So, as of late, I've kind of reserved the Real Life Support Group for times of great need - mainly, because I don't believe in getting something for nothing, and a wallpaper is a pretty lame gift to receive, in my opinion. So unless I can find some more TANGIBLE way of giving back to those who are able to support me, I kind of just let things slide unless something really important comes along.

This is one of those times.

Just last night, Liz was informed by the student loan company she's been getting all of her loans from up to this point that she didn't qualify for this year's loan. Nothing's changed on our end, really - in fact, I'd say our credit is better now than it's ever been. The problem is, pure and simple, that the economy is so far into the toilet right now that all lenders are tightening their belts and being a lot stingier with loans than they were even last year. If you've tried to buy a house or a car recently, you probably know what I'm talking about. We called them to see if they would qualify her if we reduced the amount, and tried to make up the rest on our own - no dice. For years now, we've gotten her student loans from this company, and now, less than two years before she's finished with school, they just cut her off.

The only solution, then, is to pay the difference directly to the school, bypassing the student loan companies entirely. The Academy of Art allows us to do installment payments - interest-free, no less... but the first payment is due FRIDAY. Of this week. If we'd had a month to prepare for it, it's something that might have been possible, but with only a week to scramble, the only way we'll be able to make the payment is with your help, if you're willing.

In return, I'd like to offer anyone who is able to spare a donation of $10 or more a set of my two photo prints that I've been taking with me to conventions lately - the first is a print of Chibi Greg that I made a year or so ago, and the second is a small version of the enormous "Cordova Dean" poster I've got in the Real Life Store. Both prints would be signed by yours truly, and sent out within a week of your donation. All you have to do is donate $10 or more via the "Not Hungry, Just Broke" image in the upper right of this page - and be SURE to include your mailing address in the "notes" section of the donation! I've got an image below depicting the two prints you will recieve - both are 4x6 glossy photo prints, and look phenomenal in person. Thank you in advance for your support - you've helped us in the past more than you can know, and I'm greatly appreciative of all of you. Thank you.

So, we're just a little over a week away from Kumoricon, in lovely Portland, OR! (One of the few parts of Oregon I actually like, by the by... downtown Portland is actually pretty interesting) It runs August 30 through September 1, and Liz and I will be there with bells on. Well, actually - no. I will have no bells on my person. But you get the gist of it.

I need to look over the schedule, but I'm fairly certain I've got a Real Life panel, as well as my now (in)famous "Intro to Illustrator" panel. If not, sorry - but those tend to be the norm for me. :) In any case, we'll be there, so if you haven't registered, do so quickly! Less than a week! Go go go!

I don't often re-read books... in fact, now that I sit and think about it, I can only think of a handful of times in which I've read a book more than once - The Hitchhikers Trilogy, one or two of the Narnia books, and the incredibly underrated MYST books, with maybe a few others that I'm just forgetting at the moment.

So when I say that I've started re-reading The Name of the Wind, (which I'm sure you've all heard of by this point, considering I've talked about it and had an ad run for it in the past) know that it's in a small community of books in that regard. I figured, hey - the next book is due out in April of next year, so I'd better start re-familiarizing myself with the story and characters. At first, I just started reading it at night, while Liz is getting ready for bed, so it gives me 10 minutes or so to read, and I figured it'd pace it out well enough so that I ended not long before the next book comes out.

Except this isn't any NORMAL book. I find myself staying up a little longer to read just ONE more chapter, which turns into FIVE more chapters. And this is a book I already know every part of! I've READ it... and only a year and a half ago, no less! I'm just floored that I can be THIS into a book that I've already read. It's madness. If you haven't picked it up yet, for the love of GOD, go to your local bookstore and get it. I mean it. This book is phenomenal.