Spray It All Gold...

I sprayed an Arizona Ice Tea can gold today! I love Arizona Ice Tea and I love these funny glasses I got in 3D too!

Hello dear reader! It is currently nearing one of my favorite times in these 24 hours we call a day. And let me tell you--boy has it been a jam packed nonstop work work work day!  It starts off around 12:45 pm when I wake up. Now I know what you're all thinking... what a lazy bum, but just wait! I got dressed like the Flash, one of my favorite superheroes, ran all the way across campus (and by ran I mean walked rather briskly), and fortunately made it to 3D on time! For you see we went back to Flux Space and Art Making Machine where Rika has her studio and worked on assembling four large paper mache Falcon pinatas--thrilling I know. Even more thrilling was the fact that 3/4ths of my class left at 6 pm leaving 5 of us to stay there untill 10 when we finally finished everything! But I have to say I really enjoyed the space and hanging out with Paige 1, Paige 2, Greg, Maddie, and Stern! And I made a new friend in Zurksees the Art Making Machine's studio cat.  (And believe me, I'm not exactly a cat person so this was a pretty big win on  his part).  I then came back to main campus crammmmed into the backseat of Rika's car, along with 4 of my classmates. 

I thought my Catholic School friends from Harrisburg would appreciate this bus I saw parked outside of the SAC. It's the name of their school... only this ones in Philly...

Upon arriving back to campus I cleaned both the toilet and shower bathrooms because we are having a preliminary room check tomorrow! And let me just say-- my roommate and suite mates could do with enrolling in the "Ann Dunn School of Cleaning, Responsibility, and Household Chores".  Because if anyone could set them straight, it would be my mom. I have also been doing laundry periodically throughout the night just finishing my fourth, and last, load. I detest doing laundry #1-because there are never any machines available and #2-because I'm petrified my washers will never fully rinse (I had a bad experience right before I left for winter break)... Tonight my worst dreams came true when #2 occurred around 1 am  in machine 4.  But it'sok, my brother called and I talked to him for a while, which would account for why it is taking me so long to finish this post. But I love talking to him and it's always nice to hear what's going on his life. He's getting ready to graduate you know! But now, dear reader I think I'll let you go. For you see I have done all of this work and yet I have no time to rest. I have a 6 page English paper due tomorrow at 6 pm. And to date I only have an outline of my paper written. So until next time... stay positive. Relax. And I will talk to you soon.

Drawing Final progress as of last night... It's due Friday. 

Wish me luck. (I'm gonna need it.)

Thank You Denise...

I have religiously checked the post secret blog now for about 2 years.  I have to say, it is one of the simple things in life that truly give me pleasure without having to give into any of the gimicks, gizmos, or doo-dads.  And the best part is it doesn't ask for anything in return. 

(well and it's free...)

Here are two secrets I've collected over my reading...

I think everyone needs/has a Denise in their life.  Hopefully I can be yours today. 

Check out the Post Secret Website!!! And support the Hope Line!

Feed the Birds-Tuppence a Bag!

Current Status: Exhausted! (and a little under the weather...)

-Currently blogging from one of the drawing studios. It's wayyyy past m bedtime. And while you may be surprised to hear me say such a thing... it's college--who has a bedtime?! I have one constant in my life where bedtimes reign supreme--when I am not exactly feeling 100% and sadly my dear readers, this is one of those days. Strike that... weeks.  

That's why I haven't been posting as often, but I'm trying desperately to get better! Have no fear I have become a professional when it comes to chugging OJ and have transitioned quite easily into my "sleeping sitting up so my nosed doesn't run or clog or stop working all together" position. Quite an accomplishment come to think of it! 

In the meantime... here is my furthest progress on my drawing final (due in 4 days!?!!!) I finally buckled down and started my actual self... any thoughts?!

Side Note: I'm getting ready to pack up and head home during my favorite time on campus!!!

Obsessed with North Philly....

She is probably my best friend in the entire world. Actually--She is my best friend in the entire world. She is the only person I know I can say anything and everything around and she is still morally obligated to love me regardless.  She is my little sister. And in more ways than one I often find myself looking up to her rather than the other way around...

Today's Events:

-Loo FINALLY came to visit me at school! I am so excited.  I met her as she got off the subway with Cait and her brother, Drew. I attempted to lift her not anticipating how heavy her bag was... and failed miserably. 

-We ate dinner at the SAC.

-I introduced her to everyone!

-I finally got to fulfill a long lived dream of becoming a tour guide...

-Showed her campus. And Tyler.

-Saw a Fibers fashion show...

-Went and got Insomnia Cookies with Dee...

-Went to see "Obsessed" with Dee...

-Saw a girl throw up in her seat and everyone scatter...

-Saw a boy try and jump over a chair--and fall on his face...

-Watched Beyonce do her thing and make Dee, Laur, and I proud!

-Came home to find everyone already asleep before 1???!!!!

-Blogging then bed.

(Wish I brought my camera for even one of these events)

Tomorrow should be fun. We are just gonna see where the day takes us.

And hopefully have dinner with Mike! 

Then sending my little sister back to the 717...

(I think she's one of the few things making leaving school for the summer bearable right now)

Today=Success.

Prairies As Far As The Eye Could See...

I am currently sitting in one of the Drawing studios... Blogging! I needed a break, I've been here since about 6. ((CRAZYYY!!!!)) 

But I think I know what I'm going to do for part of the background/foreground: Prairies! Come on... who doesn't like a good prairie!?  This is my progress so far... (I have determined it takes entirely too much work to hang it on the wall and work on it... hence back to the floor!)

Had lunch with Alison today... always nice.  Made her wear these crazy disguise glasses I got in 3D yesterday courtesy of Hannah. Thank you Hannah!

And look who I ran into!!!! CHUCK! She was eating some delicious soup and waiting for her friend to come meet her for lunch.  Naturally I couldn't pass up an opportunity to embarrass her... so she donned the disguise too! I miss Carleigh and Kim... they are always so busy living their lives... but we agreed to have lunch before we leave for the summer!

LITTLE LAUREN!!!!!

P.S.  -My sister is finally coming to visit me!!!!!!!! This is going to be the first time she visits me at school! The first time she's been to Temple! Been to Philly without adult supervision! The first time she's ever ridden the train (I think)!!! 

And she's coming to visit me! I feel so special! I called Mike and we are planning on having a late dinner on Saturday night, just the three of us... catching up and having a wonderful time!!!!! I'm so excited! So tomorrow she will board the 3 o'clock train with Caitlin's brother, Drew, and arrive in Philadelphia around 2 hours later! I have Drawing till 6... but Cait's going to pick her up/sign her in/introduce her to Philadelphia/friends/Temple! I am jumping off walls and telling complete strangers she's coming! That's how much I miss her!!!! 

Act Like Tippi Hedren in Birds!!!

This is what happens when you have your friends (Caitlin and Keiran) help you take down and spray your drawing final... We follow it up with a jungle dance or two and end up on the floor because we are out of breath and out of shape...

When we finally recovered, we took down this massive drawing. Caitlin was such a good friend, getting pastel allll over her clothes, but just laughing it off!

We went to go spray it with workable fixative when a security guard gave us special permission to use the loading dock out back... we felt like VIPs.

He was quite the talker... but incredibly nice for helping us out.

Here's m final so far... it is 14ft long and 9ft tall. I'm starting to wish I did it a little bit smaller, but seeing as it's due next Friday... there's no going back now.   

Let me know what you guys think. I am stumped with what to do for the background! Any suggestions!??

Chim Chim Cheree...

Current Status: Chimney Sweep.  

-Stayed up all night writing my art history. 

Aka: pulled an all nighter procrastinating, watching an assortment of youtube videos, and eventually around 5 am buckling down and comparing Caravaggio to Durer.

All in all my paper was ok... actually I think it was pretty good. I tied in David Choe and I kind of surprised myself with how persuasive I managed to make the argument out to be.  

Finished paper at 7 am. Closed my eyes... mistake. 

Woke up at 9 am. Class started at 8:40. Got to Art History at 9:15... class ends at 9:30. 

Turned in paper... awkward.  

2D class from 1-6. Dragged... unusually long today. 

We are making stencils though, so that's exciting.  Showed Allison my drawing final. 

Went to a meeting about a student run art show opening on my birthday. Saw Kiersten there. Worked on drawing final for two and a half hours.  

Walked home in the rain. I love the rain. 

I don't love people starring at me because I have charcoal/pastels on my face. 

Missed dinner... mistake #2. Bed... I'm beat.

The black in the wings on the Ostrich and Cassowaries is such a pain to do. And gets everything messy... 

Mad-Eyed-Moody...

Weird day-- Woke up around 10 am. Spent the night at Sarah's apartment in Kardin because I was too lazy to walk all the way back to my dorm.  

When I did manage to make it back to my room I showered and met up with the 324 gang (Caitlin, Alex, Mercedes, Mary, Julie, Christine, Corrie, Keiran, and Dee) 

and Malcolm and went to breakfast at J & H for Keiran's birthday brunch celebration.  

Waited in line wayyy too long for an omelet.  Ate said omelet. 

Went to the studio and worked on my drawing 

final for a good five hours... time flies when you're having fun. 

Went to Temple Star and ordered sweet and sour chicken.  Was undercharged 10 cents.

Befriended a homeless man who nicknamed me "Tim the tool man Taylor" because of my art box. Had some small talk with mad-eye-moody look-a-like.  Only he was black.  

He asked if his eye scared me. Half out of fear and half out of embarrassment for being called out I made up a quick story telling him he looked like my dad's friend "David". (Honestly, I don't know if my dad even knows anyone named Dave)

 The man (Holding a swiss arm knife, a rusty fork, and a wooden spoon... he called his "tools") proceeded to tell me he was my dad's friend Dave and that he thought he recognized me too! I should probably tell you now that I have never met this man in my life.  This is where it gets interesting. Dave asks if he scared me... I respond:  "A little man... I thought you died two years ago?" But Dave's quick on his feet and replies: " Oh I know man... it was a close one... really touch and go for a while there. But I made it." 

Moral of the story... he asked for $1.60 to catch the bus.  I was a little disturbed and slightly amused by my new "friend" so I gave him a dollar for his quick wit.  I mean he did hold the door open for me too.  What can I say, I guess the city of brotherly love is starting to rub off on me...

Picture of one of the cassowary heads in my drawing final...

Flightless Four Hours...

Today was beautiful outside! Naturally I spent the majority of it indoors... away from the sun. Because I burn like it is my job... no seriously I burned a little just on the walk over to Tyler.  Anyways... Alex was kind enough to accompany me over to the studio where I began my drawing final. We spent about four hours there in total... I grided the big drawing out, something I don't normally do, but felt it was kind of necessary to get the proportions right. It is me riding an ostrich with emus and cassowaries charging forward also.  Pastel is sooo tedious.... 

In total it measure 14 feet long and 9 feet high. Alex is about 5'2" tall. (See first picture.)

I'm actually pretty excited about this...

Hookah with Queen Hatshepsut

Sunny today! It was absolutely beautiful outside. I even got my schedule squared away for next semester... 17 credits of pure chaos and stress that I will most likely hate until the end of the semester when I won't want it to end.   But back to today... after getting my schedule set up I went to hang out on the grass outside of J&H.

Sarah and Steve came to hookah with Alison, Meredith, and Hanan.  I had some sushi for lunch. And then went off to Mosaics to give my group presentation on the poems of the Daodejing... fyi: this book has potential to be very interesting... however, I have to read and analyze it in class making it almost unbearable.

Alison and Hanan were playing Apples to Apples and drawing circles.

Straight from Hawaii: Mer and her Hookah: Queen Hatshepsut...

Sarah and I are "spicy" according to Apples to Apples...

It was a wonderful day...

Schedule.

Hookah.

Dinner.

Presently watching Reservoir Dogs with Alex 

and drawing some large flightless birds for my drawing final.

I think she was Cherokee...

So I didn't do too well on my second art history midterm...

but what can I say? That wasn't exactly unexpected...

You win some. You lose some. And right after class I had breakfast with Brianne, Sarah, and Sarah. Definitely a win.  I mean come on now... look at that omelet. Pure perfection.

And Brianne ran all the way across campus for me because she woke up late. Not to mention the countless number of Native American factoids she so eloquently recited at the table...

And both Sarahs complimented her hair... which amazed both Brianne and I.

Sarah (L) was enthralled with the talk of Native Americans and Aborigines. Sarah (R) was enthralled with her home fries.  It was about ten minutes into breakfast that I learned I was the only one at the table without any true Native American blood in me.  It was a dark time.

Today should be a good day...

it's raining...a lot. And spring fling was postponed...

But I'm optimistic. And I like that...

Giant Flightless Birds...

Another e-mail to my mother:

Hello Beautiful. You are probably the most beautiful woman I have ever met in my entire 18 and a half years of existence. Scratch that probably... definetely the most beautiful woman I've ever met. Not even a month and I'll be 19... weird I know.  Anyways, I've been looking up cassowary photos for my drawing final.  Along with pictures of ostriches and emus. Clarification: Cassowaries are these huge flightless birds from Australia with Black feathers and a head with bright neon blue skin and a fire engine red gobbler.  They are pretty cool if I do say so myself.  Google image search them, you won't be let down.  Anyways... my drawing final. I have to do a life sice (or bigger) self portrait of myself and some animal(s).  Naturally, because I have a death wish and a sweet tooth for stress I have decided to do mine bigger. And add not one species of animal... but three.  Granted they are all relatively similar in species/build, but still.  My idea is to have these three different types of birds charging right at the viewer.  I'll connect the brown craft paper I've been so stealthfully collecting over the past couple weeks by tape and sewing.  Sarah Dixon's going to help me sew parts of it.  There is going to be a large amount of dust being kicked about due to the birds' large talons.  These dust clouds shall be partially outlined in more sewing.  Oh and I forgot to mention... I will most likely be riding one of these said beasts.  Why you may ask, because I have decided that if I could have any type of super power it would be to fly. Why these birds in particular? Well, because as a matter of fact, they can't fly, their size prevents them from making it off the ground and I find that incredibly ironic.  Males in all three species also play a main role in raising the young, which I think is also relatively fitting. Seeing as how I would like to have children some day, hopefully, and be as involved as dad was/is for Mike, Laur, and me.  So what do you think? Stupid? Genius? Your my mom, I know I know, you have to like it, comes with the job.  Honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way. Oh--Side note! Talk to Laur about coming out to visit the weekend of the 24th-26th.  Caitlin's brother is coming out too, and Mrs. Weigel said it would be nice if they could ride the train together... and I quite agree! LoveLoveLove. Tell everyone I said hello and I miss them. Your forever Son -James Aaron 

Picture of my mother, sister, and I at a park. Yes--Yes that would be moss on my mother's head.

(I'll upload a better picture when I get home, and can scan it...)

I Scream. You Scream...

The way to gain a good reputation, is to endeavor to bewhat you desire to appear. -Socrates

I think Socrates was a pretty ridiculous guy.  Intelligent as hell... but ridiculous and crazy beyond belief.  We were learning about him a few weeks ago in Mosaics (English for all you non-Temple Folk). He was pretty bad-ass. He got an entire city to follow him and believe in his teachings. And he did it all without writing a single thing down.  Everything we know was written by others, mostly his students.  Sometimes I wish I had a students... hey I's settle for an overbearing obsessive friend, as long as they'd care enough about what I had to say to write every word of it down.  On second thought, I say some pretty absurd things... 

Had dinner with Sarah and Sarah today. Cheesesteaks are glorious.  It was rainy... all day.  I spent most of it in bed writing an outline for my English paper.  I turned in said essay at 4:40. Took a huge amount of craft paper from one of the foundation studios for my drawing project. I'm actually really excited about it, Sarah and Sarah were extremely helpful.  Watched some more Joan of Arcadia season two. Seriously, if you have not looked it up recently, GET ON THAT! It is that good. Seriously.  Drew on Julie. Brianne and Cait fell asleep as I watched our third episode before I decided it was time for bed too.  Which brings me here... writing this longer-than-expected post.  I have to say, looking back on it... nothing really eventful occurred today, but for some reason I'm really happy with how the day went. I'm happy with how my friends see me. I'm happy with how I see myself. And for today, that seems like enough.  And in retrospect, I think that's what Socrates was getting at don't you?

All Smashed Up...

Here's a test run for a portion of my 2D Color Swatch/Theory Project.  We are creating 4 different two page books.  They each have a title page.  Small colored squares in a 4 inch x 4 inch grid on another page.  And an image/illustration/etc... on the last page...

This is an example of one of my images... I xeroxed my face in awkward positions, then went over with watercolor pencils... Let me know what you think. I'm still deciding whether I'm going to use it or not in my project...

Side Note: I did this in the library... as they were giving guided tours of the entire campus.  Three different tour groups walked past starring in complete awe/bewilderment as they tried to figure out what the heck I was doing! It was slightly embarrassing... but then again, if that's the worst part of my day, I'd say I'm doing pretty well...

Little Jimmy. Little Lauren.

So today I had 2D class as usual... It was a little weird getting back into the swing of things since being home for the weekend.  I really had a very nice Easter with my family.  I don't think I realize how much I appreciate them until I go back to visit. 

Back to today... I slept in and skipped art history. I know I know... not a good habit, but I stayed up the entire night watching Joan of Arcadia Season 2 and doing my 2D sketchbook and color swatch project. So it was a legit excuse.  Anyways, I found out he didn't even send around the sign in sheet! So I don't have to worry and on top of that Katie Murken was really understanding and helpful with my color swatch project.  It's weird... I seem to draw a blank on what to do, but the minute I step into that classroom a bajillion ideas come swarming into my mind.  Not exactly a bad problem to have... 

Side Note: My siblings are quite possibly my favorite people of all time.  

Pictured: Laur and I on the old swing set circa 1994. 

Fun Fact: I almost lost my eye to a wasp sting I received while on this very swing set.  My mom put a giant T-bone on my face while dad went out and got rid of the nest... oh memories.

What Easter Break?

Tonight my brother drove Cait and I back to school... I had a wonderful weekend with my family, despite the fact that it took us 45 minutes to get through the toll booth.  We went to church in the morning and had the best Easter dinner everrrrrrr!  I love having actual food!

Spinach Salad w/ Strawberries

Asparagus and Sun Dried Tomatoes

Mashed Potatoes w/cheese and the skins

                                                                    Spiral Ham

Crepes filled w/Strawberries and Raspberries

Seems like it was barely a break at all. Back to school... back to work... back to all nighters, cafeteria food, stressful studying, and bustin papers out left and right... Back to the grind. One more month left till summer. 

Cait already back to blogging... you know how we do.

The Brothers Barry...

Last Night Mike threw a surprise party for his brother Matt...  So those of us that were home for Easter headed off to Hershey to see The Brothers Barry for some good times, some reminiscing, and most definitely some cake...

Tyler was not too pleased when I set off the car alarm and with it our possible surprise-factor...

Caitlin was under the impression that it was a costume party...

She came as Waldo.

Here we have the actual surprise... well, sorta. You see Liz didn't know I was videotaping and sat down in front of the camera.  If you listen really closely you can hear the blood curdling scream coming from Cait that gave Matt (and the rest of us) a heart attack...

You really don't have to listen that closely. 

It was pretty terrifying looking back on it...  I don't know why Matt puts up with us?!

Black Warrior took Liz's glasses and proceeded to wear them for the better part of the night...

I found out later they aren't actually prescription...

I think he looks uncannily like Malcolm X. Just throwing that out there...

SARAH came... and it made my day! I miss her so much. We were planning our day trip to the beach this summer while eating cake...

The night ended in its usual style: Caitlin serenading us on the piano...

An impromptu trip to Wal-Mart...

An impromptu stop off at Wendy's to get 5 double bacon cheeseburgers, 1 medium fry, and a 5 piece chicken nugget with sweet and sour sauce for Liz ...

Back to Barrys where more guests had arrived...

Consumption of fast food and other snack foods...

Sing-a-longs and general harassment of each other...

Like i said, business as usual.

Heaven in a Tortilla...

If you ever happen to be in the Central Penssylvania area... might I suggest you take a trip or two to one of the various Neato Buritos.  And your life shall finally be complete.

Seriously though... these things are huge. And delicious. And totally worth the food coma you'll experience afterwards...

Sarah's first Cowboy Crunch...

Surprise on the Susquehanna...

This day... April 9, 2009, has probably been one of my favorite days all year.  It started out with a text message from Brielle explaining that Sarah had come to visit from school! So Brielle and I decided to take her out to lunch at Neato Burito.  It was sooo delicious.  Afterwards we drove down to the city to Shipoke where Brielle used to live when she was younger.  We sat by the river, drew with sidewalk chalk, and pretty much laughed 98% of the time.  It was beautiful...

Brielle in deep concentration...

Here's Brielle reminiscing about school... can't wait for next semester.

Sequence of Events...

Last night we fulfilled another family tradition: Ever since my brother went away to school 4 years ago we play really really really late night games of sequence. Like 2 or 3 in the morning late night games.  It is glorious. We laugh We cry, (usually from laughing). We make fun of each other... and last night was no exception.  

Mike- Green 

Laur-Red

Me-Blue: aka Winner

Eat Great, Even Late...

It has become a family tradition among my siblings and I that at various times throughout the year we take these late night fast food trips in order to strengthen our sibling bonds.  We call these late night jaunts: Mcflurry Runs...

(even though it can take place at any fast food locale... with Wendys or McDonalds being the usual because of shear convenience) 

Tonight Laur and I rounded up the puppy and headed out to get ourselves some late night conversation with a side of calorie infested clogged arteries...

Our order included: 

1-Small Blue Poweraide

2-MnM McFlurries (one for Mike)

2- Crispy Ranch Snack Wraps

1- Grilled Honey Mustard Snack Wrap

For a grand total of $11.81

(Kind of a rip off... but then again, you can't really put a price on quality time.)

Here's a video of Laur and I crankin the late night tunes as we make sure we have everything we ordered....

Homeward Bound...

Tonight at approximately 7:30p.m. my brother picked me up outside of my dorm... I loaded up the car with my book bag, some art supplies, lap top, and of course a jam-packed overflowing completely ridiculously huge bag of dirty laundry.  We embarked on the 2 hour journey home and I fell asleep for a good portion if it.  The car was really warm and Mike wasn't talking to me... aka: you would have done the same. But we made it to Harrisburg unharmed and in good spirits!

Fun Fact: I love sleeping in cars.  Especially on long drives or car rides of substantial distance.  I can't, however, read in the car... it is one of the only times I get motion sickness... who knew?!