Current mood:	exhausted
Entry tags:	art, stuff

Things!
I've been incredibly busy lately, so I'm sorry for whoever nudged me (I went back searching for the e-mail and couldn't find it).

But here's an update! Eheh.

I'm currently sitting on the bottom bunk of an 8-bedroom dorm in a hostel in Los Angeles. I've never been to LA, and I came for the SIGGRAPH convention here. It's a very interesting experience -- I've learned something new every time I try to drive anywhere. Like apparently there are lights that 'meter' the freeways and highways, and you have to stop at them and wait for them to turn green, but you don't have to pay or do anything except wait. It's odd. It's like a toll booth, only... free.

And also, it's expensive to drive anywhere. The lowest I've paid for parking is 8$, and I have to pay that every day to the lot beside my hostel. I also have to be out of their lot by 7am every morning. That's not too bad, as 7am is my usual 10am, so it doesn't let me get used to the time zone here.

Other than that... hm. I walked a mile and a half yesterday to eat at the Osteria Mozza (one of iron chef Mario Batali's restaurants). The food was divine -- everything I expected and more. I took pictures on the way there, and halfway through my meal my camera died, so I took out my sketchbook and sketched the rest of my dishes. I'm weird, I know. I also sketched a lady sitting near me, and the waitress -- the latter of whom was kind enough to sign beside her picture.

On the way back, I noticed the "Hollywood" sign in the distance. That was an unexpected and amazing surprise. Everyone here that I've talked to has been very friendly -- I got lost twice while walking around, and had to ask for directions.

Several others from my school came to SIGGRAPH, but we've only met up a handful of times. I've had one incredible experience after another at the convention, from the classes to the 'birds of a feather' meetings to the usergroups to the job fair and exhibits. I talked to every booth in the job fair, whether or not they had to do with my industry or area of expertise. I met a lot of awesome people, many of whom were kind enough to flip through my portfolio and give me dozens of ideas for how to improve it. I also managed to impress a few people with it, and I will hopefully have an internship or a job very soon as a result.

I want to thank everyone who has supported me in my artistic endeavors. This week has been (and still is being) an incredible experience that I will never forget. There's such an energy to the entire conference, such an uplifting feeling to meet so many people who not only are passionate about art as much as I am, but who have made it their entire lives and lifestyles, and who wish the same for me.

I will write a more in-depth post about everything SIGGRAPH-related in another journal soon. But on to things not-SIGGRAPH-related.

I made a Twitter account, so if anyone is on Twitter, my name is "wickedalchemy."

I also made a LinkedIn account, so if you're on LinkedIn, please add me! My name is Angel Yates. I'll have to update it soon and complete my profile. ;D

That's it for now. Tired, and another long day tomorrow. <3