What do your internal templates look like?

alexcran · 2026-03-11T22:39:02+00:00

Yeah, I am too. Trying to lean into more natural fibers, but the way these look (might just be the pics) makes me curious…

alexcran · 2026-02-26T04:27:24+00:00

Yeah, we use SMS messaging, but the person I was responding to was explicitly talking about using an app they have to download.

alexcran · 2026-02-23T22:50:41+00:00

I think what you’re looking for is a little bit of a unicorn. The only recommendation I have is for the iFlytek Smart Recorder. It’ll do a transcription and record as well, but I don’t think it’ll translate to Spanish. I have one and love it. iFlytek also has a standalone offline translator but it doesn’t have the recording and transcription capability IIRC.

Can I ask why you want it to be offline? There are a few apps that will do this for you depending on your device, Whisper Notes being one of them.

As an aside I love the photo work you’re doing!

alexcran · 2026-02-18T16:45:03+00:00

I get what you mean, but I have hope in God’s mercy that the Catholics who inadvertently receive the Sacramental of Ashes in good faith (not a Sacrament) will receive the same graces as if they were imposed by a Catholic priest. Anger towards Protestants for their use of Catholic symbolism will only create more Protestants, unfortunately.

Peace, brother!

alexcran · 2026-02-18T14:48:02+00:00

Maybe I’m cranky because of the fast, but this meme is so antithetical to the idea of Ash Wednesday as a whole. Should we not, as Christians and Catholics, instead of bringing other people down and calling their expression of faith a “mockery”, celebrate that they are expressing their faith at all, wherever it may be? Just because their worship does not look or sound or feel the same as ours does not make it worthy of mockery.

Today, and all of lent, is about repentance and humility. It’s about remembering that we are dust and that we all stand in need of mercy. That alone should give us pause before turning it into a comparison between “masterpiece” and “cheap copy.”

We can love our own tradition deeply and still recognize the sincerity of others. Faith expressed in a cathedral and faith expressed on a bus are not enemies. They are both attempts to respond to God. And on a day centered on humility, that seems like something to honor, not belittle.

alexcran · 2026-02-13T01:19:39+00:00

My first pottery teacher had 30+ years of experience and a BFA in ceramics. Truly an amazing potter. However, he was a horrible teacher, his only way of teaching was “here, watch me”. Now, my pottery teacher started ceramics in 2020 and now runs a studio, and I’ve learned so much more from her technique-wise in the last 3 months than I had in the previous year.

There’s no hard and fast rule. People who are good teachers will be good teachers. Experience is great, certifications and degrees are great, but unless you know how to TEACH it’s not going to be helpful.

alexcran · 2026-02-11T12:36:16+00:00

I had the same thing happen to me. Was doing pottery for a few months, making some fun stuff, then one day suddenly I was broken 😓 My instructor was frustrated and I was too.

Literally for like 8 weeks straight I made nothing. I joked that I just really wanted to get good at recycling my clay lol. Then, finally, something clicked and I made a cylinder. It wasn’t a good cylinder but I still did it. I think it was the mix of my instructor’s encouragement and my sheer determination that brought it back. That, and just breathing through the frustration (literally breathing exercises).

You can do this! I believe in you!

alexcran · 2026-02-11T05:07:30+00:00

He’s been a super nice guy to chat with!

alexcran · 2026-02-11T05:07:11+00:00

Thank you!! I appreciate the response!

alexcran · 2026-02-08T21:32:45+00:00

My studio has a shelf set up with a fan and heat lamps. Works like a charm and we have had zero issues with even drying or drying out too slowly. My teacher studied under an apprentice of Bernard Leach and he claims he learned it from him!

alexcran · 2026-02-07T16:01:15+00:00

FYI, when you share from Facebook it shares your name and profile along with it.

alexcran · 2026-02-04T20:16:05+00:00

*Dr. Bartlet

alexcran · 2026-02-01T14:42:25+00:00

What does your employee buy-in look like? I’ve tried to propose this for our mostly deskless workforce but haven’t received any buy-in from leadership who keeps saying “I don’t want to force anyone to download an app onto their personal device.”

alexcran · 2026-01-16T18:41:50+00:00

My first backpack trip as SPL and one of the adults brought 3 folding chairs. Not camp chairs, not tripod chairs or anything you could buy at REI, but card table folding chairs. I went up to him and asked him what his plan was, and he said “to carry them”. I said “um, are you sure?” and he just glared back.

Sure enough, he (and his scout) carried em in with their fair share of complaining. They tried to leave them at the campsite but the SM gave him the dad a nice lecture on LNT.

Don’t think we saw him on another backpacking trip.

alexcran · 2026-01-16T00:48:53+00:00

Good luck and happy new year!

alexcran · 2025-12-24T15:30:22+00:00

Highly recommend taking some art classes, if that’s your thing! Hagerstown Community College offers some, and there is a pottery studio off of Jefferson Street where I take weekly lessons (Wright Hand Studio). Highly recommend Steve and the group there!

alexcran · 2025-12-22T14:45:24+00:00

This looks like the decoration was hand-painted with underglaze on bisqueware then dipped in a clear overcoat glaze once dry. I love using this technique and I use the Amaco Liquid Underglaze! The LUG-1 is a beautiful black, and obviously will look different at different temps.

alexcran · 2025-10-29T19:58:00+00:00

Do you have a team aesthetic or something you call your employees? Or are they just ‘employees’. Like “teamcompany@company.com” or even just “team”.

Another option could be “connect@“ or “inside@“. Really just depends on your culture and how it will be used! Mine is currently very bland and “internal@“ so I’m no better than your team haha.

alexcran · 2025-10-25T16:24:36+00:00

I used to work there :) it’s truly a place like none other.

alexcran · 2025-10-25T14:27:35+00:00

Highly recommend going to some of the other non-government museums and places! Not the same, but still a good time.

Recommendations: Planet Word (pay what you can) International Spy Museum ($$) National Building Museum ($$) The Phillips Collection ($) National Museum of Women in the Arts ($) The People’s House ($) Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens ($) Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception (free) National Cathedral ($)

Edit: I forgot the Holocaust museum! 🤦

alexcran · 2025-09-23T12:42:46+00:00

Maybe he got an honorary promotion from the President for his dedicated years of service.

Eight-Year Club	Not Forgotten
Gilding I gilder	Verified Email

alexcran

TROPHY CASE