If i put aside my apprehension, worries and concerns about the effect the hurricane is having on everyone in the southern gulf states, I think i’m doing pretty good. I’ve been doing a lot of sketching, and my ideas have been forming fairly well. I plan to spend some time today finishing up some more scripts and do some development on some other projects as well. In fact, Seraphim and I are going to go see a movie tonight (either Brothers Grimm or the Constant Gardener - both are supposed to be decent movies, the Constant Gardener the better of the two…).
As for anime, i’ve been catching up on things, and i even managed to finish Rozen Maiden, a disturbingly good anime, and one that was obviously lovingly crafted by people with doll fetishes 
It’s kinda creepy, but in a good way. Like i said, Gin-chan Pwnz us all, even my 12″ powerbook desktop 
A new season of Rozen Maiden, called Rozen Maiden Traumend starts on October 10th. 
Other things i’ve been watching a little of, and i’ll catch up on over time include Shuffle!, Kamichu, Petopeto-san, Tsukiyomi Moon Phase (yes, finally catching up on that), the last few eps of Mahoraba (i feel like i’m saving those) Pani Poni Dash… more than enough for now. Watching stuff is good because it helps stimulate my own creativity. I’ve found that when i go a long time without any entertainment input, my writing gets kinda stale. Of course, too much and i can’t think about my own stories… so it’s a balancing act.
But like i said, much of this is still overshadowed by how i feel about what’s going on down south. I’ve even received several emails from readers who are from the area - one tells me that he doesn’t even know if everything he owns has been washed away or taken by looters. Its heartbreaking to hear this from readers, from people who you have some connection with. Seraphim and I are doing what we can, but there is also one other thing i take comfort in, and have taken comfort in through many of the difficult times i’ve seen this country go through in recent years - I may not be able to do much to change the world or make things better, but the one thing i can do is entertain people and maybe make them smile or feel good for just a few moments as they read my stuff. It’s not much, but it is something.
I have several emails from some webcomic people who are gathering together to raise money for the victims, i’m going to try to get to those today and see what i can do to help.
- pirotunes: RebeL9 - The Elysian Fields -
I’m glad to see that people in all walks of life are taking an interest in helping the victims of Hurricane Katrina. Please keep us informed of what you and others in the community decide to enact, you’ve got a lot of willing helpers. At any rate though, I think it’s hard for a lot of us right now to keep our thoughts on the bright side. By the way, I like your desktop, though i think my Mika MS Girl desktop pwnz more
Oh yeah, and on what you said about entertainment input versus creative output: it’s a very common problem, and I know I have it too. Though, remember, most of think we’re the most unoriginal bastards on the planet…so moderation is kinda a good idea. Regards,
I am so fortunate. The thing is, the major news companies are just focusing on the New Orleans area. The rest of the disaster area is actually going pretty good.
CNN has already changed the story about what the mayor of NO said. She originally said that Bush ordered mandatory evacuations of the city, but she neglected to do that. CNN changed it so that Bush never said that.
The news corporations are also focusing so much on the bad stuff. There is much more good happening. The government is really doing all that it can to help us. It’s more difficult to move supplies and such into the area in the United States because it is so developed. If they just dropped the supplies, a home that was once habitable will now be inhabitable because there is a ton of MREs in a guy’s living room with a hole in the roof.
People need to just sit tight and wait. Yeah, it’s coming too late, but there’s not much more we can do. Don’t complain that the government isn’t doing something, because it’s doing a whole lot more than any other country can.
Darnit… I forgot to say something, I live in Ocean Springs, which is on the Gulf Coast. I got 3 inches of water, which means I lost all my carpet and a few books on the first floor. My friends faired from no damage to losing everything from flood waters.
Your doing your part, Fred.
Living in East Texas its pretty hard to get an escape from the constant reminders of whats going on in New Orleans. The local Wal Mart is full of people from Louisiana, and theres loads of cars with Louisiana license plates going through my town since its in the middle of 4 major U.S. highways. The news is always on and for a little while I felt really helpless, because all I could do was donate a measly little $10. Then the other day I read your latest comic. And I just busted out laughing. The other funny thing about it was that it was during a class. I did get a dirty look from my teacher, but that doesn’t matter.
What matters is that for a little while, I actually laughed,I mean I “really” laughed. I wasn’t worried about rising gas prices or hurricane Katrina victims. I was laughing and it pretty much made my day!
Your part in this is a big thing, to me. Sometimes you need relief from all the change.
Thank you so much,Fred!
-Queso =^..^=
The last episodes of mahoraba are nothing like the manga, so look forward to it. Though it leaves one unsettled… thread in AMC pretty much sums up my thoughts.
TMP hasn’t been fully completed yet, since one group’s doing it only. The english version of the manga comes out in the first weeks of january, if you’re interested.
As for Shuffle!, definately breaking a couple harem-type cliches, though it is still clearly harem. Much comedy in its presentation.
You’ve got to talk with us in AM&C once in a while fred. Just thinking of the victims alone, nevermind donating, is quite meritable.
~Chun