I got back from Connecticut a couple of days ago, and now it's off to Mexico City tomorrow for the Utopia Comic Festival at the Mexico City World Trade Center.
I'll be traveling with good buddy Sergio Aragones, so it should be a lot of fun.
Speaking of fun, we went to the Comic Arts Professional Society banquet last night to help honor Ray Bradbury. He gets around on a wheelchair now, but he's as sharp as ever. I got my copy of the Martian Chronicles signed. I first met Ray more than 10 years ago, and he signed Dandelion Wine (my favorite of all his books). I even got my picture taken with Stan Freberg last night.
Ai caramba! Usagi in Mexico!
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Stan Sakai
- Sensei
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Having fun in Mexico City, though the traffic is a killer. One of my favorite artists is also a guest here--Juan Gimenz, famous for the art in Meta Barons (written by Alexandro Jodorowsky, who supplied the intro to UY Book 4).
Opening ceremony for Utopia 2003 is this morning. There was a press interview yesterday. Since I know very little Spanish, I pretty much kept quiet. Sergio translated the important bits to me.
They have an impressive array of guests this year. Next year promises to be even better with Moebius, Matt Groening and the Bongo Comics Group.
Opening ceremony for Utopia 2003 is this morning. There was a press interview yesterday. Since I know very little Spanish, I pretty much kept quiet. Sergio translated the important bits to me.
They have an impressive array of guests this year. Next year promises to be even better with Moebius, Matt Groening and the Bongo Comics Group.
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Stan Sakai
- Sensei
- Posts: 4896
- Joined: Wed Sep 18, 2002 12:21 -0700
The opening ceremony was yesterday. Security was very tight because President Vicente Fox was at the WTC earlier (though not for the Utopia Con).
I later did an internet interview, simultaneously translated into Spanish. I forgot to bring the site address this morning, but I will post it later. I was told it will be running a few times.
I had brought copies of the Spanish editions of Usagi, but am already almost sold out.
A group of us went to the City Center last night. Mexico City is a place I would not want to drive in. Besides the enormous amount of cars, lane markers here seem to be just suggestions. Cars also turn from lanes they have no right being in, and they drive so close. I dislike driving down the boulevard at 50 km p/h with the next car so close, you can reach out and touch it. I guess I´m just getting old. I´m so grateful that we have con volunteers willing to chauffer us around. This morning we are going to the Anthropology Museum before the con.
I later did an internet interview, simultaneously translated into Spanish. I forgot to bring the site address this morning, but I will post it later. I was told it will be running a few times.
I had brought copies of the Spanish editions of Usagi, but am already almost sold out.
A group of us went to the City Center last night. Mexico City is a place I would not want to drive in. Besides the enormous amount of cars, lane markers here seem to be just suggestions. Cars also turn from lanes they have no right being in, and they drive so close. I dislike driving down the boulevard at 50 km p/h with the next car so close, you can reach out and touch it. I guess I´m just getting old. I´m so grateful that we have con volunteers willing to chauffer us around. This morning we are going to the Anthropology Museum before the con.
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Stan Sakai
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- Joined: Wed Sep 18, 2002 12:21 -0700
Hola!
It´s day 4, and I´m doing an excellent job of mangling the Spanish language. We couldn´t go to the Anthropology Museum yesterday, because of scheduling conflicts. Hopefully, I will get to see it though what I´d really like to see are the pyramids outside of the city.
Had Mexican sushi yesterday. It tastes as good as it sounds--at least the restaurant we went to.
Did a presentation with Sergio that went rather well. He served as my interpreter as well. Usagi is translated in Spain, but not in Mexico so many in the audience did not know who he is (though I´m surprised at how many do know him).
The website for the previously mentioned interview is:
http://anicast.com.mx:9000/listen.pls
Mike Kunkel of Hero Bear fame was supposed to have come in last night. Sharon and the kids, and Tony Bancroft (director of Lion King, Stuart Little 2, and others) are coming in tonight.
Adios
It´s day 4, and I´m doing an excellent job of mangling the Spanish language. We couldn´t go to the Anthropology Museum yesterday, because of scheduling conflicts. Hopefully, I will get to see it though what I´d really like to see are the pyramids outside of the city.
Had Mexican sushi yesterday. It tastes as good as it sounds--at least the restaurant we went to.
Did a presentation with Sergio that went rather well. He served as my interpreter as well. Usagi is translated in Spain, but not in Mexico so many in the audience did not know who he is (though I´m surprised at how many do know him).
The website for the previously mentioned interview is:
http://anicast.com.mx:9000/listen.pls
Mike Kunkel of Hero Bear fame was supposed to have come in last night. Sharon and the kids, and Tony Bancroft (director of Lion King, Stuart Little 2, and others) are coming in tonight.
Adios
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ziritrion
- Hatamoto<Special Retainer>
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- Location: Barcelona, Spain
I hope you have a great time there Stan 
.
So far, everyone I know who has gone to Mexico say the same things: great place, huge city, horrible traffic. I'd like to go someday.
.
P.S.: Mexico reminds me that I haven't read anything by Sergio Aragonés yet (I'm very very very very sorry; I just haven't had the chance yet). Which is the best Groo book to begin with?
.So far, everyone I know who has gone to Mexico say the same things: great place, huge city, horrible traffic. I'd like to go someday.
Now think of that but a little faster and with half the vehicles being motorbikes: welcome to Barcelona. I obviously use the Metro/Tube/Underground/whatever-you-wanna-call-it, just to avoid getting run overI dislike driving down the boulevard at 50 km p/h with the next car so close, you can reach out and touch it.
.P.S.: Mexico reminds me that I haven't read anything by Sergio Aragonés yet (I'm very very very very sorry; I just haven't had the chance yet). Which is the best Groo book to begin with?
(\ /)
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This is Bunny. Copy Bunny into your signature to help him on his way to world domination.
(O.o)
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This is Bunny. Copy Bunny into your signature to help him on his way to world domination.
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Stan in Mexico
Still haven´t had a chance to go to the Museum. If I don´t, then it will be a good excuse to return.
I met the voice of the Spanish Usagi on the TMNT. Also the voice of Senor Burns from the Simpsons. He´s a bit celebrity here, as are all the Simpsons.
Sharon and the kids arrived last night. There were some minor difficulties at LAX, compounded by the heavy pre-Thanksgiving travel season, but they´re here safe and sound.
I´ve pretty much stayed at the con throughout the days, but I did have time for a little shopping yesterday and bought a nice leather jacket. Sergio helped negotiate. He talked to the merchant for awhile while I tried on the jacket, then turned to me and said, ¨Buy it.¨ So I guess I got a good price.
I met the voice of the Spanish Usagi on the TMNT. Also the voice of Senor Burns from the Simpsons. He´s a bit celebrity here, as are all the Simpsons.
Sharon and the kids arrived last night. There were some minor difficulties at LAX, compounded by the heavy pre-Thanksgiving travel season, but they´re here safe and sound.
I´ve pretty much stayed at the con throughout the days, but I did have time for a little shopping yesterday and bought a nice leather jacket. Sergio helped negotiate. He talked to the merchant for awhile while I tried on the jacket, then turned to me and said, ¨Buy it.¨ So I guess I got a good price.
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Stan Sakai
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- Joined: Wed Sep 18, 2002 12:21 -0700
We got home a couple of days ago, but I hadn't had time to go online until today.
We went to the pyramids outside of Mexico City on Monday and had a terrific time there. Sharon and I first climbed up the Temple of Quetzalcoatl. It was very steep with narrow steps, so we were questioning going up the Pyramid of the Sun the tallest of the pyramids. The Sun, however, turned out to be a pretty easy climb. We walked around to the back of the pyramid, which apparently most people do not do, and found a door that led into the pyramid. It had no lights, so we only went a short way in. The kids went up and down the pyramids, but by the time Sharon and I finished with The Sun, there was no time to climb the Pyramid of the Moon. We had lunch at Piramide Charlie's. If you every eat there, let me know if my drawing of Usagi is still on the wall.
We were scheduled to return to LA Tuesday evening, so we did have time to see the Anthropology Museum--outstanding. While outside, we watched the "pole descenders"--five men climb up a 75 foot pole, while one on them stands at the top playing a flute, the others descend upside down rotating on ropes. This was especially fun for me because I'm a fan of the reality show The Amazing Race, which is a race around the world by 11 teams of two people. I was able to hit all the places that the second season teams went to in Mexico--the Angel of Victory, the Cathedral at City Center, the Pyramid of the Sun, and the pole guys.
So, it back at home and back to work. The cover for the next trade, tentatively titled "Travels with Jotaro", is due next week and I've only roughed out half the pages for 74.
We went to the pyramids outside of Mexico City on Monday and had a terrific time there. Sharon and I first climbed up the Temple of Quetzalcoatl. It was very steep with narrow steps, so we were questioning going up the Pyramid of the Sun the tallest of the pyramids. The Sun, however, turned out to be a pretty easy climb. We walked around to the back of the pyramid, which apparently most people do not do, and found a door that led into the pyramid. It had no lights, so we only went a short way in. The kids went up and down the pyramids, but by the time Sharon and I finished with The Sun, there was no time to climb the Pyramid of the Moon. We had lunch at Piramide Charlie's. If you every eat there, let me know if my drawing of Usagi is still on the wall.
We were scheduled to return to LA Tuesday evening, so we did have time to see the Anthropology Museum--outstanding. While outside, we watched the "pole descenders"--five men climb up a 75 foot pole, while one on them stands at the top playing a flute, the others descend upside down rotating on ropes. This was especially fun for me because I'm a fan of the reality show The Amazing Race, which is a race around the world by 11 teams of two people. I was able to hit all the places that the second season teams went to in Mexico--the Angel of Victory, the Cathedral at City Center, the Pyramid of the Sun, and the pole guys.
So, it back at home and back to work. The cover for the next trade, tentatively titled "Travels with Jotaro", is due next week and I've only roughed out half the pages for 74.
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Stan Sakai
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- Posts: 4896
- Joined: Wed Sep 18, 2002 12:21 -0700
Like Usagi, Groo is pretty accessible to a new reader. You can pick up any book that looks interesting to you. Dark Horse is currently publishing the Complete Groo in trade collections. These include those comics published by Dark Horse, but also those by other publishers.ziritrion wrote: P.S.: Mexico reminds me that I haven't read anything by Sergio Aragonés yet (I'm very very very very sorry; I just haven't had the chance yet). Which is the best Groo book to begin with?
Sergio will also be a guest at the convention in Madrid in November, 2004. I really enjoy traveling with him. Sharon will be with us and, hopefully, Sergio's wife as well.