Classes

It feels so good to say I really like all of my classes. Even though photo takes up a lot of time and money, black studies makes me realize how bad I am at discussion, french is almost too easy (right now, at least), and geo is, well, about rocks, I really like them all. It's hard to say which one is my favorite right now-geo and photo are competing for the title.
It's also nice to know I'm kinda finding out what I want to do. If all goes well, I want to be a ____ & French major. Yes...double majoring, because French is a super easy major to complete. I'm 1/4 of the way through. You only need 8 French classes, one in 18th-19th century lit, and one in medieval history. If I take 4 when I study abroad fall of junior year (hopefully in Nice) I'll be done by the time I get back. And no thesis is required.
What will fill up the ___? Geology? Art and the History of Art? History?
For now, je ne sais pas. everything in its own time.

On the menu for tonight:
20ish pages of racism: a short history
__ish pages of black and white photography by henry horenstein
if possible, read more geo
tomorrow, finish shooting film and process after geo lab

Ultimate is back in session. Yes, practice is at 9:30-11 at night because intramural basketball takes the gym at all times, and yes, suicides were terrible, but playing a scrimmage for the first time in months was so much fun. And I actually got a point, wahoo!

I'm now sore, hyped up and not wanting to do my reading. I've just eaten two packets of oatmeal (brain food yo) and am now listening to a Dr. Who/Green Day Holiday mashup (yee tumblr) and enjoying a bit of peace before learning about antisemitism in the medieval age.

Photography, art?

People wonder if photography is art. If I take a machine, without knowing anything about aperture, iso, shutter speed and the like, and then take a picture which is accidentally aesthetically pleasing, did I make art?

Some people believe art requires some sort of effort on the part of the artist.
Today I learn how much effort it entails.
Developing film is a long process. It begins with putting film on a reel by opening the canister and turning a reel while keeping the film steady, trying not to twist the film, and cutting the end of the film off.
In the dark.
This was easily one of the hardest things I've ever had to do-my sense of sigh was completely gone, and I had to rely on touch and sound to get the film on the reel. I failed-parts of my film were undeveloped-but I'm still glad I got SOME film developed.
The rest of the process required developer, stop bath (to stop development), fixer, and fix remover. These processes were timed and agitation (shaking the canister of film with the reels to make sure all the film gets the liquid) was only at very specific times. Measurements were incredibly important. It was hard, but rewarding.

When I removed my now purple film from the reels, I was amazed to see my photos in negative form. I then dried and cut the film into 5 squares each. Although some/most of it is marred by not being developed, I'm still proud.

And so, I think that's quite a bit of effort...so it must count as art.

On the menu for this week:
Finish last photo assignment/process film
BLST book (no reading form gasp yes)
Geo readings and mineral quiz thing/lab
French readings

My wrists are so sore from breakdancing today.



Today, Nomadic Wax, an international fair trade record company, came to Amherst and gave 7 of us Jeffs lessons in freestyling, djing, break dancing, and beatmaking. It was incredibly fun. My favorite was beatmaking and using this program called reason to make beats which we will then freestyle with next week at a performance. There will also be a break battle. AHHHH!

I liked learning how AMERICAN hip hop is, how much improvisation is involved, and how much art is involved. Really eye opening.

There was a b-girl (break dancing girl) from France, who taught us how to break. Her name was B Girl FraK (look her up on YouTube!)

There was also an Italian D.J and the head of the company actually went to Hampshire and studied the relationship between hip hop and political change in Senegal.

Supercooldude.

I had fun with Crystal, making fools of ourselves freestyling.

And now I'm listening to Outkast (atl represent!)

forever, foreveever, foreverever?



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MYxAiK6VnXw

Adaptation

Before I left for Amherst, the scariest thing I thought I would have to face and adapt to was the New England winter. As the weather got chillier, I thought to myself, "This isn't so bad." Now, with highs barely reaching 20 degrees Fahrenheit and a 30 degree day feeling like summer, I feel like I've completely adapted. The secret to getting through winter here is learning to get used to snow and cold, and buying a good pair of boots, gloves, and a hat.

Although I've gotten used to it, summer still seems really far away when there's two blizzards around the corner (after already having 2) and I hear about 70 degree weather at home and school being delayed because of rain. Laughing, I think to myself that if this were Winston, there wouldn't have been school for a month (or more).

At any rate, I don't think I'll be getting Seasonal Affective Disorder anytime soon, which is a good thing.

This weekend:
Sparkle Ball
Hip Hop Workshop with a fair trade record company (IDK how that works)
Geo HW (Identify minerals)
BLST Reading Form and Last 12 pages of book
French chapter
Photo shutter speed/d.o.f assignment and process film

Nostalgia

I was looking back on my old blog posts, and saw a line that amused me about my first day at Amherst (during orientation): "The air here smells like education." I was probably drunk on excitement at the moment. However, my first few moments at Amherst were memorable; I remember the hot weather, the peace demonstrators in town, the crowds of freshmen students wandering around with their parents, and the green quad filled with cars. I was nervous about my roommate, and classes, and money, and making friends. It was the most awkward and amazing week of my life. I learned so much, went camping for the first time, and learned how to live with another person. Everything felt new and different, I was adapting to life "up north" and I was still excited about the Ice Cream and fro yo at Val. That was a good feeling, and I'm sad I've lost it as work started up and things got more stressful. However, I'm glad I met so many new people who I would never have associated before. I'm planning great things, and doing new activities, and learning everyday. The air DID smell like education, and possibility, and a new beginning. Now it smells a bit more like soy sauce and snow mush, but that's alright. I'm remember why I love Amherst so much and how grateful I am to be here.

life

I'm so disorganized. I can't even put together an interesting blog post which no one reads anyways. That's why I use lists so often.
I have recently created a Xanga (I know right?) because a friend of mine blogs on Xanga. So I think I will start "blogging" for real now and not just spilling out incoherent thoughts.
If you want to follow it, you need a Xanga. Retro, right? It's almost hipster.
Well that's about it.
Hello my one follower, Aly!