Just an Illustrator. No biggie.

It's quite telling, how one's tastes change over time. As a youngster my favourite Sesame Street characters were Cookie Monster, Ernie, and Big Bird (the latter being especially important since we actually share a birthday). Later in life Grover, and then Bert became my favourites; Bert in particular really spoke to me.

Nowadays? Total Oscar fan. Grouch Club 4 Life baby. Now scram.

#oscarthegrouch #sesamestreet #sesamestudios

Have a blessed 2016 my friends, family, and colleagues. Work on your art, hone your craft, perfect your creativity, and NEVER STOP POUNDING on opportunity's doors. We've all got a lot to accomplish this coming year but I know we can pull it off, so long as we've got one another's backs!

[hoists an Irish Creme to you all]

I guess I really don't hate the Star Wars prequels at all. In fact, taken on their own merits, they're pretty freakin' epic. Maybe nowhere near the same class as Episodes IV and V (and dear LORD is there ever some wince-worthy dialogue), but pretty respectable space-fantasy adventure stories nonetheless. In particular I enjoy Ian McDiarmid and Ewan McGregor's performances, the undercurrent of political intrigue actually ADDS to the buildup, John Williams's score triumphs every time, and of course any time Yoda ignites a lightsaber the action goes so far beyond awesome it's untouchable. And Anakin's tragic final fall and swallowing-up never fails to coax tears out of me. Plotwise, there are definitely flaws --oh heavens yes-- but ultimately it works.

[sound of throat clearing] Attention. Episodes I, II, and III do not suck. Not in the least. There, I said it. Drum me out of the nerd brigade if y'all must.

Going to finish viewing the "original" trilogy and then my heart will at last be ready for Episode VII. I'm going into this guardedly, but hopefully with an open mind and a willingness to at least appreciate the art form for what it is.

• Sat, 22:45: Enjoy the company (and the extreme helpfulness) of BAD ADVICE VODKA. http://t.co/fOMcdEA0Uk #vodka

All pieces are pen and ink, 10.5" x 6.625".



Fifth and final one (the Absolut bottle) suggested by mama_hogswatch.

In a graduation ceremony that will, meteorologically speaking, never be forgotten, my eldest sloshed across the stage and picked up a soggy but still valid high school diploma.


'One Life and It’s Up to Us': Lebanon High Graduates Urged on Importance of 'Grit'

The rains held off until we were about two-thirds of the way through the list of names. At that point the heavens opened up and umbrellas were of little to no use. What was there to do at that point, but just laugh and try to make it fun? The grads seemed unfazed --the looks of triumph on their faces pretty much overrode everything else. Was really great having everyone present for this moment, regardless of weather conditions.

Quite a pathway this young man has walked, up to now. On to Phase II, whatever he decides that is.

Sixteen year-old daughter just cut my hair this evening. (No, nothing drastic, just a few inches' worth of taming. I retain my Samsonian superpowers.) But I think this is the first-ever time she's cut my hair and there was something happy-making about it. She's still talking fairly aggressively about pursuing an education/career in cosmetology and I've offered to be her guinea pig if it ever became necessary.

Been a good week in spite of a frankly nasty (respiratory) illness that's been kicking my, The Bird's, and mama_hogswatch's asses in some measure throughout. Lot of missed work this week, and some frank uncertainty about the coming week. But at least in this moment, this "little while," there is tranquility and a quiet sense of hopefulness. Haven't permitted myself very many of those as of late.

A recent post from tacit prompted me to record a moment that stands out from this past weekend's Rhode Island Comic Con.

( Possibility of trigger-pulling, but might still be important. )

There are helpful bureaucrats in this world. Some of them --in fact a great many of them-- are unimaginative plodders, concerned only with dogged adherence to The Rules even in the face of real-world situations, and function as little more than roadblocks.

But there are a few who, while still adhering to their basic job requirement of making sure The Rules get followed, do have it in them to recognize unique situations and are perfectly capable of breaking out of their roadblock role to get a problem solved. Folks with imagination, who recognize the unnecessary extra red tape when they see it and know how to cut through it. They are out there: perhaps even at your local DMV, or VA hospital, or some nearby Federal building. Remember to thank them when they make themselves known.