Comic for January 6, 2009: Scream-A-Thon

Anyway, down to business. Since we’ve been doing this comicking thing for a while now, it’s probably about time John and I formally introduce ourselves to you, our dear readers. I mean, there was that interview over at ComixTalk, but it’s not quite the same as having the information available on your own site. And there’s stuff they didn’t ask us about. And maybe some of you didn’t read the interview because it was too long or too far away (clicking a link can be hard work!) or you just didn’t really care all that much. Though I guess if you didn’t care enough to read the interview then, you probably don’t care enough to read this post now.

Look, WHATEVER. I’ll try to be brief:

John and I are college students, both of us seniors at our respective institutions of higher learning. John majors in classics, I in computer science.

Chronillogical is a nation-spanning affair at the moment, with John taking residence in Los Angeles and Greg living near Boston. Our center of mass has stayed relatively stable over the years, however, as both of us grew up in the midwest, in the northern suburbs of Chicago. ‘Twas an idyllic childhood, spent amongst the pleasant oaks and quaint foliage of suburbia—wholly and profoundly unremarkable in pretty much every conceivable way.

With regard to the comic, John does all of the drawing while I stick to the writing. But John also helps with the writing. So really, it could be said that John works a lot more on the comic than I do. It could be said—but it isn’t. Or at least, I don’t hear it when it is said. Whenever John brings up the matter, I stick my fingers in my ears and begin to shout very loudly. An effective tactic, let me tell you.

I also do most of the web stuff for the site, which helps even out the balance of work a bit. But not by much.

As for the future, neither John nor I really know what we want to do or where we want to go. Only one thing is certain: as long as we are still eating, breathing, able-bodied, living, and loving (and have functioning internet connections), we will be updating Chronillogical to its completion.¹

To finish things off I’ll throw in a couple of obligatory social networking links, if you’re so inclined. First are the Facebook profiles: here’s mine, here’s John’s. Also, we’ve got Twitter accounts goin’ on here for me and likewise here for John. Annnnd… actually, I think that’s it.

¹The implication that Chronillogical will eventually reach its completion is not unintentional. Unlike many webcomics out there, John and I do have an end planned for the strip. But it will not be for many years, and you will be forewarned. I promise it will be very gentle and tastefully done. Also, even after Chronillogical finishes, John and I fully intend to continue comicking. We have ideas, are filled with ideas, so many ideas—a couple of them even good ones.

Comic for January 2, 2009: Smek!

Milo has a history of giving incredibly unhelpful answers.

And—hey!—gotta love those Stanley equations!

Comic for December 30, 2008: Woah, Nelly

Milo needed Jen to drive him to the mall. He could have asked Roy, but he tends to avoid asking Roy for anything if at all possible.

Comic for December 25, 2008: Adjective Holiday-Name

A boisterous TUBACHRISTMAS to one and all! We’ll see you back here on the 29th.

TUBACHRISTMAS was conceived in 1974 as a tribute to the late artist/teacher William J. Bell, born on Christmas Day, 1902. Through the legendary William J. Bell we reflect on our heritage and honor all great artists/teachers whose legacy has given us high performance standards, well structured pedagogy, professional integrity, personal values and a camaraderie envied by all other instrumentalists. The first TUBACHRISTMAS was conducted by the late Paul Lavalle in New York City’s Rockefeller Plaza Ice Rink on Sunday, December 22, 1974. Traditional Christmas music performed at the first TUBACHRISTMAS was arranged by American composer Alec Wilder who ironically died on Christmas Eve, 1980.

I will admit, I have never been to a TUBACHRISTMAS before. I was going to play in the Chicago event back in 6th grade, but for some reason it never happened. Alas! One of these days I’ll get to one. I swear it!

Comic for December 23, 2008: WELL, Milo…

Man, I really wish people would break out into song more often.

Yes, as you may have inferred, the next comic will involve tubas—specifically, we will attempt to delve further into the mysterious purpose and obscure origins of the inscrutable celebration that is TUBACHRISTMAS. This process of discovery may very well change us all forever.

But at this moment, I would like to clarify some outstanding issues concerning the tuba. First and foremost: any tubists¹ in the audience may be greatly offended by our recent installments, perhaps perceiving them as a slight against the powerful nobility of their instrument. I can understand why a tubist might be particularly sensitive to chagrin: when low brass gets any attention at all, nine times out of ten it’s the trombone. Understandably, I suppose; it’s very poetical to imagine a fleet of trombonists, glistening brass arms sliding in perfect unison. But then when someone does deign to portray the tuba, it’s a bumbling, inelegant, comical instrument. It wouldn’t be so bad if it was just occasionally, but unfortunately the tuba gets this crap all the time.

That’s why I think that tubists are amongst the most good-hearted instrumentalists out there. Have you ever met a tubist without a sense of humor, or with a hugely inflated ego? I think not! They’d go insane.

Full disclosure: I played tuba in my younger years (from 5th to 8th grade).² Since I haven’t played a tuba for the last eight or so years, I can’t really call myself a tubist—but I still have a special connection to the instrument. Perhaps my overwhelmingly positive impression of tubists is just a product of this bias; however, you can absolutely believe me when I say I have nothing but respect for the tuba.

Which brings me to our comics. I hope it’s more or less clear that Jen and Maya are intentionally playing poorly to annoy Roy, who is kind of a jerk and probably deserves it. Rest assured, Jen is an excellent tubist and is perfectly capable of producing quite beautiful tones. (Maya is no slouch either, though her specialty is the trombone.) If Jen seems a little overenthusiastic about her instrument, perhaps she’s simply reacting against Roy’s relentless negativity? He clearly doesn’t “get” the tuba. (Though maybe someday that will change…?)

The tuba is a fantastic instrument, almost certainly underrated and overlooked. To be sure, it is also a little bit silly. But in a good way! I respectfully draw a comparison to the elephant, which is a noble and intelligent animal, but also big and silly and awesome. And who doesn’t like elephants?

I’ll conclude with a video of Øystein Baadsvik, tubist extraordinaire, being fairly impressive on a tuba:

¹ My spell checker doesn’t have the word “tubists” in it, which is unforgivable. It suggests “cubists” as a possible replacement. I’m not sure why, but I really like that.
² For the curious, John played the bassoon up through high school. Bass instruments represent!

Comic for December 19, 2008: Wonk

But Jen and Maya, if you don’t start practicing soon you’ll never be prepared for TUBACHRISTMAS!

Comic for December 16, 2008: Surely, Maya, May I?

For the record, Maya is the quintet’s trombonist. But she knows her way around a tuba, and borrows a sousaphone from the local high school whenever TUBACHRISTMAS rolls around.

More on TUBACHRISTMAS to come.