Here I am! Just returing after a jogging on the beach of Venice/Santa Monica Beach! I did it just like you have seen it in the movies! I woke up extra early today because of the jetlag. Me and my buddy decided to explore the area and feel the water by jogging to one of the piers on the beach. The temperature in the morning is perfect and the spirit is on top. Great exercise!

Anyways! So much great things have happened lately! As some of you already know, I went to a "local" cosplay convention called SORACON here in Norway! It's not the first time I attend to it, but it's the first time I cosplayed I went as Cloud from FFVII:AC. I was veeeery sceptical in the first place to dress up in a costume. But I did and I had so much fun that day. I went agressive to get as many pictures I could with other cosplayers, spesificly other FF cosplayers! ^^ Cute girls!
And I felt I got alot of attention of people who wanted to take pictures of me! xD I'm gonna share some pictures as soon as possible. I haven't even seen those pictures yet because they are all on my friends camera.

Anyways, to the topic:
I'm currenty residing in a hotel here in Venice/LA in CA. In a few more days, I will be heading to San Fransico and then Las Vegas. My and my buddies have been to Universal Studios so far, which was awesome. Later on, we will go to Six Flags Magic Mountain and Sea World. ^^
It's going to be great! It have almost been two years since I went on a trip like this :3
Okay, so there are going to be a few days where I can do some shopping. As an otak nerd me and my friends are, we want to check out any Anime/Manga/Comic/Game Stores around here in Los Angeles and San Fransico! I hope there are many! If any If you know the name of the street or the store, or any directions at all, I would be very pleased to know!! I will be taking taxi to get around here and they need to know where to take me to! xD

Where are the Anime & Manga stores in Los Angeles & San Fransico!?
Help a Mog out and receive +1LCK and 400EXP! Maybe even a hug :3
Update! Thaaaaank you soooo much for the help and feedback I've recieved. I know now, that I will for certain visit "Little Tokyo" in LA, and "Japan Town" in San Francisco! Unfortunately, there is a really big Anime convention called Anime Expo there just a week after I've left. So I'm missing it! But hey! No worries! I love California really much! And I want to go back here someday! And I will catch Anime Expo someday!

-mog

-----------------------
Tag tingie! Tagged by
ooo for so long managed to dodge these tags things!

These are the rules:
1. Post the rules.
2. Each tagged person must tell 8 things about themselves
3. At the end you have to tag 8 people and post their icons in your journal
4. Then go back to their page and leave a comment saying you tagged them [D:]
5. No tag backs

1) Have three major ambitions in my life. Archive 3D quality as Square-Enix. Master Piano. Settle a long term love life with a smart and beautiful girl. Lmaooo.
2) Have crossed the 7 mountains of my city in Cloud cosplay costume.
3) Skydived from 3000 feets and watched my buddy get his parachute fail.
4) Secret otaku, more than my friends know!
5) Hate clowns and parody movies, such as "Scary Movie"
6) Beer will always taste like piss and crap.
7) Have a broken rib, still dislocated after 9 years somehow.
8) Coins are round and easily slips away.

----------------------

I wish to welcome a buddy from my work to DeviantArt. He recently made his account here and upploaded some of his past and recent work! He is very friendly and show great both 2D and 3D skills!
Welcome Mr. Molte [link]

----------------------

General F.A.Q
I receive questions once in a while, but most of them are pretty much the same. Time to compile the most frequent ones.

Q: Software?
A: Several ones, but the major ones are Autodesk 3Dstudio Max 2009 Design for 3D modeling and animation. I use Adobe After Effects for my renders in post production. Sometimes photshop for texturing and Particle Illusion 3 for... well particles.

Q: Can you make a tutorial?
A: Maybe, maybe not. I dont give in to tutorial requests, but that doesnt mean I wont make tutorials one day. I figured out it took quite a lot of time to make a good tutorial and i wouldnt make one unless I knew I would have the time for it.

Q: Can you help me?
A: With 3D, yes, I would not mind help people to learn the ways of 3D. However I do not want to start explaining 3D from A-Z. Thats just way too much to cover. So when asking for help or answers, please be spesific. Ask if you are unsure of something and need confirmation or explaination of example why the tools or renderds behave like they do. Do not just ask me "how do I make 3d" -.- Asking can be done via notes or comments anywhere it suits you the most. Even IM if it makes it easier. It would be also worth to visit the 3d club 3D-Asaurus [link] There are always someone there, and some most of those guys can help too.

Q: Where can I find good 3D tutorials?
A: There are MANY tutorial sites out there. For the absolute beginner, I can recommend 3dtotal.com [link] and browse to Free Stuff -> Tutorials. Its the site I "grew up" with and learned my firsts steps. Try a search on google and see what else there are to be found.

Q: Can you send me 3D files of project x/Sora
A: Absolutely no. I might as well give you a copy of my car keys if I did. Im not quite sure why or what use my models could be of, especially Sora. I have however concidering doing that if it is my intention from the beginning to make something which can be used by others, like a tutorial for example.

Q: Can you make my character/drawing in 3D?
A: Actually... dont be afraid to ask that question because I might actually do it and for free. But only if it sparks a motivation and certain interrest and progressive benefit for me to do it. In other words, if I like what I see and the timing is right, then I might actually just do it, and maybe even finish it! Hehe.

Q: Any tips?
A: Yup Plenty of those, Im still just too lazy to bring any up at the moment. Sorry!

----------------------

Random Thoughts
I recently read someone say that Kairi from KH needs moar fanart. And I agree 100% Have people forgotten how adoreable she is? ^^ *ish obsessed as usual*

-mog

First of all, a happy new year to everyone! May the new year bring joy and new dreams to everybody!

I've had a quite fun and good 2008. At first glance, I feel the days have been pretty much the same though. No big news, no new dear memories and stuff like that. But I also feel I've progressed a lot and learned much in 3D. The year 2008 have been a year dedicated to push myself furter in various aspects of working with 3D. I feel safer and more confident in my works now. It used to be a hard brain boogeling work, but now I feel I can grasp most projects with ease. It makes my job more of a fun place to play than hard work. So Im very eager to see what 2009 will bring me and my friends and upcomming projects!
I have a feeling that a girl in armour and big sword might appear this year!

*next-project-hint*

Do you remember my previous journal entry about the concerns of sharing some other works I've done other than my own projects? Most of the response have been that I should do it, plus more fanart stuff.. So basicly a bit of both. My latest art submission Kyoto Flowers, is partly something I've done at my work, and the response to that one have been overwhelming ever since I posted it! I received a Daily Deviation for it and I just cannot thank you enough for giving this so much attention and response! It is currently the art submission with the most faves in my gallery! ^^ It suprises me because it have barly been available there for two months! Anyways, it means that regardless of where the work have been made, or is used for, it can still be appreciated. I might post more work related projects from time to time, but I cannot promise it will be interresting to look at all the time. Anyways, thanks again for the response!

---------------------

Interview
3D-Asuarus's club leader, =moniqueamber have taken her dear time to interview me, and featured that interview in this January's "Interview with a Pro". I have been interviewed once before by challenge3d aka Jeanne, but unfortunately I couldnt save a copy of that interview back then.
Anyways the interview can be read here: [link] Please dont look at the picture, I look retarded. <_>

----------------------

Life & Other stuff
I have been unable to close my wardrobe since summer because I had way too many clothes compared to the size of the wardrobe. So I went trough all my clothes and ditched about half of what I had recently. The funny thing was that I found my Cloud Cosplay costume from Advent Children again. While looking for all the parts to the costume, I remembered the last time I wore it. The local tour/sport community have an arrangement one day of the year where they invite everyone to a tour around the seven mountains surrounding the city. It means, you travel from mountain to mountain by foot and around 6000 people attend to it. Anyways, I decided to join this event with my friends one day, and for some extremely odd reasons I decided to weary my Advent Children costume on that tour. I mean... whats wrong with me here?! Most people would wear something fit for travelling, jogging clothes, good boots and a protective jacket against mud, rain and cold. But not me <_<. I wore cosplay costume and crossed the damn 7 mountains in it. It took me nearly 12 hours! And was exhausted to death.
I think I did not have something else to wear that day or something >_>. I had quite a lot fun that day. I was proud and self claimed myself to be the very first cosplayer on these mountains! At least in Clouds AC costume

First of all, you have to watch this Youtube Video [link] His name is Bjarte (Bee-Garte), aka Mogwai. A member of the tricking group Newage Ninjas and my buddy! And he have just joined Deviantart! Who knew he would be interrested in art? I didn't, so I was quite suprised when he came to me and said he had joined dA! Anyways, go to his account http://mogwainan.deviantart.com/ and wish him welcome!! ((and buy him a scanner for christ sake! ))

----------------------

General F.A.Q
I receive questions once in a while, but most of them are pretty much the same. Time to compile the most frequent ones.

Q: Software?
A: Several ones, but the major ones are Autodesk 3Dstudio Max 2009 Design for 3D modeling and animation. I use Adobe After Effects for my renders in post production. Sometimes photshop for texturing and Particle Illusion 3 for... well particles.

Q: Can you make a tutorial?
A: Maybe, maybe not. I dont give in to tutorial requests, but that doesnt mean I wont make tutorials one day. I figured out it took quite a lot of time to make a good tutorial and i wouldnt make one unless I knew I would have the time for it.

Q: Can you help me?
A: With 3D, yes, I would not mind help people to learn the ways of 3D. However I do not want to start explaining 3D from A-Z. Thats just way too much to cover. So when asking for help or answers, please be spesific. Ask if you are unsure of something and need confirmation or explaination of example why the tools or renderds behave like they do. Do not just ask me "how do I make 3d" -.- Asking can be done via notes or comments anywhere it suits you the most. Even IM if it makes it easier. It would be also worth to visit the 3d club 3D-Asaurus [link] There are always someone there, and some most of those guys can help too.

Q: Where can I find good 3D tutorials?
A: There are MANY tutorial sites out there. For the absolute beginner, I can recommend 3dtotal.com [link] and browse to Free Stuff -> Tutorials. Its the site I "grew up" with and learned my firsts steps. Try a search on google and see what else there are to be found.

Q: Can you send me 3D files of project x/Sora
A: Absolutely no. I might as well give you a copy of my car keys if I did. Im not quite sure why or what use my models could be of, especially Sora. I have however concidering doing that if it is my intention from the beginning to make something which can be used by others, like a tutorial for example.

Q: Can you make my character/drawing in 3D?
A: Actually... dont be afraid to ask that question because I might actually do it and for free. But only if it sparks a motivation and certain interrest and progressive benefit for me to do it. In other words, if I like what I see and the timing is right, then I might actually just do it, and maybe even finish it! Hehe.

Q: Any tips?
A: Yup Plenty of those, Im still just too lazy to bring any up at the moment. Sorry!

----------------------

Random Thoughts
I recently read someone say that Kairi from KH needs moar fanart. And I agree 100% Have people forgotten how adoreable she is? ^^ *ish obsessed as usual*

-mog

Hi! And welcome back to another entry in my journal. For several times, the previous journal entry, the one about The Gathering have been bugging me because its so damn OLD and TG is not live. I've had many things and topics to replace the TG journal but I didn't take any time to do one. Anyways off to something more interesting.

As some of you have noticed, I've not done so much fan art or any art at all lately. My art gallery is in a dry period with nothing new to see (except from the one I posted just now: [link] Which brings my concerns to a point, continue reading...). I feel sorry for my watchers. My page views are still growing steady though, which I'm very happy to see, so thank you all for showing an interest in my work! ^o^
Now I have something to ask _YOU_ about, and I want YOU to tell me what you would like to see more of. Before you go commenting your opinion, I'm going to tell what "today situations" is:

I submit about 1/4 of my 3D works. 3 works remains unseen for every 1 new you see in my gallery!
Wow! How come you might ask....

The answer is easy, the remaining 3/4 of my work is business and commercial related stuff I do for the company I work in. The things you have seen in my gallery so far are more or less only spare time jobs. Less spare time and more tasks at my work to do equals less spare time projects.
Now, here is the sweet question I have saved for you and democracy will decide the future of my gallery.

Are you interested to see more frequent submissions, as in more 3D stuff and work I do than only fan art or original art? Unfortunately, there cannot be more fan art since I cant increase my spare time by choice.
The answers should be one of the following (think of it as a poll)

A) No, gief more fan art, I wanna see Organization XIII and FF weapons! (no change)
B) Sure, but only finished, the best of the best renders from your work. Like Kyoto flowers [link] (Some still images and highlights of my works)
C) Sure, throw anything at me! WIP's, wire frames, test renders and desktops! (Self explanatory ((watchers: spam warning)) )
D) Yes, but make a separate account, one with fan art/original art and one for your work related stuff which I'm not gonna watch anyways, its a win-win for both of us.
E) Sausage pl0x and use the scrap gallery for those.

Or screw the poll thing and just say whatever is on your heart.


----------------------

Life & Other stuff

I'm also considering opening up for commissions. I've been negative to doing commissions earlier because of several reasons. However I see a big benefit by doing that now. Not because of cash, but I feel that I can push my productivity even further, and commissions might be a way to do that I think. However, there are some restrictions about what kind of commissions of course, but I will come back to that later on when I have a commission plan.


I also want to tell that I've started taking courses to learn the Japanese language. Not to become a bigger geek and 0taku nerd I already am, but because it (also) might come handy one day as one of my faint dreams is to visit japan and maybe get to work there during my lifetime. Right now I'm proud to be able to read and write one of the three alphabets they have there: Hiragana. Count all the numbers up to kyuuman-kyuusen-kyuuhyaku-kyuujuu-kyuu. (99 999). So in other words, I find it fun to suddenly be able to read some youtube comments left by a Japanese or a blog from japan, whatever. But I don't know what the words mean.

----------------------

General F.A.Q
I receive questions once in a while, but most of them are pretty much the same. Time to compile the most frequent ones.

Q: Software?
A: Several ones, but the major ones are Autodesk 3Dstudio Max 2009 Design for 3D modeling and animation. I use Adobe After Effects for my renders in post production. Sometimes photshop for texturing and Particle Illusion 3 for... well particles.

Q: Can you make a tutorial?
A: Maybe, maybe not. I dont give in to tutorial requests, but that doesnt mean I wont make tutorials one day. I figured out it took quite a lot of time to make a good tutorial and i wouldnt make one unless I knew I would have the time for it.

Q: Can you help me?
A: With 3D, yes, I would not mind help people to learn the ways of 3D. However I do not want to start explaining 3D from A-Z. Thats just way too much to cover. So when asking for help or answers, please be spesific. Ask if you are unsure of something and need confirmation or explaination of example why the tools or renderds behave like they do. Do not just ask me "how do I make 3d" -.- Asking can be done via notes or comments anywhere it suits you the most. Even IM if it makes it easier. It would be also worth to visit the 3d club 3D-Asaurus [link] There are always someone there, and some most of those guys can help too.

Q: Where can I find good 3D tutorials?
A: There are MANY tutorial sites out there. For the absolute beginner, I can recommend 3dtotal.com [link] and browse to Free Stuff -> Tutorials. Its the site I "grew up" with and learned my firsts steps. Try a search on google and see what else there are to be found.

Q: Can you send me 3D files of project x/Sora
A: Absolutely no. I might as well give you a copy of my car keys if I did. Im not quite sure why or what use my models could be of, especially Sora. I have however concidering doing that if it is my intention from the beginning to make something which can be used by others, like a tutorial for example.

Q: Can you make my character/drawing in 3D?
A: Actually... dont be afraid to ask that question because I might actually do it and for free. But only if it sparks a motivation and certain interrest and progressive benefit for me to do it. In other words, if I like what I see and the timing is right, then I might actually just do it, and maybe even finish it! Hehe.

Q: Any tips?
A: Yup Plenty of those, Im just too lazy to bring any up at the moment. Sorry!

----------------------

Usually there are supposed to be a bunch of dA journal stuff here (icons/clubs/friends/etc). But I think its better without them. I mean... does anyone care? o.o

-mog

:: TG is LIVE! ::

I just HAVE to write a few words about this aaaaawesome event Im currently in love with!
For those who dont know what TG is, its called The Gathering, which is a computer party held every year here in Hamar, in Norway. Its the second largest computer party in the world with about 5500 participants crammed together in a hall called Vikingshipet.
This is the first time Im in TG, and the atmosphere and all the impressions here are overwhelming!
Its the second day here so far, and its going to last about 3 days more. So far there are still lots of lights, sounds and music and shouting everywhere I go. This place doesnt rest at all!
I havent had so much sleep since I arrived here, but hey.. thats how a LAN party is right?

Anyways I've taken a few pictures, some bad ones, my cameraphone doesnt handle indoor lightning so well Im afraid


[link] [link]
[link] [link] [link] [link] [link] [link] [link] [link] [link] [link]
Here are some of the pictures I took!

I did film some videos as well, but some how I cant find them when when I connect my recorder to my computer o.O

The Gathering website also let users upload their photos, so take a look there for more awesomeness
[link]

****

LIVE VIDEO STREAM:
[link]
Find your desire connection speed, and VLC Player must be installed.

****

Other:

Very nice huuuge zoom-able picture from the first day:
[link]
Very cool flash picture thing. This gives a feeling of how large the gathering is.
And since this picture is quite large, I've noticed a few funny things there:
-- Sora cosplays! One as Valor form, and one as Final form!
-- A guy wearing Uruharas hat from Bleach
-- Me staring at my monitor as I work on my Roxas project, you can see him on my screen, but good luck finding me
-- I like that green HUG ME sign
-- A dude rented two concert speakers as his "pc speakers" Poor those fellow sitting next to him

A nice panorama picture of the hall, two days before the doors opened
[link]

** MORE PICTURES **
HW.NO (norwegian site)
Day 1: [link] - Opening shows
Day 2: [link] - Random Pictures
Day 2: [link] - Wrestling, Cosplay
Day 4: Tomorrow!


So far it have been a uber awesome experience to be here! Im very positive about returing here the next year ^^
If you have the chance to come, then please do as well! However, this is not for the hearing sensitive person ;; There is a lot you have to cope with to surive here
I might update this journal entry as TG lives on, so drop by back if you can!

:: Eastern Nerd Update ::


Mog goes TG08
Im going to The Gathering in the eastern this year! The Gathering is a huuuuge, computer LAN party with about 5500 participants. Everyone cramped together with their hardwares.
Its so huge that it even made it all the way into my deviant journal! o: Concider it was once the world biggest LAN party.
Its the first time I will be going to TG, so Im really excited ^^
Im looking forward to be a part of something so big with so many people involved. There will be a stage for shows, live music, announcements, bigscreen for films and anything at all. It wont only be playing games all the time. In addition to the game competitions, there are creative competitions as well, which I have given a thought about joining. TG is going to rent a swimming pool for a whole day for the participants, lots of good food, and a costume party! Hehe cosplaying you said? ^^ I might have to see if Clouds costume still fits ;
The gathering will last for about 4-5 days from 19th to 23 March.
You can read about the events and information about it on their website: [link]
If you are going to attend as well, then let me know!

Intersecting mini updates
Kingdom Key II [link] just got featured in some.. uh... gallery... well. i dont know much about it, but it was picked out for the theme "KEY".
Which is nice ^^ Yay!
The featured list can be viewed here: [link]

Oh and I got a new cellphone! It arrived just now at the postoffice, and I went picking it up right away. My previous Cellphone have recently started to die on me, and I figured out it was time to replace it with an LG KU990


I bought a new computer! Yay!
I've somehow always belived my computer was quite fast and good, but I obviously got lost in the time, because that was for years ago! I was very suprised when I discovered how sucky it was compared to todays "standard"
Anyways here is my new System Specs:

Name: ASCALION
OS: Windows Vista x64 Home Premium
Mainboard: Asus Striker Forumla II
CPU: Intel Core2 Duo QX9650 Quad Processor OC to 3.15GHz
Memory: 4GB Crucial HyperX DDR2 in Dual OC to 840MHz
Graphics: XFX Geforce 8800GTX 768MB (almost SLI but I did not have enough connectors :c)
Sound: External Creative X-Fi Mod
Hardisk: 4x 500GB + 250GB Internal and 2x 250 External
Running with Dell 30" monitor @ 2560x1600px, DiNivio cordless keyboard and MX1000 laser mouse.

Wow... to come to think of that I knew all this from my memory made me realise how much of a computer junkie I am @__@
Anyways, this is my piece I a going to bring with me to The Gathering ^^ I prepared buying this new love for many weeks, and all the parts are carefully picked out after lots of research
After I ran 3dmark06 Benchmark on both of my machines, it turned out my new computer is about 4-5 times faster than the old one which I am quite satisfied with. I know my new computer will bring me lots of joy and productivity for my projects for a long time ahead.
Which you can read more about in the section below....





Its about one year ago since I started on the Sora 3D model project [link] , which i also havent touched since as well. To be honest, I was not satisfied with Sora, and it demotivated me to finish the project for real. Sora 3D belongs to the scrap section, but he have somehow manged to get over 20'000 views! Which is.. well.. unrealistic xD But I guess most of it comes from that he is a popular guy I guess.... anyways, Im happy for the massive interrest for watching my works ^^ So Thanks everyone! I wont scrap the deviation xP

Anyways, as I mentioned, its about one year ago since I started on him, and two years ago since I started on the Yume ninja character [link] .
Sooo.. its time for me to do another character this year, yes? Who could that be?
I've already in good speed of making the next character ^^ And I love every step of progress it have taken to get this far, in terms of quality and personal improvement in 3D.
So far, I have a good feeling of this so far, and I hope I can take it as far as I aim to get it.

Mog presents to you.....
....two work in progress pictures~!

----------------- [link] ------------------------------- [link] -----------------
Hit the links to view "too big pictures for the monitor images"

Now... you can all start guessing who this character will be ^^ hhehe, and I can stand here and love the fact that none of you will NEVER make the right guess!
Hehe, I think I will leave it like this. Im just letting you know that I am working on something, and now you have seen some of it ^^ No more sneaky previews untill Im done! Unless you know which forums I am on where I post regulary previews o_O;