MY LIFE FOR SALE

eBay 1st lot of educational books, originally uploaded by Patrick Q.

I'm putting the first lot of books up today on eBay. It's an emotional experience. That "Cowboy" book in this stack was the first educational book I ever bought for my classroom, way back in 2000. But (thankfully) I get to keep the memories and the photographs after the auctions end. AND...even better, I won't have to box up and move these books ever again! It's a bittersweet goodbye, but I can't justify keeping things "just in case I'll need them later" when selling things means greater mobility and financial freedom. (Just a bit of preaching to myself, there). I hope these sell for a lot of cash :)

i500

i500, originally uploaded by Patrick Q.

Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

1. Purple Lit Edifice Luneberg Germany, 2. FENCED, 3.(according to flickr, my "Most Interesting" but not in i500 ICKS?, 4. Holy Threads, 5. nerdy glasses mosaic, 6. TINTED, 7. 1953 Dance Party, 8. Hiding to eat big bro's lunch?, 9. Oxford, MS circa. 1940, 10. Bobby and Betty, circa 1953, 11. The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer, 12. Mom in a Convertible, May, 1953, 13. FRECKLES, 14. SWEETHEART, 15. BULL IN A CHINA SHOP, 16. (a personal favorite, but not in i500)cameo 19

Flickr has a group of photos that it's labelled the most "interesting." These are all photos that I either took or scanned that have made it into the top 500 "most interesting" on flickr (with the exception of two of them, included for filler).

I think it's cool that 3 of my most popular photos were taken in Spokane. One of them was taken at Pauline's direct request. So, thank you, Pauline. You inpsire me!

There's a big debate amongst flickrites about whether or not the photos that flickr puts in the "interestingness" pool are actually, well, interesting! I think worrying over it is silly (though I see their point, for sure.) Regardless, it's fun to see which of my photos make it in...and which ones don't.

If you'd like to see more of my photos, click on the flickr link in the right sidebar, or select one of the links above.

CLUTTER

What's on my desk 6, originally uploaded by Patrick Q.

Why is it that work generates clutter? The more I work the more my desk goes into "mess" mode. But I must confess that I love it! I've had a tidy desk for too long.

ZZZ

Avant Browser, originally uploaded by Eugenio Palisi.

I was surfing around, looking for something interesting, when I ran across this.

so...not that interesting

PHARMACEUTICALS

nerdy glasses, originally uploaded by Patrick Q.

Here's a fun idea for you. Totally free. No charge.

Next time you are bored, drive to the mall. Get out of your car and go inside. Wander around the common areas quietly spelling aloud the word, "pharmaceuticals."

P...H...A...R...M...A...

GO GRAY CHARLES!

AMERICAN IDOL

AMERICAN IDOL SHAMELESS ENDORSEMENT, originally uploaded by Patrick Q.

I hope he wins. Don't forget to vote.

COMICS

comics, originally uploaded by Patrick Q.

www.readwritethink.org/materials/comic/index.html

Make your own comics at this site. I grew tired of fooling with it at the moment, but I'm reminding myself to come back to it later by posting this one...

#1

Oxford, MS circa. 1940, originally uploaded by Patrick Q.

So, if flickr is the most popular photo sharing site in America, and this is the most interesting photo on that site, then does that make this the most interesting photo in America? :)

CIRCUMSTANCES GOT YOU DOWN?

generally unhappy, originally uploaded by sheryltwoshoes.

I had a totally bad morning this morning. I realized I was interpreting it as God being mad at me. Why do I always do that?

Then I caught myself and remembered that circumstances are no reflection of His feelings for me. His Word says that He loves me and is pleased with me. Cirmumstances (from my view point) sure don't line up with that Good Word. So I had to ask myself, "Whose report will you believe?" and I answered, "I will believe the report of the Lord!"

Whew! Glad that's settled. I certainly was miserable thinking I was isolated from the only One who can get me out of this mess.

How is your day going? Good or bad, remember that Jesus and I are on your side!

CRAFT MANIFESTO: A RESPONSE

morncol-10, originally uploaded by keri.

A day late and a dollar short, as my Dad always says...here's my response to the Craft Manifesto.

I am in particular agreement with point six. Here's an personal example: Every time I browse flickr I'm inspired to start new graphic design projects.

I've also noticed how so many crafters post their work on flickr, beautifully illustrating point 4.

I wish #7 weren't so painfully true. My current lack of tools makes me sad. Interested parties may donate to my personal Katrina relief fund via my Paypal account (just kidding). But I wish I had more tools of the trade, and I miss the ones I've lost. [There's a ND "skills" joke mentally forming here, that I don't feel like finishing. Any takers?]

I have an issue with point 10. Techniques bring people together - but they also create jargon - which separates people into two groups: those who speak it and those who don't.

So, anybody have any other thoughts to add?

CRAFT MANIFESTO

http://ullamaaria.typepad.com/hobbyprincess/2005/03/draft_craft_man.html

Copied this from the web address above. What do you think? Tomorrow I'll post my own thoughts on the manifesto.

1. People get satisfaction for being able to create/craft things because they can see themselves in the objects they make. This is not possible in purchased products.

2. The things that people have made themselves have magic powers. They have hidden meanings that other people can’t see.

3. The things people make they usually want to keep and update. Crafting is not against consumption. It is against throwing things away.

4. People seek recognition for the things they have made. Primarily it comes from their friends and family. This manifests as an economy of gifts.

5. People who believe they are producing genuinely cool things seek broader exposure for their products. This creates opportunities for alternative publishing channels.

6. Work inspires work. Seeing what other people have made generates new ideas and designs.

7. Essential for crafting are tools, which are accessible, portable, and easy to learn.

8. Materials become important. Knowledge of what they are made of and where to get them becomes essential.

9. Recipes become important. The ability to create and distribute interesting recipes becomes valuable.

10. Learning techniques brings people together. This creates online and offline communities of practice.

11. Craft-oriented people seek opportunities to discover interesting things and meet their makers. This creates marketplaces.

12. At the bottom, crafting is a form of play.

WHAT'S COOKIN? TRY AND GUESS!

what's cookin'? try and guess!, originally uploaded by Patrick Q.

Click on the photo and leave your guess as a comment on the pic's flickr page. Who will be the first to guess the right answer? So far, it's anyone's game! (Dan & fam: No fair guessing since you already know. Shhhh!)

PERSONALITY TEST

PERSONALITY TEST, originally uploaded by Patrick Q.

In the Minn/St Paul airport, I nestled on the floor by an electrical outlet with my laptop and a tea. I was pretty absorbed in my computations (LOL) for a few good minutes, but when I finally glanced up I was startled to see the picture above.

The two guys were so engrossed in their respective ways that I had enough time to pull out my Cybershot and snap this one. Doesn't it make such a great commentary about the world?

Both guys are fixated on a form of technology, one more than the other. Are you more like the guy on the left who is aware of his surroundings? Or, are you like Mr. Guy-on-the-Right, with his gaze so firmly locked onto his handheld gadget that he missed seeing something big even though it was right in front of him?

I watched him for a long time; he never saw the biplane. I want to learn from him; I nearly did the same thing.

NORWEGIAN BACHELOR FARMERS AGREE

"It's been a quiet week in Lake Wobegon, Minnesota, my hometown, out on the edge of the prairie."

I'm always shocked to learn that someone doesn't know about Prairie Home Companion. What would Saturday afternoons be without Guy Noir or Powder Milk Biscuits?

Beginning in 1974, the radio show has, literally, been around my entire life. I've decided on a new dream job: I'd take Garrison Keillor's place as host when he retires.

So, Sarah, LISTEN TO THE SHOW ALREADY! What've I gotta do...put the radio to your ear?

Garrison Keillor

Garrison Keillor, originally uploaded by kosts.

UPDATE

Been wondering what's become of me? When I returned from WA, I found myself in a bit of a family crisis. Dad will be out of the hospital today; thanks to all who lovingly prayed for his heart health. What a relief to have him coming home tonight!

xaust.com

GO, HICKS, GO!