edgeworth family & summer 🍉

i needed to go through an old file in my 2021 folder, and i stumbled upon this drawing. 2021 was an incredibly arduous year & resulted in a lot of art block, so i have a lot of unfinished drawings from then. the fact that i finished/drew anything at all is a feat honestly (and you guys should be proud too if you drew anything at all during the early months of the pandemic...!)

i quite like the look of jeluto's csp brush here to achieve a blocky effect...

i dont know what is UP with the bleed border here, did i plan to print this in a book? especially with how close greg's face is to the gutter??? *avgn voice* what was i thinking

the one time i ACTUALLY tried a bg and it backfired on me bc i never finished. im sorry to my 1st year layout teacher who gave me a 1 on 1 personal pep talk *dexter voice* i have failed you 😭😭 i think this drawing had a lot of potential, i just wouldn't go back to it bc it's 3 years old now. backgrounds are tough because i never really know how to approach them. do i line it? do i keep it a sketch and just paint over/under the sketch layer? do i lineless it?

i guess it depends. much to think about... i definitely want to challenge myself whenever i can, but not overwhelm myself with the need to "improve". gotta remember that art should be fun ♥.

bttf fanfiction masterpost

decided to put all of my fanfics together in one post for easier access-

multichapter fanfics

Until I Get Home, stuck in 1885 AU

We Do Need Roads (WIP!), road trip fic

Fourteen Scraps of Paper (on hiatus for now), filler fic from the years 1955-1985

Trinity trilogy (stuck in the 40s AU)

Most People Were Silent

A Few People Cried (WIP!)

A Few People Laughed (yet to be posted)

oneshots (a selection)

Spray paint, glass and us (my first oneshot on ao3 :,) ) (my english is so bad in that one good lord)

Double Visions (post bttf the game hurt/comfort)

He Didn't Start The Fire (prequel fic abt doc and marty's early friendship days)

The Weight Of Us ("crossover" with "Oppenheimer" (2023))

Flight Of Fancy (doc character study)

challenges

(disclaimer: most of them are incomplete because i lost motivation lol)

Summer Of Whump 2021

Summer Of Whump 2022

Friendship February 2023

June Of Doom 2023

Sicktember 2023

Doctober 2023

JanAUry 2024

collabs and roleplays

Friends Through Time(lines) with @alex-a-fans @bg-sparrow, ,@fiddlstyx, @jayisnotdrawing, @nemmet and @emmkittycat (i wrote the adopted marty chapter)

Stuck Through Time(lines) with @bg-sparrow, @fiddlstyx, @gxlden-switchblade, @nemmet, @bri-to-the-future, @pine-killer55 and @whosmurphy (i wrote the 1940s chapter)

Lean On Me (When You're Not Strong) with @bg-sparrow (stuck in 1885 sickfic)

Place In The World with @jayisnotdrawing (adoption au angst fic)

I'll Be There For You (Like I've Been There Before) with @bg-sparrow (stuck in 1885 au but marty objects at the wedding)

The Atom, The Scientist, And You with @bri-to-the-future (manhattan project lore)

I'm Only Me When I'm With You with @bg-sparrow (1955 sickfic)

this list will be updated as i write more :]

'HIMARI' PROFILE

... BASICS

Stage Name: Himari (히마리) Birth Name: Min Himari (민 히마리) Korean Name: Min Ha-Yun (민 하윤) Nicknames: Sunshine, KQ's Princess, The Siren, Korea's Angel, White Swan, The Holy Maknae, Hima, Hime, God's Touch, Hand of Midas (w/Yoongi)

Representative Animal: Tiger 🐯 MBTI Type: INFP Position(s): Lead vocalist, Sub-rapper, Producer, Maknae

Date of Birth : November 23, 2001 Birth Place: Kurashiki, Okayama Prefecture, Japan Association: Yeoheung Min Clan Family: Min Won-Shik (father, 1967-2012), Endo Asuka (mother, 1970-2012), Min Hanzo (older brother), Adoptive Mother, Adoptive Father, Min Geum-Jae (adoptive older brother), Min Yoongi (Adoptive older brother)

Blood Type: O Height: 157cm (5'2")

... CAREER

・As of April 2024, Himari has 173 KOMCA credits

・Was the first 4th generation artist promoted to a full Korea Music Copyright Association (KOMCA) membership in 2022

・Joined JYPE in late 2014 to be part of girl group Twice but was deemed too young to debut after 10 months of training

・Was the first trainee to join Hongjoong at KQ Entertainment and the last to join ATEEZ - following survival show 'Last of 10' (the group was originally going to have ten members but Lee Junyoung didn't debut)

・Became a producer during 'TREASURE EP.1: All to Zero' with credits on 'Stay', 'Twilight', 'Treasure' and 'My Way'

・Officially a part of ATEEZ's 'Demon Line' alongside Hongjoong, Seonghwa and San

・Made a special appearance on the 6th episode of MNet's show 'Good Girl', aired June 18 2020, to perform a cover of Dreamcatcher's 'Red Sun' against the cast.

・Made her acting debut in the K-Drama 'Hellbound' where she played the role of Jin Hee-Jeong. She then obtained the lead role in 'Where We Fall' alongside Yunho in September of 2023.

・She sang the OST 'Suzume' for the animated movie 'Suzume no Tojimari', 'Long Black Night' for K-Drama 'The Glory', 'Rewrite Me' for 'Where We Fall' and 'Blue' for 'The Killing Vote'

・Her fans are called 'Hirangies' which is a play on her representative animal called '호랑이' in Korean as well as her own name and '사랑' which means love.

... INTERESTS

・Her hobbies are traditional ink painting as well as photography and she enjoys leaning how to reform clothes from Hongjoong.

・Loves Studio Ghibli movies, her favorite being Grave of the Fireflies, and K-Dramas, her favorites being Death's Game, The Glory & My Name.

・Aside from the many groups whose fandoms she is a part of, there are quite a few soloists she tends to fangirl over, those being: Gemini, Penomeco, DPR Live, Han Seung Woo, Woodz, pH-1 and Zico. During her room tour in a recent live several albums of B.A.P could be seen resting on a shelf and she admitted to being a BABY whose bias is rapper/leader & soloist Bang Yongguk, whose albums were also spotted in her room. She calls herself a lucky fangirl as she has filmed the 'Bouncy' challenge with him as well as Woodz and Penomeco.

... HEALTH

・Was diagnosed with anxiety around 6 months following the group's debut, then a major depressive episode in the beginning of 2021.

・Had a large fear of being left alone while the members went somewhere else due to what happened to her parents - a lethal collision with a drunk driver.

・Has stress induced nightmares, though not as frequent as earlier in her career.

・Fractured her left ribs during a rehearsal for the first stage of 'Kingdom: Legendary War' in February of 2021, then again during the shooting of the 'Guerilla' music video in 2022.

・Since contracting COVID during the quarantine period she has had breathing problems which have permanently weakened her cardio and cause frequent needs for an oxygen mask especially when fatigued. The condition still remains unknown.

... MISCELLANEOUS

・Her favorite color is white because she feels like it is elegant, which is why she chose it as her microphone color.

・Her birth name means 'Sun' and her Korean name means 'Beautiful Summer' , chosen because the sun symbolizes hope

・The youngest of her brothers, Hanzo, is the National South Korean Soccer Team's captain and currently contracted with the PSG after leaving the Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors at the end of 2023

・When speaking quickly or passionately about something she tends to slip back into satoori (Daegu dialect)

・A palm reader stated that it was both her and Seonghwa's first life, which is why they approach things with such excitement.

・She can play the Koto (Japanese stringed instrument).

・The members tend to refer to her as '우리 Hime' which means 'Our Princess' using the Japanese word for the title and is also a play on words with Himari's shortened name.

・While other members claim that Halazia has one of the easiest choreographies, she finds it to be one of the hardest songs to perform as she has to sing background vocals through nearly the entire song while keeping up with the steps.

・Loves to cook but often tends to be careless when it comes to the amount of spice she puts in. In addition to this, she loves beef and hates any seafood that has a shell.

・Her ideal type is someone warm hearted with a sense of humor and who can accept her care when they need it.

Araki Interviews/JoJo Exhibit Footage:

1980 -- Araki meeting Osamu Tezuka (author of Astro Boy)

1993 -- Interview about the upcoming JoJo OVA

1993 -- Araki Interview (without eng subtitles) JoJo OVA DVD--includes Araki drawing Josuke

2003 -- French NoLife interview for Araki's exhibition in Paris

2003 -- Les Dossiers Du Manga interview

2006 "Special Interview with Hirohiko Araki" (around the time the Phantom Blood PS2 game came out) PART 1 PART 2 PART 3

2006 -- Araki interviewed by Shoko Nakagawa with ENG captions: PART 1 PART 2 PART 3 (full interview without captions here)

2008 upload date - in the video, Steel Ball Run was still being published -- Interview with Araki about JoJo in general

2009 -- 100 questions with Araki-sensei PART 1 PART 2 PART 3 PART 4 PART 5 (PART 6 missing)

September 2011 -- fan footage of the JoJo/Rohan x Gucci collab store display

October 2011 -- more footage of the JoJo Gucci Tokyo display

July 2012 -- Q & A with Araki for the "Hirohiko Araki Original Art Exhibition Jojo Exhibition"

July 2012 -- Araki teaches a college class how to draw and has them design characters, talks about the JoJo design process and some art history references. PART 1 PART 2

September 2013 -- Jojoveller Disk 2 -- Short Video "Making of JoJo"

September 2013 -- Araki hour long timelapse of fully drawing and painting the Jojoveller illustration

August 2014 -- Araki Official ALS ice bucket challenge video

August 2014 -- SPUR Love Mode 100 -- Araki talking about his gucci ipad case and how he stores a sketchbook inside

Nov 2014 -- fan video of the Jojolion Exhibition at Lucca Con

July 2016 -- fan video of Araki's Anime Expo message

December 2016 -- Jump Ryu (1x speed, hour and a half, Araki drawing Jojolion) ( extremely sped up short version )

Anime Expo 2017 Greeting from Araki-sensei

October 2017 -- VIZ: Araki's favorite fashion designers/the fashion of JoJo

JoJo exhibition 2018 trailer

2018 Ripples of Adventure exhibition interview and tour

September 2018 -- UOMO magazine "5 strange questions for Araki" and Bruno fashion drawing

January 2020 -- VIZ: Araki on Diamond is Unbreakable

October 2020 -- VIZ: Araki on Golden Wind

April 2021 -- screen record of Araki's message from the Stone Ocean press conference livestream

June 2022 -- Popcult Japan Interview

Summer 2022 -- VIZ: Summer Greeting from Araki Special Jolyne Illustration Special Anniversary Message

Women and children have been failed by the Metropolitan Police, with racism, misogyny, and homophobia at the heart of the force, a blistering review says. 

Baroness Casey says a "boys' club" culture is rife and the force could be dismantled if it does not improve.

Her year-long review condemns systemic failures, painting a picture of a force where rape cases were dropped because a freezer containing key evidence broke.

The Met's Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley admitted "we have let Londoners down".

The report has prompted a strong reaction, with the mother of murdered black teenager Stephen Lawrence saying the force was "rotten to the core".

Home Secretary Suella Braverman warned it could take years to address some challenges, but was confident Sir Mark and his team would deliver the change the public expects.

Baroness Casey was appointed to review the force's culture and standards after the abduction, rape and murder of Sarah Everard by serving police officer Wayne Couzens, in 2021. 

During the course of her review, another Met officer, David Carrick, was convicted of a series of rapes, sexual offences and torture of women. 

The 363-page report condemns the force as institutionally racist, misogynist and homophobic, referencing racist officers and staff, routine sexism, and "deep-seated" homophobia. 

But Sir Mark told Radio 4's Today programme that while he accepted the "diagnosis" of the report he would not use the expression "institutional racism", describing it as ambiguous and politicised.

He said "hundreds" of "problematic" officers have been identified since he took over the force, and said the report has to be "a new beginning". 

Baroness Casey said the capital "no longer has a functioning neighbourhood policing service" and policing by consent was broken, especially for "communities of colour", who are "over-policed and under-protected"

The report says leadership teams at the top of the Met have been in denial for decades, and there has been a systemic failure to root out discriminatory and bullying behaviour.

It says the force, the biggest in the UK, has failed to protect the public from officers who abuse women and Baroness Casey said she could not rule out more officers like Couzens and Carrick being in the Met.

Teams tasked with tackling domestic abuse are understaffed, overworked and inexperienced, despite cases doubling in 10 years, it said.

The Met has not made its publicly-stated policy to crack down on abusers an "operational reality", the report found.

Baroness Casey told the BBC that rape detectives are working with insufficient resources while "the guys that hold the firearms get any toy they want".

The report says that discrimination "is often ignored" and complaints "are likely to be turned against" ethnic minority officers, to the point where black officers are 81% more likely to be in the misconduct system than white colleagues.

It concludes: "Deep in its culture it is uncomfortable talking about racism, misogyny, homophobia and other forms of discrimination."

The report also reveals:

Dilapidated fridges were repeatedly found overpacked, and when a freezer broke down during last summer's heatwave the evidence inside had to be destroyed, meaning cases of alleged rape were dropped

Discrimination towards female colleagues; bags of urine being thrown at cars; male officers flicking each other's genitals; and sex toys being placed in coffee mugs

Initiation rituals included people being urinated on in the shower

One Sikh officer had his beard trimmed; another had his turban put in a shoe box; and a Muslim officer found bacon in his boots 

Almost one in five of Met employees surveyed had personally experienced homophobia

Baroness Casey said austerity had "disfigured" the Met, and pressures like court backlogs and London's expanding population have put the force under further strain.

But she says not enough had changed since the 1999 Macpherson report, published after Stephen Lawrence's murder, which labelled the Met "institutionally racist".

Baroness Doreen Lawrence said the force has had almost 30 years since her son's death and the recognition of institutional racism by Sir William Macpherson to put its house in order.

"It has not done so, either because it does not want to or it does not know how to," she added.

In a Commons statement, Ms Braverman said there have been "serious failures of culture, leadership and standards".

She said it is vital that the law-abiding public "do not face a threat from the police themselves", and that officers not fit to wear a uniform are "driven out".

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said she was concerned her counterpart had delivered a "dangerously complacent" statement by "astonishingly" setting out no action.

She called a lack of mandatory requirements for vetting and training underpinned by law a "disgrace", and urged Ms Braverman to ensure any officer under investigation for domestic abuse or sexual assault is automatically suspended.

The review made 16 recommendations, including for:

A new team to reform how it deals with misconduct cases, and an immediate overhaul of vetting 

Greater independent oversight and scrutiny, regular progress updates overseen by the mayor, and independent progress reviews after two and five years

A process to "apologise for past failings and rebuild consent"

The Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection unit - which Couzens and Carrick had been members of - to be disbanded in its current form, and all firearms officers re-vetted

A dedicated women's protection service and a broad new strategy for protecting children, including preventing "adultification"- where black children are treated as adults and as a threat

A fundamental reset of stop and search in London, including introducing an independent monitor

If sufficient progress is not made, dividing the Met into national, specialist and London responsibilities should be considered, Baroness Casey concluded.

Asked if he would tell his daughters they could trust the police, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak told BBC Breakfast: "I need the answer to that question to be 'yes' and at the moment trust in the police has been hugely damaged."

Responding to the report, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said Sir Mark should "go further and faster" to uncover the Met's systemic problems.

He said: "The biggest danger today is that this just becomes another report."

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said today was "one of the darkest days in the 200-year history" of the Met, but he was not surprised as it chimed with his own personal and professional experiences.

He insisted the force did not need to be broken up, but said systemic issues needed addressing.

Four groups - the Runnymede Trust, Inquest, Liberty and Stonewall - said they "stand united in our call for the roll back of the policing powers" of the Met, and it was increasingly clear communities "do not consent to the violent, predatory and discriminatory policing that we are currently offered".

oops all wiz!

commentary below:

January - I made this when I needed an icon for my new wiz blog. I didn't have a pen though so I did it with my finger lol

February - I was obsessed with the divine paradox look!! I was still learning the ins and outs of digital so I colored all the flats by hand....... but I also remember being very proud of this

March - I drew SO MUCH stuff this month, but some of my favorite works were the little comic pages. I'd do more if they didn't take so long and if I actually had a story to tell

April - Full Mellori hype mode. I had a lot of fun with this even though I had to scrap the first concept and start over

May - Malorn brainrot came out swinging. I did this one on my computer, which has been broken this past year so that everything looks yellow on my screen. So let it be known I genuinely didn't know he was so pale until I looked at the post on my phone 😭

June - A piece from the scrapped wiz calendar. Looking back at this, I'm not sure how well it would do on paper (it seems too dark - i'd have to readjust the values). Tbh I'd still do wiz calendar if other people helped

July - Big art block summer but I wanted to paint something, so I chose pirate aquila. If only the quests were as good as the aesthetics... (hot take: the harpies are worse than the bumballoons)

August - Not much art because my mom was diagnosed w/ cancer and spent the month in the hospital (she is ok now). But i did manage to get some pirate sessions in! A lot of just sitting around and watching people's fits for inspo

September - Quick thing based on a photo i took last November from my old dorm, painted while moving into my new one

October - Trying to get back into the 101 obsession with good old Bonnie Anne

November - Based on a photo I took at school

December - Lowkey cheating because I actually did 95% of this in April, but i fixed it up a little December sooooo I say it counts? There are a *lot* of things I'd change about it now but it's still a vibe, also first time I drew 2 of my wizards interacting I think?

So this was the most I've EVER drawn. I took a long break (2017-end 2021), so January was the first time in literal years that I sat down to draw something, let alone post it publicly. The 101 community on tumblr has been so nice + tolerant of my brainrot that I really enjoy putting my stuff out there as a way to tell myself I'll stop messing with something lol.

Stylistically, I took a big leap. I learned with traditional media and I was taught in a more realism-oriented way, so trying to figure out what I wanted to do was super challenging... This explains why none of my stuff really looks the same, even after a year lol (and you can kinda see the traditional vibe in Jan.? Maybe?)

But anywayyy if you read all this, tell me: what fandom do you think I first started drawing for? I am SO curious what vibe I have

Exploring Boston, Massachusetts Real Estate: A Strategic Investment Landscape with Hard Money Loans

Introduction

Boston’s Proximity and Climate

Proximity to Nearby Cities: Boston’s strategic location offers easy access to neighboring thriving New England cities such as Cambridge, Somerville, and Quincy. This geographical advantage expands the scope of investment opportunities for discerning investors.

Climate Diversity: Boston experiences a diverse range of seasons. From warm and humid summers to snowy and picturesque winters, the city’s climate caters to a variety of lifestyles, adding to its overall allure.

Major Employers in Boston

Boston’s economic landscape is characterized by a diverse array of major employers across various sectors:

Harvard University: As one of the world’s most esteemed educational institutions, Harvard University significantly contributes to the local education sector by employing a diverse range of faculty and staff.

Massachusetts General Hospital: This prominent healthcare institution plays a pivotal role in the healthcare sector, offering an extensive array of medical services.

State Street Corporation: A leading financial institution, State Street Corporation, provides numerous employment opportunities within the financial services sector.

Biogen: Headquartered in nearby Cambridge, Biogen, a renowned biotechnology company, has a significant presence in the Boston area, contributing significantly to the biotech and life sciences industry.

Technology and Innovation Hub: Boston’s innovation ecosystem fosters the growth of numerous tech companies, startups, and research institutions, creating a thriving technology sector with ample employment prospects.

Why Invest in Boston Real Estate?

As of the last update in September 2023, several compelling factors rendered Boston’s real estate market particularly attractive to investors:

Strong Demand: Boston’s historical charm, world-renowned educational institutions, and abundant job opportunities generated robust demand for housing. This heightened competition among buyers.

Escalating Home Prices: Like many urban centers, Boston experienced a surge in home prices. A combination of high demand and limited housing inventory transformed it into a seller’s market, at times leading to competitive bidding.

New Construction Boom: The city witnessed sustained growth in new residential developments, especially in urban neighborhoods. This expansion addressed the demand for modern housing and diversified options for buyers.

Cultural and Economic Allure: Boston’s status as a cultural and economic hub attracted a steady influx of residents, contributing to population growth. Its rich historical tapestry and thriving job market further enhanced its appeal.

Low Mortgage Rates: Historically low mortgage interest rates in 2020 and 2021 stimulated home buying, making homeownership more attainable for Boston residents and investors alike.

COVID-19 Influence: The pandemic underscored the importance of home office spaces and outdoor amenities. Buyers and renters sought properties that could adapt to evolving lifestyle needs driven by remote work.

Inventory Challenges: A limited housing inventory posed challenges for buyers, sometimes resulting in bidding wars and driving up home prices in specific neighborhoods.

These factors collectively painted a compelling picture of Boston as an investment hotspot with potential returns for discerning investors.

The Synergy of Hard Money Loans and Boston Real Estate

Speed and Accessibility: The Boston real estate market operates at a brisk pace, with opportunities arising and vanishing swiftly. Hard money loans come into play due to their reputation for rapid approvals and swift funding, enabling investors to seize properties promptly.

Flexibility Rules: Unlike traditional lenders, hard money lenders are more accommodating when it comes to financing unconventional projects. They prioritize the property itself as collateral, widening the financing options even for investors with diverse backgrounds.

Investment Versatility: Many Boston investors turn to hard money loans to acquire properties that don’t align with conventional financing criteria. These loans facilitate the purchase of fixer-uppers, distressed properties, or those requiring significant renovation — a prevalent strategy in this historically-rich city.

Short-Term Strategic Advantage: The transient nature of hard money loans seamlessly aligns with Boston’s real estate dynamics. Investors can swiftly acquire, renovate, and sell for profit or opt to refinance with a traditional mortgage once improvements are made.

Customized Solutions: Hard money lenders often work closely with investors to craft tailored loan structures. This collaborative approach can yield unique financing solutions that are often elusive through traditional lending channels.

Diverse Hard Money Loan Types for Boston Investors

In Boston, diverse types of hard money loans cater to a wide spectrum of investor needs:

Fix-and-Flip Loans: Ideal for investors looking to purchase properties, renovate them, and quickly sell for a profit. The short-term nature of these loans aligns seamlessly with this strategy.

Bridge Loans: Investors seeking fast financing to bridge the gap between acquiring a new property and selling an existing one find bridge loans invaluable, especially in this competitive market.

Construction Loans: Tailored for those interested in constructing new properties or undertaking extensive renovations, construction hard money loans offer funding for the project’s entire duration.

Buy-and-Hold Loans: Investors planning to acquire rental properties and hold them over an extended period often opt for buy-and-hold hard money loans, which offer longer terms.

Commercial Hard Money Loans: Given Boston’s thriving commercial real estate market, investors seeking to acquire or develop commercial properties have enticing opportunities. There are many hard money lender massachusetts are available to discuss your real estate project.

Trending Real Estate Investment Opportunities

As of my last update, several real estate investment opportunities were trending in Boston:

Residential Properties: Boston’s historical charm and cultural richness create opportunities for residential real estate investments, including condos, townhouses, and historic homes.

New Construction: Given the demand for modern housing, investing in new residential developments, especially those emphasizing sustainability and energy efficiency, can be a strategic choice.

Rental Properties: Boston’s high student population and abundant job opportunities make rental properties, including apartments and multifamily units, attractive investment options.

Commercial Real Estate: Boston’s status as an economic hub provides opportunities for commercial real estate investments, including office spaces and retail properties.

Life Sciences Real Estate: Boston’s thriving biotech and life sciences industry make life sciences real estate investments, such as lab spaces and research facilities, an emerging trend.

Historic Property Preservation: Boston’s rich history encourages historic property renovations and preservation, catering to those interested in heritage real estate.

Conclusion

The Boston real estate market remains in a state of constant evolution, offering diverse investment opportunities for those willing to explore its dynamic landscape. To make well-informed investment decisions, it is essential to consult with local experts, stay updated on market trends, and conduct thorough due diligence. Additionally, consider how changes in major employers and economic developments may impact Boston’s local real estate market, ensuring your investments align with the city’s ever-changing demands and opportunities.

Article Source- https://www.hardmoney123.com/navigating-boston-massachusetts-real-estate-market-with-real-estate-investors

The Promises I’m Making (2023)

Oop, a little late on this this year, but it was really hard to come up with 50 different promises this year. Some years it is so easy, but this year I just drew a total blank. I think the complete unpredictability of the past two years has left me with the sense that I shouldn’t try to plan for anything--the wild events of the year might just send those plans up in smoke in an instant!

Still, the show must go on! So, 16 years later, I’m still making 50 promises a year. Definitely hoping that this year will be better than the last and I’ll be able to keep quite a few more promises, including some of them that have been rolled over for multiple years--maybe, maybe! Without any more ado, here they are:

2023 Promises

1) Work on the Texas house yard. It’s still never really recovered from the frost that killed everything in 2021 and it looks pretty shabby right now.

2) Get both bedroom floors sanded in the Utah house upstairs.

3) Get the Utah house sprinklers up and working ALL the way for this summer.

4) Actually get the back fence fixed up and the greenery back there trimmed and managed.

4) Put a new sink/vanity in the downstairs bathroom of the Utah house.

5) Related to that, lose at least 20 pounds. 2020-2022 was not kind to me and the stress eating was real.

6) Take my mom on a road trip to one of the U.S. states that she has not been to before.

7) Get back in touch with the allergy specialist to continue working on my allergy/inflammation issues.

8) Go through my closets and donate or throw away clothes that I know I will not wear.

9) Finish at least five books this year.

10) Organize my documents (especially student papers)—my desktop and documents folders give me nightmares just looking at them. 

11) Help Kacchan through her first semester as a teacher! Exciting!!

12) Get a decent paper shredder to shred old mail. 

13) Clean off my back patio/car port area so I can park my car there again.

14) Get the Texas house dishwasher fixed… I’m so tired of washing dishes by hand… How do people do this, oof.

15) 100% complete FF16 babyyyyy!!

16) Talk to an HR rep about my retirement savings so that I can consolidate my retirement accounts. I have been putting this off for like five years now.

17) Do at least one artwork to actually use that new paint program I bought. 

18) Pay my credit debt down by at least $2000. I’m still paying off the hell year but I hope I can make progress on this.

19) Finish making changes to master courses. No more major revisions!

20) See a zone-tailed hawk. This is another rare-but-possible bird for my area.

21) Attend the FFXIV Fanfest in Las Vegas!

22) Update HaaH at least once. Please, Echo???

23) Get the small leak fixed in the side bathroom of the Texas house and have the faucets replaced.

24) Look into the cost of light housekeeping services to give myself a little more time to do things that aren’t work.

25) Catch up with hanging up all the charms/pins I’ve gotten recently on my corkboards; these are just sitting in boxes/bags around the house. D;

26) Use Spotify more often or cancel my Spotify Premium subscription; it’s not worth it if I don’t use it.

27) Get an art display book to preserve my great grandfather’s artworks (which we discovered my now late uncle STOLE from me even though they were willed to me when my grandfather passed away???)

28) Fix the screens on the Texas house.

29) Bird watch at a specific location in Texas. It’s my secret where since I’d rather not share my specific location on social media, but let’s hope I can finally make it to this place!

30) Finally get rid of the dirt pile in the front of the Utah house.

31) Sign NeNe (my puppy) up for the intermediate dog training course.

32) This is super nerdy, but my bro got me the FFXIV cookbook and made me promise to actually use it, so I guess I’d better at least try to make something from it.

33) Take down the remains of the wooden fence posts at the Utah house.

34) Take part in the fitness challenge at work this coming semester.

35) I will remember to take my medicine on time, all the time. Taking them late is messing things up quite a bit.

36) Get a stand for the toaster oven in the break room so we can finally use it!

37) Get my car detailed because the inside really needs to be vacuumed.

38) Go horseback riding on the island. I’ve never ridden on a beach before!

39) Eat healthier. Maybe cutting out snacks is too much to ask, but at least replace some average meals with salads, etc. and overall make an effort to actually eat better. Sometimes the fact that I feel like garbage is my own fault.

40) Wait, I should probably acquire a Playstation 5 so I can actually play my new copy of FF16, lol.

41) Help make sure the new tutoring requirement for the English classes goes over well.

42) Finish decorating the main office. I’ll feel better if my workplace reflects the level of professionalism and school spirit that I envisioned it having this year.

43) Catch every variant of Vivillon in Pokemon Go. I’m currently missing Icy Snow, Marine, Meadow, Monsoon, Ocean, Polar, River, Sandstorm, Savanna, Sun, and Tundra, if anyone would like to be friends!

44) Try to be more comprehensive with giving feedback to students. I’m always good at providing detailed comments on essays, but I’d like to spend more time commenting on smaller assignments too this year.

45) Make sure the retirement party for my coworkers who retired this year goes off without a hitch and honors them well.

46) Take part in more activities on campus; I have a tendency to not attend many events because they’re in the evening when I’m tired, but I should really stay more often.

47) Write some Chainsaw Man fanfic for @mistystarshine!

48) Help my parents tear out the carpet in my old childhood bedroom.

49) Do something to destress (massage, pedicure, something?) at least once per month. I gotta take better care of myself…

50) I will keep my promises! 

Wish me luck!

━━━━━━━━ 𝖂hat's up ? first off, i'm excited to be here w/ you all and i can't wait to get to know your muses ! you can call me nio. i use h/h pronouns, i'm 19+, and i'm here to introduce you to a muse of mine that's fresh outta the oven. as he's so new to me, i'm learning more and more about him as i go, and i'm pumped that all of your muses will become apart of his journey. anyway, his name's chu garam. he's from honolulu, hi, but relocated to korea to train at lgc in the summer of 2021. he's that one punk-ass e-boy/emo kid you remember from middle/high school. y'know, the one who just graduated, paints his nails black, and sketches on the white-parts of his converse? he's also a double scorpio (sun/moon) mess: an overly passionate and emotional soul with rich sensitivity, and equipped with a wicked sense of humor, as well as a gruesome temper. his mom always tells him that he needs a haircut, but he doesn't care. he's not one for following the rules, per se, but he's learning to manage in the company. to learn more, take a peek under the cut. gimme a heart and i'll message you for plots as soon as possible ! 🤘🏼

alright, here's an obligatory link to his profile ! when i finally get around to writing more blurbs on him, i'll reblog this with additional links. i'm a flop, i know. 💀

I. IN THE EYES OF HIS PARENTS.

mom's an ob/gyn, dad's an oncologist. they're very respected in their fields and worked incredibly hard to be as successful as they are. their parents (garam's grandparents, both sides) were extremely hard on them, so they adopted a strong work ethic, but not a lot of emotional intelligence. so, when garam entered their lives, they had no fucking idea what to do. from the jump, he was highly sensitive and reactive. his moods were immense. he was expressive, and wild, and wasn't afraid to argue with them or tell them "no!" when he didn't want to do something. he challenged them in many, many ways, and his attitude carried on (in some form) for the rest of his life. they saw—and still see—a lot of themselves in him, shockingly enough, but the parts that they learned to suppress with all of their might. they're easier on him than their parents were on them, and while they feel a modicum of disappointment and resentment because of this, they're glad to see that he's independent and able to make his own choices.

II. IN THE EYES OF HIS PEERS.

garam was definitely seen as someone odd or quirky in school. the weather is beautiful in honolulu, but he never took advantage of the sun and the waves. not much, at least. in school, he preferred to hole himself up in the corner of a room and either read a book, or read/study people. on the surface, he was quiet; reticent; seemingly intelligent; calculating; mysterious. his teachers always told his parents that they wish he spoke up in class more, but they understood that that wasn't his personality. when he began to express himself more in adolescence, it definitely got him sideways glances. in a superficial sense, kids around him thought of him as the quintessential e-boy/emo-scene kid. his style was eccentric, his hair was messy on purpose, he listened to a lot of alternative styles of music, and he seemed unapologetic about it. he never cared if his self-expression or sexual orientation, etc. upset/bothered people, and to be honest, he still doesn't care. anyway, his friends from back home—the theatre kids tbh—all remember him as a charming, idiosyncratic, protective individual; a person with a fearlessness about him that they all still admire. sure, he gets in his feelings a lot and he can be explosive when he's angry, but that only tells them that he really cares and has immense passion zooming through his veins.

III. IN THE EYES OF HIMSELF.

garam occasionally wonders if he's a bad person, and he still hasn't come up with an answer. he knows that he likes chaos, and that he can be a lot to handle for some people—when he opens up to them, that is—and he knows that it's not fair that he wants to know everyone's deep dark secrets but would never tell them his own. he's also well-aware that his jealousy, possessiveness, and his bad attitude can sometimes get him into trouble, but he doesn't make many strides to alter those "negative" personality traits of his. in a nutshell, he identifies with them and accepts them; able to admit how he is and never apologizing for it. he's stubborn in that sense; fixed in his ways. because he's so introspective, he spends a lot of time psychoanalyzing himself, as well as others. he likes to think he's gotten incredible at reading people and their true motives; like a detective or private investigator with how he studies them. his eyes are intense and fierce, and when they land on someone, his gaze is piercing; somehow a collision both sensitive and sensual. he has a natural magnetism, and he knows it. he uses it to his advantage. however, despite all of the problematic parts of his soul, he's able to recognize that he's a loving person, even if he loves too hard. if you're someone he cares about, he will kill/die for you. though, he views life in a rather black and white way, so if he doesn't love you, he hates you, and similarly to how he goes all out with his loved ones, he'll have no problem doing the same in a detrimental light to those he hates. you slight him, he'll aim to ruin your life. he can hold a mean grudge and believes in getting even instead of forgiving and forgetting. this makes him a troublesome enemy. for the most part, he likes who he is, even if he can be bad. sure, like every human, he has his moments of insecurity and self-doubt—and those often cause him to lash out, unfortunately—but he's living and learning and doesn't want to be/expect to be perfect. all he can hope is that he can make good friends, meet interesting people, and maybe become a singer if he works hard enough at it and doesn't succumb to laziness.

IV. PLOTTING/OOC MESSAGE.

i'm someone who values really deep connections. i love layers, and figuring out what makes them work/not work together, and what makes them tick. those often are my priority when it comes to laying down a good foundation for my muse, and because of that, i prefer to brainstorm instead of explore preset options. if you have any wanted connections that you'd like taken, i have no problem looking through them, of course, but above all, i want us to come up with the best plot possible for our muses. i'm open to any and all ideas, and adore getting into the nitty gritty of everything. platonic relationships, bitter enemies, romances, ex-lovers, friends-turned-enemies, friends-with-benefits... i want it all, so sign me up and don't be afraid to mention anything you have in mind. if you're interested, let me know !

London, San Marino, Toronto - October 2023

Just back from fabulous art viewing experiences abroad and in Toronto. Stopovers included: Frieze London, Frieze Masters and the 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair in London as well as the Philip Guston exhibit at the Tate Modern; La Galleria Nazionale in the Republic of San Marino; and Art Toronto in Hogtown. The whole, for the most part, was enjoyed in the context of a three week stay in Italy where the hilltop medieval village of Petritoli, located in Le Marche, served as home base, and offered spectacular vistas of land, sea and mountains, all longstanding muses throughout history. Without looking too hard, traces of Ellsworth Kelly’s curves, Jasper Johns’ crosshatches and Frank Stella’s grids could all be seen in the roofscapes and landscapes, providing a breathtaking backdrop to daily activities, whether art related or other.

London

The transition from bucolic and sunny Petritoli to chaotic and rainy London was drastic but exhilarating. Frieze Week in mid-October is the global launching pad for the all-important fall season in the art world. With summer days in the rear-view mirror, an intense focus radiated from the London art scene with the convergence of exhibit openings, important contemporary and modern auctions, and preeminent art fairs. While the weightiness of a challenged economy and ongoing wars was perhaps most evident in the squishy auction results, elsewhere, the mood and excitement were upbeat as fair venues and exhibits were flooded by art fans and aficionados.

Frieze London and Frieze Masters art fairs ran concurrently under the stars, so to speak, in separate tents in the wonderful greenspace of Regent’s Park. Frieze London’s defining focus is on living artists and contemporary art. This year’s edition, the 20th, included over 160 participating galleries with a strong contingent of 40 or so international exhibitors. Noteworthy was the caliber of presenting galleries and works on display. While remaining very faithful to the contemporary focus, large well-established mega galleries were ever so present along with their roster of anointed stars, perhaps at the expense of the more experimental flair historically more synonymous with Frieze. A walking distance away through a maze of outdoor sculptures, Frieze Masters hosted over 130 galleries that showcased an eclectic mix of art works ranging from archaeological finds dating to thousands of years BC to 20th century masterpieces. Fair highlights included:  Tabboo!’s “Desert Moon”, 2021, acrylic on canvas (60 x 50 in.); Simone Leigh’s “Untitled”, 2022, stoneware, 25.75 x 11.75 x 16.5 in.); and Anna Mark’s “R 1002”, 1968, synthetic resin, sand, pigment on canvas, mounted on wooden frame (20 x 20.25 in.).

Elsewhere in the city at Somerset House, the 11th edition of 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair was in full swing with a line-up of over 60 galleries showcasing more than 170 artists. There, the excitement of discovery and seeing new things being done by emerging talents was palpable. Highlights included: Godwin Champs Namuyimba’s “Fathering spirit”, 2023, acrylic on canvas (90.5 x 78.75 in.); Emmie Nume’s “When we use to”, 2021, mixed media on paper (55.5 x 41.75 in.); and a pair of works by Theresa-Anne Mackintosh, “Walking with my body conscious” and “Comfortably dazed”, 2023, oil and acrylic on canvas (each, 34.25 x 39.5 in.).

Also in London, a captivating Philip Guston retrospective was being held at the Tate Modern. Spanning a 50-year career, the comprehensive survey included everything from the artist’s more classical early works to pieces depicting his fiery brand of abstraction and, most prominently, paintings and drawings featuring his iconic comic-like figures and imagery that captured the anxious and turbulent world around him. The whole made for an intense and sometimes unsettling experience. While the museum walls were bursting with large scale masterworks that chronicled the Guston story, it was a small self-portrait that was most memorable - “Untitled”, 1968, acrylic on board. Barely noticeable behind the artist’s gaze painted in the foreground were the remnants of an earlier work of a hooded figure. The effect hauntingly captured Guston’s lifelong nightmarish preoccupation with racism.

San Marino

The next art stop was an unplanned pleasant surprise that surfaced during a day trip to San Marino. Located on the northeastern side of the Apennine Mountains and surrounded by Italy, San Marino is the fifth smallest country in the world, and it boasts a historic center high up on Monte Titano at approximately 2500 feet above sea level that features three medieval towers dating back to the 11th century. There was almost a Vegas-like surrealness to the place with throngs of tourists making the pilgrimage to take in the spectacular views and medieval setting. Nestled in one of the few quiet corners of the historic city and a bit isolated from the many churches, palazzos and eateries was La Galleria Nazionale di San Marino, the country’s center of modern and contemporary art.Housed in the renovated Logge dei Volontari, the museum is dedicated to showcasing its collection of post war art which was amassed from international art biennials held in San Marino beginning in the mid-50s. It was totally surprising to come across fantastic works by lesser-known American artists, including: James Brown’s “Opera Contro Natura”, 2003, mixed media and collage on folded linen (59 x 98.75 in.); and David Row’s “B.N.I.”, 1992, oil on canvas (in three parts, overall, 66 x 85.75 in.).

Toronto

Returning back from the old world with only one viewing day left at Art Toronto, the opportunity was seized to cap off the art adventure with a visit to Canada’s premiere contemporary and modern art fair. While the corridors were filled with rumblings of challenging times, the viewing experience was fantastic. Over 100 galleries took to the floor of the Toronto Metro Convention Center and offered up works from over 1000 artists. As a bonus, the launching of Jack Bush’s catalogue raisonné drew out many of his works that were scattered throughout the fair, including two favorites: “Untitled”, 1962, gouache on paper (35.25 x 23 in.); and “Red, Orange, Green”, 1965, serigraph, edition 67 of 100 (25.5 x 20 in.). Other fair highlights included: Emma Kohlmann’s “Tulip”, 2023, oil on linen with cherry frame (14.25 x 12.25 x 1.25); Catherine Desroches’ “Déliason du corps contre le ciel”, 2023, bronze, pine, plywood, lost wax casting dust, foundry kiln ashes, graphite powder, charcoal on newsprint and on panel (84 x 49 in.); Marcel Barbeau’s “Iris”, 1962, acrylic on canvas (76.4 x 51.2 in.); and Jean-Paul Riopelle’s “Sans titre (1958.006P)”, 1958, oil on paper (25.5 x 19.75 in.).

Meanwhile, the sports scene in North America was frenetic with activity as all major sports leagues were in some state of play. In Dinoland, emotions were cautiously optimistic following a perfect pre-season and a home opener win. After that celebratory moment, however, reality set in for rookie Head Coach Darko Rajaković. Three losses later, the new system was being questioned, and all the ghosts of last year’s disappointing season were surfacing. A win against a star-laden Bucks team provided some glimmer of hope, but that too was soon quashed with a thumping courtesy of ex-Dino Head Honcho Nick Nurse and his 76ers. Can a Fredless team be so different? It’s got to be the system. It’s early, I know, but it doesn’t bode well. Up next, Wemby-mania in the Lone Star State. Ugh.

For more information on any of the artists or works mentioned, the fairs, exhibits, Petritoli and Coach Darko’s system, “Just Google It”.

There you have it sportsfans,

MC Giggers

(Https://mcgiggers.tumblr.com) Reporter’s Certification

I, MC Giggers, hereby certify that the views expressed in this report accurately reflect my personal views and that no part of my compensation was or will be, directly or indirectly, related to the specific views expressed herein.

I also certify that I may or may not own, directly or indirectly, works of artists mentioned in this report and that I may or may not have a strong bias for such artists and, more generally, for “Pictures of Nothing”.

LeBron James credits Lakers' supporting cast for Game 1 win

LeBron James credits Lakers' supporting cast for Game 1 win The Los Angeles Lakers entered the fourth quarter of Sunday's Game 1 of their first-round series against the Memphis Grizzlies clinging to a six-point lead. In the first 11 minutes of the final frame, LeBron James and Anthony Davis attempted just one shot apiece. And yet L.A. ran away with a 128-112 victory as a bench player and a guy who went undrafted out of college just two years ago took over. Rui Hachimura scored nine of his 29 points in the fourth, tying Mychal Thompson's Lakers franchise record for most points by a substitute in a playoff game. Austin Reaves went 5-for-5 in the fourth, including scoring nine straight points late in the quarter, en route to 23 points total. "It was our supporting cast that won us the game tonight," said James, who had 21 points, 11 rebounds and 3 blocks. The Lakers needed the extra effort from their roster with things looking dicey at halftime. Davis, who finished with 22 points, 12 rebounds, 7 blocks and 3 steals to become the first player since Tim Duncan nearly 20 years ago to put up that type of postseason statline, suffered a stinger to his right shoulder and had to exit the game late in the second quarter. The Lakers trailed by six at the time. Then Hachimura went 4-for-4 from 3 in six minutes of playing time in the third quarter and L.A. was back in control. The fourth-year forward, acquired in a trade with Washington in late January, said they were all shots he specifically practiced coming into the series, with Lakers assistant coach Phil Handy scouting the gaps in the Grizzlies' defense that Hachimura could target. "The way they guard me, they're going to be in the paint so I got to be ready to shoot those kind of shots," Hachimura said. Grizzlies guard Desmond Bane confirmed as much, while directing a challenge toward Hachimura for Game 2. "That was our game plan going in -- make him hit shots and he did," Bane said. "Tip your cap. It's probably the best game he's had in his career. It's a seven-game series. Let's see if he can do it again Wednesday." Reaves, who signed a two-way contract with the Lakers in the summer of 2021 after he went undrafted out of Oklahoma and was later converted to a full-fledged member of the team before the season began, closed things out. "You dream about being on a stage like this," Reaves said. "And I got hot late and I had fun." It was the first time the Lakers had four players score 20 or more in the playoffs since May 15, 1988, when James Worth, Magic Johnson, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Byron Scott did it. And D'Angelo Russell (19 points, seven assists) nearly made it five. While L.A. won 10 of its past 12 games, including Tuesday's play-in win over Minnesota to secure the No. 7 seed against No. 2 Memphis, there were signs of slippage. The Lakers didn't look sharp in their final four regular-season games, which included a loss to the Clippers, and their effort against Minnesota was disjointed at best and undisciplined at worst. Lakers coach Darvin Ham said his team used the four-day break between the win over the Wolves and Game 1 against Memphis to recalibrate. "The last week of the season or so, the play-in game, possessions got away from us," Ham said. "We threw away possessions with no pass or one pass and then shot." L.A. locked in after a team address by James and Davis about the increased intensity that the playoffs require, and seemingly has recaptured the momentum that got it to the playoffs in the first place. "How can we best extract the most production as we can out of this group?" Ham said, explaining the aim of the time off. "And this is how. This is what's going to work against this team and what we need to explore; this is what we need to leave to the side. I thought it was a combination of all of that -- being fresh and taking a deep, hard look at our offense and what's been good and what's been bad." While the Lakers started the series off with a statement win, stealing home-court advantage from the Grizzlies as they attempt to become the first No. 7 seed to pull off a first-round upset since San Antonio in 2010, James focused on some of the bad from Sunday. He pointed out that L.A.'s 16 turnovers led to 15 points for the Grizzlies and took responsibility for the five he had himself. "I thought the guys definitely understood that assignment and were really good tonight," James said. "But I think we can be even better." Read the full article

The Art in Nature Interpretation

It's no secret that there is beauty in nature. The "gift of beauty” can be described as someone’s capacity to appreciate the infinite beauty in nature (Beck et al., 2018). This extends beyond the aesthetic and visually spectacular characteristics of the natural world, but also the beauty of the natural systems and relationships that link all parts of nature together in the universe. 

Art has long played a role in how humans understand the natural world. Some of the oldest works of art are cave paintings or stone carvings that depict artistic representations of people and/or animals. Today, artistic works come in many mediums of course, and photography is one that is incredibly accessible to many people today. The fact that most of us carry a camera in our pockets surely contributes to the wide reach of nature photography. I’m sure many of you reading this have some photos of beautiful landscapes or wildlife in your homes, whether it be Moraine Lake at sunrise or the mating display of a male peacock. However, I find that the most compelling natural photography is that which is accompanied by a story.

I believe that the art of storytelling can be one to the most reliable and compelling tools for nature interpretation. Stories can leave a very strong impression on someone, so long as the story was well-told and resonates with the audience. I have many vivid memories of well-spoken storytellers who were performing nature in some capacity. 

I remember in the summer of 2021; I attended a fireside chat at Barrier Lake in Kananaskis. I had the privilege to listen to a Stoney Nakoda language keeper speak to our group, and he told us the story about where the name “Kananaskis” had come from. It had come from a miscommunication between a Cree translator on the Pallister expedition, and a local Stoney boy who was helping the expedition navigate. This story felt especially artistic in the way he told the story since he first told it entirely in the Stoney language, (to which the elders in the circle would laugh along) and he then repeated it in English for us. In doing so he emphasized the relationships of First Nations with this land, having been here first and thus hearing the story before it was spoken using English words where further miscommunications inevitably arise.

This story is closely linked in my memory with the entire evening when I heard it, the dusky atmosphere, the good friends who came with me, and the food I ate while I was there. Compelling stories like the one I listened to that evening can elevate nature-focused experiences and help foster someone’s idea of their connection with the natural world. 

While not every story can be equally memorable, and not everyone can hold a crowd’s attention like the language keeper I met in Kananaskis, I think that photography is a strong tool that can go together with photography when used right. Many of us in this course have been using very intentional photos to accompany our blog posts and make them more resonant with the class.  On the other hand, some of the best photographers I know will have a story behind each photo they share. To me, these stories add even more colour to the scene than the ink or pixels bring to the full picture. When I go to share a story about something that happened to me while in nature, I am often tempted to pull up a photo that compliments what I’m talking about. Not every time, as sometimes the challenge of telling a story without a photo forces the story to be more colourful, but when I know I’ve taken a strong photo that can punctuate my message I will go ahead.

That’s all for now,

See you next time

Beck, L., Cable, T. T., & Knudson, D. M. (2018). Interpreting cultural and natural heritage: for a better world. Sagamore Venture.

8 landscapes! i finished my paintings for 2022s community garden project. its a yearly tradition (started only 2021) where i do a bunch of landscapes to challenge myself and also to gift them to my viewers!

if you want to download these landscapes, in high resoulution, check out my ko-fi

they are free to use, in the zip file they come with extras like optional transparent pngs to add or lessen some elements; and of course you can use them however you want. like, as a desktop wall paper, printed out, to paint your own characters in, or whatever else floats your boat!

description under a read more

[Image Description:

8 images of different landscapes. All of them are digital art, in the same format, with bright colors and visible brushstrokes.

1: a pathway thru the clouds into an evening sky. the colors of a sunset. there are streetlamps on the side of the pathway.

2: a pond at night time. magical star like creatures hover over the pond and shine a bright light over it. cold colors except for the star creatures.

3: a green landscape of fields and villages. the ground is wavey, but gravity doesnt pull the houses or trees apart, some are even upside down. warm colors, the sky seems to move. it's summer early evening.

4: early autmn. a pathway down thru the woods. in the early morning the fog doesn't let you look far ahead. there are some unexplained lights dancing around. the colors are muddy, the road is wet.

5: hills and mountains with fog. in the distance, there are 2 wolf spirits, protecting the valleys. the wolfs are big, made of stars. one has white, the other black furr. their eyes are stars and they look at you.

6: a cozy libary. a sitting area with multiple seats looks comfortable. there are stairs leading to an unseen upper floor.

7: a wasteland, with fire and smoke. its hard to differentiate between the fire, the smoke, and the sky. the ground is muddy and broken looking. there are trees, but none of them bloom. one tree, in the center, towering over the rest of the landscape, on its own carved up hill, is white as bones. its branches are like scars thru the sky. the brushstrokes are violent.

8: a foggy pathway thru a forest. the path leads over a bridge. it's an early morning, wet and cold, between autmn and winter. the sky is overcast and the river flows thru a rather flat landscape.

end of image description.]

its the third year of 2020 and you can’t convince me otherwise

As usual, I like to do my own year end reviews.

Unlike 2021, 2022 hasn’t been a great art year. A lot of things pressed in on me over the year, from deep depressions to transition stress, that combined with my hyper fixations fading leaving doing art something low on my mental priorities. I want to but rarely feel the drive to.

Will 2023 be better, who knows. Below the cut, one piece per month that I’m fond of.

January - what good is a one footed witcher be to anyone I really like the composition on this - tho the credit I take is minimum cause its based off of a in-game screenshot. Still, I hit a lot of aspects from a fic I really like and that’s just cool

February - I imagine it goes like this To be frank, this was too much effort for a shitpost. I keep falling into that trap.

March - field Around March, I started to have basic art issues that I’m still struggling with. A lot of problems with basic construction, a low well of ideas. I like this piece cause it hits my own interests but it probably wasn’t exciting for anyone else

April - what class would a witcher be in dragon age I’m sure I’ve said this before but I will find any excuse to draw armor. I love drawing armor. It’s not easy and it comes out looking wrong a lot but its a fun thing to do. This was just an excuse to draw armor a lot but also play with some designs I really like. I did change a few aspects so that more elements crossed over between each type

May - relax I really like the whole relax series, it feels like the last time I did things really unplanned and it worked out. I started with a pose with each and just filled out details. It was... relaxing.

June - different sky I fell back into Star Trek around June. Not much to say about this one tho.

July - the crone Here in the summer months you can really start to feel things crumbling around me. While I have pieces I like, art was getting harder and harder. I was stressed a lot.I like this small series I did of OCs no one cares about

August - palette challenge I hate colouring, that’s another thing you might have heard. The palette challenge was one I always avoided cause I thought I couldn’t do it. I did, and I like all the results, but I did also create (I used one colour as shading with a layer effect)

September - the image of a witcher This was a redraw that I’ve wanted to do since the original and I’m still not happy about how the idea came out. Oh well

October - nothing I had surgery this month. I got better but I’m still suffering from the bad habits I built while recovering.

November - smartest in the room, bored to death This was a random doodle that I fell in love with and think I did unusually good at colouring.

December - see you in the ether Bankrupt for ideas, I went back to a sketch done in March. Unfortunately, that is the best expression of my mental state when it comes to art these days. Piece came out nice tho, considering I’m no good at painting.

Hey fam,

I realize I've been mia for the past month or so. But (!) it's cause life's been good and I've been busy.

1) Finally finished a painting I started 7 years ago and my mental health wouldn't let me complete.

2) Got commissioned to do another painting last minute (3 days before Christmas) and actually got it done in time. (money was tight and I like a challenge)

3) My best friend came and spent Christmas with my family. (In pic: little bro, best friend, me, boyfriend) Looks like he's gonna be living with us partially throughout the winter, and I couldn't be happier about it.

4-5) My boyfriend (that I met on Tumblr) and I got a puppy! Her name is Echo. Nugget (my cat) is being cautious, but he seems to really like her and regularly comes to say hi.

Just feeling grateful about life rn cause summer of 2021 til last month was hell for my mental health. So having this month be good and busy was really a big deal for me.

Decided to do this format cause I don't use insta rn, but like the month in review type of thing.

Turns out, life can be fun🖤

Much love,

-dad (Ben)

Aaaaaand it's time for my top ten favorite reads of the year! In no particular order:

Notes from the Burning Age by Claire North

I'll start with the first book I read this year, cause WOW what a book to start with. I started reading this as an egalley at the end of 2021, but didn’t finish it before it expired 😭 It’s a truly amazing cocktail of one part dystopian climate fiction, one part political thriller, one part fantastical mythology, garnished with a bit of philosophy. North seamlessly weaves these elements in a way that makes you want to write like that.

Full Review | Local Library | Bookshop | Indiebound | Libro

The Carrying by Ada Limón

The Undocumented Americans by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio

I read both of these books during a kind of nonfiction blitz challenge that started when my supervisor in the reference department asked for staff picks for a display and I realized I hadn't read any nonfiction in an embarrassingly long time. Both of these ended up on the staff pick display, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about them since.

The Carrying is a beautiful collection of poetry I had read single poems from before, but the entire collection comes together to paint a picture of loss and love traced across generations.

Short Review | Local Library | Bookshop | Indiebound | Libro

I listened to The Undocumented Americans, which I highly recommend as Villavicencio reads it herself and does a wonderful job. It's in part a collection of interviews that turns to reflect Villacencio's own life and the connections she makes with those she meets.

Bookshop | Local Library | Indiebound | Libro

On a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden

The Honeys by Ryan La Sala

These were both book club reads, one for my local library's graphic novel book club and the other for QUEST RI. The funny thing is that I ended up not being able to attend the actual meeting for either of them, but damn they were good.

I've been a fan of Tillie Walden for a while now, and am kicking myself for not reading this one sooner. They are SO skilled at that kind of faded nostalgia, that bittersweet, melancholic sadness through gorgeous artwork and sparse, emotional storytelling. Also, gays in space.

Local Library | Bookshop | Indiebound

The Honeys is a perfectly tense and taut YA thriller that is so hard to put down. It's got a dark academia vibe despite being set at a summer camp, with plenty of surreal summer feels and guillotine-the-rich vibes.

Local Library | Bookshop | Indiebound | Libro

How to Do Nothing: Resisting the Attention Economy by Jenny Odell

This book has been on my TBR for a while now, and when the college library I work at started looking for recommendations for next year’s college-wide read on the theme of social media, I figured it was finally time to jump on it. It was much more than I expected, mainly because I was expecting a kind of self-help book plus. But this book isn’t just about putting down your phone every once in a while, it’s an exploration of a cultural shift that’s centuries in the making. Odell discusses art, music, philosophy, psychology, politics, and of course big tech as she traces how our attention has become a commodity to be monetized.

Local Library | Bookshop | Indiebound | Libro

His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik

The Empress of Salt and Fortune by Nghi Vo

These books are doing the job of carrying their whole series onto this list. No, it's not cheating, it's my list and my rules :)

I actually read His Majesty's Dragon years ago, and despite tearing through it didn't get around to reading the other books. During a months-long reading slump earlier this year I decided to dredge myself out of it by rereading a book I knew I liked, and letting the series carry me from there. And boy howdy it worked! I was hoping to finish the series this year, but due to life things and library holds that won't come in for a couple more weeks that plan has been thwarted :/

Short Review | Local Library | Indiebound | Libro

I was looking for a quick read when I started the Singing Hills Cycle, and was just astonished at how much lore Vo packs into these novellas. There is so much information about this world in such short and deeply satisfying books, each one a snapshot into a different aspect of the world, shared in ways that both celebrate and challenge the nature of storytelling, history, and memory.

Full Review | Local Library | Bookshop | Indiebound | Libro

Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega & Rose Bousamra

Received as an ARC from BookishFirst, this was not only one of my favorite books of the year, but is showing up on best of lists all over the place. And rightfully so—this middle grade graphic novel is about so much more than hair, as important as that is. I can’t stress enough that everyone should read this book.

Full Review | Local Library | Bookshop | Indiebound

Mage and the Endless Unknown by SJ Miller

No cover for this one, because it hasn’t been revealed yet! I read this comic as an egalley on Edelweiss and was instantly grabbed by the eerie artwork and because Iron Circus Comics consistently publishes some of my favorite books. Mage is a collected webcomic, and, without spoiling too much, is basically Over the Garden Wall by Junji Ito (so…CW for graphic imagery. yeah, I know the art starts off kinda cutesy, just trust me). Keep an eye out for this one next year, or if you can’t wait you can read the original webcomic online!

Read Online | Bookshop | Indiebound