Monday Myrant Milk!

* CCS freshman Lucy Knisley arrived with a graphic novel already in print -- the succulent French Milk from Epigraph Publishing, a lovely chronicle of her Paris experience (and jam-packed with savory food and drink to accompany every waking day, so keep munchies in reach while reading!).

We gleefully open this morning with a hearty congratulations to Lucy,

whose graphic gem is on Salon.com's list of top twelve graphic novels of 2007!

Congrats, Lucy, may it be the first of many, many more... and thanks to CCS senior Denis St. John for bringing this to my/our attention.

* Madman Marek Bennett -- how does he do it? Marek teaches full-time, teaches comics workshops all summer in New Hampshire and New England, writes, draws, colors and publishes his comic Mimi's Doughnuts (which appears in color every Sunday in our local paper, The Valley News), and still he keeps coming up with new creative endeavors.

2 Teachers and a teacher -- Marek Bennett -- at a recent “Teacher Tuesday” Comics Workshop at the Sharon Arts Center.

So, it's important to note this solstice season that

Mimi's Doughnuts Zine #13 is out,

MDZ-13 shipped to subscribers with the lovely Mimi's Doughnuts 2008 Calendar, reprinting choice strips from the very earliest days of Mimi's -- and you can see about getting your own calender here,

Marek has revamped his website, now more easily browsed and explored,

as is Mimi's site

and Marek's Comics Workshop site --

-- speaking of which, note that registration is now open for the Winter season of Comics Workshops (here's the calender and link)! Give a gift for Christmas to someone you know who might love to attend and participate, folks.

Whew... Happy Holidays, Marek. Now, relax for at least a day somewhere in there.

* And speaking of New England cartooning pals,

check out Mark Masztal's Barkings updates -- hey, he won that page of Bissette/Perry Bizarre Adventures "Dracula: The Blood Bequest" page!

* I hear Mitt Romney's sons are banging on doors for Dad's campaign in the Presidential primaries. My sole question, if they banged on my door: "If your father is so intent on backing the war, why aren't you and your brothers serving in the military?" End of conversation, I'm sure.

* The storm came, the storm went. Many slept in airports, many were stranded on highways. I can't offer any succor for the latter, but for those whose flights were delayed or canceled and/or slept as best they could on terminal floors or chairs or didn't sleep at all, I offer the following.

It's a memorably tasteful take on a beloved old song, for all who were stranded in airports this weekend... enjoy.

* You think you've got it rough? I've got an old friend who just pulled off his own toe with a pair of pliers, another who survived a potentially-fatal car accident this week, and friends and relatives with medical woes up the ying-yang. Financial agonies plague many this time of year, along with seasonal depression antagonized by all the holiday madness around them. But, still, it could be worse... as Doc wrote when he sent this link my way, "You want to feel better about your own minor afflictions by taking a look at someone with a truly bizarre one? Yikes!"

However tough things might be for you this season, take heart -- you could be 'the tree man.' Check this out, and count your blessings, my friends...

* For the rest of you, take heart:

Even the rednecks have had enough of Bush! 2008 is looking up...

* And finally, an early Christmas gift solution for some of you. The photo came my way via Megan Viereck, brewer of the original Tyrant beer back in '94 and sister of my old friend Tim "Doc" Viereck (whose interview resumes with the New Year, here on Myrant!); we've no idea where the photo originates, and I welcome any commenter who can properly credit the creator/photographer. The text was scribed by Doc, and with his permission I post it here for you Monday morning bemusement...

My dear friends and family,

Somewhat embarrassing to admit, I'm not getting an annual bonus and Christmas is tight this year. I will be making bedroom slippers for you all as gifts Please let me know your sizes. You'll most likely agree that it's a splendid idea, and should you wish to do the same, I've included the instructions below:

How to make bedroom slippers out of maxi pads:

You need four maxi pads to make a pair.
Two of them get laid out flat, for the foot parts.
The other two wrap around the toe areas to form the top.
Tape or glue each side of the top pieces to the bottom of the foot part.

Decorate the tops with whatever you desire, silk flowers (this is most aesthetically appealing), etc.

These slippers are:
* Soft and Hygienic
* Non-slip grip strips on the soles
* Built in deodorant feature keeps feet smelling fresh
* No more bending over to mop up spills
* Disposable and biodegradable
* Environmentally safe
* Three convenient sizes: Regular, Light and Get out the Sand Bags.

I've attached a photo [below] of the first pair I made so that you can see the nifty slippers for yourself....

Awaiting your response. It's crucial that I get the right size for each one of you.