A Day in the Life ...

My schedule tends to change throughout the year, but lately, it's been kinda weird (in a good way). I've gotten pretty lax on things (in my opinion), which is quite different from the 20 hour a day, seven days a week work schedule I kept up for the first few years of my career.

. I get up around 8-9am (on my own; no irritating alarm, generally around 6-8 hours, depending on what time I went to bed). I've decided (and been adviced) that sleep is a very good thing for health. So, I'm trying not to sacrifice that when I can. But, if I could remain healthy and rested and never sleep a wink, I would do so ecstatically.

. I check email and play around on the internet for about 30 minutes, then get breakfast (it's a good habit when trying to stay fit to wait on breakfast, but not too long). Web stuff a little while longer while I eat.

. I write until I can't any longer, or until the day starts wearing on (which is usually the case since once I get started writing, unless it's late and I'm exhausted, it's hard to stop. Writing in the beginning of the day is good for me, because my brain works more better. ;o) If I'm tired, my brain starts to shut down.

. I eat small meals about every two hours. So, mix that up in the rest of this.

. After that, if it's still early, I draw until about 4pm. If I have any business work to be done, that's the time. If it's already 4pm ...

. I jog for about 45 minutes, then do my weight workout for about an hour and a half. Eat my protein shake. Check a little email. Take a quick shower.

. When I get out, it's time for NUDE lettering and design, if it needs to be done. (Kidding about the nude part, but often in a bathrobe). It doesn't take as much out of me as writing and drawing does. If not, I go back to drawing/coloring/etc. on whatever is due the soonest. And pretty much work until 10 or midnight, depending on what kind of role I'm on.

. When I start getting too tired to focus, I check some more email, get ready for bed, and do some reading and/or watch Family Guy and Futurama. ;o)

It's all gotten very organic, instead of the stressful rush of previous years. And the writing has really helped me to relax. Plus, I still get a ton of work done. And occasionally, I'll even take a day or two "off" (the work never really stops, but it can feel like a good break) and just hang out. Weekends I keep pretty open to recharge me for the coming week. After all, you can't create art based on life, if you don't live it. And 20 hours a day in my cave isn't living it. I definitely avoid the bar scene, though. That's just silly.

Of course, this all changes drastically when deadlines are really serious, or when I'm travelling. Then, it's all-nighters left and right, non-stop work in and out of the little bit of sleep I get, and stress, stress, stress. Maybe that's why I've finally learned to balance it. For most of the month, I let myself relax and enjoy the hours I put into work. Though, with some of the projects on the horizon, I'm not sure how long this will last.

Well, my web time is up and this has been a nice little warm-up to get to writing, so I'll catch you on the flipside.