Monday night

I'm sitting here at Busboys having a chicken quesadilla and chatting with this lovely young blonde woman named Laura. Just another day in DC. I'm here because the apartment where I'm staying has doesn't get very good signal for internet connection. I'm looking forward to moving into my new downtown apartment.
My first week at the Times was good but now I think things are picking up. We're doing a lot of Washington-related graphics due to the bailout and the bad economy.
Speaking of politics, I can't help but feel sorry for Sarah Palin. Yes, I'm a card-carrying liberal Democrat, but even I was saddened a bit seeing here sit there in front of Katie Couric. The deer-in-the-headlights expression said it all. It all reminds me of the Katherine Harris situation, only without the gaudy makeup. A person who is not quite ready for the spotlight suddenly put on the national stage. I'm curious as to what is going to happen to here after McCain loses (yes, I said it).
Enough of politics, I have some cartoons to draw.

More on DC

Well, I'm here at Busboys and Poets again having a lunch before I go to my job at the Times. I managed to get a few cartoons done this morning, so I'm doing okay. My back is killing me, though. I injured it sitting in the wrong position last week while drawing cartoons. Getting old really sucks!
DC has been fine so far. Still miss New York, though. I don't think that's gonna change. Thankfully I'll be going to the City a couple of times per month. That should keep me plugged in. I'm still in search of viable housing in the District. This weekend I'm going over to the Capitol Hill neighborhood to check out a few joints. Should be fun.

Settling in to DC

Morning all:

I'm sitting at this quaint cafe on DC's Northwest side aptly named "Busboys and Poets." It's quickly becoming my favorite DC spot. Very hip place with a bookstore in the back and regular poetry slams. It looks kinda like a place you'll find in the East Village on NYC, but a lot more diverse.
I'm recovering from my first day of work at the Times. There is a huge learning curve there, but I think I'll be find. They're in the middle of the political season which really gets me going since I'm a retired editorial cartoonist. Finding time to do my cartoons isn't going to be difficult because of my work schedule.
I haven't found proper housing yet, but I'm thinking about settling in the Capitol Hill neighborhood. It reminds me of Queens: quiet but urban. That's all for now. Back to my vegan chili.

Media shout-outs...

I just gotta give some shout-outs to Dave Astor of Editor and Publisher and Alan Gardner of the Daily Cartoonist. Both wrote very nice pieces about my struggles finding work and my new job with the TWT. It's nice to know that some of my media homies are looking out for me.
On that note, I'd also like to give shouts out to media friends Matt Waite and Rick Tuma. You really know who is in your corner when the chips are down. Thanks fellas.

Who knew?

I had no idea that people actually read this blog (besides Rick, that is). I've been getting all kinds of responses from people wishing me luck on my new gig in DC. I want to be clear though that be doing informational graphics at the Times. I'll still be doing my regular syndicated cartoons on my own time, but hopefully trying something new. I'm in the process of learning Flash and hopefully I'll be applying it to online graphics at the Times AND my cartoons. Very soon you should be seeing some Flash animations of both "Working It Out" and "Cafe con Leche" on this blog.

The big 4-0

Yep, today is my birthday. Can't believe that I'm 40, but that's life. I really can't say that I'm freaking out like my father did when he turned 40. Maybe its because I've been so busy in the last few months. Or maybe its because I don't see 40 as such a big deal. Everybody keeps telling me that it should be a big deal, but I'm not seeing it.
I look around and see the actors entertainers that have also turned 40 this year: Will Smith, LL Cool J, Marc Anthony and Terrance Howard. They don't see old to me. I guess things are different than my father's era. Is 40 the new 30? Obviously not. That's just some saying that old cats say. Forty is the old forty.
Moving on...

Explanation of the post below

Sorry I couldn't elaborate on my last post, but a very nosy lady was sitting next to me on the train and reading every word that I typed. So I switched to Spanish. She got the message and looked away.
Anywho, I'm in the process of moving my stuff to Washington DC. I start my new job on Sept. 22. Half of my stuff is in Florida, the other half is in New York. Gotta take another trip down there I guess. Tomorrow is the BIG DAY. Birthday number 4-0. Whoopie! Time to call the proctologist. And, to think, I spent half my life trying to stick it to "The Man."
Turnabout is fair play.

Back to the City

On the train coming back from Washington. The following will be in Spanish....

Yo no puedo hablar ni chatear ahora porque hay una vieja a mi lado leyendo todo lo que escribo y me siento incomodo. As es cuando viajando por tren.

I'll tranlate later.

No longer unemployed

At last! After about 4 months without a full time job I finally landed a gig with the Washington Times. I'm on the train right now headed to Washington to look for an apartment. This has been a very difficult summer for me but now I'm looking forward to a steady paycheck. I was very concerned about working in the print journalism field again but I'm hoping for the best. I am not leaving New York City totally in the rear view mirror. I plan on going back a few times per month to keep my contacts there. It's an easy train ride.

Fall fashion week

Anybody who knows me really well knows that I'm a fashion buff. That's why I'm so stoked that fashion week has arrived in New York City! Thousands of designers, models, celebrities, (Diddy) buyers and fashionistas have descended on the Big Apple to participate in this event. Now, if I could only score tickets (or credentials) to the tents at Bryant Park. Hmmm.....
You're prolly wondering how fashion relates to cartooning. It doesn't! And that's great! I think that if I didn't go into news art I'd probably be some kinda of fashion designer. I'll probably still make it to midtown to see all the celebs and such. Maybe for just one day. Who knows, maybe I can even catch a glance a glimpse of a "supermodel" like Adriana Lima (pictured above). Se cuida.

Mr. Gary goes to Washington

In my ongoing quest for steady employment I've decided to look outside of the Metro NYC area. Right now I am in the middle of New Jersey on an Amtrak train on my way to Washington DC. I have a job interview lined up for later on today. I had to hustle a bit over the weekend to get my cartoons done. DC is only 2 and a half hours from NYC, so going back on the occasional weekend trip will be easy. We'll see how this goes. Stay tuned.