Mountains

The Rocky Mountains are awesome. Everything out west looks more vast than I'm used to. :)))))))))))))

Say Something Funny

I should be asleep by now, but I just had to make a last minute post. 'K bye. :)

Hey

I've decided I will do an email list anyway. So there.

Praise Report!

The spaghetti lunch we had after church today was a resounding success. We surpassed Kyle's goal amount by about fifty dollars, and I think it's obvious God's hand was in it. Yesterday we didn't know if there would be more than a dozen people that would show up. I think we served between fifty and sixty. Plus, more donating on the side. Here's the flyer we passed out:

Let me tell you, passing out flyers is not something I'm super comfortable with, but we were on a mission. Special thanks to Mrs. Gail for taking care of some critical food and presentation areas, Peter for spearheading the "solicitation" of guests/donations, and, well, I could just name the rest of my family and friends who gave their time and effort as well, because everyone was a big help. Above all though, the glory goes to God our provider. I think my favorite part was just seeing my family here all working side by side.

Selfless service gets me every time. Now on to the final preparations.

Roller Coaster

I was trying to get one last stock illustration done before leaving; this is a cartoon representation of the stock market. It was rejected due to a technical issue with the vector file that I don't quite understand, so I'll have to find time later to investigate the problem. Meanwhile, it gives me a picture to post here.

Now I'm off to hopefully hand out a bunch of flyers at church.

Quick note

I think I'll try to use this blog to post updates from my time in Denver (and abroad???). I know direct email updates would maybe be easier for everyone, but then I'd have to get together a list of people who for sure want to receive them. This way they could follow at their own discretion. I'll just have to see.

Actually, I've just added an RSS feed link and a "follow by email" link at the bottom of the page, so that should help. I ain't nevah used thum newfangled thangs bafor.

Mhm

I ate some pepino melon today. I thought it was good. =D

New Banner

I decided to retire this banner and make a fresh new one. Now with even more color.

I was without an internet connection yesterday, and it felt like a long time. It was only one day! I love and despise computers. =P I'm still trying to decide if I want to take my laptop along to Colorado.... There should be a computer there for students to check email and stuff, and mine only feels like one more thing on my list at this point. Hm. Pros and cons, pros and cons.

Thinking

Trying to figure out what to do on this blog here shortly. Hm, something easy.... I don't know how much internet or free time I will have.

The Drive

I finally purchased a GPS. Now I won't be able to use the "I'm afraid I'll get lost" excuse anymore when the subject of long trips comes up.

Chilly Weather Characters

We've had some chilly air rolling through here recently, and it feels nice. I don't look forward to having to wear long pants all the time again, but sacrifices must be made. Fires are increasingly alluring. I like a good fire.

Mice at Evening

The mountains in the distance have been so clear lately (when it isn't raining). Spectacular, fast-moving clouds and crisp air. I wish it would stay this way for a longer season.

Tree Village

This a what you call a quick sketch.

Location Sketch

Things I learned yesterday: Going to the doctor takes a long time (haven't been there since I can remember). Sorting through which shots you need and filling out the paperwork is the hard part, getting the actual shots is the easy part. Lots of waiting involved. It's expensive for them to check you out for ten minutes and then tell you what you already know. Not to sound arrogant or anything, but I already knew I could hike 3-4 miles without falling over. :)

PALS 4

The best thing about this one is the snow. ;)

PALS 3

That robot was one of the things I put together as a teenager.

PALS 2

I'll post the rest of these for now. I'm preoccupied to the point that I can't get into drawing right now anyway. =P

PALS

A few years ago I started making a silly comic called PALS (plastic animal life situations), but only made four of them before I ran out of steam. I always liked those children's books that used real pictures of stuffed animals and things to tell a story, and that's what I was going for here. It's easy because you don't have to draw anything. :)

I pulled up this old pic from my computer because I didn't know what else to post today. I've been offered a chance to lay aside my own plans for the near future (my stagnant, come what may plans), and do something that scares the heck out of me. Because I think it's the only thing that will work. If I'm going to be a fool for Christ, I better do it right. I need to step into the crucible.

Mug revisited

I needed something quick to draw again. =P There's a different snowman on this side of the cup.

I'm going fishing and camping with my brother tonight. He's on fire for God (don't know how else to say it) and stuff is happening, so I'm going to grab some time with him. It's not a casual "God is cool man!" thing, it's a "I want the whole God experience because nothing else will satisfy" thing.

Comparison

Just for the record: I would be hard pressed to choose a favorite. It really depends on my mood and the weather. Apples are easier to eat on the go since they don't have to be peeled, but you've still got the core to dispose of (which isn't too hard). You can simply eat the whole thing, of course. I've done that a couple times, minus the stem. But if I'm going to eat the core I usually prefer just the part in the middle, with the seeds. Some apple seeds are actually pretty good, and taste very...apple-y. I assume there's some additional nutrition in there. Some cores are a little husky though. While oranges do have to be peeled, you can't deny their packaging is also a plus. You don't have to wash the fruit itself, and it is kept safe while rolling around the floor of your car or across the ground or, in rare cases, dropped into a goat's pen. It's fun to eat the sections of an orange or tangerine. Navel oranges also come with a bonus baby orange on one end. Can apples do that? I don't think so. Then again, you can't make very good pie with an orange. Or cobbler.

...I better stop now.

Tree House

Well it's not very detailed, but hey. When I think of a tree house, I think of Swiss Family Robinson. Now THAT is a tree house. I always liked touring the full scale one at Disney's Magic Kingdom.

Mug

I didn't know what to draw so I drew the mug that is sitting nearby. I drink water from it 99% of the time, but since it is a holiday mug, it looks best with something hot and steamy/creamy/frothy inside. I've also eaten cereal out of it. ;)

Storm Chaser

When we were kids we used to try to catch wind by holding pieces of cardboard over our heads as a storm rolled in. We would run and jump with the gusts. It was hard to hold on, but it did make us jump farther. Anything to feel like flying.
Hope everyone's safe during the hurricane.

Snow Lodge

Our intrepid explorer trudges through a snowy forest, hunched against the chill of a seemingly eternal dusk. Ahead, she spies the warm glow of lights from a mountain lodge. She can almost smell the aroma of hot chocolate and spicy apple cider waiting beside a crackling fireplace....

Unicorn Pegasus

Sometimes I like sketches better than finished drawings.

Goin' out for a hike today. I just need to get away from things. One of those emo trips, you know.

Goin' Underground

A bit extreme, perhaps, but I wouldn't mind at least having a garden. When you live in an apartment, your options are limited.

Alternate ending:

Or maybe there's a dude down there pushing a button, like in Lost. Better yet, how about giant crystals and mushrooms and reptiles. Journey to the Center of the Earth fueled many a childhood fantasy. (Oh, and I just remembered Land of the Lost too, haha.)

Snowglobe

Just a quickie.

My brother Kyle returned recently from his YWAM mission trip, with a bunch of awesome stories. Sometimes I think I'd rather live in a poor little community in a third world country, where life isn't so buried under stuff. I'm not a Luddite or anti-American, but there's something different there, in that lifestyle. Of course, one can still make choices here that will lead down that road. And there are orphans and widows who need help no matter where you live.

Whisp Mountains

Going bike riding. Running late, gotta go!

Donkephant

Haven't done one of these in a while. I figured I would take the Republican and Democratic party mascots and make them work together for once.

I think I hate political discussions, with the passion of a thousand fiery suns. I'm registered as a Republican, but it really just comes down to voting your values. There are Republicans that stand for bad things and there are Democrats that stand for good things. I like to say that I don't want to be associated with either party, but my feathers do get ruffled more when Reps are badmouthed as opposed to Dems. Reps generally stand for things that I believe in. Regardless, I have never been able to justify supporting someone who doesn't stand for life (one issue voter alert!), and, like someone once said, if they can't clearly see the first big letter on the eye chart, what does the rest of it matter. I know civil and religious laws must be kept separate in a world that doesn't believe in absolute morals, but when it comes to voting people into office I've gotta go with pleasing God rather than man. (Speaking of one issue voters, how many people vote for the issue of money, or for more personal selfish freedom?) And that's all I'll say about that. I hate it when guys all sit down and blow two or three hours away "solving" the problems of the nation. I'd rather go listen to women talk about interior design. Better yet, I'd rather listen to kids talk about important things such as their favorite breakfast cereal or what animals they're going to ride in Heaven.

Religion is the same way. Except with religious discussions (which happen more often in my mind than in real life) I sometimes feel that maybe I don't speak up enough. On the one hand, there's speaking in love and not purposely offending others, which I strive for. On the other hand, there's being ashamed of the Gospel, which I sure don't want to do. Staying silent can be a wise decision...if it isn't out of fear. It stinks to have people think you're an idiot for believing in God's truth, but it stinks more to think you covered up the Name that you bear. Take heart, Jesus said; they hated him first.

I hate works-based religions that lead to an eternity of separation from God. But I love people. I think that if I humble myself and obey the Lord in my own life--rather than worrying whether or not I'm living "correctly" as a Christian--then my interactions with everyone else should come naturally. Haven't I said this before...? Hm, reminders are important.

My favorite breakfast cereal...that's a toughie. Probably anything that includes honey-glazed flakes and almond slivers and little dried fruits and granola.

Dramatic Lunch

Make it exciting, right?

Barnyard Mishap

Oops!

Barnyard Nap

Going paddling today. It's a little on the cool side; more incentive not to roll. :)

Treasure-trove

Today I'm giving a couple of rides to someone I know from my old job, in return for some moolah. I take what I can get!

Yummers

heehee

Another Spider

I can kill 'em if required, but Heaven help me if they ever get on my person.

Opinions

This doesn't refer to anything specific exactly, but I had a couple subjects in mind. What happens is I go online and start reading comments from fine young people on forums (college age like to blast their thoughts the loudest), both Christian and otherwise, and I start getting annoyed by all the wasted words and attitudes.

"I'm going to disregard your entire intelligently presented post by calling it your opinion."
"All our opinions are valid; believe in whatever works for you, man. (unless it crosses my path)"

But I think people hold tenaciously to many things they don't actually believe. Because they want it their way. I do that myself. So, I should extend grace to others. Personally, my biggest beliefs are things which I can't deny. I don't necessarily want to believe in something that takes extra effort from me and requires me to deny myself and surrender my time and authority, but I can't deny that that is the only right course to take. When Jesus' words have a %100 track record in life, I can't deny them. I don't want to believe I can overcome fear; it would be easier to say I'm biologically broken and just pop some pills and not have to suffer the shame of defeat over and over, but I can't honestly believe that. And why would I want to voluntarily avert my eyes from "hot" women? To be self-righteous? Yeah right! I'm not that righteous. I don't do it just for some ideal. Still, I listen to how convincingly some people stand by their opinions, and I wonder how they got so comfortable in those thoughts that they seem indifferent to any other. Or are they really that comfortable? I guess only they know.

Anyway, for all the crazy opinions out there, there are plenty of decent ones as well. If I can't take comfort in those then I need to head out into the woods for a long walk!

Cave Ruins

Well, my old pen tablet doesn't work the same on my new computer. It didn't work at all after the initial installation, so I performed an update for Windows 7 and downloaded the latest driver from my tablet's website. Then it worked, but was laggy. Plus, if I held the pen down on the tablet for more than a split second it would bring up a right-click menu. I don't even know why that would be an option unless you're using the pen as a mouse. (There's a specific button on the pen for right-clicking, which I rarely use.) So I fiddled with every option I could and got rid of that annoying feature, and also the lag. Not sure how I accomplished the latter. Now it's pretty good, except there's no pressure sensitivity (grrr!) but I can live with that. It just means every line will be of uniform thickness. If I were a super amazing artist working in an expensive program, it would be a major deal breaker. Also, in Photoshop when I draw quick, short lines it sometimes adds a connecting line in between them. No idea why, and I'm tired of reading forums. I shall draw slower and spam the undo command. The fingers of my right hand stay on ctrl+z the entire time anyway. ;)

Victor 3

Victor 2

Such danger!

Victor the Mouse

I have one more comic to share from the olden days. I think I'll do this in three updates, while I'm getting used to my new laptop and making sure the graphics tablet is working right on it. (Kinda funny to be talking about getting a new lappy after the last post, but the two events occurred without knowledge of each other. Plus, my old one was on its last leg. That makes it a need, right? Yeaaaah.... ^^)

Anyway, let the slapstick rodent adventures commence: