NewHardware, New Software, New Beginnings....

 So, I had to buy a new laptop. Well, maybe not HAD. But it was definitel y time for an upgrade. The Toshiba Satellite I'd gotten in 2006 had all its keys worn off, plus it ran constantly, with the hard drive making these wierd clunking sounds.  Yikes!

 About 6 months ago I picked up a Wacom tablet from a Kid on Craigslist for -$25. Kind of clunky, but it piqued my interest. I started researching tablet PC's then, hoping I could find something with a pressure sensitive screen, that I could actually afford. I saw a friend's ipad  while I was on vacation, but I  couldn't get past the fact it wouldn't play FLASH for all that $! Then, I experimented with a Nook color.  Got a used one off Craigslist, and rooted it to an Android operating system with a little help from a friend.  Totally love it! But it's not robust enough for art-at least not any SERIOUS art. For reading, checking emails, and generally goofing off online, it's awesome! Fits in my purse and everything... but, I digress.

 I had work lined up that was going to require teleconferencing capabilities beyond what any of my machines could do  so I thought it was probably time to take the plunge. Enter the Lenovo X220 Tablet PC! This thing is VERY cool! A laptop or a tablet as you need it; just flip the screen around and you're set. Sadly, the new gig fell through, but this thing is So neat I can't even feel guilty about spending the money.

 There's a learning curve to figuring this out, I'm finding out. My art's probably going to look real primitive as I'm gaining proficiency,but I don't care. Full steam ahead! Or, at least as much steam as I have to offer!  Look for my art here, on www.thegildedshackle.com  or on DeviantArt.com.  My handle is "evermancer."

Julie and Julia ain't got nothin'...

Visiting with my friends Jim and Tara in California this weekend, and last night they made "boef bourguignon" right out of Julia Child's "Mastering the Art of French Cooking."  My first and only exposure to this recipe and that book was from the movie "Julie and Julia" and the book that I read later because I liked the movie so much.

I don't normally use words like "sublime" unless someone's paying me to, but... wow!  I didn't take a picture, but I should have.  The subtle layering of flavors is almost impossible to describe.  TOTALLY impossible today, the the fibro-flare I've got going, but that was one of the best dinners I've ever had in my whole life.

It's funny- I've always considered myself a good cook.  But the more I see the more I realize how much there is for me to learn.

Anyone know where to get a really good bottle of balsamic vinegar?  ;)

Zombietime!

Here's a souvenir of the morning I spent with my nephew a couple days ago.  He's been playing the computer game "Plants vs. Zombies" a lot, and wanted me to draw him a zombie of his own.  


I figured all zombies should have ties with smiley faces on 'em.  Seriously!  

The Joy of the Quickie

No, you pervs- not THAT kind of "quickie!"

I'm talking about art.  Fast art.  Art that's just a sketch, with no planning or foresight- just a doodle, mainly.

Was doing some drawing with Trevor last night, and he asked me for a quick sketch of some of the characters from The Gilded Shackle.  Usually I put up this kind of stuff on the site I have for my game world art and trivia, Atheneum Adventures but I thought this would be kind of fun to put up here, too.

This took me about a half hour.  The cute little guy on the pony is Marne, the tall Human boy is Teine (he's the main character), the big dog is "Stinky", the "horse-lizard-dog-critter-thing" is Willis, and the girl is Leis.  Go me! :D  

"Unstoppable"- It didn't suck!

So, I went to go see Unstoppable with friends, while it was still in the theater.  Surprisingly, it was pretty good!  I was skeptical... I mean, it's a train.  It's on a TRACK.  It's not like there's a lot of ways it can go.  But it managed to be entertaining, suspenseful, and have some pretty likable characters.

Next?  Hopefully either "Voyage of the Dawn Treader" or "Tangled"!

Trying a New Dog Food- Blue Buffalo

Rhett and I enjoying the nice fall weather
during a trip to Holmes Lake, in Lincoln.

I picked up a bag of Blue Buffalo dog food for my borzoi Rhett today.  I've been feeding Diamond for years- many borzoi breeders like it as being a good fit for their dogs, but I haven't been real satisfied with it the last year or so.  Rhett just seems like he's lackluster on eating it, no matter what kind, unless I doctor it up with some canned food or other tasty stuff like cottage cheese.  He's at an ok, weight, and his skin and coat look ok... but he's just not really enthusiastic about eating, so I thought it might be worth a try.


They've been advertising it all over cable TV and it looks REALLY good... very healthy, with human food-grade ingredients. I got it home and opened up the bag, and Rhett came running over and immediately SAT DOWN!  That's what he does when someone has a treat he REALLY wants!  Encouraged, I mixed it half-and half with his old food and fed it to him dry...and the big goofball immediately went through and picked out all the new stuff to scarf down, and left his old food in the bowl!    Well, at least I know he likes it!  LOL  


Aside from being cost-prohibitively expensive, it might be a good fit.  We'll give it a try and see if he continues to be so enthusiastic about it. 

Considering Contagion

I'm thinking about getting an artist/author booth at Contagion: Outbreak for 2011.  This is one of the area's pop culture/sci-fi/gaming conventions, and should be a lot of fun... whether or not I participate or just go for fun.

Gonna check out the planning meeting next Friday on the 10th at Borders on 72nd and Dodge and see what I think.