Thoughts pt. 287

He emerges from hobbit cave of internet silence to blog once again.

Hello my friends. lots of things going on. Lots to juggle. Lots of future to plan for. Despite me saying I'm taking a break from commission stuff for a bit, I've taken on some more commission work to help that future come along. Its from a trusted source so it should go smooth. I also got my Starslam 2 books back from the printer. Cheers to all who helped make it happen:

So I am busy filling out sketches and orders for that. Tons of work to do there.

I am busy packing my house for the eventual move to East Lansing in August. And I just secured an exciting deal to get joint custody of my boys next year! But that means I have to be closer to Scotty's school district. They are doing so well with his autism and to change his environment might be a step back for him. So once my lease is up over there in East Lansing, I have to move back to the area! (sigh) It is a juggle, but its for the good of Scotty's education. I was hoping to possibly put a down-payment on a house next year but I still have some financial fallout from my divorce that needs to be solved in order for that to proceed. It will take two things: Money and time. It will happen, but not without yet another move in my life.

Seems like all I have ever done is move. At least 30 times in my life have I moved my things to a new temporary "home." My co-workers are buying houses and fixing their houses. They are younger than me. As much as I am excited for them, part of me kicks myself for not being where they are. I know I will get there, and my circumstances are different. But I desire to mow my own lawn and paint my own walls. I think I've earned that right.

Someday.

I'm still saddened by the events in Florida last week. I usually check news sites more often now that I am avoiding social media. The political landscape is a complete mess. And in entertainment news, we get the sad news that Anton Yelchin (CHEKOV) had passed away due to a freak accident. I liked him in the first 2009 TREK movie. As well as the Fright Night remake and the Terminator Salvation flick. I saw this online and thought it fitting:

So what have I been doing on this break so far? Well, I have mostly sat and caught up with TV and Movies. Not much reading yet, but I will. I got two new Neil Gaiman books to start plus the new Doug Stanhope book. I also scored some new comics like Mark Brooks' on HAN SOLO for Marvel, Ted McKeever's PENCILHEAD and of course INVINCIBLE. And I've been working on new stuff of my own as well: 

Got some help here. James loves to erase daddy's pencils.

Been cooking a lot too. Here is James enjoying one of daddy's famous hamburgers.

I took my girl out to the best breakfast place in town: GOLDEN HARVEST! Here's a fun little toy from the wall in there.

Been taking the time to do a lot of drinking as well!

In addition to my NES collecting addiction, I got into more games on my iphone! I've been itching to play some RPGs but haven't been able to get Dragon Warrior 2-4 in the box. Wayyyyyy too expensive! I got Dragon Warrior 1 complete in the box but I beat that when I was a kid. Searching on the apple store I found you can buy and play those same games (with some graphic updates) on your phone! To wet my whistle about it, I got Dragon Quest (original name for Dragon Warrior) on my phone and have been playing it all weekend. As of this writing, I'm on level 21 and have to go get the Rainbow Drop to make the bridge to go to the last castle. Almost there. Then I'll get Dragon Quest 2 and kick its ass! Some screenshots: 

Right after I beat the green dragon and rescued the princess.

Stupid townsfolk.

This weekend my oldest son is coming to stay with me for a bit over the summer. I'm really looking forward to it. We'll spend the next week or two together and celebrate fourth of July weekend. This weekend I am taking him to southern Illinois to visit my dad and show him where his family comes from. He's never been there. And I'm long overdue for a visit myself. I'm looking excited to hang with him and take a little trip for the family.

Coming up I have NO convention appearances. People keep asking me. I'm not going to any comic cons for a long while. Next show I do will be a book focused indie show. Not sure when that will be but I just want to spend some time with myself chasing the whimsies, doing domestic duties and producing work. I'm still writing, drawing, etc. But at a snail's pace. I hope you all understand.

Anyway, back to my dark cave until I have something new to say. I hope life continues to treat all of you well. My love to all of you!

--T