True story.  I guess bike mechanics are just like car mechanics in terms of always needing more than you thought you needed.  What got me was the guilt that went along with it.  Like if I didn’t re-bear my ball bearings the bike would be mad at me.  Not to mention additional guilt for using my bike year round and not taking better care of it.  Would they rather I didn’t use it at all?

Remember, shirt preorders through this Friday (April 3rd)!  Do you want a Jimmy the Murderdog shirt of a HELL Vetica Shirt? You know you do.  If you order now, it is $18 total including shipping!  All shirts are American Apparel 100% cotton and 120% awesome.  Be the first on your block, and then buy ones for the rest of your block!  Nothing makes you a trend setter quite like buying things.  Preorder now, before it’s too late!

Shirts are now officially available for preorder on the store page!  This is the first ever official Rosscott, Inc. / The System run of shirts, so help me make it count.  Currently for sale are both the Jimmy the Murderdog and HELL Vetica shirts.  They are $18.00 total right now ($15 + $3 shipping that’s included) so snatch them up while you can!  Soon they’ll go from preorder to just plain order, and the price will go up a bit (plus, I won’t like you as much).

Since this is the first-ever Rosscott, Inc. store, let me know if you run into any trouble (systemcomic@gmail.com).

Yes, I’m finally going to have shirts!  The final designs will be posted (for preorder) later this week.  Meanwhile, here’s a glimpse at the almost final designs.  Start saving that allowance!  Click on the pic above to see them bigger.

About a week ago, I sent out word about needing guest comics.  What I received back was many guest comics, as you have seen on the site.  But I also got back 4 different versions of a theme song by a Systemic named Le_mous.  We whittled it down and, well, I present to you the Rosscott, Inc. theme song.

Rosscott_theme.mp3 (4.7MB)

It will also be available on the “downloads” page, for posterity’s sake.

I’m going to SXSW starting tomorrow!  Yay!  You totally don’t care!  I do, though.  If you’re going to be there, I’d love to meet up!  Find me via this blog or Twitter.

Well, the next weekend, I’m going to be at Webcomics Weekend along with everyone else in the known universe.  The entire freaking dog-gamn internet is going to be there.  Looks like I’m sharing a room with half the webcomics that have ever linked to me.  It’ll be like some kinda webcomic odd couple times 10.  I’ll be posting more about Webcomics Weekend as we get closer, but if you’re going to be there, post here and let me know.

Finally, Connecticon!  As I mentioned on the Appearances page, I’ll be there.  Heads up all, if you want to go and want to save some money, you should sign up now.  The 14th is the LAST Day to register for a Connecticon 2009 weekend pass at the price of $35! On the 15th the price will increase to $45!  Link.

What does all this traveling mean to you, the viewer?  Updates might get sketchy. If it starts to look like things are going that way, I’ll post about it on the site.  You know what would make sure that doesn’t happen?  Guest comics!  I’m hereby asking y’all to send me guest comics as soon as you can.  Think I make this look easy?  Give it a shot!  Send it to me and I’ll see about posting them on the site.  Systemcomic at gmail dot com.

As this little shindig comes up on our 1-year anniversary, so does the first- ever public appearance of the comic.  A little convention called Connecticon (in Hartford, CT) was kind enough to put up with my bullshit and give me table space (picture seen left, courtesy Marty “Blast-o-Rama” Day.  This year, they’re doing that all again!  I’m going to be a GUEST at this year’s Connecticon, and you should come!  If this tickles your fancy in the slightest, Connecticon is July 31-August 2, and if you register now the weekend pass is $35! This offer ends March 14th. On March 15th, the weekend price goes up to $45. So if you are planning to go, now is a good time to register!

Oh btw, I put together an “Appearances” page for the site.  Check it out.

I’m wondering how many people read / care about all the content I put into this blog.  I get the impression that except for the System-related posts, the answer is “not that much”.  I think I’m going to phase back the blog into being mostly System related, which means less of the “cool crap I found” posts.  At least for now.  This will not effect the comic.  If you want to see these sorts of “cool crap” posts, most make it into my Twitter feed.

This DOES NOT affect System in the Wild posts, which I love having and you should keep sending into me (systemcomic at gmail dot com).  Check them all out here.

I don’t think I’ve ever come out and said this, so here it is: THANK YOU.

To all you Systemics out there who send in things for System in the Wild. All you guys who post comments (ScottieC, Otto, Rossmom, Chibby, Michelle, and the rest of you regulars, I’m looking at you).

Everyone who posts The System on Digg, StumbleUpon, Buzz Feed, Reddit (thanks, Quasiperiodic) and your own blogs (Gary, Rick, and the rest of y’all).

To the biking enthusiasts who keep wondering when I’m going to do another comic about biking to work (ANSWER: When something funny happens while I’m biking).

To all the other webcomic artists who have been kind enough to let me know I’m on the right track.

Finally, to everyone else who just reads the comic. I honestly appreciate all of it.

Why am I saying this now?  No great reason.  Just looking back on how far the site has come in the 8 months it’s been going.  Heres to much more.

Howdy, Systemics! I know you’re all here looking for Friday’s comic and more System in the Wild segments, but I’m afraid all of those will have to wait until Sunday / Monday. I’m heading to Katsucon to go pretend like I know things and consume alcohol with fellow artists.  I’ll be there for the weekend shilling wares as well.  I will also soon be shilling said wares online, once I build the store section.  Meanwhile, check out the new downloads page, maybe it will amuse you for 30 seconds.  See you Monday!  Or, if you’re in the DC / MD / VA area, stop by Katsucon in scenic Crystal City.

A few weeks ago, comic / webcomic journalist Brian Warmoth started a series on the site Comic Book Resources called “Webcomics to Watch”.  First up was Goats, then Penny Arcade.  Yesterday, the third in the 5-part series went up, about yours truly.  I wonder if I could call Rosenberg up and say “Hey, we’re both Webcomics to Watch, so let’s hang out.”  Probably not.

I have to thank Marty “F’n” Day, who got a mention in the article for helping write the ketchup comic, but did not get proper linkage.  His two current sites are both mucho awesome.  I also have to thank Rick Marshall and Gary “Fleen” Tyrell, whom I understand reccomended my coverage in the series.

Anyway, the interview was lots of fun to do, and I honestly think turned into a pretty good read.  So go check it out.  Then come back and keep reading my shit.