Laptop; Sydney; Birthday
Took these about a week ago, but I've been too busy to post them. My new laptop:



So light and thin and quiet! It is a very sexy XPS m1330. I can post specs in the comments, if anyone gives a shit. But 'sexy' is what it comes down to. Haven't done any video editing on it yet, but I expect the sexiness to continue.

Also the keyboard is lovely and 'clacky'. It feels good and it sounds good. The touchpad buttons are clacky too.

Hey, what's that on my lap?



Well fuck damn, it's a Cintiq!

I'm still getting used to it, and I will certainly not be abandoning paper entirely, but for some things that I do, this wonderful object is going to save me a lot of time and energy. And it's so much fun just to play with!

I've done the two most recent Eegra comics with the Cintiq:

This one in Photoshop, and

This one in Illustrator (but coloured in Photoshop.)

Not too keen on Illustrator, though I do like those smooth lines. I might give Comic Studio a try. I welcome advice from experienced tablet users!

Also! Kind of important! The new laptop has a built-in webcam (as laptops seem to these days), so I'm making Skype my chat program of choice. I will not be reinstalling Trillian, so if you chat to me using ICQ or MSN, well, you don't any more. Get on Skype and find me there. I figure everyone has Skype these days, and the fewer programs I have cluttering my computer, the better.

Please do add me to your Skype contact lists, because I work from home these days and it would be nice to have some online office buddies. Plus it is so handy for staying in touch with friends.

Sydney

I'm extending my stay in Sydney, just so everyone knows. I've been flat out since I got here, and I'm so tired of being busy and rushed; I've been rushed all year. So I'm staying for another few weeks. I'll still be pretty busy, but I want to hang out with people!

Birthday (mine)

It is on Sunday! I am having last minute birthday drinks, as usual! If you're reading this, you're invited, though I will try to call or message people as well.

Please come to Kelly's on King Street in Newtown at about 7:00. I'm thinking upstairs near the pool tables, probably. Shouldn't be too busy 'cause it's Monday the next day. For the same reason, I don't expect anyone to stay too late (although you're welcome to); just come along and make my birthday happy.

Okay, see you then! Actually I will see many of you tomorrow, at the Kinokuniya zine fair.