Still trying to buy a computer.

Apparently Dell and Lenovo think when you order a computer- you want it in 2 months time- (not the 8 days plus 5 as advertised), and will only tell you it will be 2 months after they've strung you along for 1 month.

So I've ordered from Dell and cancelled, then ordered from Lenovo and right now am on the verge of cancelling and doing what I didn't want to have to do- build it myself.

Dell- to their credit at least processed te refund promptly and professionally- even if the whole other bit was a shambles. Point to Dell for snatching honour from the jaws of defeat.

Lenovo on the other hand have been far far worse. Basically I can't recommend their computers(how can I when they'll never deliver it?) or their service or the sales people who are misleading , obfuscating...you name it.
Avoid.

Worse still I suppose is the hardware and firmware back doors they have on their computers, (because they are a covert instrument of the Chinese government) which have their computers banned from use in any national security type applications in Australia.
I'm guessing the time PM Rudds laptop was hacked it was a Lenovo laptop.
I just want to paint and sculpt on mine- not remind the Chinese Government that Tienanmen square did happen,
 but still- 
Always nice to know that out there somewhere is a chinese hacker ready and waiting to disable or take over your computer- "no extra charge" as they say..

Again- I find all this out after I ordered.

But I have the cintiq 24HD touch- sitting in its unopened box for a month now waiting for a computer to run it-
looking like the crate containing the Ark of the Covenant from Raiders of the Lost Ark.

One day.....

The Further adventures of Wombat.

I am almost nearly done the first round of roughs for wombat.
But I won't post all of them as I know they like it to be a bit mysterious.
Actually this has been the most difficult wombat so far and I'm not sure if I've come up with the right solutions yet. I'd like it to be a bit smoother and night lightish and not as 'roughly hewn ' in the execution as Wombats party.

(Again-it is  "what I did on my break when I was supposed to be recovering my health and sanity".
People have been posting the advice of Bill Waterson (creator of Calvin and Hobbes)- I wish I'd read it at the start of my break and stuck to my guns......
oh well....  I make an exception for Wombat as Hachette have done a lot to try and make the whole wombat thing really something.)

Whole lot of roughs.

The selection of roughs for an educational book, or- "what what I did when I was supposed to be having a holiday and recovering my health and sense."
This educational book, which I took on because I liked the story primarily
and because I was worried I'd need money for an upcoming family holiday,
will be my last,-
 or my last 'work for hire' to be more precise.
I'll add this to my contact details- "Lachlan doesn't do work for hire."
anyhow....

Wombats Birthday Surprise arrives.

Have yet to test it on my kids to see if it works.
I anticipate it will work best with 2 and a half year olds- that's the sort of age when anyone's birthday party is actually meant to be your party.
I think with wombat's party- wombat is not a greedy wombat.
Having a giant cake at the end-a dream cake- would have been great from a kids point of view- but I wanted it to be a modest size cake- but the contribution of all the friends creates this impressive array.
Just to sort of show what happens when everyone pitches in and helps.
 A lot of presents also might have been nice- but I think the celebration (of life) with friends is more important- + the last thing you want as a parent is book where someone gets a myriad presents ie " I want lots of presents- just like wombat".
More than that wombat is a wombat- he has his log home and the beautiful bush , his friends, a patch of comfy moss and straw to sleep on- he doesn't actually need much else.