Ugh....I'm cranky, I'm tired, and I'm hungry...I got 2 hours of sleep last night and a 7 hour class today. And....I've got somewhere to be....ahhh.....why today....uff...its William's 21st bday today, so Leland IMed me and told me to come over....the plan is to get him shitfaced drunk....I can't guarentee that I'll stay awake. I came home hungry with nothing in this place to eat...save rice....and....rice....and.....and maybe some soy sauce on some rice. I had leftovers from lunch today, but I left my onion rings at the Art Store! Damnit. I'm pissed about that. I could've used 'em. My bro was supposed to come over today to pick up some of my drawing pads that have accumulated in my room...reason being, moisture from outside makes it's way in my room...and gets into the paper...bad for archiving....but I just learned today that my teacher wants us to put together a portfolio of classwork and homework...so I can't have my bro take 'em just yet....so we planned on my pops, bro and myself going shopping tomorrow for about half a day.....yeah....a full night's sleep tonite, and I would've been good...but then this whole William thing....I'm not gonna make it....haha....I'mma konk out I tells ya. *tired sigh* And I have to work on my final projects....*double tired sigh* Damn....aiy....well, I'm off.
12/16/2000 08:34:00 PM
Friday, December 15, 2000
Japanese chicks can fuckin' DRINK! Foreal...haha....damn. Its like, its built into their genetic make-up. Pound for pound, probably the best drinkers I kno...Well, I went out to dinner with a few of the old dorm friends I have...its been a long time commin', but we finally got together. Hwan, Ako, Joyce, and Misaki. We ate at...hmmm...that Japanese Restaurant at the Metreon. It was moderately priced Japanese food...I had the Teriyaki Salmon with sashimi...the salmon was so-so...but their fresh sashimi and sushi was very good. We also ordered some sake for all of us(except Hwan...umm...his religion prevents him to drink...so he says..ha!) And after we finished that, the girls all ordered their own box of sake. Well, the box has a japanese name which escapes me at the moment, but its basically a bowl thats square, and they fill it with sake....its a good amount. I tried all three of theirs, but they downed the rest...and got all giggly..haha. But dude, the two japanese girls can drink...we were talking about it...and I swear, they don't even look like it...at all! They're all petite and everything....how deceiving. it was good seein' them all again. Especially Hwan, haven't really been able to talk with him for like a year and a half...which is nuts.
Before that, I'd gone to the Virgin Megastore cafe and read another Sin City Novel...dude, this is my new "spot". I digs...I've always wanted to read a lot of those different types of graphic novels...like the Sandman, Preacher, etc...but I didn't have the ends to just go out and buy all the ones I wanted....now, I can just go get a double cafe moka, and enjoy a good graphic novel whenever I've got time...and its located right by school...how convenient.=) Forget Borders....they have a 1/2 hour limit on cafe tables now...thats whack. Besides...too many people go there...I think half of them go just to be seen...heh. Foreal...I'm not feelin' it anymore. The Virgin Cafe is my joint.
Turtleneck theory was in full effect today too...wow...Ger's so wise...haha.
I also got down to the workshop for about 30 minutes....and saw "cute workshop girl"...man....how cute can she be...haha...and talented....and....and really smiley...=P
Alrite, I'm gonna work on that composition of mine...I want to really work this...make it as good as I can make it...kinda like an accumulation of what I've learned so far in perspective, and digital Illustration. Off I go....
12/15/2000 10:38:49 PM
Whasa hap-o-nin a'hot stuffa'? I jacked up my sleeping schedule even more yesterday....after dinner, I just reclined on my bed, and the next thing I kno its 2:30am...and I still had my composition to draw out...so I started...and kept on it till 8am...listeing to Mp3s till about 6:30, then listening to the Dog House on 94.9. These guys are pretty cool...=) Not as good as Jeff and Jer, but they're entertaining for sure. The whole time, I was fighting with my drawing....it was an uphill battle. I decided to catch an hour of Zzzz's and get up in time for my 12:30 class.......I wake up at 11. HA! Not gonna happen...and with me...when I kno I'm going to be late...I don't run around like a chicken with its head cut off...nah...I take it nice and slow...if I'm gonna be late...I'm gonna be late...sooo, don't bust a nut over it...just get there. And I did...at 1:30=).
Class was kick back as usual...and we watched the new straight to video Batman: Beyond Movie while we worked....or...were supposed to work. I have to say that its a very good movie...and actually has the nuts to answer some big questions, and tie up some loose ends. Its got answers....so if you dig the whole animation thing....check it out. Dan gives it 3 thumbs up.
Its day 4 of operation Alpha Bravo Charlie Gus Kill and the star of the show hasn't made himself shown once. I'm thinking of packing up the equipment and calling it a victory....of the battle....not the War. We'll see.
Y'kno that composition I'd been working on all morning...well...I scrapped it. Yeah...wasted time...but out of every experience like that, I learn something...so I don't count it as a loss at all...I'm going back to that original composition that I'd been inspired to sketch out roughly a few weeks ago. And instead of spend another how many hours drawing it out...I decided I'd just trace the original thumbnail...clean it up, and the bells and whistles, scan it at a high dpi, and blow it up to about double size...voila! I'm so smart=)
Dude...okay okay guys...I KNO I need to switch the layout...its pretty horrid...I've been feeling the need for about 1 1/2 months so far...but I just haven't had the time. I've even had the comment, "Dan...the two naked guys in the front...they scare me." heh...I won't say who...anyhoo...I can't even do it over Winter break...basically because I'm not taking my computer home...and the dumpy computer at home can barely handle word and Netscape open at the same time....so....yeah=) And besides, I've self imposed a "no computers January". Meaning, I'm gonna try to stay away from computers save checking mail and blogging. Why? Well...I'm basically always on a computer up here...so I want to take full advantage of my break, and get out...and enjoy home. Go out...chill....y'kno.
12/15/2000 01:30:21 AM
Wednesday, December 13, 2000
In an e-mail addressed to a one, Mr. Danio:
"Hi Daniel, I'm so glad that I found your renewed driver license we don't have to worry about it anymore.
mom"
ALL IS RIGHT WITH THE WORLD! Hahah....yessss...all is ready. "The Year Of Good Fortune" strikes again! Don't you forget about it...not for one second...cuz thats the exact time when it'll turn around and nip you in the ass....hell yea. Bite me in the ass baby! Yeah....hah. Okay...cool. Love ya ma...=)
So that license deal was the last thing on my agenda list...I registered for my classes today, so thats squared away. I bought my airline ticket already. All that is figured out...All the planets are in perfect alignment...from here on out, all I have to worry about are my final projects....well, worry is a strong word for that. It will be a joy to get into my art without any distractions...worries....rodents...y'kno.=) Ahh...*ahem*
Day 3: Operation "Alpha Bravo Charlie Gus Kill"
Nothing to report at this time....the glue traps are empty....the enemy line has not advanced as was expected....there have been no sightings...and this soldier is glad for one....I scouted the perimeter for holes in our defense, and I have found something. The carpet directly underneath the door on the corner has been COMPLETELY chewed away. We're dealing with veterans here...it is now evident how they were able to infiltrate. The towel was slightly open....one of "The Swarm" entered said opening, and proceeded to dig his way to paradise. I have located no other possible point of entry. It is the judgement of this soldier that extra precautionary measures must be taken. The towel alone is just not enough for their gorilla tactics. We must procure a plastic or metal panel, and somehow secure it around the base of the door....and this must be done before I go on leave...for I fear with me, Paradise's sole protector, gone for an entire month...they would take that opportunity to take over. This cannot be allowed to happen. More to report later."
Well, I think I've come up with a compostion....I just hope I have the technical skills to carry it out. I can imagine it in my head...I just need to clarify that picture in my head, and thats when things start to come together. So thats one thing to work on tonite. I got my Art History paper and quiz from last week...hah...man, I kicked both of their asses left and right, up and down...backwards and forward...and after that, I did it again. Shoot...that class really strokes my ego...haha. But I definately learn a lot...and I enjoy it too...my instructor is great.
Well, next semester...here's how it goes. Clothed Figure Drawing, Oral Communication(whack...I hate wasting money on these whimpy classes....but if I want that BFA, I gotta do whats gotta be done), Intro to Storyboarding, Intro to Animation, and Computer Animation Production(CAP). There it is....man, I sure hope I get great instructors, because this semester most of all, has taught me that the instructor accounts for a LOT of what is learned.
Okay...I think I'll blow the horn and take it easy for a bit....Oh, and Adam from the guestbook inquired about the archive...actually, I'll check it out after I blog this mutha....and for you, and everyone who's left a little love in the guestbook, thank you for the kind words....
12/13/2000 07:03:40 PM
Well, all is quiet on the western front. Trap is still empty, and no sightings today and yesterday. I turned on the heater tonite, so we might get some action if they sense the heat...but I hope not...I hope that mouse is gone...and I packed the towel under my door. I was making rice today, and I looked at the bottom of the bag, and there is a tiny hole.....its the mice man...now my rice is contaminated. Well....I'll just say the bottom half of my bag is contaminated...the upper half is still good.
Today, I tried yet again to get my expired driver's license sorted out....everytime I called the past 20 times, the number of the headquarters in Sacremento is always busy...today, I got through. I was so excited.....then I learn that their computers are down, and they can't check on anything without 'em...ugh....no license, no clubbing, no drinking, no partying when I get back to SD....can't have that...it was time to enlist the help of my one and only....mom. Ha...I asked her to call whenever she wasn't doing anything....wonder if she got through. But tomorro, I have class early, so I'll give it another go.
I headed down to 4 hours before my class began to meet up with William, return his pen and tablet, and grab a bit to eat. We had some Japanese at these very affordably priced joint right near school...I kno I'll be back. Had I only known it was there all this time! We've been talking sometime about going dutch on the new MechWarrior 4 game thats out...I was a little iffy, because sometimes online play requires a cd key...but that whole business is up in the air. Some great reviews for it though. Afterwards, we made our way to CompUSA to drool over it a bit, and I was off to class...
Ahh...Anatomy class....I'd really put off studying for today's test up until...well...yesterday. And I was pretty ill prepared. I think I'll hopefully pull off a C. "Yeah, aim high Dan! Thats the way to the top!" Ehh...enough with the pep talk right now. We did get our master drawings back today....you remember me talking about that awhile back. Well, two friends of mine spent mucho hours on theirs...like, we're talking double digit hours on the whole shebang...and their stuff looked good...it showed effort and time....and one got a B- and the other a B. Now if you'll recall, I did the entire thing in basically 2 hours, on the night before it was due....and I got a B-....dude...there is NO justice in this world. Heh....of course I had to e-mail him and rub it in just a wee bit, but thats besides the point.=)
Dennis and I went out to grab something to eat after class....we tried a new place that was right on the corner of Jones and another street I forgot. Looked at the menu....hmm...decent prices...went inside....He ordered the kung pao chicken over rice...it was Mongolian beef over rice for me....5 bones for him, 5.50 for me.....he brought out our plates.....we looked down...looked at each other....looked down again. It was the smallest freakin' portion I'd ever seen in one of these joints...I ran out of rice not even midway through my meal! "Excuse me...how much is extra rice?"(I'm expecting free...or 50 cents)..."one dolla"...."oh...." "you want?" "nah..." DamN! What a sucky deal. So I just asked for a bag, and cooked up some rice here at home...and made it last as far as possible. One bite meat...two forkfulls of rice. Thats the ratio I had to use...aiy....too much for how much rice they gave me, too little for the amount of rice that I cooked. Overall, a sucky ass dining experience.=)
Well, I might be getting a sublet in Richmond. I'll know in two weeks....I'm not sure if I'll take it...its a sweet deal at 600 including utilities...but its a sublet till August...which means I'd have to find a place in August..and I've been through that whole deal...its a horrible time to look for a place. Dennis keeps reassuring me that it'll be no problem, and he'll help me look. But I just don't kno....he also said that his current landlord knows a lot of people, and could probably hook me up when the time came....when I took over the place from Dennis, I'd just have to get to know her a bit...and things would be good. Well, we'll see. I think I could *somehow* tear myself away from this beloved little shack.=)
12/13/2000 12:34:28 AM
Tuesday, December 12, 2000
I just got done chatting with Jennie....man...how time flies. Y'kno she's the girl that helped me with my very very first webpage! Back when we did everything via Netscape Gold, or something....and back when "if ya liked the way something looked, ya just ripped it off of someone else's site and claimed it as your own." Haha....now I won't tell you where this secret site is...in fact, its a highly guarded secret. And besides...its painful to even read the way my buddies and I typed back in '97...haha....nutz man. But yeah...we'd kept in touch on and off...then for a long time I didn't hear from her...then I think just within the past few months I'd see her online once in awhile...and we check up on each other's pages....hah...she's a doll. And things are goin' great for her...and thats Awsome possom man. *thumbs up* She's in LoooooOOOoove....=P And just listening to her talk about it...man, I remember how it felt...it felt dame good...all was right with the world....come rain, snow, sleet, hail...meteors....whatever...all was good, cuz y'kno that special someone was just a phone call away. Sitting up at night, just thinking about what the other person is doing...and if they're thinking about you right now, like you're thinkin' about them. Wow, love is good....love is great....damn, its great to see people in love=) I haven't brought up my whole "Year of Good Fortune" deal in awhile...but hey....its still in effect, if its mentioned or not. Dig?=)
12/12/2000 03:40:03 AM
No sound as of yet...and its 1:09am. I just got done reading most of an essay on Objectivism by Nathaniel Branden, Ph.D...thanks to a link on Willy's page. Critical of some points, but supportive of much of the structure of it. Back in Jerome's "Randoid" days, we'd discuss Ayn Rand's philosophy...and he was deciding on what he agreed and disagreed with, etc...I haven't talked to him about it in awhile. Anywayz...interesting read. I'd read the first few chapters of Atlas Shrugged but then Jerome had to return the book...argh=) So I never got back into it...although I am/have been curious about it.
Well, I wasn't able to get the license issue squared away today...the number the local DMV gave me to call (the central office in Sacramento responsible for sending out new licenses) is always busy...I tried for an hour this morning...my hope is to wake up early tomorrow and catch them when they first open...I need to get this done soon, so I can go club hopping when I get back to SD=) I also remembered that today is laundry day, and try as I might to pospone...I can't very well go nekkid to school...so it had to be done. That means going to sign up for classes and study was bumped to tomorro. So basically, I went down to Sunset, started my laundry going. Went to buy my mouse hunting arsenal, and got something to eat at my favorite Pho joint. Pretty nice....now I'm off to study. Got a test in Anatomy...and I've just recently scrapped a composition for a digital painting I was working on for the past few days....now to come up with another one. Inspiration sometimes hits me when I'm lulling off into lala land.....its happened before....then I'll just wake up and turn on the small lamp next to my bed...grab my sketchbook and sketch out a quick thumbnail of what I was thinking of. It may not even be recognizable to anyone...but I kno whats going on in the morning. Anywayz....If I hear squeeling, I'll break out the web cam and do an update....err...do u guys wanna see a dead mouse? Haha...I kno, its in major bad taste....but this guy and his buddies have been tormenting me for far too long for me to care about civility. Don't worry squeemish readers, I'll figure out something.=) Take care guys...g'nite.
12/12/2000 01:34:58 AM
Monday, December 11, 2000
manufacturer-Jeaton: Stick-Em glue traps. As yet an untested addition to the pest control arsenal. It looks very promising and will be the weapon of choice in tonite's battle. (2 for 5.29) manufacturer-Victor: Mouse trap. The tried and true...the original. It is the Barretta of the pest control world. Compact, trustworthy, sturdy, and reliable, it is the last defense for a warrior caught in the field. Essential to any urban arsenal. (.49 each) manufacturer-Nabisco: Cheese Nips w/ Peanut butter. It is common knowledge that a mouse's two weaknesses are cheese and peanut butter. This product combines the two seamlessly into a concoction so alluring to mice, none can withstand it's beckoning scent. Even I, a human....am tempted to eat one or two. And at 29cents each, was much more economical than buying a jar of peanut butter. manufacturer-Spontex: Professional Paint'n Finish Chemical Resistant Rubber/Neoprene gloves. It is important to have proper protection against the germ element of "the Swarm". These gloves provide adequate protection up to the elbows.
Day 1: Operation "Alpha Bravo Charlie Gus Kill"
Reporting from the front lines, things look quiet right now....the glue traps are in place. Time to wait. Mice are nocturnal, so we should see some action in about four or five hours. The first of it anywayz....this soldier has no idea how many waves they'll send....the damn Swarm. But I'm hoping that there's only one in the room at this point. The towel is in place and has been in place so no more will get in from that entrance. After the first mouse is caught, I will check the perimeter of the room for small holes that could have possibly appeared since I last checked. He got in here SOMEhow and I intend to find out. Today marks the turning point in The War. Never before could we fight back....but only try our best to repell and prevent. Now, we have an arsenal to call upon....and the bloodlust to go along with it. Quiet for now...will report later tonite.
12/11/2000 07:15:08 PM
posted earlier at 4am:
CONFIRMED sighting....he IS inside my room....he startled me at first, but that suckers goin' down...not sure how yet, but he's going down....hmm...Williams in the process of telling me a plan...."inventive, no mess"...hmm...lets see....he says I'll need a bucket, a soda can, string and peanut butter......uh huh...I can get a hold of that....what else....hahaha.....okay, he says to fill the bucket halfway with water, set it upright. Get the can, poke a hole on both ends, and run the string through it and tie the string to either side of the bucket (via the handles)....so the can is suspended horizontally over the water in the bucket. Smear a thin paste of peanut butter over the can....set up in the mouse's last known location and provide a way up for the mouse. The mouse will climb up, go for the peanut butter and slip and fall into the water and "opps...no lifeguard" Nyehehe.....yes...yes diablolical.....indeed.....
This one interests me as well....it looks good...and I might get the "drowning attachment" too...bwhahaha.....yessssss....yes.....
Argh...what have they done to me.....I'm evil! I'm evil man....this is madness...I must fight...fight the urge to cause vicious bodily harm to my rodent housemates...no....*shakes head* "Fight it Dan...you've got the power....you can't become victim to your environment...you must fight! YOu've....you've got the eye....of the Tiger....." Whew....damn....thanks dude...I needed that. "no prob." Okay okay.....my mind is clearer....I will try.....alrite...tomorro...agenda...wake up....call place in Sacremento and get the whole deal with my new driver's license sorted out....take shower....go downtown, register for classes. Go to library and study a bit....go to Sunset...go to hardware store..pick up mice traps...buy some peanut butter and cotton....go home....set up strategical strike "Alpha Bravo Charlie Gus Kill".
12/11/2000 01:31:34 PM
Sunday, December 10, 2000
Alrite....alrite...I almost...ALMOST convinced myself that I was seeing things....but I knew better. Here I am...doin' my thing....and I see this thing dart toward the door, then turn around....quick...SOOO very quick. Its crazy how fast these things run. Nelz told me about some traps where its just a big glue pad with little bits of food on it. The mouse runs on....and its stuck....and it can STARVE!! THe little bastards! Grrrrrrrgh.....I'll catch 'em on my glue pad of death and just so his buddies can see what happens to mice that get caught in my room...I'll put him right smack dab in the middle of the kitchen floor....on display like a modern day Elephant man....all his buddies can look and go "ooh damn....Dan just had enough...lets avoid that territory. He means business he does..." "Aye, he does lad....we best to keep away from the first door on the left." Then my room will hence be known as the "Room of no Return". And future generations of mice will ask their dads, "papa?" "Yes child?" "Why do we...why do we never go into the room with the towel blocking it?" "It is a long story young one....a long story indeed that goes back many generations....mouse generations. Do you remember your great grandfather Gus?" "Yes papa, I do...." "Well, once he wandered inside....and let me tell you lad, that towel isn't there for no reason. Its a warning...a warning never to come inside." "But why papa? Why?" "Because! The Evil Four Eyed Giant DAN lives there!!" *in the distance a clap of thunder roars* "Papa....you're scaring me..." "THEN BE SCARED! For this giant Dan is evil incarnated into the form of man!! NEVER go inside......*looks off into the distance* What he did....what he did to your great grandfather....unspeakable. Things that should never occur in nature....for all that is holy...he is the devil.....know this young one....never go inside, or ye a'won't be returnin' home....never....EVER!" nyeheheheeh......indeed....never.....EVER.....*schemingly rubs hands together*
12/10/2000 11:57:50 PM
Guys...my sleeping schedule is majorly messed up.=) I dunno what the deal is....well, yea I do. And I've done it to myself, but I'm not fretting too much...I can see some regularity coming in the next few days....basically, the storm has passed (in terms of school work) and now things are coming at a nice pace. I've still got a good amount of work to keep me busy, but I can spend the extra time on specific assignments....and that always feels good.=)
I'm talkin' to Nels right now about a snowboarding trip we're trying to make happen...either a few days before or after New Years. So you guys reading this who wanna go, e-mail me. YOU kno who u are. We're deciding whether to stay over night or not...and although it'd make the experience a lot better not to have to drive home right after snowboarding(if you've ever been...you'll know that your ass feels like jello after snowboarding the whole day...well, at least if you fall as many times as I do=), I just doubt that there's space this time of year...its got to be the most crowded few weeks for snow peoples....ah well....we'll see.
Mutha'lovin'...son of a sea cucumber...damn! I just saw a mouse in my room! How the hell did it get in....I have that towel outside my door....damnit....Unless either Gus and his buddies have somehow made another hole somewhere in my room, or someone kicked the towel away from my door....and if thats the case, I'M GONNA FREAKIN' BASH SOME HEADS! Damnit...I'm out for blood! Well, actually I didn't SEE the mouse....I was typing and I saw something move out of the corner of my eye which looked/sounded/smelled like a mouse....it was just half an instant...but I have a feeling it was....FACK...damnit, I swear I'mma bash some heads if someone kicked the towel away from my door....its not so much that the mouse is in my room right now....its the not knowing if he's gone....and if I put the towel there, then he's trapped INSIDE....damnit....thats what gets me. But at LEAST I have a bed this time...lil' bastards won't crawl anywhere they're not supposed to while I'm sleeping. Ugh...my room's my sanctuary....when lil' rodents and stuff come inside...I get riled up. The rest of the house...its okay...go crazy....but DON'T come into my room and expect me to sit still....
Damn...okay...Ugh...I'mma go to bed soon. Nada much to report...tomorro I think I'll head over to Borders and do some reading and homework.....I gotta go early because it always seems to be really busy on Sundays. Have a goodnite people...and if you don't have rodents scampering around...consider yourself lucky..
