As I noted in my last post, I've spent the past several days drinking and eating banquet chicken in DC with just about every political cartoonist in the country. This was my first AAEC convention, and it was quite a blast. I won't even attempt to list the dozen or more people I finally met after years of wanting to meet them, though I will say one highlight was being seated at the same table as Tom Toles at the National Press Club. I also got to shake hands with the venerable Helen Thomas, who was very gracious even though she was on her way out the door. Then, at a reception on Saturday, "Fighting Words" cartoonist Ben Smith told me to look behind me. I turned around only to be staring into the smiling face of Dennis Kucinich. It's not every day one turns around to see the smiling face of Dennis Kucinich. It was a little startling, to be honest. He was the keynote speaker at the awards dinner, and was making the rounds beforehand. He introduced us to his wife, a 29 year-old British amazon who towered at least a foot above him. I later saw her in the women's restroom; her head loomed above the top of the stall.

I must say, the Cartoonists With Attitude slideshow and signing at Borders went smashingly. Turnout was great, with lots of people standing in various nooks and crannies to watch. I don't know that I would stand on my feet for ninety minutes to watch myself, so that was pretty flattering. And boy, did they buy books!

As per usual, a special shout-out to Warren and his cats for their unparalleled hospitality.