It's Thanksgiving, and I thought that I should really try to post something in honor of the holiday... especially since I haven't updated in a while.  Now, I could do something mushy, maybe a list of all the people I'm thankful for in my life, like I did a few years back.  But I don't really feel like it.  So instead, I thought I would try to start a meme.

Step 1: Comment here with any 3 fictional characters, from any fandom(s), as long as they are characters/fandoms I know.

Step 2: Below the cut, I will put what I think each character would be most thankful for this holiday.  It might be just a simple response, or it might be a picture or even a drabble... pretty much anything, as long as it answers the question.

Step 3: Repost this in your own journal (IF YOU WANT TO), with the same instructions.

( Responses below the cut...Collapse )

Uhh... if you're not sure which fandoms I'm familiar with, just gimme some characters, and if I don't know them I'll tell you so.  But for the record, my main fandoms right now are Glee, Metalocalypse, and Harry Potter.

Anyway, I'm really hoping at least one or two people do repost this.  I've never started a meme before... but I think it would be pretty awesome if this thing actually took off.  lol.



Also!  If you know of any existing memes that are Thanksgiving-related, I'd love some links, because I think I might like to do a couple.  Or you can just comment and tell me how your holiday is going (or just how your day is going, if you're not American/don't celebrate Thanksgiving).

The point is, I miss talking to you guys. <3

So, yesterday was St. Patrick's Day, as you all know.  It's that wonderful holiday when it's okay to get piss-drunk and act like a complete idiot — as long as you're wearing something green!  Of course, I myself sat at home and didn't get to do anything special...  But!  I did make some icons.

This is actually my first complete icon set (a full seventeen; just like the date!), and the first time EVER I've made more than two, maybe three icons at a time.*  Amazing, no?  They were made for twilightspeaks's St. Patrick's Day mini-fest over on IJ.  Do check it out; there are lots of other amazing submissions there! <3


[17] Metalocalypse: Pickles the Drummer (St. Pat's themed)

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1. Comment if you're taking, please.  It only takes a minute!
2. Credit (see below if you don't know how).  Not crediting is like saying you made it.
3. Don't hotlink and/or repost them elsewhere without my permission.
4. Do not claim as your own.  Obviously. :P
5. Don't alter; if you need something changed, ask and I'll do it for you.  Blank icons are not bases.
6. If you want to use these outside LJ, you MUST ask my permission.  (I'll probably say yes.)

Warning: Pickles in his underwear; may be NWS


   

( Ey'm jest too drunk right now...Collapse )

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* Okay, there was that one time.  But those were crap and it doesn't count.

Oh my lord, my brother-in-law is such a douchebag.  It literally makes my head hurt.

He just spent nearly half an hour arguing with me — despite my sister's fervent protests, and even to the point of yelling — that the only possible way to safely use the internet is have above-average technical knowledge, such as of a computer technician.  And, guess what?  He didn't mean "safely" as in, you're guaranteed to never ever get a virus/trojan/etc. x infinity.  He pretty much meant "safely" as in, as safe as walking down the street.

Like, he was basically trying to convince me that anyone would be a careless idiot to own/use an internet-connected computer unless they are an expert on avoiding and combating online threats.

Honestly, it is impossible to talk to that man.  He will grab on to any minuscule statement you make and turn it into a gigantic debate.  He is always the expert on every topic, and he always knows better than anyone he talks to.  In other words: if you think ___, about anything, then ___ is incorrect and here is the right way.  And if you agree with him, it's almost guaranteed that he'll change his mind just so he can "prove you wrong" yet again.

Like the title says... *MASSIVE HEADDESK*





Anyway, sorry for the rant.  In cheerier news: Happy New Year! :D

So, you know that Motown song:  Ain't no mountain high / Ain't no valley low / Ain't no river wide enough, baby...

To be honest, I don't really understand why a valley would be an obstacle. O_o  Isn't that basically just a plain?  Those are the easy areas to traverse, as opposed to... pretty much everything else.  I mean, I get that it's just a lyric, and it's there because valleys are more or less the opposite of mountains (though, really I think that's canyons, isn't it?).  But am I the only one to whom this doesn't quite make sense?

Not that song lyrics really have to make sense, or anything. >_>



Meanwhile, not doing much for Christmas Eve — just sittin' alone at home.  It's not as depressing as it sounds, honest.  My family's doing the big dinner and gift exchange on New Year's instead (which is the traditional Russian way), so this just means I have more time to buy last-minute presents.  Plus, it's not like Jesus's real birthday is in December, anyway.

I do kinda wish we also celebrated Hanukah (and were wealthier).  Then I'd get twice the presents. :P

Otherwise, if anyone cares... I've been occupying myself by [not] working on my hearts_and_guts assignment, and making more Metalocalypse LJ icons.  See?  *points to userpic*


Anyway, whatever you celebrate, if anything— Happy Holidays!

Boy, that's a lot of tags. *facepalm*

So.  I didn't have time to participate in any of the Valentine's fandom stuff this year (though, I'll admit to wanting to), but dorkdance was having a last-minute anti-Valentine's Day challenge, so I thought I'd do that instead.  Pseudo-nonconformity is always fun, right? :P

The challenge is still going, by the way, and will stay open 'til whenever.  So please do feel free to participate and pimp it in your own journals!


As for me... I can't say that I'm 100% against Valentine's Day (being a dorky romantic at heart), but holidays in general tend to annoy me some.  Besides, I definitely agree with dorkdance's sentiment that having just one day designated for romance is rather lame.  And so is all the angsting we're encouraged go through if we don't have dates.

Thus, Art!  But first, a couple of unofficial notes:

1. This was meant to be just an offhand doodle.  Yeah... that didn't exactly happen.  I tried, I swear, but I think this may be as offhand as I get.

2. I was also going to add some gory blood-splatter and such.  That, too, didn't happen.  Mostly because by the time I finished the main drawing, I was afraid anything more might ruin it.

3. Oh, and there's lyrics.  I'm just horribly lame, I'm sure. *g*


Title: A Little Too Literal
Fandom: Harry Potter
Subject: Snape/Black, sort of.  Sirius comes back as Cupid to, uh... claim Snape's heart.
Rating: PG-13/R-ish
Medium: Sketched in pencil, traced in ink, sharpened in Photoshop
Disclaimer #1: They belong to JKR.  And even she's not this mean to them, usually.
Disclaimer #2: Despite the cartoon style used, Sirius is in his 30s and not intended to appear otherwise.  Any perception to the contrary is purely coincidental and out of my control.
Notes: Drawn for dorkdance's Really Last-Minute VD Challenge.  (Psst!  Go submit something!)
Warning: Dark humor, implied death (or heavy injury).  Partial nudity.

Preview:


( Ah, romance...Collapse )

A small tribute to my friends and family (in no particular order):


Jess: I couldn't describe how much you mean to me, but I'm sure you already know, because I know I mean just as much to you. You are the best friend I've ever had, as well as the oldest, and it amazes me how well our friendship has lasted through these years (although I do wish we saw more of each other). Even though we're very different, we're very much alike at the same time, and that's what's so great about you. You get me in ways that no one else can, and you can relate to me on those silly things that many other people I know would simply find weird or childish. I love how young you remain at heart, despite all your maturity. You manage to remind me that it's ok to be goofy and act like a kid sometimes, and that it doesn't matter what others think of you. I love you, I hope we stay friends forever.

Annalore: You are a very important person in my life. It's not just the many things I rely on you for -- from coding help, to advice on my artistic ventures, to someone to discuss the latest episode of Some TV Show We Both Watch with -- but the fact that just knowing you has helped shape the person I am today. You're unquestionably one of the smartest people I've met, not to mention among the very coolest; your wit, ingenuity, and endless ability to bare with someone such as myself, despite all the crap we've been through, amazes me day after day. I know we fight more often than preferable, and there are times I really dislike you (as I'm sure there are when you dislike me), but in the end I am definitely blessed to know you.

Ian: I'm really glad you're a part of my life. You are cool in very many ways, most of which I'm sure you're aware of. There are many things I would not have known and would not have done if you and I weren't friends -- I would've missed out on a lot. There's so much stuff I love about you, from how easygoing you are with practically everything, to how you and I can talk for hours about seemingly nothing at all. And I love how despite the fact that our views differ on many key subjects, we never argue or fight about who's right and we never get offended at the other's opposing viewpoint, but instead we can both respect each other's opinions and learn something from the other person. And even though sometimes you seem altogether too smart for me, I still always find lots to talk about with you, and the time we spend together is still among the most fun parts of my life. I'm so, so glad that we didn't drift apart after high school... or rather that, after drifting apart, we managed to drift back together. You're one of my best friends, I wouldn't be the same without you.

Magz: You make me laugh. You are a great friend, in many ways. Your never-ending encouragement and lovely compliments concerning my graphics not only have brightened many a day for me, but have helped give me the will to believe in myself and to keep doing what I love (and by the way, your own blending skills, my dear, are astounding). And even though there are lots of things we disagree on, particularly in the fandom, I'm glad that it hasn't diminished our friendship or made us think any less of each other. You're a great person, and I'm happy to know you.

Mom: I'm sorry I don't say this enough [or barely at all], but you are my rock. You have done so, so much for me while asking for little to nothing in return. You have built me up, you've pushed me, and sometimes you've even carried me on your shoulders. You've done much more for me than I deserve, and more than any mother need do for her daughter. I could never have gotten through the years without your love and support. I know I disappoint you sometimes, and I'm very sorry for that, but I know you love me anyway. You're a wonderful mom.

Dad: You've been like my best friend ever since I was little. You are one of the few grownups I can really relate to and that I feel understands me, and you treat me like an equal despite the fact that you're older, smarter, and way more knowledgeable than I. I am very grateful for that. I've borrowed a lot of ideas from you, many things you have taught me have shaped who I am and how I look at the world; this is because I admire you more than anyone else in my life -- you are the wisest person I know (not to mention the most culturally evolved). You are an amazing person in so many ways -- your strong ideals, your integrity and perseverance, your passion for literature which I greatly envy. Along with that, your humor and ability to look at every situation with a smile has helped me maintain my faith in life and desire to stay an optimist, even through dark times. I might've given up long ago if it weren't for you.

Terry and Irina: I know we don't always get along, but you guys both mean a lot to me. Even though I've often wished I had sisters closer to my own age, you guys have both been great in your different ways, and it probably would not have been the same if you were younger. I love you both; I'm sorry if I don't show it enough. In her own way each of you is important to me, and each of you has done many things for me that I am very grateful for. You've both helped me grow and helped shape me as a person.

Joe: I know we've drifted apart these past few years; I really wish we hadn't. But I want you to know that you still hold a very special place in my heart. You're smart, ambitious, and you have a lot going for you -- you are a great inspiration to me. And I'm glad for what we did have a few years back, even if we don't anymore. Some of my best memories have you in them, and I'm eternally thankful for all the fun we've had.

Sam: You're so smart, so funny and sweet, and so mature for your age. Despite the fact that I don't get to see you, what I hear about you from your mom and grandma makes me very proud. I only hope your brothers and cousins (including the children I might have some day) can follow your example.

Denis: Sometimes you can be a little bratty, but I know that you're a good kid at heart. I love what a great imagination and sense of humor you have. I know that you'll make your parents and the rest of us proud.

Ben and Gregory: You guys are so cute and sweet, I adore you both. I know that even though you're sometimes a hassle to take care of, the two of you and Sammy bring Terry and Nick lots of joy, and that more than makes up for it.

Rich and Maria: You two are practically like my second parents. I love you both; my friendship with Jess would not be complete if I didn't get to also be friends with you. You're both funny (in different ways) and you both make me smile, you're kind, you're caring, and you are great parents to Jessica. You're both amazing people.



Oops... that took a lot longer to write than I thought it would. I guess it's technically not Thanksgiving anymore. But oh well, it's the sentiment that's important, right? I actually meant to say more... like, non-Thanksgiving-related stuff... but I'm really sleepy right now, so that will have to wait for the next post. *yawn* Happy... um, stuff... everyone...

(Reply to this and make Supes' mediocre holiday a little brighter. You know you want to.)