http://search.deviantart.com/?q=by:UmaKami&section=today deviantART RSS for by:UmaKami en-us Copyright 2009, deviantART.com Sun, 22 Nov 2009 18:51:15 PST deviantART.com http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://s.deviantart.com/minish/widgets/apple-touch-icon-precomposed.png http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/25407025/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/25407025/ Fri, 19 Jun 2009 01:46:42 PDT My LiveJournal

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I think I've come to terms with the fact that I have the coolest wife in existence! Or, at least, a very tolerant one She text me from work about, paraphrasing here seeing as I don't have the texts anymore, "I got a surprise for you. I'm planning something just for you." She likes to drop me these little hints from time to time to tease the living crap out of my little brain about things she gets me or things she's going to do for me. The hints are usually very vague and are truthful about the object, but say absolutely nothing about it.

(ie. For our wedding anniversary recently, she bought me beautiful personalized picture frame with our wedding photo in it. The hints about it before hand were, "It's mostly silver coloured." and, "You could place it next to your computer." and stuff like that. Get the picture?)

... ok, went sorta off topic...

ANYWAY, so she starts teasing me that she's going to do something just for me that takes place around the 4th of July. There's only one thing I could think of that happens around that time, and that's AC, but I didn't think that could be it. See, she's not exactly what one would call a fan of furry artwork. She likes it that I like it, and that's as far as it goes. I've even stopped drawing her as a furre, just to respect her and not force my hobbies on her. So, I reply with, "The only thing I can think of is AC."

"Why's that?" she asks.

"Well, it's the only thing that happens around that time of year that is of any interest to me."

"Well, I'll give you one more hint," she says, "It involves aliens."

I had no idea where she was going with this, I thought she was being vague again. Maybe a new game is coming out that I overlooked the release date for that had to do with aliens, like the new AvP game (though that's a ways off). Idly, as my mind was on thoughts of AC and went to the website to see the nice big banner of this years theme, "OMG Aliens!" and lo-and-behold, she was planning on surprising me with a day at AC!

Long winded way of explaining that I'll be going to AC this year. It's just for a day, but at least I'm getting to go again. Had to skip last year. I think we've pretty much settled on the 4th, saturday. Not 100% positive. Anyone else out there going that would care to meet up, let me know. We'll figure out a way of contacting each other and setting something up.

Later! *peace sign*

]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/21550445/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/21550445/ Mon, 01 Dec 2008 11:52:36 PST My LiveJournal

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OMG Animal Crossing: City Folk is out!!! and even better than that, I bought it!!! Did anyone else? If ya did, note me or e-mail me with your friend code and maybe we can get together sometime and play together. Hope to see someone/anyone there ^-^;

Name: Uma
Town: Midgard
0817-7245-1721
(Native Fruit: Peaches)

]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/15229261/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/15229261/ Fri, 26 Oct 2007 12:49:16 PDT My LiveJournal

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This needs to be said. Apparently I've got friends on MSN that think I'm mad at them, or ignoring them, or something. Note that it's not the case. At the beginning of October Cindy and I went out and bought an XBox 360. I got her the Halo 3 for her birthday (Sept. 23) as a hint saying, "Guess what I'm planning to get you for christmas." Well, after my endless research about and talking about Halo 3 and it's reviews and features and whatnot, Cindy exclaimed, "Look! Either you stop talking about Halo 3 or we're going out RIGHT NOW and getting an XBox!" ...
... so we did.

I kinda got my "buying stuff" rights revoked after that purchase, but it's okay.

Well, created my account/gamertag ("UmaKami" btw, in case you had any doubt) and set it up with an online account. Well, I mistakenly set it up to recognize my MSN account as well and signs me in to MSN everytime I sign on my gamertag on the XBox. People started IMing me and I either don't respond at all, take forever to respond, or put myself on invisible. Let me tell y'all. It's not because I have any vendetta against anyone or am being an asshole or anything. It's just that recieving and responding to IMs on the XBox is a pain in the ass. There's no keyboard, so it takes forever to type and it's impossible for me to pause and respond when Cindy and I are playing Co-op or I'm playing an online match.

So in short, I have a hard time IMing folks when I'm on the XBox. I thought it put a message on your guys' friends list next to my name that I'm using the XBox. If not, and you see me appear and then disappear really quick, it's not that I'm avoiding anyone or ignoring you, k?

]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/14089649/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/14089649/ Thu, 09 Aug 2007 12:00:46 PDT My LiveJournal

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I finally got a scanner up and running on my computer, so I decided to take all the old images I'd started and have no intention of finishing and uploaded them to my dA Scraps gallery.

Guitar Hero Sketch Marina + Jeanne Sketch Stud Sketch

Donkey Sketch Married Sketch Grooming Sketch

Aside from my old (ancient, rather) sketches, I actually put something new in there. Just to show I am drawing, here's my newest sketch:

Work Sketch 8

Enjoy Y'all! x)

]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/13971658/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/13971658/ Wed, 01 Aug 2007 13:06:36 PDT My LiveJournal

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It's August and I'm just now finally trying to get back into art... even though way back in January I said it was my new years resolution to be more active in the furry fandom and do more artwork. I've actually taken steps to try and keep myself from playing so many video games and put the pencil back in my hand. I'm hoping the whole "out of sight, out of mind" idea works. What I've done is taken ALL my games out of their cases, put the cases in a plastic tote and all the discs in a CD folder. The tote is under lots of other totes and other junk in my closet and the games are on the top shelf of the closet. Leaving the games easily accessible for when friends come over, but out of the way enough that hopefully I won't be immediately tempted to just waste my WHOLE day before work on nothing but video games.

Slowly but surely I've been taking out my sketchbook and doodling a little. I've been staring at other artists' works and pulling out my "how to draw horses" and horse anatomy books and actually putting forth a good and solid effort into improving my art. My first logical step, least to me, is to start one piece at a time. Starting with non-anthro horses and trying to draw the horse in parts. For instance, I have myself a page of nothing but drawing the horse's eye as seen from various positions and half a page of just the horses head from various angles. Started trying to give the horse head a few human expressions whilst keeping it more equine and less human. Like a smile, or being angry, etc.

What I'm hoping to do is develop my own drawing style where anthropomorphic animals are as what that name implies; animals with human characteristics. When I see furries I feel they look more like humans with animal characteristics. I'm more intrigued and mystified by the animal qualities of furres, personally, and hence why I love the art of artists who emphasize the animal side of a furre. Kind of like God pointed at an animal and said, "You! I shall give you the ability to interact with human society whilst retaining what makes you (insert animal)!" and they stood up on their hind legs, mutated a bit, and could talk... tada!

Like I said, what I'm trying to do to make this work out so it looks like it might be possible and makes me feel a little better about my own artistic quality is taking the horse apart and working with each individual part. Gonna draw the hinds quarters and hind legs a bit and then slowly morph them, work with the torso and slowly morph it, work with the face and slowly morph it. All the while combining human and equine aspects whilst retaining the things about equines that I love about them.

Basically, in short, I've created this long entry as a round about way of saying I'm attempting 2 things. 1: Improve my artsi... ]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/13537058/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/13537058/ Fri, 29 Jun 2007 09:40:00 PDT My LiveJournal

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With a tad of embarrassment I have to make a minor retraction to a portion of my last AC post. Even after all the wonderful offers to let me and Cindy stay with them for one night, it turns out we won't be able to stay the night *sighs and pouts*. Between unforseen circumstances and poor communication that didn't get resolved till this morning, we can only go Saturday.

For those I said I was going to see, worry not. Gonna stay as late as humanly possible, though ^-^ My wife agreed to be photographer for the lead singer of a band a week and a half ago. She's done web design and photography for him and his band before. It's his wedding on Sunday and just told Cindy this morning of the exact date. SO, I was left with two choices: Go both days by myself and feel incredibly guilty as hell while I have fun with friends for two days while she goes to do this photography (which is lots of work) or go just one day with her and then go help her out with her photography (plus I'll get to go to Niagra Falls, which I've never been to before).

Again, I apologize deeply for any inconvenience or annoyance, but at least I get to see y'all for one day... better than none, eh?

]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/13523124/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/13523124/ Thu, 28 Jun 2007 09:11:45 PDT My LiveJournal

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Well, seems I might end up going to AC this year after all. First I gotta figure out if I can buy day passes there or if I'm sol.

Going to be going for Saturday July 7th. Mostly going to meet with friends and get to spend time with those I missed out on seeing much last year. Also, Cindy actually suggested, if I could find someone who'd be willing to let us camp out on their floor for one night, she'd be willing to stomach another day of AC for my sake so I could spend more time with friends. So I ask... is there a willing furre out there to put up with us for just one night?

Regardless if I spend one day or two there, I can't wait to go. Course I need my 2 questions answered: Can I buy day passes there (seeing as I didn't pre-reg), and is there anyone who could hold us for a night?

L8rs. ^_^

]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/13417071/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/13417071/ Wed, 20 Jun 2007 08:49:08 PDT My LiveJournal

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Y'know... I wonder. If an all powerful entity or force floated down and went to grant furres the gift of all those willing to be mystically turned into real life anthropomorphic animals, the only catch being that you nor anyone else actually gets to chose the animal they would spend the rest of their life as. This entity was omnipotent enough to look into your mind, heart, and soul and figure out what kind of person you were and would assume you an animal form most befitting to the type of person you are. Now you have the option to accept this change or not and go on as a human. Would you do it?

Well... with that thought left to keep those who don't wish to deal with my bitchiness occupied, on to the meat and potatoes of my post...

BEWARE: Emo Episode

]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/11488811/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/11488811/ Fri, 17 Jul 2009 13:15:06 PDT MMORPGs

Perfect World
Server: Sanctuary
Main: Oglethorpe (Class: Barbarian)
ALT: Pokiehl (Class: Cleric)


XBox 360
Gamertag: UmaKami


Wii

Console Friend Code
0965 9874 4990 0889

Animal Crossing: City Folk
Name: Uma
Town: Midgard
0817-7245-1721
(Native Fruit: Peaches)

Endless Ocean
1954-3602-2671

Mario Kart Wii
1461-7323-6194

Pokemon Battle Revolution
1890-8212-1696

SUPER SMASH BROS BRAWL
0688-4960-2976

Tetris Party
2664-8469-9289


Nintendo DS

Animal Crossing: Wild World
Name: Uma
Town: Equinae
4381 5153 7477
(Native Fruit: Pears)

Final Fantasy III
1675 8787 4714

Mario Kart DS
043009
191759

Metroid Prime Hunters
3221
9014
4245

Pokemon Diamond
Name: Uma
4167 0992 1380

]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/11300845/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/11300845/ Wed, 03 Jan 2007 12:43:53 PST My Livejournal

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I miss my ponytail ;_; *stares at a picture of himself from the last AC*

ANYWAY, with that out of the way I must say to one and all,

Happy New Year!

Tis another beginning. Yet another chance to put aside the past, learn from our mistakes, and collect ourselves to once again try and work for a better tomorrow. With another year's worth of experience under our belt, we strive to make THIS year the one you can look back upon and go, "Yup, I'm proud of myself for that."

...
...
...

Um, yeah. Or you could do like me. Drone in and out of everyday, doing the smallest things imaginable and wasting your time playing Video games all day long. yeah... that sounds about right.

Everyone has gone and made their resolutions for the new year, so... here's mine:
1) Watch how much money I spend and try to decrease it as much as possible. Someday Cindy and I wanna live in a house, have cars that don't give us so many problems, I want to raise at least 1 horse if not 2 or 3, and I'm sure Cindy has her own dreams she'd like to accomplish. Can't do that if I'm out spending all our cash on stupid shit and all the latest video games.

2) Put down the video game controllers for awhile and spend more time:
~with Cindy
~doing Artwork
~paying attention to my dear and sweet friends I miss so much
~and interacting more with the furry community

3) Figure out a way of someday going back to college and getting a degree in what I wanted to do from the start but quit cause I wasn't getting the grades. And that's Veterinary Medicine. I know I'm smart enough to do it, and I have the desire. I failed last time because I spent all my free time at my ex-friends house playing games on any day I didn't have work after class and did zero studying. Going to get back in there in the future and work my ass off, have Cindy hide my video games from me, and actually work and strive to accomplish at least one goal in my life.

I haven't gotten as much art as I would've liked to get done so far, but I plan on finishing up all the works I started back before AC06 and get them posted before I start on new projects. Hopfully I'll follow through with this year's resolutions. Last year's was to drink less pop, but here I still am, still guzzling truck loads of carbonated, sugar water into my throat. I swear this shit's gonna kill me.

Anyway, that's it for now. Catch y'all l8r.

]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/10994532/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/10994532/ Fri, 08 Dec 2006 12:22:37 PST My Livejournal

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I apologize to all my faithful and even my somewhat faithful, and even the kinda wishy-washy watchers. I've been gone and offline for, like, forever.

I have, however, compiled a rather large journal entry to explain my dissappearance. I just hope y'all can forgive my lack of communications and artwork postings and give me a little longer... I have plans of picking up a pencil and doing artwork again, I swear!

Everything is Explained Here

]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/10079736/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/10079736/ Fri, 15 Sep 2006 12:38:54 PDT My Livejournal

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Can you believe it? Can you freakin believe it? *is freakin' out in case you can't tell... and, yes, in a good way*

I found out yesterday that the Wii now has an official release date and price!
Check it out:
Wii:
Releases: Nov. 19, 2006
Price: $249.99
Comes with:
1x Wii remote
1x nunchuck attachment
1x AC adapter
1x audio/video cable
1x sensor bar
1x sensor bar stand
1x Wii console stand
2x batteries
1x copy of "Wii Sports" (which includes tennis, baseball, golf, and previously-unannounced bowling and boxing games)

Additionally, the Wii remote will cost $39.99; the nunchuck $19.99, the classic controller about $20, games will be about $49.99, and Virtual Console downloads will be $5-$10.

I've been super-hyped about the Wii since a little before E3 2006, but now I'm freakin'-ubber-mega-super-hyped! 2 more months!

I immediately called EBGames yesterday to see if they were taking reservations, but they said no *whimpers* They said they're waiting for Nintendo to tell them how many they'll be releasing nationwide to see if they'll be taking reservations or not and how many reservations they'll be able to take. I guess it'd be bad to take 1000 reservations and only get 500... but I want the security knowing I WILL be getting one and not this worry game every day for the next two months. If I'm going to get depressed about not getting a Wii, I want to be that now and not get myself all excited to be shot down on Nov. 19.

Check out these links for more info:
Wii.com
EBGames.com - Nintendo Wii Information
IGN: US Wii Price, Launch Date Revelead
IGN: New Wii Gameplay Videos

]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/9895217/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/9895217/ Tue, 29 Aug 2006 11:09:04 PDT My Livejournal

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OMG it's refreshing to have a day off from Super K-Mart. I've been working 9am-3pm at Super K-Mart nearly every day and then having to fly out of there to make it home for a short half hour meal with Cindy and then run to NTI (40 min-1 hour drive away) from 5pm-1:30am. Then I get home 'bout 2:30am to wake up for work at Super K the next morning. It's freakin' killing me. 9am-1:30am work shifts are NOT fun. Yes, I put in for a change of hours at Super K, but it doesn't take effect till this coming Sunday. I'll be working NTI on the weekdays and K-Mart on teh weekends. It leaves little time to spend with Cindy, draw, or play games... BUT... you gotta do what you gotta do to make ends meat, y'know? Life seems very unforgiving to newly weds straight out of college.

I really miss seeing Cindy. I only get to see her (awake) about half an hour to an hour a day. That's possibly my only complaint with my current situation. I've only worked at NTI 2 weeks now, though I have no real complaints with the job or most the people there. Because I work at night, the supervisors and managers are only in the building long enough to give me my tasks for the night and then leave. I tote around my NintendoDS and GBA Movie Player to listen to music while I'm there. Without it I'd go mad from boredom.

You know... I have a question, thinking about an encounter I had at work last night. Does anyone else feel ashamed to be a furre sometimes? Especially around non-furres? Last night I was drawing on a random piece of paper I found laying on the ground. As usual, some random equine mare in a pose, naked (I might add) as I hadn't gotten to drawing clothes yet. One of my co-workers comes over and looks at me, sees I'm doing something and comes to see what. He looks at my drawing and asks me, "What's that you're drawing?" I reply, "An equine furre." I expected the next question, but always hate answering it, "What's a furre?" I tried to hide my agitation (because I only had 10 minutes left on my lunch and wanted to finish the sketch up as it was my intent to scan it when I got home) and gave an answer to the best of my knowledge, "Well, it's the art of giving animals huamn characteristics. For instance, I draw myself as a pegasus." and as I finished that statement and looked at the expression he game me, my mind went "TMI"

"Oh... I think I heard something 'bout that. Furres are those weird people who dress up in costumes and rape animals or something like that, right?" and he had himself a good laugh. Sense of shame and self-disgust fell over me. "Nice drawing, by the way" he noted as he walked away. Feeling rather depressed I crumbled up the drawing and threw it away and clocked back into work early to get back to working, turn my music back on, and try and just finish out the night.

Don't get me wrong, I love being a furre. I love being to express my inner equine and interact with some of the greatest people I've ever met in the fandom. But why is it furres have to have such a weird rep to the "normal people" of the world? Maybe I'm just to sensitive or someth... ]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/9665418/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/9665418/ Wed, 09 Aug 2006 14:20:32 PDT My Livejournal

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Just joined the online community Second Life. My name there is UmaKami Frye. It's pretty cool thus far, learning the ins and outs and how to do things. Pretty nice graphically, though a tad bit laggy.

My only real concern with the program is this (which is basically a pathetic cry for help for anyone who plays SL)... I was under the impression I could make my fursona, UmaKami, visually on SL. Yet... I really don't know how. If anyone could help, it'd be appreciated.

]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/9660420/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/9660420/ Wed, 09 Aug 2006 07:36:31 PDT My Livejournal

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People may not have known this, but I went offline after moving out of Cindy's dormroom a week ago. There was no internet at the new apartment until just now. Time Warner came and installed Road Runner and Digital Cable. It's been rather boring though, cause this is the first time my own personal computer has EVER been on the internet, so I've been spending the past couple of hours downloading and updating.

Hopefully now I'll be able to be a little more active here on dA, LJ, and furryMUCK. L8rs

]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/9509915/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/9509915/ Thu, 27 Jul 2006 09:56:53 PDT My Livejournal

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I think married life is actually starting to get to us. Not going to get into any details, as that's a private matter between Cindy and myself, but it seems we're having more arguements as of late. And I think it's spawning from actually getting to see one another on an everyday basis and learning about all those little things that annoy each other that we weren't around each other enough before hand to notice it would bother us. But we're doing our best to communicate with one another and work them out. And I believe we'll work them out and get things back on track. I do love her SOOOOOO much, and I'm willing to do whatever I need to to show her that. *sighs, kinda feeling down as his dreamy/romantic visions of marriage are being shattered by reality*

Anyway... on another note, a nicer one, I got a call from a potential employer that had turned me down previously. They had another position open for the job they interviewed me for last time. The HR representative called me yesterday to see if I were still interested and if I was she'd talk to her superiors to see if she could hire me. Well, I told her I was still interested and she said she'd call me back later. 3pm the same day she calls me back saying she got the okay to hire me. I said I wanted the position, and she said she'd email me some employment letter of acceptance or whatever... and she did... then she said to call her this morning. Called her, and now I have a better job that f-ing retail ^-^ *trots around happily* Glee!

What is this job, you ask? Well, it's nothing special. I'm just happy to be done with retail. The title is called "Technician Aide", and I'll be responsible for examining computer parts responsible for video recording, playback, and editing to make sure they were saudered properly (no bridges or unsaudered leads) and then place the circuit boards in their cases and hook them up so they'll work. It's full-time, so 40 hours a week, starting at $10 an hour with full medical, dental, and vision benefits with optional 401K (whatever that is... *shrugs*). The only downfall to this job is that I'll be working 5pm-1:30am five days a week and (here's the kicker) it's almost an hour drive away. To me, that's not all that bad... except for how expensive gas is. But my car is only a 4-cylinder engine, so it's really good on gas. Just need to fix a head gasket and give it a tune up and I'll be a-okay.

Well... that's about it for now. Almost completely moved into our new apartment and will be living there as of August 1st. Don't know when we'll be getting phone/cable/internet there, so I may vanish (again) for awhile. Y'all stay good and behave while I'm away. No crazy parties, unless you're willing to come invite me personally XD

]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/9372702/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/9372702/ Fri, 14 Jul 2006 07:17:51 PDT My Livejournal

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Well, for those that don't read my wife's journal, she actually got a job! On tuesday (7/11), the Vindicator (the local newspaper) FINALLY got back in touch with her and hired her for a graphic design job. It took almost 2 months of waiting and bugging them, but it seems to have paid off. It's only a part-time job, but at least that means 2 steady incomes. Doesn't make us financially stable, but it at least puts a dent in our financial worries.

Also, as of yesterday, Cindy and I have the apartment we've been looking at. On top of that, because the guy giving us the room felt so bad for making us wait and worry so much, he dropped the price to $300 a month. Course we still have to pay for gas and electric, but that shouldn't be too bad. He says the electric bill on average for his apartments runs 25-50 dollars a month, but of course that depends on how much we use. The gas I don't think we'll have to worry about, seeing as EVERYTHING is electric (including water heating), except room heating which is gas. Regardless, least we have a stable residence for the next 6 months starting from August. That in itself works PERFECTLY, as Cindy and I are going to try to move to Columbus in February for her graduate classes at OSU.

AND!!! If things couldn't get ANY better, the Sci-Fi channel is having a Firefly marathon all day till 6pm tonight! Glee! xP Firefly is my favoritest damn show ever made!

]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/9332086/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/9332086/ Mon, 10 Jul 2006 12:00:34 PDT My Livejournal

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... that I've been too lazy to update on when they actually occured. But, no worries, I'll give you a run down here today.

Still working at Super-K, unfortunately, with no luck on finding a "good" job possibly in my field. The living situation is becoming a tad bit more worrisome. We may/may not have a place to live come the middle of the month. Friend of my father owns an apartment complex and has an open room and one that may become open by the middle of the month. The one open room he's already promised to this asian couple, who haven't gotten back in touch with him for awhile and he can't get in touch with. That would usually procure the room for us, but aparently there was this elderly woman ahead of us in the standings too and he was about to give the room to her, but then she became seriously ill and needed to be hospitalized and canceled on moving in there. So we have a really good shot... I hope *knocks on wood*. Even if we don't get THAT room, he's promised us this woman in another room is moving out to own a house, and she's suppose to be out by the middle of the month, BUT she hasn't given him an exactly time-line and she's still lingering around. It's not quite the middle of the month yet, I know, but with the lease on this place letting up on the 31st of this month... I can't help but worry.

Also... on Friday (7/7/06), I did something I NEVER thought I would ever do. Believe me, it's something I never WANTED to do, and I'm still a little depressed about. I went to a salon and got my hair cut. She took off all 14 inches of my pony tail and cut my hair even smaller. I wanted her to go somewhere between collar to shoulder length, and I feel she cut it too short. Nothing against the girl who cut my hair... as far as short hair goes, it looks okay (I guess, seeing as everyone's been telling me that). I just miss my long hair. No more pony tail, no more braiding, no more brushing out the snarls. *sighs* "If you hate it so much, Uma, why'd you do it?" Well, my few interviews I did get, they all asked me if I was willing to cut my hair. Aparently, potential employers don't like to consider a man with long hair for employment. They see me as some weird "hippy" or "rebel" or some shit like that. Eh... u_u Stupid ignorant people and their shallow social norms.
I'll have to post some pictures sometime.

Last thing I wanna chat about is something that happened on the fourth of July. Cindy, her brother Craig, and I went down to her parents house to visit and go to the place they hold the Carrol county fair to see fireworks. Most the day was spent with Craig and I totally geeking out over Animal Crossing for the DS (as we both had a copy and linked up via Wi-Fi). Poor Cindy was getting a headache cause we geeked out, well, rather loudly in the car. At the fireworks, I got to cuddle up to Cindy on a blanket on the ground and watch fireworks all close and happy like... trying pathetically to make it up to her for giving her a headache. It was a nice fireworks show (as we were VERY close to where they... ]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/9239855/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/9239855/ Sat, 01 Jul 2006 08:09:03 PDT My Livejournal

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There may be some of you there with these things in mind? Where's Uma...? I haven't seen him upload anything new to dA or update his Livejournal or get on AIM/Yahoo/MSN Messanger for a long time now. Well... life has become far more complicated than I expected or would've liked since Cindy and I got married.

I have no real qualms with married life or Cindy, really. It's just that since we've been married things haven't been going our way or even in a way partially friendly towards us. I've been staying with Cindy at her dorm since we've been married. Now, Cindy has graduated from this college and can't renew her lease (which she doesn't want to do anyway, thank god), and the lease ends July 31. And here we are, July 1, with no idea where we're going to live and no jobs. Okay... I take that back. No GOOD jobs. I'm the only one bringing in an income now, and that's with my Super K-Mart cashier job only brining in $450-$500 a month. Now that's not enough... not by a long shot.

I've begged and pleaded Super K for more hours, and they've been kind enough to obliged... racking me up with 30 hours a week now. And any time I haven't already devoted to them is spent dealing with emotional break downs, arguements breaking out between Cindy and I because we don't know what to do, or... if I'm lucky... actually getting to sit down and search for jobs and living (which is a "quest for the holy grail" type situation at this point). Problem is... we can't find any good jobs here in the Youngstown/Warren/Niles areas... and the only apartment that's willing to accept us is in warren. The closest jobs to there that have actually sounded interested in us is about an hour drive from that apartment. We'd be spending more money on gas than anything else a month.

Eh... sorry to bother you all with my problems... just wanted to get it off my chest and sorta explain why I've been absent from the internet scene. When Cindy and I do move... I'll be without internet entirely for an indeterminate amount of time, hence why I'm trying to find time to finish the sketches I started at AnthroCon and get them posted. Hopefully things will work out for Cindy and I. If anyone knows of a good job I could get with an Associates in Electronic Engineering Technologies degree or Cindy can get with a BFA in Graphic Design... and in the northeast Ohio area... please... let me know. We're totally at the end of our rope with only a month to find and decide on a place to live. L8r... I hope...

]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/9085443/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/9085443/ Sun, 18 Jun 2006 20:32:17 PDT My Livejournal

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Day 1

Got in early the morning of Thursday, bout 10:30am. Thought it'd be a good idea. However, preregisters couldn't pick up their stuff till 3 pm and on top of that, Rora wasn't at the hotel yet. Got her on the phone to figure out we couldn't check in till 3pm as they wouldn't have any rooms cleaned and ready till then. So I spent till then drawing and chatting with Rebel Squirrel (a furre who wandered by and saw me sketching).

Well, Rora showed up and it's was a happy time. Hugs and smiles and laughter (for the most part at my expense... my new name is "Mr Tickles" T_T;;; ). Wasn't much to do the whole day as nothing AC related really occured. Went and got some grub, played some Guitar Hero, and watched Spirit: Stallion of the Cimerron and EuroTrip (both movies I hadn't seen till last night.)

The con, even yesterday, is FULL of furres. Furres as far as the eye can see... it's is glorious. Today seems like it's going to be fun. I'll have more on that later, though.

Day 2

Friday went excellent. Started by meeting up with Canis for a few minutes. He wasn't in costume, but it was awesome to see him. Wished Cindy and I a congrats on the wedding while I was looking for people on the post board thingy where people put where they are located or how they can be reached. Put my room number and phone number up there, but no one has tried contacting me yet.

Almost spent my entire allowance of cash at the Dealer's Den and Artist Alley already. Down to $12 bucks out of $85. Well... some of that was also spent on food the day before, so it was more like outta $75. Still... spent alot. Planning on cheating on my allowance and pulling another $20 out of the machine. Got some nice prints, 2 stickers I put on my sketch book, and a pegasus plushie I've been carrying around on my head and shoulders [with the help of Rora I've come to name her Minuna (Me-noo-nah)].

Watched 2's Rant and damn near pissed myself. He looked and felt a little different this year (and I mean beyond the shaved head). But... he was still funny as hell, so it's easily overlooked and forgotten xP.

That night we geeked out again on movies. This time it was the Labrynth and Mom and Dad Save the World. Good fun. A little ways in to the movie a friend of MidnightDraven (one of my roommates and friend from home) came over to draw. Paladinthug I think was the name of the artist, and we all kinda got into drawing stuff. Overall, a good night and expect to have an equally good day today.

I LOVE ANTHROCON!!! XD

Day 3

Saturday was okay. Went to a room with an event named "History of Furres in Video Games" and it wasn't all that great. Felt like I was in a message board or chat room about the subject and there really wasn't anything as far as visual aide to bring some form of enjoyment to the topic. Just chatter reminicing about past and future possible games with anthros in them. Then went to the "Great Pawpet Show" under Aurora's recommendation, which tu... ]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/9044203/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/9044203/ Mon, 12 Jun 2006 07:22:06 PDT My Livejournal

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But a few short days away and AC2006: "Making History" is just at our doorstep... ... ... AND I CAN'T WAIT!!!

REALLY looking forward to meeting all kindsa new furres (as I'm a little more comfortable and outgoing than I was last year, as last year was my first con ever), and also to get to see my favorite herdmates again for the first time since last year. My roomie Rora claims she's bringing her Gamecube and some multiplayer games, I'm bringing my PS2 and Guitar Hero, thus any time not spent buying up every ounce of equine related things for sale will be spent have muchos fun xP

To those I've only chatted to a few times, try not to get TOO mad or upset with me when I wrap my arms around you and give you a big hug. (and maybe a peck on the cheek; depending on the person)x) I just kinda do that. It's my way of introducing myself while bypassing that irritating and uncomfortable silence and boring handshake that usually accompanies meeting someone for the first time (in person).

IDEA
Just an idea, if the people going to AC that I've noted an interest in meeting or just know they are going and want to meet me or my wife Cindy, , why don't you post a recent picture of yourself to kinda help and bypass the strange stares and the whole "And you are... ...?" half sentences, k?

A good and recent picture of me and Cindy can definately be found in some of my recent journals.

Can't wait to see you all there and meet you; some more than others, and some more than others, but all in general! *BIG HUGS*

]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/8968847/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/8968847/ Sun, 04 Jun 2006 13:09:11 PDT My Livejournal

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For all those who wanted to see, here are the pictures of the wedding.

Pictures "borrowed" from (so make sure to go drop some friendly congrats and nice comments to her too):

Links found here, as the links wouldn't work when I put them in my dA journal

Pictures are all from Cindy's Photobucket account and are in slide show format. Click the image to view it larger during the slide show.

]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/8909813/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/8909813/ Mon, 29 May 2006 09:20:58 PDT My Livejournal

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Well, ladies and gentleman, it's happened.

As of 12:20 pm Sat May 27, 2006, I was married to, who is now, Cindy Louisa Shaffer, .

There were a few problems the morning of the wedding. We had plans of leaving the house NO LATER than 9 am. Mother and sister left at 8 am to get their hairs done. 9 am came and went and they were still not back. Cindy, her maid of honour MJ ,, and I decided to take it upon myself to go get Terrance (my best man) and then wait for them out at the highway that leads down to the church. Well, he was unreachable at the number he gave us. Wasn't like he was being malicious or anything, but his celphone was on "silent" mode and he wasn't getting our calls (I called him 7 or 8 times in a ten minute time period). His phone wasn't vibrating or ringing... just a little LCD screen turned on saying you have a call... and it was in his pocket.

After finally getting ahold of him, and meeting my parents at the gas station next to highway, he started down to the church at 10:15 am. T_T

Took an hour to get to the church, and we had to rush to get dressed and decorations set up. It was at this point things finally went smoothly.

It was a small ceremony (very small), yet very beautiful. LoL, halfway through the ceremony I got an itch by my nose and couldn't scratch it unless one of our family members took a picture of me looking like I was picking my nose

After the ceremony, her parents treated me and the bridal party to a meal at the Texas Roadhouse. Got a few presents, too. Cindy's brother, Craig, got her a Nintendo DS so she could play games with me and mine. Friend of Cindy's family got us a crock pot, Cindy's uncle in Cal. mailed us a George Foreman grill, and Craig's g/f got us a toaster oven. Can't wait to see what we get at the reception on June 11 ^-^ *glee*

*whinnies excited* I'M MARRIED!!! xP *prances around happily* Currently living with Cindy at her apartment/dorm till her lease lets up and we find a more suitable place. Only brought my PS2, DS, a bunch of movies, and a crap load of cloths with me. Took much rearranging of Cindy's stuff, but I think I'm settled in okay for now. Room is rather small, but that's okay with me as long as I'm with my Cindy and she can still put up with me

]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/8632493/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/8632493/ Sun, 30 Apr 2006 15:37:10 PDT My Livejournal

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Look what I found in today's Vindicator ^-^



]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/8455977/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/8455977/ Thu, 13 Apr 2006 05:56:33 PDT My Livejournal

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I was talking about AnthroCon recently to a friend online and explaining how excited I was to get to see my buddies Rora and Canis again and to meet a brand new batch of buddies. And the person I was chatting with asked, "Like who?" And I went to think about it, got a few names and then drew a blank... and needless to say felt very retarded. I know there were a bunch of furres I talked to that said they were attending this year and whom I stated to I wanted to get together with them at some point or another at the con. However, for the life of me, I can't remember them all.

Whether you think you remember telling me or not, kindly drop me a line reminding me (all those that are going). K? Sorry for being so retarded and forgetful.

]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/8435817/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/8435817/ Tue, 11 Apr 2006 07:48:15 PDT My Livejournal

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I have finally found out why I have a new deviantart subscription (a full year one, at that)! Upon opening up my Yahoo! mail for the first time in a long time I found a e-mail "(someone) has bought you a 1 year deviantART subscription"

(names have been changed to protect the innocent)

I've already sent her a note of pure joy, excitement, love and peace! God, sugar, you know who you are and like I said in the dA note, I owe ya!

]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/8275173/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/8275173/ Sun, 26 Mar 2006 13:37:33 PST My Livejournal

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Eh... School and work conflicts annoying the heck out of me. This semester I have Networking class, written communication, oral communication, and sociology. Not hard classes at all, really. In fact it started out primarily as a breather semester (what a way to finish college, eh? Nice and easy) Well, I have no complaints with Networking, but it's the other three that are kinda getting to me.

Early in the semester they were cake, and pretty much (in retrospect to other classes I've had) still are. But all 3 classes have a lot of critical thinking and creative writing assignments all at the same time and it's starting to affect me. It's wiping out my creative drive and now I don't even have the urge to draw at home let alone come up with further papers and essays and speeches for these classes. Even now I'm suppose to be typing up a 2-page essay and writing up a 5 minute informative speech (both due tomorrow), but I just haven't the will or drive anymore. Which is mind-boggling. Usually I'd be so ready and willing to go with this stuff and now I'm just so... so... bleh.

Sure doesn't help any that my job NOW gives me more hours. When the class was nice and easy and I could pump out 20 2-3 page papers in a matter of minutes I had no hours and extra free time. Now that I'm starting to struggle and have a lack of drive, my job is loading me with hours leaving me hardly any time for school work. Oh evil fate, why must your torment me. *acts all melodramatic and stupid*

Well, gotta try and get most of it done, so I don't stay up TOO late tonight trying to finish it last second. Catch ya all later and hope to chat with some of you soon. I miss doing that *lowers his head with a pouty face* ]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/8167533/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/8167533/ Wed, 15 Mar 2006 10:46:30 PST My Livejournal

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Um... does dA just give out subsciptions from time to time for the heck of it or something? I got on today to check out my deviations and journals and such and when I clicked the latest uploaded deviations, I noticed I had the thumbnails, which only happens when you're a subscriber (least I thought so). I even went to my page and saw it said my status was subscriber again. I really don't remember ever signing up for a subscription again. Anyone care to shed a little light on the situation? oO? *scratches his head*

]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/8015588/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/8015588/ Mon, 27 Feb 2006 12:24:06 PST My Livejournal

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Oh my god, ladies and gentleman... I'm creating this huge, elaborate character reference sheet of UmaKami and I'm having two major problems with it that I could use any/all assistance fixing.

1. wings
I need to find pictures of wings. I HATE the way I draw wings cause they're so half-assed. I need to find good pictures of wings to reference when drawing Uma's wings. I've also noticed that I draw them too small. Any advice on that would also be appreciated.

2. equine head - frontal
Who else has troubles drawing the equine face from the front and still keeping it anthropomorphic and not ubberly realistic? I could use some help in that department as well. Hell, just drawing an equine face from the front is a pain in the ass no matter what way one's drawing it *le sigh*

So any/all advice, images, links, and just general help you can find it in your heart to spare will be majorly appreciated and... who knows, maybe rewarded someday?

Update (02/27/06 3:30 pm)
piece of wip on my umakami reference. Input highly hoped for...

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y157/UmaKami/510ec6b7.jpg ]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/7978519/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/7978519/ Thu, 23 Feb 2006 07:30:46 PST My Livejournal

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Work last night went... um... rather strangely. Head of the HR department stops me on my way up to the registers and says, "Oh, you knew you worked in 1-hour photo tonight, right?" and then wisks me over there and vanishes. Now... I've never worked 1-hour photo before and didn't know how anything worked. They gave me the 45 minute crash course and kinda let me go (on my own with no help for the next 5 hours). LUCKILY only two people stopped to drop film off to be developed at 1-hour, and I think I did it okay. They didn't have any complaints about their pictures, so... *shrugs* There was one person that had a serious problem with their pictures, but she sent them out to be developed, so it was out of my hands ^-^ Was still quite ill feeling for most of my shift, I think I hid it pretty well, but I still found one or two astute individuals that asked if I were okay. ...ANYWAYS, that really isn't why I'm writing.

During one of the many massive time frames in which I had nothing to do over at 1-hour photo I overheard this trio of individuals talking. A couple and a friend were walking and laughing. I had no idea what was going on, but the friend must've done something stupid funny, cause the lady person of the couple says, "See, that's why you don't have anyone... you're an ass. My (name deleted) is so nice". He, the friend, rolls his eyes, laughs, and replies, "Hey... even an ass derserves some love." and they had some other banter before they walked out of the door. That conversation, for some unknown reason, sparked a small spark of inspiration that made me laugh and go:

"Hey, I need to make that a T-shirt!"

Now... this may be kinda cliche and stupid and done a hundred ways from sunday already, but I thought it was kinda cute and wanted a little feedback.

Front side of t-shirt: A cute little gray donkey's face with big pouty, soulful eyes... ears back... just the cutest damn donkey you've ever seen (not that all donkeys aren't already cute). His head like it's poking out from a stable door or something to that effect, hanging low. Text says, "Even an ASS deserves some love"

back side of t-shirt: Shows the donkey from behind with big ol' lips right on it's bum and text saying, "So won't you kiss it?"

Sorry I don't have any visual aid. I have some sketchies, but it's far from scanner worthy. Plus it's kinda a jumbled mass of notes on white paper that one really wouldn't be able to make heads or tails of it I were to. At first I laughed really hard at this idea, then as the worry of it being too cliche and retarded set in I thought about inquiring some feedback... so... what do you think eh? ]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/7835101/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/7835101/ Wed, 08 Feb 2006 07:49:51 PST My Livejournal

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I have Animal Crossing for my Nintendo DS... kinda had it since late December. Just yesterday I tried using it on Nintendo's WiFi to go visit peoples and learned a disturbing fact. In order to go visiting towns I need other people's friend codes FIRST. Now... seeing as the only other person I know that even has this game is my baby sister, I have no other friend codes. I thought I'd put this out there and try and convince others to come visit my little town or let me visit their's

Town: Equinae Name: Uma
Code:
4381 5153 7477 ]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/7748811/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/7748811/ Mon, 30 Jan 2006 07:12:42 PST My Livejournal

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Stallions! Mares! and friends of a non-equine form!

Greetings!

Haven't written a journal here in awhile, I thought I'd let you all know what's going on in my life. Firstly, my wedding date to is set and confirmed for May 27, 2006. We're cutting it kinda close, I know, but we have to get married asap before Cindy starts grad school, otherwise her parents are totally against us living together unmarried. And I'm sure my parents, as religous and traditional as they are, have the same concern, though unspoken.

I'm still trying to decide whether it is in my power to go to AC this year. I know the window of oppurtunity is closing for me to decide (if it hasn't already). I had told a few people I wasn't going, but Cindy and I were visiting the honeymoon issue, and seeing as most things are WAY to expensive and we both enjoyed AC last year, we've been giving it some serious thought. Course, like I stated, we better act fast (another last minute act on our part... we seem to be guilty of that alot )

Actually got some inking and sketching done last night, so I hope to have some artwork to show (work and school work pending) sometime in the near future, as well as have a commission finally finished.

IMPORTANT QUESTION TO AC GOERS

If there's anyone going that may still have 2 empty slots to fill on sharing a room with Cindy and myself, pending we go and would be kind enough to put up with the newly weds I'd seriously like to hear from you. ]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/7174314/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/7174314/ Tue, 29 Nov 2005 06:52:49 PST

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Seems like I got my artistic groove back, my furres and ferals! Life is good

I'm probably gonna be spending a good deal of my free time in the next couple months (seeing as Christmas break begins here soon) trying to make it up to all my loyal watchers and put up some good art after months of being, essentially, nonexistant. And this time, I'm serious. I've got crap loads of horse drawing books and horse anatomy books, two human anatomy books, and a book on how to draw "other animals" and I completely intend to use them and try and improve as an artist. 'Bout damn time, eh?

And on top of that both my b-day (Dec 8) and christmas are coming up, and you know what that means... ... FREE GOODIES!!! xP Can't help but be doubly excited, y'know?

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CONTEST NOTICE

Not sure if you can really classify this as a contest, but ... yeah... *shrugs*

Head on over to: [link] and read the pic's description. Those who colour this pic with their idea or give a written description will all be publicly voted on and the one that is chosen shall earn a prize from me. Not sure what it is yet, but I'll update with what it'll be soon (I hope )

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]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/6881302/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/6881302/ Mon, 31 Oct 2005 08:35:57 PST

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Hey, my 8000th hit is coming up and I'm giving out 3 gift pics of anything the winners desire. Mostly to give myself motivation and inspiration to get back into art and maybe even put into effect my new way of drawing (Don't ask, you'll see)

The winners will be as follows:

1. The one who gets a pageview between: 7995-7999 (Winner: )

2. The one who gets pageview: 8000 (Unclaimed)

3. The one who gets a pageview between: 8001-8005 (Winner: )

I've tried doing something like this before, but I hope at least one person comes by and claims victory when it comes. Good luck to all


---Gift Pic Rules---

- Maximum of 2 characters
- Tasteful Nudity allowed (no yiff. Yiff can be implied, like two characters being intimate, but no sex scenes)
- No or partial backgrounds

-------Update-------
Well, the time has come and pass. The winners are listed above and I'll be getting in touch with you soon on what you want for your prize. Kinda disappointed no one claimed the 8000... oh well, least that's one less prize I have to draw

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]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/6835751/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/6835751/ Sat, 22 Oct 2005 10:29:28 PDT

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Hey there everyone.
Long time no see, eh?

Just thought I'd leave this journal to note that I think I'm gonna start getting back online more often. This whole internet hiatus is just killing me. I have no real friends out there in the "real world"... ... well... none that I keep in constant touch with or those that I think just kinda put up with me. I really-REALLY miss my friends on the net and desire SO badly to get back in touch with them. Not to put anyone on the spot, but Rora, and Canis, and Mosskat, and Koki, and Shiyosha, and a slew of others, as well as a new one or two. They've always been more than willing to chat with me... not that fake "Oh crap he already saw me... can't escape." or "Better make up a lie to get outta talking with him". And it's that companionship and friendship that I really miss, honestly getting to meet with and chat with people who honestly want to talk to me as well.

Plus, since I've been offline I've noticed some things. Sure, I've gotten better grades in school, but my personality has taken a sharp negative turn. Always kinda moody and depressed... lonely... and then I think I'm selfish to demand the attention of others on a constant basis and that furthers my depression with a tinge of self-loathing. I really only find myself smiling when I'm around Cindy. Also, my art has taken a SERIOUS turn for the worse. Not getting a chance to chat online with friends, my inspiration and will for art has just kinda vanished. Still got gift pics for friends and a commission I never even picked up, let alone finished, and the few ideas I do have for pics I lack the will and desire to do them... the complete opposite of how I felt when talking with my herdmates.

So, in summation, I will be back online again. Which means... more UmaKami showing up on AIM, yahoo, MSN, and ESPECIALLY furryMUCK. It may be for my own selfish needs, but I'll try not to start chatting everyone I see and bothering the be-jesus outta them. I AM looking forward to chatting with my close herdmates and chatting with new and old friends, though. So... sorry, in advance, if I'm too clingy.

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]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/6649919/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/6649919/ Sat, 01 Oct 2005 10:01:03 PDT

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Well, in case you forgot about me or hadn't heard, I've been long gone from the internet. Making only occasional visits to check stuff and then gone again. Well, nothing much has changed there, but I thought I'd let everyone that cares know what I've been up to and how I've been. I mean, that's what LJ is for isn't it?

On the artistic front, I've been very... absent. That doesn't mean I haven't been productive, it just means I have gift pics and a commission I promised a long time ago and still haven't done. After talking with Canis last, I kinda developed his desire to create a more realistic anthropomorphic equine. So I've been spending what little time I can devote to art (what with this semester's fucked up schedule and Super K working me to the bone as they lose a lot of employees who went back to school) exploring the equine anatomy and trying to figure out how to give it a more bi-pedal form with keeping it from looking like the ever accustomed human body with horse features. Lotsa little sketches I have laying around of various equine body parts in various poses, but haven't quite put them together into a whole. Also I've been taking this time to understand horses a little better. Studying any information on them I can get my hands on, and realizing I really didn't know as much as I thought I did. Hopefully I'll be putting this knowledge to good use in the future and in art. If I ever get a chance I'll maybe put the sketches in some form of organized manner and upload them somewhere (either dA or photobucket) and let ya see my progress.

On the educational front, classes just took a giant leap in the direction of "massively difficult". My professor for my two computer classes (both are hardware classes and deal with computer components and parts as well as other electronic devices) he really isn't that great a teacher. He doesn't teach you anything. He hands you a sheet of paper with a short summary of a certain thing, like batteries, or generators, or motherboards, etc., and it has questions on it and most of them are things I'd never gone over or he's never talked about. He does NO lecture and expects to know all this stuff already. *sighs* Gonna have to pull a lot of study time to pass these classes if I'm gonna have any chance of passing and getting my A+ Computer technicians certification.

On the personal front, I really haven't let up on myself. I'm still rather hard and negative towards myself. I know-I know, don't do that, BUT I think it's slowly making me a better person. I never accomplish anything by being content with myself or what I do. It's only by putting myself down I find the ambition to grow. And I think I have. I've been less involved with idling on the internet waiting for people to show and disappearing in my room to play video games non-stop, and more into studying to get good grades and study to be a better artist in my field of artistic interest. I don't know... the whole "making the grade" thing doesn't really make me feel all that good inside. Kinda like a thing I'm doing for someone else, y'know? I know you have to have good grades to get a good job and all that bs, but I'd be quite happy to not have to even bother with it. If I could I'd just solely devote myself to my art and say that's that, but human society doesn't seem to like or favor that idea... le sigh... ...

To leave you with a bit of happier news, though, last friday (Sept 23) was , Cindy's, birthday. I threw her a little birthday party with my family and had a cheesecake (because she's allergic to gluton, so she can't eat a normal cake). But the real reason it was so special is that I formally proposed to her (ring and everything) and am now officially engagged ^-^ We're starting to really consider things for our wedding, like a date, colour scheme, attendees, best man, maid of honour, etc. So far it looks like it's gonna be in late May, but no solid date is set in stone. I'm REALLY looking forward... ]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/6261077/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/6261077/ Thu, 18 Aug 2005 11:10:45 PDT

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I found last night, while scanning through my sketchbook, that there's a lot of things I need to change... artistically. I feel like I need to return to the barebones... go back and become a whole new furry artist. I have all these characters I've created, this whole grand story I was working on, and this really generalized and basic "anime/manga" style of drawing... and I really don't like ANY of it except for a few things. They are things I've never really liked much, but couldn't really bring myself to destroy. I scanned my heart, soul, and mind searching for answers on this. Sat out on the roof again and meditated for a good while.

One of the things I came to realize is that I love horses (gee, that come as a shocker to anyone?). But... the way I draw anthro/furry horses, in that "anime/manga" style, I visually KILL a lot of the things I love about them. I look at art by CanisMajor, Chris Sawyer, Nelena, or shinigamigirl (to name a few, and all on dA) and I fall in love with the equine species all over again. I think I'm gonna fall back to the basics and try to work on more realistic looking anthro equines. Studying and working on equine anatomy in general and trying to become a better artist in general. Like I said, I love horses... and I hate the way animation and cartoons can take out those details that make me love the horse so much.

Another things I realized was that, like I said, I love horses. But not just horses, but all hooved creatures (cervine, bovine, etc) as well as cetaceans (dolphins, orcas, and whales). And... when I'm drawing anything but those... I feel so unsatisfied and unfulfilled. Not to mention it feels like absolute work... work for no pay and no sense of self-gratification. I LOVE drawing Cindy's squirrel fursona and the non-hooved fursonas of friends as gifts, but I can't really hold onto any characters of my own that don't fall into a hooved or cetacean category.

Then there's all these characters I've created and don't even touch or use. I'm gonna drop them all minus a few. Gonna keep my equines Furren and Selene, and my cetaceans Marina and Jeanne, but I think I'm gonna use them less as "characters" and more like occasional appearances and things I like to draw. Of course UmaKami and Cindy are still gonna be around, as they represent myself and my fiancee... though I think I may do something, maybe change, the character I made to represent my Cindy... don't know yet... she may even stay the same in the end *shrugs* we'll see...

There was more to my thoughts, but that's about the jist of it. Gonna finish the three pics I got going right now (seeing as they're already drawn, just waiting to get coloured). After that, though, I'm gonna put uploading art on hold for another long while as I do a lot of anatomical study on equines, cetaceans, and the human body. I want to become a better artist, and I want to be an artist TRUE to myself... not just another psuedo artist following the crowded path of "anime/manga" style art. Not saying, in the least, that "anime/manga" style art isn't good... but... after almost 2 years of drawing in that style I've come to terms that it just isn't for me. Wish me luck in my endevours and pray I find a style that suits me -__-

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]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/6120698/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/6120698/ Wed, 03 Aug 2005 08:33:38 PDT

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Kiriban: 7500 pageviews

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deviantART should mean COMMUNITY <-- Please take a look if you haven't already
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I just wanted to let my small following of loyal followers and stalker that as far as journals go, I got a livejournal.com account and will be posting there whenever anything pertenent or interesting occurs in my life. The only time I'm gonna post a journal here is if it directly relates to art, devinatART, or anyone I know here.

For those who are on livejournal and those who just want a link, you can find me at:

UmaKami's Journal

Hope to keep in contact with you guys ^-^

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]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/6106520/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/6106520/ Mon, 01 Aug 2005 21:50:26 PDT

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Kiriban: 7500 pageviews

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deviantART should mean COMMUNITY <-- Please take a look if you haven't already
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I spent most of today, after classes, helping my buddy Mike move outta his ex-brother-in-law's house and into an apartment-type building. He asked me friday if I'd help and I didn't quite understand why he'd need MY help, but I quickly found out why. Thing is, even with his mom, ex-step father, and is mom's friend there to help... all the work was left up to me and Mike. All the lifting of beds and bedding, dressors, bookshelves, books, games, videos, and boxes/suitcases/bags of other miscellaneous items was ALL left up to me and Mike. Whilst the others just argued about the placement of things at the new place. There was so much hostility... ... it made me kinda worried. Is that the way things are gonna be when Cindy and I get out on our own? o.O? Am I gonna have to listen to my parents whine and complain "You can't take that" or "That's not yours" and just a lot of hostility whell up? Are they even gonna help me or just sit back and watch as Cindy and I struggle with everything? (well I wouldn't put that last part past 'em). So now I'm seriously sore and lightly burnt. It's gonna make work tomorrow rather difficult.

On a lighter note, with all the talk and chatter I've heard about this thing called "FurryMUCK", I sent in my character application to join. From what I understand it's very similar to MUDs I played in the past and it's suppose to be a great way to get acquainted with other furres out there ^-^ Rather looking forward to it, so if any of you out there are on FurryMUCK now, drop me a line an dlet me know. This way I can find ya, k?

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]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/6082903/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/6082903/ Sat, 30 Jul 2005 22:46:45 PDT

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Kiriban: 7500 Pageviews



I just recently learned about Jark after reading a few journals in my +watch list. And wrote this and I totally agree and wish to pass it on. The following are her words, not mine. Pay attention and to those who agree please pass it on:

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Okay, folks. Here's the deal.

By now, you've heard that Scott Jarkoff, aka °jark, is now a FORMER Staff Member.

I'm not privy to the whys, wherefores, and whatever-the-hells are going on behind the scenes here. Don't ask me anything about that. I know probably just as much as you do.

DeviantArt, in my opinion, is becoming less about COMMUNITY and more about CORPORATION.

So what we need to do is bring back THE COMMUNITY.

Here's my suggestion.

On August 7th, DA turns five years old. Five years for a website like this should be a grand affair, one big event.

So don't submit anything on August 7th.

I'm talking a print, a deviation, a scrap...nothing.

Instead, just leave a comment. Visit a user's page and just say hi.

If someone wants to buy a subscription that day, I'm all in favor or it. It'll keep the servers going, and anything that keeps the hamster running is a good thing.

BUT...I think folks shouldn't buy any prints. No print subscriptions. That goes against the COMMUNITY theme for the day.

We want to put the COMMUNITY back into DA.

If you're in favor of this, if you believe in the power this COMMUNITY has, then join me. Post this in your own journal. Spread the word to everyone, with a and a .

We might be touting at windmills like Don Quixote.

But if enough of us do it, we might be able to remind everyone that this is a COMMUNITY first and foremost.

Join me. On August 7th, let's take back DeviantArt.

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Again, those are her words, not mine... but ones I totally agree with.

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]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/6082832/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/6082832/ Sat, 30 Jul 2005 22:32:25 PDT

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Kiriban: 7500 Pageviews



--Stolen (with permission, cause I'm polite that way) from --


Last person who...

1. Slept in your bed: Me, of course
2. Saw you cry: Cindy (my fiancee)
3. Made you cry: my immediate family (mom, dad and siblings, y'know who I'm talkin' about)
4. You went to the movies with: buddies Justin and Mike
5. You went to the mall with: The Other Me
6. One thing you could take back: ... ...

Have You Ever...

1. Said "I Love You" and meant it: I don't say it unless I do, but yes.
2. Gotten in a fight with your pet: No
3. Been to California: yes
4. Been to Mexico: no
5. Been to China: no
6. Been to Canadia: no
7. Been to Europe: Yes, Spain and France
8. Danced naked: Yes
9. Wish you were the opposite sex: Um, well, there are times yes. Just outta curiousity (and not involving perverted acts, thank you T_T)

Random...

1. Do you have a crush on someone: Yup, my fiancee
2. What book are you reading now: None
3. Worst feeling in the world: being backstabbed
4. Future KIDS names: I swear, I'll kill you if you ever bring up this subject again T_T
5. Do you sleep with a stuffed animal: sometimes... a cute white teddy bear Cindy gave me for our first Valentine's together, and only when I really miss her
6. What's under your bed: Nothing, you can't get under my bed
7. Favorite sport to watch: Soccer
8. Location: Ohio, USA
9. Piercings/Tattoos: No thank you
10. Do you drink: Only on special occasions, and only wine
11. What are you most scared of: the anime "Paranoid Agent"
12. Where do you want to get married: In the same room as my fiancee
13. Who do you really hate: I try not to give into "hating" anyone.
14. Do you have a job: Super K-Mart cashier
15. Do you like being around people: Only if I know them really well and I like them
16. Have you ever liked someone you had no chance with: Yes, actually... ...
17. Have you ever cried: I didn't use to, but I have since I met my fiancee and could open up. Cause "guys don't cry, blah, blah, blah" you know the whole deal, but Cindy doesn't seem to mind having an emotional guy.
18. Are you lonely right now: A little
19. Song that's stuck in your head a lot: Little Busters (a song from the anime FLCL)


Have You Ever....

1. Been in love: Yes! x)
2. Played strip poker: No... >.>;
3. Gotten beaten up: *sighs* Unfortunately, yes
4. Pulled an all nighter: *double sighs* Unfortunately, yes
5. Been on radio/ TV programme?: No
6. Been in a mosh-pit: Yes
7. Do you have any gay/lesbian friends: Well, don't know if you'd call them friends, per say, but they're really friendly acquaintences
8. Skinny dipped: The same night I danced naked (look above)

In the last 24 Hours have you...

1. Cried: No
2. Bought something: Yes (Steamboy DVD)
3. Gotten sick: No
4. Sang: yes
5. Been kissed: no
6. Had sex: And, uh... why is it any of your business, pervert T_T
7. Felt stupid: every time I open my mouth
8. Talked to an ex: don't have one
9. Missed someone: Very much so
10. Hugged someone: nope



A- Age of first kiss: 2 years, 4 months
B- Band you are listening to right now: Linkin' Park
C- 1st Crush:
D- Dad's name: James
E- Easiest person to talk to: Cindy
F- Favorite ice cream: Mint chocolate... ]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/6020016/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/6020016/ Sun, 24 Jul 2005 10:31:57 PDT

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Kinda curious... ... When I went into the masquerade and 2 the ranting griffon's show, I saw big ol' cameras. Were they recording the shows or were their sole purpose to get the images on that big screen so people in the back could see? And if they were recording it, is there anyplace that AC puts that kinda stuff to buy?

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]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/5937322/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/5937322/ Thu, 14 Jul 2005 22:03:39 PDT

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Y'know... I'm not quite sure what the f is wrong with me, sometimes. Ever since Tuesday I've just been down right depressed. I mean, I have no real reason to be, I think. Just got back from my first AnthroCon, had an EXCELLENT time meeting friends and buying art among other things and I got to spend two weeks with my g/f, Cindy (seeing as she stays at her parents' place during summer break--a good hour and a half to two hour drive--, as opposed to her dorm--only 20 minutes).

I left AnthroCon on Sunday and had to say goodbye to some of the nicest and coolest people I've ever met. Then on Tuesday, Cindy went back to her parents' house. And then getting back into the normal routine of waking up, going to school, going to work, coming home, and going to bed... ... eh... I have no friends here where I live. I have a few acquatainces I play games with now and again, but not anyone I really connect with and trust enough to call a "friend". Not to mention, the first thing I saw/heard when I got home from the greyhound station was my mom yelling at my youngest brother, my bro yelling back at her, and my babysister screaming and crying. Yeah... there's a fine "welcome home" for ya. I mean, those of you who don't know me too well wouldn't know, but my family members really don't seem to care about one another. It's really sad. Everyone is out for their own personal gain and to hell with anyone in their way.

I wish I could just live at AnthroCon. I mean, that first night there I just felt good. Happy faces (and some furry ones too ^-^), everyone just chatting, walking around, and just generally having a good time. I mean, Cindy and I could be open and be ourselves there and not be thought of as weird. I mean Rora, Canis, Cindy, and I made a 3-equine and 1 squirrel pile on the floor, laid there and had a conversation as if nothing was strange or arry. And people passing by really didn't seem to care either. I know anywhere else (least the places I've been and the people I know round where I live) would stop and lecture you, "Stop being so strange, blah-blah-blah". Not to mention, Rora is by far one of my favorite friends I ever made online and to get to spend 3 days with Rora and know 'im better and just be all friendly like... best damn time of my life. He's one of the friendliest and coolest persons and furres one could ever have the honour of knowing. He was even patient enough to put up with me and my following him around everywhere (course till I would lose him in a crowd)

Leaving that behind and coming back here... I mean, at first I told myself, "Don't cry cause it's over, be happy that it happened" and taht sustained me for a bit. Then when reality hit me... the quiet... the monotonous routines... ... I really have nothing much to look forward to. All my dreams are fantasies that'll never come true. Weird things that'd you read in a fantasy novel or TF short story I mean, the only one I got that is real is getting married to Cindy and starting a life together... ... but I don't even know how/when we could ever accomplish that and not get ourselves into debt up to our eyeballs with the price of living now-a-days.

That's why I'm bothering all you kind souls who felt pity and decided to +watch me. I really have no one else I can talk to round here. Is it normal for me to be all depressed like this given my circumstance, Is there something wrong with me, or am I just being a whiny brat and need to get over it? *sighs*

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]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/5872540/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/5872540/ Sun, 10 Jul 2005 11:00:59 PDT

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--Arrival (July 7 - 11:20 PM)--
After a "lovely" 10 hour bus ride into Philadelphia, your friendly neighborhood samurai equine has arrived at AnthroCon.

Let's put it this way... it's after 2 am, and I'm still awake, excited, and damn near far from wanting to go to bed. Course I'm too damn shy to actually go up and actually talk to anyone aside from my roommates Gonna have to get over that real damn quick.

This is my first Con ever and if things go anywhere as good as I hope, I'm gonna have one helava time. Hope to meet some people, get some art done, and just generally have fun.

For anyone else who's here and interested, and wanna come visit, I'm up in room 602 with , , and . Hope to hear from... ... *thinks for a second* anyone

--The Fun Begins (July 8)--
I must say, I REALLY didn't know what to expect from today. Woke up at 8 in the morning, then immediately fell back to sleep. Waking up and falling back to sleep over and over again till around 11 am

By the time I got up and running, the Dealer's Room and Artists Alley opened up. Met on the elevator down. Getting to see some of my favorite artists and even get a sketch done in the my sketchbook by was rather exciting. Bought several prints and soon stopped myself before I spent ALL my money. Need some for tomorrow and Sunday morning.

Got to hang out with along with Rora and the gang. Was quite fun! Course I've still have yet to even start any art of my own, but hope to get together and do some artwork with/for m'buddies and roomies tomorrow. Overall, a fun and "interesting" day. The loads of fursuiters running around really makes me wish I had done my fursuit and gotten it finished by this year's AC like I had planned to do a year ago

--The Next Day (July 9)--
Slowly things are beginning to set in. How this whole AC works, what goes on, and what-not. Really haven't met anyone new, but Rora, Cindy, and Blaze are definately making my stay VERY fun.

Day started off sleeping in Bad horsie. Got up and headed down to the dealer's room to pick up a few more prints and commission a piece. Pretty standard.

The real fun part started about 4 when Cordite and Destrier started a little talk about hooved fursuits, "From Hoof to Head: Fursuiting the Hooved Character" (or something like that). Really infomative and fronted a lot of information... ]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/5726824/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/5726824/ Wed, 22 Jun 2005 19:24:43 PDT

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Hello everyone. Been awhile since I've been online and I thought I'd let everyone know why. I'd REALLY like to say, "Oh, it's because I've been working on artwork" or I've been working or school or whatever. Truth is, I'm sick as an f-ing dog. I decided to get on real quick to check up on my message center and all the art that's most likely been uploaded. Been trying to get a little art done here and there, but not much progress. Dizziness and headaches make staring at a piece of paper and draw rather difficult. Well, the only thing I thank god for is that it happened now and not closer to or at AC.

So, in short, I might be scarce for awhile. Take care all.

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]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/5631453/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/5631453/ Sun, 12 Jun 2005 21:50:49 PDT

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Just thought I'd let my small yet entirely friendly following, that I'm gonna be putting a lot of ideas I've had on hold for a little bit. Thing is I'm gonna be working on character reference pics for the entirety of my cast that'll soon be showing up in my upcoming comic I'm making.

So for those I've said I'm making gifts for for my soon to be "Gift Art Theatre" (and you know who you are... Shhhh...), I haven't forgotten about my promise to ya It's only on a minor delay.

Thing is, I really wanted to get these ref pics done before I head to AC in July. So if I decide I want to have artists draw a char or two or more of my characters, I can have a working and up to date reference for the said artist(s) to work off of. I'm sure they'd appreciate that, or so I've been told.

So for those out there going, "God damn... UmaKami is really ass lazy and REALLY needs to make more art and stop wasting our time." Please trust me. I got crap loads of gift art and original pieces I've got listed on a "To Draw..." list. TRUST ME!!! ... ... ... puwease? ;.;

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]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/5479510/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/5479510/ Fri, 27 May 2005 18:39:42 PDT

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Y'know... there are times I'm EVER so glad I never want children. Like when they say something blatently stupid, and you can't tell if they're just being silly, mean, or if they're really THAT stupid. I was working at Super K last night. And a little kid comes through my cash register line with his mom. The whole time this kid is waiting for me to ring his mother's items out he keeps staring at me, examining me, with this weird look on his face. Then, at one point, out of the blue he asks his mom, "Mommy, is that a boy or girl?" pointing at me. I stopped working and stared at this kid with my usual "I hate you look" and his mom stared at him with astonishment, amaze, confusion, and utter surprise that her child would even ask that aloud. Now I ask you, look below here and tell me, do I even look the smalles bit femanin?



I don't really think so, but apparently there are those that do.

Another time, I was walking back to the time clock to clock in for work. A customer had a question and tried to get my attention. I turned the corner and heard, "Excuse me, miss?!" So I kept walking. I get about half way to the time clock and I hear running and the same voice saying, "Miss! MISS!!" He gets to me and taps me on the shoulder, and when I turn to look at him, he just stares at me, then walks away looking VERY confused. Now... I'm a hairy beast, seriuosly. How anyone can mistake me for a woman is beyond me *shrugs*

Just thought I'd share that amusing story with you.

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]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/5259955/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/5259955/ Tue, 03 May 2005 20:08:09 PDT

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Just Testing a header and footer I made for my dA journal.

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]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/5228747/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/5228747/ Sat, 30 Apr 2005 09:58:01 PDT Herd of the UmaKami
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Coming up soon is my 6000th pageview. For lack of inspiration, I'll be doing a b/w pic for the one who gets the big 6K. G'luck to all ^-^

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"Welcome, weaver of the eternal circle of Zarathustra" ]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/5155986/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/5155986/ Fri, 22 Apr 2005 07:35:38 PDT Herd of the UmaKami
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I heard recently, in the good ol' state of Texas, there's some asshole in the goverment trying to pass this bill/law/whatever, that had actually been tried before and fell through. This here would make it a law that "Those of a gay sexuality would be seen as unfit parents to foster children". So put simply, based soley on one's sexuality, one can decern if you are or aren't a good parent. And the real kicker is that if you are a bi-sexual/gay/lesbian and have an adopted child and are a current resident of texas, by law they would have the right to take the adopted child/children away from you. Least that's how I'm understanding it from the news the other day.

Now... who in their right mind would ever... EVER consider this to be constitutional in any way/shape/form? Why does this country seem to have this continually growing hatred to the homosexual community? I know a few gays and lesbians myself, and they are by far the nicest human beings in the whole world. And here, for awhile, I actually wanted to MOVE TO Texas when I got outta college and got out on my own. Pfft, screw that idea. Whether it gets passed or not, the idea that there's people there that would actually want it to annoys the hell outta me and lowers my once high outlook on the state of Texas.

I just hope and pray that I'm wrong. Please tell me that I heard the news anchorman wrong or the dj I heard on the radio shortly afterwards heard it wrong too. Please tell me I'm wrong. Please tell me there aren't human beings with such shallow and self-serving values and false morals. And for all you religious freaks out there, the dj I heard on the radio said it best, and let me pass on the message to you, "Stop reading your passages in the bible about how evil and bad gays are, and start reading the passage where it states, "LOVE THY NEIGHBOR!""

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"Welcome, weaver of the eternal circle of Zarathustra" ]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/5155753/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/5155753/ Fri, 22 Apr 2005 07:06:52 PDT Herd of the UmaKami
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That is, of course, unless the horse is the famous UmaKami xP (or should that be "infamous" XD))



You are a Quarter Horse! Your friends know they can count on you, and you. You are well liked because of your easy-going personality. You adapt to new situations with grace, excelling at most things you try. Even though you are probably not gorgeous, you are popular because of your beautiful spirit and fun personality.

Quarter Horse ------------------ 90%
Donkey -------------- 70%
Zebra ---------- 50%
Lipizzaner ---------- 50%
Arabian -------- 40%
Thoroughbred ------ 35%

~ What kind of Equine are you? ~
created with QuizFarm.com

Pegasus wasn't an available option for this quiz, but if I were a horse (least one of non-mythical origins) I'd definately say this quiz hit it right on the money.

~Special Thanks to for the link to the quiz ~

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"Welcome, weaver of the eternal circle of Zarathustra" ]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/5081166/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/5081166/ Wed, 13 Apr 2005 18:35:22 PDT Herd of the UmaKami
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Well, just to let people see what I've been up to artistically, I'm gonna start inking the pieces I've been doing and scanning them in. I'm still working on my line work, figure drawing, and such so it's all gonna be b/w for awhile till I feel a little more confident in my own work where I feel colouring is my next step in improvement. But as of now, that's kinda the least of my worries.

Enjoy...?

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"Welcome, weaver of the eternal circle of Zarathustra" ]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/4996399/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/4996399/ Mon, 04 Apr 2005 10:04:26 PDT Herd of the UmaKami
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Since my last journal entry, I've been filling page after page with little sketches, browsing through others' galleries, and reading my "How To Draw Manga" books religiously in an attempt to improve as an artist. And along that road, I've produced a basic three view reference pic of Uma. And before I go on and ink it and continue doing reference pics of my other characters, I'd like some feed back on what I'm doing now.

[link]

I thank all who can find it in their heart to help a struggling artist out in advance. Let's hope I did a fairly decent job

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"Welcome, weaver of the eternal circle of Zarathustra" ]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/4889464/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/4889464/ Wed, 23 Mar 2005 10:00:28 PST Herd of the UmaKami
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I don't know what it is... least I didn't for awhile. I've been on dA for over a year now. Looking back across my gallery and through my sketchbook... I couldn't help but notice. A year's worth of work, and it was all trash. And even more depressingly was that every last piece was basically the same. I hadn't improved over time or done anything real drastic to even TRY and improve. In fact... I hadn't done anything at all. Well, needless to say, I spent the last couple days in a drunken stooper (sitting around looking depressed).

I know there are you out there that think my artworks great, or wonderful, and so on. But, truth of the matter, I'm just a novice... floating in the stagnent waters of the kiddie pool of art. I thank you all for the wonderful comments and nice things you say 'bout my art, and it is greatly appreciated. Though... I feel I need more than simple, "Great Job" or "Nice" and so forth. Still, with AC coming up and being enlisted to do my first commission, I sorely need to improve.

I've started on a path to try and better myself as an artist. I owe my inspiration for this almost soley to three people, , , and . There were others there to drag me outta the dumps, but I think these three I owe a lot too, cause they've given me some wonderful ideas of where to start in improving, gave me some excellent suggestions, and sites I can go to study and research some great art. So I have a basic start.

So for awhile, most of my art is only gonna be inked black and whites. Mostly I wanna focus on my lineart and style (or lack there of), before I try and focus on becoming better at colouring. Try and improve on proportions, my lines, and just a lot of other things that seem wrong when I look at my stuff. If anyone else out there has some suggestions or would like to throw me a comment or two of what I should try and work on, I'd be MORE than appreciative.

There was three other pieces I had inked and was gonna colour, but I'm putting them out to pasture (so to speak). I most likely will come back and redraw them once I feel I've made ANY sort of improvement, least one of them I KNOW I will cause it's part of a trade I'm already 3 months late on (sorry MJ). I'll put them up in the "Scraps" section for those who may be interested.

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"Welcome, weaver of the eternal circle of Zarathustra" ]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/4821242/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/4821242/ Tue, 15 Mar 2005 16:27:58 PST Herd of the UmaKami
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Well everyone, seems your good ol' UmaKami has been slacking in his artistic duties once again. I do plan on making repremands and am currently working on a slew of pics as we speak You should be seeing a lot more art from me in the next week. On top of what I've already inked and scanned and will colouring here soon, I've got plenty of other inspirations that've hit me all at once I'm trying to put together. As well as getting off my ass and start drawing up the comic to the story I've been writing. So hopefully that goes all fine and dandy.

Also, I'm totally syked (<--spelling?) about the upcoming AnthroCon in PA in July . This'll be the first time I get to attend one and meet some of the people I've made friends with here at dA ^-^ I know there are those reading this that have known me prior to dA that are going, "Yeah... that's what you've said before," and that's not totally without reason. I've said I'd be going to AC in the past and kinda blew it off, but this time I got my membership, got a place to stay and am all hyped. Course Being my first time I've got no idea what to expect or what I should do/bring with me, both financially and otherwise. I won't be selling anything, but I'll definately be bring a sketchbook or two... or seven... ... And I'd be open to any advice on what I should be putting together for this weekend of furry merryment known as the AnthroCon.

Well, that's about it for this installment. Keep an eye out, I've got lotsa art on the way

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"Welcome, weaver of the eternal circle of Zarathustra" ]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/4414917/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/4414917/ Tue, 25 Jan 2005 20:31:43 PST Herd of the UmaKami
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First off let me start by sorta congratulating myself on my 5000th hit Noone's really come forth, though, and claimed it, so when I came around and found I'd surpassed 5000 hits I decided to give it to the most recent visitor on the list at the bottom of my page at the time. That being Kokiteno. So you're entitled to a pic, Koki ^^ We'll discuss what you'd like me to draw over IM or dA notes sometime.

Anyway... Me and my friend Mike (whom I base my char "No. 8" off of) just got finished watching the entire thing of an anime called "Neon Genesis Evangelion". I'm sure that rings a bell to a good deal of you out there who's into anime/manga in ANY way. I've been kinda borrowing it indefinately from another friend and just got around to watching it.

Now... I must say that THING some call an anime, was a very good anime in it's own right, but the last three episodes (which I'd just done watching) are the largest mind trip I've ever seen. I don't know any other way to explain it but a three episode long "self-help" book written by someone smoking marijuana and boozing up at the same time.

I must say... my brain REALLY hurts right now. At one point I had to shatter my brain, so the images on the screen couldn't hurt it anymore. I'm also borrowing the anime movie "Death and Rebirth -The End of Evangelion-" But at this point I'm too damn afraid of putting it in and watching it. *shudders in fear* OO;;;

]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/4301154/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/4301154/ Wed, 12 Jan 2005 08:50:24 PST Herd of the UmaKami
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Shortly I'll be hitting my 5000th hit. Just thought I'd inform anyone, that if you are that 5000th person to drop me a line and I'll do a pic for ya

]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/4112052/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/4112052/ Mon, 20 Dec 2004 15:45:49 PST Herd of the UmaKami
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Usually, I get SO excited about Christmas. I mean, every right minded individual who celebrates the holiday DOES. The two weeks leading up to Christmas I get so excited I can't even sleep. I'm an adult now, not a kid, and don't really get toys or anything, but the whole spirit of the season gets me so hyped. The decorations, the tree, the whole thing, y'know? Not this year though...

My mom came up with the "great idea" to skip christmas and everyone go to Puerto Rico from Dec. 17-Dec. 29. Thing is, me and my brother (who is also in college) had to pay for our own tickets, cause my mom had to pay for her, my dad, my other brother, and my baby sister's tickets and spending money. Now that's 300+ dollars for the plane ticket plus at least 100 dollars for two weeks worth of food and spending money. Thing is... Josh (my bro) has FAFSA loans, baseball scholarship, AND my parents helping him with tuition. I got FAFSA, and that's it. No parental help. So I already had to pay 900 dollars in tuition that FAFSA didn't cover, and somehow i was ALSO suppose to pull out of my ass 400+ more dollars for this Puerto Rico trip... ...

yeah... that was gonna happen...

So Josh got his money and they all got to go spend Christmas in Puerto Rico, leaving me home alone for the holiday. AND HERE'S THE KICKER! I had to drive them to the airport (2 hours away) at 4 in the morning. I went to school 10am-3pm, work 4pm-10pm drove them to the airport and drove back 2am-7am, went BACK to school at 10am-3pm and then work AGAIN 4-10. Needless to say I'm pissed, but more than anything I just wanna break down and cry sometimes when I think about how it's gonna be. There are no decorations in or on my house, no sounds of holiday laughter... there'll be no baby sister freaking out over all the wonderful gifts she got... no brothers arguing over who got the cooler gifts... no parents taking millions of pictures...

Just... emptiness... ... Effectively taking away everything I'd ever come to know and associate with the idea of what Christmas was.

The only thing I keep asking myself is... what exactly did I do that karma decided I needed punished in such a way? What horrible evil thing had I done?

Eh... just gotta live with it. Christmas will come and go and I can leave this whole thing behind me. Course this whole thing is most definately gonna hurt the already failing relationship I had with my parents. I mean, Christmas Day will be kinda cool, cause I get to go spend it with Cindy, but the whole christmas vacation... "thing" just blows now because of what my parents had to go and pull.

Oh well... ... to the rest of you out there, though. You enjoy your holidays. Enjoy every moment with your families if you can. Your husbands or wives. Whatever or whoever you have to celebrate it with. Even if that person normally bothers or bugs you or you just generally dislike most of the year. Cause being alone on this holiday of "togetherness" is something I'd never wish on my worst enemy.

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Ba-Humbug! ]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/4069543/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/4069543/ Tue, 14 Dec 2004 21:48:55 PST Herd of the UmaKami
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Well, in health news... I'm finally over my sinus and upper respiratory infection that has been plaguing me since the monday before my birthday.

Thank the almight lord on that one... Not being able to swallow (let alone eat or drink anything or talk)

Course now something else has shot a nerve or two...

Time and again, I keep hearing people use the term "gay" as a derogatory term. For example, "That's so gay." or "You're gay" or just simply "Gaaaaayyy". Why is it that everytime the word "gay" comes up it refers to something negative. The next time I hear "Oh, that's so gay" I'm getting up and beating the living hell out of that person. I'm not sure why it bothers me so much, but just hearing it rubs me the wrong way.

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Viva La Equine Resistance! ]]> ~UmaKami http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/4015149/ http://UmaKami.deviantart.com/journal/4015149/ Tue, 07 Dec 2004 22:02:31 PST Herd of the UmaKami
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Well... it's happened ladies and gentlemen. Your good ol' UmaKami has reached yet another birthday and lived to tell about it Hey... don't ask me, I'm not quite sure how it happened either.

Now I hope you all remembered your invitations I expect to see ya all at the party. Don't forget it's a slumber party, so sleeping bags and PJs are probably a good idea. Lovin' ya all Big Uma Hug for All ^-^

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Viva La Equine Resistance!
]]> ~UmaKami