Funny Thoughts: "Is This Real Life?!"

Here is an idea to ponder: Kelvin and I were discussing this for some reason.

December 6, 2010:

Eudora and I had nothing to do Saturday night, so we purchased a bottle of Vancouver's finest Malibu rum and drank it on a bench in a park. We discussed important issues, and developed this idea for a tattoo. Making my parents proud today!  

Look at the detail!  Appreciate it!

January 22, 2011:

I encounter strange people on the bus daily. Which makes me wonder: why is it only weirdos who take the bus? why don't wealthy business people ride the bus? wait, what kind of people ride the bus? Right. I would be afraid too, rich people.

Thoughts that help me pass the time. And obviously there are PLENTY of other reasons why I RARELY wear the tortuous high heeled shoe. These are just the most important ones.

This is a pictoral depiction of the passionate discussion I had with my brother the other night.

Before & After: Judgments of Myself

Before & after life with a yoga ball instead of a desk chair:

Before & after Christmas time:

December 10, 2010

This week I got a one-week unlimited yoga pass with my dear friend Kevin. I have done SIX classes in the last five days :) My body is sore today... And then I come home on Monday and will return to Vancouver in 2011 looking and feeling somewhat different no doubt. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Before & after Thailand:

March 2, 2011
Dear Edmontonians;

I am sorry to report that I am losing my Albertaness since Thailand stole my cold tolerance away like a thieving whore. I am, however, working on it. And I assure you that I will never complain about the weather here, nor will I deny my connection to the "true winter experience" that is Edmonton.
 
Thank you for your understanding.
 
Sincerely,
Vanessa J. 

The Real World: Nerdville

Here are some "based on true events" cartoons.  

This one is about Skype.  My sister lives in Thailand (and I miss her like NUTS), and as great as Skype is, I wish it were MORE magical.  A blessing and a tease. 

October 23, 2010:

"Yesterday, as I was bike couriering (part-time job!), I accidentally stumbled a few too many blocks east and ended up experiencing a little bit of East Hastings. This is what it looks like but for many more blocks."

Then I was back in Edmonton in November 2010 for almost two weeks shooting a (low budget) TV pilot for a sketch show.  It was exciting!  However, also not exciting much of the time.  This was the Wednesday of shooting for me:

In November I was working as a bike courier in Vancouver which I thought was going to be amazing.  I did it all summer part-time in Edmonton and I loved it.  But then it snowed and rained.  One day in particular it snowed A LOT.  And I decided that I was a fair-weather cyclist.  This cartoon contributed to my getting "let go".  Long story short: Don't call in sick after a treacherous day on the road or befriend your co-workers on FB.

During Christmas, in an attempt to ward off the holiday bulge, I went swimming.  This is what happened:

Good thing the pool wasn't very busy that day. This is my LIFE!

I spent a lot of time with pets the last festive season. I realized a few things; a) that I am not going to have a pet anytime soon, b) that I will probably just have children (which are generally hypoallergenic). THIS IS IN NO WAY SUPPOSED TO OFFEND ANYONE WITH PETS. it's funny. right?

This is my Ode to Roommates.  And generally all the good people in my life.  When there's a lot going on in life (and even when there's not!), it's wonderful to have people to experience it all with.  From doing stand up for the first time, to high fiving!

And finally, the last chapter of the Elephant Chronicles.  Ok, this isn't a "true story" exactly, but we ARE moving and we DO despise them and craigslist DOES exist.  Look out for this add and don't answer it.  Unless you happen to be an ivory dealer...

My First Cartoons: An Exercise in Channelling Frustration

Remember THIS?!  

Me neither.  It's forgettable to say the least.  But it was the first.  I started making these cartoon things using Paint when I first moved to Vancouver from Edmonton.  Big move, everything new, few friends, no job.  I was overwhelmed.  So I was bored and decided to channel my energies into my appreciation for cartoons and making something fun out of something poopy. Here is the caption for that first picture way back in October 2010:

"i have been journaling/mind-dumping/self-blogging, and decided to make a picture for each entry. this is the first: this is what i felt after my first day in vancouver."

This next one was but a few days later.  My new room:

And then this one with where the Elephants (the worst upstairs neighbours I've ever experienced) make their first appearance:

Only a few days at the new place, and already we knew we would be moving when our six-month lease was up.  

Further frustration ensued in the employment department which lasted TWO months.  But I was ready and willing to do anything in order to keep sane.  And financially sound.

And sometimes my dreams found their way into the irritation of the job hunt.

Luckily, I never had to do either of those jobs.  And then, once employed again (for two weeks as a bike courier), I had less time on my hands to do these cartoons and frustration had significantly diminished.  Thank GOD!