Random Thought

Realization: If you want to be something, you have to just BE it. Stop waiting for permission.


& When in doubt, repeat this to myself, as often as needed.

Outrageous Corporate Behavior

I know, outrageous? In what context, post-economy-meltdown with all the attendant horror stories of corporate greed and excess? (Oh, I suppose "horror stories" is a subjective term, as in: the executives probably didn't see it that way, but us peons down here do.)

The thing of it is, I thought that all of us were on the same consciousness-raising boat ride right now, everyone turning back to frugality and everyone knowing multiple people going through lay-offs and what-not. As in, a good time to take your blinders off and start noticing the plight of those people who have it even worse off than you think you do. I guess some people still don't get it, and by people you know I mean heartless corporate parasites who would rather THROW THEIR PRODUCT AWAY than see it helping someone who didn't have the resources to pay for it. H&M, I am talking to you. And possibly Wal-mart too, according to this article in the New York Times.

See, I understand. I've worked for large enough companies and heard their sort of reasoning enough to know right away why H&M might be destroying their superfluous unsold clothing. Instead of doing something nice, say, giving it to charity. In the middle of winter. As the disadvantaged & poverty-stricken are likely freezing for lack of sufficient clothing. But maybe that's just what I'd do with it. H&M though, I can see why they may think that if people are seen wearing H&M stuff, and word gets around this was unpaid for... Well, they'd be freaked it would destroy their brand. The value of what does sell would go down. They would make less money. And we all know what executives worship.

So, H&M, why not give the items to a charity in a country where you don't have a presence? Where you don't have any stores. Like Africa, India, or anywhere in Central or South America. Because last I heard, there were plenty of people in any of those countries who need what you see fit to destroy.

(Clarification: I really don't think it's an advantage to understand why corporations do the things they do. And just because I understand doesn't mean I agree. But I think you already guessed that.)

Whew, I really needed to get that off my chest! You can vent here too in the comments, if you feel like it. Thanks to @lessherger, @ittybiz, and others for tweeting this news so that I could see it & boycott this store. Ok, you may now return to something a little happier than this posting here, maybe. I think I will too.

Welcome 2010

I am sooo glad 2009 is over! Too many opportunities missed & bad habits continued. This year I'm heading into the new year with a sense of purpose - I am going to do my best to do this year the things I always put off. No, I can't honestly say it was all bad last year, and I'm glad for the Best of '09 Challenge started by Gwen Bell, which helped me think back on some of the good things. You can see my posts on that here. But it also made me think of how much good I let pass me by, which really helped strengthen my resolve to make this a much, much better year. So in a way, I'm glad for the realization that all I missed out on is my own fault.

I'm resurrecting this blog to follow along with Gwen's next project, hinted at here, instead of cluttering up my other blog, At The Studio Door, with all the art-y goodness I plan on doing. Of which artsy posts should soon be continuing shortly, if you're interested in taking a peek.

Ok, that's all for now. Have a good night everyone & See you soon!

Moving to new blog

Hi all, just wanted to say that I've done what I've been thinking of doing for a couple months, and started a new blog, ::At The Studio Door:: I will use the new blog to focus on my progress as I grow my body of artwork and set up a venue to sell my work.

I will still keep this blog around, although I can't promise I'll post with any regularity. That focus will go to the other blog, since one of the reasons I'm doing it is to keep myself on track creatively. I know I haven't been consistent with this blog at all, a lot of that has to do with lack of focus of what I want to say here. I've never been all that happy with the name either (an inside joke between my brother and I). But the journaling aspect of this blog has helped me sort some things out, whether that came across on these pages or not. I'm trying to keep the new blog positive....And I'll need some place to come and vent my frustrations about all kinds of things, so I'll be around :-)

Come on over and visit me in my new cyber home, atthestudiodoor.blogspot.com, and see what I've got cookin over there. My goal is to post there 3 times a week....Wish me luck!

Time is a limited resource...

...and, like all resources, should be spent wisely. This is something that I need to keep my focus on in the coming days. What is the best way for me to spend my time - will my actions help me move incrementally towards my goals, or away from them? Shall I distract myself from my frustrations with mere entertainment, or will I look inward and pull from deep down the resolve to stay focused, ever moving forward on my right path?

I'm here...

...and all moved in to my new apartment. As of three weeks ago, this place is my own - well, with one cat that's still unsure of this place. I felt like a visitor here at first, and I'm still waiting on a bookcase that will be given to me but isn't quite ready for me yet, but I'm mostly unpacked and ready to do something creative! Only...it's been so long since I've done any artwork that I'm at a loss for what to do? The muse has been kept at bay with weeks upon weeks of searching, applying, packing, unpacking, purchasing, exhausting myself... Maybe if I start sorting through some materials, inspiration will strike :-)

I just signed up for another e-course.... hmm, is this going to become a habit?





I'm so excited I'll be joining Marisa of Creative Thursday for her second running of her "In The Fishbowl" class! It's all about navigating the waters of being an artist online. I think I'm jumping the gun here yet again, as I'm still struggling to make time for making art, and nowhere near having a career with this yet, but the opportunity is too good to pass up. And the other class I'm taking now - A Course in Trust, which I'm still not too sure about actually, but then again that is probably my "trust issue" speaking - this week's class talked about trusting yourself and your instincts. Thinking about the In The Fishbowl class makes me feel all warm and fuzzy and energized, and that is the very feeling that I'm supposed to be following, no?





Amazingly the class begins late September, which is about the time that I should be fully moved/settled in and studio area outfitted, and more than ready to begin my creative adventures in my new space. A cosmic line-up to be sure!