First blog entry

I have never had to write a blog before, but here goes. To be honest I really dont think that 3D modelling is my area. The 3DSMAX layout really scared me when I first took a look, but I am starting to figure out what everything is for. I believe that students who have mathematical brains may find this easier, and unfortunatly I have always struggled with this subject. I have had a mental block about numbers since I was in high school. It all started when I was in year 8. I had a teacher, who I wont name, and his teaching method was rather intense. He would constantly try to catch people out. He would point his dumpy finger and spit questions at you and expect you to answer them instantly. He had a hard glare, and his eyes widened when you hesitated to answer. I found this extremely pressurising and failured to respond to many of his interrogations. My head froze, and I struggled to think properly. I used to go into his classes sweating, and my hands would always shake. I would dread the moment when he pointed at me, and it made me feel so stupid and insignificant when I couldnt work out the answers. He asked me what 2x6 was and I couldnt speak. I still remember the laughter of my class mates. I know this might sound infantile but I feel it has damaged my confidence when it comes to learning anything number related. 
Firstly we learned about basic polygon shapes, quads and tri's. The class split up into groups and defined 1D, 2D and 3D. We then investigated cartesian space. I learnt that it specifies each point in a plane by a pair of numerical co-ordinates. Paul introduced us to scary 3DSMAX, and demonstrated how to turn a primitive shape into an editable poly and how to select certain areas of a shape using vertises, edges, ect. We experimented with the extrude tool and the bevel tool. These are very similar although the bevel tool, has an extra added bonus, it allows you to extrude and then to close the shape inwards or outwards. I managed to make a desk playing around with the shapes in 3DMAX and exdruding and beveling them. I created an environment for this desk aswell by using a box shape and dragging it out over my desk and deleting some of the sides and flipping them over. I managed to follow this tutorial but I found I really had to consentrate. I really dont find it easy.
We were introduced to tipsy or tippy the toy truck, I personally think tipsy sounds better. He is going to be our first model. How on earth am I going to mimic tippy on 3DMAX and then make him emotional aswell! Its a scary thought, but i'm going to try my best! I started to draw tippy and then placed him into adobe illustrator. It was like pulling teeth, but I got there in the end! Dan helped me alot with this, thankyou Dan!
I tried importing some of the shapes I had drawn in illustrator into Max and manipulated them. I used the beautiful NURMS, which Paul loves alot. I am not going to lie, so far I am finding this topic very difficult, but I am really determined to learn and create the best emotional tippy's ever!