Look, Art!

So, woke up this morning feeling pretty good.  I would have fallen back to sleep but my bladder decided to try an pop.  Which really isn't cool, especially when I was quite content to lay with my girlfriend and stay cuddled.  

So, got up, went pee and decided to check the nets like I usually do.  Amazingly I didn't play any games so that was a plus.  I did read a bit and try and figure out what we were going to do today.  And I decided that this morning I was going to draw something and I bloody well did.  It wasn't detailed or anything but it was something.  I hadn't doodled a lot in a while I thought I just need to do it.  Well, when Traci finally got up we both read a bit more and we decided to order foods.  I should have cooked something but I didn't know what so it was Chinese.

We got our food and started playing Boarderlands for the Xbox 360.  It was going good until there at the end of our gaming session when I started to feel off.  Thinking it was me just being motion sick I thought just sitting about for awhile would help.  Nope.  Didn't at all.  Ended up praying to the keeper of the toilet.  Not good. I know I fell asleep at one point on the couch hoping that after that I'd feel better but nope..... Didn't happen.  

Anyway.... still feeling off and another bought of being sick and I'm doing a little better.  Not the best.  I feel kinda bad because Traci's had to fend for herself this evening with foods and what not.  She's hoping it's not a stomach bug and so am I because she's had it more than I.  With my luck it's been food poisoning or something.  What ever it is, I don't like it at all.

Anyway, onto the art!  Because you guys probably don't care about how I feel.   The squibble beastie started out with just a scribble.  That was the shape of the head mostly.  The rest came from there.  I just wanted a quick deal.  No details that were too time consuming.  Chose the colors at random.  I think it's cute.  I just need to try and keep this up.  Sooner or later these these doodles will show up more.

Squibble Beastie

Book review : Friends with Boys by Faith Erin Hicks

Friends with Boys by Faith Erin Hicks
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I adored this graphic novel. Maggie is the typical girl who grew up with older brothers and I could kind of relate to her. I grew up being closer to the guys than the other girls. I guess I could relate to them more since I liked guy things more than girly things. Her brothers seemed like a few guys I'd hang out with as well when I was in high school

I really liked the art work with this graphic novel. It was simplistic. I love simplistic art that is emotive on it's own level. Some artists get overly complicated. I'm completely jealous that these artists make it look so easy!

I kind of like how the characters react with each other. It's not the typical 'everything's ok' sort of story. There are problems in it and a few of the problems do get solved. I'm still curious about the ghost though. She seemed so sad and Maggie only wants to help her. I really want to know why her brothers can see the ghost as well. Is it a huge family secret or something? I'd be really willing to get the second book when it ever comes out. I'm definitely going to try to follow this writer as well. I'm very fond of comics on the net and was excited to learn she has a site!

Cross posted to goodreads and netgalley!

View all my reviews
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Look! I did it again! lol I figured it out finally. Quite proud of myself and I can't wait to post again. I need to go through what I read though and make sure I have a review for it. That might be the hard part.

I'm also thinking of maybe trying to post a sketch every once in a while. I need to get back into the habit of doing that.

Review : Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder

Keep your head down. 

Don't get noticed.

Or else.

Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I was quite confused when I started reading this book. I didn't remember when exactly I got this story. I'm glad I did though. I didn't give it a five star review because, well..... I'm going to put it simply. Not all books I like deserve it all the time.

Inside Out was well written. First person is sometimes hard to get into but I did like the character of Trella a lot though. She had such a strong personality that I couldn't help but like her. Her development throughout the story was quite wonderful. I like when it takes a whole book for a character to realize they've changed. It definitely builds something about it.

I guess I'm just a bit of a stickler for happy endings and of course, this story had a somewhat happy ending. But knowing there is more really just kills me. I can't wait to read the second book!

Cross posted to:
Amazon and my blog Madness Breeds Insanity and Goodreads

View all my reviews ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Look ma! I figured it out! Go me! I'm hoping to roll more of these out. I should have reviewed another book before this but.... I've been lazy. Too lazy. I'm off to do something or other.

Review : Wool by Hug Howey

For generations, they've lived underground, looking out at the bleak world as it gets blurrier. The only way to preserve that view is to go outside and clean, but to go to cleaning is to go to death. That's why they have a system. A brutal code. And Sheriff Holston, after a lifetime of serving that code, has now broken it.

Ok, this was one of those buys that was an impulse buy because my curiosity won out.  And it was .99 cents soooo why not!   As soon as I started reading it, I knew I wouldn't put it down.  It is short and oh so bitter sweet to the end.  I'm not going to give anything away but it's a must read if you like the apocalyptic story.  Since it's a quick read you can really get it off your list quickly with no problem.  Yet, it still kind of leaves you wanting more.  Which, in my opinion, is a good thing. 

A five out of five stars on my scale!

Cross posted to Amazon and goodreads!

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Yay!  Another review!  I'm estatic!  I love doing this sometimes.  And now I'm off to read another book, possibly draw a bit more and hopefully get to bed at a decent time.  More than likely not. lol

No I'm not dead...

Like it said, I'm not dead yet.  I just feel like it.  I've been sick the past week or so and I was doing ok until this morning.  Losing my voice and I wonder if I shouldn't just go to the doctor now.  Throat is really sore and it's cheaper for me to go to the student health than any where else.  Kinda worried about my throat.  And really, I don't want it to get worse.  I'll see how I feel as the day continues.

Anyway, more reviews are coming your way.  As soon as I remember what I read.....  I do remember reading Wool by Hugh Howey.  I bought it from amazon when it was .99 cents and it looked quite interesting.  And it was!  Depressing and interesting.  So that review should be up hopefully this week.  I haven't read much this week so I need to read more.  Of course, that means I need to download the books from my kindle on the computer to my Kindle.  lol

I will more than likely start posting my cards that I've been working on too.  I've decided maybe that would help me finish the rest.  I've just been lazy and haven't done it.  Which is depressing.  I'm really excited about these cards and excited to possibly have my fiance help me with all the little details.  She's good at that.

And Etsy shop should open soon for some of my knitted stuff.  I've sold one set of gloves, had a commission for another set and have been knitting scarves from the fun fur yarn.  I can't think of anything else to do with it so it's just scarves for right now.  The shop will probably also have my fiance's works as well when she's able to get to them and possibly prints of mine.  The tea cups are adorable and I kinda want to work on more of them.

I think that's all for now.  I can't think of anything else to write before work.  Remember to keep an eye out for the review on Wool.

B.P.R.D.: Being Human

With B.P.R.D.: Being Human we get a small view of stories of the team. There is the backstory of Liz, a small snippet of Abe, Roger (whom I've never actually met before in a story) and a Johann Kraus. We find more of Liz's past, see into Roger's internal battle about humanity when he and Hellboy mix with a voodoo woman bent on revenge, the heart wretching guilt that Abe has over the deaths of his teammates, and the 'birth' of Johann Kraus into his spirit form.

I will not lie, I squealed(partly to myself so my partner wouldn't think me nuts) happily when I recieved this. I've been excited about more of The Dark Horse Comics and Dark Horse in general has become a favorite of mine and I'm more than willing to keep looking into their publishings from now on. I think my three favorite characters are Liz, Hellboy of course and Abe. That may not change but I do enjoy reading about back stories and other characters. 

I've always been one who wants to know more about the characters within the stories and this still has me wanting more. Enough of a plot, slight character development, and fantastic art has me wanting more. I will more than likely keep my eye out for more Hellboy novels to review or even to buy!

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Still trying to figure out how to get rid of all the highlighted text.  Not working well.  I'll figure it out sooner or later.  lol. I need to post more reviews so I can keep this place up.  Maybe I'll post some art soon.  I'm hoping to at least.  Maybe I'll post some of my fiance's pictures.  She's taken a few that are pretty stunning.  


Now, I'm off to be miserable with my stuffy head and what I hope is just allergies.

Review : Courtney Crumrin and the Night Things

Courtney Crumrin was forced by her parents to move to her great uncle's home, or was it her great, great uncle? No one's quite sure to be honest but all Courtney can remember of her times there before were that the place was quite odd and it hasn't gotten any better. And as uninviting as his home is, her great uncle is just as uninviting. As she stays in the house of her Uncle Crumrin she has many adventures, or misadventures while living there and she learns quite a lot about herself and her uncle. 

Curiosity got the best of me with this one. The cover grabbed my attention, as did the description. What in the world could a girl looking like her be doing dealing with a creature like that? And I must say, this one didn't let me down. Courtney is a crass young girl that won my heart over. If you had parents like her's you would be too. 

She has no friends but I kind of like how she starts to get along with her Great Uncle. And she has a lot to learn from him when dealing with the world of magic. 

All in all, I'd read this again in a heart beat. And even though I received this from netgalley I would consider purchasing this because I do find it a wonderful read.






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Yes!  Another review.  I need to post more.  It will happen I just need to push myself to do it.  Expect another soon.  I just got more books from netgalley.  I seem to love that site now.  Now to do dishes and then a bit of laundry before a shower and then falling into bed before I fall asleep here on my couch. lol

On a side note, I will try to get my reviews to not... highlight, when I post.  I just haven't had time to mess with it all.

Hellboy : House of the Living Dead

I admit, I have not read many comics, graphic novels or whatever they're called any more. But I am a fan of Hellboy. When I saw this, I just had to try and read it to see if I'd be into the graphic novel scene. I read, I loved and I'm willing to read more!

Hellboy goes missing in the 1950's only to be found in Mexico hanging out in bars after a friend luchador is killed by vampires. He's asked by a man to help save a girl and ends up ensnared in a plot by what can only be called a Mexican Dr. Frankenstien and forced to fight. In the end the man that tricked Hellboy reveals his dark secret, and innocent dies, and vampires rear their ugly heads.

I will definitely be reading more Hellboy stories in the future. I didn't want to stop when I started. Even though it was a small comic, I'd still reread it and suggest it to others. 




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Yes, I'm a Hellboy fiend.  Loved the movies, loved this comic.  I will be hunting for more now.

Omg.....

I just have to post this because I'm amazed.  I've never had so many people visit this little blog before.  It made me so excited to see it and stunned.  Who knew that I'd get this many people in such a small time.  Small things amuse me and this is one of them.

So I'm going to go back to my knitting, my amazing Cherry Almond black tea and giggle excitedly at this blog.

Review : Daughter of Centaurs

In a world where dystopian meets fantasy this book was an interesting concept.  We follow a young human girl into the bush of what could be an African savanna of modern time after her whole village is decimated. Her only companion left from her father and the village she loved is a horse.  Along the way the two pick up more horses and she finds herself taking care of a whole herd of horses she lovingly thinks of as her boys and girls.  She and the herd are trapped by a group of Centaurs. They take her to the Highlands where they live and her life changes.

I found this book to be fascinating.  I couldn't put it down.  It was a good read but some of the parts fell a little flat.  The development of the main character was quite nice but the other characters were a little flat.  The horses were more interesting than the Centaurs which is depressing.  Though I got the feeling that the Centaurs, at least the Highlanders, were more or less the idealistic philosophers of the age of the Greeks and Romans.  The were too frivolous and airy to care about the others below them for my liking.  Though I must say, this book left me wanting more.  I would surely read the next book that comes out.

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Yep.  Another review.  I need to crank out another soon because I'm such a loser that I'm lazy.  I'm pretty sure I stink at writing reviews but I'm doing it anyway because I can.  Ha!

Book Review - Intrinsical

Sixteen-year-old Yara Silva has always known that ghosts walk alongside the living. Her grandma, like the other females in her family, is a Waker, someone who can see and communicate with ghosts. Yara grew up watching her grandmother taunted and scorned for this unusual ability and doesn't want that to be her future. She has been dreading the day when she too would see ghosts, and is relieved that the usually dominant Waker gene seems to have skipped her, letting her live a normal teenage life. However, all that changes for Yara on her first day at her elite boarding school when she discovers the gene was only lying dormant. She witnesses a dark mist attack Brent, a handsome fellow student, and rushes to his rescue. Her act of heroism draws the mist's attention, and the dark spirit begins stalking her. Yara finds herself entrenched in a sixty-year-old curse that haunts the school, threatening not only her life, but the lives of her closest friends as well. Yara soon realizes that the past she was trying to put behind her isn't going to go quietly.

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I could barely put this book down.  I had decided to just begin reading this after it had sat on my computer then my kindle for ages.  The plot was interesting, though it seemed to be the usual boy-meets-girl-it-was-meant-to-be type romance with a paranormal twist.  I couldn't put it down though I'm not much into romances.  It was more than that though.  A terrifying curse with a terrifying spirit attached kept things interesting.  I enjoyed the family history of Yara, the main character.  It wasn't too much but it was just enough.  I would totally reread this again and that's saying something.  If I want to reread it, it's worth it!

Rage: After the Impact Review

The Rage caught my attention.  A doomed human race because of an asteroid, the military trying to control those that have survived with creatures they created.  After waking from cryo sleep Elizabeth finds that her husband and son have died before she woke.  Colonel Jesse Casey has been forcing Elizabeth since he found her after waking to work on controlling monsters who've mutated from a substance called feltrite brought by the asteroid that almost destroyed the Earth.  Elizabeth finds out the truth and escapes with an old coworker only to set off to find out what she can do to stop Colonel Casey.

So not a good summary but I'm quite ok with this read.  I expected the blood, the guts and most of the gore from this series.  An interesting take on what happens when the military takes over.  But for me it's just a new twist on an old story.  Something for those who love graphic novels based off of the video games.  Like Doom and what not.  I'll stick to my fantasy and fiction novels.

Simple things make me happy.

Simple things like changing my desktop to a fall theme can make me happy, especially since I've been feeling a little under the weather lately. I think it's a head cold and it's making me feel icky as hell. Runny nose, light headed and a sore throat. So a bright and colorful picture of fall leaves perked me up a little. And knitting fingerless gloves. Yesh..... I'm sick and don't want to move much so knitting and naps are a major must for me now. lol

And at least the bright colors brighten my day because I feel I've bombed one of my art history tests. I completely blanked today when he handed everything out so I completely feel that it is a total fail. Not happy about that. Hopefully tomorrow's test goes better. I'm probably going to study for that after I post this and then knit a little. I want to get more gloves off and hopefully set up a little sale of them. I have a few people interested already after they've seen mine I wear. I can't wait to see if someone buys them.

Anyway, just a little update to prove I'm not dead. lol