Monthly Archives: May 2009
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What do you get when you combine local self-publishing artists, a love for zines, and a cat? You get mishmish.ca, a brand new website that launched on Thursday night inside Jamie’s Area (which is a relatively new multi-purpose space located in Kensington Market). The site – named for Mish Mish the cat – is the brainchild of local artists Laura McCoy and Jesjit Gill, and sells zines, comics, posters, and art books. The launch party had a wide array of things to look at and listen to – there was a DJ, poetry readings, music performances, and of course, a number of cool zines and prints to admire.
Attendees were treated to the eye candy of various artwork, such as the poster by Andrew Zukerman (center)
McCoy and Gill tell me they snagged the idea for Mish Mish from two similar websites, which are run out of Switzerland and New York. McCoy hopes the website will encourage more people to self-publish, at the same time as providing an outlet for zines to be sold year-round. “There’s really no permanent place for this sort of thing”, she adds, “And there’s not really much space for zines on the internet”. The site currently is home to roughly ten artists, though McCoy says they’re planning on expanding. “We’re accepting submissions from anyone,” she told me, though submissions will be reviewed. “We just sell stuff we like by people we dig,” the website quips – so if the duo likes what they see, they’ll house it on Mish Mish. And I’ve got to admit – some of the stuff they’re offering is pretty cool.
I love the tees on the far end - it's too bad they didn't come in girly sizes.
One of my favourite items was a set of really sweet, screened baby blue tees. McCoy tells me they were printed by artist Peter Kalyniuk, who has been self publishing for a decade. His work is available on the website – though sadly, the t-shirts are not – and there are both other established names from the zine world and work from newer artists available for purchase. Currently the site has about ten different items offered, but I’m assured more features will be added soon – such as a virtual poster room for your viewing pleasure. “We’ll probably end up breaking the rules and selling music soon too,” McCoy tells me with a laugh.
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Prices run anywhere from $2 to $20, solely dependent on the printing process (for example, whether it’s photocopied or screened). “It’s really not about making a profit,” says McCoy, “it’s about getting our work out there”.
“Could it be true?” writes the official Archie comic site, ”Has Archie finally decided to take the plunge and propose to comics’ favorite rich girl? It sure looks that way!”
Announced early yesterday morning with a blog post, the Archie team called the upcoming 6 part story line – which takes a look at the future for Archie and his friends as they graduate college and enter “the real world” – “The Archie story of the Century”.
No more love triangle?
And I think it just might be!
I grew up reading Archie comics – and I’ll even admit it, I own a pretty sweet “Veronica” shirt (um, that I bought maybe 3 years ago?).
Back in ’94, there was a story line that advertised Archie would FINALLY pick between Betty and Veronica – and it surprised everyone when he picked Cheryl Blossom! That relationship eventually ended though, and the Betty/Veronica/Archie love triangle continued for another, oh, 15 years?
But as much as I love the rich brunette, I’ve also always had a soft spot for the blond Betty (who, by the way, according to the three males I asked is the preferred choice of the two). Regardless of which girl I (or any of my friends) might like better, there is one important thing I’d like to make clear: Archie isn’t allowed to CHOOSE between the two!
Well, technically I guess he is – but, I mean, I’ve been following Archie comics (and this love triangle) since I was, like, eight – and it feels so weird that it’s finally coming to an end… although I’m sure there’s going to be a few twists along the way.
The first part of the series hits comic book store shelves August 19th (and there’s one down the street from me – looks like I might have to actually set foot it in), but if you don’t have one near you, you can pick it up from news stands September 1st.
A furniture store on Dundas St. East in Mississauga caught fire late this afternoon. I was driving home on the Gardiner when I noticed a huge, dark, billowly cloud of yellow-brown smoke hanging in the sky. Curious, I drove towards it but couldn’t quite pin point where it was coming from. I went home and checked CP24‘s website, and sure enough – there was a two alarm blaze at the Arthome Furniture store on Dundas St. East in Mississauga. That’s really close to my home – so I grabbed my camera and headed over to check it out.
The police had a chunk of Dundas Street closed to Traffic, so I parked in a nearby Tim Hortons‘ and walked the rest of the way. According to news reports, no one was inside when the fire broke out, and both a wall and the roof of the building eventually collapsed.
PHOTOS BY LAUREN SOUCH
with thanks to CTV.ca and TheStar.com for details
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Who doesn’t love brunch?
Personally, I am a huge fan of the breakfast-meets-lunch phenomena – the sweeter, the better (and it’s always especially tasty when you borrow a page from Gossip Girl and the upper east side and throw in some champagne!)
Sadly, I missed the absolutely divine Mother’s Day brunch my family attended at the Granite Club this year (and I’m sure the champagne and sweets were there with a vicious abundance… actually, I am CERTAIN after hearing the reports from my younger sister. Tear.)
To make up for it, I decided to make a personal favourite recipe for myself, my boyfriend, and my roommate this morning (errrr… afternoon) – Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes! One part Dad’s famous pancake recipe (allegedly his grandmothers, my grandmothers, and a cookbook’s combined), one part mashed bananas, and one part chocolate chips.
Can we say OH-EM-GEE YUMMY?
The process of making Banana Chocolate Chip Pancakes (click to enlarge)
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 egg
- 3 tbsp melted butter
- 1 cup milk
- 2 mashed bananas
- 1 cup chocolate chips
Preparation
- Mix dry ingredients in a large bowl
- Mix wet ingredients in a smaller bowl (be sure to beat the egg first!)
- Mash bananas (the most fun part – seriously!) in a smaller bowl
- Pour the wet ingredients over the dry ingredients
- Mix well
- Add the mashed bananas and chocolate chips
- Stir
Cooking instructions
- Pour mixture onto a griddle (or frying pan – that’s what I use) on low-medium heat.
- Be sure to flip them!
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Ta-da! The most delicious pancakes you’ll ever eat ;)
