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.

I finally wrote the first words in my word bubble based on the poll and ( here are the pictures to prove it.. )

Also, Jeff and I have still been posting "Portland LOVES Vancouver" which you can keep up to date on flickr or facebook (at 3 updates, we felt it was fair to give it a facebook fanpage), ( but here's the most recent two.. )

The Zombie Cycle Outbreak ride during Pedalpalooza was a lot of fun (I even tape a loudspeaker to my bike rack and moaned brains as we were riding from bar to bar), I didn't take any pictures (too busy being the leader), but I am sure there are some somewhere on the internet.. Let me know if you find them.

Tonight, Jeff is coming in from Canada tonight and staying until Saturday morning and I am terribly happy about it. A solid week of nurturing hangout time, comics, and awesome. If any of you want to go grab coffee/dinner/etc. with us to meet him, just let me know.


Yesterday, I breifly checked out MCBF (I have been to it enough years that I no longer feel the need to be there the whole time) and made sure to catch the Unicycle Bastards doing their unijousting, which was awesome. I really need to practice unicycling more so that I can join those guys on the unipolo court soon, they're a lot of fun to hang out with.

Right now I am at Tiny's in SE having a work date with BFF Kevin, BFF John, and Dave, working on some lettering..

Wow, I haven't posted in forever. Yikes. I also hardly ever check Livejournal friends' posts either, but I am thinking I should get back into it a bit more. Between Facebook and Twitter, Livejournal has been lost in the shuffle, but I am looking to rekindle the romance..

Here is the last few months in summary for those not friends with me elsewhere on TEH INTARWEBS:

- I moved into a new house, still in NE, of course.
- The family I work for now has a Madsen bucket bike* in their garage, it's going to make this summer of nannying absolutely amazing.
- I am closer than ever to understanding what my heart needs/wants (and it's really complicated) thanks to completely indulging the idea that I will not enter into a monogamous relationship anytime soon.
- I got to moderate the Portfolio Review table at SCF again this year and I hear I did a really good job.
- I am still one of the organizers of PZS and all the flooding of emails for it is kind of driving me crazy, I keep chanting to myself, "This is totally worth it, all this work is totally worth it."
- I go out too much, I need a muse to keep me home more often, working on my personal, creative projects, ugh. Or, you know, maybe some ability to say no to social invitations.
- I got a new tattoo, ON THE PALM OF MY HAND. It's a word bubble that I got as a group tattoo with Neil and Shads, it was Neil's idea.. I have yet to write any text in the word bubble, which leads me to this poll..

Poll #1395566 Word bubble - First words?!
Open to: All, detailed results viewable to: All, participants: 12

What is your submission for my word bubble's first words?

I may copy and paste all submissions and have a vote in another poll or I may just pick my favorite.



( and a little link.. )

Just a heads up if you're a parent and/or an artist looking for something fun to do... Some artists I am friends/acquainted with are involved in a new project called Uncle Envelope. Uncle Envelope mails out different and exciting paper objects or crafts each month to kids! I am hoping to submit a couple projects myself because I think this is such a cool concept, but haven't as yet. It's a great excuse to do more projects with the kiddos, helps support artists, and it's something in your mailbox that's not a bill!

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.

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!

So, my day with Grandpa Chuck went fine. It can be surprising how little a person can change in 8 years. I showed him my house, we had pizza (with me explaining that I am vegan), I showed him the gallery, we took a delightful pedicab tour, and he met my housemate. I had no sneak attacks of negative emotion as a result of seeing someone I hadn't seen since a very difficult time of my life.. And that was quite a relief.


Anyways, on to you my friends. Look, I know I've said here recently that I look at livejournal less and less, but I've missed some big struggles in a few of your lives recently as a result of this and it makes me feel lousy. I probably feel more responsible for other people's feeling than I should, but I want to say to you all that if you're ever hurting, please feel free to call me, send me a text or email me. Sometimes I get too busy to check everyone's livejournal these days, but I am never too busy to listen. Even if you just want to email me and tell me to read your most recent livejournal entry because you don't have the energy to rehash it, but do want support or feedback, do it.

Seriously.

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

• 21:53 at chopsticks 3 with devon, caleb, paul, and @peteforsyth rocking out. #
• 11:19 watching muppet videos, getting psyched for muppet night at alberta street pub tonight.. #
• 11:28 @indigokelleigh way. 9pm! #
• 11:28 @masonwest mikey's current theme for booze mooves! you going to come? #
• 12:01 @eedumas it's a weekly movie night hosted by my friend mikey, and he's starting his muppet-themed run.. you should come! #
• 12:02 @masonwest but mason, do it for the muppets! also, i miss you. bring your lady, make a night of it! #
• 12:04 just finished mowing the last bit of the lawn that i missed on saturday.. now it's shower time! #
• 15:52 an ex, the one that i moved here with, called me last night while i was out at karaoke. #
• 15:53 he said he was calling because he is "getting sentimental in [his] old age." i told him that i was out and.. #
• 15:53 that, if he wanted to talk, he could call me tomorrow. today is tomorrow and he actually did call. it was weird. #
• 15:54 yesterday marked five years since he and i moved to portland together. he sounds about the same.. #
• 15:56 i think he still has guilt about our relationship. his call was a shock because we don't really talk. #
• 15:57 we're polite if we see each other around, which is about once every 6 months, but are relationship was really unhealthy. #
• 15:57 thankfully, i just made some tofu salad and eased the pain of hearing from him with its deliciousness. #

my daily tweets bought to lj thanks to loudtwitter.

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

• 19:06 last thursday is more fun with a kid in tow.. #
• 00:58 @peteforsyth hula hoops? #
• 08:03 up to late talking on the phone.. i can't keep on a solid schedule. #
• 08:05 thankfully, lack of sleep doesn't really make me grumpy.. unfortunately, i also happen to be lacking the thing that can make me grumpy.. #
• 08:50 @death_toartists let's not talk about it. #
• 09:05 i just explained to catcher that some white spots on the sidewalk were bird poop.. #
• 09:05 now we can't pass a white spot without catcher pointing down and saying, "that's bird poop too!" #
• 09:07 and there are a lot of white spots on the sidewalk.. #
• 13:56 how?! tell me, how i've missed the jesus lizard robot until now! nanolab.me.cmu.edu/projects/waterrunner #
• 14:00 i found it while googling around about apatosaurus/brontosaurus... #
• 14:02 footprints of apatosaurus, found in 2008, show that juveniles could run on their hind legs.. #
• 14:02 in a manner similar to that of the modern basilisk lizard.. which is awesome. #
• 14:04 this lead me to googling around about basilisks and finding the jesus lizard robot, which, by the way, i would have no problem worshiping. #
• 14:14 @arashikami what, that's a hobby! that's a real hobby! bona fide, even. #
• 16:23 it's so beautiful out and i am excited for my evening plans in a very silly way.. you know, the unrealistic kind. #
• 16:27 note to self: don't forget "build your own portland teach in" tomorrow at montavilla community center. #

my daily tweets bought to lj thanks to loudtwitter.

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

• 20:25 wrapping up band practice.. #
• 21:54 delicious seaweed dish at zilla sake and soon the music of @myrrh.. #
• 00:43 i feel restless in too many ways. #
• 07:52 yawn.. why don't i stick to a schedule? #
• 09:28 grabbing coffee, then catcher and i are heading downtown with sam and bria.. #

my daily tweets bought to lj thanks to loudtwitter.

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

• 18:10 @eedumas never mind, i totally messed up the lost boys show time, so my friends and i are not doing that.. #
• 23:58 just watched be kind rewind with jeremy, jack and matt.. it's so good! i'm in tears. then again, i am quite a sap. #
• 00:51 matt and i are at jeremy's watching mr. show.. #
• 11:08 flavourspot with matt, still trying to wake up.. #
• 13:06 at fuel cafe with jeremy, working on the gallery's newsletter, feeling sleepy. #
• 15:25 still at fuel cafe, but look what i made! flickr.com/groups/bikeeverydayportland and flickr.com/groups/bikeeveryday #
• 15:26 though i am still working on the gallery newsletter, i swear.. #
• 16:14 note to self: email pzs organizers t'chaka's movie's trailer, talk about the possibility doing a few screenings of his film during pzs.. #
• 16:15 note to self: and the possibility of him teaching a workshop about diy film / costume making? #
• 16:25 leaving fuel cafe, heading to the co op for some groceries, then home to clean before ana gets back from seattle. #

my daily tweets bought to lj thanks to loudtwitter.

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.