Laural Winter

Birthday

Thanks to my parents! They are the ones in the cute picture.  They are babies in this photo-in their early 20s.

Thanks for all the birthday wishes!  I had a great day!  Meals at Jace Glace (waffle place on Belmont) and Pok Pok with lovely friends Martha, Steve and Jeff.  Peter and I hung out at Hoyt Arboretum for 3 blissful hours on a picnic. Then we visted Joanna’s soup night. After that nice time we came home and I started a necklace.  It was a great way to start my new year: friends, eating out, relaxing, playing with beads, writing, and consuming wine & cheese.

Book Review-Brainfag

another comics review!

BFF: Brainfag Forever! By Nate Beaty

I have known about the zine Brainfag for about two years.  I tried to get them into the library collection but everytime we went to order they would be out of stock.  Then I went to Guapo Comics and Books last week with Peter. And there’s this little bookcase by the cashier’s case.  Well, I love to check this bookcase because I found reprints of Clutch’s books there recently.  Then I notice BFF.  And I think BFF?  Best Friends Forever?  By the way I love the abbreviation for this phrase.  Anyway I open up the little blue book and it is the collection of Brainfag from 1999 to 2007 for $8.00.  Made my day!

By the way, brainfag means prolonged mental fatique according to Dictionary.com.

This collection has most of the zines from 1999 to 2007 but a few are only available online at brainfag.com.  The collection has an explanation page or two from the author about each issue. One of the highlights was Beaty’s portrayal of his angst over drawing himself. One issue has everyone hilariously portrayed with pig snouts.  There are also beautiful illustrations of the Steel Bridge

and other areas of Portland. Beaty has a wide range of drawing talents and the writing does not disappoint. Check it out friends!

Sparkplug Comic Books

In addition to publishing the interview Dylan, the Sparkplug Comic Books publisher had kind words to say about me.  I can’t say enough kind things about Dylan and Sparkplug Comic Books.  Give their publications a try they are innovative, beautiful, and thought provoking. Dylan is nice too! When I saw their publications at Stumptown Comics Festival the first time I was hooked. You can find them at local comic shops and bookstores or at their website.

Interview published!

As a librarian I interviewed Jason Shiga of Bookhunter fame.  Check it out! It's on the blog.