May 2009 Archives

I love index cards. Is it obvious?

While reading John Hodgman's excellent book The Areas of My Expertise I came across a small stain on the bottom of a page. Having just finished his chapter on "Signs and Portents," I wondered if this was in any way significant.

Since Mr. Hodgman was kind enough to provide his address in the book, I took it upon myself to write him a brief card informing him of my discovery and asking for his expert opinion. For the actual writing of the card, I employed a writing style employed by my dear late Gran Betty; the style is called "crazy."

Many were the years that brought countless cards from Gran Betty, their reverse sides covered with line upon line of cramped cursive. The words spilled out of the "designated area," into the address area, around the border, and often on to the front and over the image. This is my modest homage to her.

I promptly posted the message and sat back in my wing-back chair, expecting no response whatsoever. Unfortunately, I did receive a response: a sticker informing me that I had the wrong address.

It has been some time since I failed in my inquiries. Perhaps Mr. Hodgman's much-lauded HIVE MIND can carry this missive to him now, for his professional perusal.

My apologies for the extended absence; it was very rude of me.

Two weeks ago, Claire and I spent a long weekend on the beautiful Chincoteague island. Last week, we drove for 30-some hours and went to a wedding. You can read about all that here.

Passable Adventures is on a little hiatus while I get things sorted out; hopefully will have a new strip up on Tuesday. To make up for this extended and inexcusable lapse in productivity, please standby for HODGCARD.

Enjoy Passable Adventures #3, which involves catfish. In future episodes, I hope that I can learn how to pencil and erase better, because my ignorance is taking a toll on the strips.

Adrian (Tanklad) have had a few adventures together, though not nearly enough. I met him at the venerable Gargoyle Humor magazine during my last year there. He has gone on to serve as Art Director, but is currently spending a semester studying robots, or something, in Australia.

You should really be reading his Australia blog. It's just wonderful.

He and Kris have started sending drunk postcards to each other, and will be collecting them together in a zine at the end of May. Not one to miss out on the action, especially if it involves index cards, I've thrown together some cards.

I've done two so far. The first was of some Easter Island heads, and I posted before I thought better of it. Please enjoy this sketch of Cricket Girl in her natural environment.

Though it's not related, here's a drawing that Cathy did in my Hipster PDA about a year ago. It features a match of wits between Zack and a mysterious bearded Mexican.