Friday was my last day of class and although it didn’t start out well it ended beautifully. I had lunch with about ten of my classmates at Osha on Second and it was wonderful as always. Later that night the celebration continued with C9th at Temari in which I had the most fun ever at our favorite neighborhood haunt. We ended the night with a viewing of the Fall on the projector back at home. It tops the list of all time great films. I strongly recommend it.
Thursday night maiki and I attended the 6th birthday celebration for Creative Commons at the Minna Gallery in San Francisco. It was super fun and I always enjoy the vibe at CC events. People that like to share and embrace collaboration are progressive and fun folks to be around. I have been walking past the Minna Gallery for over a year wanting to go inside and I finally got my chance. DJs ripley and Kid Kameleon and dublab were mixing the tunes. dublab had a set up to record eight second audio loops of the crowd as part of the Into Infinity project. dublab created a emergent sound scape of music for us to enjoy with the visual part- the circular canvas art pieces- projected onto a screen. maiki and I were dancing all night for it was hard to be still with so much great music playing. Good times!
I am very fond of this movie. I just watched it for the second time—the first probably four years ago. I saw it with completely different eyes this time and really appreciated how special of a production it is. The sets are wonderful with so much attention to detail. I love the costumes and all the steam punk aspects in it. The ending animation was brilliant. And my favorite part still is Aunt Josephine’s house over the lake (I really wish that I had a picture to show you). It reminds me of those stairs that go right into the ocean. I think that I want to live a lot closer to the water than already do. Maybe on a house boat.
bike rides! 
Jason and I went on a bike ride along the San Francisco Bay Trail. The weather here so far has been warm one day and cool the next. Very unpredictable but as long as its not raining I can ride my bike. I plan on riding my bicycle daily when school is out (crossing my fingers that it doesn’t rain the whole time).
finals! I am in the process of completing three books, three chinese boxes, a chopsticks holder, a gift bag, and studying for two tests. I did not travel during the Thanksgiving break so I actually got a lot of work done and am feeling on top of everything. I always experience mixed feelings as semesters end. I want to have a break but at the same time know that in a week I will want to be back in school. I will really post everything when I am done. I know that I keep saying that but this time I mean it. *_*
my Amazon wish list! Just for fun. I am not expecting any gifts this Christmas because I am staying home. I am totally okay with that because I don’t need anything—but I can always buy myself a new art book.
vacation! After the first of the year maiki and I are planning to visit Santa Cruz, Los Angeles, and Oceanside. I am really looking forward to the trip, and am especially relieved to not be traveling during the holidays. There are so many fun things that I want to do.
I was so happy to discover that due to Thanksgiving I would be missing two classes this week. I had made the decision to stay home in Berkley for the holidays this year rather than visiting my family in L.A. so I was gonna have a week off from school and not be traveling anywhere. Awesome. Kimi and Justin made lots of food for Thanksgiving and all of Cloud 9th was home to celebrate together by playing Quiddler and watching movies. I felt so much happiness being at home with my dear friends and having lots of food that I could eat.
This week I have been watching the Lord of the Rings movies on the projector. I read the Hobbit for the first time a few months ago and then began the Fellowship of the Ring shortly after. Unfortunately due to school I didn’t not get very far into before I decided to jump into the re-screening of the movies. It has been a much more enriching experience watching them for a second time since I have read some of Tolkien’s writing. Also a few of my friends play LOTRO online and seeing the game and hearing about their adventures in Tolkien’s world has also gotten me more excited about the story.
I do have some homework that I am working on. In all of my classes I have made or am making process books. They range in quality from bound notes and sketches to mini portfolios. Also in my comping class I have been creating books, boxes and next shopping bags. It is an exciting time and I finally feel like I have leveled up in my usage of my exacto knife. All of the projects are enjoyable and I actually only have three weeks left in the semester. Time flies when you are crazy stressed huh. But for now I am on holiday and doing my best to enjoy every moment of it. *_*