It's not very often that I have weekends off. I'm usually working some festival or other. This is not normally a huge concern, as working renaissance festivals can be quite fun. But, I have missed out on some great events—especially in the sci-fi / fantasy realms. Gen Con (now in Indianapolis),Dragon Con (out of Atlanta), and San Diego's Comi-Con International—it's freakin' huge (I did manage to go there once)—to name a few of this country's greatest conventions of massive geekery.
This past weekend in Mesa, Arizona, I was able to attend Phoenix Comicon 2009. Smaller than I would have preferred, but much larger than I expected, it ran for three days. Four if you got the special pass.
I went with my friends Julius, Heather, and Trish. We spoke to many a purveyor of comicked art, and ran into a slew of both Tortuga Twins and All Yo-Yo fans. Julius is internationally renowned in these here parts as "The Yo-Yo Guy." He even got recognized more than I—but, only on the first night we were there. Heather and Trish garnered their own fan base simply by being Heather & Trish. I even caught Lou Ferrigno glancing their way once or twice. They denied it, but I saws what I saws.
Phoenix Comicon 2009
The Heather & Trish Show
We know all the Best People
Julius's Tookus - Taken by Pervy Trish & Rear Admiral Heather
Celebrities also in attendance were Gil Gerard and Erin Gray from the Buck Rogers television show, Brent Spiner, Wil Wheaton, Marina Sirtis from Star Trek TNG, Aaron Douglas from Battlestar Galactica, and Peter Mayhew who plays Chewbacca in Star Wars to name a few. Did I happen to get any groovy pictures? No. Why, you ask? Obviously, I did have a camera. Well, my Tortugaholics, sometimes I get shy, too.
"No way," you say.
"Way," I say back.
"Say it isn't so," you drone.
"Oh yes. It is so."
I apologize for letting you down, and I promise to do better at the whole fan-picture thing in the future. On a positive note, I did manage to snap a couple of Wil Wheaton (Wesley Crusher—Star Trek TNG) playing Rock Band with a few of the local attendees.
Amongst all the celebs & glitter was comic book artist Tess Fowler. I was actually sent on a mission to find and say hello to Tess from a very good Florida friend of mine. She was mucho appreciative as he is quite dear to her. The look on her face when I relayed her message made me happy to play the messenger.
With Artist Tess Fowler
I noticed a common thread amongst the security types around the Comicon. A large portion of them was made up of Arizona Renaissance Festival personnel. It appears that we have infiltrated the ranks of quite a few geek fests, and merrily so. They added to my fun of the weekend, with happy hellos and a hearty hugs. Good people.
AZRF Playaz as PHX Comicon Security!!!
Super No Comment
One new friend that we made was Erin Glaser, the creator of Sock Zombies. "Like a sock monkey. Only undeader." She is a fellow writer who is now making a business out of creating (in an evil scientist lab, I'm sure) and selling cuddly, loveable undead thingies. She was also a lot of fun for Julius and I to talk to (Julius is also a writer), so we could not help but get our very own Sock Zombies. Julius named his "Sockie" and I call mine "Sigmund." Heather and Trish are very jealous—so much so that they kept them in their hot little hands all night and almost didn't give them back.Hmmph, Sock Zombie thieves—what's an undead pet owner to do?!.
Fashionable yet functional
Sock Zombie Mad Scientist Erin Glaser & Sigmund;
Julius in Repose
The Dreaded Sock Zombie Thieves!
Okay, Tortugaholics, that's all for the month of January. I'm sure I'll see the lot of you Arizona fans quite soon as the Arizona Renaissance Festival begins any week now. Until then, keep a lookout for me. I'll be stompin' around Phoenix and the surrounding area. Make sure you pay close attention whilst in Apache Junction, Mesa, Chandler, and Scottsdale—I seem to be drawn to these burbs the most.
In case you haven't noticed, the message for the month is to take time for the goofy stuff. Have a little fun once in a while to remind yourself why you're workin' so hard. Remember: It's not serious—it's just your life. Ciao for now, my friends.
Live—Laugh—Love!
Riki Robinson
AKA Raphael Tortuga
Badge of Geekdom
