Today is the 6th anniversary of me leaving my last day job and cartooning full time. (That makes about 10 years total as a professional cartoonist.)
I’m taking the day off and handing out candy. Have a good one!
Tag: anniversary
Andertoons’ Fifth Anniversary
I like Halloween, but I love October 31st.
It was exactly five years ago, on a Friday like this, that I worked my final day at my last day job. Five years of cartooning more or less full time, and being a stay-at-home dad full time and then some. Five years of diapers, ink, coffee, and immeasurable fun.
I remember agonizing over whether or not to give my boss two weeks notice. It was the kind of place where they very possibly would ask you to gather up your things and leave then and there. My friend in HR assured me that I was well-liked, and she was sure they'd keep me on. She was right and I worked on "special projects" for the next 10 business days.
Just in case, I had dreamed up a scenario where my costume would be me, looking disheveled, dressed in rumpled sweats, with a diaper stuck to my shoulder. When asked "what are you supposed to be?" I would answer "A stay-at-home dad. Can we talk in your office?" I'm glad it didn't go that way, both for my peace of mind, and our pocketbook.
It hasn't always been easy. Keeping a close eye on the kids, the budget, and the calendar occasionally leads to some very early mornings (I'm writing this at 5 AM about a week and half early to fit it in) but I wouldn't trade it for anything!
Technorati Tags: cartoon, cartoonist, cartoons, comics
Andertoons Company Holiday
I’m taking the day off today.
Three years ago to the day, I quit my day job and became a cartoonist/stay-at-home dad full time.
It’s been a wonderful three years, and I’d like to thank everyone – clients, vendors, friends & family – for making it all possible.
See ya tomorrow!
Technorati Tags: andertoons, cartooning, cartoonists, cartoons
Two Year Anniversary
I love Halloween!
All the candy and dressing up is fun, but October 31st holds a special significance for me; it’s the day I officially left the corporate world and began freelancing full-time.
It’s hard to believe it’s been two years since I went into work dressed in pajamas with a burp cloth pinned to my shoulder. I messed up my hair and wore slippers and went as a stay-at-home dad (or SAHD as we’re more commonly known).
I’d considered not telling management I was leaving until that very last day (often they’d let you go on the spot to “protect themselves”) and dressing only in jeans and a t-shirts. When asked about my costume my planned response was “I’m a guy who doesn’t work here anymore. Let’s talk…”
Now that it’s been two years, I’m finally at the point where it’s difficult to imagine that I’ve ever done anything else. For such a weird job and lifestyle, my days are fairly run-of-the-mill.
I’m still looking for ways to grow and challenge myself, but it’s more of a “wouldn’t that be fun?” type thing than a rat race-esque “must… preserve… sanity!” response.
I guess Halloween is a strangely appropriate day for starting to freelance; it’s scary, and it’s supposed to be. But if you do it right, you end up with enough candy to last you for a while.
Technorati Tags: andertoons, cartoons, freelancing, halloween
Reimagining “Blondie”
I ran across this concerning the big 75th Blondie anniversary:
…”Blondie” will be celebrated across the funny pages and include a visit from the U.S. first couple.
President Bush and first lady Laura Bush will show up in the finale, Sept. 4, which will feature the party at the Bumstead`s home…
OK, I’ll admit it, I was all set to mock this, but then it hit me; this is a golden opportunity for one of the most geriatric comic strips to really reinvent itself!
With the Bushes involved, maybe the strip can morph into some biting political satire. Let’s kill off Mr. Dithers and have Bush become Dagwood’s new boss. Or maybe W appoints Dagwood to the Supreme Court!
Call it Dagsbury! Ooh, ooh, or how ’bout Blondocks!