Comic-Con 2011 - Not Just for Nerds

Comic-Con has Transcended the Nerd Culture
And The Con is now so much more.  Maybe nerd culture has transcended itself.  Whatever the case, even if the in vogue of being a nerd doesn't last, Comic-Con is not just for the traditionally stereotyped "nerd, geek, dweeb" etc.  Let's face it, we all have a little nerd in us even if we don't always want to let that flag fly.  And if you don't, you wish you did because us nerds are the driving force of everything you hold dear in life.

Here's a list of a few things at Comic-Con 2011
I'd be shocked if there were not at least a few things on here you are interested in:

Chuck, Dexter, Twilight, Burn Notice, Big Bang Theory, Futurama, Dragon Ball Z, Batman, Adventure Time, Konami, Capcom, Microsoft, Playstation (which had previews of many upcoming games), Comic Books of every kind, Art (painting, sculptures, drawings etc), LEGO

And that's just a short list.  I know, awesome right?  Check out the recap of my experience, with links to some related galleries at the bottom, and see what I did and saw and why you should get stoked to go no matter who you are.

COMIC-CON 2011
I went to Comic-Con in San Diego a few weekends ago and it was great!  I was expecting a lot of people but DAMN! It wasn't just a convention, it was like Comic-Con exploded all over downtown San Diego.  There were all kinds of events, nerds, cos-players and people just looking to have a good time spread all over the Gas Lamp district.  I loved every second of the entire experience.  This was my first time attending and I was only able to secure a one day pass for Saturday but here is what I experienced.

FRIDAY
I drove into San Diego Friday around lunch and went straight to the beach.  I highly recommend checking this out as it is always beautiful.  Found a bar with a patio, grabbed a beer and kicked back to enjoy the unbelievable weather and view.  I thought to myself, "I could be a bum here."  After soaking in the sun I checked in to the place I was staying and hit downtown.  I was riding solo that weekend but the situation didn't particularly bother me as I like the sense of adventure I get exploring things on my own from time to time.  I immediately found a South Park setup which was hosting South Park Song Karaoke, a number of food trucks next door, free pictures with characters, create your own South Park character kiosks and Big Wheel Racing!  You read that correctly and yes, it was excellent.  I also scored a free bag a Cheesy Poofs.  100% delicious.  Along my travels I managed to befriend some Irishmen and we met up with a couple friends I have in SD for a night on the town.  Drinks were flowing, people were dancing, and let me assure you there is no shortage of beautiful women in Southern California. All in all, it was a fun night and a great way to start the weekend.

SATURDAY: Comic-Con!
I started the day out in line for the limited autograph signings around 9am (WARNING: There are a lot of lines at Comic-Con).  It was an incredibly long line but once the doors opened, the line moved very quickly and I actually scored a ticket to get the Mythbusters Autographs (Kari, Grant and Tory)!  Who doesn't love Mythbusters?  That show is dope!  Then on to check out the exhibit hall.  I was unprepared for the sheer, massive size of the exhibit hall.  It seems to go on forever and is filled with every kind of entertainment you can imagine.  There were comics, movies, video games, art, you name it they had it.  The very first thing I happened to see?  Axe Cop booth.  It's a web comic written by a 7 year old, Malachai, and drawn by his older brother, Ethan.  It's hilarious, entertaining and probably the best thing I've ever seen.  Poked around and talked to a few of the artists and people selling comics before hitting the line for Ballroom 20 and the Terra Nova panel.  Some of the panels aren't so large and the line is very manageable but things in the large Ballrooms like 20 and H are going to be super popular so you need to get in line early.  As it stood I was a half hour early for the Terra Nova panel at 11am.  That didn't cut it, I ended up being shut out of that panel but not to worry as I was actually more interested in the panel after that, Futurama.  So I waited, played on my phone, caught a few pictures with some cos-players and scored a seat in the Futurama panel at 12:15.  It did not disappoint.  The voice actors were very funny and I got to see some sneak peaks of upcoming episodes.  On top of that, the panel announced they had just been renewed for two more season!  Got out of there and hit the exhibit hall for a bit and I just so happened to see a few people in line to get an autograph.  From who? Billy Zane!!!  Hell yeah!  I got a picture with Billy Zane!  Billy motha-fuckin Zane (his official full name, I believe)!  Shook his hand, told him I was a fan and he was really nice.  Him and Jeffrey Weissman (George McFly, Back to the Future II and III) were raising money for Michael J Fox's charity so I made a $10 donation for the picture.  I uploaded that picture, proceeded outside to get some fresh air and grab a bit of food from one of the food trucks while reveling in all the hateful comments from my friends who were jealous I got to meet Billy Zane.  It was delicious (the food and the revelry).  Hit the exhibit hall again and began exploring.  Quick run up to the autograph area for my Mythbusters autograph and then back down to the exhibit hall. So much to see it was almost overwhelming.  Snapped a bunch of pictures with cos-players.  Those cos-players really broke out the big guns for The Con.  A lot of excellent, very well done costumes.  I watched a few previews for upcoming movies and games, picked up an art book (autographed with a custom  sketch of me by the artist) and scored a free autograph picture from Carlos "El Mariachi" Gallardo who is currently involved with  in an animated zombie feature called Zombie Apocalypse.  Also ran into Brian Posehn walking around on the floor.  Snapped a picture of him while he was talking to someone else, creeper style, but I did overhear him say he always enjoys Comic-Con so I assume he goes every year.  Didn't want to bug him for a picture, seemed like he was taking a ton of them with fans already, but it was cool to see him there.  Finally retired from The Con for the day and explored the Gas Lamp a little more.  Good food a few drinks and Saturday was rounded out very nicely.

Wrap-Up
Sunday I had to make the trip home, and I was sad, but I had such a great time I have vowed to return in 2012 for ALL four days.  Apparently I will be attending with a few of my friends as most of them were insanely jealous and mad that I didn't invite them this year, guys and gals alike.  Sorry everyone, but it was a last minute thing when I bought my ticket.  I assure you, my friends, we shall descend upon San Diego in 2012 with avengeance.  Below are a few links to galleries from this year's Con and any updates I think of in the future.  Enjoy.


Cos-Play
Famous People, Panels and Cos-Players

Movie Soundtracks - Locked, Stocked and Snubbed

It always surprises me when looking up lists of the "Best Movie Soundtracks of All Time" that Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels is NEVER among the ranks.  Even when looking at the top 20, 30, 100.  It doesn't matter.  Go watch that movie, listen to the soundtrack and tell me it isn't awesome.  I dare you.  You'd be telling me a bold face lie.  The songs choices are magnificent for each scene and it adds up to an album you can really listen to straight through.  It's an album that features Dusty Springfield, James Brown (twice) and The Stooges.  Simply put: It-Is-Excellent! Here's a link to the Amazon page for the soundtrack.  Just listen to the preview of each song, you'll want to check out the full version of each song.  I honestly can't think of another movie for which I like the soundtrack better.  Can you name anything?

I Want to Move Home, Just Not Sure I Can Afford the Bar Tabs

WOMEN = AIRPORT SHUTTLE?
The last couple trips I've taken I've used a new airport shuttle system: women who like me.  It's a great system.  I don't have to inconvenience my friends or family for a ride, I might get to make out a little bit before I get on my plane, it's a great.  No, I don't feel bad at all.  In fact, it's my new system for whenever I go on trips.  If at all possible, get an attractive woman who likes you to drive you to the airport.  Of these two situations, one of them has a boyfriend and still hooks up with one of my friends.  I think she's under the impression that I don't know the latter part of that statement.  She also tell me that she likes me and misses me.  She's pretty sketchy.  So I don't feel bad about having her give me a ride to the airport because she wants to see me before I leave.  The other is a girl who's liked me since high school.  By liked, I mean she just wants to have sex with me (her words).  It hasn't happened yet because of certain cock-blocking factors (Cock Block Rate: 8) but it will happen.  What a great system, try it out yourself.

ECONOMIC RECOVERY
Slow and steady economic recovery.  I'm not talking about the world economy, I'm talking about my bank account.  I took a trip home a couple weeks ago and spent a ton of money.  I really want to move back there, I'm just not sure I can afford the bar tabs.  Caught up with a bunch of friends and had a blast.  What can I say, I'm a sucker for fun and when I'm having a great time I don't think too much about how much I'm spending if I know I have the money.  Yeah, it was a bit excessive but good times with good friends are the best.

3 Ridiculous Reasons People Don't Support USA Soccer

I'm a huge USA fan and was at the USA vs Mexico game a couple weeks ago.  The Rose Bowl is a great place to watch a game, loved the scenery and weather, but the lack of support for USA soccer sickens me.  There were 93,000+ people at the game that day and probably 70,000+ were rooting for Mexico.  I know most of the people in that stadium were not born, nor have they ever lived in Mexico.  They were born in America, they should support USA.  I hear ridiculous reasons why people do not support USA even though this is where they were born.

Reason 1: "I don't support USA because people in America don't care about soccer."

This has to be the most ridiculous of all the reasons.  There are millions people in the United States that say the same thing and choose a foreign country to root for in soccer.  All of you out there who believe this obviously care about soccer and you are American (can you see where I'm going with this) so if you supported USA we'd have the same following as every other country.

Reason 2:

Them:"I'm Mexican, I support Mexico"

Me: Weren't you born in [insert American city here]?

Them: "Well yeah, but I'm Mexican"

No, you're not Mexican.  You have Mexican heritage, but you were born in America, you are American.  The same goes for anybody else who has heritage from a foreign country.  If you were born in the US and live in the US you are American and you should support your country.

Reason 3: "Team USA isn't even made up of Americans, they have names like Bocanegra and Ching"

NEWSFLASH: America is not just white people, it is an incredibly diverse country.  Everybody knows that and as an American you should be proud of that diversity.

This are just the top three that come to mind, I'm sure there will be more I think of later.  It just doesn't make sense not to support USA in sports when you are an American.  People complain because Americans don't support their teams the way other countries do but what the complainers don't realize is THEY are the exact people they are complaining about.

Top Ten Cosmic Hip-Hop Songs

Top Ten Cosmic Hip-Hop Songs
Forever Begins - Common
Sunshine - Atmosphere
As The World Turns - Blackalicious
Gravity - Da Bush Babees
Astronomy - Black Star
Bring Back Pluto - Aesop Rock
Time and Space - Digable Planets
Intergalactic - Beastie Boys
Positive Contact - Deltron 3030
Fett's Vette - MC Chris

I was jamming to some hip-hop today and Bring Back Pluto by Aesop Rock played on random.  I really did  the entire None Shall Pass album but that particular track got me thinking about the best cosmic and cosmic related hip-hop songs so I decided to make a Top Ten.  The order listed isn't my ranking, just the best flow for all the tracks.  Hit the link to check them out on YouTube or you could always go to one o fmy personal favorite websites, GrooveShark, and make a playlist. Enjoy

Multitasking FTW!

People say multitasking isn't that great or efficient, but I think it depends on what you're doing.  Like if you're trying to send a text or read an e-mail but you have to go to the bathroom, that is easily a situation where multitasking is not only great but more efficient.  You're relieving your body of stress and trolling your friends on Facebook at the same time.  WIN!  So next time you're doing something on your phone, take a second to consider if it can wait until you're on the toilet.  Plenty of free time for you hands during that situation, at least I hope your hands are free while you're on the toilet.  If they're not, you're probably doing it wrong.  That, or you're a dirty bird.

Fear the Shadow Man!

Just another frame I drew in relation to the other two Shadow Man posts I made