4.20.2010

Denver Wrapup

Last Friday's sky in Denver was, again, gray and cloudy — though the temperatures offered no chance of snow. We'd just flown in and, like last year, had our sandwiches under the airport's tents before heading out to the Denver Art Museum. At the last minute Chuck, one of our fellow 7000 BC-ers and his wife decided to make the drive; our flight arrangements were long set, so we met them while we were driving south to Albuquerque so we could fly north to Denver and they were driving north out of Albuquerque to load them up with books for the Denver ComicFest.

I'd failed to look into any other things to do in Denver (reasonably sure there are) other than the museum, but given that we only had a few hours and we were familiar with the drive and parking, seemed a good way to pass the afternoon. Some time in the permanent exhibits, which we didn't see last time, and in the Face to Face show. Then found some real treats from the Embrace show of site-specific work; technically closed, but not yet deinstalled.

A little room that was basically a grid of bungee cords, stretched floor to ceiling, spaced a couple inches apart on a grid. Pushing in at first, then getting stuck — a little creepy. But then, once used to it, way too much fun.

  



And then a video installation, just lines and words flowing on the walls, but made specifically for the angled room. Quite peaceful, really.

  



Nice way to wrap up the museum visit. Some coffee, some snacks, outside to see the sculpture and a little stroll around the neighborhood, and off to the con hotel. As we pulled up around 5:00, Chuck and Dominque had just arrived and were beginning the table setup. Weren't expecting much traffic, but it's a chance to work out the display and meet and catch up with the other creators. We were almost in the same spot as last year, but perpendicular at the end of the hallway, so we got a nice, prominent display for the banner and plenty of space for all the stuff from the group.



There was some activity, plenty of socializing. We were next to Tim Lane, at his first con with his book Abandoned Cars, and perpendicular to Noah Van Sciver and John Porcellino, the organizer of the Cowtown Comix Fest we went to last summer. No post-con gathering for us that night.

The next morning, ducked across the weird Tech Center for breakfast at The Original Pancake House. Fortified, on to the day. A slow start, but I'd say it was pretty steady traffic all day despite the rain. At times, felt lighter than last year, but the sales said otherwise. Some return customers from last year, plenty of newcomers to the show. With the three of us to oversee the table, some time to duck away for Tim's presentation on his transmedia experiments and Matt Sturges' on writing.

As well as getting some sketches. It's not uncommon for artists at cons to offer free, quick drawings and/or charge for more elaborate ones. I'd never taken anyone up — but there were two artists I couldn't pass on. Amy Hadley had, literally, days before been named the artist of the relaunched Batwoman series (one of last year's best); I had it in my head to be the first to ever ask her for a Batwoman drawing. And I was, kind of taking her by surprise, but she was game. And Fiona Staples is another favorite artist around here, so I couldn't resist getting a drawing of one of the North 40 characters from her to see how she gets that line quality.

 

A successful day had us in a good mood; we visited with a few local creators before heading out to Brothers BBQ with Chuck and Dominique. And then back to the hotel where we hung out with Tim, Stan, show organizer Jason and his wife Anginet. Way, way too late. But worth it.

Sunday, with Chuck and Dominique back to the Pancake House. And a leisurely setup to the table where, in a bit of an experiment, flipped the layout. A really slow start that picked up by the afternoon, including restocking I Want More Comics, great supporters of our work; we had to pack up before the conclusion to head out. Tough to overstate how nice all the people involved with ComicFest are, the organizers and exhibitors, and what a great time we always have with them — and how lucky we are to be guests at the show.

Overly cautious in our travel time to DIA and in returning the car, so plenty early at the airport for dinner. Uneventful flight back and drive north. Picked up Cheyenne from the dogsitter where, despite her husband being away and having three Greyhounds to watch in addition to her two, managed to not get carried off by them all. Home and out for a bit of a walk — and rounded the corner to find Chuck and Dominique in the driveway.

Our con photos are at the 7000 BC Flickr stream — I remembered to take a picture or two from the other side of the table, but really failed in getting anything else that set the scene. Luckily, Anginet has posted her photos; from the home page, go to "Proofs" and then "Comicfest 2010."



John's also posted some photos, including a few of ours.

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We actually had snow Thursday night and yesterday; didn't amount to much, but still a bit insulting. It looks nice out now, but cool and windy; Monica's off at the Spring Garden Fair, I've been spending way too much time on this post but I'll probably be fiddling with Scrivener, per Matt's recommendation. Note that we spent the morning starting to move hosting companies for 7000 BC, Raised By Squirrels, and D.'s Compostable Matter; hopefully, you won't see any disruptions.

4.18.2010

Homeward Bound



(The post I tried to do six hours ago, but Denver International Airport's free WiFi didn't extend to the gate we were flying out from. We're home safely now).

At the airport, ready to return home after another successful, fun ComicFest. Tough to convey what a great bunch of people the organizers are, and what a great bunch of people they attract.

Sorry to have to leave the con early, but a little time for some Fat Tire under the tents before catching the flight.

4.16.2010

Denver Again

 

Back in Denver for ComicFest. Again, spent the afternoon at the Denver Art Museum.

Just wrapped the con opening, got to catch up with a bunch of friends. More later.

4.04.2010

Weekends Past

As noted, Andy was around last weekend. Arrived into ABQ Friday night, leaving us time to stay up way too late talking. Come Saturday, it was his goal to eat stuff here that couldn't be gotten elsewhere; we started, by request, returning to Flying Star.



Lingered long over breakfast, putting off the hike. 'Cause I had the idea to return to Sun Mountain and hike that in the better weather. Except, last weekend, it wasn't. It was gray and windy and is that clouds up in the mountains or snow? We'd better get going now. Collected the dog and set off.

Arroyo was running a bit, the ground was kind of muddy until it gave way to the packed snow that was lingering. Packed and slippery, making that up and down part extra fun. When we made it to the saddleback (and looked to the mountains behind us) decided that was the destination. We can't catch a break on this hike, it seems.





Through the cold and gray to the car; a stop at Albertson's to get Andy some green chiles to take home (to take the place of the hiking boots he was leaving), and some milk. For hot chocolate. By the fire. Never mind that it was getting sunny by the time we were driving, and the car was certainly plenty warm. We opened up the flue and got the fireplace going for the first time this season. And, because we'd gotten our exercise, wasted the rest of the afternoon by the fire reading comics.

(Returning from the drive, this:)



Dinner, Lan's (come to Santa Fe for the Vietnamese food!), Andy's idea (it had been a while). Then, 'cause it was pretty nice around sunset, some wandering the Plaza and then ducking into Inn of the Anasazi for a little dessert. Home, for the staying up way too late.

Sunday, to Louie's — it may not be New Mexican, but it is very Santa Fe. And off to the airport to get Andy on his 1:00 flight home. Monica stayed home to work on some unspecified sewing project (surprise! repairing my 20+-year-old fencing bag), I ran some errands in Albuquerque, including dropping our books off at Page One.

Weary, Stacy's invitation over to dinner was most welcome. The dogs socialized, we visited, had a great Smörgåsbord dinner. Monica was recruited to help Stacy experiment with Bob's Ultimate Bagel Recipe.



Results weren't what Stacy had hoped (the bagel fairy made a delivery Tuesday), but we've just received an email that she thinks she's worked out the problems.

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As I blogged Friday, off. A good day to stay inside and work on stuff at your own pace.

Chores yesterday, slept in today. While Monica took on the chamisas in the yard, Cheyenne and I headed (most of the way) up Atalaya.



About two hours total, in the high-60s, cloudless sky. She was still dragging for this evening's walk around the block.

Ribs due to come out the oven now.

4.02.2010

Zuni Greyhound



When M+D were here last Christmas, they went to Keshi to commission a Greyhound fetish. Delivered this week, we stopped by today to pick up the piece by artist Cody Nastacio.

Over lunch, we discussed what Greyhound medicine would be. Best we came up with was "move fast when necessary, then spend the rest of the time resting."

(Monica, furloughed today; I took the day off. Somewhere in there we spent a decent chunk of time making comics, which will hopefully bear fruit in the next couple months. Out a bit, but it was a cold, blustery, snowsqually day).

4.01.2010