Following and Befriending People In Social Networks

OK, I'll be your friend on Facebook, follow you on Twitter, and comment on your blogs.  But don't ask me, please, to follow you everywhere you happen to have an online presence. In the real world, I forget faces, but if you say “hello” to me, I will answer back because I don't forget voices. Online, I usually forget people who never say anything (the voyeurs), people who only talk about one topic, or people who seem to force me or everybody to respond to their too-one-sided-point-of-view (like people who are too republican or too democrat). If you don't have your own online voice and identity, I may not follow you.

To be clear, if I become your online neighbor is because,

1)IWe know and like each other,

2)You are my coworker or a member of my family, and not having a virtual relationship sounds fishy,

3)You are or were my student, BUT you are a good student, 

4)I see that there is a certain value on what you do and I want to learn from you,

3)You are an important piece in my Personal Learning Network (PLN),

4)You are from a far away place, and it is always cool to have the opportunity to know what people in other parts of the world are doing,

5)You are famous and important, and it is always interesting to hear what you have to say.

BUT, if we are friends and it seems that

A)You are stalking me--by following to every single social network or online service--and we're not even good friends or acquaintances ,

B)You hate a group of people because of the color of their skin, their religion, or their culture/language,

C)You never interact with me, but you want me to comment and praise your online presence,

THEN, I will stop following you.

Also, if you believe that I am not a good online friend, follower or contact, then stop the relationship. I will not force anybody to follow me, because that doesn't feel alright.

If you feel that you need to rest from my reading my comments and looking at my photos, go ahead, take a break from following me. Unless, of course, you're my husband... that's something that can be discussed off-line.

It Is Melting Time

Well, the snow is melting... But more snow is coming according to guy on TV. Snow for Christmas? It would be funner than snow for final exams!

Art Appreciation - Dalí

Art Appreciation - Dalí, originally uploaded by Lulú De Panbehchi.

There are several photos of the same painting--official photos that are used for brochures, websites, books, and so on. Maybe that's the reason why when we think about a piece of art, we visualize the piece by itself. If we--or at least, I, myself--imagine that piece in a museum, we tend to visualize the gallery's opening night: pretty people with expensive jewelry, drinking martinis or champagne; eccentric people wearing jeans, etc.

Lately, I have been thinking about how we act and react when appreciating art. Do we talk to ourselves? Do we see art with friends and family, or alone? Does it matter what we say about art, after reading the museum caption for a piece? Does the capiton start the conversation, or is the caption irrelevant? Why do we go to a museum if we can find a photo online? Why do we photograph a work of art, even if there are tons of photos of that piece? Why do we photograph people we don't know looking at a work of art that we have already dissected by taking 20 photos of it--which is, by the way what I did?

I don't think this is a good photo, but I think it's a good conversation starter. What do you think?

Note: you may post a comment on this blog, or on Flicker [ http://www.flickr.com/photos/notascari/5241293859/ ]

A Kiss On The Wall

A Kiss On The Wall, originally uploaded by Lulú De Panbehchi.

Somebody kissed--or perhaps pretended to kiss--a column near my office, at Virginia Commonwealth University (Richmond, Virginia). I hope they clean it soon, because it looked funny at the beginning, but now it looks kind of pathetic. By far, this is the best type of graffiti that I found in Richmond.


iPhone applications: Format126 & Lo-mob.

Pop Trees

Pop Trees, originally uploaded by Lulú De Panbehchi.

This is an analog photo taken with a toy camera called "Pop Cam."

Un caracolito

Un caracolito, originally uploaded by Lulú De Panbehchi.

I found this snail by the front door. My favorite snails are the petrified snails from the Chihuahua desert in Mexico.

This photo was taken with a 10X digital lens.

Where's My Cat?

Where's My Cat?, originally uploaded by Lulú De Panbehchi.

In this photo Van Helsing the cat is in the driveway. He didn't want to move. He's blended with the leaves and all the beautiful colors of the fall season. If you don't see Van Helsing, look at the center of the photo.

En esta foto el gato Van Helsing está en la entrada a la casa. El gato no quiso hacerse a un lado y le tomé la foto, en la cual se encuentra mezclado con las hojas y los colores bonitos del otoño. Si no lo ves, búscalo en el centro de la foto.

Control Remoto, a Video

One remote control, one channel (E!), one synthesizer, one level of volume, one visual effect (kaleidoscope),  and one note (G).

Un control remoto, un canal de televisión (E!), un sintetizador, un nivel de volumen, un efecto visual (caleidoscopio) y una nota (sol).

The images come from the iPhone application UberCam.  The extra voices come from the E! channel. The music is composed with only one note (Sol, or G), but with several octaves and a constant change in pitch.  Music made with Ableton Live.

Las imágenes vienen de la aplicación UberCam para iPhone.  Las voces extras son del canal E!. La música se compuso con una sola nota (Sol) pero con diferentes octava y un cambio constante de tono o altura.  La música se grabó con Ableton Live.

Drop me a comment if you like the video.  Escriba un comentario si le gusta el video.

Control Remoto: UberCam + Synth from Lulú De Panbehchi on Vimeo.

Playing with Water

What do I do while I wait for my food at a restaurant, and have my iPhone and a glass of water? Take photos, of course!!  This is water with ice, which gives some texture and mystery to each shot. I used several applications to take and process the images: Pinhole Camera, Pudding Camera, Plastic Bullet, and Camera Bag.





If you press play and the show doesn't start, please click on this link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/notascari/sets/72157625460421726/show/

Playing with Water

What do I do while I wait for my food at a restaurant, and have my iPhone and a glass of water? Take photos, of course!!





If you press play and the show doesn't start, please click on this link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/notascari/sets/72157625460421726/show/

San Xavier del Bac - Church

San Xavier del Bac - Church, originally uploaded by Lulú De Panbehchi.

This is a Spanish colonial church in the Southwest of the United States. If you visit Tucson, go to San Xavier del Bac. You will be amazed, even if you don't like art that much.

A Rainy Day in Richmond

A Rainy Day in Richmond, originally uploaded by Lulú De Panbehchi.

Just a rainy day in Richmond, Virginia. This photo was taken with Camera Bag, an application for iPhone. I used my favorite setting, Silver. It looks like an old time photo.

Synergy

Synergy, originally uploaded by Lulú De Panbehchi.

This is one of those photos I took from the car--of course, I wasn't driving. This a tree and a power line pole that look nice to me, however for the power company it may mean big trouble.

Un Chien Mexicain (Hipstamatic Contest Entry)

Un Chien Mexicain (Hipstamatic Contest Entry), originally uploaded by Lulú De Panbehchi.

Just remembering Dalí, Buñuel and the Andalusian dog, Lorca.

Minimalistic Power Lines

Minimalistic Power Lines, originally uploaded by Lulú De Panbehchi.

Sometimes the best photos are the ones that say a lot with just a few elements. I like power lines, both as metaphor and as sign of "progress" or the lack of it.

Atardecer y pickup

Atardecer y pickup, originally uploaded by Lulú De Panbehchi.

My little town in Sinaloa, Mexico, which according to Yahoo! Maps it doesn't exist.  This photo and the background of this blog are from the same series.

A Glass Of Water With Ice - Pinhole Cam Application

A Glass Of Water With Ice - Top View, originally uploaded by Lulú De Panbehchi.

Pinhole Cam application for the iPhone | in iTunes $0.99

I have been using several iPhone applications lately. I like some of them very much. The Hipstamatic, ClassicToy, ClassicPan, and Muybridgizer are great apps. However, just like with other cases in life, simple is better. Or if it's not simple, at least create something that makes the audience feel so good, that it becomes a "new normal."

However, the photography application that I like the most right now is the Pinhole Cam. Its “feel” IS NOT exactly the same feel as using a real pinhole, but it is very close. The advantage, of course, is that I don't have to spend money and time in order to see my photos, but I like the colors and the light the photos have. There are only two or three other pinhole cameras in my latest iTunes search [November 9, 2010], but I hope to see more very soon.

The only problem with the Pinhole Cam is that it doesn't offer any options for exposure. I would like to be able to have the shutter open for a minute, two or fifteen minutes, but no more than thirty minutes, since it would be a waste of battery juice.

This photo is just a glass of water. But it has colors that other cameras didn't pick up. The resolution is not great. If I print it, I will use a 3x4 or a small square format.

Entering 7-11 At Night

Entering 7-11 At Night, originally uploaded by Lulú De Panbehchi.

If you have an iPhone, you must get this app, the Muybridgizer. It's free and it's a lot of fun.
http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/muybridgizer/id390894338?mt=8

A Deco Building II

A Deco Building II, originally uploaded by Lulú De Panbehchi.

The Hipstamatic app has been perhaps the most successful photo application for iPhone. I have used it for a few months now, but this week I discovered the Dalí style package, called "Salvador Dalí Museum GoodPak." This is my favorite package yet, and it will probably be the one I will use from now on. Unless, of course, Hipstamatic releases a package that produces Picasso style photos, which I would definitely buy and use immediately.

Handwriting

"The Magrot House, Cuesmes" Drawing by Van Gogh

"The Magrot House, Cuesmes" Drawing by Van Gogh, originally uploaded by Lulú De Panbehchi.

It was great for me to see a drawing by one of the best painters, Vincent Van Gogh. I would like to recreate this drawing later, perhaps making a Flash® piece with it.

A Yellow Flower II

A Yellow Flower II, originally uploaded by Lulú De Panbehchi.

This is a close up of a dry flower on a piece of white fabric. I think it looks painterly.

Rough Road

Rough Road, originally uploaded by Lulú De Panbehchi.

There is a rough road if you're going towards a reflection of reality. It isn't rough if you're destination is... well, who knows?

Scratched DVD 1

Scratched DVD 1, originally uploaded by Lulú De Panbehchi.

This is an old DVD. I like the colors that come from the light produced by the TV screen nearby. | Éste es un DVD viejo. Me gustan los colores producidos por la luz que viene de la pantalla de la televisión que está cerca.

Blog Action Day 2010 - 15 October - Water

Take care of the most precious resource: WATER.

Slide show by Lulú De Panbehchi

http://blogactionday.change.org/

Blog Action Day 2010 - Water

Blog Action Day - Water is important.


Blog Action Day 2010: Water from Blog Action Day on Vimeo.

Blog Action Day 2010

Participate! 

http://blogactionday.change.org/

Change.org|Start Petition

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Boston Duck 3

Boston Duck 3, originally uploaded by Lulú De Panbehchi.

A duck is a duck, is a duck from Boston. It seems that this is a teenager duck.

Finger Writing

This is a sample of my index writing.

The same image, but a little bigger.

 

On Finger Writing

One of my new interests is finger writing. In the past, people used their fingers—mostly their index—to write on sand, dirt, maybe cakes, wet cement, wet adobe, the air, and to add some words to a painting. These are not all the examples of finger writing, but I only want to state that it has been done before. In my opinion, finger writing equals a mischievous or artistic activity. Now that we are typing on the computer and cell phones more, finger writing has a place on smart phones and tablets. There are iPhone applications that allow the writer to use their fingers. My favorite is UYH.

This is a screen shot of the application upon starting. 

UYH iPhone application.  http://www.geewhizstuff.com/

 This is a screen shot of my note:

I'm still learning, but I don't want to write perfect letters.

We have methods and classes for handwriting. I just dream that we NEVER have classes, methods, books, and how-to videos for finger writing, because having “instructions” takes away the fun and art of writing with your index, any other finger, or your toe.

Kids in Virginia Beach

Kids in Virginia Beach, originally uploaded by Lulú De Panbehchi.

Just kids walking on the beach.

Still Life And Napkin B

Still Life And Napkin B, originally uploaded by Lulú De Panbehchi.

This photo is very simple: it has strong color and a good amount of white, empty space. I was taken with an iPhone application called Hipstamatic, and it later was fixed with a different application, called Format126. What the second application did was to make the colors bolder.

Fall Leaf

Fall Leaf, originally uploaded by Lulú De Panbehchi.

This photo was taken in the summer, but it looks like a leaf from the beginning of the fall season. Virginia needs more water. It's too dry!

Clouds

Clouds, originally uploaded by Lulú De Panbehchi.

One of my friends likes this photo. It remind me of the fears we have when we fly. We may have fear of flying, going to a difficult or unknown place, being late or not having what we may need at the place we're going to.

Birds And Electricity

Birds And Electricity, originally uploaded by Lulú De Panbehchi.

This is a photo taken with an iPhone, with an app called "HD camera" and fixed with a different app called "Format126." These days, hundreds of birds visit the campus of Virginia Commonwealth University. The break the fast pace of the university life.

KK Original Glazed Donuts

KK Original Glazed Donuts, originally uploaded by Lulú De Panbehchi.

This photo, which is not by far the best I've taken in the last month, was used to illustrate a donuts recipe at http://www.squidoo.com/donutrecipe.

It's great! I just hope that somebody pays attention to my best photos, or at least the ones I consider my best efforts.

The Lovers by Pablo Picasso

The Lovers by Pablo Picasso, originally uploaded by Lulú De Panbehchi.

I have photos of famous paintings and art pieces. I usually keep them in my computer. But this is one of those photos that may help somebody with a school presentation. Just give me credit for it! (Click on the photo to get the museum info tag)

Blue Light

Blue Light, originally uploaded by Lulú De Panbehchi.

This is the afternoon sun with the Hipstamatic iPhone application. Taken from the car.

Tiramisù Cake

Tiramisù Cake, originally uploaded by Lulú De Panbehchi.

I love sugar, I love cake, I love tiramisù cake! What about you? Do you love tiramisù?

Leaves, Light, Wide Angle Lens

Leaves, Light, Wide Angle Lens, originally uploaded by Lulú De Panbehchi.

I like the light that fights against the leaves, and then it becomes something else--little bubbles.

Black and White, and Speed

Black and White, and Speed, originally uploaded by Lulú De Panbehchi.

Black and white, plus speed, light, and a wide angle lens. A Virginia highway afternoon.  No Photoshop® or any other retouching software.

Another Tree Plus Light

Another Tree Plus Light, originally uploaded by Lulú De Panbehchi.

For some reason, this pic has been seen more than 30 times. I believe that I have other photos that look better and have a nicer composition. But maybe this is one of those cases in which I have favorites and I cannot see clear what other people see.

Just like the previous photo, I took this one while going around the house on a sunny afternoon.

Tree Light

Tree Light, originally uploaded by Lulú De Panbehchi.

This is one of those photos I took while going around the house. Lots of sun light, lots of trees, and a wide angle lens.

The "V" of Virginia in a Virginia Highway.

The "V" of Virginia in a Virginia Highway., originally uploaded by Lulú De Panbehchi.

When you drive on I-64 from Richmond to Williamsburg, you can always see the "V" of Virginia.

El Chupacabra (the goat-sucker)

El Chupacabra (the goat-sucker), originally uploaded by Lulú De Panbehchi.

El Chupacabra (the goat-sucker)

This is the skeleton of perhaps a wild cat. It looks like a feline and also a different animal.

I took the photo at a cemetery in México.

Reflexion - reflection - noixelfer

This is a glass of water with ice.

Charlotte, North Carolina from above.  It looked like fire and it felt like it too.

I took these photos with my iPhone, while in the car listening to the final game of the World Cup 2010.  This was the moment when Spain scored the winning goal.


You can see the sun rays in all of the photos.  The photo on the left is a high definition pic.  It doesn't have any filters.

The other two photos were taken with a camera application called "ClassicToy," which is similar to the Hipstamatic app, but it's not as reliable as the Hipstamatic.  Whenever ClassicToy works, the results are beautiful.  But you have to have very good luck when you take the photo.  I believe that what happens is that you cannot photograph anything that's moving.

Cigarra 2

Cigarra 2, originally uploaded by Lulú De Panbehchi.

This is the tail of a cicada that I found near my car. It was already dead, that's why it was easier to photograph. I like the lines on the wings. I took this photo in black and white as well. If you want to see other photos of this cicada--or "cigarra" in Spanish--, go to:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/notascari/sets/72157624401466340/show/

Hey, don't take my picture 2.

Hey, don't take my picture 2., originally uploaded by Lulú De Panbehchi.

This is another photo of the same worm.

Hey, don't take my picture 3.

Hey, don't take my picture 3., originally uploaded by Lulú De Panbehchi.

This little guy was hiding in my mother-in-law's car. He looks very small and pretty, but it moves so fast that made it almost impossible to take a good picture of it. In this photo, it's standing on a trash can.

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.