We Take Ourselves With Us

If you're a true Comic-Con geek, you know Hall H is San Diego's ground zero.  Before this year, there was no equivalent at FanExpo ... this was either remedied or ruined by the addition of Room 105.  This massive space held 3000 crazed fans, and left another 3000 out in the hallway to riot for not getting in to see the back to back fandemonium that was the Walking Dead panel and Nathan Fillion one-two punch. I'll be honest, I've never seen the Walking Dead and don't care to, but when we learned that they wouldn't be clearing the room between the two Q&A's, we got right in line to see the WD.  And, it was a line to behold, about 5 people wide and snaking throughout the convention center.  For the record, Penn was "The Doctor Finn" (a Doctor Who/Adventure Time mashup that won great praise from fellow nerdists), and Harper was a cute Scribblenaut with My Little Pony leanings.   We got in the room only to experience what is already g...

Today was a full FanExpo day--from 9 to 9!  We hit Starbucks on the way to the Convention Center and ate breakfast from our prime spots in line--which let us do some nice line watching.  It was March of the Daleks day, and this was the cleverest and cutest lil' Exterminator on Front Street :) FanExpo brings the factions together.  It is the world in which Finn lives with random Elf with Tim Horton's guy. Where Mega-Hat Slash impersonator and Wonder Woman both queued up about an hour early to see the Adventure Time session. And, where Penn and Harper got prime seats to see the beauteous ... Ms. Gina Torres!  Who was super stylish, funny, smart, engaging and just all around fab!  Plus, she answered Harper's question from the audience:  "You mentioned that you loved musicals.  What musical would you like to star in?"  Answer: In The Heights ("It's my story," she exclaimed) and (surprise selection) Mame!  She also ...

Ai Weiwei's traveling exhibit had just opened at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO) last week.  I had loved it so much when I saw it at the Hirschorn, and thought we should see it together.  AGO is a short walk--and one Indian all you can eat buffet lunch--away from FanExpo.  So, off we went ... The kids felt strongly about the exhibit--really engaged by the story of Weiwei's rebellion against the Chinese government after the Sichuan earthquake.  I'll say that if anything, the impact of the works was magnified, not lessened, by a second viewing, especially with my kids along. And, then, of course, there's also such an element of fun in his work, which keeps the more powerful messages from being overwhelming. AGO was renovated and redesigned in 2008 by Frank Gehry (we actually went there first just after it reopened), and one of the most significant additions was this glorious long gallery filled with light and sculptural wood.  It ...

We set off early on day two, knowing we'd leave FanExpo early to hit the Art Gallery of Ontario.  So, we first hit Lego booth to pick up Friday's freebie.  Our line passed by this remarkable pointillism portrait of the TMNT done completely in 1x1 Legos.  Not the world's best subjects but the artwork was amazing! And, around the back of the booth was a cool Minecraft section.  Confession: until today I had no idea Minecraft was a Lego thing even though my kids play it obsessively. Harper went back to My Little Pony land, turning herself into Rainbow Dash and picking up another free Pony crown and teeny pony. We then got sucked into the UbiSoft booth that was filled with huge displays and games that ran the gamut from G to hard R.  While Ned disappeared into a closed theatre to play an upcoming release based on South Park's Stick of Truth (guess what it would be rated), the kids grabbed stools in front of Rayman Legends.  We'd never...

Ned has compared the Fairmont Royal York to the hotel from the Shining, possibly because of its hallways. It does make one anticipate some unearthly twins in blue dresses will turn the corner :) We stay here because it's 2 blocks from the convention center--and the incongruity between its softened glory and elevators full of Sailor Moons, Scooby gangs and Adventure Timers is just too wonderful.  Some glimpses of the Fairmont's historic charm: And, did I mention it's right next to the Tim Horton's?

So we dropped our bags at the hotel and headed up the block to catch the last few hours of Thursday's opening of the Expo. We walked right into the Doctor Who Canada display, full of exterminating Daleks and the inside and outside of a Tardis.  Plus, if you look closely enough, you'll find Mr. Broadchurch (DaveTen) and a Weeping Angel, but thanks to the Silence, you'll forget it all. As soon as we hit the main hall, we went straight to the Lego booth, which did not disappoint! And, FanExpo held treats for My Little Pony.  She got to meet Effie Trinket. Faced Off with the Doctor and Oswin. And found the booth of her favorite Japanese vinyl store: Mindzai !  They actually remembered us--see what buying mustache labbits and catcus cats will do for you :) Penn found the new Lego Marvel Heroes video game and fell into a new universe. And, it was the end of our first Dark (K)Night at the Expo....