Alrighty, lets see how this types out after playing nothing but Vampire The Masquerade: Bloodlines all of today and tonight up to right now, about 3:00 AM. It’s an addictive lil bastard, and probably will hamper my studies more so than they were before.

Anyway, yes I am back once again, sorry for the delay, etc, etc. I have to say though, the reason for a lack of posted material was due not to laziness like all of the previous times, but rather a mixture of my assumption that my work really wasn’t to the finished degree or good enough to which work posted here should be, and that no one was really interested in my work all that much anyway. Lately I’ve realized that I really shouldn’t be taking Deviantart all that seriously. It’s a nice forum for critique, but its not like a website send an employer to look at after you show em a demo reel. That and there are less finished pieces all over Deviantart that I rather like by other artists. As far as the interest in my work, there’ve been a number of people who have managed to help me realize that there still IS an interest in my work. You know who you are, and I’d like to say that I give out oodles of thanks.

Now I suppose this is a good spot to tell yall what the hell I’ve been doing with myself this past… 7 months. I wish I could string all of this into a “We Didn’t Start the Fire” beat, but I lack the musical talent. I suppose you could always read this journal while taking just the right substance, that would make anything musical.

But right, since the last journal I went through a birthday and got to play with explosives on mah birthday. Nothing like having your birthday on the 4th of July in the USA while setting off illegal fireworks in the street wearing a Soviet winter infantry hat and blaring Hendrix’s “ Purple Haze ” in the background. My way of realizing the American dream. After that, I’ve had two quarters in college where I think I might have actually discovered the specific job I want in the field I’m going for: 3D rigger/animator. First quarter I had my first 3d animation class, second quarter I had my second. I’ll go into that a little more in my gallery where I’ve posted work from those. I also had another 3d modeling class and a materials and lighting class. The former was great cause the teacher was great, I took her beginner’s modeling class before too and she’s a real asset to this school. The latter was terrible cause the teacher was terrible, maybe worst class I’ve taken so far. I didn’t learn jack. Other than that, I had a bunch of GenEds where I didn’t learn much of anything else either, with the exception of some interesting anecdotes and theories I got from a fellow student in my sociology class.

Now during the first quarter, I got me a new computer up and working thanks to my friend Kevin and his brother. It’s now up and running in my room here. Tricked out real nice cause I didn’t have to buy a monitor, keyboard, or mouse. That really helped along the rendering times for my animation. Then next quarter I got the orange box. Good golly miss molly. TF2 became my new addiction, which I’ll prolly do some fanart of soon enough. Portal was short but rightly so, because it honestly felt like it was playing a movie, a hilarious one at that. I wouldn’t mind seeing more games made like that. And the HL2 episodes? Loved em all. So much so that I made sure to do all the achievements in Episode 2, including Little Rocket Man, including driving that damn gnome around that track and its slipping out all the time and ya gotta stop and that’s when the chopper revs up and blasts you and it happens every damn 5 feet and you wonder why Alex cant just hold the damn thing after all I’m saving the human race goddamit.

Speaking of women, Kevin got married to a woman who lives at Quiznos.
Now that those quarters are over, we go into Christmas. Was nice and peaceful, didn’t want much, and it shows cause I still have yet to actually open a few of the gifts I got. Crysis and Battlefield 2 are sitting on my shelf doing not much of anything. I was mostly playing World in Conflict, which I bought myself months before this, and was enjoying the fun of dropping so much goddamn ordnance on everything. There are so many types of death that can come from the sky in that game, my personal favorite being the Russian Air Fuel Bomb.

After that, I’m still on vacation, for I decided to take this semester off. It was all a ploy to work on some of my artwork on my own time, get a job, and learn to drive. Unfortunately this was a bad idea, cause no one is hiring right now, 'least not me and my 70 applications so far, no one wants to or can drive until weather improves and stops its epileptic flail up and down the temperature scale, and I’ve been distracted and discouraged from working on artwork like nobody’s business. Aside from playing games and applying all over town, I’ve started having weekly hang outs with my pals, where we’ve been doing lots of DnD and so on. We found out that you shouldn’t grapple bats, because no matter how strong you are, bats sleep upside down on the ceilings of caves. Plus, fuck Ethan Hunt. I’ve also tried working out designing a modified shooting system for D20 for use with modern firearms. I’ve also found out that this [link] picture of mine keeps turning up on 4chan in tradgaems. It has been suggested to me by my friend Kevin, or as I now decide to call him, “Sandwich Groom”, I shall make more of those things. I’ve got ideas cookin up, and hopefully I can use em as artwork in my little firearms rulebook, as well as just posting em on deviantart.

Now we roll in to right now. I'm currently working with Joey on figuring out a location to shoot a lightsaber fight for this big ole contest, and trying to concentrate on artwork. It's not working out all that well as of late, so this is my attempt to get myself back on track. Not to pressure any of yall, but I would appreciate oodles of artistic feedback on my latest art dump. I find that if I’m bombarded with a lot of artistic thought and theory that I can get myself lost in my artwork. And that’s where I want to be.

So alright, its 4 now. Suppose I should type out the descriptions for all this crap now. Or maybe I should go to sleep and post all this shit tomorrow. Look at the post time to find out whether or not I did! Fun and joy!

Oh look, I posted it in the middle of the day next day. Well, welcome back to the light.

Dude I think it must have been like 9 months since I posted my last journal. Perhaps that chould give all of you an idea of how uneventful things have been with my schoolin goin on. Or how busy I have been, even if those two things seem contradictory.

Well, to recap on everything, on my October-December quarter, I took storyboarding, ya'll probably remember that "Rock the Casbah" thing I did. I also had intro to audio and intro to video, and some modern mathematics class. First B came out of that damn audio class though, so I wasn't too pleased with that. Other than that, not much to mention about that quarter. Then there was christmas and new years, not much to mention there. Next quarter had a World Literature and Physics class for gen eds, along with 2d animation and Advanced drawing. The gen eds were no problem, pretty easy as they usually are at this school, the 2d animation class was challenging and fun, but that advanced drawing class leaves me with some regrets. The guy who teaches it, Bruno Surdo, is quite the artist, he knows what hes talkin about, and he tought us quite a lot, but I guess I feel the class was lacking something. Maybe I coulda learned a lot more from it than I did, not sure.

Then there was my 1 week break, and I went into last semester, which I had 2d vector animation (AKA flash), intro to motion graphics, philosophy, and Acting for Animation. Now I usually dont have much to say about gen ed classes, but I have to say that philosophy had to be one of the easiest classes I had. I mean when it comes right down to it, every project or paper you had to do in there requires that you only make an argument and uselogic to back it up. All you gotta do is use logic. And it got me thinking, that if that is so easy, then politician's jobs must be a lot harder than I once thought. I never appreciated how well they can make arguments withot logic, ya know? Not exactly the best thing in the world that they do that, but I guess that would be pretty difficult.

Okay, enough of my political banter. The 2d vector animation class was a real fun experience, simply because I've always wanted to know how to use flash. I've used it before back in high school, and I think I may have even tinkered with it back in junior high. Thing is, I never produced anything really spectacular. Now I've finally got an idea of how to make a really good flash animation, and dare I say it, I might actually start using flash more often if I get the chance.

Acting for animation was the second class with the amazing Patrick Welch. That would be the guy who did my Drawing/Characterization class. As usual, the class was very entertaining, and very enlightening. The class teaches you how to really get into the fabric of a character, and I really wanna put it to use on some new characters, although I've got to say it hard to decide who. I wanna design some new characters, but I want em to have some flavor, and really stick. Now I think I'm a lil more prepared for that task.

And finally the motion graphics class. We used after effects to make a bunch of lil things here and there, but its really not my field precisely. I'm mostly character animation while that class seems more like an effects animation class. Of course the reason we take it is for a basic understanding of the software. Its something we can composite all our animations in to make it look all nice lookin, pretty much. However, this class worked in my favor quite a bit. One of our family friends owns a video production/editing company in town. They serve a lotta the folks in the whole south chicago area, but the guy who owns it saw my work and says he could employ me. Not exactly character animation stuff that he does, but I will be able to do earn some cash while learning technical stuff. No problems there. Plus I'm getting some good work experience for the ole resume.

To go with that, theres also someone who wanted my art in their RPG book, so I'm really happy about that. With the DnD nerd that I am, gettin your art smacked next to all of the fluff and rules in one of these books seems pretty cool.

Next quarter, I'll be takin a gen ed and 2 3d classes. Intermediate modeling, and beginner's animation. I'm not sure about the animation, but the modeling class I think requires that our models look as good as those in the Soul Calibur series. I am lookin forward to that particular challenge. It will be driving me insane soon enough. Until then, I'm going to try and work on some films with my buddies, maybe play some DnD. And try to enjoy the 2 weeks of freedom I have left.

Well, thats all of my rant for now. Expect another one in 2 years, that is the rate I am going at after all. Perhaps I should make some headers and footers for this journal subscription that enigma-dragan gave me.

Moar arts to come hopefully. Clap your hands and believe in me.

Also, if anyone asked me to do some work for them and hasn't had it done yet, feel free to remind me. Chances are I've forgot with all my schoolwork.

Alright then, I apologize once again for disappearing. I can guess that you can anticipate the same for another 3 months, so yeah. I'm sorry bout that.

But yes, its me, Commissar again, and I have a bit of an excuse this time for a lack of artwork. You see lately I've been going through a bit of a revamping of my style. I used to draw things pretty carefully and slowly which is how I did a lot of those old shaded monocrome things I have in my gallery, but lately with my animation class and everything my style has become much more influenced by the quick gestural line, and when you're drawing 12 frames for every second of animation, this idea starts to get into your head. So much so that my design for kinyaf has changed up a bit. Hes got a a much more streamline, scrawny kinda shape to him now, and I guess his heads got a little more of a feral look to it. Still pretty cartoony though, if not more. Thats the direction I'm starting to head in now, so expect a lot of cartoony stuffs.

Now, I know I dont have a lot of artwork in this last update, but heres deal. I've been taking my animation class this semester and although I had a lot of material to show, I dont really know how to get it into digital format and put it up on devart yet. With the way my schedule is next semester however, I'm gonna learn how, so when I do, you can see lil bits of animation here and there.

Other than all the animation work, I also have been working in 3D on the ole compy, and let me tell you, I had no idea that I would have a knack for the stuff. I mean, when I walked into college I thought I was gonna be a die hard traditional, pencil and paper, 2d animator. I thought I was gonna do all the 3d stuff I needed to, but my main thing would be sitting down at a light table and scratchin out animation the ole fashioned way. Well its beginning to look like I was wrong. I'm really taking to the 3D stuff, my teachers have been bringin people in to see my stuff, and my classmates have tried strangling me with a shoelace. I ain't trying to gloat here, just saying how surprised I am that I'm actually turning into a damn 3D artist. I guess thats how college is though, its all about finding your niche.

Thats all I did this semester, but it was a bit of work to do, and since a few things happened this summer, things had been going pretty crappy. But thanks to a good deal of friends out there, and I'm sure you all know who you are, I was able to salvage my sanity, get back on track, and put together some nice work in school this semester, as well as do it with a smile on mah face. To all of you, you've got my eternal thanks.

Well, thats all I can think of to say right now. If I can think of anything else, I'll post it or edit it or whatever. Ya'll have a good one!

Well look at that everybody, I'm not actually dead. Sorry for those of you who lost money on the various bets you had going. I am in fact alive, but I've just been stupid and busy with school, so hopefully now I'll try and get some artwork done that I personally want to do. Although I wouldn't hold my breath on it. I mean, I really wouldn't, cause like even the small drawings take a little bit of time to draw, like a few minutes, and thats a bit taxing on you if you're limiting the oxygen to the brain. I mean it might not kill you, but you're losing brain cells for sure.

Henywho, I suppose I should fill you in... again.

Well after school last quarter Sean loaned me the Trigun DVD collection which basically killed my productivity for that one week I had off, no questions asked. This part is done.

After that I kicked back into school. I had Life Drawing and Drawing & Characterization on my Monday and Wednesday classes, Effective Speaking on my Tuesday and Thursday classes, and for the first time I had an online course. I took Typography online, which is otherwise known as the demon class to everyone in this school. It is the course that has earned the worse reputation for type of work, workload, and asshole teachers. I dodged a bullet by taking the online course, because its only 5 and 1/2 weeks, is digital (obiviously) and has an entirely different teacher. And my other classes weren't at all bad either. Life Drawing seems as though its the first Art Fundamentals class that actually taught me something new, Drawing & Characterization was without a doubt just fun to take part in, and Effective Speaking was a pretty easy and often times enjoyable class to take.

It was also nice to see everybody at games workshop for once. My schedule finally permitted me to meet all my buddies at the ole High School, so that was nice. It was nice to get a lil snippet of that all over again. It was good fun, and on the last day of Games Workshop I got to be first in line for the pizza, as I was a fuggin super-senior. Go me.

As for anything else interesting that might have happened, lets see. Almost got my leg blown off with some fireworks, got sunburned, nearly got lost in Chicago, got to teach a bunch of 6th graders how to do an art project, used my cel phone for something other than calling home to say which train I'm taking back, played my first airsoft battle (and got my first kill), and for the first time had a quarter of school that I really enjoyed. I'm finally shrugging off all of these Art Fundamentals classes and at last I'm getting to do exactly what I want to do: animate. Good times.

And for anyone who cares to know, I may be taking commissions soon. I'm not completely sure, but if I can make all the arrangements and can manage my time accordingly then it may soon be a reality. I'm just saying as a heads up.

So hennyways, if you've got anything to ask, just ask here. I'll try and use this damn journal thing a little more often then I do. Once a month average is not a good thing for me.

Enjoy Refreshing Time.

Sorry about not having made a journal in roughly... 3 months, 4 months? Not since November 20th. Thats pretty bad on my part, I will have to admit. School has been taking a bit of energy and time away form me, so at least I have an excuse. Regardless of the reason, though, I've got a lot of recaping to do.

Well, if you can tell by the influx of art, you might have noticed that I've been doing a lot of arty things at school. During my first semester I went through quite an aggravating time trying to deal with my Design Fundamentals teacher and the big workload she would give us, but that was soon taken care of.

I got all A's that Semsester, then I headed into my 3 week vacation in December/January. I got me some nice things for Christmas, as some of you may already know:
An airsoft AK-47 and Walther PPK (which I call a Makarov just cause its the closest thing to a Makarov that I can find for under $100)
Monty Python Flying Circus DVD collection (ensuring I will never ever be bored ever again)
A green hoodie, calender, and pewter minature, all of which are dragon-y.
And the Half-Life Platinum Collection, meaning I can now play all those old mods.

As one might be able to gather, I've got plenty to satisfy myself with. Although I admit that its all very distracting.

I dont believe my vacation was very eventful beyond that, so I headed into the second semester, the last one, with my next 4 classes: English 2, History of Western Art 2, Observational Drawing (Mon, Wen) and Image Manipulation (Tue, Thur). English 2 was an utter blast, I don't think I'll find another teacher in that school that will want to discuss YTMND's and evil cats. Maybe the latter. But Art History was good too. I mean, I had a rough start, and it involves sitting in a dark room, watching slides of art, right after eating lunch, which mathmatically equates to SNOOZE, but I really got into the whole mechanics of the art. I had some good artistic discussions in there.

Observational Drawing? That kinda sucked, most of the time. I got some cool art out of it, but most of the time it just seemed ridiculous. Teacher kept sending me to get books out of the library so she could reject them in front of me and send me back for more. A person shouldn't check out and return the same 20 books within a 5 minute period.

Then Image Manipulation was cool too. It was another dark room after lunch, but that still didn't keep me from learning things about Photoshop, and from making some nifty art. Twas pretty fun, actually. I got some nice art out of this semester, so I'm satisfied.

As for anything else that happened, all I can remember is some weird guy waking me up on the train into the city, and talking to me. And yelling, and crying, and all that. And then abruptly leaving. *shrug* But most things recently I can remember, like getting to vote in the state primary on Tuesday. A few candidates of mine one, a few didn't, but I'm just relieved that Gidwitz didn't get elected as the Republican nominee for governer. I mean, it was on the republican ballot, which I didnt vote on, but I am still relieved.

And of course, recently, I showed up at Games Workshop back at high school. It was incredibly easy to get past security, and was real nice to see everybody in the ole GW room. And as a bit of good news, I'm gonna let all you know that I can go to Games Workshop next semester. I'm getting back home on the train around 2 or so, so theres NO way I can screw that up and be late.

And so, with that brief description of my uneventful college lifestyle, I will say farwell for now. I just wanted to get this little rant down before hitting the hay, to give you people some idea of what I've been doing. I know I'm forgetting a gazillion things, so please, if you've got questions, please ask.

Until then, watch where you going, you foo!