2.08.2008

We'll Be Right Back

Often I'm asked "how do you find the time?" when it comes to this blog. Honestly, I don't really know. I never have a good answer to that question, so the person asking the question tends to leave flustered. Obviously, I don't give them what they were looking for. Straight up, most of the posts on this blog are created long before I post them. I then eek out time here and there, updating and adding new things to the draft until I find it necessary to finally post it. Some posts take months to write out. Some are done in minutes. The key factor is finding the time. And now, I'm afraid, I do not have the time. At all.

I'm putting a halt to The Ward-O-Matic for the time being. Whenever I've taken a break in the past, it seems like a good idea at the time, but I never adhere to it. I tend to post something, anything -- just so long as it seems like I'm still alive and/or give off the impression that I care about this blog thing. I guess that's pretty much what motivates me to keep blogging, though -- I feel I have an obligation to fulfill. And I want to share my stuff. Again, I always manage to find the time to sit and write a bit, scan a book (or two), post neato links, etc. Because I love doing this, I'll always manage to find the time.

Be that as it may, this time it's different. I'm about to embark on a ambitious job and it's going to stretch and pull me in ways that I've never been stretched or pulled before. I don't want to go so far as calling it a "make or break" situation, but, to quote De La Soul: "stakes is high". All extraneous time will be devoted to this particular job -- no time to blog or upload scans to my Flickr. A total and complete lockdown, people. Should be interesting.

It's odd for me to say goodbye for a while, but I know it's necessary. I don't even want to do a short, "I'm still here!" post, either. I fear that if I keep that door open, it'll only keep me from doing what I need to do at this point, and that's to focus all my energy and efforts on this job. I know you all understand. I'll still check out blogs and such, but I probably won't comment. I can't say I'll get back in touch with you if you email me, either. I'm still debating whether or not I'll keep my Facebook updated. At any rate, just wanted to let you all know that for the next three months, there won't be any new updates here.

Never fear, though! Once I'm back, it'll be as if I've never left. I promise.

See ya in May.

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One thing before I go, I'll be speaking at IUPUI on Tuesday, February 12th (right around the corner). Check this link for more info. This'll be my second time speaking there. My ol' Primal buddy, Brian Ludwick has asked me to come back to speak, and I appreciate the great honor in doing so. Can't wait.


30 comments:

  1. Phew, looks like I started work just in time... at least I can look at your sketchbooks personally, now :)

    We'll have to have lunch when you get back.

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  2. Salute to Mr. Jenkins. Man I wish the 12th didn't fall on a tuesday, work day, really wanted to hear you speak, Well See ya in May.

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  3. WHUT THE?! Well you better email me, for the love of BLAIR! Oh wait...you're not reading this so how would you...

    Well, good luck on your new job! Uh...but you won't know that by not reading this (quit wasting time if you are)...

    oh hold on...

    never mind...

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  4. That and Buhloone Mind State are my two fave de la albums. Don't let the new job kill ya! See you in May.

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  5. I think I've heard about this phenomenon. It's called something like... body-modulation... no... body-regulation... self-contraception...uh... hand-jivination..?

    Ah yes, I remember... SELF-CONTROL!

    Anyway, that's great that you can just shut the door and not peek out - it's hard as heck for me to do... ever.

    Good luck with your project!

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  6. roque, I'll always have time to comment on my own blog! Oh wait -- you're right, what am I doing here?

    Maybe I'll comment here and there, if I can. Oh, I dunno!

    As for the Blair exhibit -- I still want to go, but now it might not be happening. I'll email you.

    Thanks, guys for the comments. As for the job I'm on, it's a commercial that's going to be pretty cool. Once it airs, I'll clue everyone in.

    Thanks again, guys!

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  7. All the best, dude. You have the self-discipline that I severely lack! :)

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  8. All the best Ward. Thanks for all the inspiration in getting my online presence to the point at which one day soon I hope I'll have to take an extended break because I'm too busy with real life too!
    Or something like that.

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  9. Ward,

    You don't know me, my name is Jared and I live in Ohio. I visited Portland last year for the Zine Symposium, and while I was out there my friend told me about LAIKA, and your blog, and I've been reading ever since. Just wanted to let you know that your posts are always inspirational, (mid-century design, graff art and hip hop? damn) and you will be missed. Good luck with everything.

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  10. I wish you the best with your project, and can't wait for may.

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  11. It's like you're Silly Putty! Good luck, go, grow, stretch and enjoy all the good moments! We'll see ya when you get back!

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  12. I'll definitely miss your blog posts -- and stuff on Flickr -- but I wish you all the best with your job. I know how hard it can be to juggle work, a family *and* online activities sometimes!

    See you on the other side!

    t.

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  13. With regards to taking months to write posts: I remember your panic to get your review of the Ottowa Animation Festival completed before the next year's festival. ;o) You always have your priorities straight, so I'll accept this Wardomatic hiatus without any threatening grumbling. Take care, and good luck with your projects! I can't wait to see what you've been working on!

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  14. Good luck with the project that now lies ahead. I look forward to your return :-)

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  15. I am a Flickr contact of both you and your wife and have enjoyed your blog for a while. I am surprised & delighted that you are speaking in my hometown of Indianapolis on Tuesday night....(who ever comes HERE?) I'm looking forward to it!

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  16. thank you for all the great times!
    i took your recommendation + went to the mary blair exhibit at the cartoon art museum a couple weeks ago with my little mod*tot. it's a small but fun collection + you can find all of those images + plus hudreds more by searching flickr (703 when i checked).

    enter my valentine's giveaways on my blog. 75 prizes worth over $3,500.
    happy valentine's day ward + hula!
    i added you to my valentine's blogroll i <3 U

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  17. Bugger, I've been enjoying my daily fix of Wardomatic.
    Sounds intriguing this project, all the best with it, and we'll see you back in May.

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  18. See, this is where the Twitter thingie comes in handy. You can't post more than 140-characters at a time, so you keep things quick and simple. You keep the meaty stuff for your blog, but the smaller stuff can always just go to Twitter. Join the dark side!! :)

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  19. I'm glad I finally got to meet you tonight.
    Thanks for a great blog and some of my fav Flickr groups.

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  20. Good luck! I'll miss reading your blog; but I wish you nothing but the best!

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  21. So...you're busy then?

    Enjoy the ride! Wee-heeeeeee!

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  22. Bye for now, Ward. I'm sad your going on hiatus. :( But if your freetime/sanity is at stake, it's understandable. Take it easy.

    BTW, the Mary Blair exhibit was awesome. Small, but still awesome. I'll post a pic from it.

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  23. Ward - you've got your head in the right place. And it's a good thing.
    You're keeping my head there, too.
    Thanks for the ear this week; hope I was as good for you.

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  24. Bye for now Ward-it's been emotional!

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  25. Thanks, all, for your nice comments and wishings of luck. I'll need every last one of 'em!

    Things have been going smoothly with this particular job i'm on. So, the no blogging thing has worked for me so far. Once the spot airs, I'll be able to mention exactly what I worked on!

    See ya,
    Ward

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  26. WARD! are there any good new art books out there yet!? :)

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  27. Damn it! I wish I would have found your blog sooner.

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