Friday @ Comic Con -- Get around, get around, I get around
Friday at Comic Con. Hm. Well,for starters, I drove the gang there, which resulted in lots of nervous teeth gnashing as we struggled to find parking. I dropped Ken and Jenn off at a red light and they ran to Sails Pavilion for me to get a lottery ticket for the SPACED signing for me. Katherine and I spent what felt like almost an hour looking for a spot before parking far, far away. Oh, and there was this part where I almost drove my car onto the trolley tracks towards an oncoming train. The freeway and parking trip to Comic Con cost me as much gas as I spent driving from Irvine to San Diego. 0_0 I guess it's because everyone in San Diego drives at 80 miles per hour, ignoring the posted speed limit and any notions of fuel efficiency. Also--some places were selling parking for $30 a day. Nuts! We counted ourselves lucky at $12 a day.
Ken's first autograph ticket was a blank (you pull them out of a satchel until you get a qualifying ticket) so he went back in line again. Katherine and I got in line too and Katherine pulled out a winning ticket. I was really happy. At 10:30AM we hit the floor again for a couple of hours trying to score freebies and see cool things. For example, on one of the days Ken and I got to see a sneak of the newest Prince of Persia demonstrated to us by a cute Scottish boy. (I thought of you, aikonader, and Boss!) Also, much to Tom Wiltse's jealous chagrin, we got to test out the Warhammer MMORPG (and uh, weren't all that impressed. It felt like WoW.)
...yeah. About that though. This year I was more confident and assertive. And I learned that having a dinky green special Exhibitor's badge, and uh, being nice and smiling and talking to people, actually goes a long way. Ken straight-facedly told me that he ogles the hot chicks at Comic Con so I find it in my rights to say that I turn on my charm and flirt with the boys then, too. For stuff. Like a ho-bag. For goody bags.
I was surprised by how well it works, though! I guess exhibit volunteers (like us) are so used to people running up to us and demanding free stuff that whenever someone nice comes along and smiles and brightens their day and talks to them and sees them more like a booth person and less like a free-goodies-dispenser, they are happy and sneak you stuff under the table. For example, after chatting with the Warhammer guys for a while they snuck me a few Warhammer posters under the table. A long chat with the cute guys at the badass Star Wars booth yielded me some free Yoda for President pins.
What? He was CUTE!
Sometimes flirtation becomes more suspiciously outrageous, though. Especially, apparently, with Mando'ade. (Check out this article on a Mandalorian Wedding. Oya!) I was strolling past the Star Wars booth nodding at the autograph signers like Ray Park (Darth Maul) when I noticed one guy's table was conspicuously abandoned. So I scooted over to see whose it was and it was none other than Daniel Logan.
You know, er, Boba Fett. AKA "Bo" (according to the latest and greatest Star Wars books. He also misses his dad. a lot.) Or at least um, the ten year old Boba Fett from Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones. Okay, or rather, the actor, who has a sordid history. Sort of.
(Way back in 2004 he was one of the actors signing at the Mall of Orange when my friend Vicky and her 18 year old sister Tina went to meet the Weasley twins. Apparently he hit on Tina. He was 13. It was awkward.)
Anyhow, he looked a little bored since the booth was charging $30 for an autograph and $5 for photos so I toddled up to him to say hi. He also looked a little embarassed to be signing photos of himself at like, age 10, with that bad curly haircut Lucas made him sport.
IM IN UR MYSPACE FETTING YOUR BOBAS
So yeah we totally stuck it to the man, right? With the sneaky free photo? Oya!
The real highlight of the day--the entire con, really--was getting my DvD of SPACED signed by director Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead), and writer/actors Simon Pegg (Hot Fuzz) and Jessica Hynes (Doctor Who). I stood in a huge huge line to get into the panel for Spaced and sat down. While sitting down I pulled out my DVD to get ready for the signing that was immediately after. That's when I noticed that I lost my ticket!
I totally freaked out, searched around, and ran to the autograph signing area. The guy I talked to believed me, but told me there was probably nothing he could do about it, although he would try. Then, when his boss wasn't looking, he scooted me into the line! So that was good; it all worked out in the end, even though I missed almost all of the panel. I think we would have all been really disappointed if it hadn't, especially Ken, since he bought the DVD after a long search around all these stores (no Best Buys in Los Angeles had it) and then waited in line for me for like an hour for that autograph ticket.
Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg, and Jessica Hynes at the autograph booth.
I kind of discovered Spaced around this time where I was depressed and gloomy and running a 103 degree fever so I remember it very clearly since it worked wonders on my giggle-state. I knew the trio would be clever and funny but I didn't think they would be so nice...
=)
The rest of the day was full of volunteering and avoiding Zutara fangirls and the hunt for the holy grail an uncrowded and friendly restaurant. We wound up back at Katherine's place quite late at night and I went kerplop on the bed.
Newsflash: Simon Pegg would like to Write for Star Wars TV! ^_^
Oh. And to make up for missing the Torchwood panel where John Barrowman an Naoko Mori sang Miss Saigon, Katherine and I made Ken listen to John Barrowman's Aspects of Andrew Lloyd Webber all weekend. Muahahaha.
Ken's first autograph ticket was a blank (you pull them out of a satchel until you get a qualifying ticket) so he went back in line again. Katherine and I got in line too and Katherine pulled out a winning ticket. I was really happy. At 10:30AM we hit the floor again for a couple of hours trying to score freebies and see cool things. For example, on one of the days Ken and I got to see a sneak of the newest Prince of Persia demonstrated to us by a cute Scottish boy. (I thought of you, aikonader, and Boss!) Also, much to Tom Wiltse's jealous chagrin, we got to test out the Warhammer MMORPG (and uh, weren't all that impressed. It felt like WoW.)
...yeah. About that though. This year I was more confident and assertive. And I learned that having a dinky green special Exhibitor's badge, and uh, being nice and smiling and talking to people, actually goes a long way. Ken straight-facedly told me that he ogles the hot chicks at Comic Con so I find it in my rights to say that I turn on my charm and flirt with the boys then, too. For stuff. Like a ho-bag. For goody bags.
I was surprised by how well it works, though! I guess exhibit volunteers (like us) are so used to people running up to us and demanding free stuff that whenever someone nice comes along and smiles and brightens their day and talks to them and sees them more like a booth person and less like a free-goodies-dispenser, they are happy and sneak you stuff under the table. For example, after chatting with the Warhammer guys for a while they snuck me a few Warhammer posters under the table. A long chat with the cute guys at the badass Star Wars booth yielded me some free Yoda for President pins.
- Ken: You kissed another man?!?!?!
Me: He was CUTE!
Ken: :_: WHHHHYYY?!?!
What? He was CUTE!
Sometimes flirtation becomes more suspiciously outrageous, though. Especially, apparently, with Mando'ade. (Check out this article on a Mandalorian Wedding. Oya!) I was strolling past the Star Wars booth nodding at the autograph signers like Ray Park (Darth Maul) when I noticed one guy's table was conspicuously abandoned. So I scooted over to see whose it was and it was none other than Daniel Logan.
You know, er, Boba Fett. AKA "Bo" (according to the latest and greatest Star Wars books. He also misses his dad. a lot.) Or at least um, the ten year old Boba Fett from Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones. Okay, or rather, the actor, who has a sordid history. Sort of.
(Way back in 2004 he was one of the actors signing at the Mall of Orange when my friend Vicky and her 18 year old sister Tina went to meet the Weasley twins. Apparently he hit on Tina. He was 13. It was awkward.)
Anyhow, he looked a little bored since the booth was charging $30 for an autograph and $5 for photos so I toddled up to him to say hi. He also looked a little embarassed to be signing photos of himself at like, age 10, with that bad curly haircut Lucas made him sport.
- Me: You! I know who you are?
Daniel Logan: Do you?
Me: Yes. You're young Boba Fett. And you're all grown up!
Daniel Logan: Well---well--you're all grown up too!
Me: I guess I am since I'm only a few years older than you. You know, I remember my friend telling me a while back that when she and her big sister, who was 18 went to the mall to see you and the Harry Potter guys! She said you hit on her!
Boba Fett: Did I now?
Me: You flirted with her and you were, like, twelve!
Boba Fett: I FLIRT WITH EVERYONE, BABE.
Me: 0_0
Me:... Are you flirting with me?
Boba Fett: Yes!
...
Me: Can I take a photo with you?
Boba Fett: Yes! shh! ::makes sure handler isn't looking::
Me: How do you want to do this?
Boba Fett: ::makes sure handler isn't looking and runs up from around the table::
IM IN UR MYSPACE FETTING YOUR BOBAS
- ::bring bring::
Me: Oh my god my boyfriend is calling.
Boba Fett: Boyfriend?
Me: Yup.
Boba Fett: Let me pick up!
Me: ...um. Okay!
Boba Fett: ...no wait that would be weird.
Me: Hi honey!
Ken: Where are you?
Me: I'm at the Star Wars booth! Flirting with Boba Fett!
Ken: um. okay....
Boba Fett: lawl I'm Boba Fett! Yay!
So yeah we totally stuck it to the man, right? With the sneaky free photo? Oya!
The real highlight of the day--the entire con, really--was getting my DvD of SPACED signed by director Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead), and writer/actors Simon Pegg (Hot Fuzz) and Jessica Hynes (Doctor Who). I stood in a huge huge line to get into the panel for Spaced and sat down. While sitting down I pulled out my DVD to get ready for the signing that was immediately after. That's when I noticed that I lost my ticket!
I totally freaked out, searched around, and ran to the autograph signing area. The guy I talked to believed me, but told me there was probably nothing he could do about it, although he would try. Then, when his boss wasn't looking, he scooted me into the line! So that was good; it all worked out in the end, even though I missed almost all of the panel. I think we would have all been really disappointed if it hadn't, especially Ken, since he bought the DVD after a long search around all these stores (no Best Buys in Los Angeles had it) and then waited in line for me for like an hour for that autograph ticket.
Edgar Wright, Simon Pegg, and Jessica Hynes at the autograph booth.
I kind of discovered Spaced around this time where I was depressed and gloomy and running a 103 degree fever so I remember it very clearly since it worked wonders on my giggle-state. I knew the trio would be clever and funny but I didn't think they would be so nice...
- Me: I just want to say thank you for directing this show...I discovered Spaced when a lot of difficult things in my life were going on. I guess watching your show helped me take life a little less seriously.
Edgar Wright: Thank you.
(He was really sincere about it and took my hands and squeezed them. Aww.)
Simon Pegg: That's what we're here for!
Me: Yeah, well, uh, there was this time in my life where I was really down on myself and Spaced helped me keep laughing and stay happy.
Simon Pegg: Well, STAY HAPPY!
::shakes my hand::
Me: I'm so glad this is finally out on DVD in the States!
Jessica Hynes: Me too!
Me: So um. I am...::whispers:: Actually really glad the American version of Spaced was made of massive fail.
Jessica Hynes: ::nod::
Me: But! I am glad that it drummed up publicity so this DVD release could happen!
Jessica Hynes: Yes! Exactly! Me too!
=)
The rest of the day was full of volunteering and avoiding Zutara fangirls and the hunt for the holy grail an uncrowded and friendly restaurant. We wound up back at Katherine's place quite late at night and I went kerplop on the bed.
Newsflash: Simon Pegg would like to Write for Star Wars TV! ^_^
Oh. And to make up for missing the Torchwood panel where John Barrowman an Naoko Mori sang Miss Saigon, Katherine and I made Ken listen to John Barrowman's Aspects of Andrew Lloyd Webber all weekend. Muahahaha.
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