Category: misc

how to be interesting

Thomas shares a great post on how to be interesting.

  1. Take at least one picture everyday. Post it to flickr.
  2. Start a blog. Write at least one sentence every week.
  3. Keep a scrapbook
  4. Every week, read a magazine you’ve never read before
  5. Once a month interview someone for 20 minutes, work out how to make them interesting. Podcast it.
    Collect something
  6. Once a week sit in a coffee-shop or cafe for an hour and listen to other people’s conversations. Take notes. Blog about it. (Carefully)
  7. Every month write 50 words about one piece of visual art, one piece of writing, one piece of music and one piece of film or TV. Do other art forms if you can. Blog about it
  8. Make something
  9. Read:
    * Understanding Comics – Scott McCloud
    * The Mezzanine – Nicholson Baker
    * The Visual Display Of Quantitative Information – Edward Tufte

I think I’m a pretty interesting chap – but one trap I find myself sinking into is sharing so much with the world via the interweb that I don’t stop and take time to share that with others in real life. And other times, I forget to take the time to find out what makes other people interesting and sharing those things with others.

I think that’s one thing I try to do when we host dinner parties, or work on the something beautiful podcast, or introduce friends – make each person see what makes the other person interesting.

In other words – this person must have some qualities/values that I find to be interesting – so be sure and share those qualities with others when you introduce them.

And also, find the beauty in each person around you. Each person has a story. Each person has value. Each person already has “interestingness.” Find it & share it.

Something I’ve also found that helps add to a person’s interestingness is reading and responding to those random surveys on MySpace. I’ve found out so many random thoughts, ideas and history behind so many of my “acquaintances,” friends and family through MySpace surveys.

Twitter has also helped bridge the time/space gap between many (new) friends as well. In fact, many of the suggestions above can be done with 140 characters or less via Twitter, rather than a full blown blog… or you can incorporate the two together.

Related ::

Thomas’ blog post
the original post from Russell Davies
share your photos for free on flickr
get a free blogger (google) blog
get a free wordpress blog
get your own free Myspace profile
micro-blog for free on Twitter
Twitter tools for WordPress

something beautiful :: 1.4 :: matt wilson

for those of you who haven’t checked lately, or subscribed to the something beautiful podcast, this week thomas talks with matt wilson, who heads up the message trust, in manchester, england – along with andy hawthorne – the original founder and visionary.

wilson is also the author of “eden:called to the streets” and is an active blogger at faithscape21.blogspot.com.

and don’t forget to drop us an email for your chance to win shawn mcdonald’s CD, “roots.”

related links ::

Get your hands dirty :: July 12

July 12th folks from encounter – as well as anyone else interested will spend a day working in and around Daniel’s Den in Waxahachie. Daniel’s Den is a ministry in Waxahachie, with the goal of reaching and helping the homeless of Ellis County.

There are a number of ways folks can help:

  • the back porch screen needs to be repaired
  • lots of caulking needs to be done
  • furniture needs to be moved
  • edging and mulching the front yard (mulch is free but trucks are needed)
  • flowers planted in the front
  • new lid (and or box) for trash box to keep dogs out of trash cans
  • fence needs to be built in the rear of the property
  • banana boxes needed to help organize garage sale items
  • garage sale items need to be organized
  • door needs to be painted and installed
  • items need to be moved from the old shelter location to the new one
  • shelves need to be installed in pantry

items needed:

  • 8′ ladder
  • twin bed and mattress sets
  • 2 full size mattresses (mattress only)
  • flowers
  • fencing
  • caulk and caulking guns
  • shelves

In addition to the regular work that day, if you’re interested in helping put together food and drink for those working that day, please let us know as well.

If you see something you’re interested in and would like to help, please let me know.