Never Sit Next to an Italian Couple!!

I promised do a video while I was here and I did do one with martin but it ended up being out of sinc. So I did a quick one down in the park after having my lunch today. Its a 3gp file that you can view in a Quicktime player and you can download directly from DOWNLOAD VIDEO HERE

I hate Melbournes Train System it sucks, I ended up having to buy another ticket just to get home the other night after updating my Blog because I never validated it when I first left the train station. Man I was Pissed.

Sunday 26th August

DAY NINE: WooT!!! I just managed to watch the Hellboy Animated movie Sword of Storms. I didn't mind it some animation fell a little flat but who am I to complain. I spent the day with my extended family, its my nephews birthday soon and I won't be here next month for it. So I did something for their party. Its a theme party of Space and My sister came up for a variation of an idea of pin the tail on the donkey called pin the Face on the astronaut. Anyway as any artist does I took it seriously and using the tools at my disposal I painted a rocketship in space.

One thing I learned is every artist must experience alot of different mediums and not stick to the same old thing remaining in a comfort zone. I am computer graphically educated so using paints I was out of my depth. One mistake and I couldn't use 'Cntrl-Z' to correct it. So 4 hours later I finished the artwork.

.........Okay you can stop laughing now. My thought process was what would 'Mary Blair' do!! Unfortunately I did the complete opposite and did what she would do now that shes dead or possibly towards the end of her career. But then you have to look at it this way your making it for Five Year Old KIDS!!. So they don't care if its not incredibly detailed all they want is their Astronaut in a space ship so they can stick his face on!! Kids understand shapes so you need to keep it incredibly simple for their developing minds!!

So I'm going to be posting this on the Drawingboard and expect to have my membership immediately revoked, which is a good thing I guess for all concerned.

But as a reward for all my hard labour drawing spaceships, my sister shouted me to see the recent Harry Potter film which is still showing at the movies. Is it goblet of fire?? I have no idea.... I don't really care all I know is that Rowling is going to steal more money, stupid ugly rich cow. Anyway the movie was OK.

Did that sound convincing? I was hoping for a little something called ACTION. For 3 quarters of the film nothing much happens and when it does there are alot of snowglobes falling around smashing everywhere!! The end speech sounded familiar......wait it was straight from Lord of The Rings ROTK 'Somethings are worth fighting for Mr Frodo, Sir' geez watch it on dvd folks thats not to say its awful and its not as walk out bad as Superman Returns. Just more action please is it too much to ask!!

Monday 27th August

DAY TEN So thats it Folks, Thats a WRAP!! well almost.....I leave tomorrow for home. The only thing I'm not looking forward to is carrying luggage and the 2 hour train and bus trip that awaits me to the airport Its been an amazing Ten Days. I have learnt so much about myself. I'm returning home no longer the nice guy I once was I'm returning Harder and much meaner. I have been replaced with the mirror universe version of myself just like Captain Kirk was in that classic Star Trek episode. I am now an a-hole so you better watch your step, I've even got a little goatee ooooooh SCARY!!

But, Seriously folks this has been a great relaxing vacation for me, I've appreciated my friends staying in contact with me while I've been here its given me that link to home. I've also got lots of crazy ideas I've been committing to paper and hope to begin work on them as soon as I get back.

Stopped at the Crown for one final piece of Pizza, I just love Fresh Pizza!!
So I finish up here where I started at 'Mag Nation' and I guess you want to know why as the subject title suggests you never sit next to an Italian Couple. Well let me tell you if you ever do expect them to suck and fondle each other and make alot of grunting noises and the young girl ain't even pretty she has the biggest mole on the side of her face I've ever seen I think theres hair on it too. EWWWWWW Time to go folks. I feel ill.
Anyway when I'm done here I'm off to the comic shop to pick myself up a Bobblehead of Francesca for Mad Monster Party I've been eyeing off for the past week. This is really it I'll see you back at home folks, Thanks for reading my Travel Blog I'll do it all again in October!! Later!!

Weird Tales

Its a strange thing coincidence.

I spent almost 3 hours on my laptop on Thursday I normally wouldn't be on the net so long but not only did I have to do a Blog Entry but also various emails to friends. Then the battery finally died so I decided to pack it up and head to the Train Station. I was going to stop into the express market and grab some drink for the long hour trip home but the size of the waiting queues nixed that idea. So I continued on until I literally ran into a friend of a friend who was now living in Melbourne from Tasmania. I hadn't seen him in ages and we spent 15 minutes talking in the middle of the street during peak hour.

He's working here and just moved to another suburb.

Which got me thinking as to how I would cope living in a place like Melbourne permanent like. I've been thinking of this for awhile and now that I'm on my own it wouldn't be out of the question. I've been putting in for work here and there in Melbourne so maybe I should look at it more seriously. Still don't quote me on it....yet.

Friday 24th August

DAY SEVEN: I've joined the Fantastic Four, I'm known as DropDead-Guy. My superpower is that evil super villainess dump me and feel secure but then I strike them unawares with a cursed laserbeam which lasts an eternity. HAH!!

Been spending the day shopping around for a new PSP, prices are still way too expensive even after two years of it being out in stores. And Melbournes a very competitive place normally. The best I could find was $274 and I paid 400 for mine on its release. I'm heading back into the city tomorrow to look around who knows may find it cheaper.

Saturday 25th August

DAY EIGHT: No luck with a cheap replacement PSP. Won't even bother looking for one now. But I found an art store called OUTRE that had Lynne Naylor Art Prints for sale and alot of SHAG stuff again just prints and scarygirl stuff. But the store that used to be there had much better stuff like animation Cels and original drawings. Oh Well obviously wasn't enough money in it.

So here I am now in 'Mag Nation' writing to this blog and they have Garbage music playing in the background and they just turned the airconditioning on very cold to kickout my sorry ass (the girls serving really hate my ass and want me out of here) So I get the message and will write my final blog entry here in Melbourne on monday. Until then Later Folks!!

Matt in Sin City!!

Having a lot of fun on my trip folks planning on doing it again sooner rather than later.
I just want to clarify some stuff before I get into this new entry. I am NOT leaving my Nuts and Bolts Blog. The reason I am posting here and not over there is because its a little easier to use Blogger when your running around. This blog will return to the way it was after I get back from my rest and relaxation holiday.

I am not overseas 'yet' but have travelled to the next state and am staying with relatives. My BIG US trip will happen hopefully next year when I plan for SanDiego 2008 and meet up with my Drawingboard Bretheren where we will have massive drinking binge Parties and go to strip clubs ( you in for that Josh and Kristen?).

And now onto other stuff.........

Melbourne is a Sin City, its the sort of place where if someone like say an underage 14 year old girl were to ask you for a cigarette and you say 'Sorry I Don't Smoke' they would tell you to 'F@CK You then' and proceed to let you know that if you did F@CK them you would probably get 2 years in prison for having underage sex with a minor' I use that as an example but it did actually happen there are witness' to this event. Hey None of what I tell you is made up!!

There are also the extra dodgy people, Melbourne is notorious for them. You cannot go a day without having a man suffering dementia come up to you and ask for money for a sick friend or needing to get to Sydney to see his ill daughter who needs urgent medical care because she has a hangnail. My favorite of all time is the single mother who runs around a pram (with a cabbage patch doll in) asking for a dollar so she can get the train home but what you have to ask her is If you got here surely you can get back??

Tuesday 21st August

DAY FOUR: I look like a cancer patient right now just look at this recent picture for evidence of that!! I had some KFC out at Knox Centre and someone snapped this pic.

While shopping I have discovered the beauty of 'BORDERS' we don't have them back home but I had heard that they were quite big in the states.
They actually had 'The Art of The Incredibles' book but at $75 it was out of my price range and the dust cover was damaged. I hadn't planned to buy anything and save my money but that idea got thrown out the window and I did end up buying the dvd box set of 'Life On Mars' Series One starring the delicious Liz White. Now thats a girl I couldn't say no too..... ahem cough. it was at a Ridiculously Cheap price too.

And today I've decided to move on from hating people I once loved, now I won't even give them the time of day. I've finished with women PERIOD (except my closest friends). I got asked the other day if there was a reason I really, really hate them right now. Hell Yeah. Lets just say that if I had the choice of trusting another woman or A Blood Sucking Leech then I would choose the leech atleast knows what it wants and is trustworthy!! Speak of the devil heres one now......

I realise that not all girls are bad. Its just the millions that say they AREN'T that actually ARE!! Most of their personalities suck and are so fake. I see women now just as lazy sex objects and not real people I know it wasn't me this time its the woman PERIOD!! So I have decided that every wednesday is 'Anti-Girl Day' and my art posts will reflect that so stay tuned.

Wednesday 22nd August

DAY FIVE: Halfway Mark I can't believe how incredibly fast this trip is going. Took it real easy today. No city just sitting back and watched an episode of CSI Miami. My god thats a Bad show. One of the cops died in it and was pronounced dead and he still came back to life. Braindead television.
So I ended up going out and buying a copy of GTA: Vice City Stories for my psp only problem is I have disovered that the controls don't work anymore on my psp. And I was so looking forward to stealing cars and running over girls with it, which I guess is very disturbing..... but alot of fun :D
I also went ahead and married my laptop we have alot in common and it doesn't drink and talk back as much as others I've met.

Thursday 23rd August

DAY SIX: I couldn't wait to hit Melbourne again, So I caught the lunchtime train, in the carriage I noticed a girl sketching an incredibly detailed picture very art deco of a girls face. amazing. Another girl hopped on who was expecting me to offer my seat to her since the train was packed but you know I wasn't in a very giving mood to offer it especially to people who expect me to. Once arriving in the city. My first stop was Comic Store 'Minotaur' where I had a quick look and then headed straight to Crown Casino for a Bite to eat. Me and Martin had a great Pizza the other night from there and I decided to go Pizza once again. Just Checkout the Size of it!!
I thought I would take the opportunity to find the Melbourne Exhibition Centre where a big comic convention will be held in October. Still not sure if I'll be going yet anyway its very big place.
Finished lunch and headed back to Minotaur (I hadn't finished looking) and Browsed the books. I picked up 'Rocketo' Volume Two and a Zombie book called 'Champion of the Worms' written by Mike Mignola and art by Pat McKeown (a very underated cartoonist). While also looking around I noticed that some cover art on a small book looked familiar. It looked like Shane Glines style and It WAS!!!!!! They had a book by Shane so I grabbed it, its called 'Sparrow' Book Four I had no idea that he had a book like this out in fact I want the other volumes. The books sealed but it has to be good!!

So thats my trip so far I'm having a great time, no hassles and very rarely bored.
My next update will be in another few days. Later my friends!!

LIVE from a Coffee Shop!! A PIXAR REPORT!!

Hello Folks from Sunny Melbourne, I'm actually writing this to you from 'MAG NATION' a place that offers free wireless access and you don't need to buy a thing ( though I felt bad and bought a Diet Coke)!! A few things I wanted to mention before I get into whats been going down on my Trip. I thought I should let everyone know I have resigned from the Online Access Centre last week and won't be going back there....EVER!! A few reasons for this number one was health and another was its time to move on from boring old farts and nutcases who know nothing of the interweb. I was NOT getting paid as it was all volunteer and I ended up doing the managers job of boringly updating websites when I should have been helping people. So no, I'm not very popular despite my already 3 years of faithful service now for leaving but who says I was ever popular anywhere to begin with!! Onward, Upward, AWAY!!!

So now onto my wonderous Melbourne trip I thought it would be easier to do this like a Journal/Diary Type thing. We'll see how I go with it anyway.!!

Saturday 18th August 23:17pm

Day One: I flew Virgin Blue airlines I prefer it over Jetstar, but the flight was delayed half an hour due to Mechanical Problems (which really helps put the mind at ease you know!!). The Cabin Crew was a nice bunch of girls all under 25 years of age petite, buxom and pretty and all of them quite HOT in their own special way. Of course I put the Ol' Matt Pott Charm on them and have several Phone Numbers to add to my collection whether I give them a call is probably unlikely as I'm way out of their League!!

Finally got into Melbourne Airport after an hour and waited about 20 minutes for my Baggage. Then Hopped a Bus to the City where I watched a Video on the journey about what to see in Melbourne and which Brothels to visit. Then it took me to the Train Station where I had to hang around for a bit as the Train was another Half hour away. While I waited I hadn't eaten any dinner so I bought a packet of Twisties and a Diet Coke and saw a gang of 10 year old kids smoking and spitting over the side of the Excalators They looked like the evil rejects from the Lolly Pop Guild and at about this time I thought this is where I get Mugged.....But thankfully Not!!

The Train trip took an hour, I noticed a lot of Muslim men and women getting on the Train and I thought is this how I'm gonna DIE in an Suicide Explosion BUT Thankfully....not!! I Then grabbed my bags and made the long twenty minute walk to my current place of Residence OWW my back does hurt!

So I haven't been here long Maybe an Hour and I've finally settled in. Tomorrow I meet up with Martin in the City for the PIXAR Exhibit!! Night Folks I'm off to bed!!

Sunday 19th August 16:41pm

DAY TWO: Met up with Friend Martin in the City, and we had some KFC chicken for lunch it was absolutely aweful muck!! And when you wait 15 minutes to be served you expect it to taste a bit better than that!! From there we headed to the Pixar Exhibit. WOW guys and girls amazing stuff The artwork was so beautiful and awe inspiring. So much so, when I get back home I am going to kick my ass into gear and get a proper portfolio together to show them. A small sample of the art had alot to be desired amongst the multitude of Gorgeous so it gives me just that little glimmer of hope I might get in and since I have no family or loved ones to care about me (except my dog Billie I might just look at making a move to the US).
There was a Thing there called a Zoetrope machine, I wasn't sure what to expect BUT MY GOD!!!! It was beautiful Imagine the Toystory Characters coming to life before your very eyes. 'sniffle' it was beautiful. Of course if you suffer from epilepsy then you would be rolling on the floor trying to swallow your tongue. Dangerous Flicker there!

Security was suprisingly tight, I only got a few pictures off before officers came around in droves to ward of my evil ass spirit!
Anyway I grabbed what I could a few booklets on the exhibit and plan to send them to some of my friends (if anyone wants them let me know). Unfortunately theres not alot of art inside them. You had to go and buy the book 'PIXAR: 20 Years of Animation' at like $40 each I couldn't afford multiple copies so only have one. Its mostly full of what was at the exhibit. If anyone wants me to buy them a copy let me know I might be going back. I'll scan some images of that and send it to anyone who wants a copy Because I'm a nice guy despite being hated by women right now......

Heres some pics, This was Jesse Designs that reminded me of Kristens lovely handywork!!
Original Character designs of woody and that miner dude for get his name
Some of the free booklets I got, unfortunately they would only give me two extra of the white on so they will go to Josh and Kristen if they want them!!
The PIXAR: 20 Years of Animation

a picture I know Josh will Likeseeing these up close was amazing the detail in the penmanship, superb

Edna character designs, I haven't seen the art of book for the incredibles so not sure if this was in it. I really want that book though!!
Me and a Giant Sully I wanted to pull his horns but security would have shot me on sight!!

And talking about women after returning from Pixar me and Martin stopped off at StarBucks where we had a drink of coffee and chatted about girls and what a strange species the lot of them are. And from there after we went and saw the final show of 'darkangels' it was a combinaton of Burlesque, Stripping, Singing and Murder hey I'm not making this up!! It was actually very good and the girls were in fine form Believe you me. One had the most amazing abs I'd every seen, another an amazingly designed real tattoo on her back and behind and the highlight for me was when the character of Dierdre (who was well endowed) was doing her schoolgirl strip. HUBBA!! Of course this was all acting but still I wouldn't have minded a lapdance!! hah.

Anyway after the show we were invited to the afterparty and we just hung around and chatted to some of the actors. I learnt that one of them was a magical performer known for her famous Razor blade swallowing act and had even had her performance seen and raved by Tim Burton. She was a very nice lady and we discussed the hazards of Myspace and how strange friendships are there and how to block nasty people who try to take advantage.
I also got a chance to speak to the young stripper with the tattoo on her back luckily Martin knew her so it somewhat broke the ice but I didn't say' I Loved your tattoos on your back and behind, who designed them?' Hah maybe I should have !!

Then I got to meet Katie, Martin has been friends with her for years and talked about how nice and friendly she was in person I had met her briefly before the performance and shook her hand if maybe a little too tightly hah. But we grabbed her for a photo op before she left for the second party.

here that picture is.. yeah I'd been sick all day thats why I look kinda crap.


I did manage to scoff down a pint of beer but I didn't drink enough to ring up and abuse anybody I hate right now even though I wanted too and get some of my own back DAMMIT!!.

Afterwards we headed down to crown casino for a slice of Pizza where someone got lost and we tried to help them find the way out. Doing a lot of renovations at the moment it was confusing so I undertsand how it could happen. the big Warners Studio store has gone now which was a shame have bought some great maquettes there the little shop that was left doesn't have much anymore.

So I was on the train at Midnight and was exhausted I yawned all the way home and as soon as my head hit the pillow I was out cold. It was a good time had by all. Now for a bit of rest and shopping for the remaining week!!

Monday 20th August 17:15pm

DAY THREE: So here I am in Mag Nation I took it real easy today after last night. I've been pretty sick since arriving but am enjoying my trip immensly I'm so glad I didn't make the mistake of going away this year to the US and bought a laptop instead AHHHHHHH LAPTOP!!! I love it to pieces!! More than I've loved anything. even girls. In fact I think I'll marry it since it will never ever leave my side now and will never be a cheating chick!! Yay!! I gotta think of a name for her... Any Ideas?

Still hate vista though, Ugghh I hate it.

I probably won't be back in the city for a couple of days to update gonna relax while I can!! Anywho I'm off to dream of girl strippers in tight schoolgirl uniforms!! WOOT!!

DESTINATION: MELBOURNE

Thats it I'm all packed for Melbourne HOORAY!! Bought a Backpack for my Laptop and got another small bag to travel on the train and buses with. I will be updating this Blog while away so keep an eye out for all my latest adventures with photos and hopefully video from Melbourne.
I Love to fly so heres a little Song that I feel is appropriate right now.........And Finally I heard Mikes Wieringos Memorial is today, My condolances go out to his family and close friends he will be missed. GodSpeed Mike and Peace!!


So for now I bid you all farewell for the next few days so until my next post.... Later.

Bye Mike!!

I was preparing another blog post when I heard the horrible news yesterday of Mike Wieringo's premature death. Mike was not only a very talented comic book artist but also a constant contributer to the place I have called my second home on the net for the past six years the drawingboard.org

With all my difficulties I am going through now in my personal life, they are insignificant compared to a tragedy such as this. Mike was still a young man and he still should have had years ahead of him and an artists life shouldn't end, not like this....so short.I had been a big fan of Mikes Tellos comic books when I could get them and to me he was the only artist in my mind to fully understand what the Fantastic Four was all about graphically. I had never met him personally. But yes, I feel I knew him! A few years ago there was a Tellos art thread on the drawingboard and I took the opportunity to do a little something one of his characters in a disney style (he loved disney) and Mike had nothing but good things to say about the art I had created and it raised my spirits, hopes and dreams he had a knack of doing that to everyone he spoke too.

And most recently when I joined myspace Mike was one of the first BIG names I seeked out and one of the too few to accept my friend request. When he did so though I was over the Moon, and remember going around saying to anyone who would listen "Mike Wieringo is my MYSPACE friend!!!"
My last contact with Mike was when I emailed him earlier in the year a fan letter I 'NEVER' write fan letters but for Mike I did. He never wrote back he didn't need to. I knew that he was busy man and gets mail from crazed fans. I was just another Fan...one of thousands. I'm so glad I sent it now!!

So when I go to San Diego Comic Con next year, I'm going to straight to the nearest pub, buy a beer and raise my glass and say....
I hope you will join me....

Ancient Art of VooDoo!!

One thing I have learned over the years is all artists use their work as an outlet to vent their anger, lust, hatred, happiness. Once I saw an artists representation of a girl........hanging from the rafters. No points for guessing what the guy was feeling when he drew that!! And no before you ask, it wasn't me!

I am not so violent atleast not as graphic to that extent. However I do channel my feelings through my work and I appreciate that the people seeing it gets the message on how I feel about them!!

What most non-artists are unaware of is that we of the creative kind not only channel our feelings into our work but we also can use the ancient art of voodoo to create curses. All you need is a voodoo doll and an assortment of death instruments to cause alot of pain to those who have wronged the artist and do a dance seminaked around a campfire calling out spell incantations!!

No, it doesn't actually work I wish it did but believe me it makes you feel a whole lot better!!

My Personal IS-Land!!

An update every day this week before I head off to Melbourne for 10 days and then there will be sporatic updates on my trip throughout.

First off Artists Relationships SUCK!!

It's not the artists fault of course but when it comes to the opposite sex especially if they are not Creative in any way shape or form they really don't understand the 'REAL YOU'. You say 'Look I don't want a relationship' and they say 'No I do, its fine Your so Talented...blah...blah...blah !!' and of course their the ones who turn around and Dump you and run off with another squarehead, or even worse divorce you!! Citing that well they just don't understand this ART-THING!! I always seem to utter the 'I Told You So' line!! and 'Never trust a Rotten Girl' is also a motto of mine. Sometimes I wish they could recieve some of their own Medicine BACK!!.

To Combat these crap moments I have created a haven where Girls of all creeds and races cannot step foot on this place of paradise. Think of it as my own 'Fortress of Solitude' where I get to draw all day and stick pencils up my nose and its free of haircurlers, Lipstick and Nail Polish!! If they do try to set foot they get eaten by the Shark!! THIS IS MY PERSONAL IS-LAND!! Enjoy your SQUAREHEADS LADY!!!