One more, just one more.

Oh and one very last post of 2008. Have an old shack:

And a Neighbour in an old shack:

Happy New Year

So I figured I'd give 2008 one last hoorah before it gives way to 2009. So, "hoorah, 2008." There's so much to do in 2009, my head is swimming. There's a lot of unknown, too which makes me feel like I'm drowning. What's with the aqua-references? Eh, whatever. Well, here's to uncertainty and here's to your 2009. Toooot.

a caffeinated coma

So, I just did a quick re-design of the blog title and header. Tell me if you like it. My jury's still out but I felt the need for a face lift. I know for a fact I get this need from my mom. Our house completely switches around at least once a month. She usually does it when I'm out and about and when I come back it's like walking into someone else's home. It's a good thing I don't sleep walk. I'd break a lot of bones.

Merry Christmas!

So uh, here at the Young household, we like snowmen. They're cute and we're not ashamed of it. I would post pictures of all the snowmen we have but it's Christmas Eve and all I really want to do is knit and watch "White Christmas" which is, clearly the quintessential Christmas movie and you cannot tell me otherwise. I'm watching it right now. My favorite part is when Betty sings "Love, You Didn't Do Right By Me" into Bob's eyes and you can feel the tension dripping from stage curtains. Old fashioned angst. Better than chocolate.

Today, neighbour informed me Bing Crosby is on her top 5 list of men whose voices she would marry. I agree.

Back to the snowman thing. Do you see, blurred and obscure, in the second picture a distinctly unwooden pole in the center of our "Christmas tree?" Yes, that is because this year, we have a fake tree. Hhhh, I know. As far as I'm concerned we might as well spit on the Christmas season and those poor carolers out in the rain. Our house doesn't smell like freshly cut pine. It does, in fact, smell like that broccoli we burnt last week which is the exact opposite of Christmas, for it is the smell of Evil. Pure Evil.

Pardon me while I go boil some cinnamon sticks.

Merry Christmas, everyone. Tomorrow, amidst the activity and family, remember to keep Christ the center of your day.

A True Story

Picture this: a crowded grocery store. People merrily shopping for their various Christmas parties and other related functions. Employees smiling and offering assistance. Suddenly, there's a commotion by the checkout lines. A woman with an exasperated look on her face struggles to get in line, dragging one foot behind her. Hmm, curious. You hear a whining sound coming from the general direction of the gimpy foot. You realize no, it is not a genetic defect, no club foot, no broken toes, it's a child. She is latched so firmly to her mother's ankle no amount of hurricane force winds will detach her. She is crying about something. Something about not getting a toy or a snack. You look back up to the mother's face and realize she's not going to stop walking. She's not going to discipline her daughter, she's just going to keep mopping the floor with her offspring and hope no one notices. That look of exasperation on her face? There's something more behind it. Resignation. It's not the first time this has happened and it won't be the last.

It seems like just a small thing, just let her do it, the floors will be so shiny! But, when did this become acceptable? When did parents become afraid of their children? I'm not saying bully them, but some good healthy discipline never hurt, actually, the opposite is true. I never thought I'd say this but I'm glad I had a mother who wasn't afraid to punish me when I did something wrong. She wasn't just empty threats, she followed through. She did it because she loved me and always let me know it. So uh, thanks Mom.

Sorry about the heavy post. I just had to get that off my chest.

S'more Art

Amongst all the negativity I've spouted about this semester, I feel the need to say something positive. Despite my best efforts, I did get a little better at watercolor. It doesn't terrify me quite the same way as it used to. I even produced a painting that I sort of like. It's an interior view of my room (edited for cleanliness. Technically it's what my room would look like if I had any motivation to clean it).

SEE?!

Freedom!

I have just exited the last class of the last day of the semester at crummy State School. OH MAN. I have waited so long for this day. Never again do I have to wake up at the butt crack of dawn, no more ridiculous assignments full of ridiculous subject matter.

I was in the bathroom at school. On my way out I slowed, looked left then right to make sure no one was watching. Then, I snagged a handful of complimentary Tampons and ran out the door. It was my last defiant stand against the semester. I never knew such an adrenaline rush.

I feel horribly guilty.

Procrastinations and Ruminations

Hello, All. It's been weeks and weeks and weeks since the last time I blogged! Well, okay, two weeks. But it felt longer. It's finals season here in Real Life and the stress has driven me to a near catatonic state. Well, the good news is, it's pretty much over tomorrow. The bad news is that I have about 3 weeks worth of work to shove into today.

"Why the hootin' hades are you blogging?!" you ask.
"Well," says I, "I've been needing to blog for awhile and if I just get it out of the way it might help my productivity."
You snort skeptically, I agree.

I've been yanked in a few different directions as far as non-school related things go too. The other night, the coffee shop of my past employment asked if I would be the unofficial photographer for their Christmas party. Of course with my heaps of experience I instantly jumped at the chance to get some exposure. [Lie]

So, on Friday night I put on my best "I'm a photographer and I'm serious about it" outfit and plunged. Here are some shots from the evening. They're pretty grainy because I was shooting with a high ISO. See how I said that like I knew what I was talking about? I googled it.

Caryn was there and snagged the camera for a few shots that of course turned out fabulous. I'm not posting them out of spite.

My mom is in that last blurry picture smoking a pretzel.

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving! Are you thankful? Good. Me too.

Tomorrow is Black Friday. I have never participated in the insanity before but this year my friend, her sister and I are going all the way. That's right my lovelies. They will be at my house at 5 am where we will proceed to kick, elbow and head butt our way to savings, all with a quad latte in hand. I plan to be prepared. My clothes will be laid out tonight, I'm going to clean out my purse to make myself as light and streamlined as possible. I'm already practicing my lightning fast bobbing and weaving: in, out, in, out, duck, spin, dive. So. Excited.

Oh, here's a picture of my hair.

Addictions and Desires

Okay, FINE. It's an addiction. Someone has to take these scissors away from me. My hair may or may not have gotten shorter (twice) since my last post. No pictures because they were terrible.

This weekend was a blast. On Saturday we ended up walking from one end of San Francisco to the other. We smelled a plethora of grassy things (some not so grassy), tried to find a bathroom: failed, were harassed by no less than 3 people, desperately tried to find a bathroom: failed, saw an old man drink a can of something out of the trash, found a bathroom, and ate a grilled artichoke downtown that made the entire walk worth it.

As planned, we swapped girlie stories, watched romantic movies while leisurely sipping wine and giggled late into the night. Well it would have been late into the night but Neighbour's usual bedtime is the elderly hour of 9:00 so she wouldn't let me push it too far. Ruin all my fun...

Also, I took some pictures of Neighbour (and the demon cat of Fleet Street) with Caryn's Nikon care to see? Excellent.






I must get myself one of these camera gadgets.

Also again:

New favorite YouTubed things: jaaaaaaa
New favorite music: Johnny Flynn

Fug or Fab?

On occasion, I switch on the 'ol Photo Booth on my Mac just to check out the situation: food in the teeth, makeup in order, hair arranged. It's vain, I know, but so practical. So tonight I indulged a little just to see what's what and this is what I see (prepare yourselves):

SCREAM!

I'm feeling very vulnerable by showing you this picture, so for my ego's sake pretend there's nothing wrong with it, but the hair! So drab, so blah, so...IGH! I took a break from furiously animating (huge project due tomorrow; % completed: 8) to do some serious maintenance. After consulting some reliable photo reference and floating away on a P!nk cloud, I took scissors to hair and came out with this:

That's right my friends, I have front bangs. I haven't had front bangs since high school (the 90's, must-also-have-braces, solid kind. Say it with me, "dis-as-ter"). You can't really see it in the picture but there's some mean layerage going on here. I'm pretty happy with it. Can't really say I went from fug to fab but we've definitely moved out of the fug phase (if I do say so myself).

I spent the entire wonderful weekend in San Francisco visiting neighbour and the fam. I'm going to have to put off the newsy post until tomorrow if I am to pass my cartooning class. Pictures included. I know, I know, I really shouldn't try so hard but what can I say, I'm a giver.

Pick-me-up

Hhh. Lately I've been feeling a little...how should I put this? Girly? No, definitely not girly. Feminine? No. Femaley? There we go, that's it. Is that more information than you wanted? Is that this "tmi" these whipper snappers talk about these days? I took some alone time and tried to buy my happiness with a movie and a coffee. What. What? Are you telling me I can't cry into Steve Carell's shoulder and drown my sorrows in a hazelnut latte? Don't judge me.

As long as we're bearing our souls here, I'm going to admit something: I can't draw. Well, not anymore anyway. I've been out of practice for so long that my skills are slowly swirling down the crapper. I found this picture from the end of last semester, when I was in my groove. I don't think I ever posted it. It's a bit unfinished but I'm afraid to touch it when I'm in this state of mind. I will rally again! (Note to self: cut back on Jane Austen.)

Laid, Lain, Lay, Lie

These four words, "laid," "lain," "lay" and "lie" are a thorn in my side. To be quite honest, it's embarrassing. Here I am, 22 years old and I can't even speak the king's English. I know "it's" and "its," I know "there," "their" and "they're." I tried Googling it and I got a bunch of stuff that sounds like this,

The confusion lies in that the simple past tense of lie is lay (past participle: lain) and resembles the simple present of lay. Lie= to rest, lie down is an intransitive verb . Lay= to put or place something (on a surface) is transitive.

I DO NOT KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS.

Carissa. Help.

Feeling Fallish

Oh. Man. How do I explain this? My excitement for the seasonal changes could only be matched by a 60's screaming pre-teen at a Beatles concert. I think I'm noticing the color changes more this year. I can't wait until I have my own apartment so I can use Fall as my color palette.

Latest obsession: Ballet. Not kidding. I started doing some research for an animation project and suddenly I feel cheated out of pointe shoes and a tutu. Gah, Childhood! Why couldn't you have granted me these things?!

Caryn, my boss, lent me her Nikon D70 for a little photo shoot for some reference material (Also animation project, it's under wraps. Very hush hush. I will eventually spill the beans. It's in my nature. But I digress...). Holy can of beans. It's the best thing I've ever laid hands on. It only took me 2 hours to figure out how to turn off the flash. I can't wait for tomorrow and sunlight to roll around so I can start taking some serious shots. Flex my artistic muscles once again.

I've felt so stifled lately. I think it's because I usually rely so much on my classes to satisfy that art craving but lately the subject matter has been a little...mmm...not my style. I'm actually scheduling free art time so I can just be me.

There are, to be exact, 8 days of blasé art left in this semester. Oh wow. Really? Only 8?! Excellent.

I need some paint chips...

My uncle just bought a new house and I've been deemed responsibility of decorating it. It's a big deal. I told him I'm in an interior design class but what I left out was that I'm doing miserably. In my defense, it's less about the design and more about interior design as an entity. The business and nature of it, so forth and etc. I just had a Miss Teen USA moment. Such as.

I haven't been writing very much lately. Partly because nothing interesting has happened lately. But when has that ever stopped me? The other reason is that I've been busy out the wazoo, and not just lame homework. Real stuff. Work stuff. I love it. I've also discovered not only do I like Photoshop, I'm thinking about marrying it. I do not lie.

Daylight Savings, good riddance.

Thank the Lord for an end to Daylight Savings. I've never really understood what people mean by an extra hour of sleep because, really, it's only once but I am not going to complain. My body is still going to tell me it's 5:00 am when really it's going to be a luxurious 4:00 am. Hurrah, State School hours. I can barely contain my joy.

Yesterday was our annual "Scary Movie Night" - 2008. We watched "Them" and "It Came From Outer Space." There was a lot of screaming from the actors and from us, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING?! DON'T GET OUT OF THE CAR! YOU NEVER GET OUT OF THE CAR!" Hhhh. They didn't listen. Fools.

It appears that not only do I have a knack for catching things, I also have a knack for winning things.

We had a raffle and this was my fabulous prize. I won last year too. Huh. Who knew? If someone wants to rub my head for good luck I'm charging a dollar/minute. Please line up single file to my right.

All Hallows Eve

Well, it has begun. Actually it's more like coming to an end: our yearly ritual every Halloween night of sitting in the dark, the TV turned to an inaudible level waiting for the little kiddies to knock on our door so we can heartlessly ignore them. Sorry kids. We're partypoopers to match those big cat turd Tootsie rolls that nobody really wants in your nearly empty candy bags.

I suppose in fitting with the Halloween theme I should mention that I am reading the Twilight books again because I am a glutton for punishment. As if the first time around wasn't enough to ruin my life and render me completely useless to things like school and personal hygiene. I have to prepare for the movie of which we already have advance tickets!! I would prefer it if you didn't judge me.

Rain, thou dost returnesth

So my mother has kindly informed me I'm too old to have a blog. I was so irate I had to blog about it. I don't think our generation will never be entirely too old for blogs or Facebook or the like. (Except MySpace. Unless you're in Jr. High, you're too old for MySpace.) These things were invented within the trendy, school-attending periods of our lives, we get a lifetime membership. If you were say, 50 when Facebook popped into existence, maybe you should rethink your social life. Granted, there should probably be a time when you aren't checking every five minutes to see if someone commented on your wall or threw a cow at you or if you have 5 comments waiting to be approved...but shouldn't that happen naturally? When your interests change or when your 5 kids, apallingly, demand more attention of you than that obscure friendly acquaintance from deepest darkest high school?

When I think about it, almost all of the 100+ blogs on my Bloglines are written and maintained by adults. Adults with families and jobs and lives and hobbies. I feel a little vindicated. Chew on them apples, blogless mom! (I still love you).

In other, more important news: the weather has turned and I'm almost done with my Autumn love affair cowl. It might even be done a'fore the night draws nigh. (Is that a legitimate statement? I don't think so.) Seriously guys. There's a lot of tree activity out there. It's been drizzling all day and it promises to be even better tomorrow!

Whirlwind Wedding Weekend. Don't alliterations just drive you crazy?

Whew. That was perhaps the most activity I have ever shoved into one weekend. Here's the low-down in bullet point format:

Friday
4:30 am - Wake up, prepare for flight
9:25 am - Land in LA
10:30 am - Manny/Petty appt. (bleed, get open wounds infected, freak out about sanitary conditions)
11:15 am - Drive like there's a fire to Long Beach in an attempt to track down a replacement for a lost brides' maid dress. It ended up being the same as the flower girl's.
1:30 pm - Scarf down In-N-Out; enjoy
2:00 pm - Rehearsal
4:00 pm - Rehearsal dinner
6:30 pm - Bachelorette party (where we partied not-so-hard.)
12:30 am - Sleep
Saturday
6:30 am - Wake up...fall asleep
8:30 am - Wake up, realize fell asleep, freak out, then hang out with old BASE floormates (Linell, Bethany, Katelyn) realize how much I miss them
11:00 am - Prepare for wedding, pretty up, realize dress is suddenly too big, freak out, live with it.
1:00 pm - Photos
4:30 pm - Wedding (choke back tears, succeed)
Some ambiguous time afterward pm - Reception
12:00 am - Watch Friends at friend's apartment, discover combination of activity and 1 fruity Smirnoff = instant and dreamless sleep.
Sunday
6:00 am - Drive frantically to LAX, sit down with sub-par $5.00, Sugarfree, no-foam Hazelnut Latte, listen to a name-dropper talk loudly on the phone about attending a benefit dinner with Sydney Poitier and a new tie.
11:00 am - Hang out with Neighbour. Watch Pride and Prejudice: the Long...for the 96th time. Love it
4:00 pm - Take a deep breath

So, it appears I have a knack for catching things:


This is bouquet #3. Yes, that's right. Three. I don't even try. They fall into my hands. I'm not sure what this means because so far, it hasn't worked. If the third time isn't the charm I'm going to have a bone to pick. Someone has messed up the natural order of myth and superstition. And it wasn't me.

Ew Sick Gross!

Does anyone realize that sharing ear buds is like borrowing someone's used Q-Tip? I just thought I'd ask. Among friends, sure, kay, whatever, but with a relative stranger?! This may or may not have happened to me this evening. I didn't have enough self confidence to say no so pardon me while I go disinfect. I have a plane ride tomorrow and I have no intention of sticking someone else's cotton swab in my ear.

Call Me the Schoolinator. HOOah!

haHAGH! I've taken it back. My life is nearly mine once again. I owned you, school. Last night I got exactly 55 minutes of sleep. This, in addition to the fact that I have a professor who is possessed with some sort of manifestation of Evil, would have "done me in" if it weren't for the exorbitant quantities of caffeine and the relief of having all major projects completed and accounted for. Oh, and skipping my fourth and final class of the day.

Plans for the next four days? You betcha. Homework odds and ends, a flight to LA, a wedding, a flight from LA, a hangout with Neighbour. All very exciting.

Are knitting needles banned on flights? Is there a danger of poking the flight attentents into submission? "Airline peanuts. Now."

I haven't had time to knit anything for awhile. Mmmm...the thought of a cold, workless weekend, curled up on the couch with my sugarfree hazelnut no-foam latte, knitting needles a-clackin'. Hhhhhaaaaaa. Doesn't get any better.

I'm feeling a little delirious. I may go take a nap. I may watch some cartoons. I may do both.

Give. It. Back.

I'm choosing to reclaim my life from school. Starting tomorrow.

Enough Already!

I have literally spent this entire day making up excuses for why I am unable to write my two research papers. In a sheer act of desperation, I made some coffee, hoping, pleading it will inject some motivation into my brain. This is me waiting for it to take effect...

nothin' yet...



mmm...



nope...



wait...hhhh, no...false alarm.



Well on the positive side, while not writing papers I have discovered a plethora of new music on my computer I forgot I had. Unexpected score.

Tomorrow my friends Kevin and Holly are getting married. It's the beginning of my wedding season. Haaa...love is in the air...

But what should I wear?

Okay fine. It's clear I have nothing to talk about and my real intentions for blogging are to further sabotage my paper writing efforts. I'm going now, but just know my soul dies a little with every word I type about ancient Chinese pottery.

Is Anyone Still Out There?

Wow. Has it really been over a week since the last time I blogged?! Good grief. Sorry folks. I wouldn't blame you if you picked up and moved somewhere with more activity. But don't. I need you for my blog stat induced self esteem. I'm clinging to the shards of site hits, desperately holding onto the hope that someone loves me. Bitter sob. Just kidding. I'm feeling a little dramatic tonight (as usual). Ignore me (but not so much that I notice. You know, self esteem).

Well it's happened. Neighbour practically forced me to read the Twilight series, against my better judgment, and look at me now. I'm completely and utterly obsessed. For the last week and a half I've been so engrossed that now I'm finished I feel like I'm coming out of a thick fog. What? There's someone else living in this house? There was a paper due? I'm being attacked by a ravenous dog? Oh.

I'm getting the box set for Christmas. Thank you best friend! Now I have to scrape together enough money so I can buy you---one---book.....let's move on.

In little more than a week's time, my good friend Nem is getting married and I shall be in her wedding. Look out, LA, here I come! After being neighbour's maid of honor, I'm just superstitious enough to believe that if anyone else asks me to be a brides' maid I will never get married. So doneventhinkabatit.

I am excited to be there, though. I haven't seen any of the girls in the wedding party for over a year. It'll be just like old times! Staying up late, watching movies, swapping girly stories. Also, the dress looks great on me. It's long and blue and reminds me of that movie Anastasia when she goes to that...thing? What was it? Hm. I'm going to have to brush up on my cartoons. Anyway pretend this is a good picture and that my waist is actually that skinny in real life.

Too bad it's not a winter wedding. Nem could go over the top and add the gloves. And the jewels. Which I would keep, forever.

Yawn. Okay. I should probably sleep. I'm going to make an attempt at being productive tomorrow. It's this new thing I'm trying called responsibility. Bonne nuit.

Boo Ya Grandma!

Guys. That paper I hadn't started? I'm finished. It's pre-midnight. SCREAM!

I Should be in Class...

There's something wrong with me. I'm sure of it. I have a sneaky suspicion it's a combination of a couple things. First, I think I'm a little hormonally imbalanced. Today I brought everything to school that I didn't need and literally forgot everything that I did. Here's a list just to prove my point:

Blank Cd
Textbook
Sponge
Salt
Denatured alcohol
Watercolor pad
Paintbrushes (!)
Sketch book

By the time I realized I forgot my paintbrushes and sketchbook I lost all motivation to even go to class which is why I sit here, chatting with you rather than painting my little heart out.

Also, I tripped on the way to class. Big.

Remember Anne Shirley's Jonah days? I think I'm experiencing one right now.

The second begins and ends with a "T" and has a "wiligh" somewhere in the middle. I just can't stop thinking about those ridiculous books. I'm guilt ridden because of the obsession and the lack of productivity. I feel my social skills regressing to those of one home schooled in a tiny broom closet from age 3. I'm considering just blazing through the rest of the series to get it over with but I have a feeling that would make matters worse. Also, I have a research paper due tomorrow morning and I haven't technically started it. Technically.

New things

New favorite past time: taking long strides outdoors while breathing deeply and listening to this.

Best 99 cents I have ever spent in my life.

Phew.

You wouldn't think creating caricatures would be hard. It is. It totally is. Here's a line-up of my thought process:

This last one is the pre-final. Hopefully you can tell who it is...can you?

Cold

As I sit here at school, congested, sipping my lemon tea, contemplating what death must feel like and thinking this must be pretty close to it, I am reminded that I am a bit melodramatic. I think it has something to do with being an only child, although, I'm not really sure what.

Sidetrack: I just got some water at the coffee cart at school and the barrista promptly piped, "25 cents!"
"Hhhh..." I said, "well in that case can I have some ice in it?"
"Sure," she shot back. I handed her my money and do you know what she did? She tossed it in the tip jar!

Now, I know it's only 25 cents, but seriously people. Forcing me to tip you? I already gave a tip! I have a meager income! That just frosts me. Does that make me cheap? (yes.)

Shall I or Shant I, or, Some Rotton Milk

So. I borrowed the first two books of the Twilight series from a couple friends. I'm hesitant to start reading it because if everyone else in the world is any indication I'll be completely obsessed for at least the duration of the series. If neighbour is any indication, I'll be obsessed far beyond the fourth book and will start Googling and YouTubing any and all obscure reference to the series. I've already got one of those (Stargate).

Today I consumed some severely expired milk. You see, I have finally contracted that cold I've been trying to get for the past month. I didn't, however, bargain on it affecting my cognitive functions and rendering my sense of space and time completely useless. I thought it was the 20th, not the 27th which explains why the milk smelled a bit and tasted suspicious. Well, at least it wasn't bad enough to make me sick.

I'm not getting the sympathy I had hoped from this cold. My mom was the one who gave it to me so she's done. She's through with this whole situation and anything involving germs, which incidentally, is me. Dramatic sob. I'm seeking comfort in other things like toast and apple cinnamon oatmeal. Now accepting donations.

FObulous, darling.

Fanfare! I have finished a knitting project! Neighbour asked me to knit her a cowl and I agreed. It took me at least 3 months to get around to it, but it's done and in just enough time for the colder months.

Quickie Cowl
by Fawn Pea

It's scrumptious. As a matter of fact, I love it so much I think I'm going to keep it and instead, neighbour, I'm going to give you this fabulous stick of gum!

Snnnnk*...what day is it?

Good morning my little boogerschnookums. How are you today?

I seems I am having trouble remembering what I'm doing today. I keep forgetting what time my classes start and what homework I have in them. This could be due to any number of reasons: 1) I have too much on my mind, my brain can't handle it, it economizes and just makes it one big memory 2) I'm getting my second bout of senioritis (though I am not nor do I have anything to do with either seniors or seniority.), 3) I need to eat more fish, 4) my coffee hasn't kicked in yet.

Personally I'm going to go with #4. Seems the most logical and labor-free.

*the word "snnnnk" directly refers to the action of sniffing, early in the morning, while night allergies are still in effect.

!!

Here I am being all selfish and absorbed in my schoolwork and I almost forgot to mark this wonderful occasion with a blog! It's Autumn! SCREAM! Do you know what this means?! Neither do I but I know it's something good. Something that has to do with knitting, hot beverages and warm sweaters.

Some new drawings!

Okay! So I have retrieved the tablet drawings from Monday and today. They're both from photographs. Nobody sue me.

Monday and attempt #2 at drawing on the tablet. He turned out a bit more angry than I intended.

And my 3rd attempt (today). It started out as just a layout for a full color drawing but I liked it so much that I decided to finish it a little and leave as is. I'm pretty happy with it.

So, yesterday I called Ringling and talked to an admissions counselor. It looks like I won't be able to transfer until Fall and it'll be the same for CalArts and probably most other animation majors so it looks like I'm going to be here for a while longer. It's not as discouraging as I would have thought. I'm actually really excited. I'm finally working towards something significant. I'm not just bee-boping around anymore.

Short and Sweet

New favorite snack: pita chips and hummus
Overdue library fees: $14.50
Class that's kicking my butt: Cartooning
Free time: what? Free time?
New interesting music: Chris Bathgate
New favorite gadget: Wacom Tablet

I was going to post my 2nd attempt at the tablet but the file is just too dang big. My poor little computer can't handle it. Lemme convert. I'll get back to you.

Panic

My new laptop had a wonky spacebar. I had to push it in the middle for it to work. There were a lot of one long word emails. I took my laptop to the Apple Store today to get the spacebar fixed and good news: it is! Brand, spanking new keyboard. Bad news: the Genius guy scratched the heck out of the top. I just about had a heart attack when I saw it. I've been so careful to keep it in pristine condition. My laptop! It's lost it's flower!

I suppose I could go and complain about it, but there were so many people in the store that I was getting a little claustrophobic. I just wanted to get out of there. Oh well. It was bound to get scratched eventually. Atlestmysentencesdon'tlooklikethisanymore.

Thoughts and Ruminations

I have this feeling of being totally frustrated and totally exhilarated at the same time. I've been looking at art schools intensively the last couple weeks or so. I'm starting to narrow down the field to either CalArts or Ringling College of Art and Design (with some other options in the mix). Both have incredible pros and unavoidable cons and it's making me feel a bit like a yo-yo. I need to do some serious chatting with admissions counsellors in the next few weeks. 

I'm not just on the outside looking in any more. I'm entering the animation/illustration world. With physics I always felt like I was knocking as loud as I could on the door but no one would let me in. I feel like I fit. I haven't felt that for a long time. 

You appeal to my dramatic side.

I'm at college #2 (state school) and there's this...noise...in the Student Union. At first I thought it was the most disgusting sound I have ever heard out of a cello. Because that's what they're playing. Cellos. But just now, art ideas began to flow out of my head and I got this strange feeling like, I needed to stand on my chair and fling myself off of it. I've never felt like this about music before. I like it. I still have some iTunes downloads left. Hmmm...

Wanted: I don't remember

I was sitting in the cafeteria today at school #1 (community college) and the man of my dreams, the man I am supposed to marry walked in front of me. Did I run after him, screaming for him to stop! We are to become one flesh! No. I glanced up nervously as he walked into the great unknown, never to return. Neighbour said if she were there she would help me trip conveniently in front of him. She's such a friend.

This post makes me feel creepy, but I'm going to publish it anyway just so you can keep your eyes open for me. He had brown hair and I think a blue shirt.

Charge!!!

I just received a complimentary iTunes card in the mail. The past 3 days I have been furiously downloading music, discovering new artists and rockin' out to some fabulous tunes. I do have to say though, I need to be careful about downloading music while in a caffeine-induced high. It tends to make me feel very dramatic and as a result I downloaded some very epic music. The kind you can't really listen to unless you're on a horse, sword in hand, galloping to battle. Which I am not. So I resort to strutting about the house in a grand fashion, regally flinging my arms and flaring my nostrils.

So it looks like we're going to Washington for Thanksgiving. Fist pump. I will be scoping out my future stomping grounds, questioning the locals and touring potential living spaces. Do you think anything will change in 5 years?

A Semester Begins

There's a hole-in-the-wall BBQ shop across the parking lot from our cafe. The owner just opened it a couple weeks ago and already he's stolen a few of our regular lunch crowd. You know what? Nobody cares. The meaty goodness hiding between those walls is powerful enough to make a grown man cry. We ate there for dinner tonight. I wasn't even really sure of what I was eating. All I know is there was meat and bread and all I could do was lift to mouth, inhale.

It turns out this semester I have absolutely no free time (minus the time I found to blog this). I'm away from home Monday and Wednesday from 6am to 10pm and Tuesdays and Thursdays aren't much different. On Friday, Saturday and Sunday I'm either doing homework, working or going to church. 

Right now it's all a convoluted mess of activities in my head, but as soon as I find my day planner amidst the disaster zone of my room, I'll be able to focus on it all and get my ducks in a row. I've already had a few breakthroughs in my art education and it's only the second week of classes. I dreamed about being an animator last night.

I'm starting to look at art schools for either a second Bachelor's or a Master's and I'm getting so excited. I can't even handle it. I'll be out of school in at most two years which really isn't that long is it? Nah. I can do it.

My mom just got called for jury duty. I'm terrified I'm next. My plan: mumble to myself and talk to my pocket. I suggested it to my mom but I'm not convinced she's going to take my advice.

Hm.

So the stress of this afternoon has lifted a bit and I'm able to think clearly. So it looks like I (might) be taking an interior design class and I'm completely excited. Maybe I'll learn to transfer my messy hole in the wall of a room into a spacious island oasis.

Tonight in my cartooning class my professor told me I have to be willing to suck. I'm so focused on beating everyone that I'm having a hard time just relaxing. When did I get so unattractively competitive? It's not a becoming look.

My uncle dug up some old photos of our family and sent them to us. This is my grandma at 21 years old in Central Park. When she came from the Canary Islands she lived in New York for a few years before coming to California to marry my grandpa. Isn't she pretty? I love this picture.

Drama

Today I am very anxious. I'm anxious about a lot of things and rationalizing doesn't seem to be helping. Also, I'm allowing myself to feel discontented: a bad thing. Anxiousness and discontent are breeding grounds for disaster.

It seems that semesters of smooth registration for classes are at an end and the bitter dregs of failure await for the next two years. Deep, cleansing breath. It'll be over by tomorrow.

The day has come

Tomorrow I officially re-become a university student. Shouldn't that be "an university student?" Shouldn't I know this? I've been away too long.

gloat.

24667. I am the tetrator! GRAR!

It's taking over my life

Continuing my ever-present quest to get from spot 29680 to 29679 on Facebook Tetris all-time rankings. Been at it all day. Fingers may be broken. Come join me in misery (if you dare).

Hear that? It's the sound of raw adventure.

It has occurred to me as I sit here, watching Baywatch reruns and sipping my sugarfree hazelnut latte that I'm fully unencumbered. I'm young, I'm single, I'm only mildly in debt, I could be living it up like it's 1999. And yet, I sit here, knitting. It's not that I'm saying knitting is a bad thing, as a matter of fact I love it, but what's wrong with knitting while hiking up a mountain? Or snowboarding down one. Knitting on a train to the east coast or maybe a plane to Europe? I mean, it's not exactly as if I have the money to do these things, but there's got to be a way to get out and live life on a budget before I get old(er) and attached. There isn't anything wrong with being old(er) and attached. Actually, I look forward to it one day, but for right now, I need to take advantage of my circumstances before they're gone. If anyone has any ideas, I'm a listening ear.

Oh, and speaking of knitting, there's only one problem with agreeing to knit something really great for a friend. I don't want to give it up. Can't you just sense it's greatness? I'm crying bitter tears of resentment. It doesn't look like much yet but very soon it will.

Notice coffee in hand.

It's around the corner.

Augusts in California. Hot, smokey, dusty but somehow a hint of fall in the air. You can't quite feel it yet, but you know by looking at the calendar that soon leaves will be falling from the trees, pumpkins will be ripening, apple cider will be served and a cold breeze will blow through the windows. Hhhhaaa. I almost can't contain my excitement. 

It turns out my classes are absolutely fabulous, contrary to some of my thoughts. I can't wait to get into the meat of things. 

SCREAMin' Deals

SSmmmmmhhaaa...the smell of paint and pencils, construction and cigarette smoke, confused freshmen and overachieving middle agers. That's right my friends. It's community college time once again. Do you know what that means? Textbook deals. The most exhilarating time of year. It only comes twice so I have to savor it. Ahem, here's the breakdown:

Community college: $125.25

State School: $238.92

Total: $364.17

My price: $46.57 (including shipping and handling)

I saved: $317.60

I need to make this my career. 

Babies everywhere!!

Tomorrow is the official start of my 9th semester in college. What would I do if I had graduated last year? I'd be doomed to work for the rest of my life. Yup. I cannot tell you how excited I am to be going back. I think it's because last semester was so much fun. So much art! Art everywhere! 

Hah. That reminds me of this

What have I done?!

I did a horrible thing today. This morning, while I was still groggy and my mind was weak, my mom dragooned me into going decaf from now on. What was I thinking. The sweet nectar of life ripped from my grasp.

I've been depressed lately at the lack of activity in the blogosphere lately. There were days when I had 20-30 new posts to read. These days, I'm lucky if I have 10. Get crackin' people! You're one of 5 sources of entertainment in my life!

A sad, sad day

The unthinkable has happened. My all-time favorite show, Stargate: Atlantis has been cancelled. The nerds are ticked. They're already beginning a revolt. I'm considering joining in the fight. Insert melodramatic sigh.

A few things I'm thinking about

I really want a garden. It doesn't have to be big, just a little plot of land. A planter maybe? Tomatoes, zucchini, a hint of parsley, strawberries. Especially strawberries. 

When I was little, my family tells me I always wanted to "Chubbel dirt." This could explain why I was always dirty and my current need for some earthen activities now. 

News: Am considering joining the rowing team at new university. Am excited. Will scope out playing field first before making any decisions. Refuse to step into high-powered, girl drama.

After not knitting at all for about a month, in the last few days I have started at least 5 projects. It's a little overwhelming and yet I keep wanting more. I'm considering doing some designing. It's not like I have any talent or really any ideas in mind or the skills to put the ideas into action but I need some more money and am desperately inflating my sense of knitting ability to give myself more options and to give myself confidence. You'll never know until you try I guess.  

One last thing: If you have a cat read this. 

P.S. I am once again drinking a hazelnut latte. I have already almost spilled it on my new computer 3 times. The things I sacrifice for my fix.

Picnic Time

My aunt is going back to Pennsylvania on Thursday so we had a little picnic in the park with her. It was fun and despite convulsive screams at the swarm of meat bees we attracted it was very relaxing. The park has a plethora of birds, all with bad manners who beg for food. This young man met us at our car as we drove up. 

 

We were just sitting, feeding the chickens when I turned around and literally came face to face with this guy. We fed him some chips, I felt bad about clogging his arteries. 

He ate out of my hand! I thought for sure I'd loose a finger. 

To walk off the chips from lunch, we took a stroll around old town. My aunts pounced on the antique stores, I pounced on the art galleries (complete with coffee bar). The first antique store we went to was packed to the ceiling with junk treasures to behold. I liked this little corner, though. When I think of California history this is the sort of image that comes to mind. Rusty tools, gold pans, old leather straps, musty smell. Haaaaaa, history. Gotta love it.

A Change in the Season, Perhaps?

I'm on a lunch break at work. I'm sitting in the lobby area with the doors open and a breeze just blew through. It was so fabulous I decided I had to blog about it lest the world not know how wonderful it was. So I'm telling you, it was wonderful. 

I can't believe how cool it's been the past two days, it almost makes me think summer is winding to a close and fall is starting. At least, that's what Target says because their clothes section is once again sporting snappy faux leather and sandblasted jeans. Fall! Thou comest at last! Summer, I spit on your memory. Ptoo.  

Ka-nit

I have just discovered something fabulous: a cable needle necklace! It's a cable needle but decorative enough to wear as a necklace just in case the irresistible need to cable suddenly strikes you. Ugh. It's a brilliant idea, just take my word for it. 

My knitting mo-jo is back. It's so back that it's forcing me to knit some wool gloves in the hottest heat of California summer. It's a powerful thing this hobby. (If they turn out well, I'm taking down orders. I can't guarantee I'll actually make them, but it's the thought that counts, right?)

Oatlympics

Gymnastics are beginning to take over my life. Tonight, I will be watching the end. I refuse to let myself fall asleep. I took a nap today just to make sure. Also, I'm eating oatmeal. I'm not sure why. It just felt like the right thing to do. 

Contentment

I have Bible study on Wednesday nights. I love it. Somehow when I come home, everything I see and hear on TV and the radio just seem so superficial, so fleeting. Tonight, we studied contentment. It's something I struggle with on a minute by minute basis. It's my default emotion. I need to be joyful in my situation and desire God's will for my life, not my own. 

Haaaaa...

Right now I am very nearly completely content. I'm lounging comfortably in my room, my own little personal space. It's mostly clean. I'm nice and cool. Watching my 4th favorite show. Freshly brewed (by me) latte. Done with work for the day (got off at 10am, my favorite shift). All superficial contentment of course, but content none the less. 

I've been knitting a lot lately. It's mostly inspired by the new gadgets. Pictures to come soon.

Squak

My aunt is visiting from Pennsylvania and is staying with us for the next few days. To celebrate her arrival my uncle (her brother) took us all to linner (lunch/dinner..eh, you get the point). It was some sort of winged joint. Crazy Wing? No. Wing thing? No. Oh, Wing Street. I had to ask my mom. There were rolls of paper towels on the tables. It seems I ordered the wrong thing (a Caesar salad) because everyone else's dish seemed (and tasted; I walked around, sampling.) better than mine. 

At any rate, I feel the need to run a bit on the treadmill but there seems to be a line. 

I'm in the mood for activity. Maybe I can convince someone that we need to go for a stroll down the mainstreet. 

Have Some Paint

I feel a bit guilty about sketching furiously while sitting in church. It's not as if elbows are swinging and I'm doing some grand sighting movements but I'm sure I'm a distraction at least to the people who sit next to me. So in lieu of portrait Sunday, I'm posting some old stuff. Don't worry, the guilt won't last. 

Here are some first attempts at watercolor. I painted these at the beginning of the summer. I decided I liked it enough to take a class next semester. So excited!