The Gilmore Void

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I LOVED Gilmore Girls.

Ever since my friend Amanda turned me on to it a few years ago, about 4 seasons into it already being on, I was hooked. Sure, at first I was put off by all the fast-talkin' (only because it reminded me of Dawson's Creek era teen dramas). And I was still holding a grudge from when a woman I worked with at my college's art office told me I looked like Lorelei Senior ("I look like a MOM??" I had no idea she was a really hot mom). But I was soon overcome with admiration for the cleverness of the script, the individuality of the characters, and above all an engrossing tv show that didn't have to center around nonstop drama. I mean, there was drama. But there was also lots of storylines involving junk food and movie marathons.

After Gilmore Girls slogged through it's last season (I say slogged because the network kicked off its chief writer and creator, Amy Sherman-Palladino for the last one and BOY could you tell the difference), I wondered what, if anything, could fill the GG void. Then I heard rumors of The Return of Jezebel James and got excited -- Parker Posey AND Claire from Six Feet Under AND the creator of Gilmore Girls?? Match made in amazeville! . . . So of course, Fox cancelled it.

In the meantime, it's been a bit depressing watching Lauren Graham on Parenthood, trying to pretend her character Sarah could ever be as powerful and independent as Lorelei. Of course she can't. She has to be weak and indecisive. Ho hum. Not to mention Rory being all shades of crazy on Mad Men. Ugh.

But now this week - exciting news that a NEW Amy S-P show had landed - Bunheads!

It premiered Monday night on ABC Family, but even though I don't have cable anymore ($200/month bills are not my bag), there's a free preview up at the ABC Fam site. I had one friend tell me they loved it, and one hated it, so I felt I had the right attitude going into it. Sutton Foster plays the lead character Michelle - a Vegas showgirl who, tired after having her latest dream crushed, decides on a whim to run off with the sweet man who's had a crush on her and brought her flowers on a consistent basis. She winds up in a quiet small town and discovers the town's only attraction, and a place where she might make a new life - a tiny dance studio.

I was warned going in that it could be considered Gilmore Girls Lite, featuring a lot of holdovers - small cute town, strong witty female lead, Kelly Bishop, Gypsy from the repair shop ... but honestly none of those similarities to GG bothered me. For one, this isn't a mother-daughter thing. Michelle is very much on her own and not looking to be a mother to any of the dance studio girls. Also, Kelly Bishop's role in this is far from Emily Gilmore, the wealthy WASPish Grandmother - in this she's probably truer to her real self - a boozy, sassy older woman who used to be a killer dancer. The only thing that I found repellant in the GG comparisons was ... the MUSIC. The "la la la" theme worked fine with GG, I got used to it. But for it to be in this too? Uh-uh, that's where I draw the line.

So anyway, I loved the pilot. I super loved Sutton Foster (and the fact that I recognized her from Flight of the Conchords) and I'm so thrilled Amy S-P is back on the scene, we need more media creators like her out there.

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Cons for All

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Thanks so much to everyone who came out on Saturday to Tri-Con's inaugural convention!

We had a great time - navigating through the gorgeous mountains to get there, and chatting with everyone who was gracious enough to stop by the table. I love that I got to be a part of YEAR ONE of a comic convention. The fact that so many people came out and were excited about TriCon just proves that comics are alive and well and we need more shows!

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Tri-Con this weekend!

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Hey all you West Virginians/Ohioans/Kentuckians! I'll be exhibiting at the Tri-State Comic Con this Saturday at the Big Sandy Superstore Arena. I'll be at table 44. It's my first time hanging out in that neck of the woods, so please come by and say hello if you're at the show!

Among my usual comics/cuffs/prints/sketches for sale, I've got a couple of new teeny prints for this show:

Can't wait to wend my way through the mountainy beauty that is West Virginia!

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Dark Day

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It finally happened.

The day I've been dreading most of my adult life. The day when I would forget my lipstick at home.

I don't think I'm being too dramatic when I say that lipstick is pretty much the #1 thing I don't leave the house without. Wallet's nice, sure - you got I.D. in there and some money if you're lucky. Cell phone, why not? Everyone loves to text these days. But OH MY GOD do not let me go anywhere without my lipstick!

Since I'd already left the house and was halfway through my 50 minute commute to work, I was screwed. No turning back. I frantically thought about other lipstick possibilities - stopping at a drugstore on the way, any remote chance I had some lipstick stashed in my car (I didn't on account of meltiness) ... eventually I decided I would just not eat or drink anything all day, so the lipstick I already had on would last. I stoically put down my thermos.

I blame summer for this. In summer, my quaint 1920s home becomes a hot mess, with the window units refusing to cool off anything farther than 3 feet in front of them. Therefore, in the summer I move my hair dryer, straightener, and make-up into the A/C powered bedroom and set up shop for the duration of the sweltery months. Little did I realize that by doing this I screw up my routine, and the likelihood that I'll forget something is multiplied by ten. Poor lonely lipstick.

Once I got to work I tried to remain cool but I could already tell my lipstick wouldn't last too long (damn thermos I'd already drank out of!). But luckily, my friend came to my rescue. She happened to have not one, but TWO lipsticks with her that she was willing to share so I could make it through the day. Even though I was leaving early, to go to the dentist no less, I still needed that lipstick fix while I was there. I needed it!

She provided me with two choices:

Korres Lipstick Rouge

and Tarte Lively Lipsurgence

I tried the Korres first, and though I thought I put on a brave face I just couldn't do it. I don't feel very comfortable in sheer lipsticks - I feel like they're just a mere step away from wearing clear gloss.

The Tarte, though, was wonderful - very rich and smooth, and had that hint of mint/Eucalyptus that makes your lips feel cool and refreshed. It was a pink color that I'm not used to, but if it's a dark, bold color - I'm all in. I mean, Nars's Cruella is still my jam (as evidenced in this past post), but this was a great holdover until I could regain my sanity.

What ridiculous item can the rest of you not leave home without? Or if you do, will FLIP OUT?

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Dark Day

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It finally happened.

The day I've been dreading most of my adult life. The day when I would forget my lipstick at home.

I don't think I'm being too dramatic when I say that lipstick is pretty much the #1 thing I don't leave the house without. Wallet's nice, sure - you got I.D. in there and some money if you're lucky. Cell phone, why not? Everyone loves to text these days. But OH MY GOD do not let me go anywhere without my lipstick!

Since I'd already left the house and was halfway through my 50 minute commute to work, I was screwed. No turning back. I frantically thought about other lipstick possibilities - stopping at a drugstore on the way, any remote chance I had some lipstick stashed in my car (I didn't on account of meltiness) ... eventually I decided I would just not eat or drink anything all day, so the lipstick I already had on would last. I stoically put down my thermos.

I blame summer for this. In summer, my quaint 1920s home becomes a hot mess, with the window units refusing to cool off anything farther than 3 feet in front of them. Therefore, in the summer I move my hair dryer, straightener, and make-up into the A/C powered bedroom and set up shop for the duration of the sweltery months. Little did I realize that by doing this I screw up my routine, and the likelihood that I'll forget something is multiplied by ten. Poor lonely lipstick.

Once I got to work I tried to remain cool but I could already tell my lipstick wouldn't last too long (damn thermos I'd already drank out of!). But luckily, my friend came to my rescue. She happened to have not one, but TWO lipsticks with her that she was willing to share so I could make it through the day. Even though I was leaving early, to go to the dentist no less, I still needed that lipstick fix while I was there. I needed it!

She provided me with two choices:

Korres Lipstick Rouge

and Tarte Lively Lipsurgence

I tried the Korres first, and though I thought I put on a brave face I just couldn't do it. I don't feel very comfortable in sheer lipsticks - I feel like they're just a mere step away from wearing clear gloss.

The Tarte, though, was wonderful - very rich and smooth, and had that hint of mint/Eucalyptus that makes your lips feel cool and refreshed. It was a pink color that I'm not used to, but if it's a dark, bold color - I'm all in. I mean, Nars's Cruella is still my jam (as evidenced in this past post), but this was a great holdover until I could regain my sanity.

What ridiculous item can the rest of you not leave home without? Or if you do, will FLIP OUT?

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Early Insanity

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It's that magical time again!

The time when I fret over how I'm going to jam dinner, exercising, chores, and comic work into my post-workday and therefore I choose to do something drastic.

EXERCISE IN THE MORNING

I like the big dramatic quote that's attached to that - because  who in their right mind gets up at 5 a.m. to stumble out of the house and go for a jog? THIS GAL. Since I've come to the horrific conclusion that I actually need to exercise for my well-being (cut to me sore from stapling comics this weekend), I have to find some way to squeeze it in. And if trying to exercise after work leaves me whining night after night that I "don't have any time" to make headway on my comics, then it's got to go.

And as ridiculous as pre-work exercise seems, hey it's out of the way! Done and done. Now I can begin the rest of the day with my head held up HIGH with pri--zzzzzzzzzzz.

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Day of Rest

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I've been having trouble lately with weekends. It's a constant struggle of:

  • Wanting to check things off of a list of things I made during the week
  • Making headway on home projects
  • Tackling freelance business tasks
  • Seeing friends
  • Visiting new places

... all bumping up against that overwhelming desire to do nothing and "relax".

Where does this impetus to do nothing come from? All week at work I'm sitting at a desk, or sitting in a car in traffic on my way to/from. Most weeknights I spend in front of the TV with a glass of wine and a sketchbook. Why do I think I need more of doing nothing?

I suspect that my particular problem is I make a GIGANTIC LIST of all the things I want to accomplish, and if I haven't knocked off 482 of them I beat myself up. And sometimes, when facing that gigantic list, it doesn't look like tackling any of it will make me feel better anyway. Sometimes it's hard to convince yourself that spending 16 hours working on a website that isn't visible yet was a good use of your time.

Maybe the secret is to plan smaller goals, smaller milestones, and then congratulate myself heartily upon completion. For example, today could've gone something like: "You brushed your teeth AND thought about going to the grocery store! Big day, good job, you!"

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Mean Girls

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I'm in the middle of writing a story featuring some bitchy female lead characters, and it got me wondering - how bitchy is too bitchy?

It's important for the characters to be identifiable, so some darkness is okay. I think it makes the reader feel more comfortable reading about someone who has weaknesses and faults just like anybody else. That's why so many people find Superman so insufferable - physically and morally invincible? Snoresville!

But if the character is too mean and nasty, or cocky, or obnoxious, it gets harder (or just more annoying) to read a story about them. It's all subjective of course, and sometimes I'll surprise myself with which characters I will and won't get behind.

Last weekend I watched Young Adult, which I've been dying to see since I first heard about it. It seemed to have all my dreams come true in it -

  • A plot featuring an ex-popular girl, disgusted by news of her old high school sweetheart having a baby and deciding to return to her hometown to wreck his life by winning him back
  • Played by Charlize Theron, a fave of mine (especially when she's playing a bitch)
  • Patton Oswalt
  • Star Wars references featuring Patton Oswalt
  • etc.

At first I was worried I wouldn't like the movie because Theron's Mavis character would be too cringeworthy - forcibly throwing herself into too many awkward situations. I can only stand so many of those onscreen before I have to bury my face in a pillow. (I think I hit my threshhold watching Lisa Kudrow's awkward antics in The Comeback). Or like when anyone in any movie EVER starts going through someone's drawers looking for something while that person isn't home. I will want to rip my hair out. THEY'RE GOING TO WALK IN ON YOU DOING THAT!!

Mavis is unlikeable to a fault. At the beginning, we're introduced to her pathetic life, holed up in a filthy high-rise apartment with a little rat dog and reality TV on 24/7, desperately clinging to the last remnants of her bitchy powers as she meets with an old high school friend for coffee. Mavis clearly never learned how to take care of herself, care for anyone else, or properly grow up. So when she decides to go on her home-town rampage, it's comic because we know she can only get so far.

But can she? Part of what I loved about her character was that she managed to surprise me with her level of commitment to the identity she'd created for herself and her insistence to remain oblivious to the world changing around her. After all, at 37 in a dingy apartment with a rat dog she could still go out any night of the week and snag a reasonably attractive one night stand. She could still convince people who loathed her in high school to try to befriend her, even now. She shamelessly manipulated people who were just trying to show her a little kindness and didn't feel an ounce of guilt. And yet, as selfishly horrible and ridiculously, cruelly ignorant to anyone else's suffering as she was - you still kind of wanted to see her go stir things up and wreck all those hometown lives.

Or maybe that was just me?

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Mean Girls

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I'm in the middle of writing a story featuring some bitchy female lead characters, and it got me wondering - how bitchy is too bitchy?

It's important for the characters to be identifiable, so some darkness is okay. I think it makes the reader feel more comfortable reading about someone who has weaknesses and faults just like anybody else. That's why so many people find Superman so insufferable - physically and morally invincible? Snoresville!

But if the character is too mean and nasty, or cocky, or obnoxious, it gets harder (or just more annoying) to read a story about them. It's all subjective of course, and sometimes I'll surprise myself with which characters I will and won't get behind.

Last weekend I watched Young Adult, which I've been dying to see since I first heard about it. It seemed to have all my dreams come true in it -

  • A plot featuring an ex-popular girl, disgusted by news of her old high school sweetheart having a baby and deciding to return to her hometown to wreck his life by winning him back
  • Played by Charlize Theron, a fave of mine (especially when she's playing a bitch)
  • Patton Oswalt
  • Star Wars references featuring Patton Oswalt
  • etc.

At first I was worried I wouldn't like the movie because Theron's Mavis character would be too cringeworthy - forcibly throwing herself into too many awkward situations. I can only stand so many of those onscreen before I have to bury my face in a pillow. (I think I hit my threshhold watching Lisa Kudrow's awkward antics in The Comeback). Or like when anyone in any movie EVER starts going through someone's drawers looking for something while that person isn't home. I will want to rip my hair out. THEY'RE GOING TO WALK IN ON YOU DOING THAT!!

Mavis is unlikeable to a fault. At the beginning, we're introduced to her pathetic life, holed up in a filthy high-rise apartment with a little rat dog and reality TV on 24/7, desperately clinging to the last remnants of her bitchy powers as she meets with an old high school friend for coffee. Mavis clearly never learned how to take care of herself, care for anyone else, or properly grow up. So when she decides to go on her home-town rampage, it's comic because we know she can only get so far.

But can she? Part of what I loved about her character was that she managed to surprise me with her level of commitment to the identity she'd created for herself and her insistence to remain oblivious to the world changing around her. After all, at 37 in a dingy apartment with a rat dog she could still go out any night of the week and snag a reasonably attractive one night stand. She could still convince people who loathed her in high school to try to befriend her, even now. She shamelessly manipulated people who were just trying to show her a little kindness and didn't feel an ounce of guilt. And yet, as selfishly horrible and ridiculously, cruelly ignorant to anyone else's suffering as she was - you still kind of wanted to see her go stir things up and wreck all those hometown lives.

Or maybe that was just me?

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Incognito

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I have to apologize for being a bit in hibernation over here. I've been wanting to redesign my website for a long time, only recently settling on creating a new site in WordPress, and I'm afraid it's going to take me a while to figure all this stuff out! I'm pretty old school HTML/CSS. It's like I want to rip WordPress apart and see the nuts and bolts, but then I go "Woaaahhh" when I see the nuts and bolts and remember I don't know PHP or jQuery. I decided the best thing for me to do rather than create a whole site from scratch was to buy a template and play around from there, but apparently it's still going to take me a while to figure things out. I wanted a site that was clean, minimal, and better organized than my current site, but when I started creating one I realized I kind of found it a bit boring. LOL. Clearly there's going to be no satisfying me!

So anyway, if I'm a bit quiet over here, it's because I'm spending my nights and weekends yelling at my computer screen. In the meantime, here are some pics from my recent trip to pretty, pretty Portland!

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Weekend Hermit

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I spent all of last weekend accidentally holed up in my house by myself. There's a particular weekend in May that is usually reserved for the perfect storm that is my mother's birthday, my brother's birthday, and Mother's Day all rolled into one. But even though this weekend was all reserved for those festivities, they were all cancelled at the last minute and I found myself with loads of free time.

Now, for a lot of comickers, this would be a dream come true. We crave solitude and the indoors, shunning sunlight and interaction. And this is usually the case for me too. I work at home one day a week, and it's always a struggle to force myself to leave the house just on that one day in order to mail stuff, run errands, drop off books at comic stores, etc. Do I drag myself out of the house the four days of the week I'm not working at home? Yes. But begrudgingly.

My dream is to someday make my own schedule and work from home at will. I love being holed up all day myself and not having to go out into the sunshine and be around the public.

So that's why it was troubling that this recent unexpected stretch of hermitdom . . . Started to get to me after a while. I made it through Friday without a hitch. Plenty of stuff to do, plenty of fun meals to make. Come Saturday, knowing I had limited time before I'd have to go out and meet up with family, I was productive and level headed. But once Saturday plans fell through, even though I delighted in having more free time to myself, I started to feel ... twitchy.

I read somewhere once that people need to see at least one human face a day. Not a photo, not TV. They had to get out and look at a real life person in order to feel okay. Like when you work in a cubicle all day, they tell you just being able to see something green and alive outdoors reduces your stress levels and allows you to pretend you don't work in a tiny box.

Something must happen when you're sequestered, even for a little while, that requires you to remind your brain you don't live in a post-apocalyptic wasteland. That there are other people outside, in case you need them.

I don't think I'd ever get cabin fever. I see The Shining as a fun vacation spot. But I do know this - on Saturday, I was forced to break hermitdom by powers beyond my control and go out in search of a face. And then, magically, I felt better again.

How do you guys deal with the solitude? What's your quota of human faces per day?

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