Daza Journal

As an editor of a small press anthology and avid reader of small press comics I was intrigued with the Small Press Expo. I've been to a few conventions in New Zealand and enjoyed the experience. The idea of going to SPX was bubbling in my brain so when Debra, a very good friend of mine, said she wanted to go and asked (well, got her sister to ask) if I would be interested in going with her I decided that this would be a cool idea.

With a trip all that way I decided that I'd like to take the opportunity to visit Canada, a place I have grown interested in through Canadian TV shows like NewMusic, Arts and Minds, and Ed the Sock as well as the Canadian small press comics that I have received in exchange for my comics. All the shows that I enjoy are made by CityTV in Toronto, so I decided that I'd like to go there and have a look round.

I looked into things with the travel agents who organise things for the University of Canterbury where I work. Debra and I thought about where we would like to go in the US and Disneyworld seemed like a good idea, and I thought a train trip from Orlando, Florida up to Toronto would be a good idea but rail travel appears to be especially pricey so we decided that going to Disneyland in LA was a better idea.

Air New Zealand
Where I have my air points

The folks at rec.arts.comics.alt had these suggestions for comic shops to visit in LA:

1. Meltdown Comics (in Hollywood on Sunset Blvd between Fairfax and LaBrea): this was always my sentimental favourite and my weekly haunt. The owners really care about Indy comix and do a good job in getting in new stuff you wouldn't see in other stores. Highest recommendation.

2. Golden Apple (in Hollywood on Melrose near Fairfax): A very large comix shop, one of the more famous ones, with a great selection of Indy comix, lots of back issues and some minis. Definitely worth checking out.

3. For older comics, I'd try "Hi De Ho" on Santa Monica Blvd. In Santa Monica on Santa Monica Blvd. near Lincoln (they've been around for many years). This shop isn't much for more recent Indy comix, but if you collect undergrounds it's a must see. Many undergrounds are cheap or even sold at cover price! As an example, I got a copy of Comix Book #1 for $1.00.

Join me on my first trip outside of New Zealand on the following pages. In them I will document my trip, giving you the chance to take part in a virtual holiday slide show in the comfort of your own home and give me the chance to relive a great three weeks.

Flight:
Wed 15 September 05:30 pm Depart: CHRISTCHURCH
Wed 15 September 06:50 pm Arrive: AUCKLAND
Airline: AIR NEW ZEALAND
Flight: NZ 542
Service: Economy Class
Status: CONFIRME
Aircraft: 737
# of seats: 2
Flight Time: 1 Hours and 20 minutes

Flight:
Wed 15 September 08:00 pm Depart: AUCKLAND
Wed 15 September 01:00 pm Arrive: LOS ANGELES
Airline: AIR NEW ZEALAND
Flight: NZ 2
Service: Economy Class
Status: CONFIRMED
Aircraft: 744
# of seats: 2
Flight Time: 12 Hours and 0 minutes
Seat requested for DARREN: 24A
Seat requested for DEBRA: 24B

Flight:
Wed 15 September 04:15 pm Depart: LOS ANGELES
Wed 15 September 11:56 pm Arrive: WASHINGTON DULLES INTL
Airline: UNITED AIRLINES
Flight: UA 200
Service: Economy Class
Status: CONFIRMED
Aircraft: 319
# of seats: 2
Flight Time: 4 Hours and 41 minutes

Flight:
Wed 22 September 08:59 am Depart: WASHINGTON NATIONAL
Wed 22 September 10:21 am Arrive: TORONTO ON. CA.
Airline: AIR CANADA
Flight: AC 553
Service: Economy Class
Status: CONFIRMED
Aircraft: CRJ
# of seats: 2
Flight Time: 1 Hours and 22 minutes

Flight:
Wed 29 September 10:50 am Depart: TORONTO ON. CA.
Wed 29 September 01:00 pm Arrive: LOS ANGELES
Airline: AIR CANADA
Flight: AC 799
Service: Economy Class
Status: CONFIRMED
Aircraft: 320
# of seats: 2
Flight Time: 5 Hours and 10 minutes

Flight:
Sun 3 October 09:15 pm Depart: LOS ANGELES
Tue 5 October 06:00 am Arrive: AUCKLAND
Airline: AIR NEW ZEALAND
Flight: NZ 1
Service: Economy Class
Status: CONFIRMED
Aircraft: 744
# of seats: 2
Flight Time: 12 Hours and 45 minutes
Seat requested for DARREN: 24A
Seat requested for DEBRA: 24B

Flight:
Tue 5 October 07:45 am Depart: AUCKLAND
Tue 5 October 09:05 am Arrive: CHRISTCHURCH
Airline: AIR NEW ZEALAND
Flight: NZ 513
Service: Economy Class
Status: CONFIRMED
Aircraft: 737
# of seats: 2
Flight Time: 1 Hours and 20 minutes