iknowtheguru.com/Blog

I walked through the living room to grab some water out of the kitchen… and the TV was on. It was Divorce Court. The couple was fighting over the SUV ownership.

Thought diversion
Now… I’m hoping that I totally missed the part where they were fighting for the custody of the kids… and it wasn’t all about the SUV.

Back to the regularly scheduled blog…
The judge asked why each of them should own the SUV. The male-part of the human race opened his mouth and said, “The SUV is manly and a man needs to drive that type of vehicle”.

Did he just say that on National TV?

REALLY? I was wondering why my wife and son don’t respect me, why my marriage of 15+ years is rotting, why my friends be-little me in public, and why I can’t sleep at night…. *dripping with sarcasm*

I don’t own an SUV… I’m NOT A MAN! (sniff, sniff)

Hang it on the whiney line dude!

While owning an SUV is not a bad thing at all (besides the gas it guzzles). I don’t mind if you want one or have one. I’m okay with someone having a really sweet SUV that dwarfs small cars. But don’t fall into the trap that — “owning an SUV makes you more of a man”. Don’t get me wrong… those SUVs are huge and I’ll grunt like any other “Tim the Toolman Taylor” but this guy was serious.

I’m not defined by my possessions. I don’t need an SUV to identify who I am and whether I feel “manly” today. I believe things like: character with your family, integrity in the community, and

Heck… maybe if I get one… I’ll feel even manlier… more like “SUPERHERO” level.

Until then… I’ll drive my mini-van (meep, meep)

What do you think? Sound off if you’re MAN enough!

-M@tt

PS – the woman was awarded the SUV because she drove 6 kids, to and from school everyday. The man got the Sedan… (weakling)!

I thought this was funny. This is what life is like sometimes working with clients (as a graphic designer).

Take a look

Let me hear from the creatives!

While eating my re-heated pizza with my wife today… we saw a news report on TV about kids who break the school dress code.

It would require students who break the dress code to wear a jumpsuit. No need to sit in the office until your parents bring you a change of clothes… or go to in-school suspension… nope… you get to walk around in a jumpsuit.

I gotta tell you from my years of working with students in youth ministry… this plan accentuates the obvious.

If I’m a kid who purposely wears clothes to circumvent the system… then what better way to gain more attention to my… uhm… rebel-ness… than to wear a jumpsuit around the halls of school… for everyone to see that I’m the revolutionary. Now wait… there will be the normal group (who mindlessly neglects the code one day) that might be horrified by wearing this jumpsuit… but for the most part… it becomes the fad.

They’ll make it a fashion statement in itself. Girls will bring accessories to the party – with a giant fluffy belt to tie around their waist. Guys will shave their head. Gangs will have planned days – to defeat the structure – all to define “who they are”. They’ll bring guns and knives to school… oh wait… all of this already happens.

I know this isn’t going to lead to some “great jumpsuit rebellion of 08” by any means. I just think it’s funny that some guy behind the school board desk came up with an idea… “Hey, let’s embarrass them with jail-attire… that’ll stop ‘em”.

I’m not saying I have the answer by any means… I just think this solution needs to be locked up.

Feedback required,
– M@tt

This was a video that a buddy and I did on the fly for a message series on parables. This one was “The Lost Sheep” — where I’m out trying to find… well… my lost sheep.

So I get off the phone with a client — usually on my headset, pacing back in forth in my GAROFFICE (office in a garage) — and I hang up, sit down… and BLAM!

My 20″ Apple Cinema Display has this gradient blackness. Oh… I can still see my icons on my desktop… but it’s grayish at the top, fading down to the bottom. And that little light on the right side (uno… the one you magically wave your finger over, your computer starts up, and the coffee machine makes a cup-o-joe?)… yeah… that one. It’s blinking 3 times… then off for like 7-8 seconds… then blinking 3 times… then off again (etc).

»»»» we interrupt this blog to inform you that Matt Clark, the guy writing this, uses his Apple system to create spectacular designs, check email, design, blog, search for really cool sermon material, keep up-to-date, OH… did I say… MAKE A LIVING? SO yes… anytime his computer has a glitch, problem, faux pas, hiccup, etc… it really drives him insane, anxious, and a tad upset. He usually goes ballistic for several minutes… but then regains composure. I’m only human!««««

So, I do what everyone does… I search on APPLE — Yeah right! I love Apple… but sometimes searching in their “support” section on the web is painful. So I Google™ some key search words: “apple cinema display, black fade, blinking light”. Viola! I found some threads. After searching for about 2.375 minutes… I come across the thread below and the solution.

I’ll give you Problem/Solution/Status in a nutshell and then the links for your perusal:

• PROBLEM: Apple cinema display graying and lights blinking
• SOLUTION: Turn off your computer, unplug the monitor for 30 minutes, watch “Design On A Dime” on HGtv, plug it back in (cross your fingers, knock on wood, pray to God) and turn on your computer.
• STATUS: Fixed!

Now… this may not be a permanent solution, I realize that, but it did solve the problem for now… until I can stash some cash (Dave Ramsey style OR affectionately referred to as “DAMsey” style).

Thank you to all those that helped me with my APPLE monitor woe!

http://www.mac-forums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=27784
http://www.webmasterworld.com/forum49/730.htm

*singing* I can see clearly now the fade is gone! It’s gonna be a bright, bright monitor day!
*everyone sing now*

Superman hid his identity with his super chic glasses. Yet the fact is… he was known for his dark-rimmed eyewear (among a super suit as well). Even though Superman attempted to hide his identity… he actually branded himself with this minor headgear.

© Less Walker

Many organizations accidentally hide their identity and not even know it. With inconsistent branding they find themselves lost in an expensive phone book AD. Consistent and deliberate branding is key to the success of any organization.

Make sure your customers know what your business is capable of by creating a logo that is easily transferable and highly identifiable.

To learn how Image Designs can craft a creative smile for you… contact us today.

imagedesigns.com