reflections » Diana Dru Botsford

ComicCon '10 - THIS is what it's all about

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Jul 312010

Late report, but worth a mention.

Yes, the lines were too long, but the networking and collaborative spirit were high. Yes, the stabbing deflated the pop culture party of the year, but having a teenager run up to me to return a $10 bill that dropped from my pocket made it all better. Yes, the Starbucks counter was under-staffed, but the San Diego resturants more than made up for it. (Can you say tapas, Sangria, and real Spanish Flamenco dancers? The perfect antidote to an overstimulated day!)

But this… this picture says it all:

ComicCon Cosplay Bathroom Touchup

Right before stepping into the NBC/Universal Writers on the Verge Panel (more on that in a later post), I side-stepped into the ladies room. When I saw these ladies all in the midst of Cosplay (that’s costume-play for you great unwashed), I couldn’t help but ask if I could take a photo.

Forget the Joss Whedon panels, the Nathan Fillion steamy readings of Castle’s latest best-seller. Forget networks and studios trying to outdo each other with swag bags so big that their only future purpose is to be stuffed in the back of some closet collecting dust.

It’s the people, stupid. Plain and simple. The joy of costumes, of fellow aficionados of anything from anime to Dexter to the latest and greatest comic books. OK, yes…ComicCon is a marketing department’s wet dream.

But it’s also a place to play, have fun, and experience sensory overload.

And yes, you should come next year – EVERYONE needs to experience San Diego ComicCon at least once in their life!

Quick! Where are the earplugs?

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Jul 042010

Seems like everyone in a 5 mile radius of my home woke up this morning with the same realization: July 4th can’t be celebrated without a well manicured lawn. Hence, it was decided — through some mutual telepathic means — that everyone would synchronize their lawn mowers for a 9am chorus of mechanical whirs.

Happily, by 11am, the lawns were mowed and yes, dear folks, the fireworks commenced. At 11 o’clock in the fraking morning.

By noon, my ears were mush.

By 2pm, I came to the conclusion that if you can’t beat them, crank up the music. Today’s playlist:
- 1776, the original Broadway Recording
- Les Miserables, the original West End Recording
- Hair, original Broadway Recording
- Nightmare Before Christmas, original Film Recording

Theme? You betcha – Revolutions! Of all shapes and sizes from the American and French Revolutions, to the Cultural Revolution, to a revolution involving Ghouls, Skeletons, and Santa Claus!

Saying Goodbye

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Jun 012010

Though I’ve just returned from the Timegate Con and have much to share, today’s post is a pause… a reminder of those souls who come into our lives and give so much of themselves.

Today is the day I said goodbye to the smartest, most loyal, most loving Border Collie to ever grace the the Earth

RIP Jodi. 2007 – 2010

Dear Dogs & Cats...

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Dec 182009

It would appear this bit of ‘wisdom’ has traveled far on the Intertubes, yet I couldn’t find it’s original owner.

The following was found posted very low on a refrigerator door:

Dear Dogs and Cats: The dishes with the paw prints are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Placing a paw print in the middle of my plate of food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Racing me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn’t help because I fall faster than you can run.I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort, however. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other, stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out on the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is no secret exit from the bathroom! If, by some miracle, I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge in an attempt to open the door. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years – canine/feline attendance is not required.

The proper order for kissing is: Kiss me first, then go smell the other dog or cat’s butt. I cannot stress this enough..

Finally, in fairness, dear pets, I have posted the following message on the front door:

TO ALL NON-PET OWNERS WHO VISIT AND LIKE TO COMPLAIN ABOUT OUR PETS:
(1) They live here. You don’t. (2) If you don’t want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. That’s why they call it ‘fur’-niture. (3) I like my pets a lot better than I like most people. (4) To you, they are animals. To me, they are adopted sons/daughters who are short, hairy, walk on all fours and don’t speak clearly.

Remember, dogs and cats are better than kids because they (1) eat less, (2) don’t ask for money all the time, (3) are easier to train, (4) normally come when called, (5) never ask to drive the car, (6) don’t hang out with drug-using people; (7) don’t smoke or drink, (8) don’t want to wear your clothes, (9) don’t have to buy the latest fashions, (10) don’t need a gazillion dollars for college and (11) if they get pregnant, you can sell their children .