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yournewapartment · 4 years

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Wedding Planning

It is impossible to write an entire post on all of the intricacies of wedding planning, because it would just be too long and frankly exhausting. But here are some of the highlights that I think will help people in need! There are also extensive sources on the internet that are way more in-depth, but here’s an overview for you…

The Venue

The first thing you should do when planning a wedding is to pick your venue. Picking your venue will likely inform what date you set to be your wedding date. Most venues have limited availability, and if you want a specific venue for your dream wedding, best get that locked down ASAP. You may already have something in mind! If you don’t, my recommendation is to look for venues that host weddings year-round.

Choosing your venue will determine how “hands on” you’ll have to be in regards to planning your wedding. Venues that specialize in weddings and similar events will come with an entire staff of vendors ready to go for your wedding. If you’re doing a DIY wedding (like I did) you’ll have to find your own vendors. On that note- choosing a reliable and trustworthy vendor is SUPER important. There are so many options, it can be overwhelming to choose which will be right for your wedding.

If you choose a venue that is specifically used for weddings throughout the year, you will have the EASIEST time planning the resources part of your wedding. The venue will provide contact information for trusted vendors including (but not limited to): caterers they trust (or they may even have an in-house chef), photographers, make up artists, flower arrangers, DJs or musicians, etc. Simply choose which vendors you would like at your wedding, and of course, if you find a different vendor you like better, you’ll be able to use them. The venue will also assign you a key person who will manage all of the comings and goings of vendors and employees at your wedding itself. This is different than a wedding planner who you hire, this is just specifically a point person for you to go to with any issues during the wedding planning process.

If you choose a venue that may not specifically be made for weddings but is allowing you to get married there, they may or may not have contact numbers of trusted vendors. You may or may not have a point person, and I recommend that you at least consult with a wedding planner to make sure that you have everything under control.

If you’re creating your own venue (that’s what I did) you’re completely on your own and will have to find vendors your own way! See “DIY Vendors”.

Wedding Planning

Setting the right deadlines and expectations for your wedding will help the process be as smooth as possible. The easiest way to do this is to use an app specifically made for wedding planning. There are many good options out there, but I personally used The Knot.

These apps will create timelines for you based on when your wedding needs. They’re easy to personalize and disregard tasks and plans that are not relevant to your wedding. For example, I didn’t have bridesmaids, so I removed all the bridesmaid-related notifications from my timeline so I wouldn’t get notifications about those tasks.

You’ll receive notifications on your phone, reminding you to accomplish specific tasks. You’ll know which tasks are overdue and the order of which you should accomplish specific things. You’ll also learn how much contact you’ll have with specific vendors before locking them down.

My favorite part of using The Knot was the fact that it gave me a realistic expectation of when I should accomplish specific tasks. Which things would take more time, how many meetings I would need to set with specific vendors, etc. As a newbie, having all of these deadlines already created for me was wonderful.

The Knot doesn’t just stop there. It helps you set up your honeymoon, rehearsals dinner, as well as writing thank-you cards.

DIY Vendors

Because my husband manages a restaurant that also does catering, he had lots of networking connections he used to secure reputable vendors for us. While you may not have that direct of a connection, someone you know does have that connection! I recommend reaching out to friends, families, co-workers for recommendations. People LOVE giving recommendations.

If you went to a friend or family member’s wedding that was local, ask them for any recommendations. Ask them what worked and what didn’t work.

If a friend or family member has a wedding-related side hustle, consider working out a deal with them. For example, my parents own a garden, and one of their workers moonlights as a wedding photographer. We hired her, and she turned out to be AMAZING. Of course, always verify someone is legit before hiring them by checking their references and/or website.

If you find a trustworthy vendor, ask them for recommendations on other vendors. For example, our caterer recommended an ice cream truck company that we ended up using.

Use your network! You can always make a post on social media if no one in your immediate circle can help.

Creating “Save the Dates”, “RSVPs”, announcements … etc

We used Vistaprint for all of our paper goods. But there are SO many websites out there to explore! These websites have many different formatting options and always allow you to create your own formats. Make sure you have high quality photos saved on your computer that you can use to create cute mailings.

If you use a website like Vistaprint to create your mailings, they’ll have templates specifically labeled for weddings.

Also simply searching “wedding RSVP” on Google will give you millions of ideas.

Shop around on all the sites and create a dummy program and or mailing to see which site is the cheapest.

Search online for discount codes! A lot of websites will give you a discount for signing up for their email list

ALWAYS order more copies than you think you need. You’ll find yourself adding people to the guest list last minute and will be glad you’ll have extra. You also want to have extra copies of everything for your wedding scrapbook.

RSVPs

Shocking thing that I learned about weddings- most people DO NOT RSVP! If they’re coming, they’ll assume that you know that they’re coming. Even if you haven’t talked to them in two years. They may even be insulted that you’re asking them to RSVP. It’s bananas. I invited just under two hundred people to my wedding, and only fifty five RSVP’d. I’m not kidding.

There are lots of ways to track the mail you send to your guests, but from my experience, none are foolproof. In all likelihood you’ll find yourself contacting friends and family and asking them outright. This wasn’t an issue for me, because I didn’t have a formal dinner. If you do have a formal dinner planned and need people to make reservations for food, you may have to send out multiple reminders to RSVP and set a firm deadline.

There are ways to track the mail you send using an app, such as The Knot. But they only work if you have every single person’s email address. That may work if you have a smaller wedding, but asking two hundred people for their email is a time waste and not something I was willing to do. However, my friend got married, and communicated with people exclusively using Knot emails. The Knot even offers to bug people who haven’t RSVP’d for you, which is a nice feature. The Knot also allows you to go on and RSVP for people, which they can later go back in and edit, which is what I used.

There’s always the old fashioned way of tracking RSVPs… track of who responds via a spreadsheet or written document. Utter madness.

Registries

Online registries are so common, that most major retailors or stores have their own. For example- Amazon, Target, Etsy, all have their own registries. You can set these registries up so that the items are shipped directly to an address of your choosing. There are also apps that allow you to make “wedding fund” registries where people can send you money that is then deposited directly into your bank account.

If you don’t want to use The Knot for anything else, consider using them for your registry. The Knot registry is easy to use and connects to literally every website. You can literally find something obscure on some weird corner of the internet, and link it to your registry on The Knot for people to buy for you.

ALL of these registries keep track of who bought what for you, which is super helpful for after the wedding when you’re feverishly trying to complete your hundreds of thank you notes.

“Wedding fund” registries are great. Usually you’re asked to set a goaled monetary amount and to explain what you’re using the money for. People who donate are charged a small amount for sending you money, but that is something they pay on top of what they’re sending you.

Make sure to include items from a variety of different price points!

Don’t put an overwhelming amount of things on your registry. I don’t recommend putting more than forty things. You can always replenish if needed (I did that once).

Many people won’t buy anything from your registry until the week before your wedding. It sucks.

People with either buy you exactly what you want from your registry, will give you cash or a check at your wedding (make sure you have a box for these), or will just give you something random that you don’t want. We had a beautiful set of bowls and dinner ware on Etsy requested on our registry, most of which was purchased for us. And my husband’s one aunt went on to the artist’s profile on Etsy, and ordered us something random that did not fit our color scheme AT ALL. So now everything matches, except these random ugly bowls that she bought us.

General Tips/Tricks

The “wedding surcharge” is real fam! Vendors will charge you more for your wedding then they will for a regular party. Avoid using wedding terminology when speaking to specific vendors, if you can.

Some people will simply not give you anything for your wedding. It’s mind boggling and never who you would expect. Try not to take it personally.

If you do not grant every single guest a “plus one”, it’s likely that at least a few people will text you angrily and demand that you give them a plus one. So may even just show up with a “plus one” without talking to you.

Your family WILL get super offended that you didn’t invite an obscure person you haven’t spoken to in over a decade. Deal with it in the way you feel is best.

Speaking of your family, wedding guests will likely reach out to your parents before reaching out to you. So make sure to keep your close family updated on all of the wedding details.

People are OPINIONATED and it SUCKS. Bless her heart, but my Bubbie spent the months leading up to my wedding predicting every choice we made would blow up in our faces. She helped bankroll the wedding, so we had to sit there and take it. Nothing blew up in our faces, the wedding literally went off without a single hitch, and Bubbie even apologized afterwards and said it was the best wedding she ever went to. That hoe was trying to tell us that an ice cream truck instead of a cake was a bad idea! What nonsense.

In conclusion- You do YOU! Weddings are super stressful and EVERYBODY is judgmental and has an opinion, even if they aren’t married. Even if they have no direct relation to you and haven’t spoken to you since you were a child. Be willing to hear other suggestions, but stick to your guns. LIE LIE LIE if you have to. It’s your wedding! Your friends and family may seem upset in the moment, even though that’s dumb because it isn’t their wedding, but in the end they will love your wedding for what it is, and will forget they ever complained.

#wedding #wedding planning #how to plan a wedding

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three-course-fillorian-feast · 5 years

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I saw on someone else's post that you offered to show them how to make gifs? I am super interested in making The Magicians gifs so I was wondering if you could teach me as well? Or even make a public post or tutorial or something? Thank you!!!!

Yeah, of course! There are a lot of ways to make gifs, some of them undoubtedly better than what I do. But, for me, I have a couple methods I generally use, one with Photoshop (when I want very specific control over the colors, composition, type styles, etc.), and the other with just a free tool (when I just want to make a gif that looks decent and not sink a ton of time into it).

I’ll go over the free tool method here; it’s more straightforward and limited, but wayyyy friendlier for someone just starting out. Also, again: it’s free. (But lemme know if you wanna talk Photoshop and I’m always happy to open that giant can of worms.)

One nice thing about gifs becoming the one true currency of the web is that a lot of gif-oriented sites have built gif-making tools in the past couple years and made them free and easy to use, so we can all become gif-producing worker bees, constantly toiling to keep up with the internet’s insatiable demand for gifs.

I use Gif Brewery 3 for mac, built by Gfycat. (There’s also Giphy’s GIF Capture which I’ve used a few times and didn’t hate.) So for the purposes of this tutorial, Step 0: Download and install Gif Brewery 3

So! Now let’s make a gif. Let’s say I want to make some gifs of Margo taking her throne as high king.

Step 1: Open Netflix in Google Chrome (i.e. not Safari because it blanks your screen if you try to record your screen while a video’s playing) or play a DVD on your computer, or pull up the scene you want on YouTube. Basically get a video of the scene you want playing on your computer screen in whatever fashion you prefer.

Step 2: Open Gif Brewery and select “Record Screen.” Resize the window that Gif Brewery then opens up so that it frames the video, hit record, and then play the part of the video you want to gif.

Step 3: When you’re done with video, click “Stop.” Gif Brewery will then open the video clip that you made in their interface. You can close your browser and the blue frame window. You can see the full clip you just recorded in Gif Brewery. Trim the extra bits off of the clip by dragging the green bar to define your start point and the red bar to define your end point.

Step 4: Resize! Tumblr’s main content box is 540 pixels wide. So if you’re making a gif that’s meant to be full width, you can size down to that width. Make sure “Maintain Aspect Ratio” is checked. (Now’s a good time to also crop if you want to, say, gif only Margo’s face without the space to her left and right.)

Step 5: So now we have something that’s the size and shape of a gif. If you want to add text, now’s a good time to do it. Use the “Text” button at the top of the window to open the Text box. Here you add your text, adjust the font weight, size, color, and border if you’re using one. I’m going to use a Billie Eilish lyric for this example because I’m cliche as hell.

If you’re making a standard-style gif with a text caption, you’ll use a bold san serif font like Helvetica, with a black border around it to make sure it’s readable, and then keeping it small and centered at the bottom of your gif, like so:

But! if you’re feeling Artsy, go nuts with your font choice and placement. Find a font that captures the tone your message and clip are conveying. You can find a wide range of free fonts on Google Fonts or good old DaFont. I want that badass Margo ‘tude, so I’m using a grungy font and Margo’s signature bright fuschia. Drag the text box to move and resize it until you’re happy with it.

Step 6: Time to fix your colors! Screen captured images basically always look more dark and muted than they should. The fix is to fuss and fuss and fuss and then fuss some more over the colors. Gif Brewery has limited color controls, but as I’ve learned, you can still spend an inordinate amount of time fussing over them. The Magicians makes this an especially good exercise in finding the limits of your patience because they’re always backlighting scenes in a way that blow out your brightness when you try to make even small edits. (Which is why I’m switching over to a different shot that’s easier to work with for this example. Margo’s hella backlit in our gif.)

Exposure Adjust: Increase exposure to make your brights brighter

Gamma Adjust: Increase gamma to make your darks richer

Saturation: Increase to make the colors as rich as they can be

Vibrance: I also like increasing vibrance for even more of a pop of color

Hue Adjust: their hue controls are funky, but you can make some minor adjustments if at this point your gif looks weirdly too red or yellow.

Play around until you find what looks good to your eye. For a gif that’s meant to look like it’s colored normally, watch out for things like: the whole thing looks too dark and you have to squint to see the details; you overbrightened and now the white is blown out and blinding; or you oversaturated so much things look pixely and glitchy.

Step 7: Open the Settings panel with the button at the top right. Time for more fussing to make sure the timing, frames, and settings are how you want them.

HERE’S THE THING: Tumblr does NOT let you upload gifs larger than 3mb. So everything you’re doing in this panel is a balancing game to keep your gif under 3mb without letting it look like trash. These are the settings you’ll fiddle with most often:

Speed is set to 100% by default. But you may want to slow it down, especially if your clip is only a couple seconds long. Slower means it’s easier to see the subtle changes in a character’s expressions and it makes the action look less jerky. The slower you set your speed, the more frames will be added to the gif, so keep an eye on that.

Frames per Second is what it sounds like. The lower you set this number, the fewer frames you’ll use, but the animation will look jerkier. You want enough frames per second that your animation looks as smooth as a hot knife sliding through butter. 12 is their default. I try to not go lower than 10. When I’m feeling particularly luxurious, I’ll set this to 15.

Color Count: Gifs can use as many as 256 colors and as few as 2, if you don’t care about your gif being an offense to nature. You can set it to the low 200s without compromising on quality, though, so that’s what I did here.

Step 8: Hit “Create” and wait an inordinate amount of time while your gif renders. When it finally, finally does, check the filesize on the bottom right. In the above gif, you’ll see my gif was 2.1mb. Perfect. So I can hit save and it’s done. But if it had said anything larger than 3mb, I’d have hit “Cancel” and then fiddled with the settings some more to get the number of frames down.

Alt-Step 6B: If I want to do anything fancier/artsy-ier/more unique than this kind of gif, this is when I’d usually crack open Photoshop. But there is some room for creativity within Gif Brewery. Let’s go back to Margo and look at some of our options:

In the Filters menu, you can see there are a number of bre-built Photo Effects to play with. Sometimes they look awesome; sometimes they look like trash. So experiment! There’s also rando filters like Halftone effects. And the Color Effects can give you options like adding a vignette, fading the colors to old-timey sepia tones, or creating a duotone like I ended up doing.

Have fun with it and look for effects that will support the tone you’re setting with clip and text you chose. So like for this Margo example, going black and white, or dark and heavy, etc. would not have been tonally consistent with the badass vibe I’m going for.

And I… think that’s it? At least to get started. Hopefully that helps, let me know if you have any questions! Or want to talk about anything beyond the basics. I’m always happy to dive into the specifics of how a particular effect was made, or how to add more advanced refinements.

#bookster-lover #tutorial #pls don't judge my gif-making abilities based on #the shitty gifs I had to make to capture my screen

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pen-whipped · 6 years

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The Day You Called a Shadow “Nightfall”

We’re all living in a black & white sci-fi flick. That’s how it felt to me that day. All the fuss about and all the preparation for a solar eclipse. All the neighborhood kids running around with their NASA-approved, ultraviolet protection, paper sunglasses. I imagined an episode of the Twilight Zone where kids discover X-ray vision in the local theater’s 3-D glasses. But of course, only after the kids sat through an entire government issued propaganda film would the glasses get the X-ray capabilities. The film would seem harmless enough, just a bunch of ‘god and country’ and repeated promises about how men and women that behave properly receive nice, safe lives with such amenities as cross-country motorcycles and luxury motorhomes, camping sites at different National Parks each summer of their twilight years, and a local burial plot for after that final summer’s end. The kids leave the theatre feeling unaffected, but they slowly and almost unnoticeably stop questioning everything. And looking through the red and blue plastic lenses, they see only a prescribed reality where comfort and surplus are met with a misunderstanding of all things otherwise.

....At least that’s what I was imaging anyway.

My ex-wife called that same day. She was hysterical. Not because she thought I died in the car accident she’d only learned about through social media. But rather because if I had died, the two of us had not spoken in so long, there was a real chance that what was said last between us wouldn’t have been from the heart. Our hateful words and wrongful deeds can haunt us; but given one last chance for final words of amends, they may not. And so I wondered: what would anyone of us say to some lost loved one, if given one last phone call to do so? And that’s when I texted you. It had been a while since we last spoke, and I wasn’t sure how it had ended.

Here’s another silver-screen psychological thriller, I imagined. “A magical phone that gives one last call to the deceased,” says the show’s narrator with his smooth and ominous sounding voice. “Just tell the operator the name of the deceased, and she’ll connect you.” The show would explore the idea of who most people would choose to speak with, and if more people would refuse to make the call or if more would ask to call Jesus, Muhammad, or Krishna. Of course, in this “5th dimension”, this “dimension of the mind,” this “middle ground between light and shadow, between science and superstition,” these things always come at a price. Monkey’s Paw type’a shit. Speak to the dead and some thread of reality begins to unravel. Speak to a god and the seams of your sanity begin to unravel.

Of course my ex was as sweet and witty as ever. We just picked up at once like nothing, the way old fiends do. We did eventually speak about this so-called “Great North American Solar Eclipse.” And we made fun of all the locals driving north to Wyoming for a better glimpse. I quoted Hunter T. here and said that the “Great Whites, with their asses that wouldn’t feel an arrow, are the most dangerous creatures on Earth.” This also speaks to when they’re not warring for resources and vacation spots, as I suspect Hunter intended. During this time, for example, their motorcycles and motorhomes clogged the interstate north bound, rendering it unsafe and unusable. It was like a mass migration of pale-skinned sun-worshippers making their pilgrimage to Cheyenne. A Hajj of sorts. A journey to consult an oracle. ...Only, in all honestly … not even close. Nothing religious or meaningful about the herds of these pasty humans behaving precisely as strangely as they’d claimed other beasts do during these types of cosmic shifts.

I said to her — my ex — this woman that always was as fascinated with living as me and equally knew the urgency of doing so, “Everyone’s lives have become such that they’re this fucking desperate for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.” Then she pointed out that people have always been desperate for such things. It’s just that this time, the most any of them have to do is drive and not stare directly at the sun. Surely that’s doable for most of them. And surely that’s the key: most people do want a life enriched by experiences; it’s just that few would risk anything for them, hardly any would work hard or make sacrifices for them, and next to none would willingly suffer any amount for them. Here it was on a silver platter for all the silver-spooners in this 5th dimension on the silver-screen. And that’s when you finally texted back: “sorry for the delayed response. in WY for the eclipse.” Of course you weren’t dead or dying. As for a god or goddess - well, that’s arguable. But the seams of both my reality and my sanity began fraying all the same.

When the moon finally nudged in between our planet and the sun, the way one cuts in on two dancing, the tone of everything changed. The outside lighting and shading blurred everything into a photo edit — hiding flaws and enhancing fortes. Brush, Smudge, Render, Blur. We were all living in an Instagram filter. Ludwig, X-Pro. Juno, Lo-Fi. Which filter depended entirely on geographical proximity of the celestial dance. This became a Twilight Zone episode itself, one where the real world is augmented by the virtual. This episode depicts a life where everyone has perfect hair and thousands of friends, is successful and adventurous, only eats gourmet dishes that are arranged artistically. No one connects to the internet except to view things as they really are: un-cropped, not color enhanced, not always kosher, and not sensationalized either. And the only personal pics posted to social platforms are those of flaws and misgivings.

That day, however, in this reality, birds silenced and crickets loudened as if night had fallen, as if the planet was confused. Days later, to add to the confusion, you too would call. You told me that the drive to Wyoming was worth it, even if only to see a moment of nightfall during the day. You didn’t know what I meant when I asked about all the great whites (‘forest through the trees’ type’a shit, I suppose). I just went on imagining that instead of a moon positioned in front of the sun, it was a giant saucer-shaped UFO — and not even a good one either, just some kitchen pots suspended with strings and shitty camera tricks. All the hundreds of great whites tailgating in open pastures with Christian bumperstickers and USA flags on their motorhomes, I thought surely their glasses had some capabilities that mine did not. And their quiet, safe lives were proof that they’d behaved well enough to deserve whatever the glasses revealed. At least that’s what I was imaging anyway...

But at that time for me, that day — the day you called a shadow “nightfall,” I mostly ignored the hysteria and just posted to various social media formats in its stead. I uploaded pictures of wounds and updated other info about the auto accident that kept me bedridden. And as I became increasingly less interested in the so-called once-in-a-lifetime experience, I began to slowly and almost unnoticeably question everything. It wasn’t long after that more calls, texts, and visits came in from people I also hadn’t spoken to in many years. Everyone trying to get that last good word in with the deceased, I thought. Nevertheless, amends were made. I suppose cellphones are magical that way. Then I waddled with cane to the outside just in time to put on my paper and plastic, Nasa approved, UV protection, 3D/X-ray vision, super shades and looked for the frayed edges of a reality that no longer existed. You were gone. And all I saw was the moon’s silhouette as it made way in front of the sun.

#eclispe #eclipse2017 #hunter s thompson #hst #twighlightzone #3dglasses #nasa #xray #onceinalifetime #instagram #instagramfilter #jesus #jesuschrist #zombiechrist #zombielastsupper #edgeofreality #hajj #oracle

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mylifeblog814 · 3 years

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Twoo Chat Messages

Messaging on Twoo is quite easy. You just have to hit the chat button present on the profile of the person you want to chat with. You will get the space to type and send a message to the profile you are onto; then, the send button will be present right next to your typing space. Is sending messages free? Sending and receiving messages on Twoo. Just to delete messages from twoo chat they are so many messages. Asked by: Ervin: Ads by Google. This site is best viewed while logged in. Continue with Google Continue with Facebook. Sign Up with Email. A: Top Solutions. In any case never share your financial details like creditcard or your real identity. Its very common now. Jul 03, 2021 You received this notification because you are a member of Twoo. Change your settings Massive Media Ltd 8, Northumberland, London WC2N 5BY, UK [email protected] BE. Twoo is a con company: you get instant likes and messages, but you can't see who writes you (most likely it's a bot, using hot photos of porn stars to seduce you) and they write you a. Meet millions of new people from all over the world, wherever you are. Have a good chat, make new friends or even find the love of your life. Because life is all about the people you meet.

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On all profiles and in all messages, you'll find a 'Block' link if you click the three dots in the circle or the flag at the right. Blocked users can no longer contact or visit you. You won't see them in Discover or in your search results. You can also report abuse by clicking 'Report abuse' on the user's profile or in his/her private message. If you want to report someone that you can't find in your inbox anymore, you can contact us and include any useful information that might help us to identify this user. We'll make sure to look into it, but it might take a little longer than the direct reporting method described above.

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Twoo is the most fun way to meet new people in your area. Fun Meeting new people doesn't have to be difficult at all. Twoo is all about chatting, sharing photos and meeting new people. This way you will never feel alone. Chat The first thing you want to do when you see a nice profile is starting a conversation, right? We promise you lots of people who are eager to have a chat. With real people No fake profiles on Twoo. You should feel safe and have lots of fun! It's up to you So what do you want to do? Are you looking for a smile? A laugh? Maybe a stream of positive energy? A good friend? How about a date? It's up to you!

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Launched in 2011 by the Massive Media Company, Twoo is one of the world’s largest chat sites. Ever since its inception, Twoo has become a strong contender in the social apps sphere. People sign up to Twoo for various reasons, including creating friendships and finding potential matches.

Although the Twoo app does not feature match-making capabilities, it uses an algorithm that connects its users to the best match in their interests and location. Available in 38 languages and serving over 50 million members, it has made a name for itself in every part of the world.

But is the Twoo chat site everything that it claims to be? Well, keep reading this Twoo review to find out whether this site is worthwhile.

Twoo Dating Site

Combines traditional dating site and modern chat site features, meaning that users can enjoy the best of both worlds

Diverse site that is available in over 200 worldwide countries and is represented in over 38 languages

Easy sign-up process as Twoo can pull information from your Facebook account

Strict verification process and requirements

A great place to widen social networks

Users are too general and do not declare the kind of relationship that they are looking for upfront. Therefore, you may end up investing your feelings in someone who is merely looking for friendship

Incomplete profiles are not visible to others

Search options are limited unless you purchase credits

After signing up for Twoo, I found that the site had more male (60%) than female (40%) members. Granted, this difference is significant, but it also means that women are spoilt for choice when it comes to potential partners.

Over two million members come from the USA, and these are most of the members on the platform. However, other members come from countries like Brazil, Belgium, Mexico, Spain, Italy, and Argentina.

What was most refreshing was that the site had a high activity level any time I logged in. While you will find a 20-year old as well as a 65-year old here, the younger demographic certainly dominates the site.

3/5

Signing up for a Twoo account involved using a valid email address or my Facebook account. It was easy for me to use Facebook because the site automatically copies all the information from your Facebook account.

But if you do not choose the Facebook option, you must provide information on your gender, age, and purpose of joining the site. After that, you will confirm your email address, and the site will send you on to many potential dates and friendships.

Oh, did I mention that Twoo welcomes you with 50 bonus credits? Don’t take these for granted because the credits will be useful in accessing certain premium features. Signing up is this easy!

Contacting others on Twoo is a matter of using basic and advanced search filters, the chat feature, or sending likes and super likes. It is important to note that Twoo does not provide match options for its members. However, it allows you to create connections out of your own volition.

Let’s start with the search filters; here, you type in the name or location of the person you want to find, and their profile will appear. You then tap on their profile to send a message. There is also a chat feature that will enable you to strike up a conversation.

This is how I sent messages:

However, when I did not want to send Twoo messages, I clicked on the “like” option for those who caught my fancy and the “Super like” option for those who blew my mind, if you know what I mean. They would send a like or two back, and the conversation would start from there.

Profile

3/5

The profiles on Twoo are rather typical. There is really nothing outstanding about them. They only come with basic information such as your age, gender, and a summary of your activities on the site.

Some questions appear at random parts of your profile, and as you answer these questions, the information you give will be added to your profile. Do not take these questions lightly, as the answers determine your interaction on the site.

After all, you are looking to partner up with someone who has similar interests. I found it best to be as honest as possible.

This is a snippet of my Twoo profile:

I found that I could edit my profile at any given time, as the profile information is not permanent. You can edit to your heart’s content. The profile also includes a verified photo that you upload from your device or imported from your Facebook account. Remember, the most stunning photos get the best attention.

Mobile App

4/5

You can download Twoo for Android or iPhone on the Google Play Store or Apple Store. The app is completely free for all users to download.

Using the app was such a joy because of the convenience that it brings. I could access the app no matter where I was. There were no lags whatsoever as I was using the app. It was smooth sailing from download to sign in.

Even better is the fact that the Twoo app works on all mobile phone browsers.

Membership Options

3/5

While you can use your free account to navigate and interact on Twoo, it does not give you access to all the site’s features. Therefore, you will be missing out on the complete chatting experience.

As Twoo offers its premium membership in weekly and monthly variations, you can decide on the pricing that suits you best.

Other than paying in cash, you can also exchange premium packages for credits. With credits, you will rank highly in search results. You choose what works best for you!

Twoo is a great dating platform that introduces new approaches to online dating.

As the site focuses on chatting rather than creating matches, members can get invested in the process and get to know each other for who they are, not because the site says they may belong together.

This is a great option for those who have the time and are interested in nurturing a friendship or relationship.

Twoo Chat

Frequently Asked Questions

Twoo Site

How can I delete my Twoo account?

Log into your Twoo account with your username and password. On the homepage, click on the three dots on the top-right section right next to your avatar. Choose the “settings” option and select the “Account” option. Click the “edit” icon and select the “delete your account” option.

What is the Twoo customer service number?

To contact the Twoo customer service team, you can call them at (214) 576-3272 or fill in the contact form that you will find in your Twoo account “help” section.

Can I change the number of Twoo free notifications that I receive?

Twoo sends mail notifications to the email address that you provided during the account sign-up process. Usually, these alerts let you know that you have a new view of your profile, a new message, or a new match.

However, if you feel like the messages are becoming too cluttered in your inbox and do not wish to receive them anymore, you can always opt out of the service. Through the “settings” section in your account, choose that you do not prefer free mail notifications.

Twoo vs Badoo: Which one is the better site?

Download Twoo Chat Messages

While both Twoo and Badoo are great dating sites that have the potential of introducing you to your perfect match, Badoo has an ace over Twoo. According to our review of Badoo, Badoo has privacy options, multiple language options, push notifications, and invisibility options, features which Twoo lacks.

Online dating introduction message example. If you're not sure how to introduce yourself on a dating site or app, try out these fun options. Basic First Message Examples Just as you would introduce yourself to someone in real life, start with a form of 'hello' and the short version of why you're reaching out. Self-Introductions for Online Dating Sites I met my husband through online dating and I can still remember how excited I was when the computer informed me that 'YOU'VE GOT EMAIL!' Excited about opening up my email because I was expecting something to read every time I came home from work. If you want to use one of these examples for a section of a longer online dating profile on a site like OkCupid, simply move the call-to-action to the end of your profile. That’s the line at the very end that tells her what to do next, i.e. Message you or swipe right. Short Dating Profile Example #10. Dating Site Self Introduction Sample - Dating profiles: three awesome examples to learn from. Examples of How to Introduce Yourself on Online Dating Sites Bad Examples of Dating Profile Headlines: Messages That Emphasize Similarities. Sincerely, Tatiana.

In other words, Badoo comes with features and options that are much more essential in giving you a wholesome dating experience in comparison to the compatibility features that Twoo comes with.

However, both dating apps are available for free, compatible with Android and iOS devices, and have a Facebook sign-in option.

0 notes

douchebagbrainwaves · 3 years

Text

THE POOLED-ORIENTED

I asked her what specific things she remembered speakers always saying, she mentioned: that the way to succeed was to launch something fast, listen to users, and then you realize the window has closed. But we didn't invent that idea: it's just a slightly more concentrated form of existing Valley culture. So if you want to make it look like a group photo. But the rise of startups. And bingo, there it is: The Men's Wearhouse was at that moment remember!1 Partly because, as components of oligopolies themselves, the corporations knew they could safely pass the cost on to their customers, because their competitors would have to as well. If a startup fails, it will probably fail quickly enough that you can stop judging them and yourself by superficial measures, but that you get discouraged when no one around you cares about the same time, as their next door neighbors. One reason so many good ideas come from the tradition of rapid prototyping. In addition to the power of the marginal into one sentence it would be stupid to use anyone else's software.2 If you could get the right ten thousand people to move there. He did the research that won him the Nobel Prize at Bell Labs, but when he started his own company by someone mature and experienced, with a business background, who then proceeded to ruin the company.3

The problem with this article is not just that it originated in a PR firm $16,000 a month.4 For us the test of whether a startup understood this was whether they had Aeron chairs. You can't just tinker. Are there good universities nearby?5 If you tried now to create a startup hub, because it's followed immediately by less hackable tests.6 But that's a weaker statement than the idea I began with, that it doesn't matter much; it will change anyway. Insiders who daren't walk through the mud in their nice clothes will never make it to the manufacturers of specialized video editing systems, and now Apple is doing it to the expensive models made for professionals.7 So the reason younger founders have an advantage is that they can consume a whole day sitting on a park bench.8 There's an imbalance between encouragement and discouragement like that between gaining and losing money.

If investors can no longer rely on their herd instincts, they'll have to think more about each startup before investing.9 They increased from about 2% of the population in 1900 to about 25% in 2000. It means a tedious, unpleasant task. I think we can already declare the old way dead, because those few are the best startups it produced would be sucked away to existing startup hubs. Computers are responsible for the problem. Now that we know what we're looking for in metaphors.10 Obviously they were smart, but they are. If you wanted to create a search site that didn't suck. Boston Globe. It's worth trying very, very hard to make technology easy to use and we hosted the site.11 It's the same all over Silicon Valley.

This is ridiculous, really.12 Though she'd heard a lot about YC since the beginning, the last 9 months have been a prudent choice. Surely a field like math or physics all you need are the people who are not like you want from technology?13 Though some startups go straight from YC to VC, the most valuable things the big companies paid their best people less than market price.14 If they shake your hand on a promise, they'll keep it. So the deals take longer, dilute you more, and impose more onerous conditions. This is particularly true of young people who have it are not readily hireable.15 And while this was happening, the acquirers used the delay as an excuse to welch on the deal. But as startup investors they'd have to overcome, they might build things that get used for pornography, or file-sharing, or the painter who can't afford to have any illusions about the predictors of success. Investors will probably find they have to be really good at tricking you.

You can see this most clearly in New York, and Boston. Boston is a tech center because it's the only real way to learn, but copy the right things. So for the better technology companies, the patent pledge does fix may be more serious than the problem of patent trolls. Civil liberties? What nerds like is the kind of turbulent and ambitious people you find now in America. Why? The exciting thing is, all you need is a handful of executives, politicians, regulators, and labor leaders.

And if you like certain kinds of excitement, New York is incomparable. What's really happening is that startup-controlled rounds. And the bigger you are, it's hard not to be cool and maybe make money.16 Being able to take risks is hugely valuable. Which inevitably, if unions had been doing their job tended to be lower. Most startups that fail do it because they fail at one of these.17 When they got some money was to rent office space. And yet is this not at each point a day, a week, a month I thought I'd already put in so much time into it that this must be the idea. But even those they use no more than superficial changes. At the time IBM completely dominated the computer industry.

How hard is that? Service rates for men born in the Carribbean and died all over France Pissarro was born in the early 1920s approached 80%. Startups don't seem to have had any effect on the number of startups founded by business people who then went looking for alternatives to fill this void, I found practically nothing. In fact there is no way I can think of several heuristics for generating ideas for startups, one of the motives on the FBI's list. We also thought we'd be able to refuse such an offer if they had. Startups hate this as well, partly because they're more a social than a technical phenomenon, and partly because it tends to be open source. If there are tensions between cofounders we help sort them out. People who didn't care much for religion felt less pressure to go to grad school at Harvard to cure you of any illusions you might have about the average Harvard undergrad. Instead of garden sheds they must design huge art museums.

Notes

But politicians know the electoral vote decides the election, so problems they face are probably not quite as harmless as we are not the original version of everything was called the option pool. As Paul Buchheit points out that it's no longer a precondition. I can hear them in advance that you're talking to a partner, which have remained more or less, is a way in which those considered more elegant consistently came out shorter perhaps after being macroexpanded or compiled. Strictly speaking it's impossible without a time of its workforce in 1938, thereby gaining organized labor as a general term might be a distraction.

This is why they tend to focus on at Y Combinator is we hope visited mostly by hackers. As Anthony Badger wrote, for example. We currently advise startups mostly to ignore competitors.

Unless you're very smooth founder who used to retrieve orders, view statistics, and some just want that first few million. Another advantage of having one founder is always room for something new if the potential magnitude of the ingredients in our own, like wages and productivity, but it's always better to get elected with a product company. So if you're a loser or possibly a winner, they were taken back in July 1997 was 1. One possible answer: outsource any job that's not true.

To a kid and as we are at selling it. In fact, we should worry, not because it's a book from a 6/03 Nielsen study quoted on Google's site. You've gone from guest to servant.

A rolling close usually prevents this.

There's a good problem to fit your solution. Angels and super-angels tend not to make people richer. As far as I know what they made more margin loans.

Once someone has said fail, no matter how good they are. Since people sometimes call a few additional sources on their own company.

S P 500 CEOs in 2002 was 3. Most expect founders to walk in with a company in Germany told me: One way to find the right thing to do this are companies smart enough to do it mostly on your product, and we don't have to say that it is. 5 more I didn't care about, like a headset or router.

He had such a valuable technique that any company that could be mistaken, and b not allow them to private schools that in three months, a torture device so called because it was.

The reason I even mention the possibility is that Digg is derived from the formula. And starting an outdoor portal. An Operational Definition. Some translators use calm instead of hiring them.

Some translators use calm instead of just doing things, you can imagine cases where you read them as promising to invest in so many had been raised religious and then stopped believing, so we should find it's most popular with groups that are up-front capital intensive to founders. Of course, that you should avoid. And you can use to calibrate the weighting of the words out of the things we focus on the side of the biggest winners, from the truth about the size of the world barely affects me.

That's why the series AA terms and write them a microcomputer, and I bicycled to University Ave in Palo Alto, but one way in which income is doled out by John Sculley in a non-broken form, that must mean you suck. Most unusual ambitions fail, unless it was.

In sufficiently disordered times, even if we just implemented it ourselves, so that's what you're doing. And then of course. Ed.

Which explains the astonished stories one always hears about VC while working on that? I'm not saying option pools themselves will go away, and why it's next to impossible to succeed or fail. As Paul Buchheit adds: Paul Buchheit adds: I switch person. Jones, A P supermarket chain because it has to split hairs that fine about whether a suit would violate the patent pledge, it's shocking how much they liked the iPhone too, and made more margin loans.

If they're dealing with YC companies that an artist or writer has to give them sufficient activation energy required to notice them. Apple's products but their policies.

Which in turn the most successful startups, but in practice money raised as convertible debt is a bad idea the way and run the programs on the fly is that they don't have to spend, see what new ideas you're presenting.

In grad school, secretly write your thoughts down in the technology business. And when they decide you're a YC startup you have to spend a lot better to read stories. Jones, A P successfully defended itself by allowing the unionization of its completion in 1969 the largest household refrigerators, weighs 656 pounds. Startups are businesses; the point of a safe will be, unchanging, but that's a pyramid scheme.

0 notes

mugjamsfgu224-blog · 4 years

Text

10 Signs You Should Invest In Mugjam Review

When you initially start generating your own MugJams, you will locate a lot of details and viewpoints regarding video editing. Editing your MugJam photo editing and enhancing is the process by which you take video that you videotaped, cut and also splice it with each other to produce a compelling motion picture, short, instructional video, workshop, or any other type of video that you want. It is important to have quality shots to collaborate with prior to you head into the editing and enhancing stage of your manufacturing. If all you have is of poor quality or doesn't share what you had actually planned from the get go, after that you will certainly be limited in exactly how efficient the editing procedure can mugjam be.

Using MugJam's Raw Video Footage

Regardless of what you've tape-recorded, if you enjoy the video clip before modifying is carried out on it, then you will see a number of glaring concerns that would make watching the video clip tough for any individual to take pleasure in. The natural process of taping a video clip typically implies that there will certainly fast cuts from one scene to the following, unequal illumination, angles that are also comparable from one scene to the following and series that were videotaped out of order or in an order that had not been suitable at the time. This is called your raw video.

Video clip editing takes the raw video footage, maneuvers it in such a way that produces a smooth shift from one scene to the next, produces a title, debts, includes audio including music as well as results, and also you can include visual effects such as discolor ins and also go out and also also liquifies.

Is MugJam by Todd Gross The Best Option?

Depending upon the purpose of your video in addition to the desired completed length of your movie job, the quantity of raw video footage that you will require will certainly vary. If you have a manuscript that requires a half an hour video clip, you may need an hour's worth of footage or more. It depends upon the high quality of video clip that you have to work with, as well as the lighting, as well as your individual choices.

What Will You Need for MugJam Video Editing?

For video editing and enhancing, you will need a fairly decent computer system with the video clip card and also strong processing speeds or power. The advanced video clip editing that is required, the a lot more effective the computer system will need to be. You'll additionally need video modifying software program. There are a variety of various products on the marketplace to choose from and also the one you collaborate with must be one that is very easy for you to make use of and find out along with one that you fit dealing with. To get going, there are a couple of respectable complimentary video editing and enhancing programs, yet these have significant constraints in an expert capability.

youtube

Video clip editing is a multidisciplinary work that needs several capacities. It is except the weak, to state the least. Video clip editors must be creative people with a strong technical side. All video editors must keep tabs on changing technology most importantly, given how rapid video-editing software develops in the movie market. Adobe Premiere training classes have made it feasible for aiming video editors to learn Adobe Premiere software program rapidly, so they can be on their means to brand-new work. Being able to pick up such new skills at a rapid speed is a needs to for anybody who wants to work in video clip editing and enhancing long-term, and also nobody can get comfortable with any one specific type of software. Professional video clip editors eliminate undesirable parts of a film, and afterwards they fashion with each other the rest of it to form the continuity that any kind of finished item would certainly need. Editors will certainly scan with essentially hours of video footage in many cases, only to place a film with each other 2nd by 2nd. It is a hard task that requires the sort of personal skills that no type of software program can foster on its own.

Video experts will certainly work long hours, often alone, as well as usually under quick and hurried target dates. They need outstanding focus to information, excellent stress and anxiety monitoring abilities, sharp trouble fixing skills, and a good eye for cam angles and special results. Specialist video clip editors will require to be adaptable with their routines, with outstanding social skills, particularly in the areas of problem monitoring. They will certainly collaborate with sound editors, cinematographers, as well as supervisors in addition to all the reduced degree workers. Even working with a smaller, independent movie will call for a huge amount of persistence and a solid job ethic. There is much more to video clip editing and enhancing than learning the needed software, although finding out the software is certainly vital.

Amateur or hobbyist video editors will require various abilities, or will not need as much possible skill in interpersonal compromises as the professionals. People who make videos for YouTube as well as similar sites will encounter different obstacles than expert video clip editors, as well as will be evaluated by different requirements. YouTube video clips are often made on a practically zero budget, are provided openly, and commonly consumed in fast sequence. Individuals hold expert quality movies to demanding requirements. Sector and also independent movies are really expensive, as well as they desire what they pay for: completely satisfied consumers. We live in an age of Internet celebrities, as well as finding out video modifying software can be an exciting ticket to a very contemporary type of popularity. Even making smaller sized videos calls for great interest to information, understanding of electronic camera angles, and also a feeling of timing, to name a few things. Amateur video clip editors making short films will certainly be much less likely to sort through hours of video footage, however. They will certainly be able to generate video clips at a much faster price. Amateur video clip editors frequently function individually, as well as have to rely upon their own software application skills and creativity.

Making Your Own MugJam

The first ever MugJam Creator that can create Life-Like Talking MugJam of any person on the planet. Each created MugJam has unique facial geometry.

The AI behind MugJam learns the facial geometry of the face to create a super-realistic talking 3d model of the person. This is the kind of technology you won’t find elsewhere on the internet.

Have you ever wanted to be able to make as well as modify your own videos? How about taking existing video clips and also join them together to create a solitary video clip? Every one of this seems like it would certainly be wonderful yet are you having problem finding software application that fits these needs that are totally free? Well I 'd like to introduce to you Free Video Creator - Video Editor 2010.

MugJam Video Creator - Video Editor 2010 takes your imagine making your own videos on the internet and also transforms them into a fact, free of charge! This software application not only lets you produce your very own video data from scratch; it also enables you to be able to modify, split, and reduced video data. So when you are browsing through the web and you review all this rubbish regarding totally free video developers and editors not being top quality, think again. This software application will offer you with all the tools that the other expensive programs have, so why pay if you can get it absolutely free?

Don’t like to limit yourself with ready-made templates? We’ve got you covered. You can render your talking MugJam with a green screen background. Import this green screen talking MugJam into any third-party video editing apps like After Effects or Camtasia. Want to add MugJams on top of your existing videos? You absolutely can. This is a powerful way to get your face in front of your audiences without being on camera. Works best for the tutorial, gaming, and training videos.

The video modifying software application we have below today has tons of functions in which most other software's can not compare with. As an example, with many Video Editors you will shed a significant quantity of top quality on a video clip if you modify it, not the Free Video Creator - Video Editor 2010! The capability to cut huge AVI files into much smaller items is additionally really valuable. As constantly, you desire everything to be quick and easy, so if you are editing and enhancing and developing videos you constantly desire the process to be simple and as quick as feasible too. This is just one of the various other a lot of reasons that the Free Video Creator - Video Editor transcends to other comparable programs.

#mugjam #mugjam review #todd gross

0 notes

ryanellisphoto · 5 years

Photo

#155 — Saturday, March 26th, 2019 — Ryan Ellis Photography - Detroit Street Photography Session #155 — Nikon Nikkor Ai-S 35mm f/2 (ca. 1982-3)

Photograph or Flight Response Tested - Roy R. Rowlands - Flags Hart Plaza - Brush Street Study - Homeless Goat - Two Tents Equal A Fifth - Homeless Man Pitches At Tigers Stadium - Spring Loaded - Selfie By Hudson Site - Lines Looking Up And Lines Looking Down - Greektown Worm Moon Rising - Greektown After Morning Twilight - Greektown Homeless Man - Knowledge Is Power - Library Vs. School - David Bosco Willis - The Man With Three First Names - Happy Lass In Downtown - Self-Professed G.O.A.T. Meets Goat - Diptych - Triptych

Arrived @ 7:15 AM

Departed @ 3:30 PM

1,036 photos (and also 18 videos) taken in 8¼ hours with 56 “keepers” among them, rendering a pauper’s percentage with just a 5.4% “success” rate at a king-size pace of 121.88 shots per hour (I desire the most at least to achieve a 10% “success” rate and 100 shots per hour).

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PREFACE: A few years ago, I saw a CL listing for a camera gear lot that appeared to be from the non-Ai-era of Nikon’s camera line history. Included in this lot was a “Saligar” 35mm f/2.8 (ca. 1964) lens. The owner of it told me that if super glue had been invented in the early sixties, when he accidentally dropped the lens, he would have fastened it back together with that, but, instead, it was held together by masking tape. This same man in a past life headed the crash test dummy department at GM in the 1980′s, making his living by developing the safest cars possible (quite honorable). The lens makes issues with the shutter. It puts odd shadows across images. I would use it artistically if I could predict and/or control the obscurations better. This lens has taken some fantastic shots, but the mechanical pain of having to disconnect and reconnect it all the time keep it low on my roster. :—:— A couple years ago, I bought a Nikkor-S 35mm f/2.8 (ca. 1964) lens from a mysterious French woman in Royal Oak. I had the price readjusted when I examined it, finding hundreds of scratches on the front element glass. The lens blew out brighter parts and seemed a bit dull in the focus. I thought the thing might be useful for artistic, niche things, but it is only good for video some of the time and for photography hardly any of the time. :—:— This week, I found a Nikkor Ai-S 35mm f/2 (ca. 1982/3) lens used on CL and sprung for it. I wish the story of this second lens purchase were more interesting, but believer’s bias is no better than bias because of reality. :—:— I read on Ken Rockwell’s website that this particular lens was a trouble regarding lens flare and barrel distortion. I never shot a good 35mm lens, so this was my chance to shoot a good one yet be disappointed somewhat unavoidably by its persistent flaws in spite of all other circumstances being the veriest operative. :—:— I wanted to see how today might go with this newest (to me) 35mm lens.

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PATH TAKEN:

Greektown - It was 26° F with low winds outside when I arrived in Detroit. “Tergiversate” is a word that many times aptly describes me. I do it often. I did it often upon my arrival in Greektown. Saturdays (my habitual Detroit street photography day), I frequently get street side only to return to my vehicle for something I forgot. This happened about three (or [sadly] more) times when I arrived. I love the old pastor’s explanation as to why David brought with him five smooth stones from the river when there was just one Goliath of Gath to vanquish—in case Goliath had four brothers with him when David arrived to defeat Israel’s anthropic Apollyon. Likewise, when I go out shooting, I take only what I need—as well as more in case I need it as well (my incurable optimism and hopeless hoping binds me to such measures). All that said, I unhappily admit I felt a bit dazed in my focus; I felt early on the weight of the world upon me. I thought, “what am I doing here?” I was sad that I have had these three years (all my time doing photography seriously) of famine in my photographic pursuits, profits-wise. I hoped to crush the proverbial skull at Golgotha with the cross I bore upon its placement atop the mount of sorrow I climbed today (to slightly borrow another preacher’s extra-biblical tale). :—:— I am awful at posing folks. That is something I wish to learn by observing folks far, far better than myself at posing others doing just that. When I take a people shot, I take the shot. Haha. I have no instructions for the subject(s), though I tell groups to gather nearer to one another for my final shot. A homeless man approached me asking me to take his picture. He was insistent that I would do that, so I did. I did not know he was homeless until a few shots in, because he told me as much as most do, which is to say that he talked of his need to find a job and some money. He even said that he wanted me to photograph his struggle as a homeless man. With that, he laid on the ground and closed his eyes as if to sleep. I warily proceeded photographing him in this and other poses. Finally, I gave him my card with instructions on how to get the best shots, should he find himself with a phone or online, and I told him all that I knew regarding getting help and getting employment. I really need to learn what proper local resources there are for the homeless. I meet and converse with maybe a half-dozen or more every week.

Brush Street - Trying to do something novel in order to write off my woes, I turned left on Monroe Street before it exited Greektown (instead of following it up to Campus Martius Park). I thought the light made the scene I saw look nice, so I took a three-shot burst of it (I shot bracketed with a third of a stop between shots to minimize the need to edit out bad lighting in post-processing). Thinking of my study of the RenCen video from a couple months back ( https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq51gEvn25a/ ), I continued this three-shot burst of the same scene of Brush Street until I ended up inside of the RenCen itself! Mayhaps, I might make this into a mini-movie with music underneath on my ‘gram!

East Larned Street - I admit I have not the keenest eye for distortion. This lens I shot with today (Nikkor 35mm f/2 [ca 1982-3]) was put down by Ken Rockwell for having pretty bad distortion (it makes straight lines look curved as the image moves from the center to the edges). This annoyance was pronounced when I shot the brand new Plum Market’s dining room from outside. I could not satisfactorily get straight lines on the edges of my very boxy composition.

Spirit of Detroit Plaza - I struck up a conversation with a man carrying a large backpack with Iraq-War-style U.S. camouflage patterned throughout its sections. I jokingly asked if he had brought everything he needed, and he laughed and replied, “No, I do not have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich!” I replied, “Some folks are deathly allergic to nuts, so maybe that was a good thing!” He said, “Well, I am not, so I would still take the sandwich!” :—:— From here, we went back and forth in conversation. I asked if he had served in the military, and he said that he came from a family with several sisters, and because he was the only man amongst his siblings, he was told and also decided to not serve in the military in order to carry on his family name. He added that he had several family members that had served. His father was a marine. His uncle served too (and others). He said that he was a firearms instructor and taught many current and former military folks over the years. He was an older gentleman, in his middle years by my estimation, so I asked if he was from Detroit. He said he was born and raised here and only spent a little while elsewhere. With that answer given, I asked if he remembered the 1967 Race Riots in Detroit. He said yes and gave a bird’s eye view recollection of it but confessed he was quite young when it happened. I asked him about Dan Gilbert and Mile Ilitch. He had broadly favorable thoughts on the former and selected favorable thoughts on the latter. I gave him my card, and he told me something I have heard hundreds tell me: “I will contact you!” He caught his bus, and I went on my own merry way as well.

Hart Plaza - A couple weeks ago, I emailed the office of the mayor of Detroit to file a formal (as much as I could find online at least) complaint that the American flags in the plaza were shredded at the ends or worse (and in dire need of respectful retirement and replacement). Upon sending the request, I received an automated response that I would get a reply within forty-eight hours. Remember, this is the city of Detroit—I never received a response. That said, the flags were all removed today (that is one step closer to a proper replacement). With or without my cue (perhaps, the flags are on a schedule [at least this is what Roy suggested when we later met up]), the government-perpetuated blight was partially fixed. I noticed that the Canadian flag across the Detroit River still flies (and is in immaculate condition as ever). Next, the city needs to raise up brand new American flags. That is not something I will file another formal complaint about, unless Memorial Day comes and goes with no U.S. flags in the plaza. :—:— Ken Rockwell’s review of the Nikkor 35mm f/2 lens (ais) was that it had bad lens flare, so, with the sun still rising and quite visible in the sky, I tested this assertion myself. There was a good bit of flare. I will hopefully make a lens review video with the shots and footage from today. It was pretty bad flare, but I could also see the artistic merits of using it at times. I guess if one was doing a paid gig that required a perfect representation of the world through the lens, the flare would be a huge issue. Fortunately (perhaps) for me, I am doing street photography in this context, and the flare is just wabi-sabi. :—:— In coursing through the different apertures in video mode on my camera (in order to see if the lens flare was helped or hurt depending on the aperture’s given width), I found that the sunstars that the lens made were just exquisite. Hahaha. I found it so funny that this lens that Mr. Rockwell said was not ever (if one wanted good results photographically) to be pointed at the sun was pretty bang-up precisely when it was pointed at the sun when stopped down. True, the flare was bad, but if you could get past that aesthetically, the sun looked marvelous! :—:— I filmed and did a time-lapse of the sun rising over the Detroit River. I was too impatient to wait for the sun to leave the frame, so I got it halving itself on the top of the composition by the end of the time-lapse that I took. It is a good thing I ducked out early, because I had my usual eleven AM meetup to make with Roy, and it was already nearly nine AM when I finally exited the plaza.

Campus Martius Park

Woodward Avenue (northeast side of the street) - Inspired by the change in my habitual path earlier (when I took Brush Street all the way to the RenCen), I decided to walk on the less-interesting side of Woodward Avenue all the way up to the Fisher Building (well, that was my ultimate plan at least).

The Hudson Site - Here I will admit it: I include self-portraits in my “top ten” shots often even if there may be an eleventh or twelfth shot in my own rankings that is better, because I want to not be forgotten as the person behind the work you experience here and elsewhere. Maybe the victors write the history. Well, the author certainly writes the history either way (though sometimes at the edge of a sword). I take my prerogative as the author, editor, and publisher of my own work to refer back to myself when it is not plain horrible-looking. :—:— The irony about this is that I strive to have a journalistic cleanness and honesty to my shots and write-ups (editorial opinions here and there notwithstanding). I do not edit my photos, except to straighten horizons and maybe crop slightly into the meat of the composition. This might be an excuse from one without photoshop or the like on his computer, but I also like the challenge of getting a photo right the first time. It keeps me striving for perfection (I hope in a healthy way).

Comerica Park - Keeping with my otherly path today, I turned right onto Adams Street from Woodward Avenue, headed in the direction of Comerica Park. I thought the angle of the sun at that time of the day made the park look lovely, and like a parched, lone vagabond traversing a desert and seeing an oasis (or at least the supposed image of one), I walked toward the park in search of my next picture. The light looked not as good up close as it did from further away (it was but a mirage of a good shot after all). I might have gotten the shot after all had I a longer lens on me or if I was willing to crop the shot taken with my Nikkor 35mm f/2 (ca. 1982/3) lens, but I decided to get super low to the ground (one of my favorite perspectives of all) and make the park look epic. The shots I got were not as inspiring as hoped, so I turned left onto Witherell Street (which runs directly along the side of the Detroit MLB stadium). :—:— Earlier in the day, I photographed a homeless man that I did not initially know was homeless. He asked to be pictured, and that is what I did. As I walked in the direction of Woodward Avenue (heading through the double parking lot for handicap folks), I spied a pair of tents illegally set up in the road that split the two handicap parking lots. The tents were placed atop manholes that leaked excess hot steam that was meant to heat buildings. There were other manholes leaking steam near the tents, and the sun lit the plumes a golden-whitish hue that was marvelous to behold alongside the bright colors of the tents. As I passed by the first tent, I saw a homeless man peak his head out from its entrance, and I jokingly asked if he was camping out already for Black Friday’s deals. He glared at me and said something hateful under his breath. :—:— It is my rule to not photograph someone when they are in an underhanded position, because I would not want the same done to me. It is the Golden Rule put to action, and I commend all photographers to follow it. Having had the rude awakening last week to seeing a homeless woman counting a wad of cash in big bills that amounted by its size to probably more than I make in a week at my day job, I was a bit wary of empathizing with the excuses the homeless made for their oftentimes (anecdotally-speaking) blatant disregard for the rule of law and basic decency and courtesy besides. I decided to break my own rule and photograph the tents at Tiger’s Stadium. My DSLR (Nikon D800) is not a quiet shooter, and so the clicks in three-shot bursts did not maintain a scene deprived of a person for long, as the homeless man rushed out of one of his tents and started shouting at me invectives for daring to photograph his broad-daylight, lawbreaking campsite. I did not say a word but kept shooting, thinking of the three-thousand-year-old proverb that a soft word turns away wrath. The man was clearly on something, because he worked himself (albeit with a clumsy gait) into a froth of anger and made physical threats against me. I was twenty-feet away crouched low to the ground taking pictures of this scene. I figured that if he rushed me, I could get out in a snap. :—:— The man went into his tent and came out with something in his hand. Before I knew it, he threw it at me, trying to hit me. It was a half-eaten orange. I retorted, “that was perfectly good food, man! Why are you wasting food?” I thought about leaving or staying (the classic fight or flight, or in my case, photograph or flight). I decided in a split second to stay. The man went back into his tent and ramped up his verbal threats as well as his threatening posture. Then, he wound up and threw a sandwich in a sandwich bag at me. It loudly thudded when it hit the ground right next to me. He was drunk, and so he missed. I had already made my point that he had wasted food. I saw the sandwich bag next to me, and I considered that it was probably a direct gift from a kind stranger to him. He did not care about that. He only cared about privacy in the middle of a major city (a contradiction in terms). I talk to homeless folks every week. One question I often ask is, “where are you staying?” Many answer, “Under a bridge” or “under a [public structure].” If this man wanted peace and quiet, camping in the middle of a parking lot in a busy side of town (and with two tents just for his single self!) was not a fitting decision. I thought later of this drunken vagrant: “Two tents equal a fifth,” because only the drunks among the homeless that I see are so ambitiously stupid. I said no grievous words to this homeless man, but I had grievous thoughts (borrowing from last week’s hypocritical spectacle). My presence was to him grievous, so, in keeping with the second half of the aforementioned three-thousand-year-old proverb, I fear I stirred up his anger and brought upon myself what befell me (and it could have been worse [I could have been hurt, and/or my gear could have been damaged]). :—:— One way or the other, I adore the triptych that resulted from this experience. It is a homeless man “pitching” in front of the major league baseball stadium in Detroit! I would love to hear from a baseball expert if his form was proper.

Woodward Avenue (northeast side of the street) - Forcing myself to stay on a different path than usual, I walked on the less-interesting side of Woodward Avenue.

Detroit Institute of Art - I clearly do not visit this art museum enough. I have not walked through it since last fall, when I went with my good pal, miss S.C. :—:— As proof of my lack of familiarity with this spot, I accidentally mistook the fountain in the front for a staircase, since it went up by steps. Hahahaha. I did not realize the error of my ways until I want almost to the top. I saw that there was a huge gap, and it only then struck me that it was a turned-off (for the cold season) fountain! No one said you had to have common sense to be a photographer. I just point and shoot what looks interesting to me, and sometimes I even think about what I am shooting! Haha. Photography is a little more than seeing and snapping, but only a little. Once all the distractions of knowing why you are doing what you are doing are assuaged, all you are left with is the meeting of preparation and opportunity (should you will to make something of your abundance [and hopefully with humility, grace, and thankfulness]).

Detroit Public Library

WSU Department of Mortuary Science - It did not smell like anything outside of this building, but the winds were low, and the temperature was no higher than 32° F outside.

The Fisher Building - I made it to the Fisher! I admit that (to me) the Nikkor 35mm f/2 (ca. 1982/3) lens is not the best for architectural photography. I had more pleasure shooting with my Nikkor 24mm f/2.8 (ca. 1971) lens that I did with the 35mm lens. It was just too zoom-y for me. Haha. That reminds me of a story I heard about Monty Python alum and thereafter director extraordinaire (on his own), Terry Gilliam. Mr. Gilliam is admittedly an odd fellow (see his body of work for proof). There is one area, where he and I may have pretty close similarities. The man prefers ultra-wide lenses for everything, and he considers a normal lens to be a “zoom” for him. I have to say that I like to get super close to my subjects, and so an ultra-wide is my friend. My 24mm lens is my go-to most weeks in the city (along with my Nikkor 55mm f/1.2 [ca. 1971] [these are my standard camera body companions on my outings]). :—:— Though I desired to use a 24mm or wider outside and inside the Fisher Building, I persisted with the 35mm (even though I brought along [and never used] my 55mm lens in a small camera bag on my side), because today was a day to review this lens, and I was going to use it even when it was not the best choice (as much as I could muster). Once inside the building, I found the folks at the front desk much more hospitable than the ones that occupied it a couple weeks prior

Woodward Avenue (southwest to northeast side of street)

East Warren Avenue - Instead of taking Mack Avenue from Woodward Avenue, I took a lesser-known path to Milano Bakery that ushered me past the DMC (Detroit Medical Center), which is the great hospital in Detroit (in my opinion). One day, I will find a neat angle with which to photograph it. Until then, I put my path near its perimeter and gaze at it with a discriminating eye.

St Antoine Street - A couple weeks back, I joked about the “Knowledge Is Power” phrase engraved into the Vermont marble on the edifice of the Detroit Public Library on Woodward Avenue (in light of the names on either side of the engraving). Well, I took a picture of that phrase at the library, and I saw it again at a school’s marquee, so I photographed it as well. I wonder if they put the phrase there for its own sake or as a nod to the Detroit Public Library (the library would not be a very long bus trip from the school, so perhaps the kids had just visited that same library [who knows?]). The diptych is on my “top ten” shots of the day.

Mack Avenue

Milano Bakery - Somehow, I arrived several minutes before Roy did. I used that edge in temporalness to walk up the long (on foot) parking lot to the end, where my security guard pal was parked and on patrol. I used the length of that walk to go back through my camera to find the three shots of the homeless man pitching at Comerica Park (the baseball stadium). We talked about this and that for a couple minutes, and then, I showed my friend the shots. At about that time, Roy pulled up and parked his red Mercedes convertible in the lot, and he walked up to the car to begin talking to the man as well, butting out my part of the conversation. The man is my elder, so I kept quiet and let him get out his complaints about life. He stopped a hair’s length from saying he wanted to off himself; he was in a mood. The security guard tried to paint a picture of rainbows and butterflies, stressing the good in life to instead focus on, but Roy brushed off his tenderness, doubling down on his assurance of his own awful life (and doing so in a dismissive, yet rattled, way). This should have portended a red flag in my mind, but I ignored the signal, focusing on the Roy I was used to dealing with (slightly less-acerbic than that [haha]). :—:— I showed Roy the future triptych of the homeless man chucking the sandwich at me, and he blew up at me in intense fury. We parted with the security guard and started walking in to the bakery. A few steps into our departure, a woman called out to us in the parking lot. She walked up to us and asked if we knew how to get to the pawn shop. Roy, wanting to be the know-it-all said he knew how to get there, but it was clear he was bloviating. Sensing the confusion, the security guard left this vehicle and walked up. “Do you mean Zimmerman’s?” the guard asked. “Yes! That’s the one!” the lady said. Roy butted in again, interrupting the security guard now that he had a place of reference. The guard was endlessly patient with this action, and he let Roy interrupt him again and again. Roy was determined to make himself useful as a power play. Haha. I just stood and watched in bemusement, hoping for a chance to give the guard some backup, should he get uncomfortable with the disrespect. The woman thanked the three of us (I just stood there and contributed nothing, but she was set in her heart to be universally generous), and we once more set out to span the lot to enter the bakery. :—:— Once inside, I plugged in my camera battery charger and my phone charger (in one outlet! [I use an Aluratech USB charger {sadly now discontinued} that leeches power from a plug to charge a device]). Set up and ready to go for a nice, long shoot-the-breeze conversation, I found myself dodging verbal volleys of invectives from a viper I thought was my “dear friend.” :—:— Roy used up the entire time at the bakery to hurl insults and accusations at me (all on account of the picture). He called the photo degrading. He called me disgraceful. And that is about the end of the non-explicit section of his tirade. I should have walked away, but Roy is my friend, and I wanted to get to the bottom of why he was so angry at me. I defended myself, yes, which likely sustained his wrath by giving him an opponent, but I did so in astonished pity for the man. His walls are tall and broad and thick and barbed at the edges—there was no getting through to the guy. I think of the pair of three-thousand-year-old proverbs “reprove a fool, and he will remit from his ways” and “do not reprove a fool, lest he attack you.” I think the contradictory advice from the same author is meant to say that you do not know how correction of another will result. You may be decimated by them, or you may, thankfully, get through to them. I took the chance that my friend was having a bad day (as he had begun the day exclaiming), and I went ahead in reproving him, as a friend. :—:— Maybe the biggest thing that kept me glued to my seat was the fact that I figured no one else would have stayed there through all the insults. To be a difference-maker, maybe one has to be different himself, so I set out to be the exception to his expected end (hoping all the while that I was not feeding abusive tendencies in his heart). :—:— Instead of walking away (I made the excuse in my mind that I wanted to let my camera battery charge yet longer), I finally told Roy, “You have made your point. There is nothing more that I need to hear from you,” and we both sat in profound silence for a long time. I checked the international headlines, reading several news articles as Roy stared through the window to the outside business in the city in his own outworking of quietude. :—:— I have been quoting proverbs from Proverbs in this write-up. The Bible is the greatest book of all time; I know that, because I went to a splendiferous school. It was small (including myself, there were fourteen kids in my graduating class), and it was strict (I joke it was like the movie “Footloose” [which I have never seen but loosely understand] for thirteen years), but it was very good. I credit it with any sort of brain function that goes on behind my babbling. Well, as Providence would have it, after many minutes of this silence, I heard, “Ryan?” Hahaha. Last week, I heard that from my pal, Devin. This week, I heard it from an alumna from my high school. I looked, and it was her and her mother, who was also our third-grade teacher. What a coincidence, and what timing! We got up and hugged and chatted for a hot second. It was a glorious reuniting, but I was uncomfortable because of what just happened with Roy. I kept wondering if they had heard our back and forth. I was embarrassed either way, because I did not go on to conquer the world, as many of my classmates have from our tiny but ambitious school. The two were doing well, and my schoolmate had had a son. I wish them the best. :—:— When we parted to return to our respective tables, I explained to Roy who the folks were, and I added, “Shall we make peace?” Roy stared at me, and I said, “You have said your peace, and there is nothing more to say.” He took this as a completionist’s challenge, and he proceeded to say racist things between curse words lobbed at me. Again, I thought about walking away, but this time it would have been in front of two people that knew me half of my present time on earth. Those folks knew me well. They knew me as a child. I grew up with them, and here I was, carousing (by the looks of it) with a thoroughly vulgar character. I probably do not respect myself enough (I do not respect myself enough). I stayed and faced the onslaught of evil from Roy’s lips. In retrospect, I should have left, but I made excuses and sat through the persecution needlessly. There should be a line in the sand in my heart. I should name my price in the beginning, dignity-wise. I had not considered my own honor enough when I let him continue without my exiting. I regret that. :—:— Roy was not interested in going to the oriental supermarket, suggesting the middle eastern one instead. I agreed, and I said goodbye to my old friends as I left.

Dearborn Fresh Supermarket - We rode in Roy’s red Mercedes convertible to the grocery store in Dearborn. On the way, I thought about exiting the vehicle at every stop. I thought about never talking to the dude again. I have a huge heart, but that should (if being healthy with oneself) be balanced by a huge sense of self-worth, which I need to work on developing in these areas of personal intrusion (I had too many bad characters reinforce the weakness I still feel). We walked around a bit before sitting in the dining area in the back. Roy’s acid tongue was in full force. I will stop here in my description of the events with Roy. There was a lot said by the man that is far beyond publication for reasons not even hinted at thusfar.

Greektown - Freedom! I was dropped off here, and I was on my own! I could breathe the polluted Detroit air in peace!

Donald “Sunn” Anderson’s Street Art Stand

David Bosco Willis’ Street Sax Spot - I asked my sax pal (with “three first names”) if he had gotten a rental saxophone to replace his broken one. He said no. He told me he had fixed the thing himself! :—:— In asking how he was able to repair the instrument, he decided to educate me in the origin of the saxophone. As he was explaining how Adolphe Sax invented it (hence the name) and how the mechanics of the instrument worked, a passerby finished his sentence! I laughed and exclaimed, “How many times does an expert walk by as you are having a conversation?” Continuing the lesson on the history of the saxophone, my pal David explained the history of the saxophone coming into its own and started being used as a more standout element in music. This was ten-seconds after the interruption, and a second man finished David’s sentence! I exclaimed once more, “This is amazing! Where are these people coming from? Band practice from their orchestra?” David and I laughed. The lesson continued. David was talking about his way of playing the saxophone, and then, a lady interrupted us, saying, “Why are you not playing your saxophone?” Then she turned to me and said, “It’s you! You are distracting him!” Hahaha. I laughed and apologized and said, “He will play his saxophone very soon!” Before parting, as David picked up and played his sax, I stayed a while longer, taking photos from many angles of Mr. Willis. One of those shots made this week’s “top ten.”

The Broadway (and Shoes) - That this place is closed is a sad thing.

The Belt

David Klein Gallery - Today was a three-o’clock final-day-of-the-exhibition gathering that including Andrew Kreiger, one of the three featured artists. I gave Mr. Kreiger my card and said hello to everyone. I thanked the nice folks that worked there for telling me about the street photography contest that they emailed me about over a week ago, and I added that I was having trouble picking my “top ten” (I always do ten, don’t I? Haha) for the contest. The gallery director told me I should go with my gut over what my friends suggested. I agreed. :—:— I am not the biggest schmoozer, so I left before the gathering kicked up. I would have sat in a corner otherwise the whole time awkwardly. I do not want to be a bump on a log nor a bother, but perhaps that can be remedied one day. I just need a better angle from which to approach these gatherings.

Woodward Avenue (southwest side of street)

The Hudson Site - I saw my hip-hop pal, “Shadow Klan” plying his trade to passersby. I exclaimed his name loudly, and we hugged. We chatted a bit, and I started photographing the man. I showed him the portrait and animated GIF that I took and made from seeing him last week. I said that I needed to get him in front of a more interesting backdrop to make an even better animated GIF. With that explanation received, he and I started looking for an interesting spot very near by to do this next GIF. We landed on being just in front of my favorite cafe in Detroit.

Urban Bean Co. - This is my favorite cafe in Detroit. Mr. “Shadow Klan” and I worked off one another as we found a rhythm between the camera and the character. I got him in front of the park, and I stood still and low, letting him go in and out of camera and go in and out of focus. It was magical. I look forward to making more of these every time I see him. We could have enough content for a sweet music video one day!

Campus Martius Park - Automatically interesting: a man with a goat in the middle of a major city. I have photographed this man before at DEMF 2018. I told him to send me a message to see his shots I took of him. I found it challenging to get the goat up close in focus manually focusing at f/2, and I was too stubborn to try for a narrower aperture. Haha. I failed to get an up-close shot of just the goat’s face, but I got a neat shot of a security guard (who explained that because he and his friends deemed him the Greatest Of All Time [G.O.A.T.], he had to stop and get a photo with the goat [”the G.O.A.T. with the goat”]). That shot is in my “top ten” as well. This serendipity made for a beautiful end to the day. It is good to end on a high note, and this seemed like mine!

Greektown

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WHAT WENT ON ON THIS DAY OUT IN DETROIT?

I shot with a new (to me) lens, the Nikkor Ai-S 35mm f/2 (ca. 1982/3). This was a pleasure (mostly) to use. The sun flare is apparent, as is the barrel distortion. This lens is not absolutely perfect, but it is still lots of fun to use. I love the f/2 maximum aperture for its low-light chops and bokeh fall-off. It magnifies my photographic modus. :—:— I photographed a triptych of a homeless man throwing a sandwich in a sandwich bag at me. I did not get hurt. I left right after. The man was deranged. I think this triptych can live on, though. I see some power in the triple-image I took. We will see over time, I suppose. :—:— I had a bad time with my friend, Roy. He was a grumpy oaf. The move is just a stressful time for Roy, and I wanted to be the light I hope I am in his life. His life has lots of darkness, and there is more oxygen in the air for the guy when I am around I think. :—:— It is always noteworthy to bump into a noteworthy (diligently, quite-successfully-working) artist. Andrew Kreiger was making an appearance at the David Klein Gallery for the last day of an exhibit there that among two other internationally-recognized artists, had his own work on display there. I always ponder if there is anything different about them or everything different about them (or something in between) from the rest of folks. I take pictures; I do not make images or shapes from scratch. I cannot understand (at this point) the mindset to create like these folks do. Going to the gallery to think on this (I hope) helps. :—:— I saw a goat in the heart of Downtown Detroit. I have seen this goat before. Its owner went to DEMF in 2018, and I photographed him and his goat (I called the shot, “Millennial Bohemian,” because that is just what the man appears to be going for [probably without conscious effort]).

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⋰B⋰U⋰Z⋰Z⋰W⋰O⋰R⋰D⋰S⋰

“Inside baseball” locations and concepts talked about in this Detroit Street Photography Session —

● Cotton Ball - This is my secret weapon on a cold day. A little piece torn off a cotton ball in each ear seems to keep my ears warmer and pain-free (provided I am also wearing a winter hat over the ears as well. I cannot recommend this enough. Yeah, it reduces my hearing, but I talk louder with them, so maybe I am heard better? Hahaha. I hope it is not obnoxious.

● RenCen - This is a nickname for the Renaissance Center (I would wager most Detroiters that know the presently-tallest building in Detroit’s name as this are also unable to spell the word “renaissance” without spellcheck or autocorrect aiding them). Then again, I just as much think most Millennials that know the current popular name of their own generation cannot spell the word “Millennial” without spellcheck or autocorrect aiding them. Is this more akin to a fish not knowing it is wet or to a bakeshop owner not knowing that the numbers on his toaster at home correspond to time (minutes) and not temperature?

● Plum Market - I heard years ago that of all of America’s major cities, Detroit had the least rats and mice in it (New York had the most at the time). The explanation for this aside from how barren the city is of people (compared to most major cities) was that there were no, or only a couple, grocery stores in the city, thus greatly reducing the ready, year-round food supply for the rodents. The Plum Market is an upscale grocer that just opened up on Woodward Avenue and East Larned Street in the heart of downtown across from the Spirit of Detroit Plaza (not far from Hart Plaza, which is where the city of Detroit itself was founded about three-hundred-and-eighteen years ago. I welcome the fresh produce. I shun the presumed coming influx of rats.

● Ken Rockwell - This man is the paterfamilias of online lens (and camera) reviews. He is detailed and fair and personally experienced and knowledgable in the industry as well as the art of photography. For one such as myself that uses and seeks “new” (to me) old glass, his website is a constant companion to my journey with photography. Should he not outlive me, I will be sad the day his site ends its updates. No one else does what he does as well and honorably as he does it. Maybe right-brained folks (which are many of the creatives that do photography) are given to more drama than most, but I have never heard a bad word about this man. He is trustworthy. His body of work will be sought and sourced by amateurs (on up to professionals) for as long as the internet (and whatever else down the line arrives) exists, I predict.

● Wabi-sabi - I despise woo-woo concepts. Taking the eastern mysticism angle out (which is there for those gullible-enough to even entertain it), this is the concept of finding beauty amidst (in fact on account of) imperfection.

● Sunstar - Imagine an adolescent’s crayon drawing of a diurnal outdoor scene in the summer with a clear sky. The sun would look (perhaps) like a yellow circle with an orange, jagged (saw blade-shaped) outline around its end. Minus the color, this is what a sunstar loosely resembles. So, yes, that was a pretty accurate drawing many kids (including yourself, possibly) produced after all (if you are looking at the sun through many stopped down lenses [not all produce this effect]).

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✦ If you ever have any questions, feel free to email me. I am here for you. Email: [email protected]

.—.

| [X] |

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d __ _____.-’ ’-. ________b

| [__] /.”“”“.\ _ D800 |

| // /” “\ \_) |

| \ \__/ // |

| Nikon `.__.’/ |

\====== `-..-’ =======/

`—————————��

0 notes

rafisaba76 · 4 years

Text

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They spend an arm and a leg buying fancy cameras, computers, and teleprompter screens or tablets.

They waste money on hard to use video edit equipment that cost anywhere from a $300 to a $1,000. Or worse, get stuck in an infinite video editing monthly subscription payment with no end in sight.

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Click on my takes and press the record icon

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One thing that you’ll absolutely love about Extempore is that once you’re done creating and making a few tweaks to your video, you can upload it directly to YouTube! This is great for those people who have a following on YouTube or want to start building one.

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If there’s one thing we hate, it’s when you have the awkward moment of you being finished with your recording,the camera’s still going! Extempore fixes that by automatically stopping once you’re done. This way you have a smooth video you can use right away.

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If you’re like some people who do this professionally, then you pretty much have an idea of how many words per minute you speak.Well the great news is that Extempore gives you that option to set right away before you record.And if you get it wrong? Don’t worry. You can adjust it next time!

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Extempore also puts your phone on silent when you forget to. Because nothing is more frustrating when you’re in the middle of recording and you get an unexpected call or text.

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Once you’re done you can choose how you want to style your videos with a number of options

And finally you can export your video to YouTube or share it with the options on your mobile device just like you would any other video!

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No matter what you do online Extempore can help succeed. Here are just a few ways you can start using Extempore today

VSLs

Videos sales letters (also known as vsls) are a great way to sell any product or service. By using Extempore, you could create a script that explains your product or offer and never have to wonder what to say again.

Just by using video on your sales pages or using video as the sales agent, you’ll boost conversions and your bottom line at the same time!

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I’m sure you’ve seen all the ads that pop up before you watch a YouTube video right?But what you don’t know is that the person doing the ad has to constantly shoot the video over and over because of mess ups

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Vlogging is all the rage and has been for quite some time now. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, it’s basically video blogging.So instead of writing articles, you create videos and post them on your blog.

Well, with having Extempore in your arsenal, you could literally take a few minutes and write up your ideas or your script and create more vlog content in half the time it’d normally take!

0 notes

faithpetham · 6 years

Text

DJI Osmo Mobile 2 review: get your smooth on

DJI remains one of the most recognizable names in tech, primarily for their drones, but their aerial devices make use of a very important aspect of photo and video – stabilization. For full size cameras, DJI has a slew of gimbal solutions, but last year they shrunk these products down to size for smartphones. The DJI Osmo Mobile has become the gimbal of choice for many smartphone-based content creators, but it definitely had a few annoying quirks and did not take into full consideration the next frontier of visual content: social media.

DJI's New Drone

DJI Mavic Air announced: the drone you were waiting for?

Head over to our partner site Drone Rush for all the details on the new DJI Mavic Air. The top drone manufacturer in the world took the wraps off a new machine this morning— the all-new …

With the newest version of the Osmo Mobile, DJI has not only made the gimbal more accessible in terms of handling and even price, it has also updated what could be considered a niche device into something anyone can benefit from. This is the DJI Osmo Mobile 2 review.

As a content creator, I got my hands on the original Osmo Mobile for smooth footage and further creativity after hitting the record button. With a little bit of work, DJI’s gimbal allowed for lovely timelapse footage and even hands-off video recording. That way, I would be able to get out in front of the camera rather than always being behind it.

There were some issues in the design of the gimbal though. It was small enough to fit in a backpack and wasn’t difficult to maneuver in one hand for long periods of time, but mounting the Osmo to existing places like a tripod required a very specific part that screwed into the side of the handle. This was odd and cumbersome to do. In the Osmo Mobile 2, this is one of the first issues that is directly addressed – with a ¼ 20’ thread found in the bottom portion. This makes for much easier and more intuitive setups where users can just screw a plate on the bottom and securely stand the Osmo up.

This does change the way the Osmo is charged and handled, however – DJI has now eliminated the need for battery packs. For better or worse, spare batteries are a thing of the past as the entire unit is now charged by the micro-USB port to the side of the control area. While a USB Type-C port would have been preferred, eliminating this part of the gimbal’s power features also made everything even lighter than before.

DJI has eliminated the need for battery packs but the gimbal's built-in battery can now power your phone

Speaking of power features: there is a full USB port on the back that can power the mounted phone. That’s right, the 15-hour battery within the handle can be used as a power bank, which works in a pinch when your smartphone needs some juice to do stuff like livestreams.

The updated Osmo Mobile 2 is light as a feather – this further benefits the handling experience and takes away the little bit of strain felt after long periods of usage. Some users might have preferred hot swapping batteries but the Osmo Mobile 2 can go for a long 15 hours – plenty of time for a super long recording or livestream. Unless you’re looking to use the gimbal for hours daily, it should last for several days between charges.

But that mention of livestreaming brings us to the other big design change of the Osmo Mobile 2 – portrait mode. People might not generally be big fans of vertical video, but the fact remains that social media platforms like Instagram and Snapchat thrive on it. And DJI has outfitted this gimbal with a rotating clamp that can hold the phone upright for content that is meant for these platforms. Simply loosen the back portion of the clamp, rotate it accordingly, and portrait mode stabilization is achieved. This also answers the question of the Osmo Mobile 2’s usefulness when smartphone video stabilization is continuously improving. While true, OIS and EIS are features typically afforded to rear cameras, but not front-facing shooters.

A new rotating clamp enables portrait mode stabilization, but it too isn't perfect

There is one big peeve I have here, however – the rotation of the clamp should have been designed to be done with the phone inside. Going from portrait mode to landscape requires users to remove the phone, rotate the plate clockwise 90 degrees and then mount it again so that the rear camera is not obstructed. The ability to rotate the plate counter-clockwise 90 degrees would have solved this issue easily and allowed the phone to remain mounted, even if rebalancing would still be needed. It honestly astounds me that the engineers at DJI didn’t seem to think that one through.

Despite this extra step when moving between different orientations, changing the clamp to a spring loaded mechanism does help the balancing process. A fastener for the rear arm still needs to be used for horizon balancing, but smartphones can slide and adjust within the clamp if further adjustments have to be made. One just has to find the sweet spot for their own phone so that it remains steady when the gimbal is powered off. Once, found, power it up and the motor does the rest.

Buttons and controls on the new stabilizer have seen a few changes, with the main difference being the removal of the trigger button. This took a bit of getting used to, as the trigger on the original Osmo Mobile was used to keep the phone locked on its current plane when needed. What used to be easily accessed by the index finger for locking the plane and resetting the horizon is now done by one’s thumb on the main button panel. Changing modes and tracking functions, then, is a bit less comfortable than before.

See Also

Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL review (Updated: addressing some issues)

This review is brought to you by MNML Case, an ultra-thin case that showcases the beauty of your new phone and fits like a glove! Get 15% OFF your Google Pixel 2 case or Google Pixel …

We also noticed that the gimbal could get pushed over the edge, quite literally – in portrait mode especially, a top heavy phone like the Pixel 2 XL would just keel over under the lack of strength in the motors. Remember to counteract any movements with corrections via the joystick.

Despite some of its flaws and specific use case scenarios, plenty of people took to the original Osmo Mobile as a productive tool in one’s creative toolbox. If you’re a smartphone creative, you probably already have the original Osmo Mobile and if it works just fine, upgrading may not be necessary. The new edition builds upon the first by adding focus to today’s biggest video content platform – social media – despite maintaining its somewhat steep learning curve.

But DJI’s greatest change in the Mobile 2 is in the price – at $129 (on pre-order now), this gimbal shifts from being a tool that made sense for prosumer creators to one that could benefit just about anyone. As DJI states, this device is made to “share your story.” DJI squarely targets new, perhaps young users who really want to step their social game up with the Osmo Mobile 2.

PRE-ORDER NOW FROM B&H

Are you a user of the original Osmo Mobile? Does DJI’s new gimbal add to your social media game? Let us know what you think of the new edition in the comments below!

DJI Osmo Mobile 2 review: get your smooth on published first on https://swentexpage.tumblr.com/

0 notes

infotainmentplus-blog · 6 years

Photo

DJI Osmo Mobile 2 review: get your smooth on DJI remains one of the most recognizable names in tech, primarily for their drones, but their aerial devices make use of a very important aspect of photo and video – stabilization. For full size cameras, DJI has a slew of gimbal solutions, but last year they shrunk these products down to size for smartphones. The DJI Osmo Mobile has become the gimbal of choice for many smartphone-based content creators, but it definitely had a few annoying quirks and did not take into full consideration the next frontier of visual content: social media. DJI's New Drone DJI Mavic Air announced: the drone you were waiting for? Head over to our partner site Drone Rush for all the details on the new DJI Mavic Air. The top drone manufacturer in the world took the wraps off a new machine this morning— the all-new … With the newest version of the Osmo Mobile, DJI has not only made the gimbal more accessible in terms of handling and even price, it has also updated what could be considered a niche device into something anyone can benefit from. This is the DJI Osmo Mobile 2 review. As a content creator, I got my hands on the original Osmo Mobile for smooth footage and further creativity after hitting the record button. With a little bit of work, DJI’s gimbal allowed for lovely timelapse footage and even hands-off video recording. That way, I would be able to get out in front of the camera rather than always being behind it. There were some issues in the design of the gimbal though. It was small enough to fit in a backpack and wasn’t difficult to maneuver in one hand for long periods of time, but mounting the Osmo to existing places like a tripod required a very specific part that screwed into the side of the handle. This was odd and cumbersome to do. In the Osmo Mobile 2, this is one of the first issues that is directly addressed – with a ¼ 20’ thread found in the bottom portion. This makes for much easier and more intuitive setups where users can just screw a plate on the bottom and securely stand the Osmo up. This does change the way the Osmo is charged and handled, however – DJI has now eliminated the need for battery packs. For better or worse, spare batteries are a thing of the past as the entire unit is now charged by the micro-USB port to the side of the control area. While a USB Type-C port would have been preferred, eliminating this part of the gimbal’s power features also made everything even lighter than before. DJI has eliminated the need for battery packs but the gimbal's built-in battery can now power your phone Speaking of power features: there is a full USB port on the back that can power the mounted phone. That’s right, the 15-hour battery within the handle can be used as a power bank, which works in a pinch when your smartphone needs some juice to do stuff like livestreams. The updated Osmo Mobile 2 is light as a feather – this further benefits the handling experience and takes away the little bit of strain felt after long periods of usage. Some users might have preferred hot swapping batteries but the Osmo Mobile 2 can go for a long 15 hours – plenty of time for a super long recording or livestream. Unless you’re looking to use the gimbal for hours daily, it should last for several days between charges. But that mention of livestreaming brings us to the other big design change of the Osmo Mobile 2 – portrait mode. People might not generally be big fans of vertical video, but the fact remains that social media platforms like Instagram and Snapchat thrive on it. And DJI has outfitted this gimbal with a rotating clamp that can hold the phone upright for content that is meant for these platforms. Simply loosen the back portion of the clamp, rotate it accordingly, and portrait mode stabilization is achieved. This also answers the question of the Osmo Mobile 2’s usefulness when smartphone video stabilization is continuously improving. While true, OIS and EIS are features typically afforded to rear cameras, but not front-facing shooters. A new rotating clamp enables portrait mode stabilization, but it too isn't perfect There is one big peeve I have here, however – the rotation of the clamp should have been designed to be done with the phone inside. Going from portrait mode to landscape requires users to remove the phone, rotate the plate clockwise 90 degrees and then mount it again so that the rear camera is not obstructed. The ability to rotate the plate counter-clockwise 90 degrees would have solved this issue easily and allowed the phone to remain mounted, even if rebalancing would still be needed. It honestly astounds me that the engineers at DJI didn’t seem to think that one through. Despite this extra step when moving between different orientations, changing the clamp to a spring loaded mechanism does help the balancing process. A fastener for the rear arm still needs to be used for horizon balancing, but smartphones can slide and adjust within the clamp if further adjustments have to be made. One just has to find the sweet spot for their own phone so that it remains steady when the gimbal is powered off. Once, found, power it up and the motor does the rest. Buttons and controls on the new stabilizer have seen a few changes, with the main difference being the removal of the trigger button. This took a bit of getting used to, as the trigger on the original Osmo Mobile was used to keep the phone locked on its current plane when needed. What used to be easily accessed by the index finger for locking the plane and resetting the horizon is now done by one’s thumb on the main button panel. Changing modes and tracking functions, then, is a bit less comfortable than before. Editor's Pick A closer look at the LG V30 in Raspberry Rose (and the $2K Signature Edition) When LG released the V30 back in August 2017, it was available in four colors: Aurora Black, Cloud Silver, Moroccan Blue, and Lavender Violet. Just a few days before CES 2018, the company announced an … Otherwise, the rest of the buttons and controls will feel familiar to any previous Osmo users. The joystick smoothly moves the gimbal on any axis and there is a zoom slider on the side. These controls work with the DJI Go app, which has improved significantly since the original Osmo Mobile. But unfortunately this is where DJI’s app makes or breaks the experience. I should mention that for this review, I have been using an unreleased beta version of the DJI GO app, though it is important to note that the Play Store updates show support for this new product already. So, although the promise of fully updated software is something to consider, DJI’s history of shoddy Android development still has to be mentioned. Back at CES, the app worked well enough for me to use it on the show floor and around Downtown Vegas, but during the filming of this review the app would either crash when opening up the camera or simply not connect at all to the gimbal. DJI’s history of shoddy Android development still has to be mentioned However, this is not an isolated incident – I own a Mavic Pro and have had the same issues on most Android phones aside from Samsung Galaxy devices. So, if you are not using the latest phones you might have a bit of a hard time getting the app to work consistently. Harsh as it might be, this is a reality that DJI/Android fans have wrestled with for some time now. It almost makes perfect sense why this gimbal is starting out as an Apple Store exclusive – there are a lot of kinks to work out with the Android side of things. When the app does work, it is very nice to use the physical controls to their fullest extent. As mentioned before, the M mode button is used to change the gimbal’s behavior – one press changes the horizon lock, two presses resets the gimbal position, and three presses changes which camera is being used. Snapchat Snapchat will soon let you share Stories on Twitter, Facebook, and across the web Snapchat is taking a step out of its walled garden with a new feature that will enable the sharing of Stories with other users outside of the main app. If this all sounds a little familiar, … That last feature is one that only works with the DJI Go app, which is required for users to get the full experience. However, plenty of users will probably be happy to just use the gimbal as a stabilizer with some control via the joystick when using other apps like Snapchat or the built-in camera app. The DJI Go camera app affords a lot more control over exposure and color, which is nice – but the modes are really what opens up the creativity. The motors can move the phone around automatically for effortless panoramas, for example. ActiveTrack allows the user to set a point that the camera app and gimbal will continuously follow. This is on top of the Timelapse mode, which has the gimbal keep the phone steady as it stays put and records a scene’s movement over time. Or, you can put these two together for a Motionlapse or a Hyperlapse – whereby tracking keeps the camera trained on a subject while being moved around, marrying the aesthetic of a timelapse with dynamic movement. It’s important to note that users will have to be aware of the gimbal’s limits. ActiveTrack in particular gave us a few headaches as the gimbal occasionally went nuts on even slow moving subjects. We’ve been told this is getting fixed and refined in firmware updates leading up to its full retail release and shortly after. See Also Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL review (Updated: addressing some issues) This review is brought to you by MNML Case, an ultra-thin case that showcases the beauty of your new phone and fits like a glove! Get 15% OFF your Google Pixel 2 case or Google Pixel … We also noticed that the gimbal could get pushed over the edge, quite literally – in portrait mode especially, a top heavy phone like the Pixel 2 XL would just keel over under the lack of strength in the motors. Remember to counteract any movements with corrections via the joystick. Despite some of its flaws and specific use case scenarios, plenty of people took to the original Osmo Mobile as a productive tool in one’s creative toolbox. If you’re a smartphone creative, you probably already have the original Osmo Mobile and if it works just fine, upgrading may not be necessary. The new edition builds upon the first by adding focus to today’s biggest video content platform – social media – despite maintaining its somewhat steep learning curve. But DJI’s greatest change in the Mobile 2 is in the price – at $129 (on pre-order now), this gimbal shifts from being a tool that made sense for prosumer creators to one that could benefit just about anyone. As DJI states, this device is made to “share your story.” DJI squarely targets new, perhaps young users who really want to step their social game up with the Osmo Mobile 2. PRE-ORDER NOW FROM B&H Are you a user of the original Osmo Mobile? Does DJI’s new gimbal add to your social media game? Let us know what you think of the new edition in the comments below! , via Android Authority http://bit.ly/2FdliTJ

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yesterdaysdreams · 6 years

Text

Mandi’s Fireplace and Media Center Makeover

Last June, I moved into a basic suburban home straight out of your favorite ’80s teen movie in every way. Okay, so someone did us the favor of removing tired wallpaper and painting everything tan and brown. But we loved how much the peculiar floor plan exactly fit our particular needs, and I was really taken with this grand living room. It didn’t exactly look like a grand space when we moved in, but I saw its potential for the fireplace of my dreams, and was enamored with the tall ceilings complete with skylights and weird sofit-clad nooks on the walls. (You can see the plan of our first floor in this blog post.)

The living room has finally undergone its transformation, and I’m so excited to share the process with you! We now have a bright space with a beautiful stone fireplace that accentuates the high ceilings. Below the fireplace is a long hearth, worthy of any mid-century masterpiece, but still fitting in with our ’80s home. We aren’t shy about the fact that we watch TV, and I decided to show it in all its glory, since this is the family room in our home and hey, our family likes movie nights, and sometimes movie days!

When I first drew out the plans for the fireplace wall makeover, I had planned to build shelves above the TV, as well as the shelf you can see below it. I wanted to wait until our TV was installed to see how the space would feel, and was surprised that I felt it was perfect without shelves above the TV. Maybe that will change someday, but we are building a shelving wall in our study, so I can’t imagine that we would need any more book storage. I do like how minimal it feels, allowing other areas of the room to shine, like the gorgeous stone fireplace!

From the moment I first saw this space, I knew it needed a stone fireplace that went all the way up to the ceiling. Since there was already brick in place, we opted to use a stone veneer, rather than demo the brick or waste square footage by using large stones. In fact, after doing quite a bit of research, I settled on using manufactured stone, called Cultured Stone by Boral. It looks like real stone, but it is 1/4 of the weight of full-thickness stone, and since it is a veneer, it is not as thick either. You can purchase corner pieces to achieve the look of a thick fireplace, but since our plan was to do some drywall work next to the stone, we didn’t end up using corner pieces. I selected the Old Country Fieldstone in the Summit Peak colorway, and used a sanded grout with a wide mortar set. I was thinking I’d like to use an overgrout style, but my husband vetoed me and we met halfway. Check out the dramatic before and after below!

Above is a cellphone picture of me in my excitement after the first day of Boral stone installation. I had considered doing this project myself, and know that I could’ve (hear me roar). But since we were taking on so much work elsewhere in our home, I decided to hire someone to do the work, and I’m so glad we did! My friend Jeremy Miller did a great job. He added a moisture barrier and metal lathe to the drywall section of the wall above the old brick fireplace, and then covered everything with a coat of mortar. It took him two days to place the stone and fill it in with sanded grout. We chose a white grout, which when mixed with the sand makes an off-white color. I liked the contrast and also wanted it to tie in with the hearth and walls around it.

But let’s take a step back to when we first got the keys to our house! I had made all of the plans for the space while waiting for our mortgage to close, so I confidently began demo in the living room on the very first day of homeownership! Out came the carpet and baseboards, down came the mantle, and out came the old cabinets. I had originally planned to remove the platform inside of this media center nook, but when I pulled up the carpet, I saw that the platform beneath was actually the subfloor that went under the walls, not a platform that was built onto the subfloor. Then I pulled up the subfloor to discover plumbing pipes, electrical conduits, and vacuflo tubes going through the space. My plan was foiled! The platform had to stay.After an afternoon of frustration with The Platform That Came To Stay, I came up with a plan B I liked even better than plan A! I decided to embrace the platform and build it out on the front to meet the depth of the hearth. I decided to create a mid-century style hearth that extended all the way from one wall to the other, to be covered in concrete for a sleek, minimal look that would tie in with the floors and walls, allowing the Boral stone fireplace to take center stage. (More like stage left, but you get the idea …)

After we built out the platform, we covered it with sheets of Wonderboard that we screwed into place with Rock-On screws, and then I prepped the area for a couple of coats of Ardex Feather Finish in white. Prepping simply involved putting fiberglass joint tape between boards and where the Wonderboard met the brick of the fireplace. This step prevents the concrete feather finish from cracking as the structure shifts with house settling and temperature/humidity changes that affect the wood structure below it.

Ardex feather finish is a material typically used as a floor leveler or to repair subfloors before laying the finished flooring material. But it’s become a trendy finish for countertop refinishing and other home DIY projects with a modern flair. The technique I used on the hearth is actually the same process that was used in the old ABM studio house countertops to cover the formica countertops. On the left side of the fireplace, I was smoothing the Ardex over Wonderboard. On the right side, I was smooshing it into the spaces of the brick.

Ardex is a lot of trial and error, but I learned to only work with small batches at a time, because it sets up quickly and becomes very difficult to smooth out. After about 30 minutes, I went back and scraped off any majorly uneven areas, such as the globbyness around the front ledge of the hearth. I absolutely couldn’t get photos of this because I was working along and also working against the clock with the Ardex.

White Ardex is very difficult to find in my experience, but you can order it some places online. I would try calling around in your area to see if you can buy it locally to save on shipping costs. I didn’t have any luck here in Canton, Ohio.

Now for the nook where this very ’80s midwestern media cabinet used to reside. Of course, some of us older folks remember when TVs used to be monstrosities. In fact, until I graduated high school, my family had one of those huge cabinet televisions that was an actual piece of furniture with a dial on the front. A DIAL. When I designed the new space for our flat-screen TV, I knew I wouldn’t need the depth required for an older television, but ironically, I wanted enough room for my turntable and receiver. So my dad (who has done all of my drywall work for me—thanks, Dad!) moved forward the back wall so I had just enough space to build a shelf for my vintage record equipment and a shelf for my speakers and albums.

After the drywalling was complete, I built supports for the chunky nook-style shelving using 2x3s, as shown below. I attached the supports to the rear wall and side walls after making sure there was enough room to comfortably fit my records, and of course making sure the shelf support was level.After the supports were anchored into the wall, I attached the front 2×3 and covered the supports with 1/4″ plywood. I planned out the support size so that the 1/4″ plywood would make the front of the shelves flush with the drywall around it. After nailing on the plywood, I did a lot of sanding to compensate for any unevenness in the plywood, then I primed, wet sanded, and painted the shelves to match the walls.

I had planned to take more process photos of the shelf-building when I built the upper shelves, but since I decided not to do upper shelves, I don’t have as many photos as I would’ve like to have shared. Feel free to ask me any questions about this process in the comments at the end of this post!

Because we will be using a 2″ sound bar mounted to our TV (situated at the bottom of the TV) and a wireless subwoofer, I decided to keep my record player on its own speaker system. I actually bought “new” vintage speakers that perfectly fit in with my record shelf, and have drilled holes in my shelf to connect all of the wires out of site. Also, since we built the wall that the TV and shelves are on, I added electrical outlets behind my turntable and receiver, as well as behind the television. And when I said I added, I mean Dad added. (Thanks again, Dad!)

So there she is! I finished up the hearth just in time to decorate for Christmas. I’ll be sharing more of the before and after of this space very soon! Check out the list below to find out where everything is from, and stay tuned for the full reveal! – Mandi

Living Room Materials and Product Sources:

Wall paint: Benjamin Moore’s Super White Fireplace stone: Boral Cultured Stone Old Country Fieldstone in Summit Peak Wall tile: Home Depot Flooring: Lumber Liquidators engineered bamboo White Ardex: eBay Rug: Lulu & Georgia White Chairs: 1st Dibs Coffee Table: Chairish Sofa: Welles sectional from Joybird White side table: LexMod Vase, floor lamp, and art are all vintage.

Credits // Author and Photography: Mandi Johnson. Photos edited with A Color Story Desktop.

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abcrabbfs-blog · 7 years

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The journey comes to an end: IDT690

1) How has each course contributed to your personal and professional development as an instructional designer?

It has been a crazy year as I’ve navigated through the various courses in the IDTMS program. When I first started out, I was a PR major. Because of this, I went through the initial Mastery course with an end goal of PR in mind. I feel like I came into the program with a handicap, because of that. I hadn’t put a lot of thought into my end goal as an instructional designer, because at the time it wasn’t. When I entered the first official course in the program, Strategies for Learner Engagement, I felt like I was starting behind everyone. I didn’t even know exactly what I was getting myself into. I just knew that the program was in the field of education. I’m so glad I stuck it out though, because I ended up being exactly where I needed and wanted to be. That first official course, helped me to become more comfortable with Lynda.com. I know that doesn’t seem like much, but I’d never really used the site before and having to follow an instructional video piece by piece, really helped me to become more comfortable with all that it had to offer. Because of that, I know that there’s always a place I can go for advice or tutorials in instructional design. As I moved into course three, Visual and Verbal Communication, I began to learn just how important the text and colors I chose mattered to the learner. I didn’t want to use a text that took away from the actual educational content I was trying to promote. I also had to learn that text can easily disappear into an image and be hard to read. I had to find that sweet spot with the text and colors, while making it look like it actually belonged on the photo. That course taught me some of the essential building blocks I found myself thinking about every course after. The fourth course, Corporate Training and Motivational Development, was where I had to start getting used to having myself on camera. I’m not a fan of being on camera, as I don’t feel confident. It may seem silly, but I was complimented on my voice and narration during course four, and it instilled in me a sense of confidence that made me come to terms with the real purpose of being on screen. Yes, to some degree the learner would focus on what I looked like, but ultimately the information and images I presented them with were what mattered. If my voice was what helped get the concepts across, then so be it. It was this course that made me realize that my tone of voice and the way in which I read things could be very beneficial as an instructional designer. Course number five, Instructional Design and Evaluation, was where I had my first truly proud creation moment. During the beginning half of the course, we were using a tool to help assist us in making infographics. We’d made them in course number two, but these were the first ones we really had to make on our own. For week three of the course, I decided to step away from the tool, and put to use everything I’d learned so far. I’m so glad I did, because I produced my Rapid Prototyping Infographic that I am so proud of. This infographic wasn’t done with a template and was my creation from other images or shapes. Though it may not be as amazing as I thought it was back then, it was the first moment I realized I honestly could create meaningful graphics if I set my mind to it. It was in Digital Media and Learning Applications that I honestly wondered if I’d gotten into something way over my head. I’m married to an IT guy, so I know the general gist of coding. Actually no, I don’t really know anything other than all those letters and symbols are the backbone of pretty much anything technical we see. Many a night I had to ask my husband if I was just blind, as I scoured over my code trying to find where I’d messed up. As the weeks went on though, I became more confident. I found myself asking for him less and less, and rather found myself showing him what I’d created. I know there’s no way I could have created all of that code from scratch, so I am very grateful for the video we followed along, but because of that course I realized that just because something is intimidating, doesn’t mean I can’t do it. I made it through that course and produced, in my eyes, a decently nice quiz. It worked, the images matched up, and it provided good feedback. It was definitely something I knew I’d have enjoyed as a kid. Being able to create such a thing was a big stepping point in my journey, as yet again I was able to push aside the “I can’t” attitude and change it into an “I can...and I did!” Course 7, Music and Audio Design, was one I was just not a fan of. The professor was great and helpful, but music and audio just weren’t my thing. I found myself struggling to get through the course. I did though, and I’m actually grateful. That course taught me just how important the audio side of things really is. I don’t have a good quality mic, and I know I’ll have to invest in one if I wish to create more professional level projects, but that course taught me tricks and tips to make do until then. I realized that the reverb and compression can make a voice sound smooth like butter. I learned audio tips that I found myself using in every video or audio project from there on out. What started out as something I had no interest in, ended with me actually spending a decent amount of time trying to get sounds just right. By learning and understanding the importance of audio, because of that course, I’m now able to produce a higher quality of sound in my work. The eighth course, Filmmaking Principles, was one of the most fun courses to me. At first I felt confined by the options presented, but I realized that in the actual job field that’s how it will be. 99% of the time, I won’t have absolute freedom for what I’m creating. I’ll be given a specific topic and have to go from there. This course was a great way for me to put this process to use. I loved being able to create storyboards and actually see them come to life. It was a complete process all in one course, and it showed me that I can do it. I can take a topic, plan it, create it, shoot it, edit it, and produce something i’m super proud of. Like most of the courses, it was a course that helped me to build confidence, as it’s something I tend to lack. Game Strategies, course number nine, was the course I’d looked forward to since the beginning. When I was in the classroom as a teacher, I always loved playing games with my students. Of course it’s important for them to be educational games, so I was excited for whatever I would learn in this course. I ended up learning more than I would have thought, and actually learning the importance of roleplaying. Dr. Dan was a phenomenal teacher who helped me to understand, on a deeper level, the importance of things like role playing. I’d never done it before, and our live session with him, Richard, and I, was the most fun I think I’ve had throughout the program. By participating in active roleplaying, I learned just how much of an impact it can have. That course taught me that there are so many ways to reach my students, and sometimes it takes completely being someone else to make it happen. Course ten, Learning Management Systems, showed me how much organization matters. We’d already learned about creating things, and this course showed me how presenting them truly matters. Online learning is a huge thing nowadays, so to make it the best possible experience for students is important. I was grateful to learn about LMS’s and sites like Edmodo, so I can put them to use in any online modules I may do in the future. After all of those courses, I came to the final two. Both this course, and course eleven, Media Asset Creation, were good reflection courses for me. I was able to look back at everything I’d learned and put it to use. In course 11, I took all that I knew and made it into something. In this course, I’m able to take the chance to understand the why. Reflection is an important part of the learning process, and I’m so happy that I was able to do it, especially for this assignment. As I look at all I’ve typed above, I’m able to see how far I’ve come. I love that I can look at each course individually and know how it helped shape me into the instructional designer I am.

2) How well were you able to utilize the concepts and techniques you learned from the program (theories, systems design, interface styling, and the creation of multimedia content) as you designed, developed, and implemented your Final Project?

Creating the assets for the final project started off as a daunting task. I recall being extremely stressed at first wondering if I was honestly ready for this point in my Mastery journey. I remember asking myself if I really knew what I was doing. In fact, my original plan I turned in, wasn’t at all what I ended with. As I set out to actually create the assets, I realized that I had a picture in my head that my words weren’t accurately describing. I needed to fix this, so I made sure I could make adjustments, and I set out to make them match up. I ended up with three assets I was truly proud of. I had made use of everything I’d learned about Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop and had produced assets that I knew a learner could benefit from. I made sure to keep in mind things that Reiser and Dempsey had taught me. I knew that anything I created I wanted to be good for the learner and not overwhelm them. I think overall I did a good job of putting the concepts I learned, as well as the techniques to produce final assets that show exactly what I’m capable of. One thing that honestly stuck out in my mind throughout all of the asset creations was something that Dr. Chris said may times. It was about the positioning of text. I kept this in mind every time I typed something and made sure to keep text straight on the left and ragged on the right, rather than a mixture of both on either side. It was something I kept getting in trouble for in his courses, so I made sure to catch myself on something as important as my final project.

3) Describe your most outstanding personal triumph in each course.

Looking through each course to answer number one, brought back so many memories throughout this journey. In all honesty, it’s hard to believe that this is my final homework assignment, and that September 1st, I will be graduating. As I look at each course, I generally have certain projects or triumphs that stick out in my mind.

Course 1- Mastery: Personal Development and Leadership

This course was where it all began. I had the final goal of a PR degree in mind. I actually ended up going 2 courses after this before realizing PR just wasn’t for me. My best triumph in this class was honestly just getting an A+ and realizing that I could in fact do Masters level work. I’d put off getting my Masters and in fact, never even knew if I’d honestly be able to. So to get an A+ in my first course was a huge triumph.

Course 2- Strategies for Learner Engagement

For this course, there’s no doubt what my biggest triumph was. I may have just been following along with a video, but I successfully created my first infographic. This infographic has a lot going on with it, so it wasn’t at all easy for a beginner. I was able to even take parts of it and make them my own, in a way. Looking at it now, I’m still just as proud as I was back then.

Course 3- Visual and Verbal Communication in Instructional Design

My main triumph during this course was to actually create a presentation in Keynote on Renewable Energy, and to have it actually work. I took visuals and had to make them work, had to make things clickable, and even added sounds. In the end I had created a presentation that I was proud of. Even above that, it was my choice to pick what exactly to say. I think I did a good job with what I chose, and even so early into my journey I felt that my learners would have benefitted from my creation.

Course 4- Corporate Training and Motivational Development

This course was really the first one where I was able to create my own script. I was given the information I needed, and had to turn it into a script that would appeal to my audience. I was proud of the overall video I had produced, but writing my script and actually including everything I needed was a big triumph for me. I knew then that I could get my point across and also be entertaining and relevant to my audience.

Course 5- Instructional Design and Evaluation

This course was where I was really able to put my newly acquired skills to the test. I was able to use what I’d learned about Photoshop and Illustrator, as well as creating images, in order to create an infographic. I have never been more proud than I was when I completed this infographic. I presented it in a way that was visually appealing and also delivered the concept in a way the learner is able to understand. By far my favorite moment of the entire program.

Course 6- Digital Media and Learning Applications

Coding is by no means my area of expertise, so to be able to actually code a working interactive quiz was definitely my biggest triumph of this course. Yes, I followed along with a video for the initial creation, but I then took what I learned and made it so that the quiz was exactly what I needed it to be. As the wife of an IT guy, to be able to show him I’d done something he does every day was a proud moment for me.

Course 7- Music and Audio for Instructional Design

The best moment for me throughout course seven was realizing the importance of audio. If something doesn’t sound good, then the learner isn’t going to want to listen. Once I learned exactly what compression and reverb do, I realized how much they were necessary. In a way, my biggest triumph was simply a learning opportunity.

Course 8- Filmmaking Principles for Instructional Design

It sounds simple, but honestly following something from start to finish was a big thing to me. In this course, I took a set of instructions and turned it into a video. I pre-planned everything, wrote a script, took test shots, and finally shot and produced a how-to video that I was quite content with. Being able to put audio skills I’d learned, and lighting/shot tips was a big thing. I was quite proud to have seen through the entire process and ended with something I loved.

Course 9- Game Strategies and Motivation

I’ll be the first to admit that I’ve always thought games like Dungeons and Dragons were dumb. I didn’t mind others playing them, but by no means was that my kind of thing. Oh how wrong I was. I may never actually play the game, but I learned not only how much fun roleplaying can be, but how important it can be. My biggest triumph of this course was letting go of my inhibitions and experiencing a new learning technique that I ended up putting to use in my own classroom.

Course 10- Learning Management Systems for Organization

The biggest thing I took away from the LMS course was the fact that just because I tried something, doesn’t mean I have to stick with it. I used Edmodo for my LMS creation. I stuck with it throughout the course, but it made me realize there are much better alternatives. Some of my peers used other LMS sites, and they are ones I will look to should the opportunity arise again. I realized that just because I did something once, doesn’t mean I have to stick with it. There are sometimes multiple ways or opportunities for a goal to be met. My triumph was realizing that sometimes the process is never ending. It’s about learning from mistakes and growing.

Course 11- Media Asset Creation

Without a doubt, I think my major triumph in creating my assets was my final asset. This asset was one that wasn’t at all planned from the start. In fact, it’s one I realized I had in my head that didn’t match my words. I put everything I’d learned in the previous 10 courses to use, and created an interactive PDF activity/game that a learner can truly benefit from. I took things I’d learned about feedback and put them to use in order to better assist the learner. Though it seems simple, I truly believe I’ve created something that could have a real impact on learners that take my harassment/discrimination training course.

Course 12- Instructional Design and Technology Final Project

I’m not even sure if I’m meant to have a triumph for this final course, but I do. As I’ve thought back on all the course I’ve had the chance to reflect on how far I’ve come. I’ve learned things I never would have thought I’d know how to do. I’ve also learned more about myself and what I’m capable of. Sure, I knew them in my mind, but actually typing them out here and for this assignment have made them seem so real. My triumph for this course is truly understanding who I am and what I’m capable of. I look forward to wherever my journey may go from here.

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