Curtis Berry's Journal

shooby dooby scooby dooooo
Well it's 11pm MST at Gateway and I'm bored outta my freakin' head here. I'm the only senior on this side of the building and 6 techs until 1am. They are all pretty self-sufficent and so I don't do much. Currently I'm working on the unique storyline that will go into the first bayside compliation book. I haven't decided on the title of the book. But so far I have 200 bayside strips that appeared on the web ready to go. This unique storyline that will only be found in the book itself will be about 20 strips or so...give or take a couple of strips.

It's called "Milt and the Beanstalk" and will be a nice twist on the original story. It's about halfway done and I have a week to get it taken care of. I'm taking a couple of weeks off doing Bayside so I can concentrate on getting this done. The trick is deciding on what to put on the cover and the title itself. I'll figure it out sometime soon.

Once I send it in to the editor, I hope he doesn't send it back with revision requests. Barring that kind of stuff, it would be done in a couple of months hopefully. I don't exprect a whole lof of sales or anything. This is more of a prestige issue for me. But I will be so happy once it's done.

We're nearing christmas. Bah freakin' humbug. The only good thing about christmas is going out to my parents' house and enjoying some quiet time with some good cooking. Mom can cook, I'll tell you.

The organization I'm a part of, called Keenspot, is something else. You can't put a collection of independent-minded creative people together and hope to please everyone. I love poking fun at some of them who are just plain pussies. They whine about everything that isn't going their way. So I poke at them to piss them off further. Call me an asshole but it's pure fun.

There's a newsbox that appears on the front page of every Keenspot comic every day and each day a different picture touting one of the strips appears on every one of them. It brings in readers. Some artists decided to get a bit risque with their graphic, such as using a scantily-clad woman, and some of the more G-rated strip owners complained. Now, when I produce a graphic, if it could in any way shape or form be interpreted as offensive, I would have to make an additional graphic for the G-rated newsbox. So I began putting up some that were called "Wuss Alerts" that had pics of Mr. Rogers and Tinky Winky just to jab at those whiny G-rated strip artists. The last one I made finally pissed one of them off and he let loose with the kind of whining rarely seen by most men. I won't put any more wuss alert newsboxes up, but I will make my point ;) buahahahahaha

curtis

Current Mood: mischievous
Current Music: n-n-n-n-n-n-n-n-none

saturday night's all right
10 pm MST on a saturday night in Albuquerque. Not much going on. Took a couple of days to load my new computer and get it properly networked to my old machine, but it's worth it. 1.8 Ghz drive and now a total of 100 GB of space. Unfortunately a couple of games I have may not work but I'll keep after it.

I'm good til Wednesday on comics and might have a couple done tomorrow before I head over to a friend's house to watch pay per view wrestling. Wrestling is just fun to watch, pure and simple. The only thing more fun is to listen to wrestling fans who try to argue that it's real. Usually I shut them up by saying "then go do it in your backyard."

Work was very boring last week because for 5 hours each day the whole team was in training for XP. The other senior and I had already taken the class so I had to sit and listen to him talk. He talks too much and somehow I look too damned interested. I'm cursed with bartender face.

I'll be finishing out this week and next week with a Thanksgiving story and then taking a couple of weeks off before resuming the storyline featuring Bob. The reason I'm doing this is to finalize my book and get that sucker sent off to Plan 9 for publishing like I've been promising I'd do for a year now. I can't wait to just have it done.

After this I may very well try my hand at making a comic book produced by keenspot. It will have a color cover and black-and-white artwork inside. I'm leaning toward doing a fatman and badger comic as I enjoy doing them very much.

Message board has about dried up. Only one or two faithfuls post there every once in a while and I love 'em. I've given up worrying about it too much. My strip simply doesn't appeal to chatty folks I guess ;) These same folks won't shell out any money. I put out 2 different t-shirts designs as of late. A lot of lookers but no buyers. Fuck 'em. I've asked for suggestions from people about what they'd like to see and all I hear are crickets *shrug* I have better things to worry about.

Thanksgiving at mom's house. Yeah baby. Her cooking can always cheer my fat ass up. I only get cooking from her about 6 or 8 times a year, so I make the best of it when I do go. Also they live in a very small rural town and it's very quiet. It's amazing how relaxing it is to sit on the porch just soaking the peacefulness up while chatting with the old man a while. Oddly enough he and I share similar interests in humor, politics, and especially military history.

Well I'm about at my journal entry limit, so ciao.

curtis

Current Mood: apathetic
Current Music: Witchy Woman -- Eagles

bartender face
Yep that's me...bartender face. I seem to have that face that says "damn I'm interested in what you're saying" because people love to come up and tell me alllllllll about it. Thank god we can't read each others' minds or I'd have been shot long ago. :)

Well it's 11:03pm at Gateway and I'm here checking the breakdown of my new computer that should be at my home Monday. It's an intel4 1.8G puter with the latest and greatest soundblaster live and gforce 64 mb vid card and a cdrom burner and cool flames painted on the side of the case! Well maybe not the flames part but it'll kick the crap out of my 550mhz machine. Now I won't be bogged down when doing some of the heftier graphics I'm dealing with.

Been having fun with my new digital tablet that's been allowing me to more easily manipulate colors and draw in photoshop, so I believe it was worth the money. The story about Bob is coming along nicely from a story and an artwork standpoint.

Made 2 cool new tshirts. I can tell that lots of folks are checking them out but no one's a-buyin'. I don't know why I get stoked about making the damned things because they don't sell. I'm just going to have to realize that I don't have the kind of fans who are very interactive. They open the site, read, and leave. I do have a few loyal folks which I love dearly, but sometimes I can't help but feel a little jealous of those strips that get much more attention. I keep telling myself that i'm doing what I enjoy, and that's all that counts.

Thanksgiving is coming up and I'm looking forward to a feast. My friend may have to go to Afghanistan so I'll be spending it alone, but I'll cook something worthwhile. I enjoy the holiday way too much to not engage in some eatin! Oh and the football...love it baby!

Anyway not much going on with me. I eat, sleep, work, do my comics, and recycle. Boring huh? Well at least I'm not out doing drugs or getting drunk or generally being destructive. I'd best go now. This is a long one and I don't want to show you people too much to where you think I'm easy. (hides legs)

curtis

Current Mood: restless
Current Music: none

thank you for calling
It's 11:50pm on a friday night and I'm stuck in a near-empty call center with 6 crazy guys itching to go home because there are no calls. Booooooring. Me, I'm content to stay here, and kick back while earning some cash.

Working 4 10-hour days is the best. It seems like the work days go by so fast and I can get home and enjoy working on my comic strip. I actually shelled out $350.00 for a Wacom Intuos2 digital tablet to draw strips with. It works in conjunction with photoshop 6 to create brushlike lines. It's cool. The more I press down on the pen I'm using the thicker the line gets, giving a real artsy quality. I found out about the tablet from http://www.circleweave.com where he uses it exclusively to draw the entire comic strip once per week. We'll see. It'll take a lot of practice to get it right but I believe it will be worth the time.

I'll write more later. My manager is actually staying til close rather than scooting at 10pm like usual. Keeps me on my toes. But he's a good ole boy and pretty cool.

laters
curtis

Current Mood: happy

my my my
It's 11:10am and I'm listening to Mike and the Mechanics. Remember I'm an old fart and like the old rock ;) Got sick yesterday and called in to work. Good news is that I got a $350.00 toy that it took some courage to buy. It's a wacom intuos2 digital tablet and it works in conjunction with Photoshop. What's cool is that it's pressure sensitive so that when I'm lightly drawing I get a thin light line and when I'm pressing down more it gets thicker and darker. Amazing shit. I found a site http://www.circleweave.com where the author used the same tablet exclusively to make the comic. He's done some awesome work.

I'm getting closer to my book which I know I've talked about forever and a day. I'm getting into the unique story that will go into it (about 20 strips or so) Once that's done I'll do the cover and send it all in. Hopefully it won't take too long.

Not long after finalizing my new position by gaining a microsoft certification, it was announced that there would be a mass shift bid at work. I was thinking "oh shit i can't even get settled in with a manager I like" and wasn't too happy about it. I had 15 different starting times (teams) to choose from. I made it so that my first 5 choices mirrored that of my manager, whom I really have enjoyed working with because we get along so well.

Got the results Tuesday and it was mixed news. I got the shift I'm on now, which is a good thing Tu-Fri 2pm-1am because I get extra money and 3 days off including weekends. Also, although I didn't get the manager I have, it was nice that I'll be working with a manager I was working under for 1.5 years right before I became a senior. He's a little stiff but I've been able to get him to laugh a little bit when I worked for him and he's a straight up guy so I don't see any problems. So all is going well for the fat man so far ;)

I know my journal entries aren't comprised of much beyond my strip and my job, because that's about all I really have to keep me interested in life. I do love football and enjoy the aspect of watching the game with a pal and barbecuing. When the football season is over I still get together with ole Steve and we watch movies and bullshit around.

I went through all of the keenspot comics and how many hits they have this month. Out of 50 comics I'm about 45 in terms of how many pageviews I get *sigh* I am a bit disappointed, but then I reminded myself that for the past few months bayside has been erratic at best because of this senioring business. So before I get all pissy about low hits I'd better try and churn out regular baysides for a good 6 months first for consistency's sake.

Well that's about all I have. It's getting close to work time and I'd better go shower and freshen up so I'm all nice and sparkling as I tell everyone to get the heck back to work!

cheers
curtis

Current Mood: happy
Current Music: War Pigs -- Black Sabbath

whassup!
Yep it's 6:30pm on a Wednesday in Gateway land! This team flows so self sufficiently that I don't have to do much, which in itself isn't so bad. But at times it can be a little boring and I have to find things to do to preoccupy myself. I'd draw comics but not until later in the night. What I DID decide to start doing is study to take another MCP course called windows 2000 server. I found that it's pretty close to the test I just labored through windows 2000 professional.

This time will be different because a: I'm going to continue to do Bayside 5/week and b: I don't plan to fail twice before I pass ;) I really need to get certified as much as possible to increase my value to Gateway and any other employer I might consider should something happen at Gateway.

The good news is that I'm nearly done with Bayside's first book. I had to rescan about 200 of my first strips and I only have about 4 left to go. Then I have to finish drawing 20 strips for an original storyline that will go in the book. Then I have to draw a color cover, spine and back. I'm shooting for the beginning of November so that barring any problems I'll have all the material to Plan 9 publishing by the end of the year. At that point it should all be done in about 2 or 3 months. March is a long way away but I'm willing to wait a little longer ;)

Other than that my life is as boring as ever. I do have my bit of fun drawing comics and being with friends on the weekends, but nothing earth-shaking. I updated the look of my website--nothing huge but I did add a little bit of depth to the color which makes it look a little more professional.

Well that's enough for now...

curtis

Current Mood: mellow
Current Music: none

defining moments
They say each generation has it's defining moments. I'd always associated my generation with the fall of communism. But that seemed to have all changed on the morning of September 11, 2001 when 4 airliners were hijacked. 2 slammed into the world trade center tower and one into the pentagon. The fourth plane went down into a field in northern Pennsylvania. The world trade center towers both collapsed completely. Welcome to the 21st century, America.

These were all terrorist acts. We'd endured attacks before by terrorists, but they seemed small compared to this. This affected millions of peoples lives, even if they weren't injured or killed by it. The terrorists who have thumped their chests and vowed to destroy America have ratcheted up their actions a notch and now they have the full attention of America and the world. Unfortunately for them, they have bitten off far more than they can chew. Although it will cost billions, America and the world coalition that they have mustered amazingly in the span of 4 days is formidible to say the least. The terrorists will be on the run if not stamped out completely in the coming years.

Will Americans have the resolve to withstand the loss of their freedoms in the name of security and the loss of their lives in the name of rooting out and destroying these vermin? Time will tell. Many will die, but we will be heard.

I'm not a patriot by any means, but this was an injustice by any standard and I want my measure of blood from those responsible for killing those who wanted nothing more than to get to work and make a living.

On to more mundane things. With my test finished, I had to get on the phones 50% of the time for a week. What made it so bad is that there wasn't a need for the other senior technicians and myself to be doing this, which made it much harder to swallow. But as of thursday we were allowed to get off the phones and do what we were paid for. Now I can really get on with enjoying what I've wanted to do for so long at this company.

If I'm ever stressing, I can still journey out to the small hick town where my parents now live and get some of the best ribs around complements of mom. I'm sure many of you know what I mean by that. I rag on people who live in small towns, but there's no denying that there is a peacefulness that goes with the quiet of a laid back place. It allows me to recharge my batteries. And then about the time they are recharged, I reach my "mom tolerance level" and it's time to bug out ;) I'm sure ALL of you know what I mean by THAT!

It's 9:28pm on a Saturday and I'm completing the main page for next week and getting ahead as much as I can. So i'd better get back to it!

cheers
curtis

Current Mood: mellow
Current Music: Just What I Needed -- Cars

events
Well there isn't anyone on earth who has access to mass media who doesn't know how America was slapped in the face Tuesday morning. I can't say that I'm suprised we were hit. What I am surprised about is the sophistication of the plan and the coordination that was exercised in the deed.

America has long been the good guy for freedom of the common man and democracy. And to that end, America has taken it upon itself to intervene/impose it's way of thinking upon others to that end. The protection of freedom and the liberation of peoples who were under the tyrannical rule of a hostile governments around the world has been the cause that America has always championed. As a whole, it is a noble cause that is rooted in the belief that all men are created equal. I believe in that myself.

America has always known that there were people who did not want their brand of freedom, or to be liberated. There have been warning signs since WW II about the dislike others have for our views on how the world should embrace democracy. Tuesday was the ultimate demonstration that someone or a group of people of people don't want us interfering with their way of life. Whether we agree with their views or not, we must understand that they don't want our presence in their country or religeous circles. Be assured that this is not an attempt on my part to defend their actions, which were cowardly and reprehensible. I'm merely trying to clarify for folk the notion that people view America as the bully and are, in their view, simiply fighting back.

Even so, terrorists are going to have a problem that they never had to deal with this: the full weight and anger of the United States and all of the free world and some of the non-free world. I don't think we'll go after just the folks responsible. We'll be after all the terrorists who ply their trade and destroy them. Let them all die.

I'm not a particularly patriotic man, but it sure got my ire up when this happened. At least I passed my test and have secured my position here as a senior. ;) I'd better go as I'm nearing my time to leave. I'll write later.

curtis

Current Mood: angry
Current Music: none

Yippeekaiaaeeee
Well my 3 month oddessy for getting certified is finally at an end. I'm in heaven now and wasn't even able to sleep last night because I was so pumped. Now I'm in the training class so I can learn how to troubleshoot laptops. Goody!

I can get back to doing Bayside full time, which I've been deprived of for 3 months now. I'm even going to possibly try to get a comic book done. But that's not a certainty.

I'm glad I still have a job here at Gateway. They closed down some call centers to streamline. Since the site I'm at is one of the most cost effective, it won't be going anywhere anytime soon so phew!

I'll be writing more later!

curtis

Current Mood: cheerful
Current Music: none

Friday baby!
Well I'm still studying for my final crack at the test, which will happen the day after labor day. That's all I'll say about this frickin thing.

Anyway I had high hopes to get Bayside back up and running 5 days per week, but the server problems that seem to pop their heads up every 3 months are back so I missed tuesday. I get tired of that shit but it's free shit so it's shit I'll have to swallow. (That didn't sound good)

Anyway, I'll be able to get 5 up next week and keep it going. I missed my comics and having so much fun with them. It's getting late so I'd better get going. So much for a looooooooooooooong journal entry buahaha!

curtis

Current Mood: awake
Current Music: dunno

Sunday afternoon
Well it's Sunday and I'm here at my computer getting ready to do some mock tests for my certification. I'll be taking it on the 17th of August, the cutoff date for my job. If I pass I continue doing what I'm doing and if I fail I go back on the phones. I'm beyond getting too nervous about this but I'll be damned glad when it's decided either way. I want to get back to full time Bayside more than anything.

Trip to Vegas and San Diego went well. Didn't gamble more than about 20 bucks as I'm not a gamblin man. Saw the Blue man group, which was awesome. I recommend the show to anyone who goes to Vegas.

Went to San Diego for the ComicCon and had a pretty good time. 2 things pissed me off, though: my lack of preparation in scoping out park and ride, and the fact I had a very nice blister on the bottom of my foot from so much walking. But all in all it was fun.

I used to collect comics like a mother when I was a kid. I've tried since to get it going again but haven't had the same passion for it. Perhaps the wonder from being a kid has faded a bit.

But being a supervisor is a kind of hell unto itself I've found. Did I ever act so childish when I first started working at Gateway. People just don't want to show up for work and they get snippy when you tell them what they need to do. I can't say that I never did that, but I do have a better understanding of how bad I must've looked when I made some of my less-than-constructive comments. I guess it's true when they say "walk i a man's shoes" As long as I don't have to wear his boxers I'm fine. ;)

At least the team isn't so hostile toward me anymore. They'd been without proper supervision for so long that when I came in and began enforcing rules, they began thinking mutiny. They weren't wholly to blame. I am a very honest, fair, and straight-forward person. I wouldn't say I'm abrasive, but I don't have too much patience when someone argues with me after I've told them to do something. I've backed off since I started this position with the intention of giving them a fair shot at arguing their point a little before I overrule them. If their argument is valid, I'll change my mind in a heartbeat. I guess also that there are a few who are a little more thin-skinned than others and I have to be a bit softer as I ask them to do things. It's a learning process for me and I'm rising to it. Now for this test ... grr.

curtis

Current Mood: bitchy
Current Music: Witchy Woman -- Eagles

Houston, we have liftoff
Well it's Sunday afternoon and I'm in the thick of preparing for 7 days away. First 3 days in Vegas and then the comic convention in San Diego. It'll be fun. I just wish I'd passed that damned windows 2000 test. OH well I have another crack at it and I'll give it a whirl a week after I get back.

Bayside will be back on Monday the 16 on an abbreviated schedule. It will appear M W F and next week probaby T W and F. Once I have this test passed then I'll be able to get back to full time writing of the strip and get down to doing what I love so much.

I appreciate everyone's patience and I'll be back The following monday and probably have some pics up by the end of the week!

curtis

Current Mood: good
Current Music: Come Undone - Duran Duran

Howdy howdy howdy
It's been a while since I made an entry in this here journal so I figured it was time to do so. Since I last wrote, I acquired the position of Senior Technical Support Professional. This means that I'm on a team where there is the manager, then me, then 15 people who are on the phones taking care of clients. I'm the guy they run to when they need help or a supervisor.

The team I'm on hasn't had the benefit of a senior in months, which was evident when I was mobbed my first day. They still come up to me but not as often as I've get them using their online tools and, yes, their BRAINS! They're a cool bunch of characters and I'm enjoying having to do so much hopping around helping them and maintaining constant watch on the stats during the shift. If someone is on a call for too long I have to go over and ask if they know what direction they're going in.

I also have to coach them during the week with 1/2 hour sessions. I sit down and show them service observes that have been made on their calls and where they did good and where they did bad.

My second week on the job I made one of my techs cry. She's about forty and has been with the company about 4 months with no real coaching or guidance, which reflects in her 45 minute average talk times. The goal is 17.5, so she's in need of some work. I've been constantly checking up on her to make sure she has direction and knows where she is going. She just got a little overwhelmed by all of my "help" and got frustrated and tried to cry. I assured her that I wasn't trying to hound her and that I wanted her to learn to use her tools more effectively and that it would come to her in time. She calmed down and then the next day, yesterday, she belted out a 23 minute talk time for the day and was grinning her buns off at the end of the day. I was very happy to see that. I remember how frustrating it was when I first started out on the phones.

Doing this job is a different kind of stress and I think I like it. Dealing with people more directly here than on the phones has a warmth and personal touch to it that makes the job a little more real. After 3 years on the phone and describing things and having them described to me like a storyteller, it's refreshing to deal with problems presented in person.

After 2 weeks of studying and testing for the MCP in Windows 2000 pro that I need in order to keep this job, I'm confident that in a week or so I can take the test for real and pass so I can get on to drawing Bayside again. I never realized how addictive it was until I had to force myself to stop for this certification. But rest assured I'll be back doing it very soon.

That's about it for now.
ta ta
curtis

Current Mood: thoughtful
Current Music: Clouds Race Across the Sky -- Joe Satriani

chug chug chug
Well yesterday I had my interview. The first one for that position in 2 years. Quite an event and I'm sure I burned off a few hundred calories as my heart beat in my chest. At first I was a little dry but after the first of about 8 questions I was nailing things left and right and I'm confident that I got through it.

But being confident you nailed it and actually nailing it are sometimes two different things. So we'll see. I have a reliable confirmed source who said I was one of the better interviewees out of the 25, so I'm getting very excited.

They say we'll know this coming wednesday, which means friday or saturday. I'm happy doing what i'm doing but I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't be sorely disappointed if I didn't get this position. There are 8-10 positions available and so I have a very good chance.

Well back to work and trying to stay sane until then.

Current Mood: stressed
Current Music: nononnonononononnone

memorial day, baby
Yep another holiday. This time, though, I already have Monday off so I'll just get a paid holiday which is just as well.

I've begun drawing the 30-40 strip special feature that will go into the first bayside book. I'm getting pretty stoked. I have the information about the cover and what to do to create it. I'll get the feature done first and then worry about that. I'm hoping that by the comic con in July I'll have it completed and sent off to Plan 9 for review. Barring any revisions it could conceivably be done by the end of the year but I'd not hold my breath on that.

Had some belated birthday ribs from a friend of mine of 18 years. Anyone who knows me that long and is still a friend deserves to have ribs made for HIM whenever he wants ;) They were pretty good. I also bought for him on ebay a game that is no longer in print. It was a game about escape from Colditz castle in germany, a real prison camp where they kept mainly British flyers that had been shot down during WWII. Interesting game. We played for about 3 hours.

Today I'm getting Monday's and Tuesday's strip done. I may even sit down and either ink wednesday's or get the third special strip done. I think it will be fun as it's something I've not done before with Bayside.

That's about it. I'm pretty boring when it comes right down to it as far as my daily routine goes. I'm not that active physically as evidenced by my weight problem. But I burn enough calories sweating to get my strips done for all my loyal readers out there *wipes tear from eye*

cheers

Current Mood: Frisky
Current Music: Back in Black by Black Sabbath

*cough*
Well I must've ate something that kicked my butt last night so I got no sleep and called in sick to work. So that kinda sorta sucked.

Anyhoo, I'm getting closer to getting Bayside's first book finished. I've contacted the people at Plan 9 publishing and they're getting me the specifics on dimensions and stuff for the front cover. I plan to really make a nice front cover, which usually catches the eye of the reader first. The one thing left to do is to create a story that will only be found in the book. It'll be about 30 strips and in black and white.

Then I have to consider a title for the thing, which is tougher than it seems. I'll figure something out ;)

Anyway, I'd better got to tonight's strip so all those hungry readers don't kill me for not producing. Yeah...right.

curtis

Current Mood: okay
Current Music: none

Grumpy old man
Ok so today I'm 35 and you all can just shut up and get me my pudding!

Birthdays just don't have the excitement they used to. I'm not one of those guys who gives a shit because I'm pushing 40 now. I'm not anticipating living beyond 50 anyhow.

But one thing I did get was mom's special ribs. She made ribs, as well as a yellow cake with peanut and chocolate frosting. yum!

Also they live out in the country and just going out there and relaxing in place where it's quiet and sprawling is so nice. I make fun of rednecks but their kinda country is the best if you want to unwind a lot.

They did get me a dvd called The Saint with val kilmer. not a bad flick and it has Elizabeth Shue in it *rowf*

Well the strip goes on as usual. I've actually been knocking out some of the rescans I had to do in preparation for getting the first Bayside book ready for print. I've been putting it off way too long and it's time for action.

Ok it's time for me to get out of here as my boss is giving me the evil eye for doing something other than my .. well, you know .. JOB! heh

laters
curtis

Current Mood: frisky
Current Music: the drone of the whiny customer -- Gateway

ho hum
Yep it's Saturday and I'm glued to my screen helping folks with their problems. Some people are just plain stupid. There are those who simply don't know anything about computer and those who make me wonder how they were intelligent enough to find a job where they could make enough money to buy a computer.

Case in point is when they call in and demand that you fix their computer and they're not even WITH the computer. I had a woman call once claiming there were flies in her computer *slaps forehead*

Don't have a lot to offer in my journals I'm afraid. I'm pretty much a consistent asshole. I eat, go to work, come home eat, make comics, sleep, reset.

I went through a 3 year bout of trying to get a girlfriend and it was fun but not worth it. Lonliness sucks but losing your freedom sucks worse.

One good thing about working with screen sharing when helping customers is that I can bullshit with my fellow employees all day and it makes things bearable. Thank God for that.

Counting the days to Keenspot. Can't wait. I need this vacation more than anyone can say. I'll be like a kid at christmas. I've found there's a difference between looking forward to a day off and looking forward to an expedition where everything is planned and you have a goal in mind.

Ok I'm outta here .. I've divulged enough ultra dark secrets into my persona for one day.

ps thanks for the bday wishes!

curtis

Current Mood: Frisky
Current Music: not a damned thing

yep it's me
Time to put an entry in the journal that no one reads. Well it's the "slow" season at Gateway which means we actually get weekly hour-long team meetings and actual TRAINING! Boy howdy I don't know what to do with myself.

Anyway just had some brief training on office xp that's shipping tomorrow. It's going to be interesting the way the program is activated. You have to call microsoft or contact them via web to get a 42 digit number for validation. What a mess. Oh well I guess they have to do something to combat the pirated software.

Anyway I'm settling in with my new team and we're finally all together which is great. Sucked to be all scattered all over the call center. I'm a non-conformist by nature but it's good to have the gang in one place where I can smack 'em!

Getting pissed off at the server at keenspot. About 2 weeks ago they moved us all over to the new server and it's just dogging it horribly. I don't know what to do. I have little patience for things like that so we'll see how it goes.

My birthday is coming up. Good luck if I tell anyone online what the date is so tthhpptt!

Anyway time to go...

Current Mood: sleepy
Current Music: nuttin' honey

Naked and typing
Yep that's me, fresh out of the shower and typing as I dry off. It's Monday and time to get some grub at the market and get back home to work. I'm about 75% done with all the stuff I'm going to do for next week's 2nd anniversary.

Sometimes being in the mood to draw isn't in me so I'm glad that there are other things that need to get done that I can work on. I don't really get much feedback from people, which is disappointing. I've come to realize that my comic is one that some folks will read, but it doesn't inspire people to comment on it. I think a big problem is my character development. I need to delve into their personalities more so that people can relate to them and perhaps talk about them more.

Got a note from another strip artist. I've been needling him and another artist. He got his panties in a bunch because of what I said on the front page about how he couldn't draw. The fact he can't draw aside, he should know I'm just joking. People are wussies.

I've talked to someone who knows how to make dolls and stuffed animals. I'm going to see if she'd be willing to try and make fatman and badger dolls, which would be too damned cool. I'm not holding my breath, but it's fun to think about the prospect of plush bayside characters ;)

Time to go. lates
curtis

Current Mood: lazy
Current Music: none!

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