Christmas Spirit 2010

I considered writing the following true story as a Christmas letter that I would have included with my Christmas cards this year, but a friend talked me out of it. It sounds a little more like fiction than fact. It still does, but because the encounter was directly responsible for me discovering and keeping the Christmas Spirit all through the month of December, I decided not to keep it to myself.

Here it is, how I found the Christmas Spirit in 2010. Actually, it found me -- in the most unlikely of places -- and at the most unlikely of times.

December 3, 2010. Driving south on I-57, I stopped at the Effingham BP station. It was a bitterly cold morning and was at just 11 degrees at 7:30 am. Pumping gas never goes fast enough in weather like that, and my impatience grew as it does when a trip to the ladies room becomes necessary. I saw her while crossing the parking lot -- a short, round granny dressed in a bright pink hand-knit (it had to be hand-knit) sweater. She didn't so much walk as waddle, and I knew that I was still too far from the door to beat her inside. I quickened my pace and hoped that she'd go left as she entered thus leading her away from the narrow corridor on the right that led to the lavatory.

Trust me, you never want to get stuck behind a waddling old lady on her way to the lavatory -- time stands still and you could read Tolstoy in the space between. But there I was. She correctly moved right and turned to the narrow hallway just as I hit the door. NO hope of passing her in this hallway, and my pressing need no longer relevant. She moved with the grace of a sea turtle in wet sand, and my thoughts grew less and less pleasant as I followed in slow motion. Under different circumstances, I might have appreciated the Six Million Dollar Man motion and added the appropriate sound effects -- that morning, I couldn't find a kind or humorous thought.

We reached the door and she finally noticed my presence.
"It's a bit brisk out there isn't it?" she asked.
"Yes, ma'am, winter's here to stay," I managed.
As she opened the door, she floored me.
"Well, this is my favorite time of the year -- Merry Christmas to you and your family, honey."

I hesitated. I hadn't held a kind thought toward this granny since the second I saw her, and here she was wishing me a Merry Christmas. All that stuff that happened to the Grinch happened to me in a heartbeat, and I smiled. I wished her a Merry Christmas back and meant it, and we entered the line inside the very full lavatory.

Who would have thought that my Christmas angel would have arrived in shocking pink! Once back in the car, I switched to the stations playing nothing but Christmas music and had a wonderful trip.

"The O'Brien Factor" online

As you may already know, I write a column for Comics Buyer's Guide magazine called "The O'Brien Factor." Primarily devoted to the work of small press and independent publishers, the column includes reviews of comics that I've enjoyed, show reports, industry news, and other comics odds and ends that are worth sharing.

Every now and again, something special is featured in the magazine that knocks columns out of the issue. When that happened in the past, the column would just appear in the next issue. With the upgrades to the CBG website, however, the columns now become online exclusives -- and that is its own kind of awesome.

Just click on the link above and you'll be directed to the magazine's home page. Click the link for "The O'Brien Factor," and you can read my column. As always, if you have events/comics/info to recommend or share, drop me a line.

Interview on the Allan Handelman Show

My thanks to Allan Handelman and the WZTK-FM audience -- I had a wonderful time talking toys with all of you this afternoon. I know we couldn't answer everyone's questions on-air, so if you'd like some help identifying the value of one of your toys, just post a Comment below and I'll do my best to get you some additional information.

Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine

The key to packing for a trip to San Diego is weight. I always go out there with as little weight in my bags as possible because of the volume of materials I have to transport back home. And with the airlines charging extra for bags that exceed their weight standards, I'm very attentive as to how much I bring back in my suitcase.

If I've accumulated so many books that I know my bag will break the scale, I take advantage of the on-site UPS store at the San Diego Convention Center. Shipping UPS Ground from the con is an expensive option, but it is still cheaper than paying the airline. The disadvantage is that I have to wait a few days to get the box, so I'm careful to ship the materials I picked up for my collection and keep review materials with me. This system and has worked out very well.

That brings me to the problem of what to read on the way to the con. A hardcover book is out of the question for it's bulk as well as weight, but paperbacks are a nice option. Magazines are too, but a few of them in your carryon bag does add unwanted weight. My solution is the latest issue of Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine. The newsprint paper is light and at 112 pages, the issue will keep me entertained for a good portion of the flight. If you enjoy noir, mysteries, or crime fiction, try EQMM for your next flight.

Comic-Con San Diego 2010

I'm so happy to be returning to San Diego for Comic-Con July 22-25. The event as a whole is, as Galinda from Wicked said, "altogether quite impossible to describe." I've called it a gathering of 130,000 of my closest friends, and while that might speak to the sheer magnitude of the con, I don't want it to overshadow the amazing array of creative people that I look forward to visiting with each year.

Everywhere you turn, you're surrounded by an eclectic collection of creative minds. Whether nor not a particular booth strikes your fancy, you can't help but be inspired by the creative output. It's a recharge of the inspirational batteries and a kick in the butt to pursue your own endeavors.

I'm covering the con for Comics Buyer's Guide magazine. If you collect comics, are into comics history, or are looking for news and reviews you should definitely check out this magazine. You won't find it on a newsstand so ask for it at your local comics shop or stop by booth #1419 during the con, and I'll get you a copy. My column, "The O'Brien Factor," includes a round up of indie-small press comics reviews, news from the small presses, and other non-mainstream topics like podcasts, tidbits from cons, noir/pulp fiction news and events, and interviews with creators. I'm always looking for interesting topics for my column, so drop me a line if you have a book coming out, a con coming up, or can recommend a newsy story.

I'll be posting my con experiences on the CBG site and using my Twitter account @leaveittokaren, so check back often for updates!

Windy City Pulp and Paper Convention, April 23-25

The 10th Windy City Pulp and Paper Convention takes place April 23-25 at the Westin Lombard Yorktown Center Hotel. Fans of paperbacks, original art, movie memorabilia, old time radio, science fiction, pop culture, mystery, noir, and pulp culture are sure to love this show. After hearing some wonderful comments about Windy City, I'm looking forward to making my first trip to the con.

I'll try to update here and I'll definitely include a complete write-up for my column in Comics Buyer's Guide magazine. Looking forward to meeting Steve Haffner of Haffner Press. I reviewed The Collected Captain Future: Volume One from Haffner Press for CBG a few issues ago (if you love space pulp, you'll love this collection of Edmond Hamilton adventures) and I can't wait to see what else is in the works.

Here's the con info:
Windy City Pulp and Paper Convention
April 23-25, 2010
Westin Lombard Yorktown Center
70 Yorktown Shopping Center
Lombard, Il 60148
630-719-8000

Click on the link above for the show schedule.

S.P.A.C.E. April 24-25

This weekend, the midwest's largest gathering of independent and small press publishers happens in Columbus, Ohio, with the 11th annual Small Press & Alternative Comics Expo (S.P.A.C.E). This show is all about the comics and includes everything from mini-comics to sketchbooks. It's a grand collection of writers and artists who publish their own stuff. If you've ever wanted to take that leap and jump in to the world of comics, then this is the show you can't miss.

The S.P.A.C.E. website is a place you'll want to visit, as well. Contact info for all of the creators is available, so if you can't reach the show, you can still get their comics. And don't miss the free S.P.A.C.E. Anthology 2010. What a terrific idea! I hope they do this every year -- it's 113 pages of comics contributed by the show's exhibitors as an introduction to their work and the kinds of comics you'll discover at the show. The Anthology is available through a free download on the S.P.A.C.E. site.

Small Press & Alternative Comics Expo
April 24-25, 2010
Ramada Plaze Hotel & Conference Center
4900 Sinclair Rd.
Columbus, Ohio 43229
Saturday: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
Sunday: 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Contact: Bob Corby via email, bpc13@earthlink.net

April: Poetry Month

In honor of Poetry Month, the good folks at Writer's Digest have dared you to write a poem a day throughout the entire month of April. Robert Lee Brewer's blog, Poetic Asides, is the host of the festivities and he's not only issuing the writing prompts, he's also writing. I imagine that this is to show us that it can be done, which is good because I managed a contribution for the first day and haven't attempted it since.

The task for Day 1 was to "write a lonely poem." My attempt:

Trains missed leave behind
solitary passengers
looking to the future
on empty platforms

It was fun to switch my brain to the compact construction of poetry. Pick out a prompt from the 15 already posted and give it a try. Then post your efforts in the comments.

Sketch Card Benefit Auction

Sometimes while reading other blogs, a topic strikes me as too good to pass up, and I post it here. Thanks to my friend Chris Thorne (his blog is Sketchbook by Chris and you can find the link in my bloglist), I learned of the 3rd annual Sketch Card Benefit Auction held by Comics for Cures.

Artists (including Chris) are creating sketch cards and donating them for this auction to benefit the American Cancer Society. Last year's event raised more than $6,000 and they're hoping to do even better this year. So spread the word, bid on some cards, and do what you can for this worthwhile cause.

The dates were moved -- here are the new dates:
May 1: deadline for all artists to submit materials
May 15: auction starts on eBay
May 22: gallery show at Comics 2 Games in Florence, KY

And here is the rest of the good info:
3rd Annual SKETCH CARD BENEFIT AUCTION AND GALLERY SHOW FOR AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY

Comics 2 Games is hosting a SKETCH CARD GALLERY SHOW and Benefit Auction for the American Cancer Society. Proceeds will go to the AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY.
Location: Comics 2 Games, 8470 US 42., Florence, KY 41042 phone: 859-647-7568.
For more information about participating or attending the event email: Sketchcards@bluelinepro.com or call 859-282-0096.

C2E2 April 16-18, 2010

It's a great weekend to be in Chicago, the weather will be in the 60s (which is fabulous for the Windy City this time of the year), the Cubs will take on the Houston Astros for a three-game set at historic Wrigley Field and the coolest event in comics is coming to McCormick Place -- C2E2.

Check out the link above for more information, but there is definitely something for everyone at this convention. From the A-list guest stars like Neil Gaiman, Alex Ross, Peter David, Geoff Johns and many more to the special Dr. Who screening on Friday night, C2E2 is an event not to be missed.

And you can count on the con food in Chicago to be a whole lot better than in San Diego (where the pizza is dreadful and don't get me started on the hot dogs).

LaPorte County Symphony Orchestra in concert

On Saturday, April 17, 2010, the LaPorte County Symphony Orchestra will present its spring pops concert, State Fair: A Blue Ribbon Event at the LaPorte Civic Auditorium. The concert will begin at 7:30 pm.

Guest vocalists, the LCSO Children's Choir, juggler Thomas Misch, whistler Hans Martin Werner, and a pie-baking contest are all features of what promises to be a delightful downhome evening with the orchestra. I think the only things missing are cotton candy and elephant ear vendors!

Tickets are available at the door -- $18 for adults, $15 for seniors, students and children are free. If you can't attend and would like to make a donation to the orchestra, there is a handy button on the main LCSO website.

Here's the evening's Program:

RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN: Selections from State Fair
"Our State Fair"
"It Might as Well be Spring"
"It’s a Grand Night for Singing"

ROSSINI: "William Tell Overture"
SAINT-SAENS: Theme from BABE ("Symphony No. 3, Finale")
WENDEL: "Under the Big Top"
ANDERSON: "Clarinet Candy"
HAYMEN: "Pops Hoedown"
BERNSTEIN: "Theme from Magnificent Seven"
SCHWARTZ: "The Wizard and I"
GOLDRICH: "The Alto’s Lament"
O’BOYLE: "Country Overture"
GILPIN: "Why We Sing"
QUEEN: "We Are the Champions"
Sing Alongs, and fun for the whole family

Trivia 41

This weekend, the world's largest trivia contest returns to Stevens Point, Wisconsin! Trivia 41: The Dark Side of the Contest is a title so cool, I wish I bought the T-shirt. It's not too late to register your team for this year's event, you have until 6:00 pm on Friday, but don't wait that long.

Thanks to the Internet, your team doesn't have to travel to the Stevens Point area to participate -- you can spend the weekend listening to the questions on your computer. And even if you don't have a team, test your trivia knowledge just for fun and frustration.

Enjoy the contest, and special good luck wishes to my friends on the team -- Yaargh v. The Point Sewer System (colorful team names are highly encouraged).

Cooking with Kristin

Hang around me long enough and you're bound to notice that I wear my watch on my left wrist and a LIVESTRONG bracelet on my right. The silicon bracelet craze has long since been reduced to yesterday's fad, so you know there's a story behind why I wear that particular bright yellow band every day.

Among my other pursuits, I teach percussion. Cathy Cunningham is the assistant band director for the schools in the small, southern Illinois town of Pinckneyville. Director of bands Steve Cannedy and Cathy have built a fine band program and it's incredibly gratifying to work for gifted professionals who are also good people.

Cathy's daughter, Kristin -- a talented (french) horn player -- went through the band program and on to the University of Illinois. She was a fiesty high school kid when I first met her, and it was no shock when she became a fiesty adult.

Eventually, Kristin went on to pursue a master's degree in horn performance down in Austin, Texas. The kid could play! While finishing up her studies, however, she was diagnosed with lukemia. The news kicked off quite a fight for Kristin and her family. Batteries of tests and treatments, periods of remission and relapse, and a whole lot of fiesty characterized her struggle to kick lukemia.

After a three-year fight, Kristin passed away on March 17, 2008. And nearly two years later, I still wear a LIVESTRONG bracelet. The LIVESTRONG folks are on a mission to fight all cancer and have the kick-ass attitude that I respect. During her illness, I wore it to remind me to keep Kristin and her family in my thoughts and prayers. Nearly two years later, I wear it to remind myself that I better not ignore the truly important stuff, 'cause life is short.

The Cunningham family celebrates Kristin's life by organizing an annual fund raiser around St. Patrick's Day for the Lukemia & Lymphoma Society. This year's effort is Cooking with Kristin, a cookbook that Kristin started and was finished with the contributed recipes of family and friends -- I sent in my favorite Irish Soda Bread recipe. The cookbook is beautifully designed (Craig Williams Creative, Inc. handled that) and includes family photos, stories from Kristin's journal, and even some recipes from Kristin's culinary hero, Paula Deen. They've already sold out of the 500 copy inital print run, and my $20 donation is the best money I've spent all year. Another 1,000 copies are on their way and I hope they sell out just as fast.

If you're in Pinckneyville, pick up a couple of copies from the Cunninghams. If not, consider a donation to the Lukemia & Lymphoma Society or LIVESTRONG. You can click on the links above to make donations to these organizations.

Life is short and cancer sucks -- please do whatever you can.

Dallas Comic Con January 30-31

Thanks to Matthew Warlick of Space-Gun Studios for reminding me that the Dallas Comic Con happens this weekend, January 30-31, 2010. For those of you in the Dallas/Ft. Worth region, here's the con info:

Richardson Civic Center
411 W. Arapaho Rd.
Richardson, TX
Saturday: 11:00 am to 6:00 pm
Sunday: Noon to 5:00 pm
Admission: See HERE

Artist's Alley, special guests from film and television (Adam West, Sean Patrick Flanery, Charisma Carpenter), and a full schedule of Q&As, and an original art auction are just some of the featured attractions.
Featured artist include Tim Sale, Adam Hughes, Michael Golden, Jim Mahfood, Terry Moore, Mark Brooks, Matt Sturges, and many more. Check out the link above for a complete listing.

If you attend the show, take some pictures and I'll get them posted to the Comics Buyer's Guide site. Enjoy the con!

S.P.A.C.E., April 24-25, 2010

Three comics events on my personal list of Comics-Shows-I-Must-Attend-Someday are (in no particular order) the Baltimore Comic-Con, Mid-Ohio Con, and S.P.A.C.E.

With a little luck and careful scheduling on my part, I have a real chance at attending S.P.A.C.E. because it has moved from the usual March date to April 24-25 this year. It has also changed venues and will be held here:

Ramada Plaza Hotel & Conference Center
4900 Sinclair Rd.
Columbus, Ohio 43229
Toll free: (877) 609-6086
Until April 2, the hotel has a block of rooms at a special convention rate of $79 per night, mention the con.

One of the most unique aspects of this show is that it focuses entirely on small and independent publishers. This is a creator-driven show with absolutely no interest in pop culture -- this show is all about the comics. In addition to the wide variety of exhibitors, S.P.A.C.E. will have special guests and workshops -- the announcements regarding these and schedules for them will be updated to the show site, so become a frequent visitor to stay up on the latest happenings. Check out the S.P.A.C.E. site for the great lineup of exhibitors already comitted to the show because you're bound to find several people whose work you admire and several more that you'll enjoy. Show hours are Saturday 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and Sunday 11:00 am to 5:00 pm. Admission is $8 for the weekend pass or $5 daily.

I had the opportunity to talk with S.P.A.C.E. founder Bob Corby, and he was kind enough to share his insights for my next column in Comics Buyer's Guide magazine (issue #1665). It should hit newsstands and your favorite comic shop at the end of February. (If your local comics shop doesn't get CBG, ask them to order it for your pull list -- there's great stuff in every issue.)

Bill Jacobs Chevy Swap Meet

Bill Jacobs Chevrolet in Joliet, Illinois, will host its 37th annual swap meet on Sunday, January 17, 2010. Presented by the Great Lakes Region chapter of the Vintage Chevrolet Club of America, the first swap meet of the year is guaranteed to cure cabin fever.

Show hours are 8:00 am to 1:00 pm, and admission is $4.
Bill Jacobs Chevrolet is located at 2001 W. Jefferson in Joliet.
For more information, contact Jim McDonald: (708) 485-3633 or click the links above.

I attened last year's swap meet and was thrilled to find that the show was completely sold out of vendor spaces. I suspect the same will be true this year. In addition to the car parts -- which aren't limited to Chevrolets, so you Mopar and Ford fans shouldn't stay home -- there are always some interesting varieties of collectibles from Hot Wheels cars to slot cars to the two lunchboxes I picked up last year. (For those of you with long memories, the guy with the California Car Dusters is still attending this show and is still set up in the same spot! I remember him from when I was just a little kid attending the show with my dad.)

A few years ago, I couldn't find the swap meet in the Old Cars Weekly Show Calendar section, so I emailed Jim McDonald and reminded him that the show listings are free. Last year, the show was in the listings, and this year, they have an ad in the Show Calendar section. Thanks Jim, I hope the swap meet is a big success for the club.

Toy Shows: January 8-10

The winter toy show season is upon us, and I'll do my level best to bring you the interesting places to go in the world of toy shows. If you know of events in your area, please add them in the comments below.

Farm Toy Shows
January 8-10, Urbana, IL: 6th Annual Illini Farm Toy Show sponsored by the Illinois Farm Bureau District 12 Young Leaders at the Hanford Inn and Suites, 2408 N. Cunningham Ave.
Hours: Fri. 5:00 to 9:00 p.m.; Sat. 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., farm toy consignment silent auction from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.; Sun. 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. For more info call (217) 247-2644.

January 9, Peotone, IL: 19th Annual Peotone FFA Farm Toy Show at the Will County Fair Atrium, West St. and Wilmington Rd.
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. For more info call (708) 258-3236.

January 9, Burt, MI: Saginaw Valley Toy Show at Albee Township Hall
Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For more info call (989) 777-9819.
 
Toy Trains
There are quite a few train events happening this weekend. Classic Toy Trains magazine maintains one of the most comprehensive show calendars in this hobby. Click HERE to see what's going on in your area.
 
Have fun and remember to support your local toy shows!