[Edited because he outed himself.]

Recently Nik accused me of talking smack behind his back on the Internet.  I find this confusing, especially since he immediately knew that I was talking about him on my blog and website.

Help me out: How is blogging publicly, and posting comics online at a publicly  accessible website, supposed to be talking behind one's back, particularly when I am fully aware that the person follows these sites on a regular basis?  Isn't saying something mean about someone on unrestricted postings or sites, about as public as it gets, even when one hides behind an "anonymous" or pseudonymous persona?  Even if I hadn't yelled at the person on the phone, email, or via IM about several contentious issues, how could posting something in a publicly accessible Internet forum be treated differently than say, talking about something in a public arena in the real world?  Could somebody please explain this to me in a logical manner that I am able to understand?  This has been bugging me for days, and I am wondering if this new definition of "behind one's back" supposed to be a construct of the MySpace generation, just me being denser than an ingot of uranium or, just some weird justification to try to make me look like a meanie poop?  Could somebody help me make some sense of this?

While we are at it, when did October 13th become last summer?

It's official.  "The New Adventures of Ace and Bog" and much of its related artwork are no longer online and neither is the "Ace Machiavelli" MySpace profile.  We may do something with Ace and/or Bog in the future, aside from P,S! or the Thursday pin-ups, but not under the "New Adventures..." banner.  Sadly, I made this decision for personal reasons and Loki is supporting me.  If the other parties directly involved in this drama want to share their side of their story, they are welcomed to do so here, in public.  If not, they are entitled to their privacy.  [Edit: Nik finally shared his side of the story after harassing me via email for the last time, on October 13, 2007.  When he realized that he was blocked for contacting me privately, on any medium, he finally aired his thoughts on the matter.  Ace and Bog is still production.]

I don't think anyone is happy about this, least of all me, but that's life.

-Vas

PS: "Super No-Clue Yakuza Kill Yuri" is coming soon.

The Crown Money Map plan has save our butts again from going deeper into debt and going into true financial ruin.  Loki may be a Taoist, and I may not be wearing a label at this point, but we have been incredibly pleased with this Christian savings and finance program.  I cannot recommend it highly enough.  It's so nice to know that medical bills for an uninsured woman are not the scary boogeyman that they used to be when there's a tried-and-true plan in place.  AND, it is good to know that we will always have enough to be charitable as well.  I am so grateful for this guidance.  The living COMPLETELY within our means part is SUPER hard, but we are getting there.  Also, I would like to mention that our monstrously huge plumbing bill is 49% paid off.  It's really overwhelming to deal with such a huge and unexpected expense, but I have faith that we will succeed.

For those of you who aren't part of the P,S! community, I am pleased to announce that we may have a singer for Zoya, and a possible guitarist.  I am very psyched.  Also, Narphy is taking a well-deserved week off.  With the creation of CGI Dmitri, doing the lovely color episodes on time AND renovating the G1 puppets, the least I could do is give her time to enjoy herself. 

A big change is coming to KillerDyke.com -- a change so HUGE that there will be massive head spinning and confusion.  Everything you thought KillerDyke.com was, will be turned on its head and blown to pieces.  I sat on the mean-spirited Get Lost mini-series for a long time.  I feared causing ill will, and other problems.  On another level, it's a very personal work that touches upon my upheaval of faith (particularly the struggle between organized religion and whether I believe in G-d or not,) in a metaphorical manner.  But after consulting with several people on how to proceed in the most ethical way possible with what is in essence a personal hate-letter to many things I consider sacred, like relationships and spirituality.  Whether it was good or bad, I am glad I purged the emotionally-crushing negativity that I had been carrying inside of me for so long.  Now, this gives me the opportunity to move on...  :)

Okay, I have been all missing-in-action and stuff and sleep deprived, but with good reason!  Lots of stuff has been going on in the world of the elusive butterfly of Vas.  I am REALLY behind on my blog reading and phone calling, so if there is something major I need to know about, either email me or drop me a comment with revelant links or a summary of what's up.  Thanks!

1. I have been getting some absolutely nice big print jobs for local and out of town clients.  I finally feel like my little print shop here in Rice, MN, is finally going somewhere.
2. Misty and I went shopping on Saturday.  It was loads of fun in spite of a horrible downpour and me forgetting to bring a means to pay for my groceries.  D'oh!!!  Naomi, my mom and I went out for lunch, zoo, art and conversation the previous week when it was actually less unpleasant outside.  We had a nice breakfast with Loki's family yesterday.
   
3. While I am still waiting on word about the blog and film adaptation comics projects,  I am currently in the midst of negotiating for the privilege of VAS Littlecrow illustrating its third book for Dybbuk Press.  I am super-pumped about the art style we are going to take for this one, so I'll keep y'all posted. 
   
4. Speaking of wheeling-dealing,  am negotiating with LJ coverboy,  incurable fiancé, soon-to-be-Brit, and Ace and Bog co-writer/lead artist alumnus, Nik Arnoldi, for the publishing rights of a SUPER SECRET project that I am sure his fans will be REALLY excited about.  I cannot say what it's about.  I can't show you anything. It's not even a for sure thing at this point.  But, if we come to an agreement where all of us are happy, and if the VAS Littlecrow #2 and #3 come to a consensus, IT'S GOING TO KICK ROYAL ASS ON SEVERAL LEVELS!!!  Trust me.
5. Speaking of Nik: Over the last five days, I implemented of really cool backend features that Mr. Arnoldi suggested I implement several months ago.  I tested some of the changes that he proposed at KillerDyke.com.  After enduring php coding hell and tinkering with the Modern template for Singapore by Ross Howard.  Catnose.com, KillerDyke.com and RasputinCatamite.com, all have easier navigation, RSS feeds for individual galleries.  The latter site has a completely different look (I did it for you Caylie!)  Oh, and I also did a massive makeover for the Rasputin Barxotka site (which I won't link to here because, it's not suitable for ANYONE who isn't a completely sick mofo over the age of anything who doesn't get offended by ANYTHING.) 
   
6. In regards to both Rasputin series, Loki and I finally decided what the overall sound of Upir's Mark will be like.  WOOT!  If all goes well, you will be able to download pseudo-Siberian industial-Asian-gore-rock in about six months!  Fortunately, a groovy video vlog and some disgusting animation may come sooner.
7. On a the topic of inanimate objects being brought to life, I am now officially the Copier-Whisperer.  I can figure out any problems my copier might have before looking at the error screen just by the sounds it makes.  I know when my expensive but, tax-deductible toy Kyocera is about to run out of paper just by it's hums.  Kiki and I really understand each other, and this is leading to a more harmonious relationship between homonid and automaton.
   
8. Someone narrowly escaped getting terminated from VL after I was able to separate ongoing personal and professional issues, and s/he actually taking ownership for the result of his/her and correcting the mess s/he created as much as possible, restoring professional operations, and letting me know what the deal was.  To my amazement, this individual succeeded in convincing me that s/he was not a total cockmaster/cuntmistress by... um.. being professional, putting the ego aside and gee actually comprehending the consequences and taking responsibility for being a gossipy dick/bitch in the personal arena.  I'm not going to be their best friend or even trust him/her too much, but at least we can work together without me ripping out throats in a fit of rage and this person going into fetal position and singing, "LA LA LA!!!"  Thank you person for growing the balls necessary to actually communicate what the hell was going on with your ass.  Sometimes, confession is the best way to gain forgiveness.  It works that way in church and it can work outside as well.  So yeah, thank you sir or ma'am as the case may be.
9. Loki has been working hideous hours at the farms in preparation for planting and hauling corn.  I have been working hideous hours at the office.  We finally saw each other this weekend and we spent all of this Sunday rearranging the office and getting everything organized.  On the positive side, we are getting closer to actually being ready to get all our tax stuff together and do the filing thing.  So much work though.  :p
10. WOO!   We got hate mail for Ace and Bog!!!  Click here to see how I handle someone who thinks that my work is utter shit.  This guy, to his credit had some really valid point, and I can respect them, even if I think he's trying to critique tastelessness by the standards of high comedy -- which is kind of silly.  However, several people who think too much, along with some feminazis and PC pussy boys were showing hate to Nik over the fact that he was the art behind an offensive comic strip about a Dyke who is using a cop as a cat tree.  People, he's not the mastermind of this game.  If you want to show some hate, don't shoot the unarmed messenger, deal with the Multiracial Carpetmuncher, the Polack Gypsy and their heavy artillery.  We're not some young, fresh out-of-college kid trying to gain experience as an illustrator doing a humiliation fetish and/or stoner pulp comic that isn't meant to be for mass consumption.  We are the sickfuggs who call the shots.  FREAKIN' DEAL!  Don't like the freaking stickers, don't take 'em.  That simple.  But, if you are not easily offended, read the rant, and I will send you a free comic.  No kidding.

That's it for now.

Observation

My office and my home are starting to look less like the nests of rodents and more like places that fit their functions.  A million thanks to Loki for his invaluable help.  Naomi and Gaylen, you guys also rule!

Thank you

We had a fabulously fun Cartoonist Conspiracy meeting!  Thanks to everyone who came.

Nik!!!

Your art opening was amazing, and Harriet was a charm!

Mistys

I got to visit with not just one, but TWO Mistys this weekend.  One was shopping at a local store during a demo I was doing for a high-profile diet beverage demo on Saturday, and the other was at her job after I finished an unrelated demo on Sunday.  It was nice to see y'all there.  Yeah, I'm doing promo work, and I'll be doing figure modeling work too.  I don't seem to be very good at retiring. 

Speaking of Promos

Need temporary weekend promo work?  Email me, and I will give you the details.

What's Better Thank Sweet Old Ladies Who Make Copies and Tell Sweet Stories?

Little girls who give you happy face stickers in appreciation of the sample you just handed to them.

Bummer!

March's Art Exhibit at the Print Shop has been canceled.   Sorry gang, it was beyond my control.  I'll hopefully find something nice to fill in  >:(

Apologies

Watab Township Town of Watab, I apologize for making fun of you all those years.  You guys rule!  You guys rule HARD!

COMICMANIA!!!

1. I had this passing little wet dream the other day, about some horror flick that will rule most righteously.  I talked to Fede and I spoke with potential VAS Littlecrowleyan, Kep, and some really nice guy named Doug.  Anyway, I am not pinning my hopes on this project materializing, but if it does, and if the negotiations work out -- HOLYFREAKINGGAWDCOOL!!!  *Fingers and toes crossed.*
2. Naomi and Thien, are also gearing up with me to compete against a dozen other artist on another project of a completely different nature involving food and panels.  *Fingers and toes crossed for that too.*
3. Stef is going to visit a con in the near future, so I made her some really GROOVY Polska, Sucka! stickers to share.  If you are subscribed to P,S!, you will get them.  If you are not, drop me a comment and I will send you one.  Speaking of P,S!  The first chapter of Book 3 is coming VERY soon.
   
4. Rasputin Catamite is now the 777 most popular comic on The WebComic List.  That's pretty damn awesome for a tame gross-out comic with no obvious mass appeal.  Thank you, whoever is following that silly thing!  Let's see if we can break the top 500.

That's it for now.  Dinner awaits.

The new episode of The Nine Lives of Catnose is now online at Lemmecheck.  Consider this your bachelor party, Nik!  (Mature Audiences - Not Work-Safe)

Nik Arnoldi, the guy who draws all of that cool stuff on Ace and Bog, came to Rice on Friday, to help Loki and I with getting some stuff done at the store, as well as working on some art.  His visit was an absolute delight.  Apparently, he also seemed to like our taste in food, coffee, and tea.  To Loki's credit, he managed to make it through the entire weekend eating a meat-free cuisine, without gagging, or making monumentally stupid comments in front of our vegetarian friend.  He did call Nik "weird" for not eating meat, but he more than a made up for it with a huge loaf of homemade bread and good conversation.  we did talk about hunting and animal husbandry, but Nik did not seem to mind at all, and in fact asked all sorts of cool questions.

On Saturday, Loki roped him into chopping some wood in the freezing cold.  Nik seem to have an absolute blast doing that. I suppose it was one of those good chest hair growing activities, that really seemed to get city boys, such as him in touch with his inner Neanderthal. The cats provided an endless source of amusement for him, but they didn't seem overly amused over the fact that he could get them to shed their dignity by wiggling the stupid yellow feather-boa-on-a-stick thingy at them.

Nik, Loki, and I invested a great deal of time working on art and scripting.  Unfortunately, Loki was unable to work on drawing and writing as much as he would've liked to, because he had potato trucks to load on  Sunday morning.  Nik and I, stayed up until some insane hour sketching each other.  We are totally hardcore, so we said screw it to the pencils and lights, and work straight to ink using nothing but candlelight and the light from the wood-burning stove.  Nik wasn't used to the dim and unpredictable lighting, so I'm sure his eyes felt like someone had scraped them with sandpaper, but he performed admirably during our sketch jam.  I'm used to putting myself through that kind of insanity, so I fared a little bit better in the ocular department.  Nik made an absolutely kick-butt portrait of me using a red ballpoint pen and a black brush pen. 

My gel pen portrait sketch for him sucked royally, but thankfully it made a nice base for the neat digital painting that I've posted here for your viewing pleasure.  I cannot even begin to express my happiness with that piece.  The facial structure is a little bit goofed up, which is pretty understandable considering both Nik and I were bobbing our heads up and down as we were working on each other's portraiture and technically weren't even posing.  Drawing someone who is trying to draw you at be exact same time, is an exercise in madness, but considering the staff of VAS Littlecrow consist mostly of mad(wo)men, this activity did not seem terribly out of character for either one of us.  Still, GAH!

I haven't really had the opportunity to work on black-and-white life portraiture in a very long time, so considering the obstacles Nik and I've put ourselves through in doing these pieces of art,  I am delighted that the resulting work is, as they say in Minnesota, not too shabby.  I have other pieces that I will share in the near future, but y'all just have to wait for them, because they are still works in progress.

Anyway Nik is awesome company!  His last name is not pronounced Ar-nole-dee, but he doesn't care, so do not fear the mangling!