Sitting on a cold chair in a dark room...

I worked on that story and I finished up the first chapter. It's a little short, but I plan on expanding it a little with time. In order to better work on the story I have kept working on a map with Campaign Cartographer. It's looking pretty nice so far. Lots of work though.

Looking fancy!

The hardest part is the scale. I keep trying to figure out just how long it would take my characters to be wandering around this world. The entire first book is going to happen in those 1,000 sq. miles on the middle right (where the trees are). I must really like to make maps because I spent a ton of time working on the Pyraliss map. Using this program I should remake the Pyraliss world.

I also used a different program called Fractal Terrains. That program gave me a basic idea of the landmasses. BUT the greatest thing about this program is that it gives you temperatures, climates, altitudes, and rainfall. It's like map porn. I feel like having a realistic map like that helps shape and guide your story along. It also gives the world a more realistic feel. Also, it just helps my characters not inadvertently end up in different places that are mysteriously the same exact place (my orientation skills suck, I could never just keep track of this without something physical).

Note the list of climate on the side. I can also change it to reflect rainfall and altitudes.

I can't wait to finish the map. Updates coming soon.

*The sky is over...*

Quick and simple...

Just a quick entry to note that I finally got a Pyraliss page up. It's been exactly one year since my last update and hopefully that kind of hiatus will not happen again! Show me some love at www.Pyraliss.com. Post some comments, send a dollar via paypal, whatever floats your digital boat. :) It took me a little longer to get that page done than usual because I tried inking and coloring it. The process was partially successful. It's pixel-y looking for reasons that are unknown to me so I'm going to keep trying this whole thing until I get it right. That's not going to stop me from updating though. Expect Pyraliss to be UP and RUNNING.

P.S. TWELVE DAYS TO RAMMSTEIN!!!

Because there isn't a greater taste than a potato in a cup...

Some interesting events that have occurred since my last post:

1. I have had two stories published in e-zines located here-

To Live a Life That is Not My Own <http://www.yesteryearfiction.com/2010/08/82110.html>

Wayfinder: Home of the Lýkos <http://www.downdirtyword.com/authors/suanycanarte.html>

2. I have drawn some Pyraliss pages and will begin updating again starting Monday
3. I attended the New York Renaissance Faire in costume (twice)
4. I have begun the Fall semester and it is CRAZY

So I've applied for graduation and have realized just how close I am to finishing this section of my education. I had some trepidations about applying to graduate schools in December considering that I am currently retaking a class I didn't do well in and it brings down my G.P.A. but I've noticed that many schools have February deadlines, which improves my situation greatly. My only concern is that I am not sure how to go about asking professors for letters of recommendation or how to take the GRE. I am also concerned about taking the GREs while I am stressing out about school. I have always done fairly well in standardized tests, but I have not taken one in so long that I fear I have become rusty. I feel like I have so little time to study, do homework, work and sleep that I cannot imagine taking more time to research graduate schools, study for the GREs and worry about applications.  The entire school system is unnervingly flawed.

In class this afternoon a couple of students just chewed out our Professor for not being clear with what she is expecting from us when it comes to the homework and the midterm exam. She was so flustered and boggled by the idea that most of the people in our classroom have NEVER done "logarithms" or even heard of them.  This ties back to how flawed the school system here is. Although I admit that her expectations of our abilities is far above what we actually can do, I also believe that it is not her fault. She is an awkward woman in many ways that has studied, not only Audiology, but physics which gives her an edge of understanding that most of us would never have. Most people that go into Speech-Language Pathology go into the program never expecting to see a math problem again. Then we get to a class like Speech Science and it is a mathematical nightmare (for those who are mathematically impaired). Even I, who have a decent background in mathematics, have had trouble understanding how to use her notes to figure out the relatively complicated mathematical problems she is presenting us with. I am pretty concerned with the midterm exam and I cannot afford to do poorly in another class. My weekend is currently booked with horrifying amounts of studying (although I plan on playing a Magic game or two with Joe and brother :P).

I have one more thing to write about for now, and it is a new website I plan on starting up soon. It's a silly idea, but I think I will enjoy playing with it. It's name-in-progress is "Class Notes" and it will be a webcomic-like site that updates with pictures of little sketches and doodles that are all over my notes. I doodle a lot in class (bad habit, I know) and I tend to like a lot of  my little doodles. Some of them turn into character designs for stories, some are kind of fan-art, and some of them are just plain silly. I have a little quick design sketch of what I would like the website to look for. If I find myself with any time this weekend (haha, wishful thinking) I may just start setting this up. I'll associate this blog to it. I may also set up the Pyraliss blog next week (I'll link when it's finally up).

One final announcement

I can't wait. :)

*The sky is over...*

The many types of smooth muscle...

I am so exhausted it's disturbing. This Anatomy and Physiology class is trying to kill me. I haven't been sleeping well and I have been waking up way too early.  Well it's only four more weeks.  Then I get to start a horrifying new semester. 

We have to dissect a pig next week and I'm not looking forward to it. I don't condone the use of animals for science but I'm also concerned that my stomach can't handle it. Luckily it's a group dissection so it might not be too bad.

I got a Kindle app for my Droid and found a free book. It was called The Light of Eidon and it's considered a "Christian" fantasy book. I figured it would be a bust but it was really good, particularly being free. It seems like there are three more books in the series but they cost money and I think I'm going to hold off since I have so many unread books on my shelf.

I recently acquired a haircut and it's been phenomenal. Joseph and I were at the mall and I decided that long hair is a pain in the ass.  It was amusing because the lady didn't want to believe that I wanted it so short. She cut my ponytail clean off but not without protest. I've gotten a lot of positive reactions even from my grandmother which was unexpected. I'm considering keeping it short for awhile.

On Sunday I was overcome with the immense urge to virtually farm. Being that I have played all the Harvest Moons in my possession I really wanted a new one. I decided on Harvest Moon Animal Parade for the Wii and Joseph and I set out to find it. We went to three different GameStops, a Walmart and a Target but none of them had it. Resignedly I settled for an Olive Garden dinner. I hadn't given up though and on Monday I called four different GameStops before I found it. Joseph and I picked it up after I got out of work and I began my newest farming adventure.  So far it has been very fun and stress relieving. I only wish I had more time to play it. I'm excited for the weekend.

I also am glad to announce that i have two new Pyraliss pages drawn up. I think I'll resume updates when I have ten completed so that I have a good buffer. I'm probably going to start a blog for too so readers can know what's going on.

*The sky is over...*

Never a Master of Photoshop...

I'm listening to Dream Theater and about to pick up some Fable II. I've played through it twice, and completed most of the quests. I'm looking forward to finishing the second expansion since I only recently purchased it with the money I don't have. It wasn't expensive, I'm just broke.

Last night I decided to work on Pyraliss for awhile. Although I had a sketch of the World Map of Pyraliss, I'd never quite finalized it so that's what I did last night. I also thought it might be nice for readers to be able to see where the characters were throughout key points of the story, so I made sprites of all the characters and will be plotting them on the map accordingly as the story progresses. Here's a little preview of what can be expected:

I think it's a nice way to keep track of their travels, but I'm also very silly. I'm going to work on pages later when Joe's family comes back from couch shopping and I'm forced to relinquish the TV.

*The sky is over...*

A Single Footprint in the Sand...

Where did it come from, where does it go? One single footprint.

I have decided to start blogging again. I've had many blogs, I always give up on them after awhile, but I decided to start once more. Blogging is a simple way to practice writing and elaborate on your ideas.

Recently, I've been sending some stories in hopes for publication. I have two out now and I'm waiting for some replies. I'm thinking of sending out a few more, but I'm not feeling too motivated. I haven't been drawing a lot lately, but I've been poking around with the tablet a little bit. Corel Painter stopped working for some reason and I'll have to find a new version soon. I kind of want to make a background to replace the generic one I have now.

I just finished my first session of summer classes. Had an exam for Basic Audiology this afternoon. I'm relieved that it's done and over. I start another class in about a week and a half, but I'm jut going to try to enjoy the break. I'd like to spend the next few days working on Pyraliss updates. I would like to make a buffer for myself because it's very hard to keep up with updates during the school semester. It'd be nice if I can get a big chunk of it done to tide me over until I'm done with school next year.

Just watched the first new Futurama episodes in years and I wasn't too amused. The characters seemed a little strange. Maybe they just have to get back into the swing of things.

*The sky is over...*