Being yourself and sharing what you love...

This weekend my wife and I had a very EXCELLENT adventure!  Every Spring a show that melds fandom, geek-culture, art, commerce, cosplay, and an apparent lack of showering comes to Novi, Michigan.  This show is called Motor City Comic Con!  Much smaller than most of the bigger cons like New York, San Diego and Chicago...this convention has always been a reason for local geeks to come out & nerd out without judgment.  Two things that are extremely important to me these days are 'Being Myself' & 'Sharing Myself' without worry of ridicule.  As a young man I remember wanting to be myself and always instead having to pretend to be "cool" in school so I wouldn't get labeled and quickly beaten up or picked on by bullies.  Now I've grown into my own, mainly because the negative stereotype of Nerds or Geeks have lost their punch and the idea of loving pop-culture and being "Nerdy" is finally acceptable.  It feels great to be myself and one person who has always accepted me as I am...my wonderful wife...has never had an opportunity to see a Comic Con like this.  This year I decided to invite her with me, mainly because in addition to inviting her she knew that one of the people I consider an extreme icon (The Stan Lee, creator of comic characters that are some of the largest heroes today) would be at the Motor City Comic Con.  A few months before the show she asked me if I would like my birthday present early (birthday is in June).  I quickly said YES!  She then explained that she wanted to purchase VIP Stan Lee tickets for us to get an autograph and picture with Stan Lee at Motor City Comic Con.  My mouth dropped!  Uhhh, ok!!!  I think I then spontaneously combusted inside and couldn't wait until May. 

Then it came :)  I had to prepare her for this convention.  I began explaining how people dress up, people sell things, other celebrities will be there, you'll see lots of cool art, and usually lots of things no normal person should be able to afford.  I had gone on the Friday before to help pump up the excitement for our podcast at my friend and co-hosts exhibitor booth.  We passed out cards and the attendance seemed steady but NOTHING like the Saturday to come.  On Saturday we decided to be there at 10am when they open doors to pre-sale VIP ticket holders.  Welp, guess we should have been there at 7am because the line of cars leading up to the Suburban Collection Showplace was around a mile or two long just to get into the parking lot. 

Once we finally found a spot (Thank God!), we quickly found the line that wrapped completely around the building and into the parking lot (easily thousands of people).  One maybe two hours later we made it inside and found the Stan Lee autograph line, with easily 200 people already waiting.  At this point I felt like I had ruined her first Comic Con experience.  This whole day was one big line!  I should point out, it is NEVER like this but mainly because Stan Lee, Norman Reedus, and a couple of other media/comic guests (with the fact that Comic Cons generally are becoming more popular) the attendance happened to be beyond insane.  After the autograph line we got into the photo line...then after a quick jump from Alex Winter to Robert Carradine and through the rest of the con we finally felt exhausted, tired of the crowds, and hungry to say the least.  One hour until the con was to close we decided to pack it in and take off. 

Stan Lee (Marvel comics' super star innovator and creator)

Once we had food in us, had relaxed a little at home, and thought about what we had just experienced our view of the show changed.  We had just met, taken a picture with, and been in the presence of one of the largest creative minds of comic book lore.  Despite being bummed because I didn't get Norman Reedus' autograph or picture...I had an overall great adventure, sharing something I love with the person I love!  She will never know what a HUGE impact this weekend has had on me but I am forever grateful for her coming with me and allowing me to meet one of my icons. 

Alex Winter (Bill from 'Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure')

 

Aaron Ashmore (Jimmy Olsen from CW's Smallville)

In the end, a take away you can grasp from this long (undetailed account- trust me, lots happened in that short amount of time) experience...ALWAYS BE YOURSELF & EMBRACE IT, THOSE WHO LOVE YOU WILL EMBRACE IT WITH YOU.  SHARE WHO YOU ARE WITHOUT FEAR.  Thank you so much Vanessa!  You are my REAL favorite hero!