eden, you are definitly the coolest. BTW, awesome website! You carve a wicked pumpkin. 
Consider yourself asked. Tell all, please! And for starters, what is his real name? (He won’t mind, will he? Besides, I’m sure the books you mentioned above don’t list “Slug Signorino” as the illustrator.) Oh, yeah, and do you have a picture of him? Now that you’ve dropped such tantalizing hints, I suddenly want to know everything about him, even more than I do Cecil. Thanks!
[/gush]
I happen to be the proud owner of a ‘stat’, signed by Slug, of the sketch he made for the column where the Master answered my question re: Santa Claus.
Ranger Jeff
*The Idol of American Youth *
Riders In The Sky
Oh, NOW I’m a popular poster. Harrumph.
Well, here’s the story…although first off, I should say that I swore I would not reveal his real name. Sorry. And the books I mentioned DO list Slug Signorino as the illustrator, BTW.
When I hired him for the illustrations on the first book series, it turned out to be a real bear to try to come up with an art list of an illustration a page for each of three 180-page books (on math, yet). So he ended up inviting me to brainstorm ideas at his house.
Slug’s house is really interesting, as he’s a packrat and has all kinds of nifty things to look at–if you can stave off the advances of his two large affectionate dogs. (And cat). His animals all wear bandanas. I never got the Straight Dope on that though.
Anyway, we spent some rather frantic days coming up with ideas to illustrate abstract mathematical concepts. It got a little punchy “Okay, how about…a camel…in a boat…with a funny hat!”
So…here’s what I learned about Slug in these meetings: Slug’s first love is music; he was in a band when he was younger and is an avid basement drummer still. He loves Jazz and can talk about people I’ve never heard of for hours. Ukelele Ike would LOVE Slug…
He got his start in art when he realized he didn’t have to draw “good,” he just had to draw “funny.” Which, clearly, he can do. He is every bit as irreverent as the SD illustrations suggest.
I do have a picture he gave me of him and his band (clearly not current). I will scan it in. I think he looked just like Billy Joel.
And I hope to God he doesn’t ever see the message boards. I’d hate to embarrass him. It isn’t likely, since he’s sort of a technophobe.
This is getting to be quite a long post. Any other questions? I’m not sure how personal I should get here.
Okay, here’s a link to a picture of Slug, and some other stuff:
Is that the same band as this one ?
http://www.tpo.org/rockets/home.htm
funnee…I wish! They look like some rockin’ dudes! I guess Rhythem Airs (complete with bizarre spelling) was a popular band name in the 50s. Who knew.
Wow… I’m speechless with envy. I’m also in love with your name.
eden, I’m done being speechless. One question: was Slug sweet on you?
Um. Yes. Next question, please?
Nickrz, are you tallking about MY name? ::blushing::
Slug is obviously a man of impeccable taste!
Based on the caption to the photo, he’s been called Slug Signorino for a long time. Is that what you called him in person? Do you know how he got that name?
PS–
Not just cause you know Slug, or even cause you were immortalized by him, but cause you share your insiders info with us, and scanned in that great pic. The fact that you actually posted it here on the board for us all to venerate is what makes you tops in my book! Well, OK, that, and you know Slug. 
You know SLUG? Can I buy something he touched? Can I have your autograph?
I sold my soul to Satan for a dollar. I got it in the mail.
this is going in the hall of fame. look in about this board.
Alan: he got the nickname Slug as a kid…his folks called him “Little Sluggo.” Didn’t have anything to do with baseball IIRC, like Slugger or anything, just “Sluggo.” He always hated his given name (kind of a girly name) and I’m sure he encouraged the nickname’s use.
And yeah, you do call him Slug in person. I ended up calling him Uncle Slug. (Can’t remember how that came about, exactly.)
::curtseying to the applause, picking up rose bouquets:: Thank you, thank you, Sunbear, for the great honor of this thread appearing in the Hall of Fame. I think my fifteen minutes are over now though.
Mmmm, yes, YOUR name (I didn’t want to repeat it in public, some people may have missed it) it has the sound of antebellum mansions and Spanish moss and silk stockings
and mint juleps on the veranda.
::fluttering lashes::
Whah, thahnk you, young mahn, Ah am most flahttahd.
: :off to mix some juleps, on the veranda::
Goddam smilies, ruining my demure demeanor.
(Say that five times fast!)
OpalCat–save this thread!
Um… Ok!
–
I have over 2000 posts, dammit! Show some respect.
http://fathom.org/opalcat/showmerespect.jpg
O p a l C a t
www.opalcat.com
