Portrait of the Artist as a Delirious Graduate Student.
Some updates!:
1) I spent a couple wonderful hours working the Ooligan table at Wordstock this year, learning how to talk to people about what we do. Afterwards, I made a slow circle around the exhibitors, stopping periodically along the way to touch all the books at the McSweeney’s table, because touching books longingly is almost as good as working there. I also discovered a few new favorites:
- Chin Music Press: A Seattle-based publisher that puts out the most gorgeous books. I almost hate to just throw you a link, because you really need to hold these books in your hands to get the full effect—they look amazing, and they feel amazing.
- The Bear Deluxe Magazine is “… a national, independent environmental magazine publishing significant works of reporting, creative nonfiction, literature, visual art and design.” The website is pretty outdated, so if you’re in Portland, just pick up a copy—it’s free. I have the Creative Nonfiction issue, and it’s great.
2) For the second year running, I was legitimately scared by a scarecrow. My career as a grain thief is looking grim.
3) I’ve decided that my favorite neighbor is the man who walks his two Akitas from a Segway. My second favorite neighbor is the man who looks like Leland Palmer, never wears a shirt, and talks to his cats. Everyone else ties for third.
4) I didn’t see a single person from my old company at Wordstock, probably because they cared about money, not books. (insert “oh, snap” here)
5) Johnny and I are taking the ultimate romantic journey: a cramped, 52 hr train ride! Eight states, Dec 20-22nd, from Portland to Chicago to Champaign to Monticello to bed. (We fly back on the 30th, with deep dish pizzas in our bags.) I’m especially excited to see Montana and North Dakota, because I’ve never been. Expect many photos taken from a moving train, and many exclamation marks. TRAIN TIME! (!!)
I like it when you blog. I miss it. I’m very intrigued about your train journey….please update me when you’ll be in Chambana…perhaps Gus will be due for his first visit to Murphy’s?
see you in chicago?
Julie! I would love to see you, I feel like I hardly even got to talk to you last time. And yes, it’s high time Gus visited Murphy’s
I will let you know what’s going on when we figure it out.
Alex, I don’t know about Chicago. We spend like 6 hours in Union Station on the 22nd before going to Champaign (well, in theory — who knows how on-time a cross-country train is), and then our flight leaves from O’Hare on the afternoon of the 30th. Are you still around then? It could work out to come up on the 29th to visit if you are around (and not already entertaining your moms).