Summer Reading
I’m not sure what it is about summer that indicate one would have more time for reading. I’m significantly more social and I don’t own a cottage so there isn’t actually anymore time to read than there is in the winter. And since I do own proper winter gear, I’m about the same level of social… so basically there’s never enough time to read!
I did get 2 books finished this summer:
Half the Sky
and
2) BossyPants: by Tina Fey
Bossypants
I liked both of these books, though for very different reasons. The first takes a look the various forms of oppression women are in around the world, specifically in developing nations. Yeah, it’s a really heavy book that can be at times a bit difficult to read but it also amazingly uplifting. The authors have a knack for showing positive outcomes. At the same time, they are realistic. It’s definitely easy to feel that the problems of the world are so much bigger than us and therefore insolvable. This book shows how little pieces of help can make a real impact. I highly suggest it to anyone.
The second book was totally different. It was hilarious. I found myself liking Tina Fey even more, not knowing it was possible. The one thing that did strike me was the few things she said about sexism she’s faced. Between the 2 books it was very easy to feel like “women get screwed from horrible extremes and even to fairly idyllic situations”.
However, I got over that feeling very quickly. Both books were actually pretty inspiring to me. I love reading books by successful people, as their stories usually feel like the fates (the fates I don’t believe in) conspired to make them what they are.
I’m looking for my next book recommendation. I’m in a non-fiction mood for sure. I’m currently reading my first e-book (through the Kobo app on iPad2) called “The Drunkard’s Walk: How Randomness Rules Our Lives“.
Drunkard's Walk
I’m only a few chapters in, but I find it to be really interesting. I am what I like to call “mathtarded”. I’m not proud of it but numbers and I have never gotten along. I took only 1 extra math class outside of the requisite number needed to graduate highschool, and never looked back. So, while reading this I realized I probably didn’t learn about randomness from a mathematical standpoint. This book goes into more than that, but covers it a little in the beginning and I find it to be really interesting. I’ll let you know how the book is when I’m done.
So far, reading on the iPad is pretty good. I love that I can highlight passages I like, take notes, and of course the auto bookmark feature is great! I chose the Kobo app because at the time I was able to buy books from within the app, but now Apple has changed that. I’ll also report on my e-book reading experience when I’m done.
Anitabot Stamp!
The Speedball stamp making kit came in the mail last Thursday and I got to the stamp making today.
It took me about 1.5 hours, and it turned out pretty well.
The first step was to trace (with pencil) the item that I wanted to make into a stamp, then rub it onto the piece of rubber:
Anitabot stamp progress: the beginning
Then, using the 2 cutting tools, start gouging! This part was easier than I thought it would be. I thought doing the curved outlines would be difficult, but they weren’t so bad.
Anitabot stamp progress: almost done
I used the smaller tool to do the outlines, and the bigger tool to gouge out larger areas. Then I inked it up and did a few tests to determine which areas needed to be shaved down. After that, it was done!
Anitabot stamp progress: Done! (kind of)
The only thing left is to get a wood block to mount it to – though it’s still usable as it is. It was really fun… and now I want to stamp the entire city with it!
Anitabot Bathroom Graffiti
A few years ago, after I designed the Anitabot logo, I got stickers printed up and handed them out to friends and stuck them around the city. I went to Nuit Blanche ’08 and posted a sticker at every installation I was at, and friends told me later they saw that I had been there. How Novel! (See the album below)
2 Christmas’s ago Aaron designed for me, the greatest Christmas gift ever. A Pop-art rendering of my beloved face! (Yes, I am obsessed with my cartoon alter ego).
Take that, Warhol!
I had ran out of stickers so I tried drawing one on a bathroom stall… I’m not good at free handing, I like vector handles I can pick up and move. Anyway, the ‘bot’ on the left was my doing back in February. I returned to this stall just last week and noticed someone had added on!! I don’t know who this person is, but this is great because I love sugar skulls! I also like that this was a complement to my drawing, and not a defacing. To C, whoever you are, thanks!
Bot left, Sugar Skull right!
This made me think that perhaps I should get more stickers printed and continue my rampage on the city but then decided something that may be a bit more economical: a rubber stamp!
I ordered a kit from www.paper-source.com and I cannot wait until it arrives. I’m excited to try out a new craft. I’m pretty decent at sculpting/carving things, but this will require a very steady hand. I’ll update you when it does, or you may just see the stamp in a bathroom stall near you!
My new toys (I’m spoiled)
My dear husband decided to get me a wedding gift, also known as the “zero anniversary” gift. Apparently this is a thing men are encouraged to do (by whom? One wedding book I read and his co-workers). I told him it was completely unnecessary but he insisted (barely). He gave me the choice between an iPad2 and a DSLR (Or camera of my choosing).
I agonized for weeks. I ended up picking the camera, feeling it would be the better investment. Normally it takes me months to deliberate but this time I decided to choose quickly. I ended up going for the Panasonic Lumix DMC-G2 which is a micro 4/3rds camera. That is basically a purely digital ‘slr’ like camera with no mirror. They’re smaller and less expensive which was great since I hadn’t participated in my so-called hobby in years. And because my child-sized hands.
How else was I going to get a picture of the camera?
The day after I ordered this, Panasonic announced the next model. This was agonizing, but since it wouldn’t be released until June I decided to stick with my original decision! It arrived in the post 2 weeks ago but I’m only posting this now because by pure chance, the iPad2 dear husband decided to surprise me with arrived on the same day.
I was surprised, to say the least... and the rest of this blog to say the most
Yeah, that’s right – he made me make the decision and just bought the one I didn’t choose. He spoils me! 
Both of the toys arrived 2 Wednesday’s ago and I’ve obviously given the iPad so much more love. I’ve been reading so much more news and magazines than ever before, and also playing a few games (Nano Panda!). I do have a few gripes with it, and I can see how it still stands to be improved. Though it does provide this amazing happy medium between my macBook and my iPhone that I never knew I needed to be provided for.
I have gotten around to playing with the camera and I’m coming around. At first I didn’t like it because it took me more than 20 seconds to figure it out. I’m still having troubles getting good low-light shots. My patience has paid off and here are some pictures taken with it (some by me, some by Baron).
I’ll be sharing some more of my photo adventures and learning as time goes on. For now, you can expect higher quality pictures over at Buntitled!
PS, since you’ve read this far why don’t you suggest some fun things I can attempt to take photos of?
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