It Can Only Get Better

In drawing, as in life, it'd be better if I had a planned a little.

Yes, still have that movie on my head.

Ratatou-me

Yah, I loved it. Yes, that's supposed to be me. Look, mah, I'm digipainting again.

Back from Vakay, OK?

Hello, chillen, I'm back from the Bay again, after an almost TOO long stay. (No offense to the company, but heaven is one's own bed. Fah. Reals.)


As usual, twas great to see my "meng", my "brah", and the animation people again. Additionally, I was lucky enough to hang with my old old OLD college bud (muhah!), H. It's been over six years! Seems like he's doing well, still making me envious with his world travels (back from Italy and the Czech republic, that bastard!) Was great to catch up again.


Equally great to see? My favorite familia, LOS SIMPSON. Pre-movie I made my pilgrimage to one of only 12 Kwik-E-Mart's in these here United States. The place was packed, as it was opening day for the film (which, contrary to my fears, was enjoyable!). At the K-E-M, there was a line out door, line to register, including me with my box of d'oh-nuts and squishie in hand.



As I've mentioned to others, that day I was cruising at nerd factor 5.

Also had a chance to hit good ol' Castle Rock again, for short afternoon hike. No bouldering this time around, but still wonderful vistas of the fog-shrouded Monterey bay as seen from the backside of the mtn., and a tasty cool breeze pushing me along the trail-- much to the chagrin of my hiking bud, who wanted leisurely and got SPEED WALKING instead. My apologies. Piccies forthcoming.

Ah, but back to life, back to reality. Yes, people, I'm back on my projects. Sorry about lagging on the webwork. Also, I must return to the daunting task of getting back to school in earnest, sticking my tentative toes onto a new path. God flipping help me.

ITMT, sketching! I put in on the web, now the pressure of all those millions who will see this (insert Crabapplian "HAH!" here) will compel me to actually get back to creatin' again. Or that's the hope. Certainly seeing all the anim. school folks have energized me once again. Wish I had some local crew to share the fun w/.

And agian, in that mode of hopefulness, "SACRAMENTO ANIMATION 3D 2D SACRAMENTO ANIMATION FANS ARTISTS 3D 2D FANS ARTISTS SACRAMENTO ANIMATION 3D 2D FANS ARTISTS SACRAMENTO ANIMATION 3D 2D FANS ARTISTS" Think that'll get this blog some traffic and some info on the above request?

Me neither.

RIP Joe Ranft

It's magically suspicious.


The Daichis
Lee's Comics

Howl's Moving Castle had a strange effect on a friend of mine.

I am curious yellow.


Simpsons movie in production?So sez Nancy "Voice of Bart et. al." Cartwright. Charge me $10 to see Bart et. al. jump the shark, again? I sez "maybe".

COMMENCE W/ THE LATE NIGHT RAMBLE/RANT
Don't get me wrong. I loves me some Simpsons since the first episodes back in the day. And I'll be there opening weekend. But why make a movie?

What drawn-out-adventure-peppered-with-too-many-celeb-guest-voices kinda hell could this be? Beavis and Butthead movie, anyone?

I didn't see the "Spongebob Squarepants" movie, so I don't know if that's an argument for or against TV anims on the silver screen.

South Park got to go "beepless" w/ their R-rated flick (which I liked a lot). So if a (then)"edgy" TV show can escape the censoring bounds of TV, then yah, a film makes total sense. But Simpsons? Not that kinda show.


So many other rambling questions. I'll quit beating the horse with this:
The "problem" is that the show's been on SO long that it's a rare serial shark-jumper-- you think they've run it into the ground then they change up the focus, the structure, re-direct, and it's good again. They've done that so often, covered so much ground that doing a film doesn't avail them any opportunity to explore new territory except in length. If the highest praise one can give a animated series movie is "it's a good 2hr episode", then why bother making it? Why not just give us four weeks of good Simpsons TV instead?

Post MEHdegascar conversation "highlights" (that had nothing to do w/ said movie)

Ah that's "donkey + dragon", and yes, that baby is playing with F-curves.

ROX has left the blogsphere. We'll miss ya!

"Let's wrap this puppy up..."

So ended the lecture from Disney Animation's Look Department. Gooood stuff coming down the pipe. Why oh why must I wait til '06 for American Dog?!?!?

UPDATE: Found some images. Yes, tis cool.

Green ear-ed monster.


Btw, why the hell am I still awake? (Because my body thinks it's only midnight.)

Speaking of hell:

Quoth J: "FRESH hell? Nah, I'm in stale moldy old hell." I hear ya, sister.

THUMBS OF FURY, or Thumbs Up/Down Review of Recent Stuff.

UP:
Zatoichi - It's bloody musical. Literally.
Riding Giants
Z-trip
Scratch (again)
Duke Ellington & Ella
Poncho Sanchez

HALF WAY:
PSP - Battery life?
Something's Gotta Give - Keanu, kinda charming. Woah, indeed.
The Cat Returns
Project Greenlight
The Office (US)

DOWN:
America's Next Top Model/Desperate Housewives - I smell shark.
Blockbuster - Stupid netflix rental system is why I still haven't seen The Office(UK). Someone return it already!

Spring - sakuuuuuu!

Cherry blossoms, flowers, protestors-- ah, must be the first sunny day of Spring. (Apologies to Koji Yamaura's Mt. Head.)

Well, not officially-- that's March 21st. But it was 70 degrees Farenheit last wkd, so it might as well have been Spring. Here come the capris. Guess the leg shaving was right on time.

The outdoor landscape is coming alive, but unfortunately I also found out just how lively the indoors can be. GOOD. GOD. Catch Discovery's The Undetectables if you can, then, you know, start living your Howard Hughes germophobic existence while the credits roll.


Dead rats and Roaches and Mold, oh my.

Incredible Ommission.


Saw "The Incredibles" again. That movie is all about Elastagirl as far as I'm concerned. She's the glue. And yet no one saw fit to make her an action figure, at least not available at Toys R Us. Criminal.

My kinda valentine's card

You know me. Simpsons/Futurama freak. I think my disgust w/ pink is tied to Valentine's day commericialism-- that one isle in the store that looks like a giant vat of pepto-bismol just exploded.

Don't sue, Mr. Mouse. :-)

Thanks to Terramea for the CDs! I'll return the favor soon. And R.S., don't keep me waiting...

I was unable to attend a workshop with a storyboarder from pixar (going on RIGHT NOW) cuz I had other business to deal with. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Fruits from the art tree* discovered at Rick's Solo show.
1)KING OF CUTE painter/animator who did his BA with
2)WOMAN WARRIOR multimedia artist** who did her BFA with
3)TV STAR (and solo show artist) who taught
4)ME who went to anim school with
1)KING OF CUTE

Who knew? :-) Small world.
*the art tree survives on paint and free alcohol. Gotta love art receptions/parties.
**with new cellphone cam

Siggraph Snapshot: Bizcard ninja.

animating the reel doesn't leave time for workouts.