Soaked
Worked from home this morning. Woke up a bit late and needed to get stuff done, so home it was. After I got started, I was just waiting for a phone call and then I'd head in to the office. I live 7 miles from work so it's about 15 minutes to get in. I took my shower and just as I was about to turn the water off the call came in. So there I am, soaking wet talking on the phone and of course he needs info that's on my computer so I have to get it. I'm naked, my hair's dripping everywhere and thankfully he has to take another call which gives me a few minutes to dry off. Eventually that worked out fine and I headed in to work amidst the artic tundra that is the midwest. John, who had his gallbladder out, was finally back at work and I was going to take him out to lunch and treat him but another coworker tagged along and treated us to lunch.
Comics.
Trying something new with special orders. Not really ordering anything except items I don't think stores will stock. Like if I want a Batman comic, I'm not going to order it confident that one of the comic stores I buy stuff from will stock it. However if I want a Star Trek red shirt t-shirt, I'm going to order it. Hopefully, this will save me from having to remember if and where I ordered items. I'm in month 2 of my experiment and it'll take at least 3 to have an idea of how things are going.
Worked from home this morning. Woke up a bit late and needed to get stuff done, so home it was. After I got started, I was just waiting for a phone call and then I'd head in to the office. I live 7 miles from work so it's about 15 minutes to get in. I took my shower and just as I was about to turn the water off the call came in. So there I am, soaking wet talking on the phone and of course he needs info that's on my computer so I have to get it. I'm naked, my hair's dripping everywhere and thankfully he has to take another call which gives me a few minutes to dry off. Eventually that worked out fine and I headed in to work amidst the artic tundra that is the midwest. John, who had his gallbladder out, was finally back at work and I was going to take him out to lunch and treat him but another coworker tagged along and treated us to lunch.
Comics.
Trying something new with special orders. Not really ordering anything except items I don't think stores will stock. Like if I want a Batman comic, I'm not going to order it confident that one of the comic stores I buy stuff from will stock it. However if I want a Star Trek red shirt t-shirt, I'm going to order it. Hopefully, this will save me from having to remember if and where I ordered items. I'm in month 2 of my experiment and it'll take at least 3 to have an idea of how things are going.
The Blagojevich
I have a history with Kuma's. The first time I went there my burger was overcooked and I got fries instead of chips. Hmmm. Not much of a history really. Anyway every other week I work down the block from Kuma's and today the people decided to go there for lunch. The special - the Blagojevich. It was, base:grilled cheese sandwich, followed by burger, cheese, fried balogna and then another grilled cheese. The top grilled cheese had a dollar sign ($) drawn in mustard. My heart is still suffering but they cooked it correctly. Mmmm.
It's cold out.
Golden Globes last sunday. Recorded it and am close to getting all the pre and post-show stuff burned to dvd.
Recently found Mara was on Facebook. She's a comic artist as well but she's actually good at what she does. Her profile's private but you can check out her work on deviant art.
Still thinking about moving out. A studio may be only slightly more than what I'm paying now.
I have a history with Kuma's. The first time I went there my burger was overcooked and I got fries instead of chips. Hmmm. Not much of a history really. Anyway every other week I work down the block from Kuma's and today the people decided to go there for lunch. The special - the Blagojevich. It was, base:grilled cheese sandwich, followed by burger, cheese, fried balogna and then another grilled cheese. The top grilled cheese had a dollar sign ($) drawn in mustard. My heart is still suffering but they cooked it correctly. Mmmm.
It's cold out.
Golden Globes last sunday. Recorded it and am close to getting all the pre and post-show stuff burned to dvd.
Recently found Mara was on Facebook. She's a comic artist as well but she's actually good at what she does. Her profile's private but you can check out her work on deviant art.
Still thinking about moving out. A studio may be only slightly more than what I'm paying now.
August 29, 1997
Today we will blog about work. I do moslty infrastructure I.T. networking which is connecting you to the rest of your network and to the internet. I set up the backbone of the network and almost never touch a client computer. I also do wireless connectivity. We have a client who has over 200 Wireless Access Points (WAPs or APs) and I have to stage them in or lab. It becomes daunting when you consider how much room one needs to have 200 APs out at once.
I call it Skynet. Resistance is Futile.
Best wishes to John from work, he was apparently fine yesterday and is going in for surgery for something (no idea what) today. Since he's in sales, "heart" would not be a bad guess.
Today we will blog about work. I do moslty infrastructure I.T. networking which is connecting you to the rest of your network and to the internet. I set up the backbone of the network and almost never touch a client computer. I also do wireless connectivity. We have a client who has over 200 Wireless Access Points (WAPs or APs) and I have to stage them in or lab. It becomes daunting when you consider how much room one needs to have 200 APs out at once.
I call it Skynet. Resistance is Futile.
Best wishes to John from work, he was apparently fine yesterday and is going in for surgery for something (no idea what) today. Since he's in sales, "heart" would not be a bad guess.
Let the Right One In
I was working in Chicago today around Belmont and Western and whenever I'm there I visit my friends at Challengers comics. Today however I also made my way over to Piper's Alley to go see Let the Right One In. Mostly because my boss was talking about going to see it there otherwise I wouldn't have known it was still in the area.
So Swedish Vampire films are so derivative. Wait, that's not true. In fact this was clever and heartfelt and if you found Pan's Labyrinth enjoyable you'll probably like this -- though it's very low budget in comparison.
The movie is about Oskar, a 12 year old boy who is a social outcast picked on by school bullies. One night he meets Eli (think Elly not Manning) another 12 year old (mostly) who's just moved in next door. Except she doesn't get cold, can't eat food and drinks blood. Oddly the murder rate goes up about when she arrives.
Now Eli has her own "Renfield" (I can't remember his name, nor does IMDB seem to help) who is a little beyond middle-aged and none to competent. His only task is to procure blood for her yet he has little success forcing Eli to forage for herself. Eventually this brings death a bit too close to her new home and the threat of Eli's true nature is in real danger of being discovered. I'm not going to give away the ending or who survives but it's truly wonderful. You feel for this "girl" who wants to survive and how she bonds with this boy who wants the same thing. But you know that each mistake brings her closer to discovery and destruction. Maybe.
I'm not sure of Eli's nature. It's possible that she attempted to manipulate everything from the beginning which would make her the more sinister, old-school, plotting vamp. But I'm quite the romantic when it comes to movies -- I prefer to believe the magic bits of Pan's Labyrinth were real and Moana ended up being a fairy princess. Eli has a puzzle egg which is filled with rings. I'm guessing these are rings from past "Renfields".
Other stuff.
Started reading again. I like to read a minimum of one book every other month for my personal enjoyment (so not work reading). So 6 books a year. I'm not going to debate whether that's lots or little but last year I read zero. No books for 2008. This year I've already read the non-fiction Neil Gaimany Prince of Stories. So one more than last year.
Had a good new years. Spent it in Rochelle at Dr. Popp's. Played a decent amount of Rock Band (2?) and drove home (Des Plaines) at 3am because I forgot my keys to mom's place in Naperville.
Ultimates 3 - I bought the b/w trade which is all Mad's pencils. Good looking but not great, though I'm told more interesting than the color. Either way the story was complete crap. It just sort of ignored everything that came before.
I was working in Chicago today around Belmont and Western and whenever I'm there I visit my friends at Challengers comics. Today however I also made my way over to Piper's Alley to go see Let the Right One In. Mostly because my boss was talking about going to see it there otherwise I wouldn't have known it was still in the area.
So Swedish Vampire films are so derivative. Wait, that's not true. In fact this was clever and heartfelt and if you found Pan's Labyrinth enjoyable you'll probably like this -- though it's very low budget in comparison.
The movie is about Oskar, a 12 year old boy who is a social outcast picked on by school bullies. One night he meets Eli (think Elly not Manning) another 12 year old (mostly) who's just moved in next door. Except she doesn't get cold, can't eat food and drinks blood. Oddly the murder rate goes up about when she arrives.
Now Eli has her own "Renfield" (I can't remember his name, nor does IMDB seem to help) who is a little beyond middle-aged and none to competent. His only task is to procure blood for her yet he has little success forcing Eli to forage for herself. Eventually this brings death a bit too close to her new home and the threat of Eli's true nature is in real danger of being discovered. I'm not going to give away the ending or who survives but it's truly wonderful. You feel for this "girl" who wants to survive and how she bonds with this boy who wants the same thing. But you know that each mistake brings her closer to discovery and destruction. Maybe.
I'm not sure of Eli's nature. It's possible that she attempted to manipulate everything from the beginning which would make her the more sinister, old-school, plotting vamp. But I'm quite the romantic when it comes to movies -- I prefer to believe the magic bits of Pan's Labyrinth were real and Moana ended up being a fairy princess. Eli has a puzzle egg which is filled with rings. I'm guessing these are rings from past "Renfields".
Other stuff.
Started reading again. I like to read a minimum of one book every other month for my personal enjoyment (so not work reading). So 6 books a year. I'm not going to debate whether that's lots or little but last year I read zero. No books for 2008. This year I've already read the non-fiction Neil Gaimany Prince of Stories. So one more than last year.
Had a good new years. Spent it in Rochelle at Dr. Popp's. Played a decent amount of Rock Band (2?) and drove home (Des Plaines) at 3am because I forgot my keys to mom's place in Naperville.
Ultimates 3 - I bought the b/w trade which is all Mad's pencils. Good looking but not great, though I'm told more interesting than the color. Either way the story was complete crap. It just sort of ignored everything that came before.
Is that a pop-up book?
Greg Titus was describing a book about prison life and how if you were a guy in prison, you got raped. The longer you went, the worse it was. How sheets would be put up like curtains, covering your cell door and 8 guys would have a go at you. As a joke I asked if it was a pop-up book though upon reflection actually envisioned moving curtains and slide mechanisms allowing you to make Big Sal do Jocko.
This was of course dinner conversation with comic author James Robinson. James was in town with Jann Jones for the annual Brower-Streets Christmas Party last Saturday (12/13 btw-Happy Birthday Meg!) but did a signing at Challengers on Friday. Then Dinner at Lago and Karaoke.
Dinner was wonderful. Apart from prison life I got to talk food and I don't get to talk food much. I'm a faux-foodie: I cook a little, I understand most of what Foodies talk and think but don't necessarily eat or act like a foodie. (I can do the same with Fashion but never get the opportunity because I'm an unstylish slob.) We discussed various veal preparations, the processes involved in making Marsala sauce and Dim Sum. James and Jann wanted to eat Dim Sum on Sunday so I recommended Phoenix. For dinner I had a wonderful veal marsala while James had the equivalent with artichokes.
After dinner Karaoke was set for 11 and I had 8am work the next day with close to an hour's travel, so I passed. It was 100% the right decision because I would've gotten drunk and work would've been hell but I woulda liked to have gone.
For the X-mas party, I was first to arrive, around 8:15 pm or so and left around 2:00 am. I knew enough people: groups from Graham Crackers, Challengers (no Dal though), Draw Night and some others, most notably Chris Mitten. Very good time. I drank lots of Jack and Gingers (JD and ginger ale) and smoked. I was very sick today. I think a fair combo of alchohol and nicotine and not hydrating enough once I got home.
I'd become much more of a not-do/wait-and-see person recently. It's my natural inclination but I'd taken it to extremes and just realized it so I've been trying to go out more. I've also been busy and tired, much of it due to travel to stay in Naperville with Mom during jobs in the Naper-Aurora areas. While it cuts down on at least 2 hours of travel to stay in Naperville, I fell into a weird mindset with trying to plan multiple days in one area. I literally would not be in one place any more than 3 nights in a row and that was a lot though there was one period where I spent 8 days in Naperville. My room mate must have loved it. (Or maybe not. I would've cuz I'm more of a loner.) Generally 2 days one place, one day another, and then maybe 3. Weekends were 1 day at one place another the next. It seems weird but it really wore (is still wearing?) me down. So if I haven't seen you in a while hopefully that will change soon.
Greg Titus was describing a book about prison life and how if you were a guy in prison, you got raped. The longer you went, the worse it was. How sheets would be put up like curtains, covering your cell door and 8 guys would have a go at you. As a joke I asked if it was a pop-up book though upon reflection actually envisioned moving curtains and slide mechanisms allowing you to make Big Sal do Jocko.
This was of course dinner conversation with comic author James Robinson. James was in town with Jann Jones for the annual Brower-Streets Christmas Party last Saturday (12/13 btw-Happy Birthday Meg!) but did a signing at Challengers on Friday. Then Dinner at Lago and Karaoke.
Dinner was wonderful. Apart from prison life I got to talk food and I don't get to talk food much. I'm a faux-foodie: I cook a little, I understand most of what Foodies talk and think but don't necessarily eat or act like a foodie. (I can do the same with Fashion but never get the opportunity because I'm an unstylish slob.) We discussed various veal preparations, the processes involved in making Marsala sauce and Dim Sum. James and Jann wanted to eat Dim Sum on Sunday so I recommended Phoenix. For dinner I had a wonderful veal marsala while James had the equivalent with artichokes.
After dinner Karaoke was set for 11 and I had 8am work the next day with close to an hour's travel, so I passed. It was 100% the right decision because I would've gotten drunk and work would've been hell but I woulda liked to have gone.
For the X-mas party, I was first to arrive, around 8:15 pm or so and left around 2:00 am. I knew enough people: groups from Graham Crackers, Challengers (no Dal though), Draw Night and some others, most notably Chris Mitten. Very good time. I drank lots of Jack and Gingers (JD and ginger ale) and smoked. I was very sick today. I think a fair combo of alchohol and nicotine and not hydrating enough once I got home.
I'd become much more of a not-do/wait-and-see person recently. It's my natural inclination but I'd taken it to extremes and just realized it so I've been trying to go out more. I've also been busy and tired, much of it due to travel to stay in Naperville with Mom during jobs in the Naper-Aurora areas. While it cuts down on at least 2 hours of travel to stay in Naperville, I fell into a weird mindset with trying to plan multiple days in one area. I literally would not be in one place any more than 3 nights in a row and that was a lot though there was one period where I spent 8 days in Naperville. My room mate must have loved it. (Or maybe not. I would've cuz I'm more of a loner.) Generally 2 days one place, one day another, and then maybe 3. Weekends were 1 day at one place another the next. It seems weird but it really wore (is still wearing?) me down. So if I haven't seen you in a while hopefully that will change soon.
Bears Packers
It's Sunday, September 14, 2008. The Bears play at Carolina so, fan that I am, I wear one of my Bears shirts. (Hey they won last week, I HAVE to wear it or jinx them.) Tomorrow I work in Appleton, WI which is about 20 miles from Green Bay but I'm driving up today. So do I wear my Bears shirt and risk having my hotel reservation lost and horrible things done to my food? What would a real fan do?
It's Sunday, September 14, 2008. The Bears play at Carolina so, fan that I am, I wear one of my Bears shirts. (Hey they won last week, I HAVE to wear it or jinx them.) Tomorrow I work in Appleton, WI which is about 20 miles from Green Bay but I'm driving up today. So do I wear my Bears shirt and risk having my hotel reservation lost and horrible things done to my food? What would a real fan do?
At the movies
Saw Tropic Thunder last Friday. Very funny, though my standard Ben Stiller complaint holds: he likes playing stupid guys. Granted that holds true for a lot of actors (Will Ferrell, anyone?) I somehow seem to want him to break that mold. The movie's a comedy about filming a war movie with actors who can't act. The moment I knew I'd love it came pretty early on when they showed Downey Jr. doing an Inside the Actor's Studio bit doing an scathingly perfect Russel Crowe impersonation though I liked the slapstick bits too. Coogan in the jungle was hilarious. There was a surprising amount of cameos as well. Tom Cruise was in the movie enough that I wouldn't even consider his role a cameo. Probably as much screen time as Dame Judi Dench in Shakespeare in Love.
Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Woody Allen doing slice of life. He's been on a role since he discovered Europe and that women have the same insecurities as men and this is no exception. It's an almost believable male fantasy told from the female point of view. One could argue it's about discovery and the realities of romance but Javier Bardem gets to make out with Rebecca Hall (Vicky), Scarlett Johansson (Cristina) and Penelope Cruise (she's not named Barcelona). Fantasy. Possibly mine.
Batman: The Dark Knight. It's Batman Begins but done much better (and Batman Begins was very well done.) Director Christopher Nolan explores the psyche of the hero again but also examines the mind of the villain and of the common man when faced with extreme circumstances.
Wall-E. The best movie of the summer. Batman was good but too dark. Wall-E was able to evoke emotion with his vocabulary of 3 words and the range of motion of his "eyes." I did my best not to cry when seeing it with Jason and Pete but saw it again alone and Eve at the end just got to me. It's a kid's movie that adults can enjoy and has a much more positive message than Dark Knight.
Wanted. The reason I like comic books is that I can suspend disbelief and buy into the premise of the hero/villain/whatever. The premise of Wanted was that certain individuals could curve bullets. OK. I had friends who, just from the previews, hated the concept but I had no problem. Until I saw the film. There is a "jump the shark" bullet curve near the end which even took me out of the film and I bought into Jason Statham doing the car flip to get rid of the bomb thing in Transporter 2. The movie deviated from the comic enough that they should have just changed the name of it. Kinda like Constantine. It's OK but there was much better summer fare.
TV:Fringe is X-Files all over again.
Saw the new At the Movies. It looks like it was produced in someones basement and the reviewers seemed just all snark. Now snark's tolerable if you can back it up with a decent amount of intelligence but the ratio has to be high on the smarts and low on the snark. We'll see but it doesn't look good.
Other things.
Had a great weekend in Michigan City with friends last weekend.
Spent the week leading up to labor day in Chicago being loner tourist guy.
Took Sarah out for Sushi and she loved it apart from almost gagging a few times.
Completed the majority of FF:Tactics A2 (215 of 300 missions). Enough that I don't care about the game and have started to play sudoku and Advance wars Dual Strike (I didn't like Days of Ruin and still haven't finished it.)
It's starting to get cooler so lets see if that gets me back on track.
Saw Tropic Thunder last Friday. Very funny, though my standard Ben Stiller complaint holds: he likes playing stupid guys. Granted that holds true for a lot of actors (Will Ferrell, anyone?) I somehow seem to want him to break that mold. The movie's a comedy about filming a war movie with actors who can't act. The moment I knew I'd love it came pretty early on when they showed Downey Jr. doing an Inside the Actor's Studio bit doing an scathingly perfect Russel Crowe impersonation though I liked the slapstick bits too. Coogan in the jungle was hilarious. There was a surprising amount of cameos as well. Tom Cruise was in the movie enough that I wouldn't even consider his role a cameo. Probably as much screen time as Dame Judi Dench in Shakespeare in Love.
Vicky Cristina Barcelona. Woody Allen doing slice of life. He's been on a role since he discovered Europe and that women have the same insecurities as men and this is no exception. It's an almost believable male fantasy told from the female point of view. One could argue it's about discovery and the realities of romance but Javier Bardem gets to make out with Rebecca Hall (Vicky), Scarlett Johansson (Cristina) and Penelope Cruise (she's not named Barcelona). Fantasy. Possibly mine.
Batman: The Dark Knight. It's Batman Begins but done much better (and Batman Begins was very well done.) Director Christopher Nolan explores the psyche of the hero again but also examines the mind of the villain and of the common man when faced with extreme circumstances.
Wall-E. The best movie of the summer. Batman was good but too dark. Wall-E was able to evoke emotion with his vocabulary of 3 words and the range of motion of his "eyes." I did my best not to cry when seeing it with Jason and Pete but saw it again alone and Eve at the end just got to me. It's a kid's movie that adults can enjoy and has a much more positive message than Dark Knight.
Wanted. The reason I like comic books is that I can suspend disbelief and buy into the premise of the hero/villain/whatever. The premise of Wanted was that certain individuals could curve bullets. OK. I had friends who, just from the previews, hated the concept but I had no problem. Until I saw the film. There is a "jump the shark" bullet curve near the end which even took me out of the film and I bought into Jason Statham doing the car flip to get rid of the bomb thing in Transporter 2. The movie deviated from the comic enough that they should have just changed the name of it. Kinda like Constantine. It's OK but there was much better summer fare.
TV:Fringe is X-Files all over again.
Saw the new At the Movies. It looks like it was produced in someones basement and the reviewers seemed just all snark. Now snark's tolerable if you can back it up with a decent amount of intelligence but the ratio has to be high on the smarts and low on the snark. We'll see but it doesn't look good.
Other things.
Had a great weekend in Michigan City with friends last weekend.
Spent the week leading up to labor day in Chicago being loner tourist guy.
Took Sarah out for Sushi and she loved it apart from almost gagging a few times.
Completed the majority of FF:Tactics A2 (215 of 300 missions). Enough that I don't care about the game and have started to play sudoku and Advance wars Dual Strike (I didn't like Days of Ruin and still haven't finished it.)
It's starting to get cooler so lets see if that gets me back on track.
Long Time No Blog
I've been busy. Actually I've only been occasionally VERY busy but I've been totally burned out. The last 2 weeks of July were hectic and I probably worked an extra 40-50 hours that period including working one 12 hour day , the next day driving 4 hours to Appleton (close to Green Bay), working 8 hours and then driving back so I could do another job on saturday at 9 am. Work had provided me with lodging but the 12 hour day and the saturday weren't planned so I just was unable to use it. I went to Appleton again the next week and got sick and so sick that even though I was 200 miles away, I still debated to call in sick. But didn't. I'm just getting over the burn out from all the stuff related to that.
So let's catch up.
Signings
Yesterday had a signing with Dan Brereton at Challengers but Dan cancelled. Now normally, you just cancel the event if the star can't make it but this was more than just a signing. They held it after hours and had free beer and chips and stuff and had advertised it so they didn't cancel and just made it an after hours party that had a lot of pre-signed Brereton stuff for sale. They had a good turnout. Pat, Titus, Jenny and maybe Norton had gone to a wedding earlier and were dressed up. Well not Norton, he was back in regular clothes when I got there which is why I'm not sure he went. I was immediately asked what pharmaceuticals I had as Titus had a headache and Jenny a tummyache. Strangely I had advil and pepcid so they got their relief. It went from 7 - 10 and after we hit the bar across the street. It was fun.
Jenny's sister Cara had an opening a few weeks earlier where Pat and I went. Gosh, that whole Frison clan sure makes some purty gals I tells ya. I apparently look like Pat Bertram's fiance's brother. So much so there are pictures of us which they intend to send to her mom. I also learned Jenny liked Freakazoid! which brings the count up to 8, maybe? Jenny was unaware of the phrases "crud vapors" and "poo gas" though.
Neil Gaiman is going to be at the Tivoli Oct 2nd as part of his The Graveyard book tour. It's sponsored through Anderson's Bookshop. Stores like Anderson's and Barbara's are as close to a mom and pop bookstores as you can get these days. They're big enough to survive against the big chains and I like that Authors support them. If only there was a music equivalent but even big chains like Tower or Virgin can't seem to survive here. FYI, Christopher Paolini (Eragon) will be at the Tivoli the day before, Oct 1st! While I own Eragon (and maybe Eldest) I've read neither and didn't like the film.
My Wizard World story.
I'm talking with someone and a guy dressed up as the Question comes up to me and asks "Have you seen the Justice League?" My reply is "Are you serious?" becuase we are at a con and if a guy dressed in costume does his schtick you run with it. He was serious though and described his friends in detail but neither I nor whomever I was with had seen them. Ten minutes later I do run across the League. They're posing for picture. "Hey, are you looking for the Question?" I ask. "Yes!" So I tell them where he was 10 minutes ago and that he's looking for them too. Interestingly 3 or 4 other people note they've seen the question as well though they may not have known the 2 were looking for each other. Later I see they've found each other. All is well.
Wizard World was very interesting. I didn't work the show and got to see how life is in artist's alley. The whole thing was fresh and exciting. My friends who are bored with the same thing every year, found my enthusiasm fun because they had no idea what I could be exicited about. I was thrilled with the whole experience enough that even 2 months later I'm still planning to get a table or maybe half and sell stuff. Since Wizard World I've been doing a lot of drawing on the computer. Almost exclusively. I've put some stuff on deviant art and I'm feeling lots more confident with my computer skills. I'm debating whether to get a better tablet I currently have a 3x4 (maybe 4x6) graphire they don't even make anymore and think I need and 6x8 intuos.
Personal Stuff
I have been playing Final Fantasy Tactics A2 in the time I'm not drawing. I loved the GBA version but didn't really get started on the PSP version. I've put more than 70 hours into the game and I still haven't reached the first ending! I'm a semi completist though. I even bought the strategy guide just so I know which tasks to undertake.
I may have diabetes. My dad has it as does my aunt (dad's side), I'm none too thin and I don't eat well and recently have experienced what I feel can only be described as a diabetes sugar coma where I have this uncontrollable urge to fall asleep. But it doesn't always happen after I eat sugar so no idea. Have I gone to the doctor? Not yet. I have a long vacation coming up in a week and a half and I think I'll schedule an appointment now.
I'm getting back on track so we'll see.
I've been busy. Actually I've only been occasionally VERY busy but I've been totally burned out. The last 2 weeks of July were hectic and I probably worked an extra 40-50 hours that period including working one 12 hour day , the next day driving 4 hours to Appleton (close to Green Bay), working 8 hours and then driving back so I could do another job on saturday at 9 am. Work had provided me with lodging but the 12 hour day and the saturday weren't planned so I just was unable to use it. I went to Appleton again the next week and got sick and so sick that even though I was 200 miles away, I still debated to call in sick. But didn't. I'm just getting over the burn out from all the stuff related to that.
So let's catch up.
Signings
Yesterday had a signing with Dan Brereton at Challengers but Dan cancelled. Now normally, you just cancel the event if the star can't make it but this was more than just a signing. They held it after hours and had free beer and chips and stuff and had advertised it so they didn't cancel and just made it an after hours party that had a lot of pre-signed Brereton stuff for sale. They had a good turnout. Pat, Titus, Jenny and maybe Norton had gone to a wedding earlier and were dressed up. Well not Norton, he was back in regular clothes when I got there which is why I'm not sure he went. I was immediately asked what pharmaceuticals I had as Titus had a headache and Jenny a tummyache. Strangely I had advil and pepcid so they got their relief. It went from 7 - 10 and after we hit the bar across the street. It was fun.
Jenny's sister Cara had an opening a few weeks earlier where Pat and I went. Gosh, that whole Frison clan sure makes some purty gals I tells ya. I apparently look like Pat Bertram's fiance's brother. So much so there are pictures of us which they intend to send to her mom. I also learned Jenny liked Freakazoid! which brings the count up to 8, maybe? Jenny was unaware of the phrases "crud vapors" and "poo gas" though.
Neil Gaiman is going to be at the Tivoli Oct 2nd as part of his The Graveyard book tour. It's sponsored through Anderson's Bookshop. Stores like Anderson's and Barbara's are as close to a mom and pop bookstores as you can get these days. They're big enough to survive against the big chains and I like that Authors support them. If only there was a music equivalent but even big chains like Tower or Virgin can't seem to survive here. FYI, Christopher Paolini (Eragon) will be at the Tivoli the day before, Oct 1st! While I own Eragon (and maybe Eldest) I've read neither and didn't like the film.
My Wizard World story.
I'm talking with someone and a guy dressed up as the Question comes up to me and asks "Have you seen the Justice League?" My reply is "Are you serious?" becuase we are at a con and if a guy dressed in costume does his schtick you run with it. He was serious though and described his friends in detail but neither I nor whomever I was with had seen them. Ten minutes later I do run across the League. They're posing for picture. "Hey, are you looking for the Question?" I ask. "Yes!" So I tell them where he was 10 minutes ago and that he's looking for them too. Interestingly 3 or 4 other people note they've seen the question as well though they may not have known the 2 were looking for each other. Later I see they've found each other. All is well.
Wizard World was very interesting. I didn't work the show and got to see how life is in artist's alley. The whole thing was fresh and exciting. My friends who are bored with the same thing every year, found my enthusiasm fun because they had no idea what I could be exicited about. I was thrilled with the whole experience enough that even 2 months later I'm still planning to get a table or maybe half and sell stuff. Since Wizard World I've been doing a lot of drawing on the computer. Almost exclusively. I've put some stuff on deviant art and I'm feeling lots more confident with my computer skills. I'm debating whether to get a better tablet I currently have a 3x4 (maybe 4x6) graphire they don't even make anymore and think I need and 6x8 intuos.
Personal Stuff
I have been playing Final Fantasy Tactics A2 in the time I'm not drawing. I loved the GBA version but didn't really get started on the PSP version. I've put more than 70 hours into the game and I still haven't reached the first ending! I'm a semi completist though. I even bought the strategy guide just so I know which tasks to undertake.
I may have diabetes. My dad has it as does my aunt (dad's side), I'm none too thin and I don't eat well and recently have experienced what I feel can only be described as a diabetes sugar coma where I have this uncontrollable urge to fall asleep. But it doesn't always happen after I eat sugar so no idea. Have I gone to the doctor? Not yet. I have a long vacation coming up in a week and a half and I think I'll schedule an appointment now.
I'm getting back on track so we'll see.
WWC 2008: Final Tally
Sketchbooks:
Kelly Howlett: Substrate
Agnes Garbowska: Collection of Art Vol. 1
Bawidamann: Pinup Sketch Collection
Bawidamann: Axis and Allies Sketchbook
Michael Turner: 2008 NYC Comicon 2 sketchbook set
Keron Grant: Kosmic Flow
Keron Grant: The Art of Keron
Linsner: 2008 Dawn Sketchbook
Linsner: 2008 Not Dawn Sketchbook
Comics:
Saucy Space Fair summer 2008 issue
Action Satisfaction Supreme! 1
Pulp Will Eat Itself 1
Vampire Men of Kothos 1 and 2
Prints:
Ghost Whisperer by Jenny Frison
Crab Woman by Jeremy Bastian
The Bawidamann Mini-Print Set
Winona Ryder Autograph
Trades:
jobnik!
Pendragon 1: The Merchant of Death
Fray
Wildstorm Fine Arts: the Gallery Collection
O.C.T. - Occult Crimes Taskforce
Daredevil: The Devil Inside and Out 1 and 2
Daredevil: Hell to Pay 1
Batman: The Resurrection of Ra's Al Ghul HC
Ultimate FF Vol 8 and 9
Ultimate Vision
Soul Stealer HC
DVDs:
Fatal Move
House of Fury
Dragon Tiger Gate
Death Note
Gangster High
Three Fellas: Dukbang
(Won the new Futurama DVD)
Card Sets:
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix 1
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 1 and 2
Harry Potter: Memorable Moments
Women of Marvel
BtVS: Reflections - the High School Years
BtVS: Women of Sunnydale
CDs:
oreskaband: self titled U.S. release
Movies:
Wanted: seen Friday Afternoon by myself
Wall-E: seen Saturday Evening with Jason and Pete
Dinner:
Thursday: Deep Dish Pizza from Geno's East with Luke Smarto
Friday: Prime Rib at the Embassy Suites
Saturday: Fiery Chicken Popper Sandwich at TGI Fridays with Jason and Pete
Sunday: Aurelio's Pizza with Pat and George at WWE Night of Champions PPV
Other:
Hot Chicks: Lots.
Fat Guys (including me): Lots
Cool Costumes: Lots but MOJO RULES!
Bad Costumes: Not so much except the old guy who dressed as Supergirl.
Wizard School Panels Attended: 2
After Hours Events attended: 2 both on friday - oreskaband and Warren Ellis.
Number of cool t-shirts worn by me: 3 - Crooked Little Vein, The Engine, Buckaroo Banzai.
Number of times I walked by the SG booth but was afraid to talk to Dorsal: too many
A selective but more detailed review to follow.
Maybe
Sketchbooks:
Kelly Howlett: Substrate
Agnes Garbowska: Collection of Art Vol. 1
Bawidamann: Pinup Sketch Collection
Bawidamann: Axis and Allies Sketchbook
Michael Turner: 2008 NYC Comicon 2 sketchbook set
Keron Grant: Kosmic Flow
Keron Grant: The Art of Keron
Linsner: 2008 Dawn Sketchbook
Linsner: 2008 Not Dawn Sketchbook
Comics:
Saucy Space Fair summer 2008 issue
Action Satisfaction Supreme! 1
Pulp Will Eat Itself 1
Vampire Men of Kothos 1 and 2
Prints:
Ghost Whisperer by Jenny Frison
Crab Woman by Jeremy Bastian
The Bawidamann Mini-Print Set
Winona Ryder Autograph
Trades:
jobnik!
Pendragon 1: The Merchant of Death
Fray
Wildstorm Fine Arts: the Gallery Collection
O.C.T. - Occult Crimes Taskforce
Daredevil: The Devil Inside and Out 1 and 2
Daredevil: Hell to Pay 1
Batman: The Resurrection of Ra's Al Ghul HC
Ultimate FF Vol 8 and 9
Ultimate Vision
Soul Stealer HC
DVDs:
Fatal Move
House of Fury
Dragon Tiger Gate
Death Note
Gangster High
Three Fellas: Dukbang
(Won the new Futurama DVD)
Card Sets:
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix 1
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 1 and 2
Harry Potter: Memorable Moments
Women of Marvel
BtVS: Reflections - the High School Years
BtVS: Women of Sunnydale
CDs:
oreskaband: self titled U.S. release
Movies:
Wanted: seen Friday Afternoon by myself
Wall-E: seen Saturday Evening with Jason and Pete
Dinner:
Thursday: Deep Dish Pizza from Geno's East with Luke Smarto
Friday: Prime Rib at the Embassy Suites
Saturday: Fiery Chicken Popper Sandwich at TGI Fridays with Jason and Pete
Sunday: Aurelio's Pizza with Pat and George at WWE Night of Champions PPV
Other:
Hot Chicks: Lots.
Fat Guys (including me): Lots
Cool Costumes: Lots but MOJO RULES!
Bad Costumes: Not so much except the old guy who dressed as Supergirl.
Wizard School Panels Attended: 2
After Hours Events attended: 2 both on friday - oreskaband and Warren Ellis.
Number of cool t-shirts worn by me: 3 - Crooked Little Vein, The Engine, Buckaroo Banzai.
Number of times I walked by the SG booth but was afraid to talk to Dorsal: too many
A selective but more detailed review to follow.
Maybe
Amanda Palmer and the Boston Pops
The Boston Pops Edge Fest is underway.
Video here if YouTube doesn't show up.
Check out Boston.com as well. About a minute in she looks at the Tambourinist and laughs. I love little moments like that.
An interesting review of the evening here.
The Boston Pops Edge Fest is underway.
Video here if YouTube doesn't show up.
Check out Boston.com as well. About a minute in she looks at the Tambourinist and laughs. I love little moments like that.
An interesting review of the evening here.
