2,857 Tabs

I saw this meme on Facebook today, and I couldn't help but think it's incredibly applicable.  Not just in the minds of men vs. women, but a perfect description of the way I've been feeling lately. 

My to-do list is infinitely long at the moment, and for each thing I cross off, I add three more.

The funny thing?  I'm not complaining.  While scatterbrained is a fair descriptor (all 2,857 tabs are equally important, by golly), I have no choice but to soak it all up like a sponge.  Sixty-three days from now, a good chunk of my life is going to change, I'll be closing several of those tabs in favor of new ones and every bit of effort I put in now will ensure I'm ready for it.

So, to my sometimes confusing, complicated, overwhelming, infuriating, satisfying, gratifying life... here's to tab 2,858.

This Week and the Countdown

Monday began my official countdown to graduation, and as if today (as the clock has ticked past midnight), we are down to 70 days.  It's been an amazing journey and while it's hard to complain about so much good, I can say this: I'm swamped.

I'm taking my last two computer science courses this term, web server administration and AJAX development.  On the one hand, while web servers don't exactly excite me, a graphical interface is not just more appealing, but thankfully an option.  On the other hand, I'm at a bit of a disadvantage with AJAX as I took the classes leading up to it before the HTML standards changed.  My knowledge of the changes since then is self taught, not out of textbook.  I'm hoping this hurdle will be just that, a hurdle, not a roadblock that I'll have to rent a tank to barrel through.

For The Print, as with school, it's my last term.  I'm hoping to leave on a high note, feeling confident of the work I did while I was there, and proud to have been a part of that legacy.  So far, so good.  While it's still a couple weeks before our first issue of the term hits newsstands, we have potential and I'm going to do my best to take advantage of it.

In addition to all things college related, I've got An Axe Design keeping me busy.  On the plus side, it's extremely satisfying work - I get to play around on the web and in programs I love!  I've got a couple of clients sitting front and center on my never ending to do list, and I couldn't be more grateful for them.

Rocco Edivan Bail Bonds was my first real client back in 2011, a huge step for An Axe Design!  Two years later, and on top of a minor facelift to my original design, I've been working on increasing their web presence and making them more mobile friendly.  It's still a work in progress, but I've certainly learned a lot in the process.

The World Famous Cannabis Cafe has been a client of mine since January of this year and has probably challenged me in the best ways.  Not only am I working on another web project (soon to be unveiled), but the continuing requests for printed graphics for various purposes has been awesome.  It's certainly the graphics side of things that I've always preferred and the work I've done for them has been invaluable experience.

Yep, this is my week.  Even my grandma would ask me if I was having any fun.  Except for the fact that I do in fact enjoy what I do and I'm taking a few minutes here and now to let my fingers tap out something other than code or nifty typography, not so much in the way of fun.  I've even neglected to put any effort into Camp NaNoWriMo, which will likely leave me as I was in November - at the end of the month and still staring at a blank page.  It's a hard challenge for me to get started it seems, especially when it coincides with especially busy terms of school. 

I wonder if that will change 70 days from now.

Eh, I have too much to think about this week to worry about that - back to homework!

This, That and the Other Thing

It seems I lack follow through when it comes to declaring my unwavering allegiance and dedication to my dear blog.  For reference, I'm not going to promise myself (or my blog) that kind of dedication, in hopes that perhaps the ease in which Blogger has made things (now installed on both my phone and tablet) and the fact that the light at the end of the college degree tunnel is finally made itself blindingly visible (is it really only 12 weeks or so? wow), will serve as enough inspiration.

From the 35th floor of the New York City Times Square Sheraton, March 9, 2013

It's been a busy couple years, and I have a growing amount of awesome to show for it.  My design portfolio website (An Axe Design) has undergone nearly the same neglect as you, my dear blog.  Though also like you, it's in the process of receiving some well deserved attention, along with gaining a sister site (Writing With an Axe) that is a tribute to the other side of my creative coin, writing.
An Axe Design just hit its two year mark last week.  In that time I've acquired a few amazing clients, and have worked with great people.  I've made progress in developing a style that is distinctly mine, while creating final products for a wide variety of businesses that each stand as a beautiful representation of their individuality.  It's been great.

For the newspaper (The Print), this upcoming term will be my last.  After starting out as an associate copy editor, rising to web editor, and then these last several months serving as co-editor-in-chief, it's been an invaluable experience that I wouldn't trade for anything - including a trip to New York City to attend the CMA spring conference.  (More on that later hopefully - I learned so much there!)

Good things are happening, and I'm finding myself inspired in all aspects of my life.  Cheers to that, I'm going to enjoy the ride.