Today in 3 Panels, by Dean Mang-Wooley

Panel 1 image: Dean is staring at a blank sketchbook with a pencil in their hand. Panel 1 text: Trying to think of something--anything--to draw about.... Panel 2 image: close up of actor Hugh Laurie's face. Panel 2 text: But all I can think about is Hugh Laurie in 'Blackadder.' Panel 3 image: Dean smiles dreamily, resting their chin in their hands. Panel 3 text: Damn that British funnyman and his wide horsey smile.

Distraction

Sep 2, 2008

Panel 1 image: a cricket in a sink, near the drain. Panel 1 text: There was a cricket in the studio sink. Panel 2 image: Dean, with their hands clasped in front of them, looking concerned. Panel 2 text: I scooped it up in my wet hands and headed outside. Panel 3: A close-up image of the cricket lying on its side on the ground. Panel 3 text: It died before I reached the door.

Cricket

Sep 26, 2008

Dean, aka Rita, is sitting in front of a campfire with their uncle. Their uncle tells them: "you're so skilled. I really...respect you." Dean rests their chin on their hand and thinks to themself: "wow."

The uncle who never talks to me

Aug 2, 2008

Petting manta rays: "This is the happiest I've ever been"

Vancouver rays

May 9, 2016

Dean is sleeping face-down in their bed. Jordan comes into their room and says: "Hey Rita! It's 3 o'clock!" Dean looks up and says: "That's ridiculous!"

3 in the afternoon

Oct 14, 2008

Dean and their friends are playing Pictionary. Dean is drawing a picture and their friend Joelle is guessing what it is. Dean draws a picture of a baby, a plus sign, a downward-facing arrow, and a person with a prominent butt sitting down. Joelle guesses: "Baby butt? Baby...bum? Baby...Ass baby?" Dean looks at Joelle and says: "ASS BABY?"

Pictionary

Oct 12, 2008

Dean is on the main floor of their house. They hear their dad yell from the basement: "Something down here just REEKS!" Dean goes down to the basement and thinks: "I don't smell anything." They smell their own underarm and think: "Maybe it smells exactly like me."

Reek

Sep 17, 2008

Dean is volunteering at a one day camp for 9 to 13 year olds. They are standing near two children who are smiling and laughing. Dean thinks: "Man, these 9 to 13 year olds are awesome. Wait! When did I get so old? When did I get so boring?"

Peace camp, Calgary Unitarian Church

Aug 12, 2008

Dean sees a newspaper on a table. Dean says: "Hmm?" The newspaper headline reads: "Angry kids may suffer defiance disorder." Dean gets angry and slams their fist down on the table, saying: "Oh, what the HELL?"

Defiance

Aug 5, 2008

"Is it too much to ask for a normal public transit experience?"

Impatience

May 8, 2016

Panel 1 image: Dean stands between 2 anonymous people, holding the strap of their shoulder bag with both hands. Panel 1 text: I stick out like a sore thumb here with my blue jeans and ratty shoulder-bag.... Panel 2 image: 3 people sit together at a table and talk. There is food in front of them, and table settings that include many utensils. Panel 2 text: Surrounded by important people who know which fork to use for which course. Panel 3 image: Dean sits alone, looking uncomfortable. Panel 3 text: Funny that I feel so alone and out of place at a lecture on identity.

Class (self) consciousness

Oct 3, 2008

Dean is talking to their mom on her birthday. Dean says: "You are 48 years old. How do you feel?" Dean's mom says: "Old. My sister didn't get to be 45."

Birthday blues

Oct 13, 2008