Foiled.

I walked into Borders the other day. Sometimes when I need an art inspiration super charge, I'll go to the artish magazine section and glean ideas from my contemporaries. On this particular day, even as I was walking to the entrance, I noticed something was different. You see, Princess Leia, Darth Vader and some sort of Imperial soldier were all standing there. Nonchalantly. As if Borders was of course where they hang out on Sundays. How dare you think otherwise.

I dare.

I would like to take this moment to address a rather potent fear of mine: faceless, costumed people. For me, Halloween is just about hell on earth. But at least it's a specified day. I can prepare myself. But random acts of costumage in public places? No deal. Luckily my mommy was there, the better to sheild me against their horrible blank stares.

We managed to sneak past them as they were distracted by a 6 year old who wanted a picture only to find 2 more Imperial soldiers and a Death Star Trooper, roaming the aisles. Whatever creative juices I had come to foster were immediately replaced by pure, unbridled terror. Needless to say, we didn't stay there long.

Once I put some distance between them and me, I felt kind of sad that I had neither a camera nor dignity. Because, let's just be honest: best Facebook picture ever.

Then, to rub salt in my wounds, I looked up their organization when I got home and found out they do charity work and marathons and hold babies and things. Dangit.

RIP?

It is possible this is the last look anyone will have of Accidental Picard. As I was hollowing him out, I found mounds of air holes in the clay. It was my own fault for being sloppy with my reconstitution skills. He's in the kiln as we speak. I'm picturing shards of him embedded in the walls. That is unrealistic I hope.

Don't leave us, Accidental Picard.

These are the voyages...

I don't think he's that disproportionate in real life. He's sort of looking up. So, independently of any suggestion from myself someone in class said, "Do you know who he looks like? That captain from that Star Trek show."

Hhh.

I changed him up a little bit and took this picture as I was running out the door this afternoon. If you cover the lower part of his face, he still sort of looks like Picard. Oh well. I'll just call it my silent homage to the wise old captain and the show that devoured my pre-teen popularity.

Today I sent an email to the chair of animation at one of the colleges I applied for to tell them I couldn't accept their acceptance. This translated to a crummy day, which led to excessive caffeine consumption, a sense of entitlement, junk food and an "IT Crowd" binge. I am now feeling better and realizing I have the greatest best friend (ever) who has an apparent case of swine flu. Nobody panic.

Familiarity

The beginnings of a 3D Design project. Maybe the one I've enjoyed the most this semester. Actually, it's really a re-do of an original. This morning, when I walked in the clay room, his face was severed right through the middle. Sob. We're trying a different technique this time around.

It wasn't until I was halfway through this incarnation that I realized I've been sculpting Jean-Luc Picard of the starship, Enterprise. At least from the nose-up. It's all subconscious. I've been watching a lot of Star Trek: The Next Generation Best Show Ever Created. Well. It's more obvious in person. He is significantly farther along at this point. I'll update tomorrow.

You're it!

So I did this meme thing on Facebook and it just screamed "free blog post!" so here it 'tis:

Rules: Once you've been tagged, you are supposed to write a note with 25 random things, facts, habits, or goals about you. At the end, choose 25 people to be tagged. You have to tag the person who tagged you.

1. I have never been outside of the US. Not even Mexico or Canada
2. I think the American spelling of "realize" looks all wrong.
3. Until very recently, I was under the impression Audi was spelled Outie. Like the belly button.
4. Legally, my name is spelled "Ashely"
5. When I was at my best friend's house in elementary school, I careened out of control down her vertical driveway on her pedal backwards bike. There was a wooden wall at the end.
6. I knit. A lot.
7. In 3rd grade my partner wanted to leave our project as an example for the teacher. When she left for the day, I grabbed it to take home. She came back in the classroom right as my teacher was asking if I was taking it. I said yes like a giant doof and my partner gave me the biggest death stare of my life. I ended up throwing it away out of guilt. That day has haunted me ever since.
8. When it comes to art, I get really competitive. To a fault. It's very unattractive.
9. If coffee were a man, I would marry him.
10. I would be happy if it rained 24/7, as long as I never had to leave my house.
11. I have an irrational fear of people dressed up in costumes. Disneyland, Halloween, Santa Claus. Not. Happening.
12. That said, one of my fondest memories of Biola is of the Biola eagle mascot coming to our dorm room and chasing Katelyn down the hallway.
13. School supplies are my guilty pleasure. I'm a sucker for the pencil aisle.
14. Mashed potatoes and garlic bread are my two favorite foods. Given the opportunity, I will live off of them.
15. I have seen every episode of Stargate: SG1, Stargate: Atlantis, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Star Trek: Voyager. Because, you see, I'm a geek.
16. I love my job.
17. I'm applying to two art schools. Both are on the ocean, just not the same one.
18. When I was in Jr. High, I would put on a microphone headset and pretend I was mission control in my room.
19. For 9 years of my life, I was absolutely convinced I was going to be an astrophysicist.
20. I sort of make an effort to draw every day.
21. I have 24 cousins.
22. If I could pick anywhere in the world to visit it would probably be either 1) Italy, 2) Scotland or 3) England.
23. A.W. Tozer's "Knowledge of the Holy" is probably one of the best books I've ever read.
24. "Beauty and the Beast" is one of the most romantic movies ever created.
25. I have seen "Pride and Prejudice" (with Collin Firth) and "Persuasion" (with Ciarán Hinds) more times than I can count (at least once a week) and are, as far as I'm concerned, the absolute best Jane Austen movies ever created.

I'm tagging neighbour, carissa and linell. Go!

Shall I or Shant I, or, Some Rotton Milk

So. I borrowed the first two books of the Twilight series from a couple friends. I'm hesitant to start reading it because if everyone else in the world is any indication I'll be completely obsessed for at least the duration of the series. If neighbour is any indication, I'll be obsessed far beyond the fourth book and will start Googling and YouTubing any and all obscure reference to the series. I've already got one of those (Stargate).

Today I consumed some severely expired milk. You see, I have finally contracted that cold I've been trying to get for the past month. I didn't, however, bargain on it affecting my cognitive functions and rendering my sense of space and time completely useless. I thought it was the 20th, not the 27th which explains why the milk smelled a bit and tasted suspicious. Well, at least it wasn't bad enough to make me sick.

I'm not getting the sympathy I had hoped from this cold. My mom was the one who gave it to me so she's done. She's through with this whole situation and anything involving germs, which incidentally, is me. Dramatic sob. I'm seeking comfort in other things like toast and apple cinnamon oatmeal. Now accepting donations.

A sad, sad day

The unthinkable has happened. My all-time favorite show, Stargate: Atlantis has been cancelled. The nerds are ticked. They're already beginning a revolt. I'm considering joining in the fight. Insert melodramatic sigh.

It is hot in here, or is it just me?

It was hot enough today to turn on the air conditioner. The whoosh of the fan as it started mingled with the sound of my soul leaving my body.

Perhaps that was a bit dramatic. Let me rephrase.

It was really hot today, I had to turn on the air conditioner, this officially means the end of cold days and the beginning of a long summer of heat where California will most certainly burn. No more hot coffee, no more knitting in the afternoon, no more blankets and good movies. Sigh.

Actually the rephrase was more dramatic. Luckily I have some of this mint chocolate ice cream to calm me down. My mood may be affected by the fact that I'm watching the episode of Stargate: Atlantis (oh stop. you know you watch it.) where Carson Beckett my favorite character dies a horrible, pointless, morbid death by exploding tumor. That's right. Exploding tumor. Wouldn't that make your life more complicated. Carson!! CARSON!! Come back!! Oh, he does? Okay.

And now that I've let my geek out for some fresh air, it's time to put it back in it's dark little room.

I would post some church notes today, but I'm pretty sure my mom threw them away. Meh. They weren't that post-worthy.

I have this sketch journal that's made out of what looks like paper bags. I believe it's called Green House. It has a great texture to it. I take it around with me and draw little things I see throughout the day. Look at it?! Doesn't it just SCREAM nature?!

Also, I finished a hat! Cap Karma Hat. I kind of piddled around with the pattern before, if you remember, but never actually finished anything. It's huge. I made it that way intentionally because I wanted a hat that's a little more slouchy. It worked! It was super easy.

Hm. I guess I should start something for dinner. Oh! I almost forgot. I have become a flexitarian. "What?!" you say? It means that I'm a vegetarian unless the situation requires such as social reasons. Actually, it's just a really lame and complicated way of saying I don't eat pork or red meat and only other meats like chicken or turkey if I have to. Fish is a freebie.

Space: the Final Frontier

There is nothing quite as wonderful as classic Star Trek. "Wha?" You may say. "Yes," say I. It's so ridiculous that I just fall in love with it every time I watch it. It's the perfect show to watch on a cloudy day with a cup-a-joe and a comfy couch. All of which I have. All of the science fiction shows these days with their fancy visual effects and their over-paid actors may be "cool" but Star Trek was the pioneer. They started a revolution. They set themselves apart with such wonderful creative ideas like the Tribbles and cutting edge make-up and prop people who created these horned dog-things:

This image property of CBS Studios, Inc.

I think though, above all else, the hyper-practical miniskirt uniforms are what immortalize this show for all time. Who in their right mind designed those things? I'll tell you who, a chauvinistic, narrow-minded meat head [genius] from the 60s. Ah, the good old days, 'twas a simpler time.

My mom came home from work today with a plethora of produce. Look!

[Yawn]

Ah, Friday. Blessed Friday. It's my first day off in 3 whole days. No judging.

I spent the whole day trying to decide what I'm going to do with this lovely Vanna White yarn I got the other day. I feel obligated to add a cheesy grin after this sentence, in honor of Ms White. [You may insert here]. It's green and lovely and fabulous and I can't wait. I ended up with a pattern something like this:


It's a bag that's big enough to fit my laptop or a notebook or something. When I eventually get a new laptop, I'll be able to fit both. Whoopee! I think I might change the diamond pattern to a pyramid 'cause...I donno. 'Cause it's 1:30ish and my brain is sleepy these days.

Speaking of these days, I haven't posted a drawing for awhile. Could be because I haven't made one, but I did doodle a little in between knitting and [Stargate] website loads. So, here, have an unfinished face (with a nose eerily similar to mine...):

Goodnight, or as the French would say, bonne nuit.