Jun 29
000

Over 11,000 Paper Lanterns Lit up Poznan, Poland’s Skyline to Celebrate the Summer Solstice

By Paige Wills in Why Choose Paper?

 
Paper Lanterns

Image by eurodrifter via Flickr

          To celebrate the longest day and shortest night of the year, on June 21, 2011 approximately 11,000 paper lanterns were released into Poland’s skyline according to an article by Laura Hibbard of the Huffington Post titled “Polish Residents Release 11,000 Floating Lanterns.”

         According to http://chinese-paper-lanterns.com, paper lanterns were originally released to bring good luck and prosperity. It was believed if wishes were written on the lanterns, they would rise up into the sky and eventually come true.

         With July 4 right around the corner, paper lanterns can be a fun addition to any Fourth of July party. It is an activity that almost everyone can participate in and paper lanterns can be relatively inexpensive.

         Paper lanterns can be a great alternative to fireworks. According to http://chinese-paper-lanterns.com, the lanterns can stay lit for nearly 20 minutes or so, which is much longer than a firework or sparkler. Although paper lanterns looks great when many are set off at one time, the lanterns still look great if there is just a few. (Be careful though and maybe warn your neighbors as some people become suspicious of one  or two lights moving slowly through the sky. It could be mistaken for a UFO!).

         My friends and I bought some paper lanterns at our local fireworks store and the lanterns only cost about $5 each. They came in many different colors and were even biodegradable. According to http://chinese-paper-lantern’s.com, the lanterns are approximately 48 inches tall and the frame is made from a light bamboo frame that is easily replenished. The prices will vary depending on what kind of paper lanterns you wish to purchase.

         Paper lanterns can be used for many occasions including:

  • Weddings
  • Holidays
  • Traditions

        The lanterns can be used many different ways, particularly for:

  • Decoration
  • Lighting

          Do you think it would be a beautiful sight if Americans could organize and put on a show with paper lanterns to celebrate Independence Day as Poland did to celebrate the Summer Solstice?   

         Here is a YouTube video showing the release of the paper lanterns in Poland. It is quite a sight.

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Jun 27
000

Paper vs. Digital Photos: Which do you Prefer?

By Paige Wills in Why Choose Paper?

 
IX240 (Advanced Photo System) Film Cartridge

Image via Wikipedia

          Do you remember a simpler time when all we had to do was drop our throw-away camera or film off at the photo department and the next day we could pick up our printed photographs? Today, it seems like printing photographs is somewhat of a hassle.

          Most people carry digital cameras nowadays. We can’t just drop off our digital camera and pick up the prints the next day. Now, we either have to upload all of our photos in the store or upload our pictures to a CD or website. However, if you are like me, now it isn’t good enough to simply upload my photos and click print because there are so many options such as:

Digital Photo Frame Pix-Star XT

Image via Wikipedia

  • Red Eye Removal
  • Zoom/Crop
  • Color Tones (black and white, sepia, etc)
  • Borders/Text

          These options make me feel obligated to make all of my pictures “the best they can be!” This means no red eye, cropping the photos, and changing some of the color tones.  Maybe this is why I haven’t printed any pictures in over three years. It seems to be a time consuming process and is always the last thing on my to-do list.

          I decided this summer I need to catch up on printing my photos. Currently, all of my pictures are on about three different memory cards. All of the photos have been uploaded to my computer; however, I just can’t seem to make it to the photo department. I back up the photos on my computer regularly in fear of catching a virus. I would hate to lose all of my photos, especially the ones that have not been printed.

          Instead of ordering my pictures in the store, I decided to upload my photos and order them online. This way I can take my time editing the photos without worrying about the person waiting behind me in line to use the machine. I can either pick my photos up in-store or have them shipped directly to my house. Mail-order photos are cheaper; however, by the time shipping is added to the cost, picking the photos up the next day in the store is the better deal.

         I believe technology is great. However, I fear it is making us lazy. I never thought I would be three- plus years behind in printing my photographs. Another issue is the cost. (Trust me, printing three-plus years of photos isn’t cheap, but if I didn’t do it now, I would only fall more behind).

         It is nice to see all of my pictures on the computer or on my digital photo frame; however, it’s not quite the same as holding the picture in my hand, looking at it in a scrapbook, or in a frame on the wall.

         What do you think? Have you fallen behind in printing photos? Do you still prefer to look at your photos printed on paper or do you prefer digital copies of your photographs?

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Jun 26
000

The Importance of Paper-Based Scorekeeping in Baseball/Softball

By Paige Wills in Why Choose Paper?

 
Dedicated Fan

Image by sarowen via Flickr

           Summertime is filled with many trips to the ballpark, whether it is a little league or a major league game. Fans sit back and enjoy their afternoon with a nice cold beverage and their favorite ballpark snack. People come either for the love of the game or to cheer on family and friends. Games usually run pretty smoothly until there is a contested call or something in the scorebook doesn’t add up.

           The scorebook could be one of the most overlooked aspects of the game. It plays a vital role because sometimes the electronic scoreboard just isn’t right or the umpire had made a mistake.

            That little pad of paper keeps track of substitutions, balls, strikes, hits, stolen bases, errors, and strikeouts. I have spent many days at the ballpark and have even had the “pleasure” of keeping the scorebook. It is a task that no one really wants to do because it requires so much attention. If you look away for just one second, you can miss whether a pitch was a ball or strike. It requires a lot of discipline and help from fellow teammates and coaches.

            Even though it is not the most fun aspect of a ball game, it is what coaches look to after the final pitch is thrown. It gives statistics and shows patterns that otherwise could go unnoticed. After every college softball game I played in, the coach always brought out the scorebook to review the game and find areas where we, as a team, could improve.

            As you can see, paper-based communication is second nature. Paper plays vital roles in areas we recognize but may never truly think about. With the advancement of technology, many scorebooks have gone electronic. No matter how reliable an electronic may seem, there is always the possibility for something to go wrong. It’s hard for something to go wrong on the paper version, unless the scorekeeper just isn’t paying attention.  

            No matter how advanced out society becomes, we mustn’t forget how to use the good old pen-and-paper. We don’t want future generations to become completely reliant on electronics because if the power goes out or the battery dies, future generations still need to be able to keep track the old-fashioned way.

            Do you think electronic scorekeeping will eventually replace paper scorekeeping or do you think paper scorekeeping will always play a role in baseball, even if it is just there as a backup in case something goes wrong with the electronic version?

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Jun 20
001

Notepads vs. iPads

By Paige Wills in Why Choose Paper?

 
icon for notepad

Image via Wikipedia

           With all of the new technology, there are many ways to jot down notes. However, which way do you prefer: writing with pen and paper or writing on a tablet?

            It seems like everyone these days are taking notes on their phones, tablets, or even calculators. However, being a college student, I often face the dilemma: should I take notes on paper or type my notes?

            I personally prefer the old fashioned pen and paper. Sometimes it seems like it would be easier if I typed my notes or wrote them on a tablet. It could save me time in the long run, especially when it comes to study guides.  If everything is typed, all I have to do is copy and paste to create a study guide, which is really time-efficient. However, when I take notes on paper, I either have to retype or rewrite my notes to answer questions, which can be a lengthy process.

           But then again, I am a firm believer in the old saying, “If you write it down, you will remember it.” Ever since grade school, I always studied by writing out answers. For example, when studying for spelling tests, did you all write down the words at least three times to help you remember? That’s what I did. I wonder if future generations will continue to practice writing out words for spelling tests or if they will practice on computers?

            Notebooks, binders, and paper always seem to win out, at least for me. Many other students prefer to type their notes. I guess it is really just a personal preference. I personally like to color coordinate binders and folders, which just isn’t something you can do on a computer. Also, I can draw arrows, make squiggles, and even doodle in my notebooks, which I really can’t do on a computer. Notebooks are a lot easier to carry around on campus in my opinion. In addition to being easier to carry, I also enjoy looking at something other than a computer screen. It seems like everything these days requires us to look at a computer. Sometimes, my eyes need a break!

         Which do you prefer….taking notes on paper, computers, or tablets?

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Jun 19
000

Father’s Day: Fourth Largest Card-Sending Holiday in the U.S.

By Paige Wills in Why Choose Paper?

 
“Blessed indeed is the man who hears many gent...

Image by turtlemom4bacon via Flickr

            Approximately 94 million cards are exchanged annually in the United States for Father’s Day, making it the fourth largest card-sending holiday in the U.S. according to Hallmark’s corporate website.

            Here are some fun facts about Father’s Day cards from Hallmark’s corporate website.

  • Father’s Day is always the third Sunday in June.
  • Fifty percent of all Father’s Day cards are for dads. Around 15 percent are purchased for husbands and the rest are purchased from other categories including: sons, brothers, uncles, grandfathers and someone special.
  • The top two cards bought include: Dad from Daughter and cards from a family or group.
  • Humor cards account for 30 percent of Father’s Day sales.

           Here are some more fun facts from Hallmark’s corporate website about the history of Father’s Day.

  • The first known Father’s Day card was carved in clay nearly 4000 years ago by a Babylonian youth named Elmesu.
  • William Jackson Smart is the inspiration for Father’s day.
  • Smart’s daughter, Sonora Louise, got the idea for Father’s Day after listening to a sermon in church about Mother’s Day in 1909.
  • Sonora Louise encouraged her local churches to observe Father’s Day the following year in the month of June (her father’s birth month). Word spread to neighboring towns and cities.
  • Hallmark began creating Father’s Day cards in the early 1920s.
  • However, Father’s Day wasn’t nationally recognized until President Nixon signed a resolution in 1972 declaring Father’s Day the third Sunday in June.

          So this Father’s Day, give that special man in your life a card that says how much he means to you.

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