"What Sarah Said": a lo-fi, live action web comic (episode 12, Happy Thanksgiving 2011)

*** Click image to enlarge. ***

By the time I had finished explaining the design concept behind this week's Sarah comic, my wife looked at me dumbfounded. It only seemed like a natural progression to attempt 'on location' staged photos as a means of developing this strip.

"You could get arrested taking photos from inside a supermarket."

Huh? I Never heard such a thing in my life... Besides, what's something like supermarket security to stand in the way of art. OK, well maybe not art, but definitely a work... A work in progress!

"Yeah. Something about preventing competition from stealing ideas for product placement. Listen. I'll pretend that I don't know you in the event you get escorted into some security room."

Now there's a thought for you. Getting cuffed by the Shoprite Fuzz for taking pictures of a lawn ornament in the frozen foods section. For a moment, I daydreamed how that might read in the local police blotter.

"And oh, I need to head up to the BIG Shopright, not the one around the corner."

This store was conveniently located right by my place of work. Double the odds. Now imagine being carted away in front of the middle school students I teach and their parents. Imagine the cafeteria talk the next day if anyone was to spot me. High risk, but do-able. Very worthwhile.

"Yeah, count me in," I replied. There was no backing down.

So I suited up: an outer shell with a breast pocket for quickly stashing my iPhone, and an over the shoulder one-strap backpack to conceal Sarah. After several practices, I mastered grabbing the phone in one hand and lawn ornament in the other. This action must have appeared surreptitious to say the least.

For all my anticipation, nothing could properly prepared me for the obstacle course of the Frozen Foods aisle. Did I say aisle? No. Correct that: one of those grocery floor refrigeration units, flanked on every side by supermarket clerks. And oh, this was right after rush hour the day before Thanksgiving; the place was packed.

All of my life experienced prepared me for this moment. Don't hesitate. Don't look suspicious. Work with purpose. Make it appear as if it was my business to take digital photos of lawn ornaments situated on bags of frozen peas and corn. Otherwise somebody might actually stop and ask me exactly what was I doing.

Ooh. All this AND my three-year-old son speaking at top volume, "Daddie, what are you doing? What are you doing Daddie?" over and over.

I snapped my three photos and walked out of the supermarket with my family... never to look back. And this is my way of saying, "Happy Thanksgiving" to you all!

P-Finn's Observations of the Wedding & Reception

As the bride and groom entered the room, my son P-Finn turned to me and inquired, "Daddie, Jon is marrying a princess?" I nodded my head in a silent affirmation and thought to myself, Yes... he is marrying a princess.


At the reception, my 3-year-old son danced... all... evening... long. He grew indignant whenever the crowd meandered away. "Cmon every-body, get on the dance floooor!" he commanded.

On more than one occasion, he took the bride by the hand and escorted her back out to dance. Each time the bride elegantly accepted his request. I swear that child had more face-time with the bride than her husband.

Songs I Want to Learn: "Let My Love Open the Door" & "Question" Acoustic Covers

Today one of my best friends is getting married in the Mohunk Mountain House up in the New York Catskill mountain range.

Over the past year, we had knocked around the idea of an acoustic performance-- Jon singing in his "James Taylor meets country twang" voice, and me accompanying on acoustic guitar. For all of our good intentions, we were all talk... until a month ago. Jon asked me sincerely, "So, are we really going to do this." I nodded, and we set to task.

We both pitched ideas for songs: easy enough to learn, good vocal range, thematically appropriate. The six song selection was quickly narrowed down to three, and again to two. It's better to perform a few songs well than to have a larger set at the risk of mediocrity. Besides, it's the thought that counts.

Tonight we will perform Old 97's "Question" and Sondre Lerche's "Let My Love Open the Door." As usual, finding good source material to learn from was a critical part of our process. Here are two YouTube videos that helped greatly.

"What Sarah Said": a lo-fi, live action web comic (episode 11, Fun With Siri Part A)

*** Click image to enlarge. ***

Maura Fern: Snapshots at 1 mos. & 6 mos.

Maura, 17 Days Old

Maura, Just Shy of 6 mos

Born four weeks premature. Two months in the hospital.
I never imagined her growing up... and then she did.