So, ya, I haven't made a post since before Thanksgiving, but I don't have to explain myself to you people… not like there are bunch of “you people” out there to have to explain to…
Anyway, about a week ago, an old Lineage buddy of mine got a hold of me (through this blog, no less) and it kind of made me miss that game a great deal, specifically the guild (BloodPledge) system in that game. Unfortunately, I am pretty bad with playing more than one MMORPG at a time, so FFXI is the only game for me right now. Sure would be nice to have him join FFXI, hehe. At any rate, I will try to keep up with him and not lose touch like I did the last time.
In other news, my wife is in Chicago… blah… and I have to wait until Wednesday evening (tomorrow night) to see her again. I have missed her a lot these past few days and am grateful she is coming home soon. She will have quite the surprise when she gets home (*wink*wink*). We will also go in for our next OB/GYN appointment on Friday! I am pretty excited about that. I am not sure, but I think we get to hear the heartbeat this time. HOLY CRAP!
Elsewhere — yet another Salad Fingers. This one goes rather scary at the end, not that the others weren’t disturbing, mind you. Mr. Firth frightens me. Really. There is something wrong with him. I can't wait until #6.
Tuesday, November 30, 2004
Wednesday, November 24, 2004
Happy Thanksgiving!
Thanksgiving is upon us and so the Holidays begin.
Iconfactory.com seems to be up to something, but God only knows what.
The fine folks at Typographica have just clued me into education that I drool about but will never have.
Cameron Moll has instantiated another Screen Grab Confab (I love those) and in so doing, it looks like Tori Amos’ website is to get a face lift. (There might be someone else you recognize as well -.^)
I am going to be prepping and then smoking the turkey this evening (another 24+ hour marathon of holiday madness for me). This weekend, I am going to spend as much time as possible with Melissa. She deserves the attention.
Have a good turkey day!
Iconfactory.com seems to be up to something, but God only knows what.
The fine folks at Typographica have just clued me into education that I drool about but will never have.
Cameron Moll has instantiated another Screen Grab Confab (I love those) and in so doing, it looks like Tori Amos’ website is to get a face lift. (There might be someone else you recognize as well -.^)
I am going to be prepping and then smoking the turkey this evening (another 24+ hour marathon of holiday madness for me). This weekend, I am going to spend as much time as possible with Melissa. She deserves the attention.
Have a good turkey day!
Wednesday, November 17, 2004
When Good Shows Go Bad
I don't watch a lot of TV. At least, I try not to. Now, I feel I have more reason not to watch television — aside from the fact that the majority of TV is just mindless fodder anyway.
One show that my wife just loves is "Gilmore Girls", on the WB and we try to catch it every week. It is a pretty witty and stimulating show and the girls have their fair share of drama and what-not. Well, on the episode last night it was made clear that they (whether “they” being the writers, producers or actors themselves) are not in support of the President. How do I know? Well, they promoted MoveOn.org by way of Lauren Graham (Lorelai Gilmore) saying to her mother, “Yes. Move on. Moveon.org” (which was a response to her mother getting back into the dating scene).
Shame on you, "Gilmore Girls". Keep your political agendas, regardless of whom they represent, out of your show. It just has no place there. Whether for or against the President, I don’t want to hear it, specifically if it is done in a sneaky and "out-the-side-of-the-mouth" fashion.
One show that my wife just loves is "Gilmore Girls", on the WB and we try to catch it every week. It is a pretty witty and stimulating show and the girls have their fair share of drama and what-not. Well, on the episode last night it was made clear that they (whether “they” being the writers, producers or actors themselves) are not in support of the President. How do I know? Well, they promoted MoveOn.org by way of Lauren Graham (Lorelai Gilmore) saying to her mother, “Yes. Move on. Moveon.org” (which was a response to her mother getting back into the dating scene).
Shame on you, "Gilmore Girls". Keep your political agendas, regardless of whom they represent, out of your show. It just has no place there. Whether for or against the President, I don’t want to hear it, specifically if it is done in a sneaky and "out-the-side-of-the-mouth" fashion.
Tuesday, November 16, 2004
Planning On A Plan
I need to get back on the DSNLG bandwagon and churn out some stuff. I think I need to do the same for SPeCks as well — I've almost forgotten what they look like. I am also planning on making another desktop wallpaper for the “Where’s My Pickle” series. Now, the chances of all that actually happening? Who knows…
Hitchhiker’s Guide is coming to the big screen. I should read the book. It’s supposed to be funny. I should read a lot of things…
Regardless of the message — “What Barry Says” is an excellent example of motion graphics. The type (Tasse) is unexpected but highly effective for a constructivist-inspired piece. Negative space is used with such finesse that it almost becomes pleasantly dominant. I have always been a fan of propaganda posters, purely from an artistic point of view. This short-film is no different.
Hitchhiker’s Guide is coming to the big screen. I should read the book. It’s supposed to be funny. I should read a lot of things…
Regardless of the message — “What Barry Says” is an excellent example of motion graphics. The type (Tasse) is unexpected but highly effective for a constructivist-inspired piece. Negative space is used with such finesse that it almost becomes pleasantly dominant. I have always been a fan of propaganda posters, purely from an artistic point of view. This short-film is no different.
Thursday, November 11, 2004
Feeling Creative
I read a good story, yesterday, by Pfuzzy (another Blogger). It’s not bad.
Well, it got me a bit inspired to make a page for some of the stories that I have actually jotted down in the past. While not the first one actually written, I have posted one to that page. Jakob Koli.
Well, it got me a bit inspired to make a page for some of the stories that I have actually jotted down in the past. While not the first one actually written, I have posted one to that page. Jakob Koli.
Tuesday, November 09, 2004
I Don’t Do Windows
IE for Windows is a joke. What a nightmare of a program. As a designer, and Mac-addict, I am proud to only sport two programs on my machine that bare the mark of the beast. Those being Windows Media Player (far too many sites employ this web-video format) and IE for Mac (to test websites with, ironic that an outdated, no-longer-supported web browser is more compliant than the latest and “greatest” available for Windows users). Even Forbes agrees IE is a waste of code.
I pray that one day websites will make use of the following text on their homepages:
Best viewed with any browser other than Internet Explorer.
Until then — might I suggest downloading the final 1.0 build of Firefox. Do spread the love folks.
I pray that one day websites will make use of the following text on their homepages:
Best viewed with any browser other than Internet Explorer.
Until then — might I suggest downloading the final 1.0 build of Firefox. Do spread the love folks.
Friday, November 05, 2004
Incredible Talk Radio
Who would have ever thought that NPR could be so addictive? Certainly not I, and yet… for the last week I listen to it through-out the day. I am sure the novelty of it will wear off by the middle of next week, to which I will return to listening to my usual library of music. I am considering playing with thoughts of NPR logo designs. I like NPR’s current one, but it seems it could use an updated look, but perhaps that is part of the theme for NPR. Exercise is exercise.
Today is the release of “The Incredibles”. I would really like to see this today, otherwise, I will try to see it this weekend. I have really liked all the Pixar films and feel this one will deliver like so many others.
Cup Stacking is awesome. So is pen spinning.
Today is the release of “The Incredibles”. I would really like to see this today, otherwise, I will try to see it this weekend. I have really liked all the Pixar films and feel this one will deliver like so many others.
Cup Stacking is awesome. So is pen spinning.
Thursday, November 04, 2004
A Little Trick
Take out a coin. Quarter, dime, nickel, whatever. Now flip the coin three (3) times. Make note of what comes up — Heads or Tails. Which one came up more?
You can use this trick to determine a decision because one will come up more times than the other. Kind of a majority rules thing. Sure, it's random, but the principle is still there. The majority rules.
You can use this trick to determine a decision because one will come up more times than the other. Kind of a majority rules thing. Sure, it's random, but the principle is still there. The majority rules.
Tuesday, November 02, 2004
Spooky Scene
Halloween is just too damn much fun. On the 29th, my office had an Employee Social where we could dress up and I wore the same get-up I had last year. However, this year, I was sporting new “pants”. A Hakama style pant made exclusively for someone with an extra 2.5 feet of leg. I won “Scariest Costume” and I deserved it. MWAHAHAHA! I have no idea who the guy beside me is. Poor soul looks absolutely terrified, though, doesn’t he?
Sunday, unfortunately, my costume’s left stilt suffered a crippling injury. The whole back-end came apart forcing me to abandon my high perch and carry the costume back. I did get around the neighborhood pretty good and was on the last bit anyway, so it wasn't a total loss. I love the haunting and just out-and-out freakishness of the costume, but I might go with another costume next year. Of course, it will have
to be equally (if not more so) as frightening as the last two years ^^.
Monday. Ahhhh, Monday. You know what happened on Monday? I saw the most wonderful and fantastic thing in my life. There are very little things that will bring me to tears, or any man for that matter, but when you see your 7-8 week old baby’s heart beat in the womb, there is nothing more awe inspiring and frightening at the same time. What a miracle. Thank God for video! There are no words to describe what I saw. A picture truly is worth a thousand words.
And of course — it is Tuesday. November 2nd. Well… I voted and am damn proud of that fact. It's a privilege everyone should practice. When you slide that completed ballot in the box, you are allowed to complain. And that is what it is all about really — the right to bitch about something. It's the American way! If you don't vote, shut up. Period.
Sunday, unfortunately, my costume’s left stilt suffered a crippling injury. The whole back-end came apart forcing me to abandon my high perch and carry the costume back. I did get around the neighborhood pretty good and was on the last bit anyway, so it wasn't a total loss. I love the haunting and just out-and-out freakishness of the costume, but I might go with another costume next year. Of course, it will have
to be equally (if not more so) as frightening as the last two years ^^.
Monday. Ahhhh, Monday. You know what happened on Monday? I saw the most wonderful and fantastic thing in my life. There are very little things that will bring me to tears, or any man for that matter, but when you see your 7-8 week old baby’s heart beat in the womb, there is nothing more awe inspiring and frightening at the same time. What a miracle. Thank God for video! There are no words to describe what I saw. A picture truly is worth a thousand words.
And of course — it is Tuesday. November 2nd. Well… I voted and am damn proud of that fact. It's a privilege everyone should practice. When you slide that completed ballot in the box, you are allowed to complain. And that is what it is all about really — the right to bitch about something. It's the American way! If you don't vote, shut up. Period.
Friday, October 22, 2004
Rawr!
I have been on DSNLG for a while now and one of the better dudes that participates on the site is Kevin Cornell. He also has his own wacky site, Bearskinrug (also his alter ego, online persona). However, there is so much going on with Mr. Cornell, that it is just a wonder if you ever see it all. After a visit to one of my Dailies, I discovered ’ol Bearskinrug has one of his sketchbooks online. It is just awesome. Sometimes, I wish I had that kind of illustrative talent. I guess I will just have to make due with drooling all over myself in awe of other’s talents.
Personally, I have 2 sketchbooks already “completed” and am currently on page 202 of Sketch III. The first two (while not completely cover to cover full of stuff) are basically archived on a bookshelf. When I complete S3, it will rest beside them. Thus will spawn Sketch IV. I have been working in S3 since November 1st, 2001. And -it- is quite full. It will be my first cover-to-cover sketchbook.
There’s a new Orisinal game available. High Delivery. Very beautiful.
Personally, I have 2 sketchbooks already “completed” and am currently on page 202 of Sketch III. The first two (while not completely cover to cover full of stuff) are basically archived on a bookshelf. When I complete S3, it will rest beside them. Thus will spawn Sketch IV. I have been working in S3 since November 1st, 2001. And -it- is quite full. It will be my first cover-to-cover sketchbook.
There’s a new Orisinal game available. High Delivery. Very beautiful.
Thursday, October 21, 2004
Haunted GUI
I'm a little slow, but better late than never. I visit the Iconfactory whenever I remember that it is the number 1 resource for all things GUI with regard for your Macintosh. They are the best. This is a fact and am sure they have a patent on it somewhere.
Anyway, they have updated their website to reflect the holiday season — that being Halloween. I love Halloween. And when I say “love”, I mean in the “scare the crap outta da kiddies” sorta way. Icons are the best way to decorate your computer's desktop and Iconfactory never fails to deliver. Currently, their entire site has new icons on the homepage for each section as well as some new freeware icons in the Scareroom (Showroom, hehe) available for download. I am really digging on the Snappy Hour stuff by Mindy Weaver. The original artwork, for Snappy Hour, was developed by Derek Yaniger of Mister Retro fame (as mentioned in a previous post regarding the worn look). At any rate, please visit the Iconfactory to see the latest in greatest in spooktacular icons!
Anyway, they have updated their website to reflect the holiday season — that being Halloween. I love Halloween. And when I say “love”, I mean in the “scare the crap outta da kiddies” sorta way. Icons are the best way to decorate your computer's desktop and Iconfactory never fails to deliver. Currently, their entire site has new icons on the homepage for each section as well as some new freeware icons in the Scareroom (Showroom, hehe) available for download. I am really digging on the Snappy Hour stuff by Mindy Weaver. The original artwork, for Snappy Hour, was developed by Derek Yaniger of Mister Retro fame (as mentioned in a previous post regarding the worn look). At any rate, please visit the Iconfactory to see the latest in greatest in spooktacular icons!
Wednesday, October 20, 2004
Long Time…
I haven't written to this blog in a while. Quite a while actually. Probably the longest I have gone - perhaps not, who cares. The reason is rather simple. I was (and still do when I think of it) use this blog as a sounding board. Well, me and my wife are communicating on an outstanding level now and she is serving as that sounding board. This place is just a diary of sorts and doesn't offer much actual communication between the poster and the readers. It's one-sided.
I suppose that means I need to just talk to myself more. Or not, as I often don't care what I have to say in the first place. I need to reinvest in DSNLG. I miss the pleasures of just designing.
I suppose that means I need to just talk to myself more. Or not, as I often don't care what I have to say in the first place. I need to reinvest in DSNLG. I miss the pleasures of just designing.
Thursday, October 14, 2004
Shelving Mementos
Earlier last week, I had purchased the Promise statue (a Willow Tree Figurine) for my wife as a show of my wish to be with her forever. That Friday, I came home to my favorite flower in a color I didn't know it came in. Red. Red calla lilies are rather gorgeous. And they just crested above the white gerber daisies, my wife's favorite flower, set in a tall red vase. Very elegant. Very beautiful.
On Saturday, we made a decision to really tackle our entertainment center problem. That being, we didn't have one. We have an unruly TV. Simply ridiculous, actually. It is oversized, overweight and couldn't be more non-standard. With that said, finding an entertainment center to hold it was nigh impossible. Solution? Build it yourself. Skandia will do. So we bought a good bit of Skandia's wonderful shelving system and put it together. Now our entire wall looks fresh out of a catalog and I love it!
My blog has officially been visited by 20 separate countries now. The twentieth country to visit this blog was The Netherlands. Lelystad, Flevoland, Netherlands, to be precise. They visited this blog from the link provided on my own website, accessed from the Portfolio section. There might be an issue with StatCounter's flag database, as it was displaying the Nigerian flag. However, accessing the analysis of the click-thru revealed all the information for The Netherlands.
On Saturday, we made a decision to really tackle our entertainment center problem. That being, we didn't have one. We have an unruly TV. Simply ridiculous, actually. It is oversized, overweight and couldn't be more non-standard. With that said, finding an entertainment center to hold it was nigh impossible. Solution? Build it yourself. Skandia will do. So we bought a good bit of Skandia's wonderful shelving system and put it together. Now our entire wall looks fresh out of a catalog and I love it!
My blog has officially been visited by 20 separate countries now. The twentieth country to visit this blog was The Netherlands. Lelystad, Flevoland, Netherlands, to be precise. They visited this blog from the link provided on my own website, accessed from the Portfolio section. There might be an issue with StatCounter's flag database, as it was displaying the Nigerian flag. However, accessing the analysis of the click-thru revealed all the information for The Netherlands.
Monday, October 11, 2004
Tuesday, October 05, 2004
Blog Problems
Having issues accessing my blog. Had to email this one in. Will try and figure out the problem later today.
Friday, October 01, 2004
6 Months
A really nice site that I thought was clean and rather impressive looking was LiveStrong.org. It is the online presence of Live Strong, an educational program of the Lance Armstrong Foundation. It uses nice color and has a clean layout. I could go there with no problems what-so-ever.
Now, however, it seems they have modified the site in some manner. I use FireFox 0.9.1 and never had a problem with the site before but now the site apparently no longer supports my browser. I get a redirect page that tells me to upgrade my browser to IE 5+ (how is -that- an upgrade?!) or to Netscape 7.1 — of which I will do neither. Moreover, even if I did sacrifice the quality of the browser to view the site, I still can’t because they say the site no longer works for Macintosh users. WTF?!?!?! What moron recoded the site and thought that was a good idea? Why would you change something that was clearly working before?
Last night, we went to Austin Park & Pizza for my niece's 8th birthday. She is becoming her own little person and it is rather weird. Anyway, one thing they have there is LaserTag. You wear a vest that people shoot at and you get points for "killing" them. So, we start out and I am doing really well. I was managing to "kill" off people before they could "kill" me. It was neat, until I decided to be kewl to my niece and have her shoot me. I didn't "die". Ooookay… My mother was there playing as well and she was getting frustrated because I wasn’t dying as she shot me in the back — that’s humorous just by itself. So, I start asking everyone to shoot me. I won’t die. I was INVINCIBLE!!! I walk to the front and, along with my sister, explain to the attendant that it seems I am immune to laser attack. The employee shrugs and says, "Ya, looks like it." I start giggling with glee and begin my rampage of laser carnage!!! Once everyone realized I was unable to be "harmed" they started having fun by just trying to avoid me.
AP&P also has video games. One such game that my wife and I really enjoy is beatmania. It is a DJ style game similar in play to DanceDanceRevolution except with piano keys and a turntable. So it is all finger work and the wifey is pretty good at it. Now all I gotta do is scrounge up 1300 dollars!
Oh, and by the way, I have been at my current job for 6 months now (unofficially). Yay me for not getting fired!
Now, however, it seems they have modified the site in some manner. I use FireFox 0.9.1 and never had a problem with the site before but now the site apparently no longer supports my browser. I get a redirect page that tells me to upgrade my browser to IE 5+ (how is -that- an upgrade?!) or to Netscape 7.1 — of which I will do neither. Moreover, even if I did sacrifice the quality of the browser to view the site, I still can’t because they say the site no longer works for Macintosh users. WTF?!?!?! What moron recoded the site and thought that was a good idea? Why would you change something that was clearly working before?
Last night, we went to Austin Park & Pizza for my niece's 8th birthday. She is becoming her own little person and it is rather weird. Anyway, one thing they have there is LaserTag. You wear a vest that people shoot at and you get points for "killing" them. So, we start out and I am doing really well. I was managing to "kill" off people before they could "kill" me. It was neat, until I decided to be kewl to my niece and have her shoot me. I didn't "die". Ooookay… My mother was there playing as well and she was getting frustrated because I wasn’t dying as she shot me in the back — that’s humorous just by itself. So, I start asking everyone to shoot me. I won’t die. I was INVINCIBLE!!! I walk to the front and, along with my sister, explain to the attendant that it seems I am immune to laser attack. The employee shrugs and says, "Ya, looks like it." I start giggling with glee and begin my rampage of laser carnage!!! Once everyone realized I was unable to be "harmed" they started having fun by just trying to avoid me.
AP&P also has video games. One such game that my wife and I really enjoy is beatmania. It is a DJ style game similar in play to DanceDanceRevolution except with piano keys and a turntable. So it is all finger work and the wifey is pretty good at it. Now all I gotta do is scrounge up 1300 dollars!
Oh, and by the way, I have been at my current job for 6 months now (unofficially). Yay me for not getting fired!
Wednesday, September 29, 2004
Info On Info
On October 7th, next Thursday, I will be attending an Information Design seminar/course given by Edward Tufte. This fine gentleman is an artist, a designer and information architect, as it were. I believe I had the pleasure of being at a design show that featured him as a speaker, but that was back in college and am not sure if it was, in fact, him. I made a right fool of myself during his talk.
The good news about this “course” is that I get stuff. Three books and a poster. So even if I am caught up in a whirlwind of confusion during the course, I can always review the books afterwards. And I like posters.
Elsewhere: Hexstatic is a group that dishes up some nice grooves. And their website is pretty groovy too. I loved my View•Master (or Master•View, or whatever the hell it was - clicky=piccy). I personally recommend the Salvador video for your viewing pleasure as well as Chase Me (also featured in the Toons section of Weebls).
The good news about this “course” is that I get stuff. Three books and a poster. So even if I am caught up in a whirlwind of confusion during the course, I can always review the books afterwards. And I like posters.
Elsewhere: Hexstatic is a group that dishes up some nice grooves. And their website is pretty groovy too. I loved my View•Master (or Master•View, or whatever the hell it was - clicky=piccy). I personally recommend the Salvador video for your viewing pleasure as well as Chase Me (also featured in the Toons section of Weebls).
Monday, September 27, 2004
Weekend Update
This last weekend was pretty “action-packed” as it were. Friday, we went over to a friend’s house for a movie night gathering of several people. The wives (including my own) got their hair cut whilst the men watched Empire Strikes Back. I think we were more interested in poking some good fun at ESB more than actually watching it. "Daddy? Really? Boy, have you got some back child support to make up for!"
Saturday was to be a lovely trip to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, but with a bit of rain, it was thought best not to go. Mostly because the butterflies wouldn’t be out and while walking along a path of wildflowers during a light sprinkle would be nice, the intent was to see some butterflies as well - for the whole package. So that will have to wait until this next weekend, I imagine.
Yesterday, we did the usual grocery shopping and such. We got my niece some nice birthday gifts (that’s coming up) and we also bought some new sheets that reminded us of the Wilderness Lodge, our hotel during our honeymoon. After all that, it was off to the office to get a little extra work done. The best part? My wife was there with me. It really kept me on track (oddly enough) and I really appreciated her company. We were having such a full day, I didn't want it to end with me spending 4 hours at work hammering out stuff alone.
Animated .GIFs can be so damn cool sometimes. Stick figures are apparently quite versatile.
Saturday was to be a lovely trip to the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, but with a bit of rain, it was thought best not to go. Mostly because the butterflies wouldn’t be out and while walking along a path of wildflowers during a light sprinkle would be nice, the intent was to see some butterflies as well - for the whole package. So that will have to wait until this next weekend, I imagine.
Yesterday, we did the usual grocery shopping and such. We got my niece some nice birthday gifts (that’s coming up) and we also bought some new sheets that reminded us of the Wilderness Lodge, our hotel during our honeymoon. After all that, it was off to the office to get a little extra work done. The best part? My wife was there with me. It really kept me on track (oddly enough) and I really appreciated her company. We were having such a full day, I didn't want it to end with me spending 4 hours at work hammering out stuff alone.
Animated .GIFs can be so damn cool sometimes. Stick figures are apparently quite versatile.
Friday, September 24, 2004
Parchment
Today, I got my “new” diploma in the mail. As many of you know, I graduated from Southwest Texas State University. Well, gone the way of the dodo is SWT(SU) and it is now known, simply, as Texas State University. Now, fundamentally, there is nothing wrong with that, I actually quite dig it - except I didn’t graduate from TSU, I graduated from SWT. Sure, it is the same buildings, same city, same colors, it just doesn’t seem like the same school anymore.
Because of the name change, Texas State is offering (I imagine they still are, at least) new diplomas with the new "Look, Feel and Name" of this inevitably prestigious university. I love my old diploma. It is class. It is refinement. It is TSU. But, I won't have people giving me confused German shepherd looks when they see it, so I buckled under the pressure and got a version of the new one as well. Like the school traveled back in time with the new name and issued me the diploma like it would had I walked today.
A couple of differences:
1) Obviously, the name. Duh… So now it says Texas State University. Yeah. Interestingly enough, however, the city locale is treated differently. San Marcos is more pronounced, some 10 pts larger at least, maybe more. And they removed “Texas”. Of course, I am not sure why they really needed to identify the state Southwest Texas State was located in, but hey.
2) No color. On my old diploma (I graduated in ’98 during the centennial celebration) there is this gorgeous 4-color logo mark at the bottom. Sure, the school’s seal is absent, but my diploma celebrates 100 years of higher education. So, with the new one — seal. Foil stamped in gold. Nice. Elegant. I think foil stamping is cheaper than 4-color (it’s just one pass through the press).
3) My name. Ya, I’m pretty sure they screwed this up. On all my official documents I go ahead and accept my middle name and show it off. Old diploma = Full name, all spelled out. New diploma = middle initial. I know for a fact I put my full middle name for something such as this. Aside from that - it is a slightly different font. Same Old-English style, but just enough of a variance to be distinguishable.
Overall - I like it. It really is nice. The font is bigger across the board for all elements and the foil is a nice touch. 50 years from now, I will be just as pleased with my old diploma though. There’s something about getting your bachelor’s that makes a single piece of parchment worth more than anything else. My wife’s on the other hand is, hands down, cooler than mine. St. Edward’s has a regality that completely overshadows any state school.
PS: In the envelope containing my diploma, there was also another “new” diploma. One for Mindee L. Thweatt, BS – Computer Science, ’92. Summa Cum Laude even. Nice. Congrats Mindee! Now I just gotta figure out how to get it back to the university.
Because of the name change, Texas State is offering (I imagine they still are, at least) new diplomas with the new "Look, Feel and Name" of this inevitably prestigious university. I love my old diploma. It is class. It is refinement. It is TSU. But, I won't have people giving me confused German shepherd looks when they see it, so I buckled under the pressure and got a version of the new one as well. Like the school traveled back in time with the new name and issued me the diploma like it would had I walked today.
A couple of differences:
1) Obviously, the name. Duh… So now it says Texas State University. Yeah. Interestingly enough, however, the city locale is treated differently. San Marcos is more pronounced, some 10 pts larger at least, maybe more. And they removed “Texas”. Of course, I am not sure why they really needed to identify the state Southwest Texas State was located in, but hey.
2) No color. On my old diploma (I graduated in ’98 during the centennial celebration) there is this gorgeous 4-color logo mark at the bottom. Sure, the school’s seal is absent, but my diploma celebrates 100 years of higher education. So, with the new one — seal. Foil stamped in gold. Nice. Elegant. I think foil stamping is cheaper than 4-color (it’s just one pass through the press).
3) My name. Ya, I’m pretty sure they screwed this up. On all my official documents I go ahead and accept my middle name and show it off. Old diploma = Full name, all spelled out. New diploma = middle initial. I know for a fact I put my full middle name for something such as this. Aside from that - it is a slightly different font. Same Old-English style, but just enough of a variance to be distinguishable.
Overall - I like it. It really is nice. The font is bigger across the board for all elements and the foil is a nice touch. 50 years from now, I will be just as pleased with my old diploma though. There’s something about getting your bachelor’s that makes a single piece of parchment worth more than anything else. My wife’s on the other hand is, hands down, cooler than mine. St. Edward’s has a regality that completely overshadows any state school.
PS: In the envelope containing my diploma, there was also another “new” diploma. One for Mindee L. Thweatt, BS – Computer Science, ’92. Summa Cum Laude even. Nice. Congrats Mindee! Now I just gotta figure out how to get it back to the university.
Wednesday, September 22, 2004
That’s A Moire!
Today, we shall discuss the moire (pronounced more-ray) print effect. This effect is basically the result of the halftone screen process used in modern printing where patterns of small dots are overlayed to produce color and shading. It can also be the result of poor scanning. Ultimately, for my job, it is bad. I don't think there is a time I would approve of a printed piece that is suffering from a moire pattern. An example can be seen below:
A more mathematical method of showing this effect can be seen in this sample. It is catchy and neat, but when I am trying to have a very important program printed, I do not want my block colors and photo images to have this pattern. To me, it is poor craftsmanship to even show a proof with this effect all over it.
Now, my wife and her adorable missy-isms (or so we call them) might consider it very pleasing to have an eel on your print. It is sea-animal friendly! While I’d agree that sporting aquatic life in my work would give it a certain “fun factor”, this particular piece might not benefit from it as much. I will work some morays into my next project…
A more mathematical method of showing this effect can be seen in this sample. It is catchy and neat, but when I am trying to have a very important program printed, I do not want my block colors and photo images to have this pattern. To me, it is poor craftsmanship to even show a proof with this effect all over it.
Now, my wife and her adorable missy-isms (or so we call them) might consider it very pleasing to have an eel on your print. It is sea-animal friendly! While I’d agree that sporting aquatic life in my work would give it a certain “fun factor”, this particular piece might not benefit from it as much. I will work some morays into my next project…
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