Sheron Long's Blog, page 32
February 20, 2014
Artistic Expression in Search of a Dream
A look at images of America: What is the common thread in these photographs?
© Susan Berger
A Photographic Journey Captures Images of America
What do you see in the four photographs above?
There may be several “Oh, I see” moments as you study these images—responses and emotions affected by who you are and what personal experience you bring to the conversation.
Different stories will unfold.
However, there is a common thread. Can you find it?
Hint #1: These are all reflections of America.
Hint #2: The photographs were taken in different parts of the U.S.—Little Rock, Arkansas; Selma, Alabama; Montgomery, Alabama; and Los Angeles, California (clockwise from top left).
What’s in a Name?
You may find many things in common among these photographs, but the theme that photographer Susan Berger explored in her artistic expression was centered on one...
February 17, 2014
Vintage Fonts Go Digital on Buenos Aires Buses
Buenos Aires buses dressed to the nines on their way from Caraza to Retiro, old style and new
© Bruce Goldstone
Torn Between Design Inspiration & Utility
Buenos Aires is a city of kinetic visual overload, where color, pattern, and structure compete for your eye’s attention. One of the first things I fell in love here was the vintage fonts on the city buses. People tend to think I’m either kidding or crazy, but nonetheless, it’s true.
A source of constant design inspiration, the gorgeous graphics bundled onto a Buenos Aires bus pack a powerful punch.
Every bus line has its own vibrant palette, like rival schools sporting their colors. Strong stripes and elaborate, hand-painted designs called fileteado add to the impact.
And it’s all topped off with a big, bold number.
A Buenos Aires bus is a design class on wheels.
© Bruce Goldstone
February 13, 2014
Why Do Women Love Their Special Someones?
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Yes, women love their special someones, but the reasons may surprise you!
© Ashley Matheny
Love Quotes Get to the Heart of the Matter For Valentine’s Day
When it comes to love, we’ve always been curious about what matters most. So, on the occasion of Valentine’s Day, we decided to ask The OIC Community to tell us why they love their valentines.
From the quotes we received, we assembled a remarkable collection from women.
Listen in and gain perspective. The love quotes reveal a range of reasons—from the little things that matter to significant love-affirming attitudes and actions that make a relationship sing.
You might even find yourself saying, “Oh, I see a way to be more lovable myself!”
Saying, “You’re Special”
Love builds with constant reminders that you matter to someone. What counts? A...
February 10, 2014
In Defense of Selfies
A selfie captures creative expression in the mirror!
© Stephen MacLeod
Creative Expression Is Just a Tap Away
Two hundred years ago, people spent oodles of money and posed hours on end for a painter to immortalize them for the future. Now, with only a camera click and a tap to share, an image is part of a widely spread personal history.
Yesterday’s portrait is today’s selfie. And, like a master’s painting, many are full of creative expression.
Selfies began making news in 2004 and today more than 30 million show up on Instagram when you search the hashtag #selfie. I guess when even the Pope and the President of the United States are showing up in selfies, it’s a pretty big trend. But is it a trend that’s gone too far?
The Downsides to Selfies
Yes, there’s self-absorption inherent in the selfie.
How many pictures of...
February 6, 2014
The Colorful Life of a Human Cyborg
Neil Harbisson, cyborg and artist, changing the world of senses.
© Dan Wilton/Red Bulletin
Neil Harbisson: Expanding the Boundaries of Creative Expression
He can hear a Picasso painting.
He can paint a Mozart serenade.
He stands for hours in a supermarket aisle listening to a symphony of rainbow-colored cleaning bottles.
He composes music from faces.
This is Neil Harbisson, human cyborg. His senses defy tradition. His creative expression is unique.
He was born to a colorless world, where, in his words, “the sky is always gray and television is still in black and white.”
But, because he believes that everyone should wish to perceive what they can’t perceive, he was driven to extend his sensory perception.
He wears a cybernetic eye—an “eyeborg”—that translates colors into sounds on a musical scale (and vice versa). Pretty...
February 3, 2014
Good Advice from A to Z—Life-Tested!
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Answers to this question, posed to the OIC Community, bring life-tested advice your way!
The “Oh, I See” Community Speaks Up on How to Live Life Well
Here at OIC Moments, our readers are always learning and growing. They’ve amassed much wisdom from their life experiences and keep inspiring us with their insights!
So, when we asked for their best advice, we were not surprised to find a remarkable collection of life-tested wisdom.
Though each piece of advice expressed an individual’s truth, the collective wisdom of the community zeroed in on four essentials of life:
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Being happy
Getting through the tough times
Liking and investing in yourself
Respecting others
With thanks to the OIC Community, we’ve compiled their wisdoms into a free ebook Good Advice from A to Z to help you live life well. May...
January 30, 2014
Live Life to the Fullest with Fine Feathered Friends
Staying focused on the Bird-a-Day Challenge
© Meredith Mullins
A Bird-a-Day Makes for Challenging Play
Swampies. Rumpies. Sharpies.
Sound enticing? Well, yes, in a way. But what are we talking about?
Is it a secret code? Adventure apparel from Banana Republic? Characters in a new video game?
Welcome to the wonderful world of birding. We’re talking about Swamp Sparrows (swampies), Yellow-rumped Warblers (rumpies), and Sharp-shinned Hawks (sharpies).
And when it comes to birders, we’re talking about an international community bound by a passion for the beauty, the personalities and patterns, and the sweet songs and operatic trills of our bird friends.
A way to live life to the fullest.
The Hooded Merganser goes punk.
© Mark Catesby
Notorious List Makers
Birders are generous in sharing information about sightings and are notorious for making lists. Backyard lists,...
January 27, 2014
Culture Smart: Is the Rain in Spain the Same?
What do you say to describe a drencher?
© Gregor Kervina / Hemera
Rain Sayings in Different Languages
The one thing about rain is that it’s wet! All over the world. But apart from that essential characteristic, the different languages of the world have found varied ways to describe rain, especially when it’s a gully washer.
Bucketloads of Wet
In Spain, a heavy rain comes down a cántaros (in jugfuls). In a number of other countries—Finland, Romania, and Russia, for example—it “rains like from a bucket.”
Buckets, jugs, basins, and barrels all figure into rain sayings around the world.
© Dawn Hudson / iStock
Not sure if the eye of the Spaniard envisions a heavier rain than the eye of the Russian, but either analogy works—water comes pouring out of both jugs and buckets.
A bit harder to picture are solid objects falling...
January 23, 2014
5 Life Hacks Make A Day to Remember
Remember your morning chores—Say CLICKER.
© iStock*
A Mnemonic Device for Every Occasion
A mnemonic device is any trick that helps you remember something you tend to forget. It can be visual, verbal, or both. Use the mnemonics in these 5 life hacks to make your life a little bit easier all day long.
1. How to Remember Your Morning Routine
Tasks pile up in the morning. Suppose you want to remember to exercise, clean the kitty litter, and take your ID, lunch, keys, reading glasses, and cell phone to work.
It’s easy to let one thing slip, especially when you’re groggy. So, make a mnemonic checklist by arranging your chores to spell a word. CLICKER does the trick here.
Change kitty litter
Lunch
ID
Cell phone
Keys
Exercise
Reading glasses
2. How to Get Around Town
In any town, the order of streets can be hard to remember. For example,...
January 20, 2014
Peter Reynolds and The Dot Kickstart Creative Expression
Jaden’s heart started with a single mark.
© Janine Boylan
Make a Mark and See Where It Takes You
Peter Reynolds‘s goal is for each of us to have an “Oh, I see” moment about our creativity.
This award-winning children’s book author feels pretty strongly about the message in his book The Dot—that each person has creativity.
His slogan? “Make your mark and see where it takes you.”
In the book, a reluctant art student is convinced that she can’t draw. Her gentle art teacher encourages her, but, to illustrate her lack of talent, the girl just marks a dot on her page and signs her name. The next day, she is surprised to find the dot drawing hanging above her teacher’s desk. Inspired to do better, the girl creates a series of remarkable pieces and eventually inspires another reluctant student to discover his creative...
