#so small teeny tiny trying so hard support system i was starting to build just fuckin kivked over.

[winterrose42]

Five minutes. Just five. Minutes not even hours or days. Five fuck minutes. Where things are not happening. 2024 has been like ten years so far and we're barely into April.

A dont look at me

[palettepainter]

I’ve got post vaccine (moderna gang) shivers so I need to express fluff headcanons to spread good vibes

When Ecto was planning to propose, he had to keep it so hush hush because Higari can easily find things out. He didn’t tell anyone but higaris mother and his own parents. He was very happy that Higari was actually surprised with the proposal. Higari wears the rings on a necklace- his quirk doesn’t exactly make wedding rings easy to find.

As much as Higari prefers being a support hero, search and rescue jobs that go smoothly it’s very rewarding. He often checks up on those he’s managed to rescue, keeps in touch with some too. There’s this lovely older woman who he rescued from a crumbling retirement home who sends him baked goods every holiday. He visits her every month for tea.

When Ecto is sick, Higari cares for him easily. Even when Ecto acts like he isn’t sick. He’ll make him soup, make sure he’s resting, cold compress on his forehead. As stubborn as he is, ecto appreciates it.

Higaris favorite memory with his dad is digging around in the yard with him. Since they had the same quirks, it worked out. He showed him how to carve tunnels without the ground crumbling, or just played around in the dirt. There’s a picture of Higari when he was three, covered in dirt with his head peaking out of a hole. His dad was grinning, sitting near by like he was cheering him on. Sometimes, especially on days where thinking about his dad is hard, he’ll tell Ecto stories.

As someone who also got shivers after getting a vaccine I know the feeling, how you’re doing well!

Ecto proposing, Yes! I love the idea of Ecto proposing to Higari, and his rugged flirting smirking self just crumbles in the face of Ecto holding a ring to him. Ecto’s eyes are so full of love and he has such a soft grin on his face that Higari can’t help but tearing up, he tries to think of something flirty to say back, but he just can’t. He’s overwhelmed - probably ended up tackling Ecto in a hug with a big kiss, which threw Ecto off guard, thinking at first maybe he’d overwhelmed Higari when he started crying.

Higari wearing is around his neck, also yes. Higari’s wedding ring is the only thing that he will spend careful hours cleaning and polishing at the end of each day to make sure it stays in good condition, wears is around UA proudly - though I imagine for interviews outside of UA or when he’s called out for hero work he leaves it at home in a special box on his dresser or safely tucks it away in a drawer in the design studio, as much as he loves wearing the rink around his neck he dreads the thought of loosing it in a rescue, or having some nosy reports pester him for answers if they catch sight of it. 

With Higari’s gear I’m a firm believer he’d be a great rescue hero in say like natural disasters or if a building collapsed. With his giant robotic suit and his know how on construction he could easily map a safe route to evacuate citizens from an unstable building, or quickly find a way to clean up after a land slide. Need to move a giant tree? No problem he’ll move it no prob. Citizen can’t move because they’re leg hurts? He can carry em out to safety. Kids they rescued are bored while they’re waiting for parents to pick them up? Higari tolerates them clambering about on his hero suit like it’s a jungle gym

Anything with Higari caring for Ecto or vise versa is so wholesome! In my NGAU I imagine Higari prolly knows all the tricks to help when someone is sick, he grew up in a big house with tones of little siblings, as kids they got sick a lot with how often they played in the garden and mud, they’ve all got very strong immune systems so it’s rare Higari or his siblings get sick - but Higari still knows all the tricks to help nursing someone back to health. He remembers to give Ecto some medicine, make him some soup, hot water bottle if he’d cold, flannel if he’s too hot and plenty of liquids. A teenie tiny part of Ecto might even enjoy all the attention, appreciating Higari’s concern. Too bad Higari is too stubborn to actually treat himself when he’s sick, with how little he gets sick he doesn’t take it all that seriously - thankfully Ecto is a patient man with many clones, so is willing to drag Higari back to bed if needed XD

And the last one with his dad...

Anon: Are you trying to make me cry-

In my NGAU Powerloader’s dad was all over him, spoiled Higari so so much. Spent many lazy afternoons slacking off work when the missus wasn’t looking to play around with Higari (bragged for like a week straight that he got his quirk, proud dad moment). Higari’s mother came out into the garden to see how the boys where doing, she finds her husband and toddler son covered head to toe in dirt and mud. She gets angry at them, insisting the two need a bath if they want to have dinner. Toddler Higari hated baths from the day he was born apparently, and it’s only until dear old papa gives him a bath is he willing to get clean. His dad puts bubbles in Higari’s hair, and Higari splashes bubbles onto his dads beard, who then makes a silly face to make Higari laugh. Too bad only one hour after tea the two got dirty again-

The first time Higari used his quirk was when he was outside with his dad. His dad was working on fixing up the shed, Higari sitting in a small play pen outside with some toys while his dad stood close by, able to work while also keeping an eye on Higari. Higari, bored of playing with his building blocks, begins to drag his little hands at the ground, and before he knows it he’s tunneling his way to freedome beyond the bounds of his baby playpen. This kind of scneario probably ensued:

Kaigo (PL’s dad): Phew *picks up tool box and turns around* Alright sweetpea, time to go back insi- *freezes when he sees the playpen is empty, and no baby in sight* W-WHAT?! *drops tool box, and rapidly looks around* Uh- H-Higari?! Sweetpea?! Where’d you go?? Come to dad, this isn’t funny! *rushes around a bit*

Higari: *tunnles his way up to the surface in his mothers flowerbed, a small pile of dirt with a flower sticking out the top sitting on his head*

Kaigo: *searching in the bushes* H-Higari?! Higari! Where are you?! *mumbles* Shit I took my eyes off him for two minutes! Where the hell could he-

Higari: BAPA!

Kaigo: *jumps and whirls around*..*heaves and sigh and rushes over* Oh thank god! *scoops him into his arms for a hug* You stupid lil’ ankle biter! Don’t you ever do that again! *holds him out at arms length* How in the world did you even get out??

Higari: *sneezes from the dirt, making the flower fall off his head*

Kaigo:..Wait. Did..D-Did you, DIG your way out?!

Higari: *incoherent baby noises*

Kaigo;...Ooooh you are in SO much trouble young man, you know how many years off my life you just took? Huh?...*scowls as Higari giggles* Oh so you think this is FUNNY?-

Higari: *grabs his nose* BA!

Kaigo:............*sighs* You’re damn lucky you’re cute, you know that?...Uh, how about we DON’T tell your Ma about this, okay?

Ever since then his dad had to watch him like a hawk, one minute Higari was sitting playing with his toys, the next he was trying to dig his way to the other side of the world. When he was old enough his dad did give him some lessons in how to dig safely so the ground wouldn’t become unstable. I imagine Higari may have madea  few tunnels as a kid that where too close to the surface, and his very unsuspecting mum and dad would just sink into the ground collapsing an old tunnel Higari made. And Higari having pictures?? YES. His mum probably has a whole stash of pictures of Higari as a baby playing outside with his dad and her. Including the embarrassing photos, the kind of photos Higari would never want Ecto to see, but his mum showed him anyway. 

Now I wanna write angst with Powerloader and his dad aaaaa-

[ribbonofangels]

Operating System Comparison

Hey guys bingo cat here so today, I'm doing another operating system comparison: video, I'm comparing Windows, 7 Professional versus windows, 10 professional, both 64-bit now bingo cat. You may ask: why would you even make a video like this, comparing windows 7 and comparing Windows 10 as like apples and oranges, right, they're, both really good operating systems, and there isn't entirely a clear winner on which one is better, and not only that but Windows. 7 and Windows 10 are both so popular, so why would I compare it and my answer to that question is why wouldn't you compare it if you have the chance, I have Windows, 7 Windows, 10 running in VMware. I give them the exact same settings and accept the hard drive size just ignore that all right so keep in mind Windows 7 specifications. 

If you want to run Windows 7, the minimum requirements are a 1 gigahertz are faster 32-bit or 64-bit. Processor 1, gigabyte of ram for 32-bit operating system or 2d device, or in for a 64-bit operating system, a 16 gigabyte, hard drive space or a 32-bit operating system or 20 gigabyte, hard drive space or a 64-bit operating system and the minimum requirements for Windows. 10 are drummel, please the exact same now. I find it really cool that the minimum requirements for Windows 7 and the minimum requirements for Windows 10 are literally the exact same because this was released in late 2009. This was released and mid 2015. So you know a good 5 and 1/2 years, where computer hardware definitely developed and increase, and these still both have the exact same specifications so as a result on Windows 10 for the most part, you can actually run this on some pretty old technology, like I've seen Videos of people running Windows 10 in 2005, computers. I find that amazing anyways, let's go to in turn both of these operating systems on, and so you know, even though I started out windows 7. 

First, it actually booted up later than Windows. 10 - let's type in my super-secret facinated here now. The first thing I want to point out in both operating systems as a user interface definitely looks a little bit different. The concept of both operating systems as far as the user interface goes, is about the same right. That boots you to this desktop right with the test score at the bottom of the desktop and various icons. You can click in the bar and both have the recycling bin by default on the desktops right and so yeah Windows 7 uses something called the windows. Aero theme: what Windows Aero basically does is it's a thing that allows you to give you this fancy pterence parent effects like behind the windows and behind the taskbar right when Windows 10 uses something called flat design. It was originally called Metro by Microsoft and Windows 8, but they scraped it for the modern look and now I don't think, there's even a name for the UI of Windows now, but for all intents and purposes this is a flat design user interface. 

Now they allow you to keep the transparency in the task work and the Start menu like that in Windows. 7 actually rip this out in Windows 8, but they added it back and understand and for looks very nice now. The icons you notice in Windows 7 are straight from Windows, Vista or the icons of Windows 10. On the other end they're brand spanking it. So I'm going to go ahead and open up the default web browser on both the operating systems. Windows 7 is updated to the latest and greatest Internet Explorer browser. I, the initial, build of the Internet. Explorer 11 was released in 2013 and was released for Windows 7 and Windows 8 and Windows 10. It comes with a brand spanking new web browser called Microsoft edge. As you can see this, this browser, since its brand new, looks not exactly like Internet Explorer but they're both great browsers, but this uses a newer layout engine, so there's a better chance I'll display web pages more correctly than in Internet Explorer 11 over here. 

Oh, the other thing about edges that it is designed to be used with a touchscreen as well as a keyboard or mouse sense edge, is still working progress browser it does not have a lot of features like Internet Explorer. 11 has like support, for you know. Plugins and extensions edge at the current moment in time doesn't support any extensions at all. Let'S dive into the programs list for both doctor rating systems, the default programs list that is so Windows 7 comes with. Let'S see desktop gadget gallery, which is desktop gadget is pretty mystic gadgets. It'S basically what allows you to have stuff like a CPU meter, a slideshow. What else is there basically just cool nifty little teeny, tiny programs on your desktop that provide you with real, up-to-date information of stuff? You want to know like. Let'S say you wanted to know the weather right. 

You could just place a weather gadget here and all immediately tell you what temperature it is outside now: Windows. 10, even though it doesn't have gadgets anymore. It does have the live tiles here in the Start, menu which do almost the exact same stuff as the gadgets on the windows. 7 desktop Windows. 7 comes with. You know. By default, when I release it came with Internet Explorer 8, but once again it can be upgraded to 11. It also comes with Windows DVD maker by default, and you can watch DVDs by default now, windows. 

10. It doesn't even allow you to watch DVDs by default. Like DVD playback is not supported in Windows 10, which to some people one might seem really ridiculous, because DVDs are still have a lot of uses right, but to a lot of other people, newer computers aren't coming with DVD drives and with the rise of Internet services. I don't really see any reason to use DVDs anymore personally. Windows 7, also like if you open accessories that comes with normal Windows, stuff, like calculator, notepad paint, remote, desktop the run command and Windows. 7 was actually the last version that, if a classic windows day games this, I call it like solitaire and etc. 

This version of Windows 7 doesn't actually have it, because this is a professional version but and other versions of Windows 7. It does have it when it's done. On the end of their hand, this is a professional version, but it does come with candy crush soda saga anyways. So as far as other stuff comes, it does um. My personal opinion, Windows 10 comes with a lot of bloatware. Like the apps, don't really take up much resources, but I really don't need Microsoft. Money installed by default, in my personal opinion, like all the stuff that Windows 7 had installed by default, had a very useful point. As far as I go, I don't want to use Microsoft, money right, and so some of these apps Microsoft lets you uninstall, but there are other apps in here like phone. 

This is not a phone, so I don't need the phone app. Unfortunately, I can't uninstall it at all: hey as far as default. Apps out Windows 10 includes includes 3d builder calculator. Calendar camera I do like, like calculator, for example, is basically more or less just an updated form of the calculator that was included in Windows 7. I mean it can do almost the exact same stuff. This UI, though it's just newer now as far as Start menus for both the operating systems goes, they look fundamentally similar except over here. This is basically the Windows XP Start menu, which was also the Windows. Vista Start menu. What this does is it provides you shortcuts to various parts of your computer and over here is just basically a program, so it's like this is recent programs, and this is all of your programs. 

Windows 10 is a little tiny bit different as far as links to frequently accessed parts of your computer goes it's down here and it's barely honey, but if you want more links, just right-click on the Start menu and there there on this is most used. Programs on like they also suggest your programs basically ads in the Start menu, but you can turn off ads in the Start menu and that's good. And then you click your all apps list and you can scroll down. This is pretty much like the same way. You could scroll down your list of Windows 7. Now, looking at the various settings in each operating system, Windows 7 for the most part comes with one place. You can view all your settings for your computer. 

That'S just the traditional windows control panel now by default. It opens you in category view, which I actually don't really like, because it's you have to dig down in all of these categories just to get to this setting you want, I always prefer the large icons or the small icons view, because you can basically see almost All that configurable settings on your computer at one single time, Windows 10, on the other hand, comes with two places. You can change your settings. It comes with the new and improved settings app, which I like the Settings app except there's. No way to view all your settings at once, but other than that I, like the settings up, the user interface is so much better than a control panel. In my opinion, Microsoft. 

I believe once this to replace a control panel, but they haven't finished migrating it over. So you also have to use a separate control panel, sometimes which is still there and still looks the exact same as I did in Windows 7. But it is extremely confusing where the go sometimes because of reasons like this, I don't even try and go into a control panel or Settings app and windows tend to change the setting I just type whatever I want to change into the Start, menu and hope set. If finds it, instead of me having to manually hunt for it, let's talk about the Windows 10 privacy issues that Windows 10 is famous for not Windows. 10 is famous for supposedly collecting more telemetry than Windows 7, and all that means it's basically just collecting data on how you use your computer, which, depending on your it, can be a good or bad thing now. 

First of all, I just want to point out that there are updates automatically get installed to Windows 7 and Windows 8.1. That turns on a lot of telemetry by default and more or less provides the exact same telemetry and data tracking. That Windows 10 has now. The other thing I want to point out is that Windows 7 since day one would and can collect telemetry about you. Telemetry could be as simple as Windows 7. When a program crashes it going to want to sum his crash data to Microsoft, and you going yes now: Windows 10. All that is basically turned on by default, so yeah, essentially, Windows, 10, gives you less privacy than Windows 7. But it's try to see. Concerns are definitely blown out of the water. Now the general concept of Windows 7 was basically Windows. Someone was a very conservative operating system in comparison to almost any other version of Windows ever released, except like maybe Windows, 2000 and Windows me. 

The got entire goal of Windows. 7 was a fix. The messes that Windows Vista made Windows Vista was a buggy and slow and unsecure operating system for the first year of its life until got the first service, fax and so Microsoft didn't make that many major UI changes to the operating system. I'M not kidding they kept it almost the exact same where Windows 10, on the other hand, wasn't afraid to change a UI at all Windows. 8 UI was such a drastic departure from Windows 7 that Windows 10. They tried to make it more Windows, 7 ish, and so yet the entire goal of Windows 10 is. This is a version of Windows to be used on all your devices, Microsoft. You want to see the use the exact same version of Windows 10 on your phone and on your tablet and on your computer and that's very cool yes, mate. 

Now, Windows 7 on the other end, was only designed for desktops and laptops in mind. It does have a touch mode, but its primary goal wasn't to increased amount of touch users using Windows 7. Now it's there just in case someone wanted screen windows 10. On the other hand, you could say that Windows 10 was almost designed with touch in mind, like their new web. Browser, for example, is extremely easy to get around just using a touchscreen, so yeah, if add, to choose which one I like better Windows, 7 versus Windows. 10. I would say it's a really tough decision. You know what, because Windows 7 was fantastic for its time. It'S a really polished product. 

At the same time, this was released about seven years ago, and technology has changed quite a lot since seven years ago. Hence, Windows, 10 Windows 10 has stuff that Windows 7 will never have. It has its own app store, for example, when they're seven does not have that. I love Windows 7 could says because it's a complete, fully polished product Windows 10, on the other hand, is a little bit less polished than Windows 7. Hence the dual settings and control panels mishmash nonsense, but if I had to choose one I like better, I would choose Windows 10, so yeah. That was today's video thanks for watching guys. Hope you guys like this video. If you didn't, please tell me why and goodbye you, you 

[connorrenwick]

Where I Work: Zai Divecha

Zai Divecha is a Bay Area native artist based in San Francisco, California, whose creative explorations began with metal. After graduating from Yale (both undergrad and grad), the cycling enthusiast became a metalworker who just recently transitioned into working with paper. Now she’s creating small and large scale geometric works made from paper featuring repetitive pleat patterns. For this month’s Where I Work, Divecha opens the door to her shared studio space in the Dogpatch neighborhood for a look at her process.

What is your typical work style?

I’m a morning person, so I like to get my day started early. A few days a week, I get up at 5am to do a 30-mile bike ride before going into the studio. There are few things I love more than cycling. And going out at dawn — when the fog is still thick and the light is a cool, grayish blue — is the absolute best.

I usually get into the studio by 10am, and work until 7 or 8pm, taking breaks to chat with my studiomate or take Simi out for a walk. Some days end up being more computer- or admin-heavy; other days are more focused on making. Unless I’m really in the zone, my brain typically shuts off around 8pm, and I’m useless after that.

What’s your studio/work environment like?

The studio is bright, cozy, and clean. A huge skylight lets tons of light in. When we moved into this space, my studiomate and I laid the flooring ourselves, and we chose a pale gray color in order to bounce as much light as possible into the room. We mop the floors regularly to keep the dust under control. Lots of plants, candles, and furs make it feel cozy and welcoming. I’m a neat freak, so I need the surfaces around me to be clean in order to think clearly and feel creative. The less clutter I have in sight, the more focused and creative I am.

My studiomate Emi Grannis is a big part of my daily life. She’s a metalsmith who makes fine jewelry, and she’s also one of my very closest friends. Even though we each run our own separate businesses, Emi and I help each other out constantly throughout the day: she’ll take photos or videos of me working for my Instagram; I’ll help her draft tricky client emails. She’ll weigh in on my design decisions; I’ll help her triage her to-do list. We know each other’s strengths and needs, and we’re good at making the other person feel supported, focused, and happy. It’s pretty special. I don’t know where we’d be without each other.

How is your space organized/arranged?

We have a small studio space on the mezzanine level of a shared metal shop called ShopFloor. It’s located in the Dogpatch neighborhood of San Francisco, and it’s three blocks from where I live (best commute I’ve ever had). Our studio is 270 square feet, so it’s pretty compact. I have my little zone at one end of the room, Emi has her workspace in the middle, and at the back, we have a lounge area with a couch and a makeshift kitchen (mini fridge, microwave, tea kettle). The couch was a game-changer — having a soft, comfy place on which to take breaks (or naps!) means that our days can be longer, more productive, and more sustainable.

How long have you been in this space? Where did you work before that?

I’ve been working out of this building for two and a half years, but it’s only the last nine months that I’ve had this cozy studio space on the mezzanine level. Before that, I rented a bay on the ground floor, in the metal shop. I was making welded steel vessels and mosaic steel wall hangings at the time, so it afforded me easy access to the metal shop tools. But I didn’t have walls, private space, or heat, so while it was utilitarian, it was not particularly inspiring or comfortable.

But now that I’m primarily working with paper, a medium that doesn’t require any machinery at all, it’s been lovely to have a contained, quiet space away from the noise and grime of the metal shop. I have walls, heat and air conditioning, a comfy couch, and, of course, one of my best friends nearby, so I’m much happier and more productive now.

If you could change something about your workspace, what would it be?

A teeny bit more space would be nice. I routinely have to downsize my tools, prototypes, and projects in order to make space for everything.

Is there an office pet?

Yes! My dog Simi often comes with me to work. She’s a chill, low-key dog most of the time, but she’s become infamous for starting to hump her dog bed as soon as clients walk in. She can be a liability.

Do you require music in the background? If so, who are some favorites?

I tend to listen to downtempo electronic music when working. It needs to be melodic, hypnotic, and a little edgy. Nicolas Jaar, Chet Faker, Polo & Pan, Glass Animals, Zhu, and Alina Baraz come to mind. Here’s a playlist I made of my favorite songs for work. If I’m doing repetitive measuring, scoring, and folding, I’ll often put on a podcast to keep my brain engaged. The Guilty Feminist, Reply All, The Daily, and Planet Money are current favorites.

How do you record ideas?

I have all kinds of systems. I have a notebook that’s just for my daily to-do lists, I have a separate sketchbook for drawings and diagrams, and I have a series of digital notes that are synced across my devices.

Do you have an inspiration board? What’s on it right now? 

All of my inspiration boards are digital at the moment: I have dozens of Pinterest boards, and a number of Instagram collections of saved posts. Lately I’ve been saving things like 3D-printed ceramics, hand-carved wood home goods, geometric murals, blackwork tattoos, installation art, and parametric architecture.

What is your creative process and/or creative workflow like? Does it change every project or do you keep it the same?

I often start by examining prototypes and sample pleats I’ve made in the past. I hold them in my hands, and collapse and expand them. I imagine how they’d look or behave if I made changes to the pattern. What if I altered the angles or spacing of the pleats? What if I pinched it at one end, and let it fan open at the other? What if I made this out of a translucent Mylar instead of paper? What if I made a collage, where I put this pleat next to this other pleat? Then I’ll make a quick mock-up using scrap paper. I love that it’s so easy to prototype with paper. I can test out ideas quickly.

Once I have a plan, and I’ve figured out all the measurements, the execution is a series of repetitive motions: measuring out a grid, scoring lots of lines, and working with my hands to pleat the paper. I love settling into a meditative routine, and making only minor changes with each sheet of paper to optimize my efficiency and precision.

What kind of art/design/objects might you have scattered about the space?

A tiny painting of Point Reyes by Susan Hall, who’s a dear family friend. Ceramic pieces by Two Hands Full, Pinckney Clay, and ShanMan Clay Co. A half-moon shaped serving board I made out of Cocobolo wood. A concrete sculpture of hands by Rheal. Two brass Ganesh statues that my mother gave me when I was little. A sweet note that Emi left me one day. And a handful of items collected from nature: a Cholla cactus branch, an antler, and a dozen potted plants.

Are there tools and/or machinery in your space?

Now that I’m primarily working with paper, my tools have been pared down to just the most unassuming and lightweight ones: pencil, rulers, cutting mat, X-Acto knives, painter’s tape, needle and thread, and bone folder.

What tool(s) do you most enjoy using in the design process? The bone folder. It’s a bookbinding tool made out of bone that’s used to score paper. It lets me make precise, sharp folds. It feels smooth in my hand — so simple and primitive.

Let’s talk about how you’re wired. Tell us about your tech arsenal/devices.

I have an iPhone X, a MacBook Pro, and a Canon 5D Mark II with a few different lenses. I store all my notes, documents, and photos on Box, so they’re accessible from any device (I used to work at Box; old habits die hard). Instagram is my main marketing and sales tool, so I spend a fair amount of time on it.

What design software do you use, if any, and for what?

When I was doing metalworking, I used Illustrator and SketchUp to design wall hangings and prep vector files for lasercutting. Now that I’m working primarily with paper, my creative practice is blessedly analog! The less time I’m on the computer each day, the better.

Is there a favorite project/piece you’ve worked on?

I recently finished up a large hanging paper installation, and my partner Phil Reyneri added subtle light effects to it using Lightform, his company’s tool for projection-mapping. Each edge and facet was illuminated with projected light patterns.

Do you feel like you’ve “made it”? What has made you feel like you’ve become successful? At what moment/circumstances? Or what will it take to get there?

I definitely don’t feel like I’ve “made it.” I have so many things I still want to make, and so many goals I still want to hit. But I suspect I’ll always feel that way, even if I’m making a lot more money. There’s a famous cycling quote by Greg LeMond that I love: “It never gets easier, you just go faster.” I think this is true for running a business, too. I feel like I’m hustling just as much as I was three years ago, but when I compare the work I was making and the types of problems I was solving now, it’s clear that I’ve made a lot of progress.

Tell us about a current project you’re working on. What was the inspiration behind it?

I’m developing a series of smaller paper pieces with stitched red accents. The goal is to sell them framed in shadowboxes with glass fronts, so they’re ready to hang. I’m excited to offer pieces that are elegant but also accessible — at a price point that my friends could afford.

What’s on your desk right now?

I have a cutting mat, some rulers, a mug filled with pencils, pens, and X-Acto knives, a few pieces of pleated paper, my reading glasses, and my laptop. I try to keep it as bare-bones as possible.

Do you have anything in your home that you’ve designed/created?

Just a few random craft projects here and there. I have a set of ceramic fruit bowls I made in high school, and some dog beds that I sewed out of canvas drop cloth and painted (I made one for my studio and one for my home). One day, I’ll do a proper paper installation for our place!

Photos by Zai Divecha, Emi Grannis, Phil Reyneri, and Andy Wong.

via http://design-milk.com/

from WordPress https://connorrenwickblog.wordpress.com/2018/12/18/where-i-work-zai-divecha/

[firstumcschenectady]

“Not Seen, Not Forgotten” based on 1 Samuel 15:34-16:13 and Mark 4:26-34

It must have been about a decade ago, more or less. I was jogging one evening, around dusk. It was a really beautiful evening, the sky had transformed into one of those dark yet vivid shades of blue that always delights me. The temperature was just right – I was neither hot nor cold. I'm not sure how it happened, but I got thinking about floating in a body of water that was also neither hot nor cold, but just right. Just easy floating in comfortable water.

Then I started considering how easy it is to move your body when you are floating in water. A flick of the wrist can shift you around. As I thought of that, I realized that in this envisioned body of water, there was a teeny tiny current. It was so small that a flick of my wrist could keep me from being moved by it, but it was enough that it could guide my way.

That was it. I had a conception of a warm, safe body of water with a tiny current that I could float in, and either allow the current to move me, or not, with great ease. It felt like a lot more though. It felt like a vision of wonder and grace that was a gift from the Divine. I experienced it as a reminder that I had the freedom to easily follow through with my own will, that God would not overpower me. And a reminder that there was guidance available to me, a path that I could let myself be led on if I choose. I need not be aimless if I wish to allow the current to lead. The balance of guidance and freedom co-existing together was powerful.

It was a relief to think about my relationship with God, my life decisions, and even my life itself as FLOATING. I have sometimes had a tendency to think of them more as a swim race across the English Channel. In this vision the floating was good. It was not only good because it was easy, although it was easy. It was also all that was asked of me. I could float where I wanted, or float along as the current lead me, but the current was too slow and gentle for me to find it swimming. All I had to do was float. And even then either choice was OK.

(The few times that I've had visions that I think are of/from the Divine I've noticed that the God I experience is profoundly nonjudgmental and supportive.)

All in all, for me, that vision reminds me of the experience of Centering Prayer. Centering Prayer is prayer based on the name of God, YHWH, which means something like “I am” “I am who I am” “I will be who I will be”. It is a prayer of BEING, rather than a prayer of doing, or thinking. It is silent prayer, but not just silent on the outside. Centering prayer is prayer that is silent on the inside too. It is simply BEING, along with the “Great I AM.” So much of life is about doing, or speaking, or listening. It is active, engaged, intentional. Centering prayer is like floating on the warm, mostly still waters of God's care, and just enjoying being alive.

Or, at least, it is when it works. It can be really hard to be silent on the inside, and then it doesn't feel at all like that when you are trying and failing.

The parables in the gospels seem to tell a similar story. They speak of God's mysterious actions, ones that humans wouldn't be able to replicate. We can sow seeds, the gospel says, but we can't control if they germinate or not. We might as well go to sleep and let God do God's mysterious things. Soil, water, sun, and air work their magic on the the seed, all giving gifts no human can offer. After all that, the human can cut it down and enjoy the grain. But the human can't make the grain. (This was true in the time of Jesus, let's give it to him.)

We also can't always predict how things will go. “The mustard seed was a common metaphor in Palestine for 'the smallest thing.' The plant could grow as tall as a house, and birds seemed to love its little black seeds.”1 The people knew about the disparity between seed size and plant size, talked about it. In the gospel, it is used to indicate how vibrant and abundant God's work in the kindom is. What appears small and insignificant to human eyes is plenty to change a landscape and an eco-system.

God is at work in building the kindom. God can make big things happen out of a tiny start! God's work is mysterious and happens out of our sight, and yet we can see the fruits of God's labor and with it we are fed and nurtured. God is invested in building the kindom and God is capable of doing it. The planted seed is no longer seen, but is not forgotten as it germinates and grows.

But, this raises some significant questions. Another commentator names them this way:

“One suspects that the early Christian communities were often as puzzled by this parabolic presentation of the kingdom as we are. These two parables that Mark stitches together have generated may theological interpretations over the centuries. Does the kingdom come slowly, over the long haul? Should we understand the harvest in due season as the future event of the eschatological time? Are we to believe that God is in control of the growth and harvest, despite the evidences of the way the world is?”2

Another commentator offered a great explanation of the words themseves.

“Hē basileia tou theou, found fourteen times in the Gospel of Mark and usually translated 'the kingdom of God' or 'the dominion of God' is an ancient metaphor not easily translated into today's culture. In the first century CE, power and dominion belonged to Caesar. Early Christians preached that Caesar's domination had been overtaken by the domination of God. This was an in-your-face radical claim defining insiders not by Caesar's proclamation, but by relationship to the community that followed Jesus. (cf. Mark 3:31-35) In various twenty-first century cultures, the claim of radical inclusion is seeking expression in terms reflecting the egalitarian relationship of God's beloved community. To that end, we translate hē basileia tou theou as 'the kin-dom of God.'”3

So, then God's beloved community comes into being mysteriously, with God's effort, and is able to grow big and strong even from humble beginnings. It is as if the beloved community itself is a gift from God for God's people. Then, as a part of the beloved community we are able to share that love – and it doesn't always have to be difficult – and sharing love is building the kindom. I know sometimes it is difficult, and that's good too. But it doesn't ALWAYS have to be difficult! It is OK to float along in the current of God's love. It is OK, sometimes, to just be.

Now, in the Hebrew Bible story, God also acts in mysterious and unexpected ways. The first of which is when text clearly states that God changes God's mind! 15:34 b, “for YHWH regretted making him ruler over Israel.” (Inclusive Bible Translation) I think it is helpful to notice when the Bible says God changes God's own mind, it reminds us that we are allowed to also! As I was taught in Process Theology, it also indicates that God is responsive to us! What we do in the world impacts God's own being, and God has to change and response to the realities that we have created.

The story goes onto say that Samuel thinks he knows what God is going to do next! Samuel is sent to make a king from one of Jesse's sons, and Samuel figures it will be the oldest one, especially when he sees that the oldest one is tall and handsome. Samuel is terribly human in that way, assuming that stature and beauty have to do with competence and blessing. Samuel is said to be rebuked by God, who does NOT care about those things. Although, I have to admit, later in the passage David is described quite exuberantly as handsome, which sort of undermines the message.

In any case, all of Jesse's sons were present, except one. The final one was the youngest, doing the task usually assigned to the youngest son, the one least likely to become the head of the family. He was herding the sheep. His father didn't choose to call for him, to join them at the feast. David had work to do, and he was doing it. But one by one, Samuel assessed that none of the older brothers had been chosen to be king. Finally he had to ask if there were any more sons, and then David was called for.

David hadn't been seen at the party, Samuel didn't know him, his family wasn't paying any attention to him. He wasn't seen, but he wasn't forgotten by God either. David in this story is presented as being a lot like that mustard seed – small and forgettable, almost invisible, and yet capable of greatness. God's work in David is also presented as being like God's work in seeds planted underground, God transforming what is possible into what is.

The story of David is of God choosing the unexpected one. The parables of Jesus are of God's mysterious power. These are stories of God at work, NOT of humans at work. I tend to like to emphasize what we are able to do in the world, how we are able to transform the world with God's love, how God is able to work with and through us. Those are true things. But they aren't the only true things. It is also true that God works when we least expect it, in the places and people we least expect to be open to it. God's mysterious work is a source of hope. Not everything is on our shoulders. Not everything good is hard. Sometimes it is OK to just float and trust in God's love and guidance. Thanks be to God. Amen

1Nibs Stroupe “Homelitcial Perspective on Mark 4:26-34” found in Feasting on the Word Year B, Volume 3 edited by Barbara Brown Taylor and David Bartlett (Westminster John Knox Press: Louisville Kentucky, 2009)143.

2Don E. Saliers “Pastoral Perspective on Mark 4:26-34” found in Feasting on the Word Year B, Volume 3 edited by Barbara Brown Taylor and David Bartlett (Westminster John Knox Press: Louisville Kentucky, 2009)142.

3Judith Hoch Wray, “Exegetical Perspective on Mark 4:26-34” found in Feasting on the Word Year B, Volume 3 edited by Barbara Brown Taylor and David Bartlett (Westminster John Knox Press: Louisville Kentucky, 2009)141.

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Rev. Sara E. Baron

 First United Methodist Church of Schenectady 

603 State St. Schenectady, NY 12305 

Pronouns: she/her/hers

http://fumcschenectady.org/

https://www.facebook.com/FUMCSchenectady