Ask Me (Almost) Anything

I will even strike this pose while answering.

In case you haven’t heard, I’m heading to San Francisco this week for the wonderous WonderCon. Though I had wanted to do a proper blog post before then alas, not only am I feeling under-the-weather but assorted responsibilities will probably keep me from being at the keyboard long enough to produce my usual posts filled with genius and wit.

However, I have a back-up plan. The other week Mermanda did a post wherein people asked her questions and she replied to them in a separate post.

I’m doing that now.

So ask me (almost) anything and I’ll answer. Of course, I might lie, but I promise you the response will be well worth it nonetheless.

Edit: In case this plea for blog material doesn’t work, I have fully resigned myself to making up questions while pretending to be other people before I eventually dissolve into a sniveling crybaby whose tears are only punctuated by the occasional chiming of an appropriately placed grandfather clock, the likes of which you would only find in a very old English home or on Ebay.

I Could Have Been Tomb Raider

While checking out the San Francisco wiki page for info about the weather (because I’m an NYC girl who’s currently freezing), I came across the history of the Sutro Baths: a swimming pool complex that was built during the 1800s. After years of aquatic service to the public, the Sutro Baths building burned down in 1966 leaving a maze of cement ruins that I’m sure experts agree are “really cool.”

I concur.

Truth is, I’ve long been fascinated by city ruins and briefly – in-between wanting to be a race car driver and a painter – considered pursing a career as an archaeologist. My taste for ancient cultures was unrivaled and my understanding of the field was that you got to sit in one position for hours dusting sand from a piece of pottery with a tiny brush as you squinted into the sun and hoped your camel wouldn’t spit on you. Khaki clothing and ugly hats were also involved. Still, I found this career path intriguing and for that I blame Indiana Jones.

How I envisioned my future awesome, archaeologist self. More or much, much less.

I then made the childhood error of sharing my dreams with an adult – a species that has a knack for and the responsibility of scaring the hell out of kids. Mind you, the adult in question was someone I admired and someone who I know had no negative intentions whatsoever, but the effect was the same. She informed me that she knew someone who had contracted a disease while on an archaeological dig and died.

So you know, that kind of bummed me out.

The Real World: WonderCon

It’s my favorite time: Shameless self-promotion time!

My review of Secret Diary of a Call Girl just went live over at Geeks of Doom. If you’re insanely curious about this Showtime series; what Billie Piper is up to after Doctor Who; what/who prostitutes in London do; or just want to place a bet on how many terrible puns I can make in the course of 500 or so words, then this is the DVD review for you.

In other news, I’ll be attending and reporting on WonderCon next weekend with the ever-so-cool Empress Eve, aka Eve of Doom, the executive editor, head writer, and conceptual director of Geeks of Doom. Eve and I will be sharing a room…working together and having our lives taped…to find out what happens…when people stop being polite…and start getting real. Or something like that.

It’ll be my first time in California and I’m more than a little excited. As you can see below, I already Google-mapped the directions. Of course, I don’t really need them since I’m flying there but still – excitement.

I Ventured to See Venture Bros.

You know what’s not fair? I’ve been stiffing you guys. I teased info about three of the most must-see panels at NYCC (New York Comic Con) and while I delivered on one of them (Robot Chicken, see here) I’ve yet to tell you about the others. And I already seem to be getting traffic from people in search of info on Doc Hammer and Michael Sinterniklaas so it’s about time I give them something to see/read.

If you’re not already familiar with The Venture Bros. then, to use Adult Swim’s old tagline, get out of the pool. What’s to follow is full of cursing, tomfoolery, and general insanity. Also sarcasm. Actually, lots of sarcasm.

One of the few good shots I got of the panel. From left to right: Doc Hammer, Jackson Publick, Michael Sinterniklaas

NYCC didn’t schedule The Venture Bros. panel to start until a quarter to seven. At 5:30 p.m. the masses were already piling into the cavernous room (the same one used for the Robot Chicken panel) for the chance to see the minds and voices behind their favorite characters. Doc Hammer, Jackson Publick, and surprise guest Michael Sinterniklaas filed onto the stage and while they brought no new clips of Season 4, they did share a few deleted extras from the yet-to-be-released third season DVD. They also showed off what one of the panelists called their “annoying DVD menu” that shows an Atari-quality spaceship repeatedly shooting enemies. It truly was annoying.

With the tease for the DVD drop taken care of, the panelists opened the floor to audience members for questions. That’s when things got interesting. Doc Hammer in his self-proclaimed 118-pound glory — with “eight-inch” guns — took the lead with playful answers, sarcastic responses, and Bob Fosse impressions. When someone asked if he had ever tried to take steroids to bulk up his frame — something he had described as boyish and which required small shirts to be tailored to fit him — he responded, “I tried. All I got was angry and back hair.”

Talk then turned to David Bowie, repeatedly, and Doc Hammer confessed that he would walk through “glass and dog shit” to get to Bowie, though he admitted it would be hard to explain being covered in both upon meeting him.

Other highlights included a random female fan asking Michael out; Doc Hammer negotiating second base for Michael – though, he confessed that he wasn’t sure what second base was anymore (he hazarded a guess at reshaking hands and then debated over vs. under the bra); and Michael coyly not giving a definite answer.

Interspersed with all this, unfortunately, were less than brotherly moments care of some of the fans gathered. I’m from NYC, boo capital of the world, and even I found their reactions deplorable. People yelled at others who had the floor for Q&A, cosplayers relentlessly nitpicked others’ costumes, and the woman next to me bitched about a guy’s pants. Just some guy’s pants. And he was a nice guy.

What the hell?

Anyway, I miraculously made the cut for autographs when the panel ended (albeit with a pounding headache from a day full of loud screenings* and panels**) and got to meet two of my favorite writers in quick succession. (All right, so I didn’t really get to meet Jackson Publick because the guy in front of me was talking to him but we did smile at each other.) I did, however, get to tell Doc Hammer how much I love his paintings and exchanged a quick word with Michael.

And then I took off to Wendys because I was starving.

The end.

*Loud screenings? Yeah, Terminator Salvation. Director McG specifically requested that they pump up the speakers for the clips.
**Loud panels? Yeah, Robot Chicken. Seth Green encouraged us to get into a screaming match with the panel next door. I don’t argue with Seth Green.

Let’s Talk About Me…

…and my shameless need for self-promotion. My coverage of NYCC’s Robot Chicken panel is now live over at Geeks of Doom. Make sure you check it out along with the rest of their write-ups for the weekend!

**Warning: The RC panel was lewd and crude like the show so tender hearts might want to skip my recap or just stop reading around the point that I mention Breckin Meyer.**

Quick Comic Con Update

It’s late, I’m tired, and the events of the day are swirling around in my head. Though I plan on writing a more comprehensive post about my day at NYCC (New York Comic Con) — both for here and the lovely Geeks of Doom — I wanted to jot down a few things that you absolutely have to know right now:

1. “Watchmen” looks good.

2. No squid in “Watchmen,” though Dave Gibbons intimated a desire for calamari.

3. Director McG, aka the guy who says “fair enough” on the Christian Bale rant tape, is: a. f****** funny, b. a fanboy at heart if I’ve ever seen one, c. an overall nice guy, and d. slightly crazy but awesomely so.

4. Seth Green and assorted Robot Chicken panelists, including Breckin Meyer, are some of the nicest and most accommodating artists and creators ever. They’re also insanely hilarious.

5. Doc Hammer is one of the funniest guys I’ve met. (He’s also a talented painter, though I knew that before today.)

6. Jackson Publick grew a beard! When did this happen? Looks good though.

7. Michael Sinterniklaas, who voices Dean on The Venture Bros., is cute.

8. Whether it was cosplayers, panelists, or fellow attendees, most everybody at NYCC was incredibly nice.

And that is my slightly sleepy, ultra quick rundown of today’s events. More tomorrow.

My Candid Pre-Con Confession: Part I

Saturday I set off to attend NYCC (New York Comic Con). It’s my first convention and it’s something I’ve looked forward to since I heard about cons as a teenager. (All right, that’s a lie. The first time I heard about conventions was when I was a kid and it was in regards to the movie “Trekkies,” a film which vaguely unsettled me with their talk of OTPs and half-naked fanart of Data. Ggguh.)

Fact: While I was searching for this Google Images brought up a pic of Data completely naked. I cannot unsee that.

At any rate, while I’m no novice when it comes to press events and interviewing celebrities, the idea of doing such things in the capacity of a fan is a bit daunting. I’m used to asking celebs questions and probing for good quotes but what the hell am I to say to a celeb whom I really like as they sign my memorabilia? “I love your show”? So trite.

On the other hand, if you remain mum you come off as that creepy, stalkerish, and ill-equipped-to-function-in-society fan whose eyes dart about as they sweat profusely.

I guess I’ll settle for “I love your show,” after all.

*Sidenote: I actually love Data; I just prefer him fully clothed.*