Heidi mentioned me? Why is it that I’m always linked but can never find it myself? Anyhow, been meaning to put the info up on my news update section of the site, but since you’re asking…

First there’s the Kaboom!Fractious Zine and Small Press Shindig, which is being held in Manhattan at the Ding Dong Lounge, near Columbia University. It’s a one day only event, June 21, and table price is dirt cheap. For more info…

http://www.whfr.org/events/out-of-the-living-room-kaboomfractious-zine-and-small-press-shindig-2009-06-21/

Then the very next weekend, June 27 and 28, there’s the NYC Zine Fest at the Brooklyn Lyceum. Unfortunately, myself and Katie can only attend the second of the two days, the Sunday. For more information, simply hit here…

http://www.nyczinefest.org/

… As of right now, there’s still some tables available for Saturday, but sounds like they’re about to run out. Prices seem pretty reasonable, not as dirt cheap at the other event, but still way more affordable than MoCCA’s rates these days.

The Pat+Cat pictures also seem new. Those are awesome. The cat has great eyes.

Definitely let me know what NYC shows I should look at (as long as I can plan vacation around them, not something cooked up the week before.) I’m making a list like in days of old of all the shows and then going to see what I can afford for time and money pending the construction of some PTD volumes. Recently it’s just been driving distance shoes for me, STAPLE in Austin is awesome and decently priced. ANTIGRAVITY MAGAZINE’s Alternative Media Show in New Orleans is a great excuse for NOLA visit. The Maine show looks doable along with Stumptown. Those plus maybe either SPX or APE would make a self-funded nice book tour. Shall see I guess. Like I said, making the list…48 pages, editing, plus printing and bookmaking before that starts though.

Anyhow, yeah, the price factor is indeed a major issue. It’s always been, but after this MoCCA, more people are being open about it than usual. Perhaps because the show was so bad for everyone (I’ve finally begun reading other people’s reports, and whereas I used to be the only person to bitch after a show, this time it’s different… even the normally super positive Dave Roman had a few choice words to say).

I actually just updated the post with a few points that I foolishly left out (in my defense, most of it was written during the late night), such as how that $400 is being split between four people, which helps A LOT, as well as how the high cost of entry might keep things “stagnant” for some time now, since it’s quite intimidating for new folks to get involved, or at least I would have to assume.

As for these other zine shows, I’ll definitely let you know how they turn out. I guess another appealing aspect is how I really have zero idea what they’re about, and therefore have zero expectations. Oh, and the ultra low cost of entry helps tons as well. Guess it really is all about money at the end of the day.

Like so many people, I try not to think about how much money is being lost while doing stuff as a cartoonist. But there’s a point where one really has to sit back and evaluate what you’re doing, especially if it’s not towards a serious cartooning career, such as myself. Though taking some time off by stepping away might also be a good thing for those of us that are just a tad bit burnt out by the scene in general. Basically, I have no idea what I’ll be doing after next year’s MoCCA.

At the end of the day, I just don’t want to be that 50 year old pushing that same mini for the past ten years.