Stupid, Stupid Rat Creatures!

So...What?

2009-03-10T21:45:00.003-04:00

Office relationships and politics are perplexing. Not like lovey-dovey relationships, but just the ties that bind the director with his/her assistants, and the assistants (secretaries, even though that's not PC anymore) in regards to the rest of the office, their role being the first line of defense in keeping the average-joe worker away from the director aside from a handy little invention called the door. But whatever. Here's what I'm trying to get at:

We filmed a bunch of interviews today. I went to go help out. It went okay. Get back to the office. In talking with my editor, letting her know what happened as I had been gone for a few hours, I start talking about the interviews. She asks me about photo release forms, and did we hand any out. Now, I know there were stacks of papers present. Were they photo releases? I don't know, most likely not. She asks me to talk to the creative director and assistant director about whether or not we should track down the people we interviewed to ask them to sign a photo release. They happen to be next door. I go to see them.

The question is asked. "Do we need photo releases?" One says yes. One says no. The yes vote shows uncertainty. What is the next logical step? Ask the director himself. His office is across the way. Would I be able to go and call him into the office we are all gathered in? Sure I can. Off I go.

In the director's office, the director is sitting with his administrative assistant, who is eating lunch. I tap innocently enough on the door, which is open, and ask if he could come over to the other office about this matter. I guess I interrupted a meeting between the two, because the admin ass't just about flipped shit at the interruption and started yelling at me to come in, which, when getting yelled at, is the last thing I wanted to do, and I tried to walk away. The yelling continued, that I should just come into the office, and eventually attracted the attention of the creative director that sent me over. This action also added fuel to the fire, with the admin ass't storming about, me having no clue what I did, the director sitting at his desk watching this entire thing, and the creative director trying to diffuse whatever happened. The admin ass't is still making a fuss. Somehow, the situation is diffused, but I'm just stuck there: I'm not allowed to leave, but I really don't want to stand there any more. Eventually it ends with the admin ass't storming off, the director just looks tired, the creative director is apologizing profusely, and the only thing that I can say is:

"I feel bad." And I did. I felt guilty for whatever I did (which I still didn't know, and don't know, so don't look for any kind of resolution at the end.) I was just bitched out for no apparent reason. How am I supposed to feel? The creative director asks if I can get the names of the interviewees, and I say okay. She says sorry again, and I say that it's okay, when it's obviously not.

On my return trip, the director is waiting for the elevator, and he tells me not to worry about it, saying something about people being in their own thing, or something like it. But mostly not to worry about it. Doesn't stop me from still being upset by it. And embarrassed.

A couple of hours later, the admin ass't comes by the writer's section and asks to speak with me privately. Fine.

She apologized. Said something about me getting caught in the crossfire (whatever the hell that is supposed to mean) and that none of that was supposed to be directed at me. Even though, when I look back on it, half of it, before anyone else stepped in, was directed at me. By name, even. But whatever. The apology was genuine enough. The outburst was quite unusual, even by her standards, since she never has a problem with me, especially when I go out of my way to ensure that I do not cross her.

So what the eff goes on in the office that gets an intern caught in the crossfire?

Geekiness Abounds

2009-02-15T10:06:00.002-05:00

SUPPOSEDLY if you've seen over 85 films, you have no life (or are as old as dirt!). Mark the ones you've seen. There are 239 films on this list. Copy this list and paste it into your blog. Then, put x's next to the films you've seen, add them up, change the header adding your number, and click post at the bottom. Have fun.

(x) Rocky Horror Picture Show
(x) Grease
(x) Pirates of the Caribbean
(x) Pirates of the Caribbean 2: Dead Man's Chest
(x) Boondock Saints
(x) Fight Club
( ) Starsky and Hutch
( ) Neverending Story
(x) Blazing Saddles
(x) Airplane
Total: 8

(x) The Princess Bride
(x) Anchorman
(x) Napoleon Dynamite
(x) Labyrinth
( ) Saw
( ) Saw II
( ) White Noise
( ) White Oleander
( ) Anger Management
( ) 50 First Dates
(x) The Princess Diaries
( ) The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement
Total so far: 13

( ) Scream
( ) Scream 2
( ) Scream 3
( ) Scary Movie
( ) Scary Movie 2
( ) Scary Movie 3
( ) Scary Movie 4
( ) American Pie
( ) American Pie 2
( ) American Wedding
( ) American Pie Band Camp
Total so far: 13

(x) Harry Potter 1
(x) Harry Potter 2
(x) Harry Potter 3
(x) Harry Potter 4
( ) Resident Evil 1
( ) Resident Evil 2
( ) The Wedding Singer
( ) Little Black Book
( ) The Village
(x) Lilo & Stitch
Total so far: 18

(x) Finding Nemo
(x) Finding Neverland
( ) Signs
( ) The Grinch
( ) Texas Chainsaw Massacre
( ) Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning
( ) White Chicks
(x) Butterfly Effect
( ) 13 Going on 30
( ) I, Robot
( ) Robots
Total so far: 21

(x) Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story
( ) Universal Soldier
(x) Lemony Snicket: A Series Of Unfortunate Events
( ) Along Came Polly
( ) Deep Impact
( ) KingPin
( ) Never Been Kissed
( ) Meet The Parents
( ) Meet the Fockers
( ) Eight Crazy Nights
( ) Joe Dirt
( ) KING KONG
Total so far: 23

( ) A Cinderella Story
(x) The Terminal
( ) The Lizzie McGuire Movie
( ) Passport to Paris
( ) Dumb & Dumber
( ) Dumber & Dumberer
( ) Final Destination
( ) Final Destination 2
( ) Final Destination 3
( ) Halloween
( ) The Ring
( ) The Ring 2
( ) Surviving X-MAS
( ) Flubber
Total so far: 24

(x) Harold & Kumar Go To White Castle
( ) Practical Magic
( ) Chicago
( ) Ghost Ship
(x) From Hell
(x) Hellboy
(x) Secret Window
( ) I Am Sam
( ) The Whole Nine Yards
( ) The Whole Ten Yards
Total so far: 28

( ) The Day After Tomorrow
( ) Child's Play
( ) Seed of Chucky
( ) Bride of Chucky
( ) Ten Things I Hate About You
( ) Just Married
( ) Gothika
( ) Nightmare on Elm Street
( ) Sixteen Candles
( ) Remember the Titans
( ) Coach Carter
( ) The Grudge
( ) The Grudge 2
( ) The Mask
( ) Son Of The Mask
Total so far: 28

( ) Bad Boys
( ) Bad Boys 2
( ) Joy Ride
(x) Lucky Number Slevin
( ) Ocean's Eleven
( ) Ocean's Twelve
( ) Bourne Identity
( ) Bourne Supremecy
( ) Lone Star
( ) Bedazzled
( ) Predator I
( ) Predator II
( ) The Fog
(x) Ice Age
( ) Ice Age 2: The Meltdown
( ) Curious George
Total so far: 30

(x) Independence Day
( ) Cujo
( ) A Bronx Tale
( ) Darkness Falls
( ) Christine
( ) ET
( ) Children of the Corn
( ) My Bosses Daughter
( ) Maid in Manhattan
( ) War of the Worlds
(x) Rush Hour
( ) Rush Hour 2
Total so far: 32

( ) Best Bet
( ) How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
( ) She's All That
( ) Calendar Girls
( ) Sideways
( ) Mars Attacks
( ) Event Horizon
( ) Ever After
(x) Wizard of Oz
(x) Forrest Gump
( ) Big Trouble in Little China
( ) The Terminator
( ) The Terminator 2
( ) The Terminator 3
Total so far: 34

(x) X-Men
(x) X-2
(x) X-3
(x) Spider-Man
(x) Spider-Man 2
(x) Sky High
( ) Jeepers Creepers
( ) Jeepers Creepers 2
( ) Catch Me If You Can
(x) The Little Mermaid
( ) Freaky Friday
( ) Reign of Fire
( ) The Skulls
( ) Cruel Intentions
( ) Cruel Intentions 2
( ) The Hot Chick
(x) Shrek
(x) Shrek 2
Total so far: 43

( ) Swimfan
( ) Miracle on 34th street
( ) Old School
( ) The Notebook
(x) K-Pax ('cuz Kevin Spacey is awesome.)
( ) Krippendorf's Tribe
( ) A Walk to Remember
( ) Ice Castles
( ) Boogeyman
(x) The 40-year-old Virgin
Total so far: 45

(x) Lord of the Rings Fellowship of the Ring
(x) Lord of the Rings The Two Towers
(x) Lord of the Rings Return Of the King
(x) Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark
(x) Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom
(x) Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
Total so far: 51

( ) Baseketball
( ) Hostel
( ) Waiting for Guffman
( ) House of 1000 Corpses
( ) Devils Rejects
(x) Elf
( ) Highlander
( ) Mothman Prophecies
(x) American History X
( ) Thr
Total so far: 53

( ) The Jacket
( ) Kung Fu Hustle
( ) Shaolin Soccer
(x) Night Watch (SUCH an awesome movie, and book to boot!)
(x) Monsters Inc.
( ) Titanic
(x) Monty Python and the Holy Grail
(x) Shaun Of the Dead
( ) Willard
Total so far: 57

( ) High Tension
(x) Club Dread
( ) Hulk
( ) Dawn Of the Dead
(x) Hook
(x) Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe
( ) 28 days later
( ) Orgazmo
( ) Phantasm
( ) Waterworld
Total so far: 60

( ) Kill Bill vol 1
(x) Kill Bill vol 2
( ) Mortal Kombat
( ) Wolf Creek
(x) Kingdom of Heaven
( ) the Hills Have Eyes
( ) I Spit on Your Grave aka the Day of the Woman
( ) The Last House on the Left
(x) Re-Animator
( ) Army of Darkness
Total so far: 63

(x) Star Wars Ep. I The Phantom Menace
(x) Star Wars Ep. II Attack of the Clones
(x) Star Wars Ep. III Revenge of the Sith
(x) Star Wars Ep. IV A New Hope
(x) Star Wars Ep. V The Empire Strikes Back
(x) Star Wars Ep. VI Return of the Jedi
( ) Ewoks Caravan Of Courage
( ) Ewoks The Battle For Endor
Total so far: 69

(x) The Matrix
( ) The Matrix Reloaded
( ) The Matrix Revolutions
( ) Animatrix
( ) Evil Dead
( ) Evil Dead 2
(x) Team America: World Police
(x) Red Dragon
( ) Silence of the Lambs
( ) Hannibal

Total: 72 movies on this list.
==
But I know I'm a bigger geek than that - this list didn't even have any Shakespeare movies on it - let alone more than one or two Disney movies! Bwahahahhaaaa.

Now for something different!

2009-02-11T22:04:00.000-05:00

You Are WTF?

As far as you're concerned, the internet is getting weirder and weirder.

And you're the type of person who can never look away, no matter how bizarre or gross something is.

No doubt about it, there are some pretty deeply disturbing people out there. And they are totally shameless!

You can't help but say, "What the f*?" There really is no other appropriate reaction.

What Internet Slang Are You?

Wounded Warriors Project

2009-02-10T22:03:00.001-05:00

The karate club that I joined is participating in the Wounded Warriors Project. We are currently raising money for the Spar-athon and the Kick-athon (we'll be sparring and...well, kicking, but in an awesome way) and I would greatly appreciate it if some of you guys will sponsor me in this event.

Here is the link to my donation page:
https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=272436&lis=0&kntae272436=40F06317930F4D2188EA23F8FAEC93E0

The mission of the Wounded Warriors Projects is to:
* To raise awareness and enlist the public’s aid for the needs of severely injured service men and women,
* To help severely injured service members aid and assist each other, and
* To provide unique, direct programs and services to meet the needs of severely injured service members.

Please help me in raising money for our wounded soldiers!

If you have any friends that would be interested, please refer them to my donation page - I really appreciate it!

Oh Boy, Oh Boy - A Blather on Work

2009-01-28T22:34:00.002-05:00

Today was finally the type of day at work where I feel the need to write about said day. Nothing over the top happened, but in an attempt to purge myself of the day's happenings, I shall feel better and move on with life and maybe do some homework.

HA! Homework, yeah right!

Anyway, the day. There was a most terrible snow/rain/sleet storm today, which meant that half of the staff was not in - both writing and designing staffs were running at half capacity, which meant that some projects were being juggled to compensate for the upcoming deadlines. Now that I'm on my school schedule, I come in every other day, which means that something I may have worked on will no longer be how I've left it on the previous day, so that means catching up or proceeding to the next part of the project (or completely redoing another someone else's work.)

So - last week, all the writers had to create transcripts of staff interviews to give the design staff a complete look, so they could take clips and make them into a video. We had to transcribe the interviews exactly as they happened, so every uh, um, sooo, er and et cetera (some guy actually said et cetera *face plant*) had to be in the transcript so the AV group could edit it out.

My God, the way some people speak.

On Monday, I had some time left at the end of the day, so I was assigned to start pulling some of the sound bytes from those transcripts and put them together according to what topics were being spoken about. I had pulled all of the quote, scratched out all of the ums and other unnecessary words with track changes (which is the best editing tool ever!) and even went through the audio tracks, scrubbed the time and wrote down exactly when in the audio track the line would be pulled from and when it ended - seemed to make the most sense, since the AV guys wouldn't have the time to search the tracks for themselves, so hey - save them the trouble, right? Right. I managed to finish one, which was all well and good.

Today, I found out that the writer I normally work with took care of doing the rest. I was literally cursing his name throughout the entire project. There were no timestamps; what he considered to be the best way to find the sounds bytes were actually listed as finding them in the transcript text (which did not match up when trying to find them in the audios), and he did not edit out all of the uhs, ums and such, to my disappointment, and he did not go through the other audio tracks and notice that there were some uhs and ums that did not placed in the transcripts. Which meant, oh joy, that I had to go through and find all of these files myself and try to find the damn sound bytes, mark down their times, find all the words that weren't supposed to be in there just so I could cross them out in the final slate sheet, and add the designer's edits to the slate anyway.

Granted, if the writer had not had all the sound bytes already listed, I'd have to do them myself, but going through and completely altering preexisting work that I didn't do was just grinding. I sat at my desk going, "WTF?! This makes NO SENSE!" for most of the day, but was reminded by my editor that the writer came from a print based background and still can't figure out all of this multimedia stuff yet. So, she had a point, and I thought that I shouldn't get too teed-off about it, since I can understand the multimedia work and how it should be presented for other people to work with. It's the techno-savvy generation gap. The designer I worked with loved what I did, and it made work easier for the AV guy to work with - so that was cool. It was worth all the readjustments that had to be done, and I like to do this kind of stuff at work anyway.

However, I had to do all this to help make sure that the story could run this Friday. If the story didn't run, I had to have another story ready to fill its place, which is what I had to finish up after I had completed the transcribing project. BAAAAAAAH! I had started working on the alternate story on Monday and roughed it out to a sort of story, and when I got it today, there were so many edits that I felt that it should belong to the person that edited it, since I felt weird attaching my name to it when half the stuff I put in was stuff I didn't write. My editor talked me down from that, and had me take the two most recent drafts of edits and adjust them up, and finish the piece on my own - which was pretty cool, I guess. At least it got done it can get finished up by Friday, whatever story goes in, that is.

The first day I had to stay late to work on projects. I have truly joined the working world!

It's Cold Enough Out There to Freeze Your Winnebago!

2009-01-14T16:46:00.002-05:00

The title explains it all, I think.

*

We are in the process of moving to another building at work. This week, everyone is packing up all of the assorted bits of papers, books and another doodaddy things into boxes that you have to assemble yourself. I am, apparently, the Queen of Box-making, as I can assemble the box and lid in one minute (though it looks kind of shoddy since it's being timed.)

It is nice, though, to be able to do a task (ie. the box-making) and have a finished product (ie. the box), instead of working on a project, having it go to many different people, having it changed by many people, completing the changes of the many people, and giving it back to the many people again, and wondering when it will be authorized into completion.

I like to make boxes!

I Defy You To Find Epic Cuteness Such As This

2008-12-29T08:31:00.003-05:00

Meet the newest addition to the Lusk Family (my California cousins), Joey.

I defy you (DEFY!) to bring me evidence of something cuter. This is an official challenge, by the by. I will accept photos.

Hope everyone's Christmas was merry and bright!

In Which, After a Long Silence, Words are Said

2008-12-04T18:17:00.003-05:00

Wow. It's December. Sorry about being a bad blogger and a total lack of updates. Just nothing of huge importance to write about except for the fact that I'm still alive and kicking, just at a slower pace than normal as I attempt to sort through everything as of late.

Classes end next week. Maybe, just maybe, I might be able to catch up with my class readings by then, just in time for finals, which I actually have this semester (damn Soleau and his essay exams.)

Hm. I just realized that I never made a cast of characters for this semester. Guess I should give a quick run down.

Dramatis Personae
The Nutty Professors (all two of them...)

Dr. Soleau - it's like being taught by Kevin Kline, if he looked like Hemingway. Otherwise, a great man to learn from, as he is very educated and also compassionate at the same time. I have him for ethics and for religion.

Prof. Fitzsimmons - my adviser and my prof for Sowing and Reaping: Reflections on Life's Work (half the time this class is a bust) and Irish Storytellers. You can look her up from last semester.

The Sage Crew
Amanda - she's in three classes with me, and I know her from last semester. We have allied ourselves into the tight-knit corner of the room for ethics and a bunch of other classes, and we put together the Creative Studies newsletter. She's a cool kid.

Jenna - she's in two classes with me, and I also know her from last semester. Totally random chica.

Vashti - I managed to fall down stairs, crash into her, and not topple her over like a bowling pin, while managing to crack my head against the cement steps. Go me! Anyhoo - she's also in two classes with me, and is very, very sweet (best buds with Amanda, too).

Kris - he's the new guy this semester, a transfer from HVCC. To describe him...picture a bean pole in a hoodie, that will deliberately say certain things in class just to pick fights in a funny way. His antics are amusing.

Everyone Else
Luke - my boyfriend. He goes to Siena, and will graduate next semester.

Eric - Luke's brother. He lives in the same apartment house as us as well.

Cathy - Luke's cousin. We go to church with her on occasion at Siena.

Kelly - Luke's cousin, Cathy's sister. We see her occasionally, as she is very busy with school.

Mo & Josh - Unfortunately, I haven't seen these guys for a long time. That must be remedied! (See previous entries about Mo & Josh.)

The State
I'll talk about these guys at a later date, when I start working full time for them.

So, these are the people that I interact with on a regular basis that you haven't met yet.

I've reached the point where I find school almost a complete waste of time, and I'd rather be working at my internship instead. Apparently, this syndrome should occur during my last semester, but I guess I'm just advanced. I'm so fed up with the students in class, sick of their petty, paltry problems, and just tired of the busy work. However, I'm a stubborn mule, so it's not like I'm going to quit school or anything...I'm just genuinely bothered by the state of things and want to give everyone a nice, hard smack up the head. This is also just backlash after the past month, so it's to be expected. A nice, long break will be welcomed, and I can't wait to work full time for the State until school starts again.

So...I guess that's it. Cheerier posts are on the horizon, I hope.

The Loss of a Good Friend: Though His Fight is Over, Ours is Just Beginning

2008-10-28T15:59:00.004-04:00

We have lost the presence of a mighty warrior, a dear friend, a brother, and a son. I cannot, in good conscience, think of Jeremy in any other way. I refuse to think of him in any other way.

His strength was an example to all of us. Any time the doctors said that his survival was unlikely, he never backed down, never surrendered, and kept on fighting. His attitude towards life, what he'd do when he'd finally have the cancer beat, was a comfort to all of us. You would never have known if he was faking it, and just putting on a face for all of us to see. It was genuine. We believed in him, and we believed it because he believed it.

The division between brother and friend just melted when it came to Jeremy. He was the big brother (or little brother, in some cases) that we never had. To give a word to it, self-sacrificing. No matter how he felt, if one of us was feeling down - he would cheer us up in a heart beat. He'd be there with advice or any other counsel that was needed. He hated to see any one of his friends broken up about something, and sought to resolve the issue in any way that he could help.

I give my utmost credit and sympathy to his family, to have dealt with this for so long, and for all the years ahead, where Jeremy will be with us in spirit. It is not fair that we should have such a short time with him, and that all we will have left of him is the memory of his smile, his laughter, his strength, and that we will not see them again until it is our turn to leave this existence. However, it will be nice to know that when we do see him again, Jeremy will be waiting for us, healthy and happy, with his full head of sexy hair and a smile on his face, saying, "Hey guys, what's up with you?"

Jeremy - I miss you so much, man. You've taught me so much over the years, and I wish you didn't have to go so soon, not when you were so close to beating it again. But I am reminded of this prayer, and I think that this is why you had to go:

God saw you getting tired,
and a cure was not to be,
so He put his arms around you
and whispered, “Come to Me.”
With tearful eyes we watched you,
and saw you pass away,
and although we loved you dearly,
we could not make you stay.
A golden heart stopped beating,
hard working hands at rest.
God broke our hearts to prove to us,
He only takes
the best.

At least God realized that you had been through enough. God bless you, Jeremy, we'll miss you.

Painterly! Yeah!

2008-10-26T19:53:00.000-04:00

Your result for What Your Taste in Art Says About You Test...

Conscientious, Fulfilled, and Spiritual

The Renaissance was a cultural movement that profoundly affected European intellectual life. Beginning in Italy, and spreading to the rest of Europe by the 16th century, its influence affected literature, philosopy, religion, art, politics, science, and all other aspects of intellectual enquiry. Renaissance artists looked at the human aspect of life in their art. They did not reject religion but tended to look at it in it's purest form to create visions they thought depicted the ideals of religion. Painters of this time had their own style and created works based on morality, religion, and human nature. Many of the paintings depicted what they believed to be the corrupt nature of man.

People that like Renaissance paintings like things that are more challenging. They tend to have a high emotional stability. They also tend to be more concientious then average. They have a basic understanding of human nature and therefore are not easily surprised by anything that people may do. They enjoy life and enjoy living. They are very aware of their own mortality but do not dwell on the end but what they are doing in the present. They enjoy learning, but may tend to be a bit more closed minded to new ideas as they feel that the viewpoint they have has been well researched and considered. These people are more old fashioned and not quite as progressive. They enjoy the finer things in life like comfort, a good meal, and homelife. They tend to be more spiritual or religious by nature. They are open to new aesthetic experiences.

Take What Your Taste in Art Says About You Test at HelloQuizzy

Dewey Color System test

2008-10-18T08:44:00.000-04:00

introduction

The Dewey Color System® is the world's first and only validated, color-based personality career testing instrument. Based on our experience and your interests, your best suited occupations are listed below.

*
Best Occupational Category
You're a CREATOR
Key Words:
Nonconforming, Impulsive, Expressive, Romantic, Intuitive, Sensitive, and Emotional

These original types place a high value on aesthetic qualities and have a great need for self-expression. They enjoy working independently, being creative, using their imagination, and constantly learning something new. Fields of interest are art, drama, music, and writing or places where they can express, assemble, or implement creative ideas.

CREATOR OCCUPATIONS
Suggested careers are Advertising Executive, Architect, Web Designer, Creative Director, Public Relations, Fine or Commercial Artist, Interior Decorator, Lawyer, Librarian, Musician, Reporter, Art Teacher, Broadcaster, Technical Writer, English Teacher, Architect, Photographer, Medical Illustrator, Corporate Trainer, Author, Editor, Landscape Architect, Exhibit Builder, and Package Designer.

CREATOR WORKPLACES
Consider workplaces where you can create and improve beauty and aesthetic qualities. Unstructured, flexible organizations that allow self-expression work best with your free-spirited nature.

Suggested Creator workplaces are advertising, public relations, and interior decorating firms; artistic studios, theaters and concert halls; institutions that teach crafts, universities, music, and dance schools. Other workplaces to consider are art institutes, museums, libraries, and galleries.
*
2nd Best Occupational Category
You're an ORGANIZER
Key Words:
Self-Control, Practical, Self-Contained, Orderly, Systematic, Precise, and Accurate

These conservative appearing, plotting-types enjoy organizing, data systems, accounting, detail, and accuracy. They often enjoy mathematics and data management activities such as accounting and investment management. Persistence and patience allows them to do detailed paperwork, operate office machines, write business reports, and make charts and graphs.

http://www.careerpath.com/career-tests/colorcareercounselor.aspx

The Day of Epic Awesomeness

2008-09-30T06:24:00.002-04:00

So, apart from the fact that this is the busiest day of classes for me, it is also the most epic, because the new Neil Gaiman book is out, and Iron Man has now been released on DVD.

Such...epicness!

Honestly, Who Knew?

2008-09-23T18:43:00.000-04:00

You are a
Social Moderate
(50% permissive)

and an...
Economic Liberal
(35% permissive)

You are best described as a:

Centrist

Link: The Politics Test on OkCupid.com: Free Online Dating
Also : The OkCupid Dating Persona Test

Monthly Update

2008-08-15T08:03:00.002-04:00

And such a month has it been: more than a month of living in Albany, attempts at getting a job, getting a job, and living on a very meager technological diet of no internet, land-line phone or other luxuries such as that (not that I'm being a weenie or anything, but mooching off of a coffee shop internet connection? Egad!)

But that sums up what's been happening for the past couple of weeks - it's been pretty good. I got a job working for Mr. Smoothie in Crossgates Mall (un-enthused yay.) That's been okay, but now, I have something much better, for I have gotten an internship for the New York State Retirement System's Communications Bureau! I had an interview last Monday, they've had my writing samples since the start of the summer, as well as my resume, and it would appear that I done good! So I'll be working down on State Street as of next Thursday....Woo Hoo! Of course, now I guess I have to leave Mr. Smoothie, which I feel kinda guilty about, so...I guess I need to put in a two weeks doo dad.

Speaking of Dad things, my poor papa had a partial colon resection to take out a diverticulitis-riddling piece of his large intestine. So now he's recuping in the nearby hospital, with tubes every which way and such - it's like a bad science-fiction thing! But he is doing well, and such is the reason that I am posting, for I am home with a stable internet connection.

And it's a Holy Day, time for church! Tootles!

I Lied...I'm Sorry

2008-07-03T12:27:00.000-04:00

Elementary, my dear Michelle.

Which movie was this quote from?

Aaaaand...Last One, I Swear

2008-07-03T12:26:00.001-04:00

Madness? This is Michelle!

Which movie was this quote from?

I Love This Thing

2008-07-03T12:24:00.001-04:00

Funny like I'm a Michelle? I amuse you?

Which movie was this quote from?

I Took This From the Livejournal

2008-07-03T12:23:00.001-04:00

There is a Michelle coming. Are you sure you're on the right side?

Which movie was this quote from?

Happy Trees

2008-06-23T16:54:00.001-04:00

You Are A Cypress Tree

You are strong, adaptable, and striving to be content.

You're good at taking what life has to give - even if you don't like it.

A passionate lover who can't be satisfied, you are quick tempered at times.

You hate loneliness, want love and affection, and need to be needed.

A bit of a live wire, you love to gain knowledge any cost... and you can be careless at times.

What's Your Celtic Horoscope?

Disappointment, Thy Name is Cancellation

2008-06-22T08:35:00.002-04:00

My sister and I, in our attempt to do something really cool and neat, purchased two tickets to go see Ringo Starr and His All-Starr Band at Bethel Woods in New York. The tickets were for mom's birthday, for when she turns 55 in August, and my sister and I thought that since she has experienced a revived interest in all of her Beatles music as of late, that she would get a kick out of it.

Which she did, the day we ordered the tickets, the day the tickets arrived in the mail, and each day following up to yesterday, when mom and I drove to Bethel Woods from my grandparents', who we visited the day before.

Until both of our hearts sank, when on the nearby radio station, ten miles from the concert grounds, an announcement alerted the entire region that the concert had been canceled, owing to the fact that the band had gotten waylaid at the Canadian border with a broken down equipment van.

Forgive my vernacular, but I feel like shit. Not just because the show was canceled, but because of how mom's feels too.

And the Heavens Opened -

2008-06-11T11:01:00.002-04:00

and rained down upon the state of New York. Tremble, TREMBLE beneath the wrath of your Lord and God! Fear his anger, beware his fiery vengeance that will smite thee and make you quiver within your very core!!

Um...super good, yeah. Anyway, it rained and stormed a lot yesterday afternoon and last night, so the humidity that has plagued us this past week has now dissipated, but to everyone's joy. The sun is out, birds are singing, crows are flying out of the road instead of crow hopping - as they are likely to due when the humidity and air pressure are not to their liking.

And also - Poppop went home yesterday, woo hoo! He is well and they figured out what was wrong, a slight case of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Whether that means that any family members/friends continue to smoke around/near him will cease and desist is presently unknown. But now he has inhalers and other such medicines up the ying-yang, but at least they will help and he gets to be home.

Snowballs: Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here

2008-06-07T22:27:00.002-04:00

We have entered a heat wave or sorts, so I suppose a more accurate term would deem this to be a humidity wave that spans for a g e s...or almost a week. Either way, it sucks. It's dank, buggy, muggy and the hair frizz factor increases by almost triple.

Oh for a downpour from the heavens...

But it's tolerable...almost. I have other things to occupy my time.

I'm home for most of the month of June. I agreed to apartment/dog sit for one of mom's co-workers from the library, so I've been doing that since I came home. He's a good lil poochie...a cairn terrier by the name of Bailey. Pretty low maintenance, a bit of a brat too, sometimes, when he doesn't want to come inside, but it's the eyes that get me every time - they bore straight into your soul (the baby/animal loving part of it).

In other news, a few weeks ago Poppop (the only grandpa I've known) went to the hospital because he contracted pneumonia. A day later, he gets sent home, all medicated and well enough to go home - hooray. Today, I find out that he's back in the hospital because he still can't breathe well. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is what they are now testing for, but proper tests can't be performed until Monday, which I think is total and complete crap. I would at least hope that anyone working weekend duties could start testing you for something like that, instead of kind of listing out the possibilities of what's wrong with you, and then stabilize/monitor you (medically babysit) until proper tests with doctor's consultations once a proper work week begins. Granted, I know Poppop will be taken care of while he's there, it's not like he wasn't okay at home, but I've done hospital stints during weekends before, and it's boring as hell - no one is there but a few nurses that come in and check that you're still breathing/eating/defecating/urinating/heartbeating/etc. Stuff could be getting done then if there was something up. But I'm not a doctor. I'm not a technician. Hell, I don't even know what tests they did or didn't do today - but I don't want Poppop stuck in a hospital and there hasn't been any conclusion as to what he has or hasn't got.

And, as Uncle Tom put it - he's 92. It's only been now that he's been hospitalized for pretty much anything.

Still sucks though. I don't want him in the hospital at all. I want him out playing golf, or at his bowling league, or driving around in his new car. I want him sneaking ice cream out of the fridge when Aunt Pat goes to bed. I want him struggling with the computer, trying to send an email and figuring out Instant Messaging. I want to hear about his upcoming visits to wherever. I want him on the phone calling me his little Shadow.

Get well soon, Poppop.

Love, Shadow

Con....fused.....

2008-05-23T17:56:00.000-04:00

Might Be a Little Late in Saying...

2008-05-15T20:08:00.001-04:00

Mothers rock.

'Nuff said.

(As do fathers, certainly can't leave them out either.)

No More Pencils, No More Books

2008-05-05T00:12:00.002-04:00

Yeah, so - school's over for the semester. Whacked out, huh? All I have to do is hand in one more written portfolio and then fini. I just thought I'd give the skinny on what's been happening since I'm experiencing a total lack of school.

My professor/advisor dropped a huge bomb on me, saying that she wanted to recommend me for a vente grande internship at the NYS Retirement System's Communications Bureau on State Street as a writer/researcher (apparently, I rate as an excellent writer). I thought about it for about a day, until I communicated with everyone that I wanted to (ie the parental units and the boyfriend) to seek out their thoughts on the matter to see if they matched my own. All in all, the consensus was "OMG State job, yea!" According to my prof, paid internships for the Creative Studies major just don't happen. And to paraphrase Luke, "If you know anything 'bout Michelle, it's that Michelle gots to get paaaaaaaaid." Granted, that could be taken in many different ways, but I can't think of any at this moment other than "The standard of living in Albany is outrageous, must afford one's daily bread, holy crap $13.14 an hour?! Sign me up, yo!"

So I've been going through the interview process through e-mail for most of last week. First, my prof sent the confirmation that she was recommending me. Then, I had to send in an e-mail with my resume, followed by a cover letter (e-mail?) with 5 of my writing samples.

I don't know when it was that I became a writer, but apparently it was this semester.

My prof picked out some assignments that I had thought would be good samples, and then she picked some extras that I didn't stop to think about. I don't know why, but I feel quite self-conscious about people looking at my writing. (Yeah yeah, scoff away, blog readers :-P) But for some reason, I find it a bit more revealing than art critiques and portfolio reviews ever were. But maybe I'm desensitized to that whole thing, making writing reviews a new and wonderful experience for me. I guess I shocked the socks off of my professor, as she dug her way through my journal entries and other writing assignments for her two classes. Anyhoo, I'm waiting to hear back from the woman that I've been e-mailing my stuff to, and I'm hoping hoping hoping! that they'll want an interview this week. This internship could set me up through to my graduation - I hope I get it...and if I do get it, I hope I don't suck eggs at it :-P

Also, I guess I won an award from MV (since the winter grads don't seem to earn awards with the regular spring grads.) It's the one where they award something for having the highest GPA in the art department. So that's pretty cool. One of my friends from class two semesters ago won it, and he earned it - he was such a cool guy, and his artwork was amazing. And he worked all the time; I remember he found out that he won at least a day before the ceremony, and he was just dazed as all get out. That'll be Thursday. I'll try to get pictures.

I'm glad I've regained my oddly resilient immune system. I haven't gotten sick with anything this semester, unlike last semester when I caught something every bloody month. I have recently kept at bay that 24 hour stomach virus (that struck down Luke while he was visiting me, sadly), even though I was exposed to it for lengthy periods of time for all of last week into this weekend. Thank you, immune system! *blows kisses* I shall treat you with a visit to Dr. Dan's for a good adjustment later this week.

Man...I want to meet Neil Gaiman.

Up Late? 'Course Not!

2008-05-02T05:21:00.002-04:00

I'm up early! Been up since 2 o'clock in fact! Granted, I fell asleep like, at 9, so we'll see how that goes.

It's been jolly crazy, in ways good and bad! But I must finish working on paper revisions, so whenever or ever I feel like posting on the first day of May, I'll post it. But we shall see!

typetypetypetypetypetypetypetype

Bring Me the Head of Snoopy!

2008-04-25T15:58:00.003-04:00

It's a giant Snoopy Pez Head! That's some massive Pez, alright...

Anyway, that was my last project for 3D Design, and I must say, what a way to end a class. Unlike the penultimate blue question mark a little ways down the page, this one had to be about texture and taking something small and making it super large and the like, so I got the size down pat, the textures, maybe not so much, but it went over extremely well so I thought that I would show it off.

I'll have more to discuss this weekend, but now, I rest (for there were many deadlines this week, and more to come on Monday.) Tootles!

Predictability

2008-04-14T19:42:00.002-04:00

Now I can understand what goes through someone's head when they know exactly how a conversation is going to pan out, and yet do nothing to alter the course of the topic of conversation.

It makes me sad when I can be a dutiful friend, and yet never be asked how I'm doing, and that I always know that it's coming.

_

Wow, that being said, let us talk of other things! The apartment searching is still going on, in addition to all of the project completion that I need to do in the three weeks that are remaining in this semester! Wheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeohdeargodwhythreeweekseeeeeee!

Anyway, I'll be hopping the train back to Rome this week, so that I may celebrate my parents 30th, I say 30th, wedding anniversary!

And, as I say every year, Mom, Dad, thank you for staying together and raising me proper for all my 21 years upon this earth. Meghan says the same, except add a few extra years for her age, and all the kitties love you, of course. Even when they attack you in your sleep and destroy your cookies. They do it out of love!

And another point of observation, I like Kurt Vonnegut more than William Faulkner, and As I Lay Dying is freaking depressing to read.

One more thing, this boarding house is really freaking lonely when I'm the only one here. I might as well be talking to a volley ball for all the companionship I get around here. Even when I'm not the only one around...why is it that I can be here with other people, and yet not be here with other people at the same time? Whatever happened to the concept of a home? Does it not exist in rental property, or what?

Anyway, I must get back to writing some papers...ranting will do me more good in those.

2008-04-08T16:40:00.002-04:00

1. What is your occupation? student...la dee da

2. What color are your socks right now? white

3. What are you listening to right now? the hum of the computer

4. What was the last thing that you ate? a small donut

5. Can you drive a stick shift? ha ha no

6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? blue

7. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Luke

8. How old are you today? 21

9. Favorite drink? Birch beer...or Dr. Pepper

10. What is your favorite sport to watch? um...whatever i like, i guess

11. Have you ever dyed your hair? Yes

12. Pets? i have four cats at home

13. Favorite food? stew

14. What was the last movie you watched? Henry V

16. What do you do to vent anger? bust things up in my head, because i have an overactive imagination and i can destroy as much as i want

17. What was your favorite toy as a child? wooly bear

18. What is your favorite, fall or spring? i like the fall colors, but the spring attitude

19. Hugs or kisses? Hugs.

20. Cherries or Blueberries? Blueberries

21. Do you want your friends to respond in comments or in their own journals? Sure.

22. Who is most likely to respond? who ever reads this first

*** Missing ***

24. Living arrangements? i live in a room right now...that's pretty much it

*** Missing ***

26. What is on the floor of your closet? a huge pile of crapola

27. Who is the friend you have had the longest that you are sending this to? who ever reads this first

28. What did you do last night? slept and wrote a paper

29. Favorite smells? baking chocolate is fun

30. What inspires you? the stuff that's around me

*** Missing ***

32. Plain, cheese or spicy hamburgers? plain jane

33. Favorite dog breed? puppy!

34. How many years at your current job? always and forever a student

35. Favorite place you've ever been? niagara falls

36. How many states have you lived in? 1

37. Favorite day of the week? saturday

38. Ever driven motorcycle or heavy machinery? nope...like to though.

39. Who's your favorite NFL team? football? *hurk*

40. Do you have a house phone that is not cordless? at home, yup

3D Designing like it's My Business! and other Tales

2008-04-03T21:24:00.005-04:00

Unlike the biomorphic form that shows up in the previous art entry, this is a...*goes to look it up*.....plane and volume study. O_o Anyhoo, I took a shape and doctored it up so that it would gradually get bigger and certain edges would get larger or smaller at my whim. According to Prof. Wheeler, mine demonstrates much movement and resembles the Futurist style of art, when everything was in motion and such, prior to the death and war predicament of WWI. So that was a neato factoid!

But yeah, mine was a bit different from everyone else, because they just enlarged their shapes and shrunk them again - so cool beans! Most of the projects went into the display case, and mine did too! (However, in the process, I sliced open my thumb while cutting out name tags for each of them. I surprised everyone with how calmly I can curse while bleeding - "Aw **** me...son of a mother humping monkey...etc")

*

I only have about 3 more weeks of school: it's pretty exciting and frightening at the same time! I have projects up to my eyeballs to complete, at least 1 per week now, with other random spatterings of assignments interwoven into that, but other than that, the only think on my mind is - "Oh yeah...I should really start that this weekend." So, I'll be busy working on two Creative Life projects, Artists as Writers, 3D Design and 2D Design this weekend. Woo...hoo.

*

The city is digging up [phone wires?] in front of the apartment. That doesn't bother me too much, and at least now if I get any rides from school to here, I can just gesture to the giant BOBCAT as a drop off point. On the down side, there be no parking for the next week.

*

The boarding house and it's tenants are extremely dull and interacting I think was banned in the lease. You'd think that these guys would talk conversationally or something. But no. No one communicates except to maybe inquire about the rent situation, and the rest of the time I feel like I'm intruding in the space here. I need people to socialize with, and apparently, these people don't. I might as well be living by myself - the isolation is maddening!

Probably why I get really, insanely excited when I get mail. I got a letter this week, and I just about plotzed. I'm such a slut for correspondence :-P (kidding.)

Guess I should start some researching for a quality project! Updates anon. Tootles!

Give Me the Hand of Osiris!!

2008-03-23T20:36:00.001-04:00

Geb

Engaging personality, sensitive, modest, occasionally narcissistic, but can rise above vanity.

Colors: male: violet, female: rose
Compatible Signs:Set, Horus
Dates: Feb 12 - Feb 29, Aug 20 - Aug 31

Role: God of the earth
Appearance: Green-skinned man, with leaves all over his body and a goose on his head. Sometimes he was shown laying on his side under his wife, the sky goddess Nut.
Sacred animals: goose

What is Your Egyptian Zodiac Sign?
Designed by CyberWarlock of Warlock's Quizzles and Quandaries

Oh Sculpture, Sculpture, Sculpture - I Made You Out of Plaster!

2008-03-19T16:48:00.003-04:00

It's a biomorphic shape! Hooray!

Right?

Um...plaster?

I made a mold for it...and that's what it turned out to be...

Waffle?

This is a Fake, But it is an Entertaining Fake

2008-03-18T20:52:00.002-04:00

It is a ransom note that we had to construct, however we wanted, ransoming off whatever we wanted. So I chose a Hillary Clinton Action Figure, with super debating action, or whatever. It isn't supposed to make sense, which is why I find it entertaining and typographically insane.

My 2D Design class entertains me for this reason.

Dramatis Personae: Albany Edition

2008-03-11T08:10:00.002-04:00

I haven't done this at all this semester, so therefore: It must be done NOW!

Cast of Characters

Students
Jenna - one of the crazy hyper girls that I have two classes with, and will, almost regularly, insist that she drop me off at my apartment in inclement weather.
Amanda - another girl from many of my classes, she brought her dog to class a few times and he was the cutest thing ever!
Matt - one of the few voices of reason in the discussion parts of our classes.
Nicole and Krista - the girls I sit next to in The Creative Life, and we shoot many sarcastic comments back and forth.

Dan Fenton - goes to school at UAlbany, one of the crew from MV years past.

Cathy - Luke's cousin, who goes to grad school at Sage.

The Nutty Professors
Prof. Fitzsimmons - my advisor, runs the Creative Studies dept. She can be fun and feared at almost the same time.
Prof. Neville - the perkiest English prof I ever did see.
Prof. Wheeler - the 3D Design prof, who may or may not have more jobs than my father.
Prof. Wright - the 2D Design prof, who loves cats.

Other Important Peeps
Luke - the everwonderful Luke, who goes to Siena College.
Mo and Josh - my mom's friends, who have been amazingly awesome in showing me the sites of Albany and hanging out.

Blare of Trumpets The 200th Post! And My Entry Is....

2008-03-05T18:51:00.002-05:00

I saw health insurance being sold out of a giant truck today, on Washington Ave, while I was walking to the bus stop to get to Siena.

Albany - you amaze me. Keep it up.

Look! Up Near the Hill! It's...SUPER BILL!

2008-02-26T00:22:00.003-05:00

Super Bill is a character made up by one of my friends from MVCC, who is currently following his animation degree elsewhere. He has a project that requires drawings of Super Bill, which our friend Janelle originally came up with, and I'm just finishing up at Bill's request. I worked with Bill and Janelle on "The Boy Who Drew Cats" (see entries from Spring of 2007.) I need to do a side profile next, and that might go up eventually...

21!

2008-02-23T08:45:00.001-05:00

The once innocent (please try to refrain from laughing...) child you see before you has now turned 21.

God help the masses.

The Grid

2008-02-20T19:16:00.003-05:00

So, I guess this is another art show that I'm going to be in. Hopefully. In theory. I have to make a piece for it first.

Peeve(s) of the Semester

2008-02-19T15:42:00.005-05:00

For the record, in classes where the main objective is to discuss topics brought up by the teacher, I despise the student that:

1. Steps on the professor's line on thought.

2. Has the most bullshit stuff to say, with an attitude of 'I know so much' when they don't know enough outside of their own opinions. I at least will shut up and listen if I reach a topic that I don't know about.

3. Will repeat ideas that have already been said, just in a different order, thereby beating the topic to death.

4. Gets louder when said student is either not being heard or acknowledged.

5. Doesn't understand when a conversation had ended.

6. Gives me so many openers for a line, but because I think it's awful, I censor myself from saying it aloud (and I want to say it so bad! GRRRR!!) Ex. What Student Says: "I think that art is dependent on how deep the observer is..." What My Brain Says: "Are you implying that you're about as shallow as a puddle?"

7. Thinks the whole world revolves around what they have to say.

8. By the end of class, has perplexed me to the point of a tension headache by trying to figure out exactly what they're saying, even when other students and I attempt to disprove what the student is saying. It doesn't stop.

I have two classes with this student. I would like either one of our brains to be bashed out with a brick. It would almost be a mercy in any event.

The Monolith Doth Approacheth

2008-02-17T19:27:00.002-05:00

Hey there! Just putting up a post, since I haven't really done so for this week.

I just had a very nice weekend - Luke came on Friday to stay with me. We consumed pizza, breakfast, did homework, hung out with his cousins and brother, and watched cartoons for most of it. Walking through some of downtown was cool too, along with the walk down Madison, alongside of Washington Park.

Fairly uneventful, but I loved every minute of it.

Oh yeah...I turn 21 this Saturday too.

AAAAIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

Demotivators = Love

2008-02-10T19:46:00.000-05:00

Butane Torches and Power Tools All in One Night!

2008-02-07T21:12:00.000-05:00

I finished brazing my metal sculpture! All I have to do it paint it. I made the base out of wood (sure, my professor cut out the square of it, but I made it a circle - wooooo!) by using a really big electric saw that I've embarrassingly forgotten the name of, and a giant belt sander. Then my prof and I spent a good half hour trying to nail the damn thing to the base. But behold it - it's awesome!

This was my favorite positioning for it, but it was really cool - I could position it in any way I wanted and it still looked awesome! I played with that for a good half hour too.

Now all I have to do is figure out what color(s) to paint it...

3D Design

2008-01-30T01:10:00.000-05:00

Here's a sample of what I'm doing in class - we're braising metal. More details on the Dramatis Personae post that will be later this week.

Bright Green Pants

2008-01-26T17:13:00.000-05:00

I am in a much chipper mood than I have been in this past week. This is wonderful news for me to utter to most of the viewers of this blog, because if you have been tracking me for the past week, you would have seen me (or rather read of me) many sad passages of my adjustment to the new school, city, etc.

However, that was before I received a phone call while I was standing in the college bookstore yesterday.

A phone call from Luke, to be more specific.

Who was planning to surprise me by showing up at my apartment, but after standing outside in cold waiting for the next bus for about 40 minutes, could no longer contain his joy in his dastardly plot.

Either way, I was still quite surprised.

I wound up meeting him at the corner of Madison and Quail, and also found out that since he nearly boarded the wrong bus, he walked the length of Western all the way from Lark St.

And I think I am understating myself completely when I say that I love this man.

So, we had marvelous discussions as to why my adjustment to living here is hard to get used to, and it came down to the fact that I am normally the one who is looking after people (either residents, friends, family) and now the only person that I have to look after is myself, which seems to be much more traumatic to me than I could ever think of. It's not like I'm incapable of taking care of myself, it just happened more naturally when I had other responsibilities to deal with. Accomplishment! I have identified the difficulty! Woohoo!

Other than that, we watched cartoons, played music, and went out with Mo and Josh for art supplies and pizza (which was delicious.) Today was spent watching more cartoons, eating lunch, and then picking up some groceries for the week (for I plan to go home next weekend, since my Friday class is canceled! Huzzah!) Then we met Luke's brother, who took up to get some comics, and to Barnes and Noble, so Luke could pick up some periodicals for his classes. And he left me with a very wonderful thought that I feel all the more uplifted with, "You're not as lonely as you think you are."

Definitely love the man.

Oh, the green pants. Nearly forgot. On our way back from Colonie Center, Luke wanted to stop by the Goodwill Store. He found a pair of bright green corduroy pants, which I have deemed as his Fate Pants. Why? Because they fit him. Insanely well. And they were only $5. It's a fairy tale ending. Hee.

It's Been: One Week

2008-01-24T09:01:00.000-05:00

Sorry - slight influence from the band "Barenaked Ladies."

But lo - it has been once week officially since I moved to Albany, and I'm still here! Classes started on Tuesday, and I'm not going to lie - I have experienced real college now, and it has made me realize some important things.

Like for instance, Illustration at MVCC was good fun and such, but now the game just stepped up a couple of notches. I just can't get more serious about art then I already am. I sat in my first class, Clay Sculpture, and realized - Why should I invest this much time and effort for something that I don't want to do anymore? So aside from having an internal education melt-down, I started to weigh out my options. This was certainly an issue. I have never walked into a class and felt so completely out of my depth. I knew I could do the work, but my issue was "Why invest so much and just have it be such a waste to me?" I could jump ship, change my major - do something that could still guarantee my educational experiences of the last few years would not be wasted simply because I realized that straight up Illustration just doesn't hold the same flare for me that it once did. I remembered that when I was pondering this predicament when I was looking for transfer schools to begin with that I was considering a different major as well - Creative Studies, that would pretty much give you a solid foundation to finish up a Bachelor's and give you enough skills to do anything from business, law, teaching - whatever, in whatever emphasis you wanted. Like an English major that you can do something with (no offense whatsoever to the English majors out there, for I have met people with good careers from English majors, but has anyone ever heard the Avenue Q song "What Can You Do With a BA in English?")

So, in my case - Art emphasis it would be.

I left class feeling quite terrified that I might actually be trapped in a whole bunch of classes that I really didn't want to work in. And what fun is that to do something that you don't want to do? So I went down to the Academic Advisement center to see if I could change into something different.

The advisement counselor that I met with, Karen, was awesome. She remembered me from orientation, which felt great, since I did not know anyone there, so that was a boost. I told her that I went to my first class and felt that I really didn't belong there and that I felt maybe I shouldn't stay in the major, and that I'd like to look at a course schedule to see if I could switch with little difficulty. She told me that they didn't have any books, per se, since the course catalogue was only found online, but she asked me what I was interested in. I mentioned Creative Studies, to which her response was "Oh, great. I think we can do that, have a seat." I plunked myself down next to her, told her which classes I was leery about, and she just Xed them right out and pulled up my schedule. Most of my credits would switch over (yay!) and since I had more on the way from MV (double yay!) I was pretty much in the black. She pulled up two classes that I could switch into, and told me to go meet the teacher. She handed me a nice little note, and had me rush over to Rathbone Hall (which sounds really cool, in retrospect) to sit in the class and see how it was.

The class was already over, but the professor was still there, with a few students. She sat me down, I explained to her my predicament, and that I was interested in taking the classes. At this point, she was very excited, and I was just as pleased because I was aware of some of the material that would be covered in these classes, and that it just seemed really assuring in a way.

Another positive note is that I didn't make myself look like an ass in front of the new professor. Thank heavens for that.

I went to my 3D Design class that night, and I liked the professor, and the stuff that we were covering. It seemed useful to me, so I'm sticking with this class. My 2D Design class went the same way. I went to Watercolor Painting, and again, that same useless feeling popped up. But after talking to Karen the counselor again, she had me signed up for 18 credits, with the option to drop either a spare Humanities class, which is tomorrow, or the painting class. I think I'm going to drop the painting class, and stick to my new introductory art classes and humanities classes.

So, granted that my original fears of transferring in came true (just a wee bit), I think everything is sorted out for now. Still in the process of meeting people, but as I have to keep reminding myself, it's just the first week. And another point that has been pointed out to me - I've just switched into a bunch of new ones, with new people. So I shall see how my new classes are today, and I'll go to the new one that is tomorrow (sadness - no more Fridays off for me...) and then, I shall report back with my new Albany Dramatis Personae!

TTFN

At Least I'm Not Facing Zombies

2008-01-19T14:19:00.000-05:00

I just finished reading "Dead Beat," a detective/fantasy novel revolving around the dangerous world of a wizarding detective named Harry Dresden. It's the seventh book or so, and now I'm a pretty loyal reader of the series because I love the characters and the plot lines (though some of it seems outrageously stupid, it's good for a laugh, and while the writing leaves some to be desired, it's a good enough read for me.)

There is a character that was introduced a few books back named Waldo Butters. He was a main sidekick in this book, because his experience as a forensic mortician and a certain corpse that he was supposed to examine made him a main target of the current round of necromancers that entered the story line as antagonists.

Butters has a serious issue with facing his fears. All of his first encounters with either zombies or necromancers in the first part of the book crippled him with fear and left him hopelessly helpless until Harry came to his aid. Halfway through the book, Harry has this to say to Butters (taken out of some context):

"Fear is part of life. It's a warning mechanism. That's all. It tells you when there's danger around. Its job is to help you survive. Not cripple you into being unable to do it...you've never thought about it before. You've reacted to the fear, but you haven't ever faced it and put it into the right perspective. You have to make up your mind to over come it."

I may not be facing zombies and necromancers (thankfully nothing like "Shaun of the Dead," which made me very sad and certain I'd never survive a zombie apocalypse), but I can't be scared of living here forever. I can't be afraid of going out and doing something all the time. As much as my personal preference is to have someone else with me when I go off to do these things, I have to face the fact that it won't always come down to what I want and instead will be what I have to do. Until I can meet more people or until I am with my friends and loved ones, I will simply have to try to get used to being on my own, because I must remember that it is only temporary. I will not always be alone, and people do care about what happens to me. I will get to live with people that I want to live with, people that I care about. I will get to do these things. It may not be now, but it will happen, and I just have to wait and bide my time until these things can come to pass.

And though I know this is the credo of some other organization somewhere, I will quote Viggo Mortensen, of cinematic fame: "Adapt and overcome."

Definitely less emo than the last passage, and while I am still adjusting, I am fairly certain that I can survive this turning point in life.

Big City Blues

2008-01-17T16:16:00.000-05:00

Hi everybody. I officially moved out to Albany yesterday, and I'm still adjusting. I live in a boarding house on Quail St (between St. Rose and Sage), with 4 other students (grad students.) I have actually spoken with one of them, and he seemed really nice, but not someone I think I could hang out with on a regular basis, but then again, he was nice enough to offer me dinner last night, since I had little means to make a meal. I have spent my first night here, I've said good-bye to family, friends and felines, and I am off in the big city all by my onesies.

And I am very, very, VERY lonely. I miss my family, my friends and my felines. I miss my home, my town, people that I see frequently. I miss the luxury of going in a car to a location that I want to go to. I miss my bed, for the comfort and the fact that there was a cat sleeping right there next to me at any given hour of the night. I miss people wondering where I am and what I'm doing. I miss the affection of others. I am horrendously homesick, after a single day of living here. 24 hours worth of Albany, and I have already had enough of it.

Today, I walked to the nearby Price Chopper. I walked straight down my road, turned left, and proceeded down Madison St. I did not realize that the College of St. Rose basically inhabited most of Madison. I'm used to colleges having campuses, grounds of their own, not sprawled all over the street grids. There were nice buildings though, and it only took me 30 minutes to get to the Price Chopper, an area that I knew. On my way in, there was a man asking for spare change, and I regretfully said that I had none yet, and I scurried into the building through the parking lot. It startled me a little, but then, I'm not used to that kind of thing. I hoped to only spend about $40 on groceries, but I exceeded my limit by $10. I had $60 on me, but I didn't want to spend it all. I just wanted to make sure that I had enough food to last to the weekend, and be able to freeze leftovers for a later time. I even tried to pack everything into 2 paper bags, which I realized, was a very stupid thing to do.

A thirty minute walk...

2 bulky and heavy paper bags full of stuff.

I walked out of a different exit, because I wanted to avoid the drifter in front of the store. Half a block away I realized that I could not properly carry the bags. I managed to hobble my way back around the block to the CVS Pharmacy near the Price Chopper, looking for a bus schedule or maybe a phone book for a taxi. I've only tried to get in touch with a couple of people since I've been here that may have been able to help me out, but I haven't gotten a response from them yet, or I knew they were at work. The cashier helped me call a taxi, and they showed up after a couple of minutes (which means that taxis, while expensive, are out in full force.) The taxi driver asked me where I wanted to go, and I gave my address. She commented on why I didn't ask for the plastic bags with handles, and I felt too stupid at this point to say that I bagged them myself. She got me back to the apartment safely, which was a relief, but I had to shell over $5.75 for the ride. Part of me thought it was worth it, but the rest of me felt that it served me right to think that I could haul those 2 bags pack to my apartment. Brilliant work, dipshit.

I had left around 10:30am, and I managed to get back around 12:00pm. Orientation at Sage had check-in slated for 12:30-1:00ish. I unloaded my groceries into the spare spaces in the fridge, and other non-perishables into the vacant shelf in the pantry. At least I had food, though until I get a job on campus, after I pay for my security deposit and 1st month's rent, I question my ability to get food over the next few weeks. I chugged some water and some orange juice (recently purchased), brushed my teeth and headed out the door to Sage.

The walk was a quick one, and I discovered that at my usual semi-brisk pace, I can make it there in 10 minutes. I walked through the campus to the Kahl Campus Center, where most of the orientation was happening. I received the usual free fare of folders chock full of information, stickers, pens, etc. The neatest part was the free jump drive they gave us - sure, it had the Student Handbook saved onto it, and yes, I'll read it at some point, but hey - hardware - awesome. I was introduced to the Deans and other important figures that I need to know to function on campus with a handful of other new students. I found out some useful information, like how to waive the student insurance that I really don't need because I have my own, so yay for getting $300 back to my parents. Other things like a potential work study job, how to get into the fitness center and figuring out what I want to do for my internship also featured my little stint at the school. I walked to the bookstore, found out that I needed no books (woot) only supplies (oy) and walked back to the main campus.

The Sage Bookstore has been conjoined with the Albany Law School Bookstore and the Albany College of Pharmacy Bookstore. The whole kit'n'caboodle resides in the ACP Campus Center on that campus, which is right next to Sage and down a ways. I find this whole thing to be a little odd, but whatever. I'll rarely have to go down this way anyway most like.

I wandered into the main building where all of my classes will be, and I found most of them. One class has no room yet, so I'll find out come this Tuesday. It was empty, and most of the hallways were dark, so I walked in, went through all 3 floors, and left. Nothing too exciting happening in there so far.

I walked back to the apartment the same way that I came. I still haven't seen anyone else in here yet, though someone was in the bathroom, and I'm not sure who it was. I tried to call a couple of people today, but they didn't answer. It bums me out a little bit, and it just drove the point home on how lonely I am here right now. I thought I would enjoy living off campus on my own, but it isn't like I thought it would be. I know I have to go off and do things and have adventures and stuff, but when it comes right down to it, I'm afraid. I'm afraid I won't like it here. I'm scared about classes, that I might have to change majors if I realize that I just don't want to do the art thing anymore. I'm afraid that I won't be able to make good friends, and I tried to talk to other people today, but I just couldn't keep their attention for long. The worst thing is is that I know I can get through it, that it won't be as bad as I think it is, that I'll get used to everything in time...but it isn't happening fast enough for me. All I can think of is how much I miss everything and everyone at home right now and how I'm not there with them.

Hopefully the next posting will be a bit cheerier, less mopey, and will also lack the current amount of self-pity that I am experiencing right now.

Let Me Tell You a Secret:

2007-12-31T20:00:00.001-05:00

The diploma holder is empty.

I have to wait to get it filled - my diploma will come by mail.

Anyway, yeah - I've been really bad about keeping this up to date. Here's the nitty-gritty though:

I graduated from MV! YAY! I also maintained my 4.0 GPA for 5 full semesters, which is kind of cool, and kind of disgusting at the same time, so I will never mention it on here again.

I have been accepted at Sage College in Albany, and I have found an apartment of sorts. It's an old boarding house that functions as a boarding house for college students, and it puts me in mind of Walden from the Doonesbury college days. I've yet to sign the lease, but I should be getting it some time this week. It's only a 1/2 mile away from the school, and roughly the same to the nearest grocery store and laundromat. Much rejoicing. Woot.

So. . .this has been a shortened rendition of what's been happening, and I hope I have something cooler over the next few days to report. Happy New Year, peeps!

Only Two Weeks to GO!

2007-12-07T20:31:00.000-05:00

Until graduation!

Here's a sample of me in my finery:

I just wanted to get the wrinkles out, I swear...

Because It Doth Amuse Me

2007-12-04T23:50:00.000-05:00

and the procrastination just keeps on truckin'...

1. YOUR ROCK STAR NAME: (first pet & colour of underwear)
Smokey White

2. YOUR SECRET AGENT NAME: (fav color and fav animal)
Blue Feline

3. YOUR "FLY Guy/Girl" NAME: (first initial of first name, last 3 letters of your last name)
M-Yes

4. YOUR DETECTIVE NAME:(the current weather and fav president)
Snowy Washington

5. YOUR SOAP OPERA NAME: (middle name, street u live on)
Aileen West Thomas

6. YOUR STAR WARS NAME: (the first 3 letters of your last name, first 2 letters of your first name, last 3 letters of mom's maiden name)
Hey-Mi Len

7. SUPERHERO NAME: (2nd favorite color, favorite drink (non alcoholic))
Green Birch Beer

8. NASCAR NAME: (the first name of your grandfather)
Edwin

STRIPPER NAME: (the name of your favorite perfume/cologne)
Original Fresh (wow, that sounds wrong!)

10.WITNESS PROTECTION NAME: (mother's & father's middle names)
Louise Joseph

Babies!

2007-11-16T20:37:00.000-05:00

So here you can see Barbossa and Hector (left to right), the new additions to the Heyes family. We can technically say that we've had them since they were kittens, since we fostered the pair of them with their other brothers and sisters all this summer. Everyone else got adopted, and it was pretty much a family decision to not leave these guys alone all by their onesies at the shelter, so we claimed them as our own. Ethan and Mocha, the original family felines, have adjusted fairly well: Mocha is of the (c)attitude that she is too old to be bothered with tending to two more boys in the house, and Ethan is playing Mr. Mom and bathing them on a semi-regular basis. (daaawwwwwwww!)

I'll update more later, for I have more things to say, but enjoy the cats for the meantime.

*Update*

One major thing that has been going on is that my grandmother had a stroke on Sunday. Not a major stroke, but a minor one, in the back of her head. However, she seems to be doing quite well, and there isn't that much difference - no paralysis of any kind and the only noticible issue is that anything she thinks of, she says out loud, and stays on the same track of conversation for an extended period of time (though I pointed out to my mom, she's been starting to do that anyway before this happened). I am currently in Mt. Kisco right now at her house with my uncle, and my mom, sister and I have been making a couple of visits to the hospital today. She took a little spill today, but they scanned her for that, and once again - no apparent lasting damage done (thank the maker.) For a 92 year-old woman, she is in remarkably good health, and I hope it stays that way until she has recovered completely.

Just a wee bit saddened that she won't be up for the graduation/pre-holiday festivities, but that's why the good Lord invented videocameras, eh?

Get well soon, Nanna. XXOO

Eh - Why Not?

2007-11-14T08:11:00.001-05:00

Advanced Global Personality Test Results

Extraversion	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	46%
Stability	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	56%
Orderliness	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	43%
Accommodation	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	70%
Interdependence	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	63%
Intellectual	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	43%
Mystical	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	36%
Artistic	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	56%
Religious	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	70%
Hedonism	\|\|\|\|\|\|	30%
Materialism	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	43%
Narcissism	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	50%
Adventurousness	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	56%
Work ethic	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	56%
Self absorbed	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	43%
Conflict seeking	\|\|\|\|	16%
Need to dominate	\|\|\|\|\|\|	30%

Romantic	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	56%
Avoidant	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	36%
Anti-authority	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	56%
Wealth	\|\|\|\|\|\|	30%
Dependency	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	50%
Change averse	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	36%
Cautiousness	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	56%
Individuality	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	63%
Sexuality	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	43%
Peter pan complex	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	56%
Physical security	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	70%
Physical Fitness	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	64%
Histrionic	\|\|\|\|\|\|	30%
Paranoia	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	43%
Vanity	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	36%
Hypersensitivity	\|\|\|\|\|\|	30%
Indie	\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|\|	41%

Take Free Advanced Global Personality Test
personality tests by similarminds.com

Actual Human Bodies

2007-10-27T10:00:00.000-04:00

I went to the Rochester Museum and Science Center yesterday on a field trip for Figure Drawing. There was an exhibition there called "Our Body" The Universe Within: Actual Human Bodies. Now, I would believe that people would look at this exhibit and wonder "Are these really people?" or rather, "Was this really part of a person before?" and I think that they might actually convince themselves that they were just very well fabricated mock-ups of the anatomy of a person. Well - ACTUAL HUMAN BODIES being plastered right up there in the title...you'd better believe it then, huh?

It was an exhibition much like the Body Works that I heard had been in New York City for a time, where cadavers are preserved by removing the water and fat in a process called polymer impregnation. The plastic is bendable at first, so the bodies can be posed, and then it hardens after infusion. Internal shrink wrapping is what it sounds like to me, just down to the cellular level...though I don't think that my definition would do the actual process justice.

There were specimens - arms, legs, hands, feet, skulls, organ systems, skeletons, babies (yes...babies - I could not bring myself to draw the cadavers in that section), and full sized actual cadavers on display. Morbid? Not really. Unless you count the completely disarming cadaver that was giving you the corniest thumbs-up you can think of, whilst rotating slowly on the dolly at the beginning of the exhibit. It was dark in there, with small spot lights from the ceiling shining down into the cases and displays, with gentle music in the background, which only heightened the respect that you felt the minute you walked inside. These people, for one reason or another, donated themselves to science, art and education. It was beautiful - there is no other way to help describe it. Everything that I saw, everything I drew - these thoughts just kept swimming around: An actual person...they used to walk like me, talk like me, laugh and cry and yell like me...they had a family and a life, and here they are. I have that muscle too, right inside of me. I have those vessels of blood coursing through me...Who were they? Where were they from, and did they realize that this was the legacy that they would be leaving behind? There is a small child - I was that size once. I was that large inside of a small sack of cells, and we all started that way. I grew and developed like all of these people walking around right now, and we all started that way, that small. It's really hard to not think deep thoughts in that exhibit. It's impossible not to. But really, it's so simple - we are the same on the inside. The organs, the muscles, the skeletons may vary, but regardless - we all have them, and I got to see every single one. Wow.

It was a fascinating place. MV art students were wandering around, sketching whatever caught our eye, as were our professors. The science majors that accompanied us were walking around with their professors, discussing the various samples and specimens. Our paths would cross, and the artist perspective would meet the scientific perspective, but there was such an appreciation felt by everyone that it just hummed in the air.

That was the first hour though. We started to get a bit goofy after that.

Once students from our group gradually started to leave the exhibit (you couldn't go back in again afterwards - one entry only) those of us that were still studying and sketching started to have a little fun (tame though it was.) For instance, sketching next to my teacher, and he muses, "God...I don't know why, but I suddenly want some jerky." I did not notice the first two cadavers at the beginning of the exhibit, because I was drawn to the cross sectioned cadaver that was split vertically into 7-9 parts, front to back, however, the exploded muscle person and the thumbs-up cadaver I finally found and stopped at made me shake my head and laugh to myself. I stopped at another display, one that featured some skeletons with the preserved blood vessels coming out of the bones and wrapping themselves around and around, and looked at the skeleton more closely. It looked like one of those skeletons from a video game, like a necromancer, and it looked like he was conjuring up magical energy and his mouth was open in that skeleton-cackle. He will haunt my dreams forever - and I pointed this out to some of my friends and teachers, one of whom piped up saying, "You know, they come alive at night..." and I chuckled. A night at the museum here? God forbid.

I look forward to seeing some of the sketches that everyone did at the museum at class come Tuesday. I wonder what everyone did, what they thought, how they felt. But just so you all can get a sample of what was done, here you are:

Apartment Huntin'

2007-10-16T20:49:00.000-04:00

Well, thus begins the search for lodgings off-campus. This Saturday I will be headed for Albany to inspect a place to live, and see how that goes. In the meantime, I search and search the interweb for apartments/houses for rent. Any advice anyone has to offer would be appreciated. Like right now, I am looking to use these as bargaining chips:

#1. I am a college student. Have pity on me. *tear*
#2. I will gladly do winter maintenance if you hack $100+ off of the price of rent.
#3. Look at my grades/personality/resume - I am a, to quote Adam Ant, a goody-goody two-shoes and will not throw wild drunken parties on your property.

So - it begins! Tally-ho!

Avatar is Amazing

2007-10-08T20:34:00.000-04:00

Avatar: The Last Airbender. What element do you bend?

You are a Waterbender!Nation: Water TribesMartial Arts Style: Tai ChiOpposing Bending Art: FireNotable Waterbenders: Katara, Master Pakku Waterbending's defensive maneuvers focus on control through turning an opponent's own strength against him, rather than directly harming the opponent. Waterbending provides a versatility of experience. Waterbenders also possess thermokinetic abilities regarding their element, meaning that they can freeze, melt, evaporate or condense the water they manipulate at will. Waterbenders in particular possess the ability to heal wounds by redirecting energy paths (or chi) throughout the body, using water as a catalyst.A Waterbender's primary weakness is his or her need for an external source of water, though a skilled Waterbender can condense the natural moisture in the air or on the ground into a usable form. A Waterbender's power is connected to his or her present emotional state. If an inexperienced Waterbender loses his or her temper, his or her waterbending power is intensified, but in turn, control is lost.
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I am Designing My Future

2007-10-03T17:28:00.000-04:00

As of today, my enrollment fee has been accepted, and come the Spring 2008 semester, I will be a Sage College of Albany student!

WOOOOOO!

Another Memorable Night's Sleep

2007-09-26T07:17:00.000-04:00

To sum up, if vampires ever try to take over MVCC, especially the dorms, before dawn, they should be prepared to deal with a resistance made up of RAs flinging swords, a couple of residents and the belief of God and love.

I love it when I remember these things.

And the Turtles Just Keep Coming...

2007-09-19T23:15:00.000-04:00

As was pointed out to me in the prior post, I will set the record straight.

They were not turtles - they were stunt doubles. Therefore no turtles were harmed. The turtles went on strike. They have, however, returned for this minor change in the shot.

Behold it!

No turtles were harmed during the filming of this piece.

The Turtles Bounce

2007-09-19T00:59:00.000-04:00

The Turtle Bounces

2007-09-14T07:51:00.000-04:00

No turtles were harmed in the making of this video.

Um...Cool, Methinks

2007-09-11T19:49:00.000-04:00

alt="The Lively Center of Attention" width="200"
height="90" border="0">

Dramatis Personae

2007-09-06T23:42:00.001-04:00

Hey hey. Now that I've had two weeks of classes, my schedule is pretty much finalized, I know who my teachers are, and I've successfully survived two weeks of classes. *Yay accomplishment!*

Now, my usual tradition is to give you a brief description of the Cast of Characters that change scenes with me throughout the course of the semester. They will make cameo appearances in this blog, so you can at least get a feel for who they are - among them are my peers, professors and people upstairs (I tried to maintain alliteration - did I fail miserably? Be the judge!)

Dramatis Personae (Cast of Characters) Fall 2007

Fellow RAs and Friends

Felicia - My friend since highschool. Joined the ranks of RA last semester. Fellow partner in crime and the only other girl to be found at the Power Table (see George). She lives in New Hall, and is a very faithful, trusting friend.
Josh W. - Another RA from last semester, also on my staff. He is a most excellent rival in wit and sarcastic repartee, jokes featuring innuendo or implied innuendo, and has a penchant for getting beaten up by me like a little sister pounding on her older brother.
Josh C. (also Chang) - Another Josh, one of many. Became an RA this semester, and is one of the most free-spirited, eccentric people on staff. An excellent person to talk to, for you do not know what he will say next.
Matt - Formerly known as Green-Haired Matt, he is Butterfield's answer to Rock Lee from Naruto. The worst part is, I really have no idea who that is. Matt is a fascinating person.
Martin - Another Senior RA, like myself. He is happy this semester, because he has a girlfriend now, and we all wish him the best of luck.
Jesse - The RA whose floor I live on. Very easy going, very talkative, very cool so far.
KayCie - She used to have Jesse's floor last semester, but sadness, she has left me for the greener pastures of South Halls.

Rudy - In our group of friends, he is the only one who isn't an RA, which is okay. Very interesting views on the world, which I might not always disagree with, but he is good for a laugh, and also a font of some kind of strange, if not wonderful and also partially useless, information.
Andy - Felicia's brother. He comes here now. He is slowly, or speedily, being corrupted by the lot of us.
George - The kindly gentlemen who has been eating in the dining hall since Jeremy's day and then some, and just loves it when we all join him for dinner - no meal is complete without George.
Jeremy aka Dougie - Another RA, but he had to leave last semester to fight off some Leukemia, but as far as I'm concerned, his transplant beat it and he is biding his time until he comes back next semester, ready to stage a coup for control of the dorms. (Not really, but he's coming back next semester and we all miss him terribly while he heals up.)

The Nutty Professors

Dr. Searles - My Latin professor. Very quotable, and not just in Latin. I have a running tally of quotes that I just find hilarious and just, well, quotable.
Dr. Dell - My Science of Light professor. A cross between Bill Nye the Science Guy and Steve Buschemi. He makes it funny and interesting, so therefore I enjoy the class considerably.
Mr. Vitale - He's the prof for my independent study for Figure Drawing. Good critiques from him, good sense of humor, good teacher all around. I also Student Assist for him and Jed Kimball, and that in itself is an adventure.
Dr. Isenberg - My Screen Printing prof. Very tall. Very graphic design-y. Only had one class so far since we had Labor Day, but it's a 4 hour class, so I'll learn plenty, methinks.
Scot Connor - The crazy little man that headed my independent study last semester, has graciously decided to do another one with me again. This time around, I'll be learning Flash. I've been working on it for two weeks, and I can make stuff move - boss!

The Chiefs

Lindsey - The boss lady of North Halls, my new RD. She's really cool and down to earth. She'd bend over backwards while doing a split to help you out any way she could, which is really commendable, and I appreciate her for that, for she relates to people very well. I wish her an excellent first semester.
Ushona - My first RD. I do miss being on her staff, but she's always willing to have me sit down and chat whenever there's a break in the action. I like her because she can be no nonsense when she's on duty.
Jamie - My RD from last semester, she moved over to South Halls. Very sweet, always interested in how your day is going.
Dennis - The director for student housing here at school. Technically, the top of the chain here in the dorms, as far as the usual hierarchy goes. Very avuncular, a pleasant man to talk to.

And in his own category, there is Luke, my boyfriend, who is in Albany now for school. I love him dearly, which he knows quite well, and he'll be quoted occasionally up here, I'm sure. I also hold him responsible for getting me addicted to the Harry Dresden book series, but that's not too terribly bad.

Hm...That appears to be it. I might add some more people when I think of them in a little bit, in which case, additions! Woo! But I think I covered everyone that I'll be mentioning regularly, so...moste excellente. Time for bed, methinks! Good night all!

Make It Move

2007-09-03T20:22:00.000-04:00

I'm currently taking another Independent Study, though not as involved or as spectacular as "The Boy Who Drew Cats." It is a new adventure for me, though, as I muddle through and try to understand Macromedia Flash. So here is a basic ball bounce.

Senior Resident Assistant Part Deux!

2007-08-22T21:47:00.000-04:00

Hi there folks. After a bit of a hiatus over most of the summer (with a random smattering of posts only occasionally) I have returned, for one more semester at MVCC. I'm still an SRA in the dorms here, and we are presently prepping the halls for occupancy once more. More over, the college itself appears to be getting face-lifted as well, with rooms being gutted, painted, and re-carpeted, all within days of the Freshman arrival and orientation. Jolly good fun, eh?

An update for myself, I am trying to get into a school over in Albany, one by the name of SCA (Sage College). I'm close to getting in, for I have been accepted to the visual arts department, but not the college itself, which could lead to complications, but hopefully either I'll send back the appropriate paperwork that they need, or a letter will arrive sometime in the next few weeks saying, "Hey! We want you, now sign some papers and send them back!" The waiting game has been set.

Dorm life is the same as it has been. We have been instructed to enforce our confidentiality contract, of which I respect most dearly. However, that doesn't stop me from leaving horrendously vague remarks on a subject, most of which will likely detail either how much I despise office work, and how if I were crammed into a cubicle, I would wage war with my neighbors to keep myself sane, or how little sleep I received on any given night of duty. Nothing is ever breached, so a problem it will not be.

However, anything just utterly ridiculous will be described, complete with diagrams and monographs on the subject.

Monographs. Did you like that? Hold over from when I read Sherlock Holmes last summer.

On that note, I must be such a dork right now for referencing Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

I will say that I do enjoy working with the staff this semester, and I am quite optimistic. Misgivings are to be had, but that is to be understood - most people get cold feet about some things, but most of the time one can say that it will all turn out well, yes?

For instance, I had a very nice conversation with some of the staffers regarding the topic of discrimination on the campus and in the dorms. We were all of the consensus that it comes down to the behavior of the person, and how they are disrespecting themselves. Talking to people that were of the same line of thought was very refreshing, especially because I did not expect that response, let alone from them. Of course, you would say, "See what happens when you talk to other people?" and rub that in my face. However, you can rub away - that is what happens when you talk to other people.

One life lesson for the week, I guess. More will follow over the course of the semester.

Make 'em laugh, folks. I'm signing off.

I Gots a New Cousin! (Yes, I know it's improper grammar, but this is exciting nonetheless...)

2007-08-19T18:01:00.000-04:00

Ladies and Gentlemen, put your hands together for the new addition to the Heyes family tree:

Joey Fenton Lusk III !

This lucky fellow was born to Kevin and Shelby Lusk (Kevin is my first cousin.)

Hooray!!

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

2007-07-22T15:15:00.000-04:00

Snape is full of win and awesome. Long live Dumbledore.

To all of you who were disappointed with the book and have made deaths threats to J.K. Rowling, get over yourselves: It's just a book, and if you are so wrapped up in the details of how the author finished the book, you seriously need to take into account how pathetic your life must be to threaten to kill a real person who invented a fictional character that she killed off. Seriously.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book, one of my favorites. I will miss the series greatly, and it feels as if my childhood has lost something important, but I am glad to have taken part in this phenomena - considering that the basic themes are a part of every day life, I will never forget these books in an instant, and hope that we all have something to learn and to impart on future generations by reading Harry Potter.

Good job, J.K.

Public Service Announcement for the Arts

2007-06-09T10:34:00.000-04:00

Hey everybody in the Rome area! Do you like acoustic guitar? A nice coffee-shop environment? Looking for something to do on a Saturday night?

Then come and see Luke Hoehn play his new set at 'Spressos on N. James St.

Saturday, June 16th at 7 pm

No cover charge

At World's End

2007-05-31T09:26:00.000-04:00

So, apart from all of the deceit and irregular subterfuge in the movie, which I happened to follow quite well compared to anyone that might have been lost in the movie, I loved Pirates of the Caribbean. I could have done without some of the character deaths, and I still hold to the belief that Will Turner is a wussy boy, Norrington and Barbossa are awesome, and Jack Sparrow...is Jack Sparrow.

And the monkey rocks too.

And the Squeeing Will Be Kept Down to a Minimum...

2007-05-22T08:06:00.000-04:00

And it was with great pleasure that last night I received a phone call...from Luke...in Thailand.

The day after I came back from school was the day that Luke left for Thailand with his family for two weeks. In his absence I have been trying to entertain myself and I find that I have been succeeding fairly well. For instance:

I have been hanging out with Felicia and Alicia, the twins from high school and half of college.

I've hung out with Dougie and his friends, who are insane to be at Walmart with after the hours of 10.

I mowed the front lawn with an old-fashioned mower.

I'm still unpacking from school.

I finished all of my laundry.

I went to the church party (St. Paul's 50th anniversary and Fr. Kelly's 60th anniversary.)

I got a job (technically, it kind of fell into my lap, but it's a good deal that keeps me occupied until I have to go back to school.)

However, the biggest high point, hands down, is that I got a phone call all the way from Thailand last night! Woo hoo!

Just...uhh...blah

2007-05-10T00:07:00.000-04:00

There has been a water fight going on between the hours of 4:00pm to 8:00pm if not longer, for the past two nights, in the quad and in the dorms.

Tonight, it was completely out of hand.

I took refuge in the staff lounge until I was called into the fray.

Why are people so stupid?

Pirate

2007-04-27T10:55:00.001-04:00

You scored as Captain Jack Sparrow. You are definitely quirky and often mistaken for mad but if anyone is truly paying attention they can see there is method to your madness. You try really hard to be bad but in the end you tend to do the right thing.

Captain Jack Sparrow

50%

Captain James T. Hook

50%

Mary Read

50%

Sinbad

50%

Morgan Adams

42%

Captain Barbosa

33%

Black Beard

17%

Dread Pirate Roberts

17%

Long John Silvers

Will Turner

What kind of Pirate are you?
created with QuizFarm.com

Blood is Thicker than the Blue Solution they Drop it In

2007-04-24T21:59:00.000-04:00

Monday was the Phi Theta Kappa Blood Drive. I signed up to work at the canteen and pass out cookies and juice so people don't pass out at all. After an hour, I started thinking: why do I always work the behind the scenes job? So, after some hefty thought processing, I decided to get in line to be screened for the blood donation.

I read their little book of stuff you should know, gave my stats and name, got my finger pricked and oh, how I laughed at how they basically milked my finger to get a sample. I had enough iron, so I was worthy of the blood letting process. I answered all 40 something questions and passed. I was led to the table, and the technician found a vein in my left arm that really doesn't like needles, and hid within my tissues. Probing for it wasn't an option, so we switched to my right arm and then everything was peachy. Since my body is not used to giving away it's fluids, I became very tired and lied down a lot, and consumed many juice pouches and cookies. Both of my arms were bandaged and I was plastered with "This was my 1st donation!" stickers and I walked out of the drive looking the very image of the wounded warrior.

The funniest part was my speech. Apparently, giving blood was a window for my friends to see what I would act like when drunk or inebriated. My speech was slurred, I became very monotone and mono-syllabic, I was loopy-happy and then surly-angry-sleepy. My night finally ended when I ate a giant piece of fried dough and promptly went to sleep afterwards.

Only another 6 weeks until I can give again! Though I may wait a little bit longer...but I'll still do it again.

29! 29! 29! 29! 29! 29! 29! 29! 29! 29!

2007-04-22T07:08:00.000-04:00

Happy Anniversary to my parents, who have been married for 29 (count 'em - t w e n t y - n i n e) years today, on this very beautiful Earth Day! *pretend me mimicking Kermit the Frog* YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!
*Yeah, I know there's snow - this was the family Christmas pic I made....*

Woo! Poems

2007-04-10T22:38:00.001-04:00

If they told you I'm mad, then they lied.
I'm odd, but it isn't compulsive.
I'm the triolet, bursting with pride;
If they told you I'm mad, then they lied.
No, it isn't obsessive. Now hide
All the spoons or I might get convulsive.
If they told you I'm mad then they lied.
I'm odd, but it isn't compulsive.

What Poetry Form Are You?

Nerd

2007-04-10T22:29:00.001-04:00

What Be Your Nerd Type? Your Result: Drama Nerd You sure do love the spotlight and probably have a very out-going and loud personality. Or not. That's just a stereotype, of course. Participation in the theatre is something to be very proud of. Whether you have a great voice for musicals, or astounding skills for dramas/comedies; keep up the good work. We need more entertainment these days that isn't television and video games (not that these things are bad, necessarily.)
Social Nerd
Artistic Nerd
Literature Nerd
Musician
Gamer/Computer Nerd
Anime Nerd
Science/Math Nerd
What Be Your Nerd Type? Quizzes for MySpace

STUPID STUPID RAT CREATURES!

2007-04-01T14:01:00.000-04:00

Notice

To whom it may concern (specifically those that dumped sour milk beneath my room door last night):

This is just a letter to let you know that I am not impressed. Also, I would like to take the time to tell you that even in a parallel universe, you will still be at the mental stage of an ameoba, much like you are now. I marvel at your ability to leave milk in your own refrigerator long enough for it to expire like it did, and I pray that you may have even sipped it before you decided to dump it in my room and the other RA's as well. I look forward to our next encounter, whatever it may be.

Thank you for your time.

Oh What a Beautiful Mornin'!

2007-03-31T13:34:00.000-04:00

The sun, it shineth everyday!

The snow, it melteth everyday!

The sky, it blueth everyday!

The students, they smoketh everyday!

The semester, it decreaseth everyday!

The homework, it pileth upeth everyday!

The residents, they get stupideth everyday!

But me, I smileth everyday!

Hooray!

Random Observation for the Week

2007-03-23T11:04:00.000-04:00

Today, while dining on two peanut butter sandwiches and a bottle of cranberry juice, I discovered something.

While your body is clearing itself of all the snot and phlegm you produced while you have a cold, peanut butter sandwiches and cranberry juice make an excellent expectorant.

And to quote my father, "Oh, how totally gross..."

Madness? THIS IS...

2007-03-15T00:36:00.000-04:00

Spring Break!! Or Sparta, whichever you prefer. I did see 300, which you will hear more about in a little bit.

I came home Friday, after working my usual shift as office lackey. Received some bad news that my friend Jeremy was doing poorly, so that put me in a sulky little mood, with a touch of despondance...damn you leukemia! But 5 o'clock came, and I was Rome-ward bound.

The next day, mom and I were off to Mt. Kisco for a long put-off visit to my grandparental units. It was a nice little visit, wherein I received a message relayed from Felicia that the problem with Jeremy was actually a false alarm, and I rejoiced most heartily *woooot!*

The rest of the weekend was spent assisting my grandmother, and assembling a giant feast on Sunday with my mom for everyone. Monday we left, but I got to see where my aunt worked before that, and I learned that my grandfather was a member of the Knickerbocker Grays (which is a fun little thing to look up, as we unearthed a boatload of old photos, some of which contained my grandfather as a baby, my dad as a baby/toddler, and the notorious Heyes family ears.)

I also went to visit Sage College in Albany on Monday. They gave me some paperwork to read and fill out at my leisure, and gave me enough information to get around the campus (which is super tiny, but I think I could live with that...we'll see.) It was a neat little place.

Tuesday was a romp indeed. Felicia and I had been waiting and waiting to do something with Jeremy, and we were waiting for Spring Break. Unfortunately, I could not gain access to a car, so it came down to us hanging out with Jeremy, and he drove, but I think he enjoyed that a lot, though in my mind it defeated the purpose of us taking him out to have a good time. We went to see 300, which was amazing. Amazingly awesome. Leather speedos and instant death - horrific, sepia toned death...and Dilios survived *hooray!!* Following the movie was a quick jaunt to the comic shop, and then we went to go haunt MVCC. We smuggled Jeremy into New Hall (which was technically closed, so we abused our RA privileges) and went to visit our friend Josh, who was working there over break. Jeremy got to see other people too, and they were like "OMG ur alive!" and yes, I do believe that is the way they meant it (damn grammatics...) Following this was the ride home, and DDR and Guitar Hero at Jeremy's house until it was time to go....it was awesome.

Today I saw two of my favorite little kiddlings, and got to play like a little kid, which doesn't happen at college. So much joy it brought...*babies!*...but they are growing up too fast!

The rest of my break will be spent doing my homework and spending more time with Luke, once his midterms die down...then it will be back to the old grind on Sunday...blaaah....

Better make the rest of the week count!

OMG MIDTERMS!

2007-03-04T18:03:00.000-05:00

Yeah, it's that time again! I finished one project, I have a test to study for, I have a test this Tuesday, I have several ongoing projects that require being worked on considerably during break as well...but then again, that's cake! 5 more days until I get to leave! Huzzah!

!@#%$^()#

2007-03-02T10:18:00.000-05:00

ahsdsdkkasufhea!! fdaksdife9e$%@^%fjdkfasdlfsdk!!!!

Translation, Egon?

Sounds like, 'Get out of my face, or eat flaming terror.'

Presidential Pal

2007-02-24T18:49:00.001-05:00

Everybody's Working for the Weekend!

2007-02-18T17:39:00.000-05:00

Begin the techno music! *or however the song goes...*

The best part of it was that I smacked myself in the face with a soda bottle, and gave myself a bloody lip. The best excuses for it are: You should see the other guy; I tried to pierce my lip; and the truth - I hit myself in the face with a soda bottle. It's the most unbelievable.

The school was in a state of emergency on Friday (closed), with the batch of lake effect snow that hit after the 2 day Nor'easter. We had to get all of the dorm students to move their cars to another lot so the lot could be plowed. Those that wouldn't start, had to be dug out and pushed, of which I helped with two, and then helped to dig out other people's cars so they could move them. Then the sun came out.

Luke came around on Friday night, and we ate out and went to see Ghost Rider, which was quite good.

Saturday, maintenance was here, working OT to finish clearing out the dorms. All I want to do is sleep in, and the snowblower is outside at 8:00am.

I get a call later that night saying that dad was taken to the ER for leg pain, but we found out later that it was muscle spasms from all this winter work - thank God it wasn't a clot.

Today, while I was working in the office, the fire alarm went off in New Hall. I discovered a communication break-down, a malicious alarm, and the joy of losing a signal on a cell phone - multiple times.

...and I get to work tonight!

Snowness

2007-02-14T18:41:00.000-05:00

A Nor'easter is mother nature's way of bitch-slapping us in the face.

However, how can you beat a snow day?!

4-5 Weeks In

2007-02-08T23:56:00.000-05:00

My goodness, have I been a terrible blogger. I rarely update, and I discuss barely anything! But now - the tables have turned!

I have been adapting to the SRA schedule, which revolves around my office hours (which are annoying to have, but are absolutely essential, apparently...), meetings with administrators, class (somewhere around 17 credits for 5 classes) and free time (which is all too few.) Thankfully, I have regained some sense of drive, but I haven't fallen behind at all whilst trying to regain said drive, so let's hope nothing changes there (I actually feel like doing work again! Huzzah!!)

I also have yet to run through the Dramatis Personae so far for this semester:

The Nutty Professors:

Ms. Partridge - Again. For two classes. See previous entries regarding her classes.
Scot Connor - Who I cannot bring myself to call Mr. Connor. He is Scot Connor. He's our fearless leader for the big animation independent study.
Dr. Labuz - My Topics in Art History professor who dazzled us with Plato's World of Ideas (Plato is on crack.)
Mr. Mig(liori) - Labuz's partner in crime, they tag-team teach Topics in Art History.
Mr. Getchell - My Environmental Science teacher (for lab and lecture.) He is a jittery fellow, claiming that he needs to stop drinking coffee. On closer analysis, he is left handed and a compulsive gum chewer...not that that has anything to do with anything, just stuff I've noticed.

Dormitory Corp:

Kramer - RD for South Halls. Looks like Dante from Clerks, and is one of the funniest out of the admin bunch, most likely because of his fondness for Dane Cook.
Jamie - My boss here in North Halls. Very sweet, but I would never cross her unintentionally for fear of wrathness.
Ushona - My old boss from New Hall, comparable almost to a Mother Duck character.
Dennis - Their boss and mine, who slowly is corrupting me into total administrative efficiency and fancy talk. (AAAAAAAAAAAAAA)
Mark Murphy - MVCC's equivalent to Chuck Norris. He's in charge of facilities and maintenance on the dorms.
Martin - The South Halls SRA, comrade-in-arms, yadda yadda yadda...meh...
Matt - RA in Butterfield, power table member, originally known as Green-Haired Matt, and Pirate Matt.
Josh - One of my old residents, got hired as an RA this semester, and is moste awesome.
Felicia - My best friend from high school, who is now a New Hall RA, and has been thoroughly corrupted by Martin, Matt, and Josh.
KayCie - Fellow RA who lives on the same floor as me, and is amazingly awesome.

Peeps from Classes and Other Such Places:

Rudy - Who we first met at orientation as a Jedi, and slowly adopted him into the Power Table, and is a sadistic, spiteful man with intents of becoming a minister.
Steve - Illustration buddy.
Stacy - Illustration buddy, and target of projectile things during class.
Aaron - Luke's uncle, who is in class with me.
Tony - Was in some of our classes last year and came back for more this year.
Andrew - From Ravenswood Comics, and in my class as well, and is so freaking amazing at art that I get ill.
Janelle - Friend from semesters past, also in my independent study group!
Bill - Also in my independent study group, and is an animation major.
Ryan - Also in my independent study group, and is an animation major.

and Jeremy - Who is my hero, because he's in treatment for leukemia.

And of course, there is Luke - who I love, who now goes to SUNY IT, and who leaves little note for me in my notebook when I'm not looking...

And that will be my cast for the semester. More people will enter during the course of scene changes, of course...

In other news, had some events that I haven't posted lately:

Went to Syracuse to see Jeremy at the hospital. One of my paintings was sent to the SUNY Student Art Show in Albany. I will get to submit sketches for a patch design for the Aviation program here at school (in Rome, technically.) I'm President of Phi Theta Kappa. I have been curling (pictures coming up soon.) Luke goes to the local SUNY school, so I get to see him more often (and thank goodness, because he keeps me sane.) School has closed at 3pm twice already this week due to lake effect snow, and because of said-snow, I have been body slammed into a snow pile twice, and jumped in four times of my own volition.

That's all she wrote!

How Common is Common Sense?

2007-02-04T08:05:00.000-05:00

Murphy's Law Need Not Apply

2007-01-30T23:28:00.000-05:00

Murphy's Law: What can go wrong, will go wrong.

A lot of little things build up, but over time, one builds up a tolerance to the bad and just moves on.

I officially found out that my friend, who is like a brother to me, is no longer in remission for leukemia, and he is starting treatments again.

Not the usual chipper message that I normally put, but for a little while everything else just kind of pales in comparison to this, so it will be hard to actually listen to people complain about the stupidest things while at the same time, my friend is fighting cancer again.

If I do give them a dope slap, it will be in his honor.

Bob the Squirrel

2007-01-15T09:20:00.000-05:00

In my junior and senior year of high school, I got to intern with the cartoonist over at the local paper, his name being Frank Page. He has his own syndicated comic strip and online comic called "Bob the Squirrel," and since he is on a mini-virtual vacation of sorts, I volunteered some guest strips for his site, which you can find here: www.bobthesquirrel.com

My strips are up today, Tuesday, and Wednesday.

So...yup.

The Boy Who Drew Cats

2007-01-14T22:45:00.000-05:00

This is a project that 3 of my friends and I are working on. The story goes like this: last semester, we were all in Storyboarding together, but theywere animation majors, and I'm just an illustration major. However, we all enjoyed the differing aspects of making a movie. I approached our professor with a proposition, that I get to go and do an independent study of storyboarding, and adapt stories I liked for script writing and boarding and such. My three friends didn't want to board, but either A. design the character models, B. learn to paint in 2D on the computer, or C. rig the models on the computer. Ironically enough, we all had such an interested that we combined our respective talents together, and decided to create a mini-movie. We started looking at fairytales and such, and we decided to adapt the Japanese folk tale of 'The Boy Who Drew Cats,' but it's being twisted and warped a bit to suit our needs and wants. Here's a sample of the boards I've been thumbnailing...

Though, we cut this part of the scene out, but it's pretty fancy, and it would have been neat to see. I must finish drawing the rest of the boards. Here's our little web site too, in case you'd like to visit and see how we are coming along: The Boy Who Drew Cats |

So This is the New Year -

2007-01-02T13:39:00.000-05:00

As I suddenly remember the Death Cab for Cutie song, though I will not put in the lyrics - I don't want to be that guy who puts down song lyrics relevant to their life at that point in time. However, I will put down that the sun is shining, there was snow, for a time, but it has melted away, sadly.

I hear of cases of stomach viruses dwelling in people homes (my sister has recently become a victim of sorts, as well as some of my friends.) Not a fan of the spew, am I. Not at all.

Less than a week until I head back to MV, in a new dorm - away from minor/major annoyances as well as friends (sadly), and into another world entirely (with completely new things), and some new jobs. (I get to work for the art department now, too!) Should be interesting, it should.
I do not know what lies ahead, nor do I want to for that matter. The here and now is all that concerns me, and I will just have to figure things out as they go along, and it is going to be fun!

Happy 2007 everybody!

Viscount St. Austell-In-The-Moor . . .

2006-12-22T08:39:00.001-05:00

My Peculiar Aristocratic Title is:
Her Excellency Michelle the Omnipresent of Buzzing St Helens
Get your Peculiar Aristocratic Title

Here We Come A-Wassailing

2006-12-16T23:52:00.001-05:00

Angels from the realms of TheLowKeyLoki,
Wing your flight over all the earth.

Angels From The Realms Of Glory
from the Christmas Song Generator.

Mystery Meat

2006-12-15T23:25:00.000-05:00

I am truly loved and blessed. My grandfather, who is 90 and still awfully spry for his age, sends me a package at a rate of about one per month so far this semester, from the Figi's mail order catalogue. I've had cookies, mints, and an adorable little Christmas bunny arrive here at school. I am always reminded that Poppop still thinks about his youngest grandkidling, his little Shadow.

Yesterday, another package arrived, quite unexpected, much like all of the others. It was comparatively large as well, and I could feel a large, heavy something sitting in the center of the box. I brought it back to my room, slice open the top, and my eyes go wide.

There was an 8 pound ham sitting in the box, contained in a sea of styrofoam packing peanuts.

I start laughing, naturally. What am I going to do with an 8 pound ham?! I pick it up out of the box, and I begin to analyze it, wondering - oh dear God, please - I hope it isn't perishable! However, the ham was cooked thouroughly and could be refrigerated, so there it sat in my mini-fridge, while I pondered furiously over what to do with the thing, and the mystery behind the notorious slab of meatiness.

I called home, and asked Mom and Dad to bring it home for me, as they would have more opportunities to eat a ham more than me. My friends were all incredulous as I said, quite deadpan, that my grandfather sent me an 8 pound ham, before I cracked up and started laughing with them. Then they would say something along the lines of, "Wow, your grandpa really loves you, to send you a ham." And of course, I would agree.

The mystery was solved today, though, as when I called Poppop, he asked, "Did you get my cookies?" And I had replied, "Noo....but I did get your ham!" And so we laughed, and I learned that somewhere along the line, my order got crossed with my family's order, so they will get cookies, while I received the ham.

My dad claimed the ham today, and proudly proclaimed that we would feast on it for Christmas dinner at some point (which clashes with mom's dinner plans, but I'm sure will be fit in somewhere.)

Thus endeth the mysterious story of the notorious ham.

~~~~~~~~
Anyway, I'm on phone duty this weekend - for the last time now that I think about it. I'm slowly packing up my room to prepare to move over to Huntington, and I have assembled my comic books and that's about it. My desk is slowly getting cleared of junk, and the purge begins. It's also easier now that classes are over, for I can throw out old sketches that will serve no more purposes, and eliminate spare bits of scrap that have been plaguing my room for the past month.

I hear tell that my uncle ordered out for Chinese last night for dinner, from his hospital room, so now I know he's getting better ^^.

And I will get to see Luke in about 5 days - Hooray!!

I will most likely be writing in this before Christmas, so I will talk to you all before then. Until later, trusty viewers!

'Tis The Season

2006-12-10T18:43:00.000-05:00

It's one of the seven deadly sins: greed! Though one of the kids in my class is going for a more corporate version of it, I opted for greedy froggies, because they are greedy l'il buggers!

This weekend I did some Christmas shopping. I feel horrendously lame because I could have put more thought into it for my friends, but I opted for a similar theme of what to get for them. Further Amazon.com shopping helped me to find just the right stuff for my family, so that made me happy anyway, so I'll be having them delivered this week (hooray!)

I have also been promoted: I'm a Senior Resident Assistant now, just like Rich and Dan Fenton, and I have much to aim for. I wasn't looking forward to it, but I got a verbal slap in the face from Luke to snap me out of it, as he did remind me that I did want the job, so I shouldn't feel too guilty about getting the job while my friends did not. Plus, the more I thought about it, the more I realized that I'll get to do all of the things an RA can't do, like learn how to fix things when maintenance isn't here, or stop a massive flood in one of the basements/bathrooms. I want prove to everyone that I can do the job, and do the job well, so that's what I'm going to do. I'll be moving over to Huntington sometime either before or after break, and come back earlier than the other RAs too.

And a shout out to Felicia, who also made RA for New Hall *go FEEF*, and to Martin, who is the other SRA in Butterfield! CHAOS!

Blacklight Mini-Golf and a Tea Pilferer!

2006-12-06T00:29:00.000-05:00

I can't golf...but this was super fun. We had a staff development for our little group of RAs, and much to the other staff's jealousy, we got to go to the Golf Shack, which is an indoor blacklight mini-golf/arcade scene - and it's pretty snazzy. There were many marine animals painted on the walls and it was wild - you all should check it out sometime.

We also had sushi at the China Buffet next to it, except for me...and the other guy...and our boss...nothing worse than sketchy sushi, lemme tell ya.

The week has been interesting...a riot that sparked at a nearby college has our whole security/RA staff on the alert for any crazy happenings, and we are preparing ourselves for finals week as well *la la la la la...*

Had my interview for Senior Resident Assistant, and that went ok. I honestly can't formulate any opinion on it at all. You know how you can get that feeling when you know you aced it and you find out that you did ace it? Apart from feeling super anxiety prior to the meeting, I feel absolutely nothing afterwards, but all the other RAs that applied for the two posts are all smiles...and I feel completely indifferent. Maybe it's just not setting myself up for disappointment, or I'm just really good at maintaining a neutral attitude about things. Either way, I suppose it's a good attitude to keep...I have a 1 in 30 chance, I think is how it goes...(1/6 times 1/5?) Or something mathematical like that. But we shall see - New RAs find out this Friday, I believe, so I am excited for them! WHEEEEE

Or yes, they have been putting out specialty tea out at dinner. I found English Breakfast and Green Tea, and I said, "Oooo....English Breakfast! Green Tea! One for dinner, and two for later!" *swipe* I heart tea...especially good tea.

I also got to discover the intricacies of the massive phone hookups in the dorms. I had to assist one of the maintenance crew, and we were trying to find a faulty phone line - from the resident's room, to the Electric Room "Don't touch anything unless you want to get fried", to the Trash Room "Wait, that's not the stairs", to the Flex Room "The other phone box is up there...and they are all connected fine...mmmmk", back to the office...only to find that the phone started working again...how odd...oh well...magic! ^^

Time for bed...good night all! And have a peaceful night!
PS Big shout out to my Uncle Tom for getting out of ICU! Hooray!!

A Painting - Finally

2006-12-02T16:15:00.000-05:00

Not the one I wanted to put up, but it will do. This is a painting from my Painting for Illustrators class - it's an Old Master's Parody, and as you can (or cannot) see, it's Vermeer's 'Girl With a Pearl Earring'. But, it's a parody, so it's a 'Girl With a Pearl Earring, and a Stud in Her Nose, Rings in her Ears and Lip, and a Bolt over her Eye'.

Eventually, I'll finally get my Nature's Bounty painting up - that's the first painting I ever did in oil, this one is the second...so yup...enjoy the artwork I guess...more to come soon, I hope.

Braidy-days and Sunshine

2006-11-30T23:28:00.000-05:00

That's me! Sam, one of my RA compatriots, commented that I should put my hair up in braids, so she did it for me, and she did an awesome job! That blurry dude in the background is one of my fellow illustration majors, and I constantly borrow his digital camera for stuff such as this - so thanks Steveo.

This past week's weather has been unusually temperate - the sun was out today...and most of yesterday, and the day before that I think, so it was pretty cool - I like the sun. But who doesn't, right?

This week has been kind of odd, actually. I found out that my uncle had complications from his knee surgery, and he got transfered from one hospital to another...which upsets me, because he's all super durable and stuff, for 63, and it totally sucks that he's having a bad reaction - so that's been on my mind this week.

The best thing that happened yesterday was watching a plunger get dropped from the 3rd floor of one building down to the basement - that was awesome.

My independent study assignment kept me up (or should I say, I kept myself up to meet the deadline) until 2:30 this morning, so I am running on very little sleep and food. And a guy from my Type class hit on me today, which makes me go - AAAAAAA! I hate that! And then it really makes me miss Luke, but at least I know that he loves me, and he knows that I love him, so at least that makes it better. Also, the conversation that settled down to, "My friends and I will probably be thirsty, so we will go out for beverages." Me:"....I do not partake of beverages." It sounded so mechanical - and so hilarious...and then I pretty much ran away after that...I should definitely leave my night class early or later so I don't get followed again XP

Wow, only 3 weeks left - Can you believe it? I can't wait for the snow to come!

I Can't Stop, Guys, I Can't

2006-11-20T21:39:00.000-05:00

copyright Michelle Heyes 2006

Ok. Since I've been like, obsessing with this new found skill, I might as well say who these characters are, so I don't get sued or anything.

Death and Dream are from the comic book series called The Sandman, by Neil Gaiman (www.neilgaiman.com) These characters, as widely used as they are, are based off of his literary works. I just happen to be drawing them so I can feature them in one of my Digital Typography projects. Dream and Death happen to be a few of my favorite characters, so I decided to draw them.

Anyway! School is almost over! Just a few more weeks, and then I get to come hooooome for several weeks! This week is Thanksgiving break, and I get to jump ship tomorrow for 4-5 days. Huzzah! No more *insert adjective* residents to deal with, ones that are too, well....incompetent to do anything themselves. Since when did common sense de-evolve out of the human genome? It's escapism time, baby! Hail Thanksgiving break! So anything that's written by me after this will probably be at home. And if not, have a Happy Thanksgiving all you crazy kids.

More Digital Art

2006-11-19T01:21:00.000-05:00

copyright Michelle Heyes 2006

This is an image I just made for my Digital Typography class - we have to make a 2 page magazine layout to match the cover that we had to create for our magazine. I am on a huge Neil Gaiman kick, so I created a magazine dedicated to graphic novels, and it's about what would happen if I just happened to illustrate The Sandman, which is, practically, one of the best graphic novel series ever. So this is my interpretation of Dream, of the Endless - so yup...that's it. Hopefully I may have an actual painting up soon.

College Seminar

2006-11-14T18:02:00.000-05:00

Yahnke strikes again!

Hi, College Seminar students. In this blog, you will see me occasionally put up artwork, talk about what school is like, how living on the dorms is, being an RA, and stuff that happens to stroll through my train of thought. All the rest of the time, I put up crazy stuff, like random quizzes that I score on, or some strange nonsense like that.

So...yup. I'll put up a painting later, whenever I get it back...I plan on doing some more digital paintings which I'll put up here when I have time. Meanwhile - check out the one past the exceptionally large entry below this one.

And Yahnke - you'll pay for this :-P.

Stupid, Stupid Rat Creatures!

So...What?

Geekiness Abounds

Now for something different!

Wounded Warriors Project

Oh Boy, Oh Boy - A Blather on Work

It's Cold Enough Out There to Freeze Your Winnebago!

I Defy You To Find Epic Cuteness Such As This

In Which, After a Long Silence, Words are Said

The Loss of a Good Friend: Though His Fight is Over, Ours is Just Beginning

Painterly! Yeah!

Conscientious, Fulfilled, and Spiritual

Dewey Color System test

The Day of Epic Awesomeness

Honestly, Who Knew?

Monthly Update

I Lied...I'm Sorry

Aaaaand...Last One, I Swear

I Love This Thing

I Took This From the Livejournal

Happy Trees

Disappointment, Thy Name is Cancellation

And the Heavens Opened -

Snowballs: Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here

Con....fused.....

Might Be a Little Late in Saying...

No More Pencils, No More Books

Up Late? 'Course Not!

Bring Me the Head of Snoopy!

Predictability

3D Designing like it's My Business! and other Tales

Give Me the Hand of Osiris!!

Oh Sculpture, Sculpture, Sculpture - I Made You Out of Plaster!

This is a Fake, But it is an Entertaining Fake

Dramatis Personae: Albany Edition

*Blare of Trumpets* The 200th Post! And My Entry Is....

Look! Up Near the Hill! It's...SUPER BILL!

21!

The Grid

Peeve(s) of the Semester

The Monolith Doth Approacheth

Demotivators = Love

Butane Torches and Power Tools All in One Night!

3D Design

Bright Green Pants

It's Been: One Week

At Least I'm Not Facing Zombies

Big City Blues

Let Me Tell You a Secret:

Only Two Weeks to GO!

Because It Doth Amuse Me

Babies!

Eh - Why Not?

Actual Human Bodies

Apartment Huntin'

Avatar is Amazing

I am Designing My Future

Another Memorable Night's Sleep

And the Turtles Just Keep Coming...

The Turtles Bounce

The Turtle Bounces

Um...Cool, Methinks

Dramatis Personae

Make It Move

Senior Resident Assistant Part Deux!

I Gots a New Cousin! (Yes, I know it's improper grammar, but this is exciting nonetheless...)

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Public Service Announcement for the Arts

At World's End

And the Squeeing Will Be Kept Down to a Minimum...

Just...uhh...blah

Pirate

Blood is Thicker than the Blue Solution they Drop it In

29! 29! 29! 29! 29! 29! 29! 29! 29! 29!

Woo! Poems

Nerd

STUPID STUPID RAT CREATURES!

Oh What a Beautiful Mornin'!

Random Observation for the Week

Madness? THIS IS...

Blare of Trumpets The 200th Post! And My Entry Is....