Lessee, what have I been up to?

The first week of July, Eleanor and I headed up to my folks’ house in Virginia, where I subjected to her to my various nostalgia trips. I made her see a play at the outdoor theater that I worked at for a summer. I forced her to eat lunch at the restaurant where I waited tables for a year and a half. Plus the obligatory amount of sightseeing, hiking in the woods, and visiting of sites of childhood importance. But I think mostly we lounged about the house. I actually brought bristol board, pencils, ink and brushes, thinking that I might actually get some work done. I don’t know why I bother. I’ve never once been able to do any work while visiting home.

I got back a couple days after my friend Erik had arrived in town for a visit. So I spent the next week or so puttering about town with him and Antar and Eleanor, doing nothing much of anything – besides completely ruining our sleep schedules. We went bowling one evening, where Erik thoroughly cleaned up. Of course, the score isn’t the point. The point is the style of your approach. Erik went with his classic, the devastating “Fastpitch Softball” technique, until the manager came over and made him stop. Antar’s “Stalking Housecat” proved powerful but unreliable. Eleanor used her tried-and-true “Spaghetti Noodle” release. I drew admiration with my classy “Marriage Proposal” approach, until a bruised-up left knee forced me into a “Modified Spider-man.” Other highlights of Erik’s visit included about half a dozen trips to various all-night diners. Much coffee was consumed, and at least one sunrise observed.

Since Erik left, I’ve taken my car in to the shop, gone grocery shopping, and scrupulously avoided drawing any comics.

Also, Eleanor harried me into finally getting one of those “Night Guard” things that people use when they grind their teeth in their sleep. Apparently I don’t actually grind my teeth – it’s more of a “gnashing.” I don’t know how I picked up this habit, but Eleanor and my local dentist concur. So now I have to wear this rubbery thing in my mouth every night while I sleep. For the REST OF MY LIFE, I guess.