San Diego Comic-Con

[thatguy]

Fuck.

My hotel reservation got all fucked up.

There's some people at work posting about seeking someone to share accommodations they have. I can connect you if you are in need.

--tg

[Drunk Monk]

Now in a new hotel at double the price. At least it's closer - walkable - only about 1-2 miles away. I stayed near there in 2023. 

I got the initial reservation off a martial friend who has to cancel SDCC because of a funeral. He was going to lose his deposit so I took it over. He used the SDCC hotel reservation portal and for some reason, it booked him for last weekend instead of this one. 

I just called to sort it, but it was unsortable on the hotel's end. My friend is refunding the deposit I sent him - the honorable thing to do. Either of us should've noticed the date error but the confirmation email was garish with SDCC logos and the dates were small. 

I'm ok with the price increase - it's just money that I don't have but that's what credit cards are for. Hopefully Patrick can deal with the upgrade in price too. He's on a tighter budget than me.

[Greg]

Yikes. I'm glad you got it sorted.

Time for Comic-Con to have a tent city. You'd be good for that.

[Drunk Monk]

It's already got one. It's the line for Hall H. 

One of my plans was to just crash in one of the 24 hour anime film rooms. But that could go poorly. Some animes are so nightmarish that it could be devastating to my subconscious. I mentioned this idea to Tara, my resident anime expert, and she gave me one of her patented 'you crazy, dad' looks.

[Greg]

I mentioned this idea to Tara, my resident anime expert, and she gave me one of her patented 'you crazy, dad' looks.

Doesn't she just look at you like that all the time?

[Drunk Monk]

I mentioned this idea to Tara, my resident anime expert, and she gave me one of her patented 'you crazy, dad' looks.

Doesn't she just look at you like that all the time?

A lot of the time. Not all the time. 

Like when I get her into The Marias, complete with parking, a cush job and a spicy burrito, she's like 'cool dad. you rock.' She's enjoyed the luxury of riding on my coattails at Rock Med & JAH Med since she was a teen. And now that she's bought some tickets for shows, she understands how much privilege I enjoy after 38 years of volunteering in the biz.

[Drunk Monk]

My flight jn was horrorshow. What a mess. Barely made it. Traffic > limited shuttle service > hung up at TSA because of my shoes (?). Then the plane is delayed 35 mins because there’s allegedly a lot of traffic to SD. The airplane was stuffy and hot and i was seated in front of some kids who keep kicking my chair. 

But it was only an hour. Got a little nap in. Hopped the bus and went straight to the Den party. Free drinks sponsored by whistle pig whisky and I got into the odd habit of getting two drinks. I had to stop after 9 cocktails. Dinner was onion rings and spicy fried califlower in ranch dressing. Keith from Lam Kwoon arrived first and we had a great chat. Then my cousin Bruce who was a sculptor for Disney. Immortal was there and we snapped a selfie. And Roberto my host. 

I was told to connect with Sofia for the Sakamoto VR thing and she was gorgeous so a DDM let her chat him up for a good while. It was actually AR where if you hit the Qr the Sakamoto standees and T-shirt would animate. It was kinda cool. Then Bruce, Roberto and I got roped into one of the gaming tables because we wanted to sit. We did this timed word association game which was fun because Roberto & DM were drunk, then there was this card game that I could barely follow. Bumped into my fellow DoG writer Sam who has been killing it with Korean & Japanese culture (he had a kickass Godzilla jacket) and felt like I redeemed myself after last year’s ’just got back from Shaolin stupor’ - we had a great chat. 

Roberto & I grabbed a Lyft to his house with a detour to a dispensary, which was amusing. Then to his house where his wife Jane joined us and we chatted for a few hours. Dm probably babbled too much because the massive amount of liquor and a few puffs, but he believes he was enunciating ok. Their house is beautiful (they just moved here a few months ago) which boggles
My mind with a 20 month old and a sweet 7 year old dog Lupe. They’re both PhDs now and they have it way too much together with a baby. The guest room they provided is immaculate. 

I should sleep now…

[Drunk Monk]

Had breakfast with Rob Kutner - another creator who worked on God’s Game. We had a lovely chat about everything. Nice guy. Good to really connect.

Then I got my program (which I never read), my bag (Tron Ares which I never use) and official pin (which was all I really wanted) and started to take out the main floor. Did the north side to 1000 - that’s a lot of actual comic sellers and smaller vendors. Then waited for a half hour at the Sony booth for Beatriz & Mackie - a Twisted Metal promo - but they never showed. Took a selfie with two of the other cast members whose names I must look up. The clown dude is huge. Wandered aimlessly about the floor. The Star Wars section is all about the animated shows, which is kinda weird. 

The floor is packed. SDCC is so relentless. 

Now I’m in the press room recharging. Free wick. They have light snacks (chips, a surprisingly good guacamole, fruit, churros, mini donuts) coffee, a full selection of task teas and ginger lemonade. There’s tables, chairs and power strips - this room could easily hold a 100 of us. It’s half full now. Very pleasant and I’m a little annoyed that I haven’t taken advantage of this before.

Not sure what to do next. More floor? The crunchyroll concert? Gaslamp pop ups? There’s a Godzilla store I must see.

---

Got 5 miles on the pedometer and the day isn't even a 3rd over…

[Drunk Monk]

Patrick lost his wallet

[Drunk Monk]

Im in tthe line for the Godzilla store pop up. Theres 2 Italian couples passionately arguing about superhero’s (I think?) and it’s very entertaining. Im to call the Den publisher to see
If he can get
Me into the Nickelodeon avatar party.

[Greg]

Bummer about Patrick.

[Greg]

Why aren't you in Hall H for Predator: Badlands?

[Drunk Monk]

My play for hall H is tomorrow.

Nick was a bust. Thinking of making it for crunchyroll.

---

At the crunchyroll concert. Turns out the pit is only for crunchyroll subscribers. But SS I was checking that out, one of the MCs walked by giving out lite up wristbands - I knew her from a den party - we had a long chat - i followed her IG - she surely forgot who I am because she was befuddled when I yelled her name. But I got a wristband. 
Next act is the singer for Spy x family.

---

Over 10 miles on the pedometer

Only 1-2 more to go tonight. Im grabbing a Lyft back after Luke

---

I was mistaken
The spy x family singer was on when I was eating my $20 veggie burger (which was quite tasty). 
Spyair is next - they did haiyaku

[Drunk Monk]

Spyair sucked

Trolling the gaslamp headed to Luke

---

Gaslamp is poppin
So many women cosplaying as prostitutes…

…oh wait…

---

I’m in at the Parq waiting for Laidback Luke’s show. He prolly won’t come on for another hour or so. Show goes until 2. Texted Luke but he just flew in from doing a show in Vegas, after flying in from Tomorrowland last weekend. 

There’s a dress code but I passed somehow. And the door price was $20 ($35 prepay). Only a few people here right now. Might have to get a drink. The house music is pounding.

---

A bouncer just gave me a bottle of water. How nice!

[Drunk Monk]

12 miles yesterday
That Parc show was good fun
I had to bail early (1:30) because my phone powered out (as did my recharger) and I needed that to call my Lyft. 
First thing - comp breakfast
2nd thing - get new power cord (broke another one at comic con - along with my sunglasses and the only replacement I found in sdcc is ostentatious based on streetfighter Dee Jay)
3rd thing - get to Hall H line