http://search.deviantart.com/?q=by:Atticus-W&section=today deviantART RSS for by:Atticus-W en-us Copyright 2009, deviantART.com Wed, 09 Dec 2009 09:36:49 PST deviantART.com http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://s.deviantart.com/minish/widgets/apple-touch-icon-precomposed.png http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/28830806/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/28830806/ Wed, 09 Dec 2009 07:02:27 PST

You know the "pity clap"? I've discovered today that it's my life story.

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/28147529/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/28147529/ Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:13:12 PST


Seems my computer (or laptop, actually), in addition to being completely out of memory, is thouroughly infested with viruses as well. (Where do I get my membership card?) Like, I'm fighting through "you've been infested" pop-ups just to type this. And apparently my anti-virus program has been replaced with some sort of bizare "evaluation" software that will DETECT viruses but not REMOVE them unles I pay them something. (I've never trusted anti-virus software. I bet it's another virus, too. (In fact, I'm almost SURE it is.)) Anyway, internet use is becoming quite unpleasent, primarily because every two minutes or so I get redirected to any one of a number of random pornography sites. Disgusting. (To say the least.)

So, I'm afraid to all you folks to whome I owe any kind of artwork... I probably won't have it done. For quite some while. I'll be able to get online at public computers, perhaps, but my laptop alone holds my art programs and what not.

Apologies.


(I'm not even gonna bother trying to fire up Word to spell-check this thing. That would take an extra half hour.)

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/28091032/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/28091032/ Sun, 01 Nov 2009 15:58:49 PST

That said, to those who might be put off by that chat... some very sharp minds frequent that room. If you ever feel like discussing the finer points of steam pressure equalization, bizarre locomotive suspension systems, or federal regulations regarding car riding, give it a chance and visit. Push through the sometimes-present cloud of randomnosity, if you must. It'll be worth it. ^^

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/27785366/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/27785366/ Thu, 15 Oct 2009 17:49:26 PDT
I’m none too familiar with Albano’s career in the WWF, but I find it safe to say nevertheless that the man was made for the job— a sport of showmanship if there ever was one. When he started his career in the ring he was what they considered a villain— a “heel” in wrestling lingo. He’d rant and storm around the stage and fight the referees and get stuff thrown at him from a well-riled and -angered crowd of spectators. Then, when he got sick of dodging projectiles for a career, he turned his act around to become a “face”— a baby face, that is— a sort of “good ol’ boy” personality who appealed to the masses rather than angered them. Then he got into rock n’ roll with Cyndi Lauper during the ‘80s, starred in a couple of music videos, and got a song written about himself. He even cameoed in a movie or two, including a humorous scene as wrestling announcer from Hell in Stay Tuned. Finally, at the undeniable height of his career, the 300-pound bearded character -became- Mario for the Super Mario Bros. Super Show!— co-starring with Danny Wells, who played Mario’s brother and fellow-plumber, Luigi. Albano brought his showmanship to the set, bringing style, personality, humor, and heart to the character that has hardly been seen since in any of Mario’s myriad subsequent TV and videogame incarnations.

The Captain seemed to brush off his role as Mario in his later years, much as comedian George Carlin did his role as Mr. Conductor in his own. But, like Carlin, Lou gets all the more respect from me for (temporarily) casting off his “tough guy” personality for the sake of making a classic kids’ show. And not anyone would have been fit for the handlebar mustache and size-XXL red overalls that Lou took up— he gave the role his all and -made- his character. His Mario was a real one— a slobby, Italian-American Brooklyn bum— who perpetually found himself ridiculed by his brother and a slew of patrons and customers for his dull intellect and questionable cleanliness. And, at the end of the day, no one laughed harder about the whole thing than Lou himself— he had fun with it. You could tell.

I’m not sure when I really began to appreciate the Captain (as a little kid watching his show he kinda scared me, I must admit), but for many years now at least I have seen this man as the definitive “Super” Mario Mario (the SMBSS! would seem to have coined that name, by the way— not the infamously-horrible movie made a couple of years later!)— and I considered him among my heroes. I’m happy to say that I’ve had the chance to make a tribute or two for the guy before he passed on, but still, I feel bad that he’ll never know how much I loved his work (and indeed, the chances of there ever being a decent Mario movie are now pretty much kaput). There can’t be a Mario fan out there today who hasn’t at least heard “Do the Mario,” sung all of twenty years ago... and now, the man behind it all is gone...


...but not forgotten.



”All together now! Juuuust... liiiike... that...!”

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/26985207/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/26985207/ Wed, 02 Sep 2009 19:47:11 PDT


Those of you at all familiar with the Strasburg Rail Road in Strasburg, Pennsylvania, are probably as well familiar with that company’s status as Thomas Capital of the United States. It’s appeared in Thomas movies, it sell loads of Thomas merchandise, and its shops crank out dozens of full-size push-along Thomas replicas like WWII Liberty Ships. And then... there’s THOMAS.

THOMAS is an honest-to-goodness working steam-powered Thomas the Tank Engine lookalike. It was built on the hulk of Brooklyn Eastern District Terminal (BEDT) 0-6-0T No. 15... and there lies the rub (at least if you ask me). I’ve oft grumbled (sometimes vehemently) over the years about No. 15’s fate... and I’ve oft been countered with the argument of, “shut up, at least she runs.” To which I have been likely to retort, “no, she doesn’t, THOMAS runs, but BEDT 15, now, is gone.” Etc., etc.

NOW. I’m a big fan of seeing Thomas in steam. I’m also a big fan of BEDT 15. Could there be a way to please every camp involved... and maybe even some that aren’t?? I do believe there is.

Here’s what I humbly propose to whatever powers-that-be are crazy enough to listen to me rant: Strasburg RR, with its incredible shop and boiler-making facility, could BUILD, FROM SCRATCH, A BRITISH LB&SC CLASS E2 0-6-0T [link] . My reasoning behind this proposal goes like this:


1.) Much like Britian’s spectacular “Tornado” project, building a new E2 would give the rail preservation world a replica of a long-lost engine type. “Leviathan” shows we can do it in America, too— and an E2 is a small engine.

2.) A Thomas based on a real E2 would look like what Thomas is supposed to look like. The THOMAS in use today, with its exterior drive and proportions based around its American body more so even than human ergonomics (look at the height of its pseudo-British-esque cab windows!), only approximately resembles its subject.

3.) A corollary to the above: never again would the following conversation be able occur: “Mommy, why does THIS Thomas have those big red pistons?” “That’s because THIS Thomas is real and the one on TV is only a toy, Jimmy...”

4.) A corollary to the above: With THOMAS’ tendency to travel (and with THOMAS’ ability to draw tremendous crowds), many Americans would be introduced to the overseas style of railroading. There’s a real Thomas event for you— fun, and educational too.

5.) The old THOMAS, still in good mechanical order, could be restored to its original BEDT 15 self. While the E2 Thomas is subtly teaching folks about Britain’s industrial past, No. 15 could be teaching folk’s about America’s. What more could we ask of a railroading day?


Now, when we’re talking about building a new E2, keep in mind that I recognize the need to equip it with airbrakes, a plow, a light, and etc. So what do you all think... would building this piece of British history be worth it for all parties involved?

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/26861522/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/26861522/ Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:18:12 PDT
So really... wow. It’s hard to believe that it’s done. That these engines actually escaped the fate bestowed on them all the way back in 1950. So many things had to happen (or not happen...) just right for these engines to be sitting where they are sitting tonight. I can’t help but think that Richard Jenkins and his website have helped immensely in making the engines known— and now, as he himself has put, we’ve come to the “end of an era.” Soon, the very last of the Virginia Scrap Iron and Metal Co. will be torn down, and the old scrapyard itself will be “lost” beneath a new hospital wing, never to be seen again... ironic, and perhaps a bit sad, for history's sake, the way that turns out. But then... the eminent destruction of the yard only underscores the incredibleness of the engines' escape.



I do hope that someone thought to take that abandoned four-wheel lead truck with them before the day was done. It would be a real shame to forget the engines less fortunate than these amazing three saved this week.



Here’s a quick chart summarizing the current whereabouts of each 4-8-0:

1151 – moved Friday Aug. 21 – to and staying at Roanoke Museum of Transportation
1134 – moved Monday Aug. 24 – currently held at Roanoke’s 9th Street Yard for cosmetic restoration, to be sent to Railroad Museum of Virginia, Portsmouth
1118 – moved Tuesday Aug. 25 – to and staying at Roanoke Chapter, NRHS’s 9th Street Yard, Roanoke (traded from original owner Will Harris of North Fork, Inc. for Roanoke Chapter’s E.J. Lavino 0-6-0 No. 34)

(All info found at [link] .)

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/26784356/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/26784356/ Sun, 23 Aug 2009 20:59:02 PDT
But, I've also got a lot of art to work on, including some concepts I came up with in PA, and this is good. I hope I have time to finish some of it in my last hectic week of summer vacation, during which I have all kinds of actually important stuff I ought be doing. XD I could even post some finished stuff tonight... this depends on whether or not I want to deal with my slower-than-dirt laptop, on which my artstuffs are stored.

And oh yes. I've been on a wicked Team Fortress 2 craze for a while. Everything about that game just appeals to me, from its retro 50s/60s style to its fetish for industrial advertising and its dry humor. It's even helped to reawaken my own interest in advertising, methinks. And mind you, I've never even played the game! XD

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/26410398/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/26410398/ Wed, 05 Aug 2009 19:58:48 PDT

“I mean, the chronically ill and those toward the end of their lives are accounting for potentially 80 percent of the total health care bill out here.

So how do you— how do we deal with it?

Well, I think there is going to have to be a conversation that is guided by doctors, scientists, ethicists. And then there is going to have to be a very difficult democratic conversation that takes place. ...”


Whadaya think? This is a line from President Obama in a recent New York Times interview. As you likely have gathered, I’ve been fed up with this guy for a while now... but I am now convinced that he is indeed evil. To put it another way: Government-run health care-- making America just like a dystopian science fiction horror film since 2009!


And that’s not the only disturbing news that’s been circling around recently— how ‘bout that “Cash for Clunkers” program, where the U.S. government pays you to trade in your old “gas-guzzling” car for a fancy new hybrid or something? Kinda like an environmentalist’s crazy dream come true, right? Well, one provision of this fine little program is that all of the old cars being traded in must be destroyed by the dealer where the transaction is carried out to insure that the car never “ pollutes” again... we’re talking boring out the engines and cutting the frames, here. Just enought to insure that the car will never operate again. Are these cars being donated to charities, or being offered at discount prices to the poor? No, no... the only thing being accomplished here is spiteful feel-good "activism" and perfect waste... *

It reminds me all too well of the laws in certain states (read: California) where the state government will pay a railroad a substantial percentage of the price for a new, green “genset” locomotive, on the condition that the railroad bores a hole in the engine block of an older, less efficient, and very likely historic locomotive for every genset it receives through the deal. That’s just a jab through the heart for railfans like me who would love to see old locomotives like those sold to tourist railroads or museums. But states like California are there to make darn sure that that doesn’t happen.


Sigh.

I really am sorry for making so many politically-based journals lately, but the U.S. government is just tramping all over us recently, and I'm sick to death of it.


On a brighter if belated note... I was delighted to hear that the rumors of the Lost Engines of Roanoke being saved is true— thanks for the news update, Chakat! We railfans owe a lot to the folks everywhere who made it happen... to all those concerned, thank you very much.


---


_{*(Luckily, rumors tell that some car dealers are secretly NOT destroying "clunker" cars as they should, and are indeed illegally selling them back into the market after their "Cash for Clunkers" deals have gone through. Kudos to these fine examples of civil disobediance! )}

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/25674712/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/25674712/ Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:47:46 PDT
If you’re unfamiliar with it (since the news is more interested in Michael Jackson, understandably), it’s an energy bill meant to combat the effects of global warming (or “climate change,” or whatever the PC term is for it nowadays) by, for one thing, taxing companies that burn coal and offering incentives to companies that use PC (“green” ) technology (even if such technologies are substantially less efficient than traditional ones, and even if, in the long run, they do nothing particarly to help the environment*). A lot of people on the news have been going on and on about the higher costs of living we’re all going to suffer because of this bill (see that inefficiency bit)... after all, when energy costs are ramped up (a side effect inherent in increasing regulation), not only do we pay more for electricity, but also more for every good manufactured or shipped. Which is... really, every good. So... people don’t like getting hit in the wallet. What else is new?

But that's all small beans as far as I'm concerned. Do you folks know how this bill is going to effect you... personally and directly? 300 or so pages of amendments were added to the bill the night before the House approved it. Did your dear congressmen read these last-minute amendments? Ha. So... did you know that this bill demands such nice little laws as you having to pay to make your house “green”-compliant before you can even sell it? I say! Why I do believe that that infringes on our freedom!

This bill also regulates the construction of new homes, dictating that they be installed with such features as electric car jacks for battery-powered cars.

Soon, the Obama administration may be pushing for bills regulating what cars you can buy (they better be green ones!)... what jobs you can perform (you at the coal plant, you’re out!)... where you can live?? (Wouldn’t want you living too far away from the office— that would give your commute too big a carbon footprint! Silly citizen. )

So yeah. Wow. This Cap and Trade thing is seriously freaking me out, and it isn’t over a matter of higher utility bills. I can see it chipping away at our freedoms... and there’s no telling where this chipping might stop, because if it’s for the name of “greenness” and if it’s sanctioned by the Holy Obama, why, that makes it “right!”

But lemme tell you, it’s not right by me. So Americans, wake up already. Our freedom is being taken away by little laws, not an overnight revolution. Let’s not get to the point where you need a card stamped to leave your state... or the country. And for now, hope the Senate turns down Cap and Trade! ><



In other news... kinda a funny story. I lost my balance on the porch behind my house yesterday and wound up falling through a wooden railing six or seven feet onto my head. I think I sprained my neck... but bizarrely enough, I also decimated both my ankles (at least temporarily), which has made it difficult if not impossible to even walk. Jeeze... XD


Also... a belated RIP to Billy Mays. He brought a smile to many a face with his crazy ads, and he was prematurely cut down in his prime. May his memory live on...




_{(*Because think about it... if we decrease energy-production here in the US for the sake of green technology, other countries around the world will just make up for the differance using their own unregulated and more effecient processes. I'm telling you... let the market determine the means of production! >< (Money makes the world go 'round...))}

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/25357944/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/25357944/ Tue, 16 Jun 2009 17:38:48 PDT I had an interesting time of it this last weekend. Rode the Hobo from Lincoln to Ashland, chased the Café Lafayette, toured the Flying Yankee, rode Climax No. 6, and photographed “The Caboose Train” all the way to Plymouth. All out of Lincoln, New Hampshire for the first annual Railfest there! Approximately three days of railroad-related fun put on by the Flying Yankee’s restoration group. Quite an event, sure to be even bigger and better next year.

As for art news, as always, it seems, I’ve got quite a bit of art in that “conception” stage waiting to be realized. I’ve got a sizeable list of such artworks, actually. XD If only I could work quicker, but alas... I’m always either struck with a total lack of inspiration (read: laziness) or hampered by my exceedingly-slow art-making process. Bah... but anyway, I’ve got both train- and Mario-related works on the burners. Maybe even a request or two in there. So I’ll be posting these works as I get to ‘em. Maybe something’ll even strike your fancy!

In other other news, I’m still working on some HO projects I hope to finish over the summer, including kitbashing and repainting a number of plastic passenger cars. I might be working on a Game Maker project or two, and I’d certainly like to order a load of Legos off of Bricklink to finally finish some Lego rolling stock I’ve started. Maybe start up a website somewhere in the meantime of all that stuff... (As you can see, starting projects is my biggest skill. Trying to finish them is my bane...)

So, time to end the long journal (as unsarcastically pretty and gray as it is).

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/24700577/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/24700577/ Tue, 12 May 2009 11:27:05 PDT
As those of you who try to follow this topic are likely aware, news is fairly hard to come by regarding it. I am referring to, of course, the efforts to save the famous Lost Engines of Roanoke.

Now, I come home from school after three months and find last month's issue of Trains magazine sitting on a stack in the corner. I flip to the "Preservation" column and skim through a short article on the Virginia Transportation Museum. The following quote says it all:

"[Museum executive director Bev Fitzpatrick] also wants to . . . section an N&W 4-8-0 and a Chesapeake Western VO10000 (both recued recently from a scrap yard) to show visitors inner workings . . ."

...


WHAT???

These people mean to tell me that the engines that I have been worrying over for years... some of the LAST 4-8-0s in the country... have been SAVED only to be CUT UP... by a MUSEUM??? What on earth am I MISSING here??? Who on Earth is in charge of that place...??? Someone here should be removed from power... before it's too late!

Richard Jensen, people... WHY ON EARTH WOULD WE, IN OUR ENLIGHTENED TIME, INSIST ON CARRYING OUT THE VERY TYPE OF MURDER HE WAS POWERLESS TO PREVENT??? Unless someone has sufficient information to prove that that Trains quote I’ve noted was taken out of context, and that I am thus over reacting to it (and I have found no information yet myself to prove just that), I urge you all to join me in writing to the Virginia Museum of Transportation (Roanoke, VA) demanding that this Lost Engine be SAVED and not DESTROYED. A museum OWES us that responsibility.


Thank you very kindly for your attention.



EDIT 5/12 2:30PM: Okay, I've calmed down a bit here, but I'm still scared of this whole ordeal. I’ve included the address for the Virginia Museum of Transportation below, such that your thoughts regarding the lost 4-8-0s may be forwarded:


303 Norfolk Avenue
Roanoke, VA, 14016

(540) 342-5670
info@vmt.org


If writing to the museum, I suggest combating the inevitable counter-argument that the sectioning of any one of these locomotives will be an educational experience or lead to public interest... stress the alternatives to a full-size cutaway, such as models, blueprints, or interactive computer displays. Stress that you CAN do a locomotive harm whether or not it ever will be able to run again, and that having a total of three similar engines does NOT make them dime-a-dozen experiment pieces. To inspire the importance of steam to future generations, we must instill in them a sense of respect for steam... especially for so venerable a group as the Lost Engines. Stress that all three of these locomotives can be made to look nice (and yes, even if one goes without a tender).

Again, thank you all much for your support. As always, any additional information is appreciated. Until then, better safe than sorry, and never underestimate people’s ability to make horrid, if well-intentioned, mistakes.

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/24607244/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/24607244/ Tue, 05 May 2009 18:35:06 PDT If you’re familiar with my game “Steam Engine Express,” it’ll be somewhat like that... but with some Lionel Traintown mixed in and an even cartoonier “model railroad” graphics style! It could be quite a challenge to make both graphics-wise and “coding”-wise, but I’ll see where I can go with it!

So I’ve just got two tests to take and hopefully I can crack down on these and other cool ideas I’ve had lately. That is, if I’m not too distracted playing Banjo-Tooie or The New Tetris with my sister...

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/24534774/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/24534774/ Fri, 01 May 2009 17:12:54 PDT
Well, guess that’s about it for now. Pretty boring I'm afraid. I’ll be ‘round if ya need me.

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/24469937/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/24469937/ Mon, 27 Apr 2009 19:12:08 PDT
Now, as Marty Robbins informed us in Emperor of the North, a man is not a train... and I’m pretty sure that most men aren’t termites either. And yet... people will follow tracks. They'll go out of their way to follow tracks, even if doing so sacrifices time and safety. It’s honestly the darndest thing. I present two examples to prove my case:

ONE: My college campus green: an empty, grassy field surrounded by buildings and interlaced with a sparse network of concrete paths laid out by the world’s worst traffic planner. Not one of them directly connects any two points around the green’s perimeter. Now, as we all know, the shortest distance between two points is a straight line... and yet I’ve observed, time and time again, walking folks stick to those silly concrete walkways when they cross that field... zigging and sagging and at times taking ridiculous right corners just to do it. Darn weird to see. You'd think the grass was electrified. (It isn't.)

TWO: Crosswalks. I’m not talking about city crosswalks, where each one is situated at a block corner guarded with its own little light. I’m talking about those arbitrarily-placed suburban crosswalks spanning long, straight roads where you can see cars coming from a half mile away in either direction. Here, the same “track-bound” mental blockade that makes people look so silly on goofily-designed greens seems to compel them to cross the street, at those crosswalks, right into the paths of speeding cars... when they could have crossed the street ten yards away such that neither pedestrian nor automo-carriage would have to skip a beat. I’ve seen it! JAYWALK— it could save your life! O.o

(You’d think I’D be the one walking on tracks, being the train nut and all, but yeesh... for once I think I’m actually the sane one! O.o)


So whee... fun fun. Lessee, where else to go with this fine update... well, I failed to report several weeks ago that GSTC No. 500 has been taken out of service following its break-in runs due to bad steaming and engine brake failure— two design flaws that fall squarely on me, I’m afraid. :shame: She’s in the shops as we speak awaiting a redesigned boiler and re-rigged brakes... should be interesting to see how she looks when she comes out.


And, well, nothing much else at the moment, I guess!

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/24092928/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/24092928/ Mon, 06 Apr 2009 12:20:21 PDT losing features (albeit trivial ones) as an unsubscribed member for the benefit of the subscribed, I’m starting to get a bit worried that dA is on the brink of a some kind of flaming financial disaster. Which kinda almost makes me feel a bit bad for ranting about it as I’m wont to do.

But seriously... subscribed members get to ask for critique now? And oh, if you respond to one of these official critiques, you get fame and glory too? What a load of crock! Why should subscribed members get all of this high-falutin’ attention? They’re already subscribed!! Don’t we all ask for critique every time we post a piece of art? (Oh, wait, we unsubscribéd technically can’t anymore. But you know what I mean.) Perhaps most irritatingly, though, what about all of us poor saps who give solid critique to artists just because we respect them and their work? Do we get special attention for that? No...? Oh, well then! ><

So yes. Napoleon would be infuriated. (And I wouldn’t get subscribed if you paid me to do it. (No offense intended to all you subscribed folks out there. Really. It's not your fault.))

Oh, and if I sound irked it's probably also because I lost my one good inking pen and apparently can't buy another one in the same stupid town. And there is no place to work alone in peace and quite at this school, anyway. I don't know what to do with myself. ><


And... if you bothered to read all that, I’ll leave you off with something a bit lighter to chew on... everyone knows Daisy’s trademark “Hi I’m Daisy!” line from Mario Kart: Double Dash... but did it ever occur to you that she might be proclaiming, “High on Daisy”...?? O.o


I’m done.



(EDIT 4/7: Okay, I lied. XD First, I bought a new pack of pens... $16.20! Second, don't get me wrong with that rant up there... I honestly don't WANT any of the options that subscribed members get, especially that dumb critique thing. I just think it's an ostentatious move on dA's part to even create them (it) in the first place, and that's about that. XD)

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/23994325/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/23994325/ Tue, 31 Mar 2009 21:01:48 PDT
Check out the entire amazing press interview with IAIS chairman Henry Posner III here! [link]


(And since I’m updating my journal anyway, happy April, folks! )



(EDIT 4/2: This was indeed an April Fools gag if you hadn't caught on. )

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/23309586/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/23309586/ Fri, 20 Feb 2009 16:23:19 PST
Thanks!

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/23067731/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/23067731/ Sat, 07 Feb 2009 18:32:32 PST Stupid viruses. ><



(DON'T CLICK THE LINKS, PEOPLE.)

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/22738190/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/22738190/ Thu, 22 Jan 2009 15:17:13 PST
And what's with the stupid callout balloons on all of the messages? Is this MySpace or something??

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/22553584/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/22553584/ Mon, 12 Jan 2009 22:56:42 PST )


1 .Liscence and registration please..JK, how many fandoms do you have?
-Basically Mario. I like Zelda games too but not enough to be a real hardcore fan anymore. ^^

2 .Do you know how to swim?
-Kinda sorta, but I don’t enjoy it. I’m not gonna drown in the water, though.

3. What do you want as a job in your future?
-Something in railroad operations, like brakeman or conductor.

4. Name a song that describes you
-After extensive thought, none come to mind— probably because I don’t listen to much in the way of “ popular” music. XD

5. Have any illnesses/diseases/disabilities?
-Kinda, but they’re internal and not particularly worth mentioning at the moment. (I also have extremely bad eyesight if that counts, which it doesn’t. XD)

6. A famous question...Ninjas or Pirates?
-Pirates!

7. Another famous question...Turkey or ham?
-Herm... I’ll have to go with ham (though turkey is good, too).

8. We all have an inner child in us...Do you have a favorite toy?
-Model trains.

9. Ever been hospitalized? Was it epic?
-I got some stitches in my forehead after falling during a hiking trip once. XD

10. Who's your hero?
-Again, no one person comes to mind. Though I admire various people for various reasons.

11. If you were stuck on an island what would you do?
-Probably spell out “HELP” in huge letters on the beach like in the movies. And then try to find/build a shelter, etc.

12. I'll give you 6 random letters..Make a word... (A C L T R I )
-Atari. XD

13. Favorite Dessert? Not desert..But if you wanna include that, okay
-Ice cream, maybe...? (I’m not a dessert connoisseur. XD)

15. Favorite pie flavor? If you don't like pie, then what kind of cake do you like?
-Boston Cream Pie is good, though I’ve only had it like once... XD

16. Someone offers you 1 million dollars, there is a catch though, you must cut off your leg...Do you do it?
-Hecks no. XD

17. What do the words "Berries and cream" mean to you?
-All kinds of ill will.

18. Pepsi or coke?
-Pepsi for its flavor, but Coke for its Americana value.

19. Favorite kind of pizza?
-The works sans fish.

20. Got any "special talents"?
-Highly unlikely.

21. Can you dance? What type of dance style is it?
-No. XD

22. How long was the longest time you slept?
-13 hours (longest recorded time).

23. Favorite animal?
-Cat

24. Did you know that I didn't add a question 14?
-I did not.

25. A dog chases you and won't stop, what do you do?
-Try to act nonchalant while beating it with a shoe.

26. What was your favorite little kid show as a child?
-I don’t really remember any little kids shows. I liked “Hey Arnold!” in later years...

27. Everyone wants a slinky, how about you?
-No, those things turn into tangled messes!

28. Wanna share an embarrassing moment?
-I do not. XD

29. You a good singer?
-Don’t know.

30. Favorite celebrity or celebrities?
-Nope.

31. What was the last movie you saw at a theature?
-I think it might’ve been “ Polar Express” in 3D... I don’t go to real theaters often.

32. What was the last thing you ate?
-An onion bagel with grape jelly. Oh yes. XD

33. Favorite candy?
-Well, Twix are good...

34. What is your horoscope today?
-“Something very curious happens today: Your partner does not tell you that you are wrong! No need for you to freak out: this person is merely taking stock of what is important. You are at the top of the list.” Yes, I actually looked that up in today’s (okay, Monday’s— I’m up late) Boston Herald just for this quiz.

35. Favorite video game?
-Super Mario World, as ever!

36. Favorite meal of the day?
-Breakfast.

37. What would you do if you only had 5 days to live?
-Wallow in self pity, more likely than not. Either that or try and finish at least one of the myraid unfinished projects I have lying around. And say goo... ]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/22423121/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/22423121/ Mon, 05 Jan 2009 20:06:17 PST [link])... so for the time being I’ll put that grave subject aside. In the meantime, I have a rather happier railroad tale to tell. Last Saturday (January 3rd), the Conway Scenic Railroad in North Conway, New Hampshire, in conjunction with the Mass Bay Railway Enthusiasts club, put on their second annual “Steam in the Snow” special— and you guessed it, I got to ride it! I learned several things during this trip, including:

that the oft-glorified visual effects of steam in the winter season are not at all over-hyped,

why railfans are called (and call themselves) crazy,

what it feels like to brave freezing temperatures and biting winds for that perfect shot,

and that railroaders in the tourist industry get as much a kick out of their trains as do the tourists they serve.

The trip was planned from the start as a photographers’ special, so there were many, many stops for photo run bys. Conway Scenic’s pride, beautiful ex-Grand Trunk/Canadian National 0-6-0 No. 7470, put on a spectacular show— at one point even “civilian” motorists were stopping alongside the road with the crowds of railfans to watch her thunder by— all the while her exhaust and whistle echoing off the hills and mountains of Mount Washington Valley. And as if all that weren’t enough, on Sunday the railroad ran a period freight train for a private filming company, complete with a BAR “State of Maine” reefer (that iconic New England staple), a red off-set cupola wooden caboose, and of course the 7470 herself up front. I’ve seen few things more beautiful than the views of that train up in the snow-covered mountains... the stuff of Christmas cards, as my dad put it. Straight out of the 1950s.


So... that’s what I’ve been up to lately. As you may have noticed I still haven’t drawn much of anything lately, and I’m upset at myself over this. Luckily I have many an idea for Mario- and railroad-related pictures that I hope to realize someday soon.

So as always, carry on and all.

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/22088869/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/22088869/ Sat, 20 Dec 2008 16:47:39 PST
This last summer an event nothing short of incredible occurred—one of the locomotives, a diminutive old Consolidation type, was rescued from the scrap yard and transported to Ohio by a prospective restaurateur at the costs of tens of thousands of dollars. The engine will surely never see the capital city of its home railroad again. However, while that engine can look forward to a new life greeting tourists as a roadside attraction, the three remaining engines are in one heck of a tough situation. In 2004, the scrap company that owned the locomotives donated them to the nearby Virginia Transportation Museum (VMT)—but the financially-strapped VMT has been unable to procure the funding to move the locomotives. (Again, we are talking many thousands of dollars needed to transport them to safety.) In the meantime, the scrap yard itself has been bought by a city redevelopment authority—which has given the VMT until December 31, 2008, to move the locomotives from the scrap yard. What might happen beyond that date is somewhat unclear. The fact of the matter is that people charged with “redevelopment” will look at these engines and likely see little more than ugly, rusted metal.

The value of these engines is actually limitless. The three steam locomotives remaining in the scrap yard, dating from the early 20th Century, are of the Mastodon or 4-8-0 type— a rare design of which only three other examples exist in North America. The three Roanoke engines represent half of this type that reached the preservation era— and they are the largest and most modern examples, too. Their shabby exterior and interior is irrelevant— all they need is cosmetic work to have them appear as they would have in their prime. The locomotives themselves cannot be replicated.

I feel totally helpless watching these engines. I don’t know what me or anyone else can really do to save them— but I feel that at least spreading the word will help somehow. We should all know that nothing in the railroad preservation world is safe from scrap in this day and age... whether this lesson be learned from the story of Richard Jenson of the 1960s-80s or of that of the Knox and Kane of this past Autumn. Let’s finally say “Never Again.” I don’t want to see these “lost” engines lost for good, and I doubt many other people who know their value do, either.

Info cited from [link] . Check out it and [link] for more info.


EDIT 1/1/09: The deadline has come and gone... I'm as curious as anyone else as to what's going to happen now.

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/22049420/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/22049420/ Thu, 18 Dec 2008 13:14:05 PST Here's a great explanation for those of you who also see beauty in weathering: [link]


And happy holiday season all, while I'm at it!

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/21832151/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/21832151/ Fri, 05 Dec 2008 14:02:11 PST Gah...

I can't believe I didn't submit anything during the calendar month of November... that's the first time I've ever let that happen during my two years on dA. The way things are going I could hit the two month (60 day) mark before I submit anything else! It goes like this... all school year you can goof off and not worry too much about it, considering the workload is pretty lax... and then the end of the semester rolls around and wham, all those end-of-class final projects catch up. XD So yeah, I've been way to busy to get artwork done lately. I apologize to those folks to whom I still have work promised! (I have a lot of arts I wish I had time to finish right now. Some actually won't take too much more time to finish.)


So okay, sorry if I wasted your time in actually making you read this thing. XD

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/21638105/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/21638105/ Sun, 23 Nov 2008 20:16:28 PST precise remix of the famous Super Mario Bros. overworld theme. It's uncanny! The ad is actually advertising the "T-Mobile G1 with Google," whatever that is and not that I'm trying to endorse it or anything.

EDIT!: See the ad right here! [link]

(You can find ANYTHING on Youtube!)


So, carry on!

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/21586419/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/21586419/ Thu, 20 Nov 2008 17:48:38 PST
Now to ballance that complaint, it looks like the journal emotions menu is working again! Hooray! And I don't even have a good emotion to switch to at the moment... oh well. XD

Carry on!

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/21436637/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/21436637/ Tue, 11 Nov 2008 11:13:13 PST end of a great war, reminding us exactly what it is we have to thank our soldiers for, and exactly what it is that people, deep down, are most ready to celebrate. Here's to freedom and peace and to the people who risk their lives to protect those blessings for us all.

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/21327069/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/21327069/ Tue, 04 Nov 2008 20:25:16 PST closing of California's poll's to make his presumed victory official. Search me for that logic.) All I can say-- Mr. Obama can make or break America from here on if he wins this thing like they say he will. Let's pray he does us good...


...because despite my efforts to give him the benefit of the doubt, "Heaven on Their Minds" has inexplicably entered my head with the sight of his raging victory crowds.




(EDIT: An unrelated but nonetheless enlightening quote from the President of my Massachusetts college, upon hearing the news that MA has just de-criminalized marijuana use and out-lawed betting on dog-races: "Dogs are out, weed is in!"

Purportedly, he was excited.

It is a crying shame that this is what "liberalism" has fallen to nowadays.)

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/21305483/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/21305483/ Mon, 03 Nov 2008 17:49:30 PST
(And c’mon folks... Palin isn’t the one running for president here!)

But I guess we'll see what we all get tomorrow, eh?

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/21202408/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/21202408/ Tue, 28 Oct 2008 13:42:03 PDT
[link]


(EDIT: I just realized I've been here for two years today! I refer back to this journal's opening sentence. XD)

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/21071451/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/21071451/ Sun, 19 Oct 2008 21:36:21 PDT

Second, mini art dump— I just posted a few “ pretty old” pictures that I’ve been staring at, finished, for far too long. They’re so outdated it almost doesn’t make sense to post them (they got caught up in my crazy request-taking scheme last year— hehe), but I really wanted to get them off my desktop, so here they are. XD

Third, Having now published most of my own “waiting to be finished” work, I pledge to renew my tackling of the last few requests I still owe. I meant to take a month-long break, and of course that didn’t hold. Note that I still might throw in some personal stuff from time to time, but I’ll still be working on those requests as a priority, dangit.

And fourth, uh... the Red Sox lost. Dang.

Finally, Mario & Luigi 3 looks pretty good so far. The less I find out about it, the better its impression will be with me, no doubt.

So then, carry on and etc.!

(Cool plz accounts: )

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/20983961/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/20983961/ Tue, 14 Oct 2008 10:51:10 PDT

No need to comment.

EDIT 11:30-- Aw guys, I was serious, you really didn't have to comment. But I'm really touched that you did. If you really want to know, I've just been a bit lonely and skeptical about the future in general. I'm really very sorry for bothering/concerning you all about it.

All the same, thanks so much, everyone! It means a lot.

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/20856864/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/20856864/ Mon, 06 Oct 2008 11:48:31 PDT production go to pot?


Just a thought.

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/20710506/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/20710506/ Sat, 27 Sep 2008 18:20:01 PDT ), but I got the chance to attend a short "concert" by the one and only Arlo Guthrie at the end of a college ceremony... complete with him singing "City of New Orleans." My all-time favorite song live by my favorite artist to perform it... never would have thought I'd see that.

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/20226100/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/20226100/ Fri, 29 Aug 2008 20:47:27 PDT The reason? Huge stack of art that I've been meaning to submit all summer that I've held back in the name of request completion. (At this rate I'll never get it up!) So to the three or four folks to whom I still owe work, I do apologize... but I haven't abandoned you yet.

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/19825880/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/19825880/ Thu, 07 Aug 2008 11:19:45 PDT and for their help with my animation woes. Watehey did an awesome job animating my little sprite project, and Steamby lead me to a free animation program that has me doing this stuff right on my own now. Teach a man to fish...

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/19629225/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/19629225/ Sun, 27 Jul 2008 19:19:57 PDT
Last night, after having returned on the train to Brunswick, my dad and I went over to a nearby Wal-Mart to buy a jug of Coke. While waiting in the check-out line, we overheard the following conversation between a largish teen-age girl (a Wal-Mart employee) and some middle-aged bearded guy (the customer in line in front of us). It went something like this:

Guy: So, what have you been up to lately?
Girl: Well, I’ve been volunteering up at the Boothbay Railway Village.
Guy: Really...?
Girl: Yup. You know, last weekend they had the Thomas thing and all. It was a lot of fun.
Guy: Wow.
Girl: Yeah, it was great. But here’s the thing-- next weekend, I’m going to be taking a steam course. Seriously, you wouldn’t believe it-- the two bosses of the railroad are paying for it and everything!
Guy: Wow, no kidding!
Girl: Yeah! And guess what... if I pass this course, there’s a really good chance they’ll hire me as an engineer next season!
Guy: Wow, that’s great!
Girl: Yep! Well, I gotta get to work. See you around...!

...

For some reason or other, that really made my weekend. Maybe simply because I’ve never overheard anyone talking about the possibility of becoming a locomotive engineer before, let alone a steam locomotive engineer. Or perhaps it's because it’s proof that there are young people out there in the real world who actually care enough about the tradition of steam railroading to keep it alive. It suggests to me that the world isn't going to pot afterall... that we as the human race haven't forgotten our roots in our mindless and destructive pursuit of technological garbage. And to think that this proof could be found from such an unlikely source and in the most ironic of places, well... it impressed me enough to write about it.

Here’s to all the folks out there like that girl from Wal-Mart. Railfans all over the world owe you big.

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/19339988/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/19339988/ Fri, 11 Jul 2008 17:13:42 PDT I'll be darned if I can ever get used to this new-fangled message center. So much for the simplicity of seeing all your messages/updates at once... nono, now it's about loading a new screen for each bloody category. With the speed my computer loads screens, I don't know if it's going to be worth the effort to even check for new comments, journals, messages, or whatever anymore...




Bah.


I'm still working on those requests. But I'm not "joyous."

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/19163281/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/19163281/ Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:35:09 PDT
First off, stuff I owe people. Be it through trades, requests, or otherwise, I can think of a number of people I owe a picture to right now, and getting those pictures done will be a priority. But here’s the thing: if you think I owe you something, and especially if you think I’ve forgotten, let me know. In fact, if you’ve asked for something in the past and I’ve turned you down for whatever reason, you might as well run it by me again now, because I’ll make it up to you and get it done. I hate to turn down requests, but this last school year may have necessitated my “evading” a couple of them... but I have more time now.

Also, hope to get a few projects done, some of which I may have started as long as last summer ago... might throw up some weird old pics I’ve never gotten around to publishing this year as well... blah blah blah and that’s about it.


And happy early Forth of July to my fellow Americans.

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/18995130/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/18995130/ Mon, 23 Jun 2008 05:03:25 PDT
While many people know Mr. Carlin best as the raunchy comedian, I'll always remember him as the wise-but-friendly Mr. Conductor from Shining Time Station... that's the "Americanized" Thomas the Tank Engine show from back in the day, before it went totally to pot. Sure, some folks associate Ringo Starr with the role more so than Carlin, but you know... I kind of grew up with the Carlin season, and I thought he did a dang good job.

May he rest in peace.



(Ignore the "Joy" icon, please. dA is a mess that way.)

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/18955268/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/18955268/ Fri, 20 Jun 2008 18:37:36 PDT

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/17915376/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/17915376/ Fri, 18 Apr 2008 16:58:12 PDT
]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/17464495/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/17464495/ Sat, 22 Mar 2008 20:00:52 PDT

So yeah, it was a good time, and I was pretty darn lucky to be at this school during the year they decided to put it on. And now I have the theme song stuck in my head.


In other news, happy Easter! Also, please still hold trades and requests and stuff. I still have... stuff to do.

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/16966082/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/16966082/ Tue, 19 Feb 2008 17:18:03 PST
First of all... I’m going to get back into posting train art more often. Please, don't hate me too much... I like to think of dA as a repository for varied interests. So... I’ll post just about anything here as I come up with it. (Don’t worry, there's no need to feel obligated to feign interest!)

Secondly, I would really rather not take on art-trades, requests, and etc. right now... I really hate to delay those projects when I take them, and yet I have a lot of art to work on at the moment which I’d rather not delay either, and well, you know how it gets...

Lastly, not that they've been a particular nusiance lately, I will no longer be responding to tags. I do apologize for the inconvenience...

And, um... that is all.

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/16539770/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/16539770/ Wed, 23 Jan 2008 16:17:31 PST

Tagged by , , .

1. post these rules
2. each person tagged must post 8 random (hopefully interesting) facts about themselves
3. tags should write a journal of these facts
4. at the end of the post 8 more bloggers are tagged and named.
5. go to their page and leave a comment telling them that they're tagged.

1.) I'm wicked non-confrontational
2.) I'm trying to get a driver's license
3.) My shoes look just like Mario's
4.) I shun social interaction whenever possible (see number 1)
5.) I love Italian food (especially anything with spaghetti sauce)
6.) Why did Nintendo kill off Toad???
7.) Everyone walks faster than me (I like to think my walking is "contemplative")
8.) Youtube Poop is my new best friend.

4. and 5. NOOOOOO!

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/16262405/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/16262405/ Fri, 04 Jan 2008 21:43:24 PST ! This quiz made by , purportedly.

Um, since I have no good OCs at the moment, I’m kinda doing this myself, I guess. Yes, I’m lame that way. Leave me alone. *waves cane*

1. In the online world, who and what are you?

Me: I’m Atticus Van Astikatus, a Koopa. Although I’m sorta known for wearing green Magikoopa robes, I know no magic whatsoever. Alas... but what can I do.

2. Who is your favorite video game character?

Atticus: Definitely Luigi! Ever since I started watching Mario on TV (aka, since I was born XD), I wanted to be that tall guy. While other mean older brothers were forcing their siblings to play as Player 2, I forced mine to play as Player 1...

3. What is your favorite game type?

Atticus: I’m probably going to have to say Adventure games. Your basic Mario, Zelda, stuff like that. But I’ve always enjoyed a good racing game as well.

4. What is your favorite TV show(s) right now?

Atticus: I hardly watch any TV, but I like a few shows on the Discovery and History channels when they’re on. Mythbusters is a good watch.

5. What is your favorite video game(s) right now?

Atticus: Right now I’m playing The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess and quite enjoying it, though I haven’t gotten very far. Two games that I like very much without respect to the present are Paper Mario 2 and Super Mario World. (You probably knew that.)

6. Do you guys go on Nintendo Wi-Fi?

Atticus: I haven’t even figured out what that is yet! Darn computer technology...

7. If you like Pokémon, then who is your favorite Pokémon?

Atticus: (bypasses the If/Then statement)

8. What do you say all the time right now?

Atticus: In the real world, “look, man” and “absolutely not the case.” Sometimes a little “hecks no” for good measure...

9. What is your favorite color(s)?

Atticus: Gray and green.

10. What percent for losing in video games?

Atticus: Well, I guess that would depend on the game...? I’ll just take Banjo-Tooie’s Battle Mode and say about 75% percent (depending on who I’m playing!). Other games I can do better at.

11.What game you mostly play right now?

Atticus: RIGHT now...? Twilight Princess. Though I haven’t touched even it for a couple days now...

12. Last, do you like this quiz?

Atticus: It might be fun if I HAD SOME CHARACTERS TO TAKE IT WITH ME! (Gah, I HAVE to get my new comic series off the ground... this is shameful.)


I tag no one. A twenty on the way out will be enough to show your thanks.



Now, so I don't get shot... (Perhaps literally, if more folks are looking at me through rifle sights like Racerdude was... O.o):

Basically, I've been out of the loop for a while, but I hope to catch up on a whole lot of back art and projects over the next couple of weeks (winter break, you know).

First off, I owe some of you folks art trades, requests, tags and etc... I can think of at least three or four people with every right to be getting on my case right about now. Not that they have. Because they're good people. I also want to finish some pictures I've been working on since September or so. I'm working on my long-stagnant illustrated "railroad ballad" as we speak. Since I've been digging around mountains of old artwork, I may also post some odd skecthes into scraps for the heck of it. Nothing too exciting, though.

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/16180912/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/16180912/ Mon, 31 Dec 2007 09:16:09 PST
First off, I owe some of you folks art trades, requests, tags and etc... I can think of at least three or four people with every right to be getting on my case right about now. Not that they have. Because they're good people. I also want to finish some pictures I've been working on since September or so. I'm working on my long-stagnant illustrated "railroad ballad" as we speak. Since I've been digging around mountains of old artwork, I may also post some odd skecthes into scraps for the heck of it. Nothing too exciting, though.

And really, that's about it! Happy New Year's and all that jazz.

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/16082236/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/16082236/ Mon, 24 Dec 2007 18:21:51 PST

Whilst wishing you all happy holidays, I'd just like to apologize for my utter lack of response to your correspondence this last couple of days... my time off did not begin with the end of the semester as I'd thought it would. Christmas rush, you know. So in a day or two I'll be looking alive again.

Other than that... keep merry! Wishing you all the best over the holidays.

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/15556122/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/15556122/ Sun, 18 Nov 2007 00:31:27 PST ... some... 18 days ago... Sorry Gattlin, I’ve just been busy I guess. But here we go.

1.choose a few of your own characters.
2. make them answer the following questions.
3. then tag three people.
4. feel free to go ahead and add some questions yourself!!

Okay... I don’t really have a lot of characters (at least, published characters... yet) so I guess I’m gonna pull out Graven for this one. I could do my “character” of Atticus, but... does interviewing yourself really count?


OCs:
-Graven


How old are you?

Graven : Seventeen.


What is your height?

Graven: Five foot eleven... like it’s any of your business...


Are you a virgin?

Graven: You’re really pushing it, aren’t you?


Do you have any kids?

Graven: No.


What is your favorite food?

Graven: Roast mutton is always good...


What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

Graven: “Ice cream”? What are you talking about, cream with snow in it or something...?


Have you killed anyone?

Graven: Yes. They'd have killed me if I'd given them the chance...


Do you hate anyone?

Graven: I hate humans— they will never accept the dragon race as anything more than game to hunt and kill.


Have any secrets?

Graven: I suppose so.


Do you love anyone?

Graven: Yes— my girlfriend Teresa.


What is your job?

I don’t know if I’ve ever had a specific “job”— I used to work around the village, collecting wood, doing whatever needed doing. Nowadays I guess I’d be called “out of work.”


Boy or girl?

Graven: What...?


What do you do to relax?

Graven: Haha, I dunno... I guess I like to practice with my sword... or I’ll just sit down to sharpen it and get lost in thought for a while...


What do you think your life expectancy is?

Graven: Ha...! I’d hope for a good 100 years, but you never know, do you?


Is there a song that suits your personality?

Graven: I dunno... I’ve had this old funeral tune in my head for a while. I guess that’s pretty fitting.


. . .


Well, there you have it— the angsty teenage mercenary stereotype that is Graven. I still need to do something with this guy... I started work on a game engine and made some decent sprites of ‘im and everything, but the epic of "Graven's Quest" didn’t get too far. One of these days I’ll have to get to work on that again.

Oh well. I guess I tag... anyone... who hasn’t done this already. See? I find a way to do no harm ('cuz everyone’s done this).

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/15469172/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/15469172/ Sun, 11 Nov 2007 19:01:55 PST
...Now, for the fun part!

If you choose to participate in the survey, I will gladly reimburse your input with a free request of anything you desire*! You can send your answers to me via note, e-mail (at [atticus 10001 @ yahoo.com], without the brackets and spaces), or by simply responding to this journal. I don't think anything in this survey is particularly personal, but if you would like to send your answers in anonymously, feel free to do so. (If you choose this option, you can send me a note with your request on it, just so I know you sent in one of the anonymous scores. )

*You can indeed request anything you want... however, if it's a fan character or something along those lines, a description or reference is much appreciated. Otherwise, I'll do my best to draw anything you ask! Please take into account that there may be some delay between your input and request completion... I'll be working on requests in the order I recieve them. (Note: This is the first time I've actually -offered- them!)

Oh, and one more thing... after eight responses, I'ma delete this and the survey closes.

Now, on to the survey!:



Part 1

1.)What is your gender? Male Female
2.)What is your favorite sport?
3.)What is your favorite color?
4.)Are you:
Firstborn
Middle
Last
Only Child
5.)What is your major/favorite subject in school?
6.)How many siblings do you have?
7.)What kind of music do you listen to?
8.)What is your age?
9.)How many hours a day do you watch tv?
10.)How many hours a night do you sleep?



Part 2

Here are a number of personality traits that may or may not apply to you. Please write a number next to each statement to indicate the extent to which you agree or disagree with that statement.

Disagree strongly: 1
Disagree moderately: 2
Disagree a little: 3
Neither agree nor disagree: 4
Agree a little: 5
Agree moderately: 6
Agree strongly: 7

___ 1. I am not a worrier
___ 2. I really like most people I meet
___ 3. I have a very active imagination.
___ 4. I tend to be cynical and skeptical of others’ intentions.
___ 5. I am known for my prudence and common sense.
___ 6. I am easily frightened.
___ 7. I don’t get much pleasure from chatting with people.
___ 8. I try to keep my thoughts directed along realistic lines and avoid flights of fancy.
___ 9. I believe that other people are well intentioned.
___ 10. I don’t take civic duties like voting very seriously.
___ 11. I rarely feel fearful or anxious.
___12. I’m known as a friendly person.
___ 13. I have an active fantasy life.
___ 14. I believe that most people will take advantage of you if you let them.
___ 15. I keep myself informed and usually make intelligent decisions.
___ 16. I often feel tense or jittery.
___ 17. Many people think of me as somewhat cold and distant.
___ 18. I don’t like to waste my time daydreaming.
___ 19. I think most people I deal with are honest and trustworthy.
___ 20. I often come into situations without being prepared.


SURVEY SLOTS REMAINING: 0

NOTE: FOR THE TIME BEING, THE SURVEY IS CLOSED! Thank you so much for all of you who took this thing and sent in some valuable information-- you'll be getting an explanation back fairly shortly. I will also be starting work on the requests, which might take a couple weeks to complete (I am a slow artist, but I assure you that you WILL get your picture ). If you've already "reserved" a spot for the survey (i.e., posted under this journal) but have yet to fill out the survey itself, feel free to do so yet in return for a request. One can never have too much information in the name of a psychology experiment!

EDIT ALERT!: I just realized you may or may not want to give your real age... ]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/15407802/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/15407802/ Wed, 07 Nov 2007 14:51:50 PST
Well, that's about the last thing I wanted to do (folks on campuses are always trying to make you sign things), but I'm a pretty polite guy, so I humored him and asked him what the petition was about. He says it's to stop global warming.

So I'm thinking, "yeah, right, that's a good one. Sign a petition to 'stop' global warming." So I ask him what good signing it will do. He tells me it'll urge our dear senators to cut state coal consumption by 80%.

Cut coal consumption? Me!? HA!! I tell him I don't think so, he asks me if I know how nasty coal is, I tell him yes, sorry, and good day. Seriously, I was walking down the hall humming Wabash bloody-Cannonball seconds before I was accosted— there’s no way I’m about to sign for a reduction in coal use!



I gotta say, as a life-long coal enthusiast, environmentalists can drive me nuts. Now where’d I put that shovel…? I have some… thing to fire up. *whistles "Sixteen Tons"*


(Feel free to debate, but if you disagree I'll argue back with the sensibilty of a 19th Century mine boss. That's a fair warning, not a discouragment. )

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/15257045/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/15257045/ Sun, 28 Oct 2007 21:58:16 PDT























http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/15169621/ Mon, 22 Oct 2007 07:49:06 PDT
]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/14607964/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/14607964/ Wed, 12 Sep 2007 18:27:49 PDT

I think it was a transcendental experience.

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/14459938/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/14459938/ Sun, 02 Sep 2007 17:52:16 PDT in collegem (or whatever), and while I certainly wish to be able to keep up the amount of time I spend on dA, I'm not sure at this point if that will be a realistic possibility. Because of this, I just wanted to apologize in advance if it ever seems I am not commenting on you folks' artwork as much as I should be. As much as I love all of it, my time is simply becoming more limited . . . . I wish it weren't so!

Similarly, I may find myself not in a possition to refine and upload artwork myself. I still have every intention of getting those Mario comics up, but after that I'm just not sure what my progress will be.

Of course, I can't say for certain things WILL be this hard to work with here... but it may turn out that way. Time will tell.

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/14403097/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/14403097/ Wed, 29 Aug 2007 22:50:05 PDT

First off, due to popular demand, work on the next episode of The Super Mario Story has been initiated and progress has been steady! Hopefully, I can post the episode sometime soon. Thanks much to all of you who urged continuing the series and who posted on the original.

Meanwhile, I've also been working on a short illustrated story based on a popular railroad ballad... though I'm not saying which, yet. Progress has been a bit slow, but I hope to get it up sometime after the Mario comics.

In other news, my sister had me watch Howl's Moving Castle. Although I'm not too sure about the plot (it wasn't bad, per se, but it didn't... make a lot of sense), I was pleasantly surprised by the steampunkish-ness of the whole thing. Not even counting the castle itself, the movie had a good amount of neat steam-cars, trams, trains and airships, especially in the first few scenes-- not unlike Steamboy, really. All very interesting.


...And I guess that's about it.

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/14303476/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/14303476/ Thu, 23 Aug 2007 12:29:38 PDT
I was tagged by .
The rules are:
1. Post these rules
2. Each person tagged must post 8 random facts about themselves
3. Tags should write a journal/blog of these facts
4. At the end of the post 8 more persons are tagged and named
5. Go to their page and leave a comment telling them they’re tagged

1) I prefer winter weather to summer

2) I’m allergic to most small fruits

3) I much enjoy salvage piles

4) Super Mario Sunshine and Yoshi’s Island are the only two Mario games I have played but not completed

5) I’ve worked or started work on many GameMaker games, but have actually finished very few

6) I’m a horrible procrastinator

7) I have built a working, self-contained boiler out of coffee cans

8) I keep stacks of old school notebooks in my room because they tend to contain my best doodles; I often turn these into finished pictures

So there! No, I do not plan to tag anyone else. If you want to take this I’m sure you are perfectly free to.

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/14149676/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/14149676/ Mon, 13 Aug 2007 13:18:17 PDT . So, without further ado:


01) First name: Atticus

02) Your nickname on dA: none

03) Birthday: March 20th

04) Horoscope sign: I dunno, but considering I just told you my birthdate anyway...

05) Birth town: Gloucester, MA

06) Religion: Christian

07) Nationality: American

08) Parents: two

09) Do you love them: Of course.

10) Brothers or sisters: one, four half-siblings

11) Do you like the place where you live: The town is okay, but I hate the liberal state.

12) Hair color: dark blonde

13) Color of your eyes: brown

14) Height: 5'9"

15) What school/grade are you going to: freshman year, college

16) What marks do you have: None that I can think of.

18) Do you work anywhere: Lemmy's Land as a Caption Assistant! (I quit from the library, so I'm otherwise unemployed.)

19) What do you want to be in your life: locomotive engineer

20) Your life: Not much to it.

21) Personal quote: 'What time it is?' (Or so I'm told.)

22) Lucky number: 21

23) What are you interested in?: Designing things, building things, and the other stuff in my profile.

24) Good side of your character: It's honest (to a reasonable extent).

25) Bad side of it: It easily succumbs to frustration over simple things, it's cynical, and it has trouble with attachment.

26) Is your life happy?: Pretty.

27) Do you think that you are crazy?: Using the classic sense of the word, I sometimes wonder. So I'm probably not.

28) What is the time?: 3:08 PM

29) What is the date?: August 13, 2007

30) What's the weather like: sunny and cloudy

31) Favorite day in a week: Friday

32) Favorite music: catchy stuff (esp. folk music and classics)

34) Band: Don't know any.

35) Song: The 1812 Overture (Yeah, I know, not really a song. Bear with me.)

36) Best concert you have been: Haven't been to any.

37) Favorite actress: none

38) Favorite actor: Tom Hanks, Christopher Lloyd

39) Favorite film: The Train, Back to the Future, My Cousin Vinny, a couple others

40) TV series: I don't watch any on a regular basis.

41) Theater play: Just So, Anything Goes, Little Shop of Horrors, Cats

42) Film director: Um... Robert Zemeckis. I guess.

43) Do you want to be famous: Depends what for.

44) Do you want to be an actor/actress: It's sounded like a fun idea at times.

45) Do you want to be a singer: Maybe.

46) Book: One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovitch

49) Food: Lasagna (and other Italian stuff)

50) Sweet: Kit-Kat Bar

51) Fruit: Pineapple

52) Worst food: Asparagus

53) Worst drink: sour milk

54) ????: Indeed.

55) The Worst Band: Again, I really don't know any.

56) The Worst Actor: Couldn't say.

57) The Worst Actress: Same.

58) The Worst Movie: Vacation! ('Duma' comes in close second.)

59) The Worst Book: The Scarlet Letter

60) Do you drink alcohol: no

61) Do you smoke: no

62) Do you take some drugs: no

63) What do you adore to wear: I'll tell you what I do wear... jeans, a long-sleeve shirt or T-shirt, a fleece jacket and a blue-and-black plaid cloth hat.

64) Do you think you're pretty: Probably not.

65) What languages do you speak: English

66) The Most beautiful person you have ever seen/male: Ahem... No, thank you.

67) The most beautiful person you have ever seen/female: I don't know.

68)The most beautiful person on dA/female: I really don't know.

69) The most beautiful person on dA/male: . . .

70) Your best friends on dA/male: ,,, others... ]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/13257314/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/13257314/ Thu, 07 Jun 2007 20:01:32 PDT
A few weeks ago I saw a high school production of the musical called Just So, and I absolutely loved it. Not only was it full of hilarious characters and catchy songs, but it was a moving adventure story as well. I know it's not particularly likely that anyone will be putting it on near where you happen to be, but if you ever do get a chance to see a production of it I highly recommend going.

]]> ~Atticus-W http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/12492883/ http://Atticus-W.deviantart.com/journal/12492883/ Sat, 07 Apr 2007 07:03:10 PDT

]]> ~Atticus-W