Giant Robot Store and GR2 News
Created with flickr slideshow from softsea.
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The Scott Pilgrim, Bryan Lee O’Malley signing was first an honor to host, but also a behemoth of an event. Who knew the day would be so warm, and the crowd that came had to wait outdoors. We did buy water, but ultimately the strength of the youth came forward. In line, some played their own music. I saw a ukulele, and guitar, and people singing together. A love-in, in line? The line at first went straight down to Hide Sushi, then we snaked it around to fit in the gr/eats lot. Of course people were curious. Why so many people? Other shops were mad, the bar next door complained about a car parked wrong, but how many extra dollars did they earn from the hundreds of extra people around? We even had a couple of undercover officers who waited in line for a while and looked for people doing drugs or drinking beer. Of course, they said we were doing something wrong. But were we? Private lot, no blockage of the sidewalk, no extra noise, no beer, what’s the problem? Of course, they said we need a permit. But for what? That said, the event was packed. Bryan signed and signed and managed funny retorts to the many comments by everyone. He’s an incredible sport to handle so many people, all adoring fans, who love the comic and love the movie. The power of an indie graphic novel came forward and spoke volumes in West LA. This was only the beginning. The signing started at 5 and went longer until 7:30 and even then, it didn’t end. We had to cut some people off, but I told everyone to stick around. Bryan would be playing videogames and signing more.
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It's rare to have an event for Japanese Americans like this. Usually it's a function that's pseudo religious, funeral, or memorial. This is just a straight up networking event
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The new issue of GR has an interview with The Glitch Mob conducted by Chris Alfara (a.k.a. Free The Robots, a.k.a. head busboy at The Crosby, a.k.a. GR crew for life whether he likes it or not). If you are a fan or became curious about the electro noisemakers from L.A., the dudes just released a mix of their rad new album adding the vocals of Nas, MIA, Jay-Z… Get it here!
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On Sunday, my birthday came and went. At a certain point, they don't mean that much anymore, except on paper. Here's an example. Of all possible gifts, my driver's license expired which means, enjoying a long line at the DMV at some point soon. I've been clean behind the wheel for the last decade and now they want me to go in and replace my photo and take a vision test. A few asked what I did. In a nutshell I usually answer with, “it's was ok”. Lunch with parents, the tennis courts, and then dinner. Most replied with, “that's a great day” and it was. The true kick ass moment is seriously Facebook, Twitter, and even text messages. I'll guess I had about 300 best wishes come through the various social networking platforms. It started Asia time, Euro time, and then the East Coast, followed by the West Coast. My birthday, more powerful in cyberspace than in real life was lasted more like 36 hours, but then even today, it continued and the belateds came through. I'm not sure what's better: The perceived raging birthday via the internet vs the real thing which was relatively benign and much less congratulations. At this point, we're going to be living with both. I wish I knew how to bridge the gap.
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