Customary Creatures

A special shout goes out to Dan Bishop, fan extraordinaire, who has created the “Customary Creatures Fan Club” on facebook! That’s Dan–the shirtless, sunglasses-wearing uber-fan–pictured above.

This is the special kind of kick in the shorts I’ve needed to update the comic again regularly.

For the fan club faithful: I’m up for guest artists and strip ideas (you’ll get credit for whatever you provide, if used). Message me, email me, or send a tweet my way @gsorvig. Word on the street is that there’ll be some fan club only comics down the road…

Keep your eyes peeled and thanks. Keep spreading the word!

Winning Indiana was an amazing cherry on top!

Our five-month old wiener dog puppy, Tootsie, celebrated her first Halloween this weekend. She was a spooky witch! She kept biting her cape, so the costume was short lived.

Rach and I took Tootsie to Holliday Park today (Sunday, November 2). Tootsie enjoyed smelling other dogs, and apparently turned on her kiddy tractor beam before hitting the trails. No matter the distance, children would spot Tootsie and come barreling over in glee. It was a good time!

A special shout out to Steve Nascimbeni, who lives for Halloween!

My Halloween costume, circa 1992, bought by my dad while on a business trip to New York. 

My parents told me I was “Sebastian” from The Little Mermaid. I didn’t say anything, but I knew I was just a simple lobster.

Last Thursday, October 23, I went to the first day of early voting at the J. Everett Light Career Center in Indianapolis, Indiana. Thinking I could vote quickly right after work, I was gravely mistaken. I waited in line for a total of two and a half hours.

As you can see from the pictures, the line wrapped up and down a couple hallways. It felt like Disney World, where you thought the end was near just to turn the corner to find the line continues down another room.

Even though the wait was long, the vigor was high for Senator Barack Obama. I didn’t hear one person say they were voting McCain, and there were a lot of people talking. 

There was a passion within these voters that was severely lacking four years ago. With the majority of Democrats voting out of angst against George W. Bush last election, I’ve seen people supporting and now voting out of hope for Barack Obama. 

The lack of passion was the fundamental reason I believe Kerry lost in 2004. Those votes weren’t really for him, they were against Bush. And with that lack of passion and the way the polls made it sound like a Kerry victory in those last days before November 4, many people didn’t vote.

The 2004 election proves that hate doesn’t prevail. Like many others, I voted early out of hope and passion, and that’s why I believe Senator Barack Obama will be our next president.

Okay, so I haven’t posted anything in a week. Hopefully this beefy, picture-filled update of my going-on’s will make it all up to you!

1. Tootsie Update

Our dog Tootsie is doing well. She’s grown in a few adult teeth and it quite long these days. These pictures are a couple weeks old, so she’s already a bigger gal! She gained a pound within two weeks, bringing her up to just over six pounds!

2. Bloody Netflix

I am a Netflix subscriber. Beefing up my “classic” film collection, I received the 1969 John Wayne movie “True Grit” a couple weeks ago. Upon removing the sleeve from the envelope I couldn’t help but to notice gross, dried red spots under the description. Blood? Very likely.

3. Delicious Sodas at Noodles and Company

Sprecher sodas are delicious. I had never had one up until a few weeks ago. Since the first mouthful of orange delight, I’ve enjoyed numerous sodas of the Sprecher variety! The “Orange Dream” flavor is THE BEST orange soda I have ever tasted. Bravo! Check out the awesome label art.

4. Volunteering for Obama

I’ve made calls, done some data entry and went canvassing a couple times out of the Broad Ripple Obama field office. Everyone was friendly and amazing. Check out some signs made by kids (or feeble senior citizens?).

5. I Got a Car Wash

This is amazing because I rarely get my car washed. Usually I let nature do its job outside while I’m at work. I’m not aiming to impress with my silver Nissan Sentra. Maybe when I’m old and have a status symbol car I’ll car more.

Anyway, I forgot how enjoyable a car wash can be. I love the smell of the soap, the vibration and tug of the car being pulled along, and watching the big soapy pieces of cloth squiggle down the windshield. Plus, at Mike’s Car Wash you get to watch wet and frumpy stuffed animals. Check out Ernie!

6. El Sol de Tala

My wife suggested a Mexican place I hadn’t been to over on East Washington in Indianapolis. It’s in a rougher part of town, and the exterior of the building didn’t look like much, but El Sol de Tala is amazing. Outside a full-sized stuff donkey and barrels of hay greet you. Inside is a large, remodeled room reminiscent of the dining hall in “Beowulf.” The cheese dip was scrumptious. Visit if you can.

7. Heartland Film Festival

A co-worker gave me gallery tickets to Indianapolis’ Heartland Film Festival. I’ve heard about the fest for years, but had never attended. The Crystal Hearts Gala Awards ceremony was unbelievable. I have a new level of respect and admiration for Heartland, and will surely volunteer next year. 

The picture above is in the lobby of Conseco Fieldhouse. Pardon the blurriness, but you can see that the area was set up with translucent cloth tables with glow sticks underneath. It was a very cool atmosphere!

8. Annual Meeting

Our company had its annual meeting last weekend in Arizona. People were divided up in teams for events, and I was extremely shocked to see that one of the team’s bandanas was a CONFEDERATE FLAG. Really? That’s all I’m saying…

9. Mutant McNugget and Flies Gettin’ Busy

Yesterday I hit up Mickey D’s for lunch and got a 3-for-1 mutant McNugget. It was an amazing rarity, and had to be documented via photographs. 

When we got back to work there were two flies getting busy on the wall adjacent to the we swipe our key on. Another rarity of nature, documented for your viewing pleasure!