Long time since I updated this blog, and things are looking up. But I am cutting to the chase with this post: it’s in reference to the recent project I am working on. For more information, go to Echoing The Sound and read about the NIN ammo boxes given away at the LA meetup, and then read this thread to see the project I am working on.

As a recap:

1. These boxes are made from .30-caliber ammunition boxes that I will purchase from army surplus stores. Each box will have a custom-painted Art Is Resistance (AIR) flag design on them. Each person can decide on the color of his or her box, flag, and star.
2. There are current plans, due to availability of the items inside, to make a starting run of 100 boxes. If there is enough demand I will create & sell more.
3. Pricing, at this point, stands to be about $15 per case, not including shipping. Shipping will cost (in the states) up to about $13/box, and internationally it’s almost double that (except for Canada). I will calculate this as exactly and honestly as I can because ALL OF THESE WILL BE SOLD “AT COST” — I AM NOT TRYING TO MAKE ANY PROFIT WHATSOEVER.
4. Info about the contents is as follows, as well as the contributors:
1. An AIR flag patch, embroidered. Color choices are olive, red, and black, with black borders for each chosen design. Ishtmail is contributing these.
2. 10 AIR flyers, handbill size (5″ x 7″), the design of which is located here. If we are able to make additional flyers, based on the other design seen in the “official” AIR kit, there will be 20 flyers in each box. transmitting end is creating these.
3. 5 stickers with the AIR flag, choice of black or red.
4. 5 buttons with an AIR flag, or a custom-made Photoshop design (which the ETS forumgoers can create). defiant_trespass will be providing these.
5. A black marker for doodling stencils with, as was included in the official kit. Baron_Von_Kickass is researching the price for this.
6. A 2-layer stencil with the AIR flag and star. It will be the same size as used to make the flag design on the case. Each stencil will be used to make the appropriate flag, to give it that used look so that it seems like a tool of the trade.
7. Stamps with the AIR flag, 2 or 3 inches in size. This is tentative due to price and how fast they could be created, and Alrohir is making them.
5. The contributors’ boxes also will contain special blue AIR patches as designed by ViolenceInHD, but only for the contributors as there are less than 10 to go around. This means that if you want to take care of purchasing and sending over the stickers, or the stencils, contact me or post in the forum about what you can do. Currently, 8 of the patches are accounted for, between the current contributors, myself, and my best friend who will be primarily building these with me.
6. Anyone in the Bay Area can help me make these, once I have all the materials together. By help I mean spraypainting, packing the items, and packaging them once they are ready to go. Contact me via instant messenger, email, or the ETS forum — please do not use this blog, and see #6 for the reason why.
7. Please use this blog post to request a box. Post a comment specifying: (1) how many boxes you want, (2) for each box, I need the box color (or none if you don’t want it painted), the flag color, and the star color, and (3) what kind of patch (olive, red, or black) you want in each box.

That’s all to report on that. Keep an eye on the ETS forum for more information. Again, use this blog to request your orders.

This is the extent of human compassion in the place I live:

1. Because of about a total sum of 5, maybe more, overtime hours accrued over a 4 month period, I am limited to 77 hours per pay period instead of 80. Despite requests for more work and other shifts to cover, I have been met with no avail. To add to this, every time I speak to my manager, it becomes another fight. Even when I went in neutral, something is brought up that could be the most insignificant issue. Thus, every day I desire to leave the one job that I’ve been able to do the best for the longest time.

2. The policies of financial aid essentially state that the amount of financial aid I can get — if any — is determined partially by the income and/or assets of my parents. Despite the fact that they will not assist me in paying for anything academic, or anything else for that manner, they have enough in savings to disqualify me from financial aid. I am being denied the ability to move back home, as well. So I have no idea how I will pay for college next semester.

3. My roommates — the best example of asshole college frat idiots, except without the frat, with less beer, and (if possible) more closemindedness — have decided to move out of the current apartment complex, because one had their new car broken into and his new stereo stolen. (Pause here, while we contemplate his stupidity for having that combination of new items in an apartment complex known for how much it sucks balls.) They have insisted that I not come with them, without giving me any significant reason and without willing to discuss the manner either. So now I will have the incredibly fun task of trying to find a place to live.

I know, this is repetitive, I’ve posted it many times before.

But it’s all I can focus on right now.

And I can’t stand it.

More posts will come later once I get my head on straight.