2 May, 2010

Not very long from now, I'd have worked on the Clone Wars for a year fulltime. And my what a crazy way to mark the anniversary. We're in a crunch to finish up a massive episode, and I've hardly had time to breathe, let alone do the usual stuff like running etc. On the topic of breaths, I notice I tend to take deep breaths frequently when rotoing stuff. A friend in the office recently checked out my work here, complimented it and mentioned that I should update my site more. It's become quite a sticking point for me actually, the topic of my personal work. I enjoy doing personal artwork immensely, and believe it or not, I would love to sketch more often too. However crunch periods are a real stumbling block for individual creativity. And to have to do it for 7-8 weeks can really dampen the mood. Maybe after this episode, and after I wrap the project with Brandon and gang.

Looking through my gallery, I realise I've still got artwork that was made back in the good 'ol days of 3dsMax 4. Or 5. I can't remember. Someday I'm going to have to update my gallery and demoreel, and when that time comes, I'll have to remove a lot of this gallery, which is quite a shame. As much as it is about employment, a demoreel should also be all about describing a person. His/her personality, quirks and interests. People buy dead painters' paintings for big big money because it reminds them about what that person was like when he was alive. Not that anyone's going to care about my demoreels when I go, but surely my personality and character should rub off on my artwork. That's what it's about isn't it? That's why I'm so adamant that demoreels should contain some personal artwork. I've already got the next one planned out in my head, hopefully it'll live to venture the world wide web in all it's chaotic glory.

Also received a message from RSN recently, about my next ICT. I'll be going back to Tuas as a seaman, 191 Sq. LSTs... I've only been on an LST once or twice for training. At least there won't be much sea state to worry about, if I have to sail. I'm really tempting fate here. Getting the callup sure brings back a turd load of memories, both good and bad, and I'm looking forward to being back in base, as long as it's only for a short while. It's a strange feeling, having to put the uniform back on, having a rank on your sleeve to identify you. Wearing a beret that tells people which service you're in. It feels like I've left all that behind me a long time ago, yet it never really left me. I'm almost describing a scar here.

Crunch time, Navy service, all these memories bring me back to different stages in my life. Sometimes the memories aren't pleasant, because I wasn't as a good a person as I wanted to be back then. But still I value them. I should probably stop with the sentimental ramblings.

 

30 December, 2009

Lo and behold, another year swings by and I haven't updated this site in months. I made a private decision some time ago to not write about anything other than work on this space, thus I believe readership has dwindled to about one, namely me. Writing anything here is akin to me looking in the mirror, and it is with great gusto that I shall reflect on the year that has passed. After all, I am paying good money for this good hosting service.

The past couple of years had been eventful, with national service and all. 2009 topped the past couple of years by a notch. I landed a sweet job in Lucasfilm Animation Singapore (LAS), and I'm now proudly working on the Clone Wars with some really talented and cool bunch of guys. I got attached to a wonderful girl after much courtship, and lost her a while later. She is, however, still wonderful, and I miss her very much. I even bloody injured my back, from negligence on my part. Proper stretching before excercise has never seemed so essential. Which only serves to remind us that time moves forward, even if, sadly, our maturity and intellect do not.

I stopped playing basketball as a serious hobby sometime in my 2nd year in NYP, but I did bust out a few moves with my Hai Sing mates on a couple of occasions. This time, with stretching and warm ups before games. Running is still very much a part of my life. There is something charming about floating about the side of a road surrounded by trees and vegetation while gasping for air. Perhaps it is the sense of escapism that captures me.

I am grateful for my Heist project mates for sticking by me. Thanks to Brandon, we are still fiercely trying to pull off ridiculously ambitious projects. Even if we failed spectacularly, at least we had fun failing. Nothing compares to having a group of friends all with their heart and soul in one common dream. In Brandon's words, dreamwards my brothers.

I never sailed actively while in the Navy, but my time there helped pique my continued interest in the sea. Looking to get my pleasure craft license in the near future, but with insane schedules to keep up with, it might be a little hard to. Even planning to do a little travelling with the annual leave that I have.

To sum things up, 2009 was a year of education. I learned more about my work, my friends, her, and me. I learned that I have to be better at what I do, that I can and should be a positive influence to the people around me. There is no time for the pessimistic, only the potent. And sometimes, our reactions do more than our actions.

Oh, I also got me some cool t-shirts.