I think most people complain about something from time to time and I am no exception. Lately, I have complained about not getting a raise for the 2nd year in a row, although the company is profitable. I have complained about the $12,000+ loss in pay from a job I had in Virginia….almost 5 years ago. Of course, I can never have enough gadgets so my reduction in pay just fuels more fire.
Today I came home to be greeted by a neighbor seeking an air pump for a nearly flat tire. She went on to explain that she had to move because she had been abandoned in Arizona and her kids were helping her move. My puzzled face prompted her to explain that her husband had moved her to Arizona only to telephone that he was not going to join her and that he had a girlfriend. She had worked on Walmart for several years only to lose that job and she just could not afford the payments. She was in good spirits and took the “oh well, what can I do?” attitude.
Perspective
Needless to say, I felt grateful for my well-paying job even though we did not receive a raise. I was glad that I could pay my bills and still have a little blow money. I am truly blessed that I can pay my bills without worry. It has not always been or seemed that way but that is the case now.
At the end of the day, all I could complain about were wants, not needs. I do not NEED another mac computer..I just want one. The only thing I need is really more of a to-do item and that is get my vehicle serviced. So, at least for the moment, I will not complain and enjoy my blessings.
For the past few days, I attended a workshop via the Center for Digital Storytelling. Mango Mama , a very dear friend, sorority sister and digital storyteller, had recommended the workshop nearly 3+ years ago and I was finally taking the class.
What is digital storytelling? Essentially, giving voice to your personal story then adding photos and/or video to produce a 3-5 minute movie clip. Sounds easy, right? Continue reading.
As a typical, right-brain, non-creative (or so I thought), person, I worried that the cost for the class + plane fare might not be worthwhile. Although I have owned a Mac computer for the past two years and done a tiny bit of video editing, the majority of my professional career has been in the Windows world. The workshop does not focus on the technology and it becomes just a tool…nothing more than using a pen to write the story.
I did gain many technical tips for using Apple’s Final Cut Express video editing software but that was not the focus. For those techie types like myself, I was having trouble transitioning from Apple’s iMovie to Final Cut Express but now I understand why. I was attempting to learn from video editing professionals that spoke at a level that even I, QueenGeek, was having trouble digesting. The facilitators of the class definitely put all the techno-jargon into easy-to-understand terms so do not be afraid. You can do it.
In short, the class more than exceeded my expectations. I cannot offer enough praise to the center, the workshop, the environment, Mango Mama and the teachers, Stepahni and Liann. The entire experience was fantastic and ANYONE can take the class.
COMMUNICATION
If you have ever attended a workshop and had difficulty locating the building or contacting instructors then you will appreciate the communication that forwards all materials needed and explicit transportation directions and options. Although the Washington, DC metropolitan area is my home town, I have not lived here in almost 10 years. Having explicit directions, web links and phone numbers for various transportation options such as the metrorail was very helpful.
Prep Work
I cannot say enough about being as prepared for the class as possible. You do not need a computer nor have any previous Mac computer experience but you definitely need your photos. Scanners were available but if you scan ahead of time, the process will be quicker. Short video clips are just an added bonus but definitely not required. As I mentioned earlier, I was traveling out of town and I thought I had enough images. NOT!!!! I found myself scrambling through boxes upon boxes at my dad’s house for the perfect photos as well as scouring the internet for free or creative commons photos of abstract images. It is worth while to watch a few digital stories to understand that you may want abstract photos. A photo may be display anywhere from a few seconds (3 or 4) or longer. A 3-5 minute clip might not seem like a long time until you are trying to add photos and/or video to convey the emotion of your audio recording.
Background music is not required either but it may enhance your story. This can take a bit of time to find something that suites your story.
Last, bring a USB drive with a minimum of 2 GB free. It is not required but you will want to take a copy of your video with you.
No Mac Experience Required
If you have never used a Mac computer nor edited any video, do not panic. The workshop takes you by the hand, focuses on the content of the story while providing sufficient instruction on video editing.
My Digital Storytelling Experience
From the moment I listened to the draft versions of each participants story to watching the final versions, I had a blast. I was emotionally drained and tired after each day but empowered at the same time. To witness and participate in the birth of a small story is just AWESOME. I walked away with a greater appreciation for the fragile lives that we lead and how the human experience of love, loss, joy, sorrow, happiness, pain and suffering crosses all boundaries of race, religion, color and sex. Dare I mention the respect for those that create and edit movies we view in our local theaters.
At the end of the day, I felt like I could create my own movie. Well, not really, but I have been inspired to create more short digital stories.
Are you just overwhelmed with information when it comes to purchasing a Mac or Windows laptop? If so, then this video is for you. I review how much memory to consider,
Recently, I have started to take better care of my spending habits. Anyone that knows me is well aware that I have a weakness for electronic gadgets. As a result, I’ve been working on changing how and what I purchase so I can afford the items without breaking the bank nor paying retail prices.
Open Box Specials
Currently, I’m in the market for yet another Mac Book Pro and Apple does not make any inexpensive devices. As a result, I’m trying to purchase open-box items at local stores and these deals are better than Craigslist, Ebay or Amazon combined. I witnessed a gentlemen purchase the June 2009 model of a 15″ MacBook Pro for $1000!!! Folks, these machines start at $1699 so the savings was huge. If you are not aware, I am also a Dave Ramsey fan so I’m confident would endorse this method of purchasing especially since the same manufacture warranty was included. Have you considered purchasing an open boxed item? Often times, there’s nothing wrong with the item but the original purchaser changed their mind and returned the item.
Amazon, Ebay and Craigslist
I’ve also begun purchasing and selling on Amazon, Ebay and Craigslist. There are great deals on all of these sites for new and used items that are priced lower than retail stores. If you’re skiddish about Here’s how I use these sites:
Amazon
If I want to buy or sell a high-price item and get the best protection, I use Amazon. Items such as electronics and a few books are typically what I sell. Additionally, since Amazon offers money towards shipping, it takes some of the hassle out of shipping. I’m not saying that Ebay doesn’t have some protection but the perception is that Amazon is safer so I typically use them for items that are easily shipped and I want the better price without the bidding aspect. Another advantage of using Amazon is they provide all the photos and description of the items so as a seller, Amazon provides a pretty hassle-free experience.
As far as security, someone recently tried to scam me on an item that I was selling. I sent the information to Amazon and they confirmed the scam. Whew!!! The transaction looked correct initially but in the end, the normal process of how Amazon operates were not followed and that was the tip-off. One problem when trying to sell on Amazon is that if the item isn’t listed in their database, then you cannot add it as a new item unless you have a Pro Merchant account.
Ebay
I typically use Ebay when the item doesn’t exist on Amazon and/or I want to add a video demonstration to the item. Canned photos on Amazon don’t always make the cut when selling an item and Amazon doesn’t allow links to external websites like YouTube or Photo hosting sites to show your item.
Craigslist
I love using Craigslist when I have an item that would be too much of a hassle to ship or the fees associated with Ebay don’t make it worthwhile to sell on that platform. I’ve sold an older digital video camera that used tapes for the media when I wanted to upgrade to a camcorder that used secure digital (SD) cards. I’ve also used it to help a friend purchase a car and after test driving it and retrieving the CarFax details, it was a great deal. I like Craigslist for cash-and-carry deals but as a seller, this method is just a step above yard sales in the aspect that the buyers want to pay as little as possible. As a result, if you’re trying to make even a slight profit, then Ebay or Amazon maybe better options.
Just plain old cheap or is that Frugal?
In some regards, I’ve just gotten cheap or I would like to think frugal. I use rechargeable batteries for my TV remotes and wireless computer mice instead of buying expensive batteries over and over. I take empty water bottles through airport security so I can fill-up at the water fountain for free. I use Google Voice to make phone calls over the internet and keep my minutes low on my cell phone plan. I also use Skype to make video calls or conferencing calls over the internet and that reduces my phone bill. Truth be told, I use Vonage as my phone service so my bill is always the same no matter how much I talk.
At the end of the day, my goal is the save money where ever possible so I have it for for savings, geek toys, vacationing and other things that I desire. So stop paying retail prices whenever possible. There’s money to save!!!
This past April, my niece a.k.a Auntie’s Angel turned 3rd years old. As any doting mother, my sister thought having a tea party for little girls would just be devine and it was. However, before we jump into the celebration let’s review a bit of history.
History
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