I sincerely doubt there will be continued posts over vacation, have a happy holidays!

Make Your Own Snowflake
Moodstats
Humidus
Co-lab Remix
Littleloud Animation
UPSO
TH Design
OK Dialogue Design
Make Your Own Christmas Card

P.U. Haiku

Spending countless hours
Sitting 'pon porcelain throne.
Freakin' Taco Bell.

Winter Stew Haiku

Electric skyline
With pulsating thunderclaps.
Only in NorCal.

Fondue Haiku

Melted wine and cheese
Stewed up in a little pot.
God bless the French chef.

Busy Wednesday? I think my Free Will Horoscope might know:

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):
Happy Holy Daze, Virgo! I've been meditating on the perfect holiday presents for you. What might inspire you to be in closest alignment with the cosmic currents in 2003? One recurring vision I have is of cheap gag gifts like whoopee cushions, fake ice cubes containing plastic flies, metal cans that purport to contain shelled peanuts but erupt with spring-loaded toy snakes when you open them up, and pencil sharpeners shaped like human noses. Why these? It's not so much that I think you need to liberate your inner child in the coming months, though that would be beneficial. What I'm even more interested in is inspiring you to be a bit more mischievous and a lot less literal. You'll be amazed at how much your chances for success will improve if you don't follow the rules quite so strictly.

Finding your inner child is easy. Especially when you have yet to grow up.

Lots of good trailers added on Dark Horizons. Including Terminator 3. For some reason I have a hard time really wanting to see this movie. I'm more intrigued by the X-Men sequel than by another Arnold Schwarzenegger film. Trading one mutant for another I suppose.

If people could really get good grades by Hacking, then maybe we can get good grades by stealing too? Well, probably not, but it's still an interesting precedent for schoolwork. Giving himself a D+ is bold though.

Seems things have really gotten out of hand in Los Angeles. The Feds have promised to assist in the city's ever-escalating gang war. Being from the suburbs, I've never really experienced gang violence, been asked to be in a gang, or even been hassled by a gang member. I should consider myself lucky.

The holiday season has tons and tons of movies being released with great potential for Oscar consideration. The Academy better be paying close attention because even the critics are taking notice. I have yet to see all that I've wanted to see, but one by one they are being checked off my list. Maybe I like movies too much?

More than a year after the terrorist attacks, the city of New York viewed several proposals for either a replacement or memorial for the World Trade Center Towers. This is definitely a good sign that we're attempting to move towards peace, but for some reason proposals like this one seem to get in the way of the United States looking like an ambassador of good will. For some reason we come off looking like bullies. I can't imagine why... maybe it has something to do with our recent National Security proposal.

Bay area news sees the resolution of the Battle of the Bond's Homerun Ball. Like Solomon, the judge is somewhat wise. Wose enough to make those two bickering babies auction the bastard ball. The San Francisco Chronicle also does a lengthy examination of human trials for clinical research. Interesting conflict of ideals. Why must science be so rife with philisophical differences?

Besides all this, Bruce Lee needs a DJ.

Rick Mays is an astonishingly clean artist. Clean in the sense that his lines are always solid and his characters are very fleshed out and three-dimensional. The thing I appreciate about his work, is the way in which he portrays younger people: they don't look like miniature versions of adults, and they always seem packed with energy. With a similar style to that of many modern comic book artists who've been raised on Saturday Morning action cartoons and anime, Mr. Mays happens to maintain a decidedly western flair for realistic proportions and detail. His body of work is quite diverse, having started in somewhat "friskier" pastures, Mr. Mays worked for a time on Kabuki and even with the boys over at Image Comics pencilling one of their longest-running titles, Gen-13. Having gained a somewhat higher profile, Mr. Mays may pop up someplace significant quite soon. Keep your eyes peeled.

As should be some sort of tradition, Monday news is interesting, but I try to keep it nice and short. Last thing you want to do on Monday is work right? So why work your brain harder than you have to?

Someone out there really likes the University of Southern California. How do I know this? Well Carson Palmer won the Heisman.

Al Gore has decided not to run for President. All that's left to figure out is who will run in his place?

Two articles from Time Magazine today. First of which is about Indian cigarettes. The second of which is about the new movie musical Chicago.

Lastly we have two articles from MTV. First off, Moby got his ass kicked. Second of all, Britney and Justin hate each other.

Like a sausage factory in Germany, I have links:

Snowglobe Game
Setpixel
Rasterized
Google Zeitgeist
Groovetech
Pixeltees
Visualogue
Mechanism 10
Less Rain

Excuse You Haiku

Relieve your body
With bursts of gas explosions
Expelled from your mouth.

Skewer Crew Haiku

Needling little rods
With pointed, menacing tips
For your shish kabobs.

How Old Are You Haiku

Annual practice
Celebrating someone's birth.
Better make a wish!

Late Night Stew Haiku

Drift off on blue clouds
Floating on a golden sea.
Dream your fears away.

Twinkie Goo Haiku

Yellow, spongey cake
Surrounds rich, creamy filling.
Hostess' gold bars.

Have some relish with your Free Will Horoscope:

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):
If all you've ever wanted is to marry a blond, blue-eyed cheerleader or athlete with six-pack abs and get a McMansion in the suburbs with a tank-sized SUV in your three-car garage, this will be a disappointing week for you. Nothing that happens will aid you in carrying out goals like that. If, however, you aspire to wrestle tenderly with the unripe side of your nature until it agrees to share its enigmatic treasure with the rest of you, then the immediate future will bring cathartic revelations leading to spiritual orgasms and ingenious changes in the way you live your life.

I will spend the rest of the week trying to figure out what exactly the "unripe" side of my nature is. Any suggestions?

Being that I am an alum of this university, I found this article to be pretty fascinating. I'm still on the fence about stem cell research. So many positives for such a large negative. It really depends on your viewpoint of course. Love it or hate it, the research is revolutionary. I wonder who donated all that money?

This past weekend, Los Angeles had the fortune of a monster concert festival thrown by the World Famous KROQ. Said event was their annual "Almost Acoustic Christmas" and the lineup was quite stellar, in my opinion moreso on the second day than the first. Come to think of it, the Los Angeles Times thought so as well. Having just seen Beck perform earlier this weekend, I can attest that his set was probably quite amazing. Why would KROQ have to go and ruin it with Creed?

Earlier this week I posted a short blurb about the Rawhide Kid and his supposed homosexuality. Looks like it's been confirmed. Should be interesting to see how this pans out, but for some reason I have a feeling the writer is going to horribly fail at breaking any ground. Gay comic book characters have been done before, and none so blatant to tell the truth. Do a search on google and you may be surprised at what you find.

For those of you who make fun of others who have trouble tying their shoes, you may want to try this on for size. I'd say this guy had way too much time on his hands, but it's almost maniacally fascinating. I think it's the sick, engineering side of me that thinks this way. Either that or it's the lame, geek side of me. Oh wait, those are the same things...

Time Magazine had a couple of interesting articles this morning, the first of which is about the increased production of sports cars. I agree that their popularity is on the rise. Especially with better technology for engine requirements and safety constraints, it's no wonder companies are pouring more money into their production. Second of all, we have Spike Jonze, a revolutionary director of film, video, and commercials. His interview about a recent release reveals him to be quite a character. A character enough to get Christopher Walken to dance for him at length on camera. Yes sir.

Michael Avon Oeming is a nice addition to the continuing flurry of interesting artists. His style seems simple on the surface, but his method of storytelling always carries the right mood to inspire the reader. Whether it's working with Brian Michael Bendis on their crime series, Powers, or working on his own Bastard Samurai, Mr. Oeming manages to convey the specific tone that strengthens an already solid story. Very similar to Bruce Timm in style only, Oeming's work can be considerably dark. The liberal use of shadows gives his line a realism that is distinctive, given his somewhat iconic style. I tend to enjoy the facial expressions he gives his characters. Through only a few lines, he can make a character go through several emotions in just a few panels. Striking, and impressive.

A little over two shopping weeks left, where are you with your lists?

Liquid Audio seemed to me like it was dead as soon as I heard about it years ago. We now have confirmation that it's six feet under.

Casual sex is dangerous. According to a study, extramarital sex is even more dangerous.

Maybe we should all rethink the phrase "The Vines are the new Hives."

Any of you following this year's Bowl Championship Series should be pleasantly surprised with The Results.

Next time you go to the dentist, think of this man's practice and be jealous you're not there.

Mars has water!

Finally, if you ever see a casino run by Native Americans, think about where all the money is really going.

Take these and call me in the morning:

Rigsby Design
Ben Sherman
Flavorpill
Jen Spectacular
OnModular
Design Backwards
The Industrial Ranch
Fidel Clothing
BOLD
Tronic Studio

Jimmy Choo Haiku

Days go by swiftly
As the clock ticks lives away.
Dying in seconds.

Whasamatta You Haiku

Lyrics mean nothing
If there is no emotion
To back up your song.

John Q Haiku

Playing the match game
Flipping cards repeatedly
Building memory.

We now return to your regularly scheduled Free Will Horoscope:

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22):
The choice between seeking mere survival and stalking interesting success will be thrust in your face again and again in 2003, Virgo. I'm sure you're already getting a taste of the intensity. Here's my suggestion for what you can do to get yourself in good shape for it: Become very clear about your deep inner definition of success, as opposed to the superficial, inappropriate, and deceptive definitions that various people have tried to foist on you over the years. Here's your future rallying cry: Be your own genie in 2003.

I will be my own genie, because I always believed that you do have to make your own wishes come true. No sense in waiting for something to happen when you can make something happen.

According to the San Francisco Chronicle, alternative religions are on the rise in the bay area. I lived up there for four years and I do have to say it is much more liberal than where I grew up. Liberal enough for practicing christians to be open to the exploration of new religions? In some cases, yes, but some in the area disagree. I'd have to say it's interesting to learn about new religions, just make sure none of you start practicing satanism.

I think the time has come for men to stop riding bicycles. Maybe at least one should invest in a nice pair of cushiony shorts and an incredibly soft bicycle seat. Now when you can't take someone seriously wearing bike shorts, you have more of a valid reason not to.

Ah, it's the return of The Black Hole. It would be more frightening, but it's so far away. Wouldn't it be neat to travel across dimensions though? Like Buckaroo Banzai or some derivative. Cool.

I know some of you out there don't use headsets while driving. I urge you, "Go buy one now, please!"

Having been to Ikea for the first time several times over the last few months, I have to say that I'm in awe of the abundance of furniture those scandinavians import to our shores. Must be careful of the "Ikea Nesting Instinct." Perhaps now there is even more reason to fear going to Ikea.

So new trends are presenting themselves in clothing and in the wireless community. Clothing concerns itself now with the light infusion of teflon into the fabrics we use to prevent stains. Good thing for me, I'm a messy eater. Along with that, cell phone towers are becoming more prevalent as cell phone usage goes ever upward. I said more prevalent, not more obvious.

Whitney Houston is on drugs. What else is new?

Hey, crack a smile and keep yourself busy for a while.

Today I highlight a personal favorite of mine: Jeff Smith. Come to think of it, I may have highlighted him before, but what the heck. Mr. Smith is the creator of one of the most fascinating pieces of comic literature out there, Bone. No snickering, please. Anyhow, Mr. Smith's work is quite enchanting. The story of three outcasts from a distant land travelling and surviving in a strange world full of mystical conspiracies is quite engaging. Not only for its distinct characterization, but also for its whimsical sense of humor. Mr. Smith endows his work with a full and lush sense of life that leaps off each page as you turn it. If it wasn't for Jeff Smith, I don't think I'd ever believe the medium could contain such variety, or would I ever take the chance on something different. Look into his stuff, you won't regret it.

Lo and behold! I have returned from the Long Weekend a little drained from some waffley mishaps yesterday, but nevertheless energized from a good 4 days off. Lovely as it were, I hope you all didn't miss me too much. Let's get on with some new, shall we?

A while back I wrote a small segment about Carl Barks, highlighting his contribution to the creation of several Disney Characters and his place in the world of comics. I'm not the only one who appreciates him however, take a look at this column for a more in depth view of what makes Mr. Barks so special.

Here are a couple interesting articles previewing a couple of relatively new titles about old properties in the world of comics. The first of which highlights a decidedly different take on The Rawhide Kid. Could be an interesting twist. I like the quote about the series not being anything but a "straight" western. Coupled with this, there is the return of Robotech to comicdom. This isn't really that much of a surprise given that He-man, Thundercats, and even G.I. Joe have been recalled back into the comic book fold. Nostalgia sells.

We all know that Micheal Jackson is weird. After this year, there is no doubt that he is undeniably crazy.

Finally, there's word that our money isn't going to be quite as monochromatic as usual. Too bad, we're not going to be able to call them "greenbacks" anymore. Hey, if anyone can name that show where one of the characters was named Baron Greenback, you'll get a surprise. Any takers?