My Mega Exciting Life: Atlanta Comicon

Well, my week was interesting to say the least! It all started off slow with arts and crafts, however.

When I get it in my head that I want something, I usually do not rest until I get it. A few weeks ago, I saw a commercial for this:

cheesey cheesey goodness

And couldn't get it out of my head for days and days. Mr. Smith tried to insist I just order the dang thing, but not having ordered mainstream pizza in years... I just couldn't bring myself to do it. But I couldn't get the darn thing out of my head though, so...

i invented it

And here we have the finished product:

the megan venable smith version

Yes, I'm a freak show SHUT UP.

Next, in anticipation of the meetup of the Jolly Roger Studio boys and girls (of which Mr. Smith is a member) I made these fun Christmas tree ornaments!

i invented these too

Next up, Atlanta and the Atlanta Comicon!

Now, if you've never been to a comic convention, let me warn you: lots of people dress up as characters to the NINES. In fact, walking in the other day I made eye contact with Flash (a somewhat shorter, in a flame-retardant uniform Flash) and think he was impressed when I didn't bat an eye and just gave him the 'sup? head nod. Lots of E list celebrities come and you can pay them to get a picture taken with them or get them to autograph an 8x10 B&W glossy for you for a charge. You can buy all sorts of comic books there too, and the artists and writers are on hand to give you their George Hancock. Since Mr. Smith is an artist he usually goes to the conventions that are in a driving distance, but this convention was different.

He got his hotel room paid for for just being there. AND he sold some art over the weekend so we came ahead in the deal for the first time! YEA!!! So I tagged along too since he wasn't crammed into one room with three other guys. But didn't really spend much time at the show...

Instead I called up my old college buddy, Jennifer Morrow to hang out! We were broadcasting majors together and worked together at the All News 850 AM radio station all through my undergraduate career. We did have the fortune of hanging out more when Tommy and I moved to Atlanta, but we had kinda lost touch since we moved back to Knoxville. UNTIL NOW.

We had not seen each other in about five years, but we jumped into our day together like it had only been two weeks. So good to see you and catch up! First, we got our nails done:

i was trying to only get her in the shot that's why it was out of kilter and not the mimosa lunch we had together...

It truly was like we hadn't been apart at all. She didn't object even to running errands with me:

this kroger is two stories tall. only in atlanta...

Next up, I left the Lenox area and ventured into the suburbs of Woodstock to visit yet another friend and college buddy - Steve Henderson! Steve and I met in the first class on my first day of classes as an undergraduate and found out that day we were both broadcasting majors. We stayed friends all through school and I hadn't seen HIM in years too. I think the last time we visited was at his wedding to Marsha, and on this trip I had the fortune to meet and visit with his 2-year-old, Hannah who was sweet as pie.

Alas, no pictures. Sigh.

Moving back to the Comicon!

As I mentioned before, you can pay E list celebrities who come to the con $20 for a head shot and autograph. I understand you gotta make a living, but for the most part, I'm like c'mon... $20 for a signed photo? At this con (among other celebs) was Henry Winkler (the Fonz), Billy Dee Williams (Lando Calrissian), Vivica Fox (Will Smith's honey in Independence Day), and a ton of zombies from the Walking Dead (no, I am not kidding. I stayed away from those mo-fo's).

There has been only one exception to the no-paying-for-autographs line in the sand:

apparently, you can buy love. the smith coffers are out $20, but what's that when compared to george lazenby's love? meeeeoooowww....

So please imagine my surprise when the Jolly Roger Studio clan hits the town for supper:

a bond montage! it's like they knew i was coming!

Oh and look! Here's my boyfriend now! With some skank:

he's mine, tracy bond... MINE.

At supper, we were swindled by some Miller Lite girls! They came around encouraging us to order Miller Lites and if you did, you would get some nice Miller Lite swag. We ended up getting free drink coupons, so we cashed them in for Miller Lites because I was totes down for Miller Lite swag (after the Yuengling Beer fire pit and Coors Lite turkey fryer, I figured I was a shoo-in).

i ordered, and did not pay for or drink about 100 miller lites

As it turns out, you only get to roll a Miller Lite die and see if you 'win' anything. Thanks a lot, Miller Lite girls.

it was a gd shakedown, a screw job any way you look at it. eric, mimi, tony h., miller lite girl (who gave me a lame key chain for a consolation prize), tommy and me gingerly sip miller lites.

We headed back to the hotel. I had been fascinated by the elevator sign the entire day and pointed out to Tommy that the stick figure appeared to be chased downstairs after a ball of flame. Tommy pointed out that the stick figure appeared to be chased downstairs after the Sunsphere.

he was right

See?

you've got to BEEEE THERE!

Next up, visiting the Jolly Roger peeps and hilarity. To wit:

i don't know what they're laughing at and i don't wanna know

But apparently:

it's hilarious

Good times catching up with everyone:

back row l-r: eric and jd; middle row: mr. smith, mimi, tony h., sarena, matt, amy, tony s. nayoung; front row: moi.

Since I spent the previous day visiting like a county squire, I had to log my miles in on Sunday. I spoke to the concierge about where to run nearby and she looked at me like I was crackers. But did tell me the mall adjacent to the hotel wasn't open for a few hours and to hit the trail around it.

As it turned out - it was perfect. One lap around the Cumberland Mall parking lot was exactly one mile. My path went something like this: Costco gas pump, Costco, loading dock, mall entrance (watch for cars! No stop sign for cars entering lot!), Macy's, food court, Sear's, Sear's Auto Center, underpass, repeat. It was horribly blustery and cold and I hadn't brought enough running clothes to stay warm in, but I really pulled off an awesome run and was very proud of myself. Every time I turned the corner of the mall by Sear's Auto Center, however, the blustery wind hit me full force in the face. That was rough. But I am TOUGH and persevered!!

Then, and only then (after shower and lunch), did I hit the con. You know how embarrassing it potentially could be to show up at an engagement and some other girl has got the same dress on as you do? Well, just imagine Mr. Smith's horror when he: