It's four pieces up for raffle - Cinna, Sela, James, and Chloe.

Read this journal entry on how to enter.  

Soooo.  My computer is going to be sent in for repairs (charging issue)...  Cue complaining and general unhappiness (from me).  :\

Thankfully, I have a plan.  (Because there is a chance I'll simply get a replacement...)

CLONE THE HARD DRIVE!

And then... I have everything in one place.
But first, comics.


Thank you, extended warranty.  They are worth it sometimes!

I don't think I've changed it in... 5 years?


lolol we match.


Edit: (Feb 7)

It's back to Arina now. xD

Hm, m'kay!  Opinions Please!


So, while I still have my copy of PS7... I no longer have it installed on either of my machines.  This means that if I am to make sets that I know are compatible with PS7, I have to go through the hassle (and some of the system-related problems) of reinstalling Photoshop7.

I could also, alternatively, set up a virtualbox just for that purpose.  But is it worth it?

On the other side... I could release future brush sets for CS5, BUT for those that are still using older versions, I could release an image pack...
...Does that sound fair?


What are you thoughts?

I'm inclined to go the image pack route...  Haha...

He is happy in his new home.


...Anyway, that aside, what are your thoughts on webcomics?

Is there a difference between a "webcomic" and a "Comic on the web?"


DISCUSS.  (THE KITTY??)

Edit:  Holy crap, I got a LOT more than I expected.

Wow.  Thank you, guys!


Kay.
Long story short, I'm moving very very soon.  Kay?

I need a little money, since taking the cat with me is...  ....Well, a little more expensive than anticipated.  Benadryl might not do it for him, so the vet's recommending sedating him.  JOY.  (Plus, the vet appointment to get all his "flight ready paperwork"...  Ff-)


Anyway.

ATCs.  I'm willin' to do them.

$5/ea. + $1 shipping.

Want examples?

HERE:






Interested?

Note me.


And remember:  You're not just helping me.  You're helping this guy:



And the Internet loves cats, right?

Leave a comment, get a 3-work feature.


Gooo~!


1.  


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4.


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7.


8.


9.


10.

Edit:

Oh, dA.  Let me embed youtube links, pl0x.

ANYWAY:

Here's a video of it in action.  It has no autonomy at present, so... it hits things.

[link]





And there I am with it.


I'm going to work on another robot today.  ROBOT SOCCER.  (It's a final.)


-------------------
It works!

Mostly.  The batteries are dead, and I still have work for tomorrow, but... AAAAAH.  I will have something demo-able.  This is awesome.


I can finally sleep some.


...Finals are next week, though.    I don't know if I'mma pass one class, but I have to talk to the teacher to find out.  x_x;
(Never do 18 credits + work + major, semester-long project and expect any time but WORK AND SLEEP.  Just don't.)



(But seriously!

Java client, C++ peer, C++ server!
SOCKETS.  (I honestly didn't understand them before I had to use them practically.)
THE ROBOT PARSES COMMANDS AND MOVES.

It'd be better if it took natural language, like I'd wanted initially, but hey...)


...also, it has a name, and it is Mercury.



NOW WITH A PICTURE OF THE ROBOTS!


My robot's all the way on the left.  

The faces are done with tape.



If you're curious about these robots, then you can check out...  The Smurv Robotics Platform!
The price of all those parts are mostly cheaper now than they were when this page was created.

You can get away with getting a cheaper version of the iRobot Create; and if you know what you're doing, you could potentially substitute the mini case on top for a netbook or something.  It depends on how much power you want to use...

Edit: Ugh.  Got two midterms due tonight; still working on them.
Sorry!  Classes come first.  D:  We'll try this next week.

-----------------------
What I'm doing is a "Shoujo effects" workshop in photoshop.  You know, the types of things like, "HOW DO YOU MAKE THOSE BRUSHES."


'cause knowledge is power.


Kabocha's Channel @ Livestream

About 10- days ago, I was asking for a little help with a rather special financial situation...

Thanks to several lovely, wonderful people, we did manage to raise the funds to get the new computer - and we're very glad for that!
Now, a certain someone* was kind enough to help out in making these lovely little foxies for fundraising efforts, and I did just get them...



They're $5/ea, with $1 shipping.

However, the money from these will be going to helping ~Jazeki with HER financial situation.

Please note me if you're interested in any of them.  I've only got 10 at present.  _{(I'm making more based on the pattern given, but I am slow with crochet... Inexperience!)}

If you want any of the prints from my previous journal, let me know about that, too.

_{*If you want me to name you, tell me it's okay!}

Okay, so, last week, we found out that my Signifcant Other's laptop was stolen.  We've filed the appropriate reports, but the chances of getting it back are slim at this point...  And if we do, the chances of it even working...


Anyway.  Yes, I'm asking for some money.  No, I'm not asking for straight donations.


If you'd like to help, I'm offering commissions and prints:

Please note me to order prints or to commission me.
I only accept Paypal for payment.


Chibi Commissions:
Starting at $5 per chibi.  Note me to order.
I will need references and/or good descriptions.

Examples:

5 slots at current.
1. Fluffy Puppy Chloe
2. Fluffy puppy Milo
3.
4.
5.

It may take me a few days to finish;  Please be patient.

Leftover Prints:
Yes.  I have leftover prints from Otakon.
Shipping is $1, regardless of how much stuff you buy.

8x11 - $5ea

Smaller Sizes: $3 ea OR 2 for $5 (Generally postcard sized)

Quick FAQ:
How much are you trying to get, here?
Even as little as $5 is fine with me - It's not that we don't have the funds, but given the computer troubles we've had recently, I'd like to not use up all my savings right now...

How did the machine get stolen?
Someone broke into the car and stole it, along with several other things.  Insurance isn't going to cover anywhere close to what is necessary.

...Why does he even need a laptop?
Well, he's a third year Computer Science major.
Not to mention, he does a bit of research and server work - which can't exactly be done on lab machines.



Please feel free to ask questions if you have any.

So, who all is going?

I am!

You'll find me in the alley at table R03-R04 with =picatrix!  

All right.  So!  Who all knows how much of a pain in the ass it is to pay tuition?  Or deal with schools?  Or well... Pay bills for life in general?

Yes?

Well, ~mangakaluna is in need of help.  She's a talented lady, and if you can...



You can find her prices here:



If you can't, then why not pass on the info?

You know, *LOOMinate and ~Jazeki are awefully persuasive people.

So, here goes!


Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions

---

What is your name?
Sam.  If you want more, I'm pretty sure it's not hard to find.

What is your quest?
To seek the Holy Grail.

What is your favorite color?
Blue.

...Right then.

How long have you been on the Internet?
Probably.... 11 years?  Longer than that, but either way.  I've had the username Kabocha for a good few years now, too.

Why don't you post the nice things here as much?
Because I love MangaBullet, plain and simple.  I'm also a gallery mod there.  It's an interesting job some days.

Brushes?
Yeah, uh...  Okay.   I make new brushes as the mood strikes me, or the need does... Either way.
If you have a particular need or request, ask me and I'll see what I can do.  

Do you do commissions?
Not usually, no.  If there's something I really have to have, yes, I might.  But it often comes down to two things, really:
1. I'm a terrible procrastinator
2. I have hand issues and I would rather work on comics / other artwork.

If my reasoning's different than that at any point in time, trust me, you'll know.

About The Comics

---

How many comics have you done?
...A few?  Only a couple were ever "really" posted on the Internet as webcomics - and that would be Kibou and For Your Sake.  Others yet are kept in a dump that needs redesigned.

When you were younger, what inspired Kibou?
That's... really hard to say, actually.  There's a lot of influences - and actually, some interesting coincidences (particularly, regarding names for some characters).  But it went through some several different incarnations before becoming what it is - and the "first version" done on paper is actually really not the first shot.
...But to stay on topic, I'd have to say that just my desire to draw and write something with princesses and magic users and SWORDS really inspired it.  _{That, and the Legend of Zelda, possibly.  I was very much in love with Oracle of Ages and Seasons.}

Other Stuff

---

OMG WHY ARE YOU SUCH A -------
I don't mean to be most of the time.  I apparently have a habit as coming off short, when I just want to be clear on what I say.

Did you choose "Kabocha" after that anime, Kodocha?
Nope.  My other common alias however, is partly derived from 鋼の錬金術師 (Fullmetal Alchemist).

What do you do for a living?
Certainly not illustration!  I'm actually a student - and a programmer, at that.  (Not a fantastic one, though.  I definitely need work.)

Besides website layouts 'n stuff, what else do you do?
Well, okay.  Hm.  I've written a few small programs for school, mostly.  Probably the most amusing was a Python-based webpage generator for stats based off of students and their grades in various classes.  I also have a tendency to leave strange comments in my programs, such as:

//If I knew what this was doing I'd tell you but I'm not entirely sure because it's 3am
#Stop.  HAMMER TIME
#Yes, yes, we've imported something here.  What are you planning to do with it?

I also grade things.  Some days, I feel like doing this, for pretty much the same reasons.
Other things I've had a hand in are...  ...Research.  And bug fixing. And mashing my head into the keyboard repeatedly.

Likes and Dislikes

---

What's your favorite anime of all time?
Evangelion.  :3  Though, right now, Puella Magi Madoka Magica is really growing on me.

What type of music do you like?
It varies based on my mood, really.  Generally, yes, I listen to a lot of Japanese stuff - and right now, a good chunk of that is Vocaloid-based.
I'm a fan of "wonky rock" ...  Or well, rock and roll in general.  I enjoy some techno, but not a lot.

Have you been to any concerts?
Once.  If I could go to see anything in concert now, though, I'd like to see one of the Vocaloid concerts - if they were doing a "live" anywhere near me.  I'm not big on crowded events, though...  (And yet I still go to conventions.)

Don't you have any favorite foods and such?
Yes, of course, but it varies depending on health, mood, season...  But hands down, I have to say that my absolute favorite is Salmon.  Grilled salmon, salmon in a salad, salmon sushi/sashimi...  It's really good with a spicy tahini sauce, too.  I especially like it when it's been smoked.
I'm also partial to blueberry yogurt...  And various ice creams. (Sherberts, though...  No thanks.)

Ah, spring.  A wonderful time of year to make an important announcement to my beloved public, no?

Anyway, I feel that it is only right to tell you all that I intend to take a new direction with my artwork, following in the steps of many a great artist here on the interwebs.  That's right, lest you all get too used to my "style" of art, I have decided to...


Follow the path of the "animation student".


What does this mean for you?  The best work for your viewing pleasure, as only I can assure you.  I will start by making overt references to various other art; particularly "bases" and whatever else I might find on Danbooru that catches my interest.  I mean, you all love that stuff, yes?  It's only fair that I share the best work with you all, is it not?


Surely, you all know that as an "animation student", I will need no style.  I will magically begin to utilize another's works and compositions as my own, able to imitate their style perfectly... Now that I am an animation student.  Should you try to accuse me of tracing in any capacity, I will raise a fuss.  You should already know this.  I tell you, even when my linework matches up perfectly, I will have not traced.  In cases such as those, it will be a rather unfortunate coincidence!  Believe me, this will be so.


Now, on this day, the First of April, 2011, I proclaim that I will never again produce an original work - and I will only devote myself to using my skills of Animation to reference the composition and style of others.

Yes.




ETA: (Hey, there's a hidden line above this.  Also, Now that it's post AFD, know that I was joking!)

If someone had told me 4 years ago that my monitor was dying, I wouldn'tve believed them.
Sure, the thing was produced in early 1999.  Sure, the contrast and brightness could no longer be adjusted.


...Yeah, no.
Screw that thing, it sucked toward the end of its life.


I mean, yeah, it's still functional (somewhat, anyway), and I know my video card is also on its way out, but...  Well, it wasn't doing the job.


So what do ya do?
Replace it.


I like the new monitor.


Farewell, old, bulky CRT.  I didn't like you that much toward the end, but you know, at least you did some work for me.
(Time to calibrate the laptop's screen while I'm at it >_> )

I started working - a while ago, anyway - on a book that's co-authored by ~ZeroRinas.  Since it's going to be self published, I'll be sharing previews as I want -- but if you want to see updates first, try checking out my MangaBullet.  I try, for the most part, to post original work there first.

It's really only a bit of backstory for Kibou - and it will be posted on the internet...  But if you like my work and wanna support me, when it's out...  Buy a copy!  Haven't even nailed down a price yet, but it's probably going to be around ~$5 + $2 shipping.


As for commissions, I'll be opening those up sometime next week.  It didn't look like there was a LOT of interest right now, but people might be more interested if I opened them.  Maybe.  I'm still getting the software I want. >_>;



When it comes to everything else...  Good lord, homework.    ...It's all a buncha programming.  Thank god I got a good chunk of it done yesterday.
But yeah... At the moment, getting homework done is my priority...

Sigh~  I'm glad people get that, though, rather than trying to drag me to do or see absolutely pointless things I really don't have time for.



Oh, and I'll be uploading more stock at some point soon -- mebbe a bunch of cat photos in a pack and some Wintry woods.
Hopefully soon I'll have some new brushes, too.  Ugh.  (Want to do hobbies!)

As suggested by someone, I'm aiming to see if anyone's interested... in...
COMMISSIONS*.


My general rates are usually pretty low for traditional art.

ATC (artist trading card):
$5 Color, $3 sketch
ATC Samples:  [link] [link]

Postcard (A6 Size)
$10 color $7 Lineart
Postcard Samples (Lineart + Tone) : [link] [link] [link] [link]

A4
$20 color  $15 lineart



(*I found something I want and I WANT IT NOW AND DON'T WANNA WAIT FOR REFUNDS FROM THE SCHOOL) /childish temper tantrum

Srsly, though, if you will buy, I will draw.

Prices include Shipping


If there's enough interest, I'll open commissions.

If not... Wait a week or so.  I might just do it then, too.

To those of you who commented on the last journal, thank you~ XD


*jacquelynfisher
  
Jacquelyn is a pretty nice person, you see.  Her interests are pretty varied, too.    So, it only goes to say that well...  Her gallery has some interesting things in it~.  (If you want to see some Desert snow, she has pictures of that, too!)

~ZeroRinas
Demon and FairyI sat around a campfire, eating mum's delicious homemade double chocolate apple cake in the woods when my dad began to tell me the story about a demon marrying a fairy.

"Are you daft, you old fart?" I said. "You mean a demon, the illegitimate offspring of Jerry Springer, and a fairy, the illegitimate offspring of Reese Witherspoon, can actually marry? Have you shacked yourself in France?" In his almost boring, monotone voice, he replied,

"It's a story I've heard…around these parts, lad. Will you just listen?

"A long time ago…it has been said that there was a demon resurrected by the gods after it was killed in a long war back in Naito"Can you fight, Master Naito?" asked a robot to an old man lying in bed, the man's eyes driven but his face fading, weakening.

"…I…can…fight…" he said, voice weakening. "I…must…save…the Queen…"

"But Master," said a black haired young knight, "You can hardly move right now! If you try to fight again-" Naito grabbed his hand.

"Parnell…I…for…years…must…always…protect…Queen…" Naito's voice declined. Naito's hand rested on Parnell's hand.

"…Goodbye, Master…"

"Is it time?" asked the robot, holding a red orb. Parnell nodded. The robot placed the red orb ne
I actually had the pleasure of meeting Rinas in person, and he managed to psych me out pretty bad when I DID meet him.  I was all ...  "Heeeeeeeey!!!"  when I realized it was him.   That all aside, he's a pretty good writer, and he seems able to put up with temperamental writing partners. XD

~CyrusAiden

This guy is a dork who doesn't have anything in his gallery.    He could totally put some of his writing there.  Also, he needs an icon!

*LOOMinate

Let's see.  Loomy.  I met Loomy through webcomics and #Manga-Apps.  Turned out, she's pretty silly, AND pretty awesome.  So, naturally, I like talking to her.  I also like drawing certain men from Vampire Fetish in dresses.

~OBSailorStar

She probably didn't think I'd ninja this in, but HAH.    She mainly does pixel work, but hasn't really done a lot in a while.  Hm.

Okay, so.  Yaaaaaay, finals might sorta be done (aka I have no clue what's going on tomorrow as far as things I might be obligated to see or do).

Also, my hand.  It is better.   Long story short, I think they found something that works, and as a result I'm not as sensitive to the cold, and things don't hurt so much.

...Did I ever mention that here?  I dunno.  Anyway.


Time to go take some relaxation time, because


BOOYAH!  School ain't got nothin' on me!



Oh, yeah.

First five commenters will have get a 3-work feature.
Kay?

OKAY.