That was also awesome
My local comics store was having its anniversary party this evening, so I figured I'd go over and pay my respects. They gave a fine party, with cupcakes from a vegan bakery. I'm glad to say that they got a good turn-out--at least seventy-five people were there, judging by the system they used to draw for a door prize. Each person to enter the store got a playing card handed to them, and then we were invited to line up in order of playing cards. It's pretty hard to sort a large room full of people by playing-card order, but we managed to shuffle about and figure something out. I toyed with various books and games as my door prize, but eventually went for a poster of a Charles Vess painting for Stardust.
Did I ever tell you that I like Charles Vess? I do. He has some really obvious artistic obsessions, and I find them all endearing. He seems to love white-blonde hair, the moon and stars, patchy smoke, spindly fingers, tree roots, and neck tendons. And more than half of his characters have Vess Face--you know the profile if you've ever seen it. Skin tight over sharp cheekbones, curving little sardonic mouth, hawk-beak nose, strong forward-thrusting chin. They all look like they're related. Heck, maybe the same model poses for a lot of them. Then again, maybe he just likes drawing pointy elf cheekbones.
Anyhow, then they had a raffle and I won! I was gobsmacked (as one of the store owners put it). I'll tell you what it is; I've had so much good luck lately that I thought the prize was bound to go to somebody else, and I was just sitting back to applaud whoever it was. But it was me! You could have knocked me over with a regulation ten-foot pole. The prize was very handsome, too: a gift certificate for store credit. I spent part of it on the spot and shook the owners' hands. I suppose that there's no reason good luck shouldn't just happen and then happen a few more times. That's what makes it luck.
I also had a few nice conversations with the other patrons before and after that. Funny how sometimes you get a little insight. I've been to parties at the store before. They've all been worth attending, but this one was much more fun than the last couple, for me at any rate. Almost everyone at all their parties is at least a little socially awkward. I certainly am, and I think there are people there who have it worse than I do. The end result is that when you get critical nerd mass at a party, everybody is overcome by social anxiety. The people who came with friends go into a huddle and refuse to talk to anyone else, while the people who came alone drift around looking haughty. I used to take this personally. In fact, tonight I had to fight myself not to. But the fact is, most people who are standing idle are happy to have a conversation, if I start it myself--"These are great cupcakes, hunh?" or "I like Mike Mignola, too," or "Holy crap, there's a spider on the ceiling" were all good ways to get people to unbend a little.
Tomorrow I've got a little adventure planned with people I already know well. W-M is having its annual reunion, and I'm carpooling down there with two other alums. I'm looking forward to meeting people from other years. We're bringing sleeping bags and camping out, so it'll be a real adventure. We should be back by Sunday afternoon.
Did I ever tell you that I like Charles Vess? I do. He has some really obvious artistic obsessions, and I find them all endearing. He seems to love white-blonde hair, the moon and stars, patchy smoke, spindly fingers, tree roots, and neck tendons. And more than half of his characters have Vess Face--you know the profile if you've ever seen it. Skin tight over sharp cheekbones, curving little sardonic mouth, hawk-beak nose, strong forward-thrusting chin. They all look like they're related. Heck, maybe the same model poses for a lot of them. Then again, maybe he just likes drawing pointy elf cheekbones.
Anyhow, then they had a raffle and I won! I was gobsmacked (as one of the store owners put it). I'll tell you what it is; I've had so much good luck lately that I thought the prize was bound to go to somebody else, and I was just sitting back to applaud whoever it was. But it was me! You could have knocked me over with a regulation ten-foot pole. The prize was very handsome, too: a gift certificate for store credit. I spent part of it on the spot and shook the owners' hands. I suppose that there's no reason good luck shouldn't just happen and then happen a few more times. That's what makes it luck.
I also had a few nice conversations with the other patrons before and after that. Funny how sometimes you get a little insight. I've been to parties at the store before. They've all been worth attending, but this one was much more fun than the last couple, for me at any rate. Almost everyone at all their parties is at least a little socially awkward. I certainly am, and I think there are people there who have it worse than I do. The end result is that when you get critical nerd mass at a party, everybody is overcome by social anxiety. The people who came with friends go into a huddle and refuse to talk to anyone else, while the people who came alone drift around looking haughty. I used to take this personally. In fact, tonight I had to fight myself not to. But the fact is, most people who are standing idle are happy to have a conversation, if I start it myself--"These are great cupcakes, hunh?" or "I like Mike Mignola, too," or "Holy crap, there's a spider on the ceiling" were all good ways to get people to unbend a little.
Tomorrow I've got a little adventure planned with people I already know well. W-M is having its annual reunion, and I'm carpooling down there with two other alums. I'm looking forward to meeting people from other years. We're bringing sleeping bags and camping out, so it'll be a real adventure. We should be back by Sunday afternoon.