“I've started recording conversations with Chris about the comic because we would talk for like an hour about something I'm stuck on and then I'd forget how we ended up there and my written notes would be indecipherable.”

“Trying to create some structure and routine to chip away at thumbnails coming out of the workshop. So far still motivated and enjoying the setup at my desk.”

“Helplessly hoping her harlequin hovers nearby
Awaiting a word
Gasping at glimpses of gentle true spirit he runs
Wishing he could fly
Only to trip at the sound of goodbye”

“Right on the heels of my grandmother passing away, I attended a 1-week intensive graphic novel workshop at the Center for Cartoon Studies…”

“It's been a week and a half since Grandma Rose died, and our family is in the process of emptying my grandparents' house for good and preparing it for sale. Over the last week I've been writing and drawing nonstop about my memories of Grandma Rose and Grandpa Andy and how deeply both of them impacted me.”

Grandma Rose, 9/24/1932–8/1/2019

“First issue of the new comic book series by Craig Thompson was waiting in my mailbox today!!!”

“Here's some cool light cast on my wall, a bunch of panels, and a weird office safari look that I wore to work because it's too damn hot.”

“Our family has been thinking about my Grandma Rose more than usual lately. Grandpa Andy has been gone for almost 3 years, and last week my aunt and cousin took the difficult step of moving Rose into a nursing home.”

“Growing up my brother and I were always close (despite the usual sibling spats) and we did a lot of the same activities, had overlapping friend groups, and liked a lot of the same things. We're only a year and a half apart. It's been crazy over the last year to see him step into parenthood with my sister-in-law and take on a totally new role as a loving, energetic, and thoughtful dad…”

After work last week I biked to REI and bought a tent. My family just spent the weekend at my brother's house in Long Island and hotels/AirBnBs are expensive and/or hard to come by, so I figured I would spent less money and simultaneously have a way to explore in the future.

“After visiting Rotterdam, I decided I'd try to get more into biking my commute instead of taking the train. The train has been so miserable lately and I find it difficult to use that time productively when I'm squashed in there like a sardine. Since mid-April, I've been biking consistently most days…”

“Last fall, Chris and I went to Northampton, MA for a mini vacation. We stopped by a comic book shop and I was immediately attracted to Tillie Walden's graphic memoir, Spinning. After reading it a week later, I did some research and found that she had attended the Center for Cartoon Studies, same as Lucy Knisley. I poked around on their website…”

“Had a few space improvement projects on the docket the last few weeks as a means of procrastination. I stained this natural wood dresser from IKEA that I've had for 6 years so that it would match the walnut woodwork. The ceiling fan in my room also used to have fake wood paneling that made it look like a creepy retro spider. So I painted it white. Why not!” …

“I was 17 the first time I entered Notre, and 28 the last time. With every visit, I stood in the entryway and looked up at the towering ceilings and felt my eyes well up. I'm not a spiritual person, but was always struck by its beauty and size and how timeless this structure felt when standing, almost shrinking, inside it. As cathedrals go, it was one of the most humbling.”

“All travel stress aside, Paris was great. After all the traveling and work, I spent a lot of time that Friday in my hotel room, catching up on some drawings and listening to TV dubbed in French, with the tall windows thrown open to let in the fresh air and sunlight.”

“Rotterdam was lots of fun, though rather rushed. My coworkers and I flew out of Warsaw Sunday night, and arrived at our Airbnb around 10pm. We worked the next three days, and then left Thursday morning…”

“It has been a crazy last couple of weeks. My company is opening a new site in Warsaw, so I went on a trip to Poland, and then spent a few days in Rotterdam at another site with some hiring managers I've worked closely with over the last year.”

“My best friend and I went to see Lucy Knisley celebrate her new graphic novel, "Kid Gloves" last week and it was such a great experience.”