In a crazy twist of fate, I had Halloween-themed events for every night leading up to Halloween this year.
Monday
Remember my gorgeous gown from 1776? I decided I wanted to do a photo shoot while wearing the gown. So, I called my favorite artistic photographer friend, Mandie at Illumine Photography, and begged her to take a break from school and soccer mom-ing. She kindly obliged. I had so much fun twirling around and watching Mandie get so excited about the pretty shots and thanking her little boy who's job was to carry my bad and keep my cape from getting dirty. I love watching Mandie work. She comes up with the coolest ideas and prettiest pictures* and has so much fun doing it. I recommend her to anyone for their next event!
*I cannot wait to see the finished photos. These are some shots I asked for on my phone so I could Instagram right away ('cause I'm addicted to Instagram, obis).
Tuesday
Liz and I attended the Utah Symphony's Wizarding Halloween concert. She was a darling Gryffindor witch and I was Glinda the Good Witch. I loved seeing all of the creative costumes the orchestra members wore (and managed to play in). The harpist was a loofa, and the percussionists were trophies! Too funny. I entered the audience member costume contest and was disappointed not to be a finalist, but had to agree that the ostrich who won totally deserved the honor. The music in the first act included "The Sorcerer's Apprentice", "In the Hall of the Mountain King", and "Montagues and Capulets." The second act was all music from the Harry Potter movies. It was all gorgeous and a lot of fun. I cried through some of the numbers -- sometimes I love music so much my emotions just pour out my eyeballs, ok?
We were on the very back row, so I didn't even have to remove my crown if I didn't want to
Wednesday
Larissa was gifted tickets to Odyssey Dance Theater's Thriller concert last minute and asked if I could join her. Miraculously, I was free, so I jumped at the chance. We had amazing seventh-row seats (though the kids behind us would NOT shut up) and I was thrilled (no pun intended) that they revisited all of my favorite dances, especially "Frankenstein and Frankenstein" and the "Jason Jam." Best yet, I spent the whole evening with Larissa, Nichole, and Drew. I hadn't spent one-on-one time with Larissa in ages and it was just what the doctor ordered.
Thursday
I invited a few of my Comic Con buddies to my house to watch my special signed copy of Doctor Horrible's Sing-Along Blog. We spent most of the time talking instead -- that's just what we do. We did watch the "Commentary the Musical" version, which was hilarious, and several of David Tennant's video diaries and Doctor Who outtakes. Theresa and I dressed up, and Ashleigh wore her Doctor Horrible groupie shirt and some goggles, and I forced Laura to put on a cape. We laughed a LOT that night. Those women get me. I am grateful for them.
Oh, and we all gave this butterscotch creme soda a thumbs up. I will be purchasing it again next year!
Friday
Last night, my Is He Dead? cast had a little party. It started out with the board rep wanting to give us a copy of the cast photo, and then the producer volunteered to make crepes, and then someone pointed out it was the day before Halloween and asked if we could dress up, and the director volunteered to bring games. Let's just say I continue to enjoy these delightful people. They approved of my Luke Skywalker costume (the cape is SO GREAT!) and we laughed and ate and ate and ate. A few people weren't able to come, so we'll have to get together again -- hooray for getting together again! It's difficult to feel sad among this group of people. I like them.
Sometimes, a girl just wants to be a knight for a night
Saturday - Halloween!
I said "No" to a lot of invitations because I have been going going going for weeks and I was looking forward to a whole day where I could clean my house, and read, and catch up on t.v., and do yoga, and either wear a costume or not (of course I did). Wonderfully, I randomly ran into Marilynn and her darling daughter Alishya while walking home from Starbucks (for a warm butter beer) Einstein's Bagels (they were out of pumpkin but the cinnamon raisin was delicious). Then Allison came over to my place and we chatted for a bit. Then I gave candy to my very first trick-or-treater when Monster and his dad dropped by -- a seriously adorable Yoda and Obi-Wan. I need more Jedi in my life!
The plan was to binge on Supernatural, but I accidentally slept in until 11am, so it threw off the whole day. I didn't sit down to watch t.v. until about 8:45, so I watched the latest Grimm and Danny Elfman's Music from the movies of Tim Burton special on PBS. Pretty perfect programming for All Hallows' Eve. I even broke out my new popcorn popper for the occasion. I love it. The popcorn was great, especially paired with the Hot Tamales I bought for all the trick-or-treaters who never came (you never know).
I don't have Arwen hair, but I love this cute and comfortable gown
Happy Halloween, everyone. I enjoyed seeing everyone's costumes and hearing about the adventures of the past few days. Can't wait to see what everyone comes up with for Thanksgiving!
The Chris Evans panel was the hottest ticket for Salt Lake Comic Con this year. Usually, VIP ticket holders have first access to seats, then everyone else comes in first-come first serve. The powers that be decided to try something new this time, and had a lottery for the best seating times so that anyone could get the front (-ish, because the actual center front rows were reserved for Special VIPs and Make-a-Wish kids) seats. I received an e-mail Thursday night informing me that I won the third-best seating timeslot, at 7:50am. This meant that I had to be there at that time or else I might not get into the panel. So, I got up at 6am so I'd have time to get ready, drive and park, and walk over in time for my slot. I ended up getting there at about 7:20. When they let us inside, I ran to get as close as possible, and ended up on the twelfth row, close to the aisle in the center section. Seriously awesome seats.
Then I spent two hours talking to the people around me, Instagramming, and reading a paperback I brought with me. Turned out to be good that I brought something to read, because the panel started half an hour late. They kept saying it was because they were trying to pack people into the room. Truth was that Chris was taking his time with the Make-A-Wish kids. If they'd told us that, I might have been less annoyed, but I waited for three hours, and there was little chance they'd extend the panel (they didn't). Get the guy on stage!!
Chris was adorable. It was apparently his first solo panel, and he was humble and sweet and grateful and candid. He talked about his anxiety and the difference between shooting The Fantastic Four and Captain America. He was so cute with his beard and his grandpa sweater, and a little defensive that he had to lose weight for his next role. He also said that fans at photo ops keep telling him that the photo op people won't let them hug him, but Chris is totally ok with the fans hugging him. Noted!
Favorite quotes:
When asked if he'd tried fry sauce: "What's fry sauce? Can I take, like, a shot of it?"
"Don't tell me I look small. I know I look small. Shut up about it!"
"I leak gratitude. I'm just so thankful."
"I want to pass it over to everyone who has been patiently waiting." Moderator: "What, like, all of these people?"
"Captain America I was just a ball of worry. Fantastic Four I was an idiot who didn't know any better."
[To a kid filming with his phone at the microphone] (Chris is laughing) "Are you filming as you ask the question? did you just zoom in?"
[Re his non-answer about Captain America Civil War and his newfound interview skills] "In a very roundabout way I didn't answer your question at all. Talk a lot but you get no answer."
As feared, the Chris panel -- the main event -- was only about 25 minutes long. Fortunately, the last few minutes included his Captain America co-stars Anthony Mackie and then Hayley Atwell popping in. Chris didn't know they were coming, and his reaction was hilarious. The crowd, understandably, freaked out.
When Chris left, Hayley went with him, but Anthony stuck around for his own panel, and it proved to help lessen the sting of Chris's abbreviated panel. Anthony was hilarious -- energetic, feisty, and funny. He sang the praises of the Armed Forces and talked about using his real-life skills as a movie superhero. I wish his panel had been more than half an hour. He was a lot of fun. I'm now a huge fan.
Favorite quotes:
"I have not had the sauce of a fry. I think that's called 'grease.'"
"I got my first job in Utah. I have infinite love for Utah. I'm a Utonian. Thank ALL you Utonians for being here!"
"She's looking at us like 'I don't speak jive.'"
"I wish Thor was just, like, a handsome blond dude from California who picks up a surfboard and hits people. 'How do you want your muffins?' Dang, Thor, toast 'em!"
Theresa, Laura, and I found each other after Anthony's panel and we moved up to the second row to wait for LOST and The Vampire Diaries star Ian Somerhalder. I spotted this Dream Sarah from The Labyrinth and had to get a photo. Isn't she stunning? She even has the perfect pose!
Ian was ALSO half an hour late. At that point, I had been in that room for about 5 hours and I was NOT having it. It's lucky that Ian was charming and sweet and loved the fans, because if he had been at all arrogant I would have been ticked (who was dropping the scheduling ball?!!)
After Ian's panel, I hightailed over to the photo ops area so Andrew, Jillian, and I could get a photo with Hayley Atwell. There was some kind of backup there, so it was another long wait, but at least we got to watch Hayley and Chris peek out and get escorted to the restrooms. Kinda fun to get to see them just walk around and wave and be all normal doing it (in spite of the security).
"Have courage and be kind." You'll be pleased to know that Hayley Attwell lives this motto. What a classy dame!
Fun fact: Hayley is an absolute doll. I absolutely adore her. I posted this photo on Instagram, and someone called "billiepiperreal" commented "@realhayleyatwell is so sweet." If it's the real Billie Piper I will die (it's a private account so I can't tell for sure), but still fun to think about, especially since Billie and Hayley have worked together and are friends.
You will notice that I did not wear a costume on Saturday. I debated, especially since the Glinda costume had gone over so well, but I wanted to do a lot that day and I didn't think I'd be able to if I had to stop every 20 feet for a photo. Plus, I was exhausted. When I received the e-mail about my 7:50am panel seating timeslot, I knew there was no way I'd be getting up at 5am to get all Glinda-glittered. Nerdy t-shirt, leggings, and Disney vans for the win!
After the photo with Hayley, Jillian, Andrew, and I split up again and I wandered the hall for a little while. I needed some food and I wanted to find a few of the booths and stargaze.
I'm a little obsessed with YouTube stars The Hillywood Show. When I heard they were coming to Comic Con again, I was determined to get into at least one of their panels. That didn't work out, but I was thrilled to see them posing as Dean and Sam from Supernatural with the car from Supernatural. It didn't even cost very much (it was a quarter of what I paid for the Phelps twins), and I was photographed with Hilly AND Hannah. Aren't they darling? I love that Hilly is looking at me here. Kinda wish I could have been photographed next to them, but that's a goal for next time!
Then I was lead to the back of the car where I got to be photographed with the weapons in the back. Confession: I've never watched Supernatural (well, I hadn't at that point), so it didn't mean that much to me. But I took the rifle and smiled, and thanked them for the posters they offered me of the car.
This clockwork villain from Doctor Who was chilling. Kudos to that guy.
Laura was doing some wandering of her own. Alan Tudyk was a surprise guest during the Con Man panel (I'm bummed it missed it, but Hayley's photo was worth it). Since he was a surprise, he didnt have a table where he could sign autographs. Instead, he visited the Utah Browncoats booth, took photos and signed a few things for the auction that night. Laura happened to spy him there and got this selfie.
Apparently, Alan had been making the same face Laura is, but when he saw Laura he started laughing. *Click*
I missed Alan, but did find the Browncoats. Had to get my ticket for the Doctor Horrible's Sing-Along Blog sing along they were sponsoring that night.
I was enchanted by this father/daughter Kaylee/Mal.
Parenthood done right.
Finally met up with Laura and Theresa (a steampunk Cinderella) for our photo op with Chris Evans. Since I'm the single girl and Laura actually managed to purchase the op in the 4 minutes before they sold out, we got to be next to him. His hand is on my arm!! Theresa was a good sport about standing in front. None of us remembered to hug him :( He was very gracious and kind. Smile at me all you want, Mr. Evans!
Then we found terrific seats for our last panel, John Barrowman. Mr. Barrowman gives a great panel. He's really animated and has absolutely NO filter (parents, beware bringing your little ones or you might have to explain some things later) but he tried to keep the language clean for the most part. His facial expressions were priceless, and he isn't ashamed to randomly burst into song or act things out.
John teased this question-asker, talking about how cute this boy is and saying he was glad he was legal.
"Twenty? So you can be super boring and I can be super cute, too!"
Speaking of bursting in to song, he sang "A Thousand Years" just for us. I only recorded a few seconds. I didn't want to be distracted from that glorious voice by a camera lens. Luckily, it's on YouTube:
Stunning.
Favorite quotes:
[About playing a hero in Doctor Who and Torchwood, then playing a villain in Arrow] "Yeah, after saving the world you just want to kill people sometimes."
[To the audience on the side of the stage opposite the microphone] "I feel like you've got my back ALL the time. I'm so sorry, but it is my better side."
[To a girl singing "Getting to Know You" with him] "Sing it in my key!"
"Of course I'm a tease and I will always be a tease. You know why? Because I can be!"
The panel ended at about 7pm. At that point, I'd been there almost 12 hours and I was BEAT!
But I'd committed to staying for the sing along, so I ate some ice cream (it's tradition!), bought a cute piece of Doctor Who artwork, and did some stretches while waiting in the VIP line.
We met up with Ashleigh and her friends for the sing along. Oh, man, there is always such a great energy during the event. Everyone is thrilled to sing and laugh our guts out. It's so fun having the subtitles on. It's, like, the one time I don't mind when people talk during the movie. How can I be annoyed when we're all so delighted to quote lines we've heard dozens of times?
"The earth's a mess and I just need to rule it!"
"I want to be an achiever, like Bad Horse"
"The Thoroughbred of Sin?"
"I meant Ghandi."
After the sing along, the Browncoats had a raffle. I had one ticket from my original purchase, but I bought three more because the money goes to a good cause. I then proceeded to fight sleep while I waited through all the prizes. I wanted so much to give my tickets to the people next to me and go home, but I was determined to see it through. Nobody who won seemed very excited about it (I wasn't the only one who was tired), so I thought, "If I win, I'm jumping up and screaming."
The final prize was the copy of Doctor Horrible's Sing-Along Blog that we watched that night. The DVD cover was signed by Felicia Day and Alan Tudyk (he isn't in the movie, so everyone thought it was hilarious that he'd signed it). When they read the winning number, I realized I had the winning ticket. I couldn't believe it! I jumped up and yelled "It's me!! I won!" Then my friends and I all started jumping and squealing and laughing. Everyone else, exhausted, trooped outside for a group photo in their Firefly-related costumes. A lady double-checked my ticket and confirmed I won. The coveted DVD was mine!
Then, 'cause everyone left us alone in there, we decided to sit behind the table and pose for photos like we were doing a panel. The microphone was even still on!
Words cannot express how much I love these photos and these women.
On our way out, we spied the TARDIS. Since she was dressed as Cinderella, Theresa reenacted the scene on the t-shirt I'd been wearing all day.
And I was just happy to be there.
It was an excellent comic con. I slept a lot on Sunday and wished I could have a few more days to recover, but work and rehearsals called. I was sore and happy and full of great memories. This was the Comic Con where I had my 15 minutes of fame. They were a good 15 minutes. It was a good three days, too.
