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.
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.
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. 🙂
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-
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!”
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).
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.
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 DeckSeven of Diamonds for the Geowoodstock DeckThe 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.
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).
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.
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.
You’ve heard all about the wonderful time Bruce had at C2E2 in Chicago earlier this month. I did tag along but my experience was much different than Bruce’s! The comic did show generally what I did while in Chicago – went geocaching, spent time reading, and visited an amazing knitting shop in the Loop!
I finished a very large project at the office on Thursday so I was really ready for a break by the time we left for Chicago. Geocaching was a great way to get back outside for a bit after being cooped up at my desk! Found about 10 on Friday afternoon including making a stop at the place where the Chicago Fire started. It’s interesting that the Chicago Fire Department Training Academy is now at the site!
Kicking back was my primary goal so, thanks to the nice people at Hyatt McCormick Place, we had a corner room with an amazing view of the skyline. It was a great place to catch up on some reading and knitting!
But, while Bruce was tremendously excited about the copies of Mouse Guard he bought, I was excited to visit Loopy Yarns – in the Loop, of course! The shop is about 4 blocks from the Hilton on Michigan Ave. in the Printer’s Row area.
When I walked in the shop was packed – no, not crowded, PACKED! I asked the woman at the counter what was up and she told me it was a crochet group doing a tour of Chicago area yarn shops called, “Chain on the Train.” Fortunately they were making purchases and then heading off to lunch so the shop did clear out.
The shop itself is small but has a full basement. I did the basement first while the group did their thing upstairs – it was all classrooms and sale yarns. Bummer. In looking around I noticed they had Koigu sock yarns 50% off! I have a scarf made of this gorgeous yarn so spent quite a bit of time selecting some colors to add to my stash.
Back upstairs, they had a fair number of interesting things I’d not seen before including a very, very thick alpaca yarn (rope?) that is knit with knitting needles that could double as broomsticks! Also there were fibers I’d not seen before including one made of mink! Make Mine Mink by Jade Sapphire is actually made by combing the little critters and then spinning the yarn. I was sorely tempted but resisted – this time.
So, in all, I purchased five skeins of Koigu, a skein of Tosh Marino wool in Tomato, a button for a jacket I recently bought but didn’t care for the button it came with, and a sock monkey project bag. All around not too bad.
Oh, and that comic event, I think Bruce had a good time, too!
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. 
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. 
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. 
Oh, and that comic event, I think Bruce had a good time, too! 
Oh, and that comic event, I think Bruce had a good time, too!