Salt Lake Comic Con 2014, day 2

Day 2 cosplay: River Song from Doctor Who

Recap of my first day at Salt Lake Comic Con 2014.

I arrived even earlier for the second day of Salt Lake Comic Con than I did for the first, and I'm glad I did 'cause I was still in about the same place. Fortunately, there were some neat people to chat with while in line. Unfortunately, the Doctor Who fans behind me did not recognize my River Song cosplay (they DID notice another River who walked past). Oh, well, others knew who I was. It's always a thrill to be asked for a photo, though I didn't have nearly as many requests as I had for Princess Aurora!

The farmer from Babe (complete with stuffed pig in his pocket).
Perfect!

The view from my place in line.

As soon as I entered the Artist Alley, I beelined for Alan Tudyk's table. The mission: an autograph for my friend Stephanie. The only celebrity she had wanted to meet was Alan. On Thursday night, she told me she couldn't come, and she gave me the photo discounts that came with her tickets. So, I thought I'd surprise her with a signature. The problem was that I only had about 45 minutes free before I needed to get in line for the Stephen Amell panel, and Alan's line was so long they had to move us "latecomers" to a second location! Fortunately, the line moved faster than I ever though it could, and I was faced with Alan in only about 30 minutes. For such a popular guest at Comic Con, that's practically lightening speed!

Sarah found me while I was in the annexed line.
Such a cute 11th Doctor!

Alan Tudyk. You guys, he was exactly what I expected him to be! I shouldn't have been surprised, based on the panel the day before. He clearly and sincerely appreciates his fans. I usually get tongue-tied around celebrities -- or anyone I don't know well, actually -- but he made the conversation easy. It was weird that he called me Stephanie, but he was going off of the post-it his handler wrote out to make sure Alan spelled my name correctly.
I took notes about the encounter. Here they are (edited to be coherent to normal people):

Just met Alan Tudyk -- such a doll! He did the King Candy and Duke of Wesselton voices for the kids in front of me. The little boy was confused and Alan asked if it was weird that he sounded like the characters but looked like him, so his manager grabbed one of photos of the Duke and put it in front of Alan while he talked -- ha! The man right in front of me asked which character Alan played was the most like him, and Alan said "Wash" from Firefly: the smarmy, funny guy who, when everyone else is fighting says, "Is there a running away option?" He was drinking Starbucks and smelled of coffee. When he shook my hand he asked how I was doing and I said "I'm happy." He was so surprised that it threw him for a minute (He had written "Dear Stephanie" and it took him a minute to remember what he was going to write next). He'd never heard that before and he loved it. I said sometimes I even say it when I'm not because it cheers me up. Alan asked if I was a Firefly fan (I'd chosen a Wash photo for him to sign) and I said I was weird and saw Serenity first and went back to Firefly. He said a lot of people did that. He said the movie was good but the show was great 'cause you could tell stories forever -- the characters were great and the world created so big. I asked what "fong" (from A Knight's Tale) means and he said, "I have no idea." Everyone in earshot laughed. He guessed it might have to do with shipping, like the way "bunghole" does.

VIP ticket holders had early entry to the panels. I was not a VIP ticket holder, but my friend Laura was, and she managed to claim a few front-row seats for the Simon Helberg panel before Stephen Amell's. I am grateful that the staff doesn't make you leave after a panel. Because of that, even though I entered Stephen's panel after it started, I got to sit on the front row! Theresa and I agreed later that Laura wins at Comic Con!

Laura and I from the FRONT ROW in the main ballroom.

Stephen Amell plays the main character on the CW's television show Arrow. He reminded me a LOT of my brother Aaron. Such a nice guy, and very down to earth as he shared stories about the show and his own love for comic books. One of my favorite things he said was "In Hollywood, you are not right for any role until you're perfect for it." He told a story about actor Josh Holloway who for years struggled to find a job. Then he was cast in Sawyer in LOST and became a breakout star. The next year, the character sheets for a ton of new shows asked for a "Josh Holloway type" role. I love this reminder that sometimes there is nothing I can do at auditions to make the director cast me. I'm either what they want or I'm not. All I can be is my very best me and hope that's enough this time! The other favorite quote was about Stephen preferring to do his own stunts: "If they won't let me do it I'll demand to do it shirtless because then it has to be me!" I cracked up, because he is shirtless a LOT during the series. Guess he's just being authentic ;)

When the time ran out, Stephen invited everyone who didn't get a chance to ask their question to join him onstage for a photo. Class act all the way.

Laura and I stayed for John Barrowman's panel, too. Holy cow, he was a surprise! I was not prepared for his energy -- he was like a real-life Jack McFarlane from Will & Grace. A little inappropriate, a lot wacky, and very endearing. He answered questions with gusto, and told a few other random stories besides. I can't even describe how funny he was (this link is the worst-shot video in the world, but you get the idea). After awhile, we started assuming most of his comments were double-entendres: "You might be conservative here but your minds are very liberal... and I love ya!" "All these years, I've never really injured someone except a stuntman -- I broke his nose when I kicked him in the face -- oops!" It may be my favorite panel from any Con so far, except maybe Mark Sheppard at Fantasy Con. He began by encouraging the audience to dance with him, and then shared a silly song: "I love Salt Lake! I want to eat it like a cake! Pity that I do not bake! Except in the bedroom quake -- woo!" He ended by singing "Can't Take My Eyes Off of You." This man has a beautiful, beautiful voice. Do yourself a favor and watch the video below.


This photo made my day. Worth every penny and minute of time waiting in line.

After the panel, Laura did some shopping and I waited in line for over an hour for author Shannon Hale to sign my copy of Book of a Thousand Days (thanks again for the book, Most Happy Girl!). Yes, I waited longer for Shannon than I did for Alan. Fandom is weird, folks!

Then I finally had some time to wander around and take random photos to my heart's content!

Lego Justice League. So perfect!

River Song continues to dominate in the Star Wars universe.

Iron Man (with a great photo bomber).
I love my legs in this photo.

Chantryce, me, and Jillian

Logan Rogan as the 10th Doctor. Nailed it!

Someday, when I have a family, I want to do great nerdy things like all of us dress up in theme. This Doctor Who family are my heroes (even though most are villains... wait, what?)

Barbara Eden's table was within earshot of the line for the TARDIS, so Theresa and I yelled "Barbara Eden, you're beautiful!!" She turned and saw us waving and looked flattered and embarrassed. We tried to say Hi later but she wasn't seeing any more fans. Oh well. She looks goooood!

Possibly my favorite photo from the day: Angry Scully from The X-Files exits the TARDIS, unaware that she is being stalked by River Song. Theresa's costume is genius!

Laura, Theresa and me.

By the end of the day, I was exhausted. Almost to the point that I was picking fights. Somehow, Laura and Theresa convinced me to stay for the Doctor Horrible's Sing-Along Blog Sing Along, sponsored by the Utah Browncoats. We all hoped to win something from the raffle, but none of us did. Fortunately, we had a blast singing at the top of our lungs during the movie. So funny. It will always be a perfect way to end a great Comic Con.

I admit that my cosplay wasn't as fun as the Disney Princess one had been. Maybe I should retire River Song, and devote myself to Sleeping Beauty, just for Conventions. There's nothing wrong with being a kick-a--, independent time traveler, but once in awhile it's nice to just be adored. It made for a welcome change of pace from regular life (where I AM a kick-a--, independent woman).

Who wants to join me for the next con?!