blog

I think the first major first was getting a taste of actual independence as an adult with income. I graduated at the beginning of C*v%d so like everyone else I was foced to be a homebody and just kind of settled into it. Never liked clubbing or drinking much, but I do like to go out an explore my surroundings. Much more than I thought I did. I got to explore a big city all by myself for the first time (though I still mostly go out with a friend or as a group) and didn't panic too much when I briefly got lost. Now I can competently pick a destination, spend as long as I want, and leave when I'm ready entirely without a car, for free (if I plan properly ;_;)! It's a big deal for someone who grew up in an area so car centric that being seen biking past a certain age is typically regarded as offensive. Even sidewalks are counter-culture. So I've grown particularly fond of the sort of day trip where I can get up early, take a couple of buses or trains to a neighborhood for one thing, and then slowly make my way back home, making several stops along the way should anything catch my eye. It's a good 12 to 16 hours of nonstop activity but it still feels quite leisurely. And sleep at the end always feels well earned.

Food has also become almost entirely a social experience for me. I was introduced to a lot of new textures I've never encountered before. Mushroom lo mai fan made by a friend's mom entered my top 10 favorite foods on the first bite. I have developed a definitive boba preference, but luckily the best I've had so far is a serious inconvenience to journey to with any regularity, so my wallet and nutritional needs have both narrowly avoided having to accomodate a tapioca addiction. My cat also discovered that he likes the bread from a nearby bakery, and he'll use it as a salt lick if I let it out of my sight. I used to think I'd like to be reincarnated to a fat housecat but being constantly denied the taste of taro does seem pretty upsetting. I am sympathetic but he really must stop.

Somehow I am still the shortest in my main friend group, but for the first time, I'm almost the oldest! Not by much of course, but I've started to appreciate the outlooks of life of those whose birth year starts with a two... And I'm also reaffirmed in the belief that it is worth being friends with people that seem very different from you because you will surely learn a lot from them! And they might end up secretly being fujoshi too. My goal is to reach two meters in height by the end of the summer.

Lastly I took some challenging classes this past year and I learned the basics of quite a few new skills. I'm not sure if I'll use them much but it's certainly inspired me to approach some problems in ways I probably otherwise wouldn't have. I was praised by my professors a few times in that regard, but actually the best part about being surrounded by noncreatives is how impressed they are by very quick doodles. Heh.

Overall I had a lot of fun. A lot of stress too (juggling full time school and employment is rough!), but it balanced out quite well. Despite my enjoyment, big city life is much better in small doses, and I can't see my self staying in the area longer than I have to. This time next year I will have to make another big life decision (if I haven't already), but hopefully it's one I finally can make with confidence.

Now, on to doll matters! I got prints made from the contents of hat's newsletter, and now I have Cheby, Volta and Hina photocards! I had Verona x Liam sheets prepared too, but I think I'll need my own photo printer for those. Too spicy for an unprepared print shop employee, don't want to cause any nosebleeds or heart attacks or even worse, questions. Next time I think I'll use glossy cardstock rather than thin photo paper, and actually make them photocard sized. These are all standard trading card size because I wanted to put them in deco toploaders, but the trade off is that they can't fit in photocard albums. Since several can fit on a page, printing is quite cheap, so duplicates are a must anyway!

I'm currently back home now, and while doing some cleaning for my mom I found another digicam and a film camera. The digicam had some battery corrosion but I cleaned it up with some vinegar and now it works just fine aside from the broken battery cover (hence the washi tape). The shutter at least is more intact than my older, pink digicam. Well, I think that one is older. I'm not 100% sure which Coolpix model it is but I believe it's from 2011. It's not one I used much if at all, in fact I'm not sure anyone ever really did, but it's mine now so I put a komame on it. The other camera is a mid-90s Canon Sure Shot 60 Zoom. It also appears to be perfectly functional. I was asking my mom what she wanted to do with the film inside and she pulled out 4 or 5 more undeveloped rolls labeled '2003' from some endless abyss of old shit hidden in her night stand. I would like to try getting them developed at some point, if it's possible. I can't say I have much experience shooting on film (unless you count Instax...), but one of my old coworkers does, so I'll try to remember to take it with me and ask about it the next time we meet up.

Anyway, it's surely the last chance I'll reasonably be able to, so I'm going to use my summer well. I've had a lot of projects on the back burner and I'm looking forward to completing them. For one, I've started reorganizing my Works section, so hopefully soon I can reupload old drawings, and upload some new ones!