The following is from Bruin (profile) of 'Bear With Me' (website - articles): "There are a couple of things revealed in this week's strip: #1 - The callous disregard Karl and his father show to those they consider weak and unable to contribute to their needs, and; #2 - Paul's newly discovered self-assertiveness. The first is absolutely chilling, considering how Mr. Lynde and Karl virtually abandoned Mrs. Lynde in her final hours, while the second produces cheers all around".

Here I go again with the apologies, however I'm still playing catch up. There's been quite a few things happening that's been taking all of my attention.

Ok, here are a couple of blurbs written up by cartoonist Bruin (profile) about his excellent 'toon 'Bear With Me' (website - articles). First write-up is in relation to the June 1st strip: "here is a duality within each of us: How we envision ourselves, and how we wish we could be. Paul is realizing that, with his current self-image, he cannot overcome his fears and doubts, but teamed up with the confidence, strength and determination that he'd like to have, he has the potential to overcome his inner demons. Would that our own dreamscapes were so therapeutic".

And here is the write-up for the June 8th strip: "In his dream, Paul confronts his father and brother, who embody all his childhood fears and traumas; only this time, emboldened by his new-found confidence, the outcome is different than it has been in the past... and far more cathartic. Go get 'em, Paul!".

The following is from Bruin of 'Bear With Me' (website - articles - profile): "Paul continues in his dreamscape. He has fallen into a pit of despair, and only the dashing Capt. Hirsute can save him. However, considering his luck dealing with Paul's father and brother, there is a question as to whether the Captain is 'real' enough to catch Paul. The current strip answers that question, while raising another: Who 'is' Capt. Hirsute under the mask? Is it Andy? If not Andy, then who?".

The past few episodes of  'Bear With Me' (website - articles) have been spent introducing a flying Captain Hirsute, the masked superhero in Paul's dreams. Last week, the Captain sensed danger and flew to the aid of a citizen. This week, he is in for a big surprise once he realizes he is a superhero ghost...?

Cartoonist Bruin (profile) asks us: "Will the Captain intervene? Will the villains suffer? How will the hapless citizen thank his hero? For the answer to these and other questions, log in on Mondays for the next episode of 'Bear With Me'...!".

It's a bird! It's a plane! No... it's a flying Bear - Captain Hirsute; the latest character in Bear With Me, a cartoon by Bruin (profile). The following is from Bruin: "Paul, calmed by Andy's presence, has fallen into a contented dream state, where heroes are bigger than life. But, who is this mysterious masked man? Whoever he is, he flies, he's furry, and he's FAAAAbulous! Stay tuned, faithful readers, things may get hairy".

Time to check in on 'Bear With Me' (website - articles), a weekly cartoon drawn by Bruin (profile). Here's this week's synopsis from the cartoonist himself:

"Last week, Paul rejected Andy's proposal of marriage, and Andy was none too happy about it. Andy can take rejection, what he reacted to was Paul's reason for turning him down. This week, Andy lets Paul have it, with his own view on their relationship, ending with his own 'You complete me' moment, reducing Paul to a romantic puddle of goo. No wonder Andy is such a successful business man: he knows how to close a deal".
 

The following is from cartoonist Bruin (profile) of 'Bear With Me' (website - articles): "Paul awakens, panicked by a dream, possibly reliving the beating that was served him by his brother. Fortunately, Andy is nearby to offer comfort. It seems this is the first time that the reality of his presence registers with Paul, because his reaction is one of surprise and gratitude. Who wouldn't want to be held in Paul's muscular arms, pressed to that massive chest?".

The following is from cartoonist Bruin (profile) of 'Bear With Me' (website - articles), a great Bear 'toon updated every Monday: "In this episode, we meet Paul's chief physician, Dr. Kent Clark, who reports that while Paul is recovering well physically, the violent attack against him may have left injuries that cannot be helped with sutures, bandages or splints".

Check out 'Bear With Me' (website - articles) every week as the comic strip is updated every Monday. The following is from the cute cartoonist Bruin (profile): "In this week's strip, Andy attempts to intercede on Paul's behalf, only to be blocked by the hospital's policy regarding access to immediate family. Andy flirts briefly with 'The Dark Side', before deciding on a different approach, setting the stage for a new storyline, filled with hazards of its own".

Bruin (profile) of 'Bear With Me' (website - articles) is informing us that there's some added 'bells and whistles' on his webpage, such as the cartoonist's bio, bios of the characters and an overview of the strip. As well, this week's update has been added (new updates are added every Monday), and Andy finds out that he's not up for assault, however the reason behind this news is somewhat bittersweet. Make sure to follow 'Bear With Me' every week.

What would life be without our Bear cartoons...? One does not realize just how much joy these little boxed drawings bring us. We anticipate the next strip and gobble up these frozen frames that are filled with characters we begin to relate with. So for those in need of a bit of Bear Cartoon loving, here's a couple of updates for you.

First let's start with Becoming Blizzard the story about a Polar Bear who's a little unsure about his sexual orientation, yet is seems that Blizzard is beginning to realize what he likes as he meets up with Bob. However things are about to get all that much more interesting with a whole new episode called 'Daddy Dearest'. Cartoonist Rondall Carson informed me that some new characters are going to be introduced, a Daddy and his slave, meanwhile things will be steaming up for Blizzard and Bob.

Next it's time to head on over to Bear With Me, a weekly cartoon drawn by Bruin. It's been a real roller coaster ride for several months now ever since Paul packed his belongings and moved back to his father's place. A fractured skull and a sprained ankle later, Paul is recuperating while Andy is doing his best to keep his emotions under wraps.

PS... thank you guys for making these cartoons for us.

Make sure to check out the latest from the Bear With Me (website - articles) chronicles. From Bruin (profile): "Good news (and ain't it about time?)! Paul has pulled himself away from 'Death's Door' and is safe in Andy's arms. Better news! Since they had to defibrillate him to get his heart started, Paul is shirtless. Furriness abounds. Who wants to nurse a big, furry teddy Bear back to health? Take a number; line forms to the right".

You might need your sunglasses for this week's Bear With Me as things get a little bright. It's best I let cartoonist Bruin (profile) explain it all: "I'm not ashamed to admit it: I cannot get through this current installment without getting choked up. After all the garbage that we've been fed about how 'God hates fags', and that we, as a group are an 'abomination', the idea that we would be welcomed into Heaven is rather overwhelming. At least in my version, Paul's mother will be there to guide him and orient him to the afterlife. I also envision her to be Paul's personal Guardian Angel. While it is a complete invention on my part, I still find it immensely comforting, and is no doubt built on the fact that my own mother died back in '97 - hence, it's emotional impact on me. In the end, this episode is a personal imaging of what I hope will be; not a statement of religious dogma, and certainly not an attempt at of proselyting".

Things are looking a bit up and down over in Bear With Me world. It's best I let Bruin (profile) explain what's going on: "The ambulance has arrived, Paul is on his way to hospital, and none of his injuries appear to be life-threatening. Naturally, there's a catch. If you're in an ambulance and you discover the EMTs are named Oliver and Stanley... leave. Immediately. Nothing good can come of it".

The following is from Bruin (profile), cartoonist for Bear With Me: "There are a lot of ups and downs with this episode. #1 ~ Downer: Paul's brother, Karl, seems to have talked the local police into believing that Andy is responsible for people getting beaten up. #2 ~ Downer: Andy feels so guilty about decking the one guy, he's willing to take the blame. #1 ~ Big UPS: Paul's alive! He wakes up long enough to proclaim Andy's innocence, and fingers Karl as his attacker. #3 ~ Downer: Judging from Andy's expression in the last panel, all this exertion has cost Paul a lot. #2 ~ Up: The irony of Karl's rage over being 'betrayed' by his brother. This ride isn't over yet".

Just when I thought everything was going to be alright now that Andy and his crew had made it on the scene, I forgot that the bashers had time to get to Paul... and from the look on Andy's face and Paul being a bleeding mess, I'm not so sure everything is going to be alright. This just might be a terrible Christmas holiday for all of those at Bear With Me if Paul doesn't pull through.

Please send your concerns and comments to Bruin (profile). He's taken this once 'light' cartoon to much more complex and even 'darker' levels than I ever thought he would have.

It's been a long Hellish road for Andy and Paul, ever since Andy's mom said to Paul that she didn't think he was right for her son. Paul left town to go back home however Paul's father and brother (and company) decided to beat some sense into Paul after finding out he is gay. Finally Andy showed up just in time and with passion began fighting them off, until he realized he's just not a fighter. Enter Ed and Forrest. Read Bear With Me, a weekly cartoon by Bruin (profile).

The following is from Bruin (profile), cartoonist for Bear With Me (website - articles): "Andy lashes out at Paul's attackers, using the very piece of wood Paul had stepped on, as a club. Andy is not a brawler, however, and cares too much for the well-being of others for his passion to last. While he lashes out blindly at the trio, he's first surprised to actually hit something, then appalled that he's possibly hurt someone badly. That's all the opening the others need to jump him.

Will Andy end up as badly beaten as Paul? Did Andy or anyone else call 911? Do other comic characters get treated so badly? Something has got to turn in our boys' favor, soon!".

From cartoonist Bruin (profile) of Bear With Me: "Someone has arrived unexpectedly, which has broken up the beating being given to Paul. It's no surprise as to who it is, but our new arrival has a shock coming when he discovers who has been beaten. Yes, our boys stand up against injustice; they just don't expect it being served to one of their own. The reaction is both expected and severe".

The following is from cartoonist Bruin (articles - profile) of Bear With Me: "Things are looking dire for Paul. Bad enough that his brother has organized a small posse to bash him, his own father has set him up for the attack. Will Paul escape? Will Andy get there in time? Stay tuned faithful readers!". Reading this comic lately has my blood boiling. It's so sad to think that some people could stoop this low... sometimes I forget it's a cartoon.

On a lighter note, the image today is a 'self-portrait' done by Bruin. Not sure exactly when he drew this, but it's at least a few years old, before he got his etching kit for his computer. He's just as cute in cartoon as he is in his pictures (as an aside - does anyone remember Bruin's very sexy dress pants and socks and shoes photo set he posted on a Yahoo! groups many moons ago. That man has a great set of legs).