Early to Bed, Early to Rise

This is not usually my mantra whatsoever but yesterday I found myself tired enough to actually go to bed at 10pm - which is relatively unheard of in my world. Aimee was suprised for sure and Honey, while willing, is more on my sleep schedule so she proceeded to knaw on a bone for an hour or so before falling asleep bone-in-mouth herself. She's actually still a little disappointed we didn't go back to bed after Aimee went off to work this morning and is currently passed out on the couch, protesting this early morning.

I was pretty emotionally and mentally drained by the end of yesterday. Any student this week can relate to feeling like you have a million things being juggled around in your head, all demanding your attention NOW. There was some feeling like I was in over my head with my job for sure and a general sense that I was drowning in all these things clammoring for my attention, imagined and real. My previous two mornings, I was out the door within 15 minutes of waking up and showed up to office hours late anyway. Lunches have been brief and my time has just felt like it has gotten away from me.

So rather than stay up late playing computer games like I was tempted, I figured I'd get some sleep and have a nice, slow start to the day. It's been nice. I've had a little time to mentally prepare for the day and I'm ready to hit it.

Also, as a bonus, here's a video of 35 facts about Mr Rogers. The PBS legend recently would have been 85 this year. He was pretty awesome.

Under the Stairs Storage [part one]

I don't have a fancy step-by-step picture tutorial like my fantastic wife always kicks out with posts like these.  So use your imagination! Picture a grungy, dirty, long-neglected little stair hideaway. Here's what I did:

• A couple weeks ago, I took off the partical board wall, and cut it to where it was flush with the stud and stair line.
• Speaking of studs, the existing one was rotting so it was replaced.
• About an hour's worth of shop-vaccing
• Added a new lower border to cover up the existing rot that was on the partical board.
• Recreated three shelf pieces
• Reinforced the rest of the existing shelves.

The last thing I need to do is paint it up, make it look all nice.

We're using the space now for band gear. It's nice to be able to tuck away cases and other stuff we just don't use very often (and other Rock gear I'm just storing). Having it more open means it's way more accesible and gives the band a little more breathing room in their practice space. 

Fun stuff. Stay tuned for the final version!

Self-Portrait

This little sketch took up a surprising amount of attention when I posted it on Facebook. I had the urge a couple of nights ago to do a self-portrait, something I hadn't done in years. Maybe it's because it was something other than a comic book character, people really noticed it. 

Things I noticed:

1. Lips are the hardest thing to draw

2. (My) facial hair is hard to draw

3. This was the first time I actually like how the hair came out.

4. I do actually think it kind of looks like me.

5. My nose is much bigger than I realized.

6. Highlights: eyes, outline of face, hair, proportions.

7. There is a (albeit tiny) possibility of some side income that could come from this...?? To be continued??

8. Some people think that the comic characters I post on Facebook aren't done by me and that they are, in fact, just random pictures.