Iffy at best

As I said in the Post, I finally got my new tablet.

There really are no words. You will just have to keep up with the comic and see what happens.

Hmmm, what's been going on...well not a heck of a lot. I took yesterday off as a sort of mental health day. I needed it. Bava and I spent most of the afternoon at the Spar drinking coffee and speaking expositorally on our favorite web comics.

Then I spent the afternoon drawing. Then the evening was spent playing pool, then darts. Then more drawing. Then sleep. The sleep was restless because I was dreaming about drawing.

I had an epiphany this morning as I was standing in line for food at Fred Meyer, but I can't remember what the hell it was. I wasn't fully functional due to lack of blood in my caffein system.

BURN MORE FAT! YAHAHAHA!!!

Last Saturday I took a bunch of students up to Seattle for a SketchCrawl. It was pretty fun, but I was kind of dissappointed in the overall participation. I think that when faced with the actual act of drawing in public, some of the students kinda blanked. Which is really too bad because I did some really cool stuff. I really hope I get to do that again soon.

Right now I'm listening to The Magic Flute and trying to get work done. Seriously, stop distracting me. I MEAN IT!

Doode.

Have a great day!

--RECONNECTIONISSCHEDULEDFORTHEFOLLOWINGBUSINESSDAY--

There are certain things that I wish to convey. But not to you, and not now.

How's that for maintainiing the mystery! Hah!

Anyway, I just spent money on two things. Bills and a new tablet. I'm almost nervous about the tablet, but it's what all my favorite artists use and that makes me a little more confident.

I've had wayyy too much coffee for my own good this morning. I'm sitting here listening to The Magic Flute and trying to work. And it's not working. One of my co-workers is out sick and the other one is in Indiana. I'm here, kinda on my own and let me tell you, ain't no motivation like no motivation.

Other than that there's nothing really to report. I'm doing really well now. I'm playing a LOT of darts and really enjoying doing the comic strip. I'm working on developing a faster process for coloring. That's kinda what the new tablet is for. I also need a new computer, so if you have a little extra cash laying about, donate to the fund! Thanks!

Anyway, I should probly go get stuff done. Click on some links if you get bored. I'll try to remember to post again later. No promises though. It IS after all, Friday.

--TGIF,BABY.TGIF--

Well, it's another Thursday. It's not raining outside. Thank god. I've got a full cup of coffee next to me and a dream in my head.

I had the idea that I would turn this blog into my other artistic creative outlet, outlining what and how I use my tools to create a comic. But in the end, I think it would destroy the blog. The little gnomes that help me would see any kind of thematic shift as me usurping the tiny amount of control they have and I would have a rebellion on my hands. Can't have that now.

So the blog format stays. I'll post once in a blue moon and we'll call it good!

Naw, I just be kiddin' y0.

For those of you who know me, you are already aware of how stressful the last week was. I had a breakdown of some sort on MLK day and so went to the doctor the following afternoon. I was diagnosed with pretty severe depression and got a prescription for Fluoxetine, the generic name for Prozac.

I've been taking this drug for a little over a week now and I've got to clear up some stuff about it. First of all, NONE of the side effects have happened to me. I know that I'm supposed to wait about a month for it to kick in, but I have had none of the side effects listed anywhere on the web.

After this first week of taking this stuff, I'm here to say that it has really helped in a couple areas. I'm no longer clenching my teeth at night so hard that I wake up with a sore jaw. I'm getting ENOUGH sleep, which is important. I'm also a little more organized. This all could be the placebo effect, but it feels more like something has leveled out in my mind. Nothing is quite as dramatic as it used to be.

One side effect that really worried me, as an artist, was that it would somehow styme my creative urges. I can assure everyone that it hasn't. In fact, it has made me more focused. I'm a little bit ahead of the game as far as the comic is concerned and I'm staying that way.

Honestly, I'm just enjoying every part of life a lot more, rather than just living for the high moments. I'm in full support of drugs if they can help me never feel like I did on that Monday ever again.

Other than that, life is pretty uneventful right now. I'm still completely addicted to Sketchbook Pro. The sketch up at the comic was created using it. I find it a LOT easier to use than Photoshop because the line weights depend on the pressure of my pen on the tablet. For some reason, Photoshop stopped doing that. Dunno why.

I'm supposed to get my tax refund tomorrow. First of all, I'm paying off my debts. Then I'm buying a new tablet. An early birthday present to myself. The rest goes into savings for a vacation I've been meaning to take for years.

More later.

--BOTTLEDATTHESOURCE--

I have these plants in my office. An african violet, a gerber daisy and a...vine-y thing. I've been giving them lots of water and plenty of lovin'. Six months after I got them, they're still alive. This amazes me because I tend to kill every living thing I come into contact with...if it's vegetation.

There's no point to that story, I just wanted y'all to know.

I went back to a more classic blogger look. I couldn't handle those dreary colors anymore. Even this is a temporary change though. I want to design my own template at some point. Something with my own art invovlved. For now though, keeping up with the comic is enough work.

In this issue of, "Things I Saw Written on the Wall of a Catholic School Bathroom!":

"TIgger is my trigger"

What does it mean? I don't know. Why was it in the MEN'S bathroom? I don't know. I don't want to know.

--THEMOREILEARNTHELESSICARE--

There is this feeling I get when I don't blog for extended periods. It's the perfect mix of being devastated and not caring.

Nothing much has been going on. I'm trying to get over whatever it is that I was trying to get over before I stopped posting and I'm also drawing. A lot.

Today I was looking around the internet and I stopped by Myspace.com, as I am prone to do, and checked once again the list of people who have signed up from the service who graduated from my high school in '98.

It's strange to see where people ended up and how much they really haven't changed. I started to wonder, have I changed that much? Have the experiences in my life changed me to the degree that if these people were to run into me (not drunk), would they be able to REALLY say, "I know you!" and mean it? Then I realized that many of these people had NO CLUE who I was in high school. I didn't hang out with them, they never played golf with me or listened to my music and most of them really didn't care.

What I find slightly ironic is that it has generated a low-level inferiority complex. And that bugs me. But I'm working on it.

But hell, I draw a web comic. How many people do that? A couple hundred thousand? I think it's an achievement and that's what matters.

Anyway, now that I've got the ball rolling, I may as well keep it going, right?

I watched Fantastic 4 yesterday. Good lord. If there is a movie that you need to miss, it's that one. Ugh.

Four Brothers on the other hand, that wasn't horrible. Walberg isn't impressive at all. In fact, he lowers himself quite a bit to try and turn himself in a crazed white guy from a rough neighborhood. I enjoyed everything up to the ending. The ending sucked. Not the climax of the movie, they do that in style. The last 3 mins of the film are just horrible.

Anyway, the new comic is up. Read it, love it, comment.

--PRODUCTISHOT;PLEASEHANDLEWITHCARE--

Arty Kid

Whether you were a drama freak or an emo poet, you definitely were expressive and unique. You're probably a little less weird these days - but even more talented!

What Your Underwear Says About You

When you're bad, you're very bad. And when you're good, you're still trouble! You're the type of guy who chooses his underwear based on who might see it that day. "What's the point of wearing your rocketship underpants if no one's gonna ask to see 'em?!" --Calvin and Hobbes

You Are Somewhat Machiavellian

You're not going to mow over everyone to get ahead... But you're also powerful enough to make things happen for yourself. You understand how the world works, even when it's an ugly place. You just don't get ugly yourself - unless you have to!

You're an Expert Kisser

You're a kissing pro, but it's all about quality and not quantity You've perfected your kissing technique and can knock anyone's socks off And you're adaptable, giving each partner what they crave When it comes down to it, your kisses are truly unforgettable

Your Stipper Song Is

Pour Some Sugar on Me by Def Leppard "Love is like a bomb, baby, c'mon get it on Livin' like a lover with a radar phone Lookin' like a tramp, like a video vamp Demolition woman, can I be your man?" Break out the baby oil, you rock it old school.

Your Brain's Pattern

Your mind is a creative hotbed of artistic talent. You're always making pictures in your mind, especially when you're bored. You are easily inspired to think colorful, interesting thoughts. And although it may be hard to express these thoughts, it won't always be.

On Average, You Would Sell Out For

$1,071,814

Oven Roasted Garlic and Oregano Blend, Deep Fried in a Whiskey Batter

Long lasting and completely unhealthy. You focus on the wrong things at the right time. You are not very easily impressed, except by other greasy foods. Yet, you are a beacon for all those who crave high cholesterol. Chase your dreams, baby!