New Hodges Pond comic strip has been posted on www.hodgespond.com


This continues the mayor series.

Comments are now open on the website. Feel free to post your comments on the site.

Follow Hodges Pond on Twitter for the latest updates and news.
Official Twitter: HodgesPond
hash tag: #HodgesPond


I should have some more news about the trivia contest soon. Stay Tuned! !

Hey I'm thinking about doing a contest to give away a free artist sketch book and a free inked character sketch of 2 Hodges Pond characters of your chioce with backgroud Would anyone be intrested if I did? I would need at least 15 takers to reply to this post. Let me know if this is something you'd be intrested in.

The trivia questions would be about the comic or the artist (me) and the answeres could easily be found on the Hodges Pond web site. For multiple winner with the correct answers , it would go down to a raffle style drawing and 1 winner would receive the main prize. I am also considering a 2nd and 3 place prize too if there are enough people intrested. I will consider Twitter responses as part of my required 15 total.

Website: www.hodgespond.com
Twitter: HodgesPond
Official Twitter Hash tag: #HodgesPond

Thanks for the support this is just my way of saying thank you.

OK I finally for around to updating my artist profile on Hodges Pond

if you want to know a little bit of history about myself (career as an artist, out side of furry) and also a little bit of history about the evolution of Hodges Pond it can now be seen here:

http://hodgespond.com/index.php/about-the-artist/

Follow on Twitter: HodgesPond
Hash Tag: #HodgesPond

There is a new Hodges Pond comic strip now posted on: www.hodgespond.com

This continues the Mayor Series. This is probably one of the most complicated comics I have ever done. Love how this came out tho.

Get live comic strip status updates and Follow me on Twitter: HodgesPond
Hash tag: #HodgesPond

http://www.furaffinity.net/journal/3638739/#

I love this guy :)

Just wanted to advise there is a new Hodges Pond comic posted on: www.HodgesPond.com

This continues the mayor series comic.

Twitter: HodgesPond
Official Hash Tag; #HodgesPond

Just wanted to let people know that a new comic has been posted on HodgesPond.com

To see the next comic in the Hodges Pond mayor series visit: www.HodgesPond.com

FYI, I will no longer be posting comics on FA, however I will still send out Tweets and FA journal updates of when a new comic is posted. For live Hodges Pond comic updates and information, please follow Hodges Pond on Twitter HodgesPond The official twitter hash rag is #HodgesPond.

Thanks for Watching :)

My official Furry Twitter account is: BaltoWolfDog

Well another con is behind me and I must say it was a great con. AC is shaping up for be one of my favorite cons. This con has a lot of factors to it that I enjoy. First and foremost, its run very professionally unlike a lot of other cons unfortunately. For now this will definitely be in my set of annual cons which I attend.

My roommate for the con was my good buddy who is always fun to hang out with (Just saying..) I also had a blast spending time with some of the closest friends I have in the fandom. Friends who I always look forward to seeing and spending time with at cons, , , , , , and of course

I also had a great time chatting and hanging out with some other close and new friends, like and . i also found out that Keeny Fox and I share the same love for the 80's cartoon "The Raccoons" How cool is that?

What's next? My next convention will be Rainfurrest. Rainfurrest is by far my most favorite convention of my annual cons. I hope to see you all again at RF this year, if not i hope at least to see you again at AC 2013. Until then, Take care and thanks for the wonderful time at AC.

Hey who all is going to AC? I will be there in the dealers den look for me at table E11. See ya all there!

Every so often you come across things that just can't be put into words.. I'm speechless I don't know how to think about this one.. part of me says .. "Oh thats just not right" the other side me says "Oh that's so cool, I WANT ONE!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbwk.....eature=related

more here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?featur.....;v=DTVOK2yvbBM

Just wanted to send out a message to let people know I will be at AC this year. After last year I can't believe I had not been attending this con sooner. I will be in the dealers den at the following location:

Table # E11 - Northern Lights Studio

I will be offering the following:

Art
- Con Badges:
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/7022649/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/6840213/

- Full Color Commissions
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/6839925/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/7584264/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2845557/

- Inked Drawings
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2845542/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2825544/
http://www.furaffinity.net/full/916863/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/857232/

- Pencil Sketches
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2845530/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/856168/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/360424/

Merchandise
- Hodges Pond Political Buttons: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/7088790/
- Artist Sketch Books
- Comic Books
- Prints:
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/3265350/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2825562/
*

Looking forward to seeing you all there.

New site for Hodges Pond set to launch tomorrow!

OK I just wanted to give you all an update, First off sorry once more for the delay in posting but I think you will all be pleasantly surprised with what's been taking up my time. I am hoping by Monday (5/14/12) to launch the new Hodges Pond website.

Stay tuned here: http://hodgespond.com

The site will be completely different from what it's looked like in the past, thanks to some help of a very awesome friend who has asked to remain anonymous (but you know who you are :oP).

The new site will be a comic press site. Those of you familiar with comic press will know the format. The site, while mostly up will still be a work in progress. I currently have place holders for some items like the in the new character profile pages. I will be updating those as I go. I am still tweaking some things (as I learn how to use this software) and I hope to have an interactive blog and comments section up and running soon if not by Monday.

The site will also eventually integrate Critter County and Orville in its own comic press formatted pages. For now I am using the old site as a link to those older comics until I can get the comic press formats up. I am also going to eventually change the title image .
Why launch it now if its a work in progress? Simply put... Its MUCH nicer than the current site and I prefer to look at that LOL. Please feel free to stop by to visit the site on Monday (probably late Monday). Once the blog is up I hope you will take the opportunity to post your comments on your favorite comics (I love feedback)


Finally, I would like to send out a shout outs and a heart felt thank you to my anonymous friend, and you know who you are :o). I really appreciate you for coming to my aid and being there when I needed help. You're a true friend. Thank you so much for his diligent effort, advice and support. You really saved the day and improved the look and feel of the web site. Truly, I am in your debt and words will never be enough to say grateful I am for your help and your friendship.

I would also like to thank the readers of Hodges Pond. There was a time I had thought about no longer doing the comic, but its because of the loving nudges and continues support for wonderful people like you that made me realize just how appreciative people are. Its nice to know some one is out there watching.

In the coming months and hopefully years to come, it is my anticipation to move into a more consistent rhythm of posting (weekly). As some of you may now I hold a full time job that tends to keep me very busy However, I promise to keep this commitment to my readers that I will be more diligent in my postings and not let the distractions of life keep me from continuing the antics of the residents of Hodges Pond. Thank you for sticking with me thought my lulls and hiatus of Orville, Critter County and Hodges Pond'. I hope to turn more of my attention to Hodges Pond in the weeks and month to come.

I am often reminded that with out the support of friends readers like you, there is no point to the comic. After all the theme of Hodges Pond is about friends. So I say thank you. I hope you will enjoy the new site and I hope you will find Hodges Pond a nice place to visit.

Warmest regards,

Albert C Pena (AKA Balto)

You know after 42 years here are a few things I have learned about life and people. I thought Id share them:

- Talk is cheap. Don't talk a big game if you don't have the ability to back it.

- Say what you mean and be true to your word.

- Be careful where and in who you put your trust in. Trust is a fragile thing don't put your trust in people who have not proven trust worthy.

- Keep your friends close and your enemies closer and know how to tell the difference because sometimes your closest friends are the people who can hurt you the most.

- Don't invest more than you're willing to lose (In people or in business)

- Take everything with a grain of salt, not everything is what it seems to be and take things for face value try not to read too much into things.

- You can always tell who your true friends are when you go through your darkest times. You always have friends when its time to have fun or play. Let tragedy come or be in desperate need and need a shoulder to cry on and you will find out real quick who your real friends are.

- Its never too late to correct a mistake,

- Take time to enjoy the simple things in life. Don't get so busy that you forget to remember what's important.

- (This next one is hard but its a good one) Try to have a positive outlook on things. How you see yourself and your situation will determine the outcome and how people will see you. If you see things in a negative light you will always be frustrated. Learn to see the positive despite how difficult it may be. This allows you to see opportunities or solutions that negativity blind you to.

- Always try to work things out with people, give people the benefit of the doubt, but known when its time to sever ties. Don't nurse or pursue relationships that are toxic or have no meaning. It only leads to frustration. Instead invest your efforts in relationships that matter.

- Be real with people. Don't try to be something you are not. What you see is what you get. If people are not impressed by who and what you are, nothing you do will ever impress them. Don't spend your life trying to live to others expectations. Be true to your self.

- Always have a back up plan. Prepare ahead and always plan for the worse case scenario. This way you are never caught off guard. Hope for the best plan for the worst.

- Its ok to be an optimist but never under estimate the value of being cynical. :oP

- Don't say anything you don't mind getting out. A secret is only a secret if you keep it that way.

- Be trust worthy. Being dependable and having the respect of people goes much further than being popular (at least in most circles)

Last but not least.. My favorite..

- Don't be afraid to take risks in life. You'll never get ahead in life if you are never willing to put it on the line once and a while. Remember "a ship in a harbor is safe but thats not what ships where meant for."


:)

Hey guys, after struggling with this for a few months now I decided to send out an SOS and check to see if anyone out there could offer any advice, help or recommendations on web site resources and development.

As some of you know I have been doing a web comic for quite some time and I recently moved to a new server and with this new server move I wanted to also rebuild build the current site. The only problem is I am not very good with web code and web sites, and I was wondering if any one out there knew of any good resources that I could tap into to build a web site.

Just a little history about the site. As some of you may be aware my comic has been around for quite some time (despite my recent Hiatus) and over time I've managed to a mass quite a large collection of links from various comic hub sites out there. Now that I've moved CritterCounty.com to point to my new domain HodgesPond.com I expect a lot of that traffic to now go to my new site. My Comic has also been published in several newspapers around the US and the comic book (Orville) has also been distributed across the US. The comic has some great exposure and one area that i've always struggled with was with its online presence.

Because of the avenues this comic has been in, the traffic to my web comic has always made the web comic a high profile site and the site typically receives thousands of hits each month. SO, I have the exposure and momentum already going as well as the the fan base and the content, but what I don't have is the means to present it online. This is where I could use some help or advice.

With that being said, in addition to any advice and help with site development, I am also looking for a temporary or (if interested) dedicated site web master for hodgespond.com If you're interested in the position or just have any advice please let me know.

If you're interested in the web master position (or offering help with code) we can work something out as compensation , just contact me and let me know if that's something your interested in doing. The dedicated web master will also receive full name credit on the site. Thanks ;)

This is the current site: www.hodgespond.com (yes I know its very basic, hence my call for help LOL)

Wow MFF is making their Artist Alley bigger than the dealers den this year. I was thinking about getting a table this year but IF i do go I will probably opt for an artist alley table and save myself the $100 table cost, since the Artist Alley tables are free and they will likely get a better location for business then the people paying to attend as a dealer.

If this continues I am done with MFF. Any other Artist who attended MFF please chime in here: http://forum.furfest.org/index.php?topic=287.0

They are seriously ruining MFF for dealers to the point that many of the artist and vendors you enjoy seeing at MFF will no longer be attending because it wouldn't be with the time and effort to attend.

Way to go MFF.

Hi Everyone, Regarding this : http://www.furaffinity.net/view/7187066/

I wanted to give you all an update on Charlie's condition.


After FC Charlie went in for his initial treatment. The Vet put him first on Antibiotics for 30 days so that when his body begins to deal with killing the worms he doesn't have any bad biological reactions to the body killing off the worms.

After Presidents day in Feb Charlie went for his 1st official heart worm treatment. That went on for 30 days.

Today Charlie went for his 2nd and final treatment which consists of 2 injections of the medicine (which I found out is actually Arsenic) I think its called Immiticide. Anyhow he had a shot today and is having another tomorrow. Charlie has to spend the night at the vets so its my first night in a long time not having Charlie in the house. That felt kind of weird. I miss it when he's not around.

Tomorrow I am picking him up from the vet at 4 pm tomorrow. Once this treatment is over he will have another check up in 6 months with blood work. They are confident this should take care of the heart worms since it was caught early. The next few months will probably be rough (while the worms are dying off etc) but he seems to be doing well according to the vet. While it ended up being an expensive procedure (approx. $1300 with meds and procedures) the money that you all contributed really helped take the edge off that expense. i wanted to thank you all again for all your help. Words will never be enough to say thank you for all that you have done. Charlie and I are very tankful to all of you who contributed and to all who sent well wishes. May you all be richly blessed for your kindness and support.

With much gratitude,

- Balto

Hi all. Looking forward to seeing at Furry Firsta this week. I will be in the Dealers Den hocking my usual wares, con badges, sketches and full color commissions.

I will also have the Hodges Pond political campaign buttons available. Pick one up and show your furry political side. Which party are you? Predator or Prey party?

Please stop by and say hello. See ya at the con. :)

- Balto

It's days like this that really put things in perspective as where you really stand with people...

.. thus ending the most uneventful day of my year. It was everything I expected it to be. Thankfully I can now get on with my 2012.

Regarding this: http://www.furaffinity.net/view/7187066

I wanted to take a moment to thank you all for your generous contributions and for your kind thoughts and well wishes. Words are not enough to express how grateful I am for your help. Never did I imagine this kind of response from the furry community. At best I had only anticipated raising about $200 or so towards this bill.

This was such an unexpected surprise to see the reaction from the furry community. In the past when it came to furries I have always had bad experiences however this time when it really mattered, I was never so happy to be proven wrong. Clearly not everyone in the fandom is bad apple. You my friends were that exception and it warms my heart to know that within the fandom there are such wonderful people in it like yourselves.

With that being said , I am pleased to report that due to your generous contributions I was able to raise well over half of this expense. More than enough to take any worry off this bill for me. I want to express to each and everyone of you who helped, my sincere gratitude. I pray that your kindness and generosity will return to you 1000 times greater and may you also find the same kindness and generosity in your time of need.

Today I took Charlie to the vet and he began his treatment for the heartworns. I was told by the vet that he is doing fine and should make a good recovery. He will undergo a 3 month treatment for this (3 injections of the heartworm medication) It was fortunate I had caught this when I did. Had this been caught much later (which could have easily happened) the outcome would have been more bleak. Oddly enough Charlie is suffering from the canine equivalent of the same scare I personally had in June of 2011 (congestive heart failure in humans) as the heartworms enlarge the heart and reduce thr oxygen in the blood . So I know the severity of how this could have ended and like with myself because it was caught early a disaster was overted.

Again thank you from the bottom of my heart for all you have done. Both Charlie and I appreciate you very very much.

- Balto

I will be at FC this year. I will have available the following:

Con Badges:
http://www.furaffinity.net/full/7022649/
http://www.furaffinity.net/full/6840213/

Sketches:
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/916836/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/857232/

Inks:
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/1014651/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2845542/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2825544/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/1267681/

Full Color:
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/1017847/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/2845557/
http://www.furaffinity.net/view/1747988/


I will also have available my comics and prints.


** NEW for 2012 **

Hodges Political Campaign buttons are now available!

These are 2.24 inch buttons, and are available for $2 each or get the 2 button set for $3. In this election year, show your furry political side. Predator or Prey? Which one are you?

Buttons will be available for pick up (at my dealer's den table) at the following conventions in 2012, FC, Furry Fiesta, Anthrocon and Rainfurrest (other cons pending)

Not attending these cons? Don't worry...

You can still order these buttons by mail. Just send an e-mail to: ArtOfBalto[at]aol.com and let me know where to send your order. Then send payment via PayPal to: orville2@aol.com. Please include an additional $1.75 for shipping.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

See ya there!

- Balto

Just wanted to let people know new Hodges Pond strips will continue in mid January. Taking a 2 week break to get through holidays and FC prep. Thank you all for your support.

Also For those of you who asked the Hodges Pond political campaign buttons are in and available for order more info available here:

http://www.furaffinity.net/view/7088790

Buttons will also be available at my table at the following conventions in 2012:
- FC
- Furry Fiesta
- Anthocon
- Rainfurrest
(other cons still pending)

Hi, I just wanted to send out a note to those who had sent me seasonal cards this year. I just wanted to say thank you and that I appreciate ya very much. Hope you have a good holiday too. *hug*

2011 has probably been the worse year for me ever. I've had to walk alot of dark roads on my own this year. It's hard when you don't have much of a support structure. Perhaps it should have been a sign on how things would end up this year by how it all began. I really don't know what 2012 will hold but I'm hoping things will change, tho I often feel 2012 will just hold more of the same.

Recently I've been feeling the need to hit the reset button once again in my life. I can usually tell when it's time when i start to find myself once more on the outside looking in and once familar faces become distant memories. Having seen the handwriting on the wall (again) I think I'm there now. Tho contrary to popular belief I blame myself though. I sorta suck at relationships So if I've managed to piss people off (and I'm sure I have) I can only say I'm sorry. I just wanted to make that public so that I could set the record straight before I proceed. Perhaps a new start will help. (I'm not going anywhere, I just mean I need to remove or start over with some things) Theres not much left to hold onto anymore.

This song always makes me think about my life and i think sums up how I've been feeling about things lately. Bonus points to who ever can guess where this song is from.


"A New World"

There's a ship sailing out tonight

men and women against the cold

holding each other tight

for a dream yet to unfold


As the shore line fades to black

and you're never going back

There's a new world


There's a ship sailing out to sea

men and women longing to be free

holding in each other's hearts

the promise of a brand new start


And for those we leave behind

you'll be always on our minds

in the new world


But how

will I ever find it?

And how

will I know it when I do?


Been down so many roads before

can't find my way no more

But in the new world...?


There's a ship out there tonight

so close I can feel you near

the time for you and me is right

as we cross the new frontier


And for those we leave behind

you'll be always on our mind

in the new world


How

will I ever find it?

And how

will I know it when I do?


Been down so many roads before

can't find my way no more

But in a new world...?

You know what never ceases to amaze me about human nature? It's how little character and substance seem to matter to people.

its so rare to find people who really put any stock in a persons character or integrity. Enough so to look past anyones imperfections. In most peoples eyes the "perfect friend" has no flaws, is always there whenever YOU need him and knows what YOU want and never asks or needs anything from YOU. People may deny it but thats what they want and look for in relationships. its nice to deny it but its a fact of human nature only care about #1.

I think part of this is due to the internet and the ability we now have as a society to reach across the nation to more people that we'd normally find in our own back yard. This can be a good thing and a bad thing. Unfortunately (in my experiences) all the internet has manages to do is destroy the value of true friendship. The internet has provided us when an endless supply of "disposable friends" and I believe this has diminished the need for people to building deep and meaningful relationships. After all who needs to care about anyone or things like substance and character when you can just turn on your computer and talk to to anyone when you want to hang out or talk or do anything and finding friends that don't require any effort to maintain so that it would distract the focus from "#1". Then the best part about having friends on tap is once any relationship requires that you care or put any effort or self in to the relationship you can always move on to another and let the good times roll.

Now I don't claim to be perfect but I often try to put some thought in to how people might feel (I'm not always right but I try) I think people have lost the ability to genuinely care or have any degree of compassion for people and realize theres more to life that "playing" and "fun times". Its about the bonds we make with people on this short time we have. Bonds aren't defined by words like FUN or Good times, but rather by words like Loyalty and compassion. Im never amazed by how quick people write other off as soon as a "friend" becomes high maintenance, TRUE friendships are not defined in the good times they are defined in the darkest hours. Friends don't leave you alone with you back against the wall but rather stand at your side when everyone else abandons you. Are we all perfect? No, far from it. I know I am far from perfect and I've made my mistakes as a friend, but one thing I know is I give a damn about people who I call friends, If I'm wrong for expecting people to treat me with the same respect and considerationI show them, well I guess Im just wrong. Its just sometimes disheartening when the people you call friends don't seem to return the same kindness and consideration you show them.

It's so rare to find people who actually put effort in keeping friendships and relationships and not be so quick to avoid you as soon as your friendship starts to become an inconvenience and or starts to interfere with their "fun"

Franky, I make no secret about where I stand with people, I am loyal and kind to people (yes and an occasional pain in the ass) but all I ask is that people show me the same consideration I show them, and don't play mind games with me. if that's too much to ask then maybe I'm not some one you want to be friends with, just don't lead me on. Nothing is more frustrating for me than to have to "wonder" what your intentions are based on the mixed signals I get" If you are not clear with me then I have nothing but your actions to go by so don't be surprised if the "perception" of your actions is the reality I conclude. Id rather you state where you stand with me and be done with it already, rather than drag it out because you're worried about what you might have to "give up" by losing me as a friend.

Anyhow that's a wrap. Now you know what my perspective on friendships. Thanks for reading.