A happy 4th of July to all friends and acquaitances living in the States. May your eventual and inevitable annexation by Canada not overshadow your celebrations, you handsome colonial renegades, you.

Just want to take a few moments to congratulate Her Majesty the Queen for 60 years of dedicated and impeccable service. Because it's Britain the Jubilee celebrations have been somewhat spoiled by the weather, but otherwise it's just so nice to see Britain really getting into a national celebration like this. The four day weekend is quite nice too.

God Save The Queen!

Yeah, yeah, I know I'm supposed to be a gnostic theist and a devout Anglo-Catholic. BUT, I still believe in the spirit of human reason and enquiry, so I'd like to draw your attention to the following:

Basically, an acquaintance of mine is looking to co-author a book examining the state of religion in American politics and is in need of donations to help fund his research. As well as any other help you folks in American may be able to provide. You know, places to stay, help with travel, information of local areas, people to interview. All that good stuff. If anyone is interested in helping to support this intellectual pursuit, then please give generously or contact the authors to offer what help you can.

Likewise, if you know of anyone else who might be able to provide support, please let them know. The more help these guys get the better the chances they have of uncovering something intellectually stimulating. Hell, with any luck, your support may even see these two hit the best-seller lists.

It can happen.

Cheers! Tol

Happy New Year, folks!

Provided that expiring Mayan calendar doesn't kill us all (damn Magical Native Americans), we should be in for a pretty decent year. Bring on Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee and the 2012 London Olympics! Juicy American tourist dollars for everyone!

In the meantime, keep safe while celebrating. If you feel like you've had enough already, you probably have.[/mothering]

Here's wishing you a very happy season and all the best for the New Year. Have a good one, folks!

Not sure how many I'll get, but heck. Nothing ventured nothing gained.

After once again sitting down and thinking "I should really get cracking with more drawing", I'm opening myself up to requests. Or trades if people think that the rubbish I churn out is actually worth something. Generally I'd prefer to keep my artwork relatively clean for now, but I'd probably be persuaded to do pinup sketches if you twist my arm enough. Additionally, only relatively simple stuff. I'm not really confident enough to do complex poses, numerous characters or epic LotR worthy backgrounds at present.

So any takers?

Pinched from  Eric_the_bull .

================

Physical Appearance

[]I am shorter than 5'4"
[x]I think I'm ugly sometimes.
[]I have many scars (Maybe one or two, but not "many"]
[]I tan easily (BURN easily, more like...)
[]I wish my hair was a different colour.
[]I have friends who've never seen my natural hair colour.
[]I have a tattoo.
[x]I'm self conscious about my appearance.
[]I have/had braces.
[]I wear glasses.
[x]I would get plastic surgery if it were 100% safe, free of cost and left no scarring.
[x]I've been told I'm attractive by a complete stranger.
[]I have more than two piercings.
[]I have piercings in places other than my ear.
[]I have freckles.

Family

[x]I've sworn at my parents.
[]I've run away from home.
[]I've been kicked out of my home.
[]My biological parents are together.
[]I have a sibling less than one year old.
[x]I want to have kids someday. (A daughter especially)
[]I have a kid.
[]I've lost a kid.

School/Work

[]I'm at school.
[x]I have a job (although not for much longer -- temporary contract)
[]I've fallen asleep at school/work.
[]I almost always do my homework.
[]I've missed a week or more of school.
[]I've been on the honour role for the past 2 years.
[]I failed more than one class last year.
[]I've stolen something from my job.
[x]I've been fired (And no real reason was given why, the lousy gobshites)

Embarrassment

[x]I've used "lol" in a spoken convseration.
[]Disney movies still make me cry (Pixar get's me teary-eyed, but I never actually cry)
[]I've peed from laughing.
[x]I've snorted while laughing.
[]I've laughed so hard I've cried.
[]I've glued my hand to something.
[x]I've ripped my pants in public.

Health

[]I was born with a disease/impairment.
[]I've had stitches/staples.
[]I've broken a bone.
[]I've had my tonsils removed.
[]I've sat in the doctor's office/emergency room with a friend.
[]I've had my wisdom teeth removed.
[]I've had serious surgery.

Travel

[]I've driven over 200 miles in one day.
[x]I've been on a plane. (Still my favourite way to travel.)
[]I've been to Canada.
[]I've been to Mexico.
[]I've been to Niagra Falls (my parents have, though!)
[]I've been to Japan.
[]I've celebrated Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
[x]I've been to Europe.
[]I've been to Africa.

Experiences

[x]I've gotten lost in my city (I once had the Cypriot police looking for me)
[x]I've seen a shooting star.
[]I've wished on a shooting star (disintegrating interstellar matter is not magical >:P)
[]I've seen a meteor shower.
[]I've gone out in public in my pyjamas.
[]I've pushed all the buttons on an elevator (Never at once, anyway)
[]I've kicked a guy where it hurts. (><')
[]I've been to a casino.
[]I've been skydiving.
[]I've gone skinnydipping.
[x]I've played spin the bottle (Only family-friendly variants, mind)
[]I drank a whole gallon of milk in one hour.
[]I've crashed a car ('Can't drive, but I was IN a car crash)
[x]I was in a play.
[]I've met someone in person from MySpace/Facebook/etc.
[x]I've caught snowflakes on my tongue.
[]I've seen the Northern Lights.
[]I've sat on a rooftop at night.
[]I've played Chicken.
[x]I've played a prank on someone (They seldom work)
[x]I've ridden in a taxi (Once had a 9-seater all to myself)
[x]I've seen the Rocky Horror Picture Show
[x]I've eaten sushi (The cheap, Tesco's own kind)
[]I've been snowboarding.

Relationships

[x]I'm single.
[]I'm in a relationship (Still undecided if I ever want to be in one)
[]I'm engaged.
[]I'm married.
[]I've gone on a blind date.
[]I've been the dumpee rather than the dumper.
[]I miss someone right now.
[]I have a fear of abandoment (More a fear of failure)
[]I've gotten divorced.
[x]I've had feelings for someone who didn't have them back.
[]I've told someone I loved them when I didn't.
[x]I told someone I didn't love them when I did.
[]I've kept something from a past relationship.

Sexuality

[x]I've had a crush on someone of the same sex. (Plenty.)
[]I've had a crush on a teacher.
[x]I'm a cuddler. (Oh GOD yes)
[]I've been kissed in the rain.
[]I've hugged a stranger.
[]I've kissed a stranger.

Honesty

[x]I've done something I promised someone else I wouldn't.
[x]I've done something I promised myself I wouldn't.
[x]I've snuck out of my house. (When I was about five, I crept out of the house to buy marshmallows from the shop down the road. Turned out you can't buy marshmallows with just 2p)
[x]I've lied to my parents about where I am.
[x]I am keeping a secret from the world.
[x]I've cheated while playing a game. (itsagooddaytodie, glittering, noscreen)
[]I've cheated on a test.
[]I've run a red light. (Can't drive)
[x]I've been suspended from school.
[]I've witnessed a crime.
[x]I've been in a fist fight.
[]I've been arrested.

Drugs/Alcohol

[x]I've consumed alcohol.
[]I regularly drink.
[]I've passed out from drinking.
[]I've passed out drunk at least once in the past 6 months.
[]I've smoked weed.
[]I've taken painkillers when I didn't need them.
[]I've eaten shrooms.
[]I've popped E.
[]I've inhaled Nitrous.
[]I've done hard drugs.
[]I have cough drops when I'm not sick.
[]I can't swallow pills.
[]I can swallow about 5 pills at a time no problem
[]I have been diagnosed with clinical depression.
[]I have been diagnosed with one or more anxiety disorder.
[X]I shut others out when I'm depressed.
[]I take anti-depressants.
[]I'm anorexic or bulimic.
[X]I've slept an entire day when I didn't need it.
[]I've hurt myself on purpose.
[X]I've woken up crying.

Death

[x]I'm afraid of dying.
[]I hate funerals. (Never been to one, so I can't judge)
[]I've seen someone dying. (Unless you hold to the very morbid view that we're all dying of life)
[]Someone close to me has attempted suicide.
[]Somone close to me has committed suicide.
[x]I've planned my own suicide.
[]I've attempted suicide.
[]I've written my own eulogy. (May do it for a laugh)

Materialism

[]I own over 5 rap CDS (Bitch, please -- I have taste)
[x]I own an iPod or MP3 player.
[]I have an unhealthy obsession with anime/manga.
[]I own multiple designer purses, costing over $100 a piece.
[]I own something from Hot Topic.
[]I own something from Pac Sun.
[]I collect comic books.
[]I own something from The Gap.
[X]I own something I got on e-bay. (A Crusader-style great helm, chainmail and various other reenactment pieces)
[]I own something from Abercrombie.

Random

[X]I can sing well. (So I've been told)
[]I've stolen a tray from a fast food restaurant.
[x]I open up to others easily. (Once I get to know them. It's easier online)
[X]I watch the news.
[]I don't kill bugs.
[x]I hate hearing songs that sacrifice meaning for the sake of being able to rhyme.
[X]I curse regularly.
[X]I sing in the shower. (Well, the bath)
[]I am a morning person.
[]I paid for my cell phone ring tone.
[x]I'm a snob about grammar.
[]I am a sports fanatic.
[]I twirl my hair.
[]I have "x"s in my screen name.
[X]I love being neat.
[]I love Spam
[]I've copied over 30 CDs in a day
[]I bake well.
[x]My favorite color is either white, yellow, pink, red or blue. (Although I'm not sure I have an absolute favourite colour)
[]I've worn pajamas to school.
[]I like Martha Stewart.
[X]I know how to shoot a gun.
[]I am in love with love.
[]I am guilty of tYpInG lIkE
[X]I laugh at my own jokes.
[]I eat fast food weekly.
[X]I believe in ghosts. (Or rather I don't DISbelieve in them)
[]I am online 24/7, even as an away message.
[]I've not turned anything in and still got an A in a certain class.
[]I can't sleep if there is a spider in the room.
[x]I am really ticklish.
[]I love white chocolate.
[X]I bite my nails.
[X]I play video games.
[]I'm good at remembering faces
[]I'm good at remembering names.
[]I'm good at remembering dates.
[x]I have no idea what I want to do for the rest of my life

Needless to say, I was greatly shocked and somewhat saddened to hear of the untimely passing of Mr Steve Jobs due to his pancreatic cancer. Dying at the relatively young age of 56, the world will doubtlessly be somewhat lessened for the death of such a profound figure in the computer and mobile phone industry.

May he rest in peace, and Apple continue to thrive.

(Edit: Thanks for telling me I got his name wrong guys. <<; A pox on that bloody Simpsons episode.)

Taken from  leolion13, because it seemed interesting. The results look to be pretty accurate from where I'm sitting; I can look at this and honestly agree that they show a good reflection of how I view my personality. Of course, others may disagree.

The test in question: http://www.signalpatterns.com/psych_central/


Results:


Cooperative

You enjoy teamwork, play well with others, and prefer getting along to winning.

You're not compelled to win every contest nor to be right all the time.



Sympathetic

You have a knack for knowing what's going on in the hearts and minds of those around you, without their having to tell you explicitly. People tend to turn to you with their problems because they know you care, and that you will likely offer good advice and a helping hand.

You do not feel that people with sad stories are just looking for attention, or have brought their problems upon themselves.



Scrupulous

You are an honest, fair person. You don't lie or cheat to get ahead. You treat others with respect and hope for the same in return.

You do not feel that you are above the rules that everyone else follows; you are definitely not willing to do whatever it takes to get ahead.



Aesthetic

You appreciate art, beauty, and design; you know that they are not superficial but absolutely crucial to living the good life. You have good taste, and you're proud of it. Those with a high score on the "aesthetic" trait are often employed in literary or artistic professions, enjoy domestic activities — doing things around the house — and are enthusiastic about the arts, reading, and travel.

You don't think it's pretentious to be moved by art and beauty. You're not one of those who believe it doesn't matter what something looks like as long as it does its job.



Curious

You like to get to the bottom of things. You're not content knowing what someone did; you want to know why they did it.

You don't simply take things as they are and move on; you're not content skimming along on the surface; you don't feel you're wasting time by digging for the meaning of things.



Acquiescent

You are comfortable in your own skin and don't need to throw your weight around. You'll often choose to be the one who is told what to do rather than the one who's doing the telling, and you sometimes avoid confrontations even if it means that you won't get your way.

You aren't interested in making others bend to your will or in always dishing out criticism. You're not a pushy person, and you like it that way.



Laid Back

You prefer to do your own thing, in your own way, rather than attempt to force your will, or your ego, on a group. You're happy working on your own, taking your sweet time, and focusing on the job at hand.

You're not pushy. You're not interested in imposing your will on others, taking charge of every situation, being the first to raise your hand in class, or insisting on being the winner of every argument.



Understanding

You are willing to take the time to find out what's going on with other people, especially if they're in distress. You're a good listener, you don't criticize, and you offer unbiased, respectful, honest advice when it's requested. With a high score on the "understanding" trait, it is likely that you are enthusiastic about charitable work, helping others, and making the world a better place.

You don't feel the need to impose your standards on others or say things that, even though true, cause pain.



Upbeat

You enjoy being around others and others enjoy being around you. You have a "live and let live" attitude; because you know that no one's perfect, you are forgiving and happy to give the benefit of the doubt.

You don't feel the need to be controversial or express contrary opinions all the time. You see no reason to go around rubbing people the wrong way.



Empathetic
You are in touch with your own feelings, which helps put you in touch with the feelings of others.

You don't buy the logic that your happiness comes ahead of everyone else's because unless you're happy you're incapable of making anyone else happy.

...And still we're hearing echoes from it all. The USA has a very deep mark on it, methinks, one that will take some time to recover. Until then, my thoughts and prayers are with the victims of September 11th and their families.

May it never happen again.

EDIT: Because I can.

Gauging what interest there might be for me to try a Livestream session sometime. Exactly what it'll include will depend on what I feel like at the time; it'll either be (my attempts at) drawing, some writing or maybe some video game footage. There'll probably be music, but I cannot guarantee pie or punch.

Apparently trying to stuff it into the ethernet cable ruins the laptop. Go figure.

So, I've managed to survive two decades and a year now. Go team Tolgron.

Going to try and get some more writing done soon, although whether that's writing to be uploaded onto here or just writing to make sure I still can has yet to be seen. Might try some more artwork too. Looking at a pic I drew two years ago, I may actually be tempted into thinking I could become a half-decent artist in my own right.

It'd certainly be fun to work towards if I can find the discipline to do it frequently enough.

In other news, looking slightly further ahead into the shadowy realms of 2012, I think that I may actually be able to afford a trip to AC next year. Now that I've got a steady, frequent source of income with my new job at around £600-£700 a month (with rent and taxes already taken into account), saving up for the flight and stay to Pittsburgh is not as hard on the wallet as it was the last few times I tried. Working out the costs and details over the next few months when more information can be gained.

Lord knows, it'd be nice to finally meet some of you fine people face to face.

Now that all that is said and with nothing else really coming to mind, I'll sign off here. Just got every A Song of Ice and Fire book from A Clash of Kings to A Storm of Crows and that will take some time to read. If anyone has any story requests they'd desperately like me to write (and by God you MUST be desperate if you want ME to write 'em for you), just drop me a note or comment. I'll see what I can do for you.

God bless you all.

Can't stop listening to this. Thought I'd spread the ear worm.

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO


Repost this to show your solidarity with Norway.

Okay, recently tried having a Skype conversation with Knuxlight over one of his Livestream sessions, where I ran into a technical hitch. Apparently people on the other end can hear a strange noise, some sort of feedback that I'm not getting myself. Bear in mind that I do have the stream muted. I've also done a Skype test call and it all seems to be in order.

Can anyone give me any hints as to what's going on? I can't help but think that maybe the microphone built into my laptop might be the problem, but surely it'd cut off when I've got my headset in, right? Failing that, could it be that I need a new headset?

Thoughts?

Today's been a very good day. ^^

Just graduation from university, so I know have a BA in American Studies, with a focus on history, at a 2ii grade. It's not fantastic but I'm glad to have passed at all. I'm going to miss my university life, but at the same time I'm looking forward to what's coming up afterwards. Already got confirmation that I am now officially EMPLOYED. :D Starting work mid-August and I cannot wait. Unemployment SUCKS.

Anyway, I'm on a high at the moment so I'm gonna get something to eat and thank God for ensuring I get a job. Maybe any saints of employment too while I'm at it.

God bless you all. ^^

We'd like our thirteen colonies and midwest territories back, please!

Lots of love,
King George III, By the Grace of God, King of Great Britain, France and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, Prince Elector of Hanover, Duke of Brunswick


Happy Independence day, folks!

Been reading Silent Hill: Promise recently, and because I'm currently stuck looking for work with otherwise very little else to do, I figured I might try writing an interactive storyline of my own. I'm neither disciplined or skilled enough to try an actual comic (maybe another day), but I'm more than confident that I might be able to pull off just a barebones narrative.

Setting, genre and characters are currently being thought out. Might try a WoD setting, because I'm currently in love with Changeling: the Lost, or something a little more original. God willing, it'd be a daily update.

Keep an eye out for the first installment, which will be out when it's out.

So, because I have some time to burn while I'm looking for work before I become a sponge to the British taxpayer, I've decided to give Minecraft a go. I've heard good things about and I've seen some of the stuff people can do with the system, so with money I was planning on saving for something else rather needless (like yet another Paradox Interactive game), I bought it, downloaded it and gave it a whirl.

Took some time to figure out how all the crafting works (thank you Minecraft wiki) and get started with the building, but within a few hours I had a very rudimentary, two-storey wooden house on a hill to call my own. It's very basic, but the satisfaction of it being all my own work makes it seem better somehow. Now I'm just looking to actually mining so I can start using metal tools and not the wooden ones. I am not looking forward to it. You'd think the hideous graphics would make the game rather comical in appearance when you venture beneath the earth.

Guess what? You're dead wrong. I haven't even found anything more dangerous than sheep and cows and I'm still relcutant to venture too far from my hilltop or mine too deep and too greedily...

I know it's probably going to be a bit of a stretch, but if anyone is watching me from Portland or Vancouver then there's a notice on the grapevine that I'd like to pass on.

For the past week or so,  raikeira's neice has been missing and there's serious fears that she may have been abducted after trying to meet with someone she met online. She was last seen, as the title may suggest, in the Portland and Vancouver area. Further details can be found on Raikeira's journal here and her missing poster. Please, if you have any information at all, not matter how minor, let Raikeria or the appropriate authorities know. The sooner she is found, the sooner she can be returned safely to her family.

Thanks, and God bless you all.

Tol

Well. That's another dud.

I suppose God will end the world when He plans on ending it, not before. In any case, behave yourself folks, and have a good Rapture-free day.

While rather brief in its approach, I rather like this article on the needlessness of abolishing monarchy in the name of "equality". Warning: left-wing liberal republicans may not enjoy what they read.

http://www.c2cjournal.ca/blog-artic.....use-of-windsor

One statement in the closing paragraph in particular is very effective at laying down opposition to the abolition of monarchies simply because it robs people of the "right" to be Head of State:

"Government doesn’t exist to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to be a President. It exists to enforce the rule of law. In that context, the monarchy should be seen as just another office of government."

Hear, hear.

How I loathe him, how I hate him...and yet...

How I love him!

Osama Bin Laden has finally been killed, it seems, unless we got a body double or something ridiculous like that. If what I've read/heard is true, some very lucky US soldier nailed him between the eyes in a Pakistani compound, which of course makes us wonder whether the Pakistani government was even on "our side" at all.

Oh well. This is a kick in the teeth for Al-Qaeda anyway.

So now Bin Laden is before God and His Judgement, and in that alone I am very satisfied. Although I don't know exactly what God will decide, I know that whatever the outcome it will be the right the one.

God save the United States and those brave men and women who risk their lives daily to keep her safe.

As an ardent monarchist, allow me to spend a few minutes wishing their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, aka Prince William and "Princess" Catherine, all the luck in the world for their new life together and the blessings of God too for good measure. Watched the Royal Wedding right up until the point where they returned to Buckingham Palace, where I'll wait until the balcony thing.

Here's hoping the pair will mark a new chapter to the prestigious history of the monarchy of the Commonwealth Realms. God save the Queen and the Royal Family!