My Stylus & Me

It really gets to you when you don’t have the time – or are to tired to make the time to do the things you want, I wouldn’t say I’m being overworked – but I’ve been pretty busy between work and music, there’s so much I’d really like to do and get in order, like doing some illustrations.
A friend of mine has written a children’s story and has asked me to do some illustrations for it, which I’m really keen to do, but I haven’t done anything besides a couple of doodles while I’m on the phone.
I also want to use my Genius tablet at work more (thingy that allows you to draw straight onto you’re computer) – sigh! I think I need to do some time management to fit in stuff I want to do.

Alongside is a quick sketch a managed to scribble out with it today when I had a moment – it’s actually amazing how similar you can allow it to be to regular sketching, even the amount of pressure you use, giving you the lighter and darker strokes – it’s pretty cool.

My Bonsai

I’ve been growing a bonsai for about 5 years now, I pulled this “Chinese Maple” sapling that was growing into our fence and decided I would try my hand at making it into a bonsai. I’m definitely no expert, and I initially followed the advice of a friend of mine who is pretty clued up. Apparently when you first uproot it you need to let it sit in whatever you potted it in for at least one to two years, so the new root hairs can take. Only after this period can you re-pot it.

It’s a very long process and you only see it taking shape over the years, I don’t know all the traditional shapes they’re supposed to take, so I’ve just been shaping it as I go, twisting the trunks and branches around one another into a shape that I think fits my little tree.

It’s a very calming process, I guess anything to with gardening is, but it’s nice to have a little project, and a project that could span a lifetime – maybe one day I can pass on a 40 or 50 year old bonsai onto someone.

I managed to get this picture before all the leaves had fallen off for winter.

Winter

A few days ago, it seemed summer was reluctant to leave, getting cooler, but still getting fairly warm during the day, now it seems winters just barged in and taken over – over night, I woke this morning with stalactites hanging from my nose – well not really – but it was a real feat of will power to get myself out that bed.
Even though it’s cold I still do like cold days (not constantly) – you tend to feel more energized and alert, less likely to drift off while working. Then you’ve got all the things that you can do and use the weather as an excuse to do them, like lying in bed reading or getting all cozy under a blanket while you watch a movie, sipping on some hot drink… oohh Gluewine, or mulled wine, mmmmm. The rubbish thing about winter is trying to get up in the morning, and that’s about my only downside, I don’t mind being cold, I’ll just put on more clothes.

Busy but Good

Okay it’s been over a week since I’ve written anything here, shocking I know, it’s like nothings been happening in Liam’s life, nah that’s not the case - Between work and the band, and my very limited social life I’ve been stretched pretty thin. Though I’m not complaining it’s been a pleasant type of busy, I’ve managed to find some enjoyment in my work again, probably because I’m avoiding the stuff that makes me bored and usually takes ages to do, though eventually I’m gonna have to get back to it, but for now I have other distractions and am doing those, because I seriously can’t face redrawing maps at the moment.

The Bands Just finished doing their Demo Recording (you can hear the tracks if click here to link through to our myspace) which I’m happy with. Now the next step is to start working on the actual tracks for an eventual album release and practicing for our upcoming Gigs. So life is busy but good.

I think I’ve realized that you can’t let all the stresses of life get on top of you; you can only tackle one task at a time and do your best to juggle your time to fit everything in. But if you let it stress you out;
1. You’re not going to enjoy life as much
2. You’re not going to be great company to be around
3. You’ll be too distracted to notice the amazing and beautiful things that are happening right under your nose.
4. You’ll probably put yourself in an early grave.
5. you’ll probably end up taking your tension out on those nearest and dearest to you.
So make peace with the fact that stressing over things doesn’t get them done any quicker.