The cool nights over the past couple of days have quickly reminded me that times are changing. As much as I don't enjoy thinking about it, colder days are coming. But rather instead of thinking of the impending winter weather, I often think back on what this summer has brought me, and what I regret not accomplishing.
The summer certainly didn't start off with a bang. Cold rainy weather kept many of us from getting outside as early as we are used to. My girlfriend and I took our first crack at putting up a garden this year. I'm an old hand to it, but the whole process was new to her, and one that I think she learned a lot. The cooler start to the summer kept us from planting during normal dates, and pushed back the harvest of many crops. The rainy weather didn't do the garden any justice either. We're just now enjoying some tomatoes, unusually late for this time. I anticipated some hot sticky weather to offset the cold, long winter. As I enjoy running in hot temperatures, this summer really didn't produce many of those days for me. One of which was this past weekend, which was very nice. A nice hot run along the Chicago Lakefront path is always a treat. Relaxing on the beach is another.
So when I look back a the summer and figure out the list of things I have accomplished and wish I would have done, I must say that compared to past years I have done a lot. Many picnics, outdoor concerts, much gardening, road trips, and relaxing by the beach. Yes, I do feel like I had a great summer, but I wish I could have taken more advantage of the warmer weather. I know that the warm weather isn't completely past us, and actually it has just begun to get cooler. I really love the fall, and put it second to a nice warm summer.
It seems to me that people think of the end of summer as the end of the year. For us Midwesterner's it does mean cooler temps, but it's not the end of the year. We have so much to do during the fall and winter even. Think fall. Football, tailgating, walks through the parks and forests to view the leaves, trail running, carving pumpkins. So much left to the rest of the year. Sure, I always wish that the summer stays around, however, I can always get a great joy doing some fall like activities to get in that last bit of warm weather.
Do you ever look forward to escaping from the day by not using technology? Do you think that this is even possible? Now I'm not talking about living sans electricity or without a hot shower, but some of your daily leisure tasks.
How many times do we work all day on the computer, only to get home to surf, watch TV from our DVR's, or meet up with some friends online to play some Xbox? As someone who works in IT, escaping from technology just isn't plausible. However, limiting it in some of my leisure tasks can be reduced.
It was something that I realized I had wanted to do for awhile. I love typing on my old typewriter. Choosing a razor sharp pencil to jot down some words on a bright white sheet of paper brings me joy. How about reading outdoors alongside a gentle breeze? There are just so many things to list, but I have put together a few of my efforts.
Work
- Type up all correspondence on an old typewriter. I have an old Royal that I rescued from a junk yard in my hometown. It's one of my favorite household items now.
- Use pencils instead of your computer to type memos and other correspondence. I'm sure you need the practice exercising your penmanship skills.
- Draw out designs by hand. Colored pencils, markers, and crayons are fun to rediscover for just such work.
Recreation
- Play cards or break out the old board games. Beating my girlfriend at Monopoly or Stratego has become a favorite pastime.
- Go for a run. This one is easy for me. As a long distance runner, I know that running clears my mind for a mess of ideas that I always have in my head. A brisk walk will be no compromise either.
- Pick a random sport where you many have just a slight interest in, and give it a try. You'll be surprised how easily you are able to immerse yourself in it. You might not turn pro, but you'll know you expanded your horizons.
- Read. It is something that I absolutely don't do much of when I'm busy, and not reading is a terrible habit to get into. Invest in some quiet time alone with a book.
So far, I've been doing quite well with my unpluggedness. When I have the option, it's better to avoid the extra stimulation and forgo the modern computer. Try it, your brain will thank you.
Print off your own paper using standard paper templates.
This sounds like a perfect way to save a few bucks when you need just a couple pieces of graph paper or some music paper. Hmmm, I might just give my office laser printer a workout now!
A great collection of some vintage letters, receipts, & Tickets. These can serve as some great design inspiration. I'm always on the lookout for such things!
Vintage Letters, Receipts & Tickets
Just when you think Gmail couldn't step up their features anymore, they release a doozie of one. Enter Gmail's Custom Date. Forget to send that super important email on time? Missed your girlfriend's birthday? Want to get first in line for some Cubs tickets? Just use the custom time feature to set the time you need, and send away! It's pure genius, and a feature sure to stir up some controversy. But use it sparingly, you only get 10 a year!
***Yes, I know it was an April Fool's joke! ***
Adobe is now allowing users to test drive their Beta version of Photoshop Express.
The flash featured, web based application allows registered users to resize, crop, rotate, and apply effects to uploaded photos. The preset filters are actually pretty handy and seem to produce pretty effective results on the supplied images for the demo. Photoshop basics such as rotating, cropping, and black & white conversion is all part of the application.
Giving it a Flickr-type feel, users can create web galleries to share with friends and family. The custom created URL is also a nice touch, giving others quick access to your gallery. Give your photos a home with up to 2GB of free storage.
An interesting concept, aimed at casual users who want a quick and dirty approach to editing their photos on the fly. Throw in a photo gallery, and Adobe might be onto something. Complex web-based apps are becoming quite the 2 point oh thing to do. Take a look, and try it for yourself!
I have always wondered how to do this.
How to Google Bomb an enemy
