Fear Response

The one Fear project that I responded most to was that of Brittany May. Her fear about telling people about being and "ace" or asexual, was probably the hardest for anyone to bring up in class. You could obviously tell how hard it was for her to be there and speak and fidget. But not only did she break that fear, but she was brave enough to do it while standing up in front of the whole class.

I found it amazing, the strength she had to tell us about her being asexual. Besides Leigh, I don't know if anyone really discussed something so intimate to them. I know that my fear project seems so trivial compared to theirs, but none the less, still fears. Maybe we all just chose to focus on something that wasn't so personal.

I don't know a kind of fear in my life, that could even be on the same plain as Brittany's. I don't think that I would have changed my project any, had I heard hers first, but who knows. I've got mad respect for her!

Fear part 2 of 2

"Fear is not real. The only place that fear can exist is in our thoughts of the future. It is a product of our imagination, causing us to fear things that do not at present and may not ever exist. That is near insanity Kitai. Do not misunderstand me, danger is very real, but fear is a choice. We are all telling ourselves a story..."  -After Earth

To refresh your minds... This was my "Fear Experiment."

I chose to darken the lights to help with the spooky mood. I knew it would enhance the experience just enough. I was able to sit around just long enough to see over half the class go through their experiments, and felt good about what I had created. 

As I showed the power point, I looked around the class to see people's faces and reactions. Some of what I witnessed were gasps, ewes, turned heads, covered eyes, groans, smirks and even some chuckles. Of course in facing my own fears, I was almost desensitized to the horrific images of bloody bones. This was a surprising side effect that I didn't really count on. I was nervous as well. I wanted to make sure that I had captured the fears of myself, as well as the others. 

I wrote the following about what I thought my classmates would think about my project: I think that they will be a little grossed out by what I have put together. Some of the items gross me out, and some are just creepy. What I came up with, isn't the most outrageous thing ever done, but there are certain aspects of my experiment that are cringe worth and possibly nauseating!! I would say that my hypothesis about what i was going to see and what I did see, were about the same.

There were a couple of things that I would do differently. I basically had 3 weeks to put this together, so time was on my side. I was excited about this project, so I started within the first week. Like all students at the end of the semester, I had more than one project to take care of, so I was excited when I came up with something, and executed it by the end of the first week. I chalked it up as a victory and moved one. 

I don't think that trying it in power point was the best idea. I should have done it in Adobe After Effects or Adobe Premier. This would have allowed me to make sure that the timing of my movie, was precise. My audio would have matched up better as well. I could have taken the Miley Cyrus song and put it into Adobe Audition to chop and cut the audio down, so there would have been less of a drastic pause at the end. I think that the length of the project was good, but I would have liked to have gotten better, more high-def pictures.

"Fear stifles our thinking and actions. It creates indecisiveness that results in stagnation. I have known talented people who procrastinate indefinitely rather than risk failure. Lost opportunities cause erosion of confidence, and the downward spiral begins." - Charles Stanley

My Fear Project!

Warning Graphic Images Ahead!!!!

Fear part 1 or 2

1. Examine the situation.
This is what I asked you to do in the beginning of this assignment. What is fear, etc.?

          WIKIPEDIA Defines Fear as: Fear is an emotion induced by a perceived threat which causes entities to quickly pull far away from it and usually hide. It is a basic survival mechanism occurring in response to a specific stimulus, such as pain or the threat of danger. In short, fear is the ability to recognize danger leading to an urge to confront it or flee from it (also known as the fight-or-flight response) but in extreme cases of fear (horror and terror) a freeze or paralysis response is possible.

2. Formulate an experiment.
          My fear project is put together and ready to go!

3. Hypothesize the expected outcome.

How do you think people (your classmates) will react to what you came up with? 

          I think that they will be a little grossed out by what I have put together. Some of the items gross me out, and some are just creepy. What I came up with, isn't the most outrageous thing ever done, but there are certain aspects of my experiment that are cringe worth and possibly nauseating!!

Class take away 11/18/13

So... What the bleep!? Down the rabbit hole was a pretty interesting movie. 

I really wasn't expecting a story inside of a "scientific" documentary. It was interesting. There were lots of things that I totally agreed with, but it just seemed like it dragged on for quite a bit. Did the movie really have to be 2 & 1/2 hours long? I don't think so. There were many, many repetitive scenes and scientific mumbo jumbo throughout the whole movie.

What I did learn though, was that the information that was given, was very interesting. I woke up the next morning, laying in bed, and I had a moment. I thought to myself, "Self... I think that today is going to be a good day." The affirmation that I spoke to myself, was solely based on the movie we watched. I then went into work, and tried to make it the best day I could have. I spent the whole day, dealing with asshole, trying to turn the other cheek. When I got home, I honestly though that it wasn't to bad of a day.

I can appreciate how much time was spent on the story part, but all of the talk about Quantum Mechanics and neurobiology, human consciousness and day-to-day reality. It truly is amazing how to twins can feel the same pain even though they aren't in the same state. Or how someones thoughts can effect a box thousands of miles away.

Then you throw in the whole spiritual side of things. How does God, or someone's belief in God help with things like recover to surgeries or cancers. The positive vibes of others praying in Gods name, help someone who is sick.

In the end, did "Amanda (Marlee Matlin) find what she was looking for by being forced to go take pictures of a wedding, in the same place where she got married and saw her marriage go to shit because of a cheating husband? For her boss to push he into the assignment of this wedding in the same church where her wedding started... And in the end, it was exactly the thing she needed to snap herself out of the hatred for her ex, and push her towards a new man... with the help of alcohol of course.

There has always been this moment of wisdom in my head. Think about the caveman. His day to day life included hunting, gathering, eating, sleeping, fornicating, drawing on cave walls, etc... Everything that has every been made since then has been a form of art. Doesn't matter if it's a pencil, a chair, a TV, bathroom toilets, monopoly, hand guns, airplanes, Charmin Toilet paper... EVERYTHING!!!! Now that is amazing to me.

There is always going to be room for improvement, but we now have a starting off point for endless possibilities of the future!!!! Can't wait to see what the next couple of years bring.

Class Take Away 11/11/13

Through the last couple of classes it has become quite apparent, that if we all didn't have to explain our projects, most people won't. Of course, I am one of those, but I have chosen to make sure that I take my turn every class.

I really like Maiyasa's bucket list. Things that are important to her, listed in order of how she wanted to get it done. Though it was pointed out that she wanted to quit her job and then save money, but we all got the point!

I can see where vision boards placed in all the right places, could help someone succeed. Pushing them towards the right path by looking at what they want in the future. Guiding them to achieve, update, achieve, update... repeat!

I don't know if a vision board would really help me, but I do think that I need to be one of those people who makes "To Do Lists." There are normal daily tasks and "to do's" as well as milestones and projects that I want to do.

I tend to spend my days off being about as lazy as possible. I get to sleep in which is a bonus, but after that, I end up sitting on the couch watching DVR'd shows and movies all day. I usually will get up off my ass, but by that time, the sun has set and I have wasted the whole day away! When I do create lists and check things off of them, I end up feeling better about by day.

Motivation is a real bitch sometimes. Some people have the drive, some develop it, some just succumb to the pressures of laziness... that's usually me. I really want to change this about myself

Vision Board

 Of course my vision board is a work in progress, but here are some things that I see for my future!

Class Take Away 11-4-13

I find it interesting to hear everyone's dreams and fears towards the future. I don't know if it is the past and my mistakes propelling me forwards sometimes, or the possibilities and opportunities of the future? I can only speak from/of my 35 years of experience on this planet, but there is some wisdom in there somewhere.

There was a lot of passion in that class last week. You could tell that some people knew what their future half for them, and some, like myself, were terrified about it. I think that that class was the first time since the class had begun, that we actually used up all of our time. It really didn't seem like it was going to be so intense.

Most everyone centered their "confessions" towards something that would directly affect them and their loved ones. Some chose to take the opposite route, and aspire to change the world. I had no idea what I was going to say until the class begun, luckily the three ladies before me were able to give me a good base for what to go from.

Here's to the next assignment!!!

Class Take Away... # Something

There were a lot of things that I took away from that class... I was really amazed to see what everyone created for their partners! It made me really feel like I did a shitty job of really getting to know Ernie!

I loved how Nick brewed Chris his own beer and frosted him a glass?!?!? That was some next level shit!

Then I was thrown for a loop when I was told that there was not going to be a class the next week and that I needed to take 3 hours of my day and "have fun." Of course like Beth said, "You could easily blow this assignment off, but don't!"

So I took my 3 hours of happy time, and watched movies. I find movies to be my escape from the world sometimes! I watched Monsters University and Mama. Of course they are on two sides of the spectrum, Monsters University being a comedy and Mama being a horror movie, but what can I say, My name is Ryan Stambro and I'm a Cinephile!

Class Takeaway 10/7

So this is what I learned during that class. Now it was a little hard to jot it all down while it was being said, but I got the gist of most of it. My notes weren't meant to piss anyone off, but now my shorthand was horrible, and I might have got some of this info wrong.


Thomas Ghostbusters Conway JR "Tommy" construction at marksmen has had influence on his art started college in 2003. Strait A's not good at grammar doesn't speak other languages. Ditched Biology for new media. Loves video games. Sister helped him he back into college for new media, but cousin got him interested and prompted him to be happy which led to confidence. Dated a girl in high school but lasted less than a month and only got a hug. Built his ghostbusters rig from his nostalgia for the movies and built his nephew an Ironman costume. Introverted but going for confidence and a pair too! Word: HONEST

Ross jasper band greatest character flaw is lack of motivation and procrastinates. Has a great family and friends for his safety net to fall. Doesn't believe in karma but wants to make things right and pay back all of his family and friends. Word: MODEST/INDECISIVE

Jose Vidal legends of orchid times? Is a gamer since he can remember on NES. Wouldn't be who he was without video games. Loves puzzles and plays on hardest levels without cheating! Wants to gain skill in Media Arts to make a career. Is afraid to cut back on video games to be in the world. Word: POLITE

David argil sweater James Perry cartoonist and screenwriter. 6 feet tall, 190lbs with green eyes. Loves artwork and a libertarian conservative Christian with non denominal. Self analysis and improvement are key in his life. Was thrown into being an extrovert by his friend Matt Gamble. Is becoming more dissident with christianities problems and how people see them. Doesn't mind taking the opposite course for discussions.bow and arrow pictures on Facebook. Participated in a 24 hour comic Word: EVEN-TEMPERED/ARGUMENTATIVE

Brittany May very introverted. Hates this kind of exercise. Started at Purdue to do computer graphics. Hated all the prerequisites at Purdue and by 3rd year lost all interest in class. Purdue dropped her and hated to tell her parents about the shame she felt since they were paying for everything. Went to Ivy Tech and worked at Medical records for a hospital. Pissed that her previous Purdue work wouldn't count because she was going for a degree from IU. She's an artist who draws. Has a rage monster just below the skin with a short fuse, but doesn't last long. During a photoshop image broke her computer, it was crashing. Slammed the lid down and drop kicked her computer. Word: IMPULSIVE

Ying is introverted from the middlepart of China. 3rd year in USA and will graduate from 3D, but started Human Resources. Parents moved a lot and she changed a lot of schools, so she didn't really have a whole lot of friends, and she decided to study abroad. Does an exchange writing program. Word: QUITE

Travis did high school musicals. Singing, acting, animation. Born in Riverside CA. Moved here when he was two. Graduated from Cascade high School. His senior year was rough with his grandfather and sister had cancer. Parents divorced, he came out this past summer. Last 4 years have been good but rough. Word: CREATIVE

Brooke Higdon, simplistic personality who needs rules and creativeness. Parents were an artist and a cop. Pre-med education, radiology tech and a bunch of other jobs, but will do new media. Word: HYPER-RESPONSIBLE.

Ethan, formerly long hair. Hated high school and went to a hyper school to get ged. Did a band and toured and odd jobs. Loves his family. Started a record label. Word: TRYING

Tianyu from Shanghai China and been here 4 years doing 3D modeling. Studied at a college in China for a year, but lost his credits cause it wasn't recognized by IUPUI. Word: FRIENDLY

MATT EATON with no middle name. Scotland would love to live there. Red, 21 , Say Anything is favorite band and experimented with drugs, no cop! Went to Germany Canada and the Bahamas, Media arts in science from video to game design. Word: AMBIVALENT

Amber The "alcoholic" (who jokes!) who battles talking about self. Not serious and is sensitive to people's energy. Majoring in media arts and science and minor in dance. Loves music and dance. audio and 3D are passions. Has a brother and from Greensburg and lives in Southport. Loves Katy Perry. Cat lady at 12. 21st birthday is this month and is a Scorpio who is loyal and dedicated. Financially rock bottomed out at a movie theater. More of an observer than a talker. Doesn't feel like she translates well! Word: MISUNDERSTOOD

Maiyas Isa or Mya who got her nickname from a substitute teacher. She is hyper and talks fast but is introverted. She is an athlete who dresses like a hipster. Loves making videos on YouTube. Loves soccer. Came here in June 2001 from Iraq. Never done a whole lot outside because of her religion. Word: WEIRD

Michele Vaughn is an inspiration who is a philanthropist and activist. She inspires others abilities. She started a BUMONDAY MADEME AND COMPANY breast cancer, acceptance. Helps by nature. Word: LEADER

Steve Malander. Started as an introvert and extrovert. Product of no family. Mother died at a young age and dad didn't recover well. Went to a lot of funerals by the age of 13. Was picked on and decided to be happy just for the sake of it. Became a class clown and started on his road to comedy by doing videos. Did a spiral through school and became a juvenile who got a scholarship to do videos. Likes Matt Stone and Trey Parker. Loves traveling. Did boyscouts and hates misery. Word: MOTIVATED

********Who I 'm partnered with*****
Chris loves eating and did golf in high school. Has an older brother who he idolized. Loves nature, bikes and hiking. Likes pot and video games. City of Heroes with a group of friends and family. Loves basketball. Has a nickname if Ernie from someone else. Graduated from Triton Central about 80 people. Specializes in HCI and sketching. Is a Bears fan. Uncle Josh passed away, but pushed him towards religion. A year ago he went to Michigan and saw a great meteor shower. Word: CARING
**********

Cory (28) is on his second chance after failing out of Purdue. 4-5 years ago started drinking a lot and a close friend died and sent him on his new path. Lots of introspection from that and wants to put it out in the world. Married and great friends. Ready to complete this journey and start the next part! Word: LOYAL

Eric hates talking about himself. Took a year off after high school. Works for family at Swartz Warehouse services and wants to make more out of himself. His interests are video games as an escape. Wanted to make the worlds best video game for himself! Started in accounting and hated it, changed to Media Arts. Loves problem solving. Word: MODEST

Samantha George loves talking about herself. Has a new puppy that hates to walk. Looked like Pat all through high school. Loves storytelling and acting and art. Did winterguard where they were world champs at Warren Central. Ace Ventura with muscles. Likes to pretend to be a model but feels frustrated and happy most of the time. Word: PASSIONATE

Elspeth not Elizabeth but likes Elle. Doing vocal work for video games. Started with cakewalk programming . Loves to write music but did homeschooling. Feels normal compared to most homeschooled people! Done the video game developers conference. Did a league of legends video where she did all the voices and the YouTube video has close to 500,000 hits. Did drum corps. Boyfriend is from gamestop, where they met. Word: UNCONVENTIONAL

Leigh glasses. In her 7th year if college. Did marching band. Taught marching band for a while. Got burnt out on it. On her 23rd job. She works for a great place where she is a human resources manager for a warehouse. Worked for Avon colorguard but director is a dick! Loves to meet hasbeen celebrities. Saw Charlie Sheen in Detroit, but he was booed off stage. Got beat up and robbed after show Charlie Sheen picked her up and took her to the hospital. Doesn't have the filter! Word: CANDID

Chris Fricker not Ernie! Typically a quite guy, but interacts well. Used to be an extrovert but went introverted. Did a lot of sports at Plainfield and did soccer. Doing an intermural soccer team that hasn't won. Loves video games and would like to turn it into a career, playing and or making them. Wasted first year at Ivy Tech. Inbound days at FedEx, trying to find himself. Word: NERDY/LAIDBACK

Kaitlyn made a ballon globe. Works at Victoria Secret and hates retail. Loves marketing and graphic design. Is 22 with an awesome family and friends. Word: DETERMINED

Nick is 35. He started college in 1997. Parents were married at 15 and still married. Is a husband and a father of two kids. Loves beer. Makes a lot of it, whether it's research or development of new flavors. Being responsibly about it traveled a lot out of high school. did NC and here. Works at a bar as a bartender. Likes to think if himself as a cross between Kevin Smith and Sam Malone. Word: TYPICAL

Beth. When she was 3 her brother and father died. Mother raised her in a very conservative hostile environment. Decided at 16, to kill herself. Did a normal day, but that day in the mail, she got an acceptance about a story and art in a national public syndication. Obsessed with Stephen King. Always picked on and acted weirder just to fuck with people. High school drop out. Mother made her cloths. Her father was 26 years older than her mom. Packed up everything in a Pontiac Bonniville and dropped off the face of the earth. Got her diploma and went on foodstamps. Went through 5 waitressing jobs in 5 weeks. Got a job at the library that fostered her education. Went to IU East, but wanted to go to Earlham. Got a full ride within a week, started there. Got her degree. Was an art major, failed, worked as a tombstone designer and got ripped off. Almost died, quit job after lunch because of the accident. Gonna get another degree and bail.

Describing Me... Uh... OK?

One wonders how to properly describe themselves... This process is a lot harder than I originally anticipated. I wanted to be honest about all of the bullshit I deal with, but dole out as well. I thought that I would call a couple of friends and ask them who I though, but didn't feel like I could take the true criticism. I thought about doing a Pro/Con list, but about 3 cons in I got pissed and I deleted it all and started over. I could always ask my girlfriend what she thought about me but two things held me back. 1) The fact that she is kind of biased because she is in love with this amazing, masculine, caring, lovable man. 2) We just got into a fight about how irritating I can be with the fact that I am not affectionate or loving enough... Fucking double edged sword!!!

So I decided that it was time for me to get it out in the open and be real with myself. The following took me over two hours to compile this list.

For all intensive purposes, I'm a 34 year old college student with the same issues as my younger counterparts... Money, work, school, women, school, money, work... It's just a vicious cycle of repetitive stupidity.

What I know about myself. I've been at the same job since July 16th, 1997. Just a little over a month after I graduated high school. Now this really wasn't my decision as it was so much of my mothers. It's not like I was a bad student, I ended up finishing school in the middle of my class. I just couldn't entertain the thought of continuing on with my education because I felt so burnt out. I probably would have been a statistic in drinking my way out of college in either my first or second semester.

I'm about 93 credits into my major, but I'm not really sure what my major really is!? I love attending class, mainly because it gets me off the couch on my days off and I'm way to in debt to stop without a degree now! I just know that my job is a really good one with great benefits and hours, but I know that I don't want to do it for the rest of my life. I gotta get out, and it's gotta be soon! I love it just enough to keep me paying the bills, but hate it enough to want to get the hell out of there!

I used to think of myself as a commitment phoebe, but soon realized that was a lie. I have been in 4 serious relationships. One for 5 years, one for 4, one for 8 and my most recent one of just over a year. I don't think that I really ever knew how to date. Don't get me wrong, I did alright with the ladies, but I have always felt that there was something missing with the relationships that I have been in, but just to dumb to get out of them.

I can be a complete asshole in relationships and don't really know why? I, like most guys, am a caring,
loving, attentive boyfriend in the beginning. But there is something always missing. Deep down in my heart I'm a hopeless romantic. I don't mind sitting through "chick flicks" because I'm a movie buff in general, but because it never hurts to learn some new way to love your women. I want the kind of love that Nicholas Sparks writes about. I want to experience "love at first site" and all the benefits that go with it. I want to know, deep down in my heart, that this is the lady that I want to spend the rest of my life with and have babies, or at least enjoy trying to have babies.

So in short: I'm an aging, educating, crabby, funny, irritating, loving asshole with excuses to get through relationships and work, but secretly hate myself for not being ballsy enough to cut and run when warranted. I love movies, music, learning, being a homeowner, women, my friends, family and my dog, but hate being a grown up, paying bills, working, grades, drama, heartbreak, repairing the plumbing in the foundation of my home, cleaning, dishes, broken car's, and lack of sleep due to homework. I want more out of life, love, education, work, but am occasionally to lazy to do anything about it. I need to sack up more in my relationships and life in general, just to be a better man to anyone/everyone I come into contact with. I want a job that doesn't feel like a job, but a place that pays me well to do something fun and interesting. I need a love that feels natural and reciprocated, but is willing to put up with me and call me on my shit!

Curiouser and Curiouser...

I walked around the next day and a half with my eyes wide open... I saw the wonders of the cool Indiana day pass me by, or me pass by it.

My first idea hit me on my way home, well almost. I was almost in a car wreck on my way home from class. Like most true blue Americans, I immediately went into "Road Rage Ryan" mode. Sure, he's always there, but when some asshole cuts me off because he is to lazy to make the proper lane changes in advance to get off on a specific lane... that'd be great. But no, this asshole decided to evoke a  rage in me from the cockles of my soul.

That's where my idea came from. I wanted to research the statistics on idiot drivers and the problems they cause to the sanctuary that is, The Great American Highway System. I pictured in my head a traffic cone with the statistics of lives affected by these moronic, half-whit, jag-offs. Not how Portland, Oregon, Cleveland, Baltimore, Sacramento, and Pittsburgh were the five least road-rageful cities. But how New York, Dallas, Detroit, Atlanta, Minneapolis, Phoenix, Miami, Houston, Cincinnati and San Diego, were the top ten worst road-rageful cities.

I think this would have been a great project to start... but instead, I walked into my kitchen to grab myself a glass of water and I feel a warmth under my feet, right in front of the kitchen sink. I step to the left two feet, and the laminate flooring is cool. Back to the sink and it's warmer. I suddenly think to myself, "maybe the dog(s) laid here for a couple of hours. But no, our lazy ass dogs have been laying the the bedroom for the last 3-4 hours!

So what is the next logical step? GOOGLE!!! And what does the all mighty GOOGLE tell me... That I probably have a broken pipe, leaking warm water into my foundation. Well fuck me running! As if my life wasn't hard enough going to school two days a week for 9 credit hours and working 32-40 hours a week... Lets throw on my crappy car, that I'd rather ram into someone in a fit of road rage, that needs to have the two front shock/spring assemblies replaced, breaks changed, rotated tires... ughhhh, the list goes on. Not to mention the fact that this is probably in my future:

So instead of creating this masterful piece of art that could be displayed in the MET or the Louvre, but no... I'm gonna have to borrow a couple thousand dollars from my parents to have a professional come to my home, rip out my cabinets, counter-tops, sink, dishwasher, reverse osmosis water system, and cut into the foundation of my house, jackhammer his way to a broken pipe, and replace it... for a couple thousand dollars...

I hope you're curious now... cause I just wanna fucking puke and cry!!!

Class Take Away 5

I was amazed at the projects that came out of the change a book into something you like. Of course some of us, myself included, took it more physical than literal, but great projects none the less.

I really liked the physical interpretation and manifestation of the "Field Guide." The rough textured outside gave me a feeling that the book was traveling the globe, continent to continent, adventures and happiness for all. The butterfly page markers made me think about a meadow of flowers with butterfly's everywhere.

I can't wait to see the final version of the Robocop Head, if we get to see it in a finished state. I was a big fan of the movies and am looking forward to the next one as well!

I think the best executed project, had to be the mounted Deer head. It was amazing how much detail that figure had. With the antlers in almost perfect condition, I was amazed at the amount of detail she was able to attain with the paper, without there really having glue seepage or marks to the visible eye. Fantastic job!!!

I am constantly amazed at the amount of craftsmanship that this class is putting out. Of course some of us are confined and restricted with busy lives, but people keep churning out great work. I know that there is a creative side stuck deep down inside me somewhere and I hope that by the time this class is over with, it will rise like a Phoenix from the ashes!

From Crappy to Happy!

I wasn't expecting this project to throw me for a loop, but it did. As I perused the different artistic interpretations of books on the internet, I was unaware of how hard it would be to make something amazing, especially since I figured I would only be able to do something mediocre. Even with that, I still wanted to create something that reflected the creative person within. But when it was all said and done, I left myself barely enough time to do the project. But growing up, there have always been something that I wanted to have. That is a book, with a secret storage chamber inside. 

At first I started out with a book, All-In-One CompTIA A+ Certification Exam Guide by self proclaimed "Alphageek" author Mike Myers, a Xacto Knife, and a Fiskars Rotary Cutter. 

I flipped through the book to find the prefect chapter in which I should start my cutting. What better chapter than Chapter 11 - Removable Media. So I flipped to page 415 and grabbed my Fiskars Rotary Cutter, and dug in to make my square. 

After about 2 hours of cut, trim, cut, trim, cut, trim... repeat 1500 times. 284 pages later, I had my "square." I was totally blown away by how hard it really was, to just cut a square into some of the crisp pages. Knowing that now, I would have gotten some Mod Podge Sealer, rubber cement or something that would make the book ridged and easier to cut. I could have also used some C-clamps to hold the book in place. Of course all of that would have had to have been thought out ahead of time. I now didn't have the time or forethought to complete such tasks. Even though Beth told us we might need to use something like that. 

So the final product is complete. The square is just big enough to hide a cell phone, USB chips, drugs, a flask, money, pictures, etc...

I wish I would have had enough time to do it the right way, but what I got, wasn't half bad. Plus I didn't lop off any fingers or get so much as a paper cut. So that was a success in my eyes. There were plenty of times that I thought, "Ummm... cut away from yourself you dumb ass!" I guess I got lucky, but hey, even the sun shines on a dogs ass from time to time. 

I got what I wanted, a seemingly boring book, with a secret hiding spot inside, and without doing damage to myself. 

Class Take Away 4

I'm not really sure what I took away from our last day of class. I drove up there for about 35 minutes of class. Not much was discussed in this class but the progress of our Creative Book Assignment. Up till that point, I hadn't really done anything with my book yet. I was tossing around a couple of ideas after looking through the resources.

Hopefully it will turn out the way I want it to!

Class Time

The last class time went a little slower than expected. With this being said, I was glad that we got out a little early.

It was cool to see what people had done for their "Break the Rules" assignment. I spent a while looking at some blog posts. There were some pretty creative ideas. 

Looking through some of those Book Transformation Ideas Beth gave us, gave me some good ideas. I want to transform something I hate into something that I like. Who knows how that will turn out. I have a couple of ideas. I am glad that Beth gave us two weeks to work on this one, because the one I really want to do, will take some time to get done.

Wrong Post... What an idiot!

First off... I have already messed this post up! I screwed up by posting my "What I learned in class today" blog post, in the "Rules" assignment tab, and this under the "Class Take Away 2" tab. I guess in it's own subliminal way, I probably messed it up on purpose. So what do I do now...

I realized that it might not have been such a bad thing to do. Because this whole assignment was to: "Take whatever software (or other media) you are most familiar with and examine the "rules" that you have learned about working with this media. Which rules could be pushed? Which rules are necessary to preserve functional integrity? Experiment with breaking some of the rules (or just one) and create something using your new interpretation of the "rules." Document your experiment on your blog and post the URL to that blog entry here to receive your points. If you are able, bring the results to class in 2 weeks (next week is Labor Day and there is no class) and be prepared to discuss your results of experimenting with the rules."

So I starting thinking... When I searched my computer to find a "software (or other media)" that I was comfortable, or at least used often, and exploit it in some manner, I couldn't. I realized that I don't use one or more programs in any way shape or form. So I started thinking about what I could exploit from my work, and still came up empty handed. If I tried to take something from work, I would either get myself fired, or kill someone, so I couldn't really do that.

What at home could I do to make this assignment happen. And then it clicks!

I'm not gonna do this assignment! I'm sure I could do one of the ideas that Beth suggested, like make a story out of two newspaper/magazine articles. Or Photoshop some random picture until it's unrecognizable. But it would all be bullshit in any form. I don't doubt that there will be some very great posts from the group, showing how imaginative the rest of the class is, but I'm too much of a realest. I have lived in the real world for far to long. With my later start on the college life than the rest of the class, I've had some of my hopes and dreams ripped from the clutches of my dry, weathered hands. My creativity stifled because you have to pay the bills.

So what I did instead, was to take the two weeks I had to do the assignment and drink, work, see Mumford & Sons (Fantastic show by the way!!!), work, go to other classes (really didn't want to, but I paid for them already), hang with friends, work, drink, work... You know, the vicious circle of life.

So now it comes down to you... to whether or not you're going to give me full credit for this post, or not.

 But then again, caring would probably be in the "rules" somewhere!

"Rules of the Road"

When I heard "Rules of the Road," this is what I thought of.

 And then Beth mentioned George Carlin, and I knew it was meant to be. 

There was lots of discussion about how we interrupt  rules and why we abide by them. Since the beginning of time, there have been rules that we abide by. Here is fire, keep it in under control. So they burnt down forests and cities. Here is the amazing machine called a car, keep it under 55mph and don't run it into other cars or walls. We all know how what happened after that! 

According to some random website, here are 9 of the most commonly broken laws:

(http://www.criminaljusticedegreesguide.com/uncategorized/9-most-frequently-broken-laws.html)

1. Speeding (SHOCKER!!!!)
2. Underage Drinking (WHAT???)
3. Smoking Weed (What's that smell and why am I so hungry?)
4. Pirating Music (Is this just a college list?)
5. Jaywalking (Is this really still a law?)
6. Littering (Should be punishable by death!)
7. Copyright Law (Apparently not the same as Pirating?!?!)
8. Cheating On Your Taxes (As does every good politician!)
9. Gravity... (I told you that this was a random ass website!)

I know that I have broken a couple of laws on that list... And the ones I haven't... I still might have!!!

One thing is for sure, no matter what the law is, someone, somewhere, will break it!

My first project!!!

Sitting in class, listening to Beth describe this project about the egg, a millions things passed through my mind about what could be done with this egg. Do I smash it in a strangers face? Do I scramble it up for breakfast? Do I bring it home, then back to school unscathed with some story about how I did nothing, clearly reflected on the busy life of a college student who works full time to pay his bills and keep his house payments and credit cards paid? Knowing that as long as I document whatever I did to my egg, was going to give me full credit, I knew that I would not allow my self to puss out and do something "normal" for this project. No faces or cop-outs! Cause knowing we were going to be able to do whatever we wanted to do with this egg, it was game on!!!

Many things came to mind as to how I transform my egg into a self representation of what I see my life is like at this moment. Should I create an egg on how I feel now, or an egg with some artistic flair that would cheer myself as well as possible all the others up? So instead of going with the Shoulder Egg Parakeet that made me chuckle out loud when I thought of it, I went with the other thing that came to my mind as I thought about this precious egg.

A Faberge Egg reflecting my current life in all its "glory and horror!"

Step 1: Ingredients for a successful "art project"!

Egg
Tweezers
Super Glue
Benadryl (Antihistamine for allergies)
Hyoscyamine (IBS Medication)
Ibuprofen (Anti-Inflammatory and Pain Reducer)
Pepto Bismol (Stomach Issue neutralizer meds)
Multi-Vitamin (Well... Its a Multi-Vitamin!!!)
Immodium Ad (For Diarrhea Control)
A Chewy Multi-Vitamin to top it all off!


These are all things that I consider being small reflections of consumption of products for my boring life I sometimes think I live, in some way or another. These stagnate medication present conditions of what is just a fractional amount of the real medications that I take to "cure my ailments." Or that's at least what the doctor has told me.



Step 2: Boiled Egg... Now What?

I boiled the egg, cause lets face it... I probably would have cracked or smashed it as I tried to affix all of those drugs to the shell of the egg with super glue.

12 Minutes in boiling water and about 20 minutes of cool down time before I was able to start super gluing my drugs into some kind of pattern, reflecting some aspects of my life. And so it begins!!!

Step 3: A Ring as a base!

So I started with an old color ring taken from one of my really old prescription bottled. I then attached the Pepto Bismol Chewable tablets as a base for the bottom and to help hide the base ring. As I added more and more tablets to this "Egg" of my life, I realized that I wasn't going to be able to use most of my real medications I partake in on a daily basis. I do take most of what is on this egg, but had to leave out the pain medications or muscle relaxers I use for my back scoliosis and whip-lash. I also have to take allergy meds, sleeping meds, anti-inflammatory meds for my knees/back/neck, and my depression meds, just because I couldn't sacrifice the money I had already spent to keep myself sane and without pain! So what over the counter medications I chose, would have to do!!!

Step 4: Keep Plugging Away!!!

Minute by minute, hour by hour, drugs stuck to fingers, paper, tweezers and each other, I kept plugging along. Trying to arrange patterns with the drugs I was using, making sure that the patterns I was trying to use, would work out. I could have gotten more drugs just so I didn't need to repeat, but then I realized that the drugs I used over and over, were the same drugs that I used more often in real life.


Step 5: Brink this project home!

I don't know how jewelers do it. This shit was way fucking harder that I thought it would be. I still have superglue stuck to some of my fingers and I don't really know if the damn thing will even stay together long enough for people to see it, let alone long enough to get a good grade on it. But I think it will stay unharmed, but only because I left off the narcotics! The last thing I needed was for when/if I passed it around the class, for it to come missing half of the drugs I put on it!

In conclusion, I am glad that I chose this over the parakeet, even thought I think it would have been easier and slightly more fun to produce the parakeet, self reflection is a little easier to work with sometimes when you're not the most creative type!  Yet another bonus of this class, will to be to stretch my imagination, not only on projects, but real life situations as well!

What I took away from the first day of class...

Today's class reminded me of an episode of a NatGeo Show, called Brain Games ( http://braingames.nationalgeographic.com/episode/9/ ), I saw a couple weeks ago. Basically it was about how your brain does way better with less choices. I didn't agree with the whole episode, but love the series. It's amazing how your mind/body is easily deceived by some of the most simple ideas.

The older I get, the more I reflect on the decisions of my past. Should I have dated that bitchy/controlling girl, through all of High School? Should I have went straight to college right out of high school, instead of putting it off for 10 years? Would I have been as successful in college had I done it that way? Why do I keep going back to McDonald's, even though I know it gives me diarrhea EVERY TIME!?!?! 

The only constant, is that we all make hundreds of decisions, on millions of choices, daily. Just like this class, most are right or wrong, only in the eye of the beholder.

I am excited to delve into this class, with both feet, and await the amazing ideas from my peers and myself!!!