It’s been a few months since my last 10 Happy Things post and to be honest, it’s mostly because I keep forgetting to do this on Fridays. I remembered today, and even though I don’t feel the best at the moment—something that’s kind of common practice ’round these parts I guess—I think it’s nice to pull myself up by the bootstraps, so to speak, and think of 10 happy things that stick out from the dull drudgery that usually surrounds me as of late.
10. I wrote a story, and someone drew it as a comic
When I left for Taipei a few weeks ago, I got an email from the Young Star team that assigned me to write text for a comic that was essentially for a “Staying In” issue. I ended up writing it very late into the night, right before the deadline, because I was so caught up in being a tourist. Anyway, fast forward to this week, and it’s been illustrated by Sam Ganzon.
You can read it here, but the image is low-res, so you kind of can’t really read it, haha. I’ll ask for a clearer version from Maine to post somewhere, so check back! If you want.
9. But where do we put it? with my bbs from college
Once upon a time, my friends and I thought, “Wouldn’t it be nice to have an exhibit together?” and although it felt like a passing thought for the longest time, we did end up mounting our first show together. It’s called But where do we put it? and it opened yesterday. Featuring work by myself, Paulina Ortega and Kristine Caguiat, it was kind of planned a little bit on mobile since Pau is based on Sydney, and Kris and I don’t see each other much outside of seeing each other at art shows.
LOL I look like an ogre but my friends are super cute.
Second day set-up!
I’m going to figure out a way to display the write-up here, or think of where I can post it that I can link, but in the meantime, here’s a bit of press for the show that awesome friends have put together:
- Flows Take Shape by Coco Quizon for YStyle
- Location, Location, Location, a sort of Q&A for GG
Thank you to everyone who went to the opening or supported us in any kind of way. Much love and appreciation. <3
8. Brian K. Vaughan’s Paper Girls No. 1
I was so stunned to receive a signed (!) copy of Paper Girl No. 1 from Jonty when he got back from his NY trip. I don’t much follow the comics world/news, so I didn’t even know BKV had a new series out (bad fan!). In any case, I’m so grateful for this, because it looks like it’s going to be such a good series. I am also terrified for my impulse issues, since I haven’t bought any single-issue comics (I opt for trade paperbacks like a peasant) and I don’t mean to start now.
… But I may have to.
7. Adele on the Breakfast Show
— Adele (@Adele) October 21, 2015
So, if you don’t live under a rock, you probably heard Adele’s new song! “Hello” is pretty good—as in the type of song that will make me double over and cry without me even realizing it—but I really, really enjoyed this interview with Grimmy for the Breakfast Show, where she debuted it!
You can listen here:
6. “Sorry” by Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber is on fire. I’m not sure it was a good idea for One Direction to release on the same day, but okay? ANYWAY. This video is awesome! This song is amazing! I want to be buried under it. Is that possible? Why the hell isn’t it? Also, it gives me a lot of Jelena feelings.
I was a little bit shifty-eyed re: the dancers, but apparently they are from The Ladies of ReQuest & The Royal Family Dance Crews from The Palace Dance Studio, based in New Zealand. It was choreographed by Parris Goebel (she’s Samoan!) of ReQuest. She named her signature dance style “polyswagg,” which is the cutest thing I’ve ever heard.
5. The Raven Boys by Maggie Steifvater
More on this later, since I want to do a bit more writing on books, but: I know I was a bit lukewarm in the beginning, but I really loved reading it and can’t wait to read the rest.
4. Survivor: Cambodia
Everything I know about the human condition, I learned from Survivor
— Scare-ina Swampthing (@presidents) October 23, 2015
3. Reading, in general. Also: Audiobooks
I’m in the middle of a bunch of books right now, thanks to my restless piece of shit brain, but I’ve managed to finish my re-read of Michael Chabon’s The Adventures of Kavalier and Clay—aka, my favorite book in the world—made possible by audiobook while I work in the studio. I also finished Maggie Steifvater’s first book off of The Raven Cycle (see item 5), which is called The Raven Boys.
I’ve also been reading bits of Camera Lucida by Roland Barthes here and there, and I’ve dipped a little bit into Kim Gordon’s Girl in a Band, but I’m restraining myself because I want to finish more of the books that I’ve started reading.
2. The first full trailer of Netflix’s Jessica Jones
I don’t know much about the actual character of Jessica Jones, but I love the idea of this series, and I love Netflix, so.
The trailer is so good, as is the cast:
1. On seeing a 100% perfect Joel Torre on a beautiful Thursday night
Okay, so after the exhibit (see item 9), I went to eat with my family (minus Beng) and two friends at JT’s Manukan. We were supposed to eat at Nihonbashitei but the branch along Tomas Morato was closed by then. Beng rode with Sarie and decided to go home instead. I was a bit upset that I couldn’t duck back home, too, since I was feeling a bit sick and all I wanted was a bit of sushi. But, inasal, man. That’s hard to say “no” to. ANYWAY. Joel Torre, owner and proprietor of JT’s and my heart, walked in mid-meal and I had a minor meltdown.
No photos because I am actually super shy about asking for pictures, but there. CAN YOU IMAGINE.
10 Happy Things is a link-up by Helga. In case you thought I was being oddly positive… it’s her doing!