Japanese-cowboy

So I've been feeling like I'm in a very chaotic time in my life. Not really in a bad way, it's just everything seems up i the air. I'm getting the hang of my new teaching job. But I still spend waaaaay too much time creating lesson materials.

My goal is to be spending more time making comics and less time doing everything else by years end. We'll see how that goes.

Cloudscape is going great, we just launched a new website:

www.cloudscapecomics.com

So I survived an incredibly chaotic week and just got back from my totally awesome long weekend in Portland (Fri night-Tues morning).

What brought you back to Portland? Was it another comic con? I hear you asking. Nope, it's a one word answer:

Blue.

AKA the wonderful and talented Miss Christina Crow, to whom I owe all sorts of praise and gratitude. I've known her since Stumptown 2008, she was one of Cloudscape first "fans" and she really made us feel welcome in her city. During Stumptown 2009 we made a more romantic connection, and so when she was looking for a date to take her to Zombie Prom, I decided to be spontaneous and make a return trip to my favorite town in the USA.

I could go into detail about gathering last minute supplies, helping with make up for Blue and her friends as well as myself, rushing to get there on time, etc. But I think this will basically sum up how the weekend went.

Zombieprom

Yes, a good time was had by all. I also got to go cycling around with Blue and eat at many delicious restaurants. And she treated me to a homemade breakfast of Biscuits and gravy!

It was so nice to spend a carefree weekend with someone, and feel appreciated by them and not feel like there were any conditions, and reservations attached. And she actually finds my nerdiness to be endearing!

Such a lovely breath of fresh air.

I am looking forward to seeing her again in July for PZS.

Hey there,
I Really should have posted earlier, but I went straight into work on Tues and then had to run the Cloudscape meeting.

I know my last post made things sound pretty bleak, but in the end it all worked out, and then some!

Stumptown 2009 was at the time of writing this, my BEST CON EVER!

Everything worked out just exactly right!

Where to begin? Well we stayed at the super cheesey Jupiter hotel which was an experience. Camilla D'Errico recommended it and was also staying there, so I got to share a burger with her and pick her brain about sales techniques. She's a great role model for marketing and business savy, as well as a great person to share table space with. Cloudscape was right next door, so we got to banter and joke throughout the con.

Once again Cloudscape outdid themselves for set-up and display. I was very happy with our table this year.

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I also got to pick up Erika Moens book which had almost not been printed. And grab her super neat collaborative project with Lucy Kinsley. Which was really neat, those are two talented women.

I also got to touch base with all the great Vancouver regulars including the Jobnik crew and Steve Rolston. As well I got to speak with Ed Brisson, and it looks like we will be launching Funday Sunnies alongside his group in May. Expect more details soon.

I also got to meet Jeff Smith and get a nice sketch done. As well as pick up a beautiful limited run print of a new Pop Gun War by Farel Dalrymple.

I also got to get caught up with the one and only, Blue! Musician, Comics activist, and all around awesome girl! Not to mention one of Cloudscapes first fans! She was a huge help, and a great tour guide throughout the trip.

Sales were really good, and I think it helped that I had nominated Historyonics for two Trophy Awards. That night at Cosmic Monkey we even took home an award! I was super thrilled to take the stage, it was definitely a highlight!

Check it out!

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At the party I met Brendan, one of the editors at Dark Horse. He was a really nice guy, and he even bought a book from us :)

The following day I met Craig Thompson who is one of my heroes in comics. He blew me away when I was getting my book signed when he said "Oh yeah I know you, you did that Historyonics book, you guys are doing good stuff".
I was reduced to such a jittery fanboy at that point I had to make a hasty retreat. He'd been to table and liked my books! Woo Hoo!

I think those are the broad strokes. I'm sure I am forgetting countless talented artists I rubbed elbows with. I am definitely coming back to Stumptown 2010, and I will probably go to the Portland Zine Symposium this Summer because I am totally in love with the city of Portland.

Tomorrow morning I am off to Stumptown in Portland Oregon.

I feel like the right thing to do here would be to put a bright shiny face on and talk about how great Cloudscape is and how happy we are to be going to Stumptown, but right now that feels a bit insincere.

A few days ago I would have said I was excited to be going. Now I am not so sure.

I mean I'm still excited to meet Jeff Smith, and Craig Thompson. I'm still excited to speak to Camilla D'Errico and Erika Moen and Ed Brisson again. I'm even excited to attend the Trophy Awards (We are nominated).

I am also excited to see how people like our news books (We've produced two since the last Stumptown). I really feel we've made a great book and I think this could be the con we actually make some profit at.

But due to unforseen complications that I don't feel I should get into in detail here. Everyone seems to be going into this with a chip on their shoulder. They have their nose out of joint, or are stressed out or both. This makes me worried about the future of the collective and I really feel like I haven't done a good job as it's leader.

I am hopeful that we can pull together as a group and move forward, hopefully the good vibes of Portland and the greatest comic con on earth can soothe us all.

Wish me luck!

Woot!

I got the new books and was almost immediately off to Emerald City. The con was decent enough. I think I had the advantage of going in with low expectations. Sales were low, but not bad. Networking went really well.

Ultimately I think I touched base with several cool artists. Notably, Erika Moen, Keith Knight, Camilla D'Ericco, David Mack, Steve Rolston, Ed Brisson, and many others.

It also gave me a chance to employ some more more merchandising techniques, which I was pretty happy with.

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So I came home today to see my latest publication!

Funday Sunnies!

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Cloudscapes full-colour salute to the newspaper strips of old! And it looks great!

I am very proud of this accomplishment, and am eager to see how it is received at Seattles Emerald City Comicon this weekend!

Wish me luck!

Life has been motoring along at it's usual break neck pace. I've been musing at how much and how quickly my life has changed. I am now on my second year at DeSerres and living with a roommate.

I'm feeling more comfortable with things so far. The dull ache of being single is becoming easier to handle.

More importantly though, I have a new book coming out!

Funday_sunnies

 It's felt like time for my monthly blog posting.

I don't know why but I seem to be dragging my feet on then blogs these days. I don't even use facebook that much, and I haven't been on MSN or Skype in ages.

I sometimes worry I'm losing touch with people

It's happened over a long period of time, but just recently I am realizing how long ago Japan has now been for me. I'm more comfortable with my current life in Vancouver, but there are times I still feel nostalgic for those good old days.

That's me ignoring the problems I had there, and forgetting the good things I'm doing here.

Best of all is Cloudscape, the comics collective. We'll be putting out our third book in April; Funday Sunnies a full-colour tribute to the newspaper strips of old. Check the website for more details:

www.cloudscapecomics.com

I'm very excited about this book, and even more excited about the conventions in April. I'll be in Seattle and Portland selling our books.

Despite my resolution to try to make 2009 a positive year I've been spending most of it feeling rather depressed.

Things are a bit better but I still feel like I'm stuck in a rut.

I want a better job, one that is challenging and dynamic and requires my talents and skills.

I also want to meet a nice girl. Someone who has goals and is moving towards them at the same pace (if not faster than my own). Someone honest and passionate and principled.

One of the biggest problems has been the brief fling I was in earlier. It opened this door inside me that reminded me how nice it was to be in a relationship, and has made being single again much harder to face.

Many people have been encouraging me to throw myself back into Cloudscape to get out of this funk, but I find it's been harder to catch the same enthusiasm I'd previously had. Possibly because I haven't been getting the same enthusiastic responses that Historyonics seemed to generate during it's inception.
That being said I think we have an even better crop of talent involved, with an even higher grade of artwork. If we pull this one off I think the following book could be huge, maybe even huge enough to get distributed nationwide!
I'll try my best to pull up my boot straps and make this happen.

wish me luck

So Christmas 2008 has been and gone and now 2009 begins.

I am hopeful for this new year, however I still find myself a bit glum tonight.

All in all this was a good Christmas. Despite the transportation problems I've enjoyed having a white Christmas. Though I do miss cycling to work quite a bit. Such a good stress relief. I also don't get to enjoy my new Bicycle ipod speakers (Best present this year!)

I've made it a point of making the last few weeks a real Holiday. So I've been leaving all the comics and other things to rest a while.

The family are well, and I've been enjoying my new responsibilities as official supervisor at DeSerres.

I aught to post my Christmas comic, perhaps tomorrow when I have more energy.

Despite the festivities tonight I feel a bit off. I keep plodding along and waiting for something to finally "click". I could really use some major change in my career or my love life right now. I'm tired of waiting for things to come together.

I have some resolutions this year:

1.) Be more social and try to reaffirm old friendships

2.) Find a better job

3.) Be more organized

4.) Try to maintain a positive outlook on things