Here's something you might be interested in.
So I return to this geek fest the following day. I wanted to meet Tori Amos, a singer/pianist that I love.
I couldn't believe people were paying $175 for her leather bound book called "Comic Book Tattoo." I bought the $30 one.
They said the first 200 people to buy books would get to meet her. I was one of them. As we waited in line, they checked to make sure we had our proper verification. It amazed me and the guy behind me, the few people that got kicked out of line after waiting half an hour. Did they think they'd just get to meet her without having gone thru all the hoops?
One of her people was telling us that she wasn't doing photos. The crowd was upset. I was happy. You see, when photos are done, it adds hours to everything. Because, each person in line has to walk around the table, kneel down next to her, smile, and then explain to their friend how their camera or cell phone camera works. The flash doesn't go off. They try again. And, it's a big production. And really, having a photo with someone is kind of lame.
My friends dad used to be the head man for the Harbor Police. He has his photo shaking each Presidents hand. It looks impressive in his office. But he'll laugh and tell you, they have all the officers in a room, and the President walks down, shakes your hand, a photo is quickly snapped, and he moves on.
As we waited in line, some wrestler named Mick Foley came over. His nickname is "Mankind." He didn't look to me like he could be a wrestler. He was only around six feet tall. And, he talked with her for about 10 minutes, while we all stood around waiting for our books to be signed. I finally said, "Okay Mick, let's get a move on." Tori's people looked at me like I was a jerk. But hey...she could sign books while she talks with this neanderthal.
As you got closer to the table, one of her people said "Only one item per person." Most people had CDs for her to sign. One had the beautiful box set she put out years ago, which has real piano keys all over it. She usually signed multiple items for people.
I had her sign my book, and I mentioned something about the CD "Beekeeper". She thanked me, and I moved on.
The whole experience took a lot longer than it should've. And, it wasn't all that satisfying.
I did see one woman crying who had met her. It obviously meant a lot more to her.
I walked around to see if there were any other interesting celebrities in the autograph area. It were a lot that were there the previous days.
In years past, they had Elvira. She wasn't here this time. Last year, I was excited to meet the guy that does Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, who I think is really funny. People would ask the dog to insult them, and they didn't realize what they were asking. He would go on and on about how nerdy they were, and he'd make fun of comic con, their glasses, appearance, until the person had a look in their face like they wished they had never asked for that.
I asked the guy...I think his name is Robert Smigel, if his dog puppet was getting smelly. It was about 95 degrees in that area, and he had to keep putting it on his hand for photos. He laughed, smelled it, and said "Yeah, it smells like a real dogs ass probably does."
Robert was here the day before, but I think he was promoting the cartoons he does for Saturday Night Live called "TV Funhouse."
I got a call from a few friends that were having lunch in the Gaslamp. A perfect excuse to head out of the packed convention center.
So I return to this geek fest the following day. I wanted to meet Tori Amos, a singer/pianist that I love.
I couldn't believe people were paying $175 for her leather bound book called "Comic Book Tattoo." I bought the $30 one.
They said the first 200 people to buy books would get to meet her. I was one of them. As we waited in line, they checked to make sure we had our proper verification. It amazed me and the guy behind me, the few people that got kicked out of line after waiting half an hour. Did they think they'd just get to meet her without having gone thru all the hoops?
One of her people was telling us that she wasn't doing photos. The crowd was upset. I was happy. You see, when photos are done, it adds hours to everything. Because, each person in line has to walk around the table, kneel down next to her, smile, and then explain to their friend how their camera or cell phone camera works. The flash doesn't go off. They try again. And, it's a big production. And really, having a photo with someone is kind of lame.
My friends dad used to be the head man for the Harbor Police. He has his photo shaking each Presidents hand. It looks impressive in his office. But he'll laugh and tell you, they have all the officers in a room, and the President walks down, shakes your hand, a photo is quickly snapped, and he moves on.
As we waited in line, some wrestler named Mick Foley came over. His nickname is "Mankind." He didn't look to me like he could be a wrestler. He was only around six feet tall. And, he talked with her for about 10 minutes, while we all stood around waiting for our books to be signed. I finally said, "Okay Mick, let's get a move on." Tori's people looked at me like I was a jerk. But hey...she could sign books while she talks with this neanderthal.
As you got closer to the table, one of her people said "Only one item per person." Most people had CDs for her to sign. One had the beautiful box set she put out years ago, which has real piano keys all over it. She usually signed multiple items for people.
I had her sign my book, and I mentioned something about the CD "Beekeeper". She thanked me, and I moved on.
The whole experience took a lot longer than it should've. And, it wasn't all that satisfying.
I did see one woman crying who had met her. It obviously meant a lot more to her.
I walked around to see if there were any other interesting celebrities in the autograph area. It were a lot that were there the previous days.
In years past, they had Elvira. She wasn't here this time. Last year, I was excited to meet the guy that does Triumph the Insult Comic Dog, who I think is really funny. People would ask the dog to insult them, and they didn't realize what they were asking. He would go on and on about how nerdy they were, and he'd make fun of comic con, their glasses, appearance, until the person had a look in their face like they wished they had never asked for that.
I asked the guy...I think his name is Robert Smigel, if his dog puppet was getting smelly. It was about 95 degrees in that area, and he had to keep putting it on his hand for photos. He laughed, smelled it, and said "Yeah, it smells like a real dogs ass probably does."
Robert was here the day before, but I think he was promoting the cartoons he does for Saturday Night Live called "TV Funhouse."
I got a call from a few friends that were having lunch in the Gaslamp. A perfect excuse to head out of the packed convention center.