Hey guys! :)

So, I've recently found out some terrifying things about PayPal and I am now looking for some alternatives. Do any of you do business through other services?

Edit: Woops, I guess it would help if I said why I'm a big nervous about PayPal now. Likeshine's recent and severe problems with the service started getting me worried. When Stoker and I did a little bit of digging, it would seem that poor Likeshine isn't the only person having trouble, nor is hers even as bad as it gets.

This site has a lot of good information on the issues that many people are having with PayPal (though their "alternatives" don't really do it for me).

At present, I'm looking into using my own bank to run payments through my business, though I will have to wait until I can get close to a branch again so I can speak with them directly.

So the other night I was watching PBS (not an uncommon occurrence) and P.O.V. was showing the documentary film Life. Support. Music. The film is the true-life story of musician, husband and father Jason Crigler, who suffered a nearly fatal brain hemorrhage at a gig in 2004.

After the hemorrhage, no one expected Jason to ever lead a normal life again, let alone return to playing music and being a responsible parent. With the help of his family and friends, Jason was able to recover almost fully.

His story is incredible and I wanted to share it with you guys. If you have the chance, the documentary is well worth watching.

Life. Support. Music. at PBS' P.O.V. site (see clips from the documentary, discussions and an update from the Crigler family): http://www.pbs.org/video/video/1174469056/program/1154485580

Jason Crigler's home page: http://www.jasoncriglermusic.com/

Watch Life.Support. Music.: http://www.pbs.org/pov/lifesupportmusic/

"The Books on the Shelf" live performance: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbeBZM205YA

Crossposted to dA, FA and LJ.

It's that time again: convention time! This month is AnthroCon, which is being held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

This year, I will be in the dealer's den next to Decolor. My table number is D08 and I'll have a sign up proclaiming that it is, in fact, Razz's table. :) I'll be selling badges, sketchbook commissions, mini-portfolios, copies of Letters and Ladies (though these are limited), prints, and several pieces of my older art, so if there's an original you think you might want, keep an eye out for it at my table.

We are due to arrive at the con on Wednesday and are staying in the Double Tree hotel. I would love to meet up with any of you who are attending the con or who live in the Pittsburgh area. I'll be the lady with a long white cane and a collar on. :D

I hope you all have a wonderful week and I look forward to seeing some of you at the con!

Ahg, I meant to make this post, like, last week. o.O Well, better late than never. :D

I'm going on vacation tomorrow. Visiting family and friends and attending a wedding in Colorado. I will be off-line until around June 29 or 30. When I do get back, I won't be good for anything because I'll be going to AnthroCon during the first weekend of July. Those of you who are going to be in Pittsburg, PA, that weekend, please stop by! :) I'll be in the dealer's den taking commissions and trying to sell prints. :D

So, yep. See you guys in July!

If anyone could say a prayer or two for a safe flight, I would appreciate it. I hate flying, but I hate buses more, so I'm taking the risk (why, why am I watching "Crashes that Changed Flying"?! *hides under blanket*).

Have a happy June everyone! :)

"I really like the direction your drawing are taking. It's nice to see some original design as well. I like the drawing style you are using too with it's rough line and accent on shape and form. The more original stuff you can do the better off you'll be."
~ Oliver Wade

He said that in a recent e-mail to me and I'm still a bit giddy about it. Posting here so I won't forget it.

This is a short, somewhat random post.

Okay, so I've had this song on my computer for a good five years, maybe more. I found it accidentally and never found out who sang it. It's a beautiful song and it's listed on my computer as "The Raven". Unfortunately, it's only a small part of the song.

I badly want to get my hands on the rest of it and find out who sang it. So, here's the song, hosted temporarily on my site. If you know the artist or where I can find the whole thing, please please let me know!

The Raven link

Thanks guys. :)

"For the artists of the world, I send an invitation to create. Never stop creating and believe in the very real fact that what you feel passionate about matters. It matters far more than the kind of car you drive. It matters more than how many friends you have. It matters more than what your boss expects of you."
~ Dr. Steel, The Middle Row: Interview with Dr. Steel

Just wanted to put that quote where I wouldn't loose it. This is, essentially, something I've believed in my whole life that most people never understood.

So I totally signed up to be one of Dr. Steel's Toy Soldiers. I couldn't resist. His music is so catchy, and he's all mad-scientisty and bearded and the propaganda video worked and... Wait. I wasn't supposed to say that last thing out loud. Drat.

Building a Utopian Playland

Dr. Steel Loves You (brainwashing video)

(For those not in the know or really freaked out and thinking I've joined a cult or something, Dr. Steel is a musician/performer/artist/mad scientist/toymaker who may or may not be trying to take over the world. No one knows for sure. Regardless, he's quite the creative individual and I support his message of creativity and nonconformity.)

Blind man arrested, accused of "faking" blindness.

Please, please tell me US Airways is getting their asses handed to them for this! I know one airline I will never, ever fly now, that's for sure.

Thanks for the link, Pteryxx.

( Cut for your convenience. )

After nearly two years, it's finally out! This portfolio of tasteful pin-ups drawn by numerous artists with graffiti by the amazing Joey Poey is now available for pre-order! There is tons of wonderful art by some amazing artists like Xianjaguar, Jonas, Jen Seng, Max Blackrabbit and many others.

Why they let me in, I don't know, but there's a piece by me in here, too. :D

So, if you like pretty girls, pin-ups, and graffiti or you just want to see some beautiful art, Letters & Ladies is worth a buy!

Letters & Ladies

Thank you everyone for the wonderful posts and comments. *hugs* You guys rock.

Since I can't really update three journals all the time, I've taken to posting more complete updates to dA. You can read a more complete birthday post (with pictures and everything!) right here. :)

Bwaugh, I think I meant to make this post a while ago but I kept forgetting. If I don't make it now, I'm pretty sure I won't remember what day it is tomorrow (I am oddly prone to forgetting this date and then being sad when I realize that fact three days later).

Anyway... April 19 is my birthday. Woot! I'm turning 27 this year, which is fun because it's my favorite number divisible by 3 (and my second favorite number in general; no, I don't know why :D). (I know you're going to ask: my favorite number is 19, in large part because it is a big prime number.)

No one is under any obligation to do anything special for me. Just having you guys as friends, acquaintances, and companions is all the gift I need. :)

If anyone does want to do something, I love home-made surprises: art, poetry, stories, comments on my original art (comments left on my fan art are okay but they tend to depress me), jokes, paper bags with shiny stickers on them, sock puppets...anything, really. ^_^

If you've just absolutely got money burning a hole in your pocket, I don't keep wish lists or anything of that sort since there usually isn't much that I want (unless you can get me Barbara Canepa's autograph; I would love you forever XD). However, I love getting commissions. It makes me feel like a productive member of society and it allows you to get something, too. Making people happy makes me happy. My favorite commissions to take on are the $35 adhorrible badges; they're relatively quick, simple, fun, and they come out looking great. So, yes. If you feel the desperate, burning need to buy me something, commission me. ^_^

Eugh. I hate making the "what you can give me" speech. D: It always makes me feel like a selfish mooch. Pleagh. But it needed to be done, I guess.

Happy Saturday night/Sunday, everyone!

I got a new laminator today. Haven't tried it out, but I've heard good things about this brand (and if it fails, I can always take it back to WalMart :D). The total cost was about $30, which isn't as bad as I'd feared.

In case anyone was wondering, I am, in fact, open for commissions of all types, but especially badges. If you want your own laminated badge, black and white badges are $15 and color badges are $35. Once I have received payment and all the necessary information, most badges are finished by the next day. Here's the badge form that you'll need to send via note or e-mail:

Badge Name:
Expression/Mood:
Character Eye Color:
Hated Color(s): (leave blank if you don't hate any colors)

My only payment options at this time are PayPal and postal money order (as in: a money order you buy at the post office; I cannot accept any other kind). Because they are so quick to make, I will not work on a badge until payment has been received. Shipping is free within the US, so if you want your badge, be sure to include your mailing address in the note. If you're going to be at any of the cons I'm at, we can arrange to meet up and I can deliver your badge in person.

In other news, I'm trying to set up WordPress and ComicPress on my site (Blindsided, specifically http://blindsided.razznet.net ). I've got WordPress installed so far... Does anyone have any experience with this program?

My laminator just died and it took a very well-done badge with it. NOOOO! D:

So, as a result, I am in desperate need of recommendations for a new thermal laminator. It needs to be small (the one I had could laminate up to 4" x 6"; I can't use anything smaller or larger), and it needs to be a thermal laminator that is durable and will last long. Affordable would be nice, but I'm willing to spend some money. My last laminator cost $12 from Big Lots and lasted about five years.

I need to get this thing by RCFM (sooner if possible). Recommendations or good places to look would be hugely appreciated.

Thanks guys!

I forgot to mention this, but a piece of my art is going to be published in the upcoming third issue of Ethereal Tales. The story it goes with, written by Alen Loewen, is very awesome, too. If you like sci-fi/fantasy with a bit of spooky, creepy, and fun thrown in, I recommend this collection of short stories, poetry and art.

You can get a sneak peak of the issue by clicking on "Sneeky Peek".

This is a really short post but I just wanted to let everyone know that I have a dealer's table for the following conventions this year: Rocket City Fur Meet, AnthroCon, and Fur Fright. Yay!

Also, plans are in full swing for a move to Dallas on May 1st. *flails*

Finally got the new computer set up to work thanks to an amazing local friend. The brightness on this screen is blinding but I can actually see the details on user icons. !!!

Give me a day or two to get myself organized and I should be back in business. Yee, working computer, finally! XD

So...This program has been recommended to me by a very respected source and I would like to give it a try. However, I cannot download the trial version at all (the site simply won't let me) and I don't have $95 handy to blow on a program I've never tried. Does anyone happen to have access to the trial version of this program?

Wow. $560 in two weeks. You guys are all amazing. I've split the money and sent half to RSDSA and the other half to Louve herself.

You can see all the donations, art, and updates for this charity right here.

Just...wow. o.o