I now blog over at The Eyre Guide! This blog is an archive of my past posts.


Tuesday, July 29, 2014

San Diego Comic Con 2014 - On the Sidelines

Posted by Charlene // Tags: ,
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!

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26 comments:

  1. OMG! You're so lucky!!! I was dying to go this year, especially for Outlander. Sadly, I was not able to get tickets.
    At least you went! How exciting on all the things you got to witness and enjoy :)

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  2. Whew! Sounds exhausting! I know a few friends are trying to get Con tickets for next year but heck, maybe we should just enjoy some 'fringe' entertainment!

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  3. Amazing! Loved reading about your little adventures. SO wish I could go to ComicCon one day ... it's totally on the bucket list. Even if I have to just hang outside.

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  4. What I want to know is, did you do the zip line?

    That sounds like such a fantastic weekend! I love Comic Con and the crazy, crowded energy and all the fun stuff to do. Next year I really want to attend some of the NerdHQ panels. You have to pay for them but I don't think you need a convention pass.

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  5. Oh, Comic Con sounds fun! And Outlander! I haven't read the books but am really looking forward to the tv show (because time-traveling! kilted men with Scottish accent!!)

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  6. This looks like it was so much fun! I LOVE the Simpsons paint-by-numbers and the optometry store display! I would have totally wanted to try on those glasses, too! I'm planning on checking out Outlander on Starz even though I haven't read the books; I'd been hoping to at least read the first book before then, but I don't think that's happening, lol.

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  7. Awww, at least you got to experience a small taste of Comic Con! Every time I see the panels I'm like, "I want to be there so bad!!!!!" but then the realistic part of my brain reminds me that the crowds would be crazy and I probably wouldn't even get to see everything I wanted to. If I could go like as a media person though and get good seats that would be awesome! Just don't know how that's going to happen, ha ha. And I love the optometry shop display windows!

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  8. Actually the big crowds for the major panels do scare me - there's like 0.8% chance that I would wake up early and sleep in the lines to get in. So I'm mostly setting my sights on the smaller panels for whenever I get the chance to go. But the large panels do seem so fun! Maybe I'll get lucky and get in, but in that case I can't leave! :)

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  9. So glad you had a great time! I've been vicariously experiencing SDCC through friends and YouTube videos, haha. It looks amazing!

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  10. Oh gosh, this sounds pretty intense, even on the sidelines! I'd really like to go to a con of some sort one day, but I do have a trouble with crowds, even in smaller areas, so I wonder how that would affect me. It definitely sounds a little nerve-wracking, but you had such a great time by the sounds of it, and I'm thrilled for you! It sounds like you managed to get to some really great things, and the optometry store set-up sounds so good!
    I'm sorry you didn't get through to the Mockingjay area, though- I'd have loved to see+hear your thoughts on that. Capitol Fashion is pretty spectacular in it's detail, and Peeta's Bakery! How interesting and neat!

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  11. It is amazing how many people were unable to get tickets.. and we were! Even though we had tickets for all 5 days we only attended 3 of the days. I believe that you are able to get more swag outside then inside. That is what I heard anyways.

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  12. Youtube is my friend too since I missed so much! At least they put up those movie trailers so soon after! :)

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  13. Aw, the crowds can be very intense - a smaller con might be better in many ways though - because with less people there will be lots more opportunity to see things. But it is really nice that there's so much set up outside the convention too since it gives a chance for the crowds to disperse a little.


    The Mockingjay area seemed like so much fun! I think they actually gave out bread at Peeta's Bakery! How cool to think you got bread from Peeta! :D

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  14. I know - you were so lucky! And now that you've been, you get that pre-registration that will make it easier for you next year. For the other two days you didn't go - you wanted to take some time to sightsee? That is a great idea, because San Diego is so lovely, and I hardly ever go down there so it's nice to take advantage of seeing it when I can. The long lines of people can wait! :) So interesting that there's more swag outside too - I guess if I go, I'll probably be spending more time on the outside than I originally thought!

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  15. Omg, this sounds SO awesome wish I could I have been there!

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  16. Sounds like a great day, even if you didn't get to go into the main con - it's great that there were so many free activities!


    I love the story about the paparazzi too, so stupid :P You should test your theory out.

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  17. Since there are rumors that Comic Con will move from San Diego to LA or Anaheim in the near future, maybe one day you can come over and do Comic Con and Disneyland! :)

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  18. Haha, I kind of want to try out the theory! It would be a funny prank!


    It is nice that they have so many things to do outside - must be nice for people at the con too as it might thin out the crowds inside a little bit.

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  19. Wow, I can't believe all that stuff was going on OUTSIDE CC! I did get tickets and I spent most of my time inside. There is truly so much to do that you can never do it all. I hope you get tickets next year! It's one of my very favorite things. But you're right, it was SO HOT!

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  20. Yes, I suppose the biggest thing I have to learn about the con is that I can't see everything. :) At least though, being inside the convention center will make the heat a little bit more bearable - I hope!

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  21. I was looking online to see if the finished the Simpsons canvas - didn't find out yet, but I hope they did! I am still going to keep an eye out for those glasses in other optometry stores too. :) I hope you love the adaptation of Outlander enough to read the book then! It seems like the show will be really good, so I'm sure they won't ruin the story!

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  22. Aw too bad you weren't able to read the first book before the show - I hope the show does the story justice because the book is an amazing read. And I totally support your reasons for watching the show! It's an irresistible combination! :)

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  23. Haha, nope! I actually do kinda regret not getting over my chicken side and doing the zip line though. Oh well. I know I will never do a real zip line so this mini one would have been perfect for me. :)


    I wish I had known I would be going to the area a lot earlier or I would have tried to the NerdHQ panels! Actually forgot to mention in the post that I did stop by there to see what non-ticketed things they had going on. It's fun there! And Zachary Levi was posing for photos with fans!

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  24. Definitely - I didn't realize hanging around outside is a good option before, but I'm glad to spread the word that it is!

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  25. It was! I was glad I had the weekend to recover! I hope you and your friends get those tickets! Even if you get it for a day or two, you should come for the whole weekend cause there is still lots to do!

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  26. Yeah, it's great to go to Comic Con when there is something you are excited to see premiering soon. I was hoping something Michael Fassbender is doing would be premiering soon so he might go to the con. Alas. :) I am so glad I finally went to soak in the atmosphere - I might never get tickets to the actual con, so this is good enough!

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