Grabbed this from *space-aged

Centaur:
[ ] You are rather wild, and let your instincts run you.
[ ] You get drunk a lot.(not since college, lol)
[ ] Bravery and boldness is second nature to you.
[ ] You have a deep love for astronomy and the universe.
[ ] You like to read your daily horoscope.
[ ] You have a high level of pride in yourself.
[ ] In the woods is the best place for you to be.
[ ] You are spiritual.
[ ] The horse is your favorite animal.
[x] You are possessive and territorial.
Total: 1

Elf:
[ ] Your ears are slightly pointed at the tips.
[X] You are very intelligent.
[ ] Your five senses are extremely keen.
[ ] Your weight is quite a bit lighter than the average person at your particular height.
[ ] You always wear elegant clothes and speak as politely as possible.
[ ] You are most at peace when you are gazing at something beautiful, like nature.
[ ] You look very young for your age.
[ ] You rarely get sick.
[x] You are a very hard worker.
[ ] Above all other superpowers, you would love to read minds or see the future. (
Total: 2

Fairy:
[ ] You are happy a lot of the time.
[ ] The best superpower to you would be to fly.
[ ] You love the forest and plant life in general.
[ ] You are always willing to help others, even if you might not be the best to offer aid.
[ ] You are young and short.
[ ] Dancing is one of your favorite pastimes.
[ ] If someone ticks you off, you are very clever with getting them back.
[ ] Your clothing isn't always presentable, but you are comfortable with what you wear.
[ ] Circles are a wonderful symbol of unity to you.
Total:0

Gnome/Dwarf:
[ ] You are excellent with crafts and handiwork.
[x] In social situations, you tend to be a little awkward.
[ ] You are short for your age.
[x] You are an isolationist.
[ ] You love to play practical jokes on people.
[ ] You are extremely fascinated with jewelry.
[ ] You look older than your age.
[ ] You love the woods and the mountains.
[ ] You are well off, or come from a family that is well off.
[ ] You have a short temper.
Total: 2

Harpy/Siren:
[ ] You are best at talking bad about people behind their backs and not to their face.
[ ] When you are annoyed, you will go to a great extent to torment whoever did so to you.
[ ] You often take things that aren't yours.
[ ] You are easily angered.
[ ] Death fascinates you.
[ ] You are female, or a feminine-looking man.
[ ] You associate yourself with the wind element.
[ ] You can switch quickly between your light and dark side.
[ ] You love to trick others.
[ ] You have a ravenous appetite.
Total: 0

Mermaid:
[x] You love the beach more so because of the water than the shore itself.
[ ] Fish are some of the most beautiful creatures to you.
[x] The ultimate superpower to you would be to breathe underwater.
[x] You enjoy looking at ships, but not riding them, as well as you like ships for traveling, not hunting in the sea.
[ ] You are good at swimming.
[ ] You like to collect shells.
[ ] You use sea items as jewelry or decoration.
[ ] You enjoy learning about the ocean and the life inside it.
[ ] You are extremely against ocean pollution, and someday, perhaps you will work to stop that.
[x] Legs on land are not as important as a fin in the sea.
Total: 4

Vampire:
[x] You're a night person.
[ ] You have a fascination with blood.
[ ] You are extremely pale.
[ ] You wish you had a bat as a pet.
[ ] You are not religious at all.
[ ] Tight spaces are not scary or uncomfortable for you.
[x] The sun's glare annoys you all too often.
[x] You hate food with lots of garlic in it.
[ ] To you, a kiss on the neck is more romantic than a kiss on the cheek or lips.
[ ] You don't like sharp objects near you.
Total: 3

Werewolf:
[ ] The full moon is the most beautiful scene to you.
[ ] You have a lot of body hair.
[ ] The ability to shape shift is the best superpower to you.
[ ] You prefer gold over silver items.
[ ] You lack self control.
[ ] You find it easier to have sympathy for animals than for humans.
[ ] You have a deep respect for wolves and wild dogs.
[x] You like to be alone.
[ ] You have a terrible secret and you only tell people you trust 100% about it.
[ ] You'd rather be outdoors than indoors.
Total: 1

Wizard/Witch:
[ ] You love chemistry.
[x] You ar... ]]> =mystery-of-sorrow http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/24898396/ http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/24898396/ Fri, 22 May 2009 21:39:59 PDT
Blah.

]]> =mystery-of-sorrow http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/24705642/ http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/24705642/ Mon, 11 May 2009 15:21:06 PDT
I'm taking the summer off from classes. Did you hear? My singer search ended. Someone right here on the old Deviant Art has a wonderful voice and is willing to help out. It's more of that ol' deviant art synergy and whatnot. Who'd a thunk it? So with the time off from homework I have two goals. Record 8 songs for the release, which unfortunately pushes my original July 1 release back to something more like September 1, but I have time now to do this right.

Secondly, I really want to get back to the "Insanity" storyline that's been perplexing me. The extra homework this term just sapped my motivation. In fact I really should get back and do a bit more work before heading out to watch the kids' softball game.

]]> =mystery-of-sorrow http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/24401787/ http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/24401787/ Mon, 04 May 2009 22:07:42 PDT LunaticStar [link]

Thanks. You rock!

]]> =mystery-of-sorrow http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/24339443/ http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/24339443/ Mon, 20 Apr 2009 08:22:06 PDT
Also, response has been decent to my psychology project, but a few more responses wouldn't hurt! I'll call April 25 the cut-off point for that. Much thanks to all who took a few minutes out to help.

This shouldn't take anyone too long, any ages and skill levels are strongly encouraged to respond! Just two questions:


1) As an artist (illustrator, photographer, writer, musician, or any other creative type person), do you feel that "burn-out" is a bigger factor for you to overcome than for most other people. Why?

2) What are some (if any) are your coping strategies for overcoming a period of burn-out?


Please comment below. That's it! That's all I need! Thanks so much in advance!

If anyone wanted to pimp this in their journal so I could get a mega-response, that'd earn you some big-time karma, I'm sure!


• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

ALSO, DON'T FORGET ABOUT MY MUSIC RELEASE ART CONTEST(?!)

Here's the scoop. I'm going to be releasing a three song EP in the course of the next couple of months, July is the target date. The songs are already recorded, I'm just fine tuning the mixes. I'll need some artwork and I'm not in love with anything I have in my own gallery for this.

First, the background on what I'm doing. This will be a "virtual" release and will not be an actual hard-copy disc. It'll be made free to anyone who wants it. I'll encourage downloading and sharing. This is free music based on the "pay it forward" principal: if you like the songs, please send them along to someone else who might like them. (Please?) This idea is based on my theory that recorded music is no longer a valuable commodity. People mostly now expect music to be free. I'm willing to change with the times. Instead of spending huge sums of cash to record a full length CD, and release it through my label, and then beg people to buy it, I've since decided that it is pointless to bother with that. Ultimately, I just would like the opportunity to get my music "out there" and hope someone enjoys it along the way. You never know, someone might enjoy it.

Of course artwork is still important to any music release. One square jpeg of art will be included with the 3 songs in a zip file for people to include the songs with their ipods or mp3 players, included with that will be a text file with song lyrics, art credits, music credits, etc. I can't promise people will pass that package forward with everything intact, but I'm hoping most people will respect the fact that they paid nothing for the release will encourage people to "do the right thing" and pass the credits along.

So where do YOU come in as an artist or stock artist?

Keep in mind, normally I'm opposed to art contests. I've spoken at length about it. Generally, art contests are a way to sucker artists to do free art for no compensation. That said, it also dawned on me that plenty people DO enjoy contests. Some people might wish to have their art featured with a music release just because they would like to. I could do my own design and call it a day, but I'm more than willing to put aside my own delusions of grandeur in favor of some awesome art that'll promote my tunes!

RULES/THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW.

1. I won't pay you, but I'll credit you every chance I get.
2. I'm the judge. My decision is final. Bummer, I know.
3. My music can be heard at [link] the songs I'll be releasing are there, in lame demo form.
4. I won't be surprised if no one hits me up to be involved in this. Really. I wouldn't do it myself.
5. Art should fit a square format. (Duh!)
6. Art should probably appeal to the goth metal crowd. Google Nightwish, Lacuna Coil, Theatre of Tragedy for some examples.
7. Keep in mind there'll need to be room for a logo that reads "Mystery of Sorrow" and an album title.
8. All entries (Ha, yeah, right!) should be received by or on April 30, 2009. (Or so. I'm flexible.)
9. Remember, I'm an indie musician, giving my music away for free. This won't make you rich or famous. You might feel good about yourself, but I won't even promise that much.
10. If you have any questions, feel free to note me.
11. If you're a good female vocalist, there's still time to sing on my music, so no one has to hear me!
12. Please post your entries to your gallery and a... ]]> =mystery-of-sorrow http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/24031614/ http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/24031614/ Thu, 02 Apr 2009 21:05:38 PDT

1) As an artist (illustrator, photographer, writer, musician, or any other creative type person), do you feel that "burn-out" is a bigger factor for you to overcome than for most other people. Why?

2) What are some (if any) are your coping strategies for overcoming a period of burn-out?


Please comment below. That's it! That's all I need! Thanks so much in advance!

If anyone wanted to pimp this in their journal so I could get a mega-response, that'd earn you some big-time karma, I'm sure!


• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

ALSO, DON'T FORGET ABOUT MY MUSIC RELEASE ART CONTEST(?!)

Here's the scoop. I'm going to be releasing a three song EP in the course of the next couple of months, July is the target date. The songs are already recorded, I'm just fine tuning the mixes. I'll need some artwork and I'm not in love with anything I have in my own gallery for this.

First, the background on what I'm doing. This will be a "virtual" release and will not be an actual hard-copy disc. It'll be made free to anyone who wants it. I'll encourage downloading and sharing. This is free music based on the "pay it forward" principal: if you like the songs, please send them along to someone else who might like them. (Please?) This idea is based on my theory that recorded music is no longer a valuable commodity. People mostly now expect music to be free. I'm willing to change with the times. Instead of spending huge sums of cash to record a full length CD, and release it through my label, and then beg people to buy it, I've since decided that it is pointless to bother with that. Ultimately, I just would like the opportunity to get my music "out there" and hope someone enjoys it along the way. You never know, someone might enjoy it.

Of course artwork is still important to any music release. One square jpeg of art will be included with the 3 songs in a zip file for people to include the songs with their ipods or mp3 players, included with that will be a text file with song lyrics, art credits, music credits, etc. I can't promise people will pass that package forward with everything intact, but I'm hoping most people will respect the fact that they paid nothing for the release will encourage people to "do the right thing" and pass the credits along.

So where do YOU come in as an artist or stock artist?

Keep in mind, normally I'm opposed to art contests. I've spoken at length about it. Generally, art contests are a way to sucker artists to do free art for no compensation. That said, it also dawned on me that plenty people DO enjoy contests. Some people might wish to have their art featured with a music release just because they would like to. I could do my own design and call it a day, but I'm more than willing to put aside my own delusions of grandeur in favor of some awesome art that'll promote my tunes!

RULES/THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW.

1. I won't pay you, but I'll credit you every chance I get.
2. I'm the judge. My decision is final. Bummer, I know.
3. My music can be heard at [link] the songs I'll be releasing are there, in demo form.
4. I won't be surprised if no one hits me up to be involved in this. Really. I wouldn't do it myself.
5. Art should fit a square format. (Duh!)
6. Art should probably appeal to the goth metal crowd. Google Nightwish, Lacuna Coil, Theatre of Tragedy for some examples.
7. Keep in mind there'll need to be room for a logo that reads "Mystery of Sorrow" and an album title.
8. All entries (Ha, yeah, right!) should be received by or on April 30, 2009. (Or so. I'm flexible.)
9. Remember, I'm an indie musician, giving my music away for free. This won't make you rich or famous. You might feel good about yourself, but I won't even promise that much.
10. If you have any questions, feel free to note me.
11. If you're a good female vocalist, there's still time to sing on my music, so no one has to hear me!
12. Please post your entries to your gallery and also shoot me a note so I know! I'll link them in future journals. If I get enough entries, heck, I'll go buy a freakin' subscription to display them properly. If I choose your stock, or you as a model, I'll post that in my journal as well, so don't feel left out if you're a stock artist! I'd want you to come to me with your permission to use your stock first. Thanks!
13. It's not likely, but I might win my own contest. I know. That's lame very lame. I'm spending so much time on the music, I don't see myself spending time on art right now.
14. If you win, I may ask to make slight changes to your work. If you say n... ]]> =mystery-of-sorrow http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/23771124/ http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/23771124/ Wed, 18 Mar 2009 20:34:34 PDT
Honestly, I'm not against a guy making a fair buck, and DA is certainly offering a service and advertising helps pays for it. In fact, I don't mind the ads at all, myself. Over time I've learned to navigate the complexities of Deviant Art and essentially just ignore the ads. However, as a paying customer, my chief complaint is I don't want Deviant Art ads competing with my own artwork for the attention of viewers of my gallery. I'd gladly pay the price of admission to have the ads removed.

So while I enjoy the DA community to a certain extent, the entirely-too-aggressive advertising is at odds with what I'd like to see in a paid-for subscription. I wonder, does anyone else feel the same way?

While I'm at it, anyone out there use an alternative site to host their art? I've tried a few others and haven't been impressed. Just curious...

]]> =mystery-of-sorrow http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/23651279/ http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/23651279/ Wed, 11 Mar 2009 20:49:54 PDT
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Man, I'm just blah. Work, college, homework. Psych books. Just finished moving the art and music studio upstairs and now? I just don't feel like doing anything right now. Well, except listening to new tunes. Lately it's been: Nemesea, Entwine, Porcupine Tree, Stream of Passion, Zeromancer, and anything else.

Ugh, someone inspire me. Or something. Quick. I'm too old for burnout and whatnot. Blah. Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, blabbity, blah, blah, blah, blah.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
MYSTERY OF FEATURES!

Symphony X - Montreal 2008 by *MrSyn

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
CLUBS

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ]]> =mystery-of-sorrow http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/23424852/ http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/23424852/ Thu, 26 Feb 2009 22:03:03 PST
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Been listening to a lot of new music lately. I like to find good bands that are up and coming. I was into Dream Theater, Lacuna Coil, and Nightwish before any of them had really broke. I'm always looking for more, too. Generally my music tastes stays in the realm of progressive metal, symphonic metal, art/prog rck, jazz-fusion, or gothic metal. So if that piques your interest, read on:



LUNATICA - "New Shores" - With a name that has Lunatic in it, I was expecting something ridiculous, but got something skillful instead. Love the cover art. Symphonic art rock with touches of metal, mostly female vocals. Very talented band. A bit more uplifting than what I normally listen to. John Payne of Asia guests on a track, and every now and then I'm certain I hear Steve Howe... I wonder.

UnSun - "The End of Life" - Here's one for the Evanescence crowd. Their track "Whispers" is on Youtube. Really catchy. The hot blond singer is probably the weakest link of the band. The guitarist (known for his other band Vader) demonstrates focus song-writing here and great hooks. His guitars are nice and chunky.

SILENTIUM - "Amortean" This gets a thumbs up, too. I think these guys used to be a gothic-death metal outfit, but went the way of a symphonic female-fronted band instead.

THE AGONIST - "Lullabies For the Dormant" - Highly technical thrash/death metal with female vocals. She death the death screams, which is a shame because she CAN sing, and mixes that in usually on chorus parts. I'm not a big fan of the cookie monster vocals, and take that out of the equation and this would be an awesome band. Hope when they mature they outgrow all the ridiculous screaming and keep the awesome and technical songwriting.

MERCENARY - "Architect of Lies" - Melodic thrash progressive metal?! Almost defies categorization. Some death vocal elements, but a whole lot more moments of Halford-esque awesomeness, which makes the cookie-growl sort of a harmony part, really. Plenty of double bass drums, tricky guitar riffing and raw power all intelligently crafted into good songs.

ALAN HOLDSWORTH - "Metal Fatigue" - dug this old fusion classic out of the vault for a refresher. This could have been released yesterday, it's still musically valid. There'd be no Van Halen without this guy.


That's what I got. What about you?

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
MYSTERY OF FEATURES!

Beautiful Darkness by ~Zuleta

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
CLUBS

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ]]> =mystery-of-sorrow http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/23276589/ http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/23276589/ Wed, 18 Feb 2009 17:48:59 PST
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Well, I expected I'd be able to say I told you so, but in my worst nightmares I never imagined it would be this soon and this obvious. Are people really still cheering for Obama? Is this the big "change" we all wanted? A $787 Billion dollar middle class tax burden?! No, it is just more of the same. It will get worse, too. Just watch. Remember, Uncle Fritz did try to warn you.

Please take a minute to read the following brief statement about what is really happening. Four more years, then maybe we can vote the Washington status quo OUT of their offices and vote for some REAL change!

----

"Yesterday, Barack Obama signed the $787 BILLION “stimulus” bill into law. This marks his first major legislative action, but just one of many already broken campaign promises.

He promised transparency and accountability in the legislative process, but the details of the bill were negotiated in closed-door sessions. Then, only a very limited number of physical copies were made available.

In addition, lawmakers had less than 24 hours to review the over 1,000 page bill before the vote was taken, hardly enough time to read a bill with such critical implications for our economy.

So far, one thing is clear from these early weeks of the Obama administration:

Barack Obama has brought no real change to Washington.

He is continuing the reckless spending and out of control debt of the last administration. He is playing the usual Washington games of partisan bickering and exempting those who work for him from standards required of every other American. His “stimulus” is packed with lobbyist payoffs and special-interest pork.

Barack Obama is right about one thing – we ARE facing a serious economic crisis. But he is wrong that “only government can break the vicious cycle.”

Big Government economic policies are the cause of the cycle, not the solution!

Reckless spending and socialist meddling will only prolong the economic turmoil our government has created. We cannot allow the new administration to continue down this same destructive path.

Only fiscal restraint, free markets, and individual liberty can return us to stability and prosperity." -- John Tate, President of Campaign for Liberty"

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
MYSTERY OF FEATURES!

Beautiful Darkness by ~Zuleta

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
CLUBS

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ]]> =mystery-of-sorrow http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/22989315/ http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/22989315/ Tue, 03 Feb 2009 17:42:28 PST
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

So I discovered late yesterday I had gotten my second DD. How cool is that? (Pretty cool.) Last time around I picked it up for "The Abortion" and that sort of became a double edged sword because all sorts of folks came a knockin' , looking for a debate. Abortion debates usually don't end well, take it from me. It is a hot topic and people get pretty heated about it. Still, I (stupidly) felt the need to take on all comers and it became exasperating. Not that I wasn't appreciative, but, well, you can imagine.

"His deviation with the most comments is 'the abortion' with 504 comments, while his most favourited one is 'New Eden - A Mystery of Sorrow', with 257 favourites. His most viewed deviation is 'the abortion' with 10,663 views." 'New Eden - A Mystery of Sorrow' Picked up about 3,700 views or so just yesterday.

This time around was a whole different and completely positive experience. No negativity, just people checking out artwork. And checking out artwork is really the whole point of all this anyways, right? So yeah, I'm feeling pretty good. A gi-normous thanks to Randy Jones for suggesting my art! And do me and yourself a favor and check out HIS work at =rjonesdesign! Believe me, it is all kinds of awesomeness.

Anyways, the moral to the story? When you see a good work, suggest it. I've had two of my own suggestions (that I know of) earn DDs, so it does happen. You know, pay it forward and all that.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
MYSTERY OF FEATURES!

The Ace of Spades by =rjonesdesign

Sticky by =rjonesdesign

Las Vegas Super Convention by =rjonesdesign


• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
CLUBS

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ]]> =mystery-of-sorrow http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/22458463/ http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/22458463/ Wed, 07 Jan 2009 18:31:05 PST
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Here's my annual top 5 for 2008! you can play along, too!

It's that time of year again. Time for my patented top five list. I've been doing this since my hormones first kicked in. A top five women list. Most guys do this. Women probably have a top 5 guys list. For all i know there's a top 5 multi-trans gendered list. Either way, anyone can play.

Here's the thing though. I have a few rules.

RULE 1: First rule of top five, don't talk about top five. [you'll piss off your wife, girlfriend, mother, daughter and or any other woman in your life. ladies this goes for you, too. i can tell you we don't care how hot you think Nicholas Cage is. We'll just tell you he's gay.]

RULE 2: The women on the list should be completely unattainable by you.

RULE 3: The women on the list should be significant in popular culture to the point that most people will know who you are speaking of and can identify with. This way you and your buddies can spend fun filled hour after hour arguing about your list.

RULE 4: The women on the list should actually be alive and breathing.

RULE 5: This ISN'T just a hot babe list. The women your top 5 list should do something for you other than just stand there being 'hot'. They should perhaps like things you like, participate in sports you enjoy, write books you like. this might require a bit more thought than just another who's hot list. For example all strippers, whores and porn stars are immediately disqualified. Why? because they're all having sex with any other man on the planet but you.

Easy enough? here then, counting down in order, is my TOP FIVE.



5. Sarah Palin - It is the glasses I tell you. Seriously, if you're as anti-liberal as I am, how can Sarah Palin NOT make the list. Sure, I wasn't born yesterday and I'm completely aware that she's not even remotely qualified for the VP job, but remember that neither is Obama. All you ladies followed Oprah's orders and voted for him, so cut just me a bit of slack, okay? Just this once? Please? Thanks. I appreciate it.


4. Ali Larter - "Niki" on Heroes. I never quite understood exactly what her "power" was, other being a complete psycho. Being a psycho is a good way way to get on my top-five list. Do it in a comic themed show or movie, it's almost a given!


3. Tricia Helfer - Cylon No. 6, from Battlestar Galactica. Here's a twist on my psycho theme. Not only is she a Cylon (c'mon, it's geek heaven) but she's also the psychotic manifestation of Dr. Baltar, who himself is a complete hit job. (Okay, maybe I have issues, but you probably voted for Obama, so we're even.)


2. Vibeke Stene - (pronounced vih-beh-kie) Singer of Tristania. I have a thing for female fronted bands from Norway and Finland. It is a long standing tradition. As far as I know, she's not a complete psycho, which is why she isn't number one.


1. Isla Fisher - (pronounced eye-la) She's this year's number one. You might have seen her in Wedding Crashers. She played a complete psycho. Spotting the trend? I knew you would.

There we go. My official top 5 for 2008.

Previous winners have included:
Kate Beckinsale
Rachel Ray
Sharon Den Adel
Annette Olzen
Melanie Lynskey
Jessica Alba
Jennifer Garner
Amy Lee
Liv Kristine
Cristina Scabbia
Christina Applegate
Catherine Zeta Jones
Rebecca Stamos (or whatever she's calling... ]]> =mystery-of-sorrow http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/22338193/ http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/22338193/ Thu, 01 Jan 2009 17:23:23 PST
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

So my 2009 retrospect is as follows:

NEW EDEN: A MYSTERY OF SORROW

The graphic novel is underway. It has been slow go, but I'm now able to look at six full pages of story and art. I'm about half through with the inks. Out of the proposed 100+ pages, that puts me only at 6% done. It is frustrating to say the least, but I knew that going into this project that it would take years to accomplish with the limited time I have to work on this project. Especially since I wanted to do a highly detailed black and white book. Still, a year or so ago, I only had an idea and a vision.

INSANITY

Two and a half chapters. That's it. Of course I don't claim to be any kind of novelist. In fact I'd almost consider that insulting to someone who is. Still, it is fun to try. Like all things I try, I tend to go over board. A great deal of this story is outlined in my head and let me tell you, it is entirely too complex for me to try to tell. I am still certain that a complete fail is the only possible outcome. Still, much to Ann's dismay, this is a secondary project, and I'll only work on it when I feel motivated to do so. No sense forcing it, right?

MYSTERY OF SORROW (my music project)

I've recently come to the conclusion that my music endeavors will all mostly be solo efforts. Living in a small town where country music is what old folks perform and cheesy emo-punk is what the kids do. These are the only two forms of original music that are even pursued in town. This leaves me pretty much out in the cold. Oh wait, I could play classic rock covers in a bar for free beer. Um, NOT! So mystery of sorrow is now relegated to third priority status. I still like doing music, but it has pretty much become a pointless and selfish endeavor since really, no one cares. With songs downloaded for free on the internet, and just an insane amount of music fighting for attention, music really is no longer even a viable career choice. Unless you are either incredibly skilled, or incredibly good-looking.

I did, however, recently purchase a new bass. Standard four string Ibanez. I love playing the slap funk style on that thing. Look forward to recording with the thing some time.

So anyways, Let's hope this year brings me closer to finishing those projects and blah, blah, and blabbitty blah.

Hey grab a look at the feature there below, too. I'm so glad to see Dave Sim represented on Deviant Art, as he has been one of my major inspirations since all the way back to high school. Do check out his work for certain!

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
MYSTERY OF FEATURES!

Swoon by ~Dave-Sim
(This is a "recreation" of an old Cerebus page drawn and written by Dave Sim!)

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CLUBS

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • ]]> =mystery-of-sorrow http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/21703446/ http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/21703446/ Thu, 27 Nov 2008 17:19:25 PST
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Sick. On Thanksgiving. Joy. So while everyone is stuffing their faces with, um, stuffing, the very sight of food is pretty much repulsive to me. So, my day was spent crashed on the bed with an overly attentive border collie. Sat through the Lions game. That slaughter was briefly amusing. Then I caught some more Jerry Springer shows. Just like I had done pretty much the whole day previously.

I don't know about everyone else, but when I'm sick, you pretty much park the dumb TV on any old channel, and hope something comes on to take your mind of the general suffering of the day. Jerry Springer, Maurey, Steve Wilkos, all those shows are great for that. Where they get that many losers that are willing to humiliate themselves on TV is beyond me. I'll say this though, I now have plenty to be thankful for. Thankful I'm not on Springer.

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MYSTERY OF FEATURES!

Hammer Time by =King-Cheetah
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CLUBS

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Help support Ann by proudly displaying this stamp in your journal!

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
IMPORTANT LINKS
my art prints • [link]
my original recorded music • [link] [link]
myspace • [link]
comicspace • [link]
progmetal • [link]
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

YOUR BRAINS
... are on tonight's menu!!!


• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

David Ayala began drawing at an early age, He attended the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art, Inc. He has since worked as a graphic artist for nearly 20 years. He is proficient in illustration, comic book art, graphics software such as Corel Draw, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop. He also does caricatures at local events and has a professional background designing interior and exterior casino signs and casino gaming tokens. He really wants to eat your brains. ]]> =mystery-of-sorrow http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/21363984/ http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/21363984/ Thu, 06 Nov 2008 19:57:06 PST DAVID "BAT" AYALA

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Okay, Ann is a feisty one. I've tried to put her on the back burner while I worked on some music projects, but she shoved her way back to the front of my brain. My college work load should die down at least for the next week or two, so I should be able to get a few segments of this out. I have a ton of editing to do. Most notably is changing Maynard's name back to Raymond, like he was supposed to be. Ugh, how did I screw that one up???

So, for the five or six of you that were following along, I hope you'll enjoy, let the "Insanity" continue. The roller coaster ride is just getting started.

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MYSTERY OF FEATURES!

"Bad Mutha Wizard" by *davidmacdowell

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
CLUBS

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Help support Ann by proudly displaying this stamp in your journal!

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
IMPORTANT LINKS
my art prints • [link]
my original recorded music • [link] [link]
myspace • [link]
comicspace • [link]
progmetal • [link]
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

YOUR BRAINS
... are on tonight's menu!!!


• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

David Ayala began drawing at an early age, He attended the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art, Inc. He has since worked as a graphic artist for nearly 20 years. He is proficient in illustration, comic book art, graphics software such as Corel Draw, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop. He also does caricatures at local events and has a professional background designing interior and exterior casino signs and casino gaming tokens. He really wants to eat your brains. ]]> =mystery-of-sorrow http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/21310258/ http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/21310258/ Tue, 04 Nov 2008 00:22:32 PST DAVID "BAT" AYALA

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Say NO to socialism. Say NO to the extreme left, but also, say NO to more of the same.

Avoid the left/right paradigm. NOW is the time. Vote independent. If you appreciate and respect the Constitution, then there is only one credible choice left, since Ron Paul is out of the race. Mr. Paul endorsed Chuck Baldwin and the Constitution Party. Now, Mr. Baldwin certainly does not have the numbers to win, but there is a bigger point to be made. It is time to put the fear in the big-two parties that have both consistently failed this nation for decades. Don't fall into the trap of "voting for the lesser of two evils", BOTH parties have been doing this nation wrong for years. Vote for the right candidate. Every person that votes against BOTH of the crap parties shows the nation that we are tired of the status quo. Vote for REAL change.

For all their talk of "change," neither major political party as presently constituted challenges the status quo in any serious way. Neither treats the Constitution with anything but contempt. Neither offers any kind of change in monetary policy. Neither wants to make the reductions in government that our crushing debt burden demands. Neither talks about bringing American troops home not just from Iraq but from around the world. Our country is going bankrupt, and none of these sensible proposals are even on the table.

Voting for Chuck Baldwin is the only way to make a real difference. By making his numbers high, that is the only way for the common man to show whomever wins the election that this nation is serious about a return to Constitutional principals.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
MYSTERY OF FEATURES!
(mystery of features is on vacation until after the election.)

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
CLUBS

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Help support Ann by proudly displaying this stamp in your journal!

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
IMPORTANT LINKS
my art prints • [link]
my original recorded music • [link] [link]
myspace • [link]
comicspace • [link]
progmetal • [link]
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

YOUR BRAINS
... are on tonight's menu!!!


• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

David Ayala began drawing at an early age, He attended the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphi... ]]> =mystery-of-sorrow http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/21245657/ http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/21245657/ Fri, 31 Oct 2008 09:12:50 PDT DAVID "BAT" AYALA

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It would be so convenient for me, if Deviant Art catered to musicians as well as artists, as then my DA account could be a one stop shop for all my creative endeavors, but alas, it doesn't appear that will happen any time soon.

Virtually all my free time has been involved creating music, I have about three more songs to put vocals to, then I should be back here more often, working on "Insanity" and perhaps even uploading a bit of "New Eden". (I know, promises, promises!) I do, however, still check this account daily and view all of YOUR works!

For now, I humbly beg you to grab a listen to my latest creation, "Thirteen" at:

[link]

Thanks!!!

(and please consider voting Independent, for Chuck Baldwin, the U.S.'s last hope for four years!)

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MYSTERY OF FEATURES!

Black Cat by ~Mariah-Benes

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
CLUBS

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Help support Ann by proudly displaying this stamp in your journal!

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
IMPORTANT LINKS
my art prints • [link]
my original recorded music • [link] [link]
myspace • [link]
comicspace • [link]
progmetal • [link]
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

YOUR BRAINS
... are on tonight's menu!!!


• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

David Ayala began drawing at an early age, He attended the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art, Inc. He has since worked as a graphic artist for nearly 20 years. He is proficient in illustration, comic book art, graphics software such as Corel Draw, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop. He also does caricatures at local events and has a professional background designing interior and exterior casino signs and casino gaming tokens. He really wants to eat your brains. ]]> =mystery-of-sorrow http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/21045325/ http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/21045325/ Sat, 18 Oct 2008 10:21:26 PDT DAVID "BAT" AYALA

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Andy "Danger" Ruble was kind and gracious enough to interview me the third issue of the Ottumwa Scene Online. I can't thank him enough!

Mostly discussed were my musical endeavors, but he also featured some of my artworks as well. I've provided a link below for those interested, stalkers, bored people, or anyone else I might have left out!

[link]

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MYSTERY OF FEATURES!

Valkyrie by *devkimdemulder:

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CLUBS

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Help support Ann by proudly displaying this stamp in your journal!

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
IMPORTANT LINKS
my art prints • [link]
my original recorded music • [link] [link]
myspace • [link]
comicspace • [link]
progmetal • [link]
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

YOUR BRAINS
... are on tonight's menu!!!


• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

David Ayala began drawing at an early age, He attended the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art, Inc. He has since worked as a graphic artist for nearly 20 years. He is proficient in illustration, comic book art, graphics software such as Corel Draw, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop. He also does caricatures at local events and has a professional background designing interior and exterior casino signs and casino gaming tokens. He really wants to eat your brains. ]]> =mystery-of-sorrow http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/21004636/ http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/21004636/ Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:22:07 PDT DAVID "BAT" AYALA

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While I was working on my unfinished symphony, I took some time out to finish another song that was previously instrumental. I finally gave up looking for a singer and just did it myself. So, if you're so inclined, I humbly invite you to take a listen to the finished version of "Asylum" here:

[link]

Remember, Asylum is also a featured track on [link] , which is a novel called jon.com that you ought to be reading by *denlm. I ought to be reading it, too.

Also, for the few of you who were reading "Insanity", don't worry, I'll be coming back to it shortly, do you really think Ann would let me stop telling her story?

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
MYSTERY OF FEATURES!

existentialism 1 by *jkd-kat

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
CLUBS

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Help support Ann by proudly displaying this stamp in your journal!

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
IMPORTANT LINKS
my art prints • [link]
my original recorded music • [link] [link]
myspace • [link]
comicspace • [link]
progmetal • [link]
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

YOUR BRAINS
... are one hundred percent recyclable!!


• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

David Ayala began drawing at an early age, He attended the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art, Inc. He has since worked as a graphic artist for nearly 20 years. He is proficient in illustration, comic book art, graphics software such as Corel Draw, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop. He also does caricatures at local events and has a professional background designing interior and exterior casino signs and casino gaming tokens. He really wants to eat your brains. ]]> =mystery-of-sorrow http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/20657393/ http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/20657393/ Wed, 24 Sep 2008 18:28:48 PDT DAVID "BAT" AYALA
(the artist formerly known as Fritz)
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You all should have voted for Ron Paul. I told you so. Take a look at the current financial mess we're in. Neither nominee, Beavis OR Butthead have a clue what to do.

I'm signed up for updates from Ron Paul's Campaign For Liberty, and here's a letter, in full, from Ron that ought to be read by everyone. If we could only get our elected leaders to get over themselves long enough to pay attention to this. If only.

• • • • •

Dear Friends,

Whenever a Great Bipartisan Consensus is announced, and a compliant media assures everyone that the wondrous actions of our wise leaders are being taken for our own good, you can know with absolute certainty that disaster is about to strike.

The events of the past week are no exception.

The bailout package that is about to be rammed down Congress' throat is not just economically foolish. It is downright sinister. It makes a mockery of our Constitution, which our leaders should never again bother pretending is still in effect. It promises the American people a never-ending nightmare of ever-greater debt liabilities they will have to shoulder. Two weeks ago, financial analyst Jim Rogers said the bailout of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac made America more communist than China! "This is welfare for the rich," he said. "This is socialism for the rich. It's bailing out the financiers, the banks, the Wall Streeters."

That describes the current bailout package to a T. And we're being told it's unavoidable.

The claim that the market caused all this is so staggeringly foolish that only politicians and the media could pretend to believe it. But that has become the conventional wisdom, with the desired result that those responsible for the credit bubble and its predictable consequences - predictable, that is, to those who understand sound, Austrian economics - are being let off the hook. The Federal Reserve System is actually positioning itself as the savior, rather than the culprit, in this mess!

• The Treasury Secretary is authorized to purchase up to $700 billion in mortgage-related assets at any one time. That means $700 billion is only the very beginning of what will hit us.

• Financial institutions are "designated as financial agents of the Government." This is the New Deal to end all New Deals.

• Then there's this: "Decisions by the Secretary pursuant to the authority of this Act are non-reviewable and committed to agency discretion, and may not be reviewed by any court of law or any administrative agency." Translation: the Secretary can buy up whatever junk debt he wants to, burden the American people with it, and be subject to no one in the process.

There goes your country.

Even some so-called free-market economists are calling all this "sadly necessary." Sad, yes. Necessary? Don't make me laugh.

Our one-party system is complicit in yet another crime against the American people. The two major party candidates for president themselves initially indicated their strong support for bailouts of this kind - another example of the big choice we're supposedly presented with this November: yes or yes. Now, with a backlash brewing, they're not quite sure what their views are. A sad display, really.

Although the present bailout package is almost certainly not the end of the political atrocities we'll witness in connection with the crisis, time is short. Congress may vote as soon as tomorrow. With a Rasmussen poll finding support for the bailout at an anemic seven percent, some members of Congress are afraid to vote for it. Call them! Let them hear from you! Tell them you will never vote for anyone who supports this atrocity.

The issue boils down to this: do we care about freedom? Do we care about responsibility and accountability? Do we care that our government and media have been bought and paid for? Do we care that average Americans are about to be looted in order to subsidize the fattest of cats on Wall Street and in government? Do we care?

When the chips are down, will we stand up and fight, even if it means standing up against every stripe of fashionable opinion in politics and the media?

Times like these have a way of telling us what kind of a people we are, and what kind of country we shall be.

In liberty,

Ron Paul

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
MYSTERY OF FEATURES!

...this space still for rent!

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CLUBS
=mystery-of-sorrow http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/20612261/ http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/20612261/ Mon, 22 Sep 2008 01:51:35 PDT DAVID "BAT" AYALA
(the artist formerly known as Fritz)
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

I'm back. After about a two year hiatus from music, I'm back. Can't say how long and can't say how successful I'll be, but for now, I'm going to take some time and (try to) finish up my "unfinished symphony." Of course, almost no one on dA listens to my music, but this is all about closure for me, no one else.

...but let me elaborate a bit.

First off, my hands are probably shot. I've been fighting carpel/arthritis or something for years now. I don't know what it is honestly, but at times, it hurts. As a musician, let me tell you, that is that kind of hurt that doesn't just hurt in the hands. Also, my entire life I've also struggled with a musical identity of sorts. In my band situations, I've never gotten to be the star player. No, I'm the jack of all trades, the unsung hero. My musical training is actually on the saxophone, but of course the sax is pretty much a pointless instrument these days, reserved only for jazz music, and 95% of the Earth's population hates jazz. So, I picked up the bass, inspired by Geddy, like most bassists. For over 13 years, I played some bass (but that's probably what blew out my hands), then switched to keys (even though I'm not much of a keyboard player, I gave it my best), wrote and demoed some songs on guitar, but was never quite good enough to BE a guitarist (everyone and their uncle plays guitar). I've even been the "interim" lead singer for a band that didn't want me to be the singer, but I sucked it up and did the job anyway, just to move the project forward. Then , as my reward, I got to listen to the abusive comments like "you should get a real singer". Well, duh, if I could find one who wasn't strung out on meth, or whipped by his girl friend, I'd be happy to step aside. Band needed lyrics? I got that job done, too, but let me tell you, me and lyrics never got along. All this while spending years of my life waiting for a drummer to get off his lazy butt and get over his whiny self and come to a rehearsal or two so me and my friends could play a show or two... you know, just for fun. All that aside, what is it that I do? Well, I write music. I arrange parts, I put things together and I do the things no one else can, or are willing do to. I'm the ultimate team player. I have a producer's ear, actually, but without an engineer's ability or training. And for quite a while, that was good enough.

Then I moved to Ottumwa, Iowa (I know, I know) and I had heard the midwest was supposed to have this incredible work ethic. So, I put out all the feelers I could, did my best to network, and with my personality type, this is not an easy task. And you know what? I got nothing. Absolutely nothing, okay, a crack addict here, a flake there, and a couple of good natured people stopped by. Now, not to be egotistical, but I'm aware that I'm at least pretty good at what I do. So, I put my nose to the grindstome, recorded a dozen songs, went to sing them and realized once again, my vocals just weren't going to cut it and I really wanted a female lead, just like I'd wanted WAY BEFORE Evanescence hit the scene. So I attempted to find some singers. For all intents and purposes I found no one really ready to sit down and work. (So much for the midwest work ethic.)

So, I gave up. I went back to college, and let the other half of my split personality (the artist) run wild for a while. In hindsight, probably a smart move. I took a stab at doing some comic book work, but it is so time consuming, with virtually no chance of any kind of pay off. Currently, I'm even trying my hand at writing a book, and that's coming along well, even if amateurish, I'm at least enjoying the process and don't have to depend on anyone to do it.

But...

Years ago, I wrote this song, I called it "Pariah". It's on my music page. It's kind of an instrumental, progressive, guitar-wank fest. That's also when I discovered I'd never write another 'rog song' again? Why? Well, if you know the progressive scene at all, too many of them stick their noses so high in the air it is a wonder they don't drown when it rains. No matter what you do, no matter how complex the work... these so called fans of the genre gripe and complain. You just have to know these fans to get what I'm saying. I found in other genres, my music was enjoyed... without all the snobbery. You can imagine how that might feel, to be appreciated. To have your work enjoyed. It's almost equivalent to cash! (That's a joke, mostly.)

But...

I have this one song. I shelved it a few years ago. Sounded quite a bit like something Symphony X would do.... ]]> =mystery-of-sorrow http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/20533840/ http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/20533840/ Wed, 17 Sep 2008 08:17:56 PDT DAVID "BAT" AYALA
(the artist formerly known as Fritz)
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

I believe we pay sports heroes and movie stars entirely too much money for doing the least worthwhile thing in society.

I believe that art without an audience is painful, but the most probable outcome.

I believe in God we trust.

I believe I'll have another slice of pie.

I believe the rich control the government, but would we really want the poor to control it?

I believe women were put on this earth to drive men insane, and I believe they succeeded many centuries ago.

I believe it takes a whole lot more faith to believe in evolution than it does to believe in creationism.

I believe we all should judge people, otherwise we couldn't have any friends.

I believe most people are happy to be lied to, but most of those people would deny it.

I believe the earth is warming, just like it does every summer. I believe it cools again, just like it does every winter.

I believe separating church from state is like separating wet from water.

I believe having a great deal of money will ultimately make most people less happy.

I believe no one should be made to feel alone, and no one should be made to feel they're ugly.

I believe it isn't self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness, but it should be.

Most importantly, I believe people are going to believe what they WANT to believe, regardless of the facts.

What do you believe?

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
MYSTERY OF FEATURES!

Atrocity Exhibition by ~le-romancier-garou

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
CLUBS

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Help support Ann by proudly displaying this stamp in your journal!

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
IMPORTANT LINKS
my art prints • [link]
my original recorded music • [link] [link]
myspace • [link]
comicspace • [link]
progmetal • [link]
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

YOUR BRAINS
... are one hundred percent recyclable!!


•... ]]> =mystery-of-sorrow http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/20331373/ http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/20331373/ Thu, 04 Sep 2008 20:01:23 PDT DAVID "BAT" AYALA
(the artist formerly known as Fritz)
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

I will be doing caricatures again. This time at the Walk on Art Street on September 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. along Third Street near Central Park.

Same deal as last time. You come, put your butt in a chair, I'll publicly humiliate you on paper for all your friends and family to see. It'll be a merry old time! Bring friends... and cash.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
MYSTERY OF FEATURES!

Lahaina by ~Jaxita

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
CLUBS

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Help support Ann by proudly displaying this stamp in your journal!

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
IMPORTANT LINKS
my art prints • [link]
my original recorded music • [link] [link]
myspace • [link]
comicspace • [link]
progmetal • [link]
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

YOUR BRAINS
... are magically delicious!


• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

David Ayala began drawing at an early age, He attended the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art, Inc. He has since worked as a graphic artist for nearly 20 years. He is proficient in illustration, comic book art, graphics software such as Corel Draw, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop. He also does caricatures at local events and has a professional background designing interior and exterior casino signs and casino gaming tokens. He really wants to eat your brains. ]]> =mystery-of-sorrow http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/20049952/ http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/20049952/ Tue, 19 Aug 2008 21:25:06 PDT DAVID "BAT" AYALA
(the artist formerly known as Fritz)
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Here's what you do: list your top 20 favorite songs of all time in your journal. This way I can see yours, too. The only rule: you can't use anymore than one song by the same artist. So everyone grab your ipods and load up your limewires, because I tag EVERYONE for this.

(As you can see, I ordered mine, which I realize is incredibly OCD. I don't expect everyone to pull that one off.)


21. "Higher Than God" -by- King's X

20. "The Cry" -by- White Heart

19. "Return" -by- Braindance

18. "Left Here" -by- Fates Warning

17. "Five Magics" -by- Megadeth

16. "Free" -by- O.S.I.

15. "Strange Machines" -by- the Gathering

14. "Deliverence" -by- Opeth

13. "You Fly" -by Vanden Plas

12. "The Howling" -by- Within Temptation

11. "I Return" -by- Nightingale (Dan Swano)

10. "Transitory" -by- After Forever

9. "The Sound of Silence" -by- Nevermore

8. "Undetermined" -by- the Quiet Room

7. "Lock and Key" -by- Rush

6. "Karma" -by- Kamelot

5. "Of Sins & Shadows" -by- Symphomy X

4. "Bye Bye Beautiful" -by- Nightwish

3. "Honor Thy Father" -by- Dream Theater

2. "Heir of a Dying Day" -by- Lacuna Coil

1. "Cassandra" - by - Theatre of Tragedy

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
MYSTERY OF FEATURES!

handinneres by *jkd-kat

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
CLUBS

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Help support Ann by proudly displaying this stamp in your journal!

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
IMPORTANT LINKS
my art prints • [link]
my original recorded music • [link] [link]
myspace • [link]
comicspace • [link]
progmetal • [link]
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

YOUR BRAINS
... are magically delicious!


• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •<... ]]> =mystery-of-sorrow http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/19863875/ http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/19863875/ Sat, 09 Aug 2008 14:34:10 PDT DAVID "BAT" AYALA
(the artist formerly known as Fritz)
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So, you clicked the "watch this artist" button to see me pop out a drawing or two, maybe a photoshop manipulation, but then suddenly -- dum dum dummmm. I start popping out all these Insanity stories. Well, I'm not disappointing anyone. My writing skills are definitely among the amateur rankings.

Here's the deal. Over the course of the past several years, I've had four major stories going through my head. The oldest of these is "Insanity" featuring the title character Ann Zanity (which phonetically should quite a bit like saying insanity.) The other three stories were of course "Clock Girl", who is a super hero parody and really, that's just been overdone. Also I toyed around with a horror concept called "The Diaries of Hellana" but that is far too difficult and complex for me to write at this point. For my graphic novel project (A.K.A. The World's Slowest Graphic Novel) I've dubbed it "New Eden: A Mystery of Sorrow" but finding time to work on it is rare with college and whatnot.

So that brings me back full circle back to Ann. She said to me, "Hey, Fritz." she's known me long enough to call me that, "tell my story."

I said, "Shut up."

That didn't work so well, so here we are.

Again, apologies to those of my watchers who were expecting to see something a bit more visual.

Sorry.

Help support Ann by proudly displaying this stamp in your journal!



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MYSTERY OF FEATURES!

HAI 'M KENNY ROGERS by =jtorcaz
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CLUBS

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IMPORTANT LINKS
my art prints • [link]
my original recorded music • [link] [link]
myspace • [link]
comicspace • [link]
progmetal • [link]
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YOUR BRAINS
... are magically delicious!


• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

David Ayala began drawing at an early age, He atten... ]]> =mystery-of-sorrow http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/19299066/ http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/19299066/ Wed, 09 Jul 2008 19:51:08 PDT DAVID "BAT" AYALA
(the artist formerly known as Fritz)
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Why no art...? Because I'm beat, that's why. Just turned thirty-nine the other day (that's a lot of candles to blow.) I just started Comp II and have two research papers to write in six weeks. I also started a workout program which averages out to about two hours a day, five days a week. I'm on week four and boy are my arms tired. So my graphic novel has fell by the wayside yet again. I can't imagine being able to seriously work on it until after all this college-ness is out of the way. Still, there's that one panel that's almost done. I should really just spend the hour that's left on it so I can get it up here.

Also, take heed! I will be doing caricatures at the "Sand In The City" event here in Ottumwa. So, if you'd like to generally be made fun of, then tip me for it... come on down to the Bridgeview Center on 26th and 27th of July. Oh, they'll be making sand sculptures too, at least that's what I hear.

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MYSTERY OF FEATURES!

Aspen by *RandyGreen
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CLUBS

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IMPORTANT LINKS
my art prints • [link]
my original recorded music • [link] [link]
myspace • [link]
comicspace • [link]
progmetal • [link]
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

YOUR BRAINS
... are magically delicious!


• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

David Ayala began drawing at an early age, He attended the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art, Inc. He has since worked as a graphic artist for nearly 20 years. He is proficient in illustration, comic book art, graphics software such as Corel Draw, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop. He also does caricatures at local events and has a professional background designing interior and exterior casino signs and casino gaming tokens. He really wants to eat your brains. ]]> =mystery-of-sorrow http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/19091458/ http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/19091458/ Sat, 28 Jun 2008 11:17:17 PDT DAVID "BAT" AYALA
(the artist formerly known as Fritz)
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Fathom creator and mega-popular comicbook artist Michael Turner tragically passed away last night, June 27th at approximately 10:42 pm in Santa Monica, Ca. Turner had been dealing with recent health complications arisen in the past few weeks.

Man, I'm bummed about this.

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MYSTERY OF FEATURES!

Fathom in Colors by ~ernestj23
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CLUBS

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
IMPORTANT LINKS
my art prints • [link]
my original recorded music • [link] [link]
myspace • [link]
comicspace • [link]
progmetal • [link]
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

YOUR BRAINS
... are magically delicious!


• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

David Ayala began drawing at an early age, He attended the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art, Inc. He has since worked as a graphic artist for nearly 20 years. He is proficient in illustration, comic book art, graphics software such as Corel Draw, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop. He also does caricatures at local events and has a professional background designing interior and exterior casino signs and casino gaming tokens. He really wants to eat your brains. ]]> =mystery-of-sorrow http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/18939580/ http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/18939580/ Thu, 19 Jun 2008 22:34:42 PDT DAVID "BAT" AYALA
(the artist formerly known as Fritz)
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Leave a comment here and I will (eventually):

a) Tell you why I watched you
b) Associate you with something - fandom, a song, a color, a photo, etc...
c) Tell you something I like about you
d) Tell you a memory I have of you
e) Ask something I've always wanted to know about you
f) In return, you must post this in your journal. Or don't. It's all good.

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MYSTERY OF FEATURES!

Thalia Neurise by ~Syreene
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CLUBS

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
IMPORTANT LINKS
my art prints • [link]
my original recorded music • [link] [link]
myspace • [link]
comicspace • [link]
progmetal • [link]
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

YOUR BRAINS
... are magically delicious!


• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

David Ayala began drawing at an early age, He attended the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art, Inc. He has since worked as a graphic artist for nearly 20 years. He is proficient in illustration, comic book art, graphics software such as Corel Draw, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop. He also does caricatures at local events and has a professional background designing interior and exterior casino signs and casino gaming tokens. He really wants to eat your brains. ]]> =mystery-of-sorrow http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/18342735/ http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/18342735/ Thu, 15 May 2008 19:56:30 PDT DAVID "BAT" AYALA
(the artist formerly known as Fritz)
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Today was my last day working for the Oskaloosa Herald. (Thanks for the nice send off!) Starting Monday, I'll be working nights at the Ottumwa Courier. I've been trying to get this job for about -- three years.Reasons this is good news? I'll gain that hour back that I lose commuting to work everyday, more time to work on art, too.
I'll save a ton of money on gas. I'll be able to snag a few of those college classes that just don't seem to be offered as night courses. No more risking my life driving to work on dangerous icy roads. It'll probably a whole lot more interesting working at a newspaper in the actual town I live in. So yeah, three cheers for me.

Yay.

In other news, I'm approximately 2% done with the art for new comic and really, really close to being able to put up the first sneak-peak image!

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MYSTERY OF FEATURES!

Vector: Funny cartoon by ~Roy-Korpel
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CLUBS

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
IMPORTANT LINKS
my art prints • [link]
my original recorded music • [link] [link]
myspace • [link]
comicspace • [link]
progmetal • [link]
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

YOUR BRAINS
... are magically delicious!


• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

David Ayala began drawing at an early age, He attended the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art, Inc. He has since worked as a graphic artist for nearly 20 years. He is proficient in illustration, comic book art, graphics software such as Corel Draw, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop. He also does caricatures at local events and has a professional background designing interior and exterior casino signs and casino gaming tokens. He really wants to eat your brains. ]]> =mystery-of-sorrow http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/18301704/ http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/18301704/ Tue, 13 May 2008 08:16:42 PDT DAVID "BAT" AYALA
(the artist formerly known as Fritz)
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The U.S. Presidential race is coming down to the wire. It doesn't look good for our country. At this point, our choices come down to a known criminal, a smooth talking and inexperienced liberal, or another war chief. In all three cases expect to see more "business as usual" politics, runaway spending, less democracy and more socialism, and an even bigger federal government.

The U.S. blew it when it failed to support Ron Paul, who is all about bringing government back to states where it belongs, getting us out of the wasteful U.N. and ridiculous foreign entanglements, getting rid of taxes that are only necessary due to wasteful government spending. We blew it folks... or did we?

Copied this from AOL news
full article here: [link]

Ron Paul's Revenge
By David Knowles
May 12th 2008 9:21AM

Filed Under:eRepublicans, John McCain, Featured Stories, Ron Paul

Calling St. Paul. Come in, St. Paul. It seems there may be some trouble brewing for this summer's GOP convention in St. Paul, Minnesota. You see, another Paul is looming large on the horizon, threatening to stir up mischief at the August coronation of John, the would-be Baptist of that new and improved sect of Republicanism--Bush-Lite, for lack of a better term. As Paul's supporters learned from Guy Fawkes, surprise is the name of the game.

From The LA Times:

Virtually all the nation's political attention in recent weeks has focused on the compelling state-by-state presidential nomination struggle between two Democrats and the potential for party-splitting strife over there.

But in the meantime, quietly, largely under the radar of most people, the forces of Rep. Ron Paul have been organizing across the country to stage an embarrassing public revolt against Sen. John McCain when Republicans gather for their national convention in St. Paul at the beginning of September.


Yes, he was dissed by Fox News, taunted by his rivals, scorned in the press, but Ron Paul is not ready to stop preaching the gospel to his followers. In fact, the proselytizing continues apace, and St. Paul's stage is set to provide the Texas Congressman with ample microphone time.

His supporters are quick to add that Paul never actually dropped out of the race. No, he does not walk alone. The secret army continues to grow. Witness the recent protest votes in Indiana, where 23% of Republicans voiced their disaffection with McCain. In North Carolina the number was an even higher 26%.

Another libertarian messiah-in-waiting, Bob Barr, entered the race president today, giving the disaffected a glimmer of hope on what, to them, seems a set of woeful ballot choices.

But back to the Paul faithful. What exactly do Paul's guerrilla warriors plan to do come convention time?


They hope to demonstrate their disagreements with McCain vocally at the convention through platform fights and an attempt to get Paul a prominent speaking slot. Paul, who's running unopposed in his home Texas district for an 11th House term, still has some $5 million in war funds and has instructed his followers that their struggle is not about a single election, but a longterm revolution for control of the Republican Party.


In short, they hope for nothing less that a coup, and we're not talking de Ville, either. And hey, look who's #1 on the New York Times Bestseller List. If you thought that Paul and his supporters would simply slip back into the Republican tent and make nice with John McCain, you were a tad mistaken. With all the potential turmoil, it's a good thing that bars will stay open until 4 a.m. during the convention. One gets the sense that a few of McCain's supporters will need a good stiff one after dealing with the Paul crowd.

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MYSTERY OF FEATURES!

Office by ~consciousspace
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CLUBS
=mystery-of-sorrow http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/18196510/ http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/18196510/ Tue, 06 May 2008 13:12:54 PDT DAVID "BAT" AYALA
(the artist formerly known as Fritz)
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For those who haven't been following along, I recently won the Iowa Artists area 11 art show and was then supposed to head on up to Okiboje, Iowa to compete in the finals. Well, I did this. A six and a half hour road up. What a colossal waste of time and money. Iron Man pretty much single-handedly saved the whole trip from being a complete nightmare.

This was not my scene, and I knew it instantly when I entered the gallery. There was a sea of blue-haired, elderly women hanging up paintings of flowers, sunsets and landscapes. Yes, the token barn painting was there. Yes, you can count on the fact that someone splattered paint randomly and haphazardly on a canvas and named something randomly pretentious sounding. This just wasn't a tea party i belonged at, I knew it and the elderly women knew it.

Now, it's no secret that I have a negative stance on art contests. Anything that involves judgment and not a clear cut winner (like in a foot race) is bound to be flawed, because you enter into the realm of opinion. In this case, the man handing out that opinion was a professor at some university I'd never heard of. In all fairness, he had a pretty good idea. He'd show some of his art, so we'd understand where he was coming from. Trouble was, he was a very one dimensional artist. He showed about 50 paintings, he ONLY worked in acrylic and watercolors and he ONLY painted three possible subject matters. Tulips, berries and sand dunes. That's it. I'm not exaggerating. Now, plenty of people enjoy that sort of thing, to me, it couldn't be any blander; but personal tastes aside, who in their right mind limits themselves to only doing three things? I thought that was nuts, but what do I know.

Anyways, I was ignored, my picture was barely looked at. I was not apart of the elderly woman clique (which I'm okay with, really). Nearly 50% of the room headed home with a ribbon or cash prize. I got nothing (wah), which would have been fine if I'd been even remotely convinced that my picture just wasn't good enough. Thing is, I know I'm nowhere near great, nor am I anywhere near where I'd like to be as an artist. I'm also aware that I'm not awful, but I'm certain my stuff was "better" (relative term) than much of what did win. it was definitely made clear to me that day that I was not welcome in their reindeer games.

Or maybe it was a case of mermaid discrimination...

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I was tagged with this one a couple times before, this time by =gothitink I'll answer the call, but I'm not tagging anyone else.

* 1. Post these rules.
* 2. Each tagged person must post 8 things about their self on their journal.
* 3. At the end, you have to choose and tag 8 people and post their icons on the same journal.
* 4. Go to their pages and send a message saying you tagged them.
* 5. No tag-backs.

1. I'm Batman
2. For fun, I like to skate on the other side of the ice.
3. I invented the internet. (I also won a Nobel Peace Price for making a documentary on global warming, where I blatantly lied and spread scientific misinformation throughout the world despite the fact that we're heading into a second cooling period in the last hundred years.)
4. If Hillary Clinton wins the Presidency, I'll do something drastic.
5. I'm a member in good stand of Skull and Bones.
6. I'm a mean, bitter old man just waiting to happen.
7. I need to mow my lawn this weekend. It looks like crap out there.
8. I own "Giant-Sized Man-Thing" #1, which was put out by Marvel Comics in the early 70s. It's one of my favorite comics, because it's called giant-sized man-thing.

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MYSTERY OF FEATURES!


Distressed Memories by =Salemburn
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CLUBS
http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/18078062/ Mon, 28 Apr 2008 20:44:20 PDT DAVID "BAT" AYALA
(the artist formerly known as Fritz)
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Guess what? I just saved a lot of money by switching to Geico.

Now that I got that bit of information out of the way, I'll continue with the regularly scheduled blog entry. So, just yesterday I get this brilliant (sarcasm) idea to evive my otherwise dead music "career." Wait a minute, for those new to my blogs or, for those that have just never really cared, I fancy myself quite the musician as well as trying to be some sort of artist. Recently I announced I was going to dedicate a whole heap of my spare time (which amounts to almost nothing) to a self produced graphic novel. Meaning I'll write ad draw a hundred or so pages, then try to figure out how in blue blazes I'll get it turned into book format and make a couple of bucks off it. Brilliant plan, I know.

Shorly after I made his announcement, I pencilled up a nice page and then completely botched the inks. That was setback number one. (If anyone is still reading at this point, type in the word "fatality" below, and I'll be your friend for life.)

Now you're up to date. So, the other day I get this wonderful (more sarcasm) idea. For my graphic novel (no, I'm not quite ready to announce the title just yet) I'll also include a a CD soundtrack to along with the book. Why? Because I can. Because I'm insane. Because I have delusions of grandeur. Because it's not hard enough trying to write and draw up 100 or so comic pages by yourself. Yes, I have to complicate things by trying to score a soundtrack for it, too. Yeah -- I think that qualifies as setback number two.

Will I ever carry that out? Stay tuned to this Bat-channel folks...

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MYSTERY OF FEATURES!


Aquatic Dreamer by =griffinlady
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CLUBS

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
IMPORTANT LINKS
my art prints • [link]
my original recorded music • [link] [link]
myspace • [link]
comicspace • [link]
progmetal • [link]
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

YOUR BRAINS
... are magically delicious!


• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

David Ayala began drawing at an early age, He attended the Joe Kubert School of Ca... ]]> =mystery-of-sorrow http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/17976034/ http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/17976034/ Tue, 22 Apr 2008 13:13:12 PDT DAVID "BAT" AYALA
(the artist formerly known as Fritz)
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Over on yahoo news, one of their news blurbs caught my eye. The ten most annoying singers. Here's theres, if you're so inclined as to take a peek. I found it quite a bit lacking.

[link]

I'm a sucker for a good pop-culture-bashing list, and I've been inspired now to compile my own annoying singers list. I encourage you to do the same, or take jabs at my own, because I know there are singers out there who are making big time cash, but sound like a long-tailed cat in a room full of rocking chairs.

Let the record show that I've left rappers, death metal vocalists, trendy emo-punk whinners, and country singers off my list since I figure that really doesn't fit the criteria of "singer".

Here's my list.

10. Axl Rose - He sounds like he's sitting on the crapper trying make something come ouut. Anything. Thing is, Slash left the band, so no one cares anymore.

9. Eddie Vedder - If Elvis and a billy goat has a child, they would have named it Eddie Vedder. Seriously, Pearl Jam had one great album, and then completely got lost in their own pretentiousness. Eddie was the weak link in the band. Sounded like someone jammed a blender down his throat and left it on.

8. Bob Dylan - an easy target, I know, he's a brilliant poet who wanted the recognition of a rock star, trouble is, he couldn't accry a tune. Apparently no one bothered to tell him he's completely unintelligible.

7. Whitney Houston - Whitney CAN sing, unfortunately she insists on screaming at the top of her lungs virtually all of the time. Her lack of dynamics are like fingernails on the chalkboard of doom!

6. Kurt Cobain - Every now and again - by accident - he'll hit a note in key. It always bothers me when I hear the Foo Fighters, because I'm thinking, "Why on Earth did Dave Grohl let Kurt sing? Why?" Weird Al had it pegged right - no one really knows for certainwhat he's saying.

5. Biily Corgan - Really, need I explain myself here?

4. Mick Jagger - I like the Stones - Fred and Wilma, still, I'm noticing a trend within my list of singers who become insanely famous while lacking any actual singing ability. I think I'm the only person in the world who recognizes that he sounds like a complete idiot with rocks in his mouth - or should I say stones?

3. Adam Levine - the whinny Maroon 5 crooner. I'd love to just smack this guy. Isn't this the same guy that got thrown in the locker in high school? Who let him out?

2. Jessica Simpson - like, o-mi-gosh, shut up!

1. Tom Petty - Bob Dylan must have had a son and named him Tom Petty. Like father like son.

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MYSTERY OF FEATURES!


TM-meet "Almond" by ~TrailMixer

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CLUBS
http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/17792998/ Fri, 11 Apr 2008 09:37:10 PDT DAVID "BAT" AYALA
(the artist formerly known as Fritz)
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Ugh. With the big Green Earth day around the corner, I'm getting a tad sick of all the liberal hype about "global warming". Don't get me wrong. Recycle stuff. That aspect of being 'Green' is fine. It's just common sense. But I feel sorry for kids growing up today (and plenty of adults, too) who are believing what agenda oriented news services are selling them. Unfortunately, there is bad, politically-motivated science crammed down their throats.

"Global warming" is an unsupported theory at best. I don't belive it, maybe you do, but call a pot a pot and call a theory a theory. See, it helps if you know your history. Puts things in perspective quite a bit. Back in the early 70s, your whacked-out liberal hippies were actually on the band wagon about "Global Cooling" and the paranoia and fear mongering of an irresponsible media was spreading those theories with the same enthusiasm as the current liberal fad of the day, known as "global warming."

I find the following article amusing and ironic considering the complete reversal the weather has taken. (That's a joke.)

---

TIME Magazine Archive Article -- Another Ice Age? -- Jun. 24, 1974
Science
Monday, Jun. 24, 1974
In Africa, drought continues for the sixth consecutive year, adding terribly to the toll of famine victims.
During 1972 record rains in parts of the U.S., Pakistan and Japan caused some of the worst flooding in centuries. In Canada's wheat belt, a particularly chilly and rainy spring has delayed planting and may well bring a disappointingly small harvest. Rainy Britain, on the other hand, has suffered from uncharacteristic dry spells the past few springs. A series of unusually cold winters has gripped the American Far West, while New England and northern Europe have recently experienced the mildest winters within anyone's recollection.
As they review the bizarre and unpredictable weather pattern of the past several years, a growing number of scientists are beginning to suspect that many seemingly contradictory meteorological fluctuations are actually part of a global climatic upheaval. However widely the weather varies from place to place and time to time, when meteorologists take an average of temperatures around the globe they find that the atmosphere has been growing gradually cooler for the past three decades. The trend shows no indication of reversing. Climatological Cassandras are becoming increasingly apprehensive, for the weather aberrations they are studying may be the harbinger of another ice age.
Telltale signs are everywhere —from the unexpected persistence and thickness of pack ice in the waters around Iceland to the southward migration of a warmth-loving creature like the armadillo from the Midwest.Since the 1940s the mean global temperature has dropped about 2.7° F. Although that figure is at best an estimate, it is supported by other convincing data. When Climatologist George J. Kukla of
Columbia University's Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory and his wife Helena analyzed satellite weather data for the Northern Hemisphere, they found that the area of the ice and snow cover had suddenly increased by 12% in 1971 and the increase has persisted ever since. Areas of Baffin Island in the Canadian Arctic, for example, were once totally free of any snow in summer; now they are covered year round.
Scientists have found other indications of global cooling. For one thing there has been a noticeable expansion of the great belt of dry, high-altitude polar winds —the so-called circumpolar vortex—that sweep from west to east around the top and bottom of the world. Indeed it is the widening of this cap of cold air that is the immediate cause of Africa's drought. By blocking moisture-bearing equatorial winds and preventing them from bringing rainfall to the parched sub-Sahara region, as well as other drought-ridden areas stretching all the way from Central America to the Middle East and India, the polar winds have in effect caused the Sahara and other deserts to reach farther to the south. Paradoxically, the same vortex has created quite different weather quirks in the U.S. and other temperate zones. As the winds swirl around the globe, their southerly portions undulate like the bottom of a skirt. Cold air is pulled down across the Western U.S. and warm air is swept up to the Northeast. The collision of air
masses of widely differing temperatures and humidity can create violent storms—the Midwest's recent rash of disastrous tornadoes, for example.
Sunspot Cycle. The changing weather is apparently connected with differences in the amount of energy that the earth's surface receives from the sun. Changes in the earth's tilt and distance f... ]]> =mystery-of-sorrow http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/17664398/ http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/17664398/ Thu, 03 Apr 2008 09:23:14 PDT DAVID "BAT" AYALA
(the artist formerly known as Fritz)
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I live to serve.

So here's a challenge. Can anyone tell me what the items in the picture below? I figure someone out there has to know. The first to correctly identify wins a free... no-prize. Because I'm cheap (poor) that way.




Answers like, "it's some rusty metal" aren't going to cut it, either!

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MYSTERY OF FEATURES!


a process in the weather by *jkd-kat

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
CLUBS

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
IMPORTANT LINKS
my art prints • [link]
my original recorded music • [link] [link]
myspace • [link]
comicspace • [link]
progmetal • [link]
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I WILL GRADE YOUR ARTWORK [eventually] [link]

You post ONE thumbnail. When I have time, I will give you honest feedback about your work, whether I like it or not, and a letter grade. Just like school, but without the short bus.
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YOUR BRAINS
... are crunchy in milk! MMM MMM GOOD!


• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

David Ayala began drawing at an early age, He attended the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art, Inc. He has since worked as a graphic artist for nearly 20 years. He is proficient in illustration, comic book art, graphics software such as Corel Draw, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop. He also does caricatures at local events and has a professional background designing interior and exterior casino signs and casino gaming tokens. He really wants to eat your brains. ]]> =mystery-of-sorrow http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/17633815/ http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/17633815/ Tue, 01 Apr 2008 19:22:17 PDT DAVID "BAT" AYALA
(the artist formerly known as Fritz)
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Yes, I'm working on what will eventually set the record for the world's slowest comic book. In a couple of weeks I should have an inked page ready to show. I have about four pages penciled. I'll probably keep about three-fourths of that. Not too shabby. I may be done with this project before I die. More details to come, watch this space.

• • • • • • •

I pretty much stole this from @autumnights 's journal. I refuse to tag anyone else but if you DO take this, let me know because I like to read the results.

[ ] I am shorter than 5'4.
[X] I think I'm ugly sometimes.
[X] I have many scars.
[X] I tan easily.
[ ] I wish my hair was a different color.
[ ] I have friends who have never seen my natural hair color.
[ ] I have a tattoo.
[X] I am self-conscious about my appearance.
[ ]I have/I've had braces.
[X] I wear glasses.
[ ] I would get plastic surgery if it were 100% safe, free of cost, and scar-free.
[ ] I've been told I'm attractive by a complete stranger.
[ ] I have more than 2 piercing.
[ ] I have piercing in places besides my ears.
[ ] I have freckles.
[ ] I hate my dad.
[ ] I hate my mom.
[ ] I have a brother.
[ ] I have a sister.
[ ] I've sworn at my parents.
[ ] I've run away from home.
[ ] I've been kicked out of the house.
[X] My biological parents are together.
[ ] I have a sibling less than one year old.
[ ] I want to have kids someday
[X] I've had children.
[X] I've lost a child. (define lost?)
[X] I'm in school.
[X] I have a job.
[X] I've fallen asleep at work/school.
[X ] I almost always do my homework.
[ ] I've missed a week or more of school.
[X ] I've been on the Honor Roll within the last 2 years.
[ ] I failed more than 1 class last year.
[ ] I've stolen something from my job.
[X ] I've been fired.
[ ] I've slipped out an "lol" in a spoken conversation.
[ ] Disney movies still make me cry.
[ ] I've peed from laughing.
[X] I've snorted while laughing.
[X] I've laughed so hard I've cried.
[X] I've glued my hand to something.
[X] I've had my pants rip in public.
[X] I was born with a disease/impairment.
[X] I've gotten stitches/staples.
[ ] I've broken a bone.
[ ] I've had my tonsils removed.
[X] I've sat in a doctor’s office/emergency room with a friend.
[ ] I've had my wisdom teeth removed.
[X] I had a serious surgery.
[X] I've had chicken pox.
[ ] I was born in a different country.
[X] I've driven over 200 miles in one day.
[X] I've been on a plane.
[ ] I've been to Canada.
[ ] I've been to Mexico.
[ ] I've been to Niagara Falls.
[ ] I've been to Japan.
[ ] I've celebrated Mardi Gras in New Orleans.
[ ] I've been to Europe.
[ ] I've been to Africa.
[X] I've gotten lost in my city.
[X] I've seen a shooting star.
[ ] I've wished on a shooting star
[ ] I've seen a meteor shower.
[ ] I've gone out in public in my pajamas.
[X] I've pushed all the buttons on an elevator.
[ ] I've kicked a guy where it hurts.
[X I've been to a casino.
[ ] I've been skydiving.
[X] I've gone skinny dipping.
[X] I've played spin the bottle.
[ ] I've drank a whole gallon of milk in one day
[X] I've crashed a car.
[ ] I've been Skiing.
[X] I've been in a play.
[X] I've met someone in person from myspace.
[X] I've caught a snowflake on my tongue.
[ ] I've seen the Northern lights.
[X] I've sat on a roof top at night.
[ ] I've played chicken.
[X] I've played a prank on someone.
[X] I've ridden in a taxi.
[X] I've seen the Rocky Horror Picture Show.
[ ] I've eaten sushi.
[ ] I've been snowboarding.
[ ] I'm single.
[X] I'm in a relationship.
[ ] I'm engaged.
[X] I'm married.
[X I've gone on a blind date. (I could write a book)
[X] I've been the dumpee more than the dumper.
[X] I miss someone right now.
[ ] I have a fear of abandonment.
[X] I've gotten divorced.
[X] I've had feelings for someone who didn't have them back.
[ ] I've told someone I loved them when I didn't.
[X] I've told someone I didn't love them when I did.
[X] I've kept something from a past relationship.
[ ] I've had a crush on someone of the same sex.
[ ] I'm bi.
[ ] I'm gay.
[X] I've had sex.
[ ] I've had phone sex.
[ ] I've cybered.
[X] I've had sex in public.
[X] I've had a crush on a teacher.
[ ] I am a cudd... ]]> =mystery-of-sorrow http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/17401219/ http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/17401219/ Tue, 18 Mar 2008 19:26:28 PDT DAVID "BAT" AYALA
(the artist formerly known as Fritz)
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

So I did one of those art shows at the college though the Iowa Artists Area 11. In an attempt to, you know, leave the house and congregate with other humans. I'll be smackered if I didn't wind up winning "most unique" and "best of show" with my little mermaid drawing.



So now I move up to the next regional, which is in Okoboji (and really, I just like saying Okoboji, it sort of rolls off the tongue.) Where my little mermaids will compete (in Mortal Kombat, no less) for some form of cash prize. Probably won't even cover the gas for the trip up there.

Have I mentioned I'm not particularly fond of competitive art? Pretty much anything where there isn't an obvious winner. See, when boxing, you punch the guy, and whoever is standing afterwards is the winner. Now, figure skating? Seriously, that's an art form. Yes. It's a whole of work and take an enormous amount of skill. Should it be competitive? I suppose if it must. But to me, it seems the decision of who wins can only come from the realm of opinion. Same thing with art competitions.

Still, all complaining aside, it was an honor to be recognized and chosen to represent the area. I'm representin'. Word. Yo.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
MYSTERY OF FEATURES!


Toxic Elegance by =rjonesdesign

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
CLUBS

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
IMPORTANT LINKS
my art prints • [link]
my original recorded music • [link] [link]
myspace • [link]
comicspace • [link]
progmetal • [link]
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
I WILL GRADE YOUR ARTWORK [eventually] [link]

You post ONE thumbnail. When I have time, I will give you honest feedback about your work, whether I like it or not, and a letter grade. Just like school, but without the short bus.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
YOUR BRAINS
... are crunchy in milk! MMM MMM GOOD!

http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/17179074/ Thu, 06 Mar 2008 07:20:16 PST DAVID "BAT" AYALA
(the artist formerly known as Fritz)
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

I threw up my music (that sounds wrong, doesn't it?) on Trig.com (which is basically another myspace, but a lot friendlier to musicians.) That's 14 songs. something there for everyone. If you like music, grab a listen. If you don't... go learn to appreciate it, THEN go listen!!

[EDIT 030608 It dawned on me I should most likely include the link.]

[link]

In other news...

College is kickin' this old man's arse. This term may drive me insane(er).Painting I is not turning out to be what I hoped it would be, but we'll see, maybe things will improve.

I have roughly two pages pencilled of my new, top secret magnum opus. Re did the one I !@#$ed up. Turned out pretty much the same. Thank goodness.

Oh.. anyone tired of snow? I'm just saying...

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
MYSTERY OF FEATURES!


Jungle Girl 5 by *Adrianohq

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
CLUBS

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
IMPORTANT LINKS
my art prints • [link]
my original recorded music •
[link]
[link] [link]
myspace • [link]
comicspace • [link]
progmetal • [link]
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
I WILL GRADE YOUR ARTWORK [eventually] [link]

You post ONE thumbnail. When I have time, I will give you honest feedback about your work, whether I like it or not, and a letter grade. Just like school, but without the short bus.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
YOUR BRAINS
... are crunchy in milk! MMM MMM GOOD!


• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

David Ayala began drawing at an early age, He attended the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art, Inc. He has since worked as a graphic artist for nearly 20 years. He is proficient in illustration, comic book art, graphics software such as Corel Draw, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop. He also does caricatures at local events and has a professional background designing interior and exterior casino signs and casino gaming... ]]> =mystery-of-sorrow http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/17056590/ http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/17056590/ Mon, 25 Feb 2008 12:00:13 PST DAVID "BAT" AYALA
(the artist formerly known as Fritz)
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

I pretty much want to kick something. Know anyone in the southeast Iowa areathat needs a good kicking? I'm here for you.

Anyways, it turns out I'm a complete idiot. I labeled this journal entry 'setback number one' as I suspect it'll be the first of a series with an undertaking like this. Have I specified exactly what Im planning? No, not yet... A few days ago I 'announced' here in this very journal I was putting together my own original comic/story/graphic novel... whatever you want to call it. I had already penciled up page one. It looked great and I was pretty stoked... or 'giddy' if you will. So, today, after a long weekend of not being able to touch it... because my home life is so chaotic that I've pretty much given up trying to do artwork at home, at least anytime in the near future. To make a dull story shorter, I go to put inks on the page and am oblivious to what could possibly go wrong. Well, let me tell you the one thing that could go wrong.

I'd been inking that Mermaid's Cave drawing for so long, which was drawn on a very 'toothy' paper, made mostly for sketching and charcoal, that I'd completely forgotten how slick and smooth comics paper is. The ink just sits there on the comics paper. Takes forever to dry. Sure the end result is very crisp and that's great, but... without even realizing it, I had smudged the living tarnation (who says tarnation anymore?!?!) out of the page to the point where I ripped up the page and tossed it in ye olde trash receptacle. I'm so pissed off. Still, it only strengthen my resolve. This WILL get done. This will be the story and it will look awesome. Someddy... eventually...

So, I started pencils on page one. Again.

!@#$.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
MYSTERY OF FEATURES!


Poor Taste by ~PuNkPoP

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
CLUBS

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
IMPORTANT LINKS
my art prints • [link]
my original recorded music • [link] [link]
myspace • [link]
comicspace • [link]
progmetal • [link]
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
I WILL GRADE YOUR ARTWORK [eventually] [link]

You post ONE thumbnail. When I have time, I will give you honest feedback about your work, whether I like it or not, and a letter grade. Just like school, but without the short bus.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
YOUR BRAINS
... would keep me well fed! YUMMY!

http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/16997914/ Thu, 21 Feb 2008 18:02:00 PST DAVID "BAT" AYALA
(the artist formerly known as Fritz)
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

So I finished the Mermaid's Cave after like three months of endless inking.... now, finally, I can begin the BIG project. Started todfay, at lunch, and page 1 looks nice. Think I might have something here.

The poll I posted about what I ought to be doing with my free time? Well, it seemed overwhelming that I should be doing the comic thing. Now, doing comics is pretty much a losing proposition. Doing it independently is even more so. However, i just can't help. I've got the story. It came to me a few months ago. It's going to mean all my other ideas will just have to be put aside, but I'm pretty stoked.

So, if you're watching me, well, today was the start of something big (for me), and you'll have been here from the beginning watching it. (Whoopdee-dee, I know.)

Watch this space for more teasers and updates.

Also, I start a painting class in college on Monday. With any luck something I do will turn out halfway decent and I can upload it here!!!

Yay!

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
MYSTERY OF FEATURES!
Normally I try to feauture people who aren't getting as many hits as they ought to be... but this was cool, so what the heck.


Rockstar by *crisdelara04
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
CLUBS

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
IMPORTANT LINKS
my art prints • [link]
my original recorded music • [link] [link]
myspace • [link]
comicspace • [link]
progmetal • [link]
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
I WILL GRADE YOUR ARTWORK [eventually] [link]

You post ONE thumbnail. When I have time, I will give you honest feedback about your work, whether I like it or not, and a letter grade. Just like school, but without the short bus.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
YOUR BRAINS
... would keep me well fed! YUMMY!


• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

David Ayala began drawing at an early age, He attended the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art, Inc. He has since worked as a graphic artist for nearly 20 years. He is proficient in illustration, comic book art, graphics software such as Corel Draw, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop. He also does caricatures at local events and has a professional background designing interior and exterior casino signs and casino... ]]> =mystery-of-sorrow http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/16735702/ http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/16735702/ Tue, 05 Feb 2008 08:55:21 PST DAVID "BAT" AYALA
(the artist formerly known as Fritz)
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

After two and a half years of living in Ottumwa, Iowa, people still say to me:

"Dave, what the !@#$ is wrong with you? You left Vegas and moved to Iowa? Thats insane."

Well, here's why...

---

By SCOTT NILES Ottumwa Courier staff writer

OTTUMWA — Dining out for a southern Iowa family has turned into a life-changing experience.

Whlie having dinner at Dr. Salami’s Restaurant in Pella recently, they met Jim Gibler of Ottumwa. They spoke over a couple of cocktails and Gibler soon realized that the family was in a tough spot.

“Their mother had just passed away a couple months ago at the age of 50,” he said.

This left the family without a mother and financial difficulties.

Upon hearing this, Gibler opened his arms and his checkbook to the family. He wrote out a check for $100,000 to them.

“I gave it directly to the family,” he said, declining to identify those he helped.

“They were looking to accumulate money for a down payment on a home,” he said.

Gibler said he and his family have helped others for the past three years.

“It’s a very good deed in the glory of God,” he said. “I’m doing His mission.”

Gibler said he doesn’t go looking for people to donate money to; he just finds them.

Being the eldest of four generations, Gibler said he has given away everything he has.

His generosity has made national news. Gibler’s gift has been reported on CNN, MSNBC and FOX News. But Gibler said he certainly did not want any publicity; he just wanted to help out a family in need.

“It was a new family starting out. All they wanted was the opportunity to get a new home, furnish it and go on about their lives,” Gibler said.

And while Gibler had never met the family before that day, he does not consider them strangers.

“I’ve never met a stranger,” he said.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
MYSTERY OF FEATURES!
I'm serious... go read this...
Return to Sender by =princesszyrtec

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
CLUBS

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
IMPORTANT LINKS
my art prints • [link]
my original recorded music • [link] [link]
myspace • [link]
comicspace • [link]
progmetal • [link]
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
I WILL GRADE YOUR ARTWORK [eventually] [link]

You post ONE thumbnail. When I have time, I will give you honest feedback about your work, whether I like it or not, and a letter grade. Just like school, but without the short bus.
• • •... ]]> =mystery-of-sorrow http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/16671684/ http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/16671684/ Mon, 04 Feb 2008 20:23:26 PST DAVID "BAT" AYALA
(the artist formerly known as Fritz)
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Three and a half months.

I'm almost ready to unleash it. This should be one of my better works to date.

Be ready. It is coming.

(I crack me up.)

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Want a feature in my journal? Just respond to this journal before 12 midnight MY time and I'll pick three (3) of my favorite works from YOUR gallery and feature them here in this journal. What's the catch you ask?

There is none.

(Last time I tried this I got like only one response.)

[EDIT 02.04.08]

And here they are...

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
MYSTERY OF SORROW FEATURES:

1. *jkd-kat


2. =rjonesdesign


3. *allison712


4. =Sharpeshots


5. *denlm
... ]]> =mystery-of-sorrow http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/16433758/ http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/16433758/ Wed, 16 Jan 2008 15:06:01 PST DAVID "BAT" AYALA
(the artist formerly known as Fritz)
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

top 5 for 2007! you can play along, too!
It's that time of year again. Time for my patented 'top five list. i've been doing this since my hormones first kicked in. oh. a top five women list. most guys do this. women probably have a top 5 guys list. for all i know there's a top 5 multi-trans gendered list. either way, anyone can play.

here's the thing though. i have a few rules.

RULE 1: first rule of top five, don't talk about top five. [you'll piss off your wife, girlfriend, mother, daughter and or any other woman in your life. ladies this goes for you, too. i can tell you we don't care how hot you think nicholas cage is. we'll just tell you he's gay.]

RULE 2: the women on the list should be completely unattainable by you.

RULE 3: the women on the list should be significant in popular culture to the point that most people will know who you are speaking of and can identify with. this way you and your buddies can spend fun filled hour after hour arguing about it.

RULE 4: the women on the list should actually be alive and breathing.

RULE 5: this ISN"T just a hote babe list. the women your top 5 list should do something for you other than just stand there being 'hot'. they should perhaps like things you like, participate in sports you enjoy, write books you like. this might require a bit more thought than just another who's hot list. for example all strippers, whores and porn stars are immediately disqualified. why? because they're all having sex with any other man on the planet but you.

easy enough? here then, counting down in order, is my TOP FIVE.


Anette by ~middeneaht

5] ANNETTE OLZON - The new Nightwish singer. Really, need I say more? She replaced Tarja. I didn't think that was possible.

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

[link]

4] MELANIE LYNSKEY - Rose, from 'two and a half men'. Okay, so it's mostly about the character she's playing. A complete 'sycho chick'!This one works on the same principle as the Joker/Harley Quinn relationship.
------------------


Inside Dish by ~TimberW0If

3] RACHEL RAY - She comes in third on this list, but If I made a who would you like to be trapped on a deserted island with, she'd make number one.

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


Kate Beckinsale by ~qchangyao

2] KATE BECKINSALE - Did you see the 2nd Underworld? Was that spray paint?

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


Sharon Den Adel by ~CalyxVirago

1] SHARON DEN ADEL - Lead singer for Within Temptation. That's right, temptation.



There we go. My official top 5 for 2007.

Previous winners have included:
Jessica Alba
Jennifer Garner
Amy Lee
Cristina Scabbia
Christina Applegate
Liv Kristine
Catherine Zeta Jones
Rebecca Stamos (more blue paint!)
Markie Post
Mo Collins
Tarja
Heather Thomas
Yasmine Bleeth
Leah Remini
Lea Thomson
Princess Lea
Lucy Lawless
Elvira
Debbie Harry
Dana Plato
and the list goes on.

SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
MYSTERY OF SORROW FEATURE:
(see features above! yeesh!)

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
CLUBS
http://mystery-of-sorrow.deviantart.com/journal/16328911/ Wed, 09 Jan 2008 11:57:23 PST DAVID "BAT" AYALA
(the artist formerly known as Fritz)
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Want some wood? Anyone? I have plenty. I can't believe what a mess this tree in my backyard is. Now that it's thawed I can really survey the mess. Seriously. Free Wood. Come get some.

Anyone play Assassin's Creed for PS3? We've come a long way from PONG, let me tell you. It's actually gotten to the point where the graphics in these games are better than real, actual life. Yeah, I'm a 38 year old guy sitting around playing Assassin's Creed pigging out on crap food. What happened to my dream of being a rock superstar? Why am I not drawing comics professionally? It's probably because I'm wasting my time sitting around playing Assassin's Creed pigging out on crap food. (It's awesome, though.)

Let me tell you, between Friday and Tuesday I've pounded some of the worst foods imaginable into my poor body. Cheeseburgers, Nutterbars, Chinese buffet (where's the cat?), coke, pepsi, fries, those little bite size chocolate donuts, pizza, hotpockets... Holy crap, I need an intervention. Or a bullet to the head. Or another donut... mmm, donuts. (I don't even like donuts. Not really.)

Why didn't someone tell me my @$$ was fat?

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
MYSTERY OF SORROW FEATURE:

caught in suspension by ~Ccadence

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
CLUBS

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
IMPORTANT LINKS
my art prints • [link]
my original recorded music • [link] [link]
myspace • [link]
comicspace • [link]
progmetal • [link]
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
I WILL GRADE YOUR ARTWORK [eventually] [link]

You post ONE thumbnail. When I have time, I will give you honest feedback about your work, whether I like it or not, and a letter grade. Just like school, but without the short bus.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
YOUR BRAINS
... would keep me well fed! YUMMY!


• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

David Ayala began drawing at an early age, He attended the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art, Inc. He has since worked as a graphic artist for nearly 20 years. He is proficient in illustration, comic book art, graphics software such as Corel Draw, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop. He also does caricatures at local events and has a professional b... ]]> =mystery-of-sorrow