So, What's All This Then?

Ohmigod, FLASHLIGHTS! Call the POLICE!

2009-11-07T18:43:22Z

Long-time Readers know that I generally don't create posts that are just links to other things on the Internet, because they're not about me. But I found this police blotter entry so amusing, I just had to. I haven't found the original source, so rather than linking to another site, I'll quote the newspaper's text as shown. From a "Police Blotter" style column:

10:10: p.m.: Suspicious people were reportedly doing something with flashlights by
the side of a North 5th Street in Custer. a deputy checked and found the people were
not suspicious, but merely Canadian. The out-of-towners were enjoying an evening stroll.

I do love this bit: They're not suspicious, they're merely Canadians! But the part that simultaneously amuses me and makes me roll my eyes in despair is that there are people out there who cannot differentiate between "suspicious activity" and "other people going for a walk." Or maybe it's that going for a walk is so unusual now that it seems suspicious. Or both.

Halloween Weekend, 2009

2009-11-03T02:24:27Z

Busy weekend! Walked with sanguinity on Friday, worked on the comic, gave blood, visited with snottygrrl, picked up movies at the library, went grocery shopping, found my penguin costume, made a penguin beak for said costume, had dinner with drarwenchicken, BILJ and Hz, and spent a bunch of time on Sunday just recovering from Saturday and the Time Change. Still a bunch of things I didn't get done, but it felt like a very full weekend.

The weirdest thing happened at Costco yesterday. I accidentally went there just after noon on Everybody Shop At Costco Day (I didn't get the memo, apparently. If I had known, I wouldn't have gone. I'm a Rebel that way). So there's a gazillion people shuffling up and down the aisles at a pace that is commonly referred to as "glacial" (I bet zombies would love Costco, because almost nobody there can move fast enough to escape from a zombie. Plus, they can get great savings buying items in bulk). But that's not the weird bit. As I'm heading for the cashiers, I'm stuck behind an old couple who pass an aisle, stop, and have a conversation about whether or not they need to go down that aisle. They eventually decide that they do, and awkwardly turn their cart around in the dense flow of carts, and head off to the side. Then the weird thing happened: The man looked right at me and apologized for being in my way. I was knocked speechless, and by the time I could have thanked him for the courtesy, they were gone, swallowed up like bovines in the roiling herd. It put me in such a good mood, I didn't flip anybody off for the rest of my time there.

Saturday night, I went to two parties. The first was at the home of Electric Cow & CuteGirl, which was fun. I got to visit with people I know and enjoy the tasty party food. I even drank a little Egg Nog (I needed a straw, as it's hard to drink from a glass when one has a beak; this is why you rarely see birds holding drinking glasses). The second event was the annual Halloween Bash at Paul Guinan's and Anina Bennett's house. It reminded me that I'm not good at socializing with people I don't know. A bunch of the people I could identify as local artists and cartoonists, but while I've met a number of them, I can't say I'm really a part of that social circle. They clustered in the living room, the clique of Cool Kids (my interpretation, quite possibly not how they'd assess it). So I hung around the periphery and chatted with a few people. I was reminded that the two reasons to go to large parties are to 1) Drink, and 2) hook up with strangers. I wasn't going to do the first, and it would be a few hours before other people drank enough for me to successfully accomplish the second, and I didn't feel like waiting. So I was there for less than an hour, but at least I went. Fortunately, I wore my Penguin Costume, so while someone might say "Hey, where did the penguin go?", the odds are that nobody recognized me, so they won't be saying "Wow, Evan sure didn't stay very long."

Remember, Tuesday is the 3rd, so it's time for 3 On the 3rd! As always, I hope that something interesting will happen to me so I can make comics about it. And maybe, just maybe, I'll actually POST the comics I create. Wouldn't that be something!?!

Ups and Downs

2009-10-27T13:30:59Z

I've been waking up two hours before my alarm goes off, and not really getting back to sleep. This does not help me maintain my typically perky attitude. I suspect that regular sustained exercise will help. Since I've not been working out at that level for a while, plus being sick, I'm trying to ramp up slowly, and not overdo it (as I have done before). I'm sure another factor in the poor-sleep calculation is stress related to being in the last weeks of the Big Project at BHFT.

The good news is that over last weekend, I applied the final edits to my manuscript, did the layout for the back cover and submitted the finished product for approval for distribution (it has to meet certain formatting requirements)! I've purchased the proof copy, which is already on its way. Soon, very soon, I will have a book on the market!

Now I have to figure out if/when/how there will be a Book Launch celebration...

Improvement

2009-10-21T01:26:15Z

For Those Keeping Score At Home: I'm doing much better today. I think I made the right choice in staying home yesterday (well, except for a wonderful visit with K___ (which deserves a post of its own, considering that we haven't seen each other in about 20 years, but I'll have to go on about that later)). I went to BHFT this morning with the personal promise that if I lost steam mid-day, I'd give myself permission to come home. Fortunately, I not only lasted a full day, but I felt pretty good doing it. Quite a pleasing turnaround, considering I was flat in bed for four of the past five days.

I am rather tired, now. I hope tomorrow is as good, or even better...

Flu

2009-10-16T01:23:50Z

Started feeling a scratchy throat and aching muscles yesterday, followed by a feverish night of odd dreams. The management at BHFT has said that people who are experiencing flu symptoms should stay home, so that decision was pretty easy. Plus, I've had a fever all day, ranging from 100.0° to 101.5°. Still low-grade, but not comfortable. I think it's on the decrease, though. I've been taking my temperature every hour, watching for spikes that might mean an ER trip. Glad to not be working.

I've got plans for this weekend, but I'm not sure what will happen. I have hopes of feeling better tomorrow, but there's no way I'm going to work.

Stay healthy, everyone!

Apparently, I'm Posting Weekly Now

2009-10-13T12:32:35Z

So much going on, and yet, I'm hardly posting anything. (Sorry about that!) For example, last weekend was highly social. On Friday evening I went to The Librarian's house, where she, her roommate A, sanguinity, grrlpup and I worked on our 3 On The 3rd comics (I also drew and inked some potential Vote Incentive comics, too). I didn't actually post any of them, however, as I went on Saturday morning to snottygrrl's new flat. My procrastination had paid off, and I hadn't taken Mr. TV to be recycled yet, so he'll enjoy a semi-retirement providing her with video images (once she gets a digital converter and/or DVD player).

She and I then went to Wordstock. Snottygrrl had specific authors she wished to see, so we heard presentations by Scott Westerfeld, Laini Taylor and Sarah Rees Brennan, each talking about their respective books (and we spoke with Ms. Brennan for a bit, too). I had writer/artist friends I wanted to see, so in between speakers we wandered the exhibit hall, where we met and chatted with David Levine, David Malki !, Aaron Diaz, Dylan Meconis, Paul Guinan and Anina Bennett (and I bough a copy of their new Boilerplate book). Even though I didn't have a book to pitch or sell, I found it all very energizing, and reminded me that I want to be one of the speakers at such events. After that, we were hungry and spacey, so we went to Hoda's for a tasty dinner of kabob an lamb shwarma.

Sunday saw a Family Brunch with BILJ's side of the family. Eight adults and four children. Enjoyable, but you can imagine that after a while, I was Done With Being Around So Many People. So I worked on my new Sekkrit Craft Project until sanguinity called and suggested an afternoon walk. After that, the weekend was over, except for the dinner and TV and sleeping.

So, a good weekend, if one that went by much too fast.

Another Step!

2009-10-07T01:01:13Z

Finally sent out the emails to Famous Writers and Artists asking if they'd write blurbs for the back of my book. I've been procrastinating horribly on this; apparently I'm anxious that they'll feel IMPOSED UPON by this request. Not that they haven't all been friendly and gracious when we've met in person. I guess I just worry.

Portlanders: Events to Attend!

2009-10-01T13:44:29Z

We like to support our friends, and so I'm spreading the news about Paul Guinan and Anina Bennett's book BOILERPLATE: HISTORY'S MECHANICAL MARVEL, which is being released to retail establishments this coming week. If you're in the Portland area, there's some events happening to promote it. I'm thinking about the Powell's reading on Friday, even though it means going into Downtown Portland in the evening (Hey, I do that, sometimes).

October 1, 6:00–9:00 pm
First Thursday reception
PCPA ArtBar, 1111 SW Broadway (at Main St.)
Through the month of November, artwork from Boilerplate is on public display in the Portland Center for the Performing Arts ArtBar. The October 1st reception will feature a book signing, hors d’oeuvres, and libations.

October 2, 7:30 pm
Boilerplate reading and signing
Powell’s City of Books, 1005 W Burnside
If you can attend only one event, please turn out for our first appearance at Powell’s on Burnside. Our reading will include letters from Boilerplate’s inventor and historical images of the robot. A life-sized Boilerplate image, suitable for photographic opportunities, will also be present.

Saturday, October 10, 1:00-5:00 pm
Wordstock signing (Stumptown pavilion)
Oregon Convention Center, 777 NE MLK Jr. Blvd., Portland, Oregon

If you're unfamiliar with Boilerplate, check him out at www.BoilerplateRobot.com.

What? My Vacation's Over Already?

2009-09-28T12:28:59Z

It's 5:00 a.m., and I'm preparing to return to Big Happy Fun Time. The past ten days have been a wonderful vacation; camping at Spicer Reservoir, morning walks with drarwenchicken and Hz, hikes with sanguinity and grrlpup, and working on the manuscript for my book of collected columns.

And, of course, a bunch of lounging about, as one should do while on vacation. I've been meaning to post about it, but somehow that just didn't happen. Along with a whole bunch of other things that I thought I'd get done. Oh, well. Now back to the Eat-Work-Webcomic-Sleep Cycle!

Camp!

2009-09-18T15:37:10Z

I'm off for a weekend of camping with Family & Friends! I've been meaning to post for ages, and I'm sorry I've been so quiet. I'm sure I'll have a lot to talk about when I'm back.

Have a great weekend, Everybody!

Smurf!

2009-09-02T00:53:21Z

I really tried to go to work this morning. But I was just too, too tired. I spent the day sleeping, reading Pratchett and watching TV.

Apparently my Project Manager has been out sick too. With any luck, I'll get back to work tomorrow, and things won't be horrible.

Doing Better, But Still Not Well

2009-08-31T01:59:04Z

In case you're wondering, I prefer weekends when I do not feel sick. That probably goes without saying, but I'm not quite up for more insightful observations today.

I felt restless and unsatisfied for much of the day. Too dragged out to want to do anything. Didn't feel like working on the comic, or reading, or even watching more TV (I know!) Watched multiple movies this weekend; "Coraline," "The Illusionist," "Paul Blart; Mall Cop" (yeah, it's not very good, but oh_that_jocelyn was a background extra for a day of shooting, although I didn't see her in the movie),"The TV Set," "Live Free Or Die Hard" (which as soon as I started it, I realized that I'd seen it before, although it's not very good so that explains why I couldn't be bothered to remember that I'd seen it).

I even tried to watch "Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus", which I'd taped from the annoyingly-named SYFY channel, because it has Deborah Gibson (yes, THAT Deborah Gibson) in it, and it's also about a huge shark and a mammoth octopus. Honestly, I could feel my intelligence slipping away while I watched. It's as if someone tried to write a movie about the military fighting giant marine life without knowing anything about the military or marine life. I considered giving examples of how egregious it is, but I don't have the strength (okay, just one: The shark (supposedly a Megalodon, although all evidence is that they grew to about 60 feet, and this one is maybe 800 – 1,000 feet long (the scale kinda changes from scene to scene)) jumps from the ocean and BITES A PASSENGER JET FROM THE SKY. Seriously. Yes, the plane was preparing to land, but the excessive WTF-ness of that scene left me dazed for several minutes.)

Afterward, I read some Terry Pratchett, and that helped.

I don't know if I'm going to go to Big Happy Fun Time tomorrow. When I'm lying in bed watching TV, I think I'm doing pretty well. But when I have to get up and perform complex activities, my brain rebels and I realize just how crappy I'm feeling.

I'm sure if I call in and explain that I watched "Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus," they'll understand.

A Good Saturday

2009-08-23T01:36:53Z

I felt funny today. I've been afraid lately that I'd never feel that way again. But today, the ideas started coming, and quickly formed into scripts for six comics. Well, they took a while to polish, but the total time was about what it had been taking me to grind out one moderately-humorous one a month ago, so I am nothing but pleased.

I assembled one comic, went for a walk with drarwenchicken and Hz, and talked with oh_that_jocelyn on the phone. My goal is to assemble TWO comics tomorrow. We'll see how that goes...

...Just Not That Interesting

2009-08-20T01:32:07Z

Last weekend was lots of fun! I spent much of Friday with snottygrrl; tasty Thai food for lunch, then out to Multnomah Falls, where there were a surprising number of tourists on a drizzly weekday. Then Dude Night! Sunday saw the Hawthorne Street Fair; also with snottygrrl, BA and thrihyrne. Then a walk with grrlpup and sanguinity to the Woodstock Library and back.

Since then: Work, mostly. I'm finding little mental capacity for writing comic scripts or other creative endeavors, despite having LOTS more Free Time. I did work up some ideas for comic books and a movie while washing dishes on Sunday morning. I suspect the meds are suppressing some of that, and some of it is just laziness. Would it help if I point out that I'm really enjoying my break from the comic?

I hadn't thought through that this would be a particularly busy stretch at Big Happy Fun Time, but it is. One cluster of programs got bumped up in the schedule, so we're trying to deploy them by the end of the month. And carry on the other analysis + design + testing + documentation + organization tasks that have to be happening now, too. Typically, my job doesn't leave me BrainFried™ by the end of a day, but over the last couple weeks, it's been more and more like that.

So I really don't have much of interest to report, but I realized that I hadn't posted for a while, and since I'm not updating the comic, some of you might start to wonder. So, Current Status: Still Alive

Milestone

2009-08-03T00:13:09Z

You know how I've been talking about sending queries to publishers about my book of columns for ages? Last Fall, I went through the Writer's Guide and listed the ten publishers who published humor books similar enough to mine, and would accept unagented queries. Well, I finally got my act together, and sent out the first three inquiries (two by post, one email). The other publishers want a proposal packet, which will need a little more work to prepare.

So, now I can say I'm actually trying to sell this book.

Let the waiting for Rejection Letters begin!

Freakin' Hot

2009-07-30T03:55:58Z

~~Rambling post about how I'm tired of the heat and of feeling sick.~~ Yeah, I wrote it and deleted it. Everyone living in the Portland area knows that it's been too hot and it's just wrong. And I'm tired of whining. I know the heat will fade and I'll feel better, and Life will be Good Again. And nobody likes the stage where one is waiting for things to get better.

I'm thinking I'll put the webcomic on hold until Labor Day. I'll be on antibiotics until then, and I don't know how well I'll be sleeping or feeling. I know from the first round of meds that I have a much harder time coming up with funny material when I'm feeling dragged down. If I do have good days where I'm productive, I can bank up comics, which is always a good thing.

There is some concern associated with this decision. Some of my readers may not come back. But I also worry that people will stop reading if the quality goes down. I talked with sanguinity and oh_that_jocelyn, who both were very supportive and gave me useful things to think about. Right now, it seems the thing to do. Especially since I'm aching and tired.

And yeah; I'm grateful that it's all not worse. Life will be better soon.

Triumph!

2009-07-27T01:28:27Z

An excitingly productive day. This morning, wrote and assembled tomorrow's comic. Then spent several hours this afternoon on a draft of the next comic book. Got it far enough along that I sent a copy to Gilead, so he can start working on sketches.

Now to watch the last half of "Prince Caspian" to celebrate!

I feel like I should post something.

2009-07-21T02:02:39Z

I worked for a bit on scripting comics. Well, that's not true. I was staring at the screen, mostly. I wondered why I was just staring, and then I remembered that I've been awake since 3:00 a.m. I'd hoped that after I finished the antibiotics I'd be getting back to sleeping through the night. Maybe tonight.

On the good side, today at BHFT went by quickly.

Cake Contest 2009

2009-07-19T01:33:09Z

Today was the Cake Contest! You've probably already been reading the buzz on the Internet about this year's theme: Uncake. Once again, a great deal of creativity came into interpretation. Here's the description of entries (click on the ones marked with an asterisk to see a larger image):

This year's entries:
Top Row, from left to right:
1. Lemon Raspberry & Strawberry Cake
2. Mysterious Specimens* Filled with red gelatin, one has Maraschino Cherries, the other has a poached egg.
3. Pasture Uncake* With genuine plastic Farm Animals.
4. Archeology of a Cake* Contents of a cake: Sugar, Eggs, Flour, Butter.
5. Rocky Road Pizza (store-bought, and therefore not considered for competition)
6. Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream
7. Pear Tarts
8. Pink Pie – Meat, with mashed potato icing (colored with beet juice). Winner: Best Theme
9. Rice Krispy Cake
10. Cheesecake with toppings
11. Invisible Cake – clear gelatin Winner: Most Creative
12. Chocolate Mousse Loaf Winner: Best Tasting
13. Blackberry Crumble
14. Angel Food Pie
15. Giant Fruit Tart (not pictured) Winner: Best Looking Arrived late, and I forgot to get a photo.

Since I'm still recovering, I didn't eat anything (tempting as many of the entries were, but I probably will sleep a lot better tonight without the sugar overload). thrihyrne went with me as my Designated Eater, and she did a grand job of sampling things. It was also good to see BA, TJ, Dr. M and Dude M, and admire the new Chicken Coop (yes, they have Urban Chickens).

Aside from the Not Eating Cake thing, it was a good time.

Meme: 15 in 15 (although I take more, because I'm That Way)

2009-07-18T18:23:00Z

Meme: In fifteen minutes, list the fifteen books you've read that will always stick with you.

(Listed in approximate chronological order that I read them):

1. The Hobbit
2. The Lord of the Rings
3. The Gammage Cup
4. The Black Cauldron
5. Sir MacHinery
6. Starship Troopers
7. Glory Road
8. Citizen of the Galaxy
9. Have Spacesuit, Will Travel
10. Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
11. Another Fine Myth
12. Guards! Guards!
13. Wee Free Men
14. What Your Mother Couldn't Tell You and Your Father Didn't Know
15. Passionate Marriage

Some of these are listed because they're in a series that I love, such as "The Black Cauldron" and "Guards! Guards!", rather than being the one book of the series that stands out.

Perhaps later I'll post "The Books I Realized I Should Have Included In This List That I Didn't Think Of Until After I Posted It."

Weekend, Over Already

2009-07-13T13:36:56Z

A very social weekend! Started with Dude Night on Friday. I spent Saturday morning on chores, in preparation for oh_that_jocelyn's visit (but had a walk to the coffee shop with drarwenchicken and Hz in there, too). Then around noon I drove up to Washougal (I know!) to pick Oh_That_Jocelyn up at a friend's house. There was a party going on up there, so we socialized a bit, then drove off to Blue Lake Park to catch the end of my company's Summer Party. It was indeed the very end; only the company owner and her husband were left. We chatted a bit (they're friends of mine, so it wasn't in that awkward way that one makes small talk with Company Executives who are only seen by the Employees at Special Events), and Oh_That_Jocelyn and I took a walk through the park. We then headed back home for Internet and a nap, then off to dinner, and back home again in time for a game of cards with drarwenchicken.

Sunday saw another walk to the coffee shop, tasty breakfast at "Hash," then back home so Oh_That_Jocelyn could pack up her things. We met up with A and C, who were giving Oh_That_Jocelyn a ride to her mom's house in Coos Bay. I was then left to assemble Monday's comic, visit with Mr. Television, and have an enjoyable phone chat with thrihyrne. A very full weekend, that went by all too quickly.

The Days March On...

2009-07-07T02:43:13Z

First day back at BHFT after what seemed like a long, long break. Probably because the holiday weekend was four days of varied things, some much more fun than others. Things I liked: Hanging out with family, watching the nieces & nephew, long phone call with my mother, naps, and a bunch of nights where I went to bed knowing that I didn't have to go to work in the morning.

Things I didn't like: Well... I'm just not going to think about all that.

Today was Day #4 of my latest round of Quitting Caffeine. Rather sleepy for a while at BHFT, but got better. Having a bout of insomnia now would be a setback (although if I wasn't expected to be awake all day, I could manage it). My body misses the stimulant, but I also miss the enjoyment of drinking coffee (which can be quite tasty when it's sweet and light). Herbal Tea is an imperfect substitute.

Since I have nothing better to blather about, I'll stop. I hope you're all doing well. Oh, and I'm VERY glad that temperatures are back below 80°! w00t!

July 3 On The 3rd!

2009-07-04T15:25:12Z

Happy Independence Day (American)! It's going to be freakin' hot here in Portland, so I may stay inside all afternoon, and not venture out in the heat of the day. We'll see.

Here are this month's 3 on the 3rd comics, presented For Your Amusement:

Mucked Up: My Weekend So Far

2009-06-21T17:07:13Z

I thought I was just tired and wanted a day off. I hadn't been able to finish Friday's comic, despite having time to work on it last Wednesday and Thursday. I managed to finish it on Friday morning (thank goodness for having my hours reduced!), and tried to script Monday's comic. After flailing for a while, I took a lunch break. Aside from a few chores, I never really got back to working. About all I had strength for was watching the last third of Season #1 of "Heroes." (Which is mostly good, and perhaps I'll talk about another time.)

Anyway, after struggling with the same diminished energy/focus on Saturday, I was thinking "Wow, my head is all swimmy and I can't concentrate; this is like a Candidas flare-up..................... My god, I AM AN IDIOT!"

I immediately drove to the store and got some yeast killers*. I regularly take supplements to discourage Candidas, but when one starts eating more and more yeast-friendly treats, the yeast wins (fresh berries, gluten-free cookies and soy "ice cream" are better for me than other treats, but they still have plenty of yeast-feeding sugars).

* There are several brands out there. I bought Yeast Defense because it seems to work pretty well for me, and Fred Meyer carries it. Plus, it was on sale!

The worst part is that I had to be deep into it before I realized what was going on. It's not as if this is new to me. As I pointed out on Twitter, a flare-up makes me stupid, so when I'm listless, apathetic, unfocused, fatigued and easily distracted, I believe I'm merely tired, and need some rest. And maybe a tasty treat to cheer myself up. Such is the Evil of the yeast...

The Blood Donation Did Not Go As Planned. Went in early Saturday for Double Red-Cell donation (instead of drawing one unit of whole blood, they take out a pint, separate out the red cells, put the plasma back in the donor, then repeat). I thought everything was going well, and even when the phlebotomist had to adjust the needle's position going in, I barely felt it. Which was fine, until Phase Two of the process, when the plasma was supposed to go back into me. Technically, it did, but it wasn't so much as all going into the vein. Some of the plasma was leaking into the tissue around the site, causing the area to swell (including a marble-sized bump right where the needle went in). Turns out that adjusting the needle can allow this to happen. While this was not dangerous, it hurt.

So we stopped. They could use what they'd drawn as a regular blood draw, and get benefit from it. And I wasn't into toughing it out (I know I come across as a tough, rugged Arizonan, but I'm not fond of pain).

I'll probably try the Double Red Cell donation again. Right now, I only have a 50% success rate with it, compared to a 100% success rate with whole-blood donation (which is quicker, but happens twice as often). I'll need a larger sample size to see if I want to continue with the Doubles.

So, Anyway. Now I should be working on my comic. Not going through 178 posts on Google Reader (Whoops. I guess I just did that.) Or struggling with a third section of this post and then editing it out (Um... Did that too. It may become a post of its own, later). Or I guess, even posting all this right now. (I was talking with someone about how it feels to be under the influence of Candidas, and he said it sounded like his ADD. I don't know how much the two experiences overlap, but it seems like there's some similarity. So if I'm going to have a comic for tomorrow, I need to stop what I'm doing here, and work on that.)

On the other hand, I had a really good walk with sanguinity. So the weekend has not merely been disappointing.

Baby Hz

2009-06-18T02:10:27Z

You may know that I am merely a simple Writer/Analyst from Arizona, and not prone to Profound Thoughts. Last night, however, I was hunkered down in drarwenchicken and BILJ's kitchen while Baby Hz held my hand so she could climb in and out of her new Squishy Pink Foam Chair because it was being the Best. Toy. EVAR. And I thought "Someday, Little Girl, I will dance with you at your wedding, and I will think of this moment when you were tiny and you held my hand."

I don't know what the Future will bring, but I do hope so very, very much that she will grow into a healthy, vibrant adult, and live a long, happy life. And that I'll get to dance at her wedding.