New York and something about research

There are times when what I do feels like work - at least what I imagine work to feel like, but mostly I feel almost embarrassed to admit out loud to the fact (out of a weird respect to those who loath their week days) that I love my job. Even that word 'job' feels an inappropriate word to describe what is essentially a hobby that I get paid to do. I get paid to do something that I have done voluntarily since I realised that lipstick could pass as a frightfully convincing crayon alternative. Jobs, are things that people who add-up stuff have. People who tell other people what to do have jobs. People who wear different clothes on week days have jobs - especially people who wear ties - would they really wear a tie if they didn't have to? Geez, where am I going with this....oh yeah, I'm going to New York.

Yep, I've got my flights and accommodation (in East Village) all booked. Heading over in late November/early December for two and a bit weeks to do some 'research' for my new picture book which is set in New York (boy am I glad the characters just happened to live there!) Basically this research will involve a big fat sketchbook, some pencils, a camera and a bunch of beer. Beer will probably come after the sketching bit. Also going to visit some other people who don't have jobs - writer and illustrator types like me. I'm so excited, I decided to put an exclamation mark at the end of this sentence!