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July 27th, 2010
08:50 am - Life Updates
Hi guys, I know I haven't updated in a while, and I'm sorry.
I've been struggling with alot of things going on in my life right now, and just... haven't felt up to dealing with Livejournal.
I am hoping to return to the weekly posts soon. In the meantime, I have uploaded new art from Anthrocon.
Hope everyone is well.
-gen
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July 6th, 2010
10:20 am - Weekly Update
quote of the day...
“Whatever I have tried to do in life, I have tried with all my heart to do it well; whatever I have devoted myself to, I have devoted myself completely; in great aims and in small I have always thoroughly been in earnest.” --- Charles Dickens (1812-1870); novelist
current plans & projects...
I posted some of the artwork I did at the con this morning, this week I want to get all the pencils for outstanding commissions done, I need to do some paperwork and organizing, some housework that got neglected last week for obvious reasons, I need to send out some emails, put some artwork in the mail... it's going to be a busy week.
Anthrocon went well, I had a good time. My panel was well attended, and while I feel like I stumbled alot, we had some good discussions about technique. I think it would probably be better to have a couple of different watercolor artists up there, so I'll be exploring that option for next time. I have not yet decided if I will run the panel at Midwest FurFest or not; I.. need some time to think about that.
We had a good 4th of July, attended a really stellar party, saw some lovely fireworks, it was a good time, and kept my mind occupied.
future plans...
This week, I will be working on pencils for all outstanding commissions, getting my queue updated with all the work I brought home from the convention. I think I may not be spending too much time in the Alley at MFF, or if I do, it'll only be for work I can complete at the con. I hate to lose the opportunity for making sales, but I really need to get caught up with the workload I already have. I'll see how things stand as it gets closer in.
I will be attending the LAFF Summer Picnic; I will be playing sous chef for this year's MFF Chairman, ![[info]](http://l-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) takaza. It should be lots of fun, if you're local, be sure to RSVP, enjoy the food (FCN vs MFF Burger Cookoff!), and say hi.
happenings elsewhere...
I really want to rename that heading, but can't think of anything other than 'links'. Blergh.
Anyway, today's edition is music. I'm really into interesting and ethnic music, and I'm really into strategy games like Civilization IV. tarinfirepelt gave me this awesome link to one of the expansions' theme music. You can hear the main theme (which I could listen to for hours!) on YouTube.
I believe I have duncandahusky to thank for my obsession with Afro Celt Sound System. Their music combines African and Celtic melodies (as the name implies) and what is described as "epic extended soundscapes". I really love it for background music. I'd be hard pressed to pick a favorite piece, but I do particularly like Seed.
And that's it for me this week. Hope you guys have a great one!
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June 29th, 2010
02:03 pm - Death in the Family.
My baby brother just called to tell me my eldest brother passed away this morning.
I don't know all the details yet, nor when the funeral will be held.
I will not be doing this week's post. I need to see about a flight to New Orleans.
Current Mood: devestated
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June 21st, 2010
08:29 am - Weekly Update
quote of the week...
“Everybody likes to go their own way to choose their own time and manner of devotion." —Jane Austen (1775-1817); writer and novelist
I really like this week's quote. I wish my mother would read it, and understand that what works for her does not automagically work for me. Of course, I automatically take this to mean religious devotion; I suppose it could be referring to anything.
current projects...
Well. I leave for con in... 2 days. I have a LOT to do before then. But that's not why you guys are here, right? Right.
That painting I mentioned last week is completed, and I will be doing an 'Artist Process' post about it... once it has reached its final destination and I get the OK to post it online. I believe it is a gift, and I really don't want to accidentally ruin the surprise. (I truly love doing gifts, it's so much fun!)
However! I do have artwork to share!
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| [WIP] Aurélia |
New face of cheekitty arts |
[WIP] Mythological Magnet Trio |
future plans...
I am still planning on starting a web serial story, and I will be doing a free icon day around the end of the month. Right now it's difficult planning anything beyond the convention. More next week, I suspect. :)
Also! Next week's update will probably go up on Tuesday morning, since we're driving back from Pittsburgh on Monday. I'll see what I can do as far as posting on time, but... it may be a day late.
happenings elsewhere...
Today is the video edition!
Walking on Water (Liquid Mountaineering - A friend pointed out that they all fall in at the same point, but I found the video interesting nonetheless. I would LOVE to watch Jamie and Adam and the Mythbusters crew take this one on- it's different from their Ninja walk-on-water myths. (Link courtesy of.. dracosphynx? Or was it zilvar? I'm sorry guys, I don't remember!)
The Nostalgia Critic - His tag line is, he remembers movies so you don't have to. Very very funny guy that reviews good and bad movies in video format. My favorite is probably his review of Alone in the Dark, which looks like a truly horrible movie, even before he rips it apart. His counterpart, Nostalgia Chick, is also worth watching. I do warn that their language is probably not child-friendly, so if you have little ones, watch with headphones (There are no adult visuals beyond the ones in the movie). (Link courtesy of roho)
If you have anything you'd like me to feature, or you just think is nifty, be sure to let me know!
So begins another week. I hope you all have a great one!
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June 14th, 2010
09:48 am - Weekly Update
Good grief, is it Monday already? O.o
quote of the week...
“Nothing truly valuable arises from ambition or from a mere sense of duty; it stems rather from love and devotion towards men and towards objective things.” —Albert Einstein (1875-1955); theoretical physicist, philosopher
current projects...
Well, mostly I'm working on preparations for the convention. I need to print samples of my most recent works and find a place to stuff them in my portfolio (seriously considering buying one of those expandable Itoyas, or just sucking it up and moving down to a smaller binder that I can add to), and my mind is going in a dozen different directions.
It is time, ladies and gentlemen, for lists. LOTS of lists. I keep a couple of sheets of paper next to my computer, and they're slowly filling up with notes of things I want to bring to Pittsburgh, ideas for my panel, things I need to do... yeaaah. :)
A huge huge thank you to everyone that suggested topics for me to cover! I'm thinking I'll have everyone write down the questions they want to ask, give a brief presentation, answer the written questions that haven't been covered/Q&A, then a demonstration of what the medium can do. I feel a little weird about the last item, as I don't think my own artwork is a terribly good representation, and I left it a little late to go around asking the artists I admire if I can show pieces of their work as examples. Not sure how I'm going to handle that. It would probably help if I had.. you know.. ever attended panels, but... I seem to have a habit of leaping into the deep end without learning to swim first. ;)
Detail shot of current painting
I am really excited about this painting, as it's really pushed me past my comfort zones and forced me to do a lot of artistic stretching. I also realized after my last painting that I have a bad habit of calling things done before I should, so I've taken a bit more time with this one to make sure I'm not rushing and that I'm giving it my all.
I have a few more details to finalize, I did some color tests this morning digitally to see what direction I wanted to go, but I should finish it today.
This week's agenda is... starting a new painting this afternoon or tomorrow, sending out some customer related emails, and getting my marketing materials together for the convention next week (YIKES!). Somewhere in there, I want to do some housework, since we have a house guest arriving next Tuesday to come Pittsburgh with us.
future plans...
The paintings from FCN have done a real number on my brushes, so I am probably going to be looking at replacing them after AC. In order to finance that, I will be doing a free icon day after the convention, as soon as I have more details, I will let you all know. :)
Also, I am planning on starting to write again. I have no desire to maintain a separate blog, and the stories will be set in existing gaming universes (which makes them technically fan fiction, but it's my intent that people unfamiliar with the universe can enjoy them). In order to save people's reading lists, I'm thinking I will make them available on an opt-in basis. More details on this later.
happenings elsewhere...
Returning to providing links to interesting reading elsewhere on the web! Today is the webcomics/online graphic novels edition.
Paradigm Shift - I resisted reading this for ages. duncandahusky kept raving about how great it was, and I just... didn't want to pick up another online reading source. I finally did, however, and I must say I'm really enjoying it. It's a Manga, which is not usually my cuppa, but the realism in the backgrounds really drew me in (it helps that it's set in Chicago, my adopted hometown). It has the flavor of Gunsmith Cats, one of my favorite anime series, and I'm really enjoying it. If you like supernatural cop stories? Check it out!
I think you're Saucesome - A daily webcomic from Chicago resident Sarah Becan, this one speaks to me where I live, so to speak. One morning the artist woke up and decided she wanted to do something about not only her weight, but her perceptions of her body. She works through a lot of issues women face about beauty and self-love (not THAT kind of self-love, c'mon guys!), and she documents everything she eats that day in cartoon form. This has been a motivator for me; I've been writing down everything I eat, and while I'm not about to divulge it to you guys (ohh, so many tortilla chips. The shame!), it does help me get a more accurate reading of what I'm doing. Many many thanks to linnaeus for pointing this comic out to me, and continuing to mention it til I visited. :)
And that concludes this week's update! I am hoping to start posting more often, but.. we'll see. :) Hope everyone has a great week!
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June 7th, 2010
08:51 am - Weekly Update
quote of the day
“The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.” —Morrie Schwartz (1916 - 1995); educator
current projects
On today's agenda is a bit of housework, a bit of yardwork later (I'm going to learn how to operate the lawnmower), and some painting.
I am getting close to the halfway point of completion with the commission I'm currently working on, and I'm starting to feel a little pressure as Anthrocon looms closer. I don't want to turn work away at the con, but neither do I want to come home with a massive queue again either. Guess we'll see what happens!
I did a little personal artwork yesterday, I was feeling bleh, and thought maybe if I did something fun for me, I'd be happier to work on the stuff I should be. It really worked out well, so I will likely start interspersing little drawings that I can share, since I never feel comfortable sharing commissions until they're completed.
Mixed Race Coupling by *cheekitty on deviantART
Speaking of Anthrocon, I am beginning to do my preparation for the Introduction to Watercolor/Gouache panel I'm running. I am thinking it will most likely be a discussion panel, unless attendance is low enough that I have enough old brushes for everyone to try out the medium. For those of you that work in water media, are there any questions you particularly would have liked answered when you were first starting? Or are there things you think I should go over? Please let me know! If you have advice running panels, that would be great too! I'm a little nervous, this is the first time I've ever tried this. :)
future plans
Right now, Anthrocon is my event horizon, I'm not really planning past that. ;) I WILL get the website redesign done this summer. (Thinking positive here!) And I need to go through my inventory and figure out what originals and prints I still have. I will probably hold a sale this fall.
I hope everyone has a great week. :)
-L
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June 1st, 2010
07:49 am - Tuesday Updates
quote of the day
“Imagination is more important than knowledge. For while knowledge defines all we currently know and understand, imagination points to all we might yet discover and create.” —Albert Einstein (1875-1955), theoretical physicist, philosopher
what I'm currently doing
Life is truddling along, as it always does. On Friday, those watching me on twitter saw that my car had some..Issues. Well, it's still at the mechanics, we're hoping for a call today to confirm my suspicions that the alternator is toast. I'm really hoping that is the problem, as it's a (relatively) inexpensive fix, and one that can be done fairly quickly. You never realize how much you take mobility for granted til you're stuck at home without wheels. :)
Last week I got zilch done on the art front, as we were busy scrubbing and cleaning in preparation for duncandahusky and takaza's big Memorial Day party. It wasn't being held at our home, but we were hosting some of the out of town guests, and we were both horrified at the idea that they'd see the place a mess.
Sooo, our house is sparkling now, although we discovered a few more repairs that need to be done. I think the house and my car both sensed when we'd be getting a bit of extra money, and acted appropriately. roho's old Saab car had that talent, and it was terribly aggravating. :)
Anthrocon is looming around the corner, and I think I'm going to have to hold off on some of the merchandise I had planned on ordering to sell. I just don't have the time to come up with new designs, and I have a lot of outstanding work I want to finish before I go drum up more business. I'm hoping to start putting feelers out in new markets, but I need to have samples to show, which require time, and... well, you get the idea. Either way, artistically, I've been busy, which is good.
future plans
My big project for this summer is to get my website redesign up and running. I have a graphic I want to use, Roho is just trying to figure out how to set up the server so that I have design-level access and not root. (If you're an Apache guru and have worked with Drupal before, please let me know!) Once we get things together, I'm thinking this is going to be majorly awesome.
Anyway, time to get some work done! I have a huge pile of laundry to do from the weekend, and some artwork stacked up that's close to completion. To everyone that stayed with us this weekend, we really enjoyed having you, and hope you enjoyed being here!
Have a great logical Monday, guys!
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May 24th, 2010
10:59 am - Monday Monday
quote of the day
“The moment when you first wake up in the morning is the most wonderful of the twenty-four hours. No matter how weary or dreary you may feel, you possess the certainty that, during the day that lies before you, absolutely anything may happen. And the fact that it practically always doesn't, matters not a jot. The possibility is always there.” --- Monica Baldwin (1893 – 1975); author
Phew! Since school ended, I wanted to dive right into getting my commission queue whittled down, and I've made a good start. I completed two paintings this week, and I'm approximately 98% done with a third. I've got a smattering of large full-BG pieces, and I think working them in among the smaller pieces is going to be the way to go. Keeps me from burnout. :)
I've been pondering what I want to do with this blog lately, and I'm not really sure yet what I want to do. Book reviews, artwork, personal observations/anecdotes... Maybe different topics on different days? I'm not sure! I started this blog as an outright journal, then changed over to art promotion... and I'm not sure how productive posting artwork is here.
Maybe I should do a poll, get some idea of how many people only look for my art here vs one of my other galleries.
At any rate, I will be thinking about this. If any of you have thoughts or suggestions, or just want to share your own experiences, please let me know! Or hey, if there's a topic you'd like to see me write about.. by all means! :D
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May 20th, 2010
01:00 pm - Whee....!
Thank you to everyone that congratulated me on my grades. I am indeed a gigantic nerd, and I am embarrassed to admit- when I saw the A in visual basic, I did a little dance. I was so sure I was going to fail that class. >.>
I'll try to go through and comment to everyone individually over the next couple of days, you guys are all super awesome, and I don't know what I'd do without your support. (Seriously, roho has earned his 'Husband of the Year' award several times over this semester)
So now that summer break has truly begun, I'm diving into my commission workload. Started inking painting #3 for this week (completed two small ones earlier in the week), and I will have new artwork to share on Monday. Still waiting to hear back from one person on whether what I sent is good, or if it needs revision. I'm psyched, if I can keep up this pace... that would be mega-awesome.
I will be going back to regular updates again next week; I'm not sure how often I'll post, or WHAT I'll post, but... I'll get something together. :)
If you have a commission open with me (or just want to see what I'm working on!), I have my queue posted. I'm hoping to fancy it up this summer, once we get the new website back-end implemented and prettified. (If you are a Drupal admin, and know of a way to give web designers access to make things look good without giving them root access... please let us know? Roho rightfully is wary of giving me Too Much Control over the web server. >.>)
Annnd that's it for me. How are you guys all doing? :)
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May 18th, 2010
04:33 pm - They posted.
Yeaaah, I'm a nerd.
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April 24th, 2010
09:55 am - Slice of Life
We both slept in really late this morning, which was divinity. I've suggested we take the day to veg, but I have some artwork and schoolwork I want to get some progress on, so... I'm hoping roho will relax a little while I work.
I managed to get a placeholder up for my website's new design (go check it out!), with commission information. I'm really looking forward to the end of the semester (2 more weeks! YIKES!), so I can hit a good stride and keep going.
Things are going well for us, school has been a bear this semester, and Bren is working too hard. I have some projects that are whirling around in my brain, but I can't work on them til I have more time. Such is the way it always goes. ;)
I have new art to share, but I'm pondering how I want to share it. I'll do some research on what works best for viewers later.
Have a great weekend, folks!
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March 28th, 2010
05:56 am - To my favorite dragon...
Happy birthday, points! *smewch*
May you have a day that's as great as you are.
<3
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March 18th, 2010
04:17 pm - Yaay for March Birthdays!
Hope you've had a wonderful day, lynnindenver! You deserve the best!
Happy Birthday!
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March 13th, 2010
11:40 am - New face of cheekitty arts!
My new poster girl. :)
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March 12th, 2010
02:19 pm - Random Photo Friday
I thought it would be interesting to snap a photo of where I work... as in, where the art is created.
Thank you to everyone that offered suggestions re: the labeler. I realized that my vehicle registration is due this month, so I may hold off on purchasing one, I have to figure out what sort of expenses I'm looking at in the next month or so.
Have a great weekend, and I'll do a real entry later. :)
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March 10th, 2010
09:57 am - Label Makers...?
Does anyone use/own one and recommend it? I'm looking around online, and all I see is people gushing about the $100-$200 ones, and uh.. my price range is more in the $20-$30 lines.
There's a whole bunch out there, and I'm having difficulties seeing the differences between them. So, anyone have one? Love it? Hate it? Help me out! :)
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March 8th, 2010
03:01 pm - Um...
I typically avoid politics or inflammatory topics here, but... I am truly appalled by this.
Even if it turns out to be a hoax... Poor taste. Really poor taste. No matter one's views on sexuality, this is... awful.
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08:38 am - Birthday!
I didn't realize it til I checked Facebook, but today is captain18's Birthday! Have a great one, Cap! :D
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08:30 am - Another Manic Monday...
I had a great weekend. Thank you to everyone that emailed, texted and/or called, your thoughts and well wishes really made my day.
duncandahusky details our Saturday activities pretty accurately. We went down into Evanston to the Dixie Kitchen and Bait Shop for brunch. I had no idea where we were going, and was quite pleasantly surprised! Omnomnom Cajun food. :9 (The cheese grits? So. Good.)
After that, we went to Happy Husky Bakery, where resident canine Astaire proceeded to give kisses all over my face. He liked faces, and kept getting my glasses. Slobbery, but so sweet, and the owners are very cool. We definitely want to go back; picked up some doggie treats for Brianna there.
Then... we went to the Spice House. this was my first visit ever, and... it really brought home just how vital the spice trade was in years gone by. You walk through the door and run face first into a wall of spicy scents, and it's just.. amazing. You'd think it would be overwhelming (there's a smelly soap shop here in Antioch that gives me headaches), but it was wonderful. :9 I have been thinking of making my own homemade vanilla extract, so I shall be going back for a handful of vanilla beans. :9
After that, we visited a couple of pet stores so Duncan and Takaza could meet and greet some local dog rescues, see if any of their charges would make a good fit for their home. They found Buddy, who is a real sweetie of a dog, at the second event we attended. He's now happily ensconced in his forever home. :) I was really impressed with the folks running the rescue, and when the time comes for us to bring another dog home, we will probably go to them.
Yesterday I had some more emotional ups and downs like I described last week. I'm convinced now that there are multiple factors that when combined, my emotions slip their leash. I'm frustrated, because for the last two years I've managed (quite well, I thought) to manage my mental state without medication. I am calling the doctor today about an appointment. I realize part of my problem is withdrawal from cigarettes (oh God, I almost caved on Saturday and asked roho to buy some), but the other part is a chemical imbalance in my body, and that... I need a resolution on that.
Overall though, I'm feeling chipper and bright-eyed this morning. I'm catching up on my correspondence, preparing some art for mailing, and I should, if things go well, finish a painting today. I'd like to get some domestic chores done as well, so the painting may have to wait til Wednesday.
So while I prepare for the con next month, I have a question for all of you? What do you like to see on artist tables? Freebies? Impulse buy items? (magnets and bookmarks under $5?) Prints? Tell me in the comments, so I know what to bring!
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March 6th, 2010
08:26 am - Another day older....
But not deeper in debt, thank goodness!
So, as of 6:50 pm tonight, I am 32 years of age. I never subscribed to the 'OMG 30 is OLLLLD' mentality, so I can enjoy my birthdays still as a good excuse to get together with good friends, eat tasty food, and overindulge in cake. That being said, my younger brother turns 30 on Tuesday, and I am not above teasing him and my mother with 'You're so OLLLLLD!'. But I'm childish and immature that way. >.>
I posted something like this on Facebook, and I want to post it here too. You guys, all of you... are supremely awesome. Even if I don't know you personally, you're reading this message and therefore supporting me. Ergo, awesome. I have far too many people to thank for me to list them here (and really, that's how it should be- loads of great people in my life!), so I apologize for not individually thanking each of you publically.
I just want all of you friends, family and patrons out there to know that I appreciate you. I appreciate your encouragement, your support, your comments on my artwork, and the ways you make me smile when I need it. Without all of you, I wouldn't be the happy and productive person that I am. So please... today... go have a cupcake on me. :)
-Lydia
Current Location: Antioch
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March 4th, 2010
07:18 pm - Something a bit more upbeat
Wow. I have a con next month. Eep. :)
I haven't scheduled anything to go into the art show, although I would like to complete one more bookmark design. I found a lead on a place that will print and cut my bookmarks for me inexpensively, leading to a better/cheaper product for the end user. Hopefully their quality meets their advertising.
I'm going to order a new set of business cards as well, but I'm thinking it's going to be a short stack, as I want to coordinate them with the final design of cheekitty.com. I have a couple of new magnet designs I want to make as well, so I'll be busy over the next couple of weeks, figuring out what pieces I want to turn into merchandise. Have a favorite painting you'd love to get on a magnet or mug or something different? Tell me about it! I have reproduction rights to everything posted online right now.
In other news, since I got the new phone, I now have the ability to take photos of works in progress, such as this painting for Tigerwolf:
Click for larger version
The lighting is really atrocious, and I need to learn to photograph art better, but it does give you an idea of what I'm up to! The story behind the piece is the two friends are wandering in the woods, and the Tiger isn't paying attention, and.... gets stuck. His buddy climbs up on the rock and tosses him a rope, and he, without thinking, throws it back. The speech bubble says, 'You're supposed to hold on to it, not throw it back!'
I thought it was a cute story, and I'm really pleased with how it's coming out. The grass in particular has some really nice textures going, and I'm about ready to start delving deeper into the textures on the rocks. It's been a fun painting!
At any rate, I just have tomorrow left to get through, then it's a weekend. Yaaay weekend! Have a great evening folks!
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March 3rd, 2010
09:58 pm - Is it Friday, yet?
Today's been... one of those days our mothers warned us about. I had the emotional high of being the delighted recipient of spousal love and creativity, then I went to class and... I'm not really quite sure what happened.
I've been... sensitive? I guess is the best way to put it, over the last few weeks. I horrified myself by crying in my VB Programming class last night (although I do assert that Visual Basic 6 would make anyone cry), and I came uncomfortably close to tears again today in my Bio Lab. (Worst. Labpartner. Ever.) I'm a bit concerned about all the boo-hooing and associated feelings of exhaustion and fragility that accompanies it.
Is this just... overload from my heavy class load this semester, or something more annoying and difficult to diagnose and/or deal with? I don't know. I also don't really know my purpose in posting this, unless it's solely to organize my thoughts and to give a generalized, "Hey, not feeling myself, if I burst out crying at you... it's nothing you said, really." heads up to my friends and family.
I decided I wanted to give up smoking for a few months. Please... don't harangue me about how it's a damaging and awful habit. I know, I'm aware. My allergies are getting bad again, and I've had a few asthma attacks this year already and I figured I'd give my lungs a hand for a change.
I didn't intend to sit down and write a depressing entry, sorry folks. I'll be my usual chirpy self again soon. I just have two more days of school to get through for the week.
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09:56 am - My husband's a keeper...!
So my birthday is Saturday. I'm sitting at the kitchen table watching Farscape on Netflix and working on a painting, and I keep... hearing something ringing. I thought it was my cell phone, did the quick mental checklist of 'would a bill collector be calling', etc. No. It keeps ringing, so I go get the phone (it's an old and crummy one, so the unfamiliar ring tone wasn't a cause for alarm). That wasn't it.
Asked roho if he left his cell phone at home, no. So the next time it rings, I start trying to track it. Our dining/living room has a piano bench next to the fireplace, where I stash my usb cables, my intuos tablet, misc computer and art supplies I don't want laying out. Nestled on top of them is a brand new iphone with Roho's number on the caller id.
Thank you so much, sweetheart. I think I shall squee now, and start getting it all set up. :D
(By the by, if you are not now using my Google Voice number for contacting me, this is a good time to change. The old number will stop working when my contract expires on Mar 13. Ping me if you need it.)
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08:19 am - Happy Birthday!
Just wanted to wish moryssa a bright and beautiful birthday!
Hope it's a good one!
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March 2nd, 2010
10:03 pm - Golden Moon
When I left the building after my last class, the moon was a beautiful golden color, hanging full and low in the night sky, like ripe fruit.
By the time I got home, it was its normal silvery hue, but I wonder if anyone else saw it, or if it just happened in the Midwest right around 9pm?
I had a pretty stressful and emotional day, coming out to that was... just what I needed.
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March 1st, 2010
08:35 am - Hello, Monday
Busy (if boring) day ahead. Conference with my English prof in a little bit, then a staff meeting for work this afternoon. Going to take my laptop and just wait on campus between the two. I'm really really ready for this semester to be over. Srsly.
Yesterday I watched friends leap into a frozen lake for charity. I think they are insane, but they came out cheerful and shivering and raised quite a bit of money between them for the Illinois Special Olympics. I really should have posted before the event as part of their fundraising, I'm sorry guys. :(
I'm still trying to figure out how to best break up my free time for productive activities this semester. It's been aggravating, juggling commissions, personal relaxation, and schoolwork. I cannot WAIT for May 15th.
I shall endeavor to post more later, a follow up to why I was asking about much-loved characters. If you missed that discussion, you can find it here!
Have a great day guys!
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February 28th, 2010
05:40 pm - Kate Day!
Oh.. my! Anyone in the MA/NH/ME area want to snag one of these for roho when they go on sale tomorrow? I'm pretty sure Portsmouth Brewery doesn't distribute near us, and this sounds like a very special beer, and he's very fond of Russian Imperial Stouts. I am happy to reimburse, and can pick up the beer in person next time we're in Boston!
(After looking at the Kate Day Details, it looks like it might not be so simple to grab a bottle of one of these tasty brews, but just on the off chance they appear in stores... I'm sure the BeerFox would be most appreciative!)
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February 26th, 2010
10:31 am - Happy Friday....!
I'm home today with the intent of taking one of our pets to the vet. She has been feeling really poorly, but started perking up in the last 12 hours, so now we're observing. If she continues current behaviors, I'll take her in this afternoon.
Anyway, I'm dinking away at my website, trying to figure out layouts and theming in Drupal. I must say, once we get this all situated, the website is going to rock muchly... there's just a bit of a learning curve, and a small matter of permissions. (roho is looking into how to get me ftp access without giving me Root. Because that would be bad. It's complicated.)
So I have a surprise day of semi-leisure, and am contemplating the best use of this found time. I believe I may work on a painting, as I haven't gotten diddly done this week. If you have a commission from me and have not seen pencils for approval, please please let me know. Part of the website redesign is a snazzy new commission queue to help me keep track of everyone and everything.
Next month, I will be doing a free icon day. Watch this space for further announcements on date!
For something fun, I have been thinking about fictional characters, and what takes a character from 'interesting' to 'fascinating'. I'm probably expressing this poorly, but my question for all of you is... What makes you love a character? It's easy enough for an author to write someone likeable. What makes you love them?
Some examples that stand out to me; Diana Gabaldon's Jamie. He's not perfect, he's stubborn and pigheaded and aggravates the women around him to no end. But... he's realistic. I can believe that he's a real man, and what's more, I would very much like to know him. I adore him, and all of Gabaldon's characters.
Jacqueline Carey writes deliciously real characters as well. Joscelin... ah, Joscelin. How I love you! And Phédra. (haikujaguar, have you seen this?! Amazing!)
So my question to you is... who do you love? Why do you love them? Tell me, I implore!
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February 24th, 2010
11:58 am - Question for Artists!
I realized, as my printer begged for an ink refill, that I really need to sit down and ensure that my artistic endeavors are paying for themselves. I made enough money in 2009 to cover the expenses I incurred in that year (more or less, I need to do better with that in 2010), but I haven't been keeping art money separate from personal and household monies, and I'm wondering if I should change that.
How do all of you that create as a significant part of your income do this? Do you have a separate account for your business, and just guestimate the operating costs each year, or do you mingle your proceeds with your personal monies and just keep track on paper?
I'm asking, because I feel uncomfortable going to roho (although he is incredibly supportive) with my hand out when I realize I need cash for art-related things, and I'm curious how the rest of you handle it.
Feedback is greatly appreciated! :)
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February 22nd, 2010
09:01 am - Daily Update - Monday Moods
quote of the day
“The world is but a canvas to the imagination.” —Henry David Thoreau (1817-1862); philosopher, writer, naturalist
I'm shaking up the format of my updates, so I'll be trying different things over the next few weeks. I have new artwork uploaded, for those that are interested, on FA and DA.
I had a bunch of clever things I wanted to post today, and I really should have written them down, because now I don't remember. -.- Maybe they'll come to me later. My plans for the day involve exciting things like laundry and mopping the floor (the dog's had a lot of accidents and while we've cleaned them all up, the floor's due for a thorough mop job). I kind of want to start a new painting, but we'll see if I have time. I have pencils done for nearly all the outstanding commissions, I have one more badge to draw, and then it's a matter of sitting down and painting everything. That feels... really good, and I really want to get everything wrapped up by early April. I realize I'm giving myself just a little more than a month to finish 5 paintings, but my Spring Break from school falls at the end of March, so maybe I can push through.
I hope everyone's having a decent Monday (as decent as a Monday can be!), and is safe if experiencing bad weather. The 'huge snowfall' we were supposed to get looks as if it happened, but stopped early enough that the roads are decent and we (read: roho) were able to shovel our way out fairly easily.
I'll try to come up with more interesting content later. <3!
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February 19th, 2010
04:37 pm - TGIF!
Phew! Got some administration work done this afternoon. Took me a while, but my Federal EIN number has been obtained, and I'm all registered as a business in Michigan... so I can pay my sales taxes. I'm not really sure I did it all correctly; I really hate state Department of Revenue websites, they aren't terribly kind to single-use vendors that only collect sales tax in their state once per year. Anyway, I took care of all my filing for Pennsylvania while I was at it (oh THANK YOU, Pittsburgh, for raising your city sales taxes! <3!) and now I just have to wait for all the Officialdom to come in the mail.
I'm at loose ends this evening, since roho has some work functions to attend. I'm not quite sure how I'm going to spend the time! Netflix sent me a new movie, but I think I'd like to wait and watch it with Brendan (The George Hearn version of Sweeney Todd... Helena Bonham Carter has NOTHING on Angela Lansbury as Mrs. Lovett!) I'm sure I'll figure it out. I went through all the seasons of Leverage that were on Instant Watch (that show was amazing!) and haven't found a new television show I liked enough to keep going with. The Tudors is interesting but it takes a bit of concentration to keep up with who is who, and since I tend to watch television while painting.... that doesn't work out so well.
At any rate, I will find something with which to occupy myself. Tomorrow, I believe I will make a loaf or two of challah for a dinner party we are attending on Sunday night.
And that, ladies and gents, is my weekend! Laziness, television, maybe a bit of housework, topped off with good food, good friends, and the Amazing Race mockery. What are all of you up to?
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February 18th, 2010
09:13 pm - Art Business How-To
Perfect for any creative endeavor, haikujaguar has written a series of essays for those of us that are trying to make a little cash out of our creative talents. Totally worth reading, she's got great things to say!
(And if anyone is looking for gifts for me, I totally want the mug she designed for my birthday. Just sayin. ;) )
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07:53 am
When you awake to hear your spouse exclaiming, "Oh dear LORD!".... you know it's going to be one of Those Days.
roho has had early workdays all week, and usually I drowse until he's ready to head out the door, then I get up and wander downstairs to collect my kisses and see him off. This morning... hoy. The dog was apparently not feeling well, so she did what dogs do and ate grass. A lot of grass. Which she then proceeded to vomit up all over the main floor of the house, and upstairs outside the guest bedroom.
So we cleaned dog vomitus this morning. She's fine, she's currently begging for her breakfast. Anyway, it's been a busy busy week! Classes are going well (I'm still rockin' along), I'm slowly learning CSS, and hoping to start learning how to do web design for Drupal.
Art-wise, I'm doing excellent. I've finished two paintings already this month, they should be uploaded this weekend, and I'm making good progress through my queue. I'm thinking I probably will not open up for commissions again until late April, but if I find myself with leisure time, I'll work on some non-commissioned paintings. It should be fun!
Anyway, I need to go run through the shower, and the dog wants to go out (no doubt to assuage her hunger pangs with more foliage munching). How are you guys? LJ seems so quiet lately. :)
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February 14th, 2010
09:14 am - Valentine's
9 years ago, I was reeling from an unexpected divorce (but starting to get better, he left in Jan 2000), I hated my job, I hated Dallas, I wanted a change. I picked up and moved to Traverse City, Michigan to live with friends and... well.. it didn't work out. But I'm glad that I did it.
While I was there, I bumped into an online acquaintance I had met some years before. We chatted for a while and the acquaintance began blossoming into a friendship. In September 2001, he was going through a nasty breakup, and I ached to see him go through so much pain. By the end of October, we began to realize we had stronger feelings than friendship. Time passed and we spent hours on the phone and online, talking, hoping, thinking about what might possibly happen between us, as we had never met in person.
December 4, 2001, I left Traverse City, intending to visit Chicago and see this man that had so captured my imagination. I still remember the knots in my stomach, the fear that what we had online wouldn't translate to an actual relationship; because I already knew I loved him.
He opened the door to his building, and I felt like lightning had struck. He was laughing (he was nervous too), and he had the most beautiful smile. He still has that beautiful smile, and he still makes me feel electric shocks when he turns it on me.
I moved to Chicago in February, 2002. September 2006, we stood before our family, friends and God and pledged our love would last forever. I make the joke that I kissed a lot of frogs before I found my prince, but find him I did, and I don't intend to let him go.
Happy Valentine's Day, my roho. I love you.
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February 8th, 2010
08:53 am - Update of the Week, Feb 8-14
quote
“The creative is the place where no one else has ever been. You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition. What you'll discover will be wonderful. What you'll discover is yourself.” —Alan Alda (b.1936); actor, screenwriter, director
I really like this quote, because.. it's hard to 'leave the city of your comfort'. If we never pushed our comfort zones and pressed harder, we'd stagnate. And stagnation stinks (literally!). So try something new this week, guys. Step out of your ruts.
art
I have a couple of finished paintings to share, but today is a little special. Today is mirkowuff's birthday!
I didn't have any photos of Mirko's beautiful and personable malamute, so I had to make due with other reference, but I hope I got it close enough. Have a great day, Mirko!
current projects
I haven't made a whole lot of progress on many of my goals, other than schoolwork. It feels a bit this semester like I'm constantly working; doing my reading, studying, trying to understand the assignments for my programming class... then I come home and paint, do laundry, housework, and collapse into bed. I'll be sooo glad when this semester is over!
So.. looking at the list... I completed a painting, but I think I owe someone another one that I wasn't counting.
This week's goal, to get a tracking list for commissions done. Preferably something people can check to see the progress on their work, and what their position in the queue is.
links
I should have a more clever name for this section, but.. I don't. I apologize. :)
skinit.com - I've been really intrigued by this, because I know people that have gotten things here before. Do you have really awesome artwork, and want to make your laptop/iphone/kindle/other electronic device look custom and awesome for just a little money? This is what makes skinit and similar websites really shine; instead of just purchasing premade designs, you can create your own.. and I think that's really awesome. I've seen a T-Mobile sidekick skinned (it looked incredible), a matte black Kindle... the possibilities are endless. Commission your favorite artist for something beautiful! (er... and that is not a thinly veiled solicitation, I promise)
Harvest of Hope - I realize that with Haiti so much in the news that most people are a bit tapped out of charitable donations for a while, but I really want to mention this program. I was discussing a similar program last semester with my Anthropology professor, because I had read about it in one of the Anthro journals I was peeking through. Essentially, Anthropologists are going into villages that suffer from poor nutrition (the program I was reading about was in Africa) and have meetings with the village leaders. Goats are specially bred to survive in the local conditions, and are given to the women to care for; as goat milk provides vital nutrition to children once they stop breast feeding. The women keep the goats (and they are checked periodically by veterinarians and specialists), giving the first born kid (goat, not child) back to the program. They're able to keep any additional offspring to build their own herd. In my mind, this is an excellent program, and a need that will always be there.
I hope everyone has a great week, stay warm! I will endeavor to post more artwork on Wednesday. :)
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February 5th, 2010
03:56 pm - Quickie Update
Popping in for a moment in the midst of frantic pre-Superbowl party cleansing. We haven't had a party here in a while, and it's provided some much-needed impetus to get me up and cleaning things that direly needed it.
This week has felt interminably long, what with classes and spending all my home-time scrubbing and planning food... I haven't gotten any artwork done. :( I hope to fix that this weekend.
Starting to feel some pressure about 2010's convention schedule, and I'm debating revisiting my offerings. I always have a lot of trouble predicting what people want to buy, and I'm terrible at marketing, so this is going to take some thought.
School is going well- I got some interesting feedback on my critical essay (my professor was amused at my use of the phrase 'morning toilette'), and shocker of shockers, I am doing well in my math class. That's doing wonders for my self confidence, truly.
Anyway. Cleaning calls. I hope everyone has a great weekend, and I hope everyone on the Atlantic seaboard stays warm!
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February 1st, 2010
09:17 am - Weekly Update: Feb 1 - 7
quote of the week
“Never tell people how to do things. Tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity.” —General George S. Patton (1885-1945); American General in World War II
art
Art is going good! I finished another painting last night, I do not yet have permission to share it. Once the commissioner has approved everything and I can put the 'Complete' stamp on it in my mind, I'll upload it for everyone to see. (For those keeping count at home, that's 3 paintings finished in the month of January, the last one within the past 2 weeks, despite my horrible class schedule. Go me!)
I DO have other arts to share, never fear!
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| Self Portrait, Redux |
Scholars and Scribes |
Jingle Bells |
current projects
I realized yesterday that I really should break my project lists down, and start keeping a separate calendaring system just for art and school related deadlines, along with any other projects I may be working on. I haven't found one I liked yet (I did try out a couple, but they all embed into the desktop, and, well.. I never SEE my desktop). Worst case, I use pencil and paper, oh noes. :)
Otherwise, my plate currently contains, in no particular order:
- art - 2 bookmarks, 3 badges, 2 full sized paintings. To be complete by FCN (April 9). HA.
- school - Of necessity, highest priority. A chapter reading, essay reading and analysis. I'll do that today.
- home - Various cleaning activities, laundry, fix various leaky things that shouldn't leak. This week sometime.
- business - State sales taxes need to be done this month, I am going to endeavor to get that done this week. I also need to update billing information for one of my websites (due this month) and sit down and figure out how to make Drupal look pretty; essentially learn CSS. I really need to get cheekitty back on its feet. That... maybe by the end of March.
Pretty full plate, but I think it's helpful to keep track of goals in short-mid-long range terms, and keep an eye out to make sure they're being met.
links
Well. Chrome kind of crashed and I hadn't bookmarked the things I had WANTED to link to today, so..
Create realistic fictional characters -- I thought this was an interesting exercise, as I've been doing a bit of world building and exploring the characters visually... although I haven't written down the bits and bobs of personality I've discovered yet. I know there are a lot of creative people out there, and you all probably have your own process, but perhaps the tips here may be useful in dealing with unruly residents in your own heads.
Carve out time for social networking -- Many artists are coming to the realization that social networking is a valuable marketing tool, but perhaps, like me, they're getting bogged down with other things. I thought this was an interesting read.
Have a great week folks! Hope it's a productive and happy Monday!
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January 28th, 2010
09:32 pm - Question for the readers!
So.. I'm curious. Who among those of you reading this garden? Decorative or edible, it doesn't matter. Do you have any favorite blogs or resources you'd recommend?
Last year, I wanted to start a vegetable garden, and I hemmed and hawed and didn't do my research until the growing season was well under way. THIS year, I want to start reading now while everything's still frozen. So! If you have any recommendations, they'd be much appreciated!
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January 25th, 2010
09:25 am - Weekly Update: Jan 25-31
quote of the week
“There are no problems we cannot solve together, and very few that we can solve by ourselves.” —Lyndon B. Johnson (1908-1973), 36th U.S. president
art
Wewt, artwork is going well. I completed three sketches this week, and another painting. I haven't scanned one of the sketches, I'll share that next week. If you have been watching my FA/DA accounts, these are already up. For those that do not have accounts on either site (or don't want to use them for personal reasons), roho and I are working on getting my website gallery back up and running.
(The image with the thicker border has nudity and as such may not be appropriate for work viewing. If your journal style does not show the borders, it is the image on the right.)
  
current projects
I still have 4 3 commissions to wrap up from MFF, and 3 others that were non-convention related to finish! Making progress! The current painting will go quite smoothly, once I can get the background done, but that's proving trickier than I expected. I am finding pleasure in the knowledge that these commissions are definitely stretching my comfort zones. My next convention appearance is FCN in early April, and I think I might limit my commission offerings at-con to badges and sketchbooks. I reaaaally need to get caught up. O.o
School is going to be insane this semester. Tuesdays are a wash for accomplishing anything but being at class - I'm on campus for 14 hours. I have a 2-3 page paper (rough draft, really) due tomorrow, with the final version due on Thursday.. Environmental Biology is looking very interesting, too. I'll be really really glad when the semester's over.
links
Flying? Find the best seats! -- I found this while reading an article on Consumerist about the problems overweight people encounter while flying. (I ran into non-moveable armrest problem myself while flying home from Boston) At any rate, I fly fairly regularly, and I know a lot of non-beanpole/long-legged friends do as well. So I hope this is helpful!
Tax Updates for 2009 -- Aimed primarily at visual artists, this had information for everyone! If you are a student, PLEASE READ! The Hope Credit has been updated! (If you don't know what the Hope Credit is, and you're paying for your own education, DEFINITELY read!)
Anyhoo. I need to go write my paper, as alas, it will not write itself. Hope everyone has a great week!
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January 18th, 2010
09:43 am - Weekly Update - Jan 18-24
Well, I'm changing things around to a weekly post, and I will endeavor to post during the week as time allows. It's been a really busy few weeks, and school starts tomorrow (eep!). So... while I'm pretty sure I'll have time to post once per week, I know I'm not going to be able to manage something daily. :(
quote of the week
“One man may hit the mark, another blunder; but heed not these distinctions. Only from the alliance of the one, working with and through the other, are great things born.” —Antoine de Saint-Exupery
(1900-1944), aviator, writer
art
I finished my first painting of 2010 last week, but I do not yet have permission to post it. It's a surprise for the commissioner's friend, and he wants to be the first to show it to her. BUT... I do have concept art to share. Quite a few people have been writing as a motivation excercise to... well, keep them writing (haikujaguar and minor_architect are excellent) and, much as I hate jumping on bandwagons, I thought maybe they were on to something. Soo, I decided to start visiting the campus gym, because it's free, and writing down little drabbles of story.
As part of that, I have some concept drawings of the characters, trying to figure out who is who and what it is that makes them special. World building is tremendous fun, even if I don't go anywhere with this.
 
current projects
I still have 4 commissions to wrap up from MFF, and 3 others that were non-convention related to finish. I am hoping to do one personal painting per month this year, aside from commission work. I'm not sure how well that goal will work, but.. it's a target to shoot for.
I still want to do a post about my accomplishments from 2009- I keep putting it off because it's tedious to make a lot of thumbnails, and I just haven't wanted to take the time. I promise I'll try to get that written up some time this week.
I have other projects I'm mulling, but for this week, I want to finish the painting I'm currently working on, do at least one more concept sketch done (Morag needs a love interest! Or maybe images of why she chose to be a Guardian! Hmm!), and... see where things stand from there.
links
What if William Shakespeare wrote The Big Lebowski? - I really think the title says it all. Enjoy! (Posted specifically for roho, feren, and yotogi!)
Identify your foot type before choosing athletic shoes - With many of us making vows to get off the couch and onto our feet, proper footwear choices can mean the difference between a healthier fitter you, and foot pain causing you to abandon your exercise program after a week. I personally tend to just buy whatever's cheap and on sale, but I've noticed when I actually take the time to find a shoe that fits comfortably, walking is much more pleasant.
Quick note- I switched to Chrome for my browser, and that eradicated all the notes I had on my bookmarks indicating where I found links or who gave them to me. So if I feature something, and you know you gave it to me and would like to be credited, please let me know!
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January 10th, 2010
01:36 pm
I don't know if he has/reads Livejournal, but wanted to wish DaveQat a happy birthday. :)
Hope it's a good one!
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January 4th, 2010
11:46 am - Daily Post - Moody Monday
Quote of the Day
“There can only be one state of mind as you approach any profound test; total concentration, a spirit of togetherness, and strength.” --- Pat Riley (b. 1945); former NBA player and coach
Current Projects
The most urgent thing on my plate right now is to get better. My sinuses are starting to send the infection downstairs into my lungs, and I want to nip that in the bud if I can. So I have an appointment for Wednesday with my doctor. I don't think I will get any painting done today, but hopefully I can get back on the horse tomorrow and start knocking the commission queue out.
I still need to post about the other projects I want to do.. urgghhh, brain mush.
Art
My artistic retrospective for 2009 is almost ready, I should be able to post it tomorrow.
Links
Revolutions in pen-and-paper roleplaying - Want an interactive map for your D&D game? This is really really neat, and I have no idea how expensive it would be, but the gamer in me goes squee. :) (Link courtesy of Tim Johnson)
UC Berkley Acapella Group performing Lady Gaga - The group is called Noteworthy, and while I found the crowd noise annoying, the music was really well done. I rather like acapella, and I can see why Noteworthy wins so many awards. (Link courtesy of gypsypet)
If you have any neat links you'd like to share, please send them my way! I'm running low. :)
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January 2nd, 2010
10:34 am - Daily Post - Saturday Slumbers
Quote of the Day
“Believe in your dreams and they may come true; believe in yourself and they will come true.” --- Author Unknown
Current Projects
I meant to post art and info on upcoming projects yesterday. I also want to do a 2009 retrospective and review goals for 2010. But I am sick as a dog (are dogs normally sick?) and think I'm about to go lay down. So... consider this a raincheck.
Art
Ditto for above. I got a few hours worth of painting done yesterday. I will hopefully finish that painting today or tomorrow, then on to the rest. If I can stop sneezing.
Links
Don'ts for artist marketing online -- An article that explores two of the biggest reasons artists are not successful with online marketing. I found it interesting reading, and it jived with some of my own observations. (Link from @blick_art on Twitter)
A case study in marketing -- Most people are familiar by now with the 100 sketches/pieces in 100 days thing. This is an article about the gent that came up with the idea, and how he marketed himself to help make it work. I am interested in doing something similar (maybe 20 paintings in 20 days for $20 each), but I need to do some research first and decide what I'm going to do.
That's it for today, hopefully tomorrow I'll be over the hump and feeling a bit better. Have a good day folks!
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January 1st, 2010
09:20 am - Daily Post - First of 2010!
I'm going back to trying to post on a daily basis. :)
Quote of the Day
“Love is an expression and assertion of self-esteem, a response to one's own values in the person of another.” --- Ayn Rand (1905-1982); writer, novelist
Current Projects
I had a really great end-of-year. I got to reconnect with family, got another semester of schooling behind me, and I got to spend a lot of time with my best friend and husband. I know 2009 wasn't so kind to a lot of people, and I really hope 2010 is better for everyone.
In other news, I have a couple of projects I will be unrolling. Once I have caught up a little more with my commission load, I will be doing a Free Icon Day. Details will be forthcoming, likely next week. The second project I'm starting this month is a Birthday Club, but I'll post about that in a separate entry.
More immediately, we are spending the rest of our holiday weekend in a hotel with friends. We'd like very much to track down feren and lady_curmudgeon and take them to lunch or dinner or something, so if they're reading this... ping us!
Art
I have.. a lot of art to share, but I don't have it ready to post in this entry. I will endeavor to have it all ready for tomorrow. :)
Links
Bobcats playing in backyard swingset - There's a short advertisement blurb before the video starts, so give it a moment. Apparently, a family peeked out of their back window to find 4 bobcat cubs playing on their children's swing set. They had the presence of mind to grab the video camera, cuteness ensued. (link courtesy of feren)
Best use of pie charts, ever! - I'm sure all artists have had the experience of acquaintances and/or family members saying, 'Wow, this project of mine will only take you an hour or two, surely you can do this for me!' This particular gentleman wrote up an amusing rebuttal, complete with pie charts. The language is a little rough in spots, so if you're sensitive to that, might want to give it a skip. (link courtesy of roho)
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December 25th, 2009
02:23 pm
Just a quick update to wish everyone happy holidays, whether you celebrate Christmas or something else I'm afraid I'll misspell. >.>
We're at Bren's aunt's place now, stuffing ourselves silly with sugary and tasty treats, the living room a mess of paper and ribbons and happy faces. I love this holiday.
I have a few things I want to post about when we get home, as we have no internet at Bren's grandmother's, and we'll be rotating around the family while we're here. Anyway, I'm borrowing a laptop, and probably should give it back.
Much love to everyone!
-Lydia
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December 22nd, 2009
11:24 pm
As a quick update, my grades for Fall 2009 just posted.
My cumulative GPA is 4.0.
I need a pocket protector for Christmas, I am officially a nerd. >.>
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10:47 pm
We're in New Orleans!
Every time I come here, I'm reminded anew of how much I love this city. We treated my folks to lunch, then did some laundry (we packed light) and packed up the car and toodled off. On the trip up, it only took us 4 hours. The trip back... well. I didn't time it exactly, but Baton Rouge took us an hour to get through due to traffic. Oog, that sucked.
We checked in to our favorite hotel and called my brother Tony to see if he could slip away from work for a coffee or something. I haven't seen him in something like 9-10 years, and I was really hoping he'd be available... and he was. We had an absolutely awesome visit, and caught up a lot. I was scolded for not giving him more advance notice so he could actually take the night off...which was totally my fault. Many long-term readers will remember that this brother is the one that was in a serious auto-accident several years ago (he was on a motorcycle, struck by a drunk driver in a dump truck), and was also one of the police officers keeping the peace in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. Now, he's one of 4 officers that is responsible for traffic control and escort duty when there's a VIP in town. What does this mean? It means my brother has partied with James Gandolfini, Mike Rowe, Captain Sig (of Deadliest Catch fame) and had been accidentally goosed during a photo op with Laura Bush. I am totally getting him to invite me over next time Dirty Jobs is in town, srsly!
I'm honestly incredibly proud of him. We talked a lot, he and roho hit it off really well, and I couldn't be happier. After he left back to work, we wandered the three blocks to the French Quarter and grabbed some dinner at Oceana Grill for some crab-stuffed ahi tuna with crawfish sauce and cajun blackened chicken. It was amazingly good; the place was just off Bourbon Street, and we probably would have passed it by if one of the waiters hadn't been standing in the street and stopped us. Once we rolled out, we went to Cafe Beignet's Bourbon Street location and had beignets and hurricanes while a live jazz band played Christmas carols. It was a wonderful way to end the evening.
We're back at the hotel now, curled up in bed and surfing the web for a little bit before we sleep (laughing because we apparently stumbled on a documentary on phone sex workers on the television. Good money, I guess?) Tomorrow, we're up early for the 10 hour drive to Tampa.
This vacation has been... just perfect. We're already discussing our options for coming back to see my family again. Anyway.. more tomorrow evening. :)
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December 21st, 2009
11:19 pm
Whoof. Day 2 with my folks is nearly over, and we're leaving mid-day tomorrow for New Orleans. We hope to have a few minutes for coffee or a meal with my older brother (I haven't seen him since my first marriage, 11 years ago), and then we're off to hopefully visit with haikujaguar and her family before finishing our trip with roho's family.
I haven't gotten much (any) painting done on this trip yet, it's been a bit chaotic. My dad is eager to see my artwork (eek!) and both of them loved the bookmarks I brought them. I want to explore a different technique for bookmark creation when I get back.. but I have to do more art first.
Anyway, we are taking my parents to lunch tomorrow, then we'll find a place to get some boudin, and investigate the local beer selection. I'll update again tomorrow night from our hotel on the French Quarter.
Bonne nuit chacun!
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December 20th, 2009
11:27 pm
Yesterday we got up, drove up to Milwaukee, flew to Minneapolis, then got on an airplane to New Orleans.
We picked up our rental car and started heading west on I10, turning north when we hit Jennings. Around 11pm, we pulled into my parents driveway and snuck into the house.
You see, my mother had no idea we were coming for a visit. We told her we were going to visit friends, then going on to Florida to spend time with roho's family for Christmas. I have been watching all those commercials where the child surprises their parents with a surprise holiday visit, and... yeah. It really is as wonderful as it looked.
We'll be here til Tuesday, then we head back to New Orleans, and on to Florida.
I hope everyone is having a great holiday season. We are. :)
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December 16th, 2009
04:22 pm
Just popped my savoury sweet potato casserole into the fridge. I'll finish baking it tomorrow for work's pot luck. Fished out a spoonful to check the flavor and... omnomnomnom. :9 So. good.
Huge thanks to duncandahusky for a) serving this, and b) giving me the recipe. If you like sweet potatoes as a winter dish, but aren't fond of the sugary pecan-and-marshmallow treatment, give this one a try! It has bacon. What else do you need?
Right now I'm editing my final project for my English class (I give the presentation part after the potluck lunch tomorrow), and we have plans for dinner with friends. We leave on Saturday for the holidays! I'm so psyched.
I'm taking all my painting kit with me, as I still have a bunch of Furfest commissions to finish. Hoping to have all the convention stuff finished by the end of the month and my full queue done by the end of February. I have several personal projects brewing and I'd like to dink on them. :)
Anyway, paper's not editing itself.
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