New focus

I'm starting this year with a new focus. I'm going to be trying to focus topics and improve my writing in Artist's Passion and My Musings 2.0. I'm going to try to include more in-depth interviewing, more researching, and more linking.

I've noticed I haven't included very much feminism in this blog lately. It's partially because nothing has infuriated me or made me jump for joy lately. I'll still be including feminist theories and rants, starting with a shout-out to an Utne article I read a few days ago. I'm wondering if I should integrate more powerful women in Friday's Fabulous Fat Chick and open up the topic to all women I look up to.

In the future, I'd like to incorporate more video and audio into my blogs. Today, I learned how to do some basic editing in Media 100. Soon, I'd like all of my interviews to be video recorded.

I'm thinking a computer-upgrade is in my near future. I'm going to go to the campus computer store tomorrow to see about my options. I'm pretty sure I want a MacBook, since I'm going to be using for design and multimedia editing.

That's about it for now.

User-generated content and YawpBox

Just a few months ago, I was dragging my feet about user-generated video. I know videos get millions of hits, but I just wasn't into it. I mean, if my mother can get all excited about the skateboard riding dog and the people out there who made their wedding party dance to Thriller, how cool can online videos be?

Then, I realized how easy it is to upload videos to these sites. How easy it is to embed them onto my own sites to show potential employers that, not only do I know how to make videos, but hundreds, maybe even thousands, of people are interested in seeing them.

Now YawpBox has a way to reach millions of viewers in a format that brings user-generated videos to the world audience in a viewer-friendly format. Every week, they show a new episode of YawpBoxTV, featuring the best videos from their network, with the hosts Lex and Terry discussing the footage. The show gives anyone with their own video camera a chance to compete with others for their own 15 minutes of fame on the show, 15 minutes that could potentially reach millions of viewers, producers, and company heads.

For YawpBoxTv, YawpBox has a special Lex and Terry challenge page, where users can see the video topics Lex and Terry are looking for for the show. The topics range from "Have you ever had a mullet" to "Show us your craziest holiday footage." It makes me think YawpBoxTV will soon become an America's Funniest Home Videos for the digital age.

It also gives millions of people the chance to have their voices heard on important topics. User-generated content gives everyone an equal chance to speak for and against the topics they are passionate about. Think about Joy Nash from Fat Rant. A few years ago, the only outlet she would have had for her rant was friends and family, maybe the men and women who read feminist magazines. Now, her rant has gone world-wide.

Even better, user-generated videos allow us to see what others are watching and share what we like, even if it is a dog riding a skateboard.

Urban Urchin correction

I just checked out Marnie Ann Joyce's blog at Curly Purly. There was a mistake in the Urban Urchin pattern, or, as I know it, yesterday's Stitch 'n Bitch calendar pattern. Here's the correction from her blog:

Wherever you see "s2s" in the decrease rounds, the pattern *should* read "sl 2, k1, psso" meaning “slip 2 stitches knitwise at the same time, knit the next stitch, then pass the two slipped stitches over the knitted stitch and off the needles. ”

I'm glad she posted this correction; I'm going to start the pattern today, after work.

Kate Nash video

I found this video on Pop Culture Buzz (part of the 451 Press network, where I have my artist's blog.) I think I have a cavity forming, just from the sugary-sweet sets and the premise of "I just want a kiss." Yet, it's a song I could easily obsess over.

Relaxation time

After eight hours of sitting in front of a computer, hefting boxes, and helping extremely angry people with the problems (mostly due to books that haven't arrived in time for their classes) the thought of my very own Massage Chairsalmost makes me want to cry.

My day job takes its toll after a few hours; I'm just glad I'm not a manager.

If I had the money, I'd probably buy the iJoy robotic massage chair on the Human Touch site. The red model has two things going for it: it's red, and it has a modern design I like. I have a bad habit of making large purchases simply because the item is red; it's like a sickness.

Out of all the chairs presented, I think I like the Perfect Chair the least. Even though the guy in the picture looks like he's found his moment of zen, the chair is kind of scary. I think I'd feel like I was perpetually falling backward.

I don't know, maybe it's just me.

Unfortunately, I have to settle for disappointment; I don't even have the funds for a hand massager right now. Although, if anyone would like to donate the red iJoy 100 to me, let me know.

This post was sponsored by and pictures were taken from Human Touch.

A Pay Per Post Catch-22

My Pay Per Post entry for My Dream Art Collection just bounced back. The offense: I added that it was sponsored by Park West Gallery.

Here's the problem: due to my code of ethics, I must disclose every paid post. Due to Pay Per Post's own policy, I must disclose each post and who sponsored it.

So... I'm doing an experiment. I'm going to see if the gallery will accept a post that simply says it's sponsored, and if PPP will accept the same thing. There's a chance PPP will deny every post without disclosure and the gallery will deny ever post with it.

Fun times.

Getting my monies

So far, all of my Pay Per Post payments have come on schedule. I have half the monies I earned, and I will be getting the other half in the next few days.

The downside is because of my schedule at work, and because people jump on writing opportunities, and because a lot of the advertisers don't want Blogspot or Wordpress blogs in their postings, I haven't earned very much. However, it has been enough to earn a little spending money on the side and get used to a paid blogging system.

I have a few projects I'm looking at for the months leading to graduation.

In 15 minutes, it will be 113 days and counting.

I've turned in my graduation application. I no longer have a minor, because I decided to take Israeli Films and Fiction instead of an anthro class I would hate but would give me the last three credits towards my minor.

I'm pretty happy with my schedule now.