If you're a fan of either Exploding Dog or Diesel Sweeties then you'll recognize the guest star in today's strip. I decided to pledge allegiance to to the Red Robot World Domination campaign Sam has established. I thought it was a cool idea to try and have other creative individuals incorporate in another artist's character that is virtually without template into their work to see what they come up with.

It's not too dissimilar from the Re-Imaginings project Zach of No Pants Tuesday has whipped up, but I'm still waiting to be added to the roster of talent already aligned with the project. If you're reading this, Zach, I'm waiting!

That, and I finally got to sneak the term "scroto-clamping" into a strip.

Has anyone else noticed that the strip is getting more violent lately? Jared seems to be getting abused with some regularity these days. I think Carrington got into the same tangle not long ago. I should take his route and start developing, you know... plot.

I got a chance to see Tool on Friday and it was a great show. Much better than the last time I saw them almost a year ago in Cedar Rapids. I freelance as a music reviewer for the Des Moines Register and they were cool enough to get me seats in the second row of the promenade. Not within spitting distance, but a better view then those poor chumps slugging it out in the pit.

Something I think is great about seeing Tool live is that there are always these meatheads in attendance who expect some sort of rock-'em sock-'em hardcore experience and are instead confronted with something far more cerebral. The end up being lulled by spectacle.

Tool is 10 times more intelligent than people give them credit for. Watching them makes me thankful I'm able to express myself creatively. Granted, I'm no Hemmingway, but some people live their whole lives subjugated by the false notion that they aren't creative. You have two hands and a mind. Use them to leave something indelible - even if you're convinced it's no good.

My story is running today, so if you live in Iowa, check it out. Eventually, they will archive it on their web site, but I'll probably have it posted to my other site - an online music magazine called Not Your Zine. If you're bored, drop by.

More later if the mood strikes.