Scientific American Interactive Graphic: How Much is Left?
Posted by erincubert in Interactive Thoughts on August 25, 2010
What’s Left?
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Cool Inforgraphics
Posted by erincubert in Artistic Thoughts, Professional Thoughts on August 20, 2010
Cool Infographics showcases some of the best examples of infographics from around the web. I stumbled upon and really liked the SEO graphic, which I found by way of Megan Garza’s site (how can you go wrong with a url that ends with -fuckyeahvisualdata-cool?).
If you’re into data visualization, infographics or just information, you really need to check out this site out.
Small steps lead to big leaps
Posted by erincubert in Athletic Thoughts, Life Thoughts on August 16, 2010
Every year during the first week of January, I update a page of goals and desires that I later tack on to the wall and glance out throughout the year. I do this so that I always know, in the back of my mind, what’s truly important in my life. This year has been about getting things off of my life’s to-do list. One of those things was doing a triathlon … for a really, really, really long time. It’s been on my list of things to do in 20** (insert 01,06,09,10), but this year, I picked this as the major “Get it off of my ‘List O’ Things to Do in 20**’” and widdle it down to just a half-marathon. The goal was that each year I would then work my way up … first a marathon and then eventually a triathlon.
Oddly, that approach brought me closer than I ever thought before to completing my goal. It made it more manageable and actionable; if I can do that, then SURELY I can do THIS! Case in point: In April, I completed the Country Music half-marathon. In two weeks, I’ll get the opportunity to compete in my first sprint triathlon at the Cedars of Lebanon. The week after that, crazily, I’ll be in my second half-marathon for the year, with my good friend Sarah Naeger. In December, I’ll be running the Memphis half-marathon with my sister. I am now ahead of schedule on my list of things to do!
The last year has been a whirlwind of change for me to accomplish all of this. I’ve learned so much about the different sports, the terminology, bike maintenance, the frustrations of a bike breakdown, injury and burnout … and it all excites me: because I’m doing and not just dreaming. I look forward to the future races, the ones in 2011, 2012, 2013 and beyond. This is a new and improved lifestyle for me, one that I hope to maintain for the rest of my life.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll be blogging about this lifestyle and hope that my enthusiasm for it inspires others to go after their own dreams, no matter how big or small. In the meantime, share your tips and suggestions:
Can you articulate your goal?
What tips do you have for those trying to accomplish their goals?
How and what obstacles have you had to overcome to accomplish them?
What would you do differently if you could?
What’s holding you back from your current goals?
How bizarre! Mustard: A cure for cramps?
Posted by erincubert in Athletic Thoughts on July 20, 2010
I’m not sure about you, but I go in and out of cravings for mustard and usually pair it up pretzels with a spicy dijon when I’m in a hunger jam. I’ll also use pickles and water (0 calories!) to help fill me up, especially right after a workout when I’m “starving” and to slow down the ravenous beast inside me, giving me a chance to create something that is slightly more nutritious and beneficial to my body.
I never considered using mustard to help avoid leg cramps … so this interesting concept may come into my routine soon. Check it out:
Athletes hoping to avoid leg cramps during strenuous exercise typically turn to sports drinks and gels to replenish fluids. Runners and triathletes often race with packets of energy gels in their pockets or attached to race belts. Those packets usually are purchased at running stores or health-food outlets. Some athletes turn to fast-food restaurants for a more unlikely source of cramp prevention: mustard packets.
Mustard: A Cure for Cramps? | Nutrition | Core Daily | Core Performance.
For the love of music …
Posted by erincubert in Fun Thoughts on July 19, 2010
I love using Pandora and Blip.fm to find new songs and artists (you’ll oft hear me call it random exposure). It gets me through the workday, my daily runs and work out routines. I go between the two programs – find an amazing song on Pandora, either through the web browser or my iphone app, bookmark it, run to Blip.FM and blip it, which sends it out to my friends on Twitter. I have no idea if this annoys them or if they find my tracks interesting, but … who cares!? Musical narcissism prevails!
I’m always looking for new music, so if you’ve got some you’d like to suggest, please do … or if you have a more efficient workflow, I’m open to that too. Catch me at Blip or on Pandora.
Yo. #art #figurestudy on Twitpic
Posted by erincubert in Fun Thoughts on July 15, 2010
Yo. #art #figurestudy on Twitpic.
Oh the fun you can have when you’re deliriously tired and a girl in your class happens to have an awesome set of shades.
Looks Like Good …
Posted by erincubert in Inspirational Thoughts on July 13, 2010
Design, illustrations, creativity and beauty … if you’re looking for some good sources of inspiration for any of these, follow Jonas Kamber, an Art Director and Blogger from Switzerland, as he posts “fucking high quality inspiration” at http://lookslikegooddesign.com/. I mean … how many other places can you “vote, like and share this shit”?
Overcoming Fear
Posted by erincubert in Artistic Thoughts on July 12, 2010
A few months ago, I signed up for a drawing class to distract me from the fact that I was turning 29 and to help me overcome a fear I have about drawing in front of other people. I am scared to death to draw in front of people because I fear the snap judgments that are made on my drawings. I always hear the comments from my middle school and high school years in the back of my head:
“Why is she naked?”
“Why are you drawing that?”
“Can I have that drawing/will you draw me something?”
Over the years I’ve buried my desire to draw based solely on those fears and as a result, suffocating myself. I realized lately that I had become one of those people one who gave up something they were passionate about and ’settled’ for something less because they were afraid to do what they loved … and I can’t have that.
So here I am, showcasing a few pieces of the last couple of weeks … and painting another oil painting. Check out my little gallery here. I’d love to get your comments and thoughts on the work – how can I improve? What resources do you use? What kind of advice can you offer?
Follow my train of thought …