I… have no idea how to start this without sounding all pathetic and apologetic. First of all, let’s make something clear:I’m not sorry for not updating. As such, I express this singular fact by bolding the words. Nothing convinces people more than screaming at them¹.

To prove my dedication to this site, I’ve decided to take on a new challenge! No more Photoshop! Instead I’ll go with open source/free software. In theory this is all nice and fine, but GIMP SUCKS BIG TIME! The next person to insist that GIMP could easily replace Photoshop is going to… um… get glared at? I’ll be working on my technique, for maximum efficiency.

Just as I experienced with finding a “less bloated” CMS²: I started out, by expecting to find Photoshop only for free and possibly with a different name. Still, I have finally managed to settle with Paint.NET… after I installed a truckload of extensions. Still miss the custom shapes from Photoshop though. *sulks*

Oh yeah, and I’ve been trying to find inspiration for a new layout. Things look… almost promising?

Current status:

• » 20+ new screenshots of web2.0 style layouts for inspirational purposes
• » 50+ stock images of crumpled balled up papers
• » 50+ stock images of shopping bags
• » 20+ stock images of hat boxes
• » 10+ bookmarked tutorials for drawing notepads with a graphics software

So basically, I have all the best intentions. It’s just that there’s a certain… ah… type of manga that’s so shiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy³…. I swear, every single day I promise myself, I’ll start working on that new layout. If only I wouldn’t get inspiration while at work…

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¹ That’s sarcasm, in case a certain someone is doubting my sincerity.
² I’m still convinced that Chyrp has a personal vendetta against me.
³ Minami Haruka’s works being the spotlight these past weeks.

I’m not sure about elsewhere, but here gypsies are generally rather… business oriented. They’ll stop you on the street trying to sell you whatever. It’s not a problem if you don’t need what they offer, the cunning businessman/woman¹ is ready to rephrase his/her offer so it matches your needs. If you’re not taken in by their schemes, it’s really quite amusing to listen.

Some people, try a bit too hard though; or maybe it’s just me, lacking the necessary empathy. There was a young girl trying to sell cell phones, waving them in passerby’s faces. Getting tired of being ignored, she makes one last desperate attempt:

SENSATIONAL LAST MINUTE DEAL, BECAUSE I’M LEAVING TO MEET MY LOVER!!

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¹ I’m being sarcastic of course. Most of the time their merchandise is stolen.

There are times when I’m just not up to anything. Unfortunately, no one is ever going to pity me over a terrible sunburn. Most especially not, if lots of other people around me suffer of it. How do you perk up then? Apparently, setting a witty/mysterious status on your IM is the way to go.

Ten excruciatingly long seconds of thinking yielded the following:

snake-like¹

Quite a disappointment, but then I got busy with work and forgot all about it. To my surprise, the message did eventually elicit a response:

Would that be a metal gear snake or a normal snake?

Who knew I’d end up being embarrassed for not being a metal gear snake, of all things? o_O
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¹ for those of you who don’t get it: snakes shed their skin.