Back to the Grind and a Confession

Hey friends,

Well, Vacation week is over. It doesn't seem like it should be, but it is. I worked very hard for this last week and now its gone. I did a lot, saw a lot of people I never get to see, got comic work done, reading done, went to the movies (saw SNATCHED. Not bad), Had TV marathons, went out to dinner, deep talking with friends, played video games, napped, cleaned, petted kitties, got drunk, jammed on music, drew 5 pages, lounged out in front of air conditioner, ate a shit-ton of crappy food, traveled 600 miles and back and much more.

And now its over. Back to work today. Back to the daily grind.

It really flew by, man. It seems like yesterday. I honestly could do another week of this. I'm not sure I feel rested at all. But I do get some rest coming up. There is the TOOL concert in early June. End of June is the Chicago trip. The summer will bring some fun with the kids and holidays and all that. But my entire vacation time is spent. I gotta make it to January 1st now with not much rest to have.

Honestly, that is okay. I got things planned. Things I have to do (finally). There is so much work ahead. I got probably THREE books to launch before the end of the year. Right now the focus is on my health. This carpal Tunnel thing will continue to be worked with and monitored. And I am focusing on my weight loss. We haven't had sodas in the house for almost two weeks now. I've had them if we go out but the weaning has already begun. I plan to go hardcore on the fruits and veggies until I get below 300.

I'll be brutally honest here. I think its the best way I can be in this life. I find strength in being honest. About two weeks ago, I got on the scale and I crossed a margin. An unthinkable margin. The total I weighed that day?

402 pounds.

Yes, I crossed the 400 pound mark. Severely morbidly obese. I stepped off the scale and I was in shock. I have gained 82 pounds in over a year. I am now officially one foot in the grave. I cried to myself as I wondered how it all happened. But I knew. Of course I knew. The depression led me to eat. I have a sedentary job, I snack. The sodas. The fast food. No exercise... its no mystery as to what I did to myself. I'm scared to go to the doctor. I'm scared to do anything, honestly. I don't feel right. I feel wobbly and full of panic.

But all this means is I am awake and aware of what I have done and what I must do now.

My goal is to drop 100 pounds. Right now. Immediately. So I am going hardcore. I gotta get out of the danger zone.... or die trying. And right now, I feel like living. I got shit to do. So I am going to get this freight train back on the rails and kicking ass at this thing. I'm struggling to survive and its time I woke up and get myself under control.

There are so many other things I want to do beyond just the weight loss. I have to save for many things coming up. I have to find time to get work done. I have to this, I have to that. And it will be easy to do because everything is a choice. What do you choose? What are you more hungry for? Future dreams, to live thinner and happier or what I have been doing so far with a very limited life? I wasn't created to live depressed, defeated, ashamed or condemned and unworthy. I was created to be victorious. And its my turn. I choose life.

So 'scuse me while I take care of some personal business. Stuff I keep saying I have to do but now, HAVE to do it. And I will. Because I can. And if you are in a similar boat as mine, so can you.

Anyway, back to the grind of work and getting my life under control. Meanwhile, here are some pics to entertain:

The kittens got adopted out! Chloe went to her new home and Sebastian went to one as well. The grey one (we named her Luna) was declared the winner and we chose her to stay with us. We're happy with our decision but miss all of them greatly.

Co-worker NES party.

Lots o' gamez being played!

DC represent!

Luna and Sebastian. Last time together.

Sebastian, moments before he was picked up. I'll miss that boy. :(

Here's our Luna... very cute and loving kitten.

Some edited for content and spoiler free new pages from STARSLAM 3. Its really coming along!

Lonely Week 3 - Kickin' Butt All Over!

Hey everyone! Back again. Been a busy week. Lots of working, late nights, changing sleep patters over and back again, but I'm good. I've been working on coloring for Starslam and the new Star Wars card set stuff. Busy all around and thats great! I also finished a small commission I decided to take on. I'm not currently doing many commissions but I accepted this one because it was for an owner of a recently deceased pet. I can relate and so it had to be done.

Some things I am excited about:

I am officially down 30 pounds now. I weighed in today and it was a genuine surprise! It feels good and I am going good on my path. I have now been free of soda at home for three months and drinking a ton of water. Eating lots of fruit at home as well. I need to do more veggies and soups from now on and start a walking regimine, but so far these minor changes in my diet have been working quite well. Imagine what would be happening if I went hardcore! Oh well. I'm going the extreme baby step route. Seems to work great for me.

I scored the Walgreens exclusive Boba Fett figure. I never really buy myself much anymore, but I got an affection for Boba Fett. So when I learned of this exclusive figure I decided to treat myself. They are quite beautiful!

Pink Floyd officially announced the release date for their new (and most likely their last) album, "The Endless River." It is coming November 10th. It mostly is 99% instrumental music, most of which was recorded for the "Division Bell" sessions in 1994. So it will feature keyboardist Rick Wright (who died in 2008), along with new material recorded by Dave and Nick. Roger Waters is not involved. Its a nice treat for a long time fan like me. A great swan song? We shall see. 

In other exciting music news (for me anyway), I got a surprise U2 album this week... and for FREE! I'm sure you all have heard about it by now. 

Of course, the loud bitchings of people "forced" to own the album created a large stink. But all they had to do was swipe/delete/problem solved. Meanwhile I am loving every track. So far, I'd rank it in my top 5 releases of the year in fact. What can I say? I am a fan and it was a definate treat. Sorry so many people feel otherwise. But I've ranted about this enough on my podcast recently that I won't get into it... (sigh)

Speaking of my Idiothead Morning Show Podcast (which you can subscribe to via Itunes), I am having a contest for episode #300. I am likely going to be recording it within the next two weeks. I am asking people to EMAIL ME A QUESTION RIGHT HERE to read on the show. And every person that asks a question gets entered into a drawing. And at the end of the show recording, I will draw a name and that person will win a copy of my 2014 ARTBOOK! "CAPTAIN'S LOG" Its called! So if you want a chance to win a free book, and get your question read live on the air, simply EMAIL ME A QUESTION!!! It can be about my work, my opinions on things in the world, advice, music, movies, etc. Anything really. Just ask anything and I will answer and you get an opportunity to win. HURRY! I will be recording episode #300 soon!!!

Lastly, wife is gone to Detroit for more training so I am working alone this week. She's coming back on thursday and we'll have Saturday night off together. Looking forward to it as we haven't seen each other much these last couple weeks. Gets lonely! Anyway folks, thanks for reading. Go out into the world and kick some ass!

Cheers, T