4 posts tagged “comics collective”

Life has been motoring along at it's usual break neck pace. I've been musing at how much and how quickly my life has changed. I am now on my second year at DeSerres and living with a roommate.

I'm feeling more comfortable with things so far. The dull ache of being single is becoming easier to handle.

More importantly though, I have a new book coming out!

Funday_sunnies

Hmmm I was about to start posting more of my problems today, but looking back it seems like the last month or so has been a pretty long dark and rocky ride.
I've been finding myself afflicted with an ennui that I can't seem to shake. I feel like I've lost focus on my goals. Certainly working to live has become rather grueling. My stress level seems high and I find it very easy to get whipped into an unreasonable rage.
Still all this complaining is ultimately fruitless. No one is going to help me except me. So I need to pull myself up, dust off and dredge up the will to change my situations.

I went to a British expat meet-up yesterday, I don't really know why. Other than perhaps in the hopes that I could meet some new people.
Now I could say the glass was half empty and talk about how I didn't really hit it off in a super way with anyone, and some people thought it was weird that a Canadian would come out to try and meet British people.
But if the glass was half full, I attended a social function of complete strangers without being too awkward, had a few interesting conversations. Very spontaneous and bold. It also made me realize how much I still want to be traveling again. It's far more exciting than the daily grind.

The first step there is to simplify my life. I need to have a yard sale and get rid of my crap. Craigslist seems to be failing me in my attempts to unload. Anybody out there need an alto saxophone?

Still this Canadian life is not all bad. I like my suite. And the comic collective hums along well, it's lost quite a few members, but those that remain are the ones with a serious commitment. Which is much better than having lots of members all blowing hot air and accomplishing nothing. Reconnecting with comics has been one of the highlights. I should post some of my recent musings on that topic for a change.

I'm sure anyone reading this is getting tired of the whining.

I just got over a case of pink eye that hit on Saturday. The general comment I keep getting is "Wow I remember getting that, WHEN I WAS A KID". I don't know why but it suddenly makes me feel embarassed by the whole thing. Like I failed in some sort of adult duty to not get crud in my eye.

I don't know, it's all just added on to a whole bunch of other stuff that has made me feel very run down.
I suppose moving will do that to you. Still I like my new place, a lot. And now that I've started decorating it's feeling like a home.
I'm almost ready to invite people over.
I still need a coffee table, but I have a very specific one in mind so it makes it difficult. Anyone have a three foot long glass coffee table with a lower storage shelf they want to get rid of?

I'll be working this Friday at inEthos, as well as the entire following week which means I'll be doing another eleven day work marathon. I'm going to have to start looking for a new job I think, because splitting time between these too is wearing me out.

My bicycle also chose this past weekend to give up on me. I'm not sure which went first but the axle and frame both snapped leaving me to take transit this week. Most annoying of all is I'd just picked up my bike from getting a tune-up. So my bike is no-more. And right when the summer sun finally shows up. (I think I'd heard there was going to be a high of 37 today!!) So after checking with my parents I put a new bike on the credit card. Hopefully I won't have to ask them for assistance in paying the bill when it arrives, but it also means no luxurious spending for the next few months.
For anyone questioning the merits of buying a new bike so quick you need to realize I use it to commute to work every day and it saves me a lot of money as well as benefits my health.

Amidst the deluge of all this I find my improv, and Cumulus (comic collective) have fallen to the wayside. I haven't even finished setting up my studio, which I really aught to make a priority above the Spider-Man action figures display.

I find my penchant for procrastination goes up with my stress levels. I really aught to take a week off sometime soon to recharge. Matt is apparently coing in from Winnipeg in August so hopefully I can get our days to line up.

Anyways hope you are all well. If I haven't called/emailed/sent carrier pigeon recently it's nothing personal, and would be glad to hang out with anyone who manages to call/email/send carrier pigeon to me.

I've found myself embroiled in a rollercoaster of emotion and activity as of late, though I hope to have something to show you guys soon. Right now I've been spending most of my free time with Jackie.
Jackie works with me at the Loomis Art Store, and she loves comics almost as much as I do. We worked together to get the comic collective off the ground, and while doing that found ourselves in a relationship. And it's been really great. She has really inspired me to keep drawing, and I've not felt so creative in a long time. I don't think I've ever met someone who I share so much in common with. I feel like I can tell her anything.
I obviously picked the right Loomis to start working at.
The other big development is my new basement suite. I'll be moving in there July the 1st and I can't wait. It was almost as exciting as meeting Jackie. My new place is going to be very big, and is located close to Nanaimo skytrain station which means I'll be able to get anywhere in the city easily. I can't wait!
Hopefully the change of scene will also help me keep creative, and positive.
This Saturday is going to be a comics double whammy, with the Comic Jam on Saturday and the Collective meeting on Sunday. I finally feel like I've caught my stride over here.
A few days ago I watched Five Ring Circus at the Pacific Cinematheque with Jackie and my pal Nelson. It was interesting to see some examples of how the games are negatively affecting the city.  Yet still it felt odd at the screening, with a room full of people cheering the protesters and jeering the politicians, it felt like preaching to the choir. I suppose that has it's place, but it occurs to me that the biggest failing of the APC  and other anti-2010 organizations is a lack of winning over hearts and minds. There are a lot of middle class, and blue collar types who just don't see a problem with the games. I would even argue that many are currently benefiting from them. I'm still not sure what i think but I did buy a DVD to pass on a different perspective to friends an family.
The best argument I've heard so far is that all this construction and spending is simply not worth it for a three week event. I'd love to know if London is experiencing the same kind of resistance to their games.
Still it's interesting to watch this city in it's growing pains. Hopefully it will survive it.