As I mentioned I would do in the previous post, the blog has a new name (True Positives and False Love) and location and I changed the look up a bit. I'll be posting there from now on so don't look here anymore for updates! Here's the link:
http://truepositives.blogspot.com/
8/16/2009
Introducing Mud
I finished my first comic strip! Well...actually I finished it a week or two back but I haven't been able to scan it to my computer until late last week...
Anyway, the comic is called "Mud," referencing the central character in the strip. I'll get more into what the strip's all about in another post, but in short, Mud is a Charlie Brown-esque character of high morals and low...everything else. He's self-loathing, largely unsuccessful in most of his endeavors, and generally unspectacular and slightly pathetic.
As far as this first completed 6-panel goes, well, you'll see it's pretty rough and seems to me to be kind of stiff. I haven't sketched seriously in years and years, and this is my first hack at this kind of drawing. I don't know the first thing about how to make a comic strip aside from what I've read.
That being said, I'm pretty pleased with this first attempt. I've written three other strips, and I intend to start illustrating one of them this week. My understanding is that as I grow more comfortable with the characters and the style, I should be able to draw the strips a bit faster and more efficiently, so hopefully I'll have the next one up sometime next week. That remains to be seen though, as I have other creative projects I'm working on most of the time now.
Without further ado, the first installment of "Mud":
*Note: I'll try and post a little more often the rest of this month, but I can't make any guarantees as I've been keeping myself busy writing/reading/watching/running/etc. Don't get me wrong, this is a good thing, but I still like to post as often as I have interesting things to post about.
**P.S. The blog will have a new name and new look very soon, so keep a look-out!
Anyway, the comic is called "Mud," referencing the central character in the strip. I'll get more into what the strip's all about in another post, but in short, Mud is a Charlie Brown-esque character of high morals and low...everything else. He's self-loathing, largely unsuccessful in most of his endeavors, and generally unspectacular and slightly pathetic.
As far as this first completed 6-panel goes, well, you'll see it's pretty rough and seems to me to be kind of stiff. I haven't sketched seriously in years and years, and this is my first hack at this kind of drawing. I don't know the first thing about how to make a comic strip aside from what I've read.
That being said, I'm pretty pleased with this first attempt. I've written three other strips, and I intend to start illustrating one of them this week. My understanding is that as I grow more comfortable with the characters and the style, I should be able to draw the strips a bit faster and more efficiently, so hopefully I'll have the next one up sometime next week. That remains to be seen though, as I have other creative projects I'm working on most of the time now.
Without further ado, the first installment of "Mud":
*Note: I'll try and post a little more often the rest of this month, but I can't make any guarantees as I've been keeping myself busy writing/reading/watching/running/etc. Don't get me wrong, this is a good thing, but I still like to post as often as I have interesting things to post about.
**P.S. The blog will have a new name and new look very soon, so keep a look-out!
8/04/2009
Plus Ones
I've been listening to this song by Okkervil River called "Plus Ones" non-stop all day. If you haven't heard it check it out--the lyrics are great and really clever...how many of the references can you name?
Plus Ones- Okkervil River
No one wants to hear about your 97th tear
So dry your eyes or let it go uncried, my dear
I am all out of love to mouth into your ear
And not above letting a love song disappear before it's written
And no one wants a tune about the 100th luftballoon that was seen shooting from the window of your room
To be a spot against the sky's colossal gloom
And land deflated in some neighbor's state that's strewn with 99 others
8 chinese brothers
Well, there's a reason why the last is smiling wide and sitting higher than the others
Swinging his arms
You would probably die before you shot up 9 miles high
Your eyes dilated as light played upon the sight
Of TVC16 as it sings you goodnight
Relaxed as hell and locked up in cell 45
I hope you're feeling better
51st way to leave your lover
Admittedly, it doesn't seem to be as gentle or as clean as all the others
Even a scars all in the after hours of some Greenpoint bar
I told you, I can't listen, baby, 'bout the 4th time you were a lady and how your forthrightness betrayed a secret shyness
Stripped away by days of being hailed as "your highness"
And what's new pussycat, as you were once a lionness
They cut your claws out
Kitten, not everyone's keen on lighting candle 17, the party's done, the cake's all gone, the plates are clean
The chauffeur's near and from the cheerless mezzanine
And in just one year, this straight world could pay to see what they have been missing
You were caught kissing 8 chinese brothers
Well, there's a reason why the last is smiling wide and sitting higher than the others
Staking with charm
And he says, "Lets get lost, let them send out alarms
He says, "Let's get crossed out and come to harm"
"Lets make the world's stupidest stand and truly mean it
Lets hit the limit of loss over lover's arms
No, lets exceed it"
Plus Ones- Okkervil River
No one wants to hear about your 97th tear
So dry your eyes or let it go uncried, my dear
I am all out of love to mouth into your ear
And not above letting a love song disappear before it's written
And no one wants a tune about the 100th luftballoon that was seen shooting from the window of your room
To be a spot against the sky's colossal gloom
And land deflated in some neighbor's state that's strewn with 99 others
8 chinese brothers
Well, there's a reason why the last is smiling wide and sitting higher than the others
Swinging his arms
You would probably die before you shot up 9 miles high
Your eyes dilated as light played upon the sight
Of TVC16 as it sings you goodnight
Relaxed as hell and locked up in cell 45
I hope you're feeling better
51st way to leave your lover
Admittedly, it doesn't seem to be as gentle or as clean as all the others
Even a scars all in the after hours of some Greenpoint bar
I told you, I can't listen, baby, 'bout the 4th time you were a lady and how your forthrightness betrayed a secret shyness
Stripped away by days of being hailed as "your highness"
And what's new pussycat, as you were once a lionness
They cut your claws out
Kitten, not everyone's keen on lighting candle 17, the party's done, the cake's all gone, the plates are clean
The chauffeur's near and from the cheerless mezzanine
And in just one year, this straight world could pay to see what they have been missing
You were caught kissing 8 chinese brothers
Well, there's a reason why the last is smiling wide and sitting higher than the others
Staking with charm
And he says, "Lets get lost, let them send out alarms
He says, "Let's get crossed out and come to harm"
"Lets make the world's stupidest stand and truly mean it
Lets hit the limit of loss over lover's arms
No, lets exceed it"
8/03/2009
Thoughts at work
I think I'm allergic to something in the office where I work--every day I come in and develop a cough. Maybe I'm allergic to office life...
8/01/2009
lazy saturday
I don't really have much new to post about, but I'm restless sooo...this will hopefully be a short/light post.
Main news: I think I'm going to return to poker at the end of August, most likely--but possibly not until October. I've been saving up money from my new "job" and I've been thinking about using it to start an online bankroll, since the casino is really too far/troublesome to go every day and make a consistent enough profit to sustain me. Also, my lease ends at the end of August so I'll probably be leaving Boston (although I'm currently looking into alternatives to going home..).
As much as I dislike online poker compared to live play, it's a more realistic way for me to make a safer, steadier profit. I could treat it like a regular job (6-8 hour playing sessions/day), but since it's my own time I could be more flexible with when/what days I play. Also, I can play from home (wherever that may be), which is a plus. Not 100% yet, but it may be a nice alternative to going home in September.
Speaking of my love for Boston and inability to let it go, I ran across this on a friend's site and I've been meaning to share. If you're familiar with PostSecret (uh who isn't?) it's a similar deal. Here's one of the daily questions posted on The Wheel:
And here's his answer:
Check it out, it's pretty cool. I haven't seen it first-hand yet, but I believe it will be in Harvard Square beginning August 3rd. I live nearby so I might just have to go and write my own question...
That's it for today, friends. It's bright and sunny (and not rainy). Go outside!
*Note: I just realized I should probably change the name of my blog...it doesn't really apply anymore since, well, I'm working a 9 to 5 and I'm not playing poker right now. "The Life of Nate" makes more sense seeing as that's what it's basically become. I did not intend this. Ugh. I'll reevaluate soon.
Main news: I think I'm going to return to poker at the end of August, most likely--but possibly not until October. I've been saving up money from my new "job" and I've been thinking about using it to start an online bankroll, since the casino is really too far/troublesome to go every day and make a consistent enough profit to sustain me. Also, my lease ends at the end of August so I'll probably be leaving Boston (although I'm currently looking into alternatives to going home..).
As much as I dislike online poker compared to live play, it's a more realistic way for me to make a safer, steadier profit. I could treat it like a regular job (6-8 hour playing sessions/day), but since it's my own time I could be more flexible with when/what days I play. Also, I can play from home (wherever that may be), which is a plus. Not 100% yet, but it may be a nice alternative to going home in September.
Speaking of my love for Boston and inability to let it go, I ran across this on a friend's site and I've been meaning to share. If you're familiar with PostSecret (uh who isn't?) it's a similar deal. Here's one of the daily questions posted on The Wheel:
And here's his answer:
Check it out, it's pretty cool. I haven't seen it first-hand yet, but I believe it will be in Harvard Square beginning August 3rd. I live nearby so I might just have to go and write my own question...
That's it for today, friends. It's bright and sunny (and not rainy). Go outside!
*Note: I just realized I should probably change the name of my blog...it doesn't really apply anymore since, well, I'm working a 9 to 5 and I'm not playing poker right now. "The Life of Nate" makes more sense seeing as that's what it's basically become. I did not intend this. Ugh. I'll reevaluate soon.
7/24/2009
Oh the places you'll go
This morning I woke up and it was the best I’ve felt in a long time. I can’t quite put my finger on it, because it certainly wasn’t the circumstances (I had work all day and it was raining outside). Still, I experienced incredible elation as I walked the rainy route to my work—and not because it was Friday (well…maybe a little bit because it was Friday).
Perhaps part (or a lot) of it is just my mood or natural changing state, but I like to think I’m again hopeful and excited about my possibilities for the future. I’ve been more than a little freaked out about financial burden placed on myself and my parents that comes with excessive loan debt and loss of jobs, not to mention my uncertainty as to where I’ll go/what I’ll do once my lease ends at the end of next month. On my good days it’s unequivocally LA or bust; on my bad days I often resign myself to the possibility of living at home for a few months—or longer—until I can get my finances somewhat in order.
But TODAY—today is a good day. (So far). Yes, it’s true, I am once again working a temp job that is 9 to 5, but I really am happy about the semblance of structure it’s reinstalling in my life right now. I’ve been pretty sick with a gross cold the past few days, and now that it’s finally kicking the bucket, I can finally see the fruits of this two-week excursion back into temp/office life. Once these two weeks are up, I want to carry this little bit of structure I have into the rest of August, so I can really challenge myself with the things I want to achieve—for that month and for the next few years.
Recently, I’ve been sketching storyboards for the comic strip I mentioned, which aren’t looking as awful as I’d initially imagined. I’m actually pretty psyched about the character designs for the two major characters I’ve finished (although I’m having trouble consistently replicating them—which proves a big problem for a regular strip…). Hopefully I’ll be able to draw, ink and finish the first strip over the next week, and once I do I’ll be sure to post it here for you!
As to my other endeavors, I’ve mentioned my reading and movie-watching, but I’d also like to focus again on my fitness (running/working out), work on developing some screenplay ideas, and, perhaps most importantly, focus once more on the documentary feature on Kuduro (a popular Angolan hip-hop music/dance) I want to pursue over the next few years.
While the future still remains blurry, August is certainly looking brighter. Ultimately, I think I will decide LA is the right choice, and one way or another, I’ll find a way to get out there and settled before the end of the year. Right now, at this moment, I’m not worried one bit.
On some other notes:
-Can’t wait for Funny People to come out at the end of the month—it looks fucking hilarious.
-Read: Short story "Tlon, Uqbar, Orbis Tertius" by Jorge Luis Borges
-Watch: "Stop Making Sense" Jonathan Demme directed Talking Heads concert documentery
-Listen: "The 59’ Sound" by the Gaslight Anthem. You’ll be hooked within minutes. Trust me.
Well, that’s it for today, kiddies. Until next time, eat your fruits and vegetables.
7/18/2009
Summer Cleaning
It's amazing what cleaning can do for my motivation. Whenever I feel like I'm getting lazy or wasting a lot of time, cleaning my apartment/room always seems to put me in the right frame of mind again. I guess it's just putting myself in the right state of mind--when my place is a mess, I feel like some of it carries over and affects my mental state. Thus, a clean apartment sort of clears the slate for me, freeing my mind on a small psychological level (it's also nice having a clean apartment to stretch out in...). I'm not the only one that feels this effect right?
I've dedicated this weekend to cleaning--and I mean more than just my apartment. I mentioned before I'm taking a break from poker to get other aspects of my life back on the right track. I'm by no means secure financially, but I should be OK for the next few weeks while I get myself situated. Unfortunately the 7-day detox fast has to be pushed back until at least next week, but that won't stop me from going grocery shopping at Harvest, Whole Foods or Trader Joes (all conveniently nearby) this weekend. Also going to try to cut down on my alcohol consumption...spent wayyy too much money on booze last weekend (though it was my bday).
On a happy note...I'm reading a LOT again. Probably the most I've read since Middle School, which doesn't say a lot about how much I read after...
Current reads/views include "Blood Meridian," "One Hundred Years of Solitude," a book of short stories and essays by Jorge Luis Borges (one of my all-time favorite writers), "Stop Making Sense" (Talking Heads doc by Demme) and "The Waking Life" if I can ever get it to work in my roommate's PS2...our only way of playing DVDs at the moment. It's SHIT for reliability. Also watched "Paprika" again recently..don't care what anyone says, I love that movie.
Finally have some movies I need to see in theaters too. Aside from the new HP movie, "Funny People" comes out soon, and I still need to see "The Hangover". Saw "500 Days of Summer" the other day...pretty good--I read the script while I was at my internship in LA, and I think it was executed about as well as it could have been for what the script was. Joseph Gordon Levitt--who I'm a fan of--was great, and Zooey Dechansel was cute and hatable at the same time, something I wasn't sure if she could pull off.
But nowww I'm getting critical and spouting off things that pop into my head, so I'll leave you with this:
Had a huge argument with my parents the other night about my future/our financial problems, which left me feeling pretty shitty and angry, but I still have a lot of hope for the next month and a half before me lease is up. No sense in getting upset about things I can't really control at the moment, so I might as well get the most out of the little I have right now. Got my movies, got my books, got my peeps, got Boston, got music, got Summer weather (finally...please stay!), got my running shoes, got my notebooks and my screenwriting software, and still got my ambitions (which reminds me, I just started working on a comic strip tentatively called "Mud"--still looking for an illustrator though cus my drawing skills are pretty poor)...hm quite a lot now that I look at it...
Definitely on a high cloud today...ah nothing like a little house-cleaning, yeah?
(NOTE: Once I get a few strips finished from the new comic, I'll post on this blog or another. I have several written, just looking for someone to draw...or maybe I'll try my hand...we'll see. Post the synopsis here eventually so check back soon!)
I've dedicated this weekend to cleaning--and I mean more than just my apartment. I mentioned before I'm taking a break from poker to get other aspects of my life back on the right track. I'm by no means secure financially, but I should be OK for the next few weeks while I get myself situated. Unfortunately the 7-day detox fast has to be pushed back until at least next week, but that won't stop me from going grocery shopping at Harvest, Whole Foods or Trader Joes (all conveniently nearby) this weekend. Also going to try to cut down on my alcohol consumption...spent wayyy too much money on booze last weekend (though it was my bday).
On a happy note...I'm reading a LOT again. Probably the most I've read since Middle School, which doesn't say a lot about how much I read after...
Current reads/views include "Blood Meridian," "One Hundred Years of Solitude," a book of short stories and essays by Jorge Luis Borges (one of my all-time favorite writers), "Stop Making Sense" (Talking Heads doc by Demme) and "The Waking Life" if I can ever get it to work in my roommate's PS2...our only way of playing DVDs at the moment. It's SHIT for reliability. Also watched "Paprika" again recently..don't care what anyone says, I love that movie.
Finally have some movies I need to see in theaters too. Aside from the new HP movie, "Funny People" comes out soon, and I still need to see "The Hangover". Saw "500 Days of Summer" the other day...pretty good--I read the script while I was at my internship in LA, and I think it was executed about as well as it could have been for what the script was. Joseph Gordon Levitt--who I'm a fan of--was great, and Zooey Dechansel was cute and hatable at the same time, something I wasn't sure if she could pull off.
But nowww I'm getting critical and spouting off things that pop into my head, so I'll leave you with this:
Had a huge argument with my parents the other night about my future/our financial problems, which left me feeling pretty shitty and angry, but I still have a lot of hope for the next month and a half before me lease is up. No sense in getting upset about things I can't really control at the moment, so I might as well get the most out of the little I have right now. Got my movies, got my books, got my peeps, got Boston, got music, got Summer weather (finally...please stay!), got my running shoes, got my notebooks and my screenwriting software, and still got my ambitions (which reminds me, I just started working on a comic strip tentatively called "Mud"--still looking for an illustrator though cus my drawing skills are pretty poor)...hm quite a lot now that I look at it...
Definitely on a high cloud today...ah nothing like a little house-cleaning, yeah?
(NOTE: Once I get a few strips finished from the new comic, I'll post on this blog or another. I have several written, just looking for someone to draw...or maybe I'll try my hand...we'll see. Post the synopsis here eventually so check back soon!)
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