BIG THINGS IN SMALL PACKAGES

Renae De Liz -Typhoid Mary

Kevin Mellon -New Mutant girls (Magma, Magik, Wolfsbane, Mirage)

Jeremy Mohler - Mirror Master

Went to the Lawrence FreeCon yesterday (May 16) and was pleasantly surprised. I have been to the show the past two years and thought I knew what to expect. It is just a smaller, free show that highlights local, smaller press and indie talents. The only thing I had originally planned on getting was the headsketch by Mellon. I bought the print from him last year in Tulsa and found the original work on the site of his rep. After talking with him at a prior con we worked out a deal for the headsketch if I purchased the original. I figured I would take the print down and thumb through the dealer tables while I was waiting. At the very least I thought I might stumble on some deals or find a book I was needing.

After my brother, Mike, started looking at the site and contacting various artists he made arrangements to get some commissions. When it turned out he was unable to go to the show he asked me to get the art for him. Since I had no other plans I willingly agreed. Once I realized that I would probably be at the show for a little longer than I originally planned I went back over the guest list and decided I would try for some art also.

FRIDAY - Picked up his sketchbooks and cash and loaded them up with my books and wantlist. I had not yet decided on who I wanted to get and even more undecided on which artists to get. I had decided not to use the same artists as my brother so that way I could have all the books out at the same time and minimize the wait.

SATURDAY - Narrowed the list on characters for my sketches and dug out some references. Loaded up the truck and headed for the show. Doors opened at 10 A.M. and after some minor, and irritating, setbacks pulled into the lot about 10:25 A.M. Mike had made arrangements with two artists to get sketches in his book and two other sketches for friends. After getting my raffle ticket and free comic, I headed for artist alley. Mellon and the first artist Mike had talked to were not yet there, so I was a little relieved for running late. I went to the second artist Mike talked to and picked up his out of book commissions and let him know the situation regarding the book. No problems there and I started looking at the other artists samples and some of the dealer tables until I saw the missing artists come in about 10:45. Gave them a little time to set up and dropped off the book and print. I then decided to check with Jeremy Mohler and after hearing his prices and not being totally scared off, I gave him a choice of three characters-Captain Cold, Captain Boomerang and Mirror Master. Off to the dealer tables to look for books. Mike's first sketch is finished so I turn the book over to the next artist and have narrowed my choice down to two artists, and it came down to timing. Renae was finished with what she was working on and the other artist was only about half done.

Very pleased with the finished work on all three of my purchases at this show. Plus there was a very good turnout for the show. I think this was the busiest I had seen the FreeCon. I will definately be looking for these artists, including the ones I didn't get a sketch from, at future shows. A couple of them mentioned they might be at HeroesCon in Charlotte so I may have to make sure they are added to my list for that show.

Long, rambling post - so thanks for sticking with it. Excellent show and I give props out to the organizer and guests. I went in not expecting a lot, the one headsketch and maybe some books, and walked out with three great sketches and some unexpected finds in the books. Thanks to all.

NEW ADDITION/FIRST RATING

As promised, or threatened, I am posting up some pictures of my other purchase from Planet Con.




Jack of Hearts mini bust
Bowen Designs
#0713/1200
Sculpted by Joy & Tom Snyder




Obviously I liked this or else I wouldn't have spent the money on it, but I have to say this is a very nice looking bust. I really liked this character from his early appearances and was looking forward to seeing this in person and, hopefully, liking it enough to buy it. The first thing that jumped out at me was the excellent paint job. His outer suit really shines compared to his "shirt" and, at least to me, really makes the bust. It draws the eye and compliments the character rather nicely. Jack has a really detailed costume and they nailed it with this sculpt. While he isn't a well-known character, despite some use during the Busiek and Johns era of the Avengers, he would make a nice addition to your collection.





Need to work up some kind of rating system, but for now I give it

***** out of *****

WELCOME BACK, SLACKER!!!

Not to make excuses, but I apologize for the lack of posts. I have been swamped with all aspects of my life and could never make the time to post more - could find the time, but never forced myself to sit down and do anything until now.

Classes are winding down-about 1 month left-so I am taking a break from them this weekend. Down to only two more tests and putting the finishing touches on a final paper, which I may go ahead and do this weekend just to be done with it. I have managed to whittle down my college experience to only needing 8 more classes after this semester, so I should be done in about 4 years. only semi-kidding there. Between working full time and trying to fit in my required classes in the evenings and online it really limits the number of classes I can actually take and keep up with. Had really thought about sneaking one in over the summer, but came to my senses and passed. Two more in the fall and I should, hopefully, be down to three semesters max. FINGERS CROSSED!!!!

I did find time to get to the KC comic con about a month ago. http://www.planetcomicon.com/ Picked up a couple of sketches and even managed to play with the new camera a little.

Ragdoll by Rodney Ramos

Bullseye (with dead Skrull in background) done on the Secret Invasion sketch cover variant by Jeremy Haun.

I had set up another commission, but had to leave before the artist showed up. I am currently waiting for it to show up in the mail after making arrangements with his rep. I also picked up a Jack of Hearts minibust by Bowen Designs and will try and get some pictures up later this weekend. Overall it was a pretty good show, but as the day wore on I just got less and less enthused with it. I think partially it was due to having to wait for the other artist and not knowing when/if ever I was going to get the sketch that I had already put a deposit on. I didn't really want to set up another commission and spend the money and I couldn't get into looking for any back issues I needed because I was constantly looking over at his spot to see if he had showed up yet. Once the snow really started to come down I pulled the trigger and left the show. Still waiting for that sketch and starting to get really antsy about it. Supposedly he finished it at the show on Sunday and payment for the other half cleared three days later, but nothing yet. Not naming names, yet but some of you know who it is and where I place the blame for this.

Off to watch "Talk Soup" and loaf a little more in the morning, but I will be back this afternoon, maybe, with some more pictures.

KIDS ARE GREAT!

Okay had to post this before it slipped my mind-which is happening more frequently now. Anyway-after taking a personal day off from work I was using my spare time to run some errands and take care of some light maintenance on my truck. My last stop before returning home and settling in for the night was at the local Wal-Mart. As I walked in I noticed two employees on a scissor lift repairing/replacing the surveillance camera over the greeter near the registers. No big deal and a minor inconvenience. I'll just walk around it and proceed onto my goal. I wasn't even really paying it any attention.

As I edged around it I happened to look up and noticed a small boy (probably 4 or so) staring at the lift with very wide eyes. He was clutching a pack of Starburst in one hand, but was oblivious to the treasure that he held. He could only stare in amazement at the wonderful (probably previously unknown) device before him. I couldn't help but watch him. I think the entire time that it took me to walk by he never blinked.

I think this is what's wrong with us. We don't even realize the simple things. Everything around us is taken for granted-this includes children. Kind of sappy I know, but it really made me think about some things. If you are reading this (both of you) take a little time and think about life in a different light. Remember as a child how everything seemed (and was) big and new and you weren't jaded by all the crap that life, work, bosses, etc threw at you. Don't want to get overly deep or sentimental - just needed to get this out there.

Picture above is only for reference and to "set the mood". I borrowed it from www.usefilm.com and appreciate the use. If using the photo violates any trademark or copyright requirements please let me know and I will remove it ASAP.

RESOLUTIONS

I am like the rest of the world in the fact that I make, and ultimately don't keep, new year's resolutions. This ties into the previous post in I find that the older I get the more I should keep some of these resolutions. I.E. if I want to live to regret not keeping some of these new year's promises I have to actually start keeping some of them. hell of a paradox isn't it?

Keeping that in mind this year I am going to make a genuine effort to try and keep some of them-at the least through January. Keeping that in mind I am also going to be a little more selective and careful in making them for '09. Sure I could take the easy way out and pick

1. eat more red meat (mmmmm....red meat)
2. sleep more
3. exercise even less (if that is possible)
4. ignore any potential health concerns

But I am also trying to be realistic and feasible. I am also including a couple that I had managed to be successful with in the past, but fell off the wagon. Experts say that it takes two weeks to make something a habit. No matter how much I tell myself this, it doesn't seem to be effective. All that being said I will now bore you with my list for '09

1. drink less soda (had managed to avoid the stuff entirely for over a year and then 'one little taste' and I was hooked again) I am really going to try and limit my intake to one day a week. Of course this means that I will be consuming the stuff for 23 hours on that one day - I do have to allow myself time to get rid of it. 8P
2. stop picking/chewing my fingernails. Yeah I know gross, disgusting and whatever else you want to call it, but it is a nervous habit for me. This one will be the toughest because it is so easy to catch myself unconsciously doing it. I figure to help break myself of this habit I will allow unlimited toe access. Enjoy that mental image
3. less swearing. Relatively easy if I limit the amount of time I spend at work. Believe it or not this is where most of the blue language emits from me. Not saying I don't swear at home or on the road, just that more occurs on the job. So that being said I will take as much sick time/vacation time possible. I did manage to limit myself the one day of the new year spent at work so far, so this one is doable. Of course my blood pressure and general well being may not fare so well. It is a trade-off and leads into the next one.
4. try and take better general care of myself. I figure the easiest way to keep this one will be to limit my food intake a little better and get out and walk more. Should be fairly easy, but also the easiest to break. Oh if I just have all of this cake I will be extra careful tomorrow and get up early to walk the dog. Both the dog and I know this won't happen.

All that being said I reserve the right to edit said list at any time during the upcoming year. I will try and update how goes any of the resolutions. Also by no means is this the complete list, just the ones I can think of at the moment.

HAPPY NEW YEAR - 2009

May as well take out the new year with a bang. Plus I don't know that I will be up to 'officially' welcome in '09. As I get older I realize that I may be turning into that crazy old man who yells at the neighborhood kids to get off his lawn. And I really don't have that much of a problem with it.

The recent holiday season has also made me aware that I have very little tolerance for idiots, or as the man in the photo would say morans. By calling them idiots I am using my own classification system that pretty much refers to anyone that does something that pi$$es me off. I understand that not everyone can be 'on' 100% of the time and I will give a little leeway, but some things grant no forgiveness. One is illustrated by the photo. There are 4 words on that placard and he got one wrong. Frankly the first two are a given so technically he got 50% wrong, and I am surprised that brain is correct. If you are going to the trouble of using a sign to protest (or praise for that matter) MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS SPELLED RIGHT!!!

Basically it all comes down to one thing, at least for me. Take other people into consideration. If you are driving try and follow the advice on the sign on the side of the road and keep your vehicle up to that speed. If you can't, or won't, you should take a different route that will allow you to sight see and meander at the pace you choose. At the very least stay in the right hand lane. Let's also try using a turn signal. If you are going to protest something, and by all means that is every persons right, don't make yourself look any more stupid than you already do. It doesn't help your argument if you can't spell. Most people have trouble listening to your cause if they are laughing at you.

Sorry for the rambling, but the holiday season always brings out my inner grinch and it wasn't helped this year by some situations at work. It is amazing how inept people can be promoted to a management position. It is equally amazing that said person once in the management position can somehow then seem to become even more inept. Enough said on that for the moment. Details may come in later posts

Hope everyone enjoys themselves and brings in '09 in whatever fashion they prefer

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Technically it is Christmas Eve, but I know I am not going to get a chance to post again before the weekend so here's wishing everyone a Merry Christmas!

Sitting down now and enjoying the annual tradition of watching as much of the 24 hour marathon on TBS of the best Christmas movie (and pretty high ranking movie in general) EVER - A Christmas Story. I will give this one to Parker since it was filmed in Cleveland and they have converted the house into a museum. I also discovered that the winning bid in an auction to spend Christmas Eve night in the house and 'relive' some of the scenes went for just over $5,000. I think the highlight would have been having Christmas dinner from Pearl of the Orient.

No rants this time around-just hope everyone enjoys the holiday and is able to spend time with friends and family.

No list either this time around, but the trivia lives on.

USELESS ON TOPIC TRIVIA: 2 since it is such a great movie
The movie studio wanted Jack Nicholson to play the part of the Dad, but the director lobbied (and obviously got) Darren McGavin, and I think the movie was all the better.

Grover Dill (the toadie to the bully), played by Yano Anaya, is also the paperboy from Better Off Dead. "Two Dollars!" He also played the young Michael Anthony in Van Halen's "Hot for Teacher" video