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December 27, 2005

Year In Review: July

Turned a quarter of a century old on the first, and also drew this:

The birthday party was a hell of a lot of fun. Good beer, good friends, bad singing (on my part, it was Karaoke night).

I started doubting the merits of the digital approach to Black Chamber. The reality of the whole thing really started to set in.

While in crisis about BC, I started in work on my engagement for the Kansas City Star.

My buddy Brandon got married, and we had a fantastic, good time. The day before, I went walking around the neighborhood that I had grown up in, and did this photo essay of it. Probably the most emotionally true thing that I've ever written.

Did some figure drawing courses. This is from the first session:

Instead of just one best piece of the month, I did these four within a couple days and really felt good about them:

And to wrap up the seventh month of the year:

Exercise - 7 Green Marbles

Still plateaued on this, but, eh, it's still progress. I'm eating well, feeling well, and I'm pretty sure looking well.

Day Job - 1 Black Marble

The day job am gud.

Finance - 1 Blue Marble

I'm not broke. Actually, getting to be the opposite.

Comix - 8 Red Marbles

Didn't get NEAR the work done I'd originally intended to, but that opened me up to where I'm at now, which is turning out to be a good place creatively. A lot of things on the plate right now, and all of them are guaranteed things, actually, which is cool.

Personal - 4 or 5 Silver Marbles

I forget, as I lose track on the 'Pleasant Surprises' I get. I know J and Sarah putting together the impromptu b-day party for me was one of them. They're good people and good friends, and I feel very lucky for having met them. Mike Sullivan's the same way. Mom and I seemed to bond closer this last month, too, which is good. She's a swell gal. I need to do a retrospective piece on her career as a mom some time soon. A son couldn't ask for a better mother.


July was definitely a time where I rediscovered myself, I think. It's like I'd been 'gone' for the last three years or so, and I've finally 'come back' now. I also discovered how important family and friends can be. I've always been a sort of a loner, but July helped reaffirm that I don't have to do it alone. So, I'm dedicating the July of Oh-Five to:

Dee and Roger Clark
Gary Schamberger
Jason and Sarah Preu
Mike Sullivan
Mark Stinson
Duane Cunningham
Gary Rittermeyer
Brandon and Robin Moore
Andy Denzer
Tom Denzer
Shawn Geabhart

...and everyone else who did something nice for me, and didn't expect anything back.

(By the nature of making a list, I'm sure I've inadvertantly left someone important off. Nothing personal, whatever-your-name-is.)

[EDIT: See? I left Jason Arnett off the list. I'm tellin' ya...what kind'a friend am I?]

Posted by Schamberger at December 27, 2005 07:08 AM