More wallpaper

I've been doing a lot of artwork lately, especially now that I've got my hands on a Wacom board. Wacom boards are great devices. Essentially drawing with a pen, but the results show up on screen in whatever graphics program you're using. I use Illustrator and Photoshop for all of my stuff. I also have a few traditional pieces. I've been posting up artwork on deviantART, a great place to show off, get some tips, and just view other's art work. Plus, if you are so inclined and feel that your pieces are of good quality, you can also have them sold as prints through the site.

If you'd like to view some of the pieces I've done, along with photos and some prose, I have my own page there. For now, here's some wallpaper I created with my patriotic superhero, Canadiens.

Until next time...

Keep 'em flyin'.

In with the old...

2007 is now officially in the bag, and now we're onto 2008. A lot has happened. Some good, some bad. There are recaps to be had, but other news agencies do this better than I do.

Video

Still a bit shaken up that the kid who cried over Britney Spears was one of the most watched YouTube videos. I mean, seriously, Dramatic Gopher (yes, gopher, not prairie dog) was so much better than the guy who put out that video. In that same area, however, I liked the contest put on by Sony to find the best Viral Video. Using some of the webs top celebrities, and getting them to produce a short film was fun to watch.

Sports

It was with great mourning that by June of 2007, the Ottawa Senators fell to the Mighty Ducks, losing in five games. I'm hoping this year they can climb over that hump and win the Stanley Cup. November made up for it, however, when the Saskatchewan Roughriders won the Grey Cup, beating the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 23-19. Now they just need to repeat and all will be well.

New England Patriots ended the year with a perfect 16-0 record in the regular season. Sorry, don't go handing out the Super Bowl just yet. They still have three playoff games to play, and has been said, the playoffs are a completely different season. But don't be surprised if they do win, the NFL seems very predictable.

Baseball was rocked when allegations began floating around about steroid use. Now, big names are getting finger pointed, including slugger king Barry Bonds, and ace pitcher Roger Clements.

News

It was out with the old and in with the new this year, as Brad Wall, leader of the Saskatchewan Party became Saskatchewan's new premier. Just in time for the Grey Cup, too. Things have not been easy for the new premier, but then, it never is for a newly elected government in Saskatchewan. At least he managed to win his bet with Manitoba Premier Gary Doer for the Grey Cup, er, Banjo Bowl. No, Grey Cup was right.

2007 wasn't the kindest of years, especially to the Canadian military, and especially to those men and women who served overseas in Afghanistan. The death toll in the war torn country continued to rise. And hoping that we could escape another year without another police shooting, an RCMP office was gunned down in the Territories.

Personal

2007 marked the beginning of this blog, and also marked the beginning of some more serious prose work that I've done. Canyons of Steel has been coming along slowly, but I intend to add to it as 2008 unfolds. I've also been concentrating on artwork in my spare time as well, and have posted a great deal (including photos) at deviantART (to the right and to the left are pieces that I've done). This just means that a lot of my own writing will come out more slowly, as I concentrate on artwork, and a new project I'm toying with that's coming in the works. I'm setting a deadline for myself of July first to have the first drafts done and ready. Hopefully by July 1st, 2009 I'll begin seriously posting some of it. Along the lines of Canyons of Steel, except this is a comic book story. I've always had an interest in Richard Comely's Captain Canuck series and I created my own patriotic super hero, called Canadiens.

2008 should be an interesting year.

Until next time...

Keep 'em flyin'.

Canyons of Steel - Nobody Guns For My Family Pt. 5

Maxine Wollcott walked quickly down the hallway. She knew the dangers that came with her job. Stewart Industries was one of the most targetted corporations in the world. Not from accussations of those claiming the company did not follow proper guidelines for employment, waste management or anything like that. No, there were those that covetted the brain trust the company had gathered, and wanted it for their own.

But this was probably the first time a physical attack had been made on the company.

It was appauling that assassins would actually attempt to break in with the intent of killing Derrik Stewart. Maxine huffed at the thought as she moved faster down the hallway. She furrowed her brow as she realized, there was a touch of fear in her bones as she moved. Her hand automatically reached for the revolver and she drew it out as she moved. No stopping, she'd get out safely.

The cut on her arm appeared so quickly, she didn't have time to register it. But it did one thing. She stopped. And she grew much more worried.

"There is that smell," a cocky voice called out from the shadows. "Fear." Maxine whipped the pistol around toward the direction she believed the voice was coming from. But softly, eerie laughter told her that had changed. "You will tell me where your employer is." It wasn't a request, it was a demand. Dripping with sinister intent. "You will do so now!"

"Really," Maxine replied in an even tone, attempting to cover any hint of fear in her voice. "So you may do what, exactly? Kill him? You honestly believe that I'll simply hand him over so that you..." Her comment was cut off and she let out a choke from her throat as a hand grasped her neck tightly. The Sister had appeared from nowhere, putting her in a rather comprised position. The pistol she held was easily smacked from her hand, leaving any defense she had now gone.

"Enough of your blathering," the Sister snorted. "Tell me now. Or you die."

"The choice... between dying... slowly... or dying... quickly," Maxine forced out as she gasped for air, struggling to remove the woman's hand from her throat. "Is not... a choice at all."

"Is that so?" the Sister replied with a smile that revealed all her intentions to the world. "A quick death, or torture. Luckily for you, I do not have time for a perfect torture." Maxine tried to sneer, showing her defiance as she heard the sound of metal against metal, seeing the glint of a blade out of the corner of her eye.

Her hands still struggled. She wanted to live, but knowing that she might not. Her last few moments would not be pleasant, but she would also not bend to the Sisters. "I'll... see you... in hell."

Canyons of Steel - Nobody Guns For My Family Pt. 4

"Yes, I'll make sure about that," Derrik said into the cell phone as he finished his small supper. He rang off and motioned to Maxine, her only reaction being a look of concern. She knew what this company attracted at times. Mandrake had already attempted several very hostile take overs in the last few years. It was more than the power that would come from having one research and development company under one roof, it was the brain trust that Stewart had assembled. Some of the most brilliant minds of science, housed in the Stewart Towers in Vancouver. And often times, attacks would come.

But this time, he knew this would be something much more dangerous than a board room meeting. Over the years, he had grown to anticipate this. And he had prepared. Whenever his company would begin a high security, top secret project, he would always ensure that he was the one who became the first human guinea pig. More often then not, the developments never saw the light of day. Lesser developed projects would take the place of the major ones.

Because the scientist knew, that Derrik's alter ego needed the weaponry to deal with the things in the world that would attempt such as this.

One click of an invisible button on his cuff link, and his expensive looking Armani began to shift. Nanite technology had allowed his clothing to reconfigure their shape and look. And the look they took on now was very dark. The suit was completely black, almost looking like leather, but much stronger. His face was completely concealed, a cloak and hood completed the suit. His gauntlets held wrist consoles, allowing him to tap into security networks and see the visual display on his HUD.

He looked to Maxine, who knew of this other life all too well, and spoke in a voice that seemed dark and sinister, the opposite of what his appearance as Derrik Stewart was. "Get to safety. Make certain that you and the security officers are out of the building."

"I can take care of myself, sir..." she began in protest, but Derrik held up a dismissive hand.

"I trust you completely, Maxine. But this is the Sisterhood. Camera details have confirmed this. They have managed to circumvent every security detail except what I can see." He studied the room for a moment, confirming his own suspicions that they were most definitely alone, before pointing to Maxine. "Leave as quickly as you can. These assassins have come for me."

Maxine never said a word. She knew when Derrik was like this he was very stubborn, any arguing was futile. She reached into her jacket and removed a small pistol from a shoulder holster, nodded to Derrik and began to move slowly out of the cafeteria and down the hallway. Derrik didn't move until he was certain that she was gone. And then he looked around the room again before speaking.

"You can come out now."

A lithe figure descended from the ceiling, landing noiselessly on the tiles only a few feet from the black clad figure. "I could have killed you at any moment, you realize."

"Doubtful," Derrik hissed his reply as he moved to the double doors of the room and scanned the area with all spectrums. "But needless to say, I did receive your warning. And I have complied. Maxine should be moving out of the building now." He turned back to the blade sister. "So tell me, Sister White," his low voice grumbled to the Sister. "What is your interest in Maxine?"

"She is my sister." Her reply came quickly and evenly. Derrik had to study her for a moment to see if she spoke the truth. He only acknowledged with a nod.

"I should consider myself lucky, I would think," he stated as he moved back toward Sister White. "Miss Wollcott. Otherwise, I might be dead now."

"Doubtful," Marianne replied with a slight smirk. "You are, as I have seen and heard, very resourceful. You have kept your bargain. Now I must leave."

"Leave the sisters." It wasn't really a question, so much as a statement. And his eyes were like steel as they bore right into Marianne's very soul.

"You know that's impossible," she replied in a voice that betrayed how much she believed that idea was ludacris. "If I were to do that, they'd hunt me down to the ends of the earth and kill me. I would never have a moment's peace. I could never have a normal life."

Derrik Stewart, also known as the Mannequin, turned toward the double doors that lead into the cafeteria. His cloak billowed out as he moved. And his voice called out, low and a hiss. "You'll die, if you go back."

Canyons of Steel - Nobody Guns For My Family Pt. 3

The four office towers that made the Stewart Towers seemed dark. Only a few lights glowed in the many offices of one of the largest research and development companies in North America. Not many were in the Towers, only a few of the scientists and office workers put in long hours. It was the doctrine of CEO Derrik Stewart that his employees enjoyed free time away from the office. Family, friends and a social life were important to those who worked for him, because it ensured they would remain healthy and loyal. But that, of course, did not always conform to the view of the CEO for himself.

Derrik brushed back his blonde hair as he read through the final reports of the evening. A few studies were taking longer than expected, but better to be safe than sorry. He had shareholders to worry about, and they wanted to see the bottom line, which often went hand in hand with results of testing materials. He looked up and removed his reading glasses as his office door opened. "Evening, Maxine," he said as he picked up his coffee cup. "I thought you'd have gone home by now."

"No such luck, sir," Maxine Wollcott replied with a smile. "My job doesn't end until you go home." She approached the desk and set down one more small stack of reports. "And it would appear that you may be here a little longer than expected."

"Tell me again why I decided to be responsible?" he chuckled lightly as he rose from his chair and grabbed his suit jacket. Maxine stood by, waiting for Derrik's next statement, knowing what he would say. "Have you had supper yet?"

"I had a light dinner, but that was three hours ago," she replied in her crisp, British accent. Maxine was, if anything, always dutiful, always polite. She looked more like a librarian than the personal secretary for the CEO of a multinational company.

"Let's head to the cafeteria."

"Sir?" she said slightly confused.

Derrik held up a set of keys in his hand as he picked up the phone. "I have the run of the building, remember." He chuckled as Maxine rolled her eyes and smiled. "William," he said into the receiver. "Maxine and I are taking a half hour break. Heading to the cafeteria, just so you don't send a SWAT team down for swiping biscuits." He rang off and offered his arm to Maxine, who graciously took it. They needed the break. Both of them had arrived at the Stewart Towers at nearly 5:30 in the morning. It had been a long day, and it appeared that it might be an even longer night.

The office door closed and the room, as lavish as it was with it's matching furniture and expensive oak desk, grew quiet and still. No sound emitted from the room at all. Not even when the glass to the window was cut. Not even when five very lithe and darkly clad women enter, their feet not making a sound on the carpet. Two of them scanned the room for a moment, and then gave hand signals giving the all clear. They all drew weapons, long, serrated blades that soldiers of the Sisterhood carried. One gripped a semi automatic hand gun, complete with a silencer. Their faces covered, not even their eyes revealed as they hid behind the infra-red visors they wore. The slick, form fitting armour allowing them to move quickly, and quietly.

They knew their target. They just had to follow, and make certain they could strike quickly.

Canyons of Steel - Nobody Guns For My Family Pt. 2

One year ago, Vancouver, British Columbia

"I do not have to remind you," The Mistress announced to the gathering of assassin's that met in the darkened underground bunker that served well for the purposes of the Sisterhood.. "How dangerous this will be. We cannot have this organization uncovered. We are being paid well for this. And there will not be any room for error." The Mistress surveyed her soldiers, women, all hand picked, all trained with only one thing in mind. Completion of the mission without giving clue as to point back to the Sisterhood. On this day, the CEO of Mandrake Biogenetic had grown very tired with her failed attempts at a takeover of Stewart Industries. And so, it was time to strike out and ensure that a sale would take place. Thus, Derrik Stewart had to die.

"You have prepared and studied the target. We know his routine and his schedule for the next several weeks. We need to strike now, while there is a lull in his activity," she repeated to the gathering, her lips seeming to form a sneering smile. Possibly a cocky pride, perhaps overconfidence. Most likely superiority. "This is our time. Go. And be successful."

"Sisterhood to the end!" the gathering announced in unison before hurrying to their selected duties. One assassin hung back in the shadows. She watched and listened. She didn't like this contract. Not in the slightest. Her code name was Sister White. Her real name, unknown to the world at large, was Marianne Wollcott. And she decided here and now to make certain that this mission would not see success.

Marianne followed a small group of soldiers, matching their stride. A leiutenant stopped Marianne, her eyes narrowed slightly. "You are not scheduled for this detail, Sister White."

"I know, ma'am," Marianne replied quickly.

The leiutenant nodded and looked to the small group that Marianne was following. "They could use your expertise in this matter, however. You have proven yourself most useful in details such as this." Marianne only replied with a nod as the leiutenant signalled to those in the group. Due to her fast rise in the ranks, Marianne was afforded some freedom with what details she could take. And if she seemed interested in one, she was assigned to it.

Marianne joined the group, saluting to each. The soldiers returned the greeting in kind, and together they moved off to the staging area to prepare departure. The soldiers had their orders, they knew what needed to be done.

Marianne had other ideas. She planned on stopping them.