Pyrography 101

Ok...make that 6 commissions. I'm working my ass off. At this rate I'll earn enough for an extra flight home to see Soran. Add to it another 3 painting commissions, and I'm setting myself up for a busy week.
One main component one the wands i make is pyrographic art, which is personalised or else carries generic symbols. As I started from scratch with basic materials, I use only a cheap soldering iron...some tips I learnt:
1) Not only does it darken the wood, it also burns a furrow. This is handy when darkening existing lines, but inconvenient when darkening large areas.
2) Sometimes its better to move the wood, not the iron, due to the grain direction.
3) Use the tapering tip of the iron for tapering lines.
4) On initial contact with the wood, the scorch is darkest, but lightens when drawn in one direction. This causes a nice shading effect.
The pins I use to connect beads to the wood seem to be coated with a sort of resin that prevents solder from sticking to it, preventing it from being welded. I must remember to scrape off the resin coating first.
On another front, I am hoping that despite being late for sign-up due to late flight, I'd still get a place in that medieval club in Adelaide. Lots of nice fights, and a trained person to teach me the use of paired scimitars. Perhaps I can even believe I'll get over the past, and find a battle really worth fighting. I will miss Singapore and Soran dearly, and his weird Initial d friends, but i look forward to meeting my master and getting to work in the forge.
Terribly sorry that I made an innapropriate comment to a friend of mine, over msn, and didn't know he was in a bad mood. I shouldn't have suggested getting him into a foursome with me and a couple of others...me bad...but at least we've made up.

Counting Down

Have learnt to make pagan wands...what happened is that I offered to make one as a trade with someone. I only knew in theory what had to be done, but couldn't guardantee it could be finished. However it turned out very well, and suddenly I have 4 commissions...and stand to earn at least $100 out of them all.
My valentine's date with Soran had us in Sentosa. I used to work at the Butterfly Park there, and know the place well, so i got us in for free. Moral of the story is to put the scorpion on his hand before he can pull it away. Also made out on the beach, carrying him up and down on the sands as tiny fish swam around us. Not quite a swimmer, he is. When he just wore his trunks, his skin is really white, must be all those years in front of laptop indoors. Finally said he's never swum in the sea before, and got a leg cramp, so I swam back to sayang him. His sunburn is quite bad though.
Initial D. EK9. Usui. Wet. I take my only car for a few spins, under its worst conditions. I'm quite surprised I could beat time attack on the first try even. For the first time, people gather behind to watch a masochistic newbie try to kill himself.
Also, i am leaving for Australia on 1st March. I'll miss my beloved :(, who I treasure so much. So up until then, I will be getting him to come over to my place, so I can strap him to my bed and drive him into a helpless sexual frenzy...something to remember me by. Sticks and stones may break his bones, but whips and chains excite him. He loves it.

My first ID battle

Not claiming credit for ze little Chitty-chitty-bang-bang EK9, but darling Soran was cutting engine power when this guy challenge me with 'boost' on. I'm still fairly unclear about what was happening, but through pure rotten luck i overtook him at the second last turn on Akina winter track, and won him by about 10m. His car was an AE85, whatever that is supposed to mean, and i doubt he was giving way to me, the way he was weaving and trying to swipe me for most of the battle. I'd cautiously put that victory behind me, in any case that marks my 10th game ever I believe.

Why do i not update this blog? Well lets just say my computer (and HTML) knowledge sucks hamster testicles...I'll try to update more often but no guarantees.

On an extremely positive note, my sucky job has ended!

Brief update:
October: Exam preparation full steam, painted a pair of Griffin minis for D&D game. Chris was pleased with a painted elven mage.

November: Had a fight with D&D GM, but patched it up, still it was a terrible one. Fortunately did not affect my exam performance. Hugely excited about seeing my beloved again. Insane rush home as flight to Singapore was three hours after last exam. Results came out...I've got high distinctions and distinctions...though as usual femily at home isn't impressed as its not a subject they find prestigious.

December: Took on a sucky job where i must dress up as a girly typist, six days a week. Was forced into it by parents, no way out. High note was that Soran was presented with a massive log cake for his birthday.

January: Ran a tsunami battletech event with Jia tian which brought in much needed funds for the victims, i sponsored a Behemoth as a prize.
http://www.lordsofthebattlefield.com/gallery/albums/userpics/marisaong-behemoth-02.JPG
Rather sad that Soran can't spend more time with me, though that is getting better now. On hindsight, maybe was rather too harsh when I scolded him, his parents make our relationship hard...

Bones falling apart

Have covered more than a hundred kilometres on foot across 4 mountain conservation parks for the past 48 hours...with a total of 1 pound of food and six hours of sleep. Am very tired and still have Biology test 10am tomolo. Very beautiful view of waterfalls at sunset in Morialta.

Had D&D game yesterday with Mark and gang. Glorious fighting, but still can't get my old character back yet.

Am hungry, going to get dinner and call Soran later.

It starts

Found 'Quantitative Zoology' in the dumping bin behind the faculty I study at. Very nice! Oh, and this blog starts, assuming I can actually learn all this in time. Have completed the finishing touches on a little present for Don-don. I miss his taste. I miss him. Want to go back soon so I play car racing. Must find out more about Honda EK9. His blog is here: http://soran-gtr.blogspot.com/
The battletech miniature I sent out still so long never get to Canada. Will check again.