I Know That Look...

I haven't posted in awhile but I just had to share this video in which a man commits a "blooper" while on live TV and then receives an all too recognizable Stare of Death from his wife.  I also thought Mike might find the video equally amusing/familiar...

HOOK'EM!!!

Mel reminded me this morning that this weekend marks the kickoff of this season of Longhorns Football!  Being someone who has been surrounded by championship caliber organizations his whole life (The Cowboys, The Mavs, The Longhorns '05/'09, St. Patrick Panthers 5th grade peewee football) I have very high expectations for my sports teams.  While the Longhorns certainly have a tough road ahead of them this year I will be rooting for them the whole way!  Hook'em Horns!

TEXAS!  FIGHT!                                           TW

Old Friends

Continuing this week's theme of catching up with old acquaintances, I got a message today from one of my best friends who I haven't seen (nor spoken with) since kindergarten, back when I lived in El Paso.  Apparently, he lives in Dallas now and wants to catch up, which I think is nice.

This guy and I were in a gang together (back in kindergarten), which my mom did NOT approve of but, as I always told her, "it's a good gang, mom."  She couldn't seem to understand that there were GOOD gangs and BAD gangs, thinking that all gangs were bad.  We were like the positive enforcers of the playground.  But before you go thinking we were all soft or something let me just say that we WERE exclusive; you couldn't just waltz into our numbers.  We had to like you!

Aside from our daily gang activities, we played together on the same, undefeated soccer team, The Jets!  I also always wanted to play at his house b/c he had all of the cool Bucky O'Hare action figures.  One time, my parents took advantage of this desire and made us hang out when he had the chickenpox so that I would contract them at a young age.  I had to sit next to him, let him laugh/breathe on me, drink from his sippy cup after him.  I remember being pretty cool with it which makes me think that either I had not been fully informed of the consequences at the time or that since being sick meant you got to miss school back in those days, I was in full support of it.

Anyway, we will be meeting up soon.  The fact that he reached out to me after 20 or so years makes me think that he must still be a really nice, cool guy so it should be fun.

Just Like Old Times                                        TW

Enter Title Here

Enter blog text here.  (I can't think of anything to write about this morning...)

Rank Advancement                                         TW

Dang!

It's the end of the month already?!?!

Dusting Off The Old Friendship                     TW

Comings and Goings

While Mel will be getting back from her weekend-long trip to Vegas today, the characters of this comic strip are just beginning their visit and have finally arrived, after a long car trip, at their destination in Ohio.  They are visiting a new character, Crazy Carl, which, of course, is short for Crazy Cowabunga Coin-collecting Carl.

Annoying Alliteration                                      TW

NEXT!

So, Mel and I have this ongoing disagreement about the usage of the word "next".  The controversy stems from one of our first vacations together in which we were both riding on the subway.  While the train was in full motion (this is key) Mel told me to get off at the "NEXT" stop.  Naturally, I walked off the train as soon as it stopped and the doors swung open.  However, sensing something was awry, I turned around and found myself staring directly into Mel's eyes, which I swear to this day were glowing red with fury.  Instinctively, I gathered enough courage to quickly jump back onto the train with my raging girlfriend before the doors closed.  After a moment, we both laughed but then immediately began the never-ending debate about how the word "next" should be used and interpreted.

I realize that most of the people who read my blog are Mel's siblings so I want to make it clear that it's okay to side with me on this issue, as I am right.  :)

The Never-Ending Debate                              TW

For Mel

Today's strip was inspired by Mel...in more ways than one.  JK!  JK!  JK!  Mel merely suggested that it would be funny to do a comic about farting in the car.  She never toots, herself!  Especially never in an enclosed space within which the smell becomes trapped and is thereby intensified...Never!

P.U.                                                                 TW

Road Trip Woes

Old Vs. New                                                   TW

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

Road Trip                                                        TW

Life's a Beach!

A good deal of this past weekend was spent at the beach in Galveston.  It was so relaxing to read my book on the sandy shore and hang out with friends in the cool waves!  To top it all off, Mel even caught 2 fish! (A school swam by her in the ocean and a few apparently worked their way into her swimsuit.  She didn't discover them until much later!)  We had to throw them back but it was still really funny!

No Harm No Foul                                           TW

Southbound to Houston

We are heading to Houston this weekend to spend some time on the beach, help Anh Vinh's family move/paint, and more than likely see Harry Potter in theaters for a sixth time!  Don't ask me which activity I'm looking forward to the most because I honestly couldn't say.

Summer Sunset                                                TW

Old Friends

This has been an exciting week of reuniting with old friends.  This past weekend it was Johnny and Val, both back from separate stints in Vietnam.  Today, a good friend of Mel and mine, Stephen Davis, is back in town.  This will be the first time we've seen him since he made the audacious decision to follow his dream and move to LA.  It will be great to catch up as I'm sure he'll have some crazy stories from life on the West Coast!

Flames...On the Side of My Face!                   TW

Wednesday

It is Wednesday.

Pricey Gift                                                       TW

Late Night

Poor Mel didn't get off work until 12:20 last night.  It seems like they keep her there later and later every time now.  Next week, I plan to bust out the old Moses costume (from my 4th grade play), head up to her work, and shout with outstretched arms, "Let Me-lissa GOOOOO!!!"

The Grass is Greener                                       TW

Back To School

I'm pretty sure that today marks the end of summer for a lot of my friends and family.  For those of us who were fortunate enough to experience the Summer of Pham, it was a great one and will be missed dearly.

Summer's End                                                  TW

We Bout To Have Us Some Fun!

So, it's the freakin' weekend and while this is probably the first time in months that we have nothing scheduled on the calendar I am looking forward to this one for a couple of reasons:

First of all, there is nothing scheduled on the calendar!  This is a major relief after a summer crammed full of weddings, travels, etc...

Secondly, Mel and I are tentatively scheduled to visit the Bob Bullock museum this Saturday.  Mel has never been and we both love museums so I hope we find an opportunity to go.

Thirdly, one of the girls that Mel bridesmaided with at Jenny's wedding is coming into town from Aggieland and we may get a chance to show her the sweet life that is Austin.

Fourth..est, Val is rumored to be in town and it's been ages since we've gotten to catch up with her.

And last but not least, JOHNNY PHAM!  The man, the myth, the legend from the Summer of Pham returns from his 3-week sojourn in the Motherland!  Should be epic!

May just end up being a fuller weekend than I thought...

 Something We Can All Agree On!                   TW

Happy Birthday Lisa!

Today is, good friend and longtime patron of my comic strip, Lisa Chamberlain's birthday!  From everyone here at the "I like (ninja) turtles" blog, we wish you a very Happy Birthday, Lisa!!!  Enjoy this video in honor of your special day!

Fashion Bullies                                                TW

One Month

That's about how long I've been creating my comic for.  The goal is to keep new strips coming for at least SIX months!  I've still got a ways to go, but I feel pretty good about having completed what I have done so far.

I'm no Gary Larson, Bill Watterson, Shulz or Davis yet but I'm working on getting there!  Those guys are my heroes (in the world of the funnies, at least) and I'd love to one day have my own strip published in a syndicated newspaper with sub-plots as bizarre and hilarious as The Far Side, messages as heartfelt as Calvin and Hobbes, a publishing run as long as Peanuts, and characters as recognizable as Garfield.

That being said, if at the end of the day my comic never goes beyond this blog I will still be just as happy.  The act of creating a comic is in a way an end in and of itself for me.  Although I am working toward becoming a better cartoonist with the dream of one day being printed in the papers, I am quite content and thankful for the readers that currently tune in for my daily strips.  Thank you all!

Busts, and Waists, and Hips! Oh my!              TW

Long Time No See

I get to chill with the Lukester tonight after a two week hiatus of not getting to hang out.  Naturally, I've prepared a little surprise for him:

Toy Story 2!!!  On DVD!!!

He's seen the first and third installments but never the second.  His mind is going to be blown!!!  I know everyone likes the first and third movies better but I really like this one.  I mean it's the only movie with BOTH Emperor Zurg and Stinky Pete!  Let's be real, here!

Dress for Distress                                            TW

First Day of School

Derek doesn't start college today but he did catch a plane to Alabama to begin classes very soon.  He's destined for so many great things and I wish him a lot of luck during the first few transitionary weeks at school!

Gift Shopping                                                  TW

Weekend of Fun

I am so pumped for this weekend!  It will be sort of bittersweet to see Derek head off for college but I think everyone knows he is ready and is excited for him so the sweet definitely outnumbers the bitter.  Mel arrives in Dallas later today and I'm very much looking forward to the whole family getting to spend some quality time together!  

Blue-per Reel                                                  TW

The Final Countdown

Nothing new to report.  Just savoring the last few days our family has together before Derek heads off to Marion Military Institute.

Oh!  I did learn that Marion's campus is supposedly haunted and that several students report hauntings and the feeling of a mysterious presence when no one else is in the room with them!  Sucks for Derek!

Radio Head                                                     TW

SUCCESS!!!

Although I have yet to see it in person, Mel reports that she has successfully re-dyed her hair blue!  In fact, she informs me that the coloration is a mixture of bright blue and turquoise so that she looks a bit like a peacock.  Sounds pretty awesome!  I can't wait to see my "brown eyed, blue haired girl"!

Girl Talk                                                          TW

Housekeeping!

This morning, my mom paid for two housekeepers to come and clean our house.  We typically clean the house ourselves but every now and then my mom likes to have everything look especially nice and, as long as she can afford it, will hire someone to help us out.  Naturally, my mom had to work this morning, my dad had an all-day business meeting and my siblings are gone so I am the one left at home to direct the two women, both of whom don't speak a lick of English.

The language barrier doesn't bother me and I normally wouldn't mind "housekeeper sitting", especially since these two ladies in particular seem very nice, but our house is different from other houses that hire housekeepers.  Our house is a HOME in the sense that stuff is not neatly showcased but rather piled haphazardly ALL OVER the place.  I understand that most housekeepers go around wiping down coffee tables, vacuuming carpet, and dusting bookshelves.  Our housekeepers do that too but must first remove the layer of papers, old toys, souvenirs, and cat vomit covering everything in the house!  Truth be told, it's a wee bit awkward to be around the ladies who are clearly so overwhelmed by the task ahead of them (and rightfully so)!

Anyway, I've tried to help out as much as possible but need to be getting back to my own work.  I've set aside both today and tomorrow to begin the deferment process for all of my college loans, a task I've been dreading!  Perhaps, though, I can find inspiration from the housekeepers.  If they can overcome the jumble of piles and mismatched artifacts in my home without complaining (at least not in a language I understand) then I too can overcome my own pile of crud, that is the deferment process!  Let's all get to work!

Checklist                                                          TW

Blue Da-Ba-Dee-Da-Ba-DYE!

Mel has been playing with the idea of dying her hair for a couple of weeks now.  This past weekend, we finally decided that it was go time for this project and purchased some hair dye products.  I played the part of Mel's stylist, painting the bleach into her hair, folding it in foil, and then washing out the gunk after about an hour.  I tried to make her feel comfortable, like she was in a salon (and I actually knew what I was doing), by gossiping about boyfriends and Jake Gyllenhaal and such as I worked.

Let me just say that I.  Am.  A natural.

Her beautiful, shimmering black hair had turned to a dirty gold!  It was a sight to see, I tell ya, and I don't know which one of us was more excited!  The next step in the process was of course dyeing the hair blue.  However, I'm going to stop here and let Mel tell you about that part of the story!

Hair Scare                                                        TW

Closing Time

Thus ends the weeklong, downtown adventures of Johnny and Thomas.  Oh...ahem...I mean Triangle and Circle!  Excuse me!

Disclaimer:  All stories in this comic are fictional.  Any representation to any person, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Check Please!                                                  TW

   

Making Progress...

While I still feel the crushing weight of the many responsibilities floating over my head, today has been one of those days where I am able to come up for a breath of fresh air and feel okay about where I am.  Even though I'm still struggling to get out of these rough waters, I'm very much alive and am making my way toward solid ground as quickly as possible!

Last Call                                                          TW

Nothing to Report

Nothing really happened today worth mentioning...yet...?

Heart Song                                                       TW

Bon Voyage!

My good friend, Johnny Pham, is heading off to Vietnam today.  I of course wish him safe travels and anxiously await the stories he is sure to have upon his return!

Grenade                                                           TW

D-Town

I'm back in Dallas for a couple of weeks, hanging out at home until my youngest brother, Derek, heads off to his first year of college.  Mel is heading down this weekend and I know Derek will appreciate having everyone here together, just like the good 'ol times!  I'm very excited for him and proud of the path he has chosen.  That being said, he's not gone yet, so for now it's just like the good 'ol times, one more time!

Stanky Cologne                                               TW

Summer of Weddings

The Summer of Weddings has come to a bittersweet close.  Tony & Sarah's wedding marked the end of this season and what a way to wrap things up!  Although neither Mel nor myself caught any bouquets or garters the wedding will definitely be a memorable one for all of the fun, dancing, food and friends!  Congratulations to the new bride and groom!

Facebook "Like"                                             TW

 

Saturday Post

I don't usually do a strip on Saturdays (And by "usually" I am referring to the periodic norm established in the last 3 weeks or so that I have been posting my comics) but Mel is updating her own blog at the moment and I really didn't have anything else going on so...here's a Saturday freebie!

A farewell tribute to the wacktastic adventures of Mr. & Bud! (Although, I'm sure that they will be making many more guest appearances in the future!)

L'go My Eggo                                                 TW

The Summer of Weddings and Harry Potter

I'm trying to figure out whether I've been to more friends' weddings or screenings of the new Harry Potter movie, this summer.  Both figures are so high up there that I'm having some trouble doing the math in my head...

Movie Mixup                                                  TW

Karaoke

A few of our friends went out with us to karaoke last night.  It served as a good reminder of how much I take Mel's A-mazing singing voice for granted on our car rides! (And cue eye roll...NOW!)

Museum of Natural Hysteria                           TW

Wherever They Go Trouble Starts!

My interview yesterday went very well.  The entire process lasted FOUR hours long from beginning to end!  The job is not a perfect match given my skill set but I pitched my story to the best of my ability so I can't feel bad even if I don't get hired.

Our friend Rachel leaves for Lubbock tomorrow so we are spending this evening hanging out with her.  While she will be missed I have a sneaking suspicion that Mel and I may start making trips to the panhandle now that we have a reason to visit!

Wacktastic!                                                      TW

Coincidence?

Is it pure coincidence that in the same week which I feature Mr. & Bud in my comic that both of them will actually be in Austin this coming weekend?  Granted, Buddy lives in Austin but still...Mr. is driving in from Dallas so the Wacktastic duo will be back together at last!  Could it be that everything I draw becomes reality?

White Magic                                                    TW

New Characters!

Since I've been doing this strip for so long now (nearly 2 weeks!) I decided that it was about time to introduce some new blood to the comic lineup in order to keep things fresh.  For the next few days, the comic duo of Mr. & Bud will be visiting the regular cast in what is sure to be a week filled with lots of zany misadventures and tons of laughs!  Stay tuned!

Mr. & Bud                                                       TW

HPDHP2!!!

I'm still a bit tired from the midnight screening of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows last night but it was well worth it!  It's been a lot of fun to attend HP book/movie premieres with all the Potter-heads over the past few years and it's definitely something I'm going to miss but after having seen the movie last night I can at least feel very satisfied about how well it all ended.

Unforgivable Chores                                       TW

Countdown to Deathly Hallows!

Hard to believe that in 24 hours I will be sitting in my seat to watch the final installment of the Harry Potter saga!  Notice how I properly used the word "saga", there?  Take note, Summit Studios.  The "Twilight" movies are not a "saga"; they are boring films with painfully bad acting and Cedric Diggory.  I found this quote and really like it:

"Harry Potter is all about confronting fears, finding inner strength and doing what is right in the face of adversity. Twilight is about how important it is to have a boyfriend."

Pretty spot on!

But enough Twilight bashing, let's get back to Harry.  Nearly every review I've read says the movie is phenomenal but also warns viewers to be sure to bring plenty of tissues.  I'm probs going to cry, or worse, ugly cry, as Johnny and Mel say.

Speaking of Johnny, this guy has VERY high expectations for the movie; demands really.  He seems to want a lot of the characters to die, if I understand him right, thinking that this would be more true to life and less like a feel good fairy tale or something.  Having never read the books, he is definitely in for lots of surprises and I'm 99% certain he's going to be more than satisfied with JK's finale.

Harry Potter.  The boy who lived.  (Cue Hedwig's Theme)

Disorder of the Phoenix                                  TW

Another Full Day

I have tons of work to do and errands to run today.  Despite that I still got the comic drawn this morning.  Glad to know that I've got my priorities straight.

 Accidentally In-sensitive                                 TW

It's business...It's business TIME!!!

While I'm still technically unemployed, I have some work to do this week which doesn't involve submitting my resume and filling out the same stupid application questions!!!  That being said, I really need to buckle down and get to it so that's all for today!

Business Time                                                  TW

Long Weekend

I had a better time this past weekend than I thought I was going to, given Mel's absence.  Johnny and I did a number of things, including finally seeing a performance of Son De Rey!  We also floated the river with our still relatively new friends, Trevin and Abby, which was fun and relaxing (minus the nasty feet...).  I saw both of my brothers DT on Saturday night.  I hadn't gotten a chance to hang out with them in a setting like that since Cabo a few years back so it was especially enjoyable.  Yesterday, I decided to take it easy, as I was worn out from the previous days' activities, and then finally, late in the evening/morning, Mel arrived back home!

Life is finally back to normal!

Touch Me!                                                      TW

Gotta Pay to Play!

Mel catches a plane for Vegas this afternoon for a weekend of fun in Sin City with some of her girlfriends. While she has admitted that they will probably not gamble much, if at all, we have both fantasized about how awesome it would be if she were to actually win a big cash prize.  Like, even a measly $100K.  I'm not greedy...

What if she wins???  Seriously, what if?!

All I Do Is Nguyen                                         TW

1 Week Down!!!

HUZZAH!!!  I have drawn this comic for 1 week now!  No plans to slow down; it's fun and takes less than 20 minutes for each one.  Also, inspiration comes easy when you live with the 2 people I do!  Mel inspired todays comic...enjoy!

Don't Blink!                                                      TW

Starship Troopers = Greatness

This past weekend, we were over at Mike Nesbitt's house and Starship Troopers was on TV.  Mel's cousin Jon, Johnny, and myself were raving about how it is one of the greatest movies EVER!  Seriously, this movie inspired my brothers and I to play "plastic green army men vs. Duplo bugs" for weeks!  I mean, the movie has guys going off to war IN SPACE, crazy alien monsters, coed shower scenes and (dramatic action sequences aside) even has plenty of laughs to boot!

Anyway, Mel didn't seem to share our opinion.  I don't think she's ever sat down and watched the movie from beginning to end, though.  We'll have to have a movie night soon...

 Agree to Disagree                                            TW

4th of July

I'm back in Austin after a very fun weekend in Houston spent chilling at Lake Conroe (my hat is off to Buddy's dad, the Arch Duke of Lake Conroe, Esq.), celebrating graduations and birthdays, and of course watching fireworks!  There was a fireworks ban across Texas this year so unfortunately we weren't able to purchase any Black Mambas but luckily Chi Thu got us onto the roof of her office's parking garage and we were able to enjoy several, professional firework displays in Houston and the surrounding areas from there.

Happy Birthday to Austin Nguyen, btw!

Fireworks                                                        TW

Wedding Bells

Two friends of Mel and mine (Diana and Steven) are getting hitched today.  I say friends...I've only really hung out with the couple 2 or 3 times but they're the type of people that are so easy going that you naturally just "click" as friends.

This wedding will mark the end of a 3-weekends-straight wedding marathon for Mel and I.  We still have 1 more wedding coming up this summer, which I am now officially calling the Summer of Weddings (AKA, the Summer of Pham).  Mel and I are definitely "wedding people" now; we've got it down!  Mel especially, being 3 for 5 on bouquet tosses while I'm a measly 0 for 5 on the garter toss.  Although, I have a good feeling about tonight...

Anyway, this one goes out to Diana and Steven!  Happy wedding y'all!

Texas Toe Step                                                TW

G.T.L.

I am literally about to have a phone interview for a potential job in Austin so I've got to be quick.  ...  Yeah, that's it.  Wish me luck!

The Great American Novel                             TW

2-4-2!

I put today's strip together in the time it took me to eat breakfast this morning!  I think a month ago I would have found today's comic slightly amusing but now I realize that it's because of days like this that I'm still at home on days like today...Speaking of, time to check in and see what Careerbuilder.com has in store for me this glorious morn!

FUNemployment                                              TW

Funny or Not, Here I Come!

I've decided to post a comic-a-day on my blog!  Now, I can't guarantee that I will remember to post one EVERYday, nor that this trend will last for more than a week, NOR that the strips will even be funny BUT it will give me some creative practice because I'm feeling pretty rusty at the moment.  I've opted for very simple animation to save on time and also to focus more on the scripting of the comics.

Enjoy!

Or don't, or whatever...

Shoes.  Shoes.  Shoes.                                       TW