First two weeks of the new semester pasted smoothly. I'm very happy with my classes, and my professors. The fourth year classes seem to have some substance in the subject matter and are generally more exciting.

I'm just finishing tomorrow's advanced digi photo homework. The assignment was to create a self-portrait that represented us. I knew I wanted a photograph that showed I'm someone who's different; that I could fit-in, even in places I wasn't supposed to "belong".

The Western equivalent to being a "morcy" might be a pizza delivery boy or grocery store cashier. It's something people do because they don't want much (ironically) responsibility, or can't find work elsewhere. At least that's the stereotype... I've met some very interesting drivers over the years. But "morcy" drivers are almost never college grads, business owners, office workers, fair skinned, Bangkok-born, or very young (with some exceptions). I want to do a personal project on this stereotype soon..

I had a motorcycle taxi vest laying around, left over from a school event, that I had been wanting to feature in a photo. So I did. Thanks again to Mario and Shai for the much-needed assistance.




Talking with some friends the other day at the uni, we came up with an idea for their upcoming album cover. They asked for samples of a pretty girl with a blindfold, so Pat and I got to work two days later:






I hope to do a personal project soon. The subject will be social status in Thailand. A glass ceiling for people born with dark skin. More soon...

Laos was beautiful. On a whim, I jumped on a train with two high school friends to Laos last two Saturdays ago. After a 14-hour train ride and a bit of visa "prepping", at a local visa service shop, we crossed the friendship bridge from Nong Khai to Viengtieng. We spent two days there exploring, then headed to the "next" town on the way to Luang Phapang: Vang Vieng. This town was beautiful. Tourist population was only high in one part of town, which consisted of 6-7 beer gardens/restaurants which played episodes of Friends all night, every night. The trip to Luang Phapang was spectacular, but you wouldn't notice that looking at the pictures I took.. I just didn't have a lens wide enough to capture it all. The city of Luang Phapang itself was very pleasant. I had a lot of fun and enjoyed spending time with Chey and Sam. They'll continue to explore Laos for another couple weeks, then move on to Cambodia or return to Thailand for a bit before moving on. My trip took 8 days and $160/5000฿/1,250,000 Kip.















If my writing is lame, un-concise, and brief; it's because I'm returning from a 16 hour day shooting a graduation ceremony.

Earlier this week I interviewed Dr. Jared Dorn, our Vice President. Very interesting and kind gentleman. Tuesday, I transcribed and the interview and did my best at writing an article. I took some pictures of him too. Bought a white umbrella cover and made myself a makeshift soft-box the night before... and it worked! Soft indeed.

Wednesday, I registered for first semester classes. The winners are: Organizational Communication, Critical Analysis of Messages, Conflict and Negotiation, Media and Society, Comm. and Development. I hear the last two are being taught by a part-time professor who has very good reviews...

Tomorrow I'll fill out more forms and wait in a few more lines to register for the Computer Graphics and Multimedia major's Advanced Digital Photography class. I went to the class Monday and was very impressed. The professor is an American indie feature film director who knows his stuff and promises assignments every week. I'm excited about this one too.

More soon...