Is my labor in vain

A fitting sentiment for the day.
Even though I have it off, I got a lot of work to do. So I dragged myself out of bed early, at least for a holiday.

As I mentioned, I'm back at CCS. Went to orientation Friday where I met the new folks and got my studio space. Yea, my own studio. Sounds all official and artist like, huh?

I expected it to feel a little weird and it did at times. Me, the old-but-new guy sitting in ring of about 26 new faces, who have obviously formed their own bonds and connections. But Jason, Michelle, James, Valerie and the others welcomed me back with open arms -- literally, with hugs. One of the other seniors even offered to let me crash at their apartment on bad weather days.

As I nervously nibbled at pizza and took notes, still questioning (in my head) this path I was taking and the money I was spending on it, James made a statement that finally put me at ease. He was talking about the adviser-student relationship which gives us rare access to working cartoonists and other professionals. That dovetailed into us having been given the time to focus on our comics/cartooning projects. For the next year, well at least two semesters, we're allowed to put most of our time and effort into our comics without feeling guilty about setting aside other aspects of our busy lives. There it is, I thought. That's why I'm here. That's why I'm spending the money. Course for me, it won't be that simple to set aside the other aspects of my busy life, the family and church. And since I do have to pay for it, there's still work.

Which brings me back to today and why I got up early to work on Labor Day. I'm working on some fund-raising ideas. As usual, I've got plots for three more novels and or graphic novels kicking around that I need to get down on paper before I forget them. And I have to prepare a financial presentation for a string of church meetings this week.

But I do want to spend some time with the family today as well. Better do it now before I have to start locking them out of the room...