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.

Nice girls finish first

*Originally written for and posted on The Clackamas Print website as a web exclusive.*

Anna Axelson, Web Editor
Sunday, March 11, 2010
Arts & Culture
WEB EXCLUSIVE

I was three when Kimberly McCullough first appeared on the screen, a bright smile on her lips as she captured the hearts of countless viewers with the first utterance of the word “Hi.” I can guarantee you that at least one television in my home was tuned to ABC that day, even if I wasn’t quite aware of it – yet.

Years later, we’ve both grown up – adults (I know, can you believe it?) – and she’s showing the world that there is so much more to then that sweet little girl we all grew so quickly to love. As a college student, I can emphasize with that goal.

Saturday, March 10, I attended the Portland Oregon Women’s Film Festival, which ran March 8-11, is now in its fifth year features over sixty 60 films with many of the directors in attendance.  As stated on their website, “POWFest empowers women to find their voice and to share their stories through innovative and quality filmmaking.”  In addition, each year they honor someone considered to be a pioneer for women in film, and this year was no exception as “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” director Amy Heckerling made an appearance during a showing of her cult classic.

While so many amazing women were honored and showcased (and rightfully so), I admittedly went with a particular hope: to see McCullough.  Through the addiction that is Twitter, for quite some time now I had heard little tidbits about a project of hers, a labor of love. I was certainly curious. Then I found out this year’s POW Fest was showing it, and she would be there. 

For the last 38 years, the American Film Institute has offered a Directing Workshop for Women, which each year gives several lucky students the opportunity, knowledge and training to create a short film.  This process has launched the careers of many notable women in film. In 2010, McCullough was able to participate in this esteemed workshop, and the result was a short film that she not only directed, but also wrote, “Nice Guys Finish Last.”

After so many years of McCullough visiting my home on a regular basis (of course only via the miracle that is daytime television), I was ecstatic at the opportunity of a semi-exclusive viewing of the film and to learn of another facet of the talent she undoubtedly holds.

We grew up together, in a way (at least her alter-ego and I did). It’s hard not to take notice of someone who for the last few weeks has turned my mother into a blubbering idiot (her words, not mine), along with mild yet choked up claims of devastation (rest in peace Robin; though forgive me if I hold out hope of a miraculous soap opera resurrection – a devious evil twin perhaps?).

With all of this weighing on my mind as I took my seat in front of the main stage of the Hollywood Theatre, imagine my surprise when McCullough took a seat directly behind me. I couldn’t help but squirm a little, cheeks flushed pink and without the courage to say “hello.”

When the lights dimmed, I was itching with anticipation. This was my first film festival and the “Mature Themes” title to the session promised intriguing things to follow. There were eight films, all by women directors: “Little Larry” by Jill Cater; “Park” by Liz Cambron; “Hunting” by Laura Maxfield; “Veterans” by Valerie Bischoff; “Summer of the Zombies” by Ashleigh Nichols and Eddie Beasley; “Nice Guys Finish Last” by McCullough; “Scenes From an Adult Nature” by Samantha Whittaker and Darwin Shaw and “Oh Baby, I Love You” by Mary Angelica Molina. (I recommend trying to see all of them, by the way; all were thrilling, thought-evoking and/or hilarious in one way or another.)

“Nice Guys Finish Last” tells the brief, yet heavy tale of Kori, a delightfully dark character personified beautifully by actress Danielle Harris. With a turmoiled history with bad boys, Kori is faced with the prospect of a genuinely nice guy who is actually what one would call “good” for her but curiously finds herself desperately unsatisfied. With a tagline that clearly states “when a guy is so nice, you wanna kill him,” one can only imagine the direction this morbidly funny short film would take. (I won’t spoil the details; you should certainly see it for yourself!)

I was honestly impressed (bias aside). Not only was the plot well thought out and well told, but many of the scenes appeared to be so thoughtfully constructed that it was easy to get sucked in, searching the shadows for more. The antagonist and protagonist in this story are one, and it’s with deliberate staccato steps that the story is told.  When the credits rolled (fitted with their own twist of provocative humor and depth) applause echoed throughout the theater and I was amazed only 13 minutes had passed.

Once all eight films had been shown, the three directors in attendance stood and gathered by the stage to receive their due praise. Along with McCullough, Maxfield (“Hunting”) and Nichols (“Summer of the Zombies”) spoke of their films, which all were the obvious favorites of not only myself, but the crowd.

When asked where she got her inspiration, McCullough smiled and said “my twenties, and my friends.” The repeated complaint of some guys being just TOO nice may seem like an odd one, but show me one woman who hasn’t said it, or at least heard it and I’d be surprised. You know what I’m talking about ladies. Keeping that in mind brings the story that much more to life and you can see where its roots take hold.

Once the Q&A had run its course, the directors were thanked and most of the crowd made their way towards the exit. After one last prodding from the person I had so dutifully drug along to the theater (and a threat to tattle my cowardice to my mother), I approached McCullough.

What can I say? I was star-struck. I don’t get the chance meet nifty people very often with the majority of my time spent in the Print lab (my apologies to The Print staff for this comment).

I shook her hand, told her how honored I was to see her film and how great it was to meet her.

She asked my name, asked if I was from Portland, and smiled that familiar smile.

My mom would have cried.

In the end, I walked away with a DVD of “Nice Guys Finish Last,” a desire to learn more about not just the film industry – but the growing role of women within it, a giddy anticipation for what we will see next from McCullough and an awesome experience that I will likely never forget.

Procrastination

Perhaps if I gave up sleep... I'd have enough time to blog.  (Just a thought.)