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Thursday, May 15th, 2008
(comment on this) Wednesday, May 14th, 2008
rantcomics
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11:36p
Non-Zuda Post!
Gah, I feel like it's been ZUDAZUDAZUDA around here. What about my other loves, hopes and dreams?
Like the dream of having a place to live. See, our lease ends this month and we haven't signed the new lease because we want out of our apartment. We need a 2 bedroom for when the baby comes... but with the market being the way it is... we've been looking at houses. Let me tell you - I know more about mortgages and property tax than I ever wanted to know! Nothing's happening yet, but we're looking... the only thing is, between the stress of this, putting SDCC in order (no plane tickets yet!!!) and ah, Uda-zay, I've been in meltdown.
Oh, let's not forget the fact that I had a Wildstorm pitch get passed on this week and today, my Vertigo pitch sorta kinda fell apart because of politics. That one, at least, is still salvageable... but it's not like I can even work on it until June - much like ALL of my work due to the competition.
However, I have gotten some movies in - caught FORGETTING SARAH MARSHALL and IRON MAN, both enjoyable flicks.. but after watching Tony Stark built giant suits of armor for two hours I gotta ask... how the hell did he carry his armor around in briefcases for all those years?! Next week? INDIANA FUCKING JONES.
Oh, the Comic Book Club was fun last night - my fellow guests were webcomickers and ACT-I-VATORS Molly Crabapple, John Leavitt and TODT HILL collaborator Kevin Colden. Kev and I grabbed drinks and shot the shit before the show and we had a decent sized crowd listen to us jabber on about webcomics, Jon Favreau and what the word "fine" actually denotes. I'll get the link to the podcast up when the boys pass it along.
This weekend, Laurie and I will be visiting my old roommates in the city and I will be deciding how I'd like to spend my birthday next week. 33. Sheesh. That's like, twice the 3.
I'll leave you with a great story; I was heading uptown yesterday, on my way to the Comic Book Club with a pocket full of ACTION, OHIO flyers and reading an old library-borrowed volume of ULTIMATE X-MEN when this woman sits down next to me and smiles down at my book. After ten minutes of this, she asks which X-Men book it is and reveals she's a big X-fan. Packed train, upwardly mobile type woman, healthy interest in the X-men book in my hands. We chatter on about continuity and storylines for a bit and it's divulged that I write comics, to which she's thrilled. I then launch into the spiel - doing a comic in DC's American Idol style competition, and hey - here's a flyer about it. She takes it, pockets it in her wallet, I get off at my stop.
Man, I hope she votes.
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(comment on this)
morbidmusings
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11:22p
Quick Update
So, I'm sorry I'm a slacker. I just don't have the time during the day I used to, so there's no posting or reading others' posts while at work. And once I get home it's all about kiddo time, and then writing and reading time (with the occasional movie or tv show thrown in). I find myself not drawn to the internet as much as I used to be. And it's nothing against you folks, I swear.
Truth be told, I'm in a weird place right now. I just started this new job and it's uber busy there. I'm still learning the ropes, but I'm enjoying it so far and I don't mind the work. I like being busy if it means my day flies by. I'm thankful I have that to focus on, though, because everything else in my life seems to be perched rather precariously... I'm not sure which direction things will fall. When that happens, my mind does a lot of racing and that makes it difficult for me to do anything other than analyze and ponder and drive myself crazy.
Work has helped to ease that somewhat. And NyQuil is allowing me to turn off my brain at night so I can sleep. Right now my only goal is to get through each day. Go to work, do a good job, come home, hang with my kids, read, write, sleep. Lather, rinse, repeat. I don't want to have any time to allow my brain to wander. There are things on the horizon I don't want to think about. I'm not ready.
And so, that also means I don't feel much like posting. Posting requires thought. The only reason I'm posting this is because I'm feeling guilty for not updating my friends. I've not been good about emailing, and forget about the phone. I just wanted to let those who care know that I'm hanging on.
That's all I have for you.
Except for this... I owe ![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif) nick_kaufmann a REALLY bad B movie. I watched his birthday present to me, The Gore Gore Girls, and boy, it was a super stinker. Now, let's face it, I knew it wasn't going to be a masterpiece. I fully expected a raunchy, bloody, crappy ass horror porn. And, to be fair, Nick did warn me and apologized for subjecting me to it (which only made me more curious to watch it). This one isn't quite worth it, folks. Seriously, there are way better B movies out there, I promise you that. Still, I did have a few laughs... and there were lots of boobs.
Ok, not sure when I'll get around to posting again, and I'm sorry I've not been keeping up with my f-list, but, well, you know.
~Meg
current mood:  drained
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temporus
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11:03p
Being green...
I'm all up for things that can help someone go green, save some electricity, gas, etc, etc.
But this one made me go Whiskey Tango Foxtrot???
Um...last time I checked, bra's didn't require power to function. They worked off of basic principles of things like statics, and dynamics. The mechanics of materials. (Oh wait, that was my sophomore year engineering schedule, sorry.) Really, unless you are a fembot, you shouldn't need your bra to generate electricity. And unless you are a stripper, then how long are you spending in just a bra anyways? Out in the light. Where having a solar cell would do you any good? Isn't the whole point of an undergarment to go, you know, under your outer garment? And if it's under a layer (or more) of clothes, how exactly is this thing going to get light to the photovoltaics, and hence to charge up your cell? Or iPod, or whatever?
Yeah yeah, it's the bra equivalent of the concept car. I get that. But why not just dedicate your design time into something actually useful. Like solar thigh high boots?
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lokilokust
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11:25p
i'm incredibly excited about 'mister lonely,' the new film from harmony korine.
'kids' was an interesting movie, where the writing shined through against larry clark's somewhat clumsy (and rather... slimy) direction and i think that 'gummo' was almost fantastic, if still somewhat belaboured by the shadow of larry clark.
i really feel that korine came into his own, however, with he absolutely astonishing 'julien donkey-boy' which was a remarkable breakthrough for dogme95 cinema, american independent filmmaking, and the acting career of one herr werner herzog.
i also rather enjoyed his novel 'a crack up at he race riots' when it was released, and rather wish my copy hadn't been stolen from me.
(and there's always his couple of appearances on 'late night with david leterman' which, along with a number of appearances by other folks, really showcase just how much of a raging dickhead letterman truly is.)
back to he film in question, though, i have to admit that the soundtrack being made up of works by the sun city girls and by j spaceman has me intrigued as well.
right now, however, i'm tired, dizzy, cranky, and need to go lie down.
i would like to close, however, in saying that you damn kids better get of my porch.
and stay off my lawn!
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cookingfor2
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11:07p
Recipe: Sweet Spinach Salad
Ingredients:
5 oz. baby spinach
2 oz. walnut halves
2 oz. dried cranberries
Light Italian salad dressing
Directions:
Wash and dry baby spinach, and place into a large bowl. Top with walnut halves and dried cranberries. Pour in the Italian salad dressing and toss.
Note: Don't overdue the salad dressing. A real light coating of dressing will boost the salad's flavors; too much will overwhelm the meatiness of the nuts and the sweet overtones of the berries.
What We Ate Today: Chicken quesadillas.
Sweetness: Godiva chocolate.
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(comment on this) Thursday, May 15th, 2008
officialgaiman
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1:45a
Brief Trademark Ponders
http://journal.neilgaiman.com/2008/05/brief-trademark-ponders.html A few interesting links related to Trademarks (not to be confused with copyright, but people do, and so do I). For example, the Open Rights Group (of which, last time I looked, I was Patron, but I don't have to do anything except be on the letterhead and possibly make the cucumber sandwiches) posted http://www.openrightsgroup.org/2008/05/08/bbc-removes-doctor-who-fans-knitting-patterns-from-the-web/ -- the story of a fan who was told by the BBC to take down the Dr Who knitting patterns from her website. Interestingly, the Head of Communications at the BBC left a message on the ORG blog, and amplified it on the BBC news site, pointing out that their problem was not with the creator but with the people who were taking her designs and selling them on eBay.
One commenter said, My own opinion is that the BBC would be correct to target Ebay sellers and anyone attempting to make a profit from their intellectual property, as is their right. Unfortunately rather than do this actively, they have chosen the easy option of attacking a person whose only ‘crime’ is she has the imagination and flare to design knitted patterns and make them available not for profit, based on Dr Who characters...
Which was the last thing I read before reading this Boing-Boing article, this Beat coverage, and this follow-up blog posting from the person who was running the ebay auction: Warner Brothers lawyers closed down a children's cancer charity eBay auction because it was selling original Superman drawings...
And mostly, I'm just glad that I'm not a corporate trademark lawyer.
(Also, I think -- and have thought for about 17 years, ever since the Comic Relief Comic problems -- that Warner Corporate needs to change its policies with regards to DC Comics and charities and allow DC Comics as much latitude as, say, Marvel. But it hasn't happened yet.)
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(comment on this) Wednesday, May 14th, 2008
suricattus
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10:27p
Balticon Schedule. Except Not.
So I got my schedule for Balticon, and um...
I'm not quite sure what to think, actually. The stuff they put me on? Has no relation to me or my background AT All. And yes, I did send in the questionaire. And while I'm perfectly willing to bluff my way through a lot of situations, I see no reason to take up space on a panel I can add nothing to.
So. Um. If you see my name in the schedule? Don't expect to see me there. I may pop up on other panels, if there's room. Or you can find me in the bar.
I'm not really happy about this, but there's not much to do except roll with it, y'know?
current mood:  confused
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rantcomics
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9:40p
Let Neil (and ACTION, OHIO) give YOU a present on HIS birthday!
CONTEST! Action, Ohio's writer wants to give YOU a present on HIS birthday!
Hey, folks!
If you've been paying attention, ACTION OHIO is in the middle of it's second week of the Zuda competition, and to help get votes, favorite and page views, we're starting a contest to coincide with something happening during our third week: the writer's birthday!
On May 21st, I turn 33 and to celebrate, we're going to offer you, our supporters, a chance to get a present too. All you have to do is get as many people as you can to favorite our comic and post on the comments thread that "(Your Name) told me to visit Action, Ohio" by May 21st. The person who sends the most visitors to the thread will win an Action, Ohio prize pack including:
- Signed copies of NINETY CANDLES, Neil's Xeric-winning graphic novella; Puffin Graphics' adapted version of Jack London's CALL OF THE WILD by Neil and Alex Nino; and X-MEN UNLIMITED #14, featuring an 11 page Colossus story by Neil and Mike Oeming.
- More importantly, a signed, original page of ACTION, OHIO art by illustrator Paul Salvi!
Just have your friends, family and pals visit http://www.zudacomics.com/node/438 by the end of May 21st, favorite our comic and post that they visited because of you - we'd love for them to vote for us too, but that's not necessary for you to win the contest.
And, heck - because we're generous souls, anyone who gets 33 people by the 21st will get a signed and sketched copy of NINETY CANDLES, too!
Remember - I'm turning another year older, but YOU'RE the one who'll get the goods! What're you waiting for?
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coppervale
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5:55p
A Further Observation on Living
There's a metaphor that I've assembled (in bits and pieces) from several friends and mentors, which I call The Synchronicity Freeway.
The Synchronicity Freeway is very, very central to my life, and how I live it.
Things happen the way they are supposed to, guided (or driven, or whatever word fits here for you - many do), and it's not our job to try to work out every little detail along the way - because we can't see everything. Not even a fraction of everything.
A mentor once described his version of the SF as riding in a car that he had no control over. He didn't control the speed, the direction, or the destination. His job, he said, was just to keep the windshield clear.
Inspiration; spirit; the universe; God; whatever you want to call it, I believe there is something greater than us that we can tune into as we move through our lives. And it can be done (sometimes) as well by not focusing or pressing for a solution or direction or stability of any kind - but by simply being receptive. By accepting, calmly, even subconsciously, that something more appropriate is in the offing.
By, basically, keeping the windshield clear.
I've had as many positive things in my life happen by NOT doing things as by actively seeking them; and more by NOT struggling against the bad things that have happened - but instead letting them flow over me, confident in the fact that The Synchronicity Freeway moves as it moves, and I'll see what I need to see. As long as I keep the windshield clear.
More art tomorrow - I promise.
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theinferior4
[ lucius_t ]
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4:33p
revving up for leavetaking
I haven't been blogging much because it's all I can do to get some work done and take care of all the piddley bullshit attached to leaving the ol' domicile for a protracted period. My latest experience with this time-consuming BS was last night with Continental Airlines. I was taking something unwieldy as a carry-on and I checked the CA website. The total inches allowed was 51, but they didn't break it down into height, width, length, so I called CA information and asked the guy how much length exactly I was allowed to carry-on.
Uh, said the guy. You allowed a total of fifty-one inches.
Right, I said. But what I want to know is exactly how wide one of your overhead compartments is.
A pause, then he says, You're allowed fifty-one inches.
I asked again and he replied testily, fifty-one inches.
I asked to be transferred. Two transfers later, I got my answer.
Another instance:
I heard you could get Comcast to shut down your phone and cable and computer line shut down if you were gone for three months or more, so I called and was told they didn't provide that service. Suspicious, I called back and was told this time that, yes, they did, but I had to call another number. Natch, it was the wrong number. I called again and was redirected, this time correctly. The lady told me I needed to call about two weeks before I left. Once again I was suspicious. I redialed and was told I needed to call a week before leaving. This went on for a while.
Attempting to get a foreign payment address for my credit cards was fun, as was making sure they wouldn't cancel the cards because suddenly started popping up from Spain, where I was last summer.
Is this the third world or what? I get the idea sometimes that I've fallen into the middle of Cyril Kornbluth's story, The Marching Morons. Half my credit card calls were responded to by someone in Bangladesh, but the other half were answered by Americans, who despite their unaccented English, made even less sense than their outsourced colleagues. If you drifted away from their script they were lost.
This, nabbed from Ben Peeks blog, is nice: an artistic license.
And here's a link...
http://evolution-control.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=117:artistic-license&catid=44:blog&Itemid=79
I wrote the guy to see if had them for sale, but haven't heard back. I want to be a "nocternal" artist.
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temporus
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8:31p
Tell me something
Is "Yes to all" an unclear statement? I mean, when my OS asks me if it's okay to move some files, and I click on Yes to all I sort of take it at its word. Unfortunately, it's a liar. It askes me again, and again, and again: Yes to all? Yes to all?
Excuse me, but all means...all. Not just this folder. Or until the next file that I want to ask you about again, just in case you'd changed your mind. Seriously, dear operating system, I understand the word "all" and you, clearly, do not.
I know, I know. It's a bit much to expect my computer to actually understand English. And sure, when you increment a number beyond the bit size, some programming languages end up flipping it into a negative number. We did go over that in Fortran class, back in the day.
I guess it's time to go back to the command line.
current music: Queen-I Want It All
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(comment on this)
jaylake
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5:23p
[cancer] Hallway Cam
current mood:  amused
current music: hospital noises
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