Would you believe that comic #200 is coming Monday? I can’t believe it.

Okay, so I kept saying I’d talk about APE but I kept holding off, mostly because of how exhausted I’ve been.  But I’m wide awake now, so here goes.

APE officially began with Nan Lawson (my table and lifemate) running to the airport. We surfed the traffic and arrived with just enough time to stuff airport pizza into our mouths. We originally brought two carry-ons; one with our clothing and the other with our inventory, plus a large cardboard “Wallace” to sit on our table.  Ironically, the clothing bag was too heavy, so we had to check it. I grabbed Wallace and held him while we made our way to our seats. Like a baby.

By the time we were in the air and able to use our electronics, we were forced to put them away and prepare for landing.  We stayed at a place called “Citigarden,” which was basically a nice motel.  We were ready for bed as soon as we hit the room, but hit our first snag.  Y’see, we regularly fall asleep to “Simpsons” dvds, so we needed something good to fall asleep to. Unfortunately we only got four channels, all sports. We eventually passed out to the sound of the X-games. Man those guys can BMX!

We awoke the next morning and took a shuttle to the BART, our first experience with public transportation. We have such transport in Los Angeles, but I hate using it, mostly because it a) doesn’t take me where I want to go and b) takes forever to take me where I don’t want to go. But I was easily impressed with BART. We arrived at the Civic Center stop and walked the fourteen minutes to where APE was being held, our clothing suitcases in tow.

We set up our table and the convention started!  I pissed Nan off because we didn’t pack her small prints, so that wasn’t the best way to start. Sorry Nan! We first met up with Joenis Norac (of Unconscious Ink and his new comic, Ahedonia Blue) and his lovely girlfriend, both we’ve met before and hung out with a few times. I also had the chance to meet Ali Showkati of Spaghetti Strap Western and Phillipa Rice of My Cardboard Life. Very nice talented folks! Erin of Timothy Green stopped by the table and actually gave me fan art! I still have to scan it in. Thanks again Erin!

Thank you so much to all the fans who made their way to the table to say hi!  I totally appreciated talking to you guys and hearing your support first hand.  It was definitely the highlight of APE.

I also had the chance to talk to Seqalab’s Kevin Burkhalter of Kevin’s Journal Comic and Jarrett Williams of Lunarboy Land. We talked about the podcast, their comics, their must-reads and other such topics.  Really awesome guys.

Meredith Gran of Octopus Pie came over to say hi later in the day and we talked about techniques for a while. She convinced me to graduate to grown-up inks and brushes.  I know what I’m getting this weekend!

I also had the chance to meet and talk to Joey and Emily of A Softer World (who kept me laughing, I was sitting next to them most of the convention), Kate Beaton of Hark A Vagrant (http://www.harkavagrant.com/), a very classy lady and welcoming lady, All the folks over at Lovesick Robot Press (whom I tried to hang out with that evening, but it didn’t work out )Dylan Meconis of Family Man, who was super dee-ooper friendly, Erika Moen of DAR, who was also very friendly and full of energy and finally Spike of Templar AZ who was extremely kind and so dang talented.

I also had the chance to talk to Jeff Smith, who is one of my idols/influences. Him checking out (and complimenting) my sketchbook made my weekend.

So that’s more or less APE!  Everyone - creator and fan alike - was incredibly friendly and open, welcoming and complimentary.  I was addicted to the experience and it shall not be my last.

See you guys on Monday! COMIC 200!

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