Nyeng!

My computer caught herpes the other day, just as I was getting ready to drive up to Michigan. I don’t know what it was specifically, only that my virus scanner didn’t catch it. Once it was clear my computer was screwed, I shut everything down and started the backup process. I should have paid closer attention to what folders I was backing up, though. I had selected the wrong user folders, so now a lot of my data is gone. Nothing major, except for my Quicken database, some notes, and 4 months worth of email. All my artwork was safe on another drive, so at least none of that was lost. Still, it’s not nearly the best way to prepare for 17+ hours on the road…

Now that I’m in Michigan and my computer is more or less restored, there’s the question of what to do while I’m here. I should start sketching and photographing different plants and trees, so I can try to make some nice stylized foliage in Maya. Then of course there’s Bill, still waiting to be finished. After reading some illuminating texture tutorials, I’m tempted to at least try to give him some decent texture maps.

Another idea has been buzzing in my skull for the past couple days… The kind of idea that could be creatively satisfying if it works, but will more likely cause a great amount of frustration. I’ve been itching to finish one of my backlogged comic strip ideas, and the other day I thought it’d be fun to try it as a motion comic. Consider that rate at which I draw, though, that may not be such a good idea…