"cool things happen to those who make good web sites."

Event:The Dallas Comic*Con /Sci-Fi Expo

Your webmistress' (Katherine....me...the person who runs this site) experience at a wee little convention...in a wee little town called Plano, Tx.
> for those of you who do not know: Roz is my best friend, Jay is Brad's booking agent, and Maresa is a fellow Brad fan.

Best quote of the *Con:"When you are a whore, you don't remember who all you have slept with." ~Brad in reference to him saying that he is a movie whore, and that he doesn't remember all of the roles he has played.

Part 1:
Friday, Oct. 24, 2003
I headed out of San Antonio with my best friend Roslyn, whom I dragged with me on this trip. I didn't want to go alone, even though I knew I would know people there. We left at around 1:30pm. The drive was very pleasant, and it only took us 45 minutes to get through downtown Austin. Roz slept the whole way, and only woke up to tell me how much texas drivers suck. I had TRHCP CD 'Californication' playing the whole time. One thing that I noticed while driving I-35 was that the crosswinds were very bad. Little did I know that they were being aided by my almost flat tire in the back left of my Explorer. Actually, I didn't know I even had a flat until we were in standstill traffic in Dallas, and this lady drove past me and said, "You have a flat tire". So, eventually I was able to exit, and we pulled into a gas station. We tried to change the tire, but wound up calling AAA. Waited for over an hour for the dude to arrive, then it took him an hour to change it. I was sooo tired by now, and it was 8:00pm. After that, we found our hotel and attempted to check in.
Just my luck:
lady at the front desk:"May I see your drivers license, ma'am?"
me:"Sure!"
lady at the front desk:"I'm sorry, ma'am. We do not rent rooms to people under the age of 21."
me:"Then why did you let me make the reservation?? Why didn't you ask me this before?? I have been on the road for over 6 hours, I had a flat tire, and I don't feel good. I have put a room in my name at the Marriott Marquis in Atlanta, which is way more expensive than this hotel, and I had no problem. And I was only 19!!! I do not trash rooms, and for gods sake, I just need a place to SLEEP!!!!"
lady at the front desk:"Okay, ma'am. I will let you have the room. Just be warned that if anything is destroyed, your card will be charged."
me:"hahaha. Don't worry. Here's my card."
So, after that we went to our room, and unpacked. Maresa was going to meet us there, so I called her phone. Her mom came along, and we hung in the room for a while. They drove us to Denton to drop something off for Roslyn's ungrateful sister at UNT. After that, we went back to the hotel. On the way I managed to get a REALLY NICE nap, while Roz and Maresa talked about stuff. I really don't remember much, but I might have chimed in sometime.

Saturday, October 25, 2003:

DAMN my internal alarm clock. I woke up ay 7:00am. I didn't even have to be at the con until 11 or 12. So, I went out smoked, and got Roz and I fruit for breakfast. She was still asleep, but I turned on the lights and nice saturday morning political talk shows. x_x.
I was confused as to how I was supposed to meet up with Brad and Jay at the con, so I had emailed Jay before I left. Roz has the internet on her phone, so I checked my email. They landed at around 11:15, so I figured I'd call Jay sometime later on. We got dressed and I actually fixed my hair..go me, and attempted to put on makeup, which is something I rarely do. I don't like the mask feeling.
We drove to the con, and meet up with Maresa. Roz and I still needed to get our passes, and we talked to Ben Stevens, the guy who runs the con, and he hooked us up with the wrist bands. We walked around the exhibit hall, and got bored really fast. Roz and I went out for a smoke, and Maresa joined us. By now it was about 12:15. I called Jay, and he was in the car with Brad. They were about 20 minutes away, and I told him to call me when he gets there. Then I told him about my flat tire, and got the usual "Good for you" comment. lol.

Roz was hungry, and I didn't want her paying 4$ for a hot dog, so I drover her down to the wee convenient store. I didn't want anything, so I waited in the car while Roz and Maresa got food. Jay called me and said he was outside at the con. I told him we'd be there soon.

We get back to the con, and feeling halfway descent, we walk up to the front, and saw Jay. I said hi, and he gave me a big hug. I introduced him Roz and Maresa, and he introduced us to this artist guy, who's name I cannot remember. They talked for a while, and I listened, then got bored..and talked to Maresa and Roz.

When they were done talking, we went in with Jay to find Brad. We saw him right as we went in, and Jay said, "This is Katherine, remember from Dragon*Con, she has the website." (and Brad winked at me teehee) I introduced Brad to Roz and Maresa. Brad said something about the con people taking him into a room, and not letting him out. It was funny. Jay wandered off somewhere...and Roz said that Brad sounded like Chucky, and Maresa said that he was wonderful in Ragtime. Me, being the odd person that I am, asked him how his flight was. He said it was bumpy and that he was coming down with the flu.

Part 2:
Jay came back, and Brad decided to walk into the hall where he would be doing his panel. It was really cool because I got to follow them in through the side door, and no one said anything! They were still having the star wars panel, so we just sat down in the front. Once the Star Wars panel had ended, the people with Ringers passes that wanted to stay for the panel had to show their pass, and the rest were waiting in line outside the door. Well, Ben, the guy checking people for passes, came over to look at ROz and I, and saw that we were with Brad, and passed us up. It was too cool. So, I sat on the front row, with Roz and Maresa, and Sala Baker came and sat with Brad behind us. I told Brad that I was going to record his panel on my tape recorder, and he said it was okay, but that the con people might mind. So, Jay just plopped it up on the stage with Brad. Well, the panel was like any other panel, but Brad was pretty out of it because he was sick. It was cute when he went off on a tangent, and forgot what he was answering. They were basically the same old questions that people ask, and John Rhys-Davies pretty much got all the attention. When the panel was over, Jay and Brad took off to the signing table. The way this autograph session was set up was people paid 50$ to see the panel, and get one autograph from JRD and Brad. So, the line was very long. I didn't need to stay in that line, there was no point. I got in for free, and if I want Brad's autograph, all I have to do is ask and I get one. I walked up to Jay, and he said that we needed to go get Brad medicine. Jay, Roz, and I piled into my explorer and went to Albertson's. We got Brad meds, and while Jay was paying for them, I looked in his wallet and said, "Can I have some money?" VERY jokingly, and he handed me two 5$ bills! LOL. It was cute. After that, we drove a while looking for a Starbucks to get Brad coffee, but wound up fining nothing.

When we got back to the con, I guess Jay gave Brad his meds, and we went on our merry way to look around. I know this may sound bad, but sitting watching Brad sign for hours on end gets boring, so we quit staring at him and went into the exhibit hall. I bought a Starship Enterprise key chain for 3$(too much in my books).

Roz , Maresa, and I went around to the other celebrity autograph tables and took pics with them. I met Jonathan Brecker(the Creeper), who does not have an Official website, but I told him to check out dourif.net, and gave him my personal email address, and if he was interested in having me do his website, to drop me a line.

Then, I met the one person I was looking forward to seeing more than Brad: David Prowse. Now, I have liked Darth Vader since I was a wee tot. He has always been my favorite. SO, we went to his table, and I asked if I could get a picture with him, and he said of course. I walked around, and put my arm around him. Then he told me to get closer...which creeped me out, and he put his arm around me. After Roz took the pic, he didn't let go of me, and instead, planted a big slobbery kiss on my cheek, and acted like he was going to pass out from kissing me. What a ladies man. It was creepy, though. Later on, he took a pic of himself, Roz, and I with his camera. Heh, now I know that somewhere, Darth Vader has a pic of me. CREEPY.

About an hour later we went outside into the hallway, and were quite a bit away from Brad. He was waiting for people to come to his table, after they met JRD. He looked right at me, and winked! (that's TWO winks so far from Brad) Then, Roz waved at him, and he waved back. It was cool.
We went out and smoked with Jay, then went back in. I was seriously bored, so I just sat down on the floor right outside the door to the exhibit hall, and watched Brad, seeing if there were any cool looking people to take pictures of.


Part 3

Well, the chance for cool pictures came when a chic dressed as Grima came through the line. Her name is Jace, and boy was her costume cool. She made it herself, and it was exquisitely detailed. She even made Grima's necklace, a perfect replication. I thought she had bought it online or something, and wanted to know where I could get it. That is how good it was. Jay told Brad that we wanted some pics of them together for the website, so Brad posed with her for some excellent shots. You can see them below in the pics. Jace was a very nice person to talk to. Pleasure meeting you!

After that, We saw Jay walking around, and he mingle with Roz Maresa and I, and tried to get away from us taking a picture with him. Roz and I got a couple good pics with him, but I swore I would not put them on the website. meh. I went out and smoked with him and he kept an eye on the sick Brad. It was cute.

Then we went back in, and I sat with them by the table, and I got an autographed pic of Grima that brad was signing. I also wanted a pic with John Rhys-Davies, and Jay told them that I wanted a pic, so I got to cut in line and take one. It was very cool, and made me feel special. lol.

The line dwindeled down at around 6:30pm, and Jay was trying to figure out how to get Brad to the hotel, and then how we would meet up to go out to dinner. By now it was obvious that Brad would not be joining us, he was way too ill, and that was a bummer. hey, when you are sick, you are sick. And it sucks. I was by Jay and BRad when they were discussing with Ben who would take them to their hotel. I don't know if someone mentioned that I had my explorer with me, or what, but Ben asked if I could take them to their hotel. Of course I said yes, I mean, this was Brad Dourif, and he was sick and I felt sorry for him. I agreed, and got directions.

We all piled into my car, and when I got in I very quickly tossed the Wormtongue action figure that was hanging from my rear view mirror, into the back seat. I had forgotten about it, but didn't want to creep Brad out. Roz laughed at me. I was embarrassed a bit. lol. Here I was, driving Brad to his hotel. It was very cool Since Roz had slept on the way up to Dallas, the seat was laid back a bit. He sat shotgun and was lounging, and looked cute. We were looking for the street that we exit on, and I said something about it being 'Connolly' or another name, and when we found it, Brad said, "Conolly, Concord..one english..one irish and scottish." It was really cool because this man is so intelligent. It was amazing, because I don't think about things like that when I see street names, and I have no clue where names come from. Maybe that knowledge comes with age, and Brad has 33 years on me.



What surprised me the most was how thankful he was that I took him there. "It's really no problem," I kept saying. When we got to the Omni, a very nice hotel which I have stayed at before, Brad got out, thanked me once again, and Jay told us to wait in the car and he would be right back to go to dinner. So, we waited, and of course I called the rents.

me: "Mom..Brad rode in my car.."
mom: "Isn't he that actor that you like a lot?"
me: "Mom, you are funny"
mom: "Are you behaving yourself? Are you?"
me: "here mom, talk to Roz"

So, mom and Roz talked, and mom made sure that no one was, "giving me some of that fast eye." Ahhh, yes, parents are funny.
By now Jay was coming back, and I told mom I'd talk to her later and that I would behave myself.(I always do) He handed me some very messy directions on how to find Pappadeaux, and we drove off. When we got there, we dropped him off to find us a table, and Roz and I parked. In the far back of the restaurant there was one open parking space, and I parked very crookedly, which I didn't really notice. We joined Jay inside, and he said that the wait was about 45 minutes. He told me to decide if we wanted to stay there to eat, and I said that he was the oldest, and that he needed to make the decision. Since we were at a wee little bar/table in the bar section, we had one stool. It was funny because he was like, "Okay, we have one stool. Roz, you can sit in it first." LOL. So, we planned on sharing this stool for 45 minutes. He wandered off, and Roz and I took a pic together (which you can see below) and waited. Then he waved me over to the bar, and told me to get what I wanted. Since I was the designated driver and Roz and I are both underage...in a dry county...I ordered us virgin strawberry Daiquiris, and Jay drank wine. I wanted a virgin margarita because I am partial to them, but the bar tender said they were nasty. By this time, the bar opened up 3 stools, and we sat there, talked and smoked. Jay and Roz ate bread, but because I stay away from carbs as much as possible, I passed. I am not going into detail about the subjects covered at dinner because I feel they were between us three, and don't need to be shared with the world. It was one of those experiences that just need to be kept in my head.

We eventually got a table, and Roz and I stared wide eyed at the menu. We had about 20$ each to spend for dinner, so we had decided on side salads before we even got there. Well, to my extreme surprise, Jay said he was paying, and that we were to order whatever we wanted. Roz and I were in total shock. Total. Jay then asked if we ever had frog legs before. Roz said that she is very picky and does not eat cute things. I said that I have never eaten them before, and that I would be open to try them, but they were expensive. Price was not a problem I guess. He ordered us frog legs and alligator. The frog legs were kind of tough to eat, but the alligator was great.

This is funny: I was brought up with good manners when I eat. So, here I was cutting my frog legs with my fork and knife. Jay looked over at me and said, "Hey, you don't have to be proper in front of me". Well, I proceeded to explain to him that I was brought up to eat like this, and I like to have good manners. Roz agreed that I always eat with very good manners. Then I thought, "What the hell" and reached across the table to grab a piece of alligator, with my hands, and said, "There, you happy?". And just got smiles from both....

Part 4:

We ate dinner(Salmon), and goofed around with the waiter. He was cute and had a nice ass. It was fun. Jay got the check, and showed it to me. My eyes fell out of my head, and then I recovered. Roz and I felt utterly spoiled. Spoiled Rotton. Later we went to bar, smoked and talked. After about another hour we left.

OH MY GOD IT WAS SO FREEZING OUTSIDE!! Roz and I thought we were going to freeze to death. Jay said it wasn't cold outside, whatever. It was very cold. Texas weather is so weird. That friday it was 90, and on Saturday night it was 45. Odd. We dropped Jay off at his hotel and went to our wee cheap Ramada Inn. Roz and I chatted about the day, how it was really cool and that we hoped Brad felt better the next day. We set our clocks back one hour and watched TV. I hate late night TV, well TV in general. It bores me. The spanish channel was interesting because we put it on mute and made our own scenarios based on the actors' expressions. We are weird. Then, I concked out while Roz was on the phone with her lucious boyfriend Rob.


Sunday:

DAMN YOU INTERNAL ALARM CLOCK!! ONCE AGAIN YOU HAVE SCREWED ME OUT OF SLEEP!!
Woke up at 5:00am. I didn't have to be at the con until 11:30am!!!! So, I crawled out of bed, turned on the hall light and Roz woke up and stared at me. I told her to go back to sleep, and she did. I went and smoked, and some creepy old dude talked to me about how I needed to be wearing shoes in this cold weather. I told him that my socks were just fine and dandy. He said, "Okay", and went about his merry way. I went back inside, and let my eyes adjust to the darkness, and laid back down. THEN ROZ SCARED THE LIVING DAYLIGHTS OUT OF ME. I was laying there, and I saw something vaguely in front of my eyes, then it hit me in the nose! It was Roz poking me with her finger. My heart jumped out of my body, then I put it back in and concked out myself.

After that lovely sleep, we woke up at 9:30am. I went and got us cantelope and bananas. Before Roz made coffee, I moved all of my stuff away from the coffee pot. I had a feeling she would overflow the coffee and make a mess. I was right. Roz cracks me up so much, and that is why she is my best friend......


to be continued........with:
~sitting at Brad's table
~getting them coffee
~taking Brad and Jay to the airport