“Cons” have been a part of the science fiction/fantasy scene for a long time (like 70 years). It’s an opportunity for the fans to get together and celebrate the stuff they love. In my time, I can’t even remember attending these events. I remember spending a day at Comic-Con in 1976. I have a photo of me with some guy in a Star Trek convention; that must be from about 1981.

And that’s it. I’m a big geek and I love the content, but I’ve always tended to avoid cons as being too nerdy for me.

But I know better. Back in 2007, Larry was attending Star Wars Celebration IV (on the 30th anniversary of the original film) and I spoke to him by telephone from the event. I probably had in mind writing some piece about the crazy fans and their hi-jinks, but instead I ending up writing a column about being your authentic self.

When I attended the 2nd annual Monsterpalooza convention on April 10, that’s the same experience I had. The con was focused on science fiction, fantasy and horror, with the emphasis on monsters of all shapes and sizes. The crowd was quite diverse, with a larger percentage of female attendees than I had anticipated. There were a few people in costume, but only a handful. There were parents with little kids.

I spent the day largely standing at Larry’s booth, talking to people. Looking at a stuffed Gizmo (one that sang and danced), I had two different parents tell me that Gremlins was their two-year-olds’ favorite movie. A top activity was checking out people’s printed tees and saying, “Cool shirt!”

And it was all cool. We all shared common interests. We could talk about our favorite movies or TV shows or comic books for hours. Instead of being the lone-man-out – the nerd – you could be accepted for what you are.

I specialize in lower-level celebrities. No superstars for me; give me that second-billed comic relief. I was introduced to Daniel Roebuck, who has had a long acting career, but who I now think of as Dr. Leslie Arzt from Lost. As you can see from the photo above, there’s writer Steve Niles (who I’ve met before) sitting next to legendary comic book artist Bernie Wrightson. They had done a graphic novel together, so I had to buy a copy and have them both sign it.

So, I had a great time and I decided I need to go to more cons. And I scored this great t-shirt.

Yesterday, I called New York City “an incredibly festive place this time of year.” What it was, was cold and wet and dreary.

Of course, this morning, with the rain stopped, it was much nicer.

Tags: Christmas, New York, Manhattan

My granddaughter Violet in a pumpkin patch in Maryland. I’m very excited about her first Halloween, since that holiday is very important to me, but I’m going to miss it. As I write this, it’s already Halloween night in Kowloon, China. I’m getting on a plane soon; by the time I land in L.A., it’ll be around 9:00 p.m. on Halloween and she’ll be fast asleep.

Halloween revelers in the Lan Kwai Fong area of Hong Kong. I actually shot this last night (Oct. 30) and there were only a few people wandering around in costume. I understand it gets pretty crazy. Here’s a brief YouTube video of Halloween in Lan Kwai Fong; here’s a longer view of the festivities (Part One & Part Two).

Tags: Halloween, pumpkins, baby pictures, Kowloon, Hong Kong, Lan Kwai Fong

Since I had a video camera with me, I decided to turn this into my first video report, which you can see below.

The whole thing was done on the spur of the moment, and there are technical problems with the video that drive me crazy, but it’s not too bad. However, I kind of screwed up the whole cheesesteak thing.

• I has Jim’s pegged as an anti-tourist destination, when quite the opposite is true. The meat was pre-cooked and piled up on the grill. Tasted like it.
• I avoided Pat’s and Geno’s. I should have considered Tony Luke’s or Dalessandro’s.
• I had the provolone, when the American cheese would have been better. Counterintuitive, but true.
• I had the South Philly at Ishkabibble’s, which has spinach and roasted red peppers. Delicious, but for tasting purposes, I should have had a plain cheesesteak with meat, cheese, onions.

We step into the lobby and start walking to the bar. This young guy, in his uniform, does a sidestep and blocks us.

“Can I help you?”

“Uh, yeah. We were gonna get a drink in the bar.”

“There’s a dress code. Gentlemen are required to wear a coat and tie.”

Say what? Really? To get a drink?

I’m wearing a stylish blazer and T-shirt, but I clearly fall short, so we slink away in defeat.

Do celebrities stay at the Ritz? Would they stop George Clooney and tell him to go back and get a tie?

The next day, three of us go to have afternoon tea at Claridge’s, one of the poshest services in London. We’re having a lovely time, when we spot someone taking a seat at a table across from us. It’s Steven Van Zandt. As in Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul. As in Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band. As in The Sopranos. It’s pretty obviously him, because he’s wearing his trademark bandana on his head and a multi-colored coat.

Screw the Ritz. This is clearly where the cool people are hanging out.

I found this to be a really odd sight on the streets of London. Is this emblematic of the former British colonies taking over? Or is it a cheap sort of tribute to a deceased hero? Or is Gandhi just a super common name?

Tags: Gandhi, London

In general, the television seemed far more low-key than American television, just as English movies seem much smaller in scale than American ones. We’re a big, loud culture.

If you’ve ever seen the movie About A Boy, you may recall they watch the show Countdown every afternoon, but they don’t really show what the programme is like. Well, I watched it and I thought it was like a smarter & chattier Wheel of Fortune (here’s a clip). They had Deal Or No Deal, which looked like it was shot in somebody’s basement and featured no showgirls at all. I’m pretty sure they don’t do special Star Wars episodes (see clips of the British version on YouTube).

On ITV’s Houseguest, you compete by hosting a dinner party and one sleepover guest. This seems totally British. There’s a group of people and each person takes turn playing host for a dinner party. Then, you pick a name out and one of the group stays overnight as a guest, like you’re now running a Bed & Breakfast. Then everyone votes on how you did. Next up: a new British reality competition on who can best brew a cuppa tea!

Tags: British television, Countdown, Deal Or No Deal, Houseguest, ITV, Channel 4

I just had a long weekend in London, five days in all. I had a fantastic time. Great restaurants, some shopping, a trip to the V&A. More details will follow.

Tags: London

Tags: New Orleans, Bourbon St.

Tags: photos, Bywater, New Orleans