Create Our World

 

At my Great Aunt Betty's House, I wrap up the month of December.

“Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness you are able to give.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

Every month I write up a quick recap with links to the best content.  This December, I spent most of my time in Austin, yet then struck out and although am in Yuma now, and shooting for San Diego for the end of the year.

December: In Latin, “decem” means ten.

Austin! Austin! Austin! I almost didn’t go anywhere this month.  I spent most of my time in Austin, Texas. The Live Music Capitol of the World!

I slept in my friend, Alan’s VW van at the Radical Dixie Ranch.  Here I drank 54 Odwalla Juice smoothies, learned to Dumpster Dive, made friends with a midget dog, took photographs with a fish eye lens, wandered the streets looking at graffiti, ate some pavement, learned about geo-based polymers, checked out the local animal shelter, and spent a lot of time sipping yirgacheffe at the local coffee shop, while researching other radical individuals.  Jasmine told me of a story of Goodness from her travels.  Stine educated me on what it is like to hitchhike for a woman.  Sion shared some photographs from his iPhone and my Aussie bud, Sebastian hitchhiked across the USA to knock one more thing off of his bucket list.

The buzz of the yirgacheffe inspires me to make some videos, too.  I dance an Ode to Matt Harding, a world traveling dancing man.  I advertised my companionship and dance moves in a video looking for a ride to California and I spent hours and hours and hours making a video to sum up my trip so far.  VOILA!

Then, I ditch Austin! I done flew the coup.  (All these articles to come in the coming week) Days before Christmas, I decide my path is the road and I am off.  Mr. Gameshow gives me a ride and so does Erskine, an experienced hitchhiker.  He tells me I am in the flow!  Dante, Tony, and Francis take me to the “Land of Living Waters.”  Junction, Texas.  Here I meet Derrick and Lisa, eat hamburger steak, and get the boot from town. I camp out in the boonies, make a fire, and feel like a bonafide cowboy!  Noyel drives me to Fort Stockton and I spend Christmas in the Oil Capitol of the USA.  The Conservatives and Republicans, surround me and can’t believe I voted for Obama.  But they take me in just the same.  I Love West Texas!  

After Christmas, Dave scoops me up and we ride over 600 miles together, talking about Jesus and aliens, while munching The Big Cheeseburger.  Arizona has deserts and cactus.  I miscalculate and walk alot.  Then I realize I can never miscalculate!  Val picks me up and teaches me how I can get rich and hitchhike the USA.  Val drops me in Yuma, Arizona.  Snowbird country.  I meet up with my Great Aunt Betty and we go to prison.  I try to help her get her first Gmail account, but fail.  And the new year and a new decade approach!  Still in Yuma to spend another day with my aunt, but I “plan” to be in San Diego!  I want to dip my tootsie’s in the Pacific on the last day of the year and do some beach angels to celebrate a fantastic year.  

How about you? Tell me about your December! 

Also, thanks for sharing Create Our World with new people.  Over 300 people are following through Facebook now and I continue to get new emails from people everyday.  Please keep spreading the word on the Goodness of People!!!

I would tell you about what is coming up on Create Our World, but I want to go eat breakfast with my aunt!  Soon, I will update you on the some ideas I have been kicking around to expand Create Our World.

Much Love to you all!

Create Our World.

Ben

“Joy is the net of love by which you can catch souls.” – Mother Teresa

I will show you exactly how to make a postcard, like this. Then print it off, send it, and make your granny's day.

“Create what surrounds you – to inspire you. Beauty in form invites the formless to appear… clutter around you… clutter inside… so simple.” – Marlise Karlin

Make Your Own Postcards.

I love postcards! Getting them, making them, sending them, even holding them.  

I don’t like the postcards you get at the typical tourist store though.  I have decided to create my own postcards and have been doing so, as I travel along.  It is easy, fun, and unique.  All the instructions are below, if you like the article make sure to comment and pass it along to other folks in need of some postcard making skills.

What you need for your Postcard:

**A Digital Camera.

**Access to a computer & internet.

**15-30 minutes.

**A Free Picnik Account.

**30 cents for the photograph & 44 cents for the stamp (I think that is how much stamps are now).

Here’s How to Make Your Own Postcards (follow along as I show you how I made my photograph of my friend, Nai from Austin, Texas):

My friend, Nai. Before I do anything. A nice photograph, but with a little work, it will be a stunning keepsake for a loved one.

1. Take a Photograph with your digital camera and Upload it to a computer.

If you are reading this you probably know how to do this.  Upload that shot.  I like shots of people I am with, but it just matters what you are into.  What do you want to remember?  Or what do you want to show other people?  I don’t really care what the “things to see” in the town are.  I photograph what I think will be interesting.  Then, upload it.

After editing in iPhoto, it has a little more jazz.

 2.  Edit it on Your Computer. (optional)

I am particular and have been editing photographs for years.  I know what I am doing and know what I want.  But I just use iPhoto or when I had a PC, I used Picasa by Google which is a free download.  For the beginner, my recommendations are to amp up the contrast of the photograph.  It makes the darks darker and the lights lighter.  The photograph will be more pleasing to the eye.  

If you want to know what I do: I amp up the contrast and the saturation of the colors, without making it look artificial.  Just vibrant!

3. Upload to Picnik.  

Iphoto or Picasa do not have the ability to add a border to make photograph.  You can sign up and use Picnik for free and it has lots of fun effects.

After editing in Picnick, but before I have added the Text.

 4. Create the Postcard in Picnik.

I do these same steps everytime after I upload my photograph to Picnick:

A.  Go to the CREATE tab along the top border.

B. Use the LOMO-ish filter in EFFECTS.  

It adds more saturation to the photograph, a slight vignetting (or a hazy dark shadow around the outside), and a blur around the other edge.  I tweak it till I like it, adding more or less effect.

C.  Add the Border in Frames.

 I usually try to chose a color that I think goes with the photograph, adding and not distracting.  It is always learn as I go.  I play till I find something I like.  Also, I increase the thickness of the OUTER COLOR but usually leave the INNER COLOR the same.  In this photograph I chose a dark orange, because Orange to me represent Austin (University of Texas Longhorn colors) but anything lighter than the darkest version distracts from Nai.  The inner color I go with Black.  I like to increase the Corner Radius too.  

D. Back to EFFECTS, I add the 1960′s filter.

I like the curved edges and slight red tinge.  I am sucker for old film photographs.

E. Now, I finish by adding TEXT.  Go to the TEXT Tab.  

Add any message you like.  I like the postcard series, GREETINGS FROM… so that is normally what I go with.  Then, I vary the text fonts to fit the place or what looks good.  Since it is Austin, I got with the Western looking theme, PANHEAD, for Austin, Texas and for GREETINGS FROM… I chose a more reserved, yet bold font, IMPACT.  I choose the bright orange color for Austin to draw attention there, again with the theme of the Texas Longhorns.

F. SAVE & SHARE.  Picnik allows you to share it to any internet sharing or social networking site or save it too your computer. I save it too my computer.

5.  Save in on a Zip Drive & head to your local Photograph Printing Kiosk.  

You know those big yellow things at Walmart, CVS, or your store of chose.  Normally for about 30 cents you can print a photograph instantly.  Print off your new postcard, slap a stamp on it, and send it too your Mom.  She will appreciate it.

The finished product.

 What do you think?  Do you have another way that you like to do it?  The combinations are endless and the result is something that is personal and unique for those that might not be able to travel or see you as much as they would like.

If you make one, send it too me!  Maybe we could add it to the website for others to appreciate.

Also, if you enjoyed the article, then GIVE!  Comment or Share it with your friends whom would enjoy it (Click the Big Share/Save button below).  

Contact me!  Follow me on Facebook, Twitter, or through Email and receive more than just the daily posts.  I tweet and post photographs from the cars that I hitchhike with or where I am camping for the night.  I photograph and post interesting things I see throughout the day.

Let’s Create Our World.

Ben

“The primary purpose of living is to know who you are in order to create the life you want.” – Dharma RD

This is not real. Not yet anyways. I made this on Write On It.

 ”If its not fun, you are not doing it right.” – Bob Basso

Sometimes as a break from stories, I will share fun resources that I come across in my travels.  Today is one of those days.

Write On It.

I am always looking for ideas for my photographs.  I found Write On It. in this search.  You can quickly turn a digital photograph of yours into a magazine cover, a photomontage, a card, or into a digital “face in hole.”

Check it out.

Create Our World.

Ben

“In between goals is a thing called life that has to be lived and enjoyed.” – Sid Caesar