Sunday, September 28, 2014
Day Twenty-Five
This started out as a list, and turned into a blog entry.
So, after realizing that this isn't Thirty Days of Term Papers, I made this list.
So, after realizing that this isn't Thirty Days of Term Papers, I made this list.
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Monday, September 22, 2014
Day Twenty-Two
Prompt: This Week's Menu
I am not going here. I dislike cooking and anything related to it from meal planning to grocery shopping to putting things away to prepping meals to fixing food to washing dishes. Eating I can handle.
Saturday, September 20, 2014
Day Twenty
I had no trouble whatsoever with this prompt. My problem was horrible Firefox. IE version 11 doesn't support Blogger's dashboard. In order to get photos to upload to Blogger, I downloaded Firefox and it took over my whole computer. I tried to set IE as my default browser and just use FF for the purposes of this blog, but it wouldn't let me. And when Windows told me that IE WAS still my default browser, all my desktop shortcuts opened in Firefox. Disgusted, I uninstalled it and - with trepidation - installed Google Chrome, which I have fought from the get go because of the missing menu bar. Even so, it's much better than Firefox, and now I can blog to my heart's content!
Friday, September 19, 2014
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Day Seventeen
Prompt for today was: "Reasons to__________________" It's so funny how the mind works. Most people understood the prompt; the reasons were the list - and the lister got to choose the subject. I got it backwards. I thought I was supposed to make a list of as many things as I could think of, and why one ought to do each thing. I am either becoming very confused, very literal-minded or very disconnected from reality. I feel like I'm in la-la land.
The prompt was brilliant and my response was, in my opinion, pontificating and twisted.
I hope I do better tomorrow...
The prompt was brilliant and my response was, in my opinion, pontificating and twisted.
I hope I do better tomorrow...
Monday, September 15, 2014
Day Sixteen
Posters that were on my walls when I was growing up.
Really?
This prompt has to have originated from someone who was born in the seventies! However, I am a good sport, so here goes - posted early because I'm expecting a phone call from Paul.
Really?
This prompt has to have originated from someone who was born in the seventies! However, I am a good sport, so here goes - posted early because I'm expecting a phone call from Paul.
Halfway Through: Musings
Here I am, at the halfway point. This has become a routine. At times, it's very time-consuming. I find that I'm quite a perfectionist; I've made the following observations as I've perused the contributions this round.
- Being a first-timer, I've been quite meticulous. I have to laugh when I see the password for getting into the site - it has no salience for me. I spend hours on these things.
- I've noticed that some participants use pre-formatted albums with pockets and cards. That isn't my style. I did realize immediately that I'd be doing mine online and on a blog, an that I wanted a paper copy, so I designed a journal and have printed out the list for each day and pasted it in.
- Really, honestly and truly, I set out with the idea that this would be simple. It isn't. That is probably why some seasoned "listers" go with the Sharpie-on-a-Post-It method, snapping a digital photo of it and posting it. I don't blame them. I wish I had the nonchalance to do that. Instead, I find myself using multiple apps: Paint, Fotor, Phototastic, Photo Editor by Aviary, KVAD Photo Pro, Sketch, CollageIt, PhotoFaceFun and even Face in Hole. I've used the basic templates in Word and created some astounding effects, but I have yet to know how to turn them into .jpgs unless they're small enough to cut out with the snipping tool. So I tend to rely on Word to get started, since text can be pasted into Paint. I have downloaded several free fonts, and they've been a lot of fun, but when I break in the middle of something, I always forget what font I was using.
- Every list I have posted has been done with more than one app.
- Some people batch theirs. I do mine every day - the night before. I usually post as soon as I receive the prompt in my email. Sometimes it comes around 3 AM.
- I haven't read a book since starting this!
- Nor have I written much in my journal. My other blog is neglected as well.
- I am a narcissist. My picture is in too many of my entries. Why do I care if people know what I look like?
- I've never been into "scrapbooking." It was a big deal here in Rockford for a while, but most of the stores have shut down. I have my share of rubber stamps and pairs of scissors with fancy edges, but it's just more fun to do things on the computer - and your hands stay clean.
- I am certain that whoever conceptualized this project had the working person in mind and didn't expect that anyone would take as much time as I do. How long does it take to make a list? Five minutes. To present it artistically? Five hours! I'm glad I'm retired.
- This has renewed my interest in art, which was my major in college.
- Sometimes I worry that I'm doing it wrong.
- Sometimes I wonder if anyone looks at my lists.
- I feel guilty if I don't "like" lists posted on Facebook. But I have so little time for Facebook!
- Every time I do a list, I think of a prompt I'd love to contribute. Not the trite ones, such as "Who would play you in a movie about your life?" My mind is drawing a blank right now. At some point, though, I'd like to be more involved in this, behind the scenes.
- Are there men in this group? If not, why not? There are men in my doll collecting groups on Facebook!
- Wonder how I'll feel when the month is over. Will I miss this, or be relieved it's done?
- This is a wonderful outlet for creativity.
- If I were still working, it would be almost impossible for me to refrain from working on it while on the job.
- Onward to List 16!
Day Fourteen
Best Places to Find Inspiration
Very difficult not to be trite on this type of prompt. I did love doing this.
Very difficult not to be trite on this type of prompt. I did love doing this.
Day Thirteen
The Best Things About This Week
The very best thing is that I didn't take a drink. I'm a recovering alcoholic and I have a year of sobriety as of August 24, 2014.
Day Eleven
Things I Finished So Far This Year - I had a very difficult time with this. It's easier for me to set goals and objectives than it is to reflect on what I've accomplished.
Day Ten
Subjects I Can Talk about for HOURS
And I could have made this list at least ten pages, if not more. Then, people would want to set me on fire instead of lighting my list.
And I could have made this list at least ten pages, if not more. Then, people would want to set me on fire instead of lighting my list.
Day Eight, Marie's Take
My "BFF" Marie chimed in with her own list. She's a librarian!
Sundown Towns made my list, too, and it's the only one on her list that I've read.
Sundown Towns made my list, too, and it's the only one on her list that I've read.
Day Eight
I loved this one: "Books everyone should read." Who am I to say what people SHOULD read? Libraries used to try to maintain the literary canon without undue emphasis on ephemera and fads; pop fiction and music were largely avoided until the lasting titles have sorted themselves out. That was a bit elitist, but now the trend has turned to the opposite extreme. Retirees (such as I) watch, helplessly, the relentless weeding of old classics as well as items that haven't circulated in a couple years. Even the Bun E. Carlos CD collection has ended up in the Friends of the Library book sale. This, to me, is fundamentally wrong, and I believe there will be regrets down the line. The new director (not yet hired) should look very carefully at collection development. If e-books are truly the wave of the future, they should at least wait until the core titles resurface in electronic format before they're heaved into the dumpster.
And I should have added SHOULD to my list of trigger words.
And I should have added SHOULD to my list of trigger words.
I had twenty books chosen, but the photostitch app would only allow nine per line; hence, 18. And these are my favorite books. The only one that everyone SHOULD read is the last one, because I wrote it.
Day Six
Prompt: Every Night Before I Go to Bed
That's a joke. I never go to bed until after midnight!
That's a joke. I never go to bed until after midnight!
Day Five--
"Things to Nurture this Month"
Rather wordy, and it ends with a cliche.. and I haven't done any of it.
Rather wordy, and it ends with a cliche.. and I haven't done any of it.
Day Four
Projects to Finish This Month
I have mended the caftan and been to Half Price Books twice. That's it!
I have mended the caftan and been to Half Price Books twice. That's it!
Day One!
Our prompt was: "Today is brought to you by....."
The earring incident actually happened, years ago, and Marie took the photos of me working under the sink. I wasn't taking a selfie at the time, though...I think this happened before there was such a thing as a "selfie."
First assignment!
To fire up enthusiasm and help us all get (literally and figuratively) on the same page, we got this exercise: "Least Favorite Words." This is my entry:
I forgot:
- Upcharge
- Orientated
- Ads that spell "C" words with "K" (as in Kar Korner)
- Branding (as in public relations)
- Tummy
- The N word
- Stupid euphemisms
- BFF (although it's on the birthday card I bought for my best friend. What does it mean, anyway? Best Female Friend? Best Friend Forever?)
- A new way to "do church"
- Whatever
- Any word with a misused apostrophe
I also have "Trigger" words and phrases. Here's my list of what I detest hearing. These make me flinch, often hurt me, and can cause me to become defensive and unduly nasty;
- Policy
- Universal qualifiers, such as "You always" or "You never"
- Grow up!
- Library pronounced "Liberry"
- Advertising slogans such as "We All Go - Why Not Enjoy the Go"
- Canned phrases used by customer service reps over the phone
- "Right."
- "Good job!"
- Restaurants: "Are you still working on that?"
- Or worse: "Did you want to work some more?"
Gestures and kinesthetic things I despise:
1. Thumbs up
2. The "time out" sign being given to me when I'm on the phone
3. Thigh jiggling
And here's the final killer:
Being on hold while calling a company and receiving the message that "One of our comfort specialists will be with you soon." This was from Soft Surroundings!
So we begin
First, some prep work: I decided to do my lists on my computer with photoediting software and post them on Flickr in my blog and in the 30 Days blog, as well as on the 30 Days Facebook page. 30 Days of Lists on Facebook. I then decided to use this blog as another way to post my lists, but Internet Explorer wouldn't let me upload pictures, so I had to switch to Firefox. But I didn't get around to actually starting this until the middle of the month!
I knew right away that I'd want a physical journal in which I could past in printed-out .jpgs of my lists. So I created my own version of the 30 Days logo:
Then, I went through my blank journal stash and found a generic one from Barnes and Noble. Here is my cover movck-up:
Actual physical journal!
Open it up..
Here are the list prompts for the month:
And I am good to go!
I knew right away that I'd want a physical journal in which I could past in printed-out .jpgs of my lists. So I created my own version of the 30 Days logo:Then, I went through my blank journal stash and found a generic one from Barnes and Noble. Here is my cover movck-up:
Actual physical journal!
Here are the list prompts for the month:
About 30 Days of Lists
What on earth is 30 Days of Lists?
30 Days of Lists is a semi-annual, creative journaling challenge for Listers, from Kam of Campfire Chic and Amy of Lemon and Raspberry. It's a wonderful artsy opportunity for people like me, who love to make lists. This blog is my way of sharing my daily contributions for September, 2014 - the prompts and my designs. You can also find them on my Flickr page: You can also find them on my Flickr page: You can also find them on my Flickr page: My 30 Dy 30 Days of Lists Flickr Album
Kam and Amy say: "Not everyone can make a mini scrapbook every week or an art journal page every night. 30 Days of Lists is our encouragement and challenge to you that you CAN journal just something every day — even something as small as a list. Every 6 months, join us for a totally doable, easy creative challenge to meet other creative women and tell your story in lists."
30 Days of Lists opens registration in February and August of every year.
Only 5-10 minutes per day are really needed. While you’re waiting for someone, or when you’re the passenger in the car, jot down your list from the journaling prompts. You can even download the list topics ahead of time to get a jump start!
Registration includes access to the private blog and the opportunity to be part of a growing community of supportive, creative women. Plus you’ll get all the list prompts, exclusive tutorials or downloads and exclusive discounts from our partners.
30 Days of Lists is a semi-annual, creative journaling challenge for Listers, from Kam of Campfire Chic and Amy of Lemon and Raspberry. It's a wonderful artsy opportunity for people like me, who love to make lists. This blog is my way of sharing my daily contributions for September, 2014 - the prompts and my designs. You can also find them on my Flickr page: You can also find them on my Flickr page: You can also find them on my Flickr page: My 30 Dy 30 Days of Lists Flickr Album
Kam and Amy say: "Not everyone can make a mini scrapbook every week or an art journal page every night. 30 Days of Lists is our encouragement and challenge to you that you CAN journal just something every day — even something as small as a list. Every 6 months, join us for a totally doable, easy creative challenge to meet other creative women and tell your story in lists."
30 Days of Lists opens registration in February and August of every year.
Only 5-10 minutes per day are really needed. While you’re waiting for someone, or when you’re the passenger in the car, jot down your list from the journaling prompts. You can even download the list topics ahead of time to get a jump start!
Registration includes access to the private blog and the opportunity to be part of a growing community of supportive, creative women. Plus you’ll get all the list prompts, exclusive tutorials or downloads and exclusive discounts from our partners.
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