That's right folks. I am doing something awesome this month. And no it's not no-shave-November...though it may turn into that as well. I am doing National Novel Writing Month (http://www.nanowrimo.org). A most auspicious month event. I had heard of this in the past but had never had a chance to participate. Well, I am happy to say, with hopefully a few belligerently bothersome people to keep me going, I am participating this month. It technically started yesterday, so I had a fun day of catch up logging just over 3k words in 3ish hours. Now, I need to do homework. This will definitely be a very delicate dance of assignments and writing over the next month. However, let the adventure begin!
The tale of "Pirates and Ninjas: A Love Story" will yet see the light of day!
Update: Track my progress!!
Monday, November 2, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Don't Patronize Me
First off, I apologize for my absence from this page. No doubt many of you have felt the sting of my absence, checking daily in vain for more posting. Well, wait no more! Before I delve into the main topic though, I wanted to do some shameless promotion for the gaming blog I have been cheating on you with. Below are links to two articles that I enjoyed writing in particular. They also got a particularly strong response:
With all that aside, let us delve on to the subject at hand. The one that bothers me the most of recent times. Women. Oh, lost half of you already? Oh well, I continue nonetheless. I like women. They are physically attractive, amusing (on occasion), intelligent (at times), not annoying (every once in awhile), but they love to patronize. Not all of them do, of course, but I have had issues of late.
You see, I think to myself, "hey, I like that girl. I think it'd be swell if we could hang out and I could see if I enjoy more than just her attractive appearance." So, I ask her to hang out. She maintains a level of enthusiasm, saying she'd love to hang out, but she is just so busy right now. Hopefully, soon she'll be free. That's great. I can roll with that. However, it happens again. I have waited about a week; so, I try again. Same response. I grow a little weary, but I roll with it. However, with this weariness is planted a seed of doubt. Is she just being nice? Patronizing me so I don't feel embarrassed?
You know, I'm a big boy. I've had my share of rejection. I can handle it, but it seems my life is beginning to trend in this new direction. So, I back off, just talk to the girl on occasion. If she's interested, she'll approach me about hanging out when she has time. Weeks go by. Well, I could have saved a lot of wasted time if she was just up front about it. I then begin talking with another female friend. Lather, rinse, repeat.
Why can't they just be honest and up front instead of being "nice" and patronizing. It does nobody any favors. I don't want to be the annoying guy who keeps harassing you. I don't want to be the running joke with you and your friends. So, give me a hint, and I'll leave you alone. If you don't, I can be quite persistent.
With all that aside, let us delve on to the subject at hand. The one that bothers me the most of recent times. Women. Oh, lost half of you already? Oh well, I continue nonetheless. I like women. They are physically attractive, amusing (on occasion), intelligent (at times), not annoying (every once in awhile), but they love to patronize. Not all of them do, of course, but I have had issues of late.
You see, I think to myself, "hey, I like that girl. I think it'd be swell if we could hang out and I could see if I enjoy more than just her attractive appearance." So, I ask her to hang out. She maintains a level of enthusiasm, saying she'd love to hang out, but she is just so busy right now. Hopefully, soon she'll be free. That's great. I can roll with that. However, it happens again. I have waited about a week; so, I try again. Same response. I grow a little weary, but I roll with it. However, with this weariness is planted a seed of doubt. Is she just being nice? Patronizing me so I don't feel embarrassed?
You know, I'm a big boy. I've had my share of rejection. I can handle it, but it seems my life is beginning to trend in this new direction. So, I back off, just talk to the girl on occasion. If she's interested, she'll approach me about hanging out when she has time. Weeks go by. Well, I could have saved a lot of wasted time if she was just up front about it. I then begin talking with another female friend. Lather, rinse, repeat.
Why can't they just be honest and up front instead of being "nice" and patronizing. It does nobody any favors. I don't want to be the annoying guy who keeps harassing you. I don't want to be the running joke with you and your friends. So, give me a hint, and I'll leave you alone. If you don't, I can be quite persistent.
Monday, October 5, 2009
Warning: Reader Abuse Below
It was a busy weekend. This is a good thing. That is to say, it was an improvement from my previous state of being. I got out of the apartment a bit and had some fun. I saw Star Wars in Concert, saw Zombieland, hung out with friends. These are all good things, and they prevent me from crossing over into the precarious zone of becoming a hermit.
Ergo, I ventured forth in order to be more socially well-adjusted. Now, having just previously stated what I did this weekend, some readers may find my thoughts on "socially well-adjusted" to be slightly off. I was outside my place of living. Leave me alone.
The main character of Zombieland expands upon his pre-zombieland lifestyle several times and it made me flinch and examine my own isolated existence often in response. For instance he remarks about how he spent most of his existence treating people like they were zombies and that now that they were zombies, he kind of missed them. That was one that struck me. Now, I know most viewers of the movie see it all as over the top zombie comedy, and it is. It is a great laugh and one of the best movies I have seen in awhile. However, they were points that I received through comedic hyperbole nonetheless.
This movie, which was one of the most entertaining/humorous films I had seen in awhile, led me to some semi-deep reflection at times. I think this says something more for the film or maybe less for me. Don't know. Don't care.
The film was a consistently funny go on the zombie genre, keeping from falling back on the stale and overdone plot points seen in other zombie flicks (and comedic zombie flicks). I know many would be quick to compare it to the only other easy comparison, which is Shaun of the Dead. I believe this does both movies a disservice since they are both two very different films, only comparable in being zombie comedies. Especially, seeing as Shaun of the Dead is made as more of a romantic comedy crossed with zombies that is also a commentary on British pub culture while Zombieland is more of a funny go at the zombie genre in general, taking some of the stereotypes and its own stylization to make an incredibly entertaining movie. It is also aided by a great cast of people I was not really aware of before this movie (Emma Stone being the one exception from her role in Superbad).
Ramblerambleramble. My apologies. I went from self-reflective post to pseudo-review of Zombieland to...I don't know. That is the nature of rambling, and something I am prone to do at times on this blog. In fact, that is something I should probably work on fixing. I will have to go back and edit that transition between my self-reflective-ness and movie review before I post this. I mean, like, it's totally weird and hard to understand...oh. Oh dear. I'm thinking it's time for me to run. My blog is quickly devolving into contractions and valley girl talk. Do not judge me!
In summary, I abuse the internet too often with the drivel I post on this blog. However, if you take anything away from this reading, besides my abysmal writing, know that Zombieland is a good movie and that you should invite me out to do stuff because I am a hermit...like Obi-Wan Kenobi. And with that third abuse of the ellipsis, I will take my leave of you. Stay classy, kids.
Ergo, I ventured forth in order to be more socially well-adjusted. Now, having just previously stated what I did this weekend, some readers may find my thoughts on "socially well-adjusted" to be slightly off. I was outside my place of living. Leave me alone.
The main character of Zombieland expands upon his pre-zombieland lifestyle several times and it made me flinch and examine my own isolated existence often in response. For instance he remarks about how he spent most of his existence treating people like they were zombies and that now that they were zombies, he kind of missed them. That was one that struck me. Now, I know most viewers of the movie see it all as over the top zombie comedy, and it is. It is a great laugh and one of the best movies I have seen in awhile. However, they were points that I received through comedic hyperbole nonetheless.
This movie, which was one of the most entertaining/humorous films I had seen in awhile, led me to some semi-deep reflection at times. I think this says something more for the film or maybe less for me. Don't know. Don't care.
The film was a consistently funny go on the zombie genre, keeping from falling back on the stale and overdone plot points seen in other zombie flicks (and comedic zombie flicks). I know many would be quick to compare it to the only other easy comparison, which is Shaun of the Dead. I believe this does both movies a disservice since they are both two very different films, only comparable in being zombie comedies. Especially, seeing as Shaun of the Dead is made as more of a romantic comedy crossed with zombies that is also a commentary on British pub culture while Zombieland is more of a funny go at the zombie genre in general, taking some of the stereotypes and its own stylization to make an incredibly entertaining movie. It is also aided by a great cast of people I was not really aware of before this movie (Emma Stone being the one exception from her role in Superbad).
Ramblerambleramble. My apologies. I went from self-reflective post to pseudo-review of Zombieland to...I don't know. That is the nature of rambling, and something I am prone to do at times on this blog. In fact, that is something I should probably work on fixing. I will have to go back and edit that transition between my self-reflective-ness and movie review before I post this. I mean, like, it's totally weird and hard to understand...oh. Oh dear. I'm thinking it's time for me to run. My blog is quickly devolving into contractions and valley girl talk. Do not judge me!
In summary, I abuse the internet too often with the drivel I post on this blog. However, if you take anything away from this reading, besides my abysmal writing, know that Zombieland is a good movie and that you should invite me out to do stuff because I am a hermit...like Obi-Wan Kenobi. And with that third abuse of the ellipsis, I will take my leave of you. Stay classy, kids.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Star Wars in Concert
Amazing. Fantastic. A finely crafted show to share some of the greatest film music ever composed along with well assembled footage and narrated in person by Anthony Daniels, the soul of C3P0.
Hearing that music live for the first time, shown in sync with carefully chosen footage accompanied by lights, lasers, fire, and more, this show was almost more than I could handle. But I did handle it, and it was amazing. Legitimately. Truthfully. Scout's honor (I was never a boy scout).
If you get the chance to see this, do not pass it up. The music was performed excellently by an excellently assembled orchestra. I heard the music in such clarity and detail that I had never experienced or heard before. I felt like I was experiencing Star Wars all over again, from beginning to end like I was a young kid again.
Words really fail me. This was an experience that will stick with me for a long time.
Hearing that music live for the first time, shown in sync with carefully chosen footage accompanied by lights, lasers, fire, and more, this show was almost more than I could handle. But I did handle it, and it was amazing. Legitimately. Truthfully. Scout's honor (I was never a boy scout).
If you get the chance to see this, do not pass it up. The music was performed excellently by an excellently assembled orchestra. I heard the music in such clarity and detail that I had never experienced or heard before. I felt like I was experiencing Star Wars all over again, from beginning to end like I was a young kid again.
Words really fail me. This was an experience that will stick with me for a long time.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
School Work
click to enlarge for detail
For my Digital Illustration class. The original sketch was a quick 5 minute drawing in charcoal that I did up for a character design project. The introduction of the ivy and forest-y background was at the request of my professor, dunno how I feel about the leaves on her arms. Hm.
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Mr. Sunshine
A flash of his smile and a wink of his eye and everyone can't help but love the guy. It's not a phony expression set up to fool or seduce. It's the genuine article. A constant happiness and contentment pulses off the man like a ray of sunshine warming your whole body, becoming infectious in his passing. With a single word your mind clears and sees the answers to your unanswered questions. The answers you now know are useless as was your stress over them. The world simplifies, and soon you find yourself walking down the street with a grin on your face, greeting perfect strangers. Strangers who, startled at first, slowly smile in return.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Growing Up
It's kind of odd, but I guess it's also the way of life. I've had this fear of late, a fear of growing up. I hear about people going through this. It's called turning thirty, or later on, a mid-life crisis. I'm only twenty, almost twenty-one. Most would agree that it's hardly a qualification for senior citizenship, and in fact, most look forward to it, as that perfect age, balancing youth and maturity and the right to booze up a bit. Yet, I look at it and I'm frightened about who I'm going to be. I'm beginning my third year of college right now and I feel like it's not ok for me to do certain things or like certain things anymore.
For instance, Star Wars was a huge part of my childhood. It was most of my childhood. I loved it. Watched it ceaselessly. Ask my mom; I have VHS copies at home that don't run properly since the tape has been worn through from continuous viewing. But, being asked what my favorite movie is now, whether if it's when I'm at the film school or talking with a friend or family member, I'll brush it off saying something like, "when I was a kid, I liked Star Wars like any other nerd, but I really like 'Apocalypse Now' actually now." It's as if I'm ashamed, and I feel like I need to make excuses and not be upfront about who I am, or what I actually like. You know what? I love Star Wars. The whole original trilogy. I love jawas, ewoks, stormtroopers, and wookies. I still want to get myself a suit of stormtrooper armor and join the 501st Legion. You want to know something about me? My senior year of high school, I attended Celebration IV, the convention in LA that celebrated the 30th anniversary of the original film release. I got the full 4-day pass, and had special access because of my fan club membership. A membership/magazine subscription I still receive to this date.
I recently saw the movie, "Fanboys." Given the crowd that reads this blog, you've probably heard of it, if not, look it up. It's about a bunch of guys, a couple years out of high school who decide to break into Skywalker Ranch to steal a copy of Episode One before release. One of the guys has to deal with "growing up and being responsible" or to pursue his dreams and an adventure with his best friends. As he realizes, and as I've realized, it's not avoiding responsibility and maturity to be true to yourself and your own dreams, passions, and childhood fantasies.
I'm a digital arts major who's given up on his pursuit of being a CG animator. I'm a history minor, I enjoy it, but teaching and history was always my fall-back. My passion was to make the fantasy a reality for those few short hours someone is sitting in a movie theater. I want to create something that inspires people just as I was inspired as a kid. Whatever my passion is, whether it's animating or becoming a comic-artist, I'm going to work towards it, and not give up hope on my skill or realistic ideas of what I'm supposed to do with my life.
So, as I sit writing this, drinking my large bottle of Martinelli's, watching Star Wars (Episode IV A New Hope for the youngin's out there), I'm going to hold you to hit me over the head the next time I say my favorite movie is "Apocalypse Now" or "I don't think I'm a good enough digital artists to do anything." Because you know what? I don't care, I'm not staying on the farm for another season. Meet you at the Rebellion.
For instance, Star Wars was a huge part of my childhood. It was most of my childhood. I loved it. Watched it ceaselessly. Ask my mom; I have VHS copies at home that don't run properly since the tape has been worn through from continuous viewing. But, being asked what my favorite movie is now, whether if it's when I'm at the film school or talking with a friend or family member, I'll brush it off saying something like, "when I was a kid, I liked Star Wars like any other nerd, but I really like 'Apocalypse Now' actually now." It's as if I'm ashamed, and I feel like I need to make excuses and not be upfront about who I am, or what I actually like. You know what? I love Star Wars. The whole original trilogy. I love jawas, ewoks, stormtroopers, and wookies. I still want to get myself a suit of stormtrooper armor and join the 501st Legion. You want to know something about me? My senior year of high school, I attended Celebration IV, the convention in LA that celebrated the 30th anniversary of the original film release. I got the full 4-day pass, and had special access because of my fan club membership. A membership/magazine subscription I still receive to this date.
I recently saw the movie, "Fanboys." Given the crowd that reads this blog, you've probably heard of it, if not, look it up. It's about a bunch of guys, a couple years out of high school who decide to break into Skywalker Ranch to steal a copy of Episode One before release. One of the guys has to deal with "growing up and being responsible" or to pursue his dreams and an adventure with his best friends. As he realizes, and as I've realized, it's not avoiding responsibility and maturity to be true to yourself and your own dreams, passions, and childhood fantasies.
I'm a digital arts major who's given up on his pursuit of being a CG animator. I'm a history minor, I enjoy it, but teaching and history was always my fall-back. My passion was to make the fantasy a reality for those few short hours someone is sitting in a movie theater. I want to create something that inspires people just as I was inspired as a kid. Whatever my passion is, whether it's animating or becoming a comic-artist, I'm going to work towards it, and not give up hope on my skill or realistic ideas of what I'm supposed to do with my life.
So, as I sit writing this, drinking my large bottle of Martinelli's, watching Star Wars (Episode IV A New Hope for the youngin's out there), I'm going to hold you to hit me over the head the next time I say my favorite movie is "Apocalypse Now" or "I don't think I'm a good enough digital artists to do anything." Because you know what? I don't care, I'm not staying on the farm for another season. Meet you at the Rebellion.
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