Anyone know anything about a landlord named Patti Richards? I'm looking seriously at one of her properties for rent.

I feel like alarm bells are going off in my head, and I think its from this comm, but I don't remember.

So I had been seeing the book Drawn to Life, a collection of lectures by Walt Stanchfield, recommended on a few of the art blogs I follow. I had a giftcard to Barnes and Noble burning a hole in my wallet since Christmas, so yesterday I picked up a copy and took it to Union Square park to read.

This book is amazing!

The main audience is for animators, but it's much more than just that. It's written in plain, straightforward language that makes you go "how come I never thought of it this way?". I have never taken a class in animation before so much of it may be old news to those of you with more training, but it's just brilliant to me.
Not only is is an excellent source of some fundamental lessons for animation and drawing, It's like... a self help book for the stagnant artist. Maybe it's just my current kind of fragile, easily impressionable mental state but it's like this book was written specifically for me right at this moment. I feel like it's basically kicked me in my ass and got me to snap out of it. I know the saying goes "work to live, don't live to work", but as an artist my work IS my life. That can sound sort of melodramatic but it's how I think and live. This book's approach to teaching you is that the most important way to improve your skills as an animator and artist is to improve your skills as an appreciator of the world around you. Not only to be a better artist but a better observer. He says to think of the mind as a dynamo. It generates more energy the more energy it uses. Stagnation only begets more stagnation. Totally obvious, I know. But it's relevant to both your passion for your craft but also for your life. There's even a chapter in here about exercise. In an animation book! The desire to improve, to reach beyond yourself, in all things.
Maybe I am PMSing or something, but I am totally blown away by this book.
I have to go get myself a cheap sketchbook and a ballpoint pen and get sketching ASAP.

Tags: recs
Current Location: 40.7424,-73.9236

Well, I have returned from an amazing 12 and a half days in Southern California.
The weather was beautiful, California is beautiful, everything was beautiful!

( Adventure within )

Here is the short version.
Things I loved about California:

• the sun
• hills
• palm trees
• eating outdoors
• In-N-Out Burger
• Supreme Donuts
• Woodies
• huge hollywood sunglasses
• riding in a car
• Disneyland
• the Getty museum
• crazy houses in Los Feliz
• pool water
• ice cream
• bougainvilleas
• the sun

OR, you can skip right to the photos lol
( +223. yes you read that right. )

Tags: california, dear diary, photo
Current Mood: good

So I don't think it's the adapter. I think the computer itself is shorting out. So instead of having to buy a new adapter, I have to buy a new LAPTOP. Lovely.

Though, I don't need a high-end laptop. All I want is XP, the ability to go online and watch video, and some form of a word processor.

Am trying to get Pixley 1.0 working. So far she's not. Don't know what this does to my weekend plan. AM MOST BITTER ABOUT THAT!

Am trying to keep Pixley 2.0 charged enough to get my files from her. Seem to be able to get the connection to hold when she's not on. Have lots and lots of stuff to transfer either to Pixley 1.0 or the future Pixley 3.0.

This week? Has sucked. :(

ETA: Definitely going for a Pixley 3.0. The thing SPARKED a little bit ago when I was trying to re-connect it.

Current Mood: annoyed

I'm seventeen...just taken the SAT (didn't really do too well), and I was wondering if they actually base your acceptance on test scores (as far as getting in). Is submitting a online application better, or does it count to go in there in person?

Also tuition - I don't really have any money...and since I keep hearing that SCAD will accept you if you can pay it flat out...does that give me a slimmer chance of getting in?

Any tips at all, and even your applying experiences would be great. I have my heart set on going here next year, but I'm really nervous about applying.

( You are about to view content that may not be appropriate for minors. )

Tags: birthday

( Sewing machine, digital camera, futon, airbrush machine )

I see a trip to Best Buy/Staples/SOMETHING in my near future. By which I mean tomorrow.

The AC adapter for my laptop is on the fritz; the computer's plugged in but all of a sudden it stops registering that it's plugged in, so I have to disconnect the cord from the back of the computer and reconnect it, sometimes multiple times, before it will register again. If I move, there's a 95% chance I'll lose the connection. I've been dealing with it for a week or so, but it's starting to piss me off now. Plus, the last thing I need is for it to shit the bed entirely and then have no way to recharge my laptop.

I don't exactly have the fundage for a new AC adapter, but that's why God invented credit cards. ;)

At least tomorrow's Friday. You know what my plan for the weekend is? Sitting on my balcony with my laptop, doing a rewatch of Harper's Island. Yes, the whole thing. I can totally do it, too! I have two days. Hell, if I start early enough, I can do it all Saturday! *cough*

I am aware that I have no life. You don't have to point it out. ;)

Current Mood: annoyed

Ye Ole Scaddies,

I've started a literary magazine, Moonshot. We're looking for submissions of short stories and poems, essays and scribblings. But we're also very much so in the need of art, specifically sequential art and photography. You can read our specific submission guidelines here. Please note though our autumn issue deadline is in two weeks, so please try to get work to us as soon as possible. Send me a PM if you have any specific questions.

FAQ: Yes, it's going to actual print, yes, you get a free contributor's copy if you are published, yes, you can put it on your resume and get the job you always dreamed of, yes, your parents will love you. Everyone will love you.

xx

Current Mood: summer

But ahh I had a GREAT GREAT GREAT time with Algy and Celesse. We went to the asian market for some foriegn vittles, and I got some Milk Tea in a can which tasted exactly like Horchata but haha it's kind of an acquired taste. But I grew up eating rice cereal ( rice, butter, cinnamon, sugar and milk) so it's not so different for me.

Then we played that game for the Wii, Rabbid Rabbits all night which was strenous on the arms but very fun ♥ I fell asleep pretty early since I'm used to injesting about 3-4 cups of coffee a day to keep me up.

Next day we woke up, I kind of just laid curled up in the Papasoan while daydreaming about meeting my lovey face soon again. Goddamn I miss him so so much. And then we went to Harry Potter which turned out alright just its a movie that was like well its a movie. BUT MAGIC IS COOOOLL.

OH MAN I MISS HER MOMS COOKING SO FUCKING MUCH YOU HAVE NO IDEAL. Oh man her Dad is the only man who can make a steak I will eat. Just the way he cooks it, it tastes like MEAT instead of wet-dog which all steak tastes like to me. Except his. I would pick that up with my hands and eat it ( i dont know how to cut meat I dont eat it by the slabs at all.)

Honestly' I'll be accompanying them in Sept for AWA. Going to print out a few artbooks through Kablam and sell them at their table. Sounds like a good business opportunity. And I miss these girls too much.

But today me and my sister are walking to the store to pick up food for lunch/supper. I have NO ideal what to make for lunch besides Tuna sammiches. And tonight I'm making BBQ Chicken Pizza again.

But augh 5 MORE DAYS!! Until I get to meet up with my better half. Ahhhh~~~ I am too lucky to have his sweet darling self by my side. I miss cuddling up next to him in the car and listening to him sing as he drove. He is soooo good at it too with such a honey smooth voice as his. Or walking Sable at night and me and him switching off singing songs to each other we knew.
Honestly were kind of assholes to each other and will pick on each other relentlessly, like really I can be mean with him  sometimes and him just the same. I DO NOT SAY HOT AS MUCH AS FUCKING PARIS HILTON MISTER. FUCK YOU. I HOPE YOU BURN IN HELL, YOU NAIVE LITTLE CATHOLIC BOY. I'LL SCHOOL YOU  WITH MY FIST. But there is so much love there and I like to think it keeps both of us pretty humble.

Also TF2 movies- http://www.teamfortress.com/movies.htm

TOO GOOD. the spy one is my fav lmao

Current Mood: busy