Mel's Inktober 21 - Scooby-Doo

Good old Scooby-Doo; I couldn't get enough of him as a kid. I still like him today, although my feelings vary on the myriad of adaptations.

Suffice it to say some adaptations are done better than others, and I really don't want to think about what they've done to Velma, Daphne, and Scrappy nowadays.

I'm still pretty proud of that FanX version I drew in 2022.

BMM 20 - Tomorrow

The sun'll come out
Tomorrow
Bet your bottom dollar
That tomorrow there'll be sun

Just thinkin' about
Tomorrow
Clears away the cobwebs
And the sorrow
'Til there's none

When I'm stuck with a day
That's gray and lonely,
I just stick out my chin
And grin
And say, oh

The sun'll come out
Tomorrow
So ya gotta hang on
'Til tomorrow
Come what may

Tomorrow, tomorrow
I love ya tomorrow
You're always a day away
The sun'll come out
Tomorrow
So ya gotta hang on
'Til tomorrow
Come what may

Tomorrow, tomorrow
I love ya tomorrow
You're always a day away
Tomorrow, tomorrow
I love ya tomorrow
You're always a day away 

From Wikipedia: "Tomorrow" is a show tune from the musical Annie, with music by Charles Strouse and lyrics by Martin Charnin, published in 1977. The number was originally written as "Replay" (The Way We Live Now) for the 1970 short film Replay, with both music and lyrics by Strouse. 

The range, volume and repeated interval jumps make it a particularly demanding solo, especially for a younger voice. 

The song has always been prominently featured in productions of the musical throughout its history: several variations of the song were performed in the original 1977 Broadway production, including being the show's finale. Its lyrics are repeated as a personal motto by the character of Annie in Thomas Meehan's 1980 novelization. It was the entry and concluding credits score for the 1982 film adaptation; an acapella version of the song was performed by Aileen Quinn as Annie during the scene at the White House where Annie and Warbucks meet Franklin D. Roosevelt. 

The song pronounces an optimistic view of life through its main themes and the phrases 'hang on until tomorrow' and 'when I'm stuck with a day that's gray and lonely, I just stick out my chin and grin [and say]'. It appears to be in unison with another song in the score, "You're Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile," which again pronounces the importance of smiling, though in a much lighter and cheerful tone. 

My own thoughts: Heard plenty about this musical and this song, though I never saw the musical or heard the song all the way through (until just now). 

Believe it or not, I had a greater struggle to figure out how to illustrate this one. But I think looking out a window at a night sky conveys the message of the song rather nicely, don't you?

2023 Inktober 23 - Scooby-Doo

I must say, this is one of my favorite Inktober entries so far. Maybe I'll try this again on a larger scale in full color.

So, yeah, not much to say about Scooby-Doo, other than I was nuts about him as a kid and while I still like him to this day, I don't really care for the modern shows. The worst of them all has got to be that new Velma show. Turns out Scooby-Doo himself is not in there because the execs said he was off-limits, but even putting that aside, the characters are completely butchered and Velma herself has become completely unlikable. It's political correctness gone way, way too far. Too "woke," if you will.

I didn't care all that much for the 2002 live-action movie, either. What works for a cartoon doesn't work quite as well in the other format, and I don't appreciate the so-called obligation to make the humor much cruder, with stronger language.

For the most part, I'll stick to Scooby-Doo, Where Are You, and I do like Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island, Scooby-Doo and the Witch's Ghost, and Scooby-Doo and the Cyber Chase. I even like Scooby-Doo Meets the Boo Brothers and Scooby-Doo and the Ghoul School. Those last two movies carry nice childhood memories, and Scrappy is a lot more tolerable and helpful in those. For that matter, I don't really understand why people hate Scrappy so much, and why the execs can't just make him more likable if he's that bad.

Ah, well, I still had fun with this, and it definitely helped me blow off some steam from work. Work is nothing I really can't handle, but it's like an unpleasant roller coaster ride; you have to wait until the ride's over before you can get off, and all you can do in the meantime is hang on tightly. 

Here's the Scooby-Doo piece I did for FanX: 

2023 Inktober 19 - Garfield and Odie

I've always had a soft spot for Garfield. I may not be a die-hard fan but I've never disliked him by any means. I especially love friendly moments between him and Odie. So, that's today's entry.

I'm posting this a little early because I got a night shift tonight. I don't usually work nights; I've told my boss that, while I'll work whenever I'm needed, I prefer mornings because it's more convenient for my family, and I'm just the kind of person who likes to get work over with as soon as possible so I have the rest of the day to myself, so I don't have to watch the clock all the time.

Besides, I worked plenty of night shifts at my old deli job and that was always a headache. Clean-up took forever, especially the dishes because we didn't have an automatic dishwasher, and I especially hated cleaning out the old grease from the fryer. It was hot, slimy, stinky work; I would almost rather clean a toilet.

And customers never failed to pop in at the very last minute to ask for something, to ask if we were still open. I wanted to scream at them, "Oh, go home, already!"

My most vivid memory of that place was when a couple caught us just after we'd drained the fryer and filled it with soapy vinegar to clean it out. They wanted a fresh batch of chicken, there was no earthly way to cook it that night, they got mad and complained, and since this supermarket couldn't afford to have even one customer upset, they gave them a whole chicken meal free of charge...which they claimed five days later.

It still puts a bad taste in my mouth to think about it. This place would do anything to make a customer happy, even at the workers' expense. Ironically, they didn't want any workers to stay for too long because they didn't want to pay more money. In short, management was a real piece of work.

So, that's another reason why I prefer to work in the daytime. But I guess they must be pretty desperate for help tonight; my current boss even apologized to me when he asked. One of the night workers got pretty sick, so I can't hold that against them.

Oh, well, it'll only be for a few hours, I live close enough, and at least I'll get paid for this.

The funny thing is, I kept waking up this morning to check for messages. Lately, they've been messaging me outside my scheduled shifts, asking if I could come in, so my days off aren't really days off after all. A little more consistency and better communication would be nice. Then, just when I thought I would have all of today to myself after all, I got a message asking about a rare night shift. So, I can't help feeling like I sort of jinxed it.

But again, this isn't too bad. It won't kill me, it'll add a few more dollars to my next paycheck, and this job beats my old job out of the park. Maybe I'll even ask my boss later if I qualify for a raise. 

2023 Inktober 12 - Halloween Pup

Once again, work has been a killer. Today was supposed to be my day off, but I got a last-minute message this morning, asking if I could come in as soon as possible. I guess I can't complain too much, since I can easily walk to work (it's only a couple of blocks away) and thus I'm in a better position to come in at a moment's notice, and I could really use the money.

But holy cow, what a nuthouse. Customers just kept coming and coming and coming, and some were more patient than others. We were up to our necks in orders, and there were only so many hands on deck. I was practically chained to that cash register all day, and it's taking a physical toll on me to stay calm. I remember how one coworker once told me, "I don't know how you stand it."

Some customers had the nerve to ask what was taking so long with their order, as if they somehow couldn't see the big crowd around them. One guy told me to my face that he deserved an extra roll to go with his soup, "but I guess you'll charge me for that, too." Like it's somehow a mind-blower that most things cost actual money, like I somehow have any say in the prices.

One lady said, "No tip," out loud as she was pushing the button, as if I weren't standing right there and couldn't hear her perfectly well. Sure, I don't believe in forcing tips, but the least you can do is keep it to yourself, not rub it in my face, not make me feel like I'm somehow undeserving.

And all these people leave a terrible mess and a half behind, as if we didn't have enough work to do already.

I am not looking forward to the holidays.

So, today's Inktober entry is kept simple, too. It's really adorable to see how some people dress up their dogs, cats, even their horses for Halloween.

What kind of treats would you give a dog if it came up to you with a trick-or-treat bag or bucket?

Disney Musical May 29 - Perfect Isn't Easy

Girl, we've got work to do
Pass me the paint and glue
Perfect isn't easy
But it's me!

 When one knows the world is watching,
One does what one must
Some minor adjustments, darling
Not for my vanity
But for humanity 

Each little step a pose
See how the breeding shows, uh!
Sometimes it's too much
For even me!

But when all the world says yes,
Then who am I to say no?
Don't ask a mutt to strut like a show girl
No, girl, you need a pro!

 Not a flea or a flaw
Take a peek at that paw
La-dee-da-da
Perfection becomes me, n'est-ce pas? 

Unrivaled, unruffled
I'm beauty unleashed, yeah
Jaws drop
Hearts stop
So classic and classy
We're not talking Lassie 

And ahh!
Ahh! Ooh!
Ow! Ow! Ow!
Ruff-ruff-ruff! Ow! 

Though many covet my bone and bowl,
They're barking up the wrong tree
You pretty pups all over the city
I have your hearts and you have my pity
Pretty is nice, but still
It's just pretty!

Perfect, my dears Is ME! 

While Georgette was never my favorite character, she is entertaining for the most part. She gets some proper comeuppance, a good knock off her high pedestal, and overall, Bette Midler does a fantastic job.

And this song is great fun. It would be a flawless fit for quite a few of my characters. Ann and Adela, as well as Tallis and Tyrell, and even Tristan (Terence's big brother) are the first to spring to mind.

They're all too much for their own good, although none of them are half so confident as they claim. The truth is, they try so hard to convince themselves more than anyone else that they're worth something.

A psychiatrist would make a tidy fortune off them.

Disney Musical May 9 - Why Should I Worry

One minute, I'm in Central Park
Then I'm down on Delancey Street
From the Bow'ry to St. Mark's
There's a syncopated beat

 Right, I said, whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo
I'm streetwise
I can improvise
I said, whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo
I'm street-smart
I got New York City heart

Why should I worry?
Why should I care?
I may not have a dime
But I got street savoir faire
Why should I worry?
Why should I care?
It's just be-bopulation
I got street savoir faire

The rhythm of the city
But once you get it down,
Then you can own this town
You can wear the crown

Why should I worry?
Tell me, why should I care?
I said I may not have a dime
Oh, but I got street savoir faire
Why should I worry?
Why should I care?
It's just doo-bopulation
And I got street savoir faire

Everything goes
Everything fits
They love me at the Chelsea
They adore me at the Ritz

Why should I worry?
Why should I care?
And even when I cross that line
I got street savoir faire

I said, whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo
I said, whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo
Whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo...
Whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo, whoo... 

Every movie's got a signature scene/song, the very first thing to spring to mind when somebody mentions the title in passing.

In the case of Oliver and Company, it's this super-catchy song that everybody thinks of, the one you'll be hearing in your head (if not singing out loud) long after the movie is finished.

I didn't own this movie as a kid, so the times I watched it were few and far between. But oh boy, I never forgot it or "Why Should I Worry," and I mean that in a good way. It also helped that I (briefly) owned a read-along book and cassette tape.

So, even if I can't quote too much from the movie itself, I can very easily drum out this beat on cue.

This was also my official introduction to Billy Joel and Bette Midler, both of whom I like to this day, so that's another good thing.

Speaking of which, it's to my understanding that today is Mr. Joel's birthday. So, Mr. Joel, wherever you are, whatever you're up to these days, a very happy birthday to you!

 

(All images property of their respective owners.)

2023 Valentine

Valentine's Day shouldn't just be a day for romantic love, although the romantic stuff is plenty important on its own. This should also be a day of love for friends, for family, for pets...and for yourself.

Happy Valentine's Day to all!

My Inktober 2021 #21 - Halloween Dog

No worries; those are prosthetic heads (lightweight ones, too) for a cute little canine costume. Extra goodies for this good three-headed boy!

Musical May - Day 27 - Hound Dog

I believe the lyrics speak for themselves! #Day27 of #MusicalMay.

My Inktober 18 - Candy's Dandy

And just like that, we are more than half-done with October, with only 13 days left before Halloween. 

Well, here's something we'll have plenty of! This may not be one of my better pieces, but I do think the dog turned out quite adorable!

Inktober 2019 - Day 6 (and General Conference and My Teacher)

General Conference has ended, and I realize it's been a complete year since the passing of my Creative Writing teacher, Kay Cannon.

I already have a blog entry dedicated to her but I'll say it again: she's the one who got me to take writing seriously in the beginning. Writing was a fun enough hobby as a kid, but she persuaded me to consider it for an actual career.

It's thanks to Mrs. Cannon that I now hold a college degree in Creative Writing...but more than that, she made me feel like I had genuine talent at something, and that means a lot to an "Average Jane" teenager going through a lonely, insecure period. She congratulated me on Facebook when I graduated, and she offered her condolences when Dad died; she still remembered her own dad's death vividly, and now she's with him again.

Apparently she's affected a lot of other kids besides me, because I read plenty of her praises on social media when she died. I'm not surprised. You could say she was everything a teacher should be, and more.

On a more uplifting note, President Nelson has told us next General Conference, in April, will be extra-special because 2020 will mark 200 years since Joseph Smith's First Vision, and he challenged us to read the account of the First Vision again as well as the Book of Mormon. And speaking of the Book of Mormon, they're releasing some impressive short videos about Book of Mormon stories, similar to the "Life of Christ" videos they released a couple of years back. Those should be interesting.

In ten more years, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will celebrate its 200-year mark, too.

I'll tell you this: the Church of Jesus Christ, the knowledge of Jesus Christ and His Atonement, have definitely kept me going through my rough patches. The losses of my dad and grandparents, as sad as they are, are made much more bearable with the promise of life after death and forever families. For that matter, I've never really had to question where Dad, Grandma, and Grandpa are now, or whether I'll see them again. A part of me has just known; the timing of their passing bothers me more than anything else.

Sadly, not everyone I know shares my beliefs, and at least three people that I thought were my best friends have stopped talking to me because of those beliefs. I remember we had a few unpleasant clashes about certain topics, and now they've just cut me off altogether. I know I shouldn't judge them but it still hurts that they allowed our differences to get in the way of our friendship. I was willing to work past those differences; clearly, they did not think the same.

Well, when all is said and done, I'd rather lose them than the gospel. I'd rather live my life alone with the Savior on my side than live my life surrounded by the entire world without the Savior. I know there's a lot I still need to work on, but there are some things I've done that I'm rather proud of as well.

Now, then, "Inktober" once again. Day 6: Husky. I used a great deal of black ink this past week. It's a good thing I recently bought a whole packet of Sharpies, although two Sharpies are just about dried up by now. But the drawing (and coloring) itself has been quite relaxing. No wonder adult coloring books are all the rage these days, and here's hoping I can make one of my own.

"Fantasytober," day 6: Witch's Apple. Another picture that bites, almost literally!

Dixie

Got some sad news today. Dixie, my cousin's dog whom I would dog-sit from time to time, has passed away from a tumor.

I always wanted a dog, but my folks, especially my dad, said no way. As much as I love Butterscotch, I'd have cats and dogs if I could. It's still on my bucket list to own a dog someday, even though it's not going to happen anytime soon. So, looking after Chris and Amber's dogs was the next best thing, and Dixie just had that way of growing on you despite her nutty antics.

She was a big girl, but thankfully her bark was worse than her bite...most of the time. She could never get enough treats (she and Chip would always steal from each other when I fed them Beggin' Bits), she would often beg at mealtime (so I made sure to fill her bowl first and eat my meals at the out-of-reach kitchen island), and she would even more often try to climb on top of me while I relaxed in a chair or couch and I had to keep pushing her to the floor. "Yeah, I love you, too, but you're much too big for a lap dog!"

Above all, she could never get enough petting. She'd go so far as to nudge old Chip out of the way, as if to say, "Why are you petting him? Pet me instead! Pet only me!" Sometimes I'd sit with her in the living room or kitchen and just give her loves all over, and every time I stopped, she shoved her big head under my palm and "made" me love her some more.

According to Amber, all of the animals came from abusive households, so that was why they soaked up all the love they could get.

At the very least, Dixie got to spend the rest of her life in a warm, safe, loving home, pampered and sheltered to the end.

I'll miss that lovable goofball.

Inktober 2018 - Day 26

Twenty-six entries down; five to go! I can count on one hand the number of entries I have left. Well, fifteen if you count all three prompts, but whatever.

"Inktober" 26: Stretch. Based on Tramp's morning stretch from Lady and the Tramp; you can really feel his body stretching and almost hear the bones snapping. Every morning, I'm like a bowl of Rice Krispies after you add the milk, especially if I worked a night shift the night before. For that matter, I've been popping my back and neck since junior high. It used to drive my dad crazy and my mom and siblings always cringe when they hear me, even when I tell them it sounds worse than it really is and it does do me some good.

"Disney Inktober" 26: Live Action. Practically perfect in every way! I can sing just about every song from this movie.

"Fantasytober" 26: Zombie. Never liked zombies. Never cared for stories about zombies or zombie apocalypses. The only zombie movie that I'll willingly watch is Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island.

Inktober 2018 - Day 21

Here we go with day 21! Almost there! Must think like the Little Engine That Could! I think I can...I know I can...I thought I could...

Day 21: Drain. Ever have one of those days where you just feel like somebody pulled a plug on you? I sure have!

Disney 21: TV Shows. Oh, boy, did my siblings and I DEVOUR this show when we were growing up. Most of the details have faded from memory by now, but the theme song has never left me. For that matter, there are many shows from my childhood which I can no longer recall very well but I can sing their theme song in a heartbeat. Whoo-hoo!

Fantasytober 21: Satyr. Some people see a faun and a satyr as the same creature. I see these creatures as quite distinct. I see satyrs as bigger, stronger, and hairier, with lengthier, curvier, sharper horns, and overall, they're a tad less friendly! May want to keep your distance!