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.

The Calm...Before The Con

Right now, hundreds of booths await the masses. The booths range from completely stocked and prepared, to untouched with only chairs, a table, and a sign. By tomorrow afternoon, the relatively quiet in the hall will be replaced by noise, the sound of thousands of feet shuffling across concrete floors, the sounds of laughs, cries, screams, sighs...it will envelope the space, drive out the quiet. 

It's comic con time again.

And many of these people, those setting up, will do this all again next week...only the location will change. 

I've been involved in this particular comic con for ten years. The first one opened my eyes, not only to what is possible when thousands of people work together toward a common goal (a successful con...), but to a life I never knew existed...the life of the traveling artists. I remember that first show. I mooched some table space for my books--actually, they were anthologies in which I had stories. During the down times, I found myself wandering among the aisles, chatting with vendors, discovering more about them.

It's a modern-day traveling carnival. 

Not everyone at this convention travels. I don't have the numbers as to those who live here and do this and a few shows each year and those who travel city-to-city, state-to-state and do this for a living. Those that do travel the country--a different city/con each week--fascinate me. I can't imagine that life, but I'm sure many of them can't imagine doing what I do...sit at a desk for forty hours a week, fifty-two weeks a year.

It's all about perspective.

I have the upmost respect for what they do. It takes hard work, determination, and something else...courage. It's not a life for the timid, that's for sure.

In a little over twenty hours, the floor will come to life. Commerce will commence. Goods will be exchanged for money, either cash, credit, Venmo, PayPal. It will be a long three days. Right now, however, it's the calm before the con. There's a beauty in that, too.

If You'd Like To Perform On The FanX Stage Next September...Just Fill Out The Application!

 

Even though it's months away, it's never too early to think about next Season's FanX. Some people think about it a lot...almost the whole year long. Some people, as soon as the final FanX event ends, they're already planning the next show twelve months in the future.

Such is life.

This is an invitation for those of you interested in participating in next September's show. If you have an act and you'd like to showcase that act on our Vendor Floor Stage, we'd love to hear what you've got. How do you submit your ideas, you ask? Simple...

Just fill out our application!

You can access the application by clicking: HERE. Now, I cannot guarantee you a place on our stage, but I can guarantee if you do apply, we'll consider your request to see if it fits in what we're trying to do at FanX.

Maybe you don't have an act, but if you know someone that does, please forward this post to them so they can submit an app. We're looking for fun, engaging, entertaining acts that our guests will love. Again, please let us know what you've got and maybe you'll be performing in front of Utah's largest convention crowds. Just fill out the application and we'll see what happens. Good luck--we'd love to hear from you.