Slurpees and Popsicles!

Hey friends! 

 

I have had a busy time as usual. Work, artwork, sleep, family, repeat. But I have been making some progress! 

 

I chatted with my STARSLAM 3 colorist to see if he is on board to color STARSLAM 4 and he is in! So there is good news once again. I will be sending him some pages pretty soon. Also I have been working very hard to get caught up with commissions. I just gotta letter a 5 pager and finish art on an 8 pager and then I am finally caught up. Although a couple other guys want me to do a few more story based ones. The money, is good, to be honest. I need to be paying off my stuff and making up for some of the purchases I have been doing lately.

 

To be honest, I've gone a bit overboard. I'm not in trouble, but just went a tad crazy on the pre-orders. So I am curbing it for the rest of the summer. No seriously! There is a CD/Vinyl show here in town tomorrow and I am not going. So its that serious! HA! 

 

I'm joking, kids. I'm all good. Just want to get my card paid back down before the holidays come around. Also I got the big show in Mt. Pleasant in October to save for. I've been working very hard to juggle everything. But the last month or so we've dealt with some depression and my oldest son came for a visit, so we did some spending. Its okay. Life is happening! It all good. Health is better too. I am lower in weight than I originally thought I would be. So that is always a good thing. 

 

The sad news is that I don't think me doing TWO Kickstarters in Aug/Sept is logical or doable. I'm just not that caught up yet. But I want to get STARSLAM 4 really rocking and then launch the Kickstarter for that. I think... I am not sure which way to go. I penciled some killer new pages for that comic this week. I can't wait for you all to see this thing! 

 

But the work on everything continues and the PATREON is nice and caught up all the way to November. I got 5 other stories for it beyond that in various stages of development. All references are pulled and things are happening. But I gotta get these commissions and STARSLAM 4 rolling more before I can focus on those. But to be good and far enough ahead on it is a great thing! I got the comics all scheduled all the way to September. I just need to word balloon and upload the comics beyond that. I need a nice couple quiet days of solid productivity to get it done. Here's hoping!

 

Last week my oldest son visited. We took the opportunity to take a photo of me with all three of my boys. I think its one of the best pics I've ever taken. (And I hate pics of me!) Here it is: 

 

 

 

Handsome group, don't ya think? I think so! I'm proud of all three of them. 

 

Anyway, just giving an update to say that I am working hard and being quiet because of the productivity. Believe me, soon you will all get sick of hearing from me! 

 

Till next time, stay cool, eat them slurpees and down those popsicles! 

 

--T

Father's Day Week

Hey friends!

Father's Day weekend was awesome! I got to spend time with two of my little buggers and then I got some nice presents from everyone! D got me a SLIMER Pop and METROPOLIS complete on Blu-ray and a neat little pop up Beatles card. Her parents got me a large coffee table book on the making of RETURN OF THE JEDI. My oldest son got me this really cool metal STAR TREK display that I will hang in my collection. James and Scotty got me hand made cards and paintings. It was all very lovely. And I got to spend time with them over the weekend.

James laid on me while we watched Cars 3. Some nice cuddle time. I got Scotty some discs and James some candy. Scott also played a bit of an old Family Guy video game I got for him. That is a very old and frustrating game!

Speaking of video games, I got this:

Its been on my radar for a while to have one, so I got a Nintendo Switch! So far I have played MARIO ODYSSEY. I haven't plugged in ZELDA yet. I got a couple other games that are out that I want to get but I've been too busy to go out and get them. I guess this was a Father's Day treat for myself. Its been a rough go of things as of late. Needed a nice pick me up.

But don't think for a minute that I am just playing video games and ignoring my creative duties! I finished the VAMPIRELLA card set. Here's a look at some of them:

 In comic news: I've got about 15 pages on STARSLAM to ink. Here's a couple teaser images, no spoilers!

Plus also I got hired to do an 8 page horror comic for a nice dude. I gotta shoot pencils to him this week sometime so no video gaming until I finish that! But, I got a sore left thumb right now, so video gaming is off the table until that is healed. Just sore from biting my nails too much. Stupid me, but no biggie.

I also got some commissions that are overdue so I am not taking on anything else until these are done and out. I also shipped out all the books from LATE NIGHT SHORTS, so that is done. Just gotta finish a couple things for the bigger reward level people, as understanding and supportive as they always are! And then its my job to color all the completed PATREON stories... of which I am done and scanned in all the way to November, with a couple more in the pencil stage. I just want to get them all done and off my plate so I can finish these other things. So much to do. I feel guilty even getting a new movie or game system to distract me sometimes... but I know you need to take a break or else I go mad.

Coming up this fall are some great Switch games like Dragon Quest 11 (Where you can switch back and forth between regular modern and SUPER NINTENDO style graphics). Also a new LEGO STAR WARS game next year. A couple other ones I am forgetting too as I type this. But what is also coming out this fall is something I must get:

Look at that beauty! She's gonna cost a bit... like $500 but it should be out in November. This game and GALAGA are my two favorite arcade video games of all time. To have that in my kids' room along with all my toys might make me the biggest nerd... but perhaps the best dad ever! If I had this in my room as a kid? Oh man...

Not that my childhood wasn't great already, its just that now in this modern age we can get cheaper versions of these nostalgic things and I can share them with my boys. (But they gotta wait til daddy is done with them first!)

Thanks for reading!

--T

Cleaning the Gutters

Hey friends-

First up, a hearty HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my oldest son, Cody. He turned 17 this Groundhog's Day. Yeah... SEVENTEEN! Only one more year until he's legally able to join the army, buy cigarettes, buy pornography, and be legal enough to move out on his own and rent an apartment. That is absolutely unreal to me. Seems like only yesterday, we were doing this:

OR he looked like this:

And now he looks like this: 

I guess time moves really damn fast. Happy birthday to my oldest son. Keep rocking and rolling!

Well the biggest news in my life currently is this new girl:

We adopted this stray from a facebook posting yesterday and so far, her and Lily Munster are having a hard time getting along. But they will hopefully mend some fences soon. That is part of the reason I am up at 5am this morning... with all the meowing and hissing going on. (Sigh) No name yet. Still working it out. I haven't spent much time with her to get to know her so much. Maybe by this weekend, hopefully.

The last couple days I have got out late at the day job and then had to get up 3-4 hours later to drive to the other end of town and take the kids to school. It really jacks me up when I do that and I'm absolutely useless the rest of the day. I haven't slept well at all, honestly. Yesterday the stress and extreme fatigue lead to some scary chest pains. Its something I am going to have to go to the doctor for, I am sure. Its scary shit. I am sure its a combo of many things. But currently I am on this lifestyle change, bought a treadmill and am cutting out bad foods again. But I also gotta learn how to cut out the stress and lack of sleep from my life. Some days I roll good but then one day of early wake up jacks me up big time and I cannot recooperate. Part of it too is that I am on extreme overtime at the day job right now. Great for the paychecks, but murder on my everything else. And with my schedule with the kids, I only get two saturdays off a month. Those are my only days off from any obligation.... which usually those two days get filled up with some sort of trip or friend wanting to get together. I cannot relax and just try to de-stress at all. Such is life, I guess.

As a result, not much artworking has been done this week. I came out the gate on Monday/Tuesday with some solid work being done in the mornings, only to come to a grinding halt on Wednesday with everything going on. I'm hoping after this weekend I can get back on schedule. I'm behind on everything and I got commissions to finish! I've only had time for two things: Jack and shit... and jack left town.

I've tried to curb the extra stress of my social media political rants a bit this week. I lost it a bit last week and that certainly doesn't help. I've tried to speak my mind and try to make others aware of what I was seeing. But a lot of times, there seems to be a "we won" philosophy instead of keeping the curtains open to what is going on or what feels right/wrong. So I have to learn to just step back a bit and speak only when sorely needed. Or else I will likely go insane. There is lots to do with all of it and believe me, I'm drilled down and paying attention to what is going on. As Henry Rollins recently said in an interview with Joe Rogan: "This isn't the time to be dismayed. This is punk rock time. This is what Joe Strummer trained us for."

But I would be lying if I didn't say that I am a bit scared by all of what is going on. I'm considering stocking up canned goods and maybe even trying my hand at the shooting range. I'm not into guns at all, but if we keep pissing off countries, something might give. And then what? I don't know. We're all trying to figure it out and not live in fear, aren't we?

Anyway, now is the time for art. Now is the time to get closer to those we care about. We've gotta clean out the gutters of our minds and lives. I spent this morning cleaning out old files on my comp and researching my new hobby of perler beads. I'll try my hand at them this weekend. I'll try to relax with some video games and card games with friends and then spend time with my kids on Sunday. I'll stay inside with my space heater on high and a big middle finger to the outside icy weather. Time to turn off the noise for a bit and hopefully get down to business.

Isn't that what we're trying to do every week? Keep wishing!

--T

Passing the Ball

In today's blog I'm going to talk about my boys.

I got three kids and all are unique in their own way. They got their own likes and pursuits and I'm blessed to have them in my life. Our stories and struggles together are each different and special. Life has thrown all of us many bumps and high tides. And time/distance sometimes keeps all of us not as close in proximity as other families. But they are always on my mind.

Most days, I am occupied trying to right my own ship and provide for myself a stable life, one where I got to pursue my dreams and provide for their respective futures. I've had a good run of it so far on my own stuff. I've traveled far, made new friends and spent valued time of my limited life using my voice to create things to share. Through comics, music, words and other means, I've been able to express myself and pursue those dreams. And I continue to do so.

Along the way, I made three people.

To be honest, I never thought I would be a parent. There was a time in my life where I was never comfortable around kids. I couldn't relate to them. I'm a big kid myself. Perhaps I was too selfish to even consider being a parent. It takes time, sacrifice and so many other mixtures of things that I just knew I would be no good at. But it happened. And its been a challenge for various reasons along the way. It certainly hasn't been easy at all.

But then there are days where things just connect and you sit and think: Man, this all worked out. How did this happen?

That's the story of my kids. All three are well rounded people and all finding their way with what they got.

My youngest, James: He's got his obsessions. Mainly - Vacuums! Its all he talks about. He recreates videos of people demonstrating vacuums. He's excellent at helping with the house cleaning. He would make an excellent actor or storyteller. He's still young and has his moods, but in the end, he's always hugging on daddy and saying, "I love you." Even when I am at my moodiest and crankiest, one good hug and an "I love you" turns my whole day around. Cause I know he means it.

Two wild and crazy guys!

My eight year old: Scott-bot. He is an absolute joy to have in my life. He doesn't just battle autism, he masters it. In the last few years he has learned to beat Angry Birds all the way through, master using short key commands and typing full sentences on a mac, use google and pull images for specific image searches, crop photos online and save them for printing, cut straight lines, write and read, speak clearly and make his own movies and photos. There's even more to that. He does his own thing and he's in his own world. He's happy in it. We don't connect often while he's doing his thing but sometimes he'll come to me for a hug and we wrestle and play tickle fight. I've learned to celebrate the life I was given with him and embrace the unique perspective of having an autistic child. I'm quite lucky with him and his ongoing development. 

Scotty taking over my computer... again!

Lastly, my oldest son: Cody. He turns 17 in a couple months. Today he accepted a special award for outstanding grades in his school. The dude is taller than me and has a full damn beard! He came and spent some time with me this summer. I got to take him down south to where my family began. It was a trip we needed to take for a variety of reasons. But when we got back we did things together like play video games and cards against humanity. (Oh man what a trip it was to talk about these dirty things on the cards to my own kid, and he KNEW what they all were! He truly is mine, indeed!)

He's got a full ride scholarship to a couple colleges. He has plans/dreams/schemes of his own. He's right where I was when I began doing comic books and making my own dreams come to life. And I think he's doing that now with what he does. Its incredible to see and know him. He is one of the greatest things to ever happen to me in my life.

Congrats man. You earned it.

I'm goddamn lucky to be a dad to three great boys. Each of them do things that make me proud. While daddy is struggling with his own life and demons, each of them say to me in their own way, "Hey man, I got this."

All our lives are a struggle. We all got our own shit going on. Things haven't been easy. But we're making a go of it. And me seeing their daily improvements, achievements and milestones has been the best award of all. I got the wonderful opportunities in my life to express myself and to roll with my wants, dreams and desires. And I know someday, I will get to sit back and watch theirs happen for them too.

That is part of why I am trying to clear my stove of projects and get out all projects that I promised to myself and to the world. Because one day, my shot will have been taken. Completed. I did it. Its over. Now, its their turn. And I'm not sad in the least about that. I'm happy to pass the ball to them and let them take it to the hoop.

I still got time to finish all I have promised. They still get to watch daddy go for it before they get to step up. But that time is coming. and I'm perfectly fine with that. It's been a good life.

I'm thankful for whatever brought all four of us together in this crazy world and that we all share something unique and insane. They are made of everything that is wonderful and make me want to be the hero of my story.... and theirs.

Onward and upward to all my boys and their journeys, bold and unique. Get ready for the layup run, because very soon I'm going to be tossing the ball your way.

----T

Adjusting to Life/Taking the Ride

Hey friends!

Lots of people are taking advantage of my massive book sale! Most of the orders coming in are for Anna Pocalypse and Pleasant Life books, which pleases me. As much as Starslam is my most "successful," I am glad folks can give my other non-sexy books a chance. Take advantage of my book sales by clicking right HERE

This whole week I nursed a massive head cold. I left work early last night to try to wrestle it down. I was achy, couldn't breathe and just miserable. But finally after 12 hours in bed, I woke up feeling much better. Still got a sniffle, but that is way better than the sinus pressure I was dealing with. As I get older I find that I get sick more often. I gotta stock up on more meds for when this type of crap happens.

Last weekend at Horrorhound is still reeling in my head. It was tremendous fun and I want to do it again. There is another horror show in November but I really need to start saving for Xmas and Car Insurance and other things. I probably should sit that one out. The guest list sure is tempting though. That's okay. I got production to roll on anyway.

Speaking of production, check out the pages that Andy turned in with his STARSLAM 3 colors:

I'll tell ya, he's really making my shit look awesome! He does little touches that I just absolutely love. I'm glad he reached out to work with me and I'm glad I let my guard down to make it happen. That took some adjusting. I pencilled and inked 4 pages this week and I am going out today to do some more before work. I really am excited to get this book done and rolling out the door to you folks. Gonna be a long time before that but we're on our way!

Yesterday was Kitty D's birthday. We didn't get to do much because of our work schedules, my sickness and our low funds. But I got her some minor presents and am looking forward to this weekend's fun at the Drive Inn campout thingie. Its basically two nights at a drive inn showing a ton of grindhouse style horror movies. Joe and Jynel are going and it will be lots of drinking, chatting and camping. I'm not the best at camping but it saves on a hotel room! Besides, Kitty D likes it, so we'll do that. It was a trip that Caleb invited me to and I was looking forward to all of us drinking and hanging out. But we're still going to honor him. He of course will be heavy on my mind all weekend. But I feel like he'd want me to go and live it up. So, I'm adjusting to the idea.

Doing horror shows instead of comic cons is a new thing. To me, a better thing. Gone is a lot of the BS I had grown to not like about comic cons. And I've met some great people. I'm coming up with ideas to do my own horror comic that I can sell there at the show. I'm adjusting to the idea.

After the drive inn this weekend, I'll get my kids for a couple hours. They started 1st grade/preschool this week. My oldest is a Junior in High School. Last time he was up we played CARDS AGAINST HUMANITY and he knew what everything on every card was. Hard to believe your almost 17 year old having a conversation with you about "bukkake." But hey, he's growing up and he's a fine boy. Its just a mind fuck in some ways. But I'm adjusting to it.

Next year, I'm doing joint custody on Bots and James T. I get to help them learn and grow more than I do now on the weekends. Its scary to see the juggle it will be but I'm honestly looking forward to it. They've grown so much... and so have I.

Here they are on a recent trip to the zoo: 

I'm proud of all my boys. Cody has a full ride to MIT. Scotty is getting better and better with his autism. And James is getting better on using his words and adjusting to his emotions. (He's still obsessed with vacuums too!)

Everyone around me is adjusting to the changing tides of their lives. Its good to see constant evolution of yourself in a world full of assholes and arguers. I think to where I was a year and a half ago and how I was miserable and didn't know if I wanted to live. And here I am now. Some things I got right. Some things I fucked up. But I am adjusting. I'm living for me. And I'm very happy. Look at this:

This was my DVD collection in March of last year.

This is my DVD/BluRay/NES GAME collection today. Granted some of them are Kitty D's, but you see my point.

It feels good to be able to get things that I want and enjoy them.

But all that is just stuff. Stuff that is important to me (movies, music, games, etc) and its a part of my life. I'll never get away from enjoying those things. In many ways, I feel rich and happy to have these things and that I earned them. It feels good.

I guess the point of this whole meandering blog today is this:

I see my friends suffering. I see them go through down times. And there will be down times in all our lives. Things will come and knock us down. But we must never lose what is important to us. We must never forget those who are important to us. And we must never lose OURSELVES. The world is full of wickedness, don't become wicked and bitter yourself. Take the punches, keep standing tall. Adjust to what life throws at you. Enjoy the ride. We only get one shot at this, folks. Might as well enjoy it, and enjoy each other.

I've truly been blessed in this life with good friends, great family, great art and media. I wouldn't trade any of these things (good or bad) for anything in the world. If you are in my world, thanks for taking the journey with me. And there is great work ahead of us.

There is so much to come in the future to look forward to. I cannot wait to take the ride.

Onward and upward!

--T