Gary tells me a need to post more so here is a tidbit:
I usually have bizarre dreams when I'm really tired. Apparently last night I was exhausted.
I dreamt that my dog, who died years ago, was still alive. He was watching an excessively gory movie on TV and was really disturbed by it. I explained to him that it was just a movie and that it wasn't real - actors, specials effects, make-believe etc. But he could not wrap his brain around it. He was distraught by the notion that people could be so violent.
Something Different: Paperless
After much time and much saving, I got a Cintiq monitor. All I have to say is that it's the coolest thing ever.
I did this drawing 100% in the computer. (I usually draw on paper, scan it, then color) I saved some paper and the scanning step. Also it's really easy to make edits as I'm drawing. If one eye is too low, I can nudge it up. If the head is too big, I can shrink it a bit. Lots of control and the end result looks nearly identical to my paper drawings.
Detail
Here's a detail of just the drawing - looks like pencil to me.
I got a promotion yesterday. Professionally speaking I'm...
...Assistant Animation Supervisor!
For the most part what I do stays the same. They just wanted to recognize that I was doing a lot more that what my previous title implied. I have a few more responsibilities, but I'm also allowed to delegate now.
"Comment, and I will comment back with a picture of the fictional character that most reminds me of you. Then post the same in your journal and join in the fun!"
I'm glad these online test are here to understand and appreciate me:
You're The Great Gatsby!
by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Having grown up in immense wealth and privilege, the world is truly at your doorstep. Instead of reveling in this life of luxury, however, you spend most of your time mooning over a failed romance. The object of your affection is all but worthless--a frivolous liar--but it matters not to you. You can paint any image of the past you want and make it seem real. If you were a color of fishing boat light, you would be green.
There's a fire nearby on the hills here in Burbank. There's no danger to our building but the whole Studio smells like a campfire. They aren't evacuating the building but my boss says that if the "smell of smoke" (wink wink nudge nudge) is getting to us, we can leave early. I told her that the "smell of smoke" will probably start affecting me around 4 o'clock. She said that's fine because it will probably affect her before that - it is Friday after all.
Today is a slow day at the office - which is great for a Friday. We finally got the shape of the pixie's eyes approved. There's still a lot do but at least we can move to the next step and everyone is happy for the moment.
I wish I was outside - it gorgeous today.
I got an email from a celebrity.
I was sitting at lunch when Minnie Mouse skipped up to my table, blew me a kiss, turned, smacked her rear end, and ran off.
Now I'm just sitting at my desk trying to look busy until I can go home. I hope they have a little party at the end of the day.
Ok, it's headphone time. My co-workers are just being GROUCHES today. No one wants to say anything nice about anything, they just want to argue for the sake of arguing, and they're cutting down people. So you know what? They forfeit their right to share my company. I'm done trying. I'm not go to ask them about things that interest or inspire them. I'm not going to discuss pleasant things. I'm going to dissapear into The Realm of LostIdol and I'm taking my "sunny side" with me. They can stew in their own juices.
Personally, I thought meeting John Lasseter and Ed Catmull was quite nice.
Well, it's late November and Autumn has finally hit southern California. It's time to either gain 60 lbs. or get some warmer clothes.
I hate buying clothes, not because I'm cheap, but because I have NO fashion sense and NO idea what looks good (or rather, what looks best) on me. I can dress characters that I design, or help friends pick out nice things to wear, but when it comes to myself I'm clueless.
Men's fashion magazine provide little help. If I were a tall, rail thin man with a striking resemblance to Cate Blanchett I would know exactly what to wear. Or if I were an anemic asian boy, I could pull off the layered look in a way that says "Pop Star" moreso than "Michelin Man." I suppose my problem is that I don't know what look I'm trying to pull off.
Society tells me that if I'm an artist living in LA ( which coincidentally I am) I should look like an artist living in LA. I'm not one to give in to peer pressure but Society does have a good point. Having a look that compliments your personality can be (although it doesn't have to be if you don't want it to) more than just shallow narcisism. It's a way to give corporate branding to the product that is YOU. OK, that sounds more vile and loathesome than shallow narcisism - scratch that. It's a form of self-expression. I know you shouldn't judge a book by it's cover but if you have an incredible book, why not give it an amazing cover? Right? Right?
When I was in India this past Spring I met a two very talented animators named Akanksha and Vishal who insisted that I go shopping and get some Indian clothes. They were great. Akanksha would march into a shop and point to things hanging around and say to the clerks, "get him that in a medium, that in a large. No, not that, he'd NEVER wear that," and it was great. She seemed to have a strong vision and I was the second opinion. It was great because I have so much trouble making such decisions. Too bad they don't make sweaters there.
Getting a friend's opinion is nice. Much better than creepy clerks. The last time I bought jeans there was a guy at the store who was helping. I can respect the fact that he was trying to help me think outside of the box, but when he handed me a pair of tight, lowrise, bootcut jeans and said "will you try these on? Please? For Me?" I was done.
This past month, science has slathered itself all over my lifestyle. As some of you know, I got my first cellular phone (I'm still trying to learn how to use it) and I got a new computer (I'm still trying to find time to use it.) I just got a cool webcam that let's me do video conferencing and with things like Bluetooth and Airport I can send pictures, music, and information through my apartment with absolutely no wires. It's great, it feels like the future. And the future is silly.
In the midst of my wireless wonderland realized that I was speaking to someone through my computer and typing a message to someone on my phone.
I have the most amazing friends. All of them are very cool. It's ok - go ahead and feel jealous.
It started a week or so ago when my friend Kurinsky (who I hadn't seen or heard from in over a year) emailed me to say, "I got four tickets for the Tenacious D concert in November and one of them has your name on it." Then the same day Zelda called me to ask if I wanted to go to a free preview screening of The Nightmare Before Christmas in 3D at the El Capitan the following night.
And then my birthday rolled around. agentkinesis came to visit me at my job and took me out for lunch. There she gave me a NEW CELLPHONE! And I have service free for six months. I've never had a mobile phone before and she got this for me so I could try it out and see if I like it. Not only that, she got me the kind I wanted AND put on ringtones she KNEW (she did her homework) I would like. It was the most thoughtful gift anyone could have gotten me.
And that's not all. Robyn took me to RibsUSA for dinner. (always delicious) This was a ploy to distract me while folks were setting up a surprise party for me that was organized by _skye_ all the way from Denver! She contacterd folks like marcus132 and greatbiggary to help her organize things locally. She sent decorations that were artfully put up by agentkinesis to make my office look like Joe vs. the Volcano. greatbiggary provided the orange soda. _skye_ secretly got in contact with most of my friends and co-workers (even ones she didn't know but heard me talk about) and invited them to the party. It was very cool - I was really surprised.
And then marcus132and amanderbear threw the most amazing Halloween party. Good times. AND THEN we got to see a play that Marcus wrote.
My friends provided me with the most remarkable week. Just because they are so remarkable.
They had a screening of our movie this past weekend for some little kids and the big executives (same thing, I know) and they decided to do some major rewrites. Long story short, the production is on hold for the next 2 months while they change the story and we can do some trouble-shooting/R&D/planning/whatever we want in that time. BUT FIRST. They gave us the rest of this week off. Paid. Nice.
So I'm going to take it easy. OK I'm not going to take it easy. I can take it easier though and catch up on my Freelance, my "Other Job" and some side projects.
Side note - I've gotten all the stuff for my Halloween costume. Now I've just got to style my mustache and paint my hardware and I'll be DONE. This will be the first time in a long time I won't be finishing my costume the day of the party. Lastly, I hate to say it, but my costume will be better than yours.
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lostidol's journal
excited
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All Grown Up
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Holy Crap
shocked
cheeky