Well, that is it. I've done all that I was here to do. Today, I spent one last day working for the bookstore. I went to the library and turned in the last set of books I checked out. Now, all that is left is to pack. I have a few get-togethers to participate in but that is all. Nothing else to do.
It will still be a week until I actually leave Las Vegas but in my heart and head I'm gone already. Have been for a while. Yes, I'll miss a few tings but it is time to move on. Here I go...
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
I R Gradu8
The good news is that the speakers kept it short and simple. The bad news is that I had to stand and wait for about two hours before the procession. I ended up in the second row, so my bit went quick. The other good news is that not everyone who graduated showed up for the walk. Otherwise we would have been there forever. My CCSN graduating class was 1805. In two weeks, my little brother will graduate high school with a class of...10 (it might be twelve, I can't remember).
But it is done, that is what matters. All done. I didn't take the actual ceremony as serious as some people because that isn't my style. I put my cap on over a baseball hat and I didn't zip up my gown. Some of my fellow grads kept asking me if I was going out like that and I said yes. For some reason they thought there would be someone enforcing a dress code who would stop me. Didn't happen. Dress codes suck anyway.
But it is done, that is what matters. All done. I didn't take the actual ceremony as serious as some people because that isn't my style. I put my cap on over a baseball hat and I didn't zip up my gown. Some of my fellow grads kept asking me if I was going out like that and I said yes. For some reason they thought there would be someone enforcing a dress code who would stop me. Didn't happen. Dress codes suck anyway.
Thursday, May 11, 2006
Walking the Line
Well, Monday is the day. I'll be taking my first ever graduation walk. For those of you who may not know, I dropped out of high school. I've never done the grad thing before.
When I stopped to think about it, this is the first long-term project I will have successfully completed. Ok, I wrote a novel (that sucks, it was practice) and an ok book of essays (finished but unsuccewsful because I haven't managed to publish it yet). There have been a few other projects that I've done but none of them required sustained efforts longer than a few months. Even the newspaper, from the day I signed the contract until the day that contract runs out spanned less than five months.
The newspaper gig is only the second time I've had a job that I didn't quit. The first was a magazine gig that ended when the operation wentout of business. Every other job I've had I've quit. The last good job I had, the bookstore thing, I left to do the paper.
The positive side is that I've never been fired. I'm just a quitter (I even managed to quit smoking). Call me a quitter or someone who just gives up and you are probably right. I've rationalized it by telling myself I didn't need to be doing what ever it was I was doing any longer.
But not this. I stuck it out. Yes, I made some changes to the original goals but I crossed off every goal on my list. It must be time to make a new list. We'll see how long it takes to finish it.
I just have to keep plugging away.
Catch you on the flipside.
When I stopped to think about it, this is the first long-term project I will have successfully completed. Ok, I wrote a novel (that sucks, it was practice) and an ok book of essays (finished but unsuccewsful because I haven't managed to publish it yet). There have been a few other projects that I've done but none of them required sustained efforts longer than a few months. Even the newspaper, from the day I signed the contract until the day that contract runs out spanned less than five months.
The newspaper gig is only the second time I've had a job that I didn't quit. The first was a magazine gig that ended when the operation wentout of business. Every other job I've had I've quit. The last good job I had, the bookstore thing, I left to do the paper.
The positive side is that I've never been fired. I'm just a quitter (I even managed to quit smoking). Call me a quitter or someone who just gives up and you are probably right. I've rationalized it by telling myself I didn't need to be doing what ever it was I was doing any longer.
But not this. I stuck it out. Yes, I made some changes to the original goals but I crossed off every goal on my list. It must be time to make a new list. We'll see how long it takes to finish it.
I just have to keep plugging away.
Catch you on the flipside.
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Third and Final
I knew it would happen someday, I just didn't think it would be this soon. My third and final issue of the newspaper is now available on the web and should be arrivng in print any minute now.
Wow. To paraphrase, what a short strange trip it has been. I got to do a lot of cool stuff (most of it for free) and meet a lot of cool people. Right now, I'm torn between being glad it is done and wishing it would never end.
The good news is that now I will have the time to finish a novel (should be done before I head up to Idaho.)
The TEEJ news will continue to be posted here. It isn't like I'm going away. Don't cry. It isn't that bad. There will be other papers, other magazines, other books. It might take some time before I get to be in charge again but I'll be ready when it happens.
Wow. To paraphrase, what a short strange trip it has been. I got to do a lot of cool stuff (most of it for free) and meet a lot of cool people. Right now, I'm torn between being glad it is done and wishing it would never end.
The good news is that now I will have the time to finish a novel (should be done before I head up to Idaho.)
The TEEJ news will continue to be posted here. It isn't like I'm going away. Don't cry. It isn't that bad. There will be other papers, other magazines, other books. It might take some time before I get to be in charge again but I'll be ready when it happens.
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
No, I don't want any candy.
Do I have a lot to talk about? You bet I do.
A week ago tonight I saw this movie called Hard CAndy. Look it up because I'm not going to tel you what it is about. No, wait. I have to tell you because it relates to the next thing.
Hard Candy is about a 14-year-old girl who gets picked up by a 30-year-old guy through an internet chatroom. They go back to his house but before he can get pervy, the girl drugs him and proceeds to torture him, both physically and psychologically. It was a very well-made film but a little too creepy. I'm still feeling weird about it. Because it is well-made, from the acting, direction, editing, and otherwise, I want to tell people to go see it. Due to the subject matter, finding the right people to tell is more difficult.
Strangely, this does relate to something that just happened to me.
I'm in this writing class (read past posts for more on that). There is this girl in class who indicated that she enjoyed reading very violent and twisted stories. Guess what? I love to write violent and twisted stories. She mentioned enjoying the work I'd shared in class and I was very interested in reading some her writing.
Here's the deal. She is a very good looking girl. But I'm shallow. I had to read her story before deciding whether or not to ask her out. Her story (a serial killer bit that, with some work and practice could turn out very good) was very twisted and I loved it. So, yes, I asked her out. Not on a "real date" because I'm not comfortable with that yet. I asked her if she'd like to have a root beer float with me at the A&W a block away from the school. Not only does that maintain my comfort level, it is also cheaper than a real meal (still broke) it is in public, and it is still close enough to campus (and in broad daylight) that if things don't go well, either one of us can walk away.
How does this connect with the movie? If you think about it I think you'll know. I thought she was 19. Turns out she is only 16. She graduated early and I think is planning on being anurse or something like that. That is the dangerous part. More than looks, I'm attracted to smarts. Her liking my stories is a major bonus too.
Looks like I'll just make a new friend. And that is ok, too. It is better than nothing. Given my track record with trying to date, I should have expected something to get in the way.
A week ago tonight I saw this movie called Hard CAndy. Look it up because I'm not going to tel you what it is about. No, wait. I have to tell you because it relates to the next thing.
Hard Candy is about a 14-year-old girl who gets picked up by a 30-year-old guy through an internet chatroom. They go back to his house but before he can get pervy, the girl drugs him and proceeds to torture him, both physically and psychologically. It was a very well-made film but a little too creepy. I'm still feeling weird about it. Because it is well-made, from the acting, direction, editing, and otherwise, I want to tell people to go see it. Due to the subject matter, finding the right people to tell is more difficult.
Strangely, this does relate to something that just happened to me.
I'm in this writing class (read past posts for more on that). There is this girl in class who indicated that she enjoyed reading very violent and twisted stories. Guess what? I love to write violent and twisted stories. She mentioned enjoying the work I'd shared in class and I was very interested in reading some her writing.
Here's the deal. She is a very good looking girl. But I'm shallow. I had to read her story before deciding whether or not to ask her out. Her story (a serial killer bit that, with some work and practice could turn out very good) was very twisted and I loved it. So, yes, I asked her out. Not on a "real date" because I'm not comfortable with that yet. I asked her if she'd like to have a root beer float with me at the A&W a block away from the school. Not only does that maintain my comfort level, it is also cheaper than a real meal (still broke) it is in public, and it is still close enough to campus (and in broad daylight) that if things don't go well, either one of us can walk away.
How does this connect with the movie? If you think about it I think you'll know. I thought she was 19. Turns out she is only 16. She graduated early and I think is planning on being anurse or something like that. That is the dangerous part. More than looks, I'm attracted to smarts. Her liking my stories is a major bonus too.
Looks like I'll just make a new friend. And that is ok, too. It is better than nothing. Given my track record with trying to date, I should have expected something to get in the way.
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Oh, The Places I'll Go...
Finally, it is graduation time. One more class to go to and I am outta here. I turned in my final issue of the paper to the printer Friday night. I have only a few more office things to do and then I am gone. Sure has been fun. It hasn't always been fun but een those moments have contributed to the overall experience of the thing. I'm glad I decided to take this gig.
And now, I shall go do other things. I have a new book I began two weeks ago that I want to finish. I have to get myself ready for the new adventure that will be University of Idaho. I have to pack up all my stuff before I hit the road.
But I don't have to do most of the things I've been doing the last few months. Sounds good.
Who wants to buy me dinner?
And now, I shall go do other things. I have a new book I began two weeks ago that I want to finish. I have to get myself ready for the new adventure that will be University of Idaho. I have to pack up all my stuff before I hit the road.
But I don't have to do most of the things I've been doing the last few months. Sounds good.
Who wants to buy me dinner?
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