If you had invoked me before you began this journey,

Well, school starts today. Currently, am on campus outside the art building. I feel like I should make the comment about how freshmen seem to be getting taller every year.

Bought a bike yesterday, so I can more easily get to school and work. While I'm not drenched in sweat, it's enough that I'm going "yep, out of shape." With luck, this'll help some. It's rather peaceful coming in this way, and i do have a bus pass for those times when the weather is ick. Bike is a nice little all-purpose commuter model in a pretty pale blue. (I'm not going off-road, or anything more serious than errands. And I like it.) Also got a rear mounted rack for it, since I could get them to install it, and will pick up baskets in the near future.

Then we had dad over for dinner and Weeds. *sigh* I do love that show dearly.

Let's see - finished painting domnall's shield. It's not entirely centered or perfect, but it looks good and I'm happy.

Need to finish an art history paper by Tuesday - being as the notes state I just need to resolve the voice for it and reference everything. Plus finish my sketches - not too bad at all.

Going to go take a look at a venue for the wedding this week - Hotel Congress. It's reasonable priced and at least the photos look good.

Happy!Willa

This is frustrating - I'm in a complete rut. Artistically (bad when I've got a project due in a week), in terms of writing (mercifully, this far there's just been a rough), and academically (I"m not really paying attention, just writing notes as I go).

Please god, let it end soon.

Weekend good.

Saturday - attended Crown Tourney. Having never been to one before, it was different from the usual events, but I am *exceedingly* glad we went. Got to talk with people, see people, and overall have fun. Quite worth it, indeed.

Today was just a few errands and minor things here at home. Went to Guitar Center so domnall could buy some stuff for teaching himself guitar. I got done what I wanted to for my art project this weekend. Have about two weeks to finish it, and I'm determined to do well.

Overall, a content Willa.

First off - Golden Compass review later on today. The only thing I've got to say right now is IOREK!!!!


Got my Nats grade if I don't take the final - B. Seeing as I'd have to get over a 100 on it to get an A - I'm not going to bother with the final. Sweet, sweet relief... Also means I don't need to go to class this week.

B+ on my Spanish Medieval paper, which was a pleasant surprise. She'd made mention of how they weren't what she was hoping for, and then I get that. Woot!


Other than that - not much. I recently got into PvP in Wow. It's kind of addicting, and when I get home tonight I'm picking up a new wand. The only green I've now got is a trinket. I'm kind of proud, as I'm also decently on my way to new gear. Tonight's got some arena thrown in - asses will be handed to us on shiny silver platters. But Candarian Demon Moose will prevail!

No - I don't have issues. I also need to remember to fiddle with Vent. The new version doesn't seem too keen on Alia.

The weekend though was spent goofing off mostly. domnall went into work on Saturday, and then we saw The Golden Compass. Sunday was just hanging around, some WoW, and then a bit of Christmas shopping - mostly done now. Kind of nice to just sit down and calm down.

Friday through today = not bad.

Granted, I spent most of the weekend kind of goofing off, and I took today off to work on school stuff.

However, the highlight was probably Friday, I kind of went to a small symposium on campus. 16 people, of which I think I was one of three or four undergrads. Everyone else mostly was talking about their current research - which ranged from the borders of the Bayeux Tapestry to headcoverings as a source of identity, not just social standing in Tudor, Elizabethan, and Jacobean England to mock-crucifixion tales in England which Chaucer may have used as the basis for the Prioress' Tale.

I got a decent amount of it, actually more than I thought I would. Overall, it was pretty cool.

Other than that - nothing much is going on. I got asked to be a Lady-In-Waiting to HRH (soon to be HRM) Asa when she steps up. I accepted, figuring it'll be an interesting and different experience. *grin* Granted, I've got to sew garb this week and stuff...

That said, I'm actually pretty damned content now.

First off, I didn't think I'd end up using the phrase "lips, tits, and hips" in my class notes... it just happened to be the best way to describe some Tom Wesselmann art we were looking at and what he emphasized in a particular series.and i was short on space.

*grin*

Other than that - things not too bad. I've got to get working on some research for my Spanish Medieval Art and Architecture class. Biggest annoyance (and the prof also mentioned it to boot, so I worry less) is that the majority of the writing is in Spanish. Or German. I speak Latin, and can read a touch of French. Alas. Sadly, what I originally wanted to write on has a body of work almost entirely in Spanish and the few writers with English barely touch on it.

But it has the most beautiful Islamic textile in it... The new choice also does, and some lovely embroidery.


With my Contemporary Art class, I think I'm going to do my paper on Patricia Piccinini. I don't think I'll be able to find much scholarly work on her, but she's a fairly prolific writer on her own work, which is good.

She came up because this weekend, we met domnall's mother in Tonopah, and then on the way back hit a)The Bead Museum and b)The Phoenix Art Museum.

*happy happy willa*

The Bead Museum rocked. It's this tiny little museum in Glendale, but has a really good collection of beads - ranging from prehistoric to contemporary. Currently they have a show of silver. Nothing but silver jewelry. I want some of it so. damned. badly. The Moroccan stuff they had was to die for. Massive bracelets and amulets and necklaces. You see, I have a weakness for North African stuff. The Berber women? To die for. (Part of me would love to get together a set of garb for that style... *makes note*) You see, my mother has a few Angela Fisher and Carol Beckwith books - and for years I've loved Africa Adorned. Part of me laughs at the idea of this pasty white, blond-haired girl wearing all that jewelry, but another part of me thinks it'd be entirely worth it. (Here are some of their shots, but I can't find my favorites.) Seriously though, I was salivating - it was that gorgeous.

As for Phoenix Art Museum, I rather liked. I felt I had to go and stare at the contemporary art - which turned out to be well worth it. Namely, they had a Patricia Piccinini on loan. Specifically, The Embrace. The docent there told us that the curator, when he was putting it up said it felt as if there was a skeletal structure, as well as organs, etc. How cool is that? There was also an interesting Lichtenstein, the likes of which I'd never seen before and the title of which I should have written down. (ETA: Ha! I think it was called Fish and Sky.) There was also a really neat installation piece named something along the lines of Firefly Dances. It's a dark room with mirrored walls, and hanging strands of lights that change color. Really, it was just several kinds of fun.

I do think I'm going to need to go back when they've got the St John's Bible on display...

Well, another year done. The last final was what I shall affectionately call sadistic - I went to every class and read every reading, but I swear, he never covered some of that stuff...

Overall though, I think the finals that I really care about (Latin, Art History/Cinema, and the Russian and Slavic folklore) went rather well. which means i didn't frak up royally. and the nats finals went alright. which means i didn't go down in a cloud of smoke.

I'm better on top of jobs this summer, and have made sure a few things are in, and I need to fill out a few more applications. Still, I've got training for the testing office in on the 20th and I'm hired by the University College until the end of June.

Yay!


Nonetheless, today I intend to go home, curl up on the couch, and play lovely and violent video games. (God of War! Whee!) Plus, now I can play WoW without being pestered by anyone about homework.

I think I shall also make bread today. Which will be a good thing.

*is happy*

Work. Dead.

Life. Pretty Good.


What follows is a little cross-section of things over the past few weeks. It's not in any particular order, but there's still some stuff of interest (maybe?) in there.

Granted, when one works in a University of Arizona department during Spring Break, one expects it to be rather dead. *grin* Actually, it's kind of a nice change, considering priority registration starts in a few scant weeks, and then there will be CHAOS!! I've nearly completely finished the project I was given, all that's left is to sort the forms so they can be shipped off where they need to go. Shouldn't take all that long tomorrow. I'm rather proud of myself for some reason. Plus next check will be nice, as I put in extra hours this week. Yay!

School-wise, things are going alright. The usual mess and cycle of classes. Not much else to say - except that I'm looking more forward to next semester when I can apply to Art History. Latin, the second time around, is surprisingly easier. Still need to work (more), but I feel like I'm getting it better - which rocks. Unfortunately, it means I'm fairly busy/tired most nights. This means I don't know how often I'll be able to hit mini painting at Sam and Marina's. Don't think much, if at all, in the near future, as I need to work on so many things. Couple of papers loom menacingly.

squeeky_v came out last week - which rocked. It's always fun to see/hang out with her. Didn't get to do as much as I wanted with her, but she did come over, spend time with domnall and I, as well as avilina and taranos. She said she had a very good time, which makes me pleased. She played lots of Viva Pinata (Yes, I own it. Don't mock me. *grin*) and played with the loom I bought at Estrella. We also saw Music and Lyrics. Which is a fun little chick flick and has scenes of Hugh Grant doing 80's dance move-thingys. We had a good time. i do need to expand my collection of movies with him - they're wonderfully good background or laze-about movies.

300 was also seen by domnall and I. Bloody, violent, drool-worthy (oh hush), PRETTY! Really. Really. Pretty. Sure, the character development's a bit rushed, and the costumes aren't accurate (much), but it's still a very nice bit of artwork. Granted, it's mostly digital and all, but oh gods is it lovely.

I've also been trying to make conscious effort to spin. I finished my first bag of roving, and now I need to set the resulting yarn in hot water. I'm proud of myself, even if it's shaky and the yarn is no-where near even. The second bag of roving (a nice dark brown/grey) is a little more smooth, but not by much. I keep needing to get my hands used to it all.

I'm happily playing World of Warcraft. My mage has been re-specced to Fire, and oh how I love it. In tabletop news - the druid's got another spear. I fear nothing. Hee! Also, on Friday night nicodeamos and his lady - Angie (who is quite cool, btw), came over to play Arkham Horror - which is a board game based on teh Call of Cthulhu RPG. Very fun.

Also, I've started (again) the cross-stitch of my device! It's looking pretty, and much easier since I bought new, smaller, needles! I just need to let everything else settle a little and then I want to hook up my torch and enjoy glass fun!

Please explain why there arre two bead shows in town currrently (I"m not counting Gem and Mineral), and the vendors I want to hit are at seperate shows?

Arrrow Springs is at Best Bead - I want glass rods and some lampwork tools so I can get back and play with the torch. (There was an accident with some of the glass a while back...)

Anil Kumar, Suraj International, and the San Francisco Bead Company are at Whole Bead - Silver, Indian, and good seed beads are on the other side of town. There's also the people who sell beautiful Afghani things.


And Estrella War is in two weeks. Where there are several classes I intend on taking.


The universe! It hates me!

and once again, i'm having problems with the riheaa... the money which should be here by now isn't. and they're not helpful at all.