Final

Last night after I finished my video, I took some time to review my study guides. I feel that I am pretty prepared for my final. The video editing came out fine, just a little bit embarrassing. I'm not the video blog type. I can't wait till next week. I'm ready to further my knowledge in my field, as well as do more projects and practice exercises. I am still waiting on my new laptop to come in. Once this comes in I will definitely have a chance to do more at home projects and expand my limits.  In this class, I learned some basic html coding, Photoshop, Premiere, Indesign, and Flash.  I'm ready to take these programs and apply what I have learned. New designs to come for me.  This class has brought me back into a positive light mentally. People began to miss the old version of me. This has been therapeutic.

Video

Last night I recorded my video for my vidcast. I am definitely not a "record me" kind of guy. I did not like sitting in front of the camera talking to myself. I was standing in my kitchen cooking a roux. A roux is a thick gravy base used in making gumbo. Recording the video wasn't so bad. My problem was watching it afterwards. It seemed like I had a problem  any interruption that you could imagine.  I would get the camera on and my mostly quiet secluded apartment turned into a hot spot. I had a neighbor knock on my door in the middle of shooting who I have never officially met. This is strange to me because both of us tend to stay to ourself. Once I finished shooting, I uploaded the video to my laptop only to realize that the Adobe CS6 trial I had on it doesn't have Adobe Premiere. Needless to say I didn't finalize my video yet for class.  Today is a fresh day and I am ready.

Adobe Muse

Yesterday, I had a chance to play around with Adobe Muse. This is a web authoring software that was designed for graphic designers. It requires no knowledge of html coding. It's simple user friendly interface is similar to Adobe Indesign. The first step to using Adobe Muse is the planning stage. The program allows the user to layout and name the pages to be associated with the site. The basic design of the pages is saved on master pages, which make it easier when designing pages with same background image and layout. I had a short experience with the program due to technical difficulties, but I am excited to give it another go when my Macbook comes in.

Forgiveness

Sometimes life presents us with some challenges brought on by other people. These challenges have a way to affect us for a long period of time. People will do you wrong if it means that they benefit from it. This is a sad reality. I am a believer that you will get back what you give.  However, this is not why I am the kind of person that I am. I genuinely care about people and their well being.  My question is, "How much are we suppose to take?" If you are of christian faith, Jesus teaches that if someone slaps your cheek, you should turn to him the other so that he may slap that one also.  He also teaches that you should forgive that person as many times as it takes.

I try to help everyone as much as I can, even those who have wronged me. My problem is when the people you are helping constantly asks for help from you but refuses to help themselves. My wife is a good person also, but she will let people drag her as far as they can before cutting them loose.  Next time that person needs help, she will replay the entire situation and let them drag her down again.  I guess my point is, forgiveness only goes so far. One must want help to truly benefit from it, otherwise it is a waste of time. Forgiveness is not forgetting. It is just moving on.

tough times

One of the great things about studying to become a graphic designer is the fact that you can work from home.  This week has  been rather challenging for me.  I have a great design team and we pretty much have our ideas laid out and have began employing them.  Thanks to cell phones and social media we are able to communicate and share our work so a missed day while an obstacle, isnt too hard to overcome.  Guys know that I am not flaking out on you but I am hard at work from the house.  Id much rather be there working along side you, but I can't.  Good luck on your portions and you can find me on facebook, cell phone, and now google plus

More on Hurricane week

I spent  a little bit of time last night finalizing a portion of the Hurricane card and am not kinda at a stand still creatively. Im totally exhausted from the single parent and sick baby thing that has been going on.  Run, Run, Run is all I have been doing lately. The wife will be home soon so I'm hoping that she will be ready to jump in and take some of my responsibilities.  Once Ashlynn, my daughter is better then I'll have more time to do what I need.  It seems like as soon as I get started someone needs daddy.

This morning I printed out the 1st side of my card and tweaked it a little bit.  Overall I think it came out great.  I dont wanna share pictures just yet because this is a competition.  I have uploaded in a few places seeking any criticism.  Looking to hear something back soon.

Hurricane Awareness Week

Coming from New Orleans, hurricanes are nothing new to me. Some of the worst storms in history have made land fall on the Gulf coast. I have seen first hand the power of every aspect of these storms.
In 1992, Hurricane Andrew made landfall in Morgan City, LA.  Andrew packed some pretty violent winds, although it wasn't as strong as when it made landfall in Homestead, FL. Andrew moved rather swiftly as it came ashore on the Louisiana Gulf Coast which spawned a massive tornado outbreak. These tornadoes and the strong winds from Andrew proved the power of the wind.

The 2005 hurricane season was a worst case scenario.  Storms such as Katrina, Rita, and Wilma caused so much mayhem.  Katrina however was by far the most devastating. Katrina became a category 5 hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico almost over night. The huge tidal surge caused by the amazing wind speed swept through the unprotected Louisiana and Mississippi Gulf coast. Katrina shortly before landfall dropped to a category 3 storm, but the damage was already done. The 28 foot tidal surge flooded the lakes and rivers. The levees failed because of the huge surge in water and caused a flood of the city. Katrina was one of the deadliest storms in history.

Now, I try my luck in Florida.