New layout…even though I like ducks, the old graphic just wasn’t doing it for me. I know this look doesn’t blow too many people away, but eh, it’ll be a placeholder for awhile. Or something.

In other news, my car has a loose drive shaft, so I’ll be car-less for a week. First the computer, now this … what next? Then again, getting it fixed is better than crashing or getting stranded on the highway. At least Brian’s willing to give me a ride back … and there’s always the bus next weekend, though I’m supposed to meet Starza then … meh. Guess I’ll figure it out later. Speaking of later, I need to do my lab report and art project between now and tomorrow. And some other stuff. So adios.

Mozilla Firefox 1.0.3 is now available for download with more security fixes and an improved update process — go get it! Release notes are here if you’re interested.

Signed up for classes today, and surprisingly was able to get all art and graphic design classes with decently-rated professors! So yay. As I do every semester, here’s the breakdown of each class (descriptions coming soon … Mondays and Wednesdays are going to be especially hard):

ART 321 (Weaving & Other Fiber Arts):
Introduction to and practice in basic weaving and other fiber arts. Emphasis will be placed on floor loom weaving and surface design on the fabric.
- MW 1:30 - 4 pm

ART 322 (Metal & Jewelry):
An exploration of techniques necessary to execute well-designed objects in metals including forming, repousse, stone setting, metal finishing, enameling and centrifugal casting.
- MW 10:45 am - 1:15 pm

ART 362 (Painting):
Oil painting and other media with creative and aesthetic considerations in picture structure.
- TTh 10:45 am - 1:15 pm

GRPH 244 (Design Methodology):
Exploration of strategies for conceptualizing, analyzing and solving design problems. Emphasis is placed on graphic presentation of ideas and the creative process.
- TTh 4:15 - 6:45 pm

GRPH 246 (Introduction to Typography):
Introduction to the study of letter-forms for their aesthetic and communicative value. Emphasis will be placed on the form and function of basic type including a fundamental understanding of electronic prepress.
- MW 8 - 10:30 am

Whew. And no class on Friday is gonna rock

The Wal-Mart in Harrisonburg is a couple hundred feet from 81. On my way back to Fairfax tonight as I got on 81, I noticed a huge, billowing, black cloud of smoke coming from the next exit (by Wal-Mart). Confused and then noting the sirens I’d heard minutes earlier, as I got closer I realized the smoke was coming from the Wal-Mart shopping center, and soon, in the space between Wal-Mart and Home Depot, a one-story (maybe more) cube of space was engulfed in flames. It wasn’t quite in the store from what I could tell, but it was definitely on fire, it was definitely big, and I’m really anxious to find out how it started. I’m guessing it was something industrial, but then again, what do I know. Maybe Google News will have something in the morning.

Rented Supersize Me tonight (I’d been wanting to for awhile). Let me say one thing — I won’t be eating McDonald’s for awhile (maybe never?). I mean, I love their fries … but after seeing what Morgan went through, it’s just, ugh … me staying alive does not entail eating that. I also really wish the school systems would follow in the footsteps of the Wisconsin school that served real, healthy food I’d actually feel good about eating (at the same cost). I don’t care about corporate success or the stockholders … businesses are supposed to make money by helping people, not killing them. Seriously, people need to stop being afraid and do what’s right.

Don’t know if I’ll ever use this plugin with my current layout, but I hope to in the future — MonthChunks takes your archives list and outputs it into a much cleaner, organized, shorter space. Now that I think about it, it’ll probably appear in my next layout

I just think I found the perfect temp job. Don’t know if I’d get it, and it’s in Harrisonburg, but it’d be for 6 - 8 weeks (about 165 hours) and pays $8/hour:

Intern will build, modify and create simple illustrations from software picture database and format, label and organize illustrations. Experience with Photoshop or Illustrator necessary. Intern will work with curriculum developer and project manager. Hours are flexible, deadlines are not. Intern should be detail-oriented, hard-working and organized.

The cool thing is, if I got it, I could just live with Owen and Starza since the lease starts in May. Then, since the job ends around the middle of June, I’d still be able to do birthday stuff and get another temp job. Hmm … definitely gonna email them back after class.

Oh yeah, and as of yesterday, weirdncrazy.com is closed … I feel kinda bad, but it had to be done eventually. And at least I’m not alone … apparently Hitz Diary (another popular Hanson site) is on its way out too.

I don’t know about you, but the Satellite part of Google Maps is freakin’ cool — type in any address and instantly see the real houses, buildings, roads, and other landmarks surrounding it! If I had Photoshop installed I’d upload a screen capture … for now, just go here

Edit: I got Photoshop installed! So … here’s my house via satellite:

On a completely different subject, I just found out Starza (Owen and I’s third roommate) is bringing 3 kitties next year — yay! He also said I shouldn’t be worried about not hearing back from LJ yet … apparently he hasn’t even gotten her application.

… with the hard drive and fan replaced, but it’s back. I’ve been in the process of re-installing and re-configuring everything for the past 24 hours, but now I think I’m pretty much done (except for Photoshop, MS Office, the iPod software, and my mp3s, which are at school) … so yay.

Another good thing about this new drive is that I can finally use Windows Update (didn’t work before for some reason). Installed about 50 bazillion security, driver, and other XP-related updates (is it just me or is that a lot?), but at least I know I have the latest “protection.”

The bad thing is that one of my favorite Firefox extensions (Sort Bookmarks) no longer exists for Firefox 1.0.2 — it worked before with 1.0.2 on the old drive, but alas … I guess all good things must eventually meet their end Anyone know of a workaround? Messy bookmarks drive me crazy.