But that's not half bad really.
Started out with ComiCon, got to go with Devon on Friday. We had three comp passes for the weekend and both of us went on Friday, then I let him have the third pass for Saturday. Katie's brother Matthew volunteered for the weekend and got 8 comp passes for us. Katie took five for herself and I got three, and that's okay. She and Devon get a lot more out of it than I do these days.
It actually didn't start out very well, Devon lost his wallet on Thursday when he came to pick up his pass while I was at the fabric store. We were willing to give it a shot anyway for his sake. What we did is go to registration, I picked up my badge then explained the situation to the lady, she sent us to Badge Solutions and I vouched for his ID, we have the same last name and when he registered he used my address. That's all it took. Good thing I had my ID. We did the same thing for Saturday only I had to leave the building after making sure he got his badge.
It was an experience for sure. I didn't get to any panels other than a writing panel with Katie. Didn't spend any money inside the dealers room, I didn't get to see all of it. Almost bought a messenger bag with the Avengers symbol on it, but with limited funds, $35 was stopping me. Though it isn't a bad price really, just didn't think I needed a bag that badly.
Being older and less agile with more joint and feet issues, I had to call it quits earlier than previous years. Not to mention having to take public transportation there and back, added 45 minutes to my travel time.
Also didn't take a whole lot of photos inside, other than for ideas on projects. (I have some of my photos up on a facebook album already.)
So day 2, I hugged Devon in the registration area and made my way outside...down the very long stairs to the street level in front of the convention center.
There was more than enough things to experience and see outside for sure. (More photos on that too.) A pirate ship, a walk through display for Ender's Game, an eight foot tall robot, planet balloons waltzing down the street..oh yeah and religious protesters but we won't go there.
It really has taken over downtown for blocks in all directions. I swear I did more walking there than at Disneyland.
Which is Vacation Part 2.
Wonderful friend CJ paid for our way into Disneyland and CA Adventure, one day park hopper ticket. Since it was a Tuesday I suspect it was 'less' crowded than it could be in the middle of summer. The highlight of this trip (don't know if one is a highlight) CJ's brand new wheelchair had a faulty front wheel that started shredding after using it for only a few hours. We had to go back to the front of the park (we were in Tomorrowland), and rent a new one. It was only the second time they had used it and needless to say her and her husband (she called to tell him what happened), were a bit ticked off.
The true highlight, even after going to ComiCon and seeing everyone dressed up and all that hype, the former Innovation ride (Carousel of Progress for those of us that remember) is now a multi-level arcade using primarily wii and xbox kinect. The BIG thing though... was the Ironman display. Mark 42 (I think that's the right one) in a center spot with seven of the iterations of the suit ranged in an arc on a wall behind it, like it was 'last seen in Tony Stark's Malibu home' as described by the Jarvis recording. Needless to say, Katie and I got pictures of all of them. There was a game nearby where you could 'suit up' using kinect but we didn't want to stand in line for that.
The day wound down, as we got tired we decided that we would hit Indiana Jones and then another round on Pirates and then head for home. They changed the Indiana ride slightly at the end. He's hanging by a rope in front of the big boulder and usually says something like 'That was a close one' or something... they changed it to say 'Tourists, why did it have to be tourists.' That was good for a laugh.
Oh right! Katie somehow was very excited about the deluxe popcorn bucket in the form of R2D2. CJ indulged her and you'd think she was a ten year old again it was so adorable. So many shirts and other items we could have picked up, but of all the things that tickled her the most.
Okay so, I'll see about trying to load an album of photos to connect to here instead of people having to go to facebook and get them.
It's back to work and the grind, the long haul until Fall and the end of the year. I promised CJ that next year, barring any other incidents I would pay for year passes for me and Katie with my vacation/tax money.
(today's quote brought to you in a nod to SDCC)
"Americans will put up with anything provided it doesn't block traffic." - Dan Rather
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