Maliens

 

If you're wondering where I've been for the past month, go ask Bioware.  My one great love (sometimes, even more than my love for art....) is video games.  Specifically, Bioware video games.  Even more specifically Mass Effect.  It's a sci-fi RPG that is intensely captivating and immersive.   Amy and I got the game at its midnight release and played it almost nonstop for a week.  The drawing above was a Birthday/Valentine Day gift for Amy of one the characters from the game.  Specifically Garrus Vakarian.  Even more specifically a romance-able alien.  One of two options.  How awesome is that?  The game has hands down the best storyline I've ever played.  I think I love it even more than Knights of the Old Republic, which is saying something.  The story is just incredible and can be so personal depending on how you play.  I won't give away any spoilers, but I highly recommend this game.  It's a great way to waste time. 

In other newsy type news, I got at etsy shop up and running.  Mermaid Loves Octopus.  Shocking title, I know.  What can I say?  I just love that cute little couple.  Not a lot going on with the shop, just yet.  Only one item listed.  But I'm pretty excited about it.  I've got some other projects I'm working on (as in, they're drying right now) that I'm going to put up for sale.  They're a little different than what I usually do, but I like them.  And change can be nice.

Valentine's Day was fantastic, as it has been for the past few years.  Amy and I celebrate it as Zombie Day.  We watch Shaun of the Dead, eat vaguely violent food (this year it was crab, smash it with a hammer then eat the squishy insides!), and I usually get drunk.  This year we played more Mass Effect after the movie.  Totally awesome.

January....ugh

Out of all the months, the whole year long, January weighs most heavy on my heart.  I hate January.  It feels like a million Januaries have passed and we are but two weeks into this month.  The sky is grey and gloomy.  The rain is cold and piercing.  And I want to do nothing but curl up with my favorite books, drink some hot tea, and pretend the rest of the world doesn't exist.  Instead, I put my winter boots with the giant hole in the heel and I go to work and have my soul sucked from me moment by moment.  I watch the minutes tick by until the hour of my freedom is at hand and I race home to be with myself again.  And I am surrounded by art and talented friends and I share and receive beautiful treasures.  I love trading art.

One of these days, I'll actually finish the book that has slowly worked its way out of my head.  And I'll send it to someone and they'll decide it's neat enough to publish.  Then I won't have to leave my home and myself so much.  Wouldn't it be nice?

The Merriest Time of Year

Hello, all!  I hope you had a wonderful holiday season.  Or at the very least, survived it without killing anyone.  To all my fellow retail workers, congrats on making it through.  It's hell, I know. 

Things went pretty well here in Laurieland.  I found my art journal.  *joy*  I really should get more organized, as it seems I lose everything I come in contact with.  But some part of my brain tells me that if I were more well kept, my art skills would decline.  No, that doesn't make any sense, but when have I ever claimed to do that?

The best part about the Christmas chaos being over is that I'll be able to get back to my art.  I just haven't had the time for it lately.  Another bummer.  And I've got a few swaps and trades backing up.  Yeesh.

Got a netbook thing from the parents.  Very exciting.  An acer aspire.  Clearly it is aspiring to awesomeness, and it has succeeded.  Now I've just got to find my wireless router at home.  And we're back to the losing things, again.  Though, it technically isn't lost.  Just not unpacked.  After three months.  Heh....

Anyway, art updates to follow.  The 7 Days of Presents swap I was doing at AFA is finished now, and I'll throw up a picture of my loot.  I pulled some high ranking artist for the swap and I'd say I got some pretty epic drops.  (nerd!) 

Alright, 2010 looms.  So happy new year, and all that.  I'm not a big new year person.  As far as I can see, people use it as an excuse to drink.  To me, being awake constitutes that (jk?).  However, I hope the new year brings all kinds of niftiness and things for everyone.  Except the people that suck. 

My late night ramblings are over now.  Later.

Old School

I haven't felt all that inspired lately. I've still got this lingering cold that drags on and on. I don't feel all that horrible, just miserable enough to be pouty and non productive. Sucks. Especially this time of year. I also have misplaced my art journal. Shocking, given my standards of cleanliness. (HA!) I'm sure it's around here somewhere, but it's a bummer. Anyway, I thought I'd take a slice of humble pie and showcase my crude beginnings. This drawing was one I did in High School. Probably 1999 or 2000. I did a bunch of faery drawings for my friends, and this was one I remember being quite proud of. Look at those ankles! Oh, it makes me laugh.

The presents came in the mail!!! It was a very exciting mail day. I don't' get to start opening them until Saturday, but still. They are soooo pretty. Amy and I are gonna set up Christmas around the house tomorrow. Once the tree is set up with all the gifties I'll take a picture. I do love Christmas. Even though everything gets insane all over the world, I love it.

My parents got their tree, too. Seven feet. Seriously. The thing is huge! That's like, over 2 meters. (Thank you Unit Conversion on my cell phone.) I decided to call the thing Brutus, since he's so big. Every year I give the trees a name. Usually some sort of classically sounding name. Last year was Mercutio.

I wonder where my journal ran off to....