I bought Fraction a FUTURA t-shirt for Valentine's Day. Apparently fonts are the neue big thing.

Applejack in his new collar - the hottest spring color, because he's oh-so-fashionable.

Fraction sent me fleurs to cheer me up.

They're gorgeous.

Updated the worklog last night, and got news this morning that I'm probably being bumped from the BLOODLINES anthology for reasons, I am assured, that have nothing to do with my story or my relative talents. (Since the story isn't actually written yet, at least the first part of that is easy enough to believe.)

I'm disappointed, but also relieved. I'll likely write the story anyway, since I've given it the thought and because it intimitdates me and I'm told its best not to walk away from those things, but now I'll be able to do it without the pressure of a deadline. If I *need* a deadline, I think the Thoroughbred Times does a fiction contest every other year. I can always consider it an entry for that.

This also frees up a little time to maybe do a chapbook for SDCC (Laurenn's suggestion; she's agreed to help me with the design. Time permitting, I'll hand-bind them.). So...trying to look on the bright side here. Bit of a bummer morning, though.

It's 3pm and I'm still in my robe. Not a good way to start.

Oh! In unrelated news, this site is now a "Viz Associate" site, so if you order any of the Viz books I work on through links on this site I get some sort of kickback, which is nice since adaptors don't get any kind of royalty deal.

Don't feel pressured or anything -- I'm not starving. I promise.

If you do want to pick something up, though, here are the links:

Blue Spring - Taiyo Matsumoto is hands down my favorite manga creator, and is easily in my top 10 favorite comics creators of any nationality. Blue Spring is a collection of short stories -- I'll tell you honestly, it's a bit of a downer and it is most certainly not for kids what with all the masturbation and bloodshed. It is very smart, though, and visually exciting - unlike anything you think of when you think "manga." He's heavily influenced by the Europeans, and it reads. Still -- very Japanese book. I also highly recommend Black & White. In fact, you might want to start with Black & White - it's a little more accessible. Then there's the film Blue Spring, based on the manga, staring an achingly cool Ryuhei Matsuda (holy fucking swoon -- hey, does anyone know where I can find a copy of Otakus in Love?), and boasting a soundtrack by Thee Michelle Gun Elephant. Again, not for the kiddies.

Links to a bunch of Blue Spring reviews here.

Sensual Phrase - Okay, how should I put this? Mayu Shinjo is, like, the polar opposite of Taiyo Matsumoto. This book is not -- how you say? -- "smart." It is, however, really, really fun. And embarrassingly hot. And I adore my editor, who, like the peach that he is, absolutely understands the appeal of this book and has encouraged me to err on the side of turning *up* the heat in the adaptation, rather than de-sexing what is essentially a rock 'n roll bodice-ripper. So kudos to Eric. And Sakuya is so My Cartoon Boyfriend. So what if he's a bit of a misogynist...? He's dirty-dirty-hot. And he's, um, a rockstar. ...Shut up. (Oh, and I have a column in the back of most volumes, starting at, I think, volume 4...?)

Kare First Love or Doubt!! - If you're wondering what this Shojo thing is all about, start with one of these. They're both essentially high school romance comics, but Japanese high school romance comics are altogether unlike Archie and Jughead. They're...Japanese. They're NOT PC. They're perhaps a little more honest about the high school experience than American fare. They're prettier, much more emphasis is put on girly concerns like what the characters are wearing and they're a wee bit raunchier than what you'd likely expect. They also don't follow American standards of 3-act plot structures so they're maddening to read at first -- you literally have no idea where plots are going. Once you read a few, that becomes a selling point. Again, these are not intellectual exercises, but they're worth your time -- especially, I'd argue, if you're looking to write comics of your own. Pressed to pick one, I'd say go with Kare First Love as it's the more accessible of the two and I think the English letterer has done a fabulous job. If you want to dive right into the weirdness, though, pick up Doubt!!

I'm very proud of my work on Sexy Voice and Robo, but it isn't up on their site for pre-order yet. I'll let you know.

Oh, Tadanobu Asano, why do you torture me so?

This is tempting: Cooks Essentials CETCM2C Coffee Maker with Two Stainless Steel Mugs & One Carafe

$19.99 after rebate and eligible for Amazon Prime free shipping.

We paid that much for our travel mugs alone.

Found via Cheap Stingy Bastard, via Merry.

Does anyone know what movie this image is from? [NOT WORK SAFE.]

A new study by researchers in Dallas shows why caffeine keeps people awake, according to a recent report from www.cbsnews.com. Caffeine overrides a chemical produced by the brain called adenosine. Adenosine helps people feel drowsy, the article notes. Once caffeine interferes, however, the sleepy feelings are pushed aside until the effect of the caffeine wears off.

In the past 18 years, consumption of daily caffeine has increased. Close to 90 percent of US adults now consume caffeine daily, compared to 82 percent in 1977, the article says. [Nubella (Health News)]

I'm back from Florida, but *swamped* for the next couple of days while I get caught up.

(Fraction's back in NYC.)

(Ha ha ha)

The idea's so outside the box it's hard to believe anyone thought of it.

But thinking "outside the box" is what the local civic club "Outside The Box" does, and that's what members did when they thought about this weekend's re-enactments of the 1865 Battle of Columbus at the Port Columbus National Civil War Naval Museum, online at www.portcolumbus.org.

"We thought about how meticulous those Civil War re-enactors are about having historically accurate uniforms and equipment," says OTB President Hugh Lessjo. "Then we thought, 'Who else is so obsessive about having the right props and costumes?' "

The answer: Star Trek fans.

"We have Star Trek fan clubs in our area, and Sunday's battle re-enactment already includes a 'what-if' scenario featuring a Confederate counterattack," says Lessjo. "So we started thinking outside the box, and we thought, 'Why not have Trekkies join the battle?' They already have the equipment."

OTBs, or "Outside The Boxers," as they call themselves, are unconventional thinkers who believe "there are no stupid ideas," Lessjo says. "We really just wanted to know what would happen if Civil War soldiers fought the crew from 'Star Trek.' You never see that in the movies or TV reruns."

So the OTBs asked battle organizers: Why not attract a wider audience by staging a second "what-if" battle sequence in which a starship crew joins the conflict?

Unwilling to openly ridicule the idea, organizers set up a meeting for Lessjo, Confederate re-enactors and a local Star Trek club -- the latter two in full regalia.

Then the trouble began.

Thanks, Charlie.

EDITED TO ADD: Bummer, I am informed this is an April Fool's article and I am an April Fool.

"Today at your local comics store you can double-dip, uh, me, as both BLOODSUCKER TALES #7 from IDW and FOUR LETTER WORLDS from Image is out. BLOODSUCKER has a senses-shattering cameo by Magnum P.I. (in a role that will surprise you!), and the story I did with Kieron Dwyer actually closes out the whole of FOUR LETTER WORLDS. And, I gotta say, it's another great-looking antho from Image. I saw FLIGHT 2 in NYC last week and was bowled over...

(FATE, our story, while beautifully executed by KD, has a word omitted from one of the caption boxes. So, uh, typo aside, you should still buy it and read it and lemme know what you think.)" [matt fraction]

Collars are on sale for $1.

I posted a question on the Anime on DVD forums asking where I could lay my hands on Toru Shinohara's Sasori manga. One kind soul was kind enough to send me a link to a Yahoo! Japan auction and a service that helps you bid.

Sadly, this particular auction ends soon and I have a busy day ahead of me, so I don't think I have time to figure out how this thing works, but I'm tickled to know the service exists.

Thought I'd share.

To see still more garden photos, make with the clicky --->

What you can find out on the internet:

http://www.zabasearch.com/

Search your own name.

(Thanks, Laurenn.)

Make with the clicky -->

Right here.

Oh, Casey. Doitdoitdoit.

Please?

I planted six boxes yesterday - two varieties of petunias and some varigated vinca vine. In theory, they'll provide color where the azalea bushes have already shed their blooms.

I just put in a third Bleeding Heart (there were already two in the yard when we bought the house). I love these things. Too bad the flowers don't last longer.

"Blue Spring" by Taiyo Matsumoto, English Adaptation by Kelly Sue DeConnick

(I can't tell you how thrilling it is for me to have those two names on the same book. Truly: I am not worthy.)

That "Joe Smith" thing on the Amazon page irritates and perplexes me. What the—?

From the Manga @ Anime on DVD review:

"A title like this where there are different characters almost every chapter, and the subject matter is a little difficult might create some trouble for an adaptation. This one handles those issues well, resulting in a translation that reads well but still maintains the attitude of troubled youth."

More reviews here.

All hail HQD!

Thanks, dude.

Review at Anime on DVD; and
Review at Sequential Tart...

"Kaneyoshi Izumi's Doubt!! is a smart and sassy title, enhanced by an English adaptation that is successful in capturing the way contemporary teens talk. Normally I dislike it when editors take too many liberties with the translation, because there are enough bad editors who do not properly respect the manga writer's choices and who rewrite the manga for themselves. In this case, Kelly Sue DeConnick gets a high five for the good rapport she has with Izumi's writing and artwork."

Woo hoo!

...Edited by Eric Searleman, English adaptation by Kelly Sue DeConnick.

(Clicking on the cover art takes you to the Amazon page.)

Okay so the "complete" feeds over there on the right do not include images for some reason. Anyone have any idea what I'm doing wrong?

...What's the proper usage here? Is the past tense "I knit" or "I knitted"?

Regardless, I made them. My fear is they may be a wee bit too small, but as they're wool with a pretty decent give, I'm not gonna lose any sleep.

So now they dry. Then soles. Then they get tied up with a ribbon and delivered to Aunt Polly just in time to keep her feet warm...in the Summer. In Florida.

... I didn't think this out too well.

Finally finished knitting clog slippers for Aunt Polly (our beloved "Dudu") but I forgot to take a picture before I threw them in the wash. They're felting (or "fulling," if you're a purist) now.

(Happy belated birthday, Dudu! I'll bring them with me on the 21st.)

I'll post pictures post-felting. I need to put on the suede soles yet, too.

I ordered something like 6 paintings from Steve Keene, I think?



He sent 17. (There are multiples of several compositions.)



This is quite possibly the most fun package I have *ever* received. I cannot WAIT to hang them.



Click the photo on the right to see the full set.

Dwell bed linens
Cherry Pie LäraBars
Brideshead Revisited
iceberg lettuce
lemon & cucumber water
magic Korean washcloths (Thank you, Lolo and Lauren!)
sausages by Amy
Pu-erh ginger tea
felt cakes (Thanks, Theron!)
cherry blossom prints
Japanese pussy willow varieties
image/search tags

EDITED TO ADD: Bluefly has some Dwell sheets at significant markdowns.

The yard's waking up...I wish I had time to do more work out there right now.

(I used Flickr's annotations for the first time - pretty neat. Easy, too. Click on the photo and every box you see on the picture indicates a note. Hover your mouse over the box to read the comment.)

EDITED TO ADD: Old Aunt Amy has identified our white tree - it's a Bradford pear.

Can someone remind me how to change the feeds to full feeds...?

New RSS feeds are over there on the right in the sidebar -->

Anybody know how to update the livejournal version?

Test post for new server...

The dark and violent comic Sin City is now a movie. Director Robert Rodriguez says that even on the page, artist Frank Miller's stories had a cinematic quality. To learn more, NPR asked director Kevin Smith to speak with Rodriguez and Miller.

(Hey, is anybody else having problems with KCUR cutting in and out today?)