tamayouchi

I have disappeared into the black shadows of inactivity.

Actually, that isn't true. I'm actually quite active browsing through art, but I just don't draw much anymore. I don't know if that will change in the future, but my profession limits me from excessively using my dominant arm. It gets so tired that I barely want to cook food, let alone draw. But I'm doing something that I should have done from the very beginning - I am going to use my other arm. I know I'll never be ambidextrous, but it will allow my right arm to do more fun things, like draw or play badminton.

I've shifted into a gaming mindset, and I've played my 3DS a lot lately. I want to do a little YouTube review channel, but I don't have the charisma. I'm a little too serious. I do blog some reviews on Tumblr, but I have to get back into that too. *Sigh* I'm so lazy.

In more fun news, I actually met ancode and CarmenMCS in real life in February. I've watched both of them since I started going on dA, so I was super excited despite being sick most of the time. Sooorrrry! Getting a local perspective was great and my favorite part was the "geek triangle" of Barcelona. I would have bought so much stuff if I could read Spanish. I guess I should start learning...?

My life has changed quite a bit with a move, work, and my renewed addiction to video games. I've been playing Fire Emblem: Awakening since it was released in February and despite my love-hate relationship with it, it's one of my favorite games. I love everything about it! I played it multiple times to get all the support conversations too. I wanted my strongest characters in the game to be in the file where my avatar is married to Chrom, but my first file is where I'm strongest and my avatar is married to Walhart. LOL. I am obsessed and I know it.

The only reason I have even an inkling of hate with it is because of my pre-order experience. This is why I no longer go to EB Games/Game Stop. I generally don't like buying things online, so I go to a store whenever I can. I have no problem with the "buy within 48 hours of release" rule at their store either. Unfortunately, Fire Emblem broke the street date and NO ONE from the store contacted me. So when I went to the store 48 hours within the original release date and told it was all sold out, I wanted to cry. What a horrible business practice - I kept my end of the deal as a customer and I was just brushed off. I was then told there would be a shipment later on the day I was there and I would be called when it came in, but I wasn't contacted, not until a week afterwards. I didn't even get my bonus art book because they gave them all away.

I contacted the manager and even e-mailed the main site, but all I got was a "sorry" - no compensation or anything. I was too stunned to make a scene in the store and retrospectively, I should have. It was my THIRD bad pre-order experience with the company, and since I can't do anything, I have just decided not to buy from them ever again. This isn't about getting a video game, it's about PROPER business practice. I give money, I expect a service especially if our agreement is written on the receipt! Try doing the same thing with food or an apartment; wouldn't you be upset if you paid for food and lodging and instead find yourself starving, homeless, and on top of that, broke?!

I know it's been months, and I've probably written about this already, but I'm still bitter whenever I think about it. Sorry Fire Emblem, you're an awesome game, but you shall always be tainted with that bitter experience.

I feel guilty that I've neglected art, but lately it's been feeling like work, rather that a relaxing experience. Naturally, I don't draw that often despite wanting to. I'm also jealous of how much everyone's improved since I joined this site, but since I haven't put the effort everyone else has, it's only natural that my work is stagnant. I also feel horrible that I haven't been able to keep my promises, and I have become an arrogant jerk. I apologize for that, and please forgive my poor will.

Lots of people have moved to Tumblr too - I'm so behind the times and maintaining multiple accounts is difficult for me when I try to balance work, exercise, family, etc. Speaking of which, I passed my ultrasound certification exams (despite constantly playing Fire Emblem ) and have been working for the last five months. My job is quite physically demanding since the majority of my clients are of the "larger" stature. After all, I live in North America. Due to this, my dominant arm is so buff and disproportionate in comparison to my opposite arm. I bet I could win arm wrestling competitions!

Interesting to say, but I kind of work for people like Dr-Innocentchild, chrissichan and more closely to cartoongirl7. I admire these artists who balance the demanding life of medicine and art well. Keep a sharp yet creative mind!

One thing I will say as my job as a medical sonographer is that all I care about is finding (or not finding) an abnormality in my patients, regardless of who I work for or how much I'm paid. I am NOT a baby photographer.

I'm so tired when I get home, I just work out then sleep. Whatever spare time I have I use to de-stress, which happens to be video games. I'm currently tackling 9 Hours, 9 Persons, 9 Doors; Virtue's Last Reward; and Super Mario RPG. When I visit my old home on weekends, I play Tales of Xillia. I am also addicted to Mii Plaza's Street Pass Games, especially Flower Town due to it's genetics influence, appealing to my science background. I wish I lived in a bigger metropolis so I could get more Street Passes or have vacation time to go to conventions. *Sigh* There's never enough time to do everything.

I'll try my best to catch up with everyone and feel free to comment and rant away with your gaming and life experiences. Stay cool, everyone!