And you thought I'd quit blogging
I set off from my house with the sunrise on Saturday morning, armed with my iPod, which had been freshly loaded with Pixar’s Cars soundtrack, and my backpack, which contained everything I could possibly need for a perfect day in North Carolina. 198 miles (no traffic tickets, warnings, flat tires, or incidents) later, I pulled into the Charlotte Convention Center for the 2006 Heroes Convention.
I’ve never been to a comic book conference because -- well I don’t know crap about comic books. But I love Dean Trippe. And I started reading some cool comic books this year. (Thank you, Kyle!) And I heard that there would be people dressed up in costumes. No one appreciates a good costume more than me.
Comic book people should start their own church, I’m telling you, because there may not be a more accepting group of people on the planet. The first comic shop owner I ever met named Kyle was the most accepting guy I've ever run across. Every one in his shop was crazy about him. If I were any kind of artist, I’d probably be a total snot about it. Cause most people? Absolutely cannot draw. But comic book artists? Not snots at all. The opposite of snots, actually.
I got to meet Andy Runton and Terry Moore, which was the highlight of the whole show for me. Andy Runton draws Owly, the sweetest comic in the world. Plus, he was just a super nice guy.
Here is what I took from my first comic convention:
1. The Heroes Convention is the only place I’ve ever been where there was a queue for the guys’ restroom and zero wait for the gals’.
2. The ratio of guys to girls at this particular venue meant that I got hit on more in one day than I have in the last, oh, 6 years.
3. I should have absolutely not skipped art class to play basketball when I was younger.
The loot, the plunder, the prize, the spoils, the take (there were pirates at the convention too):
Heather, Heather, Heather, you are saying to yourself, did you really drive all the way to North Carolina just to see heroes? Yes, actually. But I drove all the way to see one hero more than all the others.
Kelly Jelly and I have been intending to meet up for a long while, as we have been blog buddies - turned really good friends - for quite some time. I took off from the convention around lunch time and drove up to Mooresville, NC to hook up with Kelly for some long overdue knee-to-knee conversation and margaritas. Mapquest dropped me off in the general vicinity of the Mexican restaurant, but I had to stay on the phone with one of the waiters for 10 minutes while he talked me through a complex combination of traffic signals and parking lot maneuvers.
“Oh are you in that little white truck?” he asked as I drove past the restaurant and then slammed on the breaks.
“Yup,” I said. “I’m waving, do you see me?”
He laughed. “Yes.”
When Kelly got out of her car, she said, “I can’t believe it’s actually you sitting there!”
I couldn’t believe it was actually her walking across the parking lot.
Here’s what I can tell you about Kelly:
She’s stunning in real life; and despite her proclamations otherwise, she looks like she is 25 years old. She is charming, and witty, and absolutely disarming, which you would probably guess from reading her blog. But it’s completely undiluted in real life. She also has this gentle, calming voice that pulls you away from anything else that is happening around you, and rests your attention completely on what she is saying. (No southern accent on account of she is from the west coast.)
She gave me a copy of Goodnight Moon, her favorite children’s book; and I think if she’d picked it up and started reading it to me in that sweet voice, I would have fallen asleep right on the table. (Not because I was bored, but because that’s how at ease she puts you.)
We talked books, kids, husbands, boyfriends, pals, heroes, love, loss, and travel. We surprisingly talked very little about blogging. That was the only thing we talked little about though; the restaurant nearly shut down around us. After 3 and a half hours, we were the only patrons in the place.
I left with the distinct sense that I’d cemented a wonderful friendship, as well as converted another person to my side of the Snape controversy. (Evangelism, I think they call it.)
The best original artwork didn't come from the convention:
The only down side to my perfect day was that I ran my mouth and told Kelly that, while I used to suffer from insomnia, I sleep peacefully through the night these days.
It’s 4:40 in the morning. I have been awake for 2 hours. (Jinxing yourself, I think they call it.)
Ah well, I do have new comic books for readin'.
Comments
Oh Heathy, I was only trying to stay on your good side about Snape. I still love Snape. I can say that now that you're not across the table from me, within chip-shooting range.
And I love you more than ever. I told you I'm going to wear my Owly shirt today, right?
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Snape and Heathcliff? Kell, you are a glutton for punishment. I, on the other hand, am a glutton for pirates. I'm so glad you wore your Owly shirt. Owly comic books are kind of like getting hugged.
Posted by: Kelly | July 2, 2006 06:50 AM
Oh and also, Heathy. I probably gave you that insomnia - it IS catching. Gulp. I'm sorry.
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I slept through the whole night last night! The insomnia was only temporary. (I hope.)
Posted by: Kelly | July 2, 2006 06:52 AM
Oh Heather! That sounds like a day to remember. A day that makes you go, I will never forget this day for it has been so beautiful.
So delighted for you and Kelly! Gosh, I am sooo jealous. For I so do want to see her. And the comic convention? BRILLIANT idea.
I read Diesel Sweeties and have been following Todd and Penguin (thanks to you) for quite some time now.
Good stuff!
By the way, the comics you sent haven't found their way to me yet.
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Hey, Aakanksha! It was a day to remember. I hope a comic convention comes to Melbourne. But if it doesn't at least you MANIFEST, right? I mean people dressing up? Frikkin' awesome. I am about to email you back and we can address this comic book conundrum.
Posted by: Aakanksha | July 2, 2006 08:28 AM
That is so totally not fair! I have been wanting to visit the both of you, but it hasn't worked out! I'm glad you two had a good time. Next time the margaritas are on me (that is if you make the trip out to visit me!!)
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Jenn! As Kelly said, we did speak fondly of you. But I can't come to the west coast because every time that I do, I get reamed for my thick southern accent! I actually love the west coast. And for free margaritas, I'm sure I could deal with accent ridicule. :)
Posted by: Jenn (the not-sister) | July 2, 2006 11:58 AM
Goodnight Moon is MY favorite too!
So sweet, friends.
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Abs, you are the sweetest person in the wide world. Did you know that?
Posted by: Abigail | July 2, 2006 03:08 PM
you were in nc and didnt call me?!
I emailed you!
I love you~!
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I almost called you on account of it was the one year anniversary of CRT OBX. I am just about to email you back. Come home tomorrow. PUH LEASE! I love you too.
Posted by: Candice aka Cousin | July 2, 2006 06:10 PM
Oh, gracious! Goodnight Moon! And the two of you, together! In real life! I am SO jealous! From both ends! I am coveting the knee to knee sitting, and the meeting of you both. And now I am thinking I am making little sense. But hurrah! for the two of you. : )
Someday we shall meet and play frisbee until long after our bedtimes. And then Kelly will read Goodnight Moon to us. : )
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Kerri Anne, you just tell me when and where to meet you and I'll bring my LIGHT UP FRISBEE! That would be so much fun. I still can't get enough of that thing. :)
Posted by: kerri anne | July 3, 2006 04:15 AM
Why does everyone know what Goodnight Moon is? I am the only one who stands ignorant.
Well, just to make me feel better I shall say I loved the story Rumpelstiltskin. But as a kid, my favourite stories (picturebooks with a sentence at the bottom of the page) were Rapunzel, Musicians of Bremen and The Little Match Girl. *sticks tongue out*
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Aakanks, I LOVED Musicians of Bremen! I really still like fairy tales a whole lot. Good Night Moon
Posted by: Aakanksha | July 3, 2006 04:24 AM
Ace, I have never heard of that book either, my own personal favourite is The Very Hungry Caterpillar (I have several copies!). But now I am going to find this book to read to my littlies!
Oops,sorry H-A, I almost forgot I was meant to be addressing YOU!!!! Glad you had a super-duper time with Princess Poopy Pants. How comes you never mentioned all the waiters hitting on you though eh? ;)
Sounds to me like you had a perfect day...and that you could've done with having Kelly read to you, then you would've drifted off to dreamland no bother zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
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Clare! Eric Carle is an artistic genius. And also the King of Alliteration. I love him. My favorite Eric Carle is The Very Lonely Firefly. I actually like his whole Very Series very much.
Also, Clare, as you know from reading Kelly's blog, she is prone to outbursts of hyperbole. The waiter thing is a hyperbole at its best. They were only coming over to fill up our water. She made the rest of it up to make me look good.
Posted by: Clare | July 3, 2006 05:24 AM
Clare Bear, I am so glad to have some company here ;) I should get Her Royal Highness, Princess Poopy Pants to read it out to me over the internet!!
Heather, if you were to count how many acceptable men hit on you, what would that number be? =)
On another note, I've been having these excellent ideas for words on T-shirts. I need to get me some Print on T-shirt Paper.
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You really ought to get Kelly to read to you over the Internet. You would be very soothed. I think you should absolutely make up some t-shirts with words. I LOVE t-shirts! They're my favorite thing in the world.
Posted by: Aakanksha | July 3, 2006 08:52 AM
I did wonder if the two of you were ever coming back to blog world. :) It is good to hear from you both again. And humorous and sweet to see you both gush over each other like a new crush. :)
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Hi ya, Anne! Anne with an E. Best name ever. I want you to know that while I was typing this reply I got an email from the DQ Blizzard Fan Club. They just came out with a new Blizzard called Caramel Chip Cheesequake. I think it's a sign that you should go have some ice cream. Immediately.
Posted by: anne | July 3, 2006 09:17 AM
Heather, I would make sure that no one reamed you for your accent. I would punch them if they did. Besides, what's cuter than a southern accent?
Posted by: Jenn (the not-sister) | July 3, 2006 01:38 PM
Heather,
for a long time i have watched the friendship between you and "Irish Eyes unfold" Kell has been my other heartbeat for umteen years back here in Orygun....and to see you both meet and knee to knee unwrap eachother ... makes me smile... you are truely a kindred.. thanks for keeping her in stitches.
Kary g
Posted by: Kary Glass Art | July 3, 2006 04:21 PM
My mother in Arkansas keeps insisting that we are visiting her for Christmas this year--how far is AR from GA and NC anyway?
Goodnight Moon is the first boardbook I bought from my firstborn, at about 6 months, I think. It survived him, but due to my second-born's penchant for reading--and then eating--books, I'm not sure my third-born is going to get to enjoy it. My friend Rohini suggested I go buy another one--novel concept!
I've never been much for comic books--most are so dark. Except Calvin and Hobbes. Oh, and I also have a closet Dilbert weakness, although these are both collections of strips, not books. Please, sah, tell me wheah I may fahnd some "Owly"? That pic looks too cute!
Posted by: Talena | July 3, 2006 06:29 PM
Goodnight Moon is my fave book too - it's what I started reading to my kid with.
Posted by: Rohini | July 4, 2006 01:25 PM