Thursday, August 13, 2009

Feeling the pressure

This whole fundraiser is extremely humbling. Though I must not see it from a I-am-begging-for-money-to-go-to-school perspective, sometimes is just hard not to see it that way.

These damn budget cuts and fee increases have me freaking out. I can feel the pressure. The days seem to be running by extremely fast. August 31st is soon approaching and I've yet to come up with the cash to pay for school.

Though the fundraiser is a good idea, it's still very frustraiting that I have to do this. I don't qualify for financial aid, so I must go out of my way to figure out how the fuck I'm going to pay for this. Can you feel the anger in my words?

Then I calm down. I look back at the things I've accomplished and I give myself a pat in the back. Then I feel like a narcisit and I start to bring myself down again. Sometimes I think I'm depressed. Sometimes I think I'm just over analyzing shit. Other times I stay in bed and don't want to wake up and face the problems.

But if I didn't have it this hard, maybe I wouldn't appreciate things the way I do. It's easy to take things for granted when they are handed to you. Without much work. Without much worth.

I know I'm rambling here, but I was about to have a nervous break down. I'll try not to think about the situation much and focus on the fundraiser. My mind is going tick, tock, tick, tock. Fuck it. I must get up and move then.

Budget Closure Day aka first furlough day

"Due to state budget reductions, California State University, Long Beach will be closed August 13, 2009. Most facilities will be closed to increase cost savings through energy savings. Summer session classes and summer camps will be held as scheduled. For additional information regarding what will be closed or open on August 13, call for prerecorded information on the CSULB State Budget Closure Day Information Hotline, 562-985-8080."
-CSULB's website on Aug. 13

Well, thank God for the Raza center. Otherwise, Claudia and I would have been without computer access.

Everything is closed today. Brothman Hall. The Horn Center. The libary. In other words, every single place that is extremely necessary to use just week before school starts. But I see they're fixing the fountain. Maybe new lights. Who knows? That big ASI, Inc. logo by the University Student Union also looks cute. Wonder how much they're paying for that?

This is only the first of 11 furlough days the school will be having in order to "accommodate nearly half of the campus’ $42 million budget reduction from last year."

To quote CSULB's President F. King Alexander in a Press-Telegram article, his indeed looks like a ghost town. Now, back to trying to raise money for Claudia's and my tuition.

Monday, August 3, 2009

How to live without a laptop/desktop/working phone

Sometimes I feel like I'm the only person in the U.S. who does not own a computer. Yes ladies and gentlemen, it's 2009 and I do not own a computer. By the way, when I say ladies and gentlemen, I really mean Gustavo and Tina. You guys are the only ones who read my blog.

Of course I'm being dramatic here. I'm pretty sure I'm not the only person without a computer. Times are tough and people are having to decide between paying for rent, gas or Internet. Somehow, I've managed to live without a computer and have not died.

Now, to be able to live without Internet, you must be willing to share certain information with your friends. Whether is school work or someone who has gotten a hold of my business card and wants to hire a cartoonist, there are times when I must check my e-mail. It's up to you to decide who in your circle of friends is trust worthy to acquire your e-mail password. Will it be a) the friend who tends to reveal secrets when inebriated, b) the friend who you know will blackmail you if you don't let them borrow money or c) the friend who drinks but won't blackmail you.

My friend Tina has literally become my personal secretary without pay. Poor thing, I've called her one too many times for "internet help." The person whom you chose to check your e-mail
will have access to your e-mail account. Be sure you make the right choice.

Now, if your thing is "privacy" and you're not like me, there's always the public library. I don't own a public library card, but I hear they have internet access. I do however go to a public university, and it is here where I do a lot of my writing, blogging and Photoshoping. Like the public library, the school's own library and computer lab have a set schedule. I've set my own schedule to fit the computer lab's. Though I'm not enrolled in summer school, I'm still technically a student so I have the right to use the lab.

That's pretty much it. Sorry if this doesn't help you much. Now I have to go and try to get a new/borrowed phone. My Metro PCS phone's battery is a mess and I cannot actually talk on the phone. So if you're trying to get a hold of me, texting will be easier!