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July 2007

Unpacking Indio

I'm in the midst of unpacking all sorts of boxes. Stuff that has been in storage for years. I found pics from old shows I did, programs, scrap books, etc. That's right! I was an actor back in the day. What? Don't believe me? Check out the Puerto Rican Elvis below.

IndioThat's me as "Indio" in West Side Story back in '99. No, I didn't have short hair back then. It's a wig. Yep. They cast me with my long hair and decided to wig me. Guess they wanted me pretty badly, eh? Or they were just short on real ethnic types. Seriously, out of the Shark gang, there were maybe 4 of us that could pass. Me and 3 guys whom were actually of Latino descent. The rest were 3 Jewish guys and our "Bernardo" looked like Fred Flintstone. No lie.

MemarcieerinwigMy poor costuming girls. It took 2 of them 20 minutes each show to braid my hair into about 8 parts. Tie those parts up. And then pin the shit out of it all when applying the wig. But, let me tell you, they were good at their job. At times, I felt like they got lazy and just staple gunned the wig to me. I still have trouble with cognitive thinking sometimes. I think. Maybe. And if you don't know, WSS is a very physical show with all of the dance numbers and the big fight. All of the flips and turns and pratfalls and climbing and jumping...the wig stayed on.

America4America5Just to prove that it's just not me playing dress up, here are a couple of shots of the "America" number. Yep. that's me over there!

Some great stories from this show. So many I could share. Some funny. Some scary. Some possibly illegal. For another time though. I'll leave you with this.

Fallen1One night, after the final scene and the lights go down. The 20 ft. center set piece falls down missing me and my friend by feet.

Sperm to worm. Womb to tomb. 


Another MasterCard Moment

Southpark_me

  • 5 1/2 hours for a planned 4 hour move at $80/hour for 2 movers. $440.00.
  • Tipping the movers. $70.00.
  • Getting some groceries and supplies. $150.00.
  • Leaving the couch outside for anyone to take since it wont fit through the doorway, drowning in a sea of boxes to unpack and having feelings of regret for moving here.

Priceless. MOTHERFUCKER!!!


Blog Ratings

There's a site out there that is offering movie style ratings for your blog. Guess what I got?

Nc17Here's their reasoning:

This rating was determined based on the presence of the following words:

  • fucking (9x)
  • ass (5x)
  • shit (4x)
  • porn (3x)
  • sexy (2x)
  • bastard (1x)

Come on! I curse way more than that.  I was hoping for a XXX. But, then again, I'm a fucking ass shit porn sexy bastard!

Beat that, bitches.


CNI 95

Ep95pic

Comic News Insider: Episode 95 is available for free download! Click on the link of get it through iTunes.

Sponsored by Dynamic Forces!

Reviews
Fantastic Four 2: Rise of the Silver Surfer, The Flash #13, Repo #1.

We give our MoCCA recap and play the remaining interviews from  Heroes Con. Steve Niles, Sarah Wilkinson, Rick Remender, Chris Staros (Top Shelf), Andy Runton (Owly), Kevin Freeman (Ape Entertainment), and Francesco Francavilla (The Black Coat).   

News includes new Speed Racer and Transformers toons, Stan Lee action figure, Indiana Jones, Iron Man and much more! Top 3 and contact info:

www.comicnewsinsider.com

www.myspace.com/comicnewsinsider

212 501 6246

[email protected]

www.cniforum.com

Thanks for listening!


More Moving Madness

First off, who's that happy when they pack? Puh leaze!!!

I'm moving Thursday. Check list:

Pack- have barely started.

Boxes, tape,etc- don't have nearly enough.

Movers- ones I was gonna book are not available on Thursday. Trying to book another.

Con Ed- taken care of.

Time Warner- waiting to hear from landlord on when someone can be at the apt.

Mail forwarding- done.

Change of address- done through USPS, but not individual companies.

Sanity- completely gone. Do not directly approach as I may flail wildly and poke your eye out.


MoCCA Drive-By

Mocca_program_frontThe MoCCA Art Festival is this weekend in NYC. MoCCA=Museum of Comic and Cartoon Art. It's a big show about the little guys. The indie comics scene. Admittedly, I only dabble in the indie scene, but have started to take more notice as of late. So many great works out there. It's the type of comic I always tell non-comic book readers about. The comic book without capes and tights and disproportionate anatomy. Well, usually. That Alison Bechdel just loves to draw huge boobies. (For those in the know, you KNOW I'm kidding on that one!)

I wanted to check it out yesterday, but couldn't stay long since I had to bartend at 3:30. My boy, Paul Pope, was doing a signing for the debut of his new book, PulpHope. If you can find a copy, get it. It's a compilation of his art from his early days up until present times. And, he ain't fucking around with this one, kids! It's pure and unapologetic and will rock your socks off!

I just realized, I haven't even talked about the show yet. As you may have surmised by my clever post title, I was not present at the show for very long. I made a cameo for about an hour.

I met Pauly for a quick lunch and drink around 1:30. He had to do his "pre-game warm-up" and wanted to just chill for a hot minute before heading in. We arrive a few minutes late after 2 and immediately head in and rush over to the AdHouse Books table.

Paul_at_mocca2Pope sits down and jumps right into the signing. And for reals...a line formed almost instantaneously. Fucking rock star. Paul and I joked that I should just stand next to him during the signing and talk to the fans for him. "Do not look The Pope directly in the eyes! Do not address The Pope unless he addresses you. Under no circumstances should you touch The Pope!"

I say hi to the very cool Chris Pitzer (AdHouse Books publisher) whom I had previously hung out with last weekend at Heroes Con. And Jamie Tanner (The Aviary) was there doing a signing as well. Chatted with him for a few. And, got to meet Fred Chao. I'm totally digging his new book, Johnny Hiro!

After chatting with the AdHouse kids, I bounce around as I only have til 3 until I have to head back to midtown for work. I literally rush around the main floor and barely had a moment to stop. Got to say hi to Chris Staros from Top Shelf. Also had chatted and interviewed him up at Heroes Con. Ran into my boys, Charlito and Mr. Phil, of Indie Spinner Rack fame. They are the podcast about the indie comics scene and were madly doing interviews left and right. Saw a few of the Comic Geek Speak guys. Bryan, Jamie and Peter. Ran upstairs to see more. We all laughed at the idea that Wizard magazine had a table at an indie show. We pictured this gang of indie fans running them out of the building with torches. I ran around a bit more, told Pope I'd see him later....and that was that.

Nothing like my Heroes Con recap, eh kids? Sorry about that. I really wish I had gotten there earlier and had a chance to talk to people and pick up some books. But, just didn't make the time. It was a very crowded show. I wasn't sure what to expect at first, but was very happy to see the place packed. 

I did get a chance to meet up with some of the crew after work. Cass and I met up with Pope and some of his peoples for a few. And I popped into the Top Shelf party that still had some late stragglers.

Next year, I promise. I'll hang out and explore more. Though, I think just showing up gives me some indie cred. No? Do I really have to read Blankets for that? I mean, I have Lost Girls...does that count?

Fine. I'll start buying more indie.

I swear on a stack of American Splendors! 


See Dick...Be a Dick!

I refrain from actually naming people that personally annoy me. And, I'll still not mention names. But, let's just say...

Someone I possibly currently live with maybe has a friend moving in after I move out. Yet, possibly goes ahead and has said friend move ALL OF THEIR SHIT into the living room and kitchen. Leaving not an inch. How the fuck am I supposed to pack now? I was going to pack and stack boxes in the living room. Clearly, not going to happen now. This is a long line of examples of said dickery from this person from the moment that person possibly moved in. I'll spare you the examples. Suffice it to say, no respect for me. None. Possibly.

Yet, here I am. Trying to rise above. So glad that old school Jimmy has retired. He comes out on occasion, but rarely. He's a bit scary and violent, so it's best when he stays in. Gotta say. Old school Jimmy has been wanting to come out of retirement. I'll do my best of keeping him locked up in prison. Just like old times!

Moral of the story...DUH!

DON'T BE A DICK!

Possibly.   


Pack Man

I hate packing. I'm moving next week and haven't even started yet. I'm always last minute like that, so I know I'll get it done, but I just don't even want to think about it. I haven't gotten boxes yet. Although, I did run to the Duane Reade and buy some packing tape earlier! That's something!

I'd almost rather have someone else come in and do it. Not just the laziness factor, but the time consumption. You know how it is. You start packing. Stop to look at old pictures you haven't seen in awhile. Read a comic you run across. Something you wrote. A book. Throw in an old porn. Man they had some hairy...WHOA! See? You get way off track. I ain't got time for that.

I'll start packing this weekend. After I get home from work. Maybe I should just go out and get hammered and come home and pack. Not label anything and try to find stuff for months! It'll be a challenge. A new game show. Howie Mandel can host. I'll get strippers to stand by all of my boxes and contestants can guess the contents.

Howie: "Contestant #1. Which box has a complete run of The Sandman, a spatula, zombie porn, and a midget?"

Contestant #1: "Well, since Aphrodisis is standing by box #5, I'm gonna go with that one."

Howie: "Aphrodisis. Open box #5. (She does.) Oh, sorry! #5 has 8 copies of the movie Serenity, various Archie comics, Star Wars Mr. Potato Heads and Gary Coleman. Sorry!"

I'm a genius. I'm going to start pitching this to the CW as soon as I can. If you wish to be a contestant, THEN COME HELP ME PACK!!!


Freak on a Lease

I did it. I signed the lease for the new apartment yesterday. I also doled out 3 back checks equaling about $1 gajillion dollars. Ramen noodles, Dinty Moore Beef Stew and Chef Boyardee for awhile! I don't have much furniture and will need more. Start saving me that good stuff! Daddy needs a bookcase or 2, coffee table and/or kitchen table, a chair or 2, a new bed and much more.

Where is it? East Harlem, bitches! It's only 3 blocks from the train and lots of stuff around. It's a townhouse and I'll have the bottom apartment. 1 br with central heat/air. Unheard of in NYC! The landlord, his wife and kid will have the top 3. They're Japanese, so all "paisan" and shit! Asians stick together! Just use some Kikkoman to get them apart. The landlord's first name is Hiro! I just hope he doesn't teleport into the apartment when the strippers are over. A-w-k-w-a-r-d.

Big step and all. I'm moving out of my beloved Hell's Kitchen and it's the first time I'll be living by myself in years. I'm both excited and nervous. Happy and sad. Drunk and naked. You get the idea.

Now, I just have to worry about packing and moving. HOLY FUCK! I HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT PACKING AND MOVING!

Sigh...Can I offer anyone a cookie to do it for me? 


CNI 94

EntranceComic News Insider: Episode 94 is available for free download! Click on the link or get it through iTunes!

Sponsored by Dynamic Forces!

It's our big Heroes Con recap. Our longest show to date and we apologize for that. Clocking in at under 2 hours. Yikes! We went a little interview crazy and got almost 20 interviews! We only play about 10 of them in this week's show. All good stuff though, so it's worth it!

Ep94pic

Quick review of World War Hulk #1. Bullet points in the news this week including Fantastic Four 2, Secret Asian Man, Halo 3, The Flash, Elektra, X-Men, Amazing Spider-man and much more! We go into our lengthy recap of the show and splice in the interviews throughout. Jonathan Hickman, Matt Fraction, Jennie Breeden (The Devil's Panties), Danielle Corsetto (Girls With Slingshots), Kyle Baker, Rosario Dawson (and the OCT crew), John Lucas, Dennis Hopeless & Kevin Mellon (GearHead) and Joe Keatinge (Image Comics) all show up in this episode! About 7 more to go that we'll play next week. Really great stuff and we get some exclusives! Lots of listener feedback, some new listeners, Top 3 and contact info:

[email protected]

212 501 6246

www.comicnewsinsider.com

www.myspace.com/comicnewsinsider

Thanks for listening!

P.S. If you want MY personal recap of Heroes con, then just read the previous post!