Sunday, July 31, 2011

Yes Alex, I'd Like "TriGirl" for $2000 Please.

Here it is, what you've all been waiting for...ok, what the 8 of you who asked questions have been waiting for.  It's Q&A time!  (I thought about posting in the actual Jeopardy format but that would just be confusing).  

Sarah from runningonwords asked:  I'm really curious how long does it take you to prepare a post?  Those pictures seem like they would be time consuming.

That really depends on whether I'm drawing things I have drawn a lot or if there are lots of new things.  When I draw me in a pretty static pose it probably takes about 10 or 15 minutes.


If I draw something new that I have to look up, or if I have tons of detail to add, a picture can take a few hours, like this one.


and this one. (The bandana had a ton of detail that I don't think ended up showing once I zoomed out on the picture.)


A lot fall in between that range.  So if I have, say, 8 pictures in a post, it can take an average of maybe 8 hours.  I don't generally do them all at once so I spend a few evenings and several hours on the weekend knocking them out.

Robyn from Africa, My Africa asked:  What is your next event you are training for?

The Danskin triathlon!  It will be my third time doing it.  The first time was an *epic* fail.


Allie at 24 In My Mind asked: I want to know how you've been able to get 163 followers (family or not).  I'm stuck at just under 100 and seem to have plateaued (is that a word?)  I think your pictures really are a 'draw' (I know they were for me, no pun intended!), but what do you think?

Well, it's hard to say.  It's either the drawings or my incredibly witty writing.  I dunno, I think it's a *draw*.  (Get it? Get it??)  In all seriousness, yes, I think lots of people like pictures.  I also try to join a lot of blog hops; I joined BlogHer and got syndicated a couple of times, which helped with exposure.  I also comment on the sites I like and sometimes they come check me out :)  One thing I *never* do: I never ask for a follow-back.  Ever.  I just think that's rude. 





"Nuh-uh".
Pickleope over at (the appropriately named) Pickleope asked:  I've always heard that marathoners and tri-athletes are forced to...uh...relieve themselves during competition.  Can you confirm or deny this?  (Sorry to go gross but I've always been curious.)

Ew, that's gross Pickleope!  (Hehe...)  Yes, there are those who feel that because they are racing, they are entitled to forego basic hygiene (and respect for those around them) and would rather wet their pants than lose 2 minutes on their race for a quick pit stop.  But, to be honest, long-distance elite triathletes get a bit more of a pass in my book to pee in their wetsuits and on their bikes because they are racing for 8 hours. And they could lose a race hopping off their bikes to use the port-a-potty. That said, I am not an endurance athlete. At my races there are port-a-potties before the start line, at transition, and at every water station (about every 1-2 miles). So I have never done it myself but others do.  (But I do sweat like crazy getting the darn suit on.) 


Meg O at Watch Me Go Run asked four questions:
1.  Are there any day to day (not the political stuff, we all know that) things that differ from the States to Canada?  For example when you moved here did you feel like "wow, this is weird?" about something?

Well, I think I find people more publicly outspoken here.  Also, we first moved to Austin, "Deep in the heeeeaaaart o' Texas". So, I really had to get used to hearing "y'all" at least 3 times in every sentence, and my favourite plural: "all o' y'all". Also the possessive "y'all's", as in "Y'all's table is ready!"





2. Which brings me to the next q: when did you move here?

In the year TWO THOUSAND. Yeah, it was 2000, 11 (eleven!) years ago.

3. Do you consider yourself a woman of the states now or do you think someday you'll move back?

I would like to move back someday.

4. What's the one race (regardless of place, price, or what it would take it get in) that you dream of doing?

Oh, that one's easy:  Ironman Kona!  I could be the next Chrissie Wellington!



Lindsey at TexaGermaNadian asked:  Favorite running/biking song of all time?  What gets you going?

I kinda love Who Got the Hootch?  For realz.  But, also 18 Wheeler by P!nk...oh, and that new Adele song, Rolling in the Deep!  Those get me moving!

  
Toes that Twinkle of (the also aptly named) Toes that Twinkle asked:  Hmm, is there any song/image in your head that makes you start to run faster or keeps you going?  

Since I already mentioned the songs, I'll go with an image.  I try to imagine I'm near the end of a race, the crowd is cheering me on and I can see the finish.  Helps me keep going.


So, there you go.  Hope you didn't mind the recycled pictures.  TriGuy just came home so I can get back to the very important task of drawing new stuff!

OH!  And I got my very own swim/bike/run shirt in the mail today!  So exciting!

38 comments:

  1. Great questions ...and I enjoyed reading your responses ..HHL

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  2. Those were really good questions. I can't believe it takes you 8 hours sometimes to do a post! I feel like I'm crazy when I take two or three to edit photos.
    Visiting from FTLOB Comment Love Day! :)
    New follower as well, I'm getting some serious inspiration to get out there and run again!! :)

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  3. I had always wondered the same thing about endurance athletes and what they do about their need to go the bathroom. I suppose at some point you would just be so sweaty, so in the zone that you wouldn't care if you went in your pants or not. Enjoyed the post!

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  4. Love them all!! People came up with great questions and of course you came up with equally great answers. I do not know the first song you mentioned, I will have to check that out. Always looking for new ones for my repertoire :) ALSO have to check out the 7 links post, I have not been a good blogger lately, but really want to check that out. Hope you had a fabulous weekend, lady!!

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  5. Wow! From Canada to Texas!?! That seems like it would be a crazy transition! *..just from stereotyping, of course.. hehehe! If you had a Canadian accent and then picked up a Texan accent - ha! That sounds funny in my head :)

    *Great post, by the way! :)

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  6. Those were great questions (aside from my own, I'm not that much of an egotist). I have a serious appreciation for your artistic skills, too. The detail on those is great.
    I really liked this feature. Well done.

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  7. Oh Blogger, you're really testing my patience today...first formatting, now you're not posting my comments.

    HHL: Yes they were!

    Kate: Yup, I've got good readers :) Glad you're here!

    Tony: Thanks! If you click on them they will take you to the post from whence they came :)

    Alyssa: Yes, I'd always wondered too...i still think it's kinda gross though!

    Texa: I enjoyed the questions too! Let me know if the links to the songs don't work...Blogger is being a pill today.

    KSK: Thanks! Yep, I immediately ditched the "eh?" and replaced it with "huh?" and did pick up a bit of twang :)

    Pickleope: Yes they were *all* great questions :) Now stop with the compliments; you're making me blush! (but thank you :D )

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  8. I forgot to put this in the post, but Offspring gets me going too! Such a fast beat!

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  9. I love The Offspring too. But not to run to. I don't run.

    I just wanna say that I come back to your blog because you're very witty and your drawings are pretty cute. I just think you're cool.

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  10. please just don't move back to canada before I meet you hehe. Also, you must have loads of patience to make some of your drawings sooo detailed!

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  11. please just don't move back to canada before I meet you hehe. Also, you must have loads of patience to make some of your drawings sooo detailed!

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  12. please just don't move back to canada before I meet you hehe. Also, you must have loads of patience to make some of your drawings sooo detailed!

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  13. So cute!!
    I didn't recognize any of that music ya'll!!

    Gotta love Texas!!

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  14. Shanimal's Crackers: thank you!! at the risk of sounding lame, and not witty or intelligent at all, i feel the same way about your site :D

    MegO: Wow, that comment came up 3 times...darn Blogger. I don't plan on moving back yet. However, Detroit is a *lot* closer to where I would move than where I am now! So we could still meet! I just really enjoy drawing so it doesn't feel like something I need patience for. I love the process...it's very calming to focus on little details and then zoom out and see how the picture has taken shape.

    Heather: At least y'all know "Deep in the Heart of Texas"!

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  15. You. You're blog. You're drawings. You're style.
    Are A-DOR-A-BLE!
    I've been tri-ing to save for my first bicycle in 15 years... And when I think about it, I picture my head on your little stick figure body with big boobs on a stick figure bike. Cycling like the squiggly-line wind.

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  16. Your drawings are outstanding in this post! Just sayin'

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  17. Miss Muffy: Well thank you! Haha!! Yeah, my stick figures don't typically get big boobs because, well, that would just be false advertising :P Hope you get your ride soon!

    Allie: Thanks! All from previous posts :P

    Lora: Thank you! Are you racing this summer?

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  18. Great post! Love the drawings even more, now that I know how hard you work on them!(Does that make sense!?) :)

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  19. Robyn: Thanks! It makes sense...knowing how much effort someone puts into something generally makes you appreciate it more. But I really just enjoy doing it so even if no one read this I'd probably keep drawing :D

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  20. Oh I SO love 'all o' y'all'!!!! Going to try to use that one downunder - even if no one knows what I'm talking about!

    SO enjoyed this (and the 7 Links) post - great to see a different side of you AND with those great trademark pix!!

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  21. Red: Thanks for coming over! It's a great expression, right?

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  22. WOW! My favorite post every (because you answered my question) I love your blog and drawings and it was fun to see what goes on in that genius little head of yours!

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  23. Toesthattwinkle: Hehe...glad you liked it :D

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  24. I loved this! What a great intro to your blog for a first time visitor (me)!

    I'm doing a tri in October .. go me? I don't think my documentation will be nearly as hilarious as yours :D

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  25. Yvonne: yes, good timing! Good luck with the training! What distance are you doing?

    Vintage Modern Bride: Thanks! I'll hop over :)

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  26. I didn't know you were a Canadian! Come on over and see a stylish toilet seat!

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  27. Ooh, I like the pretty mermaid hair! And that's a fine-looking bandana :) Where in Canada were you from? I'm in Ontario - Texas seems like it would be quite a culture shock unless you were from the prairies.

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  28. BluBabesCreate: Yup, sure am :) Checked out your post. I had no idea there was so much Jackie O memorabilia! Very creative!

    Ixy: Thanks :) I'm an Ontario girl too!

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  29. I've always wondered how people use the bathroom when they race too! Thanks for clearing that up for me lol

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  30. Popping over from FTLOB and your pictures made me smile. I love the meaning they make me infer, then reading your post. The one of you training for your next Triathlon was great.

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  31. Amanda: Yeah I think it's one of those things that lots of people want to know but are afraid to ask. I was very grateful my first race to see lots of port-a-potties!

    Lydia: Thanks for coming over and clicking through to the posts!

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  32. Love your drawings, they absolutely made my evening. Thanks so much for stopping by Wandering Spice... anything I can cook up to help with your training, just let me know!!

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  33. thank you so much for bringing the song "who got the hooch" back into my life! i had forgotten all about it but it's definitely a classic hahah...also i'm from virginia and as much as i've tried to fight it, i'm guilty of the 'y'all' usage! great post, per usual and i'm glad you got the chance to stop by my blog this week! :)

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  34. Yasmeen: Aww, thanks!! I'll have to poke around your site a bit more...all I can remember is the espresso eclairs and they would not be ideal for training. Although, as a post-race reward they would be perfect! (those things made me salivate just a little)

    Desire': I'm so glad I could bring that back for you :) I really love the word y'all!

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  35. Love the format on this post, and it actually answered a lot of questions that were running through my mind as I have been reading your latests posts. Paricularly about how long it takes you to draw all these pictures...pretty impressive!

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  36. Lindsay: it's a good thing I kile to draw, eh?

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