I am a complete e-bay junkie.  Wait, let me rephrase that: I am a complete used book junkie -- ebay is just the pusher.  I scour ebay for books the way daytraders tear through stock information (with about the same fervor and sense of immediacy, too).  It disturbs me but not nearly enough for me to taper and pass up a good deal. 

What kind of books?

These days, mostly graphic novels sets like the 19 "Acme Novelty Library" books from the incomprable Chris Ware (of which I recently aquired the last one to complete my set). 

The heartbreaking "Don't Go Where I Can't Follow" by Anders Nilsen, a beautiful example of why I feel that graphic novels are one of the last pure, original and eclectic mediums left in pop culture.

"The Three Shadows" by Cyril Pedrosa, one of my favorite in a long time (that is saying alot!) that tackles the difficult subject matter of losing a child with an incredible grace. 

Or maybe the batshit crazy "SCUD: The Disposable Assasin"  by the insane Rob Schrab. 

I have also picked up some awesome coffee table art books, books that I once checked out and that left an impression on me, and stuff that just looked cool and interesting.  I am always interested in what someone recommends in  a conversation -- the absolute best when you're looking for something new.

So now, I want to know...what are you reading?

I twitter here and there, but have decided to start posting a daily haiku to twitter.  I really enjoy the fact that haiku is a very specific box... a very particular form.  Yet, there are so many ways to do it.  I also like the brevity of it.  It brings focus, and so does the limitation of 140 characters on twitter.  It seems like a good marriage of format and material: http://twitter.com/saintends

I finally picked up a pencil and sat down at my table with the goal of new work. This is also my first entry into my Sketch-A-Day gallery. I started of with a slight idea of the box and swirl patterns around the outside. As it progressed, I began to think of Mike Mignola's incredible work and decided to draw a skull in homage. The skull led to the idea of the scene in Shakespeare which evolved into the skull looking upon another skull along with the quote ( you provide your own interpretation). I have it in my head to do a watercolor wash with this. If you look closely you can see my notes for color written around the drawing. I am eager to see where this goes...

This is my first entry into my photo-a-day. I like the candid moments of my wife invoved in her daily routine. I am sure she hates me walking around and snapping photos but she should have known what was sure to follow when she bought it for me as a gift!!

Wow... It has been a really, really long time since I updated here. To say that some things have changed would be major understatement.

I now live in Seoul, South Korea as I have for the last 5 years. In that time I have been divorced, a single father, a searching soul, remarried, a director of a nightly news program, a world traveler, a graphic artist for the military, a happy foreigner, a photographer to a General and a homesick prodigal son.

I think that I am back to blogging for a little while -- I even think that I will begin the sketch-a-day and photo-a day challenges to inspire my dormant creative demons. Maybe even tweet some haikus. Who knows?

What I do know is that it is good to be back. If anyone out there ever reads this, drop me a line and let me know. Anyone that knows me KNOWS that I love a good back-and-forth.

Be good to each other...

~Nicholas