Thursday, August 24, 2017
laurenmarx: Here’s my piece for the “Below the Surface”...
Here’s my piece for the “Below the Surface” exhibition opening tonight at Corey Helford Gallery! I’m very happy with how this piece turned out!
“Peruke”, 2016, Ballpoint Pen, Ink Pencils, Acrylic Ink, Colored Pencil, Graphite, and Gel Pen on Hot-Pressed Watercolor Paper, 15 inches by 17.25 inches (17.25 inches by 19.75 inches framed).
If you have any questions, or would like to purchase it, please contact me or Corey Helford Gallery at jch@coreyhelfordgallery.com
laurenmarx: Here’s my piece for the “Below the Surface”... crss
crssHere’s my piece for the “Below the Surface” exhibition opening tonight at Corey Helford Gallery! I’m very happy with how this piece turned out!
“Peruke”, 2016, Ballpoint Pen, Ink Pencils, Acrylic Ink, Colored Pencil, Graphite, and Gel Pen on Hot-Pressed Watercolor Paper, 15 inches by 17.25 inches (17.25 inches by 19.75 inches framed).
If you have any questions, or would like to purchase it, please contact me or Corey Helford Gallery at jch@coreyhelfordgallery.com
If You Can Give Me Only One Tip to Improve My Life, What Would It Be?
Have you ever noticed how many books exist in the “Self-help” aisle of any given bookstore? There are hundreds upon hundreds. There are so many tips to improve your life if you search, but it can be challenging to find a focus, especially if you read a lot without truly adapting any tips or taking action. One individual felt overwhelmed and asked via Quora, “If you could give me one tip to improve my life, what would it be?” We’ve chosen the best answers that received the most upvotes [1].
Keep your promises (including those made to yourself)
This doesn’t just apply to the promises you make to other people, but the promises you make to yourself.
In nearly any film you watch, one of the characters is going to make a promise. Whether or not he keeps that promise will determine the entire plot for the remainder of the film. While most movies are fictional, like Harry Potter promising to find all the horcruxes and kill Voldemort, the kept promises still stick with us in reality. So imagine how impactful it would be if you began keeping all your promises [2].
“It doesn’t matter whether the story is big or small, long or short, funny or sad. It doesn’t matter how the challenge surfaces and who’s fighting for what. At some point, someone always says to themselves: ‘I will do this.'”
8 Ways to Actually Deliver on Your Promises
Realize that everything is temporary
This answer got 19k upvotes. The parable that exists as the root of this answer revolves around a king asking his subjects for a way to make himself happy when he’s sad and sad when he’s happy. After much thought and consideration, the conclusion they came to was this: Remember that this too shall pass.
“The quote teaches you to enjoy the moment. You may be at the happiest point in your life, but that happiness isn’t permanent, so you should enjoy it while it lasts. But, if you feel miserable, the quote shows you that your sadness isn’t indefinite. Soon you’ll be back to normal.”
When you’re in a difficult situation, it helps to remember it’s temporary; it won’t be difficult forever. Likewise, when you’re in a happy situation, it can be important to realize the same thing in order to avoid taking anything for granted. Enjoy the good times while they’re good, and remember good times will come when the situation seems bleak [3].
10 Simple Things You Can Do To Get Through Difficult Times
Simply run. You’ll learn to persist
Runnning teaches you to persist, even if your body wants to stop. It helps you learn to focus on a singular goal and not stop until you get there.
You’ll feel more confident and strong [4]. It can also provide the perfect excuse to listen to a podcast or even that new album you’ve been meaning to check out. Bette says, “You will also be able to learn things because podcasts and books are some of the best things to listen to while you are on a long run.”
Give 100% (even if you may not want to)
In life, there are going to be times when we don’t want to give it our all. It could be situational, or we could just be having an off day. But it could be that the thing we’re doing is emotionally or physically challenging. In this moments, giving a half-hearted effort could seem like a solution, but that’s just not the case. No one ever shares a success story by starting with, “It all began when I was giving about 50% of an effort…” [5].
Even Will Smith knows the power of trying hard. In fact, he once said, “If it was something that I really committed myself to, I don’t think there’s anything that could stop me becoming President of the United States.”
The Price of Success is Hard Work
Work smarter, not harder
Abraham Lincoln once said, “Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe.” Most people would use all six hours to do the actual cutting, but planning for a task and sharpening skills can help you accomplish a task in much less time [6].
Don’t Work Harder; Work Smarter with These 12 Tips
Live in reality, not a social media feed
We have all been guilty of it: scrolling endlessly through a social media newsfeed, even when someone is speaking to us. It can keep you up at night and make you super anti-social despite how much you feel that you’re interacting with other.
When you scroll endlessly on social media platforms, you’re wasting your time and becoming a little addicted to your smart device. When you spend a majority of your day flirting with girls you’ve never actually met, you could be doing something productive instead. But here’s the thing: deep down, you already know what’s good for you. So listen to yourself! It’s like Verma says, “Stop asking others [what’s good for you], analyze yourself, and start implementing those things in your life which you already know that are good for you(but haven’t tried to implement yet) and eventually you will get the solution to most of the problems in your life.” [7]
How Not to Let Smartphones Make Us Dumber but Smarter
So what do all of these tips have in common? It comes down to living in the present, taking care of yourself and remembering you are greater than any hardship. You have the power to change things, including your life, and the only thing holding you back is you. Imagine what a few simple changes could lead to in the long-term. So what are you waiting for? Start changing your life for the better today.
Reference
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10 Cat Toys to Make Your Cat Love You So Much
Our feline friends have a reputation for being aloof, but the cat people out there know that cats have a complex inner world. It’s a common misconception that cats don’t need love and attention.[1]
It’s true that cats sleep about 16 hours per day, but when they’re awake they need plenty of mental stimulation.[2] Bored cats find ways to entertain themselves with or without your help, and despite their small size, they can be quite destructive. The issue is aggravated if you have to be away from home for long periods of time, or you’re too busy to play with your feline friend.
At Lifehack, we know all about what it means to be busy people who love cats. We’ve handpicked 10 awesome cat toys and products to keep your feline entertained when it’s awake and pampered when it’s asleep.
1. Petcube Play: Interact with your cat even when you’re away
Amazon customer rating: 3.9 out of 5 stars (546 reviews)
Best for: busy owners, playful cats
If you’ve ever wondered what your cat does when you aren’t home, the Petcube Play provides you the opportunity to find out. It not only enables you to see and hear your cat, but you’ll also be able to play with it.
The Petcube Play connects to your smart phone via an app. You can talk to your cat throughout the day, and if you see that your kitty is bored, you can control the built-in laser toy from your phone.
Petcube Play: Pet Camera with 1080p Video, 2-Way Audio, Night Vision, and Laser Toy, $199.00
2. WANTi Cat Toy: Interactive and automated remote-controlled cat toy
Amazon customer rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars (11 reviews)
Best for: playful cats, felines who grow bored of their cat toys easily, busy owners
Some cats seem to get into almost everything. They’re hopping on the counters, knocking over the trash can, or stomping on your keyboard while you’re trying to work. Cats who are energetic and easily bored need to have lots of play options in order to stay out of trouble.
The WANTi has six different play modes, which gives you the freedom to vary your cat’s play routine every day. Each mode (ball tracking, spinning, batting, slithering, remote control, and wiggling) consists of a different attachment and style of motion.
These cat toys are perfect if you need to keep your cat occupied for a few minutes. The WANTi can be set to run for 10 minutes, which is a healthy amount of time for burning off excess play energy. You can set it and forget it, or you can use the cute paw-shaped remote control to shape the movement from the comfort of your chair.
WANTi Cat Toy – Interactive and Automated fun with Ball, Wand, Feather and Remote control, $69
3. Interactive Cat Tunnel Toy: A brain game and a hunter’s hideout
Amazon customer rating: 4.3 out of 5 stars (298 reviews)
Best for: people in small living spaces, cats who love brain games, cats who love agility exercises
Cats like the security of an enclosed space, they love sneaking up on prey, and they loathe being bored. The Easyology Pets Cat Tunnel satisfies all of these needs.
Your cat may get a mental workout figuring out the best way to crawl through this tunnel, but you can up the ante by attaching several of these tunnels together to form a maze. The tunnel material is durable enough to withstand sharp claws, and it’s easy to store if you need to clear your space.
4. Satisfy Prey-Drive: SmartyKat Skitter Critters Cat Toys Catnip Mice
Amazon customer rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars (1,423 reviews)
Best for: cats who like to hunt, catnip fans, environmentally conscious owners
Your cat needs to hunt, and while it may think it’s doing you a favor by leaving a mouse corpse on your doorstep, you may not always appreciate the gesture. Skitter Critters by SmartyKat are the perfect size and shape for simulating the hunt. Cats love batting these around the house, carrying them in their mouths, and (if they’re generous) depositing them somewhere where you’ll see their gift.
While not all cats love catnip, those that do will experience 10-15 minutes of rambunctiousness followed by the need for a nice long nap. Environmentally conscientious owners should know that these cat toys are filled with stuffing made of 100% recycled plastic.
SmartyKat Skitter Critters Cat Toys Catnip Mice, $5.14
5. Meowfia Premium Cat Bed Cave: A cat’s hideaway
Amazon customer rating: 4.8 out of 5 stars (230 reviews)
Best for: cats of all sizes and ages, chronic cat-napping, sneak attacks, and environmentally-conscious consumers
We know that our cats spend most of their time asleep. They’ll curl up in any old cardboard box, but this Cat Bed Cave by Meowfia seems much more comfortable. Whether your cat is an energetic kitten or a senior citizen, they could make use of this cat bed.
I love the idea of a cat cave because it satisfies our felines’ instinct to find a secure place to rest. This bed works well for sleepy cats, but it’s also a great hiding spot during play. The Merino wool is an eco-friendly alternative to chemical-soaked synthetics. It is easy to clean and cozy.
6. Keep a Strict Feeding Schedule with the Feed and Go Automatic Pet Feeder with Built In Webcam and Wi-Fi
Amazon customer rating: 4.4 out of 5 stars (235 reviews)
Best for: busy pet owners, cats who need several meals throughout the day, cats with special dietary considerations
When you work long days, it can be tough to keep your cat on a good feeding schedule. Free-choice feeding can lead cats to become obese because they’ll overeat, and it can make it tough to see if they have a good appetite.
Feed and Go’s Automatic Pet Feeder allows you to dispense meals, medicines, and snacks from afar. The dish connects to Wi-Fi, and it allows you to monitor your pet from a built in camera using your smart phone. There are six compartments in the feeder, and you can set the food to disburse on a schedule.
This feeder could also be helpful if your cat has an illness which requires you to feed it multiple times per day.
7. Armarkat Cat-Tree Furniture Condo: Plenty of places to perch and scratch
Amazon customer rating: 4.6 out of 5 stars (3,730 reviews)
Best for: felines of any size and age, cats who love to sit up high, cats who love to scratch things, decor-conscious owners
Some cats love to climb, and when they don’t have an appropriate place to do this, they can get into trouble. At 52 inches high, the Armarkat Cat-Tree Furniture Condo gives cats a great place to perch, scratch and hide.
The soft faux fur on the the platforms and the sisal on the posts gives cats a place to relax and satisfy their urge to scratch. Many people are reluctant to spring for a kitty condo because they are worried about sturdiness. One customer addresses this kitty condo’s stability:
My 26 pound Maine Coon/Bengal mix LOVES this. I was nervous to buy at first, because of the sheer weight of my big boy. Not only does he love this tree, he never has any issues ever with his weight on it. I think he may actually like me more because of this cat tree.
In addition to providing a variety of scratching and sleeping options, we like this Cat-tree because it looks nice. Some cat furniture can clash with your decor, but this one looks sleek. It’ll serve it’s purpose without dominating the room.
Armarkat Cat tree Furniture Condo, Height -50-Inch to 60-Inch, $52.52
8. Channel Their Destructive Habits: Bergan Turbo-Scratcher Cat Toy
Amazon customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars (5,741 reviews)
Best for: cats who love to scratch, cats who love to chase cat toys, owners who want a cost-effective way to manage an unwanted behavior
Scratching is a natural feline urge that tends to get them in trouble. Bergan’s Turbo Scratcher keeps cats entertained and offers them a place that they can claw to their heart’s content.
The 16″plastic base has a replaceable corrugated cardboard scratch pad at its center. The outer ring of the base is a channel where you can place a small ball. Cats love nudging their toys around in the ring or pouncing from the scratch pad.
This is such a simple and cost effective tool for keeping cats from tearing up your furniture. The replaceable centers, which are much cheaper than a new sofa, enable you to give your cat a satisfying scratching surface without having to invest in a whole new scratcher every time they wear out their old one.
Bergan Turbo Scratcher Cat Toy, colors may vary, $9.34 (originally $10.99)
9. Cat Craft 3-Tier Cat Climbing Tree
Amazon customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars (412 reviews)
Best for: cats who love to climb, felines of all ages and sizes, owners with limited space, design conscious consumers
Avid climbers will enjoy Cat Craft’s 3-Tier Cat Climbing Tree. This tree will accommodate ceilings up to 9 feet high. The white piece at the top ensures that this cat furniture remains stable and safe to use.
This model is slim and sleek, which means it’s less likely to take over your space than some cat trees. The neutral colors and soft carpet make this an unobtrusive addition to a cat-lovers home. This is a safe alternative to climbing your curtains.
Cat Craft 124003 3-Tier Cat Climbing Tree, $39.02
10. Take Ball-Batting Up A Notch (Or 2): Petstages Tower of Tracks Cat Toy
Amazon customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars (1,079 reviews)
Best for: playful cats of all ages and sizes, cats who are easily bored, owners who prefer to keep cat toys contained in one area
Stepping on cat toys in the middle of the night can be almost as thrilling as stepping on wayward LEGOs. Ouch! The Tower of Tracks by Petstages allows pet owners to contain the fun while still giving cats a chance to work their brains.
This tower comes with three different types of balls which stay secure in their tracks. Cats love batting and chasing the balls around the tower, and this model is big enough to support more than one kitty’s urge to play.
Petstages Tower of Tracks Cat Toy, $13.99
Reference
| [1] | ^ | Fox News: Thinking About Adopting A Cat? Read Jackson Galaxy’s 6 Tips |
| [2] | ^ | PetMD: Why Do Cats Sleep So Much? |
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The Ugly Truth About Comments and Reviews That No One Knows
How much do you feel you’re influenced on a daily basis? Social media opens us up to comparison of others but what about our opinions? If you’re presented with a video or article, it’s hard not to read the plethora of comments posted underneath before we’ve even clicked on it.
Many times people read movie reviews on IMDB to decide whether or not they will watch a film. And many times people meticulously read customer reviews and ratings on Amazon before deciding to buy something.
In essence, we’re being made to create an opinion before we’ve had the chance to make our own. Most of the time it’s alarmingly unconscious.
The Dangers of Reading Comments and Reviews
While we think we’re reading comments to make a balanced and informed decision, we don’t take into account the intentions behind another person’s comments.
Most of us only leave comments if we strongly agree or disagree with something, meaning that around 90% of the comments you read are left by either very loyal supporters or people who are emotionally charged in a negative way. Therefore, we need to take into account that these extreme opinions tend to be biased and not constructive.
Emotions can drive our decisions. They can easily interject into our daily situations quickly and with little thought. If we get a positive emotion (excitement or enthusiasm) or negative emotion (anxiety or worry) in any given circumstance where a decision can be made, we are highly influenced by that emotion.
A study was conducted in 2003 where a group of American citizens were asked to read either a fear-inducing news story about anthrax mail threats, or an anger-inducing news story about Middle Eastern nations celebrating the 9/11 attacks. The research found people who were put into an angry state saw the world as ‘less risky’ and therefore supported harsher measures against suspected terrorists.[1]
This illustrates that, when we read seemingly harmless yet influential comments, we really have no idea about the commenter or their emotional state while writing their opinion. We can easily read them as authentic comments but in reality this is a myth.
An Unknown Conspiracy
How genuine are the comments you read? The opportunity to make money is unfortunately allowing businesses to create the power to alter our opinions and decisions.
Many companies actually employ people to create fake comments in order to influence a customer’s decision. Even worse, some employ people to write negative comments about their competitors in order to attack their reputation.
Don’t underestimate the power and knowledge big guns have on how to strategically sway customer’s ideas and decisions through simple reviews and ratings. While it’s not yet illegal, watchdogs are becoming increasingly alarmed at the amount of fake reviews currently out there on all major sites. It’s worrying when many of us trust what we’re reading and even make big purchases based on seemingly positive reviews.
How Not to Be Manipulated by Comments and Reviews
We need to be very vigilant when it comes to comments. Being aware of either fake comments or understanding the possible emotion used by the writer at that moment it was written is a first step.
Don’t Be Quick to React to Comments
You may read a comment you don’t agree with and often in this case, anger may rise up. But commenting in this state is only adding to a biased view. How many times do our emotions cause us to act in a certain way only to feel differently once we’ve stepped back and evaluated things?
It’s best to react with as little emotion as possible or make them irrelevant to your decision. It could be an opinion you feel extremely offended by or a review you just don’t agree with. While your opinion is important, take time out before you respond so your emotions are more balanced. This way you won’t add to the influence of emotional charge.
Be Critical of the Comments You Read
You may read a harsh and angry review about a product you’re thinking of purchasing but try to read between the lines.
Is there a specific reason or circumstance that has influenced their negative comment? Perhaps it’s something that wouldn’t apply to you. Try to read other comments the poster has written to see if they have a tendency to write negatively. In other words, step back, take what they’ve said into account but be aware of it’s overall influence.
Others’ opinions are based on personal and emotional perspectives. While some may be valid, it’s best to use them as a reference only. Doing solid research especially when we’re investing money into buying something, is always a must to get a thorough and balanced view on the product. Read more about how to shut down the voice of the peanut gallery: The Jeopardy of Taking Others’ Opinions Seriously
The sad truth is we can miss out on great things if we’re influenced too much by negative comments or reviews. Instead of basing a movie on it’s IMDB rating or choosing a book on Amazon with the most stars, choose the genre you like and find out for yourself. It’s how we find those hidden gems that add value to our lives.
Reviews and Comments Are for Reference Only
At the end of the day, we need to be more aware of how much we’re influenced by others. Be mindful of the comments and reviews and don’t always take them at face value.
Our general life experiences and emotions can dictate how we react in any moment so the only opinion that matters will be yours – find out for yourself and form your own opinion. What doesn’t work for others may work for you.
Reference
| [1] | ^ | The Atlantic: The Best Headspace for Making Decisions |
The post The Ugly Truth About Comments and Reviews That No One Knows appeared first on Lifehack.
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Powerful Drawings from the Excellent Damian GoidichCurrently...
Powerful Drawings from the Excellent Damian Goidich
Currently residing in Grand Rapids, Michigan, Damian Goidich worked as a freelance Illustrator for several years before attending Kendall College of Art & Design to achieve his MFA in Drawing. He was awarded the 2013 MFA Studio Excellence Award from Ferris State University as well as the Golden Apple Artist Residency Scholarship in Harrington, Maine for both the 2013 and 2014 season. Damian has been a participant in both state and regional exhibitions for a number of years, and is an active member in the Grand Rapids arts community. He is currently an Instructor of Illustration at Kendall College where he teaches classes in advanced figure drawing and oil painting.
Damian’s work utilizes drawing as the primary medium of expression, with occasional forays into mixed media applications. His themes revolve around the exploration of personal memory as visualized through the use of interiors, landscapes, archetypal figures and objects. Tumblr|| Behance|| Facebook
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