deviantART: by:Yami-Loni

deviantART: by:Yami-Loni http://search.deviantart.com/?q=by:Yami-Loni&section=today deviantART RSS for by:Yami-Loni en-us Copyright 2009, deviantART.com Thu, 26 Nov 2009 09:26:25 PST deviantART.com http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://s.deviantart.com/minish/widgets/apple-touch-icon-precomposed.png Plotting Out Loud http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/28555189/ http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/28555189/ Tue, 24 Nov 2009 18:51:29 PST Commissions | Gallery | 100 Themes | Stamp Album

Yay, an uneventful day. But, at least I wasn't having to deal with the pre-Thanksgiving crowd at work. I mean, I'll deal with them tomorrow, but one day is better than two.

Anyone else working directly with the public can agree with me on that, crazy as the logic is.

But, hey, I got both of the cats bathed today. Poor Maximus needed it badly, and I just washed Toulouse for the hell of it. It's unfair to drag one into the bathtub and not the other, so I get a two-for-one special. Just not at the same time. That's what we call "murder".

I also drew a lot today. It comes and it goes, and right now, it's here, so I'm going with it. I decided that I was going to attempt a challenge for myself. See, I doodle a lot and waste a hellacious amount of paper per sketchpad, so out of a 70-sheet book, I may get less than half of that to be decent enough to make it to the scanner. So, with this new sketchpad I bought this weekend, I'm challenging myself to not waste a single piece. Every page will have a completed work on it, even if it's just a line-art to be colored digitally. I'm not tearing pages out, either. They'll be scanned directly from the sketchpad. So far, I've completed three drawings. (One's heading for Photoshop pretty soon as I just finished inking it.)

That also means I gotta be careful not to color too roughly so the imprint doesn't ruin the next page. Same goes for bleeding markers. (I need a pencil board, obviously.)

Yeah. And, I've also come to the conclusion that I need a Super Nintendo. Me and my sisters share one that my parents got us for Christmas years ago, but since we all live in different homes, the system either stays with someone, or it gets exchanged a lot. And, well, I have a lot of games that I own, but they're with the console. I want to play them, but instead of taking the whole thing away, I wanna buy my own and just get my games. Seriously, the Super Nintendo was the best system out of all of the existing ones as far as amount of good games that were produced for it. I own Super Mario World 2: Yoshi's Island, Super MarioKart, and Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars, and I really want to play them again.

I've got it all figured out. I need a small television, and I'd hook it up in my office since the living room television already has the GameCube and PlayStation 2. Fuck, at this rate, I could plug in my Nintendo 64 here in my office as well. I think it'd look sweet. I haven't had that console plugged up in years. Afterall, my office is eventually going to get a remodeling as far as decoration is going. I'm tired of this room being strictly the computer/art room. I want to make use out of the 75% unused room, but some plushies and shelves need to go.

Speaking of plushies, I'm planning to add some more to my sale list. I think I can tolerate parting with Yami from Yu-Gi-Oh!, and Sanji, Zoro, and Luffy from One Piece. It's not that I don't like the characters because I love them, but I've recently discovered that I have a choice few favorites, so it's time to get rid of the bulk and enjoy the ones that I cherish.

Anyways, here I go plotting and thinking out loud, so it's back to arting for me.

CSS made by =BloodPromiser

]]> *Yami-Loni Back into the Groove? http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/28527007/ http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/28527007/ Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:40:40 PST Commissions | Gallery | 100 Themes | Stamp Album

Well, I suppose now is as good a time as any to come outta my funk. Still quite down about not getting to go to a convention in which I spent a good many months planning, but that's just life, I guess. You take it for what it is or just be miserable all the damn time.

And, it's still a touchy subject, so we'll just move along to happy things.

Eh, first off, I finally broke down and added a second game to my DS collection. (Yeah, I've had the damn thing for over two years and I've been playing one single game the entire time.) Anyways, Wal-Mart knocked Chrono Trigger down to fifteen bucks, and since I had convention money stored away, I figured I at least deserved that. Been playing it off and on for the past two days, and I'm rather liking it. A few people have been suggesting it to me for awhile now, so thanks to you for getting me interested.

Also bought Season 4 Part 1 of Bleach that I haven't torn into quite yet. I stopped watching it on Adult Swim around this arc, so after a few episodes, I'll be introduced to new episodes and a shirtless Uryu, bow-chika.

Drawing? Yeah, I've been attempting it, but the mood has been here and there. I managed to get a little cartoony something drawn and inked with plans to color soon. Just not tonight. Tonight, ~tarn and I get to tear into Season 7 of Dragonball Z. It's been a week or so since we finished 6, so I'm having bits and pieces of withdrawals. And, on that subject, I'm working on a mini comic that might help explain some crazy shit that was drawn over a movie night with ~tarn and ~Stybba. I don't know if those sketches will see the light of day or not, but I gotta at least have some sort of grounds to explain them, hence the comic. Yeah.

They also changed my schedule for this week. I go in at 8 instead of 10 during the holiday rush, so I had to get up earlier this morning and have had a hard time coping with two hours of lost sleep. It'll be alright; I still have Tuesday and Thursday off, and next week, I'll be back to my normal mode of working. I have been carrying turkeys around all day, and I'm 'bout sick of it, but I have a whole new month and holiday of doing so, so I might as well hush up and enjoy the tips coming my way. Since I'm no longer saving up for IkkiCon, I've been putting my extra cash towards whatever I see that I like. And, maybe---maybe---I can attempt to buy Christmas presents for a few close people...if not, that's another plus side of being an artist.

Anyways, I think I've blabbed on enough for one day.

CSS made by =BloodPromiser

]]> *Yami-Loni Bleh http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/28451055/ http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/28451055/ Thu, 19 Nov 2009 13:33:21 PST Commissions | Gallery | 100 Themes | Stamp Album

IkkiCon got yanked out of my grasp today. I haven't had the easiest time coping with the events of it all, to say the least.

Pardon me if life is being one big ball of fucking suckfest for me right now.

CSS made by =BloodPromiser

]]> *Yami-Loni Loni's Best Day Ever http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/28420234/ http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/28420234/ Tue, 17 Nov 2009 18:14:21 PST Commissions | Gallery | 100 Themes | Stamp Album

I just had one of the best days ever, I swear. First off, I got to sleep until I felt like waking up, even though it was only 9:00 and I didn't move 'til nearly 10:00, but that's just how I roll. Toulouse and I like to lay around before actually getting up for the day, and I'm in no hurry to move a snuggling kitty when he's practically spooned up with me with his head on the pillow.

Hell, it was really cold. Maximus was at the foot of the bed, and he only does that when it's super-cold. Hmm.

Anyways, got up and ready, and ~tarn came in picked me up. We went to the high school, which is under heavy construction and nothing is where it's supposed to be since the fire, so we were quite lost right off the bat. I found a student and asked for instructions to the make-shift office, and from there, we were told that we couldn't go and interrupt class, so we were gonna return during Mrs. Smith's rest period. Went to Subway and goofed around at Wal-Mart to pass the time.

We went back, got our guest passes, and headed to her room. Only she wasn't there, and we didn't wanna go barging into the teachers' lounge, so we stood around outside and kinda went nostalgic on our high school "glory" days until Mrs. Smith rounded the corner.

Yay, it was time for her class to begin! We got introduced like we were guest speakers/artists, so aside from the nervousness I felt for being put on the spot in front of raised eyebrows and teenagers, kinda felt a bit of pride. There was this large projector thing at the front of the class hooked up to a computer, and Mrs. Smith wanted us to access our art and show it to the class, but, ah ha ha ha, firewalls. deviantART cannot be reached at Jena High School. I was a bit relieved (due to some of the content I draw) but somewhat disappointed. ~tarn had her recent sketchbook, so I held it up and showed off some of her art (which I'm hoping will get uploaded here, hint!). Of course, a good bit of it was Dragonball Z, so we kinda became instantly cool to some of the students and started talking about the show in general.

We then doodled on the same piece of sketchbook paper while the teacher went over instructions. Little Art I students were learning first-point perspective. Oh, how fun. I remember doing that Freshmen year, so I kept outta that, even though she found copies of some of my old art in perspective to show off.

Anyways, by the end of that period, we escorted ourselves on out and promised to return again. Mrs. Smith wants us to come with artworks and make a bit of a presentation to the class the next time we drop in. That sounds pretty exciting if you ask me, especially since I grow less fearful of being in groups than I was back when I was in high school. So, I'll prepare a portfolio of sorts to show off some of my better works that incorporate my cartoony style better than mimicked fan-art. (We know I'll have that, too.)

I just gotta get over how unenthused some of the kids were. There was this one guy at the back of the class drawing his own thing and kicking ass at it, but I'm near-sighted and couldn't see his picture very well from a distance, but I can tell he had promise. Most of the other kids, I could tell, were there for an easy grade. They sounded so uninterested, and that saddens me. ~tarn and I will just have to spew some of our art-happy eagerness onto them.

After we left, we went back to Wal-Mart and Brittany bought Star Trek. We watched it again and had many laughs at the gag reel in the special features, and then watched Dragonball Z's Broly: Second Coming. (We also finished Season 6 last night, and Season 7 is on the way. Can't wait!) I drank some green tea with Zicam in it while watching it because my throat's been getting a little sore for the past two days, and if I'm getting sick, I'll just knock it out before it gets any worse. (Too much to judge why I'm sick. I was around ~Yami-Tiff, who is recovering from strep throat, and the sudden change in the weather could cause it, too. But, hey, thanks to that, I got to wear my new jacket for the first time since I bought it! Snuggly!)

Also...haaaaa. ~ *Yami-Loni Rambling on a Monday Evening http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/28396013/ http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/28396013/ Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:18:41 PST Commissions | Gallery | 100 Themes | Stamp Album

Monday's done, whoot! It was a pretty hellacious day, really. We got in all of our Thanksgiving sale items, so I've been busting ass trying to stock and fit all that extra stuff somewhere within the store. Days like today make me wonder if I'm getting paid enough, I swear. But, at least the most of it is behind me and I have the day off tomorrow.

Speaking of, tomorrow is the twenty-seventh birthday of ~The-Brad and the twenty-eighth birthday of ~Yami-Tiff. Ha, amazing that two people I'm related to are exactly a year apart in age, right down to the day. Sadly, The Brad will be working, d'aw.

Me and ~tarn are planning to go to the high school tomorrow since we're both off and visit our old art teacher. She loves having past students come in and talk art with the younger crowd, y'know, get them more involved in what they do instead of just thinking of art classes as an easy grade. Each year I go for a visit, I notice more and more anime styles in the classroom, heh. I do hope that we get to go. I love hanging out with like-minded people.

Oh yeah, yesterday I got to watch the husband unit take out a chicken with a rifle. This ol' rooster is a mean bastard, having attacked children more than once and crows at all hours of the day. Well, he did, at least, until The Brad went sniper-mode on the poor bastard at around 100 yards. It was kinda cool. All I could hear after the gun shot was my brother-in-law yelling, "You fucked that chicken up!". Great times in Redneck Country.

...We obviously need better forms of stimulation. I haven't had that kind of excitement in a long damn while.

But, enough about that. It's almost time for another Dragonball Z marathon.

CSS made by =BloodPromiser

]]> *Yami-Loni Engrossed http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/28330854/ http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/28330854/ Fri, 13 Nov 2009 11:24:47 PST Commissions | Gallery | 100 Themes | Stamp Album

Oh, sweet, today's Friday the 13th. Believe me, despite how wonderfully pretty a day it is, it's been living up to its curse. I could tell the moment I walked into the store today and noticed that quite a few co-workers were missing. I know that one had the day off anyways, but I found out another got fired before I showed up, another one's just missing beyond my knowledge, and one left for lunch and never came back though her vehicle's still in the parking lot.

Curious much? I know I am. And, we're not having a bad-bad day. It's just hectic since everyone's just trying to fill the missing people's shoes. Hell, even a deli worker was out stocking aisles today. Weird!

That, and I'm insanely exhausted. You ever go without doing something for so long and then go back to it full-force? Me, I haven't read a single bit of fanfiction in fuck knows when, so I went to good ol' AdultFanFiction and started browsing. I saw a story that caught my interest slightly, so I went in, expecting to just read a few paragraphs and be done with. Well, 1:00 in the morning rolls around, and I finally finish reading the entire story...all eighteen chapters of it. It was disturbing, grotesque, and just all-around twisted...yet, I couldn't tear myself away from it. Had to know how it ended. I'm glad to know there's still riveting authors out there who can keep my attention span for more than five minutes.

When I get spare time, I'll probably be back there reading other things again. Just goes to show how bored I get at all hours of the night when everyone else has seemingly went to bed, heh.

And, yay, I'm nearing my 83,000 page-view marker! I'm gonna go out on a freaking limb and say that the Kiriban is set for 83,000. It's not too special a number if you look at it, but I was born in '83, so why the hell not? Screencap and send it to me for your chance at a free drawing of your choice! (One character only, please.)

Kiriban caught! Both *Leah-the-Red and ~Pitafish have claimed the prize(s).

So, get to that, and I'm gonna enjoy the rest of my break before heading back to work. One or two more hours, and it's the weekend for me!

CSS made by =BloodPromiser

]]> *Yami-Loni Urgh... http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/28314120/ http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/28314120/ Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:03:05 PST Commissions | Gallery | 100 Themes | Stamp Album

I feel quite crappy today. It all started about 2:00 this morning when I was awakened by this huge and sudden urge to barf my brains up. But, anyone knowing me well will know that I have a horrible phobia of anything pertaining to the act of vomiting, so I pretty much writhed around in the bed for a good three hours. My stomach felt like every muscle was knotted and it hurt so very badly.

Finally, ~The-Brad woke up to get ready for work, and went to the only open gas station in town to get me a Sprite and something for my stomach. I da know, I was trembling and shaking, hot to the touch but freezing cold, and in a lot of pain. (Not to mention, I had the most rancid-tasting burps ever.)

I fell back asleep about an hour later, and didn't wake up 'til noon today. I felt so much better, so I got out and ran a bunch of errands. But, I guess I overdone it, because I'm starting to feel ill again, and my stomach is starting to feel something akin to crampy and agitated. I took the last bit of medicine I had, so I'm just waiting for it to kick into effect, which I hope it does soon.

I originally thought that I might have caught a stomach virus given the symptoms, but the more pain I experience, the more I start to panic that I'm getting the same problem I had a few months ago with the infection and all. Both feel so similar, so I really don't know what to do. Ride it out and hope it's a bug? I'd rather that than the infection. It nearly put me out of commission for three months this past Summer, if you'll remember.

Had to cancel a girl's night in today due to feeling ill. I don't want to risk getting others sick if it's a bug, and I really don't have the energy to be able to enjoy myself and others' company. I feel like an ass for canceling at the last minute, too. We'll hafta pick back on that once I get better, is all.

Otherwise, not much else going on. I've already torn through this week's Naruto and Bleach chapters a day early. I'm kinda getting the feeling that both series will be ending around the same time given that they've both been in the middle of a giant plot in the recent months. I'm not spoiling anything, so no worries there, but all I can say is that I'm so glad Kisame is back in the action.

Also, been pixelating on other people's bases again, heh. The stuff is so darn addicting despite the negative feed people have for them. My opinion on that is that it's okay to use a base so long as you don't upload it as your own art. Y'know, show them off in your journals and to the original creator as they like to see what you've done with them and what-not, but don't call them your own creations. Sure, it can be hard to pixelate sometimes, but it's still a form of tracing in its own right.

Yeah.

Hey, once again, I reactivated my FaceBook account. I think everyone's getting over MySpace and migrating, and I felt a little left out with all my friends being so quiet. So, if you're over on FaceBook and want to add me, go right ahead. I'm still trying to get the hang of that site myself, so excuse the lack of activity there.

Also, Drag Me to Hell is the worst movie ever.

CSS made by =BloodPromiser

]]> *Yami-Loni Celebrate! http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/28286647/ http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/28286647/ Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:21:56 PST Commissions | Gallery | 100 Themes | Stamp Album

Mmm, today is a special day. Today is Random Guy's birthday! Of course, I was able to get a drawing done in time for him, so I can rest easy on that now. Give him some love!

Also, today is Veteran's Day. Time to remember and celebrate those who've answered the call of duty for our nation. It's not just a day off for you, y'know. So, go and show some appreciation for any veterans that you know. (Think: ~The-Brad, hint. He's laid up in the bed right now, but methinks he's deserved it.)

As for me, I'm a few minutes from heading off to work. The work week is nearly over for me, so I'm quite happy. Don't have any plans for the weekend that I'm aware of, so your guess is as good as mine. However, there will be more Dragonball Z in my immediate future. I got suddenly very addicted again thanks to ~tarn and myself watching eighteen episodes yesterday as well as rewatched Up. Yesterday was also a grand day of pigging out. In the span of a few hours, we ate Popeye's, grabbed gourmet snacks from Wal-Mart, ate from the China Restaurant, and finished the night off with ice cream from Sonic. I was full like you wouldn't believe...and even woke up this morning with breakfast! Yay, high metabolism!

CSS made by =BloodPromiser

]]> *Yami-Loni Lovin' It http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/28243120/ http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/28243120/ Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:14:51 PST Commissions | Gallery | 100 Themes | Stamp Album

Hmmm...just checked on the ol' weather channel. Hurricane-turned-Tropical-Depression Ida is making her way through the Gulf of Mexico and is predicted to be a bit of a pest for all of us along the gulf's coast. Oh, joy, even more rain. As if my backyard wasn't flooded over from constant raining anyways. But, even more joy, these extreme weather conditions always bring tornados for my area.

You'd think that, after being without electricity for a week during Gustav last year, I would've stocked up on flashlights, batteries, and canned foods. Yeah. You'd think that.

Anyways, Monday is officially as good as over for me now that my work shift is finished. And, let me tell you, working only three days a week is pretty awesome. Work one day, sleep in the next, and repeat. Sure, my job is still aggravating, but now, it comes in smaller bursts.

Plus, I have the house to myself for the evening and most of tomorrow, so I can definitely sit back and relax! I doodled a bit while in Shreveport this weekend, so you can almost be guaranteed to see some of it within the next 48 hours or so. That's kinda the joy of not being lined up with projects at-hand, I suppose.

But, those $5 commission bust shots are still for the taking if anyone is interested.

And, thanks to various commissioners and plushie-buyers, I've been able to rack up nearly $50 in IkkiCon savings. That's half of what I was hoping to achieve as far as selling things goes, so thank you very much! I do feel much more confident that I can continue to save once more and gain what I lost and still be able to have a fun time. I'm trying to not count down the days until the convention, because I have two awesome holidays inbetween to keep me occupied! I love any holiday involving food, and Thanksgiving and Christmas are just the two to keep me satisfied, mmm.

That'll be enough for now. I have an evening to enjoy.

CSS made by =BloodPromiser

]]> *Yami-Loni The Move is Rooming http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/28224581/ http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/28224581/ Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:25:39 PST tarn. It almost makes you see everything as if for the first time when you're introducing it to new eyes. It's a good feeling.

As for the journal's title, that's a direct quote from ~The-Brad after two martinis at the Cheesecake Bistro on Friday night. We three went out for drinks, but I got to be the designated driver, so I just sipped tea and watched semi-drunken antics. Fun times.

And, today consisted of roaming through malls and what-not. Both ~tarn and I found leather jackets that we wanted at Papaya. Ironically enough, we picked the same exact jacket though mine is brown with gold zippers/buttons while her jacket is black with silver zippers/buttons. We are gonna look quite sexy when the weather cools down again. Mmm, yes.

Of course, I've been silent on the Internet all weekend. Our hotel was amazing in the fact that we had a suite with these huge-ass beds that you had to get a running start to leap onto, and we had Internet, but it was so slow, you might as well stay offline. Seriously, I've seen dial-up moving faster. Took me twenty minutes just to load my message center, so I was kinda like 'fuck it' through most of my computer sessions. So, if I didn't comment on anything, my bad, it was the connection. I did my best to at least look and/or read.

Anyways, tired and all after a long drive, so that'll do for the evening.

]]> *Yami-Loni Plushies for Sale! http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/28158645/ http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/28158645/ Thu, 05 Nov 2009 10:41:03 PST
If you see one you like, please let me know as soon as possible before someone else comes along and claims it! I prefer PayPal, but I don't mind well-hidden cash or money orders in the mail. Just know you won't get your plushie until I get my payment.

And, shipping will be $5.

Edward Elric plushie and figurine: SOLD. (*Kitsaku)

Next is an assortment of various plushies from different series, all $5 apiece. (I would prefer to sell the Ouran High School Host Club plushies as a set, but I'm willing to negotiate.) All are in great condition and are approximately 8 inches tall.

Ouran High plushies are reserved. (=RipfangDragon)

Sakura is reserved. (=SilverEmerald-DAS)

Sesshoumaru is reserved. (~wildfire9000)

Then, I have this adorable duo of Itachi and Sasuke from Naruto. Both still have their hanging strings and are in great shape. Both are $5 apiece. And, yes, I think Itachi is flipping you off. Both are approximately 8 inches tall.

And, finally, the Naruto collection. Each plushie is $8 and in great shape. The ones marked in red are not for sale. Each one is approximately 12 inches tall.

Zetsu is reserved. (=SilverEmerald-DAS)

Any interest you? Feel free to note or comment if you choose to reserve a plushie.

]]> *Yami-Loni Prelude to an Awesome Weekend http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/28158043/ http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/28158043/ Thu, 05 Nov 2009 09:54:48 PST
Heh, that's right. Heading to Shreveport for the weekend. And, this time, we're bringing ~tarn with us! So, I get to have fun showing her all the fun spots I like to hit when I'm in the city. (Yes, the Chocolate Crocodile is definitely on the list!) I've already checked out the forecast like the old person I am, and we're gonna have gorgeous weather for the next four days, so freaking yay on that. It's not cool going to the Boardwalk in the rain, afterall, heh.

As for my poll I created last night, I'm rather pleased at the huge voter turn-out during sleeping hours. That tells me that I could possibly lower my commission prices for a little while to draw in some customers. Because, long story short, my IkkiCon funds were depleted yesterday thanks to more imperative things (yay for being an adult, am I right?), and I'm a little frantic about putting them back again.

Even if I could earn $100 of the $300 I had to relinquish, I would feel more hopeful about gaining the rest of the amount over the next two months. So, yeah, if anyone's interested, I'm willing to do quick $5 commissions of bust shots of your characters and what-not. We're talking colored images as well.

And, for the record, my idea of a bust shot can sometimes surpass the chest area, as portrayed here:

I guess that's considered more of a torso shot then? Something like that.

Anyways, I'd be appreciative if word could be spread. If you can't afford to help out yourself, advertising is just as good to me.

And, now, I'm gonna go draw a little bit while my to-do list is relatively clear.

]]> *Yami-Loni Reasons to Smile http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/28108048/ http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/28108048/ Mon, 02 Nov 2009 14:36:00 PST
Also, one of the reasons I'm feeling mighty happeh is that I have been cut a few hours at work. No, no, it's nothing to be freaking out over, especially in this economic state! I now work only three days a week: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Strict stock days and nothing more. I'm pretty glad for that because now I have two spare days to do chores and errands without rushing my lunch breaks. Super-sweet. Not to mention, I only worked three hours on those two days, so I'm not really missing a whole lot by being off work.

And, I found out over the course of the weekend that I placed in both contests I entered! I received third place in *HomunculusLover's Halloween contest and first place in =Milkycat's logo-design contest! It really brought a large smile to my face to hear of both of these within a few hours of one another. It's not only the prizes I seek in competing, but the satisfaction of knowing my hard efforts pay off, y'know? Good vibes aplenty.

And, this is still a few many weeks away, but I just feel like announcing that, since it's already November, thus another month down, IkkiCon is but two months away! They announced more guests yesterday (finally!), so I will be adding Johnny Yong Bosch's autograph to my book. I missed my chance during TandokuCon 2007 due to my lack of interest in voice actors at the time (which I'm eternally in the wrong for, heh), but I'm making up for it. And, I figure since his band, Eyeshine, will be there along with another band, they'll be our entertainment for the New Year's Eve party. I hope so!

Aaaaaaand. Geez, I almost always start my paragraphs off with that word. Anyways, tomorrow is officially my Nate's second birthday! I am going to try to have something drawn for him for the special occasion, but with me going to Alexandria tomorrow, I dunno if I'll have time, but I sure as hell will try! (That's another good thing about having two extra days off. I'll finally quit being a weekend-only uploader and get some art done week-round!)

Yeah, there's no room for negative vibes in my journal, so that's it for now. To make this journal even more happy, lemme know something good that's happened to you today!

]]> *Yami-Loni Fall Back! http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/28086090/ http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/28086090/ Sun, 01 Nov 2009 11:56:53 PST The-Brad, ~tarn, and myself had to find something else to do while in Alexandria.

Mind you, I didn't dress up afterall because it got cool quite quick late in the evening and my costume wasn't really temperature-friendly. No pirating, boo. That's okay, though, 'cause we ended up having first supper at Raisin' Canes, then hit the movie theater to pre-purchase tickets to Zombieland at 9:10 P.M. We obviously had quite a few hours on our hands, so we went to Hobby Lobby, Books-a-Million, and then to Outback for second supper. (Shhh, all this Dragonball Z stuff makes me eat like a Saiyan.)

But, the grand part of the whole night was watching the movie. I can't begin to describe the hilarity of it all. This was definitely a new breed of zombie movie, and I left out of there later on with my sides cramping from laughing. Totally gonna buy that movie when it comes to DVD, hells yes.

And, then, yay, another slumber party! We stayed up until 3:00 A.M. watching Ghost Hunters, but since last night was Daylight Savings Time, we technically went to sleep at 2:00. I was up and moving around by 10:00 A.M., and we had pancakes and watched six episodes of Dragonball Z.

~The-Brad's on the couch asleep now and ~tarn went home for a little while, so I'm just playing on the computer until I gather the energy to clean house. My inner clock always gets messed up when we have to set our normal clocks back, so here's hoping I can fix that before time to get back to work. Halloween may be over now, but we've already been busting ass getting our Thanksgiving displays built up. (And, if there's anything I hate more, it's rushing holidays. Hell, Wal-Mart already has three Christmas aisles!)

But, anyways, a grand weekend was had, and I can get psyched up for next weekend, which will be even more awesome.

]]> *Yami-Loni Few Hours from Freedom http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/28041640/ http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/28041640/ Fri, 30 Oct 2009 07:17:42 PDT
Not too worried, though. It's the last Friday of the month, so most people are waiting on their Social Security checks, meaning we should have an easy day...though, when it comes to Jena, people are like roaches when it rains. They all bundle up and head to the same place---the grocery store.

Who can be so glum when yesterday's Alexandria trip was so fruitful? First off, I bought some gourmet candy corn with a blackberry cobbler flavor. (What the crap, it's so unnatural but so good!) And, after a trip to Sam Goody and Hastings, ~tarn got the fifth season of Dragonball Z and I found the sixth. (Around 70 episodes in total, whoot-age.) She also snagged some of the movies, as did ~Stybba.

So, aside from the corn maze, I bet everyone can guess what my weekend will consist of!

We also went to the Spirit Halloween store, and I got a pirate sword for my costume. A pirate is not a pirate without a weapon of some sort, so there ya go. A $3 weapon of awesome. Fear me, arrr.

Well, can't say I have anything else to report, as the day is still new, but ya never know when something exciting could happen.

]]> *Yami-Loni Good News Thursday http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/28025644/ http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/28025644/ Thu, 29 Oct 2009 08:44:12 PDT Milkycat sorta made it for me and gave me a good walk-through so that even an idiot like me can do some fancy stuff to my journal. Don't let that adorable little chunk of cute at the top deceive you. She may look innocent, but she's secretly plotting your demise.

Anyways, Thursday morning, yay. I'm about four minutes from bolting out the door for work. But, the week is almost over with, and Halloween awaits me for the weekend! I have a pirate outfit ready for the occasion, though I think I'll feel out of place in a corn field. Where's mah ship? Ah, and it's rainy today, too, so that usually puts a literal damper on things. Luckily, I found ~The-Brad's military jacket with hood and that thing keeps me ultimately dry.

We're also going to Alexandria today, me, ~tarn, ~Yami-Tiff, and ~Stybba. (After work, I mean.) Hunting costumes and what-not and generally hanging out. I get a free meal out of the deal, so double the hells yes.

And, also, The Brad updated my Internet Explorer, and the earlier problem was fixed. Take that, FireFox! You haven't beaten me just yet!

...Yeah, time for work now.

]]> *Yami-Loni Bitching and Brainstorming http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/27986603/ http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/27986603/ Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:25:18 PDT

Gyah. Is anyone else having problems with their polls and journal history bars sitting over their journals while viewing in Internet Explorer? It seems fine on FireFox, but when given the choice of either program, I'll take Explorer. It's kinda pissing me off that deviantART has been slowly making itself FireFox-friendly lately. Y'know, I can't even view my own gallery folders or dig through my favorites on Explorer. All I get is unloaded squares.

I da know why I feel like bitching about it now, but I guess when I discovered yet another reason for me to have to open up FireFox when I have another perfectly decent Internet program, it became the straw that broke the camel's back.

In all honesty, I have no idea why I hate FireFox. I guess because I was "raised" on Explorer, and the old person that I am hates change, heh.

Bogus.

Anyways, not much else to report as far as interesting daily factoids in the life of Loni. I had a sucky day at work that put me in a foul mood all evening is all. But, I did get to watch two new episodes of Monster. Damn, it seems like there's a plot twist in every episode! I loves it. I gotta go and look up the voice actors, 'cause I'm consistent like that.

And, oh, hey, I've been plotting future cosplays again. America is going to have to go on hiatus during the Summer months, so I need some awesome things to keep me occupied so he can be my exclusive Winter cosplay. All the ones I've chosen are long-sleeved as well, but it's that damn jacket that makes America an unbearably hot character to portray. (Hot in both terms, mind you, heh.) So, I've been gathering up a list:

Sweden from Axis Powers Hetalia. This one's been sort of a promise to ~Pitafish so that her Finland will be complete. It'll be a fun challenge to stand there and glare at everyone, and his outfit is some kinda sexy. Glasses? Blue eyes? Roger that! He's a high-priority, especially for MechaCon.

Gohan from Dragonball Z. The young version, straight from Episode 1. Sure, I'm probably too tall to portray a short guy, but I freaking adore his outfit. And, that hat. And, a tail. Yeah, he doesn't wear glasses, but I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to take mine off when photo opportunities arise.

Sorry for the crappy image. You wouldn't believe how long it took me to find even that.

Android 17 from Dragonball Z. Again with no glasses, but I am totally in love with the sibling pair that is the androids. And, as a cosplay duo, ~tarn would be 18 to accompany me. Plus, as far as large groups go, this would be a good series considering all my friends have a character they want to be. Not to mention, hello? Closet/Goodwill cosplay! All I'd need was the wig. Same for 18.

(Pssst, 17's the dude. Me in a denim skirt? Perish the thought!)

Sounds like fun, eh? Eventually, I will finish my Faust VIII and Sanji cosplays, but with my forever-changing love of different series, we can bet those two will be sitting at the back of my closet for a bit longer.

And, now, enough brainstorming. Is bed time.

]]> *Yami-Loni Toothy Blues http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/27967678/ http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/27967678/ Sun, 25 Oct 2009 19:58:22 PDT

Urgh. The pain medication is starting to wear off, and now, I'm remembering why I took it in the first place. I have a wisdom tooth cutting in, and it's got my lower left jaw in such a sore state. Figured it was about time, I guess, but I checked it out in the mirror earlier, and it's not growing in alignment with my other teeth. My only hope is that I won't have to have the dang thing removed in a surgical manner like everyone else seems to do. I've had my share of those, thanks.

But, hey, I think I may have reverted my sleeping schedule to something more of a normal time-frame. Yeah, so I didn't go to bed until 3:00 this morning, but I made myself get up around 10:00, so I've been tired from it all day. That should help me get to bed a bit earlier. Work calls first thing Monday morning, afterall.

Ooooh, but speaking of Mondays, I think I have something to be excited about. I heard about a new anime series called Monster that started airing on Sci-Fi two weeks ago that I meant to watch, but I forgot about it. So, I YouTube'd the first four episodes that I missed, so I'm all caught up and ready to continue the legal way. But, the point is, holy shit, I was hooked on it from the very first episode. This is unlike any series I've ever seen. Nothing kawaii about it. It's a real good cat-and-mouse mystery series, and a major plot twist happened by Episode 3. Very much gonna enjoy this seventy-something-episode show.

I recommend it, so watch it. And, ha, word from my favorite voice actor is that he shows up later on, so that's partially why I started watching it, but I'm hooked fully based on storyline and art.

And, as for my day, lots of Internet time, a visit with the family at my parents' house, and Transformers II with ~tarn as we doodled the most random things imaginable. (Okay, she did 99% of the doodling, but I was helping with the brain-storming. Either way, the shit we come up with, I swear.) Despite my off start to the weekend, I think it ended pretty well.

I can't wait until next weekend. HALLOWEEN, BITCHES. We're dressing up and going to the Corn Maize in Alexandria. Y'know, giant-ass maze in a field of corn with monsters following you the entire way. Never been, but it's been a popular attraction for quite a few years. Why the hell not, I'm redneck enough to wander in a corn field at night. And, we wanna try to watch Zombieland or Where the Wild Things Are, so here's hoping that the week carries on quickly so I can get to the good stuff! The following weekend promises to be just as awesome, but I'll report on that when the time comes!

]]> *Yami-Loni Oh, the Stuff I Do http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/27926067/ http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/27926067/ Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:02:11 PDT

Uh-huh. Bandwagon avatar, go! It's not like it's the first time I've hopped a bandwagon, heh, but damn, am I proud of the hard effort of pixelating the little bastard. And, the longer you stare at my avatar, the more mesmerizing those Hips of Doom appear.

Kudos goes to *kludia with her deviation of which I derived my avatar from:

I know, I know, I have my own pixel creations to attend to, but I flecking love playing with bases sometimes. I just never upload them because, despite the work I put into them, they're still not mine. They're just like those doll-dressing or character-creating Flash games...they serve no purpose, but are wonderful for passing the time away with. And, they sometimes come in handy for a webcam when I'm having trouble finding a suitable one for my mood.

So, it's Friday evening, and ~The-Brad and I are back from Alexandria and the doctor. We went to Logan's for dinner, and just came on home. The sudden burst of cold weather just makes me kinda wanna loaf about at home with hot cocoa, y'know? But, we ended up cleaning his office since it looked like a tornado zone, and now, here I am. I also crammed two episodes of Axis Powers Hetalia into my brain, as well as the newest chapters of Bleach and One Piece, and five more episodes of Dragonball Z as of last night. I are otaku; hear me roar.

Abuse of bold, mmm-hmmm.

Amazing, all the things I do on three hours of sleep. Yeah, we stayed up too late last night, and I was sick into the morning and Mother Nature decided to ninja in through the window, so I was a little ball of misery. But, it's good, it's good. You'd be surprised at how well Pamprin works, and it doesn't even have the weird caffeine-inding effects on me, so yaaaay, sleep tonight.

I ain't doin' shit this weekend. How about you? Probably gonna draw and/or pixelate and/or play The Sims 3, but that's seriously it, and I ain't complaining one damn bit. Take that in your eye, schedules!

]]> *Yami-Loni Let's Hear It! http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/27758478/ http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/27758478/ Wed, 14 Oct 2009 07:52:54 PDT

This looked like insane fun, and I really wanna see people's answers, so please throw them my way!

Yanked from *Steel-Girl, who put up a decent fight.

Rules:

1. You (as in the people reading this) must answer all the questions of my characters.
2. After YOU read and answer the questions, post this in YOUR journal and I will give MY own answers!
3. Tag as many people as you want that haven't completed this already.

Just for a recap, I have six official original characters: Nate, Bryce, Maggie, Melina, Random Guy, and Skoot.

1. Which of my characters do you like and/or the most?

2. Which of my characters do you dislike and/or favor the least?

3. Which of my characters scares you the most and why?

4. Which of my characters do you think would end up being bullied in high school? Why?

5. If you found the character you like the most in a dark alley with no way out, what would you do to them?

6. Which of my characters would you date?

7. If my characters were part of one large family, what do you think their roles would be?

8. If you were to invite them over for Thanksgiving dinner, what would you feed them?

9. Which of my characters would you sleep with?

10. The character you hate the most moves in next door to you. What kind of neighbor are you?

11. The character you think would get bullied in high school is sitting on the ground crying. What do you do?

12. You see the character you would sleep with at a club. What do you do?

13. Someone hurts you. Which character do you pay to "deal with them", and how would you want it done?

14. What character would I have to kill off to make you cry?

15. What character pairing of mine is your favorite?

16. What pairing would make you sick to your stomach?

17. Which pairing would have the cutest child(ren)?

18. Which character of mine would you love to snuggle?

19. Which character of mine would you expect to see on a "WANTED FOR RAPE" poster?

20. Which character of mine would you expect to see on a "WANTED FOR MURDER" poster?

21. Which character of mine would you expect to see on a "WANTED FOR ARSON" poster?

22. Will you draw me a picture of any of your answers? (This isn't really necessary, but if other people get involved with this meme, there could be art trades.)

]]> *Yami-Loni Know Your deviantART Loni http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/27611540/ http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/27611540/ Tue, 06 Oct 2009 08:47:12 PDT

This has been floating around, but I officially decided to do it after snagging it off of =Milkycat, so time for a little deviantART knowledge-droppin'. Word.

Why did you join this site?
Basically, because one of my very awesome friends, =Milkycat, had started transferring over here from myOtaku, and I really didn't want to lose contact with her, so I came over out of both that and curiosity, and it suddenly became a place that I knew I could appreciate. Aside from my own e-mail address, this is my longest-running, most-used website/account ever in the history of my Interneting.

What does your username have to do with you? Is it a combination of your favorite things, or a character of yours?
Time to show how weeaboo Loni was six years ago, heh. One of my first hardcore fandoms was Yu-Gi-Oh!, and I took a liking to one of the main characters, Yami (after Joey, of course). Before I had acquired a scanner of my own, I would draw from the series and practically Mary-Sue myself into it. I went so far as to give myself a non-canon Millennium Item that gave me a possessed spirit, who was my yami. (AREN'T WE GLAD THIS SHIT NEVER MADE IT TO A COMPUTER?) So, you had regular Loni and Yami Loni. Yami Loni became my sorta persona until I started growing myself into the name and dropping the bogus character. It's kinda a nickname now with the in-joke that I could become Yami-Yami Loni when angered. And, the hyphen that exists (*Yami-Loni) is simply because most websites don't let you use spaces, so it's become the official fix, though when in writing, the nickname is "Yami" Loni.

Wow, some history, eh? Bet you were expecting a simple answer.

What is your current icon of?
A cropped-down version of this deviation, which demonstrates my distaste for my job:

How many watchers do you have and how many people are you currently watching?
I have 247 watchers (though most are quite inactive) and I watch 74 people.

I know the numbers are kinda miles apart from one another, but I try not to go random-watching people just because they have one deviation I like. If anything, I dig in my favorites, find the deviant, and visit their page to see if they've updated in awhile.

Do you have more than one account?
I have ~Pixel-Babies, which is my pixelating account so that I don't bog my main account down and annoy my watchers with them in case they watch me here for my actual art.

Name 3 of your favorite artists on DA.
I hate to sound like a sissy, but I really can't answer that. Too many to choose from and not enough energy to dig through 'em all.

What deviant do you admire because of their personality?
I'm not even a watcher of this person, but I happen upon `ctJemm's journal a lot, and she tends to be one who isn't afraid to say what she feels.

How many people on here do you actually know in reality? Post their avatars.
By people I know in "reality", I'm counting those online people I've met over the years in-person as well.

... ]]> *Yami-Loni Cosplay Survey! http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/26564567/ http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/26564567/ Thu, 13 Aug 2009 08:30:18 PDT

Contest: The Pokemon Trainer Challenge

I'm bored, and I still have an hour to kill before work, so I decided to fill out this little dealie that I found. Feel free to do it, too!

What was your first cosplay?
Original ANBU from Naruto. Store-bought, ugh.

Did someone get you into cosplay? Or on your own?
I decided to do so on my own. When I first went to a convention, I thought it was mandatory, heh, so I dressed up. Oh, how I've grown since then.

What is your favorite cosplay?
At the moment, Alfred Jones (America) from Axis Powers Hetalia.

Which is your least favorite?
The aforementioned ANBU. Cosplay newbie, y'know.

At conventions, do people compliment you on your cosplays?
In the forms of shrieks and squeals, so I guess it counts.

How many cosplays have you done?
Completed and worn, about six. I still have two unfinished ones in the closet.

What are the top 5 on your list of "Want to Cosplay"?
In no particular order:

Sweden from Axis Powers Hetalia (To accompany ~Pitafish's Finland.)
Sanji from One Piece (To accompany =SilverEmerald-DAS's Zoro.)
Naruto from Naruto (To accompany =SilverEmerald-DAS's Sasuke. This is years in the making.)
Austria from Axis Powers Hetalia
???

What female cosplay do you want to do most?
...I cosplay my own sex?

What male cosplay do you want to do most?
I really want to perfect my Uryu from Bleach. Two hours doesn't really count as debuting him, and even then, my outfit had its kinks.

What do you prefer to do, make or buy your costumes?
There's no shame in buying them if there's no other way to acquire them, but I do feel more proud when I accumulate the pieces myself. (I can't sew, so I tend to build a costume through Goodwill and such.)

Your most memorable experience? What makes it so memorable?
The entirety of Otakon 2008. It was my twenty-fifth birthday weekend, so everything that happened was pretty special. And, being glomped by a voice actor didn't hurt either.

Your dream cosplay?
Anything without glasses, 'cause that would mean I finally had vision-correcting surgery and could cosplay ANYONE I wanted regardless of glasses or not.

Is there a pattern in your cosplays? If so, what?
Men in glasses. Ah, and a majority of them are considered uke in fandoms, so I literally screw myself into that position. ...Wait, that came out wrong.

Your most recent cosplay?
Alfred Fucking Jones from Axis Powers Hetalia.

What do you prefer? Cosplaying in a group or on your own?
It's fun to be unique, but I love seeing people's faces light up when there's a large group from a single series. It has a bit of dynamic-ness to it.

How many times have you been to a convention?
Eight times, I think.

Do you sleep at conventions?
Barely, but I get at least six hours in, so I'm functioning enough to get through the day.

Do you eat?
Yeup! Surprisingly enough, I stock up on healthy foods in the hotel room, and make time to hit a restaurant for a big meal.

Are you shameless at conventions?
Compared to "normal life"? Yes, but within boundaries.

On average, how much money do you spend?
I plead the fifth.

How much cellulite do you see when you go to conventions?
A loooot. But, I don't care so long as everyone bathes.

Do you cosplay?
Wow, talk about being out-of-order. Yes, I think we've established this.

Does your cosplay show a lot of skin?
Nevah! The most skin I've ever shown was in my ANBU outfit, and that was because my arms were bare.

Is your cosplay the epitome of badassery?
In my mind, it is, but I have a long way to go.

Do you wait in line for things, like hentai fest, yaoi fest, autographs, ceremonies, etc.?
Sadly, 85% of my convention experiences revolve around standing in lines.

How many friends have you met from conventions?
Hundreds.

Have you ever been drunk at a convention?
No, but I did drink at this past MechaCon.... ]]> *Yami-Loni Tales of MechaCon Madness http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/26277675/ http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/26277675/ Thu, 30 Jul 2009 13:49:46 PDT

Contest: The Pokemon Trainer Challenge

Okay, so after having one journal fail-crash on me, I finally decided to try to write this booger up again to tell you of the journey of myself and others on the Road to MechaCon V. This year was the convention's last year to be in Lafayette, Louisiana. Due to the small convention fastly growing and attendance rising, it's being moved to begin its sixth year in New Orleans. At first, I was skeptic. It's a longer drive for me, and New Orleans was never somewhere I wanted to be during night hours. But, I've already been looking at images of the hotel it will be at, and it's looking so very gorgeous.

But, anyways, I'm already beginning this thing ass-backwards. Let's begin from the start, yeah?

Wednesday, July 22:

This was a slow and painstaking day for me since I had been anticipating it for so long. This day was made for long-distance traveling with my companions, *Yami-Tiff and ~Stybba, to head to New Orleans to intercept =SilverEmerald-DAS from the airport. It was a long drive, but very interesting to say the least, as Tiff and I car-karaoke'd to Madonna while Sonnie napped in the back after having worked the night shift a few hours prior. Though it rained hard, we arrived at the airport very early. I mean, very early. DAS' plane was leaving Baltimore right as we got to New Orleans. So, the three of us sat and enjoyed the scenery of people rushing in and out of the building. Then, we learned that DAS' Atlanta flight was delayed, so we left for the mall for beignets and chocolate milk to pass the time.

We return and wait about half an hour, then finally, I did a running glomp-hug and tackled DAS. So very happy and I miss my hikari so. (I swear, this once-a-year thing just ain't cuttin' it. If travel and distance weren't so badly an issue, we'd be meeting up more often!) Anyways, we soon discover that her luggage did not make it to our airport. It was still in Atlanta due to fuckings-up of the staff there. We were off to a great start. So, she claims it in the office there, and they say it will arrive at the airport at 8:30 the next morning and they would kindly FedEx it to the hotel in Lafayette where we'd be staying. Yeah, it still sucked, but we made the best of things and headed home.

Fast-forwarding, travel wasn't so bad until we crossed into Mississippi. (For the record, it's shorter for us to travel in and out of the two states instead of crawling down Louisiana. I has a map for your convienence.)

Projected path of travel. Purple dictates the airport run and the red dictates the path we took to the convention. Makes better sense?

Alright, so anyways, it's well past midnight, and we're the only car on the road. I guess that made us look suspicious, 'cause we're not but a half hour from the state border when, out of nowhere, three cops start flagging me down. I wasn't speeding---five miles over the limit does not constitute speeding in my book---so I'm confused. I get this big black dude standing beside the car wanting to see my license. He asks where I'm going, and I get a dirty look when I say I'm heading to Jena. He scoffs, but tells me to have a good night and sends me on my way. Yay, waste of time.

We finally get to the border and get back into Louisiana, but the fun doesn't stop there. I barely drive us through Ferriday, and I see more flashing lights in front of me. There's this 18-wheeler blocking my view in front, so I have no idea why we're made to sit in the road for a few minutes...that is, until the cops let us pass and I start to see people on the side of the road, an ambulance, and a large object in the right lane. At first, my tired and nearsighted eyes think I'm staring at a human body lying in the road, but it isn't until DAS makes a comment about an animal that my eyes kinda shoot wide open. I realized that, right as my car is beside this object, I'm driving past the largest fucking alligator I've ever seen. Seriously, I'm sitting there comparing him to the length of my car, and both were the same damn size. I think it's dead because, for one, you do not stand next to an alligator that damn big unless its dead or its mouth is taped up. And, two, there's a little bit of a blood trail under his snout. But, it was fu... ]]> *Yami-Loni My Beautiful Flower http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/25957207/ http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/25957207/ Wed, 15 Jul 2009 05:39:47 PDT

Contest: The Pokemon Trainer Challenge

What, you think I'd be too busy to remember what special day it is today?

Of course not! Today is Maggie's first anniversary of being created! Happy birthday to ya, my little Southern belle!

I suck in the fact that I have no new art to celebrate, so I will do the next best thing and showcase previous artworks of my little darling, starting with the first drawing I ever finalized of her:

And, artwork by other people:

She still has some development in her future, but for a year's worth of work, I think she's pretty special in my book.

]]> *Yami-Loni Sweet Home LouisiANIME http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/24702631/ http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/24702631/ Mon, 11 May 2009 12:29:39 PDT

(Not by Nate, of course, but click him for more information.)

Well, here comes time to give my convention report for LouisiANIME's first year of existence and add my own experiences along the way.

Friday, May 8:

This was the day we left Jena to head to Baton Rouge, ~Stybba, ~tarn, Gus, and myself. After a failed mission to Alexandria the day before to gain a rental vehicle, we had to take my Mustang for the ride. I was pretty hot about it at first, seeing as I drove all the way to Alexandria to have my card denied due to a limit set upon it that was less than the car fee, but when I realized that I was saving money, I was okay with it. My car made the trip just as splendidly, though we did have to make multiple rest stops along the journey. (Mostly because I was still nauseated from my week-long sickness, and the fact that everyone needed to stretch their legs. Let's face it; Mustangs are only comfortable traveling when there's two people in the front seat; the backseat is not so gentle on long legs.)

We were up by four and on the road by five-thirty, and we made it to Baton Rouge at around 9:02, two minutes after pre-registration opened. Luckily, our hotel room was already available, so we checked in, grabbed our passes, and took our stuff to our room, which was on the eleventh floor, room 1111. Lots of ones to easily remember, whoot. Afterwards, we immediately headed down to the lobby where the convention was taking place. (The layout was pretty simple. Everything was on the first floor save for video rooms and a couple of panel rooms, which were easily on the second floor. And, 99% of the convention was along a corridor, the Information Table being mixed in with the Artist Alley, which led to panel rooms and the Dealers' Room, so everything we could want was within a few steps.)

I was not impressed with the Artist Alley, sadly. I was so looking forward to buying art, but nothing but the guest artist's table was really worth my stop. And, the Dealers' Room did not open when it was scheduled, so we had two hours to kill. Sadly, I was still sick to my stomach and very light-headed for most of the morning, so I had to take multiple restroom breaks to splash water on my face.

Yeah, if anyone that went to the convention is reading this, I apologize if I appeared stuck-up or anti-social or whatever. I was not feeling very well in the slightest. But, I wanted to come to the convention more than anything, so I endured it as best as possible.

Gyah, my brain is fuzzy, but we finally got into the Dealers' Room, and...wow. Tiny. We were immediately disappointed with the size and the fact that there were no anime/manga in the entire room at all. (Seriously, what anime convention doesn't have anime? Ridiculous.) I bought a few things here and there, but the biggest disappointment for me was the fact that I was looking forward to seeing Hetalia items. There was nothing, not even in the Artist Alley, and because I was so hopeful for it, it let me down real bad. But, I should've known better and not been so hopeful for it. Whatever. There's always MechaCon and E-Bay, heh.

Somewhere around here, I was in the hotel room kicked back on the bed with sickness. I ended up heading to the hotel room a lot for most of the weekend, sadly. I missed a lot of panels and stuff, but what I didn't get to do, I made up for later in the weekend. We'll get to that accordingly.

Ah, but one good thing I got to do was meet Scott McNeil! I got his autograph for my book, and posed for a picture. Yeah, I'm pimping out my new deviantART shirt and poor ~tarn looks like she's a bit confused over the situation:

We so cool.

Scott ended up being one of the major highlights of my convention experience. He is such a hilarious guy, and is easily one of my favorite voice actors, even so much as to rival Derek Stephen Prince. (Gasp, right?)

And, this is proof that I was attempting to photograph cosplays. He actually caught me in the hallway asking if I would take a picture of him on his camera, and while I was at it, I snapped him with mine as well. Crocodile is a pretty bad-ass character, and I thought he did a damn good job on his cosplay.

The r... ]]> *Yami-Loni Commissions Guide http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/23730599/ http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/23730599/ Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:20:34 PDT

This is my official commissions information journal. It will have all of the information you will need to know when commissioning me.

History:

I am a cartoonist with background in realism and the anime style. I work with graphites, inks, Prismacolor pencil colors and markers, and Photoshop CS3. I have had formal art classes four years in high school and two in college. I pretty much stick to what I know, but I am not afraid to try something new.

Contact:

If you wish to commission me, I can be contacted through devianART (for members) via notes. If otherwise, I can be reached at yami_loni@yahoo.com.

All traditional drawings can be mailed to you. Those living in the United States pay $5 for shipping. Those outside of the United States pay $7.

This is what I have, but am not limited to, in offering:

Traditional: (pencil colors and/or marker)

Full character with background/border: $20

Full character with no background/border or half-character with small background/border: $10

Sketches with no background: $5

Inked with little or no color: $10-15 (depending on detail and/or use of colored inks)

Collages and Full-Paged Artworks: $25

http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/23112095/ Mon, 09 Feb 2009 21:42:39 PST

Well, I'm tired and suffering from jet (or truck?) lag, but I feel like typing up this journal before I forget all the cool details of my Ikkicon experience. It's probably gonna be random and spontaneous, but I'll remember all I can.

Thursday, February 5:

Not much here, as it was just the looooong trip from Jena, Louisiana, to Austin, Texas. Thanks to traffic jams in Lafayette, it took us about fifteen hours to travel from the center of Louisiana to the center of Texas. (Ironic, don'tcha think?) It was a difficult journey, having been five people crammed into one car, but we managed and kept good spirits. We even stopped right on the border to take pictures and have a break.

Generic anime poses in a rusty Texas.

Sibling Group Number One.

Sibling Group Number Two.

We arrived at the hotel, checked in, unpacked, and headed to the Hilton to pick up our pre-registration badges after fighting traffic and trying to figure out where the hell to park so we could get inside the building. Luckily, that was only a ten-minute pick-up, and we went back to the hotel to crash.

Friday, February 6:

First day of the convention! And, like the anticipating little otaku we are, we hopped into cosplay, ate breakfast, and hauled to the other hotel. And, as one would expect, we got there way too freaking early. Nothing was going on and no one was there, but we found two Bleach cosplayers sitting in a quiet area, so we pulled up chairs and made friends for about two hours. We were really waiting for the Dealers' Room to open, but they weren't scheduled to open until noon. (However, they didn't officially open until three in the evening, fuck the what. There was a governor's ball at the hotel that kept the dealers from getting into the room Thursday night to set up which delayed the opening by three hours.)

Eh, so we played in the Artist Alley for awhile after a small snack run at the coffee shop in the lobby, snagging pictures of cosplays while admiring the arts and crafts.

Cardcaptor Sakura! She asked for a picture of the Ouran cast having tea as usual, so I got one of her in the process.

Mmm, vampires.

I seriously have no idea who this is. But, he looks awesome.

Sailor Scouts need conventions, too.

Groovy. He's even got the eyebrow going on. I had ~Juggernaut1063 in mind when I found this guy, heh.

Soul Society dude. Geez, I'm too lazy to remember.

Autograph time! We hit the table for Chris Ayres (who remembers me even when under a wig), and Josh Grelle.

Kyoya, what are you doing in there?!

With J. Shanon Weaver, methinks.

Holy crap, before the Dealers' Room opened, we lined up for autographs with Greg Ayres and Chris Patton, both of whom were receiving commissioned artworks from me and ~Stybba. Guys, you don't know how freaking happy I was when Greg received 'Rave Master', because he stood there and gave me a wonderful art critique. I worked damn hard on getting those lights to reflect off of Chrono, and Greg was quick to point that out. Sheesh, my heart was pounding with excitement.

FUCK YES.

Chris also thoroughly enjoyed 'Ode to a Voice Actor II', and me and Sonnie got to talk to him for a little while as we waited for Tiff, MaKayla, and Timmy to g... ]]> *Yami-Loni An Ultimate Know-How http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/22376427/ http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/22376427/ Sat, 03 Jan 2009 15:03:46 PST

It's a boring Saturday, I'm giving my mouse hand a break from coloring, so I'mma just put my brain to the test and try to answer a fifty-question dealie I stole from =RipfangDragon. However, I'm gonna go the distance, elongate this journal, and toss two of my characters in just for shits and giggles.

Pay attention; you never know when I'll make a prize-worthy quiz.

1. What is your character's name?

Nate: Nathaniel James Hebert. (Now Nate Bordelon.)

Bryce: Bryce McFlynn.

2. What is your character's name in another language?

Eh, for translation purposes, both of Nate's "last names" are stereotypically Louisianian that I'm keen on. [Hebert is pronounced 'ay-bear'; Bordelon is pronounced 'bore-dey-lohn'.]

Bryce's last name is rough translation meaning 'son of red', which is a play on both his Irish roots and his flaming red hair. (Obviously, his father was a red-head, too.)

3. How old is he/she?

Nate is currently twenty-eight.

Bryce toggles somewhere between six and eight, as I'm still deciding what age to give him to go with his size and maturity.

4. What is your character's race/species?

Human.

5. Do they have a crush?

Nate's madly head-over-heels for my female character, Maggie.

Bryce is at that age where he thinks girls have cooties and are yucky.

6. Do they have many friends?

Nate tries to keep a distance from people since he's a wanted fugitive, but he can't help but to be a friendly guy. He has a few co-worker friends as well as a few people here and there who think he's a good guy.

Bryce is learning to get along with people, but is having a hard time trusting others, especially those he's attempted to steal from in the not-so-distant past.

7. What planet is your character from?

Earth. Duh.

8. Does your character like to eat?

They both love food and are often easily manipulated in order to get some.

9. What's his/her favorite food?

Nate will eat anything, and is highly fond of sweets.

Bryce would be picky, but food's hard to come by. He still turns his nose up at most vegetables, though.

10. What's his/her favorite drink?

Whatever a person drinks in the early 1900's I guess. I really don't know.

11. Is your character annoying?

Not really. Anyone can appreciate their antics to some extent.

13. Is your character loved?

Nate probably doesn't realize it yet, but his crush may just like him back...

Bryce is loved dearly by Nate, and is slowly warming hearts around him now that he's trying to put his thievery to an end.

14. Is your character hated?

I can't think of a soul who would hate either.

15. Is she/he emo/goth?

No, thank fuck. They both lived before those damned terms came to existence.

16. Is she/he an antagonist or protagonist?

Nate is the protagonist, and Bryce is the heavy supporting role.

17. Is he/she violent?

Nate is a big sweetheart, so no.

Bryce will kick you in the fucking shin if you make him mad/threaten him.

18. Name 3 hobbies:

Nate: Playing the piano, taking long walks, working.

Bryce: Pickpocketing, general playing, giving Nate grey hairs.

19. Is your character normal?

As normal as I can make 'em, really.

20. Is your character attractive?

Each has their own special characteristics, though Nate is pretty oblivious and self-conscious with his facial scar.

Bryce takes advantage of his cuteness whenever he can.

21. How does your character handle emotions?

Nate bottles them up and tends to either hide them or find somewhere in solitude to let 'em out.

Bryce is a kid. He tends to wear them on his sleeve unless he tries to play the 'tough guy act'.

22. Does your character have other forms?

Nope. Just average, normal humans.

23. Does your character overreact?

Only when it's funny, though Nate's facial expressions do show hints of exaggeration.

24. Is your character a criminal?

Nate is wanted for murder, but those days, it was easy to frame someone else.<... ]]> *Yami-Loni That's What She Said http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/22120041/ http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/22120041/ Mon, 22 Dec 2008 11:07:23 PST

Well, maybe now that I've gotten some sleep after a long drive home, I can finally begin to type up this convention journal. I know I'm excited to talk about Oni-Con as you are to read it. (And, hopefully, you're beyond giddy about reading it, 'cause I'm stoked to share it with you!)

This may be sporatic and jumpy, but I'll do my best. Afterall, it's not everyday that I get a chance to do this. If anything, between mine and =Yami-Tiff's storytelling, you're bound to get an idea of what happened.

Anyways, let's start.

Friday, December 19:

This day started early for me. Like, way early. 3:30 to be precise. I only got a few hours of sleep, but once that alarm sounded off, I was a whirlwind getting ready. Tiff, Sonnie, and Timmy came to get me, and we were off.

It was about a five-hour ride, give or take, filled with ultimate crazy and giddy otaku goodness. The trip didn't really seem that long, thankfully, because we were having too much fun.

See what I mean? Yeah, he sang through a 3 Musketeer and danced for every car that we passed. Poor Sonnie conked out for an hour because she got off work right about the time we left.

When we arrived, we were greeted by tall skyscrapers and a registration line that had already turned down a corner of the convention center. So, we checked into the hotel, which was across the road and connected to the center and parking garage via skywalks, and jumped into our cosplays immediately and hit that line.

Mori and Honey in line.

Plotting Kyouya is plotting.

Our group. Someone was kind enough to ask if she could take a group shot for us.

Pikachu girl. Scary thing was, she wore this all three days. I pondered how musty that suit had gotten by Sunday.

We were in line maybe an hour (even us pre-registers, fuck the what), but we finally got into the three-floor convention. First things first, we familiarized ourselves with the place, then hit the third-floor Artist Alley, in which the four of us bought drawn buttons of the characters we were cosplaying. As Sonnie was paying for her Honey button, Tiff spied someone a few feet away from us. Turns out, it was Vic Mignogna, and he was talking to an artist a few tables away from us. Everyone kinda got fan-girl (and boy) stiff and kinda forgot how to walk. We wanted to go see him, but we were waiting for Sonnie to get her button. He got onto the escalator before we got a chance to move, and then he was gone. Ah, nuts.

We went to the second floor in search of him, but found the Starbucks stand first, and the Ouran High School Host Club decided that it'd be best to open up a miniature tea party at the cafe. And, we were attacked by fan-girls and cameras as we sat at our round table eating coffee cakes, cookies, and drinking coffee and hot chocolate. (I gotta do an Internet search to find any of those pictures, but I know quite a lot were taken, as well as us among the crowd.)

Next was the Dealers' Room! It was quite a large size, and it was very easy to get lost, but we managed to stay together since people were constantly asking for pictures.

Gambit!

Matt and Mello.

Upon my first trip, I bought a mystery Gurren Lagann figurine, but it was the Gurren Lagann instead of the cute characters I wanted. But, it was selling them in mystery boxes for $7 while another booth was selling them out of the box for $20, so you can imagine why I was taking a chance. Also bought the first volume of the series dubbed since I love the voice actors in it. I don't recall buying anything else then because we had to hurry so we could find Vic's panel since Oni-Con decided to be a douche bag and not be organized.

This is where I'm gonna bitch about the convention in general. First off, there were no schedules ANYWHERE, nor were there signs pointing you to where you wanted to be and when. And, don't get me started on the self-important staff members who thought they could be all tough and shit, yet not know anything about what was going on. We had no one to ask... ]]> *Yami-Loni Stamp Album http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/21529710/ http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/21529710/ Mon, 17 Nov 2008 06:10:56 PST
Original Character Pimpage:

Shows/Series:

http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/21065367/ Sun, 19 Oct 2008 14:44:03 PDT

It's Sunday. I'm having a bit of artistic constipation of the brain. Let's have a tagging survey to pass the time!

T'was tagged by ~beastofbloodgaara. Hard.

Rules: Answer the specifications of your original character, then tag other people to keep this going.

Name: Once upon a time, Nathaniel Hebert. Now, Nate Bordelon. (He was real creative hiding his identity, huh?)

Species: Human.

Gender: Male.

Age: I'm indecisive, especially with a changing storyline, but for the majority, he's twenty-eight.

Weight: 200 pounds. (Approximately 90.9 kilograms.)

Height: Six feet, six inches. (Approximately 198.12 centimeters.)

Eye Color: None. Just a pupil. If he were to have an iris, it would be light blue.

Current Residence: New Orleans, Louisiana.

Personality: He is obnoxiously optimistic and is a very hard worker. He has his regrets, but he tries to look ahead. Very shy around the ladies, and no one's quite sure why.

What makes your character so cool and unique?: Dunno about him being "cool", but he's unique in that he's...quite noticably tall and is grinning 99.9% of the time. Oh, yeah, and he's got a few deformed scars about him, but he's good at hiding the worst one.

What's your character's favorite food?: In a world of survival of the fittest, he'll eat anything. Is quite fond of sweet things, too.

Favorite weapon?: He's not a fighter, but when forced, he'll use anything around him. If not, he's got his fists.

Preferred place to live?: He would rather be back home on the farm...

Any special powers/skills?: He can play the piano exceptionally well, but years of hard labor has made him into a useful individual when it comes to strenuous work.

Messed-up past? If so please explain: He's been unfairly tried for murder, was sent to prison, beaten to near-death, escaped prison, and is now a fugitive on the run. Yeah, I'd say that ranks up there somewhere.

Do they love someone?: Yeah, but he's too damn shy to tell her...

Do they have a mate?: If he'd man the fuck up, he would.

Any family?: I'm still working on a head count, but he's got a large adoptive family back home.

Any kids?: None of his own. He sorta takes in an orphan to raise.

Anything in particular you want people to know?: He's totally innocent in all aspects of the term. Just had to throw that one out there.

What significance does he/she give to the plot line?: He is the main character. Can't have a story without one of those.

Is your character a protagonist or antagonist?: Protagonist. He hasn't met any antagonists outside of prison just yet.

Religion?: He was raised in Louisiana...so, he was probably raised Baptist or Catholic, but since I'm weary of religion, I don't bother to bring it up, nor do I throw my own beliefs on him.

Any philosophical information they can share with us?: "The sun'll still shine."

Can your character cook? If so what?: Cooking in the late 1800's/early 1900's was "women's work", so if he does know anything, it's probably heating up water or something simple.

How does your character fight?: He's gotta be forced into it first. Then, it's fist-fighting from there unless he makes use of his surroundings.

What's their favorite color?: Never thought about it. Guess he likes earth-tones.

Favorite clothes?: Dingy white button-up shirt, brown slacks, suspenders (which are never worn; force of habit just to have 'em there), and brown hat.

Has their life been a struggle or a merry-go-round?: Kinda-sorta both.

Are they living in poverty or wealth?: Money-wise, poverty. But, he's relatively content being a simple man.

Did they grow up in poverty or wealth?: Poverty still. Was raised in a large family of a farmer. They survived, is the best way to describe it.

Tell us about their parents: Middle-aged, married couple. Paw's stern, but loving and Mama tends to spoil her adopted children with love and attention. I haven't worked with them enough to have a physical description.

Any Battle scars? From what/who? When/Why? And how did it happen?: Nate was brutually attacked while in prison from a cellmate. Guy tried to take out his eye and 'gut 'em like a pig'. He's got a five-stitch... ]]> *Yami-Loni Original Character Meme! http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/20397476/ http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/20397476/ Mon, 08 Sep 2008 19:11:20 PDT

List five original characters with five facts apiece. [Totally not a coined phrase, but what the hell.] Borrowed from ~beastofbloodgaara who smuggled it from =Steel-Girl, who probably abducted it somewhere in New Mexico. (That's right, Steely, I see what you did there.)

Alphabetical order by first name, 'cause I'm anal like that.

Everyone in this meme is found in this picture, minus their clothes, the poor little things:

Bryce McFlynn

He is a highly unskilled little pickpocket, but it doesn't stop him from trying.

He is an orphaned Irish immigrant. (As if the flaming red hair and freckles didn't give it away.)

He isn't a mute, but he never speaks.

Though he lacks in the thieving department, Bryce is a very intelligent child with an exceptional ability to scrutinize everything around him.

He gets uber-jealous of anyone who steals Nate's attention away from him.

Maggie [Magnolia] LeFleur

She is of pure Creole heritage. (Spanish and French.)

She is damn good at sewing, giving her an advantage in the theatrical department as far as costumes, props, and the upkeep of the theater itself goes.

She can speak Cajun French just as easily as English.

She is a natural born singer, but has no intention to ever go on-stage.

She has a very open imagination, and has a very gentle personality.

Nate Bordelon [Nathaniel Hebert]

He is ridiculously tall and lanky, but very strong regardless.

He has an undying, optimistic view of the world despite his hardships.

He seeks refuge in the hustle and bustle of New Orleans, trying to start life anew after breaking loose from prison for a crime he did not commit.

He loves sweets.

His true roots are unknown; he was adopted from an orphanage at an early age.

Random Guy [R.G./"Argie"]

His entire first name is Random Guy.

Despite early drawings of him with speech bubbles, he is a mute.

He lives in the backwater swamp with his grandparents.

*Yami-Loni Of Birthdays and Conventions http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/19904445/ http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/19904445/ Mon, 11 Aug 2008 19:45:31 PDT

Haaa. I must be out of my damn mind to want to sit here and type up a journal on my most amazing weekend ever. So much happened that I canÂt even begin to scratch the surface on, but it will definitely go down as a memorable twenty-fifth birthday weekend that I will remember for years to come. There were a few bumps in the road, but too much awesome outweighed them by, like, a bazillion pounds.

So, shall we begin where I left off last?

After MechaCon, *SilverEmerald-DAS stayed with me, which was last Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday morning. Monday evening, my family held a birthday etouffee supper (home-cooked by *Yami-Tiff, mmmm) for me, so I got a good bit of birthday money to head to Maryland with.

The plane ride was pretty fun, and I got to see Georgia for the first time, even if it was just at the airport and in the sky. And, I didnÂt get to explore the many mountainous regions of DASÂ home-state last year, so I was definitely in awe at the beautiful scenery. Her parents picked us up and we went to Olive Garden. Afterwards, we pretty much crashed after I got a huge tour of her extremely large anime everything collection (I still have more plushies, ah ha ha ha). I died for a full twelve hours before waking up around noon, and then I got to meet ~SailorArctic for the first time! While DAS showered, the two of us played at the computer, where we discovered that a few new voice actors had been added to the Otakon roster. VERY happy to know that Yuri Lowenthal (voice actor to NarutoÂs Sasuke and Tengen Toppa Gurren-LagannÂs Simon among loads of others) would be there, so that only got me pumped up even further.

Summarizing Tuesday through Thursday, we pretty much ran about town and gathered up necessary items for the convention. Thursday rolled around, and we intercepted yet another friend, ~VuduMunk and headed out, hitting another Olive Garden and the mall before fully heading into Baltimore.

Had a bit of trouble navigating around the hotel. The map we used failed to mention a few closed streets for construction or whatever, but we finally managed to get there. Unloaded and went to pick up mine and DASÂ pre-registrations. It was a simple and fast thing. And, also got to meet and hang out with Tom and Gilly, two of DASÂ college buddies. We were a group of awesome.

My brain is foggy, so letÂs jump to Friday, hmmm?

We stood in line for most of the morning waiting to get ~SailorArctic and ~VuduMunk registered, but since DAS and I already had our badges, we took the liberty of jumping out of line to attack cosplayers and demand pictures. I actually have a few to share from these few hours, yes. And, I knew it would happen, but I didnÂt think Mother Nature would hit me while IN line, but lo and behold, the monthly attacked and I had to make a quick bolt for a bathroom. Before heading back to the line, DAS and I snapped a few cosplayers already in the building.

It would only be a matter of time until I made way to the DealersÂ Room, which had to be the largest room of the entire center and by far the coolest in terms of STUFF. DAS, Arc, and myself split up in here because of our different interests so we wouldnÂt be stumbling over one another. I found a Yami-Yugi plushie, which I immediately bought, as well as a large red Yoshi. Feeling good about myself, I then stalked cosplayers within the room.

Finally left the DealersÂ Room after, like, five hours, wow. We eventually made way to the screening room so that I could introduce everyone to the glory that is Tengen Toppa Gurren-Lagann since they were playing the first five episodes. I am so happy to know that I can turn people into fans, yay! It was so fun watching it and cheering and clapping during the battles and what-not. Definitely more interesting than watching it by myself for sure.

I think DAS and myself walked to McDonaldÂs because we were DUR HUNGRY, and we met up with Arc in the convention center again with all of our meals. We proceeded to sit on the floor and rest becauseÂwell, you know how much energy is wasted on conventions especially when you forget to keep a normal eating/sleeping schedule.

I may be getting the story ass-backwards Âcause IÂm tired, so I will skip on over to Saturday, which was filled with much awesome and Derek Stephen PrinceÂs panel. I will go into fan-girl mode now, because weÂre on each otherÂs WhoreSpace friendsÂ... ]]> *Yami-Loni MechaCon 4: The Summarized Version http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/19779169/ http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/19779169/ Mon, 04 Aug 2008 20:38:46 PDT

You guys are fortunate today. I am inbetween getting off my MechaCon high and hours away from taking a flight to Baltimore, so as for a really long journal filled with ridiculous details? Non-existant, heh. Besides, I know everyone's in it for the photos, so I'll keep this summarized.

I had an amazing time, just so you know. Ended up getting my Nate plushie from the talented *Horohoroplushie as well as getting the two main plushies at the top of my list. Yes, that's right! Got both Sanji AND Zoro! Also got a Super Mushroom and a Goomba that makes sounds when you beat his head. Oh-oh, and a T-shirt with a sushi roll on it that says 'That's how I roll.'. Lovin' it.

But, Sunday. Damn, Sunday. It was so amazing. I freaking got to meet Steve Blum and Beau Billingslea! Got their autographs and a picture with the two. Call me a fan-girl, but while Steve was waiting for Beau to finish autographing *Yami-Tiff's book, he pretended to fall asleep and rested his head on mine, so...yeah, I had a moment. Both men were so awesome and nice that I was all giddy and bouncing around for the rest of the day.

Fantastic time. I'm mad at myself for being too exhausted to type up one of my infamous long journals so that I could share every moment of this experience with you guys, but...eh, will pictures make up for it? Of course it will.

The Ultimate MechaCon 4 Album

The picture of me and the voice actors were taken with DAS' camera. I'll link as soon as I get it, so be patient, yeah?

I really think this year topped last year in so many ways. Already plotting cosplay for MechaCon 5! It is a seeecret!

And, of course, I may go silent again, and there will be Otakon coverage as well, so...ah, fuck it, the end.

Pimped Deviant of the Month

The Hundred Themes Challenge

]]> *Yami-Loni THE ULTIMATE NARUTO PAIRING CHALLENGE PART DEUX http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/17319913/ http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/17319913/ Sun, 20 Apr 2008 10:43:05 PDT All slots are taken. The challenge is officially underway. Tune in to see the pairings come about!

Hey, everyone! Welcome to THE ULTIMATE NARUTO PAIRING CHALLENGE PART DEUX! For those just tuning in, this is a little fun challenge of sorts created by =Yami-Loni and *SilverEmerald-DAS that involved a character lottery and a bunch of artists crazy enough to draw a coupling based on who they pull from said lottery.

Savvy so far? Good! Now, mind you, the original ULTIMATE NARUTO PAIRING CHALLENGE has not finished up, but we can't keep the fun bottled up from the new challengers! (You can find the original list in the link at the bottom of this journal for reference.)

Okay, instructions:

You MUST draw whoever comes out of the container, no matter how weird or wrongful it may be. Time is not an issue. You draw it as you see fit.

You can draw anything from cutsey little snuggling to...well, whatever deviantART will allow. But, mind you, there will be yaoi, yuri, and straight pairings. We have practically everyone in the pot. (Oh, and order of characters selected does not determine who's 'seme' or 'uke' of the group...that much is actually your choice.)

(It doesn't necessarily have to be pairings if you're uncomfortable with that. Crack-friendships work just as well, heh.)

Once a character has been chosen, he/she leaves the pot and cannot be used again. That way, we're sure everyone gets to be drawn.

When drawn, send me the link and you will be featured here with your drawing. If you should want to accept the challenge again once you've finished your previous one, by all means, let me know, and you'll get a new pairing!

New instruction: If you find yourself unhappy with your pairing, or are uninterested in fulfilling this challenge (afterall, it is a fun thing; I won't hold anything over your head), you may note me and ask to op-out of the challenge. (I sincerely hope you do not, however!) Your characters will return to the lottery, and you will not be harassed. However, getting a second chance will probably not happen.

Okay, with that said, here's the list:

*SilverEmerald-DAS picked Kurenai and Zetsu.
~WolfyLee picked Sai and Mizuki.
~Yami-Kuro picked Rin and Madara.
~MartinTheNinja picked Shikamaru and Neji.
~Chuint picked Zabuza and TenTen.
~skull-kid135j picked Gai and Gaara.
~AngelEggie picked Chouji and Hinata.
~EpopcornS picked Hiashi and Hana.
~Scratching-Out picked Zaku and Shikaku.
~pinkninja68 picked Kimimaro and Nidaime.
~Moku-no-yume picked Dosu and Anko.
~Numacrack picked Itachi and Kabuto.
~Soliasildo picked Orochimaru and Hayate.
~TheIceGoddess picked Kakashi and Lee.
*j-riddler picked Konan and Yamato.
~Gemini28 picked Baki and Inoichi.
~rocky1268 picked Kankuro and Chouza.
~XxAkefiaxX picked Kiba and Kotetsu.
~LittleGardenNinja picked Deidara and Tsume.
~temari-nara picked Sakon/Ukon and Shino.
~teh-secks picked Kisame and Dan.
~B4R picked Hizashi and Sasuke.
*beastofbloodgaara picked Yashamaru and Minato.
~dragnclaw picked Pein and Shibi.
*Yami-Loni The Best in the West! http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/17048929/ http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/17048929/ Sun, 24 Feb 2008 20:42:08 PST

WHAT THE SHIT IS THIS SHIT?!

It's my shit.

Yes, that is the perfect way to welcome myself back after a fan-fucking-TASTIC vacation spent with my lovely *Milkycat. I had the best time ever in these past four days.

First off, after learning my mistakes on my previous vacation, I was able to have two very smooth flights into Arizona. The weather was shit in Louisiana on Thursday morning. Lightning and heavy rains saw me off, but they didn't make for any delays. And, the rain only followed me into the west. Stopped in Dallas/Fort Worth (seriously, which one has the airport?), and I got to ride a mono-rail for the first time. Y'know, the whole standing-while-hanging-onto-a-pole-for-dear-life kinda thing. The airport was that damn huge that it needed transportation to get around the gates.

So, yeah, blah-blah, fast-forward to PHOENIX, yeah? Finally arrived in the early evening, having a slight delay thanks to the run-way in Dallas/Fort Worth being overcrowded due to the rain slowing traffic. And, ah ha ha ha, the weather followed me all the way to the desert. It knew I was moving about. But, thankfully, the clouds cleared before I got to the city. For the first time in my life, I saw mountains...and, let me tell you, at 37,000 feet, they are a true sight to behold. My breath was caught in my throat until we landed, I was so amazed.

Anyways, didn't hafta wander around like a lost little puppy for long, 'cause, right as I left my arrival gate, there be Milky waiting for me! I had to do a mini run (as best I could with a heavy-as-fuck laptop on my back) and attack her with a hug, yes! Hee, five freaking years, and I finally get to meet my dear friend in-person! No awkwardness or shyness. Nah, we're too coolios for that. Instantly got into conversation while heading to the luggage claim to get my purple luggage of infinite DOOM.

Had a little trouble getting a rental car, but luckily, found a place that took cash, and we rolled away in my Toyota Corolla (spelling?). And, then, we proceeded to do a little sight-seeing, going to this wonderful, extraordinary little eating establishment that I've heard so much about: Mimi's Cafe. Oooh, momma, that was some good eating. Even though I try to eat new things in new places, I saw a Cajun salmon plate on the menu, and had to jump right on that. IT WAS THE BEST THING EVER. And, the restaurant itself has the perfect atmosphere. It was calm, collected, and the soothing jazz tunes overhead made for an excellent environment.

And, I'll go ahead and say that when a Southerner is out of her region, PEOPLE KNOW IT. I can't help it; my accent is a dead give-away. The waitress learned that I was new in town, and provided me with four really large muffins on the house. OMNOMNOM. (Even though I only ate one by the time the trip was over with, but the gesture was still very appreciated.)

We also hit the mall, which had the most awesome anime store I've ever seen. It was like E-Bay threw up all their Naruto merchandise into this little place. I wanted to buy so much in this store, but...strangely enough, I walked out empty-handed!

Checked out a few more places in the mall, then proceeded to visit all the anime/comic stores within the city. ARGH, I am so jealous of what Phoenix has to offer in terms of otaku-goodness. Still, I did not buy anything, but the little Wind Waker Link was veeery tempting with his little fairy feet.

Y'know, I just realized that some of this might be backwards, but I'm working on jet-lag here, heh. So, I shall do as best I can to get my story told, yeah.

'Kay, so we then drove to Milky's home, and I got to unload my stuff and meet Quatre, Pandy, Moo, Trinity, and Nike. (Yes, I know all the cats' names, because I AM MADE OF AWESOME.) Got settled in, had my bath, and then we watched some GOOD OLD-FASHIONED ANIME, because, what would a vacation be for a couple of otaku without it?! Got to watch two episodes of Escaflowne and Magic User's Club. Dammit, now there's two series that I gotta buy so I can watch 'em through, heh. I enjoyed a little old-school anime.

And, we had a little doodle session either before or after the anime-watching. Milky just wham-bam drew the awesomeness while I spat out a craptactular Nate, heh. My hands were shakey and I had a jet-lag headache, but we're not gonna blame that on my cracky art.

http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/15950369/ Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:03:48 PDT
Savvy so far? Good.

Okay, with the help of =SilverEmerald-DAS and Wikipedia, we have compiled a list of (almost) every Naruto character in the series. I have placed them in my cute little purple container that =Milkycat bought me years ago, and if you would love to join, your name will go onto the list that follows these instructions.

Okay, instructions:

You MUST draw whoever comes out of the container, no matter how weird or wrongful it may be. Time is not an issue. You draw it as you see fit.

You can draw anything from cutsey little snuggling to...well, whatever deviantART will allow. But, mind you, there will be yaoi, yuri, and straight pairings. We have practically everyone in the pot. (Oh, and order of characters selected does not determine who's 'seme' or 'uke' of the group...that much is actually your choice.)

(It doesn't necessarily have to be pairings if you're uncomfortable with that. Crack-friendships work just as well, heh.)

Once a character has been chosen, he/she leaves the pot and cannot be used again. That way, we're sure everyone gets to be drawn.

When drawn, send me the link and you will be featured here with your drawing. If you should want to accept the challenge again once you've finished your previous one, by all means, let me know, and you'll get a new pairing!

Okay, with that said, here's the list:

=SilverEmerald-DAS picked Tobi and Hayate.
*Kitsaku picked Orochimaru and Ibiki.
~Reybii picked Hiashi and Ino.
~Kuroko-san picked Kakuzu and Tsume.

=umeh picked Kimamaro and Temari.
~AerithQueenOfCetra picked Yamato and Sandaime.

*Yami-Loni picked Hana and Juugo.

=thebetrayer picked Kankuro and Tsunade.
~colorfulfantasy picked Zabuza and Asuma.
~Ranshii picked Pein and Minato.
=BlauerAuss picked Chouji and Hidan.
~Freaklet picked Kidomaru and Karin.

~KikyosImmortalSoul picked Gaara and Jirobo.
~Thunderr picked Rin and Inoichi.

~SquishiFish picked Lee and Tayuya.
~B4R picked Ebisu and Shikamaru.

=VivaLaHeart picked Kotetsu and Shikaku.
~NightmareWraith picked Chouza and TenTen.
~gaarawuver1289 picked Izumi and Dosu.

Well, that finishes up the character lottery! Thanks to all those who participated, and we look forward to seeing your crack... ]]> *Yami-Loni Serious Fucking Business! http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/15485206/ http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/15485206/ Mon, 12 Nov 2007 20:12:24 PST

It is time. Time for the longest journal of my life. Time for me to tell you of the Journey of TandokuCon. This will be perhaps the longest journal of my entire LIFE, so I warn you now. Cancel your last class, put away that last clean dish, go use the bathroom, cancel tonight's date...you're gonna be here for awhile.

And, please, please, please...I know this is going to be a really long journal, and there ARE links to pictures throughout, so please give me some courtesy and read rather than clicking on the random links you'll find in the paragraphs to come. I know you're excited to see them, and I know this journal may get too long to read if you're in a hurry, but remember that I am taking a very long damn time (at your request) to give you in-depth detail on my very fun week. It's a pain in the ass to copy-paste so many links while trying to remember all I've done, plus I'm still trying to get over the jet-lag. But, if I can manage, I know you can, too, heh. That's all I ask, and thank you for that.

NOW. Story.

Wednesday, November 7

I hate to jump to such a bummer of a note, but this day was not a very good day for me in the least, but I must speak of it regardless. I got to ride on my first flight ever, and I left the Alexandria International Airport at 6:00 in the morning, already having been up since 3:00, so I was a bit groggy. Yet, my tummy was in turmoil. I was so scared as I sat on that plane and watched the propellers begin spinning. The motor roared, and the small plane began driving down the run way. It stopped. Then, out of nowhere, it took off at a speed I cannot calculate, then we went diagonal. I closed my eyes, too scared to watch, and trembling. But, I told myself that I had better quit being a baby and enjoy the excitement of the flight. So, upon a few seconds later, I poked my head into my window and watched as the ground became very, very far away from me.

And, I must say, even with the sun barely peering on the horizon, Alexandria looked mighty beautiful at 8,000 feet.

I got a complimentary apple juice to drink of this flight, so I enjoyed that while staring out the window the entire time. The flight across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Tennessee was breath-taking. The entire span of land looked like a quilted blanket. Farmland was stretched as far as the eye can see in multiple colors and shapes of squares and rectangles. Ah, and as soon as we were in the air, we were landing in Memphis. Such a quick trip when a car ride would've taken all day!

Anyways, we landed, and I rushed to the luggage claim to await my giant purple suitcase of doom. Thirty minutes later, I'm waiting for said case. I asked a woman at the desk what the deal was and she told me that my suitcase had already been moved to the next plane since its destination was Baltimore and not Memphis. Gyah, I ran like hell to my gate, but it was too late. I had missed my flight by, like, two minutes. Distraught, I made it to another desk, and they quickly got me re-routed towards Detroit, Michigan. I was saddened by the news, 'cause that put me landing in Baltimore at 3:00 instead of noon...but, at least I was getting there. I was so worried for my luggage, though, 'cause it would arrive before I would. (Sounds like my Greyhound trip to Texas last year, huh?)

An hour later (and many texts to *SilverEmerald-DAS), the flight was ready, and we were in the air again. Yet, this time, I was on one of those huge-ass planes with jet packs or something...before I knew it, we were 37,000 feet in the air and flying on top of a huge layer of puffy white clouds. That alone was a gorgeous sight to behold for a few moments, but miles and miles of white and blue as far as the eye can see grew boring quickly...and, a baby had chosen to squall and cry the entire two hours of this trip. So, not only was I sleepy and cranky from getting up early, but I had not put a thing in my stomach all day.

We landed in Michigan, and my cell phone automatically set itself to the new time zone. We were now an hour ahead...I forget what time it was, but it was another hour before my next flight would take me into Baltimore. Luckily, my luggage was awaiting me in a security room, so that worry was out of the way. (DAS' Christmas present was in it...I gave a damn about my clothing, but I didn't want her plushie stolen!) So, then, I went to Avis to get my rental card. I already had my confirmation number for my reservation, but the lady said something that I would hear for the rest of my trip:

"I need to see your credit card, please."

For the record, I do not have a credit card. I... ]]> *Yami-Loni Hundred Themes Challenge http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/15247085/ http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/15247085/ Sat, 27 Oct 2007 17:38:32 PDT
1. Introduction
2. Love
3. Light
4. Dark
5. Seeking Solace
6. Breaking Away
7. Heaven
8. Innocence
9. Drive
10. Breathe Again
11. Memory
12. Insanity
13. Misfortune
14. Smile
15. Silence
16. Questioning
17. Blood
18. Rainbow
19. Grey
20. Fortitude
21. Vacation
22. Mother Nature
23. Cat
24. No Time
25. Trouble Lurking
26. Tears
27. Foreign
28. Sorrow
29. Happiness
30. Under the Rain
31. Flower
32. Night
33. Expectation
34. Star
35. Hold My Hand
36. Precious Treasure
37. Eyes
38. Abandoned
39. Dreams
40. Rated
41. Teamwork
42. Standing Still
43. Dying
44. Two Roads
45. Illusion
46. Family
47. Creation
48. Childhood
49. Stripes
50. Breaking the Rules
51. Sport
52. Deep in Thought
53. Keeping a Secret
54. Tower *Yami-Loni The MechaCon Update of DOOM http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/14030711/ http://Yami-Loni.deviantart.com/journal/14030711/ Sun, 05 Aug 2007 15:30:11 PDT

I am BACK.

Did you miss me? OF COURSE YOU DID.

You missed me so much, you're going to sit and read this really large journal, right? RIGHT? There's pictures in it for ya should you get through it, heh.

So, anyways, I've been home for about six hours now, having returned from the beautiful city of Lafayette and having a helluva great time at MechaCon. There was so much going on all weekend that I actually missed things here and there, but I still had a damn blast nonetheless.

Well, first off, *Yami-Tiff and I left Jena for Lafayette at about seven-ish in the morning. [Note: Loni's memory for time is astray, so just ignore and keep reading.] We got to the Hilton way ahead of schedule, but our room was fortunately ready, so we unpacked and headed to the lobby to wait in line for registration. Guess who was the first cosplayer I saw that day? A time-skip Shino, of course! I had to take his picture, but not until I got a few snaps of a very happy and bubbly time-skip Sakura who was just freaking adorable in her acting skills.

Okay, line. We stood there for about forty-five minutes, just watching the other people interact. Someone kept turning around and looking at me. I looked at her. She looked at me. Yeah, I didn't realize until she came and asked my name that she was ~skull-kid135j! (The dark hair threw me off, I swear. And, I didn't expect you to be so tall, woman!) She's the first online friend/deviant I've ever met, so that was pretty damn awesome. I had to calmly glomp her, yeah.

The line finally moved! ...For Gold- and Silver-Pass people, heh. Yami Tiff and I headed upstairs and were probably the seventh people in line. Vash the Stampede handed us our gear, and we ran back to the room to dig through our MechaCon packet. And, we had to run to Wal-Mart on account of us being stupid and never packing everything we need, so we had to kill a few hours before the Dealer's Room opened.

And, in that time, we convinced ourselves to go ahead and get into our cosplay outfits 'cause everyone else seemed to be having such fun, and we wanted to be a part of that! I got into my ANBU outfit, and by the time we got velcro in our shoes (ninja shoes don't stay put, mind you), we had a minute or two to run upstairs before the Dealer's room opened. HOLY FUCKING GRANDMA ON A STICK, there was so many things to buy! ARGH. (To jump ahead of the first day, I'll go ahead and say that me and Yami Tiff went into the Dealer's room about ten times, I shit you not.) I instantly found the booth selling animal-hats, and got myself a fox one. Time-Skip Sakura was excited about my ANBU outfit and glomped me to death. And, Skully, like, screamed at me, and I screamed back while I was pondering over a Luffy plushie (which I later came back to buy). She was standing in front of the doujinshi, so I ran over and dug in. Didn't find any of particular interest, though...

I can't remember what I bought during each time I went into the Dealer's Room, but my photo album has them labeled as to what I bought on my three different purchase times.

Hell, what did I do next? After spending a good deal of money, Yami Tiff and I headed upstairs to unload our heavy arms and get out of our costumes (very hot with so many people!). Then...uh...WE WENT TO EAT CHINESE. Yes, went to the Hot Wok and barely touched our food. We were too excited, and mostly thirsty.

Back to the hotel. BACK INTO THE DEALER'S ROOM. I probably bought more stuff then, but I can't remember. Then...I think we went to our room to retire for the evening. Though we were pretty damn excited still, our bodies needed the rest. Yes, we're old, we missed the Ouran High School Host Club event, we missed the house party, we missed meeting new people. But, we still had fun.

The next morning came very quickly. I fortunately got a great deal of sleep that night (I totally died or something, 'cause I didn't hear people roaming the halls when they did), so I was ready to roll. We had wardrobe-malfunction Friday, so we set aside plenty of time to get into costume by 10:30 even after eating breakfast at the International House of Pancakes. Yami Tiff was Jounin Kurenai once again, and I switched into my Pre-Akatsuki Deidara outfit. And, with spider in hand, we hit the lobby again. (I later realized that I forgot to paint my hand-mouths on, but no one noticed with shopping bags in them from the Dealer's Room yet again.) We took pictures of cosplayers and pretty much roamed the hall.

I got disappointed when no one asked us for pictures, but I had to remind myself that not... ]]> *Yami-Loni