Indiana Jones at the Solano Drive-In

Two towns over, where I used to live, there’s a Drive In movie theatre.  I used to go a lot with friends and stuff back in high school and then in 2005 they didn’t open it up for another season.  Needless to say, we were all sort of bummed.  I had even heard they were thinking of bull-dozing it and building a Wal-Mart there… God knows we didn’t need another one of those.

So anyway, last year Westwind bought the Solano Drive In, re-paved the two lots, showed some other much-needed love and car, and opened the joint back up.  I didn’t get to go last summer but I made it a point to go this year before I leave.  Tonight a bunch of us went and saw Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.  I was not disappointed at all.  It was true to the essence of the first 3 movies in terms of humor, dialogue, plot twists, obstacles, and fight scenes.  Except for in this one there seemed to be more longer fights.

Im not going to spoil anything for you, I just want to say that Harrison Ford did a great job, Shia LeBeouf is fantastic (I was already a fan, but this just won him so many more points with me), and I think Cate Blanchett was both lovely and funny as the villainess.  If you are a fan of the original trilogy, I highly recommend you see this one.

Now at the Drive In you get two first-run movies for $6.75.  You can’t beat that price at all, the second feature that was paired with Indy was Speed Racer.  I don’t think I’d enjoy the overly-CGI flick, plus I used to watch the original cartoon as a kid and felt like I might be disappointed with the remake.  And on top of that, I was tired and I have to wake up sorta early tomorrow, so I just came home early.  But whatever.

All in all, it was a fun night… next time I really have to get some video footage of the Drive In to show everyone.  But I’m hella tired, so… peace out!

Finished, Finished, FINISHED!

I finished my video piece in time for the critique and I really did crank it out on Monday because it turned out really well and garnered mad kudos in class, even an “above and beyond” type of statement from the prof.  Can you say beaming?  I was so jazzed.  Here it is if you want to check it out:

I started a 2nd channel just for my art videos, 

My last day as an undergraduate was yesterday.  I didn’t get misty-eyed or anything, I actually didn’t really enjoy my time on the campus.  99% of what made it even slightly enjoyable was my department.  There was one class outside of the Art department that I thoroughly enjoyed for the discussion and the people I met in it.  Otherwise, 2.5 years at my current school gets totally pwned by the 3 years spent at San Jose State.  Probably because of I lived on or next-to camps most of the time and could do extra-currics and go hang out after class and the like.

I left for various personal reasons, but deep down I wish that SJSU was my alma mater instead.  But it’s what you make it, right?  I know I could have had a better time here at State if my living situation had been different.  A 50-mile commute makes extra-curriculars tough.  I mean, it makes just going to class tough!  So, I’m just ready to graduate and get the summer started!

Rave reviews!

I just got out of my Art Final.  My last final.  And I got rave reviews on my video!  Awesome!  There was also some constructive criticism, but my professor said that I far exceeded expectations with the piece.  That means a lot and I’m so stoked.

So now I’m in my department lab… 5 hours to kill until the Dept. Graduation/End-of-Semester party and lots of internetting to do, apparently.  So yeah.  Out!

Procrastination Hurts

I’m not generally a procrastinator… I like to work on things little-by-little early on in the project, so that when I get closer to the deadline, I’m not freaking out.  I don’t know what it is about finals, though, especially in Spring, that just make me about the most procrastinating person ever.

The last final, and I mean last final of my undergraduate career is due to be presented Tuesday.  It’s a video piece.  I’m probably only 25% done.  I’m pretty sure it’s because I had to re-shoot it but I found that out just 2 days before a 6-day long trip to Arkansas for my Grandmother’s funeral.

Right now, I know I should be working on the piece but good lord I just feel so unmotivated!  Not motivated?!  You ask, But you’re about to graduate!  What more motivation do you need?!?!  It’s that semester-end thing where I’m just barely crawling over the finish line.  I am overwhelmed with the many things that life is throwing at me now.  I know that I will complete it tomorrow.  I know that I will pass the class.  I know that I will graduate.  But at 9:06pm PST, at this very present moment, I don’t know if what I produce will even be halfway decent.  I’m just so done already.

I need to find employment.  I need to clean my bedroom which is an utter pigsty because I did laundry the morning I left and didn’t get a chance to put it all away.  When I got back at 2:30am, I pushed everything off my bed and collapsed and have been so busy since returning that I haven’t had a decent amount of time to clean.  I need fingerprints.  I need to get 2 sets of paperwork done.  I have to submit volunteer hours.  Worry about getting bills paid (I haven’t worked since January because I was looking after my grandmother, going to school, and taking Japanese classes).  I also have to train 5 people before I leave in August.

Sometimes I just get so worried about stuff that I just want to drop it all and start from scratch, but I can’t really do that, so slosh through it I must.

But I don’t mean to sound like a drag.  There are some silver linings to my clouds:  I made an awesome new friend last month who absolutely makes my days.  I will be graduating with a BA degree by the end of the month.  The Drive-In is open.  I have a full summer to spend with great friends before I move to Japan in August.  I will be a first-time Aunt come October.  I will be independent.  I will almost be like a real grown-up!

So there you have it.  Once I get over this hump called May (which, oddly, seems to be a big hurdle every year), it will almost be smooth sailing for a while.

And with confidence somewhat restored, I will rest and relax tonight and (hopefully) go full-throttle tomorrow, probably chatting with my buddy throughout the day, ha!  Oh yeah, and my sister and her husband come back tomorrow, too… so that’s always nice.

Sorry sorry sorry, I’m back

So sorry for the long (unintended) leave of absence.  I didn’t mean to go away for so long.  Life has been insane.  I have one week left of school. my sister is pregnant and just learned yesterday the baby is a girl, (FTW!).  After caring for my grandmother for several months, she finally succumbed to bone cancer about 10 days ago.  I got in to the JET program and will be leaving in August for Japan.

More detailed updates to come, I’m just trying to get things in order and this next week coming up will be a little hectic.

Want to know what was stealing my time?