Taller Than Average Tales

I, Tut: The Boy Who Became Pharaoh

2012-02-26T15:07:00.000-05:00

12. I, Tut: The Boy Who Became Pharaoh by Miriam Schlein

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A children's book about Tutankhamun written from Tut's point of view. It's like he's telling a friend about a series of days from his life to let him/her know what it was like. It's effective and an enjoyable read.

The illustrations are Egyptian style. I liked most of them though some were a little too simplified for my taste.

Recommended for a kid interested in ancient Egypt. The book conveys a fair amount of facts through its story.

Two years ago on TTaT: Life of Art SitRep #3

Life of Art SitRep #107 Perspective

2012-02-24T00:01:00.003-05:00

Every week, I work towards creating a life of art for myself. This is the zigzag filled journey.

Play along in the comments with your own pursuits if you'd like. (That's where I'll cheer you on.)

*******

So, 4 new product types became available for designs this week, but I didn't kill myself adding them to all of my existing designs. I started but I let 47 of the new products be enough. It let me attend to some other things that don't always feel productive but are part of the bigger picture. Felt good to make progress on those. One piece of a longterm project is almost done, yay! Also, the doing felt faster with more downtime somehow. Not sure how that happened exactly but I dig it. More refreshed I suppose.

This week, I

Created a Yellow and Black Chevrons design and product line. I was thinking caution tape, but it seems my new design is more properly reminiscent of hazard tape.

Yellow and Black Chevrons by RocklawnArts
View more Caution colors Cards

Yellow and Black Chevrons by RocklawnArts
Browse other Caution colors Rickshaw Messenger Bags

Yellow and Black Chevrons by RocklawnArts
Browse other keepsake boxes

Made 8 templates for new products available in my shop: Throw Pillows, Placemats, Napkins, Kitchen Towels. I'm not going to offer every photograph and design in my shop on these, but the ones that suit them are a fun addition.

Added 47 of the new products as appropriate from my digital designs. More to come!

Black and White Chevrons by RocklawnArts
Browse more Chevrons American MoJo Pillows

Green and White Gingham Pattern by RocklawnArts
Shop for another cloth napkin.

Black and White Gingham Pattern by RocklawnArts
Browse more Black and white gingham American MoJo Placemats

White Circles on Light Blue by RocklawnArts
Browse Zazzle for a different kitchen towel.

Wrote a review for my Double Arch stickers.

Yes, I feel a little weird about reviewing my own product, but I mentioned it was my photograph and Zazzle keeps sending me emails to review things I've purchased. Also, they've implemented their reviews in a tremendously inconvenient way. In an idiotic move, reviews for other seller's stickers show up below my product and they will be in the forefront if my product has no reviews of its own. This means there can be bad reviews that have nothing to do with my design below my products. ARgh!

Anyway, I really do like how my stickers came out, so I feel good about recommending them.

Double Arch by RocklawnArts
Join one of the largest artist affiliate programs

Rocklawn Arts blogged New Red and Black Chevrons design and New design, Yellow and Black Chevrons.

Rearranged Rocklawn Arts store a bit.

Posted 60 products to promotional blogs.

Tweeted a President's Day sale, tweeted and FB'd Red and Black Chevrons and Yellow and Black Chevrons links.

Got my Puffy Clouds On Blue Sky necklace featured on the lens, Soaring High.

Puffy Clouds On Blue Sky by RocklawnArts
Design custom necklaces

Renamed photo files in 4 folders.

*******

How are your pursuits going?

Two years ago on TTaT: There's only so much weight a tree can hold Ooh, a video of winter! The ground has been nearly bare most of this winter. May get a bit of snow tonight though.

My kind of dream

2012-02-21T15:30:00.000-05:00

When I was getting dressed this morning, a dream fragment came vividly back to mind.

I was in some sort of open office setting. I was at my desk but there were other people around working as well.

An old woman, perfectly coiffed and impeccably dressed in a grey skirt suit, accessorized with pearls, approached. Probably an actress I plucked from my memory. Charlotte's first husband's mother from Sex and the City comes to mind as does Frances Sternhagen (Brenda's mom on The Closer) although not with her voice. In any case, I sensed she was the owner of the business where I was working.

In a smooth, deep voice (Kathleen Turner's?), she asked, "What are you trying to convey to other people with your attire?"

Wearing my usual cargo pants, t-shirt and long sleeve t-shirt over it, I knew what she was getting at, but I was unfazed. I matter-of-factly answered, "Nothing. I don't care what anyone thinks."

Sometimes it's refreshing when you just don't care. I had no concern about losing my job or anxiety towards the group of workers now standing with my boss around me. I didn't even fear that she was going to inflict a dress code on me. It was a stress-free moment of truth, and because it was, my coworkers were nonplussed and the old woman was speechless.

Two years ago on TTaT: Sketchbook, page 4 <-Ooh, this is a good one.

REALLY!?! Keep your laws off my body!

2012-02-19T14:04:00.001-05:00

REALLY!?! with Seth & Amy on SNL last night very well summed up my ire towards men who are hell-bent on abolishing women's reproductive rights.

(If you're reading this in a feed reader, you may need to click through to see the video.)

A year ago on TTaT: Frank O. Gehry: Outside In

Life of Art SitRep #106 Windmills

2012-02-17T00:01:00.002-05:00

Every week, I work towards creating a life of art for myself. This is the zigzag filled journey.

Play along in the comments with your own pursuits if you'd like. (That's where I'll cheer you on.)

*******

This week was a roller coaster of anger, frustration, anxiety, and finally calm resignation towards something I was not able to change. Maybe not so calm as I can feel the frustration nipping at the edge of my thoughts. It's done though, my protestations at any rate. Of note is that working to create something new distracted me and made me feel best. When all else fails, focus on the work.

This week, I

Created Red and Black Chevrons design and made a product line of it:

Red and Black Chevrons by RocklawnArts
See more Chevrons Rickshaw Folios

Red and Black Chevrons by RocklawnArts
Browse other MacBook Pro sleeve designs on Zazzle.

Red and Black Chevrons by RocklawnArts
See other Chevrons Casemate Cases

Made a couple versions of a design I'm working on, but I'm still undecided about which way to go with it.

Rearranged store a bit.

Zazzle blog post Foto Friday! on 2/10/12 includes my Red Dianthus with Raindrops stamps with a link to them.

Renamed photo files in 5 folders.

Posted 37 products to promotional blogs. Still doing posts to my Rocklawn Arts blog manually so formatting for tweets and squidoo lenses will look better.

Watched great tutorial "It's All About the Jaw" by Peter Hurley. If you want a strong jawline in photographs, watch this! Essentially move your forehead forward and down to clean up your jawline. If the shot is more profile, move your ear towards camera.

Watched "reDefine 111 : An interview with Portrait Photographer Sue Bryce"

Watched video tutorial "How To Use The Synchronize Command in Adobe Camera RAW"

Watched about 1/2 of Christa Meola's Boudoir workshop on Creative Live.

Read Christa Meola's "The Pro Photographer Manifesto: 10 Habits of Successful Pros."

*******

How are your pursuits going?

A year ago on TTaT: Worth: internal or external?

If You Ask Me (And of Course You Won't)

2012-02-16T18:53:00.000-05:00

9. If You Ask Me: And of Course You Won't by Betty White

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A quick enjoyable read. I read it in 2 sittings. After the first half, I was thinking I'd give it a 3 for the Hollywood anecdotes typical of many celebrity memoirs, but while reading the second half which has a few contemplative bits, I felt it merited a 4.

Her positive outlook was a restorative reminder for me on a couple of days when I was feeling down.

The book contains lots of great photos spanning much of her life and career. I was pleased to discover I have a couple of things in common with Betty White. I'd like to have a few more.

Two years ago on TTaT: Ancient Muscle Memory

Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs

2012-02-12T20:58:00.000-05:00

8. Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs : A Souvenir Book by Zahi A. Hawass

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

A slim volume but full of well captioned photographs of ancient Egyptian artifacts from an exhibit which I got to see. A very cool reminder of that day in Philadelphia.

The text covers Tutankhamun's life as well as the results of a CT scan of his mummy. Those images are both really interesting and kind of creepy. Either way, yay for science.

Two years ago on TTaT: Life of Art SitRep #1 woo!

Don't use trade agreements to mess with the internet! Stop ACTA & TPP

2012-02-11T00:01:00.008-05:00

Stop ACTA & TPP: Tell your country's officials: NEVER use secretive trade agreements to meddle with the Internet. Our freedoms depend on it!

I urge you to vote no on ACTA and to communicate its severe problems to your colleagues. ACTA's vague language locks us into obsolete copyright and patent laws, preventing democracies from updating their laws to unlock new economic and social opportunities.It criminalizes harmless remixes by ordinary users if they achieve 'a commercial scale' (art 2.14.1) which many amateur videos do on sites like Youtube. And it criminalizes legitimate websites by making them responsible for user behavior ('aiding and abetting' art 2.14.4).Worse, it permanently bypasses the democratic process by empowering the 'ACTA Committee' to 'propose amendments to [ACTA]' without your approval. (art 6.4) In other words, it's impossible to know what you're voting for.The global movement against the US law SOPA showed that internet freedom is a crucial issue which belongs in the legislative process of each country. You should view ACTA as an attempt by a handful of companies to circumvent the democratic process, and you should vote against it.Thank you. Please reply if you have any questions.

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Life of Art SitRep #105 Enough

2012-02-09T23:45:00.004-05:00

Every week, I work towards creating a life of art for myself. This is the zigzag filled journey.

Play along in the comments with your own pursuits if you'd like. (That's where I'll cheer you on.)

*******

Enough was the word of the week. I let one new design for my shop be enough which let me attend to other matters. Finding some balance this year it seems, or at least learning to stop when I should stop on occasion.

This week, I

Created Red and White Chevrons design and product line.

Blogged New Red and White Chevrons design:

Red and White Chevrons by RocklawnArts
See other Iphone 4 Casemate Cases

Red and White Chevrons by RocklawnArts
Browse more Chevrons Cards

Red and White Chevrons by RocklawnArts
Browse more Chevrons Postage

Red and White Chevrons by RocklawnArts
See other Chevrons Necklaces

Red and White Chevrons by RocklawnArts
Browse other Chevrons Bags

Check out the complete collection of Red and White Chevrons products.

Revised one of my designs when I figured out a more efficient way to make it and started a couple others.

Posted 44 products to promotional blogs. Started doing posts to my Rocklawn Arts blog manually so formatting for tweets and squidoo lenses will look better.

Tweeted, FB'd new product line Red and White Chevrons.

Rearranged store a bit.

Renamed photo files in 9 folders.

Finished reading Photographer's Survival Manual: A Legal Guide for Artists in the Digital Age.

*******

How are your pursuits going?

First time I've posted on this day since I started blogging in 2005, woo! Not sure why but I'm always excited to come across these rare dates I haven't posted on before.

Photographer's Survival Manual: A Legal Guide for Artists in the Digital Age

2012-02-08T07:03:00.001-05:00

6. Photographer's Survival Manual: A Legal Guide for Artists in the Digital Age by Edward C. Greenberg

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If you want to learn how to register your images with the Copyright office, this book has a very good step-by-step walk through. It also explains the legal reasons you should register your images and what your rights are. Also included are chapters on releases, and contracts and invoices with examples.

The authors (including a trial lawyer who's argued many copyright infringement cases) are good at making legalese understandable and pointing out which phrases are key to include or avoid.

I do wish they had included more details about registering published images. If everything you've put on the web is published (arguable but the stance they take), then it'd be helpful to walk through that registration process in more depth. (Their walk through focuses more on the much simpler process for unpublished images.)

The book includes sample release forms which you can use, but it would have been great if they'd put them on the web somewhere along with some of their other contract examples. It's all well and good to tell the reader to leave a half page of legal text just the way it is, but it's not so simple to type it out exactly.

Still, it's a very good and informative read on legal issues that affect the businesses and livelihoods of photographers (and other visual artists). Just wish it were longer.

A year ago on TTaT: Bleck

Last day for Worldbuilders fundraiser for Heifer International!

2012-02-07T13:31:00.000-05:00

Worldbuilders is a fundraiser run by scifi/fantasy author Pat Rothfuss to raise money for the fantastic charity Heifer International. Heifer provides goats, heifers, bees, chicks, and other animals as well as training to take care of them to people in need. Recipients pass on offspring to other members in their community, a gift that keeps on giving if you will.

The cool thing about donating through Worldbuilders is that Pat will match 50% of your donation. Well, that's not all that's cool. For each $10 you donate, you get an entry into a massive raffle including over 1000 "books, comics, DVD’s and other cool miscellany." Most of it leans to scifi and fantasy genres. Even if you don't read it, I'm sure you know someone who does.

To check out the swag, visit the Worldbuilders main page for links to all the goodies.

The fundraiser ends tonight, February 7th at 11:59PM, CST, so head on over to Pat's team page for Heifer International and get your donation in!

(I know times are tough for a lot of people. I couldn't afford to give as much as I'd like this year, but I got my parents to match my donation, so you know, think outside the box. :)

Two years ago on TTaT: Sketchbook, page 2

Life of Art SitRep #104 That's two

2012-02-03T00:01:00.002-05:00

Every week, I work towards creating a life of art for myself. This is the zigzag filled journey.

Play along in the comments with your own pursuits if you'd like. (That's where I'll cheer you on.)

*******

Actually encountered the feeling of having done enough this week. Sort of odd that. Freed me up to ponder some next steps and have a bit of fun. Curious to see where next week leads.

This week, I

Created a Black and White Chevrons pattern and product line:

Black and White Chevrons by RocklawnArts
Design your own iphone cases

Black and White Chevrons by RocklawnArts
Browse more iPod touch covers

Black and White Chevrons by RocklawnArts
View more messenger bags.

Black and White Chevrons by RocklawnArts
View more jewelry boxes

Check out the complete collection of Black and White Chevrons products.

RA blogged, Tweeted, FB'd Black and White Chevrons.

Finished making 27 new Rickshaw messenger bags, planners, iPad sleeves, macbook air sleeves, macbook pro sleeves, and water bottles for remaining photographs as appropriate.

Rearranged store a bit.

RA blogged Folios now available from Rocklawn Arts! and New iPad Sleeves at Rocklawn Arts.

Posted 32 products to promotional blogs.

Tweeted some sales, new products and design.

Updated coupons on squidoo lenses Rocklawn Arts and American Southwest scenes as needed.

Watched Photoshop tutorials: "How To Set Your Camera’s White Balance In Post" and "How Create A Simple Page Curve."

*******

How are your pursuits going?

A year ago on TTaT: Petersen's Guide to Architectural Photography

Remarkable Places: Explore the beauty of nature's hidden places

2012-02-01T20:42:00.000-05:00

5. Remarkable Places: Explore the beauty of nature's hidden places by Parragon

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An excellent collection of photographs of fascinating places with informative captions. The book is an overview of natural wonders, ancient civilizations, and monuments/buildings carved from rock. If you want more than basic stats and background, you'll need to investigate further, but this book is a fun introduction to a lot of amazing places on Earth.

I was familiar with many of the locations, but there were several that were new to me which was cool. There's a handy index of the sites at the back.

Sorry there's no picture, I had to add this book to GoodReads as it was. My parents picked this book up from The Christmas Tree Shop for me (for xmas) when they couldn't find a good photo book about Petra for me. I'm a fan of most ruins and natural wonders, so this was a great alternative. A very enjoyable slim volume.

A year ago on TTaT: The Blue Shirt, Icicle Branches

Life of Art SitRep #103 And breathe...

2012-01-27T00:40:00.000-05:00

Every week, I work towards creating a life of art for myself. This is the zigzag filled journey.

Play along in the comments with your own pursuits if you'd like. (That's where I'll cheer you on.)

*******

I meant to finish creating the new products introduced last week for my existing photographs and designs, but Zazzle added another new product this week (aluminum water bottles) which slowed me down. With 8 photographs left to go today, I remembered my theme for the year: Ease. Deciding not to kill myself finishing it today felt pretty great. I can finish it tomorrow.

This week, I

Blogged, FB'd, and Tweeted 15% off sale:

Get 15% Off All Products until January 27, 2012 at 11:59pm PT! (That's today!)
Use code: 15WINTERSALE

Made new water bottle templates.

Added 165 new items to my existing catalog of images including messenger bags, planners, iPad sleeves, macbook air sleeves, macbook pro sleeves, and water bottles as appropriate:

Blue Bokeh by RocklawnArts
See other courier bags.

Bokeh in Spring by RocklawnArts
Browse Abstract Rickshaw Folios

Epimedium Flowers by RocklawnArts
View more reusable water bottles

After Hockney - Black & White: Light on water by RocklawnArts
Browse Zazzle for a different MacBook Pro sleeve.

Purple and White Gingham Pattern by RocklawnArts
View other Purple and white gingham Rickshaw Sleeves

Red and White Gingham Pattern by RocklawnArts
Browse Zazzle for a different MacBook sleeve.

Posted 44 products to promotional blogs.

Rearranged store, moved digital designs down with rest of them. Added folio and messenger bag to top picks.

Deleted album in store images that was driving me crazy by making me click more times to get to design images.

Watched "High Pass Sharpening" Photoshop tutorial.

Watched Video Tutorials – "Using Adobe Photoshop’s Unsharp Mask Tool" and "How To Fix Photos That Are Too Dark Using Adobe Photoshop" and "Demonstration of Content Aware Scale in Adobe Photoshop."

*******

How are your pursuits going?

3 years ago on TTaT: Winter waters

Post Office Etiquette

2012-01-23T19:46:00.000-05:00

While waiting in line at the post office, I started filling out a Signature Confirmation Receipt. In my peripheral vision, I saw a middle-aged woman (probably only 10 or 15 years older than me, gah!) come up beside me and then sort of step out of line as though she was considering cutting ahead of me. I turned my head in her direction and she stepped back in line behind me.

I'm not a jerk, I thought to myself, If I'm not done by the time the next cashier is ready for me, I'll let you go ahead of me.

There were still two people in front of me in any case. When the line moved up, I slid down the counter and finished the form. I stood next to the one guy ahead of me for a long time watching the two cashiers help two people. A third postal worker would periodically walk up to a third register, do some stuff, and then walk away.

After he'd done that two or three times and one of the other cashiers also walked away, I commented to the guy ahead of me, "Just when you think they're going to open a third register..."

"Yeah," he said. "They keep teasing us."

I looked at my letter and form for about the tenth time and read the back of the Signature Confirmation Receipt. I read it a couple of times to make sure that it only applied to packages. I had the wrong form.

The counter by the line had slots with all of the various postal forms in it, but I was too far up to reach them. I took a step along the counter side of the antsy woman behind me (there was room because she was back out like a runner trying to steal 2nd) and reached in front of an older man to grab a Certified Mail Receipt while saying, "Excuse me."

I stepped back to my place in line and hurriedly started filling out the new form.

The antsy woman chirped, "Are you still in line? Are you ready?"

"Yes. I will be by the time they are." I scribbled the address again.

FYI, antsy woman, the content on the forms I was filling out was more for my benefit than a requirement for my transaction. In any case, I was still done before the next cashier was ready.

However, antsy woman, if I hadn't finished, your behavior made it likely that I would've taken the form up to the cashier to finish it there. (Though I probably would have asked for the stamps I needed first so as not to waste the cashier's time.)

To sum up: Chill out when you're waiting in line. Assume the best of the people ahead of you. Don't cut or ponder cutting ahead of someone filling out a form (especially when there are still people ahead of her! It makes you look like a jerk.).

If, and only if, the person ahead of you is at the front of the line and is still filling out paperwork when the next cashier is ready may you calmly and POLITELY ask to go first. Keep your frenzy dialed down and ditch your entitlement altogether. If they didn't suggest that you go first on their own already (Assume the best of the people ahead of you), it's possible they will say no. In they do, suck it up. They were there first. With any luck, more than one cashier will be working so you won't have to wait much longer.

5 years ago on TTaT: Potentially crazy making

Best Business Practices for Photographers

2012-01-21T10:06:00.001-05:00

4. Best Business Practices for Photographers by John Harrington

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An excellent reference book for the business side of photography. Loads of examples and resources throughout. That said, it's also a bit overwhelming for someone who isn't already in business as a photographer. I think the book contains a lot of great advice for getting things set up the right way from the beginning though.

For the non-pro reader, I would start with the chapter that walks you through copyright registration (chapter 17). It's followed by what to do when you're infringed in chapter 18 with a handy step-by-step to getting an ISP provider to remove your images from a site violating your copyright according to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) starting on page 329: "Case Study: a DMCA Violation." (You might find this useful, Dave2, since you don't have to deal directly with the infringer.)

Then I would read chapters 6 and 7, "Setting Your Photographer's Fees" and "Pricing Your Work to Stay in Business" to remind yourself what your work is really worth. Most people I know can't hear this enough, myself included.

Then I'd look at the chapters on contracts which include many examples of what clients expect/demand and what you can counter with. Harrington also discusses what the contract language means. There are several ways the language can be phrased so that it says you retain your copyright while you're actually giving all those rights away. Watch out for "exclusive," "transferable," and "sublicensable" rights. Completely avoid "work made for hire" if at all possible.

From there, I might go to chapter 26 "Licensing Your Work." It just depends on what applies most to you. There's a chapter on IRS audits that has tips that would be useful for anyone. Other chapters cover more of the nitty gritty business stuff: lawyers, accounting, insurance, staff, dealing with clients, etc. Make use of the contents and index. (Sizzle, you might find the chapter on contracts for weddings and rites of passage very helpful. Main take-away, get paid upfront so you're not waiting with a bunch of other vendors to get paid after the honeymoon when the couple is broke.)

I really appreciated how Harrington shared his correspondences with clients, and examples of invoices and licenses. "It's not our policy to..." is one of his great ways to say "No" to an unreasonable client request. There are a lot of examples in the book of what you can say to a client who insists on something (often all the rights to your image forever everywhere for one fee) or one who objects to the estimated cost you propose.

I hope Harrington writes a 3rd edition to keep the information current.

On a tangential note, I'm kind of freaked out. I don't think I can do a lot of what it takes to make a living as a photographer according to this book, at least not well which doesn't even account for not wanting to do a lot of it. I was never going to be a wedding, rites of passage, portrait photographer which is the industry's bread and butter.

How then do I make the life of art I want to have work? And what does that life look like exactly? Those are the conundrums.

For now, there are bits from the book I can do, so I'll start there and let the rest sink in more. 500 pages of business talk is a lot to take in.

A year ago on TTaT: Life of Art SitRep #50 the big five-oh

Life of Art SitRep #102 Round One

2012-01-20T00:01:00.001-05:00

Every week, I work towards creating a life of art for myself. This is the zigzag filled journey.

Play along in the comments with your own pursuits if you'd like. (That's where I'll cheer you on.)

*******

This week, I

Shot 12 self portraits.

Made templates for new Planners, Messenger Bags, iPad Sleeves, MacBook Pro Sleeves, and MacBook Air Sleeves and then used them to create 123 new items from my digital designs.

Black and White Rectangles by RocklawnArts
Browse other commuter bag designs on Zazzle.

Double Rainbow Barcode by RocklawnArts
View other Double rainbow Rickshaw Folios

Rainbow Bullseye by RocklawnArts
View more Rainbow Rickshaw Sleeves

Navy and White Gingham Pattern by RocklawnArts
Browse more Navy and white gingham Rickshaw Flap Sleeves

Purple and White Gingham Pattern by RocklawnArts
Browse other Purple and white gingham Rickshaw Sleeves

Added new items to links list.

Posted 38 products to promotional blogs.

Rearranged store a bit.

Blogged Bone China, Espresso, and Jumbo Mugs now available at Rocklawn Arts!

Finished reading Best Business Practices for Photographers, 2nd edition by John Harrington. Uf, more on this soon.

*******

How are your pursuits going?

Two years ago on TTaT: Registered to vote in MA? Go vote!

Consider this black

2012-01-18T15:41:00.000-05:00

Please contact your Senators and US Representatives, and tell them to vote NO on the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and ProtectIP (PIPA).

Be Cool now with Bonus Tangents!

2012-01-16T15:01:00.000-05:00

Knowing that I would have to endure at least an hour of a claustrophobic situation yesterday, my motto was "Be cool."

I'm not sure how they keep managing it but once again my appointment was for the coldest day within the 7 day forecast. Not one of the oddly above average warm days, no, it's the days where the high is only in the teens and my appointments either fall well before or after that temperature would be reached. Bundling up for 11 degree weather is not so bad but I was avoiding wearing any metal except what my jacket had. My pajama bottoms, though sporting a cool series of vertical blue stripes, are on the thin side. Knee high socks help but not that much when it's that cold. Yay for heated seats and someone willing to drop me off and pick me up at the door.

I'd been trying to gauge how long it would take based on two past experiences that would now be combined, but I was dismayed when she said an hour and a half. "Are you claustrophobic?"

"Yeah, a bit. I've done this before but not all at once." Be cool.

I wore a different sweater this time, one that wasn't so bulky: a good choice as it didn't push against the sides of the tube I was in.

I know to relax my shoulders as much as possible before we start, and I also know it's never relaxed enough. "Just slide up an inch so you shoulders are against the headrest," the tech said. I'll just say that when you've recently thrown out your back, these are not words you want to hear. Ow.

The cage over me was bigger this time and part of it was resting on my chest which I really didn't like. It's easier to ignore confinement the less you can feel it. Be cool.

"Take a nap if you can," he said before leaving to start the machine.

I closed my eyes but they felt really jumpy. And then the knocking, beeps, and electronic tones started. The sounds vary widely and occur in spurts of varying length with few pauses. All they have in common is that they are really loud even with earplugs and foam blocks beside your ears. Not likely I can nap through this.

I focused on my breathing, keeping it slow and calm. Thank you, yoga.

I should have elongated my neck before we started because I felt like I was at an odd angle making it harder to swallow and periodically stressed out over it since I wasn't supposed to move.

I tried picturing a tropical beach: white sand, blue ocean, a palm tree arching in from the right, listening to the waves, the sand in my toes. But then I thought about the heat, how I always burn, and how I generally like the idea of a beach more than lying on one.

Considered and discarded: a large beach umbrella, a cabana, an infinity pool overlooking the ocean.

Next up my dream library. Red mahogany built in shelves from floor to ceiling all full of books. Can't have it be too dark though so lots of sunlight from skylights and windows. Maybe a view of the tropical beach, perhaps opening out to it.

"You're doing great," the tech's voice said through a speaker. "Are you doing all right?"

I croaked, "Yes," and made a subtle adjustment to my neck. My palm felt a little sweaty loosely holding the call button. The loud clicks and buzzes resumed. 8 more minutes to the first set, then another set, then pulled out for a contrast injection, and then back in for another round.

You know, I bet H would hate this. Well, I don't know if she's claustrophobic, but the loud sounds would almost certainly be triggery for her. But perhaps I won't mention that. On the off chance she ever needs this done, I don't want to prime her for a bad experience.

The library opening out onto the beach wasn't enough, so what next? Puppies!

The off-white puppies were absolutely conjured from the unrated version of Bridesmaids that I had just watched with my dad the night before.

Some things to note: I do not recommend watching the unrated version of Bridesmaids with your dad. Though I haven't seen the theatrical cut, I think I would have preferred it.

But back to my dad who said, "What does 'unrated' mean? That it's for everybody?"

"Uh, no. Think about it: Un. Rated. Use your logic." Once I was done looking at him as though he were crazy, I explained, "Unrated usually means that version of the film is more lewd and gross. Racier."

I should have stressed the gross more, but I still don't think he would have understood because he has no current frame of reference. He hasn't seen any of the now typical guy comedies that seem to hang their humor on grossness. He doesn't really watch TV so he hasn't even seen trailers for those types of movies.

He wanted to see the unrated version though and I was willing to humor him. Periodically during the film when he expressed shock at one thing or another, starting with the first scene!, I found myself just saying, "I told you it was unrated." I felt like he hadn't listened to me.

Despite that and the fact that Bridesmaids is clearly a film aimed at women, he laughed a lot. It did make me laugh but I enjoyed it more for its story about women from a woman's point of view. Though it's taken to extremes, a lot of the emotional content felt true to me.

I was trying to think of any comedies, excluding romantic comedies, that I'd really liked since they aren't typically my thing. I came up with Sister Act, Sister Act 2, and The Blues Brothers, all of which could be classified as musicals rather than straight comedies. So I don't know. It's an odd genre. Ooh, Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Anyway, I was grateful for the image of the puppies.

I also thought of Maru, Japanese cat and internet sensation. I wasn't picturing his coloring clearly, so I imagined him sprawled on his back (as he often does) and giving him a belly rub. When I lived with a cat, belly rubs were stealth affairs, both brief and fast if I didn't want to get scratched. Being imaginary though, I gave Maru a good long belly rub. Belly fur is so soft!

I need another fuzzy hoodie, one without a zipper. It'd probably be better without a hood for this too. A fuzzy sweatshirt to pet would be comforting. I wonder if anywhere has those. Hmm, what color to get? Another blue? No, maybe red if they had a good red.

All in all, it took 1 hour and 13 minutes from the time I walked back to the time I walked out. Though it ran shorter than the predicted hour and a half, I was at my threshold for remaining still and in a confined space. As the table rolled out, it took all my patience to wait for the tech to come in and remove the cage over my head even though it only took maybe 3 minutes before I could sit up.

ARgh.

Might be time to invest in a pair of warm sweatpants if I could find some without much elastic.

And how was your Sunday? If you see a fuzzy sweatshirt anywhere, please let me know.

5 years ago on TTaT: Other People

Life of Art SitRep #101 Spotted pups rest easy

2012-01-13T00:01:00.001-05:00

Every week, I work towards creating a life of art for myself. This is the zigzag filled journey.

Play along in the comments with your own pursuits if you'd like. (That's where I'll cheer you on.)

*******

Oh you guys, I threw out my back. Feels like karmic payback for skipping yoga. OK, so that's not particularly art related, but it is attracting much of my attention at the moment. It is feeling a little better so I'm hoping a night's sleep will put it right. Fingers crossed.

This week, I

Shot 100 photographs, woo!

Created White Circles on Black design, wrote a description for it, and made a product line:

White Circles on Black by RocklawnArts
Browse White and black Mugs

White Circles on Black by RocklawnArts
Buy custom printed vinyl binders on zazzle.com

White Circles on Black by RocklawnArts
Design your own iphone 4s cases

Made another 20 specialty mugs finishing up what I'm going to make from my back catalog of designs and photographs.

Snow-covered Oak Tree by RocklawnArts
See other Snow covered trees Specialty Mugs

Snow-covered Trees: Vertical by RocklawnArts
Browse more Bone china Specialty Mugs

Puffy Clouds On Blue Sky by RocklawnArts
See other coffee mugs.

Did tablet tutorials. Incorporating this into my workflow is going to take some getting used to.

Scheduled Rocklawn Arts blog post for White Circles on Light Blue.

Posted 36 products to promotional blogs.

Tweeted, blogged and FB'd new design White Circles on Black.

Swapped two calendars for cases in top picks in my shop.

Updated metadata templates and deleted some old ones.

Watched Setting up a Home Studio with John Cornicello workshop on Creative Live.

Watched Video Tutorial – Using Photoshop’s Built-in HDR Toning Effect On A Single Image.

Read another draft of my friend's script. Was able to give him several "good note"s and at least one "great idea." Feels good to be helpful.

Finished reading Popular Photography Nov. 2011 issue.

*******

How are your pursuits going?

A year ago on TTaT: Life of Art SitRep #49 Blue canary in the outlet by the light switch

Ow, naturally

2012-01-12T13:43:00.001-05:00

Felt kind of tired so I decided to skip my usual ~18 minutes of yoga. Figured I'd get some exercise doing laundry instead, even decided to do an extra load for a total of 3. (Accursed winter layers!) I hauled it all downstairs with no problem. While putting in my first load, however, I managed to wrench my lower back something awful.

Like can't bend over anymore without pain awful. I have no idea what triggered it, other than being old and not warmed up; I didn't make any extreme movements or anything. sigh.

I managed a deep knee bend to retrieve the sheets I wanted to put in that load, closed the lid, and eased my way into the kitchen.

Right now, the back of my chair has warmed up a bit which feels pretty nice. Tempted to hit up the chair massager (one of those things they sell at Bed, Bath, & Beyond during the holidays), but I would have to reach the floor to plug it in. Not sure I'm ready for that. Maybe a little later.

2012, I've got my eye on you.

How's your day going? I hope well.

ETA: Naturally I'm wearing my "I do all my own stunts" t-shirt.

A year ago on TTaT: All right

Life of Art SitRep #100 Woo!

2012-01-06T00:01:00.002-05:00

Every week, I work towards creating a life of art for myself. This is the zigzag filled journey.

Play along in the comments with your own pursuits if you'd like. (That's where I'll cheer you on.)

*******

I have mixed feelings about my 100th week. Both "Yay, 100!" and "Shouldn't I be further along than this?" The hard truth is that "success" requires interactions and networking that I resist. Not sure how or if I will change to accommodate that. Hmm. I reckon this is me trying to make it work without dealing with people. Could be better. Thus,

If you see a design that you like or that someone you know would like, please share it via Twitter, FaceBook, Google+, email, or any other social media that suits you. Your support is much appreciated!

This week, I

Made 24 Specialty Mugs (bone china, espresso, and jumbo):

Spreckels Organ Pavilion by RocklawnArts
View more Bone china Specialty Mugs

River Water Ripples by RocklawnArts
More Marbleized Specialty Mugs

Downtown Kansas City by RocklawnArts
See other Kansas city Specialty Mugs

Petrified Forest Desert by RocklawnArts
Browse other Desert Specialty Mugs

Made Rainbow Square notepad.

Rainbow Square by RocklawnArts
View more Rainbow Notepads

Had my Double Arches ornament featured on Bebops' Zazzle Best Sellers blog.

Double Arch by RocklawnArts
See more Double arch Ornaments

Made 2 image specialty horizontal mug template.

Posted 42 products to promotional blogs.

Rearranged store a bit, moved a row of digital designs down with other digital designs near bottom.

Updated copyright notices on TTaT and Rocklawn Arts blog.

Tweeted, blogged, and FB'd a sale.

Updated online sales file. Added sheets for 2012.

Wrote Life of Art 2011: the year in review post. Stop by to see every design I added to my shop in 2011. (It's an image linking marvel!)

Removed expired sale from my squidoo lenses.

Finished proofreading a friend's script. Doesn't sound much like a life of art, does it? Well, I did more than point out typos and grammatical flaws; I proposed solutions. Put my writing/editing brain to work.

*******

How are your pursuits going?

Two years ago on TTaT: 1. You Better Not Cry

Low profile

2012-01-03T19:31:00.000-05:00

Rather than resolutions, I've been picking themes for the past several years.

2007: Engage
2008: The Sleeper Must Awaken.
2009: Begin anyway
2010: You Shall Be Known As Usul.

And then came 2011. I played it close to the vest for a long time, not writing about it until May in a post called Caveats. Turns out that “a person needs new experiences” (another quote from Dune) is exactly the sort of thing that the proverb "Be careful what you wish for. You might get it." warns about.

Although I had many new experiences in 2011, I wouldn't wish them on anyone. The dreadful way most of the year played out soured me on picking a theme at all for this year.

And yet… “Ease” came to mind and took root in my brain. It felt right even as I resisted choosing a theme.

Certainly not the most ambitious guiding principle but one I could use after last year.

It's already turning up in ways I hadn't anticipated, good ways. I looked at some planners from years past that have been sitting on my side desk for a couple of years and knew where to put them. Getting rid of some clutter, finding places for things: the space that provides is a form of ease.

I was down for the count much of last year, so by fall I was racing to catch up. My attitude towards most everything became, I could do that or I could work on Rocklawn Arts. I routinely chose work favoring product creation over other big picture tasks.

I need to ease up so that I will actually do some of the management stuff I keep putting off, so that I will recognize those tasks as being as vital as adding new designs to my shop.

Also, I could use more fun. Space to revitalize and play. Heck, to blog.

My inner voice is often a harsh critic insisting I'm not doing enough. Since the sentiment holds truth, it's hard to discount; I don't want to discount it per se, just to let what I'm doing be enough for now. I think there's growth to be had within ease that I can't quite see right now.

Here's to 2012: Ease.

What's your theme/intention/resolution/goal for 2012?

Whatever it may be, I wish you the greatest success with it and a happy and healthy new year!

A year ago on TTaT: Note to self, vol. XV

Life of Art 2011: the year in review

2012-01-01T15:51:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year!

For the past 99 Fridays, I've been tracking my efforts to create a life of art for myself. Here's a look at what I accomplished in 2011.

I added 48 new photographs and designs to my Rocklawn Arts shop. My goal was to add 1 new design per week which totally didn't happen, but I still came close to 52 for the year. You'll see why I don't mind falling short in the next bullet.

I added 26 new product types to Rocklawn Arts for a total of 2711 new items (includes about 100 templates):

Necklaces
Portable Speakers
Wrapped Canvas

9 new Case-Mate cases:
iPod Touch cases
2 types of iPhone 3G/3GS cases
3 types of iPhone 4/4S cases
Samsung Galaxy S (T-Mobile Vibrant) cases
BlackBerry Curve 8520/9300 cases
BlackBerry Bold 9700/9780 cases

Ties
Tile Gift Boxes
Small Gift Boxes

Notebooks
Puzzles
Flexible Magnets

Gel Mousepads
Plates
Coasters

Laptop Sleeves
Photo Plaques
3 types of Specialty Mugs which include bone china, espresso, and jumbo mugs.

Watched a crazy amount of Creative Live workshops. I would count or link to them all but I'm running out of steam. The biggest gain for me was how much I learned about Photoshop and have been able to apply.

Read 51 books, scripts, or book-like things. Not everything shows up on GoodReads, but most of it's there if you'd like to take a look.

There's more I'm sure, exhibits and outings, but I'm anxious to get back to 2012's life of art endeavors. Cheers!

UPDATED 1/2/12: I am remiss for not mentioning that

I donated $118 from my Rocklawn Arts proceeds to WriteGirl as part of Colleen Wainwright's 50-for-50 fundraiser.

I also donated at least $8.25 (numbers for November and December aren't in yet) to Room to Read via referrals from my Squidoo lenses. Not much I realize, but I like the idea of having philanthropy built into my business even if only on a small scale.

Five! years ago on TTaT: I like me some angles, 2007: Engage

Life of Art SitRep #99 Bring on the luftballons!

2011-12-30T00:01:00.001-05:00

Every week, I work towards creating a life of art for myself. This is the zigzag filled journey.

Play along in the comments with your own pursuits if you'd like. (That's where I'll cheer you on.)

*******

Whoa, that song came out in 1984. Alas, I am likely dating myself for many of today's blog readers. Anyway, 99 life of art sitreps feels like a real accomplishment even though 100 seems the more significant number. I like the nines.

This week, I

Shot 55 photographs of xmas tree and mantle.

Added 4 new designs to my Rocklawn Arts shop: White Circles on Blue, Black and White Rectangles, Feisty, and Black and White Gingham Pattern (this one should show up in the store soon):

White Circles on Blue by RocklawnArts
Browse White and blue Plates

Black and White Rectangles by RocklawnArts
Create your own iphone 4 cases

Feisty by RocklawnArts
Browse more photo pendant designs

Made 21 Specialty Mugs, a new offering that includes espresso, bone china, and jumbo mugs.

Purple and White Gingham Pattern by RocklawnArts
See other coffee mugs.

Rainbow Bullseye by RocklawnArts
View more mugs.

Navy and White Gingham Pattern by RocklawnArts
Browse more Navy and white gingham Specialty Mugs

Rearranged store a bit and changed store intro links. Changed top picks from cases to calendars.

Added links to links file for all of the case types individually. E.g., iPhone 4, iPhone 3, iPod Touch, etc. instead of them all lumped together.

Removed products from sidebar list that I don't carry: candy jars, pitchers, tea pots, pet bowls, photography. I know, photography doesn't seem right to remove but as far as I can tell, I can't actually offer the thing that would show up in that category. Strange.

Posted 45 products to promotional blogs.

Tweeted and FB'd some sales and a new design.

Watched most of 5 segments of the Creative Live replay of Fundamentals of Digital Photography with John Greengo. Bummed I missed the class on full frame vs. APS last week. Not sure there's enough info new to me to justify buying it though.

Watched "The Stylized Blur Effect," "Video Tutorial – How To Convert To B&W In Photoshop – Best Practices" and "Video Tutorial – Using The Crop Tool Within Adobe Camera RAW" Photoshop tutorials.

*******

How are your pursuits going?

A year ago on TTaT: The Digital Photography Book