September 1st, 2012
Dragon*Con 2012
Dragon*Con 2012 will go down, for Chris and I, as the protracted Dragon*Con. We were able to make it down to Atlanta for only Thursday and Friday, leaving around 10:30 Friday night. It was hard to leave, however, it was almost the Dragon*Con we didn’t get to go, so all in all, it was good enough to achieve our primary objectives and pry ourselves away just as the party was getting started.
One side effect, I found, from the urgency of our short time at the con was an increase in spending on various souvenirs and toys. But who could blame me for picking up this little fellow from the Dragon*Con store?
Last year, the little fellow appeared on t-shirts. I love how he looks to be letting out a terrible roar, yet any con-goer can plainly see he’s yawning after a night of parties followed by an early morning panel.
Dragon*Con is a fan driven convention and as much as I loved Emerald City Comic Con, it just can’t compare to a con where what you see in the lobbies and food court is enough to justify the trip. Costumes are diverse, impressive and plentiful. I am especially impressed with folks who costume up on Thursday. These Spaceballs were among the first costumes we saw on Thursday in the food court. Classics never go out of style.
If we’d had our choice of which two days to attend, Friday and Saturday or Saturday and Sunday would have gotten us the most Con for our time. Thursday is a slow night with only a handful of events. Naturally, we hit up the drum circle, because it’s a Dragon*Con tradition, held every night until the hotel kicks them out of the room. I wish I’d thought to bring the real camera, but a few cell phone pictures give enough of an idea of how it goes. People wander in, do their thing, leave, stay, whatever. Most watch, some bring or borrow drums, some dance. I even observed a limbo contest in the middle of the circle.
Always remember, what happens at Dragon*Con is posted all over the internet within a matter of days, if not hours. Chris was left in charge of his brother Eric’s Blade Runner umbrella while observing at the drum circle. In his – shall we say – relaxed state, it seemed best to open it up.
I never feel like I taken enough pictures at conventions. Our short amount of time at Dragon*Con left me with hardly any photos. Only eight on the camera and a few on my phone. One of my favorite things to see and photograph are costumed folks doing everyday things, carrying mundane objects and the like. We had to stop to take these girl’s picture, notable to see a full complement of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles eating something other than pizza.
Our primary objective for Friday was hitting up the Walk of Fame for autographs. In truth, it is the moment with the actor in question that is truly meaningful. The glossy 8×10 a souvenir of the moment. Rob Paulsen was only second on our “must meet” list, but he was kind and enthusiastic about taking a picture with us, coming around to the front of the table like I’ve never seen anyone else do. We told him how much we enjoy his podcast and his recent hilarious bit of voice over for Regretsy.
Nichelle Nichols was, naturally, our first priority. She was lovely and gracious. I will never, ever forget her telling Chris she loved his hair and beard. What a complement from one of the most beautiful women – and legs – ever to grace television and film.
We also met Michael Dorn, Tony Amendola and Billy West. Dorn was all business and didn’t seem to be enjoying himself any more than Worf would in a similar position. We picked Worf and Dax’s wedding picture and had he been more friendly, I would have told him why, but still I consider a meeting like that as interesting and as much of a story as meeting those actors who seem as happy to be at the convention as we are. It’s all about – for me – seeing what someone is like off-screen and the story to take away. Tony Amendola was important to us for his role as Master Bra’tac on Stargate: SG1, but there is little to say beyond “pleasure to meet you” and “I enjoyed your work on Stargate.” Billy West would have sat there talking as long as we stood by listening, all about how the fans saved Futurama and how we may be needed to do it again. After careful deliberation, we selected his “head in a jar” picture. I sort of wish I could get all my autographs like that from now on.
Also notable, non-Walk of Fame celebrity encounters. On Thursday, we waited for the elevator at our hotel with Richard Horvitz, voice actor best known for being Invader Zim. Surprised the heck out of him that we recognized him. Later, we’d gone to the garage to assist our friends and roommates, Alex and Lucy, with retrieving their luggage and Richard stopped Chris outside the hotel to ask directions to the food court. First occasion of being recognized by a celebrity. We also waited by the elevators Friday morning with Colin Ferguson and Niall Matter of Eureka, but didn’t talk to them. Some big guy of a con-goer picked up Colin which may just qualify as the weirdest thing I saw at the con.
Before I go, more cosplay pictures. I love these My Little Pony Gala Dresses, but I didn’t get a shot with all six ponies clearly visible. Safe to assume Rarity did the sewing.
I wouldn’t have stopped to take this picture of Zander from Drawn Together had he not had Ling Ling with him. I love that wildly offensive little critter.
Last, but not least, Alex helped us take our bags down to the car when it was time to go. He posed with the awesome bag I got with my purchase from WeLoveFine. We’ll let him think he’s not a Brony even though he’ll watch with us or with his daughter. That’s a lot of pony for a man who isn’t a Brony, don’t you think?
. I don’t care for strategy based games, but I do love tiny starships and the company of geeks, so it all works out. Afterwards, we picked up Alex’s sister, Lucy, and their mom to go out to dinner. A good time was had by all. 