ok ... here we go.
The Interview with Tobe ran much longer (happily) than i expected - so i had to rush around after that to make it to the con on time.
I stopped for a couple of street dogs - thank god - because i always forget to eat at these things. eventually the sensory overload has me walking around in a sweaty daze.
I had to go back to where i parked my car - swap out the unnessessary photo gear with DVDs i wanted to get signed. By the time i dragged my stuff back to the con and made it through the sign in line i was soaking wet with sweat. - attractive - i know. I eventually went into the washroom and did the cold water and towel thing until i felt refreshed again.
finally at 2:00PM the doors opened to the early bird folks. I ran around to see what deals there were with the vendors - suprised to see that Sid Haig was already at his seat for signing (the guests dont usually show up until 5:00 or 6:00 ... this guy was a work horse.
1st thing i did is to hit Suspect Video - one of the 2 essential video stores at the con. I bought Spider Baby and Faster Pussycat Kill Kill to get signed as well as a couple of others.
Sid's line was still short at that point so i went straight there and got Spider Baby signed. Nice guy - likes to joke around ... shared my grief that Galaxy of Terror wasnt available on DVD.
From there i went to Cinema 1 - the other essential DVD place and found that they were selling several Tartan Asia Extreme titles for $8.99 each .. so I bought 10 titles and a couple of other things. Now I have an additional heavy bag to haul around that i attached to my case (that had wheels and a handle)
this case would pull out of my grasp and fall over spilling half the contents every time i ran over taped down cables or carpet edges - so in other words - every 5 minutes.
Swinging past the guest area i saw Tura Santana had arrived so I popped in her line ... nice gal .. very friendly and obviously having a good time ...
She insisted everyone sit on her lap to get their pictures taken with her .. i told her i'd kill her but she made me anyway ...
I popped by Tobe Hoopers signing - the promotional guy i met later wouldnt let me pay to get the 3 DVDs i had to get signed - and gave me a promotional photo for me to scan and pass onto chris for the newspaper article - but it didnt get used either. I got Lifeforce, Texas Chainsaw 2, and Invaders For Mars signed. the picture someone took of us was horrible but I told Tobe i would be back with my son the next day and we'd get a good one then
After my stuff falling over and me getting heavier and heavier with every purchase and freebee i figured i'd better make the 30 minute trek back to the car, unload a lot of weight and change t-shirts. I bought a Video Dead t-shirt despite the lighter - more flimsy fabric - but became greatful as it was nice and light - so i changed into it and felt cooler immediately.
On my return i was suprised to see Ruggero Deodato had arrived ... and i was pissed because i just left my Cannibal Holocaust laserdisc back in my car. there was no one at his table so i decided to go over anyway.
Before i got there - Rugerro's assistant was all excited and asking me where i got the Video Dead t-shirt so I told him (he bought one soon after)
I got Ruggero to sign a photo - saying i'd be back the next day with my son and the laserdisc ... I did get a picture - then he started asking me about my camera (he has the D200 - i have the D300 ... so i gave it to him to check out.
