I Knew Her When
I don't know that I mention this enough, but I'm very proud of my silly little wife. She has an enormous amount of love to give, she works hard and she has more integrity than just about anyone I know. After nearly three years of toiling away at Virginia Country Club, an organization with well over a hundred employees, she stood up to receive her award for Employee of the Year on Wednesday. It's a big deal. It's a tough business and an even tougher environment. Carey started out as a server and managed to work her way through the ranks. Over the past few years, she's dealt with conflicts and issues that would drive 95% of us batty, but she manages to press on with an inspiring grace that I doubt I'll ever attain in my own lifetime. Employee of the year. Congratulations, Care. Let's do the wild thing tonight.
Three years
Have I really been contributing to this wretched blog for three solid years? Some days I have this notion that I'll one day fire up my computer, open my browser, click over to JeremyBear.com/blogger and discover posts I haven't written yet sitting there. Not only will my blog have been writing itself, it'll be writing about events that have yet to happen to me. The archives will link to future entries: I could read what it's like to turn 30 or 40. The Whoops-We're-Pregnant post or the My-Book's-A-Bestseller post... or even the Doctor-Says-It's-Cancer post. I can't help but wonder how long I'll keep this up. If memory serves ( and it seems to), I started this blog as a sort of "Can I Really Make It In California?" chronicle. Speaking honestly, I didn't really expect to hang in there with it. My life's been littered with half-assed attempts at an ongoing creative endeavor and there really wasn't any reason for a blog to be any different. But I'm not hanging it up anytime soon. According to webstats, this blog is the most trafficked page on my website, including my homepage (which means the majority of folks coming here for the first time are exposed to my rambling before my scripts, reviews, resume, or even my portfolio. Funny, the blog started out as a happy little add-on to my website, and somehow it's taken over and turned into the purpose for the whole daggone thing. I'd like to think I'll keep posting the rest of my life. We'll see.
Homeless, Wesley, and Jer the PC jerkoff
As Jewett would say, "Randomize, suckas": 1) Cold, Cold Heart - Hank Williams 2) In the Morning - Norah Jones 3) Indian War Whoop - John Hartford 4) Hey Young World, Part 2 (Featuring Slick Rick) - Macy Gray 5) World Love - The Magnetic Fields 6) (Crazy for You But) Not That Crazy - The Magnetic Fields 7) Hold On - Sarah McLachlan 8) Rock of Ages - Gillian Welch 9) The Sounds of Science - The Beastie Boys 10) 8.4.82 - Beck
Yesterday I noticed two homeless guys walking together downtown. Nothing unusual, just a couple of grubby, horribly dejected-looking souls. Then, one of them slung his arm around the other, as if to say, "I'm glad we're friends." They both smiled. I nearly burst into tears.
I hate online quizzes. "Derh, which member of the Brady Bunch are you?" They're usually meaningless, subjective time-wasters. Every so often, though, someone like Danny finds an interesting one. Had to give a big, fat shrug to most of the questions, but this one actually seemed to spend a bit of time, thought and research. As a Christian, what's my theological worldview? As it happens...  | You scored as Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan. You are an evangelical in the Wesleyan tradition. You believe that God's grace enables you to choose to believe in him, even though you yourself are totally depraved. The gift of the Holy Spirit gives you assurance of your salvation, and he also enables you to live the life of obedience to which God has called us. You are influenced heavly by John Wesley and the Methodists.
Emergent/Postmodern | | 71% | Evangelical Holiness/Wesleyan | | 71% | Reformed Evangelical | | 57% | Fundamentalist | | 57% | Neo orthodox | | 54% | Classical Liberal | | 46% | Roman Catholic | | 29% | Charismatic/Pentecostal | | 29% | Modern Liberal | | 29% |
What's your theological worldview?
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Talked to Dad today to wish him a happy Father's Day and ended up having a mini-debate on political correctness. Is it necessary? How far is too far? Personally, I don't particularly give a damn one way or the other, but I try to be sensitive to who I happen to be with at the time. If I can avoid alienation, why wouldn't I? I'll admit I'm baffled by folks that are threatened by the idea of saying "African American". What exactly is the problem? Are they so invested in the term "black" that nothing else'll do? (Dad's response: "Black people would rather be called 'black' anyhow. Besides, 'African American' isn't even accurate half the time. How do you know they're African?") Accurate? If we're going for literal accuracy here, I'm not sure "black" is the term we want to land on. "Pride, Dad! It's your own pride that's the problem!" He graciously changed the subject. (Take a note, dear readers, this is how a jackass wishes his father a happy Father's Day.)
Back to the comic. Gotta work, gotta work, gotta work.
Re: The June 13th post... scratch that.
The most dramatic earthquake I've ever felt happened about three minutes ago. Whoa! BABOOM!
Careful, kitty, that's a tasergun.
Keep meaning to post this, but do consider lending your signature to the ONE campaign. These folks are doing their darndest to end extreme poverty and they're calling on people of every race, creed and faith to help them out. Carey and I signed. Think it over. 
Since a few had wondered, I'll go ahead and mention that, unfortunately, my 24 Hour Comic failed to make the cut for the 2005 24 Hour Comics Day Highlights Anthology. Not exactly a surprise there, but still. Would've been cool. Not that I can complain. I've checked in on my web stats a few times since putting the comic up for all to see and, as it turns out, a lot of people are reading it (and a lot of people seem to be listening to the audio journal as well). Book or no book, that's more than I could have asked. But congratulations to those that did make the anthology. Look forward to reading it.
The Mirrormask trailer is up. You must look now. What do you mean you've never heard of it? Where've you been?
Also, apparently, liberals are pretty tacky.
Finally, don't forget that Father's Day is this weekend. I thought I'd figured out what my gift to dear ol' Dad would be, but it seems someone's already stolen my idea. Back to the drawing board.
Did you feel that?
Sunday's earthquake was definitely the biggest one I've ever felt. I was reading at the time, when my book and the bed I happened to be lying upon shook for a good 10-15 seconds. Funny, earthquakes. It never occurs to you to be nervous until after it's over. Carey was in our elevator during it, which isn't such a great spot to be during an earthquake. You miss the action if it's only a light one and you'll likely wind up dead or handicapped if it's a heavy one. Better luck next time, Care.
Talked to Erin today, and she's doing relatively okay. Morning sickness is a killer, but she's doing her best to make an uncle outta me. She thinks it's a boy. Not sure about any names yet, but I've tried my best to convince her to go with "Piccata". It just kind of has a certain, ring, doesn't it? She said maybe, but it sounds a little feminine. "Piccato"?
That pre-teen was not my lover;
He's just a churl who says that
I am the one,
But they had no smoking gun.
Hoo!Yeah, needs polishing. Good for Michael Jackson, I guess. In the eyes of the public, though, he's a guilty man. I used to stand by the King of Pop through thick and thin, but I've had it with his antics. I wonder what it must be like to be such an easy target for comedy. I'm tempted to wax hillarious, but I'll leave it to the pros instead (to poop on). And not that I'm questioning the jury, but how did that porn turn up with kids' fingerprints all over it?
Speaking of porn, I've been giving the matter some thought lately, and I have to confess I'm completely baffled by the legalities of the whole sex-as-entertainmnent issue. Is it just me, or is something really screwed up there? Q: If I want to pay a woman for sexual favors, is that legal?
A: No chance, buddy!
Q: What if I write up a contract, getting her full consent?
A: Sorry. Nope.
Q: What if I set up a video camera and tape the whole thing?
A: Not in this country, chum! Shame!
Q: What if I take that tape, duplicate it, and sell thousands of copies?
A: Bing! Welcome to legitimacy, friend, you're living the American Dream!
An enormous thank'ee to Jon Floyd Schweitzer for pointing out the following to me: If I ever begin to have doubts that this silly website has contributed anything significant to society, I will henceforth remind myself that, thanks to my sweat-n-elbow-grease, anyone typing "Get behind me, Satan" into an image search will find the visage of Paige Davis staring horribly back at them. I count it all joy. No, Schwyzen, thank you.
Comics! My thoughts, my dreams, my every insecurity! I backstroke through the muck and the mire of COMICS! For no good reason, I felt like coming up with a list. After all, you came here to have your time wasted and I'm here to serve. That said... Enormously Oversized Graphic Novels that Look Good on My Bookshelf
 Cages (496 pgs.)
Dave McKean
The strange, rhythmic story of an artist and his surroundings by the prodigious writer/artist/director Dave McKean. Using painting, line drawing and photography, this book blurs the line between illustration and fine art sensibilities. Every time I read it, I feel I understand it a bit less. McKean is a gift to humanity and the world is a darker, more interesting place to have him in it. Beautiful, beautiful book. And heavy.
...
 Palomar (522 pgs.)
Gilbert Hernandez
Finishing Palomar was a quest I admittedly didn't enjoy all that much, but seeing it through became a point of pride for me. It's a big book that makes your forearms hurt when you read it in the bathroom, but I kept reading nonetheless. And, really, I'm glad I did. A few intriguing moments can be found in this crazy, generations-spanning tale of a fictional Latin American town... if you look hard for them. An experience I'm glad I had, but one I doubt I'd recommend.
...
 Locas (704 pgs.)
Jaime Hernandez
I don't know, it certainly has its flaws, but I like Locas. If nothing else, it's a treat to watch Jaime Hernandez compose these simple, graceful pages. Dude has a line that guys like me would kill for. Stories in the book are hit-or-miss, but fascinating if you're able to latch onto the rhythm of the thing. It's balsy, urban, latina fire. That's good comics, right?
...
 Blankets (590 pgs.)
Craig Thompson
I can't hide my affection for Blankets or Craig Thompson, so I won't try. It's not often you come across a story that manages to awe and inspire... and simultaneously tell you who you are. There are bits of me lurking deep down that I thought I'd despise, but I learned I kind of like and I think I have Blankets to thank. "Recommended" is an understatement. I look forward to reading it again.
...
 Bone (1342 pgs.)
Jeff Smith
By sheer girth alone, this book is the granddaddy of oversized graphic novels. It's much more than a story or a character-arc or even an adventure... it's a comic book lifetime. Jeff Smith created one of comicdom's most consistently played and loveable cast of characters I can think of and he managed to keep me smiling all the while. It's just a REALLY BIG, FAT BOOK. "Tome," really. I think it's safe to call this thing a "tome". If nothing else, I'm sure it's good for flattening leaf collections or stunning burglars. Me, I'd rather read it.
...
 From Hell (572 pgs.)
Alan Moore & Eddie Campbell
Next to Jimmy Corrigan, From Hell is the likely the most astutely-crafted comic I've ever read. Conceptually, artistically, thematically and dramatically flawless, this thing. I like having From Hell on my bookshelf. In fact, I like doing artwork in my office partly because I get to occassionally look up to discover From Hell sitting there. Sure it's pathetic, but every time I see that book, I'm reminded that I once read something truly great. Something that made me a little bit smarter.
...
 The Frank Book (344 pgs.)
Jim Woodring
Page count nearly knocked this thing out of the running, but I'll forgive it, due to the fact that it's such a beautiful piece of literature and, holding it with one hand, it really does seem to be a fairly hefty volume. It's the closest thing I think I've ever experienced to a truly "surrealist" comic. Man, it's so friggin' weird, but I'm involved. Forget those other poseurs, Woodring has fashioned his own reality with his own rules here. No easy feat.
...
 American Elf (496 pgs.)
James Kochalka
Look, don't get all hung up over this, all right? James Kochalka keeps a comicip diary of EVERY SINGLE DAY OF HIS LIFE and publishes it annually. Four panels a day, bip-bip-bip-bip. This book collects the first four years' worth. An individual comic isn't all that impressive. A month's worth, and maybe you'll get the odd bit of inspiration or snicker. But as a whole? The experience of comic-izing the minutiae of every day of your life is nothing short of sublime. I don't know what this fat, square comic book is, but I think it's the cat's pajamas.
Man, you know why I sat down in front of this computer in the first place? To write an email to a freelance colleague, telling them I'm too busy at the moment to take on additional work. Real good, Jer! To bed!
Rule the Internet!
Put your fears to rest, gentle fellows and fair femmes: Matt Hoffland has a blog. For those of you who don't know, Matt is the finest human being to ever live. While he may not have the power to save your soul, rest assured he will indeed save the internet.
And cheese n' rice! THAT'S DAVE GABLE!
*Snort!*
 This is a good example of why my dad doesn't tell people his son has a website.
"2005? Will I care about Star Wars when I'm 29?"
I suppose I was about 19 when I heard that Lucas was beginning production on Episodes 1-3 of his Star Wars opus, a project every fan had been waiting for since 1977. "Episode One'll be released in 1999. Then, three years between each movie." As much as I loved Star Wars, I really wasn't sure if I'd still be still onboard with the whole thing as a 29-year-old. And though Episodes 1 & 2 were bonafide disasters, Carey and I took a deep breath and wiggled into the theater last weekend to see just how Darth Vader became Darth Vader. And I really enjoyed it. Seriously, go. Some beautiful effects, sets, action and camera work. Yeah, the dialogue's fairly awful, but there's mercifully little of it.
Speaking of movies, you should also consider making time for Crash, which the wife and I caught over the weekend. Nicely shot, well-acted and, best of all, a truly terrific script. No small feat to discuss the subtleties of an issue like racism with such boldness and craft. Expertly plotted too, as the principal cast was friggin' huge. Good flick.
Reno Dakota,
There's not an iota
Of kindness in you.
You know you enthrall me
And yet you don't call me;
It's making me blue
(Pantone 292).I've been going nuts for music by Stephin Merritt lately, specifically 69 Love Songs. How did this thing escape my radar for so long? Just like the name implies, it's 69 love songs, nearly 3 hours of music, and rarely a dud in the pack. Simple, catchy, with a cynical sentimentality that I truly dig. Chances are, I'm listening to it right now.
If you hadn't noticed, I've decided to start separating my thoughts with these horizontal bars. See how it goes.
Man I'm glad for friends with blogs. I've been in on a couple of good discussions recently, thanks to their comment boxes ( Gary's got a discussion on the interactions between married and single folk and Danny has one about celebrity-endorsed poverty relief). It's my pleasure, nay, duty, to jump in and act the fool. When I see the cool activity going on over there, it makes me reconsider putting a comments option on this blog. ... I've been taking in far too many "Viral Videos" lately, and I blame iFilm.com. You know what I'm talking about. Those weird little videos that seem to swarm over the internet all at once because they're just so strange, they manage to bull-weevil their way into the pop culture conscience. So, if you're that single lonely soul that still hasn't seen Paris Hilton's Carl's Jr. commercial or Tom Cruise acting like a flaming nincompoop on Oprah or the justified beating of that snotty kid by a school bus driver, you're in for a treat. Unfortunately for the work I have piling up, a new video is introduced to the site several times a day. Mercy!
Finally, I've been getting very little sleep lately, as my latest comics project has been keeping me up. It's a submission to a very important anthology and the deadline is imminent. I'm getting closer and I'm pretty sure I'll make the cutoff. We'll see. Also, I'm going to resist posting any of the finished art from it here on the blog. You understand.
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