Oh... wow... I really have missed this.

Has it really been just over a year since my last journal? Has it really been almost a year since I was last on this site and TRULY involved in the art community here? It seems like forever ago... Oh, wow.... Where do I even begin? Logically, at the beginning, I suppose?

Well... to start... I have not stopped my art, but my outlets for communication have been scarce (If I was working on a commission for you, don't worry. I most likely have it finished, but have yet to contact you about it. I am so very sorry!), and I received word that I would lose my house and actually did lose my home in the middle of last year. My health took a turn for the worst, and I've been dealing with a lot on that front. My daughter no longer lives with me, and that is still very painful and surreal, and I am not willing to talk about it on something so open and public as a journal entry. I lost my full-time job in November of last year, but it has allowed me to work more on my art and focus more on my health (that place was running me into the ground, and I was not happy there, now that I can look back on it all). I do have a place to live and some pretty amazing friends and roommates who help me along and encourage me to work on my art more, as it makes me very happy and seems to help lessen some of the negativity brought on by health stuff.
Um... I have started a small little "organization" of sorts for my community. It's called "Gamers for a Better Tomorrow" and has given me a bit of purpose. So far, we've been able to help out a single mom with replacing some items that were stolen, helped her to get a car so she can get a job and support her little boy, and I've been helping her with some things for her divorce (long story short- abusive husband that liked to beat on her and their son and kept her under his thumb).
The other event I have in the works is called "Comics for Kids" and... what that is, is me and my friends and community members are collecting comics, I'll be making cute little masks, bows, and other things for the kids and their families, and we'll go around to local hospitals (dressed up in superhero costumes, if they'll allow us) and read to the kids and pass out comics. We focus on the kids, but it'll also be for some of the more elderly patience and people who really don't have family and need some good in their life. Afterall, who doesn't enjoy getting a comic book and a visit from some superheroes now and then?

It all has me pretty excited, and I'm very grateful to the people who have helped out and allowed me to have a new purpose again. I'll admit to being shocked my account was still active. I thought it was deleted/deactivated for not having been on here for so long. I have missed you all and your beautiful artwork so very much. I would like to get caught up with any of you willing to speak to me again after so long. I hope the year has seen all of you well and cared for, also.
Well... thank you for allowing me to take up some of your time after having disappeared for so long. I look forward to being on here a bit more often and speaking to you all once more.

~Sashei