Photography: Hanging with my favorite person

Whoa… the time is flying by! It’s so busy in the real world that I’ve been scrambling to find time to do something as simple as sit down and compose a post to my website. Sadly my personal websites have been suffering, however I’m still maintaining my business sites.

Opalndaughter 08 02 11 1

This week was busy meeting up with colleague I hadn’t seen in a long time. His reply upon seeing me, Opal, you haven’t changed in twelve years! I guess he’s right… outside of the fact that I now wear dreadlocks, not too much about me is different.

What’s been keeping me busy? As a stay at home tech writer, my plate stays full. Additionally I have a few business websites that I maintain. This past Sunday, I did more volunteered at the homeless shelter, and I’ve been crocheting more amigurumi. Additionally, I’ve been introduced to a few more volunteer opportunities, and I’m trying to see how I can fit one local wheelchair non-profit organization into my schedule. I’m unsure when life will settle down, the winter is usually one of my busiest seasons.

A friend, took the above photo of my daughter this past August. I remember this photo, I was tired but wanted to see her that day. I met her a few years ago at the local gym where I work out. She’s 84 and works out daily. What an inspiration, right? My daughter and I stopped by and visited her today. Her husband died twenty years ago, but fortunately she still her daughter and family are close by, and she’s loved by many friends.

I’ve decided to include one of my favorite videos by Buju Banton (along with the lyrics). I love the rhythm, and the pictures shown in the video.Throughout my years volunteering, I’ve encountered many in similar situations that are mentioned in these lyrics. I

 

Buju Banton: Untold Stories

While I’m living
Thanks I’ll be giving
To the most high, you know

I am living while I’m living to the father I will pray
Only he knows how we get through every day
With all the hike in the price, arm and leg we have to pay
While our leaders play

All I see is people ripping and robbing and grabbing
Thief never love to see a thief with a long bag
No love for the people who are suffering real bad
Another toll to the poll may God help we soul

What is to stop the youths from getting out of control
Filled up with education yet don’t own a payroll
The clothes on my back has countless eye holes
Could go on and on and full has never been told

I am living while I’m living to the father I will pray
Only he knows how we get through every day
With all the hike in the price, arm and leg we have to pay
While our leaders play

I say who can afford to run will run
But what about those who can’t, they will have to stay
Opportunity is a scarce commodity
In these times I say, when mama spend her last to send you to class
Never you ever play

It’s a competitive world for low budget people
Spending a dime while earning a nickel
With no regards for who it may tickle
My cup is full to the brim
I could go on and on and full has never been told

Through this life keep getting me down
Don’t give up now
Got to survive some way some how
I could go on and on and full has never been told

I am living while I’m living to the father I will pray
Only he knows how we get through every day
With all the hike in the price, arm and leg we have to pay
While our leaders play

All I see is people ripping and robbing and grabbing
Thief never love to see a thief with a long bag
No love for the people who are suffering real bad
Another toll to the poll may God help we soul

What is to stop the youths from getting out of control
Filled up with education yet don’t own a payroll
The clothes on my back has countless eye holes
Could go on and on and full has never been told

I am living while I’m living to the father I will pray
Only he knows how we get through every day
With all the hike in the price, arm and leg we have to pay
While our leaders play

I say who can afford to run will run
But what about those who can’t, they will have to stay
Opportunity is a scarce commodity
In these times I say, when mama spend her last to send you to class
Never you ever play

It’s a competitive world for low budget people
Spending a dime while earning a nickel
With no regards for who it may tickle
My cup is full to the brim
I could go on and on and full has never been told

Could go on and on and full has never been told
Could go on and on and full has never been told
Could go on and on and full has never been told
Could go on and on and full has never been told
Could go on and on and full has never been told
Could go on and on and full has never been told
Could go on and on and full has never been told

Know your worth: Harlan Ellison — Pay the Writer

 

Harlan Ellison: Pay the Writer

Recently on Ravelry, there was a discussion about knitting and how much one should charge for their work. I’m not selling any of my crocheted items yet. I’m still learning, but I do see many crocheters and knitters undervaluing their work. Well, guess what? This applies to any profession. When I got interested in paper crafts, I saw it there. I do a lot of freebies for family and friends. I also volunteer my time to assist with local charities and I also make hand crafted items that are donated to various organizations.

If I ever get to that place where I do sell my crocheted designs — you won’t find me underselling myself. Those who do undervalue their work can make it challenging for those who are selling their work at a legitimate price, since some buyers might assume they’re getting ripped off. Talk about frustrating! I’ve experienced this when approached (by some people) about technical writing assignments, and in the past when selling my beadwork and sewing designs, however, I never undersold my services.

Anyway the discussion on Ravelry made me think about Harlan Ellison’s rant Pay the Writer. Now Harlan’s a bit more colorful than I’d be, I don’t swear, and you won’t find me threatening anyone, but watching the video you get the point. Although he’s speaking from a writer perspective, this can be applied to other professions also. With myself it took a lot of research, to ensure that I receive fair pay for the work I do.

Finished object Friday; Crocheted (dread)loc wrap

Since I opted to black out my websites in protest of PIPA/SOPA I didn’t have the opportunity to participate in Work in Progress Wednesday, however I have finished the dreadlock wrap that I was working on last week. I added about two inches to the back of the wrap, and I added a flower. A crocheted beaded cord was created and woven into the back part of the wrap, to cinch it close.

I’m pleased with the effect, and look forward to making more crocheted head wraps. Over the past several years, I’ve sewn numerous head wraps, and purchased a few crocheted tams also. As much as I love the crocheted items I’ve purchased, it’s nice to be able to make my own.

MegaUpload shut down; Day after websites went dark to protest SOPA/PiPA

Behind bars

I find it interesting that the day after many websites went dark to protest SOPA/PIPA that MegaUpload was shut down. MegaUpload, for those of you who don’t know, is one of the largest file sharing sites available. It’s based in Hong Kong, and has been around since 2005.

According to TorrentFreak, it was shut down by the US federal prosecutors in Virginia. I have to admit this has me a bit confused, since MegaTorrent is a legitimate file sharing site.

The Justice Department’s website states this about MegaUpload...

WASHINGTON – Seven individuals and two corporations have been charged in the United States with running an international organized criminal enterprise allegedly responsible for massive worldwide online piracy of numerous types of copyrighted works, through Megaupload.com and other related sites, generating more than $175 million in criminal proceeds and causing more than half a billion dollars in harm to copyright owners, the U.S. Justice Department and FBI announced today.

This action is among the largest criminal copyright cases ever brought by the United States and directly targets the misuse of a public content storage and distribution site to commit and facilitate intellectual property crime.

The full indictment regarding the MegaUpload shut down, can be read at Scribd.com. To be honest, I’m a bit puzzled by the entire ordeal. I know they used the DMCA notice for people wanting to download files… If the allegations are true, I’m guessing some people were sharing copyrighted material and this is why it’s being shut down? I’ve seen similar things happen on Youtube, where copyrighted material has slipped through, but once it’s found YouTube removes it.

I’ve known about MegaUpload for a few years, and so I’ll be following this story closely.

Photo Source: My Side of the Story

What is SOPA and PIPA? How it could this bill change your internet experience (if passed).

As mentioned, I participated in the internet blackout on all my sites on Wednesday, 01/18/12.

The good news is that 25 senators are now against the bill. Naturally this is great news, but is something to keep a close eye on to make sure that these bills aren’t tacked on to other bills.

If you’re not sure what the SOPA and PIPA are abut, please check out the video, which is 11 minutes and 15 seconds, below. Thus far, this is the best video I’ve seen about these two bills, and I’d encourage you to watch it — if you haven’t already.

Noodles and veggies in spicy garlic sauce

Pasta Vegetable Noodles 1

Yesterday afternoon I prepared this simple dish; noodles and vegetables in a spicy garlic sauce.

The next few weeks will be extremely busy, and so just tossing a few extra ingredients to foods I’ve already prepared; rice, beans, and pasta… will be common.

My vegetable pasta is actually made from vegetables but yesterday I used the traditional pasta noodle. Since I already had pasta noodles from a few days ago, the only thing I needed to add was vegetables and prepare the garlic sauce. Besides the obvious garlic, I added finely chopped onions (which I’d sauteed) and I coarsely chopped broccoli and tomato, and marinated tofu — which I’d crumbled. I didn’t make too much of this perhaps three servings, my daughter ate hers quickly and asked for more.

This meal was quick, delicious, and nutritious, and more important it was served in minutes.

SOPA/PIPA: Going Dark on Wednesday, 01/18/12

Zappy censored 300x300

As you travel the net, tomorrow, you might notice that some of your favorite websites are inaccessible.

The reason is simple, some websites are Going Dark, to protest Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and Protect IP Act (PIPA). I’ve read about these two bills last year, and over the past few months the outrage amongst those not wishing to be silenced has picked up momentum.

Although written about a month ago, 1st Webdesigner Foundation has written a great article about SOPA/PIPA and how it can affect you.

Several of the big name tech companies like Wikipedia, Boing Boing, Reddit, and Google are joining in the protest…

“Like many businesses, entrepreneurs, and Web users, we oppose these bills because there are smart, targeted ways to shut down foreign rogue Web sites without asking American companies to censor the Internet,” a Google representative said. “So tomorrow we will be joining many other tech companies to highlight this issue on our U.S. home page.”

In response to questions about how the protest link would be displayed on the page, all Google would say is that the link would not replace the company logo.

The White House has spoke out against SOPA

Right now, Congress is debating a few pieces of legislation concerning the very real issue of online piracy, including the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), the PROTECT IP Act and the Online Protection and Digital ENforcement Act (OPEN). We want to take this opportunity to tell you what the Administration will support—and what we will not support. Any effective legislation should reflect a wide range of stakeholders, including everyone from content creators to the engineers that build and maintain the infrastructure of the Internet.

While we believe that online piracy by foreign websites is a serious problem that requires a serious legislative response, we will not support legislation that reduces freedom of expression, increases cybersecurity risk, or undermines the dynamic, innovative global Internet.

Any effort to combat online piracy must guard against the risk of online censorship of lawful activity and must not inhibit innovation by our dynamic businesses large and small.

Last week, I read about a protest that’s been scheduled for Wednesday, 01/18/12. Perhaps some of the politicians who’re trying to pass this bill don’t  care too much about some websites going dark. I do believe some of them will care if their constituents start calling them complaining about the bill that they read about online, and so I’ll be participating. Go Dark, is the Word Press Plugin I’ll be using to join the protest against SOPA/PIPA.

References

  1. CNET: Google will protest SOPA using popular homepage
  2. The White House: We the People
  3. ABC news: ‘Wikipedia Blackout’, SOPA and PIPA explained

Photo Source: XBMC