Welcome to Thallos
brought to you by Laurie Ellis
My art, my rants, my thoughts, and my dreams...
By Laurie on Monday, October 6th, 2008
I’m not sure what’s going on with me lately. I really cannot put my finger on the why. Like a switch, something has flickered on inside. I’m actually doing more art… and it’s baffling me! I’ve been doing something semi-artistic for the last 4 years, just no actual painting/pieces. Just texture work for Second Life, which, admittedly, is a rather sterile experience.
Maybe, it’s the lack of distracting myself with MMORPGs. I haven’t played many such games, lately. I can only guess that their thrall over me is officially gone and I’m rediscovering my love of creating imagery.
So, again, today I’m working on another piece that was inspired by a wonderful friend of mine. It’s kinda late in the day, but I spent most of the morning falling asleep to SWANS in my ears. So harumph to you!
Amnesia is an awesome song, btw.
By Laurie on Thursday, October 2nd, 2008
I’m such a freakin’ whiner. Really. I didn’t used to think so. Perhaps it’s old age(yeah). I’m not quite sure what I can get out of whining about this now. I rarely go on about negative crap like this, so I have to get in my quota for the year.
It comes down to decisions. Ultimately, they define who we are as people. Sometimes, we won’t see the effects of some of those decisions right away. It’s those particular ones which I’m whining about here now.
I made a decision some time ago. When all is/was said and done, it was the right decision to make. The only problem is that that ordeal has left some side effects behind that I was not expecting. Maybe my brain is slowly breaking itself further and I need therapy - I’m not sure, but I’m having a slightly difficult time dealing with these side effects. Perhaps change is becoming harder to bounce back from at my age. I’m a Gemini though, shaking things up is supposed to be part of my “thing”. We all defy our own norms on occasion, though, it’s true.
I just feel like a bad person - no one wants to feel that way, ever. Not even the bad guys. I always thought I was a good person with the rare “idiot moment”. Lately, though, I feel so different than I used to. Less confident in my intentions. Making decisions and not realizing the consequences.
I mentioned ‘feeling alone’ recently. Technically, no I’m not alone. Anyone who has someone they know who they can call “friend” is not really alone. I guess maybe I meant it in a different way than is usually understood. Maybe, really, we’re all alone together in this world. Maybe there is no alternative and that that decision I made didn’t make me more “alone”, it just made me realize I *was*.
I call many people “friend”. I’m a friendly person. I may not be outgoing, but I’m friendly. I smile and help people I don’t know. I try to be as patient as possible with everyone. I give people the benefit of the doubt on many occasion. Is it Karma? Is it wanting people to like me? Both? I’m not sure. I’ve always tried to be something to those I call “Friend”. Consistently, I’ve opened up myself to them, in the past.
However, these days I’ve not been able to really do that. I’m guarding myself more closely than I used to. THIS is the side effect from a decision I made over a year ago. If anything, it’s gotten much worse as time goes on. Instead of feeling comfortable, I just babble on in amusement hoping to eventually drown out this feeling. Convince myself that it’s normal and I should just get used to it. Perhaps getting used to it would be the best course of action anyway. I just wonder if I’ll ever be back there again - unguarded, open, trusting, and sure.
See, toldya I was a whiner.
By Laurie on Wednesday, October 1st, 2008
Just a small update!
I’ve been hard at work lately with an art project I started in July. It’s a comic-book inspired image that will be printed and hung on my wall. Squee! Still in progress, but you can find the progression here in Projects. Keep an eye out!
By Laurie on Monday, September 22nd, 2008
“That was a WEIRD ONE!”
So, for whatever reason(okay, I know why - but you don’t want to know why, trust me), my dream immediately started off in a strange moment regarding my “daughter”. I am rarely me in my dreams; I’m usually some other person/character/whatever. There’s always a piece of me in their persona, but generally I’m just helping act out what’s going on. We’re aboard this really kickass train-plane. By that, I mean that it has compartment like rooms for passengers, but is still cramped like a plane. It’s also, well, flying high up in the sky like a plane. I never actually remember seeing the exterior.
Warning: it gets weird from here on out…
Read more »
By Laurie on Tuesday, August 26th, 2008
Whoa, where have I been!Busy in all sorts of fields of interest. Most of it all good! I mean, my mom made it through surgery and is currently cancer free. Huge load off my mind, of course I can only wish her the best in recovery.
My tattoo healed okay! I need to get the pink touched up - something was amiss and it’s slightly blotchy. No biggy, it still looks awesome and I love reaching down to admire it once in a while. I should definitely get it finished, oy, not enough time in the world sometimes.
Second Life interests have shifted and I’ll be ending a 4 year virtual business this week - and releasing content for free use from here on out. I’m sure some will enjoy it. As far as gaming goes, we’re still doing the WOW thing. We’ll be going to Blizzcon in October. I’m looking forward to it. We’re taking Kris and it’ll be like a little geek vacation. I am really hoping to get an autograph from Samwise while I’m there. Oooh or a picture! That’d be swell. We’re hoping to go in some simple costumes to add to the fun. Mmmmmmm…. shiny.
My mom called me the other day… we ended up talking about DOING something with my life. I always thought that I’d do something artistic if I ever DID something besides be a housewife. I’ve gotten back into art more than I had been in the last 5 years. I have an art piece to post in Projects too! It’s a comic book style piece. I like it, but I’m hung on details and need to finish them. Anyway..
She suggested this or that… it just got me thinking. I don’t want to sit around the house forever. I’m REALLY good at it, but I would like to DO something. So, in a strange twinkle of a moment I decided what I want to do. I’ve bought some books to prepare myself for it. I’m going to do some research. I’m going to speak to others in the same field. The amusing thing about it, is it isn’t a graphic-arts field. It’s something I’ve wanted to do since I was a little kid. In fact, I’d practice at it throughout my life. Hell, I still do.
Get ready to laugh…
Voice acting.
Yeah, I know, it’s not nearly as cool as you thought, right? It’s not going to be easy by any means. I don’t know what to expect. It may take a while to ever GET there. But I have a goal now, and that’s a comfort to me. Part of me is annoyed that it isn’t based on my (pitiful)artistic ability, but that’s okay. I really really do enjoy using my voice. Whether it’s the radio spots I did for GridStream, DJing I’ve done, playing around with my daughter, doing impressions of cartoon characters to amuse myself… I love it. I have to try, at the very least. If it doesn’t work out - great - I still tried.
Wooo!
I’m so lame.
By Laurie on Thursday, June 19th, 2008
Wednesday evening, sometime around 6pm, I showed up at Tattoo Technique for a consultation appointment with Andy Casali regarding a tattoo design I’d created. This design was to be an anklet tattoo with a mermaid focal point. It was inspired by the Dethklok song, Murmaider. I showed him the new design and he asked me when, then asked me if now would work. Well! Okay then! A sucker for the unexpected, I said “Sure!”, signed my form, paid my monies, and let him rub my leg down.
Haha, we decided to wait on the anklet part and he began preparing me for the mermaid focal. This being my first tattoo, I was unprepared really, for how it would feel. Sure enough, it does hurt like a bitch. S’cuse the French. I didn’t tear up or cry or wince, I just swore a lot. A lot. We took a couple of breaks - me stretching and he smoking. During the first break, a couple was walking by the shop and I came up in conversation, as getting my first tattoo, and she took a look at it and asked me what the mermaid’s name was. I was astounded! I had not even thought about it! I told her that I would have to think about it and that it was nice to have met her! What a chance encounter! Some time last night, between aftercare cleanings, I chose the name “Aleena”.
Anyway, back to the story. He finished up around 10pm and I took off after an appreciative handshake. I knew I was coming back. Not just to finish this tattoo, but to get at least one or two more. I chose Andy and Tattoo Technique because the owner had wonderful things to say about Andy, and I’ve seen his previous tattoo work, as well as the awesome art hanging inside the studio. I think he did a totally kickass job of taking my art and making it his tattoo. It almost feels like an unintentional collaboration between two artists. I’m going to bug him when I’m all healed up to see if he can help me figure out the anklet part(ocean waves of some sort!), and to thank him again! So far, I have to say that the pain of aftercare and general soreness when a tattoo is completed is worse than the actual tattoo procedure. Guh!
By Laurie on Saturday, June 14th, 2008
Last week was pretty damn busy. We went to Exit/In for my birthday and saw mc chris. Yes! Finally! I had a freakin’ great time, even though the dive booked 2 openers in addition to chris’ opener. He was not pleased, omg, I think he fired his promoter too on stage. Poor guy. It was tough waiting 3 hours to see him. It was well worth it though, he rocked us out. Everyone seemed to have fun as well. I narrowly escaped the mosh pit, once again. God I love being up front at a show! It was a great birthday pressie!
That Saturday we went to my niece’s softball team’s fundraiser dinner and got smashed. Yay open bars. It was pretty fun too, and the food was damn good. On top of that I got some gamer/adult swim swag. Rawr, I’m almost done with Mass Effect though, already. :( Boohoo. SO yeah, been busy! I spent this week putting together a tattoo design for myself, and now I’m going to spend the weekend unwinding, grilling some burgers, and maybe go see a movie. Next week I have a ton of shit to do. Paintings, skins to finish, and an artist to bug.
*Pics added!
By Laurie on Friday, June 6th, 2008
Dante has been with us a week now. We picked him up at the airport last Thursday and he has been quite the addition! He was rather stressed the first few days, not eating much and being defensive. Since then, he has eaten much more, allowed us to pet his back and sometimes his head. He’s currently in a regression stage, probably for reassurance purposes. He only exhibits these behaviors when he’s hungry and I pick him up. Then, the squawk begins! I feed him a warm birdie cereal at least once a day so he can be reassured that he’s babied and loved. He gobbles it up and bobs his head like a baby bird, then wipes his beak all over me before climbing up to my shoulder to squawk himself sleepy. It’s kind of cute, if a bit loud. Should be temporary. God he’s messy. I go through 2 shirts a day. It’ll be more manageable once he’s decided to give up the oatmeal.
At first he liked watching Bruce while sitting on top of Bruce’s cage, but now he gets a bit aggravated when Bruce gets attention - see, baby! He is a very sensitive guy, either way, and watching his personality grow is going to be very interesting. He does not like Moya at all, so far. Elsy doesn’t phase him too much, but he gets all ruffled and annoyed when Moya is near. She’s kinda big though, so it makes sense!
In any case, he is the most beautiful bird I have ever seen. Pictures do him no justice. His feathers are colored in such a magical way… he really is an amazing sight. He’ll be even more stunning when his upper beak is matured and the black is gone. Wow! I wonder what the girls look like in person!
By Laurie on Wednesday, May 28th, 2008
I’m so goofy.
Dante comes home tomorrow! I’m so excited, and have so much to do! I’ll be putting together some birdie food today for the next week or so and hope we have a fine time adjusting overall. Susie Christian and Lisa have been just so nice and helpful about all of this - I’m happy to be getting one of her flock. I’m rambling! Must be allergies.
By Laurie on Friday, April 11th, 2008
I couldn’t think of a witty post name for this.
Dante is currently residing in California with Miss Susie Christian. He’s a cute lad with pretty green feathers coming in! I think his tail is just adorable.
Dante is an eclectus parrot, specifically an Aruensis Red-Sided Eclectus parrot. Eclectus parrots intrigued me several years ago when I was studying companion parrots for a future friend. I was initially interested in African Grey parrots, but when I saw an entry in the book I was reading about Eclectus parrots, I was immediately drawn to them. They just seem so calm yet personable. They also have a good range of speaking ability, and while that’s not very important, it’s good to know.
So here I am, waiting for Dante to grow up and come home to his new playground. I’m hard at work making him a play-gym and buying him toys, and in general, getting ready for his arrival. I think Bruce is going to be VERY jealous. Heh!
By Laurie on Thursday, March 27th, 2008
The past few months have been calm and collect. Spring is here and that makes me a happier person. Tons to do around the house, because of this. I have to figure out how to plant things. CRAZY. Nothing terribly new is going on, really. Today is “birthday week” and we’ll be celebrating Kris’ birthday this weekend ala pizza and cake with some presents on the side. She’s spending today(her birthday) with her cousins, doing who knows what.
There’s a new man in my life! I met him in January and he’s very charming. He can be a bit opinionated, but he’s also sweet and somewhat cuddly. We talk a lot and he seems to really like me! I think he misses me when I’m not around and often calls me. Sometimes we have breakfast together, too!
Hee! Bruce is a trip, he’s going to be a pain when he hits puberty, I just know it. :P I didn’t plan to get a cockatiel at all - we had one when I was a kid, so I’m familiar with them. I was browsing our pet store back in January and was saying hello to the ‘tiels and this one boy was just totally adamant that he was going to fly out of the aquarium(they keep the almost weaned babies in one for display) and go home with me. I later picked him up when he was weaned and he’s my new buddy. He can get pretty loud sometimes when he wants me to be around and I’m not. He’s kind of an “air-raid siren”, heh, heh.
Bruce will hopefully be joined by another baby boy in the next few months. A baby boy I’ve been looking for for a few years now. I started studying them some time ago in hopes to learn more about them, and I think he’ll be a good fit. I found an amazing breeder in California and her assistant has been a huge help! I’ll post more later when I can!
By Laurie on Wednesday, December 26th, 2007
Just a gallery update; two wallpapers were added to Digital Artistry. They’re WOW based.
By Laurie on Monday, December 24th, 2007
I gotta say, the last four months have been interesting. I’m not sure what’s going on with “Laurie”, so much as I know what’s going on around me. Dragon*Con was great and I still have to get the pictures off my camera… I lost the cable in the move somewhere. Grargh.
Unfortunately, I went through a small depression afterwards. I don’t think it was “post-con blues”, just bad timing, especially since we moved into our new house.
“Hey, you’ve got a great new house! Be depressed!”
Haha. I’ve recovered mostly from that and am trying to buck up, so to speak, completely. On top of that, I’ve learned that my mother may be fatally ill. Well, I know she’s fatally ill; we just don’t know how immediate it is. That situation has come with a bucket of sadness, anger, bitterness, confusion, and turmoil. She’s putting her estate “in order” and that has caused some strife.
Underneath my goofy exterior, right now, I’m dealing with personal darkness. So, excuse me if I seem distant.
On a happy note, I fixed Thallos, finally… I had forgotten I left it in disrepair some months back. Yes, I’ve also switched to Wordpress… I’m so flighty, huh? I like it, though.
*waves*
Happy Yule
By Laurie on Sunday, December 23rd, 2007
I’d been working on that WOW related artwork recently - and this is just an update on it. I’ve moved it to its own progression page here.
I’m sidetracked by some other projects and will get back to it soon!
