Who is Man...for realz this time

So, Who is Man is practically officially done (there may be a change in the website address we use as the tag, but as far as the rest of it, it's done).

The last version of the piece was my first attempt at anything like this ever, and a rough version of what was in my head. This final version feels so much better, has more polish, and is a bit more creative. I hope you like it...and if you don't I'd seriously like to hear it, just make your comment anonymously so I don't get my feelings hurt.

Don't be shy, go check out the final version of Who is Man I'm very proud of this version. I can't wait for it to get out and be seen. And really I hope it helps Gutenberg College attract more students, cause that's the point.

Click on this Who is Man LINK
Enter the password: gutenberg
And...do it.

I'm also so ready to get going on the other two videos in the series. I'm collaborating with my husband and Kasey on this so that's another really good thing about it. I think most creative endeavors are better when they're a collaboration.
ANNnnnnnD. I'm out.

I'm pushing PUBLISH with my eyes squeezed tightly shut.

So here's the deal. The video was debuted yesterday at the Gutenberg Oktoberfuss event. Although it received rave reviews, I was less than ecstatic. The guy sitting at the sound board, seemed to, well, how do I put this? He didn't take much pride in doing a job well done.

Not only did he not size any of the videos properly, but he didn't turn the volume on until after it began...thus people missed the beginning of each video. Annnd. More to my dismay, he had the treble turned way up and the bass completely down. No bass means no impact.So the painstaking effort I put in to hit certain beats was completely lost.

I'm uploading the video right now on to Vimeo. But since there hasn't been an official "approval" and since I'm a super perfectionist about certain things, there are a few adjustments I want to make, I'm not making the video live. But. Before you have a little moment, I'm providing the Vimeo Link and password here for anyone that would like to go watch it.

Vimeo Link: Who is Man
password: gutenberg

I'm obsessed with this project

As some of you know, there are two things simultaneously being fed right now. My creative endeavors and my desire to give back. I am working on a video/web spot for Gutenberg. There is no live footage. No actors. No voice talent. No gear or camera work. No shoot days. No director. No crew. No craft service. No P.A.

There is a list of quotes. There is amazing, originally composed music. And there is me.

I took off a day and a half from work this week and created something I'm very proud of. Of course there are things I would go and tinker with. I am a closet perfectionist after all. And, unfortunately, it hasn't been debuted and approved yet, so I can't post it here. But if you are one of the few readers that will be at Oktoberfuss today...well. Don't be late coming back from lunch. You'll be one of the first to see it.

I'm proud. Really proud of what was created by a few talented people's collaboration and my obsession with the project and Gutenberg. It simply, and effectively asks you to join the conversation (a tag line I came up with and am super proud of the impact.) It is hopefully the rough beginning of a seamless online campaign to attract new students and attention for Gutenberg.

I just keep getting these little urges to go back and change a few things here and there...ah...let it go. Let it be.
I'll post it as soon as I can.

give and get.

The reason we moved here, the reason we stayed, the family we've created, the legacy we hope to nurture, the scholarly community we support...Gutenberg.

The 2nd annual Gutenberg College Auction is taking place online and in person. So, if you're an out of towner, check out this link to the Gutenberg Online Auction.

The bidding has begun, and with donations from American Eagle and DKNY, to symphony tickets and a 5 day 4 night vacation in Cancun, there's something for everyone. Spread the word, tell a friend, support the students of Gutenberg.

The online auction is open until October 9th, 3:00PM PST, with new items being added weekly, check it out now and until the closing bell rings. And, if you're in the neighborhood, head over to Oktoberfuss 2008 for the live auction October 10th and 11th

fall leaves & cheers for scholars

The colors won't last forever, but while they're here, I'm a happy girl.

I couldn't resist snapping this picture
as we stood outside on the sidewalk.
Two of my favorite things to see...
fall leaves & shoes

A while ago, I'm done saying when, cause it makes me look like I'm a slacker, and I'm not a slacker. I want to blog. I love to blog and I love sharing about all the things we're up to... I'm just a bit bombarded with life...so I can't mention the exact date, cause it was over a week ago and I don't remember it, but...

on a crisp Sunday afternoon, we attended as "sit in parents" for an amazing Gutenberg student as she was honored, along with her class, for her accomplishments at this fine institution. They're half way done with their 4 year Course Requirements and after accomplishing the rigorous 2 year exams they were presented with Greek New Testaments at a Tea & Luncheon.


The 2 year exams as described from the Gutenberg Website:

Second-Year Qualifying Exams
At the end of the second year, students take exams that they must pass in order to qualify for advancement to the final two years of the program. The exams, designed to determine the student’s mastery level of basic learning skills and necessary background material, cover the content of all their courses during the first two years. A written math exam focuses on the student’s ability to think mathematically and problem solve. An oral science exam focuses on the nature of science. A Greek exam consists of translating a selection and defending it orally before a panel of tutors. An oral Western Civilization exam gives students ample opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned; administered individually to students by a panel of tutors, the exam consists of a wide range of questions covering the whole scope of history.


I hope you're impressed. I certainly am. Congratulations Class of 2009!

stealing ideas from Flo

I haven't been online for a bit, cause I've been having some great adventures and I've got a ton of good posts coming up, but, before i can get there i need to follow Flo's blogging etiquette and do a couple of catch up posts. So here's catch up post 1, entitled:

Gutenberg Graduation 2007





Carson Black.........










.........Zak Davis









In true, senior class tradition, this year's graduation was unique and matched these two graduates perfectly. I'm trying to figure out a way to post their graduation march...we shall see.

*UPDATE* Click here to listen to the Gutenberg Class of 2007's Graduation Recessional. It's located on the music player as "Graduation Recessional," currently the first song listed.


Well, once the event was over, we headed back to Gutenberg for the always amazing "Graduation Reception." And, although I tried my darndest not to eat a piece of cake, Andy was thoughtful and got a large piece so we could share...and I'm admitting now, those 4 bites were like if heaven was made of chocolate and it wasn't a sin to eat them.


We couldn't stop the party there, so we got the handy bike rack out of the trunk, threw on Walter and Josiah's bikes and headed to the liquor store. We didn't make it in time.* So we had to settle for beer and wine from the grocery store.



*for those of you not aware, in Oregon we can't buy liquor at the grocery store, we have to go to a State-Run Liquor Store, that isn't open very often - say past 9 o'clock - or on sundays. so, yeah. that's fun...



Josiah and I stood guard while Andy & Walter went inside to purchase alcoholic beverages for all of us. Then it was back to our place to reminisce, laugh, and make plans for the summer.

When I realized that Gutenberg's graduation was upon us, I have to say I was stunned. That means...

...it's been a year since Andy graduated...
i've been desperate, searching for the photos from Andy's
graduation, but since it was a year ago, I can't find a one!

...it's been a year since our parents were here...



...Andy's been working full-time and
I've been working part-time for almost a year...



...we've gone another year without getting pregnant...
and we've celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary...



I just can't believe that four years seemed like a lifetime and this past year has seemed like a couple of months. I have to say, this past year has been filled with less stress, more friends, and a ton more us time than ever before.

I'm also so proud of my husband. When he said, "when I graduate I want you to quit your job," just the thought was like a dream come true, but I never thought it would really happen.

But, look at me now.

I'm working part time, at a job I love, I'm finally getting a handle on all the chores, I'm cooking meals everyday, I'm exploring creative outlets, I'm running in a 10K -more on this in a future post - and I'm enjoying heaps of time with my husband and our friends. Graduation was the best thing that ever happened to us.

...I hope the same is true for Carson and Zak.

Animal Farm

written by George Orwell

Of course I've read "Animal Farm", in fact it was in college (yes I went to college). But the problem was, when Andy (yes, again with the husband) began telling me about the correlation between Animal Farm and the Soviet communist party, well, I thought secretly "what?!?" I didn't mention anything about it, and since he was reading it at the time I couldn't pick it up (sharing a book is annoying). So when I saw it on the bookshelf years later I silently picked it up and read through it in a couple of days (it's short people, only 144 pages). My Literature course in college apparently sucked, because reading "Animal Farm" again with gutenbergians at my disposal was an entirely different experience.

And by the way, also thanks to the Gute, I now read introductions, prefaces, and the like, from now on I'll have a clue, even if no one tells me a thing.

"Animal Farm's" historically driven concepts push the novel beyond a simple story and I can't stand the knowledge gained from a work like this. Not only is the writing smart and informed, but, the story is just plain great and I can't get enough.

I just want to say "thank you" to Gutenberg and all the people that go with her. It may take me more than four years, but I think it's better this way. I am learning, little by little, piece by piece, one book at a time and I love it.