Vario Creative Blog

I’m frustrated today. After a great morning with my networking group and then getting some much needed errands done, I thought today was gonna be a great day. And then I turned on the computer to get some work done. I’m stoked… ready to get to work. But first, let me check a couple of my typical news sites that I like to read to make sure I didn’t miss something important in the world today.And there it is. All over the place. I can’t escape it. It’s on every single freakin’ site out there: “John and Kate + 8.” Some ridiculousness about this family of who the hell knows and how their marriage is falling apart, the husband is a philandering creep and child labor laws. Holy crap people! Do we have anything better to do than to worry about this stupidity and what goes on with this “media whore” couple?C’mon already. How are these idiots news-worthy? I don’t get it.  I really don’t. I can’t get over that people honestly follow this stuff and have opinions on it. It simply amazes me…Another amazing thing: I read today that Mayim Bialik (”Blossom”) thinks she’s special because she’s raising her kids using the “Attachment Method.” What the hell is that, you ask? Oh, she doesn’t have a nanny or child care. The poor thing! She must be exhausted. However does she do it?Ummm, welcome to the real world, lady. It’s how most of us non-Hollywood kids are raised. It’s not called “Attachment Method Parenting.” It’s called, “Having a normal childhood.” 

Thought I’d share a cute little story on this pretty dreary Monday afternoon. Might perk up the spirits considering the subject matter: Babies and kittens.Who doesn’t love babies and kittens, right?So my little one has recently become OBSESSED with cats. Cats of sorts: stuffed animal cats, real live cats, TV cats, books about cats… you name it. She is crazy about them!!! Whenever she sees a cat, she starts yelling, “Ba ba ba.” Okay, okay… she’s only 10 months old so she hasn’t figured out the correct word yet. Anyhow, we spent the weekend looking for little stuffed cats for her to play with. My 9 year old niece ended up finding 4 little buddies at the local toy store and since then, Charlotte has been out of her mind playing with these little stuffed animals. Have you ever seen such a happy kid?!?!?

Last week a colleague of mine asked if she could take some informal shots of my little one to add to her photography portfolio.   ”Sure,” I said. I figured that she’d take some cute pics but I never expected such stunning results. Of course, I’m biased on the subject matter. But see for yourself. These photos are just incredible… and I’m thrilled to be able to recommend Ever True Studios for all of your photography needs. Recently, I’ve worked with them on several projects for websites and trade show materials (Builders, Auto Body Repair, etc.) and not only are they professional but their quality of work exceeded any of my previous photography experience. I am so thrilled to have found a photographer that understands my design style and accommodates the needs and budgets of my clients. The final result is incredible, no matter what the subject!For more on Ever True Studios and to visit their blog, check out: http://evertruestudios.blogspot.com/ 

I have to admit… I am still reeling from the fact that Donald Trump made Joan Rivers his Celebrity Apprentice. It’s taken me days to get over my anger enough just to sit down and write this without spewing so much venom that my screen disintegrates. Putting it mildly: I’m disgusted that this horror show of a woman gets such glowing praise despite her being such a foul spirited and purely nasty individual. Let’s also get one thing straight right up front. I’m no fan of Annie either. She was a jackass too. I was pulling for good ol’ Jesse James. Quiet, determined and a good worker. Heck, I woulda taken Hershel Walker in the finale too.But Joan Rivers. And her disgrace of a daughter too. Ugh… the thought of those two cackling plastic faced gargoyles just makes me sick. Who the hell do they think they are? Seems to be that they’re above the rest of us regular folks. Gets my blood boiling just thinking back to that spoiled little hag Melissa pitching a fit and squawking like a spoiled child when she was fired off the show. I wish she’d just wake up and face reality: You’re nobody. You’re Joan River’s daughter. Nobody gives a shit about you and your pitiful little fits about how you’re so wonderful, and talented and smart and blah, blah blah. Whatever. The one thing I’ll think of when I hear the name Melissa Rivers: Her creepy mouth and the way her lips don’t cover her teeth when she’s speaking. Oh, and that tone of voice… like nails on a chalk board.But back to that class act of a mother. Sure, she’s funny. Sure, she’s been around forever. And I’m sure she’s got more fans than a lot of other celebrities out there. But I can’t get past the fact that she was voted the Celebrity Apprentice simply because she had “endurance” as a 75 year old. Puh-lease. Endurance is great and all but it all boils down to the way you act. I’m sorry… but having the event planner quit both teams because she was so offensive is to me, game over. That’s it. You’re all done. Oh, and the fact that the other team raised over twice as much money in the final task. C’mon… let’s be realistic.Okay, I’ve gotta stop or I’m going to give myself an ulcer just thinking about it. Donald, you should be fired. Where’s George???  

My favorite blog, TheGraphicDesignBlog.org wrote a wonderful post today with some examples of very creative and fabulous logos that often have unnoticed hidden meanings or characters. Some I’ve noticed before, while others I didn’t even realize! Check it out here:http://www.graphicdesignblog.org/hidden-logos-in-graphic-designing/ 

I recently posted about a trip that my family took to Buffalo, NY this past weekend. Over the fields and through the woods to Grammy’s house we went. Each time we visit, we stay in this adorable little town called East Aurora, NY. Ummm… where? That’s what I first thought. But then I found out, it’s the home to Fisher Price toys. Who knew? Of course, we had to visit the Fisher Price campus off of downtown and let me tell you: There is a Santa’s Wonderland. I can’t imagine a happier place to work! Even the street that it’s on is called, “Little People Lane.” But that’s neither here nor there. The other thing that was about the coolest thing I’ve seen is that the entire town of East Aurora is ‘branded.’What do I mean?Well, every shop, office, building, sign and more has made use of the Roycroft font. From the sign in front of the dentist’s office to the banners waving in front of the downtown shops, everything is Roycroft. And what’s even cooler, is that the font bears the name of the old hotel in town, none other than the Roycroft Inn.  

This past weekend I spent in the car driving to and from Buffalo, NY. Long, long, long drive but lots to look at once you get onto the Thruway and over the Massachusetts border. I love seeing all these little towns and farms along the way. Most look like something out of the early days of America with falling down towns and barns and old pickup trucks. But it’s something that always leaves me curious and wondering: “What do these people do for work if they don’t own a farm?” Sometimes in these little towns, you’ll see large companies. Take for instance, Canajoharie, NY. Not much to see, but the home to Beech Nut Foods. Who knew? It’s a tiny little town that looks like something out of The Outsiders. But right smack dab in the middle, is the Beech Nut factory.As we exited the Thruway and followed 20A through more small little farm towns, we were struck with a vision that we haven’t seen before during our many trips. Windmills. Lots and lots of windmills. As far as the eye can see in both directions, there were wind turbines pumping continuously over the Western New York skyline. As we got closer and closer, these behemoths grew larger and grander until we were driving right next to them. What a sight!! I was absolutely mesmerized by them.So I decided to do a little research on these bad boys and share it with everyone. Interesting stuff, I tell you. From what I saw, each farm had 2-4 on their properties. And from reading up on this project, each windmill can bring in between $5,000 - $10,000 per year. This helps the economically challenged upstate farmer purchase new equipment, products and even college educations for children while providing a renewable resource. Wind turbines are huge! They’re approximately 320 ft. high (the height of Big Ben or Giants Stadium football field). Absolutely gigantic! From what I’ve read, these 230 MW wind turbines generate enough electricity to power 68,000 homes for a year. Wow!!I’m just in awe. They are stunning. I’m sure that a lot of people probably look at them as eye sores and cutting into their view of pastures and vistas. But for what these incredible things can provide, I think they’re so worth it. Not only as being a positive impact on the environment, but because they bring in more revenue for the folks that have leased out their land to these wind turbine companies.