Kai Davis’ Ninjakai

Hello and Good Morning. It's January 4th, Sunday, at 10:57am and 22 days until my surprise Birthday party.

Saturday evening taught me that when I'm bored at poker I make stupid decisions. That sounds like something I've read before. Hmm.

Here's the problem. With NADD, you're always looking for an intellectual fix… a high. It comes in a variety of forms and varies depending on the person, but you know it when you've found it. It's nailing a problem in your head. It's the blissful depths of the programming zone. It's discovering a weblog entry that explains it all. NADD is a quest for these highs.

That said, it was a very fun evening with some great people that I don't spend enough time with. Jackson and I hammered out some initial designs for two websites we are building and headed over to [redacted]'s house where we played some poker and discussed the effect of [redacted] on the University of Oregon campus. [Redacted] ended up quitting early, but it was still a fun time, and rumor is a weekly game will be starting.

Sorry about the [redacted]s folks, but I promised to keep everything said at the game under my hat.

Last night I made what turned into Manchos aka Machos aka Man Nachos. It was a simple recipe that turned into a lot of food. [Add photo here sometime, Kai].

When I was browning the turkey for the Manchos, I realized I have a habit of cooking on very high heat. If I have to sautae onions, I'll do it on the highest heat possible and end up burning them just to finish that step quickly. Everything and anything I cook, I set to the highest heat possible for the illusion of speed.

Then I realized I do this outside of the kitchen. 2008 saw me start a number of projects and plans, all of which I entered without giving due consideration. I've been cooking on too high of a heat in my personal life. I can't just jump in to a project without considering its effect on the rest of my life.

I don't believe in resolutions, but I believe in an aware life. A resolution is set up in the form of a win / loss dichotomy. I do [something] by [some date] or I don't and by the conditions of this wager against myself, I lose. That isn't fun. I'd much rather say "Kai, in the new year pay attention to [something]. You don't have to live by it, but you should give it due consideration when you embark on new plans." So in 2009 I'll be trying to wait an extra second before speaking, think my actions through before I commit, and pause for due consideration when I need to.

Its the first Sunday of the new year and the last day of [my] winter break. If you're in college and have more time off, good for you. I'm going to find my pants.

Have a wonderful Sunday.

Welcome to Wednesday Saturday [Well played, Kai. You really want the new year to start on a Monday, don't you? -Kai], January 3rd. Today is the first weekend of the new year and I continued my New Year vow of oversleeping.

"9" looks great. I haven't been to the movie theater in a few months because nothing looks great. Actually I take that back. I saw Burn After Reading with my Family when it came out and I was left disappointed. Joel and Ethan Coen are great and maybe if I hadn't gone in expecting something, I'd have thought it better, but it just didn't click with me.

But 9 looks great. Here, check out the trailer.



Nice looking cartoon. I hate how the term 'Cartoon' sounds so immature in my head. Dismissive. When I say 'Nice looking cartoon' I don't mean 'Psh, nice amateur work, guys. Way to write it in.' I mean 'That looks awesome. I want to give you money.' You know. Good things.

The Comic Press is slowly rolling along, picking up steam. One of our writers is joining our online writing team. Emily is now writing on The Comic Press Blog. Exciting! We're glad to have her aboard and some new friends might be joining soon.

As always, if you're interested, we are accepting resumes, writing samples, and cover letters for any (or all, you polytalents, you!) of the following positions:

• Writers! You join a team of grammarians and humorists in what we call the funniest thing we've seen in Eugene. Both Print and Web writers are humbly requested!
• Editors! Sometimes we just need a little extra help.
• Layout Artists! I say artist because what you do with Photoshop and Indesign is art. Seriously. No fooling.
• Ad Managers! Money makes the world go round and we always need the help!

Send an email to publisher@thecomicpress.com with your resume and a cover letter in the body of the email. If you are interested in writing, attach a writing sample too! Lets say 200-500 words? A link to your blog is fine.

We've penciled in our next issue, Issue 6 of Volume 2, on January 8th, but there might be a little wiggle room depending on how certain things pan out. I'll let you know that I am concentrating very hard on my tea leaves this week, looking for some signs.

Today is a beautiful, sunny Oregon day. I'm going to put pants on and get out there. I hope you do the same.

Thank you. Now please consider closing your browser so you can go make something cool.

In this photo:
 
Channukah Duck
My bandages finger :-(

My finger is doing much better and aside from on sharp THWWWACK against my laptop last night, a renewed gush of blood, and a trip to Albertsons for gauze at midnight, it has stopped bleeding.

I have a Cookie Exchange Christmas Party tonight and I'm excited. I've selected some recipes to try baking.

Black and White Cookies



Chocolate Pecan Cookies

And last, but most exciting, Chocolate and Pistachio Cookies

Rob and I had just finished a long, expensive lunch. The bill came and sat in the middle of the table. Neither of us looked at it. Our conversation was clearly over but we kept stalling to see who would reach for the bill. Rob said something about the economy really taking a toll on his net worth.

I ignored the implication and pushed the rectangular, black tray holding the tab towards him, and smiled assertively.

Rob said: "Hey, look Ben, I got a wife and family and..."

I interrupted him. "You got a dick," I said.

"What?

"I said you got a dick. You do have a dick, don't you?"

"Yeah."

"Ok, the dick lines up straight like that right? To the right of it and to the left of it are pockets, right?" I said.

"Yeah," he said.

"In those pockets are money. Look in either one of 'em - pay the bill," I said.

For a moment, Rob looked stunned. When he proceeded to pull out his wallet, I got up from the table. An older, black man was sitting in the corner with what looked like his grandson. They had been watching us the whole time. The older man leaned over to the wide-eyed teenager, pointed in my direction, and whispered, "True playa."

I nodded knowingly at the elder, then the youngin', and exited through the side door of the restaurant.

From Ben Casnocha