Random stuff, plus Scott Freakin' McCloud
Met Scott McCloud today! He looks like he needs a haircut. I told him that his definition of art was what got me through a Philosophy of Art class with my sanity intact. It sounded like the folks at Sophia Books paid his appearance fee in cold bottles of Coca-Cola. And when one guy asked him about what he was excited about in comics, he totally started squeeing about Scott Pilgrim. Seriously, he even started hopping up and down a little. I totally have to start buying that series, but I've had no luck in finding Book 1 as yet... and while Sophia Books may well have had a copy today, if I had made a grab for it after Scott's ringing endorsement, it probably would have resulted in a Battle Royale. And Dr. Antonia Levi was there! And a lady dressed entirely in purple with an awesomely flamboyant hat. Peacock feathers, flowers, ribbons, the works. (I'm vaguely wondering if she has any connection to Rufus, the "Purple Library Guy" from SFU.)

After a cagey audience question about terrifyingly one-sided "pitching agreements," Scott also told the tale behind the hilariously lame disclaimer on the DC edition of Reinventing Comics. Which I happen to have! Maybe I shoulda brought it too, but two books to sign was probably pushing it already.

Also, I saw the brand spanking new Holt Renfrew store, which is Vancouver's most upmarket department store. Basement is menswear, top floor is women's, and street level is... the purse floor. Seriously, even the cosmetics section seems to be squeezed into the periphery off of the big central purse-shopping racetrack. I think the constant flow of handbag-crazed Japanese tourists to Vancouver might be skewing the balance of merchandise in there just a tad.

NaNoMango begins tomorrow. GAH!