After the layoff, the meaning of
Odd Todd's cartoons completely changed for me. For the longest time I watched his cartoons with a smile on my face but the deep sarcasm, and the sad human condition that lends itself to such sharp humor was still too far out of my reach. I followed his cartoons pretty closely in the next eight months as I too became a strange creature that wakes up in the morning, but a little too late for a normal person. A New Yorker that had a breakfast but had no early bus or train to catch, no work to go to and no coworkers to complain about. In a way it was a huge relief; on the other hand it became harder and harder to find things to complain about because there was so little in my life.
My job title changed from Flash Tech Lead / Internet Consultant to Aspiring Painter, Writer, Loser overnight. I was willing to let myself go though; it was as if I wanted to see if there was a bottom to the pit I had feared so much for so long. I was in the pit now, and slipping down slowly but I wanted to find out how deep this pit went and if I could hit the rock bottom after all --after all these years of almost impeccable record and good reputation.
Odd Todd's merit lies in his ability to turn his misery into art and also make some money from it. You should check out his new book, I really liked it. I am also tempted to buy his mugs and other merchandise.
