Happy 4th of July

Posted on July 4, 2011 by Carolyn

Well, our country is having another birthday, or should I say, another celebration of Independence Day. Like every other year, we will gather with family and friends and rejoice in being together. Fireworks, drinks and food galore, and hopefully lots of laughter and joy for everyone around our nation.

Seeing what’s happening around the world, we’ll probably reminisce on what started all of this for us. 235 years ago, we fought to create our new national identity and stand independent of our oppressors. We chose to fight for our strong beliefs of liberty and justice for all. 235 years later, we’re in a new fight for independence from ourselves. Continue reading →

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Reflecting On Our Freedom to Connect

Posted on July 1, 2011 by Carolyn

Our celebration of this country’s independence is opening up a lot of reflection about the information and communication medium known as the Internet. Mainly because there are people out there who are trying to control it for their own purposes while espousing about the safety of the collective. Using the current onslaught of what many governments are calling digital terrorism, certain entities feel that this medium should only be provided as a controlled privilege that people should pay for (which we already do). What they propose goes against everything that the Internet stands for.

The people who are perpetrating this “threat” are known as hackers, and are fast becoming one of the loudest voices demanding a truly free world democracy. Not free as in the sense of money, but free as in the sense of a true digital democratic community that benefits all. They’re using the language of the Net to fight against the language of politics. Many of these individuals can be seen as similar to those revolutionaries who fought for our country’s right to exist when we were but colonists of the motherland. At that time, our forefathers were also considered to be terrorists. Only because our nation succeeded did they become heroes and an inspiration for an ideology called democracy. Some won’t agree with the hacker’s methods, but no one can argue with their intent. The Internet is being used to bring democracy throughout the world by providing a way to fight against tyranny in its most basic form. The Net is the purest form of a democracy that we seek because privilege doesn’t exist. Continue reading →

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Capturing Your Vision

Posted on July 1, 2011 by Carolyn

Well, I am happy to share with you my first published article on the online business community, Biznik! After completing so many technical communications projects over the years, I realized that the steps that I take have become universal to almost everything that I do. I guess that being detail-oriented, data obsessive, and organized has its advantages? Most creative fields, including technical communications, follow a pattern when turning a vision into reality. Once that pattern is revealed, it can be carried over into almost anything with just some minor tweaking. Out of chaos comes order, which can make anything look possible. Continue reading →

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Another SDCC Release – Brandi Milne

Posted on July 1, 2011 by Carolyn

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I squealed in excitement when I saw this news! Brandi Milne, another favorite artist of mine from So Cal, is releasing her first vinyl figure, Bunny.Go.Ride with 3D Retro. If you’re like me, you salivate whenever she has new creations out. I’m constantly checking out her blog to see what new dreams she has painted. She’s also going to be part of Corey Helford Gallery‘s 5-Year Extravaganza, which starts today and will be full of amazing talent.

Up until now, she has used the canvas, print, and book medium to share her work with us all. But this is going to be stupendous because it will give her many her fans a chance to play with her work up close and personal. Go check out her site to find out more about her special world of edgy cuteness. You’ll soon be hooked!

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Stranger Factory – Sweet & Sorrow

Posted on June 30, 2011 by Carolyn

Kathie Olivas solo show

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It looks like we’ll be having a sweet month in July, as Kathie Olivas prepares to open her solo show at their new gallery, Stranger Factory.The show will be open on July 1 at 6:00PM with a fabulous reception for her many ardent fans, and run through the end of the month.

As always, there will be pieces to amaze. But this time, I think that she’s outdone herself with her sparkly choices! Skelves and Lizzies all shine like the jewels they are, while other cuddly creatures lurk around to tempt you in their own adorable ways. Click on the link above to see the preview which will go live at 11:00AM PST. Be ready to push the contact button, because these beauties won’t last! Enjoy the Sweet & Sorrow of it all.

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Cicada Princess

Posted on June 29, 2011 by Carolyn

I was on Kickstarter today, when my attention was caught by this gorgeous video clip for a movie project currently in development. Mauricio Baiocchi has created a children’s storybook and short  film about cicadas’ short lives, using miniatures and puppets, that is absolutely beautiful. Having grown up in Japan, I’m used to hearing the cries of the cicada during the summer. Along with the intense blast of heat that turned the air into an invisible humid web, their cries seemed to remind everyone of the season when we all melted. I guess you really don’t appreciate the experience until it’s gone.

While the project has reached its full funding request, there is still time left to help Mauricio and his team of talented artists make it an amazing experience for us all. At this rate, he’s on target to hit 1,000 backers. Here the link to Cicada Princess on Kickstarter, as well as the official project site. Go join the emotional ride of the cicadas and their creators. I’m pretty sure that it’ll make me cry.

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Posted in Creative Ramblings | 7 Comments

What Pizza Delivery Did For Me

Posted on June 28, 2011 by Carolyn

I’ve been officially working since I was 12. Being a member of the military family did have one perk, and that was plenty of opportunities for work experience. I was pretty proud to be receiving a paycheck, albeit a small one, at that tender age. Sure, it wasn’t exciting to deliver and file punch cards (earlier form of information storage – after all this was the late 70s). But it taught me that I could create my own destiny if I chose, and it’s a lesson that I took to heart. Continue reading →

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Pixar’s “Brave”

Posted on June 27, 2011 by Carolyn

Well, it’s been a while since I’ve been excited about a new movie from Pixar. Not to say that they’re not geniuses in my book, because they are. But this sneak preview was just released today for the movie, Brave, to be released June of 2012. This thing is going to be gorgeous! And it’s going to be great because Craig Ferguson is lending his voice. Well, I’m sold.

For more info, check in at Disney/Pixar’s official site.

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Thought For The Day

Posted on June 27, 2011 by Carolyn

What is the answer to censorship?

We read the news every day where some organization or another is trying to stop others from experiencing things that they don’t like. But this all amounts to having control over others. Since everyone has different things they consider important, then how does society make the choice of acceptability? Continue reading →

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When Did the Test Even Start?

Posted on June 27, 2011 by Carolyn

So, I open my digital NY Times today with a sigh of relief that I can avoid inky fingers for another week. Of course, I won’t give up my “real” Sunday edition because I love being able to feel the copy in my hands (even with the ink issues). Sometimes, you can’t beat the real thing. It connects the writer in me with all of those who preceded me. History at my fingertips. Irreplaceable. Continue reading →

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