Just about as black as my heart! || My never ending quest in technological ineptitude!
I love books. I lose track of the universe upon clearing the thresholds of libraries or booksellers. Growing up, I aspired to have a reading corner like my Uncle Gaëtan, complete with a broken-in chair, reading light, and refreshment table. However, my nomadic tendencies and lack of private real estate have hindered my ability to amass a private library. In an effort to resume flexing my thinking muscle, I’ve embraced electronic reading. (more…)
Last week, I started taking a digital photography with PhotoShop Elements course at the community school. Right out of the gates, I felt I was at a technological disadvantage as I have a point-and-shooter while the majority of my peers are hefting pricey single lens reflex (SLR) cameras. Though, my handy dandy Panasonic Lumix DMC FX-07 has been undoubtedly fantastic to me, I can’t help but wonder if I am truly at a disadvantage with my current hardware. I am one of the many denizens who follow Geek*Sugar on the Sugar Network. Being less techno-savvy, I value and respect her ability to mainline the pros and cons of tech stuff for her audience without drowning us in jargon.
Intentionally Lo-Fi? Enter Lomography!
When I was living in Tottori, I frequented some of the little shops along the main shopping drags in Tottori City and Yonago City. There was Chambre Ample inTottori City and Johnny Appleseed in Yonago. Both focused on kitsch accessories, home interior goods, and clothes. They have a diverse of “European” goods, namely higher end stationery and trinkets. Among the lush kitsch jungle of shabby-chic, I discovered the assortment of Lomo cameras, especially the FishEye and SuperSampler. Though I never had the courage to actually march up the counter with one, I find them truly fascinating.
I bought my first digital camera prior to my move to Japan in 2003. During university, I frequented the photo labs at Wal-mart and Publix until a peer introduced me to a “proper photography shop” near 34th Street and University Drive. I loved how this particular shop did matte prints with white photography borders. It was hard for me to part with my old 35mm camera. I found it in a box the other day, untouched for almost six years with film still in it. For some reason, I opted to leave the film in it. Now that I have been a digital girl for nearly six years, I have almost a fear of returning to ‘lower’ machine.
It is really a ‘lower machine’? Gosh, that sounds completely opposite of what I mean. Perhaps, I’ve gotten too comfy with how good digital photography makes me appear creatively. No need to worry about f-stops, ISO, shutter speeds, lenses and all the adjustments necessary to make to make the pictures happen. My point-and-shoot has to an extent, made me lazy about the photographic process. It doesn’t require as much thought as I thought– or so I thought. Through the course, I’ve learned that I know very little about the little gadget which responsible for recording my exploits abroad since 2003.
Technologically speaking, Japan is a bit more ahead of the game than the US, hence we import their electronics from cameras and gaming systems to televisions and automobiles. Bigger. Faster. Stronger. How much bang can I get for my buck, yen, (insert currency here)… Whenever I finally hunker down and make an investment in an electronic appliance or device, without fail the newer generation pops out within a few months of purchase. The phrase “its not what you have but how you use it,” has been cycling through my mind as I write this. People apply it to countless things: cars, houses, electronics, an individual’s ‘performance’. There has been a long running (pardon my crass language) pissing contest to see whose going to emerge the top.
I hate to admit it, but I think that my reservations of purchasing a lomo or ‘traditional’ camera, stem for my insecurities as a photographer. I’ve seen the amazing work people generate though the bragging rights don’t come without a hefty price tag. As a novice photography this can be quite daunting to the point that I feel I should just slip my P-n-S in my pocket and just shuffle on home. Perhaps I am searching in the wrong communities, but I just don’t know where to look. I would love to learn from the elite, but I get the nagging sensation that my ‘greenness’ isn’t eco-friendly in their high art environment.
So why should I try to compete? Would my inexperience be met with the same raised brows, patronizing commentary, and jargon filled conversations if I straddled the fence and just picked up a lomo to satisfy my curiosity? Would I be breaking some unspoken rule or “us versus them” mentality of the purists on either side? Shouldn’t it be just about the pictures? Am I over thinking the entire situation and depriving myself of a potentially entertain medium to work with?
This year is the 25th Anniversary of Lomo, Though the shiny silver and chrome editions are quite shiny, my eyes have been drawn to the Diana F+ Clones: Mr. Pink, Tokyo Rising, and The Diana F+ Deluxe Kit. Their shop has so many different things to choose from. With a digital camera, these lenses are ridiculously expensive or non-existent. Many of the photographic options can be mimicked in PhotoShop, but would detract from the playful experience of these cameras. Wouldn’t it?
Mixed Media Alert! PSE 6 Conflict
Now, this conflict could be partially circumvented using my computer, a tablet, and a program like PhotoShop Elements. I previously used PhotoShop on my retired Sony Viao and finally got the hang of it after a while. Though I worked hard at tweeking my works in a ‘digital darkroom’ many pretentious artists and non-constructive critics in online art communities discount digital photography as genuine art as problematic items can be ‘photoshopped away’. I disagree with this, largely in part to the amount of work and finesse is necessary to make the work presentable for display.
In my final year at university, I studied the impact of electronic writing spaces had on creative writing as an independent study. Prior to this, I took a course focusing on Creative Writing Online, and another about Women and the World Wide Web. Both classes explored the pros and cons of computers and the internet as it pertained to the writer which completely fascinated me. I think photographers, digital and analog alike, are posed with similar conflicts.
I have many questions. Possibly too many…
I’ll stop the thought train for now. Its late and I want to do thinking that doesn’t require staring at a screen. Don’t think I am not thinking up follow-up questions. I am most certain that I will have more
Many of my friends have skills or talents they are gung ho or mastering. Whether its a martial art (several black belt holders in my social circle), a creative talent, or being totally craft-tastic (Knit-Wits, Holla!!), everyone has something they are bananas about. Despite my Virgo nature, I tend to dabble in a little bit of everything without truly mastering anything. It’s a bit frustrating really.
Does this make me a consummate niche seeker? Am I experimenting with my free-time? Could a need for variety be the driving force behind my commitment issues with hobbies and sports?
Sports: Unleashing the Inner Tomboy
When I was in high school, I lived and breathed volleyball for two years. I loved it, despite thebehind-the-scenes-team drama. I would have played through my senior year had I not injured myself at a cheerleading picnic (in a vain attempt to fit in). My coach never really forgave me for separating my ankle on a trampoline. I ended up quitting the team after my sophomore year because the pain and weakness of the ankle frustrated me more than losing nearly every single game. Part of me wonders if I should have gone to physical therapy once the cast came off. The doctor said it wasn’t necessary, and since he didn’t force the issue, I didn’t give it a second thought. However, even now I wear an ankle brace when I play sports because on cold & rainy days, I still get stiffness in the joint. I am thankful that it didn’t need to be surgically drained, but I wonder if I did enough for it to heal correctly.
For three years, I played tennis in Japan with my colleagues. Every Sunday night, we’d meet up for a couple of hours of smashing double fun. I loved it. I got to hang out with my friends and play a sport. It was the most exercise I got on a regular basis since high school Gradually, I improved, though I remained one of the weaker membersof the team. Playing tennis with my friends became a routine, one I earnstly looked forward to. Now that I am back in Florida, I need to actively seek novice players looking for a partner or with space on their team. Being slightly overweight, limits my ability to play full sets without wanting to drop dead, so I need to find a healthy way to get in shape– and eventually be able to wear a tennis skirt with confidence. 
Queen of the Kitchen! Maybe some day…
Upon returning home, I quickly became re-addicted to reality TV programs like Ace of Cakes and TOP CHEF: NY. Being an individual who severely lacks in the culinary department, I live vicariously through the talented dynamos on these programs. After struggling with a single burner kitchenette for 5.5 years in Japan, I have lost what little command of cusine I previously had. Every now and then, I am attempting recipes my mom’s left for me in the house with very little success. I’ve contemplated culinary school, but my lack of style in the kitchen greatly stunts that endeavour.
However, I picked up a flyer from Joann Fabrics and Crafts last week during their open house. They have a series of cake decorating classes starting up in April & May. I am heavily considering the Wilton(c) Cake courses as something to help me gain a little confidence in the kitchen and keep me from becoming a total hermit. If I can’t get a full-time job right away, perhaps I could at least work in a bakery to make some money. I love cake and want to make pretty ones!
Getting Literary, Baby!
I am attempting to climb back on the writing horse, especially with several failed attempts at NaNoWriMo and the impending doom that is Script Frenzy next month. Last night, I was given my first writing timed challenge in years. After hashing out Noor Jawahir a bit last month, I came screeching to a halt. What I desperately need in regards to my writing is structure, a task master, and most importantly deadlines. The writing project on the table is Faviarti’s Tarot, one of my many incomplete NaNoWriMo stories. It’s a modern high fantasy that needs to be heavily planned out and researched, especially since there are references to majicks, tarot cards, and other magical things.
I have considered finding a writers’ group here or taking a course at the community college, but I often worry as most self-proclaimed writers have a tendency to be pretentious. After wasting years on GaiaOnline, I got burnt out on narcissistic prima donnas, drama llamas, and immature prats who consistently bitched and moaned about other people’s writing. There was little respect for creative identity, especially with the veil of anonymity. The destructive criticism dole out left and right proved to stifle my writing and stunted my confidence as a writer. Everyone had something to say, and without the pressure of face-to-face interaction, many harsh comments were made. I’m not saying that all writers on GO are horrible, bitter hermits out to exact revenge on others because they haev chips on their shoulders. It’s more of one or two rotten apples spoils the entire bushel. I made some great friends on GO, but for the most part the electronic interaction was merely that.
Real Life = Obstacle = Not an Excuse to too many people. It drove me away, and impacted my desire to write. I want to shake the dust off my writing and get back into it full swing.
After a year or so of fawning over the PSPs in just about every electronics store I happened upon, I caved and bought one. The latest generation (PSP-3000 in Pearl White). Though I really pined over the pastel colored ones, I figured if I am going to shell out the money for them, I might as well get my money’s worth.
Since Christmas Day (12/25/08) better known as the day Karen resumed hermit-hood, I have had been glued to the darn thing playing until my thumbs lose feeling. When I was a child, the boys in my neighborhood coined it as “Nintendo Numbness” because that was the only game system in my household at the time. I swear, somewhere in this body of mine there is a 14 year old Japanese fan boy chained up, but trying to claw his way out. The shiny new PSPs were on display beside the latest game releases by ‘SquEnix’, including Final Fantasy Dissidia (the ultimate FF Manics dream complete with all the heroes and main villians as playable characters). FFD won’t be available in the US until mid-2009, so I caved and bought the Japanese version as– It. Was. Right. There.
I really shouldn’t be allowed to step foot into an electronic store unattended, or able to contact any of “enablers”.
I’ve been really impressed by the lighter weight of the 3000 series PSP. Having a bag full of junk to schlep around all the time often prevented me from purchasing the Sony hand-held gaming device. I have a clear, (removable) plastic casing to keep all those pesky chips and fingerprints off my new Precioussss….
As for FFD, I haven’t figured out how to do any of the really fancy moves, nor have I figured out how to do the play against your friend option. With the DS, one’s friend didn’t need to have the game, but I am thinking that for the PSP, both players may need to have a copy.
Other games purchased: Itadaki Street! Dragon Quest vs. Final Fantasy, The Goddess of Jokes, I’ll Never Forgive You, and Suzumiya Haruhi’s Promise. I have been told that the UMD Disks play in all systems, much like the Nintendo DS games, however, I don’t know if this is true. I’ll need to chase up some of my friends back home and see if any of them are “in possession” of the goods and if we can arrange a trail deal.
The first one’s always free, right?