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Rantings, ravings and general snarkism about life, the universe and everything.

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Habit #1: Planning Ahead (Perhaps Too Far Ahead)

I always knew I was going to be an English major. My mother was an English teacher, my sister is as tweedy as it comes and is thinking of going into Library Science. I was two grades ahead in English in high school. This past semester, however I took a class called Concept Design and Storyboarding just because it sounded cool. With that and two literature courses on my plate (not to mention a hellish semester of Russian) I thought I was grooming myself to be another tweed-wearing professor with a penchant for quoting T.S. Eliot and Belle and Sebastian lyrics interchangeably. Little did I know that I would be willingly spending anywhere from 7 to 43 hours on every single assignment for Concept Design and pretending to finish every book I had to read for both English classes.   Last semester really did change my life. It sounds stupid when I say it, but it's true. It was my dream the past two years to go to Reed College in Portland, Oregon. My sister goes there, I've visited a few times, and all in all, it's an amazing school with wacky traditions and a good amount of infamy and prestige. I wanted to get in more than almost anything.   But then I started really excelling in Concept Design and Storyboarding. I've always loved to draw and stuff, but I've never gotten along with an art teacher. This was different. This was digital, marketable art-doing. I was really happy when doing homework and it was an excuse not to do my reading for my lit classes.   I didn't fall behind in anything (except Russian, but that didn't really count because the grades weren't based on numbers or any solid evidence), but it was an amazing transformation. Suddenly it was like "Oh wow. I like doing this. And I'm damn good at it! AND I can make a living doing it! Woot! I've found my calling!" Then I found out I had the highest grade in the class, and that just solidified my decision to go into art instead of English.   Then my Concept Design prof practically shoved an application to an animation program into my hands. He gave me all sorts of compliments and so, as of tomorrow, I shall be on my way to becoming an animator.   There's going to be several guest animators from Pixar and Disney at the program, but also a representative from Laika Entertainment in Portland who are currently working on the film version of Coraline. Which, I'm sure we'll all agree, is totally amazing.   Everyone in the program will also going to be visit Pixar Studios for an entire day. Before I saw the film, I thought that we'd be seeing some behind-the-scenes stuff for Ratatouille (which we probably will anyway), but now I hope that we get to check out the pre-production process for Wall-E.   As it is, I probably will get to be led around by (and maybe meet personally) the 3D animators, but I won't be working with any of them in the crash courses or anything. But as I am doing 2D I'll most definitely get to meet Chuck Harvey (as in, the Little Mermaid, Fox and the Hound and the Rescuers). Knowing me, I'll plan a speech and everything and end up shouting stupidly, "YOU DRAW GOOD." So embarrassing.   The entire process will be a little bit more awkward than I anticipated because one of my good friends isn't able to go. So I will be alone. Sniffle. Actually, I am distant acquaintances with a couple people who are going to be there and I'll have a roommate, so I'll have to interact with others at least a little bit. And I'll know one of the teachers from CSU Chico. Hell, what am I saying? It'll be totally awesome!   I plan to knock the socks off of several people in high-paying and powerful positions. Yes. That is a good goal for this summer. I know how to be charming and polite, I'll subconsciously dazzle everyone by smelling amazing (my new addiction: BPAL perfumes), I'll show everyone how civilized I am by writing and receiving letters while I'm there and I won't skive off work to finish the seventh Harry Potter book!   ...Okay, maybe the last one is asking a bit too much.   To ensure these things, I shall repeat a few simple rules to myself every day: Do not embarrass yourself too badly. Do not reveal your narcissism to anyone. Really. Do not insult anyone without first knowing their salary and station.   Okay, that sounds good. Wish me luck!
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