New Tablet!

I got this fantastic Bamboo Fun tablet from Wacom for Christmas and I just set it up. I thought it would be cool but I had no idea *how* cool. Holy crap! How did I live without one for all this time?

It came bundled with Corel Painter Essentials and after watching the video tutorials that came with registering I started sketching. Here are the first two things I drew.



These are by no means finished sketches but I was just messing around. I still can't quite grasp how easy they were to do though. This first one was sketched with pencil and then filled in and colored with the watercolor brush. So fun!



This one was drawn with pencil and colored in with crayon because I could. I know these are both really rough but compared to things I've attempted to draw with a mouse, they are almost exactly what my hands were trying to do. I'm an impatient sketcher as it is, even with real paper so to be able to get my ideas down digitally so quickly is just awesome.

I probably should stop bubbling with effusive praise before I really learn the ins and outs of both the tablet itself and the nifty software that came with it but really, this is just too fun to keep to myself. I'm going to go draw some more now!

sad pumpkin in snow

1028081603.jpg - Gmail

the sad pumpkin got snowed on today. poor punkin.

Venting.

I really should finish my commentary on Otakon before changing topics but I've already put comments on my pictures at picasaweb and I just don't have much more to say beyond "I had a great time, and cosplay is addictive!" Besides, right now, what I really need to do is vent.

I love my job. I've said it before and I'll say it again. This really is the best job ever. I really enjoy seeing and talking to a very diverse cross section of the people who both live in this country and just come to visit. I have always tried my best not to judge people by their ethnicity or background. I try not to be prejudiced because people who are disgust me.

That said, I have come to realize that I get angry with people who so thoroughly live up to the negative stereotypes of their particular group that, for a brief moment, I can understand where such prejudice and hatred come from. I get angry with the individuals and not the group because I know that the majority are not like that. The individuals are just perpetuating the stereotype. Yet I still get angry because I can see that those others around me, who are, perhaps, not so accepting of differences in others, are filing these individuals away in their minds as further proof that their general hatred and prejudice are valid and that all x people are really like that.

It is frustrating to me because I generally try to be a nice person and such people make me want to be very terse and rude in order to get them to leave more quickly. I can recognize this and then I get mad at myself for wanting to be rude to them. I have to make a conscious effort to remain polite.

As is easily inferred by the fact that I'm posting this now, I had such an experience today. In fact, the people are still here, still living up to every negative stereotype I've ever heard of, and still making me angry with myself for wanting to be rude to them. I just want to go home now.

Sometimes I just want to shake people and say "this is why so many people dislike your people!" *sigh*

Update: As I was writing this, another group of people (of the same ethnicity as the annoying ones) came in and were the sweetest, nicest people. They noticed how annoying the first group was and gave them an exasperated look. Just that look has made my day suck a little less. I have ten minutes more left in my work day. I think I can stop looking at the clock now.

Otakon! woo!

Comin' at you from Otakon in Baltimore's inner harbor!

Jessy and Shannon as June and Marcy from Katamari Damacy!


Wow. Our costumes were a smash hit. I think my picture was taken more in three hours than it has been in my entire life. Amazing! We only came back to the hotel because our shoes *suck* so badly. We'll be back out tomorrow but there will be birkenstocks hidden in our heads. I also want to get more pictures of us together. This is about the coolest thing I think I've ever done in my entire life. I had so much fun this morning! I'd have loved to stay out all day save for the shoe situation. Definitely be around longer tomorrow I think.

I love Otakon. Where else can you spend the morning wandering around with a huge pill on your head, go back to a hotel room that costs as much as a plane ticket to san francisco to eat pasta salad with chopsticks, and then go right back out again as a "normal" person? God this is so fun! Cosplay is addictive.

Rolling on down to Baltimore

June is ready to roll:)

Just about to leave my house. Will probably be blogging from the con itself too but wow am I excited!

I'm still amazed at how well it came out. Particularly since this is the first time I'd used a sewing machine since the mandatory sewing class in eighth grade.

gah! so excited!

Katamari Cousins, Ready to Roll!

 
 
 
 

After over a month of actual work and almost a year of planning and talk, our katamari cousin costumes are done! My house is completely trashed, of course, but the costumes are done! And the heads look so cool! They were the hardest part and I'm amazed that they came out as nice as they did.

The secret? Lots of hot glue, twistie ties, and duct tape. Twistie ties are vital. They hold things still for you while you duct tape them. Hot glue is for places where rolled up duct tape just won't fit. Between them you can do anything! I haven't taken a picture of myself with it all on yet. I'm just too excited about Otakon and actually having a costume for once. Now I have to pack and make sure we have everything we're going to need. And I have to empty out my car too. Damn.

Cousin June is coming to Otakon!

 
 
 
Woot! The katamari costume is finally looking like a katamari! I still have to put the fabric over the head and do the elastic in the bottom of the dress but things are really looking like it might actually be done for Otakon this year! woo! More pictures soon.

Oh the Cute!

I just made this for my cousin's brand new son. I was surprised at how quickly and easily the pattern worked up! It is the 'Baby It's Cold Outside' sweater (link above) and it was about the easiest thing to make. My cousin asked me to make one for her older son to match so now I'm going to try to figure out how to do one up to fit a size 4T. It's so soft too because I made it with Lion Brand Homespun and edged it with Caron Simply Soft. I'd love to figure out how to make one Jessy sized. I just came home and it will likely be winter by the time he gets big enough to fit in it, but that's ok. They're so cute, but I'm happy just visiting. None for me thanks!

A longing for the hallowed halls of academia...

I miss school.

Sure, I bitch about having no time. I complain about being so busy, and I am. But I would find time to go back to school. I don't care about a degree or anything. I just want to go to school. I'd love to take a course or two, something fun. Another Japanese course would be awesome. I need a major refresher because, though my vocabulary is a lot better now, I've forgotten a lot of the grammar and verb forms and structure and whatnot. I'm also not at all confident with my pronunciation. I'd love to be able to talk to all the Japanese tourists that come to the welcome center. But while I can understand what they're saying, I don't feel sure enough in my ability to reply. I love the language though. Lately I've been really trying to brush up, to the point where I'm starting to dream in Japanese again. That hasn't happened since I finished my last class. I've bought a bunch of books, some more useful than others, and I'm thinking of replacing my electronic translator that my ex broke. (bastard) I have Rosetta Stone, but there is something about language study that calls out for human interaction...

It'd be fun to take an Asian literature course too. I've only been exposed to a small amount of it, but what I've read has been interesting and different.

Now if only ESU's website didn't suck so much...

Computers and Vodka

Fantastic News!
Job1 will be getting not only a new computer, but also wireless internet to replace our dial-up nonsense! Jessy is about the happiest cookie ever! It's like Christmas.

On a calmer, yet no less awesome note, I made vodka pasta yesterday for Games Night. I'm putting the recipe up here so I don't lose it. It's my mom's recipe and it is fantastic. Most certainly one of my favorite pasta sauces. And one of the easiest to make too.

Jean's Vodka Sauce

2 large cans whole tomatoes
10-12 leaves of fresh basil, chopped
1 cup vodka
1 cup heavy (or light) cream
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
black pepper
(makes enough sauce for 1 1/2 lbs of pasta)

In a large, deep frying pan, cook the tomatoes and basil until the tomatoes are soft. Crush tomatoes with fork. Add vodka and bring to boil for a few minutes. Lower heat and add cream and cheese. Season with black pepper and simmer for a few minutes more to thicken sauce. Serve over pasta with lots of bread. (because the sauce is just that good!)

It is filled with yummy and the whole process takes about half an hour. All amounts are vague so add a little more cheese or cream or vodka to taste. Yummy.

Lazy Jessy's Freezer Pasta Salad

I'm about the laziest person you'll ever meet. I go out of my way to do the least amount of actual work possible. Take, for example, what I am planning to make for dinner for myself tonight, freezer pasta salad. I actually make it rather a lot because it is fast, easy, cheap, and reasonably healthy. Plus it gets rid of any veggies in my fridge or freezer that really ought to get used up. (Though I must admit to buying vegetables specifically for making this salad.) It also works well to use up that last little bit of salad dressing that has been in the fridge for however long. It isn't really a recipe but here's how I make it.

1 box of pasta (any kind will do, but I like little shells)

3 or 4 large handfuls of various kind of frozen vegetables (my favorites include peas, corn, green beans, and chopped broccoli)

1 or two heaps of chopped fresh veggies that need to be used up (red peppers, cucumbers, and onions happen into mine a lot)

Dressing or mayo (I usually use a combination of both)

Seasonings (I *love* McCormick's Garlic Pepper Grinder! But onion powder, garlic powder, Italian seasoning blend, salt, and black pepper all work)

Put some water on to boil for your pasta. Fetch the colander/strainer and set it in the sink (or carry it around with you if you're as lazy as me.) Throw in your assorted veggies. Don't bother cooking them or thawing them. Cook the pasta. When it's done, pour the hot water over the frozen veggies in the strainer as you're draining the pasta. Dump the pasta in the strainer too. I usually just stick my hands in there and stir the pasta in with the frozen veggies. The hot pasta and the hot water thaw the veggies and the veggies cool the pasta at the same time. They should even out in a minute or so to a nice cool room temperature but you can also run cool water over the lot to do it faster. When everything is drained and thawed, dump it into a big bowl and add the mayo and dressing and seasoning to taste. I just add a little mayo and a little dressing (I like Zesty Italian or Balsamic Vinaigrette) and stir, then add more until it looks/tastes about right. You can get pretty creative with the seasonings. I sometimes throw in some grated or shredded cheese, or a can of chicken or tuna too. Best when eaten on hot days when the AC is broken. It's great the next day too.

Oh dear. Now I'm hungry. Guess it's lunch time. I think I'll take a pic of dinner tonight and add it in.

Some things I want to do some day

This is a random list, in no particular order, of some things I've always wanted to do but never got around to. I'd like to do them all some day. Of course, some are much easier and more feasible than others but they are all reasonably possible. It amused me when I was writing that most of them are 'places' rather than 'things' but I guess that makes sense in a way. I'm certain there are more things that should be on here, but these are the ones on my mind today.
In no particular order:

Ride a Greyhound bus -- I've always wanted to take the bus to someplace random. This is what pushed me to write up this list today. A Greyhound came in to work, and I was musing on all the different kinds of people that got off. It's such an interesting mix. People from all different backgrounds and places, riding the bus for a myriad of reasons. It just seems like a fun thing to do. I'd probably get a lot of crocheting done. The destination doesn't matter so much as the journey to get there.

Drive the Whole Length of Interstate 80 -- This one has been on my mind basically since I learned to drive. It always fascinated me that the highway that goes past my town also goes to San Francisco. I've traveled 80 from the eastern most end (the George Washington Bridge) as far out as the eastern edge of Illinois, but there is so much further to go! Maybe this one should wait for gas prices to be less stupid...

Visit Japan -- This trip is one of the least feasible, but also one I *really* want to do. It's very expensive to travel halfway around the world, but Japan is one of those places that I 'want to see before I die' that people talk about. I don't know when I'll get there, but I'll find a way, someday.

Skydive -- One of the two things on the list that isn't a travel item. I just think it might be fun to jump out of a perfectly good airplane. I'll probably hate it and never want to do it again, but I'll have done it. There is a place not far from where I live that offers lessons. It's expensive but not *that* expensive. I might need moral support for this.

Tongue piercing -- The other thing that isn't a destination. I've always wanted a piece of metal shoved through my tongue. The inhibitor on this one isn't funds or time but rather I kind of feel too old. Plenty of people who are my age have them, but most people do things like that in their teens. I'm also a bit concerned about my job and family. Sure, I'm 27 and old enough to do what I want, but I still respect their opinions. This one will probably happen before all the others. If I'm going to do it, I ought to do it before I get even older right?

See Alaska in the Summer -- Like the trip to Japan, I have no clue when this is going to happen. I just really want to get there someday. I think it would be neat to watch the sun set and then rise again really quickly. It'd probably be pretty cool to be there in the winter too.

Take a Cruise -- I've never been, and I think it'd be fun. Lots of time to read and crochet and relax. I'd have to bring an extra suitcase just filled with books though. And maybe another with yarn.

Of course, most of these would be much more fun with other people and at the moment, I'm pretty much out of people to kidnap. But that is ok. There is no time limit on this list. I just wanted to write them down so to remember them when I do find someone willing and able to be kidnapped.

In Mourning for Robert Asprin

While cruising the internet tonight, I've just learned that Robert Asprin passed away, unexpectedly on May 22. I'm a huge fan of his MythAdventures books and I think I'm still a little bit in shock. I'm just feeling so very sad that I won't be able to pounce on more of his books.

I'm not sure why I felt the need to write this here. I guess I just wanted to add my bit to the rest of his fans.

He will be missed.

bleh

Today ended the holiday weekend. Holiday weekends are good because my family actually makes money then. Holiday weekends suck because they are *so* much work. I want to sleep in a little ball of sleepy for a day or two, but I have to got to my *real* job tomorrow. bleh.

I'll probably feel better once I shower. I picked up the garbage this afternoon, which I usually don't do. I actually don't mind doing it at all... I always walk it and it is fun that way and good exercise too. But now I feel all grubby and sweaty and some unidentifiable substances dripped on my birks at one point so I'd way like a shower. Plus I think I squished about a thousand gypsy moth caterpillars. The damn things are everywhere.

I just needed to vent. I'm done now.

A day in the life of my cat

This is the conversation I've had with my cat at least six times so far today;

cat: Hey you with the thumbs, open the door.

me: It's raining. You won't like it.

cat: Just open the door and let me out.

me: Fine. (opens door)

cat: WTF! Water is falling from the sky! Bastards!

me: I told you it was raining.

cat: You did this on purpose! Make it stop! Now!

me: I don't control the weather.

cat: Well fine, see if I care, didn't want to go out anyway. (stalks off)

me: (closes door and returns to what she was doing)

Ten minutes later...

cat: Hey, open the door! I wanna go out!

me: (sigh) It's still raining.

cat: Lies! You just don't want to get up.

me: (goes to door, opens it, rain is pouring harder) See still raining.

cat: Damn it all! (stalks off)

Repeat roughly every ten to fifteen minutes. This has been my day. At least it's a distraction from laundry.

Time, a rant.

Time is so subjective. One minute takes an eternity and the next just a blink of an eye. Time is everywhere. I think that is why it's so hard to talk about. Our language is dependent on a linear progression of this thing we call time. But what is it really? I knew what it was until I started to try to talk about it. Now, I'm not so sure. Some days I think I think too much. This seems to be one of those days.

I can't help but wonder what I'm doing. I find myself wishing for time to pass faster, and then I step back and wonder if I'm wishing my life away. Not only is time mysterious, but it is clearly limited. We have no idea exactly how much we have, but we're all certain that some day, some time, our time will run out. So as I sit here at work, wasting time and watching it pass, I worry that there is something more important that I should be doing. Something, I don't know, Big. Responsible. Adult. And I can't think what it could be. I may be a responsible adult to the rest of the world, but I don't think of myself that way. I blame that feeling of needing to do something. It is that same feeling that you get when you're in school and you suddenly realize that it is the end of the semester and there's a term paper due that you had completely forgotten about. That sense of urgency overlaid with a feeling of impending doom, accented by guilt, anxiety, panic, and shame.

But I don't have a term paper due. And I've gone through and checked and all my bills are paid. I can't find anything I've forgotten to do, and this feeling has been there, lurking in the back of my head, for years. So I've begun to wonder, is that what time feels like? The random moment of pressure in the back of the mind, the hint of urgency, is that Time reminding me of its presence, and its inevitable conclusion?

Such are the thoughts running through my head on this quiet Thursday morning at the Rest Area. The occasional traveler who passes by and responds to my greetings probably thinks I'm playing games or chatting. God, I love my job.

randomness

see more crazy cat pics

saw this and couldn't help but laugh. It needs to be here.

I watched TV!!!

I've spent most of my weekend closed up in my house doing laundry. Consequently, the DVD player was working overtime. Saturday night, though, as I popped out Spirited Away, my TV had one of those moments of magical reception. I managed to catch the last fifteen minutes of NBC's new Knight Rider. Shannon had told me about it earlier in the week and I was quite intrigued. I was rather pleased with the little snippet I saw on my fuzzy television, and when it ended I went hunting the complete episode. I was actually rather surprised to find it on the NBC website in its entirety.

I'm cautiously optimistic. Of course this was a made for TV movie, and I've not really seen anything that ensures it will be a series. If it is, though, I may have to jury rig my antenna a bit better as it sounds like something I might want to watch on a regular basis. Of course if NBC is going to be so kind as to put every episode online for my viewing pleasure, I'll just do it that way. Much easier to beat Theseus into submission than to fight with the TV and its ancient bunny ears.

A changeling, eh?

Found a random WoD quiz. I'm not sure if it is oWoD or nWoD though. I guess I shouldn't be surprised by the result though. heh.

Take the World of Darkness Quiz
by David J Rust

another one

 
Another one I took today. This one looks like me but not the character... I'm so bad at pictures. I think part of the reason none of them ever look like me is because I tend to take my hair down in pictures whereas I think of myself with my hair up because that's how it usually is. Or I could just be weird. I'm standing on my front porch btw. See my dead grass?

current picture of me

 
I was attempting to take a picture of myself today for use as an icon for the larp. My character is way more badass than I am and I don't think the picture really works for her, but I kind of like it anyway. I don't think it looks like me at all, but then pictures never do. I may still use it as an icon for Emily Moore. feh.

Looking at it some more and I still can't decide whether I like it or not. The shadow under the chin gives it a strange division in the middle and I kind of hoped the cross would come out a bit clearer than it did. Also, I'm making kind of a weird face. Still, it's better than most of the pictures I have of myself, so I guess that must count for something.

Random D&D quiz results

I Am A: Neutral Good Human Druid (4th Level)


Ability Scores:

Strength-13

Dexterity-12

Constitution-14

Intelligence-17

Wisdom-16

Charisma-13


Alignment:
Neutral Good A neutral good character does the best that a good person can do. He is devoted to helping others. He works with kings and magistrates but does not feel beholden to them. Neutral good is the best alignment you can be because it means doing what is good without bias for or against order. However, neutral good can be a dangerous alignment because because it advances mediocrity by limiting the actions of the truly capable.


Race:
Humans are the most adaptable of the common races. Short generations and a penchant for migration and conquest have made them physically diverse as well. Humans are often unorthodox in their dress, sporting unusual hairstyles, fanciful clothes, tattoos, and the like.


Class:
Druids gain power not by ruling nature but by being at one with it. They hate the unnatural, including aberrations or undead, and destroy them where possible. Druids receive divine spells from nature, not the gods, and can gain an array of powers as they gain experience, including the ability to take the shapes of animals. The weapons and armor of a druid are restricted by their traditional oaths, not simply training. A druid's Wisdom score should be high, as this determines the maximum spell level that they can cast.


Find out What Kind of Dungeons and Dragons Character Would You Be?, courtesy of Easydamus (e-mail)



Don't ask why I took it. There are some days when I'm just this bored.

On a more interesting note, I just spent way too much money at borders. I should know better than to go there.

Dylan's hat

This is the first one I made for Dylan. I still don't get why the grownups like it so much.

Josh's hat

Here's a picture of the NY hat I made for Josh. Since this time I wrote down what I did for the letters, Meagan's hat looks almost exactly the same. They said they were good luck to wave in the air but bad luck to wear during a game... I guess we'll have to see again this weekend!

I found the pattern for the base hat here.

Cat and mouse

Her Catness has claimed my mouse. I think she's jealous.

Return to blogging

I seem to do this every year. I say I'll start up again and then I get distracted by some shiny object and fail. So I'm not going to say that this time. I'm just going to say that right now, at this particular moment in time, I have some things to say. This is where I choose to say them.

A lot has changed since last February. There was a bunch of emotional mess, lots of drama, and eventually some real fun. I won't get into it. Suffice to say that it is over, done with, and in the past.

Right now there are more pressing things to worry about than the unpleasantness of last year. This is where I hope to do that worrying. Maybe.