Blog
June 2004-January 17 2005
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4/4/2004 - "Little Dee" to be released June 7th. For more information on running "Little Dee" in your paper, click here
The strip is daily, M-SAT (no SUN), and I do hope you enjoy it. And we're about done with two months, and I hope everyone's enjoying how it's moving along. It's a very different beast than my other projects, which is making it a challange with every week seeing dozens of scripts getting scrapped in order to pick out the best. but at the same time that's what's so exciting about this project, the exploring the new territory, plus trying to create this perfectly balanced, funny, loveable, and even sometimes quietly sad little world. Also of note, the site will now automatically update at 3:00am Pacific Time (6:00am NYC). Up until this point I've been doing it manually, so it's been going up erratically and much earlier. Not anymore. :) ------------------------- 9/1/04 - In my memory, this is all my impressions from the Franklin County Fair in my hometown of Greenfield. I mean, the memories have adapted from fairs I've visited since, but the impression is from there. Myself, I've never won a prize from my dextrous skills, but I have eaten my share of fried-dough (elephant-ears) and cotton-candy. 
And thank you for all the emails, you are all so great. And I apologize for using a graphic for the email rather than text or a link, spam-bots can read text email addresses, and not so long ago I was receiving hundreds of spam per day, and this has helped tremendously. I have more to say on the emails, but it has been a very long day. Friday may lighten up slightly. :-( Which reminds me of earlier today, Bethanne and I had a very nice day in the deep woods in Oregon, hunting for chantrel mushrooms, which we later had for dinner. Mmmmmmmmmm. 
11/2/04 - Knitting.... So, Bethanne (my sweetie) as well as several of the pants press women have taken up knitting. Me... I taught myself to knit for a bit in elementary school, but it wasn't my thing (yes, I was a bit geeky back then) (Well... okay, i still am). But I respect it, and since Bethanne has been talking about it and all the ebay yarn she's been acquiring and everything, it made me want to do a week about knitting. Anyhow, if you're curious, the pattern which Vachel, rather concisely, describes today, I present to you, the vertical weave: 
11/4/04 - For the record, i should mention that my friend Anya is quite a large part of the inspiration in many facets of my strip, Little Dee. 11/5/04 - There was a brief time when i was younger and was into video-games, and we actually had one or two around the house. I cannot tell you the number of times my brother and I were called to dinner or something, and we'd reply "just one more game" or even better, "but this is a new high score." Well, what goes around comes around, and now when it's time to eat or for bed, Bethanne states "just one more row." When you think about it, is there really that much difference, between the two. Ummm... aside from being able watch a movie, have a conversation, think, stay in the real world, and have a finished product when you knit. 11/16/04 - Today I drew a fill-in strip for Jon Rosenberg for his comic Goats, which is a fun strip, although some of the material may not be viewed as suitable for all ages. 11/17/2004 - Emperor Penguins I know this is a humor site, but below are actually some facts about Emperor Penguins. They may seem bizarre, but they're true. 
Emperor Penguins can swim 1,500 feet below the water and hold their breath for 22 minutes. The have more feathers, about 100 per square inch, than any other bird. The feathers are well oiled, which keeps them from getting wet swimming in the cold water. Their bones are solid, unlike other birds, being that they wish to dive deep rather than fly. When the waddle, thay're actually acting like upside-down pendulums, with 80% of the energy of each step flowing into the next, very efficient (humans are at about 65%). 
The females lay an egg in May and pass it to the male who balances it on his feet and beneath a tummy-flap of skin called the "brood patch." All the males huddle together to keep warm, as the female returns to the sea for food. The mother returns three months later in August (the dead of winter in Antarctica). The dad is now 40% lighter from fasting. The chick is born and they take turns getting food and regurgitating it for the chick. Five months later they leave it to fend for itself in the Antactica summer as the ice begins to break apart. 
Mario Lemieux is an extremely talented hockey player for the Pittsburgh Penguins. For an update of how Little Dee is faring, I still feel the strip is growing, and feel that most strips take about a year to really settle into their clothing. I crossed the half-year mark two weeks ago, and feel good about things. It's challenging, but I'm exciting about continuing on pushing forward. Bethanne, my sweetie, and I have plans to have some Thanksgiving time with friends, and then spend a couple night in a B&B on the Oregon coast. A much-needed and much-looked-forward-to journey. I adore you, readers. If there are any middle-school social-study type teachers out there reading who wish to help with an educational side to the website, and have plenty of time to douse on it, feel free to raise you hand and we can talk On another note, I wanted to say that there will be no interruption to Little Dee this week despite me going away. So, enjoy, and have a fanastic weekend! And lastly, check it out, a fun little interview type thing with Scene Missing Magazine. 
They are all priced at $40.00. That's it. No extra for shipping or anything. Even for overseas. I wanted to make them affordable to people, while still helping me pay my bills a little bit on this end. And I know some of you may think, "Gee, that'd make a swell Christmas Present," and all i can tell you is that you're right. But sadly it is very late. But any sales made by noon on Sunday (Pacific Time) I guarantee will get out in the mail first-class on Monday, which gives them a relatively decent chance of timely arrival. Oh, and I added a "tip jar" at the top of this page as well. Just because. Aside from that, life's okay. Been working really hard at the comics, and have been still consistently happy with Little Dee. Been drinking tea, which makes my brain buzz with pleasure. :) And heck, you've all been so supportive. I've received so much positive email and support, you all are great. And here's the deal, you keep reading, and I'll do my best to keep up a top notch strip that I'm proud of and love doing. Fair? And for those out there who celebrate anything this holiday season, I hope that you have (or had) a warm and happy time with loved-ones, because really, what else is there in life? Oh right, what else is there in life indeed! There's comics. Yes, Little Dee will be running uninterrupted, no worries. :) Anyhow, I'm not sure how the jump was made from bunnies to the pipes bursting and freezing the entire cave in ice, but so it happened. And, so yeah... and what seemed like a silly little idea (the frozen cave), now, when i look at it, just seems very very surreal. The whole week. I'm rather amused by it, although if pressed, I might not be able to exactly tell you what's funny about it, the theme or the individual jokes. but perhaps, in the end, it's better that way. The best link I've found for helping (financially) is the Red Cross through Amazon.com As well, Clio (a fantastic illustrator) is doing a really nice benefit auction, although it's already rather high. hmmmmmmmm. And never, ever, tell your audience, or they'll know how your devious mind works.  1/17/05 - Happy Martin Luther King Day. I'm happy with how Dee's going, and it's been fun playing with the alligator this past week (and a couple days this week). I look forward to the spring though, it seems many of my ideas require outdoor activities. Oh. And: happy. Anya sent me a Studio Ghibli 4-dvd/7-movie collection of Miyazaki's works. I am very excited, and yes, I'm excited even though I've seen all of them but one! Miyazaki makes me so happy, makes me feel so good inside. Kinda like cocoa with friends, laughing. Score: Flu----1 Chris--0 Ugh. I was out of bed only for about two hours, in order to watch a movie on the couch. Have missed now 3 days of work. But I'm sure the flu will stop pummeling me any day now. untether the horses untether the horses Anyhow. Somehow the strip wrote itself around that phrase. I'm amused. Plus I got to leave you with a cliffhanger. I am all smiley going into the weekend. What more could I ask for. :) But nonetheless, I am still going to say what's making me smile about today's strip. And that is that Dee is so happy with the "magic trick" which isn't even really a magic trick at all. Her happiness and optimism, to me, even though i draw the strip, is oddly contagious.
------------------------- 5/18/05 - and to end it all, and to gradually ease you back into the idea of me being the usual creator of this strip, a strip written by Anya Kozorez and drawn by me. I hope you enjoyed all the guest strips. My vacation was great. i really needed it. And if you hated the guest strips (it's okay to feel these things), thank you for your patience. Bon Apetit! I'll be on a panel this weekend at the comics fest in olympia, come if you can. more info can be googled! But I just wanted to point out that today is the one-year aniversary of Little Dee. True, with the lack of computer/ftp/and shading, it isn't the most glamorous occasion, but still. Yay. I feel good about that. Oh, and some of you have begun to ask about books. I will be printing books, and will most likely do them for 1.5 year increments, so expect it out early (theoretically) 2006. oh, and "acepromazine tranquilizers" are actually what they do give some dogs so that they don't freak out because of fireworks. It's a tough day of the year to be a dog. NASA calls off Wednesday's shuttle launch Wed Jul 13, 2005 CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (Reuters) - NASA on Wednesday delayed the launch of its first space shuttle mission since the 2003 Columbia disaster after discovering a problem with one of Discovery's fuel sensors, NASA's launch commentator said. "We will not be able to fly today," said commentator George Diller. Not that any or you mind, or even noticed perhaps. I do tend to over-think things. When really I need to simply sit down, have a nice cup of pudding, and watch the sky for a bit. Stop fretting. But I do know that I miss them in their little forest, doing the silly daily things which they usually do. But things are good when occasionally mixed up. They'll get back. They always will. Ted: Does little birdie want a push? Vachel: Does little bearykins want two broken arms? And i will not argue whether that was funnier or not, all a mattter of preference, but as i read it, i just felt bad. ted isn't that mean, and also, when i began the strip i promised myself to avoid using "threats of violence" as a punchline, as it's too easy and kinda' mean. And I know, people say that kind of stuff and "don't mean it" and it's fine, no judgements, but I want Dee to be a strip that is positive and makes people feel good. Sure, sometimes Vachel can be a jerk, but they all love each other and there's some level of kindness in their interactions. Anyhow, just some thoughts. :) 
If you're curious more about Duchamp and "R.Mutt", I found a rather good webpage talking about it at binghamton.edu. Here's an excerpt: A urinal displaced and called art, this Readymade has caused much controversy ever since the fateful day in 1917 when it was refused entry to an art show priding itself as being open to all. Rotated and signed with the pseudonym "R. Mutt 1917" on its upper side, Fountain isn't merely one of Duchamp's Readymades. It has become a recognizable icon in the history of modern art Dee is indeed in a paper, the Shelburne Falls Independent, where the staff have been very kind and excited about Dee. I can't thank them enough for the moral support they've given me. Of note though is that the are running it from the beginning, and only every other week, and are still in the summer of 2004, so me taking a week off will not affect them at all. Yup, i am taking the week off. As most of you know, i work full-time plus do this comic, and last week and this week i am taking swim and scuba-diving lessons as well, and I simply burnt out. And so i am taking the week off. This coming Monday I may even simply post this week's Monday's strips again. I need this time, both for my sanity and also so i don't spend any more time than necessary not liking doing this thing I know I love. My best, -Christopher So, today we're back to Monday's strip, and tomorrow (Tuesday) a brand new strip will appear, my vacation being over. Oh, and I have to mention. I went with Bethanne to see March of the Penguins. Now, I've developed quite a liking for emperor penguins, not-so-coincidentally from stories Bethanne told me, and later on through my own reading, but still... seeing this... it was humbling. My eyes remained wet most of the film. When I didn't even come in third, and was crying and frustrated, they allowed me to jump one more time to prove myself, but i was so nervous i jumped extremely poorly, and so my plea was not further considered. My mom somehow slipped away and returned with a little plastic trophy with snoopy on top (I loved snoopy) and on it read "you're #1 in my book" and gave it to me. This meant a lot to me, so much obviously that i still recall the words written on it. And I'm not totally sure why it meant so much, but my guess is that my life has somewhat been about not caring if the world approves or if i "win", but if at least one person sees how hard I'm trying, and loves me for it, that's all that matters. Anyhow. Secondly was that it was important to me that Blake and Dee lose. I've seen too many cartoons and kids material that are all about "if you try, you'll win," which I'm not sure is such a good message. I prefer the "if you try, that's all that matters, and we love you, and want to help you be happy." A bit long-winded for a fortune cookie I mean, what else do the astronauts do up there but eat freeze-dried ice-cream and drink tang? As far as writing it in Little Dee, it's a bit of a delicate subject, but I'll give it my best shot. 
And now you know where Alfred Hitchcock, Jim Henson, And Christopher Baldwin overlap. Now, I'm not into horror, Hoffman's "Sandman" was too much for me, in fact, today's 3rd panel creeped me out a bit just to draw it, so don't expect it to get very scary. This is an all-ages strip, so it's not going to go too far (my apologies if you think I have). but it's hard to balance those two, I do want it to be somewhat of a genuinely scary story, but it'll also have silly punchines at the end. Of course, Anya, who's influence/inspiration comes out here and there throughout Dee, "Henry-Henry" is for you, as is "Whahooooeeeeeee!", and you know why for both. Oh, and the punchline, I know it's exactly the kind which drives you nuts. :) "The root of the problem is that chocolate contains various chemicals which are called methylxanthine alkaloids (some types have more of these chemicals than others) Sadly, relatively miniscule amounts of these chemicals are capable of causing such serious problems as constriction of the arteries and an increased heart rate. Large amounts may cause even more dire symptoms and a pound of milk chocolate could possibly kill a sixteen pound dog. If you find that your dog has eaten chocolate then by all means take note of the it's type and try to estimate the amount eaten. Then get on the phone with a veternarian or an emergency facility. Be sure that your children know how important it is to keep chocolate out of your dogšs reach. If you are not aware that your dog has consumed chocolate, the consequences could be severe. If consumption is not found within 4 to 6 hours without the right treatment, cardiac failure, seizures, coma and death could result, according to veternarian Dr. Jane Bicks." This is just a note to tell you that there will be one eventually. I have not even begun pre-press, although for tax reasons I'd like to put it together and send it to the printer before year's end. So yeah. Several people have asked, and i just wanted to reassure you, there will be. :) So yes, if anyone has any feedback on this week, feel free to send it my way. This week was definitely a bit of a break from the norm. Again, I think that fairly small kids can enjoy mildly scary stories like "Treasure Island" and "Jekyl and Hyde" and so I wanted it to be just a little scary, but I may have crossed a line. I hope not. Or that it was at least balanced by many giggles in panel #. Little Dee is a strange strip. Like ANY project I've ever done, it seems to not be able to keep away from "reality". All of the cast is very real to me. Like when they visited the tepuis in Venezuela, there was just something so rich about it. And Dee gets hurt sometimes, and even genuinely sad. I never intend to get that far away from the somewhat plasticky emotions generally expressed in many newspaper dailies, but I can't help it. It's not even artistic integrity, I'm just unable to not write what feels right. Sigh. I'll never be a contender. Anyhow, I loved doing this week. But it will not be the norm, starting next week we'll be back to the 100% perfectly normal Dee world, the world the strip will always return to (it is the "form" or "constraint" I've willingly put on the project). Well... maybe after a brief dream-sequence. Oye.  This Saturday I'll be at table #68 at the Portland Stumptown Comics Fest. Saturday October 1st, from 9am - 6. At the Smith Memorial Ballroom on the east side of the Portland State University campus. 1825 SW Broadway, room 355 Portland, OR 97201 It's a great little fest put together by the ambitious and great guy Indigo kelleigh. Very few collector/dealers, almost entirely just cartoonists, many online ones. Check it out.  See you January 1st10/3/5 - I am taking a hiatus, totally unplanned (it honestly was born and formed last night), for three months, Oct-Dec, of both Bruno and Little Dee. On January 1st i will announce what will be happening with all of my online art projects, or at least whatever I figure out by then, and will begin something online then, possibly Bruno possibly Little Dee possibly some other project(s), or possibly all three. i ask you to please return there to see my status.The Moodycow Store and original Dee strips will still be open/available, so feel free to stop in. Also the Bruno original books are still available (blogged below on the main Bruno page, scroll way down) So, the rest of this is going to be a long post, including talking about the reasons for the hiatus, ramblings about my weekend and the Portland comic convention, but I wanted to get the big stuff up front. The hiatus. I have been feeling a bit worn down lately, having worked full-tim and done two daily comics for a year now, and lately it's been showing more. Bruno more often than not seems to be a half-sized strip with no background to speak of. And Dee has been keeping up well, but lately I've felt a bit overwhelmed by it. I love both projects. I can't imagine not continuing Bruno because she's like family, so much part of my life and so dear to me. I can't imagine ending Dee either, because reading Dee makes me feel so incredibly good and warm inside. And I also feel a lot of connection to you all, even a responsibility. You all have been such faithful readers, and written me such kind things, and been for me in so many ways. I'll be sad to not have that connection. And I'm sad to leave you without my work which seems to offer something which speaks to you. What I'll be doing during these three months. I need to find a job in Seattle and move, and doing that on top of my workload has been making nothing happen. Then i need to set up home a bit up there. And in that "community" vein, I am going to Massachusetts to visit on Wednesday for a week, and I'm sure the holidays will take some time as they always do. Plus, with all the changes I've been going through, i think having this time will allow me to process it all a bit. I also need to organize my business and business plan. Will I be continuing to pitch Dee to newspapers? I need to digitize my receipts, computerize my books. I'm dropping my merchant account because it loses me money. I need to do my taxes now to see how much I need to set aside. I'll also likely start laying out the first Little Dee book. I also will be puttering on other potential projects. My graphic novel "the cave" is pretty much ready to be drawn, and "PASS" and "The Double Story" are begging for attention. My Weekend. I went to the Stumptown Comics Fest, and will write of that next. but today i took a horseback riding lesson, and it was great. I rode a very large horse, who was very nice, though at times let me know he didn't want to be in the rain, and kinda' wanted dinner. He didn't actually bolt of rear up, but he had moments. My instructor, Heather (did I mention the karoke night?) said that I did well. "Stumptown" comics fest report  Picture taken by Bill (thanks!) This weekend was the second annual "Stumptown" comics fest, put together by the dedicated and talented Indigo Kelleigh. I admit I went with some reservation, I don't really do cons anymore these days after burnout a couple years back, but Indigo is worth it. And in the end I had a marvelous time just visiting with everyone, and even sold a decent amount of books to boot. Jenn and Kip put Bethanne and I up Friday and Saturday night (actually, Bethanne had to leave Saturday afternoon). It was great to see both of them, as always, and wish I had seen more of them and evryone else. We showed up at their house Friday night amidst a raging party, of which i had forgotten about despite Kip's informative post about it. And I had a great time, talking with Dylan about plot contruction, seeing Eric Jacobsen randomly, Michael Russell after too many years, and everyone else. Saturday was the convention, then Dinner with Max and two of her crazy friends, and on to the post-con party, again hosted by Indigo. I got to catch up with Kevin a bit more there, which was great. I got to bed by 1:00, and up by 6:00am to catch the 7:40 greyhound back to Olympia. I took a few pics, so here are three which summed up the convention. Bethanne (right) helped me with the table for the first half of the con, and Max (left), a printmaker and old friend of Bethanne's, was a good chatty companion all day. 
I was sitting next to Amy and Kazu, who were great company, here they are talking with Indigo, again, the mastermind behind the whole convention. 
Lastly, a random pick of people i know, a mish-mosh, which kinda shows the mishmosh of the weekdnd. Patrick, who also stayed with Jenn and Kip. Also seen are Jenn Wang, Clio, and Jenn Manley in the background and i think that's Vera she's talking to. 
Hope all is well for all of you as we swing into the holidays. my best, -christopher I'm on Hiatus until January 1st, but am still on track to have Dee coming back full-time starting then. And the first book should be ready in the beginning of January. :) Looking forward to being back in two days! :) So yes... I hope you had some great and warm holidays. Mine were spent with friends and were good. I admit, though, that I've just been excited to getting back to the comics. My vacation was a real treat, and much needed, but I've definitely missed creating comics. If you're curious, I also have several new projects starting over at baldwinpage.com So yes. Welcome back. :) As you may notice, it was pencilled on the back of office scrap paper I had brought home ages ago. Verrrry classy. Feeling a bit more human. Tired of watching silly movies because it's the most my brain can process. Stupid flu. Anyhow, yesterday, the correct erosion rate of "Madre De Dios" is 10mm. I will try to get in and change it this weekend. I am guilty of being in the third category. There was nothing funnier as a kid than Wilde E Coyote. I see the violence, and it even bothers me, but it doesn't keep it from being funny for me. I have yet to understand it, or else am too embarrassed to voice my theories (cough). Either way, I recognize that many people are in the first two categories, and so I try to only use it sporadically. See, I like you. All of you. :) Also, I wanted to mention a nice new strip out there, Pirate and Alien, by Tyson Smith. I love the artwork and the voice and am curious where it might go. Actually. I'm not so sure that has changed, although I am a tad more adventurous. :) No, really. I might note that today's strip is not without nod to Shaenon Garrity's wonderful and much-more eloquent Little Dee fill-in strips from last spring (which you can view HERE). Oh, and I think i can officially say that the hiccups have passed. Thank goodness. Regarding today's strip: One of the few charming things I remember from my childhood are the emotions of forgetting that you're supposed to be having a bad time, because you've already decided you are, and then the embarrassment (and inevitable denial) of being caught having this good time when you assured everyone in the whole universe you wouldn't. A bit of a challenge making that all fit into four panels, lol. But I think I did okay. And thanks everyone for the kind birthday wishes. :) In other news, I've been playing around with T-shirt ideas. If anyone has any thoughts on what they'd like to see, or any reaction to what i have below, email me, I'm still feeling out what to do. 
Today, Dee is wearing a "construction helmet" which is actually her caving helmet from their visit to Chile (hers was the only one which survived the trip, the rest were lost underwater). 
I am well, feeling fine, but just couldn't do it today. Tonight I got home from work, cooked a wee dinner. Andy came by and I took some reference photos of him for an upcoming comic, and then we chatted a bit. I did dishes, then spoke with my attorney regarding a negotiation I'm in, then I responded to a few important emails, went to the library to return an overdue movie (which i still never got to watch) and pick up some books. Dropped them off back at my apartment (way heavy) then went to the grocery. Inked bruno and Dee, and now it's past my bedtime. A full evening. But I'll have two up before the week is done! I swear! Tonight I got home from work, cooked a wee dinner. Andy came by and I took some reference photos of him for an upcoming comic, and then we chatted a bit. I did dishes, then spoke with my attorney regarding a negotiation I'm in, then I responded to a few important emails, went to the library to return an overdue movie (which i still never got to watch) and pick up some books. Dropped them off back at my apartment (way heavy) then went to the grocery. Inked bruno and Dee, and now it's past my bedtime. A full evening. But I'll have two up before the week is done! I swear! And thanks to J.M. over at Geekcaster for the fantastic review! Actually, "reviews" of both Bruno and Little Dee. Also, T-Shirts. I do wish to put them up for sale, but the only thing keeping me from it is finding the time to do the html. I'm afraid I'm entirely wiped with the working and drawing schedule I'm up to. Now, I find this terribly endearing, because dogs on the whole are such simple, loving, faithful creatures. but they also have their weaknesses, their desires, and so they seem to be stuck where they couldn't help being "bad" and then feel utterly terrible about it. I contend, that if dogs could whistle in a guilty fashion, they would. Anyhow. That's my story, and I'm sticking to it. -christopher First is to thank you for a fantastic first book release. I'm actually getting low on books, both because I have never had such a successful release, I printed only a modest number, and people started coming back with second orders after receiving their first. So, thank you all for making it happen (not to mention for the kind words given when ordering, and the flattering words sent from those who have received it). The second thing is for those who have not yet received your book(s). On Saturday, I finally got the remainder of the orders out. Domestic orders were sent Media Rate, so expect them anywhere from 2 days to a week, depending on your proximity. EDIT: inked. I took the day off from work and slept. Still feeling under the weather, but a bit recovered. Thanks to Heather Macnaughtan for updating the Dee Main Archives, as I had been meaning to, but not getting around to it for two years now (and thanks to Joshua for the CGI offer). Thanks to Gwendolyn, Nikolai, and Kat for links to the "Tank Cozy" pic which is circulating the web. See it here, here, and here (ignore my shameless self-plugging). Anyhow, one of the things I love about Little Dee is the status-quo, and I like going on tangents but having them always come back, often with a wee bit more depth, and often not. The cave is good. Mm. A strange and strangely satisfying work, this Little Dee is. They were shipped out Media Rate, the current rate I use, and so in the US that means anywhere from about 3-7 days. First is that there will be no shading during that time. I put in a 30 hour weekend and have worked every night past midnight to get ahead, but was unable to do the shading as well. I will do it at some point, I'm sure. Second, if you order any original art while I'm gone, it will not be shipped until I return. I hope you enjoy, I really like the strips I did. :) I will tell you though, in brief, the news I hinted at last week. Soon Little Dee will be moving to comics.com. I have entered a web-site agreement with United Feature Syndicate in this regard. This does not mean I'm syndicated, but it is the next step in that potential. They've been kind and generous to me, and I am excited at this development. (and a shout-out to Mr. Reese, my attorney, for your the help. Thanks!) I'll go more into details when it is going to happen (soon). The switch was going to happen tomorrow (tuesday), which is why I pre-released the second print of Little Dee Volume #1, but the move was pushed back a bit due to various circumstances. And that's my news. :) Have a great day! 6/1/06 - I know, I'm not usually one to lay such heavy references on current pop culture, and I know in ten years when nobody even remembers "the Da Vinci Code" (um... let alone Ian McKellen's playing of both Magneto in the X-men movies as well as Sir Leigh Teabing), this strip will make little sense. But the whole plotline of sherlock holmes was accidental, and then I accidentally watched "the Da Vinci Code" and it all just became rather inevitable. Notheless, it makes me giggle. What more can I ask for? Also, if you're curious, over at Fleen I answered some interview questions asked by Gary Tyrrell (Thanks, Gary!) regarding Little Dee's upcoming move to comics.com. 6/2/06 - Okay, so have you ever needed advice? Better put, have you ever wanted advice from the most endearing Vampire Bear ever? If so, go and watch him, you won't be sorry. 6/9/06 - The books have been shipped by the printer, and the delivery date of them to me is this coming Wednesday (14th). I'll make sure to have the receipts and envelopes ready, so hopefully all the orders I've received from you all will be out in the mail to you before the end of next week (17th). Yay :) 6/14/06 - The books arrived! and I packaged up and mailed about a third of the orders, the rest should be out on Thursday and Friday. They're being sent media rate, so expect them in about a week or two. :) -Christopher 6/29/06 - Where is my mind. My site only has to be ONE week behind comics.com. i will fix this on Monday (currently I've been running it two weeks behind) Overall, the transitions went well, and they and I are pleased. And the books came from the printer, looked good, and all orders have been shipped out (and I have plenty more if you want them). 7/3/06 - okay, it's fixed. the strips on this site now run only one week behind those at comics.com. My mistake, but I fixed it. :) 8/28/06 - Yay! Re-runs are done! New strips are now back! Enjoy! 8/30/06 - A lovely blog-review of the first Little Dee collection posted today by Mike Rouse-Deane. 9/6/06 - I would like to send out a huge congratulations here to Rich Stevens, who's comic strip Diesel Sweeties (which I read daily, and recommend), has been picked up by United Feature Syndicate, and will be released to newspapers on January 8th. 9/18/06 - Just a hello here to say I'm still alive, although I haven't been blogging much. Things are busy. I'm moving in a couple weeks. Making a short film (for fun). That sort of thing. Hi. :) 10/4/06 - So, I've got a piece from my comic strip "Bruno" that'll be in a show a Pushdot Studio in Portland for October. I will NOT be there due to transportation difficulties etc. But you should go because it's good art and good folk. The opening is this Thursday, October 5, at Artswalk. The address: 830 NW 14th Ave Portland, OR 97209 Speaking of which, I will be tabling at the Stumptown Comics Fest October 27th and 28th ion Portland. I'll remind you all closer to the date. So, I moved this weekend. I like my new house and my new housemate. I'm tired but happy. Hope to see you there.  11/23/06
Discount Scuffed Copies of Book#1 Now available. I'm not a big one for doing sales pushes around the holidays because I know there is already too much pressure for everyone (particularly the US) to spend gobbets of money around the holidays. But nonetheless, it is nice to give and receive gifts, and Little Dee items seems to bring people pleasure. My prices are already quite low, and I can't afford to go much lower for a sale or anything. But I've been meaning to begin selling "scuffed copies" for a while, but haven't gotten to it, and thought I would now. So, I'm selling the "scuffed copies" for $10.00 instead of the regular $12 book price. By "scuffed", I mean that they're in fairly new condition but maybe have a light scratch on the cover or a slightly dented corner or something. They're in nice fine condition, but not quite nice enough to sell at full price. Anyhow. I hope everyone in the US is having a fine Thanksgiving. And I hope that the holidays coming leave you all happy and warm and surrounded by loved ones. -christopher 12/6/06 - So, way back in the comic here on 11/2/2004 Vachel described the pattern he was knitting. I actually pulled it from a book which Bethanne had, as she was knitting a lot at that time. I'm not sure if i totally wrote it down acurately, though I'm sure i tried to, but a brave soul attempted to find out. Alison Hyde knitted the pattern, with... interesting results. Read about it in her blog. You're Awesome, Alison, thank you. :) 12/25/06 - To those who celebrate it, Merry Christmas. :) 1/1/07 - I am very very sad. Narbonic has finally reached its conclusion. I mean, I'm glad Shaenon ended it when it felt right to end it, but I will miss it. it was my favorite daily comic running. if you haven't read it, do! The entire archive is online. In her finale guest-sequence, I contributed the picture of Caliban, if you're curious. 1/16/07 - Happy MLK Day yesterday, btw. I forgot to mention it yesterday, been a bit scattered these days. 1/29/07 - I know I haven't been blogging much lately. Mostly I've been simply working hard. I just spent all weekend doing my retail business end-of-year tax stuff. Now there are boxes all over the house with rifled through papers hanging out, where I was looking for things. I've been going birding the last three weekends at the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge near Olympia. Some some pretty bitterns and a couple of bald eagles last week. I have a blank plane ticket (range: lower 48) to take a trip with. I am not sure where to go. So far it's been an okay year. I hope all of yours is likewise. 2/6/07 - I'm not sure which I adore more, Mary or the Gadget Cozies she creates. Seriously, they are adorable, and you should check them out not only for that reason, but because she's one of those rare great people I know who has silly dreams, and actually tried to follow them through. 
2/14/07 - Roses are red. Violets are violet. The pilot lights the burners, but you light this pilot. Anybody want to be my Valentine? Well, you are then. xoxoxoxox 7/25/07 - There's a little interview of me by Gary Tyrell up at Fleen regarding Dee's switch back to littledee.net and Modern Tales from comcis.com. Thanks Gary! And if you missed it, there's also an interview of me by Brian Warmoth over at Wizard Entertainment. Thanks Brian! I'm away to Fairbanks until the 7th. Orders will be fulfilled when I return.I'm visiting my sister, and am very excited. i haven't been up to Alaska to visit her since maybe 1998 or so.I'm away and can't check their site, but there should be a small interview of me by Shaenon Garrity (author of Narbonic and other lovely works) over at Modern Tales. Thanks Shaenon! 8/1/07 - Little Dee has returned to running again here at littldee.net, and the full archive has here has been restored. And Little Dee is also currently running at Modern Tales, a great site with tons of talented folk running strips on it. Yay! For those of you coming from comics.com, the original artwork for the strip can be purchased directly in the archive (or on this main page for the current strip), see the links on the left side of this page for archive pages, and books can be purchased through the link at the top of the page which will bring you HERE. My relationship with United Media is not over, but there is no new news at the moment. I will keep you posted when news occurs. But basically, relations are still positive. For those of you who have been reading Little Dee at comics.com when you desired to continue reading it here, thank you for bearing the inconvenience. I asked for the favor, and I appreciate it. 8/7/07 - Okay, I'm back. Or will be in 6 hours. I'll try to have all orders out in the mail in the next day or two. I have the correct link now for the interview with Shaenon Garrity, it's at Talkaboutcomics.com. 8/7/07 - Okay, I'm back. Or will be in 6 hours. I'll try to have all orders out in the mail in the next day or two. I have the correct link now for the interview with Shaenon Garrity, it's at Talkaboutcomics.com. 8/13/07 - if you're confused by the return of the Pudu, he first appeared HERE, and last appeared (with the mop) HERE. 8/20/07 - I'm relaxing a bit this week, and filling in with interviews of the cast. Please excuse any breaking of the 3rd wall, disillusioning of anyone and everything, and general silliness. Just know it is that and nothing more: silliness. And me resting up a bit. 8/27/07 - Back in the saddle. A week of working furiously to get caught up on everything else. And I'm... well, in decent shape. I've had dreams about birds. Shooting at me. Dreams are weird. 8/31/07 - Um... You know.. "chased" "chaste." Common unicorn legend, only tamable by chaste maidens? Oh. I see. you got it. That pained look is because it's such a terrible pun. I go hide now. actually... I did want to note that this has sometimes been my interaction with kids, when they are being particularly beastly. First, I get surprised. Then, i try to make light of it to give them a saving-face exit. Then, I stop, and give them my full attention. Then we both frown. Actually, that's kinda how i interact with my friend Nick too. 9/1/07 - Quick teaser: Little Dee Volume #2 will be out neat the end of the month. Here's a link to the Front Cover and here's a link to the Back Cover 9/12/07 - If anyone is concerned, I just wanted to say that, no, I haven't lost anyone recently. I'm not sure what this week is about as far as my life, but I guess I felt the need to write about loss for some reason. I do find it a tricky situation to deal with heavy issues like this in a comedy strip. I wish the strip to remain funny, at least somewhat, but I also try hard to do justice to the issue. I'm not sure if I have (or am), but I'm trying. 9/17/07 - To nip it in the bud, for those of you looking for precision. A marathon is actually 26 miles and 385 yards. Ted is approximating. :) 9/25/07 - Today's strip may seem a tad odd to some, and so I will provide some explanation. For those who do not know, Halo 3 is a video game that's been awaited for eons by video gamers, and was released today. The two characters in panel 3 are based on Tycho and Gabe, from the lovely video game themed comic strip Penny Arcade written by Jerry Holkins and illustrated by Mike Krahulik. -Christopher 
This week marks the book release of " Little Dee Volume 2" And although the strips this week will be silliness regarding the book release, know that indeed, a fair part of my income comes from Little Dee Sales. So please, if you can, and enjoy the strip, I encourage you to buy a book, buy an original strip, or even simply donate. My best, -Christopher 9/28/07 - Jeezum Crow! I have too many blogs and such. I just realized, I don't think i mentioned that I'll be tabling at the Stumptown Comics Fest this weekend. Oye! I'll also be moderating a "Spotlight on Shaenon Garrity" who's responsible for the lovely Narbonic, Smithson, Trunktown, and the weekly Overlooked Manga Festival. Also, I've been nominated for two "Comicsfest Trophy Awards." one for "Outstanding Art" for book #10 of my comic strip Bruno, and the other for "Outstanding Small Press" for Volume #2 of Little Dee. Anyhow. Sorry i didn't mention it. I mentioned it in my monthly Livejournal blog (or for Myspace: here), and totally forgot to mention it here.
10/1/07 - There was a lovely write up over the weekend in the UK Daily Telegraph about online comics, and they listed me as #2 for "pick of the web comics." Thanks, Telegraph! And welcome, everyone who has linked here from there. :) 10/2/07 - So, I'm going to be going away sometime next week. And I am going to be traveling for several months (not sure how long). During this time, the strip will not be interrupted (to the best of my effort), as I will be bringing it with me. but... But a friend of mine will be taking over duties of fulfilling online orders. So, that was part of the reason for the big sales push of Little Dee book #2. Sales went well, thank you all, and I encourage others to try to get orders in this week, to leave as little as possible on her shoulders. Also, half-way through yesterday I posted about an article in the Telegraph, if you missed it, see post below. :) 10/8/07 - Thank you all for a great book release. It went really well, along with many kind emails about my work. Thank you. Books didn't go out as speedily as I wanted, they were delayed from the printer and I received the books staggered, in two shipments. But, as of Friday afternoon, all book orders had been shipped (and tomorrow, Tuesday I will go to the post office again (Monday is a holiday)). So all initial orders should be received by next Monday (if you do not receive them by the end of next week, write me!) BUT I'm not off the hook that easy, someone has reported a problem in their book, that some of the pages were printed upside down. I have looked through stacks of them, none with any problems. And so, I am hoping it is an isolated incident. But write me, for sure, if there is any problem with your book(s). But overall, I think it all has gone smoothly. The books look really-really good. You all were really supportive. And I've made some new friends at the post office from me standing at the counter so long. :) 10/15/07 - If you're scratching your head, umm... well... it's like this: this week I decided to write a sea shanty for Little Dee. Only it's about knitting, and sailing a sheep. if you're looking for explanation beyond that, I am unsure I can help you. :) 10/19/07 - wow, people are really loving the knitting shanty. Thanks for all the emails. :) And actually, due to me enjoying it too much, it's extending until next wednesday. I am also looking into getting prints of it available, since the set of the strips has already been pre-sold, and people are asking for it. 10/20/07 - I got an awesome email from Mark Shanks, who gave me some info on the "long historic association of knitting with sailors." He said: "There is strong evidence that it was Arab sailors who first spread knitting around the Mediterranean basin. Moreover, blue water sailors up until the late 19th century were famous for their knitting...as one of the traditional seagoing crafts right up there with scrimshaw, carving, and ropework...especially since the equiptment was small and portable, and could yield practical garments like socks, sweaters, watch caps, and mittens that would make cold nights more bearable. A knitting sea shanty is a fair tribute to those long watches of knit one, purl two...." And also, he happened to mention that Vachel's Sea Shanty was "utterly charmingly ludicrous." Thanks, Mark! :) 10/23/07 - People continue to send in happy thoughts about this week (plus) of the sea shanty (it ends Wednesday). Thanks for all the response! And yes, this week I'll be working hard to try to have a frameable poster done up. Oh, and for the questions I receieved, "shanty" is an accepted alternate spelling of "chantey." Also, my friend Kevin has changed the name of his comic "Sheldon the Pig" to "Wanderlost." And Shaenon Garrity just interviewed him over at Modern Tales. Oh, and I'm in Philly for a few weeks. Any suggestions of awesome things to do? 10/24/07 - So, thus ends the Sea Shanty, which I believe I am naming "We Rogues of Wool" from the Oct. 18th strip. I have begun designing the poster-print of it, and have found a vendor. I will print one with the vendor first for myself (I have never seen their finished work), to make sure the quality is up to my standards, and then I will make them available. Some people have asked whether or not this song will actually be recorded... well, being that my brother is a musician (as well as a mathematician), and I am visiting him, we are discussing it. I'll keep you apprised. People have asked about the situation with Anna Cruz having bought all the shanty strips, and so I will explain. Whenever I am drawing a storyline and the same person buys the first two strips of it, i try to drop them a line and ask if they wish to purchase the entire set. Both because it's a logical possibility, and because I like the idea of a set story sticking together in one piece. Today, Alan, a reader, went further to ask if Anna would want to share who she is and why she bought the series. I asked her if she wished to reply, and she did. She wrote: "Hi Christopher, I have been enjoying the series too and marveling at the fact that I scored the whole thing. I discovered Little Dee at comics.com and by the time I found out there was a web site and the originals were for sale, many of the ones that really struck a cord with me had already been purchased. Being a knitter myself, I especially enjoyed the knitting ones, so I jumped on them right away when the shanty started. I really hadn't intended to end up with so many, but I feel like they should be together. So that's the why. As far as who I am I'm not sure what to say about that. I'm just a working stiff who has a husband and 8 cats. Born and raised in Wisconsin. Been working at the same place for 31 years. Pretty boring. Have a second job and no time for the numerous hobbies I've acquired along the way. Feel free to post any of this you wish. Thanks, Anna" Sigh. My readers are so awesome. Anyhow. Oh, and much advice received on Philly, thank you. :) 11/6/07- Hrm. Yesterday, briefly, after hours and hours trying to upload the graphic file, I thought I had the Sea Shanty poster ready to be sold. But I was wrong. The printer's site I was using doesn't work how I thought it did. I'm back to the drawing board of how to do it and make it feasible while on the road. 11/6/07- Update I found a vendor and am going to be shipping posters from on the road. I should have them by The 21st, and will be taking orders then and shipping all before December 1st. or at least that is the current approximate plan. Thanks for the helpful input from people. 11/07/07 - Below, in my last post, I give an update on the poster. but now, there's the video and an mp3 of the sea shanty "We Rogues of Wool." I ask that you watch the video to hear it, and only use the mp3 if you wish to download the actual song. This will keep my bandwidth reasonable. Below is the link for the mp3. Right click or with Mac's "ctrl" click and then "save linked file", that way you don't have to reload it. Thanks! The story is this: since I am currently visiting my brother, and he's a songwriter/producer when not being a mathematician, I asked him if he wanted to write and help record the song. And so he wrote the music and played all the instruments and did some of the chorus backup, and had me sing the two leads (plus monologue). And it was fun and he's awesome and I am pleased. And then I thought I'd also put it to video (of sorts), playing it along with the frames from the corresponding strips. Who has the awesomist brother in the world? I do! 11/10/07 - sigh. My memory has fond recollections of autumn in my childhood. 11/10/07 - Lots to blog about today. I'll start off with the fact that I have ads up now. Over the next few months I am going to be experimenting with various revenue sources in an attempt to more secure "Little Dee" as a career project. "Project Wonderful" seems like a good organization and comes highly recommended, so, please welcome them, bid for ads, and check out people who think "Little Dee" is good enough that they'd want to advertise here. Vachel's name. So, up until this point I haven't mentioned how to pronounce Vachel's name. I knew I mis-pronounced it, and so I think I felt guilty imposing my mis-pronunciation on you. But now I have. Bwah-ha-ha-ha! (I mean, "sorry"?) It started with the recording of the sea shanty, where we sung his name how I pronounce it, and so i thought I'd put it in the strip as well. So yes, "Vach-" rhymes with "watch" and "-el" rhymes with "bull." Vachel is old french, and it means "small cow" which cracks me up. I think "Vach-" usually rhymes with "latch." I think I've also read is pronounced like "vay-shell" Oh, and I forgot to mention, my brother and his cohort Ben's incarnation as the musicians/songwriters/producers "Hercules" also have a Myspace Page. And I also wanted to holler out, Peter Zale has begun writing and drawing Helen, Sweetheart of the Internet again. So far he's posting a week at a time, every two weeks. She's still the relationship-failing obsessive computer geek neurotic we've always loved. A fun read. Check it out! 11/13/07 - Strip will be inked sometime on tuesday. But I'm feeling icky, and am just posting the pencils tonight. 11/14/07 - Thanks for the well wishes. I am feeling better. I am painting a mural for Peter and his wife's yet-to-be-born child (due in December), and I painted too long with not good enough ventilation. Didn't really notice until I stopped, and was dizzy and ill the rest of the night. Ick! (but I'll post pics when I'm done!) 
(click on image for more detail) 11/19/07 - I'm afraid the Sea Shanty poster has sold out. Since I am on the road and only could take order for a couple weeks and couldn't carry them with me, I only did a small run. Little did I expect them to fly off the shelves so quickly. I'll try to have them available again as soon as possible, but it will be at least a few months. The Sea Shanty Poster is NO LONGER available, 18"x24", and only $10! (shipping free only in US. Sorry!) It's SOLD OUT! I'll be taking orders for it for the next week or two (I only ordered 100, so if I sell out, it may be months before it's in stock again) (oh, and it's for such a short time because I'm on the road will be shipping the posters personally, and I won't be able to ship anything for a while after that). Plus, I opened a Little Dee CafePress shop. I only marked prices up $1, because their base cost is so prohibitive to begin with. But I wanted to make them available, and you all have been really supportive buying books and artwork. Thanks! (if you feel guilt about this, ummm, I guess donate or buy more oriingal strips or books). Oh, and I only have a few products listed because they are the only products there which are "American Made" and thus, should be sweatshop-free. Other products of theirs may also be sweatshop-free, but they provide no information on it. 
11/22/07 - I'm afraid the Sea Shanty poster has SOLD OUT. Since I am on the road and could only take order for a couple weeks and couldn't carry them with me, I only did a small run. Little did I expect them to fly off the shelves so quickly. I'll try to have them available again as soon as possible, but it will be at least a few months. But check out the Little Dee CafePress shop. For those who celebrate it, Happy Thanksgiving. :)
11/27/07 - Jeeze-Louise, somebody is feeling wordy this week. 12/3/07 - The peanuts make me laugh. :) 12/11/07 - For those buying Christmas gifts, well, hm, today is probably the last day you have much of a chance of things reaching you before the holiday. And yay! Blake is out on Groundhog Day shadow snow patrol! A bit early perhaps. 12/13/07 - It's odd. I never quite realized how effective a business retreat could be. Not that I'm really on a proper retreat, but my travels this autumn have allowed me to step away from the day-to-day business side of things, and re-look at a lot of stuff I'm doing. And especially, since United Syndicate and I parted ways, it is time for me to pay more attention to the business side of things. If for no other reason because it helps support me continuing doing the strip. Which is fun. And you all like it. :) On other news, amazingly, I used no white-out for today's strip. 12/14/07 - Yesterday I walked into an old stone church which had been converted into a small shopping mall. It was not quite to my taste, so I wandered to a hole-in-the-wall sandwich shop and got a mozzarella and sundried tomato sandwich served on bread carved to look like a leaf. Today I make a new friend. Life is good. 12/15/07 - if today's strip makes you think you're missing something, allow me to refresh your memory: here (4th strip) and here (3rd strip).  12/17/07 - So, after many requests, I finally managed to find the time to figure out the computer language and such etc to create an RSS feed for Little Dee. The feed xml file is here at Dee Feed So far, I've set up a Dee Feed at Livejournal. If anyone sets up more or creates widgets, let me know and I'll add them to the links column (which you may noticed just shifted to the right along with a slight page re-design). Along with web tech stuff, things are well all around. I'm in Dublin, Ireland now. Staying with a very old and dear friend and her wife. For the holidays, another couple I'm good friends with who are living in Denmark are coming over to bake, explore, and generally muck about with us. Pretty happy days. 
12/19/07 - Here's a link to read more about redwood trees: the Redwood National State Parks (U.S. National Park Service) website. 12/22/07 - I'm doing the solstice strip on the 22nd of December when it's usually on the 21st. Why the 22nd? Because this year it's on the 22nd. Happy Solstice, btw. :) And I am very happy right now. Why am I happy? Because I'm an uncle. That's why. 
Wee little unnamed Baldwin Jr. was born at 5:19PM; 20 inches long (51 cm); 8lbs, 11oz (3951g) That's why. 12/24/07 - Look! A new web design and new advertisers! As you know, I was under consideration by United Syndicate for a year, running Little dee at comics.com and working with Ted Rall as my editor. I felt discouraged when we parted ways, but since then I have been exploring the world of the webcomic business models. Currently so young, it's only vaguely defined and still shifting. One of the avenues I'm exploring is advertisements. I have chosen ads I thought you might be interested in, such as "Better World" books in the top right corner: used books, some proceeds go to help fund literacy, sounded pretty good. I am currently traveling, but once I am back in one place I will FINALLY be delving into some merchandising, which people have been clamoring for for a while now. Including re-printing the "Sea Shanty" poster, which was so well received. I appreciate you all coming along with me on this ride, and most of all, hope you continue to enjoy the strip. In other news, I'm having a lovely time in Ireland with friends during this holiday season. Last night was lasagna and making the walls for a Moomintroll gingerbread house. Here is a picture (taken by Paula C) of me at the coast in Balbriggan, a small town north of Dublin. 
Oh, and they're making a "Calvin and Hobbes" movie, only it's not a movie with Calvin or Hobbes in it, it's actually a "thank-you" movie to Bill Watterson, and doesn't have him in it either. Hm. Either way, It seems like a nice thing, and as, like many of you, I'm a long-time fan of his work, it makes me happy. my best, -Christopher 12/25/07 - Happy Christmas, for those who celebrate it. We made gingerbread houses yesterday. One based on loosely on a Moomintroll design I found online, and the other a greenhouse made off the cuff from extra dough, although I broke off the cat's tail on the roof and the candy windows began to melt when we put a candle in it. And then there was the attack of the gingerbread cookie monster! 
12/27/07 - Today Ireland is closed. Christmas is a two day holiday. Howth has been delayed. Life's tough all over, aint it. 12/28/07 - Malahide and Howth were lovely and Kyle and Ian were delightful company. I was tired, but noting tea and eggs didn't hold me up against. 
12/29/07 - I know it's not scenery or dramatic castle ruins, but I'm a cartoonist, and I thought it was a fine piece of cartooning. Li'l Green Castle is all smiley. :) 
12/31/07 - OKay, so Shaenon Garrity has begun a new strip today called Skin Horse. Since today's the first day I can't say anything about it, but her previous daily Narbonic is one of my favorite daily comics of all time (yes, really). She draws it and it is co-written with Jefferey Wells who she worked with when he began writing an enormous piece of Narbonic Fanfic A Brief Moment of Culture. On my side of the net, Saturday, Kyle, Ian and I went down to Kilkenny. It was drizzly all day, but we enjoyed seeing the castle and various churches and the town in general. Here's a pic of me with the boys and Kilkenny Castle in the background: 
1/1/08 - Happy New Years. Hope it's a good one for all of you. I hope it's good for me too. 2007 sure was pretty dang nice. Yesterday I forgot to mention that I also had a Smithwicks (a kind of beer) in Kilkenny. Being that it is brewed there, it seemed I should. And I had a grilled cheese. Always important. 
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