Blog #11: Xtra Normal Movie

Larry King tries to have a civilized conversation with Sarah Paylin but unfortunately for Larry, Sarah is going through that time of the month. Things get touchy and well...you'll have to watch to find out!

                                    Enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr29yieVaUk

Blog#10: Is That Your Final Answer?

I WILL NOT FEAR THE TEST!..I have the courage to say that now, but a few years ago if you would have said anything remotely close to the word I would've ran for cover. Even back in high school everything was fun until the tests time. To me high school was like one big house party and tests where the police called in to stop the fun. It wasn't the exams I had a problem with, it was the studying and the time required that bothered so much. When I did choose to study I had a very simple method. I would make up mock questions  based on the information given, answer them and memorize them until my brain fried.

Another method I used was muscle memory. I would do push ups while reciting the questions and answers to myself. Strange technique but affective. (And I was in great shape after wards). Now that I'm in college my study habits have changed a bit. A lot less drastic then push ups but still just as effective. Another useful thing Ive learned is to go beyond the area of study. If a professor gives you a chapter to read, don't just read that chapter, go further and gather more information. It's always good to know more then just enough. Professors know if you've memorized an answer or if you've taken the necessary time to evaluate your own opinion and formulate your own thoughts behind the question. Another mistake I used to make was waiting until the last minute to study and then try to overload my brain with information. What would end up happening is I would get my answers mixed up. Too much info and not enough time to properly memorize. Ive learned not only give myself enough time to memorize the information but to store it for at least 48 hours before an exam. When the time comes not only will I be ready but I'll be confident about the answers I put down because Ive rehearsed it to myself several times over the last few days. While I'm testing I make sure to relax and give myself enough time between questions. I have to constantly remind myself that it isn't a race. I pace myself and after wards I make sure to go over any areas that might be suspect. Here are some tips I use that hopefully can help you.


1. Precision is the key. Make sure to be clear and precise on all your answers.

2. If you get confused about a certain answer, try process of elimination. If that doesn't work repeat the question to yourself several times and try to relate any information you may remember to that.
  

3. At some point if your feeling overwhelmed, take a break. The last thing you need is a burnout during the final stretch.

4. Leave enough time to go over some questions or answers that your not too sure of.

5. Be sure to get sufficient rest on test day!

This link provides effective study skill techniques. *Several other links included as well.*

http://www.adprima.com/studyout.htm

Blog#8 (Freestyle) Graffiti: Art Or Vandalism?

 If I were to tell you that graffiti is on of the oldest forms of art, you'd probably say that I was crazy. Believe it or not graffiti has been around since 30,000 b.c.. Cavemen would carve drawings with bones on cave walls, wouldn't this be considered a form of graffiti? Although some conservatives consider this form of art to be vandalism, any artist would consider graffiti to be just as beautiful as any painting you might see hanging in a museum.

                                         (Ancient Pompeii graffito caricature of a politician.)


Cavemen have been replaced with street taggers, the caves with walls, and bones with fresh cans of aerosol spray paint. Any surface can serve as a canvas for street artist. Just about anywhere you go in the inner city, there's some type of graffiti to be marveled at. In the early 1980's, the train station was a popular place for taggers and graffiti artist everywhere to get there "name" up despite the obvious dangers.

Regardless of how you see or judge it, there's something to be said about the artistic creativity of it all. The biggest misconception is that taggers and graffiti artist are just destructive people looking for their next target to vandalize. This couldn't be all the more wrong.

As you can see graffiti breaks through to all races, colors, creeds, genders, religious views, etc.

 

In my opinion, graffiti is a voice painted out on a surface. Whether a spray can, magic marker or a bone for that matter, it has always been and will always remain as one of the first truest art forms.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9y333RhDQ8U

Bog#7: "Moment Of Silence Please"

For a long time I had a problem with my study habits. I cant say with full confidence that I've perfected the technique but Ive improved drastically. I had the worst habit of waiting until the last minute to study for a quiz or test, and then have the nerve to act shocked when I received my scores. 

It was a mixture of laziness and distractions. At the time I allowed too many things to take away my attention from the task at hand. I'd have the t.v. on while the radio played my favorite tunes. With my head jamming to music and eyes wandering back and fourth from book to television, it was no wonder why I wasn't soaking up the information. I would read chapters of books and half way through not have a clue on what the last chapters were about. My attention was being divided and worse yet the studying got the least of my attention.

I was so used to that type of  environment, when I didnt have those elements around I couldnt study. I had to change the way I did things because obviously my system wasnt working. I began going to a place where not only was quiet a pleasantry, it was mandatory, the library. As painful as it was in the beginning I started to notice that the information I was reading was coming in a whole lot clearer. It started to make alot more sense without the chatter of the television or the melody from the stereo invading my ears. I began to actually enjoy learning and began to see it as a priveledge and a blessing rather then a daunting task.

I tried out different study guides and found the system that worked best for me. After a while my grades improved and my confidence grew. I once used to panic when presented with tests, but now that I'm aware of  how and where to study, panic is a thing of the past. Not only that, but life and everything around me has become a lot more interesting since I turned down the stereo and  shut the television off... 

 Learning new ways on how to study isn't always easy. Below is a link provided that may help you. Good Luck!


http://www.cse.buffalo.edu/~rapaport/howtostudy.html

Blog#4 (Freestyle) - "Life, Art, What's The Difference?

It's amazing how much more beautiful the world around you becomes once you open your eyes to art. To the untrained eye most of the things you see around you are just objects or advertisements that dont mean anything but your next possible purchase. To an artist EVERYTHING is seen as "potential". In the mind of a true artist there is no such thing as "irrelevant" because just about anything can be turned into art. Life is art, and art is life.The two go together hand in hand because they both represent and imitate each other so strongly that its hard to determine which one came first. All the colors we've been given, the images and all the elements that can  help create an artistic spark are everywhere.

From Leonardo DaVinci to Philip Sherrod (famous street painter), they (artist) all had something that made them see the world differently from everyone else. There times and eras are extremely gapped but the artistic view and creative genius is the same none the less. No matter the death of one, there is always the birth of another..so is the way of art.


I guess the moral (if you will) of this story/blog is to simple state that art is and always be the only true replica of life (or vise versa) , and the only true meaning of re- incarnation.



 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olL5_Ly5sRs


(I know this link doesnt give the blog the perfect fit, but at the same time I think it represents the meaning of the message I was trying to get across.)

Blog 9: My Creative Heroes

 I've been inspired by many artist,but one in particular artist has motivated me to take my work to new heights. Im talking about Aaron McGruder creator of the cartoon "The Boondocks". Aaron McGruder was born May 29th, 1974 in Chicago,Illinois. At the age of 6 his parents then moved the family to Columbia,Maryland. He attended a majority white Jesuit school that he felt repressed him. Eventually switching over to a predominantly black school in the late 80's and early 90's made him a fan of hip-hop. It was then that he would decide to challenge society from the "Angry black mans" point of view.  He graduated from public high school at Oakland Mills and attended the University of Maryland. While studying for a degree in African American Studies he began his layout for "The Boondocks".

His first publishing came at the hands of his school newspaper, called "The Diamondback". Things would soon fall apart between McGruden and the newspaper, and McGruden decided to remove the strip. Still, McGruden pushed foward and started to gain the attention of newspapers despite his contraversial topics. The comic strip gained eye raising attention when it attacked The Bush administration, causing some papers to move it out of their columns. Despite this McGruder continued on, and began working on the animated version of "The Boondocks'.

McGruder himself started controversy after meeting Fidel Castro in Cuba after being invited to accompany California representative Barbara Lee on a trip. He offended attendees during a 2003 reception hosted by The Nation  by defiantly recalling his support for Ralph Naders 2000 presidential bid, which many blame for George Bush's election. At the NAACP awards he called Condoleeza Rice a mass murderer to her face.

McGruden resides in Los Angeles California, his projects include The Boondocks animated series, The Super deluxe variety series and The rumble mix show. He is the author of 5 book collections and is a frequent public speaker on political and cultural issues. He still continues his work to this day and just signed a contract  to make The Boondocks a full length movie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-5eX4f_ipc

Blog #5 - "24 Hours Of Life At A Time"

Ever walk into class 45 minutes late, knowing exactly what everyone else in the room (including the teacher)  is thinking about you at that very moment? For years I had horrible time management skills. I  lacked the ability to get anything done, or arrive at a specific place ON TIME. It had nothing to do with laziness or lack of ambition, I just wasnt managing my time correctly. It started in junior high school when my video game/computer craze was at its peek. I'd find myself fighting to put the remote control down and get sufficient rest knowing I had an essay or a test the next morning.

It took me a long time to break out of that habit but eventually I did. I began putting my daily activities and errands on a list and put the most time into what were my biggest obligations for the day. Not only were my main priorities taken care of, but I found myself with more time to do all the things I liked doing anyway. Organizing my time helped me to fall into a pattern of responsibility that I had searched for my whole life. It's amazing how much we can and cant get done in 24 hours, depending on how well you manage your time.

Theres nothing worse then feeling like time is against you, looking back at the clock constantly, elevating your panic with every passing minute. Believe it or not, there are ways to make time work to your advantage.  Here are a few tips I used to break out of the habit of poor time management. Hopefully they will work for you.

1.Never put off for tomorrow what you can do today: Many students put off projects and other important things until last minute, forgetting the sufficient time needed to complete such tasks.

                                                         

2. Organize: Nothing is worse then going scatterbrain in your own compiled mess of confusion. Keep everything in neat sections and in places of  immediate availability. 

                   

3. Prioritize: Make a list of your duties for the day and spend a sufficient amount of time on the most important first. Make sure to be thorough, mistakes are one of the biggest time consumers.

                                                                            

4.Consistency: Be consistent in your daily routine, its easy to break a good habit faster then a bad one.

5.Be honest with yourself: Don't try to squeeze a hundred things into one day. You'll end up on the tailspin of a burnout. Give yourself enough room to get things done at a reasonable amount of time.

                                        

MOST IMPORTANTLY: Remember to get PROMPT REST. The human body can only take but so much before it shuts down, with or without your permission.

                                                            

Blog#6.5 - "The Art Gallery"

Every artist whether musician, painter, dancer, or poet all have something that drives, motivates, or inspires them to create. We get our ideas and visions from all aspects of life. Experiences we encounter while on our creative journeys become our blueprints for what we create. Art gives me a way to express myself without having to say a word or ever feeling misunderstood. Theres no right or wrong, just art.

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My inspiration comes from many places but mostly from what I analyze and interperate as the world around me. Music has been a major passion in my life because of the art form itself, but creating art allowes me to provide a clearer, more detailed vision . What can be better then welcoming someone into my "minds eye"(so to speak) to get a better insight into  my love, pain, joy, saddeness, and every other human emotion that ties us all together as human beings? I want my art to reflect life, and life to reflect in my art. Im striving harder everyday to be better and hope that one day I can share my visions with the world.


                         "I see life through  pixels"







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Blog #3- "The Search For Knowledge"

Many students today fail projects, assigments, and classes in general due to lack of resource research (or resources they dont realize or even knew they had/have access to). This year I've decided to take up "Digital Media Arts" at T.C.I.. Now, for any student taking this course you can make the ride alot smoother by simply having the proper resources. There is strength not only in numbers, but information as well. The difference between an A and an A+ paper or project is usually the substance of information that is given or lack there of. The internet is a great source for information and can make a HUGE difference in the amount of intelligence you gather for your research. If you are a Digital Media Arts student and could use some guidance or would like more information on some of your classes, below are a list of web links that lend assistance with any questions or concerns that you may have on any of these paticular courses.

Intro to The Major:DMA-

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/15702982/Introduction-to-digital-media

(This website containes information on the Introduction to DMA and answers pretty much any questions you might have about digital media.)

http://www.slideshare.net/tonywh/introduction-to-digital-media
(This web site comes with a slide show that explains in full detail exactly what difital media consist of.) *It even has a Q&A chart at the bottom of the page that would make for a great study tool.*

DMA 102/Color And Graphic Design-

http://graphicdesign.about.com/

(This site is filled with information about graphic design and even has an "ask search" to assist you with any questions you may have.) 

http://iit.bloomu.edu/vthc/welcome.html

(This sites offers various tutorials for graphic design,photoshop and many more similiar  graphic design pograms.)

DMA 103/Fundamentals Of Digital Design-

http://www.digital-web.com/articles/principles_of_design/
(This site includes the basics of digital design and also provides related resources and references)

English 101:

http://www.ehow.com/how_4415889_write-paragraph-essay-english-composition.html

(This site shows you 5 easy steps to writing a great essay and offers tips on essay writing.)

http://grammar.about.com/od/developingessays/a/quicktips.htm

(This site explains 10 steps to essay writing and gives sample essays and writing guidelines.)

Computer Drawing-

http://desktoppub.about.com/od/creategraphics/a/how_to_draw.htm

(This web site answers questions on Computer Drawing and has several tutorials and step by step guides for computer drawing and related fields of interest.)

CMP 101: Introduction To Computers-

http://www.fayette.k12.il.us/99/Intro2Comp/introduction_to_computers.html

(This site provides information on the basic functions and components of a cpu)

http://en.wikiversity.org/wiki/Introduction_to_Computers

(I found this site to be the most informative because it provides the reader with text book information about the ins and outs of a cpu,its components, and all of its functions.)

*Hopefully these websites can provide you with answers to any of

 your course questions and help guide you along your way to

being the best student possible.*

Information

                     Is
                                                                                                         POWER!!

Blog#2: "In The Bigtime Now"

My first time in college was the most eye opening experience of my life to date. I came in fresh out of high school and thought there wasnt anything I couldnt do. Two weeks into it I realized how different it from high school.The courses were lot more demanding and the pressure to perform was alot more intense. By the time I realized I was in over my head it was too late to drop classes or withdraw without penalty.

The financial aspect of it was another thing I forgot to consider. I had no idea the financial stress it could cause if you werent financialy prepared to take on such a responsibility.I wasnt even sure how i was going to pay the loans back after college let alone while i was attending.That became a stress all its own.

Another mistake I made was taking the wrong major for the wrong reason and found myself disinterested and fustrated very early. I decided to stick with it for all the wrong reasons as well and paid for it with alot of lost time and a "stain" on my acedemic record.

I clearly wasnt ready,but that was then. I am a student at T.C.I. 10 years later and today i feel like I have the maturity and the mindset along with the fundamentals to get the job done. Im learning to manage my time better and make sure I make time to study (something i havent done since junior high!). I take time to go over what was taught that day on the day it was taught to reinforce the information I've learned.

Networking with classmates was something I didn't welcome in the past, but these days I find myself in the mix of plenty of lively discussions that all relate to our field of study,each classmate with a prospective I might not have thought of. Student discussions open the door for creativity to expand and reach higher peaks. Another thing I want to take advantage of is the workshops and networks that go on outside of the classroom. I realized that "school doesnt have to end just because class is over".

 

The difference was simple. Now, I prepare notes that are easy to read. I follow up on current information and I always make sure I have a clear understanding on what my instructors expect and demand of me as a student. I make time to get plenty of rest and research time along with study time. I try my best to get projects done in advance so I can go back and change things as I gather more information. My approach is totally different and hopefully it will become a pattern that I can incorporate in life. Still, it all starts with college.

"Welcome back to the real world!"

Note: Below is a website link for any college students who feel they may need advise on there first time in "Real World".






http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2006/05/10-tips-for-college-students/http://www.stevepavlina.com/blog/2006/05/10-tips-for-college-students/

Blog#1:My Inspiration And My Vision

As far back as I can remember, I've always had an interest in drawing. As a child I could remember having drawing contests with my older brother and claiming to one day be the greatest artist in the world. That passion was abruptly pushed to the side when I discovered my love for music. It wasn't until a few months ago that my love for art returned. I stumbled upon a myspace application called 'Foto Flex' which enables you to edit, warp, and create different effects on a digital image. My interest grew rapidly and I found myself at a point of obsession with it. My confidence grew stronger with every picture I completed and I knew there had to be much more to it. It wasn't until I was challenged by my girlfriend to learn photoshop that I began to see the infinite possibilities and visions that I could create.I felt I had a nack for the buisiness and the eye for design so I decided to get back into school. I believe that everything we see around us is taken for granted and  I chose DMA because I figured it was the best way to feed this fire for wanting to learn more about photoshop and other programs similar to it. I want to learn every trick and angle to DMA. I want to learn to build and run websites and soon build a website just as popular (if not more) then Facebook or Myspace. I also have plans on designing my own line of clothing. In five years I expect to have every credential needed along with the knowledge of this field to be one of the best. My clothing line will be carried in stores and my websites will be mentioned along with other popular sites. Still with all this in place, it will only be the beginning of what is yet to come.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKLu25Z8IC8