+ listening to: "Predictable" by Good Charlotte
+ reading: The final chapters of I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb

I just got back from my morning class, Senior Graphic Design. I had a corporate identity project do, and we had a critique. I'd say my project was pretty successful. The class liked it, anyway. There are a lot of other things that I wanted to do, and I got some good feedback as to what I could change to make it better. Some other people had some really nice designs as well. There's one girl in my class who does these really awesome designs. In all her projects she displays a really good, innate sense of unity and creates these nice patterns with shapes. She's also an awesome illustrator. She always has problems when it comes to craftmanship, but I envy her design capabilities.

+ listening to: "The First Taste" by Fiona Apple

However, I think it's good to have someone in the class who you feel that way about. It pushes me to be more creative with my designs. Not to necessarily be better than that person, but just to come out of your shell more. Interestingly, she really likes the designs that I do.

+ listening to: "Older Chests" by Damien Rice

But it's been a good morning. This afternoon I go to Web Design class with Kyeong. Today we're going to start learning flash. I always end up dozing off during lectures because all the lights are off . . .But that was before I had the text book. If I can follow along I should be ok.

Now I shall devour the bacon, cheddar and mushroom melt that my wonderful sister brought me from Wendy's.

+ listening to: The Ghost of You by Good Charlotte
+ reading: On Photography by Susan Santog
+ watching: The Goonies

I just bought an iTrip for my iPod mini. It lets you play your iPod through the car stereo of FM radio. It's cool, cuz it's a cheap way to remedy not having a CD player in any of the vehicles at my house.

We finally got high speed internet access at my house. I'm so relieved. It was really trying having to go up to the computer lab just to use the internet, especially since I like to go to side that are graphic intense. So now procrastination has become a lot more convenient for me. That's not too good. . .

+ listening to: Get Lifted by John Legend

We had a critique in photography today. I wasn't prepared. Since I went out of town this weekend to the Sidewalk Moving Picture Festival this past weekend, I wasn't able to go the lab and get anything done. Realistically, since I knew I was going to the festival back in August, I should have just gotten my stuff done early. I could have gotten my stuff done. But I'm me, so it didn't happen. Now I've got to slave this weekend, but it's my responsibility. Hopefully I can at least get to the movies to see Into the Blue.

Mactopia

+ listening: my dad playing Generals: Command & Conquer
+ watching: Napoleon Dynamite
+ reading: Dreamweaver MX 2004 H.O.T (hands-on training) by R. Yeung

Yesterday evening I received my new Mac in mail. Now when I go to class I'll join the other "islanders" as my friend Kevin refers to the people who dock at the table in the center of the computer lab, away from the other computers lining the wall. The most that I've used it so far is to play and download music, so my dad commented that all he bought me was a very expensive MP3 player. But hey, what else am I supposed to do w/ this thing?

I bought the student version of Dreamweaver MX 2004 for my web design class. The bookstore was out of Adobe CS2, so I have to wait til another order comes in sometime next week. Honestly, when I first got my computer, I didn't really know what to do with it. I mean, it has so much capability, and I'm amazed to actually have something like it. I feel really humbled and fortunate to be able to get one at this point in time.

Enough mushiness. . .

This new computer ROX! : D

+ listening to: "God Put A Smile on Your Face" by coldplay
+ mood: Just got lifted by John Legend
+ reading: I Know This Much is True by Wally Lamb

I haven't drawn anything not school-related in the longest time. So I was at movie gallery chatting it up with my favourite Customer Service Associate, Shawn. Currently Movie Gallery is having this promotional thing where customers write their #1 reason to rent, and they post it on the wall. I had done one already, but Shawn asked me to draw a picture, since I had mentioned before that I was an art student. This is what I came up with:

Cause & Effect

Well, hurricane Katrina did a terrible number on the Gulf Coast, where I happen to live. I'm located in Mobile, AL. We sustained some damage, a lot of downed trees and power outages (and we no longer have a fence around our backyard), but nothing compared to Louisiana and Mississippi.

An unexpected result of Katrina's strike is that it's allowed me to get that Mac I've been talking about. A 15" Powerbook G4, to be exact. See, my dad owns a lawn maintenance and tree removal company. So when storms come through, or threaten, he naturally gets more business.

After being out of college for a week, I'm trying to get back into the swing of things. I'm already going to be late turning in my first photography assignment. I've got a logo design due Monday that I haven't even started the computer work on, and I've got a project proposal due for my web site design class that I still need to reference (of the three things it's the nearest to being complete). I've also got three movie rentals that are overdue. So much for getting on the ball this semester.

There's even a career expo at school this Tuesday that I should be preparing to attend, since I plan on graduating in the Spring, but I totally don't feel like it. The professional world seems so overwhelming, but alas, I must join it eventually.

Into the Swing

I just finished the fist week of what will hopefully be my last year of school. It's all gone by so quickly. I can't put it off any longer. I have to seriously consider what I'm going to do after graduation. I also have to concentrate on doing really well in all of my classes, photography especially. Last spring I bombed that class so badly, barely passsing. I'm going to improve my technical skills so can make better images.

I'm also taking Web Design this semester. I'm hoping to translate the things I learn in that class to this site. We've only got one project the whole semester, which is to design a website with a specific theme. . . .I'll see how it goes.

I'm in Senior Graphic Design, and that class is so jam-packed. I registered for it late. So the second day of class I came, and I was late, so I didn't even have a chair to sit in as there are only 18 computer stations. I'm trying to get my dad to get my a mac laptop, so I will be easier for me to work. I've got a PC at home, and though I have the graphic software I sometimes run into problems when I try to transfer the files I worked on at home to the school computer. That's what I'm really looking forward to getting.

Yeah. . . That's what's going on right now. I've got so much work to do this weekend.

Extenstions

Ok, so we ended up not evacuating for Hurricane Dennis. The storm decided to take a dramatic turn once again and hit Pesacola, FL instead. However, about half the population of Mobile County (200,000) people, did evacuate, and were very quick to turn around and come back once they found that the threat of Dennis wasn't nearly as severe as expected. From my perspective it was just like a thunderstorm. A lot of other area did get seriously damaged, though, so I know that we're just lucky. Mobile will get a serious hurricane one of these days.

But the point is that we didn't have class the Monday following the Hurricane. The lab wasn't open over the weekend, and I didn't even attempt to do the project as home seeing as I was anticipating having to leave, and then not being without power, neither of which turned out to be the case. So, when I got back to class on Tuesday, Kyeong informed us that the due date for the museum calendar had been moved to Friday. Yay.

::entry cont'd 07.27.05

So I ended up making an A on my calendar, to my total suprise. I expected a B at most since my design wasn't that groundbreaking. But the layout was simple and consistent, so I guess that's what counted.

I have such a backlog of work that I need to post on my site. This is the last week of school, so I'm stressing about my final project once again. It's due Thursday and I'm so behind on my development. I'll have to work nonstop to get it done, printed and assembled on time.

I've also got a buch of photos to add. I went to a formal this past weekend, so I got all dressed up like it was the prom or something. I even danced quite a bit, which is rare for me, but I'm gradually starting to come out of my shell and be less self-conscious about trivial things.

Storm Watch

My instructor never ceases to amuse me. See, in my Graphic Design II class, we have a project that's due on Monday. Well, is so happens that during that time we're probably going to be in the middle of Hurricane Dennis. So, my instructor is like, "Well, I know the project is due Monday, but watch the weather reports and such, and if class is cancelled, then obviously, that due date is cancelled, and the project is due Tuesday."

Then, later he announces that the computer lab will be closed this weekend so that he can prepare for the storm by unplugging all the computer and covering them with plastic. Ok, school was cancelled for Tropical Storm Cindy. I doubt it will be open Monday. But who knows? Maybe Dennis will suddenly die down or drastically change course. That would be good, except that I'm drastically behind on my project development and coulc use the extra time. But power will most likely be out anyway, so I don't know how that would work out. . .

Yeah, so the governor has ordered a mandatory evacuation for my county, starting at 6 a.m. Saturday, so it looks like I'll be getting a little extended vacation. Hurricane Dennis is headed our way, and after Ivan, people aren't taking any chances. My dad was planning on us staying here, which I was cool with, but we've got to "be in subjection to the higher authorities" and all that, so I guess we'll go.

However, one thing I thought was weird was how people like to run north. . .to cities that are right down the line in the path of the storm. To me, it makes more sense to go west, like to Texas, but I understand that everyone can't afford to travel that far on such short notice. Still, you wouldn't see me in Birmingham or Atlanta, where the hurricane spins off tornados that are way more unpredictable.

With Hurricane Dennis approaching, this weekend should be very interesting.

Jumper

"My hand is the only sane part of my body. Every other part wants to jump off a cliff."
—Adam Sandler as John Clasky in Spanglish



This chair is the only thing keeping me grounded. . .

Sated Boredom

All the results were pretty accurate accept for the second item on the "Keys to Your Heart" survey.

The Keys to Your Heart

You are attracted to obedience and warmth.

In love, you feel the most alive when everything is uncertain, one moment heaven... the next moment hell.

You'd like to your lover to think you are optimistic and happy.

You would be forced to break up with someone who was ruthless, cold-blooded, and sarcastic.

Your ideal relationship is traditional. Without saying anything, both of you communicate with your hearts.

Your risk of cheating is zero. You care about society and morality. You would never break a commitment.

You think of marriage as something precious. You'll treasure marriage and treat it as sacred.

In this moment, you think of love as commitment. Love only works when both people are totally devoted.

What Are The Keys To Your Heart?

Your Linguistic Profile:

65% General American English

20% Yankee

15% Dixie

0% Midwestern

0% Upper Midwestern

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

Road Trip

Saturday my two younger sisters and I left with some friends from Pensacola/Gulf Breeze Florida, to attend a party in Jackson, Mississippi that night. The party was just a-ight. The trip was all about getting there, and we all had a blast. Once again, Jarad was the ring leader. After the party, we rode two hours through the pitch black Mississippi night on unpaved roads to Greenville, Jarad's hometown. We left the party a little after midnight, and after we got to Jarad's parent's house where we would spend the night, I didn't get to bed til around 3 am. We had to be up by about seven in the morning to get ready for the Kingdom Hall, which started at nine-thirty. By the end of the trip we were all a little cranky due to lack of sleep, but we all survived with friendships intact.

It turns out that Greenville is a pretty historic place, the home of a world-famous newpaper (the Delta Democrat Times), and a lot of writers, musicians and the like. Sunday afternoon Jarad took me on a mini-tour of the downtown area, and I got a lot of great shots of the old buildings. I've got some pictures from the party and the trip in general, so I'll be posting those soon as I can. I'll also include a more indepth description of the trip.

Demon Printer

That is the current bane of my existence.

Last Thursday was was the final day of class before finals in my Graphic Design I class. Our final project was to create a catalogue about a Post-Modern Graphic Designer. I chose Neville Brody. I had never heard of him before, but upon doing research, I saw how awesome his work is. He had actually done some graphics for the movie Hackers (one of my fave movies). So, I don't start on the project until after I turn in my tribrochure assignment, about three weeks ago. So Kyeong, our instructor, expresses his concern about how this is the most important assignment, worth, like, 70% of our final grade. He worried that we (the class) won't get our respective projects done on time.

It turns out his misgivings were well placed. Out of 9 people, one 2 had their catalogues complete. So, the rest of us were still able to give presentations and show our designs on our computer screens. The catalogue had to be six spreads, not including the cover, and I had five of mine done, plus the cover, I didn't know what to put on the last page. I probably could have gotten it done on time, but I had serious printing issues.

I can still turn my catalogue in for my portfolio review this Thursday, but I'm still having printing issues which as depleted my meager supply of expensive photo-quality matte Epson 11' x 17' paper. It sucks really, and it's quite frustrating. This is my third time this weekend trying to get this thing printed. Everytime I came back there was some sort of problem with the printer. I had to come up here three times today--correction, that makes four total. The last time before this, the lab assistant had left the printer running overnight, and it messed up halfway through, so I had to reprint. (I'm using the student computer lab, because it's free, not including the $100 lab fee.) I tried printing at Kinkos, but their exorbitant prices were ridiculous.

The one good thing I can say is that the lab assistants are really awesome people and very helpful, so I'm not mad at them. I'm at the lab right now, waiting for my catalogue to print.

le printemps

It means "springtime" in French. Yeah, I used to be pretty good at it about six years ago. I took the language for a total of for years from seventh through tenth grade. It was in ninth grade that my French teacher, Mrs. Flowers, recognized my intellectual talent. I guess she became took an interest because unlike many freshman, who took the first level of foreign language, even if they had taken it previously, I decided to gamble with French II. (Props goes to an awesome student teacher, Mr. Cooper, who actually taught us, back in eighth grade. He later won a teacher-of-the-year award.)

The same cannot be said for Algebra, which I passed in eighth grade, but my teacher eighth grade teacher suggested that I take it again in high school because I only had a B. She made it seem like I was dumb or something for making a B in a high school level course. Hello? I was still in middle school. (yeah, I know, right?) But I took algebra I again, and aced it the second time around. Later I was glad for repeating it, because that meant I didn't have to take Calculus, and only stopped at Pre. I'm not horrible at math, but I'm not a fan of it either. When I got to college I was relieved to find that only one math course was required for my major, but it's been heavily compensated with drawing, art history, and graphic design courses.

But I digress. It's funny how one memory begins a change reaction to other memories.

So anyway, last week was Spring break. I had assignments that I could of and very well should have completed. Sadly, I spent most of the time lounging around, and playing The Sims 2 University Expansion Pack (a really awesome game), which I bought the Thursday before Spring Break started. I don't get the hold decadent spin that the world places on this time of year. Companies advertise to the most financially vulnerable group—college students—to save up and go on an expensive vacation to blow off the steam of university life. "What happens there stays there" is the motto, hardly ever the case though, because the main point of doing exciting, adventurous, regrettable things is that you have a story to tell your friends when you get back. You surely won't be telling your grandchildren of your exploits at Cancun.

. . .

So, I'm currently taking this class called Writing for Mass Media, where we learn how to write for, you guessed it, the mass media, i.e. newspapers, radio, TV. And what I just wrote sounds like the beginning of a pretty good article. My instructor Mrs. Dardeau has been trying to encourage me to submit my work to the newspaper, but I'm not a communication major, I'm just taking the class to fill my "writing across the curriculum" class requirement. Plus, I couldn't really think of anything to write about that people would be interested in. But we've learned that anything can be news if it interesting to you; that means it can be interesting to others, because people are by nature nosy.

Sounds like a plan to me. :)

Soccer Photos

My entire body aches from yesterday's game. But at least we won. ^_^



I'm behind the camera. =)

More photos -->>

Football

Sunday evening I played soccer at the park with a bunch of friends. I haven't physically exerted myself that much in a very long time. After running half way down the field, I was gasping for breath and my chest was burning something quite painful. I imagine it's what a heavy smoker feels like. Honestly, I though I was going to pass out. After a while, though, the drama passed and I was able to focus on the game. My team won, 4-0.

Actually, they started out playing ultimate frisbee, but I just sat on the bench and watched. I didn't play because I have a maimed finger from a scissor accident I had in the darkroom of the photo lab yesterday (You should always remember to cut away from yourself, preferably not in the dark). But after they switched to soccer, I decided to play because it doesn't require the use of your hands. I'll post pics later today.

Not by Chance

With so many things that can go wrong during a pregnancy, I can really appreciate how precarious it is to bring life into the world.

Baby Improving After Extra Head Removed.

Brief Relief

Well, I got my assignment done for Digital Graphic Design. I hated it though, and really didn't feel like finishing it. But then I realized that as a Graphic Designer, I'm going to do projects and have to complete them whether I like it or not, because it's my job. As long as it doesn't violate my principals I just have to suck it up. My classmates liked it a lot though, and so did the instructor. The main reason I was so adverse to doing the assignment was I didn't do the idea that I had initially, which seemed much cooler than the one I ended up producing. Looking at it now, I guess it doesn't look so bad; I just had a few typography issues mainly.

I purchased the new Keane CD on a whim today. It's pretty good. If you like mellow, sappy love songs with a catchy beat, somewhat a cross between Coldplay and Jimmy Eat World (the lead singer's voice reminds me of them), you might want to have a listen.

. . .

Ok, so maybe that wasn't the best description. . .but Keane rocks, nonetheless. ^_^

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Awesomeness

Last Thursday I had my first critique in Graphic design one, and it went much better than I hoped. The Tuesday before class was due, Kyeong, my instructor, told me to bring along my concept sketches and everything to show during my project presentation. So I did. He loved my final design a lot, which made me very proud because he's such an awesome artist and designer. He attended Temple University, which I've learned is one of the top art schools in the country, so having his approval means a lot. Everyone (save for one) else in the class had pretty nice designs as well, so it was nice seeing what everyone came up with.

I have another project due in my Digital Graphic Design class tomorrow that isn't nearly finished, though. I've procrastinated famously on this assignment, and I really don't feel like doing it, but I must. I already bombed my pinhole camera assignment in Photo, so I need to get back on the ball with keeping a calendar and such. I've also got to finish writing my feature article for my Writing for Mass Media Course. That's not so much work though, since I've got it written; it just needs a lot of editing.

Gosh. . .School is so much work, it's really tiring just thinking about it. Even so, I always seem to find time to waste surfing dA and reading CSI fan fiction. I'm such a nerd.

I've been so stressed lately that I've had to resort to impulsive consumption to keep me grounded. While at movie gallery returning a tardy rental, I came upon a great deal: buy 2 get 2 free on select DVDs. So I got some pretty good titles (pictured above).

My current DVD collection:
Barbershop 2
Bend it Like Beckham
Big Fish
From Justin to Kelly
Girl with a Pearl Earring
In America
LadyHawke
Legend of Johnny Lingo, The
Pieces of April
School of Rock
Swiss Family Robinson
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
Whale Rider

I had my first project for my Digital Graphic Design class due this past Wednesday. I hadn't had to time to go to the computer lab, so I had to finish it at the last minute. I had to design two postage stamps that would be part of a series, so they had to be similar in imagery, style, color, or whatever. You just had to be able to tell the two went together. I had an idea to do one on purple triangles, the symbol that Jehovah's Witnesses were forced to wear in concentration camps during the Holocaust (like the Jews had to wear the yellow Star-of-David). The other stamp was Jewish themed. The JW one didn't turn out as well as I'd like, because I ran out of time. I'll post the designs soon, though.

In photography class, I made two pinhole cameras—I'm quite proud of them—so I'll be shooting with those this weekend.

So. . .because, it's a scientific fact that stress does in fact kill, I must remember to "never be anxious about the next day, for the next day will have its own anxieties. Sufficient for each day is its own badness." (Matthew 6:34)

It's all about retention

Your Intellectual Type is Word Warrior. This means you have exceptional verbal skills. You can easily make sense of complex issues and take an unusually creative approach to solving problems. Your strengths also make you a visionary. Even without trying you're able to come up with lots of new and creative ideas. And that's just a small part of what we know about you from your test results.

I guess reading all those books when I was younger really paid off, because I have hardly any time to read as much now. I'd really like to start reading novels again. There are many that I started but never finished, like The Chosen and My name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok; or Bandits By Elmore Leonard. (He also wrote Get Shorty, which was made into a movie starring John Travolta and René Russo.) The last novels that I read were the Pendragon series. It's geared towards pre-teens and young adults, but I thoroughly enjoyed the story.

My point is, reading is fundamental. ;)