Sketchbook Dump #32
D.C., timeshares, and the idea of a baby
La-tee-da!!! I’ve arisen from my computer malfunctioning all morning!!! Anyone else really really need a new computer but can’t afford one? LET’S COMPLAIN TOGETHER!
I cannot believe I haven’t done a sketchbook dump since October. Who even… am I? To answer my own question, this month I am someone who finished their second graphic memoir. HA! INSANE! UNBELIEVABLE! Or, very believable, as it took me 4 years to draw and was my entire existence. The Joy of Snacking goes on sale August 26th, but you can pre-order it now, preferably not from Amazon. I finished the book the week of my birthday and then hopped on a plane to see my family (and Nate Bargatze!) in Vegas.
As you can see from this image I really thought I’d draw a diary comic about it, until I realized I just finished a graphic memoir and wanted nothing to do with stressing about a drawing for at least one week. But I did get a few things in my sketchbook, mostly related to the time share presentation we went to. I have always wanted to attend one of these sessions. I guess you could call it morbid curiousity? I really needed to know how hard they would try to sell it to you. And of course the answer is, so hard. The hardest sell of a lifetime, really. Also I wanted all the free stuff we got in the end. I really really wanted to come up with a great time share gag cartoon and the best idea I had was “baby timeshare” which I think is something my editor Emma Allen would have called “problematic.” It wouldn’t be the first time, folks!
After Vegas I was back to work in D.C. … A town I’ve never really, “fit in” to. My client put me up in a lovely hotel, some might say, too lovely for this ratty—ass cartoonist. Would you believe no one else was in their snoopy pajamas at the hotel breakfast? The hostess literally asked me to step aside. I think she wanted to hide me from the other guests!
The high point of my visit was when the only seat left at the hotel bar was in front of a mirror. I kept wanting to tell someone, don’t worry, I love dating myself! But no one wanted to talk to me about it. Except for of course…ME!!
The low point was a bad salad.
I had no choice but to do a self portrait. Or several really. What a subject to study!
I think we all know the general vibe of 2025 and beyond is “bad.” Things are bad, I feel bad, I have a bad back. It’s all in theme. I (and everyone I know) are struggling with the concept of…where do you turn to for help? Is there a single news source that can tell me what to do? So many responses, like this from AOC, talk about building community. Sure, yes. That’s something I have always been aware of, and I actually think I’m pretty good at it, even if I hate the phrase “building community.” As if the only reason you attend your friend’s soiree is that they will attend your book launch (or are all friendships transactionary now?!). I would really like to think not. I want to see my friends because they are funny and make me laugh. Oh no am I bloody thirsty for laughter?? Sue me!! Even if you have community, build community, focus on community, I don’t know what effect that has on Trump’s America. Seems to going strong even though I’m a part of at least seven active group chats.
Ok hard pivot. Nearly 3 months ago I moved in with my lover and can you believe he thought I would arrive than less than 30 boxes of tchotchkes? Wake up, James!!
I’ve been nestling in here since then, trying to recreate my office from the last 4 years into my office now in this apartment. It’s different but the same but different. There was just a whole
on artists’ offices if that’s something that intrigues you.
My feelings toward living with boys was quickly summed up by Ilana Glazer years ago, but I’m happy to report, things are honestly fine. Sometimes I can’t really believe how much my life has changed in the past 2-3 years. I used to live with so much anxiety and, not to say it’s all gone, but at 34, I gotta say… I’m feeling pretty friggin ok!!! Not to say we don’t disagree on shit. He recently told me I load the dishwasher like a rabid raccoon. But the next day I asked just how many empty jars of peanut butter he was planning on keeping in the fridge? I think there’s a minimum of 8 right now, I’ll report back if/when it changes.
I got a haircut for the first time in, me thinks a year and a half (???) last month. I couldn’t believe how nervous I was to sit in the chair at the salon. I was literally shaking. As if this kind girl from Bushwick was going to assault me?? My long hair has become such a part of my identity lately that even taking an inch off fault sacrilegious. When I brought this up to other comedy-girlies, they had the same response! No one is getting their hair cut!! Are you, dear reader, getting your hair cut?
I don’t want to start a rumor with this last doodle. I’m not pregnant, nor am I trying to become pregnant, but everyone around me is and it’s confusing. I can’t tell if I’m thinking about babies more because I, Hilary, am thinking about babies, or if I’m thinking about babies because my friends are thinking about (having) babies so I think I should just hop on the bandwagon. It’s a very layered feeling to try to parse through. I was talking about this at the last Real Live Girls and an audience member approached me after to thank me. She said she also can’t tell what are her feelings, or someone else’s. And that she wished she would just become accidentally pregnant so then she’d finally know her true feelings. “But I pranked myself on that one, I have an IUD! Not gonna happen!!” As a fellow IUD-girlie, this made me laugh very hard. I knew exactly what she meant.
Ok that was a lot of information!! I’ll leave you with this Real Live Girls poster—next week’s show is going to be beautiful…just like my niece Everly!!!
But before that, I’m also on a “Secret Show” this Sunday at Cafe Habana where I’ll be reading an excerpt from Joy of Snacking. I realize me telling you I’ll be on a secret show defeats the purpose but we all know New York is dead/nothing matters/etc.
Oh also!! I’m teaching a new class!! Come draw comics with me! Starting March 11 :) Yearly Substack subscribers get a discount!
Thank you for reading! New posts every Friday!
ICYMI: It’s the 100th Anniversary of The New Yorker!
On repeat: my girl Dorothy Dorothy’s new single Pretty Black Diamonds
Currently reading: Kate Beacon’s Ducks
In love with: sending postcards
You make me SMILE! You bring me droplets of J O Y! As our nation is destroying itself! We N-E-E-D you!!!!
I would wear Snoopy pyjamas to a breakfast bar. But I’m a cartoonist so I guess that doesn’t count. Which also explains why I cannot afford to pay Adobe software subscriptions which are insane.
Why does everything have to be subscription? It makes it hard to keep down costs. I nurse along a secondhand 2009 Mac mini (after not one, but two 2011 MacBook pros died on me) just so I can use the last version of Photoshop which will work without a subscription.
Your dogs are awesome.