Tribute: Shu & Kagaya - Digital Art Collection

You've probably seen them in posters, wallpapers and even on puzzle pieces... Here's some details on the illustration wizards and their works.

~~~~~~~~Biography~~~~~~~~~

Shu Mizoguchi
Born in Hiroshima 1972, the artist developed his talent for original art while working as a graphic artist for a game company. He is now an independent creator of fantasy works.

Official Website:
http://shu-littlebit.com/

~~~~~~~~~~Shu Designs~~~~~~~~~~

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~~~~~~~~Biography~~~~~~~~~

Kagaya Yutaka
Japanese digital artist born in 1968 who is known for painting elaborately detailed and spectacularly colored images. His images often include elements with a luminous quality. Some of his favorite subjects are astronomy and visions of utopian worlds.

~~~~~~~~Kagaya Designs~~~~~~~~~~

All illustrations and copyright belongs to Shu Mizoguchi & Yutaka Kagaya

Birth Flowers

	JANUARY: CARNATION Representing pride, beauty, admiration and gratitude, the carnation’s multilayered, feathery soft petals conceal a hardy core – an appropriate paradox for this first-month-of-the-year flower. Originally from Asia, where they’ve been cultivated for the last 2,000 years, today this winter birth flower is a richly colorful and fragrant gem.
	FEBRUARY: IRIS It should come as no surprise that the iris's three upright petals symbolize faith, valor and wisdom. With its majestic purple hues and soaring slender stem, this dignified and graceful February birth flower dates back to Ancient Greece, when Iris, the messenger of the gods and the personification of the rainbow (the Greek word for Iris), acted as the link between heaven and earth.
	MARCH: DAFFODIL When the bright yellow daffodil pokes through late winter's ground, it's like a long-awaited friend returning home – a birth flower anyone would be proud to call their own. Symbolizing rebirth and new beginnings, particularly when presented in an abundant bouquet, daffodils promise happiness and joy.
	APRIL: DAISY Legend has it that the daisy originated from a nymph who transformed herself into a charming but unassuming wildflower to escape unwanted attention. Epitomizing childlike joy and playfulness, this April birth flower captures the essence of spring’s happy-go-lucky, forever-young attitude.
	MAY: LILY Lilies were so revered by the ancient Greeks that they believed they sprouted from the milk of Hera, the queen of the gods. Long tied to the Virgin Mary, the white Madonna lily represents virtue, while the lily of the valley conveys sweetness and humility. In the language of flowers, this May birth flower expresses purity of heart, majesty and honor.
	JUNE: ROSE Long a symbol of love and passion, the rose is rich with history and meaning. Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, presented a rose to Eros, and Cleopatra lured Mark Antony with a room knee-deep in rose petals. Though each color offers a distinct meaning – and the number of stems offers a singular message – this June birth flower signifies beauty and perfection.
	JULY: DELPHINIUM With its lush, dolphin-shaped flowers, the aptly named delphinium – or larkspur – symbolizes an open heart and ardent attachment. Also signifying a feeling of lightness and levity, the gentle hues and refreshing fragrance of this summer birth flower give it a refreshing and distinctive natural beauty.
	AUGUST: GLADIOLA Gladiola, the August birth flower, represents strength and moral integrity – not surprising when you consider that its name comes from the Latin word for sword, “gladius.” But while its sword-shaped stems may imply Roman gladiators, its romantic flowers are capable of piercing a heart with their beauty – explaining why infatuation is another one of its meanings as well.
	SEPTEMBER: ASTER With their lush texture, rich hues and wildflower beauty, it's easy to see why asters have had a long association with magical powers. In ancient times, it was believed that when aster leaves burned, their perfume could drive away evil. Today, this autumn birth flower is known as a talisman of love and an enduring symbol of elegance.
	OCTOBER: MARIGOLD With their rich, autumn-colored hues, marigolds are the quintessential October birth flower. Early Christians called marigolds Mary’s Gold, and placed it by statues of the Virgin Mary. Brilliant and colorful, with a late-harvest warmth and a broad open bloom, marigolds signify affection and grace.
	NOVEMBER: CHRYSANTHEMUM Chrysanthemums, a symbol of the sun, have held many noble positions in ancient cultures. The Japanese consider the orderly unfolding of their petals to represent perfection, and Confucius suggested they be used as an object of meditation. Signifying optimism and happiness, it’s said that a single petal of this November birth flower placed at the bottom of a wine glass will encourage a long and healthy life.
	DECEMBER: POINSETTIA Also known as the Christmas flower, legend has it that poinsettias began as a humble weed. When a little girl – with no means for a grander gift – placed weeds on a church alter, they turned into brilliant red blooms. Symbolizing good cheer and merriment, this December birth flower is a fitting tribute to December’s joyful celebrations. Pictures and detail courtesy of Teleflora (http://www.teleflora.com/birthflowers.asp)

Song Collection 10: The Corrs - Don't Say You Love Me

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Lyrics
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I've seen this place a thousand times
I've felt this all before
And every time you call
I've waited there as though you might not call at all

I know this face I'm wearing now
I've seen this in my eyes
And though it feels so great, I'm still afraid
That you'll be leaving anytime

We've done this once and then you closed the door
Don't let me fall again for nothing more

Don't say you love me unless forever
Don't tell me you need me, if you're not gonna stay
Don't give me this feeling, I'll only believe it
Make it real or take it all away

I've caught myself smiling alone
Just thinking of your voice
And dreaming of your touch, is all too much
You know I don't have any choice

Don't say you love me unless forever
Don't tell me you need me, if you're not gonna stay
Don't give me this feeling, I'll only believe it
Make it real or take it all away
Yeah Yeah Yeah

We've done this once and then you closed the door
Don't let me fall again for nothing more

Don't say you love me unless forever
Don't tell me you need me, if you're not gonna stay
Don't give me this feeling, I'll only believe it
Make it real or take it all away

Say you love me
Don't tell me you need me, if you're not gonna stay
Don't give me this feeling, I'll only believe it
Make it real or take it all away
Take it all away, take it all away


Art by Rei-i
You can view her other works at http://rei-i.deviantart.com/

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Impossible they say...

Feeling a little sick today and decided to slack off from studies and thesis...
But a little cold wouldn't stop me from blogging now, would it?

Ever since the beginning of my obsession with FFVIII, I have heard many of these sentences repeated to my face...

"It's not possible to find a guy like that-lah" (manglish)

"That hairstyle can't be done by any normal person"

"You'll never find someone like that in reality"

"So like, you're looking for a guy that walks around wielding a big-ass sword?"

Despite all that, for almost 8 years...I continued to believe.

......................

To my dear friends,

Nothing is Impossible.

"You cannot dream yourself into a character; you must hammer and forge yourself one."
~James A. Froude~

P.S.
So who's gonna help me find an Asian one?

Creative Cosplays

Every once in a while,

someone extraordinary comes into our life...

And every now and then,

someone remembers to bring along a camera.

Creative Cosplay Presents...

Sephiroth McDonalds and Colonel Strife

(note: For those who still don't get it, think McDonalds + Sephiroth Vs. KFC + Cloud)

NExt UP!......

WORMS ARMAGEDDON

(nostalgia...)

I'm sure you had enough of these by now,

so here's something to jaw-drop over instead...

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DEATH NOTE COSPLAY
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***Credit goes to each and every individual, respective owners of the photos