Not the Starving Kind: Artists and the Truth That Need Not Be
For a while I debated with myself and my future about what I should major in college. I always heard that you should do "what you love" and not "what pays" or even the prestige. Well, I considered majoring in Fine Arts like my mom. I loved it and I didn't do too bad on my drafting class and oil painting class. So I figured that maybe I had a shot. Then my relatives began asking "So what are you going to major in college?" "Graphic Design" and I hear a disappointing "Oh...". It's responses like these that eventually got to me and had me abandon what I loved--at least as a major.
Artists have it great, especially in places like New York and Europe. They are the chic and vogue of society. Yet, there is still a stigma to being an artists. It is true that if you are lucky, if you are well known enough, you could charge thousands for a piece. But many aren't that lucky. There are so many wonderful and talented artists that never get the recognition or pay they deserve for their work. Many do it as a side line, and many just get enough to get by. The notion of the "starving artist" is true to an extent, and I hate that. Why do we have to live in poverty doing what we love? Why do so many people undervalue the beauty and creativity of art and what it does to the world? A fellow dA member shared this article on Newsweek by a fellow artist who learned not to undervalue his worth and fight back.
I feel every artist out there has to be more aggressive and use technology and their other talents and knowledge in this savage commercial place. Everything is a compeition, and if you don't treat it as such and use what you have to your advantage, then you are definitely screwed. So to all free lance and professional artists, check out the article. It may help you a bit. Don't lose hope. You are worth more than they are willing to let you on.
Things that make you say "Oooohhh..."
Sleek hip, looks like a cd remote and just a little bigger than your credit card...
...nano actually looks promising. It's sure is a looker! The iPod nano is the newest addition to the iPod family. I may say, they're comming close to the ideal compact mp3 player I've dreamed of. It's like the original iPod only less vulnerable, much lighter, simplistic in design, but it's certainly very pretty. That, my friends, is how it should have been in the first place.
I personally think it sucks for those people who bought the lame plasticky ipod shuffle or even the now obsolete ipod mini (which Apple has seemingly abandoned).
If you search the Apple store, it feels as though the iPod mini never existed o.o. All you will find are acessories. With a little diging, I did find "refurbished" ones for the same price as the nano. Now why should I buy a refurbed mini when I can get a nicer sleeker looking nano for the same price? Ask Apple. Maybe they have a good answer.
As I write this, I can see a quite a few of my "Macdaddy" friends having a field day about this thing @_@. Hehe. No harm done on me =P. Personaly, I think this is actually the nicest looking and most convenient ipod incarnation to date. The standard holds 2 gigs. I actually wouldn't mind shelling out some cash for one of these ($199). Unlike the iPod mini, this comes in a really nice slate black color that should have been made available to the original iPod (I don't count the U2 edition with the red click wheel and sigs on the back).
I'm sure to some, the price is a bit steep, but if you consider that this is actually in color, better looking, nearly credit card thin, and extremely portable, I think it's a decent buy. If you're worried about storage, you can get the 4 gig for $249. But why pay that much if you can get the full 20 gig iPod for just $50 more? People who can afford to shell out for this may want it speficically for aesthetics and the portability. Besides, it's not like you really to listen to all 60 gigs of your songs on any given day. I mean really?! In the end, Steve Jobs certainly has his crew working overtime.
When mom says...
As the summer was approaching, I had so many things on my mind. I finished my stats class and got my letters of rec from my professor, my teaching stint ended with the term and I was on break from my current job. During the bit of downtime I had, I inquired about a position at a research lab I've been really interested in. Fortunately, after an interview of interests, bg, processing, I was accepted =). I also decided to do some volunteer work at the Mattel Children's Hospital since I was there so often anyway. So aside from research I'm also able to do something more "hands on" and get to work with child-life specialists.
There was a lot of downtime at the lab over the summer, so we're officially starting up again in October as the Fall qtr begins. Now my dilemma kicks in. Since I have a full-time job, I opted to just work at the lab on Fridays and they (the lab) were really wonderful about it. Obviously I had to settle things with my work too. Luckily they were okay with it as well. If things didn't work out with my work, I was ready to quit my nice cushy job for my non-paying research work. Luckily I didn't have to. Least I have some money to pay for the ridiculus price of gas I go through every week driving to LA.
I was in so much worry just a few months back, and my mom was sympathizing with me. She said that if research was what I really wanted, then I shouldn't worry about quitting my current job. She reminded me that I only took this job as a temporary thing anyway and if I was happier with research, then that's what I should do. That made me feel better. So I was set on research, then I got a pay raise. That made it really hard to quit, so I figured I should at least give it a shot and check to see if I could strike a compromise. I really doubted it would work, but it did...thus far. Now I'm pretty much a work-a-holic with grumpy friends and very little downtime to myself. I almost never watch tv, but luckily my co-worker has been really nice to let me borrow some of his books, so that's been nice. I guess I'm really blessed. Just when I think things are too good to be true, God has always surprises me. I guess I should have alittle more faith.
"#$%@ Kill Google!"
I've been interested in installing a Linux based system in one of my computers for a while now. I have the software, but haven't installed it yet. In the meantime I regularly recieve mail from the CEO of Linspire (an operating system program/company using Linux) today. Usually I don't have time to read it, but on occasion I recieve some pretty interesting stuff. Here's the dl on the Internet Titan Wars between Microsoft, Yahoo, and my fave Google.
Michael's Minute:
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#$%@ Kill Google! September 8, 2005
An intriguing but eventually vicious three-way battle is emerging between Microsoft, Yahoo! and Google for net supremacy. How each is dealing with the competitive threat says a lot about their individual company culture, management and DNA. (If you're wondering why I didn't include AOL, it's because their business seems to be moving in the wrong direction, rapidly atrophying with nearly 900,000 fewer subscribers last quarter.)
Microsoft:
Microsoft has recently made a concerted effort to hire even-keeled, friendly liaisons within the community, giving them the authority to speak for the company and the authorization to pay off those that might speak negatively of Microsoft. Behind the scenes, however, it's still the same team running the show - management that has been twice convicted of illegal actions against competitors, and that sports a stunning lack of ethical boundaries. Recent court documents from a fresh legal battle over an employee jumping ship to Google report Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer throwing chairs and screaming many unprintable words, capped off with, "I'm going to %$#@ kill Google!"
The only way Microsoft knows how to operate is with an enemy in their crosshairs. A few years back, Linspire (then Lindows) was the recipient of Ballmer's profanity-laden tirades. But Microsoft's attention has since been somewhat diverted from the ambiguous threat of Linux - which doesn't present a singular target - to Google, whose O's make convenient bull's eyes.
Look for Microsoft to employ the same approach they have used historically "
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Oh and make no mistake, I do LOVE Google. I'm a Google addict and avid supporter yeah!
Grisham's The Last Juror: My bookcrossing review
I know one shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but I also learned you should not judge a book by its title. This is actually a lesson I learned while reading this book. The Last Juror is actually the first John Grisham novel I've read, and although I was very skeptical about his writing ability, the title and even the topic of the book, he quickly changed my mind.
From the get go, Grisham does not waste time providing voracious readers with plenty details to set up little Ford County--a small community in Mississippi during the Vietnam War era. He provides a colorful picture of the little nuances and sentiments of the small southern community that readers will have no problem imagining and feeling the small town life and the various characters that thrive along with their own respective quirks. This writing flows easily and the language, unlike many era capped books, does not grow tired. The pace is quick and does not linger on any topic too long.
Scenes transgress between the unconventional respect and relationship between the two principal characters William Traynor (a young Ivy League boy and unlikely new owner of the local paper) and Miss Callie Ruffin (an older very articulate and intelligent God fearing black woman on the other side of the tracks). The situation is not without strain, but is handled well. Grisham is able to paint a realistic take on the dynamics between a young white liberal man from the north and an older remarkable black woman from the south.
Grisham does a splendid job illustrating Ford County at the height of the Vietnam War, he is conversely able to touch on sensitive and controversial topics as racial discrimination, segregation, corruption, pro and anti-war movements, drugs, and religion--while at the center of which is a the most brutal murder to shake the God fearing town in its history.
Several high profile books I've read often build you up and end with a rather disappointing thud. This book however is quite the opposite. Though it may not have been a first pick on my to be read list, I found this book to be a real gem. I was very fortunate to have it cross my path. Being it such a quick read, I would highly recommend it.
Hurricane Katrina
Just when we thought that gas prices couldn't be any higher, here comes along another disaster that rockets the oil prices to about $3 per gallon. That is freaking outrageous!
Just when the gas prices were lowering, the figure head King of Saudi Arabia> dies, an oil refinery in Texas explodes and finally but not least this freaking Hurricane Katrina devastates the entire southern part of the United States. According to the Associated Press, damages are estimated to be anywhere from $10-25 BILLION. That's Billions of American Dollars people!
I've refused to really comment on this on my blog on this issue for the past few days primarily, because I never really had the chance to watch footage or news about the disaster since I am usually at work. Nevertheless, the news is everywhere. I listen to the radio on the way to work and at work, so I'm constantly bombarded with "we need to donate this" "we need to help out that". Frankly, not to be mean or unsympathetic (I am as aware and as concerned about the people down there as any), but I'm pretty much tired of all this "we are the world" crap. It's touching to a degree, but if you really wanted to help out, write a freaking check you multimillion dollar musicians! I'm sure relief concerts help too, but is it really a time to enjoy yourselves at this time? Why aren't all these fans supporting their artists by donating the value of their potential ticket entirely to the cause and save us the trouble and effort of putting together a concert?! *sigh* I dunno. I think I'm sounding like an anti-help person, but all of this sounds so...hippie and pretentious. if you really wanted to help, you needn't proclaim to the world. But I guess sometimes the most noise generates the most money. So oh well. This is tsunami relief effort II. Currently the whole country is suffering and in a state of chaos, however the level of devastation may not be as "traumatic" as the Sept 11th attacks, this is by far, greater in damage and destruction. I know those people in the LA and MS are in need of help. Homes and entire communities have been wiped out and are currently underwater. It has been claimed to be "the largest natural disaster in US history". I know this. I'm not stupid and I'm sure the entire country, if not the world, is well aware as well. HOWEVER, it is so easy to become desensitized by all this info and block it all out. I'm not exactly wallowing in cash or begging for money, but I can't find any other way to help out if I have little to no money to give out in the first place. They need money more than anything else to alott needed supplies to the right places and medical help.
SO ANYWAY, regardless of my seemigly unsympathetic nature to this horrible tragedy, for those of you who "want" to do their part and donate to the families affected by this disaster and want to help, you can send donations to your respective "credible" charities or THE RED CROSS. They are some of the most amazing groups of people there ready to help whoever needs it. So if you want your money to be used directy on these victims, it will be recieved well by the Red Cross. or call 1-800-HELP NOW.
Caller ID
At work I often have to call lab and chemical companies requesting information. It's pretty amusing how many different types of people I get to interact with by phone, even though it's only for a short period of time. About half the time, especially if I am calling a well established chemical or materials company, I will receive a competent individual, often male who makes my day easier and gives me the information I need asap. On more than several occasions, however, I get a clueless moron from a low-brow company, often female who has no idea on what the heck I am talking about and takes forever to send me information by fax or otherwise, which results me me becoming highly irritable since I have to call more than twice just to get what I need.
Today I had to make a few calls to some suppliers for some medical machinery and a a nice, probably middle aged man in his mid 40s to 60s answered the phone, gave his name, asked for my name and confirmed all the information very throroughly. Now, although it took slightly more than 2 mins, I think what he did was good standard operating procedure and courtesy. You shouldn't just give any information to any random individual without confirming who they are. The next call I made had a relatively young male, possibly late 20s early 30s who picked up with a relatively obvious southern accent. I check the information sheet and find that I am calling someone from South Carolina. Figures. This makes me smile and I begin to imagine scenes from a book I am currently reading and movies I've seen having images from the South. I realize this is a stereotype, but I couldn't help it. The man I was speaking to was polite, a real "country" sounding folk. He tells me his business that he is currently multitasking taking care of his baby since his wife is out and his other child or assistant is away to school or something or other. Now I usually deal with dull or very robotic accentless people who just give the info and leave, but on rare occasion I get some people who are animated like this guy. So he asks me to hold on as he checks their data base. I am a bit amused because of the easy going country-like scenario going on in my head doesn't really fit an internet connected computer in the scene. He checks and asks for the info I need and says he will fax the info asap. While he is checking the computer I hear his baby crying in the background. I guess it's a family owned operation. Not common, but not too rare. I realized that many small family owned businesses exist, especially in the south and Midwest. I guess that's pretty cool, especially since they are getting business here in the US instead of some large company outside of the country. Still, sometimes I wish these guys would get with the program and get a decent website. The big guys almost always have it, but they make it so freaking hard to navigate and retrieve anything. Well anyway, at least I get a human on the end of the line on the first two rings versus a virtual recording from the big guns. Hmm cold technology and efficiently vs. courtesy and compromising speed and accuracy? Sure the latter is fun once in a while, but with the business going the way it is, we need things now, so I guess technology would rule out on this one =\
