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With Much Gratitude
General | Posted 15 years agoI typically don't thank folks for watching me, or for faves (nor do I expect thanks for fav'ing or watching). But I do notice it, & I do appreciate it.
Sometimes I'm surprised at who takes the time to notice me, sometimes I'm pleasantly surprised at the amount notice one piece gets...and sometimes it's just surprising (like this guy**warning! NSFW**: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2687762/ ).
I do try my best to respond to outright comments and notes--at least, those that seem to require response. I'm sometimes lax in this, since usual internet access is via the library, and usually only once or twice a week at that. It's hard keeping up with everything. I'm not trying to avoid expressing my appreciation, or taking your kind words for granted. The fact that someone took the time to tell me that they liked something I did, or to pass on some valued constructive criticism, means a great deal to me.
I love having a forum that allows me to share my stuff with my friends & whoever else cares to look at it. I love being able to access my friend's works & the art of people I admire. I enjoy being able to discuss all of the above, and have others do the same.
Thank you, FA. You do such wonderful things for my ego.
Sometimes I'm surprised at who takes the time to notice me, sometimes I'm pleasantly surprised at the amount notice one piece gets...and sometimes it's just surprising (like this guy**warning! NSFW**: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2687762/ ).
I do try my best to respond to outright comments and notes--at least, those that seem to require response. I'm sometimes lax in this, since usual internet access is via the library, and usually only once or twice a week at that. It's hard keeping up with everything. I'm not trying to avoid expressing my appreciation, or taking your kind words for granted. The fact that someone took the time to tell me that they liked something I did, or to pass on some valued constructive criticism, means a great deal to me.
I love having a forum that allows me to share my stuff with my friends & whoever else cares to look at it. I love being able to access my friend's works & the art of people I admire. I enjoy being able to discuss all of the above, and have others do the same.
Thank you, FA. You do such wonderful things for my ego.
Kwan Wants Monies
General | Posted 15 years agoI need to pay for storage, electricty, toothpaste, meds, toilet paper, and dogfood (not necessarily in that order). So...
Pretty much anything I've posted in FA since January 2009 is up for grabs, with some exceptions (gift art, art not done by me, a few others).
$5 a pop plus shipping, because I'm desperate.
You decide how the shipping will go (priority, ups, whatever--you're paying for it...and if you're local & we can meet, shipping is free of course).
First come, first serve.
Some of these things are on the same sheet of cardstock; you get to decide if you want 'em all or just the one & I'll take an exacto-knife to it.
Keep in mind I have no internets at home; at best I'll be getting online once a day at the library. Anyone who wants to fuss about not getting an inmmediate response should grow the hell up.
I'd even consider a commission or two, but I'd need to discuss it first.
Questions, comments, heartaches?
Pretty much anything I've posted in FA since January 2009 is up for grabs, with some exceptions (gift art, art not done by me, a few others).
$5 a pop plus shipping, because I'm desperate.
You decide how the shipping will go (priority, ups, whatever--you're paying for it...and if you're local & we can meet, shipping is free of course).
First come, first serve.
Some of these things are on the same sheet of cardstock; you get to decide if you want 'em all or just the one & I'll take an exacto-knife to it.
Keep in mind I have no internets at home; at best I'll be getting online once a day at the library. Anyone who wants to fuss about not getting an inmmediate response should grow the hell up.
I'd even consider a commission or two, but I'd need to discuss it first.
Questions, comments, heartaches?
Get Ready For Art Dumpage
General | Posted 15 years agoI've got 30+ images to scan & upload.
Many thanks to
pyrofoks for letting me mess around with his scanner!!
Right now I've thrown a few things in scraps. What I consider better stuff is coming in the near future.
Many thanks to
pyrofoks for letting me mess around with his scanner!!Right now I've thrown a few things in scraps. What I consider better stuff is coming in the near future.
Catching up is Impossible...
General | Posted 16 years ago...so I'll be random.
Move: Done. With a huge amount of unexpected help from local furries {will put their names here later when there's more time}. Never before have so many shown up to move so little. Thanks, guys---whenever I forget why I love it here in Tucson, usually a local furry does something to remind me.
I'm enjoying the new digs muchly. It's very nice to be by myself. I'm fortunate that I have my aged spazzhund to stave off the lonely's. I have instant hot waters! I have a toilet that flushes without you having to coax it through the entire process! I have tons of closet space! I have a laundry room maybe 30 feet away! I only have to pick up & clean up after MY dog! I can plug in several things at once and use a blowdrier again! I have AN OVEN! A REAL OVEN! JOY! I miss having a microwave, though.
Most of my crap is still in storage in Ohio, who knows when it will make it to Tucson. I sure could use it right now, though---50% of it is kitchen stuff (plates, silverware, cookware, microwave, table, etc). It kills me having to buy stuff that I already have.
I'm seeing my hickey-date regularly, now. Not a furry (which some would say is a plus), but firmly in sf/f fandom (definitely a plus). Mellow guy, gentle humor, fellow atheist, great snuggler (plus, plus, big plus, enormous plus) ---Kwan's a very pleased ratty. ^__^
Went on a little road-trip yesterday to Phoenix with fellow Tucson furries (many thanks to Pyro for being our mighty Captain!). First stop was Akia, where I intend to go again when I have more cash (all that nifty furniture & appliances, & what do I get? Rat plushies). Other activities included getting lost while en route to an airsoft store, and hanging out in a mall. The trip was wrapped up by going to a Phoenix furmeet. I received more greetings & hugs than expected, although I was bummed that Kattywampus was not in attendance. I miss da Wampus!
I have like 30-40 things to scan, and I possibly fried my scanner. GAH!
I miss my Ohio furries. It looks like I won't make it to Morphicon again this year, and I am very very bummed about that. I still would love to be able to arrange a trip to Ohio just to visit with everyone, so that's what I'll hope will happen later on this year.
Library's closing, so that's it for now!
Move: Done. With a huge amount of unexpected help from local furries {will put their names here later when there's more time}. Never before have so many shown up to move so little. Thanks, guys---whenever I forget why I love it here in Tucson, usually a local furry does something to remind me.
I'm enjoying the new digs muchly. It's very nice to be by myself. I'm fortunate that I have my aged spazzhund to stave off the lonely's. I have instant hot waters! I have a toilet that flushes without you having to coax it through the entire process! I have tons of closet space! I have a laundry room maybe 30 feet away! I only have to pick up & clean up after MY dog! I can plug in several things at once and use a blowdrier again! I have AN OVEN! A REAL OVEN! JOY! I miss having a microwave, though.
Most of my crap is still in storage in Ohio, who knows when it will make it to Tucson. I sure could use it right now, though---50% of it is kitchen stuff (plates, silverware, cookware, microwave, table, etc). It kills me having to buy stuff that I already have.
I'm seeing my hickey-date regularly, now. Not a furry (which some would say is a plus), but firmly in sf/f fandom (definitely a plus). Mellow guy, gentle humor, fellow atheist, great snuggler (plus, plus, big plus, enormous plus) ---Kwan's a very pleased ratty. ^__^
Went on a little road-trip yesterday to Phoenix with fellow Tucson furries (many thanks to Pyro for being our mighty Captain!). First stop was Akia, where I intend to go again when I have more cash (all that nifty furniture & appliances, & what do I get? Rat plushies). Other activities included getting lost while en route to an airsoft store, and hanging out in a mall. The trip was wrapped up by going to a Phoenix furmeet. I received more greetings & hugs than expected, although I was bummed that Kattywampus was not in attendance. I miss da Wampus!
I have like 30-40 things to scan, and I possibly fried my scanner. GAH!
I miss my Ohio furries. It looks like I won't make it to Morphicon again this year, and I am very very bummed about that. I still would love to be able to arrange a trip to Ohio just to visit with everyone, so that's what I'll hope will happen later on this year.
Library's closing, so that's it for now!
I Can Has Hickey!
General | Posted 16 years ago"So Kwan, how did your date go?"
Also, I'm moving today.
Also, I'm moving today.
Maddie's New 'Do
General | Posted 16 years agoUpdate (this was in my last journal, but I don't think it was seen:
LEASE HAS BEEN SIGNED! Money has exchanged hands, utility company has been notified, & Kwan's a relieved rat. I move next week. I've started packing in earnest.
My poor old dog Maddie (who loathes moving even more than I do) knows a move is eminent, is completely traumatized & clingy, & is trying to give me a guilt complex. I expect I'll be forgiven when she realizes she's a single dog once more.
Today Maddie got a metric crapload of attention. It was a warm, windy day, perfect weather to give her a much-needed trimming, and I wanted a break from packing & re-arranging stuff.
I've long put forward that Maddie has cat-hair instead of real dog-hair. She's half border collie, so there's a surprising amount of variable hair lengths. There's also a surprising amount of hair. Her coat is very fine, especially on the ears, and has a bad habit of floating mid-air once shed. It makes finding cobwebs on the ceiling rather easy, but I'd gladly trade that dubious advantage for a heavier, coarser, more dog-like pelt that obeys gravity.
As a result of all this, Maddie gets ear-trims throughout the year, and an occasional full-body trim. Now with summer coming on, she is shedding with a vengeance. She's been looking particularly rough, wild, and feral. Time for a trim.
This involves cutting the fur by hand with scissors. I wish I could use an electric trimmer, but her fur has destroyed---I do mean destroyed--three of them. Look--I've shaved/trimmed horses, donkeys, and mules more times than I can count, not to mention steers, lambs, and goats. I'm no base amateur when it comes to shaving an animal. I know how to use & care for electric trimmers. But Maddie's damned hair is like kryptonite to those things.
So a 10-minute task is turned into an ordeal lasting over an hour. It's an ordeal because of me having to spend all that time bent double with dog-hair flying all over my face & into my bra & up my nose. And trying to get the damned dog to stay still, already (it's not like Maddie gets excited or fidgety--she just wants to supervise, which involves constantly moving her head about, which moves the rest of her, and usually right when I'm cutting).
Maddie enjoys the attention, as she gets many scritchies & several play-breaks for being good, not to mention a treat at the end. But due to her constant craning about, or refusing to keep still during crucial times, she always comes out looking like she's been trimmed with a weed-whacker. And the sad part is, that's an improvement.
By the end of it all, there was enough hair & fuzz swirling about to make myself a few emergency backup dogs. The wind blew most of it over the fence & into the desert. At every play-break, it was quite a sight watching all that hair go up, up, up into the sky.
And then birds started dive-bombing the fur. I thought they must be disappointed that there was nothing to eat, just fuzzy stuff--but then realized they were after the hair all along. Nest-making time! Evidently it's the en vogue thing in the avian world to give their offspring a home that smells like an aging spazzhund.
What with the wind & the birds, I figure I've got my dog spread over an area of 3 cubic miles by now.
LEASE HAS BEEN SIGNED! Money has exchanged hands, utility company has been notified, & Kwan's a relieved rat. I move next week. I've started packing in earnest.
My poor old dog Maddie (who loathes moving even more than I do) knows a move is eminent, is completely traumatized & clingy, & is trying to give me a guilt complex. I expect I'll be forgiven when she realizes she's a single dog once more.
Today Maddie got a metric crapload of attention. It was a warm, windy day, perfect weather to give her a much-needed trimming, and I wanted a break from packing & re-arranging stuff.
I've long put forward that Maddie has cat-hair instead of real dog-hair. She's half border collie, so there's a surprising amount of variable hair lengths. There's also a surprising amount of hair. Her coat is very fine, especially on the ears, and has a bad habit of floating mid-air once shed. It makes finding cobwebs on the ceiling rather easy, but I'd gladly trade that dubious advantage for a heavier, coarser, more dog-like pelt that obeys gravity.
As a result of all this, Maddie gets ear-trims throughout the year, and an occasional full-body trim. Now with summer coming on, she is shedding with a vengeance. She's been looking particularly rough, wild, and feral. Time for a trim.
This involves cutting the fur by hand with scissors. I wish I could use an electric trimmer, but her fur has destroyed---I do mean destroyed--three of them. Look--I've shaved/trimmed horses, donkeys, and mules more times than I can count, not to mention steers, lambs, and goats. I'm no base amateur when it comes to shaving an animal. I know how to use & care for electric trimmers. But Maddie's damned hair is like kryptonite to those things.
So a 10-minute task is turned into an ordeal lasting over an hour. It's an ordeal because of me having to spend all that time bent double with dog-hair flying all over my face & into my bra & up my nose. And trying to get the damned dog to stay still, already (it's not like Maddie gets excited or fidgety--she just wants to supervise, which involves constantly moving her head about, which moves the rest of her, and usually right when I'm cutting).
Maddie enjoys the attention, as she gets many scritchies & several play-breaks for being good, not to mention a treat at the end. But due to her constant craning about, or refusing to keep still during crucial times, she always comes out looking like she's been trimmed with a weed-whacker. And the sad part is, that's an improvement.
By the end of it all, there was enough hair & fuzz swirling about to make myself a few emergency backup dogs. The wind blew most of it over the fence & into the desert. At every play-break, it was quite a sight watching all that hair go up, up, up into the sky.
And then birds started dive-bombing the fur. I thought they must be disappointed that there was nothing to eat, just fuzzy stuff--but then realized they were after the hair all along. Nest-making time! Evidently it's the en vogue thing in the avian world to give their offspring a home that smells like an aging spazzhund.
What with the wind & the birds, I figure I've got my dog spread over an area of 3 cubic miles by now.
I Can Has Apartment! Plus, more gushing over clouds.
General | Posted 16 years agoUpdate:
LEASE HAS BEEN SIGNED! Money has exchanged hands, utility company has been notified, & Kwan's a relieved rat. I move next week. I've started packing in earnest.
My poor old dog Maddie (who loathes moving even more than I do) knows a move is eminent, is completely traumatized & clingy, & is trying to give me a guilt complex. I expect I'll be forgiven when she realizes she's a single dog once more.
I was looking for:
- $500 or under
- allows a 15-yr-old deaf dog (35 pounds)
- 1st floor, no more than 5 stairs (dog can't handle them)
- safe area
- vermin-free (definition of 'vermin' includes: ants, roaches, beetle larva, & the likelihood of people breaking into your car/home, crapping in your yard, peeing on your door, and leaving blood on the stairs)
- a fenced yard/plot/patio
- off-street parking spot
- west side of town
I got everything except the last; I'm more central than I care to be. A bit too far from work for my taste, but it seems the closer you get to my work, the more questionable the areas are. But I think it's the best I could do on short notice & limited funds.
Sometimes I miss my friends & family back in Ohio so much that it hurts. I did consider using this whole mishmosh as impetus to go back to Ohio, but I wasn't able to connect with the one avenue I'd consider, and really---I freakin' love it here in Tucson.
I'm reminded almost daily how wonderful it is to live where the landscape takes my breath away. Last week I woke up to a chorus of curve-billed thrashers singing their hearts out. Whenever they stopped, the cactus wrens chimed in. And there was a massive--massive!-- wall of clouds covering the northern mountain range. I couldn't see so much as a rock. It was like a gigantic wall made of huge reams of cotton batting.
I've seen a flat, smooth cloudline, undulating over the mountain range like some vast blanket. Another time there was a spectacular cloud rising behind the mountain range & then crashing over the crags like an enormous tidal wave.
What awe-inspiring sights.
And I get to stay here & see more of it.
LEASE HAS BEEN SIGNED! Money has exchanged hands, utility company has been notified, & Kwan's a relieved rat. I move next week. I've started packing in earnest.
My poor old dog Maddie (who loathes moving even more than I do) knows a move is eminent, is completely traumatized & clingy, & is trying to give me a guilt complex. I expect I'll be forgiven when she realizes she's a single dog once more.
I was looking for:
- $500 or under
- allows a 15-yr-old deaf dog (35 pounds)
- 1st floor, no more than 5 stairs (dog can't handle them)
- safe area
- vermin-free (definition of 'vermin' includes: ants, roaches, beetle larva, & the likelihood of people breaking into your car/home, crapping in your yard, peeing on your door, and leaving blood on the stairs)
- a fenced yard/plot/patio
- off-street parking spot
- west side of town
I got everything except the last; I'm more central than I care to be. A bit too far from work for my taste, but it seems the closer you get to my work, the more questionable the areas are. But I think it's the best I could do on short notice & limited funds.
Sometimes I miss my friends & family back in Ohio so much that it hurts. I did consider using this whole mishmosh as impetus to go back to Ohio, but I wasn't able to connect with the one avenue I'd consider, and really---I freakin' love it here in Tucson.
I'm reminded almost daily how wonderful it is to live where the landscape takes my breath away. Last week I woke up to a chorus of curve-billed thrashers singing their hearts out. Whenever they stopped, the cactus wrens chimed in. And there was a massive--massive!-- wall of clouds covering the northern mountain range. I couldn't see so much as a rock. It was like a gigantic wall made of huge reams of cotton batting.
I've seen a flat, smooth cloudline, undulating over the mountain range like some vast blanket. Another time there was a spectacular cloud rising behind the mountain range & then crashing over the crags like an enormous tidal wave.
What awe-inspiring sights.
And I get to stay here & see more of it.
On Hold Until Further Notice
General | Posted 16 years agoReal life is heading its ugly head at me, so fanac will have to take a backseat for a few weeks. Sadly, this includes artings.
I'll have to devote most of my time to finding a new place to live by the 21st....due to circumstances I'll not air right here, except that I'm very pissed (but not really surprised) at the manner in which I was 'officially' notified. Also, my work just announced the reduction of hours. Pbbbbt to the world right now!
Status of my art swap (no, I haven't forgotten)
Art Swap:
1.
antihero (will post last)
2.
dopr5 sketched out
3.
xxmangexx DONE
4.
jsrffreak DONE
5.
ahkmedren inked, in process of coloring
6.
lilifox inked, colored--needs to be posted!
7.
kristynlioness DONE
8.
alzubra DONE
9.
nivek_rayne DONE
10.
lavander DONE
I'll have to devote most of my time to finding a new place to live by the 21st....due to circumstances I'll not air right here, except that I'm very pissed (but not really surprised) at the manner in which I was 'officially' notified. Also, my work just announced the reduction of hours. Pbbbbt to the world right now!
Status of my art swap (no, I haven't forgotten)
Art Swap:
1.
antihero (will post last)2.
dopr5 sketched out3.
xxmangexx DONE4.
jsrffreak DONE5.
ahkmedren inked, in process of coloring6.
lilifox inked, colored--needs to be posted!7.
kristynlioness DONE8.
alzubra DONE9.
nivek_rayne DONE10.
lavander DONE Forced Species Meme
General | Posted 16 years agoForced Species Meme
I saw this in my buddy
Fendras's journal, and since it takes forever for things to upload I'm doing this to keep me busy.
MEME
Put down what species of animal your fursona would be within each category, if your fursona had to be a species from that animal type. If/when you reach the category your fursona is already put an alternative animal. Links to pictures are useful and fun but not necessary.
1. If your fursona had to be a primate, it'd be...
You know those monkeys that just sit in the natural hot springs surrounded by snow with snow piling up on their heads & somehow managing to look both happy & miserable at the same time? I'd be one of them.
2. If your fursona had to be a feline, it'd be...
Damn, I dunno. I'm so not a feline...I'll have to get back to you on this'un because I have all the others filled out & the library is closing in 5 minutes.
I'd totally love to be a snow leopard or clouded leopard...pretty & floofy! But let's be honest about myself.
(My untrustworthy assistant Pedro has suggested 'cougar,' for reasons not necessarily related to furrydom)
3. If your fursona had to be a canine, it'd be...
A mutt!
4. If your fursona had to be a hoofed animal, it'd be...
It's a tie: Rhino or Donkey!
5. If your fursona had to be a rodent, it'd be...
Hmmm, already a rat so---a squirrel!
A rat that can has floof! AWESOME!
6. If your fursona had to be reptile, it'd be...
Horned lizard (a horny toad!).
I wanna say zebra-tailed lizard, but I am in no way that svelte or energetic.
I'd love to be a Armadillo Girdled Lizard, they are cute as hell & look kick-ass to boot.
7. If your fursona had to be a marsupial, it'd be...
Opossum.
I'd prefer something cuddly & jumpy from Australia, but a 'Possum is kinda like a rat with a pituitary condition & a major attitude.
8. If your fursona had to be a fully aquatic animal, it'd be...
Jellyfish
9. If your fursona had to be an amphibian animal it'd be...
Axlotl or hellbender, maybe? Or a toad.
10. If your fursona had to be an avian/bird, it'd be...
Ummmmm.... (ack! I skipped this one!)
I'd get a kick out of being a red-shouldered hawk, for nostalgiac reasons, and I love me a Cactus Wren. Buuut I'm probably more of a Gambel's Quail (which I call a 'woo'-bird) or a turkey vulture.
11. If your fursona had to be a creepy crawly, it'd be...
Signature spider.
12. If your fursona had to be a real or unreal hybrid, it'd be...
Totally mule (like a moron I had 'rhino' in here)
13. If your fursona had to be a mythical creature, it'd be...
Harpy
I'd much prefer a gargoyle or a gryphon, but I'm more of a harpy than anything else.
14. If your fursona had to be a Pokemon/Digimon , it'd be...
Oh criminey, I don't know those guys well enough to care.
15. If your fursona had to be a vehicle, it'd be...
A Pontiac Grand Safari 1970's station wagon with fake wood paneling!
Like Lander, I'm not tagging anyone. You're free to do this, or not do this, as you like.
I saw this in my buddy
Fendras's journal, and since it takes forever for things to upload I'm doing this to keep me busy.MEME
Put down what species of animal your fursona would be within each category, if your fursona had to be a species from that animal type. If/when you reach the category your fursona is already put an alternative animal. Links to pictures are useful and fun but not necessary.
1. If your fursona had to be a primate, it'd be...
You know those monkeys that just sit in the natural hot springs surrounded by snow with snow piling up on their heads & somehow managing to look both happy & miserable at the same time? I'd be one of them.
2. If your fursona had to be a feline, it'd be...
Damn, I dunno. I'm so not a feline...I'll have to get back to you on this'un because I have all the others filled out & the library is closing in 5 minutes.
I'd totally love to be a snow leopard or clouded leopard...pretty & floofy! But let's be honest about myself.
(My untrustworthy assistant Pedro has suggested 'cougar,' for reasons not necessarily related to furrydom)
3. If your fursona had to be a canine, it'd be...
A mutt!
4. If your fursona had to be a hoofed animal, it'd be...
It's a tie: Rhino or Donkey!
5. If your fursona had to be a rodent, it'd be...
Hmmm, already a rat so---a squirrel!
A rat that can has floof! AWESOME!
6. If your fursona had to be reptile, it'd be...
Horned lizard (a horny toad!).
I wanna say zebra-tailed lizard, but I am in no way that svelte or energetic.
I'd love to be a Armadillo Girdled Lizard, they are cute as hell & look kick-ass to boot.
7. If your fursona had to be a marsupial, it'd be...
Opossum.
I'd prefer something cuddly & jumpy from Australia, but a 'Possum is kinda like a rat with a pituitary condition & a major attitude.
8. If your fursona had to be a fully aquatic animal, it'd be...
Jellyfish
9. If your fursona had to be an amphibian animal it'd be...
Axlotl or hellbender, maybe? Or a toad.
10. If your fursona had to be an avian/bird, it'd be...
Ummmmm.... (ack! I skipped this one!)
I'd get a kick out of being a red-shouldered hawk, for nostalgiac reasons, and I love me a Cactus Wren. Buuut I'm probably more of a Gambel's Quail (which I call a 'woo'-bird) or a turkey vulture.
11. If your fursona had to be a creepy crawly, it'd be...
Signature spider.
12. If your fursona had to be a real or unreal hybrid, it'd be...
Totally mule (like a moron I had 'rhino' in here)
13. If your fursona had to be a mythical creature, it'd be...
Harpy
I'd much prefer a gargoyle or a gryphon, but I'm more of a harpy than anything else.
14. If your fursona had to be a Pokemon/Digimon , it'd be...
Oh criminey, I don't know those guys well enough to care.
15. If your fursona had to be a vehicle, it'd be...
A Pontiac Grand Safari 1970's station wagon with fake wood paneling!
Like Lander, I'm not tagging anyone. You're free to do this, or not do this, as you like.
Avatar (some quasi-spoilers)
General | Posted 16 years agoYeah yeah yeah, everyone else in the world has seen it, who cares, I'm gonna talk about it anyways.
tl;dr version: I enjoyed the hell out of this film.
I enjoyed it immensely. But then, I didn't go into the theater expecting anything epic. I expected to see blue kitty-people riding dino-dragons in a ham-fisted allegory on how those of European descent treated the Americas & their aboriginal peoples, to be saved by some deus ex machina.
And I got that, in spades.
But I also got some amazing acting, and fantastic digital effects set in an almost believable ecology (some of which seemed to have some real thinking behind it), and, unexpectedly for me, freakin' Sigourney Weaver, who can make any straight gal or gay man rethink their status on the Kinsey Scale.
The performance-capture technology, that of having the actor's digital counterparts mirror the actor's gestures & facial expressions, is a valuable asset to the film. If you were surprised & impressed by the work done with Gollum in the Lord of the Rings movies, this is Gollum to the nth degree. The end result is simply stunning. I was especially taken by the performance of Zoe Saldana as Neytiri.
I got a huge kick out of all the various flora & fauna...although I had a hard time taking the 'jungle-wolves' seriously; they have a huge resemblance to the Phantom of the Muppet Show. There was more than a little influence from Douglas Barlowe's work in the creature design, but he doesn't seem to have been a part of the creative process. As I said, there seemed to have been far more more thought put into the environment than usual scifi fare (not to say there isn't plenty of the typical "we put it there 'cause it's cool & this is scifi" stuff). I was not surprised to see that Weta Workshop was part of the production.
I adore--adore!--how well the Na'vi ears & tails are used to communicate mood & to enhance the character's body language. It irks me to no end when anthro character's ears & tails are treated as accessories & not a means of expression.
With a little nudging, this could have been a much better film. I'm not going to go over the film's weakest part--the plot; largely because it's more or less covered in the movie's own trailers/previews. To describe Avatar as a mating of Dances With Wolves with Disney's Pocahontas with a dash of Gorillas in the Mist, delivered by an ILM midwife would be somewhat accurate, but also somewhat unfair. Suffice to say there are few real surprises.
Things that needed improvement:
--Nobody onscreen said anything to the effect of, "Hey, isn't what we're doing here kinda like what we did to the Native Americans?"
--All the Na'vi seemed to be hale & whole & homogenous in bodily build. No signs of arthritis or cavities or or aging (mature, yes; aged, no). Not a single scar, missing limb, blind, or disabled body to be seen. For people who dealt with very strong & wild creatures, this was a curious thing indeed. Also a lost opportunity. This could have been used as a plot point--could the Na'vi know or even understand paraplegia?
--Since we currently have much more environmentally-friendly ways of extracting ore, it seemed ludicrous to me that in the far-flung future we'd resort to strip-mining without regards to a habitat that would be just as valuable as the mineral underneath it. Since the Earth is supposed to be a wasteland in this setting, I'd think that the company would be interested in making additional profit in their venture; such as harvesting the topsoil & the massive trees, rather than blowing it all to hell. It seems to me that this was just an obvious These Are The Bad Guys ploy.
-- The Na'vi seemed to be the only creatures on the moon with 2 arms & 2 legs, and nostrils on their faces.
I'm looking forward to the DVD release. I hope that there will be a shitload of extra stuff, much like what was done with the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
tl;dr version: I enjoyed the hell out of this film.
I enjoyed it immensely. But then, I didn't go into the theater expecting anything epic. I expected to see blue kitty-people riding dino-dragons in a ham-fisted allegory on how those of European descent treated the Americas & their aboriginal peoples, to be saved by some deus ex machina.
And I got that, in spades.
But I also got some amazing acting, and fantastic digital effects set in an almost believable ecology (some of which seemed to have some real thinking behind it), and, unexpectedly for me, freakin' Sigourney Weaver, who can make any straight gal or gay man rethink their status on the Kinsey Scale.
The performance-capture technology, that of having the actor's digital counterparts mirror the actor's gestures & facial expressions, is a valuable asset to the film. If you were surprised & impressed by the work done with Gollum in the Lord of the Rings movies, this is Gollum to the nth degree. The end result is simply stunning. I was especially taken by the performance of Zoe Saldana as Neytiri.
I got a huge kick out of all the various flora & fauna...although I had a hard time taking the 'jungle-wolves' seriously; they have a huge resemblance to the Phantom of the Muppet Show. There was more than a little influence from Douglas Barlowe's work in the creature design, but he doesn't seem to have been a part of the creative process. As I said, there seemed to have been far more more thought put into the environment than usual scifi fare (not to say there isn't plenty of the typical "we put it there 'cause it's cool & this is scifi" stuff). I was not surprised to see that Weta Workshop was part of the production.
I adore--adore!--how well the Na'vi ears & tails are used to communicate mood & to enhance the character's body language. It irks me to no end when anthro character's ears & tails are treated as accessories & not a means of expression.
With a little nudging, this could have been a much better film. I'm not going to go over the film's weakest part--the plot; largely because it's more or less covered in the movie's own trailers/previews. To describe Avatar as a mating of Dances With Wolves with Disney's Pocahontas with a dash of Gorillas in the Mist, delivered by an ILM midwife would be somewhat accurate, but also somewhat unfair. Suffice to say there are few real surprises.
Things that needed improvement:
--Nobody onscreen said anything to the effect of, "Hey, isn't what we're doing here kinda like what we did to the Native Americans?"
--All the Na'vi seemed to be hale & whole & homogenous in bodily build. No signs of arthritis or cavities or or aging (mature, yes; aged, no). Not a single scar, missing limb, blind, or disabled body to be seen. For people who dealt with very strong & wild creatures, this was a curious thing indeed. Also a lost opportunity. This could have been used as a plot point--could the Na'vi know or even understand paraplegia?
--Since we currently have much more environmentally-friendly ways of extracting ore, it seemed ludicrous to me that in the far-flung future we'd resort to strip-mining without regards to a habitat that would be just as valuable as the mineral underneath it. Since the Earth is supposed to be a wasteland in this setting, I'd think that the company would be interested in making additional profit in their venture; such as harvesting the topsoil & the massive trees, rather than blowing it all to hell. It seems to me that this was just an obvious These Are The Bad Guys ploy.
-- The Na'vi seemed to be the only creatures on the moon with 2 arms & 2 legs, and nostrils on their faces.
I'm looking forward to the DVD release. I hope that there will be a shitload of extra stuff, much like what was done with the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Tooth & Consequences
General | Posted 16 years agoI have terrible teeth. Sure, they grew in correctly, but they've always been prone to cavities & falling apart in general (thanks for the crappy teeth genes, Dad).
Early in 2009, one of my molars decided to snap in half at the gum-line. This is nothing new; I have 3 others that have done the same. What was new is that it didn't hurt one bit. Not having funds or dental insurance, I haven't been able to do anything about it--and since nothing was hurting or seemed loose, I wasn't all that motivated to care.
About a week ago the tooth developed a dull ache. Through my job, I'll have dental insurance sometime in the year 2010. I figured I could deal with a dull ache for a month. But on Sunday night it started throbbing, and Monday the pain was so intense that I left work almost as soon as I got there.
I made calls, and every dentist told me it would cost $1200-15000 to do anything about the molar.
All up front, since there's no insurance.
WHAT?! I'm working, sure, but I have practically no savings! I have bills & past rents to get caught up on, not to mention I was stupid & over-spent my budget for family & friends this holiday season (which on one hand wasn't wise, but on the other hand made me feel like so much less of a loser).
Fortunately I found out that a local clinic would do an extraction at only $150 early Tuesday morning for the first 10 people. With my tooth throbbing like gangbusters I could hardly rest, let alone sleep, so there was no danger of me being too late.
The clinic charged $88, then after x-rays decided it was beyond their abilities to deal with-- especially since I had developed an abscess (the cause of all the pain). They recommended a local dentist who would give me a deal.
With the clinic's referral, the dentist worked me in as a walk-in the same day, charging me $120 up-front. I have to give her credit, she really did everything she could to help. She was successful in removing part of the tooth...and she was very patient & understanding at all the yelping & tears. But there was just too much infection getting in the way; she simply could not deaden the nerve for a full extraction.
So here I am with about $100 in prescribed various pain meds & anti-bacterials, plus an extraction scheduled for next week...At no extra cost! How cool is this dentist?!
There's now a temporary plug over the mess; I'm cautioned not to do too much talking or chewing or it will fall off, since there's not much left to anchor it to. Well dammit, my job IS talking! It's illegal to drive while on the prescribed pain meds...and until that abscess goes down, I'm ON the pain meds, believe you me! So how the hell can I work, let alone GET there in the first place?
Speaking of work, when I left there on Monday, I showed my broken molar to one of the upper-middle-management types.
It went like this:
Boss-man: "Going so soon?"
Me: (fighting pain-tears) "Yeah, wanna see why? Aaaaaah!"
At the time I thought that was really stupid of me to be so dramatic. Generally speaking, upper-middle-management does NOT appreciate having a gross gaping jagged blackened half-tooth surrounded by red swollen gums displayed to them. This is the kind of thing that comes back to haunt you at review time ("Ah yes; showed me nasty dental stuff; that'll be negative 275 on the scorecard. Next!").
But on the plus-side, when I called my team lead about this, she happened to talk to the same guy about it. He remembered, so I was granted a leave of absence.
You know how just as you start making enough headway that things don't seem so bad & there's not only a big honkin' light at the end of the tunnel, there's also a sign saying "free ice cream!" and there's a welcome committee made entirely of long-haired guys in kilts giving out free hugs & swedish massages, and just as you're about to reach it, something happens that goes & lengthens the tunnel another few miles on you?
What meager savings I've accumulated at the job I struggle to keep from walking out on because suck-job>no-job, are gone, gone, gone. I'll have 2 weeks of no income, and it will be another 2 weeks before I get paid once I get back to work.
I've been lucky in this; lucky that the abscess didn't develop sooner when I was unemployed, lucky to find that clinic, lucky that the dentist isn't charging me for a 2nd visit, lucky that I was able to get a leave-of-absence (leave-of-abscess?) instead of accumulating enough absenteeism to get fired over, lucky that the library is within walking distance. But DAMN, I'm so bummed.
I'll relate about some good times I've had in the past month later. Right now I'm riding this roller-coaster of being lucky while having bad luck, etc.
I want a hug! I want a snuggle buddy!
Gentle ones, please--my left jawline is verrry sensitive.
Art Swap:
1. antihero (will post last)
2. dopr5 sketched out
3. xxmangexx DONE
4. jsrffreak DONE
5. ahkmedren inked, needs to be colored
6. lilifox inked, needs to be colored
7. kristynlioness DONE
8. alzubra DONE
9. nivek_rayne DONE
10. lavander DONE
Early in 2009, one of my molars decided to snap in half at the gum-line. This is nothing new; I have 3 others that have done the same. What was new is that it didn't hurt one bit. Not having funds or dental insurance, I haven't been able to do anything about it--and since nothing was hurting or seemed loose, I wasn't all that motivated to care.
About a week ago the tooth developed a dull ache. Through my job, I'll have dental insurance sometime in the year 2010. I figured I could deal with a dull ache for a month. But on Sunday night it started throbbing, and Monday the pain was so intense that I left work almost as soon as I got there.
I made calls, and every dentist told me it would cost $1200-15000 to do anything about the molar.
All up front, since there's no insurance.
WHAT?! I'm working, sure, but I have practically no savings! I have bills & past rents to get caught up on, not to mention I was stupid & over-spent my budget for family & friends this holiday season (which on one hand wasn't wise, but on the other hand made me feel like so much less of a loser).
Fortunately I found out that a local clinic would do an extraction at only $150 early Tuesday morning for the first 10 people. With my tooth throbbing like gangbusters I could hardly rest, let alone sleep, so there was no danger of me being too late.
The clinic charged $88, then after x-rays decided it was beyond their abilities to deal with-- especially since I had developed an abscess (the cause of all the pain). They recommended a local dentist who would give me a deal.
With the clinic's referral, the dentist worked me in as a walk-in the same day, charging me $120 up-front. I have to give her credit, she really did everything she could to help. She was successful in removing part of the tooth...and she was very patient & understanding at all the yelping & tears. But there was just too much infection getting in the way; she simply could not deaden the nerve for a full extraction.
So here I am with about $100 in prescribed various pain meds & anti-bacterials, plus an extraction scheduled for next week...At no extra cost! How cool is this dentist?!
There's now a temporary plug over the mess; I'm cautioned not to do too much talking or chewing or it will fall off, since there's not much left to anchor it to. Well dammit, my job IS talking! It's illegal to drive while on the prescribed pain meds...and until that abscess goes down, I'm ON the pain meds, believe you me! So how the hell can I work, let alone GET there in the first place?
Speaking of work, when I left there on Monday, I showed my broken molar to one of the upper-middle-management types.
It went like this:
Boss-man: "Going so soon?"
Me: (fighting pain-tears) "Yeah, wanna see why? Aaaaaah!"
At the time I thought that was really stupid of me to be so dramatic. Generally speaking, upper-middle-management does NOT appreciate having a gross gaping jagged blackened half-tooth surrounded by red swollen gums displayed to them. This is the kind of thing that comes back to haunt you at review time ("Ah yes; showed me nasty dental stuff; that'll be negative 275 on the scorecard. Next!").
But on the plus-side, when I called my team lead about this, she happened to talk to the same guy about it. He remembered, so I was granted a leave of absence.
You know how just as you start making enough headway that things don't seem so bad & there's not only a big honkin' light at the end of the tunnel, there's also a sign saying "free ice cream!" and there's a welcome committee made entirely of long-haired guys in kilts giving out free hugs & swedish massages, and just as you're about to reach it, something happens that goes & lengthens the tunnel another few miles on you?
What meager savings I've accumulated at the job I struggle to keep from walking out on because suck-job>no-job, are gone, gone, gone. I'll have 2 weeks of no income, and it will be another 2 weeks before I get paid once I get back to work.
I've been lucky in this; lucky that the abscess didn't develop sooner when I was unemployed, lucky to find that clinic, lucky that the dentist isn't charging me for a 2nd visit, lucky that I was able to get a leave-of-absence (leave-of-abscess?) instead of accumulating enough absenteeism to get fired over, lucky that the library is within walking distance. But DAMN, I'm so bummed.
I'll relate about some good times I've had in the past month later. Right now I'm riding this roller-coaster of being lucky while having bad luck, etc.
I want a hug! I want a snuggle buddy!
Gentle ones, please--my left jawline is verrry sensitive.
Art Swap:
1.
antihero (will post last)2.
dopr5 sketched out3.
xxmangexx DONE4.
jsrffreak DONE5.
ahkmedren inked, needs to be colored6.
lilifox inked, needs to be colored7.
kristynlioness DONE8.
alzubra DONE9.
nivek_rayne DONE10.
lavander DONEOngoing Art Dump
General | Posted 16 years agoI'm trying something new this time; posting pics over the next couple of days, instead of all at once.
Once again, this is thanks to the generosity of DOPR5, who is good-natured enough to let me monopolize his scanner, his pc, & his internets for the many hours it takes my feeble no-pc-skills-or-knowledge self to scan a couple of damn pics. THANK YOU THANK YOU, DOPR!
And folks, check this guy's artwork out. DOPR5 really pays attention to anatomy, and how a body is put together. Nobody renders a skeletal structure like him. His dinos are fantastic! Currently offering commissions at a ludicrous price, and is well worth it. And I'm not just saying that because his PC is currently posting whatever the hell it wants despite my beating it with a sledgehammer, I really mean it!
Thank you also to
pedrolerenard who once again is foolhardy enough to loan me his FoxehFlashdrive, thus allowing me to post the arts a little at a time instead of one huge spammy dumpety-dump, as well as upload a crapload of illegal images into a folder holding the innocuous title of "Cute Fluffy Bun-Buns," which he will deny all knowledge of as the feds break into his home.
Among the art dump are the first few posts from my Art Swap, so I'm pretty excited to get them out here.
Speaking of which, here's the illustrious group I'm tremendously lucky & gratified to have in my current swap:
1. antihero (will post last)
2. dopr5
3. xxmangexx DONE
4. jsrffreak DONE
5. ahkmedren
6. lilifox
7. kristynlioness DONE
8. alzubra DONE
9. nivek_rayne DONE
10. lavander DONE
I've had SUCH a great time with this, and am continuing to do so on the ones I'm working on now. I'll definitely be doing another once the 3-month period is up.
kiziku and 
hockeyraven, I haven't forgotten that you were #s 11 & 12, and you'll be first on the list next time I do Art Swaps, if you're still so inclined.
Once again, this is thanks to the generosity of
DOPR5, who is good-natured enough to let me monopolize his scanner, his pc, & his internets for the many hours it takes my feeble no-pc-skills-or-knowledge self to scan a couple of damn pics. THANK YOU THANK YOU, DOPR! And folks, check this guy's artwork out.
DOPR5 really pays attention to anatomy, and how a body is put together. Nobody renders a skeletal structure like him. His dinos are fantastic! Currently offering commissions at a ludicrous price, and is well worth it. And I'm not just saying that because his PC is currently posting whatever the hell it wants despite my beating it with a sledgehammer, I really mean it!Thank you also to
pedrolerenard who once again is foolhardy enough to loan me his FoxehFlashdrive, thus allowing me to post the arts a little at a time instead of one huge spammy dumpety-dump, as well as upload a crapload of illegal images into a folder holding the innocuous title of "Cute Fluffy Bun-Buns," which he will deny all knowledge of as the feds break into his home.Among the art dump are the first few posts from my Art Swap, so I'm pretty excited to get them out here.
Speaking of which, here's the illustrious group I'm tremendously lucky & gratified to have in my current swap:
1.
antihero (will post last)2.
dopr53.
xxmangexx DONE4.
jsrffreak DONE5.
ahkmedren6.
lilifox7.
kristynlioness DONE8.
alzubra DONE9.
nivek_rayne DONE10.
lavander DONEI've had SUCH a great time with this, and am continuing to do so on the ones I'm working on now. I'll definitely be doing another once the 3-month period is up.
kiziku and 
hockeyraven, I haven't forgotten that you were #s 11 & 12, and you'll be first on the list next time I do Art Swaps, if you're still so inclined."I'm More Equal Because I'm Hetero"
General | Posted 16 years agoFirst: If you are opposed to equality for GBLT, I respect your right to your opinion, but I ask that you kindly do not espouse it in this journal.
I'm steamed over random interviews heard on the radio concerning gay marriage. Apologies in advance, since I'm venting & not really spending time on being coherent.
It pisses me off, immediately and completely, when I hear someone say that homosexuals should not be allowed to marry--simply because they are homosexual. It pisses me off that we even have to VOTE on it.
I'm not saying that Hetero Joe Sixpack has to approve of or accept homosexuality. I'm saying that Joe shouldn't be given basic legal rights when others aren't, based solely on orientation (or race, or religious belief, education level, profession, or whether they have a star on their tummy).
Sanctity of marriage? Don't make me sneer. Those spouting 'sanctity of marriage' don't seem to care about all those hetero unions that are total disasters. Abusive spouses, marriages of convenience, frivolous marriages, high divorce rates, multiple marriages & divorces...I'm sorry, folks, but heteros have a piss-poor track record on the "sanctity" of marriage.
God hates fags? Okay, but where in the Bible does it say homosexuals should be denied legal rights? I kind of missed it while reading how you shouldn't eat pigs or shellfish, and how God punished a man who refused to impregnate his dead brother's widow. If you think God hates homosexuality, fine--let God take care of those gay people in that hell you're so fond of dooming people who aren't just like you to. In the meantime, we're talking about legal stuff here, not dogma.
I am deeply ashamed that my country automatically gives me legal rights that my friends & loved ones do not have--not because they aren't law-abiding, tax-paying citizens of the United States, but because of their orientation.
Library's closing, which is probably a good thing, otherwise I'd foam at the mouth some more.
I'm steamed over random interviews heard on the radio concerning gay marriage. Apologies in advance, since I'm venting & not really spending time on being coherent.
It pisses me off, immediately and completely, when I hear someone say that homosexuals should not be allowed to marry--simply because they are homosexual. It pisses me off that we even have to VOTE on it.
I'm not saying that Hetero Joe Sixpack has to approve of or accept homosexuality. I'm saying that Joe shouldn't be given basic legal rights when others aren't, based solely on orientation (or race, or religious belief, education level, profession, or whether they have a star on their tummy).
Sanctity of marriage? Don't make me sneer. Those spouting 'sanctity of marriage' don't seem to care about all those hetero unions that are total disasters. Abusive spouses, marriages of convenience, frivolous marriages, high divorce rates, multiple marriages & divorces...I'm sorry, folks, but heteros have a piss-poor track record on the "sanctity" of marriage.
God hates fags? Okay, but where in the Bible does it say homosexuals should be denied legal rights? I kind of missed it while reading how you shouldn't eat pigs or shellfish, and how God punished a man who refused to impregnate his dead brother's widow. If you think God hates homosexuality, fine--let God take care of those gay people in that hell you're so fond of dooming people who aren't just like you to. In the meantime, we're talking about legal stuff here, not dogma.
I am deeply ashamed that my country automatically gives me legal rights that my friends & loved ones do not have--not because they aren't law-abiding, tax-paying citizens of the United States, but because of their orientation.
Library's closing, which is probably a good thing, otherwise I'd foam at the mouth some more.
"We found out he was human."
General | Posted 16 years agoToday I was looking at a sketch that I made ages ago: It's an arm & fist coming out of a computer monitor & punching me in my copious gut. I've fiddled with it from time to time, but always I end up putting it away for being too emo.
It was a kneejerk reaction to a comment made by an artist I greatly admire. I loved his webcomic, and I also loved how he shared his process. His site was both highly entertaining & very educational for me. I am paraphrasing, but he said that he didn't start a webcomic just so fat girls would call out his name at a con.
About a year ago, an artist I admire made several disparaging remarks about 'fatties.' Earlier this year, another artist who I think excels in depicting larger women, made a comment about how those were just the kind of commissions he/she gets & how on earth could anyone find someone like that attractive. And just the other day, yet another artist whose work I enjoy was more or less eliciting approval in approaching fat people & saying rude things "for their own good."
Each time, there was that icy-cold feeling of shock. It did for a brief time feel like I've taken a left hook to the gut. But then I have to wonder, why? Why should negative fat remarks from artists shock me any more than those same remarks from anyone else?
Having been rotund for quite a few years, I'm no stranger to disparaging words. It goes with the territory. While I'm unapologetic for my size, I also don't have any delusions-- the majority of people find my size unattractive, even disgusting. Everyone has their own turn-ons and turn-offs. So why should the comments of artists bother me, especially since it's nothing I haven't already heard before?
I think it has to do with this sappy dream of being able to sit down with artists & do an art-jam session. We're not being best buddies or yakking like old friends or saying how much we love each other, nothing insipid like that. We're just sitting down & sharing something we both enjoy with each other.
And I suppose that with every "fat people suck" comment one of them makes, it's the realization that here is one artist who wouldn't do it -- not because they think my art sucks, not because they're anti-social in general, but because they wouldn't want to share a room with someone committing the crime of being fat in public.
Because of this silly fantasy of mine, I've been expecting artists to have a higher level of acceptance of my build than everyone else. And that's really not fair. Artists are human, too.
But, I completed that emo drawing today.
What the hell.
Free arts to the first person who gets the title reference.
HINT: BEATLES
Here's another hint: John Lennon said it
Regular restrictions apply: you'll get what you get when you get it.
It was a kneejerk reaction to a comment made by an artist I greatly admire. I loved his webcomic, and I also loved how he shared his process. His site was both highly entertaining & very educational for me. I am paraphrasing, but he said that he didn't start a webcomic just so fat girls would call out his name at a con.
About a year ago, an artist I admire made several disparaging remarks about 'fatties.' Earlier this year, another artist who I think excels in depicting larger women, made a comment about how those were just the kind of commissions he/she gets & how on earth could anyone find someone like that attractive. And just the other day, yet another artist whose work I enjoy was more or less eliciting approval in approaching fat people & saying rude things "for their own good."
Each time, there was that icy-cold feeling of shock. It did for a brief time feel like I've taken a left hook to the gut. But then I have to wonder, why? Why should negative fat remarks from artists shock me any more than those same remarks from anyone else?
Having been rotund for quite a few years, I'm no stranger to disparaging words. It goes with the territory. While I'm unapologetic for my size, I also don't have any delusions-- the majority of people find my size unattractive, even disgusting. Everyone has their own turn-ons and turn-offs. So why should the comments of artists bother me, especially since it's nothing I haven't already heard before?
I think it has to do with this sappy dream of being able to sit down with artists & do an art-jam session. We're not being best buddies or yakking like old friends or saying how much we love each other, nothing insipid like that. We're just sitting down & sharing something we both enjoy with each other.
And I suppose that with every "fat people suck" comment one of them makes, it's the realization that here is one artist who wouldn't do it -- not because they think my art sucks, not because they're anti-social in general, but because they wouldn't want to share a room with someone committing the crime of being fat in public.
Because of this silly fantasy of mine, I've been expecting artists to have a higher level of acceptance of my build than everyone else. And that's really not fair. Artists are human, too.
But, I completed that emo drawing today.
What the hell.
Free arts to the first person who gets the title reference.
HINT: BEATLES
Here's another hint: John Lennon said it
Regular restrictions apply: you'll get what you get when you get it.
OT Ho is a Happy Ho
General | Posted 16 years agoThis is full of Random Happy!!!
I'm busier than I've been in a long, long time; I'm losing a lot of sleep, I'm about to start week 2 of working 14 days solid, and I'm so happy I could just about explode.
I'm thrilled to death to finally have a job, and even thrilled-er to get me some overtime. The folks at work now know that when any OT is being offered, get to Kwan! There was a time, years ago, when I was in a more enjoyable job & more fortunate place in life, when I lived for OT. Well, the OT Ho is back! Gimme that OT! I want it all! I got bills, I got needs, I got no life! OT OT OT!
I am having the time of my life with the art trade pics. antihero started the ball rolling, and I'm so grateful to him for that. What a shot in the arm this has been for me artistically! I get home from an 11-hour day, feeling tired & beat down, but oddly enough I don't want to sleep; I want to work on that picture. I have an idea & just can't sleep unless I at least sketch it out, or I can't wait to see what it looks like colored, or I feel like I'm on a roll & why not finish it up & start on that other one before my eyelids clamp themselves shut & my body forces me to stop.
An hour later I wake up from nodding off, there's a crick in my neck, my big black marker is bleeding into my blanket, my sketches are at my feet, one of my substandard art pens has dried out (good riddance), my cheap-crappy pencil leads are spilled all over the floor, my dog is busily snuffling at every-single-one of them (just because every other lead has just been lead, that next piece of lead might be food!) and she's walking all over my sketches...but boy do feel refreshed mentally.
I'm enjoying drawing again, people! Arts are fun! ^____^
Commissions are a thing of the past. And I couldn't be happier about it! The reasons are many, but the most pertinent one is that I simply do not have the temperament for it. All you commissioners out there have my admiration (and my sympathy ^_~). Don't get me wrong, some of my commissions have been a real blast. But I'm enjoying every single one of these art trades, so much so that I'm doing more than expected in a few of them, just for shits & giggles, and because why not? I want to keep that enthusiasm I feel every time I grab my clipboard. I don't want art to become a chore for me again. Fuck commissions---give me the art swaps!
In-between work & drawing & sleep & dog, I've got my weekly D&D group (sneak attack!) and the local furries (I love you, guys -- even though about half of you don't deserve it ^_~). Check it out---I can has a sort-of social life!
It's officially fall in Tucson now. In just 2 weeks' time I've gone from sleeping with the a/c on to keeping the window shut so I don't wake up freezing. What a huge change in temperature! I can leave plastic in the car without it melting now. How remarkable--I can stand in the sun without sweating through my jeans. I miss my camera-shy lizards, but I'm willing to give them up for a while in exchange for bearable temperatures.
My parents are actually okay with it that NO I will NOT be going home for the holidays. No guilt-trip, no under-handed 'surprising' me with an unasked-for plane ticket that can't be refunded. What a relief. I'll miss them something awful, especially on Thanksgiving, but I just can't afford the time off. Or the loss of time-a-half for working a holiday, whooohooo!
My aged spazzhund Maddie seems to be in another upswing of health & activity. Maddie's happy now right now, so I'm happy. A big part of her happy is a massive end-joint that my roomie gave her. It was twice the size of her head when she started on it. She's never had a bone that huge before & she simply adores it. At first I had to take it away from her to force her to take a break. Maddie's learned to pace herself, and is making remarkably good progress for a dull-toothed arthritic old dog. She's actually getting some muscle tone back. Next week things may change, who knows; it's been about a year of many close calls & false alarms followed by surprisingly hardy bouncings back. I'm just enjoying my dog while I can.
After I type this, it's off to the laundromat & then home to crash. Tomorrow is OT (whoohoo!) and a furmeet (whoohoo!). If you've managed to get this far, I owe you a hug & I hope your day has a little happy in it, too.
Art Swap list:
1. antihero
2. dopr5
3. xxmangexx
4.
jsrffreakv
5. ahkmedren
6. lilifox
7. kristynlioness
8. alzubra
9. nivek_rayne
10.iconlavander:
I'm busier than I've been in a long, long time; I'm losing a lot of sleep, I'm about to start week 2 of working 14 days solid, and I'm so happy I could just about explode.
I'm thrilled to death to finally have a job, and even thrilled-er to get me some overtime. The folks at work now know that when any OT is being offered, get to Kwan! There was a time, years ago, when I was in a more enjoyable job & more fortunate place in life, when I lived for OT. Well, the OT Ho is back! Gimme that OT! I want it all! I got bills, I got needs, I got no life! OT OT OT!
I am having the time of my life with the art trade pics.
antihero started the ball rolling, and I'm so grateful to him for that. What a shot in the arm this has been for me artistically! I get home from an 11-hour day, feeling tired & beat down, but oddly enough I don't want to sleep; I want to work on that picture. I have an idea & just can't sleep unless I at least sketch it out, or I can't wait to see what it looks like colored, or I feel like I'm on a roll & why not finish it up & start on that other one before my eyelids clamp themselves shut & my body forces me to stop. An hour later I wake up from nodding off, there's a crick in my neck, my big black marker is bleeding into my blanket, my sketches are at my feet, one of my substandard art pens has dried out (good riddance), my cheap-crappy pencil leads are spilled all over the floor, my dog is busily snuffling at every-single-one of them (just because every other lead has just been lead, that next piece of lead might be food!) and she's walking all over my sketches...but boy do feel refreshed mentally.
I'm enjoying drawing again, people! Arts are fun! ^____^
Commissions are a thing of the past. And I couldn't be happier about it! The reasons are many, but the most pertinent one is that I simply do not have the temperament for it. All you commissioners out there have my admiration (and my sympathy ^_~). Don't get me wrong, some of my commissions have been a real blast. But I'm enjoying every single one of these art trades, so much so that I'm doing more than expected in a few of them, just for shits & giggles, and because why not? I want to keep that enthusiasm I feel every time I grab my clipboard. I don't want art to become a chore for me again. Fuck commissions---give me the art swaps!
In-between work & drawing & sleep & dog, I've got my weekly D&D group (sneak attack!) and the local furries (I love you, guys -- even though about half of you don't deserve it ^_~). Check it out---I can has a sort-of social life!
It's officially fall in Tucson now. In just 2 weeks' time I've gone from sleeping with the a/c on to keeping the window shut so I don't wake up freezing. What a huge change in temperature! I can leave plastic in the car without it melting now. How remarkable--I can stand in the sun without sweating through my jeans. I miss my camera-shy lizards, but I'm willing to give them up for a while in exchange for bearable temperatures.
My parents are actually okay with it that NO I will NOT be going home for the holidays. No guilt-trip, no under-handed 'surprising' me with an unasked-for plane ticket that can't be refunded. What a relief. I'll miss them something awful, especially on Thanksgiving, but I just can't afford the time off. Or the loss of time-a-half for working a holiday, whooohooo!
My aged spazzhund Maddie seems to be in another upswing of health & activity. Maddie's happy now right now, so I'm happy. A big part of her happy is a massive end-joint that my roomie gave her. It was twice the size of her head when she started on it. She's never had a bone that huge before & she simply adores it. At first I had to take it away from her to force her to take a break. Maddie's learned to pace herself, and is making remarkably good progress for a dull-toothed arthritic old dog. She's actually getting some muscle tone back. Next week things may change, who knows; it's been about a year of many close calls & false alarms followed by surprisingly hardy bouncings back. I'm just enjoying my dog while I can.
After I type this, it's off to the laundromat & then home to crash. Tomorrow is OT (whoohoo!) and a furmeet (whoohoo!). If you've managed to get this far, I owe you a hug & I hope your day has a little happy in it, too.
Art Swap list:
1.
antihero2.
dopr5 3.
xxmangexx4.
jsrffreakv5.
ahkmedren6.
lilifox7.
kristynlioness8.
alzubra9.
nivek_rayne10.iconlavander:
Mountains & A Sunset
General | Posted 16 years agoI will never, ever, ever get tired of the skies & mountains here in Tucson.
When the sun rises, the light hits the mountains & they just glow. It seems like you can see every nook & cranny of something that's miles away and taller than your brain can fully comprehend. Those magnificent mountains glow in reds & then lighter to golds & sometimes even glow blue or green before the sun really gets going. And I get to see this happen on my way to work every morning.
I love the sunsets here, I love the clouds.
The other week I saw yet another spectacular sunset. I walked out of wherever the hell I was, and spotted a rainbow that was almost 180 degrees--almost both ends were on the ground, with all the colors very distinct. What a sight!
And then I turn around, saw the sunset, and about fell down. Clouds burning at several shades of red, with a deep golden sky as backdrop. Some clouds were spot-raining between me & the sunset, so the rain itself was a deep peach color. I've never seen sunset-colored rain before! And a dark tall mountain behind it all.
Damn, it was breathtaking. I can't begin to tell you how absolutely freaking gorgeous it was. I alternated between standing there all entranced & jumping up & down with excitement. I couldn't believe how very damned lucky I was to get to witness this. I wanted to grab people & hug them & shake them. "Look at that! What's wrong with you?! How can you NOT want to stop & watch it until it's gone?!"
My ideal home here would include a completely circular 360-degree-windowed room about 2 stories high.
Art Swap list:
1. antihero
2. dopr5
3. xxmangexx
4. jsrffreak
5. ahkmedren
6. lilifox
7. kristynlioness
8. alzubra
9. nivek_rayne
10. lavander
When the sun rises, the light hits the mountains & they just glow. It seems like you can see every nook & cranny of something that's miles away and taller than your brain can fully comprehend. Those magnificent mountains glow in reds & then lighter to golds & sometimes even glow blue or green before the sun really gets going. And I get to see this happen on my way to work every morning.
I love the sunsets here, I love the clouds.
The other week I saw yet another spectacular sunset. I walked out of wherever the hell I was, and spotted a rainbow that was almost 180 degrees--almost both ends were on the ground, with all the colors very distinct. What a sight!
And then I turn around, saw the sunset, and about fell down. Clouds burning at several shades of red, with a deep golden sky as backdrop. Some clouds were spot-raining between me & the sunset, so the rain itself was a deep peach color. I've never seen sunset-colored rain before! And a dark tall mountain behind it all.
Damn, it was breathtaking. I can't begin to tell you how absolutely freaking gorgeous it was. I alternated between standing there all entranced & jumping up & down with excitement. I couldn't believe how very damned lucky I was to get to witness this. I wanted to grab people & hug them & shake them. "Look at that! What's wrong with you?! How can you NOT want to stop & watch it until it's gone?!"
My ideal home here would include a completely circular 360-degree-windowed room about 2 stories high.
Art Swap list:
1.
antihero2.
dopr53.
xxmangexx4.
jsrffreak5.
ahkmedren6.
lilifox7.
kristynlioness8.
alzubra9.
nivek_rayne10.
lavanderMaddie Gets Munchies
General | Posted 16 years agoToday I spent my last penny from my 1st paycheck on goodies for my dog, Maddie. She's an aged border collie mix, completely deaf, developing cataracts in both eyes, weak-legged in the back and arthritic in the front. But she's still very alert, and as active as her body will allow her to be.
These past months Maddie has had enough to eat, but things have been kind of lean for her goody-wise. I've never been one to give lots of treats, plus I'm picky about what I give her, but still I've felt absolutely rotten about not giving Maddie a little something every now & then. Thanks to a combination of OMG I HAS JOB, and stumbling across some unexpectedly good deals, there's now enough dog-treats for weeks (if not months).
I can't wait to get home from the library, give Maddie a much-needed trim, and reward her with a whole cow's foot. She'll totally go nuts when she sees it! Then she'll spend about 15 minutes carrying this massive thing about in her mouth, trying to find the exact right spot, her head sinking lower & lower from the weight of the thing but she'll be damned if she'll let go, until I finally make a nest from her padding & tell her "Lay down, already!" and she happily collapses & commences gnawing on her new treasure.
It's increasingly obvious that my spazzhund has almost run out of spazz. I'm so happy to be able to spoil her in her last days.
Art Swap list:
1. antihero
2. dopr5
3. xxmangexx
4. jsrffreak
5. ahkmedren
6. lilifox
7. kristynlioness
8. alzubra
9. nivek_rayne
10. lavander
Alternate/s: kiziku kiziku and hockeyraven hockeyraven
These past months Maddie has had enough to eat, but things have been kind of lean for her goody-wise. I've never been one to give lots of treats, plus I'm picky about what I give her, but still I've felt absolutely rotten about not giving Maddie a little something every now & then. Thanks to a combination of OMG I HAS JOB, and stumbling across some unexpectedly good deals, there's now enough dog-treats for weeks (if not months).
I can't wait to get home from the library, give Maddie a much-needed trim, and reward her with a whole cow's foot. She'll totally go nuts when she sees it! Then she'll spend about 15 minutes carrying this massive thing about in her mouth, trying to find the exact right spot, her head sinking lower & lower from the weight of the thing but she'll be damned if she'll let go, until I finally make a nest from her padding & tell her "Lay down, already!" and she happily collapses & commences gnawing on her new treasure.
It's increasingly obvious that my spazzhund has almost run out of spazz. I'm so happy to be able to spoil her in her last days.
Art Swap list:
1.
antihero 2.
dopr53.
xxmangexx4.
jsrffreak5.
ahkmedren6.
lilifox7.
kristynlioness8.
alzubra9.
nivek_rayne10.
lavanderAlternate/s: kiziku kiziku and hockeyraven hockeyraven
Another Art Dump!
General | Posted 16 years agoYet another art dump, once again courtesy of the ever-generous DOPR5!
Thank you again, DOPR, for letting me use your scanner & your internets (not to mention your kitchen). You deserve far more scritchies & hugs than you receive.
THANK YOU, EVERYONE!
Thank you so much for the watches, the faves, and the comments.
FA is so good for my ego.
Art Swap list:
1. antihero antihero
2. dopr5 dopr5
3. xxmangexx xxmangexx
4. jsrffreak jsrffreak
5. ahkmedren ahkmedren
6. lilifox lilifox
7. kristynlioness kristynlioness
8. alzubra alzubra
9. nivek_rayne nivek_rayne
10. lavander lavander
Alternate/s: kiziku kiziku and HockeyRaven
DOPR5!Thank you again, DOPR, for letting me use your scanner & your internets (not to mention your kitchen). You deserve far more scritchies & hugs than you receive.
THANK YOU, EVERYONE!
Thank you so much for the watches, the faves, and the comments.
FA is so good for my ego.
Art Swap list:
1. antihero antihero
2. dopr5 dopr5
3. xxmangexx xxmangexx
4. jsrffreak jsrffreak
5. ahkmedren ahkmedren
6. lilifox lilifox
7. kristynlioness kristynlioness
8. alzubra alzubra
9. nivek_rayne nivek_rayne
10. lavander lavander
Alternate/s: kiziku kiziku and
HockeyRavenART TRADE : full for now!
General | Posted 16 years ago(Thanks to antihero for getting this ball rolling)
Anyone wanna art trade?
edit: We have the ten, plus 2 alternates--w00t!
I was surprised at the response, and also honored. Thanks, everyone! I'll get in touch via note, since it's easier for me to keep track that way.
I want a little more incentive to get more serious about drawing & suchlike, without the stress & pressure of a commission.
Let's make it, ummmm, 10 open slots for now. If all 10 are taken & you're interested, go ahead & say so; I'll use you as an alternate--or if this was a positive experience, I'll put you on the next art swap list.
- This is a low-stress swap; we get 3 months to get our part done, scanned, & posted.
- I'm open on theme, & will be happy to discuss the particulars with each individual who wants to trade.
Keep in mind that I rarely (if ever) agree on depicting a felony (ex: rape, pedo, drugs), bestiality, promotion of organized religion, gainer, and degrading plus-sized characters (like bursting buttons & breaking furniture).
- There is no 'order' or 'line' in which the swaps will be done---they just need to be done & posted within 3 months. So, #9 on the swap list might get posted before #3 and #6, deal with it.
- Pet peeve: don't ask me variants of "Is mine done yet?" before the 3 months are up. If you do that, it won't get posted until the full 3 months, even if it's already done. Ask me twice before the 3 months, and you forfeit the swap.
- Drawing in each other's artbooks is always an option for local folks who show up at the Tucson furmeets.
1. antihero
2. DOPR5
3. xXmangeXx
4. jsrffreak
5. Ahkmedren
6. LiliFox
7. KristynLioness
8. Alzubra
9. NiveK_Rayne
10. Lavander
Alternate/s: kiziku and HockeyRaven
antihero for getting this ball rolling)Anyone wanna art trade?
edit: We have the ten, plus 2 alternates--w00t!
I was surprised at the response, and also honored. Thanks, everyone! I'll get in touch via note, since it's easier for me to keep track that way.
I want a little more incentive to get more serious about drawing & suchlike, without the stress & pressure of a commission.
Let's make it, ummmm, 10 open slots for now. If all 10 are taken & you're interested, go ahead & say so; I'll use you as an alternate--or if this was a positive experience, I'll put you on the next art swap list.
- This is a low-stress swap; we get 3 months to get our part done, scanned, & posted.
- I'm open on theme, & will be happy to discuss the particulars with each individual who wants to trade.
Keep in mind that I rarely (if ever) agree on depicting a felony (ex: rape, pedo, drugs), bestiality, promotion of organized religion, gainer, and degrading plus-sized characters (like bursting buttons & breaking furniture).
- There is no 'order' or 'line' in which the swaps will be done---they just need to be done & posted within 3 months. So, #9 on the swap list might get posted before #3 and #6, deal with it.
- Pet peeve: don't ask me variants of "Is mine done yet?" before the 3 months are up. If you do that, it won't get posted until the full 3 months, even if it's already done. Ask me twice before the 3 months, and you forfeit the swap.
- Drawing in each other's artbooks is always an option for local folks who show up at the Tucson furmeets.
1.
antihero2.
DOPR53.
xXmangeXx4.
jsrffreak5.
Ahkmedren6.
LiliFox7.
KristynLioness8.
Alzubra9.
NiveK_Rayne10.
LavanderAlternate/s:
kiziku and HockeyRavenSomeone screenshot this for me!
General | Posted 16 years agoOh dammit...here I am on a library computer with no way to capture my main page. Check it out...
Pageviews: 1500
Submissions: 122
Comments Received: 666
Comments Given: 716
Journals: 33
Favorites: 346
::Does a Happy Dance!::
First one who screenshots this for me gets a free art something. I am doing this just for fun. Let me know if you'd like to be an extra in a comic. Dunno if it will be colored. There is no time frame to this at all. You'll get what you get when you get it.
(Yes I do realize as soon as something is viewed, the tally will change, don't pee in my Wheaties, k thx bai)
Pageviews: 1500
Submissions: 122
Comments Received: 666
Comments Given: 716
Journals: 33
Favorites: 346
::Does a Happy Dance!::
First one who screenshots this for me gets a free art something. I am doing this just for fun. Let me know if you'd like to be an extra in a comic. Dunno if it will be colored. There is no time frame to this at all. You'll get what you get when you get it.
(Yes I do realize as soon as something is viewed, the tally will change, don't pee in my Wheaties, k thx bai)
Ganked this Meme From Katty
General | Posted 16 years agoGanked from :Kattywampus: http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/.....0/#cid:7576308
1. I will add the first 14 people who comment on this journal to the Promotional List.
2. For each of those 14 people, I will put their avatar and three submissions I like from their gallery on the list.
3. If I feature you, you'll have to do the same in your journal, putting me on the first place, completing this way the list with 14 people. Etc, etc, etc.
(although I doubt my list will reach 14...)
I'm pro-actively putting in #'s one and two, assuming that they'll include me. No bigge if they don't, they both deserve gobs o' attention.
(edit) You know what? This is pretty hard, limiting myself to 3 samples.
1.
Kattywampus
Chance are I get a kick out of anything this maniac does, but I was happy to find 2 of my faves of hers, then chose the last one because I don't remember seeing before & it really caught my eye.
(It's a shame things are limited to gallery pics, because I loooove what she drew in my artbook)
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/1820324/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/142322/
http://www.furaffinity.net/full/1138082/
2. Ahkmedren
You can count on Ahk to crack you up, unexpectedly & outrageously, both with his art & in person.
Last one chosen for unexpected cute (& color skillz).
http://www.furaffinity.net/full/2355518/
http://www.furaffinity.net/full/2458935/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/1955513/
3. HockeyRaven
I've really enjoyed watching this fellow Furtopian's art over the years, I love the use of traditional art, and have always been impressed at the amount of thought & research put into the art.
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2687124/
http://www.furaffinity.net/full/2687963/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2687072/
4. NiveK_Rayne
Duuuude she danced nekkid in my journal! ::Brags & struts!::
One's for the awesome perspective, one's for the expression & coloring, and the last because I'm a rabid Sandman fan.
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2414114/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2580942/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2565778/
5.
witchiebunny
She is an artpad ninja! She gave me a demonstration of her ninja-ing one afternoon; she's a generous tutor in the art of electronic arting. I can almost forgive her for being a bunny-wabbit.
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/1769667/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/1876553/
http://www.furaffinity.net/full/2156780/
6.
mogmoogle
The 1st one because I like me a snuggle-pic, the 2nd because of the care he took to have several different body types (cute title!), and 3rd for the overall mood
http://www.furaffinity.net/full/943081/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/1029816/
http://www.furaffinity.net/full/1773981/
7.
furthling
Word ninja. Humor ninja. Interactive fiction ninja. Setting/world ninja. Conversation ninja. Theme ninja. Concept ninja. Debate ninja. Ninja ninja.
I grabbed the 1st 3 items I saw that also represent both his intelligent creativity & sense of humor, as well as the amount of thought and research Furthling puts into his work. The first I especially admire; he distilled hours of discussion & explanation into one succinct flow-chart; incredible.
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/1335581/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/655665/
http://www.furaffinity.net/full/1306938/
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
1. I will add the first 14 people who comment on this journal to the Promotional List.
2. For each of those 14 people, I will put their avatar and three submissions I like from their gallery on the list.
3. If I feature you, you'll have to do the same in your journal, putting me on the first place, completing this way the list with 14 people. Etc, etc, etc.
(although I doubt my list will reach 14...)
I'm pro-actively putting in #'s one and two, assuming that they'll include me. No bigge if they don't, they both deserve gobs o' attention.
(edit) You know what? This is pretty hard, limiting myself to 3 samples.
1.
Kattywampus Chance are I get a kick out of anything this maniac does, but I was happy to find 2 of my faves of hers, then chose the last one because I don't remember seeing before & it really caught my eye.
(It's a shame things are limited to gallery pics, because I loooove what she drew in my artbook)
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/1820324/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/142322/
http://www.furaffinity.net/full/1138082/
2.
AhkmedrenYou can count on Ahk to crack you up, unexpectedly & outrageously, both with his art & in person.
Last one chosen for unexpected cute (& color skillz).
http://www.furaffinity.net/full/2355518/
http://www.furaffinity.net/full/2458935/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/1955513/
3.
HockeyRavenI've really enjoyed watching this fellow Furtopian's art over the years, I love the use of traditional art, and have always been impressed at the amount of thought & research put into the art.
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2687124/
http://www.furaffinity.net/full/2687963/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2687072/
4.
NiveK_RayneDuuuude she danced nekkid in my journal! ::Brags & struts!::
One's for the awesome perspective, one's for the expression & coloring, and the last because I'm a rabid Sandman fan.
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2414114/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2580942/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2565778/
5.
witchiebunnyShe is an artpad ninja! She gave me a demonstration of her ninja-ing one afternoon; she's a generous tutor in the art of electronic arting. I can almost forgive her for being a bunny-wabbit.
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/1769667/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/1876553/
http://www.furaffinity.net/full/2156780/
6.
mogmoogleThe 1st one because I like me a snuggle-pic, the 2nd because of the care he took to have several different body types (cute title!), and 3rd for the overall mood
http://www.furaffinity.net/full/943081/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/1029816/
http://www.furaffinity.net/full/1773981/
7.
furthlingWord ninja. Humor ninja. Interactive fiction ninja. Setting/world ninja. Conversation ninja. Theme ninja. Concept ninja. Debate ninja. Ninja ninja.
I grabbed the 1st 3 items I saw that also represent both his intelligent creativity & sense of humor, as well as the amount of thought and research Furthling puts into his work. The first I especially admire; he distilled hours of discussion & explanation into one succinct flow-chart; incredible.
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/1335581/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/655665/
http://www.furaffinity.net/full/1306938/
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
Art Dump!
General | Posted 16 years agoToday's art dump has been brought to you by your good friend & mine, DOPR.
Today I invited myself over to DOPR's in order to use & exploit him. Unfortunately he wouldn't allow it, no matter how much I liquored him up. On the plus side, he granted me access to his scanner and let me use his internets all up.
I've been bitching all day about my coloring, so let's just say that:
1) I shouldn't color while sick
2) I have a long way to go on my coloring skill
3) I really hate those damned markers of mine
On the plus side, I've had a lot of comic ideas lately, which I'm happy about. My first real fanac was via comicky stuff, so I have warm fuzzies when I work on them, especially when incorporating in-jokes and using friend's fursonas.
It's a real pain coming up with species & extras that don't bear any resemblance to anyone I know, so I'm happy that more & more friends are giving permission for me to use their fursonas in my comics without reservation. If anyone's curious, a good way to never be used is to say "I want to be in a comic, but don't make me look silly" or "make me look cool." I do these things for my own jollies, folks, sorry.
I just took a quick ego-scan of the mess I uploaded, and the clear favorite is the 4-Foot Penis With a 9-Foot Erection, with far more views & favs. This cracks me up to no end. Everyone loves Stupid Gratuitous Happy Penor!
BIIIIG HUGS and heaps of gratitude to DOPR, who I cannot thank enough for this day. He not only let me monopolize his PC & internets & sweat all over his nifty new chair, but also treated me to a dramatic reading of Cream of Creature From the School Cafeteria, kept me amused & entertained by his running dialogue of his video games, gave me heaps of undeserved egoboosting, dispensed hugs, and threw free random stuff at me...not to mention made a killer mess of instant mac-n-cheese. I'm fortunate to be able to call him friend.
Today I invited myself over to DOPR's in order to use & exploit him. Unfortunately he wouldn't allow it, no matter how much I liquored him up. On the plus side, he granted me access to his scanner and let me use his internets all up.
I've been bitching all day about my coloring, so let's just say that:
1) I shouldn't color while sick
2) I have a long way to go on my coloring skill
3) I really hate those damned markers of mine
On the plus side, I've had a lot of comic ideas lately, which I'm happy about. My first real fanac was via comicky stuff, so I have warm fuzzies when I work on them, especially when incorporating in-jokes and using friend's fursonas.
It's a real pain coming up with species & extras that don't bear any resemblance to anyone I know, so I'm happy that more & more friends are giving permission for me to use their fursonas in my comics without reservation. If anyone's curious, a good way to never be used is to say "I want to be in a comic, but don't make me look silly" or "make me look cool." I do these things for my own jollies, folks, sorry.
I just took a quick ego-scan of the mess I uploaded, and the clear favorite is the 4-Foot Penis With a 9-Foot Erection, with far more views & favs. This cracks me up to no end. Everyone loves Stupid Gratuitous Happy Penor!
BIIIIG HUGS and heaps of gratitude to DOPR, who I cannot thank enough for this day. He not only let me monopolize his PC & internets & sweat all over his nifty new chair, but also treated me to a dramatic reading of Cream of Creature From the School Cafeteria, kept me amused & entertained by his running dialogue of his video games, gave me heaps of undeserved egoboosting, dispensed hugs, and threw free random stuff at me...not to mention made a killer mess of instant mac-n-cheese. I'm fortunate to be able to call him friend.
Good News & Frustration
General | Posted 16 years agoGood news #1: I'm hired! However...
Not until the 31st. I was supposed to start this week, but the company was using a new lab for drug testing & they did not get to results to my employment in time for me & several others to start. Grrrrrrr Kwan want paycheck!
Good news #2: I have like over 10 arts done! However...
I can't scan them & get 'em online.
Also, over the weekend I was sicky-poo so I sat in bed coloring a bunch of stuff I finished inking. Coloring while sick is NOT a good idea! I'm really upset at what I did, especially to 2-3 comics that looked pretty okay in black & white. Bad me! Bad!
So: good news, but not without frustration. :P
Not until the 31st. I was supposed to start this week, but the company was using a new lab for drug testing & they did not get to results to my employment in time for me & several others to start. Grrrrrrr Kwan want paycheck!
Good news #2: I have like over 10 arts done! However...
I can't scan them & get 'em online.
Also, over the weekend I was sicky-poo so I sat in bed coloring a bunch of stuff I finished inking. Coloring while sick is NOT a good idea! I'm really upset at what I did, especially to 2-3 comics that looked pretty okay in black & white. Bad me! Bad!
So: good news, but not without frustration. :P
Random Things I Dig About Tucson, Pt 1
General | Posted 16 years agoIn no particular order...
1) Hardly any humidity! That's awesome!
2) The overwhelmingly blue sky with amazing clouds & the 360-degree sunsets.
3) Navigation is so much easier here
4) Lizards! Lizards, lizards, lizards...frickin' camera-shy lizards.
5) U-Turns!
6) There is no six
7) The mountains
8) The area at the side of the road specifically for bikes & motorized wheelchairs
9) Dust devils
10) The parks
11) How flat surfaces tend to be decorated with a mural or frieze or at least some bright color
12) Tucson Furries! ^__^ (Except for you, Pedro, you man-ho ^_~)
1) Hardly any humidity! That's awesome!
2) The overwhelmingly blue sky with amazing clouds & the 360-degree sunsets.
3) Navigation is so much easier here
4) Lizards! Lizards, lizards, lizards...frickin' camera-shy lizards.
5) U-Turns!
6) There is no six
7) The mountains
8) The area at the side of the road specifically for bikes & motorized wheelchairs
9) Dust devils
10) The parks
11) How flat surfaces tend to be decorated with a mural or frieze or at least some bright color
12) Tucson Furries! ^__^ (Except for you, Pedro, you man-ho ^_~)
I (Finally) Has A Doctor (TMI)
General | Posted 16 years agoLong story short:
2 months after getting on Arizona's health care (thank you, Arizona! Ohio, kiss my corpulent white tuckus!), I finally got to see a doctor on Tuesday, and now have enough meds to tide me over until next time I see the doc.
Biiiiig thanks to Xorrito, who was generous with gas money, thus enabling me to travel the length & breadth of Tucson to accomplish this goal!!
It's been a real pain trying to get any doctor to see me; it seems all doctors on the lists I was provided (I requested several times) weren't taking anybody new or wouldn't schedule to see any new patients until December.
The problem is, I had run out of my diabetes meds a while ago. I needed 3 medications, which combined cost less than $30 for a month's supply. But there was no way I could get these meds without a doctor's script, and there's no way to get that if a doctor won't see me (my old doctor in Ohio, a great guy, couldn't renew my prescription without bloodwork & a checkup-- which is completely understandable).
Don't get me wrong, it's very nice having a normal bathroom experience again, but when it's all said & done I'd rather have the unfortunate side-effect of the diabetes meds & keep my eyesight.
In the past 2 weeks I've really been feeling the absence of the meds, both physically & mentally. Oddly enough the blood-sugar hasn't been too bad. My eyes on the other hand, have been alarming me--I've been getting more & more near-sighted. I've been bawling over practically anything. I get really angry, or really sad, or really happy, and BOOM here come the waterworks. I'm a sloppy crier, too--tears all over the place, snot flowing, red-faced & blotchy, the works. It's embarrassing & frustrating as hell for me to lose control like that, which of course makes me cry that much harder.
On Monday I was determined that I WAS going to have my meds, or at least a doctor's appointment within the week, by the end of the day--period. I started by going to various clinics, figuring it would be harder to tell me NO to my face than over the phone.
People seemed to want to help, but were constrained by bureaucracy & incomplete information. Every time a clinic refused me, they kindly let me use their phone to call my insurance. I must have spent 3 hours on the phone with various people with the AZ insurance alone. I've learned to double-check any suggestion or promise any one person makes, but I still ended up frazzled. It was frustrating as hell being told , "If you do XX, and go to YY, then you will get your doctor/meds," going through all the trouble of getting XX done, finding out where YY was & getting there, only to be denied anyways.
I finally lost it in an UrgentCare. First I was told that particular UrgentCare location wasn't contracted with my insurance. Once again they gave me a phone to call my insurance. This time I was more or less told that I had no choice but to wait until December, or until I lost my eyesight/got dangerously high blood sugar, whichever came first--because hospitals/UrgentCare won't give meds unless I'm in critical condition. It makes no sense to me that the system would rather wait until I'm critical & in need of expensive help later (and possibly be a burden on the system for life), rather than provide much-less-expensive preventative care now. So I started bawling from all the frustration.
UrgentCare was distressed at having a fat sloppy broad crying her eyes out in their lobby, so they made a few calls for me. They were able to accomplish in 15 minutes what I had not been able to do in 2 months, and convinced a local doctor to see me the next morning. Thank you, UrgentCare ladies!
My doctor is a young pup who looks barely out of boyscouts, much less medschool. He was a cool guy, and passed one of my 'asshole tests' by not minding that I used medical jargon & asked pertinent questions (my mother is an old-school RN; she raised me not to take crap from megalomaniac doctors whose egos are threatened by patients with a brain).
The doc even put in requests to my insurance for a mess of other work I've never been able to afford (like an eyecheck, and podiatry work), which I didn't even think to ask about. If they get approved, I'll be absolutely giddy.
2 months after getting on Arizona's health care (thank you, Arizona! Ohio, kiss my corpulent white tuckus!), I finally got to see a doctor on Tuesday, and now have enough meds to tide me over until next time I see the doc.
Biiiiig thanks to Xorrito, who was generous with gas money, thus enabling me to travel the length & breadth of Tucson to accomplish this goal!!
It's been a real pain trying to get any doctor to see me; it seems all doctors on the lists I was provided (I requested several times) weren't taking anybody new or wouldn't schedule to see any new patients until December.
The problem is, I had run out of my diabetes meds a while ago. I needed 3 medications, which combined cost less than $30 for a month's supply. But there was no way I could get these meds without a doctor's script, and there's no way to get that if a doctor won't see me (my old doctor in Ohio, a great guy, couldn't renew my prescription without bloodwork & a checkup-- which is completely understandable).
Don't get me wrong, it's very nice having a normal bathroom experience again, but when it's all said & done I'd rather have the unfortunate side-effect of the diabetes meds & keep my eyesight.
In the past 2 weeks I've really been feeling the absence of the meds, both physically & mentally. Oddly enough the blood-sugar hasn't been too bad. My eyes on the other hand, have been alarming me--I've been getting more & more near-sighted. I've been bawling over practically anything. I get really angry, or really sad, or really happy, and BOOM here come the waterworks. I'm a sloppy crier, too--tears all over the place, snot flowing, red-faced & blotchy, the works. It's embarrassing & frustrating as hell for me to lose control like that, which of course makes me cry that much harder.
On Monday I was determined that I WAS going to have my meds, or at least a doctor's appointment within the week, by the end of the day--period. I started by going to various clinics, figuring it would be harder to tell me NO to my face than over the phone.
People seemed to want to help, but were constrained by bureaucracy & incomplete information. Every time a clinic refused me, they kindly let me use their phone to call my insurance. I must have spent 3 hours on the phone with various people with the AZ insurance alone. I've learned to double-check any suggestion or promise any one person makes, but I still ended up frazzled. It was frustrating as hell being told , "If you do XX, and go to YY, then you will get your doctor/meds," going through all the trouble of getting XX done, finding out where YY was & getting there, only to be denied anyways.
I finally lost it in an UrgentCare. First I was told that particular UrgentCare location wasn't contracted with my insurance. Once again they gave me a phone to call my insurance. This time I was more or less told that I had no choice but to wait until December, or until I lost my eyesight/got dangerously high blood sugar, whichever came first--because hospitals/UrgentCare won't give meds unless I'm in critical condition. It makes no sense to me that the system would rather wait until I'm critical & in need of expensive help later (and possibly be a burden on the system for life), rather than provide much-less-expensive preventative care now. So I started bawling from all the frustration.
UrgentCare was distressed at having a fat sloppy broad crying her eyes out in their lobby, so they made a few calls for me. They were able to accomplish in 15 minutes what I had not been able to do in 2 months, and convinced a local doctor to see me the next morning. Thank you, UrgentCare ladies!
My doctor is a young pup who looks barely out of boyscouts, much less medschool. He was a cool guy, and passed one of my 'asshole tests' by not minding that I used medical jargon & asked pertinent questions (my mother is an old-school RN; she raised me not to take crap from megalomaniac doctors whose egos are threatened by patients with a brain).
The doc even put in requests to my insurance for a mess of other work I've never been able to afford (like an eyecheck, and podiatry work), which I didn't even think to ask about. If they get approved, I'll be absolutely giddy.
