Free Hugs Campaign - Official Page (music by Sick Puppies.net )

Free hugs started as one guy. It's now a globally known saying......

It's amazing how something can grow so quickly into something huge.

I would like to think that things like this change the world. Even if it changes the perspective of just one person I think it's worth it. It's things like this that keep me going sometimes.

Pierre François Frédéric talks about The Declaration of You

I can't afford to do this course but it seems really interesting.

Zee Declaration of You is open for zee business!

Cat from Margaret Scrinkl on Vimeo.

Dictaphone Parcel from Lauri Warsta on Vimeo.

OIL & WATER DO NOT MIX from Happiness Brussels on Vimeo.

Sonic Youth - Superstar

Cat power-Sea of love

so fucking beautiful.

I want to get crafty

I really think i want to get a bit crafty for this project. Especially as I cannot really afford to be buying many things for people. Plus, I think handmade is good. Something handmade can express something so well, well it can attempt to.

There is a feeling you get when you get something handmade from someone.

It is the thought that counts.

Pyramid of Arts

Pyramid of Arts have finally got back to me. They should be arranging an interview in January, so hopefully I'll get to work with them soon.

It's too late for Send and Receive, as I'll be working with Clic Sargent, but I could work with them for PPD2.

Gift a Stranger

On my list of things to do.


Gift a Stranger from Happiness Brussels on Vimeo.

Neglect

Christmas is over.........

Now to crack on with some real work.

In a way I have been working, with acts of kindness. At least that's what Christmas is supposed to be about.

I guess I did a few things that were extra nice, extra kind.

I invited my friend round for Christmas with my family as she couldn't get home because of work.

I bought a friend something she had wanted for a long, long time.

I wrote a very nice letter to a friend who moved away.

I got in contact with a friend I hadn't spoken to for a few months, we will be meeting up for coffee.

I was extra nice to someone that I fell out with at work and that things had been a bit awkward with. I even gave them a hug.

I'm sure there are more things. I just wasn't keeping track, as they weren't necessarily premeditated for this project.

you need to get off facebook

I totally agree. I think I'm addicted. It's so so strange.

I think a new year's resolution will have to be a cull on facebook time. It's the only way.

I wont quit facebook, it's a good networking tool. However, I need to start using it more for networking than just pressing the home page constantly......

There's more to life.

Training

ooooopppppps

My Commonplace membership expires in January.......I doubt I'll get down there before then.

Oh well, it's for a good cause I guess :)

Papergirl #5 - The art of giving from CUTZ. on Vimeo.

Radical Act Trailer- Political Acts from Erin O'Connor on Vimeo.

Radical Act Trailer- Boys Club from Erin O'Connor on Vimeo.

Presentation

I had my presentation today.

I actually thought it went pretty well. I have definitely improved on public speaking. I cracked a terrible joke as usual and probably rambled on.

But I didn't mumble too much, no stuttering.

I'm pleased.

Tron Legacy (2010) Trailer (HD)

I can't wait for Friday !!!!

1982 - Tron - Trailer

The Commonplace

I've just paid my membership to The Commonplace.

Now I can go and take part in some brilliant DIY events :)

And hopefully get involved.

How To Start A Knitting Group

1. Step 1: Location

   Choose a location that is central to make it easy for people to attend your group.

2. Step 2: Venue

   Choose a venue that has enough seats to accommodate a varying number of people for a varying amount of time. Knitting shops make good venues for knitting groups as do bars and cafes.
   
   Make sure your venue has good lights. This will allow your knitting group to feel comfortable while still being able to see their work.

3. Step 3: Date

   Make sure you choose the right night of the week, Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays are usually good nights. Choose one of these nights and stick to the same night each week.

4. Step 4: Communication

   Communication is central to starting a knitting group. As well as putting messages in the venue window, set up an email account that makes it easy to contact everyone about your group at the same time.
   
   Prepare a form for people that wish to be contacted by email. Remember to tell everyone the date, time and place that the group meets and keep them regularly informed.

5. Step 5: Attend

   Attend your knitting group and enjoy a warm feeling of satisfaction andpride while knitting your favourite pieces and making new friends.
   
   
   via video jug - click for video

Knitting Club Ad

International book fair

I want my book for Visual Language to be put in the Leeds International Book Fair. This means I need to make more than one.

One for me

One for a present

One for the book fair

The Brilliant and The Dark from Open Music Archive on Vimeo.

Interview: Kathleen Hanna on The Raincoats and Building an Archive

Interview: Kathleen Hanna on The Raincoats and Building an Archive

Kim Gordon at Kathleen Hanna Tribute

Well said.

I am now a Joinee - LauraJ

Join Me

Join Me started in 2002, when I placed an advert in a local London paper, simply saying “Join Me” and continuing by saying that if anyone did indeed want to join me, all they had to do was send me a passport photo.

No one knew what they were joining. Or who they were joining. Or, really, why they were joining. But join they did!

Problem was, I didn’t know what they were joining either. And soon, as the numbers rose into the hundreds, and as the word spread around the world, I really had to come up with something…

The Karma Army has now been going for getting on ten years… good people committed to performing one random act of kindness a week, being nice for the sake of… well… just being nice. People do good deeds – some secret, some public – they chat on the forums, they meet up around the country, and once a year we all end up in a pub after a properly fun day of random acts of kindness…

So take a look at the blog, but then – as this is all about community – head for the forum! Say hello! Make some friends! Let us know what you’re up to!

And join people from all over the world while you’re at it.

To Join Me, send one passport photo to:

Join Me
PO BOX 33561
London E3 2YW

via Join Me

People's History Museum

I emailed the People's History Museum to book some time in the archive to look at the Women's History and Politics section. I wanted to go this Friday 17th December but they're fully booked up, the next available dates are the 20th to the 22nd December which I can't make, so I'm going to have to visit after Christmas.

We have a trip to Leeds Museum tomorrow anyways, which has some information on the Women's Movement. So hopefully I can get some information there to help my project.

Coup D'Etat (Part Three/What Does Femininity Mean?)

Coup D'Etat (Part Four/Re-Socializing Gender Roles)

Coup D'Etat (Part Two/The interviews)

Coup D'Etat (Part One/Intro)

"To be yourself, you must be brave".

The Knife - Live - Heartbeats

I really think that adding art to a musical experience can make it so much better.

Doing It With Jensen: Doing It With 12 Inches On Video

I think these would make really good Christmas presents. Maybe they would sell at craft fairs too?

Joanie 4 Jackie from Miranda July on Vimeo.

The Hallway from The Hallway on Vimeo.

Voters – People's History Museum : Manchester Museums

Now based at the People’s History Museum, the archive is open Monday to Friday from 10.00am until 5.00pm.  The archive is closed at weekends and public holidays.  Visits by appointment only. 

To make an appointment please use the enquiry form, detailing the material you would like to research.  If you are unable to keep your appointment, please ring or email the archive as soon as possible.

Voters – People's History Museum : Manchester Museums

I'm going to visit the People's History Museum next Friday. I need to email them to arrange an appointment asking to look at their feminist material.

Tutorial Notes

So there was a bit of confusion with my tutorial, as my name didn't appear on the VLE for visual language. So I came along anyway and Christian was the first tutor I saw so I asked if I could join his group. The initial group tutorial was really interesting, I think the year group is really supportive of each other. It's really come a long way since last year, I think it seemed like there was a massive age gap between myself and many of the younger students. I imagine the first year of uni for most people of 18 or 19 is the first time away from home and it's party time. Now in the second year, most of us are just cracking on with it and the penny is dropping.

I'm rambling.

Anyways, We listened to each others ideas for the module and there were some very very interesting thoughts on collections, collectors and collecting.

So, my personal tutorial I spoke about my ideas for a project in more detail.

What I want my project to be about:

• Random Acts of Kindness
• DIY ethics and craft, like the Outspoken Showcase
• Feminism and Riot Grrrl - is it ever not?
• Subvertising
• Reconnecting with existing organisations

This is a very personal project for me. I think to get the most out of my project and to connect on a personal level I need to be completely honest. This honesty is not just with other people but also with myself. Denial is a powerful tool but it can't last forever, one day you'll crack. I think I've been running away from my problems and keeping so incredibly busy that I haven't noticed my unbelievable unhappiness. It is something that I've addressed and I'm dealing with it, medically. This project is more of a long term cure in my mind. It has been said that those that help others are the most happy.

Which works for me. I want to help people. I want to be happy.

I am feeling happier already.

Christian's feedback:

• Liz McQuiston - Graphic Agitation, From Suffragettes to She-Devils
• Visit the People's History Museum, Manchester.
• Test out ideas in college
• How? When? Why? What? Where?

I keep six honest serving-men
(They taught me all I knew);
Their names are What and Why and When
And How and Where and Who.

Rudyard Kipling in his "Just So Stories" (1902)

Compliment Guys Tour Kickoff

What is the BrightSide Tour?

Kodak has teamed up with the Compliment Guys, on a mission to give as many compliments as possible this summer and help people look on the Brightside. Read more for a full list of cities the Compliment Guys will be visiting this summer.

Cameron Brown and Brett Westcott, better known as the Compliment Guys, are on a mission to give as many compliments as possible to help people look on the Brightside. From July 20 through July 31, the Compliment Guys will be traveling up the east coast on a 10-City BrightSide Tour – from New Orleans to New York with the help of Kodak. Stay tuned to the blog for information on when they may be visiting your city!

via brightside tour

Compliment Guys mission: Cheer up America!

I love this idea :)

Put a smile on someone's face today, give them a compliment! Here's how:

Step 1

Download this PDF and print it out (Right Click and select "Save Link As...") 

Step 2

Cut each vertical tab along the bottom (light grey lines) 

Step 3

Post your Free Compliments in your office, school, place of worship, or anywhere you feel like giving a free compliment! 

 


via xmidi

Printing

via soma gallery : a print by Anthony Burrill

via coochicoos : a print by Hazel Nicholls

I would really like to do some printing in this project. I haven't printed since my elective last year and I really enjoyed it. I will definitely print for the book and possibly for my exhibition piece (once I decide what it is I want to submit). I would also like to print as part of some of my kindness tasks, like little notes for people with wonderful uplifting phrases. Maybe with my contact or blog details on there too in case they are curious in following my acts of kindness. Maybe they would even get in touch? Maybe they could help me with my book? Maybe they would answer some of my questions?

Hmmmm.

More google niceties

As social beings we expect to be treated properly and hope that we are liked. When we are disappointed about those things we can become disagreeable resulting in fireworks and a lack of harmony. Be nice to people if you would like to preserve the peace. Here are some tips on how to be nice to people when it doesn't come naturally.

1

Try Wearing Their Shoes. When other people are not being nice, it's often hard for you to be nice. So try to imagine yourself in their shoes to better understand their issues, and be nice to such people because you can.

2

Follow the Golden Rule. Is there a better guide for living than the golden rule? Treat others as you would like to be treated and you will find it a lot easier to be nice to people.

3

Control Your Feelings. If someone slights you or hurts your feelings you'll have to control your feelings (count to 10?) in order to be nice to that person. But controlling your feelings is a sign of maturity and if you can be nice to people even when you'd rather lash out, you are really in control of yourself and you are a better person as a result.

4

Always Look for the Good in Others. Sometimes you have to look hard, but you can almost always find something good in others. Thinking about the good in people helps you to be nice to them.

5

Picture Them as Honored Guests. When it's really difficult to be nice to people try picturing them as honored guests in your home. Be nice to them because they are your guests and that's your obligation as host.

6

Practice Makes Perfect. These various strategies are designed to make it a bit easier for you to be nice to people, even when you'd rather not. Practice these techniques until they become habits and you will be well on your way toward making your slice of the world a better place.

via ehow

Let's start from the beginning...

I need some ideas to start off this project. Kind things I can do.

So I googled "How to be nice to people"

I can honestly say, it is something I never thought I would google. EVER.

1. 1
   Smile to everybody you meet will urge the other person to smile back. A smile a day is the essential movement to niceness, and even if the girl is your worst enemy ever, muster a little smile and mutter a 'hi'. But don't do this in the morning if someone looks like they're half asleep, just nod to them unless they offer a response of their own.
2. 2
   Greet everybody you know, not only with that smile, but also a 'hello'. If you have the time, try to introduce yourself to everybody you meet and don't know yet. Chances are that one of the hundreds you get to know will become your best friend into your old age!
3. 3
   Get a conversation started. Talk about small stuff that you know the person would be interested in. If you don't know the other person well enough to know about their preferences, try to talk about things happening around you. (The meeting you've both been to an hour ago, the new guy in Math class, the fantastic new shoes your colleague has been wearing, etc.)
4. 4
   Try to compliment your new pal. But be careful, though, not to flatter them too much. Too much flattery can give the impression that you are sucking up to them, and especially if this new friend is a superior, they will think of you as a lapdog or butt-kisser.
5. 5
   Make arrangements to meet or talk almost every week. Remember to exchange contact methods. Get her email, grab his address, ask for their phone number. Don't leave without getting their personal info if you really like him/her! (However, if they balk at supplying contact information, do not harass them trying to get it. Be nice, smile, and offer to run into them again some day.)
6. 6
   Get them something nice once in a while. And for holidays or birthdays, buy something really special that you know s/he will really appreciate. It doesn't need to be something super expensive. A box of chocolates, a new notebook, if you really mean it, your friend will get the message and be nicer to you too.
7. 7
   Be polite to others. Help when needed, even to people you have never met before. That person might be lonely, and you may be the only one they have talked to that day. Imagine how happy they will be...and you will be happy also, knowing you have been nice to someone.
8. 8
   Don't curse. It projects an ugly image of you.
9. 9
   Be nice to "everyone", even those who have been nasty to you. Who knows? They might start being nice to you, too! And if they don't, at least you are being decent.
10. 10
    Be eager to offer help. Especially to those who have their arms full, children they are attending to, difficulty walking, or carrying heavy articles, etc. One day, you might be like them, and need help also.
11. 11
    Offer to help clean up after a party or a get-together. The host might be tired, and welcome your help.
12. 12
    Always remember to treat people the way you would like to be treated. If you are nice to people they will treat you in the right manner, and if you horrible to people they won't ever treat you nicely.
13. 13
    If people are nasty to you, always treat them nicely even though you don't want to. It will come in use one day.
14. 14
    If you have people who are very ill-mannered to you, never act the same way back, because they won't be a difference between you two, you will be as bad as each other.
15. via wikihow
    

Yosemitebear Mountain Giant Double Rainbow 1-8-10

Whoooooaaa it's a double rainbow, all the way. It's so intense. WhoooooaaaaaaaOOOOOOOOOOO DOUBLE RAINBOW! OH MY GOD! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO What does this mean? OOOOOOOOH it's so bright and vivid!

Amazing.

Do you know how fucking busy I am?

via kim jong-il looking at things

I think this blog is amazing. I hope there are enough photographs to keep this blog going. Please Please Please!! 

One photo alone is moderately funny. However, many photos as a collection are just hilarious. 

Maybe that's just me.

Kindness 101

Kindness 101

Save The Arts: An Important Message About the Arts by David Shrigley

I love looking at objects in people's houses. I think sometimes they tell a story.

A Collection a Day

An interview about collecting via etsy

Who are you?  Lisa Congdon

What are you collecting? Everything I can get my hands on that is in some way beautiful or interesting

What do you love about collecting? The hunt!

When did you start collecting? With Madame Alexander dolls when I was only four years old.

How many collections do you have? Depending on how you categorize things, I have somewhere between 80 and 250 collections.

Tell us about your collection-a-day project. On January 1, 2010 I decided to start a blog project in which I would photograph — or occasionally draw or paint —and post one collection a day for every day for the entire year.

Why did you start the project? Since I was a young girl, I have been obsessed both with collecting, arranging, organizing, and displaying my collections. The project is my attempt to document my collections, both the real and the imagined. I embarked on this project because I love my collections, and wanted to document them in a way that makes sense to me. I'm happy to share them with whoever might be interested.

Where do you find your collections? I frequent flea markets, thrift stores, junk shops, garage sales, giveaway piles, and family attics to find new additions to my collections.

Where do you keep them? Just a few are on display in my house, but most are filed away in envelopes and boxes in my art studio.

Which collections is your favourite and why? My favorite is probably my eraser collection. I mean, who collects used erasers? But they are so special, and each eraser has a story I will never know.

What’s an interesting story behind one of your collections? People might be interested to know how I began collecting vintage school supplies. Seventeen years ago, I got my first teaching assignment in a fourth grade classroom. I took over for a teacher who had just retired after 40 years. He had so many old materials and supplies in his room! They were too old and out of date to use, so I asked the principal if I could keep whatever we didn't throw in the dumpster. She said it was okay and I got some real gems from that classroom. It was the beginning of one of my oldest collections.

What do you think attracts folks to collections? I think people enjoy the sense of nostalgia and connection that comes from collecting.

What is it about your fabulous project that you think draws others in? I think the nostalgia I mentioned is part of it; most of my collections are vintage things. People love the vintage typography and packaging too. But I also think people are drawn to the arrangement of mostly everyday objects in an interesting way, especially how they are photographed.

What else do you collect? Some of my other favorite collections are mid-century kitchenware from Scandinavia and Japan, and I also love the old handwritten letters I've collected for my ephemera collection. I have so many amazing collections that it's hard to choose a favorite.

What collections would you like to add? I'd like enough mid-century Danish furniture to furnish my entire house.

So Christmas is upon us. Every year I cannot work out whether I love it or hate it. Christmas has so many meaning to each of us. To me it's family time and a break from work, cheesy songs and a few drinks too many. Irish coffee or "fluffy ones" as we like to call them. Trying to help Mum in the kitchen and promptly being told to "get lost, you're getting in the way!". Naps in the afternoon and watching The Snowman. Home Alone and A Christmas Carol. As a child we had "Christmas Extravaganza" on Boxing Day at my Grandma's, playing a song on guitar or magic tricks. Everybody clapped and seemed so happy. Opening our presents and lots of hugs. Making presents, making cards. Christmas was crafty.

Somehow, along the way I think I began to lose that. I began to feel that Christmas was just for kids and that it had become a materialistic event. A symbol of capitalism. I have started arguments about presents, or the giving of money. I once really upset my Nana because she tried to give me money as she didn't know what to buy me, I didn't want her money, I thought it was best spent on herself. It was rude and now I reflect on it, I regret it. I had an opinion on money and of a "gift", I upset a dear family member because Christmas had become about the presents.

Never look a gift horse in the mouth.

So now, I'm stuck between seeing the beautiful feeling of Christmas and the sinister side of capitalism. I do really look forward to it, but why must it be such a stressful time? Buying the perfect gift is something that really gets into my head. I want the recipient to know how I've thought about it, how their present reflects how I feel about them. It never used to be like this. I used to make all my presents.

Maybe that's what I need to start doing again.

Get back to simpler times.