079a: The inner machinations…
I just wanted to use the word “machinations”. What a good word.
Theo and I are terribly sorry that we’ve abandoned any semblance of consistency and left our loyal readers (all 3 or 4 of you) to wander lost in the dark. Our intentions are honorable, but our schedules are less friendly. I’ve had a sense lately that no matter how little or how much I have on my plate, I feel completely overwhelmed. This is obviously frustrating for me, and I’m trying to work through it. In the end, it means I’m going to have to abandon some projects, and certainly not start any of the new projects that have been brewing in my mind.
I spoke with Theo about selling him my half of La Casa (for a shiny nickel), which would mean he would be writing the comic as well as drawing it. It’s not something he’s particularly excited to undertake, and it’s not certain it will happen. Sometimes I feel like a sinking ship, and I have to weigh what items might be worth throwing overboard in order to stay afloat. I enjoy writing La Casa, most of the time, but sometimes it feels like this chore I have to complete before I can go off and do fun things. I’ve been trying to write in different ways that make it less of a chore and more fun again, with occasional success.
Theo and I talked about it a little bit this morning, and he said that he’d at least really like us to make it to 80 strips before the comic goes belly-up. That would only be two more, and those scripts are already written and in Theo’s hands. Personally, I’d like us to get to 100, and I’m willing to commit to that point. I’ve always entertained the notion in my head that it would be fun to write a comic to 100 strips and then finish it to start a new comic, which would go to 100 strips, and so on and so forth. The idea is that, as La Casa Comics (emphasis on the plural), we have the forum to create multiple universes rather than being limited to one. There are other projects I think I’d be interested to work on, so perhaps if we can finish this run, my creative energies will be renewed with the birth of new characters and fresh storylines.
Enough rambling, though. Here’s a sketch of the next comic, pre-inking and coloring. You can still get a pretty good idea of what’s going on, though. The finished product should be up pretty soon, all colored and sparkly for your eyes. We’ll try to ramp up our consistency through strip 100, and then keep an eye out for something new. Maybe. 
- Ahniwa
May 3rd, 2006 at 10:17 am
I’ll always carry a torch for La Casa, you boys know that, whatever strip you get to…. but ….. but….. we’ll talk about this over wine.
-Amos
May 3rd, 2006 at 10:21 pm
I’m willing to commit to 100 as well. I haven’t talked to the WA about this, but as of this posting I’ll do it.
Wine sounds good and when I’m drunk I’m very suggestable so give it a shot!…no pun intended. And yes, I have been known to do “wine shots”.
Here, in the comments, I’m committing to 100 strips. I can’t commit to a timeline…but we’ll hit 100 come hell or jobs.
–The Artist
May 4th, 2006 at 12:16 am
I am going to be upbeat, optimistic Sara…okay…here goes! I will read whatever you boys write/draw…I will! I am hopelessly loyal! And I will always thank you guys for getting me hooked into the horribly addictive world of webcomics! You’ve created a junkie, but a grateful junkie! I’m a little bummed…100 is not so far away you know…and if the runs of 100 pan out then I guess my poor little heart won’t be terribly broken. *sniffle* Optimistic Sara has taken a leave of absence and BOSSY Sara has taken the throne…I don’t care what you guys create, as long as you keep creating and keep sharing! Hee hee hee…that’s an order, misters! Okay, well, I guess I understand the whole having a life and a lot on your plates thing. So, at least for now, thanks for sharing this world with me!
Forever Your Junkie,
Sara
May 4th, 2006 at 1:28 pm
I hope you guys do come up with new characters and storylines. The more fun it is for you, the more fun it is to read. You are both very talented and I say good for you for sticking with this project for as long as you have. I’ve witnessed the process of creating a strip and it is a lot of work. I hope you guys continue sharing your talents in one way or another.
May 5th, 2006 at 10:34 am
YES! SEE?! You guys have three cheerleaders now!!! Unless you ladies object to the “cheerleader” thing, and then, well, comic junkies we are indeed~~~
love,
Amos
May 5th, 2006 at 7:10 pm
I don’t mind the term cheerleader…just as long as I don’t have to wear the skimpy outfit…that wouldn’t make anyone feel enthusiastic! And, yes, you boys have AT LEAST three of us screaming “And everybody knows that the LaCasa Boys are…THE GREAT BIG COOKIES AT THE TOP OF THE JAR!”
May 6th, 2006 at 4:32 pm
Been meaning to hop the whole reading la casa train. Sorry it took me so long, but I did go through and read every strip… So you guys got something new in the works? Sweeet.
Jalopi
May 8th, 2006 at 10:09 am
can we just wear cookies? I’d be happy to make cookie dresses.
May 8th, 2006 at 12:55 pm
Cookies? You betcha! Though, what kind of cookies? Chocolate could get a little melty! Maybe peanut butter? You’re the cookie dress architect…you choose!
May 8th, 2006 at 7:57 pm
I say oatmeal. (my favorite) although… I’ve always wanted to wear a ginger snap dress.
…
we should be sure to stay away from grade schools and playgrounds…
May 9th, 2006 at 1:08 am
Mmmm oatmeal!!! Yummers! Yeah…and cows…it could get a little soggy around all that milk! Okay, totally lame I know…but for the life of me I couldn’t come up with a better milk reference! DAMMIT Got Milk commercials! From now on whenever someone thinks of milk they think of that slogan…original thought is dead!
Well, maybe just for me it is.
May 10th, 2006 at 8:29 am
Original thought isn’t dead. It’s just soaked in milk…. or bourbon…. or coffee…… sweeeeeet sweeeeeeeeeeeeeet coffeee…..ee…e………
(pardon me, it’s the caffeine addiction talking… two months clean.) So, Original Thought will, I believe in my heart, eventually emurge from its darkened room when all of the loud, blinky lights are gone, nursing a hangover, and then will go dancing. And then we’ll all be in trouble… or living in space.
Water balloons, cookies & “social distancing”
-Amos
May 10th, 2006 at 7:27 pm
Okay, so maybe he isn’t dead, but I prefer to think he is soaking in Gin, Diet Coke, or Green Tea! At least that’s where my original thought is…also sitting in a haze of smoke (someplace other than Washington State of course) reading a nice book, maybe thinking about catching the Divinci Code or possibly Mission Impossible III even though he thinks that Tom Cruise is a lunatic. I’m hoping he will return from his little vacation soon, however, and then I’ll throw him a big bash! Maybe in time for the fourth of July, because you know, without him, all I can think is….fireworks pretty!
May 12th, 2006 at 11:16 am
Alright. Guys: you’re super cute, and loved and I AM being patient and these ladies ROCK MY PIRATE SHIP, but… withdrawls are starting to kill me…. just a sketch… just …. just one sketch….. i neeeeeeed it! Please man, come on, please??
*whispers* coooooooooooookies………
love,
Amos
May 12th, 2006 at 3:10 pm
I will DOUBLE her cookie pledge (though they might be just a tad stale by the time they reach you) for just one teeny tiny, itsy bitsy sketch! If the cookies cannot convince you, I will be forced to record a video of my son; complete with puppy dog eyes, pouty lip and crocodile tears, begging for one little snippit of your work. I know, it is shameful to use my child as a means to my own personal gain…but that really is the true definition of an addict you know!? So, what will it be? Cooperate and get cookies…or don’t and get the saddest face in the whole wide world? Hee hee hee…I like playing “bad cop”…what’ll be boys? *raises eyebrows, crosses arms, and waits for answer*
May 15th, 2006 at 9:50 am
is this the part where I “step out” of the room so that you can eat cookies in front of the boys while your son makes the saddest face in the world?
hmm. “cookie cop” … I like that.
May 15th, 2006 at 12:08 pm
Ha Ha! (Shines bright light in boys’ faces) “How does this make you feel? A little uncomfortable, huh? Well you can fix that. My partner here has made these amazing cookies…what’s that? Those are your favorite Mr. Ferrari? Me too. Small world, aint it? Huh? Whose that little boy in the corner? You don’t have to worry about him just yet. He’s a special officer in the force, hopefully we won’t have to use him. These cookies are fantastic! Mmmmm….and I have all the cold milk a man could ask for, not to mention this coffee right here, you have never tasted coffee like this. Now, what do you say? You give us what we want and you get the cookies, the milk and the coffee, and our special agent here won’t have to get his hands dirty. It’s a win win situation. All you have to do is cooperate. Nope, you don’t have time to think about it, this is a one time offer from the D.A. After this, it’s outta my hands. (Slams hands on the table…behind the one way mirror Agent Amos is nibbling on her cookies and laughing. She knows this will work, it always does. She also knows that the coffee and milk are laced with some sort of drug that makes you extremely cooperative, one drink and they’ll have no choice but to sketch/write the day away. Perps are so predictable. But, these two are different, smarter. Agent Sara knows it too. It may be time to bring in Special Agent Kelly, it’s cruel yes, but sometimes this job makes you cruel.) “No? You don’t want the cookies? That’s okay, how about the coffee and milk? Okay, well, that’s your choice, it’s just that you know, you don’t get to be the youngest Special Agent in history without getting a little dirty, and Special Agent Kelly is more than a little fond of dirt. You don’t want to face what he is going to do to you! It’s not a pretty picture. I have seen it make grown men beg for mercy. Okay, fine. Do it the hard way. Special Agent Kelly, they’re all yours.” …To Be Continued…
May 15th, 2006 at 4:48 pm
Holy crap, don’t bust out the big guns!
I’m delinquent, I know, and in many ways probably responsible for the dearth of update you’ve been experiencing. HOWEVER, in all practical terms, it’s Theo that you want in that room with the bright lights and cookies and special agents and such.
If I could draw, I would!
May 15th, 2006 at 6:11 pm
Ha! I knew the pressure would have you singing like a bird!
“Your partners turned on you, buddy…what are ya going to do now? You got nobody! He’s in that other room telling Agent Amos everything! Come on, just give us what we want and we’ll go easy on you! Just a little slap on the wrist, really…It’s not too late to call off Special Agent Kelly, you can still get out of this. My boss is telling me you’re the one to make the deal with anyway…come on now…”
May 16th, 2006 at 11:09 am
Nice work agent Sara. Now we just need to motivate the tall one.
May 17th, 2006 at 1:58 pm
We might be best advised to call in Miss Kandace for that job. Any suggestions Kandace?? We’re desperate here…
May 17th, 2006 at 5:26 pm
Yes, any more suggestions, I am shot…this boy’s tough to break!
May 18th, 2006 at 8:48 am
…which is why I am now pleading for the help of Kandace—-
come on Kandace– WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!!
May 18th, 2006 at 10:32 am
I’ve got a few motivation techniques up my sleeve. Let me see what I can do.
May 21st, 2006 at 2:53 am
Rock.
or … is that…. cookie?
May 21st, 2006 at 12:52 pm
You know, I have to admit that the word machinations is starting to make me sad! It is no longer a cool word in my book because it only means there isn’t a new post!
May 22nd, 2006 at 10:15 am
Yes, but just think, if we had posted new comics, we wouldn’t have an incredible 26 comments and counting on this post. Right? Right.
Justifications are great things.
May 22nd, 2006 at 12:14 pm
Your mother was a hamster and your father smelt of elderberries! Now give me a new comic or I shall taunt you a second time!
May 23rd, 2006 at 11:04 am
I’m out of taunting for now. I’m just going to cry. See that fellas?!??!?!?!? You’ve @$#%@$%@#$ made me CRY now!
Okay, okay… I’m not crying. I’m just trying to draw my own comics. There. That should scare you! Hear that Theo?? My stick figures are making it onto the walls of the office where only LaCasa dared to venture! Yes. It’s sad and scary. Please help me.
love,
Amos
May 23rd, 2006 at 4:33 pm
Be patient ladies. There will be a new post soon, I can feel it.
May 24th, 2006 at 12:33 pm
Okay, this is getting really sad! I actually had a DREAM last night about a new comic! Do you see how addicted I am guys? I am trying really hard to be patient, but now my subconscious is getting involved!
May 31st, 2006 at 2:07 pm
You know… I’ve had to start dating again because La Casa just wasn’t there for me…
It’s the end of May already… I mean… June is nearly here… and La Casa is nowhere to be found… I’ve had to resort to reading more mainstream comics! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOooooooooooooooooo—————
Please… This is me on my knees, begging and pleading for La Casa to throw a comic up…… anything fellas……
I feel like my puppy is dying.
June 9th, 2006 at 10:00 am
Theo: sketch something? Please?
July 13th, 2006 at 8:51 am
alright. Theo promised me sketches. I see no sketches. Theo: I’m sending the comic police after you.
July 19th, 2006 at 11:32 pm
I KNOW that Theo did a sketch…
July 20th, 2006 at 4:36 pm
He did! I’ve seen it. Why its not up yet, I do not know.
August 9th, 2006 at 6:29 am
what, Ahniwa’s engaged now, and we don’t get a comic for THAT one?!?! Come ON!
love you guys,
Amos
December 16th, 2006 at 11:21 pm
oh… oh, it hurts.