Wednesday, July 22, 2009

101 Goals in 1001 Days... the knowingly less-willed version

Hello, closeteers! I'm still alive!
...barely. 8D
Still waiting for confirmation as to whether I'm even leaving the country in (!!!) 18 days. Calling tomorrow for info. =x

In the meantime... I wanted to share a very inspiring project.

So I was inspired by this project to start my own list of goals. However, knowing how well my will and determination work, I decided to start with smaller objectives - as in, less goals, in less time.

So, here's my 29 Goals in 29 Weeks list. The number 29 was chosen randomly by asking an unsuspecting person - Pinkcess - for a random number between 1 and 50.

Ongoing goals
Completed goals

1. Spend an entire afternoon looking for 4-leaf clovers
Why: Ever since primary school, I've had a thing with 4-leaf clovers. I usually find at least about a dozen per year. Up to 5 this season =) It'd be nice to take the time to look, not so much to collect them, but just relax for a full afternoon =)
How: Spend at least straight 4 hours (as little walking around as possible) looking for 4-leaf clovers.

2. Enjoy being out in the rain
Why: Most of the time I've been out in the rain, it was on my way to somewhere, and the rain was never really welcome. I feel it would have a cleansing effect to just stop running for cover and enjoy the wash =)
How: Spend a reasonable amount of time (i.e. not just 5 minutes, but not enough to get sick) under the rain, without an umbrella. Other waterproof items are allowed.

3. Try the Finnish sauna
Why: I've tried sauna just once here, and it wasn't bad... I was just very young. I should at the very least honor such an ancient tradition =)
How: Spend at least 15 minutes in a Finnish sauna - either traditional or modern.

4. Read the first book of Twilight
Why: Though the whole concept / story seems unappealing to me, I've noticed and highly disliked my disdain for something I haven't even experienced firsthand. For the sake of open-mindedness and tolerance, I shall make an effort =)
How: Read the complete first book of the Twilight series.

5. Listen to Britney's new album
Why: Very similar to the reasons for goal04: for the sake of open-mindedness, I shall try =)
How: Listen and pay attention to each song from Britney Spears's album 'Circus'

6. Listen to Jann Wilde's latest album
Why: Very similar to the reasons for goal04 and goal05: for the sake of open-mindedness, I shall try =)
How: Listen and pay attention to each song from Jann Wilde's MNeon City Rockers' album.

7. Try tasting alcohol
Why: The last time I tried drinking alcohol, I was... 15. Though I won't go back on my decision not to drink, again, for the sake of experimenting, I shall take a gulp of an alcoholic beverage.
How: Take a reasonable sip of an alcoholic beverage (not shots).

8. *PRIVATE*

9. *PRIVATE*

10. Read a random book proposed by Michi
Why: I am very much in awe of all the book Michi talks about in her posts. I wish I had enough focus to read and enjoy so many books, so, I shall start somewhere =)
How: Read in its entirety, whether it captives me or not, a book suggested by Michi.

11. Spend an entire week (7 days) eating 3 meals a day
Why: Because I often skip meals, and I know that when I'll be at school, chances are I'll skip more than one per day...
How: Eat a consistent amount of food and beverage 3 times a day, for 7 days in a row.

12. Spend 2 entire weeks (14 days) doing 1h of exercise per day
Why: As my challenge begins on August 29th, most of my 1-hour walks to go to and back from work will be over, so I'll have to make an effort.
How: Do 1 hour straight of physical exercise, i.e. walking for an hour, doing various routines with short resting periods, etc.

13. Do a one-comic-a-day week (7 days)
Why: As I write this, I do have inspiration for comics - but the stress is burning most of my creative energy. And having people waiting for every comic each day makes me feel special ;)
How: Post one comic (no older than a week) per day for 7 days in a row.

14. Do 2 one-drawing-a-day weeks (14 days)
Why: I must stimulate my creative skills and overall artistic talent, so I shall push myself to do the effort of actually creating.
How: Post one drawing (not older than 2 days) per day during 7 days in a row, x2 (excludes comic-a-day goal13)

15. Send a real secret to PostSecrets
Why: I've been enjoying PostSecrets for a few years now, and I lack the courage to send in one of my own secrets. Also, it's a creative exercise.
How: Write down a real (untold) secret on a postcard, decorate it and send it to PostSecret.

16. Customize (sewing, painting, drawing) one piece of clothing
Why: I've always dreamed of creating clothing, but again, I lack the dedication. One step at a time =)
How: Create or customize (decorate or enhance) a clothing item (shirt, t-shirt, pants, skirt, etc).

17. Do a one-photo-a-day week (7 days)
Why: I truly suck at taking pics, so this is a good occasion to work on it =)
How: Take and post one photograph per day, for 7 days in a row (excluding SPF, see goal18)

18. Start a Self-Portrait Thursday project of my own
Why: A Flickr group features that project, inviting people to take a photograph of themselves or having it taken by someone else, every Thursday, and post it every week. I thought the idea was quite interesting to see how much someone can change through the weeks and follow the evolution.
How: Take and post a picture of myself every Thursday for the 29 weeks of my challenge.

19. Have a white night out
Why: Almost did it last summer in Finland: waiting for the sun to rise in the morning. I never did that, and I feel like I should =)
How: Spend a whole night outside my living quarters (hostel, house, room, etc. : can include indoors as long as most of the night is not spent in one place) until 7:30am.

20. Visit a city in a new country (not Finland)
Why: I've officially been to: 2 countries. I need to see more!
How: Spend at least a few hours walking around in a city of a country other than Canada and Finland.

21. Post a video every week for 29 weeks
Why: I've been given a camcorder before my departure last summer, so it is only fair I put it to use. =)
How: Make and post at least one video of a minimum length of 60 seconds every week for 29 weeks.

22. Make 29 new friends
Why: I'm switching countries. I won't turn my back on my friends here, but it is normal - and imperative - that I meet new people. To learn, share, and broaden experiences =)
How: Make friends with 29 people. Those people can already be acquaintances, but a deeper knowledge of them - life, likes, strengths, etc. - is needed. Can be either in rl or online.

23. Go vegetarian for a week (7 days)
Why: I've noticed that my taste for meat has been declining over the years. I don't look at meat with disdain or distaste, but I don't mind eating less. Also, going out of my way to find new recipes / things to eat is a good way to experience new things =)
How: Eat no meat or fish for 7 days in a row. Eggs and dairies are allowed.

24. Find 29 new bands/artists I like
Why: A recurrent theme in this list, being open-minded. I used to be very open to stuff, but growing older, I lost a lot of that. So, working on it, and best way to initiate that is to start with something very dear to my heart: music.
How: Find 29 new bands/artists that don't figure on my iTunes playlist, or at least not extensively (2 songs max). Only artists that I will keep listening to for a whole week without forcing myself to will be counted.

25. Start to read a book in Finnish
Why: Because honestly, I can't wait to be good enough to do it =) I can already picture myself thrilled of actually understanding the stuff =D
How: Read a book of at least 30 pages in Finnish. Can be a children's book. Review each chapter.

26. Write a story starring Closet Characters
Why: Sometimes, the characters in my head go much faster than I can summon the creative energy to picture them, so I lose a lot of good ideas. Also, sometimes those ideas demand greater skills than I possess; so I shall try and make them come alive in people's head rather than in their eyes.
How: Write a 5-page long story in work, font size 10, starring Closet Inc. characters, either original or inspired.

27. Buy and complete a colouring book
Why: I love doing childish stuff, so this is an artistic way to do it. Also, I'll practice shading and colouring techniques =)
How: Buy a colouring book, and colour each page completely (note: not necessarily *entirely* coloured, but all elements must have color).

28. Write 29 snailmail letters of at least one page and send them out
Why: I love getting mail, so I shall send out some to share the feeling with friends =)
How: Write and send 29 letters of at least a complete page.

29. Every week, share about a band, an artist, a comic or a project on my blogs
Why: You might have noticed, I already kinda started. I've always dreamed to share such things with people, and I'm finally getting the right feeling for it.
How: Post on LJ, Twitter, Blogspot and / or Facebook about at least one project (music, art, comics, etc.) I follow regularly.


Start date: July 29th, 2009
End date: February 10th, 2010

Updates will be HERE (comics from goal13 will be published normally on Closet Inc)

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Gah -___-

Hello, Closeteers!
Sorri for the long time without news.

On Friday, I'll be sending out my residence permit application to go study in Finland, after getting it authentified by the consulate here in Montreal. This is the culminating point of lots of stress, though I'll only get the final answer in 4 to 6 weeks. Still.
Stress has kinda been killing me, ruining my sleep and making me a bit grumpy sometimes (a lot, sometimes, too). Though I don't exactly expect to be less stressed during the next 11.5 weeks (prior to my departure), I will have less to do, pocumentation-pilling-wise, so more free time. I have this 3-panel, full decor comic to finish, and a few funny ideas.
Hopefully, the Closet will help me relax.

Thank you all again, you're a big part of the reason I'm still here and soon, will be there =)

~Laury

Monday, April 13, 2009

Time Passes, People Change...

Hello, Closeteers! 
I write to you all again.

I wish you had a very nice Zombie Jesus celebration. I'm sorry I - once again, as always with predictable events - missed the occasion to draw something funny and cute. Sorri. =3

A little update on my life at the moment, just because it has and will have an influence on the closet's updates in the future.

Well, first, I was accepted in a Finnish boarding school to learn the language and culture.
Yes, in Finland.
So I will be leaving at the beginning of August, the beloved province that is Quebec, for at least 9 months of hard studies.
I will be taking my dearest baby with me, meaning my laptop, but alas, the internet connection at the school is... miraculous. As in, hard to get and rare, meaning you do with what you get.
So I might have a lot of occasions to draw - but little occasion to post.
That might mean that I put more effort in colouring, shading, or even, who knows... backgrounds?
(this has NOTHING to do with the latter part of this post)

So. I will be leaving in less than 4 months now, and to be absolutely honest, this is scaring the fucking shit out of me. But. Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear. I believe this and will go to the end of my dream.
even if I'll just have enough money after that to try and find a way to stay, otherwise I'll have to come back here and I'd rather not
This also means that I have a shitload of paperwork to go through. Lots. Of. Fun.

I... still managed to complete this project I started a while ago. See, the absence of a location for my comics started to get on my nerves a while ago already. Sooooo. I worked on it.

And I give you... Closet Baari! =D

Please note the following:
- the curtain poles and decoration made with clothes hangers;
- the pictures on the walls from Closet Inc;
- the toilet signs;
- Jussi scurrying away on all fours;
- Masa's flushed look.

Also,
- Closet Bar only serves iced tea. Don't ask why.
- The bartender is PB (Phantom Bartender).
[yes, it's PK, but you know, he needed a part-time job, and he deals well with annoying customers]
- Rumors were made for that job.

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Requiescat In Pace. Paul Vallée, 1917-2009.

Jgffhbgygtrrsstt.
*sighs*
Well, this will be a short break.
My grandpa died this morning - 91, he had a long, fully-spent life - so Friday and Saturday will be spent in my family. I'm working tomorrow (Wednesday) and 12 hours on Thursday, then on Sunday I have a special dinner for a friend and colleague. I also promised to walk a lovely, gigantic dog sometime this weekend, then starting Monday it's 10-hour work days.
I also need to find time to sleep.
So, sorri, I have 2 comic ideas, I started working on revamping the links, I continued the buttons - but this'll have to wait a little.

~Laury

Monday, March 23, 2009

Listen!

New Bloodpit song available to listen!

http://www.last.fm/music/Bloodpit

Honestly? It's been ages since I've been looking forward to listen to an album like I am now =D