weather

I was reading my blog and realized I haven't posted since last year. I started this blog because of a class, but now am thinking that maybe I should start up again. The problem is, that I don't feel like I have much important stuff to say, but I see that no one is reading well, not commenting anyway my blog, so no problems.

It is freezing here, and I am wearing at least three layers. My body must be either super warm, or I am just not capable of creating enough body heat. Here I must comment on the Iowa weather. It snows (so it has to be cold outside, right?) and it's not actually that cold outside, so it's a slushy snow. Just because I want to tell you, after I bought rain boots, I have had no need for them because it hasn't gotten warm and muddy...alas, that's how life goes. Then, the next day it actually gets cold and everything that had been melting freezes. Ice everywhere. Then, slowly it gets warmer and everything is slushy, and in Drake's case a not so small river on the sidewalks, so that it will snow again the next week and the cycle goes on and on. I really wouldn't mind if the cold stayed for a while instead of this heating up, cooling down thing. So, if you do have any say in how the weather will turn out in Iowa, please either make it cold for a bit and then turn into spring or let it get warmer in Iowa!

A Dreary Day in the Life of Clare

I woke up at 8:00. Well, my alarm woke me up at 8. I hit the snooze button...9 more minutes of sleep...and the dream I was having. It goes off at 8:09. I hit the snooze button again. I can afford to sleep in at least once more because I stayed up so late last night. Late being 1:33. Maybe it was more like 1:45...I can't remember. Anyway. After I had hit the snooze button a second time, I realized that my roommate would probably not like that my alarm was going to go off for a third time. Looking at the fuzzy numbers, I realize I should get up so I'm not late for my 9:00 class anyway. Alright, time to get up. Ready? 1, 2, 3... ok, I need to stay awake. Where are my glasses? There we go. Now I can at least see, although it doesn't really help keep me awake today. At least I'm not sore today. Street painting can really take a lot out of you. I have been sore for the last two days. Today I'm good though, and it doesn't hurt to climb down the ladder of my bunk bed. Ashley is in her bed sleeping still...lucky duck. I want to sleep. Let's check my email...and the weather, it looks pretty bad from the window today. Finally getting over to my computer (which is 7 feet away from my bed) It's dark, but not too dark. Hey, at least I can see my screen and the papers still piled on my desk. I get to check my email. Hm, note on facebook. Patrick again. I smile, happy to hear from him. But alas, he's being difficult. He's supposed to tell me what he wants to eat for a friend's wedding, but he makes things more difficult.
I should wash my face.
I get my towel from it's hook and my toiletry bag...I don't like dorms anymore. Exept that they clean the bathrooms for you. However, you are sharing with at least 20 other girls on the floor. Oh well, this sink is reasonably clean. Crap. I forgot my facewash. I'd consider just using water, but that could turn out bad.

Finished, what to wear? Something kinda dressy but comfortable. Maybe this shirt will work with a blouse? Well, maybe a sweater over it to make it look better. yeah, that works. Okay, comfy jeans today, but that means uncomfortable shoes...o well, I'll deal with it. I move a few things on my desk, remembering to take my ID with me when I go to class. Then I brush my teeth. Yeah I know I was already in the bathroom. another trip. I see a friend in the bathroom who doesn't seem as enthused to see me. Or else she's tired. Oh well. Another problem for another day. Check mail again as well as weather. Hm, rain all day, better take my umbrella. Then I have to make sure I have everything in my bag. Uh-oh, where's my ID? Crap, I just had it. I look for my ID, but can't find it. Go figure, I just had it, how did I loose it IN MY ROOM? Same friend knocks on the door and asks if I'm ready. She always seems impatient when she's waiting for someone...especially me. Maybe it's my imagination. I say yes and grab a jacket and umbrella, stuffing folders and a sketch pad into my bag. I never seem to be ready ontime.
In class we had critiques. Once I put up my work, I found a whole lot of problems with my posters. Go figure, should have looked at stuff before I presented it for the critique.

After class, I met a friend for lunch. We talked about the sub contract for our housing this summer. We're renting to people. I had to find a contract and type it up. It wasn't too bad, just difficult at first. I don't find things on the internet as well. That's what I stayed up until 1:45 for. We went over it and corrected a few things while eating lunch. My salad is frozen...how am I supposed to eat a frozen salad? After lunch, which took around 30 min, I went to my room to fix the contract, check my email, call my internship guy, and sketch some stuff for my sister's graduation programs. After talking to Mr. Rebman for half an hour, shoot, I'm late I realize that I have 10 min to get to band, and be prepared to play. Ashley and I walk over to FAC in time for a grueling rehersal. The band doesn't seem to be able to focus so our conductor pushes us harder. Go figure. I love when we have to play the same thing over and over and over and over again.
After band is quartet rehersal. Really all we have to do it fill out evaluations since we already had our concert...which we rocked at. How do I fill out an eval for a class that is basically a lesson with three people? After that is done, more work to do. And it's raining. Well, at least there's thunder and lightning. Seems wierd, but I like storms. A flash of lightning and I smile. There's a clap of thunder...1, 2, 3, crack. That one was three miles away, supposedly.

I get back to my room and start stressing about a class project, I decide to seek help from a few friends which don't help. It's not their fault. If I don't have an idea, how can I get them to help me with it? And this is where I am. Stuck in class with no ideas. Well, no great ideas. I have one. Make an alphabet out of found letters, but that requires more photography and all my previous work scrapped. Which I will probably do anyway. So, do I do the boring alphabet with photos or find a different topic? It's kind of hard to change now, since it's due in two or three weeks. I predict a lot of work ahead of me.

spring break

spring break was fun. No, not that kind of fun. I got to go to California to visit my friend and her husband. He is stationed at Camp Pendleton in the San Diego area. I REALLY wanted to go to the beach. Even if I wasn't going to swim. So, Melissa (my friend in CA,) Rob (her husband) and I went to the beach and walked along the shoreline and sat in the sand. It was rather windy, but very nice. Rob also made rabbit and fish that night (he was going to just have rabbit and fish, but Melissa made him make some rice and carrots to go along with the meal.) The second day Rob had to go to work (that's what you do on a Monday) and so Melissa and I went sight seeing. We took an hour cruise around the bay (I believe it was the North part of the bay) and after that, we went shopping in the little shop area by the pier. That night, she and I went to Ruby's, which was at the end of a pier and is a mix of a Culver's and a Restaurant. They had very good burgers and fries. It was decorated in the 50's style. The third day Melissa and I went to Universal Studios. We had to drive through Las Angeles and part of Hollywood to get there. I didn't get to see the Hollywood sign on top of the hill, but I did get to see where they made a lot of Universal Studio's movies and tv shows. (There was a tour in Universal Studios that shows you that stuff.) There were also some good rides there. The last day, Melissa and I went to the San Diego Zoo. It was a little confusing, but we got to see an elephant's foot being washed, swimming hippos and a polar bear eating a carrot. Melissa and I had a lot of laughs during my stay in CA, and it was really great to see her (while experiencing the CA weather.) Actually, the weather was only okay. The cruise day was sunny, but it was cloudy most days. The temps were still in the 60's, so I enjoyed it. After coming back, I got to hang out with family, go out to eat with friends, and hang out at a bonfire. I also discovered Guitar Hero during my break. I am okay at it, but this is one of the few "video games" that I really enjoy. I think I could play guitar hero for a while.

love without rules

love without rules. sounds great, but is it really? i've always had rules in my life. always. what does that mean? loving without rules. i guess you can interpret in many ways but the way that i interpret it is that you should give all of yourself to the person you love. don't hold anything back. yes, you may get hurt, but you get so much more out of the relationship. Not that I'm wise about these things, I don't have much experience. However, how much to the people at Dove chocolate know about it either? Yes, that's where I got this quote, and it actually stuck with me and struck me as something kind of wise. Haha, like a fortune cookie. Well, hopefully not that bad. This weekend I went on a retreat and found out that quotes are actually things that can be utilized and inspirational. Duh, right? I never really used them, but I think I will use them a little more often from now on.

hearing snowflakes

The most delightful advantage of being bald-one can hear snowflakes. - RG Daniels

This is the strangest sentence I have come across. Can bald people really hear snowflakes? Having never been bald, I am not sure but it also peaks my curiosity. What would it be like to hear snowflakes? You can hear the wind, you can hear rain. And of course you can hear a thunderstorm. I've never really thought of snow having sound. You can hear it crunch under your feet. I feel the need to ask a bald person if they can hear snow.

musicals

Musicals are so much fun to watch. And sing too. Yes, I sing to them...sometimes in public, but I'm only humming then. I've been listening to a musical non-stop lately. Not only have I been listening to it from my computer, but certain songs have been revolving in my mind. Going on and on and on. A little annoying at times, plus people look at me funny if I break out in song randomly. (Hey, it makes sense to me since I've been singing it in my head.) I've often wondered what it would be like to live in a musical. It might be very tiring, but fun too. Instead of letting your problems stew in your head or complaining to your girlfriends, you can sing about it. But there has to be something special about the musical. TV shows always have that one show that is a musical. Many, many people go to see them in theaters and on Broadway. I think it's the amazing fact that these people can sing and dance. And the story line as well. Musicals usually have good (some may say predictable) endings. I watched this scrubs episode (that was a musical, of course) and some of the songs were actually pretty good, esp. for a tv show. The lady fell and heard everyone singing. They kept telling her she was just crazy and should be sent to the loony bin but in the end she had something on her brain. I cant' remember what it was. But she didn't enjoy having a musical for her life. So I think we should deal with the fact that it's not so exiting to have your life be a musical and just stick with watching them and singing the songs in the hallway.

Design is a good thing.

What is Design?
Design is a good thing.
Design is thoughtful.
But not always.
It provokes thought.
Most of the time. The good ones do.
Some designs are bad, some are good, some are great.
Design is everywhere...is it?
Design can be used for advertising. It can be used for posters, it can be used for artwork. It can be a lot of things. people keep coming out with more ideas about design.
How is design different than graphic design?


DESIGN: [di-zahyn]
~verb (used with object)
1. to prepare the preliminary sketch or the plans for (a work to be executed), esp. to plan the form and structure of: to design a new bridge.
2. to plan and fashion artistically or skillfully.
3. to intend for a definite purpose: a scholarship designed for foreign students.
4. to form or conceive in the mind; contrive; plan: The prisoner designed an intricate escape.

~verb (used without object)
7. to make drawings, preliminary sketches, or plans.
8. to plan and fashion the form and structure of an object, work of art, decorative scheme, etc.

~noun
9. an outline, sketch, or plan, as of the form and structure of a work of art, an edifice, or a machine to be executed or constructed.
10. organization or structure of formal elements in a work of art; composition.
11. the combination of details or features of a picture, building, etc.; the pattern or motif of artistic work: the design on a bracelet.
12. the art of designing: a school of design.

GRAPHIC DESIGN: (noun) the art or profession of visual communication that combines images, words, and ideas to convey information to an audience, esp. to produce a specific effect.

Much simpler...I like the specific effect part. That's what graphic design is. There's always a certain look you're going for. One could argue that it's the same thing with art. And it's true. Most of the time. Some artists do go about their works with a let's-see-what-we-come-up-with attitude. But I feel like there is more of a point to graphic design. No, point is the wrong word, there is more of a purpose in graphic design. Not a purpose, but there sometimes seems to be a self-serving purpose for art. In graphic design, you're designing for someone else, although sometimes not. You're designing to create a point. But so is art. So how are they different? Most of the time, artworks aren't mass produced, but still some of them are.

I think I'm getting off the subject. What does graphic design mean to me? How do I think about graphic design? Why do I like it? I just do. My favorite letter in the alphabet is 'g.' Why? becuase of all the wonderful different ways the descender looks in different type faces. I like looking at type in general. I like looking at a logo and figuring out the little things wrong with it and how to fix it. I like figuring out how to organize type on a page and making them look good. I like the feel of paper. It really doesn' t matter what kind of paper, just paper in general. Wait, it can't be plain paper. It must not be plain paper. Plain paper is boring. After learning InDesign, I can't seem to use Microsoft Word and be ok with it. I had to turn in a resume for a job completely un-related to graphic design, and I couldn't just list stuff on a page in Microsoft Word. I had to design it in InDesing so I could make it look better. I pay attention to color. I pay attention to type. I pay attention to kerning and leading. Lots of people don't even know what that is. So, how to interpret that into a "provoking and meaningful" message? And then how to turn that into a sucession of 4 post cards?

I feel like I'm not done talking. but what more is there to say? Graphic Design. It's a wonderful and good thing. Think how ugly the world would be if we didn't have it? There would be no personality or color. Straight text without graphic design. Maybe. I guess I'm encompassing a whole lot of stuff with graphic design. The invention of color, good typefaces, placement of text. When I picture the world without graphic design, i picture information looking like text from the internet. Like when a web page is printed out. I never liked how it looked.

Graphic design is a good thing.
Design is thought provoking.
Graphic design is an idea?
Concept is a developed idea.
Design is ongoing. There seems to always be something more you can do. There also seems to be a time when you can't do anymore because you don't want to.

This is something I struggle with. Defining me. Defining me as a designer. Defining design or what i think about design, art, and life in general. It's all so big (and seemingly important) taht I can't tag one thing onto it. Or even tag a paper to define it. This is a question philosophers struggle with, how are we supposed to, being a college kid, supposed to work out the question the whole world can't even answer? I feel I am too complicated to write a paper on and you'll know who I am. This goes for people in general as well. It takes years to know what someone's like.

library of words

My friend Duey has been giving me words from the GRE and telling me the meaning of them because I have decided that I need to expand my library of words. She's given me assuage, erudite, prodigal, enigma, fervid, placate, capricious, loquacious and ephemeral. I'll give you the deffinitions too:
assuage: to minimize, the make milder
erudie: a learned person, being learned or scholarly
prodigal: wasteful, to be wastefully or reclessly extravagant
enigma: a puzzle, puzzling person
fervid: to admire, heated or vehement in spirit, enthusiasm
placate: to please
capricious: adj, to be indecisive, erratic
loquacious: adj, to be talkative
ephemeral: n, anything short-lived, temporary; adj, lasting a very short time

ink

Today started out as not so great. In printmaking, I wanted to transpose some words from paper to my stone. Basically, what you do is put your piece of paper (face down) with an image (I think it has to be one-toned and I kno it needs to be printed from a laser printer) on the stone and place the stone on the press. Make sure that your pressure is set correctly (or you might break your stone) and the bar that will press the image onto the stone is aligned. Then you have to wet a piece of smooth newsprint with Alkaline (an oil that transfers the ink form your paper onto the stone) and place it over your paper on the stone. Then cover with dry newsprint (without Alkaline on it) and place the plastic cover on your stone. Then pull the lever down to put pressure on your stone and crank away (and when I say crank away, I mean make the wheel move so that the bar goes over your image but not off the stone...that would be bad.) You have to move the bar over the image your transferring around 8 times.

I didn't have the image printed out on the right kind of paper at first, so I had to go to my room to print out the image again. Then when I tried transferring it, it didn't work. So, then I went to Carnegie and photocopied it, brought it back cut it out, arranged it on the page, and went to mark where I needed to place the image. So, I was putting marks with chalk where my paper with my image should be placed, however as I started marking, the paper I used to transfer the image had ink on the back and stuck onto my stone...and it wont come off. So, there is a possibility that the ink from my pen will attract ink from the roller and those lines will be part of my image, whether I want them there or not. Professor Chen and I tried rubbing the image off with a mini grinder (a bottle cap) but it didn't work. The ink from my pen is very insistent. However, I will make the best of it and if the marks end up attracting ink from the roller, then I'll try to figure out a way to make it work with my idea/concept/design. I guess I'll hope for the best and see what happens.