You put me to mind of Joshua Slocum, the first person to circumnavigate the world alone in a sailboat. His story is compelling. He embarked on that journey after his life fell apart & lay in ruins. He had nothing when mocking friends gave him a 'century-old oyster-fishing sloop, as a joke.' He spent several years restoring it, then set sail with an agreement with several newspapers to 'file posts' of his adventures. Thirty-eight months later he returned to notoriety & the huge publishing success of 'Sailing Alone Around the World'.
The closing paragraph from the Foreword to that book: 'In 1909 at he age of sixty-five, he set off on expedition to explore the Orinoco and Amazon Rivers. He was never seen nor heard from again.'
Maybe he lived out his years alongside cats in a house in the upper reaches of the Amazon.
I was auto-subscribed... didn't meant to but now I'm not leaving! Big grin. Loved every minute and thought and digression that wasn't really a digression at all, more of a meander through some meadow of great smelling flowers and admiring the hum of bumblebees and the feeling that all is right in the Universes.
I have Calvin and Hobbes in book form, I love them so much. And I remember Mr Watterson refusing to sell out, and also fighting with the newspaper conglomerates on how his strip should be presented in their papers.
I also remember seeing the 'Calvin taking a leak' stickers on cars, knowing that somebody was profiting by stealing what they didn't own.
I hope Bill Watterson is happy and rich despite those fuckers.
I like the Watterson quote. We do indeed create meaning in our lives. And your story about caring for a cat is spot on. Research shows that caring for pets is one of the top things people say brings meaning to their lives. Thanks for sharing.
I have heard it said, embrace life as it comes to you. As I reflect on my life I believe this applies to me. I was never strongly goal driven. Rather, this looks promising let's se what it is about. Although our two lives are different they seem the same in this regard. I also find it ironic that at least part of your work life ended up being auto industry related. In history today Giordano Bruno was burned at the stake. He had a incisive memory that many believed him to possess "magical powers". For your sake I am glad we do not live 400 years ago. Keep on keeping on.
Watterson felt it was time to stop for his own reasons. We know for sure that his decision wasn’t because there was no more money in it, quite the opposite. That is artistic and personal integrity at a high level and is admirable. Great essay.
Outstanding work, as always! Makes me mad that we still have those stupid "Calvin Pissing on Something" stickers everywhere. Also, love to see the Sagan quote getting more mileage haha. I'm partial to Gary Larson for GOAT, but I happily concede that Watterson is just as worthy a figure. Heck, the following C&H strip is one of my favorite pieces of art of any kind... ever! I cite it faaaar more than I care to recall ;)
I’ve posted as “Calvin’s Cardboard Box” for over a decade. Watterson is in a tier with Walt Kelly (Pogo) and nobody else. Doonesbury hung around too long and was too partisan. Peanuts was elite but brought down by decades of too much Snoopy.
You put me to mind of Joshua Slocum, the first person to circumnavigate the world alone in a sailboat. His story is compelling. He embarked on that journey after his life fell apart & lay in ruins. He had nothing when mocking friends gave him a 'century-old oyster-fishing sloop, as a joke.' He spent several years restoring it, then set sail with an agreement with several newspapers to 'file posts' of his adventures. Thirty-eight months later he returned to notoriety & the huge publishing success of 'Sailing Alone Around the World'.
The closing paragraph from the Foreword to that book: 'In 1909 at he age of sixty-five, he set off on expedition to explore the Orinoco and Amazon Rivers. He was never seen nor heard from again.'
Maybe he lived out his years alongside cats in a house in the upper reaches of the Amazon.
I was auto-subscribed... didn't meant to but now I'm not leaving! Big grin. Loved every minute and thought and digression that wasn't really a digression at all, more of a meander through some meadow of great smelling flowers and admiring the hum of bumblebees and the feeling that all is right in the Universes.
I have Calvin and Hobbes in book form, I love them so much. And I remember Mr Watterson refusing to sell out, and also fighting with the newspaper conglomerates on how his strip should be presented in their papers.
I also remember seeing the 'Calvin taking a leak' stickers on cars, knowing that somebody was profiting by stealing what they didn't own.
I hope Bill Watterson is happy and rich despite those fuckers.
And the mysteries lived happily ever after
I like the Watterson quote. We do indeed create meaning in our lives. And your story about caring for a cat is spot on. Research shows that caring for pets is one of the top things people say brings meaning to their lives. Thanks for sharing.
I enjoy reading stories that deliver. You delivered.
I have heard it said, embrace life as it comes to you. As I reflect on my life I believe this applies to me. I was never strongly goal driven. Rather, this looks promising let's se what it is about. Although our two lives are different they seem the same in this regard. I also find it ironic that at least part of your work life ended up being auto industry related. In history today Giordano Bruno was burned at the stake. He had a incisive memory that many believed him to possess "magical powers". For your sake I am glad we do not live 400 years ago. Keep on keeping on.
Great read. Calvin and Hobbes was my go-to book every night while I was told to go to bed. I couldn't put it down.
Watterson felt it was time to stop for his own reasons. We know for sure that his decision wasn’t because there was no more money in it, quite the opposite. That is artistic and personal integrity at a high level and is admirable. Great essay.
I loved Calvin and Hobbes as a kid and I love it as an adult. I'll have to check out The Mysteries because I did not know it existed till now.
When we can understand what is “enough”, then maybe, just maybe we will start to understand our paths…
“Bill made the best comic ever.”
The End. 🏆
Outstanding work, as always! Makes me mad that we still have those stupid "Calvin Pissing on Something" stickers everywhere. Also, love to see the Sagan quote getting more mileage haha. I'm partial to Gary Larson for GOAT, but I happily concede that Watterson is just as worthy a figure. Heck, the following C&H strip is one of my favorite pieces of art of any kind... ever! I cite it faaaar more than I care to recall ;)
https://www.pinterest.com.mx/pin/545357836123128452/?amp_client_id=CLIENT_ID(_)&mweb_unauth_id=&_url=https://www.pinterest.com.mx/amp/pin/545357836123128452/&from_amp_pin_page=true
I’ve posted as “Calvin’s Cardboard Box” for over a decade. Watterson is in a tier with Walt Kelly (Pogo) and nobody else. Doonesbury hung around too long and was too partisan. Peanuts was elite but brought down by decades of too much Snoopy.
Imagine what it’s like to have one big cat sleeping behind your feet, and an even bigger cat on your pillow…aiming to please both. But it’s worth it
Many days there is no higher calling than to please a cat. If you can do that, you can do anything!