http://search.deviantart.com/?q=by:fcneko&section=today deviantART RSS for by:fcneko en-us Copyright 2009, deviantART.com Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:26:14 PST deviantART.com http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://s.deviantart.com/minish/widgets/apple-touch-icon-precomposed.png http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/28464836/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/28464836/ Fri, 20 Nov 2009 08:37:44 PST
So there's a few new images up from a new Chapter of Space Marines I've decided to start playing in Dawn of War. Were I the type to actually play the tabletop game (I can't afford it, no way, no how), I'd probably go for either their color scheme or the Lux Imperatoris group I have as my featured pic. It was fun to take the images and come up with the mini-blurbs I added here, so I'll probably do some more of them as time goes by. If enough of them get put together, I might actually have enough characters to make an actual plot out of...

In other items, my son should be diagnosed with either ADHD or high-functioning Aspergers within the next few days. Either way, we'll know what's up with the violent outbursts in school, which will also open up access to means of dealing with it.

I'm getting math tutoring at this point in preparation for the GRE, which I need to pass if I wish to gain access to the school where I finally discovered the degree I'm truly interested in: a Masters in Japanese Literature, with a lead-in to a PhD in International Religions, both of which are available at the University of Washington in Seattle. I have to have the scores to them by January 15th in order to start next Fall, so I'm in the last-minute rush now to get the tutoring done and take the test...

Didn't win the costume contest, but then when you have a group of four people all in the same costume calling all THEIR friends to vote for them, one individual is somewhat screwed...

Hope you enjoy your Thanksgiving (for those Americans out there). For the rest, I hope you're having a decent time in life!

]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/28112698/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/28112698/ Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:17:15 PST [link] and click on Meg-O-Ween (near the middle right of the screen). Scroll through until you see Captain Rex and vote "Best"!!

Though, I have to admit, the Master Chief IS awesome...

]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/27298228/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/27298228/ Sat, 19 Sep 2009 11:04:27 PDT
But my dreams include teaching Japanese as well as Japanese culture, and a Humanities degree is predominantly focused on WESTERN culture and WESTERN Literature. Not only that, but in order to teach at the college level, one must have a Masters degree with at least 18 credit hours in the field that one wants to teach. Thus, even if I DO get my Humanities Masters, I still will not be able to teach Japanese culture, since there won't be ANY credit hours in Japanese in the Humanities Masters I am presently enrolled in.

Add in the fact that the university I am studying at (California State University, Dominguez Hills) has been pretty atrocious at actually communicating with me ever since I started this thing, and I'm seriously considering just stopping my degree where it is at (prior to advancement for candidacy and before I spend any MORE money on a degree I won't be getting), and start looking into a Masters in Japanese. With that, I can teach not only the language but also the culture, which go hand-in-hand.

Only problem, I'm thinking that in order to study Japanese at the Masters level, I'll pretty much have to be able to read Japanese fluently, and that can take YEARS to perfect... And I'm already 41...

So... The eternal focusing on "What am I REALLY accomplishing in life," has brought me yet another twist on something I was so happily going about up until now. Will the degree I am getting get me to where I want to be? If not, CHANGE IT.

Now... HOW to do so becomes the focus. And can I even TAKE a Masters in Japanese ONLINE?

I hate getting old. It makes me ask the hard questions of myself, and I'm finding more and more often that I don't particularly enjoy the answers...

]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/26651627/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/26651627/ Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:09:34 PDT . Hope this works!

Rules:

A. Post these rules.
B. Each tagged person must post 8 things about themselves on their journal.
C. At the end, you have to choose and tag 8 people to continue the madness.
D. Go to their pages and send a message saying you tagged them. Or not...
E. No tag-backs! (Or else DOOM will befall your precious... lamp desk! YES!)

1. I have lived in Japan and taught English for the Japanese education system. Everything from kindergarten to Junior High School students, including Saturday morning extra-education for kids whose parents wanted them to practice more than they got in class. Private adult work was on weeknights and weekends.

2. While in Japan, I visited the 38 fudasho (shrines) of the valley around Chichibu-shi (the largest “town” in the valley where I lived. The fudasho are dedicated to different manifestations of the “goddess” Kannon (Kuan-yin in Chinese). I say “goddess” because Kannon is actually a bodhisattva, or Buddhist saint, who has turned at the last moment from nirvana to help the rest of humanity reach nirvana before they do. The fudasho are literally thousands of years old and each one has its own story. I hope to (eventually) write a book about them, telling their stories so the rest of the world can get to know them. I have not posted pictures of them here because those pictures will likely become the focus of my book…

3. I speak fluent Japanese. Guess why? ^_^ While learning it, I used to watch sub-titled Japanese anime to put the language together in my head. I learned in college by watching an unsubtitled Japanese series called “Yan-san and the Japanese People”. This series is now available entirely online and will likely become the centerpiece of any Japanese language class I ever teach, should I achieve that goal.

4. I lived in Los Angeles for most of my life and would do almost anything to go back. Say what you will about the state of California’s finances and the horrific traffic in the City of Angeles, I still call that place home, and miss the living hell out of all of my friends out there.

5. My senior thesis got me my first job after college. A 30-page work on why Japan’s economy failed got me a job as the National Representative for the English language weekly newspaper published by the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Japanese Economic Newspaper). If you’ve ever wondered why the Japanese stock market is called the “Nikkei”, it’s because that is the first part of “Nihon” and the first part of “Keizai” shoved together. Nikkei (as it is generally known) is the equivalent of the Wall Street Journal and is the world’s most widely-read newspaper.

6. When not studying for my Masters degree in Humanities or writing stories, I typically play video games (Neverwinter Nights is an old and favored standby, though Dawn of War is another fave).

7. A lot of the characters in my stories are the result of my tabletop role playing games and the activities therein. Talbot from “Talbot’s World” is played by a friend of mine who presently lives in Seattle, Lynx is played by my wife.

8. I used to be a Republican, until I went to Japan, got off the plane and found out that I had 100% government-provided health insurance for up to 6 months (after which, I would have to provide my own). Ever since, I have been a centrist Democrat, hoping that some sort of similar opportunity might eventually be offered to people here in America. Think what you will about whether the present medical process underway in the American system of government, but before you take a stand and start arguing one way or the other, make sure you know the small details. Too many people are arguing that this is socialized medicine without actually paying attention to the fine print. No, it’s not. Make sure you know what you’re talking about before you start offering opinions on things you don’t know the details on… (and yeah, I’ve been reading them – and no, I’m not going to argue, so if you start debating this, I’ll simply delete your post without reading it all).

For those I tag (all artists whom I adore), have fun with it!



http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/23564282/ Fri, 06 Mar 2009 20:36:54 PST
is doing commission sketches for $15(!).

I grabbed him as soon as I saw and had him draw a sketch of my newest and favorite character, Illyria, from my time on Neverwinter Nights. Using the image :thumb94870845: as a starting point (since that's as close to reality as she'll ever get), he drew an image of her in full armor, shield and weapon.

I'll be having an image done of her out of her armor and then likely having both of the colored. He's DEFINITELY talented and VERY easy to work with, so, check him out! *but don't take my slots!!* ^_^

Check it out:

Reference image:
Open Green by ~cryinghorn on deviantART

Commission:
Illyria $15 Commission by ~lyteside on deviantART

Now, if I could just figure out how to highlight images in here like I see folks do all the time... O_o

]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/23538192/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/23538192/ Thu, 05 Mar 2009 10:20:23 PST
Hope all is well.

Things are progressing normally, here. My son has been alternately an angel or a little trouble-maker at school, which is perfectly normal for a 4 1/2 year old. I'll have to post a new pic of him at some point (not that this is a high priority for most of those who look at my site).

Been working hard on my Masters classes, which leaves less and less time for posting stories (or even writing them). About all I've done in the past few months is add to my ever-increasing Favorites section, so take a look. I'm not the kind to highlight individual images in my journal, but the Favorites section now only holds those pieces that truly stun me when I find them. The individual sections within Favorites are specialized by type of artwork. I hope you agree when you see that they are some of the finest pieces here on DeviantArt - at least, in my opinion.

I've been heavily involved in the evenings lately on a Neverwinter Nights server called Legends of Luruar, so if you're ever around, just look for me there. I'd be happy to meet and show new folks around!

In the meantime, may your creative juices never run dry!

Travis

]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/21985762/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/21985762/ Sun, 14 Dec 2008 18:02:28 PST
While I'm glad DevArt doesn't go out of its way to convince us to spend money, I'm sort of surprised that there is no serious attempt to even ask...

---

On an unrelated note, I'm between semesters in the Masters right now. Getting an A in Music and a likely B in Lit (which sucks, since that's my major, but oh, well). Got Art and Philosophy coming up as of January 5th.

Still sort of dead in the water when it comes to writing stuff, though there are ideas rolling around now.

Purchased the Dark Heresy RPG for Warhammer 40k and its expansion books are on the way. If you're a WH40K lover like I am (I've read all of the Horus Heresy books up to the latest - Mechanicum - at this point), it's a must-have with all the detail inside. Not to mention, it's absolutely GORGEOUS. Full-page color illustrations, glossy paper, hardback... Worth it at the price.

And then, while I'm searching for any additional books to purchase, I come across a fan site that states that Black Industries won't be putting out any more books!? WTF?

I may be running a Dark Heresy game at [link] at some point, so if you're interested, lemme know. It's easy to join and FREE to play for as long as you'd like. Character design is a bit cumbersome, though...

So... In relation to my sudden WH40K mania, I've got some new pics in my Faves worth looking at. There are several new images in there as well - random findings during my other searches. Some truly fine nudes (not that I seek them out these days, but they're nice to find on occasion). Added in a couple of new collections so my general folder isn't five pages long...

Hope you're having a good holiday season. Not everyone is, and I've got a few friends among those, so I'll pray for ya if you need it. It can't hurt, right? ^_^

]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/21083949/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/21083949/ Mon, 20 Oct 2008 17:51:25 PDT
So that doesn't make a lot of sense, but it's what I'm studying - that, and literature - for my Humanities Masters degree right now. I've been so caught up in what's going on in life (work, school, raising my son) that my creative writing has taken a plummet into the negative sum department. I've actually rewritten a complete paper of 6 pages for a literature assignment with a completely new focus. If that's not counter-creative, then I don't know what my name is anymore... which isn't far from the truth at some points.

So... Yeah. Nothing new to report. My son will dress up as a ninja, Darth Vader and a pirate over a period of Halloween and the days to either side of it, all so that we can put actual use to the three separate costumes we bought him thanks to his ever-changing mind and our aching pocketbooks. Sure, we're spoiling him, but hey... Isn't that what YOU wished your parents would do when you were little?

Oh, and I can't complain. He's been a little angel at school for five days running now. A little spoiling is in order given his previous track record.

I hope to get something going. Even my on-line RPG efforts have taken a dive lately.

We shall see. In the mean time, I hope all of you are doing well, and Forsaken... For God's sake, stop drinking so much!! Leave some for the rest of us! ^_^

Friends!
]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/20062927/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/20062927/ Wed, 20 Aug 2008 15:47:15 PDT [link]. Saw a bunch of folks from Los Angeles I haven't seen in 5+ years. Good times. Lots of fun, rather expensive.

Then again, that's what Vegas is famous for, even though I never spent a dime on gambling. Ate some fantastic food, saw a fantastic show (Blue Man Group), spent a weekend gaming with friends I only really know by their log-in names at the site... Vegas has changed in the past 6 years. More inclined toward the wealthy than the average person than it was before. Again - this is what Vegas is known for, so I'm not all that surprised.

We roleplayed out the initial storyline intended for Talbot 3 and I'm not entirely sure that's the route I'll continue along. Very surreal, very bizarre and quite Cyberpunk, it is also a bit more occult than Talbot is really qualified to handle, so I may swing the storyline back toward "normalcy" when it comes to a Cyberpunk storyline. We'll see.

I was gone from Friday through Monday and when I got up on Tuesday, the first thing I heard was that my office is closed through Thursday. This would be great news for writing if it didn't mean I was stuck at home with a 4-year-old to entertain. ^_^ Not that I mind entertaining him, but it certainly cuts into writing time. As do power outages and 50+mph winds.

Hope everyone is doing well. We've got ponding in the streets, but no major damage, so all is well here.

See you online!

Friends!
]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/19451227/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/19451227/ Thu, 17 Jul 2008 17:52:18 PDT
Final forum: How Should Scholars Debate?
As you begin preparing the last paper, consider the ways that scholars of history debate an issue. Take a side in the different views offered by Bismark and Wilde. Their quotes are featured on the first page of the Course Guide. Explain which side you think is best (perhaps why the other is less true), and offer an example.

"History is simply a piece of paper covered with print; the main thing is still to make history, not to write it"
OTTO VON BISMARCK

"Any fool can make history, but it takes a genius to write it."
OSCAR WILDE

Quoted from the Discussion Board at CSUDH's HUX site, written by Dr. R. Iset Anuakan.


My take:
"I tend to think along the lines of Bismarck, especially as to whether or not I myself will ever make a difference in the sea of humanity. Likely not, in the grand scheme of things, but in my family's history, I already have. First male to graduate High School. First male to graduate with a Bachelor's degree, ONLY male to ever attempt a Masters... Couple of firsts in the family tree already.

But who will write that down after I'm gone, and will it be worthy of history? Not to anyone other than my family, and likely not to anyone beyond my son. However, while I may not make an impact outside of my family (at least, not yet), the impact within my family will, hopefully, be tremendous. I plan on my education to be that which my son and his children follow, which will change the history of my family altogether, I should think. And if that doesn't work - the apple CAN fall far from the tree - wait until I'm a professor and we'll see! Then I'll have the ability to impact MANY people every semester!

Ultimately however, if no one is there to write what happened (Wilde), what difference does it make if you made the history (Bismarck)? Will I be remembered by my own family for my firsts once I'm one or two generations gone? I don't know. But if no one thinks to make note of it, will my firsts still make an impact?

If I do, will it matter if no one remembers the first Herring male who ever went to school if my family name is someday one of those ranked with Gates, or Ford, or some other philanthropic organization?"

What's yours? Any thoughts?

Friends!
]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/19189903/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/19189903/ Thu, 03 Jul 2008 18:51:01 PDT
Finished the two classes for the MBA (two "A's" thank you). Learned some stuff about how business works. Learned more about how "I" work (Organizational Behavior is basically a sociological/psychological look at how businesses work, so is very cool in that sense). Realized that, week one, I didn't really want to get an MBA...

I'll say this - there's a TON of writing to do when you're in an MBA program. The first class in my Humanities degree is a 2.0 credit course, but there's only 3 papers due throughout the entire 16 week course. Lot of reading, but not a lot of writing, so... easy by comparison. We'll see once I get to the program specific classes.

Not really be writing for anything other than work. Am working on an OLD idea for a barbarian-based D&D campaign, but not very diligently. Classwork has simply taken up all of my creative time. About all I do regularly at this point is check this site, post in my games at rondaksportal.com (I'm Syrinx, if you go there) and work. LOTS of work. It's coming up on the Fall semester start, so Admissions is getting busy.

If you get a chance, watch Wipeout. Funny, but not as much as MXC, though you can tell they're trying hard, but also trying to be clean about it. Leads to funny and laughs, but nowhere near as funny as MXC. The fact that the bozo who actually finishes gets $50k for doing it all sorta makes it less funny. Hell, I'D go through that sort of crap if you offered me $50K!

Also, right after Wipeout, catch "I Survived a Japanese Gameshow." Good stuff, if you like Japanese gameshows (I do). Bizarre antics, and the winners of each challenge get to go do all the kick-ass things you wish YOU could do if you got to go to Japan on an all-expenses paid trip. Even the LOSERS get to do cool stuff (the losers of the first event got to pull people around on those two-wheeled thingies I can't remember the name of, but which anyone else will, in downtown TOKYO for crying out loud).

Games... Playing Dawn of War: Soulstorm again. This time as the Tau. Actually, they don't suck as bad as I thought - if you mix your Tau forces with plenty of Kroot. If you go the Kauyon route, they're fairly unbeatable once they're built up. Also playing NWN2 now that my system is able to handle it at maximum video requirements. Interesting campaign, though it does seem to drag on a bit. I guess it would if it's actually giving me the option of Epic feats eventually. I'm 17th level and just now the war is starting? The epic sequence fighting on the battlements seemed to be WAY too easy given the nature of the enemy, but then again, I'm playing a Cleric and took another Cleric and Sorceror NPC with me. The screen literally was blinking from the explosions and spell effects, so I doubt the bad guys really had much of a chance if this were a tabletop game anyway...

Movies-wise - SEE WALL-E. Best Pixar movie EVER. And ALL of their stuff has been top-notch. Now, if you're in to action films, it may be dull. Especially compared to Kung-fu Panda, which was rather obvious in its "hey, this is funny. LAUGH, DAMNIT" quotient. WALL-E has some laugh moments, some Hmm... moments and a hellacious tear-jerker at the end. My son bawled for ten minutes after the movie was OVER.

Hope you're all doing well. Wonder if anyone actually reads this crap anymore???

Friends!
~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/18169638/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/18169638/ Sun, 04 May 2008 17:59:28 PDT
First things first: As of tomorrow (tonight, technically - I've already posted to both, but the official start isn't until tomorrow), I will be dual-enrolled both at the university where I work in the MBA program (class #2: Organizational Behavior) and at California State University, Dominguez Hills, in the Humanities Internet-based studies program (called HUX by the university), focusing on History.

I have come to the understanding through the FIRST MBA class that I'm NOT meant to be a straight-up manager. Too dry, and I don't really care for it. Besides, I doubt I will put any of it to use at any point in my near future, so it's a waste. Add in that the MBA program is costing me about $2K PER CLASS while the HUX classes are about $700(!), that I would much rather become a professor of History at a university than a mid-level manager pretty much ANYWHERE and you've got a good reason to change programs.

I can hear you thinking, "why are you taking the second class in the MBA program, then?"

Well, mostly because based on the way the university charges and on the way the university presents class (one class at a time, two months per class, so you get 2 classes in a semester, but focus on just the one you're actually taking while you're in it), I'm getting charged for both, whether or not I take the second class...

So, why not take the damn thing, since I'm paying for it? Perhaps it will actually teach me something useful.

Besides, I'll be focusing more on the History classes than the MBA classes, so if I get a "C" in the MBA class and an "A" in the HUX class, who really gives a damn?

---

In other news... Did a TON of yardwork today. Bought an actual Char-Broil BBQ (haven't had one since I left Los Angeles). Spent the day doing weeding and mulching and the like and spent the early evening enjoying the "fruits" of the BBQ - a couple of Top Sirloin steaks cooked just right, a couple of ears of corn, cooked still in the husks, a couple of chicken/tomato/pineapple kabobs, and the absolutely necessary BEER.

AHHHH... Freshly cooked STEAK, the way *I* like to cook it... Inhaled the meal, put the boy in the bath and now to bed and hit the net...

Oh, and I recently finished Portal. I don't quite get the absolute fanaticism for the Companion Cube, but it's a great game nonetheless. Had to do a bit of cheating - watched a couple of walkthroughs in order to be able to finish it - but DAMN, it's worth it. GREAT game.

Boy just walked in asking for me to read a book, so that's about it for now.

Oh, heading to Vegas in mid-August for Portalfest (no, not related to the game I just talked about). It's for a roleplaying site I'm a co-moderator on found at [link]. It's called Rondak's Portal and is able to support literally ANY kind of game you'd like to play or run. If you are interested, check it out. I go by "Syrinx" there and pretty much everyone knows me...

So, after all that, don't expect to see much fiction going up anytime soon. Probably spending all my brainwaves on academia for a while. If you're even remotely curious, I might post some of my papers, but thats doubtful.

Hope all is going well for everyone, and sorry for the information dump. Go for 3 months without a post and suddenly the dam bursts...

Friends!
~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/16992989/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/16992989/ Thu, 21 Feb 2008 12:55:57 PST 's journal. I don't usually do these kind of journals, but I thought the idea was sound, and helps feature deviations I wouldn't normally get to view.

RULES:
1) Answer the questions below.
2) Take each answer and type it into dA's search box.
3) Take a deviation from the first page of results (may use either "popular" or "newest" ) and post thumb (for subscribers) or link (non-subscribers).
4) You can't copy the person's answers who posted this before you.


1. The age you will be on your next birthday: 40


2. A place you'd like to travel: Kyoto


3. Your favorite place: Japan


4. Your favorite object: My car



5. Favorite food: Tiramisu


6. Your favorite animal: Cat


7. Your favorite color: Blue


8. The town/state/etc in which you live: Florida (lightning capitol of the world)


9. Name of past pet: Merlin


10. A dream come true: Published Author


11. Your nickname/screenname: Syrinx (my other online nick)


12. Middle name: Wayne


13. Favorite Smell: Ferentina
(*LOL* - No matches. This is the name of my wife's perfume)


14. Bad habit of yours: Thinking Out Loud


15. Your first job: Landscaping
http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/16629005/ Tue, 29 Jan 2008 13:42:42 PST
So the folder option has been put to extensive use. I hope you'll find moving around my gallery much easier (not to mention more entertaining - I've left my photos of Japan out where you can see 'em). If you are interested in Talbot, go to Talbot's World and start from wherever you left off!

Enjoy reading and, as always, COMMENT, COMMENT, COMMENT!

I can't get better if you don't tell me how!

Friends!
]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/16517875/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/16517875/ Tue, 22 Jan 2008 08:39:38 PST
So, I've finished the second story arc for Talbot. You can see that by looking at the last updated Talbot storyline where it actually says "Epilogue." What a concept.

Sorry. I'm being sarcastic with myself. ^_^

Anyway... I've always found that, as with movie trilogies and great authors' books and the like, that the second of three is always somewhat weak in storyline while strong in character development. I'd like to think that you can see Talbot growing a little in Talbot 2, especially with the later pieces. As you can probably tell, Talbot is a little uncomfortable in his new role as Sculpt Savior, and his relationship with Bunny is bringing that to a head. I hope that you find the resolution in the Epilogue is appropriate and believable.

Talbot 3 will be coming relatively soon (for me, who can punch out a chapter or two a day when times are slow at the office or when I'm particularly driven to write at home in the evenings). The next sequence will be another action-packed, time-based adventure involving interstate travel (unfortunately, not over the Cali-Nevada border - gonna have to do that now that I've focused on the GunBunny's bike and given information about the lack of I-15...). It will, I hope, do a lot to explain how and why sculpting is the focus of this storyline, in a world where sculpts make up a very small portion of the population. Call it a return to basics, as it were.

Talbot 2 is all about introducing characters who will become important in 3, really. The GunBunny is explained in 2. Neko is introduced in 2 and becomes relatively important in 3 (you'll see why). Bunny, Pitbull and Lynx all remain active.

Either way, I'd be terribly pleased if you guys would give me some feedback on what you think of Talbot and his world. The more the better, actually. I know Talbot as my character, and I know my world since I created it, but I'm curious to know:

What do you think of Talbot, the person?
Of Bunny?
Of Lynx and Pitbull?
The GunBunny?
Neko?
Do you think they are representative of their sub-culture?
Do you think the characters "fit" into their world, or is there something else I could be doing to add to their sense of 'belonging'?

And, finally (and simply because it's entertaining), do you think Talbot should:

1) end up with Bunny in the end (despite his misgivings)
2) end up with a 'norm' girl
or
3) stay single, a'la the Film Noir hero who walks away from the beauty at the end and stays above it all.

I have to say, I'm curious. Reader interaction always intrigues me, and who knows? You might be right!

Friends!
]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/16239265/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/16239265/ Thu, 03 Jan 2008 12:05:07 PST
2007 was a decent year, especially when taken into context with 2006. In '06, I lost two family members, nearly lost another, lost my job, and spent the last three months driving an experimental motorcycle in the rain (for those curious, look up the Spyder at: [link]). Neat to ride, but certainly not the way I wanted to spend the rest of my year.

In 2007, my wife was laid off from her job with a home builder (gee? Is there any wonder WHY?) and immediately found another job as an accountant with an international parts company. When she found that company was slowly going bankrupt, she switched again and is now very happy where she is. At the VERY end (and I mean around the 22nd of December) of 2006, I found the job I'm at now and look to be at for the next several years - as an admissions counselor for a private university. I count that as technically belonging to 2007, since it made my life SO much better than it was before and I'm actually HAPPY going to work these days - a first in my life, strangely enough.

In addition, I think I came into my own here on DeviantArt. I finally have a coterie of friends who interact with me with regard to my writing, and who like my world so much they want to interact with and within it. And the same goes for me! New friends, co-authors and artists alike, always make me want to write and to share my world. It's always exciting to know that what I'm writing is being READ and responded to, and that is its own reward.

In '07, we had enough money to actually go on a long vacation over the Memorial Day weekend, ending with an Annual Pass to the Disneyworld park system in Orlando and then used the HELL out of it, visiting the various parks a number of times EACH before summer was over. My wife finished her Associates degree in Business in Auguest and is planning on returning for her Bachelors in Professional Accounting in February. She's worked in the professional world in a variety of manners over the year, but finally has something she can call her own - a diploma in addition to all that experience. By the time she gets her BA, she'll be an instant-hire wherever she goes, so we're both holding our breath for the next few years while she goes for the gusto.

Also in '07, my son played his first season in Pee-Wee Baseball, enjoying himself immensely. He has developed very well, has turned out to be well-behaved and very compassionate, which is something we are both VERY proud of. He'll be 4 this year, which means it's time to start looking at school in the near future, as terrifying as that seems... He's very popular at his daycare/school, both among the children and among the teachers, which is something. Now, if we can just get him to avoid the occasional biting session...

We had an excellent holiday season this year. Family came over for Christmas and friends came over for New Years. What better way is there to end the year?

And now, 2008 is here. I'll be going to school at the end of February to start my MBA. My wife will be going to school for her Bachelors in Professional Accounting (to become a CPA when it's all done), my creativity seems to keep my fingers typing and all is well.

Here's a tip of the hat to my friends at the weekend tabletop D&D game... Hope you have a great new year and I look forward to more adventures.

Here's another to YOU guys, my DeviantArt friends. May your mind stay swift, your fingers fly on the keyboard for your stories, and your pen/pencil/stylus fly through the sketches and paintings you are so good at putting out there. Each of you is an inspiration, and whether you realize it or not, your very presence is making a difference in MY life, so there's at least something to remember when the times are hard and the skies seem so dark.

So, Happy New Year to all of you, and may 2008 be even better than 2007 in every possible way!

]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/16054982/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/16054982/ Sun, 23 Dec 2007 08:07:54 PST tagged me on some strange viral thing and now I'm obliged to answer. In between trying to figure out how to have Talbot STOMP MIDORI in reply to and his GotBeef post. All while the MotherParentalUnit and SisterFamilyUnit are staying here...

So, I can at least answer his journal challenge!

Three Things You Want To Do Before You Die:
1.) Get Published
2.) Become a High School English Teacher (woot school hours and holidays!)
3.) Become a College English Professor

Three Names You Go By:
1.) Travis
2.) Trav
3.) "Humie" (don't ask - long story)

Three Screen Names You Have Had:
1.) Travis W. Herring (how droll, but I wasn't paying attention)
2.) fcneko
3.) Syrinx_Neko

Three Physical Things You Like About Yourself:
1.) How narcissistic!
2.)
3.)

Three Parts Of Your Heritage:
1.) English (9xGreat grandson of Mary, Queen of Scots)
2.) German (umm... there was a noble there somewhere)
3.) Backwoods Texas scum?

Three Things That Scare You:
1.) Heights
2.) Extremists in any way of thinking
3.) Not living to make an influence on my son

Three Of Your Everyday Essentials:
1.) Internet
2.) Food
3.) Sleep (And it's nemesis: coffee!)

Three Things You Are Wearing Right Now:
1.) Bluejeans
2.) Red Polo (from the US Polo Association, no less!)
3.) Underwear...

Three Of Your Favorite Bands/Musical Artists:
1.) Paul Oakenfold
2.) 30 Seconds to Mars
3.) Meck

3.) Three Of Your Favorite Songs:
1.) Feels Like Home (Meck, Ft. Dino Lenny)
2.) Capricorn (30 Seconds to Mars)
3.) Speed

Three Things You Want In A Relationship:
1.) Truth
2.) Justice
3.) The American Way.. What the hell kind of question is this, anyway?

Two Truths And A Lie (in no particular order):
1.) I can't take loud noises
2.) I love my son more than anything
3.) There is no spoon.

Three Physical Things About The Opposite Sex That Appeal To You:
1.) Boobs (*LOL* - Why do I get the impression that should come with a zombie-like groan)
2.) Compassion, whether you deserve it or not
3.) A completely different manner of thinking from my own.

Three Of Your Favorite Hobbies:
1.) RPGs
2.) Vdieo Gaming
3.) Writing

Three Things You Want To Do Really Badly Right Now:
1.) Spend some time alone
2.) Get my wife to avoid alcohol altogether
3.) Have enough money to pay off all the bills and go on vacation every year

Three Careers You're Considering/You've Considered:
1.) High School English Teacher
2.) University English Professor
3.) Professional Author

Three Places You Want To Go On Vacation:
1.) Japan (again)
2.) England (yes, all of it)
3.) Washington D.C. (again)

Three Names You Like:
1.) Ana (wife's)
2.) Brendan (son's)
3.) Ummm...

Three Ways That You Are Stereotypically A Girl:
1.) I can play a female character better than most girls?
2.) I can appreciate a handsome male
3.) When involved in office politics, I can be QUITE nasty when roused

Three Ways That You Are Stereotypically A Boy:
1.) I'm lazy
2.) I love fast cars and faster motorcycles
3.) I'd rather eat dinner than prepare it

Your top 3 favorite actors and actresses:
1.) I don't have any.

Your top 3 favorite fictional characters, (from Comics, Books, T.V. shows, ETC.)
1.) Darth Vader
2.) Van from Escaflowne
3.) The GunBunny (see my Talbot stories)

Oh, and lest I forget... I choose...

(cause she's that cool)
(not that she'll read this)
(one of those few folks I... ]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/15905949/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/15905949/ Wed, 12 Dec 2007 16:03:41 PST for gifting me with a subscription to DeviantArt!

'nuff frickin' said.



]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/15709874/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/15709874/ Wed, 28 Nov 2007 15:59:19 PST
So, at least for the moment, I find myself without a story scratching around in my backbrain. Wierd feeling.

I am curious to hear what you guys think about the overall Talbot thing... It's the first long-term storyline I've done since coming to DeviantArt that I actually FINISHED, so commentary is welcome!!

Hope everyone is doing well!

Thanks to all of you who have been reading and commenting lately. I hope whatever advice I give you is taken with the understanding that all of it is coming from a person who has been writing for a LONG time, but is STILL not published, so I am by no means an authority or expert. I can only offer opinions based on what I have done in the past and what advice I have been given over the years.

]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/15587980/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/15587980/ Tue, 20 Nov 2007 09:52:22 PST
Got my games. Downloaded the Inquisition army for Dawn of War: Dark Crusade and have to say, they're broken. Tried playing a battle against them and... they're broken. *snicker* Fun to play, though.

It's old (made in 2004), but Killzone frickin' ROCKS. Written by a European game company called Guerilla, it's an interstellar war story about a squad caught up in a planetary invasion by Nazi-esque baddies who wear full helmets and have glowing lenses over their eyes. It's SO much fun to kack 'em... Physics work real well, the weapons seem to respond like they would in the real world... only non-realistic thing is when you take five or six impacts and just... keep going... True that if it were real, you'd be out after just ONE impact, but it's a niggling reminder that this is a game. Every time I get shot, I find myself thinking about what it would be like in the real world...

So, I passed my High School test bit. Got the paperwork in the mail (yeah, this is low on the list of stuff to post - wierd how the video games came first). I now get to apply for jobs as a High School English teacher while I request the application for Certification by the State of Florida. There's coursework required and some money to go out, but apparently, I'm that much closer to actually teaching.

I'm also working on (or trying to, that is) the 1,000 word essay I need to to submit for acceptance into the Masters degree program I'm trying for. Probably going to write it over the weekend. JOY!


:EDIT:
Wrote the entire thing in about 40 minutes at work late in the day and submitted it. Wierd how the muse speaks and simply MUST be listened to, no matter where you are...


Been sorta brain-burned when it comes to writing lately. Talbot reached the end of the actual game session in Talbot 10 and I'm fighting with myself whether or not to continue the story here on DevArt, since the finale was taken care of by someone else. That equals BORING to me, so I'm thinking of ways of writing it up had Talbot and maybe Bunny kept going.


:EDIT:
And, no sooner than I say that, then I'm inspired and write Talbot 11 and 12. Yes, this is a modification from the truth, but let's just say that this is writer's license and let it go. This is the REAL fiction - not just a seriously mis-represented version of what happened in-game (which is what the rest of it could be called...).



Here's my friends and those I watch/read/interact with (in no particular order)! Basically, go check 'em out!!



]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/15479183/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/15479183/ Mon, 12 Nov 2007 13:20:44 PST
So it turns out the new guy is into the cyberpunk scene as well as the standard stuff and has joined the madness of Talbot's world. The character's (street) name is "Bijou" and happens to be a wolf-sculpt STRIPPER who works at a club that will (eventually) be introduced in the Talbot storyline. Bijou has a host of issues that should make for some fun RP, and she'll fit in with the others - not including Talbot, until we can figure out a way to video-conference our games...

In other news, has written his second installation into the side story that was (apparently) going on at the B.A.D.L. party introduced in the Talbot story! Go take a look at his site and read up! I'm following along just to see what Midori et. al. are really up to...

Still waiting on the contest details from the contest that has going on. Looking forward to what will happen, especially since the second installation. I think Allura's story will work out SO much better than the first. Not to mention that the first piece I submitted was disqualified for being a pre-existing character. For a first-time character, Allura seems intriguing... I might have to write more!

Speaking of which, has invited me to write another section for his Solarin storyline, which I will likely be doing as soon as my muse strikes (and who KNOWS when that will be).

For those waiting on the next Talbot piece, it's coming! I just have to figure out how best to introduce the next sequence...

Hrmm...

Finished playing Halo (the first one) AGAIN... Just bought Killzone for the PS2 on eBay and waiting for it to arrive, and just found out that there are FREE downloadable mods for the Warhammer 40: Dark Crusade game... Waiting on my new copy from eBay to show up so I can play those... Deleted my original copy and have apparently misplaced the original game, so... no reloading to play! ARGH!

Boy is doing well... Played his last game of baseball at the park this last weekend and is having his closing season ceremony this weekend. Unfortunately, I have to work, so won't be there. Expect pictures soon!

Don't forget to check these guys out:






If you're not listed, it's likely because I haven't read enough yet, so give it time! I have a lot of reading (online) to do!

]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/15375879/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/15375879/ Mon, 05 Nov 2007 12:07:03 PST
So, a sudden burst of creative energy came on recently. There's about... ten new items in the Gallery thanks to this spurt, and we'll see how many more come along.

For those of you reading the Talbot series, there's more to come, and thanks for your comments and support. And - PASS IT ON. The more who read, the more I'll write!

There's a posting for a competition that has put up called Victory Candescence. Based on a furry version of a Conan world, the artwork and writing style of Jessica and her companion in arms , inspired me to read more Conan stories and this is what became of it.

The Talbot storyline is a new storyline - dark future/cyberpunk in style, it is told from the first person perspective. This is a different style for me, but based on previous experiences and the response this story is getting, it may be my best style of writing. Sort of limiting in that I can't tell what Talbot doesn't personally see, it's quite the challenge. There is definitely more to come in this storyline!

Related to that, I have recently done an exchange with wherein I wrote a piece for his fantasy storyline and he wrote one for my Talbot storyline. The first I've ever done - usually I do co-authoring - it was a lot of fun and a neat way to see someone else's world from the "inside" as it were. I'm interested in more, so if you're still reading and want to do something like this, lemme know!

We've got a new player now for our D&D game, and he's even agreed to step into Talbot's world, so we'll see what happens over the next few months. Might even see HIS new character popping up in some stories!

And, as always, the shout-outs!

The Artists - check these folks out. They're more than just "Favorites" in my gallery - they're folks I go back to over and over and over!

- as always, talented, beautiful and a wonderful human being. Incredible skillz that most anyone would drool to have. Check my gallery for my latest commissioned piece from her.

- His pictures only begin to show the world that exists in his head...

- Is it a painting? Is it a photograph? Stunning. Why she's drawing for anything less than mega-bucks is beyond me.


The Authors - These are the people who's talent is like mine - more toward the pen than the pencil or WACOM. Worlds seen only in their mind and shared with the rest of us!

- One of the longest-running storylines I've seen, Xull is a best bud here on DeviantArt. Always willing to comment, always happy to hear from me... Not sure how she has time to write like she does, but DAMN, does she write! ^_^

- Scenes of interesting characters, a storyline given to you in short pieces that evoke something MUCH bigger, he is only now starting to reveal the storyline behind it all. I'm reading (and Favoriting) as I go!

- This author/artist has the ability to capture the art of and provide a quick, evocative story in just a few paragraphs... ]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/15241484/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/15241484/ Sat, 27 Oct 2007 10:03:18 PDT
So if you've been checking out my site, you've seen a number of new posts go up recently. While my fantasy campaign storylines have been suffering from major character departures (which jeopardize the entire storyline), I've decided to start telling the background behind a character played by the fellow who recently left Florida, bound for Seattle (Hi, Trek! *waves*).

I'm discovering my cyberpunk game world from an outsider's perspective. I've always been caught up in the "sculpt" world that my game world has presented to new players, and this is a great chance to look at the true weirdness that the game world offers - from the viewpoint of someone who really doesn't think sculpts are as cool as I always have. I think that, in the long run, this will make the game world that much more interesting, since Talbot sees it as the average person might, which makes it that much more approachable.

Anyway, this is a first-person storyline, reflective of my works on the Anubis storyline (which, for those who are not aware, is FAR from complete. The story makes up 32 pages here on DA, but the entire NOVEL is 303 pages long!). I need to figure out how to post it somewhere for download for some sort of payment. That's about five years worth of writer's block and victory over it sitting there doing nothing...

You'll see an image recently posted that was done by , whom you'll see in my gallery as the artist who drew Syrinx for me. She's a fantastic, patient lady, beautiful as well as talented, so if you can somehow finagle a chance to slip into her commission queue, I highly suggest you do so!

Time for the shout outs!!


The Artists
- as always, talented, beautiful and a wonderful human being. Thank you for brightening the world with your amazing skillz!

- A stunning artistic talent married with skill at writing that matches the imagery you SEE with a world only he can see completely. Each piece is a window into a world I'm only now beginning to comprehend. I can only hope he continues!

- A stunning artist who paints pictures that look like photographs. I could only hope to someday deserve to have a piece drawn for me - and I can only hope someday to make up to her the fact that she drew an image for a contest that fell apart before it ended (it's in my Favorites - Look for "Journey with Celise" or just go to Moyan's DA site and look there - she deserves the hit more than I do).


The Authors
- A talent, a character, a FAN CLUB. Truly complex storytelling, intriguing characters and GORGEOUS pictures. I could only hope someday to inspire such loyalty! *bows in awe*

- A world seen through snippets and commissioned art by some of the best out there. I'm just WAITING for the big link-up that I know his characters deserve and I'm sure it'll come when the time is right!

- An up and coming talent who deserves a look. I've only begun to explore his world and hope to see it develop more and more!

]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/14937660/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/14937660/ Sat, 06 Oct 2007 07:59:39 PDT
So I'm coming (swiftly) to the conclusion that my attempts to turn any long-term campaign into a storyline must be cursed. For the Age of Worms campaign, the primary male (Graven) player lead turned into a flake and failed to show on multiple occasions, ending with his ouster from the group. NOW, at the end of the first adventure for the Shackled City adventure path, Tenor's player is leaving. Only this time, he's leaving the STATE. He's going home to Seattle after having been laid off on Tuesday.

When does he leave?

NEXT TUESDAY.

I can't say I blame him, since his field is so specific that there's just not a lot of work in the area, and there IS a ton of such work available back home. But...

Since I have lived in Florida, I have met only one person I would consider a good, solid friend - someone who has gone out with us on several occasions, traveled to Disneyworld, said he'd be my best man when my wife and I get "remarried" in the church...

And he's leaving.

So, yeah. I'm bummed.

We'll be looking for a replacement player, and hopefully that player will be as good as Tenor's player when he joins us (and yeah, I've already contacted a potential new player).

But in the meantime, don't mind me. I'm grieving.

]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/14529317/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/14529317/ Sat, 08 Sep 2007 06:03:12 PDT
The Shackled City storyline starts with the Prologue, moves to Life's Bazaar, and continues in Jzadirune. Sorry about the inconsistency in uploads, but this is how I wrote it...

PLAYERS, DO NOT READ THE PROLOGUE! There is OOC information you should not have until FAR later in the AP, but which helps set the mood for readers.

If you are not a player:
a) WELCOME!
b) Feel free to comment
and
c) if you are an artist inclined to draw, FEEL FREE!

Characters involved:
Lauryl Maerdyn - Half-Drow, Half-Elven Priestess of Eilistraee
Ielenia - Sun Elf Rogue
Tenor KaSea - Human Paladin of Heieroneous
Herodotus Forgeborn - Human Cleric/Sorceror (working on Mystic Theurge someday)
Davik the Whisper Gnome Rogue
Ivan Hammerfist - Dwarf Fighter.

And as a last little bit, please take a look at the follow two author's sites. They've inspired me, given me a bit to think on, and are (strangely enough) appreciative of my editorializing. That alone makes them AWESOME in my book! Read up!



&



And if you're into really awesome art and want an affordable commission (if and when she opens her queue), go see:

or

As an added bonus, does both writing AND artwork, and his site is definitely worth looking at.

PROPS to my DevArt friends! WOOT!

]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/14384937/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/14384937/ Tue, 28 Aug 2007 18:06:32 PDT
So, welcome to the new storyline, to be posted as I have a chance, and in game-by-game segments. The first sequence is called "Shackled City: Life's Bazaar" and will take the party from 1st to 3rd level. So far, we've had one game session, a couple of fights, and some mystery solving. FUN!

Characters involved are:

Lauryl Maerdyn - Half-Drow, Half-Elven Priestess of Eilistraee
Ielenia - Sun Elf Rogue
Tenor KaSea - Human Paladin of Heieroneous
Herodotus Forgeborn - Human Cleric/Sorceror (working on Mystic Theurge someday)
Davik the Whisper Gnome Rogue
Ivan Hammerfist - Dwarf Fighter.

I look forward to input! The more input I get, the more folks are reading, and the quicker I'll update! Keep checking the main post until I post a second sequence. I'll just keep updating until DevArt says I can't anymore!

]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/13552823/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/13552823/ Sat, 30 Jun 2007 14:29:58 PDT
The only problem I've run into is that, while I have a great intro and a villain you'll love to hate, I'm running into the typical trouble I have - I've got the beginning and the end of the tale - but the middle is the hard part! So, that said, if you have suggestions or would like to help out, let me know and I'll send you the notes I've got on how it's all going to work out in the end, and perhaps we can work together on how best to get them from Point "A" to Point "Z".

In the meantime, enjoy. This is a new piece with a serious chance of publication if I can get the intermediate part put together right.

]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/13437457/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/13437457/ Thu, 21 Jun 2007 19:10:04 PDT
IT WON'T LET ME UPDATE.

WHAT THE HELL?

Who can I write to in order to figure out just what the HELL they've done? Why aren't there simple, easy-to-choose PREVIEW IMAGES instead of this goddamned frustrating aspect to trying to share on what used to be a simple, easy-to-use website?

Who can I shoot?

]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/13345948/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/13345948/ Thu, 14 Jun 2007 17:30:35 PDT
So...

Update time!

I had the opportunity to take a job that would have paid 22k starting, but offered a 10% commission on everything sold after 10k/month. Steep base commission and low base pay combined to make me say, "no." So, I'm still at the college - where I'm happy to say, I'm doing well and I enjoy my work. Sometimes it's not about the money.

In other news, thanks to my wife's tuition reimbursement policy at work, we now have annual passes to Disneyworld, which includes access not only to that park, but to Epcot, Animal Kingdom and Disney/MGM. They say that if you go a total of 6 times to any combination of the parks, you've paid for your pass. We've been to Disneyworld and Disney/MGM over the past month and plan on going somewhere every month at the very least. Nice thing is, they've got it better organized than Disneyland, which we also used to live just 45 minutes away from (but never bought annual passes to). We're 2 hours by car from any of the parks, so it's a drive. Still, the look on my son's face when he got to ride the front of the monorail, meet Mickey and then pose with Captain Hook were all worth it. Not to mention his near-mugging of Winnie-the-Pooh, whom he loves dearly. ^_^

So, pics will be coming up soon (if I can figure out how to upload them properly - damned people always changing things on me!). In the meantime, I've only been writing for character background stories for my online NWN character (Faethryl Silverhair, Druid of the Moonwood) and little else.

And Cyzra, if you're checking this, I SWEAR, the first check is on its way!

]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/12459643/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/12459643/ Wed, 04 Apr 2007 16:42:49 PDT
I'm working on getting accepted into Spalding University for a Masters in Fine Arts in Writing, so here's to that. They're more of a literary program than a sci fi/fantasy bent, but that's to be expected. The day they offer a Masters in that sort of thing, there'll be a line around the block to get in.

I've commissioned Cyzra again (got lucky to be in on the latest queue). Gonna have her draw Hiroko from "Daughter of the Kami" and her sister, Naoko. Since I played Hiroko with my nephew, who played Naoko online via Neverwinter Nights, it will be nice to see what she might REALLY look like, rather than the pixelated version. *shrug*

I'm also looking into commissioning Moyan, who drew that incredible Celise pic for the contest (and who never got anything for it - I'll have to go bonk Celise's player on the head). Got an idea for another online character I played for over a year - Nesha. I think she's got a story here somewhere...

In any case, my birthday is coming up. Be my last before the "Over the Hill" party... If you want to write something for me, I'd be thrilled. If you want to draw something, I'd be ecstatic. If you want to try to work on some sort of shared-storyline thing, well... I'm up for anything that will get me to write, so throw a line at me! I CAN write. Really, I can!

]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/11971892/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/11971892/ Mon, 26 Feb 2007 08:52:13 PST
Been a while, so it's time to say something here again.

First, I got Cyzra's commish and BOY is it incredible. Despite it being even more difficult (and more expensive) than ever to get into her queue, I'd be willing to do it all over again. Incredible detail and the pic is about the size of a small poster. Insane.

My weekly group went nearly monthly for a while there. A sinus infection and a bunch of events got in the way of our regular game for a month and we finally got to play again last night. Lots of fun, including two party members figuring out that two other party members had been doppelgangers for quite some time now! Add in a devious trap and some fun fights (including the barbarian solo-killing a creature 2 challenge ratings above himself - underwater and without air!) and you had a very worthy return to the game.

In terms of writing, I've not been doing any. Too busy with work. Exhausted when I get home, and since there's been no game to write about, the level of interest hasn't been there. That said, I'm issuing a challenge for myself.

Give me a character concept and perhaps a situation to put them in, and I'll put out a 1,000 word short piece about them. Doesn't matter what situation or what character, though if I don't know the material, you can't expect TOO much from me. Fantasy, sci-fi or dark future are preferred as those are my favorite areas to write about.

There is no cost to this - it is something for me to do to keep me writing. Depending on how many ideas I get, I may write more than one, or I might just do the one that most intrigues me.

So, let fly, and we'll see what comes of it!

]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/11507952/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/11507952/ Sat, 20 Jan 2007 16:36:59 PST
While my sister was here, she dropped a HUGE pile of music into my system and I'm finding out day by day that my sis has GREAT taste in music. I've been listening to her stuff and found great bands like 30 Seconds to Mars, Breaking Benjamin, Kill Hannah, Miser and a lot of others. Been RAWKING to the new muzic!

Unfortunately, my latest in new books has somewhat proven something I've thought of for quite a long time - I am a storyteller; not a novelist. Neil Gaiman's American Gods IS my Anubis story, done better and with a more epic storyline. Strange thing is, he's got the same idea I had - just wrote it so much better. Wierd.

Anyway... In the real world, we're about to refinance our house (FINALLY) on the 29th, and after that, I'll finally be able to pay Cyzra for the commission she did for me (which has been my wallpaper, complete with her watermark ever since it was received - trust me, it's DEFINITELY worth the price). Once that's done, there are a few things we'll be buying (like a lawn mower, weedwhacker, some new business clothes...). Life will be GOOD again.

Oh, and the job? AWESOME. Simply awesome. I started my first full-time work week this week and before the week was over, I had signed up two new students! WOOT!

Anyway, hope you guys are having a good time, staying healthy and as always - STILL WRITING!

Travis

]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/11292003/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/11292003/ Tue, 02 Jan 2007 17:46:17 PST
December 18th, I interviewed for the position of "Admissions Counselor" at the university where my wife goes to school. It is a "for profit" university that focuses on trades (it is basically a trade school that went big). The job was basically mine the moment they saw the resume, apparently - the employer called and said they were "very excited" to talk to me. The interview was like talking to a good friend - my boss loves books, is an intellectual, has a family with children, and puts family first.

I started the day after Christmas. The Friday BEFORE Christmas, my mother flew here to spend the holiday with us. That Sunday (Christmas Eve), my youngest sister joined us. The day after Christmas, my sister flew out (short stay). My mother flew out the next day (my first day at work).

That night, she apparently couldn't take it any more. Early this year, her favorite cat died of an epileptic attack right in front of her. One moment, he was sitting there. The next, he was spazzing on the floor and dead. In July, my niece died of brain cancer after a two-year fight. In August, my grandmother (Mom's mom) passed away, giving up life, basically. You can imagine the stress.

The next morning, I got a call that she was in the hospital. I shot to work, told them what had happened and was told to "Go and do what you have to. Family comes first."

12 hours later, we were there. I spent last week at the hospital, watching her recover and staying in contact with the entire family as we worked to take care of all the issues we could and that it was time for her to simply focus on herself and get better.

We drove back on New Years Eve. 14 hours in pouring rain with my 2.5 year old son wanting to walk around every couple of hours in the back seat. We ate crappy Denny's food and went to bed an hour before midnight.

I went back to work today. My boss told me not to worry about it. After a day's training, she told me I'm learning so fast I'll be put on the front lines this coming Monday.

I'm learning about the programs the university has to offer, and how to best explain them to potential students. I will work with them from the moment they express interest to the moment they start their first class, and quite likely, beyond that. The potential to help people is staggering. The payoff is people getting degrees and going on to make their lives better. The paycheck is more than I was getting before.

It's an altogether BETTER thing than I had before. I plan on making this my career for the next 5-10 years, putting my all into it, and making it WORK. Life has been a rollercoaster for the past year, but 2007 is going to be our year. I can feel it.

For now, I'm working on trying to pay the bills until the new paycheck starts rolling in. Cyzra is working on my Syrinx commission and the WIPs look AWESOME (as if you could expect any less from her??). I may have to wait until the end of the month to pay her, but the wait will definately have been worth it.

One last thing - my wife and cousin asked that I run them through a Cyberpunk game last night. Desperate, I pulled out an old story I wrote several years ago and replaced the main character with them! The idea has stuck in my head now that this story could use a bit of tweaking, but that it DEFINITELY has potential for a novel if I pad it out with more back story (it is written assuming the reader knows the background). So, here's to my NEXT novel!!

To all of you, thanks for reading this far. Thanks for caring. Thanks for your kind remarks and support (especially you, Xull'rae!). You've all been a bastion of friendliness in the midst of my chaos, and I wanted to start the new year off by thanking you, wishing all of you the best of years and by challenging you to write the best damned piece you've ever written, or draw the best damned piece you've ever drawn! 2007 will be OUR year.

I can feel it.

Travis

]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/11096425/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/11096425/ Sun, 17 Dec 2006 16:06:16 PST
I applied for a teaching position and did not get it. Probably not a bad thing, since I still haven't received my paperwork from the state regarding the test I took on the 2nd of Dec. Once I get that, I'll know whether I passed or not. If not, I can sign up and take the test again. In the mean time, I've signed up for "Intro to Education" (one of the requisite courses they make you take when you get hired, so might as well get it out of the way while I can).

I go for an interview for the position of "Admissions Counselor" for the college/university my wife attends tomorrow. I think it's a lock, really, based on the conversation I had with the employer over the phone when I set up the appointment, but I don't want to be overconfident, either.

Been fighting the stomach flu for a week now. Finally got some meds from an urgent care doctor yesterday (my doctor has changed offices and wasn't there on Monday when I went in initially - nurse practitioner wasn't sure what I had, so didn't give out any meds... Missed three days of work and both days this weekend to being down, so I hope to be up and running now that I've got some antibiotics in me.

Riding the cycle in the rain BLOWS! Cross your fingers and say a prayer or two for me that I'll be the new Admissions Counselor for Keiser College by this weekend. What a Christmas gift THAT will be!

Oh, and just as a side note, Cyzra has finally gotten to me for the commission! Assuming I can get this job, I can still get the piece done. If not... I'll probably have to get back into the queue...

So... cross those fingers and pray for me!

Prosperity, here I come!

Travis

]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/10892619/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/10892619/ Wed, 29 Nov 2006 16:17:04 PST
Hope your Thanksgiving was a good one. Had the family and some friends over, stuffed ourselves (no leftovers!) and generally had a good time. Started working for the test pilot thing. Driving a cycle in the rain 8 hours a day sucks. Hopefully this weather pattern will shift and it will dry up a bit. Got to get used to riding a cycle seat for 2 hours at a time. Funny how doing it when you want to is fine, but when you do it five or six days out of a week, it gets old REAL fast.

I'm taking the test to get certified to teach English this Saturday. Should get the certification around mid-December. Waiting to hear about that interview, so keep sending those positive thoughts. The waiting is the hardest part, so they say. I've never been good at it, so it's been rough lately.

Keep up the good work, and I'll be up and writing again when I'm not pounded into the ground driving 400 miles a day... O_o

]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/10743860/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/10743860/ Thu, 16 Nov 2006 10:40:25 PST
December 2nd, I take the final test to become certified as a Florida Educator, and have a message asking about availability in to the Vice Principal of a local high school who would have hired me about a year ago if I'd actually had my certification at the time. I'll get the results of the test around mid-December and can then go get a teaching job for the Spring. All of this is a fall-back position.

After all, there's an even higher paying job on the horizon for me, doing what I've been doing for the past three years, but on an international scale and for a major defense contractor!

So, cross your fingers, send out some prayers, and put some positive energy out for me!

Travis

]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/10693243/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/10693243/ Sat, 11 Nov 2006 18:39:35 PST
Thanks in great part to the general flakiness of Graven's player, the Graven and the Battle Babes storyline has come to an end. After several months of inconsistent arrival times, disappearing only to call two hours into the supposed game time and just not being trustworthy, we have (as a group) evicted Graven's player from our game.

Unfortunately, this also means that the storyline must come to an end, as Graven is pretty much copyright the player and we're not going to forward the story with him anyway. That will only change if everyone wants to see the continuation with just "the Battle Babes" but that's up to you!

Otherwise, things are looking fairly cool at the moment. Supposed to start the job driving motorcycles soon and hoping for a job that pays 150% of what I was making before but doing the same thing! Send out some positive thoughts for me!

Travis

]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/10583657/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/10583657/ Wed, 01 Nov 2006 15:10:36 PST
As proof that it is true, I tell you this moment that despite having lost my job on Friday, it all happened because I was calling it upon myself, and since then, I've called entirely BETTER things to myself.

F'rinstance, I'm now employed (and will start in 2 weeks) by a KICK-ASS recreational vehicle company that does ATV and watercraft work. Pay is less than I was making before, but the work is ENTIRELY cooler! Add in the fact that my supervisor doesn't have a problem if I get another job and am still willing to work part-time afterwards. They've got a project coming in that will pay me to drive what requires a Motorcycle license (and you know what that means - a MOTORCYCLE)! FOR MONEY!

Now, to keep working on that high-paying special events position at Harris that I want...

Send some positive thoughts my way, folks. And SEE THAT MOVIE!

Travis

]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/10524485/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/10524485/ Mon, 30 Oct 2006 06:47:33 PST
Hey gang,

Done some checking around and it turns out there's a position with THE biggest employer in the area that does EXACTLY what I've been doing and has a three-year experience requirement. Guess how long I've been doing what I've been doing?

Yep. Three years.

Everything happens for a reason!! Now, just send out some positive thoughts for me that this is coming my way and I will be INCREDIBLY grateful!!

This is going to be the best thing that could have happened to me. I know it. I KNOW it.

Travis

Right.

As of this moment, I have to cancel all commissions and contests - I just lost my job this morning. Per my boss, "several" board members of the association I worked for until this morning had complained throughout the year about my work (unlikely, since only one of them truly disliked me). In reality, it is likely because there is nothing for me to do for the next four months and there is no reason to keep me on the payroll when I won't actually be doing much of anything.

Thankfully, I have a potential part-time job at a local ATV and watercraft company test-driving their vehicles and the opportunity to go back to being a DJ like I was last year at this time. Combined, those two jobs SHOULD be able to pay my mortgage payment, keeping my house paid up. My wife's paycheck can pay the bills until I get a better job.

On December 2nd, I take the final test I need to take in order to become certified to teach English in Florida. I've already spoken to several of the schools around and two of the Vice Principals were ready to hire me (until I found out I didn't have the certificate I thought I already had). Hopefully, once I pass that test and get my grade on or about December 15th, I can go get a job and start teaching in the Spring.

So, keep me in your prayers, gang. The tunnel is about to get very dark before it gets light again, but I'm not going to give up. I've got a little boy, a wife and a new house to work for, so I'm not going quietly...

God Bless.

Travis (fcneko)

]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/9944436/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/9944436/ Mon, 23 Oct 2006 10:07:54 PDT
Kuraire was my 1,000th visitor! Congratulations to Kuraire for hitting that lucky number and please let me know what you would like a short story or story introduction to be written about! I'm not an artist, so my painting will have to be done with words! Get back to me and I'll post something up for you!

The following have all expressed interest in taking part in the Graven & the Battle Babes contest!











has sent in her finished piece of Celise and it is stunning!
[link]

Don't forget, the individual images are worth $30 to the winning artist. The big money goes to the group image!

Prizes are listed below!!

Graven & The Battle Babes
An Art Contest by fcneko

RULES
1. Must be a member on DA.

2. Must meet the deadline of December 31, 2006

3. You may draw the GROUP ILLUSTRATION and the INDIVIDUAL CHARACTER illustrations and have a chance at EACH PRIZE.

3. Anyone on DA may enter this contest but there will only be 3 winners who get prizes FOR THE GROUP ILLUSTRATION! One INDIVIDUAL ILLUSTRATION PER CHARACTER will win $30.

This brings the TOTAL VALUE up to $420.00 available in this contest if 25 artists get involved! If not, see the break-downs below.

4. There will be three rounds of judging:

--First round will be to choose 5 semi-finalists for the GROUP ILLUSTRATION and 2 for each CHARACTER) If there aren't enough illustrations, then the judges and I will choose from the most popular and go to the next round of judging.

--The Finalist round will consist of 5 entries from the 10 finalists. The judges will agree on the 3 contest winners from these. The individual illustrations will be voted on and prizes awarded.

The Judges are the PLAYERS of these characters in the game this storyline is based on! Information is now available as a new Deviation on this site, so go there for specific information. Remember to READ UP on the storyline, so as to get a good idea of their personalities! Personality traits will help you win the contest! Start at The Whispering Cairn, Pt. 1!

I'm expecting at least a month of judging time so this will take some deliberation.

PLEASE NOTE that the prize amounts will be determined by the actual amount of entries I receive! Just because you said you'd like to be a contestant, doesn't mean you'll give me art by the deadline. This is why the prize amounts will be based on the art I receive.

5. No talking to my judges about the contest! This also means no seeking their approval, getting tips, or asking questions about the contest. All questions should be sent to me and me only!

6. Winners will receive a Cashier’s Check in the amount they won! Note: It will be UNITED STATES currency, so it might be less for some countries.

7. Take your time, have fun, but don't cheat. Anyone caught cheating or breaking these rules will be removed from the contest and reported to DA as necessary. Send me a note concerning any questions or to submit your entry.

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

PRIZES
Prizes are based on the number of art entries I actually receive (i.e. Less than 7 will LOWER the base prize, more than 7 will BE the base prize, and more than 25 entries will UP the base prize)

Finalist and semi finalists not chosen as winners should be aware that nothing should be expected as a reward. You entered this contest for fun and did your best to win and when I can afford to, I will personally commission you in the future.

Remember, these prizes are only valid for the GROUP ILLUSTRATION. The INDI... ]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/9937815/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/9937815/ Sat, 02 Sep 2006 07:01:38 PDT
Call me crazy, but I've been influenced by and want to do a contest based on MY characters!

The rules are below, and I hope everyone involved in her contest gets involved in mine!

Prizes are listed below!!

Graven & The Battle Babes
An Art Contest by fcneko

RULES
1. Must be a member on DA.

2. Must meet the deadline of December 31, 2006

3. Only ONE PICTURE per person is allowed as an entry in the contest. You may draw all 5 and submit them, but only one of your pictures will be chosen by me as your main entry. Submitting multiples will not increase your chances of winning!

3. Anyone on DA may enter this contest but there will only be 3 winners who get prizes FOR THE GROUP ILLUSTRATION!

UPDATE - There will be an additional $30 award PER CHARACTER for the individual illustrations! Thus, if you draw a group illustration, you will be in the running for the big prize. If you then draw an individual illustration for each of the characters, you will have a chance at winning AN ADDITIONAL $120!

This brings the TOTAL VALUE up to $420.00 available in this contest!

4. There will be three rounds of judging (UPDATED)

--First round will be to choose 5 semi-finalists for the GROUP ILLUSTRATION and 2 for each CHARACTER) If there aren't enough illustrations, then the judges and I will choose from the most popular and go to the next round of judging.

--The Finalist round will consist of 5 entries from the 10 finalists. The judges will agree on the 3 contest winners from these.

The Judges are the PLAYERS of these characters in the game this storyline is based on! They will be providing detailed descriptions and equipment for the artists in this contest within the next few days, so keep an eye out!

I'm expecting at least a month of judging time so this will take some deliberation. I will also lower the prize amounts if not enough people will participate! Or up it if I get more than 25 art entries.

PLEASE NOTE that the prize amounts will be determined by the actual amount of entries I receive! Just because you said you'd like to be a contestant, doesn't mean you'll give me art by the deadline. This is why the prize amounts will be based on the art I receive.

5. No talking to my judges about the contest! This also means no seeking their approval, getting tips, or asking questions about the contest. All questions should be sent to me and me only!

6. Winners will receive a Cashier’s Check in the amount they won! Note: It will be UNITED STATES currency, so it might be less for some countries.

7. Take your time, have fun, but don't cheat. Anyone caught cheating or breaking these rules will be removed from the contest and reported to DA as necessary. Send me a note concerning any questions or to submit your entry.

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

PRIZES
Prizes are based on the number of art entries I actually receive (i.e. Less than 7 will LOWER the base prize, more than 7 will BE the base prize, and more than 25 entries will UP the base prize)

Finalist and semi finalist not chosen as winners should be aware that nothing should be expected as a reward. You entered this contest for fun and did your best to win and when I can afford to, I will personally commission you in the future.

1st prize: Base Prize: A $70 cash prize
IF I GET LESS THAN 7 ENTRIES: This will be lowered to $50
IF I GET MORE THAN 25 ENTRIES: This will be upped to $150

2nd prize: Base Prize: $50 prize.
IF I GET LESS THAN 7 ENTRIES: This will be lowered to $30
IF I GET MORE THAN 25 ENTRIES: This will be upped to $100

3rd prize Base Prize: $30 prize
IF I GET LESS THAN 7 ENTRIES: This will be lowered to $15
IF I GET MORE THAN 25 ENTRIES: This will be upped to $50

-----------

ENTRIES:
Entries should be noted to me with the heading "CONTEST ENTRY" and a link to your piece.

You have until December 31st 11:59 pm EST

This is a contest. Participants who don't know the character HAVE 3 MONTHS to research The Heroes of The Age of Worms. You have everything you need. My references are in my favorites, insights to the characters are in my gallery itself and any other tidbits will be provided shortly as a new deviation, you have to dig a little but that is the point to RESEARCH. My watchers are at tiny advantage, but non watchers have enough time to play catch up IF THEY READ!

THE CHOICES TO DRAW
GROUP ILLUSTRATION ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/9929869/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/9929869/ Fri, 01 Sep 2006 12:27:23 PDT
Call me crazy, but I've been influenced by :icon*XullraeZauviir: and want to do a contest based on MY characters!

The rules are below, and I hope everyone involved in her contest gets involved in mine!

Prizes are listed below!!

Graven & The Battle Babes
An Art Contest by fcneko

RULES
1. Must be a member on DA.
2. Must meet the deadline of December 31, 2006
3. Only ONE PICTURE per person is allowed as an entry in the contest. You may draw all 5 and submit them, but only one of your pictures will be chosen by me as your main entry. Submitting multiples will not increase your chances of winning!
3. Anyone on DA may enter this contest but there will only be 3 winners who get prizes! There MAY be an individual winner per individual illustration to reward those who draw the individual characters. Anyone interested in submitting a group AND an individual WILL BE ELIGIBLE for this second mini-contest!
4. There will be three rounds of judging
--First round will be to choose 10 semi-finalists (two for each potential illustrations) If there isn't enough options done, then the judges and I will choose from the most popular aspects and go to the next round of judging.
--The Finalist round will consist of 5 entries from the 10 finalists.
The final round is where we agree on the 3 contest winners.
I'm expecting at least a month of judging time so this will take some deliberation. I will also lower the prize amounts if not enough people will participate! Or up it if I get more than 25 art entries. PLEASE NOTE that the prize amounts will be determined by the actual amount of entries I receive!
Just because you said you'd like to be a contestant, doesn't mean you'll give me art by the deadline. This is why the prize amounts will be based on the art I receive.
5. No talking to my judges about the contest! This also means no seeking their approval, getting tips, or asking questions about the contest. All questions should be sent to me and me only!
6. Winners will receive a Cashier’s Check in the amount they won! Note: if you pick a cash prize it will be UNITED STATES currency, so it might be less for some countries.
7. Take your time, have fun, but don't cheat. Anyone caught cheating or breaking these rules will be removed from the contest and reported to DA as necessary. Send me a note concerning any questions or to submit your entry.

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

Entries should be noted to me with the heading "CONTEST ENTRY" and a link to your piece.
You have until December 31st 11:59 pm EST

This is a contest. Participants who don't know the character HAVE 3 MONTHS to research The Heroes of The Age of Worms. You have everything you need. My references are in my favorites, insights to her are in my gallery itself and any other tidbits can be found on my site that is on my front page of DA, you have to dig a little but that is the point to RESEARCH. My watchers are at tiny advantage, but non watchers have enough time to play catch up IF THEY READ!

THE CHOICES TO DRAW
Graven & the Battle Babes (Graven, Lauryl, Ielena & Celise)
Graven (Star Elf Priest of Istus, Lady of our Fate)
Lauryl (Half-Drow Priestess of Eilistraee, The Dark Maiden)
Ielena (Sun Elf Rogue)
Celise (Human Sorceress)

Details will be available regarding the equipment each character wears/uses.
---------------------------------------------

EDIT For some this was unclear, so hopefully this can be clarified better now. If I get more than 25 contestants with actual ART ENTRIES, I will up the prizes!
You may say you're a contestant all you want, but without an art submission by the deadline..you technically didn't participate...ESPECIALLY if you signed up and then I hear nothing from you through the entire 3 months. I'm not going to waste money on a few entries. This is why the prizes are not set in stone yet. I have a Base prize, I have a lowered prize if I get less art than expected for the number of contestants. I have an upped prize if I actually get 25 art pieces. This is why the $150 is better than $50 and $70. It will be worth my time and yours! For you, it's the knowledge you beat out such a heavy competition and received such a nice prize for your effort. For me, it's money well spent on an awesome picture.
If you're still with me and want to participate, do nothing! (except draw an art entry... )
If you want to drop out, just contact me at any time DURING the contest!

REMEMBER: 2nd and 3rd places get money too!

PRIZES
Prizes are based on the number of art entries I actually receive (i.e. Less than 7 will LOWER the base prize, more than 7 will BE the base prize, and more than 25 entries will UP the base priz... ]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/9927803/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/9927803/ Fri, 01 Sep 2006 08:32:23 PDT
Just a quick update. I've got three massive projects due in the next six weeks, so my down-time and thus writing time will be little to none. I'll try to stick something in on occasion just to keep the story going, but I've got a Home & Garden Show on the 16th & 17th, a Golf Tournament on the 5th of October, a Parade of Homes to do for a week from the 21st of October, and then an awards dinner on the 15th of November. Sometime around the 23rd of October, things will likely slack off a bit for the rest of the year...

This is one of those tear-out-your-hair kind of periods my job does twice a year (Spring and Fall), but the feeling of accomplishment you get when it all comes together makes it all worth it!

Travis ]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/9827846/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/9827846/ Wed, 23 Aug 2006 13:27:51 PDT
Tell a friend! Have them come take a look! The more comments and feedback I get, the better the writer I become!

fcneko ]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/9804030/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/9804030/ Mon, 21 Aug 2006 12:18:31 PDT
Looks like the worst is past and things are up and running again. As mentioned, there's always light at the end of the tunnel, but waiting for that damned tunnel to end is always the hardest part. There are a few things in the works now that might just make the difference, and I'm writing again, so let's keep our fingers crossed.

As you can see, Three Faces of Evil now has a Part 2 posted. Got tired of searching for Part One to update it!

Some side stuff I've been doing includes editing for Xull'rae's storyline over on her site ([link]). Unfortunately, I'm a doofus and don't know how to link those neat little images so you can just link straight to her, so there's the link.

We are rapidly catching up to where the team is in Three Faces of Evil, thanks to about a month of one-room-per-game-session play, so hopefully things will pick up and I can just keep on writing!!

In the meantime, stay well, love one another, and for God's sake, DON'T STOP WRITING/DRAWING. The professionals out there write a page a day or draw SOMETHING every day, just to keep those creative juices flowing. It may be hard, but it'll pay off in the long run.

Travis ]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/9770160/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/9770160/ Fri, 18 Aug 2006 09:59:34 PDT
After a couple of days of downtime to deal with the stresses in my life, I think we may have an opportunity to get out from beneath our crushing debt. My mother has informed me that she was happy we came and saw my grandmother when she was alive and that such a visit was more important, meaning my stress has been relieved in that regard...

I'm not out of the darkness yet, but the light is coming...

In the meantime, enjoy!

Travis ]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/9736582/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/9736582/ Tue, 15 Aug 2006 12:11:14 PDT Posted an update to Three Faces of Evil

The Bad -
My grandmother (the only grandparent I've known) died this morning at 8:30. She gave up living a week ago, stopped eating and taking her drugs, and just let herself go. I think she felt guilty for not dying before my niece. Either way, my mom is probably going through emotional hell right now and I can't go up to help.

The Ugly -
I don't know if I'll have the money to pay my bills at the end of this month - let alone go up to visit my mom or see my grandmother's funeral... ]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/9724032/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/9724032/ Mon, 14 Aug 2006 11:04:33 PDT
The event on Friday was a smashing success. More attendance than ever before, everyone had a great time, and all was good. So happy!

And then, a weekend filled with the real world outside the office. Money problems. Bill problems. Re-finance offers that come in the mail and never actually mean what they have on the front page.

Tried to play our PnP game and barely made it through another single room. A month of one-room-per-game meant that the players were looking at the situation and wondering what was going on, when their characters had spent all of maybe 20 minutes and knew what they were looking at. So, lots of clues, including a vertical map to give them an idea of what they'd passed through recently.

And then, two cloakers nearly killed off the entire party, leaving everyone glaring at everyone else as the dice rolled terrible for the heroes and a couple of monsters which would normally have died in a matter of two combat rounds nearly accomplished a Total Party Kill (TPK). Add to this that one of our players had another event they wanted to go to as soon as possible and after that one situation, the game broke up.

Next day, more money problems.

Funny how money can take what is otherwise a perfectly normal day and make it into pure unadulterated hell. We're short on the bills this month. I can't get a second job because this job makes me work nights and weekends on occasion. My wife is trying to get her degree, so can't get a second job. Yet neither of our jobs pay what we need to make ends meet.

I'm trying to get my certificate to teach English at High School level (which pays $5k more than I make now STARTING, but the community college I'm waiting on to send me my transcripts is dawdling along and not doing anything.

So, frustration, plus anxiety = depression = 15 hours of sleep and the feeling that I'm brain damaged and really only want to go back to sleep and not wake up. I'll take my dreams, thank you. At least I'm solvent in those...

This isn't to even mention that my grandmother is now going into hospice and isn't expected to live out the week, and I can't afford to take any more time off to go visit her...

This too shall pass, as they say. It's always darkest before the light.

But damn... It's awful dark in here.

fcneko/Travis ]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/9690358/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/9690358/ Fri, 11 Aug 2006 12:08:16 PDT
Those times when I'm not doing much? I'm raising the money to do the event.

Tonight's one of those events. I've spent the last two days setting up our auditorium with a casino theme, tables, chairs, drinks, catering, bar, food... And I'm wiped out.

And the event is in two hours!

I've not posted anything lately because I'm slammed. This event, plus two MAJOR events coming up in the next month or so, all with similar deadlines means I've been brain-dead when it came to creativity.

Top that off with an amazingly bad financial drought and you've got the makings for a writer's block so massive that despite trying to write, nothing come off my fingertips into this keyboard is worth even MY time, let alone yours.

This isn't a plea for attention. I know everyone has times like this and this too, shall pass. There are good stories out there to be written and I'm rarin' to write 'em.

I just have the brain power of a sea snail at the moment.

Keep up the good work, you guys. I look forward to every post you all make and just because I didn't say anything doesn't mean I didn't look!

fcneko/Travis ]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/9573891/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/9573891/ Wed, 02 Aug 2006 06:34:17 PDT
What is art? Is it a nicely posed image taken by a photographer or painted (either by hand or digitally) by an artist? Is it a poem, regardless of its structure? Is it a story, written from any perspective, but done with thought as to design and character?

Or is it random photos taken and posted on an art site? Is it an image that is likely to offend someone and posted just to see if it will? Is a male nude, lounging in no apparent posture or pose as artful as a female nude lying on a bed and dappled with roses?

Does art have structure? If it doesn't, is it still art?

I started pondering all this because I started wandering the last 24-hours of uploads to dA and started wondering what it is that makes people think art is art.

Sure, if you're new at drawing, your images aren't going to be the best quality, but that's because you are learning. If you are a photographer interested in nudes, perhaps your first nudes aren't going to be very artful. Yet, they're still your work, and you're still proud of them.

Does that give someone like me, who has pre-defined ideas of art from having been taken to museums when he was very young, the right to tell you that your art sucks or is offensive?

Just because I think it's offensive to take every known character out there, including famous anime characters, and depict them as grossly distended in pregnancy, doesn't mean I have the right to go and spout that on your site where you've posted them.

And you know what? That's exactly what I did.

I wanted to go back a few minutes later and apologize for being incredibly RUDE to someone, and the link was gone. I can't even find the person's site where I posted that.

And now, like in other points in my life, I feel like a complete and utter arse for having let my first impressions ruin what might have been an otherwise productive conversation.

So, if you're that artist, and you've come to my site here on dA to reply to me and tell me that my works are a waste of time, feel free to do so. Righteous anger is still righteous and I likely deserve it. If it helps, I'm sorry.

Travis/fcneko ]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/9553694/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/9553694/ Mon, 31 Jul 2006 11:49:15 PDT
The Whispering Cairn storyline is complete! I will begin the process of starting up Three Faces of Evil likely over the next few days, so keep an eye out!

I'm curious - have you got any idea what's coming? Who is your favorite character? Why? Does the story read like a novel - does it feed your thirst for more? Do the clues the party is finding whet your appetite to find out what is going on?

Are you like them, wondering what's going on and lost in a much bigger story than even they know?

One aspect of the story is intriguing - the storyline actually has the party knowing slightly more than the players know, just to make it easier on the readers. Certain questions have yet to be asked/answered, and so, at least for them, right now, issues such as Dourstone Mine and Smenk are all they care about. If there is more going on, then they know nothing about it...

I'm curious! Let's see those critiques and tell me what you think!

Travis ]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/9551353/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/9551353/ Mon, 31 Jul 2006 07:40:02 PDT
Had a good weekend, mostly. Friday played our normal Saturday game, since the player of Ielena started his new job (as a Sheriff - WOOT!) and is working nights while he gets his feet wet. Since Ielena is such a part of the storyline (not to mention the party's rogue, without whom, they'd likely be dead several times over), we've moved the game to Fridays. Unfortunately, as a side-effect, we're so tired that we're only getting a single room done before quitting for the night.

Saturday, the player of Graven ran a pick-up game just to have something to do, but again, we didn't get far. More time playing, but lots of distractions and tangential chatter. Fun, though.

Sunday, we held my son's 2nd Birthday party, which was delayed from my rush-trip to Tennessee. He had a good time, got some neat gifts, but was really tired from not having gotten a nap. He ended up sleeping around 12 hours straight. Got that from me, I think.

On a sad note, Sunday was also the day that my niece was buried. She died last Tuesday at 4:30pm. Had gone to sleep the night before and never woke up. It's sad and terrible and my mother and sister are in deep, deep pain over the loss, but in the long run, it's better for Abigail now. She's not in pain, she's not watching the rest of us live our lives while she waits to die... She's in Heaven now and looking down at the rest of us - and we're all looking forward to being with her when our time comes.

Not to end on a grim note, Chapter Five is now up and will be getting updated until we reach the end of the Whispering Cairn and begin Three Faces of Evil, which is the next adventure in the Age of Worms adventure path. Not too far into that, we'll be caught up to the present storyline, and you'll have to start waiting for us to play before the writing takes place!

Travis ]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/9522424/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/9522424/ Fri, 28 Jul 2006 11:58:13 PDT
: ]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/9519607/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/9519607/ Fri, 28 Jul 2006 06:42:40 PDT
I don't know about the rest of you, but I do a lot of net-surfing and spend a lot of time looking at things you can't find on American news channels. In the States, you don't see blood and death on-screen or in the media. America wants to shield its people from the realities of the world, so we can remain stuck in our consumer-driven lifestyles and focus on getting that new car or buying that pair of jeans, or drink that beer that, if you drink you'll be surrounded by gorgeous girls in bikinis...

There's a quote from Fight Club, which is my all-time favorite movie and which I just watched the other day, that sums it all up "Advertising has us chasing cars and clothes, working jobs we hate so we can buy shit we don't need."

Well, I was surfing through some of my more questionable sites (www.ogrish.com - don't go there if you can't handle gore) and saw an image that I know damn well I could never have seen if I hadn't gone there - the image of a dead child lying on the street after an Israeli bomb hit their car.

A child. Not a member of Hisbollah. Not a combatant. A terrified child who was running from the violence with his parents, who were showed lying in the dirt nearby.

Israel bombed the roads of Lebanon and then thinks that dropping leaflets and calling people telling them to leave is sufficient cause to believe that those who didn't leave (because they CAN'T because they blew up the damned ROADS) to start hitting anything that moves.

I'm a good person. I understand that terrorism must be stopped, and yeah, there will be innocent bystanders. But DAMNIT. Don't these people, both Hizbollah and Isreal and all those lunatic terrorists blowing up innocent people out there THINK about what they're doing??

You block people into an area and then tell them to leave (which is now impossible) and then you start BOMBING them? Do they not think that doing what they're doing is only going to create MORE terrorists!? I know for sure that if someone were to blow up the only ways out of MY hometown and then tell me to get out would only just make me want to stand up and fight them on general principle.

I don't tend to have strong opinions like this, but at this point (and it's more than likely quite controversial), in my opinion at least, Israel is going to get what's coming to them. They're making more enemies through this, not stopping them...

I have a 2-year-old son. I love him to the core of my being, such that it hurts sometimes. When I see children, I smile now (I used to hate 'em - but I didn't understand what it means to have one of your own). When I see children HURT or DEAD on the side of a road for some god-awful political statement about borders that are entirely man-made anyway...

My soul cries.

It just...

cries. ]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/9510422/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/9510422/ Thu, 27 Jul 2006 10:50:43 PDT
Chapter Four is now complete! Next step will be to start Chapter Five! We're almost caught up to where the game actually is, so who knows how many more posts I can get out of it! We'll see! ]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/9489814/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/9489814/ Tue, 25 Jul 2006 12:23:58 PDT ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/9487490/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/9487490/ Tue, 25 Jul 2006 08:08:12 PDT
Since I figured it would let you know that there was now a Chapter Four (meaning you should have checked the end of Chapter Three to make sure you're caught up), I'm letting you know now that Chapter Four has been updated! Another update will come later today, I think (I'm in a writing mood)!

Syrinx ]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/9476591/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/9476591/ Mon, 24 Jul 2006 08:34:07 PDT ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/9475597/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/9475597/ Mon, 24 Jul 2006 06:19:11 PDT
In what could be seen as an obvious ploy to get people to come look at my site, I've uploaded some of my favorite pictures from my stay in Japan back in 2003. I was there with my wife for six months, teaching English until we (literally) went bankrupt. Trying to pay the bills back in America and living in Japan on less than $2000 total a month was impossible but we did the best we could.

I'll be uploading more at some point. While there, we visited the thirty-four shrines to Kannon (in Chinese, Kuan-yin), the bodhisattva of mercy (Bodhisattva are like saints in the Buddhist tradition - those who have achieved enlightenment, but turned around to help others achieve it before going into Nirvana). There are 100 such shrines around Japan and each of the 34 in the Chichibu area, where we lived, represents a different aspect or act of mercy. They are ALL amazing.

For now, though, enjoy the images of Japan I've posted! Each tells a story!

Syrinx ]]> ~fcneko http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/9424206/ http://fcneko.deviantart.com/journal/9424206/ Wed, 19 Jul 2006 08:23:00 PDT
The Age of Worms storyline has had its name changed to "The Whispering Cairn" in recognition of the fact that this is the name of the first module of the Age of Worms Campaign. I'd like to fit "AoW" into the title somehow, but there isn't room for it, so just wanted to let you all know. Part Two is finished, so I'll start work on a Part Three soon (likely later today)!

Feel free to leave feedback and to send your friends on dA over to take a look! I love comments and critiques are always welcome! I'd also like to know how you like the characterization of the four heroes? Do they make sense? Do they seem like real people to you?

Syrinx ]]> ~fcneko