This Christmas do not buy a Megastruz

Buying prehistoric animals as pets has become a trend in recent years. Despite their cute claws and lovely 15m high these beasts are dangerous. They like to eat heads here and this makes the neighbors upset. Always the same... 

Keep safe your city and say no to Megastruz, doesn’t matter how much your kids want one.

2020 highlights

2020 is over. Despite the background noise in the news or temporary worries, technology is the key of our time in the evolutive scale. Tech is involved in everything. Here some highlights I appreciated/discovered:

1. Raspberry Pi: These magical tools are there for years but it’s now when I put my hands on them for first time. Technology offering flexibility and superpower at low price, for everyone and free source. Plus it’s so cute and great community behind.

2. Cyberpunk 2077: I’m AMAZED with this project. As I’ve always said virtual reality will replace travel experience. And this is a big step in that direction. Actually I’m exploring and taking photos in Night City instead of playing it. I can’t travel in reality but I’m enjoying a lot taking photos inside this city. Everything is so great and aesthetic. Maybe the best achievement they have done is converting a decadent future in something so appealing and beautiful. Not talking about he story, design, music, future predictions, etc. A full masterpiece. I’m saying all that even when I just scratched the surface of this intricate world.

3. Watercolor: just to balance the high tech. I love and appreciate the style and simplicity of a watercolor box. Irresistible and infinite possibilities. No failures, no errors.

Photographic exploration in Cyberpunk 2077

In my travel experience, the first day I visit a new country is always magical, no exception. In these days of lockdown I found exploring Night City a full AMAZING experience with a kind of same feeling as those "first days". I was surpassed by the amount and quality of details, atmosphere and incredible design in everywhere. 

I'm not a videogame expert and I didn't play much since Donkey Kong. The main reason I tried Cyberpunk 2077 was to have a look at that futuristic environment. I was magnetized for the idea of a virtual place with such a visual quality. My expectations where high and even so this game surprised me for good. Really a top project and artwork. In a future where everything is going down the creators of this world managed to elaborate something beautiful and with style. The beauty of decline.

So I took my camera (there is a camera mode) and went out to explore with no direction or goal. Every district is different, with countless streets and details. Suddenly it rains or something happens here and there. 

Well, this is a little part of what I found (I don't want to make it boring posting hundreds of pics):

Stylish details are always welcome

Drawing stylish things is a pleasure and a learning. I not only enjoy the process appreciating every detail but also it's a trigger to inspiration.

Optimized writing tools for travels

Oh, the never ending process of choosing the proper tools. I often have the feeling some fountain pens or too many inks add unnecessary complexity and weight, specially if they are not reliable.

As a theoretical experiment I drew the minimal equipment I'd choose for travels. Note I skipped a watercolor box. Instead I'd use ink from those two Lamy fountain pen. Lamy fountain pens are the key here since they allow two different thickness in lines and can be used for text and draw. These constrains would force me to master the basic tools and feel more and more confortable with them. On top of that the style of the pages will be more homogeneous and less mix of colors like a kindergarden drawing. As other things in life maybe the best option is trying it during a short trip and take note of possible improvements.

I already know it will not happen since there is always room for an extra magical pen to add in the last moment. I have to say I'm full in love with my new tiny watercolor box and I will not leave it at home. 

Collage is fun

Sometimes I feel I want to rest from writing and this is a good solution. I keep a box full of cuts. Unfortunately getting this kind of stuff is more and more difficult nowadays. Digital collage then? Oh, well...

Not sure if these kind of papers are good for the notebook's health. I mean cheap paper from newspaper or stickers could create a huge damage with time. Acid free glue won't help in this case. It's ok.