IT'S TIME TO RISE & SHINE

The morning started really badly on March 28, 2004.  I overslept and had to get across town by 10 a.m.  I left the house without my make-up on.  I felt a Shakespearian tragedy would befall me after I had taken the wrong pills that morning. To be safe, my husband ended up driving me.

Then, I arrived at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, California for the 12th Annual Creation Grand Slam Convention, The Sci-Fi Summit and ended up having a really good day.

Breakfast was with the Buffy & Angel cast.  It was called the Rise & Shine Buffy/Angel breakfast.  I did try to rise & shine.  Coffee and food helped.  In attendance were: Andy Hallett (The Host), Mercedes McNab (Harmony), Robia LaMorte (Miss Calendar), Mark Lutz (The Groosalugg), Iyari Limon (Kennedy), James Leary (Clem), and Julie Benz (Darla).  At my table were Andy Hallett (The Host) and Mercedes McNab (Harmony).  Since tickets were limited, it was a very small breakfast.  Basically, each table had a star at it.  The stars asked our names and we went around introducing each other.  Autographs weren't allowed, but you could get a photo with each star.  You got to talk to each star for a bit and ask questions if you wanted to.  I thought it was a very relaxing and intimate format with the stars.  Here are some pictures.

 

 

 

After breakfast, I visited the dealer room.  The dealer room was impressive with all the different memorabilia from the various shows.  You could even get some Star Trek uniforms if you wanted them.  I bought a pack of Season 1 Angel cards.  It has a picture of everything that appeared that season with Demon Compendium cards that tell you the demon's name, what they did or do and what episode they were on.  Really nice pictures and card quality.

KATHRYN LEIGH SCOTT VISIT

On my way to see Kathryn Leigh Scott (Maggie Evans, Josette DuPres, Kitty Hampshire (Dark Shadows)), I ran into Jonathan Harrison (Collinsport Players).  I had her finally sign my Dark Shadows Almanac.  Here is our picture.  I asked her about the new Dark Shadows.  She said she didn't know if she would be in it or not.  Our meeting seemed brief, but good.  She had another customer in line.

There was a pecking order concerning the autographs.  William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy's went for $70 a piece.  Brent Spiner's went for $60.  Most of the Angel/Buffy stars went for around $40 each.  Kathryn Leigh Scott was in the free area.  Most all stars, whether free or pay, wanted you to buy photos, etc.  Free trade and commerce was at hand.  As a fellow entrepreneur, I was happy.  Many of them don't have active work and they need to make a living somehow.

I applauded this for two reasons.  One, there were no undue long autographs lines.  Two, when it was time for the stars to sign after their talks, they called folks to the line by ticket number.  This way you got to see the other talks going on while waiting and it just made the entire thing more orderly.  There was no cutting in line.  There was friendly, helpful staff to keep things moving.  While I wouldn't really want to pay $70 for an autograph, I wouldn't mind paying something to avoid the long lines we get at Dark Shadows Festivals.  It is miserable.