Today’s the First Day of Summer Holiday!
Written by Siotha on April 28, 2008 – 5:27 pm -Ok. So, most people don’t get a holiday for the summer. But this summer. That’s my goal. To work smarter not harder bla bla bla… no seriously. I’m choosing to work an average work week. Bring on only select clientel, and spend more time with family. This means. As I spend time with my Family this weekend on an already planned venture, I will leave the laptop, cell, and extra business credit card at home. I might even bring some suntan lotion and pray for a good warm afternoon. As I’m so pasty white from over 2 years without holiday, working pre-dawn till late night, minimizing time outside to riding in the car with the top off on select days…. that you’d think i blended in with Holiday Inn’s sheets! (and that’s not because I’ve aquired many many thousands of points lately!)
So today. Take time. Sit back, watch a movie with your children, play cards with your spouse, have a new flavor beer. And I’ll see you next week – maybe!
Tags: holiday, relaxation, time for yourself, work
Posted in holiday, relaxation, time for yourself, work | No Comments »
Online Training: Online Learning Community Active!
Written by Siotha on October 19, 2007 – 2:46 am -Hi Guys,
So recently we’ve been promoting the Active learners with the Online Community. Some folks have been puzzled by the automated emails for friendship requests. So I just wanted to take a second and explain what the friendship requests are.
When you get the email from friends@xTain.com, stating that someone has requested to be your friend, ADD them! They want to be your learning buddy! They want to review and comment and share their learning experiences through the community.
This is not spam, it’s really someone who is becoming active in the community and making friends by adding you. Think of it as a MySpace feature – you’re networking with creative professionals, newbies, and hey maybe potential clients. Allow them to be your friend. Allow them to experience xTrain with you. Add them now before they get too cool for you.
In the mean time, add me as a learning buddy! I can’t wait to meet you!
You know – I recently saw iJustine adding friends to her list… Are you one of her buddies?
If not – add her to your list. Enjoy!
Tags: Creative Networking, Learning Buddy, Online Learning Community, Online Training Community, Porfolio Sharing, Professional Learning Community
Posted in Digital Photography, Graphic Design, Online Training, Professional Learning Community, Web Design, creative training, experts, iJustine, work, xPert, xTrain News, xTrain Spokeswoman, xtrain | No Comments »
xTrain.com Learner’s Submissions
Written by Siotha on October 12, 2007 – 6:48 pm -Today we want to showcase some really cool works by our learners at xTrain.com.
Just so you know – Anyone (with an account at xTrain) is able to submit an exercise (a hands on activity with our classes) or their portfolio pieces for review and commenting by peers and gurus!
Here are some of my fav’s today:
Exercise File by William Palank for the Enhancement class of HDR Mastery by Ben Willmore
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Exercise File by Laurie Gardner for the Identity Systems class by Chuck Groth
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Portfolio submission by: Scott Slattery @2007 Scott
Tags: ben willmore, chuck groth, comments, digital photgrapher, enhancement, exercise, Graphic Design, graphic designer, HDR, High Dynamic Range photography, identity system, laurie gardner, learner profile, Learning buddies, porfolio, questions, ratings, reviews, Scott Slattery Portfolio, william palank, xtrain, xTrain.com
Posted in Art, Classes, Digital Photography, Digital Photography Training, Graphic Design, Graphic Design Training, Online Training, Portfolios, Professional Learning Community, Web Design, creative training, creative writing professionals, exercises, experts, work, xPert, xPert Training, xTrain News, xtrain | No Comments »
What is Edutainment?
Written by Siotha on September 19, 2007 – 4:50 pm -Edutainment (Ed-u-tain-ment)
Looks funny doesn’t it?
Well. Today we declared 3 of our shows… Edutainment….
Dr. Brown’s Photoshop Laboratory! Starring, Dr. Brown of Course!
What defines this show as Educational?
Well – Dr. Brown teaches us many Photoshop CS3 & Photoshop CS3 Extended techniques by experimenting with many popular photo enhancing techniques.
How is it Entertainment?
Well, we have interaction with Elvis, and an intermission within our show as well. Did I mention the fun Laboratory?
What do you think?
I’d love to hear from you – is Dr. Brown’s show entertainment or education?
Watch Dr. Brown’s Photoshop Laboratory at xTrain.com for free.
Posted in Adobe, Animation, Black and White, Digital Photography, Photoshop CS3 extended, Photoshop Laboratory, Russell Brown, creative training, photoshop CS3, retouching, work, xPert Training, xTrain News | No Comments »
Wow! Look We’re at Photoshop World….
Written by Siotha on September 12, 2007 – 7:57 pm -Hey.. thought you might get a kick out of this.
Russell Brown is one of our presenters both online and at the Photoshop World exhibit.
Check it out! That’s Elvis at our BOOTH!!!! (gee- I don’t understand why Kelby and them didn’t mention that beautiful xTrain booth he’s sitting at!) At any rate.. thought I’d share a kewl picture… and a link to show ya other Photoshop World Event Pictures!
Posted in work, xTrain News | No Comments »
Home of the Un-Official Official Blog of xTrain
Written by Siotha on September 12, 2007 – 2:03 pm -Yep. That’s right. You’re hearing it first hand. This is the un-official official blog of xTrain.com
Now how can it be the un-official Official blog? Well… Mainly because I write this as an early morning wake-up routine. It doesn’t go through any copy editors, marketing teams, or critiques before going live. (Whew- you should see how many approvals I have to have people sign off on just to post stuff on xTrain.com!) So that makes this the un-official Official blog of Siotha Vest, Trainer, Director of Training, Opinionated, Biased, Creative Genius, Wife & Mother, and fascinated xTrain FAN!
So with that said…. Anyone wanna start an xTrain Fan club? Wonder if we could get iJustine to start one… you know she has a fan site too! Crazy huh?
Justine’s Fan Site
So… Then as I write this blog, I went to iJustine’s fan site… and wow.. that’s a great rumor mill… something about an apple tat! Wow… Rumor’s start fast! Now if only Kat Von D would do iJustine’s tat… we’d all be so lucky! 
Warning cute video below
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2r6nZ7j5R3k]
Posted in work | No Comments »
What a Grand Weekend!
Written by Siotha on September 10, 2007 – 4:14 pm -Hi Guys!
Just got back from Vegas. As per my usual, getting home was crazy. We, my husband and I, tried to go standby on an earlier flight. He was bumped to 12 on the list, while my status kept me at #5. The airline staff was super nice, they even managed to sit us together. On top of that, the lady at the platinum counter went ahead and processed our bags for the earlier flight – cus – we were in the top ten on standby. So then the fun begins. My husband and I went to the security line. It was Long… We’re talking 45 min long. I showed my status on my ticket, and was asked please step to the left most line. The Fast track. We were in and out of security in 10 minutes!
So – then it came time to board the plane, we were granted seats on the earlier flight. First class boarded.. uh oh… problem – a double booking. Platinum next. Jeremy and I were the first ones on. We had just settled down with our blankets and bags tucked away when – The stewardess called Jeremy to get off the plane. Overbooked, sorry you won’t make it. So I told her I’m flying with my husband – on our regularly scheduled flight, with the nicer seats.
So we get off the plane – she confirms we have our same (exit row bulkhead) seats on our 4p flight. Uh oh, the 2p flight is delayed… till 3:40.. Whew! We were able to wait comfortably in the airport instead of the cramped seats on the runway. Did I mention we even snacked on Pizza while waiting.
Then our flight boards, we get on, take our comfy seats the almost first class row. After a nap and a good movie, we were well rested. As we landed in DFW we started going hrm… where are we going to find our luggage?
Well… it was right there on the carousel! Who knew! The flight we wanted to get on, just landed 20 mins before us! So our luggage was ready and waiting…. Now I call that first class service on the cheapo dime!
Ok. So now back to the real world. xTrain stirred a lot of buzz at Photoshop World 2007 Vegas. Wanna see a picture?
Posted in work, xTrain News | No Comments »
Big Splash at Photoshop World 07 in Vegas
Written by Siotha on September 8, 2007 – 4:58 pm -Wow – just want to send a thank you to everyone who made this such a great event for our little company. We had sooooo many people excited about what we offer it was awesome! All of our guest presenters, faculty and friends and colleages made this an event to remember! Jeremy has always dreamed of being at Photoshop World but I don’t think he realized how big his DREAM would actually turn into now!
So for all of you following the latest scoop on xTrain. We’re live! 24/7 online training for Creative Professionals! And our booth stayed packed at Photoshop World!!!
What are the most popular classes at xTrain?
1. HDR Photography with Ben Willmore
2. Rick Sammon’s Digital Photography: Hot Shots
3. Photoshop for Photographers: Outdoor & Nature Photography with Rob Sheppard!
4. Dr. Brown’s Photoshop Laboratory!!!!
These are the shows everyone kept asking about over and over! How do I get to enroll and watch these shows!!!
Posted in work, xTrain News | No Comments »
It’s VEGAS Time!
Written by Siotha on September 5, 2007 – 3:28 pm -It’s Vegas Time! It’s Vegas Time!
We’re such nerds. We’re sitting in Starbucks surfing the net working on the site and sending out emails at 6AM instead of gambling! hah!
Let the fun begin…. check out our free classes at: Free Classes @ xTrain.com
1 Day to the grand opening! Where will you be on Sept. 6, 2007
Posted in work, xTrain News | 1 Comment »
Meet Me in Vegas Baby!
Written by Siotha on September 4, 2007 – 12:49 pm -Today we are packing for VEGAS!!!
That’s Right… VEGAS. What better place to have a grand opening… a grand event call Photoshop World. 3,000 Photoshop Nerds just like Jeremy & I!!! I’m REALLY EXCITED! <— Can you tell?
I hear the call of the wild… the fun… the creative… the free… it calls to me… it says…. Where’s my 2 dollar BlackJack Table… start ordering the Vodka and Cran, and keep em coming cus drinks are litterally on the house!
Yeah ok so we’re probably not going to party that much.. but we will be celebrating our friends and family and all the hard work that has gone into creating a great learning system called xTrain!
Why would you want to learn from us? Because Art School cost $90K, and xTrain’s only $29 a mo! (and) I know my instructors are up to date on the latest technology and design trends!
So if you think you are cool enough, stop by the booth. Ask for Siotha….. Mention my Blog and you’ll get a T-Shirt!!!!
Now can someone please tell me how to show the picture in this Blog? Giovanni? iJustine!!!!! HELP!!!!
Posted in work, xTrain News | No Comments »
Carry me higher!
Written by Siotha on September 2, 2007 – 5:47 pm -Well… we’re into our final days of production for OUR GRAND OPENING!! It’s very exciting! We’ve uploaded 15 courses, 245 videos, 50 classes… and you know what? There’s more to be posted!!! WAHOO!!!!
And after all is said and done, one of the videos produced before I signed on full time is about being critical it struck me as – wow – that explains why everyone things I’m weirdly detailed – you have to be to be a Graphic Designer! You have to complete the cycle, you have to honor the budget, you have to estimate the time right, you have to (MOST IMPORTANTLY) follow through with your promises!!!! (that may mean yes- remembering them for some folks!).. it doesn’t explain the 400 emails a day that I send though… anyway…
So I’ll leave you with this tiny segment….
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SQZQYQiNOcA]
PS- This video is ©2007 xTrain.com
Posted in work, xTrain News | No Comments »
11 days and counting…. xTrain.com will go live….
Written by Siotha on August 27, 2007 – 1:39 am -Tonight I’ve started this blog thing. It will be my occasional writings about our newest adventure: xTrain.com
In the Beginning….
We’re 11 days from our launch and there’s a lot of buzz in the air…. We have 17 courses being produced for our launch. 17! that’s over 70 classes!!!!!! Yep. We’ve had some really exciting people to work with in the last few months… a few of them include Russell Brown of Adobe, Ben Willmore, Rob Sheppard, Rick Sammon, Wendy Willard, and many more kewl people! I’m honored to have worked with these guys! All of our faculty are top notch. They have exhibited outstanding qualities in Creative Training, Presentation, Content, and most importantly have been great supporters of xTrain.com.
Currently…
This next 11 days will be filled with completing the website, uploading cool classes, and getting ready for Las Vegas…
YEP. VEGAS. We’re premiering in Vegas… Our cool shirts are in, our DVDs are burned, our videos are encoding…. Our Courses are in the final stages of copywriting…. We are Going Live…. LIVE!!!!!!!! I can’t believe it! Our family our friends our colleages our world has all come together in alignment for us to share our VISION….
And in the future….
We want to be the best online training 2.0 system available. We know we’ve got some great videos, an awesome community, and we want to build more… We’ve had hundreds of courses proposed…. only a select few will be part of our elite training… and only those who enroll in xTrain will understand the power of our vision…. They will reap the rewards of learning from the best… they will achieve more in life because they have participated and learned with us… and we will be awesome!!!
Posted in work, xTrain News | No Comments »
Woman, Get Me a BEER!
Written by Siotha on August 27, 2007 – 1:14 am -So we get home, the website is under construction, and he says to me….
Woman, get me a beer. A Shiner Bock. As I look at him and say – what’s the difference…. he says don’t u know I’m a beer snob now. (No?) At anyrate… if you’re still reading this you need to know one thing. The website is launching soon, and this is our last day of freedom before Las Vegas. So – I got him a beer and now we’re watching Wild Hogs. Tonight we’ll have a (yes, just one) beer and relax on the couch. For tomorrow we start the long road to freedom!
Posted in Home, work, xTrain News | No Comments »
xTrain.com
Written by Siotha on August 27, 2007 – 1:02 am -
Posted in work, xTrain News | No Comments »