I'M DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE DONE! -ish

Done to first round proofing level anyway. Now it's tweaking and refining time. Follow this second book's progress at: http://SustainableGraphicDesign.info

Today I will be mini-celebrating with BIG yumminess at the Harbor View -- http://www.harborviewpepin.com -- yuuuuuum.

Okay, it's official, it's mid March and still freak'n cold here. I'm working working working, and I'm getting close to getting this manuscript out the door.

Just thought I'd share a bit of the "workplace attire" that has been the cornerstone of this, my second book.

Fetching, isn't it?

Unlimited Free Hours of Fun...

As Marky's place in NC doesn't have a TV I can watch without it echoing all over the loft, I've been delving into the wonders of iPod-fodder. I've been a big fan of the TED.org talks for years, and this next link is one of the reasons why...

Brewster Kahle: A digital library, free to the world
http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/brewster_kahle_builds_a_free_digital_library.html
Brewster Kahle is building a truly huge digital library -- every book ever published, every movie ever released, all the strata of web history ... It's all free to the public -- unless someone else gets to it first.

http://www.archive.org/index.php
The Internet Archive is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that was founded to build an Internet library, with the purpose of offering permanent access for researchers, historians, and scholars to historical collections that exist in digital format. Founded in 1996 and located in the Presidio of San Francisco, the Archive has been receiving data donations from Alexa Internet and others. In late 1999, the organization started to grow to include more well-rounded collections. Now the Internet Archive includes texts, audio, moving images, and software as well as archived web pages in our collections.

Another Xmas, another year...

So it's another xmas (my 49th), and another year (coincidentally, also my 49th). Where does the time go? Barbie(tm) and I will be turning 50 in 2009, and I've yet to be President, an astronaut, a NASCAR driver, a cheerleader, a Celtic Princess, or 43 other things her handlers have pushed her through (want to see the list?). Now, in the real world she'd be considered a job-hopper and would be, like so many of the disposable aging, unemployed and too young to collect SS. In other words, totally screwed. But you know, the rules are different for the acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) crowd. So what HAVE I been doing? I've spent most of the past year plus, working on two books on sustainable design. You know, that old "saving the world" thing I'm into.

The first, Packaging Sustainability, just hit the store shelves, and the second, Sustainable Graphic Design, will be out in the first half of '09. Check 'em out.

Overall, I've learned as much doing these books, as has gone into them for others to learn from -- really solidifying and deepening the ideas about eco-design I've been exploring for the past ten years. I guess that's part of the appeal for doing them. To give yourself license to dive into a topic and roll around in it. You know what you know, but try stopping a minute to explain it to someone else. Where normally you spend your days lurching from one client deadline to the next, taking the time to really figure out how to explain the idea of changing -- everything -- we as a species do, and then have the person you're talking to nod in agreement that it's a good idea, has been the best part of all. The talks I give on eco-design and business are becoming a real splash-out of humor, sarcasm, and pound-it-home revivalist style thumping. All delivered of course, with the cool subtlety, aloof calm, and glorious visuals expected of a working designer.

The books too have allowed me to get to know some of my colleagues better, plus make a TON of new contacts. Never a bad thing in a business that seems to survive purely by word of mouth, and project based personal connections. But as much as I've gotten out of the book experience, I am looking forward to getting back to my real life (until they drag me back for the second printings?). Anyway you know the "life" I speak of, one filled with couch and wind surfing (yeeeees, I still consider myself a windsurfer). And of course, taiko. Lots and lots and lots of taiko.

For those of you who rather miss the old WendyZworlD chatter and quips -- hang in there -- I have plans (bbwwWAHAHAHAH). For those of you who follow such trivia, it was through WendyZworlD that I cut my journalistic teeth. With the pressure to become expert in both Quark and PhototShop in under 5 days as part of the terms for my hiring (waaaay back in 1993), I dove into WendyZworlD as my vehicle. Needless to say, I made it happen, and ended-up with a snarky little rag to mail-out to boot. WendyZworlD Online edition? I needed to learn how to do websites. So what extra bang am I wrangling out of my WendyZworlD buck this round? I'm trying to figure out how to get blogs to work for an upcoming (book related) project.

And you all thought I just loved talking about myself... ;-P

New for 2009: I've updated my calendar with everyone's birthday. If -- you -- told me when your birthday was, I've got an automated reminder rolling. If you like to get birthday greetings, it's on you now to make sure I ever knew what the heck day that was. There is an endless supply of "Casey Jones Happy Birthday Songs" in me.

For those of you who have been wondering what the heck it is I pound you with at mach-12 on the occasion of your birth...

Happy, happy birthday, to every girl and boy!
Hope this very special day, brings you lots of joy!
Hope that birthday present you get from Mom and Dad,
Will make this very special day, the best you ever had!

But you know, you really should see/hear the original...

Happy Birthday Song by Casey Jones
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfSkqMP-L-4

And while I'm at it, let me close-out this personal chat section with this Wonderful Wintry Womble* of Wit. (Whaaat? It's WendyZworlD "we" live for W-based alliterations. Get over it.)

Walkin' in My Winter Underwear
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBLxfvACQhE&feature=related

*(or however units of wit are measured in your area.)

___________________________________________________________

For those of you with whom I exchange gifts, this year, as the economy tightens even more, I've been moved to consider those who will suffer the most. As I pause to ponder, no matter how bad things may get for us, things are exponentially worse for many many many more.

As many of you recall, I called attention to the one.org efforts in past blasts. Some of you got -- ONE -- wristbands that round. Some of the issues they get involved in include: Developing world HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria impacts; Development Assistance; Education, Water and Sanitation; Trade; Debt Cancellation; Child and Maternal Health; Agriculture and Food; and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

This year, rather than send you a pile of wacky things that sometimes you love, but often just leave you scratching your head, I've made a more meaningful application of funds and contributed to the ongoing one.org campaign in our collective WendyZworlD name.

I'll be sending out wristbands again this year, and ask that you take a moment and look at what one.org is about. You'll get to enjoy the knowing nods from those who "get-it" as you wear your wristbands out and about -- but for those who might ask, one.org has expanded their programs well past the star studded roll-out many years ago, and are really hunkering down for the long haul. one.org/issues

A journey of a thousand miles
begins with a single step.

Attributed to both Lao-tzu and Confucius.

EVERYone CAN make a difference.

Wj

___________________________________________________________

From my little family to yours...

Happy/Merry
Chanuksolstikwanzamas.

oxoxoxoxoxoxox
W-

WendyZworlD Elections '08

Hey all,

I came across this site and wanted to pass it on in the interest of fair and balanced decision making. This is a head to head look at ALL of the candidates that will be on your ballot this November.

http://2008election.procon.org/

Remember, if you don't vote, you DON'T get to complain.

W-

I'm all verklempt

I finally got a chance to open the card some of my fellow taikomates gave me in honor of my 10th recital, and there was a too generous gift as well! "Yooooouuuuuu guuuuuuuys, I'm all verklempt."

In keeping with my geekish nature, I knew the second I looked at the gift card what I wanted. And of course it comes with a story. Yeah yeah Jeff, it will be TMI, but you'll endure...

About 4 years ago (more?) I noticed the Kokiriko at the Dojo (the snakey shaker thing) was coming untied. No big deal I thought, I'm a knot tying fiend from over 30 years of sailing, plus 7 years of Girl Scouts and a serious macrame addiction all through the 70's. This little bit of string and wood should hold no mysteries for me, I'll just take it home and whip it back together. (For you knot nuts, that was a pun. Whipping is a way of finishing off a line so it doesn't unravel. Seeeeee I TOLD you I was a geek for this stuff.)

Well I tell you, I must have retied that stupid thing about 20 times -- and still not tight enough to work right. For those of you who come over to my little space to play, you might recall it sitting on my bar. I see it everyday, mocking me -- "Heh, tie ME will ya!" it sneers each time I pass it laying there.

My mates' gift will cover getting a new one to replace the one at the Dojo (with a bit left over for something indulgent too!), and will allow me to be less conservative in my disassembly of the old one to really figure out how it works. They've given me a triple gift.

1) I can give a new Kokiriko to our Mu Daiko dojo we all get to use.

2) I get to kick the old one's metaphorical ass.

3) I'll know HOW to fix these thingies for the next time. As their mystery will have been revealed to me. HA take that you inanimate object that's been eating at my mildly OCD addled brain!

I tell ya, Taiko people are the BEST!

With great sorrow...

Tonight I'll be performing with a pair of bachi I had the honor of Oguchi Sensei signing for me many years ago. He will be greatly missed, but his spirit will be with us through every beat. W-

TOKYO (AP) — Master Japanese drummer Daihachi Oguchi, who led the spread of the art of "taiko" drumming to the U.S. and throughout Japan, has died after being hit by a car (June 26), an official at his ensemble said. He was 84.

Oguchi was crossing the street when he was struck by the car Thursday. He was rushed to the hospital but died of excessive bleeding early Friday, said Yuken Yagasaki of Osuwa Daiko, the group in Nagano prefecture (state) in northern Japan that Oguchi had led.

Oguchi helped found top U.S. taiko groups, including San Francisco Taiko Dojo, which has performed in Hollywood movies and on international tours since its founding 40 years ago.

A former jazz musician, Oguchi was one of the first to elevate the traditional folk sounds of taiko to modern music played in concert halls, not just festivals and shrines.

http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5j_ROXYfj2cyUNeYpnSNc-KjWR0xQD91I5TMG8