Wednesday

Flight was good. We shuttled to our hotel, formerly a YMCA, to find our tiny two-twin-bed room and the location of the bathrooms. Our first thought was ugh but it turns out it wasn’t that bad. They keep it pretty clean and after the first night we didn’t really hear the slamming doors anymore.

Found the trolly (light-rail) and rode the two stops to the convention center to get our badges. Turns out that wasn’t too bad either. Walked right in, no line. That was the ONLY thing we went to at the whole con that didn’t have at least an hour wait. We wandered a bit to try and get the lay of the land.

Thursday – Photos

The first thing we did was get in the Hall H line, already snaked through it’s assigned space and back behind the center. We hit that about 9ish for the 11:15 TRON panel we didn’t get into. So we went to the exhibition hall to wander. Scored quite a few pictures, pac-man lanyards and CJ got a couple things for her kids. We decided to splurge for a decent meal before w00tstock.

w00tstock!

The BEST time! Wil Wheaton, Paul and Storm, Phil Plait (a friend or just someone who actually recognizes me in public?), Adam Savage, Mollie Lewis, Aaron Douglas, that magician guy who I saw at TAM8 and then with Craig Ferguson, Marian Call, music, science, magic, comedy, art, laughing, fun, etc. Ran into my friend @ARealGirl there too!

w00tstock We had sooo much fun.

Friday

Got there even earlier to get in the Ballroom 20 line for the Stargate Universe then Caprica panels, and CJ stayed for The Big Bang Theory but I headed over to the Yo Gabba Gabba line. We heard they’d be giving stuff away so I held our space. Yeah, not so much. Oh well. It was cute anyway. Then we headed out for linner with JR Murdock. He took us to some old town mexican place and we had a great visit, though none of us remembered to take pictures.

Saturday

By now we’re both footsore… actually more shin/calf sore. Walking and standing doesn’t hold as much joy as it once did. We headed over after breakfast and wandered around the streets outside the convention center where there were tons of crap being handed out. Big bags, t-shirts, buttons, coupons, etc. Went to the Hard Rock Hotel to check out the Xbox 360 room and on the way out Chevy Chase walked right past us! We got in the Indigo Ballroom line for The Guild Panel and had to sit through the Venture Bros (?) and The Sanctuary panels first. The Guild panel was EXCELLENT! There’s a new music video that is EXCELLENT but I can’t remember when it’s going to be released to the general public. Just know, Bollywood says GAME ON!

Lunch at Cafe Diem, where SyFy took over a diner at the Hard Rock and went all out. Menus, chairs, table top covers, and art on the walls all Cafe Diem printed. From Eureka. Nevermind.

I got in the Hall H line around 4 for the Kevin Smith panel at 7:15 and by 6 I knew I wasn’t getting in. The line barely moved, and I’m pretty sure that was only from people abandoning their spots. So I headed up to The Mythbusters line on the offf-chance that would happen. I flagged down @ARealGirl and @SurlyAmy and crapIdon’trememberhername Allison? and we all went in together. That was an awesome panel, too. Every cast member was there and they were introduced by George Peterson!

Then the ladies and I went to a stupid Thai restaurant that didn’t serve alcohol, so we scarfed dinner there and went somewhere else for drinks and dessert. But alas, we’re ALL exhausted by then so back to the room.

Sunday

Yeah, we left Sunday morning. When we booked the flights CJ still worked on Sunday afternoons and it was too late to change it now that she doesn’t. And honestly I was ready to go even though we missed the chance to stand in lines for a couple of really great panels (Castle, Glee) we probably wouldn’t get in to see.

Comic-Conclusion

Too many people. Too many long lines. Though the staff had moving us cattle around down to an art form, there are just TOO MANY PEOPLE. Too much wasted time hoping your line moves enough to let you into the panels you want. Lots of free swag, but the lines to get most of it were ridiculous. I really don’t think I’ll be back. Or if I do, I’ll spend more time out on the streets gathering stuff there and skip ever attempting to get into the bigger panels. It just isn’t worth it.

But, if you wanted to make a buck you could set up a mobile charging station or a quick-massage booth. Or both. Get a leg massage while you charge your phone! You’d make a mint! People’s phones were dying every night with the sun and by mid-Saturday you could see everyone slowing down in various levels of pain.