Well, we’re back from New York and what a whirlwind it has been trying to catch up on everything. First of all, I have to say how much I LOVE New York City. It is one of the coolest places I’ve ever been. The energy, the diversity, and the overall vibe of the city is unbelievable. The neat thing about it is that everywhere you turn, you’re running into a major piece of history (5th Avenue, Broadway, Central Park, Wall Street, the Empire State Building, Ground Zero.). I think Times Square ranks at or near the top of my favorite places list. Maybe it has to do with my interest in design or my love of light and color, but Times Square is unmatched in overall overwhelmingness (pretty sure that’s not a word). There is so much movement and life; so much to see and look at. Ground Zero was very moving as well; in a different way, as you might imagine. The chapel where the clean up and recovery efforts are centralized still has firefighters and volunteers busily going about their tasks. A fence that surrounds the chapel is adorned with an avalanche of well wishes and tributes to the victims, families, and city from concerned citizens from all parts of the globe. It is powerful to see the skyline void of the twin towers, and you can almost still feel the weight in the air around Ground Zero. It gave Kim and I a whole new humbled understanding of the events surrounding 9-11. As far as business matters go, a lot of interesting things came out of the National Stationery Show Kim and I attended. Not anything as huge and exciting as Times Square, but some seeds were planted that could amount to a very big Shy Flower indeed. I spoke with some major licensing agents (who shall remain nameless as to not jinx the possibilities) who were very interested in Kim & Jason. It’s a real trick trying to “sell” something that you’ve spent the last two years of your life developing in a two minute pitch. Luckily, the artwork seems to stand on its own, but there is a part of me that wants to force each and every person into an empty room with nothing but said person and an internet connection and say “Go through the site, read the strips, and look around before you tell me what you think…” Maybe I need to learn how to talk like that Micro Machines guy. That way I can get more words out per minute. The next few weeks will be busy following up on some of the contacts we made. I think that we’re closer than ever to really breaking things wide open, but I am in this for the long hall. My attitude it to stay the course, stay resolute and be open to any opportunities as they arise. I never realized how difficult and trying this journey would be when I began years ago. I am afraid at times to think of what lies ahead. But I know that this is where I’m supposed to be, and I can’t imagine doing anything else…
- - - | written by Jason on | - - -