Heh, today is one of those “where did that come from” days. I swear my original plan was to draw a baby (co-worker just gave birth, don’t get your hopes up Mom). This just popped out (owch, unintentional pun).

I like my little mutton-chopped gnome.

One of my friends in New Zealand asked me what kind of pictures I wanted for the Pic of the Week contest. She started rattling off a bunch of indigenous species, most of which I recognized. Pukeko, however, left me without a clue. So, of course. I needed to look it up.

Cool lookin’ bird.

It is appropriate that I drew this little—well, I guess its an alien—today because I feel like a total space cadet. The wife and I had a long weekend of driving and neither of us has quite recovered yet. Though, I like this little guy. I may just add him into that slow moving sci fi project I’ve been working on on the side.

Actually, that brings up a good point and addresses yesterday’s comment. What you have been seeing here for the past few weeks is my morning sketch before I start work Monday through Friday. I didn’t want to say “that is what my schedule is going to be” because let’s face it, every time I’ve set a schedule for this blog I broken it inside a month. Anyway, I have no plan for what you see here, it just happens. Today I drew a lopsided circle and it turned into eyes for an alien.

Who knew.

And by taking this random approach to the blog I have gotten ideas that will be used for the Frances and Friends cartoon that will be starting in March. (Which will be on a monthly schedule.) Those of you who stop by here daily may just see something that will pop up in a later story eventually. That isn’t saying Frances won’t pop up time and again. Just that I can’t plan on it happening.

Now that I have expounded on the virtues of randomness a reminder that the Pic of the Week will start it’s weekly schedule again this coming Sunday (Feb 3).

Friday was our annual blood drive at work. I got to watch most of two movies while I worked it and gave myself. One, Rocky Balboa… was a much better movie than I was expecting. Of course, I am the demographic. The lunchroom was completely devoid of estrogen except for the few women that were working the drive.

The second movie (and inspiration for the sketch) was The Game Plan starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Very cute and obviously the preferred choice of the phlebotamists. Especially considering they had me put the move BACK in after Rocky.

Something tells me it wasn’t for the story.

I think the dogs name was Spike.

He wore a tutu.

There are some mornings where I just wake up knowing what I have to draw when I get to work. Today was one of those days.

I have had two conversations over the past week about penguins. In the one last night I was asked if I could draw them. I said sure. Far be it from me to take the straight forward road and just draw a penguin, Nooooo. I have to remember the first conversation about emperor penguins and of course my mind starts to wander. At least I am happy with the final drawing.

If you happen to be into penguins I have two suggestions for you.

1. Check out Wally and Osbourne. Its a great all ages strip about a penguin and polar bear that I’ve mentioned (and drawn) before.

2. Check out my good buddies over at Fragile Gravity. Their whole world was almost taken over by penguins.

Behold, the physical manifestation of my frustration… at least for today.

I am jumping forth and back and back and forth between a TON of stuff right now. As soon as I have one thing under control I turn around and BAM. More fun around the corner.

Wheee!!!

I can’t believe it is almost the end of January already. I used to think it was going to kill me to have to wait until March to launch Frances and Friends. Now I am so happy that I have until then to get it launched.

Don’t forget, send your funny/cute pet pictures in to bassetville@bryanprindiville.com for the relaunch of the Pic of the Week February 3rd. Remember this time around it isn’t limited to just Bassets (though I still have the soft spot). Birds, cats, boxers, lemurs… all welcome.

My wife needs a kitty today.