The Lonely Cache
Posted on September 7, 2024 by Bruce

San Diego Comic-Con: Day 1ish

Posted on July 22, 2011 by Bruce
After advertising that this would be the “Year of No” here I am still stunned that I was given professional status at the San Diego Comic-Con. As I write this Preview Night is but a memory and I am going over my notes from today’s sessions while trying to figure out where all my money went. A brief recap for those interested- I applied for pro status, got it but it was too late to get any guest badges. While I immersed myself in geekdom, Sue was going to go geocaching. Preview night worked out OK… I gave myself some time to get the lay of the land, while Sue read a bit. After an hour the crowds were getting to be a bit much and I called it a day. What SWAG did I get? Nothing that I can recall- except three SWAG bags from Warner Bros. One Justice League, one Big Bang Theory, and one Looney Tunes. I did go and scan the BBC America QR codes that were part of the Dr. Who scavenger hunt. I am only missing one but can’t find Titan entertainment anywhere. The BBC lists them in the same booth spot as “Unshelved” a great web comic and the Comic-Con app put them in aisle 5500 of the exhibit hall (5400 is the last aisle). So that was about it for preview night. Two years ago Marv Wolfman I believe said that preview night was the new Saturday… With the number of comp passes I saw I can believe it. I can also understand why people with 4 day passes without preview night were not happy. So, I got up Thursday morning with a plan… All geeked out with my QR code t-shirt and geek vest I set out to do a few things first go to Comic Book Law 101 & next go to David Petersen’s CBDLF master session. Both were fantastic and have gotten me to rethink a few things. One on copyright and the other on the process & tools I ink with. After that it was a day in the exhibit hall which is a very scary place. I think I was able to cover the entire floor, but I could be mistaken. I purchased a few things: Katie Cook’s cat & Gronk books along with a Doozer drawing for Sue. A David Petersen sketchbook. Almost the entire “DC Super Pets” series (the last 4 books will be available tomorrow). Two convention special books from Archaia (Rust & Fraggle Rock) which let me get three books for free (& then lug all of them around for hours & hours). Finally, a complete sketchbooks of Dave Stevens compendium (Dave created “the Rocketeer” one of my favorite comics & movies ever). Now you might look at that list and wonder why I bought sketchbooks and kids books… First I am a teacher so finding new comic material for my classroom is important. The sketchbooks are great because I learn so much seeing how other artists draw, even roughy sketches teach me something. By 4:30 I was exhausted. Sue arrived and we dumped my stuff in the car and wandered having a pizza dinner at a Cartoon Network NY style pizza place. Afterwards we walked around people watching and ended up on the grass waiting for a rather sad Cirque du Soleil performance on the the side of Petco Park.

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Since I had mentioned the Rocketeer here is the infamous monkey with him… Or at least a very good imitation. For those wondering about other pictures I would ask that you visit my Flickr site and as for Cecil, I had a wonderful chat with some steampunk outfitters about getting him a pair of goggles. I (and he) will be overjoyed if we hear back from them after the con.

Comic Subs or decisions, decisions

Posted on July 14, 2011 by Bruce
Oh my… Yesterday I turned in my sub sheet for comics that will be shipping in September. For a comic geek this is nothing new. Local comic book shops offer a service to regular customers in which they can order comics when they are announced and that way the shop knows how many they need and the customer is guaranteed the books they want. I’ve always loved this benefit and when you’ve been going to the same store for 20 years it really is nice. If I forget something on my sheet I’ll be asked about it. If I forget to turn in my sheet on time those comics still appear. This also makes it so I don’t have to rush (although I try) to the comic shop on Wednesdays (new comic book day). So all in all a nice arrangement. Until DC Comics decided to mess it all up.

20110714-090305.jpg Comic Carnival North in Indianapolis (where I buy my books) does their sub sheets with all the Marvel titles on one side and all the DC titles on the other. For the uninitiated this means Spider-man, Captain America, Iron Man, the Fantastic Four are on one side, Batman, Superman, Green Lantern are on the other. So what’s the problem? Each year the comic publishers come up with some massive summer story that you only need to buy 120 comics to understand. It didn’t used to be each year, but now one of the signs of summer is some massive crisis in the DC universe or some war in Marvel. This summer in Marvel it is “Fear Itself” which I have not read but seems to be a take off on what DC did last year using Thor’s hammer instead of Green Lantern’s ring. DC decided to do “Flashpoint” in which Professor Zoom goes back and tweaks the space time continuum in order to mess with the newly resurrected Flash’s life. A few things that have happened in this world (spoilers) Batman is Thomas Wayne since his wife and son were killed in a mugging, Wonder Woman & Aquaman are at war trying to take over the world & Superman has been raised as a lab experiment when his rocket crashed into Metropolis. Caught in the middle is Barry Allen, police scientist, who wants everything brought back to “normal.” This is not going to end well. History Lesson: in the 80’s DC published “Crisis on Infinite Earths” which at the end caused a number of their titles to start over. The result were things like Frank Miller’s “Batman: Year One” & John Byrne’s. “Man of Steel” in which the origins of Batman & Superman were retold and tweaked. Not all the comics that DC published changed… Some just kept plodding along. This time it’s different. I think I’ve mentioned before in September DC comics will be relaunching their entire line up… 52 titles will all be back at issue #1. Each title will have a new creative team and who knows what else. Now here is my dilemma even with “holding the line at $2.99” that’s over $150 if I want to check out all the titles. Not including any additions in the following months and wanting to give each team time to build (let’s say 3 months) I would be spending $500 just on DC comics! I don’t think so. Because as a good comic book reader I also know that given history, within 12 to 18 months it will all be back and this will have been a wonderful experiment that increased Time Warners profits. So yesterday I turned in my sub sheet… Befuddled over how to fill it out. I have been reading Flash, Teen Titans, Justice Society, Justice League, Batman, and a few others. So instead I went by title for a few & creative team for others. I might be upset over a few choices, it will be interesting to see how it all ends up. Updates after Comic-Con if I learn anything there or at least in September when this ship.

Dr. Who Cache Series Update -Ugh!

Posted on July 9, 2011 by Bruce
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The Dr. Who Series is going strong, but since launching this series I have learned a lot. First of all “Take your time” I ended up rushing at the end to get the caches placed and I should have just sat and reflected for a bit and triple checked everything. Instead we ended up with the wrong final coordinates in every cache and if it wasn’t for the eagle eyes of one of the folks placing the cache I would never had known. I think if I hadn’t rushed them out I might have caught that mistake. Next “choose your friends wisely.” When I decided to launch this series and make it a continent encompassing adventure I looked at my “friends list” on gc.com saw who had a significant number of finds and were placed in various spots around North America and asked them. Sadly some of my “gc.com” friends I had only met once or in some cases never face to face. This has lead to me not feeling as if I can really talk with them about any problems with the caches, or not even knowing if it was a “quality hide” Most people have been really excited to join in the game, almost as excited as I was to start it. Then there are others who this is just one more thing on a list and they’ll get it done, when they get it done. I also needed to learn when to say “No” I think I would have been better off just saying – this series is for the Television version of the Doctor instead of (after hearing a complaint) expanding it out. While I think the placement of the last two Doctors will be great, I also feel that (again) I was almost rushed to get the designs done and then pestering the person who volunteered time & resources to make the wraps. But I think the biggest thing I learned is not to have a final cache tied to a series that relies on so many other people in so many different places. It has been a bit of a headache placing the cache, then (because of my mistake) having to send out new stickers. Then getting complaints because one cache had both the old and new coordinates on it. Which (as far as I can tell) led to an email to Groundspeak, because the quick wording on the final lead to the belief that there were other logging requirements (contact me for the correct coordinates so you don’t get hit by a semi in the middle of the interstate). Everything had to fall into place, and it didn’t. My thanks to our understanding volunteer reviewers for working with me to get this addressed quickly, but I know how much of a headache it was for me- I can’t imagine the headache it was for them. It has been a wild a crazy trip and if I were to try something like this again I will most definitely take my time, choose my friends wisely, and ignore complaints… also I probably won’t have a grand finale. If I do that, I’ll do the series on my own. Grumble, grumble… Yes, I sound like the Caching Curmudgeon & yes I already have a couple ideas for other series that I would like to do- just don’t rush me. 🙂

The Rocketeer… nuff said.

Posted on June 26, 2011 by Bruce

Has it really been 20 years? One of my favorite comics (which bounced around publishers) was turned into a movie in 1991. Yes, I’m talking about “The Rocketeer.” Comic book wise Dave Stevens story and art were flawless and the film version was amazingly faithful.  I went to the opening night and ended up with a poster (that still hangs in my office)  It was the film that opened the newly renovated El Capitan theater in Hollywood- where I took my brothers that summer of 1991. I have all the original comics, along with the multiple times it has been reprinted… and yes, though I rarely can say this, I own it on DVD, I used to own it on VHS.  I’m missing a few things, but I still can’t make the leap into buying a helmet though Cecil really, really wants one.  What could make it better?  This-

The Rocketeer 20th anniversary from John Banana on Vimeo.

Yes, a stylized short fan film- a trailer, if PIXAR was doing the film (which would be cool). The only missing piece to it, (as someone else pointed out) the fantastic James Horner score. If you have a chance to escape to the 1930’s world of Cliff Secord (the comic starts off in April 1938, the cover date of Action Comics #1) even if it’s just a few moments I would do it. In fact after I post this I think I might. “Rocketeer to the rescue!”

Thank You for your Support

Posted on May 19, 2011 by Bruce
Being a school teacher I therefore, according to many politicians, have more disposable income than many Fortune 500 CEOs. Don’t even ask about how much I bring in as a webcartoonist, Bill Gates asks me for loans.  While I don’t have a lot to give I have discovered a cool spot to invest in some really creative projects- Kickstarter.  Someday I might set up a My Geek Odyssey project, but right now I’m having fun supporting cool ideas.  If you’ve seen Sue and my “Dick Tracy Radio Watches” that was a Kickstarter project.  I’ve also supported a couple comic projects.  They way it works is- you donate funds and if the project reaches its’ goal you pay.  The level you support the project determines your reward. I’ve supported projects that have given me: watchbands, warm beverage heaters, desktop trebuchets and comic project or two.  The most recent projects I’ve supported are dealing with all-ages comics.  If you are interested in supporting any of these enjoy! Comic Book Diner: Fun & Funny Graphic Novel Boxed Set –  Ending Mid-June asking for $10,000 (still needs funding) The New Brighton Archeological Society Book 2 – Ending at the end of May asking for $6,000 (already fully funded) So more cool comics for my classroom!  I have tried (and failed) getting a donorschoose project funded for my classroom, I may have to try again, they have some great projects there also.  Oh, Sue likes Kiva which gives micro-loans in third-world countries. Then again you could also vote for the Dr. Who Cache Series at Where’s the TARDIS? (blatant plug).

More artwork… still no comic.

Posted on April 30, 2011 by Bruce
As I have said this week was just weird (and it isn’t over yet).  Besides working on the GeoWoodstock Playing cards so they could be submitted by the deadline I also needed to do some artwork for on of the Dr. Who caches.  I started working on these drawings and really wanted to get them finished as promised.  I still have two more to go, but I thought I should once more prove that I am doing artwork.  I will be working the remainder of the weekend getting comics done for next week.  for those who can’t wait and like Dr. Who  here is what I have come up with…   Thank you for your patience as I get a few of these little offshoot projects done along with my day job.

Late late late… whoops!

Posted on April 27, 2011 by Bruce
I have been working on deadline for the Geowoodstock IX playing card deck… See there was this auction and I won, and then a friend asked me to help with his design. This weekend I thought I would get drawing done, and it didn’t happen.  So today was the deadline (absolute final) and I needed to get these turned in.  So here they are-
The Red Joker for the GeoWoodstock Deck
 
Seven of Diamonds for the Geowoodstock Deck
The 5 of Hearts for the GeoWoodstock Deck

Queen of Hearts for the GeoWoodstock Deck

So I am sorry for not getting the comic out earlier this week, but with Sue out with the the girls this weekend I’m going to work on getting a bunch of strips done.

Another Geek on the Road…

Posted on April 25, 2011 by Bruce
I thought I would take a few seconds & point out a friend of mine’s blog- Motoring Adventures as she motors across the country to the biggest MINI event I have ever been to, MINIs on the Dragon. Sue and I have attended and actually helped out with a few drives in the past and are missing it this year thanks to the Indiana statewide high stakes test which happens this week. Emily, on the other hand, has built up some vacation and will be driving out from San Francisco (home of the 8th Doctor’s cache- Hmmm… I wonder who could be hosting it?) Sue and I met Emily at A MINI Vacation in Vegas- AMVIV last year. and we were able to get together at MINI Takes the States in Denver. So enjoy living vicariously through Emily as she takes a Ryan MINI on an adventure… I know I’m jealous.  Let’s all wish Emily & Sam Wise (her MINI) safe travels.  She’ll be in Indy next week- Gramboli’s anyone? Oh, speaking of statewide testing… Monday’s comic will be delayed until sometime tomorrow (I can’t wait for Summer- so I can get back on schedule).

Dr. Who Update… They’re here!

Posted on April 20, 2011 by Bruce
After so many weeks of working… now everything is coming to a head.  All Dr. Who caches (except #12) have been sent out.  They are arriving in their final locations and those “companions” are placing the caches how ever they want.  All I can say is one Wherigo is in the works (& I have some drawing to do).  So instead of a comic strip for today (sorry, it has definitely been a day) I thought I would go through the process as to how these were placed. When  I came up with my 2011 creativity project I tried to figure out exactly what to do. After some thought I finally decided a series of caches based on Doctor Who would be fun (BBC America was pushing that the next series was going to based in the U.S.).  Once the idea was finalized then the issue was what were the details, what rules would be set for the caches?  I decided that I wanted them placed around the United States, and that I wanted there to be a “bonus” cache of some sorts.  I worked with a friend in Atlanta to come up a “wrap” which ended up a sticker.  I started with a few simple designs based the Doctors of my history (#4, #9 , #10, & #11).  These went through some testing and fortunately the weather cooperated so I could check how it would last through various weather conditions.  I learned that my original design was too big and wouldn’t fit on a decon container (Super Genius had ended up giving us a nice supply). I redesigned the template and after a weekend of intense drawing & watching episodes of Dr. Who I had 12 caches designed.  Now, who should get the caches?  I checked Cecil’s friends on both Facebook & Geocaching.com.  I ended up coming up with over eleven possible “companions.”  An  email request (and one through Facebook) eliminated one.  Now the work really started… I needed to come up with a a location a “final”  before sending out any caches or creating a generic cache page.  After some “discussion” with the local reviewers the final was placed and everything was ready for the final steps.  Caches were sent out on April 15th- ten in the U.S. one in Canada.  Caches are being placed from “Sea to shining sea.” I have been overjoyed with the response from the geocaching community – everyone involved in this series has been so wonderful and creative (aren’t all cachers?).  I’m not sure what format each cache will end up as – it is up to the companion (multi, puzzle, wherigo, traditional)  how they want  place it.  I’m looking forward to what the series will end up with.  The bonus (series finale- GC2R1VF) will have a link to each cache once they have been posted.  Then again as of right now the cache hasn’t been published since I need a few caches in the series posted beforehand.  By Monday there will be caches in the series published and it will be up to the companions to keep everything going.  What a great adventure and a great way to give back to a hobby that has really opened the world to me.

Knitting from the Past

Posted on April 10, 2011 by Sue
Earlier this year Bruce asked for a pair of fingerless gloves – the type that keeps your hands warm but leaves the fingers free for using the iPhone and other techie types of things.  In looking for patterns on Ravelry, I ran across what were called ‘Trigger Gloves” from a booklet Knit for Defense published by Red Heart during World War II. These were exactly what I was looking for!  I grabbed the yarn Bruce selected when were in Asheville over the holidays and began working. The pattern was very straightforward with nothing fancy – just plain serviceable gloves.  I did a bit of internet research and found that all of the Knit for Defense items were designed to be very basic so patterns could be easily memorized and reproduced by folks knitting for the troops.  In fact, the only changes I made were by request – the cuff is an inch longer and the fingers each a round or two more than recommended  to give just a bit more warmth. Bruce was very pleased by the finished product though I don’t think they would have passed muster for regulation wear! In fact, I was so pleased with the pattern, I’ve since made a pair for myself!  The only change I made was to knit the fingers straight rather than in ribbing to cut down on a bit of the bulk. Lesson learned, if the pattern works it doesn’t matter the time period when it was developed. In other news, I’ve currently got my Holden Shawlette blocking.  The Northside Knitting Guild did it as a knit along and again, I’m pleased with how it came out.  I used a skein of hand dyed yarn I bought in Wales with all sorts of spring colors. The photo really doesn’t do it justice – maybe some outdoor shots will bring the colors out.