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Journal Repost:
Posted 15 years agoOnce again, I find that I need to repost this. Once again, we fall we fall into the same pattern of shock, then blame, then forgetfulness, until the next time it happens.
And now a few thoughts.....
What a horrible week this has been. First Hawaii looses one of it's most beloved sons, and the rest taken up by the Virginia Tech massacre. I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to all the furs (and everyone else, including the victims' families) who are VT students and alumni.
You know, every time I hear of these things, with the exception of the place, the people, and the casualties, the more they sound the same, and the less surprised I get. Okay, two of the ones last year threw a curve ball, but everything else, the shooter, the not-so-obvious-at-the-time-but-are-blatantly-obvious-now warning signs, and the all to predicatable reactions and finger pointing. We've heard this all before, even before Columbine; it's the media's fault, it's all that violent music, movies, video games, [a particular socio-political philosophy- 1/8/11,] we need more gun control, we need less gun control, blah, blah, blah, the usual suspects, and not getting to the real problem, and the one to blame: the sick, disturbed bastard who pulled the trigger.
It's very easy to blame societies woes for all this, and I don't have a solution that wouldn't violate every law of humanity, but I do know this: We are a violent species, and one of the very, very few that kills without reason. The capacity for evil and of good exists within us all. And knowing that such exists, is the first step in containing it. The warning signs are there, but they're not like a giant neon sign, and we do need to look out for them or else this will happen again.
Even the person in the mirror.
We never seem to "get it", do we?
And now a few thoughts.....
What a horrible week this has been. First Hawaii looses one of it's most beloved sons, and the rest taken up by the Virginia Tech massacre. I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to all the furs (and everyone else, including the victims' families) who are VT students and alumni.
You know, every time I hear of these things, with the exception of the place, the people, and the casualties, the more they sound the same, and the less surprised I get. Okay, two of the ones last year threw a curve ball, but everything else, the shooter, the not-so-obvious-at-the-time-but-are-blatantly-obvious-now warning signs, and the all to predicatable reactions and finger pointing. We've heard this all before, even before Columbine; it's the media's fault, it's all that violent music, movies, video games, [a particular socio-political philosophy- 1/8/11,] we need more gun control, we need less gun control, blah, blah, blah, the usual suspects, and not getting to the real problem, and the one to blame: the sick, disturbed bastard who pulled the trigger.
It's very easy to blame societies woes for all this, and I don't have a solution that wouldn't violate every law of humanity, but I do know this: We are a violent species, and one of the very, very few that kills without reason. The capacity for evil and of good exists within us all. And knowing that such exists, is the first step in containing it. The warning signs are there, but they're not like a giant neon sign, and we do need to look out for them or else this will happen again.
Even the person in the mirror.
We never seem to "get it", do we?
Commission Notice #2
Posted 15 years agoCommissions are now reopened.
Mele Kalikimaka!
Posted 15 years agoFor your Christmas pleasure, here's the song "The 12 Days of Christmas" done "Hawaiian Style":
(parody lyrics: E. Magoon, E. Kenney, G. Phelps)
Numbah ___ day of Christmas, my Tutu gave to me:
One mynah bird in one papayah tree....
2 coconut.... (as in a bra?-EKG)
3 dried squid....
4 flower lei....
5 big fat pigs!.....
6 hula lesson....
7 shrimp-a-swimmin'.... (is that all?! Howabout 7 pounds?)
8 ukulele.... (to go with the hula lesson I suppose.)
9 pounds of poi.... (good luck trying to get that one.)
10 cans of beer.... (I'd like to point out that they let KIDS sing this one, unaltered.)
11 missionary..... (take this one back!)
....Numbah 12 day is Da Bes', and you always save Da Bes' fo' last........
12....... TELEVISION!!!!!!!!!!!!
Merry Christmas!
(parody lyrics: E. Magoon, E. Kenney, G. Phelps)
Numbah ___ day of Christmas, my Tutu gave to me:
One mynah bird in one papayah tree....
2 coconut.... (as in a bra?-EKG)
3 dried squid....
4 flower lei....
5 big fat pigs!.....
6 hula lesson....
7 shrimp-a-swimmin'.... (is that all?! Howabout 7 pounds?)
8 ukulele.... (to go with the hula lesson I suppose.)
9 pounds of poi.... (good luck trying to get that one.)
10 cans of beer.... (I'd like to point out that they let KIDS sing this one, unaltered.)
11 missionary..... (take this one back!)
....Numbah 12 day is Da Bes', and you always save Da Bes' fo' last........
12....... TELEVISION!!!!!!!!!!!!
Merry Christmas!
Commission Notice
Posted 15 years agoCommissions are now closed for the Christmas Holidays. They will resume in January. Trades and requests are still open. (Especially Christmas themed ones!)
Commission for:
Dusty: Completed
Olonia: Completed
Ryoga: Completed
Zeek Hedgehog: Completed
Commission for:
Dusty: Completed
Olonia: Completed
Ryoga: Completed
Zeek Hedgehog: Completed
A Hawaii Five-O Story
Posted 15 years agoThis is how my dad met Steve McGarret, and didn't even know who he was:
One night when my dad was an assistaint manager for a local supermarket, a man came up to him and asked if his check was accepted there. My dad looked at it, checked his ID, and apporved it, and the man went on with his business. A short time later, one of the employees went up to his and asked if he knew who that was. My dad said he didn't, and the employee said "That was Jack Lord!"
"Who's Jack Lord?"
[anvil-jaw, bug-eye, anime-sweatdrop, wildtake, colapse]
My dad was never much hip on pop-culture.
Still, Mr. Lord must've been pleased that someone treated him like just another ordinary person instead of a big Hollywood star.
(My mom once caught a glimpse of Jack Lord at the store where she worked at once too.)
One night when my dad was an assistaint manager for a local supermarket, a man came up to him and asked if his check was accepted there. My dad looked at it, checked his ID, and apporved it, and the man went on with his business. A short time later, one of the employees went up to his and asked if he knew who that was. My dad said he didn't, and the employee said "That was Jack Lord!"
"Who's Jack Lord?"
[anvil-jaw, bug-eye, anime-sweatdrop, wildtake, colapse]
My dad was never much hip on pop-culture.
Still, Mr. Lord must've been pleased that someone treated him like just another ordinary person instead of a big Hollywood star.
(My mom once caught a glimpse of Jack Lord at the store where she worked at once too.)
Remember the "Forgotten War"
Posted 15 years agoWhile the mainstream media is preoccupied with the one-year anniversary of Michael Jackson's death (as sadly typical of them), this weekend is also the anniversary of another, more importaint event, and one, if we're not careful, could come back to remind us of it in a more terrible way. I am, of course, talking about the 60th anniversary of the start of the Korean War, the so-called "forgotten" war that never actually ended, and one which is still being played out today.
For 57 years, the two Koreas have had a peace that teeters on the edge of a concertina wire.
For 57 years, South Korea has been a thriving democracy (more or less at times), and an ecomomic powerhouse, while the falsely called "Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) is a badly impoverished country ruled by a monolithic dicatorship that is anything but "Democratic."
The North Korean government has kidnapped citizens of South Korea, Japan, and many others (including Americans).
They constaintly disregard any (and every) act of international law, human right, and UN sanction, and threaten war if they're even lightly scolded.
Though somewhat unsuccesful, they have tested ballistic missile and nuclear weapons technology, and exchange that technology to other rouge nations, including Iran.
Last March, they sank a South Korean naval vessel killing 46 sailors, in clear violation of the Armistace agreement of 1953 that "ended" the war.
An Armistice is not an end to a war, it merely puts it on "pause." There has been no formal negotiations to end the war, so technically, the Koreas are still at war.
And just like the veterans of WW2, the Korean vets are also becoming few in number.
If we do not remember this war, it will come back to remind us of it.
"Those who do not remember history are doomed to repeat it."
The Korean War veteran & casualty in my family. Both are brothers.
Col. Iwao Yokooji, 442 RCT/ 2 Inf. Div.
Pvt. Tetsumi Yokooji, 7 Cav. Rgt./ 1 Cav. Div. KIA-9/28/51
For 57 years, the two Koreas have had a peace that teeters on the edge of a concertina wire.
For 57 years, South Korea has been a thriving democracy (more or less at times), and an ecomomic powerhouse, while the falsely called "Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) is a badly impoverished country ruled by a monolithic dicatorship that is anything but "Democratic."
The North Korean government has kidnapped citizens of South Korea, Japan, and many others (including Americans).
They constaintly disregard any (and every) act of international law, human right, and UN sanction, and threaten war if they're even lightly scolded.
Though somewhat unsuccesful, they have tested ballistic missile and nuclear weapons technology, and exchange that technology to other rouge nations, including Iran.
Last March, they sank a South Korean naval vessel killing 46 sailors, in clear violation of the Armistace agreement of 1953 that "ended" the war.
An Armistice is not an end to a war, it merely puts it on "pause." There has been no formal negotiations to end the war, so technically, the Koreas are still at war.
And just like the veterans of WW2, the Korean vets are also becoming few in number.
If we do not remember this war, it will come back to remind us of it.
"Those who do not remember history are doomed to repeat it."
The Korean War veteran & casualty in my family. Both are brothers.
Col. Iwao Yokooji, 442 RCT/ 2 Inf. Div.
Pvt. Tetsumi Yokooji, 7 Cav. Rgt./ 1 Cav. Div. KIA-9/28/51
Memorial Day Repost
Posted 15 years agoMy Family. Updated.
WW II:
Pfc. Shigeru Nakamura, 522 HQ, 442 RCT/ 100 Btl.
Kwanyei Goya, Imperial Japanese Army. KIA- Okinawa 1945.
*(I suspect there were probably more.)
Korea:
Col. Iwao Yokooji, 442 RCT/ 2 Inf. Div.
Pvt. Tetsumi Yokooji, 7 Cav. Rgt./ 1 Cav. Div. KIA-9/28/51
(Iwao's brother.)
Vietnam:
Dennis Sato, US Army
Roy Wiginton, USMC (1942-2010)
WW II:
Pfc. Shigeru Nakamura, 522 HQ, 442 RCT/ 100 Btl.
Kwanyei Goya, Imperial Japanese Army. KIA- Okinawa 1945.
*(I suspect there were probably more.)
Korea:
Col. Iwao Yokooji, 442 RCT/ 2 Inf. Div.
Pvt. Tetsumi Yokooji, 7 Cav. Rgt./ 1 Cav. Div. KIA-9/28/51
(Iwao's brother.)
Vietnam:
Dennis Sato, US Army
Roy Wiginton, USMC (1942-2010)
Goodbye Coco!
Posted 16 years agoGoodbye Coco! Goodbye "Year 3000!" Goodbye Conando! Goodbye twink-emo-vampire-PA-who-kills-himself-by-running-out-of-the-studio-into-the-sunlight-and-turning-himself-into-a-charcoal-briquette! Goodbye LaBamba! Goodbye creapy wax effigy of Tom Crusie! Goodbye Max Weinberg's mobile drumset! Goodbye "Twitter Tracker!" And goodbye Masturbating Bear! (Even if he only appeared once.)
(After the Winter Olympics, I will be boycotting the Peacock.)
(After the Winter Olympics, I will be boycotting the Peacock.)
50,000 Views!
Posted 16 years agoWow! And all before the new year too! Thank You all for your support!
Christmas Commissions Open
Posted 16 years agoIn the past, people have asked me to do commissions for Christmas. (Either as gifts, theme, or both.) The only problem is that they order it in mid-December, which usually means that they didn't get it until the beginning of the following year. So this year, I'm opening them early so I can get them done before the post office mailing deadlines. As always, commissions are on a first-come, first-served basis. So if you want some nice, handdrawn gift for someone, or even yourself, order now!
Prices (9"x12"):
B/W: $25.00US
COLOR: $30.00US
Other sizes availiable upon request.
For more information see:
http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/677136/
Current Orders:
Darkfox Akula: Completed
Kizzneth: Completed
Prices (9"x12"):
B/W: $25.00US
COLOR: $30.00US
Other sizes availiable upon request.
For more information see:
http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/677136/
Current Orders:
Darkfox Akula: Completed
Kizzneth: Completed
Sen. Edward Kennedy: 1932-2009
Posted 16 years agoToday, the final chapter of Camelot has been written with the passing of the last of the Kennedy Brothers. His political career has survived and outlasted that of both of his brothers, whose careeres and lives have both been violently cut short. Wheter you like his politics, or political decisions or not, Ted Kennedy was no doubt a survivor and continued to serve his country as a lawmaker to his very last breath. Thank You for your service Senator, your job is finished. Go in peace, your brothers and sister are waiting for you.
No more deaths this year, I've had enough.
No more deaths this year, I've had enough.
50 States, 50 Years
Posted 16 years agoOn August 21, 1959, a small group of islands in the middle of the Pacific became the 50th star on the American flag. While the circumstances of how Hawaii became part of America is higly controversial, (The Hawaiian Kingdom was overthrown in an illegal coup d'etat by a group of American buisnessmen backed by the Amrican government.) and which still remains an open wound even today. (Hence the reason why there were no celebrations of anykind, only a conference on statehood, and the only parade was held by protestors decrying the above injustice. Understandable, and perhaps warrented, even if it does suck a little.) Still, we here have much to be proud of:
Iolani Palace had electricity 4 years BEFORE the White House, or any other royal palace in the world.
Alamoana Center (built a few months before Statehood day), was once the largest shopping center in the world. A record long since broken, and unlikely will ever regain it. However, it still boasts the largest Sears store in the country. (Thanks to my brother for that trivia bit.)
The first "live, via-satilite" concert was broadcast from here. It was Elvis.
We invented surfing, NOT California!
We have the largest nature preserve in the world. (the Northwest Hawaiian islands).... And it was created under BUSH!
(Not a proud moment, but very historic) The worst national disaster happened here, and remained so until 9/11.
You want to learn about "cultural diversity"? We're it, not this "Pollitical Correctness" crap!
For the zillionth time, the President WAS BORN HERE!
We've made great contributions in music, art, science, technology, sports, pop-culture, and politics. Fifty years ago, no one would have ever thought that the youngest state in the union would ever produce a president, much less an African-American one, (or even 2 years ago.) Granted, not everything here is Paradise. We have our share of the same problems as everyplace else with crime, corruption, and all the other ills that civilization has brought. But for me, of all the places in the world I could've been born in, God has chosen this place for me, and I wouldn't have it anyother way. We are truly a very blessed people to live here. The wrongs of the past is something that shouldn't be forgotten, but at the same time, it can't be undone and must remain in the past. What matters now is what we do now, and what kind of future do we want our islands home to have. I do hope that it'll be a good one, because I'd really hate to move away.
Iolani Palace had electricity 4 years BEFORE the White House, or any other royal palace in the world.
Alamoana Center (built a few months before Statehood day), was once the largest shopping center in the world. A record long since broken, and unlikely will ever regain it. However, it still boasts the largest Sears store in the country. (Thanks to my brother for that trivia bit.)
The first "live, via-satilite" concert was broadcast from here. It was Elvis.
We invented surfing, NOT California!
We have the largest nature preserve in the world. (the Northwest Hawaiian islands).... And it was created under BUSH!
(Not a proud moment, but very historic) The worst national disaster happened here, and remained so until 9/11.
You want to learn about "cultural diversity"? We're it, not this "Pollitical Correctness" crap!
For the zillionth time, the President WAS BORN HERE!
We've made great contributions in music, art, science, technology, sports, pop-culture, and politics. Fifty years ago, no one would have ever thought that the youngest state in the union would ever produce a president, much less an African-American one, (or even 2 years ago.) Granted, not everything here is Paradise. We have our share of the same problems as everyplace else with crime, corruption, and all the other ills that civilization has brought. But for me, of all the places in the world I could've been born in, God has chosen this place for me, and I wouldn't have it anyother way. We are truly a very blessed people to live here. The wrongs of the past is something that shouldn't be forgotten, but at the same time, it can't be undone and must remain in the past. What matters now is what we do now, and what kind of future do we want our islands home to have. I do hope that it'll be a good one, because I'd really hate to move away.
In Mourning...AGAIN!
Posted 16 years agoLast year, as you all may know, my grandfather died. Now a little more than a year later, my other grandma has passed away this morning of natural causes. She was 95. For the past two years, I've been taking an active role in helping care for her, of which I have made considerable sacrifices, both in terms of time, patience, and social life, all of which I have done gladly and willingly. During the whole time, I have noticed her steady decline, not through any sickness or disease, but from old age. When I started to fill in more and more for my mother, my grandma was already getting frail, but as time wore on, she became slower and slower, losing the ability to walk, and spending more and more of her time sleeping, and me losing my sleep as she snores and talks in her sleep. (It seems that her mind was more awake when she's asleep than when she's awake.) And despite my various complaints, and fustrations, I continued to help her the best I could. But within the past three weeks, her decline became increasingly rapid, losing the ability to walk completely, much less stand, spending all the time sleeping, and eating less and less. The past two were the worst of it when she became bed-ridden, when she was only able to take no more than a teaspoon of liquid every few hours. Her time was now running out. Everyone, including myself, spent the time at her house, (hence the reason why I haven't been very productive in the art dept.), waiting, which was the toughest part of all. She died this morning at 3:00am in peace. I was at home when that dreaded phone call came.
You can sleep forever now grandma. No one is going to interrupt it anymore.
You can sleep forever now grandma. No one is going to interrupt it anymore.
MJ Memories
Posted 16 years agoSince everyone's writing about it, I guess I should too...
The first time I've ever heard of Michael Jackson was back in 1983 (or was it '84?), and "Beat It" was the big hit song that everyone heard, everyone, that is, except me. (Hey, it's not MY fault that my parents only listened to 60's & 70's soft-rock!) The result: just one more reason for the other kids to laugh at me. (My unusual name and overal meekness apparently wasn't enough material for teasing.) Eventually, I did hear it, and a whole bunch of other MJ songs, and became a fan.
The second biggest memory I have of him came during high school the day after the "Black or White" video came out. While everyone tripped out at the seemless morphing sequence, and the appearences of Norm and that "Home Alone" kid, the "bonus" thing at the end was a real "WTF?" moment(s). Even my AFJROTC instructor was puzzled at "Wacko Jacko's" constaint crotch grabbing. (He does keep with the current things, of course, his daughter was in my class as well.)
After that, things went down hill for him. While I won't discuss my opinions on what he did, or "ALLEGEDLY" did, or even condone it ( I don't), we've all seen how the effects of what was a whole lifetime of fame has done to him, physically, and mentally, as we saw him,....well, "decompose?" on the international spotlight. We've seen him go from black [male] child and young adult, (aka, the 80's MJ), to the more white, "effeminate" MJ of the 90's. (I actually mistook him for K.D. Lang once, SERIOUSLY! I'm not kidding! I really DID!), to the "corpse MJ" of the past 9 years. (He wouldn't need the makeup to look like a zombie in "Thriller" anymore. Come to think of it, his zombie looked better.) Yes, I've made fun of him too, namely in an infamous Valentine's Day pic featuring a certain, then little known slut-griffion named Mahmut. ( http://www.furaffinity.net/view/1074969/ ). I still think it's funny.
As we yet make another blood sacrifice to the Dark God of Fame and look back on his life, I think no one, not even Shakespere, could have written a more tragic character than the one Michael Jackson has written for himself.
He was truly a one-of-a-kind person, and there will never be another one like him. (And to most extent, hopefully, there never will.) As for myself, I will always remember him as a singer who made a naively ignorant child his childhood, not as the man he eventually became.
The first time I've ever heard of Michael Jackson was back in 1983 (or was it '84?), and "Beat It" was the big hit song that everyone heard, everyone, that is, except me. (Hey, it's not MY fault that my parents only listened to 60's & 70's soft-rock!) The result: just one more reason for the other kids to laugh at me. (My unusual name and overal meekness apparently wasn't enough material for teasing.) Eventually, I did hear it, and a whole bunch of other MJ songs, and became a fan.
The second biggest memory I have of him came during high school the day after the "Black or White" video came out. While everyone tripped out at the seemless morphing sequence, and the appearences of Norm and that "Home Alone" kid, the "bonus" thing at the end was a real "WTF?" moment(s). Even my AFJROTC instructor was puzzled at "Wacko Jacko's" constaint crotch grabbing. (He does keep with the current things, of course, his daughter was in my class as well.)
After that, things went down hill for him. While I won't discuss my opinions on what he did, or "ALLEGEDLY" did, or even condone it ( I don't), we've all seen how the effects of what was a whole lifetime of fame has done to him, physically, and mentally, as we saw him,....well, "decompose?" on the international spotlight. We've seen him go from black [male] child and young adult, (aka, the 80's MJ), to the more white, "effeminate" MJ of the 90's. (I actually mistook him for K.D. Lang once, SERIOUSLY! I'm not kidding! I really DID!), to the "corpse MJ" of the past 9 years. (He wouldn't need the makeup to look like a zombie in "Thriller" anymore. Come to think of it, his zombie looked better.) Yes, I've made fun of him too, namely in an infamous Valentine's Day pic featuring a certain, then little known slut-griffion named Mahmut. ( http://www.furaffinity.net/view/1074969/ ). I still think it's funny.
As we yet make another blood sacrifice to the Dark God of Fame and look back on his life, I think no one, not even Shakespere, could have written a more tragic character than the one Michael Jackson has written for himself.
He was truly a one-of-a-kind person, and there will never be another one like him. (And to most extent, hopefully, there never will.) As for myself, I will always remember him as a singer who made a naively ignorant child his childhood, not as the man he eventually became.
What a Surreal Day!
Posted 16 years agoOk, yesterday you've seen me post my cartoon commentary about the misplaced priorities of the mainstream media. As it now turns out, I was VERY premature in drawing that. I should have waited for today. But this time, the "main distraction" IS something very newsworthy. So here's how my day wnet:
Being June 25th, it's "Leon Day", which marks the halfway point to Christmas. (see: http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/416429/ ). So I was listening to Xmas music on my way to my grandma's house with my mom to cut her lawn. (She's taken a turn for the worse, I'm afraid. Now she's totally bed-ridden, and now sleeps ALL THE TIME!) When we got there and turned on the news, there it was, headlines domminated by Farrah Fawcett's passing. Now, being more of a product of the 80's, her death doesn't affect me as much, nor did Ed McMahon, since he was usually on way after my bedtime asa child, and I never was one who watched talent shows anyway. I commented to my mom as such, and the irony of a man who's done a whole lot more, including serving his country, somehow gets less coverage than a blonde bimbo. I spoke way too soon...
Anyway, I went off to do my yardwork and my mom went to see to her mother, and changed the channel to Halmark, because she got tired of the non-stop Farrah eulogies. After i finished, I went home for lunch, to check on our dog, and the music changed to nonstop MJ. ????. wha, Wha, WHAT??? WTF? Did I just miss something?! Yes I have. Michael Jackson is dead.
As I listen to his music and watch his videos, it's only now strating to sink in.
It's June 25th, 6 more months until Christmas. I wish it was Christmas now, because it would mean that this rotten year would be almost over.
Next, personal stories concerning MJ...
Being June 25th, it's "Leon Day", which marks the halfway point to Christmas. (see: http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/416429/ ). So I was listening to Xmas music on my way to my grandma's house with my mom to cut her lawn. (She's taken a turn for the worse, I'm afraid. Now she's totally bed-ridden, and now sleeps ALL THE TIME!) When we got there and turned on the news, there it was, headlines domminated by Farrah Fawcett's passing. Now, being more of a product of the 80's, her death doesn't affect me as much, nor did Ed McMahon, since he was usually on way after my bedtime asa child, and I never was one who watched talent shows anyway. I commented to my mom as such, and the irony of a man who's done a whole lot more, including serving his country, somehow gets less coverage than a blonde bimbo. I spoke way too soon...
Anyway, I went off to do my yardwork and my mom went to see to her mother, and changed the channel to Halmark, because she got tired of the non-stop Farrah eulogies. After i finished, I went home for lunch, to check on our dog, and the music changed to nonstop MJ. ????. wha, Wha, WHAT??? WTF? Did I just miss something?! Yes I have. Michael Jackson is dead.
As I listen to his music and watch his videos, it's only now strating to sink in.
It's June 25th, 6 more months until Christmas. I wish it was Christmas now, because it would mean that this rotten year would be almost over.
Next, personal stories concerning MJ...
Hate Destroys All!
Posted 16 years agoIt doesn't matter from who, wheter it is from a Muslim radical, a anti-abortionist, white supremesist, militant enviromentalist, alienated youth, etc.. Or who the target is, be it a Jew, homosexual, Black, Asian, Christian, abortion doctor, OR JUST ANYONE or EVERYONE, nothing ever good ever came from hate. There is and never was anything holy or rightous about it. It is a self-destructive fire, and it burns EVERYTHING it touches. And after it burns itself out, it leaves only ashes. People, countries, religions, societies, civilizations, HATE DESTROYS EVERYTHING!
"Love conquers all, but hate destroys all."
I just wanted to share that.
"Love conquers all, but hate destroys all."
I just wanted to share that.
Journal Repost: The West Loch Disaster: 21 May, 1944
Posted 16 years agoToday marks the 65th anniversary of the the West Loch Disaster, the other "Pearl Harbor" that noone has heard about.
Journal Entry: December 8th, 2007 02:34 AM
Those familiar with me know that every year on this day, know that I usually post something to commemorate the anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack. It's hard not to be reminded of that day since I live at "ground zero" so to speak. This year, I'm doing something different, and mention another disaster that happened there that not even I was aware of.
Nearly three years later, on May 21, 1944, weeks before the invasion of Saipan, in an area known as West Loch, the site of the Navy's weapons depot, (A site that was untouched by the Japanese attack), a second tragety occured not by an act of war, but by an act of carelessness.
On that day, due to improper loading porcedures and laxed safety standards, several explosions tore trough a number of navy LST transports (the predecessor to today's Assault ships.), killing 163 people and wounding an additional 396. Due to the impending invasion (which also went underreported due to the Normandy invasion over a week earlier.), and the Army & Navy's usual covering up, this "incident" went unknown for decades.
Two months later, another and much larger (and more publicized) disaster happened at the Port Chicago naval base near San Fransico.
Today, there is no memorial for these dead, only a rusted hull of an LST overgrown with vegetation in an isolated and unused section of the Harbor off limits to the public.
Update: 05/21/09: I should also point out that more than 1/3rd of the casualties came from an African-American army unit, the 29th Chemical Decontamination Co.
Something to think about this Memorial Day.
Journal Entry: December 8th, 2007 02:34 AM
Those familiar with me know that every year on this day, know that I usually post something to commemorate the anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attack. It's hard not to be reminded of that day since I live at "ground zero" so to speak. This year, I'm doing something different, and mention another disaster that happened there that not even I was aware of.
Nearly three years later, on May 21, 1944, weeks before the invasion of Saipan, in an area known as West Loch, the site of the Navy's weapons depot, (A site that was untouched by the Japanese attack), a second tragety occured not by an act of war, but by an act of carelessness.
On that day, due to improper loading porcedures and laxed safety standards, several explosions tore trough a number of navy LST transports (the predecessor to today's Assault ships.), killing 163 people and wounding an additional 396. Due to the impending invasion (which also went underreported due to the Normandy invasion over a week earlier.), and the Army & Navy's usual covering up, this "incident" went unknown for decades.
Two months later, another and much larger (and more publicized) disaster happened at the Port Chicago naval base near San Fransico.
Today, there is no memorial for these dead, only a rusted hull of an LST overgrown with vegetation in an isolated and unused section of the Harbor off limits to the public.
Update: 05/21/09: I should also point out that more than 1/3rd of the casualties came from an African-American army unit, the 29th Chemical Decontamination Co.
Something to think about this Memorial Day.
Commission meme
Posted 16 years agoI usually don't respond to memes, but this one will tell you all about my dedication to quality, fairness, customer service, and some pet peeves that you might want to take into consideration.
Taken from Rgibson taken from kittiara:
1. Ever got so frustrated you cussed out your computer or art supplies in a fit a rage?
Not over a commission, but the former on typical PC fubars.
2. Ever raised the price on a customer just because you didn't like the person?
No. I price fairly and equally.
3. Have you ever completed a commission that you took a lot of pride in only to have the customer pick it apart?
Once, right after he initially approved of it. He knows who he his, but he accepted it anyway, along with giving me an appology.
4. Have you ever royally fucked up on a commission?
If I don't like how it came out, I destroy it and start over again. If I don't like it, guarenteed the customer won't either.
5. Have you ever been told "Draw it in this artist style" by a customer?
Some people seem to think my name is Doug Winger. Apart from that, it's "can you draw this [artist] in your style?"
6. Have you refused a commission before?
Yes. Usually due to copyright issues, but occasionaly on content, but I always ask people to give me an alternate idea.
7. Ever looked at a commission that a person bought and just shook your head knowing you do better work and charge less?
Yes, but it's their money, and none of my business. Just as long as they do hire me once in awhile.
8. Have you ever drawn a character so fucking ridiculous that the whole time you did the commission you questioned the persons taste/sanity but really needed the money?
(See #5.) I've also done a lot of commissions from people whom I do wonder about that (and myself for even taking it), and some where it seems that I'm only drawing the same pic over, and over again (c'mon people, don't you get a little tired of seeing the same thing over, and over again?) I generally keep them to myself because I ALWAYS need the money.
9. Ever had a customer that was so difficult you cut contact once you were done?
Not really, But I do have difficult customers, and I do try to be accomodating if possible.
10. Ever been screwed over by a customer?
Just those who contact me asking if I do commissions, and what my prices are, and after I tell them, I never hear from them again. (You people know who you are!) You know, if you've changed your mind, at least have the courtesy to let us know, even if it's a simple "I've changed my mind, no." I wouldn't be upset. But not hearing from you again is just rude, and it does errode our trust in taking any new commissions from new people. Remember, we DO want your patronage, and we will do everything we can to make sure that not only do you get your money's worth, but also that you enjoy what we do, and that is our biggest payment. But do also remember, we are not machines, we just can't spit out artwork like that, we are people too, we have feelings, we have needs, and we do ask that you respect them, just as we respect yours. Those of us who have been doing this for a long time know how importaint you all mean to us, which is why we take these sort of things very seriously and why we've lasted as long as we have. And it is this dedication to customer service the reason why I have very loyal customers.
So for all of you who have commissioned me in the past, I thank you all for your past patronage, and I do hope you will continue to do so, and for those who want to commission me in the future, I look foward to doing business with you.
Commission status: Open
Trade status: Open
Ryoga: Completed
Chemical: Pending
Taken from Rgibson taken from kittiara:
1. Ever got so frustrated you cussed out your computer or art supplies in a fit a rage?
Not over a commission, but the former on typical PC fubars.
2. Ever raised the price on a customer just because you didn't like the person?
No. I price fairly and equally.
3. Have you ever completed a commission that you took a lot of pride in only to have the customer pick it apart?
Once, right after he initially approved of it. He knows who he his, but he accepted it anyway, along with giving me an appology.
4. Have you ever royally fucked up on a commission?
If I don't like how it came out, I destroy it and start over again. If I don't like it, guarenteed the customer won't either.
5. Have you ever been told "Draw it in this artist style" by a customer?
Some people seem to think my name is Doug Winger. Apart from that, it's "can you draw this [artist] in your style?"
6. Have you refused a commission before?
Yes. Usually due to copyright issues, but occasionaly on content, but I always ask people to give me an alternate idea.
7. Ever looked at a commission that a person bought and just shook your head knowing you do better work and charge less?
Yes, but it's their money, and none of my business. Just as long as they do hire me once in awhile.
8. Have you ever drawn a character so fucking ridiculous that the whole time you did the commission you questioned the persons taste/sanity but really needed the money?
(See #5.) I've also done a lot of commissions from people whom I do wonder about that (and myself for even taking it), and some where it seems that I'm only drawing the same pic over, and over again (c'mon people, don't you get a little tired of seeing the same thing over, and over again?) I generally keep them to myself because I ALWAYS need the money.
9. Ever had a customer that was so difficult you cut contact once you were done?
Not really, But I do have difficult customers, and I do try to be accomodating if possible.
10. Ever been screwed over by a customer?
Just those who contact me asking if I do commissions, and what my prices are, and after I tell them, I never hear from them again. (You people know who you are!) You know, if you've changed your mind, at least have the courtesy to let us know, even if it's a simple "I've changed my mind, no." I wouldn't be upset. But not hearing from you again is just rude, and it does errode our trust in taking any new commissions from new people. Remember, we DO want your patronage, and we will do everything we can to make sure that not only do you get your money's worth, but also that you enjoy what we do, and that is our biggest payment. But do also remember, we are not machines, we just can't spit out artwork like that, we are people too, we have feelings, we have needs, and we do ask that you respect them, just as we respect yours. Those of us who have been doing this for a long time know how importaint you all mean to us, which is why we take these sort of things very seriously and why we've lasted as long as we have. And it is this dedication to customer service the reason why I have very loyal customers.
So for all of you who have commissioned me in the past, I thank you all for your past patronage, and I do hope you will continue to do so, and for those who want to commission me in the future, I look foward to doing business with you.
Commission status: Open
Trade status: Open
Ryoga: Completed
Chemical: Pending
Commission Info: Serious Inquries Only Please!
Posted 16 years agoPlease read caerfully and completely:
9"x12":
Inked: $25.00
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/431936/
Color: $30.00
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/416338/
Email me at: korwynn[at]gmail.com for additional prices and information. Serious inquaries only please, I don't like having my tail yanked. And be direct and to the point when asking. I'm a blunt person, and I don't like having my time (or my inbox) wasted.
Note: If you live outside the United States, please tell me so when ordering. It does matter.
Definitions:
Request: An idea or suggestion. May or may not draw. Jpeg image.
Gift: A picture done for free. Usually done out of grattitude for something, or because I'm in a good mood. Jpeg.
Trade: Done between artists. You do one, I do one, which means I expect one in return. Jpeg.
Commission: PAID picture. You actually get the real thing, not just the jpeg proof. It's worth the money.
Current Status:
Requests: Open
Trades: Open
Commissions: Open
Commission for:
Trades:
Additional Information:
FurAffinity, Inkbunny, SoFurry, etc. Users: If I have done commission work for you, permission to display on your page(s) is given.
Method of Payment: Check, Money Order, or Cash only. Electronic payment (paypal, etc.) is not accepted.
Due to an incident with a troll, I will now be doing the following:
AGE CHECK WILL NOW BE INFORCED! I will now be checking your age in your profile info. If I do not see an age, or if I see something unrealistic (ie: age: 600) I will ask for it. If you are under 18, your request/trade/commission will be "G" rated.
(On that note: If you are under 18, I ask, and hope that you've enabled the content filter in "Account Settings") BE HONEST!
If I reject you for whatever (or even no reason) whatsoever, do not turn around and call me, or any other artist "unprofessional". It is well within our rights as artists to do so, and being given a piece of art, especially when its free, is a privilage, not a right, and not an entitlement. Being called "unprofessional" is a serious impugnment of character, and should not be thrown at us lightly.
Sorry if I now sound like a hard-ass, but I need to take a stand.
My "Credentials":
Education:
Assoc. Science- Commercial Arts. 1997. Honolulu Community College
Bachelors Arts- Art. 2003 University of Hawaii at Manoa
Exhibited Work:
College Art 1999
Published Work:
Blue Fur #2. 1996
Furloose #12. 1996
Rowrbrazzle #52 pt. 5. 1997
Skunk Aficionado #1-3. 1997-1998
Evil Cat: The Black Merriah Portfolio. 1997
Technicolor Dreams/Further Dreams Vol. 1-2. 1999-2000
Untamed #1-6. 1998-2000
Falena: Doe in Bondage CD Portfolio. 2007
The Artwork of New Technicolor Dreams. 2007
Updated:
9"x12":
Inked: $25.00
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/431936/
Color: $30.00
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/416338/
Email me at: korwynn[at]gmail.com for additional prices and information. Serious inquaries only please, I don't like having my tail yanked. And be direct and to the point when asking. I'm a blunt person, and I don't like having my time (or my inbox) wasted.
Note: If you live outside the United States, please tell me so when ordering. It does matter.
Definitions:
Request: An idea or suggestion. May or may not draw. Jpeg image.
Gift: A picture done for free. Usually done out of grattitude for something, or because I'm in a good mood. Jpeg.
Trade: Done between artists. You do one, I do one, which means I expect one in return. Jpeg.
Commission: PAID picture. You actually get the real thing, not just the jpeg proof. It's worth the money.
Current Status:
Requests: Open
Trades: Open
Commissions: Open
Commission for:
Trades:
Additional Information:
FurAffinity, Inkbunny, SoFurry, etc. Users: If I have done commission work for you, permission to display on your page(s) is given.
Method of Payment: Check, Money Order, or Cash only. Electronic payment (paypal, etc.) is not accepted.
Due to an incident with a troll, I will now be doing the following:
AGE CHECK WILL NOW BE INFORCED! I will now be checking your age in your profile info. If I do not see an age, or if I see something unrealistic (ie: age: 600) I will ask for it. If you are under 18, your request/trade/commission will be "G" rated.
(On that note: If you are under 18, I ask, and hope that you've enabled the content filter in "Account Settings") BE HONEST!
If I reject you for whatever (or even no reason) whatsoever, do not turn around and call me, or any other artist "unprofessional". It is well within our rights as artists to do so, and being given a piece of art, especially when its free, is a privilage, not a right, and not an entitlement. Being called "unprofessional" is a serious impugnment of character, and should not be thrown at us lightly.
Sorry if I now sound like a hard-ass, but I need to take a stand.
My "Credentials":
Education:
Assoc. Science- Commercial Arts. 1997. Honolulu Community College
Bachelors Arts- Art. 2003 University of Hawaii at Manoa
Exhibited Work:
College Art 1999
Published Work:
Blue Fur #2. 1996
Furloose #12. 1996
Rowrbrazzle #52 pt. 5. 1997
Skunk Aficionado #1-3. 1997-1998
Evil Cat: The Black Merriah Portfolio. 1997
Technicolor Dreams/Further Dreams Vol. 1-2. 1999-2000
Untamed #1-6. 1998-2000
Falena: Doe in Bondage CD Portfolio. 2007
The Artwork of New Technicolor Dreams. 2007
Updated:
Naga Question
Posted 16 years agoSomeone just commissioned me to do Nagas. Does anyone know of any artists that does them so I can get some inspiration?
Toy Questions
Posted 17 years agoJust out of curiosity, I just to know what you'd like to see out of "El Kit's toybox."
More custom figures
Various toy collections
Bootlegged, or unusual (and sometimes freaky) toys
Armymen & similar toys
Legos & similar
Toys in funny situations (ala "Robot Chicken" & "Toyfare" magazine)
None
(Of course, most of them, save for the customs, will be in "scraps", which was where I've been putting them in the first place.)
More custom figures
Various toy collections
Bootlegged, or unusual (and sometimes freaky) toys
Armymen & similar toys
Legos & similar
Toys in funny situations (ala "Robot Chicken" & "Toyfare" magazine)
None
(Of course, most of them, save for the customs, will be in "scraps", which was where I've been putting them in the first place.)
Back to Work, Artwork!
Posted 17 years agoWell, my adventure in the Judicial system is over, and, no, Mike, it wasn't any big, glamourous, headline-grabbing trial, just a small one, although it did involve guns and drugs. And although I'm now at liberty to talk about it, I won't bore anyone with it, nor will I discuss the verdict, mainly because I don't want anyone to criticize my decision, one way or the other, so don't bother asking or commenting about it. Besides, it's none of your business anyway.
I will talk about my personal experiance though. Yes, when I got picked I wasn't too thrilled about it, (who does?), but all in all, it wasn't the worst thing I ever been though, but it was a very.....educational. Yeah, it was a little boring at times, (tried not to nod off), but I did enjoy the camadre of my "peers", and we were treated pretty well. (The Feds, it seems to treat their jurors well, not like the State, or so I've been told, at least here.) And you do get a pretty good apreciation for the job that these people have to do. Think about it: the heaviest burden lies with the Prosecutor, who is the only one who has to actually prove his/her case "beyond reasonable doubt." That's not a easy job, especially when you have witnesses who may, or may not be very reliable. The Defense doesn't have an easy job either. Although they don't have to prove a thing, they have a very unpopular job defending people that even they may find detestable, but they, like the Prosecutor, have a job to do, and they don't have to like it, but they will do it, and do it professionaly, and objectively.
Then there's us. No one likes having their life interrupted for any given period of time to sit in a room trying to figure out the "truth" and the legalese criteria therin, but I will pose this to you all, do you know what the definition of "a jury of your peers" is?
Look in a mirror.
If you aren't willing to be a juror for others, what do you think would make them so inclined to be yours? Think about that.
All in all, it was a worthwhile experiance (at least I had a chance to get out of watching my grandma for about a week), and I do recomend that you do serve at least once, just for the experiance of it. (Not to mention to fulfill a sense of "civic duty", something that seems to be in extremely short supply these days.) I'm quite proud I did it, and if the chance came again,....well, I'll let fate cast that lot. And you do get "compensated" for it.
Anyhow, the normal train of furry art should be running on schedule again, and once again, I'm free for trades and commissions.
And once again, I ask you people NOT to make my blog your personal soapbox, use your own.
I will talk about my personal experiance though. Yes, when I got picked I wasn't too thrilled about it, (who does?), but all in all, it wasn't the worst thing I ever been though, but it was a very.....educational. Yeah, it was a little boring at times, (tried not to nod off), but I did enjoy the camadre of my "peers", and we were treated pretty well. (The Feds, it seems to treat their jurors well, not like the State, or so I've been told, at least here.) And you do get a pretty good apreciation for the job that these people have to do. Think about it: the heaviest burden lies with the Prosecutor, who is the only one who has to actually prove his/her case "beyond reasonable doubt." That's not a easy job, especially when you have witnesses who may, or may not be very reliable. The Defense doesn't have an easy job either. Although they don't have to prove a thing, they have a very unpopular job defending people that even they may find detestable, but they, like the Prosecutor, have a job to do, and they don't have to like it, but they will do it, and do it professionaly, and objectively.
Then there's us. No one likes having their life interrupted for any given period of time to sit in a room trying to figure out the "truth" and the legalese criteria therin, but I will pose this to you all, do you know what the definition of "a jury of your peers" is?
Look in a mirror.
If you aren't willing to be a juror for others, what do you think would make them so inclined to be yours? Think about that.
All in all, it was a worthwhile experiance (at least I had a chance to get out of watching my grandma for about a week), and I do recomend that you do serve at least once, just for the experiance of it. (Not to mention to fulfill a sense of "civic duty", something that seems to be in extremely short supply these days.) I'm quite proud I did it, and if the chance came again,....well, I'll let fate cast that lot. And you do get "compensated" for it.
Anyhow, the normal train of furry art should be running on schedule again, and once again, I'm free for trades and commissions.
And once again, I ask you people NOT to make my blog your personal soapbox, use your own.
Jury Duty
Posted 17 years agoJust a heads up, I've been summoned for jury duty, so until further notice, the book is closed on any new commisisons.
Update: 1/13/09
I'm on it.
Update: 1/13/09
I'm on it.
On This Day...
Posted 17 years agoOn Dec. 6th, 1892, "The Nutcracker Ballet" made it's debut at the Maryinsky Theater, in St. Petersburg, Russia. Despite Tchaikovsky's initial opinion that this was his worst piece of work, it became runaway hit, causing him to reacess his own evaluation. Since then, this holiday classic has been performed, filmed, reinterpeted, and parodied (some worse than others), from Hollywood, to New York, London, Paris, Vienna, Moscow, and it's hometown of St. Petersburg. Unfortunately, "The Nutcracker" was also his last, as he died of Cholera on Nov. 6th the following year, exactly 11months to the day of the ballet's first performance.
Of myself, "The Nutcracker" has always been my favorate piece of Christmas music, if not my favorate body of classical music, as I have been listening to it ever since I was a baby (maybe even earlier, according to my mom. Would explain why I'm so smart.), and I've been either listening to it, or seeing the ballet on tv (thank you Ovation), and it always manages to get me into the "Christmas Spirit" without fail. So to all, raise a toast and thank this remarkable composer for creating the greatest ballet of all time.
Of myself, "The Nutcracker" has always been my favorate piece of Christmas music, if not my favorate body of classical music, as I have been listening to it ever since I was a baby (maybe even earlier, according to my mom. Would explain why I'm so smart.), and I've been either listening to it, or seeing the ballet on tv (thank you Ovation), and it always manages to get me into the "Christmas Spirit" without fail. So to all, raise a toast and thank this remarkable composer for creating the greatest ballet of all time.
Vets' Day Shout-Out
Posted 17 years agoThis is a special shout-out to all you mill-furs and vet-furs past and present who bravely served their country(ies). Stand up and take a bow, you deserve it. Thank You.
