Monday, December 28, 2009

Winter Break 50%

Half way into break. What can I say, nothing much was accomplished. I started reading, Cradle to Cradle and I'm half way through. Watched a couple movies I've been meaning to watch and re-watch. In terms of break, winter break is my least favorite. The cold temperature really discourages me to skedaddle around as much and as freely as I want.

The last 4 days I spent it at home; was it nice to feel like an introverted hermit fixated on a screen for over 10 hours. Something that I haven't done in a while. I keep telling myself I'll be productive, but I never do, what can I do? :/

-David M.

Saturday, December 19, 2009

Analog to Digital: Digtal to Analog

Despite being a digital person, working with digital related medias. I do on occasion work with my hands. I enjoy working with my hands, the analog aspect of crafting things definitely outweighs the feeling of creating within a digital realm. When things take a physical form I can't describe the feeling, I'm overwhelm by the feeling of creating.

This thought came up when I first learned how to develop black and white pictures. Despite the tedious nature of it, it was nice. It really helped pass the time. When I decided I should make images for people, there was a surge of happiness in making them. I can actually hand them in image that encapsulates a place, a time, a location. However, this moment exists because it is physically held. Oppose to a digital image, it exist somewhere, but not in your hands. Just knowing an individual would be happy that you're handing them something that actually exists makes me happy.

Just putting it out there.

-David M.

Luffy

Ummm...It might be weird to blog about an anime/manga character. One that is completely fictional and geared towards a younger crowd. Though, I digress I've been a One Piece fan from the beginning and I don't mind sounding a bit immature as I reflect upon the character.

Monkey D. Luffy is a pirate captain of his own crew, it's a small crew. After a publication cycle of 12+ years he's only acquired a crew of eight others to join him. It's a small group and you're able to invest a lot of your interest into each. As a captain he's not the brightest person, and because of his ability he is unable to function if he comes into direct contact with sea water, however he's a humble young captain. He never disappoints when it comes down to friends despite his carefree nature he values every member of his crew despite however great the peril; he'll be there. It's that characteristic that makes me feel like a kid inside, makes me want to root for the underdog. I know the nature of a person to be like that is quite naive, but throw logic out the window and you have a great friend.

I remember bits and parts of different arcs that led me to find him to be such a great character. In one of the fights he meets with another captain which he tells Luffy that he should be the strongest person in the crew and a captain should not rely on his men, however Luffy's ideal differ it's because of his inability to do certain things he relies on them and because of his ability they can rely on him. Not exactly verbatim, but that's the gist of it. I found that part to be really dear...it's because one has faults that they entrust others to better themselves and help guide them. I don't believe a lot of people are willing to do that and that's what I found to be must interesting, modesty.

Later on in the story a crew member leaves without a word, not telling the crew anything only because she felt that she would burden the rest of them and cause harm to those that she's finally found dear. Despite her motives being completely secret even to the readers, Luffy still pursues her, in order to get an answer and despite what she told them (which was a lie), he loses faith. However, when all is reveal he goes darting for her, makes the world his enemy and goes about the manner of tackling whatever obstacle that comes his way. I'm a bad summarizer, but that arc was also one of my favorites.

I've been thinking about this character quite a lot mainly due to the point in the current story, but also how I am as a friend. I know this type of friend is a bit naive to contrive, but I really wish I was a bit more like Luffy. The fact that he's present despite him being unknowing of how others think how complex things are, he brings it back to a simple point, "We're friends" that's all there is to it. Despite how rough thing get, how complicated things are going to be...the solid point to drive home is "We're friends" and no matter what I'm going to be there and I'll fight for you. Despite the interpretation of what fight means that's what a friend does. I wish I can be a little bit more like that.

-David M.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Fall 09: In A Nutshell [7/8]

One of the few habits I have kept since my time at UIC is to keep a log of my semester. I prefer to come them nutshells instead because is just a summary of experiences I had during the semester be it social or academic. Please mind the ambiguity as I write. :]

This semester has been the most drastic oppose to others I have experienced and hopefully ones I have yet to experience. Though each semester provided their own surprises and uniqueness to them, I would say this one sticks out like a sore thumb, be it good or bad I still can't draw a conclusion on that just yet and I probably won't.

Despite being the social bug I tend to be in most occasion I was never in a situation that involved drama; be it my own or others. I don't know why this semester despite it being the Fall it sure felt like it was Spring, never had I witness or be aware of raging hormones. As often I joke about it, it certainly it isn't as funny as it sounds. I hope people are able to find some sort of recourse. I didn't see any happy endings for anyone this semester. :/.

Academically, things are strange...as if nothing new was presented to me for the most part...well things were definitely different, but I definitely didn't have the drive in me as I did last year. I don't know why. Anyways, I'm going to recap each class...

Weight Lifting and Aerobics: Despite me being in Art and Design, these were probably two favorite classes this semester. Besides the fact I have to wake up super early to be in weightlifting by 8:00 am, and the exhaustive nature of aerobics these classes really were fun. Learning what I'm physically capable of and improving upon that, and seeing results from myself improving was definitely a bonus of this class.

Contemporary Art History: This was by far the worse Art History I have taken. I'm not a fan of art history, but I'm still able to siphon information from the class; it was impossible for this one. Despite Art History II being the previous title holder, this takes the cake with ease.

Analog Photography: I swore to myself I will never take another photography class in my life, this comes back and bites me in the ass; I've taken both photography classes. Though, I do enjoy the class mainly because the instructor was quite an interesting fellow. It seems photography instructors have really interesting traits, at least the ones I had and they were both visiting instructors.

Smart Art: I dislike physical computing, but this is a requirement. PD as a tool mad the class bearable however it was still a drag, despite spending a good 20 hours of nonstop work prior to the final, it was exhausting. Not my favorite thing to do, and I hope I don't have to deal with lights and ceilings in my professional career.

Independent Study (EV): I thought this was going to be my favorite class this semester as the concepts and practices cover in this class was what restored my drive in my focus. I guess it was the responsibility I decided to pick up in the class. The project definitely came out as a failure, all I have to say to myself is, architects aren't as responsive and well prepared as one would think, they are terrible at getting back to you.

All in all, I think this was a stressing semester, but I can't say that there weren't any good memories there definitely was plenty, enough to make it worth it. However, it definitely had me thinking a lot more, enough to keep me up at night. :/.

Despite how I like to self promote, I've always felt that I am a person that was capable of doing many things. I realize I'm no fixer; let alone an adequate solution to hold things together. Though, I think I'm a bit better prepared for future conflicts; hopefully. Too many things have happen and I'm still decompressing all of this.

-David M.