Jen

you know you've reached an all time low when you randomly e-mail people, especially people you know that check their e-mail fairly regularly and are at home, NOT at school printing in the digi lab for the millionth night in a row, stupid shit such as this:

I rule

digi lab makes me nuts

coincidence? I think not!

chickens eat baloney

u r a q-t*

If you got one of these e-mails and you don't get it, neither do I. Sorry, I'm bored.

*I know Christie of all people SHOULD appreciate this one. We used to refer religiously to a book called CDB, which is a childrens book that makes sentences out of letters. If you are curious about what CDB might possibly mean, I'll tell you - See the Bee. I really do think that u r a q-t is in the book, and I'm pretty sure that the recipient of this e-mail probably erased it seconds after opening it. Little did they realize that it was a compliment. Speaking of Christie, I expect a full blog about the goings-on in the Badlands. I need something to read tomorrow as I finish printing. Yes, you heard me right, I should be done tomorrow!

Jen

We have new friends down in Texas. Check out cool like kool-aid. Hi Matt.

Jen

It's hard not to miss something you don't forget

Well, we just had a meeting with the teacher who I bitched about last Thursday regarding the billboard project. Things got a lot more heated this weekend when we found out that the billboards were on WGN with just an ad for OCAP - the organization that helped to fund the printing of the billboards. The ad wouldn't have been so bad if the actual website listed on the ad did not also list this certain teacher as the creator of the billboards. And, to make matters worse, they titled the billboards: "Guy with mannequins" or "Women Shopping." It's ridiculous. They are using our images and not even telling us. Who the hell do they think they are? I also think, which is even worse than not mentioning us, that it is extraordinarily shitty that they do not NOT name the high school kids that helped finish this project. OCAP is the organization that set us up with them. Those kids are basically used so the fine folks at OCAP can get paid. I want those kids to be listed on the website. That is the only right thing to do.


After speaking to that teacher this morning, I only feel slightly better. It looks like we are on the path to change things, but I just don't feel settled. He said that he told the Reader about us and told them it was our project, and he couldn't imagine why we weren't listed. I still feel cheated. Should I?

I have to be down at work in a couple of minutes, so I'm off. More bureaucracy later in the day.
.

Jen

my old man told me one time, you never get wise, you only get older

Well, it's 9:30 and once again, I'm sitting in my favorite chair at my favorite computer in the digi lab. I just called Christie to hear all the fun I'm missing at Thursday night wings at Fizz, and of course, being how scattered brained i've been the past couple of weeks, forgot that she and a good half of the Thursday night crew are on their way to the Badlands. I did get to talk to her, and I still feel like I'm missing out on the fun. I could be on my way to South Dakota. After writing that last sentence, it doesn't sound so fun anymore.

At least I have my i-pod to keep me company. The above quote comes from "Big Indian" by the Dandy Warhols, which I am listening to at this minute.

Anyway, I've had some good news and bad over the past two days. Good news: All things are on track for the thesis show and I hopefully will get some announcement cards soon. Cool. Bad news: Remember that stupid billboard project that I have been working on last semester? Well, the billboard designs are actually up and around the city. Ok, so that's good news. Also good news - one of the billboards can be found in the new Reader. NOW, the bad news. My classmates and I were not listed as owners and creators of the billboards. The professor who was appointed to the class is the only person listed, and it sounds as if he thought of the whole god damn thing. Here, let me quote it for you. "(teacher) worked with Columbia College photo students and middle schoolers from the Academy of Communications and Technology. . ." The way that it sounds here is that we helped this particular teacher execute his idea for a billboard design. When is real life, we, meaning the Graduate students (which isn't EVEN MENTIONED!), designed a class for ourselves and had this teacher appointed to guide us in our project. Not once did he go to ACT, which happens to be a high school, not a middle school, to work with these kids. What a load of fuckin' bullshit. I'm pissed and it will be corrected.

More on this tomorrow.

Jen

it's going to get worse before gets better

In the lab again. . . it's so sunny out. Someone in Chicago write me and make me feel better. Tell me that it's really cold and miserable out there. Please.

I've actually been staring at this book so long that I questioned the spelling of "somehow". After looking at the same word over and over again, it doesn't make sense. some how? somehow? They both start looking wrong. I was actually crazy enough to look on-line at my new favorite site. For those that are curious, it is spelled "somehow."

Saturday night, I went to this cool backyard punkrock show to see my friend's boyfriend's band - tres pistoleros. The crowd was really great - extremely mixed in ethnicity. I'm guessing that is probably because it was down at 25th and Pulaski. There were still typical punk bands: some favorite songs included, "I don't care so fuck you", "Shitfaced", "We hate the CTA" and "Southside." I'm glad that I got to see Tres Pistoleros due to the fact that it was especially cool to hear punk rock in spanish. Anyway, it was a lot of fun, even when the tent we were under collapsed when the kinds started moshing.

The lake looks so blue. . .

Jen

It's getting hot in herre

Hello digi lab. I am Jen, nice to meet you.

I think I am going crazy.

As it looks, I will have one more week of an everyday affair with this place. It's really warm in here today and it's making me unbelievably crabby. But I do have two printers running, so I am getting more work done. I think.

Last night, I saw Anger Management. Not one of the best Adam Sandler movies, but very funny. Better than Big Daddy (besides Little Nicky, I think Big Daddy pretty much sucks) by far, but obviously not better than Happy Gilmore. (Yes, I rate Adam Sandler films.) There is this great scene in Anger Management with this cat wearing a purple jumpsuit that makes me laugh whenever I think about it. Otherwise, eh.

Why is it so hot in herre? Does herre sound different than here?

Jen

Friday, I'm in love

I am so glad that it is 4:30 on Friday. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

I've just spent the past half hour e-mail my professors/advisors on how my thesis project is progressing. I met with photographer David Hilliard (who gave a lecture here last night) this morning, and his comments were so positive and uplifting, that I know that I HAVE to get my work in the thesis show in May even if it kills me. I've been here every night until closing printing and I really think that I would be so disaapointed in myself if I couldn't get it done in time.

I wish I had more interesting things to write about, but lately my life has been too work and school based. and basically, very boring.

No wait! Last night, I'm at this dinner for David Hilliard at the house of a Chicago photo/art collector. Anyway, I have to use the bathroom and naturally, I lock the door. There were a lot of people in the house, I didn't want anyone to walk in on me. There is an old school lock on the door- it's actually a skeleton key and key hole. Anyway, I'm about to open the lock and well, I can't. I'm turning the stupid key in every direction and nothing is working. I get down on my knees and try to see if I can see which way the key should turn. Then I hear someone walk though the hallway and I stop, because I don't want anyone to know that I've locked myself in the bathroom. I pull the key out of the lock and I see a pair of legs through the keyhole, so now I know someone is waiting. I don't know what to do and it feels like it's about 100 degrees in the bathroom. So I wait, hoping they will leave. Then I hear a man say, "Are you locked in there?" and I recognize the voice of the husband of the collector. I reply, "Um. . . . . . . . . . . . . . Yeah." He gave me directions on how to properly unlock the door turn, which I did after placing the key back in the door. He pulls the door open and I'm still sitting on the bathroom floor, not thinking that he would pull the door open. Of course, like an idiot. I start rambling on "I'm so sorry, it's just a habit to lock the door, I had no idea I wouldn't be able to open it. " and he responds " I don't think that we need to keep the key in there any longer."

Jen

we don't have to take our clothes off to have a good time

Day three of week one without Amit and we fall apart yet again.

I'm in the lab printing again, what else is new? The first print went well, and then I went to print the back side and it left ink smears all over the page. boo. I didn't think that I'd need to order more paper, but I am obviously wrong. There are 80 somthing pages of my thesis book, and I've only successfully printed out two pages on 4 sheets of paper. I'll probably order it after writing this.

I forgot to mention that I fell asleep in Grant park yesterday and now I have little red spots on my arms. Is it a reaction to grass? bug bites? I dunno, but they itch!

The funniest part about wakking up in a public place is all the little things you do right when you wake up and realize that you have been sleeping:
1)check watch
2)look to make sure all belongings are there
3)check appearence - make sure nohting is on you, everything is where it should be, etc.
4)check watch again - how long has it been? This time finally realizing that time has passed
All of this is done very slowly with a confused look.

Definitly me yesterday. Ah, and yesterday it was nice out. Sometime in the middle of the night, the temperature drops and my house was freezing. I was wondering was Josie was trying to get under the covers.

Back to digi printing.

May your day be full of surprises. Good ones.

Jen

and if you can't keep up, then you better shut up

Well, there was a fire alarm today, and I walked down 11 flights of stairs in my new sandals. My feet are not happy at the moment and they do not want to be messed with.

At least I walked it without bitching. Ladies, don't wear the shoes if you can't do it. Understandable that there is going to be pain, I'm there - but please do not let the entire stairwell of people know down every stair. Thank you.

Of course, upon reaching the first floor, the alarm went off. oh ha, ha! I forgot how funny that was.

I'm printing off my book pages in the brighter, happier part of the digi lab, where there are windows and everything! I've also been sitting next to really cool people, so my experience here has been much more enjoyable.

There is some panel discussion at the museum tonight regarding digital photography. I should probably go because my advisor is on the panel, but I would really rather go to yoga. What to do, what to do.

Jen

Um, Abraham Lincoln was kidnapped by pirates?

Well, now that Amit week is over, what will we do with ourselves here? Greg finally posted the picture to the server, so I can post a lovely image of our friend Amit. Thanks for giving us the inspiration to write again.



I'd like to think that Amit is not only celebrating Becky and Greg's engagement, but also of the Cubs game that we saw this past weekend.

I have a question for everybody who went to the game this Saturday. Did you get sunburn on your face, and if yes, in weird spots? Half of my face and my nose are bright red. It felt like my skin was on fire Saturday night. Nathan had the same problem too. I just want to know if the same happened of all of you.

Question #2: Do you think that Frank the Tank's liver gave out on Saturday night?

Ps. the picture isn't up right now because I don't have the right link. Expect it soon.
PPS. ah-ha, there its is.

Jen

Everybody's working for the weekend

I'm glad I could help? Did I, Christie? I was having one of those moments.

I'm off to hang out with my mom tonight - she is in town for the weekend. As it looks now, I may be hanging out with my family more than I have in a long time. We have plans for every single day until see leaves on Monday morning. I'm excited about it now, but I guareentee annoiance by the end of the weekend.

Well, Amit, I hope you've enjoyed the week. We've had our ups, we've had our downs, but most imporatantly, we've had times. It's been wonderful. Really.

I was going to post a lovely picture of the infamous Amit, but Greg never put it on the server. Maybe Greg will surprise us and post it himself. God, sometimes I make myself laugh so much.

Have a good weekend - see you at the Cubs Game!

Jen

To Christie:

Some can say that we are lucky to have been protected from terrorism and suffering of that nature our entire lives. It has molded the society we live in. I can also say that it is easy to feel disconnected. When could I ever say that a relative of mine has been taken away and killed by the goverment? I am happy to say, never. So, it's a double edged sword: we all somehow live more comfortable, easier lives, but we also don't get that experience from life that most of us need in order to feel alive.

Someone once told me, keep a note on your mirror: "Do something scary today." That is my only motivation. I hope it helps.

Love,
Jen

Becky

I don't know why my post did not publish last night.....

Oh yeah, and I had a revalation this morning. Now and Laters......

Becky

Well, Amit are you jealous that I am in Cincinnati or what??!!

The week has been an interesting one full of ups and downs, blah blah blah. The good news is that I found out that I will be the proud Aunt of a baby girl this summer!! I hear that the top name choice right now is Madeline, which I think is cute, but my younger sister (who turns 21 today - yikes!!) is not a big fan of it. We were both glad that they did not have a boy because apparently Wade was at the top of the list. Not so sure about that one.....

Let's see....I have been so busy lately that I don't think I have even noticed the funny things that have been going on around me lately. I will tell you though that last week at least 4 people walked into the piece of glass that they thought was a doorway just like I did a couple of months ago, so that made me feel a little better.

I get to fly back home tomorrow. That means I will be in the office on Friday so I will get to hang out with Amit. And by the way, I think we should hit the sandwich factory or somewhere for lunch - so don't bring yours, okay!!!

Christie, I used to work in a hardware store and I never understood how there could be so many variations on lightbulbs!! or screws and bolts for that matter but what do I know about hardware....all I learned working there was that old gross-looking candy that you sell at the counter could start to become appetizing when there is no other food in the store. We used to have an overstock of this one kind of candy who's name I cannot remember right now, but its square and hard, but becomes softer as you break your teeth to chew it. oh man, this is going to keep me up all night now trying to remember - help!!

I did some research on my artist and gave in. I am such a good student. : )

Just checked our little tracker device and it looks like people are getting to our blog by trying to find "Shenia Twain Photos" and "kinky wierd sex items." Who knew?

Jen

where did we go wrong?

Please don't tell me that we started with such a strong start posting and all and now that's it! We can't just close the week off with only me writing, damn it! Please don't do that to yourselves, but more importantly, don't do that to Amit.

I don't have too many interesting stories for the day, it was pretty usual. Wake up, take a shower, feed that cat, etc. One thing that's been kind of amusing is the fact that the automatic sprinklers for the park (or enlarged median - whateves) in the middle of my block have been running every morning since Monday. There was so much water on my block on Monday that I was expecting and iceberg to float by. Of course Monday night, the entire street was an ice skating rink. You would think that after seeing the forecast, whomever is in charge of those would turn them off until next week or so. Nope. This morning, they were watering a shiny blanket of icy snow.

I finished the mock-up for my thesis project and so far, I've been getting a lot of positive feedback. So yes, there is still a huge possibility that my stuff will be in the show in May, which is both scary and exciting. It's a lot of stuff to do - print out the book, which is at 76 pages, get it bound or do it myself, and think of, design and build an installation to go with it. All by May 6th or so. Yup. Exactly.

So, right now, I should be doing more related work, but I find myself more interested in the sun outside. I also have to do some research on an artist that I'm hoping to do a presentation on next week. You can check out the site here if you are interested.

I'm thinking about taking off and going to Reckless to buy some new music. I'm desperate for something new to listen to. Any suggestions?

Well, Amit - two more days. Any requests? Anything that you'd like to say?

Jen

I'm not afraid of you running away

I promised a blog everyday, and you are going to get one everyday, dear Amit.

JEN'S EMBARRASSING ENTRANCE ONTO L

I'm running late to get to school today, or as I should say, as usual, and hear the train come as I am just approaching the station. I run up the stairs, but I have both my book bag and the DAT and microphone, so I'm weighed down a bit. I'm not sure how many times you have run with any kind of bag or backback, but it's not a pretty sight. You are moving one way and the bag is moving the other. Anyway, I already look like a freak with my two bags doing their own thing, but I'm also running as fast as I can to get on the train before it leaves. Lucky for me, the train operator sees me and keeps the door open another minute so that I can run in. As soon as my feet touch the train floor, the doors shut and the train jerks forward. I then loose my balance and knock into this poor guy which makes him spill his hot coffee all over his hands.

I'm not sure if that was as bad as the fact that he was sitting and to catch my balance (while knocking over the coffee) I grabbed his knee. Oh yeah, then I offered my glove as a napkin to wipe off his hands because I didn't have anything that could really be used as a napkin.

PS. pinback link works! go look!
PPS -I stayed here until 8 last night. so much for a schedule!
PPPS- I promise Brian, that is how Amit spells his name.

Jen

We almost got a blog from everyone today. Not bad, eh?

As you can probably guess, I am once again in the digi lab waiting on my stupid phaser prints. I have a lot of stuff planned for tonight, so getting these prints out soon is very, VERY important. Here is my schedule as of now.

6:30 - leave school
7:00 - get home, turn on computer, begin working on project
8:00 - dinner
8:30 - work on project
9:00 - work on sound piece that is due Wednesday
10:00 - finish sound piece
fifteen minute break to watch weather
10:15 - 12:30 - work on project
12:45 - get to bed!

Now, how it will really go:

6:30-try to leave school, but can't because stupid phaser printer isn't working
7:00 leave school (with sweet, sweet dreams of never coming back)
7:30 - arrive home if the brown line is on my side.
relax for fifteen minutes, maybe play with kitty.
7:45 - stare blankly at computer, trying to remember what I wanted to do next
8:00 - actually begin working
8:20 - realize that I am hungry and attempt to make quick but satisfying dinner
8:50 - finish dinner, washing dishes, etc.
9:10 - realize that kitchen clock is always about fifteen minutes behind and curse myself for taking so long to do nothing
9:20- begin working on sound piece that is due Wednesday - try to only spend one hour on piece because I need to work on thesis project
9:50 - finally figure out how to work DAT recorder
11:30 - finish sound piece and curse myself for going over allotted 1 hour time limit
11:40 - sit back down at computer and stare blankly yet again
12:00 - work on project
12:30 - get incredibly sleepy due to stupid time change (that will be welcomed next week when I am used to it!) and go to bed, without brushing my teeth or washing my face because I am so tired

How come it takes me forever to get work done?

I added some new links this afternoon when I had some time to spare. In the "look" section, there is The Plug, that comes highly recomended by Christie. In the "listen" section, I added polyvinyl, mostly because a lot of bands that most of us like on the blog can be found there. I also added Pinback (though I'm not sure if the link is working. hmmm) because I am obsessed with them at the moment and the song Penelope. It is such a good song. I love it.

Hopefully, I'll think of something new and exciting for tomorrow for day two of Amit week!!

Greg - you don't roll on the Sabbath? Huh?

Becky

Happy Amit week! I have to run, but I wanted to thank everybody (especially greg) for the best weekend ever!!!!!!! Please let me know if you would like to be a part of the wedding planning - I'm sure a craft night or two will be involved!!

Peace out and I promise more during this week of Amit.

i'd like to point out that i don't roll on the sabath.

Jen

baby, please don’t tease

Yeah, we’ve been bad.

Lately we have all sucked at posting regularly, or at all for some of us. On Saturday night, at Becky and Greg’s engagement party* – that’s right folks, they are finally engaged! – our most loyal reader, let us know how disappointed in us he was. As a promise to make things better at our blog, we are having Amit week: a full week of posting dedicated to our most loyal reader.

I had some special things planned like a truely tasteless joke everyday, or maybe some fun contest thingy, but alas, daylight savings time has really screwed up my schedule and I did not prepare as I should have. I'm lucky that I even woke up on time.

So let it begin - AMIT WEEK!

Part of Amit's disappointment in me was because of my lame excuses for not posting. I’m also not supposed to say ”I’m too busy so I’m only going to write a little bit.” So I will now straight out lie to you and say I am not busy, but I am too lazy to write more.

Tonight I will be in the digital lab, so I’m sure you will be excited to hear me bitch about people backing up the printer queue.

*I know I've said it a million times, but congratulations, guys! I am so happy for you two!

Jen

'cause now I'm gonna stay up to 5 o'clock in the morning

Hi there.

Sorry about not writing for a bit. Last week turned out to be busy as usual, and then I felt like crap on Friday, so that is why I haven’t written.

Yesterday was exciting due to the fact that I got my new, used I-pod in the mail! Huzzah! I bought it off e-bay, and up until then, I’ve never spent more than five minutes on e-bay. It’s kind of overwhelming to those that never look at it. There’s just so much stuff to look through and I honestly find it a little confusing. Anyway, I found a 10 GB for a sweet deal, and today me and the I-pod made out on the L. It was so nice to listen to music during the ride. I never usually listen to anything, because cd’s are a lot to carry and well, my walkman – yes, a tape cassette walkman is circa 1988, meaning it is huge (remember the first cell phones? Think of that in walk man form) – so I don’t bring that either. My I-pod is so small and cute.

This week is my spring break, so I am determined to relax just a little bit. I feel like I’m doing nonstop work in order to get my project in the thesis show this May. I just don’t know if I can do it. I hate waking up early in order to get work done and feeling tired by 11:30. It’s really a drag – I mean, I’m only 24, you think I would have just a little more energy.

I was pissed at myself, because I missed the Pinback show at the Fireside Sunday night because I was tired and decided that I probably needed the rest. Boo. BOO! Anybody have any ideas for energy? Am I lame now?

So, what is everyone up to? Bora? Greg? I know you are just sitting at home! Bri? Beck?