Simply Soupy!

Two weeks ago my laptop died. RIP. So I went on for a week without a computer on my own, wishing I had enough money to get a mac. I was settled on getting a PC that Sunday, but Windows 7 was coming out and I wouldn't be able to get a computer until Thursdays. THE BASTARDS. I could not get a pc anywhere. So I lumbered thought the week, spending a ton of time on campus trying to get my homework done. So, on the 23rd I went to Best Buy to look at the laptops there, and I checked out the warranty prices. For the three year black tie warranty, it was, like, $300. Coupled with the fact that I wanted a laptop with 4 GB ram and 500 MB hard drive at the least, it was getting close to how much an iMac cost. So I said, fuck it and got the Mac. It was the best decision of my life! I am in love!

Photo on 2009-10-30 at 18.27 #4

Lately, I have had little time for myself. I am so worn out. I know that I shouldn't complain. I did it to myself. No one held a gun to my head and told me take 18 credits this semester. I'm trying to look on the bright side of things. My former TV Broadcasting prof thought high enough of me to ask me to be her TA. I was happy to oblige. My advisor thought I needed to be more involved with the student newspaper, and so I decided to do graphics this year. Before these additions, I had 14 credits. I know I could manage that, but now with the TV broadcasting prof gone and a substitue in, I have been doing more work that I thought I would. It seems that I am going to have to change my work schedule so that can get my homework done.

Thrusday, I turned in my intro to photoshop final project and got to talk a bit with my prof. He was wondering how I was doing, and I told him about how stressful this summer was with everything that was going on with my family. He told me to try not to stress to much because most likely my arm (which was completely defunct the last time he saw me) might give me trouble again. He asked me if I was living on campus this year. I told him no. He didn't say it directly, but I knew what he was getting at. My home life is not good for me. It's too stressful, and the best thing for me was to not live at home. He has an understated way of saying things, but he makes himself clear.

He's right though. I've known if for ages. I wanted to go to university across state for that reason. I didn't, but I still desire to move a way from my folks. I thought about cities I would like to live in. I wanted a place that was conducive to creativity and was progressive. I wanted to live in a place where there was a good public transportation system (both light rail and busing [since I don't drive]) and was relatively cheap. I like rain, a tiny bit of snow, and mild, dry summers. So then I thought about Portland, OR. From what I heard, the things I listed apply to Portland, and it's a pretty sizeable city without it being too big, which is another thing I like. It's not to far away from my folks, but it is far enough. 

So, if any of you guys out there live in Portland or have visited, tell me about what it's like there and if you like it or not.

Today has been a long day. I've had classes pretty much non stop from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. After that I had to plan for a class...yep, plan for a class. I'm the TA in the broadcasting class, but the professor is going through some terrible hardship at the moment. So, instead of canceling the first class I was called upon to help introduce the students to the class. Even though it was spur of the moment, I wasn't nervous. I made them stay a bit longer than what I had intended, but they were okay with it. I hope things turn out okay for the professor, but if I need to hold down the fort again, I think I'm capable.

I'm going bed. I'm so sleepy, its pathetic!

So today was a pretty laid back day. I'm kinda glad that class started back. It's my last year, and it feels bittersweet. I'm ready to graduate, I'm contemplating about going to grad school though to study rhetoric, but I'm still not really sure about that though. I think I might take the GRE just in case I decide to go in the near future. I wanted to take it anyways just to take it. I know this is weird, but I like taking standardized tests. A lot of them are stupid and don't determine much of what the folks that create it claim, but I feel like it's a competition. It's between you, national statistics and the test makers. I love the challenge. For example I took several AP tests just for the hell of it. I wasn't in a lot of the classes that I took the tests for. I took the SAT twice and I didn't even need to, but I did improve quite a bit the second time around. I almost took the ACT for the hell of it, but just decided to stick with the SAT. Call me crazy, but I like taking them.

Oh, and get this. The class that I was most looking foward to, Advance Interpersonal Communications, was the class that I ended up missing today. I read my schdule wrong and ended up missing it entirely. My prof was cool with it, though.

Well, I'm going to unwind now and read a bit.

Recently, as I was browsing the aisles of the public library I found a section that wasn't there before, Graphic Novels. Immediately my eyes grew in delight and I felt all tingly inside. Up until recently, I had to go to Barnes and Nobles to see what I would be interested in reading and then ask the librarians if I could request a book or two they should buy. However, now they are getting more and more graphic novels. Even though the section is small at the moment, I managed to pick up two that are fast becoming my favorites. The first is called "You'll Never Know" by C. Tyler.

Tyler_YouNeverKnow1_web

C. Tyler details her father's time during WII, how she became interested in his story, her relationship with her father, and how it has affected her. I think Tyler does a good job weaving these elements into one story. I think she also does a good job of putting in her personality and giving personality in the characters involved. I think she does a good job with the composition of her panels and overall I just loved the book. The only problem I had was that at times her dialog bubbles could get confusing because she used quite a bit of them in one panel for one character. I could understand that she didn't want to break up the panels to maintain uniformaty with the layout, but at times I think it could have been helpful if they were broken up a little more. Other than that, it was a great book.

The other graphic novel that I picked up was "Blankets" by Craig Thompson.

Blankets

I loved this book. Absolutely L-O-V-E-D this book. Where do I begin...Well, first of all I think he does a fantastic job with the compositions of each frame. I love his style of drawing and I spent quite a lot of time studying each frame. Honestly it has inspired me to pick up the pins again and sketch. His story was so compelling to me because it had so may elements that I could relate to. From his early days of getting picked on at school (I was teased and picked on relentlessly when I was in elementary school) to his questioning of religion. Of course the topic that takes center stage is his love for Raina, who he met during Bible camp, which I can't really relate to since I haven't ever been in love, but I think he illustrated and wrote it in a beautiful way. His approach seemed ginuwine and his illustrations inhanced his narration. All-in-all, it's a fantastic coming-of-age tale, and a lovely read. Also, I just started checking out his blog and I think I'm growing a slight crush on him ^_^ 

What was your biggest fear about becoming an adult?

I think my biggest fear about becoming an adult is that I might forget that I am still growing as a person. I feel like some people forget that and think they know everything there is to know about life and the world. In reality, we will never know everything. We are always learning and growing. Honestly, I don't think there is such a thing as a grown-up because we are always growing-up. We never stop growing-up. We assume more responsibility as we get older, and we have more privilages, but we are forever growing. I hope I don't ever forget that.

I have to return my camera :( The USB port seems to be faulty which is why I can't upload any pictures. This sucks, this sucks, THIS SUCKS. I want to get a replacement, and hopefully it will work!

The software for my camera or the usb cable is not working. I've tried my laptop and my mom's computer and I can't upload my pics to either one. My camera says there is a communication error. I've got to call the tech peeps tomorrow when they are open. THIS SUCKS!

I'm stick sick with the nastly head cold that plagued me last week...This thing needs to go a way NOW! I was getting better, but then my throat started to ache again. I think the AC at work is helping to make things worse, but with out it on thing would be really muggy and miserable. After today, I won't be working here (I'm currently at work, BTW) eight hours at a time. I get tomorrow off, and then come back on Thrusday and on Saturday. It sucks that I won't be making as much money, but I'm happy that I still have a job.

In other news, my father sent me a message via Facebook telling me that he is getting a divorce from my stepmother. He also tells me that he met another woman, but this was after the shit hit the fan. Honestly, I don't know how to feel. Because he was absent in my life for about 15 years, I don't feel much for him. However, I feel bad for my siblings having to go through this. I mean, even I was put off because the divorce proceedings just started and he is already in a relationship with someone else. It must be hard for them. I haven't really responded because I don't know how to respond. Hopefully he keep them in mind through this thing. This whole summer has been chalked with disfunction family wise, it seems. I just hope it chills out during the school year because it is already going to be stressful as it is.

In good news, I got my camera! I've been tinkering around with it a little yesterday, and so far it seem really good. I got a FUJIFILM FinePix S1500, and from the reviews I've seen, the camera is pretty damn good for the price. Compared to my very first digital camera I brought, it is 100 times better. I took a few shots here and there and the pictures came out really clear. I hope to start posting some picks pretty soon here of stuff, but I have to read the manual first because I don't have too much of an idea of where everything is on the camera, what all the modes are, and such. Maybe today I'll start on my scarf (for real this time) and take picks of my progress.