Odds and Ends

Well, first and foremost, today marks the one year anniversary of Girlamatic.
You know, the website where Dicebox
currently updates.

Next, I think I just got my favorite spam subject line “oaf permit.” (much better than the spam inviting me to “drop the hammer” on the next girl I lay. I mean, how rude!)

I must say once again that Jeremy
gives me much joy.

And I am currently enjoying the
Decemberists new release, The
Tain. I was alerted to the existence of this EP by a blog I’m
flirting with, largehearted
boy.

And it’s from largehearted boy that I got the idea to try to tackle 52 books in 52 weeks, though I’m making all of mine novels as opposed to the mix he’s going for. Non-fiction can bog me down for weeks—oddly the better the book is, the more true that is. ‘Sides, I’ve discovered the joy of non-history audio books, right now I’m working my way through a history of salt. And there are many, many novels I’ve should’ve read by now, I reckon.

So, if there are any “oh my god, I can’t believe you haven’t
read—” books you’d like to recommend, I’ll gladly take a crack
at them. I’ve decided to start with The
Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov. I might list the books I’m
tackling once I get the redesign for this site up—which has been set back
by
stumbling husbands among other things.

Evolving cats

First we have the charming Four-Eared Cat presented by Momus.

Next comes creepy The Cat with Hands pointed out to me by Kip.

A couple comic announcements

As in cartoons, not humor. Cartoons as in sequential art used for storytelling, not animation shorts. Anyway.

First up, Girlamatic’s editor Lea Hernandez is looking to fill nine positions on the just about one year old comics subscription site. Go here for submission guidelines.

Next, get ready for the first Stumptown Comics Fest, Portland’s alternative comics show. It will be held on Sunday, June 6th from 1pm to 6pm at the historic Old Church. We’re still ironing out some details, including registration form for those cartoonists out there who want to snag some table space. I will post updates as things are finalized, such as events, who all will be in attendance–and who will play the organ.

Obligatory update post

Yes, still not much going on here.

Beyond all the usual nonsense, it’s the beginning of the fiscal year for many companies, which means your average design firm gets many requests to submit proposals and begin projects. Which means the annual spat of overtime and weird hours for yours truly.

Here, let me distract you with some pretty pictures:

Momus supplies snapshots of his current trip to Russia.

Some very nice pictures of the Portland Classical Chinese Gardens and the surrounds found via Wil Wheaton.

Some nice examples of the fanciful biological drawings of Ernst Haeckel.

the Ambigram Matchbox Gallery.

Illustrations from Alchemical texts.

I will continue to add picture galleries as I find and re-find them through out the day.

Oh my stars and garters

Mercury Studios have finally joined the fray and started a blog. I was wondering what was taking Steve so long to mouth off in the blogosphere.

‘Course, this means another link that probably won’t make it on my links list ’til I successfully redesign and move this site. I mean, I’ve been dissing Jeff Parker for months now.