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We all have our own quirks, traits, preferences, and ways of sharing pieces of ourselves with other people. For the hero of this article, it's creating comics. But he needed a while to realize that.

"I'm an engineer at a well-known global software company," the artist who wanted to remain anonymous told Bored Panda.

"I frequently find myself making observations about life that I feel most other people either don't notice or want to admit. That's how I came up with the name [for my comics series, Sobering Mirror.] I'm holding up a metaphorical mirror to the reader, and the realization that they can see themselves in my jokes is – you guessed it – sobering."

Until his attempts at comedy become more widely recognized, he'd prefer not to be known as 'the guy who makes weird webcomics' at the office. So for now, let's just call him Engineer.

More info: soberingmirror.comPatreon | Instagram | Facebook

At first glance, Engineer's comics seem... simple. He's fully aware of that. "I always laugh when anyone uses [the word] 'art' to refer to what I'm doing with Sobering Mirror. I'm very clearly not an artist, and my comics reflect that," he said.

"If anything, I'd consider myself a writer who happens to use crude drawings as a vehicle to express his thoughts." That's certainly an accurate description. What Sobering Mirror lacks in form, it makes up for in substance.

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Jackie Porter
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As Pink Floyd sang 'Shorter of breath and one day closer to death'

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troufaki13
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I few years ago something similar happened to me. It was Sunday night and I go to sleep thinking "ugh I have to go to work tomorrow". But then I have a dream that it's Saturday and it's so vivid that I turn my alarm off and continue to sleep. My boss calls and she's like "where the hell are you? are you coming?" and me still being in the dream state and thinking it's Saturday I reply "fine... I'll come even though I don't have to". I reluctantly get up and then it hits me! She was totally cool though and we had a laugh when I explained what had happened!

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Most of it derives from Engineer's own experiences in one way or the other. "My inspiration typically comes from my own life or how I imagine the lives of people I encounter on a day-to-day basis."

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Since Engineer is not in the business of making comics (it's merely his hobby), he's not looking to make money off of it. In fact, he has decided that 50% of all the profits he makes from Sobering Mirror (be it ad revenue, Patreon, individual contributions, future merch, etc.) will be donated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

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"I think that a lot of charities, unfortunately, use the money that they receive from donations inefficiently (or even dishonestly). St. Jude is not one of those; 82% of each dollar received goes directly to treatment and research for childhood cancer," Engineer explained.

"Their mission is also incredible – they take in children whose families are struggling financially and provide them with world-class medical care (completely for free)."

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Ryan Deschanel
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Life is boredom, pain, loneliness, misery and disappointment. But if you don't bother hope, you can avoid disappointment.

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If you enjoy his work, Engineer would appreciate it if you could tell various social media algorithms that his posts are worth spreading. "You can do that by following, liking, commenting, and sharing. If you’re feeling extra generous, you can also subscribe to my Patreon page or make a one-time donation via PayPal, credit card, or cryptocurrency," he added. "[But] if you're tight on money, save it."

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Be Potato
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ugh, so true! I'm still waiting for my higher spec PC to play games better, but I am afraid by that time that I will lose my passion in playing games :( Adulting is fun, but sad at times.

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Be Potato
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sad but true... Still, people looking down on those working retail and at fast food chains, thinking that they never graduated college never change.

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Indra Servo
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

the secret is.................................................................MONEY

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Inclusion2020
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3 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Because being human is difficult and it helps a lot of people to take their most insecure thoughts or painful experiences and turn them into humor. For example, I love George Carlin.

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