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Grrl Power - Dabbler’s Science Corner #3
🕑 Added 2024-10-03 10:00:09 +0000 UTCThank you for the support! You guys are awesome
The return of Dabbler's science corner! It's been... geeze, 10 years? Probably should have slipped a few more of those in there along the way.
I didn't want to interrupt Peggy's flashback, but I had a sudden time crunch, and it was this or switch to some kind of stick figure art for the flashback, which... has its merits, cause I could attribute the poor art to Peggy's memory of the events being fuzzy. But this seemed like a better choice than compromising the art for a relatively serious moment in the comic.
I don't normally share a lot of personal drama here in the comic posts, because you guys mostly come here for entertainment, and speaking personally, it bugs me when I'm looking for some light hearted laughs, but the author uses the posts as an agony aunt or therapy sessions. If it actually helps them deal with whatever they're going through, then, you know, good for them, but it is incongruous with the medium of "funny pages."
In this case, I think it's important you guys understand what my preoccupation is, because I don't like paring down the art every time I hit some kind of personal speedbump. Well, the short version is, my father passed away. If you've ever been through such a thing as an adult, then you know that a huge amount of your time is suddenly spoken for. Emotionally, I'm doing okay. Partially I think it's because I've been prepared for some bad news about my mom for about three years, ever since she started having issues. I never really considered that he would go first, even though he was 5 years older than her, and it's this kind of slow moving shock to have this constant in my life suddenly gone. It also leaves me and my sister with some decisions to make, as my mom can't live on her own at this point, and now we've got this "large enough to host the whole family during the holidays" house with 82 years of stuff in it to deal with. Well, the house is paid off, and most of the contents can be dealt with via an estate sale, but there are some things that have emotional value, like the nice dining table we always used for holiday dinners. Unfortunately, neither me nor my sister have a lot of room for a huge table or the matching buffet table, (which is something I never once considered buying for my own home, but I kind of don't want to get rid of my parents' one) but we'll figure it out.
On a lighter note, my Dad was organized. Like, Leslie Knope levels of organized. He left nine 3-ring binders with "Here's what you do if me or me and your mom die" instructions. They've got his will, his lawyer, financial manager, lists of personal contacts, a "here's a sample obituary," thumb drives with obituary photos, other thumb drives with photos for a slideshow during the memorial, life insurance information, burial instructions, it's... a lot. And honestly it might be evidence that he was a little bored with retirement. But thank god he had all this stuff laid out because otherwise I'd be googling "what to do when your dad dies." Even with this "death by the numbers" guide he laid out, the first week felt like juggling headless chickens and chasing spinning plates.
I know some people will suggest that it'd be okay to take a week or two off from the comic if I really need to, and while people who are used to having Grrl Power as part of their Monday/Thursday routine, yeah, that'd probably be okay. But I know there are a lot of casual lurkers who might slowly start to bleed off if I start missing posts, so the Science Corner is my solution. The flat colors and simple backgrounds help a lot, though weirdly, the quasi-chibi art doesn't save me a whole lot of time, because I'm so unused to drawing it, that I have to keep going back and squishing proportions and intentionally minimizing detail.
I'm saving "miss a few weeks of the comic" for when I get into a car wreck and am literally in a coma. Though following my dad's example, I should buy some 3-ring binders and detail how to post a "Hey, this is DaveB's wife, he's in a coma so just chill out for a bit." Also, I should probably get a will made. Yeah.
So that's where I'm at. I'm doing alright, but I'm bummed that I'm missing my bi-weekly Pathfinder game for the next month or two. You guys remember Fray, my monk? Yeah, I think I broke something... actually this post is long enough, I'll post about Pathfinder foibles under the next page. Until then, enjoy!
(Oh, and I don't have a new vote incentive this month. There just wasn't time to work on it, sorry. I might re-link some of the old ones for this month or something starting with the next page.)
Comments
Philip Brown
Stumbled across this in my backlog emails. Just wanted to say you're doing great, Dave. Your dad would be proud :)
Hurley
My condolences as well. I'm glad your father left you such detailed instructions. It will definitely make your life easier in the coming months. Did your parents live in the same city as you and your family? Would you moving in to your parents house be a viable alternative?
Kevin Wright
Oof, my condolences. My dad passed just about a year ago, and, yeah. It's always harder than you expect. My dad wasn't nearly as organized as yours was, but I've also got 2 siblings who are closer to mom to help sort things out. Take what time you need, and thanks for letting us know what's up.
Magraal
Maybe instead of the vote incentives you could make an archive of all the existing ones? Let people go back and explore them at their own leisure kind of thing
eddi_TBH
My sympathy to you.
Iryelb
Cream pies you say… in Dabbler’s Science Corner… Mmhhmm. There certainly seems to be a lot of learning in this corner without much humor.
Kevin Monkhouse
You have my condolences as well. My dad passed a number of years ago, and I still have trouble from time to time. From what I’ve dealt with, the emotional pain doesn’t go away, but it does get easier to live with. I’m glad you have instructions to follow as it makes the decisions easier.
Torabi
I lost my dad to cancer earlier this year, and it certainly turns your life upside-down. Unfortunately, he was the opposite of organized, and left us with a semi-trailer to unload and dispose of. Lots of car parts. He acted like he had all the time in the world to get his life cleaned up. As you've found though, no matter how prepared you are, it's still a lot to deal with, and is going to take a lot of time and energy, and maybe shift your perspectives and priorities. Given that the comic is both your primary source of income, and also a source of stability and routine in your life, I can see how you might be loathe to take a break. The timing too is unfortunate, given that you're in the middle of a serious flashback. But once you can, a pivot to simpler, silly pages for a while might be good! With Lapha and Garamm as regular additions to the cast, and many other underutilized characters waiting in the wings, there's plenty of opportunity for wacky hijinks to fill some time!
Robert Headley
My condolences. Take all the time you need. We'll still be here. Life takes time to heal.
Chester Orland
Sorry for your loss. Take the time you need. We'll be here.
Scott McCarthy
It would definitely trigger Math's Perevert Senses....
Josh Nakamoto
You have my condolences, sir
Hugh Eckert
My condolences. I understand... when my mom passed a few years ago, I was shocked but ended up doing OK emotionally, although my "spare time" vanished for a while. Take care of yourself, and take the time you need.
Reigys
After reading that comic comment on the bottom... That would either be funny or rated 18+. lol
TotalBlazing
My condolences, take the time you need until you feel OK, and don't push yourself too hard, art is better when the artist feels passionate about it, and breaks (especially during hard times like this) help keep that passion going.
Eric Karnowski
hugs and love, Dave. My Mom died first, Dad followed a few years later. It's never easy — I was lucky that my eldest brother managed most of the difficult work. Please do get your own will in order, soon, it's the most important thing on the list you gave!
You_With_The_Face
Joking aside, my deepest condolences to you and for family. I can only speak for myself, however I'm pretty sure everyone will completely understand if you have to take time off.
Gelatinous Cube
Condolences. As I get older, I realize that this is my future as well. And neither of my parents are that organized. Take time to process things. You have enough loyal followers that an unstable schedule for a couple months isn't going to matter much.
Greg Morrow
May the good memories of your father help you through this challenging time.
Town Crier
What?!! No lemon-filled, powdered sugar-covered bismarks? Lame, Dabbler. So lame. Powdered sugar coated lips and crumbs shelves are a hoot. Plus, they're just plain yummy.
Dave Barrack
I go back and forth on the OC, as people who proofed my two Tamer books are well aware. :/
Matthew Thompson
My condolences.
midwestmutt
No matter how old you are you feel like an orphan when a parent dies.
Anton Schleef
You have my condolences as well. I may still have my parents, but I was close to all of my grandparents and they've all passed on now, so I get that it can be a rough transition. Take the time you need, and do what you need to do continue through this. Also, I hope you and your sister manage to rescue those tables, they deserve to go to a home that will cherish them rather than just use them.
codesurfer
Thank you for keeping up with what you can. Thank you for all these years of comic and art too
Matt Parkent
Lost my father to lung disease 4 years ago and unfortunately my mother just came down with a terminal illness where her time left is measured in weeks instead of months. So I'm starting to become an expert on parent death. You take what time you need.
James Eddy
Condolences to you and your whole family. Saturday marks 3 years since my dad died, so i can understand the pain you and your family is going through. Time doesn't always make the pain go away completely. There will be times when something, that just for a moment, you swear he was right there and the pain flares up. However you can take comfort in the joyful times you shared with him.
Tie Toter
My prayers and condolences for you and your family.
Graeme Thorburn
My condolences as well. I know a bit of what you are going through. Lost my Dad suddenly two years ago and been a carer for Mum since then. Still not sure if I have come to terms fully with it all, but we keep moving on no matter what. Take care and feel free to take time for yourself too. *Hugs*
Sharien Radaik
condolences take your time and let yourself feel things - grief comes to us differently and can hit unexpectedly even if you feel okay in the moment... brains be weird like that thanks for sharing with us and hope yall are going to be alright
ArchieGMWSBMB
Sorry for your loss, my mum died a few months ago and wasn't nearly as organised so I'm glad to hear your dad had thought ahead. Hope you get everything sorted out and find a way to save those tables. Remember to take care of yourself too.
Sarazarus
Take your time, man, one step at a time.
Michael Obert
Sorry for the loss; ai lost my mom recently so I get it. But, yeah, you have to do you. I was prepared for my mom, so life for me just sort of went on and people said the same to me about taking time and my response was, "I need to be productive". Anyway, yay Dabbler's science corner and Jabbers being seltzered (or spritzed, if you like)
Matthew Dodgen
Sorry to hear about your dad Dave. I appreciate how dedicated you are to this comic even during such a hard time in your life.
You_With_The_Face
"Knowledge, resources and applications..." What?! No Oxford Comma?!?!? /s
