Off the Wagon

Damn, and I was really on a tear there for a while.

After completing National Blog Posting Month back in November (post every day for 30 days), I decided to see if I could continue daily posting until the end of 2009. I did, and then just kept going with daily posts into January.

Until January 8, that is. That's when I fell off the daily blogging wagon. There was no catastrophic reason. Around 11:45PM that night (after having my brain melted by DOLLHOUSE), I realized that I hadn't posted and just said to myself, "Meh, it was a good run".

However, I didn't mean to stop blogging for nearly two weeks. But I haven't been slacking, either.

I've been working on SYNDICATE PRODUCT 15, which is going to press this week! I've spent the past two weeks working on layout, proofreading, designing the covers, and getting it all in final form. The theme is COMING CLEAN, and features contributions from eighteen amazing writers and artists. It will be on sale in the Syndicate Product Etsy Shop in a few weeks, but here's a sneak peak at the cover.

Storefront worship

Is that a comment on the service or pricing?

Composite shot of an electronic sign on a Sprint kiosk spotted on the way to work. Yes, it was scrolling "Oh The Humanity", the phrase made famous by radio reporter Herbert Morrison's coverage of the Hindenberg disaster in 1937.

At least I think it was in reference to that. Maybe whoever programmed it was going for some sort of Jenny Holzer effect.

Movie: AVATAR

2009, Directed by James Cameron

Although I was concerned about watching AVATAR in 3D because I'd be adjusting a crappy pair of cardboard glasses over my real glasses for 2.5+ hrs., it was not a problem at all. The "Real 3D" glasses were made out of study plastic, Wayfarer-style, and large enough to fit over prescription glasses quite nicely. By the time the short 3D previews were over, I had adjusted to wearing them.

I don't think I've been so immersed while watching a movie since LOTR: Return of the King in 2003. "Immersed" as in I didn't check my watch or cell phone, and never considered getting up to pee. From what I can remember, neither did the rest of the audience. I was so lost in how stunningly amazing AVATAR looked, I sort of forgot about the rest of the audience, who didn't make a sound during the entire movie. (How often does that happen anymore?) Had I actually seen AVATAR in 2009, it would have made my movie picks for the year.

Admittedly, the story was a bit... familiar. I actually think it would have been interesting to end the movie right after the destruction of the Hometree, leaving things kind of ambiguous instead of neatly resolving them. Yes, it does tread the familiar territory of "white man goes native, is at first rejected but then accepted when he saves the tribe and becomes native himself". See Annalee Newitz's excellent essay When Will White People Stop Making Movies Like Avatar?; also Sam Adams' Going Na'vi: Why Avatar's politics are more revolutionary than its images for thoughtful commentary about this. (The comments on the posts though... not so much.)

The Ins and Outs of Maru

Because a little Maru makes everything better. Watch full screen for best effect.

Welcome to Fun's Over Monday 2010

Zine Picks 2009

Breakfast #5: The Science Issue: The return of another zine I thought was long gone! Breakfast is my absolute favorite meal of the day - especially when eaten at a proper diner with a four-egg omelet and plenty of hot coffee! This issue has reports from Voodoo Donuts in Portland, eating breakfast in Hawaii, a comic about Ernesto Illy (coffee scientist), and more. To get your copy, send $3 to Vincent Volez, 575 12th Ave. #3, San Francisco CA. Check out selections from back issues, and the SF guide to breakfast at the Breakfast Zine site.

Cometbus #53: The most interesting piece in this issue is an interview with/history of artist John Holmstrom, co-founder of PUNK fanzine, and artist for the Ramones' albums Rocket to Russia and Road to Ruin. Check out Holmstrom's blog here. COMETBUS available from Microcosm Publishing, Atomic Books, and Quimbys.)

Extranjero #7 (links to original review)

The Hungover Gourmet #11: This is the farewell issue of THG, but editor Dan Taylor will continue THG Blog and site. The issue's theme that which is dark as night, hot as hell, and strong as sin: COFFEE. Appreciations of Wawa, explorations of the coffee enema, White Castle coffee, Cafe Bustello, Dunkin' Donuts, and more. There's also a stomach-churning contribution from Louis Fowler called "Stupid Size Me", where he tries to eat for five days on a budget of $20 spent entirely at Big Lots. (Big Lots is one of those "fell of the back of a truck"/expired food stores.) I'm going to miss the print version of THG, but at least it will live online at THG Blog.

Katrina Came Calling: A Gulf Coast Deployment (links to original review)

The Ken Chronicles: Ken Bauset (frequent contributor to Syndicate Product) is one of the most prolific zine publishers working today. His quarterly perzine is a mix of travel reports, music reviews, home improvement projects, photography (both photos and practical advice on equipment), and life after retirement. He has a small web presences at The Ken Bausert Chronicles and The Nostalgic Museum, but you can get copies of the zine for $2 each from Ken Bausert, 2140 Erma Drive, East Meadow NY 11554-1120.

My Time Annihilator: When Christopher discovered that a local university had a collection of vintage science fiction fanzines from the 30s and 40s, he decided to check it out himself. This small zine is a glimpse of what he found, including reproduction techniques, made-up words unique to the SF fan culture, and unique formats like "postcard zines". I'm so intrigued by the idea of "postcard zines" that may try it for 2010. I only wish there was more to this too-brief zine - how about an Issue #2? (Available from Microcosm Publishing and Parcell Press.)

Rigor Mortis #2: The cover of Issue #2 of this zombie zine was so disturbing - a really freaky zombie clown - that I've actually kept it in the envelope so it doesn't come alive at night and eat my brains. However, make no mistake - Rigor Mortis zine is NOT just "into" zombies because they're the current fad. Nope, this is well-written, detailed essays about and reviews of zombie literature, movies, Christian horror (!), even MREs (meals ready-to-eat). As someone who could barely form a sentence when she met Max Brooks (World War Z, The Zombie Survival Guide, and a true mensch), I'm glad there is a "serious" zombie zine that meets my needs. (Except for that creepy zombie clown, of course. Back in the envelope with you.) Available for $3 from D.G. Breier, PO Box 11064, Baltimore MD 21212. They also have a zombie-related blog.

Samurai Dreams: Fringe Film and VHS Culture #5: This was one of my favorite zine reads of 2009, and I'm eagerly awaiting the next issue. Feature length and mini reviews of lost VHS classics, good and bad. The issue also has fond remembrances of video stores long gone from Western MA. From the content to the layout, it reminds me a lot of classic trash film zines of the 80s. I'm not sure if the address is still good, but you can try sending a couple of bucks to Samurai Dreams, 60, Fairgrounds Rd., Cummington MA 01026. There is also a companion blog called Dreamscape.

Sick: A Compilation Zine on Physical Illness (links to original review)

Underworld Crawl #6 (links to original review)

Indie Sequential Art Picks 2009

In 2009, I read a lot of non-mainstream-y comics: minicomics, indie comics, self-published comics, and so forth. I brought home huge hauls from MoCCA Fest and the Small Press Expo (SPX), and still have a sizable "to read" pile! I'm made it a goal on this blog (and on the now-closed Syndicate Consumption) to review these indie comics as often as possible. The creators need the readers, encouragement, and donations to keep publishing.

In alphabetical order by title. Most links are to my original reviews where available.

A Drifting Life by Yoshiriro Tatsumi (I'm about 1/3 the way through this 800+ page behemoth, and it's absolutely amazing. I don't want it to end!)

American, Eh? by Heather Bryant (Heather's site: Acutestudios)

Awesome 2: Awesomer (The Second of the Indie Spinner Rack Anthologies) edited by Charlito and Mr. Phil

Cross Country by MK Reed

Fart Party by Julia Wertz

Geraniums and Bacon #5 by Cathy Leamy (see Bella Razor Press site)

Hey Pais by Paisley T. Paiserton

I Saw You edited by Julia Wertz

Inbound #3 edited by the Boston Comics Roundtable (also #4: A Comic Book History of Boston in on the "to read" pile)

Inkdick by Pranas T. Naujokaitis

Izzy Challenge by JB Winter

Joe Loves Crappy Movies by Joe Dunn

Kevin Days a Week by Kevin Burkhalter

Map of My Heart by John Porcellino

Masterpiece Comics by R. Sikoryak

The Middleman: The Doomsday Armageddon Apocalypse by Javier Grillo-Marxuach and Hans Beimler (story), Armando M. Zanker (art)

Monsters by Ken Dahl

My Brain Hurts (Vol 1. and Vol. 2) by Liz Baillie

My Every Single Thought by Corinne Mucha (also see here for Buzz #3)

Neptune by Aron Nels Steinke

Nobody Uses an Umbrella in Portland: Ten Foot Rule Comix Winter 2009 by Shawn Granton

Not My Small Diary 15 edited by Delaine Derry-Green

Papercutter by Tugboat Press (Awesome anthology - reviews of Issue #8, Issues #9 and #10, Issue #11 in to read pile)

SCAD Sequential Art Anthology 2009: Biography

Seeds/Shelter edited by the Trees & Hills collective

Side B: The Music Lover's Comic Anthology edited by Rachel Dukes

Simon's Cat by Simon Tofield

Syncopated edited by Brendan Burford

Ten Thousand Things To Do by Jesse Reklaw (also here)

WIZZYWIG by Ed Piskor

Welcome to the Dahl House by Ken Dahl

You Don't Get There From Here #12 and You Don't Get There From Here Goes to Oaxaca by Carrie McNinch

Music Picks 2009

After spending some time trying to rank the music I enjoyed in 2009, moving albums around back and forth, I just named my absolute top three that were in constant rotation, and then just alphabetized the rest of the list.

SPCHQ Absolute Top Three Albums of 2009

• Neko Case / Middle Cyclone
• Dinosaur Jr. / Farm
• Green Day / 21st Century Breakdown

SPCHQ Notable Albums, EPs, and Singles of 2009

• Apples in Stereo / "King of Carrot Flowers, Pt. 3" (from SCORE! 20 Years of Merge Records: THE COVERS!)
• Booker T. / "Hey Ya" (from Potato Hole album)
• Camera Obscura / My Maudlin Career
• John Doe & the Sadies / Country Club
• Justin Townes Earle / Midnight at the Movies
• Frightened Rabbit / Swim Until You Can't See Land (EP)
• .fun / Aim and Ignite
• Metric / Fantasies
• Mission of Burma / The Sound, The Speed, The Light
• Mountain Goats / The Life of the World To Come
• Original Broadway Cast / Rock of Ages
• The Pains of Being Pure at Heart / Self-titled
• Spoon / "Got Nuffin" (from Got Nuffin EP)
• Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs / Under the Covers Vol. 2
• The Thermals / Now We Can See
• We Were Promised Jetpacks / These Four Walls
• Wild Light / "California On My Mind" (from Adult Lights album)