A year end bonus!!! Dream Job Achieved!

Sometimes when your situation looks beak, fate hands you a golden ticket and a chance at a great opportunity. Today, I secured employment. And its not McDonalds!

No, my fear that I would have to work a midnight shift at a dreaded fast food joint once again has sailed. I got lucky enough to be asked to join a new family at an adult boutique. So once again, I am entering into the world I know so much about. I'M BACK BABY!!!!!

To say that I am excited is an understatement. There's a lot of room for opportunity for me. I will be up on my feet and running around again and losing weight in the process. I will get to meet and work with new and interesting people. I got a new boss who already has bent over backwards to get me into the position. And I really feel the vibe of a "family" atmosphere that I so crave in the places in which I dwell. To get paid and get bills out of our lives. And build our new goals. No, EARN them. Yes. We got a lot ahead of us to conquer, and now I've got a foundation to build it upon once more. A job where my knowledge will become handy and I can feel "useful" once more. Not a cog in a machine, but actually impactful and helpful once more. One of the most rewarding experiences I have had in my life.

I am really grateful that these cats are going out of their way for me. My only option with the limited availability I have thanks to the wife and kid's needs meant I would have to work a midnight to 7am shift somewhere. And so... When would I sleep??? Good damn question! But I was prepared to do that to get things to happen for us. But fate has handed me this, and I am soooo grateful! I plan not to squander this opportunity and really give it my all.

Okay, I'm talking deep here folks. Its just a job right? Yeah, on the surface. But for me, its a way of fate saying "yes" to my plans and letting me continue with my plans I had laid out. And that along the way, I can get back something that I was robbed of two years ago. My self respect.

So thanks new place! I'm looking forward to the journey with you. And 2011... I'm coming for ya! Its gonna be a great year!

Be safe everyone. Have fun!

Luvs, T

Its coming close to the end.

As the year comes to an end, I look back at some of the cool shit that has happened to me and my family. Lots of ups and downs. Even now I am on the downward slope of a ride that definitely had some high notes. I think back to the little things I've learned this year. Some hard lessons I've been struggling with. Some scary thoughts that now monopolize my mind. Fear of the future, both personally and professionally. Fear of the unknown and economy taking us for a ride. Just general fear of everything.

On the plus side, it is indeed an exciting time for me. I've got more going on now than I ever have before. I've never been more "successful" than I have before. Commissions and workload are at an all time high. I've never got more attention than I have this past year. And with the plans I got for next year, its only gonna triple. Trust me, with whats coming, it will!

I think back to some of the best times. Concerts, Football Games, spending time with the family, going to cons, etc. I gloss over the worst of times. Including the sort of hardship I am going through now. Its hard to get bummed out cause of the plethora of awesome that exists right now. I'm very grateful for that. It keeps me sane. And I guess it makes me unafraid or even unconcerned about what is to happen very soon. Like right now, its looking inevitable that next year, I will have to get a night job at McDonalds or a gas station somewhere. Something a 32 year old "shouldn't" be doing, according to the values instilled in us all. It seems as though I "failed" or something. But really, I have not. I should not be ashamed. In fact, (and I say this without ego) I should be commended. Because when the chips are down and things look bleak, I step up to the plate once again and do what I must. Even when its sort of "degrading" or may even harm my long term plans or career somewhat. I still step up and get the job done. I provide for my family and take care of our goals. There's no shame in that. At least, I cannot find any at this point. Say what you want. I'll flip that burger proudly to know that I've done what needed to be done.

Thats what I've been wrestling with the last couple days. I found out my unemployment is gone and the dream job I keep looking for isn't out there. But it really doesn't matter anymore. Because no matter what comes in the new year, I will accomplish all my goals. I've got the prize before me and I know what must be done to get it. Both personally and professionally.

So as 2010 closes, I think out with the old and in with the new. My game plan has changed slightly. I'm embracing what fate is handing me and it has me excited for whats to come. To be debt free. To be rid of a lot of personal demons that plague me. To launch a couple new ventures and see the success rise. Cause it will. Bet money on it this one, it will! And even last night, I was thinking ahead to things for 2012 and beyond. Perhaps some new Pleasant Life? Yeah, I got a story idea that I think I may do. So even when some doors close, they can be reopened and relived again. Its life baby.

All in all, 2010 was a great year. I have no regrets. So bring your worst 2011. Its gonna be hard to stop me with what I got coming. Its going to be my biggest year ever. Count on it.

Luvs, T

A Teaser....

She is coming.......................................................literally.


.....................................2011..........................................

Best MST3K LIST

Heyo! A new list for ya today. My top Ten Favorite episodes of MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000. I loved this show back when it first aired and when I was in college I rediscovered it thanks to bootleg tapes and dvdrs I got from friends and people selling them. All in all, I own most of the series in various forms. If you've never checked out the series, this is a list that might get you started on the best of the best. Most of these are commercially available on DVD or Itunes.

1-Warrior of the Lost World - By far my favorite one. I love the movie and the riffing on this is awesome. Probably the most laughs per shot.

2-Cave Dwellers - This one is a close second. TONS of laughs in this one.

3-Manos: The Hands of Fate - Bears watching twice. Once to get over the shock of indeed how awful it is and then again to enjoy the riffing. Plus, the host segments are great like when Mike dresses as Torgo at the end. Very funny.

4-Mitchell - A great riff on this Joe Don Baker cop movie. Sad cause its Joel's last episode (I always favored Joel over Mike), but still a great watch.

5-Operation Double 007 - Some great riffs in this James Bond rip off flick starring his brother Neil Connery.

6-City Limits - A very young Kim Cattrall and a post apocalyptic biker movie. Very fun.

7-Master Ninja - I love the riffs they do in this against Tim Van Patton and you even see a very young Demi Moore in her first acting role ever.

8-The Brain that Wouldn't Die - The first Mike episode and its a great one. Riffs are good and you get to see a cat fight!

9-First Spaceship on Venus - I seem to have watched this one alot and its very good to watch and riff on.

10-Time of the Apes - The first MST show I ever watched. I like this one a lot.

Hon. Mentions: Gamera, Lost Continent, Catalina Caper, Fugitive Alien, It Conquered the World.

MST3K - AWESOME SHOW! Also check out the movie where they riff on "This Island Earth."

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!!!

Hey everyone. Just a quick drop in and say "Merry Christmas/Happy Holidays" to you and everyone who continues to follow me and be "entertained" by my ass. I'm in awe that you do keep coming back and humbled by your thoughts and support. Thank you very much. Be safe and merry this weekend.

As for me, the wife works mostly, so we are opening the kid's presents tomorrow night or early morning before she heads to work. Then cooking Xmas dinner either Saturday Night or Sunday during the day. We'll see. Other than that, finishing commissions. I finished one of the big ones last night and I got 4 more large ones to go. Then plus more work on Secret Project X. Fun stuff all around.

Hope all is well. Take care and enjoy this weekend. I for one am going to take some time to watch some Xmas movies that I have never bothered to sit down and watch. Like A Christmas Story and Its a Wonderful Life. Yes, I've never seen these movies. Long story, trust me. But now I'm gonna make up for it.

T

Bridge Across Forever (Bonus Blog)

A THIRD blog from me today? Aren't you lucky!?!? I guess I'm just in that mood this morning.

Sometimes I'm asked as to what is my favorite thing I've drawn. Well, storywise, this is the one that I am sharing with you now. It appeared in the second tradebook called PLEASANT LIFE: GEEKS GONE WILD. Long since sold out (may be reprinted in another form someday). It was a small thing I did at the end of the book as a tribute to my mother. I wrote Pleasant Life initially because of her dying. The main character LUCAS' mom dies early on in the first book, exactly how my mother died. In effect, I put my story into the story. Those that followed the series early on know that. But what I share with everyone now is my favorite Pleasant Life story. That being this small bit-the Bridge Across Forever.

Bridge Across Forever is a song by the progressive rock supergroup called Transatlantic. And to get the full experience of this small story, you should get ahold of that song somehow and listen to it along while reading this. Allow me to describe the goings on in the pages as you go. Sort of like a music video for the song. (and please note I drew this six years ago now and my art style definitely has improved and changed since then.) Here we go:



--Lucas comes home from his outer life and then is reminded of his mother. He takes a moment to dwell on her and her being gone. The reminder sets him in a reflective mood to where he just wants to jam quietly on some music. There is great distance between him and her in the picture. Quite unreachable. Lucas is the child and his mom the angel and the magic river of no crossing is the distance between them.



--That night he decides to turn in early. He stares at the picture he has of his mom and the last panel echoes the void between them. Physically and in memory and she is unreachable in both. There is no bridge or anything to connect them. The chasm of death and life seperating them.



--He dreams of being in a desert wasteland. Distant sands and magenta winds. He's been here before but doesn't know what its about. Above him he sees the airship of Transatlantic, the bands' symbol. So he knows that its a song he is remembering from one of his favorite groups. Off in the distance he sees something.



--Its a bridge into the next life. Heaven? Forever beyond? He sees a multitude of angels or people standing there. Happy, united. He runs after them. Wanting to see if they know where she is because he knows she is there. They dissipate and go into the clouds beyond. He is not allowed to go. He stops. As the crowd disperses, he is shocked to see someone distant, has stayed behind for one last long look.



--Its his mother. Standing on the bridge into heaven. Giving him one last look, saying goodbye.

So that folks, is my favorite part of my longest running series: Pleasant Life. Hope you enjoyed. Its a lovely song and thats how I always hear it now.

T

Ten Years Ago Today....

JANUARY 24th, 1978--



DECEMBER 22, 2000 --

I awoke and realized that I was over two hours late for work. I got up and there were several messages on my answering machine. First of which was dad. "Son. Its dad. Call here please." Second message was him again. Third was my work. Jenny had come in to open the theater when I didn't arrive. They just wanted to see where I was. I called my dad first.

"Son, come home."
"Whats going on?" I asked.
"I just I need you to come here," He said quietly.
"She's dead isn't she?" I said. But I already knew. The cancer had won. There was a pause. Silence was deafening.
"Yes. She died at 8 this morning. Do you want to see her before they take her?"
"No. I don't dad. I just can't see her that way."

What we said next is a blur but I remember making plans to meet up with him at his work later. I called work and told them what happened and they said not to worry about coming in. They already figured thats what happened. I drove around town, eventually running into dad at his work. He had gone there to avoid seeing them take her body away from the house. He was sobbing with his co-workers. We left together and got coffee at Meijer's cafe. I do not remember what we talked about. I think he filled in the details of what happened. They were all around her and she took her final breaths and she was gone. There was a fake crystal heart she had got as a gift from QVC, that hung in the window. The sun shined light through it and illuminated her face. My sister in law took notice of that and it got everyone's attention. I don't know what that means really, but its something special to me. I own that fake crystal heart now. It hangs by my art desk to remind me.

I drove to my work and got hugs from people there. I really didn't know where else to go. I said that I was indeed going to the office Christmas party that night at Sydney's downtown apartment. I was looking forward to it actually. Anything to get my mind off what was going on. I drove to the house and my brothers were there. We all generally talked. John and Tony went and got some beer. We cranked open a couple and just talked about nothing. Dad came home and as he was climbing the steps, he began to sob hard. He barely made it into the door. He knew for the first time that he was coming into the house and his beloved wife wasn't there. God, I hope I never have to feel that feeling. He sobbed openly at the table in front of us. Here he was, this man who was the most stern, hard working, backbone of manhood, reduced to a blob of emotions and a complete wreck. He kept saying that if it weren't for us kids, he'd ram his truck into a tree. Tony and John wept. I did not. I sat sternly and quiet. We all told each other that we loved each other. Likely the only time that will ever happen again in our lives. The one thing that did unite us all was now gone.

Someone went and got my other brother Mikey and so all four of us were there. We listened to Jackie Wilson on CD and just tried to talk or think about ANYTHING else than mom. Dad would periodically leave to go to the bedroom and cry. Too proud even now to let us see him in pain. And he was in deep pain. After the third or forth time he left, I went in after him. What I saw was perhaps the saddest thing I had ever seen in my life. I'll never forget the image as long as I live. He was on his knees, head buried into mom's beloved chair. Her spot that she always had throughout our lives and sobbing into the cushion. I got him up and hugged him hard. I told him that he would never be alone, because he had me. He finally came out and rejoined us. After a while, I left and went to the Cinema Four Christmas party. Everyone was drinking and having a great time. Sydney was my secret santa and she splurged and got me a Pink Floyd rarities box set. She knew I was a huge Floyd fan. I don't know if others pitched in or not for it, or if it was her act of kindness because of my mother's death that motivated her to spend $60 on it, when our agreed upon limit was $20. I'll never forget that gesture. I left after an hour because I didn't want to be the elephant in the room. I went home and watched TV alone. And then I went to sleep. Never once letting the events of the day leave my head. It was indeed a long night.

----

As I type this, that day was ten years ago. And as I replayed these events in my head, I had to stop and cry it out a bit before I could continue. The pain never goes away. It always remains. And indeed, there's not one day that goes by where I don't think of my mother. Even in the little things. For example, when I pay at the pump for gas, I always get a receipt. Because mom once told me that she was charged twice and that I should always get a receipt. I have done that ever since and have never once got charged twice. Its a waste of paper and time. But I always do it. Because it reminds me of her.

Its because of her that I am who I am today. Her love of music and movies, pop culture in general. Her loving kindness, her grace. Her open heart, her artistic drive that she never could take the time to devote to. She gave up her life and her ambitions to give her all to us and her husband. At times, her life was a rough one. Husbands that cheated and did all sorts of unloving or nasty things to her. Kids who were tough to deal with at times. Having a son who was mentally handicapped and she took on that challenge. Dealing with my spoiled, needy ass. But supporting me and my dreams all the way. Its for her I am driven to succeed in everything I do in life. Because if I don't, I am not doing right by her. She wanted to be a writer, a performer, an artist, even a musician. But her situation in life deemed it not possible. So she focused her energy on us so that we could succeed. and succeed I have.

Its because of her I am driven. Its because of her death that I wrote comics and made my career and art the best I could deliver. and I never would strop striving to learn and grow. Its because of her death that I know life is precious and you have to go out and live every moment. Its why I love to travel and do things. Its why I love to be around those I care for and who give back to me equally. Its for her I choose not to dwell in suffering. Whenever I want to be with my mom, I pop in a dvd of one of her favorite movies or listen to The Beatles. I do wish she was here so we could talk about those things. Oh how I miss those conversations. Hell, its because of her that I am a Star Trek fan. And that is one of the main things at the core of my being. So indeed, Star Trek is her and its me. Sounds odd, but its true. Just go with it. It makes sense to me anyway.

Mom believed in a God and she certainly wasn't afraid of death. She didn't fear what was beyond this life, if indeed there is anything at all. She was worried about us kids and she wanted us to get close. In some things, we did try. Dad and I have become extremely close. And that in itself, is a miracle. We met each other halfway. Not without tribulation beforehand, sure. But we did achieve it. And I know one day I will have to face these same feelings over again when he goes. and maybe one day if my Kelly dies before me, I will be even closer to him because I will feel his pain of when he lost mom. but I hope those things are a long way off. For now, I take comfort in the idea that mom feared nothing and met death with her eyes wide open. Yes, we were robbed of her twilight years. Dad was robbed of his companion for life. She never knew me as a full fledged adult. She never got to meet my wife, or my children. But all I can do now is pass on to them how she was through how I come to terms with my own life and mortality. As someone in a movie once said "What we leave behind isn't as important as how we've lived." And I always will live on for the both of us. I carry her with me always.

Never forgotten. Never saddened. But always dreamed.




Ten years ago today. I'll never forget.

Projects Galore!

Welcome back. I must be doing something right for you fine folks to keep reading my verbal diarrhea. I appreciate that and the messages/emails back. Love ya all! Hope yer holiday month is going well.

Me, since the wife and I opened our presents already, I've been focusing on getting work done. I still have very large commissions to complete and I am plugging away at the four projects that are on my plate right now. Secret Project "X": I got a few new pages done the last three days. I hope to start some more today. Lingerie Massacre: I still haven't got anything new on it. Project Y: I sent off sample writings to the artist to start on while I catch up. And lastly, my big artbook---see this:



A new BRIAN GRIFFIN as THE DOG WITH NO NAME poster thingie. Might put "WANTED" in the bottom somewhere. Thats the idea anyway.



This is a rare pic of me stripping up negatives on my first indie published comic "DARKNESS" back in 1994.

So these are the kind of things you are gonna get in the upcoming ARTBOOK of mine. A great look deep into the archives of my work from earliest projects and newer stuff. Plus stuff no one has seen yet. It will be quite the collection of art, finished art, sketches, thumbnails, process talk and lots of commentary to the whole thing. A real nice package. I hope to have this instead of new yearly digest size sketchbooks. Look for this to be completed in March or April if all goes well. I just dug through all my digital saved files this last weekend and found a lot of old gems that deserve a place in the book. Its gonna be a treat!

For now though, I got these huge commissions weighing me down and gotta get them done and out the door. Gots ta get paid! So I will work on those during the day and tonight, booze it up with the wife while playing Wii bowling n'shit. Wordzzzz.

This weekend or early next week, I plan to do the live drunken commentary to the film "THE ROOM" via my idiothead.com podcast. It will be epic. Keep watching my twitter as to when I am doing that live!

Cheers, T

Christmas Week.

Hey all. Been a busy week and weekend and I am indeed nowhere near caught up. I likely never will be at this rate. I need like a week solid of uninterrupted work. Like, no kid to watch, no sleep. Just WORK. I got a ton of commission work to pump out first and the project is so large with so many people in each drawing that it will take alot of the time this next week. I gotta get ahead on Secret Project X as well. Lingerie Massacre pages... man, I haven't touched those since before I moved! Its not looking well with my current workload either! But its early in the game, so we'll see.

Today, after I put the kid to bed, I cleaned up various files in the comp, backed up stuff and got things organized for the ARTBOOK thats coming out in March. I want to do a few new pieces for it as well and continue to collect older stuff from the archives. Stuff that not alot of people have seen or have seen it but long since forgotten. Then I gotta build a layout for it all. Yeah. Just alot of pots on the stove man. Lots of cooking to do. But paying gigs must come first!!!!! ;)

Watched the Lions win their first away game in two years today. Both this weeks and last weeks games were exciting as hell. Very great to be a Detroit fan right now. I look forward to all the fans coming back and stop naysaying them all the time. I feel that next year if they build on their successes this year so far, we'll really have a nice run. But this year has been a great season, all things considered. All the games were close. The players are great. And considering all the injuries and all that, they've played their hearts out. Best football team in the league IMO.

The wife and I already opened our Xmas presents to each other. I got her a nice ring, a stephen king hardcover and some nice socks. She got me the Bill Hicks CD/DVD Essential collection, HAYNES Enterprise Manual (which I will return due to ink errors and its being not that great), Heavier Than Heaven: Biography on Kurt Cobain and A DVD of "THE ROOM." I will make her sit down and watch that with me. We're gonna play the drinking game too. Maybe I'll broadcast it as a live commentary on the website. That would be fun. Gives me an idea. Okay. Coming soon: THE ROOM live drunken commentary! An Idiothead.com podcast exclusive!!! YAY!

Its looking likely that I will only do TWO shows next year. That being MOTOR CITY and DALLAS COMIC CON all in May. The rest of time is devoted to a new endevour, which I will not talk about yet. Still too early to reveal. So if you want to see me next year, thats yer only chance! Make plans now.

I guess I got nothing else to report. I wish there was more time in the day to do stuff I need to get done. It would be good to get ahead for once. Wish me luck as I really am gonna try to work hard this week to get caught up! I need it.

Luvs, T

Modeling.

Here's a look at OTHER uncompleted projects of mine...



YEah, I'm into modeling. TREK related models, natch.

I put together alot of the model kits when I was a kid. Boats, cars, planes, etc. But lots of Trek. I have probably put together the original series Enterprise AMT model about six times, literally.

I really wish I had more time to dedicate to it. Cause I do enjoy it greatly. Hopefully sometime soon I can catch up on work so that I can put these together. I'm looking forward to that time. If it ever comes.

So, thats it really. Nothing new to report. Just staying busy, as per usual.

Okay, back to work!!!

T

New Stuff....

Some new color pieces I've done. A LINK from Nintendo and M'Ress from Star Trek Animated Series.

TOP 2010 LISTS!!!!

Its that time again. My top lists of 2010!!! Here we go---

Top 5 COOLEST EVENTS:
1- Concerts! I went to two concerts this year. Transatlantic and Roger Waters performing THE WALL. Great shows. Equally as awesome for different reasons. Probably best concerts I have ever seen.
2- Lions Game! My first NFL game seeing live ever. It was wonderful and a great time. Will definitely do more next year. At least two more. Gonna make a yearly thing.
3- Michigan Conventions! First up was Motor City in Novi, which was wonderful. My most financially successful show I have ever done. I had a primo spot, was treated well and had great fun. Best hotel experience as well. Then later in the year I had Detroit Fanfare which was great fun. My friend Ted went with me and we hung out with all my pals. Finally met Dante from Clerks, who was a great dude. All in all Michigan comic shows be very good to me!
4- Heroes Con. Roomed with Uko, Grant and Anthony and had a wonderful time. My table placement sucked and it wasn't the best financially, but I still had a great time. Im torn about going again next year cause its such a great time.
5- Move to Lansing. Probably the biggest personal event of the year. Life is sweeter and greater here, as I knew it would be. Screw Southwest Michigan. I love my new life!

TOP TV SHOWS:
1- Doctor Who Season 5- A great show once again and Matt Smith stepped into the big shoes left by Tennant and did a great job.
2- Hollywood Treasures- A fun new show talking about movie props. Theres a tad too much drama in some parts that I wish they wouldn't focus on, but the rest of it is really cool.
3- The Walking Dead- A great new show. I like what they are doing with it as opposed to the comic. Its got kinks here and there, but I am confident in its entertainment value.
4- Man vs. Food- The wife turned me on to this. A fun show. Makes me hungry and disgusted all at once.
5- Destination Truth- Its entertaining when they are going to a new country and exploring but the actual investigation I could do without. But still, entertaining.

TOP 5 MOVIES: (Note: I haven't seen a whole lot of new movies in 2010. Its not been that interesting of a year. Plus with a two year old, I don't get out to the movies much. But here's what I did see)
1- Iron Man 2 - It was okay. Entertaining. I liked it. I don't want to be super critical anymore.
2- Jackass 3D - HIGHLY entertaining. I loved it.
3- Machete - Entertaining. It wasn't the total throwback that I wanted it to be and it does have its problems. But overall, it was fun movie going.
4- Expendables - Again, wasn't a total throwback that I wanted it to be. But it was fun. I enjoyed it.
5 (I have nothing for #5. But I reserve this spot for TRUE GRIT, which I haven't seen. But the trailers look awesome! I cannot wait to see it)

TOP 5 CDS:
1- NIN: Pretty Hate Machine re-release. The sound quality on this is awesome. Love it!
2- TRansatlantic Live - The CD/DVD version of the concert I saw. GREAT!
3- STone Temple Pilots #5 - A so-so album. But still notable. I didn't buy much else "new" music this year.
4- Brian Posehn: Fart and Wiener Jokes - A great comedy album
5- Doctor Who Specials Score - I've listened to the 10th doctor regeneration music over and over this year. AWesome score for the Tennant specials.
(I've got the Bill Hicks retrospective coming in the mail. I reserve this as potentially replacing something on this list)

TOP 5 WORST EVENTS:
1- Pete Steele RIP - A tragic loss to the music world of mine that is slowly dwindling. I am a huge TYPE O fan and to see him go is an amazing loss. I'm still bummed about it.
2- Unemployment - Still up in the air. Haven't found that pie in the sky deal.
3- Family Health - Some of my family members are going through some rough stuff right now. And even myself, I've hit some uncomfortable, unknown strides. Health sucks.
4- Employer/Employee assholeism - at a former recent job of mine, there was some definite BS going on. And I am soooooooo glad to be rid of it. Life is too short to worry about that shit. Oh well. I'll never have to see those people again ever. So fuck em.
5- Move and then move again. Seems about 1/2 this year all my possessions were in fucking boxes. And the constant physical moving sucked too. Oh well. It all worked out in the end.

TOP 10 NEW PURCHASES:
1- House of Usher Bootleg- Found this on Ioffer. Its a dvd rip of the TV version of this story starring Martin Landau and Robert Hayes that I was scared of as a little kid.
2- Grindhouse BR - SOooooooo glad I waited for this release. Has everything I wanted on it. Its fucking dope! Best BR I bought this year.
3- Empowered Trades - Best new series I bought this year. AWESOME book!
4- Ghostbusters swag - Two things: An actual animation cell from "The REAL Ghostbusters" cartoon I enjoyed as a kid. And my first (and likely only) high end collectible figure. I got the EGON for $65. Alot of money but totally worth it. It looks awesome collecting dust on my shelf. Will be great ebay fodder for my family when I croak.
5- Cover Run: Art of Adam Hughes - A great collection of art, sketches and commentary. I'm really into artbooks and sketch books this year.
6- ICON: ARt of Jim Lee - Again, same as the Hughes book.
7- Jay Fosgitt Sketchbook - Now this is what a sketchbook should be. A free sketch on it, each page is PACKED with sketches, commentary and more. No dead space. Best sketchbook I've got in a while. Score yours at jayfosgitt.com (and I'm not just plugging it cause I know the guy. Its really a great sketchbook)
8- Vintage Nintendo Powers - Been wanting these for a while and I finally got it. Very great to relive those magazine memories.
9- Mike Portnoy: In Constant Motion DVD - I've always balked at the price but I finally got over myself and its well worth it. a great dvd full of rare footage and drum instructional footage.
10- Wii - Just fun.

TOP 10 THINGS LEARNED:
1- Moving music to digital is doable - I went through and have been getting rid of alot of my "shelf porn" this year. And one major project was getting rid of most of my physical music media. I kept the beatles and some box sets. But all other cds are gone. I don't miss them either. Best decision in a while. What do I need all that crap for? I got the music! Thats all I need.
2- Back up stuff!!! - Yeah, I had a HD crash this year. So glad I backed up my stuff. Great idea. Keep doing that.
3- Loseit.com - a Great site. If I ever keep up with it.
4- Comic Shows re-evaluation - Been doing alot of thinking on this and my future in this "Industry." In 2011, I am launching a new idea and way of doing things. I'll keep this personal for now.
5- Webcomics - hmmmnnnn.....
6- Prints far outsell my comics - One of the reasons I made mad $$$ at shows this year. Its great, but I want people to read the work! But certainly keeps me financially afloat. I appreciate it.
7- People in other countries appreciate my work more than USA folk do - Its true. I've made more $$$ overseas this year than here from my fellow yankees. I do love ya faithful USA friends. But overseas is beckoning!
8- Color comics look so much better - One look at ANNA POCALYPSE over PLEASANT LIFE speaks volumes.
9- Podcasting is fun! - Not only the idiothead.com podcast, but I've continued with the others from talkshoe.com and I've got a nice following of people from it. I really appreciate that you continue to put up with me and find me "entertaining." I'm in awe of that. Thank you.
10- What matters in comics most? FRIENDSHIP - That has never steered me wrong. I've had good friends step up for me this year and I cherish them for it forever. Thank you everyone in a list far too long to name.

GOALS FOR 2011---
1-Complete Secret Project x.
2-Complete Secret Project y
3-Complete Lingerie Party Massacre and make 2012 Horror Con plans
4-Keep afloat financially and pay off bills.
5-Get this kid of mine to talk more!!!!!

thanks for listening!

T

SNOW!!!!!

Hey all. TONS of snow up here in Lansing area Michigan today. It started coming down early this morning when I had to get on the road to drive to Flint area about an hour and change away. Not too bad though. I've drove through worse.

Been an interesting week. Finished commissions, started on new ones. Still writing things for Secret Project X. And I gotta get started on Secret Proposal Project Y. Project Y I am actually doing with someone else, believe it or not. Its true! But tonight and tomorrow I hope to get a nice jump on commissions and catch back up for the next week.

I got the ICONS Jim Lee artbook, which is awesome! I was hesitant on getting it, but I am glad I did. Lots of thumbnails, sketches and some color finished pieces. Unfortunately, its all DC only work, nothing else. But thats okay. I've always had a soft spot in my heart for Jim Lee's art. Its what I remember digging back when I read Xmen back in the day. So I recommend that.

I let the wife open her presents already and she revealed mine. Which I will talk about when I get them in the mail. For now, I am enjoying Empowered #3 tradebook, new art supplies from my new favorite art supply store JERRYSARTARAMA.com (They have ROLLING RULERS!!!!!!!) and some new clothes I bought myself.

The biggest news is I got a Nintendo Wii for xmas for the family. My son Cody has one and hates playing daddys "old fogie" video games when he comes over. The wife has been wanting to play and I was sorta interested. But we got the $199 version with two games (one of which was the new mario brothers) and a $50 gift card to Walmart. So it was a hell of a deal! Instantly upon playing Wii sports, I fell in love with it. I'm getting good exercise from it too. The wife and I enjoyed a night of Wii bowling with some beers and it was a great time. Although my shoulder is definitely sore now as a result. The new Mario game is fun but HARD. I even downloaded some classic NES and SNES games via the wii console. But coolest of all is the NETFLIX link, where I can watch things from my instant que on my TV, instead of being confined to my room. I love that. So a purchase that was a tad extravagant, but well worth it. Besides, ITS CHRISTMAS!!!!

Watched the Lions win today. A big win too. First time beating the Rival Green Bay Packers in 10 games. Also ends a bit of division losing streak. Well done guys. Well done. And notice I didn't say "we won." Thats a pet peeve of mine. When someone refers to a team winning and they say "WE". Like they had a hand in the actual playing. I know, you support the team and feel a part of it and all that. Fine. But you didn't take the hits or the tackles. They did and the Lions certainly earned it today. I hope this boasts their spirits a bit. I'm still with em baby. Every game is important. Learn for next year. Next year.

Okay, nuff said for now. I'm going to go find some food and then play with the bots and then get down to work.

Cheers, T

John Lennon. It 30 years ago today...

I've said many times how much of a music fan I am. I love music. Many forms, many styles, extremely varied. Hard to narrow me down. But some are special. They hold the deepest parts of my love of music and can never be matched. One of these is my extreme love of the Beatles. I love the Beatles. If anyone out there ever says to me that they don't like em, well, I just can't ever get along with you. We're just not meant to hang out man. Cause Beatles people get it. They are unique in a way. Its unspoken, and cannot even really be defined. To sit here and explain what the Beatles are, what they meant and what they mean to me... well, I couldn't do it. I just couldn't. So special they are, that when I recently got rid of all my cds, I kept the Beatles ones. All of them. Cause I need every photo. Every song lyric and liner note. I need it all. The Beatles are deified on my Top Ten list of life, love and music. They don't even deserve a list because its like breathing, its a given thing.

I realize that today marks 30 years since that mother fucking piece of shit shot down John Lennon. I get ill just thinking about it. I was two years old. I remember when my mother would cry early on when listening to The Beatles records. Maybe thats why I started to love them, because of her. Maybe listening to them brings me closer to my mom. I don't know.

I've went over the details of how and "why" he was killed that night. I still have no answers and no comfort in it. Shoot to 2002. I went to the Rock Hall of Fame in Cleveland, OH with two of my closest friends. Surprisingly, there was a Lennon exhibit going on there. I saw his Sgt. Peppers outfit. I saw early Beatles outfits, guitars, handwritten lyrics, rare photos, the drumhead from the Ed Sullivan show appearance, Lennon's Oscar and much more. But one display, off to the side, by itself captured my attention. It was a standalone kiosk that was square. On one side it had a circular glass which you could see through. The side of it had a square window which you could look into as well. In the square window was a bag, dried with crimson blood soaked clothing. It had the clothes that John was wearing the night he was killed. Never opened since the hospital sealed them. In the front of this kiosk, in the circular window, was a pair of glasses. Blood caked on them. The ones he wore when he was shot. They stared back at me and I kept staring into them. I was moved to tears. There was a letter from Yoko, explaining that she wanted people to see this to raise awareness of gun control and all that. But I was focused on these glasses. I can never get that visual out of my head for as long as I live.

I often fantasize that time travel is possible. And if I had one trip to take, just one... I wouldn't go back and see my mother. I wouldn't go and try to find out if say, Jesus existed, or if Noah's Ark was real. No. I always fantasize about going back and stopping Lennon from dying that night. What would have happened if that were possible? Would he reunite with the Beatles again? Would he do more great solo works? Would he keep raising awareness about ourselves and the need for peace? Who knows. At the least, he wouldn't have been robbed of his right to live out his life, be a father to Sean and live with the love of his life. He was denied that, they were denied that. Nevermind what we lost out on. I feel their loss as though he were my own family. The thoughts of a life ripped or pulled away in an instant is devastating to think about. I hope we as one race, can grow beyond those things. Just as I hope that I never have to feel that same thing if someone I love goes suddenly.

A while back, I found an interview disc with John, recorded mere hours before he died. I still haven't been able to bring myself to listen to it. Even though I never met him, never knew him... I still feel for him. Odd isn't it? That we feel something like this for someone who we have never or will never meet. He was more than just a musician. So very very very much more.

In actuality, Paul McCartney was always my favorite Beatle. But Lennon was equally as great for different reasons. Below is an in store performance of a song McCartney wrote about John called "HERE TODAY." I tear up when I watch this. Its hard to watch Paul break down about it, remembering his friend. I share it with all of you...



There's no positive note to end on. John is gone and even thirty years later, it still hurts. Sometimes in life, you meet someone, or find someone special. Sometimes people are given to us and they come and kick our ass and show us how it was done. Sometimes indeed, we are blessed with such a person. And we always remember them, and thus they will never pass away. John Lennon was such a person. And he is here with us today. The soul, the spirit of him, his music, his life.. all of it. And we can feel it now.

RIP John. We love you and still miss you. We sure could use you right now.

Movie time and what a week!

Hey all. Been keeping busy mostly. I partied with the wife a bit on Wednesday, playing old NES/SNES games. Then the wife went up north to see some of her friends on Thursday while I did some Christmas shopping. Friday she returned and we went to dinner and did some minor shopping. I took a nap (in my office floor even!) and then watched two movies I keep putting off: American Movie and Saving Private Ryan. I liked both. I promise to expand on my thoughts on Mighty Sabo podcast next week if I get the chance. Up next I got some classic GI JOE cartoons from the 80s via netflix. I never saw the cartoon beyond the GI JOE the MOVIE they did for it. And I saw the recent live action one. I thought I would give the cartoon series a taste as well. A lot of my friends were huge GI JOE and TRANSFORMERS guys. I was a He-Man, Star Trek, Star Wars guy. Well... moreso the middle one, natch.

Still on a mission to rid myself of a lot of the clutter around here. I'm gonna be selling some of my magazines and Star Trek figures on ebay maybe next week when I can find some time to post them up on the site. Meanwhile, I am plugging through a new round of commissions and work on Secret Project X. Lingerie Massacre pages have sort of stopped for a bit cause I've been so damn busy. I need to get some new pre-lined Bristol paper anyway. Maybe I'll try to score some this week after I get paid.

I bought a couple of Itunes cards and downloaded some new music and some Star Trek TOS episodes onto my ipod. Its funny, I got like 4,000 songs and 12 Star Trek episodes, a couple movies and a couple of Doctor Who episodes on it and I still got like 120GB of memory left on the thing! That beauty will last me a while, thats for sure.

Well, I got commissions to get done this weekend so I will end this. But first, your Adam-Factoid for today:

I love meat. I could never become a vegatarian. Never. I love hamburger, steak, chicken, pork, etc. Just love it. But Venison? Deer meat? FUCKING SICK!!!! I have tried to eat it twice in my life and both times puked it up. Even once I was tricked into almost eating some. But I recognized the smell even though the chili broth tried to hide it. So I am against deer hunting for that reason. Venison is the sickest meat ever. A bonus fact: I hate salad dressing. I always order my salads plain. People always give me that "um, are you SURE" look, like I'm crazy or something. But no. Give me a salad with LIGHT cheese, bacon bits and croutons. And the leaves, the greener the better. Toss some dry spinach up in there too. So quit looking at me like I am crazy for not liking dressing. Last I knew, it was the fattening part of the salad anyway. And it tastes artificial and yuck yuck!!!

T