New Year's Resolutions

I hope repeating last year's resolution will prove a sound strategy in helping me sustain it.

Trick or Treat

I got the idea for this while waiting for trick-or-treaters to show up for candy - "Wouldn't it be funny to dress up as Santa Claus and give out candy canes on Halloween?" I didn't actually do it, but I did draw this comic and included a joke about how quickly people (and stores) transition from Halloween decorations to Christmas decorations.

Escher Exhibit Reminder

This is to jog your memories before time runs out entirely to visit the exhibit. I had it scheduled to be posted later in the month, but in light of my lack of scanner-access ... The computer I use is actually working again, slowly, but I'm posting this now anyway to give myself a bit more time to generate new content.

Also, I realized after posting my previous M. C. Escher tribute that I had forgotten his lithograph of the crazy staircases, to the climbers of which gravity and perspective do not consistently apply. (Not that I plan to do a visual tribute to all of his work, just that I wanted to include his most famous pieces in the 'ad'.) In his pictures of buildings, you can really see the effects of his architecture training.

Computer Error

If you are seeing this message, I wasn't able to get my usual computer working in time for Monday's post. That's where I have all my image files related to this blog, and it's the one connected to my scanner, so if that computer fails, I have to wait to update until I can get hold of a scanner connected to a different computer.


If I haven't worked something out by Thursday, I guess we'll have April NaNoWriMo. I pre-created and set up a few story prompts with the intent of publishing them in November, but in the interest of continuing to add content to my site, I can post them early to buy some time while sorting out the hardware situation.


It's an older computer. It started being really slow near the end of March, then started abruptly powering down while in use, then somehow stopped being able to respond to the keyboard. My parents are thinking about replacing it.


I don't really want to leave you guys without a tutorial ...


Want to read about the prank I pulled on April Fools' Day?


I live with my parents still, but I pay monthly room and board. It's a lot less expensive than being out on my own. Mom and Dad put the money in a savings account for me to use for university or home-setup once I move out, or technically whatever I want, but I don't get the money back until after I move out. (I'm not the only one of my siblings to get this deal.)


Anyway, I pay with a cheque given to my parents on the first of the month. This month, I put the cheque in an envelope, along with a bunch of newspaper strips. I wrote on the front of the envelope that I had decided to pay room and board in cash this month. On the inner flap of the envelope (the thing you open to insert or remove the contents), I wrote 'April Fools!' I left it on the table so they'd see it first thing when they woke up.


Mom says she fell for it!

Cinderella Dressed In ... Overalls

Do not feel bad if you do not read that giant block of text. I did not realize, until I started making the list of 'versions of Cinderella I own', just how many entries would be on it. And then I figured, since it was so long already, I might as well include summaries and opinions and versions of Cinderella that I knew but did not have in my possession.

Also, I realized after the fact that I had forgotten three Cinderella stories I have - Wyrd Sisters (Terry Pratchett; fairy godmother is the villain; three witches go on a quest to prevent a servant girl marrying a prince), Unlocking the Spell (E. D. Baker; the protagonists are Prince Charming's cousins and they pass through the ball on their way elsewhere), and Shrek. (Cinderella isn't plot-relevant to Shrek, but she's a throwaway reference in the first and second movies and a minor character in the third one.) So I actually have 18 versions.

Flag Day

I try not to make my blog a big political thing, but ... Flag Day! Get the red and white Valentine's decorations back out here!

Valentine's Day Card

Here's in Ontario, we're looking at a whole five days' worth of culturally significant dates. First there's Friday the 13th, then Valentine's Day, then Flag Day, then Family Day, and then Mardi Gras. I shall be celebrating with cupcakes.

Gently Worn

Of course, if you're donating clothing that was originally marketed to a vastly different demographic, the question to ask is, 'would I be willing to be seen in public with someone wearing this?', but that felt a bit verbose for what was supposed to be a short-and-snappy piece.

The first wave of winter holidays has passed, which means now is the time that a lot of charities really need support. If you really want to make a positive impact - well, regular giving is best, but the next-best is if your sporradic donations of goods, money, and time come during times of the year when most people aren't thinking, 'I should do something nice, to give back to my community'.

Sorry if this came out preachy. It kind of was. I happen to know of a lot of instances where the reason things were given away was because they were broken in some non-cosmetic, functional way - mostly pants without buttons and coats without working zippers. I live in Canada. It gets cold here. Coats have to be able to shut.

Wow. For a post intended to be short, this sure ended up with my longest out-of-comic commentary ever. Don't worry, it won't become a habit. I hope. I am quite verbose...

And yes, this is a chart. It is a free-form chart.

Handprint Reindeer

This craft might keep someone entertained for a few minutes ... or it might not. Especially if those few minutes are a delay while waiting to open presents. Good luck.
This picture is related to the 'Handprint Menagerie' I posted in October.

Escher Exhibit

If I do many more posts about what's going on at the National Gallery of Canada, I've going to have to add a 'Gallery' label.

In tribute to Escher, I decided to do this comic in greyscale. I think the contrast with my usual colourful posts give it a lot of dramatic impact. What do you think?

Snowman Fingernails

It's Frosty the Manicure!

Puzzling Out Sociallization

Analogies are tricky things, but this is about as clear a metaphor as I've been able to come up with for this situation.

Rudolph's Extra Verse

The most beloved of secular Christmas carols now has an extra verse that totally changes its message.

Making Mittens

Stay warm and cozy as the temperature drops!

Poppy Pins

In case you've been living under a rock since prior to 1944, Rememberance Day is every year on November 11th. If you know any veterans or active military personel, do something nice for them.

Love & Belonging - Film Advertisment

L'Arche Canada doesn't want to have too much official involvment in this because the film isn't bilingual, but they are aware of the good advertising in being involved with a film premiere.

Sign Spotting

Keywords: gun control; controversial; legality; restaurant signs; public domain versus original creation copyright; Applebee's; vacation; USA Canada culture shock; shirt, shoes, required for service; no pets - guide dogs and other service animals exempt; thank you for not smoking, stabbing anyone with utensils, or bringing firearms into our restaurant; where will it end?

If you want a copy of my 'thank you for not stabbing restaurant staff or fellow patrons with your utensils' sign, I request that you use the following JPEG image and include a link back to this site: