At the moment I've no idea what I'll be doing beyond Christmas. I have some plans, but nothing I've properly formulated yet anyway. As we all know, 2020 hasn't been the best year for anyone, to put it mildly, and there's no sign of any improvement on the horizon.
And yet... we can't give up hope. Sometimes in this pandemic it feels futile to have all work and no play... if we're even lucky enough to have any work that is! What is the point of working when so many of us see no one from one week to the next and we can't do the things we earn money to do, like taking holidays or travelling to see friends? And what of all the people who are actually suffering from the virus and its long-term effects? But... the alternative, giving up, is not worth considering. We have to live in hope.
Perhaps, in a year or two, if we can survive financially, avoid the virus, and find a safe vaccine, things will be back on track and we'll celebrate harder than ever and laugh again in the company of friends... when lockdowns, restrictions, and social distancing will be a distant memory.
Here's to all my friends in the comics industry from far and wide, and local friends too. Miss you all and I look forward to the day when we can hopefully be reunited.
13 comments:
Don't give up hope..
Vactination is the answer and Oxford are very confident...my hope is in that..
Thinking of all people working free lance especially..
My wife has lost her job due to the virus..so after the fourth job she applied for she has got the job of her dreams..which is amazing...working in a day centre with learning disabilities and the best thing not zero hours But an actual part time job...so we are over the moon.. my craft fairs are not fully back But the ones I've done...travelling further than normal have gove very well...so a mixed year and of course we loved our holidays..etc etc..
thinking of you Lew and hope finally we will see some good news...
I think things will get better, we just need to get through the stress. I have family members in medicine and education. their current work-loads are immense, but they keep on buggering on (so to speak).
Quick aside, Lew, I would have had the Dalek saying "Here's your din-dins." But that's just me.
Very pleased to hear of your wife's new job, Peter, and of your craft fairs. No chance of conventions returning anytime soon unfortuntely. I don't drive so they're not the sort of things I can travel to without using trains, and I'm avoiding those at present. (Seems public transport will soon be limited to "essential travel" anyway.)
I'm ok though Peter, despite my melancholic post. I'm resigned to thinking that this is going to take another year or two to overcome, but of course the longer it goes on the more effect it'll have on publishing. Grocery prices are creeping up too, and that's likely to keep climbing. Anyway, I think the best all of us can do is take one day at a time and not think too far ahead. Wishing you and Carol all the best.
Not sure that would work Brendini, as the Dalek isn't trying to be cute. "Dinner" sounded more like a good word that a Dalek could emphasise, and admittedly I should have clarified that by having it as "din-nerrr", which is how it sounded in my head when I wrote it.
Lew you can choose whether this situation affects you or not. I choose not to live in fear and I set about my daily routine just as I did before it happenned. I still go to work, see all my friends and family, and the only inconvenience is I sometimes wear a mask. The risk is so small it shouldn't force you into hiding to cower away from something that might never happen. Be a man not a mouse! When your number's up there's nothing you can do to prevent it anyway. Fate finds a way somehow but we just have to pray our time isn't due yet. So get out, take a holiday, meet new people, enjoy yourself!!
It's not a case of "living in fear" or being a "mouse", Gareth. It's about facing the truth of the situation and being responsible and cautious for the safety of others as well as myself. That's not fear. It's pragmatism.
I would also disagree with your fatalistic viewpoint that "when your number's up there's nothing you can do to prevent it". You're entitled to believe that but I don't believe our lives are already planned out for us by some hand of fate. If we aren't in charge of our own destiny there's no point in even getting out of bed in the morning because if we can't change the bad things we can't change the good stuff either, right? So those "fated" to be healthy and successful would still have a great life according to that philosophy. I believe the responsibility lies with us, and even though things go wrong, it's not predestined.
Things will get better Lew although they would get better sooner if more folk took this seriously and stopped thinking it's all a conspiracy. It may so far, be unlikely to get a serious dose of the virus but it is out there and could get worse once winter hits and the flu virus weakens our systems. Just look at Glasgow area last month totally under control now with uni back and folk taking eye of the ball it's mounting up big time.
You are right, Lew, we need to live in hope! Good words! But I'm sorry to hear things beyond Christmas are very unknown for you.
I'm still surprised you've never had anything in The Phoenix - if you've submitted and they've not bitten, then it's their loss, as I think it'd be interesting to see a multi-episode Brickman adventure or something like that.
Have you ever thought of doing a webcomic, or something similar to Blimey! supported through Patreon? Others have had success this way, but I know it'd be a risk.
Hope things look up for you, and everyone, soon.
I've never submitted anything to The Phoenix, Ben. I know someone suggested me to them years ago and they told him they didn't want to use "Beano artists" so I've never bothered. Met the editor once but he didn't seem interested. I think Brickman or anything in my style of humour would be way too rough and common for them. :)
Patreon seems to be a lot of work for uncertain rewards and I don't know of any friends who are making much from it but it may be an option next year.
Hi Paul, Yes I think there are too many thinking the virus is a hoax for any of us to feel safe at the moment. Much as I've always supported local businesses I'm now avoiding small shops because customers are not wearing masks or social distancing, and shop owners aren't bothering to tell them or limit the number of customers in their shops. No wonder people prefer supermarkets.
2020 for me will be the year that I was able to see your wonderful talent gracing the pages of The77. Sgt SHOUTY of the Moon Force is one of my favourite strips and it's a privilege to read your new scripts and be only the second person to see a new page as I edit the comic. I hope he continues his adventures for many issues to come!
Thanks Ben! I'm really enjoying doing Sgt.Shouty and being part of an exciting new comic so long may it continue!
Sorry to hear 2021 is filled with such uncertainty Lew. I've lost my job because of this pandemic so I know the feeling well at the moment. Glad to see most commenters here taking this seriously and realising our actions are affecting the health and wellbeing of others. I, too, stay away from local shops and find the main supermarkets around here, particularly Sainsbury's are filled with mainly caring and sensible people. Let's hope for a brighter future!
I was in Sainsburys today actually and everyone was masked and keeping their distance. It's the corner shops where I've noticed negligence.
Very sorry this terrible situation has cost you your job, Phil. I hope you find something new soon.
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