I went to New York...and let my Geek flag fly!

In my life I have developed a taste for many things.  I enjoy a trip to Saks Fifth Avenue, I love my Chanel sunglasses, I am a MAC addict (thanks for that Kate Spears, you are my original pusher), and pretty much anything sparkly will grab my attention like a squirrel scenting a nut.  But underneath the blonde sparkly girly exterior lies a secret (my friends will say it isn’t that well hidden, but it tends to surprise strangers) I am a geek, a nerd, a mouth breather, whatever your term for it…I am.  I love comics, sci-fi, video games…let's face it I am a pair of high waters away from starring in a Revenge of the Nerds movie…I even snort when I laugh really hard.  Therefore imagine my dismay when I missed the opportunity to buy tickets to this year’s Comic-Con in San Diego.  It would have been my first.  Stan Lee (Creator of Spiderman, Ironman, Hulk, etc.) was there as was James Marsters (Spike from Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Barnabas Greeley from Caprica…two words “Spank Bank”) and TONS of other Geek gods from all forms of media.  I sat and pouted on the beach in San Diego that weekend, so close yet so far.  Then my AMAZING roommate gave me an excuse to be in New York City during New York’s Comic Con this past weekend.  So I got online and stated stalking.  My schedule dictated that I could only go on Sunday morning so I had to wait until James and Stan’s signing/photo schedules were posted, which didn’t happen until about 2 weeks out from the Con.  When I FINALLY saw that they would be available during my time, I was so excited…until I saw the prices.  Not only was it $40 to get a 1 day pass, but a photo with James was $60 and Stan was $40.  They also charged separate prices to sign autographs.  I almost cried.  So I said “Oh well, maybe next year in San Diego”. 

It was the train ride that made me change my mind.  Riding into the city from New Jersey was someone on their way to the Con.  I couldn’t do it, I couldn’t wait for another Con, this was it, my chance to meet (and touch) some of my idols.  I asked him how to get to the Javitts center and decided to leave it up to fate.  If there were tickets available it was meant to be.  Needless to say, IT WAS.  I bought my day pass, and forayed into my first Comic-Con.  It was AMAZING!  There was so much to see and do.  While it was crowded everyone was well behaved and orderly.  The staff was very helpful and answered all this Con Virgin’s questions and even escorted me to the correct booth for the Stan and James picture sessions.  Everywhere you looked was something cooler than before.  I got my picture with “Black Beauty” the car from the new Green Hornet movie. 

I met a kid dressed as Tony Stark (Ironman) with a costume that would make any electrical engineer proud. 

I even met Mr. McFeely from my childhood favorite show Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood.

SPEEDY DELIVERY

I only got to spend a few hours in mouth breather heaven, but it was enough to hook me.  Even though I went alone I was still part of a family.  Strangers helped me take pictures, and waiting on line was fun because everyone talks to everyone.  It is a HUGE shared experience and later that night when I passed someone in Times Square I had waited on line with, we waved and smiled at each other because we had been there.  Next time I will know to go to picture sessions first and leave someone waiting in the autograph line.  I will know to buy tickets online because they cost more at the door, I will know to bring water, and I will know to wear something that covers my arms because it is easier than cropping them out of pictures.  But it was worth every hour in the car and every dollar I didn’t really have, I will ALWAYS remember my first Comic-Con.  BAZINGA!-Lola (the Geek)



The Author and James Marsters




The Author and Stan Lee