Look out for that train...

I've been in Arizona visiting my relatives for three weeks. We visited a train park I used to love when I was little, and took this picture. The train is just for display, but it looks it's coming at me...

Portrait

A Somewhat sketchy portrait of my friend. I've done a few, and I think this one is the most accurate. The others except one are too hideous to look upon.

Drawings...

Just some drawings I did recently. I'm running out of room in my sketchbook, so I haven't posted a lot of my sketches lately. Th one on the left is a character from The Faeries of Dreamdark: Blackbringer, and the one on the right is a character from a science fiction story of my own creation.

Sunday Scribblings-cheese

Sunday Scribblings.

The following is a collection of entries from the log of captain of the starcraft Mayweather and leader of earth's first colonial mission outside of our solar system.

Date: 5/2/70
Log entry #1:

Today is the day following our arrival on the new habitable planet. Our craft, the Mayweather, has been safely docked and we have successfully unloaded all the tents and supplies. My whole body aches from yesterday’s work, but I am quite content as I lay in my cot writing this. The landscape is beautiful, and the air—oh the air! Breathing is even greater a delicacy than the finest dish, It could never compare to the labor one has to endure sipping the lung-scorching muck that clings to Earth. I have turned my lung filter off, and it gladdens me that I will never have to adjust that bothersome little dial protruding so obnoxiously from my chest again. I await the rest of my life with great anticipation.

Date: 5/3/70
Log entry #2:

This morning I brought out the cooler of Martian wine that I had saved for the celebration of our arrival. Our youngest citizen, five-year-old Timothy, watched us curiously. I had not thought to bring any child-friendly beverage along, but one of the nutritionalists had found edible fruit growing on the nearby trees, and the child soon had his very own glass of freshly squeezed alien juice. We must cultivate these trees in the future; they could be invaluable as an alternate form of nutrition to our Earth vegetables.

Date: 5/5/70
Log entry #3:

We began planting our vegetables two days ago, and good-sized sprouts have already appeared. I was doubtful as to how well the seeds would thrive in this alien soil, but I am pleasantly surprised at the results. We will wait a while longer to harvest.

Date: 5/8/70
Log entry #4:

The vegetables are succulent and full of flavor. Food grown by the cloning tanks onboard our craft is bland and slightly sickening, it is a relief to finally taste the real thing again. Either I have been deprived of Earth’s cuisine for too long or the vegetables are even more delicious. I would venture to guess at the latter.

Date: 5/11/70
Log entry #5:

Today we will make north to gather water. Five of us are going; the rest will stay behind and take care of our crop. It should take us a night at the most, but we are bringing plenty of provisions in case Mother Nature decides to make our journey difficult. Our craft’s sensors did not detect any sever weather when in orbit, but best to be on the safe side.

Date: 5/12/70
Log entry #6:

I should not have written the bit about Mother Nature in my log yesterday; my doubt of bad weather seems to have made her cheeky. We are hiding from the storm in a cave that, as one of our men constantly complains, smells strongly of cheese. Although slightly revolting, the odor is small potatoes. I am happy to say we have gathered a goodly amount of water, and should be returning to camp without any problems as soon as the storm lets up.

Date: 5/12/70
Log entry #7:

It is getting late, and Mother Nature has not grown any kinder. Furthermore, the cheese smell is growing even stronger as I write this, and almost unbearably so. I fear it may eventually become hazardous to my men’s psychological health.

Date: 5/17/70
Log entry #8:

It is six days since we set out with the intention of gathering water, and now we find ourselves faced with the more important task of surviving on ground never before trod upon by human feet. I have not written of our four previous days here, so I will explain now.

The cheese smell turned out to be the pheromones of a type of advanced hominid; we had interrupted a mating ritual. The female’s suitors shouted at us (the shouting was actually more of a loud gurgling noise; the creatures vaguely resembled snails, with eyestalks protruding from sunken eye sockets) and advanced, carrying rocks and other dangerous implements. Disregarding both the storm and our water tanks, my men and I fled the cave and took shelter in a dense forest a few meters from the mouth. We are attempting to find our way back to the others, but our detour has taken us deep amongst the trees. The compass and our knowledge of landmarks seem to be helping though, and while I am rattled by our experience I remain optimistic about our chances.

Date: 5/18/70
Log entry #9:

All is well; we have made a safe return. The storm of six days ago has proved to be beneficial to our survival. I mentioned previously that we left our water tanks behind with the snail hominids, luckily the civilians looking after our agriculture had collected the rainwater in some of the empty tanks we did not bring on our expedition. The water has been filtered and stored, and we have mountains of vegetables ready to eat. Now that we know more about our surroundings we can be more prepared on future journeys.

Date: 5/19/70
Log entry #10:

Today we were visited by more of the snail hominids. These individuals, while still smelling strongly of cheese, were much less aggressive, and even offered us food and gifts. They were no doubt in awe of our advanced technology and foreign appearance. I am glad that our previous excursion has not made us any enemies; the cheese men are much gentler when not in a mating frenzy.

Date: 6/3/70
Log entry #11:

Our extra-terrestrial neighbors have become regular visitors to our colony, upon each visit bringing with them bowls of fruit. So far we have not encountered anything inedible I am glad to say, for I should not like to offend the cheese people.

Date: 6/4/70
Log entry #12:

Today I caught a cheese person looking curiously at the Mayweather. Using hand gestures to communicate, he asked me if he could see the vessel’s interior. I relented, under the condition that he did not touch anything. To my surprise he did not draw back his eyestalks in fear at the technology, nor did he grow especially exited at all. Still, it is hard for me to read alien emotions, and I am sure his tale about the human abode will become extremely popular amongst the snail people.

Date: 6/5/70
Log entry #13:

Today I will travel with the cheese men to their village. I will be going without a human escort, but this does not worry me. After being around these people I have come to trust them, and they seem to think highly of us. I anticipate learning more about their culture.

Date: 6/7/70
Log entry #14:

Upon my arrival I was given a tour around their cavern. They had no need for individual houses, as the cave sheltered all of them collectively. Instead they each had little territories of their own personalized with various belongings. In the center of the cavern was a large pile of leaves where feasting took place. Snail children resembling upright maggots ran and played around us as we ate. Much of this I had expected, but it was not until after the meal that the most shocking and unexpected information was revealed to me.

After the feast, the cheese people solemnly led me deeper into the cavern, and I was soon faced with a large rectangular metal door. I looked on in disbelief as it opened, and was led inside.

The room we had walked into was made entirely of metal and contained star charts and other instruments I had no name for. I was allowed to wander the room in wonder before turning back to my hosts with an inquisitive look.

One of them spoke in a low gurgled voice, and I found myself able to understand the alien. They explained that they were not native to this planet. They came here only for a pit stop, to gather resources and breath fresh air, but mutiny commenced, and those loyal to the captain were forced to stay marooned here. After many days of waiting for rescue, they gave up and began to settle in the caves. They said that my ship gave them renewed hope, and they soon sent somebody to see if it would accommodate them all.

I grew visibly angry, but the snails reassured me that they would not take my ship from me without my consent. I considered this. Our mission here was of no return, so the Mayweather was nothing more than a reminder of our origins, although they were best forgotten.

I have decided to let them take my ship back to their homeland. The cheese people are preparing for the journey as I write this, and I cannot help but feel a pang of sadness at the imminent loss of our newfound neighbors. Although I have my human companions, life here will be awfully lonely without our alien ones.

I asked the new captain of the Mayweather if they had encountered any native intelligent life on the planet, and he told me that they had not ventured far from the caves and the surrounding area. This gives me sudden inspiration for a much longer expedition across this planet. I am excited at the secrets this place holds, and while I mourn the loss of our friends I cannot wait to see what the future will bring.
........

The Sonnet of Captain James T. Kirk

These are the travels of the Enterprise
Our purpose is to explore the universe
We visit planets of enormous size
And please ignore my Tricorder man-purse
I am Captain Kirk the awesomest guy
McCoy is confounded by Spock’s logic
Spock is a Vulcan so he cannot lie
All the natives seem to think we’re magic
I hate the Klingon ‘cause they killed David
Killed him on the planet known as Genesis
Their obsession with the planet was quite rabid
Their captain fell in the fiery abyss
Now here we are floating through time and space
About to save the entire human race.
..........

Yes, I know David and Rabid don't rhyme, and Spock actually can lie, but it's not too much of a stretch.

Zombie apocolypse

44%

Laini Taylor

Laini Taylor is a writer living in Portland Oregon. She has written three books and one graphic novel, all illustrated by her husband, Jim Di Bartolo. Her books are great (although I've only read one, but I'm sure they're all great...) and worth checking out, so I have supplied links below.

Laini Taylor's website.
Laini Taylor's Blog.
Jim Di Bartolo's website.
Jim Di Bartolo's Blog.

Electric Guitar...

I got a new electric guitar recently. I'm also putting together a demo album of my songs, so far I have three full songs and one 20 second little tune.

Guitar playing

I've been playing my guitar a lot lately. My left hand has gotten very dexterous from playing chords. It hurts, but it's dexterous.

I currently play an acoustic, but I'm probably going to save up for an electric guitar.

Paul McCartney concert in Canada...

He's gonna be in Canada, so maybe he'll make his way down to the United States... The tickets are a few hundred dollars for each person. Children five and under can get in free. It's times like these when I wish I was five again...

Here is the link to buy tickets:

http://www.ticketatlantic.com/en/home/concerts/paulmccartney.aspx

Star Trek

I haven't seen it yet, but the trailers make it look really good. And the cast they chose is great, especially Spock.

I'm curious as to how they'll fit the old Spock(Leonard Nemoy)in it. Time travel has been used quite often. =P

Brickfest 2009

Brickfest is a Lego convention targeted toward AFOLs(Adult Fans Of Lego). I'm not an Adult, but I'll still be going. There will be some Bzpower staff members there, as well as some other great contributers to the Lego community.

If you're interested in going, here's a link to the website:

http://www.brickfest.com/

Profile, Austria, and uncle.

I took a look at my profile, and found it was sadly lacking in information. This may be why I haven't really been getting many comments.

I hope to go to Vienna this summer. I've been looking up some stuff about it, and Austria seems like a pretty nice place. What I really want though is to experience all this first hand. I have a friend who lives there too, so that's a big bonus.

My mom has informed me that my uncle has read my blog and thinks I'm a pretty intelligent kid. Thank you, I'm very flattered. I could also use some posts, so if you would be so kind.... =P

It's A Wonderful Life, a Bionicle Xmas special

Based on the 1946 film starring Jimmy Stewart(I think you know the one). I was gonna do a Christmas Carol style story, but I thought this fit better.

Now enjoy the product of my geekiness!



---------

Teridax had won, and the universe was now at the mercy of the Makuta. Mata Nui was gone, blasted into space. Metru Nui was in turmoil; Rahkshi saw to it that the Matoran didn’t escape from their bonds, and any that did were eliminated.

“It’s all my fault!!” Tahu screamed.

Gali tried to comfort the Toa of fire, but Tahu pushed her away.

“I don’t need you Gali. I don’t need anybody. The Toa Nuva would be better off without me. The whole universe would be better off without me.”

Tahu grabbed Gali by the arms. “You don’t understand, Gali! All those Matoran out there died because of me. You almost died because of me. I wish I never arrived on the shores of Mata Nui. I wish my canister didn’t make it. I wish I had drowned on the way there. I wish I’d never been born!!

And with that, he stormed off into the rain.

“Tahu, no!” But Gali’s cries were futile. The noble Toa of water sat down and cried, her tears flowing as strongly as the rain outside the cave.

=-=-=-=


The Toa of fire’s body glowed, evaporating the raindrops that hit his armor. Tahu stared at the deep chasm before him. Memories rushed through his brain, memories of past mistakes.

Yes, it was better to end it now. Tahu smiled as he thought of all the Matoran that would be saved if he died.

Just as the he was about take a step into the never-ending darkness, a voice came from behind.


“So, you wish the great beings had never even thought of creating you, eh? Or that you had been devoured by a Muaka back on Mata Nui, perhaps?”

Tahu whirled around. A small being dressed in white and gold armor stood there, a loving smile decorating his mask.

“Who are you?” Tahu growled.

The being smiled. “My name is Clarence.” He said. “I am here to grant you one wish.”

The crimson Toa paused. “Clay-rance?” What kind of name is that?”

Clarence laughed. “I don’t come from around here.”

“I see.” Tahu eyed the Matoran.

“One wish, Tahu. You could wish for a million widgets…or you could wish that things had…gone differently.”

Tahu grew exited.

“All you have to do is say it. Just say it, and it’s done.”

The Toa of fire frowned grimly.

“I wish I had never been born.”

=-=-=-=


Tahu opened his eyes. He was standing on a sandy beach.

“Ta Wahi…”

Tahu spun around, glaring. Clarence had tricked him.

“I’m still here!” Tahu fumed.

Clarence laughed. “Of course you’re still here. This is Ta Wahi on the exact date you would have arrived. Look around, Tahu. Do you see your canister?”

Tahu looked around. Nothing. The beach was as barren as ever.

“You do not exist. The Toa Mata arrived here without you.”

Tahu didn’t know what to think.

“Is this some kind of trick? That’s not a Mahiki you’re wearing, is it?”

Clarence smiled. “This is no trick. You wished you had never been born, and I granted it.”

The Toa of fire thought for a moment, and then made off towards the blackened forest ahead.

“Where are you going?”

“Ta Koro.” Tahu replied, not even looking back.

=-=-=-=


As Tahu made his way through Ta Koro, he made a rather startling discovery. There were no statues depicting the Toa, and Tahu’s Suva was missing. He could not help but think the place looked empty without it.

Tahu tried to get the attention of a passing Matoran, but the villager ignored him.

“Listen here! I am a Toa!”

“They can’t hear you.” Clarence had followed him here.

Tahu glared, and tried again. “I am Tahu! Toa of fire! I demand an explanation!”

Clarence shook his head sadly. “I think we have seen enough here. Let me show you—“

There was a flash of light.

“—Ga Koro.”

Tahu looked around.

“This is Ga Koro shortly after the Toa Mata’s encounter with Makuta.” Clarence said.

Tahu went towards Gali’s hut, and walked through the door. Gali and Pohatu stood there, but Pohatu’s usually jovial expression was replaced with a hopeless frown, and Gali looked on the verge of tears.


“How is Kopaka?” Gali croaked.

Pohatu sighed. “Not much better. His wounds seem to have worsened. There is not much we can do for him; Makuta’s poison seems to sink deeper and deeper every day.

Tahu gave a look of horror. “What happened? What is wrong with Kopaka?”

Clarence entered the room. “Without you, the Toa Mata could never have defeated Makuta.”

“You mean—“

“—Makuta is still here.”

Tahu shook his head in denial. “No. No! It can’t be!”

“Without you, the Toa Kaita could not be formed. Onua died and Kopaka suffered greatly at Makuta’s hands because you were not there to help them.” Clarence stared up at Tahu.

“Show me Kopaka, Clarence. I want to see for myself…is it really that bad?”

Flash!

Kopaka was lying in a bed, staring up at the ceiling. Flies buzzed around him, and most of his armor had rotted away, showing atrophying muscles.

“Kopaka!” Tahu cried. “It’s me, Tahu! Your brother!”

“He can’t hear you. He probably couldn’t hear you even if you did exist.” Clarence said.

“Show me no more, Clarence.” Said the Toa of fire.

“No, I think there is one more place you should see.”

=-=-=-=


Another flash.

“We are standing a thousand feet below the surface of Mata Nui. The Toa Mata, now lead by Gali because of Kopaka’s death, are fighting the Bahrahg with the Exo-Toa suits so conveniently placed down here.”

Tahu’s eyes found Gali, battling Cahdok, the crimson Bahrahg. Cahdok lunged, and Gali fell to the ground.

“Gali! No!” Tahu yelled. “Why don’t they shed the Exo-Toa? Without their elemental powers they are as good as dead!”

“Because you were not there to tell them that. It was your idea in the first place, remember?”

The Toa of fire wasn’t listening. “Gali! Listen to me! Take off the armor! Gali—“

“She can’t hear you.” Clarence said. “You don’t ex—“

The Tahu grabbed Clarence by the collar. “Listen to me.” He growled. “Take me back to Metru Nui. I want it all to go back to the way it was! I want to live again! Are you listening to me?! Take me back!!”

=-=-=-=


“Take me back…Take me back…” Tahu whimpered.

Rain splattered against the Toa’s armor.

Tahu looked up. “It’s raining…”

There was a hissing sound behind him; a Rahkshi had followed him here.

Tahu took a step towards the beast. The Rahkshi blasted him with its staff.

The Toa of fire fell back. “Ha ha! I exist!!”

Tahu ran at the Rahkshi and swept it up in a rib splitting hug. “I exist! Ha ha, I love you, you old Rahkshi!”

As giddy as a Matoran on Naming Day, Tahu ran down the road, leaving a very puzzled Rahkshi behind.

“I exist!” Tahu shouted. “I exist! I actually exist!”

The crimson Toa stopped for a moment and yelled to the heavens, “Ha ha! I exist, Teridax!”

Tahu continued along the road until he came to the cave that was the Toa Nuva’s hideout.

Kopaka stood at the door.

Tahu grabbed Kopaka, hugging him. “Ha ha! I exist, Koapaka! I exist, and you’re not dead!”

Kopaka’s arms stuck out awkwardly. “Brother, are you quite—“

Tahu let go and looked around. Gali stood behind Kopaka, tears rolling down her cheeks.

“Tahu, I…”

Tahu walked towards Gali, and hugged her warmly. “I…I’m sorry. I love you Gali.”

Where did the constitution go?

I heard about a bill some people are trying to get passed in New Jersey to make it so that medical exams are mandatory, and homeschoolers have basically no rights.

What happened to the constitution?

I have said it before, and I will say it again, I do not want the government hanging over my shoulder. It's nobody's business what goes on in my life, just as long as I'm not killing anybody or stealing. And since I do neither, there isn't anything else to moderate.

And I thought homeschooling was becoming more mainstream...

My thoughts on the chosen candidate

Now, my views may seem a bit unfair, considering I am still a child and still influenced by my parents. But believe it or not, I do in fact have an opinion of my own.

From what I have heard, Obama's idea is that there should be more government programs, to help the needy. I'm all for that. However, I don't want the government to decide everything for me. Sure, it may start out great, but as the years go by, the government might start more and more programs, taking control of the citizens. I do not believe in a government controlled country. I do not want the government hanging over my shoulder like a parent.

But I'm not going to judge the guy to much before he's even sworn in. I'll give him a chance. Maybe he'll turn out for the better.

Adobe Photoshop

I have discovered the wonders of Adobe Photoshop. This is my second try, and it turned out better than expected.

The little ashen textures I added were supposed to be shading, but I don't know how well it turned out. I guess it could be considered a cross between ashes and shading...

Lord Skull

Lord Skull is a recurring character in my many sketchbooks. And he's my character. I just wanted to make that very clear to all you would-be character thieves.

More pictures of the Crystal Skeleton...

The Jewel of my Indiana Jones collection...

The Crystal Skeleton

A few pictures of my new Indiana Jones Crystal Skeleton figure.