it had clams, white wine, pesto and spaghetti pasta. yumyum

Met up with my old teacher from manga school. She read my story, laughed out loud every three pages, and said "That was FUNNY. I love Sandy and the cow, but the hero needed work." I asked her what she thought about my style being American. She said she hadn't noticed an overall American look, just a few panels where I had the characters use gestures. "But on close-ups when you put a lot of detail into the characters, they look like a Japanese drew them. So perhaps you should keep your style and just go in and clean up better. Your backgrounds are terrible, and your perspective a joke. But no, your characters don't look un-Japanese to me." Then we talked for an hour about stuff, and said she'd look at anything new I had in the works whenever I wanted. She told me not to get discouraged, and she reminded me that I need to really show off what I CAN draw-- which is girls. "Make sure whatever you submit next has cute girls, it's your thing. And take your time on backgrounds!" She said whenever I do go pro she'll find a good background artist for me to work with. Because... yeah, I really suck.

I wish I had spent more time practicing backgrounds last month. I did buy a few good books for it, though. I should probably actually READ them.

I think I'm going to do the art contest at the end of the month and have it go until mid January.

Hyodo needs to not join this band he auditioned for yesterday. It's really pissing me off that he's such a fucking pussy sometimes. I'm sure I'll elaborate on that if he DOES join the band with the mohawk guy I wish would eat shit and GTFO.

For comprehensive recipe click HERE

So, I was talking about this to artsiesketch a few weeks ago. I kinda want to send Christmas cards to various people!

But I use the word "card" very loosely, lol.

It's more like... folded computer paper with a dumb drawing with a corny handwritten message with brilliant green and pink highlighter ink to make it colorful, sealed with a sticker (most likely Pokemon stickers, if I don't run out). Yes, this is what Rikka means by "card." I couldn't... I couldn't actually go out and send someone something from Hallmark. T__T Ah, *I* don't mind getting a store bought card! But me picking one out...

...that'd just be corny, Rikka sending something like "You light up my world this Christmas holiday. ♥" to somebody. XD;; That's just really embarrassing for me. (But I don't mind it from other people, I save all the cards I get!) So, instead, I like to draw something stupid and write a mini-letter instead. *is original* You know, in the way that an elementary school student would. :X Yeah, like that!

I was just going to surprise a few people with my childish "cards," but I figured it'd be safer just to ask who would like a "card" instead. Uwaa, I sent somebody one of these "cards" last year for Christmas, but in the end, that person told me they didn't like it... So, this time, I wanna kinda make sure the people I send it to will actually appreciate the thought and not mind getting a "card" from Rikka. (Though this person said they wouldn't mind either...)

I have no idea how to send "cards" to outside the US, though. ): Someone help me out, I could never figure out how it worked, I remember looking it up last year... I kinda get how it might work for an actual package, but for just a small, letter-sized envelope...?

But if you want one for Christmas, please leave your address here! :D Comments are screened, so nobody can see it but me. If you want a certain anime/manga/video game character drawn on it, feel free to request! ...It's not going to look anything like the character, but... ._. (Although it was drawn via mouse, THIS is pretty close to my actual drawing style.)

Sadly, there is no Cafe Du Monde nearby so I had to make my own ( I got the recipe from John Besh's My New Orleans).  I still had some Cafe Du Monde coffee (mmmm chicory) and drank it along with these fried pieces of heaven.

ok so it doesn't look super appetizing, but it was made from a top round roast (the meat melted in your mouth) fresh veggies and amish egg noodles. it was spectacular.

Snagged some sprouts at the market.....




( this way to Brussells )

The complete masquerade is online for viewing at
http://www.acparadise.com/acp/cons.php?cyid=2425&t=3

259 Photos from PMX are available at
http://www.acparadise.com/acp/cons.php?cyid=2425&t=4

First post :)~

I went to Alice's Teacup not too long ago and goodness, not only was the decor amazing, the food was just was appealing! If you live in the NYC area, you should definitely take a trip to the restaurant!





( Bigger pics under the cut )

Featuring MER~~~!!! (She asked me to add that. ;D)

Sunday was the day I wore Princess Aurora 2.0 and Dr. Girlfriend. AWESOME STORIES TO FOLLOW....

( You don't want to miss this! )

And that was Dragon*con 2009! If you haven't been to this amazing con yet, then all I have to say is WHAT THE FRAK ARE YOU WAITING FOR?????

See you in 2010, bitches.

Once you make them yourself you'll never have them any other way!



I followed Martha Stewart's French Fry technique:

http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/french-fries

There is magic all around us, invisible to our eyes. Every aspect of life is filled with magical energy, though few can tap into this power.

Those with the ability to utilize their magical potential are known as Elphs. Most Elphs come into their power through the Blood, however, naturally born Elphs exist as well, though very rare. Because they are the start of their Bloodlines, Natural Elphs are extremely powerful... and extremely sought-after. Elphs of the Blood, both those devoted to the Light and to the Dark, seek out the Natural Elphs, wanting to add them to their own numbers, and to strengthen their Bloodlines.

In the past, many wars have been fought, with Elphs at their center. Now, however, Bloodlines have grown thin, and Natural Elphs are rarer than ever before.

Light Elphs, wanting to preserve the dwindling Blood, have gathered together in hidden communities. Marriages are arranged, both within and between these communities, trying to strengthen the Blood where they can. Little interaction is made with the world at large, and, as such, Natural Elphs added to their number are few and far between, if any at all.

Dark Elphs, on the other hand, have gone underground. The current of power in cities keeps them connected, and they seek out new ways to spread the Blood, and retain their power. If they can find a Natural Elph, they bring them in, but even they, in the world, cannot find them easily.

Adding to this, is the fog. Even those without magical abilities can feel the power of the fog that has descended upon the world. No one quite knows what the fog is, other than that it is very powerful, and neither those of the Light nor those of the Dark trust it, nor will risk to use its power. Everyone, magical or not, keep as far away from the fog as they can, because things happen in the fog, where no one can see anything.

Some claim that this is the harbinger of the destruction of the world. Others claim that the world is preparing for a rebirth, that the strife and pain of the magical wars of the past will be wiped away, and everyone will begin anew. Regardless, everyone fears this fog and what it may bring, and, for most, simply surviving and getting by day to day is enough.

For those of you who happen to be in Uni. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, the University just gained a wonderful delicious newcomer...



Find out more at 食べ物 eXploZion!

Mocha cupcakes with cream cheese icing and a bit of espresso sprinkled on top.

They're delicious.

The Chocolate Flakes Mushi Cake.

I really liked all three cakes, finding them light and delicious, and not too moist or dry.

More photos here.