I know I haven't written a journal entry in a long time.  This is because I've been working a deadline (still am).  But today I was kind of overcome by the irony of this situation.

Most of my friends are celebrating the comics art form in some manner this weekend.  Some of them are in Las Vegas at the National Cartoonists Society's "Reubens" weekend.  Some are in Hickory, NC at the convention there, and at least one (probably more) is in Raleigh at Animazment.

While I'm here inking away on "Game of Horror".  I've completed most of the pages at this point with 5 left to complete.  I hope to whittle that number down to 3 by the end of the day.  But the days have been long.  I've been in the studio until midnight for most of this week, and I have blisters on my thumb and middle finger from holding pen and brush for such long periods of time.

Being a professional cartoonist / illustrator is no picnic.  I have moments of self-pity--I won't lie about that.  But I love what I do and will continue to do it as long at the Lord allows me to.  Even when it means I have to sit in the studio while others celebrate Memorial Day Weekend.

Of course the true irony of the situation is that there are lots of servicemen and servicewomen who will be working hard this weekend defending our country.  They've been at it for a long time, and in many cases have not had a decent night's sleep in months--possibly years.  

So while while my friends are enjoying the perks of being professional cartoonists and the accolades of fan and fellows and I feel a twinge of jealousy--there are folks out there dodging bullets, braving the elements so that I can sit in a nice cool studio and draw funny books, and perhaps some of you will enjoy a picnic…all because someone was and is willing to do a really hard job.

Let's face it, deadlines may hurt the body temporarily--but so far as I know nobody ever died at the hands of a piece of bristol board.  So we owe an incredible debt to those in uniform.

But just as I am praying that all my friends have a great day celebrating comics, it seems that the folks in service are hoping that we all have a great Memorial Day Weekend.  Their reward is that you and I are safe to enjoy and celebrate the day.

So everyone be careful--we don't want their sacrifice to be in vain.