But, Hey...We're Family

 This year's edition of FanX, the Salt Lake City Comic Con has ended. Thousands of people attended and possibly millions of dollars exchanged hands during the three-day event. If you've gone to this, or other comics conventions you know what you're going to get.

People having a great time.

One of those people is my niece...one of the most talented cosplayers I know.

Maddie has been cosplaying for more than a decade. She's diminutive, but don't let her size fool you...she has a marshal arts black belt and works in security. She also is dedicated to making excellent representations of some awesome characters.

I admire people who have the talent, and patience to pull off a good cosplay. When we met up yesterday, Maddie was Abigail, a show I have not seen. The photo doesn't give you the full story of her costume, unfortunately.

Doing FanX for more than a decade, I've seen many cosplayers, some terrific, some not as much, but every time I see someone who put effort into their character, who stepped outside their comfort zone and expressed themselves in a new way. I admire anyone who can do it.

This year's con is over. People are heading home, either by car, bus, train, scooter, bike, or on foot, all the while dressed as someone else, someone new. I'm already wondering what Maddie will be next time.

That's, Um...Impressive

As a volunteer with FanX, I had the opportunity to wander the vendor floor before the crowds descended. I've been involved in every show since it began in 2013. I've walked the floor every year, but this year something caught my attention, something that stopped me in my tracks.

Brandon Sanderson's Dragonsteel booth.

It's spectacular.

If you're familiar with the author and have followed his career (especially in the past couple of years...) you know he's done well, and by well, I mean...well, extremely well. And good for him. I've only met him a few times and each time, a true gentleman.

Any author who's been in the game for more than a short time, you know marketing is part of the deal. All the successful local authors I know understand they need to market not only their works, but they need to market themselves as well. But even the best salespeople know they have to produce the works...they need to put in the work.

I went back a few hours later, once the throngs of people arrived. The Dragonsteel booth was packed and the line to get books signed by the author was long as well. If you go to FanX this year, check out Brandon's booth.

It's truly impressive.

The Hotel Was Great...Just Can Never Sleep Well

I thought about something today. I've stayed in a hotel room three times in the past fifteen, twenty years. I don't stay in the rooms much, but there's something I know...

I can't get a good night's sleep in a hotel/motel room.

It just doesn't work for me.

The room was great. They put on us on the eighth floor and everything was new and shiny. The staff was great and the food (when I had breakfast...) was delicious. But sleeping, well...can't blame that on the hotel.

I think if I traveled for work and had to stay in hotels as part of the gig, I'd get used to sleeping in beds not my own. At least, I hope so, especially if I had to drive as part of the job. Because I needed rest for FanX, I was worried as I lay in bed in the middle of the night not being able to go back to sleep. Eventually, I did get some rest and was ready for three days of being on my feet.

Because I stayed in the room for more than one night, things did get better and I was able to sleep a little more each night. Like I said, I think if I did it more, things would improve, but because I don't see my lifestyle changing any time soon, I doubt that's going to happen.

I guess it's just one of those things for me. 

Marcanum X...The Dude Worked It At FanX

I have had the unique opportunity to book/see some of the most unusual acts available in our area at our local comics convention. I oversee the vendor floor stage acts at FanX and have done so for years. It's an honor and I love getting to know the performers and I will never tire of seeing the reactions from the crowds. 

It's so much fun,

This year, my responsibilities changed a little. Usually, I know, or have spoken to, every act before they take the stage. This time, there were some newbies. One in particular stood out to me...

Marcanum X.

I'd never heard of Marcanum X, and had he not performed on our stage, there's a good chance I never would. You see, Marcanum X is a hip-hop artist. I know as much about hip-hop as I do about the engineering it takes to reach the moon. Sure, I've heard a famous hip-hop artist name or two, mostly because they make the news (often not because of their music...). 

Marcanum X was our con's first hip-hop artist. When you're the first at anything, you're a trailblazer. I've seen it before, people in the seats not quite sure of what to make of this new act. I love our audiences--they are respectful and I believe, they recognize passion. Marcanum X definitely has passion.

He stood on our stage for almost an hour and sang song after song, all originals. I was at a disadvantage for several reasons. First, I don't know his music, either his specifically or the genre in general. Plus, I was sitting behind the speakers so I wasn't able to catch many of his lyrics. 

But I did see how hard the man worked. He rocked the stage, he didn't let up, and he sang his songs. Even though I'm not a fan, I can definitely appreciate that. If you want to know more about Marcanum X, you can learn more about him by clicking: HERE.

I don't know if he'll be back--it's sort of out of my control. But, if he does, I hope others get to see what I saw...a genuine performer. 

Made A Goal...Reached It

 My wife texted me early in the week. She found a ton of food at the grocery store. The food was on sale and she bought it in preparation for this weekend. After seeing all she purchased, I made a goal, and I can now say, I reached it. The goal...?

To not spend a dime on food at this years comic convention.

Anyone who has gone to an event where thousands of people are basically held captive for several hours understands that food vendors have got it made. You've got so many people and deprive them of food for those hours, they get hungry, and when they're hungry, the cost of the food diminishes. The longer the wait, the more they can charge.

I'm not faulting the vendors. They're in it to make money. It costs a ton of money to bring the food to the masses. This year, because of the food my wife bought and some careful planning (and a fridge in the hotel room...), I reached my goal.

In the past, I've had other goals when it comes to FanX, Salt Lake City's comics convention. I usually make a goal not to buy any books, artwork, or other amazing things found at the convention. Lack of money usually allows me to keep those goals, but food is a different story.

Next year, with proper planning, it's possible I could replicate my year's goal. 

Time will tell, of course.

Give Thanks...For Selfless Friends

 There's a group consisting of a couple of hundred people (or more...) that received some news at the beginning of the year. We're a close-knit group...close because we've shared common experiences, and there's one person that brought us all together...

Blake Casselman.

If you're unfamiliar with Blake, he is an extraordinary individual. He wears many hats, screenwriter, teacher, film director/writer/producer, husband, father, friend. And since 2013, he's also been the Programming Director for the FanX Salt Lake Comics Convention, formally known as Salt Lake Comic Con. On New Years Eve he took off the Program Director hat and transferred it to another. 

End of an era.

Every once in a while a person enters your life that, unbeknownst to you at the time, will change your life forever. I didn't know many years ago it would happen to me. I was attending LTUE, a writers symposium held in Orem, Utah and I sat in on a screenwriting class. Blake was one of the panelists. After the panel I introduced myself to him and told him one of my scripts was made into a short film. He invited me to attend a screenwriters group that met every other week. I accepted his invitation and started attending.

When the first Salt Lake Comic Con was announced, Blake was hired to be the Programming Director. He approached me and several other writers and artists and asked if we'd like to participate as panelists. I accepted that invitation as well. Thus began an almost decade-long relationship with Blake and the convention. I started as a panelists and a few years later, I began helping Blake and his team as an Assistant Programming Director. 

It's difficult to express just what this friendship has meant to me. Because of Blake giving me an opportunity, I've made life-long friends in the writing community. I submitted a novel that was published by those friends and I've had so many incredible experiences that I doubt would have happened had I not entered that screenwriting class years ago and struck up a conversation with the very approachable Blake Casselman.

The news of Blake stepping down reached our panelist community on New Years Day. As part of his team, I knew of his decision earlier. I know the reaction of the other panelists because it was mine as well--shock, sadness, a feeling that the convention that we all love had lost a kind and selfless soul. Many of us know how hard he fought for us, but few understood just how hard he fought. Working with him behind the scenes, I saw.

The FanX Salt Lake Comics Convention will continue. Blake with participate with us, but this time as a panelists, an incredible weight no longer resting on his shoulders. It'll be nice to see him free to enjoy the event that owes so much of its existence to him, so much that makes the event special because of him. If you know Blake, you understand. I, and so many, are fortunate to call him friend.

Give Thanks...The Miracle It Happens At All

If you were to look at my social media timelines today, you'd see post after post, picture after picture of this year's FanX Comics Convention. So many of my friends attend, participate, even help plan the gargantuan event. As I walked around the Salt Palace Convention Hall this past Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, I realized just what a miracle it is to pull off a convention like this.

And except for Covid, they do it year after year after year.

I'm a small cog in a very big machine.

For the past several years, I've been assigned to the vendor floor stage. With the help of friends, our job is to book acts we feel with improve the show, provide entertainment, and even a little education. This year's line-up was our biggest ever. We had more performers than ever before.

Curve balls were thrown and problems arose, but with the knowledge of experts, friends, and parents, we made it through.

Still, all those people, all those vendors, all those guests, panelists, volunteers...everyone involved and everyone who paid good money to participate...they came together--worked together and the result was...well, in a word...

Miraculous. 

I'm grateful to be that small cog in the big machine. I'm glad so many are willing to dedicate so much time and energy so that others can have a fantastic weekend, and I hope to be able to contribute in the future. We'll see what 2023 brings. If it's like years past, the answer will be another great show.

 

One Of The Best Slices Of Pizza I've Ever Had...

 The vendor floor was only minutes away from closing. It was then I decided I should get some dinner. 

At FanX this year, my venue changed locations. We're no longer in the middle of all the action. Instead, we're off to the side, close to the food court. As locations go, it's not bad, except all day I watched as dozens--possibly hundreds of people queued up for The Pie Pizzeria pizza. They sell it by the slice and even though it won't fill you up, necessarily, it is enough to keep you going for several hours.

The problem I had is I couldn't stand in a line for that long. I had to make sure things at the stage were running smoothly. No worries...I'll just wait until the line is almost gone. 

That's what I did. The problem was, I waited until the pizza was almost gone, too.

Me and two other people were in line. When I approached the display, they had three slices left.

"That's the last of it," an employee said. I would have preferred pepperoni, but when there's only cheese left, I'll take cheese. I picked up one of three remaining and an employee said, "With tomato slices?" 

"Sure," I said not really understanding.

What you see in the photo is what I got.

I didn't realize just how hungry I was until I took a bite. It was SO GOOD! And the tomatoes added that extra punch I needed. I realized at that moment, it was one of the best tasking slices of pizza I had ever had.

Was it really one of the best tasting slices I've ever had in my life? Probably not, but last night right before the Pie ran out of food, it was to me.

Happy 30th, Babe...I'll Be Home Soon

 From where I sit right now, I'm on the third level (down...) of a parking terrace with a line of cars stretching on mine and the previous two above levels. It's around 9:30pm and I have at least an hour drive before I get home--and that's after I get above ground.

I knew when they announced the date of this year's FanX Salt Lake Comics Convention it would fall on our anniversary, and because I had committed to helping this year, I knew I'd be gone all day. I told my wife. She said, "I guess we'll celebrate on a different day."

She's understandable, like that.

It's only one of the reasons why I love her so much.

Thirty years, almost a third of a century. Lots of ups and downs, that happens in three decades. And I wouldn't want to have spent it with anyone else.

Happy 30th, babe. I'll be home soon,

My Pre-Covid Writing Life...I Didn't Realize Just How Spoiled I Was

 The first time I stepped inside the Tremonton Library, I noticed several flyers on the counter with pictures of authors I knew on them. These were notices that Utah authors would be visiting the Tremonton Library to chat about their books and/or do a reading of their works.

I was so stoked! 

I was going to have my friends come up to our local library--I'd get to see my friends again. We could chat, discuss books, and just hang out.

Turns out these incredible writers would be visiting our neck of the woods, but not in person...they'd be visiting virtually...digitally...not physically.

Bummer.

I was able to log into an author reading from Steve Heurmann on Friday. He's an amazing person with a wonderful story of how he became a full-time writer. You can access his information by visiting his website: HERE. He read from his book, Paper Heroes.

The meeting ended--I was able to say, "hello," I thought about how disappointed I was that the author chats are all virtual. I also thought about how spoiled I've been for the past eight years. Except for last year, I have been able to attend several writing conventions, writing symposiums, and comic cons every year. I was averaging one every three or four months. And I pretty much knew who would be attending these local events--many of my good writing friends.

How I miss those days.

If Steve had been able to attend his reading in person, or if we had been at a convention, we could have talked about writing, about how his latest project was coming along, any news on new books, new ideas. And I could have done the same things with a dozen or more friends. Attending these events to sell books is wonderful, but so is hanging out and chatting with friends.

Hopefully, we can return to normal soon. If so, I will try and go to as many as possible, so I can be spoiled again.

So, Why Are They Called "Classics"...?

 A few years ago at a FanX Salt Lake Comic Convention I participated on a panel on how to get kids to read. One of my fellow panelists raised a very important point. He said a lot of kids don't read, or get turned off from reading, because they're forced to read boring books.

I remember the audience cheered. 

He struck a nerve.

I've thought a lot about that one statement made by the incredible author Paul Genesse. He's right, to a point. Many of the books we were forced to read were boring, not because of the books themselves, but because--many times--we were too immature to understand the book on the same level those forcing us to read them do.

They're called classics for a reason.

I remember when we started homeschooling. One teaching technique placed a huge focus on reading the classics. You want to teach redemption? Read Les Miserables. You want to read about racism, read Uncle Tom's Cabin or Huckleberry Finn. Want to learn about our countries founding? There's so many good books out there. A book that's being read a hundred-years or more after it was first published means there's a reason it's still being read. We learn from the experiences of others. Stories--especially written stories--connect us in a way that no other medium can.

I need to read more. I have dozens of books, great books, written by friends that I have yet to read. Instead I grabbed from the bookshelf a classic, George Orwell's 1984. I know just the tile brings with it a flood of opinions, from every side. Some think it's a story of what our country's experienced over the past four years. Some think it's a prediction of what's coming. Actually, it's political commentary of the world one astute and observant writer who understood human nature and history and who saw and wrote about his day in 1948.

But, the fact that everyone has an opinion of the novel--for good or bad--THAT'S what makes it a classic. 

Oh, and by the way, just the first fifteen pages are terrifying.