SCHOOL ANALYSIS August/September 2008
Academics (includes first week of October)
Music History
Quiz 1: -6 (9 out of 15) B-
Quiz 2: -5 (30 out of 35) B+
Quiz 3: Next week
MIDTERM 1: Unknown
Geography
Quiz 1: 8/10 B
Quiz 2: 12/15 B
Quiz 3: 17/25 D (eligible to be dropped)
MIDTERM 1: In two weeks
Psychology
Quiz 1: Unknown, assume it's an F based on checking answers after the fact (eligible to be dropped)
Quiz 2: 10/10 A
MIDTERM 1: 31/50 D (and I may have been in the upper half of the class!)
HW Assignment 1: 21/30
HW Assingment 2: Due next week
3D Animation
Assignment 1: B+
Assignment 2: B
Assignment 3: B
I'm not sure how much I've already posted on this subject. So some of this may be a repeat.
Monday/Wednesday
Music History: Started off slow, there are some cute girls in the class, but none I've introduced myself to yet. One of the prettier girls is pretty shy, and doesn't make eye contact a lot of the time, so it's difficult to say hi to her.
Ruben, a friend of mine from Spring 08 is taking the class, and later on Brian and Carlos joined the class, but I haven't seen Carlos lately so he might have dropped it. I don't talk much during this class. I save it for the Choir.
Basketball: For this class I was expecting to actually learn skills and techniques, but instead it's just simply playing with people for about 30 minutes, with some dribbling and layup drills and nothing more. At first it was tough because I would miss shots by far and would get antagonized and not get much playing time. There's a section of the class with mostly asian people who have took me in and let me play with them. But being inaccurate took it's toll and sometimes it'd get to the point where people were doing shoot-outs to get the right to NOT choose me on their team. However, lately I've been making more baskets, and even made two three-pointers on Monday! (though not during scrimmage, during warmups, so nobody saw it...) This has made me a little bit more confident socially and academically in this class. I have no intention of dropping it because it's a free A, as the grade is judged by performance.
Choir: Today I strained my voice pretty bad trying to sing high notes for "There Shall a Star", a Christmas song we're singing which has a lot of Fs and Gs in the Tenor line, which I am singing. Socially it's become a pain, there are a lot of annoying people in the class and it's testing my patience. However there are a lot of friends in this class. Some of my friends from Spring 08 have left, most notably Eugene and Lauren. I still miss them, but I've moved on. It's always nice to talk to Marc, Ruben, and others after class, and I've met new people as well.
Voice (MW): Though I signed up for Voice class on Tuesday and Thursday with Lucy Kinchen as my teacher, since I have nothing better to do I also attend the voice class on Monday/Wednesday with my Choir director John Reager because he knows me and doesn't mind that I show up. Several people from Choir are in the class, so it creates some continuity in the day. Some Voice-only people I talk to include Sara and Marie, both I took classes with in Spring 08 and Fall 07 but do not see them anywhere besides Voice this semester. (If you're wondering, both of them are not in my age-range by 10-30 years, it's not like that) There are some cute girls there, including one adorable asian girl, but I have not talked to them too much.
Piano: I started taking Piano with a new teacher for scheduling reasons. Instead of Reager I'm taking it with Lori Willis, who does things a lot differently. I have to be in class from 6-8:30 instead of the 6-wheneverIwant like on the Thursday night class. I've gotten used to it though, and she is a good teacher.
I do not socialize in Piano class, not that there aren't interesting people, it's just not one of those socializing classes.
Tuesday/Thursday
Geography: Most of my socializing in this class occured on one Saturday, when for extra credit I went to Dimond Park in Oakland to do some environmental cleanup with members of the Geography class. I formed friendships with some people, some of whom have since dropped the class, and most of whom I do not talk to in class, including several girls. One middle-aged lately talks to me all the time when I sit next to her, but she has some pretty insightful stuff.
Voice (TTH): The Voice class I actually registered for is a class I took in the Fall 07 semester, but couldn't take in the Spring 08 because I had to take Spanish 2B. I was astonished to find that many of the older students are still talking Ms. Kinchen's class. She is a really good teacher and I was not happy about not being able to take her class last semester. I like the songs she's done this time.
As far as socializing in this class. I don't do it much, but there are some nice people in the class.
Jazz Piano: A lot of young people in this class leads to some good moments, especially from buddies from Spring 08, like Ruben, Tony, Tommy and others. Our teacher, John Gove, is a famous Jazz musician in the Bay Area, and even other places, as far as I'm aware anyway. Not doing that great in his class, despite this.
Not quite Jazz Piano related is the activities inbetween JP and JC. Often people will hang around outside and talk about stuff. There's this one girl who hangs around a lot (every day) who I've only spoken to recently. Something to really consider. She seems like a nice person.
Jazz Combos: I'm not registered in this class, but I have nothing better to do between 2:30 and 3:30 so I stick around and listen to the Combos rehearse (no one seems to mind, others do it too) Several people from Jazz Piano are in it, so it also makes for some continuity. Typically I talk to Marc, who sometimes visits, and Leslie, a friend of mine from the Spanish 2A and 2B classes, who happens to take Music at Laney as well. I would like to think we've got a good friendship going, but because of her age (17) it's hard to consider anything really happening with her.
Psychology: This is a tough one. As pointed out earlier I have not gotten off to a good start here academically. Socially it's rough as well. After getting some monemtum early on, because of some troublemaking with some of the girls, our teacher assigned us seats. I'm not really sitting near anybody interesting, all the people I want to meet (either because they seem smart, or because they're a cute female) are sitting somewhere else. Oh well, I'll get them sooner or later.
It is to note that Psychology and 3D Animation are at Berkeley City College, and the other classes are at Laney College in Oakland.
Guitar: Another tough one, this started out with promise. Nearly all my friends from Fall 07 and Spring 08 returned, allowing for some continuity. This included a "close" friend Brateil, who I'd also like to think I've got a good friendship going. She gave me a flattering text message following our reunion. Unfortunately, scheduling conflicts occured and Brateil is no longer taking the class, as far as I know. She has my e-mail and phone number (but not vice versa) so our friendship may not be over, but it was sad to hear. Abel is also gone, a decent friend of mine as well. Nonetheless, I have gratitude for those I still know. Unfortunately, I don't think I'm taking Guitar in the Spring of 09.
3D Animation: Fun class! But no one to talk to.
But this class has changed fates for me. Because I do not own the program Cinema 4D at home, I decided to go on Wednesday and some Monday afternoons, following Voice to head to Berkeley City College, on a day I do not typically go. I thought this would increase chances I'd run into former classmates from the Spanish classes...
Sure enough, it happened. Two-three weeks ago I saw Analisa, a girl I had some feelings for last semester, walking with a friend near the Campus entrance. I failed to get her attention and I was quite bummed about it. But I had another chance the following week, by luck, and did manage to say Hi and catch up on what classes she's doing and stuff, it was nice, but it could have been better. For one, I got nervous for no god damn reason, and it hindered our conversation. Maybe next time. I did see her today, but decided not to talk to her, I didn't have anything to say, so it would have just been weird.
Interestingly enough, if you consider that I'm NOT taking Jazz Combos, I'm not taking a single class with anybody from Spanish 2B, but since August 1st I've seen at least 8 people from it, including Leslie, Analisa, Harold, Pricilla, Joseph, and a few of the older people.
Anytime
General Exercise: Every day I head over to the Fitness Center for some good ol' time on the bikes and some weight lifting. Not much socializing here. But I have seen a girl from my Aerobics classes in the Fall 06/Spring 07 semesters. I've only spoken to her once. She actually came to the Basketball class today to talk to the teacher about a relationship. (My Basketball teacher was also my Aerobics teacher) I didn't interfere or speak to her.
Some people from Voice (TTh) and Piano are around sometimes, and I've spoken to them as well, but for the most part PE is not a socializing time.
OTHER STUFF
Again, I'm not sure how much of this I've already announced
- Last Friday, I was a Student Volunteer at the 5th Annual Business Symposium at Laney College. The subject was about the Music Industry. MC Hammer was supposed to be the Keynote Speaker but he cancelled. It was a fun event nonetheless. I got good bonding time with some of the people in the Jazz Piano class, and I got free food! What more could I want?
- Some tragic news, one of my neighbor's cats passed away last month, after it got ran over. He was a part of our family too, despite being our neighbors, it came over a lot, and even though we only knew him for about 5-6 months (that just makes it even sadder), it was devestating.
- In miraculous news, just days after that, we found Fluffy. He disappeared on Veteran's Day 2007 and he was assumed to have died. But we discovered him two houses away on the 18th of September. We found out that the house's owner took him in a few months ago (so where was he inbetween? We still dont know), but since we found him, he's visited us regularly. It's great to have him back, but now our kitty count is like.. 8?
- I have not purchased a ticket to the Decemberists concert on November 18/25 (I forget). But tickets are going away fast, so I don't know if I'll be able to get a good seat, if any, by the time I can afford the ticket.
- Depeche Mode announced their new "Tour of the Universe", along with their new font for their untitled 2009 album. That means, yes, my signatures at various message boards will be flooded with info on it.
- The Cure are releasing their new album "4:13 Dream" on the 26th, still psyched up about it, and I've been listening to their Hypnagogic States E.P. which has remixes of their 4 singles, including an epic 20 minute remix that I love very much by 65daysofstatic. Who would have thought that My Chemical Romance, 30 Seconds to Mars, and Falloutboy can make some good remixes?
- Raiders suck. That's not news. I'm very mad about the Kiffin firing, though.
- The Sharks season starts tommorow! Woohoo! A shame I will miss the opener because of school, but I will DVR it.
- I am happy that Obama has regained his lead in polls. I am devestated to discover that Proposition 8, which will ban Gay Marraige in CA for good, is gaining popularity.
- The only games I've played in recent times are Madden 09, Braid, and Super Mario RPG (VC). the latter two are pretty good. Need to get more games, or at least start playing some of my older ones that for the most part I've not finished.
- I need to sleep. Goodnight.
Music History
Quiz 1: -6 (9 out of 15) B-
Quiz 2: -5 (30 out of 35) B+
Quiz 3: Next week
MIDTERM 1: Unknown
Geography
Quiz 1: 8/10 B
Quiz 2: 12/15 B
Quiz 3: 17/25 D (eligible to be dropped)
MIDTERM 1: In two weeks
Psychology
Quiz 1: Unknown, assume it's an F based on checking answers after the fact (eligible to be dropped)
Quiz 2: 10/10 A
MIDTERM 1: 31/50 D (and I may have been in the upper half of the class!)
HW Assignment 1: 21/30
HW Assingment 2: Due next week
3D Animation
Assignment 1: B+
Assignment 2: B
Assignment 3: B
I'm not sure how much I've already posted on this subject. So some of this may be a repeat.
Monday/Wednesday
Music History: Started off slow, there are some cute girls in the class, but none I've introduced myself to yet. One of the prettier girls is pretty shy, and doesn't make eye contact a lot of the time, so it's difficult to say hi to her.
Ruben, a friend of mine from Spring 08 is taking the class, and later on Brian and Carlos joined the class, but I haven't seen Carlos lately so he might have dropped it. I don't talk much during this class. I save it for the Choir.
Basketball: For this class I was expecting to actually learn skills and techniques, but instead it's just simply playing with people for about 30 minutes, with some dribbling and layup drills and nothing more. At first it was tough because I would miss shots by far and would get antagonized and not get much playing time. There's a section of the class with mostly asian people who have took me in and let me play with them. But being inaccurate took it's toll and sometimes it'd get to the point where people were doing shoot-outs to get the right to NOT choose me on their team. However, lately I've been making more baskets, and even made two three-pointers on Monday! (though not during scrimmage, during warmups, so nobody saw it...) This has made me a little bit more confident socially and academically in this class. I have no intention of dropping it because it's a free A, as the grade is judged by performance.
Choir: Today I strained my voice pretty bad trying to sing high notes for "There Shall a Star", a Christmas song we're singing which has a lot of Fs and Gs in the Tenor line, which I am singing. Socially it's become a pain, there are a lot of annoying people in the class and it's testing my patience. However there are a lot of friends in this class. Some of my friends from Spring 08 have left, most notably Eugene and Lauren. I still miss them, but I've moved on. It's always nice to talk to Marc, Ruben, and others after class, and I've met new people as well.
Voice (MW): Though I signed up for Voice class on Tuesday and Thursday with Lucy Kinchen as my teacher, since I have nothing better to do I also attend the voice class on Monday/Wednesday with my Choir director John Reager because he knows me and doesn't mind that I show up. Several people from Choir are in the class, so it creates some continuity in the day. Some Voice-only people I talk to include Sara and Marie, both I took classes with in Spring 08 and Fall 07 but do not see them anywhere besides Voice this semester. (If you're wondering, both of them are not in my age-range by 10-30 years, it's not like that) There are some cute girls there, including one adorable asian girl, but I have not talked to them too much.
Piano: I started taking Piano with a new teacher for scheduling reasons. Instead of Reager I'm taking it with Lori Willis, who does things a lot differently. I have to be in class from 6-8:30 instead of the 6-wheneverIwant like on the Thursday night class. I've gotten used to it though, and she is a good teacher.
I do not socialize in Piano class, not that there aren't interesting people, it's just not one of those socializing classes.
Tuesday/Thursday
Geography: Most of my socializing in this class occured on one Saturday, when for extra credit I went to Dimond Park in Oakland to do some environmental cleanup with members of the Geography class. I formed friendships with some people, some of whom have since dropped the class, and most of whom I do not talk to in class, including several girls. One middle-aged lately talks to me all the time when I sit next to her, but she has some pretty insightful stuff.
Voice (TTH): The Voice class I actually registered for is a class I took in the Fall 07 semester, but couldn't take in the Spring 08 because I had to take Spanish 2B. I was astonished to find that many of the older students are still talking Ms. Kinchen's class. She is a really good teacher and I was not happy about not being able to take her class last semester. I like the songs she's done this time.
As far as socializing in this class. I don't do it much, but there are some nice people in the class.
Jazz Piano: A lot of young people in this class leads to some good moments, especially from buddies from Spring 08, like Ruben, Tony, Tommy and others. Our teacher, John Gove, is a famous Jazz musician in the Bay Area, and even other places, as far as I'm aware anyway. Not doing that great in his class, despite this.
Not quite Jazz Piano related is the activities inbetween JP and JC. Often people will hang around outside and talk about stuff. There's this one girl who hangs around a lot (every day) who I've only spoken to recently. Something to really consider. She seems like a nice person.
Jazz Combos: I'm not registered in this class, but I have nothing better to do between 2:30 and 3:30 so I stick around and listen to the Combos rehearse (no one seems to mind, others do it too) Several people from Jazz Piano are in it, so it also makes for some continuity. Typically I talk to Marc, who sometimes visits, and Leslie, a friend of mine from the Spanish 2A and 2B classes, who happens to take Music at Laney as well. I would like to think we've got a good friendship going, but because of her age (17) it's hard to consider anything really happening with her.
Psychology: This is a tough one. As pointed out earlier I have not gotten off to a good start here academically. Socially it's rough as well. After getting some monemtum early on, because of some troublemaking with some of the girls, our teacher assigned us seats. I'm not really sitting near anybody interesting, all the people I want to meet (either because they seem smart, or because they're a cute female) are sitting somewhere else. Oh well, I'll get them sooner or later.
It is to note that Psychology and 3D Animation are at Berkeley City College, and the other classes are at Laney College in Oakland.
Guitar: Another tough one, this started out with promise. Nearly all my friends from Fall 07 and Spring 08 returned, allowing for some continuity. This included a "close" friend Brateil, who I'd also like to think I've got a good friendship going. She gave me a flattering text message following our reunion. Unfortunately, scheduling conflicts occured and Brateil is no longer taking the class, as far as I know. She has my e-mail and phone number (but not vice versa) so our friendship may not be over, but it was sad to hear. Abel is also gone, a decent friend of mine as well. Nonetheless, I have gratitude for those I still know. Unfortunately, I don't think I'm taking Guitar in the Spring of 09.
3D Animation: Fun class! But no one to talk to.
But this class has changed fates for me. Because I do not own the program Cinema 4D at home, I decided to go on Wednesday and some Monday afternoons, following Voice to head to Berkeley City College, on a day I do not typically go. I thought this would increase chances I'd run into former classmates from the Spanish classes...
Sure enough, it happened. Two-three weeks ago I saw Analisa, a girl I had some feelings for last semester, walking with a friend near the Campus entrance. I failed to get her attention and I was quite bummed about it. But I had another chance the following week, by luck, and did manage to say Hi and catch up on what classes she's doing and stuff, it was nice, but it could have been better. For one, I got nervous for no god damn reason, and it hindered our conversation. Maybe next time. I did see her today, but decided not to talk to her, I didn't have anything to say, so it would have just been weird.
Interestingly enough, if you consider that I'm NOT taking Jazz Combos, I'm not taking a single class with anybody from Spanish 2B, but since August 1st I've seen at least 8 people from it, including Leslie, Analisa, Harold, Pricilla, Joseph, and a few of the older people.
Anytime
General Exercise: Every day I head over to the Fitness Center for some good ol' time on the bikes and some weight lifting. Not much socializing here. But I have seen a girl from my Aerobics classes in the Fall 06/Spring 07 semesters. I've only spoken to her once. She actually came to the Basketball class today to talk to the teacher about a relationship. (My Basketball teacher was also my Aerobics teacher) I didn't interfere or speak to her.
Some people from Voice (TTh) and Piano are around sometimes, and I've spoken to them as well, but for the most part PE is not a socializing time.
OTHER STUFF
Again, I'm not sure how much of this I've already announced
- Last Friday, I was a Student Volunteer at the 5th Annual Business Symposium at Laney College. The subject was about the Music Industry. MC Hammer was supposed to be the Keynote Speaker but he cancelled. It was a fun event nonetheless. I got good bonding time with some of the people in the Jazz Piano class, and I got free food! What more could I want?
- Some tragic news, one of my neighbor's cats passed away last month, after it got ran over. He was a part of our family too, despite being our neighbors, it came over a lot, and even though we only knew him for about 5-6 months (that just makes it even sadder), it was devestating.
- In miraculous news, just days after that, we found Fluffy. He disappeared on Veteran's Day 2007 and he was assumed to have died. But we discovered him two houses away on the 18th of September. We found out that the house's owner took him in a few months ago (so where was he inbetween? We still dont know), but since we found him, he's visited us regularly. It's great to have him back, but now our kitty count is like.. 8?
- I have not purchased a ticket to the Decemberists concert on November 18/25 (I forget). But tickets are going away fast, so I don't know if I'll be able to get a good seat, if any, by the time I can afford the ticket.
- Depeche Mode announced their new "Tour of the Universe", along with their new font for their untitled 2009 album. That means, yes, my signatures at various message boards will be flooded with info on it.
- The Cure are releasing their new album "4:13 Dream" on the 26th, still psyched up about it, and I've been listening to their Hypnagogic States E.P. which has remixes of their 4 singles, including an epic 20 minute remix that I love very much by 65daysofstatic. Who would have thought that My Chemical Romance, 30 Seconds to Mars, and Falloutboy can make some good remixes?
- Raiders suck. That's not news. I'm very mad about the Kiffin firing, though.
- The Sharks season starts tommorow! Woohoo! A shame I will miss the opener because of school, but I will DVR it.
- I am happy that Obama has regained his lead in polls. I am devestated to discover that Proposition 8, which will ban Gay Marraige in CA for good, is gaining popularity.
- The only games I've played in recent times are Madden 09, Braid, and Super Mario RPG (VC). the latter two are pretty good. Need to get more games, or at least start playing some of my older ones that for the most part I've not finished.
- I need to sleep. Goodnight.