Hedgehogs on Clipboards

Every counselor at the summer camp I worked at is issued one clipboard (which holds all the important paper work and schedules, which one would be entirely helpless without). This summer I painted three clipboards - one for myself, and two for friends of mine. All of them included this little hedgehog character (spikes based on Sonic, head shape based on Crayon Shin-Chan, and body type generally based on the Kodama from the film Princess Mononoke).

The character is named Urchin (i.e. hedgehogs curled up into a ball look kind of like sea urchins). He is an excellent swimmer.


For my good friend Christopher Barry (his idea to write "Chris Barry Rocks" in honor of his website). It combines a few of my all time favorite things - hedgehogs, penny farthing bicycles, big hats, and 19th century gentleman outfits.

This one is based off of Tetris, one of my all time favorite puzzle games. The clipboard was painted for my friend Chris Burns, a counselor in training. I went into it wanting to do something fun, colorful, and cute. Every time I look at it I can't help but worry about how the one in the lower left is going to escape from the confines of his tetris pieces.

Speak easy,
Neil

Need New Pumas

12 hours and I will be all finished with the semester. I completed my papers (which probably weren't that great) and now I just need to study up for my French test tomorrow morning. Jim, Lev, and Julie helped me move all of the stuff out of the dorm today (which is currently in Jim's mom's van along with a giant bear cushion and a vibraphone) so now my side of the room is completely vacant, sans an alarm clock, a laptop, and a fan, sheets, toothbrush, and a change of clothes. I was anticipating a trip back to the Cape tomorrow but there is a really good change I won't be leaving until Thursday morning. This means that I will have to make do until then. No meal swipes left, no change of clothes beyond what I already have on me, and no toiletries. There is not too much planned for my one month break between school and camp but whatever does end up happening, good or bad, will most definitely be documented here.

I broke a towel hanger on my door last semester and I need to buy glue tomorrow to fix it. If you ever see me and I'm not doing something last minute, call the police, because something is terribly wrong.


The internet says that a hedgehog will set me back anywhere between $125 and $150. If I get one, which I may in the next few years, I will name it 'Luigi'.

Speak easy,
Neil

Friday

It is my last weekend on campus (for a few months anyway) and I'm sure I'll be spending the majority of my time doing schoolwork. There is nothing more cathartic than finishing something you've started.


This is a picture of a baby hedgehog I came across today while struggling with a heavy bought of procrastination. It is nothing short of amazing.

I don't have much to say this evening so I suppose I will leave you at that. Actually I was thinking of making a list of 5 things in life that people ought to pay more attention to but probably won't...

1) Posture
- Arch your back and don't slouch. I know I must sound like a nun or something but you will definitely look more strong and confident.

2) Floss
- "It's as hard to quit smoking as it is to start flossing" - Mitch Hedberg
- Your teeth will last longer and probably smell better. (although I am not a dentist so I probably don't know what I'm talking about.)

3) Call people by name more often.
- People notice on a subconscious level and it is an easy way of making a quick personal connection.

4) Don't watch the news.
- It's depressing.

5) Eat salad if you can find the time.
- It just makes you feel better.

Random fact I read about today: MLK plagiarized a large portion of his doctoral thesis as well as parts of his speeches (including his I Have a Dream speech).

Speak easy,
Neil