I cranked out two weeks of strips in four days. Sadly, this was an act of necessity — the inked buffer had dropped into single digits (9) and it took me four days to bring that up to 20.

All that, and this morning it dropped to 19. I hate the way time just, you know… PASSES without asking permission or anything. Next thing you know I’ll be turning 40 and trying to put kids through college.

In the next seven weeks I have three weeks of travel scheduled. I’m hoping that for the next two weeks I can crank 14 strips per week… that’d put me at around 35 days ahead by the time I leave for Johannesburg, which would allow me to travel in a more relaxed frame of mind.

So… how are you liking this CSI parody I’m doing? I’d lke to think that Schlock fans who don’t watch the show still get to enjoy the strips. I’d also hope that CSI fans who read Schlock get some extra kicks. Email me and let me know, okay?

Today, May 5th 2004, is Online Comics Day. Just like Christmas, it’s a day on which you get together with family and friends and exchange gifts, only instead of gifts you share webcomics. And instead of family and friends, you just sit in front of your computer. Oh, and there’s no mention of the Nativity, or Jesus. (You could argue that makes it MORE like Christmas these days, but I’ll save that tirade for later this year).

Click the link! Get out there and discover the world of webcomics! Sure, sure, you probably already read a few, and if you’re reading THIS message then you’ve already discovered my personal favorite webcomic (Schlock Mercenary is the kind of comic I wanted to read, which is why I created it) Fact is, there are thousands of webcomics out there, the vast majority of which are created by non-compensated people with a story to tell, an axe to grind, or a demon to exorcise, and if you’re up to the task you can find some first rate stuff.

You can also find enormous quantities of crap. That’s okay. The internet is like that. This isn’t news to you, right? I mean, you’re right there reading stuff in a web browser, right this minute, you’ve CERTAINLY used that same browser to access (deliberately or accidentally) some crap. Probably TODAY. Some would argue that you’re staring at a page full of it right now. I mean, I only wrote this text on Tuesday, and I didn’t really think all that hard about it. Nobody edited it. And don’t even get me started on the artwork up there. I mean really, is that supposed to be ME? And my WIFE? Yuck. I can’t believe I put my name on this stuff.

Maybe I should change my name.

Speaking of my name, it’s still attached to the OTHER comic I do, Uncool Solutions, and that site is ALSO participating in Online Comics Day, which I think is pretty darn cool, if you’ll forgive the pun.

So click over to Uncool Solutions, then check out the online comics available through the Online Comics Day Hub. Odds are good you’ll find something you like. And please be nice to the stuff you don’t. Crap has feelings too. (Squishy!)

I’m flying into Logan airport on Monday at around 3pm, and then heading out to Waltham where I’ll be staying at the Westin Waltham on Third Avenue. Any Boston-area schlockers out there should feel free to email me, because I’ve got NOTHING TO DO Monday night. The way I figure it, even with a crummy commute from the airport to the hotel, I’ll be free by 7pm.

Tuesday I’m doing Novell-ish stuff (meetings. whee.) and then flying home, so Monday evening really is your only Bostonian chance to see me for the forseeable future.

In other news, this pair of posters from Penguicon has been selling pretty well.

I’d hate to relegate such a hot-ticket item to the Open Letter Archive without giving you folks another week to send me money.

They’re $5.00 each, or $8.00 for a pair, plus shipping. If you live outside of North America, there’ll be additional shipping charges — typically another $5 or so. Proceeds go to the lining of my pocket, once I’ve split them 50/50 with Jean Elmore, who makes the colors so pretty.

Bostonian schlockers should let me know before Sunday night if they want posters. I’m happy to save you a couple of bucks on shipping, but I need to know what I’m packing before I get on the plane.