ALA Friday

So, I’m on my way to Washington, DC, for the annual conference of the American Library Association. It’s already started, and runs until Tuesday.

This year, there will be an actual Graphic Novel pavilion on the exhibit floor. If you’ve attended a comic-con, this would be where all the publishers and dealers would be located. ALA actually offers a variety of passes. I could spend $300 to get the full package, which includes various panels and such, or I could spend $25 just for the exhibits hall. Since I’m a stealth librarian (cataloging books and what-not for Barnes & Noble), I opted for this pass.

Like I said, the GN pavilion is on the exhibits floor, it’s a mini comic-con within the bigger librarian conference. Lots of publishers promoting graphic novels, lots of librarians seducing other librarians with graphic novels, and everyone having a grand time.

I’ll be staying at the AYH youth hostel, where I used to live and work. Dormitory beds, bath down the hall, but it’s super cheap, has free wi-fi, a kitchen, and is a short walk from the convention center. North of the convention center is a Giant Foods store (once considered massive, now just a regular grocery store) so I’ll probably dine there instead of partaking of the overpriced dining options.

Oh, and unlike a regular comic-con, there will be lots of free books handed out! Librarians are on the front lines of advocacy. We’re kind of like bloggers without blogs. People ask us what’s good, and we recommend what’s good. If we really like something, we give it an award, which is a Seal of Approval for books, which publishers love.

What was the last good free book I read? It was a book set in middle school. A weird kid makes an origami Yoga finger puppet. Other kids start asking Yoda for advice, advice which turns out to be really good. It’s a fun book, teaches a soft lesson, and even includes easy, do-it-yourself origami Yoda instructions! (Advice not included.)

(Sorry, I’ll try and find the exact title information later. No wi-fi on the hoi polloi Boston-DC trains, only on Acela.

[Edit: Here it is: The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, by Tom Angleberger.]

That’s all for now. Just left Wilmington. Four more stops.

A Pleasant Valley Sunday

On the Metro, excellent signal coverage!

I live in New York, and sleep with the window open. Most noises do not bother me. Last night, sleeping in a lower bunk, the creaks of the bunk would wake me. Finally, my bladder signalled, so I took a shower at Six, then ate a hearty and free continental breakfast.

SPX opens at Noon (to accomodate those who stayed up late), so I spent the morning on The Mall, then walked up 21st past the National Academy of Sciences. (I once seduced an old college flame at the Einstein Memorial, thereby establishing my Freak Geek cred.)

Once I reached New Hampshire, it led to Dupont Circle. Books-A-Million is now located where SuperCrown Books, my former employer once was. Nice layout, a little freaky... like returning to your childhood home but now someone else is living there.

Metro just reached Grosvenor, so more later.

On The Road Again

Well, we just left the rest area located just inside the Maryland border (exit 94?). Starbucks, Cinnabon, Popeye's, Burger King, and a convenience store which had no DC or Baltimore newspapers.

Grabbed a Cherry Coke Zero for $1.90 (vending machine costs $2). Finished the sandwich I bought in the Bronx. Wasn't hungry, but I didn't want to bother people on the bus.

Near the entrance is the ubiquitous souvenir penny mangler. It caught my eye because one of the dies commemorates Frank Zappa, a native son of Baltimore!

Had a fitful nap (lower back stayed awake), rest break, now trying to read Mill's On Liberty. It has clear writing, but my mind keeps wandering. (Exit 85)

Heh... coincidence that I'm reading that on the way to DC...

I'll Be On My Way...

[Q| It's been more than a month since my last post, and realize I need an entry for September.

So... I am on the 7 AM Bolt Bus ($19) to DC. We just entered the Lincoln Tunnel, and should arrive in my nation's capital in 4.5 hours.

I booked the 7:30 bus, but they let me on early. (Just left the tunnel, on the helix.) Found an aisle seat, fourth row back, the window seat occupied by an attractive brunette who I will politely not bother.

So... why D.C.? Isn't the (toll plaza) New York Anime Festival this weekend? Yes, it is, but the Small Press Expo is also this weekend. I missed MoCCA Fest this year (was in Italy), I haven't been in years, and I'm not that big a fan of anime. $38 for the bus, $33 for a bed at the youth hostel, and payday yesterday makes it all possible. (Exit 15E)

I bought The Year's Best American Comics 2009 yesterday, and read a few selections... I dunno... I like the series, am glad it exists, but so much is just...blah. I love good comics, but these stories just don't resonate. Maybe I never developed that literary criticism skill. (Exit 13A) Maybe I like more story, more plot.

No corporate comics in this volume. Not even in the Honorary Mentions. (The book is not on the bus, so I may be mistaken.) No Minx, and I wonder if many "Best of" stories made the book. And how many award winners?

R. Crumb's The Book of Genesis is engaging, and, well, reverent towards the source material. He does include the genealogies, I think partly because the Bible does, and he needs to pad the book. The naughty bits are tastefully rendered with the occasional breast, and Crumb practices his trademark pulchritude with a bit of restraint. I have read up to the death of Sarah, and learned some things not usually covered in Bible study.

Will Crumb do more? Uncertain. I do hope he will at least adapt specific stories, as his everyday style and storytelling talent is ideally suited to the subject matter. (buffer reached, just passed Milboro water tower)