I know most of you are on facebook and have likely seen, or heard this news already!
But, in case you may have missed it, I did want people to know that I was officially approved for my apartment in London (Ontario), and will be moving July 1st.  
Along with the apartment, I was also accepted for the job of Assistant Superintendent in the new buildings.

So, in 2 weeks, everything changes!
If you want the new address, please hit me up, and I'll send it email or PM.  (Not too keen on posting my address publicly)

Suffice to say, I'm right at the corner of a mall with a NEW movie theatre.  (that could be dangerous)  The mall contains a Metro grocery store, a post office, a Zellers (soon to be Target), a Bulk Barn, plus all the other nifty little stores that make up basic malls all within walking distance.
There's also another grocery store (Food Basics) down the street along with a Tim Hortons.  
Suffice to say, everything I need is nicely located tight within my little corner of the city.

The apartment itself is under new management, hence all the units are being completely overhauled for new tenants!
I'll have new carpets, new appliances, a new balcony, fresh paint, new light fixtures, etc... Which is nice, because if this works out, I plan on staying for a while!
There are only 2 downsides...  one, is that it has a very small kitchen.  However, the layout is such that I could easily add an extended counter in an open area just outside the kitchen!
The second... no on-suite laundry.  I'll have to use the building laundry room, and will have to get in the habit of saving money for laundry, as well as start timing my laundry during 'open' times.  I've been spoiled up to this point in my life, as every place I've lived has had in-unit laundry and never had to worry about change, or getting something done before 'closing'.
Although these are small hurdles that are manageable, and are worth the exchange of living in a nice quite place I can call my own.  
After all, it's not like I'm living in the 'ghetto'....  

Another little semi - downside is that I'm on the 3rd floor of a 3 story 'WALK-UP'...  so no elevators.
This will only be annoying for the the move in (and the move out when that day should come), however, I am actually looking forward to the exercise that I will likely get each day using them... especially as an assistant super.  

This is a change that I'm looking forward to, and one that is long over due.  Maybe I can even finally get some projects finished...  hell, maybe I can get some STARTED!  It'll be nice to have a space I can call my own...  and in a strange way, I feel like this is a bit of a tribute to my parents.
I'm just sorry they're not here to see it.  But It's nice I can use their old furniture.  (I always liked retro anyways  LOL)

Well, that's the full update!  I'll likely post a few pic's once I'm settled.

 Every time I make a post announcing that I'm going to do something, I feel like I curse myself in the process.
I had an itinerary all written up about 2 days ago, which I've torn up and thrown out.

I don't have A/C.  The weather has been so unbelievably vile and disgustingly humid, that it's turned my home into something that feels like a greenhouse.  I can't work under those conditions.  Not only does it make it difficult on me, but it also effects the paints and mediums I'm trying to work in.
So, basically this little box painting project has gone down the crapper until this fucking weather clears and the temperature drops.
Even at night it's still too uncomfortable to work.

About the best I can do right now, is pack up some of my drawing materials and head for the mall.  I can at least sit in an A/C'd environment, have a drink, and write out some crap for my web comic.


...I really really really hate this kind of weather.
Bring on the cool overcast grey sky's any day!

 This is so unusual for me to make a Live Journal entry...  but I am sitting here faced with a wee bit of a dilemma today, and I thought this might be a good place to throw out my ideas and see if anyone responds.

I'm trying to start making a bit of money with my 'art' (such as it is) and with Halloween coming, that's a date (at least in this area) that scores big with a lot of people... especially if they like original 'stuff'.
(I know it sounds early for Halloween, but I have to start now if I want to start selling them by September)

I have these small balsa wood boxes, about 6 X 9, and I was going to paint them up with some of the typical decor...  haunted houses, pumpkins, skulls, spiders, etc...  maybe glue a few beads etc... for a bit of 3-D texture...  you get the idea.

Then I had a brain storm last night...  why not paint some of the Universal monsters on the front, (Dracula, Frankenstein, Wolfman, etc...) and do it in the style of the old 30's & 40's one-sheet movie posters.  Much more simplified of course, since it's only a small box.

But, I started thinking more about it this morning... and I'm starting to think that might not be what the average person would want as Halloween decor.
However, I've been told that might widen my field of interest, but I'm not sure it's something that would sell.

I have to start today if I'm going to get anything done in time, and I'm going ahead with Plan B, as I have to do something!
But, if you're reading this, I'd be curious as to any thoughts on this.

(And yes, I'm still working on the web comic)  :P

What do you think you, or the general public, would be more willing to buy...
Typical Halloween orange & black stereotypical images, or something with more nostalgic cinema? 

I'll take pictures and post results as I finish them up.

I've been debating making post about something over the last few days.
If I do, then I will be committing to something major that will be a big part of my life for years to come...  and to stop will result in a dismal failure.

The reason I changed this Live journal a few years back (and gave it the name I did, and have these 'dog' icons, etc...) is because it was my intention to dedicate this Live Journal to my web comic that I've attempted to start many times.
I've never been able to commit to it for several reasons.  I've been discouraged by it, I've been discouraged about my failing so-called 'artistic' ability, and my lack of confidence in story telling.

I've also had to keep shelving it due to work, or lack of work.
When I was working as a guard, the long hours and stress of the job itself would ZAP any creative ability (along with the will to live at some points)
When I'm out of work, I can't justify sitting around and drawing when I'm not earning my keep.  Not to mention, depression also Zaps the creative juices as well.

A third reason comes down to the vision I've had for the comic itself.  I have certain ideas on how I want it to look, and read.  But for this to look, read and 'feel right' will require a LOT of work.... which is fine, but... I lack mechanical drawing skills... and the story takes place in outer space.  This requires drawing a lot of ships, hallways, etc...  I'd love to learn a 3-D program to help solve this issue, but most are expensive.  I've downloaded a couple free 3-D art programs, but to be honest, I've found them complicated, and past my feeble and simple brain.
I'm still a traditional artist at heart I guess. 
Although, I've been learning something called 'Google Sketch' which I may end up using... maybe... we'll see.

However, this being said, I still can't help but think about this little project of mine, as ideas still come into my head and I try to write them down now and again when possible.  I've also had people ask me several times... "When are you going to pick up your web comic again?  You should totally be doing this!  Why don't you start posting some of your work?"  ...and I can never really explain in a simple few words what I've stated above.

This past week, I had a bit of a brain storm as to my approach on this project.  It's a little complicated to explain - but I can tell you it's caused me to start writing the opening pages, and start thumb-nailing the layout. 

Now.... this brings me to my current dilemma.
My plan was to start posting the 'rough' pages as to start generating some exposure.  I would like to start using this Live Journal for what I had originally planned.  I thought, maybe I could start posting the rough pages, and people could still read the story, and follow the progress.  I could later colour and finish the pages, and re-post them.  People could follow the progress as well as the story.

But if I begin posting, then I'm committing to it... and this scares me.  I want to be excited about it, but I'm also VERY cautious... and I'm cautious with reason, AND out of experience.

Many times I've picked up this project, and something...  SOMETHING always gets in my way... and I have to shelve it.
You see, I'm not working right now.  I have no income.  And this project isn't generating anything for me.  Sure, maaaaaybe somewhere down the road it POSSIBLY could... maybe... possibly.  But, I'm not counting on it.
If I get a job offer, then that will come first.  And depending on the nature of the job will determine how much free time I'll actually have to work on it.  Not to mention how it will effect my state of mind.
And then there's just... life in general.  Living situations, my dad, ... and who knows what else.

So...  this brings me to this moment.  To be or not to be...  or.... to post, or not to post.
The following week will be the big decider for me.  If I actually get the first page roughed and scanned, then I'll post.  If I post it, then I have to stick with it until the whole story is done.  (which will be roughly 80 - 100 pages).
I don't know what kind of schedule I'll be able to keep... if at all.  I don't even know what kind of interest it will even generate.  And I have little faith it will generate any at all.
BUT...  If I begin, and then have to stop for what ever reason... then that will be the sign for me that I should not continue this endeavour.
And I will stop permanently.

I apologize for this over-long post. I had to get all my thoughts out.
And this IS MY Live Journal after all… I can post what I damn well want!  LOL
If you have actually read to this point, then I appreciate your time.
And I know everyone is going to want to say "POST IT! POST IT!"

If in the next 10 days, you see a page (or a link to a page) go up, then it has begun.
It will either make, or break me.
And only time will tell.

*Additional edit*
One of the reasons that I want to start posting pages of my comic before I have 'X' number of pages finished and ready, is because my goal IS to eventually publish it.  But, in order for something like this to sell, it should be somewhat familiar in the public.
Many successful web-comic artists will tell you, it can take years for a comic to gain enough popularity, that people will actually purchase your book.   One of the first pieces of advice they give you, is to PIMP your shit like there's no tomorrow.  Post it everywhere you can, tell your friends, make sure they tell two friends... and so on.  (Hence this Live Journal as one outlet)
So, as I said above... if I do this, it has to be 100% or not at all.

Subject: NBA or NFL or...?

Unreal



36 have been accused of spousal abuse

7 have been arrested for fraud

19 have been accused of writing bad checks

117 have directly or indirectlybankrupted at least 2 businesses

3 have done time for assault

71 repeat 71 cannot get a credit card due to bad credit

14 have been arrested on drug-related charges

8 have been arrested for shoplifting

21 currently are defendants in lawsuits,

And...


84 have been arrested for drunk driving in the last year!



Can you guess which organization this is?


NBA or CFL?





Give up yet?


Scroll down,







Neither,

it's the MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN OTTAWA

The same group of Idiots that crank out

Hundreds of new laws each year

Designed to keep the rest of us in line.

Just got home from Dad's.
We had Christmas on the 28th. It was nice... quiet. I got a LOT of flavoured coffee & chocolate from him. As well as a french coffee press, and Snow Leopard. (installing later this afternoon)
I wish he'd lighten up on his smoking though. His right foot is a mess, and will likely have to be operated on in March or April. I'm hoping not removed!!!
He's also drinking a bit. Something he hasn't done in over 40 years. But as long as he keeps it light. I'm more concerned about the sugar level in the cherry brandy than anything else.

I need to do laundry... cloths smell of cigarette smoke. Blech!

Thanks to yep_i_am_dennis for the card. Got it today. It's going on my door with my other Christmas cards. :)
I'm still receiving them, so they'll be up for over a month.

Less than 10 minutes after I stilled in the door my friend Danny from Scotland called to wish me a Happy New Year!
Apparently they've been burried in snow (which is unusual for them) and he can't even get into Glasgow to get to work.
The whole surrounding area is at a stand still.
I told him "What's the problem... we're used to it around here!" LOL
What's unusual though, is we've hardly gotten any snow here in Mississauga. But it's been damn cold!

Well, I need to get lunch... pack up an item that sold on eBay... install Snow Leopard... then take a nap.
I start back to work midnight tomorrow.
Go me!

Happy New Year everyone.

Hope 2010 brings some new found prosparity for everyone!

Cuz let's face it... 2009 sucked!

I just about wet myself laughing so hard at the end when everyone totally gets into it.
I was surprised so many people were just that familiar with the song.

It's a little slow at the start as the woman tries to explain the song's origin to everyone, so skip ahead to about 1:30 of you don't want to bare through it...

As a Canadian citizen, there's probably little influence I can have on this situation.



But I'd like to at least bring this to the attention to my American friends.
I saw this video and just felt awful for the poor woman... who seems to still have the mind and ability to take care of herself. But yet, all her rights and freedoms are being taken from her.
Is there anyone that someone (US citizen or not) that someone can write to? Has this been in the news? What sort of action can be taken.
I just feel like something should be done to restore this woman's independence and dignity.

Sorry if this offends anyone.
But, I've met the artists, and I like their work. I'm rather a little disgusted with this...


forums.leasticoulddo.com/index.php

This just made me really laugh...

(it won't link properly. Just cut 'n paste etc...)

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_apBOcdhmfa4/SuOa6jILxZI/AAAAAAAAA-g/dGdGFx6PeS4/s1600-h/chocula.jpg