suckin' eggs

most of you who know me (eric) know that California is not where i wanted to live. that being said- i brought our lives here for school- a great school- to do my graduate work. thus far things have been less than stellar for us...aside from the hitchin things have been a dull sort of discomfort in most ways:
the prices are silly high here
people suck
the weather is weird
our new upstairs neighbors are LOUD
and perhaps the biggest issue- school is a letdown

there are a few professors at the school that i came here to work with...
aside from them, the whole institute lacks professionalism, drive to attain something higher, and the nepotistic stance in hiring baffles me...really- why should i care when it seems the school doesn't?

today was the topping of the crap sundae...
seems the new woman running the darkroom (not a photographer at all) felt the need to scold me for not playing well with the staff about the poor state of equipment in the grad darkroom. i was then informed that it was a privilege to work in sub-par surroundings and that if there was no money to fix thing then it was too bad...
at least the digital labs get new computers and printers every so often.

i regret coming to this school more each week

i have learned

i have fought to work

i feel like the debt is far outweighing the experience of grad school

i wonder if PennState would take me back?

think twice about graduate schools...especially ones that ride on what has been done and not what they can help you do...

Run turned fun

Encouragement and confidence cannot be underestimated. E was right... two years ago, about this time of year, as I was beginning another semester and had agreed to assist in ART 111 at Penn State, I would have never guessed that by this time I would finish my first 5K. I don't even like running! Yet, as the year has pressed on...being in an urban setting that doesn't lend itself to many "outdoor" activities...I have taken to running. It began EXCEPTIONALLY slowly... building up from 5 to 10 to eventually 50 minute runs. Finally, I surpassed the mark I set for myself when I would try a 5K for the first time. I found one...and it turned out to be the best possible introduction to running in groups. It was a "Fun Run" that benefited a local arts program for children, and it was amazingly laid-back. Everyone took it for what it was...a fun run. Groups broke off and paced at a speed that was comfortable, and when we all gathered back at the running store... there were beers and cupcakes and rice crispy treats... awesome. ANDDDDDDDD.... raffle prizes. We won a new back pack! Crazy, right? $20 for two super nice t-shirts, a back pack...and beer? Who could resist?!?! So, I ran faster than I usually do...went up more hills (including the Chestnut stairs...yeah in SF several streets become too steep to even allow reasonable pavement options, thus the streets into staircases...and the Fort Mason hill) totaling 282 ft (yeah nothing on a bike but on foot??? and at once??? whew...). So, yeah...E came with me, met me at the end and ran the last bit (again) with me, and was just there. Amazing what just his presence encourages me to do.

Red-faced and finished...

Mouthfull of cupcakes and beer... a maybe a little on that beard...