(yes, I know I was going to talk about scheduling today, but I thought this one was more appropos.  I'll do it tomorrow.  Really.)

Ah, well here we are: the weekend.  After a long, hard time of working until 3am, dealing with life and generally working to the bone, it's relaxing time.  As a special bonus, Sunday's my anniversary; seven years of wedded bliss with my wife.  It's fair to say that I'm due for a long, leisurely weekend, filled with nothing but barbecues, gaming and catching up on some reading, right?

So the weekend is here, and like anyone else, we do what comes to naturally to couples in love.

That's right…we're still working.

Yup.  We're still working.  And if you were in our situation, chances are, you would be too.  Why?  Because we comic artists aren't like anyone else.  Oftentimes, we don't get the chance for a break.  For example, John Marshall, the current artist for the comic strip Blondie, has stated that though he loves his work, even though he works ten hours a day, six days a week – and that's even with a buffer (the amount of comics between those drawn and those on the site, in case you didn't know).

Why?  Why are we doing this, instead of chillaxing at dinner and a movie – hell, it's even our anniversary, why the hell didn't we go somewhere for the weekend?  Easy.  Because it's a labor of love.  You see it all the time, but chances are, it really doesn't sink in.  Why do the staff of Fan to Pro devote a good chunk of time to a site furthering geek professionals, even when (arguably), it's costing them time and money?  Why do the military, police officers and firefighters put themselves on the line every day to rescue someone for little recognition and little pay?  Why do teachers, who put up with a crapload and aren't recompensed anywhere near enough still put up with Little Johnny and his nonstop antics – and often, his disbelieving, insufferable parents?

Labor of love, that's why.  It's passion.  It's the reason why every comedian puts up with long nights on the road, knowing that the big break may never come.  It's why the buskers on the street perform, knowing they'll likely never see a record contract (which might not be a bad thing, nowadays, but that's another topic for another time).  It's why every junior governmental functionary does his job even though the political system is arguably broken, and half the populace thinks he's a blight on the nation.  It's why comic artists ply their trade daily, not knowing if their true audience is 1 or 1 million, because analytics and all the other technologies really can't tell you the true number of eyeballs.  

It's because they're all true believers, dedicated to the duty of their craft, and they wouldn't have it any other way.  Some are proud and thrilled that they have the ability to live out their dreams.  Others push towards that goal, hoping to reach the higher limits when they do.  Others never do, endlessly ekeing out another existance while pushing towards the sisyphean goal like Don Quixote tilting towards those windmills.

And the reward?  It's not the money, though for some that's fine. It's not for the lauds and laurels, though for some, that's also fine.  It's for a fulfillment of a job worth doing, not because you have to…but because you want to.

After all, who wants to do the 9 to 5?  Who wants to be in the rat race?  Only the people who actually want to.  And that's passion.

Tomorrow: Scheduling.  Really.  Yes, Really.