Hey guys, I know it has been a long time since I have written on here, and I was actually surprised to see a comment on one of my blogs recently. I have been meaning to write, but have been keeping myself busy with other projects.
A couple of years ago I got out of the driving department, which was a very good change for me. My new supervisor was great. So, I was sad when, after a year, he quit, as well as our General Manager. I managed to stay. It took about 9 months before we got a new supervisor, which kept me very busy at my place of work. Eventually, we added some more people, but I was still working tons of overtime hours. I do like the new supervisor, though, which is good. Unfortunately, because of COVID-19, none of us, have not been able to work for about a month now.
I still have my other hobbies, though. Whether I am working at my regular job or not. I have actively done Inktober for 2 years in a row, now. For those who don't know, Inktober is a worldwide individual challenge inspired by prompts put out by Jake Parker. He created it to get better at his inking skills. I tried 3 years ago, just doodling from a few of the prompts, but never posting. Then, two years ago, I committed to do the whole thing, no matter how bad my art looked. Last year, I even bought a sketchbook, some new pens, and an official shirt, to motivate myself. My cousin even sent me a fountain pen for my birthday, to motivate me as well. She participated with me, but did not post her drawings. She did show me, her artwork, however. It was fun!
Two years ago, I had some vacation time to do my drawings, and they were pretty easy, and went quickly. Last year, everything I thought of took a little more planning and work. When the list was put out in September, I did some pre-sketches, so I would not forget those ideas. All the inking, however, I waited till the day of. It was definitely challenging, especially with as many hours as I was putting in at work, but I felt it was worth it.
November came. I noticed one of my favorite cartoonists, Michael Jantze was having a challenge in drawing characters from his comic strip The Norm. He called it "Normvember." I came up with some ideas, and drew them up. He really liked them. In fact, he sent me some hand-drawn post-its of his own work, which was very cool. It was fun.
My sister and her family visited from Japan back in August of last year. She ordered herself an iPad, and told me about a drawing program called "Procreate." It looked pretty awesome. Last December, I received an iPad as well, for Christmas, and downloaded Procreate. It is very much like Photoshop to me, so I learned it very quickly, and am still learning new things about it. I have drawn on it every day since. I get ideas from prompt lists on Instagram. There are so many talented artists on Instagram! One of my favorite musicians, Alex Band even started following me. That was exciting. Just recently, I participated in a challenge called #6fanarts. I had friends tell me who to draw for most of them, but I decided to choose to draw Alex Band for my first slot. I was so happy that he, and many of his fans, liked it!
Another hobby that I have been doing is reading a ton of books. 3 years ago, I started doing a 50 book reading challenge, that one of my friends started. She uses a list from the Idaho Falls Public Reading Library. They give a list of 50 categories, and you get to choose a book from each category. It really expands the type of books you read. I read categories I would not normally pick, but I found out there are so many categories I like. After each year of reading, we meet at her house for a party, that usually involves good food, and a white elephant book exchange, games, and prizes. The first year, I managed to read all 50 books, in each category. Last year, there was an option of three different tiers. I chose the lowest, the 25 books. Thank goodness I did. There was no way I was going to get through 50 books last year. This year, there was no other option, so I am trying to do 50 books again. Hopefully, with this isolation period we are in, I can catch up, and make it.
A current thing, that I am proud of, is, I have managed to keep two of my plants alive for several years now. They only seem to like the light from my bedroom window, so it really limits the plants I can have, I guess. I have a geranium that bloomed twice. Not many blooms the second time, but I was surprised, because I heard they do not bloom more than once. The impatiens, I thought were done for, and I wound up trimming them back so much, they looked ridiculous. Then, last year, they filled out, and had a ton of blooms throughout the season. I was thrilled!
I am also enjoying cooking again, even if it is on limited ingredients, because I have only been to the store once since this whole isolation period started. When I did finally go to the store, I forgot to get some things! Oh well! I am finding things in my house I forget I had, or realized I haven't used. I am now putting them to use. Making me glad I purchased them in the first place.
Through all this, I have had my good days and bad days. I feel grateful that I have time to do things I like, and also get things done that I did not have much time for. I worry sometimes how long this will last. Will my job really be there when this is over?
The worst news so far, was hearing that one of my favorite YouTubers took his own life. In his last video, he admitted to being bi-polar. It would sometimes take a long time for him to post a new video, but I didn't mind, it always made me happy when he did. I did not know him personally, and I never made any comments on his YouTube account. I did wonder earlier in the week he died, how he was doing, personally. I wondered if this isolation period was hard on him. He hadn't posted any videos for awhile, and I just figured once we got through this, he would post one. I was devastated when I heard the news. He did the videos called "Talking Kitty Cat." It was videos of him, of his cats and dog. The main star, being a cat, named Sylvester. Sylvester's character was a foul mouthed, selfish cat, but you couldn't help but love him, anyway. Steve Cash was humorous in how he brought new life into his pets. He also sang sometimes. One catchy tune is called, "What the Kitty Doesn't Like." He had a really nice voice. I am really going to miss Steve Cash, and his awesome videos.
Unrelated, a day or so after, Alex Band went live on Instagram. He talked to fans, brought out his son, talked a little bit about fatherhood, and sang two of my favorite songs of his, "Anything" and "Euphoria." That cheered me up a bit. It was really nice for him to do. He did more songs the next day, on his Patreon page.
As I was writing this, I caught the last half of a live show on Instagram with Mandy Moore (another favorite singer and actress) and her husband, Taylor Goldsmith. They sang very well together. They seem to compliment each other very well, as a couple, too.
Everybody is dealing with things in their own way. Some of us are able to work, helping others. Some of us are able to be with our families and teach them. Some of us are able to do things to cheer others up. Wherever you are at, you are important. Whether you know it or not. It may be difficult, but we will get through this, one way or another.
I thought this plant was done for this year, but it proved me wrong!
A couple of years ago I got out of the driving department, which was a very good change for me. My new supervisor was great. So, I was sad when, after a year, he quit, as well as our General Manager. I managed to stay. It took about 9 months before we got a new supervisor, which kept me very busy at my place of work. Eventually, we added some more people, but I was still working tons of overtime hours. I do like the new supervisor, though, which is good. Unfortunately, because of COVID-19, none of us, have not been able to work for about a month now.
I still have my other hobbies, though. Whether I am working at my regular job or not. I have actively done Inktober for 2 years in a row, now. For those who don't know, Inktober is a worldwide individual challenge inspired by prompts put out by Jake Parker. He created it to get better at his inking skills. I tried 3 years ago, just doodling from a few of the prompts, but never posting. Then, two years ago, I committed to do the whole thing, no matter how bad my art looked. Last year, I even bought a sketchbook, some new pens, and an official shirt, to motivate myself. My cousin even sent me a fountain pen for my birthday, to motivate me as well. She participated with me, but did not post her drawings. She did show me, her artwork, however. It was fun!
I did buy new art supplies, but I actually only used half of the ones shown here (last year). The other half, I used the year before. Shown: Official Inktober shirt, pencil, India ink, ballpoint pen, Sharpie, eraser, and sketchbook (I didn't use the India Ink for either Inktober... maybe next year?).
Two years ago, I had some vacation time to do my drawings, and they were pretty easy, and went quickly. Last year, everything I thought of took a little more planning and work. When the list was put out in September, I did some pre-sketches, so I would not forget those ideas. All the inking, however, I waited till the day of. It was definitely challenging, especially with as many hours as I was putting in at work, but I felt it was worth it.
This was my pencil sketch of "Legend" Daryl Hall. I debated whether I should ink this one or not. I should have not. At least I took a photo, first. I still need practice on drawing people.
November came. I noticed one of my favorite cartoonists, Michael Jantze was having a challenge in drawing characters from his comic strip The Norm. He called it "Normvember." I came up with some ideas, and drew them up. He really liked them. In fact, he sent me some hand-drawn post-its of his own work, which was very cool. It was fun.
My mashup version of The Norm and Doctor Who for Normvember.
A cute little gift my sister brought me from Japan on her last visit here.
My stylized version of Alex Band for the #6fanarts challenge.
Another hobby that I have been doing is reading a ton of books. 3 years ago, I started doing a 50 book reading challenge, that one of my friends started. She uses a list from the Idaho Falls Public Reading Library. They give a list of 50 categories, and you get to choose a book from each category. It really expands the type of books you read. I read categories I would not normally pick, but I found out there are so many categories I like. After each year of reading, we meet at her house for a party, that usually involves good food, and a white elephant book exchange, games, and prizes. The first year, I managed to read all 50 books, in each category. Last year, there was an option of three different tiers. I chose the lowest, the 25 books. Thank goodness I did. There was no way I was going to get through 50 books last year. This year, there was no other option, so I am trying to do 50 books again. Hopefully, with this isolation period we are in, I can catch up, and make it.
Lots of books to read, so little time, well, maybe not now.
A current thing, that I am proud of, is, I have managed to keep two of my plants alive for several years now. They only seem to like the light from my bedroom window, so it really limits the plants I can have, I guess. I have a geranium that bloomed twice. Not many blooms the second time, but I was surprised, because I heard they do not bloom more than once. The impatiens, I thought were done for, and I wound up trimming them back so much, they looked ridiculous. Then, last year, they filled out, and had a ton of blooms throughout the season. I was thrilled!
More blossoms!
I am also enjoying cooking again, even if it is on limited ingredients, because I have only been to the store once since this whole isolation period started. When I did finally go to the store, I forgot to get some things! Oh well! I am finding things in my house I forget I had, or realized I haven't used. I am now putting them to use. Making me glad I purchased them in the first place.
Through all this, I have had my good days and bad days. I feel grateful that I have time to do things I like, and also get things done that I did not have much time for. I worry sometimes how long this will last. Will my job really be there when this is over?
This was a doodle for "Wind," but it feels appropriate for these uncertain times.
The worst news so far, was hearing that one of my favorite YouTubers took his own life. In his last video, he admitted to being bi-polar. It would sometimes take a long time for him to post a new video, but I didn't mind, it always made me happy when he did. I did not know him personally, and I never made any comments on his YouTube account. I did wonder earlier in the week he died, how he was doing, personally. I wondered if this isolation period was hard on him. He hadn't posted any videos for awhile, and I just figured once we got through this, he would post one. I was devastated when I heard the news. He did the videos called "Talking Kitty Cat." It was videos of him, of his cats and dog. The main star, being a cat, named Sylvester. Sylvester's character was a foul mouthed, selfish cat, but you couldn't help but love him, anyway. Steve Cash was humorous in how he brought new life into his pets. He also sang sometimes. One catchy tune is called, "What the Kitty Doesn't Like." He had a really nice voice. I am really going to miss Steve Cash, and his awesome videos.
Unrelated, a day or so after, Alex Band went live on Instagram. He talked to fans, brought out his son, talked a little bit about fatherhood, and sang two of my favorite songs of his, "Anything" and "Euphoria." That cheered me up a bit. It was really nice for him to do. He did more songs the next day, on his Patreon page.
As I was writing this, I caught the last half of a live show on Instagram with Mandy Moore (another favorite singer and actress) and her husband, Taylor Goldsmith. They sang very well together. They seem to compliment each other very well, as a couple, too.
I was just happy to have toilet paper before the news of isolation hit.
Everybody is dealing with things in their own way. Some of us are able to work, helping others. Some of us are able to be with our families and teach them. Some of us are able to do things to cheer others up. Wherever you are at, you are important. Whether you know it or not. It may be difficult, but we will get through this, one way or another.
I believe we will. More of my artwork can be seen at my Instagram site.
