Esbjörn Svensson Trio - Goldhearted Miner

It's official. Thanksgiving is over, we've survived the annual mini-apocalypse that is Black Friday, and in the process of making casual conversation and grinning through forced social interactions probably gained 3 pounds, because everyone knows that a conversation with your mother's second cousin is much less awkward with a mouth full of crackers and not-quite-bite-sized cubed cheese.

With the holiday season in full swing we are all soon to be subject

to the bitterness of the winter season

sales clerks and brawling in the isles

of Target over the last box of matte red christmas tree bulbs.

In spite of all the dull and dreary

the carbon stained slush thats soon to accumulate in the streets

staining the entryway rug,

the bitterness of the cold, likely radiating from the souls of the sales clerks and icy exhalation of those corporate bastards breathing down your neck

whispering 'buy more,'

gusting at 40 miles an hour and penetrating your flimsy fleece jacket,

there is light other than that of the tacky christmas bulbs,

Sears 25% off,

and there is a warmth that will penetrate your mind, body and soul,

even if frozen solid.

Finally Finished

E-X-P-A-N-D as captured by The University of Kansas. This photo can also be seen on The University of Kansas Facebook page under the Campus Word Art Album.

Great Job Team!

Almost Done!

Yesterday, all the groups set up their words around campus. Our word (Expand) was placed in front of strong hall. The 'E' 'X' on the south side of the sidewalk, the 'P' 'A' elevated on the bench that holds the Jayhawk statue and the 'N' 'D' on the north side of the Strong Hall sidewalk. Our placement, and timing was great. Our word was bold and its horizontal orientation paralleled the long windows that stretch across the front of Strong Hall. Also, the sun setting highlighted the white of our words making them stand out even more.

Although the end result seemed flawless, we had out fare share of crisis earlier that day. our photos were actually taken at the Oread Hotel and not in front Strong Hall. After spending all day sunday running back and forth to the Oread dragging our letters onto the elevators and on and off of balconies and rooftops Yvonne and I thought we had all the shots we needed, which was great because my efforts to hold down three foot tall letters in the 40 mph (I assume) gusts on top a roof were failing miserably. Happy with our results we promised to get out of the way of all the KU elite checking in and out of the Hotel. Little did we know some higher power was going to spite us the next day when Yvonne tried to upload the images. MEMORY CARD CORRUPT. WHAT!?...... crisis ensued.

Thankfully we rounded up Ashley to load the letters onto one of the busses and hauled it all back to the Oread. After bothering the deskies to reopen the rooms we needed ( aside from one because it was being occupied by what we speculated to be a couple here on a romantic KU escape due to the scattered rose petals we walked over the day before in our attempt to get out on the balcony). With some of the pictures retaken we rushed back to the design building to retouch and weight down out letters and set them up before the tour. DONE.

Now onto the book...

"What I Learned In School Today" seen above.

From the reading I learned valuable tips on how to focus, utilize close up shots, and how to find "nirvana" in a work whether it be by symmetry or asymmetry.

"X" Marks The Spot

In the process of constructing the prototype for the soon -to- be- six -foot- tall final letter, I managed to make a mess of the limited space I do have. On the plus side, it was only cardboard and I have put together a fairly solid "X."

Here The Tame Go By

Last class I got some great advice on how to work with illustrator and create some of the effects I wanted for my word (obtain), and I'm hoping Adobe Illustrator skills will progress throughout the rest of the semester.

In other news, I recently stumbled upon Omar Rodriguez Lopezs' solo albums and compilations through other praised guitarists like John Fruciante, former guitarist from RHCP and solo artist. The song "Here The Tame Go By," is from his first solo album A Manuel Dexterity: Soundtrack Volume One. Just a little tid bit for fun. (please disregard the video, it has no relation to the song or the artist)

enjoy!

Define

Google Images for Obtain:

Definition of Obtain:

1.) To get hold of; to gain possession of, to procure; to acquire, in any way. [from 15th c.]; To secure (that) a specific objective or state of affairs be reached. [15th-19th c.]; To prevail, be victorious; to succeed. [15th-19th

2.Gain possession of; acquire. Organize -- Arrange in functioning order through systematic planning. Oversee -- Supervise a function or operation as distinct from supervising people.