61/100 Stef * * Since she was seven years old, Stef has loved camp. Her summers at camp built in her a strong belief that getting away from regular everyday life and immersing oneself in new experiences is crucial to a balanced and happy self. Or selves. When camp was over, she always felt she was returning home as someone new. She is the owner and operator of a skateboarding camp for girls called Camp Ollie. Her wife Darlene is also in the camp business, Camp Wah-Wah, a rock-n-roll camp for kids, and two weeks out of the year, for adults. Last year they got matching tattoos across their knuckles — CAMP on their left hands, LIFE on the right. They are collaborating on a book on how to start your own camp. They want to start a movement. #100daysofcartoonheadshots #madeupbiographies #pamtoons #the100dayproject #thankyoulyndabarry #cartoon #writing * (Inspired by Lynda Barry and her (totally freaking amazing) Writing the Unthinkable workshop at the Omega Institute.)
60/100
Helena
*
*
Helena’s fifteen year old daughter Max hates her right now. Right now and all the time, actually. How does Helena know? The eye rolls, the scoffy exhalations of air, the silences, the slammed doors, the texting her best friend right after Helena asks her to do something. The way the air between them feels. There is a war, but Helena is a conscientious objector. She knows engaging in the fight will serve no good end. She is patiently waiting for Max to turn thirty. The wine helps.
#100daysofcartoonheadshots
#madeupbiographies
#pamtoons
#the100dayproject
#thankyoulyndabarry #cartoon #writing
*
(Inspired by Lynda Barry and her (totally freaking amazing) Writing the Unthinkable workshop at the Omega Institute.)
59/100
Trudy
*
*
Trudy loves popcorn. She has always loved popcorn. When they were kids, Trudy and her sister Judy would make giant bowls of it every day after school and experiment with different toppings — mac and cheese powdered cheese packets, gummy bears, crushed up Doritos, pixie sticks, hot cocoa mix. Every time Trudy declared her love for popcorn, Judy would say, ‘… then why don’t you marry it?’ She did better than that — she built a regional popcorn empire called Tru Luv ’s Popping Corn. The company’s television commercials are a local favorite — Trudy, Judy, and their brother Rudy dress as ears of corn and bicker about who knows more about popcorn. Their popcorn of the month club is shipped all over the world. It’s a good life.
#100daysofcartoonheadshots
#madeupbiographies
#pamtoons
#the100dayproject
#thankyoulyndabarry #cartoon #writing
*
(Inspired by Lynda Barry and her (totally freaking amazing) Writing the Unthinkable workshop at the Omega Institute.)
58/100
Bette
*
*
Bette is not big on Halloween, but the ad agency where she works is. Not only is it expected that everyone will dress up, each department chooses a theme and competes against each other. It is serious business. Coordinating with her co-workers and choosing the right costume stresses her out. Plus, she has a ton of work to do and resents the interruption. This year, her department chose retro McDonaldland characters as their theme (McDonald’s is a client). She made up a character — The Hamburgler’s Wife. She cut holes in a sleep mask and called it a day. The art department won again, like they always do.
#100daysofcartoonheadshots
#madeupbiographies
#pamtoons
#the100dayproject
#thankyoulyndabarry #cartoon #writing
*
(Inspired by Lynda Barry and her (totally freaking amazing) Writing the Unthinkable workshop at the Omega Institute.)
57/100
Marilyn
*
*
Marilyn’s recent dabbling in genealogy turned up a surprise — she is a distant cousin of Martin Scorsese. Always proud of her Sicilian-American heritage, this discovery has deepened her pride and spawned a small-business. Marilyn is the founder of Marty Was Here! Tours. For $125/person, Marilyn and her son Tony will take you around New York on a tour of locations seen in Mean Streets and Taxi Driver. The tour concludes with a Sicilian feast prepared and served by Marilyn’s mother-in-law, Isabella in Marilyn’s backyard. Tour length is six hours. Tour size limited to eight people.
#100daysofcartoonheadshots
#madeupbiographies
#pamtoons
#the100dayproject
#thankyoulyndabarry #cartoon #writing
*
(Inspired by Lynda Barry and her (totally freaking amazing) Writing the Unthinkable workshop at the Omega Institute.)
56/100
Gary
*
*
Gary comes from a family of musicians going back generations — two guitarists, a banjoist, two pianists, a cellist, four singers, three songwriters, an oboist, a bassist, two trumpeters, a tenor saxophonist, a harpist, and a flautist. From the first moment his mom (the banjoist) put a Fisher Price xylophone in front of him, Gary rejected making music. They needed an audience. They needed reeds and picks and strings and their sheet music. So he went supportive and peripheral. He dropped out of college and became a roadie for Jane’s Addiction, and ultimately helped run Lollapalooza the two years. He now owns his own recording studio. Sundays are family days.
#100daysofcartoonheadshots
#madeupbiographies
#pamtoons
#the100dayproject
#thankyoulyndabarry #cartoon #writing
*
(Inspired by Lynda Barry and her (totally freaking amazing) Writing the Unthinkable workshop at the Omega Institute.)
55/100
Kale
*
*
Kale has stopped trying to get people to pronounce her name correctly, which, for the record, is ‘Kah-lee.’ Things weren’t that bad before kale became a superfood. It doesn’t help that she’s a produce manager at Whole Foods. Customers and vendors are confused, then amused. The jokes are as endless as they are bad. She thinks kale is ridiculous and best left where it came from — salad bar landscaping. Her dark leafy green of choice is swiss chard.
#100daysofcartoonheadshots
#madeupbiographies
#pamtoons
#the100dayproject
#thankyoulyndabarry #cartoon #writing
*
(Inspired by Lynda Barry and her (totally freaking amazing) Writing the Unthinkable workshop at the Omega Institute.)
54/100
Sandy
*
*
The morning of his 48th birthday, Sandy woke in a panic, distressed that so much life had gone by, so fast. He made a promise to himself to not waste a single day from there on out. The first thing he did was find a therapist to help him work through some unresolved grief that he felt was holding him back. Then he quit his job at the insurance company. Then he sold his condo in the city and bought a small cabin up north. Then he started playing the drums. Then he taught himself carpentry with some Time Life books that came with the cabin. Then he spent three months on a solo biking and camping trip across the Southern United States. On the last day of his trip he fell in love with a woman who pulled over to help after his bike trailer came unhitched, scattering his gear and supplies into the road. At 50, he married for the first time. Now 52, he is the father of a one year old son. Sandy has already bought him his own tiny drum kit.
#100daysofcartoonheadshots
#madeupbiographies
#pamtoons
#the100dayproject
#thankyoulyndabarry #cartoon #writing
*
(Inspired by Lynda Barry and her (totally freaking amazing) Writing the Unthinkable workshop at the Omega Institute.)
53/100
Suzette
*
*
At the urging of a stylish co-worker, Suzette joined an online personal shopping service called BettrAftr. The most recent shipment contained a pencil skirt, cigarette pants, and a top with cut out shoulders, which is a bit more exposed than her usual style, which her stylish co-worker describes as ’don’t look at me, stop looking at me.’ She wore the new top to her family’s annual sauerkraut making party last weekend. She got razzed all afternoon about it: ‘Is that so the birds know where to aim their poop?’ said her uncle Alfred ‘They put the holes in the wrong spot,’ said Hellmuth, a longtime family friend ‘those should be down in front!’ Her mom’s reaction was, ‘Did you get that at Frederick’s of Hollywood?’ Suzette has decided to send the top back.
#100daysofcartoonheadshots
#madeupbiographies
#pamtoons
#the100dayproject
#thankyoulyndabarry #cartoon #writing
*
(Inspired by Lynda Barry and her (totally freaking amazing) Writing the Unthinkable workshop at the Omega Institute.)
Thanks @flipngreenwichvillage for letting me borrow the sauerkraut party idea.
52/100
Meg
*
*
Meg studied fashion at Parsons School of Design but found she was bored when it came to designing anything worn from the neck down. So she dropped out to make hats for Cirque du Soleil, which she did for most of her twenties and thirties. Her specialty was a design she calls the caterpillar beehive. She just turned forty and wants a new challenge. She is leaving the circus and starting her own hat company, launching with a line of less theatrical versions of her signature chapeau. Her company is called Caterpillar Beehive, of course.
#100daysofcartoonheadshots
#madeupbiographies
#pamtoons
#the100dayproject
#thankyoulyndabarry #cartoon #writing
*
(Inspired by Lynda Barry and her (totally freaking amazing) Writing the Unthinkable workshop at the Omega Institute.)
51/100 Amit * * Amit is a recently retired high school English teacher. When his retirement was announced, there were cheers in teacher lounges across the school district. Not because he was a bad teacher who had worn out his welcome — he was an innovative and passionate one, loved by students, administrators, and fellow faculty — but because for the last twelve years Amit has been the recipient of the Educator of the Year award. Now the others finally have a god damn chance. #100daysofcartoonheadshots #madeupbiographies #pamtoons #the100dayproject #thankyoulyndabarry #cartoon #writing * (Inspired by Lynda Barry and her (totally freaking amazing) Writing the Unthinkable workshop at the Omega Institute.)
50/100
Patti
*
*
Patti is three days in to her new summer job as a ‘mother’s helper’ on a farm in Ohio. She is learning that what helping means in reality is different than what it sounded like in the ad. In addition to her main duty, caring for their five year old daughter (who is an asshole), her bosses expect Patti to do farm chores. Yesterday they taught her how to muck out horse stalls. Today, it was collecting eggs. She heard talk of baling hay later in the week. She wonders why they didn’t also advertise for a farmer’s helper. Before her arrival, Patti’s bedroom was the cat-breeding room. It still is. At the foot of her bed is a wall of wire cages, four wide by four high, full of manx cats, a social and gregarious breed she has been told. Their mewling makes it impossible to sleep. She is planning her escape. And theirs.
#100daysofcartoonheadshots
#madeupbiographies
#pamtoons
#the100dayproject
#thankyoulyndabarry #cartoon #writing
(Inspired by Lynda Barry and her (totally freaking amazing) Writing the Unthinkable workshop at the Omega Institute.)
49/100
Kristi
*
*
When Kristi was 27 she got a phone call from a friend she had not spoken to since high school. He was calling from Reykjavik and he wanted to apologize. While they were catching up, Kristi scanned her memory for ways he might have wronged her. She came up empty. “Apologize? You don’t have anything to apologize for,” she said. So he didn’t. Soon after, they hung up. Today, twenty years later, she thought of this conversation and wishes she had heard him out.
#100daysofcartoonheadshots
#madeupbiographies
#pamtoons
#the100dayproject
#thankyoulyndabarry #cartoon #writing
*
(Inspired by Lynda Barry and her (totally freaking amazing) Writing the Unthinkable workshop at the Omega Institute.)
48/100 Roy * * It was clear to Roy’s family early on that he was a natural performer. He was always singing and making up skits and plays. He was the lead in all the high school productions, and for the past two years has been taking theater classes at Tri-County Community College. His final project, which he wrote, directed, and stars in, premieres tomorrow night at the TCCC auditorium. It’s Sling Blade The Musical, based on the 1996 Academy Award-winning movie written by, directed by, and starring Billy Bob Thornton. Nobody knows quite what to expect. #100daysofcartoonheadshots #madeupbiographies #pamtoons #the100dayproject #thankyoulyndabarry #cartoon #writing * (Inspired by Lynda Barry and her (totally freaking amazing) Writing the Unthinkable workshop at the Omega Institute.)
47/100
*
*
Last month, Jill’s parents, who are in their late seventies and have been married for forty five years, informed her they were divorcing. They gave her a week to absorb the news before telling her they were both in love with other people. People who happen to be their next door neighbors of three decades. Her father has since moved in with Joan Nemis — wheeling his clothes and books in a wheelbarrow across the backyard to the Nemis’s patio door. While Bob Nemis has filled the same wheelbarrow with his belongings, rolling back across the backyard, up to the mudroom door of Jill’s childhood home. There is no acrimony. They still have dinner together on Thursday nights, like always. Jill has many questions.
#100daysofcartoonheadshots
#madeupbiographies
#pamtoons
#the100dayproject
#thankyoulyndabarry #cartoon #writing
*
(Inspired by Lynda Barry and her (totally freaking amazing) Writing the Unthinkable workshop at the Omega Institute.)
46/100
Filipe
*
*
As a kid, Filipe was always throwing his body around. He used to drive his mother most crazy with his constant ‘stair flying’ — jumping from the top step to the bottom of any staircase. In the house, at the library, in the mall, in the train station. He’d lift off, leaping gracefully, arms outstretched for balance, right leg out in front to slow the impact. Sometimes he’d land perfectly, most times, he did not. Miraculously, he caused more property damage than physical harm. He’s now Denzel Washington’s go to stunt double. And last week, Idris Elba’s people called.
#100daysofcartoonheadshots
#madeupbiographies
#pamtoons
#the100dayproject
#thankyoulyndabarry #cartoon #writing
*
(Inspired by Lynda Barry and her (totally freaking amazing) Writing the Unthinkable workshop at the Omega Institute.)
46/100
Olivia
*
*
Olivia is a gynecologist. For two decades she has served her patients with warmth, compassion, and good humor. Last year she was catapulted into the public eye after the publication of an article she wrote for The New York Times Style section, called, Let It Grow: The Wild Bush Manifesto, in which she passionately (and humorously) made the case for why women should, as she wrote, ‘go organic down there.’ It caused quite an uproar. There were competing hashtags on Twitter #wildbush versus #manicuredlawn within an hour of it appearing online. She was invited to The Today Show, Ellen, and The View. Things have calmed down a lot since then.
#100daysofcartoonheadshots
#madeupbiographies
#pamtoons
#the100dayproject
#thankyoulyndabarry #cartoon #writing
*
(Inspired by Lynda Barry and her (totally freaking amazing) Writing the Unthinkable workshop at the Omega Institute.)
44/100 Diamond * * When Diamond was born, his mom was deep into her Neil Diamond obsession. As a kid, his name embarrassed him. He felt ridiculous. People called him Liberace. He longed for a regular name like Mike or Charlie or Jim, but he has since grown to love his name. Today, Diamond works as a LGBTQ+ suicide intervention counselor. He feels his name gives him an advantage, when he introduces himself, people pay attention. “I’m here to listen,” he says, “I want to help. Tell me how it is for you right now.” And they do. ***** National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255 ***** #100daysofcartoonheadshots #madeupbiographies #pamtoons #the100dayproject #thankyoulyndabarry #cartoon #writing * (Inspired by Lynda Barry and her (totally freaking amazing) Writing the Unthinkable workshop at the Omega Institute.)
43/100
Chet
*
*
Chet has been an electrician for thirty years. Before he struck out on his own, he spent a weekend brainstorming business names. His top two possibilities were So Wired! and Chetricity, but then he heard Eddy Grant on the radio and decided to go with Electric Avenue Electrical. Chet’s claim to fame is accidentally ending up in a Miller High Life commercial in 1986. One night, during his partying days, he tied one on at Town Tavern and ‘fell asleep’ in the back booth. When he came to and sat upright, they were filming. If you watch closely, you’ll see him eleven seconds in, looking sleepy and bewildered.
#100daysofcartoonheadshots
#madeupbiographies
#pamtoons
#the100dayproject
#thankyoulyndabarry #cartoon #writing
*
(Inspired by Lynda Barry and her (totally freaking amazing) Writing the Unthinkable workshop at the Omega Institute.)
42/100 LadyDye * * LadyDye is a graffiti artist, known for her distinctively joyful work. Her latest project is YELL.O. YELL.O is both a shout for happiness and a kind of Hell No! to those who have used yellow in harmful and racist ways. She covers massive surfaces in yellow paint in the darkest hours of the night. Bridges, high rises, subway tunnels, and once, all the cars in the long term parking lot at JFK. Yellow. The color of sun flowers and autumn leaves, of egg yolks and bananas, of rain slickers and rubber duckies, of canary feathers and lemons, of butter and bees. Of the sun. #100daysofcartoonheadshots #madeupbiographies #pamtoons #the100dayproject #thankyoulyndabarry #cartoon #writing * (Inspired by Lynda Barry and her (totally freaking amazing) Writing the Unthinkable workshop at the Omega Institute.)