I had this idea that Microsoft Paint would be a capable background image creator. I am sure it is, but I didn’t have much success with it today. During my semi-failed attempt, which I will still share, I found a new site and rediscovered an old favorite.
Education = Learning
As a couple of professional students, we have plenty of tips from our experiences in grad school as well as other random adventures in lifelong learning.
Take Root Photo Art
It was part of my “Things I May Do” post where I first shared my desire to add to the plethora of photo + word art. When I discovered that Adobe Photoshop CS2 was released as freeware, it was my Carpe Diem moment. I promptly downloaded, installed, and set to work on my “Take Root” idea. First I started with a photograph of a shed engulfed by vines that I took on my way to my sister’s house (hence the “Take Root” theme). Next, I consulted the following tutorials at various points during my editing: “How to Unlock Layers“, “How to Add Spotlights“, and “How to Edit Sky“. I am not a complete noob to Photoshop, so I didn’t have to look every step. If you are looking to completely replicate what I did, you’ll need to do some research. I am completely self taught in Photoshop by all my internet searching glory and you can be too. Here are my creations.
Catching the Transit of Venus
So what is a transit anyway? A transit is when an object like an interior planet (one closer to the sun than the Earth) crosses in front of the sun that is visible to the Earth. This is one of the ways we can spot planets around other stars too. If we can watch the star long enough, we might see a dip in the star’s intensity, which might mean a planet got between us and that star. In fact, by looking at the different wavelengths of light we receive during one of these dips of intensity, we can determine the components of the atmosphere of that planet! Science is amazing right!?
Anyway, back to the phenomena at hand; the transit of Venus…
Blogging Fail # 1 – Not Posting Blog Posts
Adam and I were recently discussing our lack of posts on our blog. Between working full-time as a teacher and part time as a master’s degree student, I try not to beat my self up too much over lack of posts. Adam has a similar time commitment, just in reverse (full time PhD student, part time teacher). However, even with these time consuming responsibilities, we still feel guilty. Blog posts from the pros like this and this and this (and more) say blog often. In fact they all advise blogging a minimum of once a week. We average a post a month. If we’re lucky. Can you say blogging fail? Now with summer approaching, time is being put into both of our laps. Time helps. Of course, thinking that since you have “time” you are going to post more is a fallacy. I’ve been there. And so has Adam. So what is going to push us over the edge to start posting more? What do you think would help?
I am obviously not an expert, but I analyzed the areas of life where I am most productive and I have come to this conclusion. It is all about feeling obligated. Responsible. Accountable. (I’m trying to find the perfect word to describe the feeling I think I should have, but I’m at a loss.) Currently, I do not feel compelled to post to my blog regularly. It is a side thing, a hobby. Obligation, responsibility, and accountability seem incongruous with hobby. But passion can drive a hobby and lead you to accomplish great things. It is happened to me before (even if right now it feels fizzled). How do I begin to feel intrinsic motivation to blog? I decided I need to figure out why I wanted to blog in the first place.
My reasons to blog (a.k.a “Why I wanted to blog in the first place…”)
- Build Awareness for my Business, SheekGeek (which is also a side hobby!)
- Share DIY Projects I’ve Completed (like this one – which is my current favorite post thus far)
- Teach Others (Adam and I are both teachers after all!)
- Become a Better Writer
- Make Money (I didn’t want to put this, but I am just being honest with myself.)
- Document My Life
Looking at this list, I’m trying to find my spark of motivation. Surprisingly, Number 3 is really what is getting me going right now. Good writing evolves. The best writers write all the time. Every day. I don’t write every day! I can’t reach my goals if I am not working towards them. Adam and I both have writing a book on our bucket list (hehe, who doesn’t have writing a book on their bucket list these days!). I get a slight adrenaline high when I write. Ideas start flowing and it is a good feeling. That means there is positive reinforcement for writing. I definitely need to get into the habit of writing/posting. I think goals need to be said aloud (or in this case typed). I want to become a better writer. Ah, who am I kidding. I said it aloud too. I WANT TO BECOME A BETTER WRITER! Man, that feeling of accountability is growing.
I think if lesson number one of blogging 101 is “blog often” then potential bloggers need to analyze why they would want to blog often. Especially if they need a kick in the backside like me!
A Simple Valentine’s Day Message
I wanted a simple but sweet Valentine to give out to my students. I searched Pinterest and did not find anything that had the degree of simplicity I wanted. That is when I decided to make my own. I used the paint program that comes with Windows 7 and I was pleasantly surprised with the versatility and ease of use of this program. I’ve had a thing for owls recently, so naturally I made my own owl graphic.