As a quick update:
In class yesterday we found out that our next two field trips have been canceled because of the economy. The first factory, the sheet metal factory, just doesn't have any work and they are closed for the time being. The second factory just downsized and changed management and can't have 45 college kids walking around the factory when they are reworking the way the factory is run. So that's the economic score.
Well, in other news, something kind of funny happened to me yesterday.
I went to the student union to meet up with Lindsay after I got some food. I sat down across from her and we started to do the crossword puzzle. That continued undisturbed for about 10/15 minutes. Then a group of football players sat down at the table attached to ours. A few more showed up and soon there was a small gathering right next to us. These guys were big black dudes and lindsay and I were little white girls just doing the crossword puzzle on a Tuesday. We exchanged glances, acknowledging the humor of the situation.
Now, I have a little bit of experience in the field of breasts. I can usually pick up on when people are talking about them and I'm pretty sure they were discussing the validity of mine. One guy said "find out for yourself" and they burst into laughter. After their chuckles subsided, one guy who we later found out was named T.Y., asked "where'd y'all eat lunch?" and from there conversation proceeded. We talked about what we did last weekend, the football team in the offseason, and where I worked. When I told them I worked at the Craft Center, they didn't believe that I knew how to build things. I told them I had recently built a stool and made a blown glass ornament. "J" asked if I could build him a new bed. "
"A new bed? Like, out of wood?
"Yeah. My old bedframe got a crack in it."
I kinda cocked my head to the side and said, "Well, gee,I don't know if I wanna know how you got a crack in your headboard..." *cue the laughter and clapping of the crowd of football players* and cosequentially *cue my crowning moment of glory*
This silly banter continued and they kept throwing out all sorts of comments about Grey Goose, turning their apartment into a bar, hanging out with Lindsay and I and other related subjects, all of which set of the "Pretty sure my dad would kill you if he heard you talking like that" alarm. Lindsay had to go to class and I decided to leave too. They got Lindsay's number. I figured we would never talk to one another but I guess I was wrong. "J" texted lindsay about 20 minutes later asking if they were going to hang out with her and her package deal(me) soon. I don't know what else was exchanged but lindsay did forward me this text:
"I don't know but my package deal's boobs are real, by the way."
I laughed hysterically. I know we probably will never hang out with those guys but it was a fun moment and I'm sure Lindsay and I will talk about when we're 55 year old winos reminiscing about our prime time.
February 11, 2009
February 9, 2009
Where is Superman when you need him?
It's been a while.
I am afraid of the economy. I am afraid of what is to come. I am afraid of what might happen if this stimulus package fails...who knows if it's going to pass or if it is even going to work. I'm not an economics major, I don't know whats up. But I do pay enough attention to know that things are getting very scary and messy and just plain fucked up.
And here I am, at the edge of the rest of my life, facing all of it. I see people my age losing jobs. I see people my age unable to find jobs. I see people my age staying in school for another 2 years because hey, it's not like they'd be able to find employment anyway, right? I almost feel like me having to have a 5th year of college is a bit of a blessing in disguise. At least I know that for the next two years I won't have to pay back any loans or brave the real adult world.
That's not to say I don't go unaffected. I'm still lashed with solemn headlines blaring from the New York Times website when I open my computer each day and every time I pass by a newsstand I shrink a little. I shrink in the same way I shrink when a homeless person asks me for money and I have to say (and mean) "Sorry man, I don't have any cash". I shrink because I see the pain and hardship, I see the storm in the distance, I see the impending doom biding its time and I feel like there is nothing I can do about it. I'm just a poor college student. I can't do anything. I'm living in my safe collegiate bubble full of loans and discounts. But lately, I can't help but feel like this economic crisis is really beginning to seep into my world....
...and then today, things really did get a little more real than just headlines on the paper.
I received an email from my Product Design professor that read:
No tour tomorrow. Meet in class and I'll fill you in on the economic conditions of our tour spots.
Cheers,
Kiersten
Reading that email and listening to President Obama's speech made me realize that shit is getting really real, folks. I don't know exactly what that e-mail is saying but I do know that my classes are now affected by it. And I do know that my degree may not be worth a whole lot when I graduate. And I do know that our country is in for one hell of a ride that I hope our new president can navigate.
Yet....I DO know that from where I stand, at the proverbial edge of the cliff, I can't let this cloud of darkness and depression consume me. Its my job, in this moment of zen, to take a deep breath, exhale and get ready to fight for the life I want, head on, with the tools I have at hand. Momma didn't raise no sissy woman and Poppa gave me too much pride to crumble.
Good Luck America!
I am afraid of the economy. I am afraid of what is to come. I am afraid of what might happen if this stimulus package fails...who knows if it's going to pass or if it is even going to work. I'm not an economics major, I don't know whats up. But I do pay enough attention to know that things are getting very scary and messy and just plain fucked up.
And here I am, at the edge of the rest of my life, facing all of it. I see people my age losing jobs. I see people my age unable to find jobs. I see people my age staying in school for another 2 years because hey, it's not like they'd be able to find employment anyway, right? I almost feel like me having to have a 5th year of college is a bit of a blessing in disguise. At least I know that for the next two years I won't have to pay back any loans or brave the real adult world.
That's not to say I don't go unaffected. I'm still lashed with solemn headlines blaring from the New York Times website when I open my computer each day and every time I pass by a newsstand I shrink a little. I shrink in the same way I shrink when a homeless person asks me for money and I have to say (and mean) "Sorry man, I don't have any cash". I shrink because I see the pain and hardship, I see the storm in the distance, I see the impending doom biding its time and I feel like there is nothing I can do about it. I'm just a poor college student. I can't do anything. I'm living in my safe collegiate bubble full of loans and discounts. But lately, I can't help but feel like this economic crisis is really beginning to seep into my world....
...and then today, things really did get a little more real than just headlines on the paper.
I received an email from my Product Design professor that read:
No tour tomorrow. Meet in class and I'll fill you in on the economic conditions of our tour spots.
Cheers,
Kiersten
Reading that email and listening to President Obama's speech made me realize that shit is getting really real, folks. I don't know exactly what that e-mail is saying but I do know that my classes are now affected by it. And I do know that my degree may not be worth a whole lot when I graduate. And I do know that our country is in for one hell of a ride that I hope our new president can navigate.
Yet....I DO know that from where I stand, at the proverbial edge of the cliff, I can't let this cloud of darkness and depression consume me. Its my job, in this moment of zen, to take a deep breath, exhale and get ready to fight for the life I want, head on, with the tools I have at hand. Momma didn't raise no sissy woman and Poppa gave me too much pride to crumble.
Good Luck America!
November 17, 2008
RUSH
My life is go. Go. Go. Go. Going all the time.
Thats why I this morning, when I had a small break in my day, I laughed when I saw a guy wearing a "RUSH" T-shirt running through campus. I doubt he noticed the irony but I really really enjoyed that moment.
Thats why I this morning, when I had a small break in my day, I laughed when I saw a guy wearing a "RUSH" T-shirt running through campus. I doubt he noticed the irony but I really really enjoyed that moment.
October 26, 2008
"Baby's First Election"
From France I was able to stand on the other side of America and look inward. Like watching animals at a zoo, I was a spectator observing my own life for a while. Imagine that for a minute. A giraffe gets let out of her small glass encased environment and walks around the zoo looking at everything she's missing and although there is so much to see, she keeps coming back to her old home just to see how things are going.
For me, this experience was one I am just now coming to terms with. I certainly explored the whole zoo while I was over there but I'm only just now realizing that I spent a lot of time looking back into my old environment. And I didn't necessarily like what I saw. But I didn't necessarily love walking around the zoo all day. It was a bit of a rude awakening and I feel like the year put a little chip on my shoulder. I think I might be a little too critical of my culture (aka Elitist). I met some german exchange students last night and I kept talking about how badly I wanted to move back to Europe to live and go to school and travel because I've tired of America.
But today I voted in my first election ever. And for the first time since I've been back in America (and maybe for the first time since after 9/11) I felt proud to be an American citizen. I got the same feeling after I sealed my ballot that I get when I watch fireworks. It gave me goosebumps and I think that being able to vote is the best thing about being American. I know you can vote in other countries...we are NOT the only democratic society on earth...but I just felt a connection to my homeland that had been lacking for a very long time.
I never thought that voting would be this big of a deal to me but it really is. I voted for President of the United States and my Mother on the same ballot! Voting CLEARLY has a real effect on my life and I don't think I can understand the people who say, "Well my vote doesn't really count" now, because it does. Maybe you feel like you are really helping make decisions or maybe it just makes you feel a little bit more attached to where you are. Regardless of what happens to this piece of paper after I drop it into the mailbox tomorrow, I feel like I did something important for myself today.
Thats all. Go vote. It's good for the soul.
For me, this experience was one I am just now coming to terms with. I certainly explored the whole zoo while I was over there but I'm only just now realizing that I spent a lot of time looking back into my old environment. And I didn't necessarily like what I saw. But I didn't necessarily love walking around the zoo all day. It was a bit of a rude awakening and I feel like the year put a little chip on my shoulder. I think I might be a little too critical of my culture (aka Elitist). I met some german exchange students last night and I kept talking about how badly I wanted to move back to Europe to live and go to school and travel because I've tired of America.
But today I voted in my first election ever. And for the first time since I've been back in America (and maybe for the first time since after 9/11) I felt proud to be an American citizen. I got the same feeling after I sealed my ballot that I get when I watch fireworks. It gave me goosebumps and I think that being able to vote is the best thing about being American. I know you can vote in other countries...we are NOT the only democratic society on earth...but I just felt a connection to my homeland that had been lacking for a very long time.
I never thought that voting would be this big of a deal to me but it really is. I voted for President of the United States and my Mother on the same ballot! Voting CLEARLY has a real effect on my life and I don't think I can understand the people who say, "Well my vote doesn't really count" now, because it does. Maybe you feel like you are really helping make decisions or maybe it just makes you feel a little bit more attached to where you are. Regardless of what happens to this piece of paper after I drop it into the mailbox tomorrow, I feel like I did something important for myself today.
Thats all. Go vote. It's good for the soul.
October 14, 2008
I call this procrastination
WHY AM I DOING HOMEWORK ALL OF THE TIME?! DAMNIT!
MAKE IT STOP! MAKE IT STOPPPP!!!!!!
MAKE IT STOP! MAKE IT STOPPPP!!!!!!
Bonafide Art Student
This is what I did today:
First I woke up at 11:00 because Monday is my only day to actually sleep in and after the weekend I just had, I needed it. So I woke up, showered, ate a grapefruit and walked to class with my friend, Scott. While he went to some international accounting business hoohaa class, I strolled though the fall breeze, stepping on crunchy leaves and breathing the fresh, crisp air all the way to the fine arts studios where I had three hours of Metalsmithing. I soldered some copper together and did a bunch of sanding, handled torches and files and sketched out the utensils I will be making in our next class. I stayed late because I wanted to finish my soldering sample project that day. Then I walked back through that wonderful fall air until I bumped into some friends on the lawn. I got a sandwich with Braden and Andrew and then went back home. My day was not done...oh no.
I proceeded to my friend Karyn's house. She was going to lend me her digital camera for my Product Design project, due Thursday. I have to get it done now because I have so much work to do this week and this is a time consuming project. You see, as Product Design students, we must perform competitive product test and observe things in their natural environments. In this case, I was testing cars. The interior spaces of cars. So with Karyn's camera in hand, I drove my 1990 Acura to the nearest BMW dealership. I walked into the showroom, explained myself and took pictures of my backback inside of 5 different cars. The assignment was to photo document the interior space of a NEW car (ie: at a dealership) and where a student would store his/her bag during a commute. I thought, "hey, if I'm going to have to go look at cars, they might as well be hell of nice ones." The KIA dealership was across the street so I went over there and took 2 pictures. They were playing "Hot Stuff" in the showroom and it smelled like old candy so I bolted as soon as I was done snapping the last shot. Then I proceeded to the Dodge dealership because I wanted to sit inside some big. ass. trucks.
And I did! Out of all of the cars I went inside, the car with the best storage space for a student's backpack was the: 2008 Dodge 1 Ton MEGATON Diesel truck (read: MAN! I AM A MAN!!! MEAT AND FOOTBALL!!! MUD!!!)
Then, I was starving. So I went home, Claire and I ate a delicious meal of Salmon and sautéed Zuccinni. Then, I had to work on a wire sculpture but I really wanted to zone out to a movie...so I went to Lindsay's and did both! My hands are now raw and cut up but my giant jellyfish lamp for my 3D design class is nearly complete. (On a sidenote...chicken wire is VICIOUS...)
Now I am home...and I have to wake up for my BUSY day in about 6.5 hours.
I am not complaining in the slightest BTW...while you business majors and poli sci majors add things and write papers, I get to do art projects all day. I go to college!
May you dream in color tonight...
Love,
Ruby
First I woke up at 11:00 because Monday is my only day to actually sleep in and after the weekend I just had, I needed it. So I woke up, showered, ate a grapefruit and walked to class with my friend, Scott. While he went to some international accounting business hoohaa class, I strolled though the fall breeze, stepping on crunchy leaves and breathing the fresh, crisp air all the way to the fine arts studios where I had three hours of Metalsmithing. I soldered some copper together and did a bunch of sanding, handled torches and files and sketched out the utensils I will be making in our next class. I stayed late because I wanted to finish my soldering sample project that day. Then I walked back through that wonderful fall air until I bumped into some friends on the lawn. I got a sandwich with Braden and Andrew and then went back home. My day was not done...oh no.
I proceeded to my friend Karyn's house. She was going to lend me her digital camera for my Product Design project, due Thursday. I have to get it done now because I have so much work to do this week and this is a time consuming project. You see, as Product Design students, we must perform competitive product test and observe things in their natural environments. In this case, I was testing cars. The interior spaces of cars. So with Karyn's camera in hand, I drove my 1990 Acura to the nearest BMW dealership. I walked into the showroom, explained myself and took pictures of my backback inside of 5 different cars. The assignment was to photo document the interior space of a NEW car (ie: at a dealership) and where a student would store his/her bag during a commute. I thought, "hey, if I'm going to have to go look at cars, they might as well be hell of nice ones." The KIA dealership was across the street so I went over there and took 2 pictures. They were playing "Hot Stuff" in the showroom and it smelled like old candy so I bolted as soon as I was done snapping the last shot. Then I proceeded to the Dodge dealership because I wanted to sit inside some big. ass. trucks.
And I did! Out of all of the cars I went inside, the car with the best storage space for a student's backpack was the: 2008 Dodge 1 Ton MEGATON Diesel truck (read: MAN! I AM A MAN!!! MEAT AND FOOTBALL!!! MUD!!!)
Then, I was starving. So I went home, Claire and I ate a delicious meal of Salmon and sautéed Zuccinni. Then, I had to work on a wire sculpture but I really wanted to zone out to a movie...so I went to Lindsay's and did both! My hands are now raw and cut up but my giant jellyfish lamp for my 3D design class is nearly complete. (On a sidenote...chicken wire is VICIOUS...)
Now I am home...and I have to wake up for my BUSY day in about 6.5 hours.
I am not complaining in the slightest BTW...while you business majors and poli sci majors add things and write papers, I get to do art projects all day. I go to college!
May you dream in color tonight...
Love,
Ruby
October 6, 2008
THE QUESTION
Einstein said, "The important thing is to never stop questioning." which is a quote that I generally, strongly agree with...in most cases.
There are, however situations where questioning is either
a) A bad idea--I need not give examples, you get it
b) Only leads to more and more unanswerable questions thus driving you mad and preventing you to live your life--such as in philosophy
c) Could result in your death--"If I tell you I will have to kill you"
d) Very annoying--so annoying it could cause me to break something on your head.
Yes, I Ruby Sprengle, am being rather annoyed with this one simple question:
"So how was France?!"
When some people ask me the question I can sense the genuine interest in my response and will therefore return with a genuine response. Then when some people ask me that question, I sense a total lack of care. Its like, they feel obligated to ask me and I obligated to respond. I would appreciate a little creativity now and then.
This is why I have decided to start answering this question with much more unconventional responses. So the next time someone asks me how France was, I may respond as such:
"Oh, partly cloudy with wind gusts of up to 15 miles per hour"
or
"There were scattered Thunderstorms"
or maybe
"Slightly undercooked but still bursting with flavor"
"Delicious! I particularly enjoyed the hint of lime!"
"The scriptwriting was awful"
"I found the metaphors to be rather contrived"
"Really good. They've got an early 70's classic rock vibe mixed with a totally modern electro-synth undertone."
"A little too hops-y for my taste."
"An exquisite masterpiece of contemporary cinema. I can already smell the Oscar buzz."
or maybe just
"It needed salt."
So there you have it. I'm putting in my effort people. Let's get a little cooperation and jazz things up a bit. I'd really appreciate it.
Rubes
There are, however situations where questioning is either
a) A bad idea--I need not give examples, you get it
b) Only leads to more and more unanswerable questions thus driving you mad and preventing you to live your life--such as in philosophy
c) Could result in your death--"If I tell you I will have to kill you"
d) Very annoying--so annoying it could cause me to break something on your head.
Yes, I Ruby Sprengle, am being rather annoyed with this one simple question:
"So how was France?!"
When some people ask me the question I can sense the genuine interest in my response and will therefore return with a genuine response. Then when some people ask me that question, I sense a total lack of care. Its like, they feel obligated to ask me and I obligated to respond. I would appreciate a little creativity now and then.
This is why I have decided to start answering this question with much more unconventional responses. So the next time someone asks me how France was, I may respond as such:
"Oh, partly cloudy with wind gusts of up to 15 miles per hour"
or
"There were scattered Thunderstorms"
or maybe
"Slightly undercooked but still bursting with flavor"
"Delicious! I particularly enjoyed the hint of lime!"
"The scriptwriting was awful"
"I found the metaphors to be rather contrived"
"Really good. They've got an early 70's classic rock vibe mixed with a totally modern electro-synth undertone."
"A little too hops-y for my taste."
"An exquisite masterpiece of contemporary cinema. I can already smell the Oscar buzz."
or maybe just
"It needed salt."
So there you have it. I'm putting in my effort people. Let's get a little cooperation and jazz things up a bit. I'd really appreciate it.
Rubes
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