RyanHarne.com

The potpourri of people, places, and events that make up a given semester make it better than any novel. Even the best authors attempt to replicate realism and mimic authentic ironies in the lives of their characters (this description casually ignores the wonderful results of surrealism and imaginative writing, so please forgive, Lewis Carroll). Another semester is briskly coming to a close here at Virginia Tech and, even though I am still burdened with copious assignments, I am becoming reflective. Particularly so because my summer will be spent here in Blacksburg with a slim crew to hang out and converse with. I lucked out, though, because the few people I know who are staying the summer are some of my best friends here.

I have been very scientific this semester, almost to a fault. I discovered how much I can work out before my most trained muscles seize and weaken; the secrets of my metabolism were revealed during intense study sessions where I consumed nearly only soup, muffins, and coffee; I intensely discoursed with companions on topics ranging from Japanese fashion, globalized distribution methods, universe-structuring theories, and beyond. The moderate strictness of my courses let me try levels of self-motivation without fear of literally destroying myself on the academic front - specifically, how much focus can I afford to appropriate to each type of course at any given point during the semester.

That’s only the beginning of the extracurricular, if you will, studies I involved myself in. The more personally advantageous pieces of my semester were summed up in another field of study - that of people. My Math Emporium job forces me to work with (and sometimes requiring the more exhaustive form of “working with’) students with varying backgrounds, varying learning abilities, and varying tolerances for admitting defeat. That job will soon end, but it has been a delight to assist hundreds of students with their math comprehension, all the while trying to lighten their impression of mathematics in general, from a have-to to an appreciative and effective way of viewing the world. This second (and soon-to-be only) at Bollo’s will surely teach me other communication and administrative skills - I look forward to a new challenge.

This isn’t an inclusive review of the semester, but just the amount that has crossed my mind so far. I rarely can look back and have clarity or specific recollection with only my memory, so I will surely browse through my old calendars and entries to fully appreciate the paths I’ve taken to reach this new finale/beginning.

Take this as another brief contemplation of the various elements that combine to produce bodies, humans, people. Also, take this as a natural result of roasting in the afternoon sun at the VT Pylons with back on concrete and eyes to the sky.

My first closing shift was tonight with Alex. Actually, I’ve closed before with Alex (and also Nik and Elizabeth) but that prior occasion was not official. This time around the training was fer real and I walked away with part of the evening tips. Strangely enough, perhaps not so much, this was the first time I have worked two separate jobs in one day - I was at the Empo for several [unbelievably busy] hours earlier. The routine of closing Bollo’s is pretty much already flowing through my blood, but some experience and practice will be beneficial. I believe I have one more training session before I am on my own and people are granted the freedom to blame me for any on-the-job incompetence.

But right now, the only incompetence to be found is in the field of sleeping. I’m doing a poor job of it lately. After my design pin-up presentation tomorrow, I am going to hit the gym running (or ellipticalling, most likely), shower, and the NAP. The nap is an acronym for Nearly Almost Passed[Out]. Ok, so that was a bad acronym. I apologize.

It seems maybe I do have some incompetence lingering about. I blame it on the shabby wiring of my brain that falters during periods of mental duress. What ever shall I do.

We are steadily approaching the one-week-left mark for this semester. My assignments are becoming daunting and the due dates imminent.

Lately, I’ve had several of those moments where I forget the instant of time I am in. Like when you think it is Tuesday but it is really Thursday? Right, ok. But, in my case, I’ve been thinking it’s March while the truth would suggest it is practically already May. And the semester is pretty much over.

On the surface this appears insignificant. But the extent of time lapse I am feeling is somewhat taking a toll on me. That and the assignments, tests, projects that all loom over my shoulder. The times I usually take out of the week for myself have been spent training at Bollo’s. Three baristas recently left and Renae is doing all she can to get me going without the need of another helper. I’m managing fairly well with that and am putting up with the rush primarily because I think highly of an establishment like Bollo’s. But it is tough. Very tough.

I plan on crashing, sleeping, and becoming somewhat recluse for the week prior to summer session one classes. I desperately need to sleep and read, in whatever order naturally comes about.

On a totally positive note, my Industrial Design Theory project is neat and nearly finished. I’ll try and do a blog pin-up once it is ready for presentation.

My status in training at Bollo’s is officially “ready for closing training.” Maybe that is worth a gold star. Or at least a Saturday.

Walking back from there this morning, where I received a spontaneous afternoon shift due to the business ArtsFusion will bring, I saw a bunch of young 4-5-6 year-olds running about with their parents. The tykes were screaming and laughing simultaneously and their parents were herding them down a specific trail of sidewalk and shrubbery. I finally walked past a line of hedges to see what was really going on and I was delighted to see a man fully clothed in toilet tissue, ala a mummy, chasing these kids around while the parents were happy to take part. One person had a digital camcorder - that video is worth more than gold.

But, for me, it is now time to bunker down and get these two projects completed before my afternoon shift, if possible. To do that, I’ll need the help and assistance of my trusty espresso maker and miniature microwave oven. A latte & a bagel, this morning, every morning.

Enjoy the day.

Outputmessage is featured in the April 2006 issue of URB magazine. You will be pleased to see a photo of the artist in URB’s “Next 100″ article - a photo taken by me at the shoot I had with Bernard last fall. I think they used this one (though, that certainly wasn’t my favorite).

He told me about this and showed me a copy several weeks ago, but I have continually forgotten about it. Likely due to not having a copy of the magazine, myself. If anyone can get to a magazine store, or even a B&N ::hiss::, buy a copy of the April 2006 URB, and get it to me, then I would be glad to reimburse you for your troubles.

His upcoming album, Nebulae, is great. Really great.

Upon leaving my Google Books/Scholar learning session, I was approached by an Asian lady outside of Torgersen bridge. I noticed she was initially walking in a circle and then walked towards me with a meek look. She was holding a thin digital camera and asked me very humbly, in a wonderful, wonderful accent, if I would take her photo with the Torg bridge as a background. Being the amateur at photography that I am, I was happy and eager to play my part. We were a little too close to the bridge for me to stand and have it in the background, so I knelt on a knee, made the alignment appropriate, counted down, and listened to the faux shutter sound.

She walked towards me to check the photo, we both looked at it on the giant LCD viewer, and she, with a huge smile, thanked me in elation. We both wished the other a good day and continued on our merry way.

That, my friends, was awesome. Google Scholar is pretty awesome, too, if you’re on campus (since the university network recognition allows you to read full “scholarly” articles, rather than view snippets).

But that brief rendezvous with a stranger was a peculiar highlight of my day. The rest of the day is still unfolding, but I can maintain a sincere smile when I recall that quick-take photo shoot.