Saturday, September 09, 2006

[a welcome weekend]

Well I slept later than I had wanted to, but I definitely needed it. I had a long day on Thursday and it continued into an even longer day. My software CS2 arrived on that afternoon and I downloaded it, went to work and waitressed until 10 p.m. and 4-rided my ass home so I could complete my Graphic Design II homework assignment for a 9 a.m. critique up at the Georgetown Campus. I was up on the computer using a program I had never used before and I completed all 8 of my compositions - and was/am very pleased with how they turned out. I think that throughout the whole process I actually kept releasing little shouts of personal encouragement and victory cheers of 'yes!' and 'holy sh*t!' I finished those projects at 2 a.m. on Thursday night/Friday morning. Then I woke up at 6:30 a.m. to shuttle over to Georgetown Campus, print them out and be ready for our 9:15 on the dot critique. Sigh. By yesterday afternoon, of course, I was completely drained, exhausted, standing on my last legs, eyes sore. But man, did I feel satisfaction.

I immediately headed over to the main downtown campus building where I had an appointment with a potential work-study employer...and I did get the position. I will be working with the girl in charge of College Exhibitions and I'm super thrilled at the opportunity. I really wanted a work-study job that could teach me something, that would be something I could put on my resume. Something that would keep me connected to the Fine Art side of things at the Corcoran and get me away from the computer screen and graphics. I'm so happy about this gig. I will mainly work on Tuesday mornings - and since I don't waitress on Tuesday evenings, due to an afternoon class that ends later in the evening...5:30ish, the day shouldn't be as exhausting as it sounds.

So eventually yesterday, The Boyfriend and I had a nice Bertucci's dinner to celebrate the end of the week and then came home and watched Silent Hill. The movie kinda sucked a lot even though lots of people told me it was pretty kickass. Then I read a little of "Stop Stealing Sheep and Find Out How Type Works" and went to sleep. I was literally picked up outta bed this morning at 9:45ish and placed into a kitchen chair and when I slowly opened my eyes, I was greeted by a big homemade breakfast. And being who I am, the second I opened my eyes I was starving and began to consume the very well prepared meal. It was a nice way to wake up and it was clever, too. The Boyfriend knew I have a ton of homework to do this weekend and that I wanted to wake up super early...meaning like 7:00. Knowing we slept later than that, he woke me up the next best way, to food and classical music and rollin' on the floor kitties. It was sweet.

Last night, before we went to sleep, we were chillin' with some of the guys who live in our building on the front steps and for some reason, we started discussing President Bush. All I have to say is that the conversation was one giant hilarious belly laughing into the night episode. Lots of quotes. That's all there is to say.

And in honor of such a laughable Friday night conversation, here are some goodies (Bushisms, as they're called):

"It's about past seven in the evening here so we're actually in different time lines." Congratulating newly elected Philippine president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Washington DC.: January 2001

"We want to develop defenses that are capable of defending ourselves and defenses capable of defending others." Washington DC.: March 29, 2001

"It is clear that our nation is reliant upon big foreign oil. More and more of our imports come from overseas." Beaverton, Oregon: September 25, 2000

"First, let me make it very clear, poor people aren't necessarily killers. Just because you happen to be not rich doesn't mean you're willing to kill." Washington DC: May 19, 2003


And on that note, I shall retreat to my world of academic pursuits from the comfort of my own apartment. I hope you are having a superb weekend so far.

Wednesday, September 06, 2006

[a wednesday list]

Of the many charms of blogging, perhaps lists are my favorite...

Things in my apartment that I can see...
(and you can't, 'cause you're not here):
______________________________________________
  • Lord of the Rings Extended DVD Box Set.
  • 7 years worth of movie, concert, museum, train ticket stubs.
  • Polaroids.
  • Old school Coca-Cola crate on the wall.
  • Old glass jar full of miscellaneous match books.
  • Lava lamp.
  • Smoothie maker.
  • Ceramic planters from the late 70s, early 80s.
  • HP Photosmart Printer.
  • "Sculpture" by Bruce Beasley.
  • Framed photos of k & t at the March For Womens Lives in DC 2004.
  • Sewing machine.
  • Marine Corps and AIDS Marathon medals.
  • Photo of The Boyfriend in a wig.
  • Grass growing on the window sill for the kitties.
  • Dirty Dancing DVD.
  • Hammer.
  • Tackle box full of nails and rusty wire.
  • Small green mesh box full of my Milwaukee Memories.
  • Small drawer unit filled with keys and pebbles.
  • Shannon's Microsoft Office:Mac package (we should have lunch).
  • My ink and colored pencil fashion drawings.
  • Magazine cut-outs of eyelashes and legs.
  • That cool stained glass VW bug light that Bruter gave me.
  • My rusty yellow lantern.
  • The Boyfriend's ceramic chess pieces.
  • "Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook".
  • Swiffer.
  • All natural air deoderizer.
  • Kitty litter box.
  • Two giant plastic bags full of clothes to donate.
  • Clear tacks.
  • Scissor Sisters on itunes, "Mary" at the moment.
  • Box of acrylics.
  • Plastic drawer unit separating scrapbooking materials.
  • Graphic Design II homework sketches.
  • Sharpies. Lots and lots of Sharpies.
  • Ghostbusters I & II, Shrek I & II, and the Harry Potters (movies & books).
  • Two frisky kitties.
  • 10 very healthy plants.
  • 2 GW framed diplomas.
  • A tapestry.
  • Wicker chairs.
  • Surround sound speakers.
  • Lots of old "Vogue" issues.
  • $2.00 bill.
  • "Stitch 'n Bitch" and "Knitting for Dummies".
  • Carribbean Cruise photos from Summer 2005.
  • My old Steve Madden wooden clogs from Junior Year.
  • The kittie Tree.
  • The antique camera Cousin Louie K gave me last year.
  • E.T. trading cards.
  • Star Wars trading cards.
  • Garbage Pail Kids trading cards.
  • New Kids on the Block trading cards.
  • Melbourne Brothers apricot beer bottle - best beer ever.

Monday, September 04, 2006

[hot damn, there's a camera in here!]

There are lots of amazing things that I can do with this new laptop. So far, my favorite is the fun little Photo Booth feature that uses the built-in isight camera (in my monitor - how cool is that?) to take photos while I'm sitting at the computer. That's not the best part. The best part is that there are some really kickass effects that I can use to alter the photos...and some are downright scary! Let's take some samples now, shall we?

Photo Op #1:
















Photo Op #2:
















Photo Op #3:
















Photo Op #4:















Photo Op #5:

(disclaimer: ye be warned, this is where things get scary)...















Okay, that one isn't too bad...
















Geelite, I know you've gotta be lovin' this right now.
















And last, but certainly not least:

















So if you were ever wondering what I do with my spare time, now you know. Self-Portraits are the new black. Can you say HOT ?



















[archival footage]

Quote of the Month - August 2006

"Follow the gold leaf trail back where we were young and didn't have a care. Tracing the circles that we made, I don't wanna live life in the shade."

-Badly Drawn Boy [Hour of Bewilderbeast]















You should go out and buy this album immediately.
No, I mean, like - right now.

Thanks to Geelite for introducing it to me, Junior Year @ GDub.

[wicked]

Using my new computer, I've thus far downloaded 2 songs to my itunes playlist. They are:

Wicked Game by Chris Issaak
You Never Can Tell by Chuck Berry


"what a wicked thing to do, make me dream of you..."

Could anything sound sexier?


















He's kinda sexy too.



(Photo: Courtesy of www.exleyphoto.com)

Sunday, September 03, 2006

[electronica]

So as most of you all know (beause it's all I've been talking about for the past month), I'm attending the Corcoran College of Art + Design for Graphic Design. What you may not know, is that two days ago I was informed (as if it wasn't evident enough by the fact that I was the only student in Graphic Design II without a fancy pancy lap top) that a lap top IS, in fact, required for all sophomore courses. Silly me. And even better, not only are they required, but one certain specific and highly priced lap top is required. The MacBook Pro 17" lap top. I know what you're thinking - INSANITY. First, I panicked, wondering how to pay...second thought was what the hell is a MacBook Pro??? Well, folks. It's just the top of the line, best of the best newest Mac computer. And Saturday, I bought my very own. Holy. Cow. Oh. My. God. Breathe. You. Own. It. You're typing on it right now. This. Very. Second. This is real, this is not a test.

THIS is my computer.

And because things like this don't happen everyday and because I get enthusiastic over, ya know, new pieces of technology that can blow my mind and entertain me with their shiny covers and unmatched intellect, I share with you:

THE PROCESS:
































































































And there she is...my new best friend for the next three years.

Any name suggestions?




Hope your weekend has been so great!