The Donnas

I first discovered The Donnas on some late night show singing, “I Don’t Wanna Know (If You Want Me).” They seemed like a punk/rock garage band made big time. It was something about these four women rocking-on (seriously) that made me fall instantly in love with them. White girl bands are hot anyway! I figured out who they were: Brett Anderson (Donna A) is the singer of the band, Allison Robertson (Donna R) is the guitarist, Maya Ford (Donna F) is the bass player, and Torry Castellano (Donna C) plays drums. I dashed out and bought their “new” album, “Gold Medal.” I ran it into the ground! Favorites include: “Fall Behind Me,” “Revolver” (I really wanted to destroy somebody at this point in life) and “Friends Like Mine.” I found their official website: www.thedonnas.com. I found the video. I even made my mother watch it. (I know she thought I was crazy.)

I wanted more. Then, I found “The Donnas: Spend the Night.” Favorites include: “Who Invited You?” (which I find myself often asking), “Too Bad About Your Girlfriend,” “Pass It Around,” “It’s On the Rocks” and “Take It Off” (featured in the movie “Dodge Ball,” from "Charmed" and a panel of Paige Braddock’s "Jane’s World.")

Then, one of my absolute favorite albums: “The Donnas: Turn 21.” Favorites include: “Midnight Snack,” (Okay – it is my favorite!) “Hot Pants,” “Gimme A Ride,” “You’ve Got A Crush On Me,” and “Nothing To Do” ("... I'm sniffing everything under the sink --- and all I really wanted was another drink ... ") That’s when I found out they had been rocking together since middle school. Middle school!!! By this album, since they’d all been born in 1979, they were all legal! Legal to party!!! These chicks were some hard rocking, beer drinking, partying, backseat making out divas. I couldn’t get enough!!! Ran that into the ground, too.

They also popped up on the Nancy Drew soundtrack with a cover of “Kids In America.” In love more!!!

Late last year some time, I saw that they had a new album coming out: “Bitchin.’” And, apparently they were --- without the “bitch,” one article proclaimed. I finally bought the album a couple weeks ago and I have been running it into the ground … as well. “When The Show Is Over,” I think, the closest thing to a ballad I’ve ever heard them do, has bowled me over. No surprise here, I’m running this one into the ground. “Bitchin’” is short, but hot. “Better Off Dancin’” (which I’m sure a lot of would be), “Like An Animal” and “Girl Talk” have rocked me. I could go on and on and on about The Donnas, but I’m going to end here and start drawing. Really.

Party Pix!!!

I'm still basking in the glow of my party. So many wonderful people came. Great gifts, too. It was nice getting together my old friends, new friends, work friends, straight friends and gay friends. Everybody got along well and there were a couple of spots of news (good and bad) along the way --- but, absolutely NO drama. (And, that's saying something for MY crew.) No, 40 doesn't feel any different. No, it's not the new 25 --- which somebody told me this week. (Nor would I want to be 25!) It may be the new 30. But, 30 year olds think they're old and don't realize that 30 is still young until they're 40. But, I'm not going to make that mistake with 50. Dagnabit --- it just doesn't feel that old anymore. Wise up 30 year olds!!! Live! Live! Live!!!

Gifts for a 40 Year Old

Birthday wishes. Birthday booze.
And the unavoidable ... Birthday jokesters. Featuring: Sea Bond denture adhesives, Lavoris denture tablets, Milk of Magnesia, Geri-Mucil Fiber laxative and glasses. They actually got me GLASSES and I couldn't see out of them!!! I guess I shouldn't still be laughing about this three days later.
Actual party pictures coming soon!!!

But(t) ...

I really meant to post something else. Really.

Happy Birthday to me!!!

Today, 40 years ago I was born. (Yea! Aries rock!!!) So, what better way to begin a new entry, after such a long absence, but with some new work. This is the new homepage on the official BGBF website.
This is issue #23 - "Revolutionary Actions," laid out across my living room floor. (Minus the first two pages.) This is a LOT of work!!!!! But, it will be finished this month because it's my birthday month.

Issue #22 - How They Met

BGBF issue #22 - "How They Met." (Yes, it's in homage to Juicy Mother 2.) I went through a variety of titles like: "People Are Talking" (which they were --- but was also too Bonnie Raitt) and "How I Met My Next Boyfriend." I didn't realize until this morning while selecting clips that this issue is really about the reaction of different people to Neil and Dustin breaking up. I'm still getting used to seeing my covers in color.

Jesus Nolasco meets Neil Jordan for the "first time" even though he already knows all of his business. Queens. I'm experimenting with this new background gray.

Then, there's Uncle Dustin. My nephews and niece are very much a part of my life. Once introducing Dustin's waaaaay back in issue #13, I realized that they were very much a part of his. Here's Dustin with his new niece, Jayden (named after my very own new great niece!)

Messy roommates. It really just goes without saying.

Paige Braddock

I must have briefly met Paige Braddock, writer, artist and creator of Jane's World, maybe three or four years ago at the San Diego ComicCon. She was on one of the gay comics panel. Whatever she said inspired me to track down her booth. And she was there! I think I bought a couple of compilations. It wasn't until I was on the plane headed back to Washington, D.C., books in hand --- already read --- did I realize --- I was in love with Paige Braddock, her heroine, Jane and her crazy ass friends. Okay --- Jane's crazy, too. (Below: Chelle, Jill, Skye and Jane.)

Jane's World started as a daily syndicated strip, then Paige turned Jane's adventures into graphic novels. I reallllly love this graphic novel format. The drama just flows freely. The best and hottest thing in the graphic novels is the romance between Chelle and Jill. They're undercover agents for a group called "Women on the Verge." They have a steamy and somewhat tumultuous past. (Aren't they the best ones?) Completely worth the price of admission.

For the record: My favorite scene will probably always be Chelle's response to finding out that her mother's husband, Ted (a butch living as a man) beat up her girlfriend, Jill and blacked her eye. I even wrote Paige because I couldn't wait for Ted to get his. "An eye for an eye, baby." Best line EVER!
The WonderCon comics conference just happened a couple of weeks ago in San Francisco. Somebody I know went, met Paige and coerced her into holding up a sign. I was floored!!!
(Hi, Paige!!! You ROCK!!!)

But, it gets better. Not only did she hold up the sign --- not only did she SIGN it ---- but she drew Jane!!!! SCREAM!!!! (And falling out on the floor again.)
So, after reading graphic novel #7, I realized --- it seemed pretty evident that Paige had tied up several story lines. The book finished with: "The end for now." Was she taking a break? Was it over? I was almost in a panic until I found out about: VOLUME 8!!!! Back in business!!! And according to my WonderCon source, there's a lot of shocking and also hilarious stuff getting ready to happen. Paige had tons of spoilers!!!
And not only that, she's doing a book called "The Martian Confederacy" with Jason McNamara. I'm already on board.