Week 2 Homework

Tonight I turned in what I *think* is the homework for week 2 of my class....
I'm not the only one who is very confused by what's expected.

I also don't really have a sense of what our final project will be, so I'm kind of flying blind.

Story prompt:
"A girl goes into her father's workshop and sees the most beautiful kite ever made."

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My post in the class thread, so I don't have to duplicate efforts:

Here is my hw this week, I ran out of time but I hope it is enough to communicate my research and concept. (My cat is sick, my daughter turned 15 and work needed me to …. work!!)

A Dutch 1660s girl walks into her father’s workshop and sees…. a Starry Night (Van Gogh) kite.

Vermeer (& other Dutch Master Friends) + Van Gogh + my guy Eyvind Earle <3

• Setting is Holland, 1660s. (I found research saying kids there flew diamond kites as early as 1618.)
• Movie: Girl with a Pearl Earring
• Layout artist/design genius: Eyvind Earle

So...... idk if I am on the right track or not, guess I will find out Saturday when critique comes out.

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I'm having bad trouble with anxiety this week.
Like, really bad.

And despite my monumental efforts to control it and feel better, it has been a struggle.
I'm trying to not feel the way I feel, maybe that's the problem.

In the Reuters class, right before we got started, Leah asked about it.... and saying out loud some of what's going on made me realize.... yeah, it's a lot.

• Lots of homework stress- I paid a lot for this class and I really want to get as much out of it as possible.
  
• Pebbles being sick and medication and upcoming tests and the ma$$ive vet bills
• Still working on my 10 paintings for the end of the month
• There were layoffs at work this week (not me thank goodness) and yet more change coming
• Daya turned 15
• Covid numbers are back to 3% so schools closed again on Wednesday
• General Covid burnout
• wow Thanksgiving is next week.  Holidays always get to me.
• There is some new weird ceiling thunder from upstairs. And in all honesty it isn't constant and it isn't their music (I think they did something to soundproof because that isn't an issue anymore & it is the same tenants) but it sounds like pounding on the ceiling, stomping in one place maybe.  Maybe someone up there is exercising. Idk what the f it is. I don't think it is from anything they are doing beyond normal living. My building just has terrible (no) sound insulation. They are pretty noisy in general but this new thunder is unpleasant. It sounds like one of those huge drums you see in marching bands and is coming from one specific place.

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And that's what put me over the edge. Noise sure will do it.  I have issues there, and I even know why but it is hard to deal with. And it doesn't help that I'm stuck at home in one room all day every day for the most part for a very extended time.

I'm not allowed to properly soundproof my ceiling (I tried) so I have done nothing, but another crazed round of research has me get some 4" professional-grade acoustic foam panels. (Class A fire-retardant, I will absolutely NOT put a fire hazard in my home.) I know acoustic foam is for absorbing sounds coming from within a room, but it can help in absorbing outside sounds as well.  If I can get the general banging around from upstairs muffled, that will be good enough. 
I can blur the rest with white noise.  

So I'm going to give it a try. I have to do.... something.

Humanity in general needs to evolve into incorporating effective sound-blocking technology into peoples' environments.
I'm not alone in my stress from sound. It's a very real thing.

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Anyhow, I didn't realize that everything this week just built up. Just hearing/seeing it laid out was.... well, helpful. 

Obvious things aren't always obvious.