getting back the drive!

Facing the slumbering steps that comes with time, I shake myself awake. Remembering the endless world breaking energy of my youth , I goad myself on being my own peer pressure. All challenges excepted, come get some!

Vegas is weird!

Tonight, Matt, and I made a quick run to the dollar store for our favorite treat, Arizona Green Tea.

Matt, being a little short on cash , the deal was I would treat ;if he ran in( I wanting to remain behind in the car reading my latest Fantagraphics catalog).

Barely looking up I gave , Matt a $10 and a quick verbal grocery list.

A few pages into the catalog and Matt was back already, "No ice tea." he said.
He showed me the goods he purchased 2 cokes and a chunky bar, leaving them in the bag he dug in his pockets for the change.

Matt counted out the change from my ten dollars , making sure to hold it below eye level of any passerby.

If you live in Las Vegas , for any considerable amount of time you will be approached for money handouts, usually just the motion of a hand toward ones own pocket is enough to catch the attention of the "open hand's".
You see so many open hands , that it becomes second nature just to wave off any approaching stranger with a negative "No."

(real example-"Hey, man can you give me some gas money , man. For my 2008 SUV , it be a gas guzzler,heh-heh." )

That is why when Matt, in the middle of handing over the remainder of the $10; suddenly paused looking past me my initial response was to turn toward the figure at my window shaking my head and repeating my mantra to all "open handers"- "No."

"No." I repeated out loud turning to the figure close at the window.
a cute girl , hair tucked under a white hood, tucked under a white crotchet hat, except for a thick brown braid along her cheek. She carried a white lunch box wrapped in plastic and smiled leaning closer inviting us to roll down the wind she waved.
"No." I repeated smiling as ,Matt waved back ,all while putting the car into reverse.
We backed away and looking back we viewed her in the review mirrors as she headed inside the blinding light of the dollar store.

As we drove home Matt, and I recalled how peculiar that unlike most "open handers" she was dressed in complete angelic white.

skate or die! - page 2

Here is the second page of "Skate or die!" web-mini-comic, as promised.
I'm starting to realize this strip could seriously use some dialog to flesh it out, I think when it's finished I'll go back and add some.
Hope everyone had a great New year! - Mikey

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

２００７去年が難しいでしたけど、２００８今年は新しいはじめことんです！
自由万！！ 「ばんざい！！」

2007 was a rough year, but this 2008 is a year of new beginnings!
Some years feel like a rip'em up bar room brawl (the kind you see in the old cowboy movies).
But this year I'm expecting. Expecting new and good things!
This (my first piece of art for 2008) sums up how I feel coming out of 2007. Beat up, but stronger for it... and ready for what may lay ahead. BRING IT!! (as they say)