『ともだち☆』

Greetings all,

  Though this will probably interest only a few friends on my friends list, recently linked on some forums was a very informative 80-minute lecture on the Burj Dubai and forces involved building it.

  Exceptionally technical in both engineering and architectural principles, I post this more as amusement and an informative review of a lot of the principles that govern both architecture, and the technology behind it.

  http://vimeo.com/2905796

  More as it develops.

 

Greetings all,

  Well, right when you think Square Enix won't give any updates to XIV, they come out with more content.

  I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't be freaking out but gosh darn it this game makes me giddy.  Seeing as how I have a perchance to elves and whatnot, I think it's one of the very few games that actually got this right so far.  I wonder how adjustable everything will be but it sounds like it'll be at least as customizable as Aion and perhaps even moreso. 

  I can't rip and put the totally AWESOME NEW MUSIC from the website on here, no, nor can I provide the menu-driven character refinements, but I can dump the 25 some odd new screen shots here (though I claim no ownership of them) :)  For the rest, go to http://na.finalfantasyxiv.com/
  
  So now without ado, very sparkly screen shots.  I think I caught somewhere that this game'll use 4 or 6 of the PS3's processing cores and well, it's simply an understatement to say that Square Enix has been busy.  I think after all this that they're painting a very good picture of what this game'll be like and you know, I think I'll like it...

 

( 24 Screen Shots Under Cut )
  More as it develops.

Greetings all,

  While I'm waiting for our last photographer to send over his coverage to me and I can complete the uploading process, you guys might wish to see these instead ;)

  Here's a preliminary batch of 60 shots I picked out from Youmacon 2009 for my portfolio.

  Some people might find themselves ^^.  

  Doug's Smugmug Gallery

  More as it develops.

 

I'm leaving to spend a week in the mountains with my Cherry tomorrow.

There will be many festivities.

And probably getting so drunk on New Years we fall of a cliff or something.

No not really.

But, it'll be fun.

So yesterday was a pain in the ass.

( This is what Matt did THIS time. )

That same night, the store the German was transferred to was broken into. All of the systems were stolen. Every single one of them. It was apperantly a professional job. They'd cut the phone lines, and disabled the alarm, broke into the store next door, and slipped in through the roof.

Sucks... I know he's fretting over it.

I don't think I'll be working there much longer anyway.

Greetings all,

  Since I don't think I'll be doing another post until Christmas since we're getting ready for relatives to come over tomorrow, I want to take a moment to wish everyone on my friends list a very Merry Christmas (or Hannukah, Winter Solstice, or other lunar / religious / personal holiday) that is observed now!

  I guess I'll take a moment to be as introspective as I want for the time being...  This year has hurt a lot.  It's the most low-key Christmas for not only my family, but for all our relatives that we've ever had.  It's great of my brother to help with some really awesome Amway gift baskets we're giving to family but aside from that there are no presents this year.  

  At the same time it honestly probably sounds a tad selfish but with some of the bonus I received and forcasting for the future, I did finally break down and drop a bit on some solid state tech so honestly, totally jacked for that - but it's a business decission, not a personal one.  Have decided too that I'll be sinking more than 10x what I had originally thought I would be requiring into marketing for the next year because well, I need it.  Coupled with the fact that all of my relatives seem to be broke not trying to push to get out of the rat race, yet want to give "success advice" all day and it's resulted in a weird mixture of depression, glee, sympathy, and cheer - both for myself and for all family around me. 

  It's certainly taught some restraint but at the same time, it's encouraged me to move ahead with my plans because well, this is the last time I want to see something like this happen and fewer and fewer people are really able to have the wisdom to provide a real long-lasting solution to some problems at hand.   

  I'm certainly a far cry from some others I know in terms of fiscal knowledge, but that doesn't mean I can't still become as succsesful or moreso if I dedicate myself to a plan and a sound future which I've already been doing.  I plan for a couple more months of buckling down but then everything should righten itself properly - if not, well I'm still making sure there are plans for that too.

  But hey, that's as long as I'm delving on that topic.  It's time to be merry, relax in the joyousness of company and friends, and be thankful that we're still together and can laugh in good times and in bad.  I'm more confident than I've been in a long time simply because with how so many things are changing in both my photography, as well as our local Amway business, that things within the next year will really turn themselves around in a big way.

  2009 was an utterly amazing year.  I started a business.  Invested more than I thought I had and lost far far more than I ever thought possible through no mistakes of my own but, hey, that's business.  I've pushed my skills in web and graphic design and photography and been granted with many fascinating and appreciated opportunities.  2009 has shown me that I continue to do a lot of right - ie. pay bills, support people, continue to grow businesses, gain new customers and work with old ones, and has shown me that like anyone, there are always areas to improve upon.  

  Our mantra for 2010 is a 2010 Vision (January conference).  It's about time that 2010 also grants me with vision to accomplish more than maybe I'm thinking I can do right now and push so much harder for all things better.  2009 was great but 2010 will be better.

  Oh and for NEW YEAR'S - Anyone in the southeast Michigan area if they wish, are invited to join me at the Hamburg Fitness Center on December 31st (New Year's Eve) for a giant party.  Our business team is hosting the event and the facility is being provided to business owners and frinds at no charge.  A dish to pass + snacks + entertainment is welcomed but there will be a ton of stuff to do including two basketball courts, golf simulator, pool (locker rooms provided), Rock Band / Guitar Hero, Wii, Volley Ball, board games and more.  

  Please call or post here if you'd like info on the event and I can let you know.  Just because friends on my journal are not in business doesn't mean that you guys can't still maybe come and have a good time with caring people.  

  More as it develops and have a Merry Christmas!!

My paid account expired =(

Also, I hate my assistant manager. That is all.


...lol LJ left me with all of my Mitsuhide and Vassalord icons. This makes me happy.

Greetings all,  

  So yeah about all those talks with the unions helping out the Spire?  Most don't want to but a couple are still seeming to offer support.   

  Oh and Waterview is officially dead.  Top slab was sealed recently and thus, the project is indefinately stalled after reading the 29th floor.   

  Gosh it's on the river though.  I'd rather take the Spire's hole than a 30 storey husk sitting on one of the best vantage-points of Chicago...  Let's hope someone either refinances the property to reconfigure the programming of the tower or someone just tears it down.  Ugh.  

  I may live near Detroit but it's sad to see Chicago having it's own share of problems.    

  Renders below and the last progress shot from 12-20-09

( Renders and Progress )

 

Greetings all,  

  I may not have defeated a silver slime, but I did level up today to 29 ^^.    I might do some kind of long introspective post later but for now it's just nice to be around family.  Christmas will be fun with the normal aunts and uncles that will come by but expecting nothing this year for sure.  Really want to look at one piece of gear for the computer but might wait on it, don't know yet.   

  Otherwise not fond of this mostly night, somewhat day funk I've gotten back into.  I just blame it on being born during the night of the darkest day of the year ;p

  More as it develops.

 

Germania wig. Found. Want.

Went shopping with the stepmom and sisters, yesterday. South Park Mall is overwhelming. I've never even heard of half of these stores.

And they make my wallet cry. Like, a lot.

Oh well. I found stuff for cheap. Don't get it until Christmas though. Whatevs.

Going Fabric shopping for Not!LegolasElf the Boar Wrestler (aka Germania) and WildWest!America after Christmas. And to finish up Tres. ....who I actually need to sew together.

Berry needs to call me. I need to get my stuff before work....

Greetings all,  

  One of the most amusing articles I've caught in a long time.   

  Too bad they forgot Third Impact in 2015 ala Evangelion but oh wait, destruction of the world by metor... we already covered that, right?  

  http://movies.msn.com/superfans/science-fiction-movies/the-future-is-now/  

  LOL!  

  More as it develops.

Greetings all,

  So I figure it'd be well, just plain lame if I didn't do this for a year.

  If you'd like a Christmas Card, please comment with your name and address ^^.  Comments screened of course.

Greetings all,  

  Stumbled upon this just now.  Apparently only created for $300.  Shockingly good.  The guy has since been contacted by Hollywood and granted a budget of $30 Million if stories are accurate. 

  Not bad at all for a barely 5 minute movie.

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dadPWhEhVk

Greetings all,  

All of the footage I captured at Youmacon 2009 is now live! 

  Feel free to visit the YENonline Youtube channel started by Ron (soulcrash), or for '09 specific videos, click below for links to all 96 videos.

( Youmacon 2009 Video Links )

I had entirely too much fun last night.

And I'm still tired.

Don't wanna go to work today. X_x And I don't think I have a voice. I think I sang too loud.

I've also apperrantly been conned into being Germania for Katuscon as well.... 8| It's a good thing I love you, heifer, and that his non-armor outfit is relatively simple! That makes like THREE Hetalia costumes. X_x ffffffffff

Greetings all,

  So I just got the official email... FFXIV Beta Testing is now open for signup! 

  Don't know how many they will let in but it doesn't hurt to sign up right?

  Final Fantasy XIV Website

  More as it develops.

Greetings all,

I have finally received upload and formatting instructions for all of our photos this year to publish to the website. I am in the final stages of sorting and uploading so they should be live fairly soon.

The videos so far, will be added to Youmacon's YENOnline Youtube Channel.

If things change, of course I will update everyone as to where things are at.

Thanks again for your patience.

More as it develops.

Greetings all,

Time for some heavy-duty shake-ups for our business meeting. Honestly, people have been too lazy and holding a faltering status quo for too long and it's starting to have quite the negative effect.

Starting January, we will be relocating our local Amway Global meeting to Brighton instead of Novi as well as establishing one or two more small but incredibly effective satellite meetings through Livonia and surounding SE Michigan areas because it's just designed to work that way.

This is the time where the rubber meets the road and people either help us move forward or they get left behind. What an exciting new year it will be.

More as it develops.

I went fabric shopping/trimming shopping with imma_holiday Sunday, because she needed to pick up some trimming and extra sorts of things for her Haydee opera dress. (WHICH IS GOING TO BE GORGEOUS DARLING)

We went to Wal-Mart if only because it was the closest thing open on a Sunday that had a relatively decent craft section.

I also have a tendency to forget that the one closet to my house still has a fabric section.

But never again will I forget that.

I found nearly all of the fabric I am going to use for Ezio, and about half of Altair. And they had the PERFECT distressed faux leather to work with for the armor and scabbards and other various sheathes. AUGH PERFECT.

Also, the inner wannabe period costumer in me about fangasmed at all of the perfect fabrics for various VIctorian or steampunk attire there.

AND THE PERFECT FABRIC FOR EZIO'S RED VEST FFF.

Yeah. Never underestimating the Wal-Mart fabric section ever again.

Cherry said she'd be my Malik and LEONAAAAAAAAAAARDOOOOOOOOO Da Vinci. I'm excited. First we get to have a love hate relationship, and then she gets to draw me while I'm sleeping. Derp.

Tres has gun and shoulder patterns. And I've got the drafts for his coat and mantle done.

I've also decided that I'm going to make Rayflo's opera outfit from Chapter 16 for the bal at AWA next year to escort the LOVERLY HAYDEE. 8D Cherry said she'd work on Cherry's Opera outfit so Angelina DAHLING could have a vampire escort on each arm. Crossover from hell, but we're all totally going to the opera. So it works. Also MAAAASKS CHERRY COME TO ME ANGEL OF MUSIC I AM YOUR ANGEL OF MUSIC! 8D