Author: lemsy

John LeMasney (lemsy) is an artist, graphic designer, and technology creative. He is located in beautiful Nelson County, VA, but works remotely with ease. Contact him at: lemasney@gmail.com to discuss your next creative project.

Categories
insights photography

On the relationship between success, vision and belief

Forward movement
Forward movement

I have realized that there’s something that drives me to do the things that I do, and let go of the things that I don’t.

For example, I am an advocate for open source software, like the gimp and Inkscape, when the rest of my creative friends bemoan my choice over adobe products, saying that they could not get their work done without them. The reason is clearer to me now why I can.

I am an advocate for calorie counting and whole foods and vegetarianism and light exercise, like walking. Many of my friends think that calorie counting is too much work for them, that whole foods are bland and tasteless and that they could not possibly adopt the lifestyle, or that they could never live without meat. They feel that you can’t get proper exercise outside of a gym. I have evidence to the contrary.

I use a Chromebook, and feel that I am working towards a chromebook- and mobile-only computing style. I still have some needs, such as archival storage, video editing, and DVR that will keep me tethered at some times to a traditional desktop or server, for now, but that is changing. My friends say that they couldn’t get by without their tower.

I gave up drinking in April of 2012. I believe that I will never drink again. I was not able to stop until I believed it was possible. Until I envisioned living without it successfully, I didn’t, and so I couldn’t. I have friends that are deep in the grip of alcoholism. They believe that there is no other way. This is obviously not true, and yet, they persist.

In the face of oppositional ideas, harder paths, and seemingly unobtainable goals, I believe that I can achieve, which makes it possible. When I don’t, I can’t. If you can’t bring yourself to believe that something is possible, that you will never gain the benefits from it, or that it’s not worth the effort or time, then you are assuredly right: you can’t in your mind, so you won’t in reality.

It is impossible to surprise yourself in your beliefs when you are both the non-believer and the non-actor. Though not guaranteed, it is possible if you believe that it can be. Until you can say out loud that you believe that you can, and believe it, you may want to hold off trying. Without belief, doing may be impossible.

One response I’ve gotten to this idea is that it is so hard to believe that which you do not. I would say that this perceived effort is a sign that belief is not likely at this time, and that when you are ready to believe, it will be easy. You will have some key evidence that the seemingly impossible is possible. The evidence may be the result of things going to far down the opposite path. You’ll have some break in the clouds to hold on to long enough to believe. Seize it — it’s the difference for me in acting and doing, or not.

Categories
consulting design principles insights open source professional activities research interests technology

On Open Source, Volunteerism, and Reimbursement

Logo Open Source Initiative
Open Source Initiative

In this diary, I sometimes write on extended health, and ideological nutrition. Amongst my key personal brand tags, I always list open source. If you and I have had a conversation about technology, chances are that I have tried to sway you on the benefits of the open source model, or libre software, or standards over proprietary solutions.

Open Source Software is a simple concept, often misunderstood, and often because of biases we have in our capitalist society. Open Source is a rather communist idea, in its most ideal form, but whatever bias you have about communism, please set it aside for this article. Open source requires an open mind. Open Source licensed software usually gives away the source code for users making beneficial changes to the software to suit their own needs, and demand that the code changes come back to the project for re-use. It has security benefits, in that more eyes see the code, check the code for issues, and report the issues, often with fixes in hand. It has equity benefits because it is most often offered for no monetary exchange, allowing any who are interested to partake in its use. It has utilitarian benefits because if you want a feature that is not present, you have the code to build upon or pay for changes to by a developer.

There are many benefits, and if you are interested, I’d love to explain the all. For now though, I wanted to share a chat that I had with a particularly entrepreneurial friend about the topic, part of a longitudinal conversation on open source, design, and potential projects.  In the discussion, I was able to answer what I think are some basic concerns and misconceptions about Open Source, easily cleared with discussion, but a discussion does not always take place.

5:40pm My friend: what are your top three complaints about open source software?

5:41pm JL: bias against, forking, those who use the terms without the understanding.

5:52pm My Friend: Do you think open source software should be monetized?

5:55pm JL: It is. I have paid for Inkscape. with money, time, effort, and support. Other projects would die an immediate death with a pay wall. You ask the wrong questions: My top three benefits of open source software include that ‘payment is optional’.

6:00pm My Friend: I know people pay for open source software. Many projects are dual licensed. I’m just trying to wrap my head around the pros and cons of open source vs just paid vs hybrid.

6:00pm JL: It is contingent on the project. My selection of open source is ideological, not capitalist. open source and paid do not work. The selection for many of open source is because it is free. Take that one off your list. Hybrid is fine, and viable. I support Kaltura, which has a hybrid model.

6:02pm My Friend: Isn’t your selection of open source a means to an end? No matter what your ideology food shelter and clothing still cost money.

6:02pm JL: Free makes the most sense. Make money off of support, membership, donations, and education. I have a job. It does not affect my software choice. Most of my work in regards to open source is paid for by libraries, schools, and other educational orgs. or done as a volunteer. Probably 50% of my training is free. in my consulting work. The volunteer work often results in new leads. I pay back to Inkscape in advertising, education, and training in my networks. BTW, this is going to be a blog post.

6:21pm My Friend: Great. Let me know when it’s done I’ll be happy to promote it. I’m finally ready to start on my idea. The reason for my questions in case you were wondering. I want to pursue open as a way of life and business. Don’t want to rely on my job for income. My thesis is that you can create more value through open products. 

6:24pm JL: Yes! My next tattoo will be the word open. We agree. 

6:24pm My Friend: Capital value as well as social value.

6:28pm JL: There is much capital value in the work that I do regarding open source.

6:29pm My Friend: Alright. Well I’ll keep you posted on my progress. I think it’s time to evolve capitalism. 

6:34pm JL: Agreed! LMK.

Categories
insights

Getting started with a whole foods nutritional lifestyle.

Batonneted potatoes in olive oil with salt and pepper
Batonneted potatoes in olive oil with salt and pepper

I’m very interested in alternatives to the traditional American eating lifestyle. I believe that it is the core reason that obesity is at such a high rate in this country, and a hidden reason behind many contemporary ills, such as heart disease, the dying-hive phenomenon, and the prevalence of cancer. I eat processed food, and it’s likely that you do too. I’m stopping though. I’m going to start adopting a more dedicated whole foods lifestyle, building on my existing whole food regiment.

Whole foods are foods found in nature, or foods built from food found in nature. If it comes in a box in the middle aisles of a major supermarket, chances are it’s processed food. If they sell it at a local farmer’s market, it’s more likely that it is a whole food.  Whole foods tend to be simple, simply prepared, and simply produced. Less ingredients, less fuss, less advertising, less packaging. I am going to be mostly vegetarian, though there are allowances in the lifestyle for meat, when produced locally and eaten responsibly.

Fruits and vegetables will continue to be a core part of my effort. I eat between 5-10 fruits and vegetables a day, as close as possible to their whole form. I eat apples, bananas, oranges, potatoes, onions, string beans, spinach, and related foods every day.

I eat milk, eggs, cheese, 100% whole-wheat and whole-grain products, but I am going to start getting them at independent local markets and bakeries.

I drink water, milk, all natural juices, and naturally sweetened coffee & tea. I am giving up Splenda. I will start using only all natural sweeteners, such as honey, 100% maple syrup, and fruit juice.

I will move from snacks like granola bars, which I love but should make myself (it’s easy, and they are delicious) or not have them at all, and will increase snacks like dried fruit, seeds, and popcorn. I am already an avid fan of shelled nuts.

The expected outcome is that I’ll maintain my weight loss, get sick less, feel better, be less depressed, and have more energy. Doubt me? You must not know me. 🙂

Related articles
  • Real Food: How to Cut Processed Foods Out of Your Life (homemakerchic.wordpress.com)
  • Top 10 Farmers Markets in the UK and around the world (essentialtravel.co.uk)
  • How Dangerous is Sugar and HCFS? (High Fructose Corn Syrup) (broadcastarchives.net)
Categories
affiliations professional activities professional experience references research interests teaching experience technology

Spring 2013 Princeton Public Library free technology classes offered by John LeMasney

John LeMasney
John LeMasney

All of these sessions are offered at Princeton Public Library, Witherspoon Street, Princeton NJ. They are in the Technology lab on the second floor furthest from the main stairwell. Please come and join me to learn about these fun and useful technologies!

  • Tues, Feb 5 from 7:00-8:30 Discovering Google Chromebook
  • Wed, Feb 20 from 6:30-8:30 Tools to Create Infographics
  • Mon, Mar 11 from 6:30-8:30 WordPress Camp for Beginner Bloggers Part 1
  • Mon, Mar 18 from 6:30-8:30 WordPress Camp for Beginner Bloggers Part 2
  • Tues, Apr 9 from 7-8:30 Ten Things to Know About Your Android Tablet
  • Tues, Apr 16 from 6:30-8:30 Tools to Create Infographics
  • Wed, Apr 24 from 7-8:30 Discovering Google Chromebook
  • Tues, May 14 from 6:30-8:30 WordPress Camp for Beginner Bloggers Part 1
  • Tues, May 21 from 6:30-8:30 WordPress Camp for Beginner Bloggers Part 2
  • Wed, Jun 5 from 7-8:30 Discovering Google Chromebook
  • Wed, Jun 12 from 7-8:30 Ten Things to Know About Your Android Tablet
An article on technology offerings at PPL: http://www.princetonlibrary.org/blog/2013/02/latest-technology-classes-ppl
Related articles

 

Categories
insights

How to get started with breathing meditation and mindfulness

"Gathering the Light" from the Taois...
“Gathering the Light” from the Taoist book The Secret of the Golden Flower, translated by C. G. Jung and Richard Wilhelm (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

I have a few friends who are struggling with their lives, some with food, some with alcohol and other substances, and some with self-image. I ask people to reach out to me if I can help them, and many have reached out to me because I have struggled with these things in the past, and while I continue to struggle as we all do, I do not struggle with those particular issues anymore. I have an escape plan for them, and maybe for you too.

 

I give lots of advice about what to consume and not consume, how to treat one’s self and not treat one’s self, and I usually prescribe meditation as a key practice that may help them with the side effects of her other choices, such as a chaotic mind, trouble making decisions, self-destructive behavior, and living and making decisions based on the past or the future, rather than the present. It certainly helps me.

 

The only issue is that meditation can be practiced using a billion techniques, and each has its varying  opinions about the practice. I have read extensively on the subject, interviewed meditators, and settled into my practice that works best for me after a lot of experimentation.

 

I tend to take a simple approach to things when I can, and my meditation practice is no different. I practice a few different forms, but I am going to focus of breathing meditation here. In order to dip a toe into the pool of meditative practice, this one is fairly easy to try:

 

  1. Find 15 minutes of time (with a minute or two of preparation time) that you are likely  uninterrupted. Early in the morning, late at night, or at lunch may work best.
  2. Find a quiet place, free of distractions, visual reminders of life, sounds, and other sensations that are likely to tempt you. A private bathroom in a low traffic area is an example, but a quiet seat in a park works too.
  3. However possible, turn off or remove the lights, sounds, buzzers, alarms, reminders, clothes, and anything else that may distract you. An exception to this is to use a simple kitchen timer, set to 15 minutes.
  4. Inhale slowly, exhale slowly. Deep breaths. Count 1 for each inhale and exhale set that you complete. Count 2 for the next, count 3 for the next, count 4 for the next. Start over and count 1-4 for each complete breath until the 15 minute timer goes off. You may count to 4 hundreds of times.
  5. Distraction is part of the exercise. Notice distractions, then dismiss them. You will think about your problems, you will come to solutions about your plumbing, you will drift. Each time this happens, remember your breath, and counting, and refocus. This is not the time to solve problems, it is your time to notice your breathing.

For this 15 minutes each day your breath, and the numbers, are your only thought.  You are strengthening your mind in the same way that repetitive exercises strengthen your muscles. Early on, it may seem an incredible amount of effort to stay on task, but as with exercise, it gets easier with time, practice, and results.

Meditation is not about judgement, religion, diversity, enlightenment, or magic. It need not be mystical, scary, or difficult. You need not wear robes or burn incense as you do it. You need not be in any special place to do it. It is about you, your focus, your practice, and your health. If I can help you to get started, please reach out.

http://about.me/lemasney

Related articles
  • One-moment meditation (recoverynetworktoronto.wordpress.com)
  • How does one incorporate Mindfulness into Daily Tasks and Activities? (responsiveuniverse.wordpress.com)
  • Meditate without distraction (dynamicbuddhism.com)

 

Categories
insights photography

On weight loss misconceptions #nutrients #lifestyle #change

John LeMasney before
John LeMasney before

John LeMasney after
John LeMasney after

So, a very good friend who has been struggling with their weight for a very long time has been talking with me over my time losing weight. The chats were often a restatement of what I say here on this blog, how to get started, what to expect, how to find success in losing weight. I balk at the idea of weight loss being difficult or that somehow I am extraordinary in my loss because the methods that I used were easy to adopt, easy to maintain, and the outcomes were relatively quick and painless. For those of you who would love to have the conversation of how I lost almost 100 pounds in under a year without a strong effort, this post is for you.

In order to lose weight, there are some misconceptions that I do not agree with. I find it easier to pursue weight loss and a new nutritional lifestyle if you disbelieve the following ideas and pursue alternatives as described:

1. Weight loss requires exercise.

You do not need to exercise to lose weight. Repeat. Exercise will make you feel better, look better, and increase the speed of weight loss, but it is by no means necessary. Every human burns some amount of calories just by their normal function, commonly called your BMR, or basal metabolic rate. Mine is around 2000 calories, because I am a 39-year-old, 6′ 2″ male of about 200 pounds. As long as I eat less than 2000 calories in a day, I will not gain weight. If I eat less than that in a day, I will lose at some rate. If I exercise and stay below my BMR, I will lose weight quicker, feel better, and look better, with more energy, stamina, and self-confidence. But it is by no means necessary.

2. I can only lose weight if I do not eat carbohydrates or if I do not eat fat.

It is the type of food that I eat that is making me overweight. Everyone needs carbohydrates, fat, and protein. There are better choices of carbohydrates, such as whole grains, and worse sources of carbohydrates, such as powdered donuts. I eat both, and have eaten both throughout my weight loss. There are better sources of fat, such as olive oil, and worse choices of fat, such as butter. I eat both, and have eaten both throughout my weight loss. I am mostly vegetarian, and get 15% of my calories every day in the form of vegetable proteins. It is not the type of food that you eat that makes you overweight, it is the excess number of calories that your body does not burn that makes you overweight. If you are burning 2000 calories a day, and you eat 1800 calories in donuts every day, you will be very sick, but you will lose weight. If you choose instead to eat about 1000 calories in nutrient rich carbohydrates, 400 calories in protein, and 300 calories in unsaturated fat, you will lose weight and feel good.

3. Losing weight will allow me to eat the food that I want again.

If you are losing weight so that you can have bread and cheesesteaks again, or if you are avoiding pizza until you get to your first goal weight, in my opinion, you are doing it wrong, and setting yourself up for future failure. If you want a cheesesteak, have one. Count the calories for it (kaiser roll, 200 cals, minute steak 110 cals, 3 fresh mozzarella ciliegine balls, 60 cals) and mind your calories for the rest of the day, staying below your calorie stopping point.

4.  I’ll just watch what I eat, the counting thing is unnecessary.

In my opinion, using scales, calories and other measurements are a way of assuring yourself that progress is being made, and that you are staying within your limits. Guessing at the calories of something in front of you, then not putting it in the caloric perspective of the rest of your day, is how we gain weight. We live in a society that gives you single meals with your entire day’s worth of calories in just a few bites. If you want to eat one meal a day, then do it, but by all means, know that you are doing it.

5. I just want to look better, I don’t need to look at the scale to do that.

Weigh yourself every day. Be aware of everything you can know about your body. Measure your arms and neck and waist and write them down, or get them into a database, like MyFitnessPal. Track your wins and losses. Ignore your mirror because it will lie to you. It will tell you that you are ugly and fat and that you are not worth improving. It will not remind you that your calorie counting and other methods are obviously improving you. That’s what your scale is for.

If you have questions, I have answers. Comment, or email me at lemasney@gmail.com

Image representing MyFitnessPal as depicted in...
Image via CrunchBase