My body is back from Korea but my head is still swimming home-jet lug lug lug- hence the midnight email-

The trip was an intense week filled with dinners with the City Mayor and a host of senior managers of Korea’s cartoon and animation industries. I had my first experience with fans. They had lined up for an hour just for an autograph- school children, mothers with babies even an old man who turned out to be somewhat of a cultural treasure, a cartoonist whose hands are cast in bronze at the Institute. 55,000 Koreans walked through the exhibit in three days but only after the military brass band had finished a rather lengthy but sparky set of tunes.

What was most remarkable was realizing that in Korea and perhaps in Asia a cartoonist is a member of a respected profession and as such there is an expectation that we dont over indulge in the fermented rice whiskey or ever pass on the Kimcii. I am happy to report I did neither.

Back only 4 days and i was invited by the French consulate to participate in their manga/bande D contribution to the Writers Festival. I believe that I have received a second serious option to illustrate a book, one in Korean and one in French. Where are the English? Mon Dieu just when the Indians finally want an Englishman they’ve all buggered off.

Anyway after the good reception by the French hosts- Vancouver’s Sophia Books and the Consulate I came home and booked my hotel room for January at the comic book fair in Angouleme, France.

And just in case my head gets to close to my body I’m off with a plane load of Haidas to New York this weekend to sing at an opening at the Museum of Natural History. It is my intention to slip in either Jimmy Durante’s theme song or a cheeky Aria from Don Giovanni amidst the drum beats and carrying on of our national Haida incantations.