The Blog Squad

OK, I have to apologize upfront for this one! I should not even have to write this, but unfortunately, this one is for the 1% of the US population that has no other way of  "burning calories," as a friend of mine said, than to stir trouble on the internet.

I started this blog a little over a month ago and I can't complain.  It is doing very well.  I am a published children's author and I write, draw and take way too many photographs of other people's children.  Not a real big deal, but that is what I do.  I am not a Monet at drawing (obviously), but like to think I am comparable to Shakespeare or Dr. Suess when it comes to writing.

I get an unreal amount of emails a day and at least 10% of the emails say that I am "similar" to "Hyperbole and a Half" (another web comic), not in a negative way, just sayin'.  I did check out the site, LOVE it and yes, I see some slight similarities, but in the web comic/stick people world, there will be that.  And yes, I am flattered for the comparison because the site is freaking amazing, but there really is nothing to compare.  Then, out of the 10% that suggest that (which I don't mind), there is the 1% hate group that sends me "hate mail."

Really, anonymous people, you hate me? So because I write words and draw pictures (something I have been doing for 20 years) I am not original and ripping an entire site off? When none of our posts are even remotely close to being the same? And you have absolutely NOTHING else better going on in your life than to surf the net and compare web comics, judge them with your keen web comic judging skills and send your anonymous hate mail?

This really happened.  One person sent an email saying that my stick figures were AWFULLY similar to Hyperbole and a Half's stick figures.  Once again...really?  Are you serious? Stick figures that look similar? Do you know what stick figures are composed of? OK, I will try to demonstrate the components of stick figures and what we have to work with.

I could put the pieces together in a different way, I suppose and "be original."

Or this.

Oh, I could put the eyes on top of the head.  Yeah, that's original...

But in actuality, stick people kind of all look the same, like oompa loompas.

Actually, most stick figures do look similar, especially if they don't have clothing on and that just looks really sick.  My people have clothing.  Normally, I put pink on girl stick figures as a gesture just to make it easier because pink is associated with girls.  Not every one does.  I am very simple minded, so I do.

I am not the type of person who goes on other peoples blogs to judge or condemn them to a lifetime of fire and ashes.  If I don't have anything positive to say, I won't say anything.  I do try to leave positive comments on the blogs that I visit.  I want to be a part of the community.  There are actually people who like to do just the opposite! They feel like they are the blog squad.  They hate you and the blog you came writing in on.

Just a few comparisons of me and Allie (creator of Hyperbole and a Half):
  1.  I don't have a boyfriend to talk about (Don't want one...Happy!).  Allie does.
  2.  I have no dogs and two children.  Allie has two dogs and no children.
  3.  I live in Louisiana.  Allie lives...somewhere else.
  4.  I have never cursed in my life and never will on my blog.  Allie does and I don't care that
        she does. I just don't.
  5.  Admittedly, we both like sharks...but that is just a coincidence!
  6.  I am allergic to peanuts and bees.
  7.  We draw pictures.  We write words. We are both stealth.
  8.  I have no life.  Allie does.
  9.  We both run, but mine is more of a fast paced walk.  And that leads to number 10...
 10. We both have feet.

Well, to all of the wonderful people who send me wonderful emails and great comments, thank you for being a positive part of my life.  It is appreciated and I hope that my blog can be a positive part of your days.  To the haters, this isn't a competition or a battle.  Just a couple of blogs.  Nothing more than that.  And for the record, Allie knows all about my blog so please stop trying to make this your own personal vendetta against me for drawing a few pictures and writing a few sentences.  Life is too short to be angry over cartoons. And maybe, just maybe, this will be the new me...

  But, probably not.