I tried to post this last night… but I could hardly keep it together.  I lost a very good friend this weekend.  I lost my mentor.  His name was Mark Ruzicka and he was an incredible man.  He was one of my biggest supporters, in fact it was his advertisement that I posted last week.  And it was also his encouragement and advice that finally got me to start this story after clinging to the ledge for many many years.

In a world where most people are too preoccupied with their own lives and success… he was a successful man, who thought mostly about encouraging others.  He lived, the way I believe God would like us all to live.  Fully, passionately, lovingly, and intentionally.  He saw potential in me, when I barely believed in it myself.  He blessed my life with wisdom that I reflect on every single day.  And I was only one of the countless people he helped along the way.  He blessed the lives of every person he came into contact with.  I have lost a great friend, and this world has lost a great champion.

But in spite of all the tears and sadness… I can only think of how lucky I was to be blessed by this man’s life.  I can only pray, to someday be as loving and encouraging as he was in his very full and beautiful life.  The essence of dreaming is seeing that which is not real, as though it were, and believing enough in it to make it real.  He was a dreamer.  And his dreams made the world a better place.

God Bless you Mark.  I will miss you very much.

-Will Terrell

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Reusing punch lines two days in a row.  I thought it was funny at least.

I know I’ve been skimping on the backgrounds on these strips.  Normally I love drawing backgrounds, but right now that’s not where my focus is.  Dialogue and character development have never been my strong suit.  So I’ve really been focusing on that and letting the characters drive the story.  Once I feel more comfortable with that, I’ll be doing a much more complete story.

I have to say, even after all these years of making comics and doing art, I still get nervous and insecure about this.  I always thought it would go away with time.  But it doesn’t.  There’s always something about each strip that bugs me, or isn’t “perfect” yet.  But I have to put it up anyways, and move on.  “I’ll get it on the next one” I tell myself.  To do anything creative, is to leave yourself vulnerable.  Luckily, everyone seems to like this strip.

I’ve been taking an informal poll the last couple to days of people I really trust and admire, and the consensus, is that even when it isn’t working, its still entertaining.  Which is what really matters.   Its at least something to build on.  So thanks for reading, and coming back each week.  Monday I had considerably more visitors than normal.  It just keeps getting better and better.  Thank you all!  Keep smiling!

-Will Terrell

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