I misunderstood the point of this ride

Jeez, you guys. I just came out of a two-hour lecture/panel discussion (the third in two days) that basically turned into a debate about print and digital media and tools for artists, audience interaction, the internet, and so on. I feel exhausted and exhilarated. I can't decide if I want to have a thousand meta discussions about creator/audience interaction, fandom, crowdsourcing, the Veronica Mars kickstarter, Homestuck (which I should mention, I still haven't read) ... or just go lock myself in a room and draw until my fingers ache. I kind of have to do the latter (after a five-hour office shift), but you know.

Speaking of internet audiences and such, ( could I ask your opinion on something web/comics related? )

Anyway, apart from the meta thoughts I haven't had time for much of fannish anything, although I have been following Gerard's twitter posts religiously. (Nice popcorn tree, dude. God, how are you so charming?) And I still haven't watched The Phoenix video, but I'm finally listening to it. Repeatedly. (Young Volcanoes is great too! But um. Unf.)

I am dithering about buying a ticket to see Fall Out Boy in Lowell or Brooklyn this fall ... I'm broke and I don't know what I'll be doing then. Are people going? Ever since MJ I've been missing being around fans so intensely.

So a few weeks ago, when jjtaylor posted Nothing To Confess, I knew I was going to have to do some more art. The story was everything I wanted when I imagined a BLI!Patrick; seriously creepy and hot.


So uh, what I'm trying to say with this is basically ... unf. Maybe it's good to be getting this version out of my system before I go see the real Patrick in a few weeks.

( One more in color. )

Apart from that, this week I've been re-watching the second season of Angel (Gunn and Wesley are precious; I'd almost forgotten) and finishing up the first season of Castle, which I kind of adore. The dynamic between Beckett and Castle is kind of fabulous, particularly because I think it manages to do justice to both characters, rather than having either of them show the other up too consistently. Also, I would seem to be a sucker for father/daughter dynamics lately. Netflix can't send me the second season fast enough.

Oh hey, and if you liked the art above? Just a reminder that I'm up for auction at help_japan. :D I'll illustrate your fic (or just draw you something), or even make you a comic! All as a bonus for sending some aid and comfort where it's desperately needed.

I've been in bandom for almost three years now, but I'm still occasionally taken by surprise when that whole 'overinvestment in celebrities' lives' thing rears its head. And yet here I am, reeling sadly over Pete/Ashlee divorce proceedings. Real life, IDEK. :(

It's a little odd that I was already working on a bunch of FOB-related art for the first time in ages. I have a larger Killjoys!AU piece to finish at some point, but in the meantime, jjtaylor requested some Patrick art, and this happened:



I couldn't resist the reference to his opening comments on "Love Selfish Love," though I'm not sure this is even quite in character for the whole BL/ind concept I was going for. Also? My first attempt at drawing him (in an approximation of his current look) wound up looking an awful lot like David Bowie (whose likeness I have struggled with, off and on, for years). I'm sure he'd be pleased.

In other fandom news, I received my white_lotus gift yesterday; it's another amazing vid, full of gorgeous swoopy motion shots and heart-catching character moments. CAST OF MY HEART, basically. ♥ I appreciate my mystery vidder very much.

I've been back to not having time for much fic, the last week or two (although I've torn through three volumes of The Invisibles on the bus; I'm liking it more and more as I go on); however, after last night's White Collar, I find myself really craving some OT3 kinkfic. I don't suppose anyone has any recs? ;)

Messy morning, but no snow day for me. Which I realize is just as well, or I'd only wind up working late trying to catch up later this week, but all the same.

Had quite a productive weekend, really; tried a new soup recipe (made of leaves and much tastier than expected - by which I mean, very), posted new fanart, got quite a significant chunk of minicomic work done, took in a play, and gave up on avoiding Grant Morrison fic. (Lines? What lines?) Had about fifteen other things I wanted to work on, but that's always the way.

I've been listening to Fall Out Boy an awful lot again lately, also. (I didn't even realize how much I missed them.) I've honestly been avoiding most news about related people since the breakup, with the result that I haven't heard any of the music various folks have been putting out. Should I?

[ETA:] I almost forgot! trekreversebang is open for sign-ups! Sign up to draw something, or write something based on a drawing! And even if you don't want to do that anyone can submit awesome prompts.

Bleurgh, work is kicking my ass today. I am looking forward to mid-February, which is really pretty unusual.

On the other hand, Fall Out Boy touring with Cobra! :D Tuesday concerts in Lowell are not exactly the most convenient things, but I really can't see how I can miss this. (Last time they played there? I trekked around in the rain with sweetvalleyslut to pick up the ticket she got off 2damnoldforthis, and then that night she called from the commuter rail station asking for taxi numbers and google map directions. I thought she was nuts. :D)

Whee. I finished my yuletart (and I'm pretty happy with it, too - can't wait to show you guys), so . . . now it's on to yuletide. And some kind of holiday card for everyone, even if it's only digital.

In spite of all the stress and endless to-do lists, I really do love this time of year. Even just on a visual level, to put it simply: I love sparkly things. Walking home nights surrounded by holiday light displays puts an extra spring in my step, and makes me want to sit up and draw all night long (which is probably why I'm so tired today). Now, if only it would snow.

Speaking of sparkly things, I took a break from all the cooking and drawing I did this weekend to go see this movie with hermionesviolin. (Thanks for the heads' up, phineasjones! ♥ I hope you get a chance too.) Fandom really ought to have a look at this: it's a gay fantasy musical . . . oh yeah, and it's full of Shakespeare. It's silly as all hell, but there is glitter and boykissing and pretty (if often lulzy) choreography, and of course, plenty of quoting and paraphrasing (and singing) the Bard. Might have to try and track it down on DVD.

Meanwhile, I don't think I dislike a single song on this album. There are a few where I think "ehhh, that's not so great," and then there's some particular line or musical passage that fills me with joy. Can't pick a favorite yet, either (though this song's definitely up there). I love all Fall Out Boys (and the guests aren't bad either).

Speaking also of warm fuzzies, here's my thread in the holiday anon love meme. I've never done one before, but you know, might as well try it. :)

All my energy has been going towards work and family the last couple of weeks; bouncing back and forth across the state every weekend is kind of exhausting, and so are new students. I have this ridiculous tab backlog right now . . . unread fic, uncommented-on fanart, your odd political article (I am inevitably reminded that I hate caring about politics, but that's another story). Also I've been giving a lot of thought to taking an academic class this semester, and traveling to Europe next year.

I had to pop my head in, though, because I love my fandom SO DAMN MUCH. (It bears repeating occasionally!) For one thing, I don't even know how to deal with Gerard's hair, but I find I'm already kind of loving it (wouldn't be the first time I adored someone with a red mullet, after all *g*). Also? It's his and Lyn-Z's first wedding anniversary today! ♥ And they are still giddy and ridiculous and adorable. (I need to check around and see if anyone has a concert report for MSI at Dragon*Con.)

Also, half of Panic celebrated their birthdays this week, complete with hotass girlfriends and thematically appropriate cake. I may have cooed a little. Dammit. ;)

And then there's Patrick Stump telling me to put a heatwave in my pants. Oh holy fuck. (It is not surprising that I fucking adore "I Don't Care." I have a particular love for the sort of stompy/rockin' FOB songs--that's clearly a technical term--after all, "Bang The Doldrums" was the first one I ever loved. And not just for the tinhattery!) I want the rest of that album so badly.

Next week I get an olivia_circe--in fact, I get all of intensityboat!!--and a screamy mustachioed Frank. \o/

(Oh Patrick, your voice! ♥)

I am very excited about all of this (new album new album eeee), but it would be nice if I could listen to that mix tape. :( I'm not having any problems downloading it, but many of the files just refuse to open, and I can't extract them, either. I know some people are having similar issues: any solutions, guys?

Ahaha, viral marketing is kind of awesome. I'm usually pretty laid-back about FOB/Wentz love, but I'm bubbling over with excitement right now. (You know how to get me, Pete. Apparently!) ♥ ♥ ♥

Work's suddenly getting pretty crazy (how is it almost fall?), and things keep sneaking up on me. For instance, the Hushies & Cab show in Hartford this weekend! \o/ I can deal with the end of the summer, I guess, since I get to end it with Greta. I believe a whole bunch of you are going, so maybe I'll see you there? :)

Spent last night marathoning Sports Night and inking stuff, with a bit of porn discussion on the side. Absolutely the best kind of evening.