Usagi Yojimbo DojoBoard

I'm at the Holiday Inn in Ronkonkoma right now, and they have internet access.

I just arrived a few minutes ago, and called Dr Sam Conway to see how he's doing. He's still about two hours away by highway.

The Jet Blue flight from Burbank was very nice, except only drinks and a small snack was provided (I chose the animal cookies, and half of them were hippos). I brought a sandwich with me, and scarfed that down for lunch. I was pretty impressed with the airlines. Each seat had its own video monitor with 36 stations, plus 4 pay-per-view. I watched Samantha Brown on the Travel Channel and The Inn of the Sixth Happiness. I haven't seen Inn for about 20 years, unfortunately we landed about 10 minutes before it was over. I also wrote the story for UY #99, and thumbnailed about a third of it.

I was traveling with a couple of rocket manufacturers. Very interesting. Their next project is sending a satellite into orbit, then people. They're already taking reservations. It's $2 million per person, but if you reserve now it's only $500,000.

Stan Sakai wrote:I was traveling with a couple of rocket manufacturers. Very interesting. Their next project is sending a satellite into orbit, then people. They're already taking reservations. It's $2 million per person, but if you reserve now it's only $500,000.

Unfortunately, people (even huge companies such as Pan Am) have been taking space-tourism reservations since the 1960s. I stay optimistic about these things because I'd love to experience space one day but I'll believe it when I see it.

Then again, if I had an extra $500k lying around, I'd probably pony it up just on the off chance

Stan Sakai wrote:I watched Samantha Brown on the Travel Channel

I can't get enough of Passport to Europe. She's a little goofy, but more entertaining than Rick Steves and Rudy Maxa.

Gaffey wrote:

Stan Sakai wrote:I watched Samantha Brown on the Travel Channel

I can't get enough of Passport to Europe. She's a little goofy, but more entertaining than Rick Steves and Rudy Maxa.

I agree with you. She was a comedian before being hired as a travel hostess. She's my favorite travel host, though Rick Steves' three part travel skills shows are still my all time favorites.

My first (of six presentations/panels) went well. It was a Q&A, and, thankfully the audience had questions. I've got two more today, and three on Sunday. Sam Conway (Uncle Kage to many of you) volunteered to help me with "Creating an Anthropomorphic World".

The hotel is a full half hour drive from the convention, but it's the nearest big hotel around. I guess popping back to my room to work on pages is out of the question. I'll have to bring work with me to the con.

Stan Sakai wrote:I'm at the Holiday Inn in Ronkonkoma right now, and they have internet access.

I've been there heh... not too bad (well wasn't when I was there, but that's about 10 years ago now!). I never got the chance to see Stonybrook though, I've only seen pics (from an ex who used to work there).

Hey Stan, great meeting you today!! The video presentation was cool, I hadn't seen most of that stuff. And thanks for bringing that poster and the issues, I appreciate it.

It was great meeting you, Colin. Thanks for attending the presentation.

I have three more tomorrow, then it's off to the airport for my Jet Blue flight back to Burbank.

There was an awards banquet tonight. I was given an award. The con had not received the plaques yet, so they will send them to the recipients.

Stan Sakai wrote:Sam Conway (Uncle Kage to many of you) volunteered to help me with "Creating an Anthropomorphic World".

Stan is too polite to mention that my main contribution to the discussion was "Duhhhh!" After volunteering I realized that I didn't have the faintest idea of how to approach the topic. So I just encouraged questions from the audience.

Uncle_Kage wrote:

Stan Sakai wrote:Sam Conway (Uncle Kage to many of you) volunteered to help me with "Creating an Anthropomorphic World".

Stan is too polite to mention that my main contribution to the discussion was "Duhhhh!" After volunteering I realized that I didn't have the faintest idea of how to approach the topic. So I just encouraged questions from the audience.

Welcome to the Dojo, Kage. Big thanks to you and Mark for the great company this weekend. You certainly made this con experience a memorable one.

My flight to Burbank was good. I met two characters actors who were also guests of I-Con. They regaled me (and each other) with stories of the good old days of Hollywood. This was all the inside dirt--the drunks, tragic deaths, and anecdotes about film and tv production. I thumbnailed UY 99 on the Jet Blue flight. I was very happy with Jet Blue--nice seats, adequate leg room, tv monitor, large overhead compartments. The big drawback is that, aside from very light snacks, there is no food. So remember to bring something along.

I did not finish all my inking on this trip, but I am closer to my deadline than when I left for NY.

I'm a new fan, thanks to your appearance! Your panels were very fun and informative (and I think my girlfriend has a crush on you!) I was so impressed I went out and bought the Usagi artbook. It's gorgeous (now to track down some graphic novels...)

Stan, thank you so for much for coming!

Mike Nicolai wrote:I'm a new fan, thanks to your appearance! Your panels were very fun and informative (and I think my girlfriend has a crush on you!) I was so impressed I went out and bought the Usagi artbook. It's gorgeous (now to track down some graphic novels...)

Stan, thank you so for much for coming!

Were you with the group that was at every panel I did? If you were, I apologize for having to repeat and draw the same things over and over. With six panels, it was a challenge to keep thinking of new things to say and draw. That is the big reason why I rely so much on questions. It also helps me gauge what the audience is most interested in.

Yes, that Art of UY books is wonderful, and I'm very proud of it. Designer and editor Cary Grazzini did a terrific job on it. I'm still upset that he did not win the Eisner Award that he was nominated for.

Yep, that was us! We enjoyed the first night so much we decided to come back for the rest. (Of course, my friend kept forgetting to bring the comic he wanted signed until Sunday) And you're being modest, it was a fun time.

Mike Nicolai wrote:Yep, that was us! We enjoyed the first night so much we decided to come back for the rest. (Of course, my friend kept forgetting to bring the comic he wanted signed until Sunday) And you're being modest, it was a fun time.

Are you going to be at Anthrocon in Pittsburgh? I'll be there. Usually, about a month before a con appearance, I make a posting, "What should I bring to______?" If there is anything in particular you are looking for--a comic, a book, prints, even free stuff like trading cards or posters--can be requested on the thread or by e-mail.

Here is a link to Uncle Kage's travel report to I-Con.


http://unclekage.livejournal.com/35483.html#cutid1