ChrisMaverick dotcom

Tag: year2

7-10-08

7-10-08

Day 699 of 365 More.

You know, I’m pretty much just addicted to this whole self-portrait thing. I was talking to my mom the other day about the one day she’s missed, and the thing is, I don’t even know how to NOT take a picture. After 699 days, there’s a lot of days I don’t have ideas and just don’t really feel like it. But honestly, I don’t think I can even sleep through the night if I haven’t taken a picture. It’s just too much a part of my life right now.

I know that sounds like dedication. It’s not really. It’s neurosis. I have a problem. I obsess over certain things. This has become one of them. Just like smoking (ran out of cigarettes hours ago and everything reasonable is closed… I’m working really hard to not go out and buy a pack), working on the comic (new episode yesterday, if you haven’t been checking it out, you should be… cheap plug), nightly orgies with Carmen Electra, Rhianna and Elisha Cuthbert, and chocolate chip cookies.

There are just somethings that I can’t live without.

Wouldn’t it be great if those things were like working out, eating healthy, and solving the energy crisis? Oh well.

365 days

7-9-08

7-9-08

Day 698 of 365 More.

I really need to work out more. I mean, I know I’m by no means fat. But I am not happy with how I look right now. This time last year I was in heavy work-out mode in preparation for Jammy Jam. This year I just haven’t had the time.

Steph and I did go swimming, so I guess that helps a little bit. Still I really need to get rid of that gut. I really need more hours in the day.

365 days

7-8-08

7-8-08

Day 697 of 365 More.

Where does the time go?

Lately, I’ve been waiting later and later to start even thinking about 365. And a lot of the time I am so busy I really can’t come up with anything interesting.

Especially on days which I’m working on the comic, which is really a minimum of about four nights a week. I just end up coming home from work and drawing, writing or coloring all day. Next thing i know, it’s like a quarter to 11 and I haven’t even thought about my shot. So I take something quick and get back to work and the next thin I know its quarter after two and I haven’t posted yet.

Honestly, I’m loving it. I have wanted to do a comic since I was seven years old, and even though Hellcats isn’t as popular as I’d like it to be, its still been a blast and pretty rewarding.

I just wish other parts of my life didn’t have to suffer so much to make it happen. Seriously, if I could just sell more copies of the book or get like a few hundred daily viewers looking at the banner ads, then maybe someday I could make enough money that that could be my day job.

And I wouldn’t end up with 365 photos like this.

*sigh*

365 days

7-5-08

7-5-08

Day 694 of 365 More.

Steph and I spent the day after the 4th at my uncle’s ranch again. Basically hanging out with family that I don’t see very often. Lots of kids and lots of picnic food. My mom and I decided to take our 365s together before we left.

Another long day of driving tomorrow. Vacations are so much work.

365 days

7-4-08

7-4-08

Day 693 of 365 More.

A long day spent at my uncle’s ranch with my family. I got to meet my niece and nephew for the first time. This is my niece, Nevaeh, and I watching fireworks. She’s only one and a half. So she doesn’t stand still very often. This is the best picture I could get of both of us.

365 days

7-3-08

7-3-08

Day 692 of 365 More.

Take me to another place
Take me to another land
Make me forget all that hurts me
Let me understand your plan

So Steph and I jumped in the car today and drove to Tennessee for my family reunion. We didn’t get in til after 3am. I am exhausted.

Since we were pretty much driving all day, I didn’t have a lot of time to really stop and take pictures. This one was taken on my iPhone when Steph and I stopped to get dinner at a McDonalds, somewhere in Southern West Virginia I think.

And then six more hours of driving cramped up in her little Honda Civic. I really need to get that Hybrid Escape.

Now I see the importance of history
Why people be in the mess that they be
Many journeys to freedom made in vain
By brothers on the corner playin ghetto games
I ask you lord why you enlightened me
Without the enlightment of all my folks
He said cuz I set myself on a quest for truth
And he was there to quench my thirst
But I am still thirsty…

The lord allowed me to drink some more
He said what I am searchin for are
The answers to all which are in front of me
The ultimate truth started to get blurry
For some strange reason it had to be
It was all a dream about Tennessee

365 days

7-2-08

7-2-08

Day 691 of 365 More.

And that’s it. I am officially on vacation.

You know, I’ve been thinking for the last few days how much I was looking forward to this vacation. I’ve just been burnt out lately. Overworked. I need the time off.

Only I realized something today.

I have four days off in a row, including the weekend. But two of those days, I’m spending the entirety of driving. Which means my effective break is two days.

You know… just like always.

*sigh*

365 days

7-1-08

7-1-08

Day 690 of 365 More.

This picture doesn’t have much to do with anything. I just wanted to play around with macros some more.

Did some more searching for an Escape Hybrid. Still don’t have one yet. But I feel better about my options. Still, if someone wants to get me an early birthday present, let me know.

Blah. I really can’t think of anything else to say tonight. That’s weird. Going to a family reunion thing this weekend, not the kinda craziness I usually go for, but it is something different. Hopefully that will rejuvenate me a bit.

365 days

6-30-08

6-30-08

Day 689 of 365 More.

You know, looking at this makes it seem a lot more depressing than I thought I felt at the time.

I actually had a few really good ideas the last couple days. I was really happy with them. It was a good three or four day run. And I’m burnt out again.

A mere ghost of my former self.

It’s funny. The main reason I started this project was to push myself to come up with new ideas every day. I had serious doubts about being able to make 365 days. After the first year I kept going because I enjoyed the process and the challenge. Today is day 689 and half of me is amazed that I’ve been able to keep coming up with shit. The other half s]is in constant fear that the well is dry.

Maybe I’ll have something tomorrow.

365 days

6-29-08

6-29-08

Day 688 of 365 More.

How much is petrol? 82 million a gallon? Fuck this machine!

I’ve been looking for a new car. For those who don’t know, I drive a 97 Blazer. To be generous, one might say its on its last leg. I have a oil leak problem that no one can figure out. I broke off my passenger side mirror. I’ve had problems with everything from the fuel pump to the transmission. It’s old and it sucks. Also, it get like negative 83 miles to the gallon. And that’s a real problem these days, seeing as how putting twenty dollars in your tank can only almost get you to the next gas station.

Spent this weekend looking at hybrid SUVs. Now I don’t want to hear anyone’s nonsense telling me to get a nice little practical smart car or any shit like that. 1) I am a photographer. I routinely carry a huge amount of equipment and models with me on random trips, and I need the space. 2) I live in Pittsburgh. At the top of a hill. Really, in the 11 months out of the year when we have 18 feet of snow on the ground, one really wants four wheel drive.

Anyway, I’ve recently decided that for my lifestyle the Ford Escape is the perfect vehicle for me. It doesn’t have quite the luggage capacity of my Blazer, but it’s good enough, not to mention, nice and comfy and gets better than twice the gas milage I get right now. I might even be able to drive to the corner store and back for less than $47.

The problem is, a brand new one is like $30,000. Problem number two is that I don’t have $30,000. I’ve never actually owned a new car in my life. It just always seemed kinda silly. What with the "you lose $3000 just driving off the lot" and all. I’ve always been perfectly happy with used cars. The problem is motherfuckers who bought the Ford Escape Hybrid in the last 3 years (the came out in 2005) haven’t traded them back in yet. They’re hard as hell to find, and even when I do, the cheapest I’ve seen is like $19,000. Most people still want like $25000+ for them, and at that rate, I might as well have Ford custom build me one that’s decked out and pefect for like $32,000.

Fuck I hate life. I remember like in 1998 when I was driving a Cavalier Z24 and and less than a dollar a gallon, 20 bucks would fill up my tank and leave me more than enough change for a (much cheaper) pack of smokes and maybe a candy bar or something.

I blame freedom. In a world where I am ruler we would not have these problems. Again, I implore you citizens, in the polls this fall, vote for me. Not just as president, but as sovereign lord of all I survey. We tried the little democracy thing. Gave it over 230 years. Let’s face it. It just isn’t working out. Chalk it up to a lesson learned and appoint me as ruler and I promise a utopian society beyond you’re wildest dreams.

Or at the very least, I promise that you’ll fucking be able to fill up your tank for twenty dollars.

No, well, at the very least could you all pass the hat around and get me some scratch to buy a new vehicle? I swear, $30,000 and I’ll never ask for another thing again.

I’m worth it, right?

365 days

6-28-08

6-28-08

Day 687 of 365 More.

A few weeks back on the 365 Days Podcast, James did a tutorial raving about macro filters. A few weeks later Stephen picked some up and started shooting every tiny thing he could find. I finally got around to getting a set for myself today while Steph and I were out shopping and figured I hadto show them off. It’s been a while since I did any abstract kinda self-portrait, so I figured now would be a good chance.

I love hand shots. This brings a whole new essence to them.

365 days

6-27-08

6-27-08

Day 686 of 365 More.

Ah, refreshing.

Steph and I finally got a chance to use the pool tonight. It was quite nice. Not quite as warm as I like it (I like my pool water to feel warm… almost like the hottub) but it was quite nice anyway, probably just the temperature that most people like it.

Anyway, initially I had intended to do a shot of me floating underwater, but then I got the idea of doing a jumping out of the water shot (as opposed to my cannonballing into it that I did last year). This is what I finally came up with.

Aquaman, eat your heart out!

365 days

6-25-08

6-25-08

Day 684 of 365 More.

You know, sometimes I think I’m losing my mind. No particular reason. At least not one that I can put my finger on. I only realized tonight when my face started itching that I haven’t shaved all week. It’s 2:30am and I’m up and not really doing anything just because I can’t sleep. That’s nothing new really. I never sleep. I’ve mentioned that before. But usually I utilize that time working on something creative. The comic, pictures. Something. But I got the comic posted hours ago, and I just don’t have the mental energy to work on any thing.

So instead I’m sitting up and watching the World Trade Center movie, when i should be going to bed so I can go to work tomorrow.

Pretty sure I’m losing my mind.

Yep. Pretty sure.

365 days

6-24-08

6-24-08

Day 683 of 365 More.

Hey look, it’s a TTV. Well, kinda anyway.

I’ve been really burnt out lately. Long day at work and had a lot of work to do on Thursday’s comic when I got home. On top of that, I have to get into work early tomorrow, which means I need to force myself to go to sleep soon, and it’s not even 12:30 and I’m totally not used to that.

Sigh… I’m burnt out. I really need a vacation. And a party. And a pony. Any two of the three would probably do.

365 days