hey look! A thing I made is coming out in a language I don’t speak! The French edition of Drinking at the Movies (retitled Whiskey & New York) is debuting this weekend (Nov 18th-20th) at Rendez-vous du Carnet de Voyage in Clermont-Ferrand.
I’ll be there all weekend with Alter Comics as well as on a panel with Aino Sutinen and Kaisa Leka on Sunday, Nov 20th at 11:30. On Wednesday, Nov 23rd, I’ll be doing a signing in Paris at Le Monte en L’air with Bastien Vivès.
For more info on Whiskey & New York and to see a 20 page preview, go here.
During the last seven years that I’ve been making comics, I’ve done a few noteworthy things, don’t you think? I’ve put out tons of mini comics, published three books and traveled to countless comic book conventions. I moved from San Francisco to New York, went on book tours, guest lectured at colleges, went to rehab, got a shitty cat and generally lived a life that seems somewhat accomplished, no?
Yeah, well fuck all that because now I can firmly say that the proudest moment of my career is making the French translate and footnote the definition of tea-bagging. You’re welcome, France!
The translation is at the bottom, but I’m not going to translate it because when I look at it, I fall into an existential rabbit hole filled with all the stupid balls and fart jokes I’ve made over the years. But I am honored to be given the opportunity to embarrass myself in a foreign language.
Now I’m off to France! I’ll be spending four days in Clermont-Ferrand before going to Paris to meet up with my brother and his girlfriend. If you’re familiar with these areas and know of any “off the map” adventures you think I’d enjoy, feel free to suggest them in comments or email. I like all that hiking/city walking/underground/abandoned/ghosty/old stuff. I might try to blog while I’m gone, but I say that every time I travel and then I don’t do a goddamn thing because I remember how much I hate the internet as soon as I’m away from it. Maybe I’ll twitter. Maybe I’ll go hike on that volcano in Clermont-Ferrand. Maybe I’ll buy 1,000 baguettes and roll around on top of them fully clothed. Maybe I’ll meet someone and settle down. haha tricked you! that’s from a Dolly Parton song.
{ 18 comments… read them below or add one }
Have you been to the Catacombs in Paris? They’re kinda cool… http://www.catacombes-de-paris.fr/english.htm
When I’m in Paris and up early in the morning, I just go to Montmartre, buy a croissant somewhere and eat it sitting on the steps in front of Sacré Coeur church and watching the sun rise over the city and the ballet of street sweepers… it’s magic. Have fun…
Second the recommendation of the Catacombs if you like “underground/abandoned/ghosty”. THEY ARE LITERALLY FILLED WITH THOUSANDS OF SKELETONS. Also, for a while squatters were setting up elaborate living areas (with, like, TVs hooked up to stolen cable/electricity) in some side chambers.
big up to the translator, I just understood another jokes from an episode of snl last year…
and for your information the speciality of Clermont-Ferrand is the tire.
Wonderful! Have a great time!
The Sewer Museum – it’s underground and has poop!
Congratulations!!!
I’m a huge fan of your work.
You have to visit:
Philippe Le libraire
32 Rue Vinaigriers, 75010 Paris
A nice place where you can find nice books.
“In English, the heroine speaks of ‘tea bagging’ – a sexual game which consists of a man placing his testicles in the mouth of his (male or female) partner.” That’s what I can make out of what the footnote says.
I live in Montreal and speak French, though English is my first language. I have the original version of “Drinking At the Movies.” Maybe I’ll order myself a French version too.
Yes, you’ve accomplished some noteworthy things.
Can’t wait to see the comic you make about this trip (if you include it in your autobiographical work) especially if you visit the Catacombs or sewer museum.
This might help: http://europeforvisitors.com/paris/articles/paris-sewers-museum-paris-secret-book.htm
Have a great time!
Congratulations Julia, that’s so awesome! Have a great time in France!
–T
We did 3 days in Paris in May. It was pretty fun, but I’m afraid we did all the traditional stuff — so nothing you can’t get out of any tour book. With your eye, I think a trip to the Père Lachaise Cemetery is in order. Yeah, Jim Morrison is there, blah, blah, blah, but there are some very interesting statues and monuments plus lots of famous authors and poets. Even Marcel Marceau. Don’t get caught in the invisible box around his grave like I did.
i’m jealous that you’ve had much more success then me while working in comics for a shorter amount of time, but perhaps it is because my work isn’t good enough to force people to translate what it means to tea-bag someone one? whatever the case may be congrats on your success.
not that it’s a secret or anything, but clermont has a BLACK cathedral (as does ferrand, but clermont’s is bigger). it’s made out of volcanic rock from the region and is SO COOL. there’s a little train you can take up into the hills that gives you a panoramic view of the area and the two black cathedrals. oh, and if you end up with extra time before you go to paris, the train ride south from CF to montpellier is considered one of the most scenic in europe (or at least it was 10 years ago).
Thought you’d enjoy this – http://www.neatorama.com/2011/11/16/pro-cheese-sculptor-on-working-with-cheese-its-much-more-delightful-than-working-with-wood-or-stone-you-can-snack-while-you-work/
Very proud of and happy for you, J. When does W&NY come out? Congrats a million times; but I’m not surprised. Good to see talented people suceed – whatever that means to that person, ya know? Cheers.
someone may have already posted it, but- I think Julia’s last voice balloon, in the above comic says:
Ah, a whisky- you know how to talk to girls, you!
I think the original English line was something like: Aw, you brought whisky. you really know the way to a girl’s heart!
I guess that the French translator changed the line into [common french sayings], so that the audience in France would better understand the line.
Hmm….I either really like French, or I’m up with too much time on my hands! : )
The French translation of the book looks really cool! congrats!
You should definitely go to this bar in Paris called Le Pop-in. You will surely enjoy it and it’s a great place to meet people and drink a few beers before going out!
C’est vachement bien !
You have to go to Shakespeare & Company – it’s this amazing British bookstore in Paris. http://shakespeareandcompany.com/
If you like dark, creepy tunnels and walls make of skeletons, definitely go to the Catacombs.