Last semester:
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It actually went shockingly well; I can't believe it still. I worked two jobs, had about 30 hours of class a week, and was very ill for most of the semester. I missed a lot of class for being sick and having doctors appointments. I almost decided to take this semester off even. Despite all this I got the best grades I've ever gotten (3.8 for the semester wewt), and the only thing I had any anxiety/stress over was being sick. I was actually way ahead on my work for almost the entire semester. I did finish a paper and project during reading days before finals and pulled my only all-nighter in the whole semester then. I actually did pretty awesomeeeee and my animation profs freaked out over my hand painted animation and wanted me to enter it in festivals and stuff. I didn't actually know it was good, lolol.
This semester:
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Is being pretty awesome so far. I am taking classes I really like, and I quit both my jobs for the semester so I have time to be sick and not miss class (hopefully). I can have them back whenever I want though, so it's cool. :D I am finally getting to take painting, which I loveeeee, and I have had an independent concentration approved in Drawing-Painting.
My main reasoning for asking for a Drawing-Painting concentration is my experience in the 'real world art application' classes (design, animation, etc.). The only traditional art requirements in the art department are two drawing classes. Almost everyone hates it. I only ever hear how people just want to get to doing web design, or animations, or whatever. In my animation and design classes I have been so disappointed with how BAD those students are with basic fundamental art concepts.
I know it's a learning environment and no one's perfect. However, those students don't give a shit about improving. They would rather skip learning how to model a head so that the chin isn't half the face and the eyes aren't past the hairline so that they can just play with special effects. Personally I don't care how great you cloth simulation is, if everything else looks like shit, it's a bad animation. If your color combination is amazing and you have no concept of composition, your flier will suck.
I am already very comfortable with all the Adobe software, and am learning more Maya and Mudbox. I can learn more software later. There is no shortcut to the amount of repetition and time needed to develop solid fundamental skills in anything you do. If I'm going to study art I'm damn well going to learn to do it right. -.-
(And I'm not worried about a job because I have other skills and lots of work experience, and already a full time offer in an unrelated field which I enjoy for after graduation.)
My main reasoning for asking for a Drawing-Painting concentration is my experience in the 'real world art application' classes (design, animation, etc.). The only traditional art requirements in the art department are two drawing classes. Almost everyone hates it. I only ever hear how people just want to get to doing web design, or animations, or whatever. In my animation and design classes I have been so disappointed with how BAD those students are with basic fundamental art concepts.
I know it's a learning environment and no one's perfect. However, those students don't give a shit about improving. They would rather skip learning how to model a head so that the chin isn't half the face and the eyes aren't past the hairline so that they can just play with special effects. Personally I don't care how great you cloth simulation is, if everything else looks like shit, it's a bad animation. If your color combination is amazing and you have no concept of composition, your flier will suck.
I am already very comfortable with all the Adobe software, and am learning more Maya and Mudbox. I can learn more software later. There is no shortcut to the amount of repetition and time needed to develop solid fundamental skills in anything you do. If I'm going to study art I'm damn well going to learn to do it right. -.-
(And I'm not worried about a job because I have other skills and lots of work experience, and already a full time offer in an unrelated field which I enjoy for after graduation.)
Being sick:
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Pretty much the same as it has been. I read a lot of my aunt's books on autoimmune diseases over Christmas and found out that some symptoms I have are probably related, not just random things wrong with my body. I only have a few more weeks until I get to see the specialist, so I'm really excited about all of that (except the needles).
I changed up my exercise schedule because I had to stop the elliptical and bike last semester when my joints were really giving me trouble. I am now swimming three hours a week, and doing yoga. This is a large improvement in terms of how my body can handle it, but there are definitely still problems. I think most of the problems have more to do with old injuries though. For example the breaststroke kick (like a frog kick) makes some of the ligaments in my knee pop and is really painful. Once I pop it, it will pop more even when I switch to something light like jogging in the water. :/ And in yoga when I lift my arms over my head, my left shoulder just slidesssssss out. Not painful but very uncomfortable and cuts off circulation. I'm going to see sports medicine about all my joint issues, lol. Despite the problems the yoga is helping my breathing, and the swimming is pretty fun.
I changed up my exercise schedule because I had to stop the elliptical and bike last semester when my joints were really giving me trouble. I am now swimming three hours a week, and doing yoga. This is a large improvement in terms of how my body can handle it, but there are definitely still problems. I think most of the problems have more to do with old injuries though. For example the breaststroke kick (like a frog kick) makes some of the ligaments in my knee pop and is really painful. Once I pop it, it will pop more even when I switch to something light like jogging in the water. :/ And in yoga when I lift my arms over my head, my left shoulder just slidesssssss out. Not painful but very uncomfortable and cuts off circulation. I'm going to see sports medicine about all my joint issues, lol. Despite the problems the yoga is helping my breathing, and the swimming is pretty fun.
Games:
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Mostly just watching sc2 right now. Hard to get up at 6:30 and get back at 8:30 after having class all day, and still have brain power to concentrate in a game. Once summer comes it will be much better. Last summer I was able to play on my days off up to about 30 games in one sitting. I can concentrate for quite a while if I'm not worn out from other things. I expect I will be able to bounce back quickly to my former level and hopefully get promoted again once I get some practice. Watching is fun and helps me stay aware of the metagame shifts.
When I do have time for games, it's usually a game or two of LoL. Still waiting for Dota 2 key. T_T I love playing support but of course a support character is only as good as the rest of the team. Still, I am really chill so I haven't had any ragetastic games. I also play some Skyrim every now and then for the beautiful views.
If anyone happens to play LoL and wants a support person for a team let me know. :D Need maybe five more games to hit lvl 30. I am great at working with a team and following instructions. Support is much more rewarding with you play with regulars.
When I do have time for games, it's usually a game or two of LoL. Still waiting for Dota 2 key. T_T I love playing support but of course a support character is only as good as the rest of the team. Still, I am really chill so I haven't had any ragetastic games. I also play some Skyrim every now and then for the beautiful views.
If anyone happens to play LoL and wants a support person for a team let me know. :D Need maybe five more games to hit lvl 30. I am great at working with a team and following instructions. Support is much more rewarding with you play with regulars.
Stuff:
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I finally found Andes Mints at the new CVS. Holyshittttttt I have been craving them for years. The lady across the street when I was little used to give them to my sisters and I because we'd catch her cat when he got out.
Art supplies are expensive. -.- But I LOVE BUYING THEM. Especially paints and kneaded erasers.
There's a really good Korean restaurant a few blocks away I never knew about until last week.
I bought a new winter jacket that comes down to my knees and up to my eyes, plus a hood. It's stuffed full of down and really warm. So happy I got it.
I am reallllly pissed that my the store here stopped supplying my favorite shampoos and conditioners. I cannot find the brand anywhere online, and the manufacturer doesn't have a website. FML. T_T Anything that looks similar is about $30 a bottle. ._____.
I am now cleared to use the shop! Power tools wewt! :D
My friend gave me the SC2 Messenger Bag of awesomesauce. I love it! Hauling my stuffs to the gym in it.
Trying to figure out what I should do for spring break...
Art supplies are expensive. -.- But I LOVE BUYING THEM. Especially paints and kneaded erasers.
There's a really good Korean restaurant a few blocks away I never knew about until last week.
I bought a new winter jacket that comes down to my knees and up to my eyes, plus a hood. It's stuffed full of down and really warm. So happy I got it.
I am reallllly pissed that my the store here stopped supplying my favorite shampoos and conditioners. I cannot find the brand anywhere online, and the manufacturer doesn't have a website. FML. T_T Anything that looks similar is about $30 a bottle. ._____.
I am now cleared to use the shop! Power tools wewt! :D
My friend gave me the SC2 Messenger Bag of awesomesauce. I love it! Hauling my stuffs to the gym in it.
Trying to figure out what I should do for spring break...
Out of the dark comes a....
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