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Post by PokerKitten on Jul 21, 2003 13:33:39 GMT
The Spike spoiler thread at Forums4Fans is my second home, and of course, is where a lot of these con snippets are coming from. Can't really link to them because the thread moves so quickly it is renewed virtually every day and the old thread goes *poof* but if you don't mind running into spoiler discussions, for Angel (and specifically Spike in the show) then you could go looking at Forums4Fans spoilers boardIn the meantime, here is another report, from janinjax: Just back from Tampa... my first con and my first post. Couple of things that I haven't heard mentioned(but forgive me if they have.)
First of all he actually talked about his son. He's seven years old and that he (James) spends as much time with him as he can. He doesn't sign autographs when they're together because the son doesn't like it. The kid has never seen Buffy and James won't let him watch it.
He mentioned that FOX selling the coat is causing real problems now... because they can only find one picture of it to replace it. After the laughter died down he said he told them to look for two more minutes.
He said Joss told him at the beginning of Season 7 the only thing he was sure of that Spike was going to die. He also said Beneath You was awful but he would fix it. James said Spike had been on a redemption trek since Season 4... they had to tear the cool evil character down completely by humiliation and abuse before he was redeemed.
As far as Venetian Heat neither SB or DJ is his love interest (a soldier and priest) but he has more scenes with DJ.
Also the reason Spike had to get his soul in Africa was that Josh wrote him out so he could do the next Star Trek movie as Picard's clone, but then James didn't get the part.
He is such a nice guy. His eyes just sparkle. He signed autographs from 3:30-7PM Saturday and then again for 600 people on Sunday.
Did I mention that I ran my hand across his lower back as I was getting in position for my photo? Acccidentally of course. Then he put his arms around me and my friend. What a sweetie.
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Post by PokerKitten on Jul 21, 2003 20:43:30 GMT
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Post by poohcorner on Jul 21, 2003 23:46:25 GMT
Pictures, pictures, pictures!!! Thanks for the link PK, I so wanted to find some pics.
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Post by tactile on Jul 22, 2003 9:45:40 GMT
Thanks for the link to the pics, pokerkitten.. Hopefully, the first of many..
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Post by PokerKitten on Jul 22, 2003 10:15:49 GMT
I know I have linked to the BBB already, but I have to do it again... goddamnit, I LOVE the detailed, somewhat off topic and totally cool answer given in response to the poster's question. Go read eudoxia's report
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Post by PokerKitten on Jul 22, 2003 11:32:39 GMT
Oh dear, some people had a not so good expereince at the Con, to do with not getting autographs and the staff not being as cool as they might have been. Don't most Con organisers say nothing is guaranteed? If Vulkon didn't, they should. Then everyone knows where they stand. Anyhoo, morgaine posted at Lost Soul about her experience, and she has good things to say about the guests. On the autograph line situation, I was one of the people who did not get their second autograph so I know exactly how the gentleman who was yelling about a class action lawsuit felt. Unfortunately, he was saying it to the wrong person. To blame Andy was totally wrong. Andy and James were both very gracious and did everything in their power to make everybody happy.
When I approached on of the convention promoters and asked if we were going to get a partial refund or if they would make arrangements to get the second autograph for us (which is actually what I wanted), I was told "you get nothing." Totally inappropriate response. The better response would have been put your name and address on the back of your picture and we will mail your autograph to you.
As a matter of fact when they moved me into the hallway, there were like three people left in front of me when they announced that silver badgeholders would not get their second autograph. When James reached me in the line, he took my hand in both of his and gave me that wonderfully warm James smile (the one where his whole face lights up). The security guy with him said "she is silver, only orange" and he was kind of forced away. At that point I was told "you can leave" and I did. Apparently, some people were told if they stayed they might get the second autograph and they did. Unfortunately, since I followed the instructions of the convention staff I ended up getting burned.
The whole situation was handled very badly by Vulkon. They tried to blame James in their follow up meeting (which I did not go to since I was so hopping mad that I was actually sick), which is completely wrong. They apparently had a month's notice of what time he had to leave and they have had him as a guest before so they know that he likes to take a little time in the autograph line. They could have made adjustments so that everybody got what they paid for.
In addition (and this is not aimed at any of the convention attendees, only the convention promoters) they sold several hundred extra autographs and I know at least 2 people before me who got 8 and 9 autographs and I didn't get my 2. The extra autographs should not have been done until he had finished the promised autographs. Just my opinion.
On a better note, the man is so incredibly gracious and he did hold my hand. I could tell he was upset about the way things were being handled and I think he knew that I was ready to burst into tears. Since the two autographs were promised to other people, it made it worse.
Oh well, sending Vulkon a rather forceful e-mail message about their handling of the situation and then trying to blame it on James. As soon as I get some sleep I will try to get some of my pictures up. I think I may actually have gotten some decent ones for once.
Does anybody know if James actually made his flight because he left a good deal later than he was supposed to. I know that he had a rehearsal with the band since they are playing at the House of Blues tonight and apparently that is a huge thing for the band. The convention people were trying to make James look bad by saying that Andy Hallett missed his flight even though he had an audition the next morning (insinuating that James should have missed his flight as well). They were obviously not taking into account that James had other people counting on him. It wasn't just him (if it had been I think he would have missed his flight - he has done it before).
You'll find all of it HEREETA - the bad experiences seem to be mostly centred round the Sunday afternoon autograph line, with people having plenty of good things to say about the rest of the event. The Vulkon message board has a thread dedicated to the problems of autographs lines and yeah, they will always be difficult to get right.
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Post by PokerKitten on Jul 23, 2003 11:54:02 GMT
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Post by PokerKitten on Jul 23, 2003 12:07:40 GMT
kathypg's report at F4F: My trip started out shacky being that I booked my airline ticket for the wrong day. I was able to buy another ticket and get there, but it was close.
Spend the first night at a bar/restaurant on the water eating, drinking, and listening to a band.
Night two was the cocktail party. LBP, Marie, Teep and I had tickets for that. Marie got a hand hold from James, LBP got a hug, and I got a kiss on the forehead. I almost dropped to the floor, and he just giggled. James gave me the lecture about the bad boyfriend. I also think James lied to me about being a vampire next season. He said he would be a vampire but he was lying his cute little butt off. He is such a bad liar. I also got to touch his chest. Very yummy.
He talked about how he thinks charlie is great and gifted. Don't know Charlie have never seen the band so ok. He bowed to Drew Goddard the writer and is very happy he will be coming to Angel. James think the best writers for men are the ones that at working for Angel.
James is still upset about his cat. He still misses him.
Day two was the banquet. Of course only a few of our group had tickets for it. Marie, Teep and I got to sit with James. We talked about a little of this and a little of that. He is still collecting star wars figures, he loves the character of Spock. He had an idea for a star trek series that takes the place the same time as Enterprise, but is nothing like it. He has not watched any Enterprise episodes.
He wants to try things that scare him and he wants to sky dive because he is afraid of it.
He said the food in England was better than he thought, but they don't know what ice was. He had trouble getting a coke with ice. He even went to McDonalds thinking american restaurant there will be ice for a soda, wrong, wrong, wrong. They finally did give him ice but he had to work fight for it. I told him I had the same problem there.
After the battle of the themes between the tables. James said this is the most fun con ever.
Well fun was had by all of us.
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Post by PokerKitten on Jul 23, 2003 12:09:58 GMT
Same place, pepperland girl':
I love James dearly, and I'm still thrilled over the small bit of interaction I had with him. When I got my first autograph, I gave hima box of gummi boobies and a tin of nipple mints. I said my friends didn't think I had the balls to give it to him (Kelly and bub, mainly ) Anywho, he smiled and laughed and said "I can't wait to lick your boob! And I don't say that to all the girls." He's just adorable and funny and smart. He loves MacBeth and Hamlet and seems to have a really great grasp on the plays--says he thinks he's the only one in the world who "gets" MacBeth.
That's why I'm completely flabbergasted that the Cookie Metaphor went right over his head. He thought Buffy was telling Angel "I love you, but can't be with you right now..." He totally missed the whole point of "I'm cookie dough" or maybe it's so stupid he blocked it from his memory.
On Sunday when all the con promoters and such were trying to push him out the door so he could catch his flight. He didn't give a **** about that though, he just wanted to talk to his fans. And he chatted with every. single. one. I had two autograph tickets on Sunday so he talked to me twice. Wasn't in a hurry at all. He laughed and said "**** it" when they tried to hurry him along. He signed a CD cover for me, and I said "This is for my husband. He loves the band." He looked up and smiled and said "Tell him thanks for letting you come. Also tell him I'm shorter in real life and I'm a real *******." I was the last person in the line, and he absolutely did not have to pause and talk to me. He should have been running out the door, but he didn't look worried at all. Love him so much.
When he talked about Spuffy or Buffy, he didn't look or sound like he really cared. He's moved on. it's time to focus on Angel. Mostly he joked about it. "Buffy needed to feel alive, so she did so for a couple of hours" pause, smirk, "or five or six hours." He admitted that Buffy was using Spike, and he said that Buffy was abusing Spike and we were not supposed to be happy about that. He said he felt that it was Joss's way of making the audience like Spike, and pointing out that Buffy is a hero, but she's also a fallible human and she does tihngs that are wrong.
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Post by PokerKitten on Jul 23, 2003 12:19:45 GMT
F4F again ( I LOVE that place!). TxVoodoo's experiences: Fri night - didn't have cocktail party tickets, but hey, lots of fun peoples didn't! JM arrived late, and as we were sitting around outside, got to see him run in. Adorable, as usual.
The dance wasn't my cup of tea when I went in - headbanging music! But I took advantage of the short bar line there Then went out to the lobby, where Robin Atkin Downes was sitting at the piano. And hey, who comes up later? Andy Hallet! got some cute pics of that.
I have to say, Andy, James Leary and Robin are all wonderful people. So open and fun with con-goers, so obviously PEOPLE-people. And I was very pleased that for the most part, the folks who were around at these areas were well-behaved. There was some trailing behind them, but not much with the "in your face". I think if it had been very intrusive, any of these guys could have gone up to their rooms at any point.
Ran into Mercedes McNab as she was taking her Pomeranian out for a walk before bed. Adorable little dog, and she's a good doggie mommy, so she's got my approval She's also quite tiny and delicate!
Saturday: Up again too early, after going to bed too late the night before. First event - photo with James! I was behind Bub, got to witness her huggage, which I think made me a bit more brave than I was in Chicago. I went up, and got my huggage (*sigh*). And then the photographer had to tell me to look at the camera, because after I settled into JM's arm, I forgot to stop looking up at his face. *sigh* Floated off the stage, and enjoyed that Post JM high for quite a while!
Went and got signatures from Iyari Limon (who recognized me and my curls from Chicago! Darling girl), James Leary, and Robin Atkin Downes. JL is a total cutup. He made some hysterical comments, and willing mugged like a true clown for pictures. The person after me handed JL a cover of Guide with SMG on it to sign. It was an early picture. JL held it up and said "see this? This girl was hot! Before she got all skinny!" Apparently he prefers a little roundness to the Hollywood norm! Too funny.
JM's Q&A has been recapped - suffice to say it was fabulous.
Time flew, and shortly it was time to get autographs from Mercedes and JM. Mercedes was lovely and shy about compliments. Then JM. I had bought a box of candy from the 60s - the type of thing I remembered from *my* childhood. Dots, Nekko Wafers, wax lips, redhots, sweet tarts, candy cigarettes and much more! I said to JM "You're 6 weeks older than I am, and these tickled me when I saw them, so I thought you'd get a kick out of them too!". I was rewarded by a glimpse of the boy inside JM. His face lit up, and he immediately started rummaging through the box, announcing his finds and grinning. And when he got to the Dots, he exclaimed "Dots! Dots!". I'll treasure this memory!
I also asked him a political question, and was in awe of how intently he focuses on you when he's answering. Asking questions and *waiting* for responses. Truly classy. The whole time, the assistant was trying to remove the candy box, but his hand kept rummaging
I moved on as soon as we hit a break in the conversation - I have a feeling JM would talk politics until the sun rises!
I didn't have banquet tickets, but went to the karaoke afterwards, which was a TOTAL hoot. More fun times afterwards, with JL and Andy hanging out with the con-goers. Wonderful night - wonderful outdoors weather, wonderful people. I think I'm overusing the word wonderful, but it FITS!
Sunday - another early photo session with JM. I got a double-hand clasp and he said he's rationing my candy, and then patted his tummy! I should have told him he has NOTHING to worry about - he's in wonderful condition.
The Q&A with JL, Iyari and Robin was hysterical! JL and Robin were asked about slash, and did a parody of Captain Kirk and Mr. Spock, a la slash fic. I about fell off my seat laughing.
Andy Hallett was up next. He has a "unique" presentation style - you ask him a question, and he talks about 35 semi-related topics, and eventually says "what was the question?". Early in the session, something mentioned something about drag queens, which cracked him up, and as the presentation went on, whenever he said "what was I talking about?" the audience began calling out "Drag queens!" He too was asked about fan fic, and said he had once been sent to a website that was Angel/Spike slash, and said this: "All I can say is that it involved Angel, Spike, a shower, a bar of soap, and 3 fingers!" Apparently that was his last venture into fanfic
It was his mother's birthday, and he decided to surprise her with a phone call. He got the answering machine, and had the whole audience sing happy birthday to her, which was cute "Happy Birthday, dear Andy's mom!" He's a funny funny guy.
Again, JM's next q&a has been summarized - and again, I enjoyed it completely. He seemed much more relaxed and seemed to be enjoying himself immensely.
Then onto the 2nd autograph sessions. I was near the back, so I got caught in the "stand in line while JM walks past" part also. I will say, yes, this could have been handled better, both by the con organizers and some of the fans who started to panic and push. And the one guy who yelled at Andy? Him, I wanted to throw out! But JM was still relaxed, and laughing and still wanted to talk with congoers. I got the feeling that he wouldn't have cared about missing his flight, but the organizer types around him were very afraid of it. JM kept saying things like "the hell with it" and laughing. When he got to me, I told him to have a safe trip and get some rest, and he said "Yup..well, nope - f*** it!" and laughed and high-fived me.
Poor Andy had cancelled his flight. I went in and got his signature, and thanked him for being so considerate to us. What a gentleman!
I got to see James Leary again, and was asked to remind him about *his* flight! Told him I'm starting a postcard campaign to get Clem on AtS - my first and probably only campaign every Look for it soon! This guy deserves some work, truly.
Sunday night - more fun with friends! Wonderful people, one and all. I could list and list..but...well heck..Bub - my favorite roomie ever Cath, Rbabe, Pepper, Kathy, Marie, Love's Bitter Pill (my little blond bouncy ball of energy!), Lucia, Lisa, Mel, Chen and so many more! I got to meet many new folks, including Estephia, Laura from allaboutspike.com, and oh gosh, I'm starting to forget names but I have the faces in my head! This is a great fandom guys - despite all our little online kerfluffles. Smart, smart folks, and funny, and fun-loving. And from so many different backgrounds and places and ages. And yet we all could laugh and bond.
This was just such a great experience that I think I've overused every adjective in the book. Just realize that it's not hyperbole, it's all true. If you get the opportunity to meet your fellow fans, DO IT! You won't regret it.
A lot of us here know that is great advice!
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Post by PokerKitten on Jul 23, 2003 15:16:19 GMT
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Post by PokerKitten on Jul 23, 2003 18:53:31 GMT
KellyHK at - you guessed it - F4F: Some random thoughts about Tampa.
1. Too. Damn. Hot. This northern girl loves AC. Loves a cool breeze too, but that never happened. Lots of pool time, and the pasty white thighs even got some sun. Kudos to the Vulkon guys for picking a great place and keeping the thing well organized. Much better than the fiasco that was Chicago. Really felt that I got my money's worth this time. (Unlike Chicago where I wanted to give the con promoters a condom and say, Use this the next time you wanna screw us over.
2. Was great hanging out with the girls. The usual suspects were there, but also got to meet some new faces. So glad I finally got to meet a lot folks and finally put faces to names. What a wicked bunch of people. And as always, a great time had by all with the FF groupies and Gutter Girls. Loved the fanfic panel. Holy crap, what a great collection of writers. Reveled in my own mediocrity around them!
3. Andy Hallet: Honey, you'd make a killer drag queen. Hey, it all went back to drag queens throughout his entire talk. A momma's boy. Makes me love the Big Green Bitch all the more. Got a huge kick out how he cracks himself up. But way to young to know who Paul Lynde was. C'mon, he's my baby brother's age. And going back to the whole drag queen act, could see him sending up Ethel Merman for some reason.
4. James Leary. Not in a frat in college. Riiiiiggght. Sure. Stunt Cocks is hillarious. I mean pee in your pants, laugh until you cry hillarious. He even cast the Hedgehog! But he's so lucky I'm way beyond morning sicknes, otherwise that Money Shot would have made me yack all over the carpet. Would love to see him with a recurring role on Angel. C'mon, give the guy a job. He's got a three year old and is he's waiting tables until he gets another acting gig. c'mon, ME, hire the boy. He'll be your loyal bitch. Will even mack with Lorne if it means a steady paycheck.
5. Stalkers scare the crap out of me. I'm sorry, if you are moving to Los Angeles merely to be near your one and only true soul mate, even though said soul mate doesn't know you from Adam, it is time to boost that dose of Haldol, honey. At times wanted to slip a restraining order into the autograph line. Here, James, sign this. There's gotta be a notary around here somewhere. Yes, he's sweet. Yes, he's wonderful eye candy. And yes, he put his arm around you. It does not mean he wants to drop everything and run away to Tahiti with you. Sigh.
6. James Marsters is not larger than life. He eats, sleeps and craps like the rest of us. So what. His humanity is still very facinating. His faults are normal. And that is why I like seeing him in person. Because you can actually have a conversation with him. Because he is a fanboy himself. And, he still makes me laugh. Total Nerd and man enough to admit it. Hey, he collected ALL of the orignal Star Wars toys, thinks the new trilogy sucks toads through a straw, and likes Boba Fett. Yeah, he's got a temper. He admits it. Big whoop. Handled himself with poise the entire time, even when the stalkers were all over him. And since he cares for his niece, just wonder if he has tried to wiggle his way out of playing Barbies with her.(NOte to people trying to wiggle out of Barbies, make Barbie do something stupid, and that usually gets you banned from the Barbie playhouse.) He definitely seemed in a happier place than at recent cons. Won't bother with the Q and A. Figure there are zillions out there doing a transcript.
7. That said, loved the Q and A. No significant info, but glad he's off his high horse about Spike being bad, evil, blah blah blah. Yeah, we know...Learned that he will be blond and needs the duster for next year. Makes me excited to watch AtS.
8. Robin Atkins Downes, or however you spell his name. Y'know, reptile boy. Total gentleman. Ended up at his table at the banquet. He was the one taking pictures, not the attendees. Was buying drinks for his table mates. And actually a great pianist. Has a masters degree and it shows. Intelligent and witty. Loves to egg frat boy Leary on.
9. From what I hear, tequilla is evil. Would've if I could've. And am I the only person on the planet that has not puked the stuff up?
10. Marsters is a terrible liar, would make a hideous spy, and would lose big time in a poker game. Human, vamp or ghost. You decide. He sucks at the mislead. My bet is on human, though I have no proof to back it up.
Anyhow, a good time was had by all. Would do it again in a heart beat even if I sat on the runway in Detroit forever yesterday. Mondo thunderstorms are a pisser when you are trapped in the middle seat. At least the Stephen King dreck I was reading was entertaining.
Stephen King dreck?! Oh my!
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Post by PokerKitten on Jul 25, 2003 12:01:06 GMT
Lots more reports up on the MTS Tampa thread now, plus EMMA's Pics
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Post by PokerKitten on Jul 26, 2003 10:30:33 GMT
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Post by PokerKitten on Jul 26, 2003 11:05:13 GMT
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Post by PokerKitten on Jul 27, 2003 11:10:34 GMT
Agent Holly at F4F:
This is my delayed mini con-report from Tampa. Everyone already knows everything that's been said by everyone, so I'll skip that and go straight to the most nervous 40 seconds I have ever spent in my life...drum-roll please....my photo-op with JM. This was my first time meeting him, and it is the understatement of the century to say that I was just a little freaked. In the line waiting to see him I just kept telling myself over and over, "He's just a regular guy, like anybody else. I talk to people I don't know all the time." As soon as I turned the corner and saw him, though, this went straight through the window. When he looked straight at me for the first time I had to avert my eyes, but then I was like "stop being a moron, you're allowed to look at him, hun." Anyway, through a smile that I just simply couldn't get rid of and shaking hands, I extended my hand to his to say hello. He must have totally noticed the shaking cause when he took my hand to shake it, he brought his other one to hold it too, gave one of his killer smiles, and said "Nice to see you." Swoon. We exchanged pleasantries and he put his arm around me to take the picture (at which point I am thinking "don't faint" but then "if I did faint he would have to catch me, right..." I know, I'm baaaad) So after the picture I am blushing like nobody's business, and all I could get out was a quiet "Thank you." He said, "oh, no problem." Smiled again (oh geez) gave me a little hug (kill me now) and said buh-bye.
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Post by wajoma on Jul 28, 2003 13:26:45 GMT
hey hey everyone ... i've got most of my JM piccys from Tampa up at imagestation .. for those who care to look, the saturday autograph pics are at www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4289557619and the sunday Q&A pics are at www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4289557485I'm a bit disappointed in the quality of the Q&A pics, but, thems the breaks. I know they're better than some and not as good as others ... the autograph line pics tho, are much better, and theres quite a few too .. thanks to the very accomodating DANA who allowed me to blend with the furniture and stay and take lots and lots of pics !!
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Post by nightnurse on Jul 28, 2003 19:19:53 GMT
;D Great pics Wajoma, thanks for sharing! My ,it's no wonder that boys like Tigger...3 cans of RB...I'm surprised he sleeps at all!!
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Post by Cyrus on Jul 28, 2003 19:21:39 GMT
I see 3 cans of Red Bull plus M&M's! ;D I luv it when he's hyper-looking in pics! Can only imagine what the real thing is like...
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Post by PokerKitten on Jul 28, 2003 21:42:49 GMT
Teep's Tampa account on her LJ -
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