The End of an Era

I want to thank everyone who has been entertained by Future Leaders of the World over the years.  One of the constant joys has been the feedback I have received from my efforts.  I can’y deny the pride I felt knowing my dick and poop jokes made you laugh.

I will be ending the FLotW series of comics in the near future.  I am going to try and wrap up all of the stories of the main characters first.  I owe them that much, since I put them through murderous cats, explosions, zombies and home invasions.

I will continue to post Unmedicated comics, just on a new site (TBA).  There will be an all new comic with a new cast and plot that I plan to launch when I am finished with FLotW (Also TBA).  I am also working out the details of a commissioned bi-weekly comic for another site (So very very TBA).

Bad Grey Matter will change slightly, becoming more of a ongoing resume of my projects than a host of them.  So you’ll still find links to my comics as well as games, videos and artwork if you stop by.

Rock on,
Rob 

Bad Grey Matter…HAT!

My friend Jen knit (knitted?  knot?) me a brain hat!  Y’know she has a shop over at Etsy that has been featured several times.  Go visit it!  http://www.etsy.com/shop/DiverseElements?ref=top_trail

Of Bricks and Blackberries

For the past month my phone has been dead. I’m close to the end of my contract, but far enough out that my carrier refuses to push my upgrade up. So essentially I’m paying them off to not charge me the disconnect fee. Don’t worry, I already found a new carrier at a lower rate. Having the useless phone made me realize several things about myself.

One thing I realized is how disconcerted I became without the familiar weight in my pocket. I had become so accustomed to carrying it around that without it I felt as if I had forgotten something constantly. So I began carrying around a useless hunk of plastic and circuitry just to alleviate those fears.

But doing this just made me aware of how often I checked my phone. My hand was trained to take my phone out during any pause in my day to check the time, messages, and add data. But of course I could do none of those things, so I just ended up looking at a black screen and calling myself an idiot throughout the day.

The problem should be solved soon, I have an old throwaway phone to transfer my service to, and in a few months I’ll switch to the new phone/service.

But still, what kind of idiot drags a useless device around and then checks it? Me. I’m that kind of idiot.

 

Rock on,

Rob

2012

A new year is upon us, and hopefully not the last. I have stuff to get done.  Ancient Mayan prophecies be damned.

Obviously the website has work left to do on it. I’ll be keeping the look but streamlining how easy it is to get from point A to point B, as well as populating the store section with the items available via cafepress. (http://www.cafepress.com/BadGreyMatter)

I’ll keep posting new Future Leaders of the World every Sunday, and unmedicated comics whenever the ideas strike me. I’ll also be involved in some web sketch comedy, details of that forthcoming. The updates to the art section (sketchbook, wallpapers and such) will continue to occur at seemingly random intervals.

Plenty of other projects to keep me busy. I’ve got several board and card games of my own design I’m mocking up and testing while getting artwork together for it. I’m still lacking a drummer and guitarist for my musical interests, but for now I’ll keep practicing and writing songs. If I end up having to do it all myself I will, but it’ll take longer. Don’t expect to see anything on that before spring.

I’ve also decided to challenge myself as a writer. Besides rewriting several old first drafts, I’m also going to try my hand at a full length novel. A fantasy novel based in a world of my own design. I’ll have to learn to keep writing through the less inspired moments and become better at editting and rewrites, which has been my Achilles heel as of late.

Also, I plan to quit smoking and stop relying on energy drinks to get through the longer days. All in all an extremely optimistic plan for a single year. But optimistic is how I’m feeling.  How’re you feeling?  Set any goals for yourself?

Rock on,
Rob

Skyrim and Other Games

I’ve basically wasted the end of November.  Not only did Skyrim come out, but Minecraft 1.0.0 was finally released.  And I had stuff to do!

I think I’ve found a balance that works.  It’s a good thing to, because in my normal pattern of ‘expect too much out of myself’ I’ve drafted about a 4 page to-do list of things that need to get done this year (as in this month).

Wish me luck; and if you have some free time, play more video games.

Rock on,
Rob

PS – I’m quietly working on getting the store section…section-y.  Until I get it right feel free to browse the currently available designs at www.cafepress.com/badgreymatter 

Dumb Luck

Last week my roommates both came down with a stomach bug.  I thought I had avoided it.

I thought wrong.

In fact, it was waiting to pounce until the day before a holiday where it is routine to engorge yourself; much in the same manner as a tick.  Instead of setting out a loose fitting pair of pants, I was instead drinking plenty of fluids and staying horizontal.

My appetite is slowly returning, and I am keeping down solids.  If nothing else there will be more leftovers for turkey sandwiches and I’ll have spent some time with the family.

Rock on,
Rob 

Impotent Rage

I’ve become very disappointed in all of us.

Earlier this week, groups of peaceful protestors around the country were removed from their protest spaces. I may not have fully understood what their final goal was; but they clearly had the right to express it where they were. In a paraphrased and more classic vernacular; I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it.

Then yesterday I received word about and did some research on some legislation being heard by the senate and congress. Known as the Protect IP Address Act andthe Stop Online Piracy Act, these bill would give the government the power to censor entire websites in much the way or China and Iran. And these are being voted on in the most powerful legislative bodies in the ‘land of the free. It’s a joke so funny I forgot to laugh and instead began screaming at the top of my lungs.

The worst part is, there is no outrage. People should be burning effigies of these asshole lawmakers who think they know what parts of the internet are ‘acceptable’.
And I’m mad at myself for being too apathtic to fight (yet).

Rock on
Rob

The most wonderful time of the year

Halloween is my favorite holiday.  It appeals to the weirdo in me.  Dress up however you like, and people give you candy for it.  Pure genius.

So it goes without saying that I start October already looking forward to the last day.  This will be a month or horror movies, discussing costumes with friends, and more candy.

I’m still deciding what I’ll be this year.  I’m leaning towards Deadpool or Jean Luc Picard.

Rock on,
Rob

Friends and Movies

Just got back from a weekend trip out to visit Willis and Shannon. They moved to Port Henry for work and have been lonely. So Friday I threw Seth and Jen in my car and we drove out to the middle of nowhere adjacent to Lake Champlain.

A good time was had by all. Seth and I have a very productive brainstorm on the way up. I have some more tabletop games in the works. Once there it was beer, games and netflix. I pretty much ate nothing but pizza and wings; and drank nothing besides coffee (AM) or alcohol (PM). Seth and I played far too much Settlers of Catan, and Shannon and I bonded over beer pong. I let Willis get in a few free slaps throughout the weekend to tide him over. When it starts snowing the ability to visit will be greatly hindered, so I don’t know if I’ll see him again until spring.

I somehow came back with much more stuff than I left with. Willis gave me a box of CDs he didn’t want, a walking stick, and all the leftover snacks and beer.

Also, posting late to highly recommend ‘Contagion’, which I saw last weekend. It’s a slower movie, but the cast, direction and score are excellent. It is still exciting, moving and extremely realistic. It won my vote for ‘Best movie of 2011′ even so late in the game. Go see it. More movies should be that good and not the same cookie-cutter nonsense we normally get in media.

Rock on
Rob

Night Owl

Woke up at 4am, been churning out chores and tasks since. Why I was wide awake at 4am is a mystery. I seem to have made the best of it.

Added some links to other writers and artists in the appropriate sections. New unmedicated posted. Inked a few FLotW for later this month, trying to stay ahead and get some plotlines going.

Lots more to do still. But for now, it feels like nap time.

Rock on,
Rob