When will work resume?

As I enter my first week after Comic-Con, I ponder how the rest of the summer, as well as the year, will pan out. It's a time for prayer and faith.

Sorting through photos

I'm right now in the process of sorting through the photos I took at this year's Comic-Con and will be posting them tonight. I feel pretty rested after having gone to bed around 10:15pm last night.

I certainly am feeling that post Comic-Con depression the day after getting back home. But one thing to help ease the pain of returning to everyday life is scanning through video clips online through various sites of some of the other panels and happenings I didn't see. As well as other interesting asides that made the event what it was and is.

Full report to follow...

Comic-Con: this year's party is over

Here it is Sunday night and Comic-Con 2009 is over.

It was sad to exit the Exhibit Hall around 5pm today when the event closed. But we certainly had an amazing time and have some great stories and photos to share. But first, must get home and catch up on some sleep tomorrow. Stay tuned!

Comic-Con: Wednesday & Thursday

The last two days have truly been amazing!!! I can't believe the event os half over! The "Tron 2" presentation, James Cameron and 25 minutes of footage from "Avatar", Peter Jackson showing a seven minute long trailer for "District 9"...AND an amazing surprise as we went on a "Tron" scavenger hunt late into Thursday night; Flynn's Arcade in the middle of San Diego filled with 80's video games, including the movie's Space Paranoids and the original Tron game I use to pump massive amounts of quarters into!

Suddenly a door opened and we were all escorted through a hallway filled with concept drawings of the new light cycle from "Tron 2". All culminating with an actual, full-sized light cycle on a rotating carousel!!! Many more details to this, but it'll have to wait until we get back! For now, here's a taste of what we saw behind the curtain at Flynn's. Click on the photo for a larger view.

Tomorrow is "Iron Man 2" day, and I AM NOT GOING TO MISS IT FOR ANYTHING!!!

WE ARE HERE!!!

Last night's Preview Night was awesome here at Comic-Con! The three of us just got up, getting ready, and about to head down to to get in the already long line.

First up, Disney's "Tron 2" panel. NOT GONNA MISS THIS! Later, James Cameron doing an extended preview of clips for Avatar! Probably be in Hall H for at least half the day.

Welcome to Comic-Con 2009 week!

"Everything's Gonna Be Alright" - Bob Marley

After weeks of uncertainty about whether this year's event would actually come together and be an enjoyable occasion, everything has finally fallen into place. As I woke this morning I suddenly started to hear that song by Bob Marley in my head. I knew that as we entered the day before leaving for San Diego on Tuesday, that things would align and worries would be pushed aside. Leaving only anticipation for what has now become the crowning event of each year for me.

In the end the only major sacrifice we had to make was to turn two rooms, one for Bill, and one for Rebecca and I, into a combined effort to save money that was already pretty tight. We're still in the San Diego Marriott Hotel & Marina, we're still going for the full time originally planned (Tuesday thru Monday), and most importantly we're not going to be living on cheese and crackers the whole time.

I'm ready, I can't wait, and I'm so much happier now than I was a week ago. BRING IT!!!

Men on the moon!: 40 years ago today

I actually remember sitting in front of the TV with my Dad watching the Apollo 11 moon landing on a black and white television. 40 years ago, the entire world went with Neil Armstrong, Michael Collins, and Buzz Aldrin to the moon. And somehow we all forgot about the rest of the problems that were happening around the world to watch two Americans set foot on another body in space for the first time. And we didn't even care that the images were blurry at times. We savored all of it...every glitch and visual static that was beamed into our living rooms from space, transporting us all to another world!

It's very cool to see the new digitally enhanced video of the landing, and I was truly shocked to learn that the original tapes went missing from NASA three years ago! So they had to use the best news agency footage captured from that footage over the airwaves.

At any rate, it's hard to believe it's been 40 years! Click on the photo to see a publicity photo of the crew of Apollo 11 seldom seen.

Walter Cronkite dies

'The Most Trusted Man In America', who was synonyms with REAL fair and balanced reporting, has passed away. Truly an icon of the Twentieth Century, Walter Cronkite took many of us Boomers to the moon and back during the 1960's, guiding us through the chaos of Vietnam, and realing from the shock of the Kennedy assassination. Always a man of incredible integrity, I'll always remember watching him on the CBS Evening News while I sat down with my parents to eat dinner each and every night.

In the news business, no one has ever touched Cronkite's steady hand and gravitas while delivering the top stories of the day...and no one ever will. He was one of a kind we shall not see again.

One week to Comic-Con!

Wow! Where did the time go?!

Here we are, closing in to what has become my Christmas and a trip to Willy Wonka's Chocolate Factory all rolled into one! Once again I will revel at the moment we drop our bags, open the curtains, look down upon the San Diego Convention Center, and exclaim, "IT'S BEAUTIFUL!!!!!!".

Michael Jackson & Farrah Fawcett

I have specific memories attached to Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett that I wanted to share. Even though it's taken me awhile to write about it here.

Farrah Fawcett will always represent sitting in front of the TV and watching Charlie's Angels when I was a kid and a teenager. Wednesday nights at 9pm. I actually never had her poster, believe it or not! Although my Mom was more worried about the Lynda Carter and Pat Benatar posters on my closet doors. She probably would have felt the same way about Farrah. But I do remember going to the stores and seeing her million dollar smile and red bathing suit everywhere I turned.

The time I think about first when it comes to Michael Jackson is when his video for "Thriller" premiered on MTV in 1984. A number of us all got together at a friend's house in Springfield, MA to munch on pizza and watch the clock, waiting for the precious 8pm first showing. We, of course, ate it up (the video as well as the pizza!) and couldn't wait for the repeat showing shortly after that. The mid 1980's was really the height of Michael Jackson's career, and certainly where the hearts of fans reached out to during his passing.

What a vast difference the memorilization of these two icons was. One, in a very private ceremony, briefly glimpsed at by the press from across the street. The other, a global time of mourning. With blocked off freeways, presidential level motorcades bypassing rush hour traffic, followed by a flock of helicopters all vying for the best shot of that golden casket. Not to mention the globally televised memorial service.

I think a lot of us, who were old enough to remember these two during their most prominent and popular times, feel like part of their childhood has finally passed as well. I know I do.

Michael Jackson's private family service and memorial

Just clicked onto CNN.com LIVE to catch the Jackson family leaving their compound in Encino and head to the Forest Lawn Cemetary. The entire eastbound 101 freeway was shutdown at their exit to allow the procession free, unhindered passage...AMAZING! I am in awe at the enormity of today!

I'll be watching the entire memorial service live when it happens.

The week of Michael Jackson

His star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame, The Jackson Compound in Encino, and Neverland Ranch. I have stories about all three of these with photos I took at each location. I even submitted my bid for tickets to the Staples Center memorial (didn't get them though).

It's all coming up after I finish my last day of work on the "Say Anything" 20th Anniversary DVD project. I was called in to make final changes today.

And yes, my best memory of both Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, and Karl Malden as well.