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Aether! PUBLISHED! // Publishing Update 5
Posted 15 years agoMirroring my artwork post at:
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/367...../#cid:27354014
This post is bittersweet;
With great pride, I can finally hold a printed product, smell the sweet aroma of fresh printer's ink, and bask in the glow of an overwhelming collection of excellent furry works.
On the other paw, it was printed backwards. Because nothing is easy.
Lulu placed a blank page in front of the master PDF I submitted (even though I had already included a blank page), and thus everything was pushed forward one page. This means that page numbers are now in the gutter (fold) of the book, and all of the spreads are broken. This is all highly annoying, but not outside of the normal process of press-check proofing. It just takes longer given that I'm not on-site of the printer.
But with every step, we are closer. I have submitted my comments to the printer and I am awaiting their feedback to see if I need to change something or if they can do it.
Once more, thank you all for your time, patience, support and wonderful talents.
Aether! PUBLISHED! // Publishing Update 4
Posted 15 years agoHello again, all!
Another Aether update!
Last night I received an email from Lulu stating that my copy of Aether has shipped!
After Lulu had sent me an email informing me that the PDF I uploaded was too large to process, (see previous journals) I re-re-re-re-tweaked a few settings and spent a few hours manually re-re-re-re-re-processing pages to squeak the PDF under the 1.8 gigabyte cap requested of me. Again, Lulu's upload area had stated that the cap was 2-gig and I spent the better part of a whole day trying to get it down to 1.96. But alas, the true cap was 1.8. In any event, the email has provided a tracking number and it is scheduled for delivery today (March 31), though I expect it by this weekend.
When the book comes in, I will review it and post photos. There is one final hurdle, and that is quality control. Pending what I see when my order comes in, I will make a call to either open sales or send another PDF in for re-processing. Given the scrutiny and labor volunteered to this project by so many people (Thank you, all!), I have a very good feeling all will be well. The only unknown is Lulu's actual print quality.
With fingers crossed, I write what I hope will be my final Aether journal before the official release!!
Thanks again to all for your hard work, your participation, and your patience.
Cheers!
-Brian / Kross
Aether! PUBLISHED! // Publishing Update 3
Posted 15 years agoAnother update!
Following up on my previous post, "Aether! PUBLISHED! // Publishing Update 2" (copied below), I have news:
I received an email (FINALLY, 28 days later) from Cory at Lulu.com stating that they essentially aren't sure why the PDF won't rip, but that the total size needs to be lowered below the 1.8 Gig mark.
As of this journal, I have reduced the PDF to 1.75 Gigs and uploaded it to Lulu. Once the server-side PDF maker parses the file and emails it back to me, I am going to order another copy and see what's what.
Fingers crossed on round two...
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
Aether! PUBLISHED! // Publishing Update 2
Original Post: http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/1289946/
Well much to my own chagrin, I just want to let everyone know that I am still working with the print vendor (Lulu.com) on completing Aether's initial test run. I had submitted my order on March 1, and here on March 24 I am still waiting on my order... or for that matter, any communication on said order.
Everything has gone through, PDFs complete, credit card billed, order processed, but after these many days I have no product. Three days or so after my order I received an email from their production department telling me that the file was too large and they could not rip (process) the file but not to do anything because they were sorting it out. My file was 400 meg's smaller than their 2 gigabyte limitation, so I responded saying as much and asking for next steps.
I have sent that request now three times and I have received only one response, stating they were going to forward my question to another department.
So as I stand here a bit embarrassed, particularly to those people who questioned my Lulu choice (which, despite my story still has a very high rate of satisfaction and success), it never fails to be the case that I am always the exception to the rule.
I can only imagine that this scenario is just a matter of misunderstanding, so I am still aiming for a May release. More to follow.
Moving ahead, however, I would like to research other POD printers; A few people have recommended a few already. Anyone want to add to the list?
-Kross
Following up on my previous post, "Aether! PUBLISHED! // Publishing Update 2" (copied below), I have news:
I received an email (FINALLY, 28 days later) from Cory at Lulu.com stating that they essentially aren't sure why the PDF won't rip, but that the total size needs to be lowered below the 1.8 Gig mark.
As of this journal, I have reduced the PDF to 1.75 Gigs and uploaded it to Lulu. Once the server-side PDF maker parses the file and emails it back to me, I am going to order another copy and see what's what.
Fingers crossed on round two...
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
Aether! PUBLISHED! // Publishing Update 2
Original Post: http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/1289946/
Well much to my own chagrin, I just want to let everyone know that I am still working with the print vendor (Lulu.com) on completing Aether's initial test run. I had submitted my order on March 1, and here on March 24 I am still waiting on my order... or for that matter, any communication on said order.
Everything has gone through, PDFs complete, credit card billed, order processed, but after these many days I have no product. Three days or so after my order I received an email from their production department telling me that the file was too large and they could not rip (process) the file but not to do anything because they were sorting it out. My file was 400 meg's smaller than their 2 gigabyte limitation, so I responded saying as much and asking for next steps.
I have sent that request now three times and I have received only one response, stating they were going to forward my question to another department.
So as I stand here a bit embarrassed, particularly to those people who questioned my Lulu choice (which, despite my story still has a very high rate of satisfaction and success), it never fails to be the case that I am always the exception to the rule.
I can only imagine that this scenario is just a matter of misunderstanding, so I am still aiming for a May release. More to follow.
Moving ahead, however, I would like to research other POD printers; A few people have recommended a few already. Anyone want to add to the list?
-Kross
Aether! PUBLISHED! // Publishing Update 2
Posted 15 years agoWell much to my own chagrin, I just want to let everyone know that I am still working with the print vendor (Lulu.com) on completing Aether's initial test run. I had submitted my order on March 1, and here on March 24 I am still waiting on my order... or for that matter, any communication on said order.
Everything has gone through, PDFs complete, credit card billed, order processed, but after these many days I have no product. Three days or so after my order I received an email from their production department telling me that the file was too large and they could not rip (process) the file but not to do anything because they were sorting it out. My file was 400 meg's smaller than their 2 gigabyte limitation, so I responded saying as much and asking for next steps.
I have sent that request now three times and I have received only one response, stating they were going to forward my question to another department.
So as I stand here a bit embarrassed, particularly to those people who questioned my Lulu choice (which, despite my story still has a very high rate of satisfaction and success), it never fails to be the case that I am always the exception to the rule.
I can only imagine that this scenario is just a matter of misunderstanding, so I am still aiming for a May release. More to follow.
Moving ahead, however, I would like to research other POD printers; A few people have recommended a few already. Anyone want to add to the list?
-Kross
Aether! PUBLISHED! // Publishing Update
Posted 15 years agoJust a quick progress report regarding the publishing of Aether through Lulu.com:
On Friday (March 5, 2010), I received an automated email from Lulu.com (the selected Print-On-Demand printer for Aether) stating that the document PDF was failing to rip because of the size (1.96 gigs).
Lulu's press site says files must be below 2 gigs total. But after trying to produce the file, the email states it must be below 1.8 gigs. The email also states that I am not asked to do anything, as Lulu it sorting it out.
I have sent a follow-up email. I plan to follow-up again today.
Stay tuned! never a dull moment!
-Brian / Kross
Furries and FurAffinity on Boing Boing
Posted 15 years agoFur Fun
Lisa Katayama // Rob Beschizza
8:19 AM Monday
"Of all the folks in the geek hierarchy, furries can say a thing or two about getting negative attention from the mainstream. One aficionado of anthropormophic art, fiction and culture, however, would rather to talk about what makes the fandom so fulfilling."
http://www.boingboing.net/features/furry.html
I ran across this article this morning and I thought I would share, as it not only expresses a fairly well-written feeling I share, but also mentions FurAffinity (and others) by name. Like most people who undertake this task, the author and/or interviewee is "trying to set the record straight", which is usually far more damaging than leaving it alone. But in this case, it's not so bad.
What do you think? Thoughts?...
Lisa Katayama // Rob Beschizza
8:19 AM Monday
"Of all the folks in the geek hierarchy, furries can say a thing or two about getting negative attention from the mainstream. One aficionado of anthropormophic art, fiction and culture, however, would rather to talk about what makes the fandom so fulfilling."
http://www.boingboing.net/features/furry.html
I ran across this article this morning and I thought I would share, as it not only expresses a fairly well-written feeling I share, but also mentions FurAffinity (and others) by name. Like most people who undertake this task, the author and/or interviewee is "trying to set the record straight", which is usually far more damaging than leaving it alone. But in this case, it's not so bad.
What do you think? Thoughts?...
Aether! PUBLISHED!
Posted 15 years agoWhat began in the Spring of 2007 has finally come to fruition in the winter of 2010!
It has absolutely been a long haul, full of personal pitfalls and technological nightmares, but after one constant uphill battle, I am finally PROUD to present [drum roll] Aether d'Animaux, volume 1!
I have been saying this all along, but now that it's here, and complete, I cannot express the true level of my pride in this project. Time and expenses aside, this project has offered me tremendous opportunities to network with fellow furs and colleagues alike. The work contained herein is superb and deserves every ounce of its praise. Though a production milestone for me personally, Aether is a massive milestone in professionalism for the genre in general, and I could not have done any of this without the trust, the participation, and the loyalty offered to me by so many. You are all truly exceptional people, and I hope beyond all hope that Aether measures up to your expectations. I know it's surpassed mine, but I'm a bit biased ^_~
Everything has been uploaded to the printer, and I've received their electronic "proof" which looks identical to my own. Great for quality control, not so great for knowing its physical feel.
I have just ordered a personal copy of the book. Once my order comes in, I will review it to make sure everything is in place and that the physical variables are in good condition for public orders. Given the price-tag, I feel an extra-powerful need to inspect quality so as to maximize the end-user's experience and pride.
FINAL SPECS: (as seen on lulu.com's market page)
Aether d'Animaux: A Juried Collection of Anthropomorphic Art
°°°°° This item has not been rated yet
ISBN: 978-0-557-27464-2
Publisher: KAF! Studio // Intrinsik Design LLC
Copyright: ©2010 KAF! Studio LLC (Standard Copyright License)
Language: English
Country: United States
Publication Date: January 12, 2010
Page Count: 302 pages
Size: U.S. Letter (8-1/2" x 11")(21,59cm x 27,94cm)
Binding: Perfect Bound (Square)
Interior Color: Full-color
Production Time: Ships in 3–5 business days (plus delivery time)
Description:
Aether d'Animaux is a juried collection of many different forms of anthropomorphic artwork, comprised of pieces from the past decade. A new focus delivered in a familiar way, Aether aims to recapture some of the original spirit of this often misunderstood genre.
Price: $97.00 USD
I was able to bring the price down just a little, from $107 to $97 USD... more about this below.
Availability:
Currently, Aether is private, and available by direct link only. I can supply this link here, if desired, or by private message, but until I verify that the book is in final condition, I don't feel comfortable opening the gates for orders. If I do link you to the book, or if you somehow find it on your own, I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND WAITING UNTIL YOU HEAR FROM ME. I would feel awful if you order a beta and something comes out weird.
I have registered an ISBN number (above). Aether is poised to be a global seller. Once I approve the final copy, I will open sales to the public. At that time, it can be expected at places like Amazon, Barnes and Nobel, Borders etc online shops, as well as order-able through the "brick and mortar" shops, as well as lulu.com's own marketplace.
A little bit about the price:
Many of us are familiar with similarly-themed artbooks like Spectrum, Exposé, etc which cost between $30 and $75, so why is Aetherso much more? The short answer is because Aether is being printed "for free". Art competitions like Spectrum require an Entry Fee in order to submit; every piece of artwork you submit to them, you would pay a fee (anywhere from $25 per piece, to $150 per piece). This money would be collected and used to pay for the printing and other associated expenses, like websites, advertising, etc.
Back in Aether's hay-day, I had contacted many printers for a quote. In all cases, the minimum order is 1,000 books and the cheapest printer was $19,000. This would have made the books a base-price of roughly $20 each (plus tax), comparable to Spectrum, etc. But again, since Aether has zero dollars going in, this was an impossible avenue.
Instead, for poor self-publishers, the other option is Print On-Demand, or POD printing. This allows the publisher (me) to upload materials for free. Instead of printing hundreds of books that sit around on shelves waiting to be purchased, they print the book as it's ordered. This also saves on paper-use.
Alternatives to the full price:
In the coming weeks, based on whatever interest is generated for the book and whatever feedback I receive, I have three plans to reduce costs on this edition:
***** [EDIT: March 4, 2010] ********************
The following option is no longer valid. Due to the anticipated feedback on potential problems and piracy with digital delivery, PDF options have been ruled out
[THIS OPTION OMITTED] First option: PDF version. After a preliminary run of about 15 weeks, I will look at offering a PDF of the book for a marked discount. The PDF will cost roughly between $50 to $75. This price is based on several factors: Foremost, to not undermine the artistic value of the contributing artists by offering a flimsy alternative to a printed product. This is about quality, not quantity. Secondly, to discourage pirates from slicing and dicing a PDF for illegal reprint/resale.
********************************************
Second option: I can offer Aether for sale in sections. We can split Aether into several categories, so it may be purchased as the digital works only, the traditional works, etc. All other content will remain in tact. This will reduce page count and thus price. It will, however, cost more if you were to buy all the sections separate.
Third option: As the publisher, I am offered a discount. I am able to buy a copy for $66 USD ($75, with shipping). The more I buy, the cheaper they are. If I order 25 copies at a time, the price goes down further. It is feasible I can order books on behalf of interested parties. I would need to have a minimum of 25 people at a time order books through me, and we can ship them to you.
Sadly, none of these options are entirely graceful, but that being said, it's a pretty good deal seeing as how this all started from absolutely nothing AND it's so good!
All in all, folks, I am very happy. I hope you all agree. But if you have questions, concerns, or something to say, let me know. I'll do what I can!
Thank you all so much!
-Brian / Kross
It has absolutely been a long haul, full of personal pitfalls and technological nightmares, but after one constant uphill battle, I am finally PROUD to present [drum roll] Aether d'Animaux, volume 1!
I have been saying this all along, but now that it's here, and complete, I cannot express the true level of my pride in this project. Time and expenses aside, this project has offered me tremendous opportunities to network with fellow furs and colleagues alike. The work contained herein is superb and deserves every ounce of its praise. Though a production milestone for me personally, Aether is a massive milestone in professionalism for the genre in general, and I could not have done any of this without the trust, the participation, and the loyalty offered to me by so many. You are all truly exceptional people, and I hope beyond all hope that Aether measures up to your expectations. I know it's surpassed mine, but I'm a bit biased ^_~
Everything has been uploaded to the printer, and I've received their electronic "proof" which looks identical to my own. Great for quality control, not so great for knowing its physical feel.
I have just ordered a personal copy of the book. Once my order comes in, I will review it to make sure everything is in place and that the physical variables are in good condition for public orders. Given the price-tag, I feel an extra-powerful need to inspect quality so as to maximize the end-user's experience and pride.
FINAL SPECS: (as seen on lulu.com's market page)
Aether d'Animaux: A Juried Collection of Anthropomorphic Art
°°°°° This item has not been rated yet
ISBN: 978-0-557-27464-2
Publisher: KAF! Studio // Intrinsik Design LLC
Copyright: ©2010 KAF! Studio LLC (Standard Copyright License)
Language: English
Country: United States
Publication Date: January 12, 2010
Page Count: 302 pages
Size: U.S. Letter (8-1/2" x 11")(21,59cm x 27,94cm)
Binding: Perfect Bound (Square)
Interior Color: Full-color
Production Time: Ships in 3–5 business days (plus delivery time)
Description:
Aether d'Animaux is a juried collection of many different forms of anthropomorphic artwork, comprised of pieces from the past decade. A new focus delivered in a familiar way, Aether aims to recapture some of the original spirit of this often misunderstood genre.
Price: $97.00 USD
I was able to bring the price down just a little, from $107 to $97 USD... more about this below.
Availability:
Currently, Aether is private, and available by direct link only. I can supply this link here, if desired, or by private message, but until I verify that the book is in final condition, I don't feel comfortable opening the gates for orders. If I do link you to the book, or if you somehow find it on your own, I WOULD HIGHLY RECOMMEND WAITING UNTIL YOU HEAR FROM ME. I would feel awful if you order a beta and something comes out weird.
I have registered an ISBN number (above). Aether is poised to be a global seller. Once I approve the final copy, I will open sales to the public. At that time, it can be expected at places like Amazon, Barnes and Nobel, Borders etc online shops, as well as order-able through the "brick and mortar" shops, as well as lulu.com's own marketplace.
A little bit about the price:
Many of us are familiar with similarly-themed artbooks like Spectrum, Exposé, etc which cost between $30 and $75, so why is Aetherso much more? The short answer is because Aether is being printed "for free". Art competitions like Spectrum require an Entry Fee in order to submit; every piece of artwork you submit to them, you would pay a fee (anywhere from $25 per piece, to $150 per piece). This money would be collected and used to pay for the printing and other associated expenses, like websites, advertising, etc.
Back in Aether's hay-day, I had contacted many printers for a quote. In all cases, the minimum order is 1,000 books and the cheapest printer was $19,000. This would have made the books a base-price of roughly $20 each (plus tax), comparable to Spectrum, etc. But again, since Aether has zero dollars going in, this was an impossible avenue.
Instead, for poor self-publishers, the other option is Print On-Demand, or POD printing. This allows the publisher (me) to upload materials for free. Instead of printing hundreds of books that sit around on shelves waiting to be purchased, they print the book as it's ordered. This also saves on paper-use.
Alternatives to the full price:
In the coming weeks, based on whatever interest is generated for the book and whatever feedback I receive, I have three plans to reduce costs on this edition:
***** [EDIT: March 4, 2010] ********************
The following option is no longer valid. Due to the anticipated feedback on potential problems and piracy with digital delivery, PDF options have been ruled out
[THIS OPTION OMITTED] First option: PDF version. After a preliminary run of about 15 weeks, I will look at offering a PDF of the book for a marked discount. The PDF will cost roughly between $50 to $75. This price is based on several factors: Foremost, to not undermine the artistic value of the contributing artists by offering a flimsy alternative to a printed product. This is about quality, not quantity. Secondly, to discourage pirates from slicing and dicing a PDF for illegal reprint/resale.
********************************************
Second option: I can offer Aether for sale in sections. We can split Aether into several categories, so it may be purchased as the digital works only, the traditional works, etc. All other content will remain in tact. This will reduce page count and thus price. It will, however, cost more if you were to buy all the sections separate.
Third option: As the publisher, I am offered a discount. I am able to buy a copy for $66 USD ($75, with shipping). The more I buy, the cheaper they are. If I order 25 copies at a time, the price goes down further. It is feasible I can order books on behalf of interested parties. I would need to have a minimum of 25 people at a time order books through me, and we can ship them to you.
Sadly, none of these options are entirely graceful, but that being said, it's a pretty good deal seeing as how this all started from absolutely nothing AND it's so good!
All in all, folks, I am very happy. I hope you all agree. But if you have questions, concerns, or something to say, let me know. I'll do what I can!
Thank you all so much!
-Brian / Kross
Aether! PRINTING! // Delivered to the Printer!
Posted 15 years agoAway we go!
Last night I spent six hours uploading all 21 sections (304 pages) of Aether to Lulu only to discover that they can only process projects of 2 gigs or less (good to know, since Aether is 21 gigs) ...... soooo I deleted everything, re-compiled 21 new PDFs and re-uploaded everything.
I am tired.
BUT ALAS! Aether is finally [dare I say this aloud] AT THE PRINTER!
My next step is to order a proof from them. They will print a single copy of the book, and once I have approved it, we will open the doors for sales. In the event that something requires a last minute change or repair, I will have to order another proof book.
Aether [volume 1] currently costs $107 per book. PLEASE NOTE that this price is generated by the print costs of Lulu. This price does not contain any mark-up at all, and will therefore generate no profit. Absolutely nothing, not one penny, comes back to me (or anyone). This presents two concerns: A) Expensive book, and B) nothing to donate to charity as I had promised. HOWEVER, where there is a will there is a way...
I am working with the printer to bring that price down without sacrificing any quality (or as little compromise as possible). STAY TUNED as I will have final information once the Proof Book has been approved and Lulu officially begins sales.
I fully expect the price to come down, but this is ultimately not in my control (unless I reduce page count, which means cutting artwork, which I won't do.) In the event the price cannot be reduced, I have another plan which I will hash out in the next steps.
Thanks again, all! You have ALL be instrumental in this process!
You all rock!
-Brian / Kross
Last night I spent six hours uploading all 21 sections (304 pages) of Aether to Lulu only to discover that they can only process projects of 2 gigs or less (good to know, since Aether is 21 gigs) ...... soooo I deleted everything, re-compiled 21 new PDFs and re-uploaded everything.
I am tired.
BUT ALAS! Aether is finally [dare I say this aloud] AT THE PRINTER!
My next step is to order a proof from them. They will print a single copy of the book, and once I have approved it, we will open the doors for sales. In the event that something requires a last minute change or repair, I will have to order another proof book.
Aether [volume 1] currently costs $107 per book. PLEASE NOTE that this price is generated by the print costs of Lulu. This price does not contain any mark-up at all, and will therefore generate no profit. Absolutely nothing, not one penny, comes back to me (or anyone). This presents two concerns: A) Expensive book, and B) nothing to donate to charity as I had promised. HOWEVER, where there is a will there is a way...
I am working with the printer to bring that price down without sacrificing any quality (or as little compromise as possible). STAY TUNED as I will have final information once the Proof Book has been approved and Lulu officially begins sales.
I fully expect the price to come down, but this is ultimately not in my control (unless I reduce page count, which means cutting artwork, which I won't do.) In the event the price cannot be reduced, I have another plan which I will hash out in the next steps.
Thanks again, all! You have ALL be instrumental in this process!
You all rock!
-Brian / Kross
Aether! PRINTING! // Proofreading (ROUND 2) Complete
Posted 15 years agoYet another quick status update...
The second draft of Aether has been fully proofed and all changes have been made!
ANOTHER HUGE, HUGE (GARGANTUAN, even) "Thank You" to Kaelan, Tiegra, Walks, Roz, and Ultraviolet for their insights and their valuable time for looking everything over.
A third and final version (REV03) has been posted. Everything has been amended; applicable copy and images replaced, and all remaining changes made.
Onward!
Thanks again!
-Brian / Kross
The second draft of Aether has been fully proofed and all changes have been made!
ANOTHER HUGE, HUGE (GARGANTUAN, even) "Thank You" to Kaelan, Tiegra, Walks, Roz, and Ultraviolet for their insights and their valuable time for looking everything over.
A third and final version (REV03) has been posted. Everything has been amended; applicable copy and images replaced, and all remaining changes made.
Onward!
Thanks again!
-Brian / Kross
Aether! PRINTING! // Proofreading (ROUND 1) Complete
Posted 15 years agoJust another quick status update...
The first draft of Aether has been fully proofed and all changes have been made!
A HUGE, HUGE "Thank You" to Kaelan, Tiegra, Walks, and Roz for their insights and their valuable time for looking everything over.
A second version (REV02) has been posted for those in the proofing world. Once this final version has been reviewed, and any new changes made, we are at press! We're lookin' good people!
Thanks again!
-Brian / Kross
Aether! PRINTING! // Proofreading Nearly Complete
Posted 15 years agoFor all interested parties, here is what remains on the proofreading front for Aether. We are super crazy close now!
http://aether.r4pgroup.net/
A MASSIVE, SPECIAL THANK YOU to Kaelan for whipping together this issue tracking app for us! This has streamlined the proofing stage like 1500%!
THANKS MAN!
-Kross
Aether! PRINTING!
Posted 15 years agoHello, all!
Just a quick note to let everyone know that I have officially begun uploading all of the materials for Aether to the printer! I am waiting for several spreads to still go through proofreading, but once I get those back (a few days, tops!) I'll have everything...
and I mean EVERYTHING...
complete!
More info to come!
P.S! I HAVE BEGUN UPLOADING MATERIALS TO THE PRINTER. If you conduct a search for the book, there is a chance you may find/access the sales-sheet BEFORE the content is full prepared! PLEASE DO NOT PLACE ANY ORDERS YET. I still need to complete the materials list before complete orders can be filled. Thanks!
Oh, and by the way, hello again! Been awhile! ^_^
Just a quick note to let everyone know that I have officially begun uploading all of the materials for Aether to the printer! I am waiting for several spreads to still go through proofreading, but once I get those back (a few days, tops!) I'll have everything...
and I mean EVERYTHING...
complete!
More info to come!
P.S! I HAVE BEGUN UPLOADING MATERIALS TO THE PRINTER. If you conduct a search for the book, there is a chance you may find/access the sales-sheet BEFORE the content is full prepared! PLEASE DO NOT PLACE ANY ORDERS YET. I still need to complete the materials list before complete orders can be filled. Thanks!
Oh, and by the way, hello again! Been awhile! ^_^
Life Updates! - Aether is on Facebook
Posted 16 years agoHello again, everyone! I'm back after a forced hiatus.
What a year, What a year. Although the Second Quarter has only just begun, 2009 is shaping up to be a brutal year. Many of us have been put through the wringer in 2008, with job losses, cuts in school funding, political polarization, not to mention all of the personal dilemmas that float to the top during such storms.
On a personal level, 2008 and 2009 have been turbulent. The agency I work for has been under the same intense threats that have sunk countless jobs across the country (indeed the globe), which has created a gauntlet of double-edged swords: prove your value by working twice as hard to keep your job, but work three times harder when the people in your team are let go and you absorb all of their work. As it stands, I already work faster than my teammates, so now what was once considered "going the extra mile" is now simply par for the course. Workloads and expectations have been ramped way up, and we're no where near done with the crises.
Several close family members and a good friend have passed away this year. Some [somewhat] expected, like my dear grandmother of 92, but some very unexpected, like good friend Travis, who was one of four friends struck and killed in a drunk driving accident just over three weeks ago.
DO NOT DRINK AND DRIVE.
Your drunken escapades are not nearly as cool as you think they are. if you're drinking, keep it inside where it belongs. 'Nuff said.
My father, who is now the oldest member of my family, has been irrational about his pending doom. Granted, he's 70 in a country where average male life expectancy is 75, but his fear is an all-consuming emotion that has swallowed the whole family.
As many of you may know, I work three jobs (CD at an automotive ad agency, professor at the college, and agency freelancer on the weekends) and all of it has been slowly tipping into the fan since about June of 2008. With work becoming harder and harder to secure let alone find, I've been all the more reluctant to let go of accounts or jobs that I would normally sign off on.
No surprise, home-life is suffering. Personal projects have been nearly impossible to work on, and the very furry genre that has inspired me privately all these years has become a treat I rarely savor.
It's time for a change.
In the spirit of spring cleaning, I am carving out all of the things I do not absolutely need, and purging all of the hangers-on that leach my soul. It's an easier-said-than-done task, but state of mind being what it is, I am experiencing a Great Purge. This month, by design, marks the conclusion to several long-term projects that have been pulling me down for many months, and while I am proud of the end products, I have sacrificed way more than the projects were worth and I am ready to be done with them. I have resisted the urge to fill every opening with new work in an attempt to free up some time for personal endeavors, like:
AETHER! For all of the above reasons and many more, this project has taken many hits. An all-but-crippled time-line that stems back directly to the Hard Drive crash, the up-hill battle turned into an up-mountain epoche. My biggest failing of all however has been the inconsistency of delivering fresh news and updates. The time it takes to update and push HTML, update blogs and journals, or compose politically-correct emails has been time impossible to find. I am fully aware that this is no excuse, and have tried securing some aides, but it hasn't work out for the same time reasons.
COMMISSIONS! Aether is my top, personal, prooject right now WAAY past schedule, I am going to finish out Aether before I can dedicate myself to new commissions. But that being said, there are some commissions still on the board (Kora, Kaelan, Rael, Kritter, etc...) that need attention too.
NETWORKING! Now that Facebook has opened-up it's TOS, I have put Aether on Facebook for all people interested in following what I am doing on a daily basis. Unlike HTML, blogs and email, this is a much simpler solution update-able from my iPhone at any time. It will also be a good place to post some behind the scenes action and other project-specific materials. Aether's official page can be found by searching for:
Aether d'Animaux: A Juried Collection of Anthropomorphic Art
Also for the record, I have created my personal page too, for:
KrossBreeder Fluffy (which, incidentally, is my [horrible] Second Life name for all interested geeks.)
Well that pretty much does it for now. As always, please feel free to comment or question, and I will get back to you as soon as I can!... And now to respond to my backlogged 10,730 FA comments...
Dorothy, 1916-2009
Posted 16 years agoConsidering how infrequently I update my various blogs and journals, it saddens me that I must pick-up where I left off with a note of grief.
My grandmother passed away Wednesday, April 01 at the age of 92. Dorothy was the quintessential mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was spiritual and compassionate, loving and graceful. Her presence in my life has been tremendous, and her passing saddens me equally so.
I will always remember her love and her selflessness. She worried about complete strangers, and went out of her way to help everyone around her. As the priest accurately said of her during his sermon, if you left her home hungry, then shame on you for it was not for lack of offering.
Though you will be greatly missed, Big Grandma, I shall honor your faith and your compassion always.
Dorothy L. K., 1916-2009.
My grandmother passed away Wednesday, April 01 at the age of 92. Dorothy was the quintessential mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was spiritual and compassionate, loving and graceful. Her presence in my life has been tremendous, and her passing saddens me equally so.
I will always remember her love and her selflessness. She worried about complete strangers, and went out of her way to help everyone around her. As the priest accurately said of her during his sermon, if you left her home hungry, then shame on you for it was not for lack of offering.
Though you will be greatly missed, Big Grandma, I shall honor your faith and your compassion always.
Dorothy L. K., 1916-2009.
Too Funny Not to Post
Posted 17 years agoReturning Soon
Posted 17 years agoI just want to check in from the road to say that I will be returning home (and therefor back to work) on January 5.
I owe work to several commissioners, and completing Aether.
I'll also be returning comments, watches and favorites at that time!
Thanks so much in advance.
-kross'
I owe work to several commissioners, and completing Aether.
I'll also be returning comments, watches and favorites at that time!
Thanks so much in advance.
-kross'
Aether Preview! Part 3 of 3!!
Posted 17 years agoHello Hello Hello!
For all interested parties, I have posted the last third of Aether below!
Aether d'Animaux • V01 • Build 2008-12-16
Part 1 (of 3)
http://intrinsikdesign.com/clients/.....p_20080613.pdf
Part 2 (of 3)
http://intrinsikdesign.com/clients/.....p_20080921.pdf
Part 3 (of 3) NEW!!
http://intrinsikdesign.com/clients/.....3_20081216.pdf
These links point to low-resolution PDFs and will require a suitable PDF viewer to open.
NOTES ABOUT PART 3:
This last section of the mega-overdue Aether volume has a few more holes than the previous two sections. You will note that many of the trailing submissions do not have the Descriptions attached to the images. This PDF is a few days old and many of those missing descriptions have already been updated. I'm working down the page, spread by spread, and the more time intensive task of grouping, organizing and setting imagery has been completed.
NOTES ON EACH SECTION AS A WHOLE
Please note that these PDFs reflect the post-HDD-crash builds (with modifications) and show the remaining holes currently being filled;
Images with "FPO" (For Placement Only) over them are images that were unrecoverable after my HDD crash and/or their resolutions are below ideal print quality (300dpi). Description info shown in Magenta (pink) reflect information also lost in the HDD crash.
REMAINING TASKS
The only remaining task at this time is filling the holes left by the crash. I have been contacting many of you seeking your gracious assistance to repair these holes. I have been at a bit of an impasse as to how and when I will deal with artwork/descriptions that are not recovered. My opinion is that I would rather print "missing" artwork using the 150-dpi versions that I yet retain just to represent that artist and his or her work. Works that therefore risk printing blurry would be noted with an asterisk pointing to my printed apology for the lost high-res versions. On the other hand I absolutely hate the idea of running an artist's work at less than premium conditions and perhaps some artists would rather their piece not even appear if the quality is not up to par. I completely agree with both views. Of course, if the solution is to remove artwork it will of course affect the layout of the book on a spread by spread basis. I feel there are few enough pieces (in the scheme of things), that this can be quickly managed.
My last remaining task beside the critical endeavor of hole-filling, is to draft the introductory letter and add the Artist Contact section. The Artist Contact section was originally conceived to include an index of Artists and which page(s) their artwork is displayed on. However, so much has changed with my naming-convention system because of the crash that it will take too much time to re-engineer and I've already blown about 300% more time than I ever intended.
Covers and frontispieces have been selected.
In the end, the book will be uploaded to LuLu.com in the form of PDFs. Their system allows only for PDFs and does not use native formats (ie .qxd, .indd. etc). At this time I am estimating a total of 20 high-res PDFs. Right now, the High-Res PDFs that were generated for the links provided above are almost 2-Gigs each.
Once again, as I feel that I have been given more support than I could have ever asked for, I feel incredibly blessed and happy with all of the artists and designers who have contributed, supported, volunteered or participated in Aether thus far.
Aether has had an incredibly laborious beginning, riddled with more than its share of bad luck. But I consider these hurdles as testaments to both my conviction and to the art genre that I love. Again, thank you all. I could not have done any of this without you.
Enjoy! and Happy Holidays!
-Kross' / Brian
For all interested parties, I have posted the last third of Aether below!
Aether d'Animaux • V01 • Build 2008-12-16
Part 1 (of 3)
http://intrinsikdesign.com/clients/.....p_20080613.pdf
Part 2 (of 3)
http://intrinsikdesign.com/clients/.....p_20080921.pdf
Part 3 (of 3) NEW!!
http://intrinsikdesign.com/clients/.....3_20081216.pdf
These links point to low-resolution PDFs and will require a suitable PDF viewer to open.
NOTES ABOUT PART 3:
This last section of the mega-overdue Aether volume has a few more holes than the previous two sections. You will note that many of the trailing submissions do not have the Descriptions attached to the images. This PDF is a few days old and many of those missing descriptions have already been updated. I'm working down the page, spread by spread, and the more time intensive task of grouping, organizing and setting imagery has been completed.
NOTES ON EACH SECTION AS A WHOLE
Please note that these PDFs reflect the post-HDD-crash builds (with modifications) and show the remaining holes currently being filled;
Images with "FPO" (For Placement Only) over them are images that were unrecoverable after my HDD crash and/or their resolutions are below ideal print quality (300dpi). Description info shown in Magenta (pink) reflect information also lost in the HDD crash.
REMAINING TASKS
The only remaining task at this time is filling the holes left by the crash. I have been contacting many of you seeking your gracious assistance to repair these holes. I have been at a bit of an impasse as to how and when I will deal with artwork/descriptions that are not recovered. My opinion is that I would rather print "missing" artwork using the 150-dpi versions that I yet retain just to represent that artist and his or her work. Works that therefore risk printing blurry would be noted with an asterisk pointing to my printed apology for the lost high-res versions. On the other hand I absolutely hate the idea of running an artist's work at less than premium conditions and perhaps some artists would rather their piece not even appear if the quality is not up to par. I completely agree with both views. Of course, if the solution is to remove artwork it will of course affect the layout of the book on a spread by spread basis. I feel there are few enough pieces (in the scheme of things), that this can be quickly managed.
My last remaining task beside the critical endeavor of hole-filling, is to draft the introductory letter and add the Artist Contact section. The Artist Contact section was originally conceived to include an index of Artists and which page(s) their artwork is displayed on. However, so much has changed with my naming-convention system because of the crash that it will take too much time to re-engineer and I've already blown about 300% more time than I ever intended.
Covers and frontispieces have been selected.
In the end, the book will be uploaded to LuLu.com in the form of PDFs. Their system allows only for PDFs and does not use native formats (ie .qxd, .indd. etc). At this time I am estimating a total of 20 high-res PDFs. Right now, the High-Res PDFs that were generated for the links provided above are almost 2-Gigs each.
Once again, as I feel that I have been given more support than I could have ever asked for, I feel incredibly blessed and happy with all of the artists and designers who have contributed, supported, volunteered or participated in Aether thus far.
Aether has had an incredibly laborious beginning, riddled with more than its share of bad luck. But I consider these hurdles as testaments to both my conviction and to the art genre that I love. Again, thank you all. I could not have done any of this without you.
Enjoy! and Happy Holidays!
-Kross' / Brian
Aether Preview! Part 2
Posted 17 years agoHello Hello Hello!
For all interested parties, I have posted the second 120 pages of Aether below!
Aether d'Animaux • V01 • Build 2008-09-21
Part 1 (of 3)
http://intrinsikdesign.com/clients/.....p_20080613.pdf
Part 2 (of 3) NEW!!
http://intrinsikdesign.com/clients/.....p_20080921.pdf
These links point to low-resolution PDFs and will require a suitable PDF viewer to open.
Please note these PDFs reflect the post-HDD-crash builds (with modifications) and show the remaining holes currently being filled.
Images with "FPO" (For Placement Only) over them are images that were unrecoverable after my HDD crash and/or their resolutions are below ideal print quality (300dpi). Description info shown in Magenta (pink) reflect information also lost in the HDD crash.
Part 3 (of 3) is right around the corner and will complete the Traditional Illustration Category.
Enjoy!
-Kross'
For all interested parties, I have posted the second 120 pages of Aether below!
Aether d'Animaux • V01 • Build 2008-09-21
Part 1 (of 3)
http://intrinsikdesign.com/clients/.....p_20080613.pdf
Part 2 (of 3) NEW!!
http://intrinsikdesign.com/clients/.....p_20080921.pdf
These links point to low-resolution PDFs and will require a suitable PDF viewer to open.
Please note these PDFs reflect the post-HDD-crash builds (with modifications) and show the remaining holes currently being filled.
Images with "FPO" (For Placement Only) over them are images that were unrecoverable after my HDD crash and/or their resolutions are below ideal print quality (300dpi). Description info shown in Magenta (pink) reflect information also lost in the HDD crash.
Part 3 (of 3) is right around the corner and will complete the Traditional Illustration Category.
Enjoy!
-Kross'
Breaching the Politcal Gamut
Posted 17 years agoThe following began as a response to a peer's journal; a journal whose words mirrored my own basic fears about the potential U.S. Vice President nominee, Sarah Palin.
Generally speaking, I do not like to talk about politics because it's "rude" and opens the door for a lot of crass counter-points. But it was because of this seething silence during the 2004 Bush re-election that the nation's worst president in history was able to re-capture the White House and thereby continue driving this nation into the ground.
...
As a matter of disclaiming myself, I am, most often, an ultra-dedicated Democrat. This does not mean I cannot be swayed, it simply means I have not heard anything come from the ideals of the Republican party to tempt me.
With that being said, my dedication to Obama holds steadfast...not simply because I dislike McCain, but because I prefer Obama's approach to pretty much every major issue facing America and the world.
I have been watching the various convention speeches for both parties, and I am terrified by Palin.
I have a strong feeling that she will be in control at some point during a McCain Administration, and that idea also terrifies me endlessly. I'm happy she has no regrets in her small-town life. I'm happy she's accomplished so much in her community the size of my High School. I'm happy to hear that she seems to think nothing of running a country tangent to running a household of children and forthcoming grandchildren. I'm even happy she knows how to field-dress a moose. But I fail to see how any of these accomplishments qualifies a person to take the reigns of the World's most powerful nation of millions,... a nation circling the drain and facing a massive recession due to the very poor leadership of her own party.
Her views on gun-ownership and abortion, while relevant and sincere, aren't even in the top 5 concerns ailing our nation. What real perspective is she going to offer for the Economy? The War? The Environment? Global Warming, the CIA, or our national budget?? Her success stories in small-town, isolated America are not going to translate to anything on the National level, nor do I care to let her try. Obama's "inexperience" is eclipsed by her own political isolation.
Although I am a staunch Obama supporter, I used to take comfort in knowing that if McCain won the election, at least he had made comments regarding the preservation of the environment and global warming. But now that Palin has said she wishes to essentially strip-mine and drill her native Alaska of its oil, I am gravely concerned. This country—the world—needs real, new solutions to its energy needs. Her solution is to just keep looking for more of the same sources...sources like the Wildlife Preserve which are protected for reasons far greater than fears of upsetting the animals. Taking Alaska's oil will do nothing for this country except line Palin's native Alaska's coffers with money and, at best, provide a very brief stop-gap to importing foreign oil.
This election is not just about who's going to raise your taxes and who's not. It's not about who has been to war and who hasn't. It's not even about who has more dedication to their countrymen...This election could, and very well may, decide the fate of the world. How the world views America, how it responds to America, how it heals or continues to ail. We absolutely, positively, MUST change our direction of priority. I am completely unconvinced McCain or (God forbid) Palin can or even want to do that.
I am not trying to pick fights or ignite wars of the words. Everyone is entitled to their beliefs and feelings. But Palin and by proxy McCain scare me to death.
Generally speaking, I do not like to talk about politics because it's "rude" and opens the door for a lot of crass counter-points. But it was because of this seething silence during the 2004 Bush re-election that the nation's worst president in history was able to re-capture the White House and thereby continue driving this nation into the ground.
...
As a matter of disclaiming myself, I am, most often, an ultra-dedicated Democrat. This does not mean I cannot be swayed, it simply means I have not heard anything come from the ideals of the Republican party to tempt me.
With that being said, my dedication to Obama holds steadfast...not simply because I dislike McCain, but because I prefer Obama's approach to pretty much every major issue facing America and the world.
I have been watching the various convention speeches for both parties, and I am terrified by Palin.
I have a strong feeling that she will be in control at some point during a McCain Administration, and that idea also terrifies me endlessly. I'm happy she has no regrets in her small-town life. I'm happy she's accomplished so much in her community the size of my High School. I'm happy to hear that she seems to think nothing of running a country tangent to running a household of children and forthcoming grandchildren. I'm even happy she knows how to field-dress a moose. But I fail to see how any of these accomplishments qualifies a person to take the reigns of the World's most powerful nation of millions,... a nation circling the drain and facing a massive recession due to the very poor leadership of her own party.
Her views on gun-ownership and abortion, while relevant and sincere, aren't even in the top 5 concerns ailing our nation. What real perspective is she going to offer for the Economy? The War? The Environment? Global Warming, the CIA, or our national budget?? Her success stories in small-town, isolated America are not going to translate to anything on the National level, nor do I care to let her try. Obama's "inexperience" is eclipsed by her own political isolation.
Although I am a staunch Obama supporter, I used to take comfort in knowing that if McCain won the election, at least he had made comments regarding the preservation of the environment and global warming. But now that Palin has said she wishes to essentially strip-mine and drill her native Alaska of its oil, I am gravely concerned. This country—the world—needs real, new solutions to its energy needs. Her solution is to just keep looking for more of the same sources...sources like the Wildlife Preserve which are protected for reasons far greater than fears of upsetting the animals. Taking Alaska's oil will do nothing for this country except line Palin's native Alaska's coffers with money and, at best, provide a very brief stop-gap to importing foreign oil.
This election is not just about who's going to raise your taxes and who's not. It's not about who has been to war and who hasn't. It's not even about who has more dedication to their countrymen...This election could, and very well may, decide the fate of the world. How the world views America, how it responds to America, how it heals or continues to ail. We absolutely, positively, MUST change our direction of priority. I am completely unconvinced McCain or (God forbid) Palin can or even want to do that.
I am not trying to pick fights or ignite wars of the words. Everyone is entitled to their beliefs and feelings. But Palin and by proxy McCain scare me to death.
Aether Preview!
Posted 17 years agoHello Hello Hello!
For all interested parties, I have posted the first 100 Pages of Aether below!
Aether d'Animaux • V01 • Build 2008-06-13
http://www.intrinsikdesign.com/clie.....p_20080613.pdf
This link is a low-resolution PDF and will require a suitable PDF viewer to open. Please note this PDF reflects the post-crash build (with modifications) and shows the remaining holes currently being filled. Images with "FPO" (For Placement Only) over them are images that were unrecoverable after my HDD crash and/or their resolutions are below ideal print quality (300dpi). Description info shown in Magenta reflects information also lost in the HDD crash.
Categories not represented in this PDF: Cosplay & Fursuit, Sequential Illustration, Sculpture, Traditional Illustration. These Categories are coming with next journal post.
Enjoy!
For all interested parties, I have posted the first 100 Pages of Aether below!
Aether d'Animaux • V01 • Build 2008-06-13
http://www.intrinsikdesign.com/clie.....p_20080613.pdf
This link is a low-resolution PDF and will require a suitable PDF viewer to open. Please note this PDF reflects the post-crash build (with modifications) and shows the remaining holes currently being filled. Images with "FPO" (For Placement Only) over them are images that were unrecoverable after my HDD crash and/or their resolutions are below ideal print quality (300dpi). Description info shown in Magenta reflects information also lost in the HDD crash.
Categories not represented in this PDF: Cosplay & Fursuit, Sequential Illustration, Sculpture, Traditional Illustration. These Categories are coming with next journal post.
Enjoy!
Daughter Attacked by Family Dog — Good Status
Posted 17 years agoFirst and foremost, I absolutely need to thank all who commented, called, emailed or IMed me in regard to Kyleigh's recent dog attack. I cannot possibly hope to thank you all enough, and I appreciate these remarks humbly and wholly.
Kyleigh has been through the medical guantlet these past few weeks, and the final verdict seems to indicate that all is on the mend. Despite a very serious bout of rabies paranoia, it appears common sense wins out and we have little to fear.
She will return to the plastic surgeon near her birthday in August for a follow-up regarding any scaring. At this point, I am overly optimistic, but it's too soon to tell what will be needed. The wounds appear to be healing well.
Now that the medical drama has all but passed, the emotional one has set. The last few days have been dominated by day and nightmare fears of all manner of monsters and skeletons, that are apparently out to catch her. Kyleigh has never before been scared of these things, but as of this past week she will not leave our sides for anything. She shrieks all night and seems absolutely terrified of monsters. This behavior scared my wife and I even more since it completely syncs both wiith the incubation period and symptoms of rabies. This additional paranoia left us sleepless for about two nights before we could finally calm ourselves enough to listen to reason. These all-too-real phantoms are very likely her little brain manifesting all the trauma and fear of this ordeal into other forms. She's still wildly in love with dogs (even the one who bit her), so that anger and fear had to go somewhere. We're talking to her school's psychiatrist to see if we need to do anything about it.
To an outsider, I can understand why my ranting about rabies would seem almost ludicrous, but until you are a parent considering mortality, a 1% chance has an awful lot of power.
In any event, thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. These actions mean a great deal to me and my wife, and I thank you all very, very sincerely.
-Brian / Kross
Kyleigh has been through the medical guantlet these past few weeks, and the final verdict seems to indicate that all is on the mend. Despite a very serious bout of rabies paranoia, it appears common sense wins out and we have little to fear.
She will return to the plastic surgeon near her birthday in August for a follow-up regarding any scaring. At this point, I am overly optimistic, but it's too soon to tell what will be needed. The wounds appear to be healing well.
Now that the medical drama has all but passed, the emotional one has set. The last few days have been dominated by day and nightmare fears of all manner of monsters and skeletons, that are apparently out to catch her. Kyleigh has never before been scared of these things, but as of this past week she will not leave our sides for anything. She shrieks all night and seems absolutely terrified of monsters. This behavior scared my wife and I even more since it completely syncs both wiith the incubation period and symptoms of rabies. This additional paranoia left us sleepless for about two nights before we could finally calm ourselves enough to listen to reason. These all-too-real phantoms are very likely her little brain manifesting all the trauma and fear of this ordeal into other forms. She's still wildly in love with dogs (even the one who bit her), so that anger and fear had to go somewhere. We're talking to her school's psychiatrist to see if we need to do anything about it.
To an outsider, I can understand why my ranting about rabies would seem almost ludicrous, but until you are a parent considering mortality, a 1% chance has an awful lot of power.
In any event, thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. These actions mean a great deal to me and my wife, and I thank you all very, very sincerely.
-Brian / Kross
Aether Production Notes & Updates - 03.19.2008
Posted 17 years ago***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
WELCOME! HELLO AGAIN!
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
Aether d’Animaux, that anticipated-by-many, all-but-forgotten-by-a-few first edition of juried Anthropomorphic and Furry artwork has finally, turbulently rounded another corner on its path to publication. What had started as a highly ambitious yet simple idea has developed [predictably] into painstaking labor wrought with a plethora of production snafus. Though we are all familiar with how Life’s many obstacles threaten to delay all of our dreams, Aether’s production has felt improportionately burdened. Aether has experienced a great many trials along the way, many of which being a general failing of time. But more critically, Aether suffered a serious blow when the prime hard drive that stored all of the artwork failed in what Aero Data Recovery, ESS Data Recovery, and Drivesavers all called, “the worst head crash they’ve every seen.” More information about this below.
Despite these many set backs, I am still beyond pleased with how the book has developed into something spectacular.
My long silence, a product of poor time management, has surely been a source of concern for all involved. The assorted genres and fandoms have long been plagued with deceit and drama, and I struggle to avoid that pitfall.
Long overdue, I am initiating a series of email updates meant to parallel my various web posts and blogs regarding Aether’s progress. I want to make sure that all parties involved are receiving the news posts as they happen, particularly those who do not regularly visit the various watering holes.
First on the docket:
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DOWNLOAD THE LATEST MOCK-UP!
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Long, long overdue, a fairly sizeable document has been sampled from the Master document for you to peruse. This mock-up is complete in its look, needing a few various plugs to fill missing details.
I have supplied a link to all active participants via email to a PDF showcasing 57-pages of the near-complete 312-page full edition.
Please note that this link is being distributed only to those individuals who participated in Aether. This is not a production-ready file, nor is it intended for sharing or distribution. The completed book will be made available after all neessary amendments have been made. This advanced edition is a courtesy ONLY to those who submitted work.
If you submitted work and you did not receive emailed instructions as of today (March 19), contact me.
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ABOUT THE MOCK-UP
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In the PDF, you will notice the following:
• All categories are represented (in part).
• Some artwork has a magenta “FPO” pasted over it. “FPO” stands for “For Placement Only”, and in this case means the image it is covering is low-resolution or missing entirely. These missing files are entirely due to my hard drive failure, and I am working to restore them from various sources. Individual artists may be re-tapped to resubmit if a suitable back-up version will not work. I still have 90% of ALL artwork saved in a backed-up, 200dpi version that I saved for layout purposes only. These files are not necessarily ideal for publication, but can be used as a last resort. Each image is considered individually for production quality.
I cannot apologize enough for this disastrous and frustrating loss...
• Some description information is “greeked”, and does not describe the actual iilustration. The fake information currently in place is nothing more than a placeholder for style and size, and the real information is being filled in as we speak.
• Some descriptions are in magenta. These descriptions are left incomplete as the original Entry Forms were lost in a massive hard drive failure. Individual artists may be re-tapped to resubmit their forms if suitable back-ups cannot be restored.
I cannot apologize enough for this disastrous and frustrating loss...
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
CURRENT DEVELOPMENT
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Current tasks pending for Aether’s completion include the following:
• CURRENT TASK: Relocate and Replace all affected artwork due to the hard drive crash (approximately 300 pieces)
• CURRENT TASK: Relocate and Replace all affected Entry Forms due to the hard drive crash.
• CURRENT TASK: Re-enter all description information for all entries included in book (approx. 700 remain)
• Proofread the book for consistency of layout, spelling errors or misplaced artwork/descriptions.
• Collect for print.
• Submit to lulu.com, await proof.
• Proofread lulu.com’s proof, make changes if necessary, approve.
• Sales begin.
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
SOME ARTWORK and ENTRY FORMS HAVE BEEN PERMANENTLY LOST
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
ARTWORK AND ENTRY FORMS HAVE BEEN LOST for all entrants whose public name (real name or pen-name, as it was listed on your Entry Forms) fell between the letters “J” and “Z”. The hard drive crashed mid back-up, and I only retain “A” through “K”. This ONLY affects those artists who submitted exclusively via FTP. If you submitted works or entry forms via email or post mail, I still have your files.
***** ***** ***** ***** ***** *****
HARD DRIVE CRASH
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If you are interested in knowing more about the hard drive crash and what steps were taken to correct it, please see this post:
http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/308835/
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SECURITY RISK?
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Though no one has asked, I am certain, as a fellow illustrator, that many artists may view this hard drive crash (and the guantlet it traveled) as a potential security risk; not only to their private information contained on various forms and spreadsheets but also for the potential mis-use of their artwork. I feel a strong need to take this opportunity to say that the nature of this hard drive crash completely and utterly destroyed all information; not only was the data scrambled when the magnetic heads touched-down, but it was literally scraped from the surface of the disk when the heads crashed into the platters.
Since my constant vigilance for participant security is partly why I had so few back-ups in the first place, I am both happy (and dejected) to say that there is zero risk that any sensitive information has been misused or obtained by any third parties. All remaining information and artwork is secure.
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PROACTIVE ABOUT RESUBMITTING?
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If you are interested in re-submitting artwork and Entry Forms to replace what was lost in the crash, please feel free to contact me, or do so via FTP and/or Email. Submissions may be uploaded via FTP (contact me), or sent to: brian [[at]] intrinsikdesign [[dot]] com
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GENERAL INFO
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Specific posts regarding Aether’s various stages of development are available on public message boards, blogs and journals at the following locations:
• Aether Web Site: http://www.intrinsikdesign.com/clients/aether/
• FurAffinity: (THIS GALLERY)
• LiveJournal: http://krossbreeder.livejournal.com/
If you are interested in knowing more about the project and do not want to wait for updates or journal posts, please feel free to contact me. I will be happy to answer your questions.
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THANK YOU!!
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Thanks again to all involved, and to all for their faith and participation. I am pushing as hard and as fast as life will allow, and I vow nothing less than an excellent finished product!
Sincerely,
Brian / Kross
Daughter Attacked by Family Dog
Posted 17 years agoOn Sunday of last week, my three-year-old daughter, Kyleigh, was attacked by my parent's dog of 14 years. Comet had been a very gentle animal his whole life but something set him off on Sunday and when Kyleigh hugged him he snapped and bit her face, removing a chunk of her cheek, puncturing her nose and tearing her lower lip.
We took her immediately to the Emergency Room, where the surgeon on staff consulted a plastic surgeon because of where the wounds were. His advice was to sew the wound up, which was AGAINST the better judgment of the on-hand surgeon. They told us they never seal a dog bite, because of how highly infected they are; they want the wound to weep. His instinct was correct, unfortunately, because over night her entire face had swollen beyond recognition. It looked as if someone beat her with a pipe. Her eyes were sealed shut, her lips wouldn't close, and I couldn't even see her nostril. I wanted to cry every time I looked at her. We met with the consulting surgeon the next day. His comment was she was doing "fine" and wanted to see her back in a week. He told us to call him if the redness worsened or she got a fever. By nightfall, both had occured. She shot up to 102-degrees and the redness covered her whole face and neck. I called the doctor in a panic, whose angered-I-bothered him advice was, "if I'm so worried about it, take her to an E.R." As it turns out, Dr. Asshole is also outside of our doctor network, so even though he was referred by the E.R., HAP will not cover it.
We found a second plastic surgeon who immediately upon seeing Kyleigh wanted to remove the sutures. For 20 horrible, horrible minutes, I had to lay on top of her and pin her down while the doctor pulled-free all 8 stitches and proceeded to forceably push and squeeze several vile tablespoons of puss and liquid infection from her face. For 20 minutes tears rolled down my face as Kyleigh is screaming, "please please, he's hurting me, stop, daddy, stop." I swear to God, I will never forget that for as long as I live.
Despite the anguish, Kyleigh's face all but returned within minutes of sitting her back up. Still not back to normal, but at least I could see her tear-welled eyes again.
After that we spent all last week and well into this one seeing the plastic surgeon and various pediatricians to hopefully correct the damage and battle the infection, which had grown violently out of control.
My step-father was so angry with the dog that he had it put to sleep that very night, which as it turns out was doubly-rash since in his haste, the veterinarian neglected to quarantine the animal first, which is customary for rabies observation. Comet was cremated less than 48 hours after the attack, and now the County is investigating the Vet's office for breaking protocol, but more seriously, pressing my wife and I to vaccinate Kyleigh for rabies since they cannot disprove the dog had it.
Comet had been vaccinated for rabies his whole life, but there are cases of animals carrying the virus even when protected against it. Worse, my parents live in a heavily forested area where Comet had regular contact with wildlife, particularly the four species who carry it most: skunks, bats, foxes and opossum. Even though there is only a very slim chance he had the disease, no one can say he didn't.
Rabies is a brain disease which cannot be treated once symptoms appear. It is 100% fatal. The vaccinations for it are extremely painful and lengthy, requiring a series of booster shots to the abdomen and face, the doctor says. The vaccination is essentially a poison, and the nausea it invokes has been compared to chemotherapy. This is not an option to be taken lightly, as a doctor will not request it unless absolutely necessary.
Because of the County's fears, no doctor will tell us not to give the vaccinations to her. And without Comet, no one can say whether she was exposed to rabies in the first place.
Kyleigh has had another appointment with the surgeon at 1:45pm today. He said the infection is clearing up well, but still no ground on the rabies scare. I've taken off work for the last week to get things taken care of, but we're not done yet.
It's not the best update I've ever posted, but I wanted to post something.
We took her immediately to the Emergency Room, where the surgeon on staff consulted a plastic surgeon because of where the wounds were. His advice was to sew the wound up, which was AGAINST the better judgment of the on-hand surgeon. They told us they never seal a dog bite, because of how highly infected they are; they want the wound to weep. His instinct was correct, unfortunately, because over night her entire face had swollen beyond recognition. It looked as if someone beat her with a pipe. Her eyes were sealed shut, her lips wouldn't close, and I couldn't even see her nostril. I wanted to cry every time I looked at her. We met with the consulting surgeon the next day. His comment was she was doing "fine" and wanted to see her back in a week. He told us to call him if the redness worsened or she got a fever. By nightfall, both had occured. She shot up to 102-degrees and the redness covered her whole face and neck. I called the doctor in a panic, whose angered-I-bothered him advice was, "if I'm so worried about it, take her to an E.R." As it turns out, Dr. Asshole is also outside of our doctor network, so even though he was referred by the E.R., HAP will not cover it.
We found a second plastic surgeon who immediately upon seeing Kyleigh wanted to remove the sutures. For 20 horrible, horrible minutes, I had to lay on top of her and pin her down while the doctor pulled-free all 8 stitches and proceeded to forceably push and squeeze several vile tablespoons of puss and liquid infection from her face. For 20 minutes tears rolled down my face as Kyleigh is screaming, "please please, he's hurting me, stop, daddy, stop." I swear to God, I will never forget that for as long as I live.
Despite the anguish, Kyleigh's face all but returned within minutes of sitting her back up. Still not back to normal, but at least I could see her tear-welled eyes again.
After that we spent all last week and well into this one seeing the plastic surgeon and various pediatricians to hopefully correct the damage and battle the infection, which had grown violently out of control.
My step-father was so angry with the dog that he had it put to sleep that very night, which as it turns out was doubly-rash since in his haste, the veterinarian neglected to quarantine the animal first, which is customary for rabies observation. Comet was cremated less than 48 hours after the attack, and now the County is investigating the Vet's office for breaking protocol, but more seriously, pressing my wife and I to vaccinate Kyleigh for rabies since they cannot disprove the dog had it.
Comet had been vaccinated for rabies his whole life, but there are cases of animals carrying the virus even when protected against it. Worse, my parents live in a heavily forested area where Comet had regular contact with wildlife, particularly the four species who carry it most: skunks, bats, foxes and opossum. Even though there is only a very slim chance he had the disease, no one can say he didn't.
Rabies is a brain disease which cannot be treated once symptoms appear. It is 100% fatal. The vaccinations for it are extremely painful and lengthy, requiring a series of booster shots to the abdomen and face, the doctor says. The vaccination is essentially a poison, and the nausea it invokes has been compared to chemotherapy. This is not an option to be taken lightly, as a doctor will not request it unless absolutely necessary.
Because of the County's fears, no doctor will tell us not to give the vaccinations to her. And without Comet, no one can say whether she was exposed to rabies in the first place.
Kyleigh has had another appointment with the surgeon at 1:45pm today. He said the infection is clearing up well, but still no ground on the rabies scare. I've taken off work for the last week to get things taken care of, but we're not done yet.
It's not the best update I've ever posted, but I wanted to post something.
Drive Failure
Posted 18 years agoTotal.
Utter.
Drive failure.
500-Gigs of my life vanishes wholly and suddenly as my LaCie d2 Quadra drive has decided to off-itself in a ghastly series of violent click and whirring noises.
Does this affect Aether? Not really, because I had backed all 45-gigs of it onto a second drive... minus a few recent updates.
Does this affect the rest of my life? You betcha. Everything from baby pictures to countless client files.. Ker-gone.
I have set up for data recovery, at a whopping $300... which is actually considerably cheaper than the $3,200 LaCie's DriveSavers wanted... WTF is that?!
Anyway. Yay technology.
-Kross
Utter.
Drive failure.
500-Gigs of my life vanishes wholly and suddenly as my LaCie d2 Quadra drive has decided to off-itself in a ghastly series of violent click and whirring noises.
Does this affect Aether? Not really, because I had backed all 45-gigs of it onto a second drive... minus a few recent updates.
Does this affect the rest of my life? You betcha. Everything from baby pictures to countless client files.. Ker-gone.
I have set up for data recovery, at a whopping $300... which is actually considerably cheaper than the $3,200 LaCie's DriveSavers wanted... WTF is that?!
Anyway. Yay technology.
-Kross
Drive Failure
Posted 18 years agoTotal.
Utter.
Drive failure.
500-Gigs of my life vanishes wholly and suddenly as my LaCie d2 Quadra drive has decided to off-itself in a ghastly series of violent click and whirring noises.
Does this affect Aether? Not really, because I had backed all 45-gigs of it onto a second drive... minus a few recent updates.
Does this affect the rest of my life? You betcha. Everything from baby pictures to countless client files.. Ker-gone.
I have set up for data recovery, at a whopping $300... which is actually considerably cheaper than the $3,200 LaCie's DriveSavers wanted... WTF is that?!
Anyway. Yay technology.
-Kross
Utter.
Drive failure.
500-Gigs of my life vanishes wholly and suddenly as my LaCie d2 Quadra drive has decided to off-itself in a ghastly series of violent click and whirring noises.
Does this affect Aether? Not really, because I had backed all 45-gigs of it onto a second drive... minus a few recent updates.
Does this affect the rest of my life? You betcha. Everything from baby pictures to countless client files.. Ker-gone.
I have set up for data recovery, at a whopping $300... which is actually considerably cheaper than the $3,200 LaCie's DriveSavers wanted... WTF is that?!
Anyway. Yay technology.
-Kross
