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Rocked out at Zeus. then to Bone daddy's for lunch. I had giant chicken fried steak, Freeway had a flying pig sandwich (that's 4 kinds of pork, dude)
then games at Dave and Buster's.
more later

Long time since I have posted.
But, this may not have been worth the wait.
See, I am not a huge fan of mint. Not in gum, breath freshener, etc. I get the other flavors, generally cinnamon.
But I lately find myself hard pressed to find cinnamon dental floss. At all. various and sundry drugstores, grocery stores, even the dreaded wal-mart have all failed me.
I mentioned it to my friend Marcus, and he actually found an answer, from his dentist of all people. That had never occurred to me.
Seems that the cinnamon floss is gone because people have developed an allergy to it. That's all. As I know many people with food allergies, I kind of understand. But guess what. I don't care. I want my cinnamon dental floss. People are allergic to peanuts, and yet I can still buy a Snickers bar. If you are alleergic, you just leave it alone, right? Why take it completely off the market?
Am I forced to ration my floss out, until I am forced to switch to mint, or soaking thread in cinnamon oil?
No.
Happy day, I was able to conclude my search at Amazon, of all places. they not only have it, they sell it by the case. Whew. Crisis averted.
(i hear you out there. yes, it's a small inconsequential thing. But, what if your favorite deodorant, or toothpaste was suddenly unavailable?)

It's Thanksgiving, or as Stefan says, Thursday. Be thankful for whatever you have to be thankful for. I have a lot , and could offer a list, but I won't. Much
I have a job that drives me crazy, but many people don't. So I am thankful for that.
I am thankful that I have a life where I have what I need, and some of what I want.
If you're my friend, I'm thankful I have you in my life. If I could be a better friend, rest assured I have that on the agenda. Right after i work on my family relationships (i've probably not been the son/brother I want to be)
Thanks

Ganked from Joolee (and Jeff), go to this website, put the year you graduated high school in the SEARCH box (top right), and it will give you a list of the Top 100 songs from that year.
List them in your blog,
 BOLD the ones you liked,
 STRIKETHROUGH the ones you hated,
 and don't do anything to songs you don't remember or have no strong feelings about.

It's been a weird few weeks.
 First Stan Winston died. He created some of the bext effects in movies in years.
Then George Carlin. He changed the way we looked at humor. and maybe ourselves.
 And now, Michael Turner has died. If you don't follow comics, you might not care. To comics fans, Michael Turner was a hero, an icon. Beyond creating some of the best art in comics, he was genuinely a nice guy.
He had been fighting cancer off and on for years. he'd had surgeries, sometimes had problems walking, but by god he came to conventions, met fans, signed stacks upon stacks of comics, all for his fans. He was a shining example to a lot of us.
 I got the joy of meeting him a few times at Wizard World conventions. He signed my sketchbook, but I was unable to get a sketch. I told myself I would make it happen to get him to sketch my book. and now....
 I wish his family peace in dealing with this pain, and his fans mourn the passing of a great artist. and even more so a great man.

gist of an article that caught my eye:
A report by the Project for Excellence in Journalism has documented that during the last two months of the Democratic primary campaign in April and May, the television networks devoted more time to speculation about when Hillary Clinton would call it quits than about the candidates' positions on Iraq, the mounting price of gasoline, home foreclosures or the economy. Referring to the study, former NBC anchor Tom Brokaw told the Associated Press that it was "inappropriate" for journalists "to try to cut the process short. ... There was an awful lot of commentary disguised as reporting that gave the impression that people were trying to shove her out of the race." Apparently referring to the campaign coverage by the cable news networks, Brokaw blamed the decision to focus on Clinton's possible exit on the availability of "too much time and too little imagination."

Today isdedagda's birthday!
 He's an amazing guy, a hell of a shop owner, and i'm honored to call him friend.
I was surprised that I can call him that.
Many years ago, a friend tells me "one of the patients at my office is opening a comic shop. He reminds me a lot of you, you should go check it out." Now, when she says I remind her of Richard, I think she's a little off. Though I think I do resemble him a little. In the 'Before' picture kind of way. ;)
I went by, and found a wonderful store, and great people. And I thought nothing more than, here's a great place to shop, and people to by comics and toys from. But then Richard told me he considered me a friend. And, over the years, I've been offered a glimpse behind the curtain, if you will, into the life of Richard, and Chris, and Barry. I've been able to be a part of Cape, albeit a small cog in the big machine.
Richard is generous, warm, funny, loving, and most of us are better simply having him in our lives.
 So, to Richard, on his birthday, here's to you; deserving of all the accolades we can give.

I am getting off my ass and finally getting the sketches I got at CAPE posted.

Upcoming cover to an issue of Ms. Marvel


is that red coming from her butt? come on. Use your perspective skills, guys!!

So tired. from?

well, you may already know how my Friday was, if you read the previous post.
Saturday morning started bright and early, as we prepared to set up for CAPE. it was oddly cold that morning, but the crew of volunteers got busy setting up, dragging boxes around, setting up tables for the 25 cent sale, and just preparing. The cold wind blew, but the work went on. Robert and Maggie directed us to our various tasks, and everyone took to them.  Then guests started appearing, and the work cranked up a notch. Showing them to their tables, it was evident this even was going to be bigger than the previous  years by leaps and bounds. (or an up, up, and away!) Richard was wounded, but he was there. crutching along, even though any one of us would have gotten him whatever he wanted. Got the Two Lump book, several art pieces from Will Rodriguez, sweet Flash buttons from Alice, and a new Medusa sketch from Kit! Saw and chatted with cat Staggs, who you need a sketch from, believe me.
 Random thoughts from the event: I know a lot more people than I thought I did, and oddly enough, they seem to know me too. Friends showing up; Nathan and Kristina, another Nathan and Ali and Mikey, Tara and Blu and Monet; Dan and Max made the trip up, and Alice and Kit had a table!!
 Speaking of, I can't let it go by without thanking Joelle and Andy Korn for being cool as hell like always. If  you ever see me wearing a kick-ass bottle-cap necklace, it's thanks to their hard work and generosity.  Will 'The Mangler' Rodriguez, you're a great man, and thank you for the art! I'm gonna make you do the Chipotle/CAPE art sale every year:)
 Tear down was worse than set up, because we were all tired, and sunburned, but we got it done. Then Dan and Max came to stay at the house, and we scraped together the energy to go see 'Iron Man' (us for the second time). I must really like those guys because 1) I hate seeing movies at night (i'm cheap) 2) I hate opening weekend. We get sat down for our 10:15 showing, and there are not one, not two, but THREE babies in the theatre.... ok. Then a gaggle of barely highschool kids sits behind us, and I have to restrain the slowly building anger from befalling them. The movie starts, and hmm. the previews seem a little weird. there are several romantic comedy trailers. the screen goes blank and the manager comes in saying that they started playing 'Made of Honor' but they were starting Iron Man. Whew. A narrow escape there. Strangely, the babies never made a peep, but the kids behind us almost poked the bear once too often. They survived to the end, and then, oddly, sat almost all the way through the credits, then left before the big final scene. You HAVE to sit through the credits. if you read comics at all, you will love it.
 We woke up this morning, got ready, and then went to the 'Big Gay Brunch'. Great food, everybody had loads of fun, Lea went around chronicling the sunburns of CAPE. We had 2 seats at our table open, and a guy sits down, looking a bit imposing: big, muscles, shaved head, tattoos all down his arms. Well, I'm not one to judge him based on that, so I strike up a conversation with him, find out he's new to town, had some dating drama, but seems like a great guy. We talked tattoos, piercings (The wife still cringes thinking of his P.A.), and Scarborough Faire. Raymond was his name, and I wish him lots of luck here in D/FW.
 Back home, everyone crashes around the living room, then they head home.

I'll be posting pics once I find the energy (and the camera)
 Richard, Chris, Barry, all the gang at Zeus, everyone involved, thanks so much for an amazing weekend!!! Sean, here's hoping that scalp sunburn clears up soon.

It's CAPE weekend. I should be at the Live Art Show, but I'm just too wiped.
Instead of being off all day like originally planned, I had to work a half a day. It was a lot of work, but I made some of the people happy, and that's all you can hope for sometimes.

I then went and had a late lunch, then a massage from my good friend Holly. It helped ease the strain. if you're around Fort Worth and need a massage, I will pass along her info. You won't be sorry.

After that, a quick stop to Half Price and picking up some Serenity books for the Can't Stop the Serenity show in June. (check it out and join us!)
and then an early showing of IRON MAN!!!! It rolls with awesomeneess! You owe it to yourself to see this movie!

And now, I'm here at home, watching Sesame Street: Old School. gathering strength for the whirlwind that will be tomorrow.
What's tomorrow, you ask? Why it's only CAPE!!!
DAY 1 (Friday May 2, 2008 9pm – 1pm) The CAPE Live Art Show and comic artist jam kicks off a weekend of fun. Come party with some of the best comic artists around the world in this unique, hypnotic underground hip-hop event with artists drawing, painting and sketching in tandem to the groovy sounds of DJ Aki from Austin. Headliners include: Daredevil and Kabuki artist David Mack, Mike Huddleston, Jim Mahfood, Jason Pearson, Dave Crosland, Andy Kuhn, Lea Hernandez, James O’Barr, KodyChamberlain and Kristian Donaldson. Artists create large format pieces, over the course of the evening, and all art will be auctioned off with the proceeds going to support Ronald McDonald House Dallas.
CAPE Live Art Show: St. Pete’s Dancing Marlin in Dallas, 2730 CommerceSt., Deep Ellum, 214-698-1511

DAY 2: (Saturday May 3, 2007 10-6pm) CAPE 4, the Comic and Pop Culture Expo hosted by Popsyndicate. com, 2006 Eisner winner PvPOnline. com and 2006 Eisner winner Zeus Comics, brings you over 100 of the coolest comic book artists and writers from across the country. Come chat with the likes of Mark Waid, Chynna Clugston, Robert Kirkman, Greg Pak, Jason Pearson, Matt Sturges and Paul Benjamin. They are joined by returning headliners Gail Simone, David Mack, Mike Huddleston, Tony Bedard, Jim Mahfood, Scott Kurtz, Jamie S. Rich, James O’Barr, Marc Andreyko, Kody Chamberlain, Dave Crosland, Lea Hernandez, Mercedes Lackey, Ben Dunn, Kristian Donaldson, Kris Straub, Larry Dixon and many more. CAPE just keeps getting bigger and bigger every year!

CAPE allows fans a rare chance to interact with top creators in the comic industry, get sketches, talk comics and pick up some fantastic free goodies including 7,000 free comics at the largest Free Comic Book Day event in the World! Don’t forget to purchase your raffle tickets for a chance to win some original CAPE art, DVDs and much more.

Plus join us for the return of the incredible CAPE costume contest at 4 pm. The contest includes categories for kids, adults and even pets! Come dressed as your favorite super hero, anime character or bring your pet as your sidekick. The contest is hosted by Mix 102.9’s Joe Kelly.
CAPE 4 takes place at Craddock Park in Dallas, TX. For a complete list of guests and a map to the event go to http://www. capeday. com.

DAY 3: (Sunday, May 4, 2008 10:30am) Big Gay Brunch. Zeus Comics wraps up a weekend of festivities for CAPE 4 with the Big Gay Brunch for comic fans on Sunday. Guests of honor at the event include popular comic writers and artists Gail Simone, Marc Andreyko, Ian Shaughnessy, Lea Hernandez, Mercedes Lackey, Larry Dixon and Jose Villarrubia.

The guests at this year’s gay and lesbian brunch are responsible for positive representations of gays and lesbians in comics. The brunch starts at 10:30 am and tickets are $25. Tickets are available in advance at Zeus Comics.

You have GOT to be at CAPE this year!!
It's the 4th year, and it's bigger than ever!!
the first shot of the video is my good friend bluecanarykit !!
make plans to go, buy good things, meet cool people, see dogs in costumes!!

I'm going to CAPE!

This Sunday, March 30th, I will be walking in the MS Walk again.


And I need sponsors.... Please? Don't you want to contribute to a great cause? Other than me getting my fat ass off the couch, I mean?

Every hour of every day, someone is diagnosed with MS. One of those is a very good friend of mine. So, I have joined the MS Walk to do my part in helping them find a cure.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is dedicated to ending the devastating effects of MS but they can’t do it without our help. It’s faster and easier than ever to support this cause that’s so important to me. Simply click on the link at the bottom of this message. If you prefer, you can send your contribution to the address listed below.


Any amount, great or small, helps to make a difference in the lives of people with MS. I appreciate your support and look forward to letting you know how I do.

Click here to visit my personal page.

Click here to view the team page for The Shout Outs

P.S.

If you would like more information about the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, how proceeds from the MS Walk are used, or the other ways you can get involved in the fight against MS, please visit nationalmssociety. org.

It's that time of year again
Every hour of every day, someone is diagnosed with MS. One of those is a very good friend of mine. So, I have joined the MS Walk to do my part in helping them find a cure.

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is dedicated to ending the devastating effects of MS but they can't do it without our help. It's faster and easier than ever to support this cause that's so important to me. Simply click on the link at the bottom of this message. If you prefer, you can send your contribution to the address listed below.
Any amount, great or small, helps to make a difference in the lives of people with MS. I appreciate your support and look forward to letting you know how I do.

Click here to visit my personal page.

Click here to view the team page for The Shout Outs

P.S. If you would like more information about the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, how proceeds from the MS Walk are used, or the other ways you can get involved in the fight against MS, please visit nationalmssociety.org.

 

 

Hillary wins Texas

How did i spend this weekend?
Well, I was VIOLENTLY ILL on Friday. Enough so that no one wants details.
Felt much Better Saturday, so we made the trek down to Austin for STAPLE!
we first hooked up with friends, Dan and Max, and their friend Grant, and headed in. The whole thing was a whirlwind, and I doubt I can break it down chronologically, but will give some high points.

• ran into Aaron Wilson repeatedly. He was there for fun, not his comic (Geek Like Me) and is just a great guy to hang with, if even for the limited time we got to.
• got a great, moving piece called 'I Still Miss You Jim Henson' by Chris Aubrey. I can't find a picture that does it justice, but there is an overview here, and here.
• Hillcrest mall in Austin? Kind of a downer. And surreal. No name brand foods in the Food Court, a tooth bleaching kiosk in the middle of the mall (chairs just out in the open, really.)
• Saw a shirt I REALLY want
• Got good comics.
  
• Heroes Incorporated #1 and Local Heroes #1 from Hurm Comics (nice Guy!)
  
• Kit Lively gave me a copy of his book. Yeah, GAVE me. I think I owe him a beer or something. Thanks Kit!!
• Got a full run of The Sire, from Mike Dulce. Damn cool guy, remembered me from Wizard World. Even threw a sketch my way :)
• Finally grabbed Starslip Crisis. Kris Straub was pretty busy the whole time. Kurtz was even more so. He was in demand
• I now have the partial collection (#1 and #3) of Action Philosophers! If you haven't read it, track it down.
• After meeting Danielle Corsetto at STAPLE! last year, I finally have a copy of her first collection of her webstrip Girls with Slingshots. A fun read, and one of my favorite webcomics.
• last but not least, the wife encouraged the growing art skills of Will "The Mangler" Rodriguez' son. It was a great shot

Thanks for everyone being so cool!
And here's looking forward to CAPE 2008!!

My trusty USB flash drive has given up the ghost. I've connected to multiple computers, and it just doesn't wanna connect :(
I loved this thing. It made my life so much easier. Moving music, photos, etc, etc, back and forth. But I'm gonna have to wait.
I guess I'll have to make a trip to Fry's and see what's available that I can afford. :( Anyone like a particular model, size?

shouldn't be tossing around the word in the subject, as there's some family stuff going on right this moment. i don't know about putting it all out in a blog. Maybe later.

How was your weekend? Mine was good and bad.

Bad was the terrible headache that seemed to bedevil me all day Saturday. From waking, through the family birthday party, to becoming violently ill when I got home, it was not an entirely pleasant day.
 Sunday was better. Went out to the Dallas Comic Con, and had a great time. Got a new hoodie, new bottlecap necklaces from Andy and Joelle Korn, sweet Princess Leia sketch from Cat Staggs, saw some stars (Shawnee Smith. I'm a fan), and Tom Martin.
 High point of the weekend was that I started a theme sketchbook. I decided on a Medusa theme (for obvious reasons). Best part is that, after 2 years of virtually stalking him, the first sketch in my book is from Kristian Donaldson!It's wonderful, and a great start to my book! If you get the chance, you should meet him, get sketches, buy books, etc.In fact, he'll be at Staple! I will too, but I swear I won't be stalking him. (I'll be stalking Danielle Corsetto ;))

Expect a pic of the sketch as soon as I can

 Sitting in a Japanese restaurant, digesting my Peppercorn Tuna and spicy beef bowl, I hear a 'Brittney' at a nearby table spew the opinion, "I hated '300'. It was so long and boring". I think I restrained myself well, shooting glances at her and sighing to myself.
 But when I heard her say, "Ace of Base! 'The Sign'! This is the Best Song!" I got a feel for where her tastes lie, and got a glimpse into her soul. Wow.

I got some good stuff for Christmas, but I think I REALLY want THIS
I don't need it, obviously, but damn it, it's cool.

As anyone who knows me (or read my blog last year) knows, this time of year isn't my favorite, generally. There's the generic family stress, the stuff that historically bothers me, and all the rest of it. I'm trying to work through it, so, ignore me if I get a little weird around this time.
In 2 days I will be Santa yet again. The library moved to a brand new building a few months ago, so this may be a little different, but I think it will be good. For me and the kids. I planned after last year to cut my beard before playing Santa again, so I'll be doing that tomorrow. Looking forward to it this year. But after that, I'll be ready for this holiday to be over and done with.
In trying to get my spirit up, i went looking for Christmas videos to make me smile. I'd like if anyone reading this will continue that on. Thanks.