(Re)Generation Who Convention 2018

I'm way late getting around to writing this post, but alas, here it is....

(Re)Generation Who Con-Year 3. I love this convention. I really do. It is one weekend a year that we frivolously drop Jonas off with a family member and we head down to Baltimore with some of our best friends in the world. The ride down is always energetic, fun, and full of anticipation. I love checking into our rooms, dropping off our stuff, and heading down to see the earliest happenings at the convention. I have a lot of interests that inspire great Fandoms, but Doctor Who fans are some of the most inclusive and kind human beings there are. Attending (Re)Generation Who takes me out of my own head about the things that fuel my depression and anxiety and reminds me that solidarity exists and I can be myself. Sometimes my best self.

Here are some highlights from Who Con 2018:

• Rachel Talalay! I attended all of her panels and just love her. I became a fan of hers years ago when I saw the movie she directed, 'Tank Girl'. Since then she's done a lot of amazing work on shows I love, i.e. Sherlock, Doctor Who. During one of my favorite panels, Rachel showed a directors cut scene of Peter Capaldi's regeneration (God, I love his monologues) into the first female Doctor of the series, Jodie Whitaker. Her insight on women, equality, and the rise of the #MeToo movement was inspiring and thought provoking. In addition to that, Rachel was also advocating for gun reform and was raising money for that cause. I was thrilled that I got the opportunity to meet her, shake her hand, and tell her how much I admired her work. She was very kind.  
  
• Peter Capaldi and Michelle Gomez-I was really surprised that Peter Capaldi came to the convention so soon after his run on the show but was thrilled with the opportunity to see him in person. Our budget couldn't justify the cost for a photo-op but I still got  to see him up close and attend his panel. Later on after the meet and greet area was closed, I went and sat in Peter's chair and may have accidentally sniffed his chair...don't ask.  Michelle Gomez is fun, hysterical, and NUTS! I probably had the most fun listening to her tell stories on her panel so I was quite excited to hear her spoil that she would be working with Big Finish in the near future.
  
• The Classic representation-I enjoy the Classic Who panels very much. Over the last year Jer and I have been doing decades worth of binge watching with no dent in episodes in sight. Many times I like a companion or a particular Doctor much more after enjoying their panels at the Who Con. I was disappointed that Sylvester McCoy wasn't at the Con this year...while (so far that I've seen) he isn't necessarily my favorite Classic Doctor, I find his energy, humor, and panel conversations, to be wildly entertaining. 
  
• Standing with Whos Against Gun Violence. Sadly this convention was dampened by a school shooting that killed 17 human beings in Florida in February 2018. Gun violence is an epidemic in America with mass shootings being common news these days. The ease of gaining weapons designed for war and not personal protection, is alarming. AR-15s really have no business in our society. It is a complex debate with strong points on either side of the argument. With that being said I stood with the protesters (along with my friend in Weeping Angel Cosplay) as a representative of their message...Gun violence needs to end. We deserve to feel safe when sending our children to school, attending concerts, going to a museums, etc without the concern of being shot to death in the back of our minds. 
  
• Karaoke-We ran into a guy that lived a couple of streets away from me in my hometown. We went to the same high school though he was older than me and I didn't know him. Talk about coincidence! Anyway, he played the game Heads Up with us for a while before letting us know he had a portable karaoke machine in this tiny bag he was carrying around. We had a blast. Jer still melts my heart with his rendition of Frank Sinatra's New York, New York. 
• The usual stuff-Who Dance Party, having drinks and conversation in our hotel rooms, going to sample the Baltimore food choices, walking around the vendor rooms, checking out the panels, and spending time with Jeremiah and our like-minded friends.

  

  Me and Jeremiah (as Matt Smith) causing trouble at Who Con

 I'm already looking forward to next year and everything (Re)Generation Who has to offer.

Awesome Con Review: Washington D.C. June 2017

It has taken me a while to post a review about our time at Washington D.C.'s Awesome Con because of life and summer...and perhaps a little bit of hope that time would lessen the level of frustration the event caused me.

To be fair, I prefer smaller conventions to larger ones. I have gone to PAX East and NYC Comic Con in the past and the crowds were overwhelming; that was my biggest complaint but was to be expected. Awesome Con had a large crowd but my biggest issue was the disorganized organization. I know that sounds contradictory but that's how it was. There were plenty of nice volunteers, there were plenty of lines, but it didn't seem like anyone you asked knew exactly what was going on.

When we first got to the Convention Center early Saturday we took our place in a very long line but it moved rather quickly so I had high hopes for the rest of the day. This feeling quickly changed after we picked up our registration badges. Having arrived early to see a panel discussion with David Tennant (my 8 year old son is a huge fan of the Tenth Doctor and Barty Crouch, Jr.) we were told we needed to wait in the long snaking line that occupied a majority of the registration floor. After noticing the time for the panel was about to start I started getting anxious when the line hadn't moved much. I asked a volunteer if we were in the right line for David Tennant and was told we were and that there were 5000 seats and we should get in no problem. So we waited. As the line snaked around, I began to feel optimistic that we would be seated soon and asked another volunteer to confirm we were in the right place. I was again told we were and that they were sitting VIP patrons first and that once they were seated the rest of us would file in after. So more waiting...

After checking the time again and realizing David Tennant's panel should be halfway through, I asked another volunteer and was told we were NOT in the right line and that there was ANOTHER line for David Tennant's panel against a far wall. At this point I was extremely disappointed that we'd been assured we were in the right line since he was a deciding factor in attending the convention, but I kept my cool. I asked the same volunteer what line we were standing on if it wasn't for David Tennant and was told it was for Stan Lee. I thought, 'Great, that will be a fine alternative and should please my Marvel-loving 8 year old just fine.' So we waited. We were let in to the vendor floor, not a panel room, and chaos seemed to escalate from there. Thinking perhaps the panel room was somewhere on that floor (despite my map contradicting it), we paced the enormous floor to find where Stan Lee's panel might be and we were directed to an autograph area for people who purchased tickets. The autograph and photo-op session was still hours away so I was confused about why 7 different volunteers couldn't direct us to the right line for any panel. We had literally walked close to two miles of convention center to not get to any of our intended destinations. I was frustrated but still determined to have a good time. I decided to buy a ticket for a photo-op with John Barrowman (Doctor Who and Arrow) as a consolation to missing David Tennant's panel discussion. Before getting on line, I asked if I needed cash or a credit card for the photo and was told a card was fine, then was told cash. So my husband waited while I looked for an ATM.

I went to the information booth set up in the middle of the convention floor and asked about the location of an ATM. She pointed me to one that was 30 people deep. I asked if there were any others available and was told she didn't think so. So I got in line and felt my frustrations grow. I then get a text from my husband saying they could take credit cards for photo-ops so I returned to him only to learn that this wasn't the formal photo-op session and that I needed cash after all.

So back to the ATM.This time however, an attendee told us about at least 2 other ATMs nearby and I was able to secure my money quickly and get my photo-op ticket. I was still seething that we had been at Awesome Con for 3 hours and hadn't done anything productive or had any real fun yet. The volunteers were entirely well meaning but unfortunately didn't have a lot of knowledge when asked basic questions about the set up and locations of events.

John Barrowman definitely cheered us up though. He was warm and affectionate during the photo-op and had fantastic energy. Our pic came out awesome too!

Jeremiah, my sister Lexi, John, Jonas, and me

Later, we attended John's panel and it was the BEST. June is Gay Pride Month and John came out wearing white heals and a TARDIS romper. His husband Scott made an appearance too in John's Captain Jack Harkness trench coat and they were great, though a family in front of us with older teenage kids must not have expected John to be openly gay and they decided to leave as his panel was just beginning.  John was forthcoming, vulgar, hysterical, open, honest, and engaging. Much of it went over Jonas' head (Phew!) and he played his Nintendo 3DS but he listened too. We have raised him to know love is love and he has always been very accepting and as supportive as he can be of the gay people in his life. We didn't see any reason to shelter him from John's panel for that reason. John ended his panel with a song, 'You're Too Good to Be True' and it was evident he really loves his fans. He was the best part of the convention for us and afterwards I felt re-energized and continued to have a great time. We took a walk and purchased some posters on the vendor floor, played some games in a vintage and modern video game room, and closed the convention. When we weren't at the convention, we were walking around Washington D.C. taking in the sites and landmarks of our Nation's Capital and getting stamps for our National Parks passport book.

I am glad we went Awesome Con but we will not be returning again. I am going to stick to smaller conventions from now on.

(Re)Generation Who Convention 2017

I didn't get around to making a timely review of the fantastic time we had at the (Re)Generation Who Convention in Baltimore, Maryland on March 24-26th so read the best recap over at my friend Josh's superior blog

(Left to Right) Josh, Jen W., Jen A., Dave, Me, Jeremiah

I am going to highlight my favorite parts of the convention in a list of no particular order with pictures where applicable.

1. Josh W.'s panel about his story, Forever Fallen, which was the winner of Big Finish's Short Trip story contest. Josh explained the concept of the story from it's origins to it's completion and his presentation was well received by attendees. It was a great panel for storytellers in general, both made and aspiring. 

   

   Josh during his Panel

2. The Doctor Who dance party. Dancing with strangers and friends. I love that my friend Jen W. still came down with me on Saturday night despite being exhausted from her work event and long solo ride to the con. Also, many people do the Time Warp wrong and that was sad.
   
3. The Sylvester McCoy panels. He is so energetic and entertaining and my bold and incredible husband Jeremiah, was lucky enough to get to speak to him.

   

   Sylvester McCoy and Jeremiah

4. Going to Fort McHenry with Jen and Dave. A lot of cool history to be appreciated though my weirdness about the smell of old things kept me from fully enjoying the indoor barracks. 
   
   
   

   

   Jen and Dave

   
   
   
5. Meeting our friends, Ryan and Rob, out for dinner on Saturday night.
6. The times we spent drinking and laughing in our hotel rooms. 
7. Jen W.'s Weeping Angel cosplay. Josh jokes that she stole the show from him, a published Big Finish Author with his own convention panel, and he isn't wrong. I mean, look at her!
   
   
8. More times we spent drinking and laughing in our hotel rooms.
9. Playing Heads Up, learning about each other's guilty pleasures (erotica, Riverdale, Jeremiah's homoerotic hair, and many more interesting points of discovery came up). 
10. Being in Baltimore for an adults-only weekend with my favorite friends and the best husband in the world by my bias definition, Jeremiah.

    

    Love this man to bits!

    

Cool Things to Get Into: 2017 Update

I have posted before about cool things I'm into but since my curiosity  is never satiated I'm always looking for new and exciting ways to enrich my life and imagination.  Depending on the day and the climate of my particular attitude, a long commute can be a great space of time to fill with stories, news, theories, and more. Because my commute is what it is, it allows me the time to devote myself to my favorite podcasts without getting in the way of my other interests and obligations.

So here it goes...some of my favorite suggestions for making your 2017 a little bit more fun.

What I'm listening to:

Podcasts:
The Loaded Couch: Fantastic variety show about beer, video games, TV, movies, and general hilarity with a great host dynamic. They have a consistent show format with regular weekly releases.

Limetown: There isn't enough I can say about this awesome series. It is a continuous mystery so you will have to start at the beginning but it is such a cool format. It takes shape through the perspective of a
journalist who will stop at nothing to find out where 300 people from a testing/research site called Limetown, have disappeared to. The closer she gets to the truth, the stranger and more dangerous the episodes become.

Forever Fallen-Doctor Who Short Trips: Besides the story being written by my good friend Josh Wanisko, it is also a great insight into the power and conflicts of our choices. It helps to be familiar with the Doctor Who universe but to listen to Josh's story, it certainly isn't necessary. I'm extremely proud of my friend's story and the positive acclaim it has received and am so happy to recommend it.

Myths and Legends: Folklore and myths from around the world are featured on this podcast. Obscure figures from Greek mythology, sinister origins of familiar fairy tales, and strange superstitions, make this a well
rounded and enjoyable show to listen to. Episodes tend to be in the 30-40 minute range so are perfect for the commute to and from work.

The NoSleep Podcast: Scary fiction at it's finest! This podcast is in the same vein as Wicked Library and Tales to Terrify which I have reviewed in a previous post. There are definitely stories that will make your heart race and your stomach flip. Leave the lights on!

YouTube: A Song of Ice and Fire Channels
My obsession with Westeros is only surpassed by my hunger to sink my teeth into any good analysis on the moving parts that drive the series. Some channels are devoted to the story and shedding light on the mysteries and unanswered questions the series leaves in it's wake.

Preston Jacobs: Great theory-crafter with intelligent reviews and insight into all things ASOIAF. My favorite videos include: Deeper Dorne, Prepping for Winter (analyzes released sample chapters by George R.R. Martin), and Littlefinger's Mistake.

The Last Harpy: Short dynamic analysis on all the theories that keep us obsessed fans awake at night. Great channel!

What I'm reading:

The Witcher Series: My amazing husband bought me the books that inspired one of his favorite games, The Witcher 3. We both tend to share similar interests so it's pretty easy and refreshing for us to recommend new things to each other. We never run out of things to talk about. The story is filled with all of the usual traits of the Fantasy Genre and yet stands alone in it's uniqueness and beauty.

What I'm playing: 

A Game of Thrones Living Card Game-Second Edition: This is a deckbuilding, faction based, strategic card game highlighting the military tactics, intrigue, and power struggles of the great Houses of Westeros (in the vein of Magic but VERY different). I got into the game during the First Edition and fell in love with it. It has a very competitive environment for play and I have been lucky enough to play against some of the best players in the Meta and attend some store championships and draft tournaments in the NYC area. I'm not very good and don't have the time to devote to improving that I wish I did, but I do love to play when I can.  It is a great time to get into the game for new players because to catch up with the current card pool you wouldn't have to back track too much. The core set and two House expansion sets are released and the monthly chapter packs are only in their second cycle. (Each cycle is themed and is defined by 6 chapter packs of 20 new cards @ 3x each.)

Doctor Who-Short Trips: Forever Fallen by Joshua Wanisko

I may have mentioned I have awesome neighbors.

We have lived next door to Joshua & Jen Wanisko since 2006. It took a little time to crack the ice (I blame this on my own social awkwardness) but once we got together it was clear we were in a very good position to be great friends...1) We had similar values and interests; 2) We share a passion for the coolest stuff ever; and 3) J&J's daughter, Lily and our son, Jonas are three years apart and have their own friendship independent of their parents which is just the best. 

I couldn't be more grateful for this ideal platform for friendship and while there are dozens of great things I can say about everyone in the Wanisko family, my post today is about Joshua and the big news I can finally talk freely about...Joshua, an incredible writer and published author, has reached a new level of deserved recognition...I could probably come up with an appropriate introduction to Josh's latest achievement but since Big Finish did such a stellar job of it already, I figured I would let the announcement speak for itself:

"We're delighted to be able to announce details for December's free Doctor Who Short Trip...
In May we announced the chance to write a Doctor Who Short Trip, in a memorial opportunity to mark the anniversary of the loss of our much-loved Big Finish colleague Paul Spragg.
Being released on the 29th December of this year (Paul's birthday) is Doctor Who - Short Trips: Forever Fallen, a Seventh Doctor story by American writer Joshua Wanisko, read by Big Finish Executive Producer and Doctor Who actor Nicholas Briggs, and produced by Ian Atkins."

I, for one, have been waiting for weeks to finally brag about my friend's accomplishment so I was thrilled when I saw Josh's Facebook post earlier (below) and knew the secret was finally out:

"I can finally announce some big news. 

Short version: I'm the author of a Doctor Who story.

Long Answer: I've been a fan of Doctor Who since I was Lily's age. I think it was Timothy Millheim who really got me hooked. I've always loved the show, but if if you ask someone what Doctor Who is *about*, you'll get a different answer depending on who you ask, because it's the longest running science fiction program of all time, and there are as many answers to this question as there are fans.

To me, the core of the show is about a man who goes up and down and to and fro in the universe, helping people for no other reason than the fact that it's the right thing to do.

Big Finish is the company that produces audio plays with the cast of the original series. I submitted a story to Big Finish as part of the Paul Spragg Memorial Short Trip Opportunity, something they established to commemorate the sudden passing of a friend and colleague at the studio.

They accepted my story, it's been vetted by the BBC and it's been recorded. I'm humbled and honored, because I love their work, and I'm very proud of what I've written."

Read the whole write up on the Big Finish website. Josh is also the creator of the best blog ever and everyone should read it!

I'm ridiculously proud of my friend and am honored to have been a part of the inner circle that got to read his story before everyone else gets to enjoy it. I can't wait to hear his story come to life in the Big Finish production.

To commemorate the occasion, I thought I would proudly display some pics from the (Re)Generation Who Convention we attended earlier this year in Maryland. Our crew came with various Doctor Who backgrounds and tenure and man, did we have a great time! I feel bad for anyone who will never have the opportunity to experience a road-trip with Josh & Jen, Dave & Jen, and Jeremiah & me...it was unforgettable in the best way. Plus, it was coming home from this trip that marked the first time I heard a Big Finish Doctor Who Story...since then I've been brainwashed by Cybermen to never look at percentages the same again!

Josh and me in the Tardis

Jen, aka Mrs. Josh, and me 'coming out of the Tardis'

My Dalek love interest who despite his plunger giving him away as a 'very bad Dalek', still captured my heart!

Congratulations, Joshua! I declare we should have an opening night release party to celebrate your success. Since December 29 is a day before my birthday, I can think of no better way to celebrate.

Balticon50 Part 2: One Convention to RULE Them ALL!

Getting there
We packed the kids and our stuff in my neighbor Jen's Mazda and began the trek down to Baltimore. The kids were adequately equipped with books, comics, and snacks and my neighbor Josh made an awesome playlist which we sang along to on the long way down. I was buzzing with excitement and looking forward to escaping reality for three days.

Balticon Schedules
I had been stalking the Balticon website for schedules for weeks prior to the convention. For the longest time, only the Anime program schedule was up and while I enjoy Anime, this was a big "who cares" for me. I wasn't going to Balticon to watch Anime all day and wanted a full schedule to plan my experience. A day or two before the convention, the Guest of Honor schedule was finally posted. At least I would know where to find George R.R Martin but a more timely schedule would have been nice. This was the only real gripe I had and it was pretty minor. I don't think I could have enjoyed the convention more.

The Guests
I had the highest expectations for Balticon50. In addition to George R.R. Martin being the Guest of Honor, a slew of incredible authors (and previous GoH themselves) would also be returning.  Some authors I knew, some I didn't. There was a pretty great range of authors on the roster. I even got the opportunity to have a few awkward conversations and shake some hands, including the hand of the great Peter S. Beagle, who was just the best. He was soft spoken, engaging, and friendly. I asked him to recommend one of his books and he suggested his first novel, 'A Fine and Private Place' which was his own mother's favorite. I bought a copy of the book and he graciously signed it and personalized it to both me and my son, Jonas.

Guests of Honor from Balticons past returning for Balticon50

CosPlay
We all planned to engage in some CosPlay because escaping reality seems so much more fun dressed up as someone else. Jer and I settled on our Animal Crossing Mayor costumes for Saturday and Jonas, always ambitious, settled on Marvel's Falcon (Friday) AND his Animal Crossing Mayor costume (Saturday). Our neighbor's daughter was Marvel's Black Widow. The dynamic superhero kids kept the streets of Baltimore safer than ever.  Jonas didn't kick anyone's butt for misidentifying his costume as Batman but it came close...Thankfully Josh and I downplayed this atrocity when reiterating the tale to Jonas and defused the situation a little.  Jonas is not a fan of anyone making a debauchery of his interests so we were grateful for his restraint. At one point Jonas and his friend took it upon themselves to man a Furry Convention table and while I can only imagine what goes on at FurCon, it must have been a funny sight seeing two kids passing out flyers and promoting the event.

The real star costume was hands down my neighbor Jen. She was a Weeping Angel, a Doctor Who series villain, and she looked incredible in her handmade costume. I was hoping she would register for the Masquerade (costume contest) but she was having more fun walking around the convention and sneaking up on me & making me jump out of my skin. Jonas was happy to see a Tardis replica; he finally got his photo-op (he didn't come with us to the (Re)Generation Con in March and was excited to join his dad and me in the exclusive Tardis photo club). Also, my Dalek was there! We bonded when we first met at the Who Con and the rest was history. After a previous Dalek-shaming at the WhoCon, the Dalek's plunger was now in the right place. (See Josh's amazing Blog for the scoop)

The Tone is Set
After registration, I went to pick up my pre-ordered copy of a short story called 'In the House of the Worm' by GRRM. It was one of only 500 copies specifically published for Balticon50 and it was signed by George as well as by the cover artist (and Balticon50 Artist GOH), John Picacio. It set the tone for the convention when the volunteer handed me my copy and said, "Nice, you got the 50th copy at Balticon50." I knew things were destined to just get better from there.

Coming Soon: Part 3: Meeting George R.R. Martin