Hello Losties!
I must confess, I'm normally more of a lurker, but Lottery Ticket convinced me to come out of hiding to report on my SDCC experiences this week. I'm still a Comic-Con newbie -- last year was my first -- but hopefully I can convey some of the excitement that is emanating from the Gaslamp District. And unlike last year, when I was primarily on my own, I've dragged along two friends from England (who I will refer to as The Brits) and a friend from Nevada who is the un-geekiest person I know. Should be interesting.
This year already feels a bit crazier -- a bit more crowded -- than last year. The festivities started before badges were even handed out, with Psych/Burn Notice/White Collar girls handing out cards related to the show. SyFy (man I want to write Sci-Fi) gave out a collection of badges and mega-totes so large that you could carry a few children inside -- this year with backpack straps!
And then I saw a young guy wearing a #23--Jack Shephard shirt and I started jumping up and down with glee. Until I remembered that there was no LOST panel this year. Sigh.
However, the true Wednesday excitement/disappointment was all about the bags that came with badges. Each attendee is given a bag from WBTV, with titles varying from Looney Tunes to Human Target and Chuck. I had my eye on a few and while standing in line I realized that we had no choice -- you get what you're handed. And the volunteers were wisely handing them out folded so that you couldn't see what they were giving you.
It was funny to watch the WBTV bag dance, as people got their bag, walked into an open area of the pavilion, and then unfolded their bags. Then came either the joyful squees of delight or the droopy faces and sighs of the disappointed. I was a droopy sigh girl.
I got a Bugs Bunny bag -- just his hand and a carrot. PANTS! (insert real swear word here) I watched as other people tried to beg and plead with the volunteers to get a different bag, only to be kindly rebuffed.
I formulated a cunning plan (SDCC makes me do things I wouldn't normally do). I scoped out the crowd. . .looking for children that might have a Fringe bag that was too scary for them or a Human Target bag about which they were indifferent. Every kid seemed to have a cartoon bag. AHHHH.
I finally caught sight of two men, probably my age, one of whom had a Looney Tunes bag like mine and one who had a Chuck bag. Now, normally I don't talk to strangers, but I was SDCC desperate.
I walked up to the men, who were already starting to scan through their catalogues of events.
"Hello," I tentatively said.
"Hi!" they both responded.
So far so good.
"Ummmm. . .," I continued, already embarrassed, "I have a really random question."
"36 1/2!" replied the taller of the two. "72!" he continued, clearly enjoying this moment.
He was funny, but I had a mission.
"I was wondering. . .are you really attached to your Chuck bag?"
"Oh. No. Not at all."
"Would you be willing to trade for my Bugs Bunny bag?"
"Of course!"
"I told you that Bugs Bunny bag was scary!" his friend interjected.
I thanked them profusely and considered offering them my first-born child or a million dollars (neither of which I have), but they seemed fine with the deal and I skipped away (literally) as the proud owner of a Chuck bag.
People at Comic-Con are cool.
@tahoewikander
