Wolf Wears Wool

[EDIT] What the ARSE are you on about, ComicPress?  Eating my updates! UGH.  I could castrate you with a fossilised shark tooth.  Anyway, to those who missed yesterday’s update, tis here.  Sorry about that.

Good gravy, what a week-end . . . It was such fun and love and glee, I could simply blow hearts out of my nose.   Alas, I am quite sleepy, so the snotvalentine will simply have to wait.

Went up to spend the week-end with my K. again, and was hosted by the wunderbar Sully again (and again, thanks for the hospitality, mate!).  On Saturday, we went out, decimated doughnuts, drew in cafes, squabbled about sushi, promenaded about the brick sidewalks, pointed in admiration at the splendid potpourri of dogs present, bought books (and a few other bits and bats), and generally enjoyed the sunshine.  The day was wrought with dips and ups and quirks . . . Namely a celebrity sighting of sorts, which I’ll elaborate on more, later, and salesman thinking I was nineteen.  Criminy.  But, it’s because I’m quite short and likely as all a bit too animated for my own good . . . I empathise with R. on several fronts, this being one of them (though thankfully I’ve got approximately an inch’s worth of height and about one stone’s weight on him).  Heh, K. and I are quite the pair . . . She is the tall, attractive blonde to my short, scruffy lacklustresort.  Well, they say a classic never dies, yes?  I kind of love it, honestly.  But then, I love everything about us when we’re together.

. . . Where was I?  Oh yes, my celebrity sighting.  For those who do not know what Ursula was watching a few pages back, it is a documentary about women undergoing treatment for their eating disorders.  The programme is called ‘Thin’ and it aired a few years back on HBO.  I swear, I saw one of the four mains today whilst riding the Metro.  Not the one I drew in this comic, but yer . . . Colour that moment of the day quite surreal indeed.

After that, I spent the night at Sully’s, reading the first fifty pages of Trainspotting (having found and bought the Irvine Welsh Omnibus earlier that day) whilst she worked for a bit before bed.  It is so strange to read an accent that is more or less braided into my very brain spelt out in ascii.  It’s like reading lyrics to a song . . . A song which consists of “Oooooo-ooooooh” and “Dun-nun-dunnnn!”  Perhaps the theme song from Disney’s ‘Doug’ is a good example; Yes, we know the song sounds like that, you needn’t spell it out.  And likewise, yes, we know that Scottish people sound like that, you needn’t spell it out.  But for all that it takes some getting used to, it’s a good read.  A bit filthy and digusting, but . . . Oh! Gross, but engrossing.  Heh, that’ll do nicely.

So, yes, then I quite sadly hopped aboard about six frillion modes of vehicular public transportation.  I can tell you, by the time I got home, I really and truly smelt like a piece of horse.  I pity the Carlea who had to pick me up from the bus station, today (though I thank her quite heartily as well, and for seeing to my beasts, of course).

Oh yes, and in weird-as-all-heck news . . . There were plants growing in my drain.  PLANTS.  Leafy green, oxygen filtering, photosynthesising life was being fostered and allowed to burgeon in my bathroom without my knowledge or consent!  What happened was that, apparently, some of Feff’s birdseed went down the drain, was watered everytime I washed up or brushed my teeth and bloody BURST INTO FRUITION.  As much as I love plants, I don’t much like the notion of Ferngully being in my drain . . . It was bunging up the lot, besides.  So yer.  That was quite something weirdoo to deal with.  Oh, life.  You are so quirky . . . You are equal parts ironic and eyeroll-inducing.  No, wait . . . That’s it! LIFE IS A HIPSTER.

Shit, man . . . I feel like a quantum physicist who just sussed out the Meaning Of Life.  Eureka, and I’ll just take my Nobel Prize and go, thanks . . .

Here be the second half of that double header that ought to have been but was not.

Soooo, I went to visit the lovely and fabulously uncouth Soltian and Kissenlieb this week-end, along with our friend Serena. Much hilarity went round . . . In fact, it went up, down and all round, if it comes to that. There was delicious Japanese food in the evening, and a trip out to a farm to pick cherries the following day. Rest assured, enough crude jokes to kill a horse were made. Really, WHY IS IT that these people always fill me with such a burning compulsion to draw filth? And yes, filth was drawn, and no, you may not see it.

You see what you lot have done?! All of your constant psychobabble about bodily functions, raging libidos, slanderous stereotypes and bits of of the bottom have made me into a lewd person what merits no respect in proper society.

. . . Bravo. ::golf clap::

I came home, however, to find that my K.’s troubles have come to a truly horrible head and she may be forced to make some very difficult decisions very soon . . . As I was saying on DA, I’m with you every step of the way and you have 100% of my support, my love.

I drawed dis fer ye. Horray for Cassie and Seb!

. . . And nobody else has any clue as to who the froopy heck these people are, ah ha haaa.

In other news, I have been rewatching ‘The Point’ a lot recently.  It is quite the surprisingly existential children’s film, I must say, and yet it manages not to be pretentious.  Perhaps that’s simply what comes from doing a lot of hard drugs and staring at tree tops for hours, saying to one’s self, “BY GEORGE THOSE THINGS ARE POINTYLICIOUS.”

. . . Er, that’s a narrow way of relating the film’s genesis, but it gives you the hump and gist at any rate.  Humble beginnings and all.  Anyway, I loved it when I was younger, and I still do.  I think my favourite quote from the film is “Oh, you were just born . . . Don’t worry, it happens to everyone.”  Here, have a random doodle of Oblio and Arrow I did a while back;

Oh yes, and cookies to whoever knows what programme it is that Ursula is watching.  I’d offer to do a contest with a drawing as a prize, but I’m going to to have a very full week ahead of me, and I fear I shan’t have the time. Very sorry . . .

Good gravy, what a week-end . . . And I emerge, waking up late with a cat licking my face and a horrendous backache.  After Ru sandblasted my face near down to my skull with the plague of 1,000 rather rough cat tongues, I rolled over and got Zekiel to walk on my lower back, which actually really helped.  He’s chubchub enough to deep-tissue chase the aches away, it seems.  Cheers, Zeke-a-deke ^_^

So yes, the past few days have been eventful and crazy and wonderful.  I was able to visit my K. this week-end for the first time (she has always come to me in the past).  Owing to family circumstance, I stayed with her friend Sully, who was kind enough to let me do so (thank you!).  There was much visiting, bonding, and meeting Sully’s fabulous dog, and sleeping on futons and a great deal of talk about favourite films and comicking and how not to arse up the deceptively simple process of riding the metro.  I think my head must be the lovechild of a taffy pull and a crucible who had a Britney Spearsesque whim-wedding and put absinthe in the baby’s bottle . . . I say this because any time I try to wrap my mind round directions of any sort, they become stretched, distorted and melted together in my mind till even Jackson Pollock could not make any sense of them.

. . . I think this is why, once people get to really know me, they make me responsible for precious little.

At any rate, we met up with friends on Saturday and rode the Metro into the city to see X-Men: First Class. As I was telling my K., the whole thing was enjoyable, but the pacing in the beginning bugged the heck out of me.  Too fast, too choppy . . . But then, the film just got better and better and better and better.  Which is how a film should go, really . . .   As far as complaints go, what in God’s trousers were they thinking when they combined Pixie and Jubilee to create . . . Angel?  And cat!Beast=Boo.  And I think I dislike Emma Frost even MORE than I did before, though I’d not thought it possible.  Ditto Azaezel or whatever the arse his name is.  I had my doubts about James McAvoy as Xavier, even though he’s a favourite actor of mine (though he was decidedly overshadowed by the mind-blowing performance of  Forrest Whitaker, The Last King Of Scotland really showcases what a fantastic actor he really is).  I was won over, I don’t mind saying.  It’s really fun to think of Charles as this smarmy little uni-aged brat before he becomes the downright saintly Professor X.  And let’s see . . . I find I rather prefer slightly-chubby Mystique.  Her character was very nicely executed as well.  Also, even though Kevin Bacon was an odd choice, I thought he was appropriately engaging and sinister for the role he took, and that they handled the scenarios/context of his character very well.  Magneto’s actor was fantastic, even if the continual seepage of his Irish accent was distracting.  The chemistry between Charles and Erik was beautifully constructed and developed to perfection.  I could not have asked for better, right up to that heartrending end.  Best part of the film, however?  The cameo.  And that is ALL I will say so as not to spoil the film for those who have not seen it.  But it’s feckin’ fabulous and hilarious.  So yes!  Over all, highly enjoyable and engaging.  I’d love to see it again.

We then rode into DC to catch the Pride parade.  I’m really not used to huge cities and big gobs of people and constant motion, so that part of it was a bit overwhelming.  The abundance of hilarious drag queens, nearly nude cowboys, dykes-on-bikes, overenthusiastic pflag mums, and Lady Ga Ga as anthem does help to dispel these things, though.  This event is also fantastic for artists and illustrators because there is virtually EVERY BODY TYPE UNDER THE SUN out there in various states of decoration and/or undress.  The next time I attend, I want to bring my camera and sketchbook and do some hardcore people-watching/sketching.  I don’t know if my comic/art shows it, but ‘beauty’ in the oft-referenced/commercial sense of the word doesn’t really interest me (and I can’t draw it for shite, besides).  Anyway, the variety is simply fantastic and well worth it to an artist looking to pep up their sketchbook . . . Or to simply have a great time watching a more colourful crowd.  The whole affair just reeks of fun and that atmosphere is all part of it, as well.

I’m afraid I made a rather bad first impression, though . . . A combination of not eating enough (I have a high-ish metabolism and I need to eat A LOT) and big-city anxiety among a few other factors took a toll and at the end of the day, I was a bit worse for the wear.  Sorry I wasn’t much fun, guys.  I hope I didn’t put too much of a damper on anyone’s good time.

As for myself, I had a lot of fun and I got to spend a lot of time with my K., as well as meet some fab new people.  Thanks for everything, you lot.  I probably didn’t do the best job showing it, but it was a fabbity experience all round ^_^

(Many thanks also, to Carlea for cat-and-bird sitting for me.  Much obliged!)

Crikey, this comic is suffering from a rather bad bout of Splashitis these days . . . As such, this update’ll be another double-header.  Another page will be up tomorrah, so do watch out for that.

So, Thursday was my last day working at the animal shelter . . . I’ll be starting up my usual summer gig quite soon and I’ll need a week to prepare for it.  It’s . . . rather saddening, actually.  It did not feel like a ‘last day’ today, everything just went normally, and as such, I proceeded as if I’d be coming right back in the next day.  It hasn’t QUITE hit me yet, I don’t think, but I’m already missing all of my lovely kitties.  I quite like animals and I like taking care of them, even if it’s a lot of work, frequently disgusting and some of them are less than agreeable.

I also think that working there did me a world of good physically and characterwise.   I’m really glad I did it and if it paid more than minimum wage, at this point, I think I’d stay for a lot longer.  Alas, I’m barely breaking even right now, even with the other jobs I have on the side, and avast, I must seek more lucrative employment.

. . . ::snif:: Kiiiiittiiieeesss . . . Stiff upper lip, F.

And dag, but it was a bloody EVENTFUL last day, too!  Here are just a few things that went down during my last eight hours at the animal shelter;

- This morning, I encountered a foster who was bringing a tiny collie mix puppy in for, I believe, an update on vaccinations . . . Said puppy’s name was Annie, and she was blind.  The woman was playing with her near the parking lot and I couldn’t resist.  She came when I called her and everything.  Very sweet and very smart.  I’m sure that as she grows and grows into her handicap, it’ll cease to be a handicap more and more.

- A pit mix named Princess had to have a big chunk of her ear removed, owing to a cancerous lump, there.  Good-natured Van Gogh remarks happened.

- During our weekly all-staff meeting, some bloke apparently stole into the laundry room and began riffling through our lockers.  When spotted, he legged it, hopped on his bike and ran away.  I hope nothing too valuable was stolen (I never use my locker, and am now thanking the Lord for that much).  Police were phoned and one of our more seasoned coworkers was sicced on him.  She did not catch him, but I have heard it on good authority that he is very fortunate for she didn’t.

. . . And there’s a great deal I’m going to miss.  There are people I’m going to miss, too.  Lots of them.  I got it in my head that it might be nice to draw a little sketch tribute to my coworkers, and I made a spirited attempt at that during lunch . . . Upon which I promptly remembered that I ought not to make any bones about being a portait artist (i.e. I am utter bollocks at capturing likenesses).  As such, only one of my many attempts came out at all worth sharing, possibly because it’s an image which will forever stick in my mind like blu-tac;

Another coworker who has been at the shelter for quite a while, though she will be retiring soon for obvious reasons.  She is the one who trained me and is one of the coolest, toughest, most hilarious chicks I’ve ever met, although I’m fairly sure she thought I was little better than a gormless oik most of the time.  She loved those cats though, and went out of her way to make sure they were given the best that was to be had . . . And yer, she gave that vending machine whatfor when it refused to take her cash.  Truly a woman of brio and panache and then some.  GODSPEED, MAN.

[BIGGISH EDIT] . . . To the lovely Ms. April,

. . . I don’t know whether or not you’ll read this, but I just wanted to say Thank You Times A Frillion for answering/offering your words of wisdom to my dearest pie, K.  She means so much to me, and likewise your words meant a great deal to both of  us. I think we both wish her much happier times in the nearest possible future.  At any rate, seriously, thank you.  You so totally rool.

And to anyone who might be coming here from Regretsy . . . Hallo!  And welcome ^_^  I hope you like what you see here!

.  .  .

. . . Carlea has said that R.’s taste in music is ‘questionable.’  I might politely counter and say that whilst it is a bit unexpected in places, it is generally quite . . . Okay, yer, he really needs a girlfriend . . . if only so she can give him a mix tape

Not much to say about today.  Hair was cut, work worked on, laundry laundried.  Caught a bit of a documentary about D-Day which was really fascinating . . . But then, I have a bit of a keenness for WWI and WWII.  Came home to find that Boss Number Three had dropped off a little something for me; Some framed paintings which I had admired in her home; Acrylic and very simple, of Thai dancers in traditional costumes as well as one of the iconic dragon boats.  Very cool!  I’ll have to find a place for them in me flat.  Cheers, Boss Number Three!  And of course, Carlea and I gathered for the usual yesterday, avec deleeshus Chinese food and a spontaneous runner for chips afterward.

And now I’m going to try to catch me up on a lot of stuffs.  To translate, I shall be quite boring, today and as such, the blog duly ends here.  Cheerio!