http://search.deviantart.com/?q=by:EchoWing&section=today deviantART RSS for by:EchoWing en-us Copyright 2009, deviantART.com Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:12:10 PST deviantART.com http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://s.deviantart.com/minish/widgets/apple-touch-icon-precomposed.png http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/28276031/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/28276031/ Tue, 10 Nov 2009 17:40:35 PST
No surprise, but I'm among those fans.

I have nothing at all against the parties involved in its production. Guido Guidi and the other artists involved in the main series get nothing but my respect, especially Guidi having not had a lot of lead time. I do, however, feel that Shane McCarthy needed a lot more time to work on the blasted thing, that he needed to collaborate with Simon Furman, and that whether he respects the man or not, he could have done much better to continue from the framework that Furman had started with than what he did.

Unfortunately, we're pretty much stuck with it. But that doesn't mean I have to like it.

I've been tossing around the idea of doing a fan re-write of AHM for months now. I held off on doing it until after Coda finished off, hoping that would help to fix the assorted continuity gaffes (and aside from Nick Roche's story, not much of that was present), but now, I'm seriously considering doing it once I get more done with my other projects. I even have some firm ideas in mind to expand upon the story, elaborate on the differences, even incorporate concepts and ideas from other corners of the IDW-verse that got little elaboration (Spotlight: Mirage, anyone?). I don't have enough hubris to think it'll be better than the published version, and I no doubt will need some editing assistance of my own, but I like to think someone will enjoy it.

Still, my novel and the re-edits of my own stuff take priority. Once I get more of that done...we'll see.

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/28166936/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/28166936/ Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:10:38 PST
Short version - if I don't get a phone call from them in a week, I probably don't have the job. And the soonest I can expect the call is in a couple days.

*crosses fingers*

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/28106166/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/28106166/ Mon, 02 Nov 2009 12:58:07 PST
Still...it's something! *crosses fingers*

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/28040347/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/28040347/ Sun, 01 Nov 2009 14:26:48 PST
Honestly, wasn't this fixed before? I've sent word to the help desk, but I doubt I'll get a response anytime soon.

UPDATE: The help desk got back to me, but the problem remains unsolved. Hopefully, this'll be cleared up tomorrow, but I find myself lacking in faith.

I'm thinking so many mean things about the management at DA right now...

UPDATE AGAIN: Seems I spoke too soon. Problem's solved! Yay! I immediately take back all those mean things I was thinking!

And now I grow sad thinking of the backlog I have now...

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/27979114/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/27979114/ Mon, 26 Oct 2009 14:33:39 PDT
I won't spoil. I will say this easily - it was exciting. It was scary. It had one of the more frightening aliens seen in the Whoniverse thus far. But it also could have...and probably should have...gone much differently. I like drama and all that, but I have no fondness whatsoever for death simply for the sake of it.

Suffice it to say, I'm suddenly very glad that RTD is passing the torch on for Doctor Who. The Sarah Jane Adventures has been, and promises to be, very entertaining, but I feel like Torchwood is a bit too unrestrained.

And I'm not tired about this - I'm disappointed. Dang DA issues as always.

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/27870909/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/27870909/ Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:21:27 PDT
I got to grab a slice of pizza afterwards and I'm expecting a $15 check, so not a total loss.

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/27859418/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/27859418/ Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:47:23 PDT
The bad news is that tomorrow, I have jury duty. Which basically means that tomorrow, for me, is most likely screwed. Little chance of DVD viewing, writing, 'Net surfing, or anyone else. Yay civic duties. Still, it's $15 that I don't mind having, and it's a small price to pay for voting every couple years...even if my candidates get outvoted...

I'm just having fun, aren't I?

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/27695296/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/27695296/ Sun, 11 Oct 2009 13:52:47 PDT
The bad news is that my computer is now apparently infected with a very stubborn virus and is now giving me a stop error. My mother and I will be working on it come tomorrow (and if that's not enough time, she's got Monday off due to Columbus Day), but I don't know what to expect right now. So...boo!

I just hope it is straightened out quickly - I don't like being without my machine, not one bit. All my stuff is on there!

EDIT: Computer's fixed and working again, and the virus appears to be purged. With luck, this is the end of it.

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/27635170/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/27635170/ Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:03:26 PDT
I'm back to work on my novel - it's currently clocking in at a little over 7,000 words. Once I get it up to 10K, I'll take a break to do another rough for a re-edit.

Meanwhile, the first edit for "Fallen Angel" is done! Yay!

And I'm still watching CSI. It now has the distinction of being one of the few primetime television programs to almost make me cry...poor Warrick...

Anyway, work is being done, and more work shall be done. I just hope conditions continue to be good for me.

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/27562120/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/27562120/ Sat, 03 Oct 2009 16:14:23 PDT
...and WATCHMEN!



http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/27426251/ Sat, 26 Sep 2009 10:26:09 PDT
For reasons unknown, I'm still seeing 96 submissions per page in my gallery and my favorites. Also, in other people's galleries, I'm only seeing 24 submissions per page, but the pagecount remains where it would be were I looking at 96 per page rather than 24.

I haven't reported this to DA yet, but odds are I'm going to have to buy myself another subscription.

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/27394518/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/27394518/ Thu, 24 Sep 2009 15:21:43 PDT
Anyway, it's almost the end of September. I wish I could say that I've gotten more done, but unfortunately, life happens. Between high amounts of DVD viewings - I've recently gotten into CSI - and an unexpected visit with my grandparents due to a dental appointment, progress on my assorted projects has been delayed. No fun, that.

I'm still working on my novel. It's not nearly as far along as I'd like - a little under 6,000 words - but I've gotten some neat ideas worked out and I have every intention of continuing with it. I'll probably take a break from it once I reach 10K, but no way is that a bad thing.

I'm still working on T:A-R, though I'm holding off on another re-edit draft until I've gotten more done on the novel. I don't expect to get anything out there for it before the end of this month, be it a new installment or new cast photos, but I have faith that I'll get something out for it before the end of this year.

My writing aside, I've been enjoying CSI. I finally saw the first season of 'Chuck', rewatched 'Lie to Me', and am looking forward to reviewing the second season for 'Life'. Between all that and NCIS, I'm definitely not going to be bored. I've finally gotten my copies for the recent Gargoyles trade paperbacks, and am both glad to see them released and hopeful that Disney's recent acquisition of Marvel will lead to more stories in that universe, if not under Greg Weisman's pen then with his blessing and consultation. I've filled more gaps in my collection, and am already groaning with anticipation of the coming holiday season and the deluge of Transformers due to be released.

Here's hoping next month is more productive than this one.

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/27244710/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/27244710/ Wed, 16 Sep 2009 12:31:53 PDT
You guys may remember a poll I put up a while ago, asking what characters I'd named or otherwise mentioned as being on the list to appear in Arc Four for T:A-R. Well, it's been a while since then, so I figured I'd put this in for public record.

Six guys, myself included, went with the 'null' vote. No fun that.

Four of the characters listed received three votes each - Metroplex, Nightbeat, Fracture, and Kup. If memory serves, Fracture was a big winner for a while.

Two received two votes each - Heatwave and Elita One. I'm amazed Elita didn't get more love myself.

Two received one vote each - Menasor and Fallback. Not all that shocking.

And Quickmix didn't get any votes...poor guy...

Well, I've got some news for everyone. I know exactly when one of these guys will make their debut in Arc Four, but I'm not gonna say who. Four of them, however, will get early appearances in the re-edits. Again, not gonna say who.

I think they'll be enjoyed, however.

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/27148810/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/27148810/ Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:42:59 PDT
Today, I'm chugging down a large Coke at a McDonalds in Crawfordsville, trying to sort out a massive backlog brought on by my grandparents' lack of Internet access.

Amazing what does and doesn't change, isn't it? Now if only I could get some crap done and make it stick...and if only some Marine could blow bin Laden's brains out...

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/27038025/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/27038025/ Mon, 07 Sep 2009 13:45:14 PDT gets done with it.

Who knew it'd be so hard to figure out what awards and commendations an Air Force colonel in the (now defunct) Air Intelligence Agency would conceivably have?

Unfortunately, I've got another delay to report. I'm making an unexpected visit to my dentist...who happens to work in Crawfordsville. That, combined with my parents' disinterest in getting me back and forth, means that I'll be visiting with my grandparents for a while. Not as much fun as I'd like, and sure to create some delays.

Still, I'll try to get what I can done before I go, and hopefully do more with the novel while I'm there than I did the last time. Hopefully.

*sigh* I've got bad karma. That's all there is to it.

UPDATE: The re-edit for "New Developments" is set and done. Going to get back to the novel soon. 10K before October, that's the goal!

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/26984657/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/26984657/ Wed, 02 Sep 2009 19:17:04 PDT
My major concern is how much creative control Disney will have over Marvel. On the plus side, the higher-ups at Disney could move for a few editorial changes - I'd certainly not mind a few differences over at Marvel (the undoing of One More Day, an end to the Dark Reign, fewer big 'events' and so on) - and we could get some Disney properties as comics. Heck, this might just mean new Gargoyles comics from Marvel again. On the other hand, I don't want Disney meddling in every detail over at Marvel - while I've no idea about the recent Punisher film, both Iron Man and Incredible Hulk were decent films, and I'd like Marvel to maintain some creative independence when it comes to film adaptations of its characters...well, the ones they still have control over, anyway. No way are they getting the X-Men or Spidey back soon. Still, if they do more films, I'd like them to be done right, and Marvel seems to have a sane head about its films so far. If Disney insisted on all sorts of things, well...it might be bad.

So, in short, this could be very good or very bad. We'll have to wait and see.

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/26842697/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/26842697/ Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:11:53 PDT
And hopefully, I'll get some creative juices going for that third ongoing creative venture I'm working on.

UPDATE!: The re-edit for "Changing Lanes" is done. I'm going to get back to my novel now, do some re-editing on what I've finished and hopefully get the wordcount up to 10K before the end of September. That's the hope, anyway...

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/26763113/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/26763113/ Sat, 22 Aug 2009 20:54:54 PDT
Still, some progress is better than none. It's gonna take me a couple days to get through my backlog, but that'll be taken care of nice and quick. For now, I'm enjoying my return home.

Expect more fiction updates and novel updates soon, as well as an update on my resolutions. Yay resolutions!

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/26336101/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/26336101/ Sun, 02 Aug 2009 11:24:19 PDT
I just hope I can keep my backlog down and get some other odds and ends done...

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/26281925/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/26281925/ Thu, 30 Jul 2009 17:35:17 PDT
My planned goal is to get it past 50,000 words, and churn out a minimum of 5,000 words a week. With luck, it'll be finished by the end of the year...and hopefully, published.

I don't expect it to be the next 'Harry Potter', and I definitely don't think it'll be the next 'Twilight'...but I do like to think it'll be reasonably popular.

I just have to write the danged thing...

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/26261224/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/26261224/ Wed, 29 Jul 2009 18:16:51 PDT
Anyway, the Special Edition re-edit for "Out of the Past" is now up and available for viewing. Please read, critique, and hopefully enjoy.

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/26256936/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/26256936/ Wed, 29 Jul 2009 14:29:14 PDT
First off, it should come as no surprise that my family is not on firm financial footing. We were in crappy shape before the current recession hit, and we'll continue to be in crappy shape long after it passes. However, due to several mixups by the State of Indiana, we now have to pay almost twice what we were previously paying for our mortgage, meaning less funds for more pleasurable pursuits...namely, my Transformer habit.

Not fun in the slightest.

Compounding my frustrations is Dad's recent eagerness to attempt to sell stuff on eBay to help mitigate the problem. However, he isn't doing the selling - I am, listing the items for sale with my account and paying for eBay fees with my account. I don't enjoy this, as I'm the one who has to keep track of everything. Adding to my frustrations is that I can't use the money - some of the stuff being sold belongs to either my dad's friend or to an organization that works with my mom's friends, thus meaning that a chunk of that cash can't be spent on my pursuits. And what's left can't be spent on my pursuits because my father will raise hell over it.

Again, frustrating.

And here's the kicker - Dad expects me to find some way of bringing in income beyond the eBay auctions, namely, getting a job. I'd like a job, as it'd get me out of the damned house, but no one is hiring. Another option is to write a novel and get it published, which is also something that can easily be done. However, my home enviroment makes it next to impossible for me to concentrate on the writing.

Along with all of this, DA has suddenly become ungodly slow on my old computer, no doubt a symptom of my machine's age. Needless to say, I am within inches of foaming at the mouth and going homicidal.

I don't want any assurance that things will get better - something tells me they won't. I don't want anyone telling me to deal with them - dealing with them isn't getting me anywhere. What I want is a chance to get my own crap done without interference from either my parents, my canines, or my computer. What I want is to be able to enjoy myself for once without him yelling at me about one thing or another. Is that too much to ask?

*aggravated huff*

That said, I'm finally getting something posted after too danged long. The re-edit for "Out of the Past" is in the process of being posted as we speak. With luck, future re-edits will follow swiftly. Meanwhile, my upcoming visit with my grandparents should allow me the chance to get more accomplished with my novel without getting interrupted every two seconds.

I hope.

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/26215211/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/26215211/ Mon, 27 Jul 2009 15:44:30 PDT
And I got a measely 890 words into it.

But I started on it, and that's what counts!

Now I just need to make sure I can finish it, not to mention take care of other odds and ends. I think a visit to the grandparents is in order.

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/26174193/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/26174193/ Sat, 25 Jul 2009 16:17:59 PDT
Plus it's got Fracture in it now, and you all apparently like Fracture, so there ya go.

Maybe I'll get "Changing Lanes" edited tomorrow.

But the novel starts next week! THIS I VOW!

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/26153039/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/26153039/ Fri, 24 Jul 2009 14:42:58 PDT
Unfortunately, I still have the nasty habit of getting distracted. And considering SPIKE has four episodes of CSI and CSI:NY on every weekday, I find myself with a very clear distraction.

There is some good news, thankfully. "Fallen Angel" may not have progressed much, but "Out of the Past" is on its final editing stretch. With luck, the Special Edition for it will be up and available for everyone's reading pleasure by the end of next month. I've also finished the initial re-edit for "Profit and Loss", and I expect to start on re-editing "Recovery" this weekend.

Also, plans are being made to move my writing computer up to my bedroom. As I lack a TV up there, that should improve my productivity. I suspect the novel will be along before that gets taken care of, but once it is, I expect production to go much more smoothly than it is now.

So, here's hoping!

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/25987193/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/25987193/ Fri, 17 Jul 2009 12:45:30 PDT
And tomorrow, I plan on starting with the editing on "Profit and Loss". I don't expect to make any serious changes or additions to the story, mind - it was right about there that I feel like I seriously got into the groove with this series - but with luck, the final version will be much better.

And once I'm done with the first rough on "Phoenix Rising", I start on my novel.

EDIT: "Phoenix Rising" is done at 20 pages! It'll be ages before it's posted, but it's done and ready for editing!

^V^

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/25957704/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/25957704/ Wed, 15 Jul 2009 06:27:45 PDT
I'll be the first to admit, despite not being a GIJoe fan, the movie looks pretty cool. But that's not why I'm posting this.

I'm posting this because of the insane coincidence this presents! My readers may remember that in the early parts of one of my more recent door-stoppers, "Valor and Venom", I had COBRA attack a building and cause it to collapse through very similar means. There are differences, obviously - unmanned drones rather than a ninja and a hot femme fatale in glasses, a fictional structure rather than a real one, the method by which the collapse happened (spores vs. whatever they're using in the movie), Transformer involvement - but still, it's a surprising thing.

I doubt very much that the filmmakers saw my story and adapted the idea for their own ends. Odds are they simply came up with it on their own, making it one huge coincidence. Still, between this and some of the stuff I've written in "Fallen Angel", I'm starting to think I may have a future in Hollywood.

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/25882751/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/25882751/ Sat, 11 Jul 2009 15:39:12 PDT
However, the re-edits are progressing well. I was seized by inspiration and the desire to get work done today, so "Resources" has gotten a re-edited. "Profit and Loss" is up next, and hopefully it'll go just as quick.

Not sure when I'm starting on the novel, but once I do, watch out.

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/25841482/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/25841482/ Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:49:21 PDT
Meanwhile, work's chugging along. I'm taking a small break from the edits, "Phoenix Rising" is up to twelve pages, and looks to be one of the shortest installments I've done, despite tying up a few lingering threads and raising all sorts of interesting new ones. I'm betting people'll be happy about that.

And once it's written, I think I'll finally start on that novel. Odds are I'll be taking breaks on it every now and then to edit something or pursue other projects, but I'll definitely start serious work on the novel within the next two months. :-D

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/25737073/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/25737073/ Sat, 04 Jul 2009 14:36:26 PDT
Currently, "Fallen Angel", the final part for Arc Three, is still being edited. I don't know how long it'll be before it's posted, unfortunately, but hopefully it'll be up before the end of next month.

The first three installments for Arc One, "Out of the Past", "Moving In", and "Battle Lines", have been re-edited. Not sure when the redone versions will be up, but hopefully it'll be soon.

And, much earlier than I anticipated, I've started work on the first installment of Arc Four, "Phoenix Rising". It's currently up to six pages, but I anticipate getting more work done on it very soon.

Now here's hoping I can actually do more with the toy purchases...

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/25688376/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/25688376/ Thu, 02 Jul 2009 05:31:44 PDT
Yes, it was a little thin on plot. Yes, there are some parts that could (and probably should) have been left on the cutting room floor - the various humping bits and Simmons' thong, for example - and parts that should've been left in or clarified - the explanation of Alice's alternate mode, the fate of Scalpel/the Doctor and Wheelie - but in general, everything worked for me. Also, something for people to note - when Mikaela damages Wheelie's optic, it shifts from red to blue. Cute, yes?

The characters that everyone's complaining about with this film actually kinda endeared themselves to me. I like Skids and Mudflap, I like Leo, and I think Jetfire is outright hilarious. I do think the 'Bots could've gotten more screen time - it would've been nice for Ratchet and Ironhide to build on their characterization from the last film, and would've been excellent for Sideswipe and Arcee to get some more lines...and for that matter, it would've been nice for Jolt to get any dialogue. Clearly, Mr. Electric Shock needs some love in the non-movie media.

Speaking of non-movie media, I think I may have an explanation of why the Fallen, last seen chatting it up with Megatron via a 'sarcophagus' in the Nemesis, is somehow in the ship, as well as some of the other discrepancies between this and the prequel material. While there were thirteen original Cybertronians, only seven (the Fallen and six others) came to Earth, the last six either heading elsewhere to scout for other stars to harvest or up to some other activity. Fallen betrays the six on Earth, they kill themselves to conceal the Matrix, Fallen reunites with his remaining siblings, they fight, Fallen gets trapped in an extradimensional prison and the last ones die, leaving behind their legacy in the form of a young Optimus. He somehow gets out somewhere between Megatron getting turned into an ice cube on Earth and getting thawed out in the first film, but the strain forces him to draw from the Nemesis power reserves to heal. Makes sense to me, anyway.

So yeah, not a perfect movie. But a fun one. I'll get it on DVD, watch it on occasion. I'll continue to get the toys, assuming I can find them and that my parents don't ban me from getting them. I'll get any and all upcoming comics and hopefully enjoy them. I just hope the DVD copy contains the IMAX footage, because that definitely helps the narrative at points.

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/25654372/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/25654372/ Tue, 30 Jun 2009 15:06:40 PDT
Apparently, those interested in taking part in the poll are most eager to see Fracture, and least eager to see Quickmix!

Clearly, there's a strong group of Go-Bot fans out there...

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/25631931/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/25631931/ Mon, 29 Jun 2009 14:53:45 PDT
Meanwhile, heaven forbid, I haven't seen ROTF yet. I do, however, now have the CDs. I hate the fact that the score has fourteen tracks - the score for the first film had twenty - but I'm enjoying the music. Can't wait to put scenes to the orchestra. Haven't listened to the album yet, but I'll be doing so soon.

And hopefully, I'll be seeing the film tomorrow or Wednesday...and eating out at Steak and Shake in the bargain

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/25593064/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/25593064/ Sat, 27 Jun 2009 19:14:51 PDT
Short version for everyone? Due to lack of funds, I find myself forbidden by my folks to purchase TFs. Adding to the frustration is that the last three times I visited places selling TFs, the law had been laid down literally as I entered the store (occasion #1), I found nothing (a decidedly more pleasant occasion #2) and I managed to find five of the seven figures currently out in stores that I'd been eager to get. That last time, fully aware of daddykin's inevitable reaction to the purchase of one TF, let alone five, I opted to tread the path of least resistance and just leave 'em. Wise course...but not an easy one, given past experience.

Yeah, slightly spoiled brat of me. Say what you will, I at least recognize my flaws.

Anyway, after I send out a check for some eBay stuff I sold as a middleman, my money will be mine again...and once I get funds from a contest entry I wrote, I'll have a little more available. Contest entries will no longer be accepted past Monday, and judging will be done by the end of July, so I can expect funds by the end of August. So with luck, the five I found (along with a couple others, I hope) will be mine soon enough. All I need is patience...and the good luck to have them still available at HasbroToyShop (or available again, in Mixmaster's case).

Heat is still a problem, and parental issues are still present. Unfortunately, that last one's always gonna be a problem. But, yard-related stuff is at least done with, and rain is (supposedly) due this evening. With luck, things will cool down...and I'll actually get something accomplished.

With luck.

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/25573104/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/25573104/ Fri, 26 Jun 2009 18:08:27 PDT
Indy is in the midst of a heat wave. We have had several days of ninety-plus degree weather (that's Fahrenheit, mind), and seeing as my home lacks AC, I've had little enjoyment.

Also making things miserable is the fact that I've been hard at work doing odds and ends for Daddy. Mostly, yardwork, which means weeding, heat, and dealing with a number of plants that happen to irritate the skin something fierce. And a number of those weeds are all but impossible to get to, meaning that he's never satisfied with the work.

On the plus side, thanks to the general difficulties of dealing with digital TV, we now have cable. This is an extremely basic package however - the local channels, plus a few choice niceties. Unfortunately, one of them happens to be Spike - AKA the CSI channel - and my dad is already encouraged to leave the TV on constantly...not fun.

Add to it that he's pretty much banned me from having even a small chance at getting assorted Transformers, and I am not happy with daddykins of late.

So yeah, me miserable. Due to heat, being overworked, a lack of creative impulses and my own poor mood, I doubt anything will get accomplished soon.

So yeah, kinda a mixed blessing that I'm mostly editing right now...

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/25496134/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/25496134/ Tue, 23 Jun 2009 13:19:12 PDT
Ah well, lesson learned. Glad people are eager to see most of 'em though - poor Quickmix didn't get any love though.

At least the moods work again...

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/25440007/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/25440007/ Sat, 20 Jun 2009 18:30:04 PDT
So...who are you most eager to see?

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/25420923/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/25420923/ Fri, 19 Jun 2009 17:47:28 PDT
Meanwhile, on a whim I went looking for a semi-obscure animated series that I enjoyed, "War Planets". You may know it better as "Shadow Raiders". Yes, the toys may not have been hot stuff, but the show (done by the same people who brought us Beast Wars!) rocks. I never got to see the second season, however - either I missed it on the schedule or it simply didn't air in my area. However, the whole thing's up on YouTube. This is a fun thing for me - it'll keep me from getting any writing done, but it's still a fun thing.

Now if only I could convince my parents to keep the damn TV off so I can focus on my cartoon.

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/25379115/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/25379115/ Wed, 17 Jun 2009 18:05:50 PDT has decided to give me a three-month subscription.

Yay!

Now I need to figure out how to do a poll...

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/25346311/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/25346311/ Tue, 16 Jun 2009 07:50:04 PDT
The big drawback for all that, however, is that I don't have physical depictions of many of my original characters. Thankfully, that's where the kindness of others comes in.

So, without further ado, I proudly advertise a piece of artwork done for me by - [link] - and hope that it is enjoyed.

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/25314490/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/25314490/ Sun, 14 Jun 2009 17:57:21 PDT
Now, back to why my viewers are really here. "Moving In", the second installment, is now re-edited. Aside from serious dialogue shifts and a little better characterization, I also added a couple scenes here and there. Sometime within the next few days, I'll continue with the next installment, "Battle Lines", then go from there. Yay for progress!

No word yet on when "Fallen Angel" or the re-edit for "Out of the Past" will be posted. Hopefully, one of them will be up and online before the end of this month. Yay for hope!

Meanwhile, I don't like digital TV. Boo digital signals!

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/25311743/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/25311743/ Sun, 14 Jun 2009 15:11:05 PDT
Now, there are several artists here on DA whom I enjoy keeping track of and who, on occasion, produce some nice stuff. The major trouble is that some of their content just turns me off. Again, it's all about the portrayal - I can take a lot of things if they aren't particularly bloody or gorey or ungodly offensive. But there are some things that I'm just never, ever, ever going to get.

Case in point, bondage.

Admittedly, I do like the idea of a reasonably attractive woman dressed in leather garments. Said leather-clad woman chaining a person up or whipping them in order to elicit sexual pleasure from either participant, however, is beyond my ability to enjoy - I don't like whips, I don't like chains, I don't get turned on by getting the crap beaten out of me, and I especially don't like the idea of being tied up or handcuffed. Granted, my brain probably isn't geared towards such things, but there are many folks here who happen to get a kick out of things like that.

So, I'm left with the conundrum - do I enjoy the artwork and ignore the stuff I don't like, or ignore the artist's work entirely? I'm not looking for answers or suggestions, I just need to vent my thoughts.

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/25220607/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/25220607/ Wed, 10 Jun 2009 13:14:12 PDT
...though for some reason, I'm suddenly expecting a cry of "Megatron shot first!"

Oh well. I hope people enjoy it!

UPDATE: Edit's done. I've sent it off to for a quick review. Once said review is complete and I've made any suggested modifications, I'll be posting it.

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/25147867/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/25147867/ Fri, 05 Jun 2009 17:06:13 PDT
So, hopefully, they will be.

Currently, I'm working on the re-edit for the first installment, "Out of the Past." I don't know how long it'll be before its done - again, home is not conducive towards any creative efforts - but once finished...assuming that doesn't want to give it a brief pass...I'll go ahead and post it here and elsewhere. Once it's done and up, I'll progress to the next story and go from there until I get to "Meditations". After there, no more re-edits.

So, here's hoping they're enjoyed.

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/25125363/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/25125363/ Thu, 04 Jun 2009 13:02:41 PDT
Now I can concentrate on other projects, like the re-edits for T:A-R. :-D Work on that's going to start soon - once they get posted, they'll be going in a folder all their own. With luck, that'll keep people from getting confused.

Anyway, I'm off to spread cheer elsewhere. It's a dirty job, but someone's gotta do it.

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/25019242/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/25019242/ Fri, 29 May 2009 17:12:15 PDT
Here's hoping I can find the time.

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/25014046/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/25014046/ Sun, 08 Nov 2009 07:06:30 PST
Expect this to grow some.

Legends Class
Wheelie

Scout Class (8 of 13)
Rollbar (purchased, shelved)
Dead End/Detour (purchased, shelved)
Knock Out (purchased, shelved)
Depthcharge (purchased, shelved)
Dune Runner (purchased, shelved)
Scalpel (purchased, shelved)
Reverb (purchased, shelved)
Ejector (purchased, shelved)
Breakdown
Skystalker
Wideload
Sonar
Divebomb (?)

Scout Class Two-Packs (2 of 2)
Windy City Chase - Slapdash Vs. Trenchmouth
Road Rival Showdown - Beachcomber Vs. Deadlift

Deluxe Class (7 of 9, no Borgs included)
Rampage (purchased, shelved)
Skids (purchased, shelved)
Mudflap (purchased, shelved)
Blaze Master (purchased, shelved)
Dead End (purchased, shelved)
Jolt (purchased, shelved)
Gears (purchased, shelved)
Lockdown
Brawn

Voyager Class (3 of 4)
Stratosphere (purchased, shelved)
Mixmaster (purchased, shelved)
Long Haul (purchased, shelved)
Mindwipe

Toys'R'Us Exclusives
Back Road Brawl Two-Pack - Hoist Vs. Mixmaster (purchased, shelved)

Wal-Mart Exclusives (2 of 2)
Fury of Fearswoop Pack - Fearswoop Vs. Legends Sideswipe & Legends Mudflap (purchased, shelved)
Super Tuner Throwdown - Blowpipe Vs. Sideways (purchased, shelved)

List posted May 29, 2009.
Edit #1 - June 3, 2009: Added Breakdown, Skystalker, Gears, Lockdown, Scrapper.
Edit #2 - July 5, 2009: Updated entries for Skids, Mudflap, Mixmaster.
Edit #3 - July 12, 2009: Updated entries for Dune Runner, Reverb.
Edit #4 - July 17, 2009: Removed Scrapper, as he has yet to be officially confirmed.
Edit #5 - July 24, 2009: Added Brawn, Mindwipe.
Edit #6 - August 2, 2009: Updated status for Scalpel, Stratosphere.
Edit #7 - August 4, 2009: Updated status for Ejector, Blaze Master, Dead End, Jolt, Long Haul.
Edit #8 - September 26, 2009: Added Wideload, Sonar, Back Road Brawl, Fury of Fearswoop, Super Tuner Throwdown.
Edit #9 - October 4, 2009: Updated status for Gears, Fury of Fearswoop.
Edit #10 - November 8, 2009: Added Scout Two-Packs, Divebomb. Updated Status for Super Tuner Throwdown.

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/25001725/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/25001725/ Thu, 28 May 2009 17:03:06 PDT
Wish me luck finding them before the scalpers do!

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/24707995/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/24707995/ Mon, 11 May 2009 17:30:22 PDT
First off, I have every intention of making my planned hiatus a temporary one, and fully intend to continue with - and finish! - T:A-R sometime in the near future. And at the rate I'm going, said 'near future' will probably be something like 2011. Which isn't a bad thing. I just want to get a couple other things done first. All this is just notification that I've got ideas in the works for Arc Four, some firm and others less so.

- I've decided on preliminary titles for all thirteen installments, and have a general plot in mind for each of them. Two homage 'Babylon 5' - "Phoenix Rising" and "A Race Through Dark Places" - one 'Torchwood' - "Exit Wounds" - one the animated 'Star Trek' - "Yesteryear" - and the final story will be a bookend with the first installment from way back at the beginning - "Into the Future" to "Out of the Past". Assuming I don't change my mind on any of them, I'll achieve my goal of using each letter from the alphabet as the first letter for each title.

- I currently have a list of seventy guys that I want to include in the storyline. Three of them are planned to make their first appearance in the first installment of Arc Four, another twelve in the second - feel free to note me with your guesses about who. The vast majority, however, won't be seen until later on. This list, however, is currently tentative - it will no doubt grow as more toys are release in the near future, either through BotCon or the RotF/Universe lines.

- As of right now, I don't have a firm plan to do anything with the 'Shattered Glass' universe. Axiom Nexus, however, is another matter.

- Gigantion will feature in Arc Four, and Earth and the colony worlds will continue to feature.

- Expect one story set mostly in flashback, one story revolving mostly around a few specific characters akin to "Fun and Games", and one story paying homage to the DW ongoing.

...and that's all I'm prepared to say for now. If you'll excuse me, I have an evil laugh to practice...

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/24652183/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/24652183/ Fri, 08 May 2009 13:46:24 PDT
Here's to Transformers, and another twenty-five years of comics, toys, and other media.

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/24579483/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/24579483/ Mon, 04 May 2009 07:32:48 PDT
- T:A(R) has gotten some progress since January, with "Dragon's Fire" and "Speed Demons" both posted and up. "Fallen Angel" is still being edited, but it should be available for viewing soon.

- Collection efforts are continuing at a decent clip. Currently, I've only got eight exclusives left to get, with one of them already paid for (Heatwave). With luck, I'll get one or two more before the end of the year.

- No job yet.

- Currently working on a contest entry that'll pay if accepted. Haven't done much with it for a while, but with luck, I'll have it done before the end of this week.

And now I need to update that chain thing from February...

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/24518414/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/24518414/ Thu, 30 Apr 2009 17:31:48 PDT
Might just be my computer showing its age, I dunno.

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/24479651/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/24479651/ Tue, 28 Apr 2009 12:30:09 PDT
I'll be releasing another set of Cast Photos following the next story, a group of five. After them, there won't be any until Arc Four rolls around...which, unfortunately, won't be for some time.

Note, however, that I won't be doing incremental updates - I won't do a new Photo for a given group until I have everyone in said group. And of the eleven photos I have planned after the next batch, I'm still hunting down members for six of 'em. I expect to get one of those groups finished off before the end of this summer, but I have no idea on the others.

That said, anyone mind me doing an index journal for 'em?

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/24367148/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/24367148/ Tue, 21 Apr 2009 19:37:06 PDT
"Fallen Angel" is still in the midst of editing. With luck, it'll be posted before the end of next month.

Once it's posted, I'll be releasing another seven Cast Photos reflecting updated character groups and featuring a couple sneak peeks for Arc Four. After them, it'll be a while before I release anything related to T:A-R.

Meanwhile, all the folks out there on LiveJournal may want to drop by the Transformers Fanfiction Community - I've been posting links to installments for T:A-R over there each Saturday for the last few weeks. The stories may be old, but some of the details I'm disclosing with them will be new and interesting. And I'm apparently going to be mentioned in a newsletter, so that's cool.

So drop on by! [link]

Anyway, keep an eye out. I've still got those profiles to work on.

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/24042966/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/24042966/ Sun, 12 Apr 2009 17:21:22 PDT
Still, progress is progress, yes?

-

UPDATE - Got a lot of distractions over the weekend. Picked up the work again today. I'm up to 39.

ANOTHER UPDATE - Up to 41, and working real hard to resist using that one quote from both movies.

YET ANOTHER UPDATE - Up to 43, and the end is near. Just have a little bit of cleaning up to do...

LAST UPDATE I PROMISE - We're done at 47. And now, the editing begins.

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/23990603/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/23990603/ Tue, 31 Mar 2009 17:34:01 PDT
Particularly sharp-eyed readers may have noted that I've name-dropped a few guys here and there starting with "Valor and Venom." One name-dropped character has since appeared - everyone's favorite Monsterbot, Repugnus. The rest of these characters, meanwhile, are definitely due to appear in the future.

So...anyone want to take a stab at hunting 'em down?

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/23975158/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/23975158/ Mon, 30 Mar 2009 19:20:11 PDT
Anyway, this little note is something I've been thinking about off and on for a while, sparked indirectly by 's comment on "Speed Demons" - specifically, the idea of voices for characters within T:A-R.

With a few exceptions here and there, if a character appeared in the series and had a proper VA, I imagine them sounding like the TV version in the 'fiction. Granted, there are characters who changed VAs over time - Hot Shot, Jetfire, Landmine, and Wing Saber just off the top of my head - but in their cases I either go with the later VA (Paul Dobson and Sam Vincent over Ward Perry and Colin Murdoch) or try to work both in either as a disguise (Jetfire's normal voice is Scott McNeil from A&E, but as Sky Shadow he sounds like Brian Drummond) or as part of a deliberate change (Hot Shot uses the Brent Miller voice until "Speed Demons", then started sounding like Kirby Morrow).

As for those few exceptions, well...let's just say, I don't hear Paul Dobson as Rodimus. I favor a young Judd Nelson.

Beyond them, I really have no firm VAs for many of the characters. I've recently come to think of Crystal Widow being voiced by Cree Summer, and Dan Gilvezan, Phil LaMarr and Frank Welker are Bumblebee, Jazz and Mirage (the Autobot, not the Mini-Con or Tidal Wave) without a doubt, but the others are still in flux. The major exceptions there...are with the First Thirteen.

I haven't decided on all of them, but the ones who have shown up and spoken thus far, excluding Vector Prime (Richard Newman), are voiced by actors from the Lord of the Rings films in my mind. Sentinel Prime's voiced by Hugo Weaving, Accellas Prime by Liv Tyler, Draco Prime by Ian McKellan, and Methius Prime by Bernard Hill. Three guesses who I think sounds like Christopher Lee.

Informative, yes?

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/23972696/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/23972696/ Mon, 30 Mar 2009 17:08:12 PDT
As I type this, I'm thirty-one pages into the final installment of Arc Three, "Fallen Angel", and putting in place ideas that had been fixed in my mind for a very long time. This won't be the end of the story by any stretch, but it will serve as a perfect stopping point for me to take a break...albeit one with a whopper of a planned cliffhanger. Things are going to change - not nearly as much as they did with "Point of No Return," but we are definitely going to see a shift in circumstances and some setup for Arc Four.

And unless I'm convinced otherwise by , a long-term cast member will die.

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/23864677/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/23864677/ Tue, 24 Mar 2009 11:37:28 PDT
At least, until Darkwind and Countdown start showing up in the States and assuming that last wave of Target Scouts is well and truly cancelled. And, of course, the line for the next movie.

Still...not bad. Now if only I could find a job...

]]> ~EchoWing http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/23733089/ http://EchoWing.deviantart.com/journal/23733089/ Mon, 16 Mar 2009 16:31:11 PDT for her assistance.

The latest installment for T:A-R, "Speed Demons", is now up, clocking in at 49 pages. Expect the final part for Arc Three, "Fallen Angel", within the next couple months.

Now, here's hoping I can get more done with it this week...

]]> ~EchoWing