Tuesday, June 28, 2005

RESULT

Well I got em... I phoned up for my results yesterday and I got a 2:1 ... that'd be a second class, upper division honours. My break down (not mental) was:

Critical Report : 75 %
Semester 1 mark : 64%
Final 12 week project: 66

Total average: 66.6 % (I think that's what she said anyway)

I was so godamn pleased since I'd totally lost all faith in my course. I can't say it's restored it either, I still think the tutors suck ass, but I feel better about my work in general and am kinda looking forward to the self promotion and stuff come the end of summer. :-)

Niall did well... he got a 2:1 too and he's pleased... and well done to all my other buddies too, everyone's done themselves proud it seems.

In other news this week: I actually unpacked some stuff from the garage so now my room is neat and tidy with all my stuff in!! So I don't have to keep clambering over things in the garage!
It's so strange... we've aldo had to book a hotel for graduation/the grad ball which has cost us 100 squids for two nights... which for me is a bit pricey... but y'know it'll make it all a bit more formal and special.

Not much else to report unfortunatly... I'm going to hunt downt he wimbledon schedule and see when Andy Roddick's on next... purely because he's a good player of course... ;-)

Friday, June 24, 2005

Wet

Well at the risk of flakester being VERY disappointed and posibly seething ... I just wanted to say that I didn't go to Goodwood in the end. What could have been a simple journey there and back turned into a big messy thinge-me-bob and I decided not to go... I also wanted to be back home saturday morning and that wouldn't have happened had I gone, plus it was only the testing day on the friday that they went for and the storms this morning must have been interesting for them to say the least. That's the last time I ever let three engineers try and organise a trip to somewhere... Next year I'll have a car and some money and a tent and I'll drive all the way there, have a great weekend and drive all the way back laughing at how easy things CAN be if you actually PLAN it out. Men suck at organising. They don't see it as necessary which is why they don't like reading maps or instructions and such like and get in a bad mood when they make mistakes. Wierdo's.


... well looks like there were pretty big storms everywhere this morning... I've just seen the news about everyone at Glastonbury getting soaked and having their tents float away down big rivers of muddy water... poor idiots... sure they'll have a great time though, as long as they don't get trench foot.

I heard there was a tornado in the midlands too... which is wierd. I woke up to lots of rain and thunder today... I liked it. I lay in bed and listened to the rain and the gerat big rumbles. it's been ages since we had a storm and though there was no lightning, it was sufficient enough to clear the air a bit after so many stuffy days. I did however, find that when I went into the garage for something (all my unpackable stuff is in there, like my tv and video, boxes and boxes of books and things, my computer and everything I own) and noticed that the floor was flooding. Oh %$*&! indeed. I had to move my computer off the floor but was too weak and girly to lift anything else except Niall's amp and his four track though they were already wet. My VCR is possibly destroyed but I'm not too fussed about that... I don't know the extent of the damage because I haven't been able to move anything... all I could do was get some old curtains to put on the floow to soak up any more water coming in and hope that the rain stops. I guess I should have got round to sorting it all out before now. Hrmm... but fingers crossed I haven't lost anything important. :-(

Tuesday, June 21, 2005

Change

Things are feeling different. It's as I expected really. I've moved back home to brum now, no longer a student. The move was stressful and sweaty but we got it done eventually. The last few days have been a matter of unpacking a few things and clearing out my room. I've got rid of so much stuff it's crazy. We took about twenty bin bags to the tip yesterday: these were full of models I don't want anymore or can't store and general rubbish hanging around my room. Then we had to make a second trip to get rid of loads of art work, which all went in the huuge recylcing bin at the tip. It was really sad but strangely refreshing. I find the process of cleaning things out and getting rid of stuff quite intriguing, like some sort of cleansing ritual... it just frees up space, and makes you feel de-toxed as it were; like starting anew.

Needless to say the next person who uses that reclycling bin is going to find a load of great big fat naked lady drawings from my life-drawing classes over the last five years. I thought that was quite funny.

So the next thing is to slowly pick through all my stuff that's been shoved in the garage. I have to sort out what I want/need and chuck anything else away or reclyle it if possible. I really can't believe how much stuff I've accumulated over the last few years. I don't know where it all comes from!? It'll be a relief once it's all done. I want to cut it down to just half the garage rather than the whole floor space it's currently occupying.... so in a few weeks perhaps I'll be rubbish-free.

So yeah... things feel different now. I no longer have my 'stuff' hanging around my room, it's been cleared of all my old artwork and sketchbooks. It's wierd to think I won't be going anywhere come september.. I'll just be home, working. There'll be no 'term' or 'semester' starting... nothing. This is my last official Summer Holiday too. I really want to try and make the most of it, try to enjoy it. Obviously Niall could possibly be moving away at the end of summer so it may be the only chance we'll have of being together so much. That's different too.

ooh I'm off to Goodwood this Friday for The Festival Of Speed. I've never been before and it'll be my first taster of sort-of motor racing for about a year now. I can't believe it's been that long since I last went to watch some form of motor sport... I miss it heaps, but hopefully I can get to a few this Summer.

I need food.

Thursday, June 16, 2005

Cap'n Slink

pirate slink Posted by Hello

So here's me dressed up for Mark's party last week... though that picture really doesn't do my outfit justice. You can't see my kick ass bandana for starters... or my flame boots and cropped trousers complete with stripey socks OR my ace sword. I was a bit upset that no one challenged me to a sword fight or attempted to point me in the direction of treasure, but nevertheless the party was good. We did leave for home though when the others headed into town for the crappy clubs. Niall went as Clark Kent and Dave went as Cunning Linguist. Yes... indeed.

Woah it's sure been ages since then... my show was up then came down again midweek, I've bummed around, done origami, been happy, been sad, spent lots of money, bought Martin Grech's new album (love love love love love love love it), bought other random things that I can't think of, bitched about my tutor (I'm getting very good at it now), been into town lots, watched loads of films, thought about packing, stressed out about packing, avoided packing, been to see Star Wars and just about survived it, been out for a Mexican which was very tasty indeed aaaaand I think that's all.

We're just about finished here in Uni-town. In fact tomorrow is the big packing day. It's such a mammoth task it really doesn't even bare thinking about right now. My Dad's hired a van this time, so we should be able to get everything back in one trip. I hate it... packing, moving, it's such a hastle. Everything's messy and stressful, you lose things and never find them, you live out of bags and boxes for about two weeks pre and post move... the whole thing is just pants. Someone needs to invent that star trekky transportation thingy that I can't remember the name of ... thingey me jig .. y'know... beam me up Scotty... wotsit. Well I know anyway.

In other news this week... my computer's been in another one of it's moods. It keeps 'dumping physical memory' which sounds pretty serious to me, but it restarts and it seems to be fine... for aout three days. All my work's backed up so I'm not going to lose anything but I think it's in need of my Dad having a look at it rather than my usual analysis which goes something like this:

"laa dee daaa (that's me typing or whatever)... wha? ...what the..? eh? .... oh crap... you piece of *!£)£&)_!dumping what??!!! ^@!:£~{ why?! ^£(!_* What are you !(&!£!)/... restart ... hrmm>! £(!&&: ... oh, oh no it's okay... we're back."

Friday, June 10, 2005

Over.

Yeah yeah I cried. I drunkenly cried most of the way home after what was quite possibly one of the best rock nights on record. They played exactly what I needed to hear and I danced til my lil' big boots couldn't take anymore. It was half empty most of the night thanks to the Download Festival being just down the road, but it seemed to fill up later and for the last hour we invaded our old haunt-the main room. For my last ever rock night, I wore my faithful new rocks, my shortest skirt, my studded waspie, fishnets and a simple black halter-neck, in true Slink styley. I did take photos as did a number of others but I'm waiting to get copies of them so that I can post the best ones. At one point in the evening, there was an announcement that next year there will be TWO rock nights, one on the normal Thursday and one on Saturdays after The Comedy Club. Bitter words to my ears, but I dealt with it by jumping around like a loon to soak up as much rock as my little body could bare. My poor little body soaked up rather alot of alcohol too along with a few pints of obligatory water after dancing. Hell I've paid for it today; my tummy has refused point blank to play ball, stop twisting and turning and just settle so I can eat some goddamn food. It sucked that I had to be awake for half eight too as I had an appointment at half nine. Man, post-drunk tummies are the worst, especially when you haven't slept them off enough.

I succesfully survived my appointment but failed to be able to have a nap before I had to force down some curly pasta and pop into the studio to set up a little table of postcards and business cards for the opening night of my exhibition. I was back home in time to try and force down more food before Mum, Dad and Vix (my little sister) arrived for the exhibition 'private view' which started at 6. It went well. My work seemed to go down well though I didn't hang around my display too much. Yet again, some of my course were let down in dramatic style thanks to more tutor incompetence as they failed to set up adequate facilities to watch the animations that had been worked on avidly for weeks and weeks by a handful of students. Other than that though, people seemed to be enjoying the night. I felt way too under-dressed as I turned up in my red vest top, black jeans and spikey metal stud belt while others drifted around wearing their Sunday best. Ah well... I'm an art student for gods sake not a salesman.

I just got back from seeing Sin City at the cinema. It was completely what I expected and does exactly what it says on the tin. It was typical, trashy, violent, male orientated and therefore slightly pathetic in storyline content but it was cleverly done and I liked how the stories overlapped in a non-confusing way. I loved the compositions and mise en scene, the whole artistry of it maintained the graphic novel/storyboard feel and made for interesting viewing. Though it seemed to last forever, I was rather glad that we were fifteen minutes too late to see Star Wars. I haven't got anything against Star Wars in particular it's just that I haven't followed anything through out the whole load of them other than the fact that Ewoks aren't bears OR koala's and that it's high time somebody told Mr Lucas how to write stories in a certain order. I have no idea who anyone is, what age they are, if they're dead or alive, why they keep hitting each other with glow sticks nor who is aware that they're related to anyone else. Far too long winded and confusing for my liking. 'nuff said.

It's Mark's house's barbeque and fancy dress party tomorrow night. I think I'm going to shove the "C" theme and go as a Pirate so I need to make an eye patch and sword tomorrow and if anyone says... 'that doesn't begin with C'... I'll cut them a new gizzard and make them walk the plank.

Wednesday, June 08, 2005

Final Countdown

... nanananaaa nanananannaaa.... I woke up with that song in my head today and now I know why, it was destined to be the title for this very post.

Countdown to final Subversion : 23.5 hrs

Niall and I went to Notty today for something to do now we've both finished exams and such. Niall's exam and presentation went okay despite an invigilator messing up the programming on his calculator... dumbass. But, obviously a day out in notty with the sun shining was just what we needed to keep our funny little student brains occupied. I bought a silver polishing cloth, some origami paper, some new stud earings, a leather bracelet and a new pair of jeans to replace the ones I got paint on when painting the studios. Oooh I also got this really posh mechanical wine bottle opener for my Dad for fathers day because he lost his last one somehow. Quite successful, I think you'll agree... unless you're my bank manager.

There was a brazilian acrobat in the middle of Notty, doing all these acts and stuff. He was quite good. He managed to sumersault over this poor blokes head, put a nail in his nose, dislocate his neck by spinning his body round this ring on the floor, and diving through a hoop of knives. It was a nice twenty minutes worth of entertainment if nothing else, and I gave him a pound in exchange for his death defying acts. Well worth it. I should have taken a photo with my phone... better yet I should have remembered to bring my camera out with me so I could actually see what it can do.

I *WILL* be taking photos of rock night tomorrow... I want it fully documented because it's the very last one, though I don't think I'll risk taking my new one, I'd hate it to get nicked or damaged or something. I'll post them up as soon as I'm recovered on Friday.

Mark's having a party saturday too and it's fancy dress with a 'C' theme so photo's from that too hopefully, though I haven't actually decided what I'm going to go as yet. Suggestions please...

Monday, June 06, 2005

boo hoo

So I've finished now. It didn't look toooo bad in the end. In fact, my work will have been assessed today so they'll know what mark I got, though it won't be official til after the external examiner has been in. This friday we have the private view and monday to friday after it's open to the public. Obviously it's then all taken down again, and everybody buggers off home for ever and ever. eek.

More disturbing than that is the fact that it's my last EVER rock night. Well, I may come back to see kt and rfa next year some times and go then... but still... it'll be so odd. As a nice touch the organisers said it was going to be moved back into it's old location for the last hour... a really nice carthatic way of rounding up my three years of rocking out on a thursday night. I'm just about sad enough to actually cry about it especially if I'm as drunk as I was this thursday passed. geez... Was another wicked night though. It was that type of drunkeness that only really hits you when you get home and can't stop laughing at stupid things. Part of me really doesn't want thursday to come round; it'll be too sad.

Christ, I'm leaving... I won't see my mates and things... I won't be a student anymore... I'll have to work and ... no more rock night...

*head implodes*

Wednesday, June 01, 2005

Sponge Brain Square Pants

You realise you've found a new level of boredom when you can actually feel your brain not working, and quite possibly slowly turning to sponge, while your ass aches from sitting in your computer chair for too long.

Thought I'd died of Tetris Syndrome?? Nope... that would be far more interesting.

Almost a week's gone by and I've done nothing. I even found myself willingly helping my automotive engineering student boyfriend with his wierd project poster about engines and listening to him reel off random numbers from squiggly graphs to time him for his presentation. I mean... I'm a creative... I should be out taking artsy photo's with my spanking new digital SLR camera... oh yeah... get on to that in a mo.

The complete monotony of this week will be strikingly juxtaposed (oh god, see what's happened?! art speak... from shear boredom!) by tomorrow's hectic schedule of going into the studio to finally put up my work for the degree show. I have to see Andy before I actually put anything on display, if he refuses to help me I'll quite possibly smack this guys poncy little face because he's really pissing me off at the moment, and then hang work, iron material, suspend things from the ceiling etc. Then it's up to the examiners/assessors to come in say it's not good enough and round up my three years of Uni with a crap mark. Woob!

So, here's my new toy:


new camera
Posted by Hello

It is boootiful. I still haven't tested it out properly though I did spend two days reading the bible sized manual that came with it. It should do wonders for my illustration work and give finished images a really nice professional quality. I'm not going to geek on about technical bits and bobs as I'd bore everyone to tears so let's just say- It's ace.

:-)