This was my first Highlander convention and I must say, it was worth every penny I paid! My motto for the con should have been "I came, I Saw, I Drooled and I Didn't Pass Out" <g>. I did manage to embarrass myself though :-)
My first opportunity to do that came during Adrian's and Stan's autograph session Friday night. They were supposed to sign seperately but due to a delayed flight, they signed together. Well, I went up to Adrian to have him sign my Wakazashi (smaller version of a Katana) and I set it in front of him and just stood there. And stared. Stan found this quite amusing as I could see him staring at me with a grin on his face as I just stood and stared at Adrian. Well, I mamanged a thank you to Adrian and stepped aside and remembered "Duh!! The gift you moron!" I had brought a little something for Adrian I had written. So I quickly gave it too him. He laughed and said "Ha! You almost forgot to give it to me didn't you?" Well, when it comes to witty sayings under pressure, I choke. So all I managed to say was "Yeah, it's been a rough day."
Stan was very sweet as I asked him to sign a picture a specific way for a friend of mine. And he didn't even ask for an explaination :-) I wasn't too sure, I'd like his hair cut but once I saw it on him in person, I changed my mind. It looked really good.
Then came the auction. Adrian and Stan auctioned off various things including the book used in the episode "Dramatic License", 2 sets of photos from Adrian's "Playgirl" shoot, and the tablecloths they scribbled all over during the autograph session. I made a bid for Stan's tablecloth. Adrian was looking to the opposite side of room when asking for opening bids. So I was waving my hands in the air and poeple around me were calling "Over here!" So Adrian, whirled around and looked at me and said "Hold on! We'll get to you!" Unfortunately, I didn't get the tablecloth but I did get ahug from Stan during his Q&A after I asked about who he'd most like to work with if he could. He said Paul Newman.
I didn't get to stay for much of his Q&A as the PWFC was taking pictures of the 68 Wives of Methos and I was one of the Wives. As much as I loved meet the stars of the show, the best time was had with all my friends, most of whom I met for the first time at this con. They are the best group of people! I want to thank everyone. I cried as we said good bye at the hotel and again as I sat on the plane getting ready to take off. I miss you all terribly. All I can say now is "bal-MER! bal-MER!!"
The costume contest, once it got started, was a great deal of fun. The PWFC entered their 68 Wives of Methos group and stole the show. Okay, Sensei Rob stole the show but the group won the "Best in Contest" award. I'm not even sure what it was that we won :-)
Saturday started early as I had signed up for the Con breakfast with the stars. I didn't bid on any of the seats with the stars but I did enjoy breakfast and talking with the group at my table.
Jim, Elizabeth, and Adrian all had Q&A's as well as Jim and Elizabeth having an autograph session together. I attended all of Jim's and Elizabeth's Q&A and part of Adrian's. I don't really remember a lot of what was asked at the sessions. A good deal was about different aspects of the characters they they play and other things they like to do. I asked Jim if any of this previous recordings were available. He said they would be putting out a compliation CD sometime soon. Some had asked Elizabeth how she felt about a Methos/Amanda relationship. She said she would be interested. So I decided to help with the idea <eg>. I had with me at the time, the pictures and calender that Peter Wingfield did for his fan club and these are some beefcake pics! So I took them up to the microphone and said "On the subject of a Methos/Amanda relationship, I'd like to show you somethings that might fuel the fire a bit." When she saw those pictures, she hit the roof! She loved them! So did the con staff that was on stage and hadn't seen them. She squealed and asked if she could keep them. So, she is now the proud owner of 7 Pete pics and 1 Pete calender. And I ran back to the PWFC table to buy another set before they were all gone :-) I went backstage to have my pic taken with Elizabeth and we goofed around with the calender a bit. That's why I missed part of Adrian's Q&A. One question Adrian seemed reluctant to answer was if he would do a 6th season should the series get renewed. He did say when the series should end, he'd like to see Duncan just disappear. It would be too clichè for Duncan to either be the last or get beheaded.
Saturday night was Jim's concert. It was beyond words for me! The man is just totally awesome! I danced through all but one song and I don't like to dance. But with Jim playing, it is close to impossible to stay sitting down. I was in the front right next to the stage for almost the whole concert so the view I got was fantastic :-) Jim and the band played for at least 2 hours with about a half hour break between sets. I'll be heading up to Vancouver in November to see him play up there a couple times.
Sunday I skipped the PWFC breakfast and from the sounds of it I missed a bunch of fun but I wanted to get in line for Jim's and Elizabeth's autographs early so I wouldn't miss too much of the other stuff going on. All of us in line were a bit goofy and so was the con staff. They started bringing out things from the autograph area that the stars had used and doing an impromptu auction. Someone got to sit in the chair Adrian sat in, someone else got Elizabeth's unused cough drops, and I got one of Jim's beer bottles. Well, then jokingly I said I should have him autograph it. But everyone else seemed to really like the idea so I figure what the heck. The least that will happen is that I'll embarrass myself (and it certainly wouldn't be the first time :->) and the most is that Jim would find is amusing and laugh. I think a little of both happened.
I was able to catch part of Donna and Gillian's "From Script to Screen" presentation including some of the dailies. We are in for quite a few surprises! Jim and Elizabeth did another Q&A session only this time they did it together. A lot of the questions for Jim consisted of "Will you come play at <fill-in the city of your choice>?" He is planning a tour but as of yet, dates and places have not been chosen. TJ Glenn and the Action Masters put on a funny as well as informative skit about how stage fighting started and where it is at now. F. Braun McAsh, the sword master for Highlander answered question about the show as well as about the various types of swords and how to use them. One of the first things he tells someone with no sword experience who guest stars on the show is "Adrian will not hurt you". That's got to be quite a reassuring thing to hear knowing that at some point Adrian will be coming at you with sword :-) The day was rounded out by a viewing of the episode "Dramatic License". I won't spoil it for anyone cause at the time of my writing this report the ep hasn't aired yet, but the episode is wonderful and hysterical!
The rest of Sunday and Monday was spent with my friends, laughing and having more fun and sharing con memories. I can't wait until Baltimore next year!!