Capt Keith Colburn Krogers Frisco 2013

I’ll watch Deadliest Catch as I flipped through the channels.  Won’t claim to know all of the boats or the crew but it is fascinating how hard a life it is and how they struggle to bring us crabs.

Kroger is now buying Capt Keith Colburn’s crabs and they brought him to town to talk about the show and the crab.

I got there just as he was doing a demo to easily get the meat from the legs.  The way he showed it, it appeared so easy that I wondered why my wife and dad struggle so much at the restaurant.  They should have been there with me. As with most difficult things, there is a knack.

Then he handed out portions of that hard fought for meat. He gave samples to everyone.  I was near the end and he gave me a huge chunk.  Here I was with a huge piece on a toothpick. I plopped it into my mouth as he watched.  I smiled.

I know many of you are jealous I got a large piece of crab meat. It was easily two inches long and an inch thick. I bet you can taste it now and think about butter dripping down your chin as you savory the delicacy.  You are now wondering if you could go to the local Kroger’s and pick up some of Capt Keith’s Catch. Remember, this is sold exclusively at Kroger’s!

Again, why wasn’t my wife or dad here?  I hate crab. I quickly tried to chew and swallow before the taste became apparent.  I turned to hide my gag.  I chewed more but nothing wanted to be swallowed; like it was trying to stay in my mouth.  I chewed more and finally turned again to spit out into my hand.

I know many of you are aghast.  The waste!

I scanned the crowd to see if anyone noticed.  Even though I spit it out, there seemed to be tons more in my mouth. It seemed to be multiplying there. I spit again in my hand. And again…and again.  Still little bits floated in around my cheeks and under my tongue trying to gag me with that awful fishy taste. I wondered away from the crowd and dumped it in a trash bin.  The smell and taste were in my nose. I shiver even now as I remember it.

Finally, the signing started and I got my little card signed. We chatted about the name of the boat and finally I left. I immediately drove to McD’s for some civilized food.

AH

 

Craig Johnson D B&N 2013

I need to thank a fellow hound for this one. I wasn’t aware of who Craig Johnson was or how entertaining he would be.  He is the author of the Longmire mysteries which has also been made into a TV series on A&E.

So, on the advice of my friend I went to this. I got there a few minutes before the start. When I saw that Craig was to speak first, I was disappointed.  For the most part, I don’t know the authors well enough or know their books to really care what they have to say.  Listening to them read a book isn’t all that exciting to me either.

As is my norm, I wondered through the stacks and looked over the books when the reading and the Q&A occur. I‘ll find a book and read.  So I passively listened to the reading and I must admit it wasn’t that bad. Craig spoke and read well and the story flowed nicely when read aloud.

Then he took a few questions and his charm came out.  He told amusing anecdotes about himself and the books and the show. He made me laugh when he and his wife got pulled over for speeding. The police office asked for the driver’s license and saw the name. The police officer asked if he was the same Craig Johnson that wrote the books. Craig said yes. The officer then went back to this car.  Craig turned to his wife. He said he recognized me...this could go good OR bad.  When the officer came back, he just gave a warning and told him to drive carefully so he could write more books.

Just the type of self-depreciating humor I like.  So I listened closer.  And I laughed a few other times. When he was done I must admit I didn’t might the wait at all.

When I got my book signed I asked why he went to Temple University in Philly. He mentioned while it was far from home (Wyoming), it had a grad degree in screenwriting.  That wasn’t something I heard every day.  He talked about what his goals were and why he wanted to do that.  He then filled me in on the circuitous route of college to NYC to writing books in Wyoming.

I owe nod to my friend and a thank you to Craig for being the exception when it comes to readings.

AH

Kat Von D B&N 2013

While I only know the minimum about Kat Von D, I do know she is a big name and that is enough reason to want her autograph. I actually first heard the name Kat Von D when I was standing in line for Nikki Sixx. The nice people keeping me company mentioned her and how the youngest in our group looked like Kat. Which after seeing Kat in person I must agree is very true.

I knew this was going to be a big event and I asked work for some time off in the morning to stand in line to get a ticket or wristband. The store opened at 9AM and the wristbands would be given out then. The signing would be at 7PM that same night.

I got there about 7AM and only a few people were in line. Yeah me.  So I sat in my car and listened to the radio on the morning of April 23^rd.

While I was waiting, I texted a fellow hound.  While he couldn’t show up early he was interested and I would get a ticket for him. I also contacted one of the ladies I mentioned above. She also couldn’t make the signing but would love a book.  No problem. I do that all the time.

Around 8AM a few more people started showing up so I left the comfort of my car and got in line. About 8:30 the book store people arrived and before I knew it I was in the store, buying my books, and getting my line tickets.  I was in group A with number 21 and 22. I was out before 9AM and at work not long after.   

It’s always nice when things go according to plan and things run smoothly.

At noon or so I get an email from a hound saying the event was canceled. Yuck. I was able to verify but I still wanted to go to the store that night to find out how they planned on handling the reschedule and the line tickets. 

After work I made the drive and talked to the people at the help desk. They really didn’t help much at all and had no info. They told me I could return my books or wait for the reschedule but there was no date set and it might not occur. They did give one discouraging bit of info. The current line tickets would not be honored.  This meant the time spent was wasted and I would need to take off again from work. Double yuck.

The event was finally rescheduled to May 28th. The better news was old line tickets would be honored.  I had a great spot in line.

Then the new date arrived, I got in about 30 minutes before the start.  My fellow hound and his wife joined me not long after.  We didn’t wait long before we had our books and photos signed (Kat was a willing signer) and our photos taken.

While I was there I was impressed with how at ease Kat with herself and the crowd and the event.  She stood the whole time. The books were handed to her in a stack and she held them in one hand and signed with the other. She gracefully juggled then to work though the stack.  She never paused as she signed the photo I brought.

Then she handed the stack off and took my photo with her.  I told her I was sweaty and she didn’t need to be so close. She paused to take off her heavy leather jacket and with a friendly smile said she was all sweaty too. I felt at ease with our arms around each other as I posed with her.

She does have a certain something, charisma, poise, self-centeredness that must come across the TV screen.  Just in that minute I knew I liked her. It’s something I find remarkable for someone that young.

AH

Kandyse McClure and Rekha Sharma Galacticon 3

These were the last 2 autographs I got at GalactiCon.  For Rekha Sharma I was going to get something a little more demure but the female handler was pushing this photo.  I’m assuming the handler was crushing on Rekha.  She was sweet and she didn’t even tease me for getting a photo with so much cleavage.

Kandyse McLure was walking around the floor as no one was at her table. She was wearing a stunning dress that was gathering compliments from everyone.  It wasn’t after I left the table I realized the dress wasn’t as stunning as Kandyse was in it.  Sorry no photos.

I told her I enjoyed her character in Dark Angel.  She smiled. I said I had wanted to see more of the character and the whole beauty and the beast story line.  She said of course she wanted to see more of that too but the show never went that way.

AH

Bear McCreary Galacticon 3

I only post this one as I thought Bear McCreary had an interesting way to offer autographs.  Most actors will have photos from various their shows. But what does a composer offer?  I figured he wouldn’t have anything so I bought a CD from Amazon.

Bear provided sheet music that he would sign. I thought this was pretty creative and actually wished I didn’t have the CD.

AH

Terry Carter Galacticon 3

It’s a shame that no one was in line for Terry Carter. Most of the fans at Galacticon were more interested in the newer version of the show.  While it was very good, where would the show be without its predecessor? 

Terry Carter was a pleasant man and let me ramble about watching McCloud as a child. He told me he grew up in NY and was drawn to the bright lights of Broadway early on.  He has a long resume including the Phil Silvers show that ran for several years.

It was nice to pick up another cast member from the old show. While the series is very dated and bad sci fi, it was a weekly reprieve from the bad cop shows and bad variety shows of the 70’s.

AH

Kate Vernon and Michael Hogan Galacticon 3

Kate Vernon and Michael Hogan sat next to each other; which was a natural paring as they were husband and wife on Battlestar Galactica.

They both personalized and added something catchy from the show that matched their character. Michael’s signature is interesting as he does a small wavy thing above his last name. I’m assuming that is his first name. I looked at other signature from him and it’s something he consistently does.

AH

 

 

Mary McDonnell Galacticon 3

Probably the longest line I was in all weekend was for Mary McDonnell.  Part of the wait was that she was a little late in arriving but also she was a popular guest that doesn’t do many conventions.

Very early on, she told the volunteers that she would be at the convention for the full day on Sunday.  So no one had to worry about missing her.  I thought that was very nice. Many guests leave early on Sunday or skip all together. And fans know that and they react accordingly. Fans weigh their options and might skip something else to be sure they get this autograph. She quickly  lowered the stress level for everyone.

Again she was another friendly signer. She chatted with everyone.  We talked about Dances with Wolves. She mentioned she felt that was a special movie.  I told her how it was a ‘stop down’ whenever it as on.  If you are flipping channels, you pause and watch a scene and before you know it, an hour had passed.

AH

 

Alessandra Torresani and Esai Morales Galacticon 3

ComicPalooza had a side bar convention going on within itself. It was GalactiCon 3.  GalactiCon 3 had its own guest list and I picked up several autographs while I was in Houston. The guests were all from the BattleStar Galactica universe. 

Alessandra Torresani was on the short lived series Caprica.  When I saw her at the table I didn’t recognize her as she was a blonde with dark roots.  I commented on the lightness and she said this color was more natural.

She signed in red which I thought odd at the time. I received the photo, I really liked it. While the photo is in color, it's just shadings of black and white except for the apple and her autograph. It was a nice touch on her part.

The other Caprica guest was Esai Morales. He was friendly and spent a lot of time with the younger ones in line. While I couldn't hear very well, yes I was eaves dropping, he seemed to be giving words of encouragement and general life advice. 

 

AH

Alan Dean Foster ComicPalooza 2013

I don’t often get a bunch of different books signed by a single author.  I do make some exceptions. For the most part, I‘ll get one title signed and not try to get anything else signed by the same person.  Alan Dean Foster was one of those expectations.  I made the exception because of the books I wanted signed.

When I was very young I read anything that had Star Trek on it.  I had picked up the complete set of the Star Trek Log books that Alan Dean Foster novelized. They were based on the animated series.  I have kept them since I was kid and they were actually in decent shape.

If you didn’t know that Star Trek has 2 seasons as an animated show, then you aren’t a true Trekkie.  And yes, they are part of the Canon.  Some of the episodes were exceptional good and true to Trek.  And others…let’s back off of that topic.

Over the last few years I have been getting this series signed. I didn’t attempt to get all 10 books signed at once. I did it over 3 different signings. The first 6 books I got signed between 2 different SDCCs.   I was excited when I saw he was in attendance at SDCC about 3 years ago. I dragged along the first 3 books.  Then I was greedily happy he made a return visit the next year to SDCC.  I got the next 3 signed.  This year, I was able to complete the series as he was signing in Houston at ComicPalooza.

Each time, I expect a reaction of surprise or maybe praise that I have first editions in good shape. I can’t imagine he has run across many.  Yet, each time he takes the books and flips them open to the title page and signs. He’s pleasant and doesn’t rush me off.  He’s just not impressed.

Silly me for being disappointed.  Now I have the series signed. I have some bragging rights, some Star Trek creed.  I can now move on to other autographs.

AH

Boris Vallejo and Julie Bell ComicPalooza 2013

I don’t get many artist signatures. Or the few I do get are more because of the name than how much I enjoy their work. Boris Vallejo is an exception. So many of the sci fi books I read as a kid had his work on the cover.

I brought the Ultimate Collection to the show. This was another heavy book I bought from Amazon that was I carrying around all day. By the end of the day I was happy to unload my backpack.

When I got to the show, I saw Boris and Julie sitting at their table.  No one was in line. Hmmm, maybe they aren’t open yet. I bumped into a friend and he recommended I get Michele Rodriguez first thing. So I did. And just as I was finishing with Michelle they were leaving.  Rats!

Are they leaving because no one came to see them?  It happens.  Or were they taking a break. I looked over the table and they did post a sign saying they would be back. Good. I wasn’t carrying a 5 pound book for nothing.

After an hour or so they returned and a line had formed. Several of the people in front of me had bags (note the plural) of items to get signed. I was wondering if I would be in line all day. I took a deep breath and just tried to embrace my inner cow.  This was important to me and if I stood all day in this line it would be worth it. I still had the next day to pick up the remaining autographs I wanted.

Luckily, those bags were for some other artist and some other poor fan would be waiting hours behind these people. But not me and not this day.

I asked both to sign the book. I told Boris how much I enjoyed the cover of the World of Tiers series.  He nodded quietly and told me he was glad I enjoyed them. I really had nothing else to say. I took my heavy book and carefully put it back in my bag to lug around for the rest of the day.

AH

Gary Russell ComicPalooza 2013

Another Dr Who guest was Gary Russell. He has a varied background with Dr Who. Besides writing several Dr Who books, he’s been involved in the radio show, audio, magazine, and the spinoffs (Sarah Jane Adventures and Torchwood).

Being an author at a sci fi con is hit or miss with books. Sometimes the authors have books for sale at the table, other times they don’t.  To be on the safe side I brought a book.  I bought a copy of the Dr Who – The Encyclopedia from Amazon a few weeks earlier.  I left the cover at home so it wouldn’t get ripped. 

When I passed the bookover to Gary, he paused and looked at it. He flipped it open and nodded to himself.  Not sure what happened, I asked if brought the wrong book. He said ‘no’ and that he just wasn’t sure what book it was without the dust cover so he looked it over.  He continued to explain that the second editions had an embossed cover and this one didn’t.  He pronounced it a first edition (not sure if that is true but whatever) and then signed.

I told him I was Who fan for decades. I felt myself something of an elite fan remembering seeing Dr Who in channel 17 in Philly (not PBS) in 1972. He nodded politely and I realized he really didn’t need to hear all of that. Before I could beat him down any more, I thanked him and moved on.

AH

Rene Auberjonois ComicPalooza 2013

I remember Rene Auberjonois more from Benson than Star Trek Deep Space Nine but I’m a trekkie and I needed to get this for my collection and being a trekkie I needed to get a photo of him as Odo.

The line was short and he was quiet. I’m sure he is beaten down by my fellow trekkers.  I often wonder how much of a beating it is to be part of the Star Trek franchise. It was quick process. I got my photo and I told him I enjoyed Benson.  He gave a slight smile and thanked me.

 AH

Craig Parker ComicPalooza 2013

Craig Parker is a fanboy’s dream. – Wait that sounds much different than the way I meant it.

He’s been in a lot of shows that fanboys follow. Spartacus, Lord of the Rings, Xena, and Legend of the Seeker.

Craig was a live wire. He never sat.  It seemed a shame for him to have a table at his booth. He was constantly talking with people. He was a big cat in a cage or a shark in a pool, he was constantly moving.

After he signed for me, two young ladies walked up in dress from the Legend of the Seeker.  I segued and I asked if he ever thought the show would come back.  It seems there is lot of fan support and clubs still rooting for a comeback. He said no; the time to move a show to another network is extremely short.

Once a show is cancelled, everyone is looking for the next job, much like the rest of us when we get laid off.  He mentioned it would be great but almost impossible at this point.  A shame but totally understandable.

 AH

Sam Huntington ComicPalooza 2013

I got Sam Huntington’s autograph because I had already gotten the other 2 cast members from Being Human. So I needed to complete the set.

When I got the front of the table I saw photos from the movie Fanboys.  I had forgotten he was in that. Again - it helps to be prepared when you are getting autographs. While not the greatest movie, it’s fun and something that has a story of its own.  

We talked about Fanboys more than anything else; the trials and tribulations of making it and finally getting it screened.   The wife and I had seen a short preview at her first SDCC and it looked like a funny movie.  Then the movie just disappeared. A few years a later I heard it was coming out.  Then after a few more years, I saw some of the cast at another SDCC talking about it finally getting the last details settle to screen it. It took 5 years to finally get it shown.

It was nice to get an autograph and talk SDCC and the Fanboys movie.

AH

Michelle Rodriguez ComicPalooza 2013

The big big big name for me at this show was MichelleRodriguez.  I might have driven the 4 hours back and forth JUST for her. 

This was one of the longest lines I stood in the whole weekend.  It moved slow as she talked with everyone and seemed generally happy to hear what the fans had to say to her. She took photos of fans with tattoos or costumes or shirts she liked. The smile never left her face. She personalized and she even allowed table side photos. 

AH

Zoie Palmer and Kris Holden-Reid ComicPalooza 2013

Coming down from Canada were two actors from Lost Girl, ZoiePalmer and Kris Holden-Reid. Both were gracious and posed with fans and chatted as long as the line wasn’t too long. 

Zoie looked much prettier in person and you almost want to ask if they play down her looks on the show…but how do you ask that?   She often got requests for table-side photos which she granted.  All the fangirls asked if Kris could be dragged into the photo too.

Kris held his own court.  Wearing glasses and standing the whole time.  He chatted and posed for photos. When I was with him I asked if he ever ate a calorie in his life.  He laughed. If you ever saw the show, you know why I asked.  He did say he watched his diet and only had the occasional beer. He mentioned the writers were good about giving him a week's warning if he needed to take his shirt off so he could prepare.

In my head, I’m thinking I’d need a year’s warning before I took my shirt off on TV. Then maybe a few years’ warning to look as good as he does.

 AH

Frazer Hines and Ian McNiece ComicPalooza 2013

The first 2 autographs I picked up when I got to ComicPalooza were Dr Who oriented.

Frazer Hines was the second Dr’s companion.  He was nice and we talked about the popularity of Dr Who in the states and the Dr Who 50^th anniversary specials.  To me, renewed interest in Dr Who is great but it seems the new fans know nothing of the history or culture that brought the Dr to the point that they are now seeing it. 

Ian McNeice was also fun.  He ‘made’ me pose with him and gave me a cigar to hold up.  He added a quick warning to NOT put it in my mouth.  The thought never occurred to me but I can see where some might need the warning.

It was great to see Who guests. I hope Texas has more visitors from across the pond that have Who connections.

AH

Kristanna Loken Ferguson Dallas ComicCon 2013

Over the years, I’m been unlucky getting this autograph. Either I just missed her at a show, or she didn’t show up or I ran out of time.  This time the stars aligned and I picked it up.

Kristanna Loken is prettier in person than on screen. Maybe it’s some of the personal charisma when talking to someone in person.  Maybe it’s the roles and makeup. Maybe the camera just doesn’t do her justice.

She was very warm and friendly.  She didn’t hide behind the table. She volunteered to take a photo at the table.  She let you put your arm around her when you posed.  There are all things that make her a fan favorite at signings.

AH

 

Colin Ferguson Dallas ComicCon 2013

Colin Ferguson was one of the big names for me at Dallas ComicCon. I thoroughly enjoyed Eureka and I loved the character of the Sheriff.  Something about his honest and non-genius character was humorous and addictive.  I really hoped the humor that I saw on screen and in the panels was a part of the actor too.

Colin seemed to be a happy puppy.  He talked to everyone. He showed a contagious smile and was full of energy.   He was fun to talk to also.  When I stepped up he shook my hand. I told him I always watched the show.  He did the normal thanks for watching.

Then I threw a curve. I just asked how hard was it to act on the set with all of the distractions. He started to say something about green screen and then stopped.  He sensed that wasn’t what I meant and asked. I told him I meant the females actors.

He laughed and showed me a huge grin. He admitted it was difficult at times.  We chatted some more and I left smiling because he seemed just as likeable in person as on the screen.

AH

#SDCC – From A to Omega

Re-publishing for the upcoming SDCC

From A to Omega, the recap of my hints and tips and advice for San Diego ComicCon.
These are the links to the previous posts.

Ambulate	Nerds	Cheat Alpha	Cheat Xi
Backpack	Observe	Cheat Beta	Cheat Pi
Camera	Poster Tube	Cheat Gamma	Cheat Rho
Decisions	Quiz	Cheat Delta	Cheat Sigma
Eat	Resist	Cheat Epsilon	Cheat Tau
Friends	Stretch	Cheat Zeta	Cheat Upsilon
Gum	Tipping	Cheat Eta	Cheat Phi
Handwipes	Un	Cheat Theta	Cheat Chi
Ignore	Vendor	Cheat Iota	Cheat Psi
Jealousy	Water	Cheat Kappa	Cheat Omega
Keep	Xyloid	Cheat Lambda
Lines	Yellow Journalism	Cheat Mu
Manage	Zombie	Cheat Nu

Hope you found them useful.
Any updates or corrections are welcome.


AH

Tony Amendola Dallas ComicCon 2013

I really liked Stargate SG1. I’ve picked up a few signatures from the show. This is one of the ones I still needed.  I thought Tony Amendola’s character was intriguing.  I’m a sucker for a mentor character. They may be cliché and overdone but Tony's character didn’t seem that way to me.

While we didn’t say much to each other, I was just happy to see him in person and tell him thanks and get him to sign.

AH

Kelly Hu Dallas ComicCon 2013

I really got this because she is a beautiful woman.  Now I see Kelly Hu on Warehouse 13 and he will be in the new TV series The 100. So I lucked out.

As I got to the front of the line, I told her I liked her ear rings.   She thanked me and told me there were clip ons.   That caused several people to turn their heads to listen.  She mentioned she never got her ears pierced.  (So big bag stunt women, kung fu fighter, tough gal is afraid to get her ears pierced?) When asked about the lack of selection of clip ons, she said that she just finds one she likes and then converts them to clip ons. Go figure.

Like most attractive actresses, she had several photos that were very reveling.  While I’m always tempted to get one signed, I always feel the wife’s breathe down the back of my neck (even when she isn’t there) asking why I bought the photo of a nearly naked woman.  

So I picked this one to get signed.  I liked it because at one time in my life, I could do a high kick (or ax kick or whatever your version of martial arts calls its) like this. Of course I wasn’t in high heels and I wasn’t as old she is now doing these kicks.  She laughed when I told her that.  She also told me to do yoga and I could get back that flexibility.  Then it was my turn to laugh and I said those days are long behind me.

 AH

John Noble and Jasika Nicole Dallas ComicCon 2013

This is the first time I got John Noble’s autograph.  It wasn’t the first time I bumped into him though. The first time was at SDCC and the wife and I were walking through the Hard Rock hotel. We were leaving and an elderly man was about to open the door and I stepped up and opened it for him. As he walked passed us, the wife and both turned to each other and mouthed something silly like: do you know who that was?

John Noble walked out to the crowd and started signing autographs.  I was surprised fans knew he was coming out that door at that time. It wasn’t a planned event.  I was unprepared and missed out on the opportunity.

Dallas ComicCon brought in both John Noble and Jasika Nichelle.  I picked up both autographs.  Both were friendly signers.

 AH