San Diego Comic Con 2010
Okay, I'm the lamest blogger in the short history of blogging, that and the fact that I've been having too much fun. Well I've had plenty of adventures since last Thanksgiving how about we talk about my recent one at the 2010 San Diego Comic Con.
Boy did I have a good time; I think I had an average of four hours of sleep a night. While my parents let me crash out at their place for the week (gotta love parents), I stocked up on some delicious Blue Moon Belgian style wheat Ale.
Now I've heard people suggest having it with orange slice but I think it's perfect the way it is. It is a fuller taste than your average ale yet the coriander spice really brings out the flavor, takes you less to get a buzz at 5.4% by vol. They make it right in Denver, Colorado.Well the day before the Con started, I decided to take my kids to Disneyland and they had a blast especially with the Star Tours. I'm glad I took them because that ride was closing a week later for renovations. I really didn't want to go on this trip but when I saw how much they enjoyed the Tiki Room, they were mesmerized! Getting back was a journey, I didn't get back till three in the morning and woke up and six to help out artist Greg Horn out at his booth. I was hurtin'! He has fantastic art work; you definitely need to check out his website.
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First Panel I went to was with Danny Elfman, great turn out because the room was packed. I didn't realize that he is a bit phobic of people though. So I commend him for giving his time for all of us fans even though the anxiety levels were probably shooting through the roof, a great man and a great panel. During the day I ended up going back to my truck and sleeping for an hour, duly needed! That Thursday night I went to the Hilton to check out The Penn & Teller Show. Those guys were hilarious; if you ever get a chance check them out and ask about the bee story, you won't regret it. I had a picture taken with Teller and my s.o. took one with Penn Jillette.
Afterwards, we had a few drinks at the bar downstairs, the Odysea; I noticed a get together starting to form. I then noticed one of the individuals, Mark Waid. I completely forgot that he was celebrating Boom! Studios 5th anniversary. That was cool, didn't stay long though.
On Friday, all rested up (not really) I hooked up with a friend of mine from high school and cruised the exhibit hall, finally got to see Brian Bendis after a few years of absence at the SDCC. It is always a pleasure seeing Mr. Bendis and I got my Jinx book signed, yahh! Went out to dinner at the Fox Sports Grill, outside seating, enjoyed the cool air off the water, I was actually freezing remember I live in an area that's 110 degrees, burrr! Little did I know but the whole time I was eating, Joss Whedon was at the table right next to us. I'm a big Whedon fan but I didn't want to bother him. That night was the Eisner Awards which seemed a bit drab this year I didn't stay for the whole thing but I did see a few aquaintances and then left to hit up a party at the U.S.S.Midway. William Shatner was there but I think he left by the time we got there. I did see Kurtwood Smith, the dad from That 70's Show & the villain in RoboCop.
On Saturday the fun begins, went to a few panels and saw four time Eisner nominee, Jeromy Cox, a friend from high school and colorist for Marvel's X-Factor as well as many other titles under his belt including this one from Bloodfire Studios:
I also met up with a mutual friend of ours, an old roommate when I lived in San Diego. We rested up at The Tin Fish and had a few pitchers. Now this isn't something I've normally done in the years that I've attended the SDCC, drink during the day and head back to the con but I felt pretty damn good afterwards. We actually saw Keith David w/a personal security guard at the restaurant, we happened to be leaving at the same time. As we crossed the street the SD trolley was coming and we had to push forward through the crowd to avoid being hit. As I turned around I noticed the arm guard was about to lower on top of both Mr. Keith and his guard, I yelled out "hey watch out, you're going to be hit", he replies "hey, thanks!" In my inebriated state I felt like I saved the day and helped out one of my favorite actors (what a dork I am). This surely beats my almost spilling beer on Tim Burton at the"9" party at the Hard Rock Cafe story last year.
Well, I had to race off back to my truck for a quick wardrobe change. Yes you heard that right, rather than go back to where I was staying I did a full change of clothes in the cab of my truck before meeting up with a number of people from the message board I frequent at on Jinxworld.com. Good people, good times at The Tilted Kilt right next to Petco Park.
Picture below, I was conveniently not in the picture. I don't like being in photos, I just like taking them.
Went to a few other parties, one at the top of Horton Plaza with a good friend of mine that I knew since 7th grade, wow, yes I still keep in touch with everyone. It was a weird fashion show with techno music and other people doing far out acts. I saw Gary Graham there, I think I mumbled something to him.
On the way to the Hyatt for a few drinks we noticed yelling from across the street it looked like two girls acting out a superhero scene from a movie but it was actually a girl dressed as Supergirl and another as a warrior princess both slugging it out. It got to the point where I saw the one girl's legs up in the air, it was great! Too bad I missed out on pictures, they were hot! Once we got to the Hyatt it looked like a tourist bus let out everyone from the comic book industry and said "this is the last stop for drinks so you better get your fill" because trying to get a drink was a pain in the ass.Lazily waking up for Sunday's events, I needed to get to the convention to pick up last minute artwork from a few individuals which gratuitously assisted me for an appreciation gift I arranged for a certain gal on her 30th B-day, Jennifer Grunwald, perhaps one of the coolest individuals I've met and read about in the industry and I've met quite a few people over the years. I've done this for the past five years with different individuals in different industries who've had some positive influence on me in some shape or form. I just realized I'm wearing a shirt from an opposing company. What a dumbass I am, well it was that or wear one of three floral print shirts I had left that were clean. No seriously, follow her on twitter, she's never stirred me wrong on any books or topics.
As the day came to an end I rushed to buy last minute items. I couldn't believe how quick the convention went, I didn't see as many people that I wanted to. As the convention came to a close I helped out Greg Horn & Taimur "Spidey616" Dar by getting them to the airport on time. I can't believe Taimur went to the airport counter with that hat on, that man has balls the size of Galactus!
The end of the convention is always sad for me because all of these people seem like kindred spirits. As a ritual I always take one last drive by the SD Convention Center and play "This is Not the End" by The Bravery (what a sap, I know)! Nothing a few slaps in the face won't cure.The next day, speed recovery: archery at Balboa Park, disc golf at Morley Field, and one last jump in the Pacific Ocean before I went home. :(
Next post I'll throw in some BBQ recipes for the Labor Day weekend!
