October 2003

Freezing Rain

Fairbanks is filled with all kinds of special weather this season. Current conditions: crunchy wetness.

Tech Support

I provided phone tech support for a customer today: "What program are you using to view the file?"
"Windows."
"Okay... What software are you using?"
"Well I'm on a state computer that's got all the latest stuff... the software is, um, well, it's a Gateway."
"Oookay. Are you looking at the file through your e-mail program?"
"Yeah. Outlook something."
"You need to save the file to your hard drive and then open it in Internet Explorer."
"Okay. I think that I know how to do that... Let's see, start menu... desktop... maybe it's on the programs thing... um, yeah. I'll call you if I have any problems."

I'm sure you will...

Snot

It's sooooooo slick out today. Snow came, then sun, then freezing. You figure it out.

Excuses

I'm not going to my 'Families of Mentally Ill People' class tonight. I've thought of a million excuses to not go. In the end I really just can't handle it right now. Too much focusing on reality. Too much accepting the grim truth. Too much being read to like I'm a toddler.

Forlorn

My sister had the audacity to go visit our mom this week which means that she's out of town. Now I don't have someone to call up and gripe to about annoying supervisors, or someone to hang out with on the weekend, or someone to fix little things on my website. How could she be so selfish?

Punked Out

I went to a punk concert last night all by my lonesome. It was supposed to start at 8:30pm, but didn't actually get started till 9:30pm. When it did get started it was with a few filler bands who came at the last minute and wanted to play, instead of the main band I paid to see. The first band was rancid (i.e. sucked hairy donkey dick covered in rancid elephant vomit). It was a lot of indistinguishable bass, guitar and drum sounds with occasional vocals which were both too soft and too slurred to even be able to pick out an occasional vowel sound. I stood there hardly knowing anyone, already depressed, wanting a good time, listening to crappy music after standing around for an hour... and decided to leave. The advertised band was supposedly going to play at some point in the evening, but I wasn't going to count on that. I left and played loud music on my truck stereo. I went to Fred Meyer's, ate chips and hummus, and read a few of their comics. That was my fun evening out. How pathetic is that? Party on Wayne.

What I'm Reading

The Losers #5 (Vertigo)
This is my first look into this series and I was very intrigued. I want more.

Sleeper #10 (WildStorm)
This is the second issue I've read in this series and I wasn't impressed. The "let me tell you my origin story" segment seemed very contrived. Still, I really enjoyed Issue #1 and want to give this another try... maybe in consecutive order this time. heh

Planetary #17 (WildStorm)
This seemed a bit like a filler issue. It didn't seem crucial to anything, but I suppose that remains to be seen. I still really enjoy this series and am very thrilled that Warren Ellis has finally resumed it.

Case Files: Saw & Twitch #4 (Image)
The three timeline simultaneous storytelling is driving me crazy in the sense that it's building my suspense to almost unbearable levels. I actually love the approach and am impressed that Marc Andreyko is able to make it work so well. I also really like the gritty art by Scott Morse. It suits the story very well. The coloring by Jay Fotos brillliantly distinguishes the three timelines we are reading and perfectly portrays the mood of each. I love how each time segment loses a little bit of color distinction, depicting the Twitch's loss and the horrible turn of events. The color in the center timeline is nearly exploding with the stress and tension of the story. The colors in the last timeline are dark and lifeless just like Twitch's life at that point. Utterly brilliant.

Aspen #1 (Aspen)
This is the long-awaited premier publication of Michael Turner's new company Aspen. It features a short Fathom story, a Soulfire pin-up, Ekos sketches, and some interviews. I had been excited about it, but I had no idea how mind blowing it would be. In the Fathom story Turner's art is at an all time high, but it's actually the coloring by Peter Steigerwald that really blew me away. Very rich, luscious colors that make we want to linger on each page. The story, while short, definitely makes me think there is still more story to tell in the Fathom series.

Wildcats Version 3.0 #15 (WildStorm)
This issue felt like it was setting up a lot of stuff, rather than actually having much happen. Still, I was engaged and interested throughout. This is definitely growing to be one of my favorite series to read at the moment.

Inhumans #6 (Marvel)
While I'm pleased that McKeever is beginning to get away from the cliche culture conflicts, I can't say that the team's relationship struggles or even Jolen's schemes are doing anything for me either. While I really like the characters and loved the first two issues, I'm considering ditching this series. We'll see.

Meridian: Coming Home (CrossGen)
This is the 4th TPB collection of a series which I'm loving. Barbara Kesel is telling a very dynamic, well thought out, and consistent story. There doesn't feel like much that is filler or throw away here. Everything is pertinent to the story. The art by McNiven, Simmons, & Hollowell is beautiful to look at and is very strong storytelling. I now only have 3 issues to read before I catch up to when I started buying single issues.

Angelic

My 5 year old godson made a surprise visit today. We spent a few hours playing video games. When he left he wanted to make a snowman, but the measly 1/8" of snow wasn't going to cooperate. Instead he made me a snow angel on my sidewalk.

It Could Be You

The next person to comment on this blog will be have the priviledge of leaving the 100th comment! This is an honor which will be bestowed on only one person. The grand prize for this honor is nothing short of the lifelong supply of the knowledge that you left the 100th comment (you can't buy that in the stores). Act now while supplies last.

This offer can't be combined with any other discount or promotion. Void in the state of Kentucky. Also void if you leave a pathetic, lame-ass comment (cause I'll delete it).

Amendment - 5:49pm
Bow in humility before the greatness of Joat. I know what you are thinking: "If only I were as cool as Joat."

Sweet Guitar

Check out this sweet guitar created by a guy in Nikiski, Alaska (close to where I grew up).

Sequential Swap

Sequential Swap is an online community for people who want to swap comic trade paperbacks. I discovered it a few months ago and have already made 4 trades. It's great because I can get rid of trades that I won't read again and read some new stuff with only the cost of shipping to worry about. It's a very active group and I'm thrilled to be a part of it.

Anniversaries' Suck

Yesterday marked one year and one month since my sister's death. While I tried to pretend I didn't notice, the entire day was consumed with depression and pain. I've grown to hate the 22nd day of any month.

Rinse, Repeat

The anti-itch shampoo really seemed to help my dog. He didn't show signs of itching again until yesterday evening. I shampooed the area again and again he seemed fine. He sees the vet today so hopefully she'll be able to give us stuff to make this go away all together.

Sleeping with Tremors

Everyone in my dreams last night had wicked tremors, akin to Parkinson's disease. At one point in the dream I realized that I was leaning up against someone with these tremors and was being shaken myself. I found it odd that I was so close to this person. As I decided that I needed to see what was keeping me so close, I woke up to realize that one of my dogs was laying next to me obsessively chewing at a spot on his back hip.

We noticed this behavior this weekend and then found some sort of rash that looks suspiciously like ringworm. We have a vets appointment, but they couldn't get us in until tomorrow. Meanwhile the itching is getting worse to the point that he is now keeping me up. When I first realized the scratching it was 4:30am. I tried to go back to sleep, but realized at 5:30am that it hadn't stopped. Worried at what my dog might be doing to his skin I tried to distract him from the itch. No way. Next I tried to simply hold him back from itching. While he was trying to be very obedient he maintained a stiff neck arching back toward the itchy spot the entire time I was blocking access. I then told him "no." At this point I felt so bad for him because he was twitching and pacing trying to avoid biting at the itchy patch. It was like he knew that he shouldn't bite at it, but truly can't help himself.

I decided a little internet research was in order to see what I could do to reduce the itching until we see the vet. Unfortunately I came up short. We have an anti-itch dog shampoo that I think I'll try before going to work. Also, I'm going to go to the pet store at lunch to see if they have anything that will help. At the moment I'm concerned with waiting until tomorrow to see the vet. If I can't curb the scratching, then I don't think we can afford to wait that long.

Popular Me

A local phone book just come out in which I placed a few yellow pages ads for my piano studio and my graphic design businesses. These are the first ads I've taken out. Two days after the phone books were distributed I received a call from someone who was looking in the yellow pages for a piano teacher! I expected this to help my businesses, but I had no idea that I'd be getting a call so soon. I can't wait until I get a call about graphic design. Unfortunately there is less demand for that in Fairbanks than there is for piano teachers. Still, it feels very good to see some potential for increased business.

I'm in the Money

I've been selling comics on eBay as of late. I decided to clear out some of shelf space that I devote to comics so that I had room for new stuff. I didn't expect to make very much, but figured even a couple of dollars would be nice. It's not like I had any collector worthy comics so I really didn't expect to make that much. I just finished another round of comic sales. This one brought me $75! In total I've made about $370 in the last two months from selling comics that I don't read anymore. Damn that's good. Especially when I expected to make around $10 for everything.

What have I bought with my new found wealth? I've bought 12 comic trade paperbacks, 4 comic mini-series, the complete run of the Thunderbolts comic (75 issues), a pump for my water fountain, the Order of the Phoenix audio CDs, a ton of CDs, and a wireless headset microphone to use in the band. I feel overwhelmed with goodness and proud of how I've treated myself. Thanks, God, for turning a little "house cleaning" into a flood of giddy pleasures.

What I've Been Reading

Runaways #7 [Marvel]
This was the first issues I've read of this series. It was surprisingly good. I'm interested in reading more.
New X-Men #148 [Marvel]
This series has potential, but it just keeps leaving me wanting. Every issue I keep wondering why I'm buying it. The answer is that I love the X-Men and am desperate for more X-Men stories. The Ultimate X-Men series rocks, but I want more dammit!
Sleeper #1 [Wildstorm]
I picked this up this week because I read a review that made it sound very interesting. I really enjoyed it. We'll see if it continues to intrigue me.
Exiles #36 [Marvel]
This series has been sooooo disappointing as of late. What went wrong!? This used to be one of my favorite series and now I'm considering dropping it. Breaking up is hard to do...
Meridian #39 [CrossGen]
This was... odd. I really like this series, but this issue left me wondering if I've been deluding myself all this time.
Ultimate Spider-Man #48 [Marvel]
Very good issue. Peter is pissed and for good reason. Still, no one takes his anger seriously. I freakin' loved it when Aunt May told off J. Jonah Jameson. Oh yeah.
Alias #22 [MAX]
I haven't read this series since issue 7, but something about it now ending made me want to try this. It was a very interesting issue. I might try to find trades of the stuff I've missed.
Mek #1-3 [Homage]
Wow... um... yeah. I totally love the world that Warren Ellis has created. The art is wonderful. But... the story was really lacking. I continually felt like I was missing something. I felt like there was a "moral to the story" at the end, but I couldn't figure it out. sigh

Currently Working On:
Spartan: Warrior Spirit #1-4 [Image]
I picked up this mini-series on a whim because it features a character from the WildCATS team. To my surprise it was written by Kurt Busiek, one of my favorite comic writers. I've only read the first issue so far, but it was really good. I love when whims pay off.
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (audio CD)
OMG. I'm totally drawn into this from the very beginning. I'm on the 3rd CD of 23 and I'm already loving it. I can't wait to listen to more!
The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron
I've been studying this sort of 12-step program to "discovering and recovering your creative self" with my wife and another friend. It's really been amazing and truly life changing. I totally recommend it. We are finishing up the last chapter this week. I'm sad that it's almost over...

Salesman Bob

Check out this font disk. It comes with 516 good quality fonts for $40. The fonts come in truetype and postscript for both Mac and Windows. It seemed too good to believe, but my morning workplace bought one and it really is as good as it sounds. Here are a couple samples. They even have a pdf catalog you can download which shows you all 516 fonts. As soon as I get the money I'm buying a CD for my freelance design business.

Snot Snorter

My manager has evidently had a sinus cold for the last week. This has been evidenced by the incessant wet/sloppy snorts which come from his desk at regular intervals. It's not like he's just sniffling either. We're talking full blown, cocaine-esque, suck pudding through your nose, resonating snot snorting. Will someone please tell this man that his snot fetish doesn't present the most professional image to customers besides the fact that it's making ill.

You're Fired!

It's amazing how stress-free a day of piano teaching can be when you don't have a selfish, rebellious, disobedient, and unfocused child to teach. Firing troublesome students is difficult, but oh so worth it. Yeah.

Miracle Drone

I went to a class last night for family members of mentally ill people. It was a droning meeting which was mainly some exceedingly boring reading of the handouts we had in front of us. Yep, that's what I said. They read to us. And it's not even like they were any good at reading. There were gross mispronounciations of words, huge pauses, and absolutely no interest whatsoever in their voices. Drone, drone, drone.

It was also 3.5 hours long (instead of the stated 2.5 hours) which meant that I left there at 10:30pm. Holy crap! That's been my bedtime as of late.

One of the leader's main roles was to call out the page numbers of the handout we are on. Throughout the entire evening she was self-importantly calling out things like, "Page 3.18. That's page 3.18." What a job. I wonder how long she had to train for something like that?

Having now ranted about the bad of the evening, I have to say that I really felt a peace like that's where I needed to be and I did benefit from being there. If that's not an act of God then I don't know what is. I really felt led from God to go and many of the things we discussed were right on target for what I needed. Besides the droning reading sessions, there was some interesting discussion by the others in the group and overall I really enjoyed the support of being in a group of people who are going through similar things.

The class continues through the middle of December. We'll see if God continues to want me to be there or if was just a one time thing. Either way, thanks God for the miracle of turning what could have been an utterly miserable evening into something of great benefit. Only you could accomplish something like that. You rock.

1069

I left open a peer-to-peer file sharing program yesterday so I could download some things. When I returned home my download had finished and it became available for upload. Other users took advantage of this fact... 1069 times. Yikes!

This is the first time I've been thankful for my currently slow connection. It meant that all 1069 uploads were very small (partial files) and didn't put me over my data transfer limit.

Color Me This

A coloring I did in Photoshop of the X-Men character Jean Grey.

Pitty Kitty

My supervisor asked me to design a flyer to be inserted in the local newspaper. He showed me what was done last year. And said that I could do something completely different if I wanted.* Thank God!

I found an amazing photo at Morgue File which has a lot of pictures which are free for commercial or personal use. The photo I chose was taken by Christy Nyberg and it was so amazing that I decided to give it a lot of space on the page. The end result is better than I could have hoped for, especially when you compare it to last year's flyer. The reverse side of the flyer contains the rest of the information.

*One awesome thing about my supervisor is that he gives me a lot of creative leeway when doing projects for the business.

Hi-Tech Stick Figures

little dots; lots of character

A Little Light Gushing

My supervisor is a good communicator... when it comes to things that have been done wrong. When it comes to let me know things were done right... he chokes. Dude. Take a course in interpersonal communication. Heck, take two. You could use it.

Double Firsts

I don't know if you've noticed, but it seems that having two first names makes one a superhero. Bruce Wayne was destined to be Batman from birth simply because of his name. Clark Kent was in the same predicament (of course, he received his name after crashing to earth in a space ship so one could question the actual influence of his name). Diana Prince was a goddess turned scantily-clad-hero. Barbara Gordon was Batgirl. Barry Allen was the Flash. Peter Parker is Spider-Man. Hal Jordan was the Green Lantern...

The star of the upcoming movie The Punisher, coincidentally has two names. It would seem that Thomas Jane is destined to be a superhero, though I think having a girls name for the last one kinda cancels the whole super powers thing and only really guarantees a love of tights.

Punish Me Big Boy

The movie The Punisher, based on Marvel's comic character of the same name, is scheduled to be released in the summer of 2004. The Punisher will be played by Thomas Jane (more about him in another post). While I'm not a fan of the comic, the trailer makes this movie look interesting. Of course the trailer only gives the main character's motivation. I still have no idea what the movie is about.

Hypothetical-like

So if you were named Jeff, you worked at a place with 3 other staff members - one of whom is also named Jeff, and you were asked "who is this" do you think that you'd simply say, "this is Jeff"?

I thought not.

Old

This is my 101st post on this blog. For seasoned bloggers that is nothing, but with this being my very first blog, I'm feeling all kinds of special.

Costly Friendships

Entertainment at the expense of others: friend or foe? While this is a norm in my friends group, I'm starting to wonder if we are simply nourishing each others insecurities.

Raaawr!

Today I intimidated my counselor. He remarked at all the self-help things I do and how much I work to better myself and was concerned about him actually being helpful to me. When I finished my mini panic attack at the thought of getting fired from counseling (with a counselor I really like), I felt pretty damn good. I intimidate my counselor. Oh yeah, I'm all kinds of scary. grrrrrr...

Hottie

It's October in Alaska and I'm wishing I had air conditioning. What is with that?

bleebulgurk

I think my stress has made me more than a little crazy, as evidenced by the obsessive chirping sounds that I'm making while writing this message. Okay, I'm not actually the one making chirping sounds. It's actually my invisible pet sock, Jared. He can be sooooo annoying.