Here's a really quick banner tutorial.

In photoshop, open a new file. Use the dimensions given below.



Select the color for your background, and use the fill tool to fill your image.



If you have any images you want to add to the banner, open them in photoshop. Then, click on the image you want to add, select Select - All from the top menu.



Now, select Edit - Copy. Then click on your banner, select Edit - Paste.



Your image will paste into the banner.



Do the same for any other images you want to add.



To add text to the banner, select the text icon from the side menu. Once you've selected text, select your font, size and color from the top menu.



Now click on your banner, and type in your text in the location you'd like it (You can also use the move icon from the side menu to move the text.



When you're done, select File > Save As to save your banner.



And here's the finished banner.



So, that's a really quick, basic tutorial to make a banner that's 400 X 118 (the size of the skittles banner).

C.

When I look at my son, I see the most amazing thing in the world. I see this little person who is completely un-self conscious, who is filled with joy over the simplest things, who embodies all the good things in the entire world, and it fills me with a feeling that is beyond words. Seeing him, I imagine if he had been born to someone who didn't want him instead of to me, someone who would abuse him, hurt him, beat him. Someone who would abandon him. Someone who would starve him, ridicule him, molest him. I imagine all the things that might've happened to my son if he was born to someone who didn't want him because they were denied an abortion, and it kills me inside. I would rather someone act with what I consider compassion, and end the life before it's begun to know such horrors, than to give life to something that is unwanted, ignored and neglected.

(originally posted on another site during an abortion debate, but I felt like giving it its own post).

C.

Think you understand race?

Take the quiz to find out.

C.

This is fuckin' hilarious.

I dunno if this one is satire or just viral marketing, but it's amusing.

Bless the internet and people with too much time on their hands.

C.

Normally, I like to blog about subjects of social relevance...

This is not one of those posts.

I took this picture today, and I *had* to post it, heh.



C.

If you haven't seen it yet...

All I can say is Wow.

That's sad.

C.

I live in a co-op. Tonight, the co-op is having an inspection of all the units to see what needs repairing. Our unit is being inspected by two gentlemen of the Muslim faith.

I'm a nudist. I detest clothing. I only wear them when I absolutely have to. One of the reasons I don't do much socializing is because it generally requires me to wear clothing, and I want to feel as comfortable as possible within my own dwelling.

I am not certain what the laws are regarding nudity in one's own dwelling (I would like to believe that there are no laws against it), but to be safe, I'm erring on the side of public nudity laws where I live. As a concession, I will wear a comfortable pair of pants tonight, but as the law allows female toplessness in public where I live, I intend to be topless in my dwelling during the inspection, because I feel most comfortable being that way, because it's easier for breastfeeding my son and because I have the legal right to do so.

My husband is having some qualms about my decision to do so. He knows that I am breaking no laws or rules, yet he is concerned that due to the religious aspect the inspectors will take offense and lodge a complaint with the co-op.

Despite my view that all organized religion is ultimately harmful to humanity, I respect the rights of people to believe what they wish, and in someone's dwelling I'd respect whatever strictures their religion required. In return, I expect people to give me the same respect within my own dwelling. I do not feel that the religious requirements of a person should trump my personal requirements when I'm in my own place of dwelling. I don't feel that I am being disrespectful to someone by doing so.

How far should we go in the name of tolerance? Am I "wrong" for not covering myself up within my own house when there are people who have religious strictures against nudity about? I'm curious to see where others stand on this issue.

Update: The inspectors were scheduled for 7:30pm. After waiting an hour at 8:30pm a woman came to the door to inform us that her partner was ill and she couldn't do our inspection, even though she'd just done an inspection of the unit next door. Clearly, I'm the discourteous one here, heh.

C.

Why do people obsess so much over celebrity?

It galls me that this is such a huge industry. Do people really care which celebrity is sleeping with which other celebrity, or what they wore on their last trip to the grocery store?

*sigh*

C.

<rant>

Normally I rant about socially relevant issues.

This is not one of those rants.

TODO: REWRITE THIS. is not acceptable in the description section of a published test. Ever.

You lazy, lazy fucks.

Now that that's out my system, have a good day.

</rant>

C.

<rant>

This is gonna be a long one folks, so buckle up.

My husband recently brought to my attention the (Red)™ campaign. If you're not familiar with this campaign, the goal is to provide anti-retroviral medication to AIDS patients in Africa. Sounds noble, right?

Wrong.

I don't know where to begin to expound on just how wrong this campaign is.

Strike that, yes I do. Let's start with the manifesto.



Yes, that's right. Consumerism is going to save the world! *cues dramatic intro music*



I have a choice? Didn't I always? Thanks for letting me know the products aren't all red, by the way. My choice to buy or not buy these products hinges upon the color of the product, so it's good to know that I, as a consumer, have this choice. It's all about choice.



Wow, at no cost to me, huh? Except for having to buy the crappy merchandise. But what the hell, some profits are going to help my Brothers and Sisters.



Well, who wouldn't want to help out our brothers and sisters suffering in Africa? That is a noble goal. Who cares that only a small percentage of the sale goes to this cause, and that this is a ridiculously good marketing gimmick... that never entered the minds of these philanthropists...



Oh wait, yes it did. We get the money.



If they don't get the pills, they die! And they don't want them to die! But only if you buy their stuff!

I'm pretty sure if they wanted so badly to give them the pills, they could do so without any of us having to buy their crap. There is NO philanthropic desire driving this, it's 100% designed to move merchandise. It's like when a company donates $100,000 to charity and then spends $1,000,000 to publicize the donation.

I have to say, it's a pretty slick marketing campaign. If you don't buy our stuff, millions will DIE! You don't want to be a murderer, now do you? DO YOU?!?

So, let's take a closer look at the (RED)™ products now.

Motorola

In the US, a $8.50 contribution is made on the sale of the red MOTORAZR V3m phone (priced $269.99 on motorola.com). In the US, a $2.50 contribution is made on the sale of the red BluetoothT Headset H500. (priced $69.99 on motorola.com)

Yes, we donate a whopping 3% of your phone sale to Africa, and thanks for lining our pockets with the other 97%. You've made a huge difference!

But there's more!

In the UK, a £10 contribution is made on the sale of the red MOTOSLVR and red MOTORAZR V3i, and an ongoing contribution is made based on 5% of each red MOTOSLVR and red MOTORAZR V3i user's wireless monthly bill. With every red H3 headset and red Music Pack sold a £3 contribution will be made.

and...

In Switzerland, a contribution of 22 CHF is made on the sale of the red MOTORAZR V3i phone.

Wow! Guess you can't help save the Africans if you live elsewhere, though.

AmericanExpress

Every time you shop with American Express RED we will give 1% of your total spend to the Global Fund, to help fight AIDS in Africa.

1%! Those Africans will be rolling in medicine with donations like that!

But guess what! On top of helping the Africans...

American Express RED Cardmembers can earn REDtreats simply by using the Card. REDtreats will be things like spa vouchers, goodie bags full of (PRODUCT) RED partner products or maybe a hamper full of scrumptious delicacies. How does it work? Spend £2,000 on the Card in a calendar quarter, opt into the programme and you’ll receive a REDtreat from us.

So for every £2,000 you spend in three months, the Africans get £20! and you get to go to the spa! It's a win-win!

And...

REDdeals are handpicked offers and events for Cardmembers to benefit from when eating out, shopping, travelling or going out. Expect offers from boutique hotels, hip restaurants and other life-enhancing treats.

Yes, that's right. Your card gets you life-enhancing treats, too! You can live beyond your means and still get the warm fuzzies knowing you're a humanitarian because an African kid got twenty cents worth of pills when you did it! Good for you!

By the way, everyone who isn't in the UK... guess you'll have to pass on this one.

The GAP

Ah, my old nemesis, the GAP.

With 50% of the profits from sales of items going to the Global Fund to help eliminate AIDS in Africa, Gap (PRODUCT)RED is a new, limited edition collection of clothing and accessories for men and women...The full Gap (PRODUCT)RED collection launched October 13 and is available exclusively in select Gap adult stores in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France and Japan and online in the United States at gap.com/RED. In stores, the Gap (PRODUCT)RED collection is displayed in a distinct shop-in-shop boutique.

This is, strangely enough, the most generous offer based on percentage of sales. I'm still not impressed though. Especially considering this:

One vintage-style T-shirt from the collection is being manufactured in Lesotho, a country in Africa, from 100% African cotton.

Wow! Made IN Africa! Probably by African babies! Too bad they don't get any of the pills though, since (RED)™ currently only provides aid to Rwanda, Swaziland and Ghana.

Armani

Giorgio Armani is contributing an average of 40 percent of its gross profit margin from sales of all Emporio Armani (PRODUCT) RED Products directly to the Global Fund.

Well, 40% sounds generous, right? Until you realize that it's 40% of the gross profit margin. So not only do they make sure that they recoup their costs (which makes sense from a business standpoint, but doesn't do much from a philanthropist one), but they donate less than half of what's left after that.

Converse

You like shoes. You buy them. You help people.

It's a simple idea - easy, maybe even ingenious - and Converse believes it can help change the world. Guess you could say they're taking what they've got - creativity and some sweet sneakers - and putting it to good use.

*gag*

Don't wait for other people to change the world. It’s time: Do Something.

Things can change. You can help. Join the movement.

*vomit*

5-15% (depending on the product sold) of the net sales of Converse (PRODUCT) RED shoes will be contributed to the Global Fund, to help eliminate AIDS in Africa.

So now we're ELIMINATING AIDS? I thought we were buying medicine to keep them alive. Converse is really going above and beyond here.

Apple

Music matters. And when you buy an iPod nano (PRODUCT) RED™ Special Edition, it matters even more. That's because Apple contributes $10 (starting at $199 on apple.com) from your purchase price to the Global Fund, to help fight HIV/AIDS in Africa.

So the most they donate is 5%, and the percentage goes down when the price goes up. Rockin'.

Or give the gift of iTunes with the iTunes (PRODUCT) RED Card. When you do, 10 percent of your $25 purchase goes to the Global Fund.

Yup, $2.50. Pat yourself on the back.


Still not sure what (RED)™ is?

(RED) was created by Bono and Bobby Shriver, Chairman of DATA to raise awareness and money for The Global Fund by teaming up with the world's most iconic brands to produce (PRODUCT)RED branded products. A percentage of each (PRODUCT)RED product sold is given to The Global Fund. The money helps women and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa.

I guess the men are fucked, huh? We must be only helping out our little Brothers.

What's the meaning of the parentheses or brackets? Well, we call them "the embrace." Each company that becomes (RED) places its logo in this embrace and is then elevated to the power of red. Thus the name -- (PRODUCT)RED.

Aww, the embrace. If that doesn't give you the warm fuzzies, I don't know what will.

You, the consumer, can take your purchase to the power of (RED) simply by upgrading your choice. Thus the proposition: (YOU)RED. Be embraced, take your own fine self to the power of (RED). What better way to become a good-looking samaritan?!

At this point, I've vomited up my intestines.

If you're still confused, there's even a handy graphic to help you out:



I'm honestly surprised that they even let you know that you can donate directly without having to buy their crap. But why would you want to do that, when you can be a Good-Looking Samaritan.

Not surprisingly, Bono has his hand in this masterpiece.

You know Bono, he's that philanthropist who allegedly once spent $1,700 for a plane ticket for his HAT.

He's that guy who moved his music publishing company from Ireland to the Netherlands in early 2006 after Ireland said it would scrap a tax break that let musicians avoid paying taxes on royalties.

...surfaced at around the same time as news reports that Bono was calling upon the Irish government to send more aid to Africa. Some have viewed the singer's request as akin to asking others to fund what he himself will not, in light of U2's having moved its music publishing company from Ireland to the Netherlands in early 2006 after Ireland said it would scrap a tax break that let musicians avoid paying taxes on royalties. While tax-avoidance among the super-rich is the common way of things, this particular very wealthy person's seemingly acting to keep his own money out of the tax pool that would fund the increase in aid he was calling for left a bad taste in the mouths of many...Bono and his U2 bandmates continue to pay personal income taxes in Ireland, but their music publishing corporation is now being taxed in the Netherlands and so does not contribute to the coffers that fund Ireland's humanitarian efforts in Africa.

Way to practice what you preach there, buddy.

I'm getting sick of celebrities and companies pretending to care when all they're doing is 1) trying to increase their own profits/reputation and 2) having a big ol' circle jerk over how great they are.

I guess it's not saying much since I wouldn't buy any of these products anyway, but this campaign makes me want to boycott these companies, and anyone associated with it.

Bottom line is if any of these people or companies really cared, they'd donate THEIR OWN MONEY, not extort it out of consumers.

If you're interested in donating money to aid Africa, here are some charities that don't depend upon you buying crap:

AMREF
UNICEF
Concern Universal

</rant>

C.