Well it's been a bit of a crazy weekend I don't mind telling you.

This is the first week of what I might officially start referring to as the Month of Writer-ly Travel, which began with a quick jet to Bathesda, Maryland for the Small Press Expo aka SPX.

I'm still getting used to the whole comic convention thing, specifically the thing where you sit behind a table and, well, just sit there mostly, surrounded by comic coolness and comic fans who come up to your table and either buy or talk about your stuff.  As a writer, public gigs usually involves standing behind a podium and reading for 15 minutes.  It's a change but I'm starting to like it, specifically the part where I get to hang out with fans and amazing comic writers.  Like the super awesome hopelarson  and Bryan Lee O'Malley, both of whom have fabulous taste in food (crispy beef indeed).  I got lots of amazing comic books as well, including (in no particular order):</lj>

Jar of Fools by Jason Lutes (read on the plane, totally stunning, I love how he draws conversations)
The Babysitters Club by Ann M. Martin, incredibly drawn by Raina Telgemeier
Essex County #3: The Country Nurse by Jeff Lemire (genius as always)
Juicy Mother (1 and 2) edited by Jennifer Camper (who was super cool and I hope to hang with her more at APE)
and the amazing
Matthew Forsythe's ojingogo (which I am totally in love with)

In other news, at the Ignatz awards Skim picked up an award for Best Graphic Novel!





YAY!

The award, which is an actual Ignatz style brick, is going to live with Jillian for the time being.  It's very heavy and brick like.  Totally cool.

For a complete list of winner check out the link here.

This week is a Toronto Public Library gig.
 

Then I have a TINARS launch.

Then pretty soon it's off to BC!

Crazy.

In the meantime, here is a picture of Charlie, our supah cool new kitty, who may very well consume every piece of cardboard in the house over the next couple weeks.