Oh, and this

You guys. SERIOUSLY.



Holy crap, I'm starting to get nervous.

Time for change

Things are insanely stressful over here. Plates are wobbling all over the place, what with my art work for the show being printed out wrong and not fitting in the frame properly, me sucking at writing abstracts (one that is DUE TOMORROW, oh god, I hate myself), having to read tonight despite having nothing new written, my car making a noise that does not make me happy, fighting off a summer cold, and welcoming back insomnia into my life.

This morning I dragged my carcass out of bed and began stumbling around zombie-like, trying to find clothes and get myself ready for the day. My room is currently a disaster area, since I just come in at night, dump my stuff, crash in bed, get up and dash around the next day. Lather, rinse, repeat. My floor is cluttered with books, hangers, papers, mail, bags, zines, tripods, all kinds of random flotsam from my life. How I navigate that floor after a night of tossing and turning and anxiety dreams is beyond me. So when I tripped this morning it was a forgone conclusion. I managed to catch myself on my desk chair, cursing, and noticed that I had kicked open my box of Tarot cards. The card that sailed across the room to land by my bare feet?

The Six of Swords.
Instead of ruling the emotions, the Six of Swords actually offers a highly controlled balance of logic and intuition. This is how true mental clarity arises; you can use your intuition to guide you through easy situations and call upon your impartial and analytical nature when it is needed for a more complex decision. Do not seek to suppress your emotions any more than a sea captain would want to eliminate the water. Rather, respect their presence and their power in your life, and use them to your advantage. When a balance between head and heart is achieved, truly great things can be accomplished. The Six of Swords may be a time of peace and relaxation after a long time of struggle. There could be a journey involved. Passage. You need to realize that you are now in a much better position in life. You endured a difficult transition and are now more able to deal with what may come. Change your beliefs about yourself. A trip will do you much good. This is not only a time to get away from problems, but to chart a new course that will hopefully lead to greater happiness and glory.

Make of this what you will. For me, it gave me a much-needed moment of serenity.

Super Exciting Arty News

So in my last post, I hinted at something SUPER SECRET and awesome that I didn't want to jinx by talking about.

Well, now I can talk about it. Are you ready?

My friend Hunter, having seen some of my design work from the past semester, alerted me to a digital media art show and urged me to submit my work. The deadline for the open call was literally that very day (in fact, I had technically missed the deadline by 12 hours) but Hunter told me to go ahead and submit anyway. I figured balls to the wind, why not? So I went ahead and submitted three of my favorite pieces.

I just found out that one of my pieces was accepted.

Which one? Well, you're just going to have to come and see:

The Off the Wall Gallery/Dirty Frank's
NE corner of 13th and Pine, Philadelphia
ENTER DIGITAL
Opening Reception Thursday, June 5
7pm - 10pm
Show continues until Friday, August 1st.

People. My work is going to be FRAMED. Hanging in an ART GALLERY (ok, ok, a bar/art gallery -- but why quibble?). FOR SALE. I'm dying a little bit over here.

Su-su-summer time

My SUPERBUSYOHMYGOD summer has begun. And it's not technically even summer yet. What the hell? I feel like I should be sitting in a lawn chair and drinking mojitos, but instead:

• Summer session has already begun. I got all of a 4 day break after spring semester.
  
  
• I'm taking a class in magazine publishing. The main goal for the semester is to produce a full issue of my own magazine.
  
  
• Which is pretty cool.
  
  
• But I have to do it all in 6 weeks.
  
  
• Yes Virginia, that means everything for the magazine: All the writing, interviewing, design, culling prospective would-be advertisers, and drawing up a business plan and distribution schedule.
  
  
• I have no idea how to write a business plan you guys.
  
  
• But I guess that's why I'm taking this class, right?
  
  
• Redesign the entire Inis Nua website by July 1st, so that it doesn't look, as my brother lovingly put it, like "a very special 7th grader" designed it.
  
  
• I hate him.
  
  
• But I also love him so also volunteered to make the stationery, business cards, and do the final fix up of the brochure.
  
  
• I am such a chump.
  
  
• Finish revising my paper for the academic conference, or at least the abstract, which is due in -- oh holy christ -- two weeks.
  
  
• Read at a Rosemont "open" reading in two weeks, that I was specifically asked to read at.
  
  
• I guess this means that I have to write something for the reading.
  
  
• Do a bunch of work for the Doc -- he needs some photography done of ex-votos or some such thing, as well as filing help.
  
  
• Attending a number of awesome social functions including: graduations, weddings, and baby showers.
  
  
• Something SUPER SECRET that I don't want to jinx by talking about, but has the possibility of being awesome. Even if it doesn't work out fully, I've still made an awesome contact for future awesome possibilities.
  
  
• How's that for vague?
  
  
• Photography, photography, photography. I've got some "jobs" lined up, mostly for bands and friends.

I am exhausted just thinking about all of this.

Juicin' on the job

Janice was right. Every hour should be happy hour.

Ugh

Dear American Television:

STOP FUCKING UP GOOD BRITISH SHOWS. The US version of Life on Mars looks like ass. (Even though it stars Colm Meaney and Lenny Clarke, both of whom I normally like, this does not redeem the stiff wooden Jason O'Mara, who my friends, is certainly no John Simm. And as much as I may like Colm Meaney, Philip Glenister is THE MAN, and I don't see how you can recreate that.)

If you like British shows so much, why don't you just buy the rights to them and air them as they are? There's a reason I'm addicted to BBC America.

Adding this one to the grave next to Viva Laughlin and Coupling,

8K

Post Weekend Wedding Exhaustion Redux Recap

I wish I could cohesively recap Kit and Tim's wedding for you, but the whole day seemed to pass in a giant ball of stress, joy, and excitement.

And really, what can I say? Kit looked radiant. When she was being buttoned into her dress, I got all choked up -- remembering the girl who happened to be in line behind me to get our Cabrini IDs tapping me on the shoulder and saying "I was in color guard too!" after noticing my LCHS Marching Band jacket, living on third floor of Woodcrest, joining Cabrini Theater, going to improv shows, walking to House 7 for MSTie Nights on Thursday, walking back to the dorm late at night on that wooded path, "I love us!," Suburbia, As you Like it, Popcorn, Overdue, getting tipsy together -- she looked so lovely and now she's about to go be a wife to someone. And not just someone, but Timmy Too Tall!





I was, of course, not allowed to get choked up or verklempt because I had a job to do. You guys. Seriously. I was so worried and stressed because I wanted to do a good job for my friends. At the core of it though, stressing and worrying were not helping me. Once we got to the church, my nerves kicked in full time, but I had to suck it up and just do it. In retrospect, there's a lot that I would have done differently, but I can honestly say that I did the best I could. I'm not a professional, I don't have lots of fancy photography equipment, nor do have any formal training. I shot honestly, straight forward, trying to be as unobtrusive as possible. I learned a lot, to say the least. If I could do it again I would:

1. Slow down.
   
2. Be more vocal about where I want people to pose, be more forward about moving objects that were in my way, instead of working around them.
   
3. Not worry about whose way I was in. Having that camera gives me carte blanch to be a bit pushy.

I honestly hope Kit and Tim are happy with the photos. I was told that I am my own worst critic and I've only sifted through 200-some shots, but there are already things I see that I don't like, that I'm beating myself up for.















Still, despite all my stress and worry, I had a wonderful time at the wedding. I'm so happy for my friends. At one point during the reception, during Kit and Tim's first dance together, I got choked up again. After I took my photos, I went back to my table to wipe my eyes and grab a sip of water. Mikey Likes It noticed my emotion and started in on me, "What? Are you getting choked up? Are you thinking about the awesome commitment they've made to one another? How they're dedicating their lives to each other, and going off on this great journey together, forever, in beautiful union? Are you thinking about the sacrifices they're making because of their undying love for each other?"

I should have thwacked him with my tripod.

But yes, I was thinking about the amazing commitment they were making. Not only the commitment to each other, but also what they're going to do next: They're moving to Indiana and Tim is beginning seminary. Talk about sacrifice and commitment.





It was also great to be with all of my friends, dancing and bopping about with happiness for Kit and Tim. Joe! was there (I've decided that Joe! always needs an exclamation point after his name) from Chicago, Renee had graduated that morning*, Jose was there, Maria-Rita came with her friend Steve -- it was just so nice being with everyone celebrating the first marriage within our circle of friends.





Afterwards, everyone wanted to go Pirate Mini-golfing at the place in Lancaster on Rt. 30. I really wanted to join them, but I was dead on my feet. Feet, by the way that were killing me, seeing as I was wearing shoes that were slightly small for me and I had been running around most of the day. Instead, I opted for going home to Lebanon since it was closer and surprising my mom for Mother's Day. Some surprise. I walked in, announced "happy early Mother's day," and went to bed. I slept the sleep of the dead for something crazy like 12 hours.

Photos are slowly trickling in over at my flickr.

Edited to Add: Flickr seems to be going through some hiccups and problems today. Consequently, photos that I want to save in the wedding set aren't being saved properly. With any luck, that problem will be fixed by tomorrow.

*Renee, I am so proud of you! Congratulations, Master Tomcanin!

The nicest compliment

Outside after the reception for Kit and Tim's wedding.

Joe!: And you! You take such awesome photos, you should go into business or something.

Matt: Thank you!

Me: I...

Matt: Shut up. You took a shitty band in a shitty bar and made us look like rock stars.

Me: You guys are not a shitty band. Not in the slightest.

Matt: Yeah, OK, but it was a shitty bar.

Me: True.

Honorably, honorable, Thank you!

Last night at the Graduate Art Show, I won an award!

I got an honorable mention, which sounds less impressive than it really is. Seeing as there are only two awards given -- The Beginner Award and The Advanced Award. The only award I was eligible for was The Advanced Award, and according to the judges, it was a dead heat between me and the student who won. And I sort of agree that the student who won The Advanced Award did something worth recognizing more than me. She took photos of a cat toy, an aloe plant, and a toilet plunger and made an entire undersea scene from those objects. She and I have very different aesthetics, and I had a larger body of work displayed, but her work took her a long time, was tedious to do, and was particularly imaginative. So I'm glad she won.

Plus, I got SO MANY compliments last night, I almost feel like I won the actual award. Two separate judges came up to me and offered to buy my work. And Liz, the head of the M.F.A. program asked if she could have copies for her new office. Here's the piece everyone seemed to like the most (ironically, one of my least favorites, due to some resolution problems):



That piece also printed out poorly -- all dark and the colors were off -- so I was particularly surprised that this was the piece people liked so much. Originally, I did it for the "Surrealism" project for my digital imaging class.

Also nice last night was hearing the M.F.A. students read their work. I was requested (again) to read at the reading at the end of the month (even though I'm not an M.F.A. student), and received a really nice comment from one of the M.F.A. students -- "You're the only M.A. student who consistently supports the M.F.A. program and tries to bridge the gap between the two departments. I love that about you!"

Much was said last night about community at Rosemont, and I have to agree. I am always impressed and inspired by my peers, unknowingly they encourage me to buckle down and refine my craft -- whatever "craft" I'm trying to hone in on that day, be it writing, design, editing, whatever. It's so nice to have a support system like that, even if they are unaware that they're doing that for me. I need to spend more time with them, and take a more active role in Rosemont programs, I think. It's not like I exactly have the time, but it's good for me.

My teacher from my Critical Theory Class (of DOOM) from last semester was there and she zeroed in on me about my Hegel/Lacan/Doctor Who paper that I need to revise by the end of the month so that I can submit it to that conference in Wales. She very helpfully offered to help me revise the thing, and if I were not going to a wedding this weekend, I would be pseudo-presenting what I have of the paper at a mock conference at Rosemont this weekend as practice. I need all of you to get on my case next week for applying the seat of my pants to a chair and WORK ON THAT FRAGGING PAPER. I am rapidly running out of time to dally with this thing.

Because badgers can't be choosers

I spent last night with Renee seeing this gorgeous and hilarious man:



Thank you again to Jim and Stephanie for such an unexpected and rad gift!

In other news, I'm now 27. Christ, I'm old.

Say, are you busy this Thursday?

Whatcha doing this Thursday? Well, besides watching Lost?

That's boring. You know what you should do instead? You should come to Rosemont for a little while for A Stroll Through the Arts.

OK, so it's not really strolling per se, seeing as it's all in one room. You could stroll through the room, I guess, but usually when I see "stroll" I think of a leisurely walk through a garden.

Whatever.

My point is, that 12 pieces of digital design by yours truly will be on display that night. There will also be readings done by the M.F.A. students, including my friend Courtney who writes beautiful poetry, and I'm not even a poetry fan so you know it's good if I'm recommending it. Oh and short films by the video students.

It's free, people. And there will be snacks. You know you want to come. And you'll totally get home in time for Lost, so don't worry.

A Stroll Through the Arts
Rosemont Campus, Main Building
1400 Mongomery Ave.
Rosemont, PA
7:00pm

Bachelorettes on the loose

Well. That certainly was a time.

There's not too much for me to say. I think The Bride had fun. The night was worth it for dessert alone. I wore vinyl pants for the first time since college. There was much drinking. I had hotness hair working for me.

And really, that's all I have to say.

No, really. That's it.

SHUT UP.



*With thanks to Krista and Renee for photos, as I purposefully did not bring my camera.

Rugger Huggers

It's been a long, long time since I've photographed sports. Since my college Loquitur days, in fact, and I've forgotten how much it kind of sucks. Well, that's not true. It's just challenging, even more challenging if you don't have a telephoto lens. Which of course I don't, since I'm still looking for a sugar daddy. There's still time to get your applications in, guys!

Anyway. Rugby weekend? Pretty amazing:



There are our Media Rugby boys. Brian gave me the strict instructions to only cheer for them. They're all stand-up lads too, quite helpful and kind. The boys weren't in the tournament, only hosting, but managed to squeeze in an early game with Reading.



Rugby is kind of insane.









Um, ow.

Saturday night, a party was held at Kildare's -- which precious few Rugby players attended due to them being exhausted from a long day of playing -- and The Podunk Drifters played. With the exception of the guitar player, everyone else in the band is either a player or has a connection to a player in Media Rugby.









I sort of felt like I was cheating on The Machine Stops, since I've been photographing so much of them lately. Also, Kildare's: Get some better lighting. Man, I've had a hard time photographing in there, even when my cousin's played. But one photo came out perfect:



Mmmmmm, yes please.

More photos from The Mid-Atlantic Rugby Championship can be seen here.