I Know Cool People: Raks Geek/Uptown Underground Closing

Thread. With Uptown Underground's closure, many performers - including members of @RaksGeek - will be adversely affected. On the advice of one friend/performer, I'm boosting their hiring info. (ATTN: @Mcoorlim) /1 https://t.co/E23ZygDYA8

— Gordon D Tweets (@gordondym) September 12, 2018

(Originally posted via my Facebook Author Page. Some edits made for clarity)

Right now, I'm feeling a definite loss. (And this is gonna be a *long* post)

Earlier today, Uptown Underground - a theater located on the north side of the city - announced that it was closing. Permanently. And I'll be honest, it hurts.

Part of it is my love of vintage theaters. Part of it is that I worked in Uptown when I was a research assistant for Harvard University. But a large part of it is that two of my friends, as well as various performers, are being affected.

I was introduced to Raks Geek via - we were both on the board of Chicago Nerd Social Club. She had encouraged everyone to attend a show, but somehow, I managed to be too busy. In fact, the only other contact I had with Raks Geek were scattershot, high-school-corridor-type conversations with Michi's friend Dawn.

But my first exposure to Raks came at a C2E2 afterparty - Dawn did a really cool fan dance in a TARDIS dress, Michi spin fluorescent spheres (the theater's fire code prohibited pyrotechnics), and Kamrah (another performer in the troupe) was a bandaged SILENT HILL nurse.

(It was good...but creeped the hell out of me. Not criticizing, because I respect the artist).
But in time, the Uptown Underground became a great way for me to connect with my fellow geeks...but also enabled me a bit of nostalgia. Feeling like I was the rough-and-tumble dude once again venturing into depths of Chicago to explore hidden treasures. It provided some sense of escape, community, and belonging. I was fortunate enough to attend Raks Inferno last week and celebrate Dawn's birthday - yes, she invited me. And I was honored to accept. There were no hidden warnings, no vibe that suggested that this would happen...but it did, and the loss is difficult to process.

For many performers, especially those from marginalized communities, the loss is even harder. It was sudden, abrupt, and seemingly forced. (No, I don't have the details, and I don't care - I only care about the people who are affected by this closure).

My point: I'm asking those of you who read this blog to help by spreading the word. I'm embedding a Twitter thread with booking/hiring information. It's the kindest, most compassionate act I can take - after all, artists and creatives deserve to do the work they enjoy and be compensated for it.

Consider this as a sad reminder that sometimes, a venue is more than a venue - it's a home for a community. And no one ever gets over losing a home.

I Know Cool People: ARTISTS AGAINST HATE Puerto Rico Benefit Compilation

Back in January, Artists Against Hate (organized by friend/fellow Whovian Dawn Xiana Moon) held an Inauguration Day protest performance.

I'm glad to say that Dawn and Artists Against Hate have assembled United After The Storm to benefit Hurricane Maria relief efforts in Puerto Rico.

There is also an October 27th fundraiser at Uncommon Ground in Edgewater.

For more details, check out Chicago Now's One Cause At A Time.

I Know Cool People: SINGULARITY - RISE OF THE POSTHUMANS

One of the great advantages of being a writer is that, when other writers do well, you feel proud to share in their glory. It's even more wonderful to read their work and realize...it's actually more than just good....it's really special.

Singularity: Rise of the Posthumans is more than just another great Pro Se Productions anthology (and full disclosure - I've contributed to several Pro Se Anthologies myself), it's a Pulp Factory-Award winning work that not only has some great ideas but also reflects the hard work of several of my friends.

Jamie Ramos, who edited the anthology (and whom I've had the pleasure of meeting through Windy City Pulp and Paper) has engaged a number of really good writers focused on a half-steampunk, half-superheroic world. The fact that this world is told in fragments (rather than crossovers) really helps Singularity: Rise of the Posthumans establish some solid world building, making a Volume 2 inevitable.

(So Jamie, if you're reading this....put a bug in Tommy's ear, will you? And yes, you can send me the guidelines when it's announced. If I have a good enough idea, I'll pitch).

Several stories really stand out, including David Micheline's “Lord Pemberton’s Adjustment Service” kicks off Singularity with establishing the primary event where things change in this world....but other highlights include Jennie Wood's "Charada" (one of the best LGBTQ-themed stories I've read), Jamies "The Bride of Dr. Bravo", and Brant Fowler's "The Eye of the Mind".

Yes, that Brant Fowler. A fellow host of the Zone 4 podcast. Fellow Comics Related alumnus (and technically, he's a co-founder of that site). And now, pulp writer.

(And a slight correction from the most recent episode of Zone 4 - Brant had actually been commissioned for this story sometime before I was writing, so I have had no influence on him whatsoever. But his story is that good).

So if you're looking for some great reading this summer...check out Singularity: Rise of the Posthumans. It's more than just another great anthology...it's put together by some really good people.

More Mike Luoma Genius: RED HOT/TALES OF THE TEAM

Every time I write about pal Mike Luoma's work on the blog, I find myself amazed at two things:

1. I always seem to remember to spell his last name correctly; and 
2. I don't think he's ever written even a ho-hum book.

Red Hot # 2 from Glow-in-the-Dark Comics picks up where issue 1 left off. It's a pretty cool tale, and Juan Carlos Quattordio's art has a nice vibe - not quite Silver Age, not quite cartoony. He has a really strong sense of storytelling, and his work is as strong as Rhys Ap Gwin's art from issue 1.

But it's Tales of the Team # 1 that really surprised me - it's not just that Mike does a really good job in bringing together disparate characters (including the Good Samaritan, which is an unexpected surprise), but that he manages two tales that feel "postmodern" without ever once diverting from their form. (Hell, he manages to sneak in a reference to Nixon that feels then-contemporary and not present-hey-look-how-clever-we-are. And I'm ashamed to have typed the previous sentence).  Both "Brawn Over Brains" and "The Origin of Miss Amaza" are strong stories, and overall Tales of the Team is a strong read.

I really enjoyed these books....so much so that I feel awkward in recommending them. Mike Luoma always writes some great stuff, and I always feel at a loss in praising it.

Perhaps I need to use a thesaurus more frequently, but both books are worth purchasing. Buy them. Read them. Enjoy them.

A Brief Word About Chicago Politics

Normally, I avoid most overtly political subjects on the blog - after all, growing up in Chicago means that politics can be nasty business.

Growing up, my parents had Chicago politics steeped into their DNA: my mom told stories about living across the alley from the Daleys, and my dad worked for the 12th Ward in the 1980s. As a result, I have a cynically optimistic view of politics.

That cynical view is no more.

I'm proud to know Maureen - we initially met through my activities with Chicago Net Tuesday, and both bonded over our love of music (mostly punk), the Ramova Theater, and our neighborhood. So when I learned she was running for the 11th Ward Aldermanic seat, I was thrilled....because this isn't typical Chicago politics.

As you can see, she's what the teenagers call "disruptive". The above video says volumes, and right now, I wish I lived in the 11th Ward so I can vote for her. So I can do two "next best things">

1. I am applying to be an election judge, because voting matters, and
2. I can urge those who live in the ward to vote for Maureen Sullivan.

Yes, consider this an official endorsement. For those who could complain that I'm getting "too political", let me ask one question: When has the blog ever not been political?

(If you don't live in Chicago, please feel free to share this via your social networks. Trust me/)

I Know Cool People - THE TROUBLE W/LOVE

I met writer Victor Dandridge years ago - at the first C2E2, if memory serves (other than frequent cries of "Sketch Battle!", I merely remember us hanging out at the Comic Related booth). So reconnecting with him at various other venues (including the most recent Dan Con) has been a sheer joy....and when I had the opportunity to purchase his graphic novel The Trouble w/Love , I did so gladly to support his writing efforts. Plus, it's what cool people do.

And I'm also very grateful I did so, because this book - available through Vantage:Inhouse Publications - is a real gem, mixing emotional complexity with some great superheroic action.

Most of the book focuses on a conversation between a superhero and his son....a very intense conversation, in fact, as the son is holding a gun on his father. It leads to a conversation about love, family, and the necessary sacrifices people have to make in order to protect the ones they care about. Most of the conflict in the issue is between the father and son....and the writing never hits a false note. Simple and poignant, the book's tone is very heartfelt, possessing an emotional core which is lacking in other comics. (Note - there is plenty of profanity, but used judiciously. If you don't mind characters dropping the occasional F-bomb, you'll be OK).

Thanks to Harold Edge's art, this is also a really great looking story as well. Moving between flashback and flash-forward, Edge is able to connote the passage of time and experience without relying solely on visuals (so it's more than just "current Apex Prime has a mustache/past Apex Prime doesn't"). There's a nice sense of pacing in this book, and there's a nice sense of layout. Thanks to Ryan Carter's coloring, The Trouble with Love always feels grounded in reality - it's a story where emotional stakes take priority over physical ones, and drama is created through a frank conversation over punching and flying.

(Although, to be perfectly fair, The Trouble With Love has plenty of those as well....) 

When it comes to reviewing my friends' work, it's rare for me to be super-critical....but I also try not to provide superlatives. So it's in that spirit that I say that The Trouble With Love is one of the few genuinely moving reading experiences I've had in comics for a long time. It's not easy, nor does it shock, but is one of the best-written comics I've read in quite awhile.

(Also, it's available in both hard copy and on Kindle - if you don't own a Kindle/mobile device, Kindle does have a browser-based reader - simply head to http://read.amazon.com after ordering, sign in, and enjoy!)

Great Stuff I've Recently Read: SAN HANNIBAL

When pal P.J. Perez e-mailed me awhile back and provided a complimentary comic for me to read and review (citing my love of pulp), I have to admit....it went on the back burner, which is a real shame.

Because San Hannibal, published by Pop Goes the Icon, is one of the better indie books I've recently read.

Written by Dan Schkade, San Hannibal is a sharp mix of futuristic cool and hard-edged detective fiction. Imagine, if you will, a man named Avery: leading a very simple life in the big city, meeting a new client at a slightly busy venue (his office, it seems, is being fumigated for termites; he was cited as the best detective in the client's price range), and soon on the trail of a missing photojournalist.

Schkade's script simply crackles with the kind of side-of-the-mouth wit reminiscent of Chandler (with a really smart present-day flavor). JD Faith's art also helps sell the book - granted, the color palate is limited to three (black/white/magenta), but there's always a sense of movement, of pace, of deliberate motion to the story. It's the first chapter of an ongoing story....but it does what the best first issues do best: make you want to pick up the next issue.

San Hannibal is available via Pop Goes the Icon; this is a must-read, folks.

I Know Cool People - Mike Luoma (Update!)

Every once in awhile, I like to give the heads-up on some cool things that my online (and offline) friends are doing. So when fellow Zone 4 colleague Mike Luoma (host of Glow in the Dark Radio) touched base with me recently, I was more than happy to oblige.

Three of his most recent books are now available via the Comixology app, so you can access them via your iPads, Android Tablets, smartphones, and other such devices.

And what books they are! I was fortunate enough to review them in the past (thanks to complimentary review copies - obligatory disclosure), so I can honestly say that these books are definitely worth your time.

First comes Good Samaritan: Unto Dust, an extremely gripping tale of the spiritual and the superheroic, and wouldn't be out of place, say, as part of Image Comics.

Next we have The Adventures of Alibi Jones, featuring Mike's flagship character. It's gripping, smart space opera and quite definitely worth your attention.

Finally, there's Introducing RED HOT!, a really good tale of early superheroics with a great twist.

All three of these books are really good reads....and in my Red Hot review, I dared Mike to actually write a lousy book. This time around, I'm challenging you, dear reader, to drop a book you dislike and pick up one - or all - of these issues.

Now, you have no excuse not to do so.

I Know Cool People Revisited: Ron's "No Cash Kickstarter" Campaign

You all know Ron Fortier - he's my cohost on Zone 4, my "boss" when I proof books for Airship 27 Productions, and an award-winning writer. One of my first honest-to-gosh fan moments was when, "back in the day", I purchased Green Hornet # 1 from Now Comics.

Yes, Ron had written that book, and he's currently engaging in a "No Cash Kickstarter" campaign to write the Hornet again.

Currently, Dynamite Entertainment holds the rights to the character, and if you've listened to Zone 4 in recent months.....hoo, boy, you know how I feel about Waid's take. So that's why I'm taking the initiative and encouraging you, dear reader, to help Ron get a gig writing the Hornet.

Simply write a nice, politely worded e-mail to Dynamite humbly asking that they consider taking Ron on as a writer. Think of it - with all the hullaballoo going on in comics nowadays, wouldn't it be great to take some of that energy and channel it towards more positive ends?

Here's Dynamite Entertainment's Contact page - the rest is up to you.

I Know Cool People: Mike Luoma's VATICAN ASSASSIN

FULL DISCLOSURE: Electronic copies were provided for purposes of review. My opinions are my own

With all of the intrigue about the changing of the Pope, it seems apt that one of my Zone 4 pals, Mike Luoma, would write one of the best religiously-themed stories, couched in a setting mixing space opera and good old fashioned intrigue.

Vatican Assassin, released via Glow-in-The-Dark Comics, is a great 4 issue mini-series featuring the activities of Bernard Campion, a "special agent" for the Vatican in the year 2109. Caught in the midst of conflict, Bernard finds himself with a difficult mission, eventually running into an old flame, having a very unique experience (which he's unsure is real), and ultimately finding himself in the midst of intrigue and politics

With today's release of issue 4 (and having read all of the previous issues), this is one indie comic that deserves to be read - a mix of disparate styles that never seems derivative; a plot that drives along with a minimum of exposition; and some great art by Christian Navarro that compliments the story without being excessively showy.

Basically, Vatican Assassin is a really good comic tale that deserves your attention.

For more details, check out the Vatican Assassin Home Page or Glow in the Dark Radio.

I Know Cool People: Andy Angelos

Pal/former co-worker Andy is behind a really cool Kickstarter initiative, and I would like to encourage you to check it out.

Unsure? Here's a video outlining the project:


And yes, I've been rather quiet as of late. Received some news this morning that I'll need to process, but it may need writing about.

I Know Cool People: Introducing - Pedro Cruz!

As many of you know, I've written a short (7 page) story for the collected Zone 4 webcomic. (Zone 4, as many of you are aware, is simply the greatest comic podcast ever created. It's as if God himself used Audacity and Libsyn....but enough hyperbole).

I'm grateful (and finally found the time) to announce that I have a really cool creative team. Brant Fowler, my Zone 4 co-host, will be doing the lettering, and a great artist - Pedro Cruz, from Portugal, will be doing the art chores.

I'm really pleased to have Pedro on board - you can check out his work in Airship 27's Jim Anthony: Super-Detective anthologies, as well as Dr. Watson's American Adventure (which I'm reading for Baker Street Blog). His art style hits just the right spot, and will be a great fit for my story - a little something called "Showdown in Jeff City", which tonally is like Josh Whedon casting the Marx Brothers in Firefly.

If you want to check out more of his art, you can visit his blog, his DeviantArt page, or check out Comic Related - they'll be publishing his Mighty Enlil webcomic weekly, and I think you'll enjoy it over leaps and bounds.

(Yes, Pedro is "sponsoring" the podcast. It's part of a cool exchange system, and his art is so good, I'm more than willing to continue talking him up. His art is that good, folks - be sure you check it out).

I Know Cool People: Above and Beyond FREE COMIC BOOK DAY

So you're thinking....Hey, wait a minute, why should I wait for this Saturday to pick up free comics? Where else can I find free stuff to read?

Earthbound Comics (who kindly sent me a copy gratis) is making one of pal Mike Luoma's Souverain stories available for free via Smashwords throughout the month of May.

(I've blogged about Souverain the comic before - it surprised me since it's not quite my genre, but I liked it. The Kid is one of the highlights of the book).

This story is downloadable in a variety of formats (and can be read online!), but if you want a good free read, and want to turn a non comic-loving pal onto a great concept, you might want to spare the bandwith for Souverain: The Kid.

Download it. Now.

I Know Cool People: Michael Moreci (Kickstarter Edition)

One of the cool things about living in Chicago is that there's a great, thriving little indie comics creating community...which I'm learning about more every day.

But thankfully, it means I get to meet people like Michael Moreci - I actually met him, if memory serves, through Chicago Net Tuesday, but really have appreciated the fact that we tend to interact more in the comics field than the non-profit field.

Michael has a great project he's looking to fund via Kickstarter called Reincar(Nate). But I think I'll let Michael speak the project himself:





They've had some success, but have some further work to go to get this project off the ground. Here's the link to the Kickstarter campaign: please consider supporting it. (Even if all you do is post the link via Facebook/Twitter/Google Plus). You'll be helping support a great indie comic creator, but more importantly, you'll be supporting a thriving scene.

Thanks for your support.

Help A Blogger Out!

Received an e-mail earlier this morning, and thought that rather than write another long-winded post, I would write a short, succinct call to action to help a fellow blogger out.

I don't know Tony Collett personally (actually, I think I may have "met" him through another blogger), but he's been really good about linking to my blog in the past. He writes Mah Two Cents, where he does little capsule reviews, talks about some personal issues, and sometimes, the occasional post-that-leads-to-money writing.

Much like my godson Logan, he's from Indiana (which does Illinois a favor in that it shields us from Ohio), and he's a pretty cool guy (based on his writing).  He's been good to me in the past - I'd like to return the favor.

Be sure to read his blog at http://www.mahtwocents.com, and subscribe to his RSS feed. I think you'll dig his work.

Life During Wartime: A Review of SOUVERAIN # 1

(Obligatory full disclosure - I happen to know the main writer, and was provided an electronic copy for review purposes. If you ask me to torrent this comic, I will be forced to publicly shame you.)

In all honesty, I'm not really a big fan of the Hurt Locker-style military movie; perhaps it's because one of my best friends served in the first Gulf War, or maybe it's because I'm a relative pacificist (and when I say "pacifist", I mean "coward"), but there's something about the whole being-in-another-country-with-ambiguous-motives that doesn't quite appeal to me.  It's not anything wrong with the genre - it's just something that I would not go out of my way to review.

So when Zone 4 pal Mike Luoma asked me to review Earthbound's Souverain # 1, I did so....reluctantly. In fact, I kind of was hoping that the book would leave me "meh".

Curse you, Mike, because I enjoyed this book.

It is a rather unique premise - soldier by day helps Iraqi people by night wearing a mask and fighting for honor - and the four short stories (including two prose pieces) sell it well. Much like Alibi Jones, this kind of genre mixing might not go well, but Souverain's tales manage to do so with a minimum of fuss, but a great deal of panache. There's a kind of pulpy, straight-ahead drive in the text pieces, and the two comic pieces - one an origin story, another the obligatory "working-with-the-authorities" piece - really do well to sell over the premise.  (It helps that the art throughout the book really helps establish a great storytelling pace)

This could have easily been a slightly awkward mashup - however, Souverain is the kind of comic that we need more of: at a time when dramatic reboots and epic crossovers are becoming the norm, being able to tell short, distinctive stories is a relative rarity. Souverain manages a fine, delicate balance, becoming the kind of book that is hard to find - a well-written, solid premise that manages to sell a fantastic premise on an all too real-world basis, and that provides more "bang for the buck" than any major company comic.

Souverain is available through Indy Planet and Drive Through Comics....but this is one you definitely want to bug your comics shop owner into stocking.

Read it. You'll thank me later.

I Know Cool People: A Call To Action

No cute graphic, no wacky headline, just want to ask my readership a small favor:

My really cool Twitter pal Jessica is participating in a walk to benefit suicide prevention this weekend. It's not an easy subject to deal with, admittedly, and she hasn't asked me to do this...but I was wondering if you, like me, would be willing to sponsor her.

She's not asking for much, and you can give what you can, but think of this as a way for me to help someone out...and for all of us to bring a little positivity to the Net. Especially in light of the whole "new 52" thing that's happening.

(Plus, since a lot of people are giving up Facebook and/or Netflix, here's a chance to spend some of that discretionary income).

Jessica's got a DonorDrive site set up; please feel free to click and donate what you can.

And as always, thanks for the privilege of allowing me this platform.

(Click here to learn about other cool people I know)

I Know Cool People: The Neverending Saga.....

(For the rest of the story, check out previous entries in the series. Also, an electronic copy was provided for purposes of review.)

Thanks to my co-hosting duties on Zone 4, I've been able to meet a variety of cool people doing great things. I mean, I don't think there's been anyone else who's ever asked Mike Baron if he uses martial arts on "lippy fans".

I've been fortunate enough to get to know Mike Luoma of Glow in the Dark Radio, having worked with him twice on Zone 4. At our last episode together, he mentioned the anthology Earthbound Presents # 1, and I told him that if he were so willing, that I would accept an electronic copy, read it, and review.

In short, there are some really good stories in this book - three out of the four are pretty top-notch. Only one doesn't quite hit....but it's also a preview of an upcoming regular series.

The first story in the anthology, The Core (by Max Fauser and Ethan Slayton) is a pretty good slice of space opera that integrates some material that....well, handled differently it would have seemed cliche, but it's the kind of obvious fit that works. Part of the joy is that I didn't see it coming (only when I reread did I get some of the more obscure references), but it sets the book off to a good start.

 My personal favorite story in the book is Shots Fired: Shake & Bake (by Buck Weiss and Ruthi Garcia), a rural-based crime drama involving kidnapping and meth. No, no, I'm not being facetious - it's actually rather straightforward, but there's something about the art that gives it a slightly more "authentic" look. (And I've worked in rural Missouri, so I should know better). Their letterer even has a cute name - "Nikki Foxrobot."

Now, here's where I get to fawn over Mike Luoma himself, who wrote Alibi Jones: In Over His Head, a really short science fiction piece about diplomatic relations gone wrong, to put it lightly. It's a pretty good, extremely short story which is very funny (for all the right - and wrong - reasons), and Juan Carlos Quattordio's artwork has just the right mix - not too cartoony, but not super realistic. (And the last panel joke - killer). Definitely one of the highlights.

The only story that did not work for me was Ethan Slayton and Ben Ferrari's Villains short - it seemed an almost stereotypical superhero-goes-too-far piece, but in all honesty, since it was a lead-in to an upcoming series....I can give it the benefit of the doubt. It's not my favorite, but it's also not that bad, either.

Earthbound Presents # 1 is a pretty cool anthology with some good stories, and is a great change of pace from regular comics reading. (Thanks, Mike!) Either bug your local comic shop to acquire a copy, or head to Earthbound Comics.com and ask them how to acquire this book, as well as any other fine reading materials.

(And by the way, I'll be writing about Dirk Manning's Nightmare World soon - want to wait until the next Zone 4 episode's up and online. Thanks for reading!)

I Know Cool People - Follow Up

Awhile ago, I featured the work of Mr. Joey Pants, whose organization No Kidding, Me 2 is working on destigmatizing mental illness. As a guy with a psych degree (two, actually), I am a firm believer that the more we can do to break this down through education, outreach and advocacy, the more we can accomplish.

I am offering this YouTube video (found via Facebook) for your pleasure - and please, if you're a blogger, feel free to embed it. Because quite frankly, in these troubled times, the last thing we need is to trouble each other.

I Know Cool People, Part Four

As many of you are aware, I often like to highlight the accomplishments of my friends both online and offline on the blog, because - quite frankly - they deserve it.

Today's edition actually comes as the result of being unemployed - having copious free time allows me the chance to catch up on such tasks as polishing my resume and listening to podcasts (Of course, it also means that many of my dining options include Ramen noodles, but there you go). One of my current favorite podcasts comes from pal Chuck at Comic Related.

Chuck's a good guy - he often publishes my writing, and it must be tough for him to transcribe my faxed loose leaf sheets written in crayon into a workable online format. Plus, if you haven't read Comic Related, trust me - it's a good group to hang out with. But a recent edition of his Related Recap podcast was really impressive, mostly because it featured an organization that I wish I could work for. Or, at the very least, help out on a volunteer basis.

Episode # 273 of the Related Recap focuses on the Sequart Research and Literacy Organization, a non-profit down in Edwardsville, Illinois (close to my old home town of St. Louis) that focuses on comics as a literary and art form...and that actively encourages study and discussion into the field. Most of their efforts seem to go into documentaries and books...and fortunately, I had the chance to read and enjoy one of their works.

Gotham City: 14 Miles is a critical examination and exploration of the 1960s Batman television show. OK, you're probably wondering at what point I've consumed the Kool-Aid, but this isn't just a isn't-it-cool tome. It actually makes some serious points about how the show progressed (arguing that the first season - a more straightforward reflection of the comics - is the strongest), and the variety of perspectives really makes for a pleasurable, enjoyable read.

But I'm grateful for Chuck to highlighting an organization that speaks to me on a personal level - a group that believes, like I do, you can talk about comics and television without engaging in the more obnoxious behavior that often accompanies fandom. That you can be smart about being nerdy...and that you can actually be distinctive and individualistic, and who are actually making some serious effort with some great projects.

So here's an offer for the fine staff at Sequart - please take a lok at my Linked In profile, and if I can help connect you, drop me a line. More than willing to help.

And kudos to Chuck, a man whose work - and headgear - continue to impress me on a daily basis.