My long-running webcomic, Freaks N Squeeks, returns today (January 21st) after a two week break to begin the second act of its year-long story, "Sad Little Life." Also, there is voting going on to decide which of two possible strips will become the new sunday feature at www.marvelouspatric.com, "Picture Imperfect" or"Canis Domesticus."

Lately, I've been thinking about basic jobs. The kind that people just "do". These are not careers, but they take up eight hours or so a day. I've always known people that are defined by their job. I primarily think of myself as a cartoonist, but I do have a day job that i spend 30+ hours at a week. That said, the latest batch of Freaks N Squeeks is dealing with what I consider to be a basic job in retail. Some of it is drawn on from experiences I have had, others by things I've heard others tell me about. Of course, some of it is just made up.