| 1. |
Why a
FAQ? |
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Because I felt
that this will be a good way for people who come to this site to find
out a bit more about the author. Me! Nothing like some shameless
publicity to boost my ego! |
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| 2. |
So, is this
gonna be yet another one of those silly FAQs seen in countless other
webblogs? |
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Yeah. That's
pretty much what it is gonna be. I'm a Singaporean. That's spelled
C-O-N-F-O-R-M-I-S-T. |
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| 3. |
Ok, enough
of the cynicism already. Who are you? |
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My name is
John Chua and I'm a 20 something Singaporean chinese male currently studying
medicine overseas in Melbourne. |
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| 4. |
So you are
a doctor wannabe? |
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Woah! That's
too strong a word to label me! Yes, its true that the notion of being
a doctor is appealing but that's only something that I have come to
terms with lately. All along, I never saw myself as somebody who's
embodied with all the characteristics of a great benevolent human
being going all the way out to help his fellow man. I'm really just
another lazy couldn't-be-bothered dude on the street who, being a bit
more privileged than others, managed to squeeze into a niche in
medical school. |
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| 5. |
Oops, looks
like we just opened up a can of worms there. |
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No lah, it's
not that big a deal. I have long given up on this infernal inner
struggle within myself as to why the hell am I doing medicine. This
year's (2004) my final year and I'm almost finished. I'll take each
step as it comes and looking at where I am right now, I'm happy. Can't
wait to start working. Show me the money!!! |
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| 6. |
Moving on
now... So what's the point of your webcomic? |
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Basically it's
just a channel for me to put forth my drawings, my ideas, my thoughts,
issues, etc! It's something for me to have fun with, to kill boredom,
and play with! I have always like drawing but never practise enough to
be very good nor had the chance to learn more. Medical Mediocrity
allows me to explore further my drawing, story-writing, and web-design
skills! With the relative simplicity and power of the internet, why
miss out at your chance of expressing yourself with your own
creations?! |
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| 7. |
Do you have
any formal art training? |
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Err.. haven't
you looked at my comic yet? I did have art classes before but that was
back in primary school. I do, however, read heaps of comics! |
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| 8. |
How do you
draw your comics? |
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Finally, a
question that doesn't require bullshitting. I mostly draw with my
mouse using Adobe Photoshop, though sometimes I would scan drawings on
paper and work on that with the same program. The whole process is not
as difficult as you would imagine coz you are able to zoom in and out
on the image and that makes drawing the fine details easy. Look at the
quality of my drawing and you should believe me yeah?
I have tried using the pen and tablet
thingy but that turned out to be more difficult than using the mouse!
The best way, I reckon, of drawing comics on the computer, would be to
use one of those tablet PC/laptop! But of course, that's way outta my
reach ($$$!) and so I'm content with the mouse at the moment. Thinking
of upgrading to an optical mouse though. |
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| 9. |
Are you
doing this because you have this vague remote notion that you are
going to become famous? |
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Perhaps, very
very remotely I do contemplate about that possibility. More so in the
beginning I guess. But now, I think I'm just happy with the collection
of comic strips that I have created and this is a big motivation for
me alone to continue. And really,
I don't think I'm really looking to become famous or what but just
some feedback (preferably positive) on my work every now and then to
encourage me I suppose. |
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| 10. |
Sounds like
you have a self-esteem problem/inferiority complex? |
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Hey man, I'm
just being humble can't I? I don't think I have problems with my
self-esteem although I do think that I can be more confident than what
I am currently. What are you doing? Psychoanalyzing me? |
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| 11. |
No lah,
just an observation that's all. Anyway, so is Medical Mediocrity based
on real life? Are you Carl? |
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I'll be lying
to say it's not. Yes, the comic and its characters are almost 90% true
to life. They only have their traits exaggerated to bring out the
humour. In real life, I'm part of this group of fellow medical
students. Only exception is, for some reason, we don't have any
females in our group. You can say that I'm inspired by our daily
spastic exploits in the hospital to come up with Medical Mediocrity!
Yes, I am Carl. Not sure that it's a
100% accurate portrayal of my personality though. |
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| 12. |
If so, then
who's Adeline?? Heh heh... |
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I knew this
would be the follow-up question. Well, I guess if I am supposed to be
Carl then Adeline would be my girlfriend in real life. Only
discrepancy is that she's studying back in Singapore, not here
:( |
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| 13. |
I really
love your comic! Why don't you update more often? |
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Wow, I have a
fan! Well, I do have to study every now and then right (I don't wanna
fail!)? Plus, although its true how I really love drawing comics, I
get overdosed quite easily. I need lots of variety in my life. Drawing
a strip takes on average about 2-3 hours (including thinking of the
script) and you can get pretty worn out at the end. And I'm not that
creative to have an endless number of ideas in my head all the time!
Also, I still have to fit in other activities like computer games, TV,
internet, and oh, yah, studying. |
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| 14. |
Doctor,
doctor, I've got this pain down here and it's... |
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Woah, hold
your horses. You've come to the wrong place dude! This is a webcomic,
not an online medical clinic! I haven't even graduated yet! Probably
not much difference even if I had! Go see your GP! |
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| 15. |
I've got a
webcomic too! Will you link me? |
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Sure, why not?
Provided its not porn or anything along those lines. This site is not
that popular anyway to start with, just so you know. |
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| 16. |
Any pearls
of wisdom to impart? |
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I'll leave you
with this quote from George Bernard Shaw (1856-1950) - "The power
of accurate observation is commonly called cynicism by those who have
not got it" |
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| 17. |
I've got a
question for you but its rather inappropriate to ask it here, if you
know what I mean? *wink* |
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Hey! I not
into those sick stuff ok?! But you can email me at [[email protected]] Heh heh... |
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| 18. |
Oh, and one
last thing: What's with the WEIRD colour schemes all over this site?
It's so wrong man... my eyes!!! |
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Look, this is
probably the best a colour-blind guy can come up with ok! |
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