I've been, overall, pretty good! I ended up frontloading my year way too hard with way too many big builds, but hey now I finally get to relax (no I don't lol, I never stop). But now it's just fun stuff, vibes, and guesting!
The union talks have been progressing- we had an amazing show of support at all staff day (a sea of AFSCME green!), but we'll see how that all shakes out in the next few months.
Slept like shit last night from a transformer literally exploding (it was SO loud?) But thankfully we got power restored, so now all I need is a nap or 3.
Struggling with workload pressures at my job, but feeling very proud of myself for amassing a life’s worth of experience to know that this too shall pass. How have you been, Mr Vaughan?
Truthfully, pretty crummy. Found out 2 weeks ago my 8 year old son has something called Perthes Disease. Essentially the part of his femur that connects to his hip over the course of a few years will die and regrow. It can be incredibly painful and lead to some complications in later life like arthritis and/or total hip replacement. So that’s been tough. Now a brutal stomach bug has taken out 3 of my 4 kids (including my 1 year old) and my wife and I are just waiting for the other shoe to drop and we go out for the count. And to top it off, found out last week my Boss is retiring, he has been one of if not my favorite boss I have ever had to work for so that’s a bummer…. So yeah, not great lol.
I’m fine. Just fine. Great even. Do I not look fine? Did someone say something? I mean, we all have our moments. I am human like a normal human being. I’m not perfect. Better than some of these people, but I’m great. Fantastic. How are you?
Ever since I lost my dad a couple years ago, I’ve refused to truly ask myself that question. Work is fine, comics are great, climate change is scary and increasingly difficult to ignore (unlike my subconscious)
I hate to say it, but until reading this, I've never heard of Darcy Van Poelgeest, but his G.I. Joe code name had me rolling. So funny! Also, this comment..."The idea of growth is becoming more difficult, and yet we are trapped in a system where we’re only rewarded for growth." So true! And that bonus story, with the difference between humanity and world's end. He's an intellectual. Just like Mary Moon. Just kidding. That song came to mind when I said that. Great interview!
Anyhow, I'm doing well enough. Hope everyone else is too!
Today I published my 101st blog post on the Medium platform - when I created my publication MEANWHILE back in 2016, my goal was to publish 101 blog posts, so I’m happy to have achieved the milestone, having written about 120,000 words about comics.
Currently I’m regretting somehow being exposed to wild parsnip and it currently being 83 degrees and sunny while I’m working (no, I didn’t know what wild parsnip is, what it looks like, or what it would do, thank you very much 😀) but other than that….
I read a book when I was young about a wagon train where some folks ate the top part of wild parsnips and promptly died. I don't think I've knowingly eaten a parsnip since. It's good to know it apparently isn't actually all that fatal!
Oh no, apparently in certain circumstances it can be, I’m just covered in rash and blisters, slightly itchy, and all of it is solar activated, which the (normally beautiful to me) weather is playing havoc with
My day was so-so. Didn't have a proper rest over the weekend and I'm stressed out because of workload, but ... your new installment came early and I get to read it before bedtime, not in the morning. So thank you for ending my day on a high note!
And what an installment! Nico's gorgeous spread, great interview (with insane preview) and good advice on health. I'm 55 now and feeling consequences of neglecting my body for decades. I'm slowly learning how to fix that now.
Another good thing that happened today is that I finally bought plane tickets for NewYork in October. So I hope to see many of you at NYCC!
One last thing--
What's better than a comic book by BKV and Marcos Martin? What's better than a comic book by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips? A comic book by Brubaker and Martin!
When people ask me how I'm doing and I feel like answering (semi) honestly, I always say there are two answers to that question: a micro and a macro.
The micro is the answer that looks at the smallest possible world view I can create within my life - my family, my closest friends and how I feel about my day-to-day work/life balance - essentially how do I feel about MY life in relation to the things that affect my mood right now. And unless it's a particularly shitty day for me or my family, most of the time that allows me to see things on a positive trajectory... by compartmentalizing any financial obligations or long-term stresses, a happy life can be right in front of you most of the time. I find it to be a useful tool to help reset your mental health.
The macro tends to be the harder one to address because it makes me think of the world beyond myself - the dangers that surround us all, the horrors that other communities face every day, the scary world we look to be leaving behind for our children, the figurative and literal aneurysms in our aortas so to speak - and it's hard to feel positive about things when looking it at from that POV. But in a selfish way this zoomed out perspective on life also helps the zoomed in one I mentioned before... as nihilistic as this may sound, there's always something to be thankful for in your life if you look at the struggles that so many people endure around the world.
This is all to say, I'm doing pretty good, sipping on an iced oat latte while I jump between work tabs and procrastination tabs like this one; could be worse.
Some good days, some ... not so good days. But nothing terrible. Our 18 y.o. has finished school and the graduation ceremony is tomorrow evening. Why they're holding it on a weeknight is beyond me. <picard-facepalm.jpg>
Then as soon as the ceremony is over, my 20 y.o. and I will be rushing to see Camera Obscura on their return to touring in the US after too long of a hiatus.
So, things look good for the early part of this week , at least. lol.
I've been, overall, pretty good! I ended up frontloading my year way too hard with way too many big builds, but hey now I finally get to relax (no I don't lol, I never stop). But now it's just fun stuff, vibes, and guesting!
The union talks have been progressing- we had an amazing show of support at all staff day (a sea of AFSCME green!), but we'll see how that all shakes out in the next few months.
Slept like shit last night from a transformer literally exploding (it was SO loud?) But thankfully we got power restored, so now all I need is a nap or 3.
Struggling with workload pressures at my job, but feeling very proud of myself for amassing a life’s worth of experience to know that this too shall pass. How have you been, Mr Vaughan?
Pretty awesome, thanks for asking, Mr. Dennison. Family is healthy and I have work I love, so no complaints here.
Truthfully, pretty crummy. Found out 2 weeks ago my 8 year old son has something called Perthes Disease. Essentially the part of his femur that connects to his hip over the course of a few years will die and regrow. It can be incredibly painful and lead to some complications in later life like arthritis and/or total hip replacement. So that’s been tough. Now a brutal stomach bug has taken out 3 of my 4 kids (including my 1 year old) and my wife and I are just waiting for the other shoe to drop and we go out for the count. And to top it off, found out last week my Boss is retiring, he has been one of if not my favorite boss I have ever had to work for so that’s a bummer…. So yeah, not great lol.
Wretched! My apologies, wishing everyone good health soon.
I'm doing well. I visited Atlanta for the first time last weekend and am going to Chicago this weekend. How are you?
I’m fine. Just fine. Great even. Do I not look fine? Did someone say something? I mean, we all have our moments. I am human like a normal human being. I’m not perfect. Better than some of these people, but I’m great. Fantastic. How are you?
Ever since I lost my dad a couple years ago, I’ve refused to truly ask myself that question. Work is fine, comics are great, climate change is scary and increasingly difficult to ignore (unlike my subconscious)
Thank you for the good news about E I hadn't heard.
That's both of you Niko/BKV in the double page spread bottom left isn't it?
I'm supping on a chilled Asahi and enjoying the latest Spectator mail/pages so good thank you.
Whoa! Nice catch!
Excellent eye, Theodore! Niko graciously let me select my own aura color…
Damn. Beat me to it!
Doesn't invalidate your spot :)
I hate to say it, but until reading this, I've never heard of Darcy Van Poelgeest, but his G.I. Joe code name had me rolling. So funny! Also, this comment..."The idea of growth is becoming more difficult, and yet we are trapped in a system where we’re only rewarded for growth." So true! And that bonus story, with the difference between humanity and world's end. He's an intellectual. Just like Mary Moon. Just kidding. That song came to mind when I said that. Great interview!
Anyhow, I'm doing well enough. Hope everyone else is too!
Today I published my 101st blog post on the Medium platform - when I created my publication MEANWHILE back in 2016, my goal was to publish 101 blog posts, so I’m happy to have achieved the milestone, having written about 120,000 words about comics.
Congrats!
Thanks.
Congratulations!
Currently I’m regretting somehow being exposed to wild parsnip and it currently being 83 degrees and sunny while I’m working (no, I didn’t know what wild parsnip is, what it looks like, or what it would do, thank you very much 😀) but other than that….
I read a book when I was young about a wagon train where some folks ate the top part of wild parsnips and promptly died. I don't think I've knowingly eaten a parsnip since. It's good to know it apparently isn't actually all that fatal!
Oh no, apparently in certain circumstances it can be, I’m just covered in rash and blisters, slightly itchy, and all of it is solar activated, which the (normally beautiful to me) weather is playing havoc with
So sorry to hear this! It sounds awful and I hope it goes away soon.
Ehh, I’ll be ok. I guess it can be prolonged, but I didn’t get any in my eyes, so no blindness. So I’ve got that going for me
to be fair, some folks probably promptly died after eating most things on a wagon train. unpredictable little fucks, those.
My day was so-so. Didn't have a proper rest over the weekend and I'm stressed out because of workload, but ... your new installment came early and I get to read it before bedtime, not in the morning. So thank you for ending my day on a high note!
And what an installment! Nico's gorgeous spread, great interview (with insane preview) and good advice on health. I'm 55 now and feeling consequences of neglecting my body for decades. I'm slowly learning how to fix that now.
Another good thing that happened today is that I finally bought plane tickets for NewYork in October. So I hope to see many of you at NYCC!
One last thing--
What's better than a comic book by BKV and Marcos Martin? What's better than a comic book by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips? A comic book by Brubaker and Martin!
And I want Muntse to color my next book.
Speaking of Ed and Sean... how exciting was the Charlie Hunnam casting news for the Criminal series on Amazon Prime?!
I have been very excited for all the casting news coming from Criminal...cannot wait for that show!
I retire on Thursday (city job in NYC). Looking forward to this next chapter in my life.
Hell yeah, congrats on the major life achievement!
Thank you!
A personal connection to the El Dorado? Are you secretly high society?
Quite the opposite, I assure you.
Went on my first "date" in 15 years the other day. "So, you know, at least I got that goin' for me"
When people ask me how I'm doing and I feel like answering (semi) honestly, I always say there are two answers to that question: a micro and a macro.
The micro is the answer that looks at the smallest possible world view I can create within my life - my family, my closest friends and how I feel about my day-to-day work/life balance - essentially how do I feel about MY life in relation to the things that affect my mood right now. And unless it's a particularly shitty day for me or my family, most of the time that allows me to see things on a positive trajectory... by compartmentalizing any financial obligations or long-term stresses, a happy life can be right in front of you most of the time. I find it to be a useful tool to help reset your mental health.
The macro tends to be the harder one to address because it makes me think of the world beyond myself - the dangers that surround us all, the horrors that other communities face every day, the scary world we look to be leaving behind for our children, the figurative and literal aneurysms in our aortas so to speak - and it's hard to feel positive about things when looking it at from that POV. But in a selfish way this zoomed out perspective on life also helps the zoomed in one I mentioned before... as nihilistic as this may sound, there's always something to be thankful for in your life if you look at the struggles that so many people endure around the world.
This is all to say, I'm doing pretty good, sipping on an iced oat latte while I jump between work tabs and procrastination tabs like this one; could be worse.
Beautifully put, thanks.
Some good days, some ... not so good days. But nothing terrible. Our 18 y.o. has finished school and the graduation ceremony is tomorrow evening. Why they're holding it on a weeknight is beyond me. <picard-facepalm.jpg>
Then as soon as the ceremony is over, my 20 y.o. and I will be rushing to see Camera Obscura on their return to touring in the US after too long of a hiatus.
So, things look good for the early part of this week , at least. lol.