I must mention that this past weekend was extremely fun. Tina came all the way from Seattle It was great to spend time with her, despite the fact that it was rainy. In fact, the rainy weather allowed for us to just relax and catch up on watching movies. Buuuut, back to why I wanted to post this update (aside from the fact that I am trying my hardest to post more frequently, with less content and time spent on editing, etc.)

Anyway, so in between reading through the New York Times’ Guide to Essential Knowledge (heh I enjoy reading a few pages a day from select subjects), I have been still working through Jung’s “The Undiscovered Self” (of which I can only truly appreciate 10-15 pages in a sitting) and Rand’s “We the Living”. All great books, and only have about 10-15% left in each. My hope is that by this time next week, I’ll be moving on to my next set of novels. 

But I must admit, I have been thoroughly enjoying “We The Living”. Set in Soviet Russia, the novel follows the life of Kira (the protagonist and a spirited counter-revolutionary). Without revealing too much about the story itself, I just wanted to say that as a lover of Rand’s novels, this one certainly stands apart from the rest. Perhaps it’s the fact that as a reader I get the sense that I am reading about Rand herself, during her adolescence. Anyway, I had a passage that I’d like to copy down into this journal for future reference. Here it is:

“Comrade Taganov,” she whispered, “how much you have to learn!”

He looked down at her with his quiet shadow of a smile and patted her hand like a child’s. “Don’t you know,” he asked, “that we can’t sacrifice millions for the sake of the few?”

“Can you sacrifice the few? When those few are the best! Deny the best its right to the top- and you have no best left. What are your masses but millions of dull, shriveled, stagnant souls that have no thoughts of their own, no dreams of their own, no will of their own, who eat and sleep and chew helplessly the words other put into their brains? And for those you would sacrifice the few who know life, who are life? I loathe your ideals because I know no worse injustice than the giving of the undeserved. Because men are not equal in ability and one can’t treat them as if they were. And because I loathe most of them.” 

“I’m glad. So do I”

“But then…”

“Only I don’t enjoy the luxury of loathing. I’d rather try to make them worth looking at, to bring them up to my level. And you’d make a great little fighter for our side [Kira].”

…

Kira then says, “…I have less in common with you than the enemies who fight you, have. I don’t want to fight for the people, I don’t want to fight against the people, I don’t want to hear of the people. I want to be left alone– to live.”

“Isn’t it a strange request?”

“Is it? And what is the state but a servant and a convenience for a large number of people, just like the electric light and the plumbing system? And wouldn’t it be preposterous to claim that men must exist for their plumbing, not the plumbing for the men?”

“And if your plumbing pipes got badly out of order, wouldn’t it be preposterous to sit still and not make an effort to mend them?”

…

Anyway, you might not like it, but I figured it was a good passage and worth keeping. Take care and ttys.

Over the last semester the Foghorn has undergone some great changes in the way it creates and distributes content to its readers. In addition to many of the back-end changes (and creation of the internal network) that have gone on, there has been an update to the look and feel of its web site. But now, as we sit on the outset of what will be my last 5 months in San Francisco, we have begun constructing the attack plan for the semester. There are a list of design changes that I will be implementing sometime during the forthcoming weeks, but my main focus will be with promoting the site. Since the start of my tenure at the Foghorn, I saw the need to better promote their product. With the introduction of a new web site and all of the services attached, I found that reaching out to the community at USF wouldn’t be too hard. What we needed though, were ways to encourage traffic to the site.

Traffic can come from a variety of sources: google, facebook, twitter, word of mouth, etc. so it is important that we highlight all of the services offered. One way of doing this, is what I call the old fashioned way: Put it in print!

We need to better highlight the fact that there is this brand spanking new web site for the Foghorn, and what better way than to point people from the hard copy version. Throw visual cues in, create exclusive content, and give the reader some incentives. Next week I’ll be meeting with both the Layout Editor and the Editor in Chief to go over some of these ideas. How do we bring attention to the web site through exposure on the print version? Have ideas? Let me know!

But late last night, around 4 AM I had this gushing of ideas of how to construct the posters. Keep in mind these are both a work in progress. I will be replacing the large “F” on the right with an actual version once I can get into the office. Anyway, check em out and send some feedback.

I am alive

Yes, after three weeks of absence, I am here and with more energy than ever! But alas there have been quite a few changes since our last talking, so take yer seat…here’s the update:

Graduation

Ah, graduation! I never thought one day could be as exciting as it was stressful. Smack dab in the middle of the worst cold that I have had for quite some time, my graduation was off to a somewhat uncomfortable start. Tired from the week’s festivities, I decided that perhaps starting my day off as normal as possible would help ease any tension that I had built up. Yes, I get tense around my family. But if 25 people had come to see you, you’d be tense too. But anyway, I woke up early (around 6 AM), made some coffee and read the paper. I gave myself about an hour and a half to read, clean and mentally prepare myself for the day. And fortunately, it paid off. Not only did I feel more relaxed throughout the day, I also felt happier. Anyway, after getting ready and almost forgetting my gown at home, I set off for campus. Thankfully Tina and Andrew had all ready got a seat at the church (despite the fact that there was literally no one there) and settled everyone in. The mass went well, as did the graduation. There was one hitch though, I had forgotten to give Tina and my grandma the tickets to enter the church. But everything worked out, and honestly…I didn’t want to get too stressed about it. Magically, not only did Tina and my family get decent seats - but Andrew and Allison were able to come upon two extra tickets, and get this: as they walked in through the side door, the first row opened up and yep, you guessed it - they snagged spots.

After the graduation I helped pile people into cabs and sent everyone to the Boudin in Fisherman’s Wharf. We enjoyed some Clam Chowder and Chili Bowls, all sitting by the outside fireplace. It was nice, even though most of us were sick and freezing (there was quite a cold wind that day). Afterwards, we ventured off to Pier 39 and just soaked it all in. We then walked over to Caesars off of Powell and enjoyed a wonderful seven course meal - yes all 30 of us (at this point). It was wonderful having everyone there, and I kept those who couldn’t be in my mind. Unfortunately, my dad never did give his speech that he had been preparing for, but we spoke afterwards. Overall (without having to go into too much detail), it was an amazing day and I wish it lasted an eternity, but C’est la vie, I’ll cherish it for always.

Winter Break

After the hilarious drive home (there were 15 of us in a van), my break had officially begun. Stocked up on books, I began to read, enjoying one in particular: “The Undiscovered Self” by Jung. It served as a great beginning to an already eventful winter break. Not much happened over break, that is, outside of the ordinary. My mom’s birthday was spent with my intermediate family at the Olive Garden, Christmas was spent with the “sides” (Eve at my house with my mom’s side, Day with my Dad’s side). I was able to see Tina and her family and as always, enjoyed their company :-). Overall, the break was enjoyable and restful, two things I was in dire need of coming out of one of the most difficult semester’s on record. That being said, I ended up with one of my highest GPA’s, so I guess everything just magically works out. Ah! Speaking of “magic”, I went to Disneyland for my birthday. It was extremely enjoyable, not only was I free but they still had the Christmas decorations still up. Very fun, very fun indeed.

Back to work…it’s about time!

Now back in San Francisco, I have begun crafting what will be my time block in the city. Why final, you ask? Well because I’m moving to Chicago come June of course :-). I am currently keeping mum on the whole situation, so if you are interested in to know exactly why I am moving, just ask. So, before moving away there are a few things I have to do in San Francisco, but I think it’s time to move on - as enjoyable as SF has been. But work, yes work. So let’s see I have a few projects going on - care to check em out? I’ll list everything below:

Revamp of “michaelvillasenor.info”
Over winter break I began thinking up of ideas on how to push my content more effectively on the Internet. One way was to develop and maintain a working portfolio and homepage for myself. If I wanted to become better at pushing other people’s content, well then I ought to be good at connecting myself across the vastness of the “web”. That being said, I decided to use a can-template to put together a simple site where I could put my work on display as well as serve as a directory to everything “Michael Villasenor”. So check it out, seems to be working alright, although it could use some content.

http://michaelvillasenor.info

Sergio Rodriguez Photography
Ah, so after some time I have been hired to revisit Mr. Rodriguez’s web page. The update should be nice, as it will add a completely new section, filled with 20 of Mr. Rodriguez’s amazing photographs. Flash based, some action scripting involved.

http://sergiorodriguezphotography.com

The Forgotten International
Working with local non-profit and former professor of mine, I have begun to build a simple, yet tasteful makeover of the very active organization, “The Forgotten International”. Constraints? Build the web page entirely from HTML so that it is compliant with Yahoo! web editor. Eek! Feasible? Yes Tough? Just frustrating. But the site is coming along, I have yet to publish the site to their server. Stay tuned, I’ll post a link soon.

Student Leadership and Engagement
Like last semester, I will be working with the department of Student Leadership and Engagement as a web assistant. Not necessarily a full-fledged job but something to get my name and work out there. Currently, I am working on getting a newsletter together for them for distribution later this month. USF students, keep your eyes open and your inbox’s clear - you’ll see it soon enough.

McCarthy Center
Another small project, similar to the SLE one, I will be working with the McCarthy Center to help consolidate a lot of their information into a web page. Working with various teams, I will construct pages that will help not only make navigation easier, but also more appealing. That being said, I am considering bridging the gap between the newly renovated Foghorn web site into possible pages at the McCarthy Center. We’ll see what they have in mind come next week.

//Some other stuff that I cannot mention just yet. I’ll post something soon though.

Information Technology Services, Project Management
Ah, the mother ship, my home territory. I will be working this semester alongside my kick-butt boss and equally awesome boss MT to help push projects towards completion. In particular, I am looking forward to working with different departments, including Ms. KP to getting documentation and web pages up and running.

So is that enough for you? Ha, hopefully my next update won’t take so long.

he can kill you

Yesterday Tina and I visited the newly completed Academy of Sciences here in San Francisco. The museum is a beautiful, well constructed building that is truly a testiment to the new and ever-changing world of science. Broken up into a few different sections, the museum sports a few key locations: A completely green roof, a massive rainforest habitat that is accessible only though double, airtight doors. Inside there are butterflies, birds, fish and natural fauna that are found only in the rainforest. There is a huge underwater section that boasts a wide range of sea life. And then there is the planetarium, that completely floored me with its presentation. The film shown was absolutely amazing, and due in part to the sphere display, put IMAX to shame. Overall it was an amazing day, and we had so much fun. Check out some of the pictures below as well as on my flickr account (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mvillasenor/)

(For the first time, an actual photo of myself on my blog.)

I honestly believe that these past four months have been some of the most busiest months on record for me. Not only did I decide to take on 18 units, I also have pushed my involvement to a new level - working with multiple non-profits and the Foghorn Online, in addition to my steady and always awesome job with ITS. But now, in hindsight, I feel content with my input. Yes, there were times when I felt so overwhelmed but stay home a couple of weekends and sure enough everything was back on track. Thankfully, I’ve had friends and family help me along the way, and now as I sit here today I can happily say that I’ve successfully finished every project that I began at the beginning of this semester. This also transcends into the arena of schooling, as I will be wrapping up my tenure as an undergraduate at USF come next Friday. Yes, yes I have one friggin class next semester but I think its safe to say that I’ve “done it”//as in I’ve gotten to this end point (almost). But in preparation for next week’s festivities, I’ve begun to “sign off” on everything currently on my plate. 

Signing off means to put all projects on hold until the second week of January. Yes, this sounds like a lot of time, but considering the way my brain feels - I doubt it will suffice. So as of this Friday, my hands will be washed from all projects that are currently open - only to resume early next year. I am really looking forward to that moment. 

Updates, yes updates:

The Foghorn Online: Launched exactly a month ahead of schedule, the Foghorn Online has already made huge gains in areas that we once thought were unreachable. With a steadily dropping bounce rate, increased time spent on the site, Facebook Connect integration, Community-Generated content, author databases, comments, woo, yeah I rest and say that it all came together - and at the right time, may I add. But yes, I am ready to put the site on the shelf until next year as most of my issues with it currently are either a) too big to face right now (such as image captions) b) nit-picky things that I am making issues just because I’m a friggin’ perfectionist. Check it all out at : www.thefoghornonline.com

The Forgotten International: Set to launch by mid-January, this site will blend a professional and serious attitude with beautiful spaces dedicated to photos of the children this non-profit serves. I will have some mock ups running by the end of this week, maybe- just maybe I’ll post them here.

Grad School Applications: I’ve taken the GRE (90th percentile in writing baby!!), Filled out the Apps, and am about a day away from sending out my envelopes to those who I’ve asked to write my letters of rec, so I think things are right on track and will be done a day or so ahead of schedule - yippie

Personal Portfolio Site: I’ve put together a quick site over at pacotechiemike.com . I was feeling lazy so I adopted a wordpress theme and started to slap together images and text. Check it out, simple and to the point.

As for next semester, things are looking pretty bright. I’ve applied for a possible web intern position with a magazine that is located in downtown SF, will be developing some small web projects for the ACPA, possibly helping the McCarthy Center with some projects, and of course spending a grip of time working with ITS and the Foghorn. So there’s no slowdown for Spring, and this makes me excited. I love to tackle new projects and Spring is looking to be the best season yet. 

But as I sign off, I have begun to think about these past five years more. The changes I’ve gone through, the changes in friends, and the continued drive that has kept me alive and thinking. My reply to all of these thoughts and memories? A simple “thank you”. 

Please keep Snarfff in your prayers for her quick and good recovery. IF YOU’RE READING THIS SNAFFF, I MISS YOU!

// As for personal things:

T comes into town this Wednesday and I couldn’t be more excited! I simply cannot wait expect tons of pictures of us traversing the city. <3 you chin. 

Similarly, I can’t wait until the following Wednesday when my grandparents and aunt show up, beginning the flood of family that will follow shortly thereafter. Current count = 30 

Take care everyone.

Signing off,

Michael Anthony Villasenor

Writing assignment: Write a free verse poem about a person who had died in the past 3 years.

Person: eRoi Moore, Dave Matthews Band saxophonist, Aug. 20

an eulogy from your love

Soft sensuous vibes

reach far beyond the edge of my body,
breeding mood,
lust,
slowly you approach front stage
embracing the crowd
eyes closed,
air pumping,
I am not your instrument
I am an extension of your own.

Country vocals try
to pair alongside
our throaty sounds of raw emotion,

But like the crash
the sounds just collide
leaving one at least to subside

So long at last,
your music would be admired,
for it is you who helped conspire
a band whose motive was to inspire
I will miss you the most
farewell my love,
your sax

basically, here’s a list of things that have gone on this past month:

- gres

- foghorn online goes live (http://www.thefoghornonline.com)

- thanksgiving with the family

- finals

- final prep before graduation(down to 3 weeks)

- work @ work

- web projects 4 extra $$$

- portfolio site (almost done), needs some content.

i promise to post a more lengthy, content filled post soon

-mikey

Creative Writing Assignment: November 3rd, 2008

Today’s assignment was to write a freeverse poem about an unfamiliar location. The professor assigned the cities, I was given Irkutsk, Russia.

Background info: Irkutsk is a city in Siberia. The record temperatures in Irkutsk are 99 F and -57 F.

Title: One More Year

Sitting slumped in my lazy chair,
My hair damp from the sweat of the mid afternoon heat,
It seems like only months since I sat unmoving in my bed due to the unrelenting freeze,
negative 10,
no,
20 Fahrenheit,
why did I follow her here?
It brings me to tears,
the way my life ebbs and flows,
with good and bad,
never mind those
bad I mean
for it does not matter now the poor choices I’ve made,
because here in Irkutsk there are no other left
choices I mean
instead I must continue to work for the debt accumulated over the years,
seven years past,
one to go,
my life no longer breeds interest,
instead cheap vodka and sweet bread give me company
day in and day out,
above and below zero.

I look out upon the street,
few have managed to challenge the heat,
but those who have are filled with that Russian spirit,
to challenge the day ahead,
forging futures that are none,
so they will continue day in and day out,
like myself,
working for life,
above and below zero.

“Why must you sit around in the sun?” asks the man approaching from the east
in broken tongues I answer, “why else would I sit in the sun? To perish of course”
“but by perishing you leave the work placed upon you behind!”
squinting I stare at him,
he has lost his reason, for work isn’t all to live for
that reason of his must have wandered off one cold night,
to the Siberian forest of the north
seeking adventure, love or both,
as this corpse besides me works,
above and below zero.

But I have a year left,
amongst the full and bare trees,
abandoned houses and churches.
When that day comes I leave in a hurry,
forgetting the blocs of communist housing,
strong scented bread,
beautiful views,
lovely winters,
the pride of generations,
and of course those days which were above and below zero.

With about a month left in the semester, I have begun making preparations for what is to become of me post-graduation. Typically, most students after graduating make off back home, or on some lavish trip, but I’ll likely be working and taking a class come January. Part of it is because I have one unfulfilled core requirement (lab science) and I need to take care of that as soon as possible, and the other part is that I don’t want to go back to LA. My hopes are to stay in SF until later next year and depending on the outcome of my grad school applications, I’ll decide on where to end up.

I am looking forward to this free time in SF to get my bearings in order, most likely pick up a salary job and continue working freelance as a means of making myself more marketable. In addition, I’ll be continuing my work with the Foghorn as I’ll still be taking classes at USF, and I need more time with them to finish the implementation of the new web devices. So, it’s looking like next semester will be as busy as this semester minus the distractions of Spanish and my other classes.

As for what’s been going on in my life right now:

-       I’ve begun wrapping up the production on the new Foghorn Online. As we hurry to tie up the loose ends on both the site and its outlets, I have begun showing it around campus. General feedback has been amazingly positive, as many love the new structure. I still see the site as a heap of raw data that needs better structure, but due to time restrictions it’ll likely stay the same as we move into beta. But like I said, feedback has been good and I am looking forward to testing it out with the group. If you’d like to take part in the testing please let me know, the more the merrier. Want to see the new *Scene blogs? www.pacotechiemike.com/scene , enjoi!

-       Grad school and the GRE: As I also start the application process to both University of Baltimore and the Illinois Institute of Technology at Chicago, I have come to realize that I am very far behind the rest of the group and should have started this ages ago. But it will get done, and my application will be done and finalized by the end of November (that’s my plan). I will be taking the GRE on November 19^th so the cram has officially begun.

-       I graduate in about a month and a half. Hee hee wOOOO!!!!

The holidays are upon us! Need I say more?! Happy Halloween!