On this Date...
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Staying In Tonight
It's been one of those days when I'm glad I got a good night's sleep the night before - I needed it.
I woke up early and was out the door with time to spare - my goal was to get to work so I would have as much time as possible to finish things before I leave next week. I was out the door and to the Jeep around 7:30* - good timing... and then things changed.
*This is about an hour and a half earlier than I need to be out the door for work... I really was planning to get some extra time in!
I couldn't get my Jeep to start. I figured it was just a dead battery that needed to be jumped, but I couldn't figure out why the battery had died... I didn't notice anything that might've been left running overnight. Oh well, my first priority was to find a ride to work and from there I'd try to find someone who could help jump my car in the afternoon - after all, I usually take Tuesday afternoons off so I can prep for school**. Today I'd just have to add jumping the Jeep to my list.
**On the plus side, the quarter is winding down and there wasn't a lot of prepping I needed to do today - particularly since I wasn't able to get ANYTHING done. I'll be working on that tomorrow night and Thursday morning I guess...
I found a friend who was willing to help me out so he drove me home and powered my battery... sorta. While I was able to get the engine to turn when I revved it (and his battery was connected to mine), once I took my foot off the pedal the engine stopped. Fortunately, David knows a thing or two about cars so he offered to help me pull the battery out and take it to Auto Zone to get the battery tested. We did that*** and found out the battery's dead... as a door nail...
***I make it sound like a simple procedure. First we had to trek back downtown to get his supplies (since no one near me seemed to have any) and then he faced the challenge of a LOT of corrosion. Add to that the mild rain and it wasn't as easy as it sounds.
Thank God for friends because I got a call from another friend this evening. Jeremy (yes, the same one who has helped me numerous times with my laptop(s)) offered to come and take a look at the situation. As David had left it, one of the battery terminals was jammed with an old, undersized and corroded bolt that didn't want to come out... and he didn't have a drill to get it out. Jeremy has a drill and has offered to come back tomorrow evening to help me get the bolt out, buy a new battery, and install it.
Angie has offered to drive me into work (again) tomorrow so I won't lose valuable time**** and I should be set by the time I have to drive to class Thursday morning.
****As much as I was tickled with the idea that I'd have an excuse to not go into work tomorrow, I've since remembered a lot of things that are going on that will need my attention. It's nice to have job security, but I wouldn't mind sleeping in.
It's been a frustrating day, but it could have been MUCH worse. I'm so grateful for friends like David, Jeremy and Angie who were willing to take time from their schedules to help me out... I would've been lost without them. Thanks, friends!
The Mercury's Inching Up
It's that time of year again when the weather is starting to warm up and it's getting too hard to stay inside all the time... so I'm not*!
*To be honest, I would really like to break out my bike and start riding that, but with time limited and so many other things to do, I can't really justify taking the time to get my bike tuned, just to take it apart and pack it up in another couple of weeks. I'll wait until I'm in Florida to get on the saddle again.
Yesterday the temperatures went over fifty degrees so I thought it was time I made my way back to the canal for my first walk of the season. While I started a little chilled (there's still some ice on parts of it) and had to pull my hood over my head, by the time I was halfway around I was warm enough to actually break a sweat. Unfortunately, the fact that I've been inside for awhile became all the more evident when I was wrapping up my walk and realized my hips were hurting - I guess I need to get back to walking a little more regularly!
The canal is my favorite place in Indianapolis. I've always felt drawn to the water and I find my best quiet time by the water's side, so it's no surprise that the canal would be my favorite place in a mostly landlocked city... and now that I'm counting down the days until I leave, I want to make sure to take advantage of it as much as possible! With the temperatures rising, I plan to get over there as often as I can the next couple of weeks.
Also, I wanted to take a picture but it's still getting too dark too soon - I guess that'll be the next stage of the season... I can't wait!
Washington DC is Still Standing
For those who haven't already heard: Washington DC began issuing marriage licenses for same-sex couples yesterday after the Supreme Court refused to block the gay marriage law on Tuesday.
This is great news! It's good enough same-sex marriage is gaining a foothold in the US, but the fact that it happened in DC where the law-makers can see first-hand the positive effects on society... that just makes it perfect! Perhaps as same-sex couples continue to get married and demonstrate that their families can be a huge contributing factor to the improvement and strengthening of their communities, laws will be passed to make this a national standard.
It's coming... it's just a matter of time.
To the skeptics, I encourage you to look at places like Washington DC and see if your fears come true.
Heterosexual marriage won't be weakened, it will be strengthened when: a) people stop considering domestic partnerships "good enough" and start looking at marriage as the optimum situation, b) homosexual people will have an alternative to "faking it" in heterosexual marriage (where they're less likely to succeed and more likely to end in divorce), and c) an increase in healthy marriages will model the behavior for those who might struggle to stay in their own potentially-healthy marriages.
What's more, the de-stigmatization of homosexuality will have healthy results in that a) families will no longer be divided over the issue and parents will be more comfortable with accepting and loving their homosexual children, b) homosexuals will be more comfortable with expressing their affection in public and they won't have to hide (and ultimately undermine) their relationships (resulting in a poor self-image and worse), c) hate crimes bills can be passed to protect GLBT peoples across the board but their incidence will decrease and d) society in general will be able to take the focus off this issue and put it on other things (the environment, health care, poverty) that continue to harm our country and our world.
Children of same-sex couples will have the security and stability they were previously lacking, homosexual kids will have hope for a "normal" future, and religious organizations can begin taking a more constructive (instead of destructive) approach on working with the GLBT community... can you tell how I feel about this issue?
If you don't believe me, just watch. It's coming... it's just a matter of time.
A Month of Change
It's the first of the month so I guess it's as good a time as any to reflect and think about the opportunities that this month will bring.
My moving date is coming faster and faster. At this point, the plan is that I will leave Indianapolis on Friday, March 26. Working back from that, my last day of teaching will be March 25 (I'm doing final project reviews with my students hours before I move). I'll be packing and unloading my apartment the whole week leading up to that, my last day at the Athenaeum will be the Friday before, and I hope to have the Jeep sold before that.
I may actually have the Jeep sold already. A friend from work is interested in buying it and I'll be showing it this Wednesday. If she decides to buy it I'll be able to keep it until I'm ready to leave town and I won't have to pay for a spot to park it once I get to Florida. The flip side is that I'll have to find a rental car to get me and my stuff to Florida at the end of the month, but I'm hopeful that a quick trip will make the endeavor cheaper.
They've hired my replacement at the Athenaeum. While I'll still work for the Foundation on a very part time basis doing design projects, there will be a new Administrative Assistant starting this Monday. I have a lot to do before I go so the next few weeks will be particularly busy as I try to get all of my stuff done while training the new person and managing the "stuff" that goes along with moving.
I don't anticipate packing being a major project. I moved to Indianapolis with just two car loads worth of stuff and though I've added to my belongings since I've been here, there's a lot I don't need to take with me and I think paring down will a big part of my work. I've already started packing a few of the things I'm not going to need the rest of my time here and I'm getting a more accurate idea of how much I'll really be taking.
Probably the hardest part of this entire transition is leaving my job at the Art Institute. I've really found a part of my soul there and it'll be difficult to leave the students and the work that I enjoy so much - but I'm hopeful that I'll be able to get back into something similar after I move. There are other schools and other art opportunities in Florida that I don't even know about and I look forward to finding them, and the work I've been doing here has been a great training ground.
As always, I'll try to update regularly on here and I welcome prayers (or anything else you want to send my way) - and I'm grateful that despite the changes in the world around us, God always stays the same.
Losing Sleep
Today I made the mistake of downloading a game I've been looking for the last few years - SimCity.
For those who don't know, SimCity is a game that consists of creating a city. You build a power generator, zone plots of land, build roads and generally try to keep the citizens of your city happy based on the cues you get from the occasional newspaper headline. Power plants burn out, water pipes need to be laid, and the options you have evolve based on evolving technology - and all of this has to be managed on a budget. Frankly, I'm not really sure how you can tell if you've won - but I've killed many hours watching the ebb and flow of city life on my computer screen.
But I always had to play someone else's game - until now.
The reason downloading it was a mistake is because I've fallen victim to the addiction. Fortunately, it's housed on my old Powerbook so I won't have it in front of me all day long... but it makes for some long nights. I look forward to growing tired of it again.
Until then, I guess I'll just be tired.
Say What You Will About Me... I Know Cool!
I posted in my entry yesterday that I've become obsessed with the P22 Foundry deck of Typography playing cards from 2004 - well, I just wanted to post what got me moving in that direction.
I saw this web site first and was blown away by how beautiful these cards are - then I went to the designer's web site and I became even more impressed. Creating these cards was her graduate project and an effort to simplify and create a dynamic way to view the basics of Typography. Not only are these lovely and functional, they're actually educational!
Now, I realize not everyone who visits my site is as interested in Typography as I am, but I had to share... and on the off chance that someone would like to buy these cards, I'll encourage you to contact Michelle (the designer) to place an order. They're not currently in print, but she promises it will happen this year... I'm giddy at the prospect*.
*And I assure you, when I get my deck it will be posted on here!
I told you I know cool!
Anyway, I'm off to class now. I'm currently without the internet at my apartment (again), but it looks like I may have found a buyer for my Jeep and I've nearly wrapped up my lesson plans for this quarter. I'm still working on the job part, but I'm optimistic about my prospects... I think things are coming along nicely in anticipation of my move (just four weeks from tomorrow!).
My Latest Obsession
Since I've been teaching Typography at the Art Institute, I have to admit it's become a bit of an obsession for me. I started out thinking it was something that was necessary and fundamental to design, but not terribly sexy... then my eyes were opened...
Typography can be SO sexy!
Case in point: I was doing some research online this morning for playing cards that were focused on Typography (yes, this is what I consider a good time). I came across some cool examples (that I might share here another time) and this set that blew me away! Each card features a different font from the P22 Foundry and they're designed by a variety of designers. Here are just a few of them:
Unfortunately, it's out of print. That may be the reason I've become obsessed with finding this deck but I did manage to buy the newest deck so for now I'll content myself with those - but if anyone is able to find the original set from 2004 I'm VERY interested. I've heard they're kind of expensive now so it might not be an option... but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.
I've always thought I was an illustrator who designs...
Is it possible I'm actually a designer who illustrates? (Just in case, I've created a new blog entry category - "design.")
Another One Down
Today I completed another sketchbook.
I began drawing in it on 27 July, 2007, but it's not the only sketchbook I've used since then and I haven't been that faithful to my goal of sketching every day*. It's got sketches for freelance projects, mural projects, and personal projects. It contains the preliminary sketches for the Commitment Ceremony invitation I created a couple years ago as well as the newest logo on my resume. There are even a few pages of notes I took at a conference.
* After all, it's only 100 pages so if I were on task I'd have it used up in less than four months!
So what do I do with it?
I'm not really a person who likes to hang on to things, but it chronicles some important thoughts and moments from the last three years. Plus, one day I'll be well-known and this sketch book might go for a hefty chunk of change on ebay!
While I think about the possibilities, here's an example of what the book contains:
I don't remember what this guy was sketched for - but this is the most "complete" version I have on the page. Do you suppose he's telling a fishing story?!?
Oh My Gosh!
When I was growing up, I knew a lady in the neighborhood who would get very upset if someone would say "oh my gosh" because she knew that person meant to say "oh my God." I was left with the mixed impression that there was nothing more blasphemous* and I was afraid to say anything else for fear I would find out I knew other bad words.
*She also wouldn't allow us to play He-Man because there was only one "Master of the Universe" and she much preferred we play with guns... hmmm...
Since then, I've done some studying on the subject and while I recognize it's not the ideal way to reference God, I've also come to the conclusion that it might not be the worst sin** in the world, either. What's ironic is that oftentimes these phrases are used in a moment of heated aggravation and they may the closest thing to a prayer many unbelievers will ever say. What's more, when people use these phrases, they support the exclusive authority of God (you don't hear people throw Buddha's or Mohammed's names around so commonly).
**Scripture tells us that all sin is equal but I believe that when people make thoughtless utterances God weighs their hearts and intentions - but these are points better left for another discussion.
Regardless, taking the Lord's name in vain is a sin:
You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His name. (Exodus 20:7)
It ticks God off, that much seems pretty straightforward. The reason it's such a problem is that when we use His name out of context, we misrepresent Him. His name is not intended to be used in a fit of angry condemnation and it's not intended to be an absentminded response to bad news - it's not a swear word.
However, I think the real problem comes when Christians become so consumed with using God's name correctly that they miss the spirit of the command - we're not to misrepresent God.
But we do it all the time.
Every time we cut someone off on the highway with a fish bumper sticker on the back of our car... every time we ignore the cashier who's serving us as we spend our time chatting on the phone while wearing our cross necklace... every time we avoid eye contact with the homeless person because we don't want to be late for church... in all of these instances we misrepresent God.
And as believers our violation is worse... we know better!
Spirit... Part II
After posting a few days ago about "Spirit," the cat who lives in/near my apartment building, I saw it again today... only this time I got a picture!
Now I can put to rest any rumors that I made the cat up.
(Yes, that's food that I purchased at the grocery store yesterday - that's how I was knew to grab my camera and I was able to keep Spirit around long enough to get the picture. I purchased food so I would have something on hand in case I ran out of milk, which is what I usually serve it... and, yes, I still don't know what it is...)