It’s definitely been an interesting couple of weeks, and to start things off here’s how last week (Sunday evening) started:
Out in Colorado here we call that, “turning on a green arrow”. Basically, we get the green turn arrow (everyone else gets red), we start turning and BLAMMO!, other party never stopped at the light. Luckily, being on a fast road, he wasn’t going the full 65 mph that is the speed limit through there. Only 45 or 50 mph. Lucky us.
Now, no worries. Other than being knocked around a bit the family and I are fine. But it definitely wasn’t how I imagined starting my week going into KillerCon in Las Vegas. I think it also tempered by stay in Vegas some, and I hope that either I hid that well or at the very least I didn’t bore the living crap out of anyone. Or ignore anyone. Or both.
KillerCon (put on by the great Wrath James White and crew) turned out to be a good, smaller con. I was able to talk to several folks I hadn’t been able to in awhile (Keene, Tomo, EvylEd, Mark, Sam, and on), quite a few folks I’d only met online before (Maurice, Bill Ollie, and so on) and quite a few new folks as well (Scotty, Erik, Jeannie, and plenty more). There were a few bumps in the road for the overall con, but for a first shot out of the cannon it turned out well.
KillerCon also held a first for me: the first time I was officially on a panel (in this case, with Allen K and John Palisano). Now, with all the cons out there and all the people at them it’s probably not a real big deal. Not to mention we had a light showing (I was going to tell myself that it was because it was Sunday morning at 10 am). But for me, it was a great feeling to be up on the stage and having people be genuinely interested in what I had to say.
It was really great to talk to the crowd, and get their feedback. I also thought talking with Allen K and John Palisano was great too. I’m always fascinated listening to how other artists (hell, any creative-types) do things, and hearing where the things I do are similar and where they are not.
Now, don’t let this picture scare you away from the internet for the rest of creation (which is 2012 anyway), but here I am (on the far right) at the panel. Make sure any children or ferrets avert their eyes, I don’t want to be responsible for blindness because of my hideous appearance. Though I do like my Clutch shirt:
Although, since you skipped that photo in the hopes of avoiding permanent monitor damage looking at me, it is worth pointing out that my portfolio made it nicely into the picture (score!). Also, thanks to Matt Schwartz for taking the photo.
There was only one drawback to the trip. Here’s what I saw as I was leaving Vegas:
Here, though, is today in Colorado, the day I have to drive all over the place and walk around outside:
Karma: kicking me in the willies since 1972.
