Roomy Book Nook

Meri @ Playing Along posed a question for us.

She asked:

All you true book lovers out there,
Have you transitioned to virtual books?

How could you possibly give up the smell of ink,
the feel of the velvety pages,
the sound of the pages turning,
the heft of the book in your hands...

Meri, here's my answer...

I do like real books, honestly.

But my conversion to digital books began the day I went to my library to borrow this hefty new book that had been recommended to me. The librarian found it, and handed it over. Actually she heaved it my way, since it has over a 1000 pages, weighs more than the dog I was pup-sitting, and it has -no- page numbers or index.

I could only read it* with my bent legs propped up on a very sturdy ottoman. (the furniture type - not a guy - sheesh)

Thus began my search for a lighter way to read...

Got some good info via Cnet: 'Kindle vs Nook vs iPad'

Then Apple annc'd : iPad 2 debuts March 2011 !:


Until I see the new contender, I can't decide. So currently I'm still using my mobile to read eBooks, while waiting to find out which new device will win my heart. Or at least my wallet. I'll keep you posted.

Meanwhile, enjoy the sweet irony of this audio-visual trailer that publisher MacMillan put out recently to promote a 32-page children's book. Its protagonist eschews the digital, prefering the pleasures of reading.
Watch a video of a book about reading a book...

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*That 5 lb tome? Surprised me that it was a graphic novel/comic that was turned into the 'Walking Dead' tv series.
At over $50, $10 a pound, its not worth all that weight.
Happy Reading... or 'Viewing'.

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Playing Along: Theme Thursday: Book
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Bo Knows Broadway

But no one mentions if these acrobats can act?

"Spiderman: Turn Off the Dark" is actually on Broadway at last...

According to reports, what they saw was a 3+hour show that was halted by technical delays... getting all of the action down pat has been a great challenge. The first show had five delays, falling stage wires, and even had Spiderman himself hanging over the audience at the end of Act I.(!)

To hear the New York Post say it, having Spiderman on Broadway will garner a lot of unintentional laughs, and massive audience frustration. Michael Riedel called the night an "epic flop" - "dull score and baffling script" - to say nothing of the kinks.

On the other hand, Aint It Cool News posted a review from a fan who said it was hardly that bad. Although the show still needs tweaking, reviewer "DarthDooku" was hopeful... (article)

Is this just a vanity project for Bono?
(Him wanting to best Paul McCartney & Billy Joel on Bway?)

Or did someone think this up as a ploy to get boys to ante up for theater willingly?



Craig Ferguson's version:


Singing & Swinging about a comic just seems strange.

(see more @ CBS's 15 min clip about the show)
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In Stitches

No 'Art Every Day' this week.
Lazy? Yes, but that's beside the point.
Its because I managed to slice my hand open.

So, until I'm back in the grove,
have a look at the 'SLICE IT' phone app.



My fav app is still 'Trism', but this one isn't bad.
And its easy to do, even with a damaged digit.

(btw, Do they make 'Scribblenauts' for the iPhone?...
because that one can drive ('draw'?) you 'nauts'.)

*see the other's art
via twitter #aedm2010
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Gaping Void

'Toons from 'Ignore Everybody', being published today.


Hugh MacLeod accidentally started writing his book 'Ignore Everybody And 39 Other Keys to Creativity' by drinking in a bar and drawing tiny toons on his business cards...

* See more of his 'toons on his 'be creative' page.

And now we can get 2 for the price of 1 if we're quick:

Hugh: "The first 500 people who pre-order the book AND send their electronic receipt/confirmation number to IgnoreEverybody (at) gmail.com will get a second (personally signed) book from me."

Sounds like a deal...

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Funny Monday

*more extra work thiw week... sigh

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Just recently started reading this 'Lio' comic.

Others opinions on 'Lio', via: TimesUnion

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Free Comic Book Day

Get a kid a free comic book today.

Ask for an all-age comic, like 'Owly'... let retailers know that demand for child comics still exists. Its tough to find learn-to-read comics for kids now that the 'adults'_*cough* have taken over the market.

<- Click for U.S. store locater.

*To find stores outside the U.S.,
the international link is HERE.

FBI Track Wolverine Pirate!

''Wow... are the 'X-Files' open again?''
That was my first thought {after I finished laughing} when I read that actual headline 'FBI track Wolverine pirate' on an article in the Daily Telegraph. But sadly, it was just announcing that the FBI is in pursuit of whoever leaked an advance copy of the new X-Men film. Not an X-File in sight.

Top Comic

'Top Chef' Tom's Nightmare... (click to embiggin'*)

'Wendy','Ronald','B.King' & Padma say: 'Tom, PYK&G' - Ha!.

So Tom C has really hit the bigtime - today's Sunday comic page.
Opened up the funnies and there he was, but with a banana-nose.
Then again it must be catching since Padma has one too. ;-)

*_{credit to comic page of: Argyle Sweater}

SuperSonic Me

Or Ms. Fearless Supersonic Angel if you're nasty...
Yup, its silly. But hey, since I'm now a Superhero, I've decided my Super Quest is going to be to fight to give comic books back to kids. All the recent 'comic book' movies are inappropriate for kids -and- not any fun. And that's beyond silly. Link to do: Your very own SuperHero Makeover.
*hero link rec'd by Lisa, thanks!

eta: Oh No, not more no-fun 'kid' movies?!:

Ant-Man (2010), Avengers (2011), Black Hole (2010), Button Man (in production), Deathlok (2011), Doom Patrol (soon), The Flash (2010), Hack/Slash (2009), Iron Man 2 (2010), Madman (2009), Nick Fury (2010), Red Sonja (2009), Ronin (in production), Spider-Man 4 (2011), Thor (2009), Watchmen (2009), Whiteout (2009), The Witchblade (2009), X-Men: Wolverine (2009)

Anyone else think these 'comic' flicks sound depressing?

No Comic Relief in Sight

[rant] on not-so-comic comix. Pardon my soapbox.

Kid fun turned into adult controversy,
... By grown-ups that just won't grow up!
Some found my blog simply because I use a comic-style profile pic. That seemed odd, but after 5 minutes on Google it appears that more adults are having issues (excuse the pun) with comic books than ever before:

Females Read Comics, Yes!
Comics vs 'ISM's: Racism, Sexism, etc.
No Censorship!
Comics are too 'Corporate'!

When did comic book publishers abandon the 10-yr-olds?
Now they pander to immature 'adults' with their odd love of overendowed men and women in inked spandex.

Where are 'Casper', 'Dennis the Menace' or even 'Pokemon' comic books for the under-12 set? Looks like only the dull Disney talking animals survived the coup. 'Sorry kids, no more fun comics while you've got the flu.'

Then Hollywood followed suit! Silly storylines - rated 'R'? Marketing a kiddie story 'Catwoman' as 'sexy' then surprised when it bombed? Raise your hand if you're tired of comic book movies.

Reminds me of those 'basement-dwellers' crabbily fussing because a child-friendly character, Jar-Jar Binks, was added to 'Star Wars'. The complainers had no concept of the fact that their beloved series is a simple 'good guy vs bad guy' kid movie. As yet another comic book character would say: 'Doh!'

Get the 'adults' (and their issues) out of this kid zone. Give comic books back to the children, and force those that are locked in an adolescent time-warp to finally grow up. [/rant]