So it seems I only post on LJ every three months now. But lately life has pretty much boiled down to school work and hanging out with the boyfriend, and for the last two weeks, prett much school only! But now I'm on spring break so I can take a little time to sit back and be lazy.

My second quarter at the Art Institute went pretty well. I got a pretty good idea of who my classmates will be for most of my classes, since the higher level students tend to end up having more classes together. I think I will end up with pretty good grades, but there were a couple of weeks where I dropped the ball as far as homework went, so that will affect my grades a little. I'm expecting A's and B's, but one of those B's may be closer to a C, and that just won't do!

I've been ending up watching America's Next Top Model a lot lately, despite not really being into that sort of thing, but whenever I watch it I think that that's what I have to do, except with graphic design and not modelling. If I want my career to end up being similar to how I imagine it in my head, I have to take each homework assignment as a challenge and push it to another level. If every assignment is just "good enough" then I'll only end up with a job that is just "good enough." So next quarter I will try and push myself and take risks with my assignments. This shouldn't be all too difficult since I'll only have two design classes, so I'll be able to focus that energy a little more.

Next quarter it will also be very important that I get a job. I have some really annoying bills at the moment, so I'll have to be working as much as I can to pay them off, but once they are all paid off, and after I successfully swithc my student loan to something without monthly fees, I should have much lower monthly bills and I'll be able to save up for things that I need for school like software, a camera, and perhaps one day a shiny new laptop! I'm taking the first half of spring break as real days off to just relax, but the second half I'll have to get super serious about job hunting. I'd prefer to get something design related since that would probably earn me more money for my time and look better on the resume, but I may have to settle for something minimum wage for now. I'll also have to get really good at managing my time! If I want to see my boyfriend at all next quarter in between job and school!

And on the boyfriend front, we've been together about ten months now, which is a pretty long time for both of us! It's really nice to be dating someone I get along with so well and to be able to see him every weekend. And I find it comforting that there are still new things for us to learn about each other and bond over.

So all-in-all, life is going pretty well! After I get a job to pay off the big bills, my life will be a fountain of joy! (I apologize for that blatant optimism. I'll return to placid sarcasm at once.)

I couldn't think of a tenth album that I've listened to enough to really rate, so it's only nine.

9. "The Ichthyologist" by Giant Squid
I really loved "Metridium Fields" and "The Ichthyologist" isn't quite as good, but it's also a different type of approach. The songs are a little shorter, and I dare say more subdued. I miss the backing vocals of Aurielle Zeitler, but this new girl gives the songs a similar feel.
Favorite song: "Dead Man Slough"

8. "Manafon" by David Sylvian
I'm a little biased here because I love David Sylvian, and would probably praise anything he does. "Manafon" is at the end of the list, though, because I definitely prefer the fuller, richer songs of "Dead Bees on a Cake". "Manafon" is very similar to "Blemish" in that Sylvian's vocals are the main event, only accompanied lightly by the occasional plucked guitar or ambient noise. But it's still very pretty and I'm glad David is still making music.
Favorite Song: "The Rabbit Skinner"

7. "The Bachelor" by Patrick Wolf
Patrick Wolf is always good for a theatrical ride. I'm more a fan of his upbeat numbers, and "The Bachelor" has a lot of them.

6. "Junior" by Röyksopp
It's difficult to be sad while listening to this record. It has a lot more energy than "Melody A.M.", which is the other album I have by them. "Junior" is full of songs that you can't help but dance to. "The Girl and the Robot" is ready for the dance floors of gay bars everywhere, but mostly I just hear it in my living room.
Favorite song: "Tricky Tricky"

5. "Hymn to the Immortal Wind" by MONO
I don't really have much to say about this album, because it's really something you have to listen to. Great, sweeping waves of sorrow and hope, washes of guitars and lovely strings are par for the course for MONO but they've exceeded my expectations.

4. "Two Suns" by Bat for Lashes
This is a fun and beautiful album. I'm normally more a fan of male vocals, but Natasha Khan has stolen my heart. The songs are mostly ballad-esque, but the album has its moments that will make you move.
Favorite song: "Daniel"

3. "Compass" by Assemblage 23
I pretty much love everything that Tom Shear puts out, so it's no surprise that I love "Compass". Tom continues to push himself to keep evolving his sound, but stays true to his format. It's a good balance. It seems like everyone puts VNV Nation at the top of the industrial-pop (or whatever you want to call it) pillar, but in my mind, Assemblage 23 is at the top, hands down.
Favorite song: "Spark"

2. "From Pillar to Post" by Logan Lynn
I first heard of Logan Lynn on dlist.com, a sort of "gay myspace" type of social site, and liked him because he's making music that i'd be making if I had any talent. Fun, sexy songs about how life can suck, but sometimes there are great moments. Apparently he's gone to rehab, and come back with "From Pillar to Post". This seems like one of the rare moments where the music is actually better after the drugs go away, which makes me happy. And yes, it is kind of queer-centered, but anyone can identify with his songs, and certainly anyone can dance to them.
Favorite song: "Feed Me to the Wolves"

1. "Fever Ray" by Fever Ray
Very few things sound like Fever Ray. Karin Dreijer Andersson operates in a different dimension than the rest of us I think. She's half of The Knife, but on her own she creates a strange, dark world full of imagination. It's really unlike anything else I've heard.
Favorite song: "If I Had a Heart"

I've been away from most internet things since moving since there was no wireless router in my new apartment and I was too broke to buy one. But now I finally have internet. So now I can summarize the month.

The drive down was pretty good. It didn't seem to take too long and I didn't kill us when I was driving in the downpour of rain in the pitch black on the freeway between giant trucks. My roommate and I made it in, then spent the weekend looking over the city. He left for Seattle, and I stayed behind. Moving went pretty well. I fit all my stuff in even though space is limited. Three other roommates is interesting, but I've just gotten used to tuning out the TV and video games, and spending half my time in Redwood City with my man. It feels really great to be able to see him on a pretty regular basis. It's what I've been looking for for a long time. In the past there was always some catch when I'd meet a guy, such as distance or, you know, heterosexuality:) But this time around, things fit well! It's interesting though, to be here, and be in a relationship, and now suddenly the part of me that's always hoped for a guy has nothing to do with itself. It's a good feeling! Now I just have to integrate myself more into the city, and I'll start to feel even more at home. That part has been going slowly though. I sort of thought there'd be a gay club or a book club or something at school, but there doesn't seem to be, and I'm taking online classes, so there are no real people to interact with. But I'm sure I'd make some friends of my own after too long.

So I've moved, started school, and have changed most of my addresses. The next big step is getting a job. But the next big event is my trip back up to Washington for Christmas. I'm going to take the bus up to Seattle, hang out with friends there, then have a repeat of the drive down here, since my old roommate is coming down here for new years. It should be good times!

Sorry, not the Tina Fey kind.

Thursday was my Birthday. I wasn't expecting a whole lot from it since all my planned events were on Friday, since that's when Terrance got into town. But my roommates ended up taking me out after a relaxing day, and that was pretty fun aside from the fact that I've got a gap in my memory where I apparently dropped a pumpkin down stairs and attempted to make guacamole.

Friday I woke up at 8 am for some reason, which was fine because it gave me time to get ready before Terrance's flight came in. My roommate drove me to the airport, then the three of us went to Ihop for some delicious breakfast. After that, since I didn't get sushi on my Birthday, Terrance and I went with my other roommate to Sushiland for a few plates of conveyer belt sushi! Then Terrance and I hung out downtown to buy my Halloween costume and do a little wandering, then came back home to hang out with my sister and meet my parents for the planned birthday dinner. This was a very nervous time for me since this was their first time meeting any guy I've dated. Then we went off to Mama's Mexican Kitchen where we met some of my other close friends, two of which never made it :( The dinner was good. Everyone got along, and my parents liked meeting Terrance.

After that was the rest of the birthday/going away party at the Bus Stop. (FYI: it's a bar. You should go to it.) The bartender apparently recognizes me from the three total times I've been there, which I thought was awesome since he's cute and fun to talk to. Gradually people started to show up, and they played all kinds of good songs. I was worried that either no one would show up that I invited, or that none of them would have anything to say to each other since most of them would only know me, but a lot of people showed up, and they all seemed get along well. As people dwindled off, there were only 6 or so of us left so we went to Linda's for a change of scenery, then Pita Pit for delicious pitas and then home.

On Halloween Terrance and I went to Broadway Grill for breakfast (well lunch technically), which was where we went when he arrived in Seattle in May and we met in person for the first time. But it was after 2pm so they were no longer serving the breakfast buffet that I love. But I filled my belly with a southwest burrito and all was good. Then our original plan was to go to the Seattle Art Museum, but we weren't really expecting that to work out because it was getting late and it closed at 5, so since it was 4 by the time we got downtown, we decided to do something else. I thought Terrance would like Pioneer Square, so I took him to Elliot Bay Bookstore, where he was in awe of the many, many books. Then we were ready to chill out for a bit, so we headed home, had some spaghetti, then put on our costumes!

Originally I was going to be Trent Lane from Daria, but I was pretty sure no one was going to get it, and it would involve figuring out a wig and making a Mystik Spiral shirt, so I opted for an all-in-one Scarecrow costume to just be done with it all. Terrance was Puck from A Midsummer Night's Dream. Since I don't know a lot of people and aren't very good at planning, I thought we'd just go to the Cuff (popular Seattle gay bar for those not in the know.) But when we got there, the line was nearly to the other end of the block. We waited in line until we could think of another good idea. We assumed that every other gay bar or club would be the same, and we agreed that we didn't really want to be packed inside with all those people, so we thought we'd check out the Bus Stop again. I was skeptical since it's such a small bar, but we headed there anyway. I was really glad we did that because I'm so much more of a sit down and chat while listening to music that's actually good, rather than attempt to dance while complaining about Katy Perry. Then we were hungry, so we headed to Charlie's where we shared a burger and nachos, one or both of which still haunts my bowels. I'm not sure what it was, but by the end of the evening my stomach was feeling really odd and by 3am I was puking it all out again, and the next day I was super exhausted. Oh, after that we came home at watched some South Park. Not really my thing but it was funny.

It was our intention to go to the Zoo Sunday, but I wasn't really in any shape to get out of bed until about two, and since the zoo closes at 4, we had to cancel that. So once I was feeling better my roommate, sister, Terrance and I decided to head down to the Waterfront. We at at Red Robin since my sister is a Vegetarian and Terrance is allergic to seafood. I was still not really ready to put things in my stomach, so I just had some soup which Terrance finished. Then we went to a bar called the Bottleneck lounge, which was nice, then a place called the Lookout, which was also nice, but we really only went because my sister and roommate know bartenders there. Then Pizza and home by about 9:30 because even though my stomach was better I was still super exhausted from whatever it was that was wrong with me.

Luckily Monday morning I woke up feeling fine. No surprise since I got about 13 hours of sleep! We wanted to try the Zoo again, since my sister could meet us there about one, but due to having to switch buses unexpectedly and take another rout, by the time we got there and finished eating, there was really no point. So we finished our pizza, got some cold stone ice cream, then it was time for Terrance to go to the Airport.

It's been odd, because ordinarily I'd be super concerned about spending as much time with him as i could, but this weekend, it was everyone else that *I'm* leaving that I made sure I spent time with. Of course Terrance was there for it, but I'm seeing him again on Friday because that's when I'll be moving down there for good! I can't believe that's really happening! It won't really set in until my roommate sets off on the return part of the road trip and I'll be staying behind. Then the next day I move into student housing.

It's been a great weekend to cap off my time in Seattle. I'm sad to be leaving all my friends and favorite places, but I think living in San Francisco will be an equally awesome experience, and I'm sure to return to Seattle after not too long.

I've got about three weeks left in Seattle now. It's crazy to think about! I've been living in Washington most of my life, and on my own living in Seattle for 6 years this month. I'll miss the city and all the people I've met, but I think this next chapter of my life will hold just as many good times and adventures as I've had in Seattle.

Looks like I'll be attending the Art Institute of California - San Francisco starting about November 12th. I was a little worried about getting approved for loans, since it was taking a while to get my parents to cosign, and both I and they got denied for one of the loans, but Sallie Mae has approved me and them, which was what I would have preferred anyway since I already have one loan through them. So monday I think I can start getting actual information about registering and housing and such. I'm not really looking foreword to having a roommate, because I've never really had to deal with a brand new roommate, at least not one-on-one. My roommate when I first started college moved out after like a week, and from then on I mostly lived with friends. I'm sure it will be fine as long as he's deals with me being a big ol' queer.

I apparently have to pay back two weeks of unemployment money because I went out of town for two weeks. I kind of figured that'd happen, but it's still lame. Other than that though, things are looking good.

 I've totally been neglecting the livejournal. I've been not really participating in the internet much other than the occasional chat. There hasn't been a whole lot going on lately, so I haven't had much to say. But now I've got some blog-able things!

The plan for moving has been solidified! My roommate is going to go on a little four day road trip down to San Francisco, and he's going to drive me down there to stay at my boyfriend's house. After that, he goes back, and I stay! Forever! Or at least until I get the need to move again. As for my plans for my life down there, currently the plan is to go to the Art Institute and do the student housing there. I've been thinking about going back for my Bachelors for a while, and now seems like a fine time. If all goes well with financing, I should be able to go full time and just have a part time job. If all goes well that is. 

But a mere week before that is my birthday! The boyfriend is coming up, which is so awesome! I feel like this will be a trauma-free birthday and Halloween, unlike some previous years. This will be the first year that I'm not living somewhere conducive to having a party, so I'm looking for some non-lame events around town. I've got all month so I should be able to figure out some fun activities, and my costume! In the mean time, I'm securing AI application, and sifting through my stuff looking for what I can sell or give away, or what I can mail down to California soon that I won't need in the next month.

October will basically be my last month in Seattle. Last year Halloween meant my last day at my job. This year it'll mean my last big hurrah in Seattle. This past year has been interesting, and maybe I've grown as a person, but I haven't really achieved any personal goals, so I'll be really glad to finally be getting on a good track. I'm pretty freaked out about it all; it's a big change. But I think it will be a good change.

Oh also, in Gross News, I passed a kidney stone and now I get to send it to my doctor so they can look at it and say "Do not eat _____". I'm hoping it won't be the foods on the general list they gave me because everything under the "Avoid Completely" category is very delicious food! And like, every single fruit.

And I saw Zombieland. I must say it kicked some ass. Zombie comedy is some of the best comedy. 

Well I sure haven't posted in a long time!

First of all, my trip down to the bay area was quite awesome! Two weeks with my man, and lots of adventures to San Francisco and other areas down there. I would have liked to have had more money, but I think all in all I did pretty well. Of course, being down there ended up putting a kink in my unemployment checks, because I missed a seminar/workshop that I was supposed to go to, but didn't know about until I was already down there. This made coming back to Seattle a bit of a dreadful thing because I had to deal with all of that. But I'm back on track now. It'll be a little rough, but I'll get back on top of things, especially since I'm getting a new roommate so things will be cheaper.

Also, a week or so before the trip, I went to the hospital again for the damn kidney stones. Got more meds and things were fine. But yesterday (a month later) I got more pain that even the pills they had given me couldn't suppress. So I had my roommate drive me to the hospital again, where they told me that it's the same stone from a month ago, and it hasn't moved much, which means it's probably not going to come out on its own. I'm not really going to stress about that until they tell me exactly how it's going to happen and how much it'll cost.

On a more exciting note, my birthday and Halloween are approaching! Since it's September now, it's time to start the planning! This year will be especially extravagant because it'll be my last birthday in Seattle for a while. It'll also be the first time my parents meet the guy I'm seeing, since he'll be up here and I always go up to their house for holidays and birthdays. Should be interesting! Also I'll be inviting a lot of people to my birthday that haven't met each other, since I hang out with a lot of people just one on one. Should be fun though.

I guess that's all. My trip was awesome and so was my man; I've settled things with unemployment; I've got a stubborn kidney stone; and it's time to set plans in motion for my birthday and eventual move!

I just bought my ticket to San Francisco! I'm going to taking the bus, so that should be interesting. Not really looking foreword to a 20 hour trip, but at least I don't have to drive and I'll have my iPod. But I AM looking foreword to hanging out with my man and getting a glimpse of my future down there! (Not an innuendo, btw.) I leave on the 10th of August and get back on the 25th. It's a long trip, but what else have i got going on?

My lease at my current place ends on November 30th. So that means I'll need to be out by then. That's pretty soon! My plan is to get ride of a lot of the excess stuff I've got so that there won't be as much to deal with when I move. But it's still a few months away.

Also I got a call for a job today! It's a gig re-creating Photoshop images as Illustrator files. The guy said my resume looked "sparse," though, so I'm not sure that bodes well for me. But this would be pretty ideal for me since it'll pay well and doesn't necessarily involve a long term commitment.

Aside from that my addiction to The Sims 2 has been re-kindled I think.

Well internet, it's 4:30am, and I'm awake for some reason so let's post a blog!

I got all A's this quarter at Seattle Central, so woohoo! But I think since I'm getting more set on moving the more time goes on, this will be my only quarter there. Things are going awesome with the boyfriend (unclepeaches ) and my plan to visit him (and check out the job and apartment market) in august seems pretty doable if I don't spend any money until then! I'll be busing it, but I can deal! Still no job though. I kind of really thought I'd have one by pride! But that leaves me more time to go be all gay and stuff I guess.

I'm pretty excited about the idea of moving, especially since Terrance (boyfriend!) is really willing to help out. I can see it all working out. I know it'll be a big challenge, and I'll miss all my Seattle friends, but this is something I've wanted to do for a while. I'm grasping the moment!

I've been too distracted with school and visitors for a while to do much writing or artsy things (convenient excuse, eh?) but now aside from lots of job searches, I'll have the time to give those things a little more focus. I hope.

Also I got a sunburn today that has a life of its own. I'm not sure how the sun go through all that sunscreen, but I'm going to be in pain tomorrow! It's okay, I wasn't using that layer of skin anyway.

So my goal is to move to San Francisco at some point. Ideally sooner rather than later. So here I am looking for a job up here and going to school and stuff, but I'm wondering more and more why I don't just figure out a way to be down there doing all of this. I'm just going to have to start over with the job search once I'm there. BUT I do have until around December on the lease at my apartment, so I think I do at least have to wait until then. So I really really just need to get myself a job because my unemployment runs out in about two months. Trouble is the job market doesn't seem to be getting any better. I'm really not sure what's going to happen once my unemployment runs out...I don't really think my parents will want to pay for my rent. I've been offered a sort of "net" by the guy I'm seeing in San Francisco if things don't work out. I prefer this option to moving back with my parents. But if my unemployment runs out I won't be able to live at this place, but if I move out, I'll have to pay the fee for breaking the lease. And then if i'm going to take him up on his offer, I still have to figure out a way to get down there with basically no money....

I've also got about a week left of school, which I didn't really realize until yesterday. And I'm kind of behind, so I've got to write my final paper, three book reflections, movie reflections, and a final self analysis. FUN!!! It's my fault for not keeping up but still, it's lame. So then after school's done I have to really throw myself into the job thing. Anything I can do I should apply for.

Ideal plan: Get job by end of June, MAYBE save up for a cheap San Francisco trip in August to see the boy, and the definitely work until December and then move.

Here's hoping it works out that way. Lots of pessimistic urges to attempt to ignore.