Yeah, I'm just making this post so you can see my new layout :)
Oh, actually I do have one quick update: Alex finally got a facebook page and he added me as a friend :O So far his only status update is, "I ♥ my cousin Tom (last name)." That's a bit gay :p
While you are here you might as well check out my 3D Titanic model. Of course I don't have much time to work on it since school is my number 1 priority right now. LAST WEEK!!!! WOOT!
Port and starboard forward lifeboats added. I downloaded them from Google's 3D Warehouse where you can find almost anything made into a 3D model. I probably won't keep them because they aren't very good, IMO.
Have a listen to another of John Williams' epic pieces:
"Battle of the Heros" Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
The school year is rapidly coming to a close. This is the last week in April (where did the time go?!), and graduation is the first week of June. There are three requirements every senior in Pennsylvania has to complete before they can graduate:
1. Earn 24 credits throughout high school. 2. Score Proficient on the PSSA tests in English, Writing, Math, and Science. 3. Complete and pass the Senior Project.
Here's a breakdown of each one:
1. 24 credits:
There are three class lengths: Full year worth 1 credit, 1 Semester worth 0.5 credits (half-year, 18 weeks), 1 quarter worth 0.25 credits (half-semester, 9 weeks).
A student has to get a certain number of credits by the end of each year to be promoted to the next year. They must have 24 credits by the end of their 4th year (senior year) in order to graduate.
2. PSSA tests
PSSA stands for Pennsylvania System of School Assessment. They are a series of test students have to take in grades 3-8 and 11th (junior year). Students are tested in Reading, Writing, Math, and now Science. For the 3rd-8th grade tests, it doesn't matter what score they get because those are used to measure how well the school is teaching; in other words, it grades the school instead of the student. The 11th Grade test score does matter. You have to score Proficient on each section in order to graduate the following year. If you don't pass a particular section the first time, you have to retake it the next year. If you don't pass it then, you have to take another state test (4Sight Test in Pennsylvania). If you still can't get Proficient, then there is a computer thing called Study Island you have to do and pass. If you can't pass that then you shouldn't be graduating anyway lol
3 Senior Project
I've already explained this one before, I think. Basically, you have to write a 5 page career research paper, do 10 hours of community service, job shadow and interview someone, then make a presentation about the job shadow experience and present it. You have to pass all the parts to graduate.
So that's a lot of stuff to accomplish. Here is the status of each of the requirements for me personally:
1. 24 Credits
When I completed the last school year, I had 14.5 credits. So this year I had to get at least 9.5 credits to graduate. I took 8 full year classes and 4 semester classes equaling 10 credits.
So far I've completed 4 full year and 3 semester classes (5.5 credits). I have 4 full year classes (British Literature, World History, Earth Science, and Business Math) and 1 semester class (Life Skills) left to finish.
There are two deadlines. If I want to walk at Graduation then I have to be totally done by the end of May. If I'm not done by then, then the absolute latest I can finish and still get my diploma is the end of June.
Since I have 5 classes, I (try to) work all day long on one class. By all day I mean from the time I get up until 8 p.m.; minus time for lunch and dinner. By 8p, I'm pretty well burned out.
I don't know if I'll be done in time to walk at Graduation, but that isn't really important to me. I'd rather not rush through 5 classes in a month and not learn anything just to walk around in a stupid cap and gown, but I'm still going to try and make it by that deadline. If I don't, then it's no big deal because I can definitely finish by the end of June.
2. PSSA Tests
I took them last year and got Proficient in Reading, Writing, and Science but not in Math. I took the retake test for Math earlier this year, but still didn't get Proficient. Then we took the 4Sight Tests a month or so ago and I did get proficient in Math.
So that requirement has been crossed off the list.
3. Senior Project
I'm pretty sure I already explained what I did for my project, so I won't expand an already long post. Anyway, today the principal met with me and the other cyber kids. I didn't get to see my exact score, but I got this:
(the square shadow is my mouse pad lol (long story))
:D
So that's another requirement checked off. Now I just had to finish my classes...
I leave you today with an updated picture of my model that I work on at night after I'm burned out from school work...
(pictured is the nearly completed Navigation Bridge front and the start of the Officer's Quarter's and First Class Entrance on the Boat Deck)
That's a question I've been asked numerous times and I don't really have an answer.
The movie came out when I was 6. Of course the trailers were on TV long before it came to theaters so that is where it all started.
Mom and I went to see it in theaters when it came out. The only thing I remember from that is saying, "that's not the Titanic!" at the beginning when they were on the research ship, and an old woman in a wheelchair crying as we were leaving after it was over. So I started watching it in 1997 and haven't stopped since.
I don't really like the movie because of the love story but rather because of the Titanic's story itself. Yes, there are a few other Titanic movies out there, most notably A Night to Remember, but they do not depict the story as well as James Cameron did. The biggest reason is that James Cameron actually built a near full scale replica of the ship to use for filming:
As for the ship itself, I really like the way it looks. I don't know how else to describe it lol. I like it so much, I even tried to make a 3D model of the exterior on my computer using blueprints. I had to delete it awhile ago, though. Since getting a new computer, I started it again. This time attempting to be more accurate and, hopefully, including some or all of the interior as well. I started in the summer before school started, but since this year has been a particularly busy one I have had to stop.
This is as far as I have gotten:
Which isn't very far at all lol.
Not sure if this answered that question or not, but that's the best explanation I can give.
P.S. I went tux shopping yesterday. I'll post about that later when I actually have the tux so I can include pictures.
Okay, quick post before I have to go make lunch. I'm starving!
I took my laptop up to the church today to work on my 3D models. I wanted to get started on the Titanic one again, but I can't remember how to do the scale thing with the blueprints :\ So that idea was pretty much shot.
Alex hung around me most of the time again. He told me I should bring a computer game up tomorrow.
Then I got the idea to take the digital copy of Valkyrie that is included in the special edition release, and put it on iTunes. Well, I needed an internet connection to do that with. Of course the church doesn't have an internet hook up, and the only wireless signal that I could pick up was password protected -_-
So another idea got shot down.
After I packed up my laptop and books, Alex came back over.
He asked if I wanted to go over to his place today.
"Isn't Joe around today or something?" Yeah, probably didn't need to say that, but oh well.
"I don't know. But it's raining today. So I was just wondering if you wanted to do something inside?"
I said yes and asked him to send me a txt msg when he wanted me to go over. Then I was telling him something. It was something about my cell phone. Anyway, I said, "I was sitting on the porch," Then I looked at him and said, "Alone.,," Hinting at the fact that he and I haven't sat on his porch yet. I think he picked up on it, but who knows.
That's all I can remember that's worth telling. I'm going to go get lunch now, and wait for his txt msg...
Oh, yeah!
He said he really wants to see Valkyrie, so I'll have to bring it up with him later today. See if he wants to watch it sometime during a sleepover or something
^_^
::EDIT::
Well, Alex said he was gonna ask me over. But I just saw him, his sister, and Joe walking back from Joe's house to Alex's.
Alex brought up camping a few times the last time I saw him. So I guess we can start planning that out.
I probably won't talk to him on Sunday since I'll be pretty tied up with my whole family being around and all.
The majority of my Summer is gonna be spent in boredom I'm sure. There aren't any places hiring anywhere near here. I lost the trailer, so that means no lawn mowing business -_-
I guess I'll have more time to focus on my other blogs now. Though I am thinking about deleting my Civil War blog. I'm not really into that very much anymore. I'll probably also work on my 3D models. I haven't touched them in a long time. I'll post some pics if you're interested.
*crickets chirp*
Tumble weed rolls by*
Okay...
Guess you're not.
I'll also be online more now that school is done. Although, I may have to do Summer School because somehow I'm missing an English credit. I can take one full English course, and two electives in English next year. That will give me two credits in English. That'll be enough to graduate.
Dunno what else to talk about right now.
So...
OMG
I keep having these dreams. They all take place inside the tent while Alex and I are camping out. They're all sexual in nature for the most part. But they always end with us falling asleep in each other's arms, and they just have this love feeling to them
*warm, fuzzy feeling*
Maybe they're telling me I need jump on camping plans :p
Okay, that's all for now.
Oh no. One more thing:
Alex also sounded interested in seeing Valkyrie. So maybe there's an oppurtunity for a sleepover there? IDK
First I'll answer Col's comment here since he left it while I was typing this.
He asked if I had heard anything from Alex yet after giving him the skates.
Well, like my Twitter says, I was outside for the better part of the evening. For 3 hours or so I think. I took my model stuff out and tinkered around with that for a bit. This is my real model I'm talking about. Not the 3D ones.
I was busy rigging one of the funnels (or smokestacks). It's exactly like threading a needle. I spent 5 minutes just getting the rigging (which is actually string) through the small hole on the funnel. Then I had to use tweezers to pull it the rest of the way. I got 3 out of 6 done when Alex skated past. He shouted, "HEEEYY!!" I was so focused on my model that him shouting startled me. I jumped a little and accidentally dropped the funnel. At which point all the rigging came loose.
-_-
After shouting 'hey' he (still skating on the road) asked, "You working on your model?"
"No. I'm just looking at it." I said slightly annoyed.
"Oh, well I couldn't tell if that's what it was or not." Then he skated off.
Then awhile later I saw him, his sister, and their parents going up to the ball park. There was a game, but none of them were playing.
I stayed out until 9:30, hoping Alex would ask me to go over and sit outside with him, but no such luck. He was too busy hanging around his other friends. It was cold out last night anyway.
Okay, now on to the whole reason for this post.
I need to take a break from blogging and focus more on my school stuff now that finals are approaching. We are starting to get really busy with things.
So I need to keep my mind focused on that instead of on stuff around here.
So that means:
No blogging, or reading other blogs.
No chatting online to ANYONE. I won't even be logged in to my IM or Skype
No emailing anyone from around here. I won't be logged into that either.
No 3D modeling.
No {Enter Other Distractions Here}
I may still update my Twitter occasionally if anything important is going on.
The max time that I will be gone is until June 12th. That is the last day of school for me. I don't know if I'll be busy that whole time or not, so I could be back sooner.
And don't worry. I will be getting plenty of fresh air while I'm working. Ahh, the beauty of wireless internet access.
^_^
In fact, after I get dressed today, I'll be taking my laptop outside to enjoy the 80°F weather (in the shade of course).
Okay, I think that about covers it.
So until next time...
Peter
P.S.
I had this nightmare last night. OMG it was awful!!
Alex and a friend of his (not a real life friend, just one made up in the dream) were staying at my house for some reason. They were sleeping in my room...in my bed....together.
Well anyway, I was spying on them (I like to spy on people lol). And I saw them masturbating together!!!
OMG!!!
It was awful!
Horrible!!
Horrid!!!
I can't imagine a dream more scarier than that! Well, except if it was with....
Today was bloody hot. I was sitting on the front porch (on the side of the house where the sun wasn't at), talking online to Matt and working on my 3D Poseidon model. Earlier I was looking at my unfinished Titanic model (the one that's not 3D), and contemplating starting work on it again. While I was out on the porch, I got the urge to get all the parts; instructions; and whatnot, and go sit out on the back porch (actually called a stoop) to work on it.
So I dragged my laptop, power chord, and a chair out to the other side of the house. IT WAS BURNING HOT! Then I went in and collected all the things for my model and brought them outside as well.
It was around 3:15 p.m.
Soon enough the school bus came through. A few minutes later I saw Alex and his sister walking to their house. After about 10 minutes or so, I couldn't take the heat any longer. The direct sunlight was just too much for me today (it didn't help that I'm wearing a black shirt and jeans). So I gathered up my laptop and model stuff, and went back out to the front porch.
I had just sat down in the cool shade, and started to enjoy the cool air. Then I got a txt msg from Alex wanting the skates.
-_-
I really didn't feel like going back out into the heat. But I did anyway. Just my luck, there wasn't anyplace to sit or stand without being in the sun. Ugh. Alex's friend (not the annoying one) came over after a couple minutes.
Now this one I can get along with perfectly fine. Unless he starts being a jerk. However, this didn't happen today. It's the other one that I can't stand. He is a jerk no matter what.
Anywho, that's all beside the point here.
I wasn't doing anything but sitting there while they were talking about school and people they know doing this or that. Obviously I have no idea who or what they are talking about, so I can't really join in the conversation.
Since I was just sitting there baking in the sun, I decided to just go back home. It was getting close to dinner time anyway.
The evening sun is even hotter than the afternoon sun IMO, so I decided not to go back over. I just sat out on the cool front porch and did some school stuff and chatted online a bit.
Then I get a txt msg from Alex that says, "I'll put the net back and bring the skates back when I get back home. I have to go to a band banquet."
I was thinking, Um...you can bring the net back but not the skates? Then I realized that he probably wants to use them again when he gets back. Duh!
Sure enough, a couple hours later I hear him and his friend back out there. I decided not to go over even though it was getting dark out. When it got completely dark, I went back out to the other side of the house to sit on the stoop.
After 9ish, I saw the not-so-annoying friend (also named Alex btw) go back to his house. I could still hear Alex out there, but I decided to stay put since he had to come to where I was sitting to drop off the skates anyway. And maybe if he saw me sitting out there, he would ask if I wanted to sit with him on his porch like last year.
In a few minutes he came over with the skates in hand. He saw me sitting there and said, "Sitting out here all by yourself?" We talked for a few minutes. About nothing really. Then he started to leave, but then turned back around and said, "We got the swing and chairs back out on our porch. So maybe we can sit out there again at night."
My heart skipped a beat, and I was like :D YES!!!
Then he said, "But not tonight."
DAMN!!
lol
Appearently he has to get up early tomorrow for a baseball game. It starts at 10am, but he obviously has to be there before that. The place is about an hour or 45 mins away too.
So now I'm happy that he wants me to sit outside with him again.
As Matt said, "Well at least you are getting somewhere."
Titanic model which I've just restarted on. Once I get all the identical parts built onto one model, I will copy the original into two other models and create all three Olympic Class Liners (Olympic, Titanic, and Britannic).
The Poseidon model is almost my own creation. Except for the basic design of the ship and the name of course. It is not 100% identical to the ship in the movie. I have had to use my "artist license" on this model.
The Titanic model is drawn completely from blueprints and other plans.
