In an effort to push ourselves to be more open with our fans, I’ll be writing more at my band’s website, The Scarlet Paradigm. Don’t worry, I won’t neglect All Narfed Up.
On a related note, Chris Brogran wrote “The Writing Practice” the other day. Awesome post. I’m back to writing thoughts on index cards again.
It feels epic to have my taxes done 79 days before Tax Day. It only took 40 minutes with TurboTax Online Deluxe[1. No affiliation.]), but still.
Update 2/5/2010 — I got my refund in six business days. Whoa.
In an effort to save energy, I rescheduled my backup and sync programs[1. Jungle Disk, Karen's Replicator] to start earlier and run for only a few hours, then use Slawdog Smart Shutdown to put my computer into standby.
When I woke up this morning, my computer couldn’t. *gasp*
Since my computer is on lower shelf of a wire rack, I had to:
After that, it was a matter of removing the BIOS battery and holding down the power button for about ten seconds to dissipate the power.
Warning: Geek lingo after this point.
<geekery>
It’s tough not having the same dedication to photography as 2008. After a hectic year (2009) split between college, work, photography, and the band, can you blame me?
I’m going to share what’s happening, then you can heckle me.
We’re trying to “make it.” Not only are we trying to just book more shows[1. In 2009, we played 14 shows -- January (2), February (2), March (2), May (1), June (2), July (1), August (2), October (1), November (1).], but we’re looking to sell merchandise at shows and send our EP to various record labels.
I’d like to design a better theme for the website and get the guys to post to our Twitter/website more often — not just for announcements/shows.
I can dabble and tinker with HTML and CSS, but not very well. Since the band can’t afford to pay a designer, I need to take matters into my own hands. I’m determined to learn these languages, in addition to PHP. It’d also give me something else to add to my résumé.
I’m anxiously waiting for Aaron Brazell to finish the WordPress Bible.
Do you have any websites, articles or books that helped you get started?
I’ve maxed out the number of units I can transfer to a Cal State university. I’ve applied to Cal State LA and Cal Poly Pomona for Fall 2010 and waiting to hear back from them. Until then, I can’t do anything more about it.
I need to scan and process all my film negatives from Fall 2009 semester at Citrus College, catch up on general photo processing, and create a dedicated portfolio website of my best work. While it would be cool to try and get more photography work, I need to throttle that back and push The Scarlet Paradigm.
Don’t worry, I’m still down to photowalk and try to hang with the Los Angeles Flickr Group whenever I can.
Alright, that’s what up. Follow me on Twitter. Questions? Comments? Suggestions?
My band, The Scarlet Paradigm, just released the digital download for our first EP, “You Don’t Need This…“
http://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer.swf/album=189076077/size=venti/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=990000/
For all of 2008 and most of 2009, I carried my DSLR everywhere I went. I photographed random stuff, people, concerts, and even a wedding. In October 2009[1. More specifically, back to back weekends.], I booked two weddings.
That’s when I finally realized that my reputation was on the line. These photos had to be perfect.
A few weeks before the weddings, I finally bought a monitor color calibrator. Brian Auer showed me the Pantone huey MEU101 while Silas and I were hanging out at his place. At under $70, I was convinced.
The huey makes it really easy to calibrate your monitor — it only takes two minutes. You can set the small program to run silently in the background, compensating for room light changes at preset intervals. The base of the stand is 2.5 inches in diameter, and the device is 4 inches long with the width a bit wider than a pen.
Not too long after that, I ordered some of my own 4″ x 6″ prints. They matched up with what I saw on the monitor — very cool. I have no fear ordering 19¢ prints through Zenfolio/Mpix[2. With this type of ordering, our color technicians will not be able to adjust density, color, contrast or other elements of your files.].
Get it.
[amtap amazon:asin=B000CR78C4]
Disclaimer: I bought the Pantone huey MEU101 with my own money. While I’m not being paid for this review, I’m an Amazon.com Associate.
This is my entry for Jim Goldstein’s 3rd annual “Blog Project: Your Best Shots of 2009.”
Compared to my best photos of 2008, I photographed a few more large concerts and a couple weddings. I went on less photowalks because of school. Unfortunately, I’m very behind on processing. I took a basic film photography class in the fall, so this might not be comprehensive.
With that in mind, here are my 87 photos for 2009 (in chronological order). I hope you like them!
I got to the office this morning to find a package in my box from Office Depot.
I didn’t order anything. The last two things I ordered the past couple months was a 8GB CompactFlash card and a 4GB USB flash drive.
When I opened the box, an Office Depot catalog is staring at me. I didn’t request it.
On the back of the catalog cover, small text says:
This 4-page cover is printed on paper containing 10% postconsumer fibers.
What about the rest of the catalog?
Ooh, and there’s a $20 off coupon (with an order of $100 or more). Office Depot murdered a tree to thank me and send a coupon.
To make matters worse, I don’t see any way to opt out of this catalog.
At the bottom of the enclosed thank you letter, it was signed by Christine Buscarino, Sr. Director of Marketing.
Until your website includes a check box to opt in requesting a catalog (read: Don’t just send me one for kicks!), you won’t see me again.
Update (seconds after I posted this) — In small text on the back of the catalog, it states:
To update or remove your contact information from our mailing list, please call 800.915.4624, send an email to mailoptout@officedepot.com or send a copy of the address panel to: Office Depot Mailing List, P.O. Box 5009, Boca Raton, FL 33431-0809.
I still shouldn’t have to opt out of a catalog just because I ordered something and had it delivered to my place of work.
While sifting through papers, I found that I needed to call Chase to opt-out of sharing information to third parties and affiliate companies.
Why isn’t there a way to do this online?
Calling wasn’t difficult. But, their prompts are confusing.
“Do you wish to limit information…?”
Then again, I’m not sure how I’d word it. Whatever.
Related: Chase sucks with new privacy policy, opt-out process is painful! (DygiScape, August 12, 2009)
I received a snail mail notice from 1-800 Contacts about my contact lens expiration. A few days later, I get a phone call. (It went to voicemail.)
There are currently no options in my account page that lets me opt out — why?!
As of March 2, 2009 in the Privacy Policy:
How do I remove my information from email, postal mailing and telephone lists?
If you prefer not to receive notice of promotions, reorder information or updates on contact lens laws by email, please click the “My Account” link at the top of any of the pages on www.1800contacts.com, enter your email address and password and click on “email options”. You will be able to specify your email preferences on this page. If you wish to be removed from all email communications not related to your order, you can call one of our Customer Service Representatives at 1-800 CONTACTS (1-800-266-8228). If you prefer not to receive postal mail, please let us know by sending us an email at info@1800contacts.com or call one of our Customer Service Representatives at 1-800 CONTACTS (1-800-266-8228).
PLEASE NOTE: Requests to be removed from the postal mail list may take up to 6-8 weeks to become effective. In addition, if you ask to remove your name and address from our email or postal mailing lists, we will maintain your name in a “do not mail” file to ensure that we can honor your request. When you make a purchase, we will send you an email to confirm your order, and send an email when your order is shipped. We may also need to contact you via phone, postal mail or email if we have other questions regarding your order.
Don’t make us do all this work to reduce junk mail and unwanted phone calls. We can easily get email notices, you know.
