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RuneScape Taught Me Basic Graphic Design

In my journalism class, we've started our graphic design where we teach the newcomers to the program how to layout newspaper pages and all the skills that are required in the process. We use Adobe InDesign with a touch of Photoshop. I've always been proficient with the program and as editor-in-chief I spent most of my time in this unit helping the cubs with basic elements and tools. One day I was teaching the class about layers and how they work, when someone asked, "Where did you learn this?"   I thought for a minute, and remembered that the first time I learned about transparency, layers, rendering, and such was back when I would make RuneScape signatures for this forum--for myself and (sometimes) for others. It's really odd to think that all that tinkering around with GIMP back as a 11 year old actually turned out to be a beginner's level proficiency in a valuable and marketable skill. Thanks Sals :P
Samsara

Samsara

7
 

Being Brown Among Whites

So as you guys probably know by now, I'm Pakistani. I'm really comfortable with my identity as a Pakistani-born that grew up in America. Fortunately (or maybe unfortunately), I visit Pakistan often enough that my perspective is tempered by visions of life in both America and Pakistan. America--where I have lots of opportunities and life has a definite structure, and Pakistan--where everything is miserable and hope is scarce (exaggerating, but not by a lot).   I identify myself as both an American and a Pakistani. I'm really fluid with it, so sometimes I'll present myself as one or as the other or as both. My goal in life has always been to give back to both of my countries and improve the statuses of living in both of them.   I'm currently a senior in high school, and as seniors we have the option to take a class called "Humanities," the curriculum of which is fascinating. Throughout the year, we analyze history, the way it is changed and modified by nations with an agenda, the different ways a nation can control its citizens, why history is significant, etc. It's basically an advanced world studies class. The teachers are brilliant, they put their heart and soul into designing the class, and it shows. Even more impressive is that they manage to remain non-biased and encourage us to study with an open mind rather than to buy into certain beliefs. The class's purpose is to have its students ready to analyze the world in a more critical and informed manner. It's a dual English/History class too, so it's a double-wallop. fudgeing amazing class. I can't stress how much I appreciate that this class exists.   And I can't stress how much it feels like no one else in my class does. Seriously. Half of my class doesn't pay attention, doesn't take notes, and when we discuss, they never inform their opinion with what we learn in the class. We had a month-long unit on war, while reading War Is A Force That Gives Us Meaning by Chris Hedges. But when we discussed, most of the students talked about war as if it was any other current issues class; like we hadn't spent a month analyzing the cogs behind war, the rush of war, why people wage war, all that.   We have an online discussion forum where we can post articles relevant to class and talk about them. Someone posted an article re: a possible "handsome tax" being put into Japanese law. One of my classmates responded: "Well, not to be racist, but all Japanese people look the same anyways so it's easier to tell who's handsome." I was fudgeing appalled. To my classmates' credit, someone immediately called her out on her racism (one student). No one else commented on the thread after that. It really bothered me. Why would someone think it's acceptable to post something like this?   Curious, I checked the roster of the three different sections of Humanities and made a list. In all of Humanities, in which there are about sixty kids, there are less than five people who aren't white. This might not be a big deal to you guys, but my high school is extremely diverse. I've never had a class so homogeneous. Obviously, this is a big problem for the curriculum of the class. How can we effectively discuss world issues when practically the only perspective we have to offer is that of a white middle-class teenager?   Maybe I'm being a little rash, a little jump-the-gun-y. I don't want to be all holier-than-thou, but I'm not wrong in thinking that there's something that can be wrong here, right? That girl would never have posted that Japanese comment had there been an Asian kid in our class. Having a group of 17-year olds who all share major identity traits is a problem. They become an echo chamber, and they think that it's okay to think a certain way. For example, we had a discussion regarding whether one should relinquish their rights at an airport. Every single person in my class was totally comfortable with it. I was not. I asked any of them if they had ever been detained at an airport. None. And here I am, the only non-white person in my class, who has been detained at an airport every time I've been to one past the age of 13.   Or perhaps it has nothing to do with being white. Perhaps it's just that not everyone in the class has had the same experiences that I've had. A significant part of why I take that class so seriously is because I know what it's like to be in a country that you'd be unlucky to be born in. I know that the lessons I learn in that class are valuable to me as a world citizen. Maybe these kids will have experiences like this when they go off to college or grow older. I'm not blaming these kids for being white. But can I blame them for refusing to look outside of themselves?
Samsara

Samsara

6
 

Keep Your Hopes Up High

one of the better music videos i've seen in a while   http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2011/01/06/a-day...l-i-want-video/   edit: List of bands in the video:   The Acacia Strain Andrew WK As I Lay Dying August Burns Red Architects Bring Me The Horizon Comeback Kid Crime In Stereo The Devil Wears Prada Tom Denney (A Day To Remember’s ex guitarist) Millencolin Maylene & The Sons of Disaster MxPx Parkway Drive Pete Wentz Pierce the Veil The Red Chord Set Your Goals Seventh Star Silverstein Trivium This Is Hell Veara Your Demise   Pulled from a YouTube comment, may not be 100% accurate
Samsara

Samsara

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American Gods

Just finished reading American Gods by Neil Gaiman. Awesome book. It's like Percy Jackson for adults. Anyone who likes Percy Jackson or fantasy should try it out. It's a bit long, but worth it. :)
Samsara

Samsara

5
 

Rise Against

Been meaning to mention this but I've got tickets to see Rise Against in NYC in May. I am really pumped as they are my favorite band and I've been meaning to see them live for a while but never got the chance to. I'm going with two other friends and I am sooooo excited.   edit: Bad Religion and Four Year Strong are also performing :]
Samsara

Samsara

7
 

Crazy Grandpa

Quite a mortifying experience, of Arianna-esque humor.   So today, I was sitting in the living room with me and my grandpa. My aunt and uncle were out at work, my sister was reading on the balcony, and my mom was at the market.   I was focus on my laptop, browsing the internets, the usual. My grandpa was watching TV. All day, he watches various Pakistani channels, and I never quite understand what they're saying, so I just don't pay attention. Then, the drone of people talking is replaced by really strange and loud elevator music.   I saw my grandpa put the remote down, and then I look up to the TV screen. What do I see?   Porn.   My grandfather was sitting right next to me, and he puts on porn!   I focused back to my laptop, in hopes that he would change the channel.   He didn't.   I looked at him. He had a somber expression on his face, and he was just nodding his head. Some poor girl was being railed on the TV screen.   I picked up my laptop, put on my best Poker Face, and walked out of the room. I then held base in my uncle's bedroom. A couple of minutes later, my sister walks in.   "Do you know what Grandpa's been watching...?" she asks.   "...yeah."       So I get the phone to call my mom, ("Mom, Grandpa's watching porn!") but of course, the piece of paper that has my mom's number written on it is in the living room. With great fear, I go back into the living room. The door is open and then as soon as I walk in, he changes the channel. Inside I'm thinking, "What...? You put it on WHILE I was sitting there. No point in trying to hide it now."   So I'm looking for the piece of paper, and then my grandpa just changes it back to the porn.   I go back to my uncle's bedroom, forever scarred.
Samsara

Samsara

7
 

Sophomore Year Wrapup

It's been a pretty great school year.   I made lots of new friends, had my (to-date) favorite teacher ever, gained confidence in myself, and managed to get stellar grades.   By the end I had decided to run for Student Council and look for a leadership position in my school's South Asian Club. So now I'm the Acting President of Student Council for the next school year as well as one of the Vice Presidents of the South Asian Club.   Oh yeah, and I started my own club within the school. To summarize it: it's a do-it-yourself volunteer association. Members would propose causes/issues/charities that they want to help-out/benefit/raise awareness for and then they would propose projects to work towards their goal. The club gives them people with like minded goals and intents to work with as well as the infrastructure and backing of a high school organization. It doesn't start until next year, but I'm beyond excited.   I signed on for a bunch of tough classes next year. AP Language & Composition, AP World History, AP US History, AP Calculus, and Honors Spanish 4, as well as Journalism 1. The only classes I'm not particularly excited about are AP Calc and Honors Chemistry. The only reason I'm taking AP Calc is because I am required to take math for another year, and Calc is the only option. And the AP Calc class in my school is easier than the Honors Calc class. Honors Chemistry I can tolerate because everyone should have a basic understanding of chemistry. The rest of the classes I'm really excited about and ready to learn and work for. :)   Oh yeah, and my parents got me some cool stuff as a reward for straight As. A printer, because our printer has been busted all year and I've had to print from the library or ask friends to print stuff for me all year. Four books: The Foundation trilogy by Isaac Asimov (which is a beautiful leather bound publication), Arabian Nights (also a beautiful leather bound publication), The Hobbit (collectors edition), and Candide. They also got me a Halo: Reach poster. I'm so thankful. They're the best. I love my parents.   Also, speaking of Halo Reach, I've finally gotten down to playing the campaign for that. I was on the fourth mission for over a year. Now I'm on the last one. Exciting!!!     So that's it, Sals. My first blog entry in forever. Expect me to be a bit more active from here on out :)
Samsara

Samsara

4
 

Advent of Summer

My junior year of high school has been the toughest year of my life so far. Due to overstretching myself between extracurriculars, leadership positions, and tough academic classes, as well as a severe development and diagnosis with Major Depressive Disorder, it's been not so happy sunshine all the time. The two feed into each other and cause a third issue: a terrible sleeping pattern. This triumvirate of terrible things has plagued me.   I've been going to therapy since last February. It's helped a lot, particularly in self-perception regarding my depression. And I've been doing my best with schoolwork and mental/physical health, but the 24/7 schedule I've fallen into has made it tough for me to take a break, get a hold of everything, catch up, and then be able to dive back in and give it my 100%. This has led to me looking more and more forward to the summer, as some sort of final release from the drudges of this school year.   I'm looking forward to the orgiastic catharsis, if there will be one. I've learned a lot this year, and I'm thankful for it. I've grown drastically as a person. But right now, I just want to get regular sleep. :P   I'm excited for this summer. One week left until I'm a high school senior! :D
Samsara

Samsara

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Spanish Project

Tomorrow, we get to do one of the most fun projects I've had for school yet.   We get to record a video of us rapping in Spanish, teaching you how to make nachos. There's some other stuff in there too (a three-act video, in which the rapping-nachos is only one part), but that's the part I'm most excited about.   Can't wait :)
Samsara

Samsara

1
 

A Quick Little Interesting Story

Today was my first day of work (outside of orientation) at Barnes & Noble. A co-worker trained me on certain aspects of customer service, including placing holds on books for customers. When one places a hold at Barnes & Noble, a sheet is automatically printed with the person's last name alongside some purchase info. One then takes the hold paper, aligns it with the book so that the last name is running vertically down the spine, and then puts a rubber band on them.   My first hold was for someone with the last name "Persons." I printed out the sheet, rubber-banded it to the book, and walked over to the "holds" shelf. It's organized by the alphabet. I found the "P" section and placed the book on the shelf. Then I looked at the book next to it. The last name of the customer placing a hold on that book was "Peoples."   So in front of me was "Peoples" and "Persons" next to each other.   This was probably the highlight of my day and I find it really awesome, I just wanted to share it with you guys. :P Serendipity like this is rare and I like to appreciate it.
Samsara

Samsara

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Help Is On The Way

New single from Rise Against's new album 'End Game.' Sounds great.   http://kroq.radio.com/2011/01/17/world-pre...thcoming-album/   If this single is anything to judge by, it sounds like it's going to sound like Sufferer and the Witness and Appeal to Reason combined; which sounds like a great thing.
Samsara

Samsara

4
 

New Year, New Me

A week and a half ago, my dad had a stroke. He was admitted to the hospital two days later, and was there for the majority of winter break. He had a clot in one of the veins that led to his brain. If we took him to the hospital even a day later, he most likely would have had another stroke, suffered permanent brain damage, and would have had a severe speech impediment for the rest of his life.   This is him two days after coming back from the hospital. He got extremely lucky and made a full recovery, with no permanent brain damage. He looks messy and has a scraggy beard, but that's what a gruelling week in the hospital does to you.   My New Year's resolution, or actually, my life resolution, is to not take anything for granted anymore, especially my family. I am extremely grateful that my dad came back with no harm done.   Love your family, guys. :mad:  
Samsara

Samsara

6
 

Hp Touchpad

So a little while ago HP released their own line of tablets, the Touchpad. It cost $400.   A couple of days ago, they discontinued selling them because they weren't getting good sales. They slashed the price from $400 to $100. I didn't get the opportunity to jump on the deal and buy it because I'm in England. I emailled my dad, hoping he'd be able to do it.   Apparently all the stores sold out so fast that my dad didn't get a chance to buy one.   But today, my dad called me. He said Barnes & Nobles started selling them this morning. He bought three. They sold out half a minute later.   YEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH
Samsara

Samsara

5
 

Hp Touchpad Update

My dad got an email from Barnes & Nobles saying that they oversold the HP Touchpad by a lot and that they couldn't fulfill my dad's order.   That sucks!
Samsara

Samsara

2
 

Consumer Therapy

Decided I'd give myself a little treat for getting straight A's this marking period :)     Yes the lamp is new too :D
Samsara

Samsara

6
 

On Homework

I will manage my time better and not get distracted. I will manage my time better and not get distracted. I will manage my time better and not get distracted. I will manage my time better and not get distracted. I will manage my time better and not get distracted. I will manage my time better and not get distracted. I will manage my time better and not get distracted. I will manage my time better and not get distracted. I will manage my time better and not get distracted. I will manage my time better and not get distracted. I will manage my time better and not get distracted. I will manage my time better and not get distracted. I will manage my time better and not get distracted. I will manage my time better and not get distracted. I will manage my time better and not get distracted. I will manage my time better and not get distracted. I will manage my time better and not get distracted. I will manage my time better and not get distracted. I will manage my time better and not get distracted. I will manage my time better and not get distracted. I will manage my time better and not get distracted. I will manage my time better and not get distracted.
Samsara

Samsara

4
 

Goals Wanted

What are some nice goals to go for (in RuneScape)? I plan on starting a log soon and I need some stuff to go for. Not going for any 99's and nothing that'll take me months/a very long time.   This is what I have so far:   Full Void (I have 2 pieces so far)
70 Strength/Attack/Magic/Ranged
Arcane Stream Necklace (and all the Dungeoneering levels required for it)
  Quests to Finish: Wanted
Slug Menace
Tree Gnome Village
Monkey Madness
  Here's my Adv. Log with all my stats/quests   Thanks everyone in advance :D
Samsara

Samsara

7
 

It By Stephen King

I just finished it. Having never read a Stephen King novel before, I had no idea on what to expect.   I was so immersed. I've never been so into a book as I have this book. And I was terrified. I had always doubted the ability of a book to scare you, but I take that back with all my heart. I would have nights where I would put the book down and try to sleep, but instead, my mind would be racing and I would nearly shriek at every noise.   It wasn't just the horror bits though... it was so much more. Stephen King painted the most enthralling picture of childhood that I've ever read or thought about. The real focus of the book was about being a kid, and what happens when you grow past those golden ages.   It's moments like this that remind me why I love reading. I thought that you guys would appreciate it. ;)
Samsara

Samsara

1
 

Emanick

dude   come on   okay wait actually on second thought im really curious about if you seriously expected this to work or not
Samsara

Samsara

4
 

(dumbed Down) D&d

So after watching the episode of Community "Advanced Dungeons & Dragons" with my friends we all really wanted to play it. The episode makes it look really fun, but we all knew that it was probably really complicated and a lot more techinical than that. SO at first we were gonna go buy one of the books but instead my friend dug up this really old World Map he made back in seventh grade, which was incredibly detailed. He also had a list of various monsters along with their pictures, different weapons along with their pictures, and a bunch of pre-made character cards. The character cards were really only just names and (really cool) pictures, so whatever. We had to use the weapons shown in the picture though.   So I got some dude named Randall Kaufs, who was an elf, had a broadsword in one hand a dagger in the other. I promptly renamed him to "Randolf the Well-Endowed." And when introducing myself I told everyone that they had to refer to me as "Big Poppa." No pronouns, no "you," "he," "him;" only Big Poppa. The game master said I had to roll a twelve or above (or something like that) for that to happen and I did. SO, everyone called me "Big Poppa" for the duration of the game.   We were using the story for the premade world my friend had. Since there was six of us, we split it half and half. Half of us were elves (Big Poppa was an elf) and the other half were Goblins. Somebody had killed the Elf King, and the Elves suspected the Goblins. and didn't know who to blame, we were on the verge of war. We were all tipped off by somebody that a rogue goblin was behind it. Us six had formed a ragtag group to try and hunt down the goblin who assassinated the King and bring him to justice. It wasn't the best story, but it was good enough.   At first nobody really knowed what to do so we bumbled along towards the destination where we were suspected the rogue goblin was. It wasn't until we were attacked by a frog-like creature that we started getting the hang of it. One of our party members nearly died in their fourth turn and she barely survived (it was my sister, so I was kind of hoping that she died :)).   Anyways, so we all agreed to go by river to get to a specific town. Along the way, this one kid S kept trying to kill his brother U, who was in our party. He failed miserably and U got the ability to take three of S's turns at any time. Again, we probably were breaking every D&D rule in all of existence, and were just playing for fun. We're not professionals or anything. So once we got on the boat we sprang a leak, and U took some of S's armor in spite and used it to patch the hole (which, in retrospect, makes no sense, but whatever). Once we arrived at the swamp, we had to go from the swamp, through a volcano to another port, and then to an island, and from there to our final destination, a city in the plains. So we were approached by three goblins and were all threatened. We beat 'em up, tied 'em up, and then we had to choose what to do with 'em.   My sister killed one. I pissed on one. We spared the last one and reckoned we'd use him as hostage if we needed to. Then we progressed towards the volcano, crossed the lava bridge, and were at the volcano. We split up into two groups. One approached an underground entrance and my group climbed to the top. At the top we were attacked by a devil warthog kind of thing. We killed it quickly and I had somebody fashion the bones into a broadsword, one that I could turn into a "Fiend Sword" if I had some Dark Magic. Luckily, at the top of the volcano, was a man practiced in Dark Magic but was bound to the volcano by some demon. He agreed to upgrade my sword so long as we freed him from his bonds. He started upgrading my sword and said he would give it once I killed the demon.   The group that went downstairs... found the demon. They ran outside and we tried to help them from atop the volcano. We tried throwing knives, but to no avail. The demon threw a fireball at one of my party members, and then it was my turn. I ran to the Dark Magic man and tried to take my sword. I rolled enough and it worked. I used the sword to block the fireball, and because of some morale boost that I got earlier, I still had another turn. I used it to shoot a beam of Dark Magic at the demon and - whaddaya know, it worked. The demon was dead and we were free to advance.   That was as far as I got because I had to leave. It was a great time. It wasn't nearly as nerdy as I thought it would be (or how its generally portrayed), but I'm pretty sure real D&D is nothing like that. :)
Samsara

Samsara

3
 

I've Arrived!

Yeah so, I'm in England. Had a horrendous flight, but it was made better by some really kind people who helped us out. My uncle's place is really nice, it's a flat in Canterbury. We went to the High Street two days ago, and it was absolutely beautiful. I want to go there again and again and again. Canterbury's a beautiful town, too.   I was going to make a really long blog entry, but I don't really feel like it anymore. A lot of England looks just like America, but backwards. It's cool though. It's different in its own ways. I'm really going to enjoy these next two months.
Samsara

Samsara

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