Life sucks. Really, it does. Hit a bit of a financial snag because of Steamcon (if you REALLY wanna know, ask me somewhere NOT ON LJ), had my uncles bail me out. ;-; Seriously, iluguys. I cannot express how much the fact you were willing to help me out means to me, especially when it took me the entire day to get up the guts to call you. Had housemate issues that have hopefully been smoothed over, and have something that I'm mulling over. Final decision will be made on that last one when payday comes. Burned my finger while making myself dinner, and work was HELLISHLY busy. DS was out of battery and I'd forgotten my charger at home, and it was FREEZING OUT. @.x; Bad day was bad. Surprised I haven't broken down crying.
Last night, I ended up staying at Pete's. For those of you who aren't aware, October 28th was my Mom's birthday. Divine keep her soul safe until it is time for her to return. It's hard to believe it's been 8 months since the fire. I suppose time flies when you're just trying to struggle forward from day to day. Her Battle Spoon has been located! >[ Thomas, liar that he is, had it STASHED IN HIS ROOM. Mike managed to keep him from sneaking off with it. Thomas has NO claim to the Spoon. Mom got it before him, and it is one of those things he would never truly understand...and it is one of the few things I'll have left of her. I've got some photo albums too...
I won't be spending Samhain alone. I'll be with friends, probably enjoying some tasty booze and crying my heart out or partying happily. I think it depends. I'm not really sure just yet. I do know I'll be blasting some Abney Park music at some point that night. Maybe play some clips from the Steamcon Abney Park show for Mom. I know she'd been looking forward to seeing it. I know she would have enjoyed it.
Steamcon itself was AMAZING. I ended up getting pulled for Con Merchandise. XD Was all sorts of fun, but next year I'll be on Reg. Xd; Methinks I'll be a better fit there, since I'll have people I'll know helping keep me sane while we keep Pete sane. Turnout for Steamcon was FAR beyond what was expected! WE sold out of Day Passes! And the numbers we have ALREADY for pre-reg and patrons....-whistle- DAMN. It's awesome to see the idea and genre so loved! Hoping to get the rest of the Merchant Airship Numen crew up next year! (Including my little sister, Kim!) >.>; Also need to FINISH typing up info for the MAS Numen...
And...;-; I'll likely get to see Kim first weekend of December, for Yule Feast! -huggles her- I MISS MY BABY SISTERS! It's a bummer when your sister calls you because her life sucks and you can't scoop her up (figuratively, since she's TALLER THAN ME) and give her a giant hug and chocolate mocha chip ice cream with a package of Pocky on the side. I'm not entirely sure what's in store for me Yule Feast, other than playing Maiden again...But I'll find out when the time comes.
I'm thinking of starting experimenting with making Steampunk accessories, and definitely going to start trying to do some Steampunk art. 8] And for the love of all that is holy....@.x; NO MORE GRAPHICS. Seriously....other than Pete and Reagan and certain other people...I'm putting a HOLD on doing graphic work. My life is just too hectic at the moment for me to keep a steady schedule to crank out graphics. Button backlog is NOT fun.
Well, I'm going to flee for now. Food needs put away and I'm running out of things to say. So...ilu all! And see ya!

I need to post more. >.>; Seriously.
I moved a couple months ago to Lacey, and am doing well there. 8] Living with two people I've known since middle school. I posted a new picture to my deviantArt for the first time since the fire. I'm happy with it, especially since it was my first time drawing a toddler. @.x; >w<
I'm going to Steamcon 0 (hopefully with my girlfriend! Will find out next paycheck~), and Norwescon 33. Debating if I want to apply for Artists' Alley at MEW...definitely thinking about it. <3

This is copy+pasted from crazedcamel 


On Friday morning, a fire broke out at the family home of two of my long time students, their mother, also a close friend died from smoke inhalation.

These kids have lost everything, and the community has come together in a spectacular fashion.

The younger two's teacher from the Hilltop Artist in Residence program has set up a fund at Wells Fargo to help the girls out. It has its own Facebook page(http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=54467317615&ref=nf) for those who have accounts there. Fro those who do not, here is the information:

Donations can be made to:
Wells Fargo (Any branch of Wells Fargo)
Svancara Children Benefit Memorial Fund
Account Number 5917369182
(You will need the account number until about Wednesday 2/4/09, then you should be able to request the account by name)

Articles on the fire can be found:
http://blogs.thenewstribune.com/crime/2009/02/27/firefighters_rescue_three_from_burning_h
http://www.komonews.com/news/40425857.html
http://www.king5.com/localnews/stories/NW_022709WAB-tacoma-house-fire-LJ.b2e9c98.html
http://www.kirotv.com/news/18809265/detail.html

We are currently working on the funeral arrangements pending release from the ME's office. As of today, we've not been able to enter the home to assess for salvage, since it still considered a crime scene.

The girls are doing well, and have had clothing replaced.

Please pass out far and wide.

Hey everyone. I have some really bad news. My house caught on fire this morning, and has not only likely destroyed practically everything we own....
But I no longer have a mother. My mother, Judith Ann Alexandria Abson, age 43, died on the scene. She, a housemate, and I got stuck upstairs. The housemate and I were in a room with a window that opened...my mother got caught in one of the back rooms. My family and I are still in shock and such, and things...haven't quite sunk in. We all have places to stay, and I am likely to be online sporadically...My laptop probably did not survive the fire with me. (I'm hoping at least the harddrive is salvagable.
I will post more later.

Title: Nearly
Fandom: Jak and Daxter (Jak II)
Rating: M (For Safety)
Pairing: None
Warnings: Dark, non-sexual themes.
Chapter: 1/???
Notes: This is a story I'm not entirely sure why I started. I just...started typing until the muse let me go. Of course...she's not done with me yet, but I have no idea how long this story is to be. It's an exploration in many things really...My ability to write a story in first person, my ability to step into writing for a character who is scarred on the inside but has stitched up the broken pieces as best she could, my ability to write about something without directly writing about it...Talullah's story doesn't seem to be a pleasant one, far as I can tell...and I doubt it's going to get better, because she's eventually going to have to face her nightmares. Survivor's Guilt will also play a big role in this story later on...hence, the title.
Preview: When I got home that night...that's when I broke down crying. I had no idea the slummers had it THAT bad. I decided, then and there, I was going to do something about it.

( Nearly )

YES!!!!!!!! Obama is in office, and hopefully he'll start making the changes our country needs to get back up and in the game. I'm looking forward to seeing where things will go. This was my first presidential election that I could vote in...and I voted. Xd; Had to go halfway across town to turn my ballot in, but I did it!

To everyone else who voted in the USA...you all are awesome. Even if we weren't 'on the same side', we still exercised our rights together on this day that comes only once every four years. To all the other first-time voters, be it because you recently came of age, became a citizen, or just decided you were tired of sitting on the sidelines...welcome to the world. I'm still grinning like a madwoman off and on. To have voted, win or lose, just makes you feel...I dunno...really, really good. Like something just clicked into place that was out of whack for so long. It feels like I really am an American citizen now.

And damn am I proud to be one. I'd regale you all with my slightly off-key singing (my voice has been wonky the last few days), but my mic is on the fritz. So I'll just quote it...
"And I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free."
Freedom is what we just exercised today, my fellow American voters. And akrei lamei, does it feel good.


In other news, I've opened chibi and headshot commissions at my deviantArt, in hopes of getting some help with a rather unexpected bill that popped up. >.<; It's only going to be there for six months...But there's people I've made commitments to regarding Sakuracon, and this new bill sucks the funds for that. So please...help me out? http://throwndragon.deviantart.com

Well then....here goes.

I haven't posted here in a long time...and I'm kinda sorry for it. Xd; Life, ya know? Well....I'm not in a kitchen anymore! No more dishwashing for a living for Poi!
I currently work for a parking company (those of you who know me IRL already know which one), and I actually like my job for the most part. Been there for almost 4 months now, and things are good. Better pay, more hours, less physical and mental drain, and fewer stupid people. I'm currently getting money squirreled away for Sakuracon, and I'm hoping to hit Otakon this time as well! >3 Beware East Coasters....the Thrown Dragon is comin'.

My relationship with my girlfriend has changed a bit...For one thing, there's a boy in the equation now. So instead of a two-some...it's a three-some. For another thing....Aa dammit, my family needs a bigger place. I'm not entirely sure I have the credit to be able to get an apartment on my own (let alone the money), and my brother-by-choice needs to find a job when he gets home before anything else. So....Xd; There's this lovely dilemma of there's currently seven people in the house. Add in my brother, that's eight. And then my girlfriend and boyfriend moving in would make it ten. See the space issue? <.<; We either a) need a bigger place....or b) I need to find a way to get an apartment with at least two bedrooms. As I said....Aa dammit.

My Mom FINALLY got her settlement for the accident two, almost three, years ago, so we're not quite hurting for money now. Dad's in school again to get his degree as a Chef. I'm going to be joining him Winter Quarter as a Pastry Chef, if all goes well. Mmmm...Cookies~


Art-wise....8D; Commission me? I'm VERY open, and though I have a good job...extra cash is always good to help ensure I get to Sakuracon without....Issues. So....If you're interested, info can be found in my new deviantArt journal! http://throwndragon.deviantart.com

Okay...I'm at a crossroads. After I gain my degree as a pastry chef, I don't know what to do. I can go two ways, the way I see it. I can stay in Washington and search for the perfect location for the bakery/cosplay cafe I want to run/own with my middle sister. Or I can move to LA, Dallas or Houston, still open the place...but pursue voice acting at the same time. Yes, neither path involves me drawing for a living. And it never will. I love art far too much. It will never be my 'job'...
But anyways...I'm not sure which way to go. I would love to stay in the state, close to family and friends here...But the problem is, my family will be moving to Arizona in a few years (can't really get more specific, it's still a ways away financially), Kim (my middle sister) is planning for Stanford in Cali, and my friends...Well, most of my friends here in Washington don't talk to me anymore, or we talk rarely because of life and schedule conflicts. And...Washington is just getting to be too cold and stifling for me. I love the greenery...but once again...I'M COLD 90% OF THE DAMN TIME!
But I'm also...scared. Of moving, of finding a job before I move, of having a place to stay, of...well, making the wrong choice. There's a song that I want to follow: "Into the Rush" by Aly and AJ.

I want to live as close to my own terms as I can get...but it's hard, ya know? My family is important to me, for all our arguing and bitching at one another. And...I'm not sure if I'm ready to be on my own. I'm a strong girl, but I've been told I'm not ready, despite the fact I KNOW I'm ready at times. And it's not that pompus, childish 'IWANTOUTOFTHEHOUSE' I'm ready...
But I know I can't handle a place on my own. If I do move to another state, I will make sure I'm living with someone else...share an apartment, ya know?

So...-sigh- This journal entry has just raised more questions in my head...
Well...I'm planning on trying for Anime Expo this year, and if so, I'll most likely be in that area for 5-7 days. That'll help determine if I want to move or not.

Merciful Blessings!

I am NEVER doing registration at a convention EVER again. This was the day open to only pre-reg, and we still processed somewhere over 5000 people. And we had to deal with much, much stupidity. And I'm coming down with something, so I'm struggling to keep my happy, perky face up while I'm trying not to hack a lung out on the person's badge. And tomorrow begins the normal registration. Which means LOTS of stupidity.

Where am I doing this? SAKURACON. In Seattle, Washington.

Why? Because I was insane and broke. But I still wanted to go. Yay me. ;_;

But...there are good things about it. I get to be nerdy and hyper and glompy. I get to dress in my gorgeous clothes I normally wouldn't wear. I get to meet Vic Mignogna. I get to meet two artists I absolutely adore. I get to get AWAY from my house and my parents and the 'hood' I live in.

Life is good.

Of course...It would have been had Nyoko been able to come up...but her mother was being picky and wouldn't let her. So....I'm going down to WV instead in two weeks for Tekkoshocon.

And I plan as cosplaying as Real!Syaoran from Tsubasa Reservoir Chronicles. -cheer- Go me!

Well...this is Poi signing off. Mercy be with you.

BWAHAHA! Poi has a new journal! -gigglecackle-
XD Okay...that was my ramble. -skitters off-