I'm a big fan of Calvin and Hobbes. I think my admiration stems from Bill Watterson's technique of putting 'grown-up' dialogue and ideas into 8-year old situations. It is something about keeping that child shell, yet having that wisdom and experience of an adult that is attractive and interesting, not to mention hilarious. Anyways, I stumbled across this link to a commencement speech Mr. W gave at Kenyon College in Ohio. I actually read it yesterday after the I posted on this blog. As he well should, he does a much better job at getting at a similar idea I was trying to make. 'Tis a good read, check it out here.
Besides the great writing, C & H is a favorite for one big reason: snowmen. The creations in the comics were so inspiring, yet never duplicated. Yes, I tried, but it never looked the same or gave the same effect. Here's one of my favorites.
I could never get the mouths right, as to look like the snowman is screaming. Maybe it was the shadows. Well, winter is coming soon, so maybe this year I'll retry it with some black paint. Anywas, what sucks is that Calvin and Hobbes is no longer being made. The series has ended, and though you can buy every single printed strip in a nice boxed set, it is disappointing to know that something so good is no longer being produced. It is similar to when your favorite tv show gets cancelled, your favorite band disgroups, or your favorite author dies. You love the stuff that's been done, but in the typical greedy nature of humans (maybe just Americans?) you want more! It's just a bummer to know that it won't be happening. Emulations arise, and there will always be something new/better to grab your attention, but there will always be that weird empty feeling knowing that your favorite thing is gone for good. I think the only way to get over this is simply move on, find something new. It sucks that things end, but that's they way the world works, and too much mourning is good for no one.
I know this sounds a bit extreme, mourning over the ending of a comic strip, but I think this is relatable to many a situation. A certain amount of reminiscing is good, and the ever so often nostalgia is nice, but each passing item should be just that, in the past. Holding onto something gone only puts limits on yourself, locking you to a place in the past. I know some choose to be stuck and that's the way they want it, but if you want to keep going, there has to be the recognition of the idea of past, present, and future. I appreciate the past. I live in the present. Most importantly though, I am always looking forward to the future, simply because it is a good motivation to keep going when shit gets shitty. Even when the present is just 'blah', the future is always better and waiting. Especially now that I have the idea of using that black paint on snowman to that screaming effect just right, now that's something to look forward to.
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