Text 12623, 67 rader
Skriven 2007-02-23 23:20:44 av Jeffrey O. Gustafson (16066.babylon5)
     Kommentar till en text av rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated
Ärende: My first convention (and I met JMS!!!)
==============================================
This is the first convention I've ever been able to go to, and it is
amazing.

The main highlight, of course, is the chance to meet JMS.  The
convention floor opened at about 3:30 (I'd been there since about
noon), and Joe's scheduled thingee was at 7:00.  After gathering in
all the sights and sounds and taking a bunch of pictures with my
snazzy new camera, I went down to check in my back-pack (it was
slowing me down and the floor was really crowded and the extra bulk
was not helping).  This was about 6:00 or so.  I walked around to the
other side to check out where the room where Joe was doing his
presentation was, and as I'm about to go down, I saw him.

At first I was completely stunned, because, well, what are the
chances, right?  But, it *was* Joe.  Not knowing what to say or how to
say it (I mean, how do you say anything to someone you've been waiting
to meet for nearly fifteen years), I walked up and said something
along the lines of:

"Mr. Straczynski, fwupda gobble duh gaga bwubuduh.  Uhm gqyu zujk blu-
bluhhh Big Fan.  Duhhhm.  Ok."

I vigorously shook his hand, and he appeared slightly more bewildered
than I was scared/shocked/in awe.  He was completely cool about it,
which was awesome.

The panel was cool.  Jan (who I also met this evening) described it
already better than I could.  Joe was low-key, down to Earth, and all
around cool.  He was even on the convention floor milling around with
everyone else.  So cool.

Anyway, after the panel, Joe did a signing, and when we had to leave
the room for another panel, took the whole crowd into the hallway to
continue doing the signing.  I've used the word "cool" a lot, but it
was so damned cool.  I got my copy of Midnight Nation signed, which
means a lot to me, and I think I got to tell him how much his work has
affected me, though I may have been jumbled it again (which is OK, I
was having fun).

What I also really wanted was my picture with JMS.  The picture came
out a little blurry(*), which kind of sucks, especially considering
that every other picture I had taken this evening came out perfectly.
Well, almost very other picture.  Every picture I took of Joe came out
not so good.  I think he's cursed. <g>

Overall, it was so great to finally meet JMS.  If anyone reading this
is nearby a convention or any other event that Joe is going to, it is
well worth it to drop by and say Hi.  I've read for years how awesome
he is in person, and I've had the honor this evening of finding out
first hand.

There is still two more days of convention left, and the program says
Joe is going to be on three panels Saturday, though I think Joe only
mentioned the Sunday gig (I may be wrong).  We'll see.  I've got a
weekend pass, and there is plenty to see and do.

      -The Jeff

Sheridan:"So how did you find out all of this?"
Bester:"I'm a telepath.  Work it out." <*>


*If anyone here is proficient at Photoshop or the like, and would like
to try tweaking my picture (I'm not having much luck), I would be
eternally greatful.
--- SBBSecho 2.12-Win32
 * Origin: Time Warp of the Future BBS - Home of League 10 (1:14/400)