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Zac Barclay continues a multi-part Atlanta Dragon*Con ‘09 series by diving headlong into the convention lifestyle and getting neck deep in celebrity interaction.

After my initial foray into the wading pool at Dragon*Con Atlanta ’09, I decided to head into the meat and potatoes of the con:  The Panel, or Q&A.  I eased myself in by dropping by to visit a panel involving my good friend and fellow podcaster, Aaron Poole co-host of Cabin Fever.  I wanted to get my feet went before diving straight in.  New things easy overwhelm me, so I figured that surrounding myself with friends might be a good way to start. 

Also on the panel was Dana Snyder, voice of Master Shake on Adult Swim’s Aqua Teen Hunger Force.  Turns out, Dana is a heck of a live entertainer as well, and as I would find out over Miller Lites later that night in an undisclosed location, he’s a gentleman and a scholar as well. 

Now that I had broken my virtual lady-hood in an easy and loving way, things began to come quick and hard.  I took to this convention lifestyle like a hooker with a heart of gold! 

A mini A-Team reunion was to be my next suitor.  Dirk Benedict AND Dwight Schultz.  Faceman AND Howling Mad Murdoch.  All entertainment, no complaints.  Both men brought an unencumbered openness and ease that can only be shared by two longtime friends.  They gave us looks into their personal lives as well as damn hilarious insights into behind the scenes of the A-Team.  My personal favorite quote, “I’m George Pepard, and I’m not a very nice man.”

The walk of fame was my next conquest, and she was a gentle lover.  My one goal, my one stop came in an autograph signing from one William the Bloody, Braniac himself, James Marsters.  And I must say, Dragon*Con hospitality continued in spades.  Marsters proved to be a hell of a nice guy, who not only spelled my name correctly on my autographed picture, but got very chatty as well.  Turns out James is a bit of a nerd himself and maintains a prized action figure in his home of Spike…as a Jedi.  Now that folks, is:  Bad.  Ass.  We spoke a bit of the fact that he has loved all of his television roles thus far due to a passion for the craft as well as the luck of the draw; a usually short filming week. 

I was also lucky enough to attend a Buffy and Angel panel later in the day.  Julie Benz, Charisma Carpenter, Kristy Swanson and James Marsters participated and were quite entertaining.  I have always held a special place in my heart for Ms. Carpenter, but it was my pleasant surprise that Julie Benz is a stone cold fox in person, possessing a natural beauty that is almost a spectacle to behold.  All of the panel members were incredibly personable and frank during the Q & A.  My only regret was the piss break that I was forced to take ¾ of the way through due to a newly developed Starbucks addiction.     

Be sure to check out Weller’s piece as well.  We’re submitting extra columns today in an attempt to kiss ass due to the fact that we broke the camera and are having problems retrieving files from the media card.  Now…if you’ll excuse me…I see a slutty Dorothy of Oz that seems to need directions to…um…Kansas…

How to achieve Nerdvana. Part II of Dragon*Con

Find out how a first time con attendee lost his virginity.

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