Use the Force [Jamiroquai]

not as cool as the olly moss ones, but here are some other star wars posters by Jan Skácelík that are neat in their own way. also, much cheaper and still available to purchase. click the image to go to the etsy shop.

I Put a Spell on You [Screamin Jay Hawkins]

English as a second language? More like 3rd or 4th. Because this is an art school, these students don’t have to take basic classes like english, math, behaving in public or wiping their own butt. The lack of skill/training in the latter two is evident in the everyday interactions I have with them. They don't think for themselves, which is generally frustrating, but at times it’s downright infuriating. They want everything given to them.

”Are you going to print that for us?”
“Are you going to put it on your t-drive?”
“Will you make copies for us?”
“How do I open that program again?”
“You're faster than we are, can't you just do it for us?”
“How do I XXX in cad again?”
“Can you look at this before class so I can change it before we turn it in for grades?”
“I won’t be in class because I'm getting veneers – I’ll turn my stuff in next week”
“I have to catch a plane for a vacation. Can you give me the test early?”

Every. Single. Day.

The lack of other skills is evident when it comes time to grade. In some classes they have to do a little research and writing. Generally it’s brief – writing design concept statements, basic design/period timelines and assessments, etc. However, at the end of the program they also have to do a portfolio, and in this portfolio they have to write explanations of their projects, as well as an overall design philosophy.

This past week I had to review portfolios as well as grade final projects for the senior class. I also caught up on some grading for furniture class, which included some writings. In addition, soon to be seniors have been submitting their proposals for projects, which we have to review. The argument I get from them is that they're designers, and they don't need to know how to write. Or that writing doesn't matter, the focus is design.

I wish they would submit PDF copies of everything - then I would share with you the horror. I understand that they are students, and we really should be focused on their design education, but I personally believe that being a functioning adult is a good thing. When they get to senior level, their projects and portfolios are being presented to professionals. Because of this added pressure, they freak out so much when you edit their stuff, and I think that's largely our (the schools) fault. We are told to grade for content of writing, not for quality or clarity. This doesn’t help them to learn or improve. They spend 11 quarters turning in drivel, and then at the very last minute we spend 11 weeks trying to explain the importance of professional writing. Good luck there.

I don’t think my frustrated paragraphs can really describe how bad it can get – but here are some examples. All of them are for reals – not made up.

Principals of Design.
Patrician walls.
Pass-though window.
Cabenits.
Light fixteur.
Clear story windows.
Chandeler.
Igress.
Inress.
Manufacture's instruction.

And, finally, my personal favorite:

bookshelve. you know, the singular form of bookshelves.


Next week, I’ll share some of the best "design solutions" that have come across my desk.

Lazy Day [The Moody Blues]

today i'm phoning it in. flew home last night for a quick visit (and also for a late celebration of KTO's birthday which was earlier this week) and the inflight magazine had an article about music. So, here is today's music friday post - 40 new-ish artists, and 40 free song downloads from itunes. Enjoy.

40 free songs from Southwest Airlines

today we have two performances, from some unknown/lesser known singer/songwriters. They're both gaining popularity, but this is a "Before they were Stars" offering.

Marcellus Hall - Laughing With You.



Joy Williams - Say Goodbye (plus bonus song). This is the girl half of The Civil Wars, back when she was a solo artist.



also, V - have you seen this? Jorge and Alexa - Be My Baby

Calendar Girl [Neil Sedaka]

Some time ago I started making desktop calendars. Then I stopped. Apparently I've started again. Here is June, ready to be placed on your computer and stared at for 30 days. enjoy.

Working Class Hero [John Lennon]

Aside from what I've formally trained to do, in my life so far I've done a number of other things for money. Every job helped to shape my attitudes and ethics at work. And reflecting on them all, I realize (more than ever) that I love the career I've chosen - even if I can't do it right now. And I don't see how people back in the day just changed careers so easily - even if I didn't like what I'm supposed to be doing, other professions are so choosy that I can't even get a foot in the door.

But, back to that that non-career job list. Since the age of 15, I have:

bagged groceries
worked at 2 different Dairy Queen restaurants
washed dishes in a local pizza joint
made sandwiches at Mr. Goodcents
shelved books in a library
worked overnight at a textbook warehouse
worked at/co-managed a bowling alley
sold clothes at The Buckle
roofed houses
worked as an outdoor TV cable installer
stocked the backroom shelves at Target
taught interior design to a bunch of spoiled brats

It's not the most exotic list - I'm sure some of you have done crazier things. It's not even a really long list. It's just my list. And like I said, it's shaped the way I act and perform as a working adult. although not every action at every job was the smartest. at those various jobs listed above I have:

stretched the truth to get a job (Mr. Goodcents)
stretched the truth to quit a job (Mr. Goodcents)
been let go for 'insurance purposes' (pizza place)
quit without notice (bowling alley)
quit after arguing with the boss (bowling alley)
been accused of nepotism (the second Dairy Queen)
made out on company time (the second Dairy Queen)
used company resources to job hunt (bowling alley)
nearly severed a tendon with a rusty knife (roofing)
nearly fallen off of a ladder (roofing)
used my place of employment as my own personal playground (bowling alley)
turned down a promotion by quitting (target)
moved 600 miles from home to do a job it turns out I really dislike, but am now stuck in (take a guess on this one...)


next time, let's talk about bagging groceries.

Give a Little [Hanson]

apparently the Hanson boys are back (actually, they have like 8 studio albums) This is the second single from their newest album, and I'm not ashamed to say I am absolutely in love with this song.

Macho Man [The Village People]

to go along with today's raspy voiced singers, we have some bad news about a raspy voiced wrestler and "meat snack" spokesperson. This morning Macho Man Randy Savage died at the age of 58. When I was younger I used to watch a bit of wrestling (what little boy didn't?) and I can still recall a fair number of wrestlers from the 80's and 90's. Even though he was never my favorite, he was pretty memorable in the classic WWF lineup. I had a brief moment of silence for him earlier today when I found out.

If they didn't taste terrible and cause heartburn, I'd snap into a slim jim as a sign of respect. You'll be missed, Macho Man. Oh yeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaaah.

The Voice [The Moody Blues]

This week's music friday is all about the voice. While i love the music/lyrics in these selections as well, the common theme is a raspy, gravelly voice.

first up, tricky. i dont love trip-hop, but i love tricky. this song is off one of his best albums, and it just feels like a late night driving in the rain type of song.



next, rob dougan. we've heard him before, in instrumental form. his album is strange but beautiful. it's generally a classical/electronica mash up, and also makes for good driving music.



lastly, tom waits. he's a take it or leave it type guy. i'm still deciding if i'm going to take him or leave him, but i love this song - lyrics and music (horns, of course)

Paper Walls [Marc Cohn]

are you kidding me? this is crazyness. can you imagine the time it took to do this? I kinda want one for my house.

some french lady cuts things out of paper