Ketchup

Already done with another term of school. And now I only have one left before earning my valuable piece of paper and venturing out into the real world. But let's not get too far ahead of ourselves. Ima tell you 'bout the breeze that was Finals Week, Winter '07.

But first, leading up to finals: I don't believe I've made one mention of the giant group project I've had to work on for Environmental Graphic Design. This class (certainly not to be confused with Green Design) covers the graphic design found in spacial settings, and one of our projects for the term was to make a sort of museum exhibit to be produced in full scale, but no larger than 7' tall x 5' wide x 2' deep, and its subject could be anything design-related. So my group and I came up with "Creative Blocks" as a topic, and worked happily on it all term, then finished construction on the Saturday & Sunday before its Monday Due Date on finals week. Then Sunday night I finished up the other project for that class (it was a "Dale" class, you know how he gets... homework up the yazoo), and Paul printed it for me Monday morning to be ready for the afternoon final.

Oh, and here's a picture of our finished project! It's currently on display on the second floor of the school, in the alcove across from room 263.

My next final was Tuesday night, and all I needed for that class was two copies of my mini-book. So Monday night , Paul and I fell asleep promptly upon our home arrival (after our final we had gone out for a couple drinks with Ryan, so we got home at about 9, I think). Then we woke up at about 3 or 4 in the morning, and worked until completion on our mini books. Paul's, by the way, looks really cool. His whole identity is D&D-themed, as explained in his most recent blog posting. Anyway, that was the day I went to Lazerquick and ended up pissed at the world before 10 am. Luckily I was able to cool off shortly after ranting, and the rest of the day went fine, including the presenting of my mini book, which was very casual. My next final wasn't until Thursday morning.

In the meantime, however, I needed to evacuate my apartment. This is the term that my lease was up, so it was finally time to take all my stuff away from the strangers living with it. So I spent Wednesday on packing my belongings into boxes. I was missing a few plates, nearly all my cups, a few pots and pans, my knife block, and probably some other things I can easily replace and I don't care much about. But, I was also missing several pieces of art I did that I can never replace! For this, I am very upset. The two pieces I am most concerned about were the two I received numerous compliments for. I don't consider myself an artist, and these certainly weren't masterpieces. But I am damned sentimental, especially when it comes to something that I made and am rather fond of. I know it's my fault for leaving my stuff there for so long with people I don't know/trust, but still. It just really sucks.

Anyway, Wednesday night was spent staring at the internet, then at about midnight I opened up my homework files only to decide that there were no more changes I needed to make before printing out my final project. So I went to bed rather late (after returning from KINKO'S), and the next morning all we had to do was hand in our final zines before we were sent on our way. I did some more packing at my apartment, Paul's and Ryan's cars were loaded up, and we made our trip up to Centralia for my stuff to be stored at Paul's parents' house. Then we were back in Portland, Ryan went home, Paul and I loaded up his car again, and we were on our way to C-town once again (but not before me forgetting my phone in the apartment after I had already turned in my key... That was pretty crappy).

And so came Friday, a big day for a few of my friends. Paul and I went to the Portfolio Show, gathering the business cards of everyone we came across. The Graphic Design show was extremely small compared to other terms. And they all had good books (some better than others, of course, but no one had the usual last-minute, terribly-crappy-projects book). Ryan's was fantastic, of course. Then we went to the ceremony to watch Ryan walk. Afterwards, we swung by Angie's after-party, then settled down at Ryan's party at The Kennedy School. It was a relaxed night, not meant for heavy drinking, Paul and I decided. That would come Saturday night.

And it was so. Saturday brought David's predictable end-of-term party, which Paul and I attended after catching a flick in Beaverton. We watched Zodiac, which was largely just a disappointment. Jake Gyllenhaal never fails to dazzle the eyes, though... Man what a cutie! The party was without music, which meant no dancing for me (which is a first!). Still, I think everyone had fun. I did, anyway, and I know Paul did, and so did Ryan. And that's good enough for me. The cops did show up at one point, however... They did the last time we were there, too. But last time, whoever answered the door was smart enough to not let them in. This time it was a smart-mouthed moron who's largely lacking in humility. So, in the cops came, collecting everybody's ID's, then leaving again, giving a citation only to the big-mouth. They didn't ask us to break it up, they didn't tell the under-aged ones to go home, they basically just gave us a warning to screen who we let into the party, and be careful of the morons like the one they cited.

So all-in-all, an eventful week. Now I'm hoping for an extremely un-eventful week, as it is my only bit of vacation before returning to my final three months of school. I'm hoping it won't be as hellish as I'm expecting it to be...

FUCK LAZERQUICK.

For some reason, I was under the impression that Lazerquick was cheaper, friendlier, and better quality than Kinkos. I'm sorry to Lazerquick for thinking they'd be a better choice. Apparently, I was wrong about all of it. I got some prints there this morning at 8 am ((2) 11x17 document, (1) 11x17 double-sided document, (2) 5 page double-sided document, (3) 8.5x11 document), I was there for an hour, and I was charged $48. The guy who helped me treated me with no respect, talking to me as though I knew nothing about what I was doing, or what he was doing, or what the printers were capable of, or how to set up a document so that it prints correctly. When in fact, I am very aware of all of these things. I understand that printers vary, and that certain papers can't be run through some printers. I understand that, and I'm willing to work with that. But DO NOT fucking tell me that what I'm trying to do is impossible. I know for a fact it's not, as I've had it done before at other places (i.e. Kinkos). And DO NOT tell me that anywhere I go will charge me a "RIP" fee to open any digital file that I bring in. Let alone a $16 per file charge. Fucking ridiculous. And if I want something double-sided, and I know it won't line up exactly, but I don't mind and still want the print, then give it to me, for fuck's sake. Don't give me two separate prints and expect me to deal with it myself when that isn't what I said I was okay with. On top of this fiasco, all my prints are of poor quality. I could have drawn them better, with a crayon. What a joke.

I'll never nay-say Kinko's again. At least they give me what I want/need, and at a fairly reasonable cost, and usually with a smile. God damn.

No fries, and could you make that soda a Slimfast?

Last night I made Chicken a la King. I never knew something could be so tastealicious with so few ingredients! Yum. And it's oh-so filling. And quick. I haven't had this meal in years and years, and I completely forgot about it until the other night, when I dragged out my Betty Crocker Cookbook so we could go grocery shopping for some good eats.

This "making dinner at home" thing has been going pretty well, actually. We've been eating fast food so much less. I don't think we've even had any Muchos Gracias in a couple of weeks... We've both been losing weight because of it. Which, that's what Paul was hoping for... I, however, was already at a pretty good weight (imo) and now I'm maybe a little on the light side... I guess that just means I need to start working out more so I can firm up those muscles!

Sugary Sweet

An excerpt from a convo with Ryan:

Callie:man, i totally missed out on easter candy last year

i have to make sure that doesn't happen this year.

i gotta stay on top of that shit

Ryan: haha

Callie: damn, it can slip through your fingers in an instant if you don't pay attention

damned seasonal candies...

Ryan: dork

I'm sure we all know how painfully true this all is. You just gotta make sure you pay attention. Fact: Seasonal candy is by far the tastiest of all the candies. So do NOT let it slip away. Grab that cash/candy with both hands and make a stash.

Motivation is a slave-driver

Well, Wednesday went fairly well. I didn't get everything on my list, but I got the bulk of it done, including the most important parts (things that were cut out of my day: lunch, 1/4 of the dirty dishes, my identity project, and one of the businesses I meant to email). Everything else went pretty well, though.

The running, however... Dang. I don't know why people would voluntarily put themselves through such torture! I mean, don't get me wrong, it's only proved to me that I need to go more often. But I was gone for a little more than half an hour, and I came back completely out of breath, my eardrums were in near-excruciating pain (that happen to anyone else?), my chest was on fire, and my legs have officially stopped working for the past two days. This is what I get for trying to turn around and be healthy... I wasn't even running the whole time! On the way back home in my loop, I walked for a good portion of the way, and even stopped completely at some points. I had no idea I was this out-of-shape. Damn those good days, being all tempting for exercise and whatnot! Sunshine will be the death of me. Mark my words.

Also, I must confess that I did not quit smoking yesterday. I only had one cigarette on Wednesday, but I had two more yesterday, and another this morning. However, I've made up my mind for good! I'm done smoking. I promise. So don't tempt me, you temptresses!

Okay, this may be related to the smoking, or maybe not-- I'm not quite sure, since I'm not really a heavy smoker by any means. But I've kiiiind of been coughing up blood lately... I didn't think too much of it until I happened to mention it to Paul this morning, who lightly freaked out at me. So, I now have a doctor's appointment next Wednesday. I'm not really worried, just pretty curious. It's been going on for weeks, but moreso in the past couple days, when I developed a sore throat and cough (before the coughing, the blood was showing up in whatever came out of me clearing my throat). This recent cough has also been accompanied with chills and nightsweats. Do you think it's TB? I think I've convinced myself it's not, but I suppose there's still a chance of it... I'm sure it's something that's practically nothing, though. Don't worry.

So that's what's up with me. I plan on having a nice, quiet weekend with Paul. I'll probably try to finish dreading his hair tomorrow (OH YES. It's finally happened.). It's currently 2/3 of the way done, with the hair of the crown of his head just hangin' out bundled in nine little pony tails. It's gunna look awesome... you can almost feel the dread.

Motivated.

Today:
Smoke my morning cigarette
Brush my teeth
Drink a Strawberry Slimfast
Stretch
Go for a run/jog
Do the dishes piled in the sink
Fold the laundry sitting on the couch
Get another load of laundry going
Make lunch
Figure out what to base my zine on (for a class assignment)
Work on my identity/business card/resume/mini portfolio book look
Post assignments for my group's project
Send my resume to a couple companies
Start dinner, as Paul will probably be home soon by now

I figure if I let the world know what I mean to do today, it might actually all get done. And I know, I know... smoking is maaaaaybe counter-productive to the whole jogging thing, but it's a start, right? Tell you what-- I'll make it the only cigarette of today. And then I'll have one more tomorrow morning, and then I'll quit. Deal? Kay. Deal.

Welp, I'm off to start my day. Wish me luck!

Let's all go to the lobby, let's all go to the lobby. Let's all go to the looobby, and get ourselves a snack!

Wednesday (Valatimes Day): Russian Dolls.
Paul brought me home a single pink carnation (which is the first flower I've ever received from a boy, not including when one picks the flower right in front of me and hands it to me... that's not quite as romantic...). I thought it was very, very sweet, especially considering that Paul's certainly not the type to get a girl flowers. Anyway, our Valentine's Day activity was to curl up together, and snuggle on the couch to watch the 2 hour-long movie that's been sitting on our coffee table for a month, that we hadn't yet had the time to watch. It was interesting-- sort of a strange movie. It was kind of a love story, but not exactly. More like one of those "oh what does it all mean... relationships... love... sex..." kind of movies. Anyway, I liked it (I grabbed it in the first place, because it has one of my favorite actresses in it: Audrey Tatou).

Thursday: Pan's Labyrinth
This movie is everything I've always wanted in a movie since I was a little girl. It has a fairy tale storyline filled with darkness, violence, mystery, wonder, betrayal, mystique, and very blurred lines between fantasy and reality. It's amazing, that's all I can say. Paul and I each downed three beers and then decided to walk down to the movie theater. I figured it would be the perfect time to see this; I've heard nothing but good things and my curiosity had been thoroughly roused.

Friday: Apocalypse Now!
We ended up with another stretch of time, since it was somehow too late to do any homework, yet too early to go to bed still. So we settled down to watch this three-hour-and-twenty-minute movie, which Paul snagged for ten bucks at Best Buy a while back. Unfortunately, this movie was as slow as it was long. I was this close to falling asleep by the end of it. I'm not saying I disliked it, because it was admittedly one of the better war-story movies. It's just not exactly in my taste. And man-oh-man, Harrison Ford is so young! Hah! It was silly. Oh right, Martin Sheen, too (and dang, I had no idea how much Charlie looks like him!).

Saturday: Ghost Rider
Not "Ghostwriter," as I previously had thought (only for a few minutes, though). Mr. Nicholas Cage is quite the BA (imho). Now, listen. I'm sure most of you know the difference between a "movie" and a "film" so I won't go into it. But let it be known that Ghost Rider is a fun "movie." I like it, I don't care what you say. I don't mind the bad actors or the bad special effects. I think it's fun to watch. I enjoyed it. Muchly, considering the slandering brief I'd been given from Paul, beforehand (After watching it, he puts the movie at a step above Fantastic 4. Now that was a bad movie-- a crappy piece of crap that should never have been produced. This movie, however, was fun! I can't sum it up in any other word). Fun.

Sunday: The Shins (live at the Paramount Theater, Seattle!)
YYYYEEESSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!! I saw them. I did. For reals. And you know what? It was awesome. And I got a cool t-shirt. AND, I am the proud owner of the crumpled piece of paper that is The Shins' set list!!! YES!!! UUuuuuggghhhh it was so worth this lack-of-sleep hangover I have. MMMMmmm hmmmmm.