I am happy.

Is everything perfect? Well, it never is. But it's always better than it has been, which is the most I will ever hope for and what I am entirely grateful for.

Here is the list of things I have been working on:

- I founded a zine collective, Stumptown Underground, and we're publishing monthly anothologies of writing, comics, illustrations, etc. We've actually been doing it monthly. It's killing me and keeping me alive, both at the same time. Working on it has been totally fucking inspiring. I am seeing the best of all creative people I know and I can't help but be forced to remember how beautiful life is.

- Planning for PZS is already going on and I am organizing again.

- I started an event with Los Moustachios called Movie-A-Roke, which has been a laugh.

- Myself.

Aaaaaaaaaand, I figured I should let you all know about some of the other fabulous events leading up to and during the Portland Zine Symposium...

• Cut, Copy, Collate - A Zine Construction Workshop: At the North Portland Library on Tuesday, July 14


• PZS 24hr Zine Challenge: At Cosmic Monkey Comics on Saturday, July 18th
Shuffleupagus - A Collaborative Zine Experience: At the Central Library on Tuesday, July 21 </li>

• IPRC Pre-Symposium Kick Off Dance Party!: At Holocene on Thursday, July 23


• Open Mic Zine Reading: At the IPRC on Friday, July 24th


• PZS Movie Night: At the Hawthorne Hostel on Saturday, July 25

In other news, Jeff's visit to Portland was pretty rad. My housemate, Ashley, let Jeff use his bike while he was here, so we biked all around, got some work on comics done (not as much as we should have, apparently we get more done separated), ate a lot of yummy food, and majorly celebrated Canada Day (with poutine from Potato Champion, pies from Whiffies, and karaoke). When he first got here, I still have to nanny for a few days, but then the family went on vacation, which freed up my time.

Jeff left Saturday morning and I spent the 4th of July with my neighbor friends (one who I've started seeing, Dan) and neighbor Dan and I biked to the Steel Bridge to watch fireworks in addition to bbqing and fire blowing.

Today is my last day off from nannying and the past few days I have gotten tons and tons of PZS work done, which is a relief, but not so much work done on comics..

I am feeling like life is moving too fast, there's too much that I want to do, all the time.

Oh, did I mention I am leading/planning the zombie ride during Pedalpalooza? Because I totally am. If you want to help me shepherd the hoard, be in on the route, or have pub/bar suggestions, shoot me an email.

Also, here's the Facebook event for Zombie Cycle Outbreak if you want to help get the word out. Really though, there were at least 100 people when I helped organize it last year, so I imagine we'll have plenty of people..

This design for this flier literally came to me in a dream (the silhouetted child holding up her comic), but I feel it's too wordy (I am terrible at keeping text condensed)... So, any suggestions would be totally appreciated. Thanks!

So, I got a new laptop last weekend, just before I got ridiculously sick. It helped entertain me in through the yuck, which spanned three days, as well as the snow. Also, it means that I've started the long process of editing and uploading photos I had sitting around on my camera's memory card. Most of them are from October, including about a million from my trip to Chicago for two weeks.





Look, I'll admit it, I've got a problem. I don't even have a fancy camera, yet I have about 40 pictures of flowers and plants in that set. I just can't help myself. The photos I have in this set so far are just from the first two days. My paid, flickr account expired yesterday, so unless someone buys me a new one, I am not going to do anymore uploading to flickr until Saturday, which is when I plan on buying myself a new one. Though I will be uploading more to facebook before that...


I am in a kind of limbo with a few things right now, it's driving me stir crazy. I would say that, as a nanny, I can't help but think of Dr. Seuss's "The Waiting Place." Knowing how popular "Oh! The Places You'll Go" is, however, I know that being a nanny isn't the only reason I am thinking of it. I could be almost any white, 24-year-old woman in America and I might have "The Waiting Place" bit vividly lodged in my head as I wade through transitory times in my life. It's popular. It's popular and it neatly articulates the anxiety, desperation, the futility of waiting.

And, no! That's not for me!

So, how do I get out of "The Waiting Place?" Where are my "Boom Bands?"

I don't know.

I am waiting on big decisions from other people that will intensely affect me, my life, the things that I want for my life. I am waiting for projects I've started to actually pick up momentum and participation (like the comic workshops for kids at Seuquential Art Gallery that I started). I am waiting for Saturday, when I get my second tattoo, which is mostly an addition to my first. I am waiting to turn 25, because, here it is, December! Another birthday is about to slip by me. I was waiting to get a new laptop, but now I have it. This is a relief, I can now move forward with some other things I was waiting to do. I am waiting for news about this or that that I am helping organize, so that I can help make decisions, so that the event happens, so that I can wait for it to all start again.

Some waiting is just about staying, being complacent. In other words, it's your choice to be there waiting, you could be acting. But some waiting... Well, some waiting is about patience, keeping yourself going, keeping yourself working, while all the momentum you've been building gets rolling. You can't just wait. Or, at least, I can't.

I am discovering more and more that I am a slave to action. I need to get out and do. And I do. I do too much, according to many very close to me. Now, I've started into wonder if I do too much to leave time for what's really important, if I've been doing too much to the point that I am missing more important, more meaningful opportunities...

In case you somehow haven't been invited by me already, here's one last line I am casting out about our Election Night Party...

Hosted by: Blue & Ana
When: Tuesday Nov 04, 2008 at 7:00 PM
Where: Our House! Email me if you need the address..

We're crossing our fingers and hoping the country's not going to be totally fucked!

We plan on..

- Printing out a large map (or 3) of These United States that we can all try our hand at coloring as the results come in.
- Plenty of drinking games with varying rules (we can make a big poster of rules that we can add and subtract from through the night).
- Some print outs of politicians to color.
- A contest for best drawn politician (limited to politicians currently up for election) which should be pretty competitive, considering a lot of people that tend to come to my parties are comic drawing folks.. What's the prize? It will be a SURPRIZE! Sorry, I had to make that joke.
- Setting up a Twister board - the U.S. version! Yes, really.
- Starting up a game of "TRUTH or McCain" (you say McCain in place of dare, I've read that it's more fun than it sounds).

What can you bring?

- Patriotic-themed beer.
- Patriotic-themed liquor.
- Patriotic-themed mixers.
- Patriotic-themed snacks.
- Drawing/coloring supplies (though I do have quite a bit).
- Extra Paper.
- Your own shot glass (we only have two for some reason).

What are some good patriotic-themed alcohols/mixers? Based on some googling about patriotic, mixed drinks, here are ingredients we suggest you can bring:

- Grenadine
- Blue Curacao
- Apple cider
- Cointreau
- Southern Comfort
- Cranberry juice
- Vodka
- White Rum
- Apple Liqueur
- Bacardi 151 (for our special Burning Flag Shots)

Please let me know if you plan on attending and what you might bring. Also, feel free to forward this email to any friends you'd like to invite. 

So, I though I turned on my twitter feed during my vacation in Chicago, but I didn't! Whoops. If you're interested in reading about some things I did and thoughts I had during my trip, my twitter account is not private and you can go check it out.. In summary, I had a great trip, I got a ton of stuff for free or cheap randomly (I credit my new, amazing tattoo), I got to do a ton of museum stuff, I really enjoyed Windy City Comic Con, I ate tons and tons of totally delicious vegan food, and I am feeling weird about being back in Portland. Also, Neil Brideau is one of the nicest, most cool hosts ever. Go buy his comics.

Also, the back light on my laptop's screen decided, during my vacation, that the new fun thing to do is to work for only the first few minutes that my laptop is on and then crap out. So, I have not put many pictures up from my trip beyond a couple from my phone.. I am not sure when I will put this rest online, as I am obsessed with editing photos before uploading them to flickr and I can't with my screen misbehaving..

In other news, neither I nor Kaebel have heard of any really good, election night parties. This leads me to believe there are none. Which means that I may need to have one here at my house. I favor a house party instead of going out to a bar because it means I will spend less money. Anyone up for it? Theme ideas? You know, besides crossing all our fingers and hoping we're not totally fucked for the next 4 years...

Aaaand, I have a new phone, so I may have lost your number, not all were on my sim card. Email me with yours if you're worried I don't have yours - like if yours is a number you've given me in the last few months..

I start my new nanny job full time on Monday. I thought I would be starting it full time as soon as I got back, but I am happy to have a few more days off.

How're you?

I am in Chicago! I got here Wednesday. I watched the debates at the CHM with friends here, but thanks for all the invites out to watch the debates, Portland friends.

I am here until the 28th and I miss you, Portland, but I am so happy to be here. A couple of Portland friend are visiting too.. Brianna made plans to come with me, she's arriving today and she'll be here all weekend. Myrrh is heading out soon, too. If you're in Chicago, give me a call and let's do coffee/lunch/whatever.

If you're curious how it is here, I will be sending photos from my phone to a Chicago trip flickr set quite a bit, as well as uploading them from my camera on the regular.

Also, I am turning my twitter feed on today for the duration of this trip. Try not to cry about it, Chris Faux.

Still trying to wake up after a long night as a superhero..

I am pretty sure we met our fund raising goal - which is awesome - even with a lower-than-normal, Alter Egos turnout. Thanks to all who made it to the Ceasefire Party last night.

Seriously, thank you. I am so happy we can help p:ear by wearing spandex/capes/etc. So happy. Events like this reinforce my idea that Portland is, truly, nerd heaven.

The next Alter Egos event is in April, I promise to warn you all more ahead of time..

In other news, on Friday night I got a gift certificate for a free Achewood tattoo while at the Chris Onstad signing at Skeleton Key Tattoo. I am about to get my first tattoo of a crow on my chest on Monday, the Achewood tattoo could stand to be my second...

Poll #1277399 Achewood tattoo?
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 13

Query the First: Should I get an Achewood tattoo?

Query the Second: If I do get an Achewood tattoo, what would you imagine me getting?

Why do you imagine this for me? Feel free to explain more in the comments if you don't have enough room..

ALTER EGOS: Hero/Villain Ceasefire Party 2008

October 11th, we will be holding the 2^nd annual Alter Egos: Hero/Villain Ceasefire Party. This superhero-themed, costume party will include music from The Punk Group, Travis Wiggins, and DJ Ghostdad (Jason of Floating World Comics) There will also be costume contests with prizes, raffles (with prizes provided by Cosmic Monkey Comics, Bridge City Comics, and more!), pedicab rides from Midnight Lightning (proceeds from the pedicab rides go to p:ear), alcohol and food for sale... All to raise money for p:ear! Doors will open at 7:00pm and we'll be going until 12:00am.

R. Palate will be serving appetizers and alcohol, proceeds from the alcohol and food sales will go to p:ear as well. More details regarding the menu as they develop.

At this themed event both villains and heroes are invited to come under a banner of truce. Attendees are asked to come in a costume and persona of their own design, rather than imitating characters from comics or film.

We have gained more recognition and have made friends and partners that are enthusiastic about promoting our events. We will provide promotional art and distribute press releases to local print and radio outlets and work with comic book shops to alert their costumers about this event.

 

Help us spread the word...

 

Why are we doing this?

 

The Alter Egos Society is committed to providing opportunities for individuals to explore their creativity, and that is a value we see at p:ear as they address issues of homelessness on a human scale. We are putting on this fun, interactive event to not only raise money for p:ear, but also create more awareness of p:ear and all it does for the Portland community.

I neglected to put this in this month's events newsletter that I write for Sequential Art Gallery, but here's the information now!

Portland Art Open is happening this weekend, all over Portland. More specifically, BT Livermore (near and dear to my heart) and Meghan Mitchell (a very rad lady) will be opening up their apartment and showing amazing art at affordable prices! Their address is 2315 SE Stark St. and they will have their apartment open today from 5pm until 9pm, Saturday from 11am until 6pm, and Sunday from 11am until 6pm. You can find more information about their art open specifically here.

There are dozens of artists and several places participating all weekend, so go check the Portland Art Open out!

I have bought tickets to go back to Chicago for a visit. I will be there from October 15th through the 28th. This will be my first visit back to the windy city since I moved away, shortly after graduating from Hoffman Estates High School. Basically, I want to look at the place I used to live with my current eyes.

I will be visiting a friend I met through Portland's Stumptown Comics Fest, Neil Brideau, who lives in Chicago and a Portland friend, Ryan Alexander-Tanner, who is temporarily living in Chicago to work on comics for a teaching curriculum's textbook. Another Portland friend of mine, Brianna, will also be coming to visit Chicago for a few days with me. I will probably be doing things like checking out all the museums I loved when I was younger, comparing Chicago coffee to Portland coffee, going out to eat vegan food, biking around the city with my comics friends on a loaner bike, feeling awkwardly nostalgic, etc. Also, I may go to Next Panel Independent Comics Expo..

If you're going to be around when I am in town and want to grab coffee or lunch, let me know. Thanks to the internet, I am "friends" with some of you from those days that I haven't actually seen in 6+ years or, in some cases, haven't even talked to in 6+ years. I am sure we're all very different people doing much different things, so it would be terribly fascinating to have a chat with any of you. Feel free to tell anyone you know that I used to know that is still in the area.

For months now, on an alarmingly escalating basis, I've been dumping time into organizing the Portland Zine Symposium.

I field all the emails, manually confirm all the tablers, recruited the talented John C. Worsley to take over our website and worked with him on maintaining it, have attended all but two of the meetings (I missed being at two in person, but I was at one of those via speaker phone), have handled the corn mug ordering process, am working with the screen printer for the shirts for this year, maintain the facebook page, and I've booked us an awesome wrap up party.


And it's all about to come to fruitition, friends. ( PZS is August 23rd and 24th.. )

I hope to see you there.


In other news, we still need volunteers to help out before/during/after PZS, which you can read more about here.

here are my tweets for today, so far...

• 19:08 at supertrash, boarding house is starting.. #
• 20:31 epic telekinesis battle! #
• 20:58 walking in the thunder storm, seeking a burrito on se hawthorne.. #
• 21:51 arriving at courtney's birthday party, deeped se.. nothing like biking in a spring thunderstorm.. #
• 00:47 overheard at courtney's party: "so are you guys girlfriend and boyfriend or friends or what?" "we're twins." #
• 03:47 closing the night out downtown with chris and scott at chris's apartment.. #
• 10:19 @arashikami sharp what? #
• 12:39 biking up interstate to beaterville with @bookdarts and @quadhome.. #
• 14:42 @corwinlw you didn't do anything wrong last night, what are you talking about? #

my daily tweets bought to lj thanks to loudtwitter.

here are my tweets for today, so far...

• 18:08 burrito stop and i'm almost home. coming later, the old money show at white eagle with jack and, possibly, other friends.. #
• 20:44 @lx i'd ask to join you if i weren't already going to white eagle.. #
• 14:40 out too late with jack, just got home from breakfast (also with jack). i actually don't have a million things to do today.. #
• 14:43 so, should i in on an epic bike ride or unpack my room a bit? perhaps both? #
• 16:28 @arashikami oh, i forgot about that! perhaps i should head over? #
• 16:56 ok, biking over to the bagdad for supertrash.. can't believe i almost forgot about it.. how silly to think i had free time. #

my daily tweets bought to lj thanks to loudtwitter.