For a few hours this morning, I had a Google+ account. But, I realized that I would have to re-post information across other social media. That’s some annoying extra steps just to post a quick blurb or photo. Plus, it created redundancy. I don’t like redundancy…unless it’s for backing up important files. Google+ had to go. But, I really liked Google+. To me, it was like Twitter, but with better social interaction.

I could see getting rid of Instagram since it’s a visual version of Twitter (do I really need those crummy filters?), and Twitter works fine with photos on its own. I definitely do not need 2 versions of Twitter.

So, now the battle is between Twitter and Google+. I really like Twitter. I don’t want to get rid of it. I like that it forces me to be short and concise. I also enjoy reading short tweets from others. Posting to two different social media isn’t as bad, but I would like to have some way to simplify the sharing process. It would be nice to have tweets and YouTube videos post to Google+ automatically. I think there are plug-ins/apps out there that can do that.

I may have to reconsider joining Google+. I have no intention/interest in joining Facebook.

I’ve been getting the itch to design a paper model of a classic Disney ship, especially after finding several new reference images online. But, what I would like to do is record video of the whole process.

The videos would include modeling the ship in 3-D, converting to 2-D, adding graphics, and assembly. Maybe even the photo shoots.

The two recording devices that I have are not up-to-par. My webcam is good, but the auto-focus is constantly resetting itself, and it isn’t mobile. My Kindle’s front-facing camera is poor quality, but portable. I think the best solution is to get a camcorder instead of a smart phone like I had originally planned.

I’m finally back home from my weekend trip. Well, it was supposed to be a weekend trip. But, I ended up staying for nearly a full week. You see, I went to visit my mother. She had been in the hospital for over a month, and I had heard that she was improving. Since she had been yo-yoing in health, I waited for a high point to see her. I had seen her at a very low point, and I had no desire to witness that again.

I stayed at my mother’s house to keep my sister (who has been taking care of our mother) company. While there, I took some photos to share quite possibly the childhood source of my Disney fanaticism. Read More

While working on the new site design, there have been several updates that I have been holding back. Posting them before now would have been a challenge, because there were essentially two websites, and both had to be updated to ensure a smooth transition. Fearful of accidentally leaving something out, I opted to save them until after the Haunted Experience debuted.

Now, a death in the family has postponed those updates as the jumble of grieving, paperwork, and planning get underway.

My apologies to the contributing artists, to everyone who has submitted items to the Fan Board, and to everyone else who have been patiently waiting. I will get to you all as soon as I can.

Becky submitted a G-scale version of the Casey Junior Station, and I finally got around to uploading it.

June and July have been busy for me. Lots of personal surprises have popped up out of nowhere, and they’ve not all been pleasant. I have, indeed, started designing the new site design, but it went straight to the back burner after a few days. I’m itching to get back to it, especially since a new Halloween layover will have to be created and finished in time for September.

One thing at a time. We’ll get there.

Since I threw my back out a while ago, I haven’t been able to sit for long periods of time. It’s hard to find a comfortable chair, and my spine can only take so much pressure. Come to think of it, I can’t really lie down for too long either. Standing is the worst. It’s quite a conundrum. Needless to say, I have to make my brief spurts on the computer quick and productive.

Being away from the computer has shifted my thoughts to re-designing this website using HTML 5 & CSS 3, and getting inspiration from an old design. I think it’s time for something light and airy again.

Back in 2007, I worked on some mock-up package designs to help pitch an idea to the Disney Parks. I did have to use photos found online, but since I do not remember where I got them, I cannot credit anyone.

Imagine putting together your very own HO scale plastic model of the Mad Tea Party attraction or Sleeping Beauty Castle, complete with surrounding foliage. Sounds pretty sweet, huh? Granted, not everyone enjoys or even has the patience to assemble and paint a plastic model. But, boy, wouldn’t it be neat to start building your own Disneyland or Magic Kingdom right at home? And, that’s only one version of the model kits. Read More

. . . it’s another. January has been very interesting.

I started off working on a package designs for a client who will be pitching an oh-so-cool toy to Disney soon. What started out as a series of 2-D box-fronts quickly turned into full-blown CG renders (at no request of the client, mind you). And, that led to to teaching myself how to texture objects in Blender. To escalate matters, there were no good high-res images of the existing toy that I could use on the packaging art, so I took it upon myself to both design and render that in 3-D, too! It took two solid weeks of work with no days off to get everything learned and rendered. In the end, it was worth the effort and newly-gained knowledge.

Next, I shifted my focus to working on Nava Designs. There’s a new Etsy store, and a Twitter feed. In the coming weeks (hopefully), I will be adding some unique items to the store. It’s been exhausting, but the items are fun, and the artwork is way cool!

So, that’s why I haven’t been around last month.