Yes, I am alive. Things are rough right now, financially speaking, but it'll get better. It always does. I am also writing a novel for children/pre-teens. Not sure if it's good. But first drafts are never up to snuff. The bulk of my income will need to be coming from publishing my own projects, so off I go. Looking into making use of those freelance-service sites for help in getting some extra income, and sending samples of my work to various children's book publishers, in case they ever need another illustrator. It's rough right now, I'm feeling very discouraged and frightened, but I'll manage. I always do.
In terms of internet activity, I've moved to Tumblr. Same with art/fandom/geeky stuff. All on tumblr. :D In terms of art, it's all kinda "meh" right now, sadly. In terms of fic-writing, slowly writing fics again, even if there are a lot of hang-ups, and the small fandom I was a big part of is effectively dead, but I still write. I want my story to be told, and to be out there. If the fandom comes back to life, all the better. If not, well, somebody will stumble across it. It's a neat little creative break when I'm not doing work stuff. In terms of gaming, whoops I tripped and fell into a little thing called Demon's Souls and Dark Souls 2 and Final Fantasy 14.
In terms of cats... Dante, Sierra, Spike and Buddy are gone. As is Mistoffolese. They can't ever be replaced. They will be remembered.
I do, however, have my Mercedes and my Julien. There is still Maaya and Pepita. They are our girls. Good kitties.
So, yeah. Not dead. Life is rough right now but it'll get better. On tumblr now. Will likely be back next year for an obligatory LJ post.
Got a new project at the start of the year. I will be finishing it up this week, so there will be a very happy client. Said client has also offered a new project for me to start on next week, pending the finishing of this one.
I am going to be very busy for the next couple of months. Gonna enter perpetual crunch time mode.
Hmm, LJ's new layout is interesting. I kinda like it. Certainly better than tumblr's new update, that's for sure. ¬¬
Got another project in from a client. It's the second book of a seven-part series. Once more, doing the illustrations for it. :) Can't divulge any more details than that, since I'm under contract, but so far so good.
Also working on a children's book of my own, of my own writing and illustrations. Since the goal is be self-sufficient by my own projects, it will serve as both a portfolio piece, hopefully generate a little bit of modest income, and basically be a more long-term investment. Little bit on the back burner right now since client work takes the priority, but it's there.
So yeah, got some work to keep myself busy.
Pretty much moved most of my fangirling to my tumblr blog. It's an appropriate place for said fangirling. Also, the occasional art shows up there. It's either a legacy post, where I post some older art, or something new. Really into Dragon's Dogma. :D Like you wouldn't believe. As in, Legend of Mana levels of fangirl obsession. Dragon's Dogma is getting back into art and fics like you wouldn't believe. Dang Capcom, you've done some serious good. :D
I'm a little ambivalent on going to AWA this year. On one hand, it's something of a tradition for me now. A weekend that I can look forward to attending a fun event, doing fun things, seeing all of the wonderful art and costumes, getting the occasional geeky goody here and there, and have a lovely time. I've been going ever since I was fourteen, and since I am 24 now, it would be a full decade of attending AWA, even if it's just for a day. On the other hand, admission has gotten more expensive as the years went on, and I really need to use the money to save in my little nest egg I've set up for myself and pay off those dreaded student loans on a consistent basis. And even if I go, I would be on a tight budget.
On the other hand, it would be nice to just go and half a blast for the day, geek out in a convention full of like-minded people, have fun and enjoy myself. It's something that I look forward too all year, every year, and my con experiences have always been positive. I suppose the pros outweigh the cons again. XD
In other news... Things are doing alright. Hope things are alright for y'all.
I'm obsessed with Dragon's Dogma, to the point where it rivals my Legend of Mana obsession. And now I've got a new OTP that is – and I'm very quite serious about this – dangerously close to derailing EscadxHeroine as my main OTP. What. Most likely because there's so many parallels I've noticed during my head canons for this game and particular rival OTP. Further study is required. Said furtehr study is merely an excuse for Cheetah to indulge in her oldest, most favorite OTP, and her newest pretty-much second-favorite OTP.
So yeah. What. o_o In anycase, the game itself is wonderfully entertaining and a fun action-RPG made by Capcom. Story is pretty straight forward. Evil Dragon rampages, rips out your heart and marks you as his chosen equal. You save the world and solve pretty much every problem in the kingdom. There is an interesting twist at the end. You throw pies at chosen love-interest with ridiculous French/German/Whatever-the-hell-it's-supposed-to-be accents, though chances of accidental romances with gothic lolitas, princess-types who drop their panties over stupid party hats, and random innkeepers are also very likely. And you have a minion called a "Pawn". They'll first bug you, than they will be your baby. And you will guard your baby, and then you'll be hounded by wolves and harpies and WTF CHIMERAS wonder why you keep dying.
Yep.
Still fun though. XD And now I'm getting all kinds of fangirl feels, and head-canons and OTPs and what-not. I'd recommend it. It's on PS3 and XBox.
...died. Severe asthma, of which I thought was treatable and could be cleared in just a couple of days. He was trying to come home, back inside...
Damn it, he was my baby. He was literally my cat-baby since we got him and his sister Lucia as kittens, and now he's gone. My Dante Sparda is gone and I can't see the screen because of the tears. He was always by my side, laying on my desk, all over my papers, my tablet, my lap, my blankets. He couldn't get enough cuddles. He would hug back, and curl up in my arms, under my neck, and nuzzle and purr, and I want my baby back. Give me back my Sparda kitty.
"Crushed" isn't the word. It feels more like my soul's been ripped out, as stupid as that sounds, and just want my Dante back. There can never be a replacement for Dante. Words can't describe it, and now my face hurts from crying off and on this evening.
I should sleep. At least Dante will be there, in my dreams.
I have just realized that I haven't really drawn or done art for myself in quite some time. It's all been "work" and not "play". And of course, whatever free time I do get is dedicated to playing video games.
I hate fun-art burnout. Don't even really want to sit down for some doodles for various fanart or even random shipping of the various OTPs. I get all kinds of wonderful awesome ideas in my head, but never draw, or doodle, or paint... Just, one big blah.
How lame. Just a coupel of hours ago, I was trying to figure out how to draw Sly Cooper, and figured out how to draw him in doodle form. Now I have Sly being a flirty card and DJ Harbinger in my head, and I'm too lazy to fire up Photoshop.
Therefore, stuff that has happened recently. Yep, another "I'm not dead!" update post.
I got my first project for a client done, which is doing illustrations for a seven-book series of children's books. This means that I got to send out my first invoice, to my first client earlier this week on Tuesday. Get paid on Wednesday, and feel all kinds of "HAPPY HAPPY JOY JOY" feelings. XD
So as a treat for nearly two months of nearly non-stop work, I ordered some video games: the Sly Cooper Collection for my PS3, of which I got this afternoon and having all kinds of fun playing and WHY DID I MISS OUT ON THIS YEARS AGO CHEETAH IS TEH STUPID. And now I'm looking for fandom for Sly Cooper, and engaging in shipping. And dear god, somebody stop me.
Also, Tomba 2. Because it's quirky, dorky and sweet-natured platformer/rpg game about a pink-haired feral kid saving the world from evil pigs. Yep. The first game was like that too, but with a slightly less-refined game engine. I remember playing this almost twelve years ago, as well as the first one, but never being able to find it until now. It's like being a little kid again, waiting for the exciting package that you know is going to come in. And you know you're finally going have a copy of a game you played and loved as a kid, and you're going to be a very happy nostalgic gamer when it finally arrives. XD
I also opened up a savings/checkings account at a local credit union. Because I needed one for quite some time now. And because I'll need a paypal account as well, just to make things a little easier. Nothing fancy, and it meets my needs. Most of the services are free, with only a few very affordable fees (as in, $5-10) and I'm feeling quite proud of myself.
So in summary, I'm doing fine. At the beginning of the week, I was having another period of self-doubt and wondering how I'm ever going to meet my needs and build for my future. Now I'm feeling much more secure. Off to bed, and to enjoy a Memorial Day weekend. I haven't really taken Memorial Day off for a good three-to-four years now. I'm caught up with my work, there's more work coming in, I have some of the tools to make sure I finally start building a decent nest egg, and there are shiny new games to play. XD
Stuff. Stuff happened. Stuff of the happy variety.
Still workin' hard on that project for a client. Hard work, sometimes frustrating, but rewarding. Gives me warm, fuzzy feelings whenever I receive positive feedback from the client, or even a little bit of random gushy "OMG Thank you! You're so awesome!" (More professional, generally speaking, but that's pretty much the core of it.) I'm getting the hang of of this freelance-illustrator stuff.
Easter was good. Quiet, kinda low-key. Got a little ralphed out from candy, due to starting a new diet and eating less junk food overall and more of the healthier stuff. That's ok though. Space it out longer. XD So yeah.
Mom and I went out yesterday to replace my busted old office chair, and came home with a new computer table, chair and drafting table. She claims it's because my Birthday is this coming Friday, and I needed some new working furniture, because the old desk was big and bulky, and at the same time, not enough work space because there were papers and cats all over the place. While I enjoy company of the furry variety, it does get a little annoying when I'm trying to work. So we got everything put together, put into place, and set-up to a layout I like and can work with. We cut down the old desk to keep the storage shelves it had, and I set everything up to how I can like it, work and play. I feel a little spoiled, because I only really expected the chair. Saw the cool drafting table, and one thing led to another. Our shared office looks a lot better, and has a little bit more floor space. Words really can't describe it, so I have pictures. I will upload them.
I have to admit, I'm still getting used to everything. I'm getting a stiff hand and shoulder, so I might have to a little bit more re-arranging of keyboards and tablets. I also think Mom wanted an excuse to get me something nicer than "new video game for my Birthday", and give something me something that I can use and enjoy on a more long-term basis. I know that the chair alone is the best new thing in the world right now...
On the subject of Birthdays... It's a little hard to believe that I'll be 24 this Friday. It's a familiar surreal feeling I get just about everywhere around this time, and a little bit of excitement. I'm getting older, a little wiser, and kinda looking forward to getting my work done this week so I can take the day and and enjoy myself. ^^
Also saw the Hunger Games last/Saturday night. Great movie, setting and characters, although obviously sad and disturbing, because of the violence. I embarrassed myself in front of my friends by crying during a certain scene, and jumping in fright in another. It's a movie for the times, with a wonderful lead heroine, who I'm a little in love with now. XD Want to read the books. Geeked out with Dad about it. Geeked out with Dad about John Carter too: he's reading the books. I want the Hunger Games books. Geekiness all around.
Okay, that's all for now. I'm sleepy. I need to get get up tomorrow morning, and my hand and shoulder are cramping. Need to do a little bit more re-arranging in the morning, and really test out my new little hermit-holes capabilities. XD
About time for some kind for update. Mostly an "I'm not dead!" update. XD
So! Restarted workouts in the morning with my Mom, every other morning. Went to the nearby park this time to walk around on the various trails they have. As we were wrapping up, we saw the cutest little black and white kittens. <3 Their human was out looking for them, and they've apparently been raised by kids, so they were looking for kids to play with. One was hanging out in the tennis court, and the other was hanging out by the track greeting people. They were so cute and so friendly. XD Quite nothing like kittens to make your day.
I started my career with the goal of being a freelance and self-publishing artist and writer, which is difficult, but rewarding. I published my first children's book, which is a book of tongue twisters. XD Now working on another one, which I actually wrote when I was seven years old, and really into dinosaurs. Still kinda into dinosaurs. I'm a little amazed I was still able to remember as much as I did when writing down my outline/notes. Now the tricky part of writing it all out, designing the characters, art style, colors, etc.
I also landed my first freelance client and project as well. It is an illustration project with a publishing company. I can't say more than that, since we're negotiating a contract, but it's good work. I'll get paid some decent money to start out with, as well as having a new portfolio piece and professional work "credits" under my belt. It'll be hard work, but I'm glad to have some work now. ^^
Has died. He was with me, in the end, curled up on my lap while I played video games. I think that's a good way to go, for a cat. One last good face rub. One last good chin rub, and lots of strokes and scritches. And love. So much love. I don't want to talk about how he died, or his death. Because I'd rather remember the goofy, silly, happy orange cat who was a major brat, spoiled rotten and spoiled sweet all at the same time. He loved his cuddles, and being squeezed, and being combed with the flea comb, and scritched, and hugged and being with someone, and sitting on their laps. You could hear him purring and cooing from all the way across the room and down the hall. Sometimes even over a video game mic on an online game, amusing all of the players present. He chased the other cats around. Sometimes it was play sometimes they were picking fights. (He was such a brat.)
But he was also our orange pussy-cat.
Miss you already, ya goofy cat. Now I'm going to cry. ;_;
sleepy
relaxed
heart-broken
