I'm sitting on the fence but really leaning towards NOT going. I got a Pro badge waiting for me to get in but, like last year, I'm really not feeling it with the crowds, hotels, rentals, and other hassles. I'm debating about flying down on a Friday or Saturday morning, stay for the day, then fly back that night just to cut out the hotels and a car but even that seems a little too crazy.
The Pros.... Seeing Trev, Bob, and other friends Great panels Shopping for my art and sketch books from the artists Schmooze with the fans and pros to promote my art
The Cons.... The crowds The costs About 80% of what I buy I can still buy online or through Stuart Ng's website after the con
Once I missed last year and broke my yearly streak since 1989, that comic book fan "don't miss an issue" (aka year) really took a lot of driving motivation out of SDCC. I've made the switch from fan and photographer to working the cons for the past couple years so I've really gotten my fill of conventions of late. Money, space, and time have also taken it's toll on my comic buying.
I was able to finally get in this year as a volunteer. Torchsong I have always wanted to meet you. Let me know if you guys want to get together. I am going to be taking the train down from Oceanside then riding my bicycle over from the train station every day.
The missus and I will be there pretty much every day. If you see a lady running around with a Sharknado cosplay on her head, that's my wife. I shouldn't be too far away from her at any given moment (look for the guy who kind of looks like Kevin Smith though not nearly as rich, cute or famous!).
We tend to take one day off from the convention each year to just go do something in the city...last year that was Friday and will likely be again. By all means, come up and say hi!
For those interested, we will have the 6th annual Comics Drink 'n Swap at the Hyatt Bar on Sat night starting around 9. Here are the details from prior years for those interested. Hope to see you guys there!
What: Comics Drink 'n Swap is an opportunity to meet up with fellow comics fans, divest yourself of a few unwanted trades (things that just didn't click with you, but you think others would enjoy), and talk comics while enjoying some adult (or non-adult if that's how you roll) beverages. It's very casual -- show up whenever and hang out.
How it works: You bring any trades you like, you offer them up to anybody in the group who wants them (for FREE!), we talk about them, the con, and anything else while hanging out and drinking. There is no obligation to bring anything but yourself. Just don't be that guy who shows up with nothing and leaves with everything. You bring trades you don't need, you get trades you want!
In the end, we usually end up leaving some trades laying around the bar (things nobody wanted). So if you can't show up, stroll by the hyatt bar at like 3 am and look around for some trades, you might get lucky!
Comments
The Pros....
Seeing Trev, Bob, and other friends
Great panels
Shopping for my art and sketch books from the artists
Schmooze with the fans and pros to promote my art
The Cons....
The crowds
The costs
About 80% of what I buy I can still buy online or through Stuart Ng's website after the con
Once I missed last year and broke my yearly streak since 1989, that comic book fan "don't miss an issue" (aka year) really took a lot of driving motivation out of SDCC. I've made the switch from fan and photographer to working the cons for the past couple years so I've really gotten my fill of conventions of late. Money, space, and time have also taken it's toll on my comic buying.
We tend to take one day off from the convention each year to just go do something in the city...last year that was Friday and will likely be again. By all means, come up and say hi!
What: Comics Drink 'n Swap is an opportunity to meet up with fellow comics fans, divest yourself of a few unwanted trades (things that just didn't click with you, but you think others would enjoy), and talk comics while enjoying some adult (or non-adult if that's how you roll) beverages. It's very casual -- show up whenever and hang out.
How it works: You bring any trades you like, you offer them up to anybody in the group who wants them (for FREE!), we talk about them, the con, and anything else while hanging out and drinking. There is no obligation to bring anything but yourself. Just don't be that guy who shows up with nothing and leaves with everything. You bring trades you don't need, you get trades you want!
In the end, we usually end up leaving some trades laying around the bar (things nobody wanted). So if you can't show up, stroll by the hyatt bar at like 3 am and look around for some trades, you might get lucky!
Hope to see you there!