sharing is caring

There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you. Really.

First, the disclaimer: I don’t often share services or products on this site. This is my space. I don’t offer advertising. I’m making an exception, for some services that have improved my life and that have missions I can get behind. Plus I have discount codes for you (for which I receive a discount as well, just so we’re clear).

1. Farm Fresh to You. I signed up for this CSA box about a year ago. I’m terrible at shopping for vegetables and I almost never buy fruit, so I jumped at the chance to have them delivered to our home. It’s all organic, seasonal and locally grown, and really reasonably priced. We get a box every couple of weeks and every time I open it I feel like I’m doing myself a giant favor. It leads to more creative recipes and obviously healthier eating. Essentially, good habits in a box. Plus my dollars help fund more local, organic farms which is the best way to fight the evils of Monsanto if you ask me.

You want $10 off? Use the code 6164 on your first order.

2. Codagogy. I’ve been blogging for years now and through everyday use I’ve picked up some basic html and the like but have never been instructed in anything. When I found out about Codagogy I got super excited about taking one of their classes because I felt like I could finally solve some coding mysteries. Codagogy is created by Web Start Women which aims to help women learn programming skills. So obviously they’re awesome. I took the CSS basics class and was really challenged by it in the best of ways. The class was well designed and I didn’t feel cheated because I was learning online (actually for me this was a perk). I can’t wait to take the next class.

If you’d like to try one of their classes, get $17 off by clicking here.

autour du lac

Carl et les hommes-boîtes – Autour du lac from Carl Roosens on Vimeo.

I went on a boat ride today, which was lovely (and surprising because I’m mildly terrified of boats). The whole time I had the song that accompanies this video stuck in my head. I think it’s a fun animation and it reminds me a little of Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared in it’s tone. Hope you enjoy it.

Looking forward to catching up with the Los Angeles Film Festival in the next few days.

Astigmatismo

Astigmatismo from Troshinsky on Vimeo.

Hi friends. I saw this short today and thought I should share it. I really enjoyed how it played with depth of field. It’s cute and doesn’t meander too much like animated shorts can often do.

Rinse. Repeat.

Wake up, make toast, make coffee, jump in the car. My most creative time is when I’m commuting; a known side effect of Los Angeles living. Always traveling somewhere. Driving to work I come up with elaborate plans, great concepts, new ideas. Save all this enthusiasm for later.

Arrive at work. Become engrossed in projects. Manage a million emails and reports. Forget everything else.

Drive home. Hope there’s no traffic. Pick the best lane. More ideas. Never as bright and shiny new as in the morning.

Get home. Think about what you want to do. Think about what you have to do. Do the dishes or take out the trash. Make dinner. Watch a movie. Try to span time.

All of a sudden you’re living in an Onion article.

Sometimes I accomplish things. Having deadlines helps, but more often than not there are no deadlines for personal projects. Some nights I come home and crash. I ask myself what is the life I want to live. If only there were more time.

It’s not about time. I’ve had more time. Without distraction, creativity and motivation seem to hover in the lower end of what I’m accustomed too. Everything takes longer. Plus, there’s no commute.

I’m at the age where some friends are getting to the places I want to be and other are giving up. I haven’t given up yet. I’m just getting started. It’s easy to get distracted. It’s easy to focus on the day to day instead of having a plan. It’s easy to think you aren’t good enough or that you haven’t tried hard enough.

Then you go to sleep and wake up and it’s a new day and you do it all over again.

Summer

Summer has rolled around and it signals a change of pace. The world is out looking for fun. I spent some time crafting this weekend with some lady friends. Made progress on a piece of knitting I’m working on, unplugged for the most part and gossiped just a little. We also went to a party with a bounce house and jumped until we were dizzy.

We also have a new foster cat. Her name is Mabel and she’s a darling black kitty. She wants nothing more than for someone to spend some time snuggling with her. If you’re interested in giving her a forever home please let me know.

I spent my Sunday with the Kitt Crusaders at one of their adoption events. Amazingly at least three darling cats got adopted while I was there. Of course there are still plenty more. Like these little kittens. I just wish more people cared as much as some of these people do. If everyone just did a little bit it would make a huge difference. By the way, you can donate to Kitt Crusaders, who is rescuing cats from one of the highest kill shelters in Los Angeles by donating here.