Sunday February 10 2008
OK. I am alive. After a very long break and a life time of shit I have returned to my muse. Sadly, I have no real excuse for my lack of updates. I could blame it on dropping out of school and working full time. I could also blame it on a flare of depression and anxiety. The truth is that I have been very uninspired; everything I have done in the past few months has been half assed while taking the easy way out. With damages to my possible relationships, friendships, and fiscal responsibilities I have reached "the low." In the process of pulling my head out of my ass I hope to start updating regularly. On the up side I haven't started drinking again!
On a lighter note I highly recommend you check out Does it Offend You? Yeah and Vampire Weekend. I know that Vampire Weekend is a rather generic indie band, but the upbeat of it all just elevates my mood. Also, Tegan and Sara and Noah and the Whale are worth a poke. Poke or no poke? Poke.
Take care everyone, and with any luck i'll be posting and updating regularly. If not regard this post as the pinnacle of my shame. Later Days!
-JR
Wednesday November 14 2007
Everything I can think of is filled with stress and carries an underlying feeling of terror. Finding a job, keeping my crappy one, getting through this semester, talking to my parents. Everything is filled with the horrible. Anyway, life has been getting in the way of the webpage. As my life destabilizes I hope to begin to update the site more. Hopefully I can escape from the woes of the world by burying myself in work.
My greatest hope of getting people to read this other than my friends and kin is in danger. I need to 1.)get off my rather voluptuous semi white semi asian ass and get to creative and productive endeavors and b.) Learn to focus my ever present anxiety and fear into a form that is fit for human consumption via ocular means. If I can get over 500 hits a day I will start to make merchandise. Let's be honest, no person starts such a project without the thought of merchandise brooding a shadow over their "creative expression." That, and if I can achieve my goal of being an artistic bum I would gladly give up other "necessities" like health insurance / car insurance / friends. I'm gonna lie (lye?) down and ponder where the last five years and the illusion of happiness went. I need to make cute nicknames for my friends.
-JR
Thursday November 1 2007
It is hard for me to conceptualize and verbalize the astounding beautity and purity in all emotions. My inability to translate the overwhelming power in witnessing such a display into words keeps me from conveying its effect. There is beauty and purity in all things. If I bear witness to enough I hope to capture some of it within me. I guess for now I can consider that to be my raison d'être.
-JR
Tuesday October 23 2007
After searching for a grueling 25 minutes I have once again become employed. As per everyone's expectations I once again find myself working as a waiter at my local TGI Fridays. Hopefully this job will allow me to adequately save until I move in with my buddies Dan and Jon early next year. From there I will most likely find something more local with some sort of steady paycheck. Anyway, as weird as it sounds, I believe this will facilitate more productive work on the comic. Less time will be spent just agonizing about finances while increased stress and anxiety will drive me to this outlet.
And now, a random zombie joke that is not that funny but fun to write (and I know it changes tense. It started as a real story as slowly, through the art of exaggeration and outright lies, turned into a narrative. Enjoy!):
"I have finally experienced the joy of being trapped in a room with four people who don't understand my sense of humor. As I felt the off color jokes referencing my own depression and self deprecation fall gracelessly to the floor I could not but hope for something to rescue me from my awkward surroundings. Eventually awkward smiles of consolation turned to the blank stares of the undead. Feeling the chance to act out my life's fantasy I began to pretend that everyone around me was starting to turn. As I slowly back towards the door I began to eye various objects around the apartment that I could use to defend myself. Finding nothing capable of beheading the humorless drones slowly pursuing me I began to eye the window. Two floors up. I might even be fit enough to walk away. Slowly the seconds began to creep by. There had to be a decision, and one soon. I feel their cold hands brush against my shirt as they make their lunge to stop me, but they are too late. I only feel the crash, my eyes closed too tight to see anything around me. The sensation of falling ends before I can even register it. It takes a few seconds to regain my senses. The night is cool, but more importantly the night is dark. I begin to panic. I can't even tell which way my truck is. The urge to move becomes relentless. I begin to walk. It starts off slow and careful but quickly progresses to the panicked gate of the pursued. I keep running. I run until the pain is numbed. I keep running. I can taste copper in my mouth and the pain in my legs has become my existence. I finally collapse onto the road no longer able to move. The night slowly becomes darker and envelopes me. In the back of my mind I hear a voice. Its nagging me, insistent on its urgency and importance. I finally wake when the voice's howling consumes all thought. I don't really know if I knew what those headlights were. I think I may have had an instant of recognition before it happened. Its kinda sad how silly our deaths can sound when we tell them. So, Mama Cass was it? How did you die?"
Please forgive me for that horrible piece of crap you just read. I just started writing and couldn't stop. Kisses!
-JR
Monday October 22 2007
Well, the Sox made it to the series and I can't complain. Things have been very stressful and I am having problems getting the motivation to keep updating and making new content. The next comic remains half finished and haunts me every time I look at my computer. Like a half eaten chicken pot pie sitting on my desk for weeks it seeks attention as much as it repels me. School stress matched with dance and the futile pursuit of happiness leaves me feeling rather empty and fried. Hopefully this recent depression will end soon and I can feel good about "wasting time" drawing.
On a happier note I need to find a job this week due to increasing financial problems. Having used up all of my savings during my sabbatical from employment (which did last 5 months!) the job hunt has evolved from a "should" to a "need." With any hope my reinstated employment will alleviate some unnecessary and unrelenting anxiety. On a less serious and self indulgent note:
I know it may seem to be a little aggravating to buy the orange box just for Half-Life Episode II and Portal if you already own the previous half life titles but it is well worth it. Episode II is a great experience where you begin to care for characters to an even higher level. The facial expressions and dialog remain as amazing as ever. Just as before the pacing of the game is well done with plenty of variety in atmosphere. Although I do wish for some new weapons the new enemy classes bring a variety in your combat styles. Portal is a great game with an AMAZING credits song and painfully original game play. While there are some more complicated puzzles i felt the game was a little short and may not have lived up to the possibilities many imagined. Unfortunately, living in a wireless apartment, I cannot connect to X-box live (my computer is outdated and I haven't been able to play computer games for a couple years now) and have been unable to play team fortress 2.
Anyway, I'll let you all know what is going on as far as a job and work schedule as soon as I know. Oh yeah, and something about a comic. Eventually.
-JR
Sunday October 21 2007
Alright, so I know I have been sucking with updates. but: holy crap I've been busy. Busy doing NOTHING. And by nothing I mean watching the Sox game and dancing. The comic will eventually have a new installment soon. Take care and updates following the game.
-JR
Thursday October 11 2007
Holy crap I am busy. When I'm not doing school work I am wishing I had the drive to work on this comic. It's the inherent problem when using depression as both a subject matter and motivation: When I have creative influence I am too depressed to work and when I am driven to create I am not thoughtful enough. I feel the solution may be to pay a close friend of mine to call me everyday and scream at me "Do the fucking comic!" over and over until it is either done or they just give up on me.
Aaaannyyyway, things aren't that bad. The weather has been shitty and life has been dramatic in a non influential throughly expected manner. Fear not, for the comic will get at least one new addition a week.... just at erratic times. My worst problem is attempting not to get side tracked by other projects or ideas. Inspiration hits and rather than turn it into motivation to draw I get the urge to make a screenplay, short movie, or even song. I have the distinct feeling that this comic will improve exponentially once I learn to separate emotions from creative drive.
Sorry to leave such a mopey post; god knows you all have enough emotional worries and mine aren't all that important. Just venting for a bit. Anyway, I'll keep you posted. Best of luck!
-JR
Tuesday October 9 2007
Well, I can't even keep the schedule for one...goddamn ...week. Its already 12:30 and I am only about half way done with this week's strip. With any luck it will be up by Wednesday before dance practice consumes the rest of my week. The competition is on Saturday. It starts at 8am and will last to around 7pm that night; while it will be my entire day feel free to stop by for all or portions of it. Once again it is going to be held at E.O. Smith High School at the University of Connecticut Storrs campus.
While being broke may be a sort of strange liberating experience I am going to have to start looking for a job this week; with Jon and Dan both saving up its my turn to ensure the security of our housing as well. I am going to try different restaurants in the area. With any luck I can avoid going back to Fridays. That being said, I will probably find myself at Fridays. More news and eventually another comic to follow! Thanks everyone,
-JR
Sunday October 7 2007
Ugh. That about sums up my weekend. Drama has shown its ugly head and I find it more disappointing than anything. The strange part is that I thought I would feel anger or at least annoyance, but at my age it just seems pointless. Like death and taxes drama can never be avoided, no matter what is said by the offending party. That said, best of luck Dan. It will all work out for the better.
As far as the comic goes, I am working on the latest strip. It is slow goings, but i will have it up tomorrow as promised. (If by tomorrow I mean before I go to sleep tomorrow night).
-JR
Thursday October 4 2007
Work has begun on next week's comic. On a down side I seem to be getting a little sick again. A little sleep can go a long way, I'm sure. This particular story arc is going to be around three to four more strips, and meant to really introduce the main character and develop his motivations. And, if i get around to it, a few jokes too.
On a different note I have been having mixed feelings about Halo 3. The multi player, as expected, is amazing as always. The single player campaign has left me longing. While many argue that it is too short and unbalanced, my main concern is the lack of presentation in the story telling. It could have been a totally immersing experience where you feel for the characters; it played out like National Treasure. Ok, maybe thats too hard, but with masterpieces like Bioshock out there a heavy weight like Halo deserves as much criticism.
Also, if you're in the Uconn Storrs area the 13th check out my first ballroom dance competition! I have no idea what time it is, so details will be posted as I figure them out. Thanks a lot everyone!
-JR
Wednesday October 3 2007
My comic is like the highlander; it must die for it truly to become immortal! Sorry everyone, I've been busy with classes and *gasp* ballroom dancing and haven't devoted enough time to the comic. This week will be followed by at least one comic a week starting on Mondays. Congrats to Jon on his new job; this will hopefully allow us to move in together and avoid living in strange and dusty homes. Thanks all and see you soon!
Thursday June 28 2007
Ok, so the second comic strip is finally up. Sorry it took so long, but as usual it's taking me a while to get everything the way i want it... or at least passable. I hope that there is an apparent difference in the quality of the artwork from the first to second comic; my obvious lack of artistic ability makes this project a little daunting. I have yet to introduce other characters, or, for that matter, properly introduce the main character. Thankfully i have decided to bite the bullet and do so in the next installment.
On a different note i have fallen into a musical rut. No longer taking the time or energy to explore new bands i find myself constantly listening to The New Pornographers and Youth Group. If you have any musical suggestions, or any suggestions at all, feel free to email me. And, god willing, i may even remember to write you back.
Thursday June 28 2007
A NEW COMIC is finally up. Its 3 in the morning right now, so i'll leave this link up right now and update the rest of the site tmr morning. Night all!
Monday June 18 2007
A new life defining moment hit me yesterday; i attended the wonderful wedding of my good friends Hasan and Lina. It was a blast and all was going well until the cake cutting. As soon as the knife began to plunge into that soft, defenseless cake i realized that i, somewhere along the line, have actually become an adult. The strange part is that i finally feel like tackling this new development rather than running from it like a crazed banshee from a swarm of rabid killer bees. Part of this realization is that i have to stop slacking off, so without further waiting or lame excuses i bring you...
Knowledge Brings Fear
On a completely different note, i find myself excited for a lot of the 360's game releases this coming summer. One of my most anticipated, which i'm sure many of you will disagree with me about, is the Rally and CORR racing game DiRT (the lower case i means its EXTREME). Combining my two favorite things, off-roading and video games, in a high-deff spectacular helmet cam view is more than i could ever wish for. Here's hoping that other games being released, like The Darkness and Mass Effect, turn out as good as we all hope.
- JR
Tuesday May 29 2007
After many months of procrastinating the work on this website i have finally gotten my ass into gear. This is due, mostly, to the fact that my crappy serving job decided to cut me down to one day this week. Needless to say i put in my notice, and now find myself looking for a new job. In the mean time my countless hours of free time will be consumed by work on my project truck, attempting to talk to the opposite sex, and this web site. Feel free to send me any comments, criticisms, or advice. Thanks a lot everyone!