greenpepperpressblog

Tag: Current Affairs

HOLD THIS SPOT
I missed posting this at 12:12 AM so I scheduled it for 12:12 PM. I was going to call it "hold this space" but opted for "hold this spot"….the difference? The latter is twelve letters, of course! As I was preparing the graphic this morning I observed that 12.12.12, 12:12 PM is also twelve characters. Since I posted an essay, Ode to the Eleventh Hour on 11.11.11 last year I wanted to acknowledge today's date in a post about the Midnight Hour (twelve letters!), but I haven't had the time to complete it…therefore, I'm holding the spot and will edit later.

As I was reviewing my to-do list, I noticed how many things could be described in twelve letters. Luckily I'm on the winning side of the tasks…and there are still twelve days until Christmas Eve, when it better all be done!
1. Move the sofas
2. Bring up boxes
3. Set out stable
4. Decorate tree
5. Light the tree
6. Shop for gifts
7. Wrap the gifts
8. Mail Packages
9. Send out cards
10. Do the laundry
11. Get groceries
12. Let us rejoice
Speaking of 12, does it bug you (the way it bugs me) that retailers talk about the twelve days of Christmas as though it starts on December 1st, or December 13th? It actually begins on Christmas and sees us through to the eve of the Epiphany.

However long your list is, I hope you are managing, moving along with grace, and taking time to enjoy it.
December 12, 2012
bookended by floods

Hello! Alot has happened since we last met nearly three weeks ago! I didn't get a chance to say goodbye because we were without power for nine days. Luckily we had no real damage from superstorm Sandy – losing electricity was enough of a challenge. We usually have flooding issues so we feel very blessed to have stayed dry with this hurricane. I am thankful for smart phones as a means of staying in touch with the outside world – taking several respites in the parked car to warm up, charge our batteries, and hear the news on the radio. By day three our still-electrified neighbor loaned us an outlet through a series of cords over the backyard fence. It was such a nice gesture, and a thrill to be able to plug in a lamp, stretching out our days. Our community lost hundreds of trees – it looks like a disaster here but nothing compared to other locations in New Jersey and New York. Like I said, we are blessed.

The stars were aligned and the airport opened just in time for Fallon and I to fly off to England and Italy, leaving the boys at home with Dad and lots of candles. It truly was a spectacular experience….visiting Birmingham and London, and finally getting to Venice. I will be sharing photos in the next few posts…still trying to get my inner clock adjusted to the time zone I'm in. Thanks to all of you who piped in on facebook as I attempted to share photos from my phone for the first time. And many thanks to those of you who checked in on us following the storm in NJ, and the news of the Acqua Alta conditions in Venice – yes, we got caught in it! But…we were on the way to the airport the morning the sirens went off so it didn't put a damper on our trip – just soaked our suitcases! What a way to end it!! More soon!

November 15, 2012
bookended by floods

Hello! Alot has happened since we last met nearly three weeks ago! I didn't get a chance to say goodbye because we were without power for nine days. Luckily we had no real damage from superstorm Sandy – losing electricity was enough of a challenge. We usually have flooding issues so we feel very blessed to have stayed dry with this hurricane. I am thankful for smart phones as a means of staying in touch with the outside world – taking several respites in the parked car to warm up, charge our batteries, and hear the news on the radio. By day three our still-electrified neighbor loaned us an outlet through a series of cords over the backyard fence. It was such a nice gesture, and a thrill to be able to plug in a lamp, stretching out our days. Our community lost hundreds of trees – it looks like a disaster here but nothing compared to other locations in New Jersey and New York. Like I said, we are blessed.

The stars were aligned and the airport opened just in time for Fallon and I to fly off to England and Italy, leaving the boys at home with Dad and lots of candles. It truly was a spectacular experience….visiting Birmingham and London, and finally getting to Venice. I will be sharing photos in the next few posts…still trying to get my inner clock adjusted to the time zone I'm in. Thanks to all of you who piped in on facebook as I attempted to share photos from my phone for the first time. And many thanks to those of you who checked in on us following the storm in NJ, and the news of the Acqua Alta conditions in Venice – yes, we got caught in it! But…we were on the way to the airport the morning the sirens went off so it didn't put a damper on our trip – just soaked our suitcases! What a way to end it!! More soon!

November 15, 2012
good news bad news

I was going to say, "here is what's going down", but that's not a nice reference as tomorrow marks the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. Here's what is also not so nice: I've been a victim of identity theft. Someone has been impersonating me online by leaving rude and inappropriate comments on blogs. Think about it, it's easy to do. You can leave a name and an URL without verification in most places. We trust that people use their own name and address, right? The thing is – you leave a trail with your IP address. I have learned of several instances of this occuring and luckily I was able to confirm it wasn't me because the IP addresses differ. I'm not sure why someone would choose my identity to do this, and I'm not sure why they chose to be mean to the bloggers who were targeted on the receiving end. Both of these gracious women are bloggers I have never met or corresponded with prior to these events. I hate to think of how many other times this may have happened that I don't know about. I do know where the person works and hope to resolve it. Do me a favor, if you can search your comment database for IP address 64.55.153.216 please let me know. (Easy to do on typepad, not sure how other platforms operate.) I'm hoping this person has slipped up and used their own name somewhere. Thanks for your help. EDIT: the issue has been resolved, perpetrator found.

EDIT: Impersonating someone online is illegal. Perpetrator is from California, breaking this law: SB 1411 This bill would provide that any person who knowingly and without consent credibly impersonates another actual person through or on an Internet Web site or by other electronic means, as specified, for
purposes of harming, intimidating, threatening, or defrauding another person is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Now that the bad news is out of the way, the good news is that both of the anticipated shipments have arrived. The stamps and the stencils are here! Pre-orders will go out Monday and the rates on the products will change back to standard pricing by Monday too.

When I mentioned the bad news affair on facebook I got so much support and I really appreciate my friends circling around with kind words. For some reason the post disappeared, which is so frustrating but I thank all of you who came by in friendship.

April 14, 2012
good news bad news

I was going to say, "here is what's going down", but that's not a nice reference as tomorrow marks the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic. Here's what is also not so nice: I've been a victim of identity theft. Someone has been impersonating me online by leaving rude and inappropriate comments on blogs. Think about it, it's easy to do. You can leave a name and an URL without verification in most places. We trust that people use their own name and address, right? The thing is – you leave a trail with your IP address. I have learned of several instances of this occuring and luckily I was able to confirm it wasn't me because the IP addresses differ. I'm not sure why someone would choose my identity to do this, and I'm not sure why they chose to be mean to the bloggers who were targeted on the receiving end. Both of these gracious women are bloggers I have never met or corresponded with prior to these events. I hate to think of how many other times this may have happened that I don't know about. I do know where the person works and hope to resolve it. Do me a favor, if you can search your comment database for IP address 64.55.153.216 please let me know. (Easy to do on typepad, not sure how other platforms operate.) I'm hoping this person has slipped up and used their own name somewhere. Thanks for your help. EDIT: the issue has been resolved, perpetrator found.

EDIT: Impersonating someone online is illegal. Perpetrator is from California, breaking this law: SB 1411 This bill would provide that any person who knowingly and without consent credibly impersonates another actual person through or on an Internet Web site or by other electronic means, as specified, for
purposes of harming, intimidating, threatening, or defrauding another person is guilty of a misdemeanor.

Now that the bad news is out of the way, the good news is that both of the anticipated shipments have arrived. The stamps and the stencils are here! Pre-orders will go out Monday and the rates on the products will change back to standard pricing by Monday too.

When I mentioned the bad news affair on facebook I got so much support and I really appreciate my friends circling around with kind words. For some reason the post disappeared, which is so frustrating but I thank all of you who came by in friendship.

April 14, 2012
good news, more news, and nests

Guess what arrived today? The new rubber! I am packing with wild energy – so fun to see the new images, love sealing up the envelopes, and checking off the pre-order list. Thank you for your patience dear customers. Packages will depart first thing in the morning.

For locals, or those willing to travel, the CREATE Mixed Media Retreat in New Jersey site went live today! Wow – lots of terrific classes and instructors. There will be a vendor night too. I'm teaching Friday (7/20)and Saturday (7/21). There is alot to scroll through on the Create site. If you want a quick look at my classes you click over HERE.

Registration begins Thursday, February 16th at 2pm Eastern Time. Hope to see you there! For all the details, click HERE .

The current Somerset Studio issue is January/February 2012. My column, Make It Your Own, is about altering items we find in a craft store becuase we can, and because we feel like being creative. The supply lists and brief project descriptions were omitted so I am posting here.

If you look at the magazine it appears the red egg nest is larger or the same size as the turquoise egg nest but actually it is way way smaller. Looks super cool next to my crows and ravens that are set out at Halloween.

The next crusade was going to be posted today but I'm busy packing rubber so I will get it up tomorrow.

February 2, 2012
good news, more news, and nests

Guess what arrived today? The new rubber! I am packing with wild energy – so fun to see the new images, love sealing up the envelopes, and checking off the pre-order list. Thank you for your patience dear customers. Packages will depart first thing in the morning.

For locals, or those willing to travel, the CREATE Mixed Media Retreat in New Jersey site went live today! Wow – lots of terrific classes and instructors. There will be a vendor night too. I'm teaching Friday (7/20)and Saturday (7/21). There is alot to scroll through on the Create site. If you want a quick look at my classes you click over HERE.

Registration begins Thursday, February 16th at 2pm Eastern Time. Hope to see you there! For all the details, click HERE .

The current Somerset Studio issue is January/February 2012. My column, Make It Your Own, is about altering items we find in a craft store becuase we can, and because we feel like being creative. The supply lists and brief project descriptions were omitted so I am posting here.

If you look at the magazine it appears the red egg nest is larger or the same size as the turquoise egg nest but actually it is way way smaller. Looks super cool next to my crows and ravens that are set out at Halloween.

The next crusade was going to be posted today but I'm busy packing rubber so I will get it up tomorrow.

February 2, 2012
scary costume

feedreaders: click through to see some cool graphics and scroll down for a give-away.

If you saw this sinister dude walk up to your door this weekend you might hand him some candy. However, if he was nearby a few hundred years ago you might fear impending doom. I came across this character on Wikipedia. Clever beak usage. Don't you think? Are you dressing up as something scary or something silly for Halloween? The Today show said 50% of all adults buy or make costumes for themselves. Tell tell….

Don't forget to enter in the drawing for Mingle in the post below. I will pull a name from the top hat on Friday.

October 27, 2011
scary costume

feedreaders: click through to see some cool graphics and scroll down for a give-away.

If you saw this sinister dude walk up to your door this weekend you might hand him some candy. However, if he was nearby a few hundred years ago you might fear impending doom. I came across this character on Wikipedia. Clever beak usage. Don't you think? Are you dressing up as something scary or something silly for Halloween? The Today show said 50% of all adults buy or make costumes for themselves. Tell tell….

Don't forget to enter in the drawing for Mingle in the post below. I will pull a name from the top hat on Friday.

October 27, 2011
boys who love girls

Every Sunday (and Monday night) from opening game through the Super Bowl we are a football watching family. As we know, October is breast cancer awareness month. Have you scheduled your exam? I am struck by the message these big burly men are helping to spread by wearing pink. This month I see them not just as players who battle it out on the field, but as boys who love girls. Men who love women. Males who have females in their lives: sisters, and mothers, and daughters, relatives, friends, neighbors…and they want them to be safe from this disease. I find it so moving. Regardless of what team you cheer for, or if you don't even follow the sport, you gotta love these boys supporting the cause.

Bravo to the NFL. And bravo to all of you who have taken up the torch to raise funds and awareness.

To each of you who has faced breast cancer, as a warrior, or as a cheerleader for a loved one, we huddle around you with genuine team spirit.

October 19, 2011