Everything Awesome Must … Come From Google?

We’re all a bit obsessed with Google and its constant innovations. Here are some tools and resources you should definitely know about and make use of:

Google Translator

Google Translator is awesome. Its different from a typical translator is that it’s constantly evolving and becoming more accurate because of USERS like us. The logic used is similar to a Wikipedia entry -the more people use it and correct the results, the more accurate the results will be in the future. Knowledgeable users always have the option to “contribute a better translation”.

Google Trends

Whether you’re doing research on search terms, trying to increase visits to your blog, or just finding out what people are searching for from a trivial standpoint, Google Trends is the best way to do it. Everyone’s Googling something – its a matter of finding out what they are Googling, what they are interested in that particular day/month, etc. You can compare the popularity of different search terms, as well.

Google is currently using this tool to track Flu Trends across the world.

Google Logos

If you’re a bit dorky like I am, you like Google’s creative logos. Really, if you’re like me, you navigate to the actual Google homepage rather than the search bar just to see how they’ve changed their logo. You’ll definitely enjoy this site and this site – they showcase all of the different, creative logos Google comes up with to commemorate holidays, birthdays, etc. around the world.

Google Sketchup

I just found out about making buildings and other models in 3-D using Google Sketchup. You can make anything 3-D: your kitchen, a person, or more commonly, a building.  I’d really like to play around with this! (in my non-existent free time, of course) . Here’s one of the renditions of Harvard Stadium:

Harvard Stadium in 3-D

There’s a contest going on right now to model the most important buildings and landmarks in your hometown. East Lansing doesn’t have a team yet… Anyone want to join me?

Auto-Complete

Autocompleteme is quite possibly the most entertaining of these tools. Everyone’s had crazy autocomplete options before while Googling! Here’s where they collect the funniest ones. Here’s one of my favorites:

Also, DON’T MISS the section entitled Jesus: The Autocompleted Life and Times. It’s absolutely divine.

My Latest CC Article: Work it Like the Military!

Check out College Candy to read this (edited) post and more of my other Body Blog posts!

I’m skeptical. If I hear Glee is a hilarious television show, I will not believe until I’ve seen the football team dancing to Beyonce’s “Single Ladies” on the field. If you tell me Special K bars will make me lose weight, I won’t believe until I read the nutrition facts for myself. So when my co-worker raved about the benefits of fitness boot camps, I obviously did not believe her until I tried it myself.

Working out is hard enough already – do you really need someone yelling in your face the entire time? If I want to workout, I can do it entirely on my own. I’m just fine pounding the treadmill alone. With my iPod. And without any camouflage, baggy pants, and whistles! After 7th grade, I resigned myself to the fact that I cannot do a pull-up, and I am more than fine with that. Plus, boot camp sounded so manly – I felt like I would get Jersey Shore style-jacked.

But my very persistent co-worker convinced me to try out a mini boot camp. Her friend, a certified instructor, was running it for free, which sealed the deal. And because I never suffer alone, I dragged two of my friends along.

We met in the gardens of a nearby private school. Yes, in the good old outdoors. The boot-campers arrived with their hands all taped up like kickboxers, dressed in serious sports bras that can double as shirts. Needless to say, I was a little intimidated.

We stretched, ran a bit, and were paired with partners for the rest of camp. Suddenly I found myself lunging, army crawling, jumping rope, and more with this partner of mine. Going from station to station kept me active and interested – and not counting down the minutes until I could stop working out. Goodbye, treadmill monotony! As the LA Times puts it, “The secret lies in the circuit-style workout that toggles between cardio and muscle building. This leaves little if any down time, and the shuffling of routines prevents boredom and exercise ruts.”

And as cheesy as this may sound, I loved having a partner cheer me on the entire time. Can you imagine having someone telling you how great you are, and how you just need to go a little bit farther, a little bit faster all the time? Let’s talk really effective motivation! The LA Times says that since “people are often paired or grouped for friendly competitions,” it can foster “a camaraderie and support not usually found in regular fitness classes. That camaraderie strengthens with time, establishing accountability, something fitness experts say is essential for sticking with a program”.

My skepticism was nowhere to be found as I punched, jumped, sprinted… and loved every minute of it. I’m not starved for attention, but I was really living up the group support. No matter who I found myself holding up, whose butt was near my face, or who I happened to be carrying up a hill (no joke), everyone believes in you and thinks you’re strong. Just working out with my girlfriends never results in that kind of motivation!

So maybe the skeptic is a believer now. And I’m not the only one. The LA Times article agrees that “for people willing to put in the work, boot camps enable exercisers to see results quickly, the better to stay motivated.”

Basically, Boot Camp Benefits include:
• being in the great outdoors
• having an always-changing workout
• constant motivation
• accountability
• feeling that you’re always challenging your body in new ways

Would you sign up for boot camp?

Too Good to Keep to Myself: The Onion

The Onion was HILARIOUS today. Thank me later:

• Woman Domesticated is a hilarious history of women that both male chauvinists and feminists can enjoy.
• Clinton Deploys Vowels to Bosnia is self-explanatory. And made me LOL.
• Christ Returns to NBA is an audio news story. Also self-explanatory.

Sherlock Holmes Review: Robert Downey Jr. Rocked That British Accent.

Wondering if Sherlock Holmes is worth your money?

Let me assist you, since I saw Sherlock Holmes on Christmas Day. Yes, on the day it came out. I simply could not resist Robert Downey Jr., Jude Law, AND Rachel McAdams! When the chance comes, you jump at it. And in case you disagree or you’ve been living under a rock, check out the riveting trailer below. It was enough to make me leave the fam for a few hours on Christmas Day:

I thought the movie definitely lived up to my expectations, which were pretty high considering I’m a huge Robert Downey Jr. fan. (I was hooked after I saw Chaplin for the first time) As for his drug addiction, we’re all addicted to something, right? At least he got over his already and is acting in some amazing movies already. I also think he has excellent bone structure, but then again I have a natural affinity for these things.

I’d never read a Sherlock Holmes book before, but Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s original character seems too boring now anyway. The reviews I’ve read say that RDJ and Guy Ritchie, the director, really spiced up the original character for a modern audience. I actually think he ruined Doyle’s version for me.

Generally, the reaction seems quite positive. Sherlock Holmes is a trending topic on Twitter – there’s a general feeling of anticipation, excitement, and satisfaction with Downey Jr.’s portrayal from consumers, at least. The Times Online doubted that the on screen charisma was enough for an audience to want to see again and again (as in sequels). I disagree – although the chemistry/bromance between Downey Jr. and Law was a bit awkward at times, it was still very entertaining. The Wall Street Journal Blog, Speakeasy, reported that the “The Warner Bros. film… took in $24.9 million on its opening day, according to early estimates from Hollywood.com. In second place on Christmas Day was “Avatar” (Fox) which brought in $23.5 million.” Well deserved.

Verdict: See it. If you are an Arthur Conan Doyle fan, it’s a new twist on the Holmes you love. If you are a RDJ fan, it’s just another brilliant performance.

“No girl wants to marry someone who can’t tell if a man is dead or not!” – Robert Downey Jr. in Sherlock Holmes

Wait a Hot Minute. Who the Heck is Freud?

Get ready. Freud’s name and ideas are thrown around quite frequently. Here’s what you need to know so you can hold your own when he comes up unexpectedly (He always does!)

Psycho-what?

Freud was a doctor, but trained as a neurologist as well. He saw a lot of his patient’s sicknesses were mental (they complained, but even after examination had nothing physically wrong with them) Freud found that if he got to the root of the mental cause, the physical illness would alleviate. Just talking through it helped (psychoanalysis).

Yeah Right. In Your Dreams…

Blame your subconscious. Freud says our dreams are our way of dealing with our unresolved wishes and desires.

It’s Not Just Terret’s

People talk… a lot. Freud says everything we say means something and will help unlock the mysteries of our subconscious. So why was that on your mind?

Sex, Sex, Sex

Basically, Freud thought that our subconscious is the reason we do stuff. Its always there, affecting our choices. Humans are driven by our libidos. We are sex. We are aggressive. And we have to keep both of these impulses under control all the time, but also find some way to let them out. Otherwise, these pent up emotions will come out one day in some embarrassing way.

I Want to Kill My Mother?

It’s the Oedipus Complex. Freud thinks every guy competes with their father for their mom’s attention. Subconsciously, they want to get their dads out of the way and “own their mother”. He says healthy guys outgrow this desire, and the guys who don’t are (understandably) pretty dysfunctional as they get older.

Personality

We have three parts to our personality, according to Freud:

Ego - conscious, rational part of us that everyone can see

Id - unconscious, primal, sensual part of us that, if allowed to take control, will wreak havoc

Superego – conscience, with ethics, values from parents and society

So That’s Freud in a Nutshell…

I’ve obviously glossed over his most important theories, but the point is to give you a great introduction to learning more about Sigmund Freud. He  is fascinating!  And known as “one of the most famous and influential psychologists of the twentieth century”.

To read more, you can check out:

http://www.haverford.edu/psych/ddavis/p109g/fgloss.html

http://allpsych.com/psychology101/ego.html

http://www.iep.utm.edu/freud/

Ways to Procrastinate (Finals ‘09 Edition)

Yes, we’ve all been there. This year, I’ve found myself wasting more time than ever before. Looking to procrastinate? Look no further than these tried and true ways I used to save all of my projects and finals for the very. last. minute. this year!

1. YouTube
   Everyone’s number one guaranteed time waster. I recently discovered Hitler’s subtitled videos and accapella versions of every song I’ve ever even remotely liked. My list of Favorites practically doubled during finals week this year. Awesome!
   
2. Making UP Dinner
   This is way better than just making dinner. Take the random ingredients you have left in your kitchen before the semester ends and create some sort of Tuna-Broccoli-Chickpea surprise. It actually doesn’t matter if it tastes good. It’s the spontaneous thought that counts.
   



3. Arguing with Your Roommates
   Okay, so maybe this isn’t the most desirable way to procrastinate. But in this high stress situation, it’s definitely bound to happen. Most likely via whiteboard.
   



4. Spend an Inordinate Amount of Time on Facebook
   Who knew? Cindy went to Austria last summer! Jacob has a girlfriend. Ashleigh just uploaded new photos of her sorority dances. Self explanatory. And happens ALL YEAR ROUND. But during finals week, its downright lethal.
   
5. Have a Party And For That Entire Night, Deny that Finals Even Exist.
   This is a great way to get a break from finals. And perhaps fail them as well. But I can’t think of a better way to forget about this unpleasant week than with Miley Cyrus and a box of Franzia. Finals what?
   
6. Get Yourself a Boyfriend/Girlfriend

Self-explanatory. And has GREAT time-wasting potential! Between doing your hair and going on dates, who has time to even think about finals?

Holy Stop Motion!

…that must’ve taken a ridiculous amount of time to film!
(props to JWilkz for showing me this awesome video)

Because I’m a Geek… I Mean Graphic Designer

My love affair with typography began at the beginning of my conscious decision to be a designer. I’ve found this to be quite common in the design field. You start picking your favorite fonts while doing projects, and then you find yourself avoiding some fonts like the plague. You ban Comic Sans MS from every document on your computer, for example. You start hating overused and misused fonts as well (again, Comic Sans).

Finally, the day comes when you realize that font has become more than just the way words are displayed. Rather, the typefaces take on meaning and personality of their own. For me, this day is fresh in my mind. It was today. I watched these HILARIOUS videos about typefaces and really began to understand and appreciate a designer’s kind of humor.

I wanted to share my favorite humorous design videos. First and most recently discovered by my awesome roommate is called Neutraface. If you didn’t know, I’m a huge fan of Lady Gaga parodies. Check! Beards are the bomb. Check! And they wrote a whole song about typography! CHECK… this video out now:

And then there’s College Humor’s take on font humor. They created a hilarious video of a font conference, in which they personify all of the popular fonts. It’s dramatic – I bet you never knew fonts could have you on the edge of your seat. And you’ll never look at any of your fonts the same! I love the first, original, well-loved video as well as the slightly less funny (but still humorous!) sequel.

After you check out College Humor, you have to reflect on those evil fonts. There are some really horrible ones out there! And nothing makes people angry like horrid font choices – like the Nazis. Hey, this post would not be complete without a  hilariously subtitled Hitler video. Enjoy! He’s just a little hot and bothered about the moviemakers’ font choices…

Dare I Say It? The BENEFITS of Watching Lady Gaga

Weird. Fabulous. Intelligent. Weird. Gay Rights Advocate. Fashionista. Did I say weird? Lady Gaga is many things to so many people. Her most recent song, “Bad Romance”, has an absolutely insane video to accompany it. I would say you’d be wasting your time watching it because it makes absolutely no sense, but watch it anyway. It’s like a train wreck… you just can’t look away:

I’m not really sure what this song could possibly contribute to culture and society. Other than the fact that it mentions love and has a catchy beat, there’s not much else going for it. I suppose it makes you appreciate what people like Lady Gaga do for our culture and the music industry. They shake it up a bit. And they also make you appreciate having normal size pupils, but I digress.

I’ve decided that the best thing to come from this video are the awesome parodies!

Bad Romance? No, dude. Bros unite. Give it up for “Rad Bromance”…

And then meet Lord Gaga and Lady Gaga. Hilarious representation of the weirdness in the original music video:

I don’t think anyone is aware of what Lady Gaga’s original music video was supposed to convey. Maybe thousands of years in the future when we all have metallic beards we’ll know. For now, the parodies that spawned from it are worth the confusion and eye sores Lady Gaga has given me. What do you think?

Creativity is Wonderful.

I’m an avid Delicious account user, and some of my most frequent tags are DESIGN and INSPIRATION. Here are some recent inspirational design sites that I just love!

Want to see where creative people live and play?

http://theselby.com/

Making democratic creative design beneficial for us all.

http://thefuntheory.com/

Love the idea, the inspiration, the design. Yay for Swiss designers!

http://swissmiss.com/

The brightest and best in the business discuss design and its future.

http://thirtyconversationsondesign.com/

It makes me wonder… how do we become creative? How do others’ creative processes occur? How can they affect our own?