Kris' Ramblings

I'm late taking a photo of my peppermint stash this year as I was waiting for a properly sunny day so the lighting would be decent. So, here's this year's haul. Much (most?) of it comes from jordannamorgan, who apparently decided to beat her previous record. o.O! Thank you so much! I'm probably going to permanently smell like peppermint when I get through this. ...There are worse fates.

Otherwise, Christmas was good. Here and gone too fast, but good. Much good food was eaten, the extended family came into town, and good times were had. I didn't get a lot of fandom goodies this year, but I did get several favorites either on disc for the first time or shiny new Blu-Ray copies with extras. Plus, a nice stack of books to read, including the final entry (to date) in the "Arcane America" series, "Caller of Lightning", more of the "Dragon Knight" series, and more Peter S. Beagle with "In Calabria".

Also, have an out of context quote from the family gathering: "Daddy, I took out his guts!"

First Gamera, now everyone else is getting new projects!

First, AnE/Blue Exorcist is finally getting a new anime! Based on the rough drawings and animatics shown on the official website, I'm guessing they're picking up where the Kyoto Arc left off in animating the manga as the images seem to be from the Inari Arc. Hopefully, they'll continue through the end this time as the manga feels only a few chapters away from its finale.

Next, there's Kaiju No. 8 getting an anime. This is a manga I haven't mentioned much but have been following for a couple years and much enjoying. It's not a favorite-favorite, but it's a solidly fun comfort food sort of series. Sometimes, I just want to see quirky characters fight monsters with super-powers, cool tech, and camaraderie. I'm a simple gal at heart.

Lastly, I'm happy to see that the adorable Spy x Family is slated for yet another season plus a movie.

And, it's not new, but while I'm fangirling, I'm also going to mention "Villainous/Villanos", a cartoon centered around the evil Black Hat Organization, which offers gadgets and other services to villains struggling with those pesky superheroes. I haven't watched anything from Cartoon Network in years because I didn't care for their brand of humor. So, of course, when I did, I'd pick the series that's not available in the US. But, a friend and some YouTube clips intrigued me, and, with some help, I've now been able to watch all six full episodes, the shorts, and most of the (subtitle only) specials. It's a very fun show. It's not usually my thing to like a show expressly about the bad guys, but I really have been missing old-school over-the-top, evil-and-loving-it cartoon villains. And, goodness knows eldritch abomination bad boss Black Hat definitely fills that role with his wicked cultured facade... behind which lurks fangs, tentacles, and a guy who will spoil your favorite show as readily as he'll devour souls for payment. Besides, there's always adorable experiment 505 and comically abused chief mad scientist, Flug, to root for.

It's been forever, but I have been poking at a few "Blue Exorcist" icons on and off. So, here they are.

All of the art is by the creator, Kazue Kato, and is taken from color covers or Twitter sketches. Shiemi's background comes again from wolfbane_icons' gorgeous Nevermore texture set.

This was supposed to be a short series, over in four or five chapters that outlined the events in broad strokes. But, instead, I just keep adding more details and dragging it out. So, here's more of the dragon!Royverse.

( Presence (Fullmetal Alchemist) )

I'm supposed to be writing an October 3rd drabble - and one is underway - but I found an entry for my "Ed's Rules" series in my files thiiiis close to completion. So, here it is:

( Rule #22 (FMA) )

So, in the last year, I had an outdoor camera installed. Besides updating me on package deliveries, it's also captured a whole array of wildlife overnight. From the expected rabbits and opossums to a surprise gray fox, who visits like clockwork every morning around 2:00am. Then, a couple weeks ago, there was a new surprise - a coyote. I'd heard they were everywhere but had yet to see one.

When I told my uncle, he immediately asked if the coyote was chasing a roadrunner.

Thus, I was compelled to make this. Yes, that's the real security camera footage of the coyote... plus "enhancement".

I haven't mentioned it here, but I lost my cat, Mo, back in March just after her 16th birthday when she finally lost her battle with cancer. It was a blow as Mo was both my little buddy of many years and my only company the last few years.

So, at the urging of family and friends, I visited the local animal shelter during an adoption event a couple weeks ago. I went "just to look". And, in the cat room, a tiny little torbie cat immediately came to the bars of the cage to see me, purring away. She continued to purr and show me her tummy as we sat in a chair and visited while, from the banging and barking, the dogs apparently staged a prison riot out in the hall. Between her sweetness and her absolute chill, I knew she was the one.

Meet Paisley! Or, as I quickly shortened her to, "Pai-Pai". She's now settled in, so here's hoping for many long years together.

Squeaking in late here, but I've been (mostly happily) tied up with the fact that the big family Christmas gathering was at my place this year. I had a lot of cleaning to do.

Anyway, as usual for the season, I've been gathering my peppermint haul. jordannamorgan outdid herself this year by sending me a box full! Thank you!

And, while it still needs a few touch-ups, I have (mostly) finished this year's Christmas image! Felina seems to be getting all the art lately.

It's a little something, but I want to share it. My most unusual birthday gift this year was this perfect complement to my Gamera movie collection. He's from my favorite Gamera era, the 90's trilogy. Many thanks and squees to MintySage.

My titles are getting worse, slowly descending into bad puns. Anyway, a little SWAT Kat ficlet for the series' latest anniversary. Set in my "Becoming the SWAT Kats" series after Discovery, Exploration, and Armored.

( Uplifting (SWAT Kats) )