In past posts, I’ve casually mentioned a book called Taking Things Seriously: 75 Objects with Unexpected Significance.

Now there is a website called Significant Objects, which is designed around the same idea — that little mundane objects can hold a significant story behind it.

… but there’s a twist with this website. The objects’ stories are not entirely true. The objective (no pun intended) of the project is pair a creative writer (the participant) with an object purchased from a garage sale or thrift shop for a few dollars. The writer writes a story about the object thus making it a significant object. Then, the object is put up for auction on eBay, with proceeds supporting the Charity 826 National which “is a family of eight nonprofit organizations dedicated to helping students, ages 6-18, with expository and creative writing” according to the website.

(When the object is up on eBay, the intent is to NOT fool the buyers into thinking the story included with the object is real.)

It’s a neat way to practice creative writing skills and to really put thought into objects that are otherwise overlooked and are typically deemed as unimportant. For a designer, I can see how this kind of study can help you critically analyze an object, and how that analogy can be implemented into a design project. This would be a GREAT exercise for a design class and I can totally envision different assignments and project revolving around a single $3 object.

(Can you tell that I love the idea of becoming a design professor?)

I especially love this one by AIGA president and designer Debbie Millman (I’ve always loved her writings). Her story is shared in a handwritten letter, on lined notebook paper, circa 1992, to her friend Susan, about her breakup with Oscar. The object is a plastic paperweight that has a little globe infused in the middle. (Funny, we have one at home, and I NEVER think about it.)

What a neat little project! I’m going to keep my eye on this one.

As a bit of a positive follow up to my last post, here is an inspirational story of a 7-year-old boy from the UK wanting to make a difference for the people in Haiti.

A simple example of how kind and selfless people need to be in this world. Plenty of adults should look at this boy as a model of how to be a true human being.

I worry about the future generations, but knowing that kids like this are out there … I know there’s hope.

A couple of days ago, someone I know (an acquaintance, foremost) posted this on facebook:

Shame on you America: the only country where we have homeless without shelter, children going to bed without eating, elderly going without needed meds, and mentally ill without treatment – yet we have a benefit for the people of Haiti on 12 TV stations. 99% of people won’t have the guts to copy and repost this..

Then this same person left this as a comment:

and don’t forget our economy!

And it made me feel sick to my stomach.

Ok. I get that America isn’t doing that well at the moment, but I don’t understand how such a statement can be made during a crisis caused by natural disasters to a country that lives far below the means of Americans.

Yes, we have homeless people.

Yes, we have starving peopple.

Yes, we have untreated ill.

And yes, we should not turn our back on them. But at the same time, how can we not, AS HUMAN BEINGS, reach out to an impoverished country that has suffered two forms of natural disasters in a few years time. They had devastating damage from hurricanes, and a powerful 7.0 earthquake, followed by at least 2 aftershocks. There are people currently buried under rubble. Children separated from their parents, not knowing if the other are still alive or dead. Starving people who have probably been starving well before the earthquakes struck. Thousands awaiting medical care, while living outdoors. HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF LOST LIVES.

How, can we worry about our economy when human life is at stake.

I’m just flabbergasted by those comments. (And the fact that people actually “liked” it on facebook.) How is it something that Americans should be ashamed about? Because TV networks were all airing a telethon? Because this money isn’t going to getting Americans out of debt?

Just because we had a telethon, doesn’t necessarily mean that we’ve turned our backs on ourselves. It’s because there is a crisis, and immediate crisis, that needs attention. Haiti alone would not have the resources it needs to save those affected.

As someone living in America, living in a house that still stands, with an income that allows me to buy the food that I want and the clothes that I need … I don’t see how I can see the wrong in helping out Haiti. In fact, because I am living a comfortable life, I feel like I SHOULD reach out to those who don’t have the means. Who are living during a disaster, or fighting to survive a disaster.

When the typhoon hit the Philippines a couple of months ago, it really hit home. Literally. I had families that LOST THEIR HOMES. Who have to start from nothing to rebuild a life that was already difficult. Living in a 3rd world country is not easy, but to see all that you have wash away, especially because of an unbeatable natural disaster, is something that will make you lose all hope in everything. What those who have been affected need is help.

It is a sad state that it takes a huge disaster for people to raise money. And yes, for that we should take a step back and re-evaluate when we reach out to others—natural disasters or not. But at the same time, I don’t think American should feel ashamed for reaching out to a country that needs help.

(And who is to say that people have forgotten about those in need here? Maybe we don’t raise millions of dollars as quickly, but there are programs that exist here that are trying to get these things done. Meanwhile, in Haiti, they simply don’t have the manpower right now to aid with the earthquake without having to reach out. Again, they were living in poverty BEFORE the earthquakes.)

Maybe instead of complaining about a cross-network telethon, you should instead focus your efforts on the issues that you believe need our attention. Instead of having people copy/paste a bit of condemnation over something as insignificant as facebook, why don’t you take that energy and DO something about the homeless here in America. DO something about the starving. DO something about the mentally ill. If you believe that Americans should now turn their attention to these issues, THAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT, rather than to place “shame” on those who decided to give what they can to people who, ALSO, need assistance.

I feel extremely, EXTREMELY, lucky to be living in America. I know, it’s not perfect right now, but if my problems are that the banks are not giving out loans as easily as they used to, or that we’re suffering a housing crisis … count me lucky. Because I think that’s an easier thing to go through than to wonder if my parents are gone forever or could potentially be alive, but under tons of cement. Or if my cousins are seriously hurt, and on the verge of death. Or if a friend’s life could be spared, if only they had the medical aid they need.

It is easier to get help in America, than it is in a country where help is hard to find to begin with. It’s not a matter of helping Americans over Haitians. It’s a matter of helping life. Human life. Period.

clintonbushhaitifund.org
hopeforhaitinow.org
redcross.org
1-877-99-HAITI
GIVE to 50555 to make a $10 donation (US only)
Text HAITI to 90999 to donate $10 to Red Cross Haiti relief

Edit [1/26/10] One more thing that I forgot to mention, we are NOT the only country that has needy people that helped out Haiti. China was one of the first countries to step up to help.

“Don’t be cynical … It leads nowhere. If you work hard & are kind, amazing things will happen.”
- Conan O’Brien

NBC is losing an amazing man and talent, not only through Conan alone, but with his amazing team.

ahh … this has affected me more than I thought it would. I guess because his show makes up a part of my 20’s. I used to stay up until 1 in the morning just to watch his show. (Locally, they used to air his show at 1 in the morning. He even did a bit where he came down here to try to convince the local affiliates to move the show directly after Leno’s.) And in the early 2000’s when I was really starting to dive into my interest in graphic design and web design, one of my first layouts for my early blog was a Conan O’brien back-to-school theme. … Oh, I should try to find a snapshot of that layout. I was so proud of it! haha! It’s based on a milk ad he did.

This one, to be exact:

I am sure great things are in store for him in the future. He has too big of a following to just disappear. He’s a truly genuine comedian, writer, host, entertainer. He does everything with class and kindness, and for the most part, stays out of controversy and trouble. Truly admirable, and respectable. And he has the best hip/string dance EVER.

Koco for Coco!! (Koco is a nickname a friend of mine gave me. I’ve really taken to it. haha!)

(I don’t have cable, but if he were to move to cable, I may just get it JUST to be sure not to miss out!)

I’m writing posts … I just can’t seem to finish them. :-/

tired.

What’s today’s date? January 10, and I’m just now posting my new years resolution post? HA!

But I think that’s ok, and maybe kind of symbolic of how much more laid back I want to be this year. Not worry so much about doing things so super properly and to not over exert myself when I really don’t need to. And while this is a true goal of mine, I still want to continue to work hard and try my best at all things. So a balancing act, if you will.
[read on]

It’s only the 3rd day back into the swing of things, and already I’m pretty pooped.

Seriously, this lack of personal time (and excuse me, but the time after work does not feel like personal time. It feels like I-have-to-recover-from-work-so-that-I-can-be-ready-for-work-tomorrow time) is going to catch up with me so fast that I might lose it! I don’t know how people do the 9–5 thing for decades out of their lives. I feel like I have no life doing it! Part of it is the commute, I’m sure. It does not help that I start and end my day fighting rush hour traffic.

Something has got to give!

Very recently, I’ve been considering a career change. Not simply a change in companies, but a change in career fields. For a while, I’ve been thinking about going back to school to get a Masters in Fine Arts to become a design professor. But now, I am thinking about going back to school to become a teacher, either elementary or secondary. Nothing directly to do with art and design, but with math and science and writing. My life has become TOO saturated with design that I’m drowning in it. DROWNING.

I don’t know if that’s necessarily a solution to my current situation, or maybe it’s just a yearning for a complete change. What I do know is that I’m tired.

Don’t you wish that you didn’t have to stick to one occupation for so long? Sometimes I wish that I can just wake up and decide I’m going to be a teacher today or Today feels like a cupcake baker, so that is what I’ll do. TOO much repetition in life can really dull out your life. That’s what my life is: one big repetition.

*sigh*

I’m not yet sure what I’m going to do, or if maybe things will change itself. But what I do know, is that I’m tired and am anxious to try something else.

This isn’t necessarily just do to what I do for a living or the company for which I work. That is only a portion of what I’m diluting to. There’s a long list of things that I’m ready to change in my life, and I hope that I can find the courage to change those things.