It looks like Loompa land has MINIons too.
I could use this post to rant about how Hollywood takes cherished films and decides to remake them for a new audience and ends up not hitting the same mark, but I won’t. At least a parent can still share the book without worrying about it being updated to better attract a target demographic.
A few weeks ago, I headed out shortly after 8am to a church about 7 miles from home. No, I wasn’t heading to services; I was heading to pick up chicken.
Yes, chicken.
For the past year or so I’d been hearing about a company called Zaycon – a ‘direct-to-you’ meat company – and finally decided to try it. Back in August I saw that they were having a ‘chicken event’ so decided it was time to take the plunge. I ordered a 40 lb. box of boneless, skinless breasts. The cost was under $2 per pound.
The order was placed sometime in August and I was scheduled to get my chicken on October 8. So, I waited, and waited. Then I got an e-mail letting me know that there were delays and it wouldn’t be here until October 22nd. So I waited some more. . .
Then, on October 22nd I went to the local church to get my chicken. I pulled up and found about a dozen cars and a Zaycon truck so I got into line.
Within a few minutes of the time I was told to arrive, the line began moving. When I got to the front, the person asked for my name, checked me off on their tablet, placed a sheet of plastic in the trunk of the car and then a 40-lb box of chicken and off I went. I did notice that several of the vehicles in front of me were getting two boxes! Anyway, I had my chicken was home by 9am.
Fortunately I had read about Zaycon and learned a couple of things. Most importantly is that you need to actually do something with this 40 lb. box before it goes bad! So, I was ready.
When I got home with the box, I was interested to see what I had gotten. The first thing of note is breasts were huge! I started counting but soon lost track as I began trimming.
I grabbed the poultry shears and trimmed any fat off each breast then placed 2-3 servings into freezer bags before stacking them in the freezer. Six breasts also immediately went into the stockpot to boil and shred for tacos and nachos. In all, I took off 2-3 lbs. of fat and gristle and packed up 25 packages of chicken – all in about 2 hours. When it was done, it seems to have worked out to about $3 per bag.
Thus far we’ve had baked chicken, chicken nachos, and chicken chili. I was impressed with both the size and taste of the chicken. After three experiences with the product, I know each of the 25 bags will yield at least a dinner for two and enough leftovers for one lunch – a terrific value!
Would I do this again? Probably, I need to see how quickly we get through this box!
SO… Now the story of our fostering Hemi is over… I do want to apologize for being a little sneaky to those who kept asking about what we had decided to do. When I drew last week’s strips Sue & I had not come to a decision. By the end of the week we had decided that we should adopt him, but we needed to give Hemi a chance by himself for a full day. Saturday we headed out to Columbus, OH to go caching and just motor. When we came back we did get a talking to from Hemi, but the house was no worse for the wear, so it was at that point we decided to go ahead. I had already drawn Monday’s comic which would have ended the arc with Hemi back at the Humane Society for good by Wednesday- Cecil Foiled once again. So on Sunday I started redrawing the strip. It took me a few attempts before I got the timing and eveything spaced out right. Then all we had to do was fill out the adoption papers, pay the fee & it would be over… sounds simple- doesn’t it?
The worst thing was trying to Hemi back into the box (it was easier to draw the box than put Hemi into it). Then deal with him meowing all the way to the Humane Society (He was sick when we got him so he didn’t say a thing). We then waited around for him to be cleared. The volunteer who picked him out for us to foster was funny she brought him back and asked if we wanted to foster another cat. Sue & I replied “No” She started to look a little dejected and then we said “We’ll keep this one.” and she lit up like a Christmas Tree.
We headed next to Sue’s office to call the Vet for his free exam. We couldn’t get in until the afternoon so after Hemi greeted Isis (the office cat)- not a pretty site. We headed back where, exhausted, Hemi crashed on my lap. Just as he was getting comfortable, I had to put him back in the box to get him to the vet… & more meowing.
The quick check by the vet gave him a clean bill of health and his annual rabies shot so when he got home (his home) he crashed again and I was happily trapped under a purring cat until Sue got home. I had to tweek a few things to keep playing up the “We returned Hemi” story in order for today’s comic to be a surprise- and for those people who got hooked I do apologize.
So last night I think he finally started to really settle in- while I hate to anthropomorphize- I think he knew he was here to stay.
Yes… My Geek Odyssey made it into the Indy Webcomics Group Anthology (but you already knew that) and while at the release party there was a videographer. What?!?! you haven’t seen the Anthology? Well you can purchase on at most local Indianapolis Comic Shops (just ask) or visit the Indy Webcomics Group Website and order one for each of your friends… I’m already planing for Volume 2.
I’ve posted this in a wide variety of places but neglected to announce it here. The Indy Webcomics Groups Anthology is going to be released tonight at a mega event here in Indianapolis. Here is the information straight from the IWG website:
“It’s hard to sum up our art show happening April 23rd at Local’s Only Art and Music Pub. There’s so much going on at this event. We of the Indy Webcomics Group are releasing our anthology, a collection of comic art and short stories entitled: Welcome to Indiana. The show also launches our display of comics and art which will stay up at Local’s Only through the end of May.
Lady Lenore Evermore and The Creme De Les Femmes Burlesque troupe will be hosting a Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School event, anyone can participate in. The Femmes models will be dressed in super hero garb, and prizes will be given out, donated by Hero House Comics.
Three local bands will be performing after the Dr. Sketchy’s event: The Dirty Thirty, Beta Male and Destination: Earth!
The show will be $6 at the door. Free goody bags will be given to attendees courtesy of Hero House Comics.
This kind of event is a first for us but most likely not a last. There’s something in the mindset of local artists and local musicians that both groups share in common. They occupy overlapping circles of creative energy and interests. The combination of the two, with live art models and costumes and prizes is a no-brainer.”
The book is great (two pages from this comic) and the show has some great pieces in it including 6 drawings the I happen to have produced. I’ll be getting today’s strip out before I leave but I hope to see you there.
If you can’t tell I’m having trouble getting to sleep so I thought I might as well ramble here for a bit. Yesterday I was able to get the drawings I had promised for the Indy Webcomics Group finished and sent off. One more thing to check off my list, and having pushed myself to the point that I snapped back to my comfortable style. While trying to draw what I thought was needed (posted earlier) I finally decided to give up and just draw the way I like to draw. This has happened on projects before this one where someone is very specific about what they want and I try to meet their request and finally just say “enough!” I tell my students when they ask for drawings from me, the more detailed you are in your description, the longer it will take. This was one of those projects. I draw goofy stuff (even had Art professors scoff at my style) so drawing people can sometimes be challenging… I can do it, but it takes time… a lot of time. When I’m done I still won;t like the final result. So last night I started drawing the two panels I needed to, not trying to emulate any style other than my own. Do I like it? yes & no. There are some things I’d love to go back & change, but I decided it was “good enough”
As for the pin-up- I drew it over… and this time colored it on the computer and actually liked how it ended up. Would I change some things given time? Sure- but it is a start and it did push me out of my comfort zone. What did I draw?
A character Lee Cherolis came up with for the Anthology Party. I know I still have a lot of growth- but I have to remind myself I haven’t taken myself seriously as an artist ever… and I’ve only been doing the comic for a year. So here is brief look at part of my contribution- I learned a great deal in the process and I do appreciate Ben doing the colors for me on Sundays.