The Most Important Thing Right Now!
Older (again?)
Normally every year I do a whole long blog for my birthday, outlining all kinds of shenanigans. This year I was too busy to do it on or around my birthday, which is a good and weird thing. Let's get into what's up.
OLDER 2024
Okay, let's get these "proof of life" shenanigans out of the way ...
I noticed difference in my body this year. Softer in the middle, as Paul Simon said, but I have diligently worked to make my life less hard. I feel the gravity of time pulling me towards a reunion with the ground, after feeling like I could virtually fly for most of my life. I'm writing this while eating a lunch salad with lettuce, croutons, dried berries and minimal (for me) dressing. That's weird.
Skeletons of my past, bodies laid from decisions from before I was even born, are giving me a full "Thriller" revue as well, which leads to examinations of things that have not changed, only my perspective on them has shifted. No one is who even they believed, yet we are inevitably who we are (apologies to Ke$ha). We can only focus on the decisions we made and the direction we choose in these regards. I've embraced cold reflections staring at snowy landscapes this year, and that wasn't in my plans at all, but here we are.
All that to say inside my four walls, inside my self-created nerd-topia, all is safe and sound like Capital Cities was on deck. Outside my door, comparison shows me fairweather smiles, broken systems, creepig death on every gust of wind. None of it matters once I lock the doors. Here, for now, it seems I have it all under control.
Entering my second half-century, that's the lesson. My ability for control has borders that don't extend very far, despite the far reach of my desire for it. There's still plenty of road ahead, more stories to tell, more peaks of accomplishment beckoning for me to summit them.
In general, apologies to Miss Simone, but I'm feeling good.
BLACK HISTORY MONTH
I will be (virtally) participating in an event for the Society of Illustrators. FairSquare Comics Celebrates Black Creators happens February 21, 2024 (the anniversary of the assassination of el-Hajj Malik el-Shabazz) from 6:30-8:30 PM at The Society, 128 East 63rd Street in New York, NY 10065. I'll be discussing my work with Watson & Holmes and Noir Is The New Black. "We would be honored if you would join us ..."
MUD 79: A FAN MADE STAR WARS STORY
Speaking of a galaxy far, far away, my love for Star Wars is no secret. That's why meeting "Fearless" Fred Kennedy was guided by the Force, and I was so proud to appear as a lethal droid in Episode 30 and 31 of Mud 79, a completely unauthorized Star Wars fan podcast that's produced at such a high level you'd expect it came from Skywalker Sound. I've been inching towards more voice work, and this felt really great. I think it came out really well!
AS FORETOLD BY PROPHECY
I'm gearing up to return to San Diego Comic-Con this summer. Brace yourselves.
I SAID, "GOOD DAY"
Like B Mo the Prince, I'm out here trying to get this 2024 thing right. It does feel like this a lot, sometimes.
Whatever that means to you, I'll see you on the dance floor.