Two weeks ago I was facing an uphill grind. I needed to be a full month ahead on strips to get Unshelved Volume 2 (real name still secret) out on time and the number of strips that I was ahead on was zero. But I put the pedal to the metal and today I am just about there. And a funny thing happened along the way. Rather than getting rushed, the strips started looking better and better. Today I did some of my very best work, strips I'll probably be proud of for years to come. I was just in the cartooning zone. All the camera angles came to me, the sets started drawing themselves in my mind. It all just flowed. I even spent a few relaxing minutes practicing guitar. What a great work day. Even though I'm short on sleep and nursing a cold I feel clear and refreshed. A great way to head off to ALA. And when I get back, I hope to apply the same magic to the last big task - the cover of volume 2. Wish me luck.