Well, this isn't really very easy to say.
I've been away and inaccessible for the past week because I was out of town. I was out of town because my maternal grandfather was dying of cancer and my family wanted to be with him. We left town on Friday, September 23rd. He passed away last Monday after battling with the disease in the hospital for months. For some reason, he hung onto life for a long time, even after being cut off from everything except morphine, but he was suffering and he was ready to go. He lived a good, long life, travelled all over the world, and I am proud to be the eldest of his 10 grandchildren.
Things have been tough for me over the past several months, and this is one of the reasons why. I have had a lot to deal with, most of it not being good. Though it all I felt like I could rely on no strength but my own. And so I did, and I've tried my best to get through everything as best as I can. But after dealing with so much, one thing after another, it wears on me and I can't help but to feel dejected. However, after seeing what I saw this past week, I now know the truth. There is an entire planet full of strength that one can tap into! Those who can find strength when there is otherwise none to be found are those who are truly strong. That is the lesson I have learned.
Everyone, your thoughts and well wishes are appreciated. Please take care of yourselves.
Sayonara.
Saturday, September 30, 2006
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
The Monday Recap Extravaganza.
Ok, so here's what happened yesterday.
My first drawing class at this private school I'm working at was loud, chaotic, and a lot of fun. I knew going into this that these kids were going to be young, but still, I was a bit taken aback when the room filled up with all of these tiny little squirts. I didn't have a single doubt in my mind that they'd like me though, and within 2 minutes I had pretty much won them all over. The material I was teaching had to be seriously watered down for this audience. I did the best I could, and I'm not expecting to work miracles here, but I think that the most important thing is that everyone tried to draw like how I was teaching them and, most importantly, everyone had a good time. I think that is key, because even if their drawings aren't spectacular (and honestly, what can we realistically expect here?), if they come to this class and have a good time, then that's going leave a good impression on them and reinforce the idea that art can be fun, which is something to build on in the future. We'll see how my older group goes later on this week.
Shortly after I was done there, it was time for my first Japanese lesson. I was one of what had to be close to 30 students, with ages ranging all the way up to senior citizens. The teacher's name is Akemi, and she was just great. The lesson itself was pretty basic, essentially us following along and repeating after her, and I had already known much of what was covered, but it was so much fun. I absolutely loved it. I could take this class from now until forever. Nihongo wa sugoi desu!
Yesterday was, by far, the best day I've had in months. It's nice to finally be able to say something like that. It sure has been a long time since I've had a really good day like this.
Today, September 19th, is the annual "Talk like a Pirate" day, but I am not celebrating. Besides the fact that I am a ninja, the mortal enemy of the pirate, I have issues with pirates right now. However, I encourage all people, no matter where their loyalties lie, to pay tribute to Captain Harlock, the coolest pirate in all of history. Sorry, Jack Sparrow fans, but Harlock is just way more awesome. End of story.
Sayonara.
My first drawing class at this private school I'm working at was loud, chaotic, and a lot of fun. I knew going into this that these kids were going to be young, but still, I was a bit taken aback when the room filled up with all of these tiny little squirts. I didn't have a single doubt in my mind that they'd like me though, and within 2 minutes I had pretty much won them all over. The material I was teaching had to be seriously watered down for this audience. I did the best I could, and I'm not expecting to work miracles here, but I think that the most important thing is that everyone tried to draw like how I was teaching them and, most importantly, everyone had a good time. I think that is key, because even if their drawings aren't spectacular (and honestly, what can we realistically expect here?), if they come to this class and have a good time, then that's going leave a good impression on them and reinforce the idea that art can be fun, which is something to build on in the future. We'll see how my older group goes later on this week.
Shortly after I was done there, it was time for my first Japanese lesson. I was one of what had to be close to 30 students, with ages ranging all the way up to senior citizens. The teacher's name is Akemi, and she was just great. The lesson itself was pretty basic, essentially us following along and repeating after her, and I had already known much of what was covered, but it was so much fun. I absolutely loved it. I could take this class from now until forever. Nihongo wa sugoi desu!
Yesterday was, by far, the best day I've had in months. It's nice to finally be able to say something like that. It sure has been a long time since I've had a really good day like this.
Today, September 19th, is the annual "Talk like a Pirate" day, but I am not celebrating. Besides the fact that I am a ninja, the mortal enemy of the pirate, I have issues with pirates right now. However, I encourage all people, no matter where their loyalties lie, to pay tribute to Captain Harlock, the coolest pirate in all of history. Sorry, Jack Sparrow fans, but Harlock is just way more awesome. End of story.
Sayonara.
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Busy Day Ahead.
Tomorrow I teach my first lesson in the after school Comic Book and Cartooning art program I'm doing at a local private school. It'll be a younger bunch of kids on this day. I'm not really sure what exactly to expect. I think it will be fine, but we'll see. Then, shortly after I'm done there, I'm off to a different school for my first Japanese lesson. Again, not really sure what to expect there either, but I think it'll be fun.
Getting busy around here. I'll let everyone know how it all went when I'm done.
Sayonara.
Getting busy around here. I'll let everyone know how it all went when I'm done.
Sayonara.
Wednesday, September 13, 2006
All on the Table.
Once again, I am left without any suitable subject matter to discuss.
So, just for the hell of it, here is a picture of my desk.
As you can see, there are Transformers here. They mostly serve the purpose of occupying the space to prevent people from leaving papers and other nonsense that I don't want there. The fact that they look cool and represent interesting characters is mostly a bonus. Though, I do admit to using them to draw some inspiration from in my artwork.
Speaking of which... hmmm, is that new art up on the screen? Why, I think it is! What could it be, exactly? Stay tuned, young ones.
There is also Astro Boy, some exciting pens and pencils, by digital tablet stylus, and a USB powered fan. The camera flash has alerted me to the existence of some cobwebs in the upper left corner. I would take care of them, however on second thought they kind of go with the Spider-man action figures that are hanging just out of frame. So I'll keep them.
Sayonara.
So, just for the hell of it, here is a picture of my desk.
As you can see, there are Transformers here. They mostly serve the purpose of occupying the space to prevent people from leaving papers and other nonsense that I don't want there. The fact that they look cool and represent interesting characters is mostly a bonus. Though, I do admit to using them to draw some inspiration from in my artwork.
Speaking of which... hmmm, is that new art up on the screen? Why, I think it is! What could it be, exactly? Stay tuned, young ones.
There is also Astro Boy, some exciting pens and pencils, by digital tablet stylus, and a USB powered fan. The camera flash has alerted me to the existence of some cobwebs in the upper left corner. I would take care of them, however on second thought they kind of go with the Spider-man action figures that are hanging just out of frame. So I'll keep them.
Sayonara.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Expo Finished.
FanExpo Canada was this weekend. Did I have a good time? Well, for the most part, yes. I'm glad that I went. I saw some neat stuff, went to some cool panels, and caught up to old friends. But after doing the convention thing for so many years, it does lose its luster after awhile. Besides that, even though I was looking forward to this show as a way to perhaps salvage something out of what has been a mostly miserable summer, it became quite apparent to me that the events of the last few months still weigh on me pretty heavily. There has been a dark cloud hanging above my head, and even though I really tried, it's had to have a good time like that. I can't really blame that on the convention itself though. It's my own problem.
Some of the convention highlights were watching "The Great Yokai War" (one of the weirdest movies I've ever seen), having the privilege of seeing Rowdy Roddy Piper speak on his career in wrestling and acting, seeing people I know from TransformersCon, and meeting up with a few artist buddies right at the very end. I bought a few DVDs and some shirts, and got some free stuff too. So I say that it was worth going.
Will I write a report? I don't know. Is there really any point? Will anyone even read it? If I were to write a report, it would probably be just for myself and not anyone else. But I haven't even written a report for Anime North 2006 yet, and I'm not sure if I will, so unless there's a big ground swell of interest in my convention reports, I'm probably not going to write them anymore. If that upsets you then you had better speak up, otherwise I'd never know.
So, summer is pretty much over, and it's been a tough one. I have endured a lot, starting right from the beginning of June and not really improving very much until the very end of August. I'd be foolish to suggest that things are automatically going to get better just because the season is changing. As I mentioned in my last post, things have seemingly taken a turn for the better, but I know it's just not that simple. It still feels like there is something missing. Time will tell if I can find it or not.
Sayonara.
Some of the convention highlights were watching "The Great Yokai War" (one of the weirdest movies I've ever seen), having the privilege of seeing Rowdy Roddy Piper speak on his career in wrestling and acting, seeing people I know from TransformersCon, and meeting up with a few artist buddies right at the very end. I bought a few DVDs and some shirts, and got some free stuff too. So I say that it was worth going.
Will I write a report? I don't know. Is there really any point? Will anyone even read it? If I were to write a report, it would probably be just for myself and not anyone else. But I haven't even written a report for Anime North 2006 yet, and I'm not sure if I will, so unless there's a big ground swell of interest in my convention reports, I'm probably not going to write them anymore. If that upsets you then you had better speak up, otherwise I'd never know.
So, summer is pretty much over, and it's been a tough one. I have endured a lot, starting right from the beginning of June and not really improving very much until the very end of August. I'd be foolish to suggest that things are automatically going to get better just because the season is changing. As I mentioned in my last post, things have seemingly taken a turn for the better, but I know it's just not that simple. It still feels like there is something missing. Time will tell if I can find it or not.
Sayonara.
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