DragonCON ~ Saturday

Saturday is pretty much a blur. I missed the parade due to exhaustion, but the boys got to see it. I took the boys to eat and we walked around. They didn't find anything they wanted to do. There needs to be more kids programming for older kids. They did get to see a wrestling match where one of the wrestlers picked other one up, held him high and threw him into a wall by the door, taking the wall out. They sent the scary hotel security guy to check things out. Zane loved it and didn't want to leave, but Donald was bored. I wanted to take them to other things, but my legs were just not up to it. I think next year I may need to get a hoverround.

Michelle and I met up with Dana Snyder and crew Saturday night at a film festival. They couldn't leave until 3am, so we went upstairs to the green room party. Nathan Fillion showed up and I introduced myself and told him how much I enjoyed Sliver. I then asked a really stupid question and stumped him completely regarding who sang the song at the end of the movie. Davey and I tried to get Michelle to talk to him, but she was too nervous. I'll talk to anyone. They are people too. And if you are at the same party, it puts you on the same playing field. I also met some other really cool and interesting people. We discussed art, science, and just life in general. Davey wasn't drinking because he was driving, but Michelle was drinking and giving him a hard time about his being sober. We ended up chasing Michelle all over the lobby of the Hyatt taking pictures as you can see if you look through the posts. Michelle was really disappointed because her idol Kevin Sorbo didn't show up to the party. She wanted to get a picture of them arm wrestling. There's always next year.

DragonCON 2008 ~ Friday

Well, we left early, but due to the horrendous construction in downtown Atlanta, I had to take an alternate route. It took us two hours to get there. I was standing in front of the hotel unloading when I realized that about a foot away and looking expectantly at me was Lance Hendrickson (Bishop from Aliens). A DragonCON staffer asked me, "Are You Christine?" Only having eyes for one of my favorite actors of all time, I said, "Hi, Lance. How are you?" I think he answered, "Just fine." The staffer then asked me if I was Christine again and I had to answer no. Apparently they were looking for the person who was supposed to drive Lance. If I didn't have the kids with me, I would have said, "No, but do you need a ride?"

I met him later at the Walk of Fame. We actually know someone in common. Chris Ellis who played the Coroner in Millenium is an old family friend. Lance is a fan of Memphis. He gave me a free autograph. He seemed so calm and pleasant. I really don't see how they do it, being shuffled around constantly and having to sign autographs for hours on end.

So, I dropped my luggage off and then dropped my kids off in the computer gaming area. My husband is Don Stauffer, Director of Computer Gaming for the con. Then I had to hustle over to the Hyatt to get my badge. It was hot and I'm on the South Beach Diet which seems to have upped my metabolism, so I was sweating horribly. My panel was at 2:30 and I made it with five minutes to swear, but I looked awful. My face was red and my hair was wet.

The panel was Vampires, Ghosts, & Other Supernatural Beings. I shared the panel with Christina Barber, but I can't recall who else at this time. They made a major change in the way they categorized everything and now I'm on the Dark Fantasy: Horror track. I'm not sure I like the changes. It seems there are way too many sub categories within the tracks. Why can't we just have a Horror track. What is this Dark Fantasy?

After my panel, I went and picked up my luggage from the bell captain and dropped it off in the room and I did something with the kids until later, but I can't remember what. They were bored the entire time apparently. I gave them the schedule and told them to pick out things to do and they couldn't find anything.

My room was in the Hilton, but all the writing stuff is in the Hyatt, two hotels away. Needs to say my legs and feet were killing me. I have fibromyalgia, so what makes someone else very sore, cripples me. I'm going to work hard this year to try to regain muscle strength and lose weight. I don't want to be in a wheelchair next year.

Michelle met up with me and we went to dinner and then on the way back to the room, we met Dana Snyder, aka Master Shake from Aqua Teen Hunger Force. Once of nicest and funniest guys on the planet. He and Michelle clowned around. We also met some of the Game Stop Entertainment Staff, several who'd come all the way from Ireland (Brian and Aaron). These were really nice guys who made us feel very welcome. We had a great time, although someone called security on us because Brian's deep voice carries too easily even when he speaks normally.

I guess you can say the party was successful if Security shows up. We ended up going to bed around 4am, but I couldn't sleep because of my legs hurting. I took a hot bath and took a muscle relaxer and a hydrocodone and finally fell asleep around 6am. All and all it was a great day, except for the fact that I missed Dr. Horrible's Sing-a-long Blog because I didn't feel up to walking to the Sheraton.

DragonCON 2008 ~ Donald

My son Donald the next morning after he fell asleep wearing eyeliner he'd used to draw on his face.

DragonCON 2008 ~ Zombie Love

This guy's costume was excellent. He was quite cute on the side that was blown away.

DragonCON 2008 ~ Michelle & Scary Clown

Michelle the Scream Queen. Oh, her tongue is orange because of the Sparks drink she was drinking. It was a caffienated malt beverage and had her running around like a tipsy Energizer Bunny.

Michelle & Atlanta's Finest

Michelle and Atlanta's Finest. They were very nice.

DragonCON 2008 ~ Michelle & Elvira

Michelle and Elvira: Mistress of the Dark. I really like this picture.

DragonCON 2008 ~ Naked Cowboy

Yeah...um...'nuff said.

DragonCON 2008 ~ The Tick

Michelle swoons as she is saved by The Tick! This guy was really nice, handsome, and built like a Mack Truck.

DragonCON 2008 ~ Davey Beauchamp

Michelle braided Davey's hair, much to our amusement.

DragonCON ~ 2008 Predator Purse Snatcher

The scary Predator wanted Michelle's purse. She won in the end with her cuteness.

DragonCON ~ Aaron Poole

This handsome guy is Aaron Poole. He wasn't on the list of guests, but he came all the way from Ireland to be at DragonCON and worked with Ken Plume and Quick Stop Entertainment. They had a panel with Dana Snyder aka Master Shake Friday afternoon. I couldn't attend because it was at the same time as my panel. Michelle didn't know anyone her own age and he was nice enough to hang out with us. I really hope he comes back next year and as a guest. He deserves it.

DragonCON 2008 ~ Dana Snyder

My daughter Michelle seeing through the eyes of Dana Snyder. It was hilarious watching these two clown around together.

DragonCON 2008 ~ Dana Snyder

Friday night Michelle and I ran into Dana Snyder aka Master Shake from Aqua Teen Hunger Force in the Hilton's bar. Dana is one of the nicest people and fun to be around. We didn't get to see him much because he was so busy. You should have seen the lines of people in the Walk of Fame who wanted to get his autograph. I guess I should have asked him for one while we were hanging out, but we were having so much fun that it didn't occur to me.

For that night, it didn't seem like we were at one of the largest con's in the country. It was like we'd met an old friend and were just having a blast together.

DragonCON 2008 - Michelle

This is my daughter Michelle. She is 22 and can't resist the cute & fluffy Ewok.

DragonCON

Well, my pretties. I know I haven't posted here in a long time, but now I have Picasa and it makes it easier for me to add photos to my blog. You should be hearing more from me. I've been really busy with three boys in three different schools this year. That and the fibromyalgia. It's been a tough year.

I finally got around to uploading my photos from HyperiCON from May and thought I'd share some of them with you. Feel free to post comments.

I'm leaving either tonight or early in the morning for DragonCON. I have a 2:30 panel tomorrow called: Vampires, Ghosts, & Other Supernatural Beings. I have no idea who else is on the panel, but it should be interesting. It will probably have Laurell K. Hamilton on it and Sherrilyn McKenyon since that topic is right up their alleys. It's the only panel I have, which will leave me free to do whatever. Mainly drag two little boys around and take lots and lots of pictures.

I'll post the pictures when I get back. Right now I have to go pick up my eldest son from band practice and then set about finding the battery charger for my camera.

Be back soon,

Toni