-17/12

It's been rather a while since I've updated my journal, or for that matter, any aspect of my DA. It's been a long time since I've done any proper drawing. But with year 12 Studio Art to contend with next year, I'm gonna have to get my rear into gear and start doing a bit of art, get into practice. I used up my second chance at art (as a subject) already, and I'm onto my third, so I'd better make the most of it.

A lot has happened in my life since I updated my last journal. I'm now 17, for one thing, and while in a legal sense I have no new privileges, mum's pretty lenient these days. And nobody asks to see ID as far as alcohol is concerned anyway. Especially now that I have a *cue dramatic drum roll* beard. Really, the beard's a product of laziness. I figure that a beard that's trimmed once a week is much lower maintenence than a face that's shaved every day or two.

Apart from being 17, I now have a job for the Summer (at a beach kiosk no less!), I have a girlfriend (which is verily a good and a happy thing), and I'm well and truly over school for this year. I have one year left now. I did... average this year. Low points were failing Studio Art and passing Politics by the skin of my teeth. High points were winning $20 for an English oral presentation, being accepted for an all-expenses-paid government-funded 3-day politics trip to Canberra next year, getting 4 or 5 works in the school exhibition and 96% on my Studio Art exam. That gave me some leverage with being allowed to do it next year despite failing.

I feel like I've grown since the last journal entry I made - that's the good thing about having them so few and far between. I can truly reflect on what my lifestyle was then and what it is now. I'm definately less insular, and I think I'm more accepting. I'm envious of others' talents less often (not because I'm better, just because I can deal with it) and I'm more open-minded. Partly it was general human growth, but I'm sure that studying philosophy at school has helped. No, we haven't begun the deepest mysteries of the universe yet - everything we've done is fairly rudimentary. But it has set me thinking, and I think that to truly embrace philosophy, and after careful consideration, being able to change incorrect or dogmatic views is one of the bravest things a person can do. I don't know if I'd have the strength to truly do what I know is right all the time. Next year may just be the test - it will be the test of my true strengths in other matters. It will be the first time I've properly applied myself to all (or any) of my studies, and it will be important. I sincerely hope I have the strength not to let myself down.

I'll be going away these holidays a bit, but what with my lifestyle as it is, I hope to be able to properly do some art in the time I'm in town. Expect to see some at some stage.

Oh, also happened this year: I bunged up my knee real good. Tore the ligament - looks like reconstructive surgery halfway through next month. I wouldn't mind so much if I'd been playing basketball or rescuing somebody from a flaming inferno or something, but I did it dicking around with my mates. It suuuuucks - it'll never be 100% again.