C2E2

by Darth Danno
on 2013-05-01, 12:46:10

Got up shortly after 6 am as I had a lot of stuff to do before heading downtown. Had some cereal for breakfast, then grabbed everything I wanted to get signed and headed out. First stop was the bank, to get some much needed $$$. Problem was, payday wasn't until yesterday and I still hadn't received my check from being an election judge or my tax refund. I already had $60, so I took out an additional $80 and hoped that would be enough. Next stop was a nearby mailbox to post some bills, then my fuel light came on, so I had to stop and fill up my tank somewhat, otherwise this would be a VERY short trip.

I was going with my good friend Joe and his teenage daughter Kelsey. I got to their place around 8:30, we piled into his car and headed for McCormick Place. Got down there after nine, parked, then walked to the holding area where everyone was waiting to get in.

Once the doors opened, I headed immediately to the Blick Art Materials booth where J. Anthony Kosar was to be signing. I talked to him awhile, telling him I'd be seeing him this weekend as I was enrolled in his “Extreme Face Painting” class on Sat and Sun. Got an 8 x 10 signed along with a comic book he had designed one of the characters for, then headed off to the autograph area. 

While Joe and Kelsey got in line for Peter Davison (Kelsey is a huge “Dr. Who” fan). I got in line for Chad Coleman as his line was the shortest of those I wanted signatures from. The stars were supposed to show up to start signing at 11:00, but Chandler Riggs showed up before that as his line was pretty long. Once I had Mr. Coleman's autograph, I got in line for Chandler Riggs as Laurie Holden still hadn't shown up. Let me tell you, Chandler is one of the nicest stars you'd ever want to meet. Meeting and greeting fans in addition to posing for pictures at his booth. I asked if he was coming to 'Wizardworld Chicago” in August and his manager said that they had been asked to, but as that would be right in the middle of filming, it might prove difficult, so they would have to see.

Then it was on to Laurie Holden's line. Joe and Kelsey had moved on to Felicia Day's queue (Kelsey is also a big “Supernatural” fan). Ms. Holden's line was gi-normous, but ya gotta do what you gotta do. I was about a dozen people away from her when it was announced she was leaving for her “photo-ops” and would be back in 30-45 min. I had come this far, so I wasn't about to get out of line now. But fortunately she was back in less than a half hours time. I had brought a three-pack of zombie figures that McFarlane had done of “The Walking Dead” and everyone had signed the box. Each signature was $40.00, plus the $20 I had spent at Anthony's booth and I was completely out of funds, so a signed “Clone Wars” figure from Ashley Eckstein would have to wait.

I met up with Joe and Kelsey and we walked around the rest of the con together. There were a lot of vendors, and a lot of people on Sat. So much so that it made it somewhat difficult to move around. There really wasn't a whole lot to be had that I just had to obtain, plus having an empty wallet made getting anything I did want impossible, but patience is a virtue. We headed back to the booth where Anthony was so I could have my picture taken with him. Then Kelsey got a sonic screwdriver, a “Dr. Who” bathrobe, and two “Dr. Who” posters from various vendors and we called it a day. Headed back to our car sometime after three and were soon on our way.

All in all, it was a fun time. Glad I got to spend the day with friends and get the signatures I did. Would I go back next year? If they had anyone I wanted to meet, yes. But it's too far to travel and too crowded to go just to walk around. In my opinion, “Wizardworld Chicago” is still a better time, and only a little over three months away!