After 4 years of writing, off and on, about a variety of things such as odd thoughts, close calls, success (and failure) and other things now relegated to the archives, it’s time to switch directions and start anew.

From the get go I’ve always envisioned this site as an outlet for experimental creativity and to share the results of such with whomever was interested.

This site’s focus was never meant to be excluded to just a blog, but due to my interests in creative writing it just remained. Like Anton, I’ve been ready for quite some time to move away from just being a blog and realign (not that kind of realignment) my interests and the intentions of this site.

For historical preservation, I’ve decided to select the best articles from the archives and compile them into a book because I’d hate to see those disappear. Besides, I’d like to do some self-publishing and Lulu has me more than intrigued.

A Fresh Restart

What this means is that I’ll be transitioning the blog, or what you’re reading now, into a small, but important portion of the site. If you can think of it as the conversation that takes place after you’ve consumed a three-course meal, then you’ll understand what its purpose will be.

The main course of the meal will be the illustration and design, wrapped together in a fresh and fun layout that’ll hopefully immerse you in what I’ll have to offer. (Speaking of which, have you seen the new Squidfingers design?)

As corny as this might sound, I do appreciate each and every one of you who continues to subscribe to, read and interact with kartooner. There are plenty of you who should be proud of your design prowess and measure of intellect. Without you, I’d just be a guy with one of them-there blog thingies here in New York. In other words, channeling the mantra of Chris J. Davis, “You rawk!”.

Catching up with Goals

Part of the reason I’m so adamant about changing some things is because I need to finally meet my goal of finishing my comic. Yes, that comic, the one I’ve been talking about for a little over 2 years! After mixing it up with my friends at SXSW this year and absorbing the enthusiasm, I’ve come to the conclusion that I need to not just pursue, but chase after and tackle my goals.

I could just keep making excuses or continue playing trash basketball to bide the time, but that wasn’t why I chose this career in the first place. This is a journey of exploration and fascination that we’re all on, and I’m moving up a couple seats to see the full view.

Process and Innovation

On my panel at SXSWi this year I mentioned doing conceptual sketches for Sideville, using the movie Pirates of the Carribean as one of my source materials. I foresee using the blog to post my work in progress, kind of like Carson System’s Bare Naked App but without the app and the bare nakedness. It seems like people are interested in the process and craft of developing a project and appreciate that mistakes are made along the way.

As perfect as the end result might be, success needs to be constantly fine-tuned and recognizing trail and error is part of that process. Every brilliant and successful business or idea has to be built from the ground up and the visionary at the forefront of things needs to keep innovating and moving forward.

Sure, a lot of what success can be might seem serendipitous, but it’s the crucial element of keeping one’s eye on their goals that makes it both challenging and rewarding.

To sum it all up, I’ve got an idea and it’s time to take that from concept to reality. Join me.

I’ve noticed that web folks are diligently recapping the events that occurred to them in the year 2006.

Always willing to follow suit when it comes to tradition, it’s no surprise to me that last year was one of the more plentiful years in my lifetime. There were many experiences that I’ll cherish for a lifetime and those can be attributed in most cases to the friends that I met for the first time (in person, and not through a computer screen) at SXSW.

Bear with me, as I’ve got a plethora of info to cover, but also know that while it’s intentionally “wordy” it’s also pretty meaningful to me.

To recap:

• My son, Quinn Harrison, was born February 9th, 2006. I remember receiving the call while I was at work from my father-in-law informing me that I needed to make a mad dash to the hospital. He didn’t use “mad” or “dash”, but I certainly didn’t need any more convincing. Quinn is a joy to have around–as is our daughter Zoe–and while they drive us a bit batty sometimes, it’s worth it.
• I also transitioned to a new job with new hours, after being let go from a job I held for close to 3 years. It wasn’t the easiest move to make, but turned out just fine in the end. If anything, it allowed me to spend more time with my kids and that to me is more important than anything.
• Going to SXSW ‘06 was a treat for sure. Meeting many talented, funny and down to earth people made me realize that deep down we’re all in the same boat. Honorable mentions, or shout outs, go to Jonathan Snook, Dave Seah, Eric Shepherd, Robert ‘The Swede’ Nyman (who carried on the tradition of calling me ‘Sagen’, passed down many generations no thanks to the US military), Nathan Smith, Joshua Lane, Zach Inglis, Derek Featherstone (thanks for the Star Wars arcade time) and many, many others. This year will be the first time that I’ll be participating on a panel with the likes of Dan Rubin, Anton Peck and Glenda Sims. (more to follow on that)
• Tragically, however, my mother passed away at the age of 45. It came as quite a shock to my brother and I as we had no clue that she was so sick. For the both us, it was a heartfelt and coming-of-age experience shared with our sister whom we’ve had little contact with over the years, or I should say not as much contact as we’d like.
• As a family we traveled once again to California (our old stomping grounds) to visit friends and family. It was too short but full of meaning and good memories to boot.
• Towards the end of the year my daughter Zoe turned 3 years old, proclaiming, every hour of every minute of every second of the day, that it was indeed her birthday. She even let complete strangers know of her wonderful day.

In the end, 2006 was pretty eventful and a year I’ll remember for a long time. I’m crossing my fingers and scrunching my face that 2007 will be just as good and alongside that thought that I’ll meet many others and continue pursuing my personal goals in life.

To my readers, thank you for staying with me this long (yes, you know who you are) and interacting with what I have to say. You, alone, have made this site something completely different than what it originally was supposed to be.

I hope every one of your resolutions came true last year, and that those you’ve set this year will carry you along.

To every one of you that I’ve had the pleasure of being friends with and enjoying the good times of 2006, whether that be at an office party, SXSW or at the supermarket, aisle 5, right in front of the crackers and cheese whiz, thank you. You mean a whole lot to me, especially during this holiday season and I wouldn’t trade you for a pack of Big League chew.

It is my sincere hope that you all have a wonderful holiday break and remember to cherish the time spent with your family and friends. Here’s to 2007, that it will bring many opportunities and memories that we will reflect upon for years to come.

When I decided to reconnect with my High School World Cultures teacher, Mr. Whelchel, there was mild contentment that whatever he chose to do, either reply to my message or not, that after 8 years of developing myself (since that time), I know had the opportunity to express my gratitude to someone who left a impression on my youth.

I never expected that he’d be on Myspace — of all places — and while at first it seemed strange to use a service that was originally intended to network with friends and express oneself, that didn’t prevent from finally making contact after so many years.

My message was short and sweet, much like his response. Yet, I find that the older I get, the less I have to say, the better.

The following is my message to my former World Cultures teacher, followed by his response which I believe is short, concise, and sweet in its prose:

My Message

Hey Mr. Whelchel,

It’s been 8 years, or close to it. Not sure if you remember me and hey, that’s okay if you don’t considering the vast amount of students you’ve taught over the years, but..

It’s Erik Sagen. I was in your class several years ago, loved it more than you’ll ever know (and that’s saying something) and often reflect on the experience of high school.

My friend Adam and I worked on a class project wherein we combined the soundtrack of Braveheart with the graphics from a computer game (Doom) to tell the story of Napoleon Bonaparte. It was submitted on a VHS tape and I believe we received an A, or better.

Let me know if you might remember.

Otherwise, hey, I remember being there and was ecstatic to find you on here.

Just wanted to know that you made an enormous impression on me then.

Take care,
Erik

Whelchel’s Response

Yeah, I do remember you. First of all, teachers are weird creatures. Think about it, we go to a place with hormone ravaged teenagers all the while with some crazy idea that we can retard their thinking into, well, thinking. With all of this, we do tend to remember most if not all of our students.

Thanks for the kind words, these are the fringe benefits of the job.

I am glad to see you doing well. I jumped into your page and noticed you are making a living off of your imagination. Great for you and I wish you all the luck in the world. The yellow transformer was cool.

I offer only one piece of advice; love your kids and enjoy them. They grow up way too fast. I have one in eigth grade already and he is seemingly a wastoid teenager (mom and dad aren’t cool anymore).

Have a great day and do what you gotta do, what ever the hell that means. ciao.