Being a cartoonist, and being comfortable allowing myself to actually label myself a cartoonist is a dream I have had for a very long time, probably since I first fell in love with Snoopy when I was…five.  Another dream I have had, especially over the past couple of years, is to attend the Reuben Awards Ceremony, kind of like the Academy Awards for cartoonists. This is where you will find all of my cartoonist idols…in one place….and where the awards in different categories are given away, most notably, the award for Cartoonist of the Year.  Somehow, someway, through some “wonky” jumbling of blessings being handed out….I wound up meeting and getting to know just the right people…to make this dream come true too!

Along with the tremendous opportunity to meet the amazing cartoonists I have admired for years, I will also be showing my work to the “cartoonist powers that be”.  Sweet & Feisty is my brand new cartoon that I will be sharing, as well as samples of Freddie Girl. This year the awards are being held in Las Vegas.  I will know after this weekend if I am more comfortable calling myself a cartoonist….or if world’s best “carwasher” might be something better for me to aspire to.  Nah….if you have a dream in your heart…you can’t give up…you do whatever you can to make it happen.  If it is in your heart….it will happen, if you don’t stop believing. (Just another thing I have to remind myself of on a daily basis.)  Plus….not only am I getting my foot in the door this weekend……I have a reservation…..so they are letting me walk all the way in!  They say “what happens in Vegas….stays in Vegas”…..well, just so you will know…..if this cartoonist dream I have in my heart happens in Vegas………..STAY TOONED!