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Weller experiences his first brushes with fame while examining exactly how he fits into the world of Atlanta Dragon*Con ‘09.  Part of a Multi-Part Series!

With only four hours of sleep I started day two surprisingly alert and ready to go.  This was the climax- the day I had most planned for and looked forward to.  As I left the hotel I was able to catch the end of the Dragon* Con parade, which judging by the looks of local citizens driving by, were not well informed about the event.  You couldn’t help but smile watching a business man on his way to work get flanked by a couple of Mad Max vehicles and a troop of kilt wearing storm troopers.

We then proceeded to the “Walk of Fame,” a room filled with celebrities who would autograph items brought in or sold at their table for a set price depending on their popularity.  While I waited for my friends to get their signatures, I took a walk around to see if I knew any of the celebrities (it turns out I knew seven of the eighty two in attendance).  Some celebrities were in high demand with incredibly long lines while others sat alone waiting.  There were two actresses I considered purchasing an autograph from but their lack of a line meant that I would have to walk up to them, view their prices and then decide whether or not to make my purchase as they literally sat two feet away.  That awkward situation was enough to make me decide against even considering it.

The event I was most excited for, The Venture Bros. Panel, had a line that began at the room, wound its way through the hotel, continued outside and around the block a full hour before it even began.  Before I was even able to get in line I was told it was completely full and I was out of luck.  That didn’t bother me too much because that meant I could then get in line earlier for their signing event.  By the time I worked my way through the crowd to the next room I was told that had been filled to capacity as well.  Evidently The Venture Bros. are much more popular than I had previously thought. 

Disappointed I worked my way back to my hotel room only to come across a forum on the search for extra-terrestrials.  I really enjoyed hearing a well educated expert explain that the likelihood of life on another planet is actually quite good while also making it clear that he did not believe that aliens have ever visited our planet.  When asked about supposed crash landings he laughed and replied, “That would be like you driving your car across the country and then totaling your car on your garage door in your own driveway- it’s not going to happen.”  Very well put.

My night ended with “people watching” in the Marriott.  I recognized a few faces, but to my surprise most of them wore a different costume to spice things up.  The highlight of the day came as a group of families in town for the college football game checked into the hotel only to discover that that it had been taken over by super heroes, monsters, villains, and even a giant walking Hello Kitty.  They quickly grabbed their cameras as several in the con began photographing them.  A few parents looked horrified by some of the costumes, but most seemed to get a good laugh out of it.  My day had officially gone full circle.  I can only wonder what comes next.   

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