12 September 2009

MIRACLES

Like 3 weeks ago, two miracles happened and I selfishly didn't share them.

No blog-time anymore because I had to spend most of it trying and failing to edit the layout of the blog and then reverting and refreshing all my bad edits. (see previous post)

In summary:

MIRACLE #1: After over 5 years of no boating of any kind -- specifically no wakeboarding, I slipped in the water with a wakeboard and got up the first time with no trouble maneuvering in and out of the wake. It was probably to the water's credit. The lake was just glass.

MIRACLE #2: After a whole day of boating, and after sending the picture-text to Ben of the wake-boarding miracle, as per his request, I stepped off the boat onto the dock while my phone jumped from my pocket through the 3-inch gap between the boat and the dock. About ten minutes later, and several merky-water dives of mine and my boss, he came up with it in his hand. It was vibrating non-stop as if in shock. I took the poor battery out, and later put the phone in a 100° oven. That night, I tried again, and the phone worked. Still does.

*special thanks to Nu Skin for paying me for these miracles. Rah! Rah! Team off-site!

PRIDE

I've longed to make this blog look the way I want it. I AM a designer, you know. But all the knowledge I gained in the web class has since been flushed from my memory. The html, xhtml, CSS... I barely remember what the acronymns mean.

If you hadn't noticed, the blog's been a little all-over the place lately. (If you're reading through READER, consider yourself lucky).

It's because I'm convinced I can teach myself how to fix what I want and how to do it without having to ask anyone. I have the internet. I can simply Google everything I want and learn, right? WRONG. And I just need to admit that. And it's kind of hard. I don't know how to put big pictures on the blog, and give the header more room, and tighten the leading (uh-oh, see my pride? I'm wanting to use fancy design terms to make myself sound more savvy) and I have been to stubborn to ask anyone because I figured I could do it easier myself.

But, with my tail between my legs, I ask any and all of you: Is there a way to post big pictures without using Photobucket, Picasa, or changing the width in the html of the post every time? There are more questions, but that's all my pride can handle for now I think...

07 September 2009

OH, YEAH...

Now I'm at school. Ben's idea. We already have homework catch-up to do even after the first week. But we're both hopeless. We've both done a share of homework. But I'd say 80% of our 3 hours so far has been our own internet wants. Sports for him. Blogs and Gmail for me.

I think it's official. I need a creative outlet. Blogging is serving that need. I don't think I can get on to school stuff (which, being a Graphic Design major, really should be a creative outlet in itself) without just 'letting it out'. What is it? I don't know. But it's just going to help, ok?

OK:

Thanks to long-lost middle school pal Caitlyn for my first real haircut in over 5 years. Yes. I know. I won't bore you with the details, but it was bad. I think this is a good sign though. My new step was layers, so really the change isn't that drastic when you see me, but this means that there could be good things in the future. Coloring? And maybe actually doing it? Or maybe I really should just be comfortable with my wash-n-wear self. Caitlyn was. Thanks again for your help. It was great to catch up and make so many crazy connections.

While running through Smith's grocery for ground lamb and feta at midnight, I happened to walk down the seasonal isle. I LOVED IT. I don't know why I love Halloween so much but I do. For some reason, it reminds me of Ben. My best Halloween memories are with Ben. Including, our first date. I'm excited for Fall and sweaters and football games.

Aah, yes. Football games. Somewhere along my Visual Arts education, and probably because my boy was overseas, I lost a football-going gene. I come from a family of avid fans. And growing up in Provo, it was a part of my fun high school memories to go to the BYU football games. It's not that important within the walls of the Department of Visual Arts. And I have been that exemplar for years. But Ben knocked some sense back into me. Late in the summer, he proposed the All-Sports pass. It is our last year here. I agreed. I am determined to not let education get in the way of school. I'm going to the football games and I'm going to enjoy them.

Just like I enjoyed Saturday's game. Along with the rest of Mormónlandia. Go Coug's.

Another biggie: This week I (and my very helpful, always-willing family) made some business cards for these peeps. I made them on a 12x18 C&P letterpress, that is mine. It was voyage #2. If you didn't see maiden voyage, go talk to Ashley. She's in-part responsible for my baby being up and running. Almost one whole year later, when I was missing a BYU football game in order to move it. You try moving 2000 awkward pounds from SLC to Provo. It was hard.

But it was worth it. I'm excited to steadily move along and use Ms. Letterpress. But she needs a better name. Suggestions? I don't know how I can fit that in with school and work, but I'm going to try.

Photos soon to come for both projects.

Soon. to. come.
(I know, Jayne, but how else are you going to read it like I mean it?)

Typophile Film Festival 5 Opening Titles from Brent Barson on Vimeo.

Finally, on the subject of creative outlets and graphic design, this is a product of the pure love of typography. Over the summer, I was luckily invited to spend time on a project headed by one of our teachers. We created an opening credits/intro video for the Typophile Film Festival. This is year FIVE for them, so we based the video off the FIVE senses. We were given some typefaces to work with and took on the challenge to create everything--as much as we could WITHOUT the computer. So type was made of plastic, wood, clay, metal, incense, Jell-O, squash, potatoes, ham, etc. and we moved it around with mostly stop-motion. I wish I could sit with you as you watch and tell you all that went into everything, and what I hot-glued together, and the starring role of my Kool-aid-style pitcher, and my hands. (My hands got the part because I am brown, and diversity was preferred.)

03 September 2009

WRITING

Like a typewriter I'm just going to write because that's what this blog is for me.* A place to write & document (with photos, when the time permits); especially when it's not happening by way of journal or photo album.

Sad. But true.

FOR THE RECORD:

A Favorite: Typing away while Loved One naps beside me. But not just beside me, but touching me with his whole backside. I like the connection.

Last Sunday: In the dark I was with Loved One as he pulled to the side of the road beneath some Rain Trees to collect their pods. Branches and bunches of pods to include in the next morning's floral arrangement. Smart of him and oh-so fun.

This week: School. I was dreading it. All I could remember was the no time for anything else, the spreading myself thin, the feeling guilty for pausing to enjoy something other than homework. But this week I'm feeling all the good: the excitement of learning, the camaraderie within my class. (15 of us, all together - for 3 classes in a row that last all day long. Not to mention my English class--which takes me back to my days of typical lectures - but feeling so intrigued by the rhetorical questions and loving the exploration of the class discussion. And, loving writing. I'm glad I love writing.

The scooter: Like an ignorant disgrace, I never let the world of this blog know about the new addition to our family. Sorry. There will be an entire post on its birth and childhood (this summer), but the scooter is now in its prime-of-life now that it serves as our campus shuttle. Ben recently said with such emotion (when Ben shows emotion, it means something): "Can I just tell you how great it is to have a scooter!?" It's true. "You can do whatever you want!" Like go home for lunch if you want because you know you don't have to use the time of walking up to the car, driving home, driving back, parking and walking back down to campus. Or zoom past the big line waiting for pedestrians to turn left within the 8am parking lot. But, we need helmets. Shall we ask for donations?

Moneys: There are a few big things that have stripped us from funds. Tuition for Ben is one thing. (Special thanks to Olivia for being Multicultural so she can have a scholarship) AND our dive into newlywed travel across the world to KOREA. Yes! Another topic deserving a post of its own! Over Thanksgiving, we are excited to join Kurt & Becky in their mission land. However, with the transition of school, Ben has quit Blade HQ and I'm earning part-time at the Knuskin. It's scary and new but I'm excited for this time of employing alternative ways to earn and ways to save. Ideas?

*So how lame that I can't get over analyzing the why of this blog. I brought it up a while ago. Maybe more than once. It was all after Ben insisted it was all a competition. Then I learned Brian Collins' purpose was that designers have blogs that they might improve their writing skills, which we often lack. Then Brent said it was imperative that everyone have some sort of presence on the World Wide Interweb. (These are not direct quotes). But I like what all of you shared too. There are many different reasons, though I was looking for one universal reason why everyone should have a blog. I may still continue this, but for me, it is a journal. And for me, it has always been a shame that I write a journal if no one is to read it. That's why I'd gather my siblings as a 6th grader and read to them from my 1st grade life. Why write if it goes unread? Well I suppose writing is therapeutic for the writer sometimes... And yadda, yadda, yadda. Hmmm... maybe I smell a BFA topic.

WEDDING DAY PHOTOS BY MY COUSIN JORDAN JUAREZ