2012 in Review

This time of year always breeds best-of lists, worst-of lists, and random reflections. I'm not enough of an expert on any one thing to write such a list with any real authority, but random reflections are something I think I can handle.

So, in no particular order, here are 12 things that I thought were terrific in 2012. Some are personal, some are news, and some are just nifty. If you don't think so, make your own damn list!

1: The Curiosity Rover Landing on Mars

What a nail-biter! Watching the live stream of the scientists involved in this Mars mission during its final descent made me glad to be a human being living during the 21st century.

2: Safety Not Guaranteed 

Don't tell me you haven't seen this gem of a time travel movie! It's quirky in the best way possible, funny, and romantic. A great mix, and one of the best films of 2012 in my opinion.

3: The Taming of Vera Cat

This time last year new kitten Vera was a scared and scrawny kitten. Now? Rather the opposite. 

4: Betrayal of the Planet of the Apes and Exile on the Planet of the Apes Released as Trades

I'm really proud of the work Gabriel and I did on these books and I'm thrilled that we were able to partner with Marc Laming for Exile. BOOM! did a beautiful job turning the issues into books, too.

5: New Tattoo

Okay, so a couple of the things that made this list are a bit self-serving. Still, I'm really happy with this.

6: The Higgs (Almost) Announcement

How amazing is this? Humanity's understanding of the universe took a giant leap forward because of a huge, incredibly accurate machine and the work of scientists from all over the world. 

7: Good News for Tigers

Tiger numbers increased in key parts of Thailand, India, and Russia thanks to anti-poaching enforcement, new protected areas, and stronger governmental involvement. A step in the right direction!

8: My 14th Anniversary

Not to mention 20th as a couple! I'm lucky enough to both live and work with my partner. Not a bad setup by any stretch. 

9: Volunteering and Joining the Board at Kitty Bungalow Charm School for Wayward Cats

After our success with Vera I wanted to help other abandoned cats. Happily, I found Kitty Bungalow. When they asked me to join the board I was immensely honored. I can't wait to see KB grow in 2013!

10: Station to Station Premiering in Dark Horse Presents

This is a story that Gabriel and I had wanted to do for years now. We're thrilled that it's found a home!

11: Two Tiny Trips to Palm Springs

Sadly, we didn't get to do much traveling this year (except to cons) but we did make it to Palms Springs  twice for a day or two. Highlights: a crazy ariel tram, mid-century architecture, and a dog in sunglasses. 

12: Ten Billion Earths

Or thereabouts. That's how many earth-like worlds might exist in our galaxy, based on current theories. Can finding some sign that we're not alone be far behind? I can't think of anything more exciting. 

And now... Onward to 2013! Happy New Year!

Kitten of the Week - Batgirl

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How can it be that Batgirl is the last of her siblings to be adopted? Perhaps it's because her 3/4 mask makes her blend into the background. That's handy when you're hunting bright pink catnip birds but not so good when you're looking for a home.

Batgirl is also still a bit shy, but she warms up quickly once she learns that you're not an evildoer. And who can blame her? Life is hard for a kitten on the streets, even when that kitten is also a superhero. Luckily she's now safe at Kitty Bungalow Charm School for Wayward Cats, learning good manners and how how to be a bit more outgoing. She'll be ready for a new home January 2nd.

Happy New Year, Batgirl!

Wordless Wednesday featuring Camila and her Christmas Shark

Wordless Wednesday featuring a Kitten in a Monkey Head

Station to Station Premiers!

I'm always happy when a new issue of Dark Horse Presents hits the stands but this month I'm thrilled. If you guessed that's because issue #19 includes a story by Caitlin R. Kiernan and Steve Lieber, you'd be half right. As to the other half, well...

STATION TO STATION, written by Gabriel and me and drawn by Gabriel, debuts tomorrow. It's set in San Francisco, it's full of monsters and destruction, and I can't wait for you to see it. This month's issue will present the first 1/3 of the story which will continue through January and February. You can see a preview here. I hope you'll check it out!

Exile on the Planet of the Apes Trade - Less than a Month Away

We're well into November, not even two weeks away from Thanksgiving... And less than a month from the release of the trade of EXILE ON THE PLANET OF THE APES, due in stores the first week of December from BOOM!

Written by Gabriel Hardman and myself, with gorgeous art by Marc Laming, EXILE is a story that I'm really proud of. I'm also incredibly excited to see it in book form!

Want to check it out? You can pre-order it on Amazon right now for $9.97, which is more than $5 off the cover price.

Also, many thanks to everyone who picked it up in its previous incarnation. You all deserve a big chimpanzee style pant-hoot!

Is it Too Late to Say Happy Halloween?

Vera seemed to enjoy her first costume

Hard to believe that Halloween was almost a week ago and that we're well into November now. Especially since it's after dark and we still have the air on. Today was hot, no joke. Fall weather? Not in LA.

Anyway, happy late Halloween to everyone! Vera Kitten is more properly Vera Cat now since she turned one in September, but this was her first Halloween with us so of course she got her first costume. Much to our surprise she seemed to take it in stride.

Camila got to dress up too. She was a skunk this year, but wasn't quite as happy about it as Vera was about hers. She did enjoy the big pumpkin-shaped cookie we got her from Three Dog Bakery though.

Camila seemed less than pleased with her costume...

but no less than in years past.

After the annual shaming of the pets we took the night off from work and went to Border Grill where we were served by a guy dressed as a bear-Jedi. Or maybe a Jedi-bear. It was hard to tell which, and I was too shy to ask. After that it was off to the LA Phil where they were playing The Cat and the Canary with live organ accompaniment. I had never seen the picture (kind of a goofy horror/comedy silent from 1927) or been to the venue, so it was time well spent. When we told the Jedi-bear where we were going he was quite jealous.

Sadly, now it's time to take the skeletons down from our trees and turn our thoughts to other things. For instance, what to dress Vera as next year!