Learning, Drawing, and Goals

Since I haven't updated in ages, I decided to put the three topics that I had stirring in my head for awhile. So it is like three updates. ^^; .

Titles as followed:

• 'One Small Step to Drive, one Giant Leap towards Maturation'
• 'Goals before I'm 20. "Yikes its so soon".'
• 'Prelude to 100'
  

*WARNING - BIG WALL OF TEXT*

'One Small Step to Drive, one Giant Leap towards Maturation'

Last week on 18/07/08 I obtained my Learner's Licence. I had passed the test with flying colours and all because I did the practice test located here: https://www.service.transport.qld.gov.au/rrtexternal/SelectExam.jsp ... over and over and over and over again which was really good because most of the questions which were asked was on the exam.

Approximately $90 later and a photo I had received my licence fwee~ *throws confetti in the air*. On that day I decided I wanted to get my 'P' Plates before I turn 20. I've never set any goals for myself until now or rather I'd set them but abandon them thinking they were just impossible dreams. Well on that day it gave birth to the Goal list.

'Goals before I'm 20. "Yikes its so soon".'

On the day that I payed for my learners <*grumble* $90> I decided that I need to be a bit more mature and needed to set goals for myself, otherwise the days of my youth will slip away and I would have accomplished nothing. So here are my goals: (note: I wanted 20 goals so I could have the title 20 Goals before I'm 20, but could only think of 10 *stream of tears running down face*)

(not in any particular order)

1. 'P' Plates
2. Lose the Gut
3. Get a Job
4. Webcomic/graphic novel with 100 strips
5. Cook a Family Dinner
6. Learn a Foreign Language
7. Start Syncing songs for Karaoke (at least 50-75 songs)
8. Have a Flash Animation (in conjuction with the webcomic / graphic novel)
9. A committed relationship with a girl (pre-requisite - job and lose the gut)
10. Save at least $5000

So thats the 10 goals I have for now, and now the reasoning behind those goals. Most of them have to do with survival outside the family home (where for me its a non-rent place to live) and if I'm able to do them, I get one step closer to becoming a mature adult or as out of the routine of being an immature idiot ^^; (baka rangers ho!).

1. 'P' Plates

First off I want to prove to myself and to others that if I get off my lazy ass I can achieve my goals. I wish to prove myself because some of my friends have their learners and are yet to get their 'P' Plates, which gives me an added incentive to beat them. It'll probably be a great feeling for me, which probably run along the lines of 'you have received crushing defeat against a n00b'.

2. Lose the Gut

Okay well, this is more of a self-esteem issue more so than anything else. Yes yes, 'beauty is only skin deep' but I'll feel a lot better when I have lost it or lost most of it. I try and exercise everyday unless I'm in a crappy mood or I get enthralled with an anime or a sitcom. I started to exercise regularly and pump iron, before the first semester of uni started. The results after 7 months, I have lost a bit of fat, I have gotten a lot stronger and it feels good to do push ups without collapsing to the ground after 2 (currently can do 15 in a row (haven't checked if I can do more because I do 15 per set (4 sets per workout))). From 1-2 pushups to 15, from out of breath running a couple of laps, to running with good consistency. Gut still present but slimmed down a bit woopee! ^_^

3. Get a Job

This is obvious, to earn money and to get work experience for later. I've always wanted to get a job, but my lazy ass decided against it just telling myself its alright. I help my mum on occasion with her work and get paid for it but since she is taking less work (semi-retiring), I decided to go see if I can get a job. Will try and create a resume tomorrow and go down to my local shopping centre and drop 'em off to wherever I can.

4.Webcomic / Graphic Novel 100 strips

Ok, I have had a lot of ideas for mangas/comics (the time it will take to type and explain them all, it will probably be 3am onwards) but I never fufilled them, mainly due to laziness and my drawing ability not on par with some of my favourite artists which most of 'em are my friends {Alias: Sanchine and Phanima}.

So I decided to create the manga for the struggling artist(s) or the artist(s) which may feel incompetent compared to others or pros. I'll be telling the time I took to draw, the inspiration of the strip and future goals (I want to lineart but I'll settle for pencil to paper etc.). Inspired by my friend (who is a fantastic artist {codename : Sanchine}) and by my many promises to my friends to get something running I got sick and tired of my empty promises and set the somewhat impossible goal of 100 strips (approx 2.X a week, which doesn't sound too bad, but take into account me playing games, anime watching, singing to myself, uni etc., the time adds up and its 100 different ideas).

Note: As of 25/07/08 I have the design of the characters, now all I gotta do is put them into situations and draw the strips.

5. Cook a Family Dinner

I have never cooked a Family Dinner before, I wish to learn to give my mum a break whenever she is swamped by work, I wish one day to say, 'hey mum take a break, I got dinner handled'.

6. Learn a foreign language

This has been on my mind for a while now. I just never got around to it *cough* laziness *cough cough*. I'm either deciding between Cantonese or Japanese, both would be good for international work, japanese for games and anime, cantonese for conversation with relatives. Hmm recreational or relatives? *begins to sweat*

7. Start Syncing songs for Karaoke (at least 50-75 songs)

This is mainly for recreation but I would like to start karoake as a means to bond with friends and such, and get better at my timing and singing ^^;.

8. Have a Flash Animation (in conjuction with the webcomic / graphic novel)

This has been on my mind for awhile too, it is based on a character that I wanted to use for awhile now, if you wish for more info on this character drop me a line or an email and I'll fill you in on the details. I don't want any idea stealing happening. "Must protect my preciouses".

9. A committed relationship with a girl (pre-requisite - job and lose the gut)

After I get a stable income and I get over my esteem issues, it will be a good time to get a girl friend. I hope to be in a relationship before I am 20, so we can be uni-sweethearts or something <3 style="font-style: italic;">10. Save at least $5000

$5000 is the minimum and any extra will be great. If I can get a decent pay check I would like to buy some 'wants' (anime figures, shares, books, games, another laptop etc.) and be able to have $5000 to spare for later like a car.

Epilogue

I feel as though that I'm beginning to mature as a person, and it gives me something to strive for rather than just sit and wait and do nothing at all.

'Prelude to 100'

Instead of paying attention in the first week of uni, I decided to spend my time creating the design for the characters of my comic. Well without further a do. Here are the sketches:

The Main Character

The Old Friend

The Guiding Light

The Defective Robot

The Little warrior with the Big Heart

The first three characters are the preliminary characters while the other two are for further development. Well its been fun and all, but time to sign off, strip one will be done soon, lets have some fun all ! :D

Learning for Learners

Short and simple this post.

Okay so, one of my goals by the end of the holidays was to get my learners to drive. Well Final week of holidays is here and so I've decided to go for my learners.

Its been 3 years since and every holidays I say to myself "I'm going to get my learners".

Well this time I'm seriously going to try and get my learners during the holidays. So wish me luck, I'm going to buckle down and do it... eventually hopefully! ^^

Gamers, Anime and Cosplayers. Oh My!

Gencon 2008, didn't know it was on until my friend told me. I thought why not, should be fun, and it was.

This is my second experience with a convention, first being supernova 2006 (really really dodgy imo, but I did go on the last day and most of the merchandise were sold out and was mainly sci-fi stuff on display... boo).

Me and my friend walked around checked out some of the booths, we didn't end up buying anything, as most things were a bit overpriced compared to if we import it and the variety was a tad lacking. Ah well, after a couple of loops around I headed towards the consoles and test my skills against other players in Brawl. Compared to my friends I thought I was a hardcore gamer, boy I was wrong, was talking to one of the players told me he didn't sleep because he was finishing Smash Brothers, then came today. Wow that much dedication, playing that many hours straight without sleep, I couldn't do it zzz...

Although he talked a lot of smack I kicked his ass with Ike, Kirby, Pokemon Trainer and Marth. I lost to a round with my friend though, was using Peach and I didn't know what her final smash did, got it didn't realise drops food items and makes them fall asleep (I stupidly attacked them) resulting in many deaths. Anyway after that gaming interruption we walked around a bit and stumbled into karaoke event.

Seemed a lot of the cosplayers were hanging around at the time. A lot of mistakes, a lot of murmuring, a lot of off-tone, a lot of voice cracking but everyone seemed to be having a good time singing to the lyrics, reminiscing the animes that people were singing to. Could really see that people were otaku (not many of my friends are otaku, usually have to dial it down otherwise get weird looks and the expression of not understanding a word I'm saying... zzz). Anyway my friend went with a Bleach song D-Technolife the second opening, I think he went with that, ah well he can correct me later. Seeing as he had the courage to sing in public I gathered all my courage and with my anxiety dissapating I went with the One Piece song 'We Are!', I tried to do it in the 7-Straw Hats Pirate versions voice, I forgot who did what verse in it, and I ended up singing either Zoro, Sanji, or Usopp's voice, when we got to the chorus (where all the pirates begin to sing), I reverted back to regular voice (i.e. tried to do Japanese emphasis but epicly phailed -.-'').

With that I took a small break, a couple of the cosplayers sung a few new songs (if any of them are reading this send me an email/comment and I will put song name where its from and who sung it specifically) and my friend went and did another Bleach song Life is Like a Boat. I decided to do one of my favourite songs, girly it may be but enjoyable to sing nontheless, Chobits - Let Me Be with you. I was doing a lot better in singing this, but I screwed up one of the long "ni"s and my voice cracked a couple of times, *shakes fist in rage* stupid high notes.

Then the cosplayers had to go for a photo shoot so my friend and I hung out with the karaoke DJ. She's pretty nice, we had a long discussion about anime, the convention, music, I even got to throw in a few new ideas they might include next time, sorry to all the anime otakus, it was mainly gaming ideas. After the photoshoot some of the cosplayers came back, and new faces showed up. They sung a few songs and I joined in for a triplet with a guy cosplaying as Urahara and his friend who wasn't cosplaying at all. We sang Soramimi Cake from Azumanga, the girl was laughing way too much, she stuffed most of the lyrics, the guy was trying to keep up, he did most of the time, and then the extended part kicked in and they were both like ZOMG!?! there is an extended edition of the song. But unfortunately I didn't get to see the attempt because the karaoke event was ending soon and they had to cut most of the extensions of the song. I then asked the DJ any song you would like me to try and sing for you? She wanted to see if anyone could attempt abenobashi Trick or Treat Goblins, I said sure why not I'll give it a whirl. Bzz died just barely made it to the halfway mark. One last song and then it was finally over. A second session was later in the afternoon but too late for me, or rather couldn't be stuffed waiting ^^;.

Afterwards had lunch, walked around for a bit and we went to go see the cosplay competition. The competition is split into two groups, groups (2+ people) and single (1 person). Whoever won would get $100 madman gift voucher, and whoever was runnerup I think it was $50 or $25 voucher but I figured gift voucher is not worth amount of time and effort and money these cosplayers put in, I think if all participants received the runnerup prize, second would get $100 madman gift voucer, and first would be much grander. But meh what do I know, just and 18 year old kid ^^;;.

Ok well the singles were a girl dressing as non-Timeskipped Kiba Inuzuka with a dog toy representing Akumaru she also joined at the first karaoke event, the angel warrior Pitt which when I first saw him, I thought he was a chick (sorry dude ^.^;), someone dressed as the Monopoly guy, another cosplayer I think they said was the nemesis of the Di gi Charat characters (can't remember the name) she had batwings and yellow hair (anyone or do I have to google it?), and this other girl dressed up as a theme I think, can't remember what it was but it was multicoloured, fluro colours everywhere @_@, season 3 Sailor Moon, Misty from Pokemon, Konata from Lucky Star, Grimmjaw from Bleach and Urohara from Bleach he came and sung after the photoshoot, thats all I can remember from the singles.

(The Monopoly Guy)

The groups consisted of Mia and Maya Fey from Phoenix Wright they sung quite a few songs as the karaoke event, Time-skipped Sasuke with the Fourth Hokage (cosplayed with a female), I know that the Fourth Hokage karaoked, there was a guitar hero group, it consisted of 3 people Judy Nails, Casey Lynch and Pandora (a guy cosplayed her), the resident evil girls consisting of Ada Wong (Resident Evil 4), Claire (Code Veronica), and Jill (from the movie) these girls also karoaked and a Death Note group consisting of 3 girls dressing up as Light (I thought this girl dressed up as Detective Gumshoe >.<), Meryl(?) and Misa.

(The Resident Evil Girls : Claire, Jill and Ada)

The Winners

Single event : Pitt (looked like he really deserve to win, his weapons and everything were top notch)

Group event : The Fey Sisters because I saw them karaoking, plus phoenix wright is an awesome series that must be played at any cost, I hoped they win.

(Phoenix Wright : The Fey Sisters)

The Runner-ups

Single event : The digicharat Nemesis, that one looked pretty good, and compared to the other costumes probably more expensive and more complex (more materials maybe?)

Group event : The Guitar Hero group, saw them a couple of times but I thought the one posing as Judy Nails was suppose to be midori, ah well.

(Guitar Hero II : Pandora, Casey and Judy)

Well that draws to the end of my day at Gencon, was really fun, hope those who went and karaoked with me could stand my singing ^^;. I might cosplay next time, but first gotta learn it, also after I get some of my work done and stop playing games and watching anime. @_@

Cosplayers I saw dunno some of their names but I sort of know what series they are from (other than the ones from the competition:

2x Cloud from FF7 AC (one looked awesome but his hair was down, another looked really dodge but it's a kid so I gave leniency).

Himura Kenshin (a worker) was going to ask do you know any of his sword techniques but chickened at the last second.

The male scientist from Code Geass (the one with the purple hair).

Random sword girl (could be from Valkyrie Profile 2 but unsure). Last one I can remember (because I want to go to bed 2am!! >.<)

- Might've been a employee/volunteer but I think she cosplay as the gun girl in Full Metal Alchemist, not 100% sure. Anyway hope you enjoyed this rant, nighty night.

Newcomer Baka Ranger has joined the Brawl

Note: I have learned that its my Wii thats making my game immensly slow. Sorry Smash Bros, I knew you wouldn't sell out badly. *bow*

Heya all this is my first blog, I hope it peaks people's curiousity of what the hell I'm doing, what I'm spending money on, and other random tidbits of my life aka my life story as its being lived. I've been meaning to create a blog sight for a very long time, but mainly A) couldn't be bothered, B) dunno who'll read it C) afraid. I got over the afraidedness, and the couldn't be bothered part. Gotten over the dunno who'll read it with the exact same statement, meh dunno who'll read it. ^^

With the general rambling out of the way now onto the main discussion. I recently bought Super Smash Brothers Brawl. I've thorougly enjoyed it so far, single player classic mode is a tad laggy and its very irritable when I defeat the opponent in under 30 seconds and then have to wait for another 30 seconds for the next battle. Very very boring and a mood breaker. But alas the multiplayer is phenomenal (not wi-fi), no lag time or very little at all, some stages are a bit bland or too complex, not enough decent stages like in the gamecube version of Super Smash Brothers Melee.

The Adventure mode, wow it really suprised me, at first I thought it was really crap, the mid didn't get any better, in fact it got worse, the end, wow it really kicked ass, and how I wish it was like this throughout the entire game. The things that I found really dodgy and crap were some of the stages, some of the moving parts of the game were ridicolously slow, like you are being chased and you cannot hurt the boss, therefore the only option is to run, for about 3/4 of the time I was either standing and waiting for the screen to move or walking away from an enemy.

But some of those moving stages the movement of the stage is akward, you try and destroy the obstacles but enemies get in the way, you destroy the enemies but the stage moves to where you cannot see a damn thing and the obstacles get hard to well... impossible to see, then you try and get down but you lose a life.

Where they've placed some of the launchers are just plained stupid or absolutely unneccessary, a launcher into spikes and if you have a large enough percent, you get caught in the launcher again, wow nice work... one more thing enemies... way too many at certain points, like areas where you can die from one hit on 0%. Very very steep learning curve, although once you figure out how to defeat the enemies its a piece of cake, too bad those enemies are usually the last battle you have to fight. If you continue you lose trophies, stickers and other goodies that you've found along the way, and being a completist I didn't want to continue. Much swearing throughout the entire mode. Last boss loads of swearing to be had, but I finally finished it today. Hurray hurray.

Overall unlocking things, collecting things, doing the events on the hardest difficulty for bragging rights, so much frustration, although all these faults in solo play the multiplayer is fantastic as Nintendo are very notorious for multiplayer games, <3.

*cough* No I'm not a nintendo fanboy *cough cough*

Anyway time to sign off for now. Hope you enjoyed the rant!