Anyway, as most of you know, I actually had a booth last year, so I really wasn’t able to do much strolling. And even though there were quite a few people who stopped by the booth to say hello, it wasn’t the same. But I think I made up for that this year. The weekend kicked off great when fellow collector, CAF member, and friend Drew Cheskin flew in and came to the house Friday for a private art viewing. He and his buddies Kevin and Tom were here most of the day, yet we barely made it through half my collection. Still, we all had a blast trading war stories and getting to know each other.

Saturday was the first day of the show and I knew right away it was going to be a good day when I was actually able to find a parking spot across the street. Spent the pre-show time walking around to get the lay of the land before the crowds came in. I was happy to see that they actually expanded the exhibitor hall this year. In talking to Bill Cox, he thinks the show can grow even bigger. And since there’s a third hall they can open up, the space is certainly there for expansion. Anyway, when the doors opened, I hooked up with Drew, Kevin, and Tom again. We hung around Ron Lim’s table for a bit before going on walkabout. Also spend quite a bit of time at Albert Moy’s booth chatting with my friend Marcus and the Suarez family. From Albert’s, I spotted Scott Dunbier at his IDW booth and went over to chat with him. I’ve known Scott since his art dealer days back in the late 80’s and 90’s, before he joined Jim Lee at Wildstorm. We did a little catching up and then he asked me about using some of my art pieces in an upcoming IDW project. He had his scanner there, so I agreed to come back Sunday with the artwork. I suppose the highlight for Saturday would have to be the art I picked up from the pre-show deal I made. I won’t spoil the surprise by specifying art or artist, but I’ll try to have it posted for you all by next week. I’m waiting for a scan from the artist, but I should have that by then. It will probably take me that long to come up with the description. LOL! Anyway, stay tuned.

While the good omen of a parking spot got Saturday off to a good start, Sunday was just the opposite. As I was getting off the freeway about five minutes from the convention, I suddenly realized that I had left my badge at home! Luckily I ran into some friends in the parking lot who had an extra. Even luckier that this bad omen didn’t ruin the day. Sunday was definitely more relaxed. More time for strolling and visiting with folks. Well, more and also less. Friday was actually my sister’s birthday, but she let me off the hook because she knew Drew was coming in from NY. She let me off the hook again Saturday because she knew it was the first day of the show. But Sunday she insisted on a family dinner, so I had to do a half day at the show. Still plenty of time to have Scott scan my art, take a few more strolls, have some nice chats and catch up with a few friends. But I think the thing I will take away most from the weekend is how much everyone’s kids have grown. Whether it was Albert’s son Logan, Mick Gray’s daughter Genevieve, or Arthur and Joyce’s daughter Alexandria. When I first met Mick and his family, Gen was about waist high. Now she’s my height. And the first time I saw Alexandria almost three years ago at WonderCon, she had very little hair and was bouncing on her dad’s lap. Now she’s got pigtails and running around on her own. Amazing how time flies. Cliché I know, but nothing was ever more true. I guess that’s one of the reasons I post these silly THANK YOU’s after every show. It may just be a comic convention, but it’s still important to remember, acknowledge, and appreciate all the people who make any sort of difference in our lives.

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