Auld Lang Sign
I started a tradition last year that I thought might keep me a little more honest in terms of my career and what I want to happen in my life. I put down on paper (or screen, I guess) all the stuff that I achieved over the past year, and what I hope to achieve next year. Nothing like a little public failure to really move your ass into gear.
Without further ado, here is last year’s post.
Let’s take my goals one at a time:
- “- Get hitched to the greatest girl on the planet.”
GRADE: A+. I did indeed get married to the Greatest Girl on the Planet. The shebang was a total blast
- “- Get a publisher for Robots And Monsters: The Book.”
GRADE: B+. I do have several interested major publishers, and I also in the process got an amazing literary agent, Gretchen Stetler. So it’s sort of there. No contract yet, no check in hand, no book tour. The framework has been set. Which is totes sweet.
- “- Assemble the pieces for a solo art show.”
GRADE: C. I did start a few studies, and I know much more what the finished thing will look like, but I screwed up my show dates in Seattle, and had to drop out, and I haven’t done much in terms of actual piece production. Get it together, Alterio.
- “- Get some comics in a few newspapers.”
GRADE: F. Didn’t even try. I did get a comic in Mark Kingwell’s 2009 book, though, which is rad, so that’s a more than amazing consolation prize.
- “- Finally do something constructive with The Basic Virus.”
GRADE: D. There’s some talk about others wanting to serialize it, but that has been all talk up to this point.
- “- Fix my motorcycle.”
GRADE: A. I fixed my motorcycle, and then I sold it, which I’m actually very happy about. Owning a motorcycle in the city with a garage or parking space is a real drag. I’m strictly walking now, and it rules.
So, all in all a really awesome year personally, but just a so-so year in terms of accomplishing the goals I set out to do, which is always a little disappointing. However, when I take a stock of everything, I can be pretty proud of myself. I am getting more illustration work than ever, I’m still way busy, even in these lean economic times, and our start up, Squonk Studios, is on the verge of getting a big client, and Robots and Monsters is more popular than ever, with over 4 Grand raised for the Electronic Frontier Foundation.
My grandma died this year, which was tough. But then again, Barack Obama was elected, which rules, and I also won my Fantasy Football Superbowl. So all in all, I’m pretty damn happy about 2008, on balance.
In 2009 I will:
+ REALLY nail down a publisher for R and M. Seriously.
+ REALLY do something with the Basic Virus. Seriously.
+ REALLY get going on a solo show. Seriously.
+ Go on my honeymoon to Hawaii, Land of Intriguing Tropical Drinks
+ Do my best to get my name out there more, be it throguh print, web, or word of mouth.
Here’s to your best health, a happy family, and a great 2009. Thanks for reading this humble blog.
+ Visit Minnesota, land of intriguing winter fashions
… and let me know what I can do to help, re: the Basic Virus.
Where does provide fantastic narrative amusement for your nerdy friends on Monday nights fit into these resolutions?