Anime South was a very charming, relaxing weekend. Small conventions can be fun – “relax-a-con” is what they’re often called. And the fact that it was only a five-to-ten minute drive from my apartment was a big plus. Got the best sleep I’ve ever had at a con. ;D (Artist Alley was pretty much empty by 8:00 PM every night, so the late-night carousing had a much earlier curfew than usual.)

In addition to some familiar faces from last year, I got to meet a couple comic book locals, Chasen Grieshop and Ben Hunzeker - which I cannot begin to describe my excitement about, ‘cause living in the panhandle? Very lonely. =( Also met many fellow Deviants, the boys from DFP Radio, and Misfile creator Chris Hazelton and his wife.

So… Fun weekend. Showtunes. Olive Garden. Lots of awkward moments. (The same six or seven year old kid constantly popped up, with his mom, whenever we got to the specifically dirtiest lines in such musicals as Avenue Q and Rent. The mother would always insist “He’s heard worse,” but I’m not sure if that makes me feel any better… I mean, the kid’s heard worse than “Just grab your dick and double click?” Or “And I can’t wait to eat her pussy again?” “Watching a frat boy realize just what he put his dick in?”)

The plan is that I will still be at Anime USA, November 17 – 19, in Vienna, VA. I’ll be on a corner of Brian Wilson’s (Hookie Dookie Panic’s) table. Or under the table, because I certainly owe Brian a big thank you for his kindness during such a last minute booking. ;D

And speaking of conventions - Dave and I have casually been combing over our con schedules for 2007 - really looking forward to next year’s season! Many more shows. And we’ll be putting on a better show, I think. Snafu will really be stepping up its game at conventions – we’re trying to book them in a way so there’ll be two (or more =D) of us at a con!

Oh. And I’m pretty sure that, by A-USA weekend, I should finally be allowed to reveal just what it is that’s kept me too busy to update on Saturdays. I think. Don’t hold me to that. =P

So the story behind the whole “comics in a grocery store” thing… It was the most amazing-est thing.

I was up early the other day – dentist appointment to get a filling. So I got that done, my face half numb and my tongue incapable of pronouncing dick (“Dwique.”), and figured I’d roll by the grocery store – pick up necessities. Orange soda. Bologna. Those heavenly Betty Crocker’s Warm Delights (because that first cavity-filling was just the beginning).

I guess it’s habit. I dropped by the magazine aisle, perused the gaming mags, snuck curious, man-fully shameful peeks at Cosmo and Oprah… And looked for the comics. Nothing. It wasn’t surprising – comics haven’t been on the mag-racks in ages. Somewhere between the orange soda and the bologna, though, I saw it. Tucked right near the check-out, right next to the cheap-ass kiddy toys. It was there:

A comic book rack.

I damn near cried.

When I was a kid, I didn’t get my comics from the comic book store. I went to Wal-Mart. And Randal’s. Albertson’s and Jitney-friggin’ Jungle. I remember going to the grocery store with my grandpa when I was a kid, and I’d just park myself in front of the rack and read. Seeing that – man, it was nostalgic. And there was some pride in it – seeing comics in a grocery store of all places. And alotta’ the racks were empty, or the books nearly gone, too! ‘Cause hey, people love comics.

Of course, the grocery store isn’t the best place to pick up your pull list, either. =P I grabbed the latest of the relaunced Justice League of America and Sonic the Hedgehog, by my palses Ian Flynn and Tracy Yardley as it just hit the stand. (I was at the check-out… “Shid! Ho’d on, be wight bwack.”) But still… Comics. In a grocery store.

In convention news, I will be attending Anime South in Destin, FL, this weekend. Then November 17 – 19, I will be up in Vienna, Virginia, at Anime USA, sharing a bit o’ table space with the fine fellows of Hookie Dookie Panic (Much love, guys!). Hope to see ya’ there! =D