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Posted by:

steven_addlesee

Date:

June 22nd, 2008 8:41 PM

Header:

To sit behind the table one more time

Bulletin:

5:30 AM means "oh my God, it's early".

However, at that time on June 20th, Ellen and I were leaving Columbus. Once again it was the familiar GA-96 to I-16 roady. Then it was fifty miles of I-16 before exit 78 and a tour of rural Georgia before we arrived in Millen. The last ten miles of I-16 was downright harrowing as a combination of fog and smoke obscured vision to less than ten feet at worst. Fortunately, those with common sense were on the interstate, so there were no incidents.

Millen is a big town. New shopping plazas amid old abandoned houses and feed stores sort of setting. Ten years from now there'll probably be an apartment complex where the abandoned houses used to be. In fact, when Ellen and I stopped at Subway for lunch, it was a brand-new location.

Observation 1: People think I'm kidding or exaggerating, but it seems although the state legislature hasn't achieved their penultimate goal of outlawing the use of cellphones (especially while operating a motor vehicle), private retail outlets are dropping the hammer on cellphone use. At Subway in Millen, it's a $20 fine if you use a cellphone inside their facility. The USPS will pounce, citing cellphone use is a violation of the Patriot Act or some other act of terrorism. Me, I kept my cellphone OFF.

After lunch, Ellen and I went to Regions Bank to get change for all those sales of Carc & 'Slide I was sure to get. We arrived at the library and we were greeted by Sharon Blank. Sharon is in charge of the libraries in Jenkins and Screven counties. I was there to do public speaking as something of a celebrity. We also met Diane Wade, who is president of the local Women's Club.

At 11 AM, I sat behind the table and my audience was a whole three. Ellen and the two ladies. After Ms. Wade left, a father and his son came in to listen. At 1 PM, I stopped playing celebrity as Ellen and I would follow Sharon to the library in Sylvania.

Observation 2: "Down the road" to me is 5-10 miles. After mile twenty, I asked Ellen, "did she say Sylvania or Savannah?"

We arrived at the Screven County Library to see a very pleasant surprise. My name on the marquee. That was a first in my career. Ellen took pictures of it, so we'll show them when the film is developed. Like Millen, Sylvania is a big town.

We entered the library to see Dale Reddick and another lady making refreshments. One by one, people entered the room, so at 2 PM, the second half of the 2008 Steve Addlesee Public Speaking Tour was underway. Ellen counted 15 people, ranging from kids to senior citizens. Just before the event, I went among the audience, meeting and greeting. I introduced myself and this is a paraphrase of my introduction:

"I'm here to discuss the comic book industry, how to get published, and art tips. You may take notes if you like. This is a serious lecture. Nothing fun like discussing Carc & 'Slide, or the characters, or storyline. I have an outline here, so I'm prepared..."drinks...two loaves of bread..." I see I have Ellen's shopping list instead. Oh, you're in for a great time."

I know those who've known me for years and hung around me in other settings may have not heard me in a public speaking setting. I'm somewhat different in comparison. I like to think I'm entertaining and informative. I answered many questions about myself, my artistic style, the comic book industry and my involvement in said industry.

During the event, one person was taking pictures. He was the editor of the local paper, so I felt very honored. After the event, there were more photo ops as I presented a copy of Carc & 'Slide to the library, and I had my picture taken with some of those who attended the event. A fellow named Levi purchased two copies of Carc & 'Slide, one copy to take to Keith Brown, owner of Galactic Comics & Games in Statesboro. Hopefully I can negotiate myself into a public appearance there.

Observation 3: Apparently I still have the old charm. Two teenage boys in attendance had to leave early, regretfully because they said they were having fun. Two teenage girls wanted a photo op with me. At one point when I got up during my talk to show a member of the audience a sample of my work. I grunted something about pushing fifty. One of the girls said "Fifty? I thought he was in his thirties." One fellow, a Georgia Southern University alumni, conversed with me at length.

Ellen received directions from Dale to get to I-16 from Sylvania and Ellen and I were on our way home. We arrived in Columbus at sunset and looked for a restaurant. Our primary choices were taken, so we opted for Country's Barbeque and the rib platters. After dinner, we staggered to the car and drove home.

I thank Ellen, Sharon Blank, Dale Reddick and Diane Wade for making the public speaking tour possible. I know I had a great time entertaining those who attended. As well as flyers advertising my appearance, I received write-ups in the Millen News and Sylvania Telephone newspapers. I hope there will be a return engagement. I hope other public libraries may want to snap me up. It's certainly a nice (and less expensive) consolation from not being invited to Dragon*Con.

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