August 30, 2008
Since we had SO many people at DragonCon this year, I attempted a get together for dinner tonight. Unfortunately the RSVP’s were kinda thin but when we got to the restaurant it turned into a party of 20.
We reached the local brew pub and the place was empty, so it seemed like we would have no problem getting a couple of tables. But upon talking to the hostess she promptly told us NO. As it turns out they had a reservation for 200 people (prepaid) for an hour later. It kind of upset our plans but we just headed out to find someplace else.
While we were outside we figured out who the large party was for. Turns out that James Marsters was playing there that night, and he had his Torchwood co-star Gareth Lloyd with him.
Eventually we split up into a few different groups. Myself, Kevin, Sophia and Brian headed to Jalapeno Charlie’s. Its a nice latin restaurant that we go to each year, one of Kevins favorites. And with him, its good to find something like that since he is not only a vegetarian but fussy!
A few years ago Cartoon Central premiered a new series called The Venture Brothers. I didn’t catch it at first, but was later told I HAD TO WATCH IT! And thus started the addiction.
The show is conceived and written by two madmen, one goes by the name Doc Hammer and the other Jackson Publick, though no one knows what their true names are. I think they are afraid that the evil genius’s in the world are going to hunt them down and ask them to join their leagues of villainy.
This is by far one of the best panels of the convention. Not only due to the on stage antics of these two nutters, but also because the fans get into the show so well. The costumes were amazing, everything from my friend Ken dressing as Dr Henry Killinger to someone dressing as the tiny bodied Jonas Venture in his flying chair. This is one event even I may have to find a costume for next year.
Last year I joined a local fan club in DC called the North Virginia Firefly Meetup. Great bunch of people that may have started this club as a Firefly/Serenity group but it has blossomed to a full multi-genere sci-fi/fantasy/comic book/tv/movie club.
Earlier this year we started getting our clubs banner signed by the various Firefly actors. We were able to get Jewel to sign in July and it was sent along with Jen to get signed by the actors showing up at DragonCon.
Somehow, I got conned into getting it signed by Nathan and Alan. I really didn’t mind as I needed Nathans signature on my art print anyway. These two guys are a real hoot to be around, like two old pals that just go all goofy when they see each other. Good times!
The main reason that I first wanted to go to DragonCon years ago was for the parade. I was so enticed with the idea of all the costumed con goers taking over the streets of downtown Atlanta that I had to go see it. The con has about a 1/4 costume rate, which is amazingly high compared to most conventions I see. So its no surprised that the organizers finally just pushed all these revelers out into the streets finally.
Here are a few pics, but you can see the whole parade at this link, I say the whole parade because I took 500+ pictures, so it will feel like you were there also!
DragonCon 2008 Parade Photo Gallery
Adam West was one of the parade marshals, and of course they got his old ride to take him around town in.
Catwoman, Wonder Woman and Supergirl.
Battlestar Galactica Colonial Fleet, represent!
Jen was marching this year, but she was moving WAY to fast for my poor camera.
Lots of Venture Brothers fans in this parade!
Speed Racer and the Mach 5
So our roomie Jen is part of the Colonial Fleet, the fan group for Battlestar Galactica. This was her first time meeting them as things were setup via the interweb. The girls went to the party early while me and Kevin went around checking out the all the costumed deviants.
I was quite glad we did get to the fleet party though. The people attending were quite fun and luckily everyone was about at the same alcohol level when we got there. The girls were a couple sheet to the wind so much as they didn’t seem to mind the crossdresser making moves on them.
We met some very good chaps from Tennessee, Tim and Derek. Tim was dressed as Shaun from the film Shaun of the Dead. Here he is holding his newest trophy, the head of a wookie.
Of course, then Kevin got ahold of the trophy and all bets were off!
We all had a very good time. Jen eventually headed back to the room since she had an early morning, marching in the parade and all. Me and Sophia hung out and chatted for a bit and finally noticed that Kevin had gone off someplace and not come back. We all went out on the balcony and sure enough he had cornered one of the guests, Aaron Douglas. I got a picture of Sophia with him and we chatted for a bit before moving on. Of course we had to wake up Jen when we got back to the room…only fitting since she missed her boyfriend (crush).
August 29, 2008
I remember back in the late 80′s my old pal Dan got me hooked on a tv show called Mystery Science Theater 3000. It was a combination of two of my favorite things…really bad movies with people making snarking comments about them.
Back in 1992 I went to a convention in Denver where I got to meet the cast, it is by far my favorite autograph in my collection. Shortly there after there was a change in the show, including the cast. The new host Mike just wasn’t quite my cup of tea. He was funny, but it was just different from what I fell in love with, so my viewership fell off.
When I found out that the original cast had started a new production company and were going to be at the show I nearly popped a nut! Tonight they showed us one of their new productions, a riff on the film Wasp Woman. I laughed until my sides hurt!
Afterward at our hotel me and Kevin ran into the guys in the lobby. We gushed and I am sure came across a little strong. Seems that Joel is a bit shy around the fans, but I was so happy to get my picture taken with them!
Growing up in Oklahoma my choices for good sci-fi was limited on TV. I still remember the first time I happened to stay up late enough to catch an episode of Dr. Who. Of course the only place you could find things like that was on the local PBS station. Being a kid, Tom Baker came across just grand. Looking back now, the thin plot lines and terrible effects are almost painful to watch. But it won’t erase the memories that I have as a child. He was the infallible hero that didn’t need violence to solve problems. My ages Sherlock Holmes if you will.
A couple of years ago the BBC resurrected (or maybe I should say regenerated) the series and updated it for the 21st century. Included with this update was a spin off after the second season called Torchwood.
Torchwood (actually an anagram for Doctor Who) is a secret police force based out of Cardiff, England. It has a solid cast of characters with very good actors. One nice thing that I see is the fact that they have no problems with having lead characters that are bi-sexual. Now of course I would prefer to see two women kissing than two men, but it is definitely something that will take awhile to become common place on US television.
We were fortunate enough to have one of the cast members, Gareth David-Lloyd at the convention. He obviously got all the girls hot and bothered (and probably some of the guys too). No real spoilers for upcoming shows but he was delightful to the audience.
Also was Anthony Lewis who has appeared on a couple of Torchwood episodes.
Being O- certainly makes me very popular with the vampires. Well, when I say vampires I mean the great people who work in the blood services throughout the country. I always try and give at least 4 times a year, and one of those times is at DragonCon. Its not my home district, but this year was even more special, as all the blood from the South Eastern district was being shipped to Louisiana for the impending Hurricane.
I encourage everyone to give when they can. It is simple, painless (just a prick) and saves lives.
Luckily the convention sold the necessary apparatus for such a procedure.
This year is a mix of the new and the old. Of course I have my stalwart roommate and friend from North Carolina Kevin. He is my drinking partner and all around carouser. I wish he lived closer as he is a good fellow to hang out with.
Joining us for the first time are Jennifer and Sophia. I met them last year in my local Firefly Meetup. Quite smart ladies that are fun to be around. And even with my snoring, they didn’t complain (much).
One of my traditions each year on my pilgramige to Dragon*Con is copious amounts of rum at Trader Vics. This restaurant used to be a fairly popular world wide chain of Tiki Bars, but over the years the locations have dwindled down. Quite sad to me, since they have great Polynesian food and wonderful drinks. They are also the originator of the Mai Tai, though not my preference.
Kevin and myself usually drink Rum Barrels until we feel ready to wear grass skirts and coconut bras! But this year we got here late enough after the game that we were not able get more than 2 Rum Barrels. Still enjoyable yet not quite enough to get us in cross dressing mode.
