Last day of 2008.

I don't really care about the "New Years" holiday anymore. It's all pretty pointless and depressing, and has pretty much lost all meaning to me. Besides, it seems like it's a celebration of alcohol more than anything else, and I don't drink. So I don't really do much of anything to mark the occasion.

Year in review:
Some things happened.
Some other things didn't happen.
Also, nothing happened.
Perhaps next year, different things will happen, and other things won't happen either. But we'll see.

And since it's the only thing I really have an opinion about, here are my top 5 favorite movies of the year

#5 - Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull: It was just good to see Indy back on the screen again.

#4 - The Dark Knight: A great movie all around. A truly excellent crime drama. I just wish it embraced a little more of the comic book side of Batman and the Joker instead of grounding it in reality so much.

#3 - Iron Man: I loved everything about this movie. Iron Man was my favorite Marvel character as a kid, and this film did not disappoint. It rocked. Can't wait to see more.

#2 - Speed Racer: The critics can go to Hell. This movie was so much fun. It's a better Speed Racer movie than Michael Bay's Transformers was as a Transformers movie. Seeing it on IMAX was one of the best movie-going experiences I've ever had.

And speaking of going to Hell, here is my top pic:

#1 - Hellboy 2: Oh man, I loved this movie so much. It's got action, monsters, fights, monsters, robots, monsters, great character development, monsters, tons of funny moments, monsters, and Barry Manilow. What more can you ask for?

Honourable mentions go out to Incredible Hulk, Wanted, and Cloverfeild. Next year is all about Transformers 2 and Astro Boy for me. Bring it on!

So that's it for 2008. As with every year before it, good riddance!

Sayonara.

Snowed In.

So, we are now right into the holiday season. And it looks like it over here too, because there is a hell of a lot of snow.

I was supposed to go in to teach my after school art class on Friday, having made a big deal of it the week before and telling everyone not to go on vacation early because this was going to be a big lesson, but the weather made getting there pretty much impossible. I tried, though. I walked outside on my way to the bus stop and got less than a quarter of the way there before I figured that it was not a good idea to continue, so I turned around, went back home, and made the call.

It's too bad. The lesson was drawing giant robots, one of my favorites and always a big hit. I taught it to the younger group on Wednesday and they loved it. It was a pretty festive atmosphere on that day, and they wanted to sing songs, but I told them they could only sing robot songs. They didn't know any, so I delivered a rousing rendition of Mazinger Z. It was fun.

I've got a few more weeks of this term after the holiday break, and after that it is likely that I'll be continuing to teach them next term as well. I have not been told what I'm supposed to teach them just yet, but I'll think of something. I guess it's all going to depend on the number of students who return.

In addition to this after school program, I'll also be starting a new job teaching somewhere else next year. I'll talk more about that later, but it seems as if it'll be a lot like what I used to do at Comic Book Masters for years. Should be cool.

Sayonara.

Gemstone Lappy

So, this came in the mail for me on Monday.



Oh yeah. What we have right here, is an Acer Aspire 8930G. It's got a full HD 18.4 inch display, 5.1 surround sound, Nvidia GeForce 9600M GT graphics card, and BluRay. As far as laptops go, it's a powerhouse. And, best of all, it's black and blue. You know how I like my black and blue.

I've been after a laptop for several months now, and Acer's Gemstone Blue range caught my eye the most. So I saved my scratch, and luckily enough, I about had enough when I saw this new model for sale online. So now I can use Photoshop, play Spore, or watch Clone Wars and Afro Samurai anywhere I want. Well, that is, I will be able to once I find a case that this monster can fit inside.

I think it gets energy from eating other laptops.

Here's my office right now. Triple impact screenanation!



Oh, but I'm not stopping there. The next mission of acquisition is confirmed. Cintiq, baby!

Sayonara.

Ice Cold Updates.

It's December already. How about that?

Things seem to be going pretty well right now. Classes at the after school art program I teach are far from perfect and get kind of stressful at times, but the people in charge are happy with how it's worked out. I expect to return for the following semester.

I had an interview earlier this week for another art program right in the city of Toronto. It's very much along the lines of what I've got 10 years of experience doing, so they're looking for someone who knows how to do what I know how to do. Lucky for me, I just so happen to be a person who knows what I know, so prospects look good.

I bought a laptop. It's in the mail and should arrive next week. I'll tell you all about it once it gets here. It's a good one. Not a Dell.

It looks like I won't be moving for awhile yet. I don't mind, but almost all my stuff is packed up.

In case anyone wants to buy me any presents, for Christmas I want the Batman: The Animated Series DVD box set and the Speed Racer DVD box set in the Mach 5 tin packaging. And some various Blu Ray movies. That is all.

This website could use an upgrade. Perhaps soon.

Sayonara.