I'm Right Here

Clan of the Cats Turns 10 Years Old

2009-06-20T02:52:47Z

The webcomic, Clan of the Cats, began on June 20th, 1999. That will be ten years ago in just a few hours. Anyway, just wanted to say. Take care.

Clan of the Cats Returns with New Site Design

2009-02-02T21:37:15Z

The fantasy/adventure webcomic, Clan of the Cats has returned from a two month hiatus sporting a new site design. The new site is a heavily tweaked Comipress theme created by Frumph from Frumph.net sporting a couple of new features. One of the unique aspects of the theme is the ability to display two different comics. The site is currently updating the Sebo strip once a week along with the regular M-W-F COTC updates. Take a look!

Clan of the Cats has been running for 9 ½ years and centers on a witch, Chelsea Chattan as she tries to deal with an ancient family curse.

X-posted from ncwccc

Changes Coming to COTC

2009-01-22T02:48:40Z

I know a lot of you are anxiously awaiting the return of COTC to its full MWF schedule. That will happen very soon, this February in fact. First I wanted to inform you of some changes that will be going on here at COTC. Thanks to Frumph from frumph.com, COTC will have a completely new website design. Here’s a sneak peek: http://comic.frumph.net/

Using this Comicpress design presented a few problems for the Keenspot servers, so I have decided to pull off the Keenspot servers and go with my own hosting. Currently, we are waiting for the domain to transfer, so please be aware that THERE MAY BE SOME DOWN TIME during the transfer. Hopefully it will only be a day or two at most. I’ve very excited about this move as Comicpress comes with some very cool features, some specifically designed by Frumph. One of the most important features is that I will now have a blog and comic on the same page that will allow me to communicate with you cats a lot more. Also, you will be able to comment on each individual comic. If enough of you want, I will include a small shoutbox on the site, perhaps even keeping the one we have. Please let me know your thoughts on that and the site in general.

X-Posted from chelseascourt

Preview of New COTC Page

2009-01-18T02:53:29Z

Frumph, from http://frumph.com is now redesigning my site. Here's a preview: http://comic.frumph.net/

I like it!

Women of Webcomics

2009-01-03T01:23:47Z

Been hanging out at TGT Webcomics lately and got in on a deal to do a pin-up of Chelsea for Frumph's Women of Webcomics. The first pin-up, by Scott Story, went up today. Chelsea's up now and is actually kind of tame with a 1940's style pose.

Edited: 1-3-09

X-posted from chelseascourt

I made a calendar

2008-12-25T04:02:02Z

I made a calendar via Lulu. It's here: http://www.lulu.com/content/5468352

Happy Xmas (War Still Going On)

New COTC Page under construction

2008-12-11T20:23:57Z

I've been wanting to redo the website for a while now. The problem was that I wanted to redo it in CSS, but knew nothing about it. After a few days of pulling out my hair I can safely say that I don't hate CSS with a passion any more, though I am far from really understanding it.

Anyway, after a few days of playing around w/ expression web 2, going through several tutorials, and just playing around with the code, here is the beginning blocks of the new COTC site design. I still have a ways to go just for the front page.

After getting booted from Adsdaq, I am giving very serious thoughts to going the blog route w/ a front page and having COTC and Sebo a click away within the site. As to what coding horrors this will present being on Keenspot, I don't know. I guess I should ask. :\

Wow

2008-11-05T07:45:55Z

The dems took the house, the senate and the presidency, and honestly, I'm more excited about Obama taking North Carolina than anything. Currently, he's in the lead, but it's still too close to call.

Yay!

I'm being Interviewed ... live!

2008-10-24T21:17:34Z

I'm being interviewed on T.G.T. Webcomics this Sunday night at 10:00 PM EST. It's my first live interview of anything, ever. Join me for a special Halloween edition of the show.

x-posted from chelseascourt

Paper Heroes Con - October 17 – 19

2008-10-05T20:47:50Z

Hi all,

A friend of mine is hosting his first convention and I'm trying to get the word out for him. The convention, Paper Heroes Con , will have comic guests, panels, and gaming. Here are more details.

Hero’s Haven is proud to present Paper Heroes Con, Burlington’s first comics and gaming convention! We’ll be bringing you gaming, comics, toys and much more! Come join us on October 17 – 19 at Burlington Square Mall!

Scheduled Guests

Lou Ferrigno (TV’s Incredible Hulk)
Jackson Bostwick (TV’s Captain Marvel)
Robert Harris and William Jones (Cabin Fever)
Mark Poole (Magic: the Gathering card artist)
Al Bigley (West Coast Avengers, Scarlet Witch and Archie and Friends)
Tsunami Studios
Highburn Studios
Brian Shearer and Marty Blevins (Gravy Boy, Fanboy Almanac)
Ursula Vernon ( Digger, Nurk: The Strange Surprising Adventures Of A (Somewhat) Brave Shrew)
Jennie Breeden (Devil’s Panties)
Thomas Boatwright (Cemetery Blues, The Surreal Adventures of Edgar Allan Poo)
Larry “mckenzee” Holderfield (Sinister Bedfellows, NCWCCC)
Dan Johnson (Herc and Thor)
Jamie Robertson (Clan of the Cats)
Mike Moon (Catgirl Island)

More to be announced!!

Gaming!

Magic: The Gathering, Yu-Gi-Oh!, Pokemon, Warhammer, Warhammer 40k, Dungeons and Dragons, Dungeons and Dragons Minis, HeroClix, Guitar Hero III and Rock Band Tournaments! More events to be posted!! Huge prizes all weekend long!!

Tickets!

Preorder your tickets now and save $10.00! Preorder tickets for the entire weekend for only $15.00! This offer is good only through this website!

Tickets are $10.00 a day or $25.00 for the entire weekend at the door or get your tickets at Hero’s Haven, located at 1358 S. Church St., Burlington, NC 27215, behind Mayberry Ice Cream.

Directions to the Convention.

Stuff - October 3rd, 2008

2008-10-03T03:18:20Z

Hi Cats!

Finally! I finally got my computer back. And there was much, MUCH rejoicing. COTC starts back up again tomorrow, (Friday, Oct 3), and it will remain weekly for the foreseeable future. Thanks for your super powerful patience. I do appreciate it very much!

In other news I will be attending Paper Heroes Con, (if you didn’t notice the button ad up top), which will be held in Burlington, NC October 17 – 19. Admission for the day is only $10.00 Please stop by and say hello. Other great guests include Lou Ferrigno, Jackson Bostwick, (TV's Captain Marvel), ,Al Bigley, Jennie Breeden, Thomas Boatwright, Ursula Vernon, Mark Poole, Mike Moon, mckenzee and more!

Also, I will be attending What the Hell?! Con in February. More on that later.

And that's it!

X-Posted from chelseascourt

Computer is Sick

2008-09-24T23:00:49Z

Hi Cats!

My Computer is sick, so there will not be a comic up until I get it fixed. Hopefully that wil be only a few days, but most likely next week at some point. Take care.

Burlington Carousel Festival Report

2008-09-22T16:05:34Z

The Burlington Carousel Festival celebrates the town’s Dentzel Menagerie Carousel, “one of the most historic treasures in Burlington.” Each year artisans gather to celebrate by selling stuff that, for the most part, has nothing to do with carousels. However the festival does offer free relaxing entertainment for the residents of Burlington. This was an especially good year as the spiteful heat and humidity that generally accompanies the event did not attend. mckenzee , ursulav , and I did attend. A very big thanks goes to Mike Jernigan of Hero’s Haven for sponsoring a booth for the NCWCCC. Also, thanks to all the guys from HH for setting up the booth. And, last but certainly not least, thanks to NCWCCC member, Mike Moon for helping me and the rest maintain the booth.

Inked drawings of witches, paintings of cow-frogs and “photographs with quotes” stood out amongst the watercolors of Duke Chapel and ribbon tied broomsticks. Needless to say we were a tad outside our element, but still we all had a wonderful time. One of the highlights of the weekend was being served renfair style food from Mike from Hero’s Haven. Fried turkey legs, roasted chicken and “real” NC style barbeque were a pleasant refrain from the usual concessions. The biggest highlight of the weekend, however, was Ursula Vernon taking 1^st place in the art competition, although the judges forgot which print she won for. Still it was the thought that counted. ;)

Speaking of highlights, the best moment for me was when a couple came from Raleigh stopped by. After speaking with them for a minute or two I learned that had come from Raleigh just to see me. I was astonished, and very grateful. My only regret was that I was so tired I felt I may have been a little out of it when we spoke. But we had a nice chat and they even bought a Sebo book. Thanks, guys!

Business wise it was pretty much a bust, but we did make some important contacts and even recruited a new member for the NCWCCC. All in all it was a good time, laid back and relaxing, although it’s amazing how tired one can get from just sitting all day. For me it’s back to work, finally, until the next time I get to sit all day, coming this October.

Burlington Carousel Festival

2008-09-19T01:41:30Z

Hi Cats!

I'll be at the Burlington Carousel Festival this weekend. The schedule is Saturday 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM and Sunday, 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM. . Other than myself, NCWCCC will be founder, Larry "mckenzee" Holderfield, Ursula Vernon will also be in attendance. Stop by our booth if you are in town. And a BIG THANK YOU to Mike at Heroes Haven. Be sure to stop by there too as they will be putting on a small RenFair w/ costuming, games and a pony ride! Hope to see ya there!

I know, no comic. Sorry, due to past eye problems I had only a short time to get ready for this. Next week I'll be back at the comic. Take care.

Not Back Yet.

2008-09-09T23:45:14Z

Comic Stuff: I’m updating COTC once a week for now, but I don't plan to announce any return on the site or anywhere else, (other then my blogs), until I can sustain it. Not sure how long that will go on, but count on it for Friday’s this fall. ;)

Comic Related Stuff: I’ll be at a small convention in my hometown of Burlington, NC in October. Hero’s Haven, the local gaming and comic shop will be hosting the con. Other comic artists include Larry “mckenzee” Holderfield, Ursula Vernon, Dan Johnson, Al Bigley, Mike Moon, Mark Poole, and Jennie Breeden (tentative).

What: Paper Heroes Con
Where: Burlington, NC
When: October 17 – 19
Whay: Because we like to.

Personal Stuff: Went to the eye doctor Today and I will be getting new glasses soon. Hopefully that will fix a few things. My eyes seem to have stabilized a bit. At least they are not getting drastically worse every day like there were. On a more cheerful note, I’ve lost 20 pounds since the middle of May. I’ve had a weight problem since 1978 and it looks like I may be on a right track this time.

X-Posted from chelseascourt

Odds and Ends

2008-08-29T14:42:59Z

A summery of the last three posts from chelseascourt

Thanks again for all the well wishes. I do appreciate it very much. I do have a bit of good news in that most of the neurological ailments I suffered are gone or at least better. I have some feeling in my big toe and stomach again. So, all the crap I went through last week is mostly history. The bad news is that my vision continues to get worse and no one seems to know why it’s happening.
Melpomene: The Chaos Orb, the online graphic novel from Jamie Robertson and Clint Hollingsworth, is now online for free. The Clan of the Cats spin-off was originally intended for Keenspot Premium, a service Keenspot discontinued in May of 2008. Written by Jamie Robertson and beautifully illustrated by Clint Hollingsworth, Melpomene: The Chaos Orb is also available as a real "hold it in your hands" graphic novel. Go buy it!
I’m back to working on the strip although nothing has changed w/ my vision. Still don’t know what’s going on, but I plan to see another eye doctor on Sept 9th. We’ll see what happens. Work is going slow, but I may be able to get a once a week thing going starting next week. The plan now is to just do both COTC and Sebo for as long as I can. I’ll keep you all advised. Thanks again for all the support.

Things that Happened to Me on Drugs

2008-08-21T00:47:49Z

Hi Cats,

“I don’t know.” That was the answer I received when I asked my eye doctor what was causing my continued vision erosion. That was Monday. Now, let me back up a few days.

· Sunday the 10^th: I started having a painful toothache. I think it was a sinus condition as several of my teeth would hurt on the right side of my head. This got worse and could not sleep that night, but the paint went away the next day.

· Monday the 11^th: Went to diabetes clinic with symptoms of tingling in the hands and decreased vision, common problems in diabetics, but they said I was fine. Vision continued to get worse. Diabetic docs changed my drug, Avandia to Actos. Avandia had been thought to lead to heart conditions. That night the tooth pain continued to get worse and I could not sleep.

· Tuesday the 12^th: Vision actually holding steady, but tooth pain much worse. Called regular doctor to get referred to dental clinic. Was scheduled for a checkup within two weeks. That night pain worse, cannot sleep.

· Wednesday the 13^th: Three nights without sleep. Went to emergency dentist. Doctor prescribed Darvocet for pain. She was hesitant to do so as I also take Xanax (Alprazolam, .25 mgs 3 x a day). The pain was so bad I took ½ Darvocet that afternoon around 4:30 to take off the edge. That evening my big toe went numb. Took Alprazolam at 6:30. Three hours after that I take Darvocet for the night. Slept four hours.

· Thursday the 14th: Eyes worse, but toothache better. Took regular doses of Alprazolam, waited 6 hours before taking Darvocet. That night my stomach went numb, (where I had surgical scars) and pain in muscles. Felt faint, could have been a panic attack as I am prone.

· Friday the 15^th: Tooth pain subsided, almost gone. Very groggy and staid in bed all day. Eyes only slightly worse. That night numbness in stomach increased more muscle pain. Also last dose of Darvocet.

· Saturday the 16^th: Same as Friday, but much groggier and flushing each time I took an Alprazolam. Both arms and legs felt like the circulation was being cut off. Groggy all day. Started having abdominal discomfort. That night I get only one hour of sleep.

· Sunday the 17^th: That morning right eye much worse than before. Flushing and grogginess continue to get worse every time I take a dose of Alprazolam. That evening I feel extremely flushed, tingling everywhere, parents take me to ER in Chapel Hill. Wait 6 1/2 hours to find out nothing. Meanwhile I had cut my Alprazolam dose in half and that is affecting me. My arm feels like it is going numb. Feel tense, very nervous and brain turning to mush from not enough sleep. Take Tylenol PM that night, slept 7 hours straight.

· Monday the 18^th: Started back on Alprazolam, but still tired, tense and agitated. Went back to ER, waited 2 1/2 hours, did not see anyone. Back felt like a stick about to break. Came home, extremely tired. Came close to writing farewell message for COTC readers, but something held me back. Felt close to a nervous breakdown. Had long talk with parents, which helped. Slept four hours that night. Numbness in stomach increased.

· Tuesday the 19^th: Much calmer. Went to eye doctor, eyes were the same as they were a month ago, but doc does not know why vision is getting worse. Grogginess continued until evening and got better at night. Increased size of font on computer and internet. Drew Sebo comic strip that evening. Numbness in stomach increased.

· Wednesday the 20^th: Went to UNC Hospitals to see Kidney doctor, explained symptoms. Both are very good people, caring, known them for over 13 years. However they do not see any immediate causation of symptoms, but will refer me to neurologist just to be safe. Grogginess persists. (I took Darvocet once before for a small outpatient surgery and it took a couple of weeks to get out of my system). Eye problems continue to worsen a little at a time. Currently I am having some difficulty reading and I cannot draw unless I use reading glasses on top of my regular glasses. Yes, I’m sure that is a sight. Currently my eye problems are not dire, but what worries me and all my doctors is that the problem is not stabilizing. It only continues to get worse, bit by bit, like the tide eroding the coral reef.

So, that is why I haven’t given any updates lately. Just too much crap to deal with as well as extremely being depressed. Tomorrow, providing things haven’t changed drastically, I take the day off with a good friend and begin to assess my life. I will get back to drawing and my life and “endeavor to persevere.”

Finally, I want to give a big thank you to Mike Moon, a very dear friend, who has been playing chauffer for the past few days. Thanks, Mike!

Take care,

Jamie

x-posted from

chelseascourt

Doctor Visits and What Not

2008-08-12T23:58:55Z

I went to the eye doctor this past Friday and she told me that the blurred vision was due to my sugar. The good news is that it was not due to retinal detachment or retinopathy. So, she advised that my sugar was up a bit, which it had been. Okay, been there before, know how to fix it. I went to the diabetes clinic on Monday and saw two doctors and they both concluded that I was fine. In fact they suggested that I lower the dosage of my diabetes meds. One of the blood tests they performed, called a hemoglobin A1C test, shows how well the blood sugar has performed in the last three months. A person w/out diabetes should have a number of 6. Mine was 5.6. However, this afternoon I ate an apple and my sugar spiked to 230 and back down to 130 within an hour. Also, I have been feeling very weak and tired ever since Thursday and as I suspected this was due to the radical diet change. I’ll have to modify that. Unfortunately, even after all this, my eyes are still getting worse little by little. If I had to guess I would still say it is my sugar and I will continue to work on that. Thanks!

x-posted from chelseascourt

Eye Troubles Continue

2008-08-05T00:40:46Z

Hi Cats,

I have an internet connection for just a minute here, so I thought I’d give you guys an update. Currently my eyes are worse, but the cause may be, at least partly, my sugar. I am diabetic and I thought I was doing well up until last week. Anyway, I am scheduled to go to the doc on Friday, meanwhile I’m on a drastic diet. I will keep you cats posted when I can.

X-posted from

chelseascourt

More Eye Troubles

2008-07-29T19:55:38Z

Hi Cats. Here we go again. Last week I began seeing lights out of the corner of my eye. They got worse. I’m still seeing them, about 20 times a day, but now the vision in my left eye is blurring. It was my right eye that had the problems before. Oddly enough, when I went to the eye doctor yesterday, my vision was better, but today it is not as good. I’m supposed to see another eye doctor tomorrow. I had both an MRI and a CT scan done in May and in speaking w/ my doctor yesterday she said there was no indication that anything was wrong, i.e., nothing in my head. ;) I’m putting COTC on hiatus again as I haven’t gotten much done lately. I’m so very sorry to do this yet again for the 501^st time. It’s just that this time no one has even an idea of what it could be and I’m scared.

Let you all know what’s what.

Thanks for being there.

Jamie

COTC This Friday

2008-07-22T23:45:22Z

Hi Cats,

Now I'm having problems w/ connecting to the internet, so COTC will be this Friday. The cable guy is coming over tomorrow, so I hope have stuff loaded up soon.

COTC updating on Wednesdays and Health Update

2008-07-09T03:19:18Z

Hi Cats,

First of all, COTC will begin updating on Wednesdays until it goes back to three days a week. No time table on that yet. At least it will be updating.

Secondly, I saw the doctor on Monday, (someone had not properly filed my spinal tap results, but the doctor contacted me the day after she got them). Technically my eye is better. The optic nerve, which was swollen, is back to normal and my pupil is much better. Unfortunately, the damage had already been done and the gist of it is that some days I see better than others. Keeping my diabetes under control will also play a factor. So, thanks again for all the prays, positive energies and especially for your patience.

Take care,

Jamie

x-posted from chelseascourt

Health Update 6-30-08

2008-07-01T02:09:22Z

Hi Cats. Sorry for the long absence. Here’s what’s been going on. I had not heard from the doctor concerning my eye in over a week, so I called the doc today and her secretary. Apparently my doctor has yet to see the results of the last spinal tap and so it seems as though I had waited a week for nothing. Hopefully I will indeed hear something this week as I know at least the secretary said she’d give the doctor the information. Unfortunately my eye is continuing to get worse little by little. However it got worse a couple of weeks ago then got better, so maybe it will turn around again. It’s not yet debilitating, but it feels like I have a different prescription in each lens of my glasses, so it is more annoying than anything else. I am thinking of updating the comic again starting next Wednesday and just update once a week for a while and see how that goes.

I hope to start COTC back next Wednesday, July 9th, 2008 and update every Wednesday for a bit.

Again, thanks for all the well wishes and your patience.

x-posted from chelseascourt

Health Update 6-6-08

2008-06-06T18:01:23Z

It just keeps going. Last Wednesday I had a spinal tap to determine if one of my medications was affecting my sight. However, ever since the spinal tap I have been having pains in my lower back. They are sharp pains, very similar to the pains I encountered during the spinal tap. Today I was supposed to have another spinal tap w/ x-rays, but they would not do it because of the pain in my back. Instead I had an MRI on my spine to determine if something went wrong during the procedure or if this is just after effects from having my spine poked at for 30 minutes. Now I must wait until Monday for the results. Meanwhile my eye has at least stabilized and is no longer getting any worse. The pain in my back is, like my eye, more annoying than debilitating. Anyway, that’s where things stand. Thought you’d like to know.

Thanks for your support and take care.

Jamie

X-posted from chelseascourt

Eye Update and Free Sebo

2008-05-30T18:07:06Z

Hi Cats,

First the bad news. I had a spinal tap on Wednesday and they could not get any of the fluid out, so they have to do it again next Friday w/ X-Rays so that they can see what they are doing. Meanwhile my right eye seems to have stabilized a bit.

Now for a little bit of good news. In lieu of any new COTC comics for a while I am updating free Sebo again. It will start tomorrow (5-31-08) w/ a strip I mistakenly left out of the Eon story. Free Sebo will then update every Monday beginning on June 2^nd. You can find the link to Free Sebo on the COTC site or just go here: http://clanofthecats.com/sebo/index.html

Anyway, there’s where everything stands. Take care and thanks.

x-posted from

chelseascourt