The passing of a real Marvel hero

One of my favorite Marvel artists, Mike Wieringo, past away Sunday August 12th. I just found out about it today when I received the weekly newsletter I subscribe to from Marvel Comics. I took this picture (a self portrait of Mr. Wieringo) from the Marvel article about his passing (I also made the picture a link to that article if you would care to read that). I never met the man personally but I loved his art. It was during his run on Fantastic Four that I jumped back into comic collecting. My friend Chuck and I were browsing at one of the local comic shops and we happened upon Fantastic Four #511. Which ironically is about the FF in heaven and they meet God who Mike Wieringo drew to look like Jack Kirby (co-creator of FF w/ Stan Lee) as a tribute to him (who had been deceased for a few years at the time).

As you know I am a big fan of comics, thats why we have Hatman & Indigo, and since we have been in the process of creating our own comics for a while now, I have an even greater respect for those who do it professionally. As I said before, I never met the man and I don't know much about him personally (other than from articles and such) but I will miss his art.

Problems with printers and growing my face back

Over the past week and a half I have been trying to buy a printer that will print up to 13"x19" paper. (So you, our wonderful fans, can purchase posters of our stuff in that size for a cheaper rate than if we were to outsource it, aren't I nice?) Why try and not just buy, you may ask? Well, I did buy one printer (from a company I will not mention as to not defame them or sway you in any way to or against them) on the 3rd of this month and I received it much to my joy on the 7th. However, when I hooked it up and installed all the software and drivers, it wouldn't print on photo paper! So after several arduous hours on the phone with the support people, uninstalling, re-installing, troubleshooting and trying my best to remain pleasant and kind, we came to the conclusion that it was indeed a problem with the printer. So, I was instructed to call the online store for this company (where I originally ordered it from) and request an exchange, after another hour or so of working with someone who barely spoke English and was bound and determined to sell me more stuff, I got the exchange set up. I received the replacement printer (which was not refurbished by the way) this Monday (August 13th), much to my frustration, this one had the same problem! So, before I called the support people back I had my good friend, Jason Joslin (who works on copiers and printers professionally and also built my computer) to come take a look at the printer and my computer to see if he could help me get it working. I figured out of the 6 billion+ people in the world he was the single most qualified to help me figure this out, because in my mind it must have been something with my computer because the odds that I got 2 faulty printers would have to be astronomical and I am the least lucky person in the world so that would be like me getting struck by lightning while winning the lottery and being the correct caller for a radio call in contest. But as my poor luck (which I really don't believe in anyhow) would have it. It turned out that it was the printer AGAIN! So, I called the support people back and when I mentioned to them that I had a professional look at it I was put on hold for almost 1/2 an hour and ended up with a manager! Who was able to connect me to someone in the online store department that spoke English as their first language! Well, I was getting somewhere! And now after re-returning the faulty printer, I have ordered a completely different model that I have been assured should work just fine. We'll see.




On a lighter note, some of you may have seen me out and about, or seen the photo my brother posted of me on my facebook page (or above this text). I recently dyed my hair blue and shaved off my mustache and goatee, leaving only a blue soul patch on my facial forest. Well, after receiving many comments on how I look too much like Andy (my twin brother) again (especially from my wife), I am growing back the old look. However, I may continue to have differently colored hair for a while, I'm still up in the air about that. Before yesterday I hadn't shaved since Saturday (one of the benefits of working at home), so when I did finally shave I left the old stuff there and Michelle noticed and was overjoyed, so I think the old facial forest is probably back to stay.

Sometimes it is lonely at the top

Alexis is napping and I've been working with Andy on and off over the phone on refining/rewriting some Hatman scripts for this fall and Christmas. But, sitting here all alone really makes me feel lonely sometimes. I like having the freedom of working for myself, but I sacrifice the companionship of coworkers. Yeah, I have Alexis to watch and love on, but she's only almost 18 months old, I can't exactly carry on a conversation with her. And even though I can call people its still the solitude that gets to me the most. Michelle should be getting out of work about now so I know she'll be home soon. But it seems like the time from when she should be out of work until she gets home is the hardest part of every day. Alexis and I both can't wait for her to get home. Its like the atmosphere around here changes from a workplace to home the minute she steps in the door. I don't travel anywhere physically, but having Michelle home makes it feel like home. I know thats probably sappy and dumb, but, oh well. I just figured since I hadn't posted anything in awhile I'd let you all in on my world. Its a world filled with adventure and comedy but all that stuff only exists on this machine I'm sitting at. Of course every day with Alexis is a different kind of adventure, but I think that sometimes I take her preciousness for granted. I shouldn't do that. Its like every time she's napping I see how sweet she is and I feel bad for getting after her for getting into stuff or trying to eat the dog's food etc. A lot of times when I'm doing busy work on the computer I turn on my media player on shuffle and just listen to what comes out. Its truly divine some of the songs that come up when I'm feeling like this. I know its on shuffle, but sometimes its like the big man upstairs is choosing the next song for me to feel better, or to help me with an idea I've been trying to iron out for a script or set piece for Star Fetched or whatever. Well, this is probably really boring for those of you who came here to learn more about the inner workings of 3twins.net. If so, I apologize.