This is exciting. I have my first Blog Follower.
So, it's been a while since my last post. Sorry, busy. Blah, blah, blah.
A lot has happened since my last post. The first and most obvious change is that I am no longer writing these posts from a dorm room. This August, I moved into an apartment one block from campus and happily waved goodbye to the toils of a cinder block cell and dorm room living.
Apartment life is nice. There is something wonderful about being able to welcome friends into a spacious living room one day and lock myself away to burn the midnight oil the next.
Sophomore year is going by considerably faster than its Freshman equivalent. This probably has something to do with the fact that I have established a solid base of friends and no longer have vampires or Furries for room mates. Classes are enjoyable so far and I've managed to occupy every moment of time not filled with homework with either a job, a nap or a fun time.
So far, things have been going well for me. I landed a lucrative partnership with a local software company. My candidate landed the presidency. My alma mater finally passed the bond they've been begging for for years. I passed a drug screening and was hired by my apartment complex to do branding and marketing.
Here's hoping 2009 is just as enjoyable.
Thursday, January 15, 2009
Friday, July 18, 2008
A Dark Knight, A Great Night.
It's twenty minutes 'til four and on any other night I would be fast asleep, tossing and turning in dreamless sleep but tonight is different. Tonight I'm wide awake reveling in the moment, in the joy of having been a part of something special, something huge.
Tonight, Warner Brother's long awaited addition to the Batman series, The Dark Knight, made its theatrical debut. The hype around this movie is phenomenal due much in part to the tragic passing of the film's standout performer Heath Ledger but I don't believe that should be toted as the sole reason for The Dark Knight's resounding popularity. This film pulled out all the stops. Every second of screen time was stuffed with action, suspense, drama, humor, wit, tragedy, misery, adrenaline, darkness and explosives. From the first, expertly crafted scene I, along with nearly every other member of our sold-out audience was on the edge of my seat. The twists did so at just the right moments to wrench our guts away from the expected and throw us hurtling off in a new, and quite unforeseen direction. These movie makers are clearly at the top of their game.
I'll admit, I'm pulling for this film, not because I'm a huge fan of any of the actors, not because I love stuffing my money into the already overstuffed studio exec's pockets, not even because I love Batman. I'm pulling for this film because it had the ability and the balls to bring people together to share a moment. After Mr. Ledger's death, I'm sure the Studio was faced with many tough decisions: how to market a huge, summer blockbuster without capitalizing on the passing of one of its stars, how to best pay tribute to a phenomenal actor while maintaining the spirit of the movie. I feel that, for the most part, they were able to wrangle the attention onto the superb acting and away from the "let's go see the dead guy" attitude.
Sure, there are some things that really annoy me. Like, for instance, the excessive product tie-ins (Verizon, Domino's, Reese's, you name it, they'll leech the success). I think it's distasteful to merely mention the Joker in cheap pizza commercials, espcially when everyone know the reason why the real actor didn't film the spot. I can't stand seeing Batman holding a package of Reese's Pieces and I feel it overkill to sell a Dark Knight themed cell phone (after all, there will be other movies). In these cases I have to wonder how many marketing firms actually encouraged riding Mr. Ledger's coattails.
All that aside, The Dark Knight did a fantastic job of getting people excited. There is nothing more thrilling than sitting in a sold-out auditorium of over four hundred, side by side with your closest friends, all anticipating the same thing: a great time. At that, Dark Knight delivers.
It's late, my friends, and I am tired.
Go see The Dark Knight, you won't be disappointed.
Tonight, Warner Brother's long awaited addition to the Batman series, The Dark Knight, made its theatrical debut. The hype around this movie is phenomenal due much in part to the tragic passing of the film's standout performer Heath Ledger but I don't believe that should be toted as the sole reason for The Dark Knight's resounding popularity. This film pulled out all the stops. Every second of screen time was stuffed with action, suspense, drama, humor, wit, tragedy, misery, adrenaline, darkness and explosives. From the first, expertly crafted scene I, along with nearly every other member of our sold-out audience was on the edge of my seat. The twists did so at just the right moments to wrench our guts away from the expected and throw us hurtling off in a new, and quite unforeseen direction. These movie makers are clearly at the top of their game.
I'll admit, I'm pulling for this film, not because I'm a huge fan of any of the actors, not because I love stuffing my money into the already overstuffed studio exec's pockets, not even because I love Batman. I'm pulling for this film because it had the ability and the balls to bring people together to share a moment. After Mr. Ledger's death, I'm sure the Studio was faced with many tough decisions: how to market a huge, summer blockbuster without capitalizing on the passing of one of its stars, how to best pay tribute to a phenomenal actor while maintaining the spirit of the movie. I feel that, for the most part, they were able to wrangle the attention onto the superb acting and away from the "let's go see the dead guy" attitude.
Sure, there are some things that really annoy me. Like, for instance, the excessive product tie-ins (Verizon, Domino's, Reese's, you name it, they'll leech the success). I think it's distasteful to merely mention the Joker in cheap pizza commercials, espcially when everyone know the reason why the real actor didn't film the spot. I can't stand seeing Batman holding a package of Reese's Pieces and I feel it overkill to sell a Dark Knight themed cell phone (after all, there will be other movies). In these cases I have to wonder how many marketing firms actually encouraged riding Mr. Ledger's coattails.
All that aside, The Dark Knight did a fantastic job of getting people excited. There is nothing more thrilling than sitting in a sold-out auditorium of over four hundred, side by side with your closest friends, all anticipating the same thing: a great time. At that, Dark Knight delivers.
It's late, my friends, and I am tired.
Go see The Dark Knight, you won't be disappointed.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Graduation
Tonight was the Commencement ceremony for the Class of 2008. First of all, I have a hard time wrapping my brain around the fact that it's been a year since I was on that stage, in those robes, in their shoes. The past year has been one of many ups and downs and while the days sometimes seem to trudge on in the slow procession toward the End, when compacted, they seem to encompass no time at all. In short, time flies.
Today was a beautiful day: the perfect day for a Graduation ceremony. It wasn't nearly as hot as the 89-degree scorcher we had to endure one year ago. A light breeze kept the air in the auditorium circulating as the speeches were given and the the diplomas dispersed. The feeling of seeing your friends, these people who you have come to know and love so deeply taking this huge step in their lives, walking the same path that you walked, is a strange feeling. It seems to me like a very delayed reaction. Like I am witnessing an event that should have already happened, from a different point of view, on a different date. For me, Graduation means reflection on all the events that brought us where we are today. None of us are the same as when we started...
Heidi was the one I knew first. She and I rode the same bus to and from Buckeye Valley East. I first came to know her as the girl who rode my bus and hated me. In those days, we were both a little too outspoken and rubbed one another the wrong way, I guess. Her brother once threatened to break my glasses which didn't help in the cementing of our close relationship. For a few years, I was convinced that we would never get along and that was that. But, like all things, people change with time. High school brought us together through band. The long bus rides to and from away games opened up a side to her I'd never had the chance to see. It's amazing how much you can learn about (and from) someone by simply opening your ears and listening to what they have to say. Over the years, we've become closer and closer and today I consider her one of my good friends. Good thing the desire to break glasses isn't genetic.
Davey was second, although he was David then. He and I go way back, sometimes a little further than I'd like to admit. Both pupils anointed by the fonts of knowledge maintained within the glittering halls of Buckeye Valleys North and East, our paths ran parallel for some time until, in 1998, he and I wound up as teammates for a Destination Imagination competition. Yes, we were that cool. Our skit told the tale of one Timmy Tomato, portrayed flawlessly by Mr. Hyer who was bestowed the role of the fearless fruit because of his persistently rosy complexion. While the acting was, of course, top notch, the rest of our skit fell short in many ways as we didn't even rank that year. Oh well. On to bigger and better arenas. In high school and during band, I was able to get to know this hell-bent enigma on a more personal level. He and I became close through no notable series of events, it just sort of happened, as many of the best friendships do.
Lee was the quintessential Cub Scout. Back in the days of old when I was a shrimpy little Scout myself, Lee was always at the head of the pack: tying knots, baking cakes, selling popcorn, everything a good Cub Scout should be doing. If I remember correctly, we were both members of the Mighty Pack 94 and often ran into one another during the many Scouting social events. If Lee was anything, he was helpful. He was always there to point others in the right direction, a job that serves him well considering he has one of the most accurate moral compasses I've ever seen. As with Heidi and Davey, I got to know Lee better through band and in student council in high school. As always, he was the epitome of chivalry, the master at opening doors and laying jackets over mud puddles and, just as I had remembered, he was always ready at a moment's notice should adventure or the stray shenanigan come to call. To this day, few people have matched the personal values of Mr. Zimmer and I find it hard to believe many ever will.
For me, Anna was always "Helen's sister". I'd seen her here and there at Buckeye Valley North but never really took the opportunity to get to know her, a folly I regret considering Anna is perhaps the most high-spirited, uplifting soul ever to come from the Honorable village of Radnor. Band brought us together and Florida brought us close. She was right there with us as we headed off to the wrong park in Universal Studios. My first impression of Anna was being struck by her talent at music. As a freshman, she could far outplay many of the upperclassmen trumpeters. I remember noticing how she held her instrument straight and played with confidence, even as a freshman. That kind of musical mettle is hard to come by especially in the beginning. Throughout high school I had the pleasure of playing alongside Anna in the marching band, and the symphonic band, and concert band, and pep band, and pit band and the Visions combo. Music radiates from her personality and lifts the spirits of those who allow themselves to listen, an enviable trait by any means.
Last is Casey. I find it ironic that the person I most connect with, the one with whom I share so many interests and whose company I most enjoy is the one I've known the least amount of time. Casey is a rare breed. His often reserved personality is speckled with eccentricities which, coupled with his wry sense of humor, make him a generally fun guy to be around. As a freshman, I referred to him as "Army boy" due largely in part to the combat boots, camouflage pants and Under Armor he would wear on a regular basis. Case is tough. He's willing to run like no tomorrow to uphold his unalienable right to chew gum. He'll gladly scale any building to retrieve a lost Frisbee and he makes a conscious effort to carry (at once and at a minimum) three times as many chairs to and from the pep band alcove as anybody else. In the few years I've had to get to know him, though, I've learned that tough-as-nails Casey has the same fears, the same vulnerabilities and the same faults as any of us. What's remarkable is that, not matter what's going on beneath the surface, Casey will always put everyone else's needs before his own. Such selflessness is the rarest of commodities these days. Unfortunately I had to fulfill an annoying obligation called college just as I was getting to know Casey but I'm hopeful that we'll be able to pick up where we left off nearly 365 days ago in the midst of a great, lasting friendship.
I'm not sure if the graduates (we can't call them Seniors anymore) know just what's waiting for them as they head off to college, I know I was barely ready for what laid in store for me, but I am certain beyond a shadow of a doubt that they will do wonders wherever they go. This caliber of friend is rare and I know I am blessed to have the honor of calling such people my best friends.
Best of luck Heidi, Davey, Lee, Anna, Casey and the rest of the Class of 2008.
If you ever want to catch up, you know where to find me.
EDIT: This song came through my Shuffle just as I published this post. Coincidence? I think not.
Today was a beautiful day: the perfect day for a Graduation ceremony. It wasn't nearly as hot as the 89-degree scorcher we had to endure one year ago. A light breeze kept the air in the auditorium circulating as the speeches were given and the the diplomas dispersed. The feeling of seeing your friends, these people who you have come to know and love so deeply taking this huge step in their lives, walking the same path that you walked, is a strange feeling. It seems to me like a very delayed reaction. Like I am witnessing an event that should have already happened, from a different point of view, on a different date. For me, Graduation means reflection on all the events that brought us where we are today. None of us are the same as when we started...
Heidi was the one I knew first. She and I rode the same bus to and from Buckeye Valley East. I first came to know her as the girl who rode my bus and hated me. In those days, we were both a little too outspoken and rubbed one another the wrong way, I guess. Her brother once threatened to break my glasses which didn't help in the cementing of our close relationship. For a few years, I was convinced that we would never get along and that was that. But, like all things, people change with time. High school brought us together through band. The long bus rides to and from away games opened up a side to her I'd never had the chance to see. It's amazing how much you can learn about (and from) someone by simply opening your ears and listening to what they have to say. Over the years, we've become closer and closer and today I consider her one of my good friends. Good thing the desire to break glasses isn't genetic.
Davey was second, although he was David then. He and I go way back, sometimes a little further than I'd like to admit. Both pupils anointed by the fonts of knowledge maintained within the glittering halls of Buckeye Valleys North and East, our paths ran parallel for some time until, in 1998, he and I wound up as teammates for a Destination Imagination competition. Yes, we were that cool. Our skit told the tale of one Timmy Tomato, portrayed flawlessly by Mr. Hyer who was bestowed the role of the fearless fruit because of his persistently rosy complexion. While the acting was, of course, top notch, the rest of our skit fell short in many ways as we didn't even rank that year. Oh well. On to bigger and better arenas. In high school and during band, I was able to get to know this hell-bent enigma on a more personal level. He and I became close through no notable series of events, it just sort of happened, as many of the best friendships do.
Lee was the quintessential Cub Scout. Back in the days of old when I was a shrimpy little Scout myself, Lee was always at the head of the pack: tying knots, baking cakes, selling popcorn, everything a good Cub Scout should be doing. If I remember correctly, we were both members of the Mighty Pack 94 and often ran into one another during the many Scouting social events. If Lee was anything, he was helpful. He was always there to point others in the right direction, a job that serves him well considering he has one of the most accurate moral compasses I've ever seen. As with Heidi and Davey, I got to know Lee better through band and in student council in high school. As always, he was the epitome of chivalry, the master at opening doors and laying jackets over mud puddles and, just as I had remembered, he was always ready at a moment's notice should adventure or the stray shenanigan come to call. To this day, few people have matched the personal values of Mr. Zimmer and I find it hard to believe many ever will.
For me, Anna was always "Helen's sister". I'd seen her here and there at Buckeye Valley North but never really took the opportunity to get to know her, a folly I regret considering Anna is perhaps the most high-spirited, uplifting soul ever to come from the Honorable village of Radnor. Band brought us together and Florida brought us close. She was right there with us as we headed off to the wrong park in Universal Studios. My first impression of Anna was being struck by her talent at music. As a freshman, she could far outplay many of the upperclassmen trumpeters. I remember noticing how she held her instrument straight and played with confidence, even as a freshman. That kind of musical mettle is hard to come by especially in the beginning. Throughout high school I had the pleasure of playing alongside Anna in the marching band, and the symphonic band, and concert band, and pep band, and pit band and the Visions combo. Music radiates from her personality and lifts the spirits of those who allow themselves to listen, an enviable trait by any means.
Last is Casey. I find it ironic that the person I most connect with, the one with whom I share so many interests and whose company I most enjoy is the one I've known the least amount of time. Casey is a rare breed. His often reserved personality is speckled with eccentricities which, coupled with his wry sense of humor, make him a generally fun guy to be around. As a freshman, I referred to him as "Army boy" due largely in part to the combat boots, camouflage pants and Under Armor he would wear on a regular basis. Case is tough. He's willing to run like no tomorrow to uphold his unalienable right to chew gum. He'll gladly scale any building to retrieve a lost Frisbee and he makes a conscious effort to carry (at once and at a minimum) three times as many chairs to and from the pep band alcove as anybody else. In the few years I've had to get to know him, though, I've learned that tough-as-nails Casey has the same fears, the same vulnerabilities and the same faults as any of us. What's remarkable is that, not matter what's going on beneath the surface, Casey will always put everyone else's needs before his own. Such selflessness is the rarest of commodities these days. Unfortunately I had to fulfill an annoying obligation called college just as I was getting to know Casey but I'm hopeful that we'll be able to pick up where we left off nearly 365 days ago in the midst of a great, lasting friendship.
I'm not sure if the graduates (we can't call them Seniors anymore) know just what's waiting for them as they head off to college, I know I was barely ready for what laid in store for me, but I am certain beyond a shadow of a doubt that they will do wonders wherever they go. This caliber of friend is rare and I know I am blessed to have the honor of calling such people my best friends.
Best of luck Heidi, Davey, Lee, Anna, Casey and the rest of the Class of 2008.
If you ever want to catch up, you know where to find me.
EDIT: This song came through my Shuffle just as I published this post. Coincidence? I think not.
Friday, May 16, 2008
A Dance 'Round the Memory Tree
It's funny that the one night of the week that I could be using to catch up on sleep I've decided to spend online. The week has been good to me. I am, for the most part, enjoying my new job; of course, every job has its ups and downs. Happy as I am to be contributing to society and earning a real paycheck, it struck me on Tuesday (as I rebooted the PC at my desk for the third time) just how much I'm going to miss out on this summer because of work. One year ago, I was the one complaining that no one could do anything because they were all working. Now I am that person. Oh, how the tables have turned. I complain a little too much, I think.
The upcoming weeks will bring an onslaught of feelings I'd rather not experience again in the form of Graduation and the parties that follow. One year ago marked the closest I've ever been to real depression, and yet it was some of the happiest days of my life. So many huge chapters of my life drawing to a close at the same time was too much for me to handle and the prospect of losing some of my closest friends to the tide of life was weighing on my mind during every spare moment.
This year, after all that I've been through, it is strange to be back in the position to feel these feelings. In some cases, time has stripped away what ties I had to certain people making basic conversation awkward and difficult. In others, time apart has strengthened our bond making things easier. And still there are cases which I can't even discern as having time as a blessing or a curse and those are the cases that worry me the most. My biggest fear is losing my friends, not through argument or the mutual parting of ways but through slow deterioration of the things we'd once had in common. I can feel that happing in several areas that I once held and am still trying to hold close.
I'm not sure how I'm going to take Graduation. Having lived it myself already, seeing my best friend walk the same stage will be a weird experience for me, almost like a delayed reaction; this is all happening a year too late. A year can mean a lot in terms of collecting new memories and losing old ones. I just hope that I am not the only who has made an effort to gather as many new memories as I could while gripping on to my old stockpile with everything that I have. In some cases I feel like I am.
I saw Prince Caspian tonight and heard this amazing song before the credits rolled; it, like so many before it, says all this things I wish I could to my Seniors:
The Call
By Regina Spektor
Sigh.
The upcoming weeks will bring an onslaught of feelings I'd rather not experience again in the form of Graduation and the parties that follow. One year ago marked the closest I've ever been to real depression, and yet it was some of the happiest days of my life. So many huge chapters of my life drawing to a close at the same time was too much for me to handle and the prospect of losing some of my closest friends to the tide of life was weighing on my mind during every spare moment.
This year, after all that I've been through, it is strange to be back in the position to feel these feelings. In some cases, time has stripped away what ties I had to certain people making basic conversation awkward and difficult. In others, time apart has strengthened our bond making things easier. And still there are cases which I can't even discern as having time as a blessing or a curse and those are the cases that worry me the most. My biggest fear is losing my friends, not through argument or the mutual parting of ways but through slow deterioration of the things we'd once had in common. I can feel that happing in several areas that I once held and am still trying to hold close.
I'm not sure how I'm going to take Graduation. Having lived it myself already, seeing my best friend walk the same stage will be a weird experience for me, almost like a delayed reaction; this is all happening a year too late. A year can mean a lot in terms of collecting new memories and losing old ones. I just hope that I am not the only who has made an effort to gather as many new memories as I could while gripping on to my old stockpile with everything that I have. In some cases I feel like I am.
I saw Prince Caspian tonight and heard this amazing song before the credits rolled; it, like so many before it, says all this things I wish I could to my Seniors:
The Call
By Regina Spektor
It started out as a feeling
Which then grew into a hope
Which then turned into a quiet thought
Which then turned into a quiet word
And then that word grew louder and louder
'Til it was a battle cry
Which then grew into a hope
Which then turned into a quiet thought
Which then turned into a quiet word
And then that word grew louder and louder
'Til it was a battle cry
I'll come back
When you call me
No need to say goodbye
Just because everything's changing
Doesn't mean it's never
Been this way before
All you can do is try to know
Who your friends are
As you head off to the war
Pick a star on the dark horizon
And follow the light
You'll come back
When it's over
No need to say good bye
You'll come back
When it's over
No need to say good bye
Now we're back to the beginning
It's just a feeling and now one knows yet
But just because they can't feel it too
Doesn't mean that you have to forget
Let your memories grow stronger and stronger
'Til they're before your eyes
You'll come back
When they call you
No need to say good bye
You'll come back
When they call you
No need to say good bye
Sigh.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Employed
Woah. It feels good to finally have enough time and energy to actually make a post. A lot has happened since my last post from Chicago, including my becoming very ill for the remainder of my Spring Break trip (hence the distinct drop in posts).
School is out and I am home from CCAD for almost four months. It feels great to have one year of college under my belt but leaving was just as hard as coming (but for different, almost opposite reasons). Today I start work at the Graphic Stitch in Marysville. My job is as a sort of in-house designer, workman, extra-set-of-hands. It feels nice to be offered money for the things that I would be doing anyway and the money will certainly come in handy; I'm saving up for a Study Abroad semester in England, Junior year.
I'm off. There will be a longer, more in depth post dealing with by prolonged absence and my feelings on BV's next graduating class soon.
School is out and I am home from CCAD for almost four months. It feels great to have one year of college under my belt but leaving was just as hard as coming (but for different, almost opposite reasons). Today I start work at the Graphic Stitch in Marysville. My job is as a sort of in-house designer, workman, extra-set-of-hands. It feels nice to be offered money for the things that I would be doing anyway and the money will certainly come in handy; I'm saving up for a Study Abroad semester in England, Junior year.
I'm off. There will be a longer, more in depth post dealing with by prolonged absence and my feelings on BV's next graduating class soon.
Monday, March 17, 2008
"God! That was a good bite."
Dang. It's only Monday. In two days, we've nearly mastered the Chicago transit system, we've been to the far corners of the city, the nice sections and the not-so nice, we've eaten everything from deep-dish pizza to grossly expensive McDonald's and burnt through nearly half of our alloted weekly cash. Today we started our volunteer work Walter Reed Elementary school on the far south side of Chicago. Our task is to come up with a design for the wall of the gym and paint it...in five days: not impossible, but close. Luckily, we managed to finalize a design. I did my best to contribute but evidently my eye for design isn't as good as it should be; the majority of my ideas got shot down for one reason or another. Either way, the design is finished and we're ready to start painting.
After work today, we collapsed into nice three-hour long naps. Dinner was traditional, deep dish pizza at Pizza Due, the second generation of the world-famous Pizza Uno. Todd, one of my friends and roommates is a vegetarian so my usual "meat lovers" option went out the window only to be replaced by a fantastic four-cheese pesto deep dish. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. I'm sure our waitress was the dearest, oldest spunky fake-redhead in the entire city. We adored the woman and she received an-almost 30% tip.
We walked to the Apple Store on Michigan Ave. and beheld all the Apple wonders there to see and made our way back to the hostel where we crashed, this time for good, for the rest of the night.
After work today, we collapsed into nice three-hour long naps. Dinner was traditional, deep dish pizza at Pizza Due, the second generation of the world-famous Pizza Uno. Todd, one of my friends and roommates is a vegetarian so my usual "meat lovers" option went out the window only to be replaced by a fantastic four-cheese pesto deep dish. I'm getting hungry just thinking about it. I'm sure our waitress was the dearest, oldest spunky fake-redhead in the entire city. We adored the woman and she received an-almost 30% tip.
We walked to the Apple Store on Michigan Ave. and beheld all the Apple wonders there to see and made our way back to the hostel where we crashed, this time for good, for the rest of the night.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
"Guys...where ahh we?"
Day two in Chicago was an action-packed on. Although we slept too late for breakfast at the hostel, we walked a block to Panera for some great bagels and croissants. Chicago is a laptop owners dream city with countless bubbles of Wi-Fi popping up here and there. We even have free access here in our room. In fact the entire city is very tech-savvy. It seems everyone here has a blue tooth headset, and iPhone or a Blackberry. They are also very well dressed.
After a quick train ride north of the city, we met up with Yoshi's cousin at one of the three million Starbuckses in the city. She took us around to some of her favorite sites in the Chicago Arts District. We pooped around to the various thrift stores and eventually ended up at a Whole Foods for lunch. I ate my outrageously expensive Reuben sandwich, Salt and Vinegar chips and All-Natural Key Lime soda in a cool community center with a great view of the area.
Then we napped...and it was glorious.
The chaperons made us an Italian dinner which we wolfed down and headed to Millennium Park to ice skate. It dawned on me as I laced up my skates that I hadn't set foot on a skating rink since seventh grade when I went with my youth group. Despite the tragic lack of practice, I managed to remain vertical the entire evening. We strolled around the park and saw the Great Silver Bean and the Spitting Face fountains. Lucie all-but molested an enormous bronze lion outside the Art Institute and Todd almost cartwheeled across a busy Chicago intersection; he didn't.
When we got back to our room we all settled in and started working on sketches for tomorrows jobs when out of nowhere, Yoshi decides she needs donuts. You wouldn't believe how hard it is to find an open Dunkin' Donuts at 12:45 in the morning but we were determined. After two stops on the Redline train and a short walk (more like a sprint) across a shady grocery store parking lot, we stumbles across a 24 hour Dunkin' Donuts, Baskin Robins combo shop: the midnight snacker's paradise. A dozen donuts and ten dollars later we were on our way back when we took a wrong turn or a wrong train (I'm not sure which). Whatever the reason was, we missed our stop and had to amble around the city to find our barrings again.
Eventually, we made it back and were able to enjoy the fruits of our late-night labors. Sadly such indulgences don't leave much time for sleep. We have to be up and ready for breakfast by nine in the morning and after a day like today, a nice, long shower is certain called for.
After a quick train ride north of the city, we met up with Yoshi's cousin at one of the three million Starbuckses in the city. She took us around to some of her favorite sites in the Chicago Arts District. We pooped around to the various thrift stores and eventually ended up at a Whole Foods for lunch. I ate my outrageously expensive Reuben sandwich, Salt and Vinegar chips and All-Natural Key Lime soda in a cool community center with a great view of the area.
Then we napped...and it was glorious.
The chaperons made us an Italian dinner which we wolfed down and headed to Millennium Park to ice skate. It dawned on me as I laced up my skates that I hadn't set foot on a skating rink since seventh grade when I went with my youth group. Despite the tragic lack of practice, I managed to remain vertical the entire evening. We strolled around the park and saw the Great Silver Bean and the Spitting Face fountains. Lucie all-but molested an enormous bronze lion outside the Art Institute and Todd almost cartwheeled across a busy Chicago intersection; he didn't.
When we got back to our room we all settled in and started working on sketches for tomorrows jobs when out of nowhere, Yoshi decides she needs donuts. You wouldn't believe how hard it is to find an open Dunkin' Donuts at 12:45 in the morning but we were determined. After two stops on the Redline train and a short walk (more like a sprint) across a shady grocery store parking lot, we stumbles across a 24 hour Dunkin' Donuts, Baskin Robins combo shop: the midnight snacker's paradise. A dozen donuts and ten dollars later we were on our way back when we took a wrong turn or a wrong train (I'm not sure which). Whatever the reason was, we missed our stop and had to amble around the city to find our barrings again.
Eventually, we made it back and were able to enjoy the fruits of our late-night labors. Sadly such indulgences don't leave much time for sleep. We have to be up and ready for breakfast by nine in the morning and after a day like today, a nice, long shower is certain called for.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
In The Windy City
I'm writing this post from Hostel International in Chicago. I know what you're thinking: "A hostel? Really? Isn't that...you know, dangerous?" and believe me, I thought the same thing when I first found out. In reality though, this place is really pretty great. Sure, it's no Ritz Carleton; it's not even a Holiday Inn, but it is nice. We're staying in a room of six (three bunk beds) with our own bathroom and a little "kitchen" area. We left CCAD at ten-something and drove for three or four hours until our bladders demanded that we make a stop.
Lunch was an eleven dollar basket of breaded chicken bones and greasy fish nibblets at Popeye's. I've noticed that long bus trips, for no particular reason, give me headaches. I have an impossible time finding a comfortable position (a fact to which my friend Yoshi can certainly attest) and I bore very easily due to the fact that I cannot read or write (or indeed do anything that involves focusing attention on any one spot for more than a few minutes) without experiencing wave after wave of motion sickness. Needless to say, I was happy when the bus pulled up to Union Station to let us off.
We rode a train to the hostel, unloaded and turned right back around to go find some food. Being the poor college students we are, we ended up buying the cheapest things from a 711 two blocks from the hostel and heating them up back in our kitchen. The rest of the night has been spent chilling in the lobby, watching LOST and "When Harry Met Sally". Now I'm tired and going to head up to my small, crinkly, bunked bed and awake to greet the morning, here in the windy city.
Lunch was an eleven dollar basket of breaded chicken bones and greasy fish nibblets at Popeye's. I've noticed that long bus trips, for no particular reason, give me headaches. I have an impossible time finding a comfortable position (a fact to which my friend Yoshi can certainly attest) and I bore very easily due to the fact that I cannot read or write (or indeed do anything that involves focusing attention on any one spot for more than a few minutes) without experiencing wave after wave of motion sickness. Needless to say, I was happy when the bus pulled up to Union Station to let us off.
We rode a train to the hostel, unloaded and turned right back around to go find some food. Being the poor college students we are, we ended up buying the cheapest things from a 711 two blocks from the hostel and heating them up back in our kitchen. The rest of the night has been spent chilling in the lobby, watching LOST and "When Harry Met Sally". Now I'm tired and going to head up to my small, crinkly, bunked bed and awake to greet the morning, here in the windy city.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
How Bizarre
I was rifling through the internet today in all my free time and I came across a bizarre find. I Googled a Dane Cook sketch about the Oprah show (very funny, should you be interested) during which Cook mentions a website where one can enter your address and see the sexual predators in your area. Curious, I clicked on to Family Watchdog and entered my address. Aside from several offenders living frighteningly close to my house, I noticed a familiar image on the right-hand side of the page.
Junior year, I was asked to design a logo for Buckeye Valley Local Schools. I consider this logo to be my best work as a graphic designer and have worked with it for almost two years now. Because of this, I can recognize it anywhere. On the right side of the National Sexual Offender Registry website, I spotted my Shield logo in faded blue as a part of the FamilySecure brand. Shocked, I zoomed in to double check. Yep, it was mine.
To be fare, the image is currently open for anyone to download from the BV site and I'm sure if you Google "shield" and click through the almost six-million images, you'll find it. It's just bizarre to see your creation, Photoshopped to fit a different color scheme, in a place you didn't really want it to be.
I've emailed the Buckeye Valley administration and requested copywriting for my Shield and Baron images.
Stay tuned for more...
Junior year, I was asked to design a logo for Buckeye Valley Local Schools. I consider this logo to be my best work as a graphic designer and have worked with it for almost two years now. Because of this, I can recognize it anywhere. On the right side of the National Sexual Offender Registry website, I spotted my Shield logo in faded blue as a part of the FamilySecure brand. Shocked, I zoomed in to double check. Yep, it was mine.
To be fare, the image is currently open for anyone to download from the BV site and I'm sure if you Google "shield" and click through the almost six-million images, you'll find it. It's just bizarre to see your creation, Photoshopped to fit a different color scheme, in a place you didn't really want it to be.
I've emailed the Buckeye Valley administration and requested copywriting for my Shield and Baron images.
Stay tuned for more...
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Harry Potter: Sinfully Good Reading
A good friend of mine is reading the Harry Potter series for the first time. Her religion tells her that the books are evil because they portray witchcraft in a favorable light and because the "good guy" uses "magic". The debate over the morality of the Harry Potter books has been raging since their initial publication and rise to fame in the late nineties and while I understand that some religions claim that the books go against traditional Christian values because the stories are told in a magical context, I cannot agree with the damnation that certain religious sects have placed on a series whose core message is one of love and tolerance over hatred and bigotry. To claim that the Harry Potter novels are evil simply because magic wands, invisibility cloaks and dragons exist within the plot is not only a gross misjudgment of seven brilliantly written stories but a genuine disservice to the individuals forbidden to read them.
Religious leaders and advocates for the banning of the Harry Potter books from libraries claim that they entice children to practice and perform witchcraft, therefore denouncing God. This claim, aside from being ludicrous and unfounded, is demeaning to our generation. Doesn't placing the novels in the fiction section of the library do enough to discredit their supernatural accuracy? Instead, many claim that we are too ignorant to distinguish between fantasy and reality. A fan of the books myself, I can say without a modicum of doubt that I haven't had the slightest desire to becoming a practicing wizard, much less denounce God. In fact, the Harry Potter series has brought me closer to God by allowing me to better know myself and by instilling in me the power of love and friendship. How can that be a sin?
The primary reason for the damnation of the Harry Potter books lies in the presence of magic in the series. The stories take place in a world where the "good guys", the "bad guys" and those in between use magic. If this alone warrants forbidding your youth to read the stories, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, The Sword in the Stone, Pinocchio, Peter Pan and The Wizard of Oz should all go by the wayside as well. After all, "the good guys" do magic in those stories too. In fact, all Disney movies should be disallowed because today's youth might get bad ideas. If you make a decision that sentences one brilliant story to burn, it should apply across the genre; shouldn't it? Do away with fiction altogether. Today's youth are far too susceptible to satanic influence for imagination; aren't they? We should also do away with the phrase "fairytale wedding". Fairies use magic and magic is evil; right? Or maybe the phrase should only apply to evil, homosexual weddings.
I applaud those like my friend who have decided to disregard the taboo placed on the Harry Potter books by those more "holy" than the rest of us. I'm certain they will find the series to be just what I did, an inspiring tale of morals, friendship, trust, honesty, courage, selflessness and most of all, love. And to the pious few who still fear the Harry Potter books are dragging this generation to the flaming mouth of hell I have this to say: The Holy Bible still holds the top spot on the international list of best-sellers. Chill.
Religious leaders and advocates for the banning of the Harry Potter books from libraries claim that they entice children to practice and perform witchcraft, therefore denouncing God. This claim, aside from being ludicrous and unfounded, is demeaning to our generation. Doesn't placing the novels in the fiction section of the library do enough to discredit their supernatural accuracy? Instead, many claim that we are too ignorant to distinguish between fantasy and reality. A fan of the books myself, I can say without a modicum of doubt that I haven't had the slightest desire to becoming a practicing wizard, much less denounce God. In fact, the Harry Potter series has brought me closer to God by allowing me to better know myself and by instilling in me the power of love and friendship. How can that be a sin?
The primary reason for the damnation of the Harry Potter books lies in the presence of magic in the series. The stories take place in a world where the "good guys", the "bad guys" and those in between use magic. If this alone warrants forbidding your youth to read the stories, Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, The Sword in the Stone, Pinocchio, Peter Pan and The Wizard of Oz should all go by the wayside as well. After all, "the good guys" do magic in those stories too. In fact, all Disney movies should be disallowed because today's youth might get bad ideas. If you make a decision that sentences one brilliant story to burn, it should apply across the genre; shouldn't it? Do away with fiction altogether. Today's youth are far too susceptible to satanic influence for imagination; aren't they? We should also do away with the phrase "fairytale wedding". Fairies use magic and magic is evil; right? Or maybe the phrase should only apply to evil, homosexual weddings.
I applaud those like my friend who have decided to disregard the taboo placed on the Harry Potter books by those more "holy" than the rest of us. I'm certain they will find the series to be just what I did, an inspiring tale of morals, friendship, trust, honesty, courage, selflessness and most of all, love. And to the pious few who still fear the Harry Potter books are dragging this generation to the flaming mouth of hell I have this to say: The Holy Bible still holds the top spot on the international list of best-sellers. Chill.
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