traxer

I wanna be like Josh Groben.

No, that does not mean I want to start singing or have millions of fans ranging from the ages of 10-100. I don't want to have that curly mob or hair or that winning smile or whatever it is that causes other people to be like Josh Groben.

It all depends if you have seen Josh Groben perform live. I did, about four years or so back. I was up in the balcony above, squinting for details. I accepted the music, but it didn't really catch me. He does good music, but I've yet to ever be lured to get an album or song of his. Just not my thing. The thing that struck me about the performance is how much of a geek he was. I don't think I have ever seen someone so utterly geeky on stage before.

He is geeky about the songs he sings, his horrible dance moves, and classic instruments. But in the way I'm using geek here, is I mean in all ways it looked like he legitimately enjoyed what he was doing. He loves being able to do what he does and bringing a little dash of joy to those around him.

I suppose that is something I want to strive for.

I occasionally let my mind wander and look at the talent of others, fawn over it, wonder if I shall ever have that incredible skill, be able to move limbs that don't quite exist in reality to be pushed into poses that do, to be able to draw fuzz and the muscles underneath and to get those maws to open into grand expressions. I go through these moments, almost requesting company of the green-eyed monster, trying to get her to let me say something utterly stupid in public.

I need to be geeky about what I do. I need to legitimately enjoy what I am doing and try to lend a bit of myself to amuse others. I want to be able to present myself without fear and just have fun with what I do. I want to improve in time and just make something that is myself. I want to be like Josh Groben, doing an awkward little dance on stage, for the murmuring snickers of an audience beyond in the shadows.

I want to be me and whatever that might entail. I want to be geeky.

I am finally considering buying my first laptop. I have had a good run with the IBM ThinkPad I got mysteriously a few years back. It has made it across the country, to Estonia and Finland, though dozens of openCanvas sessions, a lot of random writing interludes, and generally has been a good friend.

Recently I have been using the MacBook Pro (otherwise known as MacDook), and though it is a fantastic computer, it is in all respects my work computer which I will have to let go whenever I leave this job (which hopefully is not anytime soon). Also, I believe their ought to be a separation between work use and personal use computers.

So, since my Christmas shopping is almost completely done (due to a surprisingly productive Amazon shopping spree), I'm considering buying a new laptop at the close of this month. That's where you peeps come in.

I'm not really picky when it comes to computers. But saying that, I want something slightly better than my usual "can I type stuff on it?" standards (what can I say? I'm easily pleased). My target price is under-1000, but if I see something quality above that, I won't automatically brush it off. I will be aiming for a PC rather than a Mac because though Macs are fantastic…I really don't /need/ all that a Mac provides. Shiny only gets me so far.

I need something fast enough that I won't notice when I have a half dozen moderate programs running, with enough space that I don't clog it with pictures after one month (though I'm getting better at not doing that as much anymore), and something in range for my budget-minded self (shush about the iPad!). Other shiny features will be considered upon suggestion.

So what do you peeps suggest? What laptop brand and model should I consider in this little quest? Your opinions are valued because I have not a clue of where I should even began. Thanks in advance and forgive me n00bishness.

I just finished drawing my little Christmas drawing this year...much earlier than Christmas this time. So, the time you've all been waiting for has come.

Who wants a Christmas Card that may or may not make it there by Christmas?

This entry's comment shall be screened so if you want one, come forth with your address and I shall send ye a card. I'll be going to find the materials tomorrow (or tonight) and shall get them organized. So who wants a card? You know it shall be the usual cute/fuzzy sort. Come on!

Ah, I have a tablet which I don't use enough. So I did this. It has no real function...I just did it. Sketch-practice...ur...you should watch LoadingReadyRun.

( Sketchy Productiveness )

TO CLASS...

Mondays are odd.

It's the simple things in life that matter. Like having a nice chat with someone over the phone. Or enjoying a mocha peanut butter shake. Or watching a movie straight through without having to get up once.

I'd go into how the Internet is too finicky at times to leave a sincerely nice afterglow, but that would ruin the moment. I think I need more movie nights.

Speaking of which, I shall quickly review two I've rented in the last few days:

( The Fox and the Child )

( Coraline )

And before all that, called some fellow from a podcast called "Nobody's Listening." Heck, I like the opportunity to call people I only know from ambiguous connections of the Internet. Makes them seem somewhat more real. It's like leaping off a cliff into the unknowns. The falling is when the phone is ringing. The plunge is when a real person answers the other side.

NaNoWriMo
Unless I have amazing bout of inspiration tomorrow (which shall hopefully be used in making a good mockup for my final portfolio) I think this NaNoWriMo is dead before its fully passed the gate. I could always switch the story at the last second...but being behind by 5,000 words is a bit much to overcome. And I have lots to do...but I really want to write something...

You know. I'll see what I can do this Friday and Saturday. I might be able to figure out something. On certain Saturday mornings, I've been known to knock up the word count by 5,000 words.

The Job
I got the job that I interviewed for. Oddly enough, it seems that they were looking for someone who had a cheerful and upbeat personality, who was willing to work with others and so forth. It seems really surreal that I got the job actually. I was fully expecting to be plodding around clueless for a semester while I waited for grad school next fall...which I was not looking forward to.

The job itself is "Technology Assistant" and while it doesn't sound like my dream job...
A) I don't even know what my dream job is
B) Sounds like something fitted for my college learnings in Scientific and Technical Communications.
C) IT'S A JOB

Hopefully I'll be pleasantly surprised in the long run. I'm nervous a bit, because...well... it's a job. And I've had jobs before... but this is a full-time job job.

So, I'll be moving away from my middle-of-nowhere city to the middle-of-nowhere Wyoming. Except its a lot closer to a big city and in driving distance from California.

Graduation
Well, I guess that all that's left is to get the best grades I can in school and tie up all the loose ends to graduation. Which means I need to hunker down and get all projects done within a month. Which means, I hope, that you won't be seeing me around for a bit. Really. Sure, I might pop up on chats a bit. Perhaps a few pieces of art, perhaps some Twitters, but really...I need to hunker down. I'm at that point of "Holy Badgers...THE END IS NIGH! BACK TO THE DEPTHS WITH YE FOWL INTERWEB BEAST!"

I say this after wasting WAY TOO LONG today clicking without doing anything productive. Don't worry. There's really nothing much due tomorrow. You see, this semester is actually not that bad. Just seems bad at times because of my procrastination. ARGH.

Other

Oh...and would peeps be interested in a Christmas card? I ought to start drawing one now.

And isn't that Reading Badger by kyrahlynn in my av awesome?

Well, I best go off to the library and work on projects.

"Why do you need to do that? Couldn't you just stay at home and work on stuff?"

Ur...yes, but I think there's less distractions in the library.

"Dude, you bring your laptop. THERE'S JUST AS MANY DISTRACTIONS."

That might be true, but the atmosphere promotes productiveness. Anyway, I need to write some papers and such that are due on Tuesday.

"Why not do it on Monday?"

Because...it's Monday. This is Sunday.

"But you have the entire afternoon on Monday to work on stuff."

Yeah, but that's a shorter period of time that you might expect. Anyway, I have a tasklist of stuff I want to complete today so...

"Perhaps NaNoWriMo?"

If I have time, yeah, but first...

"Come on, you know you want to."

Maybe but I...

"How about just watch a few videos on YouTube, sketch a little bit, and have a nice quiet Sunday at home reading? Sounds like the proper way to enjoy a Sunday."

If I'd actually done this stuff on Saturday but...

"Sunday is the new Saturday, dude. In fact, look at what you're doing now. Just think of how nice it is to chat with me for a little while."

...

"Come on...come forth...just sit back and relax and..."

*bonk* What have I told you about chatting with procrastination! GET TO THE LIBRARY WITH YE!

Thanks, Ronts. *flees*

Alas, this is Saturday, and before I get to actually working on stuff (HA!) here is a meme taken from kyrahlynn, errant_evermore orangejulies, bootheel, julian_wilbury, nqn, and oly_rrr (bandwagon anyone?) I am most definately going to be asking random questions to these peeps (good excuse for procrastination! w00t!) and which ever other of these meme's I stumble upon.

"I figured if people were curious enough about my brain babies this could prove enlightening. It also helps develop characters and stories for myself. Don't be afraid to ask about something that bothers you either, like what the heck rewairs are, what is with those swarmy things, or even what my whole "pants" deal is. I will answer honestly because there is usually a reason behind everything I draw/write.

Ask me either a broad question (i.e 'what is the meaning behind this picture?', 'who is your cruelest character?', 'what story is this character from?', 'what is the worst/best thing that happens in your story?') or a specific question/request ('what does ___ come from?', 'why is ___ like that?') and I will answer you. Or you can ask meta- questions like 'what was the inspiration for creating ____?'"

Links for Reference:
devART gallery (the ArtSlam Pieces are good for the more obscure characters.)
Writing Journal - "Loose Ferrets"

Another one of those quiet days where I consider that I ought to be doing something and yet it seems like the only thing I really want to do is sit in a corner and read or draw or write for a bit. I am trying to finish up Under the Bed before November comes. I think I shall try to tie it up by means of working on a few pages each day.

Who knows, perhaps I'll surprise myself by actually finishing it tonight...

There is various bothersome things that I need to be doing this next week:

( Lo How Fall I Have Fallen Off The Productive Train )

There are other things...I'm certain I shall remember later. So Sunday is Sunday. Mmm...thought I would have something more profound to say. Off to more important things. I'm going to call my Farmer Grandma and wish her happy birthday.

P.S. Do I know anyone in Duluth that I don't know of?

Fine Saturday so far. Still gloomy, but getting out and about. Another mascot endeavor. Bowling with families. How did I do? Let's just say I would suck in a game of Klingons vs. Furries. '

w00t! Reduced Shakespeare Company tonight!