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RIP Steve
Posted 14 years agoI was saddened to hear today that Steve Jobs had passed away. I've been an unabashed Apple-o-phile since the "beige box" Mac days and remember rooting for Jobs when Apple sued Microsoft contending Windows was a ripoff of the Mac OS in '88. Yeah, I fell out with Apple in the Mac Powerbook days, but found myself drawn back in recent years...
While many will say Jobs and Apple were/are an over-controlling tech oligarchy,I am a fan. As I sit here writing this on my four year old MacBook Pro, all I can say is, rest in peace Steve. I and many others will certainly miss you...
While many will say Jobs and Apple were/are an over-controlling tech oligarchy,I am a fan. As I sit here writing this on my four year old MacBook Pro, all I can say is, rest in peace Steve. I and many others will certainly miss you...
Well, I'm Back (At Least For Now)...
Posted 14 years agoI've been looking through my computer files over the last few weeks, deleting this, moving that... Last week, I came upon my art "Work in Progress" folder and almost trashed it. Before I did though, I thought I would open a file or two. After a few minutes, I reminded myself, "I'm done with that" and closed Illustrator and Photoshop (but didn't delete the files). A couple days later, I was drawn back and ended up opening a few more files. It wasn't long after (maybe a day or so) that I started revising some old work, just to see if I could, you know...
Today I decided to check FA for the first time in about eleven months. Wow! What nice work!
Okay, enough of the history... Suffice it to say I've been really busy over the course of the past months. I've been traveling overseas and generally working my buns off. I still am. Oh, I've done some drawing, mostly to please kids ("I wanna see a bear! Draw me a bear!") and when I'm bored to tears in a meeting, but, nothing serious. That said, during my short visit back here today, I realized that I missed the art. Most of all, though I missed the folks here...
So I'm back. I may draw some, depending on the time available, but mainly I'll try to stay tuned in to what's goin' on.
Sorry it took so long for me to get back here and sincere apologies for having to nuke all the comments, journals, shouts and watched art... The numbers were staggering...
Thanx for being here!
Cap
Today I decided to check FA for the first time in about eleven months. Wow! What nice work!
Okay, enough of the history... Suffice it to say I've been really busy over the course of the past months. I've been traveling overseas and generally working my buns off. I still am. Oh, I've done some drawing, mostly to please kids ("I wanna see a bear! Draw me a bear!") and when I'm bored to tears in a meeting, but, nothing serious. That said, during my short visit back here today, I realized that I missed the art. Most of all, though I missed the folks here...
So I'm back. I may draw some, depending on the time available, but mainly I'll try to stay tuned in to what's goin' on.
Sorry it took so long for me to get back here and sincere apologies for having to nuke all the comments, journals, shouts and watched art... The numbers were staggering...
Thanx for being here!
Cap
So Long and Thanks for All the Fish...
Posted 15 years agoWell, it had to happen sometime... Slowly, insidiously, drawing is becoming a chore. It seems that lately I can think of a million excuses not to draw. It's either work, or a new game, or this or that, but it always seems that drawing becomes the last priority.
I've been back at drawing as a hobby since ~2001 and it's been fun, but now I find myself being drawn (no pun intended) to other interests, shooting sports mainly, adding yet another excuse to the pile of rationalizations. Further, I can't shake the conviction that I'm in a rut and I'm not progressing as far and as fast as I was when I first got back into art after a long hiatus. Frustrating...
Sooooo, I'm taking a break from art, a long one this time. I won't be posting anything for quite a while, since I will be focusing on new endeavors, nor will I be checking this account with any degree of regularity. I may even pull down my gallery at some point, if the mood is upon me... I really don't know how far afield the wanderlust will take me or how long I will be away.
First, thanks to all who have watched me here, commented on and faved my stuff over the course of the last five plus years. Without your encouragement and friendship, I would have pulled the plug long ago. Sincerely, thank you.
Second, thanks to the Admins and staff at FA for hosting such an awesome website. Kudos to all of you for a job well done riding herd on all of us.
No drama. I'm not fishing for the "Puleeeze don't go!" type comments. I drew because it was fun. Now it's less so. If I get the urge to draw again, I'll certainly post it here. I'm not looking so much as this being a goodbye. It's more of an à bientôt, j'espère. For now, "So long and thanks for all the fish."
Cap
I've been back at drawing as a hobby since ~2001 and it's been fun, but now I find myself being drawn (no pun intended) to other interests, shooting sports mainly, adding yet another excuse to the pile of rationalizations. Further, I can't shake the conviction that I'm in a rut and I'm not progressing as far and as fast as I was when I first got back into art after a long hiatus. Frustrating...
Sooooo, I'm taking a break from art, a long one this time. I won't be posting anything for quite a while, since I will be focusing on new endeavors, nor will I be checking this account with any degree of regularity. I may even pull down my gallery at some point, if the mood is upon me... I really don't know how far afield the wanderlust will take me or how long I will be away.
First, thanks to all who have watched me here, commented on and faved my stuff over the course of the last five plus years. Without your encouragement and friendship, I would have pulled the plug long ago. Sincerely, thank you.
Second, thanks to the Admins and staff at FA for hosting such an awesome website. Kudos to all of you for a job well done riding herd on all of us.
No drama. I'm not fishing for the "Puleeeze don't go!" type comments. I drew because it was fun. Now it's less so. If I get the urge to draw again, I'll certainly post it here. I'm not looking so much as this being a goodbye. It's more of an à bientôt, j'espère. For now, "So long and thanks for all the fish."
Cap
Singapore Slings are Evil!!!
Posted 15 years agoAs I was killing time web surfing recently, I came across a Wikipedia entry on the old Raffles Hotel in Singapore. As I read through the entry and followed a couple links, I came across what is purported to be the original recipe for the hotel's iconic cocktail, the Singapore Sling. Now, I've never been big on fruity drinks. I usually will drink scotch (neat, no ice or water, thank you very much) or gin and tonics. But the history of the hotel and the drink itself made me ask what I had been missing by never having tried a Singapore Sling. Well, this weekend, I decided to buy all the ingredients (and there are a lot of 'em!) and give it a try. After spending over $150 on the mixers, I whomped one up... Pineapple juice, gin (a lot of that), Cointreau, Benedictine, Cherry Herring, grenadine, lime juice, a dash of bitters, shake well with ice, strain and enjoy...
Well, it was a hot Sunday afternoon and the darned thing tasted pretty good, with no taste of alcohol at all. Needless to say, the tumbler-sized drink lasted all of about 10 seconds before I was back off to the bar for seconds. And thirds... And fourths. I don't remember what went on after that other than I woke up on the couch with Sammy shaking me and it was dark outside all of a sudden like. I must have made it upstairs somehow, because next thing I knew, it was Monday morning, my head felt like it had been used for batting practice and the alarm clock was going off for work...
Moral of the story: No matter how good it tastes or how hot it is outside, chugging alcohol-laden fruit juice of any kind is a bad idea...
Well, it was a hot Sunday afternoon and the darned thing tasted pretty good, with no taste of alcohol at all. Needless to say, the tumbler-sized drink lasted all of about 10 seconds before I was back off to the bar for seconds. And thirds... And fourths. I don't remember what went on after that other than I woke up on the couch with Sammy shaking me and it was dark outside all of a sudden like. I must have made it upstairs somehow, because next thing I knew, it was Monday morning, my head felt like it had been used for batting practice and the alarm clock was going off for work...
Moral of the story: No matter how good it tastes or how hot it is outside, chugging alcohol-laden fruit juice of any kind is a bad idea...
General Orders No. 11
Posted 15 years agoHEADQUARTERS GRAND ARMY OF THE REPUBLIC, General Orders No.11, WASHINGTON, D.C., May 5, 1868
"The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country... and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet church-yard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit...
If other eyes grow dull, other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain to us.
Let us, then, at the time appointed gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of spring-time; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon a nation's gratitude, the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan."
So began the observance of Memorial Day... Please take a moment to remember those who gave "the last full measure of devotion" to preserve our freedom.
"The 30th day of May, 1868, is designated for the purpose of strewing with flowers or otherwise decorating the graves of comrades who died in defense of their country... and whose bodies now lie in almost every city, village, and hamlet church-yard in the land. In this observance no form of ceremony is prescribed, but posts and comrades will in their own way arrange such fitting services and testimonials of respect as circumstances may permit...
If other eyes grow dull, other hands slack, and other hearts cold in the solemn trust, ours shall keep it well as long as the light and warmth of life remain to us.
Let us, then, at the time appointed gather around their sacred remains and garland the passionless mounds above them with the choicest flowers of spring-time; let us raise above them the dear old flag they saved from dishonor; let us in this solemn presence renew our pledges to aid and assist those whom they have left among us a sacred charge upon a nation's gratitude, the soldier's and sailor's widow and orphan."
So began the observance of Memorial Day... Please take a moment to remember those who gave "the last full measure of devotion" to preserve our freedom.
Guests, like fish...
Posted 15 years agoBen Franklin had it right... "Guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days."
I've been away from my computer for the last seven days because my brother was visiting from Ohio and he was using my office (where the computer is located) as his bedroom. Even though I had my trusty laptop, I didn't have time to use it because, when I had some time to spare, I was being forced to play the good host.
I just put him on a plane back to his home back east, so hopefully things will get back to normal.
After a week's visit:
1. Sammy was homicidal. When he hit on the gals at the hoity-toity winery we took him to, Sammy was embarrassed. When he criticized the offerings for dinner, Sammy was ticked. When he insisted on traipsing around the house in his posing pouch-style briefs, belching, farting and swearing, that was it... I had to pry a large kitchen knife out of Sammy's hand a couple times...
2. I was broke. We'd go out to dinner (on the nights he wasn't criticizing the food Sammy made) and I would have to pay. He wanted to get an iPod Touch and wasn't a member of the warehouse club that had the lowest prices, so I put it on my card, expecting to be reimbursed in cash. Nope. He didn't even offer to pay for his light rail ticket back to the airport! He did break down and spend a few bucks of his own at the dollar store though...
3. The house was a wreak. He left clothes, half-eaten food and beer cans everywhere he went. Sammy and I were like a 24-hour a day maid service. And he insisted on bathing in a dollar-a-gallon aftershave that smelled like Bigfoot's dick (see the Sex Panther scene from Anchorman for details http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpS1mPvdFLo). I've got all the windows open to clear the air, and it's only 45 outside...
As I was saying goodbye at the light rail, he tells me that he has enough air miles for a free plane ticket and wants to come back out in the summer. Sammy and I can't wait...
I've been away from my computer for the last seven days because my brother was visiting from Ohio and he was using my office (where the computer is located) as his bedroom. Even though I had my trusty laptop, I didn't have time to use it because, when I had some time to spare, I was being forced to play the good host.
I just put him on a plane back to his home back east, so hopefully things will get back to normal.
After a week's visit:
1. Sammy was homicidal. When he hit on the gals at the hoity-toity winery we took him to, Sammy was embarrassed. When he criticized the offerings for dinner, Sammy was ticked. When he insisted on traipsing around the house in his posing pouch-style briefs, belching, farting and swearing, that was it... I had to pry a large kitchen knife out of Sammy's hand a couple times...
2. I was broke. We'd go out to dinner (on the nights he wasn't criticizing the food Sammy made) and I would have to pay. He wanted to get an iPod Touch and wasn't a member of the warehouse club that had the lowest prices, so I put it on my card, expecting to be reimbursed in cash. Nope. He didn't even offer to pay for his light rail ticket back to the airport! He did break down and spend a few bucks of his own at the dollar store though...
3. The house was a wreak. He left clothes, half-eaten food and beer cans everywhere he went. Sammy and I were like a 24-hour a day maid service. And he insisted on bathing in a dollar-a-gallon aftershave that smelled like Bigfoot's dick (see the Sex Panther scene from Anchorman for details http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpS1mPvdFLo). I've got all the windows open to clear the air, and it's only 45 outside...
As I was saying goodbye at the light rail, he tells me that he has enough air miles for a free plane ticket and wants to come back out in the summer. Sammy and I can't wait...
Has anybody been watching...?
Posted 15 years agoHas anybody out there been following the Starz made-for-TV series Spartacus?
Sammy and I started watching it weeks ago, thinking that it was going to be another sword-and-sandal blockbuster like HBO's Rome (which, btw, we loved). While Rome had about as much historical accuracy as a Superman comic book, it was a good yarn, with some decent acting.
After the first episode of Spartacus, with the "cast of tens" battle scenes and 300-like CG, we were all ready to give the whole thing the old pollice verso (thumbs down), but we stuck with it, hoping that it would get better. I've gotta admit, the series kinda grew on us and soon we were discussing how duplicitous Batiatus was and what a humongous "blue falcon" Ashur turned out to be (if you don't know the term blue falcon, see definition #3 here http://www.urbandictionary.com/defi.....=blue%20falcon) over the dinner table. My comments about Lucy Lawless' bare bewbage always earns me a sock in the arm, but hey, the weekly gratuitous breast scenes kept me watching... It's worth a little pain...
This evening, we had the chance to watch the season finale and, without giving too much away... wow... Now we just hope the dude who plays Spartacus (Andy Whitfield) beats his cancer and can continue to shoot Season 2. Should be interesting!
Anyone out there a fan of either Rome or Spartacus?
"Ave, Imperator, morituri te salutamus!"
Cap
Sammy and I started watching it weeks ago, thinking that it was going to be another sword-and-sandal blockbuster like HBO's Rome (which, btw, we loved). While Rome had about as much historical accuracy as a Superman comic book, it was a good yarn, with some decent acting.
After the first episode of Spartacus, with the "cast of tens" battle scenes and 300-like CG, we were all ready to give the whole thing the old pollice verso (thumbs down), but we stuck with it, hoping that it would get better. I've gotta admit, the series kinda grew on us and soon we were discussing how duplicitous Batiatus was and what a humongous "blue falcon" Ashur turned out to be (if you don't know the term blue falcon, see definition #3 here http://www.urbandictionary.com/defi.....=blue%20falcon) over the dinner table. My comments about Lucy Lawless' bare bewbage always earns me a sock in the arm, but hey, the weekly gratuitous breast scenes kept me watching... It's worth a little pain...
This evening, we had the chance to watch the season finale and, without giving too much away... wow... Now we just hope the dude who plays Spartacus (Andy Whitfield) beats his cancer and can continue to shoot Season 2. Should be interesting!
Anyone out there a fan of either Rome or Spartacus?
"Ave, Imperator, morituri te salutamus!"
Cap
It's Here!!!
Posted 15 years agoWell, my new iMac 27" i7 came a couple days ago. I would have posted sooner, but I've spent the last day-and-a-half getting it ready. It took about 6 hours for the disk image of my Macbook Pro to load; that really wasn't too much of a chore... All I had to do was follow the steps to transfer data from the external hard drive I used to back up my laptop and away it went. My biggest issue, and one I spent a day working on, was getting Windows to load correctly. After trying (and failing) four times to get a copy of XP Pro to load properly on the Windows partition, I ended up loading a fresh copy of Win7 64 bit Home Premium and it worked. Yippie!!!
Now the verdict... This has got to be the awesomest computer I've owned (and I've had a lot)! The display is crystal clear and e-bloody-normous. Sammy described it (when it was off) as looking like the obelisk from 2001, A Space Odyssey that had fallen on its side... And it's quiet! My only quibble (and it's a small one) is the slick but tiny wireless aluminum keyboard that comes with it is so small and light, it gets lost in your lap while typing.
Oh, and Napoleon Total War is super! Check out the opening cut scene that comes up after you load the game http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7RHiyWHuV0 Very kewl
(For the history buffs out there, look closely at the name of the ship Napoleon orders be burned at the end of the trailer and the roadside marker)... Vive l'Empereur!
Off to conquer Europe!
Cap
Now the verdict... This has got to be the awesomest computer I've owned (and I've had a lot)! The display is crystal clear and e-bloody-normous. Sammy described it (when it was off) as looking like the obelisk from 2001, A Space Odyssey that had fallen on its side... And it's quiet! My only quibble (and it's a small one) is the slick but tiny wireless aluminum keyboard that comes with it is so small and light, it gets lost in your lap while typing.
Oh, and Napoleon Total War is super! Check out the opening cut scene that comes up after you load the game http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7RHiyWHuV0 Very kewl
(For the history buffs out there, look closely at the name of the ship Napoleon orders be burned at the end of the trailer and the roadside marker)... Vive l'Empereur!
Off to conquer Europe!
Cap
New Computer on the Way!
Posted 15 years agoWell, Sammy finally succumbed to my whining and agreed to let me order a new computer. If all goes according to plan and UPS doesn't drop the ball I should be working on a brand new iMac by mid-week. I'll probably have to re-enter a bunch of product keys and stuff, but it'll be worth it (I hope).
More to follow but I'm excited!
Cap
P.S. Since I was already in the doghouse with Sammy for spending big bucks on yet another computer, I also ordered "Napoleon Total War" while I was at it... Anyone played it yet? I'm a big history buff and one of my favorite periods of study is late 18th - early 19th century Europe. Needless to say, I'm really looking forward to it...
More to follow but I'm excited!
Cap
P.S. Since I was already in the doghouse with Sammy for spending big bucks on yet another computer, I also ordered "Napoleon Total War" while I was at it... Anyone played it yet? I'm a big history buff and one of my favorite periods of study is late 18th - early 19th century Europe. Needless to say, I'm really looking forward to it...
Day After B-Day, Day Before New Year...
Posted 15 years agoWell. another birthday has come and gone... Sammy and I had a quiet celebration with just us. The snow the day before and the iffy road conditions made it virtually impossible to do anything with friends, so we stayed at home. Sammy got me a kind of motorcycle hoodie to wear under my jacket for winter rides and an iPod Touch. Now I've gotta figure out what apps I might want...
Today, it's time to reflect on the year past and make those infamous New Year's resolutions... Here are mine:
1. Spend more time at the gym... A lot more... Yeah, I currently go a couple times a week and no, I'm not looking to be the next Mr. Olympia. I just want to drop a few pounds and work more on cardio. Oh, and try to be there when Sammy goes...
2. Take some Krav Maga classes. I used to instruct unarmed combat (commonly referred to as "hand-to-gland combat") and want to find out what's different (if anything).
See? Simple... Now I've just got to do 'em!!!
Here's wishing you a wonderful 2010!
Cap
Today, it's time to reflect on the year past and make those infamous New Year's resolutions... Here are mine:
1. Spend more time at the gym... A lot more... Yeah, I currently go a couple times a week and no, I'm not looking to be the next Mr. Olympia. I just want to drop a few pounds and work more on cardio. Oh, and try to be there when Sammy goes...
2. Take some Krav Maga classes. I used to instruct unarmed combat (commonly referred to as "hand-to-gland combat") and want to find out what's different (if anything).
See? Simple... Now I've just got to do 'em!!!
Here's wishing you a wonderful 2010!
Cap
Movie...
Posted 15 years agoSammy and I just got finished watching the movie Up! on DVD... I didn't see it in the theaters when it first came around, though I had heard good things about it.
If you haven't seen the movie yet, I won't spoil it by going into the plot or anything, but I found the short wordless scenes at the very beginning concerning Carl and Ellie's life together incredibly touching. While the rest of the movie was pretty good, I think Pixar could have released just the first 10 minutes of the film and won an Oscar for "Best Animated Short".
After you've seen it, you'll see. I know that it will stay with me for a long, long time...
Cap
If you haven't seen the movie yet, I won't spoil it by going into the plot or anything, but I found the short wordless scenes at the very beginning concerning Carl and Ellie's life together incredibly touching. While the rest of the movie was pretty good, I think Pixar could have released just the first 10 minutes of the film and won an Oscar for "Best Animated Short".
After you've seen it, you'll see. I know that it will stay with me for a long, long time...
Cap
Veteran's Day 2009
Posted 16 years agoArmistice Day (or Veterans' Day in the US) is a time for us all to remember the sacrifices made by the men and women of the Armed Services in protecting our country.
Please take a moment today to thank those who had the honor to serve. It doesn't take long, but it certainly means a lot.
Thank you.
Cap
Please take a moment today to thank those who had the honor to serve. It doesn't take long, but it certainly means a lot.
Thank you.
Cap
Vacation, Yay!!!
Posted 16 years agoI finally got some time away from work... No having to check work e-mail, no cell phone calls at all hours and, best of all, I can sleep past 5:30 AM! Wooohooo!
Cap
Cap
Transformers 2
Posted 16 years agoSammy came home today with Transformers 2 from our local Red Box and asked whether I wanted to watch it after dinner. I naively said, "Sure". All I can say is give me three hours of my life back... While the movie only lasted for two hours, I want another back as interest... Sammy kept saying, "The Pyramids aren't anywhere near Jordan! The Red Sea isn't near the Pyramids! Hey, that's Petra! That's nowhere near the Pyramids either!" while rolling her eyes and OMG-ing. She was much more fun to watch than the movie (then, she usually is...).
Okay, interactive journal time... What do you think was my favorite part of the movie? Was it:
A. Optimus Prime kicking The Fallen's steel butt in the climactic battle scene?
B. Sam's over-the-top Mom getting baked on organic brownies? or
C. Megan Fox and her bouncing, half-exposed, glistening-with-sweat boobs running across the desert?
Happy guessing! >^.^<
Cap
Okay, interactive journal time... What do you think was my favorite part of the movie? Was it:
A. Optimus Prime kicking The Fallen's steel butt in the climactic battle scene?
B. Sam's over-the-top Mom getting baked on organic brownies? or
C. Megan Fox and her bouncing, half-exposed, glistening-with-sweat boobs running across the desert?
Happy guessing! >^.^<
Cap
Fall is Here...
Posted 16 years agoIt's gettin' to look like autumn here in the Pacific Northwest... There's a blanket of fresh snow on Mt. Hood and the folks up at Timberline Lodge have started to test the chair lifts in preparation for ski season on the mountain. The winter constellation Orion can be seen shining brightly in the early morning sky these days and the sound of thousands of Canadian geese calling to one another as they wing their way southwards fills the cool daytime air. It's time for crabbing, clamming and best of all, it's time to cuddle up with someone you love to enjoy hot mulled cider by the fire... God, I love this place!
Cap
Cap
New Stuff and Stuff...
Posted 16 years agoI figured it was time to update my journal, but couldn't think of anything earth-shattering to write about... So here goes a stream of consciousness journal entry.
Well, I'm too damn sick to go to KumoriCon in Portland this weekend... I'm currently the poster child for the "Cover Your Cough" campaign. If I showed up in my current condition, half of Portland would be sick by the end of next week. Sammy's done her best to get me well. She's poured gallons of hot tea into me over the last three days and goaded me into using her infernal netti pot. For those who don't know about the latter, all I can say is Google it and you'll see. As I mentioned in a couple comments, I liken it to self-inflicted waterboarding. All that, the meds and I'm still sick... Oh well... Sucks to be me at this point.
I did manage to finally get a motorcycle endorsement for my driver's license last week (before getting the crud), so now I can ride my new Piaggio with impunity and not have to constantly scan the horizon for John Law. When I showed up at the DMV with my certification paperwork, I almost platzed when they told me it would be $77 to get it added to my license... Holy Honda, Batman! WTH? The monthly payment on my bike is less! Krickies!
In any case, I'm back to drawing again, which is a good thing...
Humph, now that I look over what I've written, I truly didn't have much to write about... Time to go in and bug Sammy while she's trying to do something important... Wish me luck!
Cap
Well, I'm too damn sick to go to KumoriCon in Portland this weekend... I'm currently the poster child for the "Cover Your Cough" campaign. If I showed up in my current condition, half of Portland would be sick by the end of next week. Sammy's done her best to get me well. She's poured gallons of hot tea into me over the last three days and goaded me into using her infernal netti pot. For those who don't know about the latter, all I can say is Google it and you'll see. As I mentioned in a couple comments, I liken it to self-inflicted waterboarding. All that, the meds and I'm still sick... Oh well... Sucks to be me at this point.
I did manage to finally get a motorcycle endorsement for my driver's license last week (before getting the crud), so now I can ride my new Piaggio with impunity and not have to constantly scan the horizon for John Law. When I showed up at the DMV with my certification paperwork, I almost platzed when they told me it would be $77 to get it added to my license... Holy Honda, Batman! WTH? The monthly payment on my bike is less! Krickies!
In any case, I'm back to drawing again, which is a good thing...
Humph, now that I look over what I've written, I truly didn't have much to write about... Time to go in and bug Sammy while she's trying to do something important... Wish me luck!
Cap
Sorry...
Posted 16 years agoI gotta admit that I've been a bad panda. Of late, I have been a total slacker with regards to my art. Call it artist's block, laziness or whatever you'd like, but I just could not think of anything that I wanted to draw... No pose struck me as intriguing, no situation of interest, nothing... Yeah I doodled a bit; pencil stuff in my journal when I should have been taking notes in meetings, and some digital but nothing finished and nothing worthy of posting. It was like I was saying to myself "Okay, been there, done that, got the t-shirt" and was moving on to other things...
I was coming home from work (always long days), at which point I could always think of a reason not to draw... I had to watch a movie with Sammy, or I had to finish up e-mail, or I had a new application I wanted to try out, or, or, or...
In the midst of my art doldrums, I was even considering posting a journal like "I quit" and asking the admins to pull down my site here. (Note: This is certainly not meant to solicit the "Please don't leave" comment; I'm just letting you the depths to which I was sinking.)
There were a few things that caused me to get back to work. The first (and probably least weighty) thing that prompted me back into action was the fact that I had just spent ~$800 smackers on a new Adobe suite for my Mac specifically for my art. While I'm not at all money-driven, it was a consideration... The second was that I started seeing and imagining things again that caused me to say "Hmmmm, I wonder how that would look if..." or "I wonder if I could draw that..." The final, and probably most important, thing that brought me back to my artistic senses was the friends I've made here. Not to sound all goopy and self-important, but I feel I've progressed as an artist and everyone who took the time to fave one of my works or put in a comment was along for that ride with me. It would have been a shame to end the fun, certainly for me, and for those of you who have been kind enough to make the journey with me. I seriously do appreciate your patience as I worked through this lull and apologize for my mental/artistic lassitude.
In any case, I'm back in the drawing mood, so let's get on with things!
Cap
I was coming home from work (always long days), at which point I could always think of a reason not to draw... I had to watch a movie with Sammy, or I had to finish up e-mail, or I had a new application I wanted to try out, or, or, or...
In the midst of my art doldrums, I was even considering posting a journal like "I quit" and asking the admins to pull down my site here. (Note: This is certainly not meant to solicit the "Please don't leave" comment; I'm just letting you the depths to which I was sinking.)
There were a few things that caused me to get back to work. The first (and probably least weighty) thing that prompted me back into action was the fact that I had just spent ~$800 smackers on a new Adobe suite for my Mac specifically for my art. While I'm not at all money-driven, it was a consideration... The second was that I started seeing and imagining things again that caused me to say "Hmmmm, I wonder how that would look if..." or "I wonder if I could draw that..." The final, and probably most important, thing that brought me back to my artistic senses was the friends I've made here. Not to sound all goopy and self-important, but I feel I've progressed as an artist and everyone who took the time to fave one of my works or put in a comment was along for that ride with me. It would have been a shame to end the fun, certainly for me, and for those of you who have been kind enough to make the journey with me. I seriously do appreciate your patience as I worked through this lull and apologize for my mental/artistic lassitude.
In any case, I'm back in the drawing mood, so let's get on with things!
Cap
New Ride!
Posted 16 years agoI decided some time ago that I really needed to downsize my ride. Well, actually it was Sammy's idea (as so many of them are)... (Note: Before continuing, I've got to mention that Sammy is the quintessential "greenie". She's always talking carbon footprint, solar-powered lighting, greenhouse gases, denim wall insulation, Birkenstocks, you know...) Anyway, while surfing the internet, Sammy came up with the notion that I could trade in my car and buy a scooter to commute to and from work. Her logic was that I could get rid of my 21 MPG Acura and get something that would get 60 - 70 MPG for my short commute.
Now, I know what you're thinking, 'cuz it's probably the same thing as I was thinking. Scooters equal small, chipmunk-powered toy bikes that seem to dominate any picture of Rome. I was thinking how I would get gaffawed off the road by leather-wearing, Harley-riding dudes with grey ponytails and ZZ Top beards... I was picturing a bear riding a tricycle... Just as I was getting the "Ummmm, I don't think this is a very good idea" reply ready to go, she showed me a picture of what she had in mind.
Bottom line is that I am now riding a Piaggio MP3 400ie (http://www.piaggiousa.com/scooters......io%20MP3%20400) and loving every minute I spend on the road! Yeah, I kinda miss my tunes and yeah, the Acura's heated seats were nice on chilly Oregon mornings, but it is even more fun to be the center of attention while driving to work. As one motorcycle review put it, you get more attention riding this than Brittany getting out of a Lamborghini! I actually had a cop stop me just to ask me about the bike!
While I won't be growing my beard out or getting a tattoo of a black widow on my belly any time soon, I'm having a great time! Thanks for the suggestion Sammy, you little conservation-minded mouse you!
Cap
Now, I know what you're thinking, 'cuz it's probably the same thing as I was thinking. Scooters equal small, chipmunk-powered toy bikes that seem to dominate any picture of Rome. I was thinking how I would get gaffawed off the road by leather-wearing, Harley-riding dudes with grey ponytails and ZZ Top beards... I was picturing a bear riding a tricycle... Just as I was getting the "Ummmm, I don't think this is a very good idea" reply ready to go, she showed me a picture of what she had in mind.
Bottom line is that I am now riding a Piaggio MP3 400ie (http://www.piaggiousa.com/scooters......io%20MP3%20400) and loving every minute I spend on the road! Yeah, I kinda miss my tunes and yeah, the Acura's heated seats were nice on chilly Oregon mornings, but it is even more fun to be the center of attention while driving to work. As one motorcycle review put it, you get more attention riding this than Brittany getting out of a Lamborghini! I actually had a cop stop me just to ask me about the bike!
While I won't be growing my beard out or getting a tattoo of a black widow on my belly any time soon, I'm having a great time! Thanks for the suggestion Sammy, you little conservation-minded mouse you!
Cap
Joe Cocker in Concert!
Posted 16 years agoI recently got to see my first ever live concert... Well, maybe not the first, but I don't count the concerts I attended working security at anime conventions. After all, how can you enjoy a concert when all you get to do is watch for pimply-faced cosplaying teenaged fanboys amped up on Rock Star energy drinks trying to start a mosh pit by slugging the pimply-faced teenaged fanboy standing next to him? Answer: Not one bit...
A buddy called me and asked whether I wanted to see Joe Cocker in concert. Now, I'm not a huge Cocker fan, but I certainly am a fan of the classic Saturday Night Live and John Belushi. Anyone who has seen Belushi imitating Cocker (http://www.videoplayer.hu/videos/play/48374 and http://www.livevideo.com/video/D521.....ing-joe-c.aspx) is automatically a Cocker fan by proxy... Anyway, it was an amazing concert. Cocker has got to be in his mid-sixties, but he belted out "The Letter", "I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends" and about 90 minutes of other classics like the pro he is... In short, great concert.
Cap
A buddy called me and asked whether I wanted to see Joe Cocker in concert. Now, I'm not a huge Cocker fan, but I certainly am a fan of the classic Saturday Night Live and John Belushi. Anyone who has seen Belushi imitating Cocker (http://www.videoplayer.hu/videos/play/48374 and http://www.livevideo.com/video/D521.....ing-joe-c.aspx) is automatically a Cocker fan by proxy... Anyway, it was an amazing concert. Cocker has got to be in his mid-sixties, but he belted out "The Letter", "I Get By With a Little Help From My Friends" and about 90 minutes of other classics like the pro he is... In short, great concert.
Cap
What are you watching?
Posted 16 years agoI was just watching UFO Princess Valkyrie and, in addition to some gratuitous female upper torso nudity (especially during the bath house scenes) and fan service, it also appears to be nekomimi heaven. All of the maids and servants appear to be cat girls! Woohoo!
Certainly not the best drawn anime series I've ever seen, nor is the premise exceedingly interesting, but the chibi-to-magical girl transformation scenes (featuring Val) are pretty good. But the best part for me was how the cat girl ears and the hair styles were rendered.
Dunno whether it was worth the $39 for the DVDs but there doesn't seem to be much worth watching... I've hit an anime dry spell.
All you anime fans out there, anything interesting that you're watching? Let me know!
Cap
Certainly not the best drawn anime series I've ever seen, nor is the premise exceedingly interesting, but the chibi-to-magical girl transformation scenes (featuring Val) are pretty good. But the best part for me was how the cat girl ears and the hair styles were rendered.
Dunno whether it was worth the $39 for the DVDs but there doesn't seem to be much worth watching... I've hit an anime dry spell.
All you anime fans out there, anything interesting that you're watching? Let me know!
Cap
A meme...
Posted 16 years agoSince new puppy-age has hit my house, I haven't had time to draw. 'Sides, I'm waiting for the Macromedia/Adobe Creative Suite 4 Web Premium bundle I ordered to show up. Flash animation here I come! Boy, have I got some ideas there... Woohoo!
I can, however, spare a couple of seconds for a meme (of sorts) I've seen on the pages of a couple of people I'm watching (
vera being one). Here goes...
Things that hack me off (I'll admit it's a fairly short list)
- Art trolls who whose critiques consist of comments like "You suck!" without any explanation of what contributed to the suckiness
- Radio/Television pundits who have only the most superficial understanding of issues they are prattling on about, yet they seem to think that volume wins debates
- Movie "stars" who think I give a rat's patootie about their particular cause du jour or view of the political landscape. "You are woorfress, Arec Barrwin!"
- Office politics. If someone has to kiss ass, they should find a room...
- Self-important people
- While I'm on the subject of self-importance, artists who don't seem to have the time or the inclination to respond to comments from fans/watchers. When I miss responding to folks, I feel bad. Some don't even try... Guess they forgot who pays their emotional bills...
- Self-righteous people
- People who will talk smack about you behind your back but don't have the intestinal fortitude to say it to your face...
That's about it... As I said, short list...
Cap
I can, however, spare a couple of seconds for a meme (of sorts) I've seen on the pages of a couple of people I'm watching (
vera being one). Here goes...Things that hack me off (I'll admit it's a fairly short list)
- Art trolls who whose critiques consist of comments like "You suck!" without any explanation of what contributed to the suckiness
- Radio/Television pundits who have only the most superficial understanding of issues they are prattling on about, yet they seem to think that volume wins debates
- Movie "stars" who think I give a rat's patootie about their particular cause du jour or view of the political landscape. "You are woorfress, Arec Barrwin!"
- Office politics. If someone has to kiss ass, they should find a room...
- Self-important people
- While I'm on the subject of self-importance, artists who don't seem to have the time or the inclination to respond to comments from fans/watchers. When I miss responding to folks, I feel bad. Some don't even try... Guess they forgot who pays their emotional bills...
- Self-righteous people
- People who will talk smack about you behind your back but don't have the intestinal fortitude to say it to your face...
That's about it... As I said, short list...
Cap
Welcome to My World...
Posted 16 years agoFor those who have been watching me for a while, you've probably realized that even my glacially slow art process has been completely frozen lately and I've been pretty slow in responding to comments, etc. So, if any of y'all were wondering where the heck I've been lately (Someone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?), here goes...
I have had a couple of things going on personally that have prevented me from drawing and even checking my account here at FA. First is/was a very public, very pervasive layoff action within my group at work. We were told many moons ago to expect something, but, as the time got closer, it became clear that "We few, we happy few, we band of brothers..." were going to be a lot fewer when the date publicized rolled around. This realization, of course, caused a frenzy of activity by all (me included) to keep from being singled out of the herd and culled when the time came. Well, it did and we lost about 33% of the folks in my group a couple of weeks ago. I survived, but now there's the inevitable survivor's guilt thing going on and the seeing folks you've worked with for years get treated like they've got some communicable disease as they pack their things thing going on... Sad... Needless to say, my time available to draw has been pretty hard to come by lately...
But, at least I know now I'm safe! Yippie! I can get back to drawing in my much-curtailed free-time... Woops, not so fast... As part of a not-getting-laid-off celebration, Sammy thought it was a good time to get a new puppy. Now what little free time I had left after doing everyone else's job is taken up in walks in the yard at all hours, playing with this furry perpetual motion machine and keeping an eye on said new family member to ensure he doesn't end up as a light snack for the other two huge dogs we currently have. Not whining or anything, but I just got up from the longest continuous sleep cycle I've had in four days (three whole hours). Sammy has certainly helped (it was her idea, after all), but sleeping on the couch to be in proximity to the door gets old quick and if she doesn't get enough sleep, everyone suffers. Did I happen to mention the thing about how redheads and quick tempers seem almost synonymous? Well, think of a sleep-deprived Shrek with long hair, who uses big words to cut you to ribbons...
In short, for those who may have wondered "Where's Cap been lately?", know that I've been pretty busy the last couple months and I'm likely to remain so for a while. I'm still here though...
I have had a couple of things going on personally that have prevented me from drawing and even checking my account here at FA. First is/was a very public, very pervasive layoff action within my group at work. We were told many moons ago to expect something, but, as the time got closer, it became clear that "We few, we happy few, we band of brothers..." were going to be a lot fewer when the date publicized rolled around. This realization, of course, caused a frenzy of activity by all (me included) to keep from being singled out of the herd and culled when the time came. Well, it did and we lost about 33% of the folks in my group a couple of weeks ago. I survived, but now there's the inevitable survivor's guilt thing going on and the seeing folks you've worked with for years get treated like they've got some communicable disease as they pack their things thing going on... Sad... Needless to say, my time available to draw has been pretty hard to come by lately...
But, at least I know now I'm safe! Yippie! I can get back to drawing in my much-curtailed free-time... Woops, not so fast... As part of a not-getting-laid-off celebration, Sammy thought it was a good time to get a new puppy. Now what little free time I had left after doing everyone else's job is taken up in walks in the yard at all hours, playing with this furry perpetual motion machine and keeping an eye on said new family member to ensure he doesn't end up as a light snack for the other two huge dogs we currently have. Not whining or anything, but I just got up from the longest continuous sleep cycle I've had in four days (three whole hours). Sammy has certainly helped (it was her idea, after all), but sleeping on the couch to be in proximity to the door gets old quick and if she doesn't get enough sleep, everyone suffers. Did I happen to mention the thing about how redheads and quick tempers seem almost synonymous? Well, think of a sleep-deprived Shrek with long hair, who uses big words to cut you to ribbons...
In short, for those who may have wondered "Where's Cap been lately?", know that I've been pretty busy the last couple months and I'm likely to remain so for a while. I'm still here though...
What a Waste...
Posted 16 years agoYou may (or may not) have been wondering where I've been for the last couple of weeks (no drawing, little communications, etc). Well, two things... My brother came out for a visit the week before last and Sammy and I had to do the dutiful host thing. He basically wanted to have his own personally chauffeured wine tour of the Willamette Valley, so, when I wasn't working, Sammy, brother and I packed off, visiting about half of the wineries in a 100 mile radius of our place. Egads, there are a bunch! Even I didn't realize how many there were! After the first day of tasting, I couldn't tell a merlot from pond water, I was so tooted. Over the course of 5 days, I had consumed enough free (and not so free) wine and spirits that the State of Oregon could have slapped an alcohol tax sticker on my forehead...
Thankfully, Sammy assumed the role of designated driver, since she is a total lightweight when it comes to drinking (put a drink in her, one drink mind you, and you never know what you'll get). Besides driving, her role was to sigh and run for the car as my uncouth sibling accosted female strangers, insulted vintners, was loudly flatulent in crowded tasting rooms and generally made it so that I need to spend the next year in hiding from the embarrassment he caused...
Anyway, when I finally waved au revoir to my brother and being afraid to show my face in public for fear of running into someone who recognized me as "That guy who was with the other guy who (pinched my ass, blew the fart as I was sipping that 2006 chablis, was staring at my tits, pick one)...", I bought Neverwinter Nights 2 and started playing it. I got into it and spent all of my free time trying to beat the game as a Lawful Good half-elf monk. Only yesterday, I got to the final battle with "The King of Shadows" and, after many retries, I won, only to find out in the extended final cutscene that I and all my AI buddies were killed when the temple I was fighting the last battle in collapsed. How lame is that?!? Give me back a week of my life! Please!
Anyway, I'll be spending the next week or so waiting to find out if my job is safe and refining some ideas I have for art. Either I have a job in a week and I can work on my drawings without worry or I'll have all the time in the world... We'll see, said the Zen Master...
Cap
Thankfully, Sammy assumed the role of designated driver, since she is a total lightweight when it comes to drinking (put a drink in her, one drink mind you, and you never know what you'll get). Besides driving, her role was to sigh and run for the car as my uncouth sibling accosted female strangers, insulted vintners, was loudly flatulent in crowded tasting rooms and generally made it so that I need to spend the next year in hiding from the embarrassment he caused...
Anyway, when I finally waved au revoir to my brother and being afraid to show my face in public for fear of running into someone who recognized me as "That guy who was with the other guy who (pinched my ass, blew the fart as I was sipping that 2006 chablis, was staring at my tits, pick one)...", I bought Neverwinter Nights 2 and started playing it. I got into it and spent all of my free time trying to beat the game as a Lawful Good half-elf monk. Only yesterday, I got to the final battle with "The King of Shadows" and, after many retries, I won, only to find out in the extended final cutscene that I and all my AI buddies were killed when the temple I was fighting the last battle in collapsed. How lame is that?!? Give me back a week of my life! Please!
Anyway, I'll be spending the next week or so waiting to find out if my job is safe and refining some ideas I have for art. Either I have a job in a week and I can work on my drawings without worry or I'll have all the time in the world... We'll see, said the Zen Master...
Cap
I've been a baaaaad boy....
Posted 16 years agoRemember the classic Looney Toons "A Tale of Two Kitties", where Babbit and Catstello try to catch Tweety? Well, I've been baaaaad boy...
No, it's not something that is going to cause me to take a beating from Sammy... I haven't been keeping up with my thank you messages out to folks who faved my stuff lately and I feel guilty about not having done so. Those who have been watching me for a while know that I like to leave a "thank you" shout to folks who give me a fave, but I've frankly not been as diligent as I should have been and now I'm so far behind that I'll never catch up... Weak exuse, but I apologize...
So, now that I feel like a complete slacker, thanks to all who faved my art over the course of the last two weeks... I'll try to keep up going forward.
Cap
No, it's not something that is going to cause me to take a beating from Sammy... I haven't been keeping up with my thank you messages out to folks who faved my stuff lately and I feel guilty about not having done so. Those who have been watching me for a while know that I like to leave a "thank you" shout to folks who give me a fave, but I've frankly not been as diligent as I should have been and now I'm so far behind that I'll never catch up... Weak exuse, but I apologize...
So, now that I feel like a complete slacker, thanks to all who faved my art over the course of the last two weeks... I'll try to keep up going forward.
Cap
>1000 Watches!
Posted 16 years agoI guess I must have just woken up or something, because when I happened to look at the number of folks watching me, I realized that sometime in the last geologic epoch, I went over 1000 folks watching me! There's currently 1021... Holy guacamole! That's more than I ever dreamed possible!
Wonderment and awe aside and not wanting to come across like some self-important actor giving an empty acceptance speech on Oscar night, I've got to say thank each and every one of you out there. I truly enjoy posting art here. It's your comments, critiques and favorites, but most of all your art, that make FA such a great place to be.
Thank you.
Cap
Wonderment and awe aside and not wanting to come across like some self-important actor giving an empty acceptance speech on Oscar night, I've got to say thank each and every one of you out there. I truly enjoy posting art here. It's your comments, critiques and favorites, but most of all your art, that make FA such a great place to be.
Thank you.
Cap
