Getting Ahead of Being Behind

I'm running late on posting things, to say the least. In fact, I think at this point I'll just have to resign myself to the fact that my myriad notes about Arks' tour will have to all be ad hoc. This tardiness can be blamed in part on only sporadic access to the internet, but more chiefly on me bustling – wacom tablet beside me in the van and in strangers' houses – to complete the third issue of Omega the Unknown, which is now (finally) off to press.

All that said (with far, far more to be said soon), tonight Arks will bring our nonpartisan sweat and shouts to the eyes and ears of Velvet Lounge goers in Washington D.C. Wordsmith and culture enthusiast Scott Rosenberg wrote a nice article for the Washington Posts' Express previewing the show. Last night in historic Fredericksburg, Virginia, the crowd gave one hell of a performance (though no one was physically thrown out, as was the case in Knoxville, twice). Show us what you've got, D.C.

Then we'll tremble our way up the cost, hitting Boston tomorrow, followed by two nights in New York, Thursday and Friday. One night in Brooklyn. One night in Manhattan. I'll be devouring bagels and microphones, if all goes well.

Thanks to everyone who has come out for the shows thus far and we're looking forward to the upcoming silences and noise – comfortable and otherwise – with all the rest of you in the next few days.

There in Monster, If Not in Body

While I won't be able to attend the Small Press Expo (SPX) this year, I was fortunate enough to do the cover for the story (written by my summer convention comrade, Scott Rosenberg) about the festival in the Washington Post Express' "Weekend Pass." You can read the article here, and, of course, if you have the means and time to attend the convention, I can't recommend it enough. There's always some bizarre gem finding its way into your paws.

The Three Paradoxes, Washington Post Express

The previously-posted-about Mr. Rosenberg's short Three Paradoxes article is out in the Washington Post's Express today. I think the Baltimore/DC area has been warned (perhaps untruthfully): tonight will not be boring! Or anyway, not as boring as I'm apparently predisposed to fear (and note to self: need to stop using the phrase "sort of").

See all warned parties at Atomic Pop tonight. Bring your dancing shoes. You never know.

Rosenberg and The Big Big Little Book Book

Yesterday, one of the major surprises – and a pleasant one at that – was a gift from one Mr. Scott Rosenberg of The Washington Post (who I was fortunate enough to meet in person after being interviewed by him last week). Scott stopped by my table and in the ensuing conversation I mentioned that one of the great positives of a convention like HeroesCon is the overlooked treasures that have fallen from "mint condition" favor. And among those treasures some of my favorites are Big Little Books, those always charming hardbound books from earlier in the century.

A short while after we ended our initial conversation, Scott dropped back by with his gift, culled from a bargain bin: The Big Big Little Book Book. This map to all things Big Little features full color shots of the spines, covers, and back covers of a good many of the books, spreads from Big Little pop up books, and a history of the publishing line. It's quite extensive and, in receiving it, it was difficult to keep my composure. A salute to Mr. Rosenberg!

If time allows, I'll have to post some of the oddities I picked up on my own, but for now, I'll leave you with the recommendation of The Big Big Little Book Book. It's a bibliophile's pornography.