TIPA/TMNT Media & Journalism
Current mood: content
Category: Jobs, Work, Careers

So the TIPA (Texas Intercollegiate Press Association) conference in San Antonio happened this weekend. The on-site competitions were so damned difficult -- I absolutely knew that I wasn't going to win any of them. We had to cut and paste old school style... Like we had to use scissors and glue to put together newspaper pages. It was sickening.

But even though I didn't place in either of the on-site competitions that I did, I still managed to pull in several other awards ranging from first to third place! It was insane! I don't remember exactly which ones they were because they were presented on a slide show, and our adviser kept the certificates... But I was blown away. Our paper did really well too. We had A LOT of prize winners -- AND we were judged Best in Show again, we received Sweepstakes, and even though we only got 2nd best overall newspaper, I still count it as a victory.

The University Star kicks ass.

..........

So last week, I was interviewed by the Associated Press about the TMNT movie. I had no idea that I was being dubbed a "super fan" and that I'd be featured along with the writer/director and producer of TMNT!

Also, I wrote a column about my love for the TMNT and created a brief timeline as well. So here are both stories. Note that the AP story is a podcast, and you'll have to download it.

Mikey featured in a story by the Associated Press!!
Check it out:

In this asap podcast, DERRIK J. LANG talks to "TMNT" writer-director Kevin Munore, producer Thomas Gray and Michael Perez, the 26-year-old superfan behind Mikey's TMNT Web site, about bringing the franchise back out of its shell.

PODCAST: http://asap.ap.org/stories/1321153.s
BLOG: http://asapblogs.typepad.com/theslug/2007/03/teenage_mutant_.html

..........

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles find welcome return to the big screen
A column for The University Star (Texas State University - San Marcos) by Mikey!
Check it out:

Everyone has their little obsessions: fine wines, expensive shoes, social networking sites, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Wait. What? Seriously — Ninja Turtles? Well, you may have MySpace and Facebook, but I grew up with a different sort of addiction.

FULL STORY: http://star.txstate.edu/content/view/2983/180/

8:11 AM - 9 Comments - 11 Kudos - Add Comment

Support Britney??
Current mood: contemplative
Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities

I've been wanting to shave my head (fuzz cut) for a while now, but I haven't because it's been kinda cold. Then I when I decided I wanted to, Britney went and beat me to the punch.

So, yeah, I feel kinda sorry for her because she's so fucked up right now and the media is hounding her... it's probably the biggest reason why she's on the verge of a breakdown. So I get that she's crying out and wanting a change and a new beginning (maybe she should lay off the drugs and stay in rehab too, no?) ....

Anyway, I support Britney in her balls out attempt to tell the world to fuck off, even if it isn't nearly as stunning as the legendary cranial-shorn Billie Jean of the 1980s.

So, basically, I'm thinking "what better way to show my support for this little diva-turned-deviant than by shaving my own skull?"

Do you all think I should go for it, or just live vicariously through the Ripley wannabe?

Besides, my mop is starting to look mullet-ish.

Currently listening : Vespertine By Bjrk Release date: 28 August, 2001

12:40 AM - 6 Comments - 9 Kudos - Add Comment

Ice Stooorrrmmm...
Current mood: frostbitten
Category: frostbitten Life

So today's been full of freezing rain, sleet and yes, snow. It's been a trip. Been all over the complex taking pictures. So I've decided to share a couple of them here... otherwise the frostbite would be all for naught.  And they've closed the school till noon tomorrow! Hooray for not having to get up early! :P

1:42 PM - 3 Comments - 1 Kudos - Add Comment

Seriously, it's just rain!
Current mood: complacent
Category: Life

So I have yet to see any freezing rain. Maybe there'll be ice tomorrow. Apparently, there's supposed to be sleet on Tuesday, but I'm not holding my breath. HEB was like apocalypse preparation central today. People overreact, and no one can drive in rain. It's like there was a mass exodus from Austin on my way home tonight. Everyone traveling down I-35 going 85 mph down slick and drizzle-glazed roads. People are dumb when it comes to weather.

I have tomorrow off for MLK day ... don't think I'll be going to any of the local events, thanks to inclimate weather. But at least I get to stay home and curl up with a nice book or movie.

Incidentally, we didn't get to see Pan's Labyrinth today (sold out!), but we'll get to it by next weekend.

Currently listening : Remixed & Reimagined By Nina Simone Release date: 31 October, 2006

2:27 AM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Summer Internship!
Category: Jobs, Work, Careers

Thank God things are finally looking up! I just about died from shock!

.........................

1:18 PM - 5 Comments - 10 Kudos - Add Comment

Is it 2007 yet?!
Current mood: anxious
Category: Life

The past few days have been stressful for a variety of reasons. Yeah, I know that the holidays do that to people, but I honestly didn't get all that stressed out with Christmas stuff.

No... the reason I'm pretty stressed out is because of my mom. Turns out she had a mild stroke Christmas morning. It wasn't that bad because she couldn't feel it, but by the morning of the 26th, her right eye refused to open. She's taken some tests and it turns out she has partial paralysis in that eye because of a stroke related to diabetes. She found out today that she is just over borderline diabetic.

It's been really tough because she's been talking about getting healthy for so long, but for the past year money woes, family problems, my gramma's health declining, and the stress of work have just piled onto my mom's shoulders. Since she's a comfort eater (as am I), she feeds her depression and comes home each day to the same routine of dinner, sitting in her recliner and falling asleep. She and my dad don't do the things they used to... they don't go out, they don't get fresh air or have any sort of fun.

I told Julie last week that I was sure Mom was in a depression. We'd been discussing ways to get her active and envigorated, but then Monday came around and this happened.

She's trying to play it off as not so serious, promising that she'll stick to her new diet and that in no time she'll be healthy again, and hopefully shed a few pounds while she's at it. But I'm afraid that with more and more stress piling up, she may get worse.

The baby, the wedding, the school, the money, the gramma... There are so many things that she's trying to deal with right now.

So... what am I supposed to do? I have to go back to San Marcos on the 29th and I don't know if she'll keep me in the loop where her health is concerned.

So is it 2007 yet? A few weeks ago, I was saying that 2006 passed by so fast with nothing spectacularly good or bad happening... which I was glad of. It seems now that Fate's crammed it all into the last couple of weeks of the year.

7:50 PM - 6 Comments - 10 Kudos - Add Comment

Pizza Power!
Current mood: cheerful
Category: Movies, TV, Celebrities

God bless the Alamo Drafthouse.... Tonight was the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles All-You-Can-Eat Pizza Party. Fuckin' awesome! It was a sold out crowd with a lengthy stand-by line. Words cannot express how excited I've been for the past two days.

I was sure I wouldn't be able to go because it was originally only going to be on a Wednesday (heavy work night). But then Tokk sent me an e-mail saying that they were also having it this Sunday and the 26th. So, do you really think I would miss it?

They had a pizza eating contest and people dressed up as Shredder and Casey Jones... and there was an adorable three foot tall Raphael with drum sticks for sais. They played the TMNT: Behind the Shells video before the feature. And when they got to the film, I was so damn relieved and happy that they were running off an original 1990 print. Not like at the Hedwig sing-along where they used the DVD that was not in the correct aspect ratio.

So yes, it was great night. Vicky and I had lotsa fun, and sang T-U-R-T-L-E Power as we exited the theatre. Next week is the Reefer Madness sing-along, and Rocky Horror (here at Texas State). Quite exciting... Cowabunga says it all.

Currently listening : The Greatest By Cat Power Release date: 12 September, 2006

8:24 AM - 2 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Diesel Sweeties

It's like they knew I started reading again!

2:31 AM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Advanced my ass...
Current mood: cranky

Well, I registered for classes in the spring. Fun. I've got shit classes... well, not really. But since I didn't get advised, nor dept. approval, and my registration time was 8 a.m. on the last day of advance registration, I wasn't able to sign up for the classes I really wanted.

Anyway...

Here's my lineup:

ARTC 3301: Art Direction
ARTC 3304: Corporate Marketing Materials
ARTC 3316: Design Seminar
ANTH 2414: Physical Anthropology
ANTH 2414: Lab

So, now what...... I guess I should clean up the house a little, put some laundry, and OH YEAH... sleep.

I was up all night working on that US1100 book. I got it done at about 6 a.m., but then I had to wait until 8 a.m. for registration. So, no sleep for Mikey.

Hooray! Rocky and Stephen are coming today!!

::dead::

Currently listening : The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time - Rearranged Album By Koji Kondo Release date: 05 January, 2001

6:58 AM - 1 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Vroom vroom, sputter sputter cough wheeze
Current mood: crappy
Category: Life

Why am I even up right now?

Seriously, it's after 4 a.m.

I got home, ate my Jumbo Jack and watched Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me. I should have been sleeping hours ago.

But it's been a rollercoaster week, and it's only Tues - scratch that - Wednesday.

How did my week start out? Well, Sunday night I was working on my poster design project all night. That's what I was doing 'til about 6 a.m., then I got hungry and made breakfast, then I had a shower, followed by some studying for the art history test. I just didn't sleep at all between Sunday and Monday.

Having survived a river run (from Jowers to 35 and back), failed the history exam, and a mediocre showing for my poster design critique, I went to work and stayed there until well past 4 a.m. The image setter at the Zeitung broke down, as did my ability to work efficiently. I was pretty much running on empty, and it showed in all my work.

So I woke up around 10 this morning, went to weight lifting and practically collapsed on the leg press machine. I was back at home by noon, and slept until 3. Class again at 3:30, then work from 5 to 2 a.m. Fun.

Even though it was late, I still had to get something to eat -- I hadn't eaten in all day. Worse, I hadn't had anything to drink in all day... not even a glass of water.

So.... now that I've hydrated and refueled, I must rest and recharge. Something's gotta change because I'm rapidly running my engine into the ground, and unfortunately, Mikey didn't come with no powertrain warranty.

2:16 AM - 2 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment