I'm finally getting a balcony!

On my way home from school the other day, I got this phone call from my roommate Katie:

Yes, because the limiting factor of this equation is obviously lemonade.

----

So, I meant to post this last week, when it was still freshly-baked news, but life got in the way. Regardless, it's probably new news for most of you, so...

For those of you who have never been in it/have never heard me talk about it, I have about the most nonsensical room you can imagine. Not only is it dimly-lit and awkwardly-shaped, but it has a closet that's basically just an open nook in one wall, a door that opens into a creepy dark spiral staircase/fire escape on another wall AND a large window on the third of its six walls. Oh wait--that's not a large window...it's a door. A door that opens onto nothing. Our apartment is on the second floor. You do the math.


But finally--FINALLY--after 2 1/2 years of living in this nonsensical violet room, I'm getting a balcony! Sure, I won't be able to do this (totally unsafe and definitely not mom-sanctioned) thing anymore:

But...a balcony! 

Yeah, so last Wednesday morning, I wandered down the hallway--bleary-eyed and still in my pajamas--to find a bunch of men just outside our kitchen, dismantling the balcony. It was all rather unexpected, seeing as how our landlord Dolores (or Dolly, as we fondly call her) never bothered to inform us that this massive construction project was actually happening ON WEDNESDAY, AT 7:00 A.M., ON OUR BALCONY.  But it's not like I can really complain because, well...balcony.

It's gonna be like this every day:

I can't wait.

Come on in, the water's...cold, low oxygen, high pressure, and salty

My marine reptiles presentation is today! I'm including these drawings in my powerpoint:

This one is my last slide: 

Any questions?

Wish me luck!

Notes From a Meeting

Hey everybody--I got the first of my guest submissions today! This one's from my dad!!!


Here's what he said:
"While others are taking notes or checking their Blackberries, this is what I do during meetings. I'm sure I have no idea what they mean - aside from the one about coffee."

(Remember, you can enlarge the picture by clicking on it...if you haven't figured that out already)

My gmail inbox is lonely--send it some comics to keep it company!

And now for something *a little* different...

New comic is on its way--but in the meantime, I thought I'd try something different. 

Now, because I'm going to be a little bit pressed for time these next few weeks (four papers, a presentation, little sis coming to visit), I was hoping I could perhaps get some guest contributers. I'm not asking for much (clip art, stick figures, collages, etc. WILL be accepted) but yeah, if you hear/see/do/think of something comic-worthy, draw it, scan it, and send it to me, Manta, at montreal.manta@gmail.com. I know I've got some funny and talented readers out there, and just think, you'll be doing this busy little elasmobranch a BIG favor.


Manta

Happy Birthday Tessa!!!!!!!

Tessa, Alan and Martha were so thrilled with that portrait you did of them, they decided to throw you a party! Complete with quesadillas and homemade salsa and banana margaritas--non-virgin, obviously, because you are no kid (22! what?) and without tequila, a margarita is just a smoothie! If you're lucky, there may even be a sombrero for you too!

For those of you who are not Tessa and/or don't read Tessa's blogs, Tessa did the best portrait in the world, based on this segment from the Martha Stewart show, featuring the unlikely duo of Martha Stewart and Alan Cumming, in sombreros. 

This is their way of giving back.

Relief

As indicated by the increased presence of herpetofauna on MTTPL and the decreased presence of actual comics, I was studying all week for my Herpetology lab exam, which was rumored to be "one of the toughest exams at McGill" (my TA's words). And while the exam itself turned out to be not as bad as I thought it would be, let's just say Tuesday was a very looonnnnngggggg day. Not only was this hanging over my head, but I had a monster cold AND I had to look pretty for grad photos (made challenging by said monster cold) AND I had to give a presentation on why the pygmy snaketail should be considered threatened in Canada (also made challenging by said monster cold). So by the time I got onto the metro, headed at long last for home, I was ready to drop.

I'm not joking, I nearly fell asleep standing up in the LITERALLY TWO STOPS between school and my apartment. That look on my face? Pure relief--relief and anticipation of a good night's sleep and dreams mercifully free of slithering, croaking, hopping damp and scaly things.

As a side note, I can now recognize SEVENTEEN FROG CALLS! A skill that will undoubtedly serve me well in my urban surroundings!!!

Emily Peal

Hey guys, comics are on their way! I swear!

-----------

I just want to take a moment to give a shout-out to my friend Emily who just released her album, Stacking Doll, a couple days ago. Emily is my oldest friend in all the world: we've known each other since we were something ridiculous like 2 weeks old AND we share the best birthday in the world, May 7. And basically since I've known Emily, she's always wanted to be a singer so...I've been waiting for this for like, forever. And let me tell you, this album was definitely worth the wait. Not only does she have the loveliest voice but her songs are all kinds of delightful and clever.

Give her a listen at http://emilypeal.bandcamp.com/album/stacking-doll. You will be glad you did. And make sure you listen to the songs from her EP as well, because they are likewise awesome.