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Life, Random
Cobras have eyelids?
03.30.09 | Permalink | Comment?

I had a great weekend. It started out Friday with the Monster’s of Scholck show, which was amazing as always. I think that was my third time seeing the show, and the first time I had to see it standing up. At 6′4″ I have eyes higher than most of the people who were there, and I couldn’t see shit for half the show. I suppose I do tend to stand in the back though, so it’s probably my fault.

After the show we went to Mc Donald’s (gross), and everyone but me poisoned themselves. I got harassed by some fifty-something, Italian drunk, and tried to be as polite as possible about telling him to leave me alone, that didn’t work. Drove home, dropped everyone off, then worked on Sketchup until 5:30 am.

The next morning I got up and did Sketchup until Holly asked me to go to look at flooring with her. Then she went to Vaughn for a party, and I did a few more hours of Sketchup, then went and picked up a childhood friend I hadn’t seen since probably grade 10 or 11.

We went to the Mansion House for a few beers, and sat on the patio, where I learned a valuable lesson. If you smoke weed like me, and sometimes don’t go out just because you know you won’t be able to smoke, wait until it’s just before or just after patio season, then go drink at places with outdoor patios. After a few drinks there, we went to meet up with my brother and his girlfriend at the Merchant Ale House. My brother was sloppy drunk when I got there, and that’s always a good time. I had only intended on taking a short break from working on my drawings, but that quickly turned into me coming home at 2 am.

Sunday morning, Holly and I went to IHOP for breakfast, then she rented some shitty movies to watch while I worked on Sketchup. I fucking love IHOP. I also love Gino’s Pizza. I got one late last night while I was up working on drawings.

I got to see lots of people I like this weekend. I hope I can do more of that.
Life, Sketchup
Cobras can draw… sort of…
03.30.09 | Permalink | Comment?

I just sent a huge email full of images and models I made last week for a job I’m hoping to land. I enjoy working from home, and working from bed is even better! Along with the work files I sent I included a qoute for the entire job. I have my fingers crossed hoping I will be able to get what I asked for, but to be honest, I’d be happy with two thirds of what I asked for. Everyone I discussed this with so far, including the guy who potentially is responsible for deciding whether or not I get the deal, has told me I’m low balling myself. I really don’t care, because I’m not a professional graphic artist. I really just love the fact that I’m getting to do something like this. There is also the possibility of me getting to make regular trips to Gabriola, which would be absolutely amazing. I loved it there, and I cannot wait to get back there in May, and play with chainsaws and logs and ride my bike around in the beautiful weather.
Life, Sketchup
Good news
03.25.09 | Permalink | Comment?

Yesterday afternoon I got a package in the mail that I had been waiting for very impatiently. It was full of about two hundred and something drawings that I’m supposed to attempt to recreate using Sketchup. I was worried that I wouldn’t be capable of doing some of what the job requires, but after flipping through the pages a few times last night I’m confident I can recreate basically all of them without too much head scratching. Some of the drawings will be really fast, and simple. Some of the others will take a while and have some bits I’m really looking forward to making.

I’m really excited about getting this started. It will make me feel really good to complete this project, and know that I accomplished something on my own. I’ll gain more skills at modeling, and develop some type of portfolio at the same time. I’m not sure how far I want to go with the modeling, but I do really enjoy it, and I figure if I can’t find a job building timber homes, then maybe I can find one where I model them.

I also had a long talk with the owner of the ISBA yesterday. He was sharing some of his plans for the near future with me, and we briefly discussed the possibility of me teaching some sktechup basics at his school. I’ve never taught anyone anything before, and I’m guessing I’d be pretty bad at it, but I definitely want to think about that more. It could be another skill to add to my resume and things like that, but it would also be a great excuse to have to frequently travel to Gabriola. Who knows what will come of this, but either way I’m feeling excited about it.
Sketchup
Cobras <3 Sketchup
03.23.09 | Permalink | Comment?

I’ve got only a few hours left to play around with Sketchup before having to work on a ton of drawings for a book the owner of the ISBA is writting. I’m waiting on the mailman to bring me a package from him, containing “a few hundred drawings”, that I have to quote him on, then start on immediately. I’m hoping the stuff isn’t out of my capabilities, but I will attempt anything, even if it is. I did some more work on this chainsaw this weekend, and started a pinball machine. At first I was just going to model a machine and try and texture it with images of a real machine, but now I think I will attempt to model an entire play field and everything.

I figured out how to add a ton of functions to Sketchup last week using ruby scripts. I haven’t fully comprehended how to use all of them, but some have video or .pdf tutorials to help. There is a great online database of RS plugins for Sketchup here. Some of them just make shapes like onion domes, a helix, or pyramids, and others do things like transforming lines into tubes. There was even a package of timber framing tools, which do things like calculating cut and materials lists, or numbers of pegs or joints based on a drawing.

So my plan today, until the mailman gets here, is to play with this pinball machine some more, and respond to a butt load of FB messages I’ve neglected for a few days. If you’re one of those people who is waiting for a reply, sorry.
Gaming, Sketchup
Cobras <3 joysticks
03.19.09 | Permalink | Comment?

Either I’m getting fast/better at modeling in Sketchup or Atari 2600 controllers are incredibly simple in construction. I suspect it’s actually a little of both. I started this model after watching the second episode of WCG Ultimate Gamer when I woke up. It took me about 45 minutes to model and then colour and take all these screen shots. I really like it. There are more details I could ad, but I’m not sure if I will. I figured out a couple new things while modeling this. I’m also now dying to rock a few rounds of Word Zapper, or Missle Command after staring at this joystick for 45 minutes.
Sketchup, TV
Bongsaw
03.18.09 | Permalink | Comment?

I started a bunch more random models today. I will work more on them, and I already know some changes I plan to make. The chainsaw is nowhere near complete, but it’s been fun trying to figure it out. I’ve only used a few chainsaws in my life, so I’m forced to use google images for all my reference. The hardest part is going to be the handle. I’ve tried a few things already but so far nothing looks good to me.

On a totally unrelated topic, Dog the Bounty Hunter cannot be human.
Sketchup
Hover pianos, lamps, mallets and chisels
03.17.09 | Permalink | Comment?

I’ve been watching a bunch of online tutorials and learning a few new tricks with Sketchup. Mostly I’ve learned to model much faster, and a few ways to do things I could never figure out on my own. The last few nights I’ve spent a little time modeling simple things using techniques I just learned. They are random things that just started with a simple shape, which gave me an idea, which then evolved into a model of either a mallet, a chisel, or a piano with no legs. I’m still waiting for drawings that are supposed to be in the mail. I can’t wait until they get here.
Gaming, TV
WCGUG OK
03.17.09 | Permalink | Comment?

I just watched the first episode of WCG Ultimate Gamer. It’s not bad. I’ve been watching so much tv lately, and playing barely any games. It’s hard to watch a show like this and not want to go drop a bunch of money on games and fun things. It would be even harder I suppose if I actually had money. Really all I want is to kill some Nazi zombies with my brother, Jon, and Shawn. I have yet to get to play a match with four people, and I don’t think the four of us have ever gotten to play together in any online game. Fuck I love games.

There are more videos (mostly the audition tapes of the females, which make me want to have sex with them, and some of the cast making themselves pretty before talking into the camera) after the link.
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Life, TV
Spring is coming
03.08.09 | Permalink | Comment?

I was worried I was coming home to -30 and non stop snow. The morning I left Victoria it snowed there. That was the only time it snowed while I was there this time. The last couple of days have been fucking gorgeous. I’m enjoying being back here. This week I hope to get some of my tools, and do a bunch of Sketchup stuff. I also want to grab my bike. I have no motivation to run without a partner, but riding a bike I will do all the time. I also want my bike trailer. It’s one of the only things I’ve made in the last few years I can actually keep.
Food
A trip to China awaits you
03.03.09 | Permalink | Comment?

Last night Holly took me to the Mandarin for dinner. I had never been, and was curious because more than one of my friends have Mandarin tattoos. I found it expensive, but worth it if you eat enough dessert. For dinner I ate sushi, cauliflower in cheese, spring rolls, roasted potatos, steamed brocolli, fried rice, and hot and sour soup. The soup was shit. For dessert I ate sugar free cheesecake, apple struddle, chocolate covered bananas and strawberries, a honey twist, some jello, and a bunch of sesame balls! I would love to starve myself one day and then smoke an enormous joint, then go pig out on just dessert and spring rolls.