Massive life changing events update, now with picture!
So, there has been quite a lot that has happened since my last blog (December? Really? I need to update more).
After quite an awesome stretch of time at home on paternity leave after Elinor was born, I decided to leave my job of 15+ years working with at-risk adolescents. There was a time I really loved that job, but the overnight schedule and the distance from home (40 miles) was wearing on me. That’s not to mention the normal amount of stress involved in working with a bunch of kids who hate your guts and try to run away constantly. It was weird leaving, but only because it had been a part of my entire adult life. Most of my long-time coworkers/friends had already left, so it was an easy decision to quit.
Since February I’ve been working at a program for severely developmentally disabled adults. It doesn’t pay well, but it’s a no-stress position and only 2 miles from home. I’m not a huge fan of working the weekends, but as I get older, weekends don’t quite mean as much anymore. I work a long 24 hour shift from Saturday to Sunday, but because my wife works for the same company she can come visit me with the baby, so that’s pretty nice.
The baby is getting big and pretty strong. Nora is about 6 months old now and cute as hell. Being a father is pretty much as awesome as I had always hoped, and I can’t wait to get working on a second kid at the very end of the year.
See, pretty darn cute!
One of the biggest changes is coming later in the year. Because of the resources and opportunities it will give us, me and the wife have decided to relocate to Omaha, Nebraska. It’s going to be a tough move for me; I’m a Masshole to the bone and I’ll be pretty far from my brother, who has always been my best friend and support. I’ve been working hard to figure out ways to visit Mass as often as possible, and to figure out conventions and events where we can meet halfway, like C2E2 in Chicago.
Until the move I’ll be busy trying to sort out what to sell at a yard sale and what to take with us. I’ll also be spending as much time as I can with those I’ll miss the most after we move to Nebraska. Fortunately we already have some close friends in the Omaha area, or else it would be a lot tougher on me because I do not make friends quickly.
Any major life-altering events happen to you recently?
So, there has been quite a lot that has happened since my last blog (December? Really? I need to update more).
After quite an awesome stretch of time at home on paternity leave after Elinor was born, I decided to leave my job of 15+ years working with at-risk adolescents. There was a time I really loved that job, but the overnight schedule and the distance from home (40 miles) was wearing on me. That’s not to mention the normal amount of stress involved in working with a bunch of kids who hate your guts and try to run away constantly. It was weird leaving, but only because it had been a part of my entire adult life. Most of my long-time coworkers/friends had already left, so it was an easy decision to quit.
Since February I’ve been working at a program for severely developmentally disabled adults. It doesn’t pay well, but it’s a no-stress position and only 2 miles from home. I’m not a huge fan of working the weekends, but as I get older, weekends don’t quite mean as much anymore. I work a long 24 hour shift from Saturday to Sunday, but because my wife works for the same company she can come visit me with the baby, so that’s pretty nice.
The baby is getting big and pretty strong. Nora is about 6 months old now and cute as hell. Being a father is pretty much as awesome as I had always hoped, and I can’t wait to get working on a second kid at the very end of the year.
See, pretty darn cute!
One of the biggest changes is coming later in the year. Because of the resources and opportunities it will give us, me and the wife have decided to relocate to Omaha, Nebraska. It’s going to be a tough move for me; I’m a Masshole to the bone and I’ll be pretty far from my brother, who has always been my best friend and support. I’ve been working hard to figure out ways to visit Mass as often as possible, and to figure out conventions and events where we can meet halfway, like C2E2 in Chicago.
Until the move I’ll be busy trying to sort out what to sell at a yard sale and what to take with us. I’ll also be spending as much time as I can with those I’ll miss the most after we move to Nebraska. Fortunately we already have some close friends in the Omaha area, or else it would be a lot tougher on me because I do not make friends quickly.
Any major life-altering events happen to you recently?
This is the best christmas ever, for one little reason.
Fatherhood is pretty damn amazing, and I can't wait for the times ahead for me and my little Elinor.
All is well in our little world. I am still on paternity leave, and if all goes well I won't actually be returning to my job of 15+ years. I'm pretty done with working with the violent teenagers I have been dealing with for so long. I'm applying to work at a program for clients with extreme mental retardation the next town over. It'll be nice to not have to restrain my clients, or drive an hour to and from work anymore.
I hope the holidays are good to all of you.
Fatherhood is pretty damn amazing, and I can't wait for the times ahead for me and my little Elinor.
All is well in our little world. I am still on paternity leave, and if all goes well I won't actually be returning to my job of 15+ years. I'm pretty done with working with the violent teenagers I have been dealing with for so long. I'm applying to work at a program for clients with extreme mental retardation the next town over. It'll be nice to not have to restrain my clients, or drive an hour to and from work anymore.
I hope the holidays are good to all of you.
My wife is a little over halfway through with the pregnancy, and I am starting to get reeeeeal excited to finally meet this little girl.
Right now I am in the process of paring down all of my stuff to help make room for the little one. I have a lot of stuff (most of which is comics, amusing t-shirts, books and rpg books). This could takes some time.
Right now I am in the process of paring down all of my stuff to help make room for the little one. I have a lot of stuff (most of which is comics, amusing t-shirts, books and rpg books). This could takes some time.
Most of the comic team is out at San Diego Comic Con right now, and I wish them the best while at the same time being only a bit jealous of them. Only a bit I say, because in the end I can get very tired of crowds rather quickly, so it's not like I'm missing out on nothing but awesome, there is some douchiness as well.
For those who are interested in what we have done over the last year and a half, we have an app for the Ipad that is rather cheap and completely awesome. Look for the Zombie Bomb app in the itunes app store. And if you don't have an Ipad, convince a friend to get it.
It's pretty good, I promise.
For those who are interested in what we have done over the last year and a half, we have an app for the Ipad that is rather cheap and completely awesome. Look for the Zombie Bomb app in the itunes app store. And if you don't have an Ipad, convince a friend to get it.
It's pretty good, I promise.
Brand New Post-Vacation Blog! With Pictures!!!
So the wife and I are back to the old day-to-day routine after an excellent adventure to Toronto for our delayed Honeymoon. We had such a good time it was ridiculous. And we and finally, finally got to meet Martini in person after 5+ years of jokes and general tomfoolery here on SG.
Before we left for Canada a big group of our friends and my wife and I were able to visit my friends wolf sanctuary in Ipswich, Mass. They brought 5 new puppies into the sanctuary recently and it was the first day that they were out for visitors to see. And now, quake before the almight cuteness that is a wolf puppy howling!
Our first full day in Toronto brought JennyLou and I to the zoo. It was awesome and took us over 5 hours to see it all (well, almost all; we skipped a few animals we had seen many times before so that we could get out by closing time).
It was an incredibly beautiful day out, so it was nice to find a bench to sit and lounge with some company nearby:
I'm not sure what species these guys were exactly, but I'd file it under "Animals with really cute and photogenic youngsters":
I am a fan of animals that are prehistoric throwbacks, which is why the snapping turtle was a favorite zoo critter of mine:
And while this little guy was not a zoo animal, I did see him there. I admit I am oddly fascinated by the black squirrels they have that we don't here in Mass:
Right after getting back from the zoo we headed into the city for drinks and snacks with Martini and her sister. It's always cool to meet siblings whose personalities and humor compliment one another. They were pretty awesome company to have when we finally got to eating some poutine:
The next day we joined Martini and company for Ribfest! Which was a grand excuse to be outside all day surrounded by good food and good friends:
I am a lover of all things root beer related, so you can see my satisfaction at finding a cart that sold some amazing root beer (with sugar content that left me jittery for 2 hours):
Here is a somewhat fuzzy pic of JennyLou and Martini at ribfest (this was before the majority of the crowd showed up):
The next day Jenny and I loafed around the hotel until it was time to head into the city for the SG Canada East Gala. We met so many cool people and had a lot of fun talking to them all night. A note for those who go to SG functions; if you get a chance to meet and have a conversation with Suri, do it, she is perhaps the nicest person we have ever met. Seriously.
Here is a pic of Martini, JennyLou and Martini's sister.
And this one is of all 4 of us (the theme was classic Canadiana, which is why I am wearing flannel when everyone else is dressed up):
I learned 2 things when we were in Toronto:
1) It is really, really hard to take a good picture of a playful otter.
2) That city and the SG people we met there are great, and we will absolutely be returning as soon as we can.
That's about it for now, I hope everyone is doing well and having a good summer.
Bonus Picture!
Martini ready to throw down, with myself in the background being generally amused.
Edited to Add:
Fuck Yes!!!!!!!
So the wife and I are back to the old day-to-day routine after an excellent adventure to Toronto for our delayed Honeymoon. We had such a good time it was ridiculous. And we and finally, finally got to meet Martini in person after 5+ years of jokes and general tomfoolery here on SG.
Before we left for Canada a big group of our friends and my wife and I were able to visit my friends wolf sanctuary in Ipswich, Mass. They brought 5 new puppies into the sanctuary recently and it was the first day that they were out for visitors to see. And now, quake before the almight cuteness that is a wolf puppy howling!
Our first full day in Toronto brought JennyLou and I to the zoo. It was awesome and took us over 5 hours to see it all (well, almost all; we skipped a few animals we had seen many times before so that we could get out by closing time).
It was an incredibly beautiful day out, so it was nice to find a bench to sit and lounge with some company nearby:
I'm not sure what species these guys were exactly, but I'd file it under "Animals with really cute and photogenic youngsters":
I am a fan of animals that are prehistoric throwbacks, which is why the snapping turtle was a favorite zoo critter of mine:
And while this little guy was not a zoo animal, I did see him there. I admit I am oddly fascinated by the black squirrels they have that we don't here in Mass:
Right after getting back from the zoo we headed into the city for drinks and snacks with Martini and her sister. It's always cool to meet siblings whose personalities and humor compliment one another. They were pretty awesome company to have when we finally got to eating some poutine:
The next day we joined Martini and company for Ribfest! Which was a grand excuse to be outside all day surrounded by good food and good friends:
I am a lover of all things root beer related, so you can see my satisfaction at finding a cart that sold some amazing root beer (with sugar content that left me jittery for 2 hours):
Here is a somewhat fuzzy pic of JennyLou and Martini at ribfest (this was before the majority of the crowd showed up):
The next day Jenny and I loafed around the hotel until it was time to head into the city for the SG Canada East Gala. We met so many cool people and had a lot of fun talking to them all night. A note for those who go to SG functions; if you get a chance to meet and have a conversation with Suri, do it, she is perhaps the nicest person we have ever met. Seriously.
Here is a pic of Martini, JennyLou and Martini's sister.
And this one is of all 4 of us (the theme was classic Canadiana, which is why I am wearing flannel when everyone else is dressed up):
I learned 2 things when we were in Toronto:
1) It is really, really hard to take a good picture of a playful otter.
2) That city and the SG people we met there are great, and we will absolutely be returning as soon as we can.
That's about it for now, I hope everyone is doing well and having a good summer.
Bonus Picture!
Martini ready to throw down, with myself in the background being generally amused.
Edited to Add:
Fuck Yes!!!!!!!
Overall life is very good, though quite a few friends are going through some rough times right now and I wish I could do more to help them out.
In less than 2 weeks we will be visiting Toronto for the first time, so that we can:
1) Finally attend Gala
2) Finally get to meet in person some good friends for the first time (and molesto-hug them for an awkwardly long time)
As you can see I am making sure I am properly prepared for Canadia:
Right after our Canada trip it is right back to the comics for me again, with at least two jobs for Terminal Press on the burner and my own project that I am dying to get some real work and research done on.
How are all of you doing?
In less than 2 weeks we will be visiting Toronto for the first time, so that we can:
1) Finally attend Gala
2) Finally get to meet in person some good friends for the first time (and molesto-hug them for an awkwardly long time)
As you can see I am making sure I am properly prepared for Canadia:
Right after our Canada trip it is right back to the comics for me again, with at least two jobs for Terminal Press on the burner and my own project that I am dying to get some real work and research done on.
How are all of you doing?
Shit that is lame:
- My job is about to start treating female clients, and many of my coworkers are clearly not ready for a coed program. This will make it a lot harder for the rest of us.
- My knee hurts a lot lately, but the Doc thinks it is nothing serious, so I will hobble through.
- There isn't much overtime available at work, and I could really use some about now.
Shit that is Awesome.
- I wrote a comic book for the swedish metal band Soilwork; they love it and it will be published very soon.
- Lots of fantastic wake-up sex.
- Married life is great. Seriously.
- We have a couple of tables at this years Boston Comic Con. If we get half of the support and love as we did last year, it will be a rousing sucess.
- I have a couple of good ideas that I am working on to submit as a mini-series concept to either Dark Horse or Image comics.
- We are heading up to Toronto for the Canada-East Gala this year, as well as to celebrate our delayed honeymoon. We can't wait to see so many people we've wanted to meet in person for years.
- I've been on SG for 5 years now. Pretty cool how fast the time has flown by.
Times are just good right now, as shown by how much more awesome there is than the lame. I have great expectations for the rest of this year, but right now the goals are for a great showing at the Boston Con and for a wonderful trip to Toronto in June. Anything beyond that is just ice-cream for the big slice of apple pie that is life.
How are things with you?
JUNE 2013
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
MAY 2013
APRIL 2013
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
MARCH 2013
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
