Been Absent Yet Again

Hey, just thought I'd check in to do a quick update to explain what's going on. First and foremost I went shopping at Michael's and Target today and got the supplies needed to create a stim bottle. Here's what it looks like:

(That's my cat Sora meowing in the background by the way.)

And if you want to make one too, here's some instructions on my Instagram with the same video.

As for why I haven't been as engaged in social media? Perhaps the main reason is that more recently I've been coming across multiple users that have made me very uncomfortable. By uncomfortable, I mean users that have a set of "rules" about who gets to interact with them, along with shippers who try to police what other's should ship, and pretty much anyone that has been acting aggressive over this upcoming election. I normally don't post stuff like this, but I want to at least try to find out why I've less active. Another unrelated reason might be because I'm now almost 23 and have been busy with a job and other outside activities. A lot of my online stuff is done more through lurking than chatting with people.

As for videos, roleplaying, and other fandom related stuff, I've been having creative blocks and no motivation for a very long time. A lot of this has to do with a lot of the increased drama I've witnessed in the numerous types of media I have an interest in. When it comes to fandom, chances are it'll only be between friends of mine and the occasional fan works I enjoy.

Still, I'm not off the web entirely. I mostly watch YouTube videos, browse Tumblr, TV Tropes, visit Facebook, and post on Instagram. I'm always up for chatting if anyone wants to drop a message too!

Speaking of Tumblr, I'm currently putting together two new blogs. The first one is going to focus on The Cartoon Network Powerhouse era or more specifically, Cartoon Network during the years 1997 - 2004. Why? Because that's when I enjoyed the channel the most and I have happy memories from when I watched it during that time period. Even looking at it now, I believe this is when the channel had the largest variety of cartoons. From Hanna-Barbera, to MGM, to the Toonami block, to the original Cartoon Cartoons, there's so much to share on a blog focused around these years of Cartoon Network! I'll display the link on this blog when it's up and running. There will also be gif sets of the bumpers I'm currently working on posted here.

The other blog I have planned will be focused around witchcraft, which I have just been getting into, but I haven't practiced it yet. It'll primarily be focused on gemstones, flowers, herbs, candles, and any spells with instructions I come across.

That's all for now. Next post will be about what I'm dressing up as for Halloween. Promise!

- Alanna

Slowing Sliding in from a Hiatus

Hey, everyone! I'm well aware of how silent I have been, and I can blame that on the last month of my semester with being incredibly busy putting together a portfolio show with my class.

Here are some pictures displayed below of my portfolio stand.

And if you're wondering what my overall mood was putting this together, well... here you go!

I'll be making this into a digital illustration when I have the time.

Because of all this, I am officially done with college! I was initially going to consider a transfer, but graphic design is one of those programs where the portfolio is what really matters in the end, and the degree I went for is an AAS degree, which is specifically a degree designed for going into the career you studied for right afterwards.

Other than that, my summer has been a bit of a lazy one at the moment, besides going to work obviously. I've mostly been getting into the idea of creating a cartoon block by watching a large variety of shows based on the day of the week. Currently it's Tom and Jerry on Mondays, Loony Tunes on Tuesdays, Felix the Cat on Wednesdays, cartoons by the Fleischers (Popeye, Betty Boop, Out of the Inkwell) on Thursdays, Cartoon Network's What a Cartoon! on Fridays, and more current cartoons on the weekends. This is meant to help expand what kind of cartoons I watch, and I want to bring a nostalgic vibe to my life. Why? Nostalgia is one of the main things that keeps me happy. It helps lay out my life in simpler terms which makes it much easier for me to finish anything I need to get done. Learning how to take some time out of the day for a scheduled cartoon I think will also help me manage my time better.

I also want to put time aside to learn how to do web design and animation better along with learning new languages, getting into a proper workout routine, practicing meditation, reading the books my dad loaned me for my Amazon Kindle app, and of course creating designs to sell online.

So I basically have a lot on my plate that I want to get to. I just got to get my room more organized so everything goes more smoothly. It's a lot to improve on, but because I only have work I need to focus on as opposed to college being in the mix, it shouldn't be too hard.

- Alanna