This is EPIC. This VLOG comes in THREE PARTS!
Part 1:
Part 2:
Part 3:
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
I'm Going Home In July
Letter To Leave EAP NZ Early (End of the 1st Semester)
Over the Mid-Semester break I traveled a full circle around the South Island and it was simply breathtaking and wonderful... But, I had an epiphany while there and I realized that this vacation although wonderful could only last so long and should have an end at some point.
These are the reasons for why I believe I should leave at the end of the first semester:
1. I went for the wrong reasons. I came to get away from everyone, but I realize now I had built up and was working towards great things at home and I just abandoned it all for naïve aspirations. I believed I would start a new life here or something ridiculously lofty, but this country is not suited for these goals of mine.
2. It feels like a vacation, a distraction. I feel somewhat silly (or almost ungrateful) saying that, but I really did come here to make something of myself, not just sightsee. The classes are interesting and fun, but next semester I'd only be allowed to take one upper-division class plus one lower-division filler class. I'd have more time to travel and traveling is amazing and worthwhile and breathtaking, but I came here to be challenged and that isn't happening.
3. The film situation is not what I thought it was going to be. When the first day you get to Wellington and you are attending protests against the closure of the Film department, something is definitely not going well. I knew that this school wasn't a technical school, neither is UCSB, but there isn't even any support structure for those who want to get into filmmaking. And in my experience with the kiwi students they do not seem at all interested in producing works. When I asked a few students how to work on anything in this town they replied, "Get an agent or hope that you know someone." All of this was truly devastating considering it is why I wanted to come here in the first place.
4. I'm not a city person, and it makes no sense logically to leave the city every weekend (economically it isn't possible either). I want to be generally happy the whole time, not wait until the weekends to get some sort of fulfillment.
Shouldn't I enjoy my time in the place I live?
5. The social scene is not my cup of tea (alcohol). I've discovered that most of the social scene in Wellington revolves around cafes in the day and going to bars and clubs at night. I have tried to find the fun in this scene, but I've mostly discovered that it's expensive and shallow.
I do not believe my time here has been wasteful, but due to the points listed above I do not find it fruitful to continue my time here. I've tried to face the disappointments with confidence and perseverance, but this is a time where I should just cut my losses and move on.
----------
So there it is. I'm done with class June 9th and then go to Japan for two weeks then I am in home in July and then I go back for summer session B.
Over the Mid-Semester break I traveled a full circle around the South Island and it was simply breathtaking and wonderful... But, I had an epiphany while there and I realized that this vacation although wonderful could only last so long and should have an end at some point.
These are the reasons for why I believe I should leave at the end of the first semester:
1. I went for the wrong reasons. I came to get away from everyone, but I realize now I had built up and was working towards great things at home and I just abandoned it all for naïve aspirations. I believed I would start a new life here or something ridiculously lofty, but this country is not suited for these goals of mine.
2. It feels like a vacation, a distraction. I feel somewhat silly (or almost ungrateful) saying that, but I really did come here to make something of myself, not just sightsee. The classes are interesting and fun, but next semester I'd only be allowed to take one upper-division class plus one lower-division filler class. I'd have more time to travel and traveling is amazing and worthwhile and breathtaking, but I came here to be challenged and that isn't happening.
3. The film situation is not what I thought it was going to be. When the first day you get to Wellington and you are attending protests against the closure of the Film department, something is definitely not going well. I knew that this school wasn't a technical school, neither is UCSB, but there isn't even any support structure for those who want to get into filmmaking. And in my experience with the kiwi students they do not seem at all interested in producing works. When I asked a few students how to work on anything in this town they replied, "Get an agent or hope that you know someone." All of this was truly devastating considering it is why I wanted to come here in the first place.
4. I'm not a city person, and it makes no sense logically to leave the city every weekend (economically it isn't possible either). I want to be generally happy the whole time, not wait until the weekends to get some sort of fulfillment.
Shouldn't I enjoy my time in the place I live?
5. The social scene is not my cup of tea (alcohol). I've discovered that most of the social scene in Wellington revolves around cafes in the day and going to bars and clubs at night. I have tried to find the fun in this scene, but I've mostly discovered that it's expensive and shallow.
I do not believe my time here has been wasteful, but due to the points listed above I do not find it fruitful to continue my time here. I've tried to face the disappointments with confidence and perseverance, but this is a time where I should just cut my losses and move on.
----------
So there it is. I'm done with class June 9th and then go to Japan for two weeks then I am in home in July and then I go back for summer session B.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
Traveling To New Zealand With Lewis Black
Lately I've been getting re-obsessed with Lewis Black. He is angry and rightly so. He is a raving Kurt Vonnegut who hasn't given up hope.
He's mostly famous for his political humor, but I came across this New Zealand bit on his album Rules Of Enragement. Its more directed towards people who travel to New Zealand, but you'll laugh regardless because plane rides can be excruciating no matter where you are going.
Mp3:
Lewis Black-"International Travel"
Link:
Lewis Black site
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Rally against the closing of the Film School at Victoria
This video was done by a fellow film major at Victoria University. The footage is taken from the March 14th, 2008 protest against the closing of the Film Studies department here at Vic.
Link:
See the bullshit proposal here and see what you can do to stop it!
Facebook group! Get Involved!
Link:
See the bullshit proposal here and see what you can do to stop it!
Facebook group! Get Involved!
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Monday, March 3, 2008
School Has Been On For A Week...
And I LOVE it. I realized I get a little down if I'm not busy and now that things are picking up, I can feel the elation of heated creativity and focused learning.
Sad news thought, the film department at Vic is in talks to fold into the History Department...wtf? Check the links for more info.
Started tutorials today (section) and I'll get to know more Kiwis.
World War I poetry is where it's at.
Clothes are expensive here, as is everything else.
I've been working on a lot of music and I may be creating a band with a couple of cool kids here.
I'm cooking again...
I'm off to read Ibsen's A Doll's House.
Links:
Film Program In Trouble!
Poetry by Charles Sorley
Sad news thought, the film department at Vic is in talks to fold into the History Department...wtf? Check the links for more info.
Started tutorials today (section) and I'll get to know more Kiwis.
World War I poetry is where it's at.
Clothes are expensive here, as is everything else.
I've been working on a lot of music and I may be creating a band with a couple of cool kids here.
I'm cooking again...
I'm off to read Ibsen's A Doll's House.
Links:
Film Program In Trouble!
Poetry by Charles Sorley
Friday, February 29, 2008
NZ VLOG Episode 3: Orientation & Post-Orientation Adventures +Outtake Video
Episode 3 was so large that I had to excise this segment, but I put it up seperately for you all to enjoy!
Monday, February 18, 2008
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
In Wellington, School Starts Soon
So after my brief skirmish with the South Island with some lovely mates I had to return to Wellington to prepare for school. I am here at my own place without a roommate. Fancy that, no Evan included. I have uploaded way too many pictures and I have not kept up my vlog promise but they are coming! I am working on them at the moment I just need to ya know, buy dishes and do laundry and stuff first...maybe.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Friday, February 8, 2008
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
Monday, February 4, 2008
In Wellington..For Now
So today i took a train with some cool people to Wellington. The 12 hour ride was gorgeous! We went straight through the country too.
Sorry about the lack of the vlog, but I haven't had much internet access. Enough to do the vlog anyways.
I am going to figure out my housing tomorrow! Wish me luck!
Then maybe a little South Island action....hmm ;D
Sorry about the lack of the vlog, but I haven't had much internet access. Enough to do the vlog anyways.
I am going to figure out my housing tomorrow! Wish me luck!
Then maybe a little South Island action....hmm ;D
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
I'm Here In Auckland
Traveling alone is kind of awesome. I already met a couple 'ol professors, an australian girl who wants to go to Santa Cruz to study abroad, sat next to a Canadian girl who is studying in Australia, met an old British couple who refuse to retire, and other cool folks from across the globe.
I'm in Auckland right now. The orientation doesn't start until next thursday so I have a week to sightsee and all that jazz. I've started a new vlog, check back soon!
I'm in Auckland right now. The orientation doesn't start until next thursday so I have a week to sightsee and all that jazz. I've started a new vlog, check back soon!
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
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