San Diego Comic Con 2014 - On the Sidelines

A view from the bridge (those white tents are lines for Hall H)

So let me start off with a sad story.  Back in March, I and a few friends hung out online early because it was Comic Con open registration day.  And if one of us got in to buy tickets we would all get tickets for each other.  But nobody got out of the 'waiting room' because after the better part of two hours all tickets to the convention were sold out.  Boo.

Some months later, my friend scored tickets to Aisha Tyler's podcast fan event during Comic Con (but not a part of the con) which included a meet and greet with Aisha to sign things and attendance at her podcast taping as VIPs of the Xbox lounge at the Marriott.  So since my friend's fiance had to work the days of Thursday and Friday, I got to go!  So now we are into the happy story.

I've never been to Comic Con, and was always a little wary of the crowds, but after having been in San Diego last week, it is definitely crazy crowded, but also worth going.  Although I don't think I'd go again if I didn't have tickets to the convention.  But to be there hanging out on the sidelines was so much fun.  There's actually quite a bit to see, and some great swag to score just walking around outside.

(Pictures and commentary below!)

There are many set-ups like this one - areas advertising some show or video game with fun activities that included zip-lining, obstacle courses, picture opportunities, arcade style games, and more!  And you can get shirts, totes, face-painting, lots of coupons (I was glad to get some coupons for Amazon!), and food all for free!

The Simpsons exhibit had a world record attempt going - the 'most contributions to a painting by numbers' which my picture only shows a part of. I may be part of a successful Guinness World Records event!  I did one square on Lisa. 

It was nice to see the store shops around embrace the nerd spirit as well (although I'm sure there's financial gains for them to do so) and I particularly enjoyed the shop windows of this optometry store.  I mean two of my biggest shows were represented!  And I actually went inside to try on those 10th Doctor glasses, but the lady was on the phone and I couldn't find the brand anywhere else in the store.  (Eco Lima) Oh well.

One of the things I was most eager to see was the promotional band of kilted men and bagpipers advertising the premiere of Outlander next month.  And on Friday, my friend and I were just leaving the Gaslamp district, when I heard the bagpipes and immediately told my friend we needed to go back.  Those things worked!  The guys were fun (and loud) and some of the women who were also looking to see them, were a little too into it (but it was funny!) It was a bit intimidating to go into the throng but I did it!  And these guys actually had Scottish accents!  Total win.

I got the nice Outlander bandanna they were handing out to help remind me that the show is airing next month (like I need a reminder!) I'll probably wear it while I watch, and maybe cry into it when I get to certain parts of the story...

There was also another exhibit that I wanted to see - the Mockingjay set-up at the Hard Rock hotel.  But there was a crazy long line for it (of course) and when I looked on twitter and saw that Jennifer, Liam and Josh were rumored to put in a quick appearance, then it all made even more sense.  (Although I found out later that the rumor was false.)  I wish I had been able to go in though as I saw they had Peeta's bakery, some Capitol fashion exhibits and the general feeling

that you were in Panem.  And while we were waiting in indecision outside of the hotel, a fleet of black Escalades were driven into the garage.  We speculated that they were carrying the cast of The Hunger Games.  But now that is not possible, I wonder who they were carrying?

There were some actors from The Originals walked out to a shuttle on this street, and it was pretty crazy to see all the paparazzi and even fans just running up with their camera and asking for a selfie picture.  And the actors were so obliging despite the chaos.  I really have never seen anything like it.  And then after the actors passed, sometimes the paparazzi would turn to someone and ask who the person was. (?!)  So dress up and get someone to dress like a bodyguard and you might have people running after you trying to take your picture!  Anyways if you are going to Comic Con in the hopes of seeing some of the big (but not too big) actors, I think hanging around the closest hotels to the con will give you a good chance.  If you want to actually try to get a picture with them.

So wrapping up!  I loved that they had this photo op with a Captain Hook lookalike from Once Upon a Time (although I at first crazily thought maybe it was actually the actor!)  And then of course I had so much fun attending the Girl on Guy podcast taping Thursday night.  Free drinks, food and great entertainment!  And although I've never seen A Walk to Remember or really anything Shane West has been in, he was really delightful to listen to, and has had such an interesting career!

I spent just two days in San Diego, but was already tired out from all the walking and sightseeing (and the heat!) so I felt like I did so much in those two days.  But there is a lot to see so I think I'm justified in feeling so accomplished.  Even though I didn't get to go to the actual con, it was amazing just being on the sidelines!