Some things, like Disneyland, you just have to experience for yourself...

Im writing this on the plane ride home from Seattle to Phoenix...my mind still reeling from all that went down over the past 4 days. This is really going to be like 5 journals in 1, but I cant stop writing so please bear with me.

What just happened? Its like Parnell and Sandburg said...I just got taken to a dream world of magic. Now, what happens at the Ronnylamas stays at the Ronnylamas, but I will share some of my experiences with you. Gotta keep it vague though. Too much detail and I may get my FORF...Friends Of Ronnylama Forever...card revoked. Not really, I think Im a member for life...maybe even platinum status. The man and the legend are mythical though dude, for real. I heard stories of how outsiders in the area would die for a peak behind the curtain that is the domain of Ronnylama...Im not making that up. I am honored to have had the opportunity to do so. Memories I will cherish forever. The true beauty is the mans heart which flows through his art and can be seen all over his home and yard. Ok, ok, Ive said too much already.

Thursday

Sure I know Tnerb and Ronnylama from the journals, but do you really know someone when your interactions are so limited? What would they really be like? What if in reality they were freaky voodoo headhunters who had lured me into their CGC net? Haha. Sometimes man you just gotta take a leap of faith and I am SO thankful I did. You know the second you make eye contact that you have just made a lifelong friend. These two guys, along with LeeK who came over that night, and Shivibali who I met the next day, are some of the most genuine, caring, loving human beings Ive ever met. Ronnylamas daughter was also super cool...you can see a lot of her dad in her. We spent this first night hanging out, pressing books like crazy, sharing comic stories, and prepping for opening day. Good times.

Friday

Woke up later than we wanted, but made it to the con not too long after the doors opened. The place was sold out and packed every day. This was a big show...second only to SDCC in my opinion, with WonderCon now being the third largest in my mind. To be fair though, Ive never been to a show on the East Coast. Once through doors and up the 3 escalators, we bolted straight to the CGC booth where the amazing Mike and the beautiful Cynthia were both kind enough to help us get our books signed and submitted...this took all day, but we got a LOT done. I did manage to pick up a few nice reading copies of TOS though and the other 2 Rutgers Halloween issues I wanted...Thor 207 and ugh a DC title, JLA 103.

We met LeeK back at Ronnylamas place later that night and Shivabali made us some amazing carne asada tacos for dinner...thank you Shivibali for your very thoughtful gift as well. We were joined by another couple who have been friends with Ronnylama for years and who I now consider friends as well...not comic enthusiasts like us, just wonderful people and I am so glad I was able to spend some time getting to know them.

Saturday

We were about an hour early and waited in line til the doors opened...crazy crowd. Another day of tracking down creators and gathering signatures. We made a beeline for Klaus Janson since he was only signing for an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening. He signed the DD 158 gifted to me by Ronnylama and my MTU 100. I also turned in a Universal submission for TOS 82, Avengers 104, and Spidey Super Stories 6...another gift from Ronnylama, seriously could this man be any more generous. Last stop was to James Silvani who I hadnt heard of before but does an amazing job with the character Stitch from the Lilo and Stitch movie. My wife loves Stitch so I didnt hesitate to ask him to do a commissioned piece for her...this was the highlight for me, this sketch brought her to tears when I brought it home and showed it to her. Just awesome.

After the con we met back up with our non comic book friends at Ronnylamas and they made us an incredible dinner...beef bourguignon served with Napa cabernet...sooo good.

Tnerb and I spent the rest of the night figuring out which key books I might like to pick up and at what price. It was a godsend having him help me review books before I bought them...like having free personalized prescreen service. Haha. Thank you SO much again Tnerb for all your help.

Sunday

Again, we arrived an hour early and waited in line for the doors to open. This time was more leisurely since most of the signatures were done. I picked up my Stitch sketch and Tnerb and I cruised the floor looking for key issues. One of those was Special Marvel Edition 15, first appearance of the Master of Kung Fu. We found about a 9.0 copy that we liked but I wanted to keep looking to see what else we could find before committing to that one. Not long afterward we met up with LeeK who had been listening to Tnerb and I the night before as we were talking about which issues I wanted. I have something for you LeeK says...then he hands me a PGX 9.0 copy of SME 15. Wow, just wow. I cant say thank you enough my friend.

At the end of the day I picked up a decent copy of Daredevil 159 and a PGX 9.4 copy of Xmen 121...I submitted both, along with the SME 15 received from LeeK, to CCS for pressing and CGC for grading. Really looking forward to getting those back and will share the results when I do. From there it was straight to the airport and back home to Phoenix. It was sad leaving my friends behind and yet I could not be more thankful for the time we got to spend together. Amazing people, just amazing. Thank you all for allowing me to be part of your lives.

God is good, and those here in this CGC community are a blessing.

Til next year...

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