Another Blog

Leeper...most likely on his soapbox

It is finally the end of the year (Hallelujah!) and these stupid blogs are almost over. Even after a whole semester, I still do not like them. Take that all you teachers who insist that the more one expresses their thoughts (like in speeches) the easier it gets (all lies). My thoughts and opinions are not important nor does anyone want or care to hear them. It mainly turns into this awkward ramble that even I do not get. And truly, does anyone really read these blogs besides the ones in their little friend group? I know I haven’t read any, but that is usually because I know nothing of what they are talking about. Everyone has goals; I don’t (I am kind of a pointless person in life taking up space).

The class overall was…interesting I think is the only word to describe it (maybe unique?). There were many times where I had to wonder where Leeper got this stuff and then others that were WHERE Leeper got this stuff. Certainly kept things interesting. But that is probably what Leeper would say digital media art is: the weird and the beautiful. Though I still hate blogs (will not change).

Online Art Collection

I just wasted a whole day. I am ashamed of myself. What was I doing? Spending way too much time on deviantART. Why? Because people are too awesome. Everyone can laugh and find this unimportant but to me, this site is brand new; I’ve heard of it before but never had the chance to actually explore (no Internet). Would I waste a whole day again? Yes and I have.

Yes, it is only the logo, but I don't want to post somebody else's art somewhere else without them knowing or permission

Anyway, this site is amazing; one can find almost anything here in any medium under any topic. And the thing is, it is not professional based; anyone and everyone is able to place their art for all to see. And while some might not be my cup of tea, the style expressed is so rich. Sure there are some things that are more hurried but it is so interesting to see how one artist grew in their style over time. I admire these people, having the courage to place their art out there to be judged because I now how hard it is, especially when one sees other art that is better (because there always is). Everyone is all together, giving feedback and encouragement. Oh, on a final note, I got super excited when I found certain people on the site. They were professionals…drawing comics…for Archie’s Sonic the Hedgehog comic book! Browsing around, I saw something that looked like their style, got to their gallery and it was! Not going to lie, I was ridiculously excited (I have found 4 so far).

NCIS

Back again to talk about more random stuff. It might not always make sense or be interesting but the truth is…I can’t blog. Plain and simple. But we’re going to continue anyway because it is a major grade. I keep thinking back to all the weekends I wasted because of media. For example, over fall break I did not work on any homework that I should have. What did I do? I watched the whole 6^th season of NCIS straight, one hour-long episode after the next. Looking back, I regret that decision…no, never mind, I don’t. It was awesome.

And now we move to my awkward rambling on why I like the show and all that fun stuff. First off, I think the show is successful because a wide variety of themes for different people. First off, there is suspense and mystery, since the show is about solving cases. However, it never turns too serious to be completely overwhelming and monotonous (after all, there are only so many scenarios to show before it is all used up) but really focuses on the interactions of the characters. Even here, the show, while it is a drama, varies on moments, focusing on different characters, sad moments, hilarious moments, moments when you fear for their lives, and then the stupid cliffhangers at the end of the season where it is always a part I and II and the show has a habit of suddenly killing off people. And the thing is, none of the characters are perfect; each has so many quirks and personalities. I think that I love the show for these moments.

The gang's all here:
goth, geek, clown, assassin, unknown, bumbler, quirky, and serious

Another Weekend Movie

Jack Frost, main character
and the one that I have
heard most people love

I had another interesting viewing experiences with another of my friends. However, instead of criticizing the character design, this friend had to know everything that was happening, even if it was going to be explained later. This did not bother me as much mainly because I had seen the film several times. The film was The Rise of the Guardians. I loved it but that could mainly be because it amused me, provided suspense, tugged at the heartstrings a little, and (most of all) provided a twist to established stories. I like it when someone provides a story of how fantasy characters came to be and a twist from the common idea of what they are like. The style of animation was amazing and fit well with the story, the characters being more angular, with definite thought put into conveying the occupation, personality, and attitude of each character. However, I realized that twists on established characters are not everyone’s cup of tea. Another person in the room was confused with both Santa’s (Russian with swords and tattoos) and the Tooth Fairy’s (more fairy like, resembling a bird) appearances. I like to hear others interpretations and twists; it makes me think more, as long as it is thought out well and makes sense.

Leeper's Bible Popsicles

My dad sees our tv viewing as
a magnet drawing us in 

I led my family around on Saturday (during family weekend), showing them the campus and some of the things that I have bee working on. But guess what Professor Leeper? I also took them to see the faculty art in the gallery. Once there, my brother started watching the popsicle plays of Bible stories that you created. They were entertaining. My brothers and sisters already like to watch movies a lot; after watching one they continued on to watch others. Even my dad watched them, though he isn’t a big fan of animation (likes to joke with me about my “obsession” sometimes of watching “cartoons”). He jokingly said that Bible stories should return to this “popsicle drama.” Even in serious stories, a sprinkling of humor is needed, whether it be comments or the voice of the narrator. I’ve noticed that people, thought not all, tend to remember something better if it has some humor (I remembered what a history teacher of mine said for years because the way he taught, thought lecture style, was funny: another was really, really, really, really, REALLY boring – forgot everything in a day). All in all, the popsicle theater was greatly enjoyed. The contrast between 3-D puppets and 2-D drawings created an interesting atmosphere. I personally thought that it was a neat and ingenious idea to have the popsicle puppets flip in order to change emotions in one scene.

7 Brides for 7 Brothers (after)

I just saw the play and I have only one word: regret…that I didn’t see it sooner so I could watch it twice! While I don’t know much about the aspects of the play or any of the technical terms, I can still talk about why I thought it was amazing.

I have never seen “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” before this show so I can’t compare it to anything else, but I have to say that the most impressive part of the show was the dancing. It was amazing; people were flipping all over the stage, lifting the girls up and over heads. It was just… ah, I can’t think of the words to describe it. The actors all did a fantastic job and I definitely know that it wasn’t easy and didn’t go smoothly every night (my roommate was in the show and she came back so tired some nights from late rehearsals). I will say though that my favorite part of the whole show was not Sean and Sam’s dancing (though they did make a lovely pair J). It was during the kidnapping of the brides when one of the brothers is the cat Tabby (a large man behind a fence putting his heart and soul into a meow). I laughed until I had tears.