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Catsy 2011
Catsy 2011

This past year was a very difficult and discouraging one for me--at times, it bordered on a Dim Age. By the end of 2010 I was already having problems with my right elbow, and by mid-2011 my RSI condition had progressed badly enough that I couldn't do any computer gaming, building or modding without considerable discomfort. It took a toll not only on my creative output, but on my day job and my general mental health. I'm still struggling with depression. Compared to 2010, the last year was a barren wasteland of inspiration and opportunities lost.

Still, there were some bright spots. Once again I received an overwhelming surge of traffic in response to one of my MOCs--this time, it was the GLaDOS model in the center of the above image, which was a huge hit with the Portal fan community and the gaming and Lego communities in general. To turn an overused phrase: huge success. More Portal creations followed, including a custom Chell minifig with a custom ASHPD that I still think is one of my best mods.

Thematically speaking, 2011 was dominated by scenes rather than MOCs. The biggest reason for this was the series of contests held by startup Brickarms reseller GI Brick, in which the winning photos would be used as product shots. Not only did this play to my creative strengths, it gave me something to do during the dark months of pain and recovery following my arm surgery: I couldn't really build or mod, but I could at least play with minifigs and put together a lot of great shots by reusing various set pieces from WIPs or prior creations. I got a ton of mileage out of the modular hedgerow layout from Operation: Bricklord, which served as a backdrop in one form or another for a number of photos.

There was BrickCon, of course--always a highlight of my year, this time unfortunately marred by illness, recovery from surgery, and my frustration at being unable to contribute to the two themes I was involved in the way I'd intended to. I managed to finish the Howland for the Numereji display literally while sitting at a table at BrickCon as public hours opened.

The end of Novvember was a positive turning point: at practically the last minute, I got a surge of inspiration and managed to bang out a pretty respectable Vic Viper, the first real MOC I'd built in some time. It's only now that I'm really starting to pick up the creative pace again, but I have a lot of hopes for the coming year. I'd really like this to be the year that I finally finish the Ringworld, I'm planning on running a Portal collaborative display at this year's BrickCon, and I need to dig myself out of the rut I've gotten into with everything else.

I'd like to thank everyone who commented on or linked to my creations, or who sent me encouragement and positive energy during my medical problems. It helped. It really did.

Here's to a much better 2012, already in progress.

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Taken on: January 6, 2012
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Catsy 2011

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