Nyx Goldstone

I don’t think I can take TechCrunch seriously anymore. Then again, I don’t think I ever have.

This morning I was catching up on my LiveJournal friend’s page after avoiding it for November and December (NaNoWriMo eats my Friend List’s souuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuul!). I came across a post from Jakkal whom I love and adore for her art and quick wit. I especially love her “Don’t Do This” tag. It was that tag that lead me to the article that would cement my view on TechCrunch for now and probably forever.

Now, keep in mind that I went to the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. For 75% of my high school career, I was surrounded by aspiring artists of every type from dance to music to visual art. 500 people ranging from 13 to 18 struggling for a career in their chosen art field, training for hours at a time. In the end, it’s all subjective. Did the teacher enjoy teaching you enough to enjoy your art to want to stick their neck out for you? Did the right person show up at the right performance at the right time? Did you choose the right piece to put in the gallery?

DeviantART reminds me a lot of when I was in high school. Most of it are kids who are terrified to know the truth about the creation they put a piece of their soul into, and yet are braving the harsh cruel world to find out. In fact, I seriously believe that the internet is an even harsher place then the competitive environment I got my critiques in. In cyberspace, there is no risk of having etching acid thrown at you for being a complete and total arse. Even so, in the end, it’s all about who views the piece and what they think of it.

Every form of art is subjective. What makes one trumpet player better than another? What makes my work nothing and Chris Sanders’ wonderful? It’s all personal preference. I love KhaosDog’s artwork, and the article writer used Khaos’ most recent piece as a prime example of mediocre artwork. I don’t think it’s mediocre. Actually, I think it’s kinda great. Unfortunately, I don’t have some high profile blog to put that in. What’s worse is this TechCrunch writer is supposed to be writing about technology. DeviantART is an art site. At least if he would have picked something steampunky or tech related, he’d have some leg to stand on.

As hypocritical as it sounds, I guess everyone with access to the internet and a blog feel they have the right to be a critic.

Computers age faster than dogs, so I understand completely that I’m working on a 7 year old dinosaur of a computer. Last night the computer worked and shut down normally. This morning went like this:

Me: ::hits power button and waits for computer to load::
Computer: Do do dooo… OH! Hey, there! You know you never installed a network device on me, right?
Me: What? You were using it last night!
Computer: And no sound card, either. Why would you neglect me so?
Me: You’re on crack! Check your pockets. ::reboots computer since that usually works for the missing hard drive issue::
Computer: Do do dooo… Oh! Hey, there!  You know you never installed a network device on me, right?
Me: ARGH!!!
Brother: Lemme finish this and I’ll come look at it.
Me:? ::stares at computer that is smiling stupidly as it informs that there is no network device or sound card. Ends up just shutting down to wipe the grin off computer’s monitor::
Me: [to Brother] The temptation to just pull the power cord and do a reboot that way like with the router…
Brother: Do it.
Me: ::does it::
Computer: Do do dooo… Greetings, my creator. All systems are up and running. Would you like to partake in some World of Warcraft or instant messaging first? I also brought you some fresh Java and the morning RSS feeds.
Me: Holy… It worked!
Brother: Wait… Really??

My brain is just not wired to take an online class. I swear, I just am not able to do it! Yet, sadly, I’m probably going to be doing it again next semester.

I might get a D in my Personal Finance class this semester because I missed the deadline for the final by 31 minutes. That’s right, it closed 31 minutes before I sat down to take the test. It’s my own fault, really. I fully admit that. When I read the email that the teacher sent out regarding the test time and date, I thought it would close at 1am PST the night of the 17th. No, no… It closed on the 1am EST of the 17th… So, tonight, being the 16th, when I sat down at my computer in the good old Pacific Standard Time of 10:31 PM, the test was already closed.

Confused yet?

When I attempted to attend the Art Institute Online, I had these same problems. I always read the date and time wrong for when things were due, so they were either late or never turned in because late work wasn’t accepted. Why? If anyone else can figure it out, let me know. Though, all things considered, I made the same date/time mistakes when I had Inventory shifts at Blockbuster. I never knew what night I was coming in at midnight so I drove my manager batty checking and double checking.

Now I’m just irritated at myself. It’s completely a “Should have known better…” moment. There’s nothing more I can do about it now. I already emailed the teacher to see if there is anything I can do to fix it, but I’m pretty sure that the only option is to retake the class and replace the grade.

Has anyone else had “experiences” with online classes, good or bad?