Hey guys.

I'm absolutely exhausted and have been fighting a migraine all day-- and a dislocated rib, thanks to my enthusiastic child -- but I wanted to let you know that I have been very slowly working on the things I need to.

I have a paperchild for  Nahia that just needs laminating, a sketch I need to get to Kiba for approval so I can ink the dang thing and three badges that I'm halfway through colors on. I upgraded the three badges to being on bristol with backgrounds, which is part of what's taking so long with them. It's been longer than I realized since I worked with bristol/illustration board, and I've had to start over a few times after completely screwing up and thinking I could use my markers properly on it.

I also apologize for not having posted anything recently. I've been drawing, sketching and doodling... and I know that this is a common fear among artists, especially those who take commissions-- but I haven't wanted to post any of my personal stuff because I'm kinda paranoid that it'll come off as my not working on my business stuff.

Art aside, life has been completely exhausting. I have some kind of chest cold, a pounding headache and Eli (who still has another 7 weeks before he's supposed to be born) dislocated one of my ribs. There's nothing quite like the feeling of finally getting the damn thing to pop back into place and then having something kick it, full-force, from inside you. And also, nothing like the feeling of your rib trying to grate against your other ribs. Part of the reason this is so bad for me, particularly, is because when I was younger I fractured three of my ribs and separated the cartiledge between them. I guess this makes it easier for the specific rib that's doing this to slip in and out of place. The worst part is that the most I can do for it is to keep as still as possible (which if you know me, is not an easy thing), keep on on pain management for it and rest.

But wait! I mentioned having a chest cold. Which means that holding still isn't exactly an option, what with the hacking, gurgling cough that I've got. That I have to be sure doesn't turn into bronchitis or pneumonia, because my immune system is sort of trashed right now, what with gestating a not-so-tiny human and all.

Then there's the scarring that's ripping itself up while things are growing/moving, the chance of major surgery in my future and the inability to walk down the stairs at my apartments without feeling like someone's road-hauled me.

I know that none of you probably *want* to know about the extent of my current health, but I feel like I should share at least a bit so you all know why I haven't been being a good monkey and getting my work done promptly.

- Loki (and Eli, who's doing an alien impression right now and making my stomach move.)