MY OWN SEMESTER

Fall, 2023

It seems that every summer and winter break between classes I sternly remind myself that the coming semester I'm going to avoid anything extra so I don't get stretched too thin—which is surprisingly easy to do between full-time course work, a full-time job, and many full-time passion projects and hobbies—and every semester by the second or third week of class I find myself volunteering for something that will do just that.

Its like, subconsciously, I can't allow the difficulty level of any semester drop below "very challenging," ever. I rationalize it by thinking its a deep down fear of boredom, but I don't let myself slow down long enough to really analyze it deeper than asking myself the question. Thankfully, I only volunteer for things that I truly enjoy doing. Otherwise, I might find myself questioning the motives of my subconscious mind—and you know what they say: just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean people aren't actually following you.

A man peering at the viewer through a space suit helmet.
(Credit: Deftones, 2009)



Current Course Enrollment:

  • • Web Site Design II (JMC401)
  • • Typography I  (ART301M)
  • • Memory and Cognition  (PSY430)
  • • Interactive Web App  (CYB405)


Thus far, all courses have met my expectations for standard of quality and level of difficulty—a couple have even exceeded that threshold, which is always a pleasant surprise.




Extracurricular Things & Stuff:

So, I almost broke the cycle this semester because I hadn't signed up for anything extra, except I was still obligated to finish the video promo project I had volunteered for the semester previous—darn you, integrity! The project had gone dormant, but then, with a new department chair, [and much to Professor Rosdail's dismay—but probably not his surprise—that I'm still re-checking out one of his fantastic Sony 4K video cameras] the whole thing would be revived almost immediately, green-lit for production, and fully backed with the new authority.

But in all seriousness, I really am wanting and needing to have this project done this semester. Too many projects have become side-projects and too many side-projects have become relics of my subconscious mind (which is probably planning my demise at this very moment). Which reminds me, wasn't I supposed to be analyzing something or other?


animated GIF of Ryan Reynolds smiling deviously.
(Credit: Unknown, 2016)





Deftones. (2009). My own summer: (official music video) [HD remaster] [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOzs1FehYOA
Unknown. (2016). Ryan Reynolds smiling. Tenor.
https://tenor.com/view/hello-ryan-reynolds-smiling-grinn-van-wilder-gif-7214283