Blogs about self-improvement from Pew Pew Laser Blog

Too Many Emails.

I've signed up for quite a few commercial emails, and I'm pleased by most of them. The glass shops email me class schedules. The Space Needle emails me coupons. The library emails me when my held books are available. I want those emails; I get actionable information and useful coupons.

But Eddie Bauer sends way too many emails. They emailed me every day in the 5 days before Christmas. On average, I get an email every other day. At first, I signed up for the email list because it seemed to be the only way to get the frequent buyer coupons. (It isn't, actually. They mailed me a $10 certificate at the end of the year; and I bought a $9.99 sweater. They paid me a penny to take the sweater away!)

The frequency of emails really irritated me; just how often do they expect me to come into the store? Then I set up a message filter in Thunderbird. Now Eddie's emails are quickly filed away before I even see them. Problem solved.

The Policy of the Photographer's Spouse.

I have a new policy that I recommend to all spouses, and special friends, of photographers.

If the photographer brings the camera's tripod to any activity, then you bring your book, or DS, or knitting. In this way, you can remain entertained while photography is happening. Also, you are less likely to be pressed into duty as a voice activated light stand.

Glass Sculpture.

By demand, here is another glass piece that I made during the last of my beginner's glassblowing classes. It's a free-form sculpture roughly 9 inches high. It's got a bit of a bulbous oval at the bottom, and as I flared the top edges, they took on a tail-fin appearance. It was fun to make; an exercise in working the materials into a shape that I liked. Next time I might go for a more definite fish shape.

Grammar Snob Strikes Again.

Just so every one knows, there's a huge difference between "jury rigged" (an usually clever hack) and "jerry built" (a fugly kludge); and it really isn't "jerry rigged". (I find the Urban Dictionary far too accepting of new / confused english.) You can see some examples of both at There, I Fixed It.

On the same note, "pore over", not "pour over". I've been using this incorrectly for years.

There are many more useful tidbits along the same lines at Paul Brians' Common Errors in English site. Perhaps there's something wrong with me, but I find this engrossing reading.

My Globby Glass.

This is my globby glass. I made it during my second glassblowing class. It's a drinking vessel; that's right folks, it will contain liquid! It may be blobby and misshapen, but I love it, because I made it. Many thanks to the husband for taking the photo.

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