First of all, I wasn't sure I was going to be able to go until Thursday afternoon. I was given the heads up that it was a possibility about 2 weeks ago, but I never thought I'd get that lucky.
    I've been wanting to go to Comic Con since High School, so 20 years now. Never made it. When I had time, I had no money. When I had money, no time. As it turns out, I had no money this time, but when a pass drops in your lap, you go.
    Maile had her pass lined up for about a month. I was pretty bummed that she was going without me, but what are you going to do. But it worked out, so I drove.
    We got up at 5am Friday, gassed up the van, grabbed some Jack in the Box and hit the road. Maile decided that we should park at Jack Murphy Stadium (now called Qualcomm for some reason) and take the train in. I highly recommend. the parking was free and shady, and the trolley afforded a nice view of San Diego.
    I should mention that Maile dressed up as a Gryffindor from Harry Potter, and it pleased her to no end that we were taking the train in. She kept talking about the Hogwarts Express and station nine and three quarters.
    We had a great moment on the train, while people watching. Obviously, most of the people on the train were headed to the Con. outside the window, we spotted some kids in strange costumes. They didn't make our train, so we didn't get a chance to ask them what the HELL they were wearing. One was dressed like a Japanese girl and another like Italy. I don't mean she was dressed Italian, I mean it looked like she was trying to BE Italy. A Personification. We debated it with the random people on the train with us. Then I rapped on the glass, getting the kids' attention. I held up my camera and they posed. The rest of the ride we tried to figure it out. I joked that there was probably a kid running around dressed as Germany and they were the Axis Kids...
    We met Atomic Steve in front of the Convention Hall, and I got my pass and we hit the floor. Atomic wanted to say hi to his friend Kelly, who is this year's Miss Horrorfest. We hung out there for a while, then wondered around. We met up with our friend Clair, who dressed as classic Princess Leia (White dress with hair buns). People were taking her picture all day. She never smiled for the photos "She never smiled in this dress." Crazy Claire.
    Around 11am, we got in line for the "The Big Bang Theory" panel discussion. It was the one of the 2 things Maile & I HAD to see, the other being the Dollhouse panel. They were both in the same room, 3 hours apart, so we camped.
    We waited in line for 2 hours, making friends with the people around us. Then it happened! The random Axis Kids walked by! I flagged them over to us. "What are you?" They laughed and explained that they were dressed as characters from an anime series called "Hetalia: Axis Powers",( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hetalia_Axis_Powers) in which all the characters are personifications of World War II Countries. WTF? I was RIGHT? There is nothing so strange that there isn't an Anime about it...
    We finally got into Ballroom 20 for the Big Bang panel. Awesome-sauce. They played a clip reel from the show before the panel, that brought down the house. After that, there was no question this showed belonged at Comic Con.
    The actors and creators were awesome. The panel was moderated by Mike Mingola, the creator of Hellboy. Apparently he is a big fan of the show. It was so obvious that they all love the show and enjoy each others company. At one point a fan asked Jim Parsons (Sheldon Cooper) to explain the game Rock-Paper-Scissors-Lizard-Spock, and he admitted that it was the hardest scene he had ever done in the show. I can only imagine!
    We didn't want to leave and get back in line for the Dollhouse panel, so we stayed all afternoon in Ballroom 20. I don't think we would have ever gotten back in otherwise.
    Next was the panel for '24'. In the 7 years the show has been on, I think I've seen an episode and a half. I love the concept of the show, it just never fit in my schedule. I thought it would at least be entertaining. It was rather dull, expect for the new cast members. Freddie Prince, jr. who had the funniest accidental moment of the night. He was talking about how he had always been a fan of the show. He said he remembered sitting back and watching season one with his wife... that was as far as he got before the audience exploded into applause. In case you didn't know, he is married to Sarah Michelle Geller, TV's Buffy the Vampire Slayer. He started laughing. "I forgot. She's kind of popular here."
    The other new cast member: Katee Sackhoff! Starbuck from the new Battlestar Galactica. Oh My God, she is gorgeous! She is hilarious, too. Everyone else on the panel was really dry, but she lit up the stage (can you tell I have a bit of a crush?).
    After 24 was the panel for Bones. We told ourselves, at least it will have David Boreanaz. No such luck, his wife is 36 weeks pregnant and he didn't want to leave town. The panel consisted of Emily Deschanel (the title character) and the creator of the show. And it was more entertaining that 24. The clip reel was GROSS! Maile couldn't even look at the screen.
    I should mention that between Big Bang and 24 we moved seats and met up with Maile's friend Lindsey. Lindsey sold Maile her extra ticket, and it turns out we know a lot of people in common, including Miracle from Dollhouse. She knew her in Junior High, while I met her at OCC.
    The Dollhouse panel was amazing. First of all, Joss Whedon just walked on stage, no lights fading, no introduction, no warning. The audience went nuts. Obviously.
    Joss introduced the "13th" episode of Dollhouse. We got to watch the entire thing, which is pretty awesome. It was obvious watching it that they never expected to get renewed for another season. It is a complete and total mindfuck. I won't spoil it, since it is going to be on the DVDs, but talk about a game changer.
    The panel consisted of Joss & Eliza. No moderator, just them talking about the show. The audience questions ran the gamut. From "Why do you kill all my favorite characters?" which I bet he gets ever year, to a little girl who started her question "This question is for Echo.." Eliza just melted. It was an awesome time.
    We finally got back to the floor about an hour before close. We all went our separate ways, so as not to waste each others time. I just kind of wandered. I saw a display of "The Tick" comic books and checked it out. While I was standing there a guy walked over and told me that one of the writers was there. Along with Ben Edlund. The creator of the Tick. Writer for Angel. Creator of Bad Horse. WHAT? I walked over.
    "Are you Ben Edlund?"
    "Yes"
    "I'm going to shake your hand. You are a messed up MoFo!"
    He laughed.
    "I appreciated that." Which we both said at pretty much the same time.
    I'm still kicking myself for not bringing my Tick comics for him to sign. In my defense, I had about 12 hours notice.
    I wandered some more. Spotted Lou Ferrigno. Saw some cool models. Then I found the Chessex Booth. All the dice in the world! Let's face it, I have more than enough dice, but this is my world. Then I found one I had to have. A big d-12 with hit locations instead of numbers. Moo-Wah-Ha! Maile bought it for me (since I is broke).
    We tracked down Atomic and I gave back the pass. Said hi to Skye and her son (It's always nice to be in a strange place and hear "JOE SMASH!").
    I finally made plans with my friends Joe & Rebecca (Whom I had been playing Text-Tag with all day). Maile, Claire & I walked a couple of blocks to a local pub and had dinner with Joe & Rebecca. The last time I'm SURE I saw them was at their wedding. In 2003.
    We hung out for an hour or two, catching up and getting to know each other. Everybody got along great. Finally, we said good night and walked back to the train.
    It had been a long, long day, but a memorable one. I definitely want to go next year. I hope I can.

PS. We spotted Lou Ferrigno on the street walking to the train. Too strange.

What is Muddvile? Muddvile is the new Late-night show at The Hunger Artists Theatre. A woman finds herself in a strange city populated by familiar characters.... AND MURDER!

What is Muddville? Muddville is a new late-night show at Hunger Artists Theater in Fullerton. Come discover more about the mystery... www.hungerartists.com

So, I hate Christmas.
Go ahead, boo.
Good.
Now, back to it. I'm just not into it. I used to be, and maybe I will be again someday, but not now.
So, I'm not doing it. No tree, no stockings, no music. None of it. This has not made me popular. Essentially, I don't want to be a hypocrite. I don't have kids, I don't go to Church, I don't see the point.
Please don't get me any gifts. You can send cards if you like, but don't expect any back.
Mostly I want to be left alone until New Years.

(The fact that I am organizing a bit for a Christmas Festival kind of amuses me)

I'll be spending Christmas Eve with family, but that's because my niece has me wrapped around her finger.
There. I've outed myself. I'm a Grinch.
Bah Humbug.

SMASH!

My birthday party was tonight. We gathered at Hooters and played with Legos and Play-Doh. I got to judge a building contest among my friends. It was like somebody turned back the clock on our 3 tables and we were all children again. Everybody got SO into it. Maile bought a big set of 500 generic pieces of various sizes and colors and we just let everybody go...
   Tomorrow night (when I have time) I'll be posting the pictures of the contest entries. Amazing. MaryAnne built an awesome boat. Atomic was building men with swords and shields. Darcy was creating entire scenes. And Lisa was being obscene.
   It was a good mix of old friends and new. Everyone had a great time, and I was lavished with attention by large-breasted women (Not to mention the Hooters Girls. HA!)
   I want to thank everybody who came and regressed to childhood for a couple of hours with me.
   I have a feeling some of you are going to be picking up some legos for yourselves...

Started a job today. Long term temp, data entry. It pays the bills. Not feeeling so good about myself, then I get an e-mail. A script I wrote has been selected for the "12 Plays of Christmas" Show at the OC Pavilion (I have no idea).
Details to follow (since I have none right now...)

SMASH!

Well folks,
    Tomorrow night is opening night for Jungle Book. My first play.
    It's completely unreal. There are actors, and costumes, and posters, and postcards and a set...
   I think they're really serious about doing this thing.
   I'll be at the theater tomorrow night with my Mom, my brother John and his 2 kids, Ryan & Ellie. They're my real audience. This show was written with kids in mind, but I wouldn't call it a "Kid's Show". It's an adventure story. Boy vs. Tiger. How awesome is that?
   If you're local, I hope you will come see the show. If you're local and one of my good friends, you BETTER come see the show.
   Good night for now, and see you soon...

Just got home from one of the craziest concerts I've been to in a good long while. Went to the Orange County Faire, saw the Pig Races, had some mediocre pizza and then went to Pacific Amphitheater.

First up, Orange County's own, The Vandals. I can't really say I've ever been a fan of this punk band, only being vaguely aware of their existence most of my life. But, two summers ago I saw them open up for Flogging Molly at the fair and really enjoyed them. I wish the feeling were mutual. They hated us (the audience). Everybody (those few of us who showed up at 7) stayed in their seats for pretty much the entire Vandals set. And the band was obviously taking it personal. Frankly, they were pretty Butt-Hurt about it. They did a great set, but the attitude was trying. They played some songs I didn't know (Vandal songs). I enjoyed "My Girlfriend's Dead". And "Oi to the World", but the covers were the real show-stealers. They performed "America, FUCK YEAH!" from Team America. They played that one last time and I freakin loved it. They closed with "Don't Stop Me Now" by Queen, a song that I love anyway. Overall, great show, but feel better guys…

Next was The Mighty Mighty BossTones. I liked these guys since my best friend Josh gave me a mix tape in 1993 with two song by them on it (the tape was entitled "Joe 93a: From Bad to Interesting" for you Joe Tape fans out there). Since then I have only picked up one of their older CDs "SKA, Core, the Devil & More". So, I was pretty thrilled when they opened with "Our Only Weapon", one of the 2 songs Josh sent me! Bad Ass! They tore it up on that stage. I only knew about a third of their set, but that was more than I expected. They pulled out the Bob Marley song "Simmer Down" which is off of the CD I have, and they played all their big hits. Strangely enough, Jimmy Kimmel came out and joined them in playing "Knock on Wood". Surreal, but nice.

I saw something during their set I'd never seen, even during my illustrious tenure as a concert security guard. There was a scuffle in the Mosh Pit, and when security went in to remove the offender, Dickie Barrett, BossTones' lead singer, stopped the show and insisted that they let the guy go. He personally vouched for the guy (who, of course, turned out to be a douchebag). I just found that very strange…

Anyway, the BossTones wrapped up their set and suddenly their banner dropped and there was another beneath it of Barack Obama that said "DREAM" across the bottom. It was unexpected and very powerful. Some people in the crowd cheered, while others booed. My guess is all those Oi! Boys who came to see The Vandals were horrified. I hate those guys (Side note: saw somebody at the show I wanted to pound; glad I wasn't drinking; He'd have deserved it, but still…)

Dropkick Murphys started their set in a strange way: with a Sinead O'Connor song echoing across a darkened stage. "The Foggy Dew" from the Cheiftans with Sinead on vocals. It was kind of eerie…

Then the Murphys tore onto stage and took over. Another band that I don't know many of their songs, but they played enough that I knew to make me happy. They played "Bastards on Parade" which I wasn't expecting. That song got me through some dark times, practically became an anthem of mine. "Try to see the young man, not the Monster you now see…

They also played "Black Velvet Band" (Tom's great comment: I can't believe I just headbanged to Black Velvet Band), "Fields of Atherny" and of course "Kiss Me, I'm Shitfaced".

I recognized some of the others. "Captain Kelly's Kitchen", "Shipping off to Boston", but plenty that I had never heard.

We had some kick ass seats. I ordered the tickets online the day it was announced and we were in section 3 Row C. The seats in front of up were plastic folding chairs. The problem was that we were, as TSwag described, the "Staging Ground" for everybody trying to sneak into the pit. And, BOY did they try. I have never seen so many drunk, belligerent, entitled people in one night before. They really felt that they DESERVED to be in the good seats. Jackasses.

Over all it was a great show. Everybody had a great time, and I wasn't forced to kill anybody. As Maile puts it: "Could you ask for anything more?"