Have you guys all heard about that Wacom Dreams contest? Sounds WIKKED... I missed the first one and then kicked myself really hard for being so damn lazy afterward. *SMASH* I HAVE TO to submit something this time around - there's no greater failure than not even trying. Isn't that the truth tho? When people see the winners of anything, or people reach their goals, people always regret their inaction. The key, then, is TO DO IT!

So, I finally understand what the difference is between Concept Art and Illustration!!! It took me a long time to realize it, but now that I see it, I see I've been doing 'illustration' this whole time and not concept! I think I'll start to focus more on the quick drafting of ideas rather than labouring over rendering something. Meaning, I better draw a whole of a lot more instead of painting. In the real world I get the impression its all about speed and accuracy - how fast can you DO it while everything you DO is right and not sloppy. Ahh the lessons of time...

By the way, that blue and orange WIP of the girls and robots I posted WAY back is being done. I wanted to save that for my new machine because it's really really big. Having so much fun with it. I love girls and robots. Together, they just make tea.

Gaming wise: I skimmed through a couple of levels in Modern Warfare 2... damn. That is THE BEST war gameplay I've ever seen. I can't spoil the ending, but the way its done is ABSOLUTELY GENIOUS. Contrary to popular belief, it's not just a 'shooter' - its a MOVIE man. I've said it before but I can't believe games are at this level now. It's insane. If we can do stuff like this in 2009, what the HELL are we going to have in 2200?!!? It's my brother's game so I kinda fast-forwarded to the juicy parts - like the invasion of AMERICA! YOU MUST PLAY THIS LEVEL. It's sad... emotionally stirring.

While were on the topic of apocalypse, a friend recommended I read a book called "World War Z" by Max Brooks. It's about a fictitious zombie war in the future. From the get-go we are told that humans won, but now the planet is literally left in ruin. Interestingly, the story is told completely from a series of interviews between the survivors and the "interviewer". I'm about 1/3 through and really enjoying it. Friggin zombies, always on our wurldz, infecting our peoplz.

Being locked up in my apartment this year is really taking its toll. I'm working on my graduating film and it's super lonely - I miss the group collaboration from last year. Haha and last year I was such a smart ass too, NO MAN, it's gonna be SO MUCH EASIER! COME ON, how can it NOT? You've only got yourself to answer to! Wrong. It's much much different. I'm tutouring painting at school and it's probably one of the only things keeping me sane - and these contests keep me going too.

This journal template is really loud and obnoxious... not sure if I like it. Perhaps that's why its titled "Ranting".

Tonight I'm going to enjoy watching the world blow up, although I don't know how seriously I'll be able to take humanity's destruction if Mr. Cusack is the leading man. Akekeke!

Drink milk.