Class Take Away #6

            I was a bit nervous about presenting this week’s homework assignment since I had chosen to write a poem. I have always enjoyed writing an array of things to express my thoughts and lay out the stories in my head, but poetry was something very new to me. Even with my standard means of writing I was always very reclusive in sharing them, so presenting something like this with a classroom of people that I had no interpersonal connection was a bit uneasy for me. I also wasn’t entirely set on whether or not I even liked what I had written so it felt a little bit like I was going to present a failure—and probably a failure amidst a group of successful creations.

            After I explained my process and read the poem out loud, I was so nervous that I couldn’t even remember if I had actually read it. However, our fill-in (and future N385) professor expressed a liking for the subtlety I implemented into my poem and had lectured us briefly on the power of it. This made me feel more at ease knowing that I hadn’t written something that sounded ridiculous.

Toward the end of class, a peer had mentioned that she was often worrisome of whether or not her projects would be as good as everyone else’s, which seemed to be the case for a handful of other individuals. It was relieving to know that I wasn’t the only one with some insecurities about our homework assignments. In the back of my mind I knew it was a bit irrational to assume that everyone was totally confident (it sure as hell seems like that during our presentations), but I often can’t help my nervous nature. The more our class continues, however, the less nervous I generally feel. I think our required class participation and open discussions alleviate general worries and allow us to feel more comfortable with ourselves in this type of environment.  

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Fallen

            My word was “fallen” from A Feast of Crows.

The only general idea I could come up with (—the night before the assignment was due—) was to write a poem. I have only very recently began to dwell in the poetry realm of the literature world, so this process still feels a bit off for me.

My brain associated the word “fallen” with snow, perhaps because we are currently surrounded in it during the peak of winter.

From the sea of clouds

an array of crystals begin to glide down,

for the air is falling subtly away from the heat

since the sun has reached its celestial peak.

They form divergent glittering expressions

as they drift through the sky’s icy dimensions.

They fall to the world below

in hopes of spreading their frosted glow.

But as their frigid skeletons collide,

the earth beneath it begins to cry.

The fallen arrangement covers everything that grows;

some can breathe through it, but most don’t know.

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Class Take Away #5

     As I was on my way to campus, I had the misfortune of dealing with a car mishap. I ended up hitting a medium which caused one of my tires to go flat, but I was able to get my car across the snowy intersection and into a nearby parking lot of a shopping plaza. All of last year I had to deal with so many automobile issues that experiencing this situation so soon in the beginning of the year pushed my mental limits; it was the topper to a bundle of stressors in my current moment of life. While I waited for my grandfather to come help me, I sat in my car with the music playing at its loudest capacity (which isn’t that loud because my speakers blew out). At any given moment of distress, I often turn to music as an initial attempt to ease my nerves.
     During my wait, I seethed at the falling snow which was the result of my accident on behalf of another individual. I had never hated the winter as much as I did this this year. The current incident aside, the bitter coldness that chilled through my bones only exemplified my dislike of the season. But as my anxiety lessened and I focused on the descending snowflakes amidst my dome of instrumental music, I noted how beautiful the snow actually was.
     I remembered from last week’s class that a peer decided to create a snowflake for her Altered Book project because it symbolized her dream of coming to America from India, whose country didn’t not experience such a natural event. Something as simple as a snowflake can mean something much deeper to someone else. It made me reflect on my current state of mind from the past several months and how easily my mood depresses. I’ve been fearful of things that had yet to come and unsatisfied with what I didn’t have yet. But there are so many things in my life to be thankful of, even all of the things that seemed too simple, that I’ve started overlooking because I experience them so frequently.
     This realization seemed obvious and had come to mind a handful of other times, but in this particular moment it hit me a bit harder. It may not be the final step in my progression of a healthier state of mind, but it would be a big leap in the path. 

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Breakin' da Rules

               Since my media arts & science degree concentrates more specifically in web development, I created a web page that doesn’t follow some of the “professional” aesthetics standards. When I first started dabbling with HTML and CSS about ten years ago, I broke many web design rules. I didn’t care to follow all of the guidelines because it was new and fun to experiment with in my own terms. Currently, though, I find a vast majority of web design rules to be well fitting. My personal taste has correlated with the modern layouts and typical design rules, so this assignment isn’t altered in excess means.

            It’s advised that websites use no more than two—you can get away with three—fonts; too many font families can make the content seem cluttered. However, there are many individuals who thrive in cluttered, messy environments, finding organization in what would otherwise be considered disorganization. A broader variety of fonts, though not significantly different in appearance from one another, could be more attention-grabbing and allow the brain to better process and retain the information more accurately.

            I’ve been told by many web designers to never justify the alignment of the text. I see this book-style formatting to give a more sophisticated overtone

            Background music is frowned upon for most websites. While I do think this rule applies often, I also see its benefits. Some websites can establish a better vibe for their purpose with instrumental music, and it can also be comforting for the user to hear.

            Customizing scrollbars was essentially removed from browsers, though webkit CSS brought it back to designers. The basic scrollbar always looked boring and bland, so adding some color and a sleeker appearance makes a website pop more.

           (Unfortunately, I cannot attach a file of my webpage to this post, but it is included in a ZIP folder on OnCourse.)

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Class Take Away #4

             As the class was spent going over our top potential idea(s) for our Altered Book project, it was really intriguing to hear everyone’s idea. A lot of individuals had solid plans with deep meanings behind it, which not only were entertaining/enlightening to listen to, but it also helped me further realize the reasoning behind my own explanation for my current idea. My idea didn’t originally have an extended reasoning, however, I quickly pieced it together after absorbing the creative vibes of my peers.

            The side conversations among our project presentations were—as always—interesting and meaningful. Even though I don’t partake in the exchange since I’m more of a listener than a speaker, I’m always amazed at the like-mindedness and openness of everyone in the classroom. It’s always refreshing to know about my fellow “aware” neighbors who see beyond what’s commonly seen. I’m hoping that before the semester ends I will be able to muster up enough courage to speak with everyone else.

            Our next homework assignment is, once again, not a letdown and something I look forward to completing. Being able to “break the rules” for our particular concentration in media arts & science major allows a better sense of freedom that I’m excited to dwell into. Being a web development, there are quite a few standards to follow by. And while I’m in agreement with most of them, there are still a lot of aesthetics that I wish I could do without it being labeled as “unprofessional”.

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The Many Possible & Impossible Ideas for the Altered Book

Since I have never read a book that I hated, I will be obtaining some magazine in a novel’s place. The media’s ideas of interesting news and tips are often extremely superficial, obvious fabricated lies, and unnecessary means of gossip… which I hate with the intensity of a thousand burning suns.

            What if . . .

1. I cut out the heads of noteworthy people and paste them over the heads of the lame celebrities?
2. I cut out headlines, taglines, etc., from more important articles and paste them over the headlines, taglines, etc, of the original articles?
3. I let my nine-year-old sister color over the pages?
4. I paint abstract pictures over the pages with water colors?
5. I melt crayons over the pages?
6. I burn the whole thing and use it for warmth during this wintry hell we are currently experiencing?
7. I eat a bunch of messy foods over the pages?
8. I draw mustaches and beards over every person’s face?
9. I tie-dye the pages?
10. I crumble up each page and throw them into the trash where the entirety of it belongs?
11. I create a papier-mâché dunce hat?
12. I create a papier-mâché flower bouquet?
13. I create a papier-mâché tree?
14. I create a papier-mâché sun?
15. I interview people who share the same ideas about magazines and record their statements over the page?
16. I use the pages for tic-tac-toe games?
17. I use the pages to protect fragile items in storage or if I ship them in a box?
18. I doodle over the pages the markers?
19. I cut the pages into puzzle pieces?
20. I create a board game out of it?
21. I post this assignment on Tumblr and have followers & other users give me ideas?
22. I take a bunch of funny Snapchat photos with it and post them on My Story for everyone to admire?
23. I create a Facebook page for it where everyone can vent about it?
24. I make a prom dress out of it?
25. I write a long, angry letter over the pages and send it to the publisher in hopes of them publishing something better?
26. I use the pages as stuffing in a small pillow for my cat?
27. I make a short horror film about it?
28. I kick it around and rip it up to release my frustration?
29. I rip up the whole thing and write a poem about it?
30. I rip up the pages into confetti and throw them around during a “Hollywood is Corrupt” party?
31. I rip up the pages into tiny pieces and create a mandala artwork to symbolize a potential future growth of the Hollywood industry?
32. I create a meme about it?
33. I write a parody song about it?
34. I put it in the washing machine?
35. I leave it out on a rainy day?
36. I fill fireworks with the pages?
37. I put it in time capsule and leave a long letter about not following suit to its contents?
38. I do the tango with it?
39. I line the floor with the pages while I paint a room?
40. I fall in love with the magazine and try to make it a better person?
41. I can’t come up with an idea for it because it’s too horrible to make any better?
42. I burn the pages, make ink out of the ashes, and write a way better magazine?
43. I make origami animals and objects out of the pages?
44. I use it as a one-time use mini umbrella on a rainy day?
45. I make tiny stars from the pages and paste them around my room?
46. I create a short documentary about what not to publish, using the magazine as the primary example?
47. I paint my feet different colors and stomp all over the pages?
48. I cut out the images of the celebrities, make them into magnets, and sell them?
49. I cut out certain words and paste them on poster as poetry?
50. I come up with an idea that’s so abstract and incomprehensible to anyone else that I can’t show anyone what I did for the project?

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Class Take Away #3

            Since I was in Arizona during our third class, I will be writing about my experience out in the West.

            My Monday afternoon consisted of touring the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. Since the start of my vacation in Arizona, I was very excited about seeing a landscape that was considered, at some point or another, one of the Seven Wonders of the World—no matter if it had been on the list or not throughout the human history, it’s definitely something that should be seen as wonderful.

            After walking across a brief forestry trail, I stood on the edge of a rocky perimeter and was doubtful of what my eyes were perceiving. As I was looking out across the incredible expanse of the canyon, it didn’t look real to me… It was as if someone had painted a colossal canvas and set it up in the corners of four states to trick people.

            My family and I walked along the trail and were amazed as the scenery and colors constantly shifted. Dirty whites, varying shades of red, dark violet hues blending at the peaks, and rock-bottom bushy-green plant life extended for unbelievable distances. It was spectacular to be able to witness such an incredible sight, though still almost unbelievable because of its extraordinary panorama. I had seen some marvelous things throughout Arizona, but seeing the Grand Canyon had surpassed all of those moments. It was very refreshing to be surrounded in such a lovely area.

            While Indiana is currently a dead, frozen tundra (perhaps a bit exaggerated, but it’s still pretty awful at the moment), it felt great to be able to witness such a beauty in this world before going back to my wintry home. This trip has further ignited my desire to travel the world and see everything it has to offer. 

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