An honest-to-goodness update on the Ziri
Well I suppose for once in my three years of having this thing aside from the few drastic occurances that have happened to me (see April, that was some crazy stuff, wasn't it?), I probably ought to sit down and actually write an intelligent post or something about my life. (Ha-ha! Ziri makes jokes!)
I think I've actually given up on getting that art degree I wanted. Every college I looked at that was within reasonable driving distance would've made me take a couple years of general education that honestly, I don't need. But because I spent a couple of years at a school that's considered a joke by the industry, I suppose that's what I get for picking up the soap. The community college program wants me to spend four years there building up credits just so I can transfer to a college that will let me get my art degree. And goodness only knows how long that would take.
My apathy is well-earned, I think. I get the runaround at every place I go to. Nobody cares if you're an artist that wants to be an illustrator for a living. I was even getting the runaround from some of my teachers. 2D art is a thing of the past, 3D's the way to go. And people were surprised that I packed up my stuff and told the school where they could stick it. I don't regret going to AI. I met some of the best people in the world at that school, and two of the only people that have honestly stuck it with me through everything. Out of all the people I know on the west coast, I can sincerely say that I don't know what I'd do without Kim and Zac. We've backed each other up, saved each other's lives (literally in some cases), and we've seen each other at our worst and don't care. I'd never had friends like that before, not really. Knowing I've got people like that in my life is an awesome feeling.
Justin, while a great guy, let me down more often than not. He's a great person to talk to about videogames and anime, but he could never be there when I really needed someone. Shoot, Mina was always more accessible than Justin was, and she lives on the other side of the country. Not that I'm complaining, but it says something about a relationship when a best friend in Florida comes to your aid more often than a guy that lives an hour and a half away. Justin never came to see me after I lost both the girls, he didn't come over when I was recovering from my dogbite (which people may think was silly, but that was the worst injury I've ever had, and the doctors didn't know if my right hand would ever function properly again. That is an artist's worse nightmare come true). In fact, he insisted that I couldn't come over because my birthday/Christmas present (I can't remember which it was supposed to be) hadn't arrived yet. Pardon me, but...material things are not as important to me as being able to see a good friend when I'm in desperate need of company. Mina called me every day when I was getting my bandages changed to distract me from the pain. Zac and Kim came over to watch stupid movies with me and just hang out. Zac even went to the doctor's with me the day after I got bit so we could spend more time together, and so he could be my emotional support just in case. Kim took me to see Silent Hill that Friday, even though I was half out of it from the pain and the medication. I spent more time with them that week than I had in months, but it was one of the most reassuring things in my life, knowing that even when I was crying because it hurt so much they'd do something to make me smile.
Justin hadn't even told his parents I'd gotten hurt. I don't think his friends even knew. So when I showed up at their house the week or so before Anime Expo, I had to explain the reason why I was favoring my hand so much. I don't mean to sound like I'm cutting him down, Justin's never been one for talking about this sort of thing, but...I dunno.
My wrist's been getting progressively worse. Over a year ago, I think, I was told I had the beginning symptoms of either carpel tunnel (sp?) or tendonitis in my right hand/wrist. Doctor wasn't sure, but I got a wrist brace. Since I stopped going to college (and before that, since I had so many 3D classes), I've spent practically every day in front of the computer. It's probably repetative stress syndrome, but whatever it is, my wrist has gotten so bad I've been having a hard time drawing. I've got three comissions I need to do (one of which was one from the last Strategicon, the guy just got back to me), but I've got no real urge to work on any of them. Which is bad, but between my hand and the terrible references I got, I'm sort of put out about them. But considering this is what I want to do for a living, and two of them are already paid for, I have to buckle down and do it.
Despite the fact that all I really want to do is just rest.
I'm still hesitating on the job thing. I shouldn't, but Zac thinks he's found a place where I'll do well that won't be in retail and will be art based. This is the job I'm getting the best vibes from. Downside is it'll mean me being on the computer aggrevating my wrist for ten hours a day, five days a week. But I'm considering learning how to use a leftie mouse. Ever since April, I've been seriously considering teaching myself to use my left hand more. Just as a sort of precaution. I can't do it the way my computer's currently set up (I have no room on my computer desk), but then again, I can always use the tablet. That, and it's not much different from what I do to myself everyday anyways, so I can't complain. That and I'll be earning at least $10 an hour, which is lots more than I would at the other jobs.
Which means I can pay off my bills faster. Get the stuff I need sooner. Put money back into my savings account, and save up for that car and drivers liscence I need. I'll be carpooling with Zac, so I'll have to shell out some funds for gas, but I'm not worried about that. I'll be making enough so I'll be able to afford it. I'll have to start paying rent at home, but still, no biggie. Just thinking about it is making me feel better. Doing art for work might bring back my urge to write, I'm not sure.
My sister's also going to be expecting a baby around the first of March. It just feels weird, both my siblings having kids. I never thought they would. Is that how everyone is with their siblings? But yeah, they got the ultrasounds done, posted them on photobucket, and you can see the heart. I'm...excited? Not sure, but I want to make a stuffed animal for the kid. I think I'll wait until we know what gender the baby's going to be. I wanted to do it by hand, but I might just cop out and go to a Build-A-Bear store, since I'm not exactly what you'd call an expert at sewing. My rare attempts aren't disasterous, but they're not all that great. If I knew anything about knitting or stuff like that, I'd try amigurumi, but it's still that "I'm a total n00b, what the heck am I supposed to do about this?"
I totally want to learn how to knit and sew. I want to make my own clothes and maybe do some plushies on the side. I'd love to be able to make plushies. I'm also considering doing some sculpting. I've got some characters I want to model out, and the design for one of them is pretty basic. It would be really cool if I could do a series of models for my characters. Sculpy's not that hard to work with, and I know how to do armatures. Getting the blasted things to be able to stand on their own...well, that's an entirely different story. but whatever.
Can't think of anything else to write about, so I think that's all for now.
I think I've actually given up on getting that art degree I wanted. Every college I looked at that was within reasonable driving distance would've made me take a couple years of general education that honestly, I don't need. But because I spent a couple of years at a school that's considered a joke by the industry, I suppose that's what I get for picking up the soap. The community college program wants me to spend four years there building up credits just so I can transfer to a college that will let me get my art degree. And goodness only knows how long that would take.
My apathy is well-earned, I think. I get the runaround at every place I go to. Nobody cares if you're an artist that wants to be an illustrator for a living. I was even getting the runaround from some of my teachers. 2D art is a thing of the past, 3D's the way to go. And people were surprised that I packed up my stuff and told the school where they could stick it. I don't regret going to AI. I met some of the best people in the world at that school, and two of the only people that have honestly stuck it with me through everything. Out of all the people I know on the west coast, I can sincerely say that I don't know what I'd do without Kim and Zac. We've backed each other up, saved each other's lives (literally in some cases), and we've seen each other at our worst and don't care. I'd never had friends like that before, not really. Knowing I've got people like that in my life is an awesome feeling.
Justin, while a great guy, let me down more often than not. He's a great person to talk to about videogames and anime, but he could never be there when I really needed someone. Shoot, Mina was always more accessible than Justin was, and she lives on the other side of the country. Not that I'm complaining, but it says something about a relationship when a best friend in Florida comes to your aid more often than a guy that lives an hour and a half away. Justin never came to see me after I lost both the girls, he didn't come over when I was recovering from my dogbite (which people may think was silly, but that was the worst injury I've ever had, and the doctors didn't know if my right hand would ever function properly again. That is an artist's worse nightmare come true). In fact, he insisted that I couldn't come over because my birthday/Christmas present (I can't remember which it was supposed to be) hadn't arrived yet. Pardon me, but...material things are not as important to me as being able to see a good friend when I'm in desperate need of company. Mina called me every day when I was getting my bandages changed to distract me from the pain. Zac and Kim came over to watch stupid movies with me and just hang out. Zac even went to the doctor's with me the day after I got bit so we could spend more time together, and so he could be my emotional support just in case. Kim took me to see Silent Hill that Friday, even though I was half out of it from the pain and the medication. I spent more time with them that week than I had in months, but it was one of the most reassuring things in my life, knowing that even when I was crying because it hurt so much they'd do something to make me smile.
Justin hadn't even told his parents I'd gotten hurt. I don't think his friends even knew. So when I showed up at their house the week or so before Anime Expo, I had to explain the reason why I was favoring my hand so much. I don't mean to sound like I'm cutting him down, Justin's never been one for talking about this sort of thing, but...I dunno.
My wrist's been getting progressively worse. Over a year ago, I think, I was told I had the beginning symptoms of either carpel tunnel (sp?) or tendonitis in my right hand/wrist. Doctor wasn't sure, but I got a wrist brace. Since I stopped going to college (and before that, since I had so many 3D classes), I've spent practically every day in front of the computer. It's probably repetative stress syndrome, but whatever it is, my wrist has gotten so bad I've been having a hard time drawing. I've got three comissions I need to do (one of which was one from the last Strategicon, the guy just got back to me), but I've got no real urge to work on any of them. Which is bad, but between my hand and the terrible references I got, I'm sort of put out about them. But considering this is what I want to do for a living, and two of them are already paid for, I have to buckle down and do it.
Despite the fact that all I really want to do is just rest.
I'm still hesitating on the job thing. I shouldn't, but Zac thinks he's found a place where I'll do well that won't be in retail and will be art based. This is the job I'm getting the best vibes from. Downside is it'll mean me being on the computer aggrevating my wrist for ten hours a day, five days a week. But I'm considering learning how to use a leftie mouse. Ever since April, I've been seriously considering teaching myself to use my left hand more. Just as a sort of precaution. I can't do it the way my computer's currently set up (I have no room on my computer desk), but then again, I can always use the tablet. That, and it's not much different from what I do to myself everyday anyways, so I can't complain. That and I'll be earning at least $10 an hour, which is lots more than I would at the other jobs.
Which means I can pay off my bills faster. Get the stuff I need sooner. Put money back into my savings account, and save up for that car and drivers liscence I need. I'll be carpooling with Zac, so I'll have to shell out some funds for gas, but I'm not worried about that. I'll be making enough so I'll be able to afford it. I'll have to start paying rent at home, but still, no biggie. Just thinking about it is making me feel better. Doing art for work might bring back my urge to write, I'm not sure.
My sister's also going to be expecting a baby around the first of March. It just feels weird, both my siblings having kids. I never thought they would. Is that how everyone is with their siblings? But yeah, they got the ultrasounds done, posted them on photobucket, and you can see the heart. I'm...excited? Not sure, but I want to make a stuffed animal for the kid. I think I'll wait until we know what gender the baby's going to be. I wanted to do it by hand, but I might just cop out and go to a Build-A-Bear store, since I'm not exactly what you'd call an expert at sewing. My rare attempts aren't disasterous, but they're not all that great. If I knew anything about knitting or stuff like that, I'd try amigurumi, but it's still that "I'm a total n00b, what the heck am I supposed to do about this?"
I totally want to learn how to knit and sew. I want to make my own clothes and maybe do some plushies on the side. I'd love to be able to make plushies. I'm also considering doing some sculpting. I've got some characters I want to model out, and the design for one of them is pretty basic. It would be really cool if I could do a series of models for my characters. Sculpy's not that hard to work with, and I know how to do armatures. Getting the blasted things to be able to stand on their own...well, that's an entirely different story. but whatever.
Can't think of anything else to write about, so I think that's all for now.