Sorry it took so long to post today. I had a Calc 2 test... I have Calc tests every other week. It's good cause it's not over as much material, but they occur so often that they can get in the way of other classes... and blogging.
Speaking of math, check out why math doesn't suck, you do. It's kind of harsh, but to some extent true.
AND because my last post was on photography, I was "Stumbling" earlier today and came across probably some of the greatest photography I have ever seen. This is probably some of the best collection of pictures in my opinion.
Lastly, Metallic Red Foams coming out on Febraury 4th!
I had my first 8AM lab today and it wasn't the most fun thing in the world. There are other things I'd much rather be doing at 8 in the morning. But oh well, you gotta do what you gotta do.
A while back, I decided to imitate: http://www.flickr.com/photos/martinturner/4374039110/
The instructions on there are:
"Fill tray with water. Mix washing up liquid with some water. Use straw to create a bubble on top of the water in the tray (using bubble mixture you just made). Release water drops onto the top of the bubble and capture with camera setup on tripod. This was backlit using a wireless flash and mini softbox. The hard part is timing the water drops and keeping the bubble still as it has a tendancy to move around. The bubble will happily accept many water drops before it bursts."
I didn't have all the materials he used, but his end result was phenomenal! Check out the link to see it.
Here's mine:
My tray was dirty so mine wasn't as blue and clear. His was just better overall. For photographers out there, give this a try! It really is fun. For everyone else, how do you like?!
Read more...
Though it may be funny to act "un-gentelman-like" while eating ice cream when you're young, as you get older you're better off being more proper. Let's start with being a gentleman online. Everyone is online nowadays and has some sort of social networking account. Again, thanks to Amin, I've got a site that has 6 ways to bring civility online. (http://artofmanliness.com/2011/07/13/being-a-gentleman-in-the-age-of-the-internet-6-ways-to-bring-civility-online/)
"Why a Man Should Strive to Be More Civil Online
A gentleman treats others with dignity and respect, regardless of the kind of forum in which he participates. He treats life’s fellow travelers as he himself would like to be treated. And in doing so, he makes the world a little better of a place everywhere he goes. He leaves those he interacts with feeling edified and uplifted instead of depressed and angry. Every man has the power to brighten his corner of the world, whether that corner be in the office, his home, or online. The more men who decide to take the higher road of civility, the more enjoyable everyone’s lives become. And choosing to reject our baser impulses in favor of our higher ones is a big part of becoming our best selves and building our legacy.
We all have daily annoyances that build up a well of anger inside of us. But instead of taking this rage out on others, it should be released healthily through things like exercise, meditation, and time spent in nature.
How to Be More Civil Online
Being a gentleman online simply involves the application of common sense. But anyone who leaves their home each day knows how uncommon common sense can be.
In our grandfathers’ and great-grandfathers’ time, etiquette books were extremely popular; believe it or not, Emily Post’s tome on the subject was one of the most requested books by GI’s during World War II. Our forefathers understood something we often forget: no matter how common sense something is, without frequent reminders and practice, humans are drawn to the path of least resistance. While our culture has largely dropped these reminders to be our better selves, today we’ll fill in the gap by reviewing some common sense principles for being a gentleman online.
1. Remember that there are real people on the other side of the computer.
This is so easy to forget. We see only our screen and our empty apartment; the faces of folks out there who will be reading what we write seem unreal and nebulous. But they are out there. And your words can truly wound them. So when writing something, keep this rule in mind:
2. Never say something to someone online that you wouldn’t say to the person’s face.
Perhaps the most important rule for online interactions. People level the kind of vitriol online they would assuredly never say to someone’s face. I know a website owner that sometimes figures out the phone numbers of those who leave extremely rude comments and calls them up to ask what made them say something like that. Inevitably, the confronted person, hearing the voice of a real human being, is reduced to a stammering, apologetic mess.
3. Use your real name.
This is simple: if you’re not proud enough of something to have it associated with your real name, then why are you writing it?
Yes, there are caveats to this rule–legitimate reasons for anonymity. But when typing in an alias, ask yourself why you’re doing it. Do you have a valid reason for doing so, or do you simply wish to avoid ownership of your words because they are rude?
4. Sit on it.
This is something I’ve had to learn by experience and still struggle with. You see something that makes your blood boil, you’re filled with the desire to absolutely eviscerate a person, and you furiously type out a scathing response and press send. And later you regret it.
Instead, go ahead and write out your comment to get it off your chest, but sit on it for several hours or even a day. I know it feels like you simply have to get it off your chest at that very moment, but your adrenaline and heart rate are up and you’re not thinking clearly. Give it some time and you’ll be amazed at how “I must respond!” will transform into “Eh, who cares?”
5. Or don’t respond at all.
Your mom was right: If you don’t have something nice to say, sometimes it’s best not to say anything at all. This is another thing I’ve learned from experience and still slip up with. I used to want to rebut every bit of criticism directed at me, but I’ve learned to choose my battles and that it’s often better not to get involved at all. Just let people do their thing. I know it’s difficult because when we feel someone is wrong, it’s so hard to let it go. We want to show people the error of their ways and change their minds.
But as sure as you are about being right, you can never win an online argument. Why? Because of something called the “backfire effect.” In this article on the effect by David McRaney, which I highly recommend reading, he explains the fact that far from changing people’s minds, threatening someone’s beliefs actually strengthens and entrenches them further. This is why I generally abstain from heated internet debates; they get you all worked up, waste your time, and go absolutely nowhere.
If you come across a discussion where you really feel like a different perspective needs to be added, just jump in and civilly state your case instead of responding directly to specific people. People are much more likely to consider your point of view when they experience it indirectly as opposed to feeling attacked.
6. Say something positive.
Studies have shown what people already know from experience: folks are more likely to make negative comments in online forums than positive ones. It makes sense; when something makes you angry, you’re much more motivated to complain about it and want to vent. McRaney explains why this is:
“A thousand positive remarks can slip by unnoticed, but one “you suck” can linger in your head for days. One hypothesis as to why this and the backfire effect happens is that you spend much more time considering information you disagree with than you do information you accept. Information which lines up with what you already believe passes through the mind like a vapor, but when you come across something which threatens your beliefs, something which conflicts with your preconceived notions of how the world works, you seize up and take notice. Some psychologists speculate there is an evolutionary explanation. Your ancestors paid more attention and spent more time thinking about negative stimuli than positive because bad things required a response. Those who failed to address negative stimuli failed to keep breathing.”
Well, I certainly want to keep breathing, but I don’t want to only respond to things that make me angry. So this is something I’ve been working on too. When I read a blog post I enjoy, I find it easy to think, “That was great,” before surfing away. So I’ve been trying to take a minute to type those thoughts out before moving on. As a blog owner myself, I know how incredibly encouraging it is to hear something positive.
How else can we cultivate civility online?"
So they asked us how else we can cultivate civility online, and I'm asking you guys as well.
Read more...
Turns out my predictions were right! Patriots vs. Giants in Superbowl XLVI. Any predictions on who you think will win?
Superbowls, like other championships, can go either way, but I'm gonna say the Patriots will win. Hopefully I can go 3 for 3.
This song is pretty dopeee. Fireworks (Remix) by Tyrese feat. Big Sean, T.I., and Bustaaa. I'm sure y'all will like this one.
We got the W yesterday at our Intramural game! I can't remember all my stats, but I got 8 points. It wasn't too shabby consider our team scored 29.
I want: Ravens vs. Either (Giants so the Falcons can say they lost to the team that went to the Superbowl. And 49ers cause they weren't expected to make it this far.)
Predictions for me: Patriots vs. Giants
What are yours?
"Happiness exists when you don't know a thing."
New mixtape from The Weeknd dropped a few weeks back. It's a little more... "normal" than the rest of his music, but I guess his unique style is what people seemed to notice. There are a few good hits on the mixtape including D.D., Initiation, Same Old Song, XO/ The Host, Next, and Montreal. Definitely give this one a listen. Head over to http://the-weeknd.com/ and grab the download link.
Intramural game in an hour. I'll post stats. (If they're good ;) )
Read more...
Some fashion tips from The Urban Gent (http://www.theurbangent.com/)
10 FALL WINTER MEN'S STYLE TIPS
"Ankles on Display: That's right fully displayed, but socked up of course. Play around with fully displaying your socks this season. Meaning roll up our pants or push them up above your thick textured boot socks. You'll end up with a clean layering of boots-socks-pants.
Plaid on Plaid: Plaid on Plaid on Plaid (you gotta say it like "stacks on stacks on stacks" though, lol). Plaid, ahh, boring right? Well let's revitalize it a bit. This summer we added army fatigue to it to give a boost, now just get raw with it– add plaid on plaid on plaid. But different pattern plaids, and in those cozy winter textures.
Colorblocked Ombre: Ombre is basically shades of color or different gradients of a color, usually going from light to dark. While women see this trend in their dresses, jackets, etc. men mostly see the ombre trend in accessories and maybe t-shirts. Well, we've put our Urban Gent spin on it, and have created "colorblocked ombre". Start from the top or bottom and gradually increase the intensity of the color you're wearing. We started with cream shoes, khaki and cream socks, khaki/olive trousers, then solid bold olive-brown shirt and jacket.
Braces/Suspenders: 'Tis the season for manning up, basically its getting cold so beards and 'staches are growing out. Complete the look with a pair of braces– that means they should button on, not clamp .
Hint of Pattern: Last year it was all about the hint of camouflage, now it's more all inclusive. Add a touch of something extra to your 'fit with a patterned highlight, whether it's camouflage, native prints, or anything else you may like.
Sock Season: Yep, it's sock season, and we're getting giddy like little kids, hehehe. Because these days a man has to have a couple pairs on deck that are pretty much specifically to be seen by those who gaze upon him. Patterns of all shades and sizes and colors are appropriate. (check back in a few weeks we're gonna have something special for you sock fiends).
Denim on Denim: An Urban Gent oldie, but goodie. In the summer you double-denimed with lighter colors, for winter do it with darker denim. Add a few cowboy details to push it up a notch.
Preppy Hints: As much as I love classic prep gear, it's getting a bit hackneyed, right?! Yea, it is, so let's slow it down before we hate it and go the complete opposite into grunge-wear or something. To ease up on the prep, let's keep it to the accessories, like scarves.
90s: Add a little 90s to your look whenever you can– snapbacks, simply oversized sneakers, gold accessories, whatever fits the bill.
Simple Accessories: It's fine to overdose here and there, but keep accessories simple. They should compliment not overtake your ensemble… think hat, watch, and patterned socks. "
I'm definitely gonna have to give most of these a try if I haven't yet. The Urban Gentleman definitely knows what's up.
I had only heard of British Tinie Tempah before deciding to give his mixtape a listen. Turns out it's not half bad. He's got some nice collaborations with some big names like J Cole, Big Sean, Wiz and a few more. Give it a try and download it.
.
