Sketchbook Dump #28
Angie, lower back pain, and the youth
Greetings from yet another airplane where I believe I just encountered the kindest flight attendant in the world?! She saw me drawing, told me she was also an artist, we discussed the state of the world, how people can be so rude these days, then she gave me a free snack box (a kids one too, how did she know I’d prefer it???) and offered me a free mimosa!!! Sadly I had to decline the mimosa since everything gives me heartburn, but the snack box is completely thrilling. Angie the flight attendant is my hero!!!
I just finished up my first week of summer camps and I’m off to a live drawing gig over the weekend. Some might describe me as “tired” and they would be correct! I have been so swamped with work I haven’t been able to complete my diary comics from Maui or the Poconos but know that my time in Maui looked something like this:
Which I have to add, is not something I’m used to!! My bestie Elaine texted me after seeing some photos of me with my family in Maui and said, “I feel like I’ve never seen you on vacation” and I was like, right!! I’m a brand new woman!! I’m tan! I snorkel! For the past 15 or so years I considered going to my parents “vacation” and I mean yes, it is on so many levels, but this whole “resort on a tropical island” thing is slightly different! Though of course, I did miss Margie and kept thinking about how much fun she’d have on the beach with the turtles.
Let’s see… there’s so much to say. Lately I’ve been falling asleep to Couples Therapy clips on TikTok, does that sound desperate? I also won’t shut up about my lower back pain. Everyone loves to give their advice! One bartender told me I need to always have muscle relaxers in my purse. A massage therapist told me I need a new chair. A cartoonist told me, there’s no hope, we’re all in pain. Would you like to add to the list??
Last week I found out that I have to turn in the memoir I’ve been working on for 3+ years, The Joy of Snacking, earlier than I expected (I thought they’d give me another 25 years to complete) so the level of panic, overwhelm, freak out in my veins has been at an all time high. But I’m also like, so excited. I shared an excerpt of the book at Pegasus Books in Berkeley last week and it was the first time I got any IRL reaction to the work and it felt truly incredible. So now, I need to finish the damn thing so I can basque in more praise. That’s all life is, no???
On Tuesday a dancing video of mine went viral on TikTok (hello, humble brag) and I had the incredible reminder that “doing well” online actually translates to “receiving cruel messages for no reason.” Some of the highlights from the comments section… one man telling me I’m “ignorant” (of what?? UNCLEAR!), another person sharing, “You deserve any amount of judgment or grief you experience on here” (again, what I did to deserve grief, not so sure), and finally my favorite, “she’s either wasted or high on acid” — nope!! Sober as it comes my friends!!! It never fails to amaze me what people are willing to say to complete strangers on the internet. It’s not that any of this actually offended me, believe me, I’M FINE, but I also just don’t know what compels a person to write negative comments to a woman who is just dancing in her parents’ backyard to a song from the instant Hollywood classic BioDome.
Ok wow everyone, Angie the flight attendant just walked by AGAIN while I was writing this and shared me with me a hot tip I simply must pass on, “I never drink hot beverages on airplanes because I know they never clean the jugs, we often find maggots inside of them.” !!!!!!! HAHAHAH WOW!!!!!! Maggots in the coffee canteen! Spread the word y’all!! She added, “…extra protein… that I don’t want.” I am dying!!! Rest assured, I did not order a hot beverage for this flight and I… never will again!
If you haven’t noticed yet, the past several summers I have spent working in California and living with my parents and my nephew. It’s always such a lovely time to escape New York for a bit and reset on rollerblades, but I also consider it my yearly chance to “connect with the youth.” Between my nephew Johnny who is nearly 17 and my campers ranging from 8-14, it’s really a huge opportunity to discover what is going on with America’s youth. So far, this is what I can report:
They are spending their entire summer thrifting, and flirting at the thrift stores
They are arguing about Taylor Swift, who is for, who is against?
They believe they are going to make a serious amount of cold hard cash after college
Back to Taylor Swift, do you like The Tortured Poets Department? They are really torn on this subject
They are paying attention to YouTube couples, who is really in a relationship, and who is only doing it for the viewership?
More on YouTube, they are leaving YouTube live streams on all day, in the background, and checking back to see just how many people are streaming it right now
They are holding hands with their girlfriends outside baseball games, even though its nearly 100 degrees and everyone knows how sweaty those palms are
To revisit Taylor Swift, they feel strongly that the only reason Travis Kelce retired from football is because he can now rest on the laurels of being her boyfriend—will it last?
I hope I can report more on the youth next month. I tell you, this stuff is riveting! I also had a very interesting time trying to explain pension plans to three students on Wednesday. I’d like to be clear that I do not know what pension plans are, but I think I made up a pretty solid definition.
I think suing for your old life is more commonly known as alimony.
Before I go and get back to working on my book which WE ALL KNOW I NEED TO BE DOING RIGHT NOW, I’ll leave you with these two Columbo drawings because I’m contractually obligated to bring up Columbo in every conversation I have now.
I was hoping Angie would come by again while I was finishing this but it seems she is busy tending to more in need customers. Should I throw a fit?
Thank you for reading! New posts every Friday!
Obsessed with: Honestly, Angie
Most of the cartoons in this newsletter are available on Etsy!
try medium weight deadlifts a couple sets of 5 just 2-3 times a week and ur lower back will be strong!
Another great "dump." Love your sharing of youth discussion. Since retirement I miss hearing what's on youth's minds and their take on this crazy world. I can't wait for the book. Please get it done soon.