The Me Monster

So Brian Regan has this really funny bit (and I totally won't do it justice) but it's about how some people can become or already are "me monsters". Whenever there is a group discussion going on they always have to chime in with something that they themselves did in order to some how "one-up" the other person.
Anyway...long story short is that I've been meaning to blog about this for some time but haven't had the chance to do so and will now do it. However, timing isn't perfect and so now I look like a "me monster". I in no way want to detract from Brian's photography success...I just want to inform everyone of my big news.
So here goes...
drum roll please...

I recently found out that I have been accepted into the Washington State University Masters in Teaching Program!

Wahoooo!

Some of you may respond as many have already with a "well, duh". But in reality this is not the case. What with the recent economic upheaval that has been going on around the country the university has had to make some serious budget cuts (like turning off the heat in Fulmer (and all other buildings but I only care about Fulmer) after noon every day in an effort to save some money. Personally I think not having the lights on at all hours of the night would save some money too and maybe the heat could be left on until say 5pm after labs are done...but what do I know). Anyway, sidetrack finished. Well what with major budget cuts they ended up cutting a large section of the education program targeted specifically at the Masters in Teaching Program making it a much smaller program. So while some of you may have had total confidence in my abilities...I did not. And so when I got in I was both relieved and super excited. So much so that I told everyone I came into contact with that night about it...even relative strangers. So long story short I got in and I'm super excited because this is what I've been busting my butt for for the last few years and its just a huge relief to know that it wasn't all in vain.

So now that I'm done with my "me monster" bit I apologise as always for the relative cyber silence that has been going on on my end...it will probably continue for a few more months (I believe Brandon said it's something like 85 more days). I am not your typical senior and have quite a heavy load for myself this semester and so am backlogged with posts. One day I know I'll make a better contribution. But until then know that I'm thinking of you all, either while I'm working or while I'm freezing my butt off in Fulmer (I'm always here after noon!)

Gallery Update

Tomorrow I'll pick up my photograph from the gallery. No, not a typo, I did say photograph...singular. I got an e-mail today from the University Art Collections Manager asking me if I would be ok having my photograph of the Moon and Venus over the Kibbie Dome on display in the University Provost's office suite in the Administration Building. Apparently, Provost Doug Baker went to the exhibition and chose about 10 projects he wanted to display in his office for the rest of the semester and through the summer. I sat there staring at the e-mail, with a deer caught in the headlights look I'm sure, for about 2 minutes before I replied saying that I was extremely honored and that I was more than happy to oblige the Provost. I hope I didn't come across so giddy in the e-mail as I am here.

Photographs in Gallery

Last week I entered two of my photographs into the College of Art & Architecture's Juried Art Exhibition. I found out on Monday that both of them were accepted into the Gallery. I was pretty amazed that I made it in because when I dropped off the photos there was some pretty good work already turned in, and not just photos. All I did was set up the shot and click the button, some of these are large sculptures, paintings, etc.

This first one is the Ira Keller fountain in downtown Portland. I took it while I was there on an architectural field trip during the fall semester of 07. The longer exposure, half a second, creates the effect with the water but also makes it difficult because any movement will show up blurry in the final photo. The thing that makes me the happiest about this is that I didn't have my tripod with me when I went to Portland so I had to support the camera on the ground, try to frame the shot while laying down, eyeing it through the viewfinder, propping the camera up with little rocks, the shoulder strap, etc. and setting a timer so I wouldn't shake the camera when I released the shutter.


This photo is of Venus and the Moon just last week. I took it on the 29th, the night before the entry deadline for the exhibition. The night before I had seen Venus and the Moon very close in the sky but didn't have my camera or the time to set up and take a photo. I planned to come back the next day and just hoped that they would still be fairly close. They were, but by the time I got outside to take the photo they were too close to the horizon to get a good image from where I was planning on taking it. I walked around campus a bit and took some different pictures but had to scramble to get this one taken before they "set" behind the Kibbie Dome. This time I had my tripod and remote switch for the shutter release so I didn't have to mess around with the ground and rocks. It was a good thing too because one, the angle from that low wouldn't have worked for the photo and two, I probably wouldn't have had enough time to do it. The exposure was for 8 seconds and you can actually see how far the Earth rotated in that short amount of time if you zoom in on Venus. There are also a few stars that are in the image as well that you can see a short streak as the Earth rotated.


Finally, I put these on my Flickr page, so if you want to see a larger size you can check it out. Also, if you happen to be in the area tomorrow (Friday, February 6th) between 4 and 6 you can come to the gallery opening, or stop by anytime next week as they will be up until Friday.

More on McCall

I know most of you already read the Idaho Business Review, but in case you missed it back in December there was an article written about last semester's studio and the McCall project. Check it out.

McCall Design-Build Models

I've been meaning to put this up for a while now but keep putting it off. I took photos of all of the models we built as a studio for the McCall project this last semester. If you want to check them out they are on my Flickr page http://www.flickr.com/photos/henrybriank/. The sets that you should see on the right side of the page will give you a better idea of the progression of the design throughout the semester.

The Benefits of a Hard Major

So I'm nearing the end of the semester and only have one semester left in this five year odyssey that I've been on. These last two years have been extremely tough on me. I've had to push myself farther than I ever thought possible both mentally and emotionally. I've learned more than I thought I would ever learn and have been on several emotional roller-coasters that pushed me more than I would have liked. Overall though I'm very happy with where I am in all of this.
The thing about being a chemistry major though is that there are very few other people crazy enough to do it too. For the last few years in chemistry there are only about 12 other people in class with you. Because of this you get to know those other students really well. This can be good or bad depending on the group. For me...I lucked out...the guys that I'm graduating with are a group of really nice hilarious and fun guys. We all get along really well and have a ton of fun both inside and outside of the classroom.
Last week we had PChem Lab Orals where you have to present a powerpoint presentation about a lab experiment that you performed. During these orals, one of the guys, Trevor, started doing cartoon drawings of all of us...The PChem Presentation Action Figures!!!! These may not be as funny to those of you who don't know all the guys but I wanted to post it anyway, mostly because I think my action figure is hilarous and pretty much an on-the-nose representation of me.



In case it's not clear my action is "5 pre-recorded 200 decible phrases!" and my other favorite parts are our Professor (bottom left) "Their arch nemesis: The Insidious 'Dr. Frenchman' with Mathcad and Wine Battle Box Play set!" with Louis (the professor) saying "Sacre Bleu" and finally where to get one "Sold wherever chem students are subjected to pain, anguish and humiliation". Oh, and no you're not reading it wrong...I am the ONLY girl in that class. In fact I am the only girl graduating this year in our big ol' group of 12. Good thing I've always had more fun with guys than with girls.

Things are starting to get pretty busy around here as professors pile on all those last minute assignments. But soon we'll have a minute to take a breather and fill everyone in on the goings on around here.

Proof Positive that Brian Goes to School

So it's been a while since we've posted anything, but before you get your hopes up, this one's going to be short. However, hopefully it will give you a little bit of an explanation of why we haven't posted anything. Check out the College of Art and Architecture's website. At the very bottom on the left-hand side there is a link that says "Featured Projects," click on that and see if you can pick me out of the line-up. If you need a little help, here's the link to the page.