Some inspiring quotes from Yoshitaka Amano. The full article can be found HERE.

Without a deadline, projects just die. I wanted to create my own anime, "Deva Loka," more than 10 years ago. But I had no deadline, so it's still not done. Now we have a schedule and we're sticking to it, so we're making progress. If you want a project to live, have a deadline.

The best way to relax is to work more. I never want to be off work. When I feel tired from drawing very detailed characters, I move to another table and I start doodling with colors — like when I was a child. That's how I relax. I heard that when Madame (Marie) Curie got tired with chemistry, she would "recharge" by doing physics or math problems. I totally get that!

Artists are not phone operators: We can't answer every call for creativity. I was 15 when I got hired by Tatsunoko Productions. I was a kid, but I was the same then as I am now: I'd draw more in a day than others did in a week. But back then, I'd take off and escape whenever I felt like it. My punch card was always almost empty and the accountant asked Tatsuo Yoshida, Tatsunoko's president, why he was paying me a salary when I rarely showed up at work. But Yoshida covered for me because he realized that people with talent can't work nine-to-five.

When you love doing something, nobody can stop you from doing it. I've been drawing ever since I was a baby. My brother, who worked at a paper factory, brought me rolls of paper. I'd kneel on the tatami mat and draw on them. Every day! If I had a fever, I'd still crawl out of the futon to draw. When I was well, I drew. Some days, my friends would came over to play, but I would tell them that I wanted to draw. My parents, who got fed up with the rolls of paper everywhere, complained. But I didn't care. I couldn't help but draw, and I'm still like that.

When you take a trip, you don't know where you'll end up. I'm from a small village in Shizuoka Prefecture — rolling hills, tea plantations and the ocean. When I was 15, I visited a friend's house in Tokyo. He said an anime studio was nearby and that we could watch the artists draw. Off we ran! Standing in the studio, I was shocked that drawing could be paid work, because at home I was always scolded for making a mess on paper. In the studio I felt that I had finally found my place, so I grabbed some paper and drew some characters and left the drawings there. A few days later they called me and offered me a job.

Life has been one long day at the amusement park — and I didn't even pay for the entrance ticket. I haven't changed since I was that boy. I'm so happy living in a fantasy of art. I was homesick for one day after I moved to Tokyo, but by the second day I was in love with my new life among adult animeka (animators). I was a small kid among tall kids. Now I'm tall, but still a kid.

Japanese anime fans create the hits; not the companies. A core group of fans support great anime that originally didn't get huge ratings on TV. Although these hard-core fans may be just five out of 100 people, they keep spreading information about their favorite anime until the majority of the others take notice. "Gundam," "Gatchaman" and "Evangelion" were all loved by such fans, and these works have made it big thanks to their supporters.

Decide by yourself! Your parents will die before you do, so you'd better make your own life decisions. Your own choices are always good if you know yourself — especially in art, because whenever you do something new, everyone will be against you.

Being called a master, a sensei, is a goal I never want to achieve. If I do, that'll be the end for me. Most people feel happy when they reach a respectable status or gain a promotion. But I feel trapped. If I stay in one world, I get respect, but I lose my energy. I only want to do things I have never done. I want to explore my own possibilities. How can I do this? I quit Tatsunoko Productions when I was 30. I usually change jobs every 15 years. Moving from one world to another keeps me fit for the ride.

What I love, everyone loves! I simply paint what I admire, what I feel is beautiful. Amazingly, everyone who sees my paintings feels the same. "Oh, that's lovely!" they say. I don't know why — but that's how it is.

I'm not inspired by anime: I created it. Using my own characters in my paintings is natural because they are my own characters, my own creations. It's as if Warhol cooked the Campbell Soup, designed its packaging, named it and then painted it. That's me.

Today life is fun; tomorrow it'll be even better! Most Japanese worry about the next day. Their attitude is: "Today is good, but what about tomorrow? Is it gonna be OK?" I'm not like that. I always assume that the good gets better — and it does. I don't even think about the day after tomorrow.

Ask and You Shall Receive

Update: Turns out this whole thing was fake....






Now I have always believed in the quote, "Ask and you shall receive"

I personally do this at a comfortable level and have received a lot of what I asked for.

However Craig Rowin followed that quote to the extreme by asking "Please give me one million dollars" to multiple millionaires, billionaires, and even corporations.

What I really liked about Craig's request was that he was very direct, honest, and polite about it. Craig was very straight forward, one million, or none.
While others laughed and teased at Craig for what seemed like an impossible endeavor, he continued to prodcast multiple videos asking for that one million dollars.

...He got what he asked

After watching the video I felt really inspired. For some reason one million dollar just doesn't seem alot anymore. I plan on starting my own business this year and I feel very empowered by the idea that nothing is impossible, just got to do it! Even being straight forward and ask for ridiculous request!

Check out his videos!

The BEST Presents for GIRLS

Thoughts on Workplace Mannerism

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1. Dress for success. Show competence not excess!
Don't dress sloppy. If someone can tell what job title just by the way you dress then you need to work on your attire.

2. Look up when you walk.
Stop walking while looking at the ground inches in front of your feet.

3. Never say the forbidden words. "Can't", "Impossible", "I'm Sleepy".
-Saying can't means...well you aren't trying hard enough.
-Saying things are impossible means...you lack value and can not grow/advance within the company.
-Saying sleepy means...simply incompetence. You'd think it is just an expression stating you are tired, however it showcase your lack of time management because you can't manage your sleep schedule properly to perform on the job.

4. MORE on the saying "sleepy" Personal Branding.

-Why do you buy Nike's shoes? Toyota's cars? Apple's product?
Because the product those company makes reflect certain quality that consumer look for.
Nike's shoes have style and performance.
Toyota's cars have quality and long lasting values.
Apple's products are innovative, unique, and stylish.

So let me ask you. If you, your name, is a company/business what does it reflect?
What do people think of when they say (insert_your_name_here)?
Lazy? Sleepy? Incompetent? Never on time? Undependable?

What you say daily at work will eventually become a personal motto and slogan and it will become your personal statement reflecting your personal performance.

Lets examine Nike's slogan.
"Just do it"

Or Addidas'
"Impossible is Nothing"

“Watch your thoughts, for they become words.
Watch your words, for they become actions.
Watch your actions, for they become habits.
Watch your habits, for they become character.
Watch your character, for it becomes your destiny.”

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5. If you work with your headphones on. DO NOT SING or LAUGH OUT LOUD.

YOUMACON 2010 ZELDA COSPLAY SHOWCASE

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Ginseng Banter

My new blog to banter and talk about whatever is on my mind. Art,life, job, learning, relationships...whatever comes to mind. Blah blah blah.

-Dan