkest times

2010-10-15T07:26:00.001-04:00

Messy day full of trying to control what can't be controlled. Followed by a supremely clear day of effortless work and personal chores. It's been a long time since that extreme clarity has graced me. I am so pleased with how yoga is healing and doesn't let me run and hide like I would like too.
Thank you, Marina Gan for your healing transforming acupuncture.

My health is paramount and then reveling in what joy I have around me, not to wish for what isn't. I do the yoga and meditative work to accept what I have IS enough. I chop wood and carry water and toil like us all, and I find LIFE is GOOD. ~ ahhh Lucylife.

Yoga changed my life and gave me the courage to live the best one possible

2010-10-08T10:22:00.003-04:00

You've all heard about the benefits of yoga, but have you taken a class that teaches you the fundamentals? We all talk about needing to reduce stress, but how do you go about getting on track and stopping the rush and intensity of our fast paced lives? Can you find contentment in a bottle? maybe, but will it be good for you, or long lasting even permanent bliss? I think not.

I wish to tell you that you can start to take control over your life, your health and your peace of mind. This is certainly one of the few things in life we do have power over to bring about positive change. We can't control when we'll loose our job, or when a loved one might break our heart or worse yet a death of a family member. Any number of circumstances can effect us but we don't have to succumb to the misery or run away from it. Yoga teaches us how to handle any stress that can come up in life and how to be healthy with longevity into our 90's.

I suggest that you start to live the best life you can. I offer for you to take a yoga class at Santosha School of Yoga or a studio in your area that is dedicated to yoga. This is where you'll get the best classes, the most dedicated instructors and begin to learn what the ancient yogis have passed down from generation to generation. This tried and true method will give you an excellent foundation for not only your physical body, but your mind too. This kind of yoga instruction will give you tools for dealing with not only the stresses we can expect from a fast paced life, but also help you deal with unexpected things that life can throw at you.

While you may have walked by a power pumping yoga class at the gym designed for fitness there is a whole other level of yoga. Actually there are 8 limbs of yoga, as they are taught traditionally. You may also have searched for a beginner yoga DVD only to find what one person calls introductory is not suited for your level of ability. There are different ways to teach yoga where it can be enjoyable and enriching. With classes at Santosha School of Yoga, you can learn the basics to start your own home practice to compliment the instruction that you get in class and to see long lasting benefits sooner.

I started taking yoga at Santosha School of Yoga to help alleviate back and wrist pain from sitting in front of the computer for long hours at work. I was steadily gaining weight over the years and it was taking it's toll on my health. My doctor said if I didn't get my cholesterol under control I was headed for a life of medication. I'm not opposed to taking a pill, but I am aware of the side of effect of many prescription drugs, so I wanted to avoid that if possible. I had always tried to eat right, but I was eating much more than my body needed, for the lack of physical exercise.

So, back to my story about how yoga transformed my life. I've been practicing yoga now for over 8 years. I have lost all the weight and replaced it with lean muscle. I'm in better shape now that I was in college. I stopped having back and wrist pain within 6 months of starting yoga. I noticed my pants were fitting looser in 3 months. I lost 2.5 inches off my waist line and 3.5" off my butt. My once flabby arms are now slim to the proportion from begin a size 10 to a svelte 2. My large over sized shirts are replaced by slim fitting small size clothes. My appetite for food is replaced with appetite for life where food isn't sought after for soothing the soul. Food intake becomes more balanced and the soul is satiated by yoga.

The biggest improvement from yoga, however, is in my health. The physical results are happen stance at this point because the depth of yoga allows for learning overtime I come to the mat in a yoga class or practice at home. This is not just a physical fitness routine. Yoga evolves with you. Yoga is forgiving, gentile yet invokes you to bring your own level of strength and focus of the mind, at the same time. There are too many aspects to convey on how you'll be drawn to yoga and how it will benefit your health and effect your life.

Seven years prior to starting yoga, I had to have surgery for Endometriosis. One additional catalyst for starting yoga was when I started to feel that familiar aweful pain and tugging sensation return in my uterus. I knew that yoga had been touted as a great way to alleviate the symptoms and even possible cure Endometriosis. Doctors do not know much about how women get this disease, but their only way to help is by and prescribing pain relieving medication and expensive painful surgery. While I understand that it maybe necessary, I wanted to avoid having that invasive albeit laparoscopic procedure again. After about 8 months of practicing 3 times a week I could feel the difference. I started to feel better during my periods after about 3 months, but real relief from Endometriosis came 5 months later. It's hard to tell exactly when because without my back ache and other sluggishness of living a relatively sedentary life including watching too many hours of TV, I felt so much better every day I practiced yoga.

The real effects of yoga helped me the most during my divorce and keeping my graphic design business on track. I was able to have that stable foundation of my own practice, the classes at Santosha and the friends that I made through yoga. I didn't expect to be divorced at 43 after almost 20 years of being with my husband. It was a pretty difficult adjustment to being single and on my own, as anyone who has been separated from their life partner can tell you. Everyone I have met through yoga are helpful, kind, supportive and generally positive uplifting personalities. It's hard to hold a goddess warrior pose and not feel the effort, ease and silliness when everyone in class sticks out their tongue and exhales in a free groan. Some days in yoga class that exhale can mean the release of so much burden or anxiety that builds up in few days, or a month of holding in grief, or years of dealing with a tragedy.

Lucy Clark, in Torino, Italy, on day trip from
climbing the alps in Briancon, France August 2009

Traveled with Lorien Nemec, my best friend,
her boyfriend Cliff Butler and Steve Thomas,
my boyfriend and new best friend

I welcome you to try yoga and not just once, but at least 4 to 8 times. I understand it isn't for everyone. You may experience difficulty in quieting the nervous tick or feel bored with the need for more fast paced exercise, but do yourself a favor and keep at it. There's too many reasons to give yoga a fair evaluation, as I've mentioned. Instructors have a different approach and adjust classes for who is there and students levels of ability. It's best to pick a time of the week that you can commit to so that it becomes a part of your regular routine. Whether you simply have tight muscles, you don't need to be flexible to get benefits of yoga. It help improve your immune system, lubricate your joints, open up your respiratory system and allow you to do all the thing and more in life.

I started rock climbing as a result of my yoga practice. It gave me the courage to try it and I was hooked on the sport. Rock climbing in a gym became another form of yoga for me. My yoga gave me the calmness to focus the breath to keep moving and the core strength to progress. Yoga introduced me to my new best friend, Lorien Nemec. Lorien introduced me to rock climbing. She also is an excellent yoga instructor. We took our yoga teacher training together. She encouraged me to try rock climbing and if I like it, she asked if I wanted to travel to France with her and a group of friends to climb the alps. Since my divorce, I was open to change and seeing what doors might open for me and yoga gave me the awareness and confidence to not only try something new but the courage to go for it. I knew this was one of those once in a lifetime chances to go to Europe, to see a new country to travel, get on amazing rocks attached to beautiful mountain views. That trip changed my life in so many ways and yoga was the catalyst.

In conclusion, try yoga and you'll never know where it can lead you and how it can come to your rescue. It can be a lifelong pursuit that will be there to help you when you need it most. I was able to loose weight, cure my Endometriosis, stop my back pain, bounce back from my divorce with much more ease, study and teach yoga, own a yoga studio and travel to France to climb the alps. From my almost daily yoga practice and meditation, my stress is reduced and my health is great. I can have great fun while running trails in my Vibrum 5 finger barefoot shoes, I can climb rocks and have a full life. Yoga gave me the personal confidence to get back into the dating world and through soul searching and understanding who I am better, I was able to meet the love of my life. Since starting yoga I have more awareness of what I need and I'm discerning in what I want out of my life too. I am blessed to have a great relationship with my boyfriend, who is all I could ask for in the one I love. We are set to move to the southwest to pursue our love of rock climbing and live a simpler life under the big sky. Thank you Santosha School of Yoga and all my friends for all you've given to me.

Amazing architecturally innovative home priced to sell at any offers over 599,944

2010-08-26T14:56:00.002-04:00

Visit the new photos online for the Westminster, Maryland house. 45 minutes from Baltimore or Fredrick, 1 hour from Rockville, MD. This wonderful modern vacation like home is set in 28.4 acres.

Link to photos.
http://7ucy.com/photos/Site/home_for_sale.html#grid

Visit Margaret Rome website for more details or call the
realtor at 410-530-2400. http://homerome.com/

Remove a page or site from Google's search results

2010-08-05T09:16:00.000-04:00

Oh, so important to anyone trying to have THE latest up to date information on google search results. If you are not a webmaster, then this may not be easy to interpret. I can help. Send me a message and I'll do my best to coach you through. Best regards and good luck, Lucy

Remove a page or site from Google's search results

Watch the Official EAT PRAY LOVE Trailer in HD

2010-08-05T08:36:00.000-04:00

This is a wonderful book. Eat Pray Love has it all for inspiration and the pure enjoyment of life. Looking forward to seeing the movie.

The art of a paperless graphic design studio

2010-04-15T10:03:00.000-04:00

Now, where did that paper go. Do you ever wish you could perform a 'search' on your desk, or in your studio? I have a great memory, but there are times when that elusive slip of paper has not been found, or not when I needed it. So I have enacted the digital paperless graphic design studio. Now you may ask, how in the world can a visual artist not have a printed or written process? I say, easy. Once the switch has been made, it's really hard to go back. I strive to not print anything that isn't imperative. To NOT have to file anything is a wonderful fringe benefit.

The digital artist studio saves time, money and resources. Not to mention that frustration of what happened to that sketch. Ah, it's in the computer. This process leaves room in my life for more important things. Like, living! I do love my job. I love my clients. I love everything about being a graphic designer and am particularly grateful for being self employed for the past 18 years.

This virtual production studio filing helps with my biggest manufacturing client. I have several binders now of the archives of files all listed alphabetically. I'm looking to digitally catalog the catalogs of file listings. That way, they can be searched by date, by name, by client, by project, by what ever I can remember or a client can cite. There are so many benefits to finding stored graphic presentation files. It's obvious it saves time and money.

There will be more on how to make your own archive catalogs digital with my next blog installment.

Suffice it to say I am appreciative of my art background and my earth sensibilities to strive to make my life easier and my work life greener and more peaceful. Now, if I could search my purse with a digital function, that would be something. I'm sure there is an iPhone app already dedicated to helping one find the item among their briefcase or messenger bag contents. If not, I'll happily take some small credit for suggesting this new iPhone app. I'm excellent at product development and brainstorming, so feel free to contact me and we'll work out the details of this new personal utility application. It's all very clear in my head, not on a scrap of paper, but soon to be written in my digital notes file for later retrieval.

Thanks digital world for getting me back out to rock climbing in Maryland and yoga in the parks of Baltimore.

Now, if my house would sell in Westminster, we'd be on to something with the blog advertising. BTW, it would make a fantastic graphic design or artist studio. It's the perfect size of home to justify a home office and the surrounding property give the best peace of mind with just the right amount of seclusion, privacy and creative inspiration like you can't believe.

Feel free to contact me to help your studio setup a digital archive. For small to medium size studios, from the sole-proprietor to the s-corporation.

Happy digital world to you all.
Lucy

Opening Day for the Artist

2010-02-26T09:18:00.000-05:00

It's a refreshing idea to share ones life experiences. I am grateful to have the space to do just that. I welcome this blog space to bring my joy and positivity to all of my endeavors and to fill you with inspiration for your own.

Travel, adventure, art, photography, painting, performance driving, the spiritual and physical practice of yoga, rock climbing, sewing, target practice, etc. So many things and experiences have shaped my life and will in the future.

Looking forward to building my blog and putting myself out there in the virtual world.

Peace,
Lucy