I woke up crazy early from the only non-nightmare dream I’ve had in 2006 so far. It was some sort of Cowboy Bebop-esque future with a stolen piece of data contained in a Pachinko ball. What the hell. There was sex, violence, style and jazzy music. I think I ate Mexican food in the dream as well. Very confused and groggy right now. My stomach is also none too pleased with being awake before 8am.

Yesterday was ridiculously productive working on finishing Exalted #3 so it’ll go off to the printers on time. Here’s hoping today can be equally productive when I head to Seneca to do administrative stuff and prep for ther new semester that starts on Monday.

In order to do that though, I really need to wake up. Ugh.

I had a quiet New Year’s Eve. I’ve been feeling burnt out and just wanted a solo one this time out to relax and reflect. I cooked myself a pretty sweet dinner and settled in to watch Back To The Future, which I got on DVD over the holidays. Christopher Lloyd makes that movie.

Got a chance yesterday to check out Body Worlds at the Science Centre yesterday. It’s a fascinating exhibit that sounds creepy and strange but is oddly humbling and enlightening when you actually see it first hand. Looking through anatomy books or looking at overly perfect sculptures of people is one thing, but seeing real human beings like this really is an amazing way of understanding human anatomy. Much like how sculptors can have a much stronger grasp of volume and form when they translate that experience into 3D modeling on the computer, seeing this stuff helps you visualize the human body and understand it in a new way.

Admission to Body Worlds also gives you entrance to the rest of the Science Center, so I got to see some of that as well. Some of the machines and science games have been there since I was a kid, but most were still interesting or at the very least a bit nostalgic. The shadow capture room still kicks ass.

Getting ready to leave, I saw one of the staff whizzing around on a Segway and actually got to give it a try. I’d read reports about it and how effortless it was to operate, but trying it first hand was quite amazing. I can’t see myself owning one any time soon, but it’s really a marvel. Standing relaxed and tilting slightly to move forward or back, I learned how to operate it on a functional level within about a minute and a half.

That was my nerdy first day of 2006. My legs are actually a bit sore from all the walking around. Here’s hoping the mind expansion bit keeps going throughout the year.

The Character Design instructor at Seneca organized a sketch day yesterday for the students to head out during the holidays, wander downtown Toronto and draw people shopping and going about their lives. It’s the kind of exercise that builds observation and also some good comraderie with the students and the profs. When he invited me along, I figured I would go and flex my life drawing skills a bit and work out some of the rust. It also gave me an excuse to get out of the apartment for a bit.

We had a tight knit crew of about 8-9 students show up and made our way from Union subway station over to the Eaton Centre. Good conversation and pretty good sketching. Here’s the best ones from my sketchbook:

One of my students standing and sketching in his sketchbook. Drawing the drawers, as it were.

Winter clothes and accesories make for neat shapes.

Waiting with her baby, rocking the carriage back and forth slightly. She didn’t stay as long as I would’ve liked.

I exaggerated the silhouette of the clothing and anatomy for the girl on the left, playing with body language a bit.
People obviously don’t stay still very long, especially when they don’t know they’re being drawn.

Caricature of one of my students while we were sitting down and drawing.
He’s absorbed in getting info down on the page, barely noticing that I was drawing him.

Time flies and the year’s almost come to a close. Merry Christmas to you all.

At New Year’s Eve last year I hoped it would be a better one than the year before. It wasn’t in many ways, but I hope it’s been at least one I can learn from. Here’s to 2006 *raises a glass*.

Exalted #2 hit stands yesterday, finally. I’ve been frustrated beyond belief by the scheduling problems at our printer. It looks bad on us and I have no control over it. It impacts our reputation. It screws with my ability to plan and budget. Uncool all around.

Anyways, here’s a couple preview pages nonetheless. I’m proud of the work that’s being done, even if the schedule is hurting:

That mixed with other work stresses and personal problems have made me retreat into good ol’ hermit mode again, now finally poking my head out for family holiday schnenagins.

Thanks for your unbelievably deep pools of patience and good thoughts.

More art will be posted before the New Year, along with a general rundown of what’s new in my world.

Makeshift Miracle receives a critical analysis this month from the Webcomics Examiner.

Weird and neat. It’s especially interesting when they praise or critique elements that I don’t recall doing on purpose. Heh.

Brandy Danner writes as part of it:
“It’s been nearly three years since Zubkavich’s been seen in webcomics. That’s disappointing to fans who wonder what else the Best Newcomer of 2002 is capable of.”

Which I have to agree with – it is a disappointment to me too. I’ve been planning another web comic for the past 2 and a half years, but it just hasn’t come together schedule wise or creatively. I really want another story to show what I’m currently capable of artistically. The good news is that I actually seem to be fencing off some time in order to do that. Cross your fingers that it happens this time.

Gonna do a bit of Christmas shopping today I think. It will feel weird.

I have this strange feeling that almost always overcomes me when I go shopping alone… especially grocery shopping. It’s this weird feeling like I’m much younger than I really am and I’m a wee bit lost. I look at products or foods that I want and I get this strange sensation like I need to ask permission to buy it. I’m an adult, almost 30 and yet I sometimes go shopping alone and feel like I’m a kid cutting classes and trying not to get caught or something to that effect. I think the “setting your own hours” freelance thing exaggerates that feeling as well.

I think-double-think like crazy with groceries when I’m alone. I put stuff back a lot or compare sizes and prices like crazy. I get very quiet and reserved. I have no idea why. I’m not an idiot, I know generally what I want to buy, but I hesitate far more. Shopping with other people I never seem to have this problem.

The apartment’s currently quiet and mostly clean. There’s some artwork that needs to be done but I think I’ve got it scheduled out okay with a bit of a crunch coming tonight and tomorrow. There’s some work stress stuff, but I’m trying to be reasonable and understand that the things getting mucked up aren’t my fault and aren’t things I can do anything about. If the time comes that I can change the course of it, then I will. That doesn’t make it all carefree, but it does allow me to get through it better.

A bit tired. Heading out to shop and feel like a lost kid. Later.

Not Me: We’ve started doing a Secret Santa thing on my Dad’s side of the family which reduced the number of gifts by four but this year all my Mom’s family is showing up which adds… four people to buy for.

Zub: Heh, that’s ironic. It’s always easier when people have a past time they love or some hobby you can buy around.

Not Me: Yeah, but these out of the blue people are the ones I’m gonna struggle with because I don’t know them very well.

Zub: Okay, then you must DECIDE upon a fictional past time for them, whether they do it or not. Cousin George now LOVES GOLF, PERIOD.

Not Me: I like it!

Zub: Uncle Marty loves porn, Auntie Helga drinks too much coffee, etc. Get them a similar themed card to go with the gift too.

Not Me: Sweet.