Week 12
RED
Wednesday:
I want to start by saying thank you to Steve for conducting an SA, which I missed on Thursday, again for me on Monday. I borrowed notes but needed it explaining and he took time out to do that for me.
Wednesday morning consisted of a lecture, as usual, on presentation skills. It was straight forward but included things that you don’t really think about before doing a presentation. For example, your own mannerisms, you cannot put your hands in you pockets or fiddle with your hair and expect to be taken seriously by your audience. These were things that later I found out I unknowing did!
The next task was researching the colour that you and your partner had been allocated, which was red, followed by a presentation on the findings. The task read:
Research the colour for it’s psychological and cultural significance
Prepare and deliver a 2-3 min presentation on your findings
Create an A4 fact sheet that can be distributed amongst the class
I was in a group with Craig, with whom I had not worked with before but enjoyed. I wasn’t nervous about the presentation itself, more the content and getting it right.
The basis for our presentation was how differently red was perceived in different cultural and social environments, and how most were almost direct opposites.
We also created a power point presentation which consisted of 4 slides.
I was first to be called to present but found I didn’t have the power point saved on the correct memory stick so had to be called back. This put me off a little and by the time I came back for my second attempt, I was still thinking about it. This made me more nervous and it showed during my presentation. I forgot sections and my breathing got very erratic. Steve also pointed out that I was fiddling with my notes which I was completely unaware of.
If I were to do the presentation again I would double check I had all equipment before hand and concentrate on relaxing throughout my presentation.
At 1pm we, as a group, were sent out to practise. At 2pm the presentations stared. At 5.30pm presentations had been completed. During the time between 2pm and 5.30pm the group sat in the canteen waiting for the next person to be called. We were asked by Steve to crack on with some work while waiting, this was impossible. With people in and out of the canteen all the time and remaining people rehearsing, it was extremely difficult to concentrate. Because I was the first in, I managed to get bits done but nothing substantial and round 3 hours was just spent talking. In my opinion it was a waste of valuable time and if we were to it again I think the presentations should be done elsewhere so that the room can be used for working.
I appreciate the white board needed to be used for the PowerPoint presentations but maybe the computers could have been booked in the resource centre to compensate. On the other hand, the remaining people probably wouldn’t be able to concentrate, knowing they were yet to go in.
I don’t know what the solution is but I’m sure there is a better one.
Thursday:
Thursday was back to normal and was for spending time working on assignments. I enjoy this time as all the resources are at arms length, Steve and class members are available for questions and peer group feedback sessions are conducted. This time is invaluable to me as I have many questions and lots to be getting on with.
Unfortunately my time had to be cut short as I was ill again, so, after the feedback sessions, I went home to work. Admittedly, it was harder to concentrate as there were more distractions, but I got most of the compression SA I was working on done.
Saturday, November 25, 2006
Tuesday, November 21, 2006
Commenting on comments
Thank you to people who left comments regarding the blog blunders. I absolutely agree with you and it is good for comments to come from someone who has worked in the industry.
I will, in future blogs, as I mentioned before, evaluate the learning and work from a professional point of view. I can see looking back through my blogs that I haven't done that enough. There are a lot of times when my ability to work is affected as I know most of you understand and this is what I try and represent and will keep on representing. I will, however, try to look at it more objectivley and compress my blogs by 'lossy' and get rid of things that aren't relevant, and maybe try to use it in a creative way, as Steve suggested I do.
I hope this blog clears up what I was trying to say in my previous one, minus the rant. I was annoyed when I wrote it as I knew the email was particularly aimed at me, dispite it being discussed previously.
I hope I can get it right asap as I really don't want it to be an issue any more. The sooner I get it right, the better!!
Thank you to people who left comments regarding the blog blunders. I absolutely agree with you and it is good for comments to come from someone who has worked in the industry.
I will, in future blogs, as I mentioned before, evaluate the learning and work from a professional point of view. I can see looking back through my blogs that I haven't done that enough. There are a lot of times when my ability to work is affected as I know most of you understand and this is what I try and represent and will keep on representing. I will, however, try to look at it more objectivley and compress my blogs by 'lossy' and get rid of things that aren't relevant, and maybe try to use it in a creative way, as Steve suggested I do.
I hope this blog clears up what I was trying to say in my previous one, minus the rant. I was annoyed when I wrote it as I knew the email was particularly aimed at me, dispite it being discussed previously.
I hope I can get it right asap as I really don't want it to be an issue any more. The sooner I get it right, the better!!
Monday, November 20, 2006
Blog Blunders
After receiving an email from Steve regarding the use of blogging, I have realised that my blog isn’t quite evaluative enough. By evaluative I mean:
After receiving an email from Steve regarding the use of blogging, I have realised that my blog isn’t quite evaluative enough. By evaluative I mean:
- Why
- How
- Feelings
- Changes
- Comparing
Although my blog has a lot of space dedicated to feelings, I don’t feel, reading back through them, that I have explored all evaluative aspects further.
My blog is very informal. I know that Steve’s intention for the blogs is for them to be used as a professional aid, and it is often commented on about how I can be too honest and deep within my writing.
I had a little disagreement with Steve and John during last week’s individual meetings. I didn’t mean to come across as stubborn and self righteous, no doubt I did, but it was suggested that I shouldn’t comment so much about my illness and try to use the blog particularly for evaluating college work and learning. It was said that from a prospective employer’s point of view, it wasn’t very professional. I understood their point and that it was for my own benefit but it also made me quite angry as, at the moment, I have factors affecting how I think and feel about college and why my approach to work changes depending on how I’m feeling. That to me is evaluating myself, therefore coming to conclusions as to why I find the work easy/difficult/challenging/boring etc.
In my opinion, I think people, when they read my blog, think I don’t quite understand the reason I’m writing it and that’s it’s some sort of diary, well I do and it’s not. As I said before, I have to include the reasons behind my thoughts and feelings toward college otherwise I am not painting a true picture of my learning and development.
As for prospective employers, I want to work for myself eventually but if I don’t, and an employer reads my blog, I believe it shows personality, creativity, a strong will and non conformity, which in a design world is not a bad thing.
I also use humour in my writing and like doing so. It’s nice to make people laugh when reading it and shows character. There is nothing worse than writing a blog that relives exactly what happened throughout the day, step by step, it doesn’t make you want to read it or comment on it, it’s boring! I think this is why some people find it hard to comment effectively.
In respect of Steve’s wishes I will stop swearing in my blog, I can understand why he doesn’t like it, and try to be more evaluative on the work aspect of things. I will not, however, stop evaluating myself in the form of thoughts and feelings as I feel it is relevant. Sorry John.
So to wrap it up, I don’t think this is quite what Steve was expecting, or maybe he was from me, I don’t know, but I have been honest and I hope it’s the last I hear about the blogs. I feel my work load is large enough at the moment, without worrying if I’m recording my own opinions right.
Friday, November 17, 2006
Week 11:
Work, work, work
Wednesday:
Wednesday was hard. The lecture on colour theory was good and I enjoyed it. The way in which colours are said to be complimentary but actually contrast, confused me a little. I later learnt that they are said to be complimentary when they along the same line but on opposite ends of the colour wheel. That cleared that up then!?
Work, work, work
Wednesday:
Wednesday was hard. The lecture on colour theory was good and I enjoyed it. The way in which colours are said to be complimentary but actually contrast, confused me a little. I later learnt that they are said to be complimentary when they along the same line but on opposite ends of the colour wheel. That cleared that up then!?
The rest of Wednesday was spent working on the back to basics assignment. After speaking with Dianne I was able to carry on with my target audience as I’d confused myself with extra research. She suggested what I needed to do and I got on with it, while still incor
porating the extra research. I worked flat out until about 4.30 and got a lot done.Later, at about 5 I started to get a little distracted and started talking to Steve about my Designers Republic SA. He told me that the sissy image I had chosen as my vector image wasn’t technically vector but theoretically it was, or maybe it was the other way round?! I didn’t really understand properly but apparently it was created on a 3D wire frame which means it’s not vector. On the other hand it was put together with lines and circles which make it vector. Whatever it is, I hope I don’t have to rewrite my SA as I have a very long list of things to complete before the deadline, to put it mildly.
I left college just before 6 with another headache. I’d like to think it was from working so hard but I think it’s probably from when I nutted the roof last week, it really hurt.
Note to self: don’t crouch in small spaces!
Thursday:
I missed college on Thursday due to lack of sleep over a number of days. I’d seen the sun come up for about 5 days running and was absolutely whacked.
I was disappointed I missed the lecture because I know we were getting a new task but I would have been no good to anyone I was so tired. I have asked Rich to borrow his notes but will email Steve to ask if I can come in on Monday or Tuesday to go through what I missed.
Later in the day I synchronized my time plans and did some on the A3 assignment. So far I’m managing to balance all 4 assignments but its hard work and it takes some planning. I’ll keep you posted on how long I keep it up!
Wednesday, November 15, 2006
Week 10
Help! Mrs Robinson
Wednesday
Wednesday was a good day. The start to the day was good. I woke up feeling well.
I got to college late but unavoidably, the traffic was horrendous.
First thing, we were given 6 pieces of information and asked to design 12 rough business cards that contained the 6 pieces of information, in the order given.
I enjoyed having this sprung on me as soon as I arrived; it gave me a taste of ‘working under pressure’. I thought that my designs were awful. We then, in our peer groups, had to pick the best one and produce it on Page Maker.
My original final design was portrait, but when I tried to reproduce it on page maker, I had to change the orientation to landscape and alter the design slightly. I tend to have a habit of being unable to reproduce my designs on computer software. It could be that my designs are so fantastic; it’s hard for the computer to keep up! Although it’s probably because I need more practice!
The afternoon came around quickly and I met ‘Mrs Robinson’, AKA Dianne.
Because of my absence I hadn’t gotten the chance to meet Dianne but knew she would be of great help to me. Sometimes when I’m enthusiastic about something, I can run away with it and do things that I don’t really need to do, things that wouldn’t necessarily get me anymore marks. Also, with me being ill and unable to hand in the first assignment, I had a lot of time planning to do and organising myself.
Dianne and I spoke about everything I needed to know or any questions I had. We broke down exactly what I needed to do into little chunks.
When you realise you are going to have to balance 4 assignments and meet mini deadlines for each, it’s like a smack in the mouth, it hurts. But when you have a Dianne, things seem a lot easier. I’m sure she doesn’t realise how much she helped me, but, having someone who has done the same work as you and has had many of the same questions as you, puts things in perspective if nothing else. You know that 2 years ago she was in an identical situation, well not in my case, I mean generally. Although she had a family and a job to balance with her study, so she probably knows how outside factors can affect your study.
After meeting with Dianne, I felt 2 stone lighter. I don’t make a habit of worrying about things but inevitably do, somewhat unknowingly. Not only had she helped organise my work, I knew she would be there throughout these assignments for anything else I needed. I really hope the college put their hands in their pockets and pay the lady for next year; she’s worth her weight in gold!
Thursday
Nearly late again, 8.59!
Thursday was productive. After a lecture on colour space, which I understood surprisingly easily, the day was spent working on A4, Picture this assignment. I managed to get the compare and contrast SA finished so that was one thing to tick off my ever growing list!
Not much else to say really, or rather I can’t because otherwise my blog will be too long. I enjoyed the day and left with a head ache from looking at a computer for too long!
Note to self: Set off earlier!
Help! Mrs Robinson
Wednesday
Wednesday was a good day. The start to the day was good. I woke up feeling well.
I got to college late but unavoidably, the traffic was horrendous.
First thing, we were given 6 pieces of information and asked to design 12 rough business cards that contained the 6 pieces of information, in the order given.
I enjoyed having this sprung on me as soon as I arrived; it gave me a taste of ‘working under pressure’. I thought that my designs were awful. We then, in our peer groups, had to pick the best one and produce it on Page Maker.
My original final design was portrait, but when I tried to reproduce it on page maker, I had to change the orientation to landscape and alter the design slightly. I tend to have a habit of being unable to reproduce my designs on computer software. It could be that my designs are so fantastic; it’s hard for the computer to keep up! Although it’s probably because I need more practice!
The afternoon came around quickly and I met ‘Mrs Robinson’, AKA Dianne.
Because of my absence I hadn’t gotten the chance to meet Dianne but knew she would be of great help to me. Sometimes when I’m enthusiastic about something, I can run away with it and do things that I don’t really need to do, things that wouldn’t necessarily get me anymore marks. Also, with me being ill and unable to hand in the first assignment, I had a lot of time planning to do and organising myself.
Dianne and I spoke about everything I needed to know or any questions I had. We broke down exactly what I needed to do into little chunks.
When you realise you are going to have to balance 4 assignments and meet mini deadlines for each, it’s like a smack in the mouth, it hurts. But when you have a Dianne, things seem a lot easier. I’m sure she doesn’t realise how much she helped me, but, having someone who has done the same work as you and has had many of the same questions as you, puts things in perspective if nothing else. You know that 2 years ago she was in an identical situation, well not in my case, I mean generally. Although she had a family and a job to balance with her study, so she probably knows how outside factors can affect your study.
After meeting with Dianne, I felt 2 stone lighter. I don’t make a habit of worrying about things but inevitably do, somewhat unknowingly. Not only had she helped organise my work, I knew she would be there throughout these assignments for anything else I needed. I really hope the college put their hands in their pockets and pay the lady for next year; she’s worth her weight in gold!
Thursday
Nearly late again, 8.59!
Thursday was productive. After a lecture on colour space, which I understood surprisingly easily, the day was spent working on A4, Picture this assignment. I managed to get the compare and contrast SA finished so that was one thing to tick off my ever growing list!
Not much else to say really, or rather I can’t because otherwise my blog will be too long. I enjoyed the day and left with a head ache from looking at a computer for too long!
Note to self: Set off earlier!
My vector image 'Sissy'
Bitmap image from the 'Supergrass' album
Wednesday, November 08, 2006
Week 9:
Fresh start
Wednesday:
Well I’ll start by saying that on Tuesday night I was really looking forward to getting back to normal, I was feeling well and, surprisingly, was looking forward to getting back to college. No apprehension what so ever.
Wednesday morning comes, feel awful, typical.
Anyway, I got to college for what I thought was early, only to find that I was one of the last in! Oh the dedication! Steve should be so proud.
Walking into class felt a little ‘unnatural’, for want of a better word. I couldn’t sit with my previous peer group, Mirhad and Rich, as we’d been given new peer groups. It was awful, I could of quite easily told Steve no and that I was sitting in my normal place. I needed to be next to people I was close to, for some silent reassurance. I really like everyone in our group and I genuinely mean that, but when you’re feeling vulnerable, it’s like you just want someone to shield you and I would have got that from Mirhad and Rich. Sitting with someone new means you’ve got to hold your own and I really wasn’t in the mood.
I said nothing and went to sit with my new ‘Gamma’ group which consisted of Scott and Chris.
Two full-size smiles staring at me as I found a seat and sat down. Instead of making me comfortable it made me want to cry! I wanted to cry because they seemed pleased to see me and have me in their group, I might be deluded but that’s what I took it as. Pulling my chair up to form an odd circle with my peers, Chris asked “how are you feeling?” I had to swallow quickly as to not make it obvious that now I nearly was crying. Simple words when I was so fragile meant a lot.
I realise the above paragraph sounds a little like I’m writing a novel, but I wanted to point out that I notice the little things people do, and the few seconds in which all that happened, made me forget I was feeling shit and made me want to come back the next day.
First thing we were given the A3 assignment and talked through it. It seemed, like the previous assignment, quite self explanatory. Once I’d got to grips with what it was actually asking, like the last one, I was looking forward to it. I said that in the 2nd week and look what happened there!
After digesting it, each group were allocated a small part of one of the questions on the assignment. Ours was to name the 7 main internal computer components. I contributed one I think and had to ask Chris and Scott what most of them were. It didn’t make me feel stupid and I don’t know if it was because I don’t get embarrassed easily or because they didn’t make feel stupid when they answered me?!?!
When I got home I did some self study and worked off the back of enthusiasm for the assignment. I collected some wallpaper patterns and put them in my sketch book to explain why I liked them. I also did some further research into the project and thought of ways I could expand on the ideas given to me in the assignment.
I spent around 3 hours on and off (mostly on) completing my self study.
I went to bed feeling satisfied, but then couldn’t sleep for idea’s circling around in my head. A good thing I suppose but not on Thursday morning!!
Thursday
I was extremely tired on Thursday morning due to lack of sleep! I dragged my ass out of bed and got into college early again. I had to get in early to print off the A4 assignment, which should have been done the night before and would have been if my computer would work properly! Makes me tremendously angry to say the least!!!
Most people were in again when I got there even though it was only 8.40. Half of them were also printing off the assignment because they’d forgotten, so I wasn’t on my own. In the end Scott printed off mine for me.
Note to self: IOU 4 prints Scott
Before we went through the assignment we were presented with a question “What’s the difference between an artist and a designer?” It wasn’t phrased exactly like that but I can’t remember exactly how it was phrased. Our argument was that a designer thinks commercially where as an artist does it for them self. I also think the clue is in the name: a designer is the name of a job, a career where as an artist suggests a hobby. Then you could also argue that opinion is derived from opinion. In all honesty I don’t think there is an answer, only opinion.
We were also given a lecture on digital images. I really enjoyed it and got to grips with it straight away. The terms were explained and the reasons behind them.
We were then asked to research The Designers Republic work and to try and get to grips with their style. I really liked their work and I’m looking forward to ‘dissecting’ two of their pieces as part of the assignment.
Later in the afternoon we had our peer meeting with Steve. I don’t think our group got to the point where we were talking about what was intended. What we did say though, was that we weren’t happy with how our sketch books and the fact we had to combine creative work with written and sketchy work. We suggested having one for written and one for creative. Steve’s argument was that, when it was all together in one, he was able to see development as he flicked through. I looked at one of the previous students work and I could see his point. My own point was that it was different to the way I was used to doing things and I couldn’t look back in my sketch book see any order, and that annoys me.
I suppose we’ll see what Steve decides, either way I don’t mind.
I left college happy, and, freezing cold! Winters here!
Sorry about the length of this blog, I had a lot to say, as usual!!
Note to self: Make blogs shorter!
Fresh start
Wednesday:
Well I’ll start by saying that on Tuesday night I was really looking forward to getting back to normal, I was feeling well and, surprisingly, was looking forward to getting back to college. No apprehension what so ever.
Wednesday morning comes, feel awful, typical.
Anyway, I got to college for what I thought was early, only to find that I was one of the last in! Oh the dedication! Steve should be so proud.
Walking into class felt a little ‘unnatural’, for want of a better word. I couldn’t sit with my previous peer group, Mirhad and Rich, as we’d been given new peer groups. It was awful, I could of quite easily told Steve no and that I was sitting in my normal place. I needed to be next to people I was close to, for some silent reassurance. I really like everyone in our group and I genuinely mean that, but when you’re feeling vulnerable, it’s like you just want someone to shield you and I would have got that from Mirhad and Rich. Sitting with someone new means you’ve got to hold your own and I really wasn’t in the mood.
I said nothing and went to sit with my new ‘Gamma’ group which consisted of Scott and Chris.
Two full-size smiles staring at me as I found a seat and sat down. Instead of making me comfortable it made me want to cry! I wanted to cry because they seemed pleased to see me and have me in their group, I might be deluded but that’s what I took it as. Pulling my chair up to form an odd circle with my peers, Chris asked “how are you feeling?” I had to swallow quickly as to not make it obvious that now I nearly was crying. Simple words when I was so fragile meant a lot.
I realise the above paragraph sounds a little like I’m writing a novel, but I wanted to point out that I notice the little things people do, and the few seconds in which all that happened, made me forget I was feeling shit and made me want to come back the next day.
First thing we were given the A3 assignment and talked through it. It seemed, like the previous assignment, quite self explanatory. Once I’d got to grips with what it was actually asking, like the last one, I was looking forward to it. I said that in the 2nd week and look what happened there!
After digesting it, each group were allocated a small part of one of the questions on the assignment. Ours was to name the 7 main internal computer components. I contributed one I think and had to ask Chris and Scott what most of them were. It didn’t make me feel stupid and I don’t know if it was because I don’t get embarrassed easily or because they didn’t make feel stupid when they answered me?!?!
When I got home I did some self study and worked off the back of enthusiasm for the assignment. I collected some wallpaper patterns and put them in my sketch book to explain why I liked them. I also did some further research into the project and thought of ways I could expand on the ideas given to me in the assignment.
I spent around 3 hours on and off (mostly on) completing my self study.
I went to bed feeling satisfied, but then couldn’t sleep for idea’s circling around in my head. A good thing I suppose but not on Thursday morning!!
Thursday
I was extremely tired on Thursday morning due to lack of sleep! I dragged my ass out of bed and got into college early again. I had to get in early to print off the A4 assignment, which should have been done the night before and would have been if my computer would work properly! Makes me tremendously angry to say the least!!!
Most people were in again when I got there even though it was only 8.40. Half of them were also printing off the assignment because they’d forgotten, so I wasn’t on my own. In the end Scott printed off mine for me.
Note to self: IOU 4 prints Scott
Before we went through the assignment we were presented with a question “What’s the difference between an artist and a designer?” It wasn’t phrased exactly like that but I can’t remember exactly how it was phrased. Our argument was that a designer thinks commercially where as an artist does it for them self. I also think the clue is in the name: a designer is the name of a job, a career where as an artist suggests a hobby. Then you could also argue that opinion is derived from opinion. In all honesty I don’t think there is an answer, only opinion.
We were also given a lecture on digital images. I really enjoyed it and got to grips with it straight away. The terms were explained and the reasons behind them.
We were then asked to research The Designers Republic work and to try and get to grips with their style. I really liked their work and I’m looking forward to ‘dissecting’ two of their pieces as part of the assignment.
Later in the afternoon we had our peer meeting with Steve. I don’t think our group got to the point where we were talking about what was intended. What we did say though, was that we weren’t happy with how our sketch books and the fact we had to combine creative work with written and sketchy work. We suggested having one for written and one for creative. Steve’s argument was that, when it was all together in one, he was able to see development as he flicked through. I looked at one of the previous students work and I could see his point. My own point was that it was different to the way I was used to doing things and I couldn’t look back in my sketch book see any order, and that annoys me.
I suppose we’ll see what Steve decides, either way I don’t mind.
I left college happy, and, freezing cold! Winters here!
Sorry about the length of this blog, I had a lot to say, as usual!!
Note to self: Make blogs shorter!
Week 8:
Half term
Half term, for me, didn’t feel any different from the week before. Because I’d been away from college so much recently, I didn’t feel like I was on a break. It’s a shame really as it set me aside from the group, again, in the way that everyone else’s blogs will all be describing how nice it is to have a break from studying.
I didn’t think about college much, this was the only difference from the week before, as I was concentrating on myself and getting better for the new semester. I really didn’t want to have to miss, in my opinion, the ‘new start’.
Toward the end of the week I was feeling so’oooooo’ much better. The rest from thinking about college was a big factor. I’d been able to relax and when I felt well enough to do things, I didn’t feel guilty for doing them, where as I had before.
I haven’t mentioned this previously, but while I was absent from college, if there was ever a time where I felt I could go out and do things, simple things like going to see Antonys family or taking the dog for a walk, I felt guilty for not getting college work done. Looking back on it now, it would have been stupid to do so. After spending so much time in the house, in bed, it was important to go out as and when I could.
If the situation arises again, I’ll try and put it in perspective and maybe even read this blog to remind me it’s the right thing to do.
Half term
Half term, for me, didn’t feel any different from the week before. Because I’d been away from college so much recently, I didn’t feel like I was on a break. It’s a shame really as it set me aside from the group, again, in the way that everyone else’s blogs will all be describing how nice it is to have a break from studying.
I didn’t think about college much, this was the only difference from the week before, as I was concentrating on myself and getting better for the new semester. I really didn’t want to have to miss, in my opinion, the ‘new start’.
Toward the end of the week I was feeling so’oooooo’ much better. The rest from thinking about college was a big factor. I’d been able to relax and when I felt well enough to do things, I didn’t feel guilty for doing them, where as I had before.
I haven’t mentioned this previously, but while I was absent from college, if there was ever a time where I felt I could go out and do things, simple things like going to see Antonys family or taking the dog for a walk, I felt guilty for not getting college work done. Looking back on it now, it would have been stupid to do so. After spending so much time in the house, in bed, it was important to go out as and when I could.
If the situation arises again, I’ll try and put it in perspective and maybe even read this blog to remind me it’s the right thing to do.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Free Images List.
(Check the small print for yourself too!)
http://www.freeimages.co.uk/galleries/transtech/computer/index.htm
What they say:
Three Simple Steps to use a FreeImage...
1] Locate and Download the freeimage you want.
2] Join the Mailing List if you are not already a member.
3] Credit us as the source of the image when you use it.
http://aarinfreephoto.com/
What they say:
If images are used on a website, link to above address is required.
"© AarinFreePhoto.com" or "images courtesy of AarinFreePhoto.com." wherever any of these free images are being used, regardless of medium. The copyright information will need to be legible.
http://www.amgmedia.com/freephotos/index.html
What they say:
You may use any of the royalty free photos shown as long as you give credit to the photographer: Ernest von Rosen, www.amgmedia.com
http://www.bigfoto.com/
What they say:
If you use the image for a web site, you must provide a link (free pictures, or free photos) to bigfoto. The link does not have to be positioned next to the image. If you don't wish to make a link to www.bigfoto.com, you may make a payment to BigFoto via PayPal. If you use bigfoto images for your own home page, please ensure that they are saved on your server. It is not permitted to copy bigfoto pictures onto a web site and offer them for downloading.
http://www.christopherholt.com/subjects/free-pictures.htm
What they say:
Images on this site are available for FREE personal non-commercial use. All I ask is that you include a credit and a link to my site. If you use Yahoo Flickr or MySpace it's important to show that the image is NOT public copyright
http://gallery.hd.org/index.jsp
What they say:
If you use our stuff, please link to us to help other people find us.
If you make money from using our stuff, share it with us!
Don't sell or steal our stuff, or be nasty to us.
Thanks very much to our contributors!
http://geekphilosopher.com/MainPage/photos.htm
What they say:
If you use an image, post a link to GeekPhilosopher from an active page on your site.
List of more pages:
http://community.foe.co.uk/tools/obtaining_free_images.html
Week 7
A little better
Wednesday
On Wednesday morning I felt like I needed to go into college. I was still very ill and it took; so much, to get myself out of bed, dressed and into college. I was crying the whole time. So much so that I had to take strongest pain killers I owned to try to ease it, they didn’t, they just made me woozy so I had to ask Antony, my boyfriend, to drive me in.
When I got to college, the walk from the car park to the building felt like I had just run a marathon. Why was I here exactly? I wasn’t sure but I felt like I needed to be. The deadline for the assignment was tomorrow and I needed to be up to date with what was going on. It could have been done with a phone call but I just felt better doing it face to face.
When I got into class I could see the rest of the group doing their last minute bits of the assignment. I felt like everyone was staring at me and I wanted to get out the room before I’d barely stepped in. I asked Steve if I could see him in his office so we could discuss what would happen next. As soon as he asked if I was ok, I burst into tears. IDIOT! I never do that! I’m no hard face but I don’t cry to people. I felt a little uncomfortable but I couldn’t help it and Steve was extremely understanding. He asked why I’d come in when I was still unwell. I couldn’t tell him exactly because I didn’t know. We had a chat and he explained that I had to fill in a sheet and have a doctor’s note, in order to get an extension on the assignment. He told me to go home and not come back until I was better.
I found out that day, that Steve had been trained in counselling. That’s why he always knew how to make me feel better about college; he knew what to say because he kind of knew what questions I had without me having to say anything. I suppose years of teaching helped too but he’s very good at what he does.
I went home a little after 9.30am. The first thing I did was write down how I was feeling and the events that took place for the sake of my blog.
Thursday
By this time I had been and bought myself a laptop. I figured it would be worth its weight in gold for times when I was ill but needed to work. I did nothing but play on the bloody games for over a day! It’s a strange thing; it’s a need to use your new toy with nothing really important to do, so you play on the games. Novelty.
Anyway, after messing around on it I started to type and edit my blogs. It was a bit strange reading what I’d written 3 weeks ago, and how my writing had changed as I’d started to settle into it and get my own style. It was so much easier being able to do it sat on the sofa and I think that reflected in my writing, I was much more relaxed.
I’d started to feel a little better by Thursday, not worrying about the assignment was a big factor I think, my mind was at rest. I didn’t realise it was that at the time, I didn’t care what it was, I was just glad I felt better. I also knew it was half term next week so I could rest up and do bits of work at my own pace.
A little better
Wednesday
On Wednesday morning I felt like I needed to go into college. I was still very ill and it took; so much, to get myself out of bed, dressed and into college. I was crying the whole time. So much so that I had to take strongest pain killers I owned to try to ease it, they didn’t, they just made me woozy so I had to ask Antony, my boyfriend, to drive me in.
When I got to college, the walk from the car park to the building felt like I had just run a marathon. Why was I here exactly? I wasn’t sure but I felt like I needed to be. The deadline for the assignment was tomorrow and I needed to be up to date with what was going on. It could have been done with a phone call but I just felt better doing it face to face.
When I got into class I could see the rest of the group doing their last minute bits of the assignment. I felt like everyone was staring at me and I wanted to get out the room before I’d barely stepped in. I asked Steve if I could see him in his office so we could discuss what would happen next. As soon as he asked if I was ok, I burst into tears. IDIOT! I never do that! I’m no hard face but I don’t cry to people. I felt a little uncomfortable but I couldn’t help it and Steve was extremely understanding. He asked why I’d come in when I was still unwell. I couldn’t tell him exactly because I didn’t know. We had a chat and he explained that I had to fill in a sheet and have a doctor’s note, in order to get an extension on the assignment. He told me to go home and not come back until I was better.
I found out that day, that Steve had been trained in counselling. That’s why he always knew how to make me feel better about college; he knew what to say because he kind of knew what questions I had without me having to say anything. I suppose years of teaching helped too but he’s very good at what he does.
I went home a little after 9.30am. The first thing I did was write down how I was feeling and the events that took place for the sake of my blog.
Thursday
By this time I had been and bought myself a laptop. I figured it would be worth its weight in gold for times when I was ill but needed to work. I did nothing but play on the bloody games for over a day! It’s a strange thing; it’s a need to use your new toy with nothing really important to do, so you play on the games. Novelty.
Anyway, after messing around on it I started to type and edit my blogs. It was a bit strange reading what I’d written 3 weeks ago, and how my writing had changed as I’d started to settle into it and get my own style. It was so much easier being able to do it sat on the sofa and I think that reflected in my writing, I was much more relaxed.
I’d started to feel a little better by Thursday, not worrying about the assignment was a big factor I think, my mind was at rest. I didn’t realise it was that at the time, I didn’t care what it was, I was just glad I felt better. I also knew it was half term next week so I could rest up and do bits of work at my own pace.
Week 6
In bed again….
Wednesday
Wednesday was a stay in bed day, again! Not from choice either, the bloody pain! I text Steve to tell him I wouldn’t be in and briefly what was wrong, with the intention of calling him later on.
Thinking about college made the sickly feeling come back. What was I missing? I was going to be behind yet again. Where did the group think I was? Did they think I’d left? Probably, seen as I’d only been there 6 full days since we started. Shit, that’s rubbish, didn’t realise how little I had been there until I just wrote it down now! AND, I haven’t been able to do publish my blogs because my computer’s f**ked!! Unavoidable I know, but even so, it’s really rubbish. I’m worried about my attendance now, passing the course is one thing but it goes hand in hand with attendance, no-one will want to employ someone with a 2% attendance! It’s highly unlikely anyone would pass the course with a 2% attendance mind, but still, it aint’ looking good.
I thought about working on my assignment, something I could get on with that would make me feel a little better about missing college, and take my mind off it. I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t stand for long enough to go and get my college bag, so there wasn’t a chance I could make it up more stairs to get to the computer. (I live in a large house, 5 floors, feels like 50 when I’m ill!) Now I felt worse because not only was I missing things at college, I couldn’t compensate it with some self study. Felt like a failure.
Thursday
Thursday was much the same. I couldn’t get out of bed and the sickly feeling was suffocating me. I planned to call Steve, I didn’t call on Wednesday because I was in and out of sleep again and I knew he would be teaching most of the day. I always feel better when I speak to him about college, he puts things in perspective and he answers those unanswered thoughts that niggle at you.
When I spoke to him, he did just that. He told me once again that my first priority was to get better and not to worry about college. After our conversation I felt like I could breathe again and the sickly feeling was muted for a while.
Later I started wondering what would happen with the assignment. In my mind I was determined I would get it done; I would get better and get it done. I told Steve this but he was a little more realistic. He knew I wasn’t going to get better over night and told me we’d sort it out later. I wasn’t sure how we’d sort it out, I knew there must be some procedure in circumstances such as mine, but I didn’t know what it was and it exhausted me thinking about it. At the start of the course, when I told Steve about my illness, I told him I didn’t want any special treatment, I would stick to deadlines and work like everybody else. Looking at it now, it is inevitable that it was going to happen but it’s not ‘special treatment’, it’s available to everyone in the same situation, so that makes me feel better about it.
In bed again….
Wednesday
Wednesday was a stay in bed day, again! Not from choice either, the bloody pain! I text Steve to tell him I wouldn’t be in and briefly what was wrong, with the intention of calling him later on.
Thinking about college made the sickly feeling come back. What was I missing? I was going to be behind yet again. Where did the group think I was? Did they think I’d left? Probably, seen as I’d only been there 6 full days since we started. Shit, that’s rubbish, didn’t realise how little I had been there until I just wrote it down now! AND, I haven’t been able to do publish my blogs because my computer’s f**ked!! Unavoidable I know, but even so, it’s really rubbish. I’m worried about my attendance now, passing the course is one thing but it goes hand in hand with attendance, no-one will want to employ someone with a 2% attendance! It’s highly unlikely anyone would pass the course with a 2% attendance mind, but still, it aint’ looking good.
I thought about working on my assignment, something I could get on with that would make me feel a little better about missing college, and take my mind off it. I couldn’t do it. I couldn’t stand for long enough to go and get my college bag, so there wasn’t a chance I could make it up more stairs to get to the computer. (I live in a large house, 5 floors, feels like 50 when I’m ill!) Now I felt worse because not only was I missing things at college, I couldn’t compensate it with some self study. Felt like a failure.
Thursday
Thursday was much the same. I couldn’t get out of bed and the sickly feeling was suffocating me. I planned to call Steve, I didn’t call on Wednesday because I was in and out of sleep again and I knew he would be teaching most of the day. I always feel better when I speak to him about college, he puts things in perspective and he answers those unanswered thoughts that niggle at you.
When I spoke to him, he did just that. He told me once again that my first priority was to get better and not to worry about college. After our conversation I felt like I could breathe again and the sickly feeling was muted for a while.
Later I started wondering what would happen with the assignment. In my mind I was determined I would get it done; I would get better and get it done. I told Steve this but he was a little more realistic. He knew I wasn’t going to get better over night and told me we’d sort it out later. I wasn’t sure how we’d sort it out, I knew there must be some procedure in circumstances such as mine, but I didn’t know what it was and it exhausted me thinking about it. At the start of the course, when I told Steve about my illness, I told him I didn’t want any special treatment, I would stick to deadlines and work like everybody else. Looking at it now, it is inevitable that it was going to happen but it’s not ‘special treatment’, it’s available to everyone in the same situation, so that makes me feel better about it.
Week 5
On holiday
I’m not going to describe what I did on Wednesday and Thursday of my holiday, firstly because I can’t remember exactly, and secondly, because it’s classified!!
What I can say is that through the day, when we were laid under the glowing sky by the crystal clear sea, college was literally a million miles away, along with doctor’s appointments, treatments, tablets, the same f**king four walls day in day out, they didn’t exist while I was on holiday.
Until the last few days, I didn’t think about college, but when I did, I didn’t get the sickly feeling. I’d caught up before I went away, specifically so I didn’t have to think about it.
I got back from Turkey on Monday morning, not feeling quite right. By Tuesday I was really ill. I went to the Docs and it turns out I have a kidney infection.
Pain, pain, pain, pain, all made worse by the fact I’d have a week off pain, but it was back, like it was making up for lost time. I must have been extremely bad in a past life for God to be punishing to this extent. Twat! Its non stop. I’ve no time to draw breath before the next thing hits me, it’s a bit crazy.
On holiday
I’m not going to describe what I did on Wednesday and Thursday of my holiday, firstly because I can’t remember exactly, and secondly, because it’s classified!!
What I can say is that through the day, when we were laid under the glowing sky by the crystal clear sea, college was literally a million miles away, along with doctor’s appointments, treatments, tablets, the same f**king four walls day in day out, they didn’t exist while I was on holiday.
Until the last few days, I didn’t think about college, but when I did, I didn’t get the sickly feeling. I’d caught up before I went away, specifically so I didn’t have to think about it.
I got back from Turkey on Monday morning, not feeling quite right. By Tuesday I was really ill. I went to the Docs and it turns out I have a kidney infection.
Pain, pain, pain, pain, all made worse by the fact I’d have a week off pain, but it was back, like it was making up for lost time. I must have been extremely bad in a past life for God to be punishing to this extent. Twat! Its non stop. I’ve no time to draw breath before the next thing hits me, it’s a bit crazy.
Week 4
This week I was back in college.
Wednesday
Wednesday morning was about learning how to reference and plagiarism. On previous courses I haven’t had to do this so I’m learning pretty much from scratch. I am understanding it and will have to practice in my first assignment.
The afternoon was spent learning how to use Page Maker. I found it easy to follow and learnt quite a lot, although, as I understand it, we have only just touched the surface of what Page Maker is capable of.
When re-designing the page of ‘Nikki Iles’, I tried to use a large column on the left hand side, along with 3 smaller ones. I then realised it was extremely difficult to proportion this properly and it took me an age to figure out! The main thing I learnt was not to do that again!
I left college feeling ready to get stuck in to my self study and catch up. That’s just what I did. I worked on my competitive analysis, analysing 3 websites that related to my subject. This took me 3 hours. By this time it was 9.30pm and I was tired. To finish off my self study, I started to sketch my screen designs. This took me till 11.00pm, and then I called it a day!
Thursday
Helen Rivron came in to reciprocate Steve’s lecture on Wednesday, and to go further into the definition of plagiarism. Plagiarism is a difficult thing to determine, from my point of view. We were given a few examples, some of which were plagiarism, some were not. I got a few of these wrong as I didn’t fully understand the point. I do now, as it was explained.
After lunch we were working on our assignment. I enjoy this time we have to work on our assignment, I got a lot done and it helps having all the software in college. I finished off my sketches, designed my feedback form and decided on my site requirements, referring back to my goals. I also tested out some colour combinations with browser friendly RGB colours, Krause(2002)Colour Index, How Design Books. (bit of practice there!!)
I left college feeling tired and ready for my holiday!!
This week I was back in college.
Wednesday
Wednesday morning was about learning how to reference and plagiarism. On previous courses I haven’t had to do this so I’m learning pretty much from scratch. I am understanding it and will have to practice in my first assignment.
The afternoon was spent learning how to use Page Maker. I found it easy to follow and learnt quite a lot, although, as I understand it, we have only just touched the surface of what Page Maker is capable of.
When re-designing the page of ‘Nikki Iles’, I tried to use a large column on the left hand side, along with 3 smaller ones. I then realised it was extremely difficult to proportion this properly and it took me an age to figure out! The main thing I learnt was not to do that again!
I left college feeling ready to get stuck in to my self study and catch up. That’s just what I did. I worked on my competitive analysis, analysing 3 websites that related to my subject. This took me 3 hours. By this time it was 9.30pm and I was tired. To finish off my self study, I started to sketch my screen designs. This took me till 11.00pm, and then I called it a day!
Thursday
Helen Rivron came in to reciprocate Steve’s lecture on Wednesday, and to go further into the definition of plagiarism. Plagiarism is a difficult thing to determine, from my point of view. We were given a few examples, some of which were plagiarism, some were not. I got a few of these wrong as I didn’t fully understand the point. I do now, as it was explained.
After lunch we were working on our assignment. I enjoy this time we have to work on our assignment, I got a lot done and it helps having all the software in college. I finished off my sketches, designed my feedback form and decided on my site requirements, referring back to my goals. I also tested out some colour combinations with browser friendly RGB colours, Krause(2002)Colour Index, How Design Books. (bit of practice there!!)
I left college feeling tired and ready for my holiday!!
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Week 3:
Off ill (surprise, surprise)
Wednesday:
Wednesday morning I woke with what was an, ‘oh so familiar’ feeling, I couldn’t get out of bed from the pain in my back and abdomen.
I text Steve to let him know I wouldn’t be in, took some pain killers and nodded off back to sleep.
When we were assigned this year long blog assignment, Steve asked us not to make it too personal, more explanative and to the point. Unfortunately, because of the condition I have, there will be times when, frankly, I have nothing better to talk about so I apologise in advance. And,I’m afraid, this is one of those times……
So, Wednesday, I stayed in bed most of the day. Ok, all of the day, there’s probably only me reading this so I’ll tell the truth! Luckily I have an amazing family who look after me when I’m ill so I don’t have to get out of bed.
Due to the strong pain killers, I slept a lot too. When I was awake though, and I thought about college, I got that sickly feeling, like before you go on a big ride, (or when you get off it!!) nervousness and anticipation and I wasn’t sure why. Was I scared of what I’d miss? Of falling behind? I think my main concern was what Steve was thinking. He’s very clued up on people and did he think I was giving up already? After I’d been so honest in my formative statement about giving up on things in the past, I really didn’t want him to think I was doing it again, especially after that particular part of my statement had been brought up in previous conversation. I’d assured him that that wasn’t me anymore and that I had chosen this course for me, so it wasn’t some piss about way of passing the time, plus I was paying for it!
I know myself, and I know I will not give up this course. But when you’re not sure what someone else is thinking about your situation, someone who matters anyway, you start to doubt yourself. I decided I would call him on Thursday.
Thursday:
First priority, call Steve.
Thursday morning I knew the other students would be getting on with the assignment so Steve would be in the office so I rung him as early as I could. He sounded pleased to hear from me but said I sounded awful, which was nice seen as I was feeling a little better! Anyway, after speaking to him I felt much better about college and what he was thinking, and the sickly feeling went. He told me the first priority was to get better, closely followed by getting my blog done! Ha! I told him I’d try and get into college for our weekly group meeting. I didn’t make it because I was sleeping and carried on doing all day!
During the evening I text Rich, asked to borrow his book so I could copy what I’d missed. He dropped it off before he went to work and picked it up afterwards. I thought how nice it was and that I’d have to remember it and thank him properly.
Off ill (surprise, surprise)
Wednesday:
Wednesday morning I woke with what was an, ‘oh so familiar’ feeling, I couldn’t get out of bed from the pain in my back and abdomen.
I text Steve to let him know I wouldn’t be in, took some pain killers and nodded off back to sleep.
When we were assigned this year long blog assignment, Steve asked us not to make it too personal, more explanative and to the point. Unfortunately, because of the condition I have, there will be times when, frankly, I have nothing better to talk about so I apologise in advance. And,I’m afraid, this is one of those times……
So, Wednesday, I stayed in bed most of the day. Ok, all of the day, there’s probably only me reading this so I’ll tell the truth! Luckily I have an amazing family who look after me when I’m ill so I don’t have to get out of bed.
Due to the strong pain killers, I slept a lot too. When I was awake though, and I thought about college, I got that sickly feeling, like before you go on a big ride, (or when you get off it!!) nervousness and anticipation and I wasn’t sure why. Was I scared of what I’d miss? Of falling behind? I think my main concern was what Steve was thinking. He’s very clued up on people and did he think I was giving up already? After I’d been so honest in my formative statement about giving up on things in the past, I really didn’t want him to think I was doing it again, especially after that particular part of my statement had been brought up in previous conversation. I’d assured him that that wasn’t me anymore and that I had chosen this course for me, so it wasn’t some piss about way of passing the time, plus I was paying for it!
I know myself, and I know I will not give up this course. But when you’re not sure what someone else is thinking about your situation, someone who matters anyway, you start to doubt yourself. I decided I would call him on Thursday.
Thursday:
First priority, call Steve.
Thursday morning I knew the other students would be getting on with the assignment so Steve would be in the office so I rung him as early as I could. He sounded pleased to hear from me but said I sounded awful, which was nice seen as I was feeling a little better! Anyway, after speaking to him I felt much better about college and what he was thinking, and the sickly feeling went. He told me the first priority was to get better, closely followed by getting my blog done! Ha! I told him I’d try and get into college for our weekly group meeting. I didn’t make it because I was sleeping and carried on doing all day!
During the evening I text Rich, asked to borrow his book so I could copy what I’d missed. He dropped it off before he went to work and picked it up afterwards. I thought how nice it was and that I’d have to remember it and thank him properly.
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