We got a new Fishie TV on Feb 20th. It’s now part of an aquaponics system, but the fish are a LOT of fun and have tons of personality.

It came with a ninja clown loach (Hattori Hanzou, or Hanz for short), a Kissing Gourami (Mick Jagger), a Leopard ctenopoma/African leaf fish (Edgar), a panda corydora (Edison), an albino corydora (Tesla), a bronze corydora (Marconi), a spotted corydora (Einstein), a panda barb (Confucius), and four silver dollars (Loony, Toony, Quarter, and Half Dollar). I was going to put my black neon tetras and otocincluses in there, but then Edgar yawned, and I decided that was a bad idea (Could swallow a shooting marble WHOLE). Hanz was a ninja and managed to survive stuck in a rock for the entire drive here, even though I had never seen him until a week later (and frankly, thought him dead).

I’ve since added a pleco that I’ve name Sir Oreck of Hoover (Orrie for short). I also added 3 neon rainbows in with the black neon tetras in the 20 gallon tank, and may throw them in the big tank once they grow up. Depending on how big they get, of course.

And yes, I frequently shove my nose against the glass and watch them. They’ve started to get used to it.

I submitted a coloured version of My Dreams Are the Best to the Phoenix ComiCon Badge Art contest.

I also submitted the art and content for my own iPhone app that was developed and submitted by Onezumi and Harknell (They rock!). Unfortunately, Apple has currently rejected the app that merely displays my comic, twitter and blog feeds because I put a Donation button for PayPal on my site.. When I was unemployed.

*Insert long blank stare at Apple*

Anyways, Onezumi and Harknell have responded with a justification, so, we’ll see. That may go up soon… And I just changed the button to say “Like my comic? Send chai!”

I think I’ve also mostly finished the aquaponics project – a couple things need to be re-arranged so that a grow bed sits nicely around two of the air tubes. This is what it looks like:

I’ve been blogging about it on the Em2a Studios Blog.

I found a 55 gallon fish tank with the full set up and including fish on Craigslist. This worked out really well for me, since I was planning to upgrade my 20 gallon and start an aquaponics system. It was very well priced, and she was willing to let me pick it up when I wanted to – on February 20th.

Naturally, because we were moving heavy objects, it was raining that day. In Arizona. I think we were draining the last of the tank when a loud submarine pong went off. I look behind me and it’s raining. We’re all laughing and she says “That was either a real submarine, or I got a text message.” I didn’t see the water levels up to the 3rd floor where we were at, so it was pretty safe to assume she got a text message. Either way, I still found it really funny.

Upcoming appearances!
I will be sharing a table with the fantastic artist, Zach Reddy, of PaleoComics.com for Phoenix ComiCon May 27th – 30th, 2010, located at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

I will also be attending Intervention September 10th – 12th, 2010, at the Hilton Washington DC/Rockville, Maryland.

More information as it becomes available, and I’ll certainly remind you guys later on!

To those who do come out to see me, keep in mind that I’m used to working conventions as part of the crew, not a boothie… So… Please don’t scare the shy artist person. Not yet, any way

So, I ask you, my precious readers: Is there anything you would like to see turned into a print? So far, I’m planning on Snozzberries and Corset Gaming. Anything else? I’m sure there will be new things, but I need to know so I can start getting things off to print.

Ready.. Set… Comment!

Thanks, guys
~Emma

Guest comic written and drawn by Mandy L.

I know this to have actually happened. Mandy and I used to work at the grocery store together. You’d be amazed. I don’t envy the poor management.

Transcript:
Angry customer (AC): Rawr! Money now!
Clerk:

Clerk: !
AC: I need my money you refused me! Who’s Ur manager?

Manager: !!!
AC: Ur customer service sucks. This place is falling apart. Nothing works. Gimme money!

Manager: !!$!
AC: U charged 10¢ more than the tag. I want it free!

Manager: *blink blink* !?!

Manager: What?

Manager: You greedy pathetic cheapskate Son of a Bitch. You dare to come in here and insult me and berate me over 10¢?!

Manager: Well listen up you crusty fat shit eating, tea bagging, scum sucking shit head! No, you cannot have it for free! You can just go straight to hell you dirty M*@$ F#cking A@$ hole!

AC: Well can I still have me 10¢?

HERE! Now Go Away!

Insert Sarah McLachlan’s song “Do What You Have To Do.”

I did some mental house cleaning recently. One of the things I let go of was the idea of Orion as a real person. This doesn’t mean that he will leave my comic in any way. I still say if I’m going to make myself a boyfriend in this, I might as well make him a Greek God. This also keeps any possible romantic drama out of my comic. I just got re-acquainted with his purpose in my life, and decided to keep him in fantasy where he belongs.

I release you, my heart. Return to the Universe.

Girl geeks unite.

Lots of people pictured, lots of people meant to be pictured.. But… They’re in the other room getting more ice cream.. And a couple people that I started drawing and then they turned into other people. Don’t judge!

Idea totally started because of @GlitterAbuser… And none of us wanting to get out of bed and put pants on.

Late, but totally worth it. Plans are in the works to finish colouring as a wallpaper. I’ll keep y’all posted on that.

“Thoughted up” by Scott C. and Mandy.

This is what I got for leaving my sketchbook out when I lived with Mandy.

I found this while rummaging around for an old sketch of mine. I realized that I have a lot of unposted and unfinished comics. I think I’m going to post them for a bit while I work on a special one (that may even become available as a wallpaper *gasp!*).

Totally came about from a conversation with @SteelDreams. She was telling me about the theory that da Vince painted himself as the Mona Lisa. This is the scenario that popped into my head.

I should also mention that her beta fish at work is named DaVinci.

Kimiko has got to be the best cake sculptor I’ve ever met. She makes one of these for everyone’s birthday, too. This one was for me

Thanks, Kimiko!