shoots of stars

I want my movie theater experience!!!

2006-03-01T13:06:00.000-08:00

What I don’t understand is the belief that staying at home to watch a theater movie is better than going to the theater its self. One of my teachers was explaining to our animation class (another topic I will probably elaborate more on later) that he believes that in the near future, theaters may be non existent, due to the popularity of home theaters and technology advances in cable like Tivo and Pay-per-view. That’s nonsense! And he is crazy! No really, he is. I don’t know about you but I enjoy the feeling I get when I walk into a theater to watch a movie not knowing how this crowd will be. The constant interruptions of others cell phone rings, the uncontrollable munching of popcorn and candy snacking of those next to me, and my personal favorite, the kicking of my seat from the person behind me…is the best! Okay, so the kicking of the seat thing is actually annoying when it’s your seat those kids are kicking but I can’t say that I really mind the other interruptions. It’s those stupid, annoying things that make the movie going experience a movie going experience.

Left: Tivo may be cool for somethings, like making sure you don't miss any must see shows like "Lost" or "America's Next Top Model", but it's not good for movie watching.

Right: Take a film class and find out why places like in the above pic is so cool. Warner Grand is one of the last standing origianl movie houses of our time, located in San Pedro, CA.

I’m crazy I know because apparently, more people prefer to watch their movies at home, where there is peace and quite and no one to ignore or worry about disrupting an ideal perfect viewing experience. What about the enjoyment of being able to just soak up the people and smells, and setting around you? It’s almost a sort of controlled, unpredictable environment.

You know or should know the proper theater edicate when viewing a movie in a theater, which had changed respectively sense the art deco 1920’s time period in film, but it depends on what type of people you end up with when its all said and done. I know I sound crazy but let’s see if I really am. You can watch a movie at home any day…and I almost always do everyday thanks to the Newport Beach Library, but it’s not as fun to buy foods you wouldn’t normally eat at home, or complain about the terrible commercials that come before your featured presentation. Besides, you can just as easily have many interruptions at home as you do with today’s modern theater! It just depends on how you live, or who you live your with. Phones ring. That’s inevitable. Friends come over unannounced, that’s unpredictable as well. Your cat wants your undivided attention.-which is rare because cats are quite self-reliant creatures by nature-and so on. I like the movie previews but the car commercials suck! That I can do without but what I’m trying to say is that you can’t reproduce a true movie theater experience ever. The price has risen a lot too…that is something to complain about but once again, its an easy way to have a fun little adventure that allows you to take your mind away from the world, and the worries you may have for a few hours. Don’t let the tradition of going to movies die…if must be, Movie hop! I know what its like to be poor. Just don’t do it too much, you might get caught and thrown in jail. And that would be bad.

Virtual Street Reality- Julian Beever

2006-02-27T12:03:00.000-08:00

Meet a mural painter with incredible chalk illustrations. This stuff is for real but is it?
A Circles and Squares graphic 2006

This is a follow up to my intentions of exposing you to some new and or interesting artists who do cool, unusual stuff. Or just stuff I like that I want to share with you. Either way…it works out for both of us. I get to browse the internet whilst doing homework at 2 am in the morning and you get to learn a few things about what “art” is and what kind of it there is out there.

The onlything bad about drawing on pavement would be the longevity of the piece; rain would be an ememy! But who likes rain anyway??? Rain should always be the enemy.

Believe it or not, I used to do chalk doodles outside my home in Long Beach a very long time ago. My dad, or was it my mom?-even took me to view a few of some real chalk paintings somewhere along the bay area close to where I use to live. You know those places I speak of right? Such places usually have things like street performers and delightful little ice cream shops at almost every corner of every street you cross. They may also have cute little gift shops and good weather. Both a very good thing to have when out walking near a salty body of water!

But to get to the juice of this topic, Julian Beever is the artist at hand and he’s English. His work can be found in mainly other countries like England, France, Germany, Australia and Belgium. And he also covers a few pavements in the grand USA as well. I can’t tell you how long he has been doing this but he doesn’t appear to look that old. Maybe it’s because as I get older, I find that what old was to me then isn’t really that old anymore. I’m not a 16 year old anymore; i'm almost in my mid twenties!!!

If you just take a look at his work, you should be as blown away at it as I was. He’s so accurate at replicating “real life” images, they appear not as a painting on a sidewalk but as an object in real life, time and dimension. According to the website I found this on, there’s only one real way to tell what Beever has drawn is not in fact the object you think it is and that is to mistakenly view the painting from the incorrect angle.

Look at it from this angle...not so hot. But from the other angle, it's amazing! I can't even begin to figure out how he does this stuff. My brain would cease to function if I tried.

Fun stuff. If you’ve never seen any chalk art work before, I encourage you to stop and smell the flowers. There’s just something so unique about seeing art work on a surface that that most people would find dirty or disgusting and with a medium that is considered to be quite elementary.

Beautiful things come in all forms. Just like my collection of ‘80s action figures.

Dork of the Rings: Part 1

2006-01-25T18:31:00.000-08:00

I went to the Lord of the Ring convention (ORC) 2006 the other day. What is it? Well, it’s a grand nerd convention celebrating the Lord of the Rings movies and more importantly, Tolkien’s work. To be honest, im not the Lord of the Rings fan I make myself out to be. I can’t recall more then 8 characters names and half the time I mispronounce them. Good thing I didn’t strike up any conversations with anyone there or I would have been toast! I can proudly say that that I have read the first two books of the trilogy though-something that Elijah Wood has not. I don’t hold that against him though, he’s a busy guy. I love the movies a ton however, just like I suspect the rest of the attendees did. My only hint was do in part to spotting a good dozen or so people clad in fantasy apparel. Some bad but some did convince me they were real elves and bow and arrow enthusiasts.

My favorite was this old man dressed as Gandalf. I just had to have my picture with him, so I did but I’ll have to post the pix from the event later because I lack a digital cam. Im not kool, not kool at all. Meanwhile, here is a comic I sketched up for you all to view in the meantime.

I really hope my pix turn out. I will put those up on my profile on my other blog web page on my space.

Okay, the main reason I went to this thing was because I was sure to see Elijah Wood.
There are only a few things I am fully obsessed with right now, one being Disneyland, two being Elijah Wood and three, coffee- lots and lots of coffee. I’m sure there are maybe some other things here and there, but I can’t recall them. SO, back to the ORC convention…Elijah was great, Sean Austin was funny and get this, the never before scene bloopers had a lot of profanities in it. I missed seeing the, “Ringers” documentary, narrated by Dom Monaghan. Instead, I was drinking guess what? Coffee with my cousin in a nearby Starbucks. The day was over way too fast, but I think staying there the entire weekend, like im sure most of them did, is a bit much for me. It was a first time convention experience for me, and it will surely not be the last!
Did I mention where it was? Pasadena.

Zooey Deschanel plays the steal pedal guitar

2006-01-09T11:16:00.000-08:00

Here in lies a musical treat. Filled with lots of good old jazz tunes and vaudeville-esque comedy acts, this, ladies and gents, is worth your while to see.

Left to right: Zooey Deschanel and friend/actress Samantha Shelton. Pictures taken by Joya Balfour. Next time, i will take my own pix instead of stealing others photos. Bad toyrobott, bad.

For those of you who like big, loud expensive concerts in venues that emit commercial staleness to them, this type of show won’t deliver. Sorry. Apparently, Zooey Deschanel is not just an actress know by people who are fans of the movie, “Elf” starring Will Farrell. Nor is she just the daughter of two talented entertainers, cinematographer, Caleb Deschanel, and actress, Mary Jo Deschanel. She’s that fairly low profile actress drawn to quirky roles such as, "Eulogy" and "Mumford", who’s also in a band. She and fellow actress Samantha Shelton have been singing, “soft rock” tunes for more than 4 years now, and I got to see just how entertaining her act really was last night. I was blown away by this but then again, not really because anyone who has ever listened to Ella Fitzgerald, or Nina Simone should agree that Zooey has one incredible voice. Even if you’re not into vocal jazz, a great voice is still a great voice.

“If all the Stars were Pretty Babies” or “the Pretty Babies” for short, is a bona fide cabaret act that is just as enjoyable as it is funny. The two started there act at some small LA party as an inprov show for fun and since then has continued to grace the stages of little local LA venues on a semi regular basis. Pretty much whenever Zooey is not filming her next independent film.

These are probably taken at the Henry Fonda Theater, or maybe just some other place other than the Hotel Cafe. It's too big looking for no coffee searving Hotel Cafe!

Second pic: People part of the 8 piece band. I saw the man on the left that night, but did not see the man on the right. Maybe he was on holiday...

When I arrived at the Hotel Café in LA, a coffee shop that despite the sign on the outside does not sell coffee, I was in for a shock. I had never seen a movie star ever in real life before. Not any more. I saw her and my cousin almost elbowed her as she was making her way towards the teeny stage! The Hotel Café is small. There was about seven small tables to eat at, a small bar in one corner and the miniature like stage in the other corner. But the place was quaint and clean with a little bit of romanic candle light to boot. The first show, "Marina", started at 8pm, and she seemed good but I was really just eagerly anticipating my first glace at Zooey. After an hour and a half, the wait was over. The drive to LA was worth it, the $5 dollars plus tip for parking was worth it, and even the $10 dollar entrance fee was worth it. GO SEE ZOOEY! Wearing brightly colored vintage dresses and smiles that could cheer even the grumpiest of people up, I was set. They sang and danced and made funniest comments the entire night. And perhaps, if you are as lucky as me, you might be able to see Zooey attempt to play the steal pedal guitar while buzzed on diet gin and tonic. Even the country songs they sang were good.

Maybe im part bias because I was in a jazz choir when I was high school but this show was really quiet something. Next trip, I plan to say, “Hi”. That is, if I can muster up the courage to do so.

Winter wonderland

2005-12-17T14:16:00.000-08:00

Without naming names, or company's, last night was my works big Christmas party. And it was filled with the shit! An adventure fit for a kid! Better yet kids who have access to alcohol!

Who ever is behind this big mystery? I don't know...

Company Christmas parties all always fun no matter what but I’m my short experience of going to 3 Christmas parties, this one was almost to good to be true.
The first party I went to was my friend’s party who was working at a mortgage company at the time. That was when I was young and new to this California life and not allowed to drink alcoholic beverages.
I got all dressed up in a pink dress and black heels and attended a very expensive, dinner with gourmet foods and quaint delicious, desserts. And an open bar.
Then, one party I hold dear to my memory is a Christmas party we had while I worked at that damn record store I mention so very often. It was held at the, "Shark Club" just 5 minutes away from my work
in Costa Mesa. It was a bar, but not an upper bar, a lower bar, from what hear around from the kids I talk to. It was great. I won a Christian band t-shirt that night called, "Reliant K". Who the hell is that? Fuck.
I don’t know..but it made me happy. The best part was getting to see all of your co-workers outside of work....drunk! So much in fact, your store manager completely loses track of what he's doing and
drops a glass of gin and tonic on the floor and breaks it. The following year, I could not go.

But this year, being that I just happen to work for ---------------, I lucked out in getting to go to one killer scene Christmas party. Does that make anyone jealous? It should. There
were lots of cooly dressed scene kids there. And it was cold, cold as ice because it was outside. Death Cab for Cutie played for us and the public at 10pm and drinks were being served until 12:15am. My friend Seann, was my date and the entire night all we did was act like a bunch of super excited, high schoolers not caring about anything except having a good time. We were the only people acting completely ridiculous during death cab's set and the only kids trying to make friends with strangers that night.

I wanted to meet up with some of my co-workers that night, but it wasn’t just a party for us, it was for special VIP RSVP people as well. So if you knew some one, who knew some one, who knew how to get in, you got in. And with so many people, walking around in the dark, it was hard to find anyone. There was a dance floor, sled rides, elephant rides, ferries wheel, popcorn, drinks, in and out, live music, Santa Claus in one very giant red seat, (almost made him as though he was a midget). What can I say? I’m glad I got to go even though I should have been at home, studying for my final exams. Enough with work. I have to get some rest.

Next stop, Lisa Frank

2005-12-07T17:33:00.000-08:00

I have the urge to post yet again. It may have come across that I haveny done much in my screen printing class...but that's because my teacher is dumb and can't really teach. And I havent been super on top of getting my projects done early. All of my pieces are due at the end of the semester so it leaves time for procrastinators, like myself, to not get them done unitl later. Much later.

My skickers are done. And so is my Pirate shirt. I will post that one later. I am more or less pleased with the outcome. But I would have liked to have had some black vinyl ink...people in my class are idiots and thoughtless and use way too much ink than needed. THey don't care. Why should they? They get what they want and thats all that matters. Good thing I like colors and used blue and yellow paper.

This sticker is a self promotion design for my fake band, "Monsters Claws and Dragons Jaws."

Drink Big Bang! or die XXX

2005-12-05T21:02:00.000-08:00

I've been busy being not busy. Well, what I mean is, i've been busy not doing my school work, like good little scholars should. Espeically, since school is almost done. Two weeks in counting! It's tough this semester for me to want to finish what I started. I've hit that limit where I feel i've learned enough about the subjects to have it be over. An A for effort I think! Well, math...maybe no. But I don't like math so I figure it's ok to slide a bit.

Big Bang! needs help. I am here to save the day! It's a close to legit drink oddly enough. Made by Ball beverages. I went to their website www.ballbeverages.com to look at the other stuff and it's all gone to hell.

Here is a treat for you! Check out these repackaging designs I am forcing myself to finish for my graphix class. My class was given the task of finding a live beverage to redesign and make better. Lots of people choose wine and beer stuff. I choose an energy drink I found at the 99cents store. Just because it's from the dollar store dosent mean that it can't look cool? Right. So it's called, "Big Bang!" and it the original design was very, very over done. Almost gautty. I can't spell. Anyway, I only really have the front labels done. For the final comp. we are meant to paste the label onto a bottle. I don't know how, but I will find a way. I'm thinking I will use some empty cans I have saved for this very purpose and then use some spray paint.

Here is what I came up with. Keep in mind i'm sticking with the, "Rock Star" 16 oz size instead of the regular 12 oz soda pop size. And idealy, the colors and graphix would have that shiny metallic look to them as well. Because that's that's how cans roll. Not all over though.

I can't wait till school's out for Christmas! It's the perfect time for cozying up with some chai tea and watching a few horror flicks. And maybe, just maybe experiencing some Christmas cheer. I'm looking forward to watching some kiddy movies like Chronicals of Narnia and King Kong.

Curses

2005-11-30T22:39:00.000-08:00

Unmotivated, unispired, unconcrolled, unmoving, undone, unfeeling, uncheerful and just un.

Damn this line. When can i get on Space Mountian?

So it's Thanksgiving

2005-11-24T18:00:00.000-08:00

Wow. What has time done. I cant belive that it is yet another year. iTs seems almost like it was yesterday that it was last thanksgiving dinner. That was good times. Stuffing ourselves until we cant stuff anymore. Being surrounded by friends and family is something that can be nothinig better.

Really. I'd go overboard like i usually do but this year i have work early. Oh, so have a good one! Another year another wrinkle.

Which way to the 2 for $15?

2005-11-12T21:05:00.000-08:00

Ok...without any more delay, here are the top two roughs for the Virgin Meagastore promotional poster I did for school.

It was a toughfy. THat was for sure. Luckly, I got some help from a friend to pose for me in one of the designs. Thank you again! But, uh, yeah... The winner...being a very close call, was the illustrated one. My class is in charge of choosing which one was their favorite, and they said, and I quote, "We dig the stick man." So there you have it. I like them both. I'd use them if I were Virgin, but then again, im not a living multi-million dollar corporation.

Squiggly-Simple but eye catching.

The logo on the bottom is not the logo I ended up using for the final rough. I used the the Virgin Megastore one in the design above (Squiggle man).

Yukinori Dehara- Clay Artist

2005-11-09T23:28:00.000-08:00

Enough about me. Let's talk about this guy.

Every once in a while, I come across an artist that inspires me and who's art I truly appreciate. It's also important to point out that art can come in many different forms, this one focuses on Clay Art. And even though it's not entirely rooted the traditional art form, it's good stuff.

"I don't know why, but figures that are bloody are more interesting and sell more."

His name is Yukinori Dehara, (Don't ask me how to pronouce that, i'll make a fool of myself if i do) and his art is well, bizzare but entertaining. I find him to be particually intrieging because of his use of color mixed with horror like figurines.

As I was reading about him in an old Giant Robot magazine the other day, it hit me that someday, I too would like to design brightly colored clay figures and photograph them in big cities like L.A. or Portland!

Yukinori Dehara. He's fashionable too. You can never go wrong with blue and pink!

The lowdown: He was born in Japan. Was given a clay set as a child and was influenced by Anime, film, magazines and books. Later on, he started watching splatter movies (American Horror flicks) and started incorpirating gore into his designs. He dosent like horror movies that much, which is ok because he makes up for it by elaborating on how much he does like the posters and cover art of the horror genre. He also makes a good point about how he considers his packaging for his figures to be a work of art in itself. With good packaging, the item's value goes up and people who might not otherwise by a decrepid elementary looking clay toy, would buy one now because of the "whole package."

Here's one Q and A I thought to be quite notable.

GR. How has your art changed over time?
YD. The style doesnt change much. I don't like to make things really good or perfect. Most Japanese people like to make beautiful and perfect dolls. I think junior high school and grammer school kids do things that are more inspiring, but people might not think it's art. Recently, I thought, "Why am I doing this way? Why do I like things are imperfect?" I've been inspired by things that I made in grammer school. Heta Uma is a style of drawing badly but well. Sometimes bad drawings have more character. To make it imperfect is hard.

I agree. It's hard to make good bad drawings. I practice daily. Boy, am I tired. Look at all these perfectly misspelled words. Can't get any better than that!

Make believe isn't just in fairy land

2005-11-08T22:44:00.000-08:00

It may also be in Zombie land. More drawings that have kept me busy with my lack of time.

"Silly Canabalists, humans are for Zombies!" Pen, pencil and watercolor.

BAd, bAD prints--or so it seems

2005-11-02T20:52:00.000-08:00

If there is a goat around, it must be funny.

Now, this is my first screen print on a shirt in my class. It's a three color print on a black shirt. I uh, thought it would be easier to do than it actualy was. Therefore, I will stick to one color/ two color prints. My friend in the class was not happy with is prints either. HEh, heh he used a tee shirt that had a pocket on it! He also has a fierce discount on American Apparel clothing

Check it out: American Apparel shirts

This is the yellow the circles are suppose to be.

This is the neon stabbing pink the other circles are to be. Okay, its way brighter than this pink. More like the neon pink you'd see on the pages of '60s ads or on packaging.

I tried to scan it, just as it was on the shirt but I couldn't get the colors to come through correctly. Ha, AND you may be wondering why there are two David Bowies on it. Notice that one is up side down? Well, that is because I am a genius and put the shirt on the print machine the wrong side up..or is it down?? But it looks cool right? Maybe more so to an onlooker than to me. The next one will be better. Promise!

I hope i don't lose any readers because of my poor scan/print.

UP NEXT! Project #4 in Graphic Design includes this! Guess what it might be.

Sonet comet

2005-11-02T11:16:00.000-08:00

There once was a car named comet,
and oh how he loved to make sonets!

Happy as can be, comet started a new one,
which flew from the sky,
after a fly stole it from him.

Now comet's sonet is unfinished.
Poor comet. Poor comet.

5, 4, 3, 2, 1

2005-10-29T22:31:00.000-07:00

Sometimes things take time to erupt. Then, BOOM, it’s there, in your face, covering it with volcanic ash. And might I say, that is one hot look! It’s always good to have some Kleenex in that case, or a hanker chief from the nearest guy wearing a tux in your vicinity. If you don’t have those, then toilet paper is the next most handy item for this ashy mess you need to clean up. Or maybe you don’t want to clean it up and you find that dirty face to be quite attractive. Why not? The dirty, sexy thing worked for Billy Idol in his music video, “Catch my fall.” He was covered in grease and dirt and feathers and still managed to be very handsome for a nearly naked savage. And for the guys, there was that Brittney Spears video—what was it called??? “I’m a slave 4 you” I think, where she too was dirty but this time, covered in leaves. That’s HOT! So that leaves you with a choice of embracing the outcome or not. It’s different for everyone.

I couldn't find a picture from the "Catch my fall" video, but he looked like this (more or less) but with dirt and feathers!

There are some struggles we can’t get around, and there are those that we strive to accomplish. This is a very odd topic to write about, I know, and it can be construed in many ways, depending on how your mind works. But for me, it just comes down to one simple thing—and I’ll say it as subtly as I can. My body can only hold so much iced tea before….

P.s. It seems that I have a correction. That Brittney Spears video featuring Brittney dirty was actually, a live performance from some tv award show. And the name of the show, I surely cant remember!

Mad monkey mayhem

2005-10-20T21:39:00.000-07:00

It's project time again, and just like last semester, i'm here to post up a few of my finished art projects from school.

This semester, it's graphic design 1 (or basic graphic design). And depending on how my tee shirt class goes, i'll post some screen printing stuff. We'll see. It's been crap so far. But it'll all go crazy once we start desiging vinyl stickers in there!

Wow! Look at these! What is it? It's a billboard. Whatever is it promoting??? Well, Paul Frank of course! More specificlly, their 2005 collaboration with Andy Warhol's art work.

These arent really billboards in real life. Okay they are but the real ones had lame ads on them. I changed that. I choose a country background setting for the first one because it's completely contradictory to Paul Frank. Funny.

I thought this one would be nice for an out of date, black and white newspaper look. Don't know why. I just liked it.

And here are my designs just as they are. You can always click on the thumbnail for a better gander at them!

I would have posted these sooner but it's always best to meet your deadlines. I freak if i don't. Anyhow, this is it for now. Coming up i have stickers to design and a promotional poster to make. Let's hope they turn out okay. Tax payers might get mad to find out that their money isn't being put to good use!

Lets talk about my space

2005-10-13T20:04:00.000-07:00

Up close and personal with my space. In yo face!

Be the coolest person on my space. Win a trophey!

Me thinks...

2005-10-07T11:52:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I catch myself about thinking about anything and everything, and then I think to myself, "I really shouldn't be thinking about this right now."

The Evil Vending Machine(s)

2005-10-02T13:23:00.000-07:00

Vending machines are the devil, sent by the devil himself as a sneaky plot to torture people on the planet. Don’t agree with me? Well, that’s fine. But lets take a look at a few reasons why I think they are pure evil.

1. Everything is always over priced in those things.
I think I’ve only come across one venting machine that actually charged what I thought was a fair price…65 cents for a can of coke is the best you can come by. Too bad that machine raised its price to a whopping dollar!!

2. Coins are not always welcomed.
I don’t know about you but I always have an abundance of loose change in my pockets. Well, not in my pockets per say, but with me. Oh look, I spot some shiny coins now! Let me just close the register.

3. Dollars are not always welcomed.
You win some you loose some, but that majority of the time you have one-a dollar that is. But it seems that this vending machine isn’t taking my dollar. Could it be that my dollar isn’t pretty enough? The world is in trouble when even vending machines demand model looks.

4. Never thrust a machine with your money.
I guess you could easily say that for people too but at least with people you can always hold up a gun at head point and get them to give you what you want. When a vending machine takes your money and doesn’t give you that snack or flavored water your in desperate need of at that time, getting in a fight with it won’t help. You’ll only come back with battle wounds you weren’t counting on and you still don’t have your drink!!!

I sound like such a mad little girl complaining about something everyone else in the universe deals with on a daily bases…and for what reason? Easy. A vending machine took my last dollar for the day right after I got done working out at my schools gym. That’s a reason to hold a grudge against vending machines for the rest of anyone’s life!

Crayola crayons

2005-09-25T00:12:00.000-07:00

Like coloring pages in a coloring book, I just can't help myself.

In an upsidedown world...

2005-09-23T20:48:00.000-07:00

I'd finally be able to have the same "Do" as Naomi from America's Next Top Model.

People who only see upsidedown, would see rightside up, or just simply, normal.

Everyone would be able to experience what it's like having tea on thier celling like in Mary Poppins.

Even gravity would be confused.

We'd all have a major rush of blood to the head.

Fashion would probably change, and probably for the worse.

Building a house out of cards would be quite impossible to accomplish. (Damn, there goes my fun weekend activity!)

I can't think of anything else...it's hard to think when your doing a handstand.

Golden West plain and simple

2005-08-31T13:26:00.000-07:00

I had to settle down a bit after such an exciting and nerve racking first day (or two!) of school. This semester, however, I’m trying something new. I'm still going to OCC but I’m also, hopefully, going to be at Golden West College too. Just one class though. It’s a bona fide screen printing class I’m looking to enroll in. SCREEN printing. Not printmaking with plates like I wrote about in one of my previous blogs but screen printing with screens. The petitioning process is lame though and it’s always been fierce competition over at Orange Coast College. So I wonder what petitioning at this new college is like. From what I get, it’s up in the air. But on to better things to talk about....

The Golden West campus is actually fairly easy to get around (which means something coming from a girl who still has trouble finding her way around her own complex.) It’s easy to drive to. That’s a plus. It’s just a straight shot down the first street you exit onto after the freeway and then it dumps you, well almost, into the parking lot.

This is my crappy rendering (from memory) of a little corner of Golden West. See the connecting pathways!

The campus design itself reminds me of my old community college in Oregon, otherwise known as Lane Community College. Boy I get around! This is my 4th Community college I’ve attended so far over the past 3 years!! HUmm..well the school is rectangular in size and it has a second story with little connecting pathways to get you from place to place. It also has, what seems like more trees and hidden areas for lounging and/or hiding. Coffee is $1.17 for a small and if you go to the cafeteria around 8:40am, you’ll more than likely bump into a giant herd of people dressed in black (Cosmetology students.) It also seems that they play music on the outside of the cafeteria. Kind of pleasant I suppose but weird at the same time. On a side note, I find it odd that I haven’t seen any “older” people on campus yet. Maybe this campus secretly kills off all the elders at school to present a “youthful” look in order to appeal to all the kids fresh out of high school. I don’t know. I’m an elder in comparison. Oh no, I’m next then!

My experience in the cafeteria at Golden West. Yes, i actually found the cafeteria. By myself.

I just really, really, really want to be accepted into that class.

Little black raincloud

2005-08-30T12:49:00.000-07:00

College is starting again. All the kids are out for learning and just can't help but be quiet. What's this place going to be like? Will i like it? I wonder if they sell good coffee here. Great. Here come the kids now. I can't wait for this to be over. But at the same time, I cant wait for this to begin.

Happy Time!

2005-08-27T17:27:00.000-07:00

I have a good feeling about his one. What was once miserable will not be miserable, what was once unbearable perhaps will become bearable and maybe even that comforting feeling of belonging to something might just come back from its 7 months stay at the 4 Seasons hotel.

I’d very much like to believe that this coming fall semester will be “a good one.” Of course, I find myself saying that for almost everything *i.e. the latest horror movie, a drawing im working on at the time, the next president, a customer that smiles at work, or even the latest diet Pepsi lime im purchasing for the day. I know these things….just like everyone else.

I think the best way to put is just how the character, “George” from one of the finest HBO’s TV series of our time, “Dead Like Me” said it. It was in an episode from the second season. I can’t remember what happened in it besides the usual taking of souls but I do remember what had George said. She had explained in one short sentence, that everyone always says to live in the now, but that we really only live in the future; we’re always wondering, “What’s Next?”

Very true. Such a wise character she is for only being 18.

It’s okay to live in the future. If you really lived in “the now” you’d have a major overload of stuff to do, eat, and buy. Living like everyday is your last is just…not realistic. I guess the trick is to perhaps continue living in the future but to treasure what you do today and in the past. OR you can just continue doing what you do today and everyday and not think about it. Sometimes, thinking can give you headaches.

Something funny this way flutters

2005-08-19T01:29:00.000-07:00

How cool is this? Im in creative mood right now and I had a sudden stroke of genius.
Im in the middle (right now) of putting together a childrens short story. Why? No particular reason. I just want to.

I figure i have two weeks until school starts so that gives me two weeks of being crafty and creative.

Here is a sneak peek at my story.

It has to do with a butterfly....wait...i cant tell you more until next week!!!

My cousin Vinny

2005-08-17T13:17:00.000-07:00

Have you ever noticed that people need people? Duh, right? Well, yes it is obvious I suppose but what I mean is that people usually do have people they hold above others. It’s very common. It’s usually your lover, a best friend, your mom or a pet for some. It’s the person or people, but usually really just one, that you, as crazy as it might sound, revolve your life around. And it’s the one person in your life at the time, you can’t imagine your life before them. It’s always by choice. We get into these routines where, after time, this person becomes your everything. Now, I’m not saying its bad because everyone, I mean everyone has someone that holds this place in their life. We’d feel incomplete without them. I would anyway.

I once had this art teacher who I thought was crazy. It’s turns out that my assumption was correct but at least I know why now. Everyday my fellow classmates would come to class expecting to learn about art and instead she’d almost always talk about her cat. And that would lead to her telling us what happen with her cat that day, what food she ate, what funny little tricks she did, or how here cat actually talk, (don’t know what’s going on there) but it later became clear to me that she needed this cat. This cat was her life revolving partner, friend, whatever and that might have been all she had in her life. Her cat was her life.

But what happens when things change and you break up with your lover, or your best friend leaves you, or your pet dies? I guess you find a new identity with someone else and start over. We all hate change this is true but man, I really can’t imagine life without Vinny.

Close encounters of a third kind at Disneyland

2005-08-12T22:15:00.000-07:00

"Let's meet at the F in California", a jublulent voice booms from the cell phone behind me. Thats funny. Think about it.

The sun is hot and that oh so familar stench of burnt ***insert what you will*** is just as pontent as I remember. Don't worry its not Disneyland's fault, it's that Disney's California Park that's to blame!!! Notice next time you visit. Really.
After we chuckle at our "brillant and clever" name for our family's secret rondvous spot, our day of acting like little kids in a candy store begins.

"Look!", said the girl with the sparkles the shape of stars in her eyes. "It's Mary Poppins!" Without any hasitation, the girl with the stars in her eyes, and the little one, as cute a button, raced over to get a picture taken.

yet to be continued...

Stop me why don't you?

2005-08-12T19:11:00.000-07:00

PLEASE ACCEPT MY RESUME EVEN IF YOU KNOW THERE IS NO WAY IN HELL I COULD BE HIRED.

Growing old later

2005-07-27T00:26:00.000-07:00

When do people grow? And more importantly, how do people grow old?
I should say that even though I consider myself “old” to those that are under my age (21), I really don’t believe it.
We live in a time that allows people to stay younger longer. One way to reason for it is because achievement of an education is something that’s pushed far more today which leaves some odd 20 year-olds to not jump into their career until after completion of school. Another reason could be that the mommies and daddies of America who have money spoil their kids with making life too easy for them so they don’t know how to grow up. Forgive me, ive forgotten to illustrate the difference between growing old and growing up…

You can grow old and not grow up. You can also grow up and not grow old. And you can also grow up and grow old. That would be a very sad day indeed when you no longer have any hair and you cant remember the last time you had fun.

I’ve seen far too many young people (girls especially) want to prematurely grow up. Why? So you can snatch a glance of an older boy as youre shopping at the mall? Then there are the truly older people who, for the life of them don’t know anything about being grown up. Pay bills? What the hell? Move out? Absolutely not!

I say I never want to grow up but what I really mean is that I don’t want to grow old. I’ve grown up a lot due to my past but im not entirely there yet. I figure, im somewhere between a 6 year old and a 60 year old.
The best part is still to come.

Push the button!

2005-07-15T21:58:00.000-07:00

So I took a trip today and walked down Newport until I found this Kinko’s place that makes copies and stuff. I drove for the first 30 minutes around, around in circles and then I gave up and parked my car near a Hollywood video (I’m not saying I work there!)

I had this overwhelming urge to push those stupid signal buttons more than necessary to get the walk signal to work. I can’t be the only one who feels like this. I’m actually pretty tame in comparison to others I’ve seen push that walk signal button.

No, you can’t push the button only once. You must push it twice, three times or even repeat the process with a pause in between. OR, you might just be patient and push it once. Just wait……

Someone, out of now where comes up from behind you, invading your 18 in comfort bubble and decides that their pushing of the button is better! You don’t exist. Move out of my way!

What a harsh world we live in.

Horror, just the way I like it

2005-07-11T12:48:00.000-07:00

It seems I like horror a lot.

Photos from a wallflower

2005-07-09T22:17:00.000-07:00

Not exactly a Dr. Suess book

2005-07-08T13:31:00.000-07:00

Kids in black sucking on pacifiers: fuck.

People not using their turn signals: bastards.

Sleeping in till whenever: happiness.

Ikea shopping when no one around: enjoyable.

Red: sunburned. Ouch!

Colors: Disneyland.

People who cheat: shit.

Kindness: rare.

I’m done with my observation for now. Sorry about the language.

Movies book comic

2005-07-08T01:34:00.000-07:00

Superman likes flying in the sky, while Batman casts a shadow in his cave.
Spiderman enjoys a casual swing, while Cat Women licks her lips.
The Hulk is really just an ass and well, the X-Men are really just deformed humans.
Men and women dressed in contrast, enjoy living in a city full of sin and the punisher gets his kicks off of punishing.
And I think Hell boy might be the prince of darkness.
Dare Devil, dare this!
Have I left out anyone?

A Fantastic Four comic book. I did read this one.

The Fantastic Four is set to release their powers of good doing soon. And I’m very, very excited. I hope it turns out to be a decent film. But if it isn’t, I’ll still watch it. From what I’ve observed, it’s not just me that’s going crazy over the release of this film. Almost all of America are either openly or secretly into these comic book based movies too. To me, though, I’m basing my “America” on the interesting blend of customers I get at my work everyday. I work at a movie rental store. It’s a great way to pass my time these days….that and going to school.

Before I get too into acting as though I know a lot about comic books, I want people to know that I don’t really own 500 comic books and follow every story about every superhero…im just like most of the other people out there. I really just like looking at the pictures…that and the old ads of kids cereals and action figures.

My favorite comic book movie so far is X-Men. Mutants kick ass and carry have enduring qualities. Sometimes, I think im a mutant. But you didn’t really hear that from me. Spiderman is my other favorite comic book adaptation. It has a sappy love story that gives me that knot in my stomach just as if I were about to give a speech in my interpersonal communications class.

I’m a big nerd, so I scooped around and found out some info.

Superman Returns, is set to release June 30th, 2006, with the cast filled with actors like, Kevin Spacey (Lex Luther), Kate Bosworth (Lois Lane) and Brandon Routh as (Superman.)

Wonder Woman is supposed to be released sometime in 2007. Rumors for who is might be cast is Sandra Bullock??!

This comic was fun to read but the story was To Be Continued...I didn't have the second one.

For dark superheroes, Ghost Rider, featuring Nicholas Cage as Johnny Blaze is or has been filmed and should be done by August 2006.

Yes, there is a Daredevil 2…but who knows if it will ever come out.

Kevin Smith is set to direct, The Green Hornet. The only cast listed is Jake Gyllenhaal, (Britt Reid.) Sometime in 2006 I suppose it will come out.

Spider Man 3 May 4th 2007!!!

X3: Men 3, May 26th 2006. Kelsey Grammar plays the Beast.

I’d like to see them do a spoof on Captain Planet.

Oh yes, the movie Elektra…I forgot about that one in the beginning of this story.
I guess I haven’t seen that one.

The "S" word in Orange County

2005-06-28T11:27:00.000-07:00

I honestly don’t know what the definition of the word “scenester” is but it’s a word that most definitely cannot be ignored in the heart of Orange County. From what I understand, a “scenester” is someone who’s into scene; they like fashion, hip music and super tight pants to over generalize.

The scene part I don’t have issues with, (I like fashion and music too, but prefer slim pants to super tight pants) it’s the shallowness to them that bothers me. Having a passion for something like fashion and clothes is great, but it’s not what makes a person.

So I say, if you treat me with respect despite whatever kind of group you belong to, I’ll do my best to do the same. And if you’re more than just parties and booze, drugs and sex than great, you’re a real person. But if you aren’t and blow people off just because they don’t shop at the places you shop and wear the clothes you wear then, shit, I’m gonna need to start becoming cool.

Stories from the blonde

2005-06-20T14:45:00.000-07:00

I have to say…today I am blonde because my story is so blonde that it’s ridiculous to think that a smart girl like me can possibly think this way.

Four days ago, my cable went out and I was without internet or network tv channels to dwindle my time with. I checked the wires to my computer. Everything was fine. Then, I just simply gave up, called Comcast and went about my merry live of closing at work.

I was so sure it was Comcast’s fault. But it was actually due to the cable being disconnected in the other room next to me where the cable wire comes from. A painter had been hired to paint walls in our condo and it was him, who disconnected it.
Now that I think of it. Its’ not so blonde…how was I to know. Okay..it is.

And the dead march on

2005-06-16T11:19:00.000-07:00

Psychic Silvia fascinates me. After a long day of lounging in my bed and watching whatever junk that isn’t Jerry Springer, I came across a Montel show featuring the world-renowned psychic Silvia. I don’t know who she is, but my cousin does. Apparently, she had tea with her the other day. No, im just being dumb. But she did get all excited as the name Sylvia flashed a crossed the screen on my quest to find something suitable to watch.

Just a guy...with an axe in his head. Funny sense of humor I have indeed.

I suppose this time she could not hide her excitement for wanting to watch that Montel. I’m going to start a sentence the way your probably never suppose to start one. Now..let’s see… ONE TIME, after I came home from a long day at work, I came home to Red (my cousin) watching this silly blonde haired ditzy girl on TV and when I asked her what she was watching, she answered with something like,” I have no idea what it is. I just happened to flip on the TV right now.” That’s suspicious. The show had just started, and it had become clear to me that she had obviously been downstairs watching TV for a while because Baja Fresh stuff was on the ground and her homework was on the table. As it turns out, I ended up liking this show with the lame blonde girl and her lame blonde sister. Maybe you’ve heard of the show. It’s called, “What I like about you.” The great part is that my cousin been watching this show with Amanda Bynes in it for the past 3 Fridays without me there because I had been at work. She liked that show! But, so did I and after she found out that I liked it too, she confided in me about her past watchings. Hilarious. Just hilarious. I think it’s pretty safe to say that if someone you know is as dorky as you, chances are they are going to like the same TV shows as you.

Montel was one we both liked. And this Sylvia person was very convincing. The whole time I was thinking about, “White Noise” and how many of the guests encounters where very similar to that of the accounts on the movie. I loved the first part of that movie but the ending was not the best. We just really need some more media about this kinda stuff. It’s really very interesting. And I can never get tired of watching things having to do with ghosts and paranormal activity. Maybe that Dove sitting on your head is a sign from your dead grandmother. A chance, a coincidence? I don't agree. Sure, Sylvia could be a fake and that's why I would'nt dare dish out $750 to get a reading. That's just stupid.

Quotes by Post-its, the rough eddition

2005-06-04T01:09:00.000-07:00

Spell check not included.
So, I thought I was going to originally put these up on my web site but being that I don’t get very many viewers there yet, I thought I ought to give my blog site a shoot. *shot

These are just a few of my friends and families ramblings. I thought some of them were pretty funny and the others…well they speak for themselves. In no particular order, here they are.

“I’m so pleased with the way that the world is rotating today!”
--Seann

“I have a thing for guys that wear metal masks.”
--Annie

“In reality we wouldn’t need rules if we had manners.”
--Red

“There’s two ways to go, but one is weird and one I know.”
--Dyana

“Katy I can’t think right now, I’m thinking!!!”
--Gilda Granell

“I don’t have a good memory. Everything you say, I hear, I’m delighted, then I forget.”
--Prof X

“I don’t think that pornography sounds like a bad word. It sounds nice…like calligraphy.”
--Seann

“Never pick your nose when it’s runny.”
--Annie

“I have a dress from Red when she was little and a dress from Blue when she was little, but Blue’s dress is Red, and Red’s dress is blue.”
--Pink

“So where does that Domino’s guy work?”
--Aeli’s ireland friend

“We parked by the sun.” (Reasoning on how to remember where you park at dusk.)
--Annie

A head held high, but not like a giraffe

2005-05-26T13:27:00.000-07:00

Does school have meaning? That’s the ultimate question now isn’t it? I whole heartily believe that all school has meaning because knowledge has meaning. Whether your field of study is cosmetology or mathematics, learning anything provides you with something that can always to useful to you now or in the future. Besides, its just an awesome feeling you can take with you knowing that you survived yet another 4 month (based on Orange Coast College’s schedule) learning session.

Projects #1 and #2 for my intro to computer graphics class. What fun I had!

My spring semester is over and I have never been happier. It’s great. This huge 10,000 pound Acme weight is now back where it should be on top of Wile E. Coyote instead of on top of me, and as I sit here and contemplate the past four months of morning classes and hours spent in front of my computer, I find that I only want more. But how can that be? I just said that I was happy, no ecstatic that the semester is over? Well, let me tell you, it’s because that semester was sooo last spring. There’s only so long someone can take going to the same class before you want to try something new, and i've hit that point. BAM! POW! WHAZAM!!! Or any other written sound effect I can use to relay the message I’ve trying to get across.

I’ll have play time for a short while, then a course in speech communication, then more play time for an even shorter while, then it’s back to trying to live like my pal Wile again. Another thing. Getting a degree or what ever your striving for seems like forever to accomplish, but if you really think about it, school will only take up at the very most 10 years (for most people) of your almost guaranteed 80 years of life. That’s nothing. I’m trying to come up with reasons for why school is so important, for a person that’s unhindered in any way, but really it should be obvious.

Finding happiness in a parking lot

2005-05-22T16:21:00.000-07:00

Something just too wonderful happened to me today. No, I didn’t meet a famous movie star like Elijah Wood or Johnny Depp although, I would have liked to. But instead, I left my house in search of one thing and ended up finding that plus another. You do the math.

It’s a little thing but it made me so incredibly happy. So, my day starts like this. I wake up around 10am and then I go online to do something. I can’t tell you because I cant remember. I play on my computer for some hours and then decide that I want to go back to sleep. So I do. Then I wake up again at around 1pm-ish…and try to decide what im going to do today. I always have a list of things that need to done ready so that I don’t forget. It helps. But sometimes I get distracted despite my best efforts. Then my friend Warren calls me about film questions he missed answering for our film final, (he’s doing way better with the studying then I am at this point) and afterwards I leave to run some errands. I had to get that protein shake mix I’ve been desperately wanting since forever. Since my diet mainly consists of lean protein and vegetables, (as much as I love sugars and carbohydrates, I cant have them for two reasons, 1. I feel like shit after I eat them and 2. I’d gain an enormous amount of weight since I get no real amount of physical activity these days), I thought it might be fun to have some cold protein for summer. There’s nothing better than sipping a cold, icy smoothie out of a neon bendy straw!

This lady found happiness in a parking lot too. Look at all that stuff she has!

I find one and many others at Henry’s and after my purchase I see a little hair salon called something like, “Cut and Trim Hair Salon”…I then remember that I wanted to get some Bed Head products but didn’t really want to have to drive anywhere else in search of it. I walk in and all the Bed Head products I could ever want are all right there. Fantastic! And the prices aren’t as jacked up as in other stores that ive been to. Not only did I find a new place to buy my hair products but I also didn’t have to drive to another place to find what I wanted. I accomplished all of my errands in one quick swoop.

Now that’s nice. As for studying for my film final, that’s not so nice.

Much ado about nothing. But with killer tomatoes...

2005-05-13T23:43:00.000-07:00

It’s time to take a break. Not a Kit-Kat break, (as much as I’d like to though) but a real break. Not like a break you get when eating break-fast, (which I find to be nearly impossible when 80% of America doesn’t eat breakfast.) More like a time break... like a break in time. That would be the day! If only Time Machines were real. But I suppose if that were the case, big box office movies like Harry Potter: the Prisoner of Azkaban, Back to the Future, and my personal favorites (the Time Machine, and Waxworks II: Lost in Time) would be a bust.
A big break would be nice. I’ve always wanted to get into showbusiness. But I might be too shy. Yes. I've decided. I'm too shy.
I could have a "break!", like how athletic people shout it out on sports teams. That’s a way to get pumped up for a game and get your aggression out. No good. Last time I was on a sports team, I had to run a lot and I don’t like running. Too many breaks in the world. To be honest, I think I just need a break from school. Otherwise, I might just continue making Killer Tomato artwork and writing about how many different breaks exsit in the English language.

The last of the "Star Wars"...

2005-05-09T16:06:00.000-07:00

Some might classify me as a nerd if I confess this but I know that in saying this, that im in at least good company with others like me. I genuinely love star wars. I do. Okay, so that’s not the shocking part. How about saying that I really enjoy the new ones as much as the old ones? Whoa! That’s uncalled for! No one gives a crap about those new Star Wars movies! (Some people say this. I don’t what people though. Maybe people who have something against CGI.) Im a sucker for memorabilia. I remember when the Episode 1 came out…that was fun…trying to collect the whole trading card series…even the hologram, special-edition, foil cards that only come in about 1 out 60 packs that you buy. And then there were the action figures. I bought a few of those too. Just the main characters. Particularly the male lead characters. I’m such a good little consumer. Corporate America would be proud of me. I know that all of this “collecting” is unnecessary in the scheme of things but I cant help but get excited over making room for things that I don’t have room for.

These movies, along with LOTR’s trilogy, are fantastic at marking such useless things to kids and adults, and yes pets, I once saw a Jedi knight Halloween costume for pet. That’s a bit on the strange side..but who am I to say what’s strange?

The final installment of "Star Wars" should be exciting. It’s something “big” to look forward to and get all built up about. And yes, im aware of the fact that the plot might not be as well developed as the “older” films and that the screen play might very well be a lousy as in Episode 2, but I don’t expect it to match that of the older ones and I never have. So at the very least, it should have stunning special effects to get lost in. What next big movie to look forward to now? Well, if they make a, "House of Wax 2” I’m totally there.

Being sick and hating it

2005-05-06T17:58:00.000-07:00

Today I feel as if a thousand pounds of pressure have been pumped into my chest and is ready to explode at the next sudden outburst of coughs I may have. My head is hot, my body is achy and I cant see quite right either. I wish had some soup right now. In fact, I really wish my mom could fly down to California this instant, to cater to my every need while I try and get through this horrible sick spell im suffering from. See how selfish I am?

Being sick brings out the worst in someone. It’s really the only time in people’s life that they become selfish beyond reconnection. I won’t lie. Right now, I’ll that matters in my feverish head right now is me. I don’t care that I skipped out on my Friday morning class with only 2 classes left in the semester…I don’t care that I called out of work (even though im sure it makes everyone grumble at work about how shorthanded they are) and I REALLY don’t care about wanting to get my homework done for my computer class on Monday.

Being ill sucks. I guess you get selfish because it’s out of self-protection. Is that the right word? Hum..my brain is ill too. If you don’t do whatever it takes to get well again, your health or even your life (hows that for being scary?) can be at stake. Its true…you can drown to death by having ammonia without even knowing it. OR if you have an ear infection for too long, you can go deaf. I’m just paranoid right now I realize. I’ll be good and well in few more days. Its seems that I generally write about actualities in these bogs and today, this actuality is about me because that’s all im reall thinking about right now...

Safe and sane not hardcore and hazzardous-Coachella '05

2005-05-04T01:44:00.000-07:00

I ask you this. What kind of concert “go-er” are you? After coming back and surviving my second year at little Indio’s, music festival, “Coachella,” I came to the conclusion that there are many different types of music fans out there. And where I stand is, hopefully somewhere between, safe and sane and not hardcore and hazardous. But, you see, I wasn’t always safe and sane. I’ve done my fair share of head bashing and toe stomping…I’ve even not once, but twice, been in the middle of a mosh pit. Have you ever seen how ape people go for Mandy Moore and sir mix-a-lot? Bananas!

NO. I was a Warp Tour kid. Not at all hardcore I know. But I got way more obviously into concerts then I do know. People would see me stroll in with my vintage Skid Row T-shirt, (e-bay) black baggy dickies, spiked belt and red bandana (guns n roses)-I was fortunate enough to not be living in L.A. at the time- and knew I meant business. Concert business. Now I wear, button-up blouses and knee length skirts with tiny black Mary Janes. I really don’t mind though. I prefer it this way.

So many people I watched at Coachella. And so many of these people each had their own way of “getting into” the music. I’ve tried to categorize them as best as I saw them.

First you have the HARDCORE, HAZZARDOUS fans. These people will stop at nothing to push their way up to the front. And when they get there, they’ll usually offer a few black eyes up to get them staying there. They also like to push and shove a lot.

HARDCORE, HARDCORE fans are just what they are. Hardcore. Civil people for the most part but love to get physical. (Moshing, jumping, and crowd surfing)

HARDCORE fans are less physical but are willing to chant all the words to the songs and wait through whatever bands necessary to catch the closing set (usually the only one they really wanted to see) and keep there up close stage position.

MELLOW fans are super mellow and like drugs. Some how they can always find a way to get that stuff in. They may also like to get a drink in or two. Some times they may sit, or lie down in the soft green grass for some sets as well. They are there to have a good time, but in a lackadaisical way.

Next, comes SANE fans. (I think I fit here somewhere.) A SANE fan loves the music they’re listening to but usually wont jump up and down to the beats or mouth all and every line from "the Used" concert they’re seeing. They are modest and subtle in there actions. Head bobbing is a good thing to do. And so is tapping your tapping your feet. And depending on the band they are watching, front row seating isn’t a necessity.

LAST ONE is SAFE go-ers. These are the people who stay as far away from the stage as possible. God for bid that that microphone some indie rocker is holding would fall and hit you in the head, Ouch. I don’t know. Maybe the music is too loud. Or maybe they just really want to enjoy their BUD LIGHT beer at a table instead of standing up and risking that some HARDCORE, HAZZARDOUS fan will spill it on you. That would be a shame.

So what are you? Take my challenge. Whatever you classify yourself as, they are all good picks. Showing your love for music is all that matters however you may want to do that. Although, if you are a HARDCORE, HAZZARDOUS fan, let me know next time we go to a concert together, because I’ll make sure that I’m at least 50 yards away from you.

Revenge of the action figures!

2005-05-03T19:08:00.000-07:00

It’s been a long while since I’ve done anything with my action figures. Maybe a bit too long.
Last night, I had this dream where all of my figures came to life and started to plan this attack on me. They must be very mad action figures for them to take life, escape from the clutches of the plastic box that stores them in the garage, walk into my house, up the stairs and then into my room to poke me with whatever plastic weapons they have on hand. Maybe they need some TLC again. Or maybe if I give them publicity on my site, this dream (or should I say nightmare) will fade away from my unconscious. I only hope that it’s not too late. I envision it to be quite a catastrophe if not. Kind of like in the movie, “Toy Soldiers.” That was some movie…wasn’t it? Kinda creepy too.

So, in light of this event, I will periodically, feature a few of my figures every week, (or whenever I get a chance) along with some scans and useless info about them. That should suffice. It’s not like action figures can really come to life right? BUT then again…who ever thought we could clone a sheep?

Math is your friend. Or is it?

2005-05-02T22:31:00.000-07:00

My take on math. No offense to all those who do like math. You know who you are...

A few of my favorite things might scare you

2005-04-23T23:50:00.000-07:00

I once made a poem on the spot. No thinking, just words. It came to me out of nowhere and this nowhere I thought made it sound cool. At the time though, my mind was elsewhere. I had forgotten about it till my cousin told me she was chanting all day long a few days ago. The funny part is, I revised it after I woke up the next day and I had realized that it was the most awful thing ever I had ever written.

Sometimes people wonder why they say the things they say. I wonder, “Why did I write the thing that i wrote?” Is there a deeper meaning? I must be secretly crazy. No. Yes. No. Just goes to show that everyone does have two sides to them. And some have more! But not me. I just have this “Hate” side to me apparently…

My poem.

A pocket full of cherries,
A bucket full of hate,
Theses are a few of my favorite things.

Revised version yet still slightly “Sound of Music Influenced”

A pocket full of cherries,
A bucket full of apples,
These are a few of my favorite things.

My point. Don’t have one. But perhaps someday I’ll get in the mood to write another poem…this time one that has to do with killing.

Love isn't perfect...neither are people

2005-03-26T13:55:00.000-08:00

It seems I'm on a roll. Today's topic...love and "perfectness." I know what your thinking. Is "pertfectness" even a word? Yes. It is. To me anyway. I tend to use silly made-up words A LOT in my normal speaking pattern. It just goes to show how goofy, or nerdy I really am. It can't just be, "My there was so much traffic today on the freeway!"(when explaining to a friend how my trip to Amoeba was...) It has to be, "Man, it was so 'traffic-y' today on the freeway...I could have cried!" But that crying part isn't entirely true. I only cry when I get lost somewhere. And I seriously think that today is the last day I'm going to live because the "mean, scary gansta-looking people" are glaring at me as if they're hungry or something.
That's a side note though.

My mom reminded today about something very important. Something that should be posted on every wall, of every home, everywhere. Seriously. People all around the world, (black, white, green, yellow, brown and my personal favorite, scary gansta-looking people) would benefit from its meaning. "No one is perfect", she told me. And at that instant, every relationship I've ever had with someone, flashed aross my young, egotistical mind. No one IS perfect. People fuck up sometimes. And sometimes they fuck up a lot. But it's human nature to screw up and life would be quite boring if it was any other way.

Some people notice when they mess-up, and if they're honest, they'll fess-up to it and then try to do better next time. While others just don't. I guess acknowledging that youre not perfect is way too difficult to admit. That's strange to me. Everyone is just like everyone else when it comes to imperfectness. At what expense is someone willing to go to avoid admitting fault? We all know the answer to that because i'm sure it's happened to you with someone at least once in your life.

And the "love" part comes in now. If you care about someone enough, love them for the imperfect qualities they poses, but remember that they are imperfect. With that in mind, you can now be prepared for the worst, IF that should ever come to pass. I'm not being pessimistic here; I just think it's better to have a "heads-up" with relationships rather than a "heads-down."

Printmaking 101: the real deal

2005-03-25T14:39:00.000-08:00

Here is my first print in my first printmaking class ever (down below). Cool. But don't get too excited. I thought I'd give you a look on how decieving Printmaking can really be. Sure it looks like a pinic in the park, but it's not. Wait, that sounds harsh...no it's fun but work..that's what I meant to imply.

The reason I took this class at OCC was to get a greater appreciation for the art of Printmaking but...I'm afraid it's done the exact opposite. Let me explain it to you.

First, you have the different types of prints like releif, monoprint, collograph and intaglio and then you have different types of prints within those basic prints that are pretty much the same but slightly different. Uh..like how black licorice is licorice and red licorice is actually "Red Vines" and not licorice. It's really licorice but not...it's has that different name to trick people like me into thinking it's just like Licoroice when it's not...

So, next comes the labor intensive part. So far, i've only done an Etching. It's hard though. Plates for these things are on the expensive side..generally $20-$60 bucks. You can use Zinc plates like me and cut it down to little 4 by 6 inch squares..and then sand down the edges at a 45 degree angle for about 20 minutes. But then after you did that, you'd have to take a piece of charcoal and water and scrub the top of the plate in a circluar motion for about 30 mintues to make sure that you get out all the light scratches on it. Wait, your not done prepairing the plate yet! Lastly, you get to apply this "putz" polish to buff it out with and then your done.

For getting your design on the plate, you can use drypoint(scratching the surface with a etching tool. Looks like the tip of the the otherside of your school protractor) or painting it on with the help of "stop-out", "soft ground" or "aqua tint." All three are just ways to aid you in achieving tones in your work. There's also acid involved. Each time you want to "add" a tone to your design, you have to leave your plate in acid so that it "bites" it. This makes the variations of greys in it. But, this again is a very long process..I don't want to confuse you too much!

The bottom line is, Printmaking is a lost art and it's a wonderful art to try once in your life but..my advice here is just stick to the basics. Kids, go out and buy a screen printing kit to make t-shirts with...you'll get faster results and way less headaches.

Lion and the Mouse: a small tale on true heroism
Posted by Hello

2005-03-25T14:16:00.000-08:00

bad. things you do the first time doing something.

the second time around is always better

2005-03-24T19:56:00.000-08:00

The first time around you do something like iron a shirt or run around a track, you suck at it. Really. Don't try to convience yourself that your shirt didn't turn out with a big burnt spot on the sleeve or that you didn'y run out of breath on the first lap around the track...because we all know the truth. The truth is that things just turn out better the second time around. What person has done something better the first time they tryed it then on the second? Not me.

Ironing a shirt is hard...you need to know about starches and water steaming and that the iron is infact hot and not like that play iron you had as a kid..and runnung around a track....don't even go there. Okay, I guess the first time you would run a 400 meter lap wouldn't be that bad because you wouldn't really feel any pain until the next day. I guess if you wanted to be techincal you wouldnt really start feeling good and strong until several days after the first day you ran. Muscle building doesnt happen overnight. But what i'm saying here is that the more knowledge you have on something, the better it will be. Which therefore means that the second time you try something, (rob a bank, steal from your employer, lie under oath etc..) you get better at it. Make sense? Nevermind the fact that this is actaully the second post I've done...the first one was deleted. By accident of course.