April 2003 Archives

After a momentary pause in Blog. I am back.

I was in thought the other day about my childhood and remembered the time when I was in cub scouts. Which is in itself rather amusing when those who know how religous I can be. I once made a mormon cry. I detest religion and those who seek to impose it upon others unwilling. I digress. Not knowing the religous side to the group I had joined as did many of my schoolmates. It seemed like a good idea at the time. Anyway the one thing I thought that was good was the idea of Merit Badges. I remember receiving merit badges for communications, road safety, craft, duck fluffing, tree wittling etc.. the list goes on. Now this is something that I wish we could still have as adults. Would it not be much easier to socialise at a party when everyone is wearing their merit badges ? "Oh I see in your into duck fluffing, how interesting so am I."

This also made me think if merit badges were made for adults, what merit do you think you would have earned at this stage of your life?

Hi all,

Sorry there were a few issues with our server that needed attention and I couldn't get access to it until now. All entries should now reappear.

Thanks,

Lee

See Liz in this photo on top of Fox Glacier, it's taken on top of a mountain during a helicopter tour of Mount Cook and the local area of the West Coast of NZ's South Island. I haven't had a chance to reduce the size of the photo as yet as I don't have a laptop with me. Sorry.

Haven't drawn a thing all this time during the holiday but have been itching to get back in to it. The spare time has given great inspiration and my mind has come up with a million new things to explore. I'm in two frames of mind as I want to keep going with touring NZ but can't wait to get these fresh new ideas on paper. I'm sure I'll find a compromise.

MukPuddy is a NZ Auckland based trio of animators who were showcased on tv here. Check out there flash animation.

In the far south at present in a place near Milford Sound called Te Anua. Still yet to see much cartoon work at all. Place is covered with cattle and deer. No sheep. All aussies will have to change the jokes as I think we have more sheep than they do.

In "Wellywood" I had taken some photos in a bar called 'The Backbenchers' which is just opposite their parliament house. The photos were of large figure caricatures of politicians and sports people. Great work done on them and made a really good vibe and atmosphere in the pub.

Off on a bus and cruise tour tomorrow to Milford Sound. Will try and find some net access soon for more updates.

Till then...

Finally found the time and access to write some more. Well since I last spoke I have since travelled very quickly through the north island of NZ visiting places like Rotorua, North Palmerston, Otaga and "Wellywood" or as the locals prefer Wellington. Very disappointed about the lack of cartoons in the papers. Boring bunch over here. Auckland city stinks probably due to the sea smells hitting the garbage smell and combined with bad winds. Rotorua stank like sulphur from the volcanic activity clearly still eruptive in the area, even the cabin we stayed in wreaked like hell. I was smelling sulphur for days after. But besides all the stinkiness from the land it has been excellent. Still miss drawing though. Haven't had much of a chance to draw as I have been driving.

Currently in Fox Glacier which is on the south island on the west cost. Staying in a hotel that is opposite the heliport where they take us up to the glacier on top of the mountains and let us out. Helihikers love doing this stuff. They take us down by helicopter as an option. Will see what happens. Bloody cold though at night. During day it is quite warm in the sun so locals get to wear shorts and shirt despite the tourists saying otherwise in their polarfleece.

Missed out on seeing Patea, the birthplace of my grandfather in the lower north island. Tom Cruise is filming in the area where my relatives are supposed to have lived or are still apparently in Taranake. The time has flown too fast and we still have to race to get to Christchurch by the weekend. We are on to Milford sound in the late morning I think so will hopefully update then.

Wedding is over and I am currently in Auckland. We're about to head down to Rotorua in the morning for some bubbly mud. Besides the funny accents I think I can handle this all well. With exception to the fact the walk buttons crossing the road make a sound like someone is being electricuted. Will have more details when I get a chance to post. Internet access is a little dodgy in town. There are about 35 cows been painted around town by artists, these are fibreglass cows that local businesses have bought and had painted. The best has been by Americow Express. I'll see if I can get a photo for you all. Out of time.... back soon.

Three days to go till the wedding day and I got two more strips, 5 illo's and some paperwork to boot. All before I head off to New Zullund. I got a bad case of sinus that I am sure Qantas will treat as SARS before I get on the plane even though I haven't been to anywhere overseas ever ! I think the change of season here in Sudney has sparked widespread snotness. Hail Panadol Allergy Sinus !

I work in Eastwood and the chance to go for a walk to retrieve some lunch always brings entertainment. The Channel 7 studios are just behind my workplace and lunchtime I see plenty of Home and Away stars out for a break. If only you got to see them the way I do with no makeup. Those girls in the "touch up" department should be paid very well. There are some however who have natural beauty and they are quite stunning though incredibly short compared to their onscreen height. And some plain obviously don't get along with each other too well.

Willow is a Flash Goddess and does some fantastic artwork, very refreshing to look at.

For those who have asked me about fonts for cartooning, you can download some great fonts free at Blambot. I use another company whom I licence my fonts from. I'll eventually get to doing my own with Fontographer but time meant it easier for me to purchase a licence for a font that was similar to my own for the short term.