http://search.deviantart.com/?q=by:Zalmaki&section=today deviantART RSS for by:Zalmaki en-us Copyright 2009, deviantART.com Wed, 09 Dec 2009 11:15:07 PST deviantART.com http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://s.deviantart.com/minish/widgets/apple-touch-icon-precomposed.png http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/25149368/ http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/25149368/ Fri, 05 Jun 2009 18:43:25 PDT
(In case you're wondering, the idea is on the same level of crazy as "Trilby: Snacktime" and is related to this [link] .)

]]> ~Zalmaki http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/23391310/ http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/23391310/ Tue, 24 Feb 2009 23:11:16 PST
The watercolors have been in the drawer too long, too -- winter does that, since I mainly use 'em outside. The tablet's languished awhile thanks to the pressure of school and a (truly awesome!) relatively-new job. I keep meaning to get back into calligraphy, even. A friend gave me three lovely handmade (she made 'em!) nib holders for Christmas -- maybe I should take the hint.

So yes, art is slow of late, and it will be 'til I have time to upload things. Which might be a while. We'll see.

In the meantime, this is your friendly neighborhood procrastinator: au revoi

]]> ~Zalmaki http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/20799592/ http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/20799592/ Thu, 02 Oct 2008 19:40:27 PDT
Greetings to your freaky family,
Zalmaki



Insert usual policy on tagging here. I caught this from *fogllama.

[In other news, the Wordle Meme is on its way. I swear.]

]]> ~Zalmaki http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/19598997/ http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/19598997/ Fri, 25 Jul 2008 22:39:59 PDT _> Inconsistent. Real life either whacks me over the head (as it did recently; I've got a job now, eep) or gradually pulls me away from this place, much as I do enjoy being here.

In other news, my muse has been doing a lot of sitting in the corner twiddling her thumbs of late. I may start trying to draw her, in lieu of any actual art ideas. Exercises such as the recent Nyu meme and older Wordle meme have helped...

In fact, I think I'll do another Wordle. First ten people! Reply with ONE word. Something you want me to doodle. Just one word. Not hyphenated-to-be-funny-and-include-more-words, not allruntogether. Just one word, like "tree" or "monster". (I will NOT illustrate anything explicit. Sorry guys.)

Maybe this'll kick me back into gear. GO!

]]> ~Zalmaki http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/16848772/ http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/16848772/ Mon, 18 Feb 2008 14:22:13 PST CatharsisJB.

First ten people! Reply with ONE word. Something you want me to doodle. Just one word. Not hyphenated-to-be-funny-and-include-more-words, not allruntogether. Just one word, like "tree" or "monster".

(I will NOT illustrate anything explicit. Sorry guys.)

Aaaaand GO!


--edit--

FINISHED! [link]

Heh, that was fun.

]]> ~Zalmaki http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/16831276/ http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/16831276/ Mon, 11 Feb 2008 11:23:22 PST
If there's anything you reallyreally want me to see, do drop me a note!


...In other news, it is freakin' cold.

]]> ~Zalmaki http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/15062256/ http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/15062256/ Sun, 14 Oct 2007 17:01:58 PDT
Sorry, guys. I'm leaving dA for a while, until I can get my ducks back in a row. Things have been a little crazy lately, and this is slipping off my list of priorities.

I'll be back eventually. See you all then.

--Zal

]]> ~Zalmaki http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/14005005/ http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/14005005/ Fri, 03 Aug 2007 17:31:00 PDT [link] Ponderosa Dusk. I think my socks have actually been knocked off by sheer amazement and pride. Wow.

A question, then, for those of you who are already selling prints of your work: should I do so? What does it take to sell prints through dA? Is it worth the effort? If you think I should, do you have any tidbits you think I should know first? Do tell.

]]> ~Zalmaki http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/12933234/ http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/12933234/ Sat, 12 May 2007 18:51:38 PDT
I'm sorry, guys... I'm just kinda out of it at the moment. Week before last was singularly shitty, and I'm slowly recovering. It might be a little while before I'm fully back.

Of course, knowing me, typing that last sentence probably about evens the chances that I'll be back very quickly. Just don't hold your breath. Not that there's a lot of breath-holdy awesomeness here lately, heh.

Anyway, yes, I'm in and out. See you 'round.

]]> ~Zalmaki http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/12743539/ http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/12743539/ Thu, 26 Apr 2007 14:28:53 PDT
Corollary: It only takes one cup of tea to caffeinate me.

Another corollary: My muse is hilarious when caffeinated. Very hyper.

]]> ~Zalmaki http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/12180040/ http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/12180040/ Wed, 14 Mar 2007 11:33:04 PDT

]]> ~Zalmaki http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/12123805/ http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/12123805/ Fri, 09 Mar 2007 21:08:00 PST
Thankfully, not being able to think straight doesn't seem to have stopped me painting. The project I've been working on for months now -- since the middle of fall actually -- is finally finished. Go see Fire and Ice, my latest deviations! They'll both get entered in *beastofoblivion's contest once they've been out a few days.

And to top it off, it's finally starting to act a little bit like spring!

Of course, I've still got finals to deal with...

]]> ~Zalmaki http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/12092138/ http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/12092138/ Wed, 07 Mar 2007 11:45:55 PST I'll be back fairly soon... just don't expect much of me for a few days.

]]> ~Zalmaki http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/11923594/ http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/11923594/ Thu, 22 Feb 2007 15:45:07 PST NycterisA tagged me. Now I have to share six weird things about me. So yeah, just my life in a nutshell.

1. I overuse words, specifically interjections. Usually it's just one specific word or two at a time, and I seem to shift after a few months to a new word or two. At the moment it's "Wootsauce!"; past overuseds have included" Oy!" and "No shit, Sherlock."

2. I have a scar on my right knee that I got about ten years ago while creeking in a ravine cut through horizontal layers of very sharp shale. Ow.

3. My boyfriend gave me mononucleosis for Valentine's Day, and I thanked him for it. Namely because it was the Giant Microbes stuffed version, a vastly enlarged plush Epstein-Barr virus. It's lavender-pink and has really long eyelashes.

4. I live in five different places, depending on time of year and day of the week. And yes, all five are reasonably standard habitations. I'm not counting favorite hangouts or anything.

5. I've bitten my nails for as long as I can remember; simultaneously, hangnails and ragged edges on my fingers bug the crap out of me. Resultantly, my nails are in a perpetual state of bitten-nearly-to-the-quick. At least it means I don't have to worry about keeping them trimmed for the violin.

6. I despise tomatoes. I mean, I'll eat pizza and pasta and stuff with tomato sauce, but I prefer it without; and if you offer me ketchup, or big chunks of tomato, I'll pick around them or decline. Because ew.

Bow I tag other people, do I? Well, I don't want to bug anyone, and most of the people I can think of have already done it... so if you read this and you feel like doing it, pretend I tagged you. Heck, if you note me I'll even tag you retroactively.

]]> ~Zalmaki http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/11797997/ http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/11797997/ Tue, 13 Feb 2007 11:48:22 PST Really momentous. I don't have class. For the first time in ten years, this university has cancelled classes. O_o

Not that I blame them. It snowed four inches last night, and now it's raining/sleeting emphatically. I could probably come up with nastier weather if I tried, but I'd have to be trying. And in the meantime, I just got a midterm delayed. Wootsauce!

In other news, yes, I am in fact working on art. It's just taking me longer these days, now that my stuff gets decent color work. Whee! Portraits and doodles and creature design, oh my.

Life is good.

]]> ~Zalmaki http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/11625234/ http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/11625234/ Tue, 30 Jan 2007 15:53:08 PST
Thanks for all the interest!

]]> ~Zalmaki http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/11439445/ http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/11439445/ Sun, 14 Jan 2007 19:49:32 PST
Excuse me while I go swoon... and then lose myself in the tablet once I've regained consciousness.

]]> ~Zalmaki http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/11329945/ http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/11329945/ Fri, 05 Jan 2007 20:47:13 PST Art news

It's certainly taken me long enough. After all this slow, painstaking muckabout in Paint, and all these dubious results, I've finally decided to get the lead out and get myself Photoshop and a tablet. The Photoshop -- Elements, that is -- is here. SQUEE! I'm already fiddling with it, and getting better results than ever in a tiny fraction of the time.

And this with a mouse! I'm already running up against the thing's limitations, though, and am really looking forward to getting myself a tablet. Wacom seems to be the top of the line, the brand of choice as it were. Now it just remains to decide -- Graphire or Intuos, and what size? Would an Intuos 6x11, with its odd aspect ratio, be any better than a 6x8 given that only about two-thirds of it would correspond to my screen? Ehhhh...

I know a lot of you guys have tablets, Wacoms often, and I'd really appreciate some advice!


Random news

It's January. It should not be sixty degrees (Fahrenheit) out. My birthday is in eight days and it's sixty degrees out. I didn't put on a coat once today, for crying out loud! What does the weather think it's doing?

...Not that I'm complaining. Any two days where you do so much perky bouncing around that you wake up on the third with a hip locked stiff in its socket are two good days. The third came out okay even with all the limping.

And there are daffodils! Eight-inch-high daffodils by the sidewalks! SQUEE!

]]> ~Zalmaki http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/10917605/ http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/10917605/ Sat, 30 Dec 2006 10:25:27 PST [[Update]]

Ah, who am I kidding? I'm away, yes, but I have Internet most of the time and I've had more time than I expected. So here's some featured goodness due to various posters.


[[Original post]]

The weather today was insane. After a full week of gorgeous sixty-degrees-and-partly-cloudy, today it dropped to forty and windy. As in gusts-to-sixty-MPH windy. I swear I was leaning twenty degrees off the vertical several times today, just trying not to get blown off my feet.

At least I'm finally starting to feel a bit festive.

Aaand in other news --

(Thanks to =NycterisA !) --

The first 10 people who post in this journal will be featured. I will go though your gallery and choose three of your deviations I like most and post them in my journal for everyone to see! It's pretty much to show you off. Who doesn't want that? The catch? You gotta put this in your journal as well if you posted. And I will leave this part up for a long time. And remember, if you don't post this in your journal, I'm not going to put your art up.

1) ~TorinMai




2) *Allethaen
(belatedly -- sorry 'Lleth!)





3) ~MadameRuby





4) =NycterisA





5) ~starflower135

http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/10890320/ Wed, 29 Nov 2006 12:46:35 PST dark-dragon-Path must really enjoy buying me three-month subscriptions. He's gone and done it again: me = subscribed for the next trimester. As if I needed to say it, dwaggy rocks! Thanks so much!

In other (more random) news, I was sitting in my usual spot (up a tree, of course) this morning when some random passerby noticed me. He did a perfect double-take, exclaimed something unprintable, and promptly snapped a picture of me with his cameraphone. I haven't laughed so hard in weeks.

]]> ~Zalmaki http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/10862290/ http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/10862290/ Sun, 26 Nov 2006 22:04:26 PST
Expletives deleted, I can't believe it's nearly over!

So now it's time to do a teeny bit of relaxing. I might just be able to catch up with my friends again. I've got several dates -- one with my significant other, one with a certain small lake, one with a cup of tea and my favorite climbing tree. Maybe I'll even manage to hit the library soon!

...Then again, finals start a week from Monday. This is all probably just wishful thinking.

]]> ~Zalmaki http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/10750717/ http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/10750717/ Tue, 21 Nov 2006 17:15:57 PST The work is definitely still in progress -- check the scraps -- but I should have a preliminary final draft posted early next week. (It is due Monday, after all. >_< )

You guys just rock, you know that? Not only did you give me marvelous boots to kick writer's block with, you helped me kick it away to make room for one of the better works I've ever written. You wonderful wonderful little monkeys!


EDIT: Since the last posting, I've finished the rough draft: the story is now fully sketched out. I don't particularly like the ending at the moment -- it feels too abrupt -- so if anyone would like to offer suggestions...

]]> ~Zalmaki http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/10673268/ http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/10673268/ Thu, 09 Nov 2006 20:19:12 PST
My problem is that I haven't written any remotely decent sci-fi in a long time, and most of my good work isn't terribly "hard" sci-fi in the first place -- which won't fly with my professor. What's more, I like to maintain some vestige of literary pretension, so I'd rather not write random pulp sci-fi without any particularly human plot.

So here I am, sitting with a laptop and a long list of ideas, all of which stubbornly refuse to coalesce around a good solid story. Does anyone have some good suggestions to kick writer's block? I promise to post whatever I write if it's any good.

]]> ~Zalmaki http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/10665595/ http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/10665595/ Thu, 09 Nov 2006 03:02:11 PST really old; I feel justified in sticking them here since they're still among my better work. Anyway, enjoy.

]]> ~Zalmaki http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/10468930/ http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/10468930/ Sat, 21 Oct 2006 19:08:15 PDT
So if you have anything in particular you'd like me to see pronto, do send it specially. I'm going to be a while sorting through all these.

]]> ~Zalmaki http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/10310001/ http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/10310001/ Sat, 07 Oct 2006 01:23:30 PDT
]]> ~Zalmaki http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/10309981/ http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/10309981/ Sat, 07 Oct 2006 01:17:36 PDT DemonDaz and am completing it 'cause I'm bored. So there.

-----------

Full Name: Alexandra D*

Single or Taken: Taken

Happy about that: Yes, duh.

Siblings: 1 brother.

Eye color: Variable. Usually blue, green, or gray.

Shoe size: 9ish

Height: 5'6

What are you wearing right now? Pajamas. It's four in the morning after all.

Where do you live? Ohio.

Righty or lefty: Right.

Can you make a dollar in change right now: I'd have to go get my wallet, but yes.

Best place to go for a date: His house for dinner, a movie, and a lot of Xbox.

-----------------------------------------------------------

FAVORITES

Numbers: 42 of course.

Animals: Cats, hawks, birds, dragons, dolphins... um... snakes... um... too many more

Drink: Chai latte

Sport: Sailing and cycling

Months: May. Everything's blooming!

Juice: Blend of orange/peach/mango -- damned good stuff!

Favorite cartoon characters: Check my dev profile. Kevyn Andreyasn, from Schlock Mercenary.

---------------------------------------------------------------

Have You Ever...

Given anyone a bath: Uh, no. Not unless you count my friend's cat.

Bungee Jumped? No. I wish.

Made yourself throw-up? Only accidentally.

Gone skinny dipping? No.


Eaten a dog? Hell no. Not knowingly at least!

Loved someone so much it made you cry? Not out of sadness.

Broken a bone? Nope.

Played truth or dare: Yes. I dared the kid to eat a leaf. He found that maple only tastes good in syrup.

Been in a physical fight: Not really.

Been on a plane: Yep. Cloudwatching is so much cooler from above!

Came close to dying: Yes. Got thrown overboard once with a disabled leg. Lifejacket probably saved my life.

Been in a sauna: Only the Ohio summer.

Been in a hotub: Yup.

Swam in the ocean: Yes, and loved it. Bodysurfing FTW!

Fallen asleep in school: Math class. Need I say more?

Ran away: No.

Broken someone's heart?: No.

Cried when someone died: Yes.

Cried in school?: Yes. Minor nervous breakdowns suck.

Fell off your chair: Mostly laughing!

Sat by the phone all night waiting for someone to call? No.

Saved AIM conversations: Never used AIM; my only client is Gmail, and it saves 'em all automatically, so yes.

Saved e-mails: Yes, entirely too many.

Made out with JUST a friend? No.

Used someone: Not intentionally!

Been cheated on? Doubt it.

--------------------------------------------------------

What is...

Your good luck charm?: Don't believe in luck.

New fav. song?: "Walking in the Air", perf. Chloe Agnew

Televison show? Doctor Who!

Last thing you ate?: A baked potato

What kind of shampoo do you use? Olive-oil stuff that's supposed to help my split ends. It doesn't. I think I'm switching when this bottle runs out.

---------------------------------------------------------

Ever Had...

Chicken pox: Yes, but I don't remember it thank goodness.

Sore Throat: Oh yeah.

Stitches: Nope.

Broken nose: No.

----------------------------------------

Do You...

Believe in love at first sight: No. You have to know a person first.

Long distant relationships: Er. No.

Like school: When the class is interesting and the teacher cares, hell yes.

----------------------------------------

Question:

Who was the last person that called you? My boyfriend ~Interested2.

Who was the last person you slow danced with? Same.

Who makes you smile the most? Lots of people. My BF, my brother, my stepdad, my friends.

Who knows you the best? My best friend Wombat.

Do you like filling these out: It's something to do.

Do you wear contact lenses or glasses? Yes glasses. I refuse to wear contacts.

Do you... ]]> ~Zalmaki http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/9750098/ http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/9750098/ Wed, 16 Aug 2006 15:27:59 PDT beastofoblivion's latest journal tells me it's not an isolated incident. Seems the v5 rollout hasn't been overly smooth after all.

Sorry to anyone my last journal inconvenienced! ]]> ~Zalmaki http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/9747158/ http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/9747158/ Wed, 16 Aug 2006 11:00:10 PDT ~Zalmaki http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/9634453/ http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/9634453/ Thu, 22 Feb 2007 15:19:51 PST Original Post

So just today, ~colonelwolf did [link] this lovely piece of art for me -- "Zal's Trinity", he calls it -- depicting the three of me together. Impossible of course, but beautifully done!

I was just going to link it here when I realize that I can't possibly leave out all the other people who have drawn the various versions of me. They're entirely too cool to ignore. So, in (very) rough reverse chronological order --


also drew Maia as Darth Zalder, the Peeth Lord who apparently rules the dark side of the post. Catharsisites are so goofy. More recently, he updated the Trinity sketch -- I'm in color now!



, when he was drawing [link] loads of Catharsisites, sketched an unendurably cute version of Maia that I just had to clean up and use for an avatar. My cleanup method -- namely MS Paint -- sucked, so he was incredibly cool and made me a Photoshopped version. It's my current avatar.



drew Sasha for me. Dang she's good!



drew me Maia, this time in a top hat and monocle. And she animated it. My hero! This was my avvy for quite a while.



drew, for a trade whose other end I STILL haven't done -- I have GOT to finish that! -- a character sketch for a fellow you don't know. Blaise Aleksandrov attached. More recently, she added an UNBEARABLY adorable version of Sasha, chibi style. EEE I'm so cute!



http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/9574784/ Wed, 02 Aug 2006 08:44:25 PDT
So, uh, feel free to talk to me... just expect sporadic answers at best for the next week or three. >.< ]]> ~Zalmaki http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/9031194/ http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/9031194/ Sat, 10 Jun 2006 19:57:41 PDT
The fact hasn't really sunk in yet. Give me time -- I'll be gibbering soon enough. ]]> ~Zalmaki http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/8741147/ http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/8741147/ Thu, 11 May 2006 14:58:13 PDT
I'm a DRAMA DORK / HIPPIE / SURFER / GEEK!

Not that I couldn't probably have guessed. Though I do take issue with their definition of "geek". Lifted From ~lethe-gray's journal.

Quote begins:

Rules:

If you get 5 or more marks on each segment, then you have to add the name of the segment to your journal's subject field.
Example:

I'm a METALHEAD/HIPPIE/EMO

Don't cheat! be honest and most of all, have fun!

--METALHEAD--
[ ] Do you have long hair?
[ ] Do you like Beer?
[ ] Have you ever been in a Moshpit?
[x] You don't believe in god?
[ ] You got a Pentagram on some clothing article etc.?
[ ] You own some spikes?
[ ] Can you play guitar?
[ ] Can you growl?
[ ] Do you own Boots?
[ ] Do you rock out?
Total X: 1

--DRAMA DORK--
[x] Ever been in a play?
[x] Have you ever seen a Broadway show?
[ ] More than 10 Broadway shows?
[x] Have you ever been/Are you in school shows?
[ ] Does your current job involve theater in some way?
[ ] Want to end up working in/for theater
[x] Can you recite all of the lyrics to your favorite play/musical?
[x] Do you break out into random songs whenever/wherever!!
[x] Do you like the 'Sound of Music'?
[x] Did you like the Broadway show you saw?
Total X: 7

--REDNECK--
[ ] Do you have a couch in your front yard or porch?
[ ] Do you drive a four-wheeler?
[ ] Do you ride four-wheelers?
[ ] Do you like to get dirty?
[ ] Do you like country music?
[ ] Do you have a broken car in your back yard?
[ ] Do you own a cowboy hat?
[x] Do you have more then 4 different animals at your home?
[ ] Do you watch Larry the Cable Guy movies?
[ ] Do you live on more than 1 acres?
Total X: 1

--GOTH--
[ ] Do you wear black eyeliner?
[ ] Is most of your clothing dark?
[ ] Do you think about death often?
[ ] Do you want to die?
[ ] Are you a social outcast?
[ ] Are you pale?
[x] Do you like Hot Topic?
[x] Do you enjoy Tim burton movies?
[ ] Are you mean?
Total X: 2

--PUNK--
[ ] Can you skateboard?
[ ] Do you wear Skateboarding shoes?
[x] Do you do stupid stuff with your friends?
[ ] Have you gotten in trouble with the Cops
[ ] Do you watch the x-games?
[ ] Do/did you have any piercings?
[ ] Do you like/wear a mohawk?
[ ] Do you wear Band t-shirts?
[ ] Have you called someone a poser recently?
Total X: 1

--PREP--
[ ] Do you say the word "like"?
[ ] Do you shop at Hollister/Abercrombie&Fitch/AE/Aero?
[ ] Do the people in Hot topic scare you?
[ ] Do you giggle a lot when your with your friends/girlfriend?
[ ] Have/do you watch(ed) LAGUNA BEACH?
[ ] Do you like pop/rap music?
[ ] Do you want/have a little dog/a killer?
[x] Do you laugh a lot?
Total X: 1

--HIPPIE--
[x] Is your hair long?
[x] Do you own a tye-dye shirt?
[x] Do You want to save the animals?
[x] Do you think war is unnecessary?
[x] Do you like classic rock and trippy music?
[x] Have you ever participated in a protest?
[x] Have you ever been overcome with a desire to hug a tree?
Total X: 7

--GANGSTA--
[ ] Do you act ghetto sometimes?
[ ] Do you wear do-rags?
[ ] Do you like hip-hop?
[ ] Was Tupac truly the greatest rapper in the world?
[ ] Do you believe he's alive?
[ ] Do you like afros?
[ ] Have you ever said "Fo Sho"?
[ ] Do you like to dance?
[ ] Do you own 40?
total X: 0

--EMO--
[x] Do you cry often?
[x] Do you wear hoodies?
[x] Do you like soft music?
[ ] Do people not understand you?
[ ] Do you write your own poems?
[ ] Ever dyed your hair red, black or dark?
[ ] Do you cut your hair?
[ ] Are you lonely?
[ ] Is "Ohio is for lovers" by Hawthorne Heights a good song?
Total X: 3

--SURFER--
[ ] Do you surf?
[ ] Do you wear flip flops all year around?
[ ] Is your hair shaggy/layered?
[x] Do you wake up before 6 every morning?
[x] Do you own any pairs of shorts?
[x] Do you think the ocean is radical?
[x] Are you tanned?
[x] Do you want to be at the beach right now?
[ ] Do you hate tourists?
Total X: 5

--GEEK--
[x] Do you wear glasses?
[x] Do... ]]> ~Zalmaki http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/8492509/ http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/8492509/ Sun, 16 Apr 2006 18:36:23 PDT
Everything in sight is blooming: daffodil, tulip, spring-beauty, dogwood, lilac, even a few trout-lilies in the quiet woods. The lawns that sulked grayish all winter are suddenly verdant, exultant under sun and fresh breeze. They're breaking out their jewelry, too -- dandelion, violet, and dead-nettle carpet them in vibrant purple and yellow. Royal hues.

And somehow, in the midst of all this, I'm still in school. How? Why? What am I doing drowsing in Calculus or dreaming during Government when outside the buds are popping and each new leaf shouting greetings? Why, when my old sycamore friend is beginning to leaf, am I listening (however intently) to my English and Biology teachers? How can I possibly contemplate an AP Spanish exam with the forsythia tapping soft enticements on the windowpanes?

How dare I sit tomorrow reading in a cold desk when just yesterday and today I shared my book with the crabapple in my backyard? She's exploding in blossom these days: her branches sweep low, reaching out five-petaled sugar-candy rosettes to catch the sun and entice the honeybees. She doesn't talk much, but she certainly doesn't mind wrapping her old arms around a human child clambering up to her in the bird-whistled afternoon.

She doesn't know yet that this spring is her last. One way or another, I lose her this summer -- either to moving, or to renovation. One snatches me off, the other saws her down. I've spent countless days in those old branches. Since I came to this house -- I was five years old -- she's been my companion. Her arms have held up the old-sheet sails of dreamboats, the talons of imaginary falcons, the legs of fireflies. When she falls, my childhood falls with her.

I do leave home for college this autumn. That doesn't make it right. Why should she die for me? She towers over our house: for a crabapple, she's ancient. She must be older than my parents, far older than I. A grandmother of sorts. Even the craziest symbolism can't think it works, that my flight should toll her knell.

There has to be something I can do. ]]> ~Zalmaki http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/8216062/ http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/8216062/ Mon, 20 Mar 2006 11:17:04 PST Yeah, okay, it's another journalfad. But frankly I like the looks of this one. (Lifted from *zebravissimo's journal.)


Here's the deal: When you read this, please post a comment with a COMPLETELY MADE UP AND FICTIONAL memory of you and me.

It can be anything you want—good or bad—BUT IT HAS TO BE FAKE. It can be a first meeting, an anniversary, a conversation in the car...whatever.

When you're finished, post this little paragraph on your journal and be surprised (or mortified) about what people DON'T ACTUALLY remember about you.

Be as creative as you wish, in fact, the more creative you get, the better.

Don't be afraid to try something different.

Give this a try. We deviants are a creative group, so let those creative juices flow and share memories that never happened... ]]> ~Zalmaki http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/7593174/ http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/7593174/ Fri, 13 Jan 2006 14:08:50 PST .<

Eh. Life goes on. ]]> ~Zalmaki http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/7451160/ http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/7451160/ Thu, 29 Dec 2005 18:30:10 PST Maginater's journal.

1. Grab the book nearest to you, turn to page 18, and find line 4.
"...studying the results. He seemed to enjoy the casualty figures. 'How delicious...' " (Dune: The Battle of Corrin. That's one of the bad guys talking.)

2. Stretch your left arm out as far as you can.
Uh, okay. Ow?

3. What is the last thing you watched on TV?:
"Jeopardy". And did better than their champion.

4. Without looking, guess what time it is:
9:00

5. Now look at the clock. What is the actual time?
9:11

6. With the exception of the computer, what can you hear?
Wind outside, my parents rustling bags, the cats demanding their dinner...

7. When did you last step outside? What were you doing?
Just came back from a trip to the bookstore.

8. Before you started this survey, what did you look at?
~Maginater's journal

9. What are you wearing?
Jeans, a white babydoll T-shirt, a blue-green paisley scarf, sheepskin slippers, my black felt Greek-fisherman hat, glasses, digital watch, and a pencil behind my ear (as always)

10. Did you dream last night?
I think so, but not sure

11. When did you last laugh?
A minute or so ago, when my stepdad made his latest non-sequitur goofball pun

12. What is on the walls of the room you are in?
White paint, that's it--we moved in a year ago and STILL haven't gotten round to hanging up the pictures.

13. Seen anything weird lately?
My family, my Christmas gifts, my taste in music...

14. What do you think of this quiz?
Pointless, but fun

15. What is the last film you saw?
The Matrix, after my bro got it for me for Christmas. I'd totally forgotten why it was rated R, and so did a lot of wincing as people got shot, but the concept and the cinematography--hot damn, the cinematography!--still give me shivers.

16. If you became a multi-millionaire overnight, what would you buy?
A cure for AIDS, a kick-arse laptop, a huge aquarium (and hire someone to take care of it), the Library of Congress--oh, and I'd start the best college ever concieved. A certain "Wombat" might remember what I'm talking about.

17. Tell me something about you that I don't know:
The word "Invites?" is currently scribbled in black felt-tip marker across the back of my left hand.

18. If you could change one thing about the world, regardless of guilt or politics, what would you do?
I'd make it so everyone was capable of seeing (and empathizing with) both sides of things. That'd end war, bigotry, a lot of suffering... ooh, that'd make the world a nicer place!

19. Do you like to dance?
Not really. Not when anyone else is around. I

20. George Bush:
Incapable of nuance or subtlety. Political stripling. Dangerous. I could go on, but I'd start to repeat myself.

21. Imagine your first child is a girl, what do you call her?:
Serafina. Chiara. Selene. Zenevieve. Sophia. Gawds, I love names.

22. Imagine your first child is a boy, what do you call him?:
Malcolm. Khalil. Martin. Tristan. Malachi.

23. Would you ever consider living abroad?
Heck yes.

24. What do you want God to say to you when you reach the pearly gates?:
Yes, yes I'm here. What? You didn't think so? Well, that's all right--I didn't exactly tell you so. Come on in anyway.

25. 4 people who must also do this in THEIR journal:
I refuse to oblige others. People will do this if they feel like it, but I don't do chain letters. ]]> ~Zalmaki http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/7053085/ http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/7053085/ Tue, 15 Nov 2005 09:36:03 PST
On the other hand, I just delivered two matted prints to an acquaintance for possible sale. She's setting up a shop next door to our school store for the sale of student art. I'm sooo excited! If these prints sell... well, I shouldn't get my hopes up, so I'll leave it at that for now.

In totally unrelated news, Ohio weather has just pulled an abrupt about-face. Only recently it was 70 degrees Fahrenheit and lovely-sunny, with golden light shimmering on golden leaves: a week and two thunderstorms later, the leaves are off the trees and sitting in sorry little piles on the sidewalk, and the weather's gray, cold, and rainy. Nippy and drippy--bad combination.

Well, sooner or later I'll have to post some of the newer fractals. And some of the older ones, off my site. Heh, if I just devoted an afternoon to this I could absolutely SPAM some devwatch boxes.




* The halibut. Say it out loud a few times and you'll get it.

]]> ~Zalmaki http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/6943098/ http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/6943098/ Thu, 03 Nov 2005 09:13:02 PST










]]> ~Zalmaki http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/6544234/ http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/6544234/ Mon, 19 Sep 2005 09:04:24 PDT
Leave a comment here (in the journal's commentbox) and...

1. I'll respond with something random about you.
2. I'll tell you what song/movie reminds me of you.
3. I'll pick a flavor of jello to wrestle with you in.
4. I'll say something that only makes sense to you and me.
5. I'll tell you my first/clearest memory of you.
6. I'll tell you what animal you remind me of.
7. I'll ask you something that I've always wondered about you.
8. If I do this for you, you must post this on your journal. You MUST. It is written.

]]> ~Zalmaki http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/6519007/ http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/6519007/ Fri, 16 Sep 2005 09:27:00 PDT dark-dragon-Path's journal) looked intriguing...

If I were a month, I'd be: April--still nervous with winter chill, but just preparing to break free into spring.
If I were a day in a week, I'd be: Thursday. Not quite as crazy as Friday or Saturday, but hopeful and expectant and a little tired.
If I were a time, I'd be:
If I were a planet, I'd be: A distant Earth-like world, wet and life-giving, yet unspoiled by any destructive dominant intelligent life.
If I were a sea animal, I'd be: A dolphin, intelligent and playful, always ready to greet a passing ship and surf its bow wake.
If I were a direction, I'd be: East, towards the sunrise.
If I were a piece of furniture, I'd be: An elegantly designed rocking chair--where sophistication and silliness meet.
If I were a sin, I'd be: Idolatry--I don't need a god to appreciate life
If I were a liquid, I'd be: Rainwater
If I were a tree, I'd be: A young elm
If I were a plant, I'd be: Trumpet-vine
If I were a phenomenon of weather, I'd be: High, wispy cirrocumulus, forming a veil over the moon
If I were a musical instrument, I'd be: A clarinet. Not quite as famous or prima-donna as a flute, but with a clear pleasant sound.
If I were an animal, I'd be: A dolphin,again
If I were a colour, I'd be: Deep blue-green, the color of deep seawater on a sunny day
If I were a vegetable, I'd be: Fresh green pepper, crisp and tangy
If I were a sound, I'd be: Crickets chirping
If I were an element, I'd be: Argon, unusual but harmless, part of daily life though people don't notice me
If I were a car, I'd be: A Delorean, definitely!
If I were a song, I'd be: something by Brahms
If I were a movie, I'd be: completely free of commercial previews
If I were a book, I'd be written by: Archibald MacLeish
If I were food, I'd be: something gourmet--an acquired taste
If I were a place, I'd be: a comfortable crook in a tree's branches, just big enough to perch in and watch the world go by through a cloud of whispering leaves
If I were a number, I'd be: 42

]]> ~Zalmaki http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/6492755/ http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/6492755/ Tue, 13 Sep 2005 09:09:35 PDT
BUT THE CATHARSIS FORUM IS BACK ONLINE!

I've practically been in withdrawal for several weeks now, waiting while our dear JB got things sorted out. There's more to be done, of course, and I'll wait patiently as long as need be. But this is evidence that something's working. Wheeee!

]]> ~Zalmaki http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/6388729/ http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/6388729/ Thu, 01 Sep 2005 14:38:40 PDT
The next one may just have promising results. I just hope whatever I send will be worthy of what I recieve...

]]> ~Zalmaki http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/6286361/ http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/6286361/ Sun, 21 Aug 2005 08:51:27 PDT
And then ~dark-dragon-Path goes and turns my "Poo" into a "Whoa, he just bought me a subscription"! He spotted me being not-quite-happy, and promptly fixed it.

I'm not at all sure how I can possibly thank him. Dwaggy, you're the best! ^^

]]> ~Zalmaki http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/6200711/ http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/6200711/ Thu, 11 Aug 2005 18:10:41 PDT
But as soon as I hit the devArt homepage, I got something completely unexpected: a randomly generated, free, one-week subscription!

I'm quite startled by all this--it's really rather random. But nice.

Now, what exactly does one do with a dA subscription that only lasts a week... when one will be spending most of that week out of town, without Internet?

]]> ~Zalmaki http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/6186687/ http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/6186687/ Wed, 10 Aug 2005 09:38:24 PDT
It still won't stop me from being unGODly perky about it.

Some time ago, I was sitting someplace with a bunch of friends, idly doodling in one of my everpresent sketchbooks. ~Interested2, who I happen to know in RL, glanced over my shoulder, and liked what he saw. I was sketching a spaceship at the time--something elegant but impractical--and, talented 3d-modeller that he is, he suggested that the drawing would make a good reference and asked would I mind if he modeled it.

Would I MIND? Heck no, I love it when my work inspires others!

Not only did I finish that drawing and send it off for modelling--it became the lovely Chiara--I ended up drawing up several more spaceships, designs I'd had floating around my head but now put down on paper so he could bring them to life.

And now, to my ever-squeaky delight, he's not only modeled them (an even which had me bouncing round the room in the first place!), he's put them up on devArt.

Excuse me. *clears throat, coughs a bit* Ahem. *deep breath*
EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!

Check out his work: Chiara, Xanadu, and Zeneve so far! (Prelim sketches are in my Scrapbook.) ]]> ~Zalmaki http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/6177613/ http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/6177613/ Tue, 09 Aug 2005 10:36:13 PDT ~Zalmaki http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/6158407/ http://Zalmaki.deviantart.com/journal/6158407/ Sun, 07 Aug 2005 11:34:14 PDT
*sigh* "Next time I actually remember to do some submitting..." Story of my life on dA. There's so much more on my computer than there is here, and so little bandwidth to fix that with. ]]> ~Zalmaki