Invincible Summer

by NJG

Saturday, May 19, 2012

A GIANT POST. Pets, Awards, Conventions, Klingons, Alison Bechdel, Chickens, Galleys & More.

Hello There! It's been a while. I have been neck-deep in teaching this month. I did the calculations the other day, and last week I taught 800 children. Not a joke! In one week! EIGHT HUNDRED!!! That's a lot of names to remember.
My 7th grade students just started inking their nonfiction comics, and they are looking GREAT. Here are some more things I want to talk about: 1. It is getting summery around here.

2. Look at this Wishbone.
3. I get to get some new chickens very soon and I am STOKED. I can focus misguided maternal attention on some little fluffy chickens like an absolute crazy person.
***These are not my actual chickens*****
4. Oh, I posted this on twitter but I didn't tell YOU, blog reader: I got galleys of my book! WTF! Speaking of chicken weirdness, here I am looking at a phone with an amazingly giant chicken next to me.
5. Did you see this video of the Gossip playing on a talk show at Cannes, wherein our friend Beth Ditto does a grind dance with Sascha Baron Cohen as The Dictator? You're welcome.
Keen eyed friends will see a familiar face in the background.
6. I have started reading the book Are You My Mother? by Alison Bechdel and was lucky enough to see her read from this treasure at the Bagdad last weekend with my lovely big sister in tow. By the way, people asked her some amazingly inappropriate questions, which I will not divulge here.
Here is a picture of a picture being taken at her table. Sorry for the sasquatch-sighting quality of the photo.
7. I will be attending CAKE, the Chicago Alternative Comics Expo, this June, thanks to a generous grant from RACC, the Regional Arts & Culture Council. I'll also be on a panel of teachers. See you there!
8. Speaking of Comics Festivals, I met a Klingon at the Stumptown Comics Festival.
I also got to sit by Clutch McBastard & Carrie McNinch. What a pleasure!
P.s. If you notice I cross my arms and back up to people a lot in photos, it's because I'm trying to pretend I'm on the Amazing Race, and that's how teammates stand in their photos for the show.
9. I finished this really nice cat portrait. That's right, I said my own painting was nice. Because IT IS. Tabbies are hard! I was happy with it. I don't know if I can accept any more pet portrait orders this year. I am booked up almost completely. It's intense. I'll let you know.
10. What's your opinion of Tan Mom?
Just kidding. I know what you think of Tan Mom. You don't even have to tell me.
11. I'm giving LIVE ADVICE on May 25th at the Waypost as part of Gridlords.
12. AWARDS- I did NOT win "Maker Overlord" of Portland, so I will NOT be riding on a float at the Starlight Parade. But I *DID* win "Teaching Artist of the Year" at the 2012 Sunburst Awards. I am picking up my giant trophy (not really) this Wednesday at a luncheon. Excited for that.
13. There is a new Zine and button shop in town! Portland Button Works is on Killingsworth next to Lillikoi, and you can get my zines there. GOOD BYE!!!! n.g.