It has been, a long hard road, and many paths are open before me.

To recall something a friend and I once discussed, my life is becoming a set of “Endless Horizons.” So for an update before I get to the choices I have before me.

I've been in college for the last six years. For the last two, I've been in Graduate School, working on my Masters in Geosciences with an emphasis in Paleontology. I've met a lot of good friends in college. Jake, who was my second roomate and who was a lot like me that we spanged off each other like a pot calling the kettle black. Seth, J.C., Miranda, Shley, Sabastian, and Mike, who's comments and put downs reminded me that I've come a long way, and have a lot farther to go (but also told me they were good friends). The previous Graduate Students who got mad at me for a cartoon depicting an actual event and gag at their expense, when it was supposed to be a general camping joke (Bill, Mark, John, Tim, that's you guys). My Geek friends, who give me a hard time, but care about my well being, helped me find a world of fantasy, and social group that I felt a part of (considering that I'll be done with Graduate school before some of them have finished Undergrad).

Sarah, who's supported me and put up with some of my ramblings about what I've actually learned while in school. My parents, who's support and advice has helped me on many of my choices in life. My grandmother, who's supported me, and helped me aquire loans to pay for school. My aunt and uncle, who have bought me so many books and supplies that without their (or everyone's) encouragement, I wouldn't be the person I am today.

At the top of the list, I have my advisors and instructors to thank for their encouragement and insightful questions that make you think about the subject at hand, and not just blind fully accept it. Dr. Richard Zakrzewski, who has been my advisor and confidant these last six years. From the first moment I met him I was unsure what to think, however after getting up the courage to go past his gruff exterior and talk with him about choices I have to make and his opinions on which road to go have proven invaluable, and I wish to continue this relationship with him when I do finish my Masters and move on whichever road I choose. Dr. Ken Neuhauser for his discussions and stories regarding his experiences in the field as an undergraduate and graduate. The amount he enforces and how much he tries to help his students. Dr. Greg Farley, an entertaining individual who's classes are always a joy to be in. His enthusiasm for science, for his students advancement, and his interest in all aspects of biological sciences have been a great inspiration. Not to mention his humorous stories.

So what do I have before me now? As I've said I've been in school for the last six years,and I'm deciding which direction to take. I have the information from geology and biology, enough that I could get a job as an environmental geologist. I could also teach at community colleges, basic courses in geology and biology. I could teach the High school level even. Although I have to finish my Master's thesis first.

Here's the breakdown of what's been on my mind lately.

I was offered a choice between two positions. One, is a Teaching Assistantship for the next two semesters starting when school starts. The other, is a Museum Curatorial Assistantship for a full 12 months, from the start of the Fall semester, until the day before the fall semester the next year. Both have their pros and cons.

The TA-Ship lasts for two semesters, it's a constant stipend, no matter how much I work a week I still get paid the same wage every two weeks. Tuition is paid, and it's a stable income.

The Curatorial Assistantship is full a full year, tuition is not paid, however it does pay more. I'll have to put in a minimum 20 hours a week, and help out with other features and administrative work.

I have been... struggling, trying to decide which to pick. I'm not trying to brag about it mind you, I'm just not used to having things go so well for me.

After discussing the issue with the other graduate students, my family, and Sarah, I think I've come to a decision as to which Assistantship I'm going to accept. I'm going for the Curatorial Assistantship.

This summer I'm also going back to the Wyoming Dinosaur Center for the summer. I was worried about how many interns that they would hire because of the economy right now. They are only hiring two interns for the hill team. I've been told that I was the first choice because of how well I improved and advanced last summer compared to the other interns (that and I applied early to ensure that I'll get the job). The other intern is (hopefully) going to be a previous volunteer from England who was here last year.

So that's about it for that.

The status on Paul?

Well the good news is that after four months of work, Paul is out of the field jacket he's been in for the last 3 years. I've found a total of 11 vertebrae and 1 rib in the jacket. Of the vertebrae I've confirmed 2 Cervical (neck), 8 Dorsal (back), and 1 Sacral/presacral (hip), and the single rib. This adds to the other material found which appears to be the left part of the Illium (hip), two (three?) metatarsals (foot bones), and other fragments of the hip. I've also found a few scales that look like fish scales, as well as a calcitic mudstone matrix. I'll be packing him up and taking him to Wyoming with me this summer.

On another note, I don't know how many of you like/enjoy/or really care about Pokémon, however we have a message board linking to another one in which it's more or less a RPG where we play trainers with our teams in a new region that we've developed. I'll link to it so people who are interested can take a look.

Anime Style Battling Role Playing Game

There's also a link to our sister-board, The PokéMasters, with some other boards and interesting people to talk with and have fun. Check it out if you have something you want to post, a Game you want to try out, or a story you want to have some critiquing on.

All the boards are fun, but I personally hang out on Role Playing Game and Anime Style Battle mostly.

With all that said, I better get back to my Paleobiology presentation. Hope everyone's in good health, having fun, enjoying life, and I'll let you all know when I leave for Wyoming and when I get there.

Later!

~DR

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I do Commissions… just not that often… or as diligently.

To Commission me do the following: Provide me with a detailed explanation of what you want, at least a paragraph in length. Provide as much detail that you can, the more detail I have the better your image will turn out. Since I’m a Grad student, I can’t devote ALL of my time to art, but I can try and get done what I can.

Commissions:
Provide me with a detailed explanation of what you want, at least a paragraph in length. Provide as much detail that you can, the more detail I have the better your image will turn out. Since I’m a Grad student, I can’t devote ALL of my time to art, but I can try and get done what I can.
Rates (Effective after February 7th, 2009):
Line -> $10: Single character, black and white lines, no color.
- Color -> $15: Add color for only $5 more!
Manga Panel -> $20: Single Page comic, Black and White lines. Provide situation, characters, or script (or all three) in description.
- Grey tone: + $7
- Color: + $12
- Number of pages: + $15 for each page past the first.
Extra Characters: + $5 per character.
Example: A three Page Comic with two Characters in Grey Tone would be a total of $62.00. 20(Manga) + 30( Extra Pages, 15 x 2) + 5 (extra Character) + 7 (Grey tone).
I accept PayPal Only. I keep all hard-copies unless you would like to add another $5 for shipping of the original.
Stages:
Contemplative: I’ve been asked to do a Commission and am still thinking about pose, features, looking up details, and other random info.
Rough: A quick sketch of an idea for the commission, sent to back to those who ask my services for feedback before moving onto the next stage.
Sketch: A better version of a Rough, also sent back to clients for feedback.
Scan/Ink: Project looks good and is under the process of being scanned and worked on with the new Tablet OR being inked before scanning.
Computer: Inked, scanned, and being finished on the computer using Photoshop and the Wacom Tablet to the best of my limited abilities.
Finished: After the long and complicated process… the Commission is finished and now part of the customer’s collection.

Current Commissions:

Trebor: ROB Dragons (Sketch)
Kenny: Kenny, the God of Death (Rough)
Blademaster: Ivan and Chimera, Scourge (Contemplative)
Jerf: Lozordo (Contemplative)
Wyoming Dinosaur Center: Bad to the Bone T-shirt series (Contemplative/Sketch)
: Star Wars, Skyess. (Rough)
Charles Legend: Rilou & Aura Sphere (Contemplative)
: The Blood Book Series, Characters and Scenes (Contemplative)
Wyoming Dinosaur Center: Transitions in Vertebrate Evolution (Sketch)

Art Trades:

: Theo & Reddish Story and Art. (Rough/Contemplative 25% complete)

Finished:
Bill Whal: Fossils working on Fossils logo (Finished)
: Typholsion and Marina (Finished)
: Gift for being a friend and fan since I first started posting stuff on the net =^^=. (Finished)
: Lilian Slade, Blood and Magick 3: Chaos Legions (Finished)

$&$&$&$&$&$&$

My joy. My muse.
The one who my art is for.
My fire. My flame.
My reason for achieving so much.
My one. My only.
For whom I try so hard.
My time. My place.
They who I want to protect.
My heart. My soul.
Who I want to watch grow.
My life. My meaning.
With whom I want to be with for all time.



Love you Setsuna.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Friends:



*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Artists I admire:



~~~~~~******

Clubs:



X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-X

Fellow World of Darkness Fans:



~!*~!*~!*~!*~!*~!*

The SHITE List:
For those who have proven their inept stupidity and limited logic are thus put here (You don’t have to do anything to them, except maybe laugh at them when you get the chance >:/):

Creationist Scientists, Intelligent Design fanatics, Biologists who publish books against Evolution, Ben Stein, the Discovery Institute, The list shall be expanded upon I’m sure…

~!~!~!~!~!~!~!~

Quotes:

Personal:
“Feedback is an Artist’s Lifeblood.” (~DR, the Art GOD)

“Why is it, everyone who considers me a friend, can’t stand each other?” (~DR, the Art GOD)

“Thou shark is as limp as thine wit!” (~DR, the Art God)

Paleontology/Geology Related:
“Well… Paleontology is one part treasure hunt, one part puzzle, one part detective story, and 97 parts luck.” (Dennis Roth, Paleontology Graduate Student explaining the science.)

“After ten years of experience, you can be considered an expert in the field.” (David Lovelace, Paleontologist)

“Geologists have a saying: Rocks Remember.” (Neil Armstrong)

“You have to think about it like this: you’re looking for a three-dimensional object in a two-dimensional space.” (Dennis Roth, Paleontology Graduate Student referring to fossil hunting when digging.)

World of Dakrness Related:
World of Darkness, Changing Breeds, Pg 99: Called Essence, this power helps them bend those polite suggestions Man calls "physics."

Vincent didn't know which fact disturbed him more: The fact that he had lost his virginity to a vampire, or that fact that same vampire said he was actually good in bed. (Vincent Nelson, Ghost Wolf Irraka, Werewolf: The Forsaken)

Werewolf: The Forsaken, Blood of the Wolf pg 37. Discussing the Uratha’s Gauru Form: An enemy is to be destroyed with application of force, a stuck door is to be destroyed with application of force, an unsalvageable game of chess is to be destroyed with application of force, a bad movie...

“I don’t wanna fight if I don’t have to. Don’t make me go Gauru on your ass.” (Vincent Nelson, Ghost Wolf Irraka, Werewolf: The Forsaken.)

“I don’t know whether to be relieved or annoyed at the fact that we’re both still alive…” (Kaine, Mage: The Awakening.)

“My blood. My Soul. Accept these offerings. SPIRIT! GIVE. ME. YOUR. STRENGTH!!!” (Drako Ralen, Blood Talon Cahalith, Werewolf: The Forsaken.)

“Take your hands off her or else I take them off at the elbows instead.” (Sarah Ramus, Bone Shadow Rahu, Werewolf: The Forsaken.)

Dungeons and Dragons Related:
A presumably evil wizard was preparing a ritual, also presumably evil. (Dungeons and Dragons 4.0 Application on Facebook)

Creationism vs Science Related:
“Creationist scientists… not that creative. They’ve been using the same arguments for the last 150 years and they’re still WRONG!” (J.C. Clare, Paleontology Graduate Student)

“You can’t argue science with theology.” (J. Seth Hammond, Paleontology Graduate student.)

“Today, more than a half-century after the appearance of that encyclical, some new findings lead us toward the recognition of evolution as more than an hypothesis.* In fact it is remarkable that this theory has had progressively greater influence on the spirit of researchers, following a series of discoveries in different scholarly disciplines. The convergence in the results of these independent studies—which was neither planned nor sought—constitutes in itself a significant argument in favor of the theory.” (Pope John Paul II on Evolution, October 22, 1996)

“Intelligent design isn't science even though it pretends to be. If you want to teach it in schools, intelligent design should be taught when religion or cultural history is taught, not science.” (Rev. George Coyne, Vatican chief astronomer)

Geology shows that fossils are of different ages. Paleontology shows a fossil sequence, the list of species representing changes through time. Taxonomy show biological relationships among species. Evolution is the explanation that threads it all together. Creationism is the practice of squeezing one's eyes shut and wailing, "Does not!" (Unknown)

“At this season of the Winter Solstice may reason prevail. There are no gods, no devils, no angels, no heaven or hell. There is only our natural world. Religion is but myth and superstition that hardens hearts and enslaves minds.” (Plaque engraving that was stolen and tossed into a ditch after being placed next to a nativity scene in Wisconsin.)

"...on cross-examination, Professor Behe was questioned concerning his 1996 claim that science would never find an evolutionary explanation for the immune system. He was presented with fifty-eight peer-reviewed publications, nine books, and several immunology textbook chapters about the evolution of the immune system; however, he simply insisted that this was still not sufficient evidence of evolution, and that it was not "good enough." (Page 78 of John Jones III verdict on Intelligent Design)

“Man created God in his own image.” (Ludwig Feuerbach)

“I am enough of an artist to draw freely upon my imagination. Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.” (Albert Einstein)

Movies:
“We’re up against hostile forces. So if Little Red Riding hood comes out with a bazooka, I expect you to tame the bitch!” (Sergeant Harry Wells, Dog Soldiers)

TPM Related:
Grey says:
The real question is: Can you paint a picture so horrid that even you can't appreciate it?
~DR says:
Got a picture of Chris 2.0?

Blademaster: Damn TPM's posting rules... Demon can't die! The RPG has barely even started yet!

Blademaster: Wow... I'm not sure what I'm more shocked over. The fact that Ivan made a friend, or the fact that Demon made one...

~!#~!#~!#~!#~!#~!#

I am an ART GOD… In need of more followers… FOLLOW MEEEEEE!

Current Followers = 6: , two more, and a Psuedodragon.

If you wish to follow the Art God, then say so in a Note.

~DR

After we Embraced and were satisfied, I was Forsaken by her. It was many nights before I Awakened. After, I felt Created. As if I was Fireborn, the Lost moments of our passionate memory already fading before my Vigil into the Darkness.

Vampire: The Requiem A Storytelling game of Gothic Horror
Werewolf: The Forsaken A Storytelling game of Savage Fury
Mage: The Awakening A Storytelling game of Modern Sorcery
Promethean: The Created A Storytelling game of Stolen Lives
Dragon: the Fireborn A Storytelling game of Lost Memories
Changeling: The Lost A Storytelling game of Beautiful Madness
Hunter: The Vigil A Storytelling game of Light and Shadows

Welcome… It’s a World of Darkness.

(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)(*)

My dragonz! Let me show you them!

<img src="http://dragcave.net/image/MiY1.gif" style="border-width: 0" alt="Adopt one today!"/> <img src="http://dragcave.net/image/b3wt.gif" style="border-width: 0" alt="Adopt one today!"/> <img src="http://dragcave.net/image/I6eL.gif" style="border-width: 0" alt="Adopt one today!"/>