We got snow!

Yeah, it snowed. A real snow finally. Granted, I didn't enjoy being at work with it snowing outside, but it did really snow. I would have rather been at home watching it snow outside the window. Unfortunately my dog was having trouble walking through snow. It was really good packing snow but that meant it gathered on her paws and she would start limping. I had to stop and try to clear the snow from her feet before she could walk again. Generally it would get so bad I had to carry her. *sigh*

But yeah... I do like snow... watching it fall. Its so peaceful.

In other news... GOD I have so much to do. I have to make a list of places to send my resume to, get portfolio items together, get my online portfolio on, redo my website, get ready for Katsucon, get two commissions done before Katsu and in general do work.

I haven't done any art in a long time. I drew some art on the computer (previous to its meltdown), but just can't seem to get motivated to sit and finish them. I can't seem to get motivated to do anything though I might want to. I don't know if it stems from fear or depression or there's just so much I have to do that I can't figure out what to do or something else... Its sort of frustrating I can't get myself moving on stuff.

Argh! I have to get motivated again!

This past weekend I saw Slumdog Millionaire. It was really very good and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a good movie to see. And I think its good for guys or girls. I have also come to love BBC America. A month or so ago, our cable provider changed channels around and rearranged them and we lost some, so when I called them to ask about it, they said we had to get the digital box.... so I got that and we got BBC America. At first, we didn't pay it much mind like the hundreds of other channels we got, but then we saw Predator... and The Graham Norton show... We started watching Dr. Who - a show I NEVER got into or watched before. Then I had it on randomly while doing something else and I saw Top Gear, which is essentially a show about cars, but its actually funny and interesting! We watched BBC on election night and it was really great to see the American election through the eyes of another country. And hey... they ALL have accents...

On a final note, I will be grateful for Wednesday this week. I can only take so much of something being shoved down my throat before it gets too completely annoying to take.

But hey... Look! I've had a blog posting each week for a while! GO ME! I'm trying to keep this interesting and its great that people respond to it and say stuff.

iMac is home now

So, yeah... the iMac has been having problems. The least of which were spoken about in the last blog. Since then, the computer hasn't gotten much better. Corel Painter still couldn't start up and while I contacted Corel tech support, I never received an answer in their 'three to five' days via email.

On top of that situation, the computer kept shutting down. And when it was in sleep mode, I couldn't get it to wake up. After losing a project I was working on, I decided enough was enough and made an appointment at the Genius bar at the nearest Apple store. I packed it up in its box - which I still kept, even with the styrofoam, which was good because I'm not sure how else I would have carried it - and hauled it to the car. The Apple Store is in a mall and it was hell to carry that thing through the place to get to the store - we didn't know exactly where it was inside. The iMac is freaking heavy!!! Did you know that? I didn't... NOW I do. ITS HEAVY!

We passed a kiosk with cell phone covers and I have two hands on the handle and my arms are killing me and I didn't change my shoes because I had left right after work to go to the store to make my appointment and CLEARLY I am struggling to carry the box and the girl at the stand looks me in the eye and says, "Hi, what kind of cell phone do you have?" I mean, she was preparing to try and get me to come over so she can try and sell me some cell phone cover while I'm lifting this heavy ass box - and it was obvious I was having difficulty... I managed not to say, "Shove it up your ass you idiot!" or something equally classy and just said, "Sorry no, carrying something heavy!"

So, in the end, I managed to get to the Apple Store and Mom commented that it sort of smelled like sweat and I couldn't disagree. I don't know what happened at that store, but it went down hill. There used to be cleancut decently groomed employees... in their place was now, shaggy, scraggily looking people in ill fitting t-shirts. I can only guess a bunch of people needed jobs and they applied at the store and got jobs... I dunno. It was just sort of... bleh. They were all VERY nice I will say. They were polite. When I finally got to see my Genius, I was really tired, as we waited a half hour after my appointment time.

He checked out the iMac and opened it up and went through a bunch of tests, even with help from another Genius. Then he said he thought it was the power supply. This would cost about 170 some dollars with labor. If it wasn't the power supply, he said it might be the logic board which would hike the cost up to over 700 dollars. While this was a lot of money, it was still going to be cheaper than buying a new computer... though I had to admit, seeing all the shiny new computers, it was hard to not want one.

But I will also admit, that after a while... I didn't really want a new computer. It was... I dunno... The thrill was gone. Maybe it was the store.

Anyway... So I had to leave the computer there, hoping it was the power supply and not the logic board.

I got a call from the Apple store today that it was the power supply and the iMac was ready to pick up. After work, Mom and I headed back up and got to the store - this time with the box and a little rolling luggage cart thing because lugging the computer through the mall again was not happening. The greeting apple employee informed me I had to wait on line to get my computer back so I went to the register line and stood there for a bit... then got some padding things for the laptop I have... figuring I'd pay for the repairs and pay for that at the same time. Let me tell you, that register line was SLOW... I mean REALLY SLOW!

I have never waited so long on a register line that wasn't even long! It was ridiculous.

Before we get to the register, an employee came up asking if I was picking up something and I gave him my info so he could go in the back and get it. I got to the counter and told the guy we were waiting for my computer... So the WHOLE line had to wait till my computer came up. They weren't going to ring up anyone else till I did... They finally brought my computer and put it in the box and I packed it up and got it ready to go. I then handed the guy my paperwork so he could ring me up... and the little protection pack thing. We stand there for about 10 minutes and finally ask what the problem was. Apparently... you cannot ring up a repair and an item at the same time on their register.

That is freaking insane! I cannot believe that they would have it set up that way!!! So, since I'm paying by check, I have to write out two checks for this thing... I write up the first check and give him my ID.. another 10 to 15 minutes and he is ringing up the check. Mom and I are standing there as a line builds up behind us and are in complete disbelief that this is taking so long... Apparently, the guy working the cash register is a trainee... Then we have to ring up the protection pack... another 5 - 10 minutes... I felt like.. I don't know... Standing there while this line of people is building up behind us. I'd have felt bad, thinking that it was because of paying with a check, but we waited on line a long time too and I can't think that everyone ahead of us was paying with checks too. So clearly there was an issue with this system with the register. Which pisses me off because I love macs and think they are awesome and there is no reason for an Apple store to have that slow a system for ringing up stuff.

But anyway... we got back home and I hooked up the iMac again. So far, I think its working fine... we'll see. I'll be glad if it all works fine again. VERY happy. Pray that the iMac is fine and that I won't have to worry about it going wonky and not working again.

Leopard's still gnawing on my leg

So, I started trying to use my Painter program that I got for my birthday... And my Wacom tablet wasn't... responding the same way it was before the switch to the new OS. I realize then, that I may have to install the cd that came with the tablet, because while it works cause Mac is so great about the plugnplay thing, it is not working the way it used to.

I go over to where I keep all my discs and surprise-suprise, I can't find it.

I look all over at all the places I might have logically put it because I can't imagine I just threw it away or tossed it somewhere. I know me. I know that I would have put it some where to keep it safe that made sense. The problem is, I got the tablet almost exactly a year ago... I have to think about what would have been logical and made sense to me THEN.

At about 11 p.m. I gave up and I still don't know where it is. So I can't really use Painter or any other art program with the tablet yet till I can figure this out.

NOT happy. *pout*

EDIT: I have found the installation discs. They were on my drawing table under some papers. I don't know why I put them there, but I found them. I installed them... The tablet worked and was fine. Then I tried to use PainterX and.... that got weird. I shut it down and restarted the computer. Then tried to open Painter again and it won't open at all, saying it can't open painter files? ARGH. So I contacted Corel to ask them for help. I'm still waiting to hear back from them.

I cannot say how sorry I am I installed the new OS system... but I'm getting concerned since my mac is acting weird all over the place. I started it yesterday and during the start up it just stopped and shut down. When I restarted it again, my backup drive wasn't on the desktop. I don't know what's going on but none of this is looking good. And I'm REALLY concerned because I can't really afford to get a new mac of any sort right now. I'm just hoping this is something that won't lead to something really bad. *cry*

Life and Death

Yesterday was my birthday. It was an OK day - nothing too exciting or out of the ordinary - though I got some nice messages on the phone by friends and family singing Happy Birthday. Thank you Uncle Art and Aunt Judy and thank you Mike and Mandy for that.

We went to the Bonefish Grill for dinner and as always, it was a really pleasant night with some really good Sangria.

It is strange sitting here now... to know how old I am and where my life has gone. I am determined to do things this year to start the next phase of my life and to make it something more. I have so much more in me than this! I can't lose my determination and dreams.

It is also difficult to sit here and think about those I have lost this year. A few days ago, another of my Aunts passed away. That will be three Aunts and an Uncle I have lost in one year, not counting the cousins of which I believe there were 2 or 3. All of them were from my Father's side of the family. He now only has one brother alive and that one is not in good health. This is the difficulty of being the youngest in a large family. And I know one day I may have to deal with this as well, being the youngest in my family. It is strange to know, that when I go overseas again, I will not see the faces I have always seen... the smiles I knew, feel the hugs or kisses that I once did. I try not to think about it too much because it would get overwhelming I think. Its just strange and sad.

With the new year, I know there will be other losses, but I know there will be new things... New challenges, opportunities and chances. I guess while I always resented having my birthday at the end of the year (it usually gets lost amid Chanukah, Christmas, New Years), this year I don't feel that way. It sort of wraps up 2008 for me in a good way and sets me up for 2009 and what is to come. Its been a rough couple of years and I'm ready for good things.

So... Happy New Year everyone. May 2009 be one of health, love, prosperity and creativity for all of us.

Leopard ate my Tiger!

Yeah, as usual, it has been forever since I posted. Sorry. Life eats me and then spits me out. I don't mean to let these things wither. I am going to try and be better about it as I once again get my life together.

As Pooka asked for my Leopard disc for Mac, I figured I better actual install it on my iMac before I mailed it out. As a precaution for this whole event, I got an external hard drive to load my files on to (horror stories of crashed systems also encouraged me as I didn't want to be one of those people with good intention... that were a day late). Before installing, I did a last check of files and things and put those onto my external drive... My friend Dave randomly came over in a fit of serendipity right before I started. I disconnected the external drive from the iMac.

I put in the disc and started installing.... all was good. We were going to archive and update. Things went fine till the system was going to the desktop. The beachball of doom wouldn't go away... 15 minutes... We disconnected all periferals thinking that was causing problems and restarted. Still no go.. beachball of doom remained. We tried to re-install and just upgrade... No use. After a few attempts at circumventing said beachball.... we were left with one last option. Overwriting everything. Meaning, losing EVERYTHING on the iMac and restarting from scratch... At this point, I didn't have a choice.

So... we did it. I died a little inside but was thankful I had saved important files (like artwork!!!!) on my external drive. I did lose all my bookmarks and a few random 'loose' files no in folders.... but it worked. Then it was hours of trying to reload in all my software and reconnecting periferals again. Some applications wouldn't load and we had to make repeated attempts. I don't know if it was the computer or the discs. Still don't know.. But everything seemed to have finally loaded and updated, upgraded and finished.

I'm EXTREMELY unhappy about how Leopard humped my iMac like that... For what I got (Time Machine and 'Stacks') I could have done without it. I just assumed (mistake) that it was the right thing to do... You know... get an upgrade and load it to make things better... I could have stuck it out with Tiger. It worked fine. But what's done is done. What I lost from the old system is gone and it was nothing too important I think. I don't know - I didn't keep track.

There is an upside to all of this. That is the fact that I have essentially a clean slate on my computer. I had tons of things on it that didn't need to be there. Icons all over my desktop and clutter clutter clutter. That's gone and I think its a good thing because I need to unclutter and better organise my life. I tend to be a horder (nothing to with WoW mind you) and keep things because maybe I might use it later or maybe its important. I have to let things go.

So in that theme, my computer is now... clean and organized. Now for the rest of me and my life.

Balticon and upcoming cons

Balticon was... at the very least...  disappointing for me.  It didn't seem like there was that many attendees and they certainly weren't spending any money.  I know, that sounds cold, but I make a living selling art, so if it doesn't sell that sort of works against me.  The starving artist thing is a romantic idea and all, but really, isn't all that glamorous a lifestyle.  Trust me.

Anyway, this was a large disappointment because I'd gotten the paintings I'd done framed and they looked good and seemed to get some good response, but no one bought any of them.  Not one.  Granted, the art show over all was pretty sad with very few purchases, but that isn't much of a consolation.  I will say that I did learn that I should have had a quick sale price so as to give people on the one day attending pass a chance to buy something if they wanted it.  But oh well...  

The table sales were also pretty sad.  I BARELY covered the hotel cost and didn't walk away with much at all when all was said and done.  The highlight of the trip was seeing Pooka and Five-Foot-Mayhem there and being able to hang out at Outback for dinner.  It made me realize how much I miss my friends and hanging out with them.  

I will not be attending Balticon next year but mostly due to there being a rather special occasion that I would not miss for the world!  Which would be Pooka and Five-Foot-Mayhem's wedding!  But with the show as it was, I would not be going anyway.  With the market as it is and buyers being... well... being what they are... it is not an expense I can afford.  I did talk to some high up staff and gave them some ideas and things they could and should do to hype up not only the art show and artist alley (and do a better job with them) but to get the convention up and exciting.  The biggest issue seems to be with people having the 'this is how we've always done it' attitude and not adjusting to changing times, attendees and trends.  

I spent a day at Wizard World Con in Philly.  Wow.. that is just one huge honking dealer's room.  The tables in their artist alley were like, $600 or something.  No way I was going to shell out that kind of money on an iffy situation.  Walking through the artist alley, I was glad I only paid for the day cost...  Didn't look like there was much money being made there.  Most of the money was in the comic books and collectibles.  Though, that kind of artist alley is more for connections and showing off your stuff I guess.  I did see the Iron Sheik.  He was doing an interview with a radio station.  That man is just... batshit crazy.  There were a few other wrestlers and one or two tv personalities, but mostly it was about the comic books - the artists and the writers.  It did make me think about doing my comic book and getting back to my roots.  

*sigh*  So many ideas and things and not enough time or hands to do them all.

I saw the Indiana Jones movie... It was ok.  That's all I'm going to say about it.  

Right now, I'm preparing for two shows coming up.  Anime MidAtlantic and the following weekend, AnimeNext.  Having back to back shows is difficult but we'll see how it goes.  I'm hoping I can make some sales and do well there, as well as get some new fans as these are two shows I don't usually attend.  This is only my second time for both.  The response last year was positive so here's hoping that continues.

Narnia and Paintings

Yesterday, I saw the new Narnia movie. It was very beautifully shot and very enjoyable to watch. It is actually much darker than the first movie and focuses much more on war and political intrigue. The four children have grown up a bit and each has been affected by their first trip to Narnia... Peter, the eldest, after a year, seems angry and bitter that he is now a child again, when once he was an adult and the High King of Narnia. Susan has pulled away from other people and would rather be alone. The actor who plays Prince Caspian is... well... VERY attractive and lovely to look at and he can act! Which is of course a plus. The visual effects were wonderful, the costuming and all were very real feeling (done by WETA). They showed a lot of the ruins of the previous Narnia and I wished they had perhaps... done a little flashback of some sort to remind us what it was.... like the castle the Kings and Queens had once lived in... As I haven't seen the first in a long time. But other than that, it was a good movie... 2 hours though it wasn't too bad to sit through. And of course, you have Eddie Izzard as Reepicheep, so how can you go wrong?