September 13, 2007 at 10:39 am · Filed under Personal by brian
The best moments in life aren’t planned. They aren’t practiced. The best moments in life are spontaneous and real. Sometimes you’re lucky enough to capture those moments in a photo or on film.
Sometimes over-planning can kill that magical moment. Planning can set the stage, but it occurs while you are living. Let everything go and be yourself. You can’t find it, it must find you. You may decide to take advantage of that moment to propose or to declare your undying affection. You may decide to capture a token that will take on more significance in the future.
Regardless of how that moment comes or where it takes place, it is your moment. You will not know when it comes again, but it is your moment. Remember that you may not capture it on film, but you can always capture it in a journal. And when you read over those words that poured out from your soul, the moment will be more vivid than anything you could have taped. You will relive your moment as you lived it the first time, from the inside out.
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September 10, 2007 at 9:59 pm · Filed under Personal by brian
Five member of my immediate family have come close to death or serious injury in automotive accidents in the past year. One happened to walk away from a roll-over with a few scratches less than a week ago. It’s time like these that make me grateful for my family and for how blessed we have been.
This is just a quick reminder to remember all of your loved ones in your life and let them know they matter to you. Call them on the phone or send them a card. If tomorrow never comes for that special someone, are you satisfied that they feel loved by you?
There are so many great moments in life that it is difficult to remember that we are often just a step away from tragedy. I hope all goes well for you, as I do for me. But just remember that a few small words or sharing a special memory can brighten the world and make all of the difference. Show your love to the ones that matter most.
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August 21, 2007 at 10:27 am · Filed under Personal by brian
Photos are a window into the past, a chance to reminisce over past successes and accomplishments. You can never take too many, and if you take too few, you may regret it. Taking photos isn’t rocket science, but there are a few rules to guarantee that you are satisfied with your photo. While photography can get quite complicated, here are a few suggestions that may improve the quality of how you remember the past.
Framing:
What you see in the window is what you get. Although the photo may vary slightly from the actual window, you can generally expect your photo to look like what you see. If there are brackets on the window, be sure to include what you want within that area.
Focus:
Taking a photo in front of a landmark is very common. However, people often position someone in front of the landmark and then take a zoomed-out photo in order to show the entire landmark. You then must use a magnifying glass to determine who is actually in the photo. In this case, you normally want to see both the people and the landmark with clarity. To do this, place the people in the foreground, and place the landmark in the background. Focus your camera so that both are seen with clarity. Read the owner’s manual for your particular camera to learn how to make these adjustments.
Film:
Film comes in a variety of types. You may purchase film for black and white photos or color photos, and you may choose between a variety of film speeds. Generally, higher film speeds are more desirable for photos in dark areas or for action shots. Slower film speeds are more desirable for finer detail where lighting is sufficient. When using slow film speeds, you may consider using a tripod.
Function:
There are several adjustments you may make to your camera to improve the photo quality. The shutter speed may be adjusted to match the lighting conditions and the film speed. You may also adjust the flash. A flash may not do much for photos taken from a distance, and some places, such as museums, forbid the use of flash photography. Make sure you are familiar with any such regulations before you take any photos. Your owner’s manual can be a valuable resource on how to make any adjustments to your camera.
These are the four F’s of photography. Work on improving these aspects of your photography. It may take you a while to become familiar with these different areas. Take a few photos and remember what you did to improve the photo quality. Then make just a few changes and compare. Over time you will develop a sense of what works best for various conditions.
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August 14, 2007 at 9:28 am · Filed under Personal, School by brian
So you just got out of school, and now you’re looking for that killer job. There are dozens of jobs you can take, but only a handful that you actually want. How do you land the jobs you want? Chances are that if you don’t want the job, there are few people who do. That means you are more likely to get an offer from that business. However, maybe you aren’t like everybody else. Maybe you want the jobs that are unpopular. Congratulations! Your search just got easier.
In order to stand out for those jobs you do want there are several ways you can show that you are up to the task. The key is to show that you actually want the job without going overboard. Employers want someone who will enjoy their work; someone who will stick around for a while. They interview so many people who are desperate for any job that it can be difficult to tell who actually wants that particular job. One way to impress your potential employer before the interview is to write a cover letter for that particular job. Express why you are so interested and alter your resume to highlight your talents and abilities that apply to that particular job. This may seem like a simple task, but it is more effort than many people will put out, particularly those who don’t care about that specific job. Such an effort could land you at the top of the recruiter’s list.
During an interview, express an interest in that job. It may pay less than you want, or it may not have the benefits you want, but the interview is no place to express that concern. The intent of the interview is to show that you want the job and are capable of performing it. Once you have received your job offer, you may then haggle over benefits and salary. The key is to get a job offer. If the benefits don’t stack up you can always turn it down. My experience has shown that a candidate’s concern over wages and benefits during an interview have little to do with the actual offer. If anything, it will damage the candidate’s opportunity to even get an offer. Once the job is offered conditions are much more negotiable.
So get started on that resume and be sure to prepare for your interview. With a little work, success is just around the corner.
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August 13, 2007 at 8:48 am · Filed under Wedding by heather
With so many different types of invitations out there choosing one can be a difficult task. Your invitation is very important; it is what will set the tone of your wedding. Here are a few things to consider when looking for your wedding invitations.
Decide what you want the theme of your wedding to be. If you are having a sit down meal complete with an open bar and the works than a formal invitation is pretty much a requirement. However if your wedding is a little less formal you would go for a more casual invitation.
Decide on photos. Many couples choose to do an invitation that has a photo included while others opt for no pictures. This is completely up to the bride and groom but I know that as an invitee I like the invitations that come with photos. Once you have decided on whether to do a photo or not decide if you want the photo to be the invitation or just have one included. Doing a photo invitation is a great way to save money but is considered more of a casual invitation.
Look early and often. Most invitations take about 3 weeks to process after your order is received so give yourself enough time to get everything taken care of. Start looking as soon as you get engaged for places that will work well for you. Make sure and choose a company that will give you many options and has a wide selection. Be sure to customize your invitation with your wedding colors and with a wording style that fits your personality.
Look at Wedding Invitations and other Wedding Accessories here.
August 9, 2007 at 2:45 pm · Filed under Personal by heather
One of the most exciting things about being married is the opportunity to have a house of your own with a family. Making a new home for your family can be a daunting task. So, how do you turn a bunch of boxes into a place of your own?
First set up the crucial things. This includes getting the bathroom and kitchen to where they are functional. You do not have to decorate or make any decisions with them. Just make sure that you will be able to go to the bathroom and locate the essentials in your kitchen.
Then start with the big stuff. Get the furniture arranged the way you want it. Your parents will have great ideas. Listen but do not feel pressured to set your home up a certain way. Do what works for you and your family; you do know what is best for your house. For those of you getting married right after a college graduation there may not be much furniture to work with. This is not a big deal, don’t blow your budget on things that you can be fine without for a while.
After all the big stuff is in place, start getting everything in place. Unload one box at a time and empty their contents getting everything in place as soon as it is out of the box. Unloading every box then setting up can be very discouraging.
Worry about the decorations last, these can be put up periodically as you get the time. Everything will not be set up perfect the first time. As you live there for longer you will discover the things that work well for you.
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August 8, 2007 at 8:59 pm · Filed under Personal by brian
It seems like everyone has one…well, everyone but you! Why do you even need a hobby? A hobby can be good for many reasons. It can give you a sense of accomplishment, it is a great way to relieve stress, and it will give you something to do when you are bored. Unfortunately, some people turn a hobby into an obsession.
It’s important to remember that if you get too involved in a hobby, you may end up with a bigger problem than when you started. Some people put so much time and money into a hobby that they put themselves on the verge of financial disaster. This in turn increases your stress level and may even give you a sense of hopelessness. Although your case might not be this dramatic, you may want to choose a hobby that won’t be such a drain on your resources.
It is difficult to choose your hobby. It is like choosing which foods you will like before you try them. However, if you weigh out the pros and cons of a certain hobby before you become attached to it, you may be able to direct your passions to something that fits your needs and budget.
Choosing a unique hobby is sure to get the attention of others. Your hobby will define you. You must therefore choose a hobby that you are proud of. Wear your hobby with pride and remember that it is more important what your hobby will do for you than what it will do for others.
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August 3, 2007 at 3:12 pm · Filed under Wedding by heather
There have been many times when I have thought about the day I married my best friend. I remember getting ready that morning and how sick I felt on the way to the church. I remember seeing him for the first time and holding hands across the alter swearing before family and friends that I would be his companion forever. Recalling your wedding day is one of the sweetest gifts you will ever receive after getting married. It is a beautiful pick me up when things are not going so perfect. There are many ways to make sure that you are able to remember every perfect detail of your dream wedding. Here are a few of the things I did, or that I wish I would have done.
Keep a journal: This is one of the best ways to recall all of the unique feelings you had that day. Write down that morning what you are feeling, what you are excited or scared about. Write about the rehearsal and rehearsal dinner the previous night. Write down the toasts that were made, the jokes, and the good wishes from family and friends. Write down anything and everything that you want to remember and be able to share with others.
Take Pictures: Take pictures of everything, even when you are not looking glamorous and beautiful. You would be surprised the pictures you enjoy the most probably won’t be the ones taken by a professional. My absolute favorite picture is one taken by a friend when my husband and I are lost in our own world just looking at each other and laughing. Taking pictures is a great way to remember all of the intricate details of the wedding reception, the way it was decorated, what type of flowers, and who was there.
Live in the Moment: During your wedding day, time will fly. Do not spend all day waiting to get to the next thing. Slow down and really take in everything that is going on. Another thing I would suggest is not to drink the day of your wedding. This will ensure you will be able to recall most details. Good luck on your special day, we hope everything goes according to plan and that your wedding will be something you can look back to and cherish forever.
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August 2, 2007 at 1:49 pm · Filed under Personal by brian
Guys get it a million times. Every time we ask a girl out, she always expects it to be some big deal. No movies or bowling, and ice skating is a little iffy as well. Those are the big three ideas that everyone has for dating. Choose one of these ideas and you may struggle to land a second date.
Girls expect you to be creative, but after so many dates, it’s easy to run out of ideas. Here’s my simple advice. Do what you want to do. True you may have to do something that both of you want to do, but this is your chance to make a statement. Don’t you want to be with a girl who you can enjoy doing things with?
On my first date with my wife-to-be, a buddy and I took our girls out under a bridge to shoot pistols. Nothing beats watching that special someone thumb bullets into a Beretta magazine. Whether or not it worked out, she was always going to remember the first time she shot a pistol. Thus, despite the outcome, I was etched into her memory forever. Every time she even saw a pistol, she would think of me. Lucky for me, the excitement of doing something new carried over into the second date…ice skating. That’s right, after a wonderful first date performance, you deserve a brake. It turns out that the ice skating sealed the deal. That’s where all the magic happened.
If you do something unique, you will be in your date’s memory forever. It could be something you have done a hundred times, but if it’s new to her you are in. And if she ends up not enjoying herself, at least YOU had fun and now there is a vacancy for someone who will have fun with you.
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August 1, 2007 at 3:55 pm · Filed under Wedding by heather
Being a newlywed is a wonderful thing. There are so many great experiences to be enjoyed with your new spouse. One of the less enjoyed things about being married is the weight gain. This weight gain is usually caused by stress and a lack of time. Before you get engaged time seems abundant. When you begin planning a wedding and a new life together time is your biggest enemy. Activities that you previously had the time, money and energy to complete now are lost in the wedding chaos. This is when the weight gain begins.
After you are married your schedule is usually just as busy as when you were engaged. Trying to arrange for time at the gym or even 20 minutes to go running seems completely impossible. Well, unless you have the body of a god/goddess, not working out will eventually take its toll on your once nice figure. So what are you to do when you find yourself 5, 10, even 20 pounds heavier than the day you said “I do”?
My answer is start getting active again in different more enjoyable ways. One of the best things about being married is that you always have a buddy to do things with. So girls take your man with you and get busy. You don’t have to kill yourself to lose weight; you would be amazed at what working out every day together will do not only for your health but for your relationship. Make walking, jogging, swimming, play basketball, volleyball, or really anything that involves movement a part of your daily routine. This will not only keep you in better shape, it will give you and your new spouse a chance to learn more about each other and fully enjoy the blessing of being married.
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