Telling it like I see it
so don't ask if you don't want to know
SDCC Report
Jul 26th
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!
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.
The Skeptical Deck
Jul 19th
I’ve called myself a skeptic, but I haven’t actually acted on it until my recent visit to TAM8. There are many different ideas of what a skeptic truly is and many panels focused on how to be a skeptic while still being open minded/tolerant of other people’s choices. As in how can you call yourself a skeptic and still believe in __________?
I see skepticism as a deck of cards and you deal yourself the cards you choose through experience and/or study.
The Ace is (of course) the biggest, Atheism. Most skeptics have this card in their deck and cannot understand how or why everyone doesn’t. I definitely have this card in my hand. Though I often disparage those who don’t, I’m trying very hard to be tolerant of people who choose otherwise.
Let’s say the king is vaccinations. I’ve chosen to add that card to my skepticism hand, but I can somewhat understand how new parents can be confused and easily led into the misguided belief that vaccinations can damage their child.
We all laughed at the moon landing conspiracy guy, but he – along with the 9-11 conspiracy people – are completely convinced they’re on to something. The fact that he spent the money to be at TAM8 just to ask that question tells me how strongly he felt, and maybe someone smarter than me should have sat down and discussed the proven facts to him instead of us all just smirking. It took a lot of courage for him to get up in that crowd and express his opinion. Let’s make government conspiracies the queen.
Then there’s intelligent life out there in the universe. I don’t have that particular skeptical card in my deck. I believe there is, and maybe they’ve landed here in the past or could in the near future. Regardless of the in-depth panel I was instructed to attend. I guess that makes me the joker.
There are so many things to be skeptical about. We all have to pick and choose the cards we believe, or rather disbelieve.
10 – I don’t believe in ghosts
9 – I don’t believe in astrology.
8 – I don’t believe in telepathy.
7 – I don’t believe in psychic/faith healing – though it would be nice to get rid of this asthma thing.
6 – I don’t believe in homeopathy.
7 – I don’t believe in whatever the special power of rocks and minerals is called.
I’m still on the fence about genetically altered food. It’s not that I don’t think the science is good, I just don’t necessarily trust corporate greed and changes that might not be completely tested. I already think all those chemicals we’ve surrounded ourselves with can’t be good, and may be why there are so many cases of asthma, sensitivities and allergies. Sure, each chemical might be testing as safe but is there anyone testing average consumers vs. combinations?
Alt-medicine is still iffy for me too. Acupuncture has been around for centuries. It must work for something, right? I don’t know enough about it to completely poo-poo it, but I’d never accept it replacing real medicine.
I’m naturally gullible. And yet, still a cynic. So I don’t have a strong opinion until I’m completely convinced, but knowing my gullibility keeps my mind open. Wishy-washy? Absolutely. My method is to surround myself with intelligent people and lean on their (dis)beliefs.
Science works, bitches! But then again…
Who is going to San Diego Comic-Con?
Jul 18th
I AM!
Wednesday CJ and I fly out mid-afternoon for San Diego. We’ll be staying at 500 West, which I hear is not great but it is less expensive. I can deal with anything for 4 days.
Thursday night is W00tstock.
Friday night is the Tweet House Tweetup.
I know my friend A lives there, and Katie and Tyler will be in town.
So who else is going?
I should sue
Jul 16th
I love McDonalds’ hot apple pies. I know they’re not really apple pies, but two for $1? You can’t beat that. Well not anymore.
Kira and I ran up to McDonalds (indoor play area, duh) for dinner last night. I had a chicken Caesar salad and while I was picking out the teeny tomatoes (shut up, tomatoes are gross) Kira said “I like those!”
There was an entire conversation where she wouldn’t say tomato, she called them potatoes. So I fumbled with my mobile to try and recreate it. I should know better, right? You just can’t recreate funny childhood moments.
The important part of the video is the last couple of seconds. That’s when Kira’s chewing away at her half of my apple pie and comes upon the surprise ingredient. A long blond hair. She just kept pulling and pulling, it must have been eight inches long.
GROSS!
I should sue. Not the local store, as these things are pre-packaged elsewhere. Do I sue corporate? The kid got over it pretty quick, but their hot apple pies are ruined for me forever! Pain and suffering, PAIN AND SUFFERING!
Highlights of TAM8
Jul 12th
These are the panels I actually attended. Unfortunately I couldn’t physically sit through all the panels I wanted to see.
Friday:
- Simon Singh talking about his libel court battle in London with the Chiropractics. Excellent.
- Joe Nickell talking about his interviews with sham paranormal practitioners. Okay
- Adam Savage talking about atheism and science. Great, but the best part was his response to the over-hostile moon landing conspiracy guy.
- Skeptics Guide to the Universe Dinner. Mr. Deity.’nuff said.
Saturday:
- James McGaha droning on and on about the improbability of aliens among us. And I mean drone.
- Paranormal Investigations panel was pretty good.
- Paul Provenza was funny. I may even spend a dime on his book Sataristas.
- Skepchick Wild Wild West Bordello party was the shit. A little hot and crowded but lots of fun.
Sunday:
Was a day of papers. I only went to a couple as my back had had quite enough of that sitting thing. One was Dr. Ryan Shaffer talking about his investigation of Sylvia Browne. Proof that in 115 televised specific “predictions” she got zero correct. Or even close. The other was Kevin Folta pointing out that EVERYTHING we eat has been genetically altered in one way or another. Science is NOT teh evil. Did you know bananas originally had lots of seeds?
When I wasn’t at the conference, I was either at the pool or at the bar. What I really want to know is how, in the same general hot-as-shit environment as we have here, they keep their pool freezing cold. It must be magic.
Do I LOOK woo-woo to you?
Jul 7th
I finally stopped in to my insurance broker’s office this morning to clear up their mistake. (Casey got his own insurance last FEBRUARY and somehow I’m still covering his car.) I’m sitting there with Della (the ditz) and she’s going on and on about this weekend, the full moon, some sort of eclipse and the power of writing out your life goals THIS VERY MINUTE while everything is aligned. Very important to write these goals in red. Dunno why. And then gushing about her new pink crystal something bracelet and the power of earth’s rocks…
“So what are you doing this weekend?” she bothers to ask.
Oh, I’m attending a skeptics conference in Vegas. You know, some of the top scientists and skeptics in the world get together and try very hard not to laugh at the woo-woo people.
But did I say that aloud? Nope. Not when she’s in control of my automobile insurance needs.
“Goin’ to Vegas!”
It burns us!
Jul 5th
So yeah, I’m sensitive to silicone. Or allergic, or whatever. It burns wherever it touches. Which, honestly, only means I need to be selective in my masturbatory aids. Glass is the shit, y’all.
And also… silicone nose thingies on glasses. Didja know the default nowadays is silicone nose props?
FUCK.
Last week one fell off my glasses and Casey rigged it back on. Well it fell off again and is nowhere to be found. Now the right one is hanging in there, but really how long before it rots/rusts/breaks off too? I mean, they’re pretty close together and what wear happens to lefty I presume also happens to righty, right?
I’ve hit half a dozen eyewear stores and departments with no luck. Everyone carries the silicone replacements but not the plain old plastic ones. And people sure look at you funny when you say you have a silicone sensitivity. Bite me.
I even drove all the way out to Phoenix this morning to hit the VA eye glass clinic to find (oh gee stupid me) the whole VA Medical Center closed. Well, except for Emergency but I don’t think eye glass repair qualifies.
So that’s why this tweet earlier.
Fucking lousy morning. Wasted time, wasted gas. The nearest Wal-Mart with a vision center is over on Country Club – no luck, tried Walgreens, no luck, gave up. I figured since I was over there I’d check out the new GangplankHQ – no luck, everyone took the morning off. Then I decided to head up to the VA and just see if they could fix these glasses or order new frames – no luck, place closed. Damn I was pissed off.
SOOO I broke down and plundered through my boxes of packed shit to find an old pair of glasses to get the parts I needed. And just try fucking with those tiny screws when you can’t see for shit without your glasses ON YOUR FACE.
Well it’s over now. Glasses fixed all by myself. FUCK the world. I’m taking a nap before SmallChild is dumped here for the night. With my luck I’ll just doze off and Casey will call.
Fuckin’ Mondays.
Solid Oak Computer Desk for Sale
Jun 29th
I just thought I’d post this here before I hassled with craigslist. Craigslist might have started off as a great sharing place, but it’s all full of rip-offs and creepy people and pitfalls to watch out for.
Suggestion: Meet buyers in a public area. Great idea, but it’s not like I can truck this thing around hoping Person X chooses to buy it.
Anyway, this computer desk and matching bookcase are solid oak. I paid a pretty penny for it a few years back, but I just don’t use it or have room for it anymore.
You can plug the desk in and then plug all your components (printer, scanner, router, etc.) in behind the panel and then power them on and off in one place. You can even plug in your laptop in the front. There’s a slide out for your keyboard, adjustable shelves, space for your tower, and a shelf to put your feet up. The bottom drawer is set up for hanging files. Yes, the hutch can separate from the bottom of the desk so you don’t have to use it. Everything is is perfect condition except for the glued-on mouse pad area.
I want to get $700 (OBO) for the set, and I think that’s letting it go cheap. You can email me if you’re interested or you know of someone who is. I can probably get one of the kids to be delivery boy if necessary.
The last of my really nice furniture. *sigh* I’ll have to put it up on craigslist if none of my friends wants it. Don’t make me do that.
