Wednesday, February 11, 2004

Fontify!
Dawn emailed me this link along with the subject line "a Brandy-type thing?"

Indeed!

This site, in beta, allows you to print a template, write your handwriting, scan in in and upload it to make your own True Type Font. I tried it, and here's a sample:



I made a block letter version too. In both cases, I had to tweak the scan a bit to get it to work. A key thing is to make sure that your letters sit on the baseline - otherwise, you'll get a really wonky font. After I scanned in my template, I dragged down guides to the baseline levels and moved around the letters to sit right.

So far the fonts aren't perfect, but considering that the site is free and you can make a font in less than thirty minutes (the site itself take second to hand you back your true type file after uploading your scan) - It's definitely worth checking out!

Oh! Update: I just went to the site, to find that Fontifier fonts are now $9, not free. But you can still preview your font for free.

Journal Page - Homeostasis
In the middle of the night I was plagued with pain from eating broccoli for dinner. So, I scanned it a journal page that I drew last time I had a run in with the cruciferous villian. It's a page filled with mostly biology. and a grimmacing broccoli stalk - "Broccoli looms large." Mostly stuff from my secret life as a biologist.

If the time fairy taps my head with her magic wand and gives me more time, I should scan in more of my journal pages. I never feel like I'm sketching/journaling enough, but I've amassed an impressive number of volumes.
posted at 11:14 AM

Monday, February 02, 2004

States I've Seen


create your own visited states map

I've been in half of 'em.

Notes:
AK - studied ground squirrels in the arctic. Yes, you heard me right.
(AZ) - will be going for the first time in March.
AR - in train/car only
CA - San Fran and environs, San Jose, LA, Watsonville. LA didn't impress, but I've like the mood of the coastal CA I've experienced.
CO - in Aspen for their lil' design conference.
FL - worked in Jacksonville once. Was told I should learn golf so I could network on the course.
GA - worked in Atlanta. Meh.
IL - Live here, love Chicago. Good friends in Champaign-Urbana.
IN - Had the pleasure of visiting Berne for Swiss Days. Brian Kramer, where are you?
IA - Edumacated in Grinnell.
KS - Lived in Abilene as a toddler.
LA - Went there for my birthday last year.
MA - Worked in Boston. Dug Boston a lot.
MI - Been in Mich briefly.
MN - Home state. Formative years in Mounds View and Fridley. Great family cabin up north.
MS - in train/car only
MO - in train/car only
NE - Family was in Omaha.
NV - Vegas, baby. I pine for Vegas.
NY - Only NYC, but always enjoyed it. Especially Coney Island.
ND - In Fargo for a Key Club conference in high school.
OH - Rubber stamp convention outside of Cleveland twice. I love to say "Land of Cleves."
OK - in train/car only
PA - Good friends in Pittsburgh.
SD - In Pierre for a Key Club conference in high school.
TX - Work and family. Did not rock my socks.
(WA) - going there for the first time in 10 days!
WI - Family cabin and many travels through.

Link via Me3dia