So I was searching for remedies which would not require moving the router. Results ranged from buying a better antenna, buying a Wi-Fi repeater, or making my own with an old router (which is beyond my technical ability). Then I stumbled upon this little guy, thinking “Yeah right, like that cheap thing will ever work?”

This is an antenna extender called the Windsurfer. The template can be found at freeantennas.com. Despite my skepticism, this actually worked! I have been blessed with a strong signal in my bedroom, which is on the opposite side of the house and competes with plumbing in the adjacent bathroom. A normal router broadcasts its signal in all directions, but putting this reflector on it can bounce the signal in the direction of my choice (towards the house), thus strengthening it.

I had my nerd moment and a chance to get into a little bit of crafting! It was really easy to make, you will need:

• cardstock
• scissors
• exacto knife
• glue
• tape

1. Print the template, preferably on cardstock. Make sure you do not distort the proportions of the template, but making it a full-size print is okay.
2. Cut out the two pieces, using an exacto knife to cut the slots.
3. Cut a piece of tinfoil for the square reflector, and glue it on (I used gluestick, which worked just fine).
4. Recut the slots in the reflector with the exacto knife.
5. Insert the tabs into the reflector, and secure with tape.

You should end up with an arched reflector, which you can simply slide onto the top of the antenna. Point it in the direction of your house. Voila!

For my Advanced Typography class, I concluded the semester with another kinetic type video. The project was self-directed with the intention of being an exhibit in a typographic museum. This video examines the stereotypes of gendered typography, then analyzes some of the subtler influences that could be present in a typeface. Of course, it’s all in good humor!

http://www.pentagram.com/what-type-are-you/

I used some classic Betty Crocker recipes for the cake itself: rich golden cake, with a lemon filling, and butter icing. YUM! No one said this would be healthy! I froze it for 20 minutes before trying the base fondant–I ripped the first one but it was too late to take it off, but I had enough for a second layer. Perfect! I had some leftover butter icing and added food coloring to it, so I didn’t have to limit myself to just the fondant. The cake turned out spectacular for my first go! Let’s just hope the word doesn’t get out or I might get a handful of requests ;)

This evening, I finished my first attempt at kinetic typography. For our core design class, we ended the semester creating videos with the objective of using moving type to convey emotion. This is my first time using After Effects, though I am certain it won’t be my last. Kinetic type is pretty addicting, although I like it in short doses. I don’t know if I could animate an entire song and spare my sanity at the same time.

We weren’t required to have sound in our video at all, but inside I was screaming, “No sound required?! But this is the perfect opportunity to set type to music!” This is where my background in music comes in–I sifted through my entire music library for hours, brainstorming songs I could animate. Disappointingly, there isn’t a lot of choral kinetic type out there, hence I wanted to try content that hasn’t been done.

Back in my senior year in high school, our choir director would give us listening sessions. We would sit back and relax in darkness, as to get the best listening experience, and this is where I was first introduced to the contemporary composer Eric Whitacre. I soon bought his album and have been hooked since. I selected his song “With a Lily in Your Hand” because it has a strong energy about it, yet is dynamic enough for experimentation. When I hear music, I imagine it visually as well as aurally. This was my chance to express how I imagine music. I hope I did the song justice–at least for an amateur.

We sang an SATB version of this song in choir yesterday. I’m in love with the song already! It reminds me of my family roots a little bit.

I recently participated in Eric Whitacre’s Virtual Choir 2.0, performing his composition Sleep. What an experience! 1752 singers submitted videos from 58 countries, something that has never been done before. There’s something extraordinary about singing with hundreds of people, particularly ones you are complete strangers with. It fills me hope and delight when people are willing to unite from across such distances–music has a funny way of bringing us together, doesn’t it?

It does take a few takes to get your video just right, but seeing the final result is incredibly gratifying. I am definitely looking forward to joining the next round, and would recommend it to anyone with a passion for singing.