There’s no question that retouching is overused in media. Expectations are also on the rise with consumers. Question? What is the value of a perfect photo if no one will recognize the real version you?
Inspiration in the still image
Most people will say that they don’t share my passion for making pictures. If the video above doesn’t move you, then you really are one of them. If it does, then you might have the bug after all. Maybe you’ll be inspired to follow that passion too.
Many thanks to Scott Bourne for pointing me to it.
Cutting expenses part 1
The first step to thriving in difficult times involves cutting expenses. When your income shrinks, lightening your overhead is the first priority. Every dollar you save is one less you’ll have to scramble to find at the end of the month. Lets start with the recurring monthly expenses.
1) Cut the cord. If you have cable or satellite, end it. Most metropolitan areas have a large number of broadcast channels that can be received through an inexpensive antenna. If you still need a movie fix, a subscription to Netflix is only $8 a month. Do you have a gaming console or newer Blue Ray player? Chances are you can use them to view Netlfix and other online material on your big screen. If not, you can buy an internet media player from Roku for less than an month’s cable bill.
2) Kill the land line. If you need backup to your mobile phone, try Skype. Skype will give you a regular telephone number and unlimited outbound calls for around $6 a month.
3) Go prepaid vs postpaid. Switching your mobile phone service from AT&T or Verizon to a prepaid carrier like Virgin or Metro PCS could net you big savings.
4) Quit the gym. Take a walk, buy a bicycle or take up running instead. If you’re unemployed, take a physically demanding part time job and get paid to stay in shape.
5) Switch power providers. If you live in an area with competitive electric, chances are you haven’t shopped rates in a while.
6) Cut insurance costs. If you have whole life insurance, cash it out and buy term. Shop your homeowners and auto policies and raise the deductables.
7) Raise or lower the thermostat. Anyone can adjust to a couple of degrees difference.
Lower the temperature on you water heater. Most are set higher than necessary. Lowering the temp by 10 degrees will probably go unnoticed until you receive your power bill.
9) Drive less and combine trips. Gasoline isn’t very cheap these days. Plan in advance to combine trips and take a walk to nearby destinations.
10) Fire the gardener. Even if you don’t own the tools, a lawnmower and trimmers can be bought for less than the typical sot of a month’s yard service.
Making cuts can be painful at first. Over time, you’ll adjust. Even after hard times pass, you’ll likely find that frugal living frees you from slavery to high overhead.
Thriving in hard times
I’ve had a tough couple of years. What about you? There are fewer employed Americans than there were a decade ago, and there are now at least 30 million more of us.
If you’re one of the many who’s doing just fine, this series of posts you can also benefit from what the information I’m sharing. None of it is completely original or the work of genius. My goal is to thrive in these hard times. Right now I’m only surviving. As I progress, I’ll add what I’m learning along the way.
If you’re out of work, or you’ve taken a big pay cut, replacing that income may not be possible on the near term. While you’re working on a strategy to thrive, a survival strategy is essential.
There are three key elements to that survival strategy:
- Cut expenses to the bone
- Create new sources of income.
- Keep a positive attitude.
Over the coming weeks, I’ll be adding a little of what I’ve learned about those key elements with some real life strategies and suggestions.
On being Dad
This is a significant Fathers Day for me.
Before my daughter arrived in my world, nothing in my experience had prepared me to be Dad. My childhood had taught me that fatherhood was to be feared and just about everything I needed to know about not being Dad. I had no way of knowing how profound, joyful and occasionally painful the experience would be. I’m also very lucky. Everything I’ve learned about being Dad comes from the privilege of parenting a nearly perfect child.
When I learned my daughter was coming, I tried in vain to prepare. As it turned out, the role of being Dad was far more demanding and rewarding than I ever could have imagined. I felt both like a fish out of water who at the same time had finally embarked on the most important mission of his life. From day one, I made mistakes. I wish I could have a second shot at countless poorly informed decisions I made. I could have had more patience, more time, and more empathy. I said far too many things in haste I wish I could take back. I encouraged, discouraged, coached, critiqued and cheered. I also erred horribly in trying to manage expectations. Occasionally, I even got it right. To my surprise, my daughter was almost always patient and forgiving with this confused parent in training. She repeatedly amazed me with her talent, capability and many accomplishments.
As time passed, I discovered I could love and be loved without expectations or conditions. I was challenged and I was rewarded. In both cases, often when I didn’t deserve it. To my astonishment, my daughter thrived and achieved while never forgetting to make time to be a child. I gave opinion, encouragement and guidance that was often not needed. Never the less, this amazing young lady continued to grow physically, intellectually and spiritually.
My daughter is now a young adult. She has always been and remains the best and brightest part of my life. As she nears adulthood and becomes more involved on her own life, we spend less time together. While this time is shorter it’s quality time. As she’s matured, so have I. I’ve learned to listen more and and advise less.
Any man can achieve fatherhood. Being Dad is a lifetime commitment. While fatherhood comes easily, Dad is a title of honor that can only be awarded by to a man by his children.
On being Dad? It’s the best work in the world if you can get it. I am Victoria’s Dad!
Asking the right questions
It never hurts to seek the opinion of a trusted friend, but the right answer life’s questions always comes from within. To get to the right answers, we must first ask the right questions.
It’s important to organize your journey, but first you need to be clear what the destination is. In the case of the journey, the right question is ‘where am I going?’ rather than ‘how will I get there?’. One you’re clear on the destination, the path becomes obvious.
Other essential questions are ‘what do I want?’ and ‘what do I really need?’ You’ll rarely get what you want when you begin with ‘how?’ .
Hedy Lamarr: screen siren and geek
For most of the last century, being technically inclined, inventive, tinkerer or a “geek” has been considered very un-cool by popular culture. While that is changing, every now and then we’re reminded that geeks come in all shapes and sizes from all walks of life.
In doing research on spread spectrum, I was surprised to learn that the underlying technology that makes it possible is the brain child of none other than silent film siren Hedy Lamarr. Hedy originally conceived frequency hopping as a method to secure communications during the second world war. Working with partner George Antheill, Lamarr developed a system using a very analog player piano roll to control the shifting frequencies.
Awarded a patent in 1942, the technology didn’t see military duty until the 1962 Cuban missile crisis when it was used to help secure radio communication to the US naval blockade. While the patent has since expired, this very same frequency hopping concept is the foundation for all of the common wireless communications and broadband we all use every day.
If Hedy Lamarr were alive today, I’m sure she would proudly identify herself as a geek.