* My figure drawing class ended a few weeks ago; I've been thinking half-seriously about starting a figure drawing co-op of some sort; hiring a model and setting up drawing space in our library (which is fairly large) for a half-dozen artists. I think I could fit that many in there if stuff was moved around. I have 3 other people so far who are interested. One advantage would be no more frustration over lousy poses in a room crowded with people and easels and no room to move.

* Did anyone who entered the Pepper Project [link] thing of last year, and who made it into the final 100, actually receive their free book? This has really, really pissed me off; I've emailed the folks who held the competition several times and actually got a response at one point, telling me that yes, we will all get a copy of the book...that was about three months ago. The actual book went on sale sometime last year. Sounds like a rip-off to me; I'd love to be proved (proven?) wrong about that but it's not looking very likely. Grrr.

* Facebook and Twitter--I started using both thinking they'd be two more mindless diversions/timewasters...I've actually gotten a)work from Facebook contacts and b)great links for design resources from Twitter. Unexpected.

* San Diego Comic Con--I'm going again this year; it'll probably be the last time for a while (so expensive!) I'm trying to think of ways to make it memorable. What should I do differently? Not sure if I'll have pulled my sh*t together by July and have another sketchbook to give out...not even sure it's worth doing. I get so completely overwhelmed by the talent there that my humble offering pales in comparison. Maybe I just need to go as a Fan, period.

* I finally admitted that I needed to buy a new computer (my Mac G5 is in the process of dying, judging by the noise of the fan which is driving me crazy) so I ordered one--nice shiny Mac Pro with lots of bells and whistles. And FedEx managed to lose it, somewhere between the loading dock at the FedEx facility here in Lansing, and my house. So, I have ordered the damn thing all over again, and am waiting for it AGAIN...meanwhile, some lucky person here in town must be enjoying a really, really nice machine. For free.

* I'm in a total Art Rut. No skill, no inspiration, no nothing. What do you do when that happens? Besides cry, drink too much, bang your head against the wall? I'm open to suggestions.

Okay. Rant over; back to work.