DUNKIN DONUTS BACK IN MARCH 2022

 

FIRESTORM CLOCK

Last month, I attended a BBQ with a few friends, hosted by Mark Braun, all around cool guy who is working on his first novel. I had to bring something as a token of gratitude, and picked up this gem at the Salvation Army. George Barth was given this clock, missing whatever was on the pedestal, after working 30 years at Continental Glass, a factory on the far NW side of Chicago. Since I had a few duplicate action figures, I went with Firestorm to cover the hole where the display had been, using brown packing tape.I intended to make it more of a man cave clock by putting Hawkgirl on it, but the wings  presented a problem.

Gifts aren't cool unless they are bizarre. Maybe the clock will be as murder weapon in Mark's novel.

BBQ AT BRAUN'S

Sunday I was out in Norridge. Mark Koldny (with sunglasses) visiting from NYC, Mark Braun (next to the guy faking the sullen look) having the BBQ, goofy old me and artist legend Alex Ross. Song Koo and I knew each other 25 years ago, working at comic shops on either side of the city, trading inventory and the risque "good girl art" comics that were a product of the early 90s.

Mark Braun designed what was the first cover for a collection with Crossroad Press, but once that project blossomed into a three volume collection, the cover changed. I gave him a clock with Firestorm taped to it, the clock itself once was given to George Barth after working thirty years at Continental Glass here in Chicago. I'm not talking to the lawn gnome, but let's just go with that.

And last, but not least, the great Barkley Braun. A neat excursion. On the way there, Mark Kolodny drove and we took a bunch of photos at the Damen Silos. On the way back, I was on my own, so wandered around the Lawrence Avenue el stop and took some decent photos. If it wasn't so late on a Sunday--I had no real idea when I would get near my house--I would have walked around a bit more.

BURIED IN THE SNOW (to the tune of "Riders on The Storm")

Just screwing around here. The alternate cover for the alternate book: RAPID TRANSIT thirty years of short fiction. My face on a photocopier at Kinko's because I'm classy, and a bit of manipulation by Mark Braun.

PRINTERS ROW JUNE 2016

I didn't have anything to sell, but I do try to run into as many people as I can with businesses cards people can use as bookmarks. This year I ran into Mark K. Braun, who has put a great deal of work into formatting the upcoming RAPID TRANSIT: 30 years of short fiction by Crossroad Press. He introduced me to Laura Enright, author of TO TOUCH THE SUN. I also ran into Jay Bonansinga and Jill Norton. Took me awhile to get the photos onto my computer.

COVER COURTESY MARK K. BRAUN

A few days back I spent most of the day going to and from the doctor's office and didn't even see what Mark posted on my Facebook page until the post already had 37 likes. There I was, MIA. The book is finally going to be a reality.Crossroad Press, at a date to be determined soon.

CHICAGO P.D.: S3E10 "Now I'm God"

I actually lucked out with my exposure on the show. The filming was done in the ballroom of the Congress Plaza. I always find the workings of whatever film or show I am in intriguing. There were 27 takes for what amounted to a two minute (if that) scene. People were moved from table to table, one time they moved a vacant chair so as to look as if someone had gone to the bathroom.

Extras always have to arrive at a certain time because you never know when the filming will start. For example, the ballroom had to be set up perfectly, cameras on the balconies, each table set with empty dinner plates and three different glasses filled with wine or water in varying amounts, as well as coffee cups. I arrived at 9AM and we did not sit down until around 4:15 PM. By the time the filming had ended, it was close to 8 PM, so I was paid overtime. 100 pizzas were delivered and the men's room was filled with men in black suits like it was a funeral for the Outfit, heads bowed down not in respect, but to make certain that, well, we just keep our heads down just because.  Let's leave it at that.

We have to bring garment bags with different colored shirt and ties. It was very cold in the waiting area and many women had low cut gowns, as we were at an awards ceremony where the guy winning the award was arrested. So I asked a few of the women if they wanted one of the two shirts I wasn't wearing and they readily accepted. A few other men saw what I had done and followed suit. We filmed this on 15NOV15 and the show aired last week (I kinda forgot to post this earlier).
I was able to get photos from one of our televisions, but thanks to Mark Braun, Mike Olson, and Sid Williams for posting shots early on.