It seems so unlikely in this day and age

I finished this at 5am this morning. Subtracting some time for eating, bathroom breaks, and chatting, I think this took me about 5 hrs to do. I had started it earlier in the afternoon, but I trashed that one and began fresh when I got home from the Hamilton Mall (which now closes at 9; just like the Cumberland Mall, FYI). My hand, neck, and back were killing me by the time I finally was done. There was a lot of detail and then I had to go over it again with darker pencil so that it would show up on the scanner at all so that added to the length. But I think I'm happy with the way it turned out. Can't always do Disney stuff.

Work in progress

Despite going to Philly to see this sweet bosa nova group, Papillons et Ouragans, tonight, I was able to complete this when I got home; after two beers and everything. ;) I had some troubles getting this one started. Somehow it came together. Definitely turned out a lot better than I expected considering I started it on the other side and turned the sheet over to start again in desperation! I can't remember the last time I saw Alice in Wonderland. It's been a long, long time for sure. I feel like this is the most acceptably enjoyed Disney movie for adults. I consistently hear my peers calling this their favorite. I guess the drug undertones and quirky nature appeals to an older audience. Eh, it's alright, but it's no Jungle Book! WHA WHA?!

Look how wrinkled everything is

Missed another day art wise, but without breaking any of my rules. I was busy! There was grannies to take to Rosenhayn and groceries to be shopped for! After that, I went to have some one-on-one time with my pal, Ched, who also had some tickets and a guitar to lend to me. When we left to grab some dinner, he asked where I wanted to go to which I replied, "Somewhere I've never been before!" Well, mission accomplished, my friends! For the first time ever, I went to a Hooters restaurant! Unfortunately, I'm too poor to have a shirt to commemorate my first time, but I'm sure there's many firsts in my life that will not warrant a souvenir t-shirt so I'm not going to be too down about it. I have to admit that it wasn't exactly what I imagined it to be. There was a lot of kids and old people in there. I thought there would be more men watching sports. The walls were wood paneled, there was stools instead of chairs, the food was pretty cheap and there was a spool of paper towels for napkins. You know, all the classiness you'd expect! So classy that a big, famous rapper decided to pop in and offer our waitress, Jen, a career! Unfortunately, she wasn't too interested, and none of us were entirely sure he was as famous as he claimed. I think if you have to tell someone you're famous, you're probably not that famous. Has anyone heard of a rapper called April? That doesn't even sound like a rapper name to me. That's what we were told his name was. Oh what do I know? Anyway, I'm glad a famous rapper showed up for my first ever visit to Hooters. Made it all that more special!

That's a good job for me; crash dummy

Last night I went out to get some art supplies, have some mushrooms, see a little Gargoyle rock, and worry that everyone at the table had brain damage. Then today I ran a bunch of errands with my mother, ate dinner, and went to the Silver Dollar Diner with Jamie to have a treat. That being said, I didn't have time to do anything artistic or creative. But that's okay because I didn't break any of my predisposed rules. Tomorrow I'm going to get started on something so maybe I can keep it going. Not that anyone cares really. But it's my blog and I'll blab if I want to, blab if I want to, blab if I want to... In mostly unrelated news, that's a huge cookie. And also, I love the movie Parenthood. Why don't I have it?

I'm gone, man. Solid gone.

Now here is a Disney movie close to my heart. I don't know what it is about The Jungle Book that so endears me to it, but I just love it. I love the voices and the sounds and everything. Even just to watch Bagheera walk brings joy to my heart. Even the fact that Pete Wentz and Ashlee Simpson named their spawn Bronx Mowgli doesn't deter me from loving Mowgli. I think that says a lot! And though this turned out a lot better than I expected, I'm still not happy with it. His face is just not right. I'm not pleased with it. Eh, it's the best I could do. Gets the general point across.

Dolly Parton wants to have my baby

I wouldn't consider a visit the to the vet as being too busy to post a new one! This is a little something inspired by a shirt from Aeropostale of all places. I'm really enjoying taking my work and giving them some color with Photoshop. A little color. A little texture. And for this one, a little light for my lamp post!

i has a hot dog

On Monday, I took Zoee to the vet. Today I took Gizmo. And these two visits couldn't be anymore different. Monday it was sunny and bright. Today it was rainy and gray. Monday I went alone without any problems. Today I went with my mother and there seemed to be no end to troubles. Monday Zoee and I chilled quietly in the waiting room. Today we sat with Gizmo in his new muzzle that didn't do much at all to quiet the constant motor of his growl. Monday Zoee climbed on me in the examine room nervously. Today Gizmo barked, whined, jumped and was overall loony as fuck. Monday Zoee got her shots with one attendant holding her steady and never made a sound. Today Gizmo was so unruly they took him into the back room to take his blood and give him shots and screamed the whole time. Which caused me to cry. And I'm not even talking about the sound. The moment they started out the door, I started tearing up uncontrollably. Which is just another testament to how different these trips are. And it's the exact reason I make my mother go with me when I take him. Anyway, the differences continue, but you get the idea. Which is my dog is a nutcase. I love him, but sometimes I really don't like him. On a completely different note, Zoee weighs 13.8 pounds. Gizmo weighs 14. Need I say more?!

La Belle au Bois dormant

Since my days are pretty uneventful, unfruitful, and generally pointless, I'm going to give myself a personal challenge to put up a new piece of work everyday. Not for the rest of my days or when I've actually got things going on such as shows, work, or a social life, but as much as I can. Just to keep myself motivated. This was drawn on paper with pencil and then colored in with colored pencil and then digitally remastered for some extra pop. I think this will probably conclude my Sleeping Beauty series now. I have no special affinity for Sleeping Beauty. I think I've only seen this particular Disney movie a small amount of times. Though I did always enjoy the scene where she dances with the prince's clothing with her woodland friends. Be that as it may, I just liked these two shots. Perhaps I'm drawn to the title of the movie in some unconscious way....(oh puns!)

I have the bravest heart that you've ever seen

As it usually is with my music, the last thing I did is always the best thing (which is also a topic Vince touched upon at the Chameleon Club). I just finished this up and digitally messed around with it and really liked the final product. Since I'm not doing anything else and everyday I consider folding in on myself like a dying star, I figured I might as well share something worthwhile. Sometimes I want to leave music and go back to art. I've thought that a lot lately. I love music so much. I love making it. I love it. But I don't know if it loves me back. Maybe I've peaked.

Can't arm wrestle yourself into heaven

Drove two hours to see this guy sing a few songs, tell a bunch of people I don't know how much the Jealousy Curve CD's cost, smell a hat, experience the unfairness of the workforce, and hang out in a "basement". Yeah, I think that about sums it up.

Be chill, don't kill

Jamie and I played a gig at Auburn Road Winery; it was a disaster. Well, for me personally it was a disaster. I couldn't hear, I could barely sing, I broke my guitar, and I felt like shit. And, really, that's all I have to say about that. Not a very warm and welcoming return from my hiatus. Though, we did make some money, which we don't tend to do very often. So, I guess there is some silver lining.

Oh, my aching bones

Last night while I was waiting for my sleeping pill to kick in, I made this. I'm surprised how well it turned out considering how loopy I tend to get. Turns out that the sleeping pill didn't help me sleep anyway. I've been plagued with nightmares nightly for the past week or more so I thought taking something would get me some decent rest, but unfortunately I slept terribly. Why? Cause I'm sick. I drug myself out of bed feeling absolutely miserable. Perfect time to be sick. Got a show on Friday and going to Lancaster on Saturday. I better make a miracle recovery, dammit!

ps. I etched this for you, Eavvon!

Oo, that's a new one

Despite a few factors that brought the awesomeness level of this day down, I had an alright day. Spent most of it running errands with my mother. Yet again I went to the Super Wal-mart. It's so hot right now. But when I got home, I decided to hang up these nifty star lights that I've had sitting around just waiting for their time to shine! I've had the one set since Christmas. That's how lazy I am. But they look sweet. And I felt that awesome sense of accomplishment after I did it so I was in a real good mood. Unfortunately those kind of feelings do not last.

It's Britney, bitch

So, it happened. I didn't think that it would or that it could, but it did. Yep, you got it, Jamie actually succeeded in thinking of and pulling off a surprise. Well, sort of. Her own surprise of being able to do it caused her to give shit away along the way. My powers of deduction are strong, though. But I'd have to say that even though the thought of Britney Spears passed through my mind, I put it away! Who would ever guess that Jamie would randomly surprise me with tickets to see Britney Spears? Not I! But I'm glad that she did! Despite the fact that my car suffered a bit of a travesty at her hand, this was a seriously awesome way to make up for it. I don't know if I deserved quite that big of a gift, but it certainly did make up for the seriously terrible weekend I suffered last month. By a mile! And, one more thing, if anyone is questioning whether or not Britney is really back, I have some good news to report; SHE IS!

ps. THANKS SO MUCH JAMIE! I FORGIVE YOU NOW!

I go home and put my hand in the fire

Recently I've been getting more and more into graphic design. Just messing around doing the things I've done for my own band and things I've done for personal use have sort of inspired me to look into doing it on a broader scale. Perhaps as a form of employment. Of course, I've had no formal training, but that's pretty much the theme of every creative venture I've ever entered into. I just figure while I'm somewhat unemployed and in a bit of a lull, I should try out new things. Today I spent my entire day sketching things. It's a satisfying thing. Hopefully it's not all in vain. Funny how what goes around comes around. Even in your own little life.

You ain't as green as you are young

My parents went to California and came home with an awesome, expensive new camera. Well, actually, that's not entirely accurate. Apparently my father decided to buy it and hide it and unveiled this very expensive splurge he'd made (with no money of his own) while in Santa Monica. I have no idea how much it actually cost, but I can't imagine it was under $300. I'm perfectly happy with the camera I have right now, but my dream camera is something more like this one. With changeable lens and flashes. Ah well. Someday, someday. In related camera news, I was in the driveway and I discovered this cute little patch of snow crocuses. We have them planted in the front of the house, but a little bunch sprouted up in a random location this year and it was a happy little discovery. Spring is definitely on the way!

Hell Froze Over Season 1

I don't know how I feel about the first episode I post being an episode called "lesbian", but my parents came home from visiting my brother in California and I felt it was appropriate to post some of his work. If you didn't pick up the subtle undertones, let me explain further. Misplaced Planet is my eldest brother's production company. He's a screenwriter in Los Angeles. After many great and hilarious shorts, their latest work is this YouTube channel called "Hell Froze Over". It's great. If you love sarcasm and hilarity, I don't know why you're not already watching this show! I know I probably come off as a tad bias considering he's my brother, but I think the time he's been away from home, the distance between us, and the lack of communication between us nearly makes our shared blood irrelevant! Just watch it! And share it with your friends!

Zoeebug's big adventure

Today sucked. At 7am, I awoke to the sounds of Zoee barking. None stop barking. Any other morning, my grandmother would be up at that hour, but she wasn't so I got up and let the little mutt outside. Then at 11am, I awoke to the sound of my grandmother calling my name up my stairs. Why? Because in the midst of the windy morning, the back gate must have come unlatched and blown open. And when my grandmother let Zoee outside, Zoee went on a little personal adventure. So, quick as could be, I threw on my Uggs, my glasses, and an old sweatshirt and ran outside to look for her. I was surprisingly calm considering the horrible possibility of Zoee being gone forever and having to tell my parents this while they were on vacation, which is probably good considering how nutty I must have looked walking the streets in my Snoopy PJ's and messy hair (though, maybe not in Millville..). When I was in the back near the woods, I heard the gate blow closed. For whatever reason, it made me think I should go on the route of Zoee's daily walks instead of searching in a region foreign to her. So, I go walking up the road. I thought I saw a little gray dog looking down the road at me from a distance so I start to run. The nearer I got the more clear it was that it was indeed Zoee and she soon recognized me and ran towards me. But when I got close enough to her to nearly grab her, she screamed bloody murder and bolted around me. That was basically the scariest moment for me. She nearly ran in the road (I live on a busy highway) and I was afraid she was going to just keep running away from me. But when I knelt down and said her name, she came over to me. I suppose she thought she was in trouble and was afraid I was going to discipline her at first. I'm not sure. Once she came over to me, I picked her up and she was full of kisses for me. So, I don't know why she had that sudden freak out. I guess maybe she was just shook up in the first place. Anyway, I took her back home and my grandmother continued to fret for hours (and will probably continue fretting for the rest of the week) and I attempted to begin my day, but wound up just laying in my mom's bed watching tv and dozing on and off. A wasted, crap day. Zoee gave me a terrible case of the Mondays.

Are we going to have a problem?

Despite the gray sky, the weather was delightfully warm so Matt, Gizmo, and I took a wee walk in the cemetery. We were going to take a walk down the scenic path, but on nice days there's tons of people doing that very thing and Gizmo is not what you would call a "people dogson". During our walk, I showed Matt how if I drop the leash Gizmo stops walking and waits for me to pick it back up. It lead to a lot of discussion about dogs getting out and so on and so forth. In hindsight, this must have been some kind of foreshadowing...

You seem spritely

Oh Gizmo, sir, you make me laugh.

I may be skirting the issue slightly

While unsuccessfully browsing Steve McQueen's new clothing line [;)] in Target yesterday, I picked up a new mascara. It's supposed to make my brown eyes *pop!*

Point is, I put it on today. Are they popping?

Guard it with your life

Much to my dismay, my mother will be out of town for the next week. This morning (or technically this afternoon) I drove my parents to the airport so they could begin their California vacation to celebrate my mom's birthday. I suppose some people would be living it up and inviting everyone over for a sweet house party, but those people do not also live with their grandmother. I would love to have the house to myself so I could play music into the late hours. There's also other things that annoy me about being here basically alone with my grandmother all week, but it's neither here nor there. I'll make the best of it. Turn these lemons into pink lemonade. Pink lemonade is better.

Whatcha Wearin Wednesday

Earlier I stumbled onto a random blog, I wish I had saved it for reference, and they had this thing called "Whatcha Wearin Wednesday!". Since I didn't do really much of anything today worth blogging about, I thought I'd just do this. So, this is what I wore. It's not terribly exciting. But I guess that's the point of randomly doing it. A sneak peek into the mundane life of me at home!

sweater: American Eagle
shirt: New Revelation Records
tank: Aeropostale
jeans: Ross
boots: DSW

They don't want another dog

So, I did my laundry. I'm one of those people that only has to do their laundry about once a month because I have so much clothing. But every time I do it, I have to reorganize my dressers to fit everything in. Which requires me to make some cuts and changes. But, I was pretty proud of my accomplishment. It's looking better than ever! Had to share! And I also FINALLY put some sweet new stickers on my guitar case! Shit, I'm lazy. I need to leave the house one of these days...

You always get left behind

Yeah, I guess we got a little snow, huh?

Snow is hard to photograph

Don't act like you're not impressed.

People would think you were super cool

Is it going to snow for forty days and forty nights now? Is that the deal? I don't think I can handle that. This is bullshit.