Dork Tower #33 should be in most stores by now.
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Dork Tower #34 and Dr. Blink #3 are at press, too!
Woot!
Dork Tower #34 and Dr. Blink #3 are at press, too!
Woot!
Home now.
And as much as I miss London, and miss bumping into Belle and Sebastian on Parisian elevators, it's wonderful being back, waking up early on a lovely Wisconsin spring morning.
There's an enormous amount of work to get caught up on this week, and a bit of time needed to peruse the Russian edition of Munchkin, along with German and English versions of Need For Steed. To say nout of the brand-new version of Gold Digger, now with tons more bits and pieces in a spiffy Cloud 9-size box (these are two of my all-time favorite Out of the Box games, by the way. Fab to see Gold Digger get such a great new treatment).
The last couple of days in London were spent chasing an enormous elephant.
(Images courtesy of my pal James - when I perchance stumbled upon the Pachyderm along Picadilly, I had no camera with me, alas, alack).
It was really a marvelous piece of street theater. I fear photos don't do it justice. As the forty-foot behemoth wheezes and clanks past you, you can't help but think of either Neil Gaiman's dream worlds, or Phil and Kaja Foglio's Girl Genius. At the very least, it gets you contemplating scenarios for the likes of G.A.S.L.I.G.H.T, or Space: 1889.
I was skeptical at first. But the Sultan's Elephant ("Clank," anyone?) was truly remarkable. Once it stands and starts moving, towering above you, any hope of conveying the moment accurately is lost: all you can do is gape in awe.
Official web site HERE
BBC site, plus footage HERE
On the drive to Heathrow Monday morning, I caught a final glimpse of the elephant, behind a wall at Battersea power station, where, apparently, it was built.
It was that kind of week.
And as much as I miss London, and miss bumping into Belle and Sebastian on Parisian elevators, it's wonderful being back, waking up early on a lovely Wisconsin spring morning.
There's an enormous amount of work to get caught up on this week, and a bit of time needed to peruse the Russian edition of Munchkin, along with German and English versions of Need For Steed. To say nout of the brand-new version of Gold Digger, now with tons more bits and pieces in a spiffy Cloud 9-size box (these are two of my all-time favorite Out of the Box games, by the way. Fab to see Gold Digger get such a great new treatment).
The last couple of days in London were spent chasing an enormous elephant.
(Images courtesy of my pal James - when I perchance stumbled upon the Pachyderm along Picadilly, I had no camera with me, alas, alack).
It was really a marvelous piece of street theater. I fear photos don't do it justice. As the forty-foot behemoth wheezes and clanks past you, you can't help but think of either Neil Gaiman's dream worlds, or Phil and Kaja Foglio's Girl Genius. At the very least, it gets you contemplating scenarios for the likes of G.A.S.L.I.G.H.T, or Space: 1889.
I was skeptical at first. But the Sultan's Elephant ("Clank," anyone?) was truly remarkable. Once it stands and starts moving, towering above you, any hope of conveying the moment accurately is lost: all you can do is gape in awe.
Official web site HERE
BBC site, plus footage HERE
On the drive to Heathrow Monday morning, I caught a final glimpse of the elephant, behind a wall at Battersea power station, where, apparently, it was built.
It was that kind of week.
Two days of all-day Out of the Box meetings have kind of drained me.
There's lots of cool, fun stuff on the way. But for the moment, I'm exhausted.
Unfortunately, I've also got a ton of work to do. Plus, I've got something Very Big coming up next week. Much needs to get done before it.
What this means is, I may well have to miss popping down to Little Wars , a superb historical minis convention in Lincolnshire, near Chicago, even for half a day this weekend.This makes the Baby Jesus cry.
It also means that I'll not have much time for LJ updates. The Baby Jesus is prolly apathetic about this.
The good news is that this Big Thing (tm) is the Lovely and Talented Judith and my 10-year wedding anniversary. Ta-roo, ta-ray!
Which means that it's not too long from Dork Tower's 10th anniversary (the first strip was drawn in October, 1996).
It wasn't a particularly good strip. But it got better. Which turned out to be a plus.
I'm thinking of releasing a 10-year anniversary full-color collection of ALL the Dork Tower Shadis strips, ALL the Dork Tower Dragon strips, plus all the Dragon Unspeakable Oafs, as a kind of bonus. Probably recoloring some of the early strips, so that they don't look so eye-bleeding awful.
Not sure what to call it...we'll see.
There's lots of cool, fun stuff on the way. But for the moment, I'm exhausted.
Unfortunately, I've also got a ton of work to do. Plus, I've got something Very Big coming up next week. Much needs to get done before it.
What this means is, I may well have to miss popping down to Little Wars , a superb historical minis convention in Lincolnshire, near Chicago, even for half a day this weekend.This makes the Baby Jesus cry.
It also means that I'll not have much time for LJ updates. The Baby Jesus is prolly apathetic about this.
The good news is that this Big Thing (tm) is the Lovely and Talented Judith and my 10-year wedding anniversary. Ta-roo, ta-ray!
Which means that it's not too long from Dork Tower's 10th anniversary (the first strip was drawn in October, 1996).
It wasn't a particularly good strip. But it got better. Which turned out to be a plus.
I'm thinking of releasing a 10-year anniversary full-color collection of ALL the Dork Tower Shadis strips, ALL the Dork Tower Dragon strips, plus all the Dragon Unspeakable Oafs, as a kind of bonus. Probably recoloring some of the early strips, so that they don't look so eye-bleeding awful.
Not sure what to call it...we'll see.
I ran today's cartoon early (last Saturday, to be precise) to hit April 1.
Like last year's April 1 "Dork Mirror" series, this one will run every day this week. Many thanks to the irrepressible Jape, for yet another great mirror universe series. It rocks.
****
Full reports on all five movies I saw at the Wisconsin Film Festival coming soon. Plus the Cineplexity World Premier report. I've just got a ton or work today, and I have to get stuck into it. I've already re-done the cartoon for Dragon 344 (the 30th anniversary issue of the fine publication. But the sheer number of pages I've got to get through today, plus a trip to the gym, leaves very little time for blogging.
But in short:
Cineplexity Premier - it rocked. We had the perfect number of people show up to keep two tables of ten people playing straight from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm - a half-hour later than we were scheduled for. People just didn't want to stop playing. Folks seemed to have a grand time. There may be some photos in today's Capital Times.
Lonesome Jim - Directed by Steve Buscemi. All the movies I saw I'd rate as 4 out of 5 (above average, but not perfect). This was a high 4, though. Some hilarious lines, and a great performance by Mary Kay Place as the ever-suffering, ever chipper mother. Several laugh-out-loud lines made this a very memorable little film.
Metal - a Headbanger's Journey - The access and interviews of this documentary, written and directed by a die-hard fan of metal, were definitely its strengths. This was a lower "4" score, had the ballots allowed for such subtleties. But I left the flick having enjoyed it, with a few quibbles. Most Interesting Thing learned: Ronnie James Dio is a shrimp.
Ferry Tales - Another entertaining, if short, documentary about the powder room of the Staten Island Ferry. Lost its way a little bit when it moved into September 11 territory, but nevertheless interesting.
Muskrat Lovely - Needs to be seen to be believed. Focussing on a beauty pagent that coincides with a Muskrat Festival in Maryland, one would-be beauty queen chose, for her "talent" portion of the competition, skinning a muskrat. Though at times I had to avert my eyes, this honest-to-goodness documentary at times seemed something Christopher Guest ("Best in Show," "A Mighty Wind") would have written.
Triviatown - The documentary on the Stevens Point Trivia competition (the world's largest) was perhaps the most highly-anticipated film of the festival. Some minor sound and focus problems kept it from being a "5," but it was a two-hour flick that felt like half that length, it was so entertaining. Meeting some of the contestants featured in the movie afterwards, in a director's "Q&A" was an added bonus.
When these come out on DVD, I'd recommend them all. For me, five films in three days was a lot, so I took a pass on "New York Doll," which I really wanted to see, but was just too tired for Sunday night. It should be out on DVD, anyway. I'll catch it then.
****
Speaking of documentaries, "Living on the Wedge" is going to make it's television premiere on Thursday, May 4, at 7:30p (with a repeat Wednesday, May 10 at 9:30p) on WHA - Wisconsin Public Television in Madison. So spread the word and watch, if you can. (Would that make this a cheese spread?)
I did some animated maps for this documentary on artisanal cheese producers. I was originally to do some illustrations. Don't ask how I ended up being a ma-maker. But at least I now have a bona-fide TV credit to my resume.
****
Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum is, apparently, a zenophobic know-nothing.
To quote:
"I, believe it or not, believe faith is incredibly strong in America. If you look at the rest of the world and the struggles they are having, particularly in Western Europe, who just completely abandoned faith, completely have gone to a secular society...Its cultures are dying. People are dying, they're being overrun from overseas, and they have no response. They have nothing to fight for. They have nothing to live for."
Hey, Senator - come visit us in Europe sometime, and we'll play the Culture Game with you. I see your McDonald's Happy Meal, and raise you a Van Gogh.
Asshat.
As a dual national of England and the US, nothing really bugs me more than this sort of ill-informed rambling. I could also write a long defense (and praise) of culture in the US (it only takes Miles Davis' "Kind of Blue" to get in the mood), but I fear it, too, would be lost on the happy, self-satisfied senator.
****
Tonight, I've blocked the evening out to paint some minis. I'm finishing off my British 8th Army for Flames of War (completing my 25-pounder eight-gun battery, and adding a few Matildas and Deacon 6-pounder portees), then launching into an Anglo-French early war army. Lotsa cool, ugly tanks and AFVs that I've always wanted to play with.
With luck, at some point this week, I'll post photos, and also write up the battle report from Chris Pramas' and my clash at the GAMA trade show. It was a close-run affair, and I was very fortunate to escape with the narrowest of victories. It was a ton of fun, though, and now my mind's wandering through the possibilities of other armies to paint up.
I'm such a geek.
Like last year's April 1 "Dork Mirror" series, this one will run every day this week. Many thanks to the irrepressible Jape, for yet another great mirror universe series. It rocks.
****
Full reports on all five movies I saw at the Wisconsin Film Festival coming soon. Plus the Cineplexity World Premier report. I've just got a ton or work today, and I have to get stuck into it. I've already re-done the cartoon for Dragon 344 (the 30th anniversary issue of the fine publication. But the sheer number of pages I've got to get through today, plus a trip to the gym, leaves very little time for blogging.
But in short:
Cineplexity Premier - it rocked. We had the perfect number of people show up to keep two tables of ten people playing straight from 2:30 pm to 4:30 pm - a half-hour later than we were scheduled for. People just didn't want to stop playing. Folks seemed to have a grand time. There may be some photos in today's Capital Times.
Lonesome Jim - Directed by Steve Buscemi. All the movies I saw I'd rate as 4 out of 5 (above average, but not perfect). This was a high 4, though. Some hilarious lines, and a great performance by Mary Kay Place as the ever-suffering, ever chipper mother. Several laugh-out-loud lines made this a very memorable little film.
Metal - a Headbanger's Journey - The access and interviews of this documentary, written and directed by a die-hard fan of metal, were definitely its strengths. This was a lower "4" score, had the ballots allowed for such subtleties. But I left the flick having enjoyed it, with a few quibbles. Most Interesting Thing learned: Ronnie James Dio is a shrimp.
Ferry Tales - Another entertaining, if short, documentary about the powder room of the Staten Island Ferry. Lost its way a little bit when it moved into September 11 territory, but nevertheless interesting.
Muskrat Lovely - Needs to be seen to be believed. Focussing on a beauty pagent that coincides with a Muskrat Festival in Maryland, one would-be beauty queen chose, for her "talent" portion of the competition, skinning a muskrat. Though at times I had to avert my eyes, this honest-to-goodness documentary at times seemed something Christopher Guest ("Best in Show," "A Mighty Wind") would have written.
Triviatown - The documentary on the Stevens Point Trivia competition (the world's largest) was perhaps the most highly-anticipated film of the festival. Some minor sound and focus problems kept it from being a "5," but it was a two-hour flick that felt like half that length, it was so entertaining. Meeting some of the contestants featured in the movie afterwards, in a director's "Q&A" was an added bonus.
When these come out on DVD, I'd recommend them all. For me, five films in three days was a lot, so I took a pass on "New York Doll," which I really wanted to see, but was just too tired for Sunday night. It should be out on DVD, anyway. I'll catch it then.
****
Speaking of documentaries, "Living on the Wedge" is going to make it's television premiere on Thursday, May 4, at 7:30p (with a repeat Wednesday, May 10 at 9:30p) on WHA - Wisconsin Public Television in Madison. So spread the word and watch, if you can. (Would that make this a cheese spread?)
I did some animated maps for this documentary on artisanal cheese producers. I was originally to do some illustrations. Don't ask how I ended up being a ma-maker. But at least I now have a bona-fide TV credit to my resume.
****
Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum is, apparently, a zenophobic know-nothing.
To quote:
"I, believe it or not, believe faith is incredibly strong in America. If you look at the rest of the world and the struggles they are having, particularly in Western Europe, who just completely abandoned faith, completely have gone to a secular society...Its cultures are dying. People are dying, they're being overrun from overseas, and they have no response. They have nothing to fight for. They have nothing to live for."
Hey, Senator - come visit us in Europe sometime, and we'll play the Culture Game with you. I see your McDonald's Happy Meal, and raise you a Van Gogh.
Asshat.
As a dual national of England and the US, nothing really bugs me more than this sort of ill-informed rambling. I could also write a long defense (and praise) of culture in the US (it only takes Miles Davis' "Kind of Blue" to get in the mood), but I fear it, too, would be lost on the happy, self-satisfied senator.
****
Tonight, I've blocked the evening out to paint some minis. I'm finishing off my British 8th Army for Flames of War (completing my 25-pounder eight-gun battery, and adding a few Matildas and Deacon 6-pounder portees), then launching into an Anglo-French early war army. Lotsa cool, ugly tanks and AFVs that I've always wanted to play with.
With luck, at some point this week, I'll post photos, and also write up the battle report from Chris Pramas' and my clash at the GAMA trade show. It was a close-run affair, and I was very fortunate to escape with the narrowest of victories. It was a ton of fun, though, and now my mind's wandering through the possibilities of other armies to paint up.
I'm such a geek.
OK...the annual April Fool's "Dork Mirror" series has started again.
http://www.dorktower.com
Yay!
PLUS, more April Fool Dorky goodness at http://www.greatcleave.blogspot.com
****
2:30 pm today.
Cineplexity. - http://www.otb-games.com/cineplexity/index.html
World Premier - http://muskrat-john.livejournal.com/#entry_112180
At the State Street Steep & Brew.
Not sure how many people will show up. Nor who will show up. Apparently there's a chance a Big Name might make it.
I'm too tired right now to get anxious about this. But there'll be lots of prizes, and lots of fun. And the creators will be on hand. Huzzah!
No (April) foolin'...
****
Speaking of the Wisconsin Film Festival:
Caught "Lonesome Jim" yesterday at the Orpheum.
Really enjoyed it. Not a perfect movie, but the wit was really something special. For something that could have been bleak beyond despair, it was a really enjoyable time.
http://www.dorktower.com
Yay!
PLUS, more April Fool Dorky goodness at http://www.greatcleave.blogspot.com
****
2:30 pm today.
Cineplexity. - http://www.otb-games.com/cineplexity/index.html
World Premier - http://muskrat-john.livejournal.com/#entry_112180
At the State Street Steep & Brew.
Not sure how many people will show up. Nor who will show up. Apparently there's a chance a Big Name might make it.
I'm too tired right now to get anxious about this. But there'll be lots of prizes, and lots of fun. And the creators will be on hand. Huzzah!
No (April) foolin'...
****
Speaking of the Wisconsin Film Festival:
Caught "Lonesome Jim" yesterday at the Orpheum.
Really enjoyed it. Not a perfect movie, but the wit was really something special. For something that could have been bleak beyond despair, it was a really enjoyable time.
Terrble work day, today.
Was supposed to get three cartoons done. Didn't even manage half of one.
Making some French Onion Soup now, to make the suck go away...
Was supposed to get three cartoons done. Didn't even manage half of one.
Making some French Onion Soup now, to make the suck go away...
London calling.
It's been a GREAT day, so I'm not sure why REM's "Bad Day" keeps running through my mind...
My Dad's operation is over, and he made it through spectacularly. The triple bypass went so well, in fact, that they didn't even put him in intensive care, afterwards. He looks great (everyone was prepping me for how bad he would look). This is a giant weight off my mind.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU everyone who sent in best wishes. They appear to have been answered in spades!
I'm so glad I'm here. I feel like I'm helping, which is good. I made dinner for my mom and sister last night. My sister said it was the first home-cooked meal they've had in ages, what with trips to the hospital and everything.
Feeling so good, I splurged and FINALLY picked up the Franz Ferdinand album off of the iTunes Music Store. Anybody know a good place in London to find the "Band of Brothers" DVD set? I'd like to get that for my dad, as a present.
(By the way, as far as REM songs go, "Animal" (a double-A-side with "Bad Day," I believe) rocks all kind of ass...it's song #2 on my Songs for Swinging Muskrats mix, Vol. IV).
*****
Here's what I made last night: it's quick and easy (based on my favorite basic Marinara recipe), and quite tasty.
LINGUINE CON OLIVA
2 pounds skinned, seeded and diced plum tomatoes (canned tomatoes work fine - use the liquid in the cans as well)
1/2 cup olive oil
4-8 large cloves of garlic, minced
1/4 cup (packed tightly) chopped fresh parsley OR 1/4 cup (packed loosely) dried parsley
1/2 cup chopped, pitted green olives
( EASY recipe here )
And that's all there is to it! This is a good sauce for spaghetti, linguine or fettucine. It's also a tasty one to throw some mussels into.
*****
My super-sucky spell-checker does not have the word "Fettucini" in it. It suggests, as an alternative, "Feminine"
*****
Raining lots in London.
No? REALLY? London, you say?
*****
If there's a Dork Tower family and friends get-together next week (we'll see how my dad's doing), I think it will be at The Old Thameside Inn
( Details on how to get there )
*****
One of my favorite people in the world, pirate_wench_6 has just joined Live Journal. She's the Dark Goddess of the Army of Dorkness, and met up with me at O'Hare the night I flew out. It was a strange sight for many, I'm sure, Sonia and me, sitting at the bar at Terminal 5, playing WizKids' spiffy new Pirates of the Spanish Main game on one of the bar tables...
The game was designed by my pal James Ernest, BTW. It's reassuring to see that mine isn't the only name WizKids can misspell...
Anyhoo, if'n you want, pop over to pirate_wench_6, and let her know how little time she'll have left now that she's on -- uh, I mean "welcome her to" -- LJ.
*****
Does anyone know if it's possible to ADD online radio stations to iTunes' "Radio" feature?
*****
I had a dream about working on Dork Tower 29 last night. SO I'd better get started...
Peas, out,
John
Current Mood: Ourtageously relieved
Current Music: "Bad Day" - REM
It's been a GREAT day, so I'm not sure why REM's "Bad Day" keeps running through my mind...
My Dad's operation is over, and he made it through spectacularly. The triple bypass went so well, in fact, that they didn't even put him in intensive care, afterwards. He looks great (everyone was prepping me for how bad he would look). This is a giant weight off my mind.
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU everyone who sent in best wishes. They appear to have been answered in spades!
I'm so glad I'm here. I feel like I'm helping, which is good. I made dinner for my mom and sister last night. My sister said it was the first home-cooked meal they've had in ages, what with trips to the hospital and everything.
Feeling so good, I splurged and FINALLY picked up the Franz Ferdinand album off of the iTunes Music Store. Anybody know a good place in London to find the "Band of Brothers" DVD set? I'd like to get that for my dad, as a present.
(By the way, as far as REM songs go, "Animal" (a double-A-side with "Bad Day," I believe) rocks all kind of ass...it's song #2 on my Songs for Swinging Muskrats mix, Vol. IV).
*****
Here's what I made last night: it's quick and easy (based on my favorite basic Marinara recipe), and quite tasty.
LINGUINE CON OLIVA
2 pounds skinned, seeded and diced plum tomatoes (canned tomatoes work fine - use the liquid in the cans as well)
1/2 cup olive oil
4-8 large cloves of garlic, minced
1/4 cup (packed tightly) chopped fresh parsley OR 1/4 cup (packed loosely) dried parsley
1/2 cup chopped, pitted green olives
( EASY recipe here )
And that's all there is to it! This is a good sauce for spaghetti, linguine or fettucine. It's also a tasty one to throw some mussels into.
*****
My super-sucky spell-checker does not have the word "Fettucini" in it. It suggests, as an alternative, "Feminine"
*****
Raining lots in London.
No? REALLY? London, you say?
*****
If there's a Dork Tower family and friends get-together next week (we'll see how my dad's doing), I think it will be at The Old Thameside Inn
( Details on how to get there )
*****
One of my favorite people in the world, pirate_wench_6 has just joined Live Journal. She's the Dark Goddess of the Army of Dorkness, and met up with me at O'Hare the night I flew out. It was a strange sight for many, I'm sure, Sonia and me, sitting at the bar at Terminal 5, playing WizKids' spiffy new Pirates of the Spanish Main game on one of the bar tables...
The game was designed by my pal James Ernest, BTW. It's reassuring to see that mine isn't the only name WizKids can misspell...
Anyhoo, if'n you want, pop over to pirate_wench_6, and let her know how little time she'll have left now that she's on -- uh, I mean "welcome her to" -- LJ.
*****
Does anyone know if it's possible to ADD online radio stations to iTunes' "Radio" feature?
*****
I had a dream about working on Dork Tower 29 last night. SO I'd better get started...
Peas, out,
John
Current Mood: Ourtageously relieved
Current Music: "Bad Day" - REM
I'm home, after being the Guest of Honor at a tremendous convention in Espoo, near Helsinki, Finland.
Then full report is on my LiveJournal page -- it's long -- but here's a recap of the after-con sauna party!
John
------------------------------------
Back in Espoo, the full scope of the convention-ending party is starting to become clear. It's taken a while, but I finally believe I've figured out what an actual Finnish sauna entails.
"Errrr...we didn't pack swimming trunks," I comment to Judith.
"Uh...swimming trunks. Sure. Right. Swimming trunks. Uh-huh," she replies, taking only a towel and a pair of flip-flops with her.
Certain American con guests in years past have gotten pretty uptight at the thought of giant coed sauna parties. Some even refused to participate entirely (I will name no names, but apparently this is a source of some amusement to our Finnish hosts). Now, if inhibition was poker, growing up in England and moving to the American midwest (as I have) essentially means I've been dealt the Royal Flush on the flop, so the thought of gettingnekkid with (admitedly friendly) strangers DOES give me pause for thought.
"Don't worry," said Anu. "Many people don't get undressed. I probably won't."
"Just don't be surprised if a number of naked women grab you and drag you towards the sauna," said one of the many very attractive women at the party who, presumably, would at some point be among those grabbing me and dragging me towards a sauna.
It was also around this point that I discovered that Judith hadn't actually packed ME a towel. Fortunately, in a very Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy-like moment, someone offers to lend me one. Finns always know where their towels are, and are apparently ready to aid a towel-less traveler at the drop of hat (along with the rest of your clothes).
In all honesty, though, when surrounded by fabulously friendly Finns who have been filling you with fresh grilled Norwegian salmon and no small amount of licorice-flavored vodka, stripping to one's birthday suit and entering a blistering-hot sauna with a few dozen newfound pals of varying sexes certainly doesn't seem as odd as it might at other times. At the very least it just meant that I could finally stop drawing Munchkin cards for people ("sorry -- the pen seems to be slipping in the steam") and that HAD to count for something.
This is the tipping point.
"Mind if I borrow that towel?" I say, quickly.
At any rate, I've got to admit that the whole sauna experience was relaxing, invigorating and refreshing, once you were comfortable with the fact that every single pore in your body seemed ready to explode inside this steam-engorged Zanadu. The dip in the sea afterwards (followed by a trip to a second sauna, wood-fired this time) was equally pleasant, though I didn't expect to be followed by an entourage of about 20 when I announced I was heading to the water.
It's all about context, I guess. The entire sauna deal just made sense on this brilliant summer night, in a place as close to the arctic circle as I've ever come, where the sun sets only in theory and the vodka tastes of salty licorice.
Refusing to sauna also, I reasoned, might be seen as an insult to my hosts. Refusing to NakedCoed Seaman Wrestle (NCSM), on the other hand, could certainly hold no such social stigma (save for one or two folks who appeared to be entirely too into it). Anyway, it's just the sort of things English Public Schools DO teach you to refuse to do, certain D.H. Lawrence movie adaptations to the contrary.
So I quickly dressed before the NCSM competition got underway. I'm funny like that.
"You must do it," one woman pleaded. "It's a tradition!"
"Somebody said it just started up at last year's con!" I cry, for some strange reason believing that facts would be of some use in a discussion such as this.
"So it's a new tradition," she countered. "And nobody takes any photos during it!"
"Love , LOVE to, you know," I explained, while flashbulbs went off madly as the the game began. "But my arm's really tired from all those Munchkin signings, you know, it just wouldn't be a fair competition."
"You can borrow my towel."
"I'm fine, really," I said. "PUT THAT BACK ON!"
What else of note? Only that Janne Lonnqvist and a few other guys from <a href=http://www.fantasiapelit.f><b>Fantasiapelit take me into the parking lot to show me an authentic Suomi machine pistol from the Winter War between the Soviet Union and Finland. Though it's been disabled, it's VERY cool to hold, and thoughts of building up 25 mm skirmish armies for this conflict when I get past home flutter through my mind.
Around 2 a.m, Judith and I wandered back to the hotel, and Anu headed to her car. The beer had run out, and dawn -- at this latitude, anyway -- was just around the corner.
"I'm really proud of you," said Anu. "I didn't think you'd sauna."
"Nor did I," added Judith. "If I had, I'd have brought you a towel."
"No problem," I said, quietly pleased that I'd surprised both Judith and Anu. "Just...uh...let ME pack, next time. OK?"
Then full report is on my LiveJournal page -- it's long -- but here's a recap of the after-con sauna party!
John
------------------------------------
Back in Espoo, the full scope of the convention-ending party is starting to become clear. It's taken a while, but I finally believe I've figured out what an actual Finnish sauna entails.
"Errrr...we didn't pack swimming trunks," I comment to Judith.
"Uh...swimming trunks. Sure. Right. Swimming trunks. Uh-huh," she replies, taking only a towel and a pair of flip-flops with her.
Certain American con guests in years past have gotten pretty uptight at the thought of giant coed sauna parties. Some even refused to participate entirely (I will name no names, but apparently this is a source of some amusement to our Finnish hosts). Now, if inhibition was poker, growing up in England and moving to the American midwest (as I have) essentially means I've been dealt the Royal Flush on the flop, so the thought of gettingnekkid with (admitedly friendly) strangers DOES give me pause for thought.
"Don't worry," said Anu. "Many people don't get undressed. I probably won't."
"Just don't be surprised if a number of naked women grab you and drag you towards the sauna," said one of the many very attractive women at the party who, presumably, would at some point be among those grabbing me and dragging me towards a sauna.
It was also around this point that I discovered that Judith hadn't actually packed ME a towel. Fortunately, in a very Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy-like moment, someone offers to lend me one. Finns always know where their towels are, and are apparently ready to aid a towel-less traveler at the drop of hat (along with the rest of your clothes).
In all honesty, though, when surrounded by fabulously friendly Finns who have been filling you with fresh grilled Norwegian salmon and no small amount of licorice-flavored vodka, stripping to one's birthday suit and entering a blistering-hot sauna with a few dozen newfound pals of varying sexes certainly doesn't seem as odd as it might at other times. At the very least it just meant that I could finally stop drawing Munchkin cards for people ("sorry -- the pen seems to be slipping in the steam") and that HAD to count for something.
This is the tipping point.
"Mind if I borrow that towel?" I say, quickly.
At any rate, I've got to admit that the whole sauna experience was relaxing, invigorating and refreshing, once you were comfortable with the fact that every single pore in your body seemed ready to explode inside this steam-engorged Zanadu. The dip in the sea afterwards (followed by a trip to a second sauna, wood-fired this time) was equally pleasant, though I didn't expect to be followed by an entourage of about 20 when I announced I was heading to the water.
It's all about context, I guess. The entire sauna deal just made sense on this brilliant summer night, in a place as close to the arctic circle as I've ever come, where the sun sets only in theory and the vodka tastes of salty licorice.
Refusing to sauna also, I reasoned, might be seen as an insult to my hosts. Refusing to NakedCoed Seaman Wrestle (NCSM), on the other hand, could certainly hold no such social stigma (save for one or two folks who appeared to be entirely too into it). Anyway, it's just the sort of things English Public Schools DO teach you to refuse to do, certain D.H. Lawrence movie adaptations to the contrary.
So I quickly dressed before the NCSM competition got underway. I'm funny like that.
"You must do it," one woman pleaded. "It's a tradition!"
"Somebody said it just started up at last year's con!" I cry, for some strange reason believing that facts would be of some use in a discussion such as this.
"So it's a new tradition," she countered. "And nobody takes any photos during it!"
"Love , LOVE to, you know," I explained, while flashbulbs went off madly as the the game began. "But my arm's really tired from all those Munchkin signings, you know, it just wouldn't be a fair competition."
"You can borrow my towel."
"I'm fine, really," I said. "PUT THAT BACK ON!"
What else of note? Only that Janne Lonnqvist and a few other guys from <a href=http://www.fantasiapelit.f><b>Fantasiapelit take me into the parking lot to show me an authentic Suomi machine pistol from the Winter War between the Soviet Union and Finland. Though it's been disabled, it's VERY cool to hold, and thoughts of building up 25 mm skirmish armies for this conflict when I get past home flutter through my mind.
Around 2 a.m, Judith and I wandered back to the hotel, and Anu headed to her car. The beer had run out, and dawn -- at this latitude, anyway -- was just around the corner.
"I'm really proud of you," said Anu. "I didn't think you'd sauna."
"Nor did I," added Judith. "If I had, I'd have brought you a towel."
"No problem," I said, quietly pleased that I'd surprised both Judith and Anu. "Just...uh...let ME pack, next time. OK?"
Considering that I used to be a reviewer, it's REALLY weird having to read other people's reviews on my work.
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Fortunately, this online review really made my day:
Review by: Blake M. Petit Blake@comixtreme.com
Quick Rating: Good
Title: Clanbook: Mopey
Gilly is planning to go to graduate school in London, and Walden has to face the fact that his little sister is moving away.
Writer: John Kovalic
Pencils: John Kovalic
Letters: John Kovalic
Dr. Blink Artist: Christopher Golden
Snapdragons Artist: Liz Rathke
Lethargic Lad Writer/Artist: Greg Hyland
Cover Art: John Kovalic
Publisher: Dork Storm
Review: John Kovalic certainly takes him time moving between actual plot points in his Dork Tower series, but fortunately the issues where little seems to happen in a narrative sense are almost always, like this one, a wonderfully funny character study. Last issue we found out that Gilly the Perky Goth, the girl that would be perfect for our hero, Matt (if only he didnt keep screwing things up by going to his poisonous ex-girlfriend Kayleigh) is moving to London for graduate school. This issue focuses on her relationship with her older brother Walden, alias Sith Bloodheart, Dark Lord of the Night Court, Viscount of Clan Nosferatu-tu and Grand Count of the Damned. Yep its a goofy Goth issue.
Walden is actually one of the most complex characters in this series. Hes dark, moody, depressing everything that makes your stereotypical Goth but hes got an undeniable soft spot for his baby sister, who he loves even though she insists on buying pink bunny slippers and being so insufferably cheerful all the time. He wants her around, he wants her to be happy, and this issue is about him trying and pretty much failing to come to grips with her imminent departure. Meanwhile, Matt continues to wallow in misery as his friends try, and fail, to pull him out of it.
Kovalics stories may be about gamers or Goths or Dorks, but the character archetypes and the situations they get into are much more universal. He manages to tell incredibly funny, universal stories with these characters, and the only problem you have is that youre left anxious to find out what happens next.
As every issue of Dork Tower, this one is chock full of bonus features. We get a few bonus Dork Tower strips including a wonderful segment on Practical Jokes You Can Play on Your Gamer Friends and full, playable clanbook for Waldens Goth clan. We also get a new episode of Kovalic and Goldens Dr. Blink: Superhero Shrink, in which the good doctor learns that curing a supervillain may not always be a good idea. Greg Hyland provides a new Lethargic Lad story as well I have to admit Im not the biggest fan of this strip. Its a superhero satire, but it seems to be less about pointing out the goofy conventions of the genre than it is about saying superheroes and superhero comics are just stupid, without the love for the genre that makes such a satire successful for me. Finally, theres a Snapdragons strip by Kovalic and Rathke about the gaming kids in the town of Dork Tower. Its always a nice, kiddie-friendly strip, and this issue is no exception.
Dork Tower is always a solid read, and considering the bonuses Kovalic crams into every issue, its one of the best values on the comic market for just three bucks. Give this title a shot its about as universal as it gets.
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-----------------------
Fortunately, this online review really made my day:
Review by: Blake M. Petit Blake@comixtreme.com
Quick Rating: Good
Title: Clanbook: Mopey
Gilly is planning to go to graduate school in London, and Walden has to face the fact that his little sister is moving away.
Writer: John Kovalic
Pencils: John Kovalic
Letters: John Kovalic
Dr. Blink Artist: Christopher Golden
Snapdragons Artist: Liz Rathke
Lethargic Lad Writer/Artist: Greg Hyland
Cover Art: John Kovalic
Publisher: Dork Storm
Review: John Kovalic certainly takes him time moving between actual plot points in his Dork Tower series, but fortunately the issues where little seems to happen in a narrative sense are almost always, like this one, a wonderfully funny character study. Last issue we found out that Gilly the Perky Goth, the girl that would be perfect for our hero, Matt (if only he didnt keep screwing things up by going to his poisonous ex-girlfriend Kayleigh) is moving to London for graduate school. This issue focuses on her relationship with her older brother Walden, alias Sith Bloodheart, Dark Lord of the Night Court, Viscount of Clan Nosferatu-tu and Grand Count of the Damned. Yep its a goofy Goth issue.
Walden is actually one of the most complex characters in this series. Hes dark, moody, depressing everything that makes your stereotypical Goth but hes got an undeniable soft spot for his baby sister, who he loves even though she insists on buying pink bunny slippers and being so insufferably cheerful all the time. He wants her around, he wants her to be happy, and this issue is about him trying and pretty much failing to come to grips with her imminent departure. Meanwhile, Matt continues to wallow in misery as his friends try, and fail, to pull him out of it.
Kovalics stories may be about gamers or Goths or Dorks, but the character archetypes and the situations they get into are much more universal. He manages to tell incredibly funny, universal stories with these characters, and the only problem you have is that youre left anxious to find out what happens next.
As every issue of Dork Tower, this one is chock full of bonus features. We get a few bonus Dork Tower strips including a wonderful segment on Practical Jokes You Can Play on Your Gamer Friends and full, playable clanbook for Waldens Goth clan. We also get a new episode of Kovalic and Goldens Dr. Blink: Superhero Shrink, in which the good doctor learns that curing a supervillain may not always be a good idea. Greg Hyland provides a new Lethargic Lad story as well I have to admit Im not the biggest fan of this strip. Its a superhero satire, but it seems to be less about pointing out the goofy conventions of the genre than it is about saying superheroes and superhero comics are just stupid, without the love for the genre that makes such a satire successful for me. Finally, theres a Snapdragons strip by Kovalic and Rathke about the gaming kids in the town of Dork Tower. Its always a nice, kiddie-friendly strip, and this issue is no exception.
Dork Tower is always a solid read, and considering the bonuses Kovalic crams into every issue, its one of the best values on the comic market for just three bucks. Give this title a shot its about as universal as it gets.
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