I was REALLY debating on whether to go to class or not. As you guys know, the "cerimonial speeches" were to be given today, and I'd fallen asleep last night half way through writing mine...soo, needless to say, I was unprepared=)
I finally did end up going, and as I entered the building, I saw one of my classmates on the way out: "Class is at the ferry station today" "Uh...where the hell is that?" "It had directions on the board upstairs, its at the end of Market St." So we walked down Market and shot the breeze...it was actually a beautiful day to be outside. As one walks down Market street, there is a bustling of "suits" and tourists...all milling about, some hurriedly walking toward their next destination, some lingering at the many tables set up every day by those selling their wares...the sun shone down a warmth, that bordered on being hot...so we walked in the shade all the way there.
We finally found the meeting spot...it was at the ferry station as the board said it would be. The class was under a dome-like canopy that stood right next to the water...it protected from the sun, yet still allowed the cool bay breeze to come through. I walked in and the instructor greeted me with her characteristic warm smile. It turns out she'd just handed out the grades from my group speech the class session before, "Your group has your grade, go ahead and find them, they're around here somewhere.."
I spotted them huddled over the grades as I approached. "Heeeeeeyy, whats up?" "Hey...it says here you've got good posture=)" "Ahhh...*thumbs up* Eggcellent." We joked over how harshly some graded us, and how some people were just the opposite.
After a few minutes, the speeches began...some were funny, some were poignant, and some were sweet...there was one or two that were hilarious=) And I found a smile on my face more often than not. There was one girl who did a "friend speech" for a close person that had just passed away...she was holding back tears at the end of it. There was another guy who talked about his dead dog...probably the funniest one of the day.=) And there was one guy who did a speech thanking the Academy Instructors....and in particular, one of them. An instructor he'd had for figure drawing and clothed figure drawing...it was none other than "Badass with his own theme song". He told it exactly how it was...the instructor doesn't talk all too much..he teaches the fundamentals during lectures in class...but the real gold...the real value of the class, is when you take the initiative to go beyond that...when you actually talk to him...say during break, or after class...and ask him questions. And the learning experience from simply witnessing a master at his craft, working his materials....THAT is priceless. I was just nodding my head in understanding as he spoke.
My speech was nothing extraordinary...just a "best man's speech" at my imaginary friends, Chuck and Lydia's wedding.=) haha...chalked full of good ol' memories we never had together...like the time Chuck drove his mom's car clear through the garage door one night while trying to sneak out, and later claiming he did it while sleepwalking. heh...or how they had met at the groceries...and how I was unaware that the supermarket was such a great place to pick up girls.=P All made up, but they never asked...so I never said.=)
As we were giving our speeches, there were many people just meandering around...some with a wierd look on their faces, as if to say, "whats going on here??" Some with smiles...some even took a seat and started to listen in...a mother and her baby, a business man on a lunch break...
All in all, it was a wonderful class session...we wrapped things up about 45 minutes before the actual ending time...our instructor told us we all did great, especially with the surrounding factors...the construction taking place several hundred feet away...the breeze, the tourists...she gave a smile, and we were free to go on our way.
I slowly made my way back to the school building...just taking time to capture all of the sights...the trees swaying in the breeze, high above the walkways...with the sound of ruffling leaves we all know...people soaking up the sun, sandwiches in hand, seated on steps, or laying on the grass. I thought to myself, "I think I'll come back out here every so often...its really nice." Just a nice reminder about how beautiful life is, if you take the time to notice.
5/10/2001 05:05:54 PM
Wednesday, May 09, 2001
Man, I had just gotten through reading how Willy's modem was fried, and was about to partake upon a leisurely game of Starcraft when my computer glitched out. I reinstalled Win98 3 times and now I can't go online, or use Explorer...or anything. I'm cut off from the world! Hmm...I'm really gonna have to reformat. I better make preparations....this means that I'm gonna lose like half of my lovely lovely mp3s....*sniff sniff*
Well, I just got out of Animation class...had a bit of a "tif" with my animation teacher...hehe...more like an expressing of opposing views, but I can imagine how someone may think differently if they witnessed it. She wouldn't give me credit for watching the animated movie "Akira", because it wasn't "traditional american animation"...hmmm...heh. I really think I could've nailed her if I continued with the debate, but I decided to let things go to maintain amiable feelings.=P Yes, yes, politics sometimes comes before proving a point.
Well, I'm here in the school library on one of these iMacs...or what I like to call, "candy computers"....the one I'm on is "blueberry flavored". I'm waiting for my Storyboarding Class in 50 minutes. Then its home to write a speech I have to give tomorrow. Uff...its got to be a ceremonial speech for my Speech Class. Argh...Man, any ideas?? Yes, you...e-mail me...cuz I'm plum out. A "best man at a wedding speech", "maybe a 40th birthday speech", or how's about an "award speech"? This one is probably the toughest one, because I've got to get all sentimental, gushy-gushy and everything. ARGH!! heh. I've been wracking my brain for an idea, but nothing will come out.
Yesterday's post wasn't even finished before my computer had the brain farts of brain farts. Well, this reformat has been a long time commin'...she's needed it for quite some time. Poor girl...
Welp, I'm gonna go prep myself for class by....napping on the sofa.=) Take it easy...
5/9/2001 06:13:54 PM
Tuesday, May 08, 2001
Today was a good day...dare I say, great day...for my art thang that is...which usually spills over into everything else...
I spent most of the day before class prepping my final portfolio and in-class drawings...pretty much right up till the last minute...and beyond. But it paid off...first off, I had a great drawing day. Secondly, I got the grade I hoped to get...thirdly...(this is where I'm gonna toot my own horn for a bit...I try to do this sparingly, and every-so-often *opens case to horn...dusts it off*), while I was drawing, my instructor ("badass with his own theme song") walks up to me and says, "I'm going to keep a few of your drawings, you can get them back next semester...is that okay?" I was kinda stunned at first, but then I managed a "Uh...sure". heh. Soo yeah, thats pretty dope...I really don't know and didn't ask what he was gonna do with them, but I'm guessing they may be hung on a wall along with other student's good work. Okay, thats it=) *toot....puts horn back in case*
5/8/2001 11:29:49 PM
Well, 3am is closing in, and I suppose its as good a time as any to blog for the night.
I talked to Ger Bean for a few hours last night...and EVEN THOUGH we didn't get much accomplished, it was great talkin' to her again=)
I woke up at 11:30...with class at 12. Now, with just 2 more weeks of school, I was pretty sure that this class would just be a review...and I KNOW I'm going to be late...like 20-30 minutes late, and I KNOW I'm not my teacher's favorite student...not by a longshot...just because that little "falling asleep in class" incident=X...so then and there...I decided I wasn't going to class....so, with that moment of debate over, I slouched back into my chair, started up the mp3s, and signed online...about 5 minutes into "lounge mode", a question ran through my mind..."Was the written final today?? Or next week...." OH ISH! I jumped up and slapped on those jeans quick as lightning, threw on a t-shirt and was out the door in under 5 minutes.
Fast forward 30 minutes; I walk in class...and the test is actually NEXT week...so I take my seat, a little irked that I'm at school, grubby cuz I didn't get to take my morning shower, and hot as heck cuz the weather suddenly decided to be summer. Oh well, eh? The review was actually good for me, and we did learn how to use the SGI video capture device. But then, you guys REALLY wanted to know that huh? heh...
I think I'm gonna miss my Clothed Fig. drawing teacher...y'kno, the "badass with his own theme song". I'm always in awe when I watch him demo, and that pushes me to be better...I'm constantly humbled AND inspired. Its gonna be different not being able to wander over to watch him in action.
Watching him over the semester, I've noticed a particular technique he's used for quick portrait work...and today I asked him about it. Well, it turns out, its actually a technique he developed himself, and used to teach. The thing is that everyone really loved the way HE did it, but when they failed a few times, they didn't continue with it. During break though, he taught me the method. Now sure, he could tell me HOW to do it within the 15 minute break we had, but actually DOING it...dooood...thats gonna take some practice..."Be ready to fail a few times.....*pause* A lot of times.=)" Hehe...a challenge...I like it. The effect is a really painterly look to the drawing, as well as the approach...its great.
Did I mention I finally beat the game last weekend? Yeah...the deed is done...my life is mine again...and just in time to be sucked up by finals. Oye.
I wanna talk about something right now...something that many people may have noticed, but few have probed...I think, because they're afraid to know the truth. This thing? The Asian Pinky-Nail Bear Claw.
Have you ever seen or met someone for the first time...went to shake their hand, and nearly got stabbed by their tremendously LONG pinky nail? Or how many times have you seen an asian dude fumbling with a keyboard, because his pinky-nail is messing up his ability to use the "home-row". You may wonder, "how come I see those long ass pinky nails only on dudes...and only ASIAN dudes for that matter....is it like, en vogue in the Orient or something??" *chuckle* Ahh, no friend...the answer is much...much more devious. Perhaps, you've always known in the back of your mind, but were afraid to face the truth....
The reason for the "asian bear claw" as it's been dubbed, is this: TO PICK INTO EVERY ORFICE of THE HUMAN BODY. Case in point...a few days ago while waiting for my muni train to come, another train rolls to a stop...the doors open as passengers proceed to get on and off. I glance over the passengers, and spot this 20-something asian dude...sitting in a seat, leaned forward with his elbows on his knees. Something about him made me think he was up to no good...maybe the way he glanced from left to right, to left again with those eagle eyes. When he was more or less satisfied that no one was looking at him, he raised his hand to face level. This is when I noticed...the "asian bear claw"...his was long indeed...well groomed, and filed into a "scooper-like" shape at the tip. He then made a loose fist, with the pinky extended...and proceeded to dig for gold. YES...I'm talking "if I dug any deeper, I'd be picking at brain tissue". I saw at least half of his pinky dissappear into his nostril with a cat-like grace that spoke of experience. A subtle "wriggling" motion, and his pinky was out of his nose like that....another glance around, and he concentrated on his pinky. Gave it a good "flick", and acted like he DIDN'T just clean the nasal pipes in plain view.
Noses, ears, mouths, and where ever else the bear claw will fit...you will find it. If you know someone with one....or have seen someone with one, wonder no longer. If confronted, people have been known to say "Why do I have this? Cuz...it looks cool"...or "its my scooper...y'kno...for those cheese and cracker products. I always loose that damn little red stick they give you". I've even heard reports of "Long pinky nail? What long pinky nail?" Indeed. Now you know the truth....and know...that whoever they are, they're up to no good.
Ahhh...cheese cake ice cream float...hot damn, that was good. Well, its 3pm and I've got to make my way downtown. My final for Clothed Figure Drawing class is due on Tuesday, and what it is: 30 drawings done on 18x24 paper done in out-of-class workshops, reduced in size via copy machine, and arranged into a portfolio. As well as 15 of my best in-class drawings. So yeah, its gonna take awhile to copy and reduce all those drawings...and I figure, today being Sunday, everyone is doing something else(like the laundry I did YESTERday, HA!), I'll have the copy machine ALL to my lonesome...
Looks pretty dang nice outside...I can really get used to this weather. Clear blue skies, a nice warm sunshine, and a cool breeze...good stuff=) I'm off to the shower.
5/6/2001 03:14:57 PM
Well, I stuck to my guns, and tonite, I sleep at home...for the first weekend in quit awhile. It feels pretty good though...ahhh...
I just finished up watching a film called Yellow about 20 minutes ago at my friend's house. Its my second time seeing it...I had rented it about a year and a half ago. I really liked the film then, and I like it now...along with those that watched it tonite. I tell ya, its pretty darn cool (and strange) seeing a film about asian-american youth...or issues in general. An all too rare occurance, unfortunately. But yeah, I feel strongly about asian americans having an equal representation in the media, etc...but we wont' get into that now=)
YO! Dig this....not one....not two...BUT THREE gallons of ice cream....for? *drumroll* 6 bux....bwhahah...do you realize how many ice cream floats that is?! Heck yes...and now that I've gotten my Safeway card replaced, I'm back in business baby...cuz you know us...*ahem* CLUB members get the best deals....=)
The weather's been kinda hot lately...reminds me of S. Cali weather...which is great at this point...I'm diggin' it. I did a lot of walking around today, but I didn't mind so much because it was so nice....did the laundry, went grocery shopping...watched a digitally remastered, newly translated and dubbed version of Akira at the Van Ness AMC20 with the guys. Yeah, I've seen it before, but I was assigned to watch an animated film in the theatre for Animation class...and seeing as how nothing animated has been out this semester, I was pretty lucky to come across this. Anywayz, I hear its only playing at very select theatres...like we're talking two or three that I know of in California...so if you get the chance to see the new digitally remastered, re-dubbed version, I reccommend it. Its just much more clearer than the previous one was...I finally understand it all...
Well I think there's an ice cream float with my name on it...=) I'll talk to ya later...
