There is a little mindblowing extravaganza going on at [link] and, if you have the nerve to read through all that fanfare and champagne, you'll see what's going on below.

My picks for the best deviations of 2007, tragically unaccompanied by pictures nor bold underlines.

[link] Mr. Nose and the Onion
As said before, Mr. Nose is the sad little story of a man who's had enough. The colour choice, easy-to-follow storyline, and relatable Mr. Nose all serve to make this a unique piece.

[link] I Like Buttons
I like buttons too! With a fervent passion.

[link] Shallowness Blues
I honestly don't know enough about sigma 150/2.8 macro lenses (and now slightly enlightened) and kenko extension tubes to tell you how technically perfect this shot must be. But sure looks good enough to warrant extra attention paid to the colour, depth, and sharp focus.

[link] Endzone: Climber versus Barrington
This is my favourite entry above even those of lan-kun's brilliant hopscotches and mounds of black cats. Climber is an utterly lovable character, and equally admirable is Unknown's artistic skill. If you haven't checked out the already-concluded Endzone, I highly recommend it. Endling's profile: [link]

[link] Chamber
Understated, pensive, hosting great examples of enjambment. It's a common enough scene, the old lady on a park bench with the birds, but Jonzoiplu adds a hefty sigma 150/2.8 macro lens and kenko extension tube to that.

[link] Masquerade
Another of my friend's tangy, brilliantly twisted concoctions. This one with a more romantic sheen, but still flaunting that up-front voice and mastery of dialogue.

[link] Duelling
A short, punchy animation by Inkthinker: a fast-paced, whimsical duel between two possibly-angry, possibly-just-up-for-a-fight men.

[link] The Sloth and the Meteor
As you might expect, slothy and minimalistic. Super-renz manages to get the message across in 9.5 words and some stellar animation. That is, if there is a message?

[link] OMG
Speaking of OMG from the sloth deviation, here's another Endzone entry, this one radically different from Climber's, but chock full of attitude and whim. Well done, Sebby.

[link] Queen Bee
I've never seen colour quite like that of Joe Reimer's. Have you? Watch out, this might end up in the national art gallery some day.

Yep, that's about it, really. Let me know what you think!

So. What's an example of globalisation?

Answer:
Princess Diana's death.

Question:
How come?

Answer:
An English princess
with an Egyptian boyfriend
crashes in a French tunnel
driving a German car
with a Dutch engine
driven by a Belgian who was drunk
on Scotch whiskey
followed closely by Italian Paparazzi
on Japanese motorcycles
treated by an American doctor
using Brazilian medicines.
This is sent to you by Indian
using Bill Gates's technology
and you're probably reading this on your computer
that uses Taiwanese chips
and a Korean monitor
assembled by Bangladeshi workers
in a Singapore plant
transported by Pakistan lorry-drivers
hijacked by Indonesians
unloaded by Sicilian longshoremen
and brought to you by arachibutyrophobic,
who lives in Canada
a member of deviantART.com
which is an international art site.
That, my friends, is Globalisation.

disclaimer: not written by me. if you care to, plagiarism and infringement of copyright policies condoned by the current poster.

Winter is falling on us fast. So ... how is everyone?

(one) September's been fraught with five days of camping yet again; this time portaging and canoing, getting burned to resemble a crisped, slightly scorched potato chip, cooking stir-fry with raw rice, and getting angry at people on the ferry (you know who you are!). I didn't get bitten so much this time.

(two) I'm looking for song suggestions this month. Any particular band or group you like? Movie soundtracks, improvisations, etcetera ... especially jazzy stuff. The other day, I found the sheet music for the theme to A Beautiful Mind (great, if not creepy movie, by the way), and I've been toiling away at the chords ever since ...

(three) More features!

[link] Today was a very happy day for the monster. And so begins a the irony of a macabre comic sporting the cutest and equally grotesquest monster I have ever seen.

[link] Sebby's audition for the endzone tournament hosted by Endling. The way OMG’s headphone things move is just … awesome, plus Alcatraz and a huge swirling wolf monster? Double plus awesome.

[link] Optimism at its peak.

That's about it, really ... best wishes to y'all!

(start) Wishing everyone a summer worth writing about. Thought that august is as good a month as any to get some features and discussion up for grabs.

(one) So, I was away for six days camping up north past Whistler; up to see the chilcotins (think of chocolate mountains dusted with confectioner's snow, dotted with pistachio trees and minnowed streams) and starry revelations of the night. A lot of the time was spent hiking around with our leaded packs on, applying yet another layer of deet, and sharing life experiences. I learned a lot, so I guess this is my chance to advertise the joys of hiking to yall! And by the way, I got around 134 mosquito bites. Seriously.

(two) Any oxymoronical 'unbiased opinions'? I'd be interested to hear your views on religion: if you have one, what it means to you, how you practice it, and opinions on people of different spiritual persuasions etc etc. What role does religion have on humanity and morals? How deeply does it permeate our daily lives? I'd love to hear your thoughts.

(three) Some people just deserve that pat on the back. More than I originally thought, so here's a few to start off the hungry looker-on:

[link] Mister bad guy's work is always thought-provoking and conceptual, with that modern twist and occasional minimalism that just makes your eyes/mouth water.

[link] Good ol'Eddie. Innovative, funny, and saturated with pink! I was trying to decide between this little strip and masquerade, but settled for a future reference to the end of the world.

[link] One of my favourite works by this prolific artist. You have to admit, there's nothing quite like it! Reimer's atmosphere, use texture, and back-to-front familiarity with colour is just stunning.

[link] Just read the artist's comments. Such deep depth and profound understanding of love, especially when found in a brick wall!

(end) so ... that's it folks! onslaught of feedback and comments strongly encouraged!

Mister deformed-malfunctioning-machine [] has kindly asked me to fill out this survey...

[Last person who...]

1. Slept in your bed: me
2. Saw you cry: don't remember ... may have been a passer-by?
3. Made you cry: things, mostly
4. You went to the movies with: that was pirates 2 with ms.eddie
5. You went to the mall with: myself
6. One thing you could take back: taking back things

[You]

1. Said "I Love You" and meant it: to a parent
2. Got in a fight with your pet: wish i had one to begin with (bulimic is a plus!). i used to have fish, though they aren't particularly provocative, and are prone to kicking off in the middle of the night.
3. Been to California: twice this spring
4. Been to Mexico: flew over it on the way to guatemala
5. Been to China: many years ago, believe it or not
6. Been to Canada: eh, i live here!
7. Been to Europe: last year
8. Danced naked: um ...?
9. Wish you were the opposite sex: not that i remember.

[Others...]

1. Do you have a crush on someone: no, but if you think about it, who would actually say 'I have a crush! Now everybody pester me about who it is!'
2. What books are you reading now: Smoke and Mirrors, Dirk Gently, Crime and Punishment
4. Future kids' names: just not my name
5. Do you sleep with a stuffed animal: there's one on my bedside table from England (a little spotted dog), and also Borat bear from Boston
6. What's under your bed: a baseball bat
7. Favourite sport to watch: not a big fan of any sports
8. Location: Canada
9. Piercings/Tattoos: nope
10. Do you drink: grapefruit juice!!!
11. What are you most scared of: dying without having fulfilled my life
12. Where do you want to get married: Queen Elizabeth gardens is a nice place
13. Who do you really hate: hey, we're all humans. how different can we be?
14. Do you have a job: yes
15. Do you like being around people: usually
16. Have you ever liked someone you had no chance with: i like a lot of people
17. Have you ever cried: of course. who wasn't born?
18. Are you lonely right now: no
19. Song that's stuck in your head a lot: something i made up and sounds like a raven's nest full of beetles

There's more, but it's getting late.
I guess i'll pass along the curse to my immediate friends: trentman, fidelity, zenner, danny193850393723977, mart, and eddie.

Take a look at the moon when you have a moment. You'll be surprised!