animayshun improfessional!

A couple of my coworkers (Fawn & Carrie) as well as Kris & Michael and other storyboarders have been posting little stories about adventures. I got inspired to write one about a recent experience…

One day a couple of weeks ago, one of the creators of the show I work on invited me to his Tai-Jutsu class. His name starts with a J too, so I’ll call him JToo.

He’s a black belt in a couple of martial arts (I think… don’t hurt me!) and has been doing it for many many maaaaany years. I’m a total n00b to the martial arts. I like going on adventures and making a fool of myself, so I thought “Why not!?”

Tuesday. I show up, and I’m one of the tallest in the class. It always makes me a little nervous to stick out, even though I’m not a giant (I’m only 6’3″!). But I decided to get over it in the spirit of adventure.

We tumbled, rumbled, trumbled, tussled… and I painfully rolled on my neck a couple of times. Generally it was fun though!

Thursday. I come again for another class. This time JToo is there. Again, he’s a black belt, and I’m kinda nervous. Cause… y’know… he employs me.

We bow, do our thing, and then Sensei tells me to try a particular move out on JToo. JToo grabs my wrist, and I’m supposed to do a little ditty of a move that results in taking him down. AHHHHHH I’m about to poop my Gi!

I always have this innate fear of hurting other people. JToo is completely supportive…

…but I leave the class terrified that I had hurt him.

Friday. At work, I can’t help but shake an innate fear somehow I’m gonna get punished for taking down a dude who helps sign my paychecks.

Luckily, Friday 6pm came & went without that little pink slip. Yay for still having a job!

A friend and I started taking beginner Tai-Jutsu classes. It’s extremely humbling. This is probably the only deadly move I’ll ever be able to do.

More sillyness.

Two characters I have been playing with, developing small gags around. Timmy Bighand – a kid with a really big hand (and some insecurity issues) and Suzy Backwards, a flighty girl with her head on backwards. Literally.

I’m doing more of these for myself for now, and will be posting.

Raise your hand if you know what Noodling is! If not, here’s some reference.

Timmy Bighand & Suzy Backwards go fishin’.

Timmy Bighand plays catch with the love of his life, Suzy Backwards.

Timmy Bighand gets busted by the love of his life.

Boy 3-point turn for the upcoming “Expressions” Art Show.

Coming in August.

Girl 3-point turn for the upcoming “Expressions” Art Show.

Coming in August.