As of right now, my site has received 409 spam comments. I was dimly aware of this phenomenon when I started this site, but I’ve been amazed at how prolific this shit is. Some of it at least has the benefit of being funny – when they’re not reciting lists of prescription drugs or fancy purse brands. So! When I hit 500 comments (you hear that, spamming assholes? Bring it), I’m going to do an illustrated rendition of some of my favorites. Lemons : lemonade :: poop : illustrated spam comments.

And now: back to inking. I’ve switched nibs for this issue, going from a larger one to a smaller (yes, there are terms for these, I’ll look ‘em up later). I expected that the look of Furlough would evolve as I went on, it being my first rather large project and all. It’s gratifying to see it happening.

Then I realized that what I really want to spend my time on is my art and my storytelling. Suddenly, my zines and comics took over my Etsy store. The inventory changed, but the design and description of it didn’t.

I finally sorted that out. New banner, new title, same URL: Cardinal Directions. I’ve added a dozen prints I made of watercolor/ink drawings from the first three months of this year. I also have an item delightfully called “The Complete Works of Breanne Boland.” What better time to acquire an author’s omnibus than early in their career? I certainly cannot think of one.

I’m continuing my post-con recuperation and thus have drawn nearly nothing this week, excluding doodles at meetings at work. I am in sponge mode, reading (currently The Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat by Oliver Sacks, with several other books waiting in the wings) and sleeping and waiting to stop being tired. I expect it to happen at about five pm Saturday, when I awaken from a planned 12-plus hours of sleep.

Speaking of…

“‘Shit yes I did, Breanne. I’m on vacation this week, and watching my podcasts accumulate in iTunes while I’m away from my desk has reminded me just how very very very much I listen to these things.”

“Still… really?”

“Yes! They’ve actually become a very accurate mirror of how much I’m drawing. No drawing? Podcast backup. Net result: tragedy.”

“You’re not just showing off your excellent taste in free online shows, you scavenger you?”

“No! Well… no, no. It’s more that I’m reminded of how important this stuff is, and how much I looooove giving people recommendations. This isn’t the extent of my subscriptions, but it’s a good slice, once I took out the video ones. Furthermore, it reminds me of how much I love receiving them. So, world, send away.”