This site has been up and running pretty consistently since 2007. That's kind of amazing to me. In all that time, I have not taken the time to explain where the name comes from. Figured now is good a time as any.
![](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5a830767a803bbddda989808/t/609f12dc7377244618c41df0/1621037788641/1000w/) |
the actual LBM in question |
During my semester in Rome in college, we spent a lot of time traveling. Go figure. As I was studying German, our class spent a few days of immersion time in Germany. Once of the things I was excited to do was shop at a
KaDeWe. It's like a giant department store, but unlike ours in the states its not just clothes, shoes and appliances... Not wanting to come back home with a ton of stuff I got a few small things, in this case, a tiny black permanent marker. I used it throughout my time in Europe and have kept it since then.
While I was in Rome, I started doing short comics based on some of our experiences, both exciting and daily life. I had thought that perhaps I would keep doing them and make it into something, but it never really got off the ground.
![](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5a830767a803bbddda989808/t/609f12dc7377244618c41df4/1621037788641/1000w/) |
I had longer hair then. |
I designed myself and tried to get caricatures of the people that I hung out with established.
![](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5a830767a803bbddda989808/t/609f12dc7377244618c41df8/1621037788641/1000w/) |
not sure why this is the answer. |
In total there are only about 10 short comics, in various stages of completeness. Figured I would share a few here. Most are inside jokes from our time in Rome.
![](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5a830767a803bbddda989808/t/609f12dc7377244618c41dfc/1621037788641/1000w/) |
Joanne and I sunbathing on campus. |
![](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5a830767a803bbddda989808/t/609f12dc7377244618c41e00/1621037788641/1000w/) |
the cycle of exhausted study and overwhelmed travel |
![](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5a830767a803bbddda989808/t/609f12dc7377244618c41e04/1621037788641/1000w/) |
some girls thought the teachers were hot |
![](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5a830767a803bbddda989808/t/609f12dc7377244618c41e08/1621037788641/1000w/) |
our RA was kind of a nut |
![](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5a830767a803bbddda989808/t/609f12dc7377244618c41e0c/1621037788641/1000w/) |
the famous gelato incident |
![](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5a830767a803bbddda989808/t/609f12dc7377244618c41e10/1621037788641/1000w/) |
random d&d story |
Looking at these is just another reminder of the progression of skill over time. A lot of time.
Keep working on yourself.