Alaism

Ala Paredes, 25 years old, blogging since July 2003.

Raised in Manila sunshine and typhoon winds, currently down under getting sunburned in the sunbaked landmass called Australia.

My interests include art, music, books, culture, film, enjoying and exploring food, Carl Jung, nature, technology, Apple Macs, ordinary happiness, long walks, good conversation, sunshine, barbecue, cheesy 80s and 90s love songs, nostalgia, cheesiness, silliness, camp(iness), and irreverent humor. In my free time you will find me dabbling in drawing, painting, graphic illustration, art, cooking, singing, photography, writing, books, watching live bands, music, music, music, capoeira, movies, acting, nature tripping, poi, travel, going to the beach, and making coffee.

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Deviantart

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Welcome to my little blog project which began out of boredom, and which, so far, has no end in mind yet.

And now to discuss some rules:

The things I write here were true to me at the moment they written. They may no longer hold true tomorrow, depending on how life changes me, and what new experiences teach me. I am a work in progress, and nothing I put out today is absolute.

Believe or agree in what I say only if it resonates with your own truth. Disagreement is also welcome, but malice is not (good people know the difference). Discussion and new ideas are always welcome.

really

Dynamicdrive.com

here

Greenpeace Asia

Rock Ed Philippines

Asia Energy Revolution 2005

Youngblood: Weeping for the Living

Alaism.deviantart.com

Alabira.multiply.com

My online store at Cafepress

pansitan	bianca	mio
aycstacy	papa	gina
patring	catingka	marla
lucy	lucky	babypink
bahaghari	alex	waiterrant
howie s.	ingrid	smartbad
jake	cathy	dannyP
eddaragon	mulatala	jayvee
marinero	coolmyplanet	carl
ate jo	nostalgiaManila	katmayo
dianaVW	siyudadmaharlika	patty

Monday, November 17, 2008

christmas list

I don't really want much because most of the stuff I want I can buy for myself, and most of the stuff I want are more needs than wants. But here is what I want for Christmas (without expecting that anyone will actually get me anything on my list).

1) A metal ruler that will last me forever. A steel one. One of those long-ass ones. I bought myself a cheap aluminum one and my knife goes right through it.

2) French curves (any respectable art store will carry them). And a really good compass (the ones that will last forever cost more than 50 dollars). Also those things for drawing perfect circles and ellipses. Hahaha.

3) Derwent Aquarell pencils, that big set of 70.

4) A new A3 sized carry portfolio, made of fabric (not plastic), and with a strap. My cheap-as-chips plastic one that I take to school everyday is beginning to crumble and develop these jagged edges that will probably cut me one of these days.

5) Subscription to Juxtapoze magazine, a mag devoted to illustration.

6) A graphic novel called "Persepolis", available at Kinokuniya at The Galleries in the CBD.

7) And while were at it, I want a KINOKUNIYA SHOPPING SPREE!!!

8) home espresso machine

9) Mineral make-up

10) "Dexter" DVDs, seasons 1 and 2

11) Really good headphones, with noise reductor

12) But if I were to reward myself with one thing, it would a new desktop mac with the hugest-ass monitor they have. My laptop is about 4 years old. It is several models behind, and is still a G4. I bought it second hand, at a discount. It is scratched, dull, and the metal coating is beginning to rust off. It has helped me create awesome artwork, maintain this blog, land jobs, etc. New models came and went, the PowerMacs with built-in camera et al, but I didn't feel the need to upgrade. This G4 still served my purposes.

Now, when it comes to big investments like computers, I only spend my money when I feel I really, really need it because that way I know every cent is worth it. I want to feel like I deserve it.

I have struggled working on this itty bitty screen, with tool Creative Suite boxes and palettes cluttering up the edges. My monitor is old, and will no longer get any brighter than it is. The warranty expired years ago. It's on it's second battery and second power charger.

And so, having just finished my first year of illustration and design, working my ass off being a working student, passing many subjects with flying colors (with a few Distinction marks under my belt), giving up friends, special occasions, and material pleasures in order to take my craft to a whole new level, and getting seriously serious about my future career, I feel I now deserve a new desktop computer, with a big monitor.

I'm still keeping this laptop for blogging, checking e-mail, chatting, music, and just basic graphic design jobs. It's still a good computer. When it comes to my computers, I'm more about function than vanity, although I stick with Mac. PC loyalists might argue that being more about function than vanity and preferring a Mac is an anti-thesis in itself, but screw you all. I happened to grow up using a Mac, and liked it before everyone had one.

And since I doubt anyone will actually give me this for Christmas, I am going to buy me one come the New Year (gotta save my money, it's a good thing I have a new job).

13) And what use would a snazzy new computer be without Adobe CS4?

14) And finally, I wish for God to keep blessing me with love and the wonderful people in my life.

latest activity

A poster for a fictional event

The colors aren't so pastel in real life. They're deeper and brighter, and edgier. It is A3 poster sized. Acrylic on watercolor paper, scanned, and applied the type with Photoshop.

A book cover for a book that does not really exist

A fictional book cover. I put the name of Father Nebres as the author because it was the only priestly name I could think of haha. No, Fr. Nebres SJ did not author this book. I xeroxed religious documents, stained them coffee and ripped em up. Jesus Christ was done in pen and ink. The entire thing was "dirtied up" with charcoal and ink. Type applied with Photoshop.

Live sculpting

Wherein we sculpt from a model who poses for us. It's like 3d life drawing. I have never done this before, and had a lot of fun. We are going to make a plaster cast of it. You can view more photos by clicking on her.

Same goes with him

And my first year of school is ending soon.

Posted by at 4:25 PM

Comments:

hey ala...i really love this post..it made me realized that life is sweet and simple...keep your great thoughts on this blog coming..All the best in life :)

Sharon : 8:01 AM

You liked mac before everyone had one??? Well well well what a small world you have, unless you are just referring to your circle of friends.

Anonymous : 2:08 AM

"I happened to grow up using a Mac, and liked it before everyone had one."

Hmmm... I think that's stretching it :) But I do think Macs are functional as they are goddamn gorgeous.

Anonymous : 3:04 AM

Yup, me and my small circle of patintero friends when I was 7. None of them had macs then. If I didn't know you were a fellow mac-user when I 7, then we probably didn't play patintero together. I think my world was just a tad too small to accomodate one more player ;-)

koAla Paredes : 6:23 AM

Hoorah for mac users! I think they offer student discounts. I was supposed to get mine on one, but my dad didn't know this. I think malaki rin ang mase-save mo when you go for the discount.

Good luck on the upcoming mac!

andie : 1:09 PM