Anyways...
I saw two doves a few days ago, just milling about and completely ignoring all the noise and construction work going on on the other side of the house. I figured it was a time for a change and maybe this was a sigh
Hopefully I can get my life situation and finally get myself out of the hell-hole I'm currently living in.
Wish me luck on that one.

On the other hand, my last paycheck seemed to be off a bit and I brought it's attention to my boss. I did some rough calculations and I should have gotten $20 less. She checked her records and she had written down the correct numbers...sent the correct numbers off and the correct numbers were put in the computer. And for some reason the computer did some bad math and gave me extra money.
So to KMFDM...machinesdo make mistakes...but it doesn't make your music any less awesome.

I was nearly assaulted by a group of gamers that wanted me to join an RPG a day or two ago...that was weird...

On further note...the Okami "contest"
All I have to say is wow...the DA admins are full of BS. Since I know no one of the people who entered, I can be completely honest here. There were much, much better submissions out there than what they picked...and they seemed to in fact, only picked the ones they liked best, NOT ones they thought were the up most qualified for winning. They didn't even give a critique of the ones they chose, all they said is "this is awesome, you get a prize!"
On to the actual pictures:

DON't READ IF YOU DON'T WANT TO READ A RANT

The grand prize winner...they have some excellent stuff in their gallery, and comparing it to their entry, makes the entry look extremely lazy looking. Even without the comparison, it doesn't take a genius to figure out there wasn't much effort put into the idea or the execution of what they wanted. I know the brush painting style is loose, but there is a sheer difference in the wolf and the lady in the drawing.

The second place winner was a better idea and it didn't look bad, it was the illusion of distance that fell on its face. I thought I was supposed to be looking at a tapestry circle until I realized it was a wall...

The third prize winner was a lot better than the other two and even though the proportions were out of wack (even comparing to the game character) I understand why it was given an award. It takes a fair amount of creativity to work 2-D aspects into a 3-D sculpture. The photos of the sculpture were also well done.

I am not ragging on the artists here...they can't help that the DA people are just doing an honest critique on all aspects of the entry. DA is supposed to be an "art" community that encourages creativity, yet I see the contest results and the fact that photo-realism is even highly prized by the admins and it becomes highly discouraging. What is this world coming to when lazy, very uncreative work is rewarded and the people who toil hours on end, day after day, are only given a glance?

END OF RANT

All said and done, "art" has made me an even bigger enemy of it. I tell people all the time that I hate art, but they look at me like I'm crazy and ask me "but...aren't you an aritist?"
It's not something that is easy to stand and I honestly though it was weird when I head a "musician" say he hated music. It's the same thing. I will never call myself an artist and I will never degrade my drawings by calling them "pieces"

ok...that was somewhat of a rant
Ok the real reason for this journal thingy is teo let them know it's almost summer...so I'll be leaving for a whole three months and will be back in August. If I survive the summer. If I'm lucky I will have moved out by then.

And even if it wasn't in the "Okami" style, this is still a solid,detailed, incredibly well executed and well drawn entry

[link]

A quiz I "borrowed" from another deviant person....whatever. You can borrow it too :3
THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS

ANGER
1. With whom did you last get angry?
- I'm usually mild tempered, but some teacher suck up has been irritating me in my first T-R classes
2. What is your weapon of choice?
- a stick -_-
3. Would you hit a member of the opposite sex?
-no...
4. How about of the same sex?
- no
5. Who was the last person who got really angry at you?
-
6. What is your pet peeve?
-people spitting
7. Do you keep grudges, or can you let them go easily?
-I usually get over things by the next day. Except in high-school...they all still suck

SLOTH
1. What is one thing you're supposed to do daily that you haven't done in a long time?
-nothing really...I tend to not brush my hair every day though.
2. What is the latest you've ever woken up
- late would be 11 AM for me.
3. Name a person you've been meaning to contact, but haven't.
- no one.
4. What is the last lame excuse you made?
I don't have my legs with me today...can you call back later?
5. Have you ever watched an infomercial all the way through (one of the long ones)?
-Of course. As long as it involves food, it will entertain me :3
6. When was the last time you got a good workout in?
-....
7. How many times did you hit the snooze button on your alarm clock today?
-a gazillion. Actually none...

GLUTTONY
1. What is your overpriced yuppie beverage of choice?
-...que?
2. Meat eaters: white meat or dark meat?
- on a bird...? White :3
3. What is the greatest amount of alcohol you've had in one sitting/outing/event?
- a sip. It was nasty...
4. Have you ever used a professional diet company?
-I'm not answering this...don't insult me
5. Do you have an issue with your weight?
- Yeah I do! I was taking a break at work and decided to weigh myself out of curiosity...I weighed ____ pounds. I then took a bite of food...swallowed it and weighed myself again. I had lost half a pound. THAT DOES NOT MAKE SENSE!
6. Do you prefer sweets, salty foods, or spicy foods?
- I'll et all of them!
7. Have you ever looked at a small child or house pet and thought "mmmm lunch!
- o_O

LUST
1. How many people have you seen naked (not counting movies/family)?
- two....
2. How many people have seen YOU naked (not counting physicians/family)?
- none that I know of -_-
3. Have you ever caught yourself staring at the chest/crotch of a member of your gender of choice during a normal conversation?
- DX
4. Have you done it
-Done what...? I've been spelunking if that's what you're asking.
5. What is your favorite body part on a person of your gender of choice?
-lower backs are interesting...so are shoulders.
6. Have you ever been propositioned by a prostitute?
-What kind of question is this...?
7. Have you ever had to get tested for an STD or pregnancy?
- NO ><

GREED
1. How many credit cards do you own?
- None, but Capital One sends me stuff every week so it's only a matter of time...
2. What's your guilty pleasure store?
Book stoere...art store...book store...art store...I can't choose....
3. If you had $1 million, what would you do with it?
- Save it + paying people back+computer+phone+fixing up my place, etc.
4. Would you rather be rich, or famous?
-Rich I guess...
5. Would you accept a boring job if it meant you would make megabucks?
-umm...no.
6. Have you ever stolen anything?
-not that I'm aware of.
7. How many MP3s are on your hard drive?
- I don't even have a computer. Laugh at my poorness!

PRIDE
1. What one thing have you done that you're most proud of?
-.....I like fruit.
2. What one thing have you done that your parents are most proud of?
-Mother , Father...absolutely nothing.
3. What thing would you like to accomplish in your life?
- live my dream...
4. Do you get annoyed by coming in second place?
- If it's a kid that beat me in an art contest with a crayon drawing of a bird in a hat, then yes.
5. Have you ever entered a contest of skill, knowing you were of much higher skill than all the other competitors?
-umm...don't think so.
6. Have you ever cheated on something to get a higher score?
- I don't...I don't know!
7. What did you do today that you're proud of?
- I ate breakfast -_-

ENVY
1. What item (or person) of your friends would you most want to have for your own?
-My friend's computer and dad
2. Who would you want to go on Trading Spaces with?
-Al Capone
3. If you could be anyone else in the world, who would you be?
- ....
4. Have you ever been cheated on?
- I've never had the chance for the opportunity..
5. Have you ever wished you had a physical feature different from your own?
-I guess.
6. What inborn trait do you see in others that you wish you had for yourself?
- The ability to fly! ><
7. Finally, what is your favorite deadly sin?
- Envy! Good 'ol Leviathan!


THE SEVEN HEAVELY VIRTUES

FAITH
1. What religion do you follow?
-None currently
2. What religion were you raised as?
-Nothing really.
3. Do you believe that forgiveness is a religious property, or a human property?
- Human
4. Do you have your own commandments?
-Yep :3
5. What was the last promise you broke?
- I don't promise anything...
6. Have you ever said the words to a prayer and not meant it?
-Pfft! No! What's the point if you don't mean it?
7. Do you believe that anyone could be perfect?
-If there was perfection, it wouldn't be human, even if it had a human body.

HOPE
1. Did you get everything you wanted over the last holiday season?
- No...I actually bought my own Christmas list stuff.
2. Regarding your future, what is the best thing you could hope for?
-Success!
3. Do you let yourself get your hopes up for something even if you know that there is a large chance of failure?
- I try not to.
4. Freedom or fate?
-huh?
5. Have you ever bought a lottery ticket?
-Nooooo.....

6. Do you gamble?
- All the time! Life is a gamble and so are those crane machines with all the stuffed animals in them. They're fun though.
7. Have you ever had something called off on account of bad weather, but then gone ahead and done it anyway?
-If I'm forced to, which I usually am.

CHARITY
1. What causes do you support?
-All of them O_o
Except world destruction, if it's a cause...I'd feel sorry for all the little animals.
2. What causes have you given money or time to?
- I dunno -_-
3. Have you ever worked in a soup kitchen or done another kind of outreach for the homeless?
- This quiz is too long! I'm running out of time....T-T
4. Would you ever consider joining the Peace Corps, Amnesty International, or another travel?
- I like to travel...
5. Do you give money to the homeless on the street?
- Our homeless are ninjas...so I don't see them. Can't give to something you can't see...
6. Have you ever helped out a friend with basic needs, like rent or food?
- I would if they needed it...I have done on the smaller degree.
7. What's the greatest extent you've gone to help a friend in need?
-I cured their DDR needs by buying DDR

FORTITUDE
1. What are you most afraid of?
- Things I can't see
2. What did you do today that was really brave?
- brushed my teeth.
3. Who is your favorite superhero, and why?
- Batman! He doesn't have powers and is still awesome...
4. Would you put your life in danger to rescue someone?
-Depends on who it is.
5. If you were to face the Wizard, would you want more courage, more brains, or more heart?
- courage and brains....brains....
6. Have you ever gotten stage fright? If so, when?:
-Not lately
7. Do you consider yourself to be a leader or a follower?
-Niether...i stand at the sidelines and watch people make idiots of themselves -_-

JUSTICE
1. Have you ever been summoned for jury duty?
- Not yet.
2. If they reinstituted the draft (for both genders), would you go, or would find some way out of it?
-I have plans...I don't want to go.
3. Do you support capital punishment (the death penalty)?
- No, I support chain-gangs.
4. Which should be guaranteed legal?
-Which what?
5. Do you believe that Dubya is rightfully President of the USA?
- more trees, less Bush.
6. What was your favorite media circus trial?
- I don't understand what this is..
7. Have you ever written a letter to a politician?
- No disassemble! Need input! ><

TEMPERANCE
1. What do you have the hardest time moderating yourself on?
-time...and food....
2. Do you collect anything?
-books...CDs...and dryer lint!
3. Are you addicted to anything?
-mmm...air
4. Have you ever put anything on layaway or used an installment plan?
- I have taken a loan...
5. What's your preferred method of paying for things?
-change...people can have my dimes and nickels.
6. Tell us one thing you wish you hadn't let yourself do?
- lots of stuff...more that i care to list.
7. Do you feel that you obsess over things?
-sometimes...

PRUDENCE
1. Who is the wisest person you know?
- the schizophrenic on campus.
2. Have you ever participated in a vigil?
- a what?
3. Do you take advice when it's given?
- I at least contemplate it.
4. What area are you wisest in?
-English...? Animals...geography maybe...
5. Do you drive defensively?
-yeah...too defensively.
6. What did you learn today?
- the tornado sirens went off this morning. I slept through it.
7. And of course, what is your favorite heavenly virtue?
-umm...Humility,opposite of Pride.

Well, I better post this incase the electricity goes out.
Ok :3

I fell up the stairs yesterday.

And then even more stuff

The Weather:
Well...no more ice. It's spring now. I don't have any photos of the ice because they're back in California right now...
People are still repairing from the storm (the electic jobs were temporary patches and need to be actually fixed) tree pieces still are everywhere and people are moving more than ever now. It's common to see a house up for sale with a completely trashed out yard covered in tree bits.
Now we're getting tornados! Lovely huh? Ok city already got hit and one came close to where I live...all without me knowing it. I was blisfully unaware and asleep...storms do wake me up, but I fall right back to sleep since I find them so relaxing -_-
Temperatures have been bouncing back and forth and I really don't want to go outside... since it's pouring and I didn't bring an umbrella. I do have to walk to the other side of the campus, so it will be fun I guess.

Life:

currently haven't been getting much sleep due to a parent who could care less about my career and if I get any sleep at all. I can run on 4 or 5 hours of sleep, but it must be sleep that's not discrupted.

I have a home! it really needs some carpet and paint, which is why I haven't moved in. I got a retro fridge with it and a free headless monk statue too.

Money order...comming up!

Ma sister is pregnants!
She and her husband are thrilled....me...not so much. babies are one of the things I fear. They're just...freaky things.

I may be taking three cats with me when I leave. I think they're still kittens...they're 7 or so mnths old and seem to have stopped growing.

The Universe:

There was a reason why I made this journal and now i can't remember.

Everything:

Art contest comming up for me. I'm trying not to get my hopes up this time, since they were srushed last time.

There was a priest-con-artist-person on campus last week...this guy goes around to schools, speaking blasphemy, (even the religious people thought the guy was a moron) missquoting the Bible, and generally harasing students and calling them things little children shouldn't hear. Ironically enough, he was just across the street from a daycare.

I think I may have just ditched art club for a gamers club. It's much more interesting.

Does something on my DA page not appeal to people? Does it have people repellent like I do? Does my stuff really lack whatever it shouldn't lack? Do I babble too much about descriptions? Do my drawings offend people??
For some reason, very few people even care to look at my drawings, but I guess that's life and I have to get used to it. Let me know how I can remove the suck from my doodles :3

It stopped raining -_-

EDIT:
already!
So I have a few wierd dreams lately 9i really can't remember what they were) and one of them had me building a life size Nincaida for whatever reason...so I figured it was a sign. Skip the school projects and finish the angry bug. I started to finish it then got behind

and the sky is doing something wierd.

EDIT:

The sun's comming out!

EDIT:

for some reason my avatar changed. I'm not happy '^'
DA must be bugging or someone did something...who else has the same avatar?

Glad to be back...and our yard still looks like trash after the ice storms, despite my hard work...
As far as I know everyone was able o get power back by Christmas, but that's just an educated guess...

I took some digital photos of some of the ice so I can share it with everyone :3
My skills with the camera are ok, but I do like the digital camera so I might take a class on it. The first time I whent out to take pictures I found out I wasn't doing it right...so I had to go back outside and retake everything

I really need to get some ore sketch books...

I wasn't able to draw much over the holidays, due to having to pic sticks up all the time and because I have to illustrate a book and come up with creature designs...they come before anything else, but I do have some stuff left over from last semester and I did start some things...I just need to finish them.

The 3 for 3 for 3 (and I added extra :3 )

Three things I didn't like about last year, three things I did, and three things I expect out of this year...and three things that have brought joy already :3

I didn't like:
1. The ice storm
2. Cleaning up after the ice storm.
3.Not being able to move out


I did like:
1. My sister's wedding
2. Learning the joys of Guitar Hero.
3. Making some new friends
4. Learning that my digital photography skills aren't completely bad
5. Enjoying the fact that some of my Cali relatives have moved in

(ok that's five...)

Want for a new year:

1. To get some grants for college ><
2. To do well and learn lots this semester.
3.To finaly get my driver's license.
4. A roomie. So I can move out...
5. A new job
6. Work on the illustrations for the book...
7. Make more creature designs.
8. Fun, excitement, and meeting new people.
9. Anime convention!

What I like already:
1. My Nintendo DS, even if I don't have games for it
2. Jones Soda XD
3. Life,the universe, and everything...I'm in an optomistic mood today. And I watched Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy again last night. A badly edited verstion...bad SciFi channel!

Well, tomorrow will most likely be my last day at school before the holidays. I have three finals tomorrow too. I was planing to get a lot more done but for some reason an ice storm came in early on Sunday and coated everything with half an inch of ice. We had no electricity and no heat, but I still had to go to work.
People actualy came to the restunant where I work, even though we had no water to wash dishes with ans the electricity finaly went out. I left work two hours early than usual and nearly got hit by a falling tree branch -_-
I then packed up and left that night for my relatives' house where there was light and heat. The next day me and my cousin whent to visit my sister because she was by herself and was bored. So we sat and talked, tried to keep warm, and listen to falling tree branches all around the park and hoped that none of the trees crashed through the roof or a window.
We got a call that the electricity was out in the other house and we had to go pick up candles for light...this may have been the only time I will see old men sniffing candles to make sure they smell good. I mean, are we really going to be more concerned that the house smells properly of pumpkin spice than having light so we can see? The expensive candles were left well alone though -_-
Anyway, we ended up having to cut down fallen trees to burn for heat. Stores were oout of portable heaters and chainsaws were in high demand. Stores had chainsaws, but they were electric
I when back to my house to get some more clothes only to find the house baracaded with frozen trees. The animals are staying outside, and I'm sure my from won't make it through the winter. He barely survived last winter '^'

I'm currently still at my relatives' house so any deviations and my final Nincaida concept are out of the question. If Bowen13 could pass along the message, I would greatly appreciate it. I'll tell everyone myself tomorrow if I have time

The extent of the damage?
Dosens of fires, 14 weather related deaths, whole cities without power for day, blown transformers, snapped powerlines, a full inch of ice or more coating everything and nearly every store was closed. No way to get food, water, or anything. Even Walmart was closed, and they're always open. Things are better today, but there's still tens of thousands of people without heat,lighting,or even runing water.

I'll be working on finals tomorrow, so untill then, Happy holidays people
____________________

Updates! ><
___________________
I now have power back at my house!
I head back tonight and hopefully my frog is still alive

I heard from a friend that the dorms on campus have gotten pretty bad during the storm. People have no power and are bored so they decide to break into others' dorm rooms and steal their stuff. The same thing is happening everywhere though; people are taking the power outages as an opportunity to fatten their wallets and increase their bling collection.

It seems like I messed up on the facts: there were over 600,000 power outages statewide, and who knows how many more than that if you include the other states that got hit by the same storm.

People are comparing this storm to the one last year, which left some people without power for almost a month. The last storm was rated a "4" and this one is a "2". I really have no clue what they're rating these storms on, but it's apparently not property damage.

As far as I know, my sister is still without power and is the only person in the trailer park that still doesn't.

There was some church grounds that were supposed to be lit up with Christmas lights for the holidays, but the majority of them got destroyed, so they're just thinking of canceling the whole show.

Another storm is supposed to come in on Friday too...this one is brining snow though, so it shouldn't be so bad, then again, the weather-people didn't exactly predict the ice storm correctly either. We were just supposed to get rain...

I will be submitting some digital photos if my aunt will let me borrow her camera, but everything will have to wait until next year.

My graphics teacher also came to class with some flashlights strapped to his hat -_-
Because he didn't have power at his house, he canceled our written final We only had to turn in our project.
Hopefully everyone else will have their electricity by Friday, if the snow doesn't take it away again :3