Tuesday was rough, as many of you know from facebook and reading my blog. Beamer was not doing well and I was antsy about leaving. But, I packed my things and left for my dad's that night. He lives very close to the airport, so I am definitely glad that either dad or my step-mom to take me if needed. I woke up Wednesday morning at 5am, quickly showered, and my step-mom dropped me off. My flight was at 8am or so and everything went smoothly. I think almost the entire plane was bound for SDCC.
I arrived in San Diego about 10 pacific time. Waited just a little bit to meet one of my best friends out there (who's plane got in about 10:30). I was so excited to see her and experience on this trip together. We took a taxi to our amazing hotel, which we were lucky enough to have RIGHT next to the convention center (that one of our roomies got via the lottery system.) It was a Marriot, and the first thing I spotted when we walked into the hotel was the Windwaker- King of Red Lions life size model that was at E3. Needless to say, I was even more excited. It was located right outside the Nintendo Gaming Lounge, which I'll talk about later.
After checking in early (I'm so glad they let us), we went to find some food since we were both starving and had been up super early. We found a subway and chowed on some food while deciding what to do next. We went back to our hotel for a nap afterwards. Then woke up for dinner with one of my friend's friends from SDCC last year. We went to a great Irish pub and the food was so good and filling. Finally, back to the hotel once more for sleep for the night since it was going to be a long 4 days.
The first day of Comic-con had finally come at last. I got up about 7am, showered, and then headed for the convention center. I had no plans that day except to spend it in the exhibition hall. I am so glad I had a full entire day in there. The place is huge and there is no way to describe it. My first plan was to go to the Dark Horse booth and get the SDCC exclusive Bronze Normandy SR1 from Mass Effect. Only 300 were made and I had to have one. I attempted to get in line (after it was cut off numerous times) and finally waited for a total of about an hour and a half. I don't remember exactly where I went from after that for everything, but I know I was at the Nick booth early on to see all the Korra things. I bought a limited edition print, the LoK Soundtrack, a Korra shirt, and a Naga plushie that I was SO lucky to get. They guy at the Nick booth could tell I loved Korra and they all appeared to be sold out at the moment. But, he managed to sneak one for me (and he apparently got really reamed out for it) but I am very grateful to him! I wish I had gotten the Pabu one still, but I can get that one later. I also went back to the Dark Horse booth a bit later for their non-exclusive section and bought the Korra art book and The Search part 2. I did buy quite a few posters (some are gifts) and some other art things. I got a really gorgeous Star Fox poster that is Japanese style I really really wanted. I also got 2 Mass Effect shirts. My friend got me a really beautiful Totoro plushie which I'm in love with. I got a Stormtrooper bobblehead and Dany figure from the Funko/Pop figures. And of course, lots of free things.
After spending the whole day in the exhibit hall, I still didn't get through the entire thing. I saved that for Sunday and I met up with my friend to camp out for Hall H the next day. I camped out in the Hall H line while she camped out in the everything else line for a chance to meet the cast of Game of Thrones, which she actually did get (very happy for her!) I met some great people to talk with during the night and only got about 3 hours of sleep. There was a party going on in Petco park for a good portion of the night right next door. But, oh well, sleep is not very important at Comic-con and expect to get very little of it.
Our waiting did pay off as we were in the front section of Hall H. We saw a panel on At World's End (a follow up to the other two movies of Shaun of the Dead/Hot Fuzz). Looks great, though I haven't seen the other two movies yet. Then it was a Veronica Mars panel which I didn't care much about. Then Kick Ass 2 (looks amazing!) and Riddick. Vin diesel made an appearance and he honestly looked/acted/sounded like he was high. Finally after that we got to see The Walking Dead panel (one I was there for!) The panel was great and the trailer was even more amazing! Most of the cast made an appearance and even Norman Reedus (Daryl!) I thought he wasn't going to be there, so that was a great surprise as he is my favorite character. The Game of Thrones panel was after TWD and was also great. So many fantastic actors were there- Peter Dinklage (Tyrion!) and Emelia Clark (Dany!) two out of the three of my top characters. The 'In Memoriam' that they played first off was REALLY hilarious at first and then turned out to be a bit depressing. But it showed EVERY character that had been killed off so far. We also got a ticket to turn into the fulfillment room later for some awesome GoT swag (bag, shirt, book, journal... and a few other things!)
Finally after being out of Hall H, we went to the exhibition hall for a bit. My friend had her signing and I wandered a little bit. It was 3pm by that point and we were super tired after only sleeping 3 hours. After her signing we called it a night.
Saturday morning, I woke up at about 4am to get in line for Ballroom 20. They were showing Futurama, The Simpsons, Family Guy, American Dad and finally True Blood. I really shouldn't have gotten up that early for it since I actually left after Futurama. I didn't feel like being in that room the whole day and I did other fun things (the Futurama panel was great, though! We got to see part of the series finale). I did have to sit through the Once upon a time panel for a little bit and it was really painful to watch. I did leave for most of it to go to the exhibition hall and got some pet yoda ears for Beamer (they were free!) They give you a pass to get out and you have to be back before that panel is over. I booked it back to my hotel really quickly to get my Korra CD and art book for a signing later that day.
I then went to the Dark Horse booth again and they were doing an unscheduled signing with one of the Producers of the new Dragon Age game from Bioware and one of the concept artists with this poster I really wanted! I got in line for that and got 2 posters (they were double sided) signed on each side by them. Next I went back to the Nick booth again to get in line for the Legend of Korra signing from the Track Team and the co-creators of the show, Michael and Bryan. I was so glad to get this signing and meet the composers and creators of one of my favorite shows of all time (hell, I have a tattoo from Avatar... I am dedicated lol). I also got my picture with Bryke (their collective name as they are known). I did go back to the hotel after that since I really wasn't feeling well. Going off of not much sleep and not really having eaten much of anything all day. I tried to take a nap, but couldn't sleep. I managed to eat a few cheesy chips from the restaurant downstairs, but it didn't seem to help. I just basically crashed at about 9pm that night and didn't wake up until 7 the next day.
Sunday was the final day I had in San Diego. I heard that Tom Hiddleston was doing a signing later that day, so I tried to get tickets but didn't (it was a lottery system). I fast walked to the marvel booth but was still very far back in line. It only took 45 minutes out of my day, but at least I can say I tried. I looked a bit more around the exhibit hall and then went to the 501st panel they had. It was a great panel and definitely inspires me more to make my stormtrooper armor and join their group. After, I once again went to the exhibit hall and finally finished going through it. I then went to the Nick booth for the last time to wait in line for the alleged Korra poster giveaway at around 3-4 ('if they had any left' they kept telling us). We missed them on Friday since we were in Hall H all day (and we also missed the Korra panel in Ballroom 20 that day as well. They aired the ENTIRE first episode of Book 2 of legend of Korra. I am so angry, still for missing it, but I don't regret going to TWD and GoT. Comic-con is one of those things where you have to choose the better of the two options and you cannot do everything, unfortunately).
They did have a lot of left over posters so after waiting at least an hour, we got them! I am so happy to have this beautiful poster, it was one of the things I wanted to get from SDCC. My friend and I walked a bit more around the exhibit hall and then we finally called it quits and went back to the hotel. We had both checked our luggage with the bell hop since we had to be out of the room at noon. I picked it up and packed the rest of my suitcase with the things I bought earlier that day. We took a taxi to the airport and grabbed dinner together. We sat talking for a while since we had a long wait for our flights (we got there about 6 and we didn't leave until about 10ish). Saying our last goodbyes, I went through security to wait for my flight. Definitely an emotional goodbye as they always seem to be with my friends now. We only see each other two or three times a year and I won't see her again until Christmas break. I would not change this experience for the world, I had such a great time with a wonderful friend. I just wish more of my friends could have been there!
I am already trying to figure out how I can come back next year. It is going to be tricky since I'll be trying to get my residency for vet school. Summers are only 6 weeks long (July and part of August) and we are only allowed to be out of the state for 2 weeks in the summer just due to the residency issue. I also need to spend time with my family as well, but I would give anything to go to comic-con again, too. I think I'm going to buy my tickets once the pre-sale comes and if for some reason I cannot go, I can just return them. But as my friend says, once you go, you are compelled to go back every year. You just cannot imagine not going to comic-con.
Now I'm finally back home after my flight (it landed at 6am this morning) and I slept a bit at dad's before heading home. Beamer was super excited to see me and I've already unpacked everything. Now the real work begins since my move is on Sunday and I haven't really packed that much with comic-con kind of in the middle of it all. I need to get on it, now, and figure out what all I want and need to bring with me. I have a busy week coming up with everyone wanting to meet before I go and two going away parties. Mom's is on Friday and Dad's is on Saturday.
I think I'll end it here for the night since this is getting really lengthy. Here are just a few pictures.
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