Inspira-Pad: Several Reasons I Love My iPad

Around a month ago, I can home to the very AWESOME SURPRISE of an iPad from my parents, and I haven't been able to separate from it since. I'll admit that I wondered how it would surpass the love I already had for my Mac, but when I started to explore everything I could do with it, I was pretty much SOLD. Here are my highlights:

Nylon for iPad

Nylon was one of the first iPad apps I downloaded, wondering what it would be like to read my favorite magazine electronically. Let me tell you, it did not disappoint. Not only do you view Nylon in pristine HD clarity, the iPad mag is filled with awesome goodies that enhance the print version. Scattered throughout are behind the scenes videos from featured photoshoots and interviews, tap through features that go right to the websites of the brands you love,and links to preview featured music straight away.

YouVersion Bible

YouVersion is one of the best Bible applications on the net, what with loads of translations to choose from, note taking, and connections to various studies, you'll always be refreshed in God on the go!

Flipboard

I cannot say enough about this amazing social networking application. Not only does it link up your various networking accounts, it organizes them into a stunning magazine-like interface, highlighting important posts across the board. There's no better way to keep up with all of my blogging/tweeting/tumbling faves!

Barnes & Noble Nook/ Amazon Kindle/ Apple iBooks

Can I tell you how awesome it is to finally have every single e-novel you own, no matter the carrier, in one place? Finally, I'm free to to purchase from any bookseller! But one thing that makes reading novels on the iPad extra special, are the additions that publishers include with iPad versions. Two awesome examples are Penguin's On the Road by Jack Kerouac, and the newly released Young Adult novel Chopsticks by Jessica Anthony and Rodrigo Corral ($6.99). The iPad edition of On the Road ($16.99) not only gives you the brilliant novel, but unseen peeks into Jack Kerouac's life, old photographs, sound bites of his own recordings, and interactive maps that trace his journey within the novel. With the novel Chopsticks, you get to experience a completely different interpretive expression of what a novel is. Told in stunning photographs, old news paper clippings, and music clips, this haunting love story allows you to interact with the story. You can sort though photographs, watch instant message conversations as if you are privvy to their private moments, and more. (I'll have a more in depth review of Chopsticks on Novel Days very soon). Though it doesnt replace print, it definitely compliments it.

Diaries/ Organizers

I feel, for the first time, that I have a shot at being an efficient blogger. I don't know what it is about these little devices, but they make you want to be more organized. Reminders and Calendar are pretty awesome organizers. I've since begun to plan posts for my various blogs well ahead of time, and it feels so good!

For my lovely Fashion Bloggers out there, you'll love Christian Dior's, Dior Addict Diary. It's such a beautiful planenr, with a new gorgeous photograph accompanying each day. (Con: There are some glitches, which include deleting past entries at times. I just record my plans in both Calendar, and Dior).

NoteShelf

As you all may know, I'm crazy for journals! I love personalizing them, pasting in photographs, getting out my glittery pens and going to town! NoteShelf ($5.99) allows me to do just that on the iPad. Of course, it does not  take the place of print journaling, but every year, I try and find a different way to journal...this allows me to explore a new form! NoteShelf allows you to create loads of journals, choose different kinds of pages, from simple lined/plain, to notation or even sports centric interfaces. The shot above is a picture of what I'm calling my LookBook: all of my style inspirations/loves in one place.  Another awesome app is Bamboo Paper! Perfect for all of you artists out there! Bamboo has even created a Stylus especially for this application.

iAWriter

For all my writers out there who tire of bringing their laptops with them everywhere, you will love iAWriter ($8.99). It offers a clean, writing space, for undisturbed writing! I love it. Makes it easy to flesh out your characters, or that new string of dialogue, or even record fresh ideas into an application that doesn't seem un-user friendly.

I've named my iPad, Celia, a.k.a the Inspira-Pad, because I literally carry all of my inspirations with me. Within seconds, I can jot an idea down, view beautiful photography, listen to my favorite music, or watch wonderful films. It has most of the tools needed to get to work, and bring out the productivity in you (the networking problem will never be eliminated ;-)).

Dream Again, Dream Catcher

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.- Jeremiah 29:11

So, you've started....and stopped. Started with gusto, fervor, zest....and then life got in the way. Insecurity, and voices from people less than thrilled that you've decide to jump out into oceans and obtain what's yours, have infiltrated your mind.

I've been writing my novel for the past five years. I began with such enthusiasm that no one could tell me I wouldn't have been a New York Times Bestseller by the end of that year. Then, I started to wonder if my writing could stand with all of those writer/geniuses out there. I took it to school, where I was affirmed, but I couldn't get the critiques out of my mind. I have since completed Graduate School where I was truly challenged to the point that I wondered if I should find another passion. One thing stands true now: I still want to write, and I will be published by this time next year, God Willing.

What do you want to do? What do you dream about? What sets your heart on fire, and captures your imagination in a way that nothing else has? This is your dream. This is one of the things you were created to do. It's taken me a long while to distance my actions from the critiques and negativity of others. You should always keep your ears open for constructive criticism of those who desire to see you succeed, but I recommend you obstinately close your ears to those who have negative intentions.

The Lord has created beauty even out of your short comings, your failings, and your seeming defeat. He has planned the grandest future of all for you. Trust Him, and look to His affirmation more than you look to the words of others to dictate your destiny. I challenge you today to sit down, and write out three of your greatest goals that you would love to see accomplished by next year this time. Pray about each one according to the Will of the Lord. And then...make sure to take one step towards completing one of them before the day ends.

You can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. I love you, and I'm supporting you! I would love to know your progress. Do not lose heart.

As much as I affirm the dreamer, it's time to catch all of your sparkling, wonderful dreams, and push them into reality. Go on, you can do it!

Source: 1

"Crystalize Your Conscience"

Sea Blue
Sam Bradley




(feel free to substitute 'writing' with your gifting)

Sometimes my mind races so quickly regarding this that it's no wonder I've rendered myself unable to write creatively. Writing seems an epic feat, that only few are chosen to operate in. We have turned the mere concept of an art form into something as tenebrous as a conversation with an extra-terrestrial. 'It's simply too special for me...What would I come up with that's of any worth?' We've all probably overrun our minds with these kinds of questions as we wait for the mythical muse to show up, possessing our fingers, and causing words to appear like magic.

Well, sometimes the muse shows up, and other times, it seems, we must drive it out! Little inklings begin to seep out of our imaginations as we give up the reasons why we can't speak in our own voices, sit down and write. It might be gibberish at first, but you'll see. It'll become something really beautiful, and truthfully the gibberish itself is the beauty. It means at the risk of writing nonsense, you travailed through it anyway.

(Sea Blue is quite a beautiful acoustic song to listen to. Write something chimerical to it)

Sources: We Heart It | Advice to Writers

Remember Me Run-Through (Everything I loved about it!)

No Copyright Infringement Intended. Script Excerpts Source: Memoirs (Early Draft of Remember Me) by Will Fetters 

There are so many parts of this script that I would have loved to photoshop into this post, however, these bits stuck out to me the most. This blog has been a great homage to this beautiful work of art, because it has influenced me so much, in both how I live my life, as well as how I should pursue writing. 

I'm not the best when it comes to writing the voices of my characters. Normally the voices of one or two characters will be so clear that they seem to actually be in the room, living out the scene right in front of me. Other characters, namely male's, seem to take a bit longer to flesh out, and fine tune. This screenplay introduced me to an authentic male voice. A voice that was not so preoccupied with being masculine, that he became a caricature. Tyler seemed to me a guy I could have roamed the the streets of lower Manhattan, while discussing the laments of course work over park bench coffee, and whom I would've certainly visited at the Strand, from opening to close. Will Fetters, in a way, taught me how I should approach creating characters who are normal, who are human, and who are fleshed out. Each character had their own story, although Tyler and Ally's stories were dominant. 

I photoshopped excerpts of the script because I feel that not enough credit is given to the writers of these beautiful stories that grace the screen. We point out gorgeous cinematography, acting ability, costume; But one of my favorite aspects of watching the Academy Awards is listening as the nominees are drawn for best Screenplay. I love how the scripts are shown, and read. For a bibliophile, there is an inherent beauty in the words as they grace the page. That's why I showcased excerpts, instead of mainly scenes from the movie!

I'm discovering that there is a great deal that a prose writer can learn from a screenwriter: pacing, the art of creating a scene, voice authenticity, setting. 

There's another Remember Me post coming...

Insignificant Things: Remember Me Challenge

Because sometimes we all need a little reminder.

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Reading Remember Me greatly inspired me to put together this challenge for myself. 

I noticed a lot of similarities between Tyler and myself: a kind of boredom about the lives we lead. You wake up, you have to be strong, so you pretend you don't need anyone; vulnerability is a trap, and no one can touch you. Experience taught you to be this way, but you usually end up stuck. You want to change it, but sometimes you feel like nothing you do will change anything.

Then I noticed Ally, and how no matter how hard she was knocked down, she went after life with zest. She sought the 'best' things in life first, and taught Tyler to do the same. There's something about literally grabbing life by the throat!

I'm so tired of living life in some sort of cave, like I'm going through the motions just to do it all over again tomorrow.  I want to gain a sense of celebration for seemingly no reason, because if anything is worth celebrating, it's life, my friends and family. When I was little, my mother would choose any day of the week to make pink pancakes for me, or blue ones the color of the Smurfs in the cartoon.  And I looked forward to it each time because I didn't even know why the day was special, it was just fun!

So this challenge is really simple: Go out with some people you love, even some new people you want to get to know, and have fun. Celebrate them, celebrate yourselves. Celebrate the fact that its Thursday. Wear party hats and go mental in the streets! Whatever you want. As long as you're creating a memory. The Gandhi quote basically says that the things you view as insignificant are the most significant.

How will you choose to be remembered?

if this challenge inspired you, please feel free to save this graphicand add it to your page! please link back to this post!

Plans: Remember Me Weekend

If you're like me, you're one of those Rob fans who've been waiting anxiously to see Remember Me since you first heard of the story line {or read the script not so 'discreetly'}.

Given the overall theme of the movie, I definitely wanted to turn Remember Me premiere weekend into an all out event, even if I just took myself!

Here are my plans:

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I love that Remember Me, along with it being a tumultuous love story, seems to also be an ode to New York City! Being a New Yorker, I really don't have a lot of occasions to fangirl over my hometown, so I'm uber excited about it!








My outfit of choice will include the classic Strand Bookstore T-shirt! In the last bit of clips that were released we learn that Tyler works at The Strand because he likes the books...and I do too! The Strand Bookstore is one of the most iconic bookstores of the city, and possibly the country. It boats 18 miles of books, and most are dirt cheap, so seriously it's a sweet deal for all bibliophiles, students, and people wandering down the streets of Union Square! My being both bibliophile, and Tyler lover, I thought, why not boast my love through the Strand tee! I also need a pair of wayfarer glasses. Any Rob lover knows he seems to be attached to them. Be a Rob fan...don your wayfarers!

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My theater of choice was supposed to be one closer to my house, but then I decided to make it an event, and go to one in the heart of Time Square. Nothing says NY like all those lights flashing down 42nd street. Ignore all the crowds pushing at you, and experience the thrill of it all!

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Afterwards, I may head to Dillon's Candy Bar, the sweetest place on the planet. Really, You've never seen so many candy related items in one place. They also have killer sundaes that look like you've taken a visit to Willy Wonka's factory, it's brilliant. Or...I may head to Johnny Rockets, a 50's style diner with awesome burgers, onion rings, and killer Oreo milkshakes! Either way, I'll be having my dessert first!

How are you rocking Remember Me weekend?

My Dearest Fanny...

Ask yourself my love whether you are not very cruel to have so entrammelled me, so destroyed my freedom. Will you confess this in the Letter you must write immediately and do all you can to console me in it--make it rich as a draught of poppies to intoxicate me--write the softest words and kiss them that I may at least touch my lips where yours have been. For myself I know not how to express my devotion to so fair a form: I want a brighter word than bright, a fairer word than fair. I almost wish we were butterflies and liv'd but three summer days--three such days with you I could fill with much more delight than fifty common years could ever contain.  

I've been waiting to see the movie, Bright Star, for ages. I actually was never a big fan of Keats, until I purchased the book of letters he wrote to his love, Fanny. His words debunk the whole notion that guys have no affinity to express their love to women through words. As I read, I wished I had a pen to underline every precious gem of vulnerability that I could soak out of it. What I love most about the love expressed in the past, is it seems to have taken more work, more time, more effort, and therefore the love seemed more idyllic. I know its possible to achieve now, its just figuring out whether we will leave behind our fast paces to actually know someone.

Jane Campion, director of Bright Star, put together this wonderful production scrapbook of the movie. Beautiful photographs, letters, sketches, and lovely little bits and bobbins to pilfer through. It's too lovely to miss.

 

The Meadow by Alexandre Desplat

{you can listen to this at my music

parser on the menu bar labelled

'Cacophony'}

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Bits and bobbins inspiring me now:

My Tumblr

Before I started using Tumblr, I just found it to be another superfluous blogging platform. 

Some of my good friends, Gabbie and Jen in particular, encouraged me to get on, and so I did.

Now, I just can't seem to ween myself away from it. Its like the moleskine of blogging platforms. I love that it separates everything into quotes, videos, text, audio, photographs. That seems to make each post significant. I also love that I don't feel the need to speak in paragraphs over there: just short and poetically.

with the lovely tumblr comes

Tumblr Audio Parser

This widget compiles all of your musical posts into this

kaleidoscopic symphony of a page. 

To hear my music picks, click on "Cacophony" in the menu bar!

I was privileged to have read a draft of the script and it affected me in such a personal way.

You all know I adore Rob, but Rob aside, this story is beautiful, 

its characters flawed and lovely. 

It's one of those stories that reminds me why I write.

{Another Remember Me related post coming in the near future.}

(picture photoshopped by me, wink wink!)

By Guy De Maupassant

It's absolutely one of those scandalous novels,

and yes, it has the obvious Rob affiliation.

But, it's surprisingly refreshing for classic literature. 

This translation is gorgeous. 

Some books, you read.

Others you read, and inhale, and speak aloud

and teach yourself how to write with it.