A Comic Strip from Many Years Ago

…ah, yeah. 1998. What a year for drawing about cats eating frogs eating flies! I guess that would place me at around…15 years old. Eep! Also, please note that I still letter my comics THE SAME FREAKING WAY ELEVEN YEARS LATER.

So yeah, my sister D was recently cleaning up around her condo and she stumbled upon a letter I wrote to her when she was in college, and this half-pint of a comic strip was included. I have no recollection of ever drawing it or writing it, but that’s the best part about unearthing this lost “gems.” I’m sure there’s more out there…yet this makes me sad still about the Appalling Purging of 2000, where I trashed and ripped up a ton of my stuff in an angst-emo-fueled fit of rage. Sigh…

We didn’t start the fire
But when we are gone
Will it still burn on, and on, and on, and on…
– “We Didn’t Start the Fire” by Billy Joel

Just a Comic About the Movie Valkyrie

…it was more along the line of “Long live our sacred Germany!” Which, of course, means something completely different than the movie’s version. Regardless, even if you can’t stand American actors passing off as Nazis, Valkyrie is definitely worth a watch. It won’t surprise you, but it’s not meant to.

Passed down by the hands of the wise
And what they showed me was broke
Kicked out by the brute of the bunch
I never wanted a show
– “The Rest of My Life” by The Early November

Playing Yahtzee Unearths An Old Note

For once, my memory is fuzzy. I remember having Yahtzee kept in my bedroom during my high school years, but I cannot for the life of me recall what made The Bitch and I fight. I guess she drew on me? ::shrugs:: Actually, I do recall now being more annoyed that she defaced our family’s boardgame than anything else. And now I must live with the mockery.

Anyways, two years ago on November 29, 2006, in a spout of craziness, I decided to start drawing a comic strip about my dull, little life. To celebrate this, I threw a party and welcomed all of those that took notice of such an achievement. A picture snapped during all the hullabaloo for proof:

Well you can come on to my place if you want to
You can do anything you want to do
– “Dance Tonight” by Paul McCartney

Kissing Goodbye Before the Entire World

Despite the irony that my initials spell out PDA, I’ve never been one to really smooch in front of family…or more pertinently, in front of the smoochie’s family. I’m such a dorkasaur that I even asked Tara beforehand if it’d be okay to kiss her goodbye, and still, the nervousness came. Oh well. We smooched, the world didn’t burn us to the ground, and as I turned to leave her embrace I tripped over a pot cemented to the ground.

Goooooooooooooo me!

Conceptual paths wide open, I’m scared to death
Existential weight no longer holds you back
Conceptual paths wide open, I’m scared to death
I’m ready for the future, I’m ready for what happens next
– “Conceptual Paths” by Tom Gabel

The Only Piece of Jewelry

Two things: (1) I freaked my sister out with this, and (2) I think I’m growing up.

Actually, I do like to wear stupid beady necklaces like this in the summer time, but to call that jewelry is to call televised BINGO…um, exciting? I don’t know. No high school/college class ring, no studded nosering, no ear plugs, no pierced belly button, no anklets, no bracelets, no gold chains or silver chains or bronze chains, no blood diamonds, no Prince Alberts…

You say we’re both little people and you like it that way
But in time I’m gonna put this body to shame (and grow old)
Where a suit like my old man
Pack up all my things and get my tail out of town
– “Big City Dreams” by NeverShoutNever!

#384 – Mini-Golfing Rejection

For those of you that don’t know–and shame on you–the nineteenth hole here is not referencing the nearest pub to the course (of which, in Ocean City, there are none), but instead is talking about the final hole offered to players in a round a miniature golf. It is the bane of golf swings worldwide, a slender slab of faux grass and trite design aesthetics that lavishly promise any putter that sinks a hole-in-one a free game. But that doesn’t happen. Not now, not ever. Go ahead and think of someone, anyone at all. Have they ever won a free game like so? I think nots. It is impossible to work the nineteenth hole’s magic, and having people shout “Rejected!” at you only adds insult to injury. Still, I won…so neener neener neener.

Snapple Real Fact #173: Chinese is the most spoken language in the world.

Someone come quickly, this place was built for moving out
Leave behind buildings, the city planners got mapped out
Bring with you history and make your hard-earned feast
Then we’ll go to Omaha, to work and exploit the booming music scene and humility
And we’ve been talking all night
– “The Execution of All Things” by Rilo Kiley

#383 – Mysterious Beep

True story.

So, for those that are interested, the first page of chapter one for Fortuitous Twist is now posted. I’m not going to be promoting the comic hardcore until I get a few more pages done. Then you’re going to have to staple my lips shut because I really do have a lot of faith in the thing and want to see it do well and get it out to readers because I’m sure it is much more accessible to readers than these journal comics could ever be. If you’re inclined to comment, just click on the latest comic and add your thoughts below.

Also, I’m much better now, thanks. Consider my batteries recharged…

Snapple Real Fact #27: A ball of glass will bounce higher than a ball of rubber.

You say you want a revolution
Well, you know
We all want to change the world.
You tell me that it’s evolution,
Well, you know
We all want to change the world.
– “Revolution” by The Beatles

#382 – Six Brands of Wine

No words today. Not feeling well. Going to go and rest up. Maybe words later, but that’s a pretty big maybe…

Real Snapple Fact #3: Beavers can hold their breath for 45 minutes.

Across my floor I leave a shadow twenty-five feet long
The farther down, the less specific I become
And so with you, the country miles overcast our love
Oh mountain range, your hills are hard to overcome
– “The Summer Sends Its Love” by Sherwood

#361 – White Sangria

Seriously, y’all should be jealous. But maybe, just maybe if you are nice enough and compliment D until she is beaming more than a billion stars could ever hope for, she might share the recipe. It was simply fantastic, especially the fruit that had been soaking up all that peach schnapps mmm. I want more. Beach house in OC, perhaps?

So, the LOST season finale was pretty dang great. I won’t be spoiling any of it for those that missed out tonight, but I got especially weepy when a certain time-lost lovers ended all the mindfuck and found each other…yet again. Gah, I’m such a mess for them. During the commercials I sang a song in their honor…

Lastly, thanks to Memorial Day, we’re already at Friday. That’s nice. The short workweek went surprisingly fast for moi. I know I say this a lot, but I plan to get a lot of shtuff done this weekend. Maybe even do some research on how to spend my rebate check (yes, Mom, it arrived!)…my eyes are flickering towards a lappy top. Er, laptop. Anyways, what are your plans for the weekend?

All I want is to feel this way
To be this close, to feel the same
All I want is to feel this way
The evening speaks, I feel it say
– “All I Want” by Toad the Wet Sprocket

#346 – Day with D and Momma Dukes

There were several other things that happened with my day of D and Momma Dukes. One, they brought the good weather with them, turning the gloomy morning into a beautiful afternoon. Two, we got to watch some stereotypical Italians be…stereotypical. And three, um…we split a sleeve of Thin Mints for dessert in my apartment. I know, I know. You’re jealous. Well, that’s just how things unfold when we all get together. We’re a party, I tell you.

So, generally speaking, I’m not a big fan of comic/art memes. Mostly cause I never have time to do them. And they are always, always popping up, and the latest one just could not be ignored. Dave Valeza started a thing where artists must draw their teen selves in comparison with their now selves. Who am I to say no to such a fun idea? Here’s what I came up with:

But if I built you a city, would you let me in?
Would you tear it down?
– “Ruthless” by Something Corporate