Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Tolerate Online Dating

Is it me…or does meeting people at online dating sites seem more like job interviews than finding someone you want to spend time with? What happened to the days when one person was attracted to another person and said person asked (the person they were attracted to) if they wanted to meet for some coffee, or lunch or whatever??? Maybe it's my lack of patience for modern day online social etiquette, however I’m not going spend weeks online answering questions about why I don't post more international travel photos (because the only international place I've been is International House of Fucking Pancakes) or what the environmental consciousness movement means to the plight of the red spotted backwards walking beetle in southern Mozambique (or similar WTF! questions) before we meet for a cup of coffee and decide whether we want to see each other's face ever again?

However, since I (begrudgingly) paid the fee to this dating site, I’m going to continue my foray into this strange trip in hopes of finding someone who enjoys coffee, road trips and Alice Cooper as much as myself. Wish me luck, I’ll keep you updated…

My most recent gig was last Wednesday and Thursday. If you've read my blogs, you know I'm my own worst critic, however this last one's results (good caricatures and happy people) ranks up there with the best of my gigs. So here's a few pictures from the event that I consider pretty damn good! 

By the way, if you're interested in booking me for your next event (Christmas Party time is coming!) Give me a call and we’ll set it up. Make your next event, your best event!  My number’s (775) 276-0256 or email me at scribblesisme@yahoo.com

The Michael Hopkins Caricatures Online Store

Let's talk about my online store, The Michael Hopkins Caricatures Online Store. Introduced a couple of years ago, my store is the online home of my "Original Pen & Ink Caricatures", "Original Aviation Caricatures" and my "Pen & Ink Caricature and Aviation Limited Edition Giclée Prints". I also have a couple of “oddball” collections in my store as well, (including) "Michaels Quick Caricatures", my "Caricature Color Prints" and my latest category, "I Must Have Something Better to do than Watch YouTube Original Prints" (a category in which I draw Youtubers whose channels I frequent when I’m bored - alas, the name of the category).

I'm also considering introducing a new category, "Cosmic Fowl Original Art". This category will offer some of my original Cosmic Fowl Webcomic originals. To introduce you to what a Cosmic Fowl Webcomic is, here’s a link (https://cosmicfowl.blogspot.com) and a brief synopsis of my Webcomic…

                              Cosmic Fowl   by Michael Hopkins

Synopsis -->>> Cosmic Fowl is the story of James Byrd and his eternal search for the meaning of happiness, in this galaxy and beyond. Many themes re-occur during James' search for happiness. A couple of the main themes include, James loathing of Space-truck Drivers, the Feline/Fowl conflict (think Arabs vs. Israeli, on a Coke vs. Pepsi level). Other than those and other reoccurring themes, James encounters are a continuous observation of modern pop culture, the society he lives in and the values that shape it. 

Although I have dabbled in a few other Webcomics, I believe this one of my favorites that I have created. For those of you who may not understand it, you can always keep on reading, Hi and Lois (Chris). Anyways (as I was saying), I’m thinking of offering a few of my Cosmic Fowl originals at my online store. I don't know if there's a big market out there for an almost unknown Webcomic's original art, however if it ever does succeed, you’ll be glad you own one of the originals (am I right? right...right)

Back to The Michael Hopkins Caricatures Online Store. In honor of the upcoming holiday, I'm offering a special promotion at the store, The Spooktacular Sale! Starting now, through October 31st 2022, receive 25% off all Michael Hopkins original art. Just use the coupon code, Spooktacular22 at checkout to receive the discount. That’s right folk’s, 25% off all original Michael Hopkins Caricatures!!! (shipping and prints are not included in the discount). The discount ends on Halloween, so you better head over to my store before the good one’s are all taken ghosts and ghouls!

‘Till next time….

Goodbye Clayton

Clayton LeFevre was one of the good people God put on this earth. Unfortunately for the rest of us here, God called him back home a few days ago. Clayton was the only person I've ever met that I can't recall seeing without a smile on his face. Clayton was always friendly to me (even after his sister and I were divorced). From what I know, Clayton was a lot like his father and although I can recall a few times (very few) when Clayton's father was not in the best of moods, I can't recall Clayton being anything but in a good mood and he always had that smile on his face. Although I rarely saw Clayton after the divorce, whenever I did, the smile was still there. For those of us who were lucky enough to have had Clayton touch our lives, we were better because of it.  

Goodbye Clayton, It was nice having known you.

Temporary Happiness for Under $5.00

"Sometimes, the simple things are more fun and meaningful than all the banquets in the world …"

E.A. Bucchianeri, Brushstrokes of a Gadfly

Indeed. These days I find the simple things in my life are the most satisfying and fulfilling. A text from my children, a magnificent sunrise or even a smile from a beautiful woman. 

Ah yes, even a perfect maple bar (insert Homer Simpson drooling) can make a crappy morning seem less ordinary and more extraordinary! Add to that delicacy, a perfectly brewed cup  of coffee and suddenly it's a pretty good looking Wednesday! It's magical how a little sugar and caffeine can brighten one's day! Why if it wasn't for the readily available supply of coffee and sugar (and the fear of addiction or death) I'd definitely consider alternative substances on mornings like this one.

Since my induced state of being was going so well, I decided to take it a step further and peruse the internet…

$#&$#@!$$ Internet!!! Damn you, Al Gore!!!

According to Healthline.com, A study found that “intermittent access to sugar can lead to behavioral and neurochemical changes that resemble the effects of a substance of abuse.” 

Well at least I still have my coffee…

According to Addictioncenter.com, Caffeine has addictive properties that may lead to physical dependence. People that regularly consume Caffeine need to make good and responsible choices when it comes to consumption, such as limiting intake to only one or two cups of coffee a day. 

Whatever! Temporary happiness this morning, reality tomorrow.

The Amazing Johnathan

Submitted for you consideration, I give you, The Amazing Johnathan by Michael Hopkins (me).

The Amazing Johnathan (John Edward Szeles) was an American comedian and magician. His act was  composed of hijinks, interaction with  audience members and  some magic tricks. From 2001 to 2014, The Amazing Johnathan was a  headliner in Las Vegas

If you are not familiar with The Amazing Johnathan, Ill direct you to this Rolling Stone article from February 23, 2022 (unfortunately the day after his passing) 

https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/the-amazing-johnathan-dead-obituary-1311643/

John Edward Szeles was fucking amazing!

I created this caricature on September 18th, 2022 after watching a documentary about him. It was created on 9"x12" Canson Mix Media drawing paper, with India Ink and Faber-Castell Pitt Artist Pens

Goodbye Toby...err...Russ

That look when you realize your old team, that had no chance of defeating your new team, just defeated your new team.

Russell Wilson by Michael Hopkins - 09/14/2022

Fuck Cancer

I’m taking a small break from The Daily Planet today and tomorrow as I'm resting from some minor skin cancer surgery (which is also why there was no blog yesterday). Although it doesn't feel minor to my shoulder, apparently this skin cancer is relatively common. The type of skin cancer I have is called, Carcinoma. Here’s a description for you…

"Carcinoma is cancer that forms in epithelial tissue. Epithelial tissue lines most of your organs, the internal passageways in your body (like your esophagus), and your skin. Most cancers affecting your skin, breasts, kidney, liver, lungs, pancreas, prostate gland, head and neck are carcinomas 

Most cases of squamous cell carcinoma can be cured when found early (mine was) and treated properly. Today, many treatment options are available, and most are easily performed at a doctor's office (mine was again)"

Anyways, I’ll find out in about two weeks how successful things went, which I'm pretty confident things went well. I have a great Doctor, and his assistant and himself performed the surgery in his office, with very little discomfort. The worst part of the visit was the injection of the Lidocaine to numb the area being cut and that wasn't really that bad at all, basically it stings.

Although it was minor, whenever you hear the diagnosis of cancer, it makes you think about life and where you are in your journey and all you have planned for the future and have yet to accomplish. It made me think about how precious life is and the fact that we don't have forever. I have so much left to accomplish, I had better get busy. 

Another thing that crossed my mind is the size of my goals. I’ve come to realize that the loftier the goal, the harder I work to achieve my goals. Recently (maybe because of my age), I've lowered my goals and expectations. I think this was a bad move because when I lowered my goals, I came to realize that I haven't worked as hard to achieve them. This was probably because (logically) the lowered expectations were easier to achieve. The cancer diagnosis made me realize I still want a lot out of life. So starting today, I’m starting over…