My Name Is...

I've been a bit depressed lately for various reasons. Today I realized I haven't done anything that creative or artistic. So I dusted off a gift Tracie gave me awhile ago and decided to devote the month of July to it.

Project #1 is to create a brand for yourself. Being or wanting to be being a graphic designer, branding is kind of important. You're only supposed to spend a certain amount of time on it, I think it's much better than my first foray into designing for myself, but regardless, here it is.

Tolkien's Troubles

I believe in the special features/Appendices of the Lord of the Rings film trilogy a Tolkien scholar/biographer mentions something to the effect that Tolken and C.S. Lewis were disappointed that there weren't any stories available that they wanted to read, so they wrote them. I'm not a scholar of languages or one of the most famous atheists turned apologists nor author of two of the best known groups of fantasy novels in the world. But I do wish to read more blogs, and I've finished reading all of yours and still want to continue.

You may have noticed I've slacked on my blog lately. I like to imagine that everyone who reads my blog often wonders "What is wrong with Austin? He hasn't blogged in over a month! I hope he's ok. Also, if only there was some way to pay him in money or favors for the joy he gives me in reading his blog!"

Alas, there is not.

In June I'm again going to endeavor to write one story (likely not a novel as I prefer short stories and can't write that long anyway) every day for thirty days. I'm not sure what I'm going to write, which may be a bit of a challenge because I'm finishing writing this on June 1, but I guess that's part of the challenge. I hope so anyway.

In other news, last week my mom came to visit and it was awesome. In addition to cards and games we went to Thanksgiving Point and Salt Lake City. I miss my mother terribly but it was wonderful to have her visit. Moby especially had fun with his Nana, he even remembered her after it being nearly a year since we saw her last.

Re: school, 2 semesters left, (God willing), this summer I'm taking off so I can teach myself a few things, I plan for C#, novel writing, and Ruby on Rails. If I have time I'll crack back open my php and javascript for dummies books, but not likely. I also have a few graphic design projects for friends and family I'm working a bit on, one I'm actually getting paid for(!) so that's cool. I'll let you know more details later.

Our home is still in flux but it's a bit roomier now as we've loaned our couch to some friends for a few years until we get a bigger place, the living room seems massive now without it. Hopefully we'll be getting rid of Tracie's old desk as well. The office has been completely revamped and is about 80% done (Tracie may argue with the amount of done-ness, but I'd prefer I was 100% done, so I think it's a good compromise ;)) with 2 new desks, a new printer, my desk in a new place, another bookcase, the room painted, a futon or something similar in the near future, now we need to decorate it.

That's about all I can think of, til next month, oh, it's here!

Thoughts on turning Thirty

Some of you may know I turned 30 last week. I've gotten so used to birthdays over the past 3 decades I assumed it would turn out to be no different. But then it happened. I felt like a grown up. Not older, per se, but more mature. Fortunately since it happened I've completely recovered and am back to my old/young self again.

I considered ruminating on where or who I thought I'd be at age 30 compared to reality, but I fear that would depress you and I too much, so I'll focus on the positive. At age 30, I am a husband to the most wonderful and amazing woman I have ever met. I am a father to the most energetic and joyful son I've ever seen. I am a cancer survivor. I am a student. Whatever I wanted to be is behind me now, in the words of Popeye, I am what I am.

In a way it's relieving. For so long I kept planning who I'd be, how famous or wealthy or important I'd be that in some ways it kept me from living, at least living to the fullest. Now I can stop focusing on who I might become and simply focus on who I am and what I am doing NOW.

I'll end with a cheesy quote (my favorite kind) that, while cheesy, is valid: "We don't stop laughing because we grow old, we grow old because we stop laughing." May I never grow old, just mature, and always find humor in everything and anything life throws at me.

Digital Painting FINAL

Many of you have seen this on facebook but I wanted to post it here and to announce it's done, and the herald of my last project of the semester!!!

The assignment was to design a toy from Toy Story, at least that's what I thought, eventually most of the rest of the class just made some sort of toy, imho. My concept was to design a pirate from the same toy company that made Woody, Jessie and co.

His name is Mac Kang, also known as the Salty Monkey, buccaneer extraordinaire! Ain't he cute?!

Out of the Looking Glass and Out the Window

For those of you who have heard or haven't heard, a few weeks ago Morgan fell out of his bedroom window. He's fine now, it seems, though I'm still nearly paralyzed with fear every morning I open his door, afraid he's fallen out again but this time with his luck run out.

To set the record straight and to explain how lucky he is, how blessed we are, and how determined he is, I'd like to give my side of the story, how I've pieced it together.

Morgan often goes in his room, as most 2 year olds do, sometime in the afternoon for nap and/or quiet time. This particular Thursday he apparently climbed onto his ledge, (which we've known he can do for most of his life), but this time, instead of giggling and playing peek-a-boo, Morgan Danger the Determined One unlocked his window and slid it open, leaned against the screen and plopped out the window, onto the (thank heaven) soft earth below. Tracie was home in the other room and heard faint crying. I likely would have dismissed it at the neighbors' baby, so I'm so grateful it was Tracie who heard.

At an average Thursday at work, I received a phone call from Tracie. Normally I ignore it, as it's often Morgan who has ninja'd Tracie's phone away from her, but I stood up from my desk to answer. "Morgan fell out of the window."

"WHAT!?!?!!?!!?!?!?!"

After pacing down the halls at work, borderline screaming and on the verge of tears, I explained to my boss the situation and raced home, driving 60-70 mph down State Street. We took him to the hospital, seen right away by half a dozen medical workers. They checked Morgan out, had him walk around and promptly downgraded him from a severe risk, told us what signs of a concussion to watch for and sent us home.

I placed 2 screws in his window to ensure he NEVER does this again, as we've bought window guards (kind of like door-stops for windows) for every other window in the house, and amended to give our next child a more serene middle name like "Safety" or "Boring."

Thank you all for your prayers and thank heavens our little Danger Boy was made sturdy.

Rejected

So as some of you may know, I applied for the Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree/Program at University. Unless I'm being to subtle with my title and picture, you may have already concluded I got rejected.

I will try to repress the bitterness and betrayal I feel, and how I think marking someone's work's creativity as "weak" because you don't get it is not only not professional or not helpful, it's downright stupid. I will attempt to avoid that I think the majority of the teachers over the design department at the University are not only non-helpful, they are downright damaging to design students and possibly any human being they come in contact with. I will by no means make note of the fact that their "advice" for what they look for in a portfolio consists solely of what type of portfolio case to buy, or that constructive criticism consists of turning one's head slightly askew and remarking "I don't like it." Or "It doesn't work for me."

I won't say that aside from a few shining examples by adjunct professors, I've learned so little from the graphic design teachers at my University I think I not only deserve my money back, I and everyone else in the program deserve to be paid to have to sit through any amount of time with those individuals. I won't say that belittling a student for dropping your class because he has to have hip surgery should be a crime, and that just because you know how to design, it doesn't mean you know how to teach.

All I will say is that although I failed to get in to the program, I am still proud of what I turned in. It is the best work I have ever done despite their complete lack of empathy or assistance. I didn't fail, they failed me.

Talking Fannies

UVU annually puts on a production of the play "The Vagina Monologues." I've always been curious about it and late last week Tracie informed me that it was playing this Friday, and that we were going.

Being the member of the family that goes to UVU as well as one not unfamiliar with the UVU Box Office, it became my task to approach the ticket seller at the establishment one enters when wishing to buy tickets, and ask "May I have two tickets to see the Vagina Monologues?" Realizing just then what I was asking, and that I rarely say the word 'vagina' in a public setting, to his credit the ticket-seller appeared nonplussed.

(While it's true I don't use the word "vagina" in everyday speech, it should be noted I don't say the word 'monologue' very often either. Though I think most of us can agree that 'monologue,' while suggesting intimacy, is not quite as intimate or to some parties embarrassing a word.)

 They informed me that no, they were not selling them. I'd have to go to the Student Center to ask to buy them. Of course I did. If only so I could say the word "vagina" again.

So I went to the Student Center, not too long of a trip when you have a car and a handicap parking pass. I found the help desk, and asked a rather oblivious-looking attendant where I could purchase two tickets to one viewing of the "Vagina Monologues."
Me: Can I get tickets to the "Vagina Monologues" here?
Oblivious Help-Desk Attendant: (slowly) "Vagina Monologues?" I'm sorry, what's that?
Me: It's a play. About, well, I'm not entirely sure what it's about. That's why I'd like tickets. I think it must have something to do with the vagina. You know, from the title. I'll let you know more once I see it.
Oblivious Help-Desk Attendant: Well, have you tried the UVU Box office?
Me: Yes, as a matter-of fact, I did. They sent me to the Student Center. Where I now am. Is there somewhere else I can go to buy tickets for the "Vagina Monologues?" My wife has her heart set on seeing the monologues, I'm rather looking forward to seeing the--
Oblivious Help-Desk Attendant's Supervisor: You can buy them over at that desk over there. (Pointing stage right.)
Me: Thank you. (walking over to where I thought I was instructed.)
Ticket Salesman: What can I help you with?
Me: Two tickets to see the "Vagina Monologues," please.
Ticket Salesman: I don't think we're selling them here. We just sell tickets to the sporting events at this window.
Me: (becoming incensed) Well, would it be possible you ask one of your buddies in there if they know where you are selling them? Though they are engaged in conversation about how one band that will likely fall into obscurity is far superior to another band that will inevitably fall into obscurity, surely one of you knows where to find "Vagina Monologues" tickets? I've traipsed far enough asking for tickets to see "The Vagina Monologues" that I think I deserve them for free, at least a discounted rate.

(Actually, what I said was "Well Where CAN I Buy Them?!?!?!?!?" But I like the above response better. )


Ticket Salesman: Yeah, over there.
Me: (walking 'over there')
Friendly Student Employee: Hi!
Me: Hello. Can I get two tickets to the "Vagina Monologues," please?
Friendly Student Employee: Just one?
Me: No. Two. I'm not going alone to see the "Vagina Monologues," thank you. Even though I haven't felt so alone in all my life except when I had chemotherapy and my parents had other duties to attend to like care for my siblings or work to pay for the insurmountable medical bills, than I do right now.
Friendly Student Employee: Here's your tickets!
Me: Here's my money!
Friendly Student Employee: Enjoy the show!
Me: I have so far.