Cool Chicks: Wendy Davis

It's one thing to complain about the war on women's reproduction rights in the US.  

It's another thing to fight it.  That's exactly what Wendy Davis did last night.

The Decisive Moment

I've been studying Henri Cartier-Bresson, a modern day god in photography.

He was a hunter for the perfect photograph.

"The creative act lasts but a brief moment, a lightning instant of give-and-take, just long enough for you to level the camera and to trap the fleeting prey in your little box" - Henri Cartier-Bresson

I'm no Henri, but I tried to channel his "decisive moment" philosophy this week.  In the photograph above, I waited on the street corner as motorcycles flew by, trying to capture speed while also framing the street sign in the background.  I like the way it turned out.

"To photograph is to hold one's breath, when all faculties converge to capture fleeting reality.  It's at that precise moment that mastering an image becomes a great physical and intellectual joy." - Henri Cartier-Bresson

That was one (very speedy) moment in time.  I'm hoping to trap many more in the future.

Should we be more pessimistic?

There's not really a right answer to the title of this post (it was more for you to click, hehe).  Therefore, success is mine if you're reading this.

Anyways, I digress.  In the School of Life sermon above, Alain de Botton argues that a bit more pessimism could be good for us.  How can that be true?  What about positive psychology & Dale Carnegie?

Be Clever or Be Skipped

I'm starting a rotation with the APAC YouTube team next week (yea!).  Therefore, I've been paying a lot more attention to online video lately (see here).  My pre-reading for the rotation + this awesome book have led me to believe it's more important than ever to be clever.  

People now have more choices about the ads they watch -- whether it be through TiVo or TrueView Ads.  

Therefore, if you can't entertain your audience, be prepared for that audience to go elsewhere (or for them to be photoshopped on the street).

DIY Retreat: Art Classes, Day 1

This week, I'm on a retreat -- my own, DIY retreat that is in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

I'm taking 20 hour of art classes & 2 days of meditation at Wat Suan Dok 
Note: All emails for the meditation class has been from thaimonkchat@yahoo.com, so TBD.

Today, I had my first session with Noina, focused on the basics of drawing.

WTF, Tynon

This ad just popped up on my Grooveshark playlist (not sure why playing Miles Davis brings up this ad).

Dear Tynon: The female anatomy does NOT look like that.  Please try again.

All that you have is your soul

I love Tracy Chapman -- she's so soulful and strong -- an activist with a rich voice.

During art class today, I listened to her song, "All That You Have Is Your Soul."  It's an important reminder to not find your worth in another person and to chase after the things that are true to your soul.  As you get older, it's easier to trade-in your idealistic dreams for more mainstream ones -- material possessions, power, status.

Here are the lyrics.  I need to listen to her more.

This week, I live in an ashtray

(Source: Edgar Su)

This week, I live in an ashtray.  I have colleagues visiting from China, and they even think it's bad.

Singapore's air pollution has jumped to PSI 371 (hazardous for grandmas and babies).  Luckily, I'm neither, but it's still gross.  You know it's bad when: A) you get *multiple* work emails saying to stay home, B) your company hands out face masks in the office lobby.

Final Photography Project: Islamic Practice in Singapore

I just finished up my Intermediate Photography class at Objectifs last night (and have already signed up for 2 more courses & 2 workshops).  I'm obsessed.

Above is my final selection of photos for our student show (I obviously still need to blow-up the photos & mount).

To see the nice, high res photos in non-GIF form & write-up, read more.

On My To-Do List: Stop-Motion

I've been wanting to make a stop-motion video ever since seeing my boyfriend's sister's Farm Stop Motion project for art school a few months ago.  It's super cool.  Check out her other work here.

Today, I ran across this Starbucks stop-motion ad, which rekindled this goal.  The ad seems more local & "neigborhoody" using this technique, despite being a GIANT corporation.

Stop-motion has now moved up higher on my to-do list.

I've been hibernating

(Source: Blog)

I've been hibernating.

Impressive Installation: Light Leaks

I stumbled across this impressive installation by Kyle McDonald & Jonas Jongejan.

Such incredibly creative minds!

Cool Corporate Culture (and, I'm not talking about Google)

(Source: Paul Smith's office by David Baird)

When I think of corporate culture, I think about Google.  I'm biased.  I work there.  I know the culture inside and out.  The media reports on it all the time.  It makes work life so much better.

But, I do realize that Google's not the only unique culture out there.

Here's a few awesome ones I've stumbled upon recently:

Neat: Nubook (pre-designed website in minutes)

Want to make a beautiful, well designed website without taking a TON of time?

Check out Nubook!  Need more convincing?  Check out their examples

The Servant Class of Singapore

(Source: Tay Kay Chin)

Singapore is an adult Disneyland (with the death penalty).

It's a place where you can feel rich simply walking around the public spaces -- awe-inspiring buildings, beautifully-manicured parks, malls that look nothing like mallrats, etc

I've been wildly impressed, but it does all come at a cost.

Photo Shoot: Sri Mariamman Temple, Singapore

As previously mentioned, I've been working on a photography project around religion.

Here's a few of my favorites on Hinduism from the Sri Mariamman Temple in Singapore.

The Miseducation of Tamara Sanderson

(Source: Texas Co-op Power Magazine)

Two of my friends are in town this week. Akshay is speaking at a Social Impact conference; Amrita flew over to visit him (and subsequently, me).

Last night, we were discussing what we remember from high school and college.  

The unanimous agreement: very little.  

I can do basic algebra, but don't give me a graphing calculator.  I have no idea what I was pressing into my TI-89 in Calculus.  Amrita & Akshay both went to ITT Bombay, which has a crazy hard placement test -- I'm sure they studied WAY more than I did in high school, yet still, same answer.

So, why do we remember so little?

Photo Shoot: Armenian Church, Singapore

Singapore is a true melting pot.  Within 45 minutes, I can walk from Little India to Arab Street to Chinatown, with bits and pieces of other cultures along the way.

It also has a true mix of religion:

• Buddhism: 33%
• Christianity: 18%
• Islam: 15%
• Taoism: 11%
• Hindu: 5%
• Non-religious: 17%
• Other: 1%

On the other hand, the US is more flat.

• Christianity: 75%
• Non-religious: 20%
• Other: 5%

Out of curiosity, I decided to survey the religions in Singapore for my Objectifs Photography Project.  Check out some of my favorites from this beautiful church.

I hate powerpoint

It's true.  I wish it would die.  I think it's a cancer growing in the business world.

Why you may ask?

Horse heads are all the rage

I recently signed up for Amazon Affiliates (spoiler alert: I've made $0.00).

On the homepage, they have a guide to the best selling products by category to link.

Lesson Learned: I'll only be writing about Father's Day & horse heads from now on.  Done.

PS - Buy this right this second!!!

What Motivates Us (and, it's not only money)

I can tell when I'm motivated.  

I can tell when I'm not (my internet history can tell too).

I didn't understand why until I watched this video by Daniel Pink.  

Distortion of Women: Weapon of choice = Photoshop

It's one thing to know that the covers of magazines and billboards are heavily staged and photoshopped.  

It's another thing to see it before your eyes.

A new find: Joanna Newsom

I just discovered this beautiful song, Swansea, by Joanna Newsom today.  

It makes me feel like I live in a different world.  Enjoy.

I've Changed My Mind about Cauliflower

(Source: Brock Davis)

I've skirted cauliflower in the past -- always gravitating towards its "brother from another mother" (i.e., broccoli).

Well, life changed this weekend.  I discovered that cauliflower can be morphed into delicious things with more nutrients & fewer calories (1 point for Tamara)

I've been missing out.

B&W vs Color Photography

(Source: Henri Cartier-Bresson)

I'm a photography novice.  I somehow managed to buy a really fancy camera from a guy leaving Singapore for ~$325 USD (about 20% the original cost).  I basically stole it.  

It makes people think I'm a fancy photographer (I'm okay with the illusion).  It also makes people want to "talk shop" (which turns into a very short talk).

Confession time -- I'm just now learning the difference between Black & White vs Color photography.  Not the pigment (I'm not colorblind); just when to use one versus the other.

Removing the "T" from Can't

(Source: NYTimes)

The NYTimes ran an article this week called "Kids These Days" -- it showcased uber successful twenty-somethings, from designers to writers to entrepreneurs.

The article is not unusual.  

We're fascinated by folks that have done more in a few years than most will accomplish in their lifetime (see 30 under 30).  We like the National Spelling Bee, the Little League world series, the start-up stories of Facebook & Google and NBA basketball stars younger than most of the spectators.

You know you live in Asia....

... When you receive discounts for Hello Kitty Town in your gmail.

After watching this video, I'm sold.  Malaysia, here I come. (I kid, I kid)

Self-Diagnosis: What's making you unhappy

(Source: Daniel Zakhorav)

Anais Nin said, "I have no brakes on... analysis is for those who are paralyzed by life."

At some point, we all become a bit paralyzed by life.  This paralysis can take many forms -- depression, dissatisfaction, boredom, jadedness, etc.

When this hits, how do you break free?

The Best Glam-Camping in Cambodia

(Source: 4 Rivers Floating Lodge)

Last fall, Alan found a deal on the Jetsetter for the 4 Rivers Floating Lodge a few hours outside of Phnom Penh.  I had no expectations.  I didn't even look at the website.

It ended up being one of my favorite Southeast Asia trips thus far.  Here's why.

Music has that way with me

(Source: Record Rebellion)

I'm in Singapore. I've been listening to Van Morrison all day.  Somehow, I've been transported back to 2009.  I've been transported back to Boston.

Music has that way with me.

Great portraits <> Flattering

(Source: Diane Arbus)

As previously mentioned, I'm taking an advanced photography class at Objectifs.  

It's so refreshing to learn & practice a non-work related skill.  I've tried Coursera, Kahn Academy, CodeAcademy, Rosetta Stone, Adobe Tutorials, etc, but I need more structure.  I usually drop out during Stage 2 of learning (i.e., when it gets hard).

Going to a physical class 1x per week makes me more disciplined outside of class (i.e., going on photo shoots, reading photography blogs, analyzing photography books, etc).

A few weeks ago, we learned about Diane Arbus, a famous portraitist.  Her work fascinates me.

4 Stages of Learning

(Source: Shinichi Higashi)

I'm a bad driver.  I can't deny it.  But, at some point, I was a better driver than I am today.

Reincarnation of the Telephone Booth

(Source: Telephone Wallpapers)

Video killed the radio star.  Cellphones killed the payphone.  It's a tough world out there.

Two Years Together

As of Memorial Day, Alan and I have been together two years.

"In a relationship, one mind revises the other; one heart changes its partner.  This astounding legacy of our combined status as mammals and neural beings is limbic revision: the power to remodel the emotional parts of the people we love, as our Attractors activate certain limbic pathways, and the brain's inexorable memory mechanism reinforces them.

Who we are and who we become depends, in part, on whom we love." 
(Excerpt from A General Theory of Love)

There's no one in the world I'd rather have revise my mind and heart.  I'm very lucky.

13 Courses of Amazingness

Alan & I both planned our business trip to Sydney at the same time.  Therefore, we've been able to team up our expense allowances for some nice indulgences (yea, strategy!)

On Tuesday, we had a 13 course tasting menu at Momofuku Seiobo.  Amazing.  Our expense budget only put a dent in the cost, but well worth it.

Here's some photos (albeit on my phone), for your viewing.  The meal ended with sugary pork shoulder meant to be eaten with your hands (I mentioned it was indulgent).

Cool Chicks: Oprah Winfrey

She was born to a teenage mother in Koscuisko, Mississippi.

She wore dresses made of potato sacks.

Her half-sister died of cocaine addiction.  

Her other half-sister was given away for adoption due to financial constraints.

Her half brother died of AIDs.

She was molested by her cousin, uncle and family friend, starting at age 9.

She gave birth at age 14 (the baby shortly died).

Sounds like the start to a depressing Lifetime movie.

Hot Searches

(Source: Visualization of "Hot Searches") 

Have you ever erased the history on your computer before letting someone borrow it?  If not, you must be very trusting. 

Alan (my boyfriend) and I have been dating for 2 years and living together for 1 year.  I'm just now letting him borrow my computer "raw."

I'm not searching for anything juicy (it's anything but).  It's just very personal.  It's direct access to my thoughts.  That's why I find Google Search trends so interesting.  For better or worse, it's the collective thoughts of a country.

Here's the top 10 in the USA today:

1. Teen Wolf: Season Premiere
2. Bruins: 2-0 lead over Penguins
3. Miley Cyrus: New single, "We Can't Stop"
4. Linked In: Updated "Who's viewed my profile" section
5. Jiah Khan: Bollywood star commits suicide
6. Jason Kidd: Ends basketball career
7. Frank Lautenberg: NJ senator dies
8. Pia Zadora: Broadway star chokes son
9. Vine: Video app now on Android
10. PNC Bank: Robbery in Carlisle

If I were an alien that dropped in on the US, I'd think Americans are obsessed with sports, celebrities, vampires, death, crime and apps.  Seems pretty accurate.

Text as Visual Protest: Suckcess

I bought the book 100 Ideas that Changed Graphic Design this weekend at an adorable bookstore, Beautiful Pages, in Sydney. 

My Adobe CS skills are still very rough, but it's something I'm definitely drawn to -- one day I'll learn (I say that a lot, whether it's learning a language or programming, so TBD).

In the book, Idea #18 is "text to images," and it references Bob Dylan's music video, "Subterranean Homesick Blues."  I've seen it before.  It's even in a Google ad.

I just never realized it contained the cult image, "suckcess" (to be fair, I sometimes live under a rock).  Apparently, Dylan was a pioneer of using text as a form of visual protest.  

It's amazing how adding an extra letter to a word can make such a powerful statement. 

(Source: Wikicommons)

PS - Apparently Allen Ginsberg, father of the Beat generation, is in the background of the video

PPS - Here's more behind the meaning of this famous Dylan song.

PPPS - If you're interested in learning more about the history of graphic design, check this book out.  It's way easier to process than anything I've learned online.

Reverse Graffiti

(Source: Alexandre Orion)

I've had a love affair with street art for awhile (see my instagram: tamarasanderson).  This February, I spent a lot of time tracking down murals in Argentina & Brazil (see here & here & here), becoming even more obsessed.

Today, I learned something new about this art form - Reverse Graffiti.  Instead of paint, these artists clean to create murals.  To learn more, check this link out.

(Source: Moose, San Francisco)

Internet Gem: Sad Dog Diaries

If you like dogs (or even if you don't), this is worth the 4 minutes today.

Take it with a grain of salt

(Source: Abbas)

Living abroad gives you a different vantage point.  
You see the place you're from in a new light, a more objective light.

In Bhutan, the majority of people practice Mahayana Buddhism, a "loosely bound collection of many teachings with large and expansive doctrines that are able to coexist simultaneously."  

Our guide, Uygun, often described Buddhist teachings to our group, but he always ended the discussion with, "Take it with a grain of salt.  If it resonates with you, take it.  If not, discard it."  Buddhists (or at least the ones I met in Bhutan) believe that wisdom is developed; you need to be open to experiencing and understanding truth.  You can't be spoon fed what to believe.

For me, this highlights the key cultural difference I've noticed -- Americans believe their viewpoint is right for all, not merely for themselves or their family.