Summer Art

Because he is infinitely cooler than me, I'm going to see if I can emulate my good buddy Holden who posts art he has made every day, sometimes new stuff, sometimes old stuff. You can check it out (and I strongly urge you to do so), here.

Today, we have some characters from the Ivory Tower.

The Ivory Tower was/is a concept I'm still mucking with, but as with most of my ideas, I enjoyed the conceptualizing and pretty utterly failed at the execution. The basic premise was the anthropomorphic personifications of academic subjects. The point was to explore the relationships between them. Humanities students don't identify with Math students who don't identify with Art students, and so on. And within the basic houses, there are huge differences.

I once walked in on a furious debate between a History student and an English student about who had to write more papers. The argument was silly to begin with because so much depends on what teachers you have. Some teachers assign 3 papers a quarter, which determine your whole grade (I HATE that, for the record). Others require a page long paper every week. And of course, the KIND of writing is different. While obviously, most English students can and do write research papers, and History students can and (though less often) do write creative works, the emphasis is still very different. But I didn't want to introduce a Quantity Versus Quality dynamic to what was already an asinine discussion.

Engineering students frequently don't relate to Physics students, even though there's so much overlap. Drama kids rarely get along with band kids. The point is, there is a culture to subjects, at least on the university level if not throughout academia, and I wanted to represent it with characters. Of course, all of this is through my perceptions of said subjects, and others have totally different ones, which was why I had wanted it to be a rather collaborative effort, and indeed, got a lot of tips and ideas from various individuals.

So the Ivory Tower itself is a giant...castle/private school. Rather like Hogwarts now that I think about it. It is presided over the rarely seen Polymath and broken into the 3 main houses mentioned above: Humanities, Sciences and Art. Of course, even here, there is some difficulty. The Physikies...Physics, Chemistry, Biology, etc...disdainfully look down on the Softies...Psychology, Anthropology, Sociology (triplets), Political Science and so on, which bounce between Science and Humanities as the Social Sciences. Mathematics and Physics don't get along because they are the two big guys in the little sandbox and they're just alike enough to hate each other and just different enough to not merge into a crazy amorphous blob. No one knows what to do with the art students. Or the philosophy students, but for the most part, they stay out of everyone's way.

So with that longwinded introduction over, here is the first couple Students I worked up.

Statistics is that girl everyone kind of hates, but also wants to be with. Sociology has a huge crush on her, but since they're so often in the same study group, he doesn't say anything because he doesn't want it to get 'weird.' She's the kind of girl who actually runs for the ASC. And wins. Her brother, Mathematics, particularly avoids her because she so often tries to one-up him and twists his words around in knots. She never goes steady with any one person for long and frequently makes rounds among the Softies. Her younger brother, Probabilities is always trying to tag along but he just mucks up her scene and she's always trying to distance herself from him.

Speaking of...



Meet Probabilities and his best friend Quantum Theory. Quantum Theory is Physics ginger-step-brother. Literally. But he doesn't let the weird stares or the nearly universal awkwardness and sidelong glances get him down. Probabilities and Quantum Theory hang out a lot, mostly because they get ignored or shunted by everyone else, and because they're a little young, they don't always relate the same way the others do. This, however, leads to lots of (truthfully, hilarious) pranks and shenanigans as they try to get everyone to just lighten up.

Materials: Pencil, .4 fine point pent, Photoshop.
Sketchbook: His Chthonic Majesty Dreams of English Summer Rain

A Word from our Sponsors...and by that, I mean, our Educational Overlords...

Greetings, fellow philosophers.
I am posting an assignment I have just completed for Human Geography. The assignment was to construct a personal geography based on what we've learned in our first few lectures. I decided to be all anti-establishment and stuff and write about WoW. Please note that I don't 100% agree with everything I am arguing here. I take a somewhat extreme stance to illustrate my point, but don't assume this is totally my heart of hearts.
I look forward to hearing your thoughts.

Personal Geography: Digital Borders
The Internet is credited and accused of many things, almost all of which are true. The flow of information has become almost instantaneous among the more developed nations allowing soldiers in Iraq to talk to loved ones at home, businessmen to converse between Turkey and Hawaii and news to be spread and accessed by millions of people before it can even be verified. For the generation that came after the Baby Boomers and who grew up with computers being fairly commonplace by the time most of them were old enough to care, the Internet has arguably done more to shape the world as they understand it than any other singular entity.
Two important introductory concepts in Human Geography are “interdependency” and “globalization”. There are some who believe that with the rapid pace of globalization, linking people in manners beyond physical connections, political boundaries will become less important to the point of making the very concept of a “nation-state” obsolete. Nothing will be analyzed on the scale of community or national level; everything will be global.
Perhaps one of the strongest examples of this phenomena is the online gaming community. Community, by definition, is simply a collection of individuals with common interests or attributes, which can refer to something as small as a neighborhood or as far reaching as a region (or a collection of nation-states, such Western Europe or South-East Asia) Here, it can be illustrated how individuals are capable of relating and self-identifying more strongly with other individuals whom they have never interacted with outside of a digital environment than with their physical neighbors; furthermore, they may place the interests and attributes that define their virtual community higher than a political allegiance. An example of such a community revolves around the Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game (MMORPG), World of Warcraft (frequently shortened to WoW). Like any other MMO, players pay a monthly fee for the right to log and interact not only with the game itself but with other plays from all over the world. At this point, WoW boasts 11.5 Million monthly subscribers from over 30 countries speaking dozens of languages. This has numerous sociological and geographical implications.
For instance, although someone in the United States would not be able to access a server intended for someone in Japan (and so could not converse with him/her), both could hear a reference (in their respective languages) to the same game item (an enemy, an item, a quest, etc) and have an identical concept of it. Likewise, countless people from Europe discuss in-game news with those from the United States, knowing they will never meet them off-line. The ramifications of this is that it is less important to the individuals where someone is from as opposed to how well they play the game. The politics of the real world rarely penetrate this digital fortress because of tacit agreement between the players that it is simply unimportant. Some argue that is due to the demographic of players (implying that these are children to young adults with no stake in politics), but because people of all ages and levels of activism play, this is an extremely flimsy argument.
Similarly, though this virtual world is separate from the “Real World”, it is not wholly isolated, and what happens in the Real World affects the game, much the same way that global politics affect community life and the actions of individuals can change the global community. For example, though there are many kinds of creatures and animals a player may fight, one he/she will never come across is referred to as a Panderian within the Lore (the backstory of the game). Subscribers who have played Warcraft I-III, which WoW is based on are familiar with the animal, but because it strongly resembles a Panda (giving it its name), it cannot be coded into the MMO. This is due to the fact that in China, it is illegal to have any game demonstrating, encouraging and/or requiring the death or harm of a Panda. The company that owns World of Warcraft would lose a large percentage of subscribers because of a national-scale consideration they have to take into account. On a slightly more positive note, many references are coded into the game that go back to Real World topics and cultural icons.
The World of Warcraft can affect the World of Reality as well, giving them a dynamic relationship. Certain countries in Asia have a significant portion of their economy based on WoW and games like it, the loss of which would provide some serious financial problems. Yet most players do not think about forces like this. What they are interested in is the true core of this online community, that is, the attributes they share with each other and the interactions they face on a day-to-day basis. There is almost definitely more people (especially more Americans) who could point to and name every region in Azeroth (the world that WoW takes place in) than could find Wisconsin, Sweden or Yugoslavia. Such people can recite the history of the Dwarves, the Night Elves, the Forsaken and the Trolls, but could not name the 12th President of the United States or answer when the Cold War ended. They are well-versed in all the latest abilities and make certain they are aware of even the slightest shift in gameplay, story or tactics, but have no interest in the workings of the United Nations, the European Union or NATO. Becoming indignant when someone says that a Paladin is far superior to a Warrior, these individuals could probably care little less about the workings of the Taliban. It is not that they are irresponsible, apathetic or are merely trying to escape. Instead, it is a matter of priorities and identification. They see themselves more as Krognar, Blood Elf Rogue of Silvermoon City than as a student, a worker or a citizen of the United States.
Though at initial glance, there appears few positive consequences of this, it is important to remember that this is merely the manifestation of a changing global community and a reflection of a world based less on borders, race and economic status, and more on a spirit of cooperation, competition and self-identification within the confines of a digital world defined by shared interests and common attributes.

The Wisdom of Kerbochaurd-Second Installation

I apologize for missing last week, I was away from a computer over the weekend. It is now Saturday again, and we turn our eyes to the inspired work of Mr.L'amour.
Today's topic: WISDOM!

What kind of scholar was I? Or was I a scholar at all? My ignorance was enormous. Beside it my knowledge was nothing. My hunger for learning, not so much to improve my lot as to understand my world, had led me to study and to thought. Reading without thinking is as nothing, for a book is less important for what it says than for what it makes you think.
"A good question...but I am merely a seeker after knowledge, taking the world for my province, for it seems all knowledge is interrelated, and each science is dependent to some extent on the others. We study the stars that we may know more about our earth, andherbs that we may know medicine better."
"You are a physician?"
"A little of one. So far I have had more experience in the giving of wounds than the healing of them."

I put the last bit in just because Mathurin is funny and he is certainly not exxagerating. The man loves to fight. I really like this passage because there are so many great ideas in it. First of all, there is some truth in the idea that admitting ignorance is the beginning of wisdom. Those people who think they are wise are usually not the ones you want to be listening to. There is a humility in recognizing the gaps of knowledge and a strength in pursuing the filling of them. "A seeker after knowledge"...I wish we were all such.
Then there is the idea that all forms of knowledge are related, which is becoming more and more apparent to me. I was recently thinking that if someone were to ask me what my specialty in history was, I would want to say "world history", which isn't really an answer, but no country has developed...no story has come to be that was not in some way connected to another story. We say that this is the age of Globalization, but Globalization is simply the recognition of what has always been the case. The degree of connection has changed, but not the state.

For example, when the colonists from Western Europe arrived in the Pacific Northwest, they traded nails with the Native Americans who only knew of iron because Japanese ships had been blown far off course and wrecked on the Natives' soil. And the Japanese ships wrecked because they would designed not to go too far from Japanese shores and therefore had no rudder. This happened because Japan was locked down at the time because they saw Europe as a threat and wanted nothing to do with them...except for the Dutch, who were allowed to come into a few select ports.
So it is all connected and has been for centuries. Likewise, philosophically speaking, things are linked in various forms and ways. Political theory is tied up in moral and ethical issues, which at times are connected to scientific quesions (human life, cruel and unusual treatment, etc) and of course, all of those are filtered through cultural lenses which leads to socio-anthropology and questions of social structures...this could go in circles and of course this line isn't linear. A great tangled mess really, and college students everywhere tear their hair out trying to grasp the elusive "big picture".
But even just *attempting* to make these connections, to see the lines that are there and try to see how things all fit together is a worthy endeavor, and I think makes us better students and better people.

Thoughts from you?

A glance back into the dark forest of memory...

2008. Nearing an end, eh? As with all years, feelings are mixed, topped by a jaded 'Meh, whatev' attitude born of having seen a few years now ;) (oh don't I sound all old and wise /eyeroll).

So here's a bit of a review of my life over this year (what I'm doing instead of writing a Christmas letter too).

Favorite album: The Scarecrow-Avantasia (came out in 2007, but it was the most played album of mine this year)
Favorite song: Vampire Heart-HIM
You can't escape the wrath of my heart
Beating to your funeral song (You're so alone)
All faith is lost for hell regained
And love dust in the hands of shame (Just be brave)

Let me bleed you this song of my heart deformed
And lead you along this path in the dark
Where I belong 'till I feel your warmth

Hold me
Like you held on to life
When all fears came alive and entombed me
Love me
Like you love the sun
Scorching the blood in my vampire heart

I'll be the thorns on every rose
You've been sent by hope (You'll grow cold)
I am the nightmare waking you up
From the dream of a dream of love (Just like before)

Let me weep you this poem as Heaven's gates close
Paint you my soul, scarred and alone
Waiting for your kiss to take me back home

Hold me
Like you held on to life
When all fears came alive and entombed me
Love me
Like you love the sun
Scorching the blood in my vampire heart
(Don't freak out, it's just a cool song)

Favorite discovered artists: Ayreon, Within Temptation (hadn't listened that much before), Disturbed
Favorite new game: Eternal Sonata (RPG, PS3)
Favorite Movie seen in theatres: I know everyone expects Dark Knight, and it was cool, but it didn't do as much for me in theatre as I thought it would. I think I enjoyed Iron Man more.
Favorite anime: Still Bleach. Favorite anime finished this year? <.<....Um...I liked Claymore, I'm currently enjoying Blood+.
Favorite re-found show: X-Files (watched like five seasons in Taiwan, I'm not even kidding)
Favorite book series: The Sandman series, Neil Gaiman
Favorite "real" (pfft) book series: Heroes in Hell

~~~~

School:
For those who have been spared my ranting...I was 'let go' of by the Woodring College of Education at Western. Kicked out, as it were. Failed...the whole year, essentially. My first year at the university and...it felt like a lifetime. The stress caused by the last quarter shot white streaks through my hair. I wish I was exxagerating.

SO...that required a new plan. The old plan was as follows:
Get a Sped/Eled degree (dual endorsement)
Teach for a few years
Go back to school adn get a History endorsement for Middle/high school.

Well...that isn't going to happen now.

New Plan:
Get History teaching endorsement
If I'm not totally broke and in debt and dying: Get SPED endorsement
NEVER TEACH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Teach Middle/High School
Live for several years in debt

It's not ideal but I'm not giving up. If that doesn't work, I can always go to Asia and teach English as a second language.
So last quarter (fall, 2008) I did pretty decent, so one more really good quarter should get my GPA salvaged from the grossness of last year. I'm really enjoying studying History, my teachers like me, I write solid papers and I love what I'm learning. It's probably frustrating for those around me to listen to me always blabbing to them what new story I've learned but /shrug It's exciting to me.

WORK:
Like last year, I work at one of the dining halls at school. I applied to be a Student Manager and should have gotten the job but the shift they needed covered would have interfered with me being in class. So I couldn't take it and it was given to someone less qualified. I don't really mind because since we lost our Unit Manager (think the Manager's Manager), the SM's have been screwed by the brass. They are disrespected, overworked and practically emotionally abused. That's mess I don't need, and besides, half of everyone defers to me now anyway, so I'm like a manager without the uniform. I actually end up training the managers on how to run Pizzarette because it's almost officially my domain.
I love my job, I love most people I work with and I love talking to the customers. The head manager seems to really like me, which worked in my favor because I'm getting a raise next quarter. They're hiring another student manager from outside our work, and I'm not going to pursue it, because I feel it was unfair of them to offer if they couldn't deliver.
So next quarter, I'll work two late night Pizza shifts. I love pizza because 1) I don't serve people food so I don't have to ration, 2) I'm good at it, 3) I get to listen to whatever music I want. Late night goes from 9-1 (or whenever we get out), which will only suck for the thursday night one (where I make cheesybread) because I have to get up early friday morning. I also work Pizza friday night dinner, because they need good people working dinners. And finally, I work a grill shift early saturday. I do that because they need the help and I need the money.

FAMILY:
As you can imagine, with as busy as I am with work and school, I don't do a lot with my family. It was wonderful seeing them for my 21st birthday and everytime I've visited them, but I don't get to be there often, which is pretty tough.

FRIENDS:
My friends are wonderful and I'd be lost without them. I'm going to mix this section with the 'event' section because so much of what I did involved them:
I spent a large portion of the year with the Andrews, Lee and Patry. Andrew Lee is my friend at school, he helped me through a lot of stuff there, even though he had all the same difficulties with the education department I did. I spent more time at his house in the last quarter than I did mine. We watched a lot of movies (Power Rangers, ftw), made fun of our friend Mike a lot. Made fun of a lot of stuff actually. There were times where our only therapy was ranting at each other and just generally being full of hate, getting over it and gaming. Obviously, other Andrew is my boyfriend who I didn't get to see enough of, but now we live in the same house so I suppose that makes up for it.
Jen, Andrew Ridd, Chandler, Geoff, Jeff, Dylan, Leah, Mike, Kelly, and all my other good friends were also really important to me and I'm glad we all kept in such good touch no matter how far I got.

EVENTS!
Games~ Played a lot of Rock Band and Guitar hero. I don't care if you think I should play the real instrument, that opportunity was never given to me. This is as close as I'm ever going to get. So get over your musical eliticism, because I don't care.
I rock at the drums. I still play on medium most of the time because that's the most enjoyable setting but I hold my own in Hard. Motorhead kills me though. It just is really tiring.
I love the character creation, you'd know my character (named November) as soon as you saw her. The blue hair and corset would probably help.
So we do that a lot, I can also play the guitar, but I enjoy being a drummer the most. I think it's an attitude thing.
The game that saved me last year was Shin Megami Tense: Digital Devil Saga 1 and 2. Thank you, Mr.Lee for letting me borrow it because it helped a lot. I'm looking forward to playing Persona 3 and 4 when I have time. Atlus has pretty much taken over my RPG experience, except for Eternal Sonata.
Oh yeah, I got a PS3! It's amazing, angels sing when I turn it on, etc. We also got a big tv, so I <3 movie parties in my rec room.
On another note, I still play WoW. I finally hit 70 with my main, took freaking forever. But that's cause I have WoWADD, and have like fourteen characters. Whenever a friend starts playing, I make a new char to play with them. All of my characters are female, most are Blood Elves, though I have a few Undead and two trolls. Even a tauren. Screw orcs. I also have a Death Knight, who is my first inherently evil character. I'm not even kidding, she is such a bitch. Oh, in case that didn't quite make sense, I make up stories for all of my characters, despite the fact that most of them are on a PVP server where it doesn't matter. I've now played every class but Druid and Shaman. I like Mages a lot, but I also love hitting things.

TAIWAN:
So I actually left the country this year. It was a really significant experience for me, and one I needed. I grew up as a person, realized some things about myself and got some perspective on life. Mostly that crap happens, and the only way to grow is to get over it, learn from it and move on. It's not the end of the flippin' world and life doesn't wait for you to sort your crap out.
Anyway, I did a lot of stuff in Taiwan, I taught, I prepared, I worked, I learned, I laughed, I SANG, I did tribal dances...it was stuffed.

The Concert~
So my friend Geoff, bless his heart, got us tickets to see Amanda Palmer in concert at the Showbox in Seattle. She's half of the Dresden Dolls for those who don't know. The name of her 'genre' is 'Punk Cabaret', it's very theatrical, and I find it enjoyable. The whole experience was just shot full of awesome and it was definitely a highlight of the year.

HOUSE~
This was the first year I lived away from home. At first I lived in dorms at school. But...that was not a fun scene, so I went another direction.
As you may or may not know I live with 5 other people. Well, four now. We lost one, and that's been fun trying to deal with. But I love my housemates, we haven't had many serious problems. A couple of conversations about personal preferences and whatnot, but nothing ugly. So, as long as rent isn't too sucky, my home situation is pretty nifty. I have a nice rec room, a desk, a bureau, all the necessities.
It really helps living with Andrew, and storing most of my stuff in his room (which is wayyy bigger than mine), and he's a huge support. Plus he buys me food.

B-Day:
Being 21 isn't much different than being 20 other than being able to actually walk into liquor stores and laugh at people (I don't really laugh on the outside). And feel less guilty if someone offers me something. Don't get me wrong, I'm not getting slagged anytime soon, but the fear is definitely gone.

~~~~~~~~~~~

So what's my life?
I study hard, I work hard. I play video games and WoW. I watch comic book and action movies, read webcomics and graphic novels, love anime and would be lost without my friends and family.