I turned 20 years old today, and now my teenage years are behind me!

Also, now that I've finally written something here again, I have that previous journal entry that was way old pushed back. I just don't update this thing as much anyway.

I was off the computer for quite a bit of time because of something stupid (and painful) I did last Friday. In short, I accidentally stabbed the front of my left hand that afternoon when I was in the kitchen. I'm not going to give you the gory details obviously, but I had to get four stitches. They should be taken out by this weekend. My hand's healing well, it's just that I can't put any pressure on it. It gets sore easily though if I use it too much.

So because of all this, I couldn't do any typing on the computer. Thank goodness I'm right-handed though. If I'd stabbed my right hand by accident, then I really be out of commission!

Now Christmas, I was given three things this year. I got Super Mario Galaxy and Phantom Hourglass, and my parents surprised me with a new monitor for my computer! It's a flat screen that measures 20 inches wide, and the dimensions are 1680x1050. Really cool!

Sorry I didn't get a chance to wish everyone a Merry Christmas sooner because of my hand, but I hope you all had a really good one this year! Have a good new year too, while I'm at it!

It's my birthday and I turn 19 today! 19 on the 19th, woo!

I went to the new cheesecake factory they opened up at the mall for lunch. I didn't have cheesecake though. Oh well.

I got one gift this year, A new iPod that holds 80 gigs. Even though that's all I got I was fine with it! My sis even sent me a cute card from college too, which was nice of her to do that.

This is also the last year I'll be considered a teenager, Whew, that means no more accusations just for being one.

I'm not sure how I managed to forget this, but it never occurred to me to tell you why I like anthro (you can say furry art if you want also) art.

Well, to sum in up in one word, it's because of the originality.

Anyone can do a good job drawing different subjects in different styles. Sometimes though it seems a bit repetitive when I go on DeviantART and see that a lot of the drawings that are popular are mostly fan art (like Naruto characters for example). I have nothing against fan art personally, in fact I think it's excellent practice for brushing up on skills, and I like the different variations artists do of a character. It's just that I'd like to see people try their hand at original creations in the drawings they make more often.

Their are several artists on here that have created some of the most original and creative characters I've seen. Either it's their fursona or just a character of theirs. Each one of them is done very well and in some cases, you can tell that it took a lot of time and work to develop that character.

Also, besides the anthro and furry artists out there, the comic/graphic novel artists also do an amazing job creating original characters the same. That's no surprise, because that's what they do most of the time after all.

So, that's pretty much it right there. I'm done.

I've been listening to the soundtrack of Across the Universe a lot lately. I admit, I am a major Beatles fan (and no, it doesn't make me some kind of 40-year old man for liking them) so when I heard about the film and the soundtrack that went along with it I was anticipating to get my hands on the soundtrack. Plus I actually did find the concept of a Beatles musical somewhat interesting. I was sure to download the full deluxe version of the soundtrack which I had some trouble finding.

Now, for those of that don't know; among music and Beatles enthusiasts it is practically considered a sin to cover a Beatles song, let alone even trying. I have and will always keep that statement to be true. However, some things in this soundtrack can settle that thought for now. The soundtrack does have weak points though that would fail on the ears of anyone, naturally. Bono's cover of "I am The Walrus". Eddie Izzard? The gospel choir version of "Let it Be"? What the...?

For the most part though the soundtrack though is quite good. Some of my favorites are the covers of "Strawberry Fields Forever", "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" and "With a Little Help from my Friends" among many others. Although the covers of "Hey Jude" and "All You Need is Love" are simply amazing and stand out as the best tracks. I love Jim Sturgess and Joe Anderson's voices on several songs by the way.

Speaking of the film, currently the reviews are not that great at all, but at least the soundtrack is something. Still, I'm sure I will be seeing it when it comes out on DVD.

College does wear you out for those of you going through it. Although college will wear you out more when you're taking 4-hour classes. It's what I've been expecting though seeing it's my first year at it. On top of that I'm learning to drive and have been running errands for school supplies still. Yet I start a class I haven't taken yet on Monday; the night class. Oh boy.

So things have really been running around lately and yet somehow I'm used to things like this.

I've been obligated to watch this anime ever since and I finally got to it yesterday. In brief, it's good so far! If you're unfamiliar with Death Note, it’s an anime about a notebook that kills people when you write their name in it. It's somewhat reserved for more slightly mature audiences. Come on though, as if the first episode is enough to judge for a first impression. Our character here, Light/Kira is of course, fucking crazy. In which he mercilessly kills tons of people who are criminals, prisoners or ex-convicts with the notebook, just within the first five episodes. It's because he wants to cleanse Japan (and the world someday) of all the "evil" people so he can become a god. Yeah, he's your typical psycho, but in a different way. Having a story involve a somewhat ordinary object that kills people is not something that hasn't been done before (The Ring for example) but that's alright as long as you make it work. So after I'm done watching this maybe I'll cue in to some of the live action stuff they have.

Considering the anime topic, here's something odd for you. I discovered that their is an anime version of Romeo and Juliet while looking for Death Note episodes on Stage6. It's properly "anime-tized" of course. The flying horse/dragon thing is a dead give away for that.

Well, here it comes. I'll be starting college in less than a week. So with that comes some mental preparation for the days to come. I sure hope that these classes turn out okay!

So as of then my time spent online is going to be cut short obviously but I'll try to keep up to pace with things when I can.

We left for Chapel Hill on Thursday. Traffic was horrible both on the way down and back. Thank god I had my music on my iPod mini to listen to. Interested in the albums I gave a listen?

Beck-Sea Change
The Comas-Spells
Radiohead-OK Computer
Stars-Set Yourself on Fire
Broken Social Scene-Broken Social Scene
The New Pornographers-Twin Cinema
Built to Spill-Keep it Like a Secret
The Beatles-Abbey Road
Beck-Guero

Being it my fourth time down here in Chapel Hill I was used to the area already. We spent nothing more than going around stores and buying stuff for my sister's apartment. Not to mention it was hot as hell down there That's all we pretty much did. No sightseeing or anything like that so that's why I was probably so stressed out. She's got a nice apartment by the way. It's located in a nice wooded area.

Oh, and I have something I must share with you guys. On the way home while passing out of DC I saw what looked like a guy with a funky red hat. As we got closer it turned out THAT A FUCKING CLOWN WAS DRIVING IN THAT CAR! Just all by himself in a normal-looking car. I really wish I had my camera out for that one!

Really haven't got a chance to be online too much anymore because there's been a mysterious problem that's been affecting the connection in the house. Except this time, we really have no idea what it is. It's been going on for a long time too. At least it's not my router shutting down this time! I miss internetz!

Also, I'll be leaving to go to Chapel Hill, NC for a bit in two days because I have to help my older sister move in to her apartment. That doesn't sound too exciting but at least I get to travel somewhat.

So other than that, nothing much.

Everytime I watch an artist, I always keep track of there works. Before I watch I usually leave my two cents about their style or gallery on their userpage. I do watch most of my favorite artists that I have here and I enjoy seeing them submit new works.

I can be a bit slow for watching people for some reason. It's not because I'm picky. I like seeing different artists create things. Because all artists are cool. Peace!

I just realized that I'm doing somewhat better on here than DeviantART (more watching, more comments).

Uh...carry on.

Whenever I see an image I like, I just don't put it into my favs, I also try to comment on it as well. It's alright to just fav an image but by commenting on it sort of shows that you're giving the artist some support.

And every artist always likes praise, no matter what they do!

I guess it's about time I clarify this for you.

I signed up for courses for my first year at college some time ago and one of the classes that they recommend me for was a basic drawing class However, I didn't feel too confident even if the course was basic and if things don't work out I can always change it. Although it brought back something from a time ago.

Now, I'll tell any visitors here that photography is my best skill. However, long before that one of the things I had affection for was drawing but however, I lost my skill in that field.

When I was little drawing was one of the things I loved to do most. It was what I did in school, at home, and sometimes anywhere else. Simple characters and cartoons gave people a glance of what I perceived to be my talent. Little Bobby took pride in what he was doing in front of his teachers, parents and friends. Thankfully, my parents took this for granted. Mom and dad would buy me drawing supplies, sketchpads, and how-to-draw books often as gifts and rewards. When I would go through tough times, drawing was my release, my form of expression. A world made by my own hand onto paper.

When my skill and appreciation for drawing was falling, it frustrated me. It also wasn't helping that I was usually going through tough times in school back then. The release through drawing was present, but as I got older and moved on, things began to get bad, and discouraging too. You can imagine how frustrating it was to sit their, sketch, doodle until you though, "practice makes perfect" and then to find then that no spark came. I gave it up for other artistic talents, ceramics (which came off as odd) and then to the present world of photography, my niche. Now don't get me wrong because I am perfectly happy with my photographic skills. School and my peers recognized me for it.

One of the reasons why I think I let go of drawing was because that I never took advantage of my early talent. It never occurred to me that I could go very far with this. It never occurred to me that I should take this seriously. When I look back, I know now that my parents where quietly trying to push me into taking this further, but I didn't realize that.

Some of you may feel that it was very foolish for me to do this. Even still, their was always something that didn't enable a further exploration and experience with my drawing. There was a gap in space that was never filled, a gap that was left wide open. I never really found that gap.

I look at all the beautiful and amazing drawings that people in school did, on here and deviantART too. Each time I think to myself occasionally, "I wanted to be like that", and I could of back then. I never reached it. I never took advantage of the talent that was in front of me. I would love to learn again, or even resurrect the drawing and the skills that came with it inside my mind, on my hands, and finally, on paper.

Of course, you can't teach old dogs new tricks.

The drawing course I signed up for was about the basics and, besides learning new things, hopefully it will rejuvenate and build my skills from the past if all goes according to plan. Maybe something will happen, or be learned from it. I mean, seriously, who knows?

I've been wondering if I should post a link to my DeviantART account I've had since god knows when.

Unlike here I have many photographs and some photo manipulations on my DeviantART site. The material though is way different than what's on here, of course. Mine's more...artsy. So to speak.

They're not "fabulous-fantasic" images or whatnot but I try to submit at least what I consider to be decent.

But photography is my passion. Back in high school I took four courses of it. Seriously.

I still find it so funny why I'm here occasionally. Cause what's on my DeviantART site doesn't match up, obviously. Sometimes its any wonder what I'm doing here. But remember, I have interests in anthropomorphics!

I'll think about though.

About the last journal, I'm an art junkie. What can I say?

Anyway, becuase of the content on this site I feel that some of you may be inclined to know if I'm gay, straight, bi, things like those.

I don't mean to flag another that's-none-of-your-business sign but I do not feel that this is necessary right now. End of story.

Well I guess this looks like my first journal, considering the fact that's it been so long since I had this account but I forgot about it. So I ought to make it worthwhile. This one’s a little deep maybe, but it’s something that I feel every artist should read. It's a bit long. Besides, this has been on my mind lately.

To start simply, I love art. I think it is amazing what one talented person can do with just some pencils, pens, brushes, a computer, and also, an open imagination. The essence of being an artist is that you can now allow all your peers a glimpse into your mind. The image that was once just painted colors on canvas can appear life-like, mysterious and calls you in as from some sort of dream. A painting, drawing, photograph, music or whatever; it’s all art.

Now, one of the reasons I came here is that I like anthropomorphic artwork too but my views on it are a little different. I feel that anthropomorphic artwork gives the viewer a whole new perspective compared to artworks with humans in them. Anthro artworks have meanings too, don’t forget that! So that's how I see it.

Okay, I am obviously aware of the content on this site. It doesn't bother me at all or anything like that. I am 18 by the way, but it may seem young compared to some users on here. But still, I am perfectly fine with the content on this site.

Porn is porn and smut is smut. Now what about other artworks that are not adult but still somewhat mature? Not all the art on this site is pornographic folks! Sometimes we as a society tend to label artworks as "porn" just because their is a butt or boobs in it. But that's not porn folks; it's only eroticism and simple suggestiveness. Why else would you think that deviantART has entire categories devoted to the stuff?

Now let's think outside the box of furry porn for a bit. Some artists can make very beautiful images but when we put simple mature content in there, some of us in the outside world don't see it as tasteful. It's a shame really because their are many and many good images out there that I have seen and in the world that are criticized just because they are seen as "porn". I am aware that there's pornographic realms of artwork out their but if people were to mislabel artists for simple suggestive images or eroticism? Think about all the talented artists that would be looked down upon.

On another note, I am aware that this site has had several issues about the content that appears on it. I understand that people can argue and keep their opinions. I am aware that sometimes we think that what we draw isn't always right. Now I know this may sound cliché but all I can say about situations like those; is that every single artist has the choice to draw what they see appropriate or not. They have the choice to draw porn or not. They have the choice over what audience will see there artwork. It's their own artwork, so it's their own decisions that they'll make and even be responsible for.

Now let's get back to what I was talking about.

As viewers, we have the decision to avoid such artwork if it bothers us. Porn does have many forms, but when it offends us we always seem to forget just how easy it is to ignore such content. None of us can completely stop such things, so it’s better that we start learning how to deal.

As artists though, we have the freedom to express ourselves in any way fit. We have the individual talent to create our own worlds and characters with meaning. That may sound cheesy, but think about it. Every single human being out their in the world is capable of expressing themselves artistically in some way, shape or form. And yet, because some person decides to put female breasts in an image they created, we, in society find it pornographic. We find it degrading, and we want to rid the art world of what they call "filth". To think of limiting someone's way of expression just because of such content? To think of not allowing such persons to, express themselves? Not express their feelings, thoughts and emotions? If they were to dare take that away from us, then the entire planet would have already been dead a long time ago.

Us artists should value the talent and abilities that was given to us or taught to us and the freedom to express ourselves as individuals. Porn is out there, yes. And you know, so what? We should never; never feel conflicted about what we choose to draw. We should never let others stop us from being artistic. We should never let others misunderstand the true meanings and beauty that goes behind the art we make. Draw and create what you want, whatever pleases you. No one can stop you from doing that. Viewers can and may be offended, but hey, they also have the right to take themselves elsewhere if such is a problem. In the end, the solution is simple as that.

Of course, how can you explain this to a society that giggles like school girls at naked statues and nudes in paintings?

So if any of you thankfully had the time to read over and understand this, maybe you’ll learn something.