Creative ideas needed to give Death a good name

Dying Sucks.
It leads to Death.
The Ultimate Downer.

This is the general consensus about this inescapable “end-of-life phenomenon.” It is a consensus The Lien Foundation hopes to change.

One mind at a time. With your help.

But before you get all Dr. Kevorkian on us... We’re NOT talking about ending it all. Suicide. Assisted or not.

We’re talking about a radical shift in attitude. A new mindset.

A challenge of extreme proportions.

We’re dying to be surprised by your creativity!

- http://en.eyeka.com/partner/life-before-death (video/animation comp)

(This is probably one of the most interesting competitions I've seen in a long time. There's prize money too! I'm going to try and plug more comps like this from now on. - rhoda)

"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Art is knowing which ones to keep"

- Scott Adams, of Dilbert fame.

Read quote from Art Slam, where mix media artist Lucrecer continues with; "What you may see as a mistake is likely just the beginning of something big". And I totally agree! She also wrote this interesting article on Soul Stirring and Second Chances, which I stumbled on through Alltop - Which I highly recommend for keeping up to date on almost any subject.

Anyway, if you ever feel slightly lost on where you're going, I recommend reading Lucrecer's article. That and Danny Choo on the subject of destination. Hell, I know I've needed it lately!

I knew that E in GCSE Maths would creep up on me!

Yes, an E, I know... I was a very arrogant kid, I only pushed myself on the subjects I liked. To prove that matter, I got an A in English, English Literature and Art & Design, to make a point!

I may have kept it secret from people for a while, but I applied to do a PGCE in Art & Design for September 2009 entry. Yesterday I got my letter saying my application was unsuccessful. :( I applied at Greenwich University and Goldsmiths University. Greenwich rejected me for my lack of C grade or above in GCSE Maths, which is understandable - I applied as a second choice to Goldsmiths, as it was the only other one with vacancies (and forgetting that not all Unis do maths equivalence tests!). Goldsmiths however, even though I fulfilled the basic requirements, was unsuccessful without explanation. So I'm re-thinking my strategy.

Going over what I have:
First of all, why could I have been unsuccessful with Goldsmiths? I have a BA in Digital Art and Digital Animation, and experience in the freelance creative field. I thought about it, and realised "darn!". How could I not see it. I studied my BA at a lackluster school, Thames Valley University, which is very low on the league tables (around 110). Goldsmiths is much more prestigious (at 44). My reason for choosing TVU? Because in 2002, they were the only Uni (in London) that did a BA in an animation-related subject (like Digital Art). Today though, animation is everywhere, which annoys me slightly.

Going over what I don't have:
Work experience within a school. Though I didn't think this mattered that much. As a friend said, I could learn as I go. The PGCE course does require you to spend time in actual classes, after all. I also lack any real freelance experience. Most of my work up to now has been for friends.

But why do I want to teach?
My plan, since graduating in 2006, wasn't really a plan at all. After just about finishing my BA in Digital Art and Digital Animation, I felt depressed. I had completed a course that had shown me parts of the subject I really didn't want to be involved in. I felt confused, and drifted for a while, trying to find myself. Freelanced here and there, got bored with it, was becoming more and more unsatisfied with it. I've mostly dabbled in graphic design. Playing around with paper sizes, resolutions, colour codes and vector points? I don't think I want to do that for the rest of my life. But I did find I was more akin to comics and illustration, and found a drawing style to be satisfied with.

I eventually found myself, understood that my creativity burns off improvisation. And realized finally, where I felt comfortable, something I could do for the rest of my life - Talking to young people about my favourite subject. In recent months, that subject is gaming (I work part-time in a games shop). Funny, that I saw it through working part-time in retail and customer service all these years! I used to hate them, they're loud, disrespectful, and think they know it all. But it was probably out of jealousy more than anything, and realizing that I'm not a kid anymore. But as I matured, I remembered that I used to be just as loud and annoying on the bus as they are. They are people, and I think society deems them too much as gremlins. I don't like that.

Anyway, as I said in my personal statement in applying for the PGCE; I feel I shine when speaking out to a live audience, inspiring them, rather than working behind a computer monitor.

Of course, there is a lot more to my life decisions than what I mention above. But I might as well write an autobiography if I'm gonna do that!

Anyway, I really feel teaching is the path for me. To be ultimately sure, I must sought out to take...

Plan from now to throughout 2010:
...Taster courses in teaching, retake Maths, a short course or two in art, volunteer working with young people. Keep sketching everyday. Keep freelancing, here and there. Finish my book. Apply again for the PGCE next year.

For too long, I've worried about what people think of me, of what I've achieved compared to everyone else. But I tend to avoid the rat race. I'm on the later side of 20, and I've had some great life experiences. And I've been foolish, but I can't help but be a hedonist by nature. Time to stop thinking about other people, and just think about me.

I won't give up!

/cheese