I just got my first birdie! He's a male blue budgie (AKA parakeet), and he's just a baby. So far he's basically just been sleeping at the bottom of his cage (no, he's not dead XP); the evil pet store lady said that the budgies were supposedly playing hard earlier, so I'll just pretend that she didn't just totally make that up at the top of her head and attribute his sleepiness to that.

I don't think that my cats even know that we have him... Bubbles never moves as it is (She basically just lies on the couch downstairs all day. Would you believe that she isn't even two yet, and she hardly ever moves?!), and even though Ragamuffin always hangs around upstairs by where I set up his cage, I don't even think she's noticed he's there (although she has been having fun playing in the box his cage came in.) Likewise, our dog Marcy hasn't seemed to have noticed him either (although she'd probably much rather annoy me or Bubbles anyway, lol.)

He seems like a quiet boy, which is nice, especially since my dad still doesn't know that I bought him yet. (Shh!) I'm still trying to think of a name for him, but I really don't have any good ideas so far. Does anyone out there have any good ideas for a name for a little blue (male) birdie? I'd appreciate any contributions!

Also, if anyone else out there happens to be a bird owner, any insight and advice about bird care would be great! As I said, this is my first pet bird ever, so I'm just a novice.



... And in other news, I've been ridiculously busy with school. x.X; I changed majors over the summer, and now I'm majoring in biology and minoring in chemistry. (You have to take so many chemistry hours as a biology major that you end up minoring in it.) It's hard work! I have to study really hard, sign up for a ton of hours of recitation classes and labs, and, not to mention, I'm really being pressured by my Honors advisor (did I also mention that I got into the Honors College? It just means that I have to do extra stuff to fulfill Honors criteria basically just so I can get various little perks as a student of the college.) to begin working on my thesis, though I totally don't feel like I'm anywhere near ready!

I feel a little bit strange about it, but I'm beginning to think that it might take me more than four years to get my bachelors, just because I prefer being a minimum-hour fulltime student (I like being able to spend more time studying for fewer classes so that I can preform better.) It's not a big deal at all, really, but it sort of makes me feel dumb... And then there's also the issue that it looks like I'm beginning to accumulate hours that I DON'T need (this issue really strikes up a lot for me because the credit hours for many of my classes are rather strange and I end up needing to find a low-stress "filler" class to take just so I can be a fulltime student, and because I have to take at least one Honors class, which are usually either freshman-level courses or otherwise strange classes that have little, if anything, to do with my major, every semester in order to stay at the College.) Naw well, hopefully the ends will help to justify the means in the long run.

I'm also looking into applying for certification in forensics... I was going to apply this year, but I felt that I should probably take more math and science classes to give them a better, more holistic idea of how I perform in these classes (the grades you make in math and science classes is a huge determinant of whether you'll get in or not.) I'm also going to join the forensics club next year. I'm hoping that it'll help me learn more about career opportunities in forensic science, as I've been in love with the study for several years. I'm particularlly interested right now in forensic pathology, even though it requires a very large amount of education (bachelors degree, MD degree, residency, and forensic pathology fellowship... That's about fourteen or so years of work!)

Aside from forensics, I've also entertained the idea of other careers, such as becoming a veterinarian or even an animator (yeah, right!)

I really like animals (even though I'm personally not as fond of dogs, snakes, arachnoids and insects... Eek.) and I've been volunteering at the Humane Society for going on eight years now, so I've gotten a tiny bit of insight into what it's like working "behind the scenes" with pets.

Whether you're a human or an animal doctor, you're going to have a lot of stress... Not just from the large amount of work you do or from the hours or anything, but most largely the very core element of life. As a doctor, you come into contact with all stages of life, from the elation of birth to the sorrow of death, and a lot of it can be very unnerving. My experience with seeing a cat be put to sleep was very tough on me. Even though he was "just a cat", it still makes you think, and there is still that low nuance of sadness from the experience that I just cannot shake. The same thing with a human patient would just be all the worse, and it would be amazingly difficult to try and work under such emotional conditions.

Aside, another problem with becoming a vet is that veterinary schools are VERY competitive and difficult to get into because there are so few of them (there are only, like, 28 in the U.S.) In fact, many people looking to become vets end up becoming human doctors instead!

As for the animation... Well, I mean, just look at my gallery and you'll see why that ain't happening, lol. XD

Naw well, hopefully majoring in biology will help to open up enough doors for me that I'll eventually be able to find something that suits me well.



Sorry about the long ramblings, it's nice to speak to you guys after so long!

Bai-bai,

~ Kleo



Art Status

Requests: Never. Don't ask.

Art trades: If I'm interested, I'll be the one to contact you. Otherwise, no, I usually just don't have the time to really carry my end of the trade. Sorry. :<

Collaborations: Same as above. ^

Commissions: Not right now; school is a cruel, demanding mistress.

Projects: Hopefully I'll have enough time to shell out some gifts by the time Christmas rolls around! This is gonna be a huge undertaking. x.x

Sorry guys, but school beckons, so I probably won't be online anymore to do much of anything for a long time. I got into the Honors College (yay), and changed my major (again), but I'm still having a bunch of issues with registration, and it's driving me insane. I seriously have no idea what I'm going to do with the bulk of these classes that I need for my degree plan...

Anyway, it's for sure that this semester is going to be really, really busy and hard... So I'd just like to apologize now (and again) to everyone whom I owe art/replies/general conversation; I've been gone all of this time in my own personal school-induced hell, and I'm absolutely anxiety-stricken with all of this work I have to do. Having these things hovering over my head is the absolute worst and I'm literally shaking with tension. T_T Please accept my apologies... I hope you understand.

~ Kleo

Ugh, please forgive me, everyone, for going almost completely AWOL. As some of you are aware, I've been busy in school this summer semester (which is nearly over), ergo, there have been few updates from me anywhere for anything. I just wanted to apologize to those of whom I owe replies and art; I haven't forgotten about you, I promise! Things have just been a bit busy, as per usual.

-----

Some people have asked me if I've drawn anything lately; I have, though it's probably stuff nobody is interested in. XD; I'll go ahead and shamelessly plug here, if not only to maybe make my main account less boring and commentless.

1) A lapras gijinka sketch for Jim's birthday, which I totally rushed out because of time constraints and stuff with school and everything. I'll hopefully finish it and give him a somewhat more decent painting later (either that or make something completely different, whichever comes first.)

2) This little digital painting of Karasu is the (bitter) fruit of my newly-founded Yu Yu Hakusho obsession, now in brilliant (<--- lie) technicolor. I have, like, a ton of Shuichi!Kurama and Youko!Kurama doodles scattered around that I wanna color 'n stuff, too, but I suppose it'll just have to wait. :[ </3

3) And this is some fanart for the Pink Floyd movie The Wall I made earlier this summer, illustrating the infamous kangaroo court scene, which is, in my opinion, the most awesome scene in the whole movie.

-----

Here's a snapshot of what's going on in my world right now (assuming anyone is interested):

1) We adopted a puppy we've been fostering, thereby finally becoming foster failures. Her name is Marcy (or Marcie... I prefer the "y" instead of "ie", unlike everyone else), and she is a three and half month old Schnauzer/terrier mix. After pretty much only living with cats for several years, I have finally realized just how much "easier" cats are to care for than dogs. My feline appreciation levels have now tripled.

2) One of my friends is getting married, and I'm going to be a bridesmaid at her wedding. I'm thrilled, but with a mass of different emotions. I think she's too young for this (she's eighteen) and making a huge mistake, but it's also not my place to butt into her personal life. I'm trying my best to be happy for her and support her, nonetheless. There's little else I can do.

3) I'm nearly finished with the summer semester, I just have a big final coming up this Friday. I always get anxious about school, so much so that it physically hurts and there's a constant "pinch" on my heart. I know that that's a little psycho, but it's what keeps me doing well (well, well enough, anyway.) Gotta scare myself into these things... No wonder I'm so stressed. ToT Nah well, at the very least, Amanda and I are going out afterwards to celebrate school getting out... just so we can come right back a few weeks later. Fuck yeah!

Again, forgive me, everyone, to whom I owe something; I will get back to you hopefully after this week is out and I get a bit of R&R. Please be patient and have faith in me!

-----

And on that note, here are some updated art stats (NOTE: I work on a first come, first serve basis):

Art Status:

Requests: Only on my own terms. DO NOT ASK. Closed

1) - Fox and mouse TF
Progress:

2) - Woxie plushie (TF?)
Progress:

3) - Lapras b-day pic
Progress:

4) - Lucario girl pic
Progress:

Collaborations: Closed

1) - A Pokemon TF comic may be going down. Please look forward to it! (Assuming I ever start my part... Ugh, many apologies to Riokenn. T_T)
Progress:

Art trades: Closed

1) - Ottsel TF
Progress:

2) - Greymon TF
Progress:

Commissions: Closed

1) moofa19 - RESERVED (forgive me, I have no idea what you'd like me to call you here on DA T.T)
Progress:

2) - RESERVED
Progress:

---

Commission Info:

Please see this journal for pricing information. :3

---

Commission Categories:

Single frames:

Sketch (bust) [+ $2 for multiple characters] = $5
Sketch (full body) [+ $2 for multiple characters] = $10
Inked (tradtional) (bust) [+ $2 for multiple characters] = $10
Inked (traditional) (full body) [+ $2 for multiple characters] = $20
Inked (digital) (bust) [+ $3 for multiple characters] = $15
Inked (digital) (full body) [+ $3 for multiple characters] = $25
Color (Copics) (bust/no bg) [+ $3 for multiple characters] = $15
Color (Copics) (full body/no bg) [+ $3 for multiple characters] = $25
Color (digital) (bust/no bg) [+ $4 for multiple characters] = $25 base price (see below for coloring options)
Color (digital) (full body/no bg) [+ $4 for multiple characters] = $35 base price (see below for coloring options)

For digital coloring, choose a coloring style:
Cel shading color, add +$3 to the base price
Digital painting color, add +$5 to the base price

For a sketch background, add +$2
For an inked background, add +$5
For a colored (via Copics) background, add + $8
For a colored (digital) background, add + $10

Sequences:

Sketch (no bg) [+ $2 for multiple characters] = $12 per page
Sketch (with bg) [+ $2 for multiple characters] = $15 per page
Inked (traditional) [+ $3 for multiple characters] = $20 per page
Inked (digital) [+ $3 for multiple characters] = $25 per page
Color (Copics) (no bg) [+ $4 for multiple characters] = $25 per page
Color (Copics) (with bg) [+ $4 for multiple characters] = $33 per page
Color (digital) (no bg) [+ $4 for multiple characters] = $30 per page base price (see below for coloring options)
Color (digital) (with bg) [+ $4 for multiple characters] = $35 per page base price (see below for coloring options)

For digital coloring, choose a coloring style:
Cel shading color, add +$3 to the base price
Digital painting color, add +$5 to the base price

Badges:

$10 each (pic only) [price includes inking and coloring via traditional media]

Note: If you are interested in a commission, please PM me about it, and we can discuss it further. Also, please be as specific as you can in explaining to me what you'd like drawn; that way I can give you exactly what you want.^^

---

Methods of Payment:

I only accept USD via PayPal at the moment. Sorry about any inconveniences this may cause...