The Breakup, Part 7

The original features me without boxers, but that would make even less sense than what I got here.

Also I didn't know how to end it so I just ripped off Naruto.

Iraqi Photo Exhibit

So I figure I'd surprise everyone with a blog post! Now granted the following post is probably not going to be as funny or entertaining as Alex's comics, but I figure I can contribute to the blog by writing something occasionally, especially if something interesting comes up.

So on campus for approximately the past week, there has been a photo exhibit of an ex-Marine who was deployed to Iraq, sometime between the age of 17-20. The exhibit consists of a set of 3-4 posterboards with enlarged photos attached to them. To give some idea, some of the images include:

- a blind Iraqi child

- 3 women walking to school with backpacks of cartoon characters

- soldier holding a letter from his girlfriend

- soldier putting on his helmet

- an Iraqi youth amputee in a wheelchair

Obviously, listing the images and actually viewing the images are two different things. Looking at some of these images really draw you in and invade your personal physical, mental, and emotional space. Poignant images like the Iraqi amputee especially force you to have an emotional response.

I happened to stumble onto this exhibition for the second time, coincidentally when the photographer and soldier himself was there to provide commentary and answer questions. Besides just talking about the images and what they represented, he brought up two issues you don't see everyday: a need to share the pains and suffering of the world with others and also the idea that society defines what people should be like through products, advertisement, and propaganda. He also said that society promotes the witholding and denial of emotions, especially the painful ones.

Another thing that struck me was his tone and frankness. Amidst what I'd consider the epitome of USC, fraternities and the culture of "hi, how it's going," his words and thoughts all appeared incredibly real and authentic. Despite the fact that he spoke and used words like a clearly educated person, there was no sense of pretentiousness. He even threw in some curse words for good measure. You could really hear the passion when he spoke on his ideas of societal determination and denial of emotion. It was not masked by fancy language or anything of the sort. For someone unsure of what future career to do or even the future in general, it was really refreshing to hear a voice almost untouched by the constricting pressures of "popular careers," parents, and the like. It inspires me to find something I am passionate about, whether hobby, study, work-related, or otherwise. I also aspire to take his influence and speak openly and without fear.

The Breakup, Part 6

UH OH!

Fox Ruins the Day

-I'm seriously gonna get Fox back. I don't even care if he was right or not - I'll find out in the end - but the fact that he would so carelessly RUIN something I love for his OWN ENJOYMENT makes my blood boil. I will have my vengeance.

-This all happened, by the way. This entire conversation.

-They say writing is one of the loneliest activities. It's true. But doing comics doesn't have to be lonely. However, none of the A-men are particularly good in any phase of cartoon-making. So I'm alone here. Doing all this. It ain't easy. But rest assured, I haven't quit on this thing yet. I can't. I'll never quit you, baby.

...but I will take lots of breaks.

-Hopefully will be back on track this week with the updates. But don't get your hopes up.