Where I continue to invade the privacy of people who used to work for me (and other worthy types)
Nicole's second article for the San Francisco Chronicle is in today's Home & Garden section.
The story behind the story is pretty interesting: Nic wrote this last Autumn.
Like a fine wine, The Chron will serve no story before its time.
Samer is in Canada "for work and a little R&R." The work is at Reuters' Center of Excellence in Toronto.
He's agreed to consider becoming a guest columnist on peepsNet to detail his trip, which includes business at the place which made peepsNet possible (er, by being the location at which are located the offshored jobs of the people who used to work for me, whose privacy I continue to invade).
Hopes for any updates on a certain Martin fellow were dashed when peepsNet was informed that he was on vacation.
Excellent timing, Mr. Farha.
No pictures yet: it is Samer's custom to publish upon return. He thoughtfully posted this picture taken in an earlier trip to Toronto.
You can catch him at the Artist's Alley at booths 1411 A&B. What better way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day!
Independent Propoganda reports that "Sales will be promoting and signing their latest comic titles, along with other The Antidote Trust members Robert Roach, Dale Wilson, Kevin Grevioux, Korby Marks and Blake Chen."
peepsNet needs to crack that Antidote Trust press list ...
Thanks to Google Alerts peepsNeet has just learned that Mike is one of the creators of "The Antidote Trust," which describes itself as "... a consortium of like-minded creatives in the comics industry."
Mike's page is very cool, and begins with this brief bio:
Mike Sales (aka M.TOREZ) was born in Columbus, GA, where he swam in creeks, climbed plumb trees and flew kites, then moved to DC and dodged bullets, crackheads and crooked cops for fifteen years (having a ball the whole time.) Currently, he and his lovely wife have settled down in the suburban greenways of Raleigh, NC., here he runs TYPE ILLY PRESS.
Mike is one of four author/illustrators interviewed for this Silver Bullet Comics article by Brant W. Fowler:
"What better way to close out the month on this, the next to last day of February, which is also Black History Month? There are so many important events throughout history that are recognized during this month, but aren’t or haven’t always been noted in accepted curriculum for our schools and so forth. While Black History should be celebrated at all times, it’s good to have this period of time in which we can all be educated about parts of history we may not be aware of, or haven’t searched out ourselves."
"To help me with the topic I was fortunate enough to speak with a few creators both independent and professional and get their outlooks and opinions on the subject."
The show runs through March 16."It really was a fantastic night. The place was packed, and I didn't expect such a turn out. It was great to meet the other photographers (who I won't name, cause I have a leaky memory) and the DCist staff.
"I got compliments from tons of people, and it really was a joy just to sit back and watch people's reactions."
Mike gets a very strong review for his graphic novel Southside Nefertiti #2 from Brant Fowler at SilverBulletComics.com.
Among the comments by Fowler that will appear on Mike's next book jacket:
"... in usual fashion, Sales has crafted a very real and powerful story full of real life drama and angst and colloquialisms that really give this story depth and character."Be sure to get your copy of Southside Nefertiti #2 soon -- book illustrator Don Tate II was very glad to get his as a gift from his children's book author mom, Eleanora E. Tate!
"His characters are intelligent without becoming something they’re not ... Sales doesn’t shy away from stereotypes, but he doesn’t give into them either.
"... the story is deep and very telling. It’s a representation of urban life told in a manner to inspire hope, justice and strength."
What is "not as good as quitting your job" but "better than getting married?"
Why, getting a guitar, for free!
Regular readers of peepsNet know that Samer recently welcomed a new addition into his family. A VW GTI, that is. Boudoir shots here. There was no ring exchange but she is wearing his brand.
It turns out that when Samer bought his new toy VW had a promotion going on with Boston Guitar company First Act to highlight the fact that the GTI and six other models have AUX in plugs. You know, what normal people might use for their iPods and, teenagers, who already shouldn't be allowed to drive, will use for bad Van Halen impersonations while trying to pass on the right doing 87 mph.
First Act, doing its best to make what is actually a cool idea sound as uncool as possible, has these suggestion (recite in the voice and cadence of a pompous British newsreader):
I really don't want to see Samer dispensing riffs wherever the mood strikes, even if that isn't a euphemism for something else teenagers shouldn't be doing in cars.Owners of new VW models can transform their cars into mobile amps, with a newfound freedom to rock in the driveway, play at outdoor parties, or shred in the beach parking lot. New rockers will hit the road with a First Act GarageMaster guitar in the trunk, ready to stop and dispense riffs wherever the mood strikes.
Not really, so don't worry.
But our friend has been selected as one of the winning talents for the DC Exposed Photography show. An opening reception for the show is scheduled for March 9 at 6:30 p.m., where the winners may deign to interact with their public. We understand beer will be served, so it's a pretty sure bet that if the vanity won't get him there the libation will.
And for those of you who can't make it, here is his winning shot.
Yes -- it has happened. Samer is in love. Check out the back seat ...
Well, he has a new new car. It isn't red, which means he is broadening his horizons.
Join the lovefest at Samer's GTI Flickr photoset.
Settle down guys -- it's only for a brief visit over the New Year's weekend.
Among other things (we sincerely hope) Nicole will be helping out with hosting duties for a holiday party.
Girl -- do you not do enough on your own?
This is where she'll be
Nicole has been invited to join the Blogburst network, which syndicates bloggers to MSM. So cucinanicola will be available to thousands of Internet news sites, including -- and here's a neat twist -- her old workplace, Reuters.
Reuters has invested $7 million in Blogspot's company, Pluck, as part of it's strategy to expand its presence in social media
dear lord -- what is wrong with this picture?!
Some tidbits: Apparently Samer has taken to referring to himself in the third person or as "the doctor."
Samer's trip to SF in Nov. '04
One runner limped across the finish line. The other sprinted.
One runner said through the pain that this was not a good day to ask about running again. The other has many races planned, and hoped for.
One runner had three world-class elite runners as pacers. The other had to hitch to the event.
So, which of the above statements refer to Lance Armstrong, who competed in the NYC Marathon on Sunday, and which to Nicole, who blazed the trail in San Francisco's US Half on the very same day?
Only one of these athletes responded to a request for an email interview, so we'll decide what's news based on courtesy.
Intrepid Nicole had a Plan A and a Plan B, but a Plan C was required. "Waited for the first bus I'd have to take down the start line, which (of course) never came," Nicole writes." I freaked, and ran a 1/2-mile down to a more main street where I'd have to catch the next bus. It was very foggy and still darkish, and there were no buses, no cabs, no hope ...
"Then suddenly out of the mist, my savior: a woman at the red light called to me from her car and asked if I was going to the race, and offered me a ride. It was so great, and I was even able to tune out the bickering between she and her husband because I was so happy to get there on time."
I'm guessing Lance had a motorcade and triple redundant ways of being taken to his venue.
Three miles into her race Nic hits stride and shakes off the aches and angst. "Once on the [Golden Gate] bridge ... I looked out over San Francisco Bay, and that alleviated the tiredness in my legs a bit. To my right: Alcatraz, and a high-flying flock of pelicans. The sun burned through the clouds and miraculously it was not too windy.
"The course was absolutely beautiful with gorgeous views of the city, bay and Pacific Ocean; when we came off the bridge into Marin County, we ran down a dirt path that overlooked the water (so quiet, that early) and I thought "the uphill was worth it for this!"
Lance was probably wondering just how bad his sponsors would take it if he a) tanked or b) didn't finish with a better time than Diddy did three years before.
Post-race meals were probably similiar, though peepsNet only knows for sure that Nicole celebrated with Miss Katy -- take that, Mr. Armstrong! -- and feted on "cheese, hummus, chocolate, olives, and the all-important champagne."
We heard a lot about the champagne, so we are assuming there was a lot of champagne.
