Once again, it's time to share what goes on in the creative life of Claire Vlcek.
I'm getting more and more into the habit of getting out of the house, as it's been better on my mental health and all: I get a break from creative stuff and screens, I get to have my personal "adventures" and all-- even if it's just scavenging stores for discounts and all, and it's generally fun to finally take advantage of the privilege to go out-- whether from lockdown teaching us we can lose that privilege in an instant and to know more than just my job regarding house-departure.
I even came across a nice little bookstore and found a new shopping area that still has a close by mall! Of course, it's wise to not just throw away all your cash on gas and other things, so I'm thinking only going out on special weekends or one where I get paid. I'm especially eager to start saving cash after I'm still admittedly worried about how less cash I would've had if I actually went through with that "warranty letter" scam. Seriously, always investigate before you act-- even if someone you trust and live with believes it's something you need to respond to. Don't worry, just as you sometimes upset the wrong person, you end up calling and trying to scam the wrong person. Vigilantism isn't something possible in only movies, y'know, and you'd be surprised how easy it is to track down a person by phone number in this day and age. Heck, we can just dox people with their social media profiles alone, sadly… So yeah, make sure you don't go poking hornets' nests with the stick known as: "trickery, malice, selfishness, etc."…
Speaking of money-saving, it's probably wise to not try more of it with further dedicated fasting… I've been fasting to the point where my eyes feel weird and I feel like I'm "seeing weird," honestly. I also have been hearing about the consequences that tend to arise during intense and long fasting sessions, like Ramadan (no offense to the Islamic faith), and I'm starting to worry: I'm opening myself up to diabetes through caloric deficiency (it's not just linked to obesity), I'm making myself too lethargic to be productive because I improve in energy/mood after finally eating… Like, an intermittent fasting session during workdays is fine enough-- especially if I pack a low calorie snack "just in case" and still drink water. I think I can save money on food well enough by just slow-eating and good old preservation. I can't wait to use my new dehydrator to finally taste dried salmon… I wonder if it's as good as smoked or better? So yeah, I need to get over my fears of being "sinful" by committing gluttony. Envy/Jealousy? No, perfectly acceptable for me to "sin" around with that-- but GLUTTONY? No, being anything more than a twig is unacceptable! Okay, it's really a fear of burning through resources, as I hate the idea of being unprepared and helpless. I don't think the pandemic helped that, and seeing food shortages again is making me ready to get back into 36 hour fastings-- even if I'd still die of starvation regardless.
I think I'm just gonna try adapting a more Japanese lifestyle-- and no, anime has nothing to do with it. I don't need big-eyed girls with even bigger chests (despite being schoolgirls) to make me wish to partake in: healthier eating and living, more mindful practices, better means of saving… Like, I love the idea of switching to fish meat (Salmon, my beloved!) and committing to just walking everywhere, only saving the car for longer drives. I also just love Japanese cooking: sushi, rice, the way they set multiple small dishes that appeals both eyes and stomach… Man, is it any wonder they're some of the most healthy people around? I could also use their sense of mindfulness, as I keep ruminating and literally feel like jumping off a cliff-- even when happiest. I also just like using chopsticks. I dunno, it's satisfying and I don't feel like I'm gorging myself, unlike with a fork.
As for more creative stuff, I've gotten back into the habit of "manuscription" at a desk (writing bullets in a journal), and I'm trying to reach the same quality with 3D work that I have with 2D. Speaking of the latter, anyone else still haunted by flashbacks of people mocking your work because you didn't come out of the womb with a digital pen in your hand? At the very least, some people saw potential in me-- even though that's still saying, "Yeah, you suck…"; but at least it means that you won't for long if you keep at it. I'm also still working on Flesh and Fur's design for Scaredy Cubs-- and deciding how to draw Seve, Alexis and Ally less ugly when I end my hiatus on Corn Kidz 64 stuff, or at least for when I make that obligatory anniversary piece in October ("art-fasting" or not, you need to make a piece for your beloved franchise's release).
I'm thinking maybe decrease the snout and nostril size? At the very least, it'd probably help if didn't make them look like generic anime creatures. I also wanna try making those black/white manga-esque comic adaptations of my work sometime… I tend to think I excel in visual humor, for one thing, which is going to be vital for something like "Artificially Demonic." Seriously, gags like Raifu watching THAT variation of Flesh and Fur's quintet, while they're literally outside his window, binoculars and all; or just the general "squint" I think is my funniest expression for any character that perfectly encapsulates, "I'm F*CKING done and/or I want to end you."
All in all, I think that's all I have to report, so Tschuss.
