Google Maps and Me

Hey, Blogosphere! 

It’s Sunday morning and I’m feeling pretty good. I completed another successful Michael Hopkins Caricatures Event last night, my son’s coming home to visit from the Navy and the drawing mood has inhabited my soul once more, so yep (or yup… if you're an old cowboy), life's pretty pretty, pretty, good. 

Let’s take a look at the results of last night's event...

BUT FIRST (insert sound of brakes screeching!), let me tell you a story about my love/hate relationship with Google Maps. Although the event turned out great, unfortunately the drive to the event was a little stressful. I would love to blame Google (Google maps specifically) however I must confess, the fault was all mine (again). Ya see, I'm at that stage in life where I like to think I’m smarter than some app on my phone. I’ve had this encounter with my "arch nemesis app" (i.e., Google Maps) previously, the most notable time was a trip to Las Vegas with my son. Let’s set, The Wayback Machine, to the year to 2019 (I think).

As we're entering the Las Vegas area, Google Maps tells me to take an exit, that is about four exits earlier than the one I normally take. After a brief, heated conversation with said app, I decide that I know better than Google, ignore its advice and decide to proceed to my usual exit (stupid move dumbass). I soon realize that my stupid app was correct and I was wrong (go figure?!?). The exit I normally take is closed due to construction (can I get a harrumph?). After apologizing to Google Maps with a string of creatively combined expletives, Google forgives me and gets us to the hotel via the street that I originally would have been on...had I exited the freeway where Google Maps originally told me to exit (and I'm positive, Google Maps was smugly and sarcastically smiling at me as I realized this fact). 

Anyways…Last night, Google Maps once again proved that old Caricaturists should shut up, listen and follow driving directions. Because if I would have, I would have made it to the event early, instead of 26 seconds prior to the beginning of the event. 

I am not smarter than Google Maps

I am not smarter than Google Maps

I am not smarter than Google Maps

I am not smarter than Google Maps

To make a long story short, lets looks at some Michael Hopkins Events Caricatures from last night

Till next time!

Simple Fun

I've been in a bit of a rut lately when it comes to drawing. Although the Event Caricatures have been progressing well, my pen & ink drawings have been virtually non-existent. Although, I've been getting headaches from all the drawings floating around in the 'ole cerebral matter, sitting my butt down at the drawing table and having those drawings flow from the brain (down the neck, through the formerly cancer infected shoulder, down the arm, though the fingers, being one with the pen, filling the nib) and spilling onto the paper, well...it's been a hot minute (as my son would say). I think I'm making this drawing thing, too complicated.

However, inspiration has arrived via a life-long friend, and Author, Daniel W. Shegrud and his, "Fun Words to Say!". Let's take a look…

Daniel W. Shegrud, Fun Words to Say!

I love these videos! They're Simple and fun. I've been missing that in my life lately. Growing up with Dan we had  a lifetime of simple fun. It was a riot! It seemed like everything we did was simple and fun (although the majority of our peer group would disagree). Fuck 'em! We didn't care. We lived our life for us and our amusement. Not that life these days are bad, it's just missing the simple fun that Dan and I enjoyed. As I was watching these videos of Dan’s, I realized that he’s still living that lifestyle and I’ve gotten off track. Life wasn't meant to be complicated. We’re here to enjoy life and obviously, Dan is still enjoying life. I need to find my way back to that life and Dan’s my inspiration.

Hold that light up for me Dan, I need to find that path back to the simple fun.

Uncomfortably Comfortable

I find myself uncomfortably comfortable these days. This is worrisome because I think it affects my creativity. I find that when I'm comfortable, my creative drive diminishes. To those of you who follow my art, you may have noticed this in my work...or lack thereof (the exception being my event caricatures). This  comfortableness is a product of minor success, in both my side-gig (The Daily Planet) and my increasingly successful event caricatures. Sure, the event caricatures can be creative, but the creativity is limited due to production expectations of the person who hires me (they're paying me by the hour, so they rightfully want as many as drawings as possible) and the self esteem of the subjects I'm drawing (i.e., I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings). You may ask, "...but Michael, don't you worry about those things with any caricature you draw?" Well, yes and no. No, because I don't intentionally over-exaggerate a person's features, in a caricature, to make them feel bad. However, when I'm drawing a person across the table from me (as opposed to a "celebrity" that I am drawing in my fortress of solitude) I can see their feelings and feel their emotional reactions through every stroke of my pen, which (sorta) limits my creativity, because again, I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings. I just want to make them smile.

Anyways…the point I was trying to make was, I need to to make things less comfortable and more creative. To achieve this goal I need to expand my creativity to a point that makes me uncomfortable. The other option is to give up one of the things that are making me comfortable. As I previously stated, the two things causing the comfortableness are the side-gig (mild mannered fueler for a great metropolitan fueling conglomerate) and the burden of being the second greatest Caricaturist to have ever walked God's earth (Thank you God and thank you, Al Hirschfeld for the inspiration). Since I am carrying the burden of being the greatest Caricaturist, obviously I'm not going to quit drawing event caricatures, that would be like asking Billie Piper to quit being so damn perfect...

(am I right, or am I right???)

The other option would to leave The Daily Planet. While that has always been the plan, is this the right time? Good question 🤔 That's a question that I'm planning to answer soon. That answer will depend on a couple of things. Number one is the size of my gonads (that's what she said) and number two is the success of the rest of my repertoire. Since I've had no complaints about the prior, I'm going to increase the latter, by taking more chances.

More to come, Stay tuned!

 

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.