Well, I've had that last depressing journal entry there for more than a year. And I found a nice journal skin, so I should at least update so I can see how it looks. Let's move on, shall we?

I've been neglecting DA something awful lately; just haven't felt all that creative. I managed to swing a new camera with our tax refund (partly by letting ~sumsquared get a new leather motorcycle jacket - but that was also a safety thing), and I have been taking photos; however, I can't quite get past the feeling that photography is somehow cheating. It probably comes from the debates I used to have with my mother on whether it was actually art - of course it is, but whether mine is, is another story. Though I always argued the positive, some of that must have rubbed off on me.

Yikes, I can't believe I've had an account here for four years! Where does the time go?

At the risk of sounding whiny, I work for the state of CA. Since we've been assigned two furlough days per month since Feb., just got another one, and there are rumors we may have to take a fourth, we're starting to try to find way to make up the difference. ~sumsquared still makes custom boxes, and just got some redwood from a 90-year old house across the street from us (torn down to build yet another generic McMansion, a huge peeve of mine, but that's another story...). I was thinking of putting some on my stuff up for prints, but I'm really not sure anything there is really worth it. I'm just a doodler. I know I've put some of my oekaki fish on notecards as gifts, and people like them, and last year a nature book author and a county in Maryland asked to use three of my photos...I dunno though...

On another note: somewhat late to the party, but I heartily applaud `ArtistsForCharity's pick of charities this year - [link] My son will be starting sixth grade in the fall, while he's in a regular classroom for subjects he's good in, he's been in special education for others; he has an aide for assistance to keep him on track. While he seems pretty normal to us, he's on the autism spectrum - Asperger's in particular. As I've learned more about it the last few years, I see that it's not only him - I recognize that his grandfather has the same traits and I see many of them in myself as well.

Most autism charities seem to forget that autistic children grow up into autistic adults and from the media, you'd almost think such people don't exist. Groups like Autism Speaks are more focused on cures and finding a connection between vaccines and the condition (which study after study has NOT found), than supporting the people who need it who are already here. The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network helps autistic adults be involved in decision-making regarding their own lives, and policy-making on a large scale as well. Some autism organizations would have you believe that autism is a worse thing than cancer, while this organization is working to show everyone that autistics are willing and able to be productive members of society, given the the opportunity. It also works to change the way autistic and other disabled people are perceived; it's a civil rights issue as much as a health one. Since my son is really not that far away from being an adult, this becomes more and more relevant. This can start with language, for starters - you know that little disparaging phrase involving a smaller yellow vehicle used for transport to school? Someone you know may ride or have ridden one.

If I may recommend a few sites on similar subjects as well (check the bookmarked links at the sides for some starting places to read):

Change.org's Autism Blog- written by an adult on the spectrum and a mom of an almost teenage autistic son. Especially 10 Autism Controversies.

Don't Mourn For Us - Jim Sinclair - Essay to parents

Asperger Square 8 -blog by an adult with Aspergers

There are lots of others, too.

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I already have a journal here [link] , so you can check that one for updates (I do post friends-only entries occasionally - you'll need an LJ account and to friend me there to read those).

I am only a doodler - a marine biologist by training, so I hope people like what they see here. I was intimidated for awhile by the quality of stuff showing up on the main page, but I see there are other amateurs here, so I'm jumping in.

I'm trying to do something creative on a more regular basis, and like my journal, I hope getting a little feedback inspires me to keep up with it.

I also photograph my spouse's works for his page, since he is a woodworker. Check out his stuff too at

Lookie! I made:
*BioMarina

- a community dedicated to celebrating all marine life, be it animal or plant, real or imagined (we'll even accept freshwater life forms). All art media and skill levels are welcome. Please go check it out!

Member of:
~scientartists *los3eds =flower-club ~jupiterjazz ~Adult-Swim-Club ~fullmetal-alchemists ~thebebop-shindig ~kaputandzoskyfans ~cactus-club ~Raditz-fanclub ~California-Club *ThePencilClub ~photoshoptutors ~Team-Venture *Ex-po-zure ~Woodlanders *ArtisanCraft ~SeaClub