You'll notice that, once again, the look of the blog has changed. The main impetus? I created a theme for my last.fm top ten thingie and it didn't go with my blog. I was going to just use the last.fm object with my IMD blog, but frankly, that stylesheet is beyond my ability to comprehend what is going on, so you guys now have the benefit of seeing what I'm listening to (as opposed to my classmates, who will forever live in ignorance of what music I like, unless they find their way here). And yes, the person in the background of the last.fm object is me. Tyler Clark, I have to thank you for taking that picture. I have used it so many times in so many different ways that I feel I should pay you for it or something. I won't actually be paying you, of course, but you can feel the love.

Incidentally, if anyone out there is looking for a tool to find new music, last.fm is a good one. Pandora is as well, but in different ways.

Went to an absolutely amazing discussion tonight with Danah Boyd, a big name in researching social networking (like MySpace, Facebook, etc). Her thoughts about how social networks like MySpace developed, and how people are really using them (despite what the press will tell you) were very insightful and, from my experience, at least, right on. Social networks are not dangerous or evil, and they certainly aren't the predator playground the media tells us they are. They're just an outgrowth of people (especially young people) trying to find/establish their identities and socialize in a world full of over-protective parents. That's not to say that ALL parents overprotect, but some of the stories that get circulated (and the technologies that get created) indicate that there are certainly a lot who do. Danah told us tonight about parents who use software that mines the family computer and sends every IM, every MySpace profile change, every email, to the parent so that they can keep tabs on everything their kids do online. That's going a bit far, in my opinion. And as far as predators go...hell, every kid I know who's online has been contacted by someone creepy at some point. The difference between those instances and the ones you see on Dateline? We're smart enough to IGNORE people like that. The majority of young people, I think you'll find, are more savvy than their parents give them credit for (and often, more savvy than their parents period), especially when it comes to social networking. Anyway, before I rant on for days, it was a very interesting discussion. It's nice to hear a voice of reason piping up amongst all the freaking out that's been happening about social networks lately. I hope we get to meet with experts of this calibur, and in such interesting topics, at every weekly seminar. Just one more reason why USC is awesome and I'm glad I came!

Let's see, where to start...

Went to Santa Monica with Renae and the boys yesterday. It was so much fun! I just love the ocean...I could live without the much that's IN the ocean, but just playing in the waves and hanging out on the beach is a blast. The sun, however, is not my friend. I believe we knew this, but let us revisit a concept: white girls should not go outside, because that is just tempting the sun. White girls belong inside, or neck-to-ankles clothed while outdoors, at all times. If they do not follow this principle, they end up like me: sunburned on the back of each leg and on one shoulder blade. How did this happen? I have no idea. Moving on. We also built sand castles...er...sand...um...art. Yeah, art. Suffice it to say it wasn't entirely appropriate and I will not be posting pictures, because I have all kinds of relatives who read this. Oh, but I wasn't involved in the inappropriateness. Nope. I was sitting about a hundred yards away doing...uh...cross stitch. Of puppies. Ahem. Yes.

Got a random phone call from one Jim Ferolo today, saying he was in LA and would Renae and I like to join him for a drink. I swear, that man is everywhere and knows everyone. He tried to get us a tour at EA, but settled for hooking us up with a contact over there who would be willing to give us a tour some other time. I'm happy with that, and besides, it was fun to see Jim. AND he bought dinner. So, you know. We love Jim.

In other news, Ed (Ed of multimedia at Bradley...it's like I never left) is teaching a really interesting seminar in the winter that I'm going to try to take. It's a course taught entirely within Second Life, the online virtual world. I think the concept is just so cool...now all I have to do is convince my USC profs to let me have credit for doing it. I think they'll be down, though. It can be an elective or something.

I'm going to pick up my PS2 tomorrow, possibly Wednesday, and I already set up a GameFly account so I can catch up on all the games I missed while I was slaving away at the GCC. My list is like, 45 games long. I have a great deal of catching up to do. Ah well. Chalk it up to research for my major or something.

Not much else to report for the moment, but I am sure more will come as the days go by. That is, after all, the purpose of this blog. G'night, melon doves (only Meg will recognize that, and she doesn't read this...oh well).

First official all-nighter of grad school: complete.

Maybe I should have come up with a concept that didn't involve shooting at night...

WOW I spent a lot of time at IKEA today. My boss and I went to the one in Costa Mesa (about an hour away) to get stuff for this new thesis space we're putting together. Nine hours later, we have more IKEA stuff than should ever be in one location outside the store, I got a sunburn from spending so much time in the car, and most of the stuff we bought won't even be delivered utnil next week, but at least the majority of what we needed has been purchased.

The first version of our game for our prototyping class is done, and I have to say, it's really fun. My partners and I have been playing it whenever we get a chance, both because we need several trials for testing purposes and because we just like playing (and because Mike hasn't won yet, haha). It's just a simple grid-based game at this point, but I think the next iteration will be more complex. Anyone out there want to help test? I can post instructions, rules, pieces to print out, etc. if anyone's feeling dorky.

I'd intended for this post to be longer, but frankly, I'm tired. Also, I have to shoot my first film production assignment tonight, and I have NO idea what it's going to be about, so I should probably get on that. Buenas noches, comrades.

So I finally have the scoop on what my new job is going to entail, and oh boy, is it a doozie (doozy...doozee...I don't know). I have two major projects, and then several things I'm just supposed to know how to do in case it comes up. First is working with a programmer to write new software for our touch-screen controller in the main lab. Essentially, there's a touch screen remote control that activates everything from DVD players to lights to projectors in this lab, and the software on it sucks, so we're going to write a new program for when the new equipment gets here. And by write, I think I mean the programmer will code and I will design the interface...I hope that's what it means.

My other project is the big one: building a new research/work space for Interactive Media thesis students to use while doing their thesis work. As far as I can tell, we have a raw space (read: warehouse) and a budget, and as soon as humanly possible, I'm supposed to make that into a nice space with carpets and a fridge and computers and soundproof floors. That should be interesting, since I don't know my way around and don't have a car. Regardless, if I can actually pull it off, this is killer experience. I'll have to work with vendors, do most of the purchasing, work with the thesis students to make sure they get what they want, work with the dean (or the provost, or somebody) to make sure this all fits in the approved budget, and just in general crack the whip and get things done. Because I clearly do not have enough to do as, you know, a student. Ah well, at least I know my paychecks will be healthy.

In other news, I had my first film production class today. This should be...interesting. I have very little technical skill with a camera, yet am expected to write, shoot, direct, etc. my first three projects. Thankfully, I'm in the group whose first project is due last (make sense of that), so I'll be able to see how others approach it and hopefully work from that. I have to shoot a camera excercise this weekend...I figure my dusty attic or my walled-in garden will work just fine as material for that.

I find it entertaining that I'm getting into the habit of posting more regularly on this thing, mostly because I know that very shortly, it'll probably go weeks at a time without being touched. Ah well. Most of you aren't reading it anyway ;-)

Report: First Day of Class

Granted, I only had one class today, but I'm SO EXCITED about it! Today was CTIN541: Design for Interactive Media. The prof talked at us for awhile about general program information (electives, what research is being done, etc.), we took a break to get Jack in the Box for dinner, and then we came back and did some game prototyping. My group actually has two game concepts we're working on. One is a 3D board game that's part Jenga and part Marble Works, with some Risk thrown in for shits and giggles. Very cool. We'll probably work on it in our spare time, if only because it's the kind of game we would want to play. The other, which we'll actually be developing for class, is a web-based travel game called A--->B, that's essentially a way to make Google Earth playable and educational. As near as I can tell, we'll never do more than prototype it in class (make paper models or very simple digital versions), but I think it's something that could get very fun if we actually built it later on.

In other news, some pics of my room, now that it's getting closer to being settled in:



::happy sigh :: My computer finally arrived today! She's all plugged in and appears to be working normally. Note the ultra-cool whiteboard that's part of my desk...I predict that I will use it twice and then go back to Post-Its and forgetting important things.


Look, Ma! All my laundry is in my hamper, and all my stuff has a home on a shelf!


That bed has been made precisely twice, both times by my mother. It will probably never be made again. It's also big, old, and squeaky. I miss my old bed :-(

About the only thing I'm lacking is stuff for my walls. I have art prints on the way, as soon as Mumsy and Daddums are kind enough to mail them. Then I have to talk the maintenance guy into hanging them for me, because I am apparently not allowed to hang my own posters, as per my lease. Wooooo.

On Saturday, we spent the afternoon at Venice Beach. Very nice, very chill. We're going to try and make a weekly field trip of it, just to unwind and blow off steam. I took several pictures while I was there, but then Picasa ate them because I didn't know how to use it. The lone survivor (an image taken with my cell phone to spite Mom) is here:


We went partying in Hollywood Saturday night, and it was so much fun! We went in a couple of clubs, walked up and down Hollywood Blvd., and took touristy pictures at Grauman's Chinese Theatre. For example, here is me at Johnny Depp's square at Grauman's:


I feel like I have more to share, but I don't know what it would be. I'm on such overload these days; so much new information to process. Faces, places, experiences...I don't think I'll ever manage to document it all. At any rate, I will join you all again when I have something new and/or exciting to report.

Oh my, where to begin...

For those who didn't get the memo, Mom and I arrived safely in LA on Tuesday morning. The house, as I believe we discussed in the last post, is gorgeous. It's also ENORMOUS. It'll probably take me the next three years just to figure out what all is there. I especially love the garden...there's an avocado tree I can harvest whenever I feel like climbing. I'm going to have to get my hands on some guacamole recipes. Also the correct spelling of guacamole.

I dropped about two grand in the last three days paying tuition, buying furniture for my room, acquiring a bicycle (a nerdy retro Schwinn...hooray!), getting a cheapo digital camera so I can document this little adventure, and replacing a bunch of things that I didn't bring with me from IL and needed right away. I've also become intimately familiar with the financial aid/student fees/cashier's/credit union offices on campus, as paying for grad school is much more complicated than paying for undergrad was. A great deal of walking and filling out forms is involved. A job is also involved. A job that will require lots of learning, I think. More on that some other time.

I started orientation for my program (Interactive Media, in the school of Cinema-Television) today, and will complete it this afternoon. I have to say...I don't know what I was expecting as far as the quality and history of Cinema-Television, but holy freaking crap. I mean, I knew the school was good and extremely respected, but George Lucas, Robert Zemeckis, Stanley Kubrick, Steven Spielberg, Tom Hanks...this is quite the august little alum squad they have going here. I'm a little surprised they let me in this place. And by a little, I mean what on earth were they thinking when they accepted me? I mean, I'm not one to downplay my abilities, but jesus. I remember a chat I had at one point with my advisor/professor/mentor/fearless leader, Jim. He told me (while sipping at a glass of tequila...Jim's like that, I don't know) that I would need to bring my A game here. He was so right it hurts. I hate it when he's right.

I really, really like it here. There are fruit trees in my back yard, I have my own bathroom, I can get sushi from the sushi bar in the student center for lunch whenever I want it, there's an original Star Wars poster signed by George Lucas hanging outside one of my classrooms, and a PS2 is considered standard equipment in the lab where my theory class is held. HOWEVER, I miss you all terribly, and that will not get any better with time. Call me. Write me. Email me. Text me. You could try smoke signals, but I don't think I'd see them. Homing pigeons maybe, if they are particularly intelligent.

In other news...does anyone know how to put a bike chain back on when it's come off? Because my shiny new Schwinn is just going to sit in the garden house until I figure out how to get the chain back where it was before we crammed the bike in the back of a Dodge Stratus and drove it home from Alhambra. I have wrenches and pliers and things, I just need to know what to do with them. Thanks.

I think that'll be all for now. Once my computer arrives and I am no longer at the mercy of the library, I'll hook up the new camera and post pics of the new place, the campus, the landlord's dog...whatever I happen to snap as I'm strolling around trying to not look like a tourist. In the meantime, I'm going to take a nap and attend a "safety seminar" that I expect will be a big lesson in "how to not get raped". Whee!