the world's worst pop-up book

The Best Day ever!

2009-08-13T06:05:19Z

So today, i woke up at exactly 9:20 am. actually i jolted awake as i remember i had to be at a thesis defense to support my friend, nathan, as he tackled the last hurdle before getting his MFA degree.

i didn't know what time it started so i quickly checked my school email, and of course, our awesome secretary, Judi, sent everyone a reminder of the time! It started at 10:00 am...so i got out of bed, got dressed and out the door i went! I made it to the gallery downtown, and saw other grad students there and most of the faculty...so i wasn't late, just fashionably on time.

Nathan started out his defense with with a condensed version of his Thesis Paper....which in true Nathan fashion, consisted of reading from the paper. it helped him keep his focus and even though he didn't make eye contact with him, he remained somewhat calm and collected. after that portion he proceeded to talk about the work starting out piece by piece....but that soon was forgotten and the faculty began asking questions about the body of work as a whole. I think this helped Nathan out a lot. He lost all fear and the question and answer portion of this defense became a really laid back critique like we always have! it was great! Nathan finally confessed that The Dark Crystal IS one of his influences in his imagery and the concept of his work. Everyone was excited he owned that information...FINALLY! We all knew it, we just were waiting for him to declare it!

This spurred on a good talk about surrealists looking to children's stories, fairy tales, and horror films as a basis for their ideas and work! Such an AMAZING Experience to listen to this discussion! I thought Nathan's work was validated and OF COURSE he was passed and now can graduate with an MFA! WHOO!

After the defense, i headed to the studio for Day Two of clean and move into new studio space! I had such a great time! I forgot to eat lunch, which was okay, as i wasn't hungry! I moved my things into the new space and proceeded to spend the next hour pinning up pictures and postcards and even my Hikki Heart Station Promotional Poster! it's amazing!!! I'll post a picture a little later.

I took a break and headed across campus to another thesis defense at 1:20pm...this one was over after about and hour and half and i headed back to the studio to finish the decorating, moving and clean up! and so at around 8pm i was just about done! So here is the my decorated corner or the new studio space!

YAY!

soo, at around 8, my friend Mary Beth calls and asks if i wanted to go on a walk as it's not safe to walk alone in peoria, even on campus. We walk around campus exploring the place for the first time i've been here! Campus just got a beauty make over from Facilities Management. Our friend Sarah, who was on the FM team, told Mary Beth of a nook hidden away on campus and we decided to find it tonight! We walked along the cement paths and saw a lot of gardens and seating sprinkled all over the place! we even found a rocking bench!! AWESOME!

i was getting hungry so we walked next to campus and stopped at Subway where i got a sammich, chips, and honey sweetened tea! YUM! The walk was fun and i felt good afterward! Good Conversation with a friend and i was productive today!

then we walked even more and decided to call it a night by going to the Art Department computer lab to check out emails. I just walked into one the graduate student space on the 2nd floor and notice i had something in my my mail folder! it was a class roster for a drawing class this fall! YUP! I'm teaching a drawing class this fall! and I'm super excited as i know that it covers part of my tuition and i will get more money back so i can actually live for this semester and winter break!

So that was my day! I am really happy and excited about art again and i'm super excited to take off running this semester and really have fun and be soo productive! It's going to be an amazing fall semester! I can tell!

oh yeah!!! I sat and listened to Ponyo's theme song and sang it really loudly in the computer lab waiting for Mary Beth to get to campus! and then i watched two trailer repeatedly for the movie! whoo! I might listen to the theme song again now!

i was thinking

2009-08-11T04:56:46Z

This Last semester was really rough, and i found myself unhappy for most of the time. Over the summer, i started feeling better about life, because i had a break from the all the drama that was floating around the art department.

but now as the new semester is closing in on me, i have realized that i really lost contact with a lot of people. that made it hard to function really. you all are my support. Even though we all don't live in the same place again, i know you're here with me. And that my friends and family, has given me some good feelings.

so i'm going to try my hardest to keep in touch, and call everyone more often.

I know just talking with you all, by phone of in a chat program, i'll keep myself reminded that i'm not alone.

Knowing I'm not alone, really makes my soul happy.

so to my family and friends: I APPRECIATE YOU!

Half-Blood Prince

2009-08-09T23:56:35Z

wow...very much underwhelmed.

Can You Keep a Secret?

2009-08-09T06:17:34Z

Using only song titles from ONE ARTIST, cleverly think of answers to these questions. Then tag 15 friends. Try not to repeat song names. It's harder than you think! It's best to pick a band with a large catalog.

Pick Your Artist: Hikaru Utada

Are you male or female?: You Make Me Want to Be a Man

Describe yourself: Apple and Cinnamon

How do you feel about yourself: Simple and Clean

Describe your current boy/girl situation: Stay Gold

Describe where you currently live: Beautiful World

If you could go anywhere you wanted to go: Fly Me to the Moon (In Other Words)

Your favorite form of transportation: Travelling

Your best friend(s) is(are): On and On

Your favorite color is: Blue

Favorite time of day: Kemlin Dusk

If your life were a TV show, what would it be called: Time Will Tell

What is life to you: Keep Tryin'

What is the best advice you have to give: Fight the Blues

Thought for the Day: Give Me a Reason

How I would like to die: Take 5

My soul's present condition: Automatic

It's a sick sad world!

2009-07-09T00:41:15Z

Daria is hitting DVD next year!!

whooo! FINALLY!

http://news.awn.com/index.php?ltype=top&newsitem_no=28330

umm...

2009-06-19T07:18:19Z

bands that never should be used to make amv or any other fan made videos:

1: evanescence... that's all i can think of at the moment.

and more you all can add to the list?

i love this song!

2009-05-20T13:45:18Z

the first video is a trio who choreographed a routine....they are cool.

then there is the mv for the song

hey phillips 1o3 and 3o3 remember this?! :)

oh my! Uncharted 2!

2009-05-19T09:08:44Z

i can not wait for the next adventure of Nathan Drake! :)

Utada hitting it hard in 2009, Angela Aki's "Answer" to my musical void...

2009-01-24T05:39:12Z

hikki's latest english single is set to be released to the american public February 10!

here's the song:

http://www.islandrecords.com/site/promo/splash/utada/index.htm

it's more american friendly than "easy breezy" and i'm pumped for the album in March!!! I'm going to pre-order the japanese release as it's 16-20 days before the US release.

Let's hope for the ripples she cause with "Exodus" will slowly grow into some gentle waves in the American music scene.

yay!!

AND!!!

Angela Aki's Latest Album "Answer" is set to be release in Feb! I've already pre-ordered my copy!! So I can't wait for the next couple of months!

RE: Degeneration

2008-12-29T03:32:40Z

better than the live action films...much better.

but majorly disappoint in the lack of Claire Redfield screen time.

majorly disappointed!

She did have only two good scenes:

1: when she jumped to save rani, and kicked a zombie in the head and gabbed the gun Leon tossed to her.

2: when she smacked the senator.

oh the best part of the DVD was the Garnett Lee, 1UP.com quote on the DVD box:

"With ALMOST non-stop action and plenty of crazy moments, Degeneration puts on a classic Resident Evil show."

major emphasis on "almost" as half of the film comprised of characters divulging their life story.

Uncharted: Revisited

2008-12-26T08:13:23Z

Since finding the trailers for Uncharted 2: Among Thieves, I started playing Drake's Fortune again to show Nathan the game, and to remind myself of how much I love this game.

Drake is a really likeable lead character, Elena is an awesome counter-part, and Sullivan is a man's man who is great.

The plot completely feels like one of those old pop adventure stories, and totally kicks the ass of Indiana Jones and the Crystal Skull all over the place.

Man, everyone should play this at least once! Seriously!

I cannot wait to get back to Phoenix and finish it yet again, and I cannot wait for the follow-up game to come out! It's gonna be awesome!

The Adventures of Nathan Drake Continues!!!!!

2008-12-16T23:50:18Z

Uncharted's sequel trailers have been released!

Sweet! i can't wait!

keahi103 @ 2008-10-30T05:25:00

2008-10-30T10:26:15Z

I feel like I'm drowning and no one in Peoria is willing to pull me out.

oh michelle.

2008-08-02T09:45:52Z

oh michelle yeoh, how your name should have been advertised as brendan and jet's were. You played a major role in the story (in my opinion) and i wish you were given a better fighting scene.

alas, i can't change anything

but i still thoroughly enjoyed this film.

Yuna Ito and Celine Dione duet?

2008-07-29T03:01:34Z

Celine Dione sings in Japanese?

i'm unsure about the song.

but it kinda shocked me to find this out, so i thought it was worth posting about.

What!!!!

2008-07-27T05:52:49Z

http://www.gametrailers.com/player/37596.html

She's back! She's back!

Uncharted: Drake's Fortune

2008-06-19T05:12:32Z

So I picked up a PS3.

One the second game I purcahsed was this one.

This game is amazing!!! I really enjoy the music, the gameplay, the graphics, the plot. everything. the characters are alive and interesting.

hola, long time see!

2008-02-18T00:22:59Z

announcement: I have a new music cruch to join the ranks of Angela Aki and Hikaru Utada!

Introducing:

I picked up "Little Voices" this past week at BestBuy with the help of Trey's gift card (Thanks Trey!). It's an impressive debut album. Pretty Girl playing Piano? total kudos in my department.

I smile whenever I catch the video for her single "Love Song" on TV.

Yup.

I thought of you Trey, when I saw this.

2007-12-26T10:15:54Z

P.S. THanks for the Christmas card and surprise that was inside!

They're like little balls of sunshine in a bag.

2007-12-19T07:23:17Z

Oh, one of the best scenes from the entire run of The Golden Girls.

keahi103 @ 2007-10-22T09:14:00

2007-10-22T14:17:03Z

WHAT WHAT?

2007-09-26T03:50:47Z

http://www.u3music.com/message/index.php?m=1&d=2007092523322e.xml

Hikki is planning a new english album...super excited!

keahi103 @ 2007-09-25T18:34:00

2007-09-25T23:38:13Z

An Evening with Angela Aki

After giving a fairly successful demo TODAY in the lithographic process of 2nd etching. Three of the litho students (who had their stones ready) rolled up their image with ink successfully. My day started out rather well. I went to work, and instead of learning more to repair damaged books, I instead cut down labels for the office's Homecoming displays. I learned so much about the history of Bradley University.
I began to feel that the day was already rather pleasant and nothing could make it worse. I was in the need for some groceries when I decided to venture to the local Kroger's. I picked up some stuff and headed home. My arms were full of bags when I came to the security door of my building. The "older gentleman" was exiting at the same time and I thanked him again, as he has held the door open for me twice now. He's a nice man, I should make a note to talk with him more. Anyways, I stepped inside through the doorway, and he asked me if I lived in Apt #7. I said I did and he proceeded to tell me a small package with sitting on the floor for me. I glanced down and strained my eyes to make sure the label was clear.
Oh I was so giddy, I told him " thank you" and I bent down to pick it up! A package from CD JAPAN! It finally came!!! I thought I would get it on Tuesday, (Ironically, today) but it came a whole day earlier! I like to think it was a great gift for having such a splendid day. Some can say my day became great at that moment, but OH MAN DID IT GET EVEN BETTER!
I popped in the DVD first as I wanted to save the songs for when I could really sit and pay attention. The PV's were even more beautiful in CD quality! 孤独のカケラ (special version) was so much better on my television, than on Youtube. There were so many small details that were so magnificent when I could actually see them!
Once dinner was made and I sat down and talked with my sister as she had just gotten her copy as well. (we totally listened to it at the same almost precise moment...how weird is that?) I decided to pull out a binder with extra notebook paper. I needed to write down my thoughts of each song. I was going to be so prepared.
The CD was placed in the player, and I only hit the "play" button when I was completely ready. Alright, Ms. Angela, let's see what you have brought to the table.

push play.

1. サクラ色- The album opens with a familiar tune. I fell in love with this track the first time I heard it while watching the PV someone shot with their digital camera (back in the beginning of the year). As a song I felt is signified a growth from her HOME album, while still maintaining the same essence. This song complimented the ideas present in her Debut.

2. Again - I've waited for so long (as many others I'm sure) to have this song in CD quality. Upbeat and peppy - mmm- makes me just want to walk anywhere with my Ipod, the world in front of me. I don't know the destination I'm headed for, but I know I'll find where ever I'm supposed to be, and that everyone I met on this walk I will see again. Don't get me started on the PV...I'll just say I loved it.

3. TODAY - This is NOT a cover of the Smashing Pumpkins = This is an original song! I Love the word "today". There's something very absolute about it. I wasn't sure what to expect, having heard the cover of the Pumpkins so much. I found myself hopping/bouncing around my apartment. (There went the sitting down to write as I listened idea.)

4. 愛のうた - The beginning almost had me singing Sarah McLachlan's Angel, (Angel-a? ahaha, I think it's was witty). I got a very Sarah feel from the song - especially from the sound of the Surfacing album. 2 minutes in, I got a Damien Rice feel from the steady but not over powering drum. The slight Gospel stylings in her voice were like liquid gold...and that French Horn feature ------MELT MY HEART! This woman just knows what I like to listen to and to keep me listening. If she had a choir backing her on this one with some nice harmony (nothing powerful like gospel choirs) this song would have been AMAZING!

5. たしかに - Following such a rhythmic tune, たしかに wakes me up from the dreamy daze and re-energizes my senses! It's summer all over again! I still put this song on when I need to lift my spirits and brighten my day. The song is so alive that I literally feel the weight off my shoulder lift and float away. I feel like I can breathe again. I can achieve anything...because I am completely capable of accomplishments.

6. Silent Girl - Bringing down the pace, this song has a similar air like that of the her other song "大袈裟に「愛してる」". With a gentle melody, I was capable of just relaxing and enjoying the music and what it offered. ANGELA AKI DON'T YOU BE THAT SILENT GIRL!

7.モラルの葬式 - With the opening bars of the music, I was completely drawn in and in love. So many people have hailed this as the "宇宙" of this album, and they are right. The song is nothing short of brilliance! The Narrative within this music, and the lyrics are so powerful I immediately started imagining what kinds of people would be involved with the story the song was presenting. Compositionally, I didn't feel like it was "everywhere". Actually it was always moving to one end, and the different paces were just different movements. The five and half minute song was an entire musical in its own. The song, to put it simply, is ART - in all the meanings of the word.

8. 乙女心 - Sassy! This song has a lot of attitude...and not that annoying I know everything bad attitude. Ow! She's on Fire!

9. One Melody - I believe this is her standard Ballad. If applied to a Broadway setting, this could be the on song where the protagonist sings/proclaims to the audience there is always a connection between anything and something else. I imagine themes of finding a common ground seen in the plays and movies.

10. 友のしるし- I thought this lounge style was great. The song didn't come off as offensive (as some fans of Angela Aki seem put off by the style). The slight jazz twist definitely develops with an interesting progression, that I felt satisfied by the end. This song acted as a nice intermission.

11. 孤独のカケラ - To be honest after listening to the single, I really enjoyed "Solitude" more, but that's my opinion. This song still resonated that same way it did when I first heard it. I recognized the level of emotional commitment needed to write it and perform it.

12. On & On - One of my favorite B-sides!!! It's fun, but also manages to carry a somewhat heavy idea "Dreams Live On". Dreams are not meant to be given up on. They are the goals that make life worth living. If we are willing to work hard, we can make every aspect of our lives meaningful! We will define our existence as worthwhile! As long as we can dream - we claim to be living. That's what I think of when I hear this song.

PAUSE - this journey is about to close....let me just take a break.

13. Surrender - Closure has commenced. As the only English track on the album, this song has big shoes to fill where Your Love Song left off with. Surrender gracefully brings the wonderful voyage of TODAY to a much too soon end. The purpose of the last track is to bring the whole album to a conclusion. As Your Love Song did with the HOME album, Surrender does so proudly and with class.

Thus my evening came to a close as well. My monday, September 24, 2007 was amazing. How was yours?

Because writing an entry in a laundro-mat is fun

2007-09-17T22:56:31Z

yup...just wanted to post something while I'm waiting for my wash to finish.

status: Phillips 2 of 3 awaiting departure

2007-08-11T01:14:29Z

me and my parents have just finished loading both Musashi and dad's truck. it looks like I'm leaving with more stuff than i arrived with. I've managed to give away clothes and misc. stuff to the thrift store. in it's place, mom has purchased twin sized mattress and box spring...which is double the amount of space taken compared to what I had dwindled down throughout the week.

we depart at around midnight tonight. and the drive maybe longer than it seems. mom is riding with me, and dad has been equipped with a tape adapter so he may listen to his music.

its so weird.

anyways, when i'm in peoria here's the check list:

1) move in
2) run by the bursar's office of Bradley and turn in my signed billing statement
3) buy cheap shelving units and small table for tv/dvd/playstation.
4) get acquainted with Bradley campus and general area.
5) drive myself around to get a feel for the outer peoria and what it has to offer.
6) hang out in the print shop and meet fellow grad students
7) look for part-time job to help with art expenses and other expenses (hopefully assistantship will come through)
8) get a cable and internet package, something cheap and not dial up as i plan to not have a landline phone for a while
9) keep in touch with everyone.