Tales of a Comic Con...part Deux

Day 2: Arrived at the convention center promptly at 8:00am with the plan to hit the exhibit hall floor for the Octagon Global recruiting booth. Unfortunately, I did not know exactly where it was at first, and by the time I had circled around it and found the line, it was too late, and they ran out of spots about 10 people in front of me. Met Jay from the Jay & Jack podcast, as he and his woman were behind me and also saddened by the quickness of the line being cut off. Apparently, since the test takes several minutes, there are only so many spots available for the day. The ladies at the booth dressed in DHARMA suits were pretty cool.



The next step was of course the Grand Swag Hunt. Mission successful, as I procured many giveaways, posters, buttons, t-shirts, and other various promotionals. Let it be known this is truly the way to go if you wish to grab some FREE STUFF. The more people pile in, the more people shove their way to the booths and often the giveaways are gone quickly. Also grabbed some toys...2 exclusive Comic Con Dr. Who figures, and the exclusive Sylar figure from Heroes.



Here's another interesting tidbit: want a collectible? Well don't get in line just yet! You first have to go to the upper level, BUY a ticket, and then go back and get in line to see if you have the CHANCE of getting what you want. Pretty much the same goes for autographs...some required a purchased ticket. Weird...but since that's not really my thing, it was of no consequence.



Once I was truly burdened with STUFF, it was time to go to the hall and wait for the Entertainment Weekly panel, "The Visionaries". What's great about the large halls is that you can literally sit in there all day if you want. So I entered half-way through a panel for Marvel Comics with Joe Quesada about their upcoming plans. Though I am not super-familiar with all they were discussing in regards to character and plot developments, it was still entertaining.

After that panel ended, I moved up to the fourth row towards the aisle to secure a spot for the EW panel, but there was still one more to go. To my surprise this next group was for Spectacular Spider Man, a Saturday morning cartoon now about to begin its second season. Hosted by Michael Vogel, the panel included the talents behind the show in regards to direction, writing, art, and voice overs, including Robert Englund, a.k.a. Freddy Kruger, who does the voice for the Vulture. If I was up that early on Saturdays, I might try to catch it, as it seems really well written and a lot more adult in its overall humor. Great panel overall...I was glad I was there.



Finally at around 1:30 the LOSTies started piling in and it was good comradery. Met some fellow bloggers, exchanged info, and generally had fun just talking to the folks around me about their work and aspirations. It seems that a lot of people are really trying to "get known" and make money off of their blogging. I had to explain repeatedly it's a hobby for me...though it would be nice, I'm not as "protective" as some of the bloggers seemed to be.





The rest of Team ODI had made it to the front row of the center section, so between us we were flanking the panel with coverage! The panel was great and made the first day's disaster melt away. I'll be posting some videos as soon as I can compress them (800 nerds trying to post from this hotel at once is most likely the cause of my currently slower-than-slow internet connection). The ODI was even able to hand Damon and Carlton each one of our Team ODI t-shirts! Even though they also got to meet D&C later at the Octagon booth, I am still tickled ORANGE they now have something that I designed!



(I also noticed they kept looking over at my bright orange hair. Carlton, especially kept turning his gaze with this look of pleased wonderment. I wish I had an orange peel in my mouth so I could have given him the Locke Godfather smile. ;)



As I sit on my balcony typing this, overlooking the bay on a beautifully clear night, I realize I must go to sleep in order to rise again at 4:30am, and make it to the Con by 5:30 to line up for the Heroes/LOST extravaganza. As mentioned, I wish I had the capabilities to post my videos...I will soon enough.

I also wish I truly had a stunt double. This convention is too huge for one person, and no one can possible see it all. Prioritization is the key it would seem...as by the end of the 10-hour day I was too wiped out to even consider going back for the MST3K 20th anniversary reunion. Oh well. Maybe the 40th I'll make it!
:)

Until tomorrow...BIG ORANGE LOVE!!!
a.N