Less than related to graphic design today, taking a bit of a risk I know. I have shoveled my driveway twice in two days, today I will do so again. This duty falls to me not just because I AM MAN, which I like think, at least around here and despite the frequent challenges to superiority I endure from my dog, but also because I am a work-from-home professional. Simply put, I am here, thus I must clear the way for those in this family who must not be here.
And when I say that I am shoveling my driveway, know that I am shoveling the ice planet of Hoth away from these paths. And that once this task is complete, the snow itself laughs like a decadent Viking King, gorged on a hearty meal, and simply waves away all traces of my hard work with a smile. It’s as though you can look out the front window of my house and see no clue or hint that I had ever had any impact upon that icy landscape. And yet, forward I will go, to work my appointed task, for I must.
Occasionally I will see my neighbors, with their fancy snowblowers, but my eyes do not look upon them with jealously. Somewhere in my upbringing, and I am not sure where, really, I equated shoveling a driveway with your bare hands with life accomplishment. It is a hard, tiring task, worth much effort, and in the end you can look out upon your work (for a minute or two at least) over the brim of a mug of hot chocolate and feel something close to pride. Using a snowblower feels a bit more like mowing the lawn, which is a chore, and not something to be celebrated. Perhaps I need to buy a hand-powered lawnmower. Time will tell.
Nate Voss is a designer, illustrator, talkshow host and design journalist. Working in Omaha since 2001, Nate served four years on the Board of Directors for 
Donovan oversees all creative development at
You stupid. i like the snowblowers because they leave cleaner lines. i dont have one, but snowblowed driveways are my favorite to look at.
Are you mocking Algore? And on his intertubes to boot?
Dad
VW: 15 bufffets. What I felt like I’d eaten after Thanksgiving dinner.
I think this is one of your best comics. I like how its drawn and that it has no words.
Reminds me of the Calvin and Hobbes snow comics.
I remember back when I actually had to own a shovel. I just pay a crew now. They even do my porch and steps. Its fantastic. For example, last night while a Bobcat cleared my driveway, I drank a couple of ice cold brews and watched a movie. They even came back early this morning and cleaned up what had drifted back.
Wait, I was just handed a message from our receptionist. Seems the Jerk Store called, and they’re running out of me. Interesting…
Tom, you should know by now, when you say something like “the Jerk Store called”, you need to preface it with a “Nate, this is a Seinfeld reference”.
Myself, I heard the doorbell ring this morning, and paid them to shovel.
Also, I think Conrad would have been wise to buy a snowblower with all of his new found cash rather than that boat.
Hey Nate, my last post had a Seinfeld reference in it. Donovan thought I needed to point that out to you, so, you know, consider it pointed out.
No-one buys a yacht to be practical, D.