Copperplate Calligraphy

I just finished an amazing 6-week Copperplate calligraphy class with Anne Elser at the Spruill Center. I've always been interested in typography and letters. I love words, and calligraphy turns words into art. It's a beautiful combination.  

It's harder than it looks, but with an amazing instructor like Anne, I think I'm on my way to drawing letters in an impressive way.

In this post-grad world, it's important to stay inspired and to keep learning! How easy it is to stop learning. 

Facing 2014

I can't seem to get a thought down. I love my blog. I love LT&C. I look back at my old posts, and sometimes it's as if a different person wrote them. Well, in a way they did. Clare as of December 30, 2013 is not the same Clare who traveled to Tanzania and started this blog. In college, I felt so safe. It was easy to write my thoughts down on the internet and not give a care as to the repercussions. That doesn't just apply to blogging. Everything felt safer. Then I graduated college. Now, I'm about to enter to 2014. Minus a few weddings, birthdays and due dates, there isn't much written in the calendar for the year ahead. Is that ok? Sure. Is it scary as hell? You betcha.

But you know what's worst than being scared? Refusing look your fears right in the eye and give them a big mean look back. I've spent this last part of 2013 feeling scared. Feeling hidden and looked past. Watching the world go by and feeling more like an observer than an active participant. It can't keep going on like this. The girl who started LT&C back in 2010 would be disappointed. So, 2014. I'm ready for ya. Excited. Curious. Nervous. If I'm scared, I definitely won't be showing it.

HAPPY NEW YEAR, LOVES. 

August Rush... to the Blog

Thanks to all the lovely people out there reading my blog! lions tigers & clare hit over 1,100 views for the month of August. I'm enjoying writing and sharing my world with the world. It just makes me wonder... Who are the faces behind those 1,100 clicks? 

Even though I still consider myself a novice in this bidness, I've found some strategies that have helped me. I'm hesitate to share my secrets, but I'm not greedy. What goes around, comes around.

1. Sharing to social media: Share to Facebook, Twitter, Google Plus and add a little extra teaser to the post. Simply reiterating something in the post isn't as interesting.

2. Pinterest for pictures: I've been fortunate enough to take a lot of great trips where I have taken A LOT of great photos. I've created pins of these photos and they've gotten pretty popular. It's cool to think of a whole different community of people getting to see beautiful sights from my point of view.

3. Link, Link, Link: If I write about a restaurant or a place with a web presence, I try to link back to their page. It helps my readers get a better idea of what I'm talking about and it helps my blog get on their radar as a stream of traffic.

4. Talk about it: I get the best ideas and inspirations when I talk out loud to friends, family and sorta strangers. Sometimes, I feel like I'm writing to a vacuum disguised as a white screen. But, by talking, the blog becomes more of an extension of myself.

Thanks yall! Happy football!!! Go Dawgs. 

THE NEW(er) SOUTH

"The paradigm is shifting in the South. There is plenty to dislike or feel bothered by, but there is also more to be excited about down here than ever before."

-Patterson Hood

The lead singer of Drive By Truckers band, Patterson Hood, recently wrote a commentary titled THE NEW(er) SOUTH for the website The Bitter Southerner. As an Athenian and my former neighbor, I enjoyed reading Hood's article and the past, present, future and a way to work though it all. 

I highly recommend reading the article! Hood's a powerful musician and a brilliant storyteller. 

Enjoy y'all!

Pressfolio: A MUST for Online Writers

You know you're growing up when discovering new career websites can be the highlight of your day. A few weeks ago, I received an invite for Pressfolios from a blogger friend but I hadn't tried it out. Yesterday, I read an article from USA Today College about the site so I figured I'd give it a shot. Now I love it. Pressfolios is that "thing" you needed that you didn't realize you needed as a journalist, writer or communications worker.

It's a user-friendly professional website without the code and confusion. You can customize the aesthetics of the page, offer your contact information, a biography and professional statement. After entering the URL's of the press releases and blog posts that I've written over the last few years, I went through and edited the photos and dates of publication. You can sort them by type or date or topic. It's really impressive.

I've been stressed out about finding a job (duh) because I feel like a resume and cover letter fail to fully convey the person writing the words (me). But Pressfolios is taking a step in the right direction. Now, I have a saved archive of all my online writing that I can show to employers without the scrambling and fear of the dreaded "This page cannot be displayed" screen when asked for a strong writing sample. You can create your own URL so the page is easy to find and high on SEO results, too.

So, for all the the writers out there, I highly recommend setting aside an hour or so and make a Pressfolio account. Get it all out there, sit back, and be proud of all you have to show for yourself.

Take a look at mine!

Views

This makes me happy.

The 5 Stages of Grief: Study Abroad Edition

1. Denial – The days leading up to May 16, packing, saying goodbyes, throwing a coin the Trevi, heading to the airport, getting on the plane... Is this really happening? We're not actually leaving.. right?

2. Anger – I'm just mad I had to leave Rome, my friends, a wonderful school, the opportunity to explore and be on my own. This anger stage still comes out from time to time. Ask those closest to me. 

3. Bargaining –"Ok, Mom & Dad... Just let me stay for a few weeks after to travel. I reallyyyy wanted to go to Budapest and Munich..."

4. Depression – Not even Crazy, Stupid, Love, Casablanca and an ice cream sundae on the airplane could ease my heavy heart. I woke up from my nap wondering where my roommates were and if the kitchen was clean only to find myself on the airplane headed to Atlanta. Yeah, I cried. Then cried again when my sister gave me a collage of pictures of my trip. Then cried again when I was singing by myself in the car.

5. Acceptance – When the plane landed in Atlanta, we were one of the first group of passengers to go through the new terminal. It opened earlier that day. The employees were excited, the walkways were beautiful and I got to see my family for the first time... in a few weeks. It's been a little overwhelming since then, but I'm happy. Driving is more fun than I remembered. I love having Netflix on Demand. I can stretch out my arms in bed and not touch a wall. There's no sirens, no neighbors yelling at 8 AM, no dirty floors. My friends smiling faces and genuine happiness at my return gives me a little slap in the face. Life is good and all of the exciting things happening at home makes me feel ok about being back. It happened. It was wonderful. Now, get on with your life but don't forget a second. 

Before I left, there was a C.S. Lewis quote that I constantly repeated when I was sad or anxious about spending four months away. "There are far, far better things that lay ahead than any of those we leave behind." Lewis is a smart man and I believed his words. Now, I'm repeating it again and looking at things lying ahead. I may turn around a lot and think of Italy, but hey... who wouldn't?

Ciao Amici.

...and by 'Ciao', I mean 'a domani', because the blog is keeping on. 

21 Before 21

The day is quickly approaching. I'm almost 21! Everyone has a birthday. At some point, a massive majority of the population will turn 21. It's not THAT big of a deal, but I'm turning 21 on Friday. Considering the drinking age is "Can you reach the bar?" in Italy, it's a bit anti-climatic. I won't be parading around Athens with a big sign around my neck. Instead, I'll be spending the day with my lovely friends turned family in Sorrento, on the Amalfi Coast in southwest Italy.

It's a trip that's been planned by ISA, our wonderful study abroad program and I've been looking forward to it since January! I'm so excited that I'll get to spend this special day in a beautiful place with people I have quickly grown to love.

Last summer, I made a 'Bucket List' of sorts, a list of things I wanted to accomplish before I could legally go get some beer down at Five Points Bottle Shop. Then in September, I decided to come to Rome for the Spring. Some of the things I wanted to accomplish haven't gotten done, or more specifically, they've been postponed until I get back to real life in May. Sigh.

A lot of things on this list, like 2. Ring the Chapel Bell or 9. Give Blood, I probably would have done anyway, but writing them down and saying I would accomplish these things gave them a sense of importance. Plus, I like lists.

I probably could have gotten through 21 books, but I've been a little busy for the last few months exploring Europe. Thirteen is a valiant effort though, I think. Not only did I visit the Vatican City in July, but I have also been to Belgium, Malta and the Czech Republic.

Running my first 5K was great. I'm so glad I did it, even though I haven't ran much since. That's what this summer will be for. Natasha Bedingfield, cool lady. My sister, Natalie will get to Rome next Thursday and we'll travel together! I wasn't too aggressive about finding anyone to teach me to drive a stick shift, but they have them all over Italy and I still have two days. It's possible. I went to Cine and saw Melancholia with Ashley Hanna, one of my favorite people in the world. Super intense movie though.

Homeless Shelter, tough.
Cleaning out my room & the subsequent garage sale, even tougher.
Selling things on eBay, fun! Plus, making money is always nice.
Restoring my grandmothers chest of drawers was extremely rewarding.

...Then... I messed up. Traveling to Hong Kong, California and NYC didn't happen because I've been traveling to many other wonderful places. The cities will still be there, and my friends will still be in the cities.

Also, one does not simply "learn" Final Cut Pro and Photoshop. Too vague. People spend their entire careers on these programs, and still learn new tricks and quirks every day. So, if we say that by "learn" I mean I have a basic understanding, then I guess I "learned" them.

Tattoo, glad I did it.
Georgia Theater, I am so so happy you're back. We're going to have a fun summer.

So there were 8 things on the List I didn't fully accomplish, but here's another 8 things that I did accomplish over the last year that I'm proud of but couldn't have planned for this time last year.

1. Live in an apartment without a washing machine, microwave or dishwasher with five other girls.
2. Go to a European Football Match.

AS Roma vs. Parma in February

3. Eat the proclaimed "best pizza in the world" at da Michele's in Naples.

4. Go to Carnivale in Venice
5. See Tuscany covered in snow.

Siena

6. Move into my first house in Athens and enjoy a great semester with my lovely roommates, who I miss dearly.

7. Attend the Georgia/Florida football game at the end of October, and watch UGA beat the Gators.

8. Have my blog hit 4,000 views.

I think there are still so many more things I could add to this list of beautiful surprises, but I said eight, so I'll stick with eight. There are a lot of you back in the States who I wish could be here, celebrating my 21st birthday this weekend. But I'm content knowing that I'll be home in May, or June, or sometime and absence really does make the heart grow fonder. We'll celebrate soon, and I'll bring the limoncello. 

Lights, Camera, Action

For my Feature Writing Class, I wrote an article about the Film Industry in Georgia. It gave me a great excuse to read AJC Buzz for a few hours. Luckily my great friend, David, let me interview him about his experiences on film sets. Enjoy reading! 

Lights, Camera, Action for Georgia’s Film Industry

     The state that rose from the ashes so many years ago is finally ready to see its name in lights. According to a recent statement by the Georgia Department of Economic Development, Georgia is now considered one of the top five states in America for film and television production. Between July 2010 and June 2011, the sector created a $2.4 billion impact in the economy. This fiscal year, revenues are expected to be even higher with the multitude of film and television shows using Georgia as the background for productions.
     Georgia Department of Economic Development commissioner Chris Cummiskey said, ”The economic impact created in FY11 accounts for 22 percent the entire film impact produced in the Georgia Film, Music & Digital Entertainment division’s 38-year history.” That 38-year history includes films like “Forrest Gump”, “Driving Miss Daisy” and “Deliverance”.            
     Complicated filming permits and high costs of production have caused studios to think twice before filming in the standard locales of New York and Los Angeles. Instead, many companies have found the state of Georgia to be more conducive to their needs and the state has been happy to oblige.
     Atlanta native and Set Production Assistant David Oster said, “They’ve turned big warehouses in Decatur and airport hangers in Peachtree City into sound stages and backlots for television shows. The cast and crew who may be used to studio lots in LA have had to adapt to that and make it close to what it’s like there.”
     The Georgia Department of Economic Development has seen a rise in film productions as a result of the 2008 Georgia Entertainment Industry Investment Act. Since the legislation passed, production companies spending over $500,000 within the state are entitled to a 20% tax credit with an additional 10% if the final production includes a Georgia emblem in the end credits. These tax credits apply to “feature films, television series, music videos and commercials, as well as interactive games and animation.”
     The ‘Camera Ready Community’ Program was created in 2010 to ensure counties in the state could meet the needs of a large-scale production. Currently, 136 of the 159 counties in Georgia are certified as Camera Ready Communities, each with different scenery to offer filmmakers, from cities and hilly forests to beaches and sleepy small towns.
     Georgia’s climate year-round makes the state an attractive location for filming. Oster said, “There is a great variety of locations that can work for anywhere that the film script calls for. For example, Atlanta can pass for New York or Chicago etc. About the only thing you can’t get are big mountains and deserts.”
     During the last few years, films like “The Blind Side”, “Water for Elephants”, “X-Men: First Class” and Tyler Perry’s “Madea’s Big Happy Family” were filmed in Georgia.       
     Tyler Perry Studios in southwest Atlanta has made significant contributions to the state’s new nickname, The Hollywood of the South. He employees over 300 people with a studio considered to be one of the best in the country with multiple soundstages, a backlot and post-production facilities. Last week, Perry hosted a fundraiser at the studios for President Barack Obama’s 2012 campaign, followed by a small event at his home with guests like Oprah Winfrey. Here, Tyler Perry Productions films TBS’s most popular show “Meet the Browns” along with all his feature films.
     Major most pictures come in town for several weeks or months, but television shows filming around Atlanta have a more lasting impact on the local economy. AMC’s hit series, “The Walking Dead” will film its third season in metro Atlanta this summer. The CW’s “The Vampire Diaries” films in Covington, Georgia and has created a frenzy in the town for eager fans, some of whom travel hundreds of miles to see the sets and locations of the series. An article in the Covington News, located about forty miles southeast of Atlanta, estimates a $10 million dollar increase in tourist spending between 2009 and 2010, before and after the show about immortal vampires in a small town first debuted. Those numbers skyrocketed in 2011 as the show gained popularity.
     A statement by Covington’s tourism director Clara Deemer said, “More than 19,000 tourists came to Covington in 2011, representing 46 states and 28 countries - motivated by filming location tours of ‘The Vampire Diaries.’ A large number of these guests are staying in our hotels, eating in our restaurants and shopping locally in Covington.”
     In today’s struggling economy, Georgia’s film industry is a bright spot for the state. Union and non-union jobs are plentiful. Productions find it most attractive to film in places where the local population is knowledgeable and can be hired on site, instead of bringing crew in from Los Angeles. These roles bring attention to the state and money to the community with jobs and increased revenue in hotels and restaurants. 
     The Camera Ready Community Program hopes to assist the local communities use their resources to fill below the line crew jobs like electricians and security crews. The investment in infrastructure has been a blessing for young crew members like David Oster, who can live locally and work instead of moving to Los Angeles. He began working as an extra on “The Blind Side” two years and several films later; Oster has been promoted to Set Production Assistant. Oster works on different sets every day, moving from “Vampire Diaries” to Limetime’s “Drop Dead Diva”.
     Oster says, “As long as the incentives are here there will continue to be more productions here [in Georgia] and now, there is more infrastructure for it with the studios. There are now at least three places to rent cameras in town, multiple catering services, at least five extras casting agencies, and a whole lot of local actors and talent that are working.”
     At least four more Georgia-based productions will be released in the upcoming months including “Jayne Mansfield’s Car” with Billy Bob Thornton and Robert Duvall and “What to Expect When You’re Expecting”, an ensemble film starring Cameron Diaz and Jennifer Lopez.
     More films and television pilots are making their way South in the next few months, including a new FOX drama starring Kevin Bacon. Only time will tell how long this trend will continue but at least for the next few years, Georgia’s time in the limelight has no sign of slowing down.