Present Joys

• Drew a model I’ve never seen before with an oil-based pencil and produced a drawing I am exceptionally happy with.
• Got to leave the worst class of the week early because I was sick. Thanks, teach.
• Tried to get team stuff done while one of my teammates is on a cruise in the Caribbean and not able to answer email or do any work. We are two weeks away from finals and I am stressing the heck out.
• Was sick all week. Blew my nose on cheap CCAD toilet paper all week, which only made things worse.
• Celebrated Valentine’s Day by eating way too many of Colleen’s candy hearts in my team class and getting a swollen tongue. I am not sorry for eating the candy, because it was delicious and holiday-appropriate.
• Got some DayQuil from Theresa, who is a good friend to me.
• Turned in the final for my illustration project, which was mounted using the cheapskate mounting method. I guess you could say I haven’t yet learned my lesson.
• Discovered that the frivolous parking ticket fee had been revoked. I am still grumpy that the whole incident ever occurred.
• Spilled a plate of tomato sauce all over my lap at lunch and went around all wednesday afternoon smelling like spaghetti.
• Got a packet of Emergen-C from Jason and used it on the spot. I didn’t have a water bottle, so I had to put the powder into a 1oz disposable mouthwash cup from Mr. Mahan’s office. And I had to stir it with my knitting needle. Despite this, I was able to drink it and strengthen my immune system!
• Did not plan ahead for Burleigh’s final project and had to print, cut, and assemble the thing thursday morning by the printers in Kinney.
• Talked about Flannery O’Connor in my American lit class! Enough said!
• Had another great knit-n-crit with Burleigh, going over our finals! Used the cheapskate mounting method for a second time this week.
• Almost finished a whole sock.

I’ve already spoken about my knitting experience at last thursday night’s Craig Finn show, but I figure I should write about the actual show itself, because, boy howdy, it was a good one. Ian and I carpooled downtown at about 6:30pm, and because of awful hockey traffic, we ended up having to pay $10 to park in a garage across from the Ice Haus. Despite this, we managed to be the first people to the Basement. Coincidentally, some of my friends from school showed up soon after. At this point, it was nearly 8pm and we went inside.

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The pre-show wait was pretty chill. The venue took a long time to fill up, and the people who came were generally pretty calm and nice. It seemed like a lot of men in their early-to-mid 30s, but there were other sorts of people too. By the time Mount Moriah went on around 8:30, the place had completely filled up. It was good to be in the front row.

The opening band, Mount Moriah, was great in every way. Though I’d listened to their debut album before the show, seeing them live prompted me to re-listen! and to go get this nyctaper bootleg. Good stuff!

Craig and his band were, of course, really cool. There were no Hold Steady songs and definitely no Lifter Puller songs played. Craig played stuff from his new solo album, plus a few unreleased songs. The tenor of the show, like his new album, was slightly sad. But it was a beautiful kind of sad. My favorite part of the show was when they played No Future, which hit me really hard. I also enjoyed Terrified Eyes, Apollo Bay, and everything Craig did on solo guitar. The last song of the night, if I recall correctly, was Not Much Left of Us, and no encore followed. That kinda sums up the vibe: cathartic and a little sad but totally beautiful.

By the time I got back to my car, with Ian and my three friends from school who I’d offered to drop off at campus, that far-away parking garage was pretty much empty. It was badly designed, and we had a ton of trouble figuring out how to leave. There must have been five different exits, and it took us a good ten minutes to find the only exit that was attended. It’s kinda spooky to think you’re locked in an empty parking garage at midnight. Nevertheless, we had a really fantastic time. I’m so thankful for the chance to be at this show, the fond memories of which I’ll keep with me for a long time!

• Drew Jeremy with ink. Boryana blacked out the entire second floor of AMF so we would be able to see the shadow shapes.
• Studied art history facts during friendship lunch. Extremely fun.
• Drew an animal with a colored pencil for 6 more hours. It is not even that good, you guys. But it is finally done.
• Drove to Akron on wednesday night to see a concert! and got back before midnight.
• Complained about Arthur Miller in my American lit class.
• Took my first art history test on thursday, which was totally invigorating and awesome.
• Had a good old-fashioned knit-n-crit in Burleigh’s class.
• Went to another concert on thursday night and met up with Sarah and Tom; it was quite an adventure!

John and Colleen, two of my favorite people ever.

• Did a bunch of blind and continuous-line pen drawings of Bob. They came out better than I expected!
• Wrote a satirical poem about Sylvia Plath for American lit and read it aloud to the class. Still not sure whether I netted any brownie points for that.
• Got cited for a frivolous, newly-made-up CCAD parking violation. Stay tuned for the forthcoming angry tumblr about this.
• Participated in literally the most fun crit ever, in my team ad class. We formally judged our classmates’ projects using reaction cards that M-Tabs made for us. Topics discussed: drug dealers who use public transit; guerrilla ad campaigns involving collapsible bikes; how easy it is to make things for hipsters; the true meaning of “badass”; the ins and outs of roller derby; pointless government projects.
• Was alternatively annoyed and happy with my two ad teammates this week. Still anxious to see how the whole project will play out, and if I will end up killing someone or not.
• Took my history of fashion test, which covered the 18th century. Easier than expected, and extremely fun.
• Made a “metallic”-themed outfit for a Barbie that looked oddly different from everyone else’s.
• Drove home from school during rush hour. It really wasn’t as bad as I expected.
• Drew an animal with colored pencil for 6 hours.
• Filed an appeal against parking ticket, which consisted of filling out a boring form.
• Did that thing where I sit in illustration and jabber with Amanda and nobody else in the class talks so it’s kinda awkward.
• Had another surreal crit experience in Burleigh’s class, where we all had to sit at one gigantic table and talk about our direct mail projects. Everyone was worn out and pretty bored but being bored with your friends is still a great thing. I ate some crunchy organic carrots.
• Gained an even deeper affection for my ad classmates.