Alright, so I haven't updated in ages, but I haven't forgotten. I just haven't really been doing anything artsy lately. Well, I haven't finished anything artsy lately. I've got lots of projects in production, so maybe I'll start putting up WiP pics or something. I don't know.
Flip the Shoopian Explorer
Posted by Unknown at 1:48 PM 0 comments
Happy Easter!
Just finished with Easter breakfast and the morning easter egg hunt. I think it went over quite well. Instead of the standard hunt, I hid the eggs and wrote up and designed a letter/poem from the Easter Bunny with clues to the eggs locations. I set it up on the table with her basket, and read through it with her to help find the eggs. Some of the clues proved a little too difficult, so I had to help her out a bit, but she enjoyed it. I think next year I'll find a cool small treasure chest to drop all the eggs and candy in, and put a treasure map in the basket.
Posted by Unknown at 9:40 AM 0 comments
We interrupt your regularly scheduled program . . .
So I was actually drawing a bit today and I thought I'd share a page of my sketchbook. It's not that the sketch is particularly good or anything, it's just that I'm drawing a bit again. Alrighty, off to work.
Posted by Unknown at 7:34 PM 0 comments
The Top Ten Places in the World I want to travel to. (Pt.2)
Alright, today it's time for the top 4, and it's really not an easy choice. There are so many great places to travel. This list is definitely not an all-inclusive list. Given the money and opportunity, I'd travel everywhere. Anyway, without further ado, the top 4:
#4 Italy
Hooray for the "Boot Country"! Besides being a part of my family's heritage, the draw to a country like this is a big one. For historical relevance alone, Italy is an incredibly cultured country. Rome itself has enough to keep you occupied for weeks;
The Colosseum
The Pantheon
The Spanish Steps
Vatican City
The Roman Forum
Venice would be a big draw with its awesome canals.
Sicily for it's ancient architecture and Mt. Etna.
The Island of Capri has the legendary Mt. Vesuvius, the stunning Bay of Naples and;
The Magical Blue Grotto.
You could probably even roam the countryside for a few days and fully appreciate the "pure win" that is Italy.
#3 Santorini
If you don't already know, Santorini and the ancient Minoan civilization are the (major) basis behind the fabled Atlantis. The Minoans were the most advanced civilization of their time.
These guys had hot and cold water running through a piped system, and flushing toilets. They also had incredibly advanced architecture and wall paintings. And when did they do all of this? 2000-1580 B.C.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik6oECdATPcCskqpLhN-6Va5EnWlQKaZmPP6UV5A2_QrGP0Ayvh_q6WdQje0rEYPD2WM-1FFRPm2bcaTT96kVru1LrzMq_CqbRJ0UuoxMgOX_6P4zuw8uL5vVG1gKFK51KLt1tofxF_4uZ/s400/2.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwplYJzSMKa-7-XsaCFRPlLnUOchYBZW4Iqo2Z8uVzE1HliF7ZqyKywU26aN4Sly5NcgfimzUwqQSqhXCoRVmgbzmQJDwg6wynTkC_3nlDrxn2roLfX4wybIwTIRlBWYI01w1qjZenE810/s400/santorini-volcano-history.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Nk4WZaERxMh8h64kLt-S8lXaAFPRkQAiHA98YogeSFagmv6NiEjvmNxBbtkhY7tVr2nOawStWYygQcFKPwenyaUsFhcjYnooqiT_tPUhbxh1mwAkEDzqTWtATzggg4vemQDx-7DqoVmy/s400/Black_beach_in_Kamari_Santorini.jpg)
Posted by Unknown at 11:28 AM 0 comments
The Top Ten Places in the World I want to travel to.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWAkLVU5H5B560ium6Y5GZVwUREC1oTaAVG1bH21-Ce1hnzCG_ZmXpiuJeu63jjLjoA0Ldo9TLxdoBoG-1tlOBHI76hEv8FqqM_8tBJNAKMHsm1VonHlTGaNw4cjYdD5ePMajZZVygHQGC/s400/Grand+Canyon.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhodfpleyxmkbfSco9KRskPspPbT56R52obBFZN1fEcBxkKUldbLCrTzdWBy9xZf7aEdS3_J3IIsBAc78Qdvuq13L3KYcH5TAg6Q3tCtRHIi_k79JzvIxe8AQD4UcR-gF-hFKLZFd06g1gM/s400/Alien+GBR.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJF6Suw0NKlg4IQRbpt3DeeLw09nS-fdW4W6sEuWSyF07yVg45av2R0FzjSFs92HYUsfkqOqEERs2n7Z6g4KYIMarhJHGqFhI26heeVQtSji1IzPqnLYar-fJFRif7j7JM5SIrgr54c3s/s400/Martinique.jpg)
The overwhelming draw to the Caribbean is well founded. It's quite simply one of the best tropical places you can visit without getting too far away from civilization. My own interest lies in my fascination with pirates and the Age of Sail. I personally have never been on a sailboat, but I will. In fact, I'd love to own one at some point and sail to the Caribbean on my own. My love for the ocean and exploration lead to sailing as a natural transition. Every island here will provide you with it's own unique experience. Ideally, I'd like to live here at some point, but we'll see how it goes.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic7_0Zq3JEH1lHlIMbr5FFjPCO4_BGNI4YeqJycD7OX-3rk6lH6JP-_fCedvMJQMvDzFZ9JJSDAZwCQ5_Ks22jTTJQWJ49RE-d84avzcG6x-vylDha6I_Jd7Lgdd_wpIlQv8qdKUcE0hqw/s400/Alaska-Glaciers.jpg)
Incredible mountainscapes(So it's not a real word, wanna fight about it?).
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm4Ci84UUBnwZPrGu-d7SiJ3ovP5LxYqoyws_fBFU_TzT5-nnWehIOBg7iEs5nb8P0QStIElYegWHDKcgchfFtG7d7zwacIVIMV0KIsHgV-xq45x8AtAvNb4csKqFyIShABiFJ5LG91z1l/s400/Alaska-Glaciers2.jpg)
Fantastic sculpture-like glaciers.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiv7q5bKIF5RTmMje7s19SG4X49lt9_OHduj7tJVOsliVcbtMyw3CAFAZv2L22rRpTgIf-uOgxuSGsKGcBMWNW_QNmaa5p_9iocXi3Vdv0FJKX-q8tdtnoKQwvTxJUPgv5UEgOemNRgPhn/s400/Alaska-Forest.jpg)
To stunningly beautiful forests and rivers.
Posted by Unknown at 12:19 PM 0 comments
Labels: alaska, australia, ayers rock, az, caribbean, fraser island, grand canyon, great barrier reef, havasu falls, islands, outback, sailing, scuba, sydney opera house, tasmania, thailand, travel
New temporary theme.
I got tired of the old one and until I can find one I like, or get off my arse and design one myself, this'll be my placeholder.
Posted by Unknown at 10:22 AM 0 comments
Disappointment
Man, I took the spawn to the Santa Ana Zoo today and it was such a disappointment. It took maybe 45mins to get through the whole place, and that includes time to feed little tidbits of info about the animal in question to the kiddo. Three of the exhibits were closed, and another was under construction and won't re-open until April. There were no lions, tigers or bears (oh my?). No rhinos, elephants, giraffe or sea critters of any kind. They had a good helping of monkeys, but no larger monkeys like gorillas or orangutan. It was really disappointing. The entire trip (Entrance fees and bus fare) only set me back 9 bucks, but I still feel ripped off.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRQBmQX2Bx5HqIf453tmUW_SALghfNWxBiflqXefwxLh9g0LNjvhnwUwnUPsZ4bszy18wMd4R059GAXyzoGwfPjZPGHnenop1DiEQPP1TyJeyG9OmIgfmGpFs4UXCIWMvstuuMVmr_cCWD/s400/Photo_35.jpg)
Another "Self Portrait". Also a chance to say "Who the fuck named this place?". I mean seriously, it's the most mind-numbingly ridiculous name. If I ever get the chance, I'm going to name a place "Trapezoidal Rhombus". Having any brain aneurysms yet?
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmeisgYWuusdOzQ3j9leG5ZoFifOhdWBNGbjTOEpQA3ojg_KxtjwvXvQ-YB0t-DybhbsNRNy2DjWhTW8_6tt4CqgxH0gmjwYgHMosw7-qXVqv2g_Wuryni-okVfMX-6SHF-FObSdWeGKY8/s400/Photo_13.jpg)
This was a window in an old decrepit train station. I thought it had a lot of character, so I snapped a shot of it. I'm still planning on going back and hopping the fence to grab some other cool shots at some point.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQZl2eyReQkjQtKtkY6JtXAJjPOmKADXuc5Mvf6ePsnjIOMO4w94tIAcEAaF7DiwkF7C5UJJbaomyXH7agGz9v6Pk81HO-raG1oZ4jqsSE-TAL17yDEU5ywf1SYvpu3bu6zf6WGIDa4ozi/s400/Photo_39.jpg)
This is how the spawn and I spent her sick day. Crafts day! I don't care how old I get, craft days are awesome days.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zIbxNKNDP19pavQs51FQmWw3-Dm0eGazRj-Vs-sAmTiwDEQpDcweQxK14qPef7Wx5zfuI-ucwC_IB_IwVUNrCO6pyX85ejksqvZilUqMixYtpwBeCWyN7B08BOU5hljPv8Wl1nZvmVyZ/s400/Photo_42.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG8qrNjVTd4R6AhS5Yr2n05OVciAsj0uuqDLZwC3Q-jNvJLC2N5Qe1KzCYPzFks_iy_aXu71nCFRrEdT7P0G0SYKciAtsbDEZO0ZBXePYqCm8fPb9SiaDADQmcDooHDWJ1f_lI2MZmVkoo/s400/Photo_44.jpg)
Posted by Unknown at 8:49 AM 0 comments
Labels: beach, disappointment, ocean, painting, photos, sick, zoo
Beach Fun & More
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkgOPreTqS_7GdoKGFehB1JgqeCpnDyd865JZdXiMdJfgQzJ8HZJ7qu5ounMsTjCBIPxrxIn_q-z2gfLebDdi0eZOcHgW7T8uVcAPWiM2EVeGXNw6he14YxPaBcwEF6VzjYAcz8krnf9UH/s400/Photo_19.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDSUq8ZZBaQvq38baGSD70jnAOsaEnb-ONoqcw9TmOICoU7QNHgHsExjR2rIV6_mn1Otkk927-boiK5oz_bs3xCre__dU_tscqEUNowEiec0h8dpEmLAE17J4Wa3AR5L3SCVuhglh2STQ/s400/Photo_18.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqoakx0_a2GB8ZK6oYC75S0sqR8vWCflDyJVv-4hJndSSacj1Xphwth9bP5CNLOn11nIXxwrAPzVagbvMGkje53VMA1CCiLT22Hw5iarEMgrv8vhSwE4rY0AFwJ0TE_OfMBP9P596TLA0W/s400/Photo_17.jpg)
Posted by Unknown at 10:41 AM 0 comments
Ahoy Ye Landlubbers!
Took the spawn to the beach yesterday and got some great shots. I have to admit, the biggest draw to this particular spot was the fact that it was named "Pirate's Cove". It seemed to be named with good reason. It was small, but it felt very "Caribbean". You know, aside from all the people and houses and boats, etc. Anyway, the following are some shots from the trip.
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLEw-6HAdSgBolAXm7phmPZYHGj4G5SaVYf3WW7K9EobxFBFYZdJaCiXKDu44ljmT1F71bwoorqH6348FnotV4pjJgrEO0bN6-HvOHAakRZHEKHdAVkynsMYBs7Rv9XYsu9iuwVhx2y3rl/s400/Photo_21.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYPewtGHfWCIR_4rzQsB7RH-x7e8bFjeSATZPeq_QKIhAb_NBwLqTKVkNaVroHi0l_ThUZVYGozQCKAmCNRQH7PtYxP3Aqtvk6_jRY0bGau5G64pd99ndLGslZxu7A5Hr0y9t9OoGIXtDp/s400/Photo_31.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjNTn2pDylZX0opnbmCyQqtxda9AVpSu_o53lWCwhy6GA2y3yOnZeTOKI78b3p2LlNvRfioruv0v0qllasjtprDorAbptNqoGOKvVxALAucqiNHpz1z4Kao8S9DhFxSwehlyw8bLIISZTx/s400/Photo_32.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBsVYzuFzUZY6S6oYpQbw0b9zVZn2WLlBahudvca0et-h4CtUFRSRTTaxtRcpmTxewcXbUvm-XaaOotf-phIn_iakQs2cWdSHfco89VlB4BEpL6G9W0Sf-pGnlo5Kx9GZDgVVriEFAJMwz/s400/Photo_23.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG3y5VovqX5kars84oSxkmbScQ7QFQX2O36ajL_Go_Cs47HF_tAc7SSSRPFDTDX9iMw2T9cZdvoTCVck-b3GVgg_hxZZ2keU9GTkQ7snAotQ5rO4mXlxOgGGkGkj_zJrX2kJl3_rUxd0Ru/s400/Photo_26.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGQOUhhxDYELvxfQBXF5bi6jNb-AEQoPG3cmx0KGhB6EJ6g6_Cl7Bfe6_-LWow4HkAMOMfLfHR9lv4c3xEz3rwj5imtqO0mZBVxxhUfSDS8JPthJfpJHZDfooZVHBg5vnYdWR5ckRQuL2S/s400/Photo_28.jpg)