I've been having trouble with my computer for a bit, and a few days ago, it just sorta all went into a spiraling hellish whirlpool. It seems the video card was dropped, and we can only start the computer in safe mode, since the monitor goes to sleep or gets a bunch of lines on the screen after a minute or so in normal mode. We couldn't download the driver for the video card in safemode, and the unhelpful people in gateway's customer service chat made us go through a bunch of nonsensical processes before finally telling us to do a system restore. Ugh.

So, I'm gonna have to back up all my pictures onto some discs or the external hard drive that we have (not sure if the external would be able to install on my computer in safe mode, we'll see). Most of my music is backed up, but I know there's some that I'll need to save.

On top of that, I may have to get a new all-in-one printer, since it seems that the scanner and copier don't want to do their jobs all of a sudden. This happened before my computer melted down, so I think it's something to do with the camera or whatever it is inside the printer that takes the image from the paper and puts it on the computer.

Art uploads are on hiatus for a little bit until I get my computer in order. I'll probably be doing a few digital pieces once it's back to normal, but I may only be able to take photos of my traditional work until I get my all in one back. Both my computer and my all in one printer are still under warranty, so everything should be fine even if I have to replace them.
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On the art front, I've started playing around with artist trading cards, which are just fun little pieces of bristol paper (there's a few other kinds of paper, too) generally the size of a normal playing card. You can see all sorts of these cards by bunches of artists for sale on Etsy. When artist's trading cards are sold, they're called ACEOs. I don't remember what that stands for, though. You can trade them with other artists, too.

The ATCs are sold on art supply sites, such as DickBlick, and are about three dollars for a pack of twenty cards. The shipping might be a little annoying though, so look in your local art supply store, or craft store to see if you can find them there first. I got mine when ~TyrackWolfII went to the bookstore on campus of the community college and picked a few packs up for me, so I didn't have to pay for the shipping from DickBlick.

I've been experimenting a little with my art lately, taking a break from what I draw all the time and trying to broaden my horizons a little. It's kind of hard to push through the wall of habit, though. Hopefully I'll be able to figure myself and my art out soon.
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Toodles!
~SgL

First, features!

I will add the first 14 people to comment on this journal to the Promotional List.

For each of those 14 people, I will put their avatar and three deviations I like from their gallery on the list.

If I feature you, you'll have to do the same in your journal, putting me on the first place, completing this way the list with 14 people. (I don't have many watchers, but I will follow the rules. First, I'm going to feature the person who featured me on their journal.)

1: Tohlee: [link]

[link]
[link]
[link]

2: Heather!: [link]

[link]
[link]
[link]

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Artician!

I made an Artician account! You can see it here: [link] Artician.com is an art website similar to DeviantArt. Don't worry, I'm not leaving DA! I'm just posting my artwork there in addition to what I post here. Artician is a new, up and coming website, with lots of customization, easy browsing, and a wonderfully easy layout. Take a look and join if you wish! You can watch people just the same as you do here, as well as make friends. So go out there and spread your art!
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~Svedios' birthday was yesterday! Woo, she's officially an adult! No longer in that not-a-teenager-anymore-but-not-an-adult-yet limbo! I just went into that limbo myself last week. Go give her birthday hugs!
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VU News

I'm working on a CG piece now. I'm not sure how happy I am with it, but it should be posted within the week. It's just practice with my new tablet, after all.
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Toodles!
~SgL

Hey, lookit that, it's my birthday today!

I turned twenty around six this morning, I believe. Goodbye, teenage years! It's bittersweet to be in age-limbo where I'm not a kid anymore, yet I'm not old enough to drink. Either way, I'm happy for today!

Tomorrow, I'm having ~Svedios, ~TyrackWolfII and ~Pixelated-Beauty over for some funtime, Maryland crabs, chicken, cake, and hilarity!

I was gone from Saturday until Wednesday afternoon in Salisbury, where I spent some time with ~Svedios and her cousins. We spent a few hours out at Ocean City, which took a while to get to since she had to return some shoes. But we got lunch at Cracker Barrel! Mm, delicious! It was nice to go to Ocean City again, since I had only been there once. This time, I stood on the beach to catch some waves on my legs as they rolled in. For anyone who doesn't know, Ocean City has a pretty rough beach. In the morning, before tourists are out, surfers are often riding the waves since they're pretty much perfect for the sport. I also saw my first plane advertisements, where small planes ride by with a big lettered tail, advertising different hotels or restaurants nearby. I was also glad to see the Ocean City carnival is still up and running. There was talk of maybe shutting it down due to financial reasons before summer started, but it looks like they found some funding. I've told my parents that if we can't go to Las Vegas for my 21st birthday, I want to go to Ocean City to visit that famous Purple Moose bar!

I also went to Otakon this year, which was pretty fun! We went on Saturday, the 18th of July. There was lots of walking like always, but going to the Dealer's room and Artist's alley is always fun. I bought prints from ^budgie and :devlonemomo:, as well as =luciole and *celesse sadly, I missed *QueenOfDorks! I was so sad when I found out that I missed her booth! Most of my money went to prints, which is pretty surprising, since I usually spend it all on plushies!

Next year, I might dress up as Gaz, and ~Pixelated-Beauty might dress up as Invader Tak, both characters from the television show, Invader Zim. My cosplay really depends on how much weight I lose, since I don't want to be too chubby of a Gaz.
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I've been working on some charms to sell on Etsy. I'm making charms out of the Little Girl series from my gallery, and I'll also be working on some accessory charms to go with them. Such as a skeleton key charm, a crown charm, and a ribbon charm. I'll be posting pictures of these as soon as I work everything out.
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VU News! ~Vieo-Una

I've been working on some sketches recently. I fancy one in particular, but I'm still not finished, or completely satisfied with the sketch. Don't worry, I'll have some work up for VU eventually!
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Toodles!
~SgL

No, I'm not really all that into summer. I used to look forward to it back in school, but right now, it's just the heated season I both despise, and almost like sometimes. My birthday is coming up in August, and I'll be turning 20. No more childlike shenanigans for me! (Riiiight.)

As for updates, I hope to be able to post a few things soon. I just came up with a new concept, and I wanna have some stuff up as soon as my hand decides that it will allow me to draw. I'm having a bit of a skill crisis at the moment, since eyes and other features don't want to turn out.

I also found another one of those journal quiz things from someone I watch here on DA, so I stole it!

Here we go:

Rules: Answer each question, then tag 4 people if you want to. (I'm not going to tag anyone, just do the quiz if you feel like it!)

LAYER 1: ON THE OUTSIDE.
Name: Samantha
Birth Date: August 7th
Hair Color: Dark red with brownish ick roots showing. (My dirty blonde went away after dying it black a few years back.)
Righty/Lefty: Lefty, bitches!

LAYER 2: ON THE INSIDE.
Your fear: Being alone in the dark, being alone for long periods of time, bugs and spiders, dental drills, losing people, etc, etc.
Your dream of the perfect date: I never really thought about it before, but maybe a trip to a nice restaurant(not necessarily expensive)and a walk around a park or visiting a few shops.

LAYER 3: YESTERDAY, TODAY, TOMORROW.
Your thoughts first waking up: "Ugh, if I sleep any longer, I won't get anything done today."
Your best physical feature: Uhh.. my eyes?
Your bed time: Normally? One-twoish in the morning.
Your most missed memory: Standing on the back porch of my grandparent's old house and looking just above the fence to see the lights of the 'city', which were just lights around the town and shopping areas, but it did look like a far off view of a city.

LAYER 4: YOUR PICK.
Pepsi or Coke: Pepsi! Though I don't drink soda much anymore.
McDonald's or Burger King: Burger King all the way!
Single or Group Dates: Both, really. Depending on if I wanted the date to be intimate, or just have fun goofing off.
Adidas or Nike: Nike!
Chocolate or Vanilla: Chocolate. Is there any other choice? I don't think so.
Cappuccino or Coffee: I've never had cappuccino before, so I'll say coffee. I used to like it kind of, but I'm afraid to drink it now because of getting a migraine after drinking some Starbucks coffee brownie drink. Not sure if getting a caffeine addiction would be worth it, though.

LAYER 5: DO YOU.
Cuss: Internet, yes. Real life, yes, but I try not to around my parents. I don't curse all the time, just when I feel the situation or conversation needs it. People that curse constantly are a little annoying at times.
Take showers: Yes, showers. Though baths in big, nice bathtubs are good too.
Have a crush: I don't have a crush, I have a love!
Like(d) school: For the most part, it was okay. There were really annoying points, though.
Believe in yourself: I try.
Believe what goes around comes around: Yes, very much so.
Think you're a health freak: Uh.. not really.

LAYER 6: IN THE PAST MONTH.
Gone to the mall: No. I'd go if I could DRIVE!
Been on stage: Nope.
Eaten sushi: Ick, no. I don't really like it. Though, I'm sure I'd be okay if I found some I liked.
Been hurt: Physically? Yes, lots of hang nails. Owwie! T-T Emotionally, a touch.
Dyed your hair: Not in the past month. Maybe I should soon.

LAYER 7: HAVE YOU EVER.
Played a stripping game: o-o No..
Got beaten up: Nuh uh. Unless you're talking about on something like SSBB. Then yes. I've been horribly maimed.
Changed who you were to fit in: I may have at one point to test the waters of different social aspects, but acting like myself is just so much easier.

LAYER 8: GETTING OLD.
Age you're hoping to be married by: I wanna be married by thirty, but it doesn't really matter if it comes a little later or not.
Number of kids you're planning on having: One or two. Preferably girls because I wouldn't know the first thing about raising a little boy!

LAYER 9: IN A GIRL/GUY.
Best eye color: Blue or green.
Best hair color: Any natural colors.
Short or long hair: Depends. Some guys look better with long hair, some look better with short hair.
Fat or fit: Both extreme ends of the spectrum are gross to me. But a strong guy with squish is nice.
Looks or personality: Both, really. A good looking guy isn't so good looking if he's a jerk. The golden rule is balance! The guy next door could be a complete cow according to one girl, but crazy hot stuff to another.

LAYER 10: WHAT WERE YOU DOING.
1 MINUTE AGO: Made a bowl of cocoa rice krispies.
1 HOUR AGO: Watched Hotel for Dogs.
1 WEEK AGO: Can't remember. Probably sat here on the internet.
1 YEAR AGO: Freaked about having a boyfriend for almost a year.

LAYER 11: FINISH THE SENTENCE.
I FEEL: Hungry!
I HATE: Tramps!
I HIDE: Under my sheets!
I NEED: To work on doodles.
I LOVE: CHOCOLATE.

What is a food that you'd hate to be allergic to?
Chocolate. I'd hate being allergic to so much, I'd cry.

What color was the last towel you used?
Dusty purple.

Would you prefer to date someone taller, shorter, or the same height as you?
Taller! He gets stuff for me when it's too high up! And he has to bend to kiss me. Cuuute~

When was the last time your nose bled?
I don't remember?

How old are you turning this year?
The big 2-0. No more hijinks for me! Until I'm 21.

What is your favorite thing to snack on while watching a movie?
M&Ms or snocaps!

Swimming pool or hot tub?
Swimming pool, then hot tub.

What body part do you wash first in the shower?
My hair. Unless that's not a body part. Then my arms.

Who would you allow to read your thoughts for one day?
Uh.. my boyfriend, since he knows a lot of my thoughts anyhow.

Name your last reason for using a camera?
Taking a picture of the possum outside the house.

Where was the last place you fell asleep other than your bed?
The couch? Other than that, John's house.

What are you excited about?
Um.. my birthday I guess?

Are you a happy person?
I try to be.

When was the last time you laughed really hard & why?
Last night when there was a phone conversation that was akin to many gold coins.

What are you wearing?
Black pants, black t-shirt.

What do you want?
Chocolate.

Did you enjoy your weekend?
Eh, I guess.

Do you regret anything you've done recently?
Yeah. Not staying on my diet like I should. x-x

Is there anybody you wish you could see?
My Johnny.

How many people of the opposite sex do you fully trust?
Not a whole lot. A select few.

Do you think you’ll be married in 10 years?
I hope so!

What makes you mad most about girls?
Ugh.. so many things. Put me in a crowd and I'll point out the nasties.

Have you ever been given roses?
Yeah, my Dad usually gives my Mom and I some roses for Valentine's Day.

Do you even like getting flowers?
I love getting flowers! I just wish flower delivery services weren't so careless these days. Especially 1800 flowers. They delivered the flowers that my boyfriend ordered for our anniversary/my birthday, and they were DEAD! They sent an identical bouquet out a few days later free of charge though. (1800 Flowers also keeps sending dead flowers or the vase without the flowers to my Grandma, who we send flowers to for her birthday.)

What's your favorite flower?
Everyday flowers, I like violets. Bouquet flowers, I like lilies, roses, and daisies (especially gerbera daisies!).

Will you be in a relationship 4 months from now?
Yes, my current relationship is pretty strong.

Does it bother you when your friends bring up your past mistakes?
Depending. If it was funny, then that's fine. If it wasn't, sometimes it bugs me a little.

Could you go out in public looking like you do now?
Sure I could.

Can you be your complete self around the person you like?
Of course I can. If I couldn't, then what would be the point in liking the person?

Whose the first person you texted today?
No one today.

Would you move to another state to be with the person you loved?
If it came down to it, I would.

What are you doing tomorrow?
Probably sitting around on the internet like always.

Would you go back in time if you were given the chance?
Of course I would. There's definitely a few events I'd like to revisit, maybe even alter a little.

Do you think you would make a good wife/husband?
I think so?

What's your favorite kind of ice cream?
Chocolate peanut butter cup.

Do you like summer?
Kinda, kinda not.

Do you fall for people easily?
No, not really.

Have you ever dated someone more than once?
Um.. does being in a full relationship count?

Who have you texted in the last 24 hours?
No one.

Do you have freckles?
Yes! I have them on my face here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here. Especially when I've been in the sun a bit.

Do you sleep at night?
Yes, and a little of the day.
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Anyhow, I'll catch you guys later.

Toodles!
~SgL

I just got back from visiting John in Illinois on Sunday. I went there for a week and there was much fun! I say back from the past, since Illinois is Central time, which is an hour behind Eastern time, where I live here in Maryland. We went to a few places, an Easter Sunday brunch buffet at a nice place called the Hoffman House, to Mitsuwa, their Asian market which is a lot better than any around here, and to the mall, where I got some Cubs stuff for my parents. It was a nice little vacation, and I had a lot of fun. I'm glad to be back home though.

In other news, it seems that my subscription expired. Oh noes! It doesn't really matter much though, since DA took away a lot of the things that made subscriptions worth while and gave the options to everyone. It's nice to have such things as previews of art and journals in your inbox without the subscription, but I really think DA should have added some other things to the website exclusively for subscribers.

I also joined Twitter today. If anyone is interested, you can see what's up with me here: [link] if you follow me, I might just follow you back. I'd like to get to know my watchers more!
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VU News:

There hasn't been much in the way of Vieo Una lately, at least here on DA. That's mainly because of my laziness, though. I'm gonna try and set up a schedule for posting things, whether they're finished or not.

Toodles!
~SgL