Confessions of a Photo-Challenged Wanna-Be Pinnable Girl

It's confession time. I'm pretty much lost without my admin, my digital guru, my “would you please when you have some (ha!) free time maybe make me...” go-to guy. I miss you, Jeremy. However, I think this forced “figure it out yourself, Tina” time is really what I needed. Who knew?

For a while, my blogging mentor, Amanda of House Revivals, has been encouraging me to make my posts “pinnable” and adding the Pinterest button to what I write. She's amazingly sweet, and kind, and even made me my first two pinnable images as a gift.

Well, life kinda happened after that, but life (though it's Good!) always happens, and I didn't get to more than opening a Pinterest account. I have no idea where all my followers came from because I had maybe two pictures of nail designs I like and new followers everyday. Probably because jenn of quirky pickings, and one of my Tina's Terrific Team of minions, is doing a give-away, and since I contributed, I could “make” people follow me on Pinterest. Thanks, all of you. I am learning. And I followed you back.

I thought I'd share some of my adventures with you, and Jeremy, please don't laugh at how picture-manipulating challenged I am. Because of course, I wasn't going to go the easy route and just use one of the fabulous images Amanda made for me. No. I had to figure out for myself how to make them so that when I'd used hers, I wouldn't be out of material and all Pinnable-Interest (oh, I think that was a good one...) would die off.

So I google, I help menu, I ask The Transporter about software. “Are you kidding me, Mom? That's like $700 dollars and that's why you can't find it on your Windows 8.” (I'm used to the NOT finding things on W8, so it really wasn't THAT stupid of a question...in my opinion, based on previous experience...) For example, W8 doesn't come with a DVD player.

Here's where I am right now. I can make a pinnable image using PicMonkey. I have learned how to add a non-removable watermark (unless you're a genius – the tutorial promised that it would be really hard for even the most experienced photo guru to remove without a trace.)

I have new, free, Norton approved, photo-editing software. (Oh-please-don't-let-me-lose-the-original while using it...I'm really trying to follow the directions and so far my favorite button on either program is UNDO...)

I even made a pinnable image! It has nothing to do with this post. I just picked a favorite picture that I knew would make a post someday. However, I also learned the painful lesson that the two programs I'm using don't like each other, so you can either have the watermark, or the title of the post, but not both, if you made one with the first and the other with the second. Territorial rights, I guess. So I'm not putting it up.

Despite my (very well known) quest for attention, I will not add it to this post. This is just me whining about learning something new and it being hard to do. But hey! It's a COMPLETELY NEW TOPIC OF WHINING. So be happy for that.

Now all that's left is to get that little pin-thing onto this page...I've really tried following the directions...but for now, I'm leaving it with the ½ finished picture. As in waiting for later.

What have you tried to learn lately that challenged you?

~Tina

Please Blitz Jeremy, and Yeah, I Finally Gave Away My Piano

Before I get to my silly post for today, I want to encourage you to visit the A-Z Challenge Blog.  One of our co-hosts, my buddy Jeremy, broke his ankle, had surgery, and is needing some bloggy love.  As a team of co-hosts, we wrote his "About Me" feature as a surprise.   (There are more coming up in the following weeks leading up to April about the most of the rest of us).  He's also being Blitz Attacked (see Friday's post).  I ask the favor that you visit the A-Z Challenge Blog even if you're not involved just to say, "Get better soon!" or whatever fits your style. I know the encouragement will help him heal.  Thanks.

*****

My piano has a new home, and it’s a good home.  Yet I’m a nostalgic person, and the big hole in my family room reminds me that though something may have sentimental value, I’m in the place where I need to let go of that which no longer serves a purpose for me, and can bless someone else. Then I have more room to get myself and my essential stuff organized.

I can’t play the piano anymore.  I used to sit down to keep in touch with enough frequency that I could still play “Color My World” by Chicago.  The reason I could play it was that it’s the only song that was taught to me without sheet music, so I’d sit and let muscle memory take over, and the song would just flow.  It’s a really neat feeling when that happens.

I’m going to take a little side trip here and explain about the lack of sheet music, which I know you’d expect the math nerd and recipe girl to need.

I had to have a ride to the bus-stop.  We’d moved, but I still got to go to my originally planned junior high.  Therefore it wasn't always a good time for The Nutritionist to pick me up when the bus dropped me off.  I'd just go to PieGirl’s house.  Sometimes for hours.  We sure didn’t mind!

She not only taught me that song, she introduced me to Billy Joel and we’d sing “heartattackackackack” at the top of our lungs while listening to “The Stranger”.  She tutored me, patiently, since I couldn't cook ANYTHING at the time, in how to make a perfect apple pie from scratch.  She was good at so many things, and such a good friend.  (I can still make apple pie, by the way.  Though I'd pick playing Color My World.  I also know how to buy a good pie.)

Here in my present, The Transporter, along with already kicking some serious talent around on electric guitar, wants to learn how to play the keyboard.  My former (practice saying it, Tina) piano can’t hold a tune (oh, that wasn’t on purpose but I like it), was ancient, and was taking up real estate that could be used for a keyboard.  (So could The Transporter’s own room…but any parent of a teenage boy knows that to make the normal laws of physics apply in said space, you need to add to the equation what a guy is willing to do to keep his room clean…)

We've had an ad up on craiglist with full disclosure of my former piano’s pros and cons, and had three calls in a month.  I thought the ad had expired, honestly.  Yesterday a family, with four little girls 9 and under, came to get it.  All four want to learn to play.  Mom is a pianist, and surprisingly, was very happy with what she found.  “It has all its keys.  All its keys make a sound.  We have someplace to start from, and we can put our money into fixing it up.”

They had driven two hours, rented a trailer, bought tie-down straps, and were ready to go.  I had a delightful time with SuperMom while the (now four, due to the strategic arrival of my three) strapping men got that old relic out the door and secured in the trailer.

Good-bye, Grandma Vivian’s piano.  Swissie and I had fun with our lessons, and it was lovely being the caretaker of this family “treasure” all these years.  Good luck to the four little girls whose names all begin with A, and to homeschool mom and super nice dad.  Enjoy.

~Tina, who wonders if you know how much dust accumulates under a piano which has been sitting for thirteen years…And yes, I could actually play that.  (Mine didn't have the little riff at the end though.  This was the closest I could find.)

Jeremy's "It's Time" Book Tour

Today I'm honored and delighted to welcome my buddy Jeremy Hawkins to Life is Good. Jeremy is on an extensive blog tour – he's got 4 new books now available! These amazing art books are a glimpse into his mind, images he's created over the years and has put together in a series called It's Time 12:34, 12;35, 12:36, and 12:37. As he cruises around the blogosphere, he'll be sharing personal stories – different ones at each blog he visits – and I was lucky enough to get the Batman story. Batman is my favorite superhero. So take it away Jeremy! 

So here I am faced with a dilemma where I get to entertain you on this wonderful site and with the hopes to keep your attention on the rest of my stops. My thought is to share a true story… my first encounter with a celebrity. 

With this story I will travel in time, going back the seventies [1974] when bell bottoms were cool and so was a trip to the Toy’s “r” Us. You remember they would have characters from your favorite shows and movies come in and put us in awe. Who could forget the giant giraffe “Geoffrey”… well let’s forget, cause today he is a cartoon and I say boo. I am off subject I am going to write about the day this little kid, me… met Batman… yes Batman.

I am six and I have just learned that the caped crusader was coming to my local 7-11 

and he will be signing autographs. At the time I knew nothing of actors who played people because to me there were only my mom, dad and action figures. I am six years old and standing in my first line to meet one of my toys in real life, I could not contain my excitement… but wait this line is really long who the heck are these people. I wanted to have a little one on one with him, I am confused who were these other people. 

My mother said to me “fans of Batman” and she didn’t believe this line either, so we stand for what seemed like forever. From out of nowhere music begins to play, crowd starts to cheer as a caped man runs up and down this line of people. Greeting all the little crime fighters with a wave and finger to eye gesture. I am confused giving the 6 year old “WTF” look to my mother as this guy runs into the store and we wait.

We start to move, and my father has now joined as we wait, he was there the whole time… just sitting in the car. My mother assured me that this was the real guy and he makes appearance all over the world to make sure good kids stay good, so I am happy again. We move forward and forward again… what seems like hours is actually hours. I see the card table and Batman. My father hands me a giant comic book Scarecrow vs. Batman… I am nervous and kid curious until I am at the edge. A friendly greet from this masked man and his question “do you want me to sign that”… I said nothing. I was blank. It was over; I missed my chance for the solid one on one. I read that comic book for weeks staring at the scribble that read “stay good” Batman, really not knowing what happened that day.

Years later I did get the chance to interview Adam West [TV Batman], but you will have to follow my tour to read how that went.

***

Would you like to be part of "IT'S TIME" TOUR giveaways?

GRAND PRIZE:

- One Set of Books [Signed]
- One T-shirt [Sent by Neatorama]
- One Signed* Cd of CYBORG: DIRECTOR'S CUT [Howlin' Wolf Records]
   [*DIRECTOR, COMPOSER, AND EDITOR]
- One sealed Cd of your Choice of one Sealed Cd [La La Records]
   EVIL DEAD [2013]
   Music by Roque Baños
   BATTLESTAR GALACTICA: BLOOD & CHROME [2013]
   Music by Bear McCreary
   GOD OF WAR: ASCENSION [2013]
   Music by: Tyler Bates
-  and a few more surprises!

FIRST/SECOND PRIZE:

- One Set of Books [Signed]
- One T-shirt [Sent by Neatorama]
- One sealed Cd of your Choice of Remaining Sealed Cd [La La Records]

Now what do you have to do [YOU DON'T NEED TO EVERYTHING, JUST THE ONES YOU CAN OR THE STARRED ONES*]?

All the usual "Like Me" Stuff:
- Befriend Me Here "Being Retro"*
- My Facebook Page "JMH Digital"
- My Twitter "iZombieJMH"

Send me an email: re: IT'S TIME TOUR to 

jeremy at jmhdigital dot com

- In the email tell me how you found me and what time is it?*

And Last:
- If you should buy the set or just one, please share your thoughts on "AMAZON"... 

For more celebrity stories, be sure to check out all the tour dates/places over at Being Retro.  Thanks for being here today, Jeremy!

Super Hero Friends: Jeremy: Being Retro

You know how much I love getting awards! You also know it's been kinda a tough time around here lately, so getting this Super Blogger Award

from Jo of Jo on Food, My Travels, and a Scent of Chocolate really cheered me up. She said some really upliftings things about me which were part of that whole cheering up thing. She's just a sweetheart. Thank you Jo for honoring me with this award.

It's a unique one – you only pass it on to ONE person.  The rules are simple: tell why your friend is super, then reveal one secret about yourself.  I'm blessed with many super friends, but this choice was easy.

I pass this award on to Jeremy of Being Retro. He's probably familiar to most of you for several reasons, and these are also the reasons he's getting this Super Blogger Award.  

Jeremy is truly a superhero - look at all he does!

• he's a co-owner of this blog (see sidebar) because he's my technical guy, he designed this all from scratch, and he's always willing to help, like when I said I needed a button to display at Quirky Pickings because she's highlighting me this month (yeah!) and within hours he gave me this: 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• he's been a co-host of the A-Z Challenge with me for the last two years and does all the art, buttons, badges, bling, etc. there, too, and designed that site from scratch also
  
  
• in fact, his digital art is published, and if you visit his site today, you can read all about it.  He'll be here in August on his blog tour.
  
  
• he's a super supportive friend. When you work long, hard hours on a project with someone (I'm referring to the April A-Z Challenge) you can't help but get to know your fellow workers. We became buds. He's like a brother to me and his hysterical emails always cheer me up.

So here's to Jeremy, my Super pal, brother, friend, comrade in the fight. May the flying monkeys leave you alone, or grab that umbrella and watch out for the flying...stuff...

P.S He loves Superman, so this is perfect for that reason, too. Now go visit him and say hi, and oh yeah, he designs t-shirts, too. Buy one. They are super-soft and very unique. Tell him I sent you and if you know him, remind him how wonderful he is.

P.P.S Oh yeah, a secret about me.  Wow, are there any left?  Hmmm, OK.  (Sorry Mom...) One night I told my folks I was spending the night at a friend's house, and she told her mom she was spending the night at my house and we did neither and stayed out all night with her big brother, cruising the streets of Denver.  It was a really fun time, but the guilt about crushed me.  Sigh.  I was 18.

Did I Notice Your Book Blogfest

The book I noticed is Retro-Zombie: Art & Words by Jeremy Hawkins. I noticed it because he asked me to review it before it went live on Amazon. Hey, that's noticing! You notice something someone points out to you...

I love this book. Jeremy is a writer and a digital artist, and this endeavor which he dubs, “A coloring book for your mind” continuous to make me think each time I pick it up. I've included pictures of my favorite page spread

and a close up the words that are my favorite part

I'm excited to be a part of the “Did I Spot Your Book?” blogfest hosted by Ciara Knight  nd her co-hort, Alex J. Cavanaugh  The idea is to spotlight a book you've noticed, shout about it through all your social media networks, and once the author notices that YOU'VE noticed his or her book, leave a comment at Ciara's and Alex's. Be sure to visit them both! 

Yes, obviously Jeremy is my friend. Some might call this cheating. I call it being a friend. Check out this amazing book!. Here's the Amazon link. Now head over to our co-hosts and for the next noticed books on our list. You'll be sure to find something that interests you for your reading list.

Guest Friend: Jeremy Hawkins

Hey Friends,

Please welcome my adopted A-Z brother, Jeremy Hawkins, as he explains his latest endeavor. Yes, his name is familiar because he's the one who built the new Life is Good and also an A-Z host two years running. I'm happy to support him in any way I can!

I wanted to share this with you for a couple of reasons... one it's really cool if you enjoy something scary and horror music. Second, well this is the independent record label I do work for and it's one cool event happening all month. 

 

Howlin' Wolf Records & Jason Comerford present a 3rd season of 13 CHILLS: Commentary, PRIZES, and good ole October Mayhem. Leave a comment, read a little something interesting and win some prizes. Here is the schedule for the upcoming days for the whole month. 

01 - 10/03, Wed - FRIGHT NIGHT - Brad Fiedel
02 - 10/05, Fri - MISERY - Marc Shaiman
03 - 10/08, Mon - THE MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH - David Lee
04 - 10/10, Wed - SISTERS - Bernard Herrmann
05 - 10/12, Fri - THE FLY - Howard Shore
06 - 10/15, Mon - ???
07 - 10/17, Wed -
08 - 10/19, Fri -
09 - 10/22, Mon -
10 - 10/24, Wed -
11 - 10/26, Fri -
12 - 10/29, Mon -
13 - 10/31, Wed - 

Read over the current day's score, read the history and make a comment (right side "What do you think?")... be entered in weekly giveaways. At the end of the month be entered in a huge prize "Friday the 13" Scores 1-6 Box Set by: Harry Manfredini.

13 Days of CHILLS

http://www.13chills.com

Thanks,

Jeremy Hawkins

Oh No, Let's Go Crazy