We don't care for CM Life

Military Ball

I tried to give this assignment out so I could go to the Vagina Monologues and I'm glad no one took it. The assignment turned out to be a lot of fun. It wasn't visually interesting but I had the chance to sit with Dean Pamela Gates which led to some great conversation.

For those of you who may not know who Mrs. Gates is, in short Dennis Lennox (extremely right winged student) filed a FOIA (freedom of information act) in her office. He pushed a few buttons and made her snap. He had a video camera to record the incident. She declared the video camera be shutoff and she took a light swipe at it, but a swipe non the less which has led to all kinds of trouble for the university. It's kind of like watching are you smarter than a 5th grader (Lennox), and the teachers being the CMU Administration.

Back to the Military Ball. So I sit down at the table and this gentleman in his 60's goes "We don't really care for CM Life." As I turn I see who he is and who is wife is (Gates).

I rebuttal with "I'm sorry to hear that. We can pretend I'm Dean (Gary) Shapiro tonight then." He was sick and couldn't attend so I was moved up to his seat.

Gates bitch-ingly says, "Well maybe we can talk policy and administrative business."

I shoot back, "Well I am a public relations major." She knew what I was talking about and she held her tounge for the rest of the night.

There was so much humor in that whole night and I'm amazed at how the university handles it's public affairs. A PR 101 student couldn't do a worse job.

This is not an excuse this is the true

The fact is have been to busy to update this blog. It is not an excuse, it is the truth. School is in full bloom and I'm honestly worried about graduating on time. Graduation is a year way, and I'm just worried about the work load it is going to take to graduate in that time. So I plan to get some videos up here in the next few weeks. I have two Soundslides project which are mediocre, but are interesting. In the mean time here are a few photo's to hold you over, and I hope to update later when I'm not at work.

Sorry I Have Been Swamped Because of Super Tuesday

I can't put one of the photo's up because it hasn't run in the paper yet... but I promise it is amazing.

Tuesday


Wednesday
Photo will come soon

Thursday

I have much better photo's that ran in the paper. But the story behind this photo is to come and it just fucked up.

When you make excuses, your are putting the blame on others.

John Wooden (Legendary UCLA Basketball Coach):
"When you make excuses, your are putting the blame on others."

This is where I start. The blame is on me and the pressure to succeed is put on me. The reason I'm unhappy is not because of anyone else. It's because I haven't set the bar high enough. I've set the bar where I knew I could just get over it. Now it's time to put it a little higher than I have ever been and test myself.

First Project: I've realized why I wanted to become a photographer. I wanted to tell people how I feel. Taking photos allows me to live vicariously through the lives others. It is away to tell my story through their lives. So I'm giving myself and assignment to take a photo a day for the next year. The photo can be anything. It's away for me to think outside of the box and find away to relate my photos to my life and what I'm trying to say. It will help me with composition, and act as practice. Not all of the photo's will be mind blowing, but they will help to expose myself.

Secondly: No more excuses. What has happened in my past is pretty messed up, but it could be worse. My goal is to turn my problems into my solutions. The negative people I hang with need to go. I need a clean perspective. The one I used to have. The one my friends loved me for. The kid who knew who he was and where he was going.

Starting tomorrow I embark on year long growing assignment in finding who I am as a photographer, and as a person.

Eric Hoffer:
"For many people, an excuse is better than an achievement because an achievement, no matter how great, leaves you having to prove yourself again in the future; but an excuse can last for life."