Friday, September 30
Induction Week at college is over and I have now been bored thoroughly by a variety of tutors: woodwork, metal work, IT, librarians, Health and Safety officers, video technicians... Print and photography still to come too. We've received our first brief, which is to make an item which introduces yourself to the rest of the course. I'm probably going to do either a book or a box of objects. We only have 2 weeks for it, it's only short, and the brief after that lasts for the whole of the rest of the term.
We've also had to persevere through a variety of presentations on a variety of mind-numbing subjects. Today's was the BA (Hons) marking system. Previously I was worried about whether or not I'd do well on the course. Would I be able to produce work at a degree standard? Am I just someone playing with crayons and wasting my time or do I genuinely have some talent which I can put to good use? The next few years will answer that. However after this morning I'm more worried about failing completely, rather than in just one or two areas. You have to pass most things to get any grades at all and thus combined with my pre-existing worries about not doing well, I'm now convinced I'll fail spectacularly. Still, in that case, I'd least I'd be doing something successfully, even if it's only failing.
At lunch I sat with some people from my course (Allie, Dan, Bocks, Pete, and someone else not from my course, I think) and played some cards. It was good fun. I seem to be hanging around with these people quite a bit, they're the people I was bowling with, so maybe they'll end up being my friends. I can hope, at least. In the afternoon we did a couple of exercises around the brief. First we had to pair up with someone we knew as remotely as possible. I found someone called John. We had to tell the other person about ourself, only in the third person and gesturing towards a photograph of yourself, instead of yourself. It was weird but I managed alright.
The second exercise was you had to display the contents of your bag to the rest of the course. I chose a small table with plants on in a remote part of the studio. I placed the photograph amongst the leaves of one of the plants, leant my pens against its... Its what? It would be a trunk if it was a tree, a spine if it was human. I'm not sure what the term for a plant is. However, rest assured, my pens were leaning against it. The rest of the objects I placed around the plants. I opened up my wallet and spread out my cards so people could see most of them, as we weren't allowed to touch each others. When we were all done we had to wander around and look at other people's. Some had difficultly believing I had placed mine in such a far off location. When they found it though, the feedback was mostly positive. Other people had had very good ideas: someone had some music playing though his Ipod earplugs, someone else was showing a video they had brought. In the summing up at the end, the tutors mentioned these and how good it was to be considering such things, but they also mentioned my plant, which made me happy.
I didn't go to the play on Wednesday as I was feeling too depressed. There'll be other plays though. Tomorrow I'm going for a meal with my parents in Sowerby Bridge, then on Sunday it's Pilates again. I quite enjoy it now, and it's a way of exercising without exerting myself too much. Always an added bonus. I might be going for a walk with Simon to arrange getting a tattoo, and there's a bring and buy sale on at Brudenell Social Club. The last time I came away with armfuls of bargains. Let's see if it's a repeatable experience. 21:09
We've also had to persevere through a variety of presentations on a variety of mind-numbing subjects. Today's was the BA (Hons) marking system. Previously I was worried about whether or not I'd do well on the course. Would I be able to produce work at a degree standard? Am I just someone playing with crayons and wasting my time or do I genuinely have some talent which I can put to good use? The next few years will answer that. However after this morning I'm more worried about failing completely, rather than in just one or two areas. You have to pass most things to get any grades at all and thus combined with my pre-existing worries about not doing well, I'm now convinced I'll fail spectacularly. Still, in that case, I'd least I'd be doing something successfully, even if it's only failing.
At lunch I sat with some people from my course (Allie, Dan, Bocks, Pete, and someone else not from my course, I think) and played some cards. It was good fun. I seem to be hanging around with these people quite a bit, they're the people I was bowling with, so maybe they'll end up being my friends. I can hope, at least. In the afternoon we did a couple of exercises around the brief. First we had to pair up with someone we knew as remotely as possible. I found someone called John. We had to tell the other person about ourself, only in the third person and gesturing towards a photograph of yourself, instead of yourself. It was weird but I managed alright.
The second exercise was you had to display the contents of your bag to the rest of the course. I chose a small table with plants on in a remote part of the studio. I placed the photograph amongst the leaves of one of the plants, leant my pens against its... Its what? It would be a trunk if it was a tree, a spine if it was human. I'm not sure what the term for a plant is. However, rest assured, my pens were leaning against it. The rest of the objects I placed around the plants. I opened up my wallet and spread out my cards so people could see most of them, as we weren't allowed to touch each others. When we were all done we had to wander around and look at other people's. Some had difficultly believing I had placed mine in such a far off location. When they found it though, the feedback was mostly positive. Other people had had very good ideas: someone had some music playing though his Ipod earplugs, someone else was showing a video they had brought. In the summing up at the end, the tutors mentioned these and how good it was to be considering such things, but they also mentioned my plant, which made me happy.
I didn't go to the play on Wednesday as I was feeling too depressed. There'll be other plays though. Tomorrow I'm going for a meal with my parents in Sowerby Bridge, then on Sunday it's Pilates again. I quite enjoy it now, and it's a way of exercising without exerting myself too much. Always an added bonus. I might be going for a walk with Simon to arrange getting a tattoo, and there's a bring and buy sale on at Brudenell Social Club. The last time I came away with armfuls of bargains. Let's see if it's a repeatable experience. 21:09
Wednesday, September 28
I still haven't blogged about the trip to London. In summary: Harriet lives in an ace area (Highbury), has a nice house, is far too healthy (goes running! Cooks proper food!), and needs to learn to appreciate hummus more. We had lunch with Rory, Graham and Selina on a roof-top patio in a pub on Pentonville Road which was really nice, then went on the big wheely thing, which didn't really last long enough. Graham took some great photos (well, except that first one), I didn't. We were late getting to the Barbican so missed the beginning of Cat Power, but she, and Múm were great, though I was knackered. All in all: fun if somewhat expensive.
So far the week at college has mostly been inductions and mostly been dull. Today we were given our timetables for the year and our first brief. We have to make something to introduce ourselves to the rest of the course. I'm considering a collaged shoe box with ephemera. Later I'm off to see Twelfth Night with the student union. Followed by sweet, sweet sleep. 17:23
So far the week at college has mostly been inductions and mostly been dull. Today we were given our timetables for the year and our first brief. We have to make something to introduce ourselves to the rest of the course. I'm considering a collaged shoe box with ephemera. Later I'm off to see Twelfth Night with the student union. Followed by sweet, sweet sleep. 17:23
Thursday, September 22
The trip to Manchester was tiring. The part at the Imperial War Museum was dull, but the city centre was fun. I went for lunch with the tutors to Earth Cafe, a Buddhist vegan place. The food was wonderful but expensive, which I justified by telling myself there is no specifically vegan places to eat in Leeds so I should take advantage of this opportunity. They had a good selection of cake which pleased me greatly. I chose carrot cake eventually, rejecting the strawberry, chocolate and coffee options.
Afterwards I headed off to Affleck's Palace and went on something of a shopping spree. New laces for my silver corset, since Rory snapped the last ones. A lovely Komodo top, as I really like their stuff. Funky black PVC-y Mary Jane-y platform shoes which will go wonderfully with my red Cyberdog space-age dress. I was under instruction to buy Rory interesting t-shirts too, and I found one for him in Magma. If ever I wanted a bookshop before, it was nothing compared to how badly I wanted this one. Every last thing in there was amazing and made me incredibly jealous. They have such wonderful things, but of course it's all expensive, design / handmade comic stuff usually is. I could have easily spent my entire student loan in that shop.
Tomorrow is the last day of Freshers Week, culminating in a trip bowling and to the pub. I've still to really make any friends, though a couple of people do seem to smile when I turn up or something. I desperately don't want to end up alone again, but still am quite unsure how to go about making that happen. 22:29
Afterwards I headed off to Affleck's Palace and went on something of a shopping spree. New laces for my silver corset, since Rory snapped the last ones. A lovely Komodo top, as I really like their stuff. Funky black PVC-y Mary Jane-y platform shoes which will go wonderfully with my red Cyberdog space-age dress. I was under instruction to buy Rory interesting t-shirts too, and I found one for him in Magma. If ever I wanted a bookshop before, it was nothing compared to how badly I wanted this one. Every last thing in there was amazing and made me incredibly jealous. They have such wonderful things, but of course it's all expensive, design / handmade comic stuff usually is. I could have easily spent my entire student loan in that shop.
Tomorrow is the last day of Freshers Week, culminating in a trip bowling and to the pub. I've still to really make any friends, though a couple of people do seem to smile when I turn up or something. I desperately don't want to end up alone again, but still am quite unsure how to go about making that happen. 22:29
Wednesday, September 21
College has not been as terrifying as I had been worried about. I've met some nice people, some pretty people, some annoying people. I've been sat next to the doughnuts. This has been a big mistake. Three of them disappeared in my vicinity yesterday, six today. If they're still there tomorrow I'm going to throw them in the bin when no one's looking.
We chose our electives today. There was around 15 choices, mostly practical ones, some theoretical ones, and two languages. I decided on Photography and Multiculturalism, with Drawing and Image & Culture as back ups in case I can't get on my first choices. We were also told about our Optional Modules. There are three of these: Typography, Advertising and Media Studies. I'm probably going to do Typography as I'm not very interested in advertising, and I've done a lot of Media Studies previously. Also, the Media option is theoretical, as is the Multiculturalism I selected, and they recommend you don't do more than one theoretical, or you might end up doing too much academia and not enough Making Pretty Things. Apparently our choices for next year are much wider, including things like Animation.
After lunch we had a presentation about the course, about what it is and how it can help us and the constraints we have to work within, and then some previous student work. I recognised a lot of it from the end of year show. They also said this year they're having an Ofsted inspection, and so we will be expected to be everywhere we are meant to be, at the times we are meant to be there, or within 10 minutes we will get a call from the administrator asking us why we are not attending. I like this, get some dedication and effort from the gits who don't like turning up on time or whatever. They also mentioned that attendance is crucial for our electives, where, either it's still in planning or already being implemented, attendance counts towards your final mark. In GCSEs you received 5% for spelling and grammar. In BA electives, 10% counts for bothering to turn up.
After all this sat in the park for a while. The weather is definitely changing, but it's still relatively warm and I sat in the sun, puzzling over Sudoku. I've only started doing it within the past week but I'm addicted. I've managed to solve one of them, and lost many. I think I'm going to start doing them in pencil, so I can reattempt them when I go wrong.
Tomorrow we're going to the Imperial War Museum and then have free time in Manchester. I think I'll go to Affleck's Palace, expand my wardrobe that little bit further (not that there's much space left for it to expand into). 18:18
We chose our electives today. There was around 15 choices, mostly practical ones, some theoretical ones, and two languages. I decided on Photography and Multiculturalism, with Drawing and Image & Culture as back ups in case I can't get on my first choices. We were also told about our Optional Modules. There are three of these: Typography, Advertising and Media Studies. I'm probably going to do Typography as I'm not very interested in advertising, and I've done a lot of Media Studies previously. Also, the Media option is theoretical, as is the Multiculturalism I selected, and they recommend you don't do more than one theoretical, or you might end up doing too much academia and not enough Making Pretty Things. Apparently our choices for next year are much wider, including things like Animation.
After lunch we had a presentation about the course, about what it is and how it can help us and the constraints we have to work within, and then some previous student work. I recognised a lot of it from the end of year show. They also said this year they're having an Ofsted inspection, and so we will be expected to be everywhere we are meant to be, at the times we are meant to be there, or within 10 minutes we will get a call from the administrator asking us why we are not attending. I like this, get some dedication and effort from the gits who don't like turning up on time or whatever. They also mentioned that attendance is crucial for our electives, where, either it's still in planning or already being implemented, attendance counts towards your final mark. In GCSEs you received 5% for spelling and grammar. In BA electives, 10% counts for bothering to turn up.
After all this sat in the park for a while. The weather is definitely changing, but it's still relatively warm and I sat in the sun, puzzling over Sudoku. I've only started doing it within the past week but I'm addicted. I've managed to solve one of them, and lost many. I think I'm going to start doing them in pencil, so I can reattempt them when I go wrong.
Tomorrow we're going to the Imperial War Museum and then have free time in Manchester. I think I'll go to Affleck's Palace, expand my wardrobe that little bit further (not that there's much space left for it to expand into). 18:18
Tuesday, September 20
I have to be at college in under an hour. I woke up at 7, petrified. I'm amazed I've got out of bed, got washed and dressed, and even contemplated leaving the house. I'm still petrified, I just smell a bit better. Argh, someone come hold my hand?
08:38
Tuesday, September 13
I've gone on something of CD buying spree of late, possibly fueled by receiving more money for my birthday than I was expecting. Soon to be added to my collection are Takk by Sigur Ros, Volume 1 by Besnard Lakes, The Long Way Round by Louis Eliot, Second Storey by Art of Fighting, Axes by Electrelane, Before The Dawn Heals Us by M83, Meadowlands by The Wrens, Autumns by, um, the Autumns, and, finally, Go Kart Mozart Tearing Up The Album Chart. And then Andy bought me In Between Dreams by Jack Johnson as a birthday present. I might have to buy more shelves to put these all on...
17:23
Sunday, September 11
Life is still mostly uneventful. The calm before the storm of college I suppose. I haven't been going out much as the weather's been bad and I haven't had the energy for going to the gym. Dad's been around quite a bit working on my cellar, though it's still a mess. I got my certificate from college for the diploma finally, though no news on the OCN computer courses I did. Next week is my last week volunteering at SHIP before I start college. I also have my appointment for assessment for the disabled student allowance thingumy, and we're off to London to see Mum. Yey.
12:19
Thursday, September 8
My trip to Belfast was mercifully uneventful. We spent the time hugging, watching films, eating chips, getting stoned, sleeping, and eating large amounts of hummus. Ok, maybe that last one was just me. Upon returning home I've done little (why break the habit of a lifetime?) though I did get my hair dyed yesterday:
Tomorrow I'm 24. Old. Meh. 21:18
Tomorrow I'm 24. Old. Meh. 21:18
