Tuesday, August 23, 2011
Day 115: Signs of Spring
A friend in London recently sent pictures of her baby crawling threw the grass in lush parks. She said that spring has been so lovely that they have been strolling in the neighborhood and rolling in the grass for weeks already. We don’t even have leaves on the trees yet! But the trees are indeed budding and it was an encouraging sign.
Day 113: Spring Sale
It was April 23rd and the first hot sunny day of the season in Chicago. My friends preparing a move to Korea couldn’t have had a better day for their yard sale, most of the neighborhood walked by.
Day 91: Can you find me?
I was exploring the neighborhood with a friend and wandered into a secondhand shop that I had thought was a store selling repurposed construction material. Anyway i had fun taking some interesting photos.
Day 80: Quick oats
I've been making steel cut oatmeal for breakfast for the last few months. I usually make 3 or 4 portions and save them in individual containers for the coming days so that I don't have to spend 30+ minutes making breakfast everyday. Here I found a quick version and gave it a try. Worked out fine.
Photographing food is a real challenge. I'm surprised how many of my new things have been food related.
Photographing food is a real challenge. I'm surprised how many of my new things have been food related.
Day 79: Local Brew
Visiting my hometown of Cleveland I usually like to enjoy Great Lakes Brewing Co. Beers. Maybe because St Paddy’s Day just passed but I found a new Great Lakes ale on the shelves in the store called Conway’s Irish Ale and I had to give it a try. It was hearty and tasty and I enjoyed it completely.
Day 78: Staples can be an interesting finishing touch
My mom got 2 new knees at once. Anyone who knows her wouldn’t expect anything less. She’s extra productive and efficient like that.
Day 75: Liquid beta-carotene
I have a new juicer and made some fresh carrot juice laced with ginger to drink and also made some more carrot juice to use as a base for a veggie soup.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Day 70: Flowering tea
Today's new thing is trying a flowering tea in a class teapot I was given as a gift.
I also got caught up on my posts! I have been selecting a new thing each day and keeping a list of notes but I found that once my actually posting was a few days behind, I never thought I had time to do fill in the unposted days. I will try hard to never to fall so far behind again! I'm also catching up on watching episodes of the Bachelor. I guess I'm procrastinating on my studies (exams next week & a big paper to write) by catching up on other things.
I also got caught up on my posts! I have been selecting a new thing each day and keeping a list of notes but I found that once my actually posting was a few days behind, I never thought I had time to do fill in the unposted days. I will try hard to never to fall so far behind again! I'm also catching up on watching episodes of the Bachelor. I guess I'm procrastinating on my studies (exams next week & a big paper to write) by catching up on other things.
Day 69: Whoopie Pie
I tried a whoopie pie for the first time today. It was very yummy and hit the spot that my recently developed sweet tooth was craving.
Since I've been in research mode and since I found it odd that I've never tried a whoopie pie before, I looked it up on wikipedia. If I found one in my lunchbox, i also may have exclaimed "Whoopie!" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whoopie_pie
Since I've been in research mode and since I found it odd that I've never tried a whoopie pie before, I looked it up on wikipedia. If I found one in my lunchbox, i also may have exclaimed "Whoopie!" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whoopie_pie
Day 68: Enviromental health news
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
It was my turn to present an environmental health in the news story in class tonight. I talked about how the FDA pulled unapproved prescription drugs for colds & allergies from the market last week.
I quoted info from an FDA site: http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/EnforcementActivitiesbyFDA/SelectedEnforcementActionsonUnapprovedDrugs/ucm118990.htm
And the photo & more info from http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2011/03/03/134199320/fda-lowers-boom-on-unapproved-cold-medicines
It was my turn to present an environmental health in the news story in class tonight. I talked about how the FDA pulled unapproved prescription drugs for colds & allergies from the market last week.
I quoted info from an FDA site: http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/GuidanceComplianceRegulatoryInformation/EnforcementActivitiesbyFDA/SelectedEnforcementActionsonUnapprovedDrugs/ucm118990.htm
And the photo & more info from http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2011/03/03/134199320/fda-lowers-boom-on-unapproved-cold-medicines
Day 67: Time warp
I overheard a new person at the office say "Cool Beans" and I was transported back to the 80's when I'd say that to my BBF all the time. So I picked up my phone and sent her a txt to say hello & cool beans and that made us both smile.
Check out the Urban Dictionary entries for "cool beans" http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=cool%20beans
Check out the Urban Dictionary entries for "cool beans" http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=cool%20beans
Day 66: Presentation animations
I gave my presentation in class and while it was a little long, I think I got it done within the time limit. I thought it was to be 15 - 20 minutes and it ends up it had to be closer to 10 minutes. I don't know if the rotating hotdog was a good idea but at least it offered a second of entertainment in a long night of student presentations. A few of the students had put together really good little movies using powerpoint animations. When I got home I started exploring further and i figured out how to animate text and set it as timed animations so that one thing happens as soon as the other finishes - so it plays itself. (I still need to figure out how to load it as a movie, because even my test run is still a powerpoint presentation)
Day 65: Food Safety project
Sunday March 6, 2011
I have been working for days on a big project (research, presentation, video for a campaign and eventually a long paper) on food safety. I've researched FDA regulation, the Food Safety Modernization Act that passed in early January, details on food borne illnesses, as well as materials for teaching food safety to consumers. I procrastinated on the project while brushing up on fancy animations in powerpoint. I have not yet figured out how to imovie my animations so I can't now post my front page with the rotating hotdog. I also made some collages with dozens of images off of google...
To avoid getting sick make sure to Wash your hands, keep food separate, cook meat thoroughly and store food in the fridge.
I have been working for days on a big project (research, presentation, video for a campaign and eventually a long paper) on food safety. I've researched FDA regulation, the Food Safety Modernization Act that passed in early January, details on food borne illnesses, as well as materials for teaching food safety to consumers. I procrastinated on the project while brushing up on fancy animations in powerpoint. I have not yet figured out how to imovie my animations so I can't now post my front page with the rotating hotdog. I also made some collages with dozens of images off of google...
To avoid getting sick make sure to Wash your hands, keep food separate, cook meat thoroughly and store food in the fridge.
Day 63: Movie night
Friday, March 4, 2011
We have been out of the habit recently but the ladies of my family who live in Chicago sometimes get out for a movie night. Tonight we say The King's Speech and ran through the rain to a winebar called Ropa around the corner. The place has potential, the atmosphere was nice and the food was ok.
It was a dark rainy night, so it looked and felt very different.
We have been out of the habit recently but the ladies of my family who live in Chicago sometimes get out for a movie night. Tonight we say The King's Speech and ran through the rain to a winebar called Ropa around the corner. The place has potential, the atmosphere was nice and the food was ok.
It was a dark rainy night, so it looked and felt very different.
Day 62: New Brakes
Thursday, March 3, 2011
I took my car in this morning for new brakes that the dealer has been saying I need for about a year. I dropped the car off and took the train back home before starting work and then went back to pick it up in the evening. They called to say they think I also need a completely new set of tires. Since I haven't been driving much I think that can wait until the fall.
I took my car in this morning for new brakes that the dealer has been saying I need for about a year. I dropped the car off and took the train back home before starting work and then went back to pick it up in the evening. They called to say they think I also need a completely new set of tires. Since I haven't been driving much I think that can wait until the fall.
Day 61: The Story of Stuff
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
In case you were worried, I feel i should note that I retested my tap water and the lead levels aren't so bad. it ends up that I messed up the test because I didn't know how to use a pipet and i used the wrong amount of solutions in the test. So half of my results tonight and my test last week were faulty!
In class tonight we ended with a fun little video that is definitely worth watching. If you haven't yet seen the Story of Stuff videos check them out.
Here is the story of electronics we watched in class:
Here is the story of Bottled Water:
In case you were worried, I feel i should note that I retested my tap water and the lead levels aren't so bad. it ends up that I messed up the test because I didn't know how to use a pipet and i used the wrong amount of solutions in the test. So half of my results tonight and my test last week were faulty!
In class tonight we ended with a fun little video that is definitely worth watching. If you haven't yet seen the Story of Stuff videos check them out.
Here is the story of electronics we watched in class:
Here is the story of Bottled Water:
Day 60: 50th Anniversary of Peace Corps
Day 59: Pizza cracker
Monday, FEBRUARY 28, 2011
I came home from class hungry and motivated to figure out how to convert powerpoint files into imovie so that I can create a cool campaign for my final project. In the mood for pizza but needing something quick, I made some pizza crackers. The photo is as sloppy as the meal itself but it was good enough that I'd have the snack again.
I came home from class hungry and motivated to figure out how to convert powerpoint files into imovie so that I can create a cool campaign for my final project. In the mood for pizza but needing something quick, I made some pizza crackers. The photo is as sloppy as the meal itself but it was good enough that I'd have the snack again.
Day 58: nano hexbugs
It was my nephew's birthday yesterday so after the seminar finished I stopped at target to get a gift and went over to my brother's for dinner. I ended up getting several nano Hexbugs and a fighting bridge. The bugs are a bit creepy because they move and flip over like cockroaches. I thought they were cooler than I'd anticipated and my nephew seemed excited.
Day 57: Day 2 of the training
Saturday, FEBRUARY 26, 2011
Another dozen pages of notes on types of invasive & degenerative diseases, the burdens and benefits of illness, medications, radiations, surgeries, and family circles. It is fascinating and I'll process it all eventually and put some or all of it to use in one way or another at some place & time... I'm headed out dancing.
Another dozen pages of notes on types of invasive & degenerative diseases, the burdens and benefits of illness, medications, radiations, surgeries, and family circles. It is fascinating and I'll process it all eventually and put some or all of it to use in one way or another at some place & time... I'm headed out dancing.
Day 56: Healing Chronic illness
Friday, FEBRUARY 25, 2011
I started a 3 day class on Hawaiian healing approaches to Chronic and Catastrophic illness. I learned a lot today about the body, the energetic body and traditional beliefs on how it's all connected.
I started a 3 day class on Hawaiian healing approaches to Chronic and Catastrophic illness. I learned a lot today about the body, the energetic body and traditional beliefs on how it's all connected.
Day 55: Gym Bag
Thursday, FEBRUARY 24, 2011
I took my workout clothes to work so I could stop at the gym on the way home and do Week 2 Day 1 of Coach to 5K. I felt very organized.
I took my workout clothes to work so I could stop at the gym on the way home and do Week 2 Day 1 of Coach to 5K. I felt very organized.
Day 54: What's in my water?
Tuesday, FEBRUARY 23, 2011
In class today I got to test my home tap water for lead. I took a sample of the first hot running water in the morning from my kitchen faucet. AN acceptable level of lead (I think by Chicago City standards) is .015. My test came out super high at .49 and so I will take a few more samples this week including a sample from my faucet after running cold water and a sample from my Britta filter. I'd like to redo the first test because I don't think a sample of one is very reliable but I've been instructed to test the cold water and Britta filtered next.
In class today I got to test my home tap water for lead. I took a sample of the first hot running water in the morning from my kitchen faucet. AN acceptable level of lead (I think by Chicago City standards) is .015. My test came out super high at .49 and so I will take a few more samples this week including a sample from my faucet after running cold water and a sample from my Britta filter. I'd like to redo the first test because I don't think a sample of one is very reliable but I've been instructed to test the cold water and Britta filtered next.
Day 53: Equal vote for 3 new things
Tuesday, FEBRUARY 22, 2011
This is the key day I was too busy to post and that got me weeks behind! I worked from home, voted for Alderman & Mayor of Chicago for the first time ever. (All the big cats won.)
On my way to the gym I stopped by Metropolis coffee and I tried a green tea latte. (I announced this on 4sq but didn't take a picture.)
But what has turned out to be the most significant new thing of the day was that I discovered DaPaul's online library with IM services. I started an instant message conversation with a librarian and she or he quickly helped me navigate tons of online journals and find exactly what I was looking for. My oh my times have changed since I was in undergraduate school wonder the stacks to find a paragraph on my topic.
This is the key day I was too busy to post and that got me weeks behind! I worked from home, voted for Alderman & Mayor of Chicago for the first time ever. (All the big cats won.)
On my way to the gym I stopped by Metropolis coffee and I tried a green tea latte. (I announced this on 4sq but didn't take a picture.)
But what has turned out to be the most significant new thing of the day was that I discovered DaPaul's online library with IM services. I started an instant message conversation with a librarian and she or he quickly helped me navigate tons of online journals and find exactly what I was looking for. My oh my times have changed since I was in undergraduate school wonder the stacks to find a paragraph on my topic.
Monday, February 21, 2011
Day 52: Time machine
I used time machine on my computer for the first time. It was cool because it was really easy to use and very satisfying to recove a document I'd saved over.
Day 51: Date
There are no fancy or clever visuals and I will not give any lengthy personal descriptions but I went out on my first official date in 8 years if you don't count my whole marriage. Maybe I should just say that I finally went on my first date since I got divorced. It was blind, not too scary, relatively enjoyable. It will probably not lead to another marriage but at least has pushed me further along the path away from the failed attempt at marriage.
Saturday, February 19, 2011
Day 50: Dance Shoes
I bought my first pair of dance shoes today so that I can learn to Tango with the proper footwear. I'm headed off to an informal class to break them in.
(I won't quit my day job to become a product photographer.)
(I won't quit my day job to become a product photographer.)
Friday, February 18, 2011
Day 49: C25K
I joined the gym. I waited the enough days so that I could be fashionably late and not be considered part of the New Years Resolution fad crowd. Since I want my resolutions to wait throughout the year I had to wait until after Valentines day to make sure it sticks. My first workout at the gym was the first day of the Coach to 5K App that a friend turned me onto. It consists of 3 workouts doing intervals of walking and running a week for 9 weeks and it promises to have me running 30 minutes straight without rest or walking at the end of 9 weeks. I did the first workout of the App without a problem today and I can feel in my body that I worked out. It may be the perfect program for me to follow to ease myself back into shape.
Day 48: Stack it tall
When it doubt or lacking a good idea for something new for the day, I can turn to the "365 Daily Creativity Journal" by an old friend, Noah Scalin, for an idea for the day.
Day 48 is a challenge: How tall can you make something that stands up on it's own? Since I used things with legs, I got all the way up to the ceiling.
Day 48 is a challenge: How tall can you make something that stands up on it's own? Since I used things with legs, I got all the way up to the ceiling.
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