Spring Break already? A recap of sorts.

Wow! It is hard to believe but it is Spring Break already. Where did the time go? Even harder to believe, I have not written in this blog since January. Yes, I managed to chronicle the whole first week of my return to collegiate life and then vanished from the blog map. I am sure some casual readers (ha ha, who am I kidding, no one reads these things) assumed I could not hack college and just quit. Nope. It may not have been the easiest things I have done, but I am still here and still loving it. There is no go backing. I am in this for the long haul.

So, in light of my absence, I will attempt to recap the last 2 months as best I can. I can't promise it will make much sense or will be in any kind of sensible order but I will give it a try.

1. Juggling college while being a father and a husband, is harder than I thought. I really don't know what I expected but I was surprised to realize that it can be hard to find time for everything and everyone. Clearly, writing a blog fell way to the bottom of the list. :) I still need to work on my time management skills but hey this is a work in progress.

2. Fitting in has been easier than I expected. At first, the age gap was a concern but I have all but forgotten about it now. Well, at least until one of my smart ass classmates remind me that "you're old." Still, I think the fact that we can laugh about it is a good sign. I also don't get as many odd looks as I walk around campus.  In fact, I have even gotten nods of recognition from people. It certainly helps me feel more apart of the crowd.

3. My writing skills may be better than I thought. I really expected my first paper to get a terrible grade. I was absolutely certain of it. I got an A. I was shocked and thrilled. So much so, that I not so humbly rubbed it in the face of my dear daughter who I did better than (Sorry Dev.)  For the record she also got an A.

4. I sometimes bite off more than I can chew. Yes, this is true. Several of the art classes I am taking are foundation courses. They did not exist twelve years ago and are intended for freshman. I am not a freshman, but I have been out of school for 12 years.  Still, a few times I have taken on projects that, perhaps, were a bit more complicated than they need to be. I'd like to say I learned my lesson and only made that mistake once but that is not the case. The frustration this causes can be a bit stressful but I have found that I am not able (or perhaps willing) to censor my ideas.

5. Stubbornness and persistence pays off. Despite sometimes getting in over my head (see #4), my stubbornness and persistence has eventually won out. That may mean repainting a sculpture 3 times, or completely disassembling another sculpture 3 times till the final piece matches the vision. Still, I have learned that I am not willing to sacrifice an idea in order to make it easier. That does not always work out well (like when you turn in a project a week late) but at least the teacher understood and even my appreciated my persistence. Of course, he did not give me an A but that is the price you pay for being tardy. I am trying to be more mindful of due dates though.

6. Creativity inspires creativity.  Not being in school for a long time, or actively around other creative people, it is a nice change of pace to spend your day thinking about,  learning about, or seeing art. I have been awed and inspired by the creativity of my classmates. It certainly feeds my own creativity. In fact, it was because of two students sharing some very personal pieces that I decided to make my own (and most ambitious) personal project.  I am  also often thinking about the next project, or the one after that. It seems that most of my daydreams now are about ideas for a sculpture or some other project. The key is to maintain that focus when I am not taking an art class and continuously create. Really, I wish I could just take art classes forever!

7.  Lack of sleep brings it's own rewards. It seems that my creativity is at its peak in the late night / early morning hours. Perhaps it is just the pressure of pushing against a deadline that gets the adrenaline flowing. Maybe the lack of sleep lowers the defenses, or  somehow allows you to get past certain walls, but my most creative times have come in the early morning. Sure it sucks the next day but you forget about that once you get to share your work and it is received well. It would be nice to create art between 9 and 5 but that just never seems to happen. On a side note, the piece that caused me to loose the most sleep, also brought the greatest reward. My teacher asked me (and another student) to show our work at an upcoming event at the end of the March. I was thrilled and honored to be asked and look forward to sharing the moment with a classmate.

8. I love being back in school. I have no doubt this is one of the best choices I have ever made. Who knows what the rest of the semester will bring, but I am looking forward to it.  Sure it is Spring Break and instead of partying on the beach somewhere, I will be in the library writing a paper, or maybe working on one of my art projects. Really, it is not such a bad way to spend your time. Perhaps, I will even find time to write more often. We shall see! Here's to the rest of the semester. 

-Scott

Day 4: End of the first week.

Well, Friday was an easy day, just one class. In Art History we have officially gotten underway and started off with the Paleolithic period. I have always been fascinated by the cave paintings found in Lascaux, France. The images are amazing and one can't help but wonder what the people who painted them were like. What were their motivations for painting them? Were they for teaching, storytelling, or simply painted out of pleasure. I guess we will never know. Still, could you imagine sitting in the cave by a fire and looking up these images?  I imagine they would dance on the walls and come to life. What a sight they must have been.

My first week back in college is officially over. What a week it has been. Sometimes it still feels like a dream. As I walk through the campus, I find myself looking at my fellow students, who for the most part, are about 20 years younger than me. What ever the reason, seeing them all makes me smile. Sometimes, I worry that someone might notice me and think I am slightly mad. However, I am sure most of them don't even see me. I feel like I stick out in the crowd because of my age, but the reality is, I probably don't. That is okay. It is nice to be just one of the crowd.

Still, there are moments, sometimes it is in a class, other times it's been as I walk through the campus, where I just feel overcome with happiness. Moments, where I just can't help but grin. Moments, where I just want to laugh out loud or yell joyously.  It is a wonderful feeling. There have been times in the last few years where I thought that this day may never come. Days where I had to make peace with the fact that I might not ever go back to college. Those days are gone. Forever. There is no going back. There is no quitting or giving up. There is no failing. This chance may never come again so I am going to be sure it doesn't slip through my fingers. The dream is alive and awake and I am living it. Life is good! 
-Scott

Day 3: More on Banksy and Libraries rock!

Had a fabulous discussion today in Digital Imaging about the film, Exit Through The Gift Shop that we watched on Tuesday. It was great to hear everyone's take on the film. The more I think about it, the more I think it was indeed a hoax. I plan on watching the film again this weekend. If this thread is confusing you, go back and read this post from Day 1:    More about the film by Banksy...

Also, check out some of his art.

http://www.banksy.co.uk/

After the discussion, we went over to the Science Library where all the photography books are kept. I am not really sure I understand why they are there (instead of with the other art books in the main library) but at least it is right next door to the building we meet in. Anyway, what a great library it is. I had forgotten how much fun (yes, fun) it is to just look through the books and see what you find. I ended up staying in the library almost an hour after class ended just looking at different photographers. Talk about inspiring! I checked out a couple books and will certainly be spending more time in the library! One of the books I checked out was Manufactured Landscapes which features the photographs of Edward Burtynsky. I saw the documentary of the same name a year or so ago and wanted to revisit some of the images. Burtynsky is know for his large format photographs of industrial landscapes. You can find  many of the images on his website.

                                                 http://www.edwardburtynsky.com/


Till tomorrow!

Day 2: Art in the AM, Rain in the Afternoon, Digital Art in the PM

Day 2: This morning, I had my first 3D Design class. The classroom is one that I was in quite a bit over 12 years ago and it brought back lots of memories. It felt good to be in that space again. The class was a nice size and, again, I felt like the elder statesman. Everyone seems nice and we had the opportunity to dive right into some creating. Johnnie, our instructor gave us a large sheet of heavy duty colored cardboard and told us to construct a 3D design that reflects the color we chose. I chose a sheet of pink and immediately knew I wanted to do something organic. At first, I was going to make an internal organ of some type but as I started to fold, crumble, and tear the cardboard I started to see shapes of sea plants or coral. In the end, it looked like some sort of exotic flower with these huge petals and tendrils. The picture is not the greatest but it gives you some sort of idea what it looks like.

At lunch time, my daughter and I had our Art History class together. It was fun to be in the same class with her and we even sat next to each other. I think we will have a good time in the class and we have instant study partners. Unfortunately, when class was over it was pouring outside. Of course, I forgot to bring an umbrella and we had a good 10 minute walk to where I had parked. We were soaked by the time we got to the car. It was not the most fun but it is a shared moment we can always look back on. We certainly won't forget that first day in class together.  Hopefully, the next time we have class it will be sunny!

After  a few hours break, I headed back to campus for two more classes. I am really looking forward to the Digital Foundations class. I am going to learn so much! Plus, I get to sit in front of one of these lovely machines.

My 12 year old son, who is a HUGE Mac fan is quite jealous that I get to use the new Macs. They are amazing! The class itself was more about getting to know one another. We spent 10 minutes talking with the person next to us and when we were done, we had to introduce our neighbor to the class. I thought it was a nice touch and better than the usual tell us who you are routines. Thankfully, my neighbor is just as inexperienced with the software we will be using as I am.  The walk back to the car after class was nice, as it was not raining anymore. The campus looked really pretty with all the trees and sidewalks glistening from a just ended rain. Tomorrow, is my Digital Imaging and Photography class. I can not wait! Till tomorrow.

Day one is in the books! (No pun intended)

Well, I survived the 1st day back at FSU. Truth be told, it was actually an easy day with just one class. Parking was much as I expected, not easy, but I did get lucky and found a spot. My first class was Digital & Photo Imaging. I am really excited about this class. While I have a good deal of photography experience,  I am pretty green when it comes to Photoshop and digital imaging. I have shot a lot with a Digital SLR but as far as processing and printing from digital, I've not done much. In this class we will actually shoot film and scan it. I am expecting to learn quite a bit.

The class itself was pretty small, with only about 8 students in it. The classroom is pretty high tech and the HUGE Macs are so lovely! We really did not do much other than go over the syllabus and then watch the incredibly fascinating film, Exit Through the Gift Shop. While I am familiar with the street art of Banksy and Shepard Fairey, I had not heard of this documentary, or the rise of Thierry Guetta and his alter-ego street artist MBW.

For those not familiar with the film, it tells the story of Thierry Guetta, a French immigrant living in Los Angeles who befriends many of the most famous street artists and convinces them to let him film them for a documentary he is making. This goes on for a considerable amount of time and culminates with Thierry meeting the elusive and secretive Banksy. Banksy brings him into his world and gives him unparalleled access to his work. When Banksy finally realizes that Guetta is not a filmmaker, he decides to make his own film, in which Guetta becomes the main subject. Guetta goes on to become MBW and hosts a huge show of "his own art" and sells over 1 million dollars of art from the gallery show. It's a fascinating film.

Tonight, while I was telling the boys about the film and looking at the art of Banksy online, we found some articles questioning whether the film was real and not some elaborate hoax. Some people even suggested that Banksy and Guetta are actually the same person. Regardless, the film works on either level as it questions what  the value of art is. When Banksy described the film in an interview he said "this is watching an art form self-combust in front of you." Definitely a film to watch if you have an interest in street art or art in general.

Well, tomorrow is a busy day. Four classes, including one with my daughter! It should be fun. More tomorrow.

-Scott

It has begun

Well, the kids have been dropped off at school. I took my wife to her work and I have made it to FSU. As to be expected, parking was a chore but I found one spot on the top level of the parking garage. Hopefully the parking thing will settle down after a while. As I was walking across the parking garage, I could hear the soft sounds of rubber on concrete as another student stalked me in the hopes of getting my parking spot. I am sure I will hear that sound a lot. I got to the building where my first class is and was met with a wave of students (all much younger than me) rushing out of the building. I couldn't help but smile. One young lady in a rush almost ran into me. She apologized and looked as nervous as I feel. Class starts soon. Later! -Scott
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View of the FSU campus from atop the Woodward parking garage.

Finding my way around campus again

 This afternoon, I took three of the boys with me and we went over to the campus of FSU. While, I was a student 12 years ago, the campus has grown quite a bit. I wanted to look around, find my classes, and perhaps pick up my books and supplies. Of course, I was not the only student with this idea and parking was hard to find. We ended up parking nearly at the top of the parking garage. The boys loved the glass elevator and we spent some time in the FSU bookstore. Of course, I forgot my student i.d. so I was unable to buy any supplies. Thankfully, I actually only need 1 book so it can wait. The boys were amazed at the size of the bookstore and could not understand why they sold so much more than just books. There is nearly a small store of just FSU gear and clothes. I explained the reasons behind it and about school spirit, still they were shocked.

After we left the bookstore we wandered around and found the buildings that I was not familiar with. We found the classrooms and both the boys and I gazed in awe at the computers in the digital classrooms. We were especially impressed with the Digital Foundations classroom filled with shiny new Mac's with giant monitors.  I called our resident Mac expert (my 12 year old son) who opted to skip the field trip and told him about the classroom. He wanted me to take a picture but I was unable to since the room was locked. I told him I would take a picture when I came to class this week. We headed to another building where the boys were deeply enamored with the modern furniture on the second floor lobby. We found the classroom that I will be taking Art History in. This class is especially nice because my soon to be 19 year old daughter and I are taking the class together. We are both looking forward to the opportunity to have a class together, We'll see how long it lasts. 

After the boys were done testing all the furniture, we headed back to the parking garage where the boys insisted on going to the very top level. The views were great and I pointed out some of the places around campus. It was fun afternoon and a nice way to share my experience with the boys. They are all still in elementary school but hopefully they will remember this trip for a while. Perhaps it will even inspire them to want to go to college one day.

Tomorrow is my first day. It is an easy day really. I have one class. Not a bad way to ease back into college life. Till tomorrow...

Waking the Dream

Here it is, a Monday morning and I am not sitting at my desk. Four days ago, after over nine years of employment, I left my job. It all still feels surreal.  After all, you can't stay at one place for nine years and not feel connected to it. You can't devote so much time and energy to a job and not feel it is your life.  Still, it was time to move on.

It was a good job, however. I was very fortunate to work for a great company with lots of wonderful people. From the beginning, it was always a little different. Maybe it was because it was a family owned business. Even though there were offices throughout the state, the company still managed to hold on to that small business vibe. I am certain that had everything to do with the family that ran the company. I can never thank them enough for what they've done for me and my family throughout the years. I have also been lucky to work with many good people at my local office. After nine years I have seen many people come and go and I have no doubt that I will keep in touch with many of them. I can not imagine just severing all ties, especially after nine years.

I also met people along the way, who started as customers, but now are friends. I will miss many of them. I spent the last few weeks trying to visit and call some of them. I even ran my old route in Gadsden County for one last time so that I could see the faces of people I had not seen in over four years. It was almost as if no time had passed at all. They welcomed me back with smiles and hugs and treated me the way they always did, like family.  It was fun to catch up with them, laugh about the old times, and share with them my future plans. It seemed like the perfect closure to a nine year career, ending it where it all began.

So, here it is, a Monday morning and instead of sitting at my desk, I am sitting here ready to begin a new chapter in my life. Tomorrow, I return to college for the first time in twelve years. It is a dream that I was not sure would ever come to be. There were times, when I tried to go back and finish but life got in the way. It happens that way sometimes. Children are born, houses are bought, bills are paid, and life goes on. After a while, you kind of forget what it is like to dream. It is not necessarily a bad thing. It is just what happens. You get in a routine and life just moves on. Sometimes, the dream gets left behind. Not this time, though.

This time, the dream is alive and awake, and waiting just around the corner. Typically, we wake up from a dream. We go to bed, lay our head upon the pillow, and we dream. Some of us dream of mythical things, of far away places, or of long forgotten faces. Imagine if instead of falling into a dream, you were able to walk into your dream. This is what my life feels like at this moment. I fully expect that tomorrow,  I will see the world in a whole new light. That the colors will be more vivid, the sun will shine brighter, and the world will seem fresh and new. At the age of 42, and after feeling as if I've been asleep for the last 12 years, this is an extraordinary feeling. The dream is alive and I am awake in it.

-Scott