tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-89214012024-03-07T02:04:13.000-08:00Grey Wings, Dull HaloThe Adventures of a Twenty-something Aspiring Costume Designer, Writer, Artist... Dreamer.M Althauserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16738624321098122758noreply@blogger.comBlogger71125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8921401.post-82959101065145271922011-01-26T06:45:00.000-08:002011-01-26T07:06:03.167-08:00Hippie Druids ContinueI managed to pick up a blackclad wayfarer and a gorax last week(finally!) and have been slowly working on those two. The blackclad is getting painted slowly but surely, and I'm trying to keep my paints watered down and use multiple coats to get a good decent coverage on the black primer. <br /><br />The gorax was cut apart and reposed to change the stock pose in small but important ways. He's now stepping forward just a bit, and his arms are getting a repose as well. The face will be the biggest change; I just have to get up the courage to start sculpting in green stuff. <br /><br />I've also been making some mushrooms for bases, which are actually really fun to make. Also, gobber houses are back, and two are in production right now. <br /><br /><a href="http://s90.photobucket.com/albums/k244/Oniichan1313/?action=view&current=mushroom6.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k244/Oniichan1313/mushroom6.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s90.photobucket.com/albums/k244/Oniichan1313/?action=view&current=mushroom5.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k244/Oniichan1313/mushroom5.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>M Althauserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16738624321098122758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8921401.post-11691907361203131332011-01-13T15:35:00.000-08:002011-01-13T15:39:54.186-08:00Ok, I Got ThisHere we gooooo!<br /><br />If you're interested in getting some miniatures painted, look us up on Facebook!<br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/likebox.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fpages%2FGreyed-Out-Productions%2F129896687072671%3Fref%3Dts&width=292&colorscheme=dark&show_faces=false&stream=false&header=false&height=62" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="border:none; overflow:hidden; width:292px; height:62px;" allowTransparency="true"></iframe><br /><br />Just follow the above button to view our page, and feel free to send me an email for pricing quotes on various items! Send a mail to: michael.althauser@gmail.com with the title heading PAINTING. <br /><br />I strive for a high tabletop quality, which means that your miniatures will look good on the table even if you're a few feet away. I use Privateer Press' P3 as well as Games Workshop paints, and take care with each model.M Althauserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16738624321098122758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8921401.post-18199002778456161732011-01-13T15:30:00.001-08:002011-01-13T15:30:53.112-08:00Testing Like ButtonAnother test. <br /><br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/likebox.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fpages%2FGreyed-Out-Productions%2F129896687072671%3Fref%3Dts&width=292&colorscheme=dark&show_faces=true&stream=true&header=true&height=427" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="border:none; overflow:hidden; width:292px; height:427px;" allowTransparency="true"></iframe><br /><br /><script src="http://connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1"></script><fb:like-box href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Greyed-Out-Productions/129896687072671?ref=ts" width="292" colorscheme="dark" show_faces="true" stream="true" header="true"></fb:like-box>M Althauserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16738624321098122758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8921401.post-16807031507314565382011-01-13T15:24:00.000-08:002011-01-13T15:27:04.343-08:00A Test for Something NewI recently started a Facebook page for a painting service I've started, which will also encompass a lot of my sewn products from Etsy and so on. <br /><br />Here's the Facebook "Like" box that hopefully will work... <br /><br />If it doesn't, you can look up Greyed Out Productions on Facebook to find me. <br /><br /><iframe src="http://www.facebook.com/plugins/likebox.php?href=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Fplatform&width=292&colorscheme=dark&show_faces=true&stream=true&header=true&height=427" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" style="border:none; overflow:hidden; width:292px; height:427px;" allowTransparency="true"></iframe>M Althauserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16738624321098122758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8921401.post-82994600385471838412010-12-31T10:18:00.000-08:002010-12-31T10:32:21.999-08:00Dirty Hippie Druids ReturnThe past few weeks and months have brought many changes, and 2011 is looking to be a wonderful year. This past May I graduated with a degree in Theatre from West Texas A&M University, and I'm really looking forward to getting more sewing and crafting experience. A very short time ago I moved to Atlanta to live with my fiancee, and recently had a chance to visit a really great store, Giga-Bites Cafe in Marietta, to play some Warmachine against new opponents. <br /><br />The dirty hippie druids have been growing much more slowly than I'd like, but I'm hoping to expand with a few infantry units and some constructs soon. I'm hoping to start a miniature painting service soon, for tabletop standard for those people who don't have the time or inclination to paint their own stuff. <br /><br />Also, I found that the iPhone takes surprisingly good pictures. <br /><br /><a href="http://s90.photobucket.com/albums/k244/Oniichan1313/?action=view&current=gnarlhornandkaya.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k244/Oniichan1313/gnarlhornandkaya.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />The Stoneward and Woldstalkers are the very latest addition to my army, and painted just a few weeks ago.<br /><br /><a href="http://s90.photobucket.com/albums/k244/Oniichan1313/?action=view&current=stonewardandwoldstalkers.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k244/Oniichan1313/stonewardandwoldstalkers.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>M Althauserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16738624321098122758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8921401.post-32377697466280453922010-11-22T12:27:00.000-08:002010-11-22T12:38:18.619-08:00Felt Pouch Mouse!I've been absent for wayyyy too long. Life does get busy, sometimes. Since my last post, I've graduated with a degree in theatre, and started an Etsy. We've transitioned in Warmachine from the old edition to MkII - a welcome change for everyone involved, I think. Now that the final books for Hordes Mk 2 are finally being released(Forces of Hordes: Minions is due in December), the year is ending on a good note. <br /><br />For the Etsy I've been working on what I call pouch mice - they're little mouse-shaped critters made from felt, with an inner fabric pouch that's closed with snaps. They have button eyes, and little yarn tails. I think they're pretty amazing. I think they'd make pretty awesome Christmas gifts, not that I'm pushing for sales or anything. ;) <br /><br />Check'em out:<br /><br /><a href="http://s90.photobucket.com/albums/k244/Oniichan1313/?action=view&current=mousepouchgrey2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k244/Oniichan1313/mousepouchgrey2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s90.photobucket.com/albums/k244/Oniichan1313/?action=view&current=mousepouchgreen6.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k244/Oniichan1313/mousepouchgreen6.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s90.photobucket.com/albums/k244/Oniichan1313/?action=view&current=mousepouchgrey1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k244/Oniichan1313/mousepouchgrey1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br /><a href="http://s90.photobucket.com/albums/k244/Oniichan1313/?action=view&current=mousepouchgrey3.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i90.photobucket.com/albums/k244/Oniichan1313/mousepouchgrey3.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a><br /><br />And my Etsy can be found at: http://www.etsy.com/shop/greyedoutM Althauserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16738624321098122758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8921401.post-70703750571000991982009-04-05T15:59:00.000-07:002009-04-05T16:05:57.125-07:00Druids in ur woodz...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB0Nk9wa1RIEuraknqLPVh4YEVwb7g_egTkHQqq0D4-ocITVdwbBM8hNIdrcWXjxtOMQXWG00qc6o_775gYGncx6xioUsf59bBGADZ6Rv4n73qygDEB403fd8A25IkGu5dhk3I/s1600-h/swamp+gobbers.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 188px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB0Nk9wa1RIEuraknqLPVh4YEVwb7g_egTkHQqq0D4-ocITVdwbBM8hNIdrcWXjxtOMQXWG00qc6o_775gYGncx6xioUsf59bBGADZ6Rv4n73qygDEB403fd8A25IkGu5dhk3I/s320/swamp+gobbers.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321346547050531682" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRRSdOo_As1HHAcuxP7QNyDYo5P_SrmCJ-fjKnI76AqFisrRvFdiO1IfjLV9W8J9VaAJwEfvZZrcBabYyIwpQFA1RjzewA1JvGDRLkkZI_9j4OB_WnM93kh-0Dxmrx_k9qymCK/s1600-h/druids+WIP.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 236px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRRSdOo_As1HHAcuxP7QNyDYo5P_SrmCJ-fjKnI76AqFisrRvFdiO1IfjLV9W8J9VaAJwEfvZZrcBabYyIwpQFA1RjzewA1JvGDRLkkZI_9j4OB_WnM93kh-0Dxmrx_k9qymCK/s320/druids+WIP.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321346540042810786" /></a><br /><br /><br />A few shots of work in progress. The druids are actually pretty simple to paint, and they're great sculpts, very characterful. I'm nearing completion on the unit, and after that is a unit of Sentry Stone and Mannikins. <br /><br />Kromac is also still being worked on, and he's got enough detail that it may take a bit to get everything covered, but I love the sculpt, and I'm getting a decent hair color on him; Thin coat of Bloodtracker Brown followed by a thin coat of Khador Red Highlight. Good stuff.M Althauserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16738624321098122758noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8921401.post-3443797369843456402009-03-23T19:42:00.000-07:002009-03-23T19:50:13.882-07:00Oh LGS, how we love thee.A few weeks ago(13 days, if you want to get technical) I ordered a unit of Druids and some Sentry Stones from the LGS(local game store). Usually when you order stuff it'll be in within a week, unless of course the owner forgets to place the order. Which happened in this case, and kind of sucks a little bit, since I'd been looking forward to painting the Druids. I can understand forgetting to order a solo or blister of infantry. But $50 worth of stuff that I prepaid for? Kind of a let-down. Don't get me wrong, I usually don't mind the LGS owner, and I've been trying to support the store with my Circle army a wee bit more than with the lots of Khador I already own. After all, we game there at least once a week. But it's incidents like this that make me understand why people would rather order from the internet, where you can usually find stuff at 20% off. Gah! <br /><br />Anyways. The Nyss have been finished and handed off to their owner. Now on my painting desk is Krueger, Human Kromac, and the rest of the stuff I still need to finish. And a Talon. And soon, one should hope, some Druids.<br /><br />I've been on a big Privateer Press kick lately, and spend more time on their forums than on my usual ones, but the past week or so the Circle Orboros community has been full of nothing but whine, and it's a bit disappointing. I understand that MkII will change things, but come on guys... don't be such downers.M Althauserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16738624321098122758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8921401.post-1746616620343972192009-03-13T09:13:00.001-07:002009-03-13T09:25:58.547-07:00Painting Log, Oh Boy.Right now the list stands as follows:<br /><br />Gnarlhorn - last details and loincloth<br /><br />Argus #1 - last bits of armor detail<br /><br />Argus #2 - just basecoated. lots of work<br /><br />Warpwolf - basecoat on the smooth fur done. lots of work left<br /><br />Woldwyrd #2 - about 60% done, need to wash the stone with badad black, paint the ropes<br /><br />Nyss Elves - too many fiddly details. going to be a pain<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Incoming/Unpainted:</span><br /><br />Druids of Orboros<br />Sentry Stone and Mannikins<br />Shifting Stones <br />Krueger<br />Kromac<br /><br /><br />Oy. There goes my plan do stay Fully Painted with my Circle army.... damn internet and all its distractions! What I really need to do is go and finish the models that are 90+ percent done, and then move on to the halfpainted stuff, and then I can focus on the unpainted. It just takes time, and a willingness to switch paint pots every few minutes for fiddly details. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Random Thoughts:</span><br /><br /><br />I just got a chance to read Brun and Lug's entry on Battle College. <span style="font-style:italic;">Holy shit.</span> My Circle army may hire the dwarf beatstick and his pet bear at some point in the future, because it gives me the brute force to handle heavy warjacks with impunity. <br /><br />There's a long thread on the forums about Kromac, and after getting excited about him after every reading, I broke down and ordered Kromac and Evolution from the Warstore. I'm trying to support my LGS on most of my Circle purchases, but I can't justify $30 for a two-model warlock when the Warstore offers him for $22. I don't feel terribly guilty - after all, I'm still going to buy the bulk of my army from the LGS, which so far includes the Warpack and those Druids I just ordered.<br /><br />Wrong-eye and Snapjaw - still "oooh"ing and "ahhh"ing over the models, and they have some nifty sneaky abilities, but so far we don't have a release date, which makes me a sad hippie. Oh well - it'll give me a chance to get some core army painting done, and plan the army a bit more.<br /><br />Wolfriders will probably be picked up at some point, just for the sheer annoyance factor - last game they distracted a Behemoth for a good three turns, which I consider points well spent. Plus, it occurred to me that moving the unit, then casting Cloak of Mists on the single 'rider standing by Kaya would make them just icky, and a very aggravating unit for the opponent to deal with. <br /><br />And that wraps up this edition of Dirty Hippie Druid News(DHDN). Off to work.M Althauserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16738624321098122758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8921401.post-44130343515549078592009-03-11T13:53:00.000-07:002009-03-11T14:22:24.177-07:00Hordes GoodnessPicked up Shifting Stones last night at the LGS, and placed my March order - Druids of Orboros and a Sentry Stone. The LGS gives you 10% off if you pay when you place the order, so it came to just a few cents over $50; perfect, since that's what I'd planned on spending each month. <br /><br />A quick note: a buddy of mine is having me paint some of his minis in exchange for Circle Orboros solos and miniatures, which is how I got the Shifting Stones. It's a system that works for both of us, since it saves me a bit of cash, and gets me utility solos and such. Current work for him is a min unit of Nyss Hunters, and after that a light merc jack - the Talon, I think. <br /><br />I had a game yesterday against a friend who was playing Khador, a bit of a weird list.<br /><br />Vlad<br />Behemoth<br />Doomreavers<br />Kovnik Joe<br />Winterguard (10) and UA<br /><br />vs.<br /><br />Kaya<br />Gnarlhorn<br />Warpwolf<br />Shifting Stones<br />Gatormen (3)<br />Druids and UA<br />Wolfriders (3)<br /><br /><br /><br />I was a bit worried, because I know that so far I've been concerned with how well Circle handles heavy heavy armor, like the Khador jacks usually have. He started the game with the Doomreavers almost in my face, so I countered with the Warpwolf, hoping that enough Doomreavers would fail to hit that the WW could then rip them apart. Alas, they dismembered it pretty quickly... and then got butchered by the Gatormen and the Druids, who charged into hand-to-hand combat. <br /><br />After that, I charged the Goat at the Winterguard, who lost 2, and then pulled him back with Spirit Door. The Druids advanced and cast the Devouring at Vlad; I rolled boxcars for damage, and Vlad promptly took 8 damage! The wolfriders had been doing a good job of distracting the Behemoth, keeping him from firing at my troops. <br /><br />The end of the game came after most of the Winterguard had been wiped out, and I made a crucial mistake. Kaya was in a position to walk up to Vlad and enter melee with him, but she only had 2 Fury on her. I'm still new to the army, and I forgot to cut her for 4 Fury during the Control Phase - my Goat had been taken out by Vlad the previous turn. Opponent was nice enough to let me go back, but I'd already completed a few other moves, and declined. With Blood of Kings up, she needed to boost every attack roll, and with 2 Fury there was no way I could kill Vlad. <br /><br />So far it seems to be a pretty decent army list - I almost hit on the wolfriders by mistake, and including them was a bit of a "let's see how these play!" thought. But they work for distractions, and their mobility is very worth it. I'm not sure I'll be picking them up anytime soon, because they're expensive, but I like the potential they have. The gatormen as well, and three attacks at MAT 6 can be pretty brutal against most infantry. There's a Kromac discussion on the PP forums right now, which makes me want him even more... but $30 for a single warlock is pricey, when it could be better spent on a 3-man Gatorman Posse, or a unit of Bloodtrackers, or any number of actual troops.M Althauserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16738624321098122758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8921401.post-57573663330201771702009-03-09T12:26:00.000-07:002009-03-09T12:47:57.352-07:00Dirty Hippie UpdateIt's been a bit since the last update, and I haven't gotten much painting done - Kathryn was able to visit for her spring break. <br /><br />I've been asked by a buddy to paint his Nyss Hunters, which I'm currently working on. In exchange, I get full use of all his paints and a unit of Shifting Stones. Seems like a decent deal; it's a minimum unit of elves. <br /><br />....soooo much detail! I gave them all a wash of thinned-down black, and I think I'll take the armor from there - maybe do the metal bits and add another wash of Badab Black on top, and call it done. They're to be table-top quality, not display... The bases will get a simple flock-and-snow treatment, appropriate for the climate. So far, the quivers and scabbards are done in Bloodstone, with Coal Black on the ribbons. Looks alright, and it's fairly quick so far.<br /><br />Circle-wise, I've got a bunch of things that are almost-done, but nothing except Kaya that's really finished. Even the Gnarlhorn needs more finishing touches, an armor wash here, some bronze there, etc. But there's slow progress, at least...M Althauserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16738624321098122758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8921401.post-19496064828134316142009-02-26T09:16:00.001-08:002009-02-26T09:36:28.606-08:00Dirty Hippie DruidsSo, a few weeks ago, after seeing the Shadowhorn Satyr and reading a friend's copy of Primal, I finally gave in and started a Circle Orboros army. I'm playing this one by ear, and trying to stick to models that I like, rather than ones that are "must-haves" just because of borken rules. Sorry Gorax, that means you'll stay far away from my army transport. The initial purchases consisted of lots of warbeasts... and two warlocks. <br /><br />Circle Warpack<br />Krueger<br />Gnarlhorn Satyr<br />2x Woldwyrd<br /><br />I'm also going to try my damnedest to keep Fully Painted, which means trying(my damnedest) to space out purchases and limit myself to around $50/month. Yeah, I know I cheated with the first batch, but the warpack was the simplest way to get Kaya and a Warpwolf! Totally justified. <br /><br />I've gotten in two games so far, and lost both. I'm not going to make excuses; I've been playing Khador for years, and I know the game. But I did end up making tactical errors that I'll chalk up to inexperience with Hordes. Either way, I'm looking forward to learning the faction, and being Circle, it'll teach me to be much more aggressive than I usually am. With Khador I can take a beating until I need to give one, but with the dirty hippie druids I need to dictate where and when I fight, and the faster I can do that, the faster I can lock down my opponent and make him react to me instead. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Painting:</span><br /><br />It's Circle. That means lots of browns, greys, neutral colors.<br /><br />Random comment: Kaya's weapon arm is a bitch to fit on there properly, and it needs pinned, which makes it even worse. Kaya's done, and her arm is on there, with a pin... but there's a visible gap at her shoulder that needs greenstuff. Or I could rip the arm off and try again... which frankly, I'm not too excited about. Other than that, she looks great.<br /><br />The Gnarlhorn got painted in Cryx Bane Highlight, thinned with glaze medium. I'm going for a grey goat, and so far I'm happy... I then took Greatcoat Grey and mixed it with the rest of the CBH on my palette with a bit more glaze medium, and covered his mohawk and the fur on the rest of him. And found that it's a wonderful compliment to the CBH, and works incredibly well as a subtle shade. So I went back and painted the valleys in his musculature, and again, I'm very happy with him. Thing is a beast, and probably heavier than some of my 'jacks, so holding him for long periods of time is a trial. <br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Collecting:</span><br /><br />Next up will probably be the Druids and the Overseer, to add some infantry support to the army. I'm proxying right now, and they're probably the most versatile unit I could get - like a Swiss army knife. The Overseer adds way more than 28 points worth of utility, and I'm glad he's so cheap, for all the extra options he gives. <br /><br />Bloodtrackers are another core infantry unit that I'll be picking up at some point, but I'm leaving out the Wolves of Orboros - part of that "collect only models I like" thing. <br /><br />And with Wrong-eye and Snapjaw out soon(my guess is May), I'm very tempted to get a full unit of gatormen as my heavy hitters. Expensive points-wise, but with three attacks each, combined with Krueger, they're melee monsters. <br /><br />And that wraps up this edition of Onii's Circle ramblings. Stay tuned for further updates.M Althauserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16738624321098122758noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8921401.post-56656967745642847392008-08-25T22:23:00.000-07:002008-08-25T22:39:55.791-07:00NewslingSparky and I have decided to amicably end our relationship. We still love each other, and I would still love to get completely smashed with her one day. Not to mention hang out and do fun things like eat poutine and watch Firefly. (I'm still right by the way, haha!) I've been talking a lot with a wonderful girl in Georgia, and somehow ended up falling in love with her. She makes me happy, and I make her happy. So we're now dating, and both Sparky and I are ok with that. =)M Althauserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16738624321098122758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8921401.post-70368870744709587172008-08-14T23:51:00.000-07:002008-08-14T23:56:02.062-07:00Petty ThingsI wonder what her stepmom hates more - that she was dating a 26-year old at 17, or that she's now 19 and married with a baby and no future prospects. Hahhaha. I'm just glad I'm not the man in that situation. Yeah, I'm a petty asshole. But she's right in not talking to me anymore. We had nothing left to say, and those months changed too much. I've moved on, for the most part. Cynicism is still there, though.M Althauserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16738624321098122758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8921401.post-78775890062040405682008-08-01T22:54:00.000-07:002008-08-01T23:04:02.880-07:00DirectionsSo, I won't be attending WTAMU in the fall; instead, I'll be staying here, helping out at the restaurant. Watching over family. I'm pretty sure it's the right decision, and it's better to be close than far away. As I told Orren today, there's no way to get home quickly when you're 600 miles away on campus. Anne was understanding, and will be taking over my Proof design - I was really excited to do it, but with Mom's passing away there's almost no way I could be back in school for fall, and I think I'd be more distracted than anything else anyways. I'm partially still in a "get distracted, think about simple things" mode, I think...<br /><br />I weighed myself earlier, and I'm at 205.5 lbs, some 20 lbs heavier than I used to be, but 5 pounds lighter than at Christmas. I'd like to lose that weight again, it's annoying that my shirts are all tighter and my pants even more so. Now that I have the luxury(ha ha ha) of free time on my days off, I can get some sort of plan in the works to get in shape, and do other stuff. <br /><br />I'd like to start:<br />getting to bed earlier - maybe around 1am each night.<br />wake up earlier - that way I don't lose half the day to sleep<br />exercise in the mornings, even if it's just walking<br />spend afternoons writing and drawing<br />paint more<br />get good at painting/writing/drawing<br />experiment with art supplies<br /><br />Lots and lots to do, and part of it includes procrastinating less and spending far less time on the computer. I honestly don't need to check my email every twenty minutes, and Flickr will certainly still be there seven hours later. All that time could be put to much better use. Yes, I work 11-hour days for part of the week, but I also have days off, and in that time I can be productive and not sit around doing nothing of importance. <br /><br />Lacey moved, and is no longer homeless, which is good. Also, there is new address, and that means more letter-writing! Woot! And I got some new parchment, which will be nice to use, rather than whatever bits of paper I could get my hands on. Now though, it's 1am... and I think I'm off to bed for sleep.M Althauserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16738624321098122758noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8921401.post-86465288079993771722008-07-24T08:14:00.000-07:002008-07-24T08:18:47.322-07:00Out of ItSparky is homeless, according to her facebook update. And I don't know why. I knew she was looking for another apartment, but I've no idea what happened. I hate being so out of touch. Working till 11:30 at night, when she works til 9 and is a time-zone ahead, sucks. We rarely have chances to talk anymore, and I don't like it. Wish there was something I could do, but for now I'm stuck. Can't just not work, Dad kinda needs the help. Leaving voicemails sometimes just isn't enough. When did life become so difficult? Oh yeah, I remember - early June. Fuck.M Althauserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16738624321098122758noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8921401.post-68933095551725452082008-07-18T22:22:00.000-07:002008-07-18T22:35:11.734-07:00Sadness and ContemplationI haven't written in a long time. I'm going to pretend this is my moleskine, in which I haven't written in a long time either.<br />The past couple of days have been busy at work. Each night I find myself drawing into myself at some point, turning inward and outwardly getting upset and bothered. Not necessarily visibly, just in my head. It's not easy, being at the restaurant so much. <br />I'm not sure I'll go back to Canyon. I love theater, but right now all I want to do is spend time on my hobbies. Talk with friends and loved ones. Listen to music. Each semester is a grind that has to be gone through. Its good points and bad. I don't know if I'm ready for that yet. Dad can't work alone, and we're helping as much as we can. Leaving for school, 600 miles away, wouldn't be fair to any of us. Staying here would be just as unfair, to me. <br />Life's changed a lot since Mom passed away. The kitchen is messier, the counters not wiped down as often. We go grocery shopping once a week, purchasing necessities. We buy far less than Mom used to. Three men handle laundry, and cooking, and make due as best they can. <br />I've felt it rising up the past week or so, a feeling of.. loss? Dissatisfaction? Mom passed away, and left all of us scrambling to collect the pieces, to put ourselves back together again. To try and find some path to walk, taking care of one another. Too many questions left, and I don't want to deal with any of it. I've wondered in the past if I inherited any of her psychological fears, disorders. I just don't know. And right now I don't want to. Let me be in my bubble world a little longer, taking in the peace and quiet.M Althauserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16738624321098122758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8921401.post-77115819562313568422008-05-30T11:16:00.000-07:002008-05-30T11:27:44.356-07:00South Texas RamblingsSo on Tuesday was game night... or wasn't, more properly said. We haven't gamed since I've gotten back, but at least we started making RIFTS characters for Orren's campaign. Knowing him, he'll get bored of it in a few weeks. But that's alright. I'm going to be playing an Operator, which is pretty much that game's equivalent of a mechanic. ...I like playing mechanics in RIFTS, they're easy. Plus, it's fun to play someone relatively "normal" in a world like that. <br /><br />Tuesday afternoon was spent in Half-price. I found a perfect copy of The Hobbit in the clearance section for $1, so I had to pick it up. You can't go wrong with the classics, especially not one of my favorite books of all time. Lord of the Rings is a good series, but The Hobbit, for me, is where the magic is at. I must have read that book at least seven times while I was still in high school... Attached to Half-price is Cafe Calypso, and that's my usual coffee haunt. Everyone is very friendly, they have great coffee, and your first refill on the coffee of the day is half-price. After I browsed, I sat and wrote a paper journal entry, in my Moleskine, a full three pages. Which surprised me, since it's usually 1-page entries. <br /><br />Since then it's been the same old, with lots of miniature painting thrown in. I've got two Kossite Woodsmen mostly done, and the Kodiak is about 90& done - just need to base him and do some of the metals. I'd love to get some more games of Warmachine in with the guys, but it's hard to schedule something like that, and I've no idea where we'd play. I've considered asking for donations so I could get some materials together and make a decent gaming table/surface. It's something that would great to have, almost necessary even, but I know that I'm going to be stuck with the bulk of the work if I volunteer. Which theoretically isn't that bad... except that I'm not going to shell out $50 by myself for materials, when I can ask the guys to throw in $10 or $15 each to cover it.M Althauserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16738624321098122758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8921401.post-74738334718531383442008-05-25T10:54:00.000-07:002008-05-25T11:11:08.157-07:00Life, the Universe, and ShitLife is fun, especially when you're stuck in limbo. I have one and a half years - three semesters - to go before I graduate. I'll have a theatre degree, which means that I'll probably end up working some low-end retail jobs, selling cappuccinos to unhappy office workers. My family is a mess, everybody for themselves and nobody together. Dad works, and leaves early just, I think, to get away and have his peace. Mom hates working in the restaurant, but can't get away because it's impossible to find anyone who will stand all the training you need to work in a kitchen. Plus, bad hours and only decent pay to work in a hectic, non-air conditioned environment on nights and weekends and all holidays. Brother sticks to himself and immerses himself in computer games. Sister is a bitch, who riles everyone up just by being home. Screaming matches with mom, and everyone else gets upset because of the pervasive ugly mood. <br /><br />I don't know what I'll do. Right now I just want to finish school and be done with it, and then find my own life. I want to help Sparky, which is difficult when I'm so far away. I've looked up various immigration requirements to Canada(and why not? It seems a nice place to live.) Unfortunately, it looks like I wouldn't make the "skilled workers" requirements unless I work for several years after graduation. Family immigration laws are just as odd; it also covers spousal and other relationship requirements. Sparky, please don't freak out that I've looked over those. *slight smile* I've even considered possibly going back to Germany for a bit, to visit family and maybe see what the theater environment is like over there. Basically, what it amounts to is that I have no idea what will happen after I graduate. All I know is that I pretty much need a huge cushion of savings if I want to do anything at all. Money makes the world go 'round. Who'd have thought? Hahahahaha. Too bad I have pretty much none, and no decent prospects either. But it helps to keep my mind off the fact that I'm basically fucked. If I don't think about it, it will all go away and fix itself, right? Right.M Althauserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16738624321098122758noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8921401.post-39747115809760930882008-05-18T01:52:00.000-07:002008-05-18T02:01:09.642-07:00Free skies...She was right, I did love that damned umbrella. At least, the way she twirled and spun it in her hands as she idly watched the passing clouds. There were days when it was a good indicator of her mood, seeing that umbrella in her hands. She was full of fiery passion, and used the umbrella to emphasize all her points. The captain got a good poke in the chest, upon trying to tell her that the voyage would take longer than expected due to crosswinds. When my dearest love had an appointment, even Heaven and Hell couldn't keep her from making it on time. The captain, ever apologetic, pushed his crew to the limits, stoked the engines, and made for Frankfurt at all haste. Somehow, we managed to keep on schedule, crosswinds be damned. And she just stood at the rail, umbrella draped on her shoulder, smiling that wicked smile of hers.M Althauserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16738624321098122758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8921401.post-21274869578116898602008-05-15T22:09:00.000-07:002008-05-15T22:25:52.004-07:00RamblingSometimes we're all fools. Spent ages today cleaning old junk out of the garage - consolidating items into fewer boxes, general clean-up. Found a high school yearbook, tons of old miniatures, my roleplaying books. A few hardcovers that I'd been seeking for years. (Thanks Mom, for taking the initiative and putting them in a place I'd never think to look for them.) Old letters, as well, from Breyanna and Karye. I used to have a huge crush on Karye, and didn't realize it until after she moved to Nebraska to live with her grandparents, halfway through senior year. She joined the National Guard, and we kept in touch via letter for a year or two. Last I heard, she was working in Port A, in a restaurant about 5 minute's walk from the one I work at. Never did figure out if she liked me as I liked her. <br /><br />Breyanna I was with in a long-distance relationship for almost two years. Then she broke up with me in an email. That's the day I learned that it is possible to cry yourself to sleep at night. <br /><br />Just occurred to me, both my relationship with Breyanna and that with Zeraphyna lasted less than two years. I met Zeraphyna in June of '06, and in December '07 I decided that not having heard from her in three months was cause enough to consider myself single again. Maybe I'm doomed to continue on a trend of less-than-two-year relationships forever. Although granted, basing that on two relationships is a bit ridiculous. So here's hoping that Sparky and I last for a much longer time. =) <br /><br />Reading old letters always brings back memories, and not always good ones. Not necessarily bad either, just reminiscences that hark back to days long gone. I get the same feeling when I look through my old yearbooks. They're anchors to memories that are buried somewhere in my head, and come out when the right chain is pulled. It's good to have them, I think. There are things that shouldn't be forgotten, and little reminders can help with that.<br /><br />I read in one of Brey's letters about a project she was working on - a little jewelry thing. She sent it to me, and it was an open book, done in brass. A small little thing, but I carried it around for ages, and now I wonder what ever happened to it. Maybe I'll come across it again one day.M Althauserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16738624321098122758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8921401.post-76523560804667598992008-05-10T21:24:00.000-07:002008-05-10T23:01:12.867-07:00Well now...Not much of an update perhaps... in the time between planning to start a blog post for today, and actually getting around to it, I managed to lose about an hour to various random distractions. Curse you, internet! <br /><br />I worked today, in the kitchen for the first time in ages. Dishwashing isn't so bad, except it's not just washing dishes, it's also making desserts and salads. Eh. No big deal. I just hate the stress that comes with it. Things will get hectic, Dad will curse at something, Mom will take it personally, she'll get upset, and so on. Mom takes lots and lots of things personally, and you never know when you can joke around with her and when she'll flip. This is part of why I wonder if I'm broken in the same way or not. I still have moments where little things will set me off, but I like to think that for the most part I'm pretty easy-going. <br /><br />Also got to experience the wonders of sisters today. Something I didn't miss at all, honestly. My sister is a bitch, and I'm being plainspoken here. Not bending the facts, just telling it like it is. She got up this morning, and I had my phone on the table, charging. She asks whose phone it is. Well, it's mine... since I washed mine last summer, and got Mum's to use. So, I say that it's mine. She asks when I got a new phone, did the old one get stolen, why do I have that phone. Not in a nice manner. In a "I'm interrogating you and you're going to answer me" manner. Keep in mind this was literally minutes after she got up. ...part of me likes Canyon, because it's far away from her and the stress she causes the entire family. <br /><br />Talked to Lacey the night before last, which was nice. ^.^ It's always good to be able to hear your significant other's voice. Now I just need to pick up a webcam, so she can see me as well. Go Skype! It makes the distance much easier to bear, when you can save on long distance and still talk to a pretty Canadian gal. ;-) <br /><br />Still trying to arrange some sort of coffee thing with Zeraphyna. She's somewhat... flighty? It took me ages to figure that out, and now I just go along with it, even if it does annoy me a tad now and then. She said she still had things to tell me, before she said yes or no to coffee with me. So, whatever happens, happens, I guess. For now though, I'm going to bed and thinking wicked Sparky thoughts.M Althauserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16738624321098122758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8921401.post-8497259746952123652008-04-26T21:58:00.000-07:002008-04-26T22:47:48.077-07:00She, too...She watched over me... we've traveled this world for years. I still remember, that day in November, when we boarded the ship. Full of passion, luggage carted on, our honeymoon before us. She was brilliant in her dress, creamy white, lace, pleated skirts ragged at the hems. The flight cap she'd bought earlier sat loose on her head, her brilliant curls peeking out from beneath. The goggles glinted brass in the sun, and she grinned at me as she walked up the gangplank, spinning that damned umbrella over her shoulder as she threw me a wink. I was young and eager, new to the world. Naive. I loved her and she loved me, and that was the beginning and the end of my thoughts on the matter. <br />We'd never traveled via airship before, and it was an experience for both of us. The nights were filled with passion, and I remember at least one night of lovemaking during a raging thunderstorm. The lightning and booming thunder heightened our frenzy and drove us closer together, and later, exhausted, we slept in each other's arms. <br /><br /><span style="font-style:italic;">to be cont'd...</span>M Althauserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16738624321098122758noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8921401.post-69739767018010256882008-04-25T23:35:00.000-07:002008-04-25T23:45:22.447-07:00SheWe have traveled this world for years<br />We have consoled each other's fears<br />We have dried each other's tears<br />With a fever, with a passion...<br /><br />I wish I knew the rest of the lyrics. Such a small sample of such a great song. It's Abney Park's "She", if anyone is wondering. I need that passion from whomever I'm with. I need attention, and love, and intimacy... Zeraphyna gave me all, until she moved. It got harder after that, unfortunately, until she disappeared altogether. I'm hopefully optimistic at most times. I feel that way about Sparky; there's passion there, yeah. But also understanding, I should hope. I think there is. I get very involved in my relationships. My "what animal are you?" quiz showed me to be the wolf, which fits I think - I'm very protective of my pack. Enough rambling, though. It's late, and my bed is calling.M Althauserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16738624321098122758noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8921401.post-38322054511237405202008-04-23T21:36:00.000-07:002008-04-23T21:51:32.901-07:00Feathers and knives, oh my....Nice thoughts swirl through my mind. I'm getting a headache, have a headache. Slight enough, right now. But a good sign that I need to get myself into bed. So I'll do that shortly after writing this out.<br /><br />Had a great conversation tonight with someone quite dear to me. :-) And previous to that I saw Unexpected Tenderness, which was brilliantly put on and very emotionally moving. <br /><br />Also, something else I've wanted to write for a few nights now: Sometimes they ran for the sheer joy of it. <br /><br />Abney Park still has my soul. When I get back home, I'm ordering their cds as soon as I can. Steampunk earworms, who'd have thought?M Althauserhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16738624321098122758noreply@blogger.com0