Irrepressible Irresistible Indigo

Finding My Voice

2011-11-19T23:38:00.001-05:00

NANOWRIMO is always a cleansing, discovering, and re-discovering time for me. My time is always sooo limited. I tend to put too may things on my plate. When you at life's crappy twists and turns and nanowrimo, then it seems like I don't have any time at all. That's when the gold comes through. (At least it feels like gold.) If I really don't have time, that's when my mind decides that it's going to pop out ideas.

I find that lately I'm drawn to surrealism. I've got both of Lynda Barry's books and they seem to help with that.

Triathlon, I Mean Duathlon, DONE!

2011-10-04T16:39:00.000-05:00

Well I finished. I completed the Hammerman on Sunday. I've been just completely drained for the last few days... physically and emotionally. I knew that I'd be tired, but I don't think I was really prepared for how tired I'd be.

I'm also surprised at how critical I was (and how critical I still am) of myself. I did this thing in 3 1/2 hours. I really need to celebrate just finishing the course, but somehow I can't really enjoy it. Clearly that's something that I need to journal about, so I can get to the bottom of those feelings.

I'm debating whether or not to exercise today. I might go for a light run, then again I might coach-potato it for a second day. If I don't exercise today, I'm not going to beat myself up. I have a schedule running practice with my running group tomorrow.

No Swimming

2011-09-29T18:47:00.000-05:00

It's official, the swimming has been cancelled. I'll be running, cycling, and running again. Wish me luck!

Triathlon in Jeopardy!

2011-09-28T16:32:00.001-05:00

For the last 7 weeks, I've been training like a fiend for the Hammerman Sprint Triathlon. (Yes, I know that 7 weeks isn't long enough to train for a triathlon, but I am insane.) I've been doing P90X in the EARLY mornings (about 4 AM) for the last 5 weeks. [Yes, I really have been waking up at 3:45AM to exercise at 4AM.) I've worked up to swimming 550 yards (22 laps or 0.55 miles), biking 14 miles, and running/walking 4 miles. I have a wetsuit ready. I'm resting up my muscles this week so that I'll be ready on Sunday (Granted I developed a little cold, but...). Well..

I just read on the site that the event may be cancelled, because of the recent rains and possible bacteria in the lake (Eeeuuwww!), or that the event whole event will be changed to a duathlon. Now I'm just waiting for the official word.

If the water really is that bad, I hope they postpone the event until the bacteria levels are better. The swim is my strongest event. (Not that I'm a strong swimmer by ANY stretch of the imagination.) This is my first triathlon, so I really want to experience the whole thing.

Insanity: Day 13, part 2; 21-Day Challenge: Day 4

2011-01-25T10:23:00.000-05:00

I know that I've been taking things at my own speed and I've missed some days. One really good thing about a lifestyle change is that you just pick yourself right back up when you miss a day (or three). I started out my workout doing Mariel Heminway's YOGA NOW 10 minute AM energizer. It's a good warm up for ANY workout. Then I went on to Day 4. That was a lot of standing exercises. I needed a block and strap. I know, sounds kinky; but they help you stretch yourself farther than you can on your own. The thing that really kicked my butt was the Insanity Cardio Abs. OMG! I just have to keep remembering that I'll have some bad a$$ abs when I'm done with this routine.

What's the Best Journal to Use?

2011-01-25T08:04:00.000-05:00

I was on the tanglepattern.com website and ended up responding to an article about papers and pens. I wrote so much that it seemed more like a blog entry, and I decided to include it here. Writing my thoughts made me realize that I need to get back to including my doodles, collages, figurework, etc. in my blog on a daily basis. Practice is the doorway to personal magic. Anyway, here's my response...
There are two differnt notebooks/journals that I use. The first is Miquelrius. It’s the Spanish version of Moleskine. The second is the GIANT JOURNNAL made by Michael Roger Press.

The Miquelrius that I use as a grid. It’s looks like it’s glued, but it opens fairly flat. When opened to a full spread, the journal is a little smaller than a full sheet of paper. The pages are thin, however the journal has 400 pages. I love this. I’m a writer, composer, and visual artist. I tend to be a magpie and use my journals as catch-alls. The small size lets me carry it everywhere.

The GIANT JOURNAL is spiral bound. It’s pages are 5.5″ x 8.5″. It comes lined or blank. The paper is typical sketchbook paper. It’s selling point–500 pages! The drawback is because the paper is thicker, the journal dimension a little bigger, and the addition of 100 more pages; it’s harder to carry in my purse. (Notice that I didn’t say impossible.)

If I could only have one I’d get the Miquelrius. I originally got it as a replacement for my GIANT JOURNAL. Barnes and Noble were out of the big one and didn’t know when another shipment was coming in. Apparently, I was one of a select few who appreciated its size. The Miquelrius came closer with the page count, so I decided to try it. Having that many pages and being able to fit it in my purse make it my number one choice. I get around the thin paper by glueing in a blank behind my tangle page. Then I use that sturdier blank page as a collage/gluebook page. When I’m in a waiting room or watching TV, I sometimes go back and tangle in the nooks and crannies of those pages. I like the layered effect.

Living Outside the Imagination

2011-01-23T18:18:00.000-05:00

I LOVE Daisy Yellow Blog. Tammy is AMAZING! I have yet to go to her blog and not be inspired in some way. Yesterday she had a post called Creating Outside the Imagination that was very interesting. She referenced an article by Phil Shepherd of the British Origami Society. (I am so impressed that she found this. Really, this woman could do research and development for a major company.) All of this prompted me to ask the question, "How do we step outside our imagination, outside ourselves, and get to those things that we just couldn't possibly imagaine? Moreover, how do we do this on a daily basis? How can we change this into a lifestyle and live this way?"

I think that I've experienced something similar to what Shepherd is talking about when I knit or zentangle. The patterned motions somehow allow my subconscious mind to make contact with my waking world. I'll suddenly get an idea for an art project, or a possible solution to a problem that's plaguing me. I think many people share that experience. What I haven't experienced is the creation of something completely new. Does this crossover require engaging the hands in activity so that the ego-mind is busy or can this be achieved through the stillness of mediation?

My curiousity has been piqued, and my desire to find a better way to create and live have ignited my quest. I'm going to search for answers to these questions.

Day 1 of the Yoga Journal 21 Day Challenge

2011-01-14T05:51:00.000-05:00

Okay, I know I was supposed to start that challenge on Monday, but I started it today. In the past, I would have told myself to wait until next Monday then start. The only problem is... I don't always start on that next Monday. Then the next thing you know, I've lost doing a daily practice before I've begun. There's no reason Day 1 can't be Friday.

I just finished the vinyasa for Day 1. OMG, if that's supposed to be the beginner... WOW! Take a look at it...

I surprised myself. I feel pretty good now. Energized, but relaxed.

Restarting Insanity

2010-12-20T06:46:00.000-05:00

I just finished doing the Insanity Fit Test. I figure I've got a two-week jump on the New Year's Resolutions. I'd really like to take this through. Insanity is 60 Days. If I can be responsible for 60 days, I think I'm in like Flynn. Another incentive for sticking to the plan... I'm trying to come up with a show that I can star in and produce for MCM (Montgomery Community Media). I'm thinking about something to document my journey towards a healthier lifestyle.

Would You Cast This Man As Shazam?

2010-12-12T22:45:00.000-05:00

I love comics books probably more than the average person; so comic book movies hold a special place in my heart. This also makes me EXTREMELY opinionated. So when I see this "Good If I Was Making It In The Basement With All My Friends, Bad If This Truly Screentest" Montage; I asked myself if this guy could be Shazam. Take a look...

So what did you think? My first instinct is to say, "No." I see Captain Marvel being bigger. Dwayne Johnson. Maybe Scott Mueller could play Billy Batson... Then again, maybe not. Billy is supposed to be a kid. I guess everyone's has a right to dream.

"Chocolate Rain" Original Song by Tay Zonday

2010-11-01T11:34:00.000-05:00

Clearly, I have not been on the internet enough in the last few months. "Chocolate Rain" seems qurky and silly at first. No, I'm serious. It really does seem like a big joke. I first discovered it on Jace Hall's show. However when you listen to the lyrics... Try it. Listen to these lyrics and tell me what you think?

I'm A Zombie, He's A Zombie, She's A Zombie

2010-10-31T23:03:00.000-05:00

I've just watched the first episode of The Walking Dead. It is most excellent. It's not your typical hack-n-slash. In fact, it was a kinda sci-fi alien invaders kinda feel to it. What I'm liking the best so far is all the character work. I just figured out who the not-so-jaded Black guy who helps the hero out is. He's the not-so-jaded Black guy who helps out the hero in Jericho, another holy #$%&! our world as we know it is coming to an end how do we survive show. (Good fact to know for a trivia game! Actually, I should probably look him up and get his name. Then I could stop refering to hin as the Black guy, and I would have REAL knowledge for a trivia game.

I think that the best thing about this show is that I COULD WIN A WALK-ON ROLE AS A ZOMBIE. How cool is that

Out in the Ether!

2010-10-16T10:48:00.000-05:00

Sorry, I have been MIA. I thought that when I finished classes, I would automatically just drift back into the blog. Of course, I being the person that I am, have filled my time up with sooooo many things. I'm trying to get organized again. I'm taking my PRAXIS II-Special Education test on November 13th. I'm surprised that the test isn't on computer. I'm definitely doing NANOWRIMO this year. That's a given. (On a side note, my boyfriend just told me that I look sexy in my hat!!) I've got to start using my camera more. I need pictures for my mixed media creations and for my digital short film work. I'm working on some comic book stuff and some short story stuff. Then there's Concept Art, Computer Graphic, and Figurative Art Challenges, Romance Divas, Forward Motion Writers, my sketchbook, my zines, knitting crocheting and designing clothes, blah-blah-blah-blah, etc. And I'm planning to move out of my parents house within the next twelve months. I always have a lot of stuff. I'm just glad I have a place to organize and be accountable, show off what I'm doing, and ramble if I want to. Today, I'm hanging out with the Bo; and I'm doing my background/research/outline work for my novel from NANOWRIMO. I've conned E2 into doing this with me. This year I think I'll join some of the groups working on this. I think I may even put a message on my school's email board and see if anyone wants to join me in my venture. I love starting over.

Drawing and Cooking

2010-05-31T12:35:00.000-05:00

I just found out about a really cool site call They Draw and Cook. What a cool way to combine two things I love!

MARCH Creative Experiment Challenge!

2010-03-10T15:43:00.005-05:00

I just discovered the COOLEST website--Daisy Yellow Blog! I've been trying to get my **art/creative/craft/yoga/music** mojo jumpstarted for a long time. I think I'm finally finding some sources to inspire and aid in my quest.

It also helps that my masters program is finally coming to a successful end. Yeah, I've got a LOT to do in just a little time. Conventional wisdom says that I should just stick to my school work. (I hardly have enough time to do it as it is!) But I discovered that there's a quality of life that's lost when I don't take some time out for myself.

I've also decided that it's okay if fall off a few band wagons. It's important to experiment and try things out. I think I'm going to start out with three things on her list. There are about three weeks left in March, so I should average out about 1 thing a week. So I think I'm going to...

Create art focused on a square (the concept of a square, something square, the shape)

Write a page of thoughts on 2 days

Draw a rough map of a place in your life - a favorite vacation spot, your house, school, the grocery store (ideas @ Hand Drawn Map Association and links + maps the kids drew at Making Maps and More Maps)

I think these are doable, and I'm excited about ALL of them. Who knew that there was a Hand Drawn Map Association? How cool is that?!

Black Science Fiction Society

2010-02-25T00:47:00.002-05:00

Thanks to an anonymous commentor, if just found out about this cool website!

Fall-In-Love-With-A-Poet Mini Challenge, Poem #1

2010-02-23T18:09:00.006-05:00

I've joined the community READ WRITE POEM. It's still fairly early in the new year, and I'm making every attempt to put my money where my mouth is. I'm actively attempting to write and draw daily. The assignment was to create a cento, using poems from your favorite poet. It was hard choosing a favorite poet. I love Shel Silverstein.

I've also recently discovered Margaret Atwood as a poet.

Although she says that she is not a speculative fiction writer, I think that a lot of her works appeal to this sensibility in me.

Here is my first poem-

I am not the favorite child,
A horse or even a tent
Now I would know too much.
I am the space you desecrate.
The memory is no friend.

This poem uses

Habitation
Bored
Backdrop Addresses Cowboy
A Visit
A Sad Child

Kalighat Painting

2010-02-10T12:35:00.001-05:00

These paintings are fascinating. I can see using them as prompts for writing and for drawing.

Spike & Mike at Babelgum

2009-12-05T23:37:00.003-05:00

I'm coming to the realization that graduate really has consumed my life. I seem to find out about the cool stuff--a day late and a dollar short. I just discovered Babelgum. It has all sorts of cool offbeat videos. They have a whole channel devoted to SPIKE & MIKE'S SICK FILM FESTIVAL. I'm just too excited!

About the Diet - The Eat-Clean Diet

2009-11-28T14:27:00.000-05:00

About the Diet - The Eat-Clean Diet I'm trying to expand my Pesco-Vegetarian diet. I had started this diet a few months before I was diagnosed with MS. In all that hullabaloo, it dropped to the wayside. I think that I'm going to try it again.

I JUST FINISHED NANOWRIMO!

2009-11-28T14:10:00.004-05:00

I just finished Nanowrimo. I'm so happy! I know I should probably put this manuscript aside for a month or two, but I'm just now finished with it yet. The story isn't done. I think I'm going to keep working on it, and also work on some short stories. I'm going to try and do some of the challenges at Forward Motion, and send some of my stories out. I'm just so happy that I finished!

Freaky Flash Fiction

2009-11-07T16:45:00.004-05:00

Weird Tales has these vignettes at their website. They're very amusing. I've made a note to start working on these once NANOWRIMO is over. Take a look.

The Prisoner!

2009-11-01T16:59:00.005-05:00

I'm tellin' ya, sometimes being in graduate school really sucks. You're so focused on schoolwork that you don't hear about the cool stuff coming out on TV. I just found out by accident that AMC is remaking (actually the screenwriter said RE-IMAGINING) The Prisoner.

I love the original Prisoner.

This new Prisoner looks good too. They even kept Rover!

I've seen a little clip of it and it looks good.

It also has Sir Ian McKellen. I've loved him since Richard III. I can't wait to see this.

They even have an online graphic novel. You know that I'm all over that!

Traffic - Dear Mr. Fantasy

2009-10-24T19:26:00.001-05:00

This was playing at end of the FRINGE episode "Night of Desirable Objects". Doesn't sound spooky now, but in the episode it had an eerie feeling. Hmmm, freaky. I could also see this playing in an episode of SUPERNATURAL. Looks like I have another song to add to my writing soundtrack and to learn on guitar.

On a completely different note, the guy playing the bongos looks really cool. I totally want that hat!

NaNoWriMo 2009!

2009-10-23T21:23:00.003-05:00

NaNoWriMo 2009 is about to begin. I'm trying to get prepped for that now. There's a workshop at RomanceDivas that's about plotting to write the proposal. I'm trying to think of a new story through that to use for NaNo. This would probably be easier if I was doing my daily short stories.

Busy Drawing Away

2009-06-30T22:01:00.008-05:00

I didn't forget my resolution to draw something everyday. I also wanted to start participating in Spartan Camp at ConceptArt.org. So here are a few of my drawings and doodles. I'm trying to make sure that I use up my notebooks COMPLETELY before I move on to a new one, so some of the picutres overlap a little.

Mid-Year Resolutions

2009-06-16T20:24:00.003-05:00

Now that school is out and I have a small (very small) break before the hecticness that is grad school and directing a summer camp start, I've decide to inject and revamp my exercise schedule (which has become non-existant) and my eating habits (which have become junk filled)

I drove a different way to Whole Foods and discovered that there's an L.A. Boxing Gym right across the street. It's been there since January! Boy, that tells me that I need to "shake up" the routine occassionally. Anyway, I joined and I've been taking boxing classes. The instructors Donte and Ricky are very cool. That said, this class has been kicking my ass! But I'm sticking with it. I dropped the Weight Watchers membership and applied it to the L.A. Boxing membership. I think I'll get more out of it. The gym has lots of equipment, good hours and lots of bags. There are three classes everyday from Monday-Friday that my membership allows me to take. Watch out, I'm gonna be one lean, tough B---aytch!

Since I'm doing all this body work, I decided to resume my Pescatarian (Pesco-Vegetarian efforts). I already had Mark Bitman's huge book How to Cook Everything Vegetarian. It was overwhelming trying to read this because it's HUGE and it has EVERYTHING VEGETARIAN (I guess that's why he chose that title). Anyway, I picked up that book again and I decided that I'm really going to try and use it.

I just finished making the Glazed Carrot Soup. I did the variation that includes orange zest and ginger. OMG! This soup is awesome. Plus it can be eaten hot or cold, which makes it the perfect summer travel soup. I really should cook more. I'm also reading Cooking Without Recipes by Cheryl Sindell which sparked the idea of making adjustments to the soup. I didn't have enough carrots, but that was okay. Next time I'll have at leat twice as many carrots. I think it will make the soup creamier. I also used a lot more ginger that the recipe calls for and a lot of black pepper. Thinking along Ms. Sindell lines, I think that I might make that soup again and mix in some tomato soup. I have a feeling that it would be really good; but it's got to be test!

ZENTANGLES!

2009-04-15T20:38:00.004-05:00

I know I've been remiss. I have been so busy with school and the new job. I'm in that crazy "home stretch" time when you're uber-busy but the call of spring fever is too strong.

I miss doing all my creative stuff: writing, drawing, knitting, crocheting, sewing...

I definitely have NOT been doing my DRAW365, but I have been doing little spurts of doodling and writing. I really need to draw and write. I feel like I'm about to have a "creative explosion", it's like there's something simmering under the surface just waiting to get out but I just can't tell what that is yet. I figure I need to get back into the habit of free-writing and steadily doodling to help that "mind-wraith" pop to the surface.

In my google search for doodles I discovered ZENTANGLES!
This has got to be one of the coolest things that I've discovered. I'm not downstairs so I can't scan my examples in, but I'll point you to three different examples I found online (there are so many more, but I do have papers to write. Grad school is a B*@&%CH!) Anyway...

1. Maggie's Nest: Patty's blog looks very cool. It seems like we have a lot of the same hobbies. Her first attempt at Zentangles are here.

2. Daily Art Muse: Another really cool art blog. Susan just tried them too. Her review is here.

3. D.I.Y. Planner: Cool blog that makes you want to buy moleskine notebooks. Review is here.

James Gurney is Soooo Cool!

2009-02-16T14:08:00.002-05:00

I just went to a James Gurney lecture at Montgomery College. I'm just so inspired and so excited. It was really a very cool lecture. It makes me want to see other writer/illustrators and hear about how they work. I'm really glad that he has a blog also.

I'm off now to do some mapmaking (a Gurney suggestion, but also a Lisle suggestion too!), while I wait for AAA. When I got home my Volvo had a flat tire. While that really sucks... at least I'm at home and have ALL the comforts of home.

Brilliant But Cancelled...NOT!

2008-12-14T21:17:00.002-05:00

I was watching a doc about The Prisoner, and it made me think of a show on Trio that I used to watch called Brilliant But Cancelled. I really miss that network work and that show... so I decided to google it to see if it was online.

I ended up with TWO good pieces of news...

1)Brillaint But Cancelled is a blog, and 2)the latest post on that blog said that Dead Like Me is coming back! How cool is that?!

Star Wars Vs. Star Trek - DMP Edition HQ

2008-12-11T15:00:00.001-05:00

Dr. E just sent this to me. Too cool! But I'm realizing that Dr. E,whoever editing this clip, and I have wwwwaaaayyyy too much time on our hands!

As If I Didn't Have A Lot On My Plate Already...

2008-12-04T20:10:00.005-05:00

Being the insane person that I am always taking on more projects than I should, I just signed up for Zette's Two Year Novel Writing Workshop for 2009 over at Forward Motion. It starts at the beginning of 2009, so I have a little time to decide which of my story ideas to bring out of purgatory to use.

I'm also going to do Zette's Alternative Short Story Challenge. I had already decided to work on short stories in addition to finishing my novel for the 70 Days of Sweat Challenge. I guess I'll just add working on new short stories since Zette's Challenge uses prompt generators.

To finally round out my insanity, I'm going to start also doing Justin's Daily Exercises (aks Zette's Gym). I remember these from WWWWWAAAAAYYYY back in the day, and they're still doing them. These are GREAT for helping you to think outside the box. Some of my past story ideas have come from doing these exercises.

For example today's prompt is STRAIGHT TO THE NERVES... You can click on the link if you want to see the whole prompt. Sometimes I write out a scene or a snippet, or a journal entry from a character's pov using the prompt's situration.

I'm trying really hard to cement my writing habit before the start of next semester. With my new job, I know the semester is going to be a challenge. Plus, I'm going to enter a film short in the DC Short Film Festival next year. The deadline is not until summer, but I've you know how those creep up on you. I'll probably be using some of my short story ideas as short film scripts (lofty goals, I know). My goal in 2009 is 1)to have 6 short scripts to shot from but March, that should give me enough time to decide if I'm going to do animation or digital video; and 2)to submit at least two short stories a month for publication. I've been languishing, so I'm going to submit them and let the chips "fall where they may".

I'll be renewing some of my Associations memberships in January. Everything seems possible when you have a physical check in. Both Horror Writers Association and Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America have online seminars. Romance Writers of America has monthly meetings and online workshops. DC Film Alliance has TONS of programs all the time.

I'm going to try and stick with this.

Tales of the Not-So-Weird!

2008-12-02T17:43:00.002-05:00

I'm writing and later on during Fringe, I'll be knitting or crocheting Idle hands and all that ;-)

I'm working on a short story, that I thought was going to be weird, strange, Lynchesque... but instead it's turning out pretty mundance and boring. While in life I don't mind being boring, I can't be boring in my fiction. That just seems like a sin. Part of me is thinking I should just put it up and work on another short story (I seem to be up to my ears in little story snippets), but part of me thinks I should work through it and finish it.

Actually now that I'm writing this, I think I'm going to finish it. I made a commitment on 70 days of sweat. Maybe I'll be able to fix it once it's done.

I've Finished NaNoWriMo 2008!

2008-11-30T09:09:00.004-05:00

I've finally finished NaNoWriMo 2008. My novel isn't finished yet; but a HUGE chunk is done. I'm still doing 70 Days of Sweat, so I've still got work to do.

I'm a 15, 690 words

2008-11-27T09:37:00.003-05:00

I woke up early this morning to throw myself into this writing. I do this every year. I think I can make the deadline of 50,000 words by Sunday; but geez... I do this every year. At least because this is NaNoWriMo, I can detour and experiment, go down plot paths that I might not try otherwise. At least I'm well past my goals for 1000 Club and I'm keeping up with 70 Days of Sweat. Sven would be proud. Well, I'm going to get back to my writing. I've still got 34,310 words to go.

Richard Matheson interview by William Simmons

2008-11-25T20:27:00.000-05:00

Richard Matheson interview by William Simmons

Don't worry, I'm writing. I wish I'd kicked this writing into a faster gear sooner; but I do this every year. I was looking up something about premise, and then remembered that I wanted to look up Richard Matheson. He's written a lot of Twilight Zone episodes; and that's part of the feel that I'd like to have in this story. I was hoping he'd have some writing advice. I didn't realize that he's written SO MANY books that became movies that I love. Somewhere in Time, I Am Legend, What Dreams May Come, Stir of Echoes. All I can say is WOW! So I'm going to read this interview, then...

I'm going to watch FRINGE! I can't help it, I totally LOVE that show!

Electrabela y Dinachica

2008-11-16T20:32:00.001-05:00

All thoughts of studying and writing have gone out the window!

Kimba The White Lion Opening Theme 1966

2008-11-16T19:57:00.001-05:00

I know that I said that I was going to work on my novel, but I found KIMBA. I also used to watch this when I was five. I swear, Disney ripped this off.

Johnny Sokko

2008-11-16T19:18:00.002-05:00

I should be be writing my novel. Actually, I should be doing homework, but I'm getting ready to go and work on my novel. I took a little detour because I found JOHNNY SOKKO AND HIS FLYING ROBOT. I used to watch this show when I was five. This show along with KIMBA THE WHITE LION and STAR TREK contributed to my love of all that is science fiction and all that is cheesy.

Why don't you take a look...

Writing and Sweating...FOR 70 DAYS

2008-11-14T07:35:00.003-05:00

Okay, so doing NaNoWriMo isn't crazy enough... I'm writing and sweating for 70 days! Anyway you look at it this story is going to get written.

I'm INSANE, but at least I'm losing weight!

2008-11-02T09:28:00.003-05:00

Yesterday's meeting at Weight Watchers was good. I lost .8 lbs! I've taken off 9.8 lbs total since I rejoined.

I'm still trying to get all of my school work done (painting, drawing, practicing piano-guitar-flute). I'm so nuts. I've added two more Joggles classes, so I have three total--Studio Journal--Sumputuous Fabrics--Personal Symbols. But this wasn't enough for me....

I'M DOING NANOWRIMO (National Novel Writing Month). I'm posting it publicly, so I'll stick with it.

I really am insane.

Illustration Assignment

2008-10-28T22:03:00.003-05:00

I'm getting better at drawing. For my illustration techniques class we have to design a book cover for a poet's (we had a choice of five) chapbook. The final assignment will be done in stratchboard. (Which is hard!) I chose Emily Dickinson. Here's my initial sketch that I'm going to base my scratchboard on. I'm pretty proud of this sketch.

The Sun Hat That Wasn't

2008-04-07T09:22:00.006-05:00

In celebration of Spring and eventually Summer and in hopes of this crisis called school ending soon, I decided to begin making some clothes. It's been a long time since I've knit or crocheted. I find I think better when I do (maybe it will help me think for these papers and finals coming up). Anyway (because I'm already digressing), I decided to make some clothes. Besides I've finally been added to Ravelry (yeah!) and I want to join up with Refashionista this May.

So Saturday I decide to start out with a sun hat. Now that my hair is in braids, I figure I won't get hat hair.

I decided to go with the Sugar 'n Cream cotton yarn, the color is "Jewels". I said to myself, "It's cheap ($1.29/skein). It's cotton. I can wear it in the Summer. A hat will be simple. I will be too cool." I picked up Knit Simple Spring/Summer 2008 (any excuse to buy new patterns right?) because they had a few cute patterns that I wanted to try.

By Sunday night I knew I had problems. Yes that hat looked cute, but I was already on the brim and this hat was CLEARLY too small. I checked my notes, I had been following the adult size, I did the extra rows for adults... Apparently I have a CHROMDOMIUS MAXIMUS head. The hat was wwwwwaaaayyyy too small. So I had a choice...

1. Finish a hat that is clearly too small and that I"ll have to give away...

or 2. Rip everything out and start all over again.

Which did I choose? Let's say that I'm NOT in a giving mood. So that's where I am. Starting all over again. The pattern calls for an H/8 crochet hook and the crown increasing finishes at 72 stitches. So I've decided to use an I/9 crochet hook and I'll continue increasing beyond 72 stitches. I'll have to keep trying it on until I get it to I size that I'm satisfied with. At least I know that I'm going to look too cool in my hat!

Anatomy Study

2008-01-27T18:37:00.000-05:00

I know, I know... I haven't posted in a while, BUT I HAVE BEEN DRAWING EVERYDAY. When I have more time, I'll scan those suckers and post them. I think I mentioned before that I'm studying Anatomy with Goog.

Well, it seems that The Computer Graphics Society has a forum with classes and member help also. So I'm going to do some drawing there too! FUN!!

Day 14

2008-01-14T22:23:00.000-05:00

Just doodles, not even complete.

Day 13

2008-01-13T21:45:00.000-05:00

I watched the movie Domino today after the cookies left. I did story boards for the first 30 seconds. There were so many cuts. I know, I know... I've got to get used to drawing these things. It's just a lot the first time out. I decided to count this as my official drawing of the day.

First Self Portrait & Day 12

2008-01-12T08:18:00.000-05:00

Goog, at ConceptArt.org gave me an assignment to do a self portrait. I'm working on improving both my anatomy drawing (which is nonexistant at the moment) and my digital coloring skills. Goog is my mentor for anatomy. VRM1979 is my mentor for coloring. Because I'd like to do animation, digital film, graphic design, comic books, concept art, illustration, etc. I need to develop these skills. So I'm going back to the basics with mentors.

Unfortunately my self portrait really doesn't look like me..

That's okay. It's all practice. While I was browsing the Drawn website, I saw an entry about a guy named Avid Liongoren who was drawing and posting a picture everyday. I really liked his sites. He does the kinda things that I eventually want to do, combining animation and DV. He's got some really cool stuff.

I'm a little late getting started but I'll have this picture be part of my Draw365 project.

Catching Up On DVDs!

2007-12-29T19:11:00.000-05:00

I'm in weird freaky overload right now. I watched Memento.

That movie just blew me away! I'm sure that I'm the last person to see it, but if you haven't seen it yet...

DAMN IT, YOU NEED TO SEE THAT MOVIE!

Then I finally saw Shaun of the Dead.

I think I like Hot Fuzz better.

Still a good time. A lot of good extras on that DVD. I can't believe that Simon Pegg,

is going to play SCOTTY in the new Star Trek movie. Wow!

The Dark Knight Movie

2007-12-25T08:45:00.000-05:00

If you been to see the IMAX version of I Am Legend, then you know what I'm excited about. Apparently there was an extended trailer showcasing an awesome sequence between Heath and Christian. Don't worry if you don't have access to an IMAX theater, MTV will be showing the preview on their website starting this Sunday.

Until then, you can look at this...

I HAVE A MENTOR!

2007-11-21T18:16:00.000-05:00

I think that I've mentioned that I joined the CONCEPT ART forums. Well, someone has answered my request (my plea) for a mentor. This person is a colorist and is going to help me with digital painting! You don't know how excited I am. I still need a mentor for figure drawing/anatomy, character design, perspective, environments/landscapes/worldbuilding, to be honest I need a mentor for %$&*^ing EVERYTHING!

However...

I'm pretty stoked right now. I've got a mentor!

Cock-A-Doodle-DEATH!

2007-11-18T18:53:00.000-05:00

I went to the movies with Thugalicious yesterday. We haven't hung out in a while because I've been busy with classes. I pulled out a sketch I was working on and he name it...

Cock-A-Doodle-DEATH!

How cool is that!

Discovering Strange

2007-11-11T08:50:00.000-05:00

I was in Barnes and Noble yesterday looking for some animal anatomy reference books (I need to understand REAL critters, if I'm going to make up my own), and I of course had to flip through the comics. I came across something that looked kinda cool...

Emily the Strange!

Then when I got home and took a break to browse the Computer Arts Magazine website, I found an article on her.

Now curiousity is peaked, so I go to visit the website. All I can saw is WOW! Who Knew? Apparently everyone else except me. That just goes to show I study WWWWWAAAAAYYYY too much and need to get out more. Today I'm going to pick up a copy of that comic. I'm definitely adding it to my TBR pile, but I'm putting it at the top. (I also want one of her cats!) Imagine having one of those on your bed at night.

Don't Disturb This Groove!

2007-11-03T17:29:00.000-05:00

Even though I'm bogged down with SO MUCH SCHOOL WORK, even though I never have a free moment at my job (that's not actually true, but go with me on this), even though I should be concentrating on "serious" shit; I went ahead and joined a few online art groups today.

Flickr (to host my art)
Concept Art
Deviant Art
Draw Anyway
Illustration Friday
Drawn!

At the ConceptNArt Forum I joined the Beginner's Corner and posted some charcoal's I had done. Now I've got a good marker of where I've been so that six months from now I can marvel at how far I've come.

These are the pictures I posted:

Sketch #1

Sketch #2

Sketch #3

The Meth Minute

2007-10-04T13:44:00.000-05:00

I'm supposed to be doing homework. I've actually got a *^R^$!-load of work to do, but while looking for some inspiration for one of my Foundations of Design class projects I found this...

I CAN'T WAIT until I take animation! Why wait until I take animation, why not do it on my own? I'll tell you why... I'm taking 18 credit hours and I'm insane (Triple majoring in Art/Graphic Design, Music/Jazz Improvisation & Gospel, AND Special Education). I'm sooo swamped right now. Why am I on the computer? I've got to get back to reading about Special Needs kids. Later!

SIDEWINDERS!

2007-07-04T14:52:00.000-05:00

I haven't finished my Penelope Blouse yet, but it's July now. I really want to do the Six Sox KAL, so I've started today. I've decided to do the Sidewinders! Here's my swatch... Isn't it cute?

I went into the stash because 1) I really wanted to get started and 2) I'm buying some yarn for a cardigan project later in the month (I didn't want to be greedy).

I LOVE variegated yarns and I've been looking for a reason to use this Red Heart Sport. The color in crayon. I think the sidewinders will look good in this yarn.

The Answer to My Aches!

2007-06-28T07:57:00.000-05:00

Potomac Massage Training Institute | Massage Therapy education and training in Washington, DC

I am SOOOOO doing this! With my condition, massage would be a good thing! At these prices I might be able to afford to do this ONCE-A-WEEK! How decadent!

Achy!

2007-06-28T07:39:00.000-05:00

Boy, I am achy today! It's the meds, of course. I had to take them last night. It makes exercising in the morning HARD. I was only able to 20 minutes of yoga. I was so stiff, I could do my favorite poses.

I meet with the nurse today around 11am. I think it's a waste of time, but I guess she needs to make sure that I'm not about to kill myself or something like that. I will say these meds make me very weepy. Unfortunately it happens at the WEIRDEST, MOST INCONVENIENT TIMES.

Kick Butt Kicks Crap!

2007-06-25T08:26:00.000-05:00

I just finished doing the Kick Butt video. Although Kristoff St. John is nice to look at... that video SUCKS! No variety, no challenge. I didn't pay that much for it, and I can see why. I'm going to keep doing it this week (Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday) just to be sure. I could just be spoiled by Billy Blanks.

Hard Evening, Good Morning

2007-06-21T09:04:00.001-05:00

I hate taking my medication. It really sucks having to give yourself injections and Interferon gives my muscles the shakes and the chills. However, when I think of the alternative (brain attacking itself and being back in the hospital), well I just grin and bear it. I've started taking Tylenol PM about 30 minutes before I give myself an injection. I only woke up three times last night from the muscle aches/chills. Believe it or not, that's an improvement.

Although I was achy, I pulled myself out of bed. I'm getting better at the Salamba Sarvangasana pose and the Halasana pose. I think I need to open up my back more to really get Halasana. I can't seem to get my feet to touch the floor.

Jumping rope is still taxing, but today I did 54 jumps before I fell. It seems still just jumping for 1 minute. What's the saying? "Slow and steady wins the race." Well, I'm not racing, but I've got to start somewhere.

The Tae-Bo Extreme almost killed me. I stayed in there for the whole 56 minutes! I'm glad Billy Blanks is so comical and makes me laugh, otherwise that tape would be unbearable.

I had some lowfat waffles, sugar-free syrup, an apple and some peppermint tea for breakfast. I'm starting to get used to the low-fat waffles, but sometimes IHOP still calls my name.

I'm off to take a bath. I really need it. It's a good thing that blogs don't have "smell-o-rama".

Life May Now Begin Again!

2007-06-20T14:12:00.000-05:00

Whew! Work is done, (for the moment). I don't start working summer school until July 6th (prep day) and then it's July 9th thru August 6th. At least it's half a day.

My drawing class ends next Thursday, June 29th. I can't believe how HARD it was! I also can't believe how much my drawing has improved. I still have an art history research paper to write for that class (it's due next Tuesday), and I still have that Special Ed final hanging over my head! I really need to get that done.

I've decided that I'm going to start knitting some socks on July 1st. I can finally join the Six Sox Knit-A-Long for the last month. By the end of next week, I should be done with the Penelope Blouse--that's one the needles now. I really want to try those Sidewinder Socks. They look like a lot of fun. I'm seeing them every! Now I just need to find the right yarn. I really should use something I have in the stash!

On the weight front, I've joined Weight Watchers! I've lost 4.6 pounds so far! Yeah me! You'd think that was enough, but you know me. I'm going to the gold. I'm going to...

COMPETE IN FITNESS COMPETITIONS!

Yes, I am crazy. My first big goal is to go from the 151 that I weigh now, down to 125 which will be my pre-contest weight. That's definitely a year-long project. Don't worry, I'm doing this healthy--eating right, exercise, and a lot of water. A 1/2 pound a week is slow enough so that this is PERMANENT weight loss.

If that wasn't enough, I still have to do my writing, my music, and some type of art every day. What's the saying, 21 days makes a habit? Well day is more than half done and I've got to leave for class in an hour, but tomorrow... WATCH OUT!

Really, I'm doin' it this time. Don't look at me that way!

FINALS HELL!

2007-04-23T21:22:00.000-05:00

I'm stuck in limbo for the next two weeks. I've got finals and reports that I'm cramming to finish. Once that's all done, I'll FINALLY have time to write in my blog, read cool stuff, compose psychadelic music, and create really cool crafts!

Really, I'll be back better than ever...PROMISE!

Yoga Class

2007-02-03T23:12:00.000-05:00

I had my first yoga class today. It was awesome! I can't reccommend taking an actual class enough. A teacher can really help you with the postures, making sure that you're in correct alignment, guiding you to how you should be feeling.

It was all good, but I AM SORE! Hey, at least she warned me. It's a good sore. I'll keep you posted on the benefits as they come.

I'm On a Roll!

2007-02-02T23:09:00.000-05:00

I got another doodle done before I fell asleep AT 7:00PM! I must have been really, REALLY tired. I obviously needed the sleep.

Create-A-Thing-A-Day!

2007-02-01T21:31:00.000-05:00

Well, even though I'm not doing so well of the 1,000 Club, I've added yet another creative thing to my plate. The Creative Act Blog is doing a Create-A-Thing-A-Day Challenge, and of course I'm going to attempt it.

My theme this week is doodling. I'm trying to get back into drawing. Unfortunately I don't have a digital camera so I can't take a picture of my art work (By the way, the thing you create can be any medium--baking, knitting, writing, drawing, are only a few of the ways you can express yourself.)

But you know me, I'll be honest about stuff like this. (Like admitting that I haven't even written one word, let only 1,000 a day--but that's another story.)

Today I have doodled. It helped my mind wander. I think this is a good thing.

The 1000 Club!

2007-01-21T21:36:00.000-05:00

I was just on the Speculative Romance Online site and I read an article on the 100 Club. The quick story--you write at least 100 words a day for 100 consecutive days on your current WIP. If you miss writing 100 words one day, you have to start all over again. What a cool idea! If there's something writers are good at, it's "tricking" themselves into writing.

Well I've decided to adopt and change that idea a little. I usually have more than one WIP swimming in my katra at any given moment AND I have no problem writing 100 words daily. So how do I make this a challenge to myself...

1,000 words on anything (WIP, free-writes, exercises) for the next 20 days.

I'll post my daily word count at the end of each day (or first thing the next day if I need to get to sleep.) Don't worry, I'll be honest. I'm interested to see if I can make it that far. My "reward" for writing 1,000 a day for 20 days will be to buy myself a book the next day.

Good gracious! That means I can't buy ANY BOOKS for the next 20 days. (Anyone who knows me will know that this is a TRUE sacrifice!) Aww man, if I f$^$^^k up it will be LONGER THAN 20 DAYS BEFORE I CAN BUY A BOOK! Well, I'd better stick to the plan.

I think I can do it. I'm starting to work on a short story for the Romance Divas' February Challenge (man, I'm behind schedule) and of course I've got that epic series that's seized my interest and won't let go. This is a labor of love, so I'm taking my time.

Well, I'd better get going. I've got a lot of writing to do.

Big Ideas in Conservation - Next Big Ideas in Conservation: Steve McCormick - Security

2007-01-20T08:54:00.000-05:00

Big Ideas in Conservation - Next Big Ideas in Conservation: Steve McCormick - Security

I thought this was interesting, a little oversimplified, but still interesting. McCormick's play on words, "War on Terra", is "cute"; but I think it begins to distance the people he should be trying to appeal to.

His core audience lives and breathes these ideas. Most of his audience is probably also incredibly politically active. It's the mass majority that he needs to direct his attention to. Unfortunately as soon as many of them read that phrase, they'll begin to tune out what he has to say.

I LOVE Rhapsody

2006-12-25T09:52:00.000-05:00

I've been using Rhapsody for about a week now. I think it's great! I've been able to start some "soundtracks" for each of my WIPs.

Rhapsody also has a "Dynamic" Playlist feature that keeps track of what you've been listening and creates a playlist based on that. Some of the songs are songs you listened to, some of the songs are songs I guess they think you'd be interested based on your listening choices. How cool is that? So here is my playlist for this week...

1. Simpatico - William Ellwood
2. Charango - Oregon
3. Tom's Diner (A Capella) - Suzanne Vega
4. The First Cut is the Deepest - Sheryl Crow
5. Run To The Sun - N.E.R.D.
6. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Alana Davis
7. Nothing Seems To Matter - Bonnie Raitt
8. Raised On Robbery - Joni Mitchell
9. I Must Be High - Wilco
10. Boogie On Reggae Woman - Stevie Wonder
11. Be Still My Beating Heart - Sting
12. Just Like Anyone - Aimee Mann
13. Crazy (Radio 1 Live Lounge Session) - Nelly Furtado
14. I Am So Ordinary - Paula Cole
15. Pieces Of The Night - Gin Blossoms
16. Brick - Ben Folds
17. Hurt - Christina Aguilera
18. Chelsea Morning - Joni Mitchell
19. Are You Happy Now? - Michelle Branch
20. Little Sister - Jewel
21. Bombastic Love - Britney Spears
22. Flux - Penguin Cafe Orchestra
23. Redwood Nocturne - Spencer Brewer
24. Cold Tea Blues - Cowboy Junkies
25. Vogue - Madonna

Interesting! I've been listening to a lot of popular stuff and 80's stuff, looking for the right combination for one of my WIPs. I guess it shows. I've never even heard of some of this stuff. Well, I'd better get to listening. I may find something cool for one of my characters!

As If It Wasn't Hard Enough For Writers to Get Published!

2006-12-17T21:37:00.000-05:00

I first read about this on the Paperback Writer Blog, the Signed and Filtered post. Here is the NY Times blurb and link:

A Pledge for Authors

Any author who signs a contract with the Christian book publisher Thomas Nelson Publishers must also swear to two religious articles of faith, regardless of the subject of the book. The company’s chief executive, Mike Hyatt, told Publishers Weekly that under a new rule that Thomas Nelson, based in Nashville, is calling a “content filter,” authors must agree with the Nicene Creed (“We believe in one God, the Father Almighty ...”) and Philippians 4:8 (“Whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure ... dwell on these things”). The rule will apply not only to writers of books on Christianity, but also to those of secular titles, like business books. JULIE BOSMAN

I think Ms. Viehl's response is hilarious. However, after you finish laughing, you really have to begin to think. My first instinct is to just ignore this. Inspirational literature is NOT my genre. But for this publisher that doesn't matter. Even if you write a secular title you must be a "sign on the dotted line" Christian?!

My next question is how will this affect business. Was this just a "ploy" to get their name in the news? Will readers boycott this publisher for his actions OR will he receive MORE business because "Christians" now know he's a man that they can trust? Something to watch closely, no?

Cute!

2006-12-16T17:45:00.001-05:00

I saw this on the Divas' website. Cute!

How Did I End Up On The Cover Of This Romance Novel? | The Onion - America's Finest News Source

I Just Love Blogger Too Much!

2006-12-15T13:50:00.000-05:00

They just HAD to make this beta.blogger really COOL and easy to use. Screw it! I'm just switching my writing blog over here. It really is easier. It will take me a couple of days to switch over all my links so, PLEASE, be patient.

Opening the Door

2006-12-14T17:25:00.000-05:00

Well, blogger has changed since the last time I was here. I just started my WRITING BLOG. I don't know what this is going to be. Whatever it is, I know it will be cool.

Keeping Character Journals

2006-12-14T14:14:00.000-05:00

I first heard about character journals in Script Magic by Marisa D'Vari. In that book she sugggested writing a journal entry for each of your main characters daily. That seemed like a lot of work to me.

However, Lou Willett Stanek in So You Want to Write a Novel offered similiar advice. She suggests doing writing exercises from your character's POV. So that's two pings for the character journal/exercise route.

We all know three is the charm. PBW talked about character journals and posted a journaling excerpt. She also asked people how they get to know their characters and did her customary - comment on the post, enter a drawing thing. I was too late for the drawing, but I did look through the comments. Lots of good ideas.

I was probably hasty (read-LAZY) in my initial assessment. There's something to this Character Journal/Exercise thing, and I'm jumping into the deep end. I've started a list of websites that have writing exercises and/or journaling prompts that I can use...

Writer's Digest has prompts for every day of the year.

Bella-Online has a page of links to prompts.

There's actually a website called Creative Writing Prompts.

And there's a site called Journal Writing Prompts.

These are just a few of the hundreds of websites that have prompts. While I like the idea of prompts, I'm not going to overlook the obvious ideas

asking what if?

pulling one, two or three words at random out of a dictionary, thesaurus, textbook, etc.

using a line from a poem or song

using a first line, last line or random line of text from a book

using a quote

using a headline from a newspaper or magazine

using a title

using a question from The Book of Questions

These are just off the top of my head. I'm sure there are many other sources that I'm not thinking of right now.

Will I post my character's journals? No. I tend to do a lot of free-writing in the early part of my story writing. I know that no one else is going to see it, so I'm free to go anywhere I want to go in the writing. I might start sensoring myself if I start posting character journals. I will DEFINITELY post the prompts I've used that day. Someone else might find them useful.

Borat Says

2006-12-14T01:50:00.000-05:00

I was just at the Generator Blog...

and I found THIS! It's a generator! How cool is that?! Geez, I'm a geek!

The Secret Lives of Books

2006-12-13T12:11:00.000-05:00

I stopped by the Paperback Writer, who was justifying why we writers still waste our time writing books in this day and age, why we even bother because many just end up unsold and destroyed. Obviously the critics of books (not to be confused with book critics), don't read. I can't imagine having to defend books and writing. (Actually, I can; but that's a whole other story!) Luckily, we have her to do it.

She spoke about the secret lives of books, how besides the story inside the cover many books have a life and journey of their own. We never know who we are going to touch with our writing.

Hey! Stop laughing at me. I know that I write speculative fiction, I write romantic fiction, I write erotic fiction, and most times ALL of those elements are in the same "work in progress". That doesn't mean that my work can't touch someone. (Hey get your mind out of the gutter, I didn't mean touch someone that way! Geez, try and be serious for a moment...)

Anyway, she asked what books we thought might have secret lives. There are sooo many possibilities answers to that question. My answer was The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury.

It's one of those books that made my mind start wandering and that eventually led me to writing.

AND THAT makes me wonder what books other people think have secret lives and what books have made people stop and wonder, think or ask what if?