Humps

The past few days I've spent attending classes at UCLA's Animation Workshop have brought much sunshine into my life. But this morning, an unmentionable individual within UCLA Anderson ripped into my state of happiness with his refusal to help me preserve my graduate student status at UCLA. With the help of another unmentionable and unforgiveable colleague of his, a HOLD has been placed on my student records. WTF. The not-to-be-mentioned individual emphasized that while he could help me out, he has chosen not to due to an issue of "equity." What the *bleeping bleep*. As you can imagine, I am extremely frustrated with UCLA administration, but even more so, disappointed.

Just when I thought I was on the path towards sunny skies again, "Voldemort" (shorter than "he-who-cannot-be-mentioned") decides to piss all over me again--AFTER I practically bowed down at his fucking feet and kissed them out of gratitude thinking he could help me. *Bleep*.

I have one last shot to preserve my spot at UCLA. Am meeting with one of two program heads of the Animation Workshop, this Thursday. I hope things work out.

I Joined a Posse

Dear Mr. Snail.

I’m sorry. I did not know you were there until I heard the crunch. You shouldn’t have snuck up on me like that. Rest in peace.

Love,

Larry

--

Earlier today, I received a text message from my friend, Larry (the scribe behind the above-posted letter), inviting me and the cougar cub to join his posse. We joined. He lured Josh in with the mere mention of Rock Band and me with the mention of possible trips to Disneyland.

Check out Larry's blog to read about his looney self-issued challenges (Six-Pack Challenge, Spartan 300 Challenge, No Smoking Challenge, etc.), web discoveries (this one is my favorite), and finally, heart-felt letters to animal friends.


P.S. The posted doodle is a sneak peek of one of the many birthday cards I will soon be issuing via Flaring Nostrils. Enjoy!

Wide-Eyed

I sat through my first day of class at UCLA's Animation Workshop this past Friday, and boy, was it fun. The renowned Glenn Vilppu is my drawing instructor. How cool is that?!

I was incredibly nervous going in--so nervous that I arrived to the workshop an hour early. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to find my classroom, that I'd be a sub-par student(try bullshitting yourself out of a human anatomy-focused life-drawing session), worried that I wouldn't have anyone to eat lunch with on my first day (packed a few Charms blow pops in my bag thinking I could possibly bribe some peeps to be friends with me), and finally, worried that program heads Celia and Dug would retract their offer to allow me to take classes alongside their offically-enrolled first-years.

But all worries were out the window (well, temporarily) during the hours I spent sketching nude dude "Mike" (from 10:30am - 3:00pm). I felt relaxed and at ease with pencil in hand. There's no doubt that I'm in dire need of further practice (I signed up for additional life-drawing sessions outside of UCLA post-class), but also no doubt that I made the right decision switching programs.

I am very happy.

Sampling

There's no commitment involved in samples. That's probably why I love Costco and Trader Joe's so much.

Anyhow, getting to the point, I received a sample set of prints from my printer in Taiwan earlier today. Thoughts? This well-armed fella' is currently hanging in my bathroom.

Liar, Liar, Pants on Fire.

Don't fuck with Letterman. Check this out.

There's No Place Like Home

Back in LA and am happy to be living in my own space again—reunited with the cougar cub and Beans. Yet I’m also feeling kind of sad. I miss my family. The ten days spent back in Taipei with my family were nothing short of fantastic. I was able to catch up with my parents, play RockBand with my younger brother, meet up with my still-in-great-shape grandparents, and pick up knick-knacks (like a bike bell and cheap leggings) from Taiwanese street vendors. Good times.

But my trip back to Taipei was not all play. Part of my time back was spent sourcing a printer and manufacturer for the greetings cards, lithographs, and miscellaneous pouches and totes I plan to sell under my Flaring Nostrils brand. I've submitted most of the necessary images and am now eagerly awaiting my samples. If all goes as planned, come Christmas, I will be distributing tangible products. I never properly gauged the demand for my products targeting the niche market of demented individuals with an appreciation for the “disturbingly cute,” but I’ll find out soon enough. Fingers crossed!

Looking forward to my last week of freedom before I start my classes in my new program. Am scared that my performance will not be up to par...

New drawings to come.

Hair You Go

Have been researching bangs because I want 'em. I'm sick of my ponytail and firmly believe that bangs would bring me out of my hair rut.

Rather than flipping through hair magazines, I surfed The Sartorialist's blog for inspiration from stylish folks off the street.

These two photos were plucked straight off of Scott's site. How adorable is this afro-sporting young woman's look? So-so sweet. Don't think I could rock an afro, but the bob with bangs? Maybe! Next time...

Pimp My Ride

Ooh, I am really looking forward to posting photos of my new bicycle with y'all. But until I figure out the wireless internet code at my new home (my parents don't know their own code), check it out here. (I bought mine for nearly half the listed price on this site!)

As expected, the bike I ended up with is not what I'd initially intended to buy. I had envisioined an old-school, wirey bicycle resembling those I'd seen folks riding about so effortlessly during my trips to Europe--basket and all--but it turns out riding up and down inclines 4.4 miles per day with a single speed bicycle would prove effort-FULL. This pointed out to me, I was quick to concede to other options.

What really killed the bike purchasing experience for me was the realization that I would need to wear a helmet during my daily commutes (as the image of my cracked skull on Wilshire Boulevard pavement would not be a pretty site). Folks in Europe look so lovely riding about with their hair flowing. Easy-breezy! And me? I look like Toad from Super Mario Brothers. (My helmet is cherry red. See here.) And when I remove the helmet, I swear my head smells of "scalp." Oh dear.

Housewarming

It's my second night living in my parent's new home in Taipei, and I'm still trying to get used to living here. The place is pretty large for Taiwan standards and is impeccably decorated under my Ma's supervision. It's a sea of beautiful beige and coffee texture. Will definitely post photos to share upon my return the States.

Apartment highlights:

1. Motion-sensor toilets. When you stand in front of the toilet, the seat cover lifts itself up. And when you're done doing your business, it automatically flushes and the seat cover moves down again. Goofy.

2. Surround-sound. This is the first place my parents have ever lived in in which they installed surround-sound. To demo their new sound system to me, my mom popped in an "Il Divo" DVD which cracked me up instantaneously. Her bestfriend finds the operatic boyband members handsome and insisted that my mom join in on the fun. My brother and father like Sebastien from Spain as he is ceases to control his ever raising right-brow and is laughably greasy.

3. Eye-candy. These past few years, by parents have been collecting artwork and the new home provides plenty of wallspace for their beloved Asian contemporary art. Jonathan (my brother) and I have renamed each piece accordingly. More on each piece when I'm finally able to upload photos. Seriously, this place is like a museum!

4. Sub-Zero fridge. Every home featured on MTV's Cribs has one, and now MY crib, er, my parents' crib, has one too! Do I notice the difference between a Sub-Zero and a normal fridge? No, not really. I do, however, appreciate the yummy tropical island fruit that it harbors. Mmm...

5. Hidden compartments. There are hidden doors and storage units EVERYWHERE. No wall is ever just a wall in this place. I feel like a superhero!

Glad to be back, but missing the cougar cub and my floppy-eared friend (that's you, Beans), lots.

Summer's End

Disappearing for the next few days to work on the website and to finish up paintings due. In the meantime, I leave y'all with the following thoughts:

1. Nobody goes full retard. Watched "Tropic Thunder" a couple days ago and was thoroughly amused, though I admittingly fell asleep for fifteen minutes during the beginning of the movie. I was suffering from heat-stroke, dammit! Laughed through out the film without knowing why I was doing so.

2. So LA. The cougar cub and I dropped by The Grove last night (we spotted the Windex-loving papa from "My Big Fat Greek Wedding"!!!) following a meal at the underwhelming restaurant Hirozen. I'd been wanting to eat at this sushi joint for months, but when I finally went, I was terribly disappointed. Check out MyTummySmiled for a full review.

3. Banana fiasco. Irked by the fact that I've been spending more time with le cougar cub aka "the white dog", Beans decided to help himself to SEVEN bananas(peels and Chiquita stickers included)while we were away on our date last night. Naughty, naughty puppy.

4. No training wheels. Bought a bike (for my commute to campus), and get this, it came with a cup holder! Will post photos of my new ride soon.

5. I want you in my belly. Cougar cub and I recenly watched a July 4th episode of "John and Kate Plus 8" in which the family get away for the holiday weekend and enjoy loads of steamed crab. Inspired, we hit up Redondo Beach earlier today and indulged in his-and-her dungeness crabs. Yum.

Terrible Tobacco Beast

Last week I was asked to draw a "Terrible Tobacco Beast" for a friend trying to quit smoking. This terrible tobacco beast would be an imaginary beast that my friend Larry would try to slay. Larry envisioned "his head is a cigarette box, his arms and legs cigarettes, and his cock a cigarette butt" and mentioned that a picture would help him visualize the demon that he's trying to slay as he's quitting smoking. Each limb would symbolize a different cigarette that he needs to have during the day, and every 2 weeks, Larry would off one of the limbs, with the grand finale being him chopping the beast's "ju" (family jewels) off.

I'm uncapable of drawing ugly things though. I can do "disturbing"... but ugly, no-can-do. As a result, I delivered the above uninspired piece. I owe Larry something better. His mission to quit smoking cancer sticks is a great one.

Larry, let me sleep on this one.

IF: Memories

Illustration Friday topic: Memories.

“Our dreams must be stronger than our memories. We must be pulled by our dreams, rather than be pushed by our memories.” - Jesse Jackson

Le Cub is Back

And he brought me flowers!!! (Yes, that is Beans to the right. He stopped to smell the roses.)

In return, I whipped up a home-cooked meal. Menu of the day: Japanese coleslaw, Succulent French Chicken in a Pot, sauteed baby bok-choy and mushrooms, and to top it all off, Magnolia's Banana Cream Pudding. Possibly the best (not to mention, easiest) dessert I've ever made.

Our tummies smiled...