tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47763378553375231662024-03-13T21:27:12.174-07:00Mary Quite ContraryA webcomic about a not quite normal girl with a definitely not normal family.Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03796317915330760325noreply@blogger.comBlogger386125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4776337855337523166.post-43837950712694188892016-10-18T20:23:00.000-07:002016-10-18T20:23:27.633-07:00Major Apologies and ChangesYeah, so if I still have any readers, you may have noticed that I haven't updated in a while. There's a reason for that. Several reasons.<br />
<br />
Last summer, my sister and brother-in-law kinda-sorta hired me as a babysitter/housekeeper/groundskeeper/animal handler with a little graphic designer/consultant on the side. So I moved from my apartment near my folks to my sister's basement up in Middle-of-Nowhere, North Dakota. I like it, usually, but moving in and getting settled was (is) a bit of a process.<br />
<br />
Once I got things arranged so I could start drawing more often, woops! My drawing computer starts acting up. Or, perhaps more accurately, not <i>starting </i>up. That's what I thought, anyway. Something turned on, but as of a couple months ago, it wasn't communicating at all with the Wacom tablet.<br />
<br />
Finally got the entire rig down to my brother and the first thing he does is open the converter box between the tablet and the computer. It looked like bird poop and melted chocolate. Or like something exploded.<br />
<br />
Apparently, these sort of components aren't supposed to do that.<br />
<br />
Yay.<br />
<br />
Welp, my brother takes a look around and finding a quality replacement would not only be difficult but also expensive. I've also been thinking about saving up for an actual tablet computer for a while so I can do what I wanted to in the first place, see something interesting and just whip out the tablet for some drawing.<br />
<br />
Which would run somewhere between 1,100 and 3,000 bucks.<br />
<br />
So I haven't been working on Mary Quite Contrary or much of anything else art-wise for the better part of a year. I'm sorry. Really. I don't know if anyone is still reading this, but I do want you to know that I haven't abandoned this comic.<br />
<br />
In fact, as soon as I can get a drawing rig up again, I plan on rebooting the story. There are a few things I ended up skipping over because I was trying have the comic's time run in 'real time.' I think I've also learned a few things about pacing and layout since the early strips. Not to mention I'd like to give a bit more focus to Mary's family.<br />
<br />
MQC will return, eventually, and I'm hoping it comes back better than before. Cross your fingers.Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03796317915330760325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4776337855337523166.post-73075151234742535812016-06-08T13:20:00.004-07:002016-06-08T13:23:22.579-07:00Chapter 15, Page 14 Anesthesia<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Feeling sleepy. Very sleepy." src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e193/irish_brigid/comics/ch15p14_zpslwmnxqyt.gif" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Sorry for the long wait. First I had trouble just working on the comic (technical issues with the computer and various demands on my time). Then I heard about Blogger having some issues with posting images because of a new security protocol. I'm hoping things have settled down enough so everything shows up the way it's supposed to.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Not the greatest strip to end a hiatus with, I know. It's what I had.</div>
Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03796317915330760325noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4776337855337523166.post-39751627903250717092015-05-02T10:14:00.000-07:002015-05-02T10:14:06.844-07:00Chapter 15, Page 13 Waiting Room<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="That chair is starting to look delicious." src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e193/irish_brigid/comics/ch15p13_zpspk8jmop3.gif" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I've never done any kind of fasting well. Doesn't matter if it's medical or spiritual, I go more than two or three hours without eating and my body starts complaining. Which is probably why I have such a ridiculously hard time losing weight. (That, and I'm a little lackadaisical about the whole thing. Now that I'm having trouble fitting into most of my pants I may, possibly, actually put in an effort.)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'm not sure if Dad realizes how close I was to gnawing on his arm (or the arm of my chair) while waiting for surgery.</div>
Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03796317915330760325noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4776337855337523166.post-52376199408181155382014-12-01T17:03:00.000-08:002014-12-01T17:03:43.158-08:00Reason for the delay.<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="I almost have a good reason this time." src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e193/irish_brigid/comics/delay.jpg" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Okay, there are a number of things contributing to the current delay in a new comic coming out. One of them is that my drawing computer is refusing to talk with my drawing tablet and vice versa. As soon as I can arrange some couple's counseling for them I'll try to get back to the comic.</div>
Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03796317915330760325noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4776337855337523166.post-52068701159976755192014-11-06T17:39:00.000-08:002014-11-06T17:39:38.364-08:00Chapter 15, Page 12 No food before surgery.<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Food is so tempting." src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e193/irish_brigid/comics/ch15p12_zpsc18d4362.gif" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Some members of my family don't particularly enjoy eating. They do so only because it is necessary for survival but otherwise see it as either unpleasant or a waste of time. I am not like that. I love to eat. Food is wonderful. The ironic thing is that the two people in my family who enjoy eating the most are also the two people without a functioning sense of smell.</div>
Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03796317915330760325noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4776337855337523166.post-45759064181357954272014-10-11T08:56:00.001-07:002014-10-11T08:56:27.161-07:00Chapter 15, Page 11 Problem exposed.<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Dental x-rays." src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e193/irish_brigid/comics/ch15p11_zpsa241baf9.gif" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Well, I feel silly. Should've had this up months ago. Sorry. Life's been... interesting, interspersed with moments of intense boredom. Being the on-call babysitter for my sister who lives three hours away doesn't help.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I also never want to reproduce x-rays in the comic ever again.</div>
Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03796317915330760325noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4776337855337523166.post-71370058892018502982014-05-21T17:11:00.000-07:002014-05-21T17:11:37.334-07:00Chapter 15, Page 10 Waiting Room<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Best thing about waiting rooms." src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e193/irish_brigid/comics/ch15p10_zps0e82b102.gif" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
It's Wednesday! (dur)</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Sorry I missed last week, and almost missed this week.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Anyway, Mary's at the dentist. Is anyone else able to resist playing with the toddler toys they have in waiting rooms? 'Cause I can't. Especially anything that involves large beads on a track.</div>
Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03796317915330760325noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4776337855337523166.post-25679395237449444552014-05-07T08:16:00.001-07:002014-05-07T08:16:08.367-07:00Chapter 15, Page 9 Gumache<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="No! Not the dentist!" src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e193/irish_brigid/comics/ch15p09_zpsad07c1f9.gif" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Nearly forgot about this subplot! I'm pretty sure most of my audience (if I have one other than Dad) can guess what Mary's problem is.</div>
Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03796317915330760325noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4776337855337523166.post-783787819753606192014-04-30T15:23:00.000-07:002014-04-30T15:23:52.738-07:00Chapter 15, Page 8 Schedule flubbed<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Schedules should be fixed." src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e193/irish_brigid/comics/ch15p08_zps3c788ccb.gif" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'm back! Has anyone else who's worked in fast food run into this? Or food service in general. One of the big reasons why I'm <i>never</i> working in food service ever again is because the schedules not only change every week, but more often than not the schedule isn't even finalized until the last minute. This makes planning ahead next to impossible for me.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Not kidding about the 'in pencil' part, either. And I'm certain the schedule got changed after it was posted on several occasions with no one bothering to let me know.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Anyway, my original plan for Mary Quite Contrary was that the comic would proceed in real time along the lines of For Better Or For Worse and Gasoline Alley. Obviously, that isn't going to happen now. MQC's comic time will proceed at whatever pace fits the story and how often I'm able to update. Hopefully I'll be updating at least semi-regularly now.</div>
Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03796317915330760325noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4776337855337523166.post-79682639574538013072014-02-12T17:54:00.000-08:002014-02-12T17:54:33.029-08:00Chapter 15, Page 7 No spoken de Doich?<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Wrong language." src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e193/irish_brigid/comics/ch15p07_zps0dd4f174.gif" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Really happened. I was half humming, half singing a Norwegian song and an old man started speaking German to me. I had a bit of a time trying to explain that I couldn't understand him.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Sorry for the long delay again! I forgot which thumb drive I was using. ^^;</div>
Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03796317915330760325noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4776337855337523166.post-10942686925686009912014-01-16T08:38:00.000-08:002014-01-16T08:38:47.594-08:00Chapter 15, Page 6 Smile<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Smile for me." src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e193/irish_brigid/comics/ch15p06_zpsa5aa2bab.gif" /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I'm baaaaack!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
You know, I'm still not sure exactly what happened there. Was the cowboy flirting with me? I may never know.</div>
Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03796317915330760325noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4776337855337523166.post-16292511106176846292013-07-25T06:50:00.002-07:002013-07-25T06:50:22.044-07:00Delay again... still...<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Sorry for the delay." src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e193/irish_brigid/comics/delay.jpg" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Well, I'm almost done with moving. That is, I'm within a day or so of having my stuff out of the old apartment and into the new one. Not sure when the chaos of boxes and furniture will turn into something livable.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
My initial plan for Mary Quite Contrary was to have Mary and her family age in more-or-less real time, like Gasoline Alley and For Better Or For Worse. The way things are going right now I'll either have to change that plan or skip a lot of stuff I had planned to draw. I think I'll go with the former. Not that I don't also plan on adding a lot of stuff to the earlier chapters. That will probably wait until I get these into 'dead tree' format. <b>If </b>I ever manage to.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Just wanted to let everyone who's still reading this know. I will be back eventually.</div>
Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03796317915330760325noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4776337855337523166.post-38422574500315774432013-07-04T16:10:00.001-07:002013-07-04T16:11:49.109-07:00Chapter 15, Page 5 Sandwich line<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Fast food is too fast." src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e193/irish_brigid/comics/ch15p05_zps8bbdd5a0.gif" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Sorry for the long delay. Again. Life has struck with unusual severity the last couple months. First allergies then moving (which I'm still in the process of) and then my dear little bunny died. More details on that <a href="http://smalltowndad.blogspot.com/2013/06/rembering-giol.html">in one of my dad's blogs.</a> So Drawing has been kind of a low priority for a while. The weather isn't helping, either. Drawing in the summer isn't pleasant when your drawing surface is a heat source or when you start sweating all over your work.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
As for the comic itself... I really should have realized sooner that fast food and I don't mix. Actually, I pretty much stink at any kind of assembly line work.</div>
Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03796317915330760325noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4776337855337523166.post-35751751223691859132013-05-28T07:47:00.000-07:002013-05-28T07:47:56.019-07:00Chapter 15, Page 4 Special Order<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Help! Too many buttons!" src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e193/irish_brigid/comics/ch15p04_zps69297270.gif" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
There's a reason I don't like eating out. Okay, several reasons, but one of them is that I don't like doing this to whoever has to take my order. Some people do special orders out of preference. As a kid, I ordered my hamburgers plain out of preference. Now, I make special orders because of allergies. There's some preference, too, since I probably could eat the cheese, but I really don't want to.</div>
Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03796317915330760325noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4776337855337523166.post-82298869911573755722013-05-01T15:44:00.000-07:002013-05-01T15:44:21.145-07:00Chapter 15, Page 3 Legal age<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Legal age" src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e193/irish_brigid/comics/ch15p03_zpsfa2e9fef.gif" /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
What actually happened was somewhat different. After getting hired I was walking to work in my uniform and an old lady stopped me and asked where I was going. I said, "To work," and she gave me an odd look and asked for my age. "Seventeen." Her eyes widened and she said she would have guessed fourteen at the most.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I felt that would take too long to set up in the comic and so I did this.</div>
Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03796317915330760325noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4776337855337523166.post-44964347685361878792013-04-09T08:19:00.001-07:002013-04-09T08:19:05.255-07:00Chapter 15, Page 2 'Sis'perception<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Little sisters are not boring." src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e193/irish_brigid/ch15p02_zpse18e8fce.gif" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
As an adult I can see that I was kinda stupid as a teenager. My excuse is that my brain chemicals were out of whack (even more so than normal for a teen) and there was a general failure to communicate between myself and my little sisters. The age gap probably didn't help. So most of the strips involving Mary's little sisters come from what my little sisters have told me years after the fact. If I had known at the time that they pretended to snipe passing cars on their way to school I may have had a different opinion of them.</div>
Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03796317915330760325noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4776337855337523166.post-33687216054862069532013-03-23T08:52:00.000-07:002013-03-23T08:52:52.616-07:00Ch 15, Page 01 Title Page<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Entry Level" src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e193/irish_brigid/comics/ch15p01_zpsc4ad47a0.gif" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Finally updated again! Been kinda busy being sick. Yuck. So, anyway, I'm working on the next strip, so I'm hoping I'll be able to update again soon.</div>
Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03796317915330760325noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4776337855337523166.post-30373596438083769092013-02-18T07:53:00.001-08:002013-02-18T07:53:08.541-08:00Chapter 14, Page 20 Distracted<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Plasma globe are shiny." src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e193/irish_brigid/comics/ch14p20_zpsadcc3606.gif" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Plasma globes are made of pure, concentrated awesome. Appropriately enough, they were also invented by real life mad scientist Nikola Tesla. He seemed to specialize in making things with limited practical applications, but, man, do they look cool!</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Also a little shout out to the Headwaters Science Center in Bemidji. I'd go back to Bemidji just to visit that place again. (Well, that and the the mini-golf course with the 3-foot metal sculpture of a mosquito.)</div>
Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03796317915330760325noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4776337855337523166.post-54122474687945579662013-01-21T14:11:00.000-08:002013-01-21T14:11:07.442-08:00Chapter 14, Page 19 Relativity rodent<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Theory of relativity seems to apply to rodents." src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e193/irish_brigid/comics/ch14p19.gif" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I maybe shouldn't be quite so amused by this, but honestly, the little thing was maybe the size of your average hamster. Might have even made a good pet. Why is it I always seem to be the only one who finds these surprise guests to be cute?</div>
Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03796317915330760325noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4776337855337523166.post-24423716873512734142012-12-31T12:37:00.001-08:002013-01-21T14:12:42.310-08:00Chapter 14, Page 18 Rodent Revenge<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Do not mess with squirrels. They will get you back." src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e193/irish_brigid/comics/ch14p18.gif" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Sorry about the quality and the wait, the flu stinks.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This really happened. This squirrel had the best revenge ever. I laughed and laughed.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I didn't make any human friends at camp.</div>
Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03796317915330760325noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4776337855337523166.post-72219114087524219322012-12-13T15:35:00.000-08:002012-12-13T15:35:32.438-08:00Chapter 14, Page 17 Language is strange<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Language is strange." src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e193/irish_brigid/comics/ch14p17.gif" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
'Gull' is Norwegian for yellow. No idea why carrots are called 'yellow root' in Norwegian. Or why oranges are called 'Chinese apples.' The Chinese part I kinda get, but apple? They're nothing like apples!</div>
Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03796317915330760325noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4776337855337523166.post-31071338376535561992012-11-26T16:04:00.000-08:002013-01-21T14:12:22.991-08:00Chapter 14, Page 16 Which is more scared?<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Look out for low flying rodents." src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e193/irish_brigid/comics/ch14p16.gif" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
As pointed out by Journo-SEAL, I inadvertently reposted last week's comic. *headdesk* I blame it on the cold.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
I was really disappointed when the little red squirrel didn't run over my shoes. At least he got away in one piece. Never did find out why he ran into a crowd of teenagers in the first place.</div>
Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03796317915330760325noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4776337855337523166.post-91625683923273992402012-11-20T08:42:00.000-08:002012-11-20T08:42:38.564-08:00Chapter 14, Page 15 Nature of Nature<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="If it's sticky, it's biology." src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e193/irish_brigid/comics/ch14p15.gif" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Two weeks in a row! Let's see if I can keep this up.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
This is actually an abridged version of the complaints these two had. If you will, imagine listening to this for the entire time it takes to walk from one campsite to another. It's not a short walk, by the way.</div>
Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03796317915330760325noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4776337855337523166.post-36533692384046686442012-11-12T08:25:00.000-08:002012-11-12T08:25:14.125-08:00Chapter 14, Page 14 Different perspectives<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="Different perspectives." src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e193/irish_brigid/comics/ch14p14.gif" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Sorry this is so late! At least it's finally here.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The two girls on the right are actually from my second time at Skogfjorden. I plan on showing that adventure, but I want these two here for some contrast with Mary's view of camping.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Now that I have my computer working, maybe I can actually update semi-regularly.</div>
Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03796317915330760325noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4776337855337523166.post-23109168361537329532012-10-18T17:40:00.000-07:002012-10-18T17:40:30.525-07:00Apologies.<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="I'm so sorry!" src="http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e193/irish_brigid/comics/delay.jpg" /> </div>
<br />
This has not been a good month for me so far. I could go on at length, but suffice to say that life has been happening with unusual frequency lately.<br />
<br />
And to top it off I actually *do* have the next comic ready. I just can't access it because the computer my brother and I *finally* got working (mostly) decided to stop recognizing the Wacom tablet and keyboard *after* I'd finished the comic but before I saved it as a jpeg on my flash drive. The computer turns on, but without any way to see the desktop I can't do anything with it.<br />
<br />
AAAAA!!!Brigidhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03796317915330760325noreply@blogger.com12