My ceiling is still being worked on and drawing table hasn't been replaced yet (long story) so I still don't have a fully functioning art studio. I can still sketch though!



And then...

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I'm still in shock and awe at how amazing The Dark Knight was.

Two word review: THANK YOU!

We'll miss you Heath :-(

I've been thinking about dropping the whole "Nymbus 7" thing online and just going with my real name. Initially, Nimbus is just a word I liked, and 7 is my favorite number so with a little tweaking my aol name became Nymbus7.

When it came time to start my own website, I didn't want to call it ChrisMusto.com for the same reason that if I opened a store I wouldn't call it "Chris Musto's store", or company, whatever... I'd call it something different. Thus, Nymbus7.com it was...... Now I'm getting tired of explaining to everyone what "Nymbus7" means. Plus when designing, it's a little annoying to have to write "Nymbus7.com, art by Chris Musto" when ChrisMusto.com would be easier.

Problem. Now ChrisMusto.com is unavailable..... It's not being used for anything, but someone else owns it so I can't have it :-/

So now, should I register ChrisMustoArt.com ChrisMusto.net MustoArt.com? Or just stick with Nymbus7? I'm re-designing the site so nows the time. Respond or Email me at nymbus7@yahoo.com and tell me what you think.

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Hillary Clinton has said she's ending her campaign, but technically hasn't officially conceded yet. She's saying so, but hasn't.... Which means (god forbid) if something happens to Obama, she's still up for it. I have a strange feeling she may be pulling a "Tonya Harding" here. That's not to say she's actually going to be involved in something bad happening to Obama, but ready to capitalize on it.

I really hate her. Won't be happy until 1) she concedes (for REAL)and 2) Obama picks someone else as a running mate.

Speaking of Obama... I'm getting disappointed already. In this case I'll concede that Hillary did the right thing while Obama balked -> http://news.yahoo.com/s/thenation/20080709/cm_thenation/45335704_1 Civil liberties are personally my biggest issue and this is a sad loss for privacy. Hillary, you let Bush get as far as he did, this is too little too late. Obama, aren't you supposed to get elected before you start pandering to the right? *sigh* they're all the same.

McCain is still a NO...... Still with Obama for the moment, but hope is fading FAST. I'm a HAIR from voting green.

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Go buy this book:



Michael Ian black is one of the BEST comedic minds out there. When you watch those VH1 "I love the... " shows, theres a reason they cut to him the most. The book is a collection of over 50 short essays that will make you nearly pee yourself with laughter. I dare you to just read one or two random pages in the bookstore without snickering to yourself. I suggest skipping to the suicide note. Trust me, it's the funniest suicide note you'll ever read.

REALLY good stuff!

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Just realized, I never mentioned my move here..... Got my own little 1 bedroom place here in Raleigh and I couldn't be happier! Except that part of the ceiling collapsed from a rain storm (hole in the roof) but that's all being fixed for free.

Found a washer/dryer set on craigslist for $350 (after installation), and a perfectly good couch for FREE near a dumpster! Don't worry, it wasn't TOO close to the actual trash and only out there for a little while. Plus I had it professionally steam-cleaned so it's now clean enough to perform surgery on. The $70 that cost was still less than a used couch would cost. GO ME!

Need now: Dining room set, coffee table, bookshelf, and a new drawing table. Once the ceiling is fixed (should be tomorrow) and I have a new drawing table I can start getting art done again.

Again.... I LOVE living alone!!!!!

I'm still mad at my fellow voters that we could have had Kucinich as the candidate but instead brought it down to Clinton or Obama. Really miffed that his name was off the ballot by the time it reached NC. Kucinich & Mike Gravel strike me as two democrats in the minority of those who feel like it's their job to oppose the right wing. If the rest of them were like this I may never have left in the first place.

Anyhow.... Kucinich has been trying hard to file impeachment papers against George W Bush, and not surprisingly the rest of the party says impeachment is "off the table". Even Obama doesn't seem for it :-/

So now Kucinich is asking you to sign a petition that he will personally deliver to YOUR congressman with the hopes of making them act like the opposing party they pretend to be. If you oppose Bush sign it. It's not like theres any harm in trying. If it doesn't work nothing will happen anyway so it's worth a shot. But this is an ACTUAL PETITION being carried out by a real congressman. Not some angry misguided email campaign.



Click HERE to sign it!
Sign it, repost it, tell your friends. At least TRY for god's sake.

Why impeach when his term is so close to being over? To show future presidents that our civil liberties aren't just there for show and we WILL fight to keep them.

Won't surprise me if it doesn't happen but at least now I won't feel like I could have done something.

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Anyhow... Post voting guilt so to speak. Mike Gravel WAS still on the ballot when the primaries came to NC yet I voted Obama. Kinda fell into that trap of voting against someone you REALLY don't want in favor of someone who doesn't seem as bad and has a real fighting chance. Plus, Gravel is older than McCain. Call me prejudice but I just don't think it's a job for someone that old...... Hate to say it.

Supported Nader in 2000 and 2004* because I pretty much hated both candidates equally but Obama seems kinda likable so it was harder to go with my real choice (Gravel) when it was obvious he stood no chance. In the long run, it won't surprise me if Obama turns out to be a part of the same machine as the rest of them, and I'll be the first to turn on him if he gives me a good reason to. Truth be told, I feel like I just voted for the lesser of 3 evils rather than 2.

H. Clinton & McCain are NO's, Obama is more like "Eh, let's give him a shot". Despite my prior posts in his favor, my support is still very cautious. And again, if Hillary is the vice I'm OUT like bell bottoms.

*Ok I didn't really vote in 2004 but only because I had just started crashing in Raleigh and couldn't prove residence to register. Would have voted Nader though and talked a few friends into it so I feel like he had my support.

.... And the devil appears.

I happen to mention the late Dr. Hunter S. Thompson with the Carlin post only to find the complete story of his life is to be released in theaters today (the 4th, how fitting).

I got really lucky a few months back and a dear friend got me into a Durham film festival to see this early and yes, it's a MUST see. Good to see it got a theatrical release rather than straight-to-dvd. Though I really want to own it right now..... So yeah, a quick review:

Gonzo: The Life and Work of Dr. Hunter S. Thompson


For those very few of you who have never heard of Hunter S Thompson (why are you reading this, I obviously don't know you). Picture a brilliant journalist who habitually destroyed property, engaged in drug use, and spoke filthier than a drunk sailor with Tourette's. Except not only did he get away with this behavior, he was famous for it! Well, infamous is more like it. NO ONE shook things up like he did and the whole country took notice.

If you're a fan of Hunter's think of it as a closer look at what you already knew. More stones unturned, more stories, etc.... If you really don't know much about him beyond Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas you're in for a treat. The rest of his life was just as fascinating! If nothing else, old fan or newbie, it's just nice to have the entire story in one place rather than bits & pieces everywhere. Now when I'm raving about this crazed genius I'll soon have a DVD to shove into someone's hands & say "Here's your homework". Fear & Loathing was ok for that, but only for that one particular adventure. Gonzo is the whole shebang. Over 3 hours long if I remember correctly (and if it hasn't been cut).

Go see it. NOW!

UPDATE: Unfortunately, here in Raleigh we don't get it until July 18th. Now I have to choose between Hunter & Batman. Argh!

Chapel Hill, NC: Chelsea Cinema
Charlotte, NC: Manor Theatre
Durham, NC: Carolina Theatre

Find your city HERE

I live by his words "Don't sweat the petty things, and don't pet the sweaty things". It's actually gotten me through these past few years. I'd go on, but I have a feeling that if his ghost was here it'd tell me to quit being a sentimental pain in the ass.

G'bye George.

The whole town is smoky and smells like burning tires..... Think I'm getting sick from riding the scooter through it :-(

http://wral.com/news/local/story/3035069/

Got some leads on a new place! Wish me luck!

So there's hope for the dems yet as they make the right choice for Prez (at least out of the 2 frontrunners, Kucinich was stil my first choice) but I'm still nervous about the VP spot.

To think after talking all that smack she has the nerve to ask him for the VP slot!?

Until this morning, I thought I was he only Obama supporter who would withdraw my vote if she gets the VP nod but leave it to Carter to back me up =)

CARTER SAYS UNITY TICKET WOULD BE WORST MISTAKE <- The wave of disgust for HC on that message board may or may not reflect the majority. Probably not. But it's really nice to know I'm not flying solo on this..... Really Thought I was for a minute.

Feels great to see the new defeat the old in a party that really needs a makeover. Now if he takes her on as a VP it would seem like it was all for nothing. Like nothing's realy changed. Can you think of a better way to make this whole battle seem like a waste of time?

I spent the last 8 years as a 3rd party supporter. Would be HAPPY to remain so if she's VP.

You lost Hillary, go home.

Here's how I'll be remembering this historic presidential battle.



Note: Hillary had more superdelegates when this came out.

Note: Boo-Yah.

THANKFULLY, my computer made it through surgery without losing all data. Clean bill of health WOO HOO! Bought a new flash drive & saved all my important things. This time virus-free.

Still buying a mac, but now there's time to save up money rather than be forced into it. Looks like the move is gonna go a little smoother.

But (doom music here) Turns out North Hills restaurants are a tad harder to get into than I thought. My third interview at the job I really want didn't seem to go as well as I hoped (though that might just be me). And the guy mentioned 9 other applicants! Damn! May not have a job waiting for me.

Good thing though: Sold a few marker posters. Gonna re-post ones that didn't sell shortly hoping to squeeze out another buck or two.

Lastly....I may have to wait yet another month to move. Work on the place is still going slower than expected.

I'm writing this from the apple store in the crabtree mall. Despite my bitter attitude, I'm LOVIN' this imac I'm writing this on right now. Just gonna make my move harder if I have to buy it this week. We'll see.....

Gotta run, I'm blocking customer traffic :-/

Where I am at the moment......

Been 6 days.... Computer is still at the hospital. If it dies in surgery (loses all data), then I have to splurge for a smaller mac and live with my bank account closer to zero than I should while moving to my new place. If it pulls through, I can move comfortably and save up to get the bigger mac.

Either way I'm converting :-) Looking forward to it actually! I just reeeealy hope I can take my time and save up for the bigger screen and more memory.

Good stuff good stuff.

Also gonna get an Apple logo t-shirt so that when you fanatics run up to me about being a fellow mac user, I can punch you in the face.

It's not that I really think they're better or worse. Just that the people who write viruses leave them alone for some reason so I'm left having to spend OVER DOUBLE on a new system to feel safe. It's like giving in to terrorism :-/

Not to complain though. If they're really as good as you mac cultists are saying it should change my life for the better. We'll see.

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So my potential room mate prospect fell through. Anyone want to rent out a room in my new place for $400 a month plus utilities? I'm an interesting easy going dude to live with. Email me: nymbus7@yahoo.com if you're serious and we'll chat.

This is my karma for not having a kid. I have to drop off my sick computer to the doctor's office and pay a $200 bill to have the viruses & spyware removed. The Doctor of course being the Best buy "Geek Squad".

So knowing how things are, I wisely now back up all my important files onto a flash drive in case things don't go well at the doctor's office..... Unfortunately, I just found out my flash drive caught the viruses too so that's no good.

I hate signing waivers. $200 to clear my system but there's a high risk I could lose everything in the procedure. We'll know where I stand in 5-7 business days. Wish me luck :-/

If Macs weren't so damn expensive I'd have gotten one by now. Soon. I SWEAR my next computer will have an apple logo. Really fed up with this.

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Speaking of fed up with..... Democrats. Yeah you.

While Obama has pulled ahead and (fingers crossed) will be winning this thing, I don't think it says much for you that you let Hillary get as far as you did. You heard me. I have a sinking feeling that somehow, she still has a dirty trick up her sleeve to win this thing. Really hope not.

Is she better than Bush/McCain? Yes. Is she ALL bad? No..... But of ALL the good candidates you had: Kucinich, Gravel, even Edwards sorta, you let someone who stood aside and let Bush have his war get THIS far? She never ONCE voted against Nafta yet all her stump speeches include a little bit about how it's shipping all of our jobs overseas and needs to be stopped. Gee thanks. You're a real working class hero >:-(

Had a few friends on and off line tell me how she received "faulty testimony" on Iraq. Hmmm.... Where have I heard that excuse before? Oh yeah, from BUSH! Bush & Clinton both make the SAME decision based on the SAME bad testimony, yet you pat Hillary on the back while rubbing Bush's face in marine blood. How do you make that work in your mind? I'm simply not programmed in a way that allows for that kind of thought.

It's so liberating not belonging to a side. You can just point out injustice where you see it and not have to worry about having to defend the same actions from someone you support. You expect Bush supporters to recognize his flaws/mistakes and turn on him but would NEVER do the same to your own party. Hypocrites.

While I have a love/hate relationship with Michael Moore, his summary on Hillary Clinton strikes a bit of a chord with me. Even your working class hero of the left doesn't want her in office! Are you really THAT loyal to a brand name?

Besides the political problems I have with her... She makes up stories about dodging sniper fire, plays the mudslinging game (poorley I might add) and made a REALLY inappropriate comment about retaliating to an Iranian attack by "annihilating" them, then refuses to apologize. Sure, if we were attacked by Iran we should respond. But the words "annihilate them" implies wiping out innocent civilians as well as military targets.

Not to mention, the Iranian government didn't find her comment amusing. C'mon Hillary, we already have McCain shaking a sword at Iran. If you have to beat Obama by acting like McCain we can just vote for him. You're instigating our enemies before even taking office. Bravo.

Obama won't sink to her level. He's deflected every stone thrown at him without while remaining calm, cool, and collected.

How you run your campaign shows how you'll run the country. How you come off personality-wise is how you'll represent the country............. Hillary's campaign has been a mess to the point where she's had to loan herself $6.5 million to stay in it (try THAT when you're running the national debt). Fired one manager, another quit. And do I reeeeeealy need to point out her personality problems? Oh wait, already did that.

Voting for Obama doesn't mean I'm returning to the left wing. Is Obama perfect? No. Just better than Hillary. I'm NOT supporting him because he's a democrat, it's because he's a clean slate. Lack of experience is a PLUS in this corrupt system. His middle name is Hussein, last name rhymes with "Osama", and he's running a campaign that's winning a democrat race against someone named Clinton. I want a country run as tightly as that campaign. Even if he can't do what he says I just want someone to try.

And far as "image" goes..... Yes, I want America to be seen as the "cool black guy". He should make Samuel L. Jackson his running mate (sorry, this rant needed a joke).

She shouldn't have made it this far. But my problem isn't with Hillary Clinton. It's with YOU, the democratic voter for letting her get this far when you had better choices. YOU are the reason I gave up on this party.

My computer has just been incapacitated by spyware & viruses. Gonna see about getting it fixed but until then it's back to Kinko's and I really can't spend too much time here paying by the minute so again, I won't be communicating much.

Not like I had loads of time to before :-/

IRON MAN ROCKED! IRON MAN ROCKED! IRON MAN ROCKED! IRON MAN ROCKED! IRON MAN ROCKED! IRON MAN ROCKED! IRON MAN ROCKED! IRON MAN ROCKED! IRON MAN ROCKED! IRON MAN ROCKED! IRON MAN ROCKED! IRON MAN ROCKED! IRON MAN ROCKED!

... Yes it did!



So did the new Dark Knight, Incredible Hulk, and Indiana Jones previews!

NOTE: When you see Iron Man, be sure to stay until the end of the credits. HIDDEN SCENE!

I know I can't make a HUGE impact with this little page of mine, but before the NC primary I need to make something clear.

Obama is winning back some of those who left the democrat party years ago (like myself) Hillary Clinton is not.

Obama is also getting a core group of republicans to defect to his side. They're affectionately calling themselves OBAMICANS. It's true, click & learn.

Now from my little microcosm here (and I know I don't speak for everyone), every Clinton supporter I know, talked to, seen on tv, or read about in the paper also support Obama and would vote for either.... Not ALL Obama supporters would do the same for Hillary. Many will but some won't. I certainly won't and I doubt those Obamicans would either or else they'd just be democrats.

So by all means, if you want Hillary vote for her. But if you like them BOTH ask yourself if you can spare those few extra votes when the general election hits. Can you really?

I'm actually feeling pretty good about this. I voted early today & got some Obama fans at work to do the same. NC friends, go here http://my.barackobama.com/page/content/ncevlookup?src=SEM_onestop&source=SEM-fld-nc-ev and find out where to vote. Piece of cake.

And for an even better pic this time, here he is by OBEY-GIANT artist Shepard Fairey:

VOTE BLACK KENNEDY!! >:-D

My last post "Bro's before Hoe's" was kind of wrong. I mean c'mon. Everyone knows it's HOs not HOES :-P

I'll blame T-shirt hell for that grammatical error since they made the image.

So that's me being political with my twisted sense of humor. And I don't apologize, it's a funny shirt! I'd buy one if %90 of every day wasn't spent at work unable to wear it.

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So in more serious terms.... I believe ANY democrat who allowed bush to go to war has hands just as bloody. That includes you Hillary. Sure she admits it was a mistake and apologized, but we have the choice of someone who DIDN'T make that mistake in the first place.

No forgiveness for you Hillary. Get your mullet OFF my ballot.

Speaking personally as someone who left the democrats years ago (NOT to go republican, but third party) I can say for me it's it's because I feel they only act like they oppose the right wing while secretly helping their agenda.

Bill Clinton's voting record is more right wing than Ronald Reagans.

I CAN'T feel justified in defending Bill Clinton for missing 3 opportunities to have Bin Ladden handed to him while I point out how Bush also ignored warnings and missed chances. No double standards. You're BOTH guilty.

Now Hillary attacks nafta in stump speeches while her record shows she always voted in favor of it. Combine that with her support of the war and you see how I can't support her. I think the idea of "loyal" democrats who stick with their party or candidate NO MATTER WHAT are part of the reason they can get away with this garbage. I'll have no part of it.

EVERY democrat who voted in favor of the war needs to be purged from the white house. Maybe then, when they realize there will be REAL consequences for supporting the right will they toughen up. I'm happy to be part of the reason Nader can cost them victory.

Democrats spent the last 7 years getting their asses handed to them by a retard only to win the last mid-term elections and still achieve NOTHING. No impeachment for illegal wiretapping or torture? No investigation into his war plan? You have Bush surrounded on all sides and you STILL buckle like a belt at his whims? As tough as those goals may have been to achieve, you could have at least tried. I'm glad I gave up on you.

Obama is right. I AM bitter. I'll take someone inexperienced in this corrupt system over a professional snake. I actually LIKE the idea of a clean slate for president.

Question for Hillary: If Obama is so unfit for office, why did you hint at offering him the vice-presidency?

To me, Hillary represents this cancer that's infected the left wing and crippled it to the point where a "Jerry's kid" like Bush can still always get his way.

I'm not saying Obama is perfect. But he's the closest thing to a step in a new direction I've seen in a long time. McCain & Clinton to me are just "been there-done that".

And to think we may face 24 years of the white house being passed back & fourth between 2 families like a joint*

I may be wrong but can you blame me for thinking this? Really?

The enemy of my enemy is not necessarily my friend.

*That's ©2008 Chris Musto. I don't normally pat myself on the back but that white house as JOINT metaphor just feels right >:-D

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Now before you Hillary freaks start barraging my comments section know this. I'm not saying she's ALL bad, just bad enough to not deserve the nomination.

The primary comes here to NC soon. DO THE RIGHT THING!

4am and I can't sleep.... I'll probably just get a few winks before my alarm goes off at 7:30 am. So I guess I'll blog.... Oh by the way, the internet is fixed in the house. I don't have to go to kinkos :-D

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Well for the first time in my life I got tapped for jury duty (or jury DOODIE as I've been calling it. Ain't I clever?). I cancelled some important stuff to be ready just in case I had to go to trial and I find out the day before they don't need me...

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So after two and a half years, I'm moving out of my place. My roomie's guy is moving in so I'm moving into his old place to make things easier for everyone. Of course without a car I have to find2 new jobs in teh area. Luckilly it's a rich area with jobs o plenty all around...... If I'm still gonna be stuck in food service another year or so anyway it may as well be a more expensive restaraunt.

I'm actually looking forward to this change. Ted's is by no means a bad job and I have lots of friends there but I really feel like it's time for a change. Couldn't have come at a better time... Hell, if I had a car I'd have started looking around by now.

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Internet access means more MARKER POSTERS!


Mostly monsters. I've been in a real spooky art mood lately.... Click the pic to see more!

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Congratulations Emily & Scott on your upcoming wedding! So sorry I can't be up in NJ yet. I'll visit as soon as I can!

If you reeeealy wanna know what I think:



BOO-YAH.

Surely by now, we've all read the tragic news on Heath Ledger. Truly a shame.... He was a good actor and I was/am looking forward to his performance as the Joker in the upcoming Batman flick. It always sucks to see someone young & talented gone before their time.

And as a sidenote: WHY DOES FATE HATE MY FAVORITE DIRECTOR SO MUCH!?!?!?!?

Terry Gilliam was already 30 days into shooting his latest film "The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus" when the star (Ledger) was found dead.

Anyone familiar with Gilliam's career knows he is a certified creative genius who happens to be plagued with bad luck. This is his SECOND film to have been shut down by circumstances beyond his control after shooting began. First being "The man who killed Don Quixote" which was ended due to 1) The main star being injured and 2) tropical storms destroying the set and equipment.

From Wikipedia
The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus is an unfinished American fantasy-adventure film directed by Terry Gilliam and written by Gilliam and screenwriter Charles McKeown. The Imaginarium has been cast to star Christopher Plummer, Tom Waits, and Heath Ledger in a story about the leader of a traveling theater troupe who, through a deal with the Devil, takes audience members through a magical mirror to explore their imaginations. Production began on the film in London in December 2007 and is planned to move on to Vancouver. In January 2008, the death of Heath Ledger, whose involvement had been vital to the film's financing, resulted in the indefinite suspension of production.

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RIP Heath, and hang in there Terry.

CORRECTION: In my last post, that last picture is number 194. Which makes more sense when I say "Only 6 more to go".

Anyhow, yesterday was my birthday and as a gift to myself I finished up the last of the preliminary 200 sketches! That's right. I now have 200 unused rough ideas just waiting to be developed into finished art. A very handy thing for an artist to have, I suggest you try it.

Next I gotta pick out my 100 favorite to turn into a book of illustrations.

Come so far and yet so far to go. . . . . . . .