Lucinda Williams Rocks!

So Rowan spent his first night with a babysitter last night. Of course, it was his grandma, so it wasn't that traumatizing for him. My wife and I took advantage of our few hours alone to go to see Lucinda Williams play at the Matt's Brewery in Utica, NY. WOW!!! What an amazing show. I have been aware of Lucinda for a few years, ever since she got on the same record label as Ryan Adams, my personal favorite performer. Yet, other than the amazing Car Wheels on the Gravel Road, I didn't have any of her albums. It didn't matter how many songs I knew by heart, she rocked every single one of them. She came on stage at the unique show place a little after 8:00 and didn't stop playing until 10:00 curfew. For those who aren't aware, the Saranac Stage at Matt's Brewery is an outdoor stage built in the courtyard of the brewhouse. The brewery is right in the middle of a residential neighborhood, so performances have to end at 10:00. But she milked every second she could. She opened with "Fruits of My Labor", and seemed a little tentative at first. But by the time she finished with "Car Wheels" she was letting loose and tearing up the stage. Backed by her great band, especially Doug Pettibone on guitar, she played some older songs as 'rehearsals' for her upcoming album-a-day tour. In between the barnstormers like "Those Three Days" and the very sensual "Unsuffer Me", songs which really showcased her powerful roadhouse voice, she played the sorrowful "Pineola", "Fancy Funeral" and "Mama You Sweet" about her mother, and "Bus to Baton Rouge" in honor of a friend who had passed away. Given the unique locale, she seemed to really be playing the show fast and loose, changing her song list on the fly. For one gentlemen who shouted out repeatedly for it, she played "Real Live Bleeding Fingers and Broken Guitar Strings." She introduced a new song, "Honey Bee", which had some interesting metaphorical imagery in the lyrics. And for the encore she played a cover of "Mamas, Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys," before scrapping her plans and ending with "Still I Long for Your Kiss," one of my personal favorites! Between the amazing vocals and backing music, her southern charms, and her stage presence that seems to grow after each song, it was a great concert. It did what every concert should strive to do...left me wanting more!

Rowan Turns 3 (Months that is...)

Today is the beginning of Rowan's third month on the planet, so I thought that I would celebrate with some pics.
Here he is trying to hold his bottle for the first time. He is getting better at it, but has no problems pushing it away. Or punching his dad. Or kicking him. Or just being violent towards him in general. It must be all those violent video games he has been playing!




Here is one of him smiling. Rowan is a very serious, deep thinker, so getting a good smile out of him is hard (I think he might be goth). But if you catch him in the morning, he will smile and giggle at everything. Even my lame jokes! Give him a few years...I'm sure that will stop.



And finally, one of his friendly neighborhood Spider-Blanket. You knew he would have to have some super-hero toy, right?

Paradise Comicon Day 3

June 10th-
OK, time for my much delayed final day report. Today was all me...Rowan needed a break from the comic book excitement. I started by going over and getting a sketch from Niko from my wife and a sketch from Jeanty for my local comic book store clerk. I then went over to Darwyn and pestered him every so often, checking on the status of my sketch...unfortunately it didn't look like it was going to be done soon. With a long drive ahead of us, and workdays looming on Monday, I really didn't plan on staying very long on Sunday. After all, the last of my sketch money was already going to Darwyn, so I had nothing else left to buy. Darwyn graciously gave me my sketchbook back, and said that I was actually doing him a favor as he had signed up for more art than he was really capable of churning out. So, with money back in my pocket I went to check out the artist alley. I had seen the Kitchen brothers' work on the internet, and I thought that their books looked fun. So I swung over, bought the Kitchen Kollection, all 6 books that they have published so far, and picked up my final two sketches of the weekend.

Blair, creator of Possum, did a fun Green Goblin vs. Possum sketch. Unfortunately neither of us could remember exactly what the Goblin's costume looked like. As you can see, the gloves are a little off, and the shirt is missing, but I think it still looks great. Blair has a real Mad Magazine style to his work.


Mike has created a book called SpyGuy. For his sketch, he did SpyGuy slaying Venom. Interestingly enough, he decided to throw in the rest of the Spider-Man 3 baddies as well. If you look closely, you can see New Goblin and Sandman as well.

If you get a chance, pick up these guys' work. You won't be disappointed.

With those new additions, I began to pack up the truck and we headed home to Utica.

Rowan's First Fancy Restaurant

After day two of the convention, we needed a comic free night on the town. With Rowan in tow, that night on the town was less bars and clubs and more restaurants and walks. Have stroller, will travel!

We ended up making reservations for the only
AAA 4-star rated restaurant in Mississauga, the Breakwater, since we wanted to avoid the crowds and prices of the downtown restaurants. We drove down to the cool lake-side area of Port Credit and found the restaurant easily. It was on the ground floor of a nice looking hotel.It was a good thing we made reservations...the small, intimate dining area was packed.
The chef prepares a themed menu on occasion, and, appropriately enough given my heritage, it was a 'Viva La France!' theme. My wife went for the coq au vin, while I had the delicious boullibaisse. I'm talking loads of seafood in a delicious broth...yummy! Rowan had formula. Which, much to my delight, he spit up all over my shoulder. I guess he was mad that he couldn't try the great food!

After dinner we walked around their harbor trails and checked out their neat lighthouse. For some reason, my camera refused to focus and this was the best picture I came up with after how many tries it took my wife to tell me to give up.

All in all, it was a beautiful night, and provided a nice break from the convention.

Rowan Surfs the Stars! (and lands in Springfield)

Before leaving the Paradise Convention on Saturday (see Day 2), we just had to stop by the movie advertisements and get these pics...Rowan's first time meeting a superhero and Animated-Americans.

E-Bay Sales...Rowan's Convention Funds

Paradise Comicon Day 2

Saturday, June 9th---
Once again, the family arrived early, checked in, and got in line to be let onto the con floor. Our first task was to pick up my loaned out sketchbooks, so we swung by Petersen and Takara's tables and picked up these beauties.

We then got into Darwyn Cooke's very long line. It was long the previous day, and he wasn't even there, so we figured that we better hit him today or not at all. The previous year he was doing free sketches and, seeing as how he is my 2nd favorite artist (behind George Perez), I was hoping for another. While waiting in line I delivered my reference material to Tara Mcpherson. I had changed my mind during the night and switched from Adam Strange to U-Go Girl, and she was happy to oblige me.
We finally got to the front of Darwyn's line, but were dismayed to discover that he wasn't drawing then and there, and he was also charging $50 this year. Since he is a sucker for babies, he squeezed us onto his tight list and told us to drop the sketchbook off later. Happy that I would have a Darwyn Cap in my collection, but dismayed that I would have to wait, we continued on. Interesting note...Darwyn mentioned that his DC exclusive had recently ended and that Cap was the one Marvel character that interested him. He also mentioned that the original New Frontier pitch was to Marvel, but they weren't interested. Bet Joe Q is kicking himself now!
With villain book in hand, I went to Cam Stewart's table. He was someone that I had missed at last year's show, so I made sure to catch him before Sunday this year. We discussed the possibility of a Seaguy sequel (slim to no chance at DC, and Morrison wouldn't work for the lower price of most indie labels) and he drew a great Darkseid for me.

George Jeanty was next on my list. Unfortunately I did not have my A-Z book, as I wanted a Gambit from him. Instead I settled on the only Avengers villain that I had reference for, the evil Ultron.

Adrian Alphona was next on my list. He was again sketching for a Phillipino charity, and I was happy to donate to a good cause. He also added an Ultron, father of Runaways member Victor, to the Villain book.


Back in line for Kaare Andrews for an addition to the Villain book; but, while waiting, I noticed that Tom Grummett's line was non-existent. I hopped over and picked up a Black Knight while looking at preview material for a Black Knight one-shot that he is doing. Looks great!

In between getting some other books signed, including an old issue of Cerebus by Dave Sim, I got to the front of Kaare's line and he turned out this awesome looking Venom!


We then continued getting books signed and ran over to visit with Francis Manapul. He was recently a guest at our local Syracuse show, and I was looking forward to getting a Manapul and Agnes Garbowska jam piece of Hawkeye and Mockingbird. However, with the rest of my money already dedicated to Darwyn I couldn't afford it. I did talk to them about the possibility of a repeat visit to Syracuse, and was floored when Francis and his agent, Shawn, recognized me as the alphabet book guy. Shawn was very excited about it, and was happy to see Rowan, the book owner.

To finish the day strong, I went over to Niko Henrichon's line. The night before he had to leave for the bus just when we got to see him. So today I went a little earlier. Since everyone was having him do an animal in their Pride of Baghdad books, I had him sign my copy of Pride, and asked for a Black Panther in my Avengers book.

Then I went into Mike Perkins' Hero line-up. I was second in line and, of course, the guy in front asked for a Cap. I asked if he would be bored by doing another Cap and he quipped, "I bloody hope not...I have to draw him everyday of my life!" As he worked we had an interesting chat about hedgehog flavored 'crisps' or potato chips. Apparently they are a British delicacy. Regardless of the odd tastes of the British people regarding their food, they turn out amazing comic creators. He did the Cap's inking entirely with brush, and inkwashed the background, creating a very cool looking image.

We picked up the alphabet book from Tara and Christine, and decided to call it a day. Below are the U-Go Girl by Tara McPherson and the Batgirl by Christine Norrie.