It is pretty much July 4th Weekend, and I'm excited off my ass. Plans keep changing, and I was actually kind of suppose to be at AC right now.

I was excited as hell for AC for simply 2 or 3 reasons (In no particular order):

1) ssbb_furs. When Smash Bros. Brawl came out, in my excitement, the first thing I did before it came out was create a website and livejournal and irc channel for furs who play the game. I didn't think it'd get anywhere, but there's a little small and AWESOME little community that has risen from it. That was the goal. The goal, was simply to have fun and for people (including myself) to make friends. I wanted people a few years later to be able to say, "Oh, yeah that guy? He's a friend of mine. I first met him from the ssbb_furs group!" And that's exactly what has happened. A Handful of them are making Anthrocon, and so they're pretty much half the reason I wanted to go.

I got a phone call, missed it, so called it back. It was a handful of the ssbb_furs group partying, having fun, I was on speaker phone, and they were all saying hi to me, saying how they missed having me there and even gave me a frickn toast of shots.... Awesome. That really really made me feel nice. Almost made my eyes water.

You guys are all frickn amazing. Fo. Sho. I really appreciated that.

2) Shepmiester. I know I know, you saw this coming, and you're probably sick of hearing me mention him, but I haven't seen him in awhile, and there was a sudden separation with his move to Atlanta, and so I was just excited to get the chance to see him again. I was either going to almost attach myself to his hip, or drag him around with his attached to mine, party, drink a little, make stupid jokes, and just have good ol' (clean) fun. But he couldn't go to AC at last minute, and neither could I, anyway. :P

3) There was a third reason, but it didn't work out due to time constraints, so that third reason is gone.

INSTEAD OF AC though... I'll be hangin out with Radjin_Wolf, Kashra, Vason, DJ_Mixer, Swifty, Fritzie, and Straife... and we'll be grilling and partying and having our own good time. No, this is not a consolation. They're good friends of mine, and there's nothing better in the world to me, than that.

Some of them have been the closest friends I've ever had, and I feel like I want to pay them back; repay them for tolerating me. Maybe I could do something.... Draw? Psh, how predictable and cliche. I know they appreciate it every time, but I feel like such a one-trick pony, with only one thing to offer. Actually, make that a two-trick pony, because they ALWAYS talk about how FUNNY I am, and I make them laugh SOOOOOOOOOOOOO much... and by that, I mean they don't think I'm funny at all, and don't even offer up courtesy laughs. ;3 In fact, they probably hate me. Hahaha

But yes, after all that AC talk, just wanted to avoid having my friends down here sound like a consolation prize, because it's not like that at all. Naturally, I tried to steal Shepster to come down to party, but of course I didn't expect him to actually make it out here on such short notice.

Anyways. This weekend is all about friends, it feels like. I'll have to catch you guys who I missed at AC or didn't get to go to AC, and have my own fun down here. I'm ready to have fun, GORGE and get fat with good food and better company.

I think the best friends you could have are the friends that you find it easy to be yourself around, and easily make little inside jokes with, and tease/be teased back, while knowing it's all in good fun.

I know this will most likely be tl;dr'ed, but if you get this far, you all have a good time this weekend. Have as much fun as you could possibly have with people you love (or at least get along with ;) ), but keep it safe and don't die. :)

For my buddy, Belic Bear. :) Surprise gift art that I've been wanting to do for so long now.

More experimentation with an art style. The style specifically inspired by an awesome artist named Jared Moratis. Got help from a couple of friends, Mister BIG MAN artfulreggie who offered my dynamite and Mister Kirk Cowboy Man Former Insomniac Games BBQ Lover, who offered me the pic-axe idea.

For more information regarding the picture, check it out here:

http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2462639

or

http://bluekanine.blogspot.com/

I feel a bit more relieved and a bit more accomplished.

- Took 2 tests this week in class, and only have about 2 weeks left.
- Got a lot of Commission work finished.
- I finished my 2 assignments, last minute, for my online Digital Media class.
- Finished a sketch and inking for a picture idea I've had in my head for months.
- Been talking more and getting to know Raz (little brother's friend who turns out to be a fur), and helping him out.

Other things:

- Almost July 4th weekend. It's exciting. REAL exciting. Kashra's coming down to visit, as well as DJ and Straife (who's already here)... I like having guests around. Feels more like a party. And I like parties.
- I think I broke my phone finally, after dropping it so many times. The track-ball works only half the time, and it's annoying this way. Unfortunately I don't have money to buy a new phone.
- I feel like I may FINALLY be able to socialize more! I miss people. I would love a transporter to be able to visit friends around the country in a snap. Spoke to Ben Coon today, tried to call Glenn, spoke with Dragoneer, I'm currently on a messenger client...feels nice to be a little more social again!

- I'm thinking of doing art trades soon...

- No AC this year for me. Next up for me is FURFRIGHT hopefully. :) Then wonderful FC....

- I wish it was Christmas, and I was living out of my home, and spending it with friends, where there's snow and hot chocolate.

So MTV is playing MJ music videos all day.

Yeah, you heard me right: MTV.....MUSIC VIDEOS.

It's awesome, but then I thought about it, and then got upset at MTV again. I think most people agree MTV should change their name to RTV, because all they show are Reality shows these days.

But today, they're showing music videos for MJ.

It frickn takes DEATH for MTV to actually show music videos. Wow.

Okay, what the fuck.... Michael Jackson is DEAD?

I AM upset. It sucks. In fact, it's sad.

Growing up, ever since I could literally remember (and the family has VHS tapes to prove it), me and my older brother danced and sung to Michael Jackson songs...road trips were full of Michael Jackson songs. In fact, the EARLIEST music I can remember thinking enjoying, is Michael Jackson music. I frickn' grew up on his albums: "Thriller", "Bad", "Dangerous" and even a bit of "Off the Wall" and a few Jackson 5 songs, "HIStory". We had a VHS Michael Jackson Documentary that I watched almost as often as I watched "Land Before Time".... God, my older brother and I, growing up, even had a glittery MJ glove we used when we would dance to his songs!

What's CREEPY is for the past week, I've been in a Michael Jackson phase, right after my Classical Music phase. I've been listening to Michael Jackson a lot for the past week... I burnt a Michael Jackson CD to bump on the way to and from school, with "Another Part of Me" blasting as I went through the parking lot.... I was distracted from my work yesterday watching Michael Jackson videos for an hour on Youtube.... I was SUPPOSE to make a Michael Jackson LJ post yesterday, to ask everyone which Michael Jackson was everyone's favorite (ie: Smooth Criminal MJ, Rock With You MJ, Beat It MJ, etc.)....And I was EVEN WONDERING what it would be like once Michael Jackson finally died, and how remembered he'd be, and how it'd be treated due to all the negative media attention he's had in the ending part of his life. OH, ALSO, because of this MJ phase I've been in lately, I even wanted to do a few furry-art pieces, in reference to MJ.

I was thinking about how it would suck to die with that much negative scrutiny on you.

It's really sad. He was a GREAT entertainer, easily one of the greatest, who had awesome music, awesome dancing, awesome music videos, EVEN had some (admittingly) awesome trend-sets & trademarks (ie: the "Beat It" red jacket, the glittery glove, the tape on the tips of his fingers, the "smooth criminal" outfit, the fashionistic military getup, skin-tight "Wanna Be Starting Something" outfit, and MORE) .

What a shame. =\

---

My top 5 (Cause you can't just have 1) favorite Michael Jackson songs would have to be (in order):
1) Scream
2) Jam
3) Ben
4) Smooth Criminal
5) Another Part of Me

What're your 5 favorite Michael Jackson song?

Automated telephone machines.

When I have a problem, and need to call a company... first off, I'm already starting off irritated because I have to go through this crap to begin with. When I call, the LAST thing I want to hear is a freakin robotic idiot woman who speaks slowly, pretends to be polite, and can't understand what the hell I'm saying, and who won't answer my questions, and who will take FOREVER just to take me through the menus to where I want to go.

Oh, and then when you ask me to repeat myself because you got the wrong information, please give me MORE than two tries, before you say "sorry, say 'main menu' to go back to the main menu" for me to travel ALL the way through the million menus AGAIN just to get BACK to where I am...and then for me to repeat myself over and over, because you can't understand me, AND THEN say my request is denied....

Denied? But Why? Oh wait, you can't tell me, cause you're a stupid robot. So politely offer to transfer me to a HUMAN BEING, sure I'll hold the phone for that...oh you mean nobody's available right now? You mean everyone there goes home BEFORE 4pm...4pm (a time which just HAPPENS to be convenient for people who have school or work or things to do during the day) A human will be here to help me tomorrow at 10am. But I actually need to have this request submitted before 7:45am tomorrow.

How helpful!

</bitching>

The first time I heard this song years ago (live), it instantly become one of my favorite songs of that time. It didn't take long for it to become one of my favorite songs of all time. It's heartfelt and doesn't try too hard to be artsy, it's just very sincere... sets an amazing mood, and constructed well. I loved this song years ago, I still love it as much today, and I imagine myself being old on trembling legs, loving this song. I just get so much out of this song.

So every now and again, I swing back into a Classical music phase.

Everytime I'm in this, it's kind of amazing to listen to these classics. I mean, I love modern day music, but there's something about these classical songs by the old masters, that is just so timelessly brilliant.

The music feels extremely emotional, well thought-out, it feels ALIVE, it feels like a person you're getting to know. Every single note was well thought out, every chord put in place for a reason, every tempo-change existing to say something.

As I said, I love modern day music, and I still consider it an art form, but something about Classical music feels more artful. It's universal; no words necessary. Words aren't a crutch, so it's just amazing to see how brilliantly the old masters were able to focus and convey things so powerfully. I mean, there's some modern music that still does this obviously (Explosions in the Sky for one, is an AWESOME band that has no lyricist), but the old Classical songs just have a finesse and charm that is just too awesome.

Classical music, I think is something you'd put in a time capsule, to represents the human race's abilities through music, for an alien species to find and learn and appreciate.

Been listening to:
"Cello Suite No.1 Prelude" - Bach
"La Donna e Mobile (Rigoletto)" - Verdi
"The Barber Of Seville - Overture" - Rossini
"Eine Kleine Nachtmusik" - Mozart
"Orpheus in the Underworld: II. The Infernal Galop" - Offenbach
"Canon in D major" - Pachelbel

Among others. Beautiful stuff. I see why these are classics and are used over and over throughout history. So much that, I BET the above songs.... I BET that you all have heard these songs in once place or another. It might've been just a segment of the song, but you've still heard it before. I'm SURE of it. Especially if you watched old cartoons like Loony Toons, Tom and Jerry, and so on. Like "Orpheus in the Underworld: II. The Infernal Galop".... Ya, maybe you've never heard of that title in your life, but I guarantee all of you will recognize the last 5 minutes of that song. It's frickn an amazing song.

I think with Classical music, that has to be listened to, with a different mindset than normal modern music. It's something you have to try and get, and treat as something living, and follow the whole thing, paying attention to all it's swaying notes and melodies.

...ya.

If you haven't heard of this game by now, you should.

I heard about this game months ago, and have been excited every since. Recently, fans got to play an test version of the game, and people have been going gaga over it.

In a nutshell, if you don't know about Scribblenauts, it's basically a platform adventure game, that literally is driven by your own imagination. You get through stages by typing in words, and whatever you type in, appears on screen, and you use it as a tool to get through the stage. Every object you make appear will have its functions, and will relate to other objects appropriately. For example, fire objects will melt frozen objects....flammable objects will catch on fire....things that float, will float....etc.

The developers boast that the game's database for words will surprise people. They say virtually anything you can think of, with the exception of vulgar words (sorry, no penises) and copyrighted things, and more, will be available. They have specifically said that there's a lot of words that most people probably won't even ever use/discover.

A fan-review of the game recently, has gotten popular over the internet. So much, that an artist from 5th Cell (the developers of this game), did fan art of this fan's experience with the game (which is below the fan's quoted experience).


"I had played all the big titles at E3. Private showings of God of War III, Heavy Rain, Alan Wake. But at 4:00 on Thursday, I was wondering around the show floor, wondering what else I had to see. I saw a small little booth for "Scribblenauts!" in the Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment section. I mean, who goes to that booth? But I remember hearing about it on GAF, and so I decided to check it out.

Best game of E3? Without a fucking doubt. Anyone who says otherwise did not play Scribblenauts. Best game of all time? Jesus Christ, I don't know, maybe. It's a game that challenges your IMAGINATION. No other game has ever done that.

So listen to this story. I was in the early levels; I didn't quite have an idea of how ridiculously in-depth the database was. I was summoning things like ladders, glasses of water, rayguns, what have you. But I reached a level with zombie robots, and the zombie robots kept killing me. Rayguns didn't work, a torch didn't work, a pickaxe didn't work. In my frustration, I wrote in "Time Machine". And one popped up. What the fuck? A smile dawned on my face. I hopped in, and the option was given to me to either travel to the past or the future. I chose past. When I hopped out, there were fucking dinosaurs walking around. I clicked one, and realized I could RIDE THEM. So I hopped on a fucking DINOSAUR, traveled back to the present, and stomped the shit out of robot zombies. Did you just read that sentence? Did you really? I FUCKING TRAVELED THROUGH TIME AND JUMPED ON A DINOSAUR AND USED IT TO KILL MOTHERFUCKING ROBOT ZOMBIES. This game is unbelievable. Impossible. There's nothing you can't do." ~ Feep.
Source: http://www.neogaf.com/forum/showthread.php?p=16184727#post16184727

Holy fucking shit."

source for picture: http://ds.ign.com/dor/objects/14304256/scribblenauts/images/scribblenauts-20090615060345371.html


God? Kraken?
Another fan video of 2 fans playing the game to test it out:


First off. Robot Zombies? I'm ALREADY sold. I've been excited for this game when it was first announced months ago, and I'm only MORE excited now.

For More Information: http://ds.ign.com/objects/143/14304256.html

I first heard the song from the new Bacardi commercial, which I think fit the song surprisingly decent:



The music video is mediocre, and personally, I don't think fits the song as well as it could, but the song is dangerously catchy!

Makes me think of driving around, doing things on a whim, and hangin with friends, on the coast. If I were a director with a budget, I think this song would be fun to make a video for.

Full song in the music video below.

SO Catchy.

I imagine this song being WONDERFUL for a July 4th party, playing through speakers outside on a sunny but cool day, food and drinks and talking and singing, and walking through the crowd of friends.

July 4th Weekend.

1) July 4th Weekend, my mom sees it as a chance to be with the family.
2) July 4th Weekend, my friends want me to hang out. And quite honestly, I prefer this over family.
3) July 4th Weekend, Anthrocon.

I've only recently realized that these three things all clash. What luck!

1) I don't MIND family gatherings, in fact sometimes they can be fun. But we've had em enough, to where if I h ave the chance to be with my friends instead, I almost always would prefer to hang with my friends. It's not like we do anything special, we eat food (which is great) usually as a picnic, at the park, then I sit and wait the ENTIRE day to pass trying to stay entertained, until the fireworks come, then I help clean up. Though, it's one of the RARE times, we usually have more american food than shitty-ass filipino food.

2) This would be great, because Kashra will be in town, and I think DJ and Straif will be in town too, so that, along with Dave and Vinny... I mean, it just sounds like a party that does NOT happen so often. They're probably gonna have an awesome dinner, possibly ending with chocolate strawberries.

3) I REALLY want to go. I even told friends who are going, that I was going to be going, but I WAS planning to go. The only thing stopping me was money. I don't exactly have the money, but I figured I COULD charge it on my card, then pay it all off slowly....but that would be irresponsible, and I'd only be there for 2 nights. But I REALLY REALLY wanted to go. Sheppy's not going anymore though (like half the reason I wanted to go)... But there's still like the entire ssbb_furs group going! I guess I really wanted to go this year, because I'm not sure if you all will be going next year.

Maybe I can go to the park with my family first, then leave in the late afternoon to spend the rest of the day with friends, then at midnight, catch a flight to Anthrocon....

You remember watching:

[x] Kenan and Kel (Loved it)
[x] Doug
[x] Ren & Stimpy (Didn't really like it though)
[x] Pinky & the Brain (Only cause nothing much else was on)
[x] AAAAAAAH Real Monsters! (Ickis was SO cute, and I remember feeling so sorry for him, and think about how I'd be his friend. hahaha)
[x] Rocko's Modern Life (Love it)
[x] Animaniacs
[x] Gargoyles
[x] Hey Arnold! (Love it)
[x] Out of the Box (*double claps along with the theme*)
[x] Bear in the Big Blue House (maybe an episode or two...)
[x] Beavis & Butt-Head

[x] You’ve ever ended a sentence with the word "PSYCHE!"
[x] You just can’t resist finishing this: "In west Philadelphia born and raised...". (Hilarious)


( The Rest of the MEME )

Gawd, ANOTHER meme I find interesting....

Kissed any one of your LiveJournal friends?
Yes

Been arrested?
No

Kissed someone you didn't like?
Yes


( The Rest of the MEME )

Yeah, I'm not nearly as exciting as some people.

Thanks to Waya and V.V., they used a picture of mine for a cake, for Sheppy_Milo's birthday, which recently passed.

This is the second time I discovered someone used my art for a cake, and it's pretty flattering to see someone think my art was worthy enough to be put on FOOD.



The original can be found here: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2355881/

Awesome.

I'll be concise: I had fun. Thanks to all the awesome people who attended and kept my company and spoke and hung out with me. *snugs*


( Quick little report and pictures under the cut. )

Had a fun little time. The hotel itself was better than last year's, and the con itself, from what I observed, wasn't too bad.

(click for full view. It IS safe for work.)

Happy Birthday, to (one of) the coolest Sheps I know. (I only know like 3, to be fair.) ;3

Today is Sheppy Milo's birthday, so if you know him, go greet him.

I've been listening to "Little Motel" thinkin about ya, and it's your birthday, so I had to doodle you up, fo sho.

Have a good one. Have a party, have fun, and you better save some cake for me.

"So remember, never surrender.
'Cause the unrelenting constancy of love and hope
Will rescue and restore you from any scope."



If you like music, and you like stories, and possibly appreciate musicals...give this a chance, and keep reading.

Forgive Durden is an often overlooked band from the Fueled by Ramen records company, who also boasts other bands like Fall Out Boy, The Academy is..., Panic at the Disco, Paramore, Jimmy Eat World, etc.

Forgive Durden released a concept album called Razia's Shadow - A Musical. It features a few singers from other bands, including Brendon Urie (lead singer for Panic at the Disco).

I've owned it for awhile, but I finally sat down, listened to it in order, payed attention, and followed along with the lyrics, the narration, and the story... and the bottom line? It's an ambitious project that is pretty satisfying, and its origins (Fueled By Ramen) is more than surprising...who expected an ambitious musical project like this from Fueled By Ramen?

I've come to describe it as a little more matured Disney musical; good music with good imagery and a classic-like whimsical story about love and hope. Guitars don't take the stage here, it's more traditional to a real musical, with strings and percussion being heavy, without fear of using a variety of sounds and instruments. There's a hint of cheeseyness in parts of the album, but cheesyness has something I've always related with musicals to begin with, so it actually helps it feel more like a musical. There's only a hint of it, and it's not distracting or dumbing. It's almost like a cooler version of Disney's Aladdin.

It's very imaginative, and done well enough to where I can close my eyes, and see the entire movie play out, animated and illustrated in my head.

If you're interested in listening to this album, let me know... ;)

Bay Area

Well, on Thrusday, radjinwolf , vason , and I are heading up to the bay area as kashra does his graduation, and there'll be general hangoutage and shenanigans. We'll be up there until, I assume, Sunday afternoon or evening. Really looking forward to seeing some people. :) Maybe even get to spend some time with Ratchet.

Hiatus

I know I've already BEEN on hiatus for awhile now. I've been busy as hell as usual, but this time, more busy than ever. So I know I haven't been on any messengers or anything lately, and I WON'T be for the next few weeks, in order to concentrate on some stuff, like school crap. Sorry! I miss keeping in touch with a ton of people (including you ssbb_furs), but I guess that's life. I'll be active soon hopefully, and maybe get a chance to actually do ARTWORK.

I'm getting a little restless from all the work...I'll even be doing some work while in the bay area... as well as when azaghal visits...so I'm anxious to get it out of the way and come back to everyone online and off.

I'll still be checking emails though and FA, and my cell phone of course, so if you need to contact me for whatever reason, you still can.

<3

***NO SPOILERS***

So lastnight, I caught a free advanced screening of Terminator Salvation, and in a nutshell, it was better than part 3 (easily), not better than 2 (not even close), and to be honest, I don't remember enough of part 1 to compare it to part 1.

It wasn't a bad movie if you could suspend your disbelief for a few moments here and there. It felt a little like Die Hard at times, in that sense. Which is all fine and dandy for me; I can play along, for MOST of the things...there were some parts that I had to try REALLY hard to go along with.

There were a few references to the first two movies, which was expected, with some unexpected surprises here and there.

There were a few moments that felt pretty rushed.

Visually, it was pretty good, but not the greatest. There was more than one moment that I thought, "bluescreen...." I mean, it was hardly a sore thumb, but it was enough for me to take a step back from immersion.

In the end, it wasn't as good as I was hoping, but I don't think it was as big of a disgrace as part 3. I was entertained for the most part, some aspects of it I thought was pretty cool...but I'll try to keep a tight lip.

I WILL say that I was very disappointed that they would tease the audience by playing the first recognizable beats of the Terminator Theme Song (used for part 1 and 2) a few times....but then never actually PLAYED the theme....

What_a_ ****tease... It's a great theme...

Ugh. Okay, so I RARELY do these, but I thought, "what the hell" and decided to. You can thank sheppymilo for it. You better respond, or it means I wasted my time, and that means nothing good for you, pup! *puts up a tough dominant front*...>.>;

---

1) Who are you?
2) Are we friends?
3) When and how did we meet?
4) Would you kiss me?
5) Give me a nickname and explain why.
6) Describe me in one word.
7) What was your first impression of me?
8) Do you still think the same?
9) What reminds you of me?
10) If you could give me anything, what would it be?
11) How well do you know me?
12) Are you gonna put this in your journal and see what I say about you?
13) Would you meet up with me?
14) If you have indeed met with me, what do you remember the most?
15) Do you think you could tolerate living with me? Why or why not?
16) Do you trust me? How much?