It's been awhile since I've drawn Can Hed Comix. People have asked me when I'd draw it again. Well, last night, as a matter of fact. Here it is, the return of my favorite comic strip:
Strange but possibly true. We've made our entries at the paper for the CNPA awards. It's the first year that the News-Sentinel will be able to enter the editorial cartoons category because of my work. There's something pretty neat about that. The Editor-Boss-Man says that he believes we have a really good chance of winning it.
One of the cartoons below (VOTE) is entered. I'll try to post the others as soon as possible, then post the results of the competition once I know.
My children moved to Arizona this weekend with their mom. She had a better opportunity for a better life, and I don't blame her for making the move. The children were excited, and it's a new adventure. I asked my daughter, via phone this evening, if she saw anything good during her drive.
"I saw cactus," she said excitedly. Hell, I remember my first time seeing cacti. I can't say I was overly excited, because it was in my grandfather's back yard, next door to my childhood home. But then I wasn't driving over nine hours away to start a new life.
She also told me she had a birthday cake surprise. It's her 10th birthday this coming Wednesday. A day we've spent together almost every year for the past 10 years. Not an easy day for this old man.
Lately I've been having these visions of SoCal, like I'm moving there or something. Both the missus and I have no desire to live in larger cities, but I have proven myself as an editor, designer and writer. I have this feeling, because of the children, that we'll be headed south. Although I can't say this is going to happen until I get an offer I can't refuse.
Don Corleone, where are you?
If anyone has a connection to a SoCal paper that needs a great designer/editor/writer/cartoonist/web editor, give me a shout. I'm more than happy to listen.
When it comes down to it, this is our country, for good or ill. Some people would say it doesn't matter if we cast our ballots or not. This isn't true. If what you believe in matters to you, then you have to make your choice.
That simple act means that you are taking part in something much larger than yourself. Without it, we'd be at the mercy of tyrants and madmen with access to the means to obliterate all our freedoms and, uh, then, um ...
Shit.
Being a raging drunk doesn't make for a great social life. The drunker you get, the longer you stay drunk, the harder it is to get off the couch and go to parties.
Fortunately, I keep my rage in check. That way I get to the parties, get ripped and make an ass of myself in public. It's much more satisfying that way.
This week I have the opportunity to go to a rather high-class affair that involves sipping older, more expensive wines with older, more expensive people. Not exactly the crowd I usually rub elbows with, but then anything is a step up from a crowd of journalists. And if you think I'm being cruel, ask 'em. They're the first to admit it.
Still, drunk is drunk, and no matter what you drink, the more you drink of it, the more apt it is to come out the same way it went in.
But do not think I am advocating public intoxication. Heavens no. That's the sort of thing one should always reserve for evenings on the couch or in front of the computer chatting. Or Vegas.
Changes come from all different directions. I've learned this from first hand experience. When they hit, we have to either be prepared and let the changes roll right over us. Adaptation is key to existence in today's world.
I took on the role of editor recently, and it's opened up a slough of changes for me. The missus and I are getting out more, and I'm doing more writing. It's not the most exciting stuff, but here's an example. And if you love Greek food, make sure to check out a review I did here.
Again, not the most exciting stuff, but it's helping me practing my writing chops.
A book is coming out soon from author/blogger Damomma.com. Elizabeth's writing is touching and thoughtful and often very witty. She approached me and asked if I could lend UnkyMoods icons to the publication. She also asked for some original drawings. So that's kept me busy and I can hardly wait to see the result.
As for Can Hed Comix, I would love to return to drawing CH and the gang, but there just isn't time. Hopefully, someday. Who knows? Change can hit at any moment.
I've finally gotten my routine down at work. It took some doing, but I've been rockin' the deadlines and getting shtuff printed. Well, being an effective cog in the overall machine, that is. I haven't had a lot of time for comics, but I think I may have something in the old grab bag. Lemme rummage.
I like this one only because of the sad little moose. If a possible future development gets built, the moose lodge would have to move.
No matter what the politics and feelings involved, I still like the sad little moose.
And pondering... musn't forget the ponderings.
The week has been hectic, maddening, frustrating, educational, strange, and I've loved every minute of it. As I sat in the editorial meeting today, trying to let the different cartoon ideas come, I kept wandering back to what I had to do.
I've got two major deadlines (one of which was met today) and the other isn't until Monday. But, due to circumstances beyond our control (cue Pretenders), our deadline is tomorrow. Thursday. I have to dummy a 20 page tabloid and get it laid out and designed all before I leave tomorrow.
No sweat.
I'm very mentally organized. Unfortunately, that manifests itself physically as great big piles of crap on my desk. As I write this, a stack of papers threatens to topple over and crush me. I had to dig for my CD laden with past cartoons.
I didn't feel like digging, so you get to read a completely digitally drawn Can Hed Comix.
Church and state are separated for a reason. Nowadays our nation truly is a melting pot. If ours is a government of, for and by the people, then every person should be represented. Right?
Old, young, black, white, disabled, Republican, Democrat, no matter who you are or what your affiliation, you are entitled to equal representation in our nation's collective body: The Guv'mint.
Our local City Council recently saw fit to install a plaque at the CC chambers with the national motto "In God We Trust" inscribed thereupon. This brought out people on both sides of the debate. People who did and didn't believe in God said it wasn't proper. Hardline Christians said people could believe whatever they wanted, as long as it didn't stop them from being "right."
I say believe what you want. Live life to its fullest. Let God live in one house and Guv'mint in the other.
Today I was officially named the Lodi Living Editor. Our outgoing LL editor is the reason I'm at the Lodi News-Sentinel to begin with.
A while back, Tricia Tomiyoshi -- the current editor -- interviewed me for a QnA piece. I was supposed to be the hip young cartoonist here in Lodi. Turns out I was just jittery from too much coffee. Either way, she really enjoyed my work and suggested I might work with the paper to develop a comic strip.
Ducks in Lodi was born from the effort.
From there, I went to work formatting the online content for the newspaper on a part-time basis while working at a label company.
Soon, a copy editor position opened up at the paper and I was offered a full-time job. I left the label company and made a home at the Sentinel.
I kept doing the copy-editor gig while updating the web every night. Not long after that, I was approached with the opportunity to create graphics, maps, and other items for the print and online products instead of copy editing. I jumped on it.
During that time, I had the brilliant idea that I could draw editorial cartoons as well. I approached the publisher and editor-in-chief with the idea and they said we could give it a whirl. Sure enough, I started drawing editorial cartoons on a regular basis.
Part of creating graphics was designing the cover of our lifestyle section, Lodi Living; a section that only distributes with Saturday's paper. The more covers I designed, the better they got. I was allowed a lot of creativity, and I've been pretty happy with the results. At left is a portion of one of my favorite covers that reports on women with tattoos. I added the headline to look like a tattoo on the back of the cover model.
Last week they posted a notice that the current editor would be leaving for another position with another paper. I owe a lot to Tricia, mainly helping me get into the newspaper business which I dearly love.
I approached our EIC with the idea that I'd like to take over her duties. We talked about it, had several meetings, and today he made the official announcement that I'd be the new editor. If I could smile any broader, I don't know how I would.
on Social Ills