Birthdays! Those Were the Days...

Your birthday is an occasion you eagerly look forward to, right? Right, because there's no other day where for once, you're the only one deserving of everyone's undivided attention! And there's fewer more memorable or cherished moments in our life than birthday celebrations during those childhood years. I'm pretty sure some of you get pretty misty-eyed just reminiscing about it! Because at that early age, nothing is bigger than your birthday. You use a calendar just to cancel off 364 meaningless dates as you zero in on the big day. And yes, when it does arrive it's truly worth the wait! You get tons of great presents, all the sugary treats you can eat, and having your family and friends joining in the merry-making. Life couldn't get any better...

However, as we grow older, I think most of us would welcome the big day much like we would a trip to the dentist! You find reasons to avoid celebrating birthdays, not least the fact that your childhood friends now have children of their own...while you still don't have someone to go steady with! And lets not forget the cringe-inducing moment where your family and friends start jumping all juvenile-like, yelling 'Surprise!'. In fact, I try my best to stay below the radar throughout the day! No point attracting unwanted attention than that's already there...

So what's the reason for all this you ask? Well, it's what scientists and psychologists call a Post-Adolescent Birthday Withdrawal Syndrome. Actually...I made that up! But it simply means we've outgrown the need for such lavish fanfare; birthdays now are more a time for self-reflection, rather than a day to awaken your long-dormant inner child! Welcome to adulthood...

Below Eddie discusses his upcoming birthday with Diana, who sums up the matter like only she knows best...

I Say it as I See it...

Eddie's moral-tinged outlook on life and sheer naivety can be both a source of admiration and consternation to Diana. He often says things that need to be said...without thinking of the implications (see strip below). I guess many of us can still remember that age, where such words like social mannerism and political correctness should only be used in spelling competitions! But it's what makes life that much more colourful, because ignorance is bliss...and funny too!

A Fine Circus

Step Inside...
Welcome to A Fine Circus! You're probably wondering about the name (it's not about a circus!). It's actually the title of my comic strip, which also doubles as the title of my blog. The reason for using a blog in the first place is because I wanted to get my two cents worth, much like everyone else, besides a place to plug my comic strip for free! Yes, I'm killing two birds with one stone because I'm physically-adversed(lazy), so the convenience of a blog-slash-comic site is the best way to go.

Basically, the blog will be about anything and everything under the sun. There's no specific theme really, but I would probably look at our mamak-obsessed, kiasu living, selipar Jepun-wearing, Malaysia Boleh! generation for regular inspiration...

What is A Fine Circus(the comic)
The strip revolves around the urban (mis)adventures of typical boy-next-door Eddie. Most of the time his best friend Diana is there to share life's daily ups-and-downs. Eddie basically explores adolescence with all the naivety of a lost puppy, full of misguided hope but one which most of us would secretly root for. Diana's a different story; she's practically the final word in girl power, fiercely independent, a bonafide tree-hugger...but she's nice to her mother! So they have virtually nothing in common, except of course being each other's best friend...'


(click to enlarge)

(click image to enlarge)

Hope you like the strip, and also the topics that will follow. Well, I'm off now to find new materials!