Apr 8, 2008

A Rose is like a Train

Is a rose a rose a rose? Hi. I'm Austin McClure. You may remember me from such movies as "Christmas Ape", and "Christmas Ape goes to summer camp." No? How about such educational films as "Lead Paint: Delicious, But Deadly", and "Bovine University: Where your Hamburgers come From." Still a no? How about Hi. I'm Austin DM. You may remember me from such Blog Entries as "Do you REALLY want to know?" And "Taking a Whack at It: Me, in Pictures." There we go. What's up? How've you been? I've been better, been worse. Let's see what's new. School, writing, and et cetera.


School:
As the semester winds down to a halt, I can look back on my two classes and say I gave my all, and I was rewarded for it. Art History has one more class and then the final. The class will be about contemporary art, which to them will be 1940-the present. The final will be about art from 1900-now, and we have an in class essay on "The Seven Wonders of Art: Renaissance-Now" which I'm excited about, I think it's a great idea, much better than the other 2 essays. (Which I got an A on both, btw). In case you're wondering, and even if you're not, here's what I have for my Seven Wonders so far. (subject to change)

Renaissance: Michelangelo's David
Baroque: Something by Caravaggio or Rembrandt, most likely. Not sure yet.
Rococo, Enlightenment, Neoclassicism: Unsure, probably Versailles.
Romanticism, Realism, Impressionism, Post-Impressionism: Luncheon on the Grass (Dejeuner sur L'Herbe) by Manet
1900-1945: Duchamp's Fountain
1945-now: I don't know. Possibly something by Andy Warhol, I'll have to see what she talks about in class, since it has to be something we talk about.

English has 5 classes left, then the final. Most of those classes we'll be reviewing for the final. I'm nervous, but not too much. Just enough. We also have an in-class essay on an unknown subject tomorrow, which I'm also anxious about. And, though I don't remember talking about it, the group paper I worked on, thanks mostly to the efforts of my sexy editor, Tracie, got a 99! Yahoo! Thanks, Tracie! I'm sad this class will be over, as I really like the teacher and am tight with the class, but I'm taking Ethics from him in the Fall, so that's good.

For next semester, I wanted to take 3 courses so I can get a degree this century, but since it's a summer term class periods are longer and interfere too much with school, so I'm taking 2 classes again. I'll be taking American Civilization on Saturdays on campus for 4 hours (!) and 2-D design in Spanish Fork on Tues & Thurs evenings. I'm excited to be taking an art class, and even tho it's in SF, that just means I'll be able to visit with family down there more often! Whether they like it or not!!!! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! And I'm getting the History class out of the way by only taking it for 2 months. It might be hard, but it'll be worth it to get it over with. Big fan of History, just not American History. Yeah, I'm weird. I guess it’s from learning about our nation for 10 years as a kid that did it to me.


Writing:
How do I love writing? Let me count the ways… 42. No, 43. Ehhhhh, 42 1⁄2. So I started the insane goal to write a screenplay this month, and I'm already nearly a week behind. I need to write 18 pages today to be caught up. Not sure I'm gonna make it, but I'm gonna try. After this month, whether I finish it or not, I'm a gonna work on more feasible goals for a little guy like me. Like short stories. Those'll be nice. Very short stories. But, for now, it's scripting time. Yesterday I worked on a bunch of story ideas I have, and plotted them out a bit, mostly because I didn't feel like script writing. But I do now.


Et cetera:
We had a lovely conference weekend; it didn't snow until it was all over. Part of me expected President Monson to look different somehow now that he has the prophet mantle, but he's still Thomas S. Monson. Thank goodness. I enjoyed going to Priesthood session with the McNeil men as is tradition, and I ate way way WAY too much this weekend, as is also tradition. With such good cooks in the family (Kris made most/all the food, so it's her fault) it's a wonder the family does anything besides eat. But we had fun, playing games, visiting, and even watching a little conference.

I'm still addicted to American Idol, though the personalities of most of the contestants are starting to annoy me. I'm known to have said that David Archuleta could sing the "Oscar Mayer Wiener" song and bring me to tears, but then say, "I chose that song because it's so beautiful and has a really great message." Michael Johns is getting much better, and I even hate David Cook a little less. A little. Carly Smithson is getting annoying, I don't know if it's the Irish accent or the disgusting tattoos on her chubby tree trunk arms she NEVER covers up. Brooke White is starting to ramble and blabber so much Paula Abdul is threatening to sue, if Syesha Mercado is a 1 trick pony, Kristy Lee Cook is a 1⁄2 trick pony. Jason Castro may be cute, but his singing is annoying, I'd rather smoke a joint than listen to him on the effect of it. It would make me less stoned. And CUT OFF THOSE DREADS!!! You're not Jamaican, not spiritual, you're like the white rastas in 10 things I hate about you. Sheesh. And yet I love it. I even had a dream last night I was hanging out with the 3 judges from Idol and we all were mocking Ryan Seacrest. Good times.

On a personal note, just wanna let you know, this month is my birthday! Just wanna let you know, I’m not getting you anything. No, I’m turning 26, Tracie will be 24. yay! It’s weird, my 25th birthday I felt so much older, I guess it’ll get bad again when I’m 30. Anyhoo, my wonderful and stubborn and loving wife got me a surprise “present” early! No, not that. Sheesh. Will you people never stop? She got me a real lift for my shoe so I won’t limp as much and so my back will straighten out. It’s nice not limping, though I think it’s actually too tall, as I’m limping a bit the wrong way, which is weird, but nice. It could just be my spine is way out of whack, we’ll see. I feel taller, too. Thanks so much, Tracie. I feel like a bit of a jerk, as the present I let her open early was a season of Friends. We only need two more then we have the whole show!

4 comments:

JanB said...

I will not let your opinion of Jason Castro cause me to feel embarassed about my opinion of him!

Austin said...

Listening to him tonight makes me almost want to take it back. Castro is probably one of the most genuine contestants on there, and he didn't act stoned at all. Maybe his supplier (ie Paula Abdul) is out for now. ;)

Ammon said...

As someone with chubby tree trunk arms, I take offense to your rudeness! I mean, insult her singing, but leave her flabby arms alone! With jabs like that, you really could sit at the judges table!

Austin said...

First of all, I'm sorry if I offended you. I don't think you're chubby, nor would I ever insult you. I think you're gorgeous, and in a tie for the 3 most beautiful Beckstrom women in the world, or just 3 most beautiful women in the world. Love you very much and hope you're not really upset.

But I stand behind what I say about Carly on American Idol. It's not the arms that bother me, but the tattoos and the fact that all she EVER wears is tank tops.

And I am entitled to my opinion, just as you are.