Black Dahlia

Found a pretty good pattern for fabric when I image-googled for BlackDahlia. Look see, nice huh? I'm thinking that i could stick this cloth motive onto the new gear for Basil/Dusty. Girish mentioned a frothy pink gear. Not sure if I can pull that off.


And Black Dahlia glasscraft from here. Maybe an emblem for the team, on buckles and belts. Not too feminine, but not really badass either. Will be modifying from here maybe.


Many years back, I started writing this cyberpunk story that revolves around the adventures of a pair of twins: Leslie(girl)+Clyde(boy). They started off living with their aunt who's a hooker addicted to a street drug called BlackDahlia. The story (unnamed..and unfinished) explores similar themes as ROMB, but minus the Gorge Fusion and triad politics. Leslie is smart-alecky and streetwise, while Clyde is mentally retarded and guileless. Years later, I came across the drafts again, hidden in some forgotten stacks of paper. After much reading and grimacing, I think there is still a story worth telling there. Definitely needs polishing and refining, and some redirection of events. Should be pretty interesting. They'll be a lot of crows, gothic costumes and gray misty rainy London-esque days. Sexxay sexxay!

Also, I need to mention that BlackDahlia is the name of Elizabeth Short, gruesomely murdered in Hollywood in the 40s. Get the details here. Heinous crime and gory stuff at the site. Be warned.

Anyway, I did 2 Dusty costume designs and decided to use 1 for her Naomi days, and another as the afore-mentioned Girish BlackDahlia gear. The Girish one is pretty flirty, with a chain-mailed top and frothy sleeves. Not to mention ruffles. RUFFLES! :D Might post sketchies later.

Then there's a Basil White sketch. Similar mail top with loose comfy pants. Some chunky breast armor too. Not very unique. Will need to work on it again. He needs something special...something...chinese or J-Poppish gahahaha!

Grandia 2 has the most gorgeous art. Millenia is so evilly sexy. All that jutting firm bouncy...flesh and red flaming hair. Elena doesn't stand a chance XD And Ryudo, check out his abs. I need to weep with joy. Great designs and work from Youshi Kanoe. I really want the artbook, if there's any.

Miz Millenia, O evil patron saint of red hair


Ryudo, needs help everyday getting into his skintight catsuit


Tio, has a very Qiefoong-like weapon


But whoops, no Elena. Whahahaah!!!
*in slow menacing tone* I...don't...like...her...

Blood Test

Went for a blood test the other day and came back with sexy needles tracks all over my snowy white arm. It's always like that. My veins refuse to surface up to the occasion when there's a need for bloodletting. Remember once during college, there was this blood donation campaign in the campus. The nurse had to stick the thick needle into my wrist to start the red stuff flowing. Eyyerrrr....then there's another incident when I need to draw some blood for a HepB antibody test. As usual, my veins at the inner fold of my elbow were virtually non-existent. Doc had to draw the blood from the topside of my hand. Christ. >_<

Those who watched The Fly starring Jeff Goldblum will remember a scene where a scientist was sticking a syringe containing some suspicious liquid into Jeff's brawny arm when our Jeff's muscles suddenly contracted violently and the needle broke. (UUAARRGGGHH! Thinking of it makes me all goosepimply) So the scientist jumped back in shock, while the lone needle remained stuck in ol' Flyman's arm, spurting green stuff; and everyone in front of the TV howled and cringed in disgust. Wahaha horrific stuff!

So yeah, recalling movie scenes like that during a bloodtest is not good. Tenses you up and the doc will need to use more strength to push the needle in. Waha!...

Dum-dum-dum-dum!!

Yikes!

Blindfolded and holding a tire. Fascinating...

PMR and other whatnots

My brother, 15 years old, got his PMR exams results yesterday. I'm really relieved he got 6As and 1B for History. Memorising dates is not his strength. I'm not worried about that though because his results are still great. Everyone was kind of worried that he'll get C for his Maths and Bs for his languages. Not because that he's dumb or anything, but because he's a careless headless chicken at times, especially when the exam questions are easy and he completes them before time and gets over-confident. I believe he lost more marks in careless mistakes more than anything else. But yes, awesomeness of the awesomnest! The kid is waiting for his reward now. I bet mom's conveniently "forgotten" the cellphone she promised him before his exams, just to get him to study harder last time. Ha!

I remember when I took the PMR at 15 (oh so many years ago)...we had 7 subjects in total. Everybody studied their butts off. But of course we were in an all-girls' school and there was a lack of distraction in those days (namely boys). I was in one of the top classes, and all the girls were competitive to boot. The exam itself was not hard, but the trial was. I remember getting only 3 or 4 As for the trial and I felt like it was the end of the world. Good thing though, for the incident changed me into this stubborn arse of a schoolgirl who refused to accept the fact that I *COULD* be anything resembling stupid.

So I got my act together and emerged with 7 brilliant As in the end. I remembered how the teachers called out the names of those with 7As and I was so itchingly full of myself that I just know that my name will called. And it was. I went home that day, so delirious with the secret smugness and knowledge that I could achieve anything at all as long as I put my mind into it.

So Mom came home from work that day, and she didin't even know that my results were out. I was like "Mom, my PMR results are out. I got 7As." And she went, "Oh? That's good." Then she came in, changed for dinner, and berated me for my lousy dinner dishes as usual.

...man, total anti-climatic if you know what I mean. Up til this day I still could not believe she did not even crack half a smile over the news. I didin't know she cared until the next few days when my relatives called up to congratulate me. Mom & Dad had proudly broadcasted the news of my PMR results to everyone....Sometimes I think we Asians are totally retarded when it comes to expressing positive emotions. But I'm saying this in an affectionate sorta way. Having parents like this makes their kids really sensitive to any signs of affection. Which could be bad....or good. :
So at the tender age of 15, I sorta developed this HUGE ego and self-confidence. I never believed there's anything in school or college difficult enough to stop me from excelling. Among classmates and peers, I have this laidback attitude when it comes to revising for oncoming exams. It was never necessary for me to start my studies too early, and despite that, I still managed to get As. In those days, an A means a score of 80-100%. My friends will fight and claw for a score as close to 100 as possible. Me, I am all smiles as long as I'm within the A range. That's probably why I don't bother to try too hard. My classmates would go over their books again and again and yet again, but I stop when I'm done. Terror lerrrr...and I got my ego continually stroked through my first year in college. Nobody was worth competing with. My head must've swelled to gargantuan proportions then. A miracle I managed to secure friends then. Harrrr harrrr.

Then I moved to a private college in Kuala Lumpur. Big city with big cars and abrasive people. It was culture shock. Everyone's like me, full of themselves and over-confident to boot. Between boasters and people that really know their stuff, you can't really tell which is which. I grew really passive and quiet and sat at the back of the class, for fear that I will say something that will reveal my ignorance, for fear that I will not fit in because I do not understand their tech jargon. I virtually had no friends in the first semester. It was horrible. Everything I believed about myself crumbled. I could not understand the assignments given, could not handle simple instructions (uncertainty due to lack of confidence), have questions but too scared to ask. Everyone was better than me. They argue with the lecturers, they talk about strange wondrous new IT terms that meant nothing to me. I was stuck in Hell.

My first semester test dealt my ego the final blow....I guess I had no choice but to accept that I was deluding myself all that while. A Chinese saying "There are always mountains higher than this mountain". I accepted the fact that there will be always people smarter than me, richer, prettier, luckier. I think this is one step I made towards maturity, and I dropped the defensive attitude. I started to make friends and loosen up. Things got better, really better, and in the end, I graduated with my IT degree, with good grades that I can be really proud of, even now.

Hardships teaches you, really. That's probably why I get antsy when I'm too comfy or happy with something. I hope I'm not getting masochistic XD

Appeal for Donation

I have been doing nothing but scoured the net for news on the Asian quakes/tsunamis. Despite the skyhigh deathrate, it is surprising to note that I'm touched by how people from all over the world, regardless of religion, skin color and beliefs come together as a single force to actively deliver help to the unfortunates.

Have you done something for these people today? Be it by donating clothes, money or uttering a simple prayer, please do not think your effort will be too small to make a dent in their suffering. Most of the survivors lost everything, needless to say, even the clothes on their back. Old clothes that fit you no longer, tatty shoes, stained blankets: donate them. What's the use of it being eaten away by moths in the dark corner of your closet when it could be swaddling a freezing baby? Don't just sit there on your ass waiting for someone to come over to you with a donation box. Year end bonus'in your bank account. Break a bit off it to the disaster victims. Donations could be made here:

American Red Cross
New Straits Times Donation (in Malaysian Ringgit)
The Star + Maybank Relief Fund (in Malaysian Ringgit)

And everybody's still waiting for news from Myanmar. Here's what CNN said:

Aid agency officials may have already asked the question, but no answer appears to be forthcoming from the reclusive military government.

Seismologists have said that extra distance could give the energy of Sunday's earthquake extra power.

If this is so, and Thailand has suffered so much, how have the fishing villages and stilt huts along Myanmar's coast fared?

It may be that another soaring increase in the devastation wreaked by the killer waves is yet to be revealed.

Judging by the damage already done, Myanmar's tragedy could even be far greater. It is difficult to contemplate, but who knows what secrets Myanmar holds.

Perhaps a bigger tragedy still lies ahead.

Our Prime Minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said that the government has cancelled all celebration to usher in the new year, including new year eve concerts, firework displays, etc. He urges people to pray, regardless of religion and institutions, for strength and protection for all the victims, the country and the world. Full coverage here. I am glad that Malaysia has a leader like him.

Last ROMB Page of 2004

But you can't be sure this will be the last page of 2004. I might flip out and do 2-3 more pages; one page per day til the 31st hahahaha! .... But really, not possible XD

Yes yes. New year being ushered in. 2004 was pretty rocky, and it ended with calamities over Asia with the tsunamis and quakes. I am tired of hoping that things will improve, because I have this inkling that it won't. But come what may, we'll live out and savor each day, even if it will be the last day we'll ever have. No point worrying about tomorrow when today is not over yet, right? :) So everybody brace yerself! Enjoy the countdown fireworks, spend time with your loved ones, and still...always remember to find joy in simple things in the midst of all this revelry. Happy new year people. :)

Okay, to the new page. I'm happy with how Aida turned out in the 2nd and 3rd panels. She actually looks slightly menacing. So far, I've portrayed her as the ever-suffering sister who will sacrifice herself for the happiness of her brother, and she's done no wrong, said nothing offensive, and all the hardships she goes through, she takes them on patiently and serenely. A damn saint, in short. With this scene, I hope to bring out another side of her; an Aida who is disgruntled, with flashes of temper, critical, emotional. This Aida is prone to scathing remarks, barbs and cruel outbursts. This is Aida through Matt's eyes.

There'll be one more page til the end of this scene. Then, as promised, I'll be paving the way to introduce our first ROMB pairing. The initial draft for the next 3 scenes are made, but still need further refining. It's gonna be very funny. You'll be entertained, I promise. :)

Okay, back to work for me!

Happy New Year and Merry Xmas everybardi!!!

I'm going to Brunei today. Nice weather too. WOOHOO! In case I haven't said it yet: Everyone have a great Christmas and an awesome time with your family! Yes, watch that waistline, especially if you're over 30 cuz that metabolism's slowing down and you'll have a shitty time losing the pounds T_T Still, catch some great fireworks in the sky, get drunk, have lots of hot Christmas sex, etc. Just have fun. 2004 was such an ... intensive .. year.

I forgot to feel depressed and got really happy nowadays. Even splurged on some Robin Schone books. Woohoo! Heard nothing but praises for her stuff, if you're into sizzzzzzzling romances that is. Not smut, mind. Robin Schone books are not Black Lace stuff. Ánd I'm hoping everyday that the books arrive in one piece to my postbox. Woohoo!

Okay, gotta change and eat and board a plane. Cheeriooo!

PS. Oh btw, I drafted a new page, but alas, not enough time to complete it. After Christmas, I hope. :)

Princess Blade

ARGHHHHHHHHHHHHH They showed Princess Blade yesterday in telly and nobody told me about it!!! ..... Shin did, today. She told me how much the movie rocks and how deliciously violent and fantastic it was. I hate you all T_T They even have Hideaki Ito in the movie. Why nobody told me....T_______________________T

Another movie I am dying to watch is Casshern. I heard its already out in dvd. I hope they have it out here. Got one bishie in the film:

Ju-Lian : if u watch the trailer properly, got one super bishie T_T
Shinyu : ..... 1 only?
Ju-Lian : lots of bishojo lah
Ju-Lian : the rest not that bishie hahaha
Ju-Lian : international shortage of bishie ah, dont be greedy
Shinyu : hahahahhahaa
Shinyu : i think shortage coz no contribution from malaysia.

I'm going to the mall to look for dvds. Wish me luck!!!! X_X

Glasses

Taking Shin's advise, I went to get my eyes checked. You might not know this but I've been having severe headaches for the past few days this week. Firstly, I thought it was due to lack of sleep and too much telly, but despite getting many hours of sleep, I still have this odd and awful throbbing in my head. It gets very bad when I try to read or look into the computer screen. This is totally uncool. Ju is getting glasses soon T_T

Spent RM380 on the new pair and will be getting them this evening. I'm thinking of wearing them only when I'm using the computer, reading and driving. Hope it clears up the headache. Otherwise I might have to go for a brainscan or something. Oh frick.

But anyway, I got my eyes checked, and my short-sightedness was only 50. By norm, you don't need glasses, but the optician said that my eyes might be taking too much damage by the amount of time I spent in front of computers. I'm choosing to believe that. Sometimes when I sit in cars, I get this really overpowering nausea for no reason at all. What the hell is wrong with me...

Today, all I managed to do was to check my emails and draw one panel of the new page. Then I had to take a break and nap a bit to keep the headache tolerable. This is so horrible. I'm starting to think that I'll never be happy again. T_T Someone wake me up from this migraine nightmare.

But at least my indigestion is slowly clearing up. I think I might be taking too much meds from last week's bout of flu+fever. I feel nauseas before, during and after meals but I still force myself to eat. This got so bad that I was gagging for 3 hours after dinner everynight. Crazeeee! >__< Eeeee!

Breakfast

One of the best stuff you can eat here in Malaysia are the curries, and one of the best curries is the dry oyster curry. Goes DAMN WELL with fried noodles and vermicelli. I love how the Malay lady behind my house does her oyster curry. Chock-full of chillis and spices and not too greasy or wet. And after eating these stuff, it's a must to scan your teeth for stuck chilli bits. XD

And yes, have you watched the Phantom of the Opera movie? It was pretty good. Lots of good-looking people too. But I think the Phantom and Christine needs to have more dramatic stage stances and hand movements. In short, more acting lessons. It's weird seeing them exhibiting no body language whatsoever while singing. I just think it could have been better. And the guy who played Raoul, I was worried that his role will be too wimpy for my taste, but to my surprise, Patrick Wilson did a very good job and carried the role well. The movie could've been better, but it's still good. Musical score, costume and set are superb, as usual, and the sexual awakening/seduction theme in the story really got me all interested. Am always a sucker for stuff like these. That's prolly why I'm such a Regency/historical romance addict.

Next stop: Stephen Chow's Kungfu Hustle

And i have this god-awful headache for days. I think it's because I'm watching too much tv. I'm watching this latest TVB movie they call "War and Beauty". It's awesome. Lots of evil bitchy woman vying for the attention of the Emperor. Court intrigue, rich brocaded outfits, total awesomeness! TVB movies are too darn addictive.

Ugh, I need to complete a new ROMB page soon. Going to Brunei this weekend. Yippee!

Dry Spot

Long time since the last blog entry. Guess I'm going through this really busy time of the year again where work piles up and sits on top of your head while you try to complete them before your neck breaks like a toothpick. That aside, our Jushin host seems to be down for no reason. Another reason not to rush the new page XD. But it's 80% done anyway. Hope to complete it tonight so I can go complete my Return to Mysterious Island game. There's one good adventure game, if you ask me.

Thanks all who had posted ideas to help me unclog drains. I've gotten it done! Yay! Got a bottle of watered down acid and poured it into the drain. Used a long pole to push through the crap in the pipes. It appeared that my ex-tenant was rearing some fighter cocks there previously, causing the drain to be stuck with chicken feathers and other stuff (that SHOULD NOT belong in there). Who could've guessed...>_> So yes, Ive spent a small fortune on the renovation. Lets hope the new family coming in will take care of the place. Don't think I will be able to endure another mind-bending experience like this.

I'm also sick, by the way, thanks to the weather here which could be freezing one minute, and scorchin hot in another. I have to breath through my mouth now. Nostrils are stuck. T_T Oh boy. Hm...medication making me drowsy too. I think I'll take the rest of the day off and go home today.

Tenant Problems again

I need plumbing advice. How the hell do I clear a stuck piping system that consists of a series of complicated fixtures within the walls? Well, save from breaking down the walls and replacing the pipes, that is. I've gotten suggestions to pour acid into them....as to dissolve any blockage in them. But....won't that dissolve the pipes too? Oh jeez. What the hell am I to do now. Even the useless plumber my new tenant found told her to fix the problem herself. Asked her to dig out the blockage herself. Man...and he charged me so much for the small little things he changed, ie faucets, shower head, etc. Are there no more honest people in this world?

And then there's the problem with the f-cked up toilet flush. Can't flush, floatation thingie busted, lid missing. Seems that I'll need to change the whole box. Won't be surprised if that'll cost me. And what's more I'll have to get a person to install it for me after that. Another dishonest plumber who'll rip me off silly because there's nobody else who'll do it.

Man, do I regret renting out my house to my past tenant. I mean, like, what did he do to block the pipes in the first place. I don't see other people staying in the same block experiencing this problem. I can understand if the fuses are dead, or if I need to repaint the walls, or if the ceiling fan needs to be changed...but BLOCKED PIPES? .... Hrrrrhhh, maybe he did it just to spite me. Who fricking knows...

And so tomorrow i'll have to drive 45 minutes down to the place to check out the damage. Oh hell. This is so great.