Milestones Everywhere...!
Marriage, Driver Licenses, School Starting, Book Launch, New Platform -- ZOINKS!
Madness, I tell you. Madness!
Life is full of it, for most of us. Well, depending on your perspective and approach to life that is. For those who know me well, or have followed me for a while on various social platforms, you may know I’m into Stoic philosophy. So, I practice looking at every event, obstacle, obstruction, etc., as just something to move past/over/through.
“The obstacle is the way…”
— Marcus Aurelius (synopsized & bastardized)
So, these moment will pass. Hopefully with insight, wisdom, and personal growth as the result.
“Charlie, what is this madness of which you speak?”
Well, my dear reader, I’m glad you asked (and with proper grammar)!
Mawwiage. Mawwiage is what bwings us togevuh…
(By the stars I enjoy that movie way too much.)
My eldest daughter (27) is getting married this weekend on 8/28. Crazy. Well, you may not think so, but she’s never even dated before. Her standards were far-too high (that’s a good thing) and she wasn’t in a hurry (also a good thing). So, when she started dating him we were already impressed. We had met him a few times before, and suspected they were getting cozy.
Then, it happened. Friend outings became dates, and dates became engagement, and engagement… well, you know what’s next. So, here we are! We love the dude, and we’re SUPER-HAPPY for them. Still, all of that brings a ton of stress into the home that each of us has to manage. Her 17yo sister is the party planning coordinator; she and their 16yo sister are the bakers — they have to hand-make 100 cake pops for the reception.
Anyway, there’s that.
Licenses to Drive [Me Nutty]
My 17yo daughter earned her license less than a month ago, first pass. She took the car out with her 16yo sister & some friends that evening. The next day she took her 11yo sister out for a treat the next day. Then on the next, she drove her 16yo sister & 15yo brother to the mall to shop. The next day she comes home with a job.
Our 16yo is going for her license in September.
Our 15yo is going for his permit the day he’s eligible (in October).
Crazy. They’re growing up.
We’re happy. And proud.
It’s a good thing.
School Starting Again
Many of you may be parents, so you’re in the same boat. We homeschool (going on 20yrs now!), so it adds more of a stressor than typical homes where you’re sending the kids off (though, with COVID still endemic, that may not be true for some of your prenatal anxiety…). With me working from home, and the kids in school at home, it means there’s a lot of activity & coordination and “clear comms” that have to take place. Especially when it comes to using parts of the house or having vehicles in-use.
Still, we’ve managed this far, having graduated two already with three more almost done. That leaves just two to finish up!
New Book Launch!
Some of you have read this from me a few times, now, but I’M SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS NEW TITLE!!!!
“What new title, my dear Charles?”
Again, glad you asked, but please don’t call me ‘Charles'. Yes, that’s my legal name, but my Gramps was Charles. I’ve always been Charlie. And, to answer your question, this new title:
The creative team on this book is phenomenal! The tale that Vito is weaving & building here, spinning directly out of Spider-Squirrel Vol. 1, is so good. And Ariel’s art just gets better with each page, each issue. I’m not just a creator here, I’m a FAN.
Buckle up.
This book is going to be terrific! And there’s already a planned set of spin-offs.
(Don’t worry! Spider-Squirrel & Trash Panda are returning for a Volume 2! After the Annual & TPB collection are each released.)
Wait. It’s Not On Kickstarter?!
Nope. I moved this campaign to Zoop.gg
“Wait. Why?”
Once again, I’m glad you asked the question! And, you aren’t the only one.
Why Zoop, a synopsis:
Zoop is committed to comics and comics-adjacent projects. That’s it. Maybe that will change over time, but the leadership’s current commitment is to our market.
Zoop’s platform is very user-friendly. It’s not perfect, yet, but it’s SO easy to use. The whole experience is like a shopping cart experience instead of a crowdfunding platform.
At first blush, this is familiar. It’s not unlike other crowdfunding platforms here.
But, when you continue scrolling down and hit the Rewards section, you’ll notice something unique: you don’t have to choose just one!
“WHAT??”
I know, bruh, legit. You don’t have to spend half the day figuring out which Reward tier is for you. You can select one, a few, or all. It’s truly a shopping cart experience.
I’ve backed a few campaigns via Zoop, and I’ve really enjoyed it each time.
What’s more, and I REALLY love this, you don’t have to pick your Reward(s) before you can see the Add-ons!
“Wait, whuh???”
I KNOW RIGHT?! So awesome. Check it out:
I hope you’ll join us in this campaign!
This project will lead to the next issue of Milestone (already drawn and halfway colored!), as well as feeding into future Spider-Squirrel projects, so jump in today!
THANK YOU!