By Mark | January 26, 2004
A few days ago, I mentioned that I thought that it would be funny if Linette and I, once the baby arrives, dressed up in cloaks and took some photos of our little family in what might appear to be a satanic ceremony of some type. My thought was that I could somehow hide the photos in a place that he or she might not find until much later in life, after Linette and I are both gone. I thought that it would be hilarious Many of you, however, apparently dont share my refined sense of humor.
Of the people that wrote in about that idea, Id say at least 80% were horrified that Id even contemplate such a thing. A few, however, decided to play along. One was even smart enough to gently encourage me in another, more positive direction. Heres what that person, Collin from Colorado, had to say:
Instead, how about a photo of you lifting the baby from the crashed remains of a small spacecraft in the middle of a field? Maybe label it “High hopes!”
While Im not a huge fan of Superman, the idea did really resonate with me… And, I thought, this wouldnt require that my child even for a moment contemplates the possibility that he or she is the spawn of Satan!
So, its been decided. We will take a roll of film of a smoking pile of debris somewhere in a corn field a day or two after the baby has been born.
Does anyone have access to a pair of pointy, rubber ears? Im thinking that it might be funny to get a shot of me clipping them off with hedge clippers.
By Mark | January 25, 2004
I think that I may be coming down with a bit of a cold. In spite of that, this weekend was good though. Linette and I worked on the studio space, putting up a few more walls, and then I toted my new Im Sorry cards down to market. Actually, I just walked them down to our friend Jennifers store, Henrietta Fahrenheit. (If youd like to see them in person, she says that she should have them out on display in the next week or so.)
Today was spent working on my comic for the Ann Arbor Paper and celebrating Chinese New Year over a hundred-dollar can of abalone with Linettes folks Then racing home to catch Arrested Development. (Speaking of which, theres now an Arrested Development blog.)
For those of you who are curious to know such things, we also went out looking for a new couch this morning, one that is less likely to absorb the odor, dander, hair and saliva of Freeda, our blood-thirsty pit bull… We also want something that baby shit can be sponged off of. I guess this is what people refer to as nesting.
We are, slowly but surely, getting ready to have this little person come and join us.
Speaking of this little person, Linette just filled me in on what he or she is probably doing now that sixteen weeks have passed.
WOMB REPORT: from Linette
The baby has most likely swallowed its first mouth-full of amniotic fluid, digested it, and taken his or her first poop… Its ears are, by now, standing out from its head… The placenta and the fetus are now equal in size… It is starting to get its first fat deposits under the skin… It is about 12 centimeters long.
By Mark | January 24, 2004
I just got this note from a reader who now lives in New Jersey, on an organic diary farm. I thought it was worth sharing… And it reminds me that I own you all a short story about going to the country to buy pieces of chopped-up cow wrapped up in wax paper. I will try to get on that tonight.
tomorrow we’re going into the city to participate in a conference called just food,
a series of talks about sustainable practices. unfortunately, i’ll be in a cow costume,
so i won’t be able to take in much of the content. but i will certainly get pet.
petted?
By Mark | January 22, 2004
A reader by the name of Kristin attended a lumber convention last night. Heres her hastily-typed report.
The lumber show was hilarious. They had a state-wide screw-off last night, and the top prize was a Harley. Over 2000 contractors from across the state competed in hand and quick-drive which is sort of a stand up drill. Mark, I had tears in my eyes it was such a fever pitched competition. The winner was from Holland. He barely beat out a guy from Traverse City. There was money flying and testosterone raging. It was my dream evening. Man it was fun. I want to go to them every weekend now, like a monster truck thing, but with drills.
Another person I know recently went to a convention for Leathermen in Chicago. He didnt mention if there was a screw off involved.
