Loving/Hating Japan

March 14 - 24 was a real rollercoaster.

Tomoko and I spent the day baking cheesecake (which turned out to be not so good), curry (which turned out to be really good), and switching between Family Ties and two Indian spider monkies in love.

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Right after the Boston Comic Con, Andy and I got a call from our friends at El Planeta that they really needed someone to man their extra Boston Phoenix table at Anime Boston. It was really fun, we took lots of pictures of crazy cosplay people, took in the 4 halls of madness, raced back to Worcester to teach a night class, then off for Zombies and crab rangoon with Alison.

The day after, Andy and I hung out with Al & Tomoko, a few drinks, really spicey cheese, and a whole slew of movies. Tomoko had us watch Battle Royale, and I have to say, it was really awesome. Reccognized a few faces from other projects, Go-Go Yubari, the Death Note kid - etc. Easter, she and I headed out to Wrentham, and in the process almost witnessed a beaver hit-and-run. That night, dominated by Adult Swim, we got to finally expose Al to the wonder that is Garth Marenghi.

Monday night Andy, myself, and Al ate some gummy Turkish Delights and watched Roger Corman's Fantastic Four and some Super Friends episodes. It's been a long time since I'd laughed myself into a stomache ache. It was lovely.

At 2:45am, they came back over to say goodbye, and just as quickly they were off for Nagoya.

Happenings 2 - BOSCON

Andy, myself, Jamie Buckmaster, Kelly Parsons, Jake & Paula from HBML, Bret and a whole slew of fun people had tables at the Boston Comic Con this weekend.

I sold out all my little paintings (which was great because I didn't want to lug them back to the car), and met up with old and new friends. It was a good show.

My only regret was I didn't get a good picture of a kid dressed as Iron Man.

Girl with the Missing Pinkie

Some new work - still in progress. There will be a spinning wheel, and some graphic overlays.

Photoshop 13x19"

Happenings

Jamie BuckMaster-of-Disaster had his first solo show at Happy Birthday, Mike Leslie this Friday. It was pretty sweet, and happy for Jamie lots of work sold. I bought the girl with the green face on the right, there.

HBML is a Massachusetts gem, lots of cool events, junk to buy, people to meet - check it out.

No Sleep 'till Tatman

This Sunday I made the drive into Derby, CT to see my grandfather. It wasn't all sugar-gum drops, but it was worth it to see him smile at one of my jokes. Monday I went into NYC to hang with Audra and Misha. It was lovely:

Audra showed me Amsterdam Ave on the UpperWest, a neighborhood of the city I'd never really explored before. The avenues are wide, the Pink Berry is expensive but delicious, and the homeless guys singing in the subway stations enjoy a round of Marsalis at the Javits Center.

In exchange, I took her from Canal Street to St. Marks, since it's a crime that she'd never been below Madison Square Park. We were attacked by a giant crab and some durian fruit - but managed to escape.

Saw my bff Mish at Union Square - Max Brenner pumped us full of melted hazelnut and swiss chocolate. We looked at about 600 pairs of obnoxious sneakers, went to Kinokuniya and made general mischief. Thanks for the spoon!