The Mysteries of Google

Can someone explain to me how Google works? A week ago, if I typed in my name in quotes, like so . . .

"chris shadoian"

. . . and ran a search, over 50,000 documents came up. Over the last week, that number's been declining like crazy and is now down to 826. Huh? I don't get it!

I could care less what Google thinks of me -- I'm only concerned with whether people enjoy my comics and keep coming back to read more, and I seriously doubt anyone would be diligent to look as far as document 826, let alone document 32,714 -- but I'm curious about the inner workings.

Oh, and to be clear? I do know the basics of Google's workings. I just don't understand some of the details.

Anyone?

:C

Superman Returns

You'll notice my strip is somewhat later than usual this week. That's because I CARE.

Seriously, I'm ridiculously psyched about Superman Returns, so I ended up putting a bit of extra polish on the strip. Oh, man. I absolutely cannot wait to see the movie. I mean, good grief! It even has it's own MySpace page, which doesn't make any sense, but hurry! Quick! You can be the movie's friend! Um, right. Anyway, it's gotten great reviews, and Bryan Singer, the director, has a good track record with the dorkiness. As I've said before, he seems to be the perfect mix of dork and director, capable of geeking out with the best of 'em, but also able to shut the hell up and cut his favorite stuff if it doesn't work.

PLUS, Marlon Brando's in the movie. Really. How COOL is that? Perhaps you've noticed: I have a bit of a thing about Marlon Brando. I even do a passable (though cartoonish) Brando imitation. Hmm. I wonder if I could record that and post it. I did just buy a headset for my computer -- I'll bet I could figure it out!

I'm pretty sure my Brando thing stems from the 1978 Superman: The Movie, in which he played Superman's biological father, Jor-El. I've always had spot of extra love for ol' Supes; not only did I grow up devouring the comics (thanks to my dad, who fed 'em to me as fast as I could eat 'em), but the first Superman movie mesmerized me. Literally. I'm thinking I'll do quickie auto-bio strip about it. I really should. If only I were made of PURE TIME.

I remember -- vaguely -- reports about Brando's million dollar fee for his role in Superman, an unprecedented amount at the time, and he got top billing for approximately ten minutes of screen time. Gene Hackman took second billing, and Christopher Reeve, the man who would become Superman for an entire generation, received third billing.

Anyway, I recently learned some stuff about Brando's performance, including the unpublicized fact that he refused to memorize his lines; instead he insisted on having cue cards pasted up all over the set. When he's looking down into the crystal rocket and delivering his final, deep, heartfelt speech to baby Kal-El? He's actually reading his lines. Ha, I say. Ha. Though I guess the million bucks they paid is finally paying off. Scenes were filmed for two movies at once, and unused-until-now Brando footage is being used in Superman Returns.

Now it's time to take a page from the Bryan Singer handbook and stop dorking out.

Just for a little while, though.

:C

Cars

I've nothing fancy to say right now, I'm afraid. Just a quick note to let folks know that the new strip is up and running. Late, late, late. Ugh. I will not be late again! Not ever!*

As you'll notice, I've done something a little different this week. I've continued the storyline from last week. Sort of. I've shifted the context to a different movie, but the scene is the same.

This is the plan. As the characters continue to flesh themselves out, make themselves known, they'll have more to say about each other and the movies (and other pop-culture stuff) they enjoy. Or hate. Or care nothing about. Then they'll blabber on DAILY.

As long as readership continues to grow, that's the plan!

What do you think?

:Chris

*If I can help it.

Latey McLate

Zzzz.

Zzzz.

Wh-what? Wh-who's there?

Oh. It's you.

Yes, um, I, um, well . . . yes. I'm late. With the strip. Um.

I do apologize. I have big things in store that have conspired against me. Also, the ever-excellent Mocca comic show put me behind schedule. I normally get a LOT of work done on the weekend, and that wasn't even close to possible while shmoozing with comic-folk in New York City.

The newest strip will be up for readin' during the latter half of the day on Thursday.

And now, back to bed.

:Chris

Mocca

So.

I know this is sorta last-minute notice, but I've finally managed to confirm, for sure, that I'm going to be at the Mocca show in New York this weekend. Meaning tomorrow and Sunday? Yep. Yipe! I gots stuff to do!

I won't have a table -- maybe next year -- but if you're gonna be there, and have some kind of crazy desire to meet me in person, be on the lookout for this guy:



I tried to approximate the look I'll get on my face when I realize I've emptied my entire wallet. I would've described myself as the nerdy guy wearing a t-shirt, jeans, glasses and a backpack for swag, but, um, I don't think that would've narrowed down the options all that much. All you'd've gotten from that would be a 99% certainty I'm not the woman dressed like Supergirl.

Okay. 95%.

Hope to see you there!

:Chris

X-Men: The Last Stand

My, my, it's been awhile. You've neglected us, I expect you're thinking, or, perhaps, What on Earth could have been so important you didn't have time to tell us about your favorite recipe for hummus -- nor have you told us the tale of the Parking Ticket. Alas, dear friends, I have no excuse. I've merely been busy.

I also don't have a favorite hummus recipe. Nor would I tell you about it if I did. That shit's boring.

In all honesty, I've been plotting. I've been trying to figure out what needs to happen to Popcorn Picnic to get people's attention. Oh, it's growing bit by bit, but considering I only get a few hundred readers a day (out of however many million available), I'm not yet satisfied. Don't get me wrong -- I love you few hundred, and you'll always be special to me. But I crave variety. I desire attention. I need love, however fleeting. I am, I'm afraid, a Web-slut, and you are my hos. I mean that in the best possible way.

With that in mind, if you go to the connections section of PP, you'll notice a coupla banners you can stick on your own sites. And if you have any other ideas you'd care to share, leave a comment here or drop 'em in my e-mailbox.

To business. X-Men 3 was terrible. I'd tell you not to see it, but you already have. Never have so many paid so much for so little. It took in $123 million over the weekend. What a piece of crap. I wonder how much it'll take in this coming weekend.

Who really thought Frasier would be a good substitute for Nightcrawler? Sigh.

The Da Vinci Code was, um, okay. I enjoyed it. It was hot out, and I wasn't totally bored. Plus, Audrey Tautou is just about the cutest woman on Earth. No one should be allowed to be that cute. Women like her make normal women go out and get themselves bulimia and breast implants, both of which I'm opposed to.

In other news, Popcorn Picnic is now available in print! Well, in a small section of western Massachusetts, anyway. So pick up a free copy of the monthly Local Buzz newspaper in Northampton or Springfield, and -- if you're an editor living somewhere else in the world -- let me know if you're interested in carrying PP. If you're not an editor, let one of 'em know you like the comic. You'll be helping out, 'cause they're busy people. They don't have time to research this stuff.

That's about it for now. Oh, except keep your eyes peeled for a new version of my Da Vinci Code review. I'd normally let sleeping conspiracies lie, but every once in awhile I'll think of a change I can't resist. This is one of those times.

:C