con report: shore leave 31
Jul. 13th, 2009 11:20 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
amezriI'm leaving this as is now, but I think later on I'm going to back-date it so I'll actually be able to find it when I go looking for whatever reason. Sorry it's taken so long to post this stuff (if anyone cares?) - I've been really lazy and procrastinating like a mo-fo.
Shore Leave 31: July 10-12, 2009
Back to the old Hunt Valley Marriott, but we were staying at the Courtyard Marriott down the road. It did help that I had Agathon with me so I could type up my con report at the con and then send myself an HTML file. As such, some of this report is written in present tense. Can't be bothered to correct it that much. I did have internet and could probably have even posted entries daily. May try that out for DragonCon.
Friday, July 10
Left home at 7:30a. Got to![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
smashedrecords' to pick her up, but then had to go home as I forgot the artwork I wanted to enter in the show. Meh.
Arrived at Courtyard Marriott at 2:30p. Good room, though not at the con hotel. Changed into doll & handler outfits -smashedrecords' doll name was Bravo. Got badges and registered pieces in art show. Wandered and saw actors already signing.
Miracle Laurie was totally adorable andsmashedrecords chatted fangirled with her. It was pretty adorable to watch! Miracle asked if I just came from work and smashedrecords told her we were a doll & handler. She was shocked and amused and took a couple photos with her iPhone. I let her pick from 3 prints and she asked how I made them and what photos went into Blackened Heart. She asked which was my favorite and I said Prospective, so she picked that one! Got a photo signed. She was really awesome. Told us Mellie would be back next season.
Saw Christopher Heyerdahl next. Gave him a print of Paleo. He said Sanctuary has a new DP and that the show looks like a graphic novel. I'm.. not really sure I can visualize it? But he was really nice to talk with and he was really excited about the show.
Encouragedsmashedrecords to get something signed by Miracle. Very cute. We wanted a photo but she couldn't until after her photo session, so she asked us to come back tomorrow.
Hit the dealer's room. Didn't see much I wanted, even at Ken's booth. Got two 8x10s to be signed and two SGA double-sided gate keychains, one forarysani (uh, which I still need to mail). Got two pairs of chainmail earrings for crushw_eyeliner.
Waited outside the bar for Romel. Adam showed up and we chatted for a bit. Headed out to eat - went to Chipotle's with Romel. Changed into Jubilee costume.smashedrecords went with Punk Potter and Romel was the Tenth Doctor.
Met up with Alex & Paula at the hotel bar. Bar shenanigans ensued! Good times.
Bed at midnight. Romel used his phone as a wifi router so I could check emails.
Saturday, July 11
smashedrecords' not feeling well. Her sore throat got worse :( I got dressed in Roswell uniform & headed to the photo op line. Blarghy. Not good. Romel was headed out to a wedding later in the day, but would bring smashedrecords to the con hotel later.
At photo line. Don't know if they even started yet? Meh. Guy I'm behind is telling bad Trek jokes and smells like cheese funk. Three people in line recognized the costume I was wearing and said I should enter masquerade. Meh. Photo line is long. Today's schedule: Miracle Q&A at noon; Jason & Rachael q&a at 4p; Autos at 5p. Not taking a lot of pics this year. Weird.
First thing I noticed: Chris Heyerdahl and Jason Momoa are really, really, really tall. Of course, I'm pretty short. So I was thinking that would be a really weird picture. Chris remembered seeing me (I think?) because he greeted me with a "hi, how are you today?" - which could just be his way, but I'll pretend not. He was kind enough to crouch down a little so I wasn't dwarfed and the photo looks awesome!
After the photo op, I wandered around and talked to DeryniLord at the SG-SOCOM table and got my pic taken with the new SGA gate USS Sovereign made. Ran in tosmashedrecords & Romel on the way through. Actually, I think Chris Heyerdahl was walking behind her and asked her about her costume so she was explaining that when I walked over. He also thanked me for the artwork I gave him yesterday so i mentioned that I had a few pieces in the art show.
We took a bunch of photos in the hotel diner, which was a perfect setup for our Roswell costumes! So fun!
Went to the car before going to Miracle Laurie's q&a. Miracle was way cute. We talked to her at her table before she went in and she asked what she should talk about. We didn't really know and suggested she could just do a bit of an introduction and then open the floor to questions. I told her I added her on twitter and asked if it was really her - she confirmed it was.
At her talk, she started with a bio and then went to questions - like we suggested! :D A couple times she pointed at me &smashedrecords and talked about how we showed up in handler/trainer costume and then how she saw me on twitter. I asked a question for smashedrecords since she'd lost her voice by then - she wanted to know what Miracle wore to her audition. I don't remember what the answer was. D:
Ran into Nate, but didn't really stop to chat. I think he and his friends were signing up for Masquerade?smashedrecords and I sort of chickened out on that this year due to general argh from both of us. There were lots of people taking pictures of us, though! So that was fun.
We both needed some food, so we wandered into the bar. Made some new friends while we waited for chicken. Waitress forgot to charge us for food and only charged drinks, so I gave her a big tip.
smashedrecords and I got a pic with Miracle. While I did snipe a few candids, she sort of asked us not to post them, so, I won't.
Rachel Luttrell was signing and I got in line to give her copy of Module. She said she remembered the artwork and was really nice about it. Uh. didn't have anything else to say really. I ran away from the table since I wasn't going to get anything signed until her official signing later.
Waited for Jason & Rachel's Q&A. Talked to Miracle again and told her we weren't stalking her - because, seriously, we were always walking past her table.
Rachel Luttrell and Jason Momoa are so fun! Jason talks trash about everyone! Like, how he got Hewlett to shut up by asking why is it that the fat guys are funny [apparently Flanigan burst out laughing at that]. Then someone asked about Joe's gayness (uh, wtf?) and he said he's a switch hitter, that he has soft hands and it gets cold at night.... and Rachel just looked way embarrassed. The both talked about their kids. Jason was nursing a beer before someone took it away and he stood and shouted that he wasn't even drunk! After that, he drank out of a water pitcher. At some point, Christopher Heyerdahl snuck in to watch them.
After the Q&A, I got in line for signing. Line so long! But moving at least. Dude in line asked me what nationality I was and started talking in Mandarin. Blah. I am not here for your linguistic amusement, buddy. Seriously, why do people do that? On the plus side, his pronunciation wasn't awful.
Decided to give Jason a copy of Atropos II. I meant to ask about DragonCon and the SciFiHero dinner, but sort of forgot. I ended up giving Jason a copy of Atene too. I said I sent artwork and he said he never got it. So I gave him a small print. While he was just quickly scrawling his signature, he did take the time to look at both pieces and say that he liked Atene the best.
Rachel's line was long! Finally got to her and had her sign an 8x10 while saying that it's good she got her artwork because Jason didn't get his. She said that of course he did, he just didn't remember. I don't know if it's true, but it was funny how she said it like she didn't want me to think they didn't get their mail. I told her I knew Rainbow got his because he saw me with prints at DragonCon and he remembered them even though he was tipsy.She headdesked for real!
Chatted with Emerald. Met up withsmashedreocrds at the vendor who sells pin and he had given her a free alien pin. Dude never gives any good deals and he gave her a pin for free! Jealous, kinda. ;) I want one for my costume! Oh well. Headed to the other hotel and changed to chick SG-1 gear. We were going to eat, but the Masquerade was starting soon. Line for Masquerade was long!! We've been told all day we should be in it and didn't feel like it. Ooops. Probably should have. Lots of people here watching. Amount of people in it to be seen.....
Masquerade only had 19 entries. It went pretty quick and I was generally underwhelmed, though the skit with the Weeping Angels was great.smashedrecords & I bailed and went to the towne center for food. Ended up at Noodles & Company. The manager was excited to see us in our Stargate costumes. I told him he should check out the convention on Sunday & that there was an Atlantis gate there. Gave him my card & told him to check out ScifiHero. He said he could arrange a tasting for our group. Heh!
After dinner, we went back and sat at the bar for awhile. Nothing too exciting. Headed to Ten Forward... but sat outside and talked a bit. Romel came back from the wedding his was attending and ended up being drunk!Doctor from GitF. SO AWESOME. Heard speak of PII debacle. Got flak for not entering costume contest. WTFery! D: Finally went in to Ten Forward to dance when DJ played some techno and danceable rock. Alex didn't get how someone could dance to AC/DC's Back in Black. I illustrated. Daisy (a con worker I've met before in the photo op lines) was able to quote lines when she saw Romel in costume. Awesome.
Went back to hotel about 2:30a. I drove Romel back as I felt he was too drunk to drive.
Sunday, July 12
Up and out of room by 11a. I headed to the dealer's room and got a Caprica Six and a Vamp Willow for a great deal. Ken is awesome. Found a Callisto fig for $10 and had to have it.
Went downstairs to tell Miracle about AmieStreet & to say goodbye. Ran over to Derynilord at SG-SOCOM table first. Miracle was running off to her Q&A. She asked wheresmashedrecords was and if she didn't want to say goodbye. I said she was having coffee w/friends and I was just picking up artwork. She gave me a hug. Srsly, I love Miracle. She is the nicest evar!
Picked up my artwork from the gallery; none sold. Atropos II did win second place in the Digital category, so that's something?smashedrecords tells me later she bets I'd sell stuff if I just slapped an Enterprise on it somewhere. Meh. Headed to cafe to meet Paul, smashedrecords, and Romel. Tried my hardest to sell either of them some artwork, but no go. Put stuff in car. Wandered dealer's room again. I got two SG-1 keychains from pin guy. Somehow lost the gang and went downstairs to wait. smashedrecords caught up with me and then she went to say bye to Miracle.
Bid Paul farewell and did a circuit but couldn't find Romel and I was antsy to leave.
Three rest stops on the way back. Popeye's has good chicken. Trader Joe's is full of win. Nine hours to get home. DONE.
Other links:
+ all my Shore Leave 31 photos
+ twitter posts: friday, saturday, sunday
Shore Leave 31: July 10-12, 2009
Back to the old Hunt Valley Marriott, but we were staying at the Courtyard Marriott down the road. It did help that I had Agathon with me so I could type up my con report at the con and then send myself an HTML file. As such, some of this report is written in present tense. Can't be bothered to correct it that much. I did have internet and could probably have even posted entries daily. May try that out for DragonCon.
Friday, July 10
Left home at 7:30a. Got to
smashedrecords' to pick her up, but then had to go home as I forgot the artwork I wanted to enter in the show. Meh.Arrived at Courtyard Marriott at 2:30p. Good room, though not at the con hotel. Changed into doll & handler outfits -
smashedrecords' doll name was Bravo. Got badges and registered pieces in art show. Wandered and saw actors already signing. Miracle Laurie was totally adorable and
smashedrecords chatted smashedrecords told her we were a doll & handler. She was shocked and amused and took a couple photos with her iPhone. I let her pick from 3 prints and she asked how I made them and what photos went into Blackened Heart. She asked which was my favorite and I said Prospective, so she picked that one! Got a photo signed. She was really awesome. Told us Mellie would be back next season.Saw Christopher Heyerdahl next. Gave him a print of Paleo. He said Sanctuary has a new DP and that the show looks like a graphic novel. I'm.. not really sure I can visualize it? But he was really nice to talk with and he was really excited about the show.
Encouraged
smashedrecords to get something signed by Miracle. Very cute. We wanted a photo but she couldn't until after her photo session, so she asked us to come back tomorrow.Hit the dealer's room. Didn't see much I wanted, even at Ken's booth. Got two 8x10s to be signed and two SGA double-sided gate keychains, one for
arysani (uh, which I still need to mail). Got two pairs of chainmail earrings for crushw_eyeliner.Waited outside the bar for Romel. Adam showed up and we chatted for a bit. Headed out to eat - went to Chipotle's with Romel. Changed into Jubilee costume.
smashedrecords went with Punk Potter and Romel was the Tenth Doctor.Met up with Alex & Paula at the hotel bar. Bar shenanigans ensued! Good times.
Bed at midnight. Romel used his phone as a wifi router so I could check emails.
Saturday, July 11
smashedrecords' not feeling well. Her sore throat got worse :( I got dressed in Roswell uniform & headed to the photo op line. Blarghy. Not good. Romel was headed out to a wedding later in the day, but would bring smashedrecords to the con hotel later.At photo line. Don't know if they even started yet? Meh. Guy I'm behind is telling bad Trek jokes and smells like cheese funk. Three people in line recognized the costume I was wearing and said I should enter masquerade. Meh. Photo line is long. Today's schedule: Miracle Q&A at noon; Jason & Rachael q&a at 4p; Autos at 5p. Not taking a lot of pics this year. Weird.
First thing I noticed: Chris Heyerdahl and Jason Momoa are really, really, really tall. Of course, I'm pretty short. So I was thinking that would be a really weird picture. Chris remembered seeing me (I think?) because he greeted me with a "hi, how are you today?" - which could just be his way, but I'll pretend not. He was kind enough to crouch down a little so I wasn't dwarfed and the photo looks awesome!
After the photo op, I wandered around and talked to DeryniLord at the SG-SOCOM table and got my pic taken with the new SGA gate USS Sovereign made. Ran in to
smashedrecords & Romel on the way through. Actually, I think Chris Heyerdahl was walking behind her and asked her about her costume so she was explaining that when I walked over. He also thanked me for the artwork I gave him yesterday so i mentioned that I had a few pieces in the art show.We took a bunch of photos in the hotel diner, which was a perfect setup for our Roswell costumes! So fun!
Went to the car before going to Miracle Laurie's q&a. Miracle was way cute. We talked to her at her table before she went in and she asked what she should talk about. We didn't really know and suggested she could just do a bit of an introduction and then open the floor to questions. I told her I added her on twitter and asked if it was really her - she confirmed it was.
At her talk, she started with a bio and then went to questions - like we suggested! :D A couple times she pointed at me &
smashedrecords and talked about how we showed up in handler/trainer costume and then how she saw me on twitter. I asked a question for smashedrecords since she'd lost her voice by then - she wanted to know what Miracle wore to her audition. I don't remember what the answer was. D:Ran into Nate, but didn't really stop to chat. I think he and his friends were signing up for Masquerade?
smashedrecords and I sort of chickened out on that this year due to general argh from both of us. There were lots of people taking pictures of us, though! So that was fun.We both needed some food, so we wandered into the bar. Made some new friends while we waited for chicken. Waitress forgot to charge us for food and only charged drinks, so I gave her a big tip.
smashedrecords and I got a pic with Miracle. While I did snipe a few candids, she sort of asked us not to post them, so, I won't.Rachel Luttrell was signing and I got in line to give her copy of Module. She said she remembered the artwork and was really nice about it. Uh. didn't have anything else to say really. I ran away from the table since I wasn't going to get anything signed until her official signing later.
Waited for Jason & Rachel's Q&A. Talked to Miracle again and told her we weren't stalking her - because, seriously, we were always walking past her table.
Rachel Luttrell and Jason Momoa are so fun! Jason talks trash about everyone! Like, how he got Hewlett to shut up by asking why is it that the fat guys are funny [apparently Flanigan burst out laughing at that]. Then someone asked about Joe's gayness (uh, wtf?) and he said he's a switch hitter, that he has soft hands and it gets cold at night.... and Rachel just looked way embarrassed. The both talked about their kids. Jason was nursing a beer before someone took it away and he stood and shouted that he wasn't even drunk! After that, he drank out of a water pitcher. At some point, Christopher Heyerdahl snuck in to watch them.
After the Q&A, I got in line for signing. Line so long! But moving at least. Dude in line asked me what nationality I was and started talking in Mandarin. Blah. I am not here for your linguistic amusement, buddy. Seriously, why do people do that? On the plus side, his pronunciation wasn't awful.
Decided to give Jason a copy of Atropos II. I meant to ask about DragonCon and the SciFiHero dinner, but sort of forgot. I ended up giving Jason a copy of Atene too. I said I sent artwork and he said he never got it. So I gave him a small print. While he was just quickly scrawling his signature, he did take the time to look at both pieces and say that he liked Atene the best.
Rachel's line was long! Finally got to her and had her sign an 8x10 while saying that it's good she got her artwork because Jason didn't get his. She said that of course he did, he just didn't remember. I don't know if it's true, but it was funny how she said it like she didn't want me to think they didn't get their mail. I told her I knew Rainbow got his because he saw me with prints at DragonCon and he remembered them even though he was tipsy.She headdesked for real!
Chatted with Emerald. Met up with
smashedreocrds at the vendor who sells pin and he had given her a free alien pin. Dude never gives any good deals and he gave her a pin for free! Jealous, kinda. ;) I want one for my costume! Oh well. Headed to the other hotel and changed to chick SG-1 gear. We were going to eat, but the Masquerade was starting soon. Line for Masquerade was long!! We've been told all day we should be in it and didn't feel like it. Ooops. Probably should have. Lots of people here watching. Amount of people in it to be seen.....Masquerade only had 19 entries. It went pretty quick and I was generally underwhelmed, though the skit with the Weeping Angels was great.
smashedrecords & I bailed and went to the towne center for food. Ended up at Noodles & Company. The manager was excited to see us in our Stargate costumes. I told him he should check out the convention on Sunday & that there was an Atlantis gate there. Gave him my card & told him to check out ScifiHero. He said he could arrange a tasting for our group. Heh!After dinner, we went back and sat at the bar for awhile. Nothing too exciting. Headed to Ten Forward... but sat outside and talked a bit. Romel came back from the wedding his was attending and ended up being drunk!Doctor from GitF. SO AWESOME. Heard speak of PII debacle. Got flak for not entering costume contest. WTFery! D: Finally went in to Ten Forward to dance when DJ played some techno and danceable rock. Alex didn't get how someone could dance to AC/DC's Back in Black. I illustrated. Daisy (a con worker I've met before in the photo op lines) was able to quote lines when she saw Romel in costume. Awesome.
Went back to hotel about 2:30a. I drove Romel back as I felt he was too drunk to drive.
Sunday, July 12
Up and out of room by 11a. I headed to the dealer's room and got a Caprica Six and a Vamp Willow for a great deal. Ken is awesome. Found a Callisto fig for $10 and had to have it.
Went downstairs to tell Miracle about AmieStreet & to say goodbye. Ran over to Derynilord at SG-SOCOM table first. Miracle was running off to her Q&A. She asked where
smashedrecords was and if she didn't want to say goodbye. I said she was having coffee w/friends and I was just picking up artwork. She gave me a hug. Srsly, I love Miracle. She is the nicest evar!Picked up my artwork from the gallery; none sold. Atropos II did win second place in the Digital category, so that's something?
smashedrecords tells me later she bets I'd sell stuff if I just slapped an Enterprise on it somewhere. Meh. Headed to cafe to meet Paul, smashedrecords, and Romel. Tried my hardest to sell either of them some artwork, but no go. Put stuff in car. Wandered dealer's room again. I got two SG-1 keychains from pin guy. Somehow lost the gang and went downstairs to wait. smashedrecords caught up with me and then she went to say bye to Miracle.Bid Paul farewell and did a circuit but couldn't find Romel and I was antsy to leave.
Three rest stops on the way back. Popeye's has good chicken. Trader Joe's is full of win. Nine hours to get home. DONE.
Other links:
+ all my Shore Leave 31 photos
+ twitter posts: friday, saturday, sunday
no subject
Date: 2009-08-25 08:06 pm (UTC)ETA: Also, sounds like you had a heck of a lot of fun. I've never seen any Stargate people at cons before and while I was probably wanting autographs from a few of them I wasn't sure if I wanted to brave the crowds to sit through any panels.
no subject
Date: 2009-08-26 03:22 am (UTC)I don't know if I will fight the crowds at DCon to get into the panels. Last year I just avoided them all except a couple ones early on Friday and any Stargate Multiverse ones. Speaking of, if you see me manning the ScifiHero table (which I will be) be sure to say hi!
no subject
Date: 2009-08-26 05:23 pm (UTC)ETA: And got so caught up in what I was thinking about it being far past time to set up a motel reservation that I forgot the other point about me driving down Thursday and being there Friday. So, I like the suggestion that I might get to see some good stuff on Friday that'll be less packed than on Saturday or Sunday. (Assuming they don't involve guests who won't be there till Saturday, that is.)