the sun will come out TOMORROW

TOMORROW is finally on the way!
A recap: back in June, a few of my very close friends (and their very close friends) lost their jobs at a magazine called GOOD (the bitter jokes are just too easy) in a Friday afternoon post-lauch-party bloodbath. In the midst of considering their options as writers/editors/print designers in this anti-paper world, the eight of them banded together and formulated a plan to create the magazine they always wanted to make - a one issue (for now) opus titled, naturally, TOMORROW. The great eight (yeah, I just made that up, you're welcome) funded the whole thing with an amazingly responsive Kickstarter.
The issue went to print on Monday, and I'm proud to be a part of it - both Scott and I have work included. Buy a copy! It promises to be a collector's item full of awesome writing, design, photography, and illustration. If nothing else, it serves as a reminder that something amazing can come out of something that feels like the end of the world (betcher bottom dollar).

I can see clearly now

Recently, I made the unfortunate discovery that I'm on my last pair of contacts. And, naturally, this was only clue that I was due for ye olde eye exam(e). So now, armed with an updated prescription and instructions from my doc to wear glasses more and lenses less, I headed over to Warby Parker, where I found my last pair of frames (for only $100). Yesterday I received my freebie try-on pairs, pictured above on my weirdly sleepy looking face. I'll ask which frames you like best, but really, I've already decided...
a) Pierce in oakwood brown
b) Clyde in striped chesnut
c) Marshall in striped sassafras
d) Bensen in olivewood

weekend with the boys

Trevor landed in our living room on Thursday, his first time in Los Angeles, and we had a fantastic time picking up where we all left off. You know those rare friendship where one person is close to both halves of a couple? That's what we've got with Burks, and I'm thankful for it. The weekend was packed full of worktime at home (what a treat to have another illustrator in the studio for once!) and playtime in the form of a trip to the beach with my three favorite Hawaiian-shirt clad dudes. We spent the day floating on the abnormally placid waves at Hermosa, enjoying hot weather and cold beers...my version of perfection. It was a nice respite from reality before one of my busiest weeks in recent memory.

fresh stock

It's that time again! When I received my box of new stock from the Dude last week, I actually sort of...clapped my hands with glee. Seriously, like a small child with a new puppy. We didn't get together a holiday release last year, so even though it's later than it should be in stationery-land (where Christmas prep starts in May) I'm glad we made it, and I'm excited about our everyday release as well. I mean, who doesn't want a card with cuts of meat on it that was designed and illustrated by two long-time vegetarians?
Anyhow, more fun Dude and Chick related announcements coming soon...stay tuned.
Old Farts / 083
Choice Cuts / 084
Squid 'n Whale / 085
Peace on Earth / 090
Xmas Tree / 091
Makin' a List / 092

sketch gallery

 I try to draw a lot, just to exercise the muscles. But recently, due to some super-secret extra-fun projects at work, I've been on drawing overdrive. For me, that means full sketchbook pages of warm ups that range from unfinished doodles to carefully executed line drawings - whatever feels good. And usually, what feels good is drawing ladies. Ladies with lots of hair, and teeth. Above is a little gallery collection of the weirdest/coolest faces that didn't make the cut.

flea market finds

In case you haven't heard, it's been downright toasty here in Los Angeles. And so, like the silly creatures we are, Scott and I gathered a small group for a trip to the once-a-month Rose Bowl Flea in Pasadena, thinking the crowds might stay away. Of course, it was swamped as ever. The only difference was the speed of browsing - patrons (us included) oozed like sweaty zombies through the sticky, humid heat, dizzy with the effort of walking and reaching out for $5 cups of lemonade like they flowed from a desert water fountain. At any rate, Megan found a tray, we all threw up our hands at the end of an unsuccessful search for the perfect bar cart, and Scott and I documented a bunch of weird stuff on our cameras (above). Enjoy.

louie, louie you're gonna die

Things that happened yesterday during/after work:
- Heard about Louis CK's multiple secret-until-the-day-of shows at the Improv.
-Tried to buy tickets, failed.
-Heard about Louis CK's extra-secret, late night set at the Comedy Store.
-Tried to buy tickets, failed.
-Saw tweet re: extra tickets.
-Biked at breakneck, Premium Rush style pace across town to Comedy Store.
-Realized I had no cash, sprinted to ATM.
-Dripped sweat on the dude's clipboard as I obtained the last two tickets. Seriously.
-Accepted praise and undying love from boyfriend.
-Waited in line for an hour and a half. Eventually shown to our seats, about six feet from the stage, dead center.
-Laughed my ass off at brand new Louis material.
(end scene; add to file of best/weirdest nights. See also: photo shoot followed by karaoke in Hollywood with James Deen of adult-film fame.)

on listening

Recently, I got the once-a-year (if history gives an accurate indication) treat of having brunch with Celeste and Rob, who were down from San Francisco for the long weekend. Though I don't know them well, they are kind and easy to talk to - we lounged at Square One for a full two hours, chatting about everything from healthcare to the current design scene in California, on the north and south coast. However, one topic of conversation came up that seems to be appearing often amongst my working friends: what to listen to while creating.
Rob, like Scott, is a music guy. Meaning: he knows what to listen to, and when to listen to it. Scott can pick an album out of thin air and know that is precisely what he wants to hear, and when that's finished, he has another selection at the ready. Music, for him, is an active listening experience. It doesn't require all his concentration, but it's certainly an option to occupy the part of his brain unencumbered by photo editing.
On the other hand, Celeste and I spend our days in podcast-land. This is not to say I don't enjoy music, because I definitely do. It's just exhausting. When I'm writing, whether it be a blog post or emails, I need music or silence - I can't have a voice chatting away at me. But it's difficult to figure out what I want. An album ends, and I find myself in silence, or on continuous repeat just to avoid the task of thinking about it. I find most success in shuffle, or a radio option on Spotify, or most likely, stalking one of my friends who puts together awesome playlists (I'm looking at you, lady). This frustrates me, because it serves as a reminder that I've never been a person who defines myself by my musical loves. I wish I was that person. Sometimes it feels like I'm alone in my teenaged memories of authors that define periods of my life, rather than the Smashing Pumpkins or Nirvana.
On the contrary, podcasts are an easy pick for me and my habit of multitasking. While drawing, or working on pre-press, or managing shipping/inventory/etc, diverting a bit of my mind on another person's words helps me focus on the task at hand, because the rest of my mind doesn't wander quite so much. Plus, what better time to absorb some information about current events, overhear conversations between comedians, learn about something ridiculous, or listen to a book I've been meaning to read?
This has got to be a combination of my general affinity for conversation, and my childhood summers spent on factory-style creative projects with a soundtrack of the Cedar Mill Community Library's selection of audio books. At any rate, to end this ramble that's only proving my love of not-so-necessary conversation, here's a list of my current podcast rotation, in descending order according my rabid excitement when a new show is released.

This American Life
Savage Lovecast
Fresh Air
Wait Wait, Don't Tell Me
Filmweek on AirTalk
Radiolab
The Moth
Professor Blastoff
Throwing Shade
Stuff You Missed in History ClassStuff You Should Know
WTF with Marc Maron

rabbit, rabbit

 September already. At the risk of sounding much older than my 26 years....where does the time go? I glanced at my phone on Saturday, and the date stared back at me, completely unexpected. Maybe it's the super-subtle seasons of southern California, maybe it's the fact that John and I have been working like mad on some sizable Dude and Chick projects, but months seem to be sliding by at an alarming rate. I've got that well-worn back to school feeling this week, that Labor Day haze of dread mixed with excitement, despite the fact that it's been a few years since I was packing up my books for the first day of classes.
 It's been a lovely weekend, full of almost-empty mall trips - note to future self: everyone in LA leaves town for the holiday, and it is glorious - walks through the neighborhood, birthday karaoke, and wine-infused picnics with new friends. Today, as I gently ease myself back into the workweek (thank goodness for beginning-of-the-week-holidays), I'm convincing myself, somewhat successfully, that I'm ready for this new month. There's nothing better than the sense that something awesome is on the horizon.
above: one of the many epic murals tucked away in Los Feliz