Hello blogosphere

It’s been a REAL while since I’ve threatened to blog, but my self-imposed moratorium that I implemented back in October is over and I’m back to blogging as the occasion fits.

In a way, I’ve been “micro-blogging” for the past six months thanks to the phenomenon known as Twitter. It has, in a real sense, scratched the itch of wanting to blog. So instead of my usual long-winded blogs, I had to figure out how to say something in 140 characters or less. It’s been a great exercise to get to the point.
I’m coming up on my 500th Tweet pretty soon.

If you’d like to follow me on Twitter, I’m at http://twitter.com/scottmccullar .

So, what’s new with me?

Well, at the present moment, my wife and I are fighting a case of pink eye that we caught from my son. Though she might state she caught it from me after I caught it from him. Roxie likes blaming me for things. ;)

I’m also fighting a heck of a chest cold that I believe I caught when I went to Chicago last week to see Eric Clapton and Steve Winwood in concert. It seems as if every time I go to Chicago in the summer, I come back with near pneumonia. I think it happens because I’m a St. Louis Cardinals fan.

I re-read my last real blog entry from October 14, 2008 as to why I stated I was taking some time off from blogging. Some of those same reasons I decided to take some time off are still in place. I still feel like my life is in flux and I feel like there are some cards I want to keep close to my chest if I’m going to return to blogging.
As I return to blogging, this will probably be less of an open online diary as I at times used to make it.

That still doesn’t mean I might not hit a raw nerve or two with what I journal about.

In the meantime, I will take Sensei Mamoru Yamamoto’s words to heart this next go round:

"Gengo o tsutsushimbeshi" (Translates: “Be Prudent in Speech”)

Blogger Test

Please ignore this blog entry. ;)

I'm testing out a few new functions on Blogger and with my website. Overhauling my pages on Blogger, MySpace, Twitter and the personal website.

Thinking about blogging again soon...

Scott

She's got legs and she knows how to use them...

Here is a picture of my DC Direct 13" Black Canary and Green Arrow action figures that guard my shelf here at home in my studio office. My two favorite DC Comics characters that I've had the opportunity to write.

Yes, I added a pair of Barbie® widemesh fishnet stockings to my Black Canary "doll" to make her more authentic as she appears in the comic books. I got a lot of chuckles here at home that I actually used Barbie® doll clothing. Unfortunately, the DC Direct figure only had regular pantyhose-looking stockings and they didn't use her trademark fishnets. If they were supposed to be fishnets on the standard release, it sure didn't look like fishnet stockings. Thanks to Barbie's wardrobe, I was able to rectify that.

And no, I don't collect or play with Barbie®. Only vintage 12" G.I. Joe® by Hasbro...and...um... the occasional DC Direct DC Comics character or Sideshow Collectible Star Wars® figures that sit on my shelves to guard my studio.

Okay, that'll be the only time I'll buy Barbie for my collection, hopefully.

I need to go play with G.I. Joe and drink a beer or something to man up a bit.

But she does look sweet.

Roxie and the kids have kidded me ALL day that I purchased a Barbie item. I had a hard time convincing Roxie that Black Canary isn't a hooker with those fishnet stockings and domimatrix-looking outfit she wears. I tell her she dresses sexy to startle the villains before she kicks them upside the head with a roundhouse kick.

My kinda gal.

Breaking my moratorium again for quick update...

Well, I thought I'd do a bit of quick plugging here...

On magazine stands now in Springfield, Illinois, the current issue of SPRINGFIELD BUSINESS JOURNAL has an article and interview with me.

As for a bit of social networking...

About 2 weeks ago I signed up for a Twitter account and I'm now 'tweeting'. I'm giving it a spin to see if it is meaningless or meaningful. The verdict is still out. You can find my Twitter page and feed at www.twitter.com/scottmccullar .

And I'm also on Facebook too. I signed up for that about a year ago or so. Well, over the last month it seems, Facebook has really exploded as I've connected with alot of old friends and family members that I never saw on MySpace. So, if you're looking for me on Facebook, I'm there too at http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=647837544 . I'm starting to enjoy Facebook a bit more than MySpace this month. More than anything to socialize with friends.

And for professional networks, I'm also on LinkedIn at http://www.linkedin.com/in/scottmccullar if you're in this business network.

That's enough pimping of myself for now.

Anyway, as for a quick update, I'm doing fine and keeping busy as usual. Writing. Drawing. Working out in karate. Playing bass guitar. The usual. There are a few things in my life that I'm trying to shake up just a bit, but nothing that I want to blog about just yet.

So with that, I'll go back into my self-imposed moratorium until June 1st.

Sayonora again!

Scott

Sayonora!

I think it is time to say goodbye for now.

I believe somewhere around 2001 or so, I started blogging. Some things written were very personal. Some things were jotted down just for my amusement – perhaps even some things were posted to evoke a chuckle or two out of you.

This has been a journal, a pseudo-diary, a tool for me to rant, rave, profess and confess. The blog has been a vehicle for me to communicate and share news. To give you a little insight with what is on my mind.

I’ve always been a bit sporadic with my entries.

But tonight, as I sit here listening to my music, I just kind of instinctively know that I’m finished with blogging.

I really don’t know if it is for good or for an extended sabbatical of sorts.

Why?

There is no rant I want to divert my energies to give. I would rather place that creative energy elsewhere.

As for raves?

Principle over passion for me right now.

As for professing?

Perhaps I’ll take these broken wings and learn to fly again someday.

As for confessing?

My blog is definitely not the place for this sinner and saint to spill his guts. It never was in the past either and I realize, like Captain Kirk, I need my pain. (That’s for all three of you reading this that get the STAR TREK V reference).
This blog has never been a true diary. Nobody reading this can see the real me. (Nod to The Who).

So, with that said, I’m taking some extended time off from blogging. Perhaps even a half year or more is my initial thought before I even reconsider. Check back in with me after June 1st – which is sort of like my own personal New Year’s Day for me where I usually re-evaluate things in my life and do some goal-setting. We’ll see if I feel the need to come out of my self-moratorium or not.

My life is never dull for a moment, but I think for this next year or so, I need to turn inward rather than outward. I’m not in a mood where I want to share things publicly at this moment in my life as I discover and rediscover some things about myself. I know that 2009 is going to be another year of transition and change in my life.

Almost as important as 2007. Perhaps even more so.

Here is what I’ll leave you with…

I’m in good spirits, but I recognize that my heart tends to feel heavy just a bit as I am overwhelmed in my thoughts with things in my life. I partially blame a six week training seminar that I was forced to take at my day job that made me evaluate things in my life and at work. It was pretty much a life planning series so that you’ll be able to take care of yourself so that you can serve others even better.
With that said, I was already in some transition before taking these workshops and going through indoctrination.

But there is no desperation, stress or worry going on with me. I’m remarkably nonchalant. More so than I have ever been in my life. I’m not depressed… but I feel calmly neutral almost as if I’m allowing things to happen around me instead of being the instigator.

I’m used to being a catalyst personality… I’m not used to keeping the matches in the matchbox. I’m more in an observation mode as I continue to work hard.

About two months ago, I told myself that I haven’t physically or mentally felt this good in my life in several decades. Almost as soon as I said that, I forgot to knock on wood, as the boat I was in overturned with me in it. But I almost immediately got right back in and now I’m salvaging things and plotting a new course.
I know, that sounds like gibberish.

Right there is the main reason I’m not blogging. I’m tired of speaking in offhanded references for a few select individuals to understand the secret code because I cannot at this time speak plainly in a public blog due to repercussions, secrecy, etiquette or decorum.

Those few select know how to contact me in private if they ever want to engage me in conversation if they’re curious. LOL. Maybe I’ll be able to say… maybe not.
Basically, I just feel like I’m in the middle of a journey right now. I’m traveling and I’m not sure what is around the corner. I can visualize clearly, but I do get the occasional curveballs.

Speaking of traveling… I had mentioned in blogs past that I was going to Japan in 2009. After speaking with the other gentlemen that I was going to go with, we’ve decided to delay the trip for a year or two due to the economy. Bummer. I know. My heart was set on this pilgrimage – I’ll just have to take it at a more principled and appropriate time.

In the meantime, this next year, it is my intention to continue with my conditioning and training as I prepare to take my black belt test hopefully in December 2009 if my instructors feel that I am ready. I’ve lost 20 more pounds this fall (for a total of 65 pounds lost since 2006). If I lose another 20 pounds, I will feel that is where I need to be. That’ll be my last health update! ;)

I mainly want to focus on my karate training this year.

I need to take care of some things on the homefront. Most of that is private.
I’m in the process of getting other ducks in a row.

I’m also busier in comics than I have ever been. How ironic. Earlier this year, I wrote a script for a 64-page graphic novel . This same company that hired me has me working on another project currently with another one waiting in the wings for me. This should keep me busy.

Also, I’ve got a few other projects in the pipeline that should be very interesting. When it rains, it pours. (I didn’t spill anything, Erik.)
That’ll be my last vague nod and wink.

So, be good. Happy Halloween. Happy Thanksgiving. Merry Christmas. Happy New Year’s. Happy Valentines. Happy Easter. Talk to you next summer.

Speaking of which... I will not be attending the Wizard World Chicago convention in 2009. That will be the weekend of my 20th High School Reunion that I will be attending. So, you guys drink a cold one for me in Chi-town.

Still, one my best friends, Erik Burnham, is trying to get me to travel out to some other comic book conventions next year with him.

I hope to do so.

Meanwhile, it’s time for me to ramble on.

With that said, I guess this is truly a little less conversation with Scott McCullar.
Call me, post here or send me an email if you need to get in touch while I’m on walkabout.

Sayonora!

Scott “Shaft” McCullar

B.B. King - New Album "One Kind Favor" Available Now!

Just a quick post...

B.B. King's new blues album, "One Kind Favor", debuted yesterday. You can buy it off of iTunes where it has several bonus tracks.

I'm a big fan of the King of the Blues. I think I now own more than 60 of his albums and I've seen him in concert about 4 times. I even caught a "B.B. King guitar" pin that he personally threw into the audience. It is now attached to my vintage tweed guitar strap on my Fender P-Bass where some of his blues coolness I hope rubs off onto my own playing.

Okay, now that the hero worship is over, I think ole B.B. is the best. A terrific bluesman.

His new album featuring covers of old blues songs from his early influences. With production by T Bone Burnett the set revisits the music that influenced B.B. in the 1950s on albums like "My Kind of Blues".

The new album was recorded to sound like an album recorded in the 1950's. To get this sound Burnett and King replicated the kind of blues band King had back in the day bringing in some of the greats - Dr. John (no introduction needed) on piano, Nathan East (who toured with Eric Clapton) on stand up acoustic bass and Jim Keltner (Ringo's replacement on many solo Beatles albums) on drums, to name a few. Studio conditions of the time were reproduced. The result is a vintage sounding album filled with the songs that influenced King in his early days as an artist.

I agree that this is a solid album by B.B. King. I particularly enjoy "Blues Before Sunrise," "Sitting on Top of the World" and the title track, "See That My Grave Is Kept Clean" in which the album title gets it's foreboding name.

Good stuff and highly recommended for blues afficianodos.

Yellow Jacket: Man of Mystery

Revisiting an old friend...

Scott