Prepare to launch

Last post: "Auld lang syne" by Robert Burns

"Am I alive or thoughts that drift away?
Does summer come for everyone?
Can humans do what prophets say?
If I die before I learn to speak
Can money pay for all the days I lived awake
But half asleep?"

We're in the final stretch now with two more weeks of classes. I'm doing well, despite volunteering for an extra task. My final project is complete, my portfolio DVD is getting close, and I have my internship information. I really don't know what is going to happen next, which is a rather strange feeling. I haven't had a lot of time to think about it, but that time is coming soon. I've been preparing, but can I be fully prepared?

"A life is time, they teach you growing up
The seconds ticking killed us all
A million years before the fall
You ride the waves and don't ask where they go"

I've been thinking about the wrong things, really. Obsessed about potential love, which isn't real. Hopefully the internship and coming job search will take my mind off of all that. I still need focus to finish up these last couple weeks. I am looking forward to the grad show, which I've been a part of. Hopefully that too will go well.

I've been watching The Office a lot. There is this constant theme of unrequited love, so I really identify with Jim. It's also a very funny show and I highly recommend it to anyone who actually reads this.

"I've been downhearted baby
Ever since the day we met"

Christmas Time is Here

Last post: “Mr. Roboto” by Styx

“An angel returned
That night through the sky
But time it was short
He had to decide

And so as he flew
Back over the land
A gift for his Lord
Was there in his hand”

So with Christmas comes a break in the insane routine. I managed to get everything done with, at least, some competence. I guess I’ll always think I could’ve done more, but at the time it was about getting stuff done. I must admit, I admire the resolve of some of my classmates who managed to complete projects within hours, or even minutes, of them being due. Of course, I didn’t lose nearly as much sleep as they did.

“Listen to the bells as they ring
Listen to the message they bring
Listen to the sound
As they sing as one voice in the night

Hoping that we'll all understand
Every dream we have's in our hands
And for every bell
May they ring all through the night”

I haven’t put a lot of thought into Christmas this year, as I haven’t had much time. I have no decorations, no tree (no room), no presents anyway, and no one to share it with. This isn’t exactly new as my family weren’t ideal Christmas companions. I’ll spend some extra time with my Dad and try to hang out with any friends who are around.

“Kyrie among nations
Kyrie among nations
Kyrie among nations
Hear the bells ring through the night”

At least I’ve regained my appreciation of Christmas music. I got rather sick of it during my tenure at Wal-Mart.

Inappropriate conduct

Last post: “E-Bow the Letter” by REM

“I am an arms dealer.
Fitting you with weapons in the form of words
And don't really care, which side wins
As long as the room keeps singing
That's just the business I'm in.”

Some of you may have heard about a recent event that occurred in a class last week. A well respected, and somewhat feared, instructor broke into a major rant against our class. Critiques are an important aspect of our design instruction. It allows our instructors and our classmates to provide constructive criticism and advice on our work. This has always been an important part of the process as it is the best way to learn.

He had us critique each other’s projects without other comments. He didn’t like our critiques or our projects and really let us have it. His rant was insulting, rude, and completely inappropriate. I admit I was angry, I think we all were, but I’ve had a few days to think about it and now I’m just disappointed. We all heard stories about the guy; He’s scary, but knows his stuff. I was looking forward to a studio class with him and was open to any critiques. The personal insult was not appreciated.

I’m not scared of him, or intimidated, just disappointed. I’ve gotten too old and been through too much crap already in my life to put up with this kind of attitude.

“This ain't a scene, it’s a god damn arms race
I'm not a shoulder to cry on, but I digress.”