Happy New Year with the New FML! Sometime in the middle of next January, FML will be blowing out 4 candles on its metaphorical birthday cake. Yep, it's been four years since we launched what we often refer to as "our baby". The thing is, the baby has grown up a bit since those early days and has developed in a wild way (and here you can choose your analogy based on your age group) a) as if we were playing Pokémon with codes, or b) as if we'd fed a Gremlin after midnight.  As time has spun on, our progeny has gathered a rather large amount of godfathers and godmothers who come and check on its well-being every day. There are now almost 3 million of you who own an account on the website.

The main evolution is in the way FML is visited. Many of you now read us via your phone, and we have to take all of our users into account when doing something major. So today, Monday 17th of December, our team would like to unveil (with something approaching warp-speed excitement) what we've been working on for several months now. So here it is, get this: we would like to announce that today, on Monday the 17th of December, we are launching the new version of the iPhone app, the new version of the Android app and the new version of the website.

Let's have a little look to see what all the fuss in our brainboxes is all about.

Yes, a new design. And that's not some way of saying we've moved a button several pixels to the right and added a picture of a flashing kitten; no, this is a whole bunch of small but effective modifications that should make your visits even more enjoyable. The main new thing is the menu bar, which will stay at the top of the page and will give you easy access to the main areas of the website.

This version of the website has a whole bunch of extra features, one of which is obvious to everyone straight off the bat: the best comments are now displayed on the website's pages (the home page, page 2, etc.). It’s a new way of congratulating our users for their wit and humour.

All the other new features are reserved to the users who had the great idea of creating a (free) account. The private messages have changed and are now grouped by conversations. Finally, two other features that you can find at the right of the website: Facebook has been integrated (the big blue button) to help share your activity with your friends, as well as your reading progression, and testing your commitment and loyalty.

The badge hunt is back with added heat! No fewer than 14 new badges have been added to the current collection. Public badges, secret badges; some are easy to get, and some are harder than a 400000-piece puzzle of a snowstorm at night while wearing boxing gloves. There’s a bit of something for everyone and for any level of bravery. SO GET HUNTING!

If you're reading FML on your smartphone, we've got lots in store for you today. To avoid any jealousy, everything is being overhauled to prove that we love you, whether your cult worships an apple or a little green robot. To take advantage of all the new stuff, for your iPhone you'll have to download a brand new app to be used instead of the old one, and for your Android phone it's just a case of getting an update, which is available right now.

Amongst the improvements, you'll notice that the design has been totally overhauled and that the badges and private messages have now appeared on your phone. And, wonders of wonders, both of these apps are totally compatible and optimized to be used on tablets. Yep, FML is finally on iPad and adapted for the iPhone 5. 

Get yourself up to date right now by clicking on the link below that corresponds to your phone.

You've now seen what's new. Waiting to introduce you to all these great new developments got us so excited that a bit of pee came out. We just hope that you like what you see. In any case, make the most of it, go nuts, use the website and apps as much as you can because according to a bunch of oddballs and their advent calendar, we're all going to die very soon.

If you have a technical issue, don't hesitate to give our team a shout here: support@fmylife.com. Please be as specific as possible so we can sort it out as quickly as we can.

Hi gang! Welcome to the blog for the last ever illustrated FML to be published on this incarnation of the website. Yep, next Monday, things are going to be shaken up! You’ll see, it’s going to be quite surprising! And as we’re getting ready with last-minute details, I’ve been putting the finishing touches to my Christmas costume. What do you think? I was very successful at a recent party. People were looking at me a bit oddly but it was OK.

I’d now like to introduce you to this week’s guest. His name is Michel Pelini, AKA “Communist Scum”, a name his boss apparently gave to him. Of a “mature age, but not too mature”, he lives in “you see New York? Well, not there” and his blog is here. “According to carbon dating, it’s been dead for millions of years.”

What does he do? “At the moment, I’m typing in order to answer FMLs questions. After which, I’m going to take a shower.” So, he’s funny as well! So, what does he like in what he does? “I like the sound of the keyboard, it’s soothing.” OK, we’re a bit scared now, but we’ll ask anyway: what’s missing from his life? “Hands. Ever since my amputation, I’ve had to type with my nose (also known as the “chicken technique”). It’s annoying. I sometimes use the “Rocco Siffredi” method, but I’d rather not go into that, to not be labeled a showoff.”

As for his news, anything to say regarding comics? “I’ve just moved house and I’m going to get married soon. I know, nobody cares but that’s all I’ve got going on at the moment.”

In fact, even when talking about his career, drawing doesn’t come up much since Michel got a diploma in chemistry and became a chemist. This indicates a certain coherence of which he is proud, and it’s always nice to be proud of something.

Any projects to tell us about before going on to the next part, Michel? “A baby! I know, still nothing to do with comics.” Oh well, never mind. Congratulations though! Right, on to the rest!

Cats or Dogs?
It depends on the wine.

What are the latest things that you enjoyed at the movies, in music, books and comics?
Movies: The train arriving at La Ciotat station by the Lumière Brothers. Music: all Maurice Chevalier. Books, all of Aesop’s works, 1326 edition in Latin, created by the Brackenheim monks (the engravings are magnificent). Comics: the caves of Lascaux (where it all began).

Who are the main artists that you like and whose blogs you frequently visit?
Besides Laurel, very few people.

Tell us about what you like in life, your passions, pastimes, vices and every day pleasures.
What I like in life are my vices, which are also my passions, pastimes and small (and great) pleasures.

Tell us a crap joke.
What is yellow and flies in the air? Super Banana. (Hmmm, at three in the morning, completely drunk, that seemed funnier…)

Possible joker: if you don’t have a joke, tell us your biggest FML.
I was on the toilet, at work, doing a number two, when suddenly the door opened. I’d forgotten to lock it! I was face to face with a colleague, who was as surprised as I was. Reflexively, I threw myself on the door handle and yanked the door shut… so violently that I threw my back out. I was in pain for three days. It was the stupidest injury of my life.

Do you have a phobia? If so, which one?
I’m afraid of you. The readers have to know that I’m answering these questions while staring down the barrel of a gun.

To finish off, ask yourself a question that you would’ve liked to have been asked, and then choose to answer it or not.
-Did you seem them?
-Who?

And to see this week’s illustrated FML, click here.

There you go, that’s all for this week! I’ll leave you once again with some more videos. How about a dog working out with its master while listening to the Beatles, that’s got to be worth checking out. And to stay musical, here’s this brilliant cover of Somebody That I Used To Know, recreated by Walk Off The Earth. It’s one of the best videos of 2012, and I recommend that you check it out (again). See you soon!

If you want to be the next published artist, send an email to alice [at] fmylife.com including a link to your website/blog/DA. But DON'T send your illustration right away! You need first to get in touch with me, and I'll tell you what you have to do!

Crazy little thing called weekend, right? All the other days are about time passing by r e a l l y  s l o w l y, and suddenly nothing but freakin' free time going by toofrickinfast (nothing to do with Belfast). What does that have to do with today's illustration? I'm pretty sure it doesn't. Besides the fact that I'm trying to save time before getting to the interview. I don't want today's artist to leave when we'll be done here. She draws pin-ups, how can you top that?

-Okay, I'm done talking nonsense. Whaaaaaat's your name dear artist of the day?
-I'm Marine.

-How old are you?
-I'm 24.

-Where do you live?
-I live in Paris, France.

-OK, let's get to the real stuff, what's your job?
-I'm currently trying to become illustrator and/or Chara designer.

-Did you go to art school to become an illustrator?
-Yes, I went to an art school in Paris, l'Ecole Estienne. I was actually in a 3D animation class!

-Tell us more about your training.
-Well, after high school I went on an intensive arts training course, which is a necessary step to go further in an art scholarship in France, this lasted a year. Then I was selected in the école Estienne animation class. This lasted for 2 years and allowed me to get an 3D animation diploma. Then I was a bit confused about my future, and I decided to go to university, taking time to think a bit about it... There I graduated in cinema/audiovisuals. I stayed in university for 2 years, and decided to go back to my passion (which is drawing), and try to make my own way. And here I am today!

-On FML. What are your inspirations?
-I've got many! I'm a big day-dreamer, inspiration can pop up from anywhere... And talking about artists who inspire me, I can give you a long list. You just need the hint of an idea, and let your imagination do the rest.

-Don't be shy and show us that "long list" you've been talking about.
-I'll try to make it short but let's say that Disney and Tim Burton are in the front line, then I can also add Chris Sanders, Glen Keane, Aimee Major...  I love the line of Frankin, Bill Watterson, Al Hirshfield... I'm fond of Yslaire's work, so deep and passionate... I'm also fascinated by the paintings of Da Vinci. And lately I discovered the work of Man Arevas which is simply fabulous. I'm sure I'm forgetting a lot of people here! There's just too many!

-How do you work?
-I love working with pencils, alcohol pens (pantones), watercolors... and I also like working with Photoshop. 

-Do you read webcomics?
-I do sometimes... But I must admit the only one coming to my mind right now is Doctor Cat!

-Last question Marine! Why did you choose this FML story?
-Well... I wanted to draw something not dirty, and also a bit visual... There I totally enjoyed drawing the different poses and expressions. I think everybody can relate to this story: it's the kind of funny thing that happens to anyone, like looking for glasses when they're on the top of your nose.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ILLUSTRATED FML

Hello people and welcome to this blog article in which I’m going to introduce a new artist to you, but first I must show you this old document that has just seen the light of day that shows prehistoric men getting their priorities straight. In other news, FML is also about education, and today we’re learning how to count with Robert Downey Jr’s help.

Our guest is 22 and knows how to count. He lives in Rennes in France, and is called Benjamin. Yes, just Benjamin. “What do I do? For the moment, not a lot, I’ve finished my studies and I’m still looking for my first job. Being unemployed allows me to develop my own projects and test new things.”

That’s all well and good but we need details! “At the moment, I’m putting together a comic book project so I can present it to a publisher. I’ve written the story, I’ve done some graphic research, and all I need to do now is the hard work of creating the storyboard and a few definitive artwork that a publisher might like.”

And all we need to do is wish him good luck. He deserves it!

So, how did he get here? Well, he got a literary high school diploma in 2008, and then went to art school to make comics. “I thought I’d be able to take it easy. How wrong I was!” Benjamin soon learnt that he had to forget all about 35-hour weeks, which were done “in two days.” In any case, that’s where he found out more about animation and four years later ended up with a diploma in animation drawing. “It’s now been three months since I’ve been looking for a job in an animation studio and I survive by doing a few animations here and there.”

For now, our guest tries to get to know a maximum of things by animating and painting but is still concentrating on his comic book project. Ideally he’d like to find a place in an animation studio to find a foothold in the sector. If you have any peeps in the business, check out his blog, you’ll see that he’s quite good…

As for us, we’ll move on to the next part. Yes, I know, this transition is like a magic trick, really impressive.

Cats or dogs?
Neither. I’m allergic to both.

What are the latest things you liked in movies, music, books and comics?
At the movies I really enjoyed Lawless, the latest James Bond movie was really good, Starbuck was a really nice surprise and The Hunt shook me up. Musically I rediscovered RJD2 and the latest C2C album. Other than that there’s Chinese Man, ASM or Ratatat who are in my playlist at the moment. In comics there’s Butcher Baker who amazed me graphically and the Walking Dead series that is great and that I recommend to everyone!

Who are the main artists you like and whose blogs you visit regularly?
I like going the blogs by Robert Valley, Peter de Sève or Alberto Mielgo, mainly people who work in animation, and as for comics blogs I follow regularly Boulet and I like the interactive comics “Turbomedia” who have developed recently.

Tell us what you enjoy in life, your passions, your pastimes, your vices, and your every day pleasures.
Since I finished my studies I’ve got more time for myself so I’ve been able to do more sports, catch up on TV shows and discover video games. Otherwise, every day I draw and draw.

Do you have a phobia? If so, what is it?
Syringes.

To finish off, ask yourself a question that you would’ve liked to have been asked and choose whether or not to answer it.
If you could become a super hero, what super power would you choose? I would choose teleportation.

And to see Benjamin’s illustrated FML, click here.

We end this article with this week’s videos. Are you allergic to things that are cute? Let me correct that: to things that are very cute. If so, don’t watch this video. You have been warned. In the meantime, people have been making art with scotch tape, while all I can do is rip the hairs from a friend’s arm with it. I know. See you next week!

If you want to be the next published artist, send an email to alice [at] fmylife.com including a link to your website/blog/DA. But DON'T send your illustration right away! You need first to get in touch with me, and I'll tell you what you have to do!

Ah, my dear friends, what a pleasure it is to meet up with you again. This week was nothing more but more of the same good old routine. I had some great times on webcomics, I laughed, though not often, I had the WTF reaction, and pretty often, and I got amazed by some amazing artists. And it's one of them that we're welcoming today. She may have a weird nickname, but her art is heartwarming. Let's start the interview to get the chance to know her.

-What are your name? 
-I'm Yllya, I've used this nickname for so long that everybody thinks that it's my real name.

-What a curious nickname.
-I'm a little ashamed about it, but since it's not a secret, this is the story: I like fairy tales a lot. In French, fairy tales often begin with the words "Il y a". When I had to find a nickname, I just turned those words into "Yllya". 

-How old are you?
-I will be 30 in 2 months, but people think I'm 10 years younger. 

-Where do you live?
-I live in France, near Paris. It's not as romantic as people say.

-What's your job?
-I'm a cartoonist. The 5 volumes of my comics Marie-lune have been published by the french publisher Vents d'ouest.

-What's your journey?
-I always wanted to become a character designer for video games, but after high school, I was too poor to afford art school. I was fond of manga, so I decided to study Japanese in order to became translator. But to be a translator, I needed a degree both in the language AND in translation. Once again, I was too poor to afford 2 schools. I decide to continue studying Japanese, and at the same time I started my comics blog and worked as freelance illustrator. Gradually, it's become a full time job. One day, I was asked to draw a comic, I said yes and now it's been my job for nearly 4 years. Today I hope I can fulfill my dream and work for video games in the future.

-What are your inspirations?
-Oh my god, there are a lot :) Video games mainly but also comics, mangas... 

-Do you read webcomics?
-I used to read a lot of them, but at the moment I read less due to time constraints.

-Tell me more about your website?
-I have two websites, but only one is alive. It's called One Year Challenge and it's in English. I started it in 2011 because my boyfriend promised to buy me a giant jar of Nutella (5kg !!!) if I was able to post one drawing a day for a year. I won the jar on February 14th 2012. But I decided to continue for one more year (for nothing but glory this time!) Please come and support me!

-Why did you choose this FML story?
-Because it was totally disgusting! I'm a little bit of a hypochondriac, and I can't stand somebody touching my food. If i open a bag of crisps and someone put his hand in it, I can't finish it... What the character does in this FML could kill me, no joke T______T

-Thank you for taking part Yllya. (I can't get used to it, what a curious name!)

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE ILLUSTRATED FML