Well.
Jesus Fucking Christ.
What a fucking nightmare. Things aren’t good. Things aren’t going to get any better. Not anytime soon.
Age 47 nearly killed me, mostly during the latter half. Started off 2026 being kicked out of my house. Managed to line up a new place to live. As the search for housing and then the physical act of moving began, my body – my foot specifically – very literally has nearly disintegrated. I can barely walk. I spend most of my time in severe pain. I got kicked off of my Medicaid because “I make too much money” (I don’t). I resolved it. I got kicked off again (as I write this, I am on hold with the County to figure out What in the Actual Fuck is Happening). My girlfriend and I have hit several rough patches and overcome them, but still, along with everything else, it’s not a great thing to deal with. Now I’m moved and beginning to unpack, living with a roommate – living with SOMEONE for the first time in 28 years – there is a struggle to adjust. I also have learned, over 28 years, I have TOO MUCH STUFF. Roommate has a dog. My cats are now constantly in hiding. Roommate has a former/current partner (and their own partner) who seemingly cannot take care of their own lives, leaving my roommate to take care of them and herself all at the same time. Upside, by comparison they make me feel like I have a pretty good grasp on my own shit. Anyway, they damn near almost moved in and had absolutely no sense of awareness of their surroundings or that they don’t actually live in this house or that I do. The past few weeks have ratcheted up my anxiety to levels I haven’t felt in quite a while. There is no feeling like being anxious, uncomfortable, and ill-at-peace in your home.
And now I have to decide if I want to go through a painful and drawn-out surgery to repair my foot – a process that will take about 2 years to repair IF IT GOES WELL, or remove my foot.
Fun times.
Age 47 nearly killed me. 48 might push me over the line.
Anyway. Susan.
I asked my friend Joe to give me an idea to draw and post for my birthday. He answered with “Grendel. Your choice.”
I have drawn Hunter Rose several times, as well as Christine Spar. I thought, maybe I’ll draw Grendel Prime, that could be cool. But then I remembered Susan. Not a Grendel per-se, but a genetically enhanced body guard who joins up with Prime. I remembered a 3-issue Grendel Tales called “Homecoming” which centered around her. She has a striking look, playing into a lot of things I like to draw (buff women, distinct hair, anger). So, I went with her. I gave her the Grendel fork-staff-thing, even though she doesn’t use it, but it is a cool toy and to me just screams “Grendel”.
Happy birthday, I guess.
Bonus Hunter
