Doodles and Complaints

I should have been doodling last night, but I wasn't in the mood for it. So instead, I laid in bed and watched American (bow down and worship me) Idol with my wife. There is a young lady on the show that use to live in our little town. I don't remember her name but my daughter knew her. She's the one with the arm full of tattoos. (ouch!)

I could be a judge on that show. All I would have to say is... "That wasn't your song dog. Dude, you didn't bring it on tonight. Blah, blah, blah, dog." Does that sound about right?

In light of that discussion this doodle seems appropriate. I even did a little photoshop coloring in the letters. I wanted to color in the whole illustration, but there is still so much about that program that I need to learn before I can do that in a way that wouldn't require hours of effort. So... Copy & Share If You Dare.

Recently I went on line to purchase this book from Barnes and Nobel. It's one little step towards my dream of getting a children's book into publication. I am slowly working my way through it—trying to pick up a few pointers here and there.

I have one complaint against Barnes and Nobel. So, if you've got time you can read it. Otherwise this is just a cathartic experience for me...

I looked up this book on their web site but saw a few other books related to the same topic. I wanted to try and get an actual look at them so that I could better decide which book would be best. It's a 2.5 hour trip for us to get to a town with a Barnes and Nobel in it. So, when these country folks drive through the mountain pass and make it to the city (to pick up their daughter at the airport) it's a rare chance to visit one of their stores.

I walked into the place and went to their (not so helpful) information center to ask a young man where I might find such a book. The gentleman there typed in "illustrating children's books" on his computer and nothing came up. He tried a few other versions of the search and still nothing. I said, "I found it on your web site very easily. Try and look it up there."

"We don't have access to the web site here," the young gentleman said. "What?" I thought. How stupid is that? They can't even get on their own web site at their own stores?

He asked me if I had a name or title, but of course I hadn't written any of that down. Then I thought, my daughter has her iTouch with her and can get on the net wirelessly. Then I asked, "Do you have Wifi here?" "Yes," the gentleman said, "but you have to pay for it."

Thanks but no thanks Mr. Barnes and (not so) Nobel. How very helpful of you to not provide that to your customers so that they can find books that you yourselves can't find.

It's frustrating for me when it takes so much effort to get to a store and they're really not set up to help you find what you need. I might have taken my book business elsewhere, but I was using a gift card that my sister wasn't suppose to give me in the first place. (Another story for another time.)

There now. I feel better. How about you?