I've found lots of ways to procrastinate. I am getting work done, but slowly. Anyway, here are some very cool things you should check out:

Webcomics:

• Jen Wang's fine Disney/manga hybrid tale, Strings of Fate is set against a backdrop of Chinese mythology come to life. Very well drawn, and quite a good story as well...
• John Allison's amazing comic, Scary Go Round is consistently hilarious and has some very bizarre story arcs. Check it out now, and don't let the Krakkagar get you!
• R. Steven's comic, Diesel Sweeties is one of the original pixellated wonders of the world.
• Vera Brosgol's comic, Return To Sender has a tremendously cool premise. I won't spoil it for you here.
• Also good, but behind the Modern Tales wall, are Paradigm Shift (set in Chicago!), Oddjobs (also set in Chicago!), Vicious Souvenirs, and Outside the Box. Most have free samples, so you can go to the Modern Tales website and check them out.

I am also cooking a lot. I am not cleaning enough (you can barely see any horizontal surfaces in my apartment) but the kitchen is clean (usually) and I like spending time in there. Recent test recipes:

• shiitake-parmesan risotto (it's freaking $16/pound for Parmeggiano Reggiano)
• pan-seared sea scallops
• pan-seared tuna steak with balsamic honey glaze

I am still trying to perfect the art of the dumpling. Mine are pretty good, but I feel that I am missing something...