Fall Semester 2009 Begins

This week I moved into my new apartment and started the fall semester at UT. My apartment held a few disappointments, such as finding that the quality of materials in the bathroom wasn't quite as nice as the model I was shown, and I don't have the view of the pool I was hoping for. Overall, however, it is rad. The floor plan, quality of materials & appliances, and general feel of the space is much improved over Woodmeade. The pool is really sweet, and my classes are just a 15 minute walk from my front door. My roommate seems decent as well.

My class schedule is a massive improvement over last semester's cluster f, which should allow me to start working out at the gym regularly. This semester I'm taking Masterworks of American Literature (E 316 K), Introduction to Astronomy (AST 301), History of the U.S. 1492-1865 (HIS 315 K), and World Architecture: Industrial Revolution-Present (ARC 318L).

Post-Summer Pre-Fall

Last week I finished my summer classes at ACC. I took 18 credit hours and ended with a 3.78 GPA, not too bad. I learned some good foundational skills in AutoCAD, welding, drawing, and painting. I have also been casually studying Spanish through a free online site called LiveMocha.com. I figure that since many construction workers are Spanish speakers, knowing Spanish will be helpful in my architecture career.

Since finishing the summer classes, I have been staying with my Dad and brother in Montgomery. My brother and I have been working on recording a music album, which is coming along slowly. Today I will attempt to make a bookcase for my brother, my first real woodworking project since making a birdhouse in middleschool.

Ch-Ch-Ch- Changes

I am homeless.

Bum Shanty Cactus

Took a trip into the Austin outback today for a landscaping project in my drawing class. There were a disturbing number of abandoned bum shanties...

Crayons and Molten Steel

For one of the projects in my art class we were asked to cut images out of magazines, make three small collages, and then make the collages into larger drawings using different mediums. So far I've finished two of the three. They aren't that great, but I'm getting some good exposure to working with charcoal and conte crayon.

Toothy Bitch

Gem Splash


I also took some pics at the ACC welding shop last weekend.

Nano

One reason that I'm taking classes this summer is to create some material to possibly use in my application to UT's graduate architecture program. Here's some recent work I did in my painting and drawing classes. I know these aren't that great but each project seems to come out a little better than the last one. So... progress.

Self Portrait (work in progress)

Whale's Din Din

In other news, I finished my introductory CAD at ACC (DFTG 1405) class with an A and have started intermediate CAD (DFTG 2419). 1405 was pretty cool and Doug Smith was an excellent teacher and motivator. For anyone thinking of taking this course, I really suggest doing the 8 week summer course. The CAD skills you learn are essential but basic, and it would have been boring and frustrating to have stretched it out over a 16 week semester.

AND - I found my IPod Nano! It seems that I slipped it into a paper folder with some documents when I was moving to Austin and forgot where I put it for six months. So I've been catching up on some music. This week I've been listening to The Shins's album Chutes Too Narrow, and it is damn good. I don't really know how to explain it... kind of folky and quirky with superb song writing and great vocals.

Back

Went to Montgomery for the 4 'O J weekend and worked on some music with my brother. Haven't been posting here as often because the blog has been... compromised. Meaning that my mother has apparently learned how to use the internet to a certain degree and is now peering into my digital backyard.

(edited 7/13/09)

Oh fine, look at my blog. Just don't tell me about it.