I was thinking about how people nowadays write off a lot of occurrences as "coincidence".

I had the thought to look up the origin of the word "coincidence" and the result did not surprise me. Take a look, from online etymology dic:

---------------------------
1715, from French coincider (14c.), from Medieval Latin coincidere (in astrological use), literally "to fall upon together," from Latin com- "together" (see co-) + incidere "to fall upon" (in- "upon + cadere "to fall;" see case (n.1)). Related: Coincided; coinciding.
---------------------------

I love that phrase that pops out -- "in astrological use". So basically "coincidence" used to be a word that talked about the stars, and how they "fall upon together". Gee, the last time I read, the stars move pretty predictably. So WHY oh WHY do we use the word "coincidence" to mean "bah, just ignore it, it didn't happen for any special reason you nut"???

See the smoke and mirrors in society and language for what they are, wake up please. "Coincidence" is much more if you just remember that the stars "coincide" on preset paths over tens of trillions of years. You "coincide" with other light beings on your path through the terrestrial galaxy.

Don't be afraid of the rabbit hole. Sure it's nice and sunny and you want to live in that strange bliss that is not a bliss. Sure, pass by the rabbit hole a few times, a hundred times even. But heed the call to adventure. Go in the rabbit hole and leave all fear at the door.

Wake. Up.

@ArtistStan on Twitter

I just want to say thank you to all you dAers out there who fav my pics. I really appreciate it.

On my list of things to do are more Transformers pics and more Mortal Kombat pics, first and foremost. It's clear that color pics get SOOOO much more love, but my true passion is in black and white art.

Also I wish I could share more of my contracted comic art on here, but rest assured, some amazing things are in the works and there will be some announcements this year!

Ok, so all that stuff aside, thank you again for all the favs, they do not go unnoticed and I am overwhelmed with gratitude with each one.

I'll post my reviews of Iron Man 3 and Star Trek Into Darkness soon! Loved them both, but you'll hear my nitpicks as well.

Find me on twitter at @ArtistStan. Drop me a hello--

Hey so I'm a latecomer to all this Twitter stuff but...I LOVE Twitter.

I see it as several things:

#1. A news place to gather up-to-the-minute information in various fields

#2. A place to converse with famous people, especially in the comics industry (Rob Liefeld, Erik Larsen, etc.)

#3. A little friend that sits with me as I draw. It constantly updates with little things to read during my micro-breaks from art

That said, you can find me at [link] or just plain @ArtistStan

See you there!

PS - If you decide to follow me, great! However I may or may not follow you back, it's a personal decision which I hope you respect.

***When I posted this yesterday, it wasn't appearing on my frontpage, so I deleted and reposted it.***

Geesh. Ok so in Clone Wars season 5, Darth Maul (with his silly looking animal legs) meets up with Darth Sidious finally and they fight.

MAJOR GRIPE TIME:
Can somebody pleases educate these Star Wars cartoon people (and most of everybody else who makes any Star Wars stuff these days, including Bioware):

Stop doing fight scenes that consist of: lightsaber acrobatics, kick, lightsaber swishing, punch, lightsaber fighting, kick, lightsaber, force pull/push, lightsaber, kick, lightsaber, force pull/push, repeat ad infinitum.

Just think about it -- if you have the time to land a kick or punch, you actually have the time to instead SABER the person. So why?

Nick Gilliard (stunt/fight choreographer) started it with Episode I. The Darth Maul 3-way-fight was good for its time, yes, but that was 1999. They are STILL doing that same fight scene today in 2013.

Just think about the end lightsaber fights in ANH, ESB and ROTJ. I don't even need to explain why they rank far and away higher than any fight recorded since.

If JJ does the Nick Gilliard fight style...I swear...SW is DEAD.

-----------------------

UPDATE #1:
posted that he disagreed with me. My answer:
What do you disagree about? Isn't it ridiculous to kick someone (or punch) when you can just stab them? And what about rampant use of force push/pull? Why don't you just enter the fight, and start pushing and pulling at will? That will be hilarious (and that's what happened when I used to play Jedi Knight online). Nowadays, all fight scenes in Clone Wars look like that side splitting jokefest that was Jedi Knight online sparring.

UPDATE #2:
To clarify, my feeling that ANH, ESB and ROTJ saber fight scenes are better is because:
1) they show an artistic representation of "Japanese kendo style fighting"
2) they show a build-up of character development
3) they put two characters together that are playing a mind game

To further clarify:
ANH: Two old fogies going at it! Awesome. You really see the Japanese kendo inspiration here. Darth tries to play a mind game but Obi-Wan will have nothing of it. Obi-Wan wins the mind game EASILY, Darth is confused, Luke is shocked.

ESB: Darth wins on all fronts -- physical, skill, mind, and the bombshsell "I am your father" -- the terror / empathy we feel for Luke is thick like quicksand. Another thing I really like -- the deft sabermove to disarm ("dis-hand") Luke is an actual sword trick, and it makes sense why it worked. Even better, the powerplay Luke used to commit suicide is another big big shocker.

ROTJ: Luke tries to play the mind game and not fight. Darth plays back -- the sister comment -- and it sends Luke into a rage. Coupled with the musical score, this is an AMAZING scene that still gives me chills when I watch it. Luke downs Darth, is almost on the brink of the dark side, but comes back to his senses...he is now a Jedi Knight. He has defeated the emperor's mind game. The emperor, completely realizing his own failure, resorts to brute force lightening, but Luke has won and he knows it. Darth kills the Emperor but only because the Emperor allows it (ok I kinda made that up at the last moment, but think about it, the Emperor committed suicide with Darth's help, the Emperor was defeated in his best skill, his MIND GAME, thus he commits assisted suicide! ahhhh that aspect of ROTJ is soooo brilliant to this day).

I was at the dentist's office and I read through an issue of The New Yorker, and I found an article called "The Power of Positive Publishing" by Boris Kachka. In it, he had a list of 30something books described in a few lines each. I picked out my favorite quotes from that entire list so that I could share with you.

- To improve your rapport with the person you are talking to, synch your body language to that person for 30 seconds.
- Look in the mirror and say "Great!" in as many different ways as you can until you laugh. (I tried this, I really did laugh and it didn't take long.)
- "Mastery" is not genius. It is a function of concentration and time. (This great quote is corroborated by Malcolm Gladwell in one of his books, where he says that "world class talent" is the accumulation of 10,000 hours of practice in one skill, and he goes on to show why Mozart, Bill Gates (euch, sorry to put those two together but the author did that), The Beatles and others achieved 10,000 hours in a time when no one else did.
- Focus on 5 to 10 years down the line, when benefits are reaped.
- Start copying the greats in your field of interested. You'll get a better sense of how they think and create.
- Start an "interesting people" fund. Pay for lunch and coffee with people you find interesting.
- Think -- who are 10 people you'd reach out to if you got laid off? Reach out to them now, when you don't need anything.
- Say yes to everything for one day.
- Appeal to people from the angle of their own self interest.
- Be suspicious of "free" or "cheap", but use it to your advantage.
- Concentrate on a single outlet of power -- don't dilute your strength!

I hope that was helpful!

Ok so here are some questions that were asked of me as part of one of those tag things...I'm not really following the rules because there are just WAAY too many questions and too many rules, but I will answer 's questions!

{~1~}
POST A THEMESONG FOR YOURSELF?!
[link]

{~2~}
PAPER OR PLASTIC OR OTHER?! (Don't make Ted Turner mad. CAPTAIN PLANEEEET!!!!)
Anything goes as long as we recycle when we can.

{~3~}
CHOOSE SOMEONE TO ANNIHILATE THE CAST OF TWILIGHT AND IT'S AUTHOR! ANYTHING OTHER THAN SOMEONE TO ANNIHILATE THE CAST OF TWILIGHT AND IT'S AUTHOR IS GROUNDS FOR IMMEDIATE DEREZZING!
Django.

{~4~}
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE ON TV NOWADAYS THAT ISN'T ALREADY ON AND YES REPLACING ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN IS A LEGITIMATE ANSWER THAT SHOW SUCKS!
G1 Transformers.

{~5~}WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE ANIME,CARTOON,COMICBOOK,MANGA,VIDEOGAME,TVSHOW,AND MOVIE?! LIST THEM!
These change often, but for now:
ANIME: starting spring Attack on Titan
CARTOON: most of those good 80's ones
COMICBOOK: Vic Boone by Shawn Aldridge
MANGA: Attack on Titan
VIDEOGAME: last one was Terraria
TVSHOW: Red Dwarf
MOVIE: Too many to list, but everyone should go see (for 2012) John Carter, Unicorn City, The Giant Mechanical Man, Ted, The Man With The Iron Fists, The Hobbit, The Impossible, The Sessions, Celeste and Jesse Forever, Nicky's Family

{~6~}SLENDERMAN HAS FOLLOWED YOU HOME, WHO YOU GONNA CALL?!
?

{~7~}WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE SPIDER-MAN VOICE ACTOR?!
?

{~8~}WHAT IS THE MEANING OF LIFE?
Pick the one thing you suck at and make yourself good at it.

{~9~}
YOU HAVE A COSMIC CUBE! WHAT DO YOU DO?!
I'm not sure what that does...I tried to read about it on Wiki but the explanation was sooooo long I gave up. If it is a cube that bores me to death I'd give it away, lol.

{~10~}
Doctor WHO?
Doctor Doom. (Doc Ock taking over Spidey is a sin committed against the comics industry.)

{~11~}
GALACTUS AND UNICRON HAVE COMETH! SAVE THE EARTH! HOW DO YOU DO IT?!
I let them do it!

I do think the holiday season has some type of special message to offer everyone every year. It is a time for reflection and introspection leading up to another full year of action.

Life is action. People say "nothing got done..." but that is not true. Even if you were lying in a bed all year, that's still something that got done and something that your body/mind/soul needed. You can't escape that fact. Don't deny yourself the rest/growth/incubation it needs before your true self cracks its shell and emerges.

So, anyway, enjoy the holidays, I'm thinking of you and your dreams and goals, I'm encouraging you all to get ready to break those mental blocks or keep those mental blocks broken, to understand your body and what it needs (for us writers and artists, that is usually 70% work, 25% rest, and the 5% that everyone always leaves out is bodily maintenance like regular massages and exercise).

See you 'round the bend in 2013!

I just looked over at my coffee cup and thought it was empty, but it wasn't! What a great feeling.

I am busy! Super busy. Drawing all day.

There are so many of us writers, artists and creators out there. Let me rattle off some wishes...

I wish I could tell everyone's stories through my art.

I wish I had 48 hours a day and make people wonder "how does he get that done?"

I wouldn't mind shaving off days, years off the end of my life, having made a pact with the devil to get 48 hours a day. (don't fret, I am not satanical)

I wish I had more time to talk to other artists/writers/creators, and either be mentored or mentor.

I wish I could donate one art piece per month to an orphanage/hospital/somewhere where I know the art would put a smile on a face or two.

I wish I had a monkey to brew my espressos and bring them to me.

I wish I had a better chair.

The truth is, I have 100 other wishes.

The bigger truth is, I can make all of my wishes come true!

The grandest truth is, you can too! (I'm starting to sound like Dr. Seuss...)

I am not high on crack cocaine.

Did anybody see that Mike Myers Cat in the Hat? Whoever made or acted in that was on crack cocaine.

Back to art...

Hi everyone, I just wanted to let everyone know that I've started a "Break into Comics" newsletter. I basically talk about art & writing, and about motivating ourselves, starting and completing projects, things I've learned, and I also answer questions that you may have about art and writing. The goal of all the blather is...to get yourself published, whether it be comics, novels, digital publishing, self publishing, etc. Art & writing are tough professions. But when we have the right amount of perseverance and good attitude, we'll all go far.

Back issues can be viewed here: [link]
You can sign up here [link]

All you need is your email to sign up and everything is private, I'll never sell or share the list anywhere.

-------------------------------------------------------
COMMISSIONs

I am open for commissions. Any style you see in my gallery is open for commissions. Rates vary depending on what you need, so shoot me a da note and let's discuss! Turnarounds are quick and I guarantee satisfaction or it's free.

***SUPER CYBER WEEK SPECIAL*** If you have a pencilled or roughly drawn picture that you want digitally inked, post a reply to this journal with a link to the picture, and I will ink it for you. No strings attached. Really. Ok, send a chocolate chip cookie in the mail.

UPDATE 12.02.2012 -- 2 of 2 slots filled! and

FINE PRINT: Limited slots available (2). I reserve the right to decline inking certain pictures at my sole discretion. These are intended to be quickie 5-10 miinute complimentary inks, so don't send a sketch of the Sistine Chapel please! XD  I would greatly appreciate it if inked pictures were posted to your dA account with a link back to me. Thanks!

I am so happy to announce that the comic named "Mystacoleus" that I was promoting at NYCC 2012 is now on Kickstarter. If you don't know Kickstarter, it is an awesome site that allows you to announce a project, set a budget, and have people pledge money to make it happen.

The link to my campaign is below:
[link]

Mystacoleus is going to be a 90pg graphic novel about a magician boy who loses his home, and gets entangled in the world of magicians, ninjas and magical creatures as he looks for a new home!

I just got my first backer and it is the best feeling in the world. Sure, I have a long way to go to my goal of $10,000, but I am on my way. My campaign allows for pledges starting from $5.00. If you are inclined to help, I would be eternally appreciative!

And I hope to see your projects on Kickstarter in the near future as well.

I have purchased a booth for the New York Comicon! I will be at the Artist's Alley. If you are planning to come, please stop by! I would love to meet some fellow dAers. I will be there under my name "Stanley Chou".

More news to come! I will be launching my first comic, and it will be for sale. 11x17 prints of my most popular dA pictures will also be for sale. I will also be doing sketches.

Thanks to all those who have supported me, and continue to support me. It is you all who make my dream of making art my full-time job seem more and more like a reality each day!

You can't deny yourself.
You can't deny yourself forever.

-- Red Lights (2012, Movie)

So I watched Dark Knight Rises last night. Just so you know where I stand with the films:
1. Batman Begins was quite awesome.
2. Dark Knight was good, but it had its issues. Like almost everyone, I thought The Joker stole the show. Batman was pretty insignificant, Two Face was good but his transformation seemed forced and unnatural, as did Rachel's mix into the love thing.

And now...Dark Knight Rises. This will just be a capsule review with SPOILERS on what I thought the movie did right and wrong.

Again, SPOILERS below!




The Good (in no particular order)
1. Catwoman was fabulous. Great acting, nicely interwoven into the plot, sexy... I don't even like Anne Hathaway, for the record. I can't remember ever seeing any of her movies. But she was great.
2. "The Bat" was awesome, and despite having seen it in the trailers, I thought they kept enough of its footage out of the trailers to make sure that when you saw it in the movie, you were still awed by its design.
3. Seeing Scarecrow make an appearance was good fun.
4. Blake was a good sub-story. Gordon-Levitt played a convincing cop, with his personal story, development, and progression to want to be the next crime-fighting vigilante.
5. Bane was excellent. He was ruthless, powerful, smart, a leader, every bit believable as the mastermind of terror. But...

The Bad (in no particular order)
1. ...but...they ruined the whole setup of Bane by making him just a "lieutenant" or "puppet" of Miranda. Nolan did not succeed in suspending my disbelief that Miranda could mastermind anything. At that plot twist moment, I was like, "Really? Miranda? Um...no."
2. Bane's voice was bad. It sounded rather comical. The whole movie I was trying to get used to it, but I couldn't. And, the post production audio processing of the voice was so amped that the voice was louder than all the other voices in the movie, making you really feel like you were listening to...post production audio...
3. No new Bat gadgets in the movie except for The Bat? Like...really?
4. Alfred, who is usually the comic relief, spent the whole movie crying.
5. The fight choreography was pretty bad. Slow fight scenes, no special moves (I know this isn't Street Fighter, but please, show more than regular punches, kicks and blocks). The only memorable attack was Bane's downward punch on Batman in the sewer.

Ok, this is more to educate people on Bane than a complaint. This gets geeky...

So, the whole premise of Bane in the original comics was that he BROKE THE BAT. Please understand. Up until this point, NOBODY could BREAK THE BAT. You just couldn't. His mind, coupled with his martial arts, supported by his wealth and gadgets, further supported by his network of friends and fellow crusaders against crime...you could not break the bat.

So this guy Bane came along. He knew a head-on attack on Batman would be futile. So he breaks the walls of Arkham Asylum, releasing the worst of Gotham's criminals. It takes Batman 3 months to round up all the criminals, getting injured and tired along the way. Then when Batman returns to his cave, Bane ambushes a tired and weakened Batman. He defeats him in a fight, culminating in an earth shattering BACKBREAKER.

That's how he broke the Bat.

Now look at Dark Knight Rises. Bane is portrayed as just simply overpowering Batman without any planning at all, except manipulation of Catwoman. Bane even has backup guards watching. And Batman has just returned after 7 or 8 years in inactivity. He's got like...no gadgets. He's got...no moves. He's got...no friends. Batman just got tricked into going into the sewers and he got beaten in a fist fight. You see, it just comes off as weak. I know Nolan doesn't really draw that much from the comics, but he did have some exposition to work off of.

Try this: Batman has just returned after 7 or 8 years of inactivity. He now needs to use his cleverness, wisdom and gadgets to get past his foes (a similar idea works VERY well in Dark Knight by Frank Miller). Bane releases the crooks of Arkham Asylum. He traps the police in the sewers. Batman fights hard to subdue the criminals. Catwoman helps because she needs Clean Slate. Catwoman betrays Batman, locking him in the sewer. The police, still thinking he is a criminal, beat the shit out of Batman, who can't retaliate. THEN Bane comes along. He toys with the exhausted and completely outdone Batman. Bane, without anyone standing nearby, without any fanfare, breaks Batman's back and flushes him further down the sewers to the abyss below. Batman's "RISE" is culminated by his rise from the abyss of the sewers to save Gotham.

That is by no means a Nolan masterpiece, LOL, but it is my best shot.

My rating for Dark Knight Rises: B-

Well, not necessarily Amazing, but the title of the movie is Amazing S&M.

Oops, wrong journal!! XD XD

So I saw Spiderman today (or we can call it S&M if you like!). The two things I took away from the film:

SPOILER ALERT



1. It was kinda gross watching Garfield and Stone like freaking having EYE-SEX on the screen. And I know that after ever scene they filmed, they ran straight for one of their private trailers and snogged for like 2 hours, including any other rated XXX stuff they did. Ew. I mean for crissakes, we're making a movie here, stop spraying your stupid 18 year old love-crush-juice all over the screen.
(You may be noticing my jealousy at their pure unbridled 18 year old onscreen love fest. Rest assured, I would do the same, but please man, show some restraint here for us not-getting-Emma-Stone-geeks and not-getting-Andrew-Garfield-geekettes out here!)

Ahem.

2. I realized, after ALL these years of knowing and loving Spiderman...he is one SAD dude. I mean...his uncle died cuz of his indifference. He'll live with that the rest of his life. I mean, ok, I got that in the comics. I got that in Tobey McGuire Spidey. But when did I REALLY FEEL Spidey's hurt? In THIS movie. in 2012. Not in the early 90s when I was reading McFarlane or Larsen. Not in the 2000s when I was watching Tobey. ONLY in this movie. Wow, I felt it right in my heart, it was like a sock to the chest.

And then when Captain Stacy was dying...and he told him to stay away from Gwen?? Like his only joy??? Oh man...I FELT his SCREAM...I felt his anguish...another sock to the chest.

Spidey is one SAD dude with a lot of baggage. Which makes him so much...more.




END SPOILERS

I also saw several other movies, which I'll list below:
Margaret: B+
Brave: B+
Henry's Crime: B
What's Eating Gilbert Grape: A-

Leave it to me to be play the devil's advocate.

This summer's movies have already started rolling out, but I'm writing about...John Carter. Go figure.

Let me just say that...I've already watched it twice. Liked it the first time, and liked it more the second time.

There are many things to like about the movie...the back story on Earth, the journey to Mars, the build-up of acquaintances on Mars, meeting the princess, the antagonists / factions, getting the princess, the final battle, the closure...it's all very neatly packaged. Don't get me wrong, most people will be confused or even bored their first watch-through. The movie is clearly not for everyone, as evidenced by the box office results.

The movie really takes you on a journey, and that's what I cherish about the experience of watching this movie. It's rare that a movie does this successfully.

And when you go on a journey, there has to be a princess. Disney is the master of making memorable princesses! Lynn Colins as the Princess of Mars, Dejah, is PERFECT. She is strong-willed, intelligent, sexy, vulnerable, funny, cute, childlike, playful, genuine, everything at once. Every moment she was one the screen is such a pleasure.

(I just watched an interview of Lynn Collins talking about John Carter and I got turned off! lol  She's much more interesting to me as Dejah.)

The SFX holds up well. The musical score is great too.

Not much of a movie review, sorry...

UPDATE: I just watched it a third time! The movie is so DENSE. I now realize that the dilemma that Andrew Stanton (the director) had. Choosing what aspects of the novels to put in the movie, choosing what to leave out of the movie, choosing what to CHANGE to make the movie easier to understand, etc. It is a monumental task, and alas, I think his calculations were not what the audience could connect with...

I didn't mention the aliens (4 armed tusked martians). They are unimpressive, for sure. There's nothing about their design that intrigues me in the least. If it is at least any consolation, there are only 3 martian characters that mean anything in the movie. They are distinctive and serve their purpose in the movie, nothing more, nothing less.

Dear Momma,
We definitely did not celebrate enough mother's days at our house. When I was a little boy, I expected so much from you. I took it for granted. I think of your mother too, her long and fruitful life, and all the expectations she fulfilled as your mother. You did that for me and my brothers. If I could celebrate 35 mother's days today, I would, so that your heart's vessel is equally full of love received and the love you gave.

Love,
Ryuzo

So, a person passed away in my extended family. No point really in mentioning who, but I will say she was there from the very beginning for me, peppered throughout my early memories.

Death has always been a thing that I kinda take in...alone. I remember when another extended family member passed away. I didn't really have any words, I just kinda went into contemplative thought. I also wrote a journal entry. I titled it "ADITF", acronym for "A Death In The Family", which I got from the Batman story arc of the same name where Tim Drake dies.

I'm such a nerd, lol

Anyway...I just had a little bit of wine.

Death kinda puts things in perspective. Who cares about taxes and stocks and economy and education and baseball games and art and weather and food and...and...like...someone just died today. Stop everything and absorb the moment, pay respect to the passed.

I don't mind death, I actually have no problem with it, I understand the meaning of death and I don't even fear death. Maybe I fear other peoples' deaths more than I do my own.

I think back to her life...such a long life, so many things she saw, experienced...she always kept her smile, her sharp eyes, her health...she used to get so mad when I was in high school and I didn't take a shower every day and I was a stinky high school boy, LOL. I cherish that I had the god-given high school boy right to annoy her, haha!

She was always reading books, newspapers...socializing with her many friends...she lost so many loved ones herself but she kept her smile and kept her vigor for a simple life with simple bits of happiness, like an espresso coffee or a quick afternoon doze off while reading the newspaper.

I saw her just last year, a stop by almost especially to see her. I'm so glad that I did, though my connection to her is deeper than just one last visit between flesh-encumbered beings. I will meet her again, light as air, permeable as air, fictional as ether, like a shot of light all around from a primitive yellow dim candle, like a blast of white light like the fullest pure blinding light. I will reach out and I will find her hand, among others, all at once, all at once, all at once.

I grew up on what are now called "retro arcade games" from the late 80's to the mid 90's. The feeling was so awesome...walking into one of these game arcades in a mall with a pocket of quarters and stretching out the enjoyment as long as you could.

I used to dream of having my own arcade in my house. Now almost everyone has one in their house -- it's called an XBOX or PS3 or Wii. But guess what? I don't have any of those game consoles. I am still a retro arcade game fan at heart.

So what better than to write my own little retro arcade game survey. What flavor of retro arcade games do you like?

1. How many lives do you get with one quarter?
Three.

2. When you mash buttons, is the character punching, swinging a weapon or firing projectiles?
Punching.

3. Are you a one-hit-death type or can you survive multiple hits before you die?
Multiple hits.

4. Is it first person, 3rd person?
3rd person.

5. Is it side view, top view, 2.5 D, isometric view, 3D?
2.5 D.

6. Do you go through stages, levels or missions?
Levels.

7. Is it a VS game, solo game, or co-op?
Co-op.

8. When you enter initials for hi-scores, how many initials?
Three.

9. Can you continue or not?
Yes.

10. What kind of boss fights come to mind?
Bodies 2-5 times the size of yours; when you shoot them, they blink to let you know you are hurting them; when they die they drop tons of goodies. You have to kill them 3 or 4 times as they mutate.

11. Is it space or terrestrial?
Terrestrial.

12. Is it medieval, present, apocalyptic or future?
Medieval or apocalyptic.

13. Spaceship or vehicle?
Spaceship.

14. Single joystick and buttons, rotational joystick and buttons, or double joystick (robotron/smash tv)?
Double joysticks rock!

15. How many buttons?
Three.

16. What is the motivation of the main character -- revenge, save the earth, save somebody, save something?
Save the earth.

17. Is the theme organic or mechanical or cyborg?
Organic.

18. Does it cost 25cents or 50cents or more?
25cents.

19. Moving rig or stationary?
Stationary.

20. Can your character charge up by holding button and then releasing?
Yes.

21. Can your character block enemy attacks?
Yes.

22. Is the arcade in a mall or standalone?
In a mall.

23. Tokens or money?
Money.

24. Does the arcade attendant give you credits when the machine eats your quarter?
YES!

25. Pinball machines or no?
Oh yeah, pinball machines!

Ok, thanks for reading! Hehe, I kinda contradicted myself a few times, but I just answered whatever came to mind.
Copy/paste to answer yourself! Post to my page to let me know you answered it!

Here I go!
I'm probably doing this wrong but I don't really care, I'm just going to answer the questions and not tag anyone, heh.

Tagged by

1. Do you believe in the existence of souls?
Yes, all the way. Karma, reincarnation, all that jazz.

2. If you had the chance to meet a religious figure, living or dead, who would you meet?
Not really interested. Many more interesting people to meet.

3. Do you fear death?
No. I only hope I can die in peace.

4. If you could go anywhere, where would you go?
Right now? Maybe go on an awful cruise hopping islands in Hawaii?

5. If you watch something that was produced in a language other than your native tongue, would you prefer to watch it with the lines dubbed in?
NEVER. Anything dubbed in English SUCKS so hard I suffocate.

6. Who's your favorite actor to play James Bond?
Roger Moore for nostalgia. The current Bond is pure baddassedness.

7. Do you think there will be a permanent human settlement on the moon before the end of this century?
Hell no. Nobody can live in 1/6 gravity for longer than a few weeks without losing tons of bone mass and getting severe muscle atrophy. You would never be able to come back to Earth without major rehabilitation. Or you can work out 4 hours a day (like astronauts do) to maintain muscle mass (yeah, that 50 lb dumbbell weighs only 8.3 lbs, try keeping your muscle mass with that...). Anyway, maybe send all the fat people to the moon to lose weight?

8. Which would you rather have, a safe and sad life, or a dangerous but happy one?
How about a safe and smart life?

9. NCIS or CSI?
Extreme indifference.

10. Do you believe in the existence of sapient life beyond Earth?
No. How droll. SAPIENT life? Can we at least be a little more imaginative? I believe in sentient life elsewhere for sure.

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My questions!
1. What do you like more: Star Wars or Star Trek?
Both are very creative. Star Trek has definitely had more iterations, and I like iterations, unlike the iron fist of control GL has exercised over his IP.

2. Do you think that the world will end on December 21, 2012?
No. I'd like to believe the world's limited way of thinking will end on that day, and we are reborn with a better understanding of life and the universe. Wishful thinking I know.

3. If you could change one thing about the country you lived in what would it be?
Less taxes please.

4. Fishing or Hunting?
Neither. I'd rather work in my garden?

5. If you had the option of saving your closest friends or saving hundreds of strangers - what would you pick?
Tough one. Too tough. I'd let an invisible force take over me and let it control my body in that moment. Then I'd live with the consequences and regret and uncertainty the rest of my life.

6. If you had a million dollars what would you do with it?
Buy some real estate.

7. Pokemon or Digimon?
Don't-give-a-shittimon?

8. What was the very first video game you ever played?
Combat on Atari?

9. What is your opinion of the USA?
S'aight.

10. THE ANSWER IS...
...NEVER EVER THE ANSWER.

I love Photoshop too, don't get me wrong, but WOW does Painter shorten the leash between traditional art and digital art!

When I draw with Photoshop, I feel like I am handicapped cuz the brush control is crap. With Painter, if you find the right brushes, you are GOLD!
My favorite brushes for lineart:
Pencil - Thick and Thin Pencil
Calligraphy - Dry Ink
Eraser - Flat Eraser

For coloring, Photoshop is excellent, but now that I found a nice color brush for Painter, I am set. I strongly recommend Rob's Brushes ([link], and use "Rob's Basic").

Of course, a combination of the two yields the best results.